LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, r- Chapc_z££?Copyright No, SheltJE^J UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ■■■■■Bn ^t HISTORY OF VIRGINIA A BRIEF TEXT BOOK FOR SCHOOLS BY ROYALL BASCOM SMITHEY, A.M. PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS, RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE >**:< NEW YORK ■:• CINCINNATI •:• CHICAGO AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY VjfrJMA*2-- .Sec ^'1 2_ 9303 Copyright, 1898, by ROYALL BASCOM SMITHEY. HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. W. P. I .CEIVED. 398 &o JHg HHife ANNIE SHACKELFORD SMITHEY I DEDICATE THIS BOOK PREFACE In this volume, I have endeavored to present in a clear and connected manner the leading facts in the history of Virginia. The materials have been drawn from the most reliable authorities, and much time has been spent in com- paring them so as to render the narrative as accurate as possible. In the colonial period, the richness of the sources of information proved a continual embarrassment ; and I found myself compelled to leave out many, interest- ing incidents, to prevent the book from exceeding the well-defined limits within which a state history for school use should be kept. Virginia was the cradle of the English race in America, and for this reason her history is of more than ordinary interest. Besides this, the great variety of romantic and important events that have taken place within her bor- ders, the immortal characters that have been nurtured upon her soil, and the unswerving manner in which her people have always contended for their rights, render her history specially worthy of being studied. Of all the emo- tions that stir the human soul, love of country is one of 7 8 PREFACE the noblest; and near akin to it is reverence for one's ancestors. If this little book shall have the happy effect of increasing the patriotism of young people, and of causing them to appreciate more highly the deeds of their forefathers, the author will feel amply repaid for his labor. R. B. SMITHEY. Randolph-Macon College, Va. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION PAGE The First Inhabitants 15 The Indians of Virginia: Appearance; Their Character; Weapons; Wigwams; Habits and Customs; Indian Warfare; Running the Gantlet; Education; How they looked upon Self-control; Sea- sons and Festivals; Religion; Powhatan. FIRST PERIOD— THE COLONY CHAPTER I Early Attempts at Colonization 25 Importance of Virginia History; Why Virginia was Settled; Early Explorers; Sir Walter Raleigh's Exploring Party; Origin of the Name Virginia; First Roanoke Island Colony; The Lost Colony. CHAPTER II Jamestown 33 Renewed Interest in Virginia; The London and the Plymouth Com- panies; The First American Charter; The Beginners of the Na- tion; The Departure; The Voyage; The First Virginia Council; Exploring; Location of Jamestown Chosen; A Fort Built. CHAPTER III A Typical Pioneer Early History of Captain John Smith; Visit to Powhatan; An Un- expected Calamity; Half Survive; Supposed Breadth of North America; Smith a Captive; His Rescue; Various Events; Smith explores the Chesapeake Bay; Change of Rulers; Promises that could not be Fulfilled; A New Charter; The New Emigrants arrive, but the New Government does not ; New Settlements; Smith leaves Virginia; His Character. 9 39 IO CONTEXTS CHAPTER IV PAGE The Starving Time — The Administrations of Delaware, Dale, and Argall 49 The Starving Time; The Wreck of the Sea Venture ; The Rescue; Administration of Lord Delaware; Sir Thomas Dale; Results accomplished by Dale; Argall. CHAPTER V Pocahontas 54 Her Friendship for the English; Her Capture; Her Marriage; The Cause of Peace; Visits England; Her Death. CHAPTER VI The Founding of a State 57 The Crisis of Colonization; Triumph of Patriotic Motives; The Great Charter; Good Results; Homes in the Wilderness; Intro- duction of Negro Slavery; Indented Servants; Friendly Inter- course with the Indians; The Massacre of 1622; Effects of the Massacre; Retaliation. CHAPTER VII Tobacco 64 How regarded by the Indians; Introduced into England; The Foundation of Virginia's Prosperity; Led to a Fondness for Country Life. CHAPTER VIII The Colony under the King 66 Virginia becomes a Royal Colony; Lord Baltimore; Opposition to British Encroachment; Sir William Berkeley begins his Adminis- tration; Opechancanough strikes Once More. CHAPTER IX The Colony under the Commonwealth 71 Execution of Charles I.; The Colony Loyal to Charles II.; The Coming of the Cavaliers; The Commonwealth asserts its Author- ity; The Colony prospers during the Time of the Commonwealth. CHAPTER X The Restoration takes Place, and the Loyal Colony is Op- pressed till it is Ready to Revolt 75 The Restoration; Berkeley's return to Power; Why attached to Royalty; The Navigation Laws; The Royalists in Power in the Colony; Oppressive Colonial Legislation; Obstinacy of Berkeley ; Criminal Prodigality of Charles II.; Ready for revolt. CONTENTS 1 1 CHAPTER XI page Bacon's Rebellion 81 Tustice too long delayed; Indian Troubles; The People's Leader; Declared to be Rebels; Berkeley makes Concessions; A New House of Burgesses; Bacon's Arrest and Apology; Bacon's Flight and Return; Bacon before the Burgesses; Berkeley takes Refuge in Accomac; The Convention at Middle Plantation; The Indians defeated and dispersed; Berkeley's Return to Jamestown; De- struction of Jamestown; Death of Bacon; Collapse of the Rebel- lion; Berkeley's Revenge; Berkeley's Recall and Death. CHAPTER XII From Bacon's Rebellion to the French and Indian War . . 93 After Bacon's Rebellion; The Tobacco Rebellion; Governors not interested in the People; Good Effects of the English Revolution of 1688; The Coming of the Huguenots; The Close of the Sev- enteenth Century; Alexander Spotswood; Spotswood crosses the Blue Ridge; Richmond and Petersburg founded; Settlement of the Valley. CHAPTER XIII The French and Indian War 100 The Question of Supremacy; The Plan of France; The English Plan; Protest from Virginia; The Envoy selected; The Journey and the Result; The Opening of Hostilities; England sends Gen- eral Braddock to Virginia; Braddock's Defeat; Predatory Inroads on the Frontier; Virginia defends her Frontiers; End of the War. CHAPTER XIV Colonial Life 107 Its Golden Age; Classes that formed Society; Life on a Large Plantation; Life of the Planter; Life of a Planter's Wife; The "Great House"; Furniture; The Kitchen; Food; The Negro Quarters; Relation of Master and Servant; Dress; Education; Roads; Advantages of the Plantation Life. SECOND PERIOD — FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE CIVIL WAR CHAPTER XV Causes that led to the Revolution 121 Condition of the Colony after the War with France; Opposition to the King's Prerogative; The Parsons' Case; Power of Parlia- ment; The Stamp Act; Patrick Henry's Resolutions; Repeal of the Stamp Act; A Second Attempt at Taxation; The Virginia Resolves; The Non-Importation Agreement; The Duties re- I 2 CONTENTS PAGE pealed except the one on Tea; Committee of Correspondence; Destruction of the Tea at Boston; Virginia espouses the Cause of Massachusetts; The First Congress. CHAPTER XVI The Last Eventful Years of Lord Dunmore's Administration . 130 Lord Dunmore's War; Battle of Point Pleasant; The Prophetic Words of Patrick Henry; The First Clash of Arms; The Gun- powder; Flight of Lord Dunmore; Provisional Government organized; Dunmore's Ravages. CHAPTER XVII The Revolution — from its Beginning to Burgoyne's Surrender 137 Operations at the North ; Washington appointed Commander in chief: Washington's Appointment a Political Necessity; Virginia takes an Active Part in the War; First Period of the War; Vir- ginia takes Action for Independence; Bill of Rights; Adoption of a Constitution; Congress adopts the Declaration of Indepen- dence; Virginia among the First; A Seal adopted; Religious Liberty; The Law of Primogeniture; A Dictator proposed; Washington restores Confidence; Burgoyne's Invasion; Morgan and his Riflemen; Burgoyne's Surrender. CHAPTER XVIII The Last Years of the Revolution 150 The War in the South; The British attack Virginia; Benedict Arnold in Virginia; Lafayette; The Virginians at King's Moun- tain; Morgan at Cowpens; Virginia becomes the Seat of War; Maneuvers of Comwallis and Lafayette; Cornwallis Entrapped; Siege of Yorktown; Peace at Last; Governor Nelson. CHAPTER XIX Virginia's Conquest of her Northwest Territory . . .158 British Occupation of the Northwest Territory; "The Hannibal of the West"; Capture of Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes; Clarke gets Control over the Indians; The British recapture Vin- cennes; Clarke surprises Hamilton; Civil Government organized; Importance of the Conquest. CHAPTER XX Virginia in the Union 163 Virginia cedes her Northwest Territory; Boundary Dispute between Virginia and Pennsylvania; Virginia leads the Movement for a more Perfect Union; The Constitution Ratified; Virginia pro- poses another Revision; The Alien and Sedition Laws; The CONTENTS 1 3 PAGE 175 Great Virginian; Period of Prosperity; "The Mother of States and of Statesmen"; Burning of the Richmond Theater; War of 1812; What Virginians did for the Union; "The Pathfinder of the Sea"; Virginia's Influence upon Other States. CHAPTER XXI Slavery Encouraged by England; Attitude of Virginia; New England's Connection with Slavery; Change of Feeling at the North in regard to Slavery; Gabriel's Insurrection; Nat Turner's Insurrec- tion; Sentiment in Virginia in Later Times; Fugitive Slaves; John Brown's Raid; Brown captured and executed; Report of the Senate Committee; Political Significance of Brown's Attack. THIRD PERIOD — FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME CHAPTER XXII Approach of the Civil War 183 The Constitution Ambiguous; The State-Rights Theory; The National Theory; Which was the True Theory? The First Threats of Secession; Virginia and the South; The North and the West; Reasons why the South wished to secede. CHAPTER XXIII The Beginning of the Civil War 189 Secession of the Cotton States ; Virginia's Effort for Peace; Diplo- macy; Capture of Fort Sumter; War now Inevitable; Secession of Virginia; Her Heroic Action; Actions of Other States; Re- turn of Virginians; Distinguished Leaders who came to Virginia; Military Ardor; Virginia dismembered. CHAPTER XXIV The First Movement against Richmond 199 Events that will be Recorded; " On to Richmond ! "; Preparations for Defense: Opening of Hostilities in Virginia; Battle of Manassas: The Victory not Followed up; Situation at the End of 1 86 1 ; Resources of the Two Sections. CHAPTER XXV Campaigns of 1862 205 The Virginia; Battle between the Virginia and the Monitor; Plan of the Peninsular Campaign; Jackson's Valley Campaign; Battle of Seven Pines; The Seven Days' Battles; Second Manassas; 14 CONTENTS PAGE Invasion of Maryland; Battle of Sharpsburg; Distinguished Eng- lishmen visit Lee; Battle of Fredericksburg. CHAPTER XXVI From Chancellorsville to Gettysburg 214 Chancellorsville; Death of Stonewall Jackson; Brandy Station; Battle of Gettysburg; The Turning Point in the War. CHAPTER XXVII Lee and Grant 219 The Raid of Kilpatrick and Dahlgren; General Grant; The " Ham- mering Campaign"; Battles of the Wilderness; Lee's General- ship; Butler Imprisoned; Defeat of Sigel at New Market; Early defeats Hunter, and threatens Washington; Sheridan's Devasta- tion of the Valley; Siege of Petersburg; Battle of the Crater; Situation at the End of 1864. CHAPTER XXVIII End of the War 230 Evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg; The Conflagration in Richmond; Surrender of General Lee; General Grant's Generous Spirit: General Lee taking Leave of his Army; Downfall of the Confederacy; No Trials of Confederate Leaders; Supremacy of the Nation; Abolition of Slavery; The Army of Northern Vir- ginia; A Northern Tribute to Virginia. CHAPTER XXIX Reconstruction and Restoration 238 Condition of Virginia after the W 7 ar; Suspension of Civil Govern- ment; Provisional Government established; Refused Readmis- sion into the Union; Under Military Rule; The Rule of " Carpet-baggers" and " Scallawags"; In the Union Again; The Freedmen's Bureau; Wreck of the Plantation System; Spirit of the People. CHAPTER XXX Recent Times 245 Capitol Disaster; Last Days of General Lee; Public School Sys- tem; Higher and Technical Education; Yorktown Centennial; The State Debt; Virginia at the World's Fair; The White House of the Confederacy; Patriotism of Virginia Women; Patriotic Societies; Governors since the War; Resources; Progress; De- velopment of Literature; Virginia honors her Great Men; Con- clusion. APPENDIX 257 INDEX 271 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA INTRODUCTION THE FIRST INHABITANTS The Indians of Virginia. — When the territory now included in Virginia was first settled by the English, it was occupied by an Indian population numbering about ten thousand, divided among more than forty clans or tribes. Each of these was ruled over by a chief ; and about thirty of them were united in a loose confederacy under a head-chief named Powhatan. There were also two smaller confederacies and a few scattering tribes which maintained their independence. All the Virginia Indians belonged to the great Algonkin 1 family. Appearance. — The Virginia Indians were manly in ap- pearance, being tall, straight, and well-proportioned. They were copper-colored, had high cheek bones, piercing black 1 The Algonkin Indians occupied the eastern coast of North America from the St. Lawrence River to North Carolina, and in the interior nearly all the territory that was south of the Great Lakes and east of the Mississippi. All the Algonkin Indians had similar customs and spoke cognate languages. The origin of the Indians is unknown. They possessed no written history, and their traditions as to their ancestors were conflicting. The theory that at a very remote age they reached America from Asia by way of Bering Strait has many advocates, and is possibly true. America, when first discovered, was supposed to be a part of India, and for this reason the aboriginal inhabi- tants were called "Indians" by the early explorers. l 5 i6 INTRODUCTION eyes, and coarse black hair. The women wore their hair long and allowed it to hang over their shoulders. The men cut theirs short on one side, but let it grow long on the other. On the top of their heads, they carefully pre- served a lock or ridge, like a cock's comb, which was called the scalp lock. This was the warrior's pride and his token of defiance to his ene- mies, whom he dared to take it. Their clothing was made chiefly of the skins of the deer, the raccoon, the beaver, and the otter. Their shoes were made of buckskin, and were called moccasins. They possessed in a high degree the fondness for ornaments and toys that has been observed in all savages. They tattooed their bodies with representations of flowers, fruits, and birds, and adorned them- selves with handsome mantles made of curiously interwoven feathers, which were dyed red or blue, as fancy dictated. Their heads and shoulders they painted red, with the juice of the blood- root plant; and both men and women wore necklaces of beads and pearls. Altogether, they were a curious and picturesque looking race. Their Character. — Bravery and fortitude were good qualities which the Indians generally possessed. But they were cruel, vindictive, and treacherous. They had no laws to restrain evil doers ; and so, when a man was wronged THE FIRST INHABITANTS 7 by another, he had to punish the offender himself. In this way, the spirit of revenge was so cultivated that it became an Indian's pride never to forget an injury. He would carefully conceal his resentment, while he waited long years for an opportunity to wreak his vengeance ; and when it came, he would execute the penalty with interest. Thus it happened that among them it was the custom to return evil for evil. Their training gave them no idea of the golden rule ; and so they knew not how to render good for evil, though at times they would repay kindness with kindness. Weapons. — Bows and arrows, stone hatchets, called tomahawks, stone knives, wooden spears and clubs con- Indian Weapons stituted their chief weapons. In hunting, they depended mainly upon the bow and arrow, which by constant prac- tice they learned to use with great skill. They could dis- charge their arrows with so much force that they were able to bring down their game at a distance of more than a hundred yards. The arrows were winged with turkey feathers and had heads made of stone. Specimens of these arrowheads are still found in Virginia. Wigwams. — The Indians dwelt in villages, chiefly along the banks of the numerous rivers that flow through Vir- ginia. They constructed their cabins, which were called wigwams, by driving stakes in the ground and fastening VIRG. HIST. — 2 i8 INTRODUCTION them together at the top by means of bent poles. They covered them with reeds, bark, and skins. These rude houses were sometimes fifty or a hundred feet long ; and some of them exhibited a slight advance toward civiliza- tion by being divided into separate rooms. At the top, a small open- ing was left for smoke to escape. If the fire on the hearth went entirely out, this was regarded by the women as an evil omen, and accordingly it was rarely al- lowed to occur. For chairs the Indians used mats, and for beds they constructed raised platforms, which were covered with mats and skins. Habits and Customs. — They en- gaged in agriculture to a limited extent, cultivating corn, beans, and tobacco. As they possessed no iron or steel instruments to fell the forests, where their crops were to be planted, they girdled the trees with stone hatchets, cutting the bark away in a ring, which stopped the flow of the sap and caused the trees to die. This practice, which originated with the savages, is still used in parts of Virginia. All work was performed by women, or squaws, as they were called, the men spending their time in hunting, fishing, and in fighting their enemies. When the Indians went off on long hunting expeditions, the women carried the burdens, and when the day drew to a close cut down saplings and built arbors, while the warriors looked complacently on, smoking their pipes, or else practiced shooting at tar- Wigwams THE FIRST INHABITANTS 19 Indian Warfare. — The savages were usually in a state of warfare with tribes that were hostile to them. They never fought a pitched battle, nor did they contend in an open field, but depended upon strategy, surprises, and silent approaches. Their method was to entrap their enemies in ambuscades, or else to creep upon them in Indian file, and attack them unexpectedly. Prisoners, especially women ■ A* ' W > Mj>f!: W 1 WiMm mBSmr H ■' ' . : - 1 Running the Gantlet and children, were frequently adopted into the tribe, but many were tortured to death. Running the Gantlet. — A favorite method of torture, called running the gantlet, was to compel a captive to run between two rows of warriors, each of whom would strike him with a club or knife, as he passed along. At times, a prisoner would escape torture if he showed bravery in a high degree, so much did the savages value this quality. 20 INTRODUCTION A marked example of this occurred in the case of General Stark of New Hampshire. The Indians captured him, and decided that he must run the gantlet. Stark saw death staring him in the face ; but as he started, he snatched a club from one of the savages, and swinging it right and left, rushed on between the lines of astonished warriors, laying them out as he went along. Thus he passed through the ordeal almost unhurt. The savages loudly applauded his daring, and the old men laughed at the young braves who had been so unceremoniously knocked over. Instead of torturing Stark again, they bestowed upon him the honors of a hero. Education. — The Indians were quick of apprehension and ingenious. They learned what they could from nature, finding out the habits of animals and discovering the prop- erties of plants. Nothing escaped their notice. So well did they train their ears and eyes, that, in the forests, they could hear sounds and see sights which could not be per- ceived by a white man ; and they could travel with ease for miles in a straight line through the thickest woods. The boys and girls were taught how to make earthen pots, to fashion stone hatchets and arrowheads, and to manu- facture beads out of the shells found on the seacoast. Beyond such rude arts as these, their education did not ex- tend. Their idea of numbers was very limited. It is said that some of them could count only ten, while others could reckon a thousand. "As numerous as pigeons in the woods or as the stars in the heavens," was the way they expressed a large number. Some years after the English arrived at Jamestown, Powhatan sent Tomocomo, one of his chiefs, over to England with instructions to find out the population of the country. Tomocomo carried alonsr with him a bundle of sticks, and he was ordered to THE FIRST INHABITANTS 21 cut a notch for every Englishman he met. The story tells us that he diligently followed his instructions till he reached London, when, amazed by the multitude he saw thronging the streets, his arithmetic failed him, and, throw- ing away his sticks, he gave up the undertaking. How they Looked upon Self-control. — From infancy, they were taught to bear pain patiently and silently. The boys played a game of " Choosing Chief," in which each one would press a live coal to his naked body in order to see who could hold it there the longest, and the successful one was honored by being selected leader. A story told by an early missionary, also illustrates the value which the savages placed upon self-control. A great bear was wounded by an Indian, and groaned piteously as he lay on the ground. The Indian, hearing this, addressed him as follows : " Bear, you are a coward and no warrior. Your tribe and mine are at war, and yours began it. Had you wounded me, I should not have uttered a sound, while here you are bringing disgrace upon your tribe." Seasons and Festivals. — They counted their years by winters, which they called " Cohonks," from the shrill cry of the migratory wild geese, which they heard as cold weather approached. They held a number of feasts, such as, one for the coming of the wild fowl, one for the return of the hunting season, and one for the ripening of certain fruits. But their greatest festival took place at the time when they gathered corn. This lasted some days and was frequently participated in by the inhabitants of several villages. On this occasion, the warriors boasted that, as their corn had been gathered, which furnished food enough for the women and children, they were free to hunt, seek new adventures, or go to war, as they fancied. So they rejoiced, sang heroic songs, and danced. The historian, 22 INTRODUCTION Beverley, describes a festival dance, saying that it is executed by the " dancers themselves forming a ring, and moving around a circle of carved posts, that are set up for that purpose, or else round a fire, made in a convenient part of the town ; and then each has his rattle in his hand, or what other thing he fancies most, as his bows and arrows, or his tomahawk. They also dress themselves up with branches of trees, or some other strange accoutre- ments. Thus they proceed, dancing and singing, with all the antic postures they can invent, and he is the bravest fellow that has the most prodigous gestures." Religion. — The Indians are represented as believing that when death came they went " beyond the mountains towards the setting sun." One of the earliest writers 1 on Virginia says they believed in "the immortality of the soul, when, life departing from the body, according to the good or bad works it hath done, it is carried up to the taber- nacles of the gods to perpetual happiness, or to Popogusso, a great pit, which they think to be at the farthest parts of the world where the sun sets, and there burn continually." They held that it was unnecessary to pray to a good god, for the reason that he would not injure them anyway, but that with the spirit of evil it was different. He might do them harm and so should be appeased. They called him Kiwassa or Okee, and directed their worship to him. They had a legend that once Kiwassa had been on earth ; the foundation of the legend is as follows : Below Rich- mond, about a mile from the James River, there are to be seen on a rock some impressions of unknown origin. They look like the footprints of a giant. To these the Indians pointed, and claimed that they were made by Kiwassa when he came among them. 1 Thomas Heriot, who went to Virginia with Ralph Lane. THE FIRST INHABITANTS 23 Powhatan. — Powhatan inherited a part of the dominion over which he ruled, and the rest he acquired by conquest. He was among the Indians a kind of rude Napoleon, who had, by conquering tribe after tribe, so increased his ancestral domain that he had risen to some degree of kingly dignity and power. He accomplished this by his bravery, energy, and wisdom. He not only possessed some of the better qualities of human nature, but at times displayed touches of prince- ly magnanimity. From his followers, he exacted many ceremonial observances, and he ruled over them with the authority of a despot. A body-guard of braves at- tended him by day, and at night sentinels guarded his dwelling while he slept. In 1607, when the history of Virginia really opens, this monarch of the forest was about sixty years old. " His head was somewhat hoary, which, together with his stat- ure, carriage, and countenance, gave him an air of savage majesty." Naturally he viewed the coming of the English into his domain with alarm ; but he was too shrewd and politic to make open war upon them, and so he ended his days in the land of his ancestors. Better would it have been for the Indians of Virginia, had Powhatan's successors fol- lowed his example. But instead of doing this, they arrayed themselves against the incoming civilization, and brought on a contest which ended in the destruction of their race. 24 INTRODUCTION QUESTIONS 1. How many Indians did the English find in Virginia, and what is said of their clans or tribes? 2. To what great family did they belong? 3. Describe the appearance of the Virginia Indians. 4. Of what did their clothes consist, and how did they show their love of ornament ? 5. Give an estimate of the character of the Indian. 6. Why was it their custom to return evil for evil? 7. Describe their weapons. 8. How did they construct their wigwams? 9. Why did they never allow the fire to go out? 10. What did they use for chairs and beds? 1 1 . What products did they cultivate, and how did they clear their lands? 12. What is said of the women or squaws? 13. What was their method of warfare? 14. Explain what was meant by "running the gantlet." 15. What did they learn from nature? 16. What rude arts did they teach their children? 17. Did they have much idea of numbers? 18. On what mission did Powhatan send Tomocomo to London? 19. Give illustrations of how they regarded self-control. 20. How did they count years, and from what was the name derived? 21 . Describe their chief festival. 22. Their festival dance. 23. What was the belief of the Indians? 24. Why did they pray to the evil spirit? 25. What legend had they as to their god, Kiwassa? 26. What was Powhatan's position among them? 27. How did he view the coming of the English? FIRST PERIOD — THE COLONY CHAPTER I EARLY ATTEMPTS AT COLONIZATION Importance of Virginia History. — The history of the English race in America begins with Virginia. Much romantic interest clusters around the first settlement of this famous state, whose soil became the birthplace of a great nation ; and a narration of the adventures and deeds of her people constitutes one of the most important parts of the annals of our country. Why Virginia was Settled. — Toward the close of the six- teenth century, a strong desire to take part in the conquest and settlement of America began to stir the hearts of the English people. To increase trade, to bring heathen peoples under the influence of the Gospel, to have a colony where the surplus of the home population might go, and to check the rising power of Spain were the chief reasons that made England look with longing eyes upon America. Then, too, to found a nation upon the virgin soil of the New World was in itself an attractive thing to the brave, ardent, and restless English people. Early Explorers. — In 1492, Columbus 1 discovered the 1 Christopher Columbus, born in Genoa in 1436, or as others say, in 1446, was the son of a wool comber. At the early age of fourteen he evinced such a fondness for the sea that he was allowed to become a sailor. He con- 25 26 THE COLONY Bahama Islands, and then later the West Indies and South America, but he did not reach the continent of North Amer- ica. In 1497, John Cabot, who commanded an English fleet, touched upon the mainland, and took possession of it in the name of England. Upon this fact, England based her claim to a part of the country ; but nearly a hundred years passed away before she made any effort to secure it. In 1576, however, Sir Martin Frobisher made an ineffectual effort to plant a colony; and in 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert made another, in which he lost his life. Sir Walter Raleigh's Exploring Party. — After the death of Sir Humphrey Gilbert, his half-brother, Sir Walter Raleigh, 1 took up the subject of colonization in earnest, ceived the idea that India could be reached by sailing west from Europe. The wise men of that day said : "It is absurd. Who is so foolish as to believe that there are people on the other side of the world, walking with their heels up- ward and their heads hanging down? And then, how can a ship get there? The torrid zone, through which it must pass, is a region of fire, where the very waves boil. And even if a ship could perchance get around there safely, how could it get back? Can a ship sail uphill?" But Columbus, paying no attention to such criticisms, persisted for ten years in trying to induce some European government to send him on a voyage of discovery across the Atlan- tic, which was then called the "Sea of Darkness." Finally he succeeded in getting aid from Queen Isabella of Spain, who furnished him with three small vessels called Santa Maria, Pinta, and Nina. The expedition sailed from Palos, and after a very eventful voyage, on October 12, 1492, touched on an island belonging to what is now called the Bahama group. As soon as Colum- bus landed he fell upon his knees and offered thanks to God. He then took possession of the land for Spain. On his return to Europe he was received with great honors by Ferdinand and Isabella. He made a second voyage to America and founded a colony in Hayti, of which he was appointed governor. His enemies, from jealousy, maligned him at the court of Spain, so he was deposed and sent back home in chains. Queen Isabella soon had him released, but he never recovered from the mortification, and died a sad and disappointed old man. 1 Sir Walter Raleigh (1552-1618) was a distinguished soldier and states- man during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. He was also a bold mariner, EARLY ATTEMPTS AT COLONIZATION 27 and he readily obtained from Queen Elizabeth, who was much interested in the colonization of America, letters patent that gave him all the authority he needed. So he equipped an exploring party, which in April, 1584, he sent out in two ships under the command of Philip Amidas and Arthur Bar- low. This expedition reached the coast of North Carolina in July ; and the adventurers landed on an island, called by the Indians Wocokon, near stormy Cape Hatteras. Several days passed, and then some Indians visited them and entertained them in the most hospi- table manner. The English discovered and explored the island of Roanoke, and after remaining till September, they returned to England and gave a most glowing de- scription of the country. Origin of the Name Virginia. — The voyagers to the new land said that it was the " most plentiful, sweet, whole- and on account of his fondness for voyaging, was called the " Shepherd of the Ocean." He won the favor of Queen Elizabeth by his chivalrous attention, and was one of the most attractive and gallant of her courtiers. For seventeen years he was a member of Parliament, and he was one of the commanders of the English fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada. The Spaniards were bitterly hostile to Raleigh, and to please them James I. had him arrested. After thirteen years of imprisonment, he was condemned to death and be- headed. He spent forty thousand pounds of his own money on the colonies he sent out. His name is still held in grateful remembrance in Virginia. Raleigh 2% THE COLONY some, and fruitful of all other." Marvelous stories were told about the country in the West. There the fruits were more luscious, the flowers more beautiful, the trees taller, the mountains more majestic, than any ever before seen. There, too, the rivers ran over golden beds, and the Foun- tain of Youth, which removed all traces of age and disease, poured forth its crystal waters. At last, the western para- dise foreshadowed by the myths of ancient times had been discovered ! Such were the reports of the first explorers, fancy furnishing what facts failed to supply. When Queen Elizabeth, who took pride in being called England's Virgin Queen, heard such charming accounts of the new land, she named it after herself, Virginia. As to the boundaries of the country, these an old writer described as follows : " The bounds thereof on the East side are the ocean, on the South lieth Florida, on the North Nova Francia [Canada], as for the West thereof the limits are unknown." Since the " South Sea," which was another name for the Pacific Ocean, was supposed to be but a few hundred miles away, this was usually taken as the western boundary. As time passed, the domain called Virginia was continually made smaller, till finally the name was restricted to what is now embraced in the two Virginias. First Roanoke Island Colony. — Sir Walter Raleigh now made preparations for what he intended to be a perma- nent settlement. In April, 1585, he sent out a fleet of seven ships under the command of Sir Richard Grenville, which carried to Virginia a colony of 108 persons, Ralph Lane being the governor. These landed on Roanoke Island, and made a settlement. They inquired of the Indians the name of the country, and one of the savages exclaimed, " Wingandacon ! " — " You wear good clothes ! " They understood this to mean, "the good land"; and so EARLY ATTEMPTS AT COLONIZATION 29 the coast of North Carolina was called Wingandacon. They also understood the Indians to say that the Roanoke River sprang from a rock so near the " South Sea," that storms often dashed the waves into the spring from which it gushed, and that at this place there was an abundance of gold and precious stones. So Lane and some of his men set out to find the "South Sea," and continued their quest till they were forced to eat their dogs, to keep from dying of hunger. When they returned, they found the colony in great need and the Indians becoming hostile. At this critical juncture, an unexpected opportunity came for the settlers to return to England. In May, 1586, Sir Francis Drake touched at Roanoke Island with his fleet, and, yielding to the solicitations of the colonists, took them all back to England. They carried with them many interesting particulars about the nature of the new country, and much information in regard to the habits, manners, and government of the Indians, which had been collected by several learned and accomplished men who were mem- bers of the colony ; but the greatest advantage that came from this expedition was the discovery of the Chesapeake Bay. It was in June that the settlers departed ; and in the following August, Sir Richard Grenville came bringing for them fresh supplies, but found the island deserted. So he left fifteen men to hold possession of it ; but these were doubtless slain by Indians, as they were never heard of afterwards. The Lost Colony. — The settlement of Virginia was dear to Sir Walter Raleigh's heart; and in May, 1587, he dis- patched another expedition, consisting of three vessels, which carried 116 persons, among whom were a number of men with their wives and children. Their plan was to found on the Chesapeake Bay a city to be called Raleigh ; 30 THE COLONY but they were turned from their purpose, and landed on Roanoke Island, where they saw the bones of a man on the shore, and deer feeding around the deserted homes of the former -occupants. They found the Indians bitterly hostile. This caused gloomy forebodings to fill their minds, and made them feel so strongly their dependence upon the mother country and their need of frequent aid from her, that, after several months had passed, they urged their governor, John White, to go to England for fresh supplies. To this he reluctantly consented, and in August, 1587, set sail, telling them that if for any reason they changed their location before his return, to carve upon some prominent object the name of the place to which they had gone, and above it a cross if they went away in distress. He left his daughter, the wife of Ananias Dare, who just a few days before his departure had given birth to an infant, christened Virginia. This was the first white child born in North America. He could have given no stronger pledge of his speedy return than he did in leaving his loved ones behind him. But in vain did the expectant colonists look for him. He found all England ablaze with excitement over the threatened invasion of the Spanish Armada. An attempt was made to send relief to the colony, but it proved unsuccessful ; for the Atlantic was swarming with Spanish ships of war ; and not till August 15, 1590, did Governor White again reach Roa- noke Island. He found some tracks in the sand, and on a tree the word Croatan, but there was no cross above it, and this seemed to indicate that the colonists had gone of their own accord to an Indian town called Croatan, which was on a neighboring island. White set out for Croaton ; but, a fierce storm coming on, the captain of the ship refused to continue the journey and sailed for England. EARLY ATTEMPTS AT COLONIZATION 31 Searching for the Lost Colony When Sir Walter Raleigh learned that the colony was no longer on Roanoke Island, he manifested much anxiety in regard to its fate, and dispatched, it is said, five differ- ent expeditions in quest of the colonists; but no certain trace of them has ever been discovered. They simply disappeared from view. Had they become lost in the primeval forests and died of starvation ? Had they been massacred by the Indians? Or had they joined the savages and, wandering off into the interior, become lost to civilization ? These questions have never been satis- factorily answered ; and this disappearance of over a hun- dred human beings constitutes a pathetic tragedy — the first of a long series connected with the history of our country. 32 THE COLONY QUESTIONS 1. Why is Virginia history so important? 2. What were the chief reasons England had for settling Virginia? 3 . When did Columbus discover America ? What points did he touch ? 4. Who first discovered the mainland of North America? 5. Upon what did England base her claim to Virginia? 6. Who first tried to plant English colonies in America? 7. Who afterwards took up the subject of colonization? 8. From whom did he obtain authority to carry out his plans? 9. Where did Raleigh's first expedition land? 10. How were the explorers treated by the Indians? 1 1 . Upon their return to England, what accounts did they give of the country ? 12. How did the name of Virginia originate? 13. How were its boundaries described by an old writer? 14. By what other name was the Pacific Ocean known, and where was it supposed to be ? 15. Give an account of Sir Walter Raleigh's first Roanoke Island colony. 16. Why did they call the coast of North Carolina Wingandacon? 17. What did they understand the Indians to say about the source of the Roanoke River? 18. What was the result of Ralph Lane's attempt to find the South Sea? 19. Who took the settlers back to England, and what information did they carry with them? 20. What was the greatest advantage that came from this expedition? 2t. Give an account of the Lost Colony? 22. What did they urge their governor to do. and what agreement was made ? 23. What pledge did he give of a speedy return? 24. What traces did he find of the colony upon his return? 25. Has its fate ever been known? CHAPTER II JAMESTOWN Renewed Interest in Virginia. — Nearly twenty years elapsed after the planting of the lost colony before another effort was made to settle Virginia. Then the times grew favorable for a renewal of the enterprise, and many influ- ential persons became interested in it. Men, too, were found in abundance, who were eager to make personal trial of this new field of adventure. It seemed to offer an easy road to fortune and to renown. Fabulous stories written about America, its heathen peoples and " monstrous strange beasts," were read with delight; and maps, which showed the location of new lands, cities, and rivers, were eagerly examined. From the pulpit, clergymen declared that " Vir- ginia was a door which God had opened for England." The London and the Plymouth Companies. — Two asso- ciations were in 1606 formed to settle colonies in the vast domain known as Virginia. To Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, and others, who constituted what was known as the London Company, authority was given to found a colony in the southern part of Virginia, and it was to be planted anywhere between the thirty-fourth and the forty-first degrees of north latitude ; that is, between what is now the southern part of North Carolina and the mouth of the Hudson River. Three years later, the bound- aries of the southern colony were enlarged, and made to VIRG. hist. — 3 33 34 THE COLONY embrace the territory two hundred miles north and two hundred south of what is now known as Old Point Com- fort and to extend " up into the land from sea to sea " ; that is, from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. To the Plymouth Company authority was granted to establish a colony in the northern part of Virginia, afterwards named New England ; but no permanent settlement was made in this territory till 1620, thirteen years after Virginia was settled. The First American Charter. — On April 10, 1606, King James signed a charter, which he had himself prepared, for the government of the colony the London Company was to plant. The laws laid down were, on the whole, unwise, and not calculated to advance the prosperity of a struggling community. The chief provisions were as follows : The colony was to be governed by a council appointed by the king, the members of which were to reside in England ; and this council was to appoint a subordinate one in Virginia, which was to govern accord- ing to laws, ordinances, and instructions prescribed by the king. The land was to be held free of any military or other service to the king, but to him was to be given one fifth of all precious metals that might be found. It was also provided that for five years the settlers should have things in common, but that after this land should descend to the eldest son, as it did in England ; that the Church of England should be established ; and that efforts should be made to find a short and easy way to the " South Sea" and to the East Indies. One provision is worthy of special notice — that the colonists and their children were to have forever the rights and privileges of native Englishmen. The Beginners of the Nation. — One hundred men were soon secured, who were to be the pioneers. Among them JAMESTOWN 35 were to be found men of every rank. There were some carpenters, laborers, and tradesmen, but more than half the number were gentlemen. Several of these were men of property, but many were younger sons, who went out from home in the hope of bettering their condition in life by a sudden accession of wealth. On the whole, the emi- grants were not suited to bear the hardships of life in an uncivilized land. A few, however, had the qualities of leaders. These were Captain John Smith, who was a man of unusual ability ; Bar- tholomew Gosnold, an experi- enced explorer, who was one of the most efficient promoters of the undertaking ; George Percy, a brother of the Duke of Nor- thumberland ; and Rev. Robert Hunt, a minister of the Estab- lished Church. The Departure. — Finally all preparations were completed, and on December 19, 1606, the expedition set sail from Black- wall, below London. The event stirred the patriotic feel- ing of England, and aroused great interest even in so busy a city as London. Michael Drayton wrote a lyric poem in honor of the argonauts, and prayers were offered up in the churches for their success. They embarked in three small ships, the Susan Constant of one hundred tons, the Godspeed of forty tons, and the Discovery, a pinnace of twenty tons. The expedition was under the command of Captain Christopher Newport. The Voyage. — Captain Newport sailed round by the Canaries, following the usual route. Stormy weather made Captain John Smith 36 THE COLONY the voyage long and dangerous. For four months the ships were tossed and buffeted by the waves ; and not till April 26, 1607, did the adventurers reach the Chesapeake Bay, the northern and southern capes of which they named after the king's two sons, Charles and Henry. Soon after passing the capes, they entered a beautiful river, which in honor of their sovereign they called the James, and a point of land at which they touched in enter- ing its mouth, they named Point Comfort. The banks of this noble river, which the Indians called the Powhatan, were covered with showy white dogwood blossoms, mingled with brilliant red buds ; and from either side the perfume of spring flowers was wafted to the ships. To the storm- tossed travelers the land looked like a veritable paradise, and they decided that " heaven and earth had never agreed better to frame a place for man's habitation." The First Virginia Council. — The names of the first Virginia Council had been put, by orders of the king, in a sealed box, which was not to be opened till the expedition reached Virginia. It was examined on the night of April 26; and the councilmen were found to be Bartholomew Gosnold, John Smith, Edward Maria Wingfield, Christo- pher Newport, John Ratcliffe, John Martin, and George Kendall. Wingfield was elected president. But Smith was at first excluded from the Council on the ground that he had conspired to usurp all authority and make himself "King of Virginia." This charge was at a later period proved to be untrue, and he was then admitted. Exploring. — Seventeen clays were spent in exploring. The following quaint description tells what happened when a small party first landed: "At night, when wee were going aboard, there came the savages creeping from the Hills like Beares, with their Bowes in their Mouthes, charged us JAMESTOWN 37 very desperately, hurt Captain Gabrill Archer in both hands, and a Sayler in two places of the body very danger- ous. After they had spent their arrowes, and felt the sharpness of our shot, they retired into the Woods with a great noise and so left us." Location of Jamestown Chosen. — On May 13, 1607, the settlers selected a site for a city, naming it Jamestown, which they fondly hoped would grow into a great metropolis. The Settlement of Jamestown The location chosen was on the western end of a malarial peninsula, lying on the north side of the river, about forty miles from its mouth. The peninsula has since become an island. The landing having been effected, the Council elected Mr. Wingfield president, who then delivered an oration, in which he explained why John Smith had been refused admittance to the Council. After this the colo- nists proceeded without delay to pitch tents, whose white coverings were soon seen gleaming among the green trees. 38 THE COLONY They rendered their arms and their provisions secure, and fixed a place to hold religious services. Later, cabins were built on the peninsula ; and the place began to assume the appearance of a settled community. A Fort Built. — Toward the end of May, as the men were planting corn, a shower of arrows came hurtling upon them, followed by the shrill war whoop of the sav- ages. One boy was slain and seventeen men wounded. Up to this time but little preparation had been made for defense ; but now all work was stopped till a strong fort could be built and palisaded. This was soon completed, and the settlers felt secure from attack. QUESTIONS 1. What of the renewed interest in Virginia? 2. For what purpose were the London and Plymouth Companies formed ? 3. What parts of Virginia were given to each company? 4. By whom was the charter for the London Company signed? 5. What were the chief provisions of this charter? 6. Give an account of the pioneers of Virginia. 7. Name those who possessed qualities of leaders. 8. In what year did they leave England? 9. What interest was shown in their expedition? 10. Give the names of the three ships in which they embarked ? By whom were they commanded ? 1 1 . Give an account of their voyage. 12. When did they reach the Chesapeake Bay? 13. After whom were the capes Charles and Henry named ? 14. What name did they give the river they entered? 15. Who constituted the first Virginia Council ? 16. Why was John Smith at first excluded ? 17. What is said of their explorations? 18. How did the colonists give the peninsula the appearance of a set- tled community? 19. What happened towards the end of May? CHAPTER III A TYPICAL PIONEER Early History of Captain John Smith. — Fortunately for the colony, it contained one man of remarkable ability — John Smith. He was born in Willoughby, England, his family being connected with the Lancashire gentry. By nature he was fond of adventure, and he lived at a period when the world was full of excitement and stirring deeds. Before he reached manhood he had fought in Flanders in the wars against Spain. In 1601 he enlisted with the Germans against the Turks. At the siege of Regal he slew three Turks in a tournament, and was honored with a triumphal procession. In the bloody battle of Rotten- ton he was captured by the Turks and sold into slavery ; but he slew his master with a flail, and escaped into Russia. Then he wandered through Poland, Germany, France, and Spain, returning to England in 1604. Such, according to his account, were the leading events in his life before he came to America. Visit to Powhatan. — While the settlers were trying to make themselves comfortable at Jamestown, Newport and Smith with twenty-three others sailed up the James to dis- cover its head. They went as far as the falls of the river, and on the trip paid a visit to Powhatan, the acknowledged head of the Virginia Indians, whom they found in his royal wigwam, just a short distance from where the his- toric city of Richmond now stands. They were hospitably 39 40 THE COLONY entertained by the savages ; but Powhatan did not look with favor upon his guests, though he thought it best to hide his feelings. When one of his followers complained of the coming of the Eng- lish, he replied that the strangers did not hurt them, but only took a little of their waste land. An Unexpected Calam- ity. — Newport returned with his party to James- town the last of May, and in June he sailed for England, leaving a bark or pinnace for the use of the colonists. He had hardly taken his depart- ure before an unexpected disaster befell the set- tlers. The marshy penin- sula was full of malaria ; and when July came, the men were attacked with such an epidemic of fever that at one time scarcely ten of them could stand. To add to their distress, the supply of food soon became insufficient, half a pint of wheat and as much barley boiled in water being each man's daily allowance. The noise of labor ceased, and no sounds were heard save the groans of the sick. At times as many as three or four died in a single night. Speaking of this period, Smith says, " Our drink was water and our lodgings castles in the air"; and George Percy wrote: " There were never Englishmen left in a foreign country in such misery as we were in this newly discovered Virginia." The facts show (From an old print) A TYPICAL PIONEER 41 that this statement was not exaggerated ; for by September half the men were dead, the brave Gosnold being among the number, and the remaining fifty in a deplorable condi- tion, weakened by disease and by the lack of nourishment. Half Survive. — When the supply of food had been exhausted, and the men were about to die of starvation, their wretched condition so moved the hearts of the sav- Sickness at Jamestown ages, that they gave them of their own fruit and provi- sions. Smith also obtained additional supplies by trading with the Indians and by intimidating them. The frosts of autumn brought health to the fever-stricken men ; and now an abundant supply of food came from an unexpected quarter. Wild fowl appeared in large numbers, swimming upon the bosom of the river; and deer and other game came near the settlement. So the men feasted and half were saved. 42 THE COLONY Supposed Breadth of North America. — So little was known of the dimensions of the continent at this period that it was commonly supposed that the Pacific Ocean, or the " South Sea," as it was called, could be easily reached by sailing a little way up any of the rivers that ran from the northwest. To find a way to this sea was one of the objects set before the colonists by the London Company; for it was believed this would open an easy route to the East Indies, and pour out a golden tide of prosperity upon the shores of England. Smith a Captive. — Complaint having been made that nothing had been done to discover the " South Sea," which had been the eager quest of so many of the early explorers, Smith, who was the leading spirit of the colony, sailed up the Chickahominy River to look for it. In the swamps of the river the Indians captured him, after which they set out on a march of triumph, exhibiting him to vari- ous tribes and spending their time in feasting. Finally they carried their captive to Powhatan, who was at Wero- wocomoco, 1 his favorite resort, which was on the York River, only a few miles from the historic field of York- town. The Indians, after holding a consultation, decided that Smith must die. His Rescue. — Two great stones were brought, and the head of the struggling captive forced down upon them, 1 Next to Jamestown, this spot is the most celebrated in the early history of Virginia. Its highly picturesque situation, overlooking the majestic York River, rendered it well worthy to be chosen by Powhatan as the seat of his power. Here the great Indian chief planned his schemes of conquest, and brooded over the disasters he feared would come to his people from the Eng- lish. Here Pocahontas played as a child. It was here that Captain Smith, some time after his release, had a house built for Powhatan after the English fashion, the chimney of which is still to be seen, and is called to this day " Powhatan's Chimney." A TYPICAL PIONEER 43 while a number of warriors raised their clubs to dash out his brains. But as they were about to strike, Pocahontas, a dearly beloved daughter of Powhatan, then a girl about thirteen years of age, rushed forward and, throwing her arms around Smith, laid her head upon his to save him from death. The stern heart of Powhatan was so touched by his daughter's act that he spared Smith's life, and two Rescue of Captain John Smith days later sent him back to Jamestown, telling him that he would in the future regard him as his son. 1 Various Events. — When Smith returned to Jamestown, he found the colony reduced to forty, and again in need of food. But in January, Newport came with fifty addi- tional emigrants ; and another ship containing seventy more arrived in May. These ships brought supplies also, and 1 This is Smith's story of his rescue, and it has been doubted, but there is sufficient evidence of its truth in all essential points. 44 THE COLONY Newport and Smith obtained corn by trading with the Indians. A fire at Jamestown early in the year destroyed much that the colony possessed, and progress was further delayed by a gold fever, which took possession of the men because they found yellow sand near Jamestown, a ship- load of which Newport carried to England. Smith Explores the Chesapeake Bay. — Smith's active nature did not allow him to remain quietly at Jamestown for a long period. On June 2, he set out, accompanied by fourteen men, to explore the Chesapeake Bay. In an open boat, with no instrument but a compass, he trav- ersed the whole of the Chesapeake on both sides. He not only did this, but also made frequent journeys into the interior, and opened communications with various tribes of Indians. As a result of these researches, he con- structed a map of Virginia, which represented so correctly the natural outlines of the country that it was not super- seded for many years; and even as late as 1873, it was referred to as authority on the disputed boundary line between Virginia and Maryland. When we consider the slender resources at Smith's command, the results he accomplished rightly place him in the highest rank among those who have enlarged the bounds of knowledge, and opened a way into an unknown land for colonies and for commerce. Change of Rulers. — The first rulers proved incompe- tent. Wingfield was deposed by the people because he tried to seize the pinnace and escape to England, and Ratcliffe was made president. He was in turn deposed for bad management, and, in September, 1608, Smith was elected in his place. In times of adversity capable men always come to the front, and Smith was virtually the leader long before he became president. During the A TYPICAL PIONEER 45 autumn and winter that followed his election he had entire control of affairs ; and under his vigorous management, everything took on a better appearance. When food was needed he obtained it from the Indians, by fair means if he could, and by force when nothing else availed. Promises that Could not be Fulfilled. — About the end of autumn, Newport came again, bringing with him another supply of emigrants, among whom were Mrs. Forest and her maid, Anne Burrus, the first English women that had ever settled in the colony. This time he had promised to do some impossibilities; for he had pledged himself not to return to England without obtaining a lump of gold, discovering the " South Sea," or finding one of Sir Walter Raleigh's lost colony. He was also instructed to crown Powhatan as a king acknowledging allegiance to Eng- land ; and this he did, putting on Powhatan's head a tinsel crown, and giving him a scarlet cloak and other mock in- signia of royalty. The haughty Indian monarch, in re- turn for the presents he had received, sent King James a robe of raccoon skins and a pair of his old moccasins. The other undertakings Newport could not accomplish. A New Charter. — In the summer of 1609, Captain Sam- uel Argall came on a trading expedition, bringing from England the news that Captain John Smith had been deposed. This proved to be true. King James had granted a new charter, which enlarged the limits of the colony and authorized the London Company to choose the English Council, and this Council was in turn to appoint a governor for the colony. Virginia was to have not only a governor, but also a lieutenant governor and an admiral ; Lord Delaware, Sir Thomas Gates, and Sir George Somers had been elected to these offices, while Captain Newport had been appointed vice admiral. 46 THE COLONY The New Emigrants arrive, but the New Government does not. — Under the new organization, money enough was speedily obtained to send nine ships containing five hun- dred emigrants, to Jamestown. The fleet sailed from England in May, 1609, leaving Lord Delaware to follow, which he expected to do in a short time. To Gates, Somers, and Newport, commissions were given, authorizing the first one of the three that reached Virginia to admin- ister the government till Lord Delaware arrived. The leaders were jealous of one another, and to keep one from securing an advantage over the others by a prior arrival, they all sailed together in the Sea Venture, the flagship of the vice admiral. In August, about three hundred of the emigrants, inadequately provisioned, arrived at Jamestown, bringing the news that the Sea Venture, containing the officers of the government and the rest of the party, had been lost in a storm. New Settlements. — As none of the officers authorized to take charge of the government had arrived, Smith retained control of affairs. He induced some of the new- comers to settle at Nansemond under the command of John Martin, and others at the falls of the James River under Francis West, a brother of Lord Delaware. Smith leaves Virginia. — While Smith was returning from a visit to the settlement at the falls of the James, he was severely wounded by the accidental explosion of a bag of gunpowder. Toward the end of September, when the ships that brought the emigrants returned, his enemies succeeded in having him sent back to England, charging him with having instigated the Indians to attack the set- tlers at the falls, because they had been insubordinate to him, and with plotting 1 to acquire a right to Virginia by 1 See The Beginners of a Nation, by Edward Eggleston. pp. 37, 60,61. A TYPICAL PIONEER 47 marrying Pocahontas, the daughter of Powhatan. Smith afterwards explored the coast of New England ; but he never returned to Virginia. He died in London in 1631. His Character. — The testimony of those who knew him shows that he was a man of action, craving restless move- ment, and taking pleasure in unremitting toil. He was fertile in expedients and full of energy, difficulties serving only to bring out the strength of his character, while his hopefulness under adverse circumstances enabled him to inspire others with confidence in him and in themselves. His researches in geography are unusually accurate for his times, and on practical subjects and colonization he wrote much that contains the highest wisdom. With all these strong qualities, he was at the same time so vain that, when he gave an account of his own exploits, his fervid imagination led him to color his narrative too highly. His character is paradoxical, and has to be studied in order to be understood. He has been called the " Father of Virginia " ; and there is no doubt as to the great value of the services he rendered the colony. QUESTIONS 1. What was the early history of Captain John Smith ? 2. Give an account of the visit of Smith and Newport to Powhatan. 3. How did Powhatan regard his guests ? 4. What calamity befell the Jamestown colony? 5. Why did the savages give them provisions ? 6. From what source did the settlers obtain abundant supplies ? 7. What was the supposed breadth of North America ? 8. Describe the capture of John Smith. 9. Give an account of his rescue. 10. Upon his return to Jamestown, in what condition did he find the colonists ? 11. Why were the first rulers deposed, and who was finally elected president ? 48 THE COLONY 12. Who were the first English women that emigrated to the colony? 13. What had Newport promised to do? 14. Give an account of the crowning of Powhatan. 15. When Argall came to Virginia, in 1609, what news did he bring from England ? 16. What changes had been made in the government of the colony? 17. What officers had been appointed? 18. Why did John Smith remain at the head of affairs? 19. What new settlements did he make ? 20. Why did Smith leave Virginia? 21. Give an estimate of his character. REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. Give a general description of the Virginia Indians. 2. Describe their weapons, wigwams, and customs. 3. What was their method of warfare, and how did they treat their prisoners ? 4. What is said of their education ? 5. Describe their religion. 6. What is said of Powhatan? 7. Why did the English wish to settle Virginia ? 8. Mention some early explorers and what they did. 9. Give an account of the early attempts at colonization. 10. Relate the story of the Lost Colony. 11. Why were the London and Plymouth Companies formed, and what territory was granted each ? 12. What were the chief provisions of the first American charter, and by whom were they signed? 13. Mention some of the beginners of the nation, and describe their departure and voyage. 14. When and where did they make a permanent settlement ? 15. Give the early history of Captain John Smith. 16. Give an account of his capture by the Indians, and his rescue. 17. Describe his last years, and give an estimate of his character. CHAPTER IV THE STARVING TIME — THE ADMINISTRATIONS OF DELAWARE, DALE, AND ARGALL The Starving Time. — Disasters came fast after Smith's departure. The colony would not recognize the authority of George Percy, the acting president, and became divided into factions, each one of which had a leader. Francis West and a party of men who went in a ship to procure corn, sailed away, leaving the colony to its fate. The Indians renewed their hostility, and, filled with the deter- mination to destroy the colony utterly, killed all who fell into their hands. Ratcliffe, who attempted to trade with the savages, was tortured to death by Indian women, and thirty of his men were slain. When the provisions were exhausted, the domestic animals were next consumed ; and then the horrors of what is known as the " starving time " set in. During this period, one man deserves special men- tion as being apparently the only one who devised a plan to save the colony from utter destruction. This was Daniel Tucker, who built a boat and caught fish in the river, which, Percy says, "kept us from killing one another to eat." In six months the colony was reduced from nearly five hun- dred to sixty. The end was drawing near. The Wreck of the Sea Venture. — There is no more ro- mantic story in history than that of the Sea Venture, which is supposed to have suggested "The Tempest" to Shakespeare. The ship was wrecked on the coast of VIRG. HIST. — 4 49 So THE COLONY the Bermudas, which were at that time " accounted as an inchaunted pile of rockes and a desert habitation for Divels." " But all the fairies of the rocks were but flocks of birds, and all the Divels that haunted the woods were but herds of swine." This is what Sir Thomas Gates and his companions found to be true. They fared well, not- withstanding they had been shipwrecked, and " lived in such peace and plenty " that some wished to spend their lives there. But out of the wreck of the Sea Venture, they constructed with the aid of cedar timber found growing on the islands, two barges, which they christened the Deliverance and the Patience, and em- barked for Virginia. The Rescue. — They reached Jamestown on May 24, 16 10, just in time to save the remnant of the set- tlers. There was some talk of resuscitating the colony ; but, when it was found that the provisions brought from the Bermudas would not last more than two or three weeks, they decided to abandon Jamestown. So on June 7 the whole party was crowded into the Deliverance, the Patience, and two pinnaces that were at Jamestown. The little fleet dropped down the river, and the next morning reached its mouth, where it met Lord Delaware, whose ships were just entering Virginia waters. The whole party Wreck of the Sea Venture THE STARVING TIME 5 I now returned to Jamestown, feeling that the hand of God had stayed their departure. Administration of Lord Delaware. — Lord Delaware was the first executive officer in Virginia who bore the title of governor, and he came commissioned to rule with the sword of martial law. He maintained a mild but decided authority ; and his influence for good was much enhanced by the virtues for which he was distinguished. He estab- lished regular hours for labor, tolerating no idlers but requiring the colonists to work during six hours of the day. Twice each day all had to attend brief religious services in the church, which was kept decorated with wild flowers. In every way he proved himself an efficient governor. He had the dwellings at Jamestown repaired, the forts garrisoned, and taught the Indians again to fear the Eng- lish. But his health gave way under his duties, and, in March, 161 1, he returned to England. Sir Thomas Dale. — On May 10, 161 1, Sir Thomas Dale came to take charge of the government, bearing the title of High Marshal. He received the appointment through the influence of Prince Henry, who took great interest in the welfare of the colony. Dale ruled by martial law with inhuman cruelty, putting offenders to death by torture, and even breaking one poor criminal on the wheel. Five men, captured in an attempt to escape to some Spaniards, who were reported to be near the settlement, were burned at the stake. A poor thief, for purloining a little oatmeal, was chained to a tree and allowed to starve. During Dale's reign of terror, no letters of complaint were allowed to reach England ; and his administration, which came to an end in 1616, was known as "the five years of slavery." Dale lived in a cruel age, and he was a cruel representa- tive of his age. 52 THE COLONY Results Accomplished by Dale. — Dale's administration had the happy effect of causing law and order to be properly respected, and it greatly advanced the material prosperity of the colony, though this was done by reducing the people to a bondage that was intolerable. He had much corn land cleared, and largely increased the number of horses, cattle, and hogs. One experiment which he tried produced results that proved to be important. He allowed each old settler to have a private garden patch of three acres, the proceeds of which belonged to him, while the rest of his labor went for the common good. From this it appeared that one man working for himself would make as much as ten men whose labor went into the public stock. This led at a later period to the private ownership of land, and the adoption of this system brought about great changes for good. Argall. — Captain Samuel Argall now becomes promi- nent in Virginia history. In 1617, he was appointed lieutenant governor, and he had no sooner entered upon his duties than he proceeded to oppress the people under the cover of martial law, and to rob both the colony and the London Company, sending to England, while doing this, favorable reports of the condition of affairs. Cattle belonging to the colony he sold, and kept the proceeds. The Indian trade he carried on with the men and ships of the Company, and pocketed the profits. He plundered everybody with a pirate's rapacity, and even robbed Lady Delaware. When his high-handed proceedings became known in England, the London Company ordered all his goods and property to be seized. But Lord Rich, who afterwards became Earl of Warwick and took a prominent part in the Puritan movement, was Argall's partner in England and, indeed, had secured his appointment as gov- THE STARVING TIME 53 ernor of Virginia. Now when ho found that his confeder- ate's downfall was certain, he dispatched a swift sailing vessel to Virginia, in which Argall escaped with his booty before the Company's orders could be executed. QUESTIONS 1. What happened to the colony after Smith's departure? 2. Describe the starving time. 3. Who deserves special mention during this period, and why? 4. Give an account of the wreck of the Sea I T enture. 5. How were the survivors of the colony saved from starvation? 6. Why did they decide to abandon Jamestown? 7. Who first bore the title of governor of Virginia? 8. By what means did Lord Delaware accomplish much good in the colony ? 9. Why did he return to England? 10. Who succeeded Lord Delaware? 1 1 . Give an account of Dale's administration. 12. What was it called? 13. What good results did Dale accomplish? 14. What experiment of his proved important? 15. When Argall became governor, how did he act toward the people, and the London Company? 16. How did he escape with his ill-gotten gains? CHAPTER V POCAHONTAS Her Friendship for the English. — The story of Pocahon- tas is one of the most beautiful connected with the early history of Virginia, and will always be read with interest by English people. She first appeared at Jamestown dur- ing the winter of 1607-8, bringing food to the colonists, who were in great need. After this she made frequent visits, at- tended by a train of Indians bringing baskets laden with corn and venison. In 1609, when John Smith was in her father's country trying to secure corn, she came at night and warned him of a plot the Indians had formed to kill and when Ratcliffe and his men were slain, she saved one man and a boy from death. Many other acts of kindness are related of her, which show that she had a woman's tender heart, though she was an untu- tored savage. Her Capture. — In 1612, Captain Samuel Argall went to the Potomac country to trade for corn. While on this mission, he learned from an old chief named Japazaws, that Pocahontas was in the neighborhood, and he con- ceived the idea of capturing her. So he bribed Japazaws to induce her to come on board of his sloop, which lay in 54 Pocahontas him and his party POCAHONTAS Marriage of Pocahontas the Potomac River, and carried her off to Jamestown a prisoner, sending a messenger to Powhatan to demand, as a ransom for her release, the restoration of all English prisoners held by him, and the return of all arms and tools that had been stolen from Jamestown by the Indians. Her Marriage. — Powhatan was not disposed to accede to these terms, and threatened war. But while negotia- tions were going on in regard to the occurrence, the matter was settled in a most unexpected manner. While Pocahontas was at Jamestown, John Rolfe, a young Eng- lishman, fell deeply in love with her, and she reciprocated his passion. She professed faith in Christ, and was bap- tized under the name of Rebecca in the little church at Jamestown, from a font made of the trunk of a tree. Then she was married to Rolfe with the approval of her father. 56 THE COLONY The Cause of Peace. — To the colony, the marriage brought peace ; for after it had taken place, Powhatan and the various tribes over which he had influence became friendly to the English. Even the Chickahominies, who were fierce fighters, were led by it to enter into an alliance, by which they acknowledged themselves subjects of King James, calling themselves New Englishmen. Visits England. — Pocahontas lived happily with her husband, and with him visited England in 1616, when Sir Thomas Dale returned. Her arrival in London created a sensation, and all classes did her honor on account of her romantic history and the services she had rendered to the colony. She was presented at court by Lady Dela- ware, and was accorded the rank of a royal princess. Her Death. — In March, 1617, she died at Gravesend, England, just as she was getting ready to embark for her native land, being only about twenty-two years of age when her eventful life came to an end. She left one son, Thomas, who was brought up in England. He married in London, but settled in Virginia, where he became a man of prominence, and where a number of his descendants are to be found among the honored citizens of the com- monwealth. QUESTIONS 1 . What is said of the story of Pocahontas? 2. How did she show her friendship for the English? 3. Describe her capture by Argall. 4. What ransom was demanded of Powhatan for her release? 5. What unexpected settlement of the matter took place? 6. Give an account of the marriage of Pocahontas. 7. What benefit did it bring to the colony? 8. How was Pocahontas treated when she visited England? 9. When and at what age did she die? 10. Has she any descendants in Virginia ? CHAPTER VI THE FOUNDING OF A STATE The Crisis of Colonization. — The real crisis of coloniza- tion had now come. Dale's tyrannical administration and Argall's rule of robbery and ruin, had given Virginia such a bad reputation, that emigrants were no longer willing to go to a land where so many woes were experienced. One convict, who was offered the choice between transportation to Virginia and death by hanging, promptly chose hanging. The organizers of the London Company had hoped that they would reap large profits, as the stockholders of the East India Company were doing ; but the colony had not proved a success financially ; and it was now seen that commercial motives would have to become secondary, or else the whole scheme abandoned. Triumph of Patriotic Motives. — Higher motives pre- vailed. " Divers lords, knights, gentlemen, and citizens grieved to see this great action fall to nothing"; and patri- otic feeling was deeply stirred. The London Company passed under the control of a body of liberal statesmen, who put the founding of a state before the making of fortunes, and determined to adopt such means as were necessary to restore credit to the Virginia experiment. The Great Charter. — Under the influence of such patri- otic men as the Earl of Southampton, Shakespeare's friend, and Sir Edwin Sandys, the great advocate of popular liberty, the London Company on November 13, 161 8, 57 58 THE COLONY granted to Virginia a " Great Charter or Commissions of Priviledges, Orders, and Lawes." No copy of this charter is extant, but it is known that it limited the power of the governor, and provided for a legislative body to be composed of burgesses elected from the different settlements. This was the beginning of constitutional government in America; and the first House of Burgesses met at Jamestown on July 30, 1 619, at the call of Governor Yeardley. The Great Charter provided also for an allotment of land to all settlers who were in the colony when Sir Thomas Dale took his departure ; and so the oldest Virginia land titles date back to it. Good Results. — In the spring of 1619, the people heard of the Great Charter and the changes it would bring, and they were filled with joy, feeling " now fully satisfied for their long labors, and as happy men as there were in the world." At the close of Argall's administration, the colony numbered not more than four hundred, but now emigrants came in large numbers. Twelve hundred and sixty-one arrived in the year 1619, and thirty-five hundred more within three years. All honor to such men as Sir Edwin Sandys, who founded in Virginia an English state with a constitution and a representative government, before England herself was delivered from the tyranny of the Stuarts. Homes in the Wilderness. — When the founding of a state was made the first object, then the London Company became convinced " that a plantation can never flourish till families be planted, and the respects of Wives and Children fix the people on the Soyle." In 1619, Sir Edwin Sandys stated that the English in Virginia " were not settled in their mindes to make it their place of rest and continuance." During the same year, ninety young THE FOUNDING OF A STATE 59 women were induced to emigrate to the colony. These found many suitors, as did others who came in later years. In 1624, the governor felt it to be his duty to issue a proc- lamation, threatening with punishment young ladies who betrothed themselves to more than one lover at a time. Happy marriages followed the coming of the women ; and soon men began to look upon Virginia as their home. An Young Women come to Virginia interesting feature of these early marriages is that a man was required, after winning his wife's hand, to pay for bringing her to the colony in tobacco, which was then a costly commodity. Introduction of Negro Slavery. — Almost simultaneously with the birth of free government came the curse of Afri- can slavery. In August, 1619, a Dutch man-of-war sailed up the James River, and sold to the settlers twenty negroes, 6o THE COLONY who became the property of their purchasers and were made permanent servants. This was the beginning of an institution that was destined in after years to become fraught with harm. The traffic in negroes, when it had once begun, continued, but grew so slowly at first that thirty years after its introduction, the white population outnumbered the black fifty to one. Indented Servants. — There was a class of persons in the colony known as indented servants. The term was applied to any one who was bound by a legal agreement to work for a prescribed time for another person. Some entered into an arrangement of this kind to defray their ex- penses in coming to Virginia, others were prisoners taken in war and sold by their captors into temporary servitude. It by no means follows that all persons of this class were of humble origin. Among them were to be found the sons of gentlemen. Some convicts were also sent to the colony, but the number was small compared with the population ; and the offenses committed by many of these had been of a political nature. Friendly Intercourse with the Indians. — After Poca- hontas married Rolfe, there had been peace between the English and the Indians. This had continued for so long a time that the Indians were no longer looked upon with distrust, nor did they display any hostility to the whites ; and it seemed probable that the two races would continue to dwell in amity. The Massacre of 1622. — In 1618 Powhatan died, and was succeeded by his brother, Itopatin, and he in a short time was supplanted by Opechancanough, a chief who was cunning, artful, and able. He at once formed a plot to ex- terminate the English, and for four years he schemed and planned, bringing tribe after tribe into the conspiracy. THE FOUNDING OF A STATE 6l To keep his design from being suspected, just before he was ready to strike he entered into a treaty of peace with the English. His plot was well conceived, his plan being to fall upon all the plantations and settlements at the same time, and by an unexpected blow to destroy the colony utterly. The Indians manifested the greatest friendliness for the whites up to the very time when the murderous design was to be put into execution ; and, even on the The Massacre of 1622 morning of the fatal day, they came freely among them, and in some cases took breakfast with the persons they had planned to kill. At midday on March 22, 1622, they swarmed out of their hiding places and engaged in a wholesale butchery, sparing neither men, women, nor children. By sunset 347 persons had been slain. But the conspiracy met with only partial success. At some of the plantations the settlers succeeded in beating off their assailants. Jamestown and the places next to it received, 62 THE COLONY through a converted Indian, warning in time to get ready for the danger that was impending, and when they were attacked, they easily put the savages to flight. Effects of the Massacre. — The immediate effects of the massacre upon the colony were disastrous in the extreme. Many of the plantations were abandoned, and the alarmed people were crowded upon a territory so limited that it was hardly large enough to afford them a bare subsistence, and much sickness prevailed. In consequence of these hardships many became disheartened and returned to England, so that a year after the massacre, the number of inhabitants had been reduced from about four thousand to twenty-five hundred. Retaliation. — The people were at first thrown into a panic; but they soon realized that they were strong enough to protect themselves, and entered upon a fierce though desultory warfare, which lasted for ten years. Before the massacre, it seemed probable that the Indians would, for all time, occupy the land along with the English ; but by their treachery they lost the opportunity they had of retaining a part of their heritage in the territory of Virginia. They were now regarded by the whites as unworthy of receiving the treatment shown to enemies in civilized warfare, and were relentlessly pursued and shot down whenever opportunity offered. From this time on, the aboriginal inhabitants of Virginia were forced to retire from their homes and hunting grounds before the ever- rising wave of white settlers, and began, tribe after tribe, to fade out of existence. THE FOUNDING OF A STATE 63 QUESTIONS 1 . What brought on the crisis of colonization ? 2. How was the London Company disappointed in its expectations? 3. What was the character of the statesmen who now obtained control of the London Company? 4. When was the Great Charter granted to Virginia ? 5. What is known of its provisions? 6. When and where did the first House of Burgesses meet? 7. What good result followed the granting of the Great Charter? 8. Why did Sir Edwin Sandys and the men that acted with him deserve special honor? 9. Of what did the London Company become convinced? 10. In 1619. what was said of the English in Virginia? 11. What was done to help matters? 12. What good results to the colony followed? 13. What was an interesting feature of the early Virginia marriages? 14. When and how was negro slavery introduced into Virginia? 15. What were indented servants? 16. Were all such servants of humble origin? 17. After the marriage of Pocahontas, how had the whites learned to look upon the Indians? 18. Describe Opechancanough's plot to exterminate the English. 19. Give an account of the massacre of 1622. 20. What were its effects? 21. From this time on, what became of the Indian tribes? CHAPTER VII TOBACCO How regarded by the Indians. — Tobacco was growing in America when the first settlers came. The Indians regarded it as the gift of their Great Spirit, and planted it in their gardens along with their vegetables. To it they attributed many wonderful virtues. They threw tobacco powder into the air in a time of drouth to bring rain ; tossed it upon the water to produce a calm when a tempest was brewing; and their priests cast it upon the sacrificial fires to propitiate evil spirits. Introduced into England. — Ralph Lane and his com- panions, who learned to smoke it from the Indians, carried it to England. Sir Walter Raleigh, speedily becoming fond of it, introduced it among the nobility, and in a short time it became popular at the court of Queen Eliza- beth. It is related that, as Sir Walter was sitting in his library, a servant, who came to bring him some water, saw smoke issue from his mouth, and hastened to pour the water over him, thinking that he was on fire. King James wrote a book against tobacco, and Parliament denounced it, but its consumption continued to increase in England till its smoke arose alike in the palace of the prince and in the cottage of the peasant. The Foundation of Virginia's Prosperity. — Tobacco be- came the foundation of Virginia's prosperity. John Rolfe began the systematic cultivation of it in 1612, and it 64 TOBACCO 65 became in a few years the universal crop. In 161 7 it was seen growing in waste places in the streets of Jamestown, and even in the public squares. As the demand for tobacco increased, it became the chief source of revenue, and all other crops were neglected for it. Many persons of means settled in Virginia in order to raise it. It also rendered negro labor profitable, and thus encouraged the traffic in slaves. Led to a Fondness for Country Life. — The cultivation of tobacco kept the population scattered. Each planter desired as large a farm as he could get, for it was dis- covered at an early date that tobacco grew most kindly upon virgin soil. This made it desirable that each plan- tation should contain a large area covered with original forest, so that as soon as the acres under cultivation became somewhat exhausted, new land could be cleared and substituted for them. This had a great effect in shaping the life of the Virginia people, for it tended to isolate the settlers, thus creating a fondness for the coun- try and causing city life to be looked upon with little favor. QUESTIONS 1 How did the Indians regard tobacco? 2. In what ways did they use it? 3. Who first carried tobacco to England? 4. What nobleman made it popular at the court of Queen Elizabeth ? 5. What anecdote is told of him? 6. How was tobacco looked upon by King James and Parliament? 7. Who first began a systematic cultivation of tobacco? 8. What was the result of its increased production? 9. How did it encourage slavery? 10. What effect did tobacco have in shaping the lives of the Virginia people ? VIRG. HIST. < CHAPTER VIII THE COLONY UNDER THE KING W/fa^ Lord Baltimore Virginia Becomes a Royal Colony. — In England the struggle for Parliamentary freedom was going on, and the kingdom was divided between the Royalists and the supporters of Parliament. As a political measure, King James re- solved to crush the London Com- pany, because a majority of its members took sides against him. This he did, in 1624, by process of law. When the Company was dissolved, Virginia became a royal colony, and the king announced his intention of framing a code of fundamental laws for its government, but died in 1625, leaving this work unfinished. Charles I., who succeeded him, introduced no radical changes. Lord Baltimore. — In 1629 George Calvert, Lord Balti- more, a Catholic, though in no sense a bigot, came with a plan to establish, within the limits of the colony, a separate plantation as a refuge for persons of his belief. The peo- ple belonged to the Established Church, and were unwill- ing to see this done. There was a good reason also why they should be opposed to Lord Baltimore personally. He was the enemy and rival of Sandys, and had belonged to a faction in the London Company which had striven to 66 THE COLONY UNDER THE KING 67 prevent the granting of the Great Charter ; and now he came desiring to establish, for the promotion of his own interests, a colony of his people in the settled parts of the country. The House of Burgesses informed him that permission would be given to him to carry out his plan only upon condition that he would take an oath acknowl- edging that the king had supreme authority in religious matters. This he refused to do, and took his departure. But during his visit he found that there were no settle- ments on the north side of the Potomac River ; and he readily obtained from Charles I., with whom he was a favorite, the promise of a charter to found a colony in that part of Virginia. Lord Baltimore died before the charter was issued, but his son planted the colony of Maryland. The Virginians made a vehement but unavailing protest against this division of their territory. Opposition to British Encroachment. — Even at this early period, the Virginians began to appreciate their liberties as only a people who have known oppression can do. If we trace to its origin the unwavering opposition to Brit- ish encroachment, which, was manifested in later years, we find it had its beginning in 1624, when the House of Burgesses declared that, without its consent, no royal governor could levy taxes. In regard to other matters also, the people claimed the right to sit in judgment upon the acts of governors. This came out in the action they took in the case of Sir John Harvey, who was appointed by the Crown, in 1630, to rule over the colony. He was heartily detested by the people because he had sided with Lord Baltimore in the quarrel that had taken place over Maryland ; and in his administration he was tyrannical, levied taxes that were unauthorized, and was unscrupulous as to the means he adopted to obtain money. So in 1635, 68 THE COLONY the people shipped him back to England, sending at the same time commissioners bearing charges against him. The king reinstated the deposed governor ; but the occur- rence deserves a place in history as being the first open resistance to tyranny and vindication of constitutional rights that took place in America. Sir William Berkeley Begins his Administration. — In February, 1642, Sir William Berkeley was appointed gov- ernor, and entered upon his duties at a period full of stirring events. He was about forty years of age when he came, and was for thirty-five years, with brief intermissions, at the head of affairs, holding office for a longer period than any other governor. He descended from an ancient Eng- lish family, received his education at Oxford, had traveled extensively in Europe, and was " the perfect model of an elegant and high-minded cavalier." Soon after his arrival, he introduced some salutary measures which were very acceptable to the people, and thus his administration began auspiciously. Opechancanough Strikes once More. — Opechancanough was still the ruler of the Virginia Indians; but he was now very old, and so decrepit that he could not walk. Neither could he see unless his eyelids were raised, as he had an affection which caused them to droop. But in his en- feebled frame the feeling of revenge still fiercely burned ; and when he heard that the English were divided in the mother country, he decided that this was a favorable time to try once more to free his land from them. So in 1644, he rallied his braves for the last time and, falling upon the settlements on the upper waters of the York and Pamunkey rivers, slew about five hundred whites. But as soon as the English collected in force, the savages fled as they had done in 1622. Sir William Berkeley pursued THE COLONY UNDER THE KING 69 them with a body of horse, and captured Opechanca- nough. He was carried to Jamestown, where he was kindly treated. But one of his guards basely shot him in the back, and this caused his death. He was unsub- dued to the last, and died as he had lived, the relentless foe of the white man. QUESTIONS 1. How and why did Virginia become a royal colony? 2. What was Lord Baltimore's plan to establish a settlement? 3. Who opposed it, and why? 4. On what condition did the House of Burgesses give their consent? 5. Did Lord Baltimore accept the condition? 6. What grant did he secure from Charles I.? 7. Who carried out his plans ? 8. Against what did Virginia protest? 9. To what event can opposition to British encroachment be traced? 10. What action did the people take in the case of Sir John Harvey? 11. Which did the king sustain ? 12. Why does this case deserve a place in Virginia history ? 13. Who was Sir William Berkeley, and when was he appointed governor ? 14. Give an account of Opechancanough's last attempt to exterminate the English. 15. What was the result? 16. Tell of his death. REVIEW QUESTIONS 1 . Give an account of the starving time, and tell how the colony was rescued. 2. Compare the administrations of Lord Delaware and Sir Thomas Dale, and give results accomplished by each. 3. Give an account of Argall's administration. 4. Relate the story of Pocahontas. 5. What is known of the " Great Charter," and what good results followed from it ? 6. When was slavery introduced, and what were indented servants ? 70 THE COLONY 7. Describe the massacre of 1622, and give its effects on the people. 8. What is said of tobacco? 9. How and by whom was it introduced into England? 10. What influence did its cultivation have on the prosperity of Vir- ginia? 1 1. How did Virginia become a royal colony? 12. Why did the people refuse to allow Lord Baltimore to make a settlement in their midst? 13. When did Virginia begin to show her opposition to British en- croachment? 14. What happened in the case of Sir John Harvey? 15. W T ho was Sir William Berkeley, and when was he appointed governor ? 16. Describe the massacre of 1644. CHAPTER IX THE COLONY UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH* Execution of Charles I. — In England the struggle be- tween the king and Parliament had grown so bitter that, in 1642, civil war broke out — the Puritan contest against royalty. The country was divided into two hostile parties. Those who supported the king and the Estab- lished Church were known as Cavaliers, while those who took sides with Parliament in its opposition to the king belonged to the Puritan party, and were known as Parliamentarians, or Round- heads. In all the strife that went on, Virginia had no part, but re- mained quiet and prosperous, though communication with the mother country was interrupted. The people were, on the whole, 1 About a month after the execution of Charles I. the monarchy was formally abolished and a Council of State was appointed by the people. This body passed the memorable act which declared " that the people of England and of all the dominions and territories thereunto belonging are, and shall be, and are hereby constituted, made, established, and confirmed, to be a Commonwealth and Free State by the supreme authority of this Nation, the Representatives of the people in Parliament, and by such as they shall appoint and constitute officers and ministers for the good of the people, and that without any King or House of Lords." Oliver Cromwell was chosen " Protector " of the Common- wealth, which lasted from the execution of Charles I., in 1649, to tne restora- tion of Charles II. in 1660. 7* Charles 72 THE COLONY royalists ; and, as the difficulties that surrounded the un- happy Charles I. increased, they were filled with appre- hension as to the result that would ensue. Finally their worst fears were realized, when the king was captured by his enemies, sentenced to death, and on the 30th of Janu- ary, 1649, executed. The Colony Loyal to Charles II. — The Virginians refused to recognize the authority of the Commonwealth, which ruled in England after the death of the king. The House of Burgesses met in October, 1649; an d its very first act was to express the greatest respect for "the late most excellent and now undoubtedly sainted king." All reflec- tions on his memory were declared to be treasonable, as were any doubts that might be expressed in regard to the right of Charles II. to succeed him. The Coming of the Cavaliers. — After the king's cause had gone down in disaster, many Cavaliers fled from England to Virginia, where they were most cordially welcomed by the governor and by the people. Many persons of means belonging to the nobility, clergy, and gentry came over at this period. The importance of this immigration is shown by the fact that in 1650 Virginia contained about fifteen thousand inhabitants, and in 1670 forty thousand. The coming of the Cavaliers added to the loyalty of the people ; for the exiles aroused sympathy by their misfortunes, and caused increased interest to be felt in royalty by the accounts they gave of the war that had been waged for the unfortunate king. The Commonwealth Asserts its Authority. — For three years Virginia continued to acknowledge Charles II. as her sovereign ; and, during this period, Parliament was too busy with affairs in England to give attention to colonies that were rebellious. But at the end of this THE COLONY UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH J^ time, it had triumphed over its enemies at home, and it then sent a squadron to reduce the Virginians to obedi- ence. The ships reached Virginia waters in March, 1652, and found that Governor Berkeley had made preparations for vigorous defense. But, when negotiations were opened, the Virginians agreed to acknowledge the authority of the Commonwealth, provided their submission was con- sidered as voluntary, it being understood at the same time that their country was not to be treated as if it had been conquered, but that the people were to enjoy all the liber- ties of free-born Englishmen, and should not be subjected to taxes without the consent of the House of Burgesses. Upon these terms a treaty was made between the Burgesses, who acted for the colony, and commissioners appointed by Parliament to represent the Commonwealth. When this took place, Governor Berkeley resigned, and was succeeded by Richard Bennet, one of the commissioners. The Colony Prospers during the Time of the Common- wealth. — During the existence of the Commonwealth in England, which lasted from 1649 to 1660, Virginia enjoyed freedom of commerce with the whole world, and along with it came prosperity and a rapid development of the country. Many of the emigrants, who had poured into the colony during the civil strife in England and after the death of the king, were men of education and property, who now gave their time and energies to the care of their plantations. Virginia grew in reputation as a de- sirable place in which to live. The soil was so fertile, was so well watered by the many rivers, creeks, and brooks that coursed through it, and responded so easily to cultiva- tion, that visions of limitless wealth were entertained as the result of new products, which, it was hoped, could be introduced. The gay-plumaged birds, the game that filled 74 THE COLONY the majestic forests, the fish that were to be found in the waters, added to the attractions of the country, especially to the new settlers. It was declared to be " the best poor man's country in the world," and it was said, " If a happy peace be settled in poor England, then they in Virginia shall be as happy as any people under heaven." QUESTIONS i. What state of affairs in England led to civil war? 2. How did it affect Virginia? 3. What was the unhappy fate of Charles I. ? 4. What was Virginia's attitude towards the Commonwealth ? 5. Give an account of the coming of the Cavaliers. 6. What effect did it have on the loyalty of the people? 7. Why did the Commonwealth have to assert its authority? 8. Upon what conditions did Virginia agree to acknowledge its authority ? 9. What did Berkeley do when the House of Burgesses signed the treaty ? 10. What privileges and prosperity did Virginia enjoy under the Commonwealth ? 11, Why was it declared to be i; the best poor man's country in the world " ? CHAPTER X THE RESTORATION TAKES PLACE AND THE LOYAL COLONY IS OPPRESSED TILL IT IS READY TO REVOLT The Restoration. — In May, 1660, Charles II. ascended the English throne ; and the event caused much joy in Virginia. Even before the Commonwealth came to an end, it is said that Sir William Berkeley invited the king, who was living in exile in Holland, to come to the colony, and raise his standard. From this, it is supposed, the country obtained the name of " Old Dominion " ; for it was a place " where the king was king, or might have been, before he was king in England." There is a tradi- tion that Charles II., at his coronation, wore a robe made of silk from Virginia, in token of his appreciation of her loyalty. Berkeley's Return to Power. — Early in 1660, when it became evident that the end of the Commonwealth was drawing near, the House of Burgesses elected Berkeley governor; and the first act of Charles II., in regard to colonial matters, was to confirm the appointment of the stanch old royalist by sending him a commission. Why Attached to Royalty. — This devotion to the king seems inconsistent with the principles of popular freedom, which the people had so cherished that they had almost unconsciously developed a republican form of government ; but it must be remembered that their experience with roy- alty had thus far been encouraging ; for under Charles I. 75 7 6 THE COLONY Coronation of Charles they had been practically independent, and during the interregnum, the Commonwealth left their liberties un- touched. From Charles II. they had a right to expect the very best treatment ; but they were doomed to bitter disappointment. The Navigation Laws. — Parliament, in 1660, at the very first session held after the Restoration, decided to put into operation navigation laws to secure to England a monop- oly of the colonial trade. These measures required that all tobacco exported from Virginia should be shipped in English vessels going to England, and that all foreign goods imported must be brought to Virginia in English ships. This policy stopped the free trade which Virginia had for some time enjoyed with the world, and worked the greatest injustice. When it went into operation, the result was that a ring of some forty or fifty English mer- chants had the whole trade in their hands, and reaped THE RESTORATION 77 almost all the profit that came from the production of tobacco, fleecing alike the rich and the poor. Tobacco fell to a low price, while the cost of all imported goods was greatly enhanced. The colony sent Governor Berkeley to England to protest against the enforcement of these unjust laws; but he returned without accomplishing his mission, though he secured some very advantageous patents for himself. The Royalists in Power in the Colony. — Even in Vir- ginia a radical change took place after the Restoration. During the Commonwealth, the impulses for the advance- ment of the masses, which had been stirring England and the world at large, had been quietly at work in the colony, and had caused greater consideration to be shown to the common people, as is evidenced by the character of the colonial legislation that took place during this period. Now all this was changed ; and it is not hard to see why it was so, if it be remembered that Virginia was but a part of England transplanted, and contained the same differ- ences in society. The germ of an aristocracy had existed from the first settlement, and its rising power had been much increased by the emigrant royalists who came over during the interregnum. With the Restoration, this aris- tocracy came into power. A political revolution had taken place in Virginia, which proved fatal to many of the rights and privileges cherished by the people. Oppressive Colonial Legislation. — The House of Bur- gesses quietly repealed the law which conferred upon the members a term of service extending through only two years, and thus legislated itself into an indefi- nite continuance of power. The government was now conducted in an expensive manner. All the officers re- ceived exorbitant salaries, and the people were heavily y8 THE COLONY taxed to pay them. Oppressive taxes were levied also for other purposes, such as for arms and ammunition, to provide cannon and to maintain forts. The people could not see that the funds were always used for the purposes for which they were raised. They did see, however, that Governor Berkeley and his friends grew continually richer. Not only the taxes themselves, but the method by which they were levied caused the greatest dissatisfaction. They were laid, not on property, but on persons. They were poll taxes so heavy that they proved an intolerable burden to the poor, while the rich felt them but little. Religious intolerance came in also to increase the general discontent, laws being enacted which punished severely all dissenters. Finally, even political rights were abridged. In 1670, the right of suffrage, which for fourteen years had been enjoyed by all freemen, was restricted to freeholders and housekeepers. Obstinacy of Berkeley. — In vain did the people protest that the Burgesses no longer represented them, and call for a new election. Berkeley persistently refused to dis- solve a House which proved so subservient to his will, saying, in explanation of his refusal, that they were more valuable on account of their experience than new men would be. For twelve years complaints were sent to England against Berkeley, but they availed nothing. At last patience ceased to be a virtue, and there were indi- cations enough that the people, exasperated by their multiplied grievances, were ready to rise against their oppressors ; but Berkeley heeded not the mutterings of the storm that was gathering. Criminal Prodigality of Charles II. — Oppression, unjust legislation, and robbery under the form of law were surely enough to exasperate a people so liberty-loving as the Vir- THE RESTORATION 79 ginians ; but this was not all. The king, to whom they had been ever loyal, showed himself so utterly indifferent to their rights, that a large part of the population felt insecure in the possession of their homes. Charles II., while wandering in exile, soon after the execution of his father, had granted to a number of distressed Cavaliers the stretch of country between the Rappahannock and the Potomac rivers, known as the Northern Neck, by which act he gave to his favorites much land that had been long in cultivation. But now he committed an act that sur- passed all others in prodigality. In 1673 he gave to Lords Culpeper and Arlington " all that entire tract, territory, and dominion of land and water called Virginia, together with the territory of Accomack," for the term of thirty- one years. All rents and escheats were to belong to them, as was the power to convey all vacant lands and, indeed, to manage matters in general as they wished. Ready for Revolt. — When this act of the king became known, loud was the outcry raised against it. The whole population rose in protest. They had been loyal to the king in the past ; but now they were only kept from breaking out in open rebellion by the efforts of influential men, who restrained them. The House of Burgesses in alarm dispatched envoys to England to bring about a change in the terms of the grant or else to buy it up for the benefit of the colony. QUESTIONS 1. How was the news of the restoration of Charles II. received in Virginia? 2. From what incident is Virginia supposed to have obtained the name of Old Dominion? 3. What tradition is given in connection with the coronation of Charles II.? 80 THE COLONY 4. By what authority did Berkeley again assume charge of the gov- ernment ? 5. Why was Virginia so attached to royalty? 6. Did she receive considerate treatment from the king? 7. What were the Navigation Laws? 8. How did the English merchants take advantage of these laws? 9. What action did the colony take, and with what result? 10. Under the Commonwealth, what advancement of the masses took place ? 11. What change occurred after the Restoration? 12. Give an account of the oppressive colonial legislation. 13. Why did Governor Berkeley persistently refuse to dissolve the House of Burgesses? 14. What was the result of his obstinacy? 15. Why did the people feel insecure? 16. While in exile, what part of Virginia had Charles II. given away? 17. What was his crowning act of prodigality ? 18. When this became known, what did the people do? 19. How did the House of Burgesses quiet them? CHAPTER XI BACON'S REBELLION Justice too long Delayed. — The king informed the envoys "that he was graciously inclined to favor his said subjects of Virginia," and promised a new charter for "the set- tlement and confirmation of all things," which he even ordered to be drafted ; but notwithstanding the most per- sistent efforts made by the colony's representatives, it was so much delayed that before it was issued, a new cause of alarm furnished the people with what they desired — a pretext for appearing in arms in an effort to resist oppres- sion by revolution. Indian Troubles. — The Indians furnished the occasion for a popular uprising. In 1675, they began commit- ting depredations and murders in some of the frontier settlements, and there were rumors that all the friendly tribes were about to break the peace that had existed for thirty years. There appeared, too, to be sufficient cause for such apprehension ; for all along the border plantations prowling savages in blind fury murdered men, till the people became frenzied at the horrors of insecurity that hung over their homes. An appeal for protection was made to the governor ; but he showed so little dispo- sition to take prompt action that a suspicion was aroused that he secretly favored the Indians ; and it was even hinted in explanation of his tardiness that he feared a war would injure the beaver trade with the savages, of VI KG. HIST. 6 8l 82 THE COLONY which he had secured a monopoly for himself and his friends. Early in 1676, he did order out a force, under the command of Sir Henry Chicheley, to pursue the Susquehanna Indians who had slain thirty-six persons in the upper settlements of the Rappahannock and Poto- mac rivers ; but as the troops were about to set out, he suddenly changed his mind and had them disbanded. At last the people began to organize for their own de- fense ; and soon after in the territory around the heads of the James and the York rivers, the citizens, including most if not all of the civil and military officers, tumul- tously assembled and selected Nathaniel Bacon, Jr., as their leader. The People's Leader. — Bacon was a native of Suffolk County, England, and was of good descent, his family apparently belonging to the gentry. He was a cousin of Lord Culpeper, and his wife a daughter of Sir John Duke. He was educated at St. Catherine's College, Cam- bridge, where he entered in 1660, and took his M. A. degree in 1667. Reared during the stormy period of the Puritan contest against royalty, he had been influenced by the spirit of his times, and was animated by an ardent love of freedom rather than by an attachment to mon- archy. He possessed natural talents of a high order, was eloquent as a speaker, engaging in manner, violent when excited, and recklessly brave. He had settled about the year 1672 on the upper James River, his plantation being one upon which murders had been committed by the sav- ages. The high esteem in which he was held is attested by the fact that, though he had been in the colony only about three years, he had been appointed to a place in the Council, an unusual honor for one so young, for he was but twenty-nine. Such was Nathaniel Bacon, whom his BACON'S REBELLK >\ *3 countrymen enthusiastically chose as their commander, and well was he qualified for the office. Other prominent leaders on the popular side were Rich- ard Lawrence, a brilliant Oxford man, and Drummond, a Scotchman, who had been governor of North Carolina. Declared to be Rebels. — Bacon's men collected their arms, and asked to be led against the Indians. But their Bacon's Rebellion commander, before complying with their request, applied to the governor for a commission, so that his acts might have the sanc- tion of law. Berkeley did not send the commission ; and so Bacon, in May, 1676, set out on his expedition without it, deriving his authority directly from the will of the people. But as he was on his way news reached him that he and his men had been declared to be rebels by the governor, and ordered to disperse. Some men of estates 84 THE COLONY obeyed, but the rest continued on their way to the frontier and, after defeating the Indians, started back to the settle- ment. Berkeley makes Concessions. — In the meantime the gov- ernor had taken vigorous action. He collected troops and, leaving Jamestown in haste, pursued Bacon ; but he was suddenly stopped by the alarming news that all the lower counties along the James and York rivers had flamed out in rebellion under the leadership of Joseph Ingram and George Wakelet. Berkeley returned to Jamestown, and in view of the difficulties that faced him, decided to make some concessions. He accordingly dissolved the Bur- gesses, dismantled the frontier forts, which were the source of much complaint as being a useless burden, and in other ways showed a conciliatory spirit in the hope that he might keep the colony loyal to his authority. A New House of Burgesses. — Berkeley ordered a new House of Burgesses to be elected, and the result was a surprise. The feeling of the people against the restric- tion of the suffrage was shown by the election, in some of the counties, of freedmen as burgesses. Bacon was unani- mously chosen a burgess from his county of Henrico. The new House, which met early in June, represented the peo- ple, and a majority of the members were in sympathy with Bacon. Bacons Arrest and Apology. — When Bacon appeared to take his seat in the House, Sir William Berkeley did the only thing that he could do under the circumstances — arrested him. But he speedily paroled him, and an effort was made to harmonize matters. There was in the Council a near relative of Bacon, Nathaniel Bacon, Sr., "a rich, politic man." He, as was believed, induced Bacon, "not without much pains," however, to make a written apology BACON'S REBELLION 85 for his acts. Bacon agreed to do this, his friends claimed, on the promise of a commission to fight the Indians. After he had thus humbled himself, he was pardoned by the gov- ernor, and restored to his seat in the Council. When this took place, many men from the upper country, who had hurried to Jamestown on hearing of Bacon's arrest, re- turned to their homes ; and for a few days it looked as if the trouble was at an end. Sb el & TTBHi •sm w ith twenty followers, took possession of Harper's Ferry, captured a number of citizens whom he held as hostages, and seized the United States arsenal at the place, intending to obtain from it arms for the negroes whom he expected to join him. But in this he was mis- taken, for none of them came to his support. Brown Captured and Executed. — Governor Wise called out a force of volunteers and militia to put down the dis- SLAVERY 179 Capture of Joan Brown turbance. But before the state troops could reach Har- per's Ferry, a number of Brown's gang had been killed and the rest captured by Colonel Robert E. Lee 1 and a body 1 Robert E. Lee (1807-1870), born at Stratford, Westmoreland County, Va., descended from a long line of illustrious ancestors. He was educated at West Point; and, while there, he was never reprimanded, and never re- ceived a demerit. After his graduation, he served in the Mexican War, and rose to distinction. When Virginia seceded, Lee at once resigned his commis- sion in the United States army and offered his services to his native state. His masterly defence of Richmond won for him a wide reputation as one of the ablest military commanders of modern times. When the Civil War ended, he was elected president of Washington College. After his death, in honor of him, the name of the college was changed to Washington and Lee University. Lee was a strikingly handsome man and a graceful rider. His noble quali- ties and the great purity of his life made him an inspiration to his followers. In his own life, he certainly exemplified his belief in the maxim he himself uttered that " Duty is the sublimest word in the English language." 180 FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE CIVIL WAR of United States marines, who had been dispatched to the scene of action. Several citizens and one negro were killed by Brown's party before the termination of the affair. Brown was among those captured, and he with six of his followers were tried and hung for treason, insurrection, and murder. Report of the Senate Committee. — A committee of the United States Senate looked into the matter, and made a report in which it was stated that Brown's attack upon Virginia " was simply the act of lawless ruffians, under the sanction of no public or political authority, distinguishable only from ordinary felonies by the ulterior ends in contem- plation by them, and by the fact that the money to maintain the expedition and the large armament they brought with them had been contributed and furnished by the citizens of other states of the Union under circumstances that must continue to jeopard the safety and peace of the Southern states, and against which Congress has no power to legislate." Political Significance of Brown's Attack. — Brown brought with him to Harper's Ferry a number of muskets, pistols, and about fifteen hundred pikes which were made expressly for him in Connecticut, and which he thought would be effective weapons in the hands of the negroes. An inves- tigation of the insurrection showed that Brown had the sympathy and the help of a number of persons at the North in this plot to raise a servile war. This fact con- vinced Virginia that the Constitution and the laws of the Union were not sufficient to protect her, and it hastened the breaking out of the Civil War. REVIEW QUESTIONS l8l QUESTIONS 1. Why did England encourage the traffic in negroes? 2. What did Virginia do to prevent its growth? 3. What was New England's connection with slavery? 4. Why was it encouraged both by the New England and cotton states ? 5. What change of feeling in regard to slavery had taken place in the North ? 6. Give an account of Gabriel's Insurrection. 7. Of Nat Turner's Insurrection. 8. What was the sentiment in Virginia in later times? 9. What is said of fugitive slaves ? 10. Who was John Brown, and what is said of his raid? 1 1 . By whom was he captured ? 12. Give the leading facts in the life of Robert E. Lee. 13. What was Brown's fate? 14. Give the report of the Senate Committee on this raid. 15. What weapons did John Brown bring, who were they for. and where made? 16. What did an investigation show? REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. Describe the battles of King's Mountain and Cowpens. 2. Give an account of the maneuvers of Cornwallis and Lafayette. 3. How was Cornwallis entrapped? 4. Describe the siege of Yorktown and Cornwallis's surrender. 5. Who was Governor Nelson, and what is said of his patriotism? 6. Give an account of the exploits of George Rogers Clarke, by which Virginia recovered her Northwest Territory. 7. What generous spirit did Virginia show in order to bring about a union of the states? 8. Why was the present Constitution formed to take the place of the Articles of Confederation? 9. Describe the Alien and Sedition Laws, and tell of the resolutions adopted by Virginia in regard to them. 10. Why is Virginia called the " Mother of States and of Statesmen" ? 1 1 . Describe the burning of Richmond theater. 12. What was the cause of the War of 181 2? VIRG. HIST. — 12 1 82 FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE CIVIL WAR 13. What important services did Virginians render the Union? 14. What was Virginia's attitude toward slavery? 15. Give New England's connection with slavery, and tell about the change of feeling at the North in regard to it. 16. What is said of fugitive slaves? 17. Give an account of John Brown's Raid, his capture and execution. 18. What was the report of the Senate Committee, and the political significance of this raid ? CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF IMPORTANT EVENTS (1763-1860) 1765. Stamp Act passed by Parliament. 1766. Stamp Act repealed. 1767. A tax imposed on tea and other articles. 1769. Famous Virginia resolves passed by the House of Burgesses 1770. All duties except on tea repealed. 1773. The tea thrown overboard at Boston Harbor. 1774. The first Continental Congress met at Philadelphia, September 5. 1775. Battles of Lexington and Concord, April 19. 1775. End of royal government in Virginia. 1775. Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17. 1776. Declaration of Independence signed, July 4. 1777. Burgoyne's surrender. October 17. 1778. American independence acknowledged by France. 1779. Clarke's conquest of the Northwest Territory. 1780. Battle of King's Mountain, October 7. 1 78 1. Richmond captured by Arnold. 1 78 1. Battle of Cowpens, January 17. 1781. Surrender of Cornwallis, October 19. 1787. Constitution of the United States adopted in convention, Sep- tember 17. 1788. Virginia ratifies the Constitution. 1789. Washington inaugurated, April 30. 1799. Washington died at Mt. Vernon, December 14. 1803. Louisiana purchased from France, April 30. 181 1. Richmond theater burned, December 26. 1812. War declared against England. 1846. Mexican War. 1859. John Brown's Raid, October 16. THIRD PERIOD — FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME CHAPTER XXII APPROACH OF THE CIVIL WAR The Constitution Ambiguous. — The Constitution of the United States was the result of a series of compromises ; and at the time of its adoption, was not entirely satisfac- tory to any one. No sooner had it been ratified by the states than the people became divided into two parties, one holding that the language vf the Constitution should be construed strictly so that the sovereignty of the states would never be impaired, the other claiming that the powers of the Federal government ought to be enlarged, and that the Constitution should be interpreted so as to allow this to be done. Out of these antagonistic views there grew, as time passed, two opposing theories of the nature of the Union. These must now be stated in order to make clear the cause of the secession movement, which involved Virginia and all the other states in a long and bloody war. The State-Rights Theory. — On this theory the Union which the states created was one of limited powers, all powers not named in the Constitution as specially surren- dered to the Federal government being reserved by the 183 184 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME states. Accordingly, the United States was not a nation like England, but a league or confederacy between thirteen separate peoples. The Union being thus in the nature of a partnership, not limited in time, it followed, by the law governing such agreements, that the right to withdraw remained with each state. The National Theory. — The advocates of the second theory, called the National theory, held that the states in ratifying the Constitution had surrendered their statehood and had formed a nation. According to this view, the Union was indissoluble, and no state had a right to with- draw without the consent of the other states. Which was the True Theory ? — The interpretation that was given to the Constitution at the time of its formation is not historically uncertain. The evidence, if carefully examined, is convincing that the Union was regarded as a league. Mr. Lodge, a Northern writer, who has made a careful study of the subject, says : " When the Constitu- tion was adopted by the votes of States at Philadelphia, and accepted by the votes of States in popular conventions, it is safe to say that there was not a man in the country, from Washington and Hamilton on the one side to George Clinton and George Mason on the other, who regarded the new system as anything but an experiment entered upon by the States, and from which each and every State had the right peaceably to withdraw, a right which was very likely to be exercised." The above quotation states correctly the view taken of the Union when it was made. It was considered a league formed by independent states, each one of which retained the attribute of sovereignty. 1 1 The advocates of the National theory of the Union often point to the clauses in the Constitution which forbid a state to make treaties, to coin money, to declare war, etc., as proof that the states surrendered their sovereignty. APPROACH OF THE CIVIL WAR 1 85 The First Threats of Secession. — The first threats of secession came, not from the South, but from New Eng- land; and during the latter part of the eighteenth century and early in the nineteenth, movements were projected to bring about the withdrawal of New England from the Union. In 1796 Governor Wolcott of Connecticut de- clared that he wished the Northern states, the moment Jefferson was elected President, would separate from the Southern. The War of 18 12 was very unpopular in New England, and while it was going on secession from the Union was openly urged in public meetings by prominent men. Virginia and the South. — From the beginning Virginia had adopted the State-Rights theory of the Union, and she held to it unwaveringly. She formed no new political theories, but continued to look upon the Union as a league But. this argument loses its force, so far as the thirteen original states are con- cerned, from the fact that the restrictions mentioned were not laid on these states by any power above them or outside of them, but were self-imposed. Thus these clauses in the Constitution were similar in nature to those found in business contracts, by which the members of a firm agree to give up certain rights while they are in partnership; but when the compact between them is dissolved they can freely exercise the rights temporarily waived and all others that belong to individuals. In speaking of the character of the Federal government Woodrow Wilson says : "To us of the present day it seems that the Constitution framed in 1787 gave birth in 1789 to a national government such as that which now consti- tutes an indestructible bond of union for the states; but the men of that time would certainly have laughed at any such idea." ... "It was for his state, each man felt, that his blood and treasure had been poured out; it was that Massa- chusetts and Virginia might be free that the war (Revolution) had been fought, not that the colonies might have a new central government set up over them; patriotism was state patriotism. The states were living organic persons; the Union was an arrangement, — possibly it would prove to be only a temporary arrangement; new adjustments might have to be made." — See State and Fed- eral Governments of the United States, pp. 28, 29. 1 86 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME between independent states. The South, without excep- tion, under the teaching of John C. Calhoun, held to the same conception of the Federal tie. To Virginia and the South, therefore, the right to withdraw from the Union was one of the reserved rights of the states. Indeed, Virginia adopted the Constitution with the express under- standing that she could reassume the powers she had delegated to the Federal government whenever these powers should be perverted to the injury or oppression of her people. Thus before she entered the Union she made clear her right to leave it. The North and the West. — As times changed, the North changed its conception of what the Union was, and gave to the Constitution a meaning which no one attached to it in the early days of the republic. At first those who wished a strong government only held that the United States ought to be a nation. But under the influence of Daniel Webster the people of the North adopted the belief that the United States was a nation. Thus they changed the original conception of the Federal tie, and held that the states, in ratifying the Constitution, had formed a Union that could not be broken. The people of the West gen- erally held the same political belief. It was natural that they should do this ; for the Western states were created out of the public domain by the government of the United States, and for this reason, in them state lines did not have the same meaning as they did in the South, nor did state pride have the same influence. There was, it is true, much difference of opinion at the North and West upon the question of state sovereignty, many eminent statesmen and jurists viewing the matter as the South did ; but on the whole the mass of the people at the North and West, under the influence of the new theory they had formed, APPROACH OF THE CIVIL WAR 1 87 regarded secession as unlawful and as constituting re- bellion. Reasons why the South wished to Secede. — The South and the North had not only grown apart in their political beliefs, but their interests had become different. The South was agricultural, while the North was largely engaged in manufacturing. Laws that suited one section did not suit the other, and this led to much irritation. The great cause of difference, however, was slavery, which had made the sections hostile to each other. The South, since slavery had become her peculiar institution, demanded that prop- erty in negroes should be as securely guaranteed as other forms of property, and desired to have slavery further extended. Adequate protection for this form of property the North was unwilling to give, as was shown in the way some of the states refused to allow the execution of the Fugitive Slave Law. This rendered the South uneasy. The Federal government had been created by the states to give security against domestic, as well as foreign dan- gers. But the time had come when it no longer brought domestic peace. The rights, guaranteed to the South in regard to her slaves, had already been violated, and were threatened with further invasion in the future. It could no longer be said that the Constitution was a Magna Charta that preserved rights. The realization of this made the South desire to leave the Union. Under the same government, the people of the South and of the North had lived together as brothers for many years; but the state of feeling between them had now become very different from what it was in the days of the Revolu- tion. It must ever be considered most deplorable that the people of the two sections should have become enemies ready to take each other's lives. l8S FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME QUESTIONS 1. Was the Constitution of the United States satisfactory to all? 2. What two parties sprang up, and what was the result? 3. Give the State-Rights theory of the Union. 4. The National theory. 5. Which was the true one ? 6. What does Mr. Lodge say on the subject? 7. From what section did the first threats of secession come? 8. What did the governor of Connecticut declare? 9. Which theory did Virginia hold of the Union? 10. With what express understanding had she adopted the Constitu- tion? 11. By whose influence did the North change the original conception of the Federal tie? 12. Why did the people of the West hold the same opinion as the North? 13. In what ways were the interests of the North and South opposed? 14. What was the chief cause of the difference in the sections, and what is said of it? 15. Why did the South now feel uneasy in the Union? 16. What is said of the Constitution? CHAPTER XXIII THE BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL WAR Secession of the Cotton States. — In i860 Abraham Lin- coln a was elected President by the Republican party, which was opposed to any extension of slavery, and whose ex- treme members wished to abolish it in the territory where it then existed. When this occurred, the cotton states gave up hope of enjoying longer fraternal union with the North, and decided to exercise their reserved right of secession, thinking that this course of action was best for their peace and prosperity. South Carolina acted first, passing an ordinance of secession on December 20, i860. She was followed by Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Geor- gia, Louisiana, and Texas. The movement proceeded quietly, due observance being paid to legal form. The seceded states then formed a new union, called the Con- 1 Abraham Lincoln (i 809-1865) was born in Kentucky. His parents were of humble origin, and too poor to educate him. He attended school one year only, and after this educated himself. When he was seven years old, his father moved to Indiana, where he spent his early life in hardship and toil. In 1830, the Lincoln family went to Illinois; and, on this journey, young Lincoln walked the whole distance, driving an ox team. He then helped his father build a log cabin, and split rails to inclose a little farm. In 1834, he began to study law, and by borrowing books soon acquired knowledge enough to be admitted to the bar. He next turned his attention to politics; and, after this, his life was a succession of promotions. He was elected to the Legislature, then to Congress, and, in i860, we find him President of the United States. He was noted for rugged strength and straightforwardness of character, his friends calling him " Honest Abe." 189 Abraham Lincoln THE BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL WAR 191 federate States of America, with Jefferson Davis l of Mis- sissippi as president. Virginia's Effort for Peace. — For a time there was a prospect of bringing the sections together again, and Vir- ginia earnestly desired to do this. She believed in the right of secession, but she doubted the expediency of the act. In addition to this, she was deeply attached to the Union for whose establishment she had done so much. Ani- mated by her love for it, she, through her General Assem- bly, recommended the holding of a Peace Conference to be participated in by all the states, to settle " the present un- happy controversy in the spirit in which the Constitution was originally formed." This convention met in Washing- ton, but failed in its efforts to restore harmony. Diplomacy. — After the inauguration of President Lin- coln, the Confederate government sent commissioners to Washington to arrange for a peaceable settlement of all questions at issue between the two governments. One thing asked for was the evacuation of all the forts in the territory of the seceded states that were still in possession of the United States. Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor was one of these ; and Mr. Seward, Secretary of State under Lincoln, gave assurance 2 that the fort would be 1 Jefferson Davis ( 1 808-1 889) was a Kentuckian by birth, but when he was a few years old his father moved to Mississippi. He graduated at the United States Military Academy, after which he served for five years in the Indian wars in the West. He then resigned his commission in the army and became a cotton planter in Mississippi. He was elected to Congress ; but resigned his seat to serve in the Mexican War, in which he rose to distinction. Later he was elected to the United States Senate. On the formation of the Southern Confederacy he was elected president, and he filled this office till the end of the Civil War. He died in Mississippi in 1889. 2 The assurance that Fort Sumter would be evacuated was given by Mr. Seward to Judge Campbell, who conveyed the information to the commission- ers. See "Three Decades of Federal Legislation," by S. S. Cox, pp. 147, 148. 1 92 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME speedily given up. But this was not clone ; and after some delay Governor Pickens of South Carolina was notified from Washington that the fort would be reenforced "peaceably if permitted, forcibly if necessary," by a fleet that was then on its way. Capture of Fort Sumter. — The Confederate govern- ment, accepting the message to Governor Pickens as a declaration of war, ordered General Beauregard, who was in command of the Southern troops at Charleston, to de- mand the surrender of Fort Sumter. Major Anderson, the commander of the Federal garrison, refused to evacu- Fort Sumter ate the fort; and thereupon Beauregard bombarded it and captured it on April 14, 1861. War now Inevitable. — The crisis had at last come. The Confederates held that the North had acted in regard to Fort Sumter so as to render the use of force by the South necessary, and was for this reason the real aggressor, while the North contended that the South had by firing on the fort begun the war. Thus each section charged the other with bringing on the conflict. The cotton states had already made some preparations for war ; and now all over the South the cry, " To arms ! To arms ! " was heard. The people of the North on their part came strongly to the sup- port of the new Republican administration, and responded Jefferson Davis 194 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME with alacrity to a call made by President Lincoln, during the excitement following the bombardment, for seventy- five thousand troops to reestablish the Federal authority in the Southern states. Secession of Virginia. — When President Lincoln called for troops, Virginia had to decide whether she would re- main in the Union or join the Southern Confederacy. Up to this time she had steadily refused to secede. A conven- tion, which had been called in view of the impending crisis, had refused to pass an ordinance of secession by a vote of eighty-nine to forty-five ; but two days after Lincoln called for troops, this same convention passed the ordinance by a vote of eighty-eight to fifty-five. When the ordinance was submitted to the people, it was ratified by a large majority, and the state took her place in the Southern Confederacy. Her Heroic Action. — This was Virginia's decision when called upon to help make war upon the states further south. She took her action deliberately, well knowing that she would be attacked on the north, east, and west, and would be the battlefield of a war which, if long continued, would be most destructive to her prosperity, let the end be what it might. There is recorded in history no greater act of self-sacrifice than that of Virginia in withdrawing from a Union she did not wish to leave, in order to help other states defend what she had always maintained was her right and theirs. Actions of Other States. — Virginia's example in leaving the Union was followed by Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Kentucky wished to remain neutral, but was overrun by Federal troops. So altogether eleven states seceded and twenty-three remained in the Union. Return of Virginians. — In the Federal army and navy there were a number of distinguished Virginia officers, THE BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL WAR 195 who, at the opening of the war, had to determine to which side they should render allegiance. There were but few who did not decide that after their state had left the Union they no longer owed fealty to the United States. So there was a return of Virginians to de- fend their native land. Some had already distin- guished themselves in the service of the United States, but were destined to win yet greater military renown in the Civil War. Distinguished Leaders who came to Virginia. — Among those who resigned commissions in the United States army were General Albert Sidney Johnston, 1 the commander of the military district of the Pacific, and that able and cautious soldier, General Joseph E. Johnston, 2 who became the first com- 1 Albert Sidney Johnston (1803-1862) was born in Kentucky, but was of New England descent. In his early life, he was described as " a handsome, proud, manly, earnest, and self-reliant boy." He was educated at West Point, where he showed great talent for mathematics. He served with distinction in the Black Hawk war and in the Texas war for independence. When Gen- eral Johnston reached Richmond, he was assigned by President Davis to the command of the Confederate forces in the West. In 1862, he was wounded in the battle of Shiloh and bled to death upon the field. In his death the Confederacy sustained a severe loss. He was a man of courteous manners and of noble and commanding appearance. 2 Joseph E. Johnston (1807-1891), born in Prince Edward County, Va., was the youngest son of Major Peter Johnston of the Revolution. He was educated at West Point, and served with distinction in the Mexican Joseph E. Johnston 196 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME mander of the Confederate army in Virginia. But the greatest of all the men who came to the help of Virginia in her hour of need was Colonel Robert E. Lee, a son of Light Horse Harry Lee of Revolutionary fame. In re- signing his commission in the United States army, he used the often-quoted expression, " Save in the defense of my native state, I never desire again to draw my sword." In speaking of his decision in a letter, written to his sister, he says, " With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty as an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home." When Colonel Lee reached Richmond, he was at once made com- mander of the Virginia forces. Military Ardor. — All through the part of Virginia east of the Alleghany Mountains the people gave themselves up to preparations for war. Everywhere military companies were organized and equipped. Drill masters soon became so much in demand that Major Thomas J. Jackson, a pro- fessor in the Virginia Military Institute, was ordered to bring a number of cadets to Richmond to assist in the work of drilling recruits at Camp Lee. Jackson never returned to his quiet professorial duties. He was appointed a colonel of volunteers by the governor of Virginia and soon after entered upon a career of fame second only to that of General Lee. Virginia Dismembered. — Western Virginia was opposed to leaving the Union, and refused to be bound by the action War. In the early part of the Civil War he was commander of all the Con- federate forces in Virginia. In the battle of Seven Pines he was severely wounded; and, when he reported for duty again, he was put in command of the military district of Tennessee. He continued to serve the Confederacy in the Southern campaigns till the close of the war. lie is justly regarded as one of the ablest generals on the Confederate side. THE BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL WAR 1 97 of the convention that passed the ordinance of secession. So the people of this section in a convention held on June ii, 1 86 1, organized a government of their own; and at a later period this part of the Old Dominion was admitted by Congress into the Union as a separate state, though a strained interpretation 1 had to be put upon the Constitu- tion to bring this about. Thus the Virginia that took part in the War of Secession was in area about the same as the Virginia that helped to carry on the Revolution. QUESTIONS 1. Who was elected President by the Republican party in i860? 2. Give the leading facts of his life, and state the policy of his party. 3. After his election, what did the cotton states decide to do? 4. What union did they form, and whom did they elect president? 5. Give the leading facts in the life of Jefferson Davis. 6. Why did Virginia earnestly desire peace, and what action did she take to bring it about? 7. For what purpose did the Confederate government send commis- sioners to Washington after Lincoln's inauguration ? 8. What particular request did they make? Was it granted ? 9. What notification was sent to Governor Pickens in regard to Fort Sumter? 10. How did the Confederate government accept this notification, and what happened? 1 1 . On what grounds did each section charge the other with beginning the war? 12. Why did Lincoln issue a call for seventy-five thousand troops? 13. Why did Virginia secede? 1 The government organized by the people of West Virginia had, when it was first formed, jurisdiction over only 282,000 of the 1,600,000 inhabitants of the state. But those who adhered to it claimed that it was the true and lawful government of Virginia; and their legislature authorized the formation of a new state. This action the Federal government accepted as representing the consent of Virginia to the division of her territory; and so West Virginia was admitted as a separate state. virg. hist. — 13 I98 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME 14. What is said of her heroic action in so doing? 15. Name the states that followed her example. 16. What is said of the return of Virginians ? 17. What distinguished generals of the Federal army came to Virginia? 18. Give the leading facts in the life of Albert Sidney Johnston. 19. Of Joseph E. Johnston. 20. What did Robert E. Lee say on resigning his commission in the Federal army? 21. Describe the military ardor throughout Virginia. 22. When and why was the state of West Virginia formed? CHAPTER XXIV THE FIRST MOVEMENT AGAINST RICHMOND Events that will be Recorded. — The military operations in the Civil War were on a very extensive scale. The struggle was prosecuted vigorously on both sides, not only in Virginia, but also in the South and West. In this short history, only a brief account of the leading military opera- tions that took place in Virginia can be given. "On to Richmond !" — On May 21, the capital of the Southern Confederacy was moved from Montgomery, Ala- bama, to Richmond ; and at once in the North the cry of " On to Richmond ! " was raised. The formation of Federal armies for the invasion of Virginia went on at different points. One gathered at Washington under General Scott, with General McDowell in immediate com- mand, a second at Chambersburg under General Patterson, a third in West Virginia under General McClellan, and a fourth at Fortress Monroe under General Butler. To capture Richmond and bring the war to a speedy end was the plan of the Federals. Preparations for Defense. — The Confederates collected troops for the protection of Virginia, and able plans for defense were adopted. General Beauregard 1 organized an 1 Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard (1818-1893) was born in Louisiana. He was the son of a wealthy cotton planter, and was of French extraction. He was lively in temperament, possessed courteous manners, and showed good breeding and education. He was so fortunate in his military operations that the Richmond Examiner gave him the title " Beauregard Felix." 199 200 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME army at Manassas Junction to guard the direct approach from Washington to Richmond ; General Joseph E. John- ston a second at Harper's Ferry to cover the Shenandoah valley ; Generals Huger and Magruder a third to bar the route to Richmond by way of the peninsula between the James and the York rivers, while General Garnett was sent with troops to West Virginia to operate against the Federals in that part of the state. Opening of Hostilities in Virginia. — The first invasion of the state occurred on May 24, 1861, when Federal troops took possession of Alexandria, where there were a number of strong secessionists. For some days before the occupa- tion, a Confederate flag flying from the top of a hotel had been plainly seen from the President's house in Wash- ington. This, Colonel Ellsworth of the Fire Zouave Regi- ment, U. S. A., hastened to take down with his own hand. But as he descended from the top of the building, holding the flag, he was shot dead by the owner, Mr. Jackson, who was himself killed a moment later by Ellsworth's soldiers. This was the first bloodshed in Virginia, and the next took place in a skirmish at Big Bethel, near Fortress Monroe, on June 10, when fourteen hundred Confederates under General John B. Magruder defeated three thousand Fed- erals, belonging to the army of General Butler. These events mark the opening of the great struggle that took place in Virginia. Battle of Manassas. — But the first important battle of the war took place at Manassas, where an army of thirty thousand Federals under General McDowell, which had set out from Washington for Richmond, encountered the Confederate army under General Beauregard. As the left wing of the Federal army attempted to cross Bull Run, a little stream that flows along the plains of Manassas, a THE FIRST MOVEMENT AGAINST RICHMOND 20I skirmish occurred in which the Federals were driven back. This was but the forerunner of a general engagement which took place on July 21, 1861. In this battle success was at first with the Federals. Their right wing drove back the left wing of the Confederates, which rendered Stonewall Jackson in the Battle of Manassas the situation full of peril. Seeing this General Bee of South Carolina rushed up to General Thomas J. Jackson, 1 1 Thomas Jonathan Jackson (1824- 1863), was born at Clarksburg, Va. His father died when he was but three years old. When he grew up he se- cured an appointment to the United States Military Academy, where he gradu- ated in 1846. In the Mexican War he showed such daring and bravery in the assault on the castle of Chapultepec that he was highly praised by his superior officers. In 185 1, he resigned from the army to accept a professorship in the Virginia Military Academy. In July, 1861, he was made a brigadier general in the Confederate army. He possessed a very strong individuality, 202 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME and exclaimed, " General, they are beating us back ! " " Sir, we will give them the bayonet," was Jackson's prompt reply. Bee went back to his men and rallied them, saying, " Look, there is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer." From that day General Jackson became known to fame as Stonewall Jackson. The Confederates rallied after the day seemed about lost, and checked the advance of the Federals till Kirby Smith, who had been sent by General Johnston from the Valley, arrived with reinforcements which made Beau- regard's army nearly equal in numbers to McDowell's. Then the tide of battle turned, and the Federals began a retreat which ended in a rout and a panic. The soldiers threw away their arms and fled toward Washington. The Victory not Followed up. — The Confederates did not follow up their great victory. Indeed, they did not realize its completeness till the day after the battle. Had they pushed on with all speed after the terror-stricken Federals, they might perhaps have followed them over the bridge across the Potomac, for the destruction of which no preparations had been made, and taken possession of Washington. In not doing this, they lost an opportunity which never came to them again. Situation at the End of 1861. — As the year drew to a close, it became evident that the war would not end in a short time as many had supposed. Both sides now pre- and was one of the most remarkable men that fought on the Southern side. In his short but brilliant military career he won the respect ami admiration of friends and foes aliUe. He was a man of deep moral earnestness and intense convictions, his motto being " Do your duty and leave the rest to Providence." It was said that he never entered upon a battle without first kneeling to invoke the aid and guidance of Almighty God. THE FIRST MOVEMENT AGAINST RICHMOND 203 pared for a prolonged contest. The Federal army at Washington, which was known as the Army of the Poto- mac, was greatly increased. General George B. McClellan was made its commander in place of General Scott ; and during the autumn and winter his forces numbering nearly two hundred thousand lay around Washington. He was confronted by the Army of Northern Virginia about sixty thousand strong under General Joseph E. Johnston. After Manassas the Confeder- ates had advanced as far as Fairfax Courthouse, and the flags at their outposts were visible in Washington. Resources of the Two Sections. — A brief com- parison of the resources of the two sections is necessary to show the un- equal character of the struggle in which the South was engaged. In Gen. George B. McClellan round numbers the states that remained in the Union had a population of twenty-three millions, while the territory of the Confederacy contained only nine millions, of which three and a half millions were negroes. So the North could put in the field more than three times as many soldiers as the South. Besides this, the North had factories of all kinds, and could manufacture all the war supplies, arms, and clothes that the soldiers would need. The South was almost without factories ; and soon after the opening of hostilities, her ports were blockaded by the 204 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME North. Thus all help from abroad was cut off. But the victory at Manassas made the South believe that, in spite of her inferior resources, success would crown her arms. She had faith in her own prowess ; and she hoped too that she would not have to contend against the United States unaided. England and France had promptly accorded her belligerent rights; and it seemed probable, early in the war, that these powers might even acknowledge her inde- pendence. QUESTIONS 1. What action on the part of the Confederacy caused the cry of "On to Richmond! 11 to be raised by the North? 2. What preparations did the Federals make to invade Virginia? 3. How did the Confederates prepare to defend the state? 4. What incident caused the first bloodshed on her soil? 5. When and where did the first skirmish take place? 6. Give an account of the battle of Manassas. 7. How did Jackson receive the name of Stonewall? 8. Give the leading facts in the life of Stonewall Jackson. 9. What was the result of the battle of Manassas ? 10. Had the Confederates followed up this victory, what might have been the result? 11. What was the condition of the two armies at the end of 1861 ? 12. Compare the resources of the two sections. CHAPTER XXV CAMPAIGNS OF 1862 The Virginia. — After the secession of Virginia, the Federal navy yard at Norfolk fell into the hands of the Confederates. Before the Federals left it, however, they burned and sunk a number of vessels. Among these was a frigate, called the Merrimac, which was only partly destroyed. This the Confederates raised and covered heavily with iron, thus converting the wooden ship into a most formidable ironclad, the first that was ever made. On March 8, 1862, just before the land campaign opened, this strange-looking craft, which had been renamed Vir- ginia, steamed into Hampton Roads and attacked the Federal fleet. The heaviest guns were brought to bear upon her, but they produced no impression whatever on her iron sides. She speedily sunk the Cumberland and the Congress, while the Minnesota, in trying to escape, ran aground. The rest of the fleet scattered. Battle between the Virginia and the Monitor. — The Virginia, having won a complete triumph, went back to Norfolk when night came on, returning the next day to renew her attack on the Minnesota. But this time she was met by a formidable enemy that had arrived in the night. This was Ericsson's Monitor, an ironclad gunboat that looked like " a cheese box on a raft." A fierce engagement took place between the ironclads, but neither could seriously damage the other, and so the bat- 205 206 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME The Cumberland and the Virginia tie was a drawn one. The appearance of the Monitor, however, was most opportune for the Federal cause ; for had the Virginia been unopposed for a short time, she might have ascended the Potomac and destroyed Wash- ington. A little later the Confederates evacuated Norfolk ; and the Virginia was blown up to keep her from falling into the hands of the Federals. Thus her career came to an end. The battle between the Virginia and the Monitor showed that in the future naval conflicts would be decided by ironclads, and it caused all the great powers to recon- struct their navies, thus producing a revolution in naval warfare. Plan of the Peninsular Campaign. — When the spring opened, instead of attacking Johnston where he was, McClellan decided to transport his army by water to the CAMPAIGNS OF 1862 20/ peninsula between the James and the York rivers, and to approach Richmond from that direction. He was to be supported by reenforcements that were to proceed by land from Washington. The Confederates on their part arranged to have General Johnston march down from Manassas to oppose McClellan. Jackson's Valley Campaign. — But Stonewall Jackson was left in the Valley of Virginia, where he carried on a campaign which for daring and brilliancy is surpassed by none recorded in history. He proved himself so active that he completely disarranged the Federal plans. His presence in the Valley put Washington in danger ; and the Lincoln government decided that it was necessary to dis- lodge him or capture him before reenforcements could be sent to McClellan. But victory remained with Jackson. In three months — from the last of March to the last of June — he defeated and scattered four Federal armies under Milroy, Fremont, Banks, and Shields, winning every battle except one at Kernstown. With an army that never num- bered more than seventeen thousand, he threw the whole North into a panic, and kept sixty thousand men from joining McClellan down on the peninsula. All this he accomplished with a total loss of less than two thousand. Jackson's exploits in this campaign won for him the ad- miration not only of America, but also of Europe. Battle of Seven Pines. — While Jackson was operating in the Valley, McClellan started on his peninsular campaign. With a magnificent army of one hundred and ten thousand, a large number of transports, men-of-war, and vessels loaded with supplies, he landed at Old Point. General Magruder, with an army of eleven thousand, delayed his progress till Johnston came down from Manassas and threw his army between McClellan and Richmond. On May 31, 1862, at 2o8 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME Seven Pines, while the two wings of the Federal army were separated by the Chickahominy River, Johnston attacked McClellan, and defeating the left wing of his army, drove it back with heavy loss. The right wing of the Federal army held its ground, and this rendered the battle indecisive ; but McClellan's advance was for the time stopped. In this engagement, Johnston was severely / \^^_ "i^ '■ / m Mr L-28' B IjCjj ^w* ■j te^f " ^m F wmjr* I The Seven Days' Battles wounded ; and he was succeeded by General Lee, who remained at the head of the Army of Northern Virginia till the end of the war. The Seven Days' Battles. — General Lee called Jackson and his men who were flushed with their victories in the Valley to his aid, and from June 26 to July 2 fought the series of battles known as the Seven Days' Battles, in which he struck McClellan blow after blow. As a result of these engagements, the Federal commander was forced CAMPAIGNS OF 1862 209 to withdraw his army from the vicinity of Richmond to the James River. The last of these battles was fought at Malvern Hill, where McClellan had taken a strong posi- tion. Here on July 1, the Confederates rashly attacked him, and were repulsed with heavy loss. They did not retire, however, when night came on, but remained close to the Federal fortifications, intending to renew the battle in the morning ; but two hours after the Confederates had withdrawn from the attack, the Federals, under cover of darkness, made a hasty retreat to Harrison Landing, where the presence of their fleet rendered them safe from attack. In this campaign Lee's effective strength was eighty thou- sand, and McClellan's one hundred and five thousand. The result was a complete Confederate triumph. Rich- mond was saved and the North discouraged. Second Manassas. — The peninsular campaign having proved a failure, the Federal army was transferred to Acquia Creek, and joined with the army in front of Wash- ington. General Pope was put in command of the whole. He, when he entered upon his campaign, issued a procla- mation in which he announced that success and glory were in the front, and that " his headquarters would be in the saddle." He did not, however, make much progress in his effort to capture Richmond. At Manassas, on August 29- 30, he was defeated by Lee, and his army retreated in con- fusion to the defenses of Washington. The unfortunate Federal general was, after his defeat, sent off on an expe- dition against the Indians, and McClellan was restored to the command of the Federal army. Invasion of Maryland. — While McClellan was engaged in reorganizing his army, Lee moved north into Maryland. When he reached Frederick, he divided his army and sent Jackson back to capture Harper's Ferry, which was strongly 210 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME garrisoned by the Federals. Unfortunately, a lost copy of Lee's orders, directing the movements of the Confederates on the Maryland campaign, fell into McClellan's hands, who, with the information he thus obtained, moved rapidly in the hope that he could crush Lee's forces while they were divided. But Jackson promptly captured Harper's Harper's Ferry Ferry and rejoined General Lee before McClellan could carry out his plan. Battle of Sharpsburg. — At Sharpsburg, on September 17, 1862, the Confederate army, numbering less than forty thousand, was attacked by McClellan with eighty-seven thousand men. The Confederates fought magnificently, and throughout the entire day repelled every attack made upon them. They maintained a defiant front all the next CAMPAIGNS OF 1862 211 day, but neither side renewed the conflict, and when night came General Lee recrossed the Potomac into Virginia. Some Federal brigades followed the Confederates across the river, but these were attacked by General A. P. Hill, 1 who commanded Lee's rear guard, and driven back. Sharpsburg, or Antietam, as the engagement is named by Northern writers, is frequently . ., called a drawn battle, but it had j& m^. the effect of bringing the Con- federate invasion of Maryland to an end, and of relieving the Federal authorities of the fears they entertained for the safety of Baltimore and Washington. The Confederates had crossed the Potomac singing " Maryland, my Maryland," and Lee ex- pected that the Marylanders would come to him in large A. P. Hi! numbers, but in this he was disappointed, for but few recruits joined his standard. Distinguished Englishmen Visit Lee. — General Lee re- mained for a few days in the neighborhood of Shepherds- town, and then took a position near Winchester, where he allowed his war-worn army to rest for a few weeks. Dur- ing this period several distinguished British officers, among whom was Lord Wolseley, visited him at his headquarters. 1 Ambrose Powell Hill (1825- 1865) was born in Culpeper County, Va. He descended from a long line of patriotic ancestors. He was educated at West Point, and served in the Mexican War. At the breaking out of the Civil War he was chosen colonel of a Virginia regiment, and then was made briga- dier general. In 1863, he was appointed lieutenant general. In many of the operations of the war he bore a gallant and conspicuous part. He was shot through the heart on April 2, 1865, during the final attack on Petersburg. 212 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME Battle of Fredericksburg. — Toward the end of October, General McClellan crossed the Potomac and began an- other invasion of Virginia. But he had not given satisfac- tion to the government at Washington, and so he was retired and General Burnside succeeded him. The new commander, at the head of one hundred and thirteen thousand men, made his advance toward Richmond by way of Fredericksburg, where he encountered Lee's army, numbering sixty-five thousand. On December 13 he attacked the Confeder- ates and sustained a crushing defeat. In the " Horror of Fredericksburg," as the battle was called, the Federals lost nearly thirteen thousand and the Confederates about five thousand men. Burnside was now replaced by General Hooker, " Fighting Joe Hooker" he was called, and the Federals went into winter quarters at Falmouth. QUESTIONS 1 . Give the early history of the ironclad Virginia. 2. Describe the battle between the Virginia and the Monitor. 3. What was the fate of the Virginia? 4. What radical change in the navies of the world did this battle produce ? 5. Give the plan of the Peninsular Campaign. 6. Give an account of Jackson's Valley Campaign. 7. How did Johnston check McClellan's advance at Seven Pines? 8. Who succeeded Johnston after this battle? 9. Describe the Seven Days 1 Battles. 10. What was the effective strength of the two armies? 1 1. What was the result of this campaign? 12. What proclamation did General Pope make? 13. What was the result of the second battle of Manassas? 14. What state did Lee now invade? 15. Describe the battle of Sharpsburg, and give its result. 16. Who visited Lee while his army was encamped near Winchester? 17. Describe the battle of Fredericksburg. CAMPAIGNS OF 1862 21 3 REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What two theories were held in regard to the Constitution? 2. From what section did the first threats of secession come? 3. How did Virginia and the South look upon the Union? 4. How did the North and West regard it? 5. Give the reasons that made the South desire to leave the Union. 6. Who was elected President in i860, and what followed his election? 7. What efforts did Virginia make for peace? 8. What request did the Confederate States make of the Federal gov- ernment ? 9. Give an account of the capture of Fort Sumter, and of the effect it had in the North and South. 10. What caused Virginia to secede, and what states followed her example ? 1 1 . Name some of the distinguished officers who resigned their com- missions and came to Virginia. , 12. What led to the formation of West Virginia? 13. What plans did the Federals make for invading Virginia, and how did the Confederates prepare to defend her? 14. Give an account of the opening of hostilities in Virginia. 15. Describe the battle of Manassas. 16. What was the situation in 1861, and how did the North and South compare in resources 17. Describe the battle between the Virginia and the Monitor. 18. Give an account of Jackson's Valley Campaign. 19. Tell of the battle of Seven Pines. 20. Describe the Seven Days' Battles. 21 . Tell of the second battle of Manassas. 22. What is said of Lee's invasion of Maryland? 23. Describe the battle of Sharpsburg or Antietam. 24. Give an account of the battle of Fredericksburg. VIRG. HIST. — 14 CHAPTER XXVI FROM CHANCELLORSVILLE TO GETTYSBURG Chancellorsville. — Not till April, 1863, was General Hooker ready to begin his campaign. Then he put in motion his army, num- bering one hundred and thirty-two thousand men, " the finest army on the planet," he called it. He crossed the Rappahan- nock about twenty-five miles above Fredericks- burg. Lee opposed him with sixty thousand men, and the two armies met at Chancellorsville on the 2nd of May. Jackson marched rapidly across the front of the Federal army, and falling unexpectedly upon Hooker's right wing, drove it back in utter rout to Chancellorsville. The next day Lee forced Hooker back over the Rappahannock, and then turning on General Sedgwick, who w T ith twenty-five thousand men had captured Marye's Heights, drove him likewise across the river. The result of the operations of four days from May 2 to May 5 was a total defeat of the Federal army, with a loss of seventeen thousand to twelve thousand of the Confederates. 214 Stonewall Jackson FROM CHANCELLORSVILLE TO GETTYSBURG 215 Death of Stonewall Jackson. — But Chancellorsville was a dearly won victory to the Confederates, for on May 2, Stonewall Jackson, at the moment of victory, was acci- dentally shot by his own men as he returned from a reconnoissance. His injuries were so serious as to render the amputation of his arm necessary. After this had been done, pneumonia set in, and he died on May 10. " Let us cross over the river and rest in the shade of the trees," were the last words of this renowned soldier. " I have lost my right arm ! " General Lee exclaimed, when he learned that Jackson was dead. For daring, swiftness in execution, untiring energy, and moral influence, Jack- son stood preeminent. Never for a moment did he doubt that the Southern cause was righteous, or lose faith in its ultimate triumph. In his death the Confed- erates sustained an irrep- arable loss. His place could not be supplied. There was but one Stone- wall J-ackson. Brandy Station. — When Lee's army began to move after the battle of Chan- cellorsville, Hooker sent his cavalry across the Rap- pahannock River to pene- trate the designs of the Confederates. At Brandy J J. E. B. Stuart Station, where the Feder- als encountered General Stuart, 1 the fiercest cavalry battle 1 James E. B. Stuart (1832-1864), was born in Virginia and served in the United States army on the frontier righting Indians, where he became noted 2l6 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME of the whole war took place. Each side was about ten thousand strong. The engagement lasted all day, but ended in the defeat of the Federals, who, after sustaining a heavy loss, were forced to recross the river. Battle of Gettysburg. — After the victory at Chancellors- ville, Lee assumed the offensive and invaded Pennsylvania with an army seventy thousand strong. The Federal army, numbering one hundred and two thousand, under a new commander, General Meade, followed the Confed- erates. The foremost divisions of the opposing forces came together at Gettysburg. The Federals secured a position on some hills called Cemetery Ridge, where they fortified themselves strongly. Here General Lee attacked them, and for three days (July 1-3) a fierce battle raged. The turning point came on the third day when three Con- federate divisions, Pickett's, Pettigrew's, and Pender's, numbering fifteen thousand in all, made a desperate charge on the Federal left center under a fire more severe than that which opened on the Old Guard at Waterloo. The divisions of Pettigrew and Pender recoiled under the terri- ble cannonade to which they were subjected ; but Pickett's division, composed mostly of Virginians, kept on as steadily as men on parade, broke through the Federal lines and planted their colors within them. Had they been properly supported, they would have won a decisive victory. But no support came, and the gallant division, after holding on alone for ten minutes, was cut to pieces and forced to retire, after having made a charge that surpassed that of the famous Light Brigade at Balaklava. Both armies for his daring. In 1861 he was appointed by Lincoln a captain in the United States cavalry, but he declined the appointment to enter the Confederate ser- vice. He was the most dashing officer in the Confederate cavalry. He fell at Yellow Tavern, May, 1864. FROM CIIAXCELLORSVILLE TO GETTYSBURG 21? suffered severely, the Confederate loss being twenty thou- sand and the Federal twenty-three thousand men. Gen- eral Lee, having failed in his attempt to drive the Federals from their fortified heights, took a position a few miles from Meade's army, where he remained for ten days, and then retired across the Potomac into Virginia. The Turning Point in the War.— Gettysburg, though not a decisive victory like Waterloo, marks the turning point in the Civil War. Had Lee been able to overthrow the Federal army on that hard-fought field, it might have brought peace. Gregg, the English historian, says he was assured on what seemed to be sufficient authority, that if Lee had been victorious at Gettysburg, the govern- ment of England was prepared to join with France in recognizing the Confederate States as an independent power. There was now, however, but little hope of foreign intervention. Serious disasters had already befallen the Confederate armies in the South and West. The day after Gettysburg the fall of Vicksburg gave the Federals con- trol of the Mississippi River, and by the end of the year, 1863, much of the territory of the Confederacy had fallen into the hands of the Federals. Still there was hope of ultimate success as long as the Army of Northern Vir- ginia was in the field. By this time Lee had become the idol of the South. He had won the confidence and love of the people, and to him and his army they looked for deliverance. QUESTIONS 1 . Describe the battle of Chancellorsville. 2. Why was it a dearly won victory for the Confederates? 3. Give an account of the death of Stonewall Jackson. 4. What did General Lee exclaim on hearing of it? 5. What is said of Jackson? 2l8 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME 6. Who was J. E. B. Stuart, and what fierce cavalry battle did he win? 7. What Northern state did Lee invade after the battle of Chan- cellorsville? 8. By whom was he followed, and what was the relative strength of the two armies? 9. Describe the battle of Gettysburg. 10. What is said of Pickett's division at Gettysburg? 1 1 . What was the result of this battle? 12. Why is Gettysburg regarded as the turning point of the war? 13. What disasters had befallen the Confederacy in the South and West? 14. To whom did the South look for ultimate success? CHAPTER XXVII LEE AND GRANT The Raid of Kilpatrick and Dahlgren. — In March 1864, the Federal authorities dispatched General Kilpatrick with four thousand cavalry on a raid around Lee's lines, the object of which was to capture Richmond by a dash, and to release the prisoners confined there. Kilpatrick planned to make his attack from the north, and he sent Colonel Ulric Dahlgren with a detachment of his troops to ap- proach the city from the south. But the expedition came to nothing. Dahlgren 1 was killed by the Confederates, and his command scattered, while Kilpatrick was forced to retreat. This bold attempt was made just before the opening of the spring campaign, in which Virginia was destined to become the battle ground of one of the most remarkable series of engagements recorded in history. General Grant. 2 — During the first years of the war Gen- eral Ulysses S. Grant, a native of Illinois, rose to distinc- 1 Upon Dahlgren's person orders instructing him to kill President Davis and to burn Richmond were found. These were photographed, and General Lee sent copies to General Meade, who in reply stated that no such orders had been given to Dahlgren. Admiral Dahlgren, in speaking of the occurrence says that, in the orders, his son's name was incorrectly spelled, and his expla- nation of the matter is that the orders were forgeries. 2 Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), was born in Ohio, and descended from Scotch ancestry. He graduated at West Point, and served in the Mexican War, where he won promotion for gallant conduct. When this war ended, Grant retired to private life. At the breaking out of the Civil War, he raised a com- pany of volunteers, and entered the Union service. In August, 1861, he was 219 220 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME tion in the operations that were carried on in the West and South. He was noted for his great ability to handle armies under difficult circumstances, and for the energy with which he threw himself into the contest. In March, 1864, he was put in command of all the forces of the United States, and took charge in person of the military operations in Virginia. The "Hammering Campaign.* ' — Grant became com- mander in chief of the Federal army at a time when the strength of the South was nearly exhausted. Realizing this, he decided to adopt the method of continuously ham- mering at the Confederates and their resources till the South should be compelled to submit. Thus his policy was to trust to force rather than to strategy. The Ham- mering campaign for Virginia, planned by Grant, was very extensive. The Army of the Potomac was to advance from the north on Richmond. General Butler was to move up the James with a fleet and some thirty-five thousand men, capture Petersburg, and attack Richmond from the south, while Generals Crook and Sigel were to operate in the Valley, and, after taking Staunton and Lynchburg, to attack the Confederates in the rear. The movements of the Army of the Potomac General Grant directed himself, though General Meade was left in imme- diate command. Battles of the Wilderness. — When the campaign opened, the Army of the Potomac numbered one hundred and made a brigadier general. He won his great reputation as the successful leader of the Federal armies. After the war, he was elected by the Republican party President of the United States, and filled this high office at a time when strength of character was much needed in solving the difficult problems of Reconstruc- tion. At the close of his second term, he made a tour around the world; and, by the governments of foreign countries, he was everywhere treated with the highest honor. U. S. Grant 222 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME eighteen thousand, and it was opposed by General Lee with about sixty-four thousand, according to the highest estimates. Grant crossed the Rapidan on his march southward, and entered a region of country covered with scraggy oak and pine trees and full of tangled under- brush, known as the Wilderness. Here, not far from Chancellorsville, the hostile armies came into collision, and for five days a terrible contest went on ; but Grant was unable to drive Lee back. By moving to the left, however, he reached Spottsylvania Courthouse where much heavy fighting took place. A flank movement brought Grant to Cold Harbor, where, early in June, in attempting to carry the Confederate works by assault, he lost thirteen thousand men in a half hour, and his men refused to renew the attack. Grant again moved to the left and crossed the James, having resolved to lay siege to Petersburg. Lee's Generalship. — General Lee's management of this campaign alone would have rendered him famous. In the long series of engagements that took place from the Wil- derness to the James, he had defeated his powerful an- tagonist again and again, and inflicted on him a loss that exceeded the total number of his own forces. Not only did he do this, but in spite of all the difficulties that sur- rounded him, he succeeded in keeping the expeditions that were to cooperate with the Army of the Potomac from rendering any very effective aid. The chief results of these minor campaigns were as follows. Butler Imprisoned. — Butler landed at Bermuda Hun- dred, a bottle-shaped piece of land made by a bend in the James. This he fortified and made the base of his opera- tions. But the Confederates under Beauregard defeated him at Drury's Bluff, and forcing him within his de- R. E. Lee 224 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME fenses imprisoned him by building a line of strong fortifi- cations across the neck of his bottle, thus for the time rendering* him harmless. General Grant said that " his army was as completely shut off as if it had been in a bottle strongly corked." Defeat of Sigel at New Market. — Early in May, General Sigel with seven thousand men advanced up the Valley ; Cadets at New Market but at New Market, General John C. Breckenridge de- feated him and forced him to retreat. Just before the battle, a battalion of cadets from the Virginia Military Institute, two hundred and thirty strong, came under the command of Colonel Ship to aid the Confederates in driv- ing Sigel back, and in the engagement behaved with dis- tinguished gallantry. The cadets occupied a position in the Confederate line just in front of Sigel's artillery bat- tery, which they charged with the steadiness of old veterans LEE AND GRANT 225 and captured, bayoneting some of the cannoneers who stood to their guns. When the battle was over, forty-six of the brave boys lay upon the field wounded and eight were dead. This incident shows that even the boys were filled with the determination to fight the war out to its bitter end. Early defeats Hunter and threatens Washington. — On the first of June, 1864, General David Hunter, who after the battle of New Market had succeeded Sigel, was com- manded by the Federal authorities to begin another cam- paign in the Valley, the special object of which was to capture Lynchburg. Near Port Republic he defeated General W. E. Jones, whom General Lee had ordered from southwest Virginia to defend the Valley. After doing this he was reenforced by cavalry under Generals Crook and Averill, which raised his force to eighteen thousand, and now for a time he went his way without serious opposition. His march was marked by the most wanton destruction of property. At Lexington he burned the Virginia Military Institute, the residence of Governor Letcher, and other private property. On reaching Lynchburg he encoun- tered General Early, 1 whom Lee, after defeating Grant at Cold Harbor, had sent with a detachment of troops to de- fend the city. Hunter now retreated precipitately towards West Virginia. In July, Early marched into Maryland, and, though he had but twelve thousand men, he ap- proached within cannon shot of Washington, but found the city too strongly garrisoned to venture to attack it with his small force. Later he made a raid into Pennsyl- 1 Jubal A. Early was born in Virginia in 1818, graduated at West Point, and served in the Mexican War, rising to the rank of colonel. He was among the first to volunteer in the service of the Confederacy. After the war he. engaged in the practice of law. He died in Lynchburg in 1894. 226 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME vania and burned Chambersburg in retaliation for Hunter's vandalism in the Valley. Sheridan's Devastation of the Valley. — Early's operations in the Valley proved so troublesome to the Federals that, in August, General Grant sent Sheridan with forty thou- sand men to dislodge him. After much maneuvering, Sheridan finally defeated Early, and then by Grant's orders he laid the Valley waste, killing cattle and sheep, carrying off horses, and burning barns, mills; farming im- plements, grain, and hay. The work of destruction was so complete in this most fertile part of Virginia, that Sheridan, it is said, asserted that " a crow, flying across the Valley, must carry its own rations." Siege of Petersburg. — Grant crossed the James the mid- dle of June and hoped to capture Petersburg before Lee's army could come to its defense. But in this he was disap- pointed. The first assaults that were made were repulsed by Beauregard's troops, who succeeded in holding the city for three days ; and then the torn battle-flags of the Army of Northern Virginia were seen floating above the hastily constructed fortifications. Lee's army had arrived. On the very day that Lee's veterans reached Petersburg, Grant made two desperate attempts to take the Confed- erate works by storm ; but his troops were driven back with a loss of nine thousand. Lee continued to improve the defenses of the city till they were impregnable from assault. A separate chain of fortifications provided for the defense of Richmond ; but General Grant's main efforts were directed against Petersburg, as a capture of this city would lead to the fall of Richmond. Battle of the Crater. — The first attempts to capture Petersburg having ended in failure, Grant now tried to get possession of the beleaguered city by a novel ex- LEE AND GRANT 227 pedient. Burnside's Ninth Corps lay intrenched within one hundred and fifty yards of an angle in the Confed- erate works, which was covered by a fort. Under this point General Grant, at a suggestion of Burnside, had a mine dug in which was stored eighty hundredweight of gun- powder. On July 30 the mine was exploded, blowing the fort and its garrison of two hundred and fifty-six men high Battle of the Crater into the air, and leaving a crater thirty feet deep, sixty feet wide, and one hundred and seventy feet long. The Federal batteries at once opened on the Confederate works, while an assaulting column moved up to storm them. But the Confederates speedily regained their self-possession, and turned their guns upon the besiegers, who, having rushed through the opening, found themselves enfiladed from the right and the left by artillery and fusilladed from the front 228 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME by musketry. The end came when Lee sent General Mahone with two brigades of Hill's corps, who drove the stormers back and retook the whole line. The crater was for the Federals a hideous slaughter pen. Their loss was four thousand, and Grant said the affair was a "stupendous failure." Situation at the End of 1864. — In November, 1864, President Lincoln was elected for a second term, which showed that the North intended to continue to carry on the war vigorously. By the end of the year, the power of the Confederacy in the West had been almost entirely destroyed. The eleven states she started with had been practically reduced to three — Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Sherman had marched through Georgia, and was preparing to cross the Carolinas and enter Virginia with an army of sixty thousand men. Lee, it is true, had defeated Grant again and again ; but his victories had been fruitless ; for he had not been able, with the slender resources at his command, to destroy the Federal army, nor to drive it out of Virginia. The Confederacy had about come to the end of her resources. Her money was nearly worthless, 1 and her credit was gone. The brave men that had fallen in battle she could not replace. The soldiers that remained in her armies were veterans that could be relied on ; but they were opposed by four times as many men on the Federal side. The course of events 1 Toward the end of the Confederacy, the currency had depreciated to such an extent that when a man went to market, it was said, he carried his money in a basket and brought what he purchased back in his pocket. In 1865, flour was Siooo per barrel, coffee $50 to $60 per pound, black pepper $300 per pound, and other things in proportion. For tea raspberry leaves and sassafras roots were used, and for sugar sorghum was substituted. In 1864, a coat and vest of coarse homespun cost $250, and a lady's dress which was worth before the war only $10, could not be purchased for less than $500. LEE AND GRANT 229 had been such as to indicate the speedy collapse of the Confederacy from exhaustion ; but neither the South nor the North realized how near this was at hand, so wonderful had been the defensive warfare waged by General Lee. QUESTIONS i . Describe the raid of Kilpatrick and Dahlgren. 2. Who was Ulysses S. Grant, and for what was he noted? 3. What was Grant's " Hammering Campaign 1 '? 4. Describe the battles of the Wilderness. Give relative strength of the two armies. 5. What occurred at Cold Harbor? 6. What is said of Lee's generalship? 7. How did Beauregard render Butler harmless? 8. What did Grant say of Butler's army? 9. Describe the gallant conduct of the cadets of the Virginia Military Institute, at New Market. 10. Describe Hunter's campaign in the Valley. 1 1. What vandalism did he commit at Lexington? 12. By whom was he met, and defeated? 13. Why did not Early continue his march, and attack Washington? 14. Whom did Grant send to defeat Early, and with how many men? 15. What did Sheridan do in the Valley, and what assertion did he make ? 16. What did Grant hope to do on crossing the James? 17. How were his first assaults repulsed? 18. Give an account of the Petersburg mine. 19. How did it recoil upon the Federals? 20. What did Grant say of it? 21. What did the reelection of Lincoln show the South? ♦ 22. To what limits had the Confederacy been reduced at the end of 1864? 23. What was Sherman now preparing to do? 24. What is said of the resources of the Confederacy? virg. hist. — 1 c CHAPTER XXVIII END OF THE WAR Evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg. — During the autumn and winter (1864-65) General Grant fortified his position ; and, while his cavalry laid waste the country that furnished supplies to the Confederates, his infantry gradu- ally extended their lines westward, till Lee was forced to guard fortifications thirty-five or forty miles in length. To do this, in March, 1865, ne na -d about forty thousand half- starved and half-clothed men, while in front of him lay Grant's well-equipped army of three or four times that num- ber. Grant received a continual stream of reinforcements to make good any losses he might sustain. Lee could get none. The crisis came in the spring of 1865. On April 2, Grant pierced Lee's thin lines in several places, and thus rendered the evacuation 1 of Richmond and Petersburg 1 Strange to say, the people of Richmond had no idea that the city was about to be evacuated. This is accounted for by the fact that for some time the newspapers had been warned by the Confederate government not to pub- lish any news except such as the War Department gave out. The impression prevailed that General Johnston was going to unite his army with Lee's, and that then an offensive movement would be made against the Federals. Bat this fancied security came suddenly to an end. On the morning of April 2, while President Davis was attending service at St. Paul's church, a messenger brought him a dispatch from General Lee which announced that the Con- federate lines had been broken, and that unless they could be reestablished, when night came the city would have to be evacuated. Davis maintained his composure, but immediately left the church. Soon the rumor was heard on the streets that the time had come when Lee could no longer hold the beleaguered city, and by the afternoon even the most incredulous saw unmis- takable signs that the evacuation was at hand. MO END OF THE WAR 23 I necessary. On the night of the 2nd, General Lee withdrew his troops from the fortifications they had so long and so gallantly defended, and began to retreat toward Danville, his plan being to reach North Carolina and unite his army with that of General Joseph E. Johnston. The Conflagration in Richmond. — On the morning of April 3 the Federals took possession of Richmond, which they found to be on fire, the conflagration having its origin in the burning of some public buildings by the Confeder- ates as they retreated. The city presented a scene of the wildest confusion. Bands of men were plundering the stores, while the streets were full of homeless people, whose cries of distress were heard on all sides. Nearly one third of the city was laid in ruins before the progress of the flames could be arrested, but this was finally done by the combined efforts of the citizens and Federal authorities. Surrender of General Lee. — Lee had ordered rations to be sent to Amelia Courthouse for his army ; but, owing to some mistake, this was not done. His forces reached this point on April 4. They were without food, and in en- deavoring to get provisions from the country they lost nearly twenty-four hours. On the evening of April 4th, Sheridan's cavalry reached Jetersville on the Richmond and Danville railroad, which caused Lee, when he resumed his retreat, to leave the line of the railroad and turn toward Lynchburg. When he reached Appomattox Courthouse, he found Sheridan's cavalry in his front and also an infan- try line of battle, while the main body of the Army of the Potomac was in his rear. His forces were surrounded, and he realized that further resistance would but lead to the sacrifice of the remnant of the brave army, which under his leadership had proved itself invincible on so many hard- 232 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME fought fields. Accordingly on the 9th of April he sur- rendered to General Grant the shattered remnant of his noble army, numbering about twenty-eight thousand men, but of these only eight thousand bore arms. Grant's Generous Spirit. — General Grant in this hour of triumph showed no disposition to exult over his great antagonist. Instead of this he treated him with the most 8F ? ' , A ta^gsgg Wffi /J £l B& :'-' 1* 1 f | •5iO« Bfcjfp^: ' ijfj^^-, r ^.^^^ - ^^^^^? --**■'-. -■*',• . *ttPHI " V '~ 1 . ^^m*** •^».j?SCi^t*.'J*i^^' ... *- - Arlington, Lee's Home delicate consideration. He did not demand Lee's sword, and it was not offered to him. He only required that the men should lay down their arms. Those that had horses were allowed to retain them. " They will need them for their spring plowing," General Grant said. General Lee taking Leave of his Army. — It was a sad sight when General Lee took leave of his army. His sol- diers crowded up to him, anxious to touch him, or even his horse. In bidding them farewell their great commander END OF THE WAR 233 said : " Men, we have fought through the war together ; I have done my best for you ; my heart is too full to say more." Downfall of the Confederacy. — The surrender of Lee was followed by that of General Joseph E. Johnston to General Sherman, which took- place in North Carolina on April 26. Then in rapid succession the Confederate armies in other parts of the South laid down their arms. The South was fighting for independence, and the over- throw of the Army of Northern Virginia convinced her that she could not succeed. When this became evident, the Confederacy went down at once ; and the great contest came to a sudden end. No Trials of Confederate Leaders. — President Davis was captured on May 10, in Georgia, and imprisoned in Fortress Monroe. Mr. Stanton, Secretary of State under President Lincoln, endeavored to bring the illustrious captive to trial for cruelty to Federal prisoners, who had suffered at Ander- sonville for supplies which the South was unable to give them ; but in this effort he failed. For two years, however, Jefferson Davis remained a prisoner, and was then re- leased on bail ; but neither he nor any other Confederate leader was ever tried for taking part in the secession movement. Supremacy of the Nation. — The war accomplished the object for which the North fought — the restoration of the Union. The result proved that a majority of the citi- zens of the United States had decided that the Union should be a nation and not a confederacy of sovereign states as it was when the Constitution was adopted. No amendment embodying this was made to the Constitution ; but the right of secession had been submitted to the arbit- rament of arms and the decision had been that it must be 234 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME given up, and thus the supremacy of the nation was estab- lished. Abolition of Slavery. — The course of events was also such as to bring about the abolition of slavery. 1 President Lincoln, in 1863, issued an emancipation proclamation as a war measure to help bring about the defeat of the South ; and while this was immediately effective only in territory occupied by the Federals, yet once published, it was never recalled ; for, as time passed, it became a settled conviction all through the North and the West that slavery should not survive the war. Accordingly, after the struggle was over, amendments, which gave the negro his freedom, made him a citizen, and secured to him his rights, were made to the Constitution. The Army of Northern Virginia. — The rank and file of the Army of Northern Virginia was made up largely of gentle- men of birth, fortune, and education. In the Rockbridge artillery there were twenty-eight college graduates, and in a company of infantry that went from the Northern Neck of Virginia, there were sixteen graduates of the Virginia Military Institute. The heroic deeds of the army were due to the fact that each private soldier, whether rich or poor, of high or low estate, felt that he was fighting for a prin- ciple, and so each one entered into the contest with the spirit that animated the European noblesse in the wars of the Middle Ages. 1 At first the people of the North fought to preserve the Union with slavery; but, after January I, 1863, when President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, their object was to preserve the Union and abolish slavery. To preserve the Union was the aim which President Lincoln set before himself. Early in the war he said : " If the Union can best be saved by emancipating all the slaves, I am willing to emancipate them all; if it can best be saved by emancipating part, I am ready to emancipate a part; and if it can best be saved by not emancipating any. 1 will emancipate none." END OF THE WAR 235 A Northern Tribute to Virginia. — During the war the Washington Republican, an organ that advocated the aboli- tion of slavery, published the following handsome tribute to Virginia : " If there has been any decadence of the manly virtues in the Old Dominion, it is not because the present generation has proved itself either weak or cow- ardly or unequal to the greatest emergencies. No people with so few numbers ever put into the field, and kept there so long, troops more numerous, brave, or more efficient, or produced generals of more merit in all kinds and grades of military talent. 1 It is not a worn-out and effete race that has produced Lee, Johnston, Jackson, Ashby, 2 and Stuart. It is not a worn-out and effete race 1 Dr. Hunter McGuire, Medical Director Second Army Corps (Stonewall Jackson's), Army of Northern Virginia, in a lecture on Stonewall Jackson, says : " It was with a swelling heart that I recently heard some of the first soldiers and military students of England declare that within the past two hun- dred years the English-speaking race had produced but five soldiers of the first rank — Marlborough, Washington, Wellington, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. I heard them declare that Jackson's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley was the finest specimen of strategy and tactics of which the world has any record; that in this series of marches and battles there was never a blunder, and that this campaign was superior to either of those made by Napoleon in Italy. One British officer who teaches strategy in a great European college told me that he used this campaign as a model, and dwelt upon it for months in his lectures, and that it was taught in all military schools of Germany, and Von Molke declared it was without a rival in the world's history. 'Indeed,' he added, 'Jackson seems to me to have been inspired.' Another British soldier of high rank and a trained student of war told me that for its numbers the Army of Northern Virginia had more force and power than any other army that ever existed." 2 Turner Ashby was born at Rosehill, Fauquier Co., Va., in 1824. He was appointed a brigadier general in 1862, and was distinguished as a cavalry leader. Of him, Jackson wrote : "As a partisan officer, I never knew his superior. His daring was proverbial, his powers of endurance almost incredi- ble, his tone of character heroic, and his sagacity almost intuitive in divining the purposes and movements of the enemy." To defend Virginia was the one 236 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME which for two years has defended its capital against the approach of an enemy close upon their borders and out- numbering them thirty to one. It is not a worn-out and effete race which has preserved substantial popular unity under all the straits and pressure and sacrifice of this unprecedented war." QUESTIONS 1. What did Grant do in the autumn and winter of 1865? 2. What was the condition of Lee's army at this time, and what were its numbers? 3. Give the steps that led to the evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg. 4. Describe the conflagration in Richmond. 5. Give an account of the surrender of Lee. When did it take place ? 6. What was the respective strength of the two armies at the time? 7. How did Grant show a generous spirit? 8. Describe Lee"s farewell to his army. 9. What followed Lee's surrender? 10. When and where was President Davis imprisoned? 1 1. Was he or any other Confederate leader ever tried? 12. What did the war establish in regard to the nation? 13. Why had Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863? 14. After the war, what amendments were made to the Constitution? 15. What was the character of the men that composed the Army of Northern Virginia? 16. Give the tribute paid to Virginia by the Washington Republican. 17. What do European critics say of Jackson's Valley Campaign and the Army of Northern Virginia? 18. Who was Turner Ashby, and what is said of him? thought that filled Ash by 's heart. At Harper's Ferry, just as the war opened, some one asked him under what banner he was going to fight. He took from his hat a small flag of Virginia, and pointing to it said, "That is the flag I intend to fight under." On the 9th of June, 1862, after the battle and victory of Port Republic, near Harrisonburg, the gallant Turner Ashby was struck by a minic ball, and killed almost instantly. REVIEW QUESTIONS 237 REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. Describe the battle of Chancellorsville. 2. Give an account of the death of Stonewall Jackson. 3. Describe the cavalry battle of Brandy Station. 4. Tell of the battle of Gettysburg, and what is said of this battle. 5. What plan did Grant form for subjugating the South? 6. Describe the battles of the Wilderness. 7. What is said of Lee's generalship? 8. Describe Butler's imprisonment. 9. Tell of the bravery of the cadets at New Market. 10. Give an account of Hunter's march through the Valley, and Early's defeat of him. n. Of Sheridan's devastation of the Valley. 12. Describe the siege of Petersburg. 13. The battle of the Crater. 14. What was the situation at the end of 1864? 15. Tell of the evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg. 16. When and where did General Lee surrender, and what was the respective numbers of the two armies ? 17. What is said of Grant's generous spirit? 18. Give Lee's farewell words to his army. 19. Tell about the downfall of the Confederacy, and the results of the war. 20. Describe the Army of Northern Virginia, and give the tribute paid to the state by a Northern paper. CHAPTER XXIX RECONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION Condition of Virginia after the War. — Virginia had poured out her resources in a lavish stream to meet the ever-increasing needs of the Confederate government. She had borne the brunt of the war; and great was the devastation brought upon her by the conflict through which she had passed. When the end came, her condition was deplorable. Her slaves had been forcibly freed, and, all over her territory, houses had been burned, fences destroyed, cattle killed, and farms devastated. Worse than all this, her fields had been drenched with blood; and the land was filled with mourning for fathers, brothers, husbands, and sons, who had gone forth to battle and had never returned. Suspension of Civil Government. — When Richmond was evacuated, the state government, as it existed under the Confederacy, came practically to an end. Governor Smith, it is true, moved the seat of the government to Lynchburg ; but, becoming convinced after the surrender of General Lee that any further effort on the part of the state to con- tinue the war would be useless, he gave himself up to the Federal authorities and received his parole. On April 6 President Lincoln issued an order which au- thorized the legislature to assemble at Richmond, but this he recalled 1 before a formal meeting of the body was held. 1 General Grant lays the responsibility of the recall of the permission for the meeting of the legislature of Virginia entirely upon Secretary Stanton. See Grant's Memoirs, Vol. II., p. 506. 238 RECONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION 239 Provisional Government Established. — Unfortunately for Virginia, President Lincoln was assassinated 1 by John Wilkes Booth soon after the evacuation of Richmond. Had Lincoln lived, the people believed that the state would have been speedily restored to her place in the Union, and this his successor, President Johnson, tried to bring about, but he was unable to control the dominant party in Congress. One month after Lee's surrender, Johnson, in following out his plan for the restoration of the state, appointed Francis H. Pierpont provisional governor. Refused Readmission into the Union. — Governor Pier- pont, 2 in taking charge of affairs, showed a patriotic 1 On the night of April 14, President Lincoln, with his wife and some friends, was seated in a box at P^ord's theater, Washington, D.C., when Booth crept in and shot him with a pistol. The wounded President was carried to a house near the theater, and all that medical skill could suggest was done for him. But the bullet had penetrated his brain, and he died the next morning. Booth, after firing the fatal shot, leaped from the box, but his spur caught in an American flag, and he fell heavily, breaking his leg. Such wild confusion prevailed, however, that he made his escape from the building, and mounting a horse held in readiness for him by an accomplice, rode rapidly away. But he was pursued, and finally found in an old barn near Bowling Green, Va. As he refused to surrender, the building was set on fire, and he was shot. 2 Mr. Pierpont had been, since January 1, 1864, governor of what was known as " Restored Virginia," the history of which was as follows : After West Virginia became a separate state, the Union people living in ten coun- ties and parts of counties organized at Alexandria a government loyal to the United States, and elected Pierpont governor. This " restored government " was a feeble organization, its General Assembly never numbering, it is said, more than sixteen. Under its auspices, however, a convention was called which adopted an amended constitution, one clause of which provided for the abolition of slavery. President Johnson, in the proclamation he issued on May 9, 1865, recognized the "restored government" as the true and lawful one for Virginia. Pierpont then transferred his seat of government from Alexandria to Richmond, and on June 20, 1865, called a special session of his legislature. The elections that took place in October, 1865, were held under the authority of the " restored government." 240 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME spirit in his efforts to reestablish the state government. On October 12, 1865, elections were held for members of the General Assembly and of Congress. But when the representatives of Virginia appeared in Washington, Con- gress refused to allow them to take their seats, and, before its adjournment, decided not to readmit into the Union any state that had formed a part of the Confederacy, till it would ratify the fourteenth amendment to the Federal Constitution. This made the negro a citizen and put the political and military leaders of the Confederacy under disability to hold office. Virginia refused to take the action required of her, and so was not readmitted. Governor Pierpont continued to administer the provisional govern- ment established by President Johnson, and the people displayed a law-abiding spirit. The state government was theoretically independent, but the military authorities fre- quently interfered with the operations of the civil law. Under Military Rule. — Finally, in 1867, Congress passed over the President's veto the Reconstruction Acts, which put Virginia under military rule. By these measures the government existing in the state was made entirely subor- dinate to a military commander, who had authority to ad- minister all the powers of the state, life and liberty being subject to such military commissions as he might create. The courts of the state could sit, but only by permission of the commander. During this period no one was allowed to vote or hold office unless he could take an oath 1 that he 1 This was known as the ironclad oath, which was as follows: " I ... do solemnly swear that I have never voluntarily borne arms against the United States since I have been a citizen thereof; that I have voluntarily given no aid, countenance, counsel, or encouragement to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto; that I have never sought, nor accepted, nor attempted to exercise the functions of any office whatever, under any authority or pretended authority in hostility to the United States; that I have not yielded a voluntary RECONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION 24 1 had never borne arms against the United States, and had never given aid to the Confederacy, nor held an office under its authority. The Rule of " Carpet-baggers " 1 and " Scallawags " 2 . - Under the test oath required but few white men could take part in politics, and so the government of the state fell into the hands of " Carpet-baggers," " Scallawags," and negroes. For a time there was a reign of ignorance, fraud, and rob- bery, during which the state debt, already a very heavy one, was increased over thirteen millions. Two of the military commanders complained to the authorities at Washington that it was impossible, under the test oath required, to find enough competent persons to fill the offices in the state. In the Union again. — In 1870 the state was readmitted into the Union under a constitution which accepted all the legislation that had been made in regard to the negro, but without any clause disfranchising the citizens who had taken part in the War of Secession. After this the gov- ernment came into the hands of those competent to admin- ister it, and soon law and order prevailed throughout the commonwealth. President Grant aided in rescuing the state from the rule of the " Carpet-baggers " and "Scalla- wags," by using his influence in getting the disfranchising clause submitted to a separate vote which resulted in its rejection. support to any pretended government, authority, power, or constitution within the United States, hostile or inimical thereto; and . . . that ... I will sup- port and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies . . ." etc. 1 A Northern politician who, possessing nothing but a carpet-bag came South to get plunder and office, was called by the people a " Carpet-bagger." 2 The few renegade Southerners, who joined with the " Carpet-baggers " in their plundering schemes, were denominated in derision "Scallawags." 242 FROM THE CIVIL WAR I'U IHb PRESENT TIME The Freedmen's Bureau. — An account of the Recon- struction period would be incomplete without a notice of the Freedmen's Bureau. As the war drew to an end, the number of negroes dependent upon the Federal govern- ment had become so great that Congress established in connection with the War Department a bureau, which was to have control of all matters relating to refugees and freedmen from the territory that had been in the Con- federacy. It was authorized to issue provisions, clothing, fuel, and medical supplies to the destitute. It had power also to take charge of abandoned or confiscated land, and to rent it to refugees and freedmen in forty-acre tracts for a term of three years. At the end of this time, the bureau could sell the land to the occupants. This provision gave rise to a widespread belief among the negroes that it was the purpose of the government to give each one of them " forty acres and a mule." The hope of this expected legacy, which was for a long time cherished, had the effect of increasing idleness. It was used, too, by unscrupulous adventurers from the North to extort money from the negroes, on the promise that the land would be divided out among them as soon as they all paid a small fee. The establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau was due to sectional prejudice, which ran high in 1865, and to a mistaken idea that it would prove a benefit to the negro race. In Virginia and elsewhere its operations ended in failure. Wreck of the Plantation System. — The plantation system that had existed from the earliest period came to a sudden end with Lee's surrender. After this event, the conditions of country life were practically revolutionized. The obliga- tion that had rested upon a master to feed, clothe, take care of, and protect his slaves for life-time services was RECONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION 243 changed at once to a business contract between master and servant, which could be easily terminated. For a short time, in most parts of the state, the negroes remained upon the land of their former masters. Then the desire to enjoy their newly acquired freedom caused them to move from place to place, and to seek busy centers. Soon the deserted and roofless cabins that were seen all over the country were unmistakable and melancholy signs that the plantation system, as it existed in the olden times, was no more. Spirit of the People. — The Virginians have always been known as a sanguine people ; and this phase of their char- acter came out prominently in the way they accepted the issues of the war without repining. They addressed them- selves resolutely to the difficult task of restoring their ruined homes, when they were without capital, without credit, and in many cases hopelessly involved in debt. Men, who had never done a day's work in their lives but had lived in comfort upon the labor of their slaves, began at once to cultivate the land with their own hands ; and fair women, brought up in luxury and accustomed to all the refinements of life, performed without a murmur house- hold drudgery, to which they had been strangers. The heroic spirit the people had displayed when tried in the fiery ordeal of war was not more admirable than the pa- tient endurance and self-control they manifested in adjust- ing themselves to the new conditions that confronted them. QUESTIONS 1 . Describe the condition of Virginia after the Civil War. 2. What is said of the suspension of civil government? 3. Give an account of President Lincoln's assassination. 4. What did President Johnson wish to do for the state, and what kind of governor did he appoint? 244 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME 5. Give the history of " Restored Virginia " 6. What happened when Virginia's representatives appeared in Washington? 7. Why was she refused readmission into the Union? 8. Describe the military rule under which the state was put by Con- gress. 9. Who were the "Carpet-baggers " and " Scallawags"? 10. What was the ironclad oath? 1 1 . When and under what conditions did Virginia enter the Union again ? 12. W T hat was the Freedmen's Bureau? 13. How did it prove an injury to the negro? 14. W T hen and in what way was the plantation system wrecked? 15. Describe the spirit of the people in adjusting themselves to the changed condition of affairs. CHAPTER XXX RECENT TIMES Capitol Disaster. — A few months after the civil govern- ment of Virginia had been restored, an unexpected catas- trophe spread sorrow throughout the state. A great crowd had assembled in the chamber of the Court of Appeals to hear a decision which would determine whether Ellyson, who had been elected mayor of Richmond, had a right to the office, or Chahoon, who had been appointed under the military authorities. While the people were waiting for the verdict, which was in favor of Mayor Ellyson, the floor gave way, and the crowd was precipitated into the legisla- tive hall below. Sixty-five persons were killed and more than two hundred sustained injuries. A number of the most prominent citizens were among the killed and wounded. Last Days of General Lee. — General Lee spent his last days in Virginia, which he loved so well. After the war was over he believed that it was the duty of all who wished to take part in the restoration of their state to render allegiance to the Federal government ; and so he applied to President Johnson for amnesty under the terms of the proclamation issued by him. His example kept many Virginians from hastily abandoning their state in the hour of defeat. In the autumn of 1865 Lee accepted the presi- dency of Washington College, where for the remainder of his life he devoted himself as conscientiously to the work VIRG. HIST. — 16 245 246 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME of education, as he had formerly done to the prosecution of the war. He died in 1870, at the age of sixty-three. His ability, with the high and noble virtues of his character, mark him as one of the greatest Americans that the nine- teenth century has produced. Lord Wolseley says he has met but two men who filled his ideal of what a true hero should be, and one of these was Robert E. Lee. Public School System. — Virginia has had much to con- tend with in regard to public schools. In colonial days education was not encouraged except among the higher classes, Governor Berkeley going so far as to say : " I thank God there are no free schools nor printing, and I hope we shall not have these hundred years ; for learn- ing has brought disobedience and heresy and sects into the world, and printing has divulged them, and libels against the best government. God keep us from both." After the Revolution much interest was manifested by Thomas Jefferson and others in public education ; but the state did not make adequate provision for its maintenance till 1870, when the present public school system was established. This system, since it went into operation, has, year by year, grown in favor and in usefulness. The people value the public schools highly, and are thoroughly alive to the importance of sustaining them. Higher and Technical Education. — Among the institu- tions for higher and technical education that have con- tributed greatly to the literary advancement of the state are the University of Virginia, Washington and Lee Uni- versity, Randolph-Macon, Hampden Sidney, Roanoke College, Richmond College, Emory and Henry, College of William and Mary, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Randolph-Macon Woman's College, State Female Normal School. In addition to the institu- RECENT TIMES 247 tions named above, in every part of the state are to be found high schools, academies, and female colleges of high grade which are doing excellent work. Yorktown Centennial. — The hundredth anniversary of the surrender of Cornwallis was celebrated at Yorktown in 1 88 1, and the occasion brought to Virginia visitors from all over the country and from Europe. The United States sent a large number of soldiers to Yorktown ; and her war ships gathered in the neighborhood, while from Europe came representatives of France and Germany and descend- ants of the foreign officers who were with the Americans when the surrender took place. The celebration lasted for six days, and was characterized by military and naval re- views, which were witnessed by thousands of the inhabitants of the state. The State Debt. — The public debt at the close of the Reconstruction period was over forty-five million dollars, one third of which was set aside to West Virginia. The remainder proved a heavy burden to the state in her impoverished condition, and was the cause of much dis- cussion and division among the people. But, happily, in 1892 an agreement was reached between the legislature and the bondholders by which the debt was adjusted, and the matter is not likely again to disturb the politics of the state. Virginia at the Worlds Fair. — At the great Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893 to commemorate the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America, the Virginia exhibit was displayed in a building which was an exact representation of the home of Washington at Mount Vernon, and contained much of the furniture of that historic structure. It was filled with a rare collection of relics of the colonial and Revolutionary periods. The 248 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME novelty of the building and interesting character of its contents caused it to attract greater attention than many others that were far more costly and magnificent. The White House of the Confederacy. — The mansion in Richmond formerly occupied by President Davis, and known as the White House of the Confederacy, is now a museum for the preservation of Confederate relics, and also the repository of the records of the Southern Historical Society. Each state that belonged to the Confederacy has a separate room in which it places its valued relics. In the Virginia room are to be found memorials of Lee, Jackson, Johnston, Pickett, Stuart, A. P. Hill, and of other illus- trious sons too numerous to be mentioned here. Among the documents, preserved in the building by the Southern Historical Society, are valued autograph letters of the leading Confederate generals and the copy of the " Paroles of the Army of Northern Virginia " that was made out for General Lee. This museum of Confederate relics is not designed either to arouse or to keep alive sectional feeling, but to perpetuate the deeds, the hardships, and the self- denial of a patriotic people. Virginia is thoroughly loyal to the restored Union, but at the same time she is true to her past and cherishes tenderly the memory of the Confederacy. Patriotism of Virginia Women. — No history of Virginia, which does not chronicle the influence women have exerted in shaping the destiny of the state, would be complete. During the uncertain years of the Revolution and also in the trying days of the Civil War, they sent their loved ones to battle for their country with the same heroic spirit that animated the Spartan mother when she bade her son farewell with the injunction, "Come back with your shield or upon it." Nor did they remain inactive at home, but RECENT TIMES 249 ministered to the sick and wounded with the most unremit- ting care, taking charge of hospitals and sustaining them largely by their own contributions. At the same time they encouraged those who were bearing arms in the field, and rendered them aid in every way that ingenuity could devise. When all this is taken into consideration, it is evident that they deserve a share in the state's heroic achievements as truly as do the most valiant soldiers. Patriotic Societies. — Such patriotic societies as the "Colonial Dames," " Daughters of the American Revolu- tion," and " Daughters of the Confederacy " are enthusi- astically sustained by Virginia women, who thus in times of peace keep alive in the memory of the people the deeds of their forefathers. Though Virginia is the oldest settlement of English people outside of England, she for a long time did but little toward saving from destruction relics of her early history. But in recent years the women of the state have become interested in the matter, and have formed a " Society for the Preservation of Virginia Antiqui- ties," which is doing much valuable work. Governors since the War. — The first governor elected by the people after the war was Gilbert C. Walker, of New York. Then Governors Kemper, Holliday, Cameron, Fitz- hugh Lee, McKenney, and O'Ferrall have been successively the executive heads of the Old Dominion. J. Hoge Tyler, whose administration has begun auspiciously, now (1898) fills the high office. Resources. — The resources of the state, if developed, would produce wealth enough to enrich an empire. The Alleghany region abounds in gold, silver, copper, granite, marble, and coal. Iron ore is found in at least half the counties, and zinc, lead, and tin exist in quantities that indi- cate profitable investment for capital. These are but a 250 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME few of the state's mineral resources, which appear to be almost boundless. The climate and soil present conditions favorable to the production of nearly all the useful and profitable agricultural crops of the world. Matthew Fon- taine Maury, Virginia's great scientist, who was well ac- quainted with her resources, said: "The more I search the old state, the more she reminds me of the magic sheaf of wheat, which the more it was threshed the more it yielded ; for the longer I study her valleys and mountains, her waters, climate, and soils, the more I am astonished and impressed at the variety, abundance, and value of her un- developed treasure. And the vastness of the wealth which lies dormant in her borders, waiting for capital and labor to develop and utilize it, fairly dazzles the imagination." Progress. — The people are still mainly engaged in agriculture, but at the same time they realize that this is not the only source of wealth and advancement, and so they are paying attention to other branches of industry. Manufactures are being established, factories are springing up, blast furnaces are being reared, and mines developed. Cattle raising and fruit growing are becoming profitable pursuits, and the newly developed business of truck farm- ing is giving most encouraging results. Virginia wheat is of such excellent quality that flour made from it is in great demand outside of the state, which renders the milling interest a flourishing one. Many of the cities and towns have large tobacco factories, the products of which are to be found in nearly all civilized countries. The machine shops at Richmond and Roanoke are equal in capacity and in the work done to any in the United States. Newport News has unsurpassed facilities for shipbuilding, as was amply proved in March, 1898, when the Kearsage and the Kentucky, two formidable battle ships for the United RECENT TIMES 25 I States Navy, were launched from her shipyard. Small industries, such as the making of staves, tubs, etc., are steadily increasing. The shipment of furniture and orna- mental woods is rendering the products of the forests valuable. All these and many other industrial enterprises that are being developed mark a new era of progress for the Old Dominion. Development of Literature. — American literature had its beginning in accounts of travel and adventure written by Captain John Smith and other early settlers. But during colonial days, and indeed up to the time of the Civil War, the conditions of life in Virginia were not favorable to the development of literary activity. The plantation system, which rendered personal effort unnecessary, encouraged the educated classes to lead lives of leisure and to regard literature as an accomplishment rather than as a serious calling. There was, too, a lack of towns and cities to fur- nish centers of literary life, and without these writing as a profession is never profitable. The ambitious turned to law and politics as offering easier avenues to distinction. " Literature stood no chance, because the ambition of young men of the South was universally turned in the direction of political distinction, and because the monopoly of advancement held by the profession of law was too well established and too clearly recognized to admit of its claim being contested." 1 The eloquent orations of Patrick Henry, the able state papers of Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, the writings of Chief Justice Marshall, 2 and 1 The Old South, by Thomas Nelson Page, p. 67. 2 John Marshall (1755— 1835), born in Virginia. In his early manhood he served for five years in the Revolutionary army, and after this he began the practice of law. In 1797 he was sent as Envoy Extraordinary to France, and in 1800 he became Secretary of State under President Adams. In 1801 he 252 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME other productions that might be cited, prove that the lack of progress in literature was not due to want of intellectual ability. The Civil War brought changes in the social, industrial, and educational conditions. Hardly had the state solved the most difficult problems that followed the breaking down of the old regime than it became apparent that literature had experienced a quickening impulse. One by one Vir- ginia writers obtained a hearing from the public and won distinction. The time has not yet come to make an esti- mate of the work of these writers, most of whom are still living. But indications are that as a result of the new movement the Virginia of the past will be seen again in memory's soft light, and that the Virginia of the future will not lack for literary representatives. Virginia honors her Great Men. — Virginia does not for- get her distinguished men as is shown by the large num- ber of monuments that have been erected in the state. In the Capital Square at Richmond there is an equestrian statue of Washington, and upon its pedestal are grouped statues of the leaders of the Revolutionary period — Mason holding the Bill of Rights, Jefferson with the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Nelson as the representative of finance, John Marshall, the great jurist with a book of law, Patrick Henry with his sword drawn, and Andrew Lewis, was appointed Chief Justice of the United States, and was for thirty-four years at the head of the Judicial Department of the government. His decisions gave the Supreme Court a reputation which has never been surpassed. The fidelity and remarkable ability with which he discharged the duties of his high office caused it to be said of him that " He was born to be the chief justice of any country in which he lived." Judge Story paid the following tribute to Mar- shall: "His judgments for power of thought, beauty of illustration, and ele- gance of demonstration are justly numbered among the highest reaches of human thought." RECENT TIMES 253 rifle in hand. A little distance from this group there is a statue of Stonewall Jackson, which was presented to the state by his English admirers ; and, in other parts of the city, an equestrian statue of Lee, a statue of A. P. Hill, also one in honor of the soldiers and sailors of the Confed- eracy. A monument to Stuart stands at Yellow Tavern where he fell, and in many other parts of the state memo- rials have been erected to our heroic dead. The private soldiers, who are in need, the state pensions as liberally as her revenue will permit. Conclusion. — While but few stirring events have oc- curred since Virginia resumed her place in the sisterhood of the states, yet during this period the commonwealth has been steadily increasing in prosperity. In character the people are unchanged. They continue to display the same devotion to duty and principle that has ever charac- terized them, and they cherish their rights as strongly as they did in former years. Whatever changes may come, it is safe to predict, in the light of the past, that, when the future history of the free, noble, high-minded people of the Old Dominion is written, it will contain a record of deeds that will be worthy of the countrymen of Washington and Lee. QUESTIONS 1. Describe the Capitol disaster. 2. What did General Lee believe to be the duty of all who wished to take part in the restoration of the state ? 3. What position did he accept at the close of the war? 4. When did he die, and what is said of him? 5. Was education encouraged in colonial days? 6. What did Governor Berkeley say in regard to free schools? 7. When was the present public school system established, and what is said of it? 254 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME 8. Mention some of the schools and colleges for higher education. 9. What was the Yorktown Centennial, and when was it held? 10. What is said of the state debt? 11. How was Virginia represented at the World's Fair? 12. What was the " W 7 hite House of the Confederacy," and for what is it now used? 13. What is said of the patriotism of Virginia women? 14. Name the patriotic societies that are sustained by them. 15. Give the names of the governors since the war. 16. Mention some of the resources of the state. 17. What does Matthew Fontaine Maury say of the state? 18. Mention some of the branches of industry which indicate her progress. 19. What is said of the development of literature? 20. How did the plantation system retard its growth? 21. To what professions did the young men turn, and why? 22. What proves that there was not a want of intellectual ability? 23. W r hen did Virginia receive a quickening impulse as to literature, and what is said of it? 24. Who was John Marshall? 25. How does Virginia show that she holds her great men in remem- brance? 26. Mention the names of some of these to whom monuments have been raised. , 27. What can be safely predicted in regard to the future history of Virginia ? REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. Give an outline of the condition of Virginia after the Civil War, and of the steps that led to the appointment of a provisional governor. 2. Why was she refused readmission into the Union, and under what rule was she placed by Congress? 3. Why did the administration of the government fall into the hands of "Carpet-baggers " and u Scallawags, ,, and what is said of their rule ? 4. When did Virginia reenter the Union, and what change did this bring in the administration of her government? 5. W T hat object did the United States government have in establish- CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE 255 ing the Freedmen's Bureau, and what false expectation did it cause among the negroes? 6. How long had the plantation system existed, and what caused its destruction ? 7. What spirit have the Virginians always shown, and how did it manifest itself during the Reconstruction period? 8. How did General Lee, by his example, keep many Virginians from leaving the state? How and where did he spend his last years? 9. Give an outline of the progress of education from colonial days to the present time. 10. What did the state debt cause among the people, and when was it finally settled? 11 Give the history of the present Confederate museum at Richmond. 12. Give the resources of the state, and tell what Matthew Fontaine Maury says. 13. In what ways is the progress of the state shown? 14. Explain the reason why literature did not flourish before the Civil War, and give its present outlook. 15. In what does the Old Dominion especially honor some of her distinguished sons? 16. What qualities do the Virginians continue to display, and what is predicted of their future? CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF IMPORTANT EVENTS (1860-1898) i860. Abraham Lincoln elected President. 1861. Southern Confederacy formed at Montgomery, February 8. 1861. Jefferson Davis inaugurated President of the Confederacy, February 18. 1861. Lincoln inaugurated President of the United States. March 4. 1861. Fort Sumter captured by the Confederates, April 14. 1861. Lincoln's call for 75.000 volunteers, April 15. 1861. Secession of Virginia, April 17. 1861. Confederate capital changed from Montgomery to Richmond. 1861. Battle of Big Bethel, June 10. 1861. West Virginia organized a separate government, June II. 1861. Confederate Congress assembled at Richmond, July 20. 1861. First battle of Manassas, July 21. 1862. Battle between the Virginia and the Monitor. March 9. 256 FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT TIME 1862. Jackson's Valley Campaign, March-June. 1862. Battle of Seven Pines. May 31-June 1. 1862. General Lee made commander of the Army of Northern Vir- ginia in June. 1862. The Seven Days" battle around Richmond, June 25-July 1. 1862. Second battle of Manassas, August 29-30. 1862. Harper's Ferry captured by Jackson, September 15. 1862. General Lee invaded Maryland in September. 1862. Battle of Sharpsburg, or Antietam, September 17. 1862. Battle of Fredericksburg, December 13. 1863. Emancipation Proclamation, January 1. 1863. Battle of Chancellorsville, May 2-3. 1863. Death of Stonewall Jackson, May 10. 1863. West Virginia admitted into the Union, June 20. 1863. Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3. 1864. Battles of the Wilderness, May 5-6. 1864. Battle of Spottsylvania Courthouse, May 8-12. 1864. Battle of New Market, May 15. 1864. Battle of Cold Harbor, June 3. 1864. Siege of Petersburg begun, June 15. 1864. Invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania by Early in July. 1864. Mine explosion at Petersburg and battle of the Crater, July 30. 1865. Richmond evacuated, April 2. 1865. General Lee surrendered, April 9. 1865. Provisional government established in Virginia, May 9. 1865. Assassination of President Lincoln, April 14. 1 865 . President Davis taken prisoner, May 10. 1865. Slavery abolished in the United States. 1866. Memorial Day instituted. 1867. Reconstruction Acts passed by Congress. 1870. Virginia readmitted into the Union. 1870. The Capitol disaster. 1870. Public school system established. 1870. Death of General Robert E. Lee. 1 88 1. Yorktown Centennial. 1892. State debt adjusted. 1893. World's Columbian Exposition, May-October. 1898. Launching of the battle ships Kearsarge and Kentucky at New- port News, March 25. APPENDIX COLONIAL GOVERNORS FROM SETTLEMENT OF VIRGINIA TILL REVOLUTION Herbert Jeffries (Lt. Gov.). Herbert Jeffries. Henry Chicheley. Thomas, Lord Cul- peper. Henry Chicheley (Lt. Gov.). Lord Howard of Ef- fingham. Nathaniel Bacon (Lt. Gov.). Francis Nicholson. Edmund Andros. Francis Nicholson. Earl of Orkney. Edward Nott (Lt. Gov.). Edmund Jennings (Lt. Gov.). Robert Hunter (Lt. Gov.). Alexander Spotswood (Lt. Gov.). Hugh Drysdale (Lt. Gov.). Robert Carter (Lt. Gov.). William Gooch (Lt. Gov.). I. 1607. Edward .Maria Wing- field (Pres.). 25. 1677. 2. 1607. John Ratcliffe (Pres.). 26. 1677. 3- 1608. John Smith (Pres.). 27. 1678. 4- 1609. George Percy (Pres.). 28. 1678. 5- 1609. Thomas West, Lord Delaware. 29. 1680. 6. 1611. Thomas Dale (High Marshal) . 3°- 1684. 7- 1616. George Yeardley (Lt. Gov.). 31- 1689. 8. 1617. Samuel Argall (Lt. Gov.). 32- 1690. 9- 1619. George Yeardley. 33- 1692. IO. 1621. Francis Wyatt. 34- 1698. ii. 1626. George Yeardley. 35- 1704. 12. 1627. Francis West. 36. 1705. 13- 1628. John Potts. 14. 1629. John Harvey. 37- 1706. 15- 1635. John West. 16. 1635. John Harvey. 38. 1710. 17- 1639. Francis Wyatt. 18. 1 641. William Berkeley. 39- 1710. 19. 1645. Richard Kemp (Lt. Gov.). 40. 1722. 20. 1645. William Berkeley. 21. 1652. Richard Bennet. 41. 1726 22. 1656. Edward Diggs. 23- 1658. Samuel Matthews 42. 1727 24. 1660. William Berkeley. 257 25* i APPENDIX 43- 1749- John Robinson. Sr. 43- 1758. Francis Fauquier. (Lt. Gov.). 49- 1768. John Blair (Lt.Gov.). 44- 1749- Lord Albemarle. 50. 1768. Norborne Berkeley de 45- 1750. Louis Burwell (Lt. Botetourt. Gov.). 5i- 1770. William Nelson (Lt. 4 6. 1752. Robert D i n w i d d i e Gov.). (Lt. Gov.). 52. 1772. John. Lord Dunmore. 47- 1758. John Blair (Lt. Gov.). 1 GOVERNORS OF VIRGINIA FROM 1776 1. Patrick Henry, elected 1776, Patriot or Whig. Born, Hanover County, April 2, 1736. Died, Charlotte County, June 6, 1799, aged 63. 2. Thomas Jefferson, elected 1779, Patriot or Whig. Born, Albemarle County. Died July 4, 1826. Aged 83. 3. Thomas Nelson, elected 1781, Patriot or Whig. Born, Yorktown, December 26, 1738. Died, Hanover County, Januarys, 1789, aged 51. 4. Benjamin Harrison, elected 1781, Patriot or Whig. Born at Charles City County, , 1740. Died, Charles City County, , 1791, aged 51. 5. Patrick Henry, elected 1784, Patriot or Whig. Born, Hanover County, April 2, 1736. Died, Charlotte County, June 6, 1799, aged 63. 6. Edmund Randolph, elected 1786, Patriot or Whig. Born. Williams- burg, August 10, 1753. Died, Clarke County. September 13, 18 1 3. aged 59. 7. Beverly Randolph, elected 1788. Patriot or Whig. Born. Henrico County, , 1754. Died, Cumberland County, , 1797, aged 63. 8. Henry Lee, elected 1791, Republican. Born, Westmoreland County, January 29, 1756. Died, Cumberland Island, Ga., March 25, 1818, aged 64. 9. Robert Brooke, elected 1794, Republican. Born, Spottsylvania County, , 1761. Died, Richmond, , 1799, aged yj . APPENDIX 259 10. James Wood, elected 1796, Republican. Born, Frederick County, , 1750. Died, Richmond, July 16, 1813. aged 63. 11. James Monroe, elected 1799, Republican. Born, Westmoreland County, April 28, 1758. Died, New York, N. Y., July 4, 1831, aged 73. 12. John Page, elected 1802, Republican. Born, Gloucester County, April 17, 1744. Died, Richmond, October 11, 1808, aged 64. 13. William H. Cabell, elected 1805, Republican. Born, Cumberland County, December 16, 1772. Died, Richmond, June 17, 1853, aged 81. 14. John Tyler, elected 1808, Republican. Born, Williamsburg, , 1748. Died, Charles City County, January 6. 1813, aged 65. 15. James Monroe, elected 181 1. Born, Westmoreland County, April 28. 1758. Died. New York City, July 4. 1831, aged 73. 16. George W. Smith, elected 181 1, Republican. Born, Essex County, . 1762. Died, Richmond, December 26. 181 1. aged 49. 17. James Barbour, elected 181 2, Republican. Born, Orange County, June 10. 1775. Died, Orange County, June 8, 1842, aged 67. 18. Wilson C. Nicholas, elected 18 14. Republican. Born. Hanover County, , 1757. Died, Milton, October 10, 1820, aged 63. 19. James P. Preston, elected 1816, Republican. Born, Montgomery County, . 1774. Died, Isle of Wight County, May 4, 1843, aged 69. 20. Thomas M. Randolph, elected 1819, Republican. Born. Tuckahoe, October 1. 1768. Died, Charlottesville. June 20. 1828. aged 60. 21. James Pleasants, elected 1822, Republican. Born. Goochland County. October 24, 1769. Died, Goochland County, November 9, 1839, aged 70. 22. John Tyler, elected 1825, Republican. Born, Charles City County, March 29. 1790. Died, Richmond, January 18. 1862. aged 72. 23. William B. Giles, elected 1827. State-Rights Democrat. Born, Amelia County, August 12, 1762. Died. Albemarle County, December 4, 1830, aged 68. 24. John Floyd, elected 1830, State-Rights Democrat. Born. Jeffer- son County. Ky.. April 24, 1783. Died, Sweet Springs, August 16, 1837, aged 54. 25. L. W. Tazewell, elected 1834. State-Rights Whig. Born. Wil- liamsburg. December 17, 1774. Died, Norfolk, March 6, i860, an of, 163. INDEX 275 Oatli, at Middle Plantation, 87; ironclad, 240. Old Dominion, 75. Old Magazine, Dunmore removes powder from, 132. Opechancanough, incites massacre of 1622, 60; massacre of 1644, 68; his capture and death, 69. Ordinance of Secession, passed by conven- tion, 194; copy of, 265. Oregon, 171. Overseers, 108. Pacific Ocean, called the " South Sea," 28. Page, John, Governor, sketch of, 143, n. 2 ; member of the Committee of Safety, 134; defends the Episcopal Church, 143. Pardons* Case, the, 122, 123 " Pathfinder of the Sea," the, 172. Patience, the ship, 50. Patterson, General, 199. Paupers, 168. Pendleton, Edmund, sketch of, 143, n. 1; president of Committee of Safety, 134; de- fends the Established Church and the law of primogeniture, 143. Pennsylvania, boundary dispute with Vir- ginia, 163; invaded by Lee, 216. People, poverty of, 168, 243. Percy, George, 35, 40, 49. Personal Liberty Laws, 178. Petersburg, founded, 98; captured by General Phillips, 151 ; siege of, 226. Planter, life of, 108. Plantation, life on, 109. Plantation system, advantages of, 115; wreck of, 242, 243. Plymouth Company, 34. Pocahontas, saves the life of John Smith, 43; the romantic story of her life, 54-57. Point Comfort, 34. Point Pleasant, defeat of Indians at, 131. Pope, General, 209. Port of Boston, closing of, 127. Powhatan, head chief, 15; appearance and character of, 23; visited by Newport and Smith, 39; releases Smith, 43; crowned by Newport, 45; death of, 60. Powhatan's Chimney, 42. Presidents, furnished by Virginia, 168, 169 Primogeniture, abolition of the law of, 144. Prisoners, treatment of in Civil War, 233. Public school system, 246. Pulpit, encourages colonization, 33. Puritans, their contest with royalty, 71. Queen Anne, 175. Queen Elizabeth, 26, 28. Raleigh, Sir Walter, sketch of life, 26, n. 1; his attempts at colonization, 26-31; intro- duces tobacco at the court of Elizabeth, 64. Raleigh Tavern, meetings of House of Bur- gesses at, 125, 128. Randolph-Macon College, 246. Ratcliffe, John, 36, 44, 49. Rebellion, Bacon's, 81-91; the Tobacco, 93, 94- Reconstruction, 240, 241. Religious freedom, Virginia the first state to establish, 143. Resolutions of 1798, 166, 167. Resolves of 1769, 125; copy of, 263. Restoration of Charles II., 75. Revolution, the English, of 1688, 94; the American, causes of, 121-129; historv of, .137-158. Richmond, founding of, 97; captured by Ar- nold, 151 ; becomes the capital of the South- ern Confederacy, 199; evacuation of, 230; conflagration in, 231. Richmond College, 246. Rights, Virginia bill of, 139. Roads, in colonial times, 114. Roanoke Island, first colony on, 28, 29; the Lost Colony, 29, 30. Robertson, James, 173. Rochambeau, Count de, 154. Rocky Mountains, 171. Rolfe, John, marries Pocahontas, 55; begins the systematic cultivation of tobacco, 64. Rolfe, Thomas, son of Pocahontas, 56. Roundheads, 71. Royal grants, 67, 79. Royal government, end of, in Virginia, 134. Royalists in power, 77. Safety, Committee of, its powers, 134; mem- bers of, 134, n. 1. Sandys, Sir Edwin, 57; sends young women to Virginia, 58, 59. Santa Maria, the ship, 26, n. Saratoga, Burgoyne's surrender at, 147, 148. Sassafras roots, used for tea, 228, n. 1. Scallawags, 241, n. 2. Schools and colleges, 246, 247. Scotch-Irish, settle in the valley, 98; im- portance of their immigration, 98. Seal, adopted by Virginia, 142. Sea I "enture, wreck of, 49, 50. Sedgwick, General, 214. Servants, indented, 60. Seven Pines, battle of, 207 Seven Days' Battles, 208, 209. Sevier, John, 173. Seward, Secretary of State, 191. Sharpsburg, battle of, 210, 211. Shenandoah valley, 97; settlement of, 98* devastated by Sheridan, 226. Sheridan, General, 226. Sherman, General, 228, 233. Slaves, African, the first brought to Virginia, 59; kindly treated, 113, 176; insurrections of, 176, 177, 178; emancipation of, 234. Slavery, 176-181. Slave trade, encouraged by England, 175; opposition to in Virginia, 175; its abolition opposed by New England and the cotton states, 176. Smith, Captain John, his early history, 39; his capture, 42; rescued by Pocahontas, 43; explores the Chesapeake, 44; is made presi- dent of the colony, 44; returns to England, 46; his character, 47. Smith, Governor Somers, Admiral. Sir George, 33, 45, 50. South Sea, 28; search for, 29, 42. 276 INDEX Southampton, insurrection in, 177. Southern Historical Society, 248. Spots wood, Alexander, Governor, 96; crosses the Blue Ridge, 96; his home at Germanna, 97, n. 2. Stamp Act, passed, 123; repealed, 125. Stark, General, runs the gantlet, 20. " Starving time " at Jamestown, 49. State rights, 167, 183, 185, 186, 194. Stuart, General J. E. B , 215, n. 1. Suffrage, 78. Sumter, Fort, 191 ; bombardment of, 102. Tnbb, John, member of the Committee of Safety, 134. Tarleton, Colonel, defeated at Cowpens, 153: his raid, 154. Taxes, 123, 125. Tea, tax on, 126; thrown overboard at Bos- ton, 127. Tempest, Shakespeare's origin of, 49. Territory, Northwestern, 162, 163. Texas, annexation of, 171. Tobacco, history of, 64-65; used as money, 122; source of wealth, 168; factories, 250. Tobacco Rebellion, 93. Tomocomo, tries to take a census of England, 20, 21. Towns, absence of, 251. Turner, Nat, insurrection of, 177. Tyler, John, President, 169. Union, formation of 164, 165; what Virginians did for the, 171; theories of, 183, 184. United States, Constitution of, 164, 165. University of Virginia, founding of, 173; mention of, 246. Valley, Shenandoah, 97, 98, 226; Jackson's campaign in, 207, 235, n. 1. Veto power of the king, 122. Vicksburg, fall of, 217. Vincennes, captured by Clarke, 160. Virginia, origin of name, 28; original bounda- ries of, 28; first charter of, 34; settlement of, 37; colonization of under the London Company, 34-63; first House of Burgesses of, 58; becomes a royal colony, 66; under the Commonwealth, 71-75; rebels under Bacon, 81-91 ; settlement of the valley, 98; colonial life in, 107-116; opposition to the king's veto power, 122; espouses the cause of Massachusetts, 127, 128; overthrows the royal government, 130-135; proclaims her- self an independent commonwealth, 141 ; takes active part in the Revolution, 138, 139; cedes her Northwest Territory, 163; ratifies the Federal Constitution, 165; in- fluence upon other states, 173; tries to maintain peace in, 1861, 191; secedes, 194; in Civil War. 194 237; reconstruction and restoiation of, 238-244; recent events in, 245-254. / irgnua, the ironclad, 205, 206. / 'irginia Gazette, The, 98. Virginia Military Cadets at New Market, 224, 225. Virginians, what they did for the Union, 171, 172; tribute to, 235; character of, 243, 253; Virginia antiquities, preservation of, 248. Virginia, West, 196, 197, n. 1. Walker, Dr. Thomas, 171. Washington, George, early history of, 101, 102; sent as envoy to the French, 102; covers Braddock's retreat, 104; put in com. mand of the Continental troops, 137, 138; Cornwallis surrenders to, 154, 155; Presi- dent of the United States, 167; his death and character, 167, 168. Washington Lee University, 246. Webster, Daniel, 186. Werowocomoco, 42. West Virginia, becomes a separate state, 196, 197. \\ hite, John, 30. Wilderness, battles of, 222. William and Mary College, 96, 246. Winfield, Edward Maria, member of the first Council, 36; president of the colony, 37; deposed by the people, 44. Wingandacon, 28. Wives, the first in Virginia, 58. Wythe, George, devises seal of Virginia, 142. Veardley, Governor, calls meeting of the first House of Burgesses, 58. Vorktown, siege of, 154, 155. Electrotyped by J. S. Cushing & Co., Norwood, Mass. JUN 30 1898 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS II Will 111 III I ill 014 443 890 5 # It J tit tin