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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Shelf.Ji-.a- 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
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 ^^^^ 
 
BATTLE FIELD 
 
 AND 
 
 PRISON PEN, 
 
 OR 
 
 Tkrough the War, and Thrice a Prisoner 
 
 IN 
 
 REBEL DUNGEONS. 
 
 A graphic recital of personal experiences throughout the whole period of 
 the late War for the Union — during which the author was actively 
 engaged in 25 Battles and Skirmishes, \vas three times taken 
 prisoner of war, and incarcerated in the notorious rebel 
 dungeons, Libby, Pemberton, Andersonville, Savan- 
 nah, and others. An inside view of those dens 
 of death, atrocities practiced, etc., etc.; in fact, 
 a recital of possibly as varied and thrill- 
 ing experiences as were known dur- 
 ing all the wild vicissitudes of 
 that terrible four years of 
 internecine strife. 
 
 / 
 
 BY JO H N W. URBAN, 
 
 Company "D,"'^ First Regiment Pennsylvania Resei-ve Infantry. 
 
 P.ROFUSELY ILLUSTRATCID. ^ S'/IBR? 
 
 ■ ^ Of WASHl^ 
 
 HUBBARD BROTHERS, Publishers. 
 rillLADELPHIA, PA. 
 
 r ratj 
 
U1 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by 
 
 HUBBARD BROTHERS, 
 
 In the office of the Librarian of Congress, in Washington, D. C. 
 
TO 
 
 MOTHERS, 
 
 WIVES AND SISTERS, 
 
 DAUGHTERS AND SWEETHEARTS, 
 
 OF THE UNION SOLDIERS, WHO BY HEROIC 
 
 SELF-SACRIFICE AND BY LOYAL DEVOTION TO 
 
 THEIR COUNTRY, EQUAL TO THE WOMEN OF SPARTA, 
 
 GAVE THEIR 
 
 SONS, HUSBANDS, BROTHERS, FATHERS, AND LOVERS TO' 
 
 THE UNION CAUSE, AND WHO BY THEIR STEADFAST 
 
 DEVOTION TO THE FLAG, DID SO MUCH TO 
 
 PRESERVE THE GOVERNMENT, THIS 
 
 VOLUME IS GRATEFULLY AND 
 
 VERY RESPECTFULLY 
 
 DEDICATED 
 
 BY 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
PUBLISHERS' PREFACE. 
 
 AUR great war Is rapidly becoming a thing of 
 ^ the remote past. A generation of young 
 people has already come up into activity, who 
 have little personal knowledge of those terrible 
 scenes. Those who shared in the war, whether 
 as soldiers or as active citizens, are taking their 
 places among *the older people. It will require 
 only a few more years to place the active partici- 
 pants of that war among the superannuated 
 veterans, and among the dead. The historians 
 of the numberless incidents and the special fea- 
 tures of that contest are rapidly passing away. 
 The present is therefore the time to gather this 
 class of facts. To-morrow may be too late. 
 
 But for this work the present possesses peculiar 
 advantages. It is sufficiently removed from the 
 heat of contest to allow candid views. Men who 
 bore part in the horrors of those days, who felt 
 the leaden hail and the piercing steel, can be just 
 to-day. The time has been when this trait could 
 hardly be ^expected In them. The present is 
 therefore the time to gather up this war record. 
 Yesterday was too early. 
 
 At this auspicious time, a volume such as 
 
 (V) 
 
VI PUBLISHERS PREFACE. 
 
 "Battle Field and Prison Pen" can be written at 
 its best. It is neither premature nor tardy. Its 
 author is still in his prime, though the ardor of 
 his youth has passed away. His experience as a 
 soldier and a prisoner was very extensive. He 
 saw and participated in a phase of army life some- 
 what exceptional. It is well that he has written. 
 His old comrads, and his old foes, will alike 
 follow his narrative with absorbing interest. 
 Those who remember the events he discusses 
 will review them with satisfaction. Those to 
 whom these events are new will certainly be 
 charmed. 
 
AUTHOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 ATO event has ever occurred In the history of the 
 ^^ world, greater in magnitude, or which has 
 drawn to it more intense interest, than the great 
 Civil War in the United States, or what is more 
 generally known as the Southern Rebellion. This 
 terrible conflict, so fiercely contested, and which 
 swept to bloody graves more than half a million 
 of able-bodied citizens of the country, will ever be 
 a subject of attention to the historian, and to the 
 reader. 
 
 Much has been written of this struggle, but the 
 author would surely be presumptuous to imagine 
 that he could fully cover the ground of the four 
 years' mighty struggle that, like a tempest of 
 death, swept over the land. Much also w^as writ- 
 ten at the close of the war, which in the hurry 
 and anxiety to get the literature of the war into 
 the market, was erroneous. 
 
 The writer of the present day has an easy task, 
 compared with his predecessors. Much that was 
 then obscure has now become clear and vivid. 
 No chapter in the history of the Civil War is so 
 imperfectly understood as the one relating to the 
 military prisons of the South. This part of the 
 
 (vH) 
 
VIU PREFACE. 
 
 history of our country can only be given by those 
 who endured Its horrors, and tasted of its bitter- 
 ness. Survivors of these terrible dens will tell 
 tlie story of their sufferings to friends, until the 
 last of them have passed away ; but much will 
 remain with the unwritten history of the war. 
 
 The object of the author Is to give a fair, truth- 
 ful account of the course of treatment adopted by 
 the rebel authorities toward the poor unfortunate 
 Union soldiers who fell Into their hands, and to 
 avoid all artificial coloring or statements that are 
 not In strict conformity with the truth, In such a 
 statement as he would be willing to answer for at 
 the great day of final account. It must, however, 
 be remembered that the stern reality of our 
 prison-life, the horrible scenes there enacted, are 
 more strange, exciting, and wonderful than the 
 most brilliant romance, or stories of fiction ; and, 
 reader, If things should appear that may seem In- 
 credible to you, remember that In reality compar- 
 atively little is known of the terrible suffering of 
 the Inmates of these Southern hell-holes ; and with 
 all you may glean from those who endured their 
 horrors, and relate their sufferings, yet will It be 
 far short of the whole truths — for no human tongue 
 or pen can describe the agony, wretchedness, and 
 misery the poor soldiers endured who fell Into the 
 hands of the rebels. 
 
 In Andersonvllle alone, 13,269 Union prlson- 
 ' ers, who \yere In the prime of life — strong, robust 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 and healthy — perished. And in all the Southern 
 prisons, as near as could be ascertained, about 
 65,000 men fell victims to rebel brutality. Who 
 can doubt but that It was a fairly concocted, pre- 
 meditated plan of their captors to destroy them, 
 and that^ too, in a most horrible manner? The 
 plea of inability to prevent the terrible mortality 
 can avail them nothing. That thousands of their 
 captives died In a land of lumber piles and for- 
 ests, alone effectually destroys that defense. With 
 such shelter, food, water, and medical attendance, 
 as they could have furnished, and which the laws 
 of humanity would have required, the mortality 
 would not have been one-tenth of the number 
 which perished. But, allowing even twenty per 
 cent, which of itself would have been a fearful 
 mortality, and the fact remains that at least 52,000 
 helpless men fell victims to Inhuman treatment. 
 It would, however, not be just to charge the 
 people of the South with the great crime. The 
 most and worst of these dens of death, the rebel 
 authorities kept away from civilization as much 
 as possible, and comparatively few of the people 
 knew any thing of the barbarities practiced in 
 tliem, and would have been powerless to prevent 
 it. Especially was this so in Andersonville, the 
 spot where the climax of barbarity was reached. 
 Located in a sparsely-settled country, where but 
 few persons would find out the horrible nature of 
 the slaughter-house, it was well adapted for the 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 purpose it was Intended for. To Jefferson Davis, 
 his cabinet advisers, and to the demons whom they 
 sent to these prisons to carry out their devIHsh 
 plans, and who appear to have been well adapted 
 for that kind of work, belongs the Infamy of per- 
 petrating one of the most horrible crimes known 
 in the history of the world, and one that will for- 
 ever remain a blot and stigma on that page of 
 our country's history. But very little of the 
 terrible barbarity which characterized the prisons 
 in the South, extended to the combatants In the 
 field. While it must be admitted that in a few 
 cases the war was signalized by some acts that 
 were a reproach and disgrace to the participants, 
 the general conduct of the armies in the field 
 was such as reflected honor on the people of 
 the land 
 
 J. W. U. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGH. 
 
 CHAPTER I. The Overt Act of Treason, and its Effect 
 
 North and South, 13 
 
 The Overt Act of Treason — The Bombardment — Fire in the Fort 
 ^ — Surrender of Fort Sumpter — Beauregard's Congratulation — The 
 North Aroused — Volunteering — Prominent Adherents — A Solid 
 North — Rebel Sympathizers. 
 
 CHAPTER II. Advance of the Grand Army from Washing- 
 ton AND ITS Defeat at Bull Rtjn, . . 34 
 The First Muster — The Storm of Secession — Prevalent Errors — 
 Gen. Scott's Opinion— Advance on Richmond — A Host of Civilians 
 — Disastrous Delay — Battle at Bull Run — Victory at hand — The 
 Critical Moment — The Panic — Defeat — Forces Engaged — The Cap- 
 ital's Peril — Cause of Disaster — Opinions on the Fight — Good Out 
 of Evil. 
 
 CHAPTER III. Departure of McClellan's Army for the 
 
 Peninsula, 69 
 
 Organizing the Army — The Army Moving — Strength of Manas- 
 sas — Off for the Peninsula — Fighting on the Peninsula — On the 
 Chickahominy — Battle of Seven Pines — Interrupted by Floods — 
 Precautions. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. Advance of McDowell from Washington, . 89 
 Occupation of Fredericksburg — Jackson's Strategy — Defenses of 
 Richmond — Reinforcing McClellan — Welcomed by Negroes — At 
 Mechanicsville. 
 
 CHAPTER V. The Seven Day's Fight on the Peninsula, . 103 
 Pushing the Fighting — Change of Base — Rebel Preparations — 
 Fight at Beaver Dam — A Creditable Retreat — Cold Harbor — The 
 Battle Raging — Hand to Hand — Repulsing a Charge — Panic — A 
 Rebel Account — A Rebel Report — Retreating — A Horrid March — 
 Terrible Scenes — Leaving the Wounded— Pursuit Checked — Closing 
 up the Fight — Malvern Hill — Harrison's Landing. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. My First Capture, 146 
 
 Night Movements— Capture of a Spy — Desperate Fighting— Death 
 of Col. Simmons — Fighting Renewed — The Last Shot — Desperate 
 Fighting — Brave Men — Among the Wounded — Taken Prisoner — 
 Rebel Soldiers — Battle of Malvern Hill — Rebels in Retreat— Sur- 
 geons at work — Off for Richmond — Libby Prison — Belle Island. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. Battle of the Wilderness — Our Capture 
 
 and Re-capture, 180 
 
 Gen. Grant in Command — The Shenandoah Campaign — Forward 
 
 (xi) 
 
Xll CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGB* 
 
 Again — Counter Movements — In the Wilderness — Skirmishing — 
 Withdrawing the Skirmishers — The Verge of Battle — Still Fighting 
 — The Enemy Repulsed — The Battle Ended — A Close Race — Again 
 in Battle Line — Fleeing for Liberty — A Prisoner Again — Marching 
 to Richmond — Re-captured — Rebel Stores Burned — Contrabands — 
 Brotherly Help — Sheridan's Raid — Sheridan's Gallantry — Leading 
 in Person — Among the Boys Again. 
 
 CHAPTER VHL Advance of Grant's Forces, . . .228 
 Cold Harbor — Working and Fighting — Captured Again — Victory 
 for the Reserves — A Plan of Escape — Shot on the Last Day — 
 Searching Prisoners — Libby and Pemberton — En Route to Ander- 
 sonville — Planning to Escape — Arrival at Andersonville. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. Andersonville, , 251 
 
 Hard" to Believe — The Prison Pen Described — Terrible Inhuman- 
 ity — No Shelter — Miserable Rations — Soaked with Rain — Hopes 
 .of Exchange. 
 
 CHAPTER X. Hanging gf the Thieves 266 
 
 Mosby's Marauders — Mr. Kellogg's Book — Pocket-picking — The 
 Hanging — Severity Demanded, 
 
 CHAPTER XI. Enlargement of Our Prison, . . . 276 
 
 A New Pen — Religious Work — Prayer Meetings — The Regulators 
 — Rations Served — Molasses Instead of Meat — Commotion Among 
 the Rebs — Mean Workmen — Wretched Water — Indignant at Bar- 
 barities — Digging for Water — Tunneling Out — Traitors Among the 
 Prisoners — A Traitor Punished — The Dead Prisoners — Shamming 
 Death — Terrible Mortality — Longing for Death — Idiocy and Mania 
 — News from Without — The Old Flag and the New — Misapprehen- 
 sions at the South — Loyal Prisoners — Rebel and Federal Prisons — 
 Who was Responsible. 
 
 CHAPTER XII .326 
 
 Andersonville in August — Suffering from Scurvy — Trading But- 
 tons — " Yankee Tricks" — Stoneman's Raid — Efforts at Suicide — A 
 Crazy Man Shot — Loneliness in the Prison — Dying of Despair — 
 Cruel Deceptions — The Terrible Storm — Providential Spring — 
 Words of Cheer — Horrors of the Dead- House — Heat and Hunger — 
 The Prison Hospital — Longing for Home-^Transfer of Prisoners — 
 Out at last — The " Bull-pen " at Savannah — One Meal a Day — Cold, 
 Disease, and Death — Womanly Nobility- -Hunted by Bloodhounds. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. Millen Prison, -374 
 
 Millen Prison-pen — Poor Shelter — Deaths from Exposure — Dying 
 Comrades — The Candy Business — Clean Candy — Rebel Confusion 
 — Sherman Coming — Robbing the Dead— A Comrade's Death — A 
 Sham Parole— Insult Added to Injury— Charleston Bombarded. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. Florence Prison, 401 
 
 Economizing Salt — Unpardonable Cruelty — Selecting for Parole 
 — Off Again — Bound for Charleston — Under the Old Flag — Home- 
 ward Bound — St. John's College Hospital — Home Again. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. St. John's College Hospital, . . .421 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE OVERT ACT OF TREASON, AND ITS EFFECT NORTH 
 
 AND SOUTH. 
 
 'THE twelfth of April, 1861, will ever be memor- 
 •^ orable in the history of our country. It was on 
 this day that the first cannon-shot was fired by 
 the traitors in the South on the National flae. 
 
 At half past four o'clock in the morning, the 
 flash of a gun from the Stevens' Rebel battery, 
 in Charleston Harbor, followed by the shriek of a 
 flaming shell, which exploded directly over the 
 starry flag on Fort Sumter, announced to the 
 world that the South had rejected all peace over- 
 tures of the North, and that they desired that the 
 sword should be the arbiter to settle the issues in 
 question. 
 
 It was now evident that the era of compromise 
 and diplomacy was ended, and that terrible war, 
 with all its attendincr horrors and deluofe of blood, 
 only could wash away alike the treason and the 
 curse, which since the formation of the eovern- 
 ment had been a constant, festering sore on the 
 body politic, and a stigma and reproach on the 
 boasted liberty of our Republic. The first gun 
 was soon followed by others, and in a few mo- 
 ments battery after battery responded, until the 
 
 (■3) 
 
14 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 entire line of rebel fortifications in the harbor, 
 amounting to more than one hundred heavy 
 euns, was rainine a torrent of shot and shell on 
 the fort held by a handful of brave men, who were 
 left by their government to defend and hold the 
 most important harbor in the rebellious States, 
 ag-ainst a force exceedinof their own more than 
 one hundred times ; and so ill provided with 
 provisions were they that starvation would have 
 compelled them to surrender to the enemy or to 
 evacuate their position in a few days, even had 
 the rebels not fired a shot. This the rebels fully 
 understood, for Gen. Beauregard sent a message 
 to Major Anderson, a few days before the com- 
 mencement of the bombardment, requesting him 
 to state at what time he would evacuate the fort 
 if not attacked ; and the federal commander re- 
 plied, "that he would do so at noon on the 15th, 
 three days later, if he did not in the meantime 
 receive supplies or different instructions from the 
 government." 
 
 The rebels, however, were too anxious to 
 display their great military skill and prowess to 
 desire so peaceable an ejectment of the hated 
 "Yankees" from Southern soil; and so for fear 
 that by giving them a few hours' time they might 
 evacuate, and thus deprive them of the privilege 
 of distinguishing themselves, they notified Major 
 Anderson that in one hour they would open on 
 the fort. That the bombardment of Fort Sumter, 
 
THE OVERT ACT OF TREASON. 1 5 
 
 under these circumstances, was entirely uncalled 
 for, and was only a superb act of Southern bra- 
 vado, is too plainly evident to deceive any one. 
 Had not the rebels for five long months worked 
 most industriously to collect a sufficient force of 
 the most chivalrous soldiers in the South at 
 Charleston, for the purpose of capturing the 
 hated " Yankees " who dared desecrate Southern 
 soil ? And now that they had a force of seven or 
 eight thousand men, and had as many cannon in 
 position as Napoleon had at Jena or Waterloo, 
 Meade at Gettysburg, Grant at Vicksburg, and 
 four times as many as the last had at the capture 
 of Fort Donelson ; and as the best engineering 
 skill in the South, or, as they boasted, In the 
 world, had been brought into requisition to con- 
 struct the forts and batteries that were to demol- 
 ish their enemies, was it reasonable to suppose 
 that when all these stupendous preparations had 
 been perfected, and they were fully prepared to 
 commence the assault with at least a reasonable 
 hope of success, and thirsting for the gore of their 
 enemies, that their hopes of immortalizing their 
 names should be dashed to the ground by the 
 peaceable withdrawal of Major Anderson and his 
 seventy half-starved soldiers ? Such a thing could 
 not be thought of. The South must have at least 
 one chance to prove to the world that one Southern- 
 er was equal to three Yankees ; so, the bom- 
 bardment commenced. 
 
I 6 BATTLE FIELD AND PRLSON PEN. 
 
 Major Anderson, the Federal commander was 
 an experienced soldier, and understood perfectly 
 well that his position could not be successfully 
 defended against the tremendous force arrayed 
 against it, unless he should receive aid from a 
 powerful Union fleet. He, however, deemed it 
 necessary so make such a defense as would at 
 least vindicate his flag, and show the enemies of 
 his country that all their efforts to dishonor the 
 nation would not be met with supineness and a 
 willingness to submit to their base dictations. This 
 brave commander, who appears to have, from the 
 first commencement of the difficulty, understood 
 the situation better than his government, had 
 proven his sagacity and forethought by removing 
 his small force from Fort Moultrie, a position even 
 less defensible than Fort Sumter. Here, had 
 he been properly supported, he would at least 
 have made a respectable resistance to the assaults 
 of the rebels. 
 
 On account of the small number of his men, 
 and the desire to give them all the rest possible 
 before commencing the unequal contest. Major 
 Anderson kept his men below, where they were 
 safe from, the furious shower of iron hail which 
 was making sad havoc with the stone, brick, and 
 mortar above them, until they had breakfasted ; 
 when, at seven o'clock, after dividing his com- 
 mand into three squads, he ordered the fort to 
 respond to the enemy's fire. The first gun that 
 
THE BOMBARDMENT. 1 7 
 
 thundered back Federal defiance to Southern 
 treason, was fired by Captain Doubleday, since 
 Major-General of United States Volunteers. The 
 small garrison kept up a vigorous fire on their 
 numerous foes during the day ; but, as the dark- 
 ness of night closed over the scene, they ceased 
 firing. Not so, however, the seven thousand men 
 who were determined to overcome the seventy 
 who were shut up in Fort Sumter ; and although 
 aware that Anderson would have to surrender in 
 a. day or two, they kept up a tremendous bom- 
 bardment during the entire ni^ht. 
 
 Major Anderson had ordered the posterns of 
 the fort to be closed, and kept his men inside of 
 the bomb-proofs ; and although the beleaguered 
 fort was shrouded in darkness and gloom, when 
 not illuminated by the flashing meteors that fell 
 from the guns of its multitudinous foes, the rebels 
 evidently labored under the impression that some 
 of the heroic defenders of it were still alive, and 
 it would be the safest plan to keep up the grand 
 fusilade until the last of the terrible enemy had 
 been destroyed. Who can tell the disgust these 
 chivalrous sons of the South must have felt when 
 they at last succeeded in getting possession of the 
 fort, to find that, after the furious assault that had 
 cost them about half a million of dollars and sev- 
 eral days' hard work, not a Yankee was killed, 
 and not one even seriously injured ? 
 
 When we read, however (as Schmucker, in his 
 
 2 
 
1 8 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 History of the Civil War, expressed it), "that the 
 wharves and what is called the battery were filled 
 with a delighted and astonished multitude, who 
 gazed with mingled wonder and exultation at the 
 countless shells as they described their symmetri- 
 cal parabolas through the midnight heavens, and 
 then descended upon the silent fortress," we may 
 come to the conclusion that this demonstration 
 was kept up to still further fire the Southern 
 heart, and excite her sons to greater deeds of 
 valor and daring. 
 
 At dawn on the following day, the brave little 
 garrison again opened fire, but were soon com- 
 pelled to cease firing, on account of a greater 
 danger threatening them than the fire from the 
 enemy's guns. The wooden barracks had caught 
 fire several times during the first day's bombard- 
 ment, but had been extinguished without call- 
 ing off the garrison from working the guns ; but 
 now the barracks were again on fire, and it soon 
 became evident that the flames could not be con- 
 trolled without the garrison devoting all their 
 time to it. 
 
 An eye-witness thus graphically describes the 
 scene : 
 
 " For the fourth lime, the barracks were set on 
 fire early on Saturday morning, and attempts 
 were made to extinguish the flames ; but it was 
 soon discovered that red-hot shot were beinof 
 thrown into the fort with fearful rapidity, and it 
 
FIRE IN THE FORT. 1 9 
 
 became evident that it would be impossible to put 
 out the conflagration. The whole garrison was 
 then set to work — or as many as could be spared 
 — to remove the powder from the magazines, 
 which was desperate work, rolling barrels of pow- 
 der through the fire. 
 
 "Ninety odd barrels had been rolled out 
 through the flames, when the heat became so in- 
 tense as to make it impossible to get out any 
 more. The doors were then closed and locked, 
 and the fire spread and became general. The 
 wind so directed the smoke as to fill the fort so 
 full that the men could not see each other ; and, 
 with the hot, stifling air, it was as much as a man 
 could do to breathe. Soon they were obliged to 
 cover their faces with wet cloths, in order to get 
 along at all, so dense was the smoke and so 
 scorchinof the heat. 
 
 " But few cartridges were left, and the guns 
 were fired slowly ; nor could more cartridges be 
 made, on account of the sparks falling in every 
 part of the works. A gun was fired every now 
 and then, only to let the fleet and the people in 
 the town knew that the fort had not been si- 
 lenced. The cannoneers could not see to aim, 
 much less where they hit. 
 
 ' "After the barracks were well on fire, the bat- 
 teries directed upon Fort Sumter increased their 
 cannonading to a rapidity greater than had been 
 attained before. About this time, the shells and 
 
20 BATTLE FIELD AND PRLSON PEN. 
 
 ammunition in the upper service-magazine ex- 
 ploded, scattering the tower and upper portion of 
 the building in every direction. The crash of the 
 beams, the roar of the flames, and the shower of 
 fragments of the fort, with the blackness of the 
 smoke, made the scene indescribably terrific and 
 orand. This situation continued for several hours. 
 Meanwhile, the main gates were burned down, 
 and the chassis of the barbette guns were burned 
 away on the gorge, and the upper portions of the 
 towers had been demolished by shells. 
 
 "There was not a portion of the fort where a 
 breath of pure air could be had for hours, except 
 through a wet cloth. The fire spread to the 
 men's quarters on the right hand and on the left, 
 and endangered the powder which had been 
 taken out of the magazines. The men went 
 through the fire and covered the barrels with wet 
 cloths ; but the danger of the fort's blowing up 
 became so imminent that they were obliged to 
 heave the powder out of the embrasures. While 
 the powder was being thrown overboard, all the 
 guns of Moultrie, of the iron floating battery, of 
 the enfilade battery, and of the Dahlgren battery, 
 worked with increasing vigor. 
 
 "All but four barrels were thus disposed of, 
 and those remaining were wrapped in many 
 thicknesses of wet woolen blankets. But three 
 cartridges were left, and tliese were in the guns. 
 About this time, the flacr-staff of Fort Sumter was 
 
SURRENDER OF FORT SUxMTER. 21 
 
 shot down, some fifty feet from the truck ; this 
 being the ninth time that it had been struck by a 
 shot. The men cried out, ' The flag is down ! it has 
 been shot away.' In an instant Lieut. Hall rushed 
 forward, and seized the fallen flaof. But the 
 halliards were so inextricably tangled that it could 
 not be righted ; it was therefore nailed to the staff, 
 and planted upon the ramparts, while batteries in 
 every direction were playing upon them." 
 
 Major Anderson, knowing that further resist- 
 ance would be worse than useless, now surren- 
 dered the fort, and his weary, half-smothered men 
 devoted all their enerpfies to extineuishinof the 
 flames that were threatening every moment to 
 communicate with the remaining powder, and 
 blow them all into eternity. This was accom- 
 plished by evening, and the brave little garrison 
 lay down to rest, feeling at least the conscious- 
 ness of having done their duty, and that the sur- 
 render of this important post to the armed foes 
 of the Government was no fault of theirs. 
 
 It must be said to Gen. Beauregard's credit, that 
 the terms given to the Federal commander were 
 very fair and honorable. Major Anderson and his 
 men were allowed to evacuate the fort instead of 
 being held as prisoners of war, and to retain their 
 arms and personal property, salute their flag with 
 fifty guns, and march out with the honors of war. 
 A United States steamship took them on board on 
 Monday, April 15th, and brought them to New 
 
22 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 York City, from whence Major Anderson sent the 
 government the following- dispatch : 
 
 Steamship Baltic, off Sandy Hook, \ 
 April 1 8th, i86i.> / 
 The Hon. S. Cameron, 
 
 Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. 
 Sir : Having defended Fort Sumter for thirty-eight hours, 
 until the quarters were entirely burned, the main gates de- 
 stroyed, the gorge-wall seriously injured, the magazine sur- 
 rounded by flames, and its door closed from the effects of the 
 heat, four barrels and three cartridges of powder only being 
 available, and no provisions but pork remaining, I accepted 
 terms of evacuation offered by Gen. Beauregard (being the 
 same offered by him on the nth instant, prior to the com- 
 mencement of hostilities), and marched out of the fort on 
 Sunday afternoon, the 14th instant, with colors flying and 
 drums beating, bringing away company and private property, 
 and saluting my flag with fifty guns. 
 
 Robert Anderson, 
 
 MaJ. First Artillery. 
 
 The news of the bloodless rebel victory in 
 Charleston Harbor was received by the rebels all 
 over the South with the greatest joy ^nd exulta- 
 tion. Seven thousand Southern soldiers had 
 conquered seventy of their enemies, and this 
 great heroic deed set all the South wild with de- 
 light. Had the contest been a battle of the mae- 
 nitude of a Waterloo, or Gettysburg, the Southern 
 rebels could not have been more ardent in their 
 demonstrations of joy. The establishment of the 
 Southern Confederacy was to many of them now 
 
BEAUREGARD S CONGRATULATION. 23 
 
 an assured fact, and already in the distorted 
 visions they saw the chivalrous sons of the South 
 marching to Bunker Hill, to dictate terms of 
 peace to the subdued and demoralized ** mud- 
 sills " of the North. 
 
 Gen. Beauregard issued an address to his vic- 
 torious legions that for silly gasconading, and idle 
 Buncombe, is worthy to be put side by side with 
 Falstaff's best effort. In this remarkable procla- 
 mation the general thanks the officers who com- 
 posed his staff (who, by the way, were more 
 numerous than his foes) for their gallantry, and 
 expresses his admiration for the bravery of the 
 regulars, the volunteers, and even the militia, 
 who composed the army and who had immortalized 
 themselves by their heroism in overcoming the 
 terrible enemy, and giving the death-blow to 
 Federal interference with Southern rights. He 
 declared that " they had all exhibited the highest 
 characteristics of tried soldiers." 
 
 It has often been asserted by the rebel sympa- 
 thizers in the North, that the people of the South 
 did not, in the early part of the war, entertain the 
 idea of an invasion of the North, but would have 
 adhered strictly to a defensive policy to resist an 
 invasion of the States that had seceded from the 
 Union. That that supposition was an erroneous 
 one, subsequent events have fully proven. The 
 capture of Fort Sumter, and the defeat of the 
 Union forces at Bull Run, had aroused the military 
 
24 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 ardor of the South to the highest pitch, and they 
 not only expected to capture the capital of the 
 nation, but the far-off Yankees up in Massachu- 
 setts were to hear, on their own soil, the tramp of 
 the victorious Southern legions, and to hear the 
 fiery Bob Toombs call the long roll of his slaves 
 from the steps of Faneuil Hall, in Boston. The 
 capture of Washington and invasion of the North 
 were fondly-cherished schemes of the leaders of 
 the secession movement very early in the con- 
 flict; and the Southern press almost unanimously 
 urged such a step, and declared that the people 
 of the South demanded such an enterprise. The 
 Mobile Advertiser, in an article urging such a 
 measure, said : 
 
 "We are prepared to fight, and the enemy is 
 not. Now is the time for action, while he is yet 
 unprepared. Let the fife sound, " Gray Jackets 
 over the Border," and let a hundred thousand 
 men, with such arms as they can snatch, get over 
 the border as quickly as they can. Let a division 
 enter every Northern border State, destroy rail- 
 road connections to prevent concentration of the 
 enemy, and the desperate straits of these States, 
 the body of Lincoln's country, will compel him to 
 a peace — or compel his successor, should Virginia 
 not suffer him to escape from his doo7ned Capital ! 
 Kentucky and Tennessee are offering to send 
 lecrions south to our aid. Their route is north. 
 They place themselves at the orders of our gov- 
 
THE NORTH AROUSED. 2$ 
 
 ernment, and we have not yet heard that our 
 government has ordered them south.'* 
 
 There can be no doubt but that the South ex- 
 pected an easy victory over the North, and that 
 whatever fighting there might be, they expected 
 but Httle of it would be fought on Southern soil. 
 
 When the news flashed over the country that 
 the rebels had at last fired on the old flag, the 
 excitement in the North became probably as in- 
 tense as it was in the South ; but while in the 
 South it was a feeling of rejoicing and exultation, 
 in the North it was one of the most intense indig- 
 nation against the dastardly act of the traitors 
 who had now fairly thrown down the gage of 
 battle against the Government. Dastardly, how- 
 ever, as was this act of the rebels, it was yet the 
 very best thing that could have happened the 
 Government. Slow as the loyal North was to 
 believe that the South really meant war, and to 
 accept the true situation of affairs, it needed 
 somethinor of the kind to arouse them to a sense 
 of self-respect, and the necessity of arming and 
 preparing to meet the contest forced upon them. 
 It most effectually accomplished that purpose. 
 
 The echo of the first gun had hardly more than 
 died away, when from the pine forests of Maine 
 to the broad prairies of the West, was heard the 
 beat of the drum calling the loyal sons of the 
 nation to arms to save the imperiled Republic. 
 While it must be admitted that in almost every 
 
26 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 neighborhood in the North a few could be found 
 who still wavered in their alleoriance to the Gov- 
 ernment, and who shed crocodile tears at the 
 prospect of blood being shed by the Government 
 in its endeavors to maintain its existence, yet 
 it is a fact that the vast majority of the people in 
 the free States, and at least a considerable por- 
 tion in the border States, were loyal, and looked 
 with abhorrence and indiofnation on this bold 
 attempt to dishonor the flag of the nation. For 
 a time party lines were almost swept away, and 
 the cry, "Rally for the Union," could be heard in 
 every street, hamlet, and highway in the North ; 
 and the starty flag was flung to the breeze until 
 it waved from almost every loyal home. 
 
 The enthusiasm became indescribable, and the 
 old and the young, men, women, and children, 
 vied with each other in displaying their devotion 
 to the Union. No age in the history of the world 
 has ever witnessed an uprising of the people in 
 defense of an imperiled government as great and 
 grand as the uprising of the people of the North 
 on this occasion. Mechanics and farmers dropped 
 their tools, merchants and clerks left their stores, 
 lawyers, physicians, and even ministers, their 
 professions, and offered their services to the 
 Government, and in the ranks could be found 
 some of the best citizens in the country. 
 
 Horace Greeley, in Itjs "American Conflict," 
 relates, " that a regiment from Rhode Island con- 
 
VOLUNTEERING.' 27 
 
 tained a private soldier who was wordi a million 
 of dollars, and who destroyed the passage ticket 
 he had purchased for a trip to Europe on a tour 
 of observation and pleasure, to shoulder his 
 musket in defense of his country and her laws." 
 
 The first call for troops was so promptly re- 
 sponded to, that in a short time a large number 
 hadl offered their services who could not at the 
 time be accepted. Thousands of the names en- 
 tered on the muster-rolls of the Union reofiments 
 belonged to boys of sixteen or seventeen years 
 of age, who in their eagerness to serve their 
 country, represented themselves as being eigh- 
 teen years of age, that being the age required by 
 the government for admittance into the army. 
 
 The North, which but a few days before ap- 
 peared to be a people of compromisers, who could 
 not be aroused to a sense of the danger threaten- 
 ing them flew to arms with an alacrity and 
 enthusiasm that was in strange contrast with their 
 former indifference. Military companies were 
 soon formed all over the North, politics were 
 almost forgotten, and the only thought that ap- 
 peared to be actuating the minds of the people 
 w^as how to put down treason and bring the 
 traitors back to their allegiance, or destroy, root 
 and branch, them, and all the Institutions which 
 had brought on the rebellion. 
 
 A large number of pro-slavery Democrats and 
 Conservatives in the free States, who had earnestly 
 
28 BATTLE FIELD AND PRLSON PEN. 
 
 maintained that the North should accede to the 
 demands of the slave power, and for a long time 
 most emphatically opposed any measures that 
 might have a tendency to inflame the South, 
 now came out squarely for war measures to put 
 down the traitors, and warmly supported the gov- 
 ernment in its efforts to enforce the laws. The 
 action of these men had a most salutary effect, 
 and greatly strengthened Lincoln's administra- 
 tion. Among the most prominent of these men 
 micrht be mentioned the names of Edwin M. 
 Stanton, subsequently Lincoln's great Secretary 
 of War. 
 
 Gen. John A. Dix, whose famous dispatch, " If 
 any person attempts to haul down the American- 
 flag, shoot him on the spot," sent, at a later day, 
 an electric thrill through the heart of every loyal 
 person in the country. 
 
 Stephen A. Douglas, whose noble support of 
 the administration of his successful competitor for 
 the Presidency did so much to unite the North- 
 ern people in support of the Union, and whose 
 bold declaration, at about the beginning of the 
 war, *' If the Southern States attempt to secede 
 from this Union without further cause, I am In 
 favor of their having just so many slaves and just 
 so much slave terrltor)^ as they can hold at the 
 point of the bayonet, and no more !" was the ex- 
 pressed sentiment of thousands of men in the 
 North, who now felt that — 
 
PROMINENT ADHERENTS. 29 
 
 " Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide, 
 In the strife of truth and falsehood, for the good or evil side." 
 
 ** Keep step with the music of Union, 
 The music our ancestors sung, 
 When States, like a jubilant chorus, 
 To beautiful sisterhood sprung." 
 
 Gen. B. F. Butler, who, although he had sup- 
 ported Breckenridge for President in preference 
 to Douglas, Bell, or Lincoln, as soon as he saw 
 that the South meant disunion, arrayed him- 
 self on the side of the administration, and early 
 proved his loyalty by his works. His services in 
 opening communication with Washington — com- 
 munication with It and the North having been 
 cut off by the rebels In Baltimore — and his seizure 
 of Annapolis, Md., and marching of troops from 
 that place to the Federal Capital, thus preventing 
 It from falling into the hands of the rebel conspir- 
 ators, alone entitled his name to rank high In the 
 splendid galaxy of names made illustrious and 
 heroic by our great civil war. 
 
 Gen. U. S. Grant, of whom Henry Coppee, his 
 biographer, said: ''A decided Democrat before 
 the war, he had In his limited sphere been In favor 
 of conceding to the South all Its rights, perhaps 
 more ; but when the struggle actually began, his 
 patriotism and military ardor were aroused to- 
 gether." . 
 
 Directly after the attack on Fort Sumter, he 
 raised a company of soldiers in liis own neighbor- 
 
30 BATTLE FIELD AND PPaSON TEN. 
 
 hood, and offered his services to his country ; and 
 by his great skill and valor he worked his way up 
 until he Is acknowledo^ed as beinof one of the 
 greatest soldiers of the age. 
 > Gen. George B. McClellan, whose really great 
 services to the country In the early history of the 
 war were not fully appreciated, from the fact that 
 he was in command at a time when the people of 
 the North expected the armies in the field, and Its 
 leaders, to accomplish Impossibilities, and before 
 the extent and power of the rebellion was under- 
 stood by the nation ; also, from the fact that the 
 movements of the army were, to a great extent, 
 dictated and controlled by men at Washington 
 and New York who understood Blackstone and 
 journalism better than military science. His sub- 
 sequent acceptance of a nomiination for the Pres- 
 idency of the nation, from a party that was again 
 manifesting considerable hostility against the war 
 as being conducted by the Lincoln administration 
 for the preservation of the Union, and the subse- 
 quent abuse and vilifying he, in common with all 
 other men, of whatever party, who have been 
 candidates for high positions in the nation, re- 
 ceived, had much to do to prevent him from re- 
 ceiving the credit really due him.. 
 
 During the excitement that followed the fall of 
 Fort Sumter, a large majority of the Democrats 
 In the North arrayed themselves on the side of 
 the war party, and for a time there appeared to 
 
A SOLID NORTH. ^ 3 1 
 
 be almost a solid North in support of the admin- 
 istration. The following article, that appeared 
 two days after the fall of Fort Sumter in The New 
 York Tribune, fully expressed the situation at the 
 time : 
 
 '' Fort Sumter Is lost, but freedom is saved. 
 There is no more thouofht of bribincr or coaxine 
 the traitors who have dared to aim their cannon- 
 balls at the flag of the Union, and those who gave 
 their lives to defend it. It seems but yesterday 
 that at least two-thirds of the journals of this city 
 were the virtual allies of the Secessionists, their 
 apologists, their champions. The roar of the 
 great circle of batteries pouring their Iron hail 
 upon devoted Sumter has struck them all dumb. 
 It is as If one had made a brilliant and effective 
 speech, setting forth the innocence of murder, 
 and, having just bidden adieu to the cheers and 
 the gas-lights, were to be confronted by the gory 
 form and staring eyes of a victim of assassina- 
 tion, the first fruit of his oratorical success. 
 
 " For months before the late Presidential elec- 
 tion, a majority of our journals predicted forcible 
 resistance to the government as the natural and 
 necessary result of a Republican triumph ; for 
 months since, they have been cherishing and en- 
 couraoflnof the Slaveholders' Rebellion, as if it 
 were a very natural and proper proceeding. 
 Their object was purely partisan — they wished to 
 bully the Republican administration into shameful 
 
32 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 recreancy to Republican principle, and then call 
 upon the people to expel from power a party so 
 profligate and so cowardly. They did not suc- 
 ceed In this ; they have succeeded In enticing 
 their Southern proteges and sometimes allies into 
 flagrant treason. ♦ en * 
 
 '' Most of our journals lately parading the 
 pranks of the Secessionists with scarcely disguised 
 exultation, have been suddenly sobered by the 
 culmination of the slaveholding conspiracy. 
 They would evidently like to justify and encour- 
 age the traitors further, but they dare not; so the 
 ' Amen ' sticks in their throat. The aspect of the 
 people appals them. Democrat as well as Re- 
 publican, Conservative and Radical, instinctively 
 feel that the guns fired at Fort Sumter were 
 aimed at the heart of the American Republic. 
 Not even in the lowest groggery of our city 
 would it be safe to propose cheers for Beau- 
 regard and Gov. Pickens. The tories of the 
 Revolution were relatively ten times as numerous 
 here as are the open sympathizers with the Pal- 
 metto Rebels. It is hard to lose Sumter ; it Is a 
 consolation to know that In losine it we have 
 gained a united people. Henceforth, the loyal 
 States are a unit In uncompromising hostility to 
 treason, wherever plotted, however justified. 
 Fort Sumter Is temporarily lost, but the country 
 is saved. Live the Republic ! " 
 
 It must not be supposed, however, that although 
 
REBEL SVMrATlIIZERS. ;i,2> 
 
 the mass of the people in the North were so en- 
 thusiastic In support of the Government, that all 
 treasonable sentiments and sympathy for the 
 rebels had been blotted out In the Nordi. As 
 stated before, almost every locality contained a 
 few traitors, who could hardly conceal their exul- 
 tation when the Union forces were defeated, and 
 whose cheeks paled at every announcement of a 
 defeat of the rebel army. These were, however, 
 the excepdons, and, whatever mischief they might 
 have wished to do was easily prevented by their 
 more patriotic neighbors, and by the Innate cow- 
 ardice of the rebel sympathizers, who, instead of 
 going to the South and helping their braver co- 
 partners In treason, stayed at home, and, like a 
 bird of Ill-omen, kept up a constant croaking 
 about the terrlbleness of the times. They never 
 tired of lamenting about the dreadful war, but 
 their lamentations were loud in proportion to the 
 whipping received by the South. 
 
 The fall of Fort Sumter, although at first re- 
 ceived as a disaster, was really a blessing In dis- 
 guise to the nation; for Its loyal sons, now fully 
 aroused to the extent of the danger threatening 
 It, soon prepared themselves to meet treason on 
 the bloody field of battle, and decide once and 
 forever w^hether this Union was a mere compact 
 between the States, that could be dissolved at will 
 by any of them, or a nation, that could centralize 
 its power, and crush cut treason within its borders. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 ADVANCE OF THE GRAND ARMY FROM WASHINGTON 
 AND ITS DEFEAT AT BULL RUN. 
 
 AN the fifteenth day of April, two days after the 
 ^ fall of Fort Sumter, President Lincoln issued 
 a proclamation calling for 75,000 men to suppress 
 rebellion in the South and execute the laws. This 
 call to arms was so promptly responded to, that 
 in a short time the number who had offered their 
 services far exceeded the call. Unfortunately, 
 they were not accepted, and that this was a short- 
 sighted policy soon became fully evident, and 
 proves cojnclusively that the Federal administra- 
 tion had entirely miscalculated the magnitude of 
 the rebellion, and the abilities, as well as the des- 
 perate character, of the rebel leaders. The North 
 had probably underrated the South as much as 
 the South had the North, and the general supposi- 
 tion among the Northern people was that a small 
 force of troops would soon thrash the seceded 
 States back into the Union. Doubtless there 
 was great disappointment on both sides, and it 
 needed actual war to understand the extent and 
 character of the conflict before them. 
 
 A considerable portion of the troops called into 
 service was collected in and about Washington, 
 
 (34) 
 
THE FIRST MUSTER. 35 
 
 and was known as the " Grand Army." To this 
 body of men the loyal citizens of the country 
 looked especially as the instrument that was to 
 crush the main power of the rebel army, capture 
 the Capital of the Confederacy, and put an end to 
 the rebellion. v 
 
 The " Grand Army," as it was absurdly called, 
 consisted of about 40,000 men, all told, including 
 the garrison which would be considered necessary 
 to protect the Capital of the Nation should an 
 advance be made on the enemy. This army, as 
 well as the Union forces, was under the command 
 of Lieut. Gen. Scott, who, being too old for active 
 field service, was to direct the movements from 
 the headquarters at the Capital. To Major Gen- 
 eral Irwin McDowell, a graduate of West Point, 
 who had distinofuished himself in the Mexican 
 War, and who was in every way worthy and com- 
 petent to command the expedition, was assigned 
 the command of the Union forces which were to 
 make the triumphant march to the rebel Capital. 
 
 The army, although almost entirely composed 
 of brave and patriotic men who would have made 
 the most excellent soldiers had the proper time 
 been given to drill and qualify them for active 
 service in the field, was in part little better than 
 an armed mob, for peaceable citizens are not con- 
 verted into good soldiers, by a few weeks' drill. 
 
 About thirty-five miles from Washington Is 
 a tract of country known as Manassas Plains. 
 
36 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 This place is most admirably adapted by nature 
 for a defensive position against an enemy advanc- 
 ino- from the north. In front of it is a small, nar- 
 row stream, fordable at intervals of a few miles, 
 known as Bull Run. On the south of the stream, 
 and almost inclosing the immediate valley, are a 
 number of hills or bluffs, which afford most excel- 
 lent positions for posting batteries, which cover or 
 command all of the roads leading in that direction. 
 The most of these roads were so covered by 
 woods or brush, that batteries occupying them 
 could be so perfectly masked, that the attacking 
 party could not discover them until fired upon. 
 This position, made so strong by nature, was se- 
 lected by the rebel leaders as the place on which 
 to concentrate the main body of their army, which 
 was to resist Federal invasion ; and by a com- 
 plete system of fortifications, they made the place 
 about as strong as military art could make it. To 
 this formidable position the rebel Government had 
 gathered about 30,000 frantic and maddened men, 
 who had been made fanatical by the political dema- 
 gogues of the South, who had aroused and 
 excited their worst passions by making them be- 
 lieve that they were to fight an enemy who would 
 destroy their homes, murder or dishonor their 
 families, and carry on a war of rapine, devastation, 
 and plunder, contrary to all the rules of civilized 
 warfare. 
 
 The io^norant masses of the South had been 
 
THE STORM OF SECESSION. 2)7 
 
 taught to believe that the Northern soldiers were 
 coming South thirsting for their blood, and that 
 with them it was a war in defense of their lives, 
 their honor, and all that was dear to them. A 
 people so inflamed and prejudiced against their 
 opponents are no contemptible foe ; and the feel- 
 ing so prevalent in the North that they would not 
 fight, was a most fearful delusion. Who can 
 doubt that these men, had they had a proper 
 understanding of the true state of affairs, or a true 
 conception of the real state of feeling in the 
 North, would have disbanded and gone to their 
 homes, thus preventing a war that swept to 
 bloody and untimely graves more than one-half a 
 million of the people, which filled almost every 
 home in the land with sorrow. But such are 
 some of the fruits which the teachings of the pol- 
 itical demao-oofue brinof forth. 
 
 How fortunate it would have been for the 
 South had its people hearkened to the warning 
 voice of one of its great leaders (Alexander H. 
 Stephens), when with prophetic vision, and before 
 he wavered in his allegiance, he proclaimed the 
 terrible results which would follow an attempt of 
 the South to secede from the Union. But the 
 teachings of the rebel leaders had so thoroughly 
 prepared the way for rebellion, that he " was as 
 one crying in the wilderness," and his moaning 
 cry for peace and union was soon drowned out in 
 the rao-ing- storm of secession sentiment which 
 
38 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 swept like a hurricane through the South, and 
 carried its people to financial ruin and untimely 
 graves. 
 
 Directly after the firing on Fort Sumter, and 
 when the citizen soldiers of the North were flock- 
 ing to the Nation's Capital, to save it from falling 
 into the hands of the rebel troops, who were rap- 
 idly assembling in Northern Virginia, the press in 
 the N^orthern States commenced to clamor loudly 
 that an advance should be made by the Union 
 troops on the enemy's lines. The most absurd 
 ideas existed in the North in reeard to the extent 
 of the rebellion, the fierce determination of the 
 rebel leaders, and the means required to carry on 
 the war. 
 
 To judge from the absurd and ridiculous asser- 
 tions of the Northern press, and the remarks con- 
 stantly heard from the people, when discussing 
 the war. Its probable extent, and the best means 
 of putting It down, It might have been supposed 
 that all that was necessary to suppress the rebel- 
 lion was to send a few men to the rebel camps, 
 and by a process similar to the reading of the 
 "riot act," bring peace and quiet to the country; 
 or, that at the worst a few Federal reelments 
 would thrash and brlno- Into submission all the 
 troops the South could bring Into the field. 
 
 The general Impression was that the Southern 
 leaders were only blustering, that the South- 
 ern soldiers would not, at least In this war, fio-ht, 
 
PREVALENT ERRORS. 39 
 
 and that all the preparations the rebels were making 
 to carry on the contest were scoffed at and de- 
 clared to amount to nothing. The rebel fortifica- 
 tions at Manassas were declared to be mounted 
 with wooden or "Quaker guns/' whose harmless 
 muzzles were keeping Scott's army from moving, 
 and that the soldiers gathered at that place were 
 so weakened with drunkenness and debauchery 
 and possessed so little physical endurance, that 
 they would not be able to cope with the more 
 vigorous soldiers of the North. 
 
 That these ideas were almost fatal delusions 
 has been well established. It Is known that the 
 movement from Washington by the Union forces 
 aealnst the rebel lines at Manassas was com- 
 menced against the judgment of the best military 
 men In Washlneton ; but the clamor became so 
 great, and the military editors declaimed so loudly 
 about the inactivity of the army, and the want of 
 energy of its leaders in not advancing and anni- 
 hilating the rebels, that, against the judgment of 
 those who would be held responsible for any dis- 
 aster which might follow, the order was given to 
 advance. 
 
 If it was not a success in the sense it was ex- 
 pected to be, it had, however, the effect of awak- 
 ening the Nation from its dream of easy conquest 
 to a sense of the magnitude of the contest before 
 it ; and that Instead of suppressing the Rebellion 
 in sixty or ninety days, it was engaged in a con- 
 
40 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 test that would be a fierce strusforle for its National 
 existence. That the movement was commenced 
 through the influence brought to bear on the Ad- 
 ministration by men who had more patriotism than 
 sagacity, and that it was opposed by General 
 Scott, there can be no doubt. A few days after 
 the disaster, the New York Times contained the 
 following statement, made to the editor of that 
 paper by Gen. Scott, which proves conclusively 
 that the old veteran was opposed to that advance. 
 He is there reported to have said, that if the 
 matter had been left to him he would have com- 
 menced by a perfect blockade of every Southern 
 port on the Atlantic and the Gulf. Then he 
 would have collected a large force at the Capital 
 for defensive purposes, and another one on the 
 Mississippi for defensive operations. The sum- 
 mer months, during which it is madness to take 
 troops south of St. Louis, should have been de- 
 voted to tactical instruction, and, with the first 
 frosts of Autumn, he would have taken a column 
 of 80,000 well disciplined troops down the Mis- 
 sissippi and taken every important point on that 
 river, New Orleans included. " // could have been 
 done^' he said, ''with greater ease, less loss of life a7id 
 with far more i7np07dant results thaft zvotdd attend 
 the inarching of a7i ai^7ny to Richmojid, At eight 
 points the river would probably have been de- 
 fended and eieht battles would have been neces- 
 sary ; but in every one of them, success would 
 
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT- 
 
 LIEUTENANT-GENERAL PHILIP H. SHERIDAN 
 
GEN. SCOTT S OPINION. 4 1 
 
 have been made certain for us. The Mississippi 
 and Atlantic once ours, the Southern States would 
 have been compelled, by the natural and inevi- 
 table pressure of events, to seek, by a return to 
 the Union, escape from the ruin that would 
 speedily overwhelm them out of it. This," said 
 he, " was my plan. But I am only a subordinate. 
 It is my business to give advice when it is asked, 
 and to obey orders when they are given. / shall 
 do it. There are men in the Cabinet who know 
 much more about war than I do, and who have 
 far ereater influence than I have in determininof 
 the plan of the campaign. There never was a 
 more just and upright man than the President — 
 never one who desired more sincerely to promote 
 the interest of the country. But there are men 
 amonor his advisers who consult their own resent- 
 ments far more than the dictates of wisdom and 
 experience, and these men will probably decide the 
 plan of the campaign. I shall do, or attempt, 
 whatever I am ordered to do. But they must not 
 hold me responsible. If I am ordered to ^o to 
 Richmond, I shall endeavor to do it. But I know 
 perfectly well that they have no conception of the 
 difficulties we shall encounter. I know the coun- 
 try — how admirably it is adapted for defense, and 
 how resolutely and obstinately it will be defended. 
 I would like nothlnor better than to take Rich- 
 mond, now that it has become disgraced by be- 
 coming the Capital of the Rebel Confederacy. I 
 
42 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 feel a resentment for It, and should like nothlnp^ 
 
 o 
 
 better than to scatter the Congress to the winds. 
 But I have lived long enough to know that human 
 resentment Is a very bad foundation for public 
 policy; and these gentlemen will live long enough 
 to learn it also, I shall do what I am ordered, I 
 shall fight when and where I am commanded, 
 But, if I am compelled to fight before I am ready, 
 they shall not hold me responsible. These gentle- 
 men must take the responsibility of their acts, as 
 I am willing to take that of mine. But they must 
 not throw their responsibility on my shoulders." 
 The advance from Washington on the rebel 
 position at Manassas, commenced on the i6th of 
 July. The column was divided into five small 
 divisions, and was directed to move In the follow- 
 ing order: The first division, commanded by Gen. 
 Tyler, in the direction of Viana. The second, 
 commanded by Gen. Hunter, on the road direct to 
 Centreville. The third, by Gen. Heintzelman, 
 on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Rail- 
 road. The fifth division, commanded by Gen. 
 Miles, marched in the rear of the first, and the 
 fourth division, commanded by Gen. Runyon, 
 stayed In camp In front of Washington until the 
 main body of the army reached Centreville, when 
 it was advanced to within about seven miles of 
 Fairfax. Gen. McDowell accompanied the column 
 under Gen. Tyler, whose division advanced through , 
 Viana and Fairfax to Germantown on the first day's 
 
ADVANCE ON RICHMOND. 43 
 
 march, where It camped for the night. A consider- 
 able rebel column, under the command of Gen. 
 Bonham, had been In possession of Fairfax Court 
 House, but retreated to Centrevllle on the ap- 
 proach of the Union troops. Early on the follow- 
 ing morning, Tyler resumed the advance, and by 9 
 A. M., had occupied Centrevllle, the rebels again 
 withdrawing at his approach. About three miles 
 from this place Is Blackburn's Ford, one of the 
 numerous fording places on Bull Run, and It was 
 at that place that the rebels made the first effort 
 to stop the advancement of the Federal troops. 
 A reconnolssance made by the Union troops In 
 that direction discovered the enemy In force, and 
 apparently determined to stop the farther move- 
 ment of the Federals. McDowell ordered Gen. 
 Richardson's brigade, of Tyler's division, to ad- 
 vance to dislodge the enemy. The brigade ad- 
 vanced gallantly to the assault, but were drawn 
 Into an ambuscade, and being handled severely, 
 were compelled to fall back In confusion. 
 
 The enemy, who, In command of Gen. Long- 
 street, occupied this position In strong force, 
 being protected by strong entrenchments, easily 
 beat back the Union troops. It was certainly a 
 mistake to advance so small a body of troops to 
 the assault of a strong position, without a better 
 understanding of the nature of the ground and 
 strength of the enemy's position than appears to 
 have been had In this case. As a reconnolssance 
 
44 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 in force It was, however, a success, so far that it re- 
 vealed the fact that the advance on the rebel capital 
 could not be continued without fighting a pitched 
 battle. The attack, however, was unfortunate, as 
 it gave the enemy the prestige of success in the 
 very beginning of the fighting. It made them 
 more confident, and had a correspondingly de- 
 pressing effect on the Union troops. The loss of 
 the Federals in this afi"ray was somewhat over one 
 hundred in killed and wounded. The loss of the 
 enemy is not known, but as they fought almost 
 entirely under cover, it was hardly half as large. 
 The second and third divisions of the Union army 
 arrived at Centreville directly after the fight, and 
 encamped in the rear of Tyler's division. Miles' 
 division, the fifth, was close in the rear, and Run- 
 yon's, the fourth, about half-way between Arling- 
 ton Heights and Fairfax Court House. Every- 
 thing appeared in readiness to commence the first 
 great conflict of the war. Gen. McDowell had 
 intended moving on the enemy's position early on 
 the following morning, July 20th, when it was dis- 
 covered that a deficiency of ammunition existed, 
 which necessitated a delay of twenty-four hours. 
 Finally, at half-past two o'clock on Sunday morn- 
 ing, July 2 1 St, the order was given to advance, and 
 soon the mixed host of soldiers, teamsters, and 
 civilians moved forward in the direction of the 
 enemy's lines. That the authorities permitted a 
 large number of the last-named class to accom- 
 
A HOST OF CIVILIANS. 45 
 
 pany the army to the immediate vicinity of the 
 field of battle, was a most deplorable error, and 
 can only be accounted for on the supposition that 
 the impression was pretty general that the destruc- 
 tion of the entire rebel army was considered a 
 sure thing, and that all that was necessary was to 
 march forward and capture it. Had everything 
 gone well, their presence would probably not have 
 been a misfortune ; but at the first indications of 
 a disaster occurring to the army, they were sure 
 to flee to the rear like a flock of frightened sheep. 
 So, at least, it proved in this case. When the first 
 few regiments gave way, the host of civilians, who 
 had approached as near as prudence would allow, 
 to witness the destruction of the rebels, fled to 
 get out of the way ; and in almost an incredibly 
 short time, the road to Centreville was filled with 
 these people, who evidently had now witnessed all 
 the battle scenes they desired to see ; and, among 
 the torrent of humanity that fled in such hot haste 
 from the battle-field to Washinofton on that disas- 
 trous day. Congressmen, Government officials, 
 politicians, and other civilians, took the most 
 prominent part ; and as they had kept in the rear 
 of the army in the forward movement, they now 
 as determinedly kept in the van, and the most de- 
 moralized, fleet-footed blue-coat was no match 
 with them in the race to o^et into the fortifications 
 
 o 
 
 at Washino^ton. 
 
 Gen. Tyler's division, accompanied by Gen. 
 
46 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 McDowell In person, pressed directly on to the 
 stone bridge that crossed Bull Run, and at about 
 six o'clock opened fire on the enerpy, who were 
 intrenched In strong force on the opposite side of 
 the stream. The divisions of Hunter and Helnt- 
 zelman crossed Cub Run, and making a circuit of 
 three or four miles, crossed Bull Run at Sudley, 
 about three miles above the stone bridee. This 
 movement placed the two divisions on the flank of 
 the rebel army, and was In accordance with Gen. 
 McDowell's plan of battle, which was to merely 
 menace the enemy's right and centre In the begin- 
 ning of the engagement, while the main attack 
 would be made by Hunter and Helntzelman on 
 the left. 
 
 The object of this strong concentration of troops 
 on the right of the Union lines was to turn the 
 left of the enemy's position in such a manner as 
 to drive it back on its centre at the stone bridge, 
 where Tyler's division was in line ready to cross 
 the bridge and complete the defeat of the enemy. 
 Miles' division was kept at Centrevllle as a re- 
 serve, and for the purpose of guarding against an 
 attack from the direction of Blackburn's Ford. 
 That the plan of battle was a most admirable one, 
 and failed of success only by a combination of 
 circumstances which are often the overruling fatal- 
 ities of war, and that Gen. McDowell can in no 
 way be held accountable for the disaster that 
 followed, there can be no doubt. Unfortunately 
 
DISASTROUS DELAY. 47 
 
 for the success of the movement on the enemy's 
 left, the most of the troops were newly organized 
 into brigades and divisions, and the inexperience 
 of some of the officers caused a delay of several 
 hours in the morning, before the two flanking di- 
 visions were properly on the way, and it was fully 
 eleven o'clock before the column was in position 
 on the enemy's left. When the distance from 
 Centreville to the battle-field is remembered, it can 
 easily be comprehended that had the Union force 
 consisted of old and tried soldiers, and all the di- 
 visions, brigades, and regiments been led by ex- 
 perienced officers, the column might have been in 
 line ready to commence the assault by at least 
 seven o'clock. 
 
 This delay was most unfortunate, for had the 
 movement been made before daylight, as was 
 McDowell's intention, the position desired would 
 have been obtained without the rebels under- 
 standinof the intention of the Union commander ; 
 but the nature of the ground is such that Beaure- 
 gard, from his position on the south side of the 
 stream, could see plainly all the movements of the 
 troops on the north side, and consequently was 
 prepared for the assault. 
 
 As already stated, Gen. Tyler's division, direcdy 
 after arriving at the stone bridge, opened a brisk 
 fire with artillery on the enemy's position. The 
 rebels paid very litde attention to this attack, not 
 even replying with artillery to the fire of tiie 
 
48 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Union guns. Gen. Beauregard, who was fully 
 aware that this was only a demonstration to cover 
 the real assault on his position, was moving the 
 main body of his troops to the left wing of his 
 army, to meet the shock that he knew would soon 
 fall like a thunderbolt on that part of his line. 
 
 The fire of Tyler's batteries eliciting no reply 
 from the rebels, he ordered several regiments to 
 advance and reconnoiter the enemy's position. 
 These troops soon encountered the rebels, and 
 became severely engaged ; but owing to the great 
 strength of the enemy's position, they were com- 
 pelled to retire with heavy loss. The rebels had 
 a number of batteries so concealed as to be invis- 
 ible to the Union troops, until they w^ere opened 
 on with a torrent of shot and shell that compelled 
 them to retire from the unequal contest. As 
 the Union troops fell back, Gen. McDowell or- 
 dered Carlisle's battery of heavy guns to move to 
 the front, and open fire on the rebel batteries. 
 This was accomplished in the most gallant style, 
 and the terrific and accurate fire of these oruns 
 soon silenced several of the enemy's batteries. 
 
 In the meantime the divisions of Hunter and 
 Heintzelman had succeeded in ofettinsf into line. 
 Hunter's division was on the right, and after the 
 advance brigade, commanded by Gen. Burnside, 
 crossed Bull Run at Sudley Springs, and was 
 marchinof down the south side of the stream, he 
 was opened upon with a heavy fire of artillery 
 
BATTLE AT BULL RUN. 49 
 
 and infantry. He, however, pressed on, driving 
 the rebels for some distance when, encountering 
 a vastly greater number of the enemy, his further 
 advance was for a short time checked. The re- 
 mainder of Hunter's division was soon brought 
 into action, and after the most desperate fighting, 
 the enemy was compelled to give way, contesting, 
 however, every foot of ground with the fiercest 
 determination. As the Union column advanced 
 they were met with the most furious volleys from 
 Infantry and artillery r but most gallantly they 
 pressed on. In spite of the great advantage of the 
 enemy in position and numbers, their extreme left 
 wing was being turned and driven from the field; 
 and the victorious shouts of Hunter's men, as they 
 pursued the retreating foe, were re-echoed by 
 Helntzelman's men, whose division had crossed 
 the stream about half the way between Sudley's 
 Springs and the stone bridge, and was also 
 fiercely engaged with the enemy. The larger 
 part of Tyler's division had also crossed the stone 
 bridge and engaged the enemy, and the battle now 
 became general along the entire line. It was at this, 
 time that the gallant Irish regiment, the Sixty-ninth 
 New York volunteers, made the famous charge 
 so characteristic of the heroic bravery of the Irish 
 soldier. The battle now raged with miost Intense 
 fury. The rapid volleys of musketry, the thun- 
 dering of cannon, the shouts of the victorious 
 Federals as they forced the rebels from the field, 
 4 
 
50 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 the frantic yells of the maddened rebels as they 
 were compelled to yield one position after an- 
 other, made an indescribable scene. The rebels 
 fought with the utmost desperation, and as the 
 Union troops pressed forward, they were con- 
 fronted with battery after battery, and line after 
 line of troops, who poured a continued volley of 
 shot into their ranks. Occasionally a furious 
 charge from the enemy would compel the Fede- 
 rals to fall back, only to again press forward to 
 dislodge their assailants. The tide of battle was 
 now decidedly in favor of the Union army, and in 
 spite of the desperate fighting of the rebels, the 
 general nature of the contest was everywhere 
 favorable to the Union forces. The Federal right 
 wing had completely rolled up the rebels' left, 
 which was slowly but surely being forced back on 
 the centre of their line, or in the direction of the 
 stone bridge, where Tyler's division was prepared 
 to receive it, and complete the rebel defeat. A 
 part of his division had not yet crossed the bridge, 
 it being held in reserve to strike the enemy at the 
 critical moment. Gen. Jos. E. Johnston, the ablest 
 commander in the Southern army, was on the 
 field with most of the troops who had slipped Pat- 
 terson at Winchester, and was personally direct- 
 inor the movement of the Confederate forces. 
 He and Gen. Beauregard were making the most 
 frantic efforts to stop the further retreat of their 
 commands, but according to their own acknowl- 
 
VICTORY AT HAND. 5t 
 
 edgments in vain ; and at i p. m., in spite of 
 all the advantages the rebels possessed in fighting 
 from fortified positions, which were constructed in 
 such a manner that every repulse would enable 
 them to fall back into intrenchments, and concen- 
 trate a terrific fire on their assailants from masked 
 batteries, the Union troops were everywhere suc- 
 cessful. The toils were now slowly but surely 
 infolding the rebel army with a circle of death, 
 that would have insured the destruction of its 
 entire force, had not an event now occurred 
 which turned the tide of battle, and reversed the 
 order of things to such an extent that, what pro- 
 mised to be a most decided victory, was turned to 
 a disgraceful defeat. To prove that the rebels 
 were completely whipped at this period of the bat- 
 tle, it is only necessary to refer to their own pub- 
 lished accounts. The correspondent of the 
 Louisville Courier said, in describing the battle : 
 
 "The fortunes of the day were evidently 
 against us. Some of our best ofificers had been 
 slain, and the flower of our army lay strewn on 
 the field, ghastly in death or gaping with wounds. 
 At noon the cannonading is described as terrific. 
 It was an incessant roar for more than two hours, 
 the havoc and devastation at this time being fear- 
 ful. McDowell, with the aid of Patterson s division 
 of 20,000 men, had nearly outfla^iked us, and they 
 were just in the act 0/ possessing themselves of the 
 railway to Richmond. Then all would have been 
 
52 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 lost, Buty most Opportunely — I may say, providen- 
 tially — at this juncture, Gen. Johns ton ^ with the 
 remnant of his division — an army, as we fondly 
 call ity for we have been friends and brothers in 
 camp and field for three months — reappeared^ and 
 made one other desperate struggle to obtain the 
 vantage ground. Elzey's brigade of Marylanders 
 and Virginians led the charge ; and right manfully 
 did they execute the work." 
 
 The correspondent of the Richmond Dispatch 
 wrote as follows : 
 
 " Between 2 and 3 o'clock large numbers of 
 men were leaving the field, some of them 
 wounded, others exhausted by the long struggle, 
 who gave us gloomy reports ; but as the firing on 
 both sides continued steadily, we felt sure that our 
 brave Southerners had not been conquered by the 
 overwhelming hordes of the North. It is, how- 
 ever, due to truth to say that the result at this 
 hour hung trembling in the balance. We had 
 lost numbers of our most distinofuished officers. 
 Gens. Barton and Bee had been stricken down ; 
 Lieut. Col. Johnson, of the Hampton Legion, had 
 been wounded. But there was at hand the fear- 
 less general whose reputation as a commander 
 was staked on this battle. Gen. Beauregard 
 promptly offered to lead the Hampton Legion 
 into action, which he executed in a style unsur- 
 passed and unsurpassable. Gen. Beauregard 
 rode up and down our lines, between the enemy 
 
THE CRITICAL MOMENT. 53 
 
 and his own men, regardless of the heavy fire, 
 cheering and encouraging our troops. About 
 this time a shell struck his horse, taking his head 
 off, and killing the horses of his aids, Messrs. 
 Ferguson and Hayward. * * * 
 
 "Gen. Johnston also threw himself into the 
 thickest of the fight, seizing the colors of a Geor- 
 gia regiment, and rallying them to the charge. 
 His staff signalized themselves by their intrepidity, 
 Col. Thomas being killed and Major Mason 
 wounded. 
 
 "Your correspondent heard Gen. Johnston say 
 to Gen. Cocke, just at the critical moment, *Oh, 
 for four regiments !' His wish was answered, for 
 in the distance our reinforcements appeared. The 
 tide of battle was turned in our favor by the ar- 
 rival of Gen. Kirby Smith from Winchester, with 
 4,000 men of Gen. Johnston's division. * * 
 
 "They were at first supposed to be the enemy, 
 their arrival at that point of the field being en- 
 tirely unexpected. The enemy fell back, and a 
 panic seized them. Cheer after cheer from our 
 men went up, and we knew the battle had been 
 won ! " 
 
 Gen. Beauregard, in his official report, says : 
 
 "Now, however, with the surging mass of over 
 14,000 Federal infantry pressing on their front, 
 and under the incessant fire of at least twenty 
 pieces of artillery with the fresh brigades of Sher- 
 man and Keyes approaching — the latter already 
 
54 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 in musket-range — our lines gave back, but under 
 orders from Gen. Bee. 
 
 "The enemy, maintaining their fire, pressed 
 their swelHng masses onward as our shattered 
 battalions retired: the slaughter for the moment 
 was deplorable, and has filled many a Southern 
 home with life-lone sorrow." 
 
 When Johnston, with the most of his command, 
 left Winchester to re-enforce Beaureeard, Gen. 
 Kirby Smith's brigade was left to watch Gen. 
 Patterson ; but the rebel commander, finding he 
 had absolutely nothing to fear from that officer, 
 ordered it also to Bulk Run, and it was the unfor- 
 tunate arrival of these troops that turned the tide 
 of batde in favor of the rebel arms. The rebel 
 brigade was being moved on the railroad, and as 
 It approached Gainesville — a small village on the 
 Manassas Gap Railroad — Smith heard the roar of 
 battle. He immediately stopped the train, and 
 unloading his men, marched them across the fields 
 to the field of battle at the very moment when his 
 services would be of the most benefit to the rebel 
 cause. A brigade of rebel troops commanded by 
 Gen. Early, which had just arrived from Rich- 
 mond, and had not yet been engaged, formed on 
 the right of Smith, and the two brigades advanced 
 to the assault in the most gallant style. The 
 frantic yells and cries of the advancing rebel host, 
 which could be seen emerofinof from the woods, 
 and which appeared to make their number almost 
 
THE PANIC. 55 
 
 innumerable, struck dismay into several Union 
 regiments in the immediate front of the advancinor 
 enemy, who commenced to give way, and in a few 
 moments broke completely and fled from the 
 field. The reofiment on the extreme left of the 
 Union lines, which was still fighting desperately to 
 hold in check the advancing host of the enemy, 
 discovering that a part of the line had given way, 
 and that the rebel column was wmding itself 
 around their left, thus threatening to cut off their 
 retreat, and not being able to see or hear of a 
 sincde regiment beincr sent to their relief, now 
 commenced to fall back, at first contesting fiercely 
 with the enemy ; but at last becoming panic- 
 stricken, they broke and fled in dismay from the 
 field. The panic now spread with fearful rapid- 
 ity from one part of the line to the other, and 
 then ensued that stampede that will always be a 
 blot on the history of the Union army ; regiment 
 after regiment now broke and fled in the utmost 
 confusion*! To add to the terror and confusion of 
 the scene, a body of rebel cavalry chiarged on a 
 number of unarmed teamsters, who had been left 
 most injudiciously to advance with their teams to 
 a position where they would be in the way, and 
 could not be withdrawn in case of a retreat. 
 
 In an almost incredibly short time, regiments 
 of infantry, squadrons of cavalry, batteries of ar- 
 tillery, teams without teamsters, ambulances— in 
 short, almost all that was in the front, came rush- 
 
56 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 ing across the field and down the road toward 
 Centrevllle. At this place the presence of Miles* 
 division, which kept an unbroken front, and 
 calmly awaited the approach of the victorious 
 rebels, had the effect of reassuring some of the 
 fugitives, and to some extent restoring order but 
 a large number of the troops which had broken 
 continued their fliofht in the direction of Washine- 
 ton, and did not stop until they found themselves 
 safe inside of its fortifications. The host of civil- 
 ians that had fled at the first alarm were well on 
 their way to Washington by the time the panic- 
 stricken soldiers reached Centreville, which no 
 doubt accounted for the pedestrian victory which 
 they had won over the blue-coats in getting to 
 that place. The rebels appear to have been as- 
 tonished at the flight of their foes, who had fought 
 so desperately all day, and made very little effort 
 to pursue or take any advantage of their unex- 
 pected victory. Their cavalry did advance in the 
 direction of Centreville, but getting a v!^w of the 
 fifth division, which was eagerly awaiting their 
 attack, and a volley from Blenker's rifle brigade, 
 they fell back In haste to their old position along 
 Bull Run. They evidently considered their vic- 
 tory as being won merely by a lucky accident, and 
 that It would be best to let well enough alone. 
 This defeat and retreat of the Union army, al- 
 though disastrous and Important in Its results, 
 was most outrageously exaggerated by the press, 
 
DEFEAT. 5 7 
 
 and all kind of theories, but the right one, were 
 advanced by the military editors of the North 
 to account for the disaster. 
 
 The army was declared to be destroyed, and 
 the number of killed and wounded was some- 
 times stated greater than the number engaged. 
 Washington was declared to be perfectly at the 
 mercy of the enemy, and its capture a foregone 
 conclusion. These stories were, however, the re- 
 sults of the exaggerated reports brought to the 
 Capital by the fleet-footed, panic-stricken racers, 
 who fled to Washington and represented all killed 
 but themselves. 
 
 The .arrival of Runyon's division, and later that 
 of Miles, Richardson's brigade, as well as smaller 
 organizations whose ranks were unbroken, and 
 who marched back to their old camp in perfect 
 order, o-ave a more reassurlne view of the situa- 
 tlon ; and by the time the official account of the 
 battle was given, the fact was ascertained that, 
 serious as the disaster was, It was not nearly so 
 bad as at first represented. The Union loss was 
 officially reported as being four hundred and 
 eighty-one killed, one thousand and eleven 
 wounded, and one thousand two hundred and 
 sixteen misslne. The missing Included the num- 
 ber who had escaped the slaughter and then de- 
 serted the service. Gen. Hunter was severely, 
 and Gen. Helntzelman slightly, wounded, and 
 among the Union killed was Col. James Cameron, 
 
58 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 of the 79th New York Volunteers, and brother 
 of Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War. The 
 rebel loss was hardly less, although reported to 
 be so by Gen. Beauregard. A rebel officer, De- 
 Kay, who was in the battle, in a letter to the 
 Louisville Courier, said : 
 
 " Our loss is fully two thousand • in killed and 
 wounded. Among the killed are Gen. Bee of 
 South Carolina ; Gen. Bartow, of Georgia ; Col. 
 Moore and all of the Alabama field officers ; Col. 
 Fisher and all of the North Carolina field officers ; 
 Adjutant Brush, and a host of leading men." 
 
 Other reports also show that the rebel loss, In 
 officers especially, was very great ; and as nearly 
 as can be ascertained, the loss in the two armies 
 was about equal. The entire number of troops 
 that marched with McDowell from Washino-ton to 
 
 o 
 
 Centreville was about 30,000 men of all arms. 
 Runyon's division was not in his command, and 
 did not advance farther than to Fairfax Court 
 House. Miles' division, the smallest In his com- 
 mand, did not take any part in the engagement. 
 Richardson's brigade, of Tyler's division, was in 
 position about two miles from Centreville, on 
 Blackburn's Ford road, and did not take any part 
 In the fighting on the twenty-first; so the actual 
 number of men that were engaged did not exceed 
 20,000 men. 
 
 The rebel force has been variously estimated ; 
 but from the most reliable Information that can 
 
FORCES ENGAGED. 59 
 
 be gathered, it numbered about 36,000 men. All 
 — or, at least, very nearly all — took part in the 
 eneaeement. The Southern historian, Pollard, in 
 describing the battle, says : " Our effective force 
 of all arms on the field on the eventful mornine 
 was less than 30,000 men." How many less he 
 does not say, but it is not to be supposed that he 
 meant more than a few hundred ; and as that was 
 before the brigades of Kirby Smith and Early 
 came on the ground, it can be easily seen that the 
 rebel force could not have been less than 36,000 
 men. Julius Bing, an intelligent English citizen, 
 who was on the ground as a spectator, was cap- 
 tured by the rebels and sent to Gen. Beaure- 
 gard's headquarters, and who appears to have 
 had good opportunities to find out the strength 
 of the Southern army, says their force was 40,000 
 men, and describes It as follows : 
 
 "Beauregard's force at Bull Run was 27,000, 
 which was increased by the arrival of Johnston, 
 on the day before the battle, by 8,000, and by 
 5,000 more during the engagement." 
 
 That the rebels, who had all the advantages in 
 position and numbers, should win the victory is 
 not strange, and can reflect no dishonor on the 
 Union troops. A retreat under the" circumstances 
 was perfectly justifiable ; but it was made in too 
 precipitate -a manner, and continued too long, for 
 the credit of the men who had acted so heroically 
 just before the panic seized them. The Impres- 
 
6o BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 sion — at one time so general In the North, and still 
 maintained by some writers — that the rebels could 
 have marched their army into Washington and 
 captured it, had they pursued our demoralized 
 army, is not sustained by facts. According to 
 their own admissions, they had been severely 
 punished, and were in no condition to make a 
 very vigorous movement in pursuit ; and had one 
 been attempted, the Federals could have con- 
 fronted them at Fairfax Court House with the 
 two full divisions of Miles and Runyon, Richard- 
 son's brigade, and at least a considerable portion 
 of the better class of soldiers in the broken or- 
 ganizations, making a force fully as strong as the 
 part of the army that made the attempt, and 
 came so near whipping the rebels in their strongly 
 intrenched position. At this place the Union 
 troops would have been entirely on the defensive, 
 and on ground of their own choosing, so the 
 chances of success would certainly have been 
 better than it was on the field at Manassas. The 
 mass of panic-stricken fugitives were from the 
 two divisions of Hunter and Heintzelman, which 
 had also borne the brunt of the battle ; but it must 
 not be supposed that these two divisions were 
 entirely routed, or In such a condition that no 
 troops from them could have been made use of in 
 a second action. Some of the better organiza- 
 tions. Including the regulars, although compelled 
 to fall back when the panic took place, were still, 
 
THE CAPITALS PERIL. 6l 
 
 however, in a condition to make a desperate re- 
 sistance, had the occasion presented itself. Run- 
 yon's division had reached Fairfax Court House, 
 and here, joined by Miles' division and Richard- 
 son's brigade, it could have formed a nucleus for 
 the broken organizations to rally around, so that, 
 had the rebels pursued and attacked them In this 
 position. It would have almost certainly resulted in 
 a defeat to the rebel arms. But had the enemy 
 pursued, and the Federal commander declined to 
 give battle, and retreated with his force to Wash- 
 ington, the idea of the Capital falling into the 
 hands of the pursuers is not only Improbable, but 
 extremely absurd; for, by the time the rebel army 
 would have reached the Potomac river, the Gov- 
 ernment would have withdrawn Patterson's 22,- 
 000 men from Harper's Ferry, about half that 
 many from Baltimore, and with the full division 
 of troops en route then from the State of Penn- 
 sylvania to Washington, the Federal force would 
 have amounted to more than 80,000 men; and It 
 is not very reasonable to suppose that this large 
 body of men could have been forced from Its 
 strong fortifications by 35,000 rebel troops, who 
 already had been severely punished by 20,000 of 
 their foes, and that, when fighting on ground of 
 their own chooslnof. 
 
 The idea is perfectly ridiculous, and the fact of 
 its ever being believed In the North can only be 
 accounted for on the theory that the Northern 
 
62 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 people expected such astounding results from the 
 movement, and had so fully made up their minds, 
 that it would result in the destruction of the entire 
 rebel army, that when they found that, instead of 
 their expectations being realized, it was really a 
 defeat, they became so astonished, disappointed, 
 and so full of indignation, that they ran directly 
 in the other extreme, and the rebel army, which 
 was to fall so easy a prey to the prowess of the 
 North, was now magnified into an army of invin- 
 cibles, that could storm the forts and intrench- 
 ments of Washington, even when manned by a 
 force of Federals exceedino^ their own number two 
 or three times. The army of new, green soldiers, 
 who had really performed prodigious feats of valor 
 on the plains of Manassas, and were only defeated 
 by a combination of adverse circumstances that 
 might well have beaten an equal number of the 
 best veteran soldiers, were now belittled in a 
 manner which was as disorraceful as it was unofen- 
 erous and uncalled for. 
 
 Gen. McDowell, who had handled his troops 
 with great skill and gallantry, and who, had the 
 promise given to him when he left Washington 
 that he would not have any of Johnston's men to 
 fight, been fulfilled, would have destroyed Beau- 
 regard's forces, came in for a full share of the 
 blame. He was declared incompetent, and not a 
 few, who had more patriotism than knowledge or 
 good sense, declared that he was a traitor to his 
 
CAUSE OF DISASTER. 6^ 
 
 country. Had Johnson been prevented from 
 coming In the field, McDowell would certainly 
 have been successful, and then the public that 
 now denounce him would have declared that he 
 was the greatest soldier of the age ! Such are 
 the fortunes of war. 
 
 Much has been said, and many theories ad- 
 vanced, as to the cause of the disaster, and In the 
 excitement and alarm which followed the battle, 
 much was written that was sheer nonsense. The 
 fact of Miles' division being kept at Centrevllle 
 during the engagement, has been severely criti- 
 cised, on the ground that It was too far In the rear 
 to be of any service as a reserve, should a defeat 
 threaten the army. That would be a strong ar- 
 gument, had the division been kept there for no 
 other purpose than a reserve. But It must be 
 remembered that It was kept at Centrevllle more 
 especially for the purpose of guarding against 
 an attack by the way of Blackburn's Ford, than as 
 a reinforcement for the stormlnof column In front. 
 Had such not been the case It would have been 
 moved close to Tyler's division, at the stone 
 bridge. It does not require a very careful exam- 
 ination, however, of the battle-field to discover that 
 such a step would have been highly dangerous. It 
 does not appear probable, either, that Gen Mc- 
 Dowell believed that the services of this division 
 would be required to storm the rebel position ; but 
 if he had any doubt In regard to that matter, he 
 
64 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 certainly knew that to move Miles from his posi- 
 tion would endanger his rear, and in case of a 
 rebel advance across Bull Run at Blackburn's 
 Ford, cut off his retreat and communications to 
 Washinorton. 
 
 The rebel line of fortifications extended from 
 a short distance below Blackburn's Ford, along 
 the south side of Bull Run, to within about one 
 mile of Sudley Springs. The distance from Cen- 
 treville to the stone bridge is seven miles, south; 
 and Sudley Springs three miles farther distant, 
 and northwest from the bridge. Blackburn's 
 Ford is southeast of Centreville, and distant about 
 three miles. As already stated, the advance of 
 Richardson's brigrade on Blackburn's Ford road 
 was only intended as a feint, and to strengthen 
 Miles' division, should the rebels make an attempt 
 to advance in force on Centreville. The advance 
 of Tyler to the stone bridge, although a more 
 serious demonstration, was to divert the attention 
 of the rebels from the main assault to be made 
 by the two divisions of Hunter and Heintzelman, 
 on the left of the enemy's position at Sudley 
 Springs, The nature of the ground is such that, 
 while the rebel leaders could watch the move- 
 ments of the Union troops, they could move their 
 own from one end of the line to the other without 
 being discovered ; so it can easily be seen how 
 important a position the troops at Centreville oc- 
 cupied during the battle. The advance of Hun- 
 
OPINIONS ON THE FIGHT. 65 
 
 ter's and Helntzelman's divisions to Sudley's 
 Springs, ten miles to the right, and Tyler's to the 
 stone bridge, without leaving Centreville guarded 
 against an advance from the enemy's right — but 
 three miles distant — would certainly have been a 
 very dangerous experiment, as the rebels could 
 have marched, unobserved, a considerable num- 
 ber of men on their right, and in an hour*s march 
 gained the rear of the Union army. The con- 
 sequences would have been the capture of the 
 trains containing the ammunition and supplies for 
 the Union army, and a stampede would have 
 followed without the advantage of an open line 
 of retreat. That the rebels would have taken 
 advantage of the advance of Miles' division is 
 fully borne out by the fact that they did advance 
 troops on the road to Centreville, to feel the 
 strength of the Union lines at that place, and 
 were driven back by Davis' brigade and the artil- 
 lery belonging to Miles' division. Gen. Beaure- 
 gard, in his official report, says : 
 
 " 1 sent orders to Gen. Ewell, holding my ex- 
 treme right at the Union Mills' Ford, next south 
 of Blackburn, to advance and attack ; and they did 
 advance a mile toward Centreville, on the Union 
 Mills' road, but retreated again under a sharp fire 
 of artillery." 
 
 That Gen. McDowell made a skillful and judi- 
 cious disposition of his command, and only failed 
 to win a decisive victory from circumstances 
 
66 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 which he could not control, and for which others 
 are responsible, there can be no reasonable doubt. 
 The mistake was in not sending Runyon's divi- 
 sion to Centreville, instead of leaving it back so 
 far in the rear, where it could be of no earthly 
 good for anything or to any one. This would 
 have enabled McDowell to move Miles' division 
 in supporting distance of his assaulting column ; 
 but as McDowell did not control Runyon's com- 
 mand, that mistake cannot be Imputed to him. 
 
 A number of adverse events occurred which 
 helped to bring about the disaster ; but the first 
 great mistake was in hurrying the army from 
 Washington before it was properly organized, 
 drilled, and fitted for the campaign, and before it 
 was strong enough for the accomplishment of the 
 great work before it. It was also a serious 
 blunder in not having a sufficient amount of am- 
 munition with the army when It reached Centre- 
 ville. This neglect caused a delay of twenty-four 
 hours, which prevented the battle from being 
 fought before the troops of Kirby Smith, and 
 Early came on the field. The host of citizens and 
 non-combatants on the ground ; the length of time 
 taken by Hunter and Heintzelman to get their 
 commands into position ; the superior numbers of 
 the enemy, and the strongly-fortified positions 
 they occupied ; the Inexperience of a number of 
 Union officers, and a want of proper knowledge 
 of the strength of the enemy's position — were all 
 
GOOD OUT OF EVIL. 67 
 
 serious disadvantages to the success of the Union 
 arms. With all these disadvantages, however, 
 Gen. McDowell would have beaten Gen. Beaure- 
 gard from the field, had not the rebel troops that 
 slipped Gen. Patterson arrived on the ground at 
 the critical moment, and turned the tide of battle 
 In favor of the enemy. 
 
 The battle of Manassas, although a defeat to 
 the Union array, was not, in the full acceptance of 
 the word, a great national disaster, as all at first 
 believed it to be, for the light of subsequent 
 events has fully revealed the fact that the defeat 
 of the Union forces in that battle was productive 
 of more good than evil to the country. The suc- 
 cess of the Union forces would have been suc- 
 ceeded by a still further disregard of the extent 
 of the rebellion, and of the means required to 
 crush It out. The grand hunt for rebels by the 
 "grand army" in the direction of Richmond would 
 have become more popular than ever, the number 
 of spectators and bummers would have greatly 
 increased, and the small army pressed forward by 
 a still lower estimate of the prowess of the enemy, 
 would have been met by a rapidly-concentrating 
 Confederate army at Richmond, and compelled to 
 fiofht when two or three times as strono^ as at 
 Manassas, and a defeat would have followed to 
 which Bull Run would have been no comparison. 
 
 And had it been possible to make the victory 
 so decisive as to crush out the rebellion, the great 
 
68 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 curse which was the cause of It would have re- 
 mained, and the Union would have been restored 
 with the same disturbing element to keep up a 
 constant discord, and before many years again to 
 plunge the country into war. The defeat was 
 also beneficial from the fact that the people, now 
 sobered, stopped boasting, and went to work to 
 prepare for the mighty conflict before them ; and 
 in a short time a well armed, drilled and equipped 
 force of several hundred thousand men was in the 
 field ready to confront the foe. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 DEPARTURE OF m'cLELLAN's ARMY FOR THE 
 PENINSULA. • 
 
 A FTER the battle of Manasses, the Federal 
 '^ Government made a requisition on the loyal 
 States for a large number of troops. This call was 
 promptly responded to, and as the Capital was be- 
 lieved to be in the most imminent danger, a very 
 large portion of these new troops were gathered 
 in and about that place. The fortifications also 
 were greatly strengthened, and every preparation 
 made to make it impregnable. It was known that 
 the rebel army at Manassas was being strongly 
 reinforced from all parts of the South, and it was 
 daily expected that an advance from that direc- 
 tion would be made on the Capital, or for the 
 purpose of attempting an invasion of the North. 
 It was, therefore, felt to be highly necessary to place 
 the Capital in such a fortified position that a small 
 garrison could hold It against an attack, and leave 
 the main part of the army free to operate against 
 the enemy. 
 
 The south side of the Potomac, in front of 
 Washington, was strongly fortified before the 
 battle of Manassas, but the city was ill protected 
 on the north side, and immediate steps were 
 
 (69) 
 
70 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 taken to fortify It against an attack from any direc- 
 tion. A considerable number of troops were 
 also kept along the river above the Capital, to 
 guard against an attempt of the enemy to cross 
 over. 
 
 Gen. George B. McClellan, whose brilliant ser- 
 vices In West VIrorinIa had brouofht his name 
 into great prominence, was called to Washington 
 to take command of the Union forces. Gen. 
 Scott, although not removed from office until later, 
 was virtually set aside by the foundation of a new 
 military district. This department Included the 
 troops in Washington and North-eastern Virginia, 
 and to Its command McClellan was appointed. 
 The troops were immediately organized into bri- 
 gades and divisions, and the most energetic mea- 
 sures taken to drill and discipline the troops, and 
 to form an army equal to the great task of crush- 
 ing the armed hosts of treason, who had gathered 
 in front of the Capital of the Nation. 
 
 The formation of the army Into corps was not, 
 however, effected until March, 1862, just before 
 the army left on the Peninsula campaign. On the 
 15th of October, McClellan reported the number 
 of troops of all arms in and about Washington, 
 including all along the Potomac south of Harper's 
 Ferry and at Baltimore, at 152,025 men. This 
 estimate did not Include Gen. Banks' troops at 
 Harper's Ferry. During the following winter the 
 time was occupied In drilling and fitting the army 
 
ORGANIZING THE ARMY. 7 1 
 
 for the spring campaign, and by that time the best 
 drilled and disciplined army undoubtedly ever 
 marshaled on the American continent was ready 
 to take the field. The ninety-day hallucination 
 had now been effectually dispelled, and the men 
 who composed the army had enlisted for two or 
 three years, and expected that hard blows would 
 be necessary to put down the Rebellion. All 
 were volunteers, not a conscript then, as yet, be- 
 ing In the army ; and the morale of the army was 
 certainly better than at any time during the war. 
 The lines of this magnificent array of men ex- 
 tended from Alexandria to Plerrpont, Virginia, atid 
 presented a solid phalanx to any attempt that 
 might be made by the rebels against the Federal 
 Capital. The army in front of Washington w^as 
 now known as " The Army of the Potomac." 
 
 On the eighth of March, this force was divided 
 Into four army corps. These were commanded 
 by Gens. McDovv^ell, Sumner, Helntzelman, and 
 Keyes. On the nth of March President Lincoln 
 Issued an order confinlnof McClellan's command 
 to these four corps, the troops along the Potomac 
 above and below Washinofton and In Baltimore, 
 being taken from It. On the following day, Mc- 
 Clellan was ordered by the President to advance 
 on the enemy's position at Centrevllle and Ma- 
 nassass. The President had, as early as the middle 
 of January, prepared an order for the army to 
 move on to Richmond by way of Manassas ; but 
 
72 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Gen. McClellan made some objection to that 
 route, and argued that it would be better to attack 
 Richmond by first concentrating the principal 
 portion of the army at Annapolis, Md., and then 
 ship them down the Chesapeake Bay and up the 
 Rappahannock river to the town of Urbanna, then 
 march them across the country to Richmond, and 
 capture it before the enemy could concentrate a 
 strong force to defend it. The city of Washing- 
 ton had been made as strong by fortifying during 
 the winter as engineering science could make It, 
 and McClellan believed that a small force could 
 successfully defend It against any attempt that 
 could be made by the enemy in the absence of the 
 greater portion of the army. A council of war^ 
 composed of twelve of the most prominent officers 
 in the army, was held, and to them was submitted 
 the two plans of operation, as proposed by the 
 President and Gen. McClellan. These officers 
 almost unanimously favored the route as pro- 
 posed by McClellan, and the President at first 
 yielded to their judgment ; but as the rebels had 
 blockaded the lower part of the Potomac, and he 
 believed that the plan would not interfere with 
 the rebel batteries, he became alarmed for the 
 safety of the Capital, and would not consent to 
 the withdrawal of so large a portion of the army 
 from Its defense until the rebel line was driven 
 from the river. He issued an order " that no 
 more than two army corps of said army of the 
 
THE ARMY MOVING. 73 
 
 Potomac should be moved en route for a new 
 base of operations until the navigation of the Po- 
 tomac from Washingtion to the Chesapeake Bay 
 shall be freed from the enemy's batteries, and 
 other obstructions, or until the President shall 
 hereafter give express permission." 
 
 This order effectually broke up the plan as 
 proposed by McClellan, and the order was 
 given to move on Richmond by way of Manassas 
 Junction. Gen. McClellan issued a spirited proc- 
 lamation to his command, in which he stated that 
 they had been thoroughly organized and drilled, 
 and that the time for action had arrived. He 
 urged them to discharge "all the duties that may 
 devolve on them with bravery and fidelity." About 
 this time, however, it was discovered that the 
 enemy were evacuating their position along the 
 lower Potomac, and withdrawing from the front 
 of the Union army. 
 
 It was believed that the intention of the rebels 
 was to concentrate all their forces on the old 
 battle-field of Bull Run, and the army advanced 
 In that direction to orive battle. As the advance 
 of the Federal troops reached Centreville, the 
 rebels fled, leaving a large amount of stores burn- 
 ing, and the fact was soon after discovered that 
 the entire rebel army was evacuating its strong 
 position along the line of Bull Run, and the miles 
 of fortifications they had erected with so much 
 skill and labor fell into the hands of the Union 
 
74 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN.' 
 
 troops without striking a blow. Much has been 
 written in regard to the strength of this position, 
 and of the number of Rebel troops who occupied it 
 during the winter, when the Army of the Potomac 
 was in camp in front of Washington, and it has 
 often been contended that it was not larore enouorh 
 to justify the inactivity of the Union forces during 
 that time. A prominent writer, in writing about 
 the hesitancy of the army to move at this time, 
 said: "The loyal masses — awed by the obloquy 
 heaped on them, falsely accused of having caused 
 the disaster at Bull Run, by their ignorant impa- 
 tience and precipitancy — stood in silent expecta- 
 tion." As the writer of the above, before Fort 
 Sumter was fired on advocated "letting the way- 
 ward sisters depart in peace," but shortly after 
 that event became so belligerent that he kept up 
 a constant clamor about the inactivity of the 
 army, and as he was responsible for a full share In 
 creating the popular feeling which forced Mc- 
 Dowell's undisciplined troops on the intrenched 
 rebel position at Manassas, the reader can easily 
 see with what silent expectation he looked on the 
 scene. The same writer, in a published history 
 of the war, in writino- about the streno-th of the 
 rebel army at Manassas, after stating that McClel- 
 lan estimated the rebel force in Eastern Virginia 
 at about 1 50,000 men, says : "Judging by informa- 
 tion received from 'contrabands' and deserters 
 who came into our lines during the fall and winter, 
 
STRENGTH OF MANASSAS. 75 
 
 the strength of the enemy could not have been 
 more than 60,000 men." When the average in- 
 tellieence of the Southern contraband and de- 
 serter is taken into consideration, it can easily be 
 understood how nearly correct their statements 
 were likely to be. That the commander of the 
 United States army, with all the advantages of 
 having an able corps of detectives, spies and 
 scouts at his command, would be likely to form a 
 better estimate of the force of the enemy than the 
 editor who received his information from the first- 
 named class, is certainly more than probable. 
 
 The possession of the rebel position at Ma- 
 nassas did reveal the fact that more than one 
 hundred thousand men had occupied it during the 
 winter ; and so strong had the position been made, 
 that had an advance been attempted as early as 
 was demanded by the impatient North, a great 
 national disaster would no doubt have been the 
 result. 
 
 Standing at Centreville, and looking east and 
 west, as far as the eye could reach could be seen 
 forts, mounted not only with field artillery, but 
 with large-sized guns of the best pattern, and 
 commanding every foot of ground for miles. 
 South of this line, in the direction of Manassas 
 Junction, a continuous wave of intrenchments met 
 the view. From this position 50,000 men might 
 well have repulsed twice that number of assail- 
 ants, had the attack been made in front. McClel- 
 
76 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 lan's army, which was, however, considerably 
 larger than the enemy's force when the final ad- 
 vance was made, would have endeavored to out- 
 flank their position west of Centreville, resorting 
 to the same plan that McDowell had pursued ; and 
 the superiority of his command would, In all pro- 
 bability, have given him the victory. 
 
 The rebels, for the purpose of concentrating 
 their forces close to the Confederate Capital, 
 evacuated their strong position, and, as the Union 
 troops advanced, they fell back in the direction of 
 the Rappahannock river, which they crossed, and 
 then marched to the fortifications of the rebel 
 Capital. The advance guard of the Union army 
 pursued the rebels as far as the Rappahannock, 
 when the pursuit was discontinued, and the entire 
 army returned to the vicinity of Washington, It 
 had now been decided to advance on Richmond 
 by way of Yorktown and up the Peninsula. The 
 army was rapidly marched to Alexandria, to which 
 place transports had been ordered to carry the 
 troops to Fortress Monroe. Gen. McClellan ex- 
 pected to take with him for the reduction of Rich- 
 mond the four corps constituting the Army of the 
 Potomac, and had left Alexandria with the ad- 
 vance of the army, when the President, who had 
 been informed by some of his military advisers 
 that McClellan was moving too many troops from 
 Washington, ordered that McDowell's corps — the 
 stronorest and most efficient should remain. 
 
OFF FOR THE PENINSULA. "]"] 
 
 The embarkation had commenced on die 1 7di 
 day of March, and by die close of die following 
 day, the three army corps which constituted Mc- 
 Clellan's command, numbering about 110,000 
 men, had sailed for Fortress Monroe. Gen. 
 McClellan had hoped to make a rapid movement 
 on Yorktown before the enemy could concentrate 
 their forces at that place ; but an unforeseen 
 event occurred in the beginning of the campaign 
 which caused a considerable delay. It appears 
 that in planning the campaign the course of the 
 short but deep stream known as the Warwick 
 river was not perfectly understood, and it was 
 not known that it ran directly across the Union 
 army's line of march. It was found to be strongly 
 fortified, and consequently, It considerably impeded 
 the advance. 
 
 The rebels, in the meantime, had been strongly 
 reinforced at Yorktown, and by the time the 
 Union forces arrived before its works, they found a 
 force of between sixty and seventy thousand, and 
 the place so strongly fortified as to be almost a 
 Gibraltar in strencrdi. The defences were found 
 to be too strong to carry by assault, so prepara- 
 tions were immediately made to lay siege to the 
 place. The rebel Gen. Magruder had been in 
 command of this position with about 20,000 men ; 
 but the rebel Government, finding the Federal 
 army was marching on that place, advanced both 
 Johnston and Lee to his assistance. McClellan 
 
78 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 approached the place by erecting counter-works, 
 and the siege was progressing with great vigor, 
 when suddenly, on the 3d of May, the enemy 
 evacuated the place and retreated in the direction 
 of Richmond. On the nio^ht of the evacuation the 
 enemy kept up a heavy bombardment until mid- 
 night, when, dismounting as many of the guns as 
 they could take with them, they began to retreat 
 and daylight revealed the fact that the immense 
 forts and lone line of intrenchments were de- 
 serted. The fruits of the victory were, however, 
 considerable, seventy-one large cannon and a 
 large amount of supplies falling into the hands of 
 the Union troops. The abondonment of this 
 strong position was one of the strangest events in 
 the history of the war. The enemy had concen- 
 trated the bulk of their army in Eastern Virginia 
 at this place, fof the purpose of making the most 
 earnest resistance to the further advance of the 
 Union troops in the direction of their Capital. 
 The place was made so strong that it would have 
 been impossible to carry it by direct assault, and 
 It would have required a considerable time to re- 
 duce it by siege. 
 
 Immediately after the retreat, McClellan ordered 
 a vigorous pursuit, and the rear of the rebel 
 army was overtaken by the Union advance under 
 Gen. Stoneman, about two miles from Williams- 
 burg, and a spirited engagement ensued in which 
 the rebels were defeated and driven on their main 
 

 
 
 
FIGHTING ON THE PENINSULA. 79 
 
 column, which had taken position at that place. A 
 sanguinary battle ensued, and the rebels were 
 again defeated, being driven from the field with 
 heavy loss. The enemy left over 700 dead on the 
 field. The fiorhtlnor on the Union side was done 
 by the divisions of Hooker and Keyes. The bri- 
 gade commanded by Gen. Hancock especially dis- 
 tinguished Itself by a most brilliant flank move- 
 ment on the left flank of the enemy's position, 
 which decided the victory In favor of the Union 
 arms. The enemy retreated In the direction of 
 Richmond, and the Union troops continued the 
 pursuit until the banks of the Chlckahomlny river 
 were reached. Two days later, the enemy again 
 suffered a defeat at West Point, on the York river. 
 The division of troops ' commanded by Gen. 
 Franklin had landed at that place to reinforce 
 McClellan's army, and were directly after attacked 
 by a strong force of rebels, who were defeated 
 and driven back with severe loss. After this ac- 
 tion, Franklin's troops formed a junction with 
 McClellan's army, and the combined force contin- 
 ued the pursuit of the enemy In the direction of 
 Richmond. 
 
 The two divisions of Keyes' corps, commanded 
 by Gens. Casey and Couch, constituting the van 
 of the Federal army, crossed the Chlckahomlny 
 river about elo-ht miles from Richmond, and 
 camped at a place known as the Seven Pines. 
 The column crossed on one bridge, and as they 
 
8o BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 were considerably in advance of the remainder of 
 the army, they occupied an isolated position, which 
 proved most unfortunate. A heavy rain greatly 
 increased the dangerous position of these troops, 
 as the stream in their rear became so swollen that 
 it would have been impossible to recross it at any 
 place but on the frail bridge upon which they had 
 crossed over, and which was now in momentary 
 danger of being swept away. 
 
 The enemy, discovering the dangerous position 
 of these troops, immediately conceived the idea 
 of destroying them before reinforcements could 
 reach them. On Friday, May 30th, the enemy 
 made a strong ^reconnoissance for the purpose of 
 finding out the location of the Union camp ; and 
 on the following day, after firing three shots as a 
 signal for their assaultinof columns to advance, an 
 immense rebel force rushed on the Union lines. 
 To add to the misfortunes of the situation, Casey's 
 division, which held the most advanced position 
 of the Union line, was composed of the newest 
 troops in the army, and at the time a very large 
 number of the men were disabled by sickness. 
 These troops, however, at first made a firm resist- 
 ance, and for about one hour held the enemy at 
 bay, but finally broke, and in spite of the most 
 determined efforts of Gen. Casey, who, with all the 
 skill, daring, and gallantry of the most accom- 
 plished commander, was endeavoring to steady his 
 line, the entire division was driven in confusion 
 
ON THE CHICKAHOMINY. Si 
 
 from the field. Couch's division had also, by diis 
 time, become severely engaged, and although fight- 
 ing with the most desperate determination, it was 
 borne down by superior numbers and was com- 
 pelled to fall back. The situation was now most 
 critical. The enraged enemy, fighting in sight of 
 their Capital, swept over the field with frantic yells 
 of raee and exultadon. The entire Federal line 
 was slowly but surely being driven back to the 
 banks of the Chickahomlny, which presented an 
 impassable barrier. At this most critical moment, 
 Gen. Sumner, at the head of Sedgwick, s division 
 of his corps, who had been ordered to advance to 
 tlio assistance of the hard-pressed Union troops^ 
 arrived on the banks of the stream. The river 
 was still rising rapidly, and the bridge was float- 
 ing, and could only be kept in place a short time. 
 Fortunately Gens. Sumner and Sedgwick were 
 two of the greatest of soldiers, and as they took 
 In the situation at a glance, they knew that the 
 division must cross this bridge or certain destruc- 
 tion fall on the troops on the other side, and they 
 were not the sort of commanders to hesitate and 
 make the plea that the same misfortune would 
 probably overtake them should they advance to 
 the assistance of their comrades. As the head of 
 the division reached the bridge, the men hesitated, 
 when Gen. Sumner shouted, "Forward, men ! your 
 weight will keep It In place ! " The men, encour- 
 aged by the presence of their great leader, sprang 
 6 
 
82 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 on it with a will, and in an almost incredibly short 
 time the entire division was in line of battle on 
 the other side of the stream. General Sumner 
 made a most judicious disposition of his com- 
 mand, and the troops of Casey and Couch, re- 
 assured by the presence of reinforcements, again 
 formed line of battle and presented a solid front 
 to the enemy. Fortunately a large number of 
 rebels had stopped to search for plunder in the • 
 camps the divisions of Casey and Couch had 
 been driven from, and this gave Gen. Sumner a 
 better chance to form his line. Never was time 
 more industriously employed, and the Union line 
 was soon in a position to mete out deadly ven- 
 geance on the enemy for their first success. 
 
 In the formation of the new line, Gen. Sumner 
 ordered the 31st Pennsylvania, the ist Minnesota, 
 and a New York regiment to lie down flat on the 
 ground in such a position that they would be con- 
 cealed from the enemy, and then ordered the 
 Anderson Zouaves to form line in the rear of 
 these regiments. This disposition was hardly 
 more than made when the rebels rushed forward 
 in immense numbers, expecting no doubt to finish 
 the destruction of the Union forces. The bright, 
 showy uniforms of the Zouaves soon attracted 
 their attention, and they charged on the Union 
 line with the greatest impetuosity. The hidden 
 line reserved its fire until the enemy was al- 
 most on top of them, when they poured into 
 
BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES. S^ 
 
 their ranks a shower of lead which swept their 
 lines like a maelstrom of death. 
 
 Perhaps no volley fired from the same number 
 of troops has ever resulted in such terrible de- 
 struction to an enemy as that from those three 
 regiments. The carnage was dreadful, the ground 
 being literally heaped up with the dead. The 
 enemy, dismayed by this dreadful repulse, broke 
 in confusion, and the Union lines advancing, drove 
 them from the held. This ended the battle of 
 Seven Pines, or perhaps what might be more 
 properly called the first day's fighting of the 
 battle of Fair Oaks. The enemy, although se- 
 verely repulsed at the end of the conflict, had the 
 advantage, all things taken into consideration. 
 They had captured and held Casey's camp, with 
 all of its camp equipage and several batteries of 
 artillery ; and no doubt the Union troops waited 
 with great anxiety during the following night for 
 the dawn of day, when the conflict was expected 
 to open again. Important changes had, however, 
 taken place during the night. Large reinforce- 
 ments had arrived, and the followinof mornlnor* 
 Sunday, June ist, found the Federals in strong 
 battle line ready to confront the foe. Early in 
 the morning the battle was renewed by the ad- 
 vance of the enemy, who no doubt felt confident 
 of completing the destruction of the Union troops. 
 Gen. Hooker was ordered to make a counter- 
 charge, and the battle soon opened furiously. 
 
84 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 The action soon spread along the entire line, 
 and a battle of the fiercest description raged until 
 TO o'clock, when the rebels gave way and were 
 driven from the field. By 1 1 o'clock the battle 
 was over, the Union troops having regained the 
 position they had lost the day before. The 
 Union loss, as officially reported by Gen. Mc- 
 Clellan, was 5,739 in killed, wounded, and miss- 
 ing. The loss of the enemy, as officially reported 
 by Gen. Joe E. Johnston, was 6,697. After the 
 battle of Fair Oaks, the loyal people of the North 
 who expected that the fall of the rebel Capital 
 would follow this victory, were considerably disap- 
 pointed that no immediate advance was made by 
 the Union troops. It was contended that, had 
 such an advance been made before the rebels 
 received reinforcements, as they shortly did. It 
 would have resulted In the capture of Richmond. 
 But such an advance at the time would have 
 been a physical impossibility. The greater part 
 of McClellan's forces had not yet crossed the 
 Chickahomlny, and those which had, had been so 
 severely handled as not to be In a condition to 
 make a very vigorous pursuit of the enemy. 
 The few bridges along the stream had been swept 
 entirely away during the battle, and the high 
 water overflowed the bottom to such an extent 
 as to make It almost Impossible to move an army 
 over it. 
 
 The rebels had fought with a desperation un- 
 
BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES AND FAIR OAKS. 
 
 BATTLE-FIELD OF THE SEVEN PINES. 
 
INTERRUPTED BY FLOODS. 85 
 
 surpassed In modern times, and to attack them in 
 the strong forts around Richmond, with the troops 
 on the south side of the river, would have been 
 sheer madness, and could only have resulted In a 
 fearful repulse to the Union arms. 
 
 The clamor In reofard to this matter arose from 
 the fact that the people did not understand the 
 situation, and were, therefore, unreasonably un- 
 just. Gen. McClellan, In a dispatch to the Secre- 
 tary of War, said : 
 
 "On the 31st, when the battle of Fair Oaks 
 began, we had two of our bridges nearly com- 
 pleted ; but the rising waters flooded the log-way 
 approaches, and made them almost Impassable, so 
 that It was only by the greatest efforts that Gen. 
 Sumner crossed his corps and participated in that 
 hard-fouofht eno-aorement. The brldc^es became 
 totally useless after this corps had passed, and 
 others, on a more permanent plan, were com- 
 menced. 
 
 " On my way to headquarters, after the battle 
 of Fair Oaks, I attempted to cross the bridge 
 where Gen. Sumner had taken over his corps on 
 the day previous. At the time Gen. Sumner 
 crossed, this was the only available bridge above 
 Bottom's bridge. I found the approach from the 
 right bank, for some four hundred yards, sub- 
 merged to the depth of several feet, and on reach- 
 ing the place where the bridge had been, I found 
 a great part of It carried away, so that I could not 
 
B6 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 o-et my horse over, and was obliged to send him 
 to Bottom's bridge, six miles below, as the only 
 practicable crossing. 
 
 "The approaches to New and Mechanicsville 
 brido-es were also overflowed, and both of them 
 were enfiladed by the enemy's batteries, estab- 
 lished on commanding heights on the opposite 
 side. These batteries were supported by strong 
 forces of the enemy, having numerous rifle-pits in 
 their front, which would have made it necessary, 
 even had the approaches been in the best possible 
 condition, to have fought a sanguinary battle, with 
 but little prospect of success, before a passage 
 could have been secured. 
 
 " The only available means, therefore, of uniting 
 our forces at Fair Oaks for an advance on Rich- 
 mond soon after the battle, was to march the 
 troops from Mechanicsville, and other points on 
 the left bank of the Chickahominy, down to Bot- 
 tom's bridge, and thence over the Williamsburg 
 road to the position near Fair Oaks, a distance of 
 about twenty-three miles. In the condition of the 
 roads at that time, this march could not have been 
 made, with artillery, in less than two days, by 
 which time the enemy could have been secure 
 within the intrenchments around Richmond. In 
 short, the idea of uniting the two wings of the 
 army in time to make a vigorous pursuit of the 
 enemy, with the prospect of overtaking him before 
 he reached Richmond — only five miles distant 
 
PRECAUTIONS, 2>y 
 
 from the field of battle — is simply absurd, and 
 was, I presume, never for a moment seriously en- 
 tertained by any one connected with the Army of 
 the Potomac. An advance, involving the separa- 
 tion of the two wings by the impassable Chicka- 
 hominy, would have exposed each to defeat in 
 detail. Therefore, I held the position already 
 gained, and completed our crossings as rapidly as 
 possible. 
 
 "In the meantime, the troops at Fair Oaks 
 were directed to strengthen their position by a 
 strong line of intrenchments, which protected 
 them while the bridges were being built, gave se- 
 curity to the trains, liberated a larger fighting 
 force, and offered a safer retreat in the event of 
 disaster." 
 
 Three days after the battle, Gen. McClellan, in 
 a dispatch to the authorities in Washington, said : 
 
 "Terrible rain-storms during the nieht and 
 morning — not yet cleared off Chickahominy 
 flooded, bridges in bad condition. Are still hard 
 at work on them. I have taken every possible 
 step to insure the security of the corps on the 
 right bank, but I cannot reinforce them here until 
 my bridges are all safe, as my force is too small 
 to insure my right and rear, should the enemy 
 attack in that direction, as they may probably at- 
 tempt. I have to be very cautious now. Our 
 loss in the late battle will probably amount to 
 seven thousand. I have not yet full returns. On 
 
SS BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 account of the effect it mloht have on our own 
 men and the enemy, I request that you will regard 
 this information as confidential for a few days. I 
 am satisfied that the loss of the enemy was very 
 considerably greater : they were terribly punished. 
 I mention the facts now, merely to show you that 
 the Army of the Potomac has had serious work, 
 and that no child's play is before it. You must 
 make your calculations on the supposition that I 
 have been correct from the beo^innincr in assertinor 
 that a serious opposition was to be made here. 
 
 "Please inform me, at once, what reinforce- 
 ments — if any — I can count upon having at Fort- 
 ress Monroe or White House Landinof within the 
 next three days, and when each regiment may be 
 expected to arrive. It is of the utmost impor- 
 tance that I should know this immediately. 
 
 ^'If I can have five new re<^iments for Fort 
 Monroe and its dependencies, I can draw three 
 more old regiments from there safely. I can 
 well dispose of four more raw regiments on my 
 communications. I can well dispose of from fif- 
 teen to twenty well-drilled regiments among the 
 old brigades, in bringing them up to their original 
 effective strength. Recruits are especially neces- 
 sary for the regular and volunteer batteries of 
 artillery, as well as for the regular and volunteer 
 regiments of infantry. After the losses in our 
 last battle, I trust I will no longer be regarded as 
 an alarmist." 
 
^ VsVk N.-'^CJ^ », ■i>KV5i'iak> 
 
 CHAPEL IN THE CAMP. 
 
i 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 ADVANCE OF McDOWELL FROM WASHINGTON. 
 
 IT/'E will now leave the army under McClellan on 
 ^^ the banks of the Chickahominy, and return to 
 that portion of it which had been left under 
 McDowell in front of Washington. 
 
 When Gen. McClellan made arrancrements to 
 ship his command from Alexandria to the Penin- 
 sula, the first army corps, under Gen. McDowell, 
 was to be shipped first, and land at West Point 
 on the York river ; but a delay having occurred 
 by the transports not arriving in time, and then 
 only in such numbers at a time as to compel the 
 army to "'be shipped in smaller detachments, the 
 first corps was kept back until the balance of the 
 army had been shipped. McClellan desired the 
 first corps to be moved in a body, and it was with 
 the expectation of getting enough of transports 
 together for that purpose that it was kept back 
 until the last. As already stated, at about the 
 time it was ready to start, some of the military 
 advisers at WashinQ^ton, who were about as nume- 
 rous as " the leaves at Vallambrosia," and some 
 of them about as useful, succeeded in persuading 
 the President that the removal of so many troops 
 would leave Washington unprotected, and he 
 
 (89) 
 
90 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Issued the order already stated, that McDowell's 
 corps should not be moved to the front. 
 
 That the taking of the strongest and most 
 efficient corps from his command, after he himself 
 had sailed with a part of his army, Interfered very 
 seriously with McClellan's plans, there can be no 
 doubt; and It had more to do with causing the 
 failure of the campaign on the Peninsula than 
 anything else. Aside from the question of who 
 was right or wrong, of one thing there can be no 
 doubt — that the support given to the commander 
 of the Union army by the government was In 
 strange contrast to that given to the Union com- 
 manders during the last year of the war. 
 
 Gen. McDowell's large corps was kept In front 
 of Washington, perfectly Inactive, for one month, 
 when It was finally ordered to march along the 
 line of the Alexandria and Oranore Railroad to 
 Manassas. 
 
 After camping a few days at that place, Mc- 
 Dowell moved a part of his command along the 
 railroad In the direction of Culpepper Court 
 House, and had proceeded as far as Catlett Station, 
 when he received an order from the Government 
 to the effect that, as his corps was intended to 
 cover Washington, he was to act entirely on the 
 defensive. After camping a short time at this 
 place. Gen. McDowell, who was Impatient In hav- 
 Inof his command so lonof inactive, and who felt 
 keenly the absurdity of having his large force in a 
 
OCCUPATION OF FREDERICKSBURG. 9 1 
 
 position where it could be of no service, requested 
 permission to advance and capture the city of 
 Fredericksburg. About this time, FrankHn's 
 division of his corps was sent back to Alexandria, 
 and shipped to West Point, in response to Mc- 
 Clellan's requests for reinforcements. Permission 
 being granted, McDowell with the remaining two 
 divisions of his army, advanced on Fredericks- 
 burg. The enemy occupied Falmouth — a small 
 town on this side of the river, and nearly opposite 
 the city — -in small force. After a sharp conflict 
 with the van of the Union troops, the rebels fled 
 across the river and burned the bridoe. 
 
 About this time, McDowell received an order 
 from Washington that he was not to cross the 
 river, or make any effort to reconstruct the bridge; 
 so the small number of rebels were left in undis- 
 turbed possession of the city for a short time. 
 The Union troops encamped near Falmouth for 
 several weeks, when McDowell, finding that the 
 enemy was removing supplies to Richmond, and 
 arresting loyal citizens and conscripting them into, 
 the rebel service, beofo-ed of the authorities at 
 Washington for permission to cross the river and 
 occupy the city. The request was at last granted, 
 but with the understanding that he was not to 
 advance any troops beyond the city. The river 
 was then crossed by the Union troops, and the 
 city fell without any opposition into the hands of 
 McDowell's command. 
 
92 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Gen. McDowell now became very anxious to 
 march his command down the Richmond pike to 
 form a junction with McClellan's army, and sev- 
 eral times requested permission of the authorities 
 at Washington to do so. This was also McClel- 
 lan's request, but the authorities would not at this 
 time consent to it, and McDowell was ordered to 
 recross the river to Falmouth, where his com- 
 mand was encamped and inactive for about one 
 month longer. Finally, however, it was decided 
 to send a strong force of troops to McClellan's 
 assistance, and Gen. Shields' division of Banks' 
 army in the Shenandoah was ordered to march to 
 Fredericksburg and report to Gen. McDowell, 
 who was to march with the combined force and 
 form on the right wing of the army in front of 
 Richmond. Gen. McDowell immediately ordered 
 his cavalry to advance and reconnoiter the road 
 in the direction of Richmond as a preliminary 
 movement before the o-rand advance. These 
 troops proceeded to within about eight miles of 
 Hanover Court House, driving the enemy before 
 them, when a messenger from McDowell reached 
 them with an order immediately to return to 
 Fredericksburg. 
 
 This was in compliance with an order Mc- 
 Dowell received from the War Department, and 
 was issued on account of the rebel Gen. Jackson 
 moving up the valley and threatening the com- 
 mand of Gens. Banks and Fremont. McDowell 
 
JACKSON S STRATEGY. 93 
 
 was ordered to march his command, with the 
 exception of McCall's division, to intercept Jack- 
 son. A wild-goose chase was the result, in which 
 nothing was accomplished, and the troops finally 
 returned to Fredericksburg. Gen. Jackson, by a 
 rapid, bewildering series of movements, drove 
 General Banks out of the valley, and so alarmed 
 the authorities at Washington that they kept the 
 commands of McDowell, Banks and Fremont 
 frisking about without accomplishing anything 
 definite, when the wily rebel commander finally 
 skipped off to Richmond in time to take a most 
 prominent part in the great Seven Days' battle 
 which ensued soon after. The object of the 
 enemy in making this raid was to prevent Mc- 
 Dowell's army from marching to the relief of 
 McClellan's troops. It appears strange that the 
 combined force of Banks and Fremont, together 
 with the troops around Washington, could not 
 have held the line of the Potomac against Jack- 
 son's 30,000 men, and let McDowell march to 
 the Peninsula ; but such a chronic fear existed at 
 Washington that the Capital might by some 
 chance fall into the hands of the enemy, that the 
 first report of a rebel army moving up the valley 
 set half of the Union armies in motion. Gen. 
 McClellan, in accordance with the movement 
 made by McDowell's cavalry, sent Gen. Fitz John 
 Porter with the fifth corps to Hanover Court 
 House to engage the enemy. The result was the 
 
94 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 battle of Hanover Court House, in which the 
 Union troops were victorious. 
 
 The way was now open for a junction between 
 McClellan's and McDowell's forces, and had such 
 a junction been effected the rebel captain would 
 in all probability have fallen into the hands of the 
 Union troops. After the battle of Fair Oaks, 
 Gen. McClellan, believing his force too weak to 
 capture Richmond by assault, selected his camp 
 and commenced to erect lines of intrenchments 
 and fortifications for a regular approach to within 
 commanding distance of the city, and to protect his 
 men from an assault by the enemy. Almost one 
 month was employed in this work, and by that 
 time the army occupied a strongly fortified posi- 
 tion, extending from the swamps below White 
 Oak to the right of Mechanicsville, a distance of 
 about fifteen miles. A part of this immense line 
 was in sight of the rebel Capital, at which place 
 the main strength of the rebel power was concen- 
 trated. The people of the North and South 
 looked on with almost bated breath for the 
 result which would follow. The rebels had em- 
 ployed the time as industriously as the Union 
 troops in fortifying and strengthening their posi- 
 tion, and preparing for the mighty conflict before 
 them. 
 
 A large part of Gen. Beauregard's forces had 
 been transferred to Richmond, and with the thirty 
 thousand Jackson brought with him from the 
 
DEFENSES OF RICHMOND. 95 
 
 valley, the entire force In the defences of Rich- 
 mond was not less thon 135,000 men. To this 
 was added the division of Gen. Magruder during 
 the fighting, which numbered about 15,000 men. 
 Gen. McClellan's force when he first landed on 
 the Peninsula was rather less than 115,000 men; 
 to this was added the division of Gen. Franklin, 
 numbering about 12,000, the greater part of 
 McCall's division, numbering about 10,000 men, 
 and about 11,000 from other sources, making a 
 total of about 148,000 men, 
 
 Directly after landing on the Peninsula, sick- 
 ness commenced to spread with fearful rapidity 
 through the Union army, and in a short time the 
 number of men In hospitals was fearfully great. 
 The losses in the different actions had also been 
 quite heavy, and it Is not probable that McClellan 
 had a man more than 100,000 men when the 
 Seven Days' battle commenced. This force could 
 not even all be depended on in an engagement 
 with the enemy, as it required the services of a 
 full division to guard our base of supplies, and 
 keep up communication with It at White House 
 Landinor. 
 
 McClellan, finding that he could not hope for a 
 junction with McDowell's corps, again requested 
 that reinforcements be sent to him, and it was de- 
 cided to send him McCall's division of that corps. 
 On the 7th of June, Secretary of War Stanton 
 advised McClellan of the departure of reinforce- 
 
96 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 ments, and desired to know "whether he would, 
 on their arrival, be in a situation to advance ?" to 
 which McClellan replied : 
 
 "I have the honor to state that the Chickahom- 
 iny river has risen so as to flood the entire bot- 
 toms to the depth of three or four feet. I am 
 pushing forward the bridges in spite of this, and 
 the men are w^orking night and day, up to their 
 waists in water, to complete them. 
 
 ^' The whole face of the country is a perfect 
 bog, entirely impassable for artillery, or even cav- 
 alry, except directly in the narrow roads, which 
 renders any general movement, either of this or 
 the rebel army, entirely out of the question until 
 we have more favorable weather. 
 
 "I am glad to learn that you are pushing for- 
 ward reinforcements so vigorously. 
 
 "I shall be in perfect readiness to move forward 
 and take Richmond the moment McCall reaches 
 here, and the ground will admit the passage of 
 artillery. I have advanced my pickets about a 
 mile to-day, driving off the rebel pickets, and se- 
 curing a very advantageous position." 
 
 To give a proper description of the events 
 which followed, it will be necessary to again re- 
 turn to McDowell's command at FredericksburQf. 
 The division of that command which had marched 
 to the assistance of Banks' troops had not as yet 
 returned to occupy the position at Fredericks- 
 burg ; but the necessity now appeared so great 
 
REINFORCING McCLELLAN. 97 
 
 that some reinforcements should be sent to the 
 Peninsula, that McCall's division was ordered to 
 move without waiting for the other division to 
 arrive and take its place. 
 
 On Sunday morning, June 4th, the division 
 marched to Gray's Landing — ten miles below 
 Fredericksburg — at which place a fleet of trans- 
 ports was in waiting to take us down the river. 
 The march was made in the darkness of nieht, for 
 the purpose of deceiving the enemy in regard to 
 the movement. 
 
 At daylight on the foMowing morning the em- 
 barkation commenced, and by 10 o'clock the first 
 brigade was on board. At about 2 p. m., the 
 steamers with the first and second brigades on 
 
 o 
 
 board steamed into line, and commenced to move 
 down the river. The third brigade was delayed 
 for the want of transportation, and did not get off 
 until two days later. 
 
 We had been greatly disappointed in being 
 severed from the Army of the Potomac, and pre- 
 vented from going with it from Alexandria to the 
 Peninsula, and the men were wild with delieht 
 at the prospect of joining it again. Cheer after 
 cheer reverberated through the forest alone the 
 shore as the steamers steamed down the stream ; 
 and to judge by the joy and mirth of the men. It 
 might have been supposed that they were going 
 on a grand pleasure excursion instead of to a great 
 battle, and it must not be supposed that these 
 
 7 
 
98 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 men expected anything else than hard work and 
 severe fighting when they arrived in front of 
 Richmond. They all believed that a grand effort 
 would be made to storm the rebel Capital, and 
 the result would be terrible battles, with great loss 
 of life — but the men were eager for the fray, and 
 rejoiced at the prospect of meeting the enemy. 
 The playing of bands, the rolling of drums, and 
 the wild cheering of* the troops, made a most in- 
 spiriting scene, and one not soon to be forgotten 
 by those who witnessed it. 
 
 Three weeks later, more than one-fourth of 
 these men were lying dead or bleeding along the 
 banks of the Chickahominy river, or in the swamps 
 of the Peninsula. Such are the fortunes of war. 
 
 On Monday evening we anchored at Fort Con- 
 roy, where we stopped until the following morn- 
 ing, when we again continued our voyage, and by 
 4 o'clock had reached the Chesapeake Bay. The 
 weather was most delightful, and we all enjoyed 
 the trip probably better than anything else we had 
 experienced in our soldier life. On the way down 
 the river we passed a number of very fine planta- 
 tions, and large numbers of blacks, with a few 
 whites, gathered along the shore to witness the 
 sight. The blacks were wild with joy and excite- 
 ment, and It was highly amusing to the boys to 
 see their demonstrations of dell^^ht. Some ot 
 them waded Into the water and shouted for 
 " Massa Lincoln " to take them on board ; others 
 
WELCOMED BY NEGROES. 99 
 
 gathered in groups, and jumped, shouted, and 
 clapped their hands, until they sank down on the 
 ground exhausted. The few whites looked on in 
 sullen silence. We were probably the first Union 
 troops these people had ever seen, and to them, 
 no doubt, we seemed a mighty legion, and to the 
 blacks an army of deliverers who had come to set 
 them free. 
 
 These poor. Ignorant people instinctively knew 
 that the marching of Union troops, or " Massa 
 Lincoln's men" — as they called us — South, would 
 in some way, lead to their good ; and no doubt 
 in the privacy of many an humble cabin was dis- 
 cussed that night the joyful news, and m.any ear- 
 nest, sincere prayers ascended to Almighty God 
 In thankful praise that the day of deliverance was 
 nigh, and that the promised "Moses" had at last 
 appeared to lead them to freedom ; and who can 
 say how much the prayers of these poor, op- 
 pressed people had to do with the deluge of blood 
 which swept its crimson waves from shore to 
 shore of our country ? 
 
 On Wednesday, June iith, the fleet steamed 
 up the Pamunky river to White House Land- 
 ing, at which place we disembarked as rapidly as 
 possible, and marched a few miles up the York 
 River and Richmond railroad, where we encamped 
 for the nicrht. 
 
 o 
 
 On the followlncr morninor the march was re- 
 sumed, and we marched to Tonstall Station, and 
 
lOO BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 on the next day to Dispatch Station, where we 
 were to encamp and wait for the third brigade 
 before continuing our march. Directly after 
 going into camp Gen. McCall received a dispatch 
 stating that the enemy had attacked the guards 
 and laborers at Tonstall Station in our rear, and 
 that the immense amount of army supplies at 
 White House Landinof was in danger of beinof 
 destroyed. Our brigade was immediately or- 
 dered to fall into line and march back to the 
 station. It was already night, and the men felt 
 tired after the day's march ; but the news that the 
 enemy was in our rear, and that there was some 
 prospect of meeting them, caused the men to 
 form, line with alacrity and in the best of spirits. 
 After marching about eight or nine miles, and a 
 good part of the way on double-quick, we arrived 
 at the station. The enemy fled at our approach, 
 leavinor a number of cars and the station in 
 flames. The bodies of several unarmed laborers 
 whom the rebels had murdered were lying near 
 the railroad track. After extinguishing the 
 flames, the march was renewed in the direction 
 of the Landing. We had not marched very far, 
 however, when we received word that the third 
 brigade had landed at that place, and thus pre- 
 vented the enemy from doing any mischief there. 
 The rebels had appeared in sight of the Landing, 
 but discovering the presence of a considerable 
 number of troops, they fled. It was fortunate 
 
AT MECHANICSVILLE. IOI 
 
 that the division arrived so opportunely in the 
 rear of the army, thus saving the Union supplies 
 from falline into the hands of the rebels. 
 
 The force which had thus threatened the rear 
 of the Union army consisted of Gen. Stuart's 
 cavalry, and as it was, of course, useless to think 
 of pursuing them with infantry, we marched back 
 to camp. 
 
 On the 17th of June, the division, with the ex- 
 ception of the regiment of cavalry, the sixth in- 
 fantry, and part of the Bucktail regiment, was 
 again united at Dispatch Station, and ready for 
 action. The cavalry and four companies of the 
 Bucktails had been left with Fremont in the val- 
 ley, and the sixth regiment was to guard Tonstall 
 Station. The effective force now in the division 
 was about 10,000 men. 
 
 On the morning of the i8th of June, the march 
 was commenced for the position the Reserves 
 were to occupy in the army. On the day before 
 the march commenced, we received orders to fall 
 into line, as Gen. McClellan was coming to review 
 the division. The boys were very anxious to see 
 that popular commander again ; but as he did not 
 put in an appearance, they suffered a disappoint- 
 ment. After marching two days, sometimes in 
 sight of the rebel pickets, and sometimes under 
 fire, we reached the extreme right of the Union 
 position at Mechanicsville, at which place we went 
 into camp. . 
 
I02 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 The position thus assigned to the Pennsylvania 
 Reserves was a most important one, and imme- 
 diate steps were taken to make it as strong as 
 possible. The first brigade was placed in posi- 
 tion across the Walnut Grove Church road, its line 
 extending from Beaver Dam creek on the left to a 
 large swamp on the right. The second brigade 
 formed on the left of the first, its line extending 
 along the Beaver Dam creek. The third brigade 
 was in position on Gaines' farm, a short distance 
 in the rear of the two other brigades. 
 
 By the 25th of June everything was in readiness 
 to commence the grand assault upon the rebel 
 Capital. The bridges had all been completed, and 
 the troops, placed in the most advantageous posi- 
 tion, eagerly awaited the order to advance. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 Position of the Two Armies — McClellan Orders an Advance — Re- 
 ceives Information of the Enemy Receiving Strong Reinforce^ 
 ments — Danger to the Union Rear — A Change of Base Decided 
 on — Moving of the Stores from the Pamunky to the James 
 River — Beauregard's and Jackson's Commands join Lee's — Criti- 
 cal Situation of the Union Army — Successful Withdrawal of the 
 Union Supplies — Advance of the Rebels on the Union Right 
 Wing — Battle of Mechanicsville — Gallant Fighting of the Penn- 
 sylvania Reserves — The Rebels Defeated widi Terrible Loss — 
 Withdrawal of the Union Troops to Gaines' Mill — Battle of 
 Gaines' Mill— Terrible Fighting by Both Armies— Results— Bat- 
 tle of Golding's Farm, on the Union Left— Gallant Fighting of 
 Hancock's Brigade — Defeat of the Enemy — Retreat of the Union 
 Right Wing across the Chickahominy — Attack of the Rebels on 
 Sumner's and Heintzelman's Corps at Allen's Farm — Repulse of 
 the Enemy — Union Troops Withdrawn to Savage Station — Rebel 
 Attack on the Union Position— Great Slaughter and Repulse of 
 the Rebel Anny — The Withdrawal of the Union Army through 
 ^Vllite Oak Swamp — Battle of New Market Cross Roads — Re- 
 sults — Great Battle of Malvern Hill — Complete Defeat of the 
 Rebel Army— Results of the Campaign. 
 
 ''PWO armies — the largest ever marshaled on 
 ^ the Western continent — now stood confront- 
 ing each other in such close proximity that the 
 advance pickets of the contending forces could 
 converse together, and all felt that a mighty 
 strueele was close at hand. As a preliminary 
 movement to the great one that was to follow, 
 Gen. McClellan ordered Gen. Heintzelman's 
 corps, and Richardson's division of Sumner's, to 
 
 (103) 
 
I04 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 advance and feel the enemy In their front. The 
 object of this movement was to place the corps of 
 Heintzelman and Sumner in a more favorable 
 position for the opening of the great assault that 
 was to commence on the morrow. 
 
 McClellan had received Information that Gen. 
 Jackson, with 30,000 men, was approaching along 
 the line of the Virginia Central Railroad, to rein- 
 force Lee's forces, and he now determined to 
 strike before they could form a junction. In the 
 evening, after leaving the field where the advance 
 had been made, and arriving at his headquarters, 
 McClellan received additional information that 
 Jackson was much closer than at first reported, 
 and that he was moving with his entire force 
 directly on the rear of the Union position, which 
 greatly endangered his base of supplies. It now 
 became plainly evident that the advance on the 
 rebel Capital must be given up until the danger 
 that threatened our rear was removed. Gen. 
 McClellan immediately issued an order that the 
 Immense amount of supplies be removed from 
 White House Landing and shipped to Harrison's 
 Landing, on the James river. He had for some 
 time before favored a movement of this kind, as 
 he considered the James river a safer base of sup- 
 plies, from the fact that It would be under the 
 protection of the Federal gunboats, and would 
 not require so many men to guard it. Unfortu- 
 nately, It did not at first meet the views of the Gov- 
 
PUSHING THE FIGHTING. IO5 
 
 ernment, and it was delayed until it was absolute- 
 ly necessary to remove them, or let them fall into 
 the hands of the enemy. The immense amount 
 of supplies was tumbled on transports, and sent 
 down the Pamunky as fast as possible, and a con- 
 siderable number of troops sent to hold the enemy 
 in check until the supplies could be got out of the 
 way. 
 
 McClellan had, however, not given up the plan 
 of fighting on the Chickahominy, but merely de- 
 layed it until the change of base was effected. 
 He intended to renew the fighting, if possible, on 
 the battle-field of the Fair Oaks, and compel the 
 rebel commander to fio^ht a orreat battle on the 
 south side of the river. He had a number of 
 good, strong bridges over the stream, which would 
 have enabled him to concentrate his force in a 
 short time on either side of the stream ; and if 
 the enemy would refuse to fight on the south side, 
 so far from their Capital, he could, at least, ad- 
 vance his line nearer to the city, with the great 
 advantage of having his base of supplies nearer 
 and in a much safer position. 
 
 Early in the evening, after the advance of 
 Heintzelman, Gen. McClellan telegraphed to 
 Washington : 
 
 "The affair is over, and we have gained our 
 point fully, and with but little loss, notwithstand- 
 ing the strong opposition. Our men have done 
 all that could be desired. The enemy has been 
 
I06 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 driven from the camps In front of this place, and 
 is now quiet," * * i^ ^^ a* ^ 
 
 A few days later Gen. McClellan received In- 
 formation that both Beauregard and Jackson had 
 united their commands with Lee, and that they 
 would. In all probability, assume the offensive on 
 the morrow, and by flanking his right, compel him 
 to fight on the north side of the Chlckahomlny. 
 That this Information was correct, subsequent 
 events fully proved. At about 6 o'clock In the 
 evening, McClellan telegraphed to the President 
 as follows : 
 
 " I am Inclined to think that Jackson will attack 
 my right and rear. The rebel force is stated ' at 
 200,000, including Jackson and Beauregard. I 
 shall have to contend against vastly superior odds, 
 if these reports be true. But this army will do 
 all in the power of men to hold their position and 
 repulse any attack. 
 
 "I regret my great inferiority In numbers, but 
 feel that I am in no way responsible for it, as I 
 have not failed to represent repeatedly the neces- 
 sity of reinforcements, that this was the decisive 
 point, and that all the available means of the 
 Government should be concentrated here. I will 
 do all that a General can do with the splendid 
 army I have the honor to command, and, if it is 
 destroyed by overwhelming numbers, can at least 
 die with It and share Its fate. But if the result of 
 the action, which will probably occur to-morroT^^ 
 
CHANGE OF BASE. IO7 
 
 or within a short time, is a disaster, the responsi- 
 bility cannot be thrown on my shoulders ; it must 
 rest where it belongs." 
 
 McClellan now believed the situation to be 
 most critical, and he took the most enerofetic 
 measures to get the immense amount of supplies, 
 wagons, and army material, out of the way of the 
 enemy. The cars were kept constantly run- 
 ning from the rear of the army to White House 
 Landing, loaded with army supplies, where it was 
 tumbled on boats and moved down the river. 
 Immense trains of loaded wagons were kept 
 moving along the rear of the army to the left, and 
 all supplies on the way to the front were ordered 
 back and up the James river to Harrison's Land- 
 inof. 
 
 It is certainly creditable to Gen. McClellan that, 
 althouofh the fio^htinor commenced on the folio win of 
 day, and raged with great fury for seven days, so 
 little of the army supplies fell into the hands of 
 the enemy, and the change of base to the James 
 river was so successfully effected. The change of 
 base at so late a day was, however, unfortunate, 
 from the fact that it to some extent impaired the 
 morale of the armv. The fact that something 
 unusual was going on could not be kept from the 
 men, and the reports of the enemy being so 
 strongly reinforced spread through the army, and 
 the fear of a disastrous retreat, instead of a suc- 
 cessful forward movement, soon became felt. 
 
I08 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 This was greatly Increased after the second day's 
 battle, when the right wing of the Union army re- 
 treated across the Chlckahomlny, and the excite- 
 ment and confusion proved conclusively that the 
 army was retreating from Its fortified position In 
 front of Richmond. That the occupation of 
 White House Landing for a base of supplies was 
 a mistake, there can be no doubt. Who was re- 
 sponsible for It will ever be a matter of dispute, 
 but McClellan was certainly In favor of removing 
 it before It was done. 
 
 It has been contended by some that It was the 
 commenclnof of this chano^e of base which brought 
 on the rebel attack on the 26th, but that Is not 
 borne out by the facts in the case. The order for 
 commencing the movement was not made until in 
 the evening of the 25th, and that the rebel com- 
 manders had, In council of war, decided to assume 
 the offensive before that order was issued, is 
 proven by the statement of a rebel officer who 
 was present at said council. This officer said : 
 
 *' On the 25th of June another great council of 
 war was held. In it were assembled nearly all 
 that was eminent in the Confederate army. 
 There stood like a rock General Lee, orazincr 
 cheerfully over the countenances of his comrades, 
 for each of whom he had a part already assigned. 
 Thoughtfully his eyes wandered from one to the 
 other, as though he wished to stamp the features 
 of each upon his memory, with the feeling that he 
 
REBEL PREPARATIONS. lOQ 
 
 perhaps should never behold many of them again. 
 Close beside him towered the knightly form of 
 Gen. Baldwin ; at his left leaned passively Stone- 
 wall Jackson, the idol of his troops, impatiently 
 swinging his saber to and fro, as though the quiet 
 room was too narrow for him, and he were lone- 
 inof to be once more at the head of his columns. 
 A little aside stood the two Hills, arm-in-arm, 
 while in front of them old Gen. Wise was ener- 
 getically speaking. Further to the right stood 
 Generals Huger, Longstreet, Branch, Anderson, 
 Whiting, Ripley and Magruder, in a group. 
 When all these generals had assembled. General 
 Lee laid his plans before them, and in a few stir- 
 ring words pointed out to each his allotted task. 
 The scheme had already been elaborated. It 
 was compact, concentrated action, and the result 
 could not fail to be brilliant. 
 
 '•When the conference terminated, all shook 
 hands and hastened away to their respective 
 army corps, to enter upon immediate activity." 
 
 Early on Thursday, June 26th, the day that 
 McClellan had intended to move on the enemy's 
 works, indications of an advance of the rebels on 
 our extreme right commenced to show them- 
 selves. Gen. Jackson's command had left Ashland 
 at 3 o'clock In the morning, and after driving the 
 Union pickets back in the direction of Atley's 
 Station, advanced and engaged the Union cavalry 
 under Gen. Stoneman at Hanover Court House. 
 
no BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 This movement uncovered the front of Gen. 
 Branch's rebel division on the left of Lee's lines, 
 and it crossed the river at the Brook turnpike 
 bridge and attacked the eighth Illinois cavalry, 
 which was In position between that bridge and 
 the Meadow bridge. The cavalry, after a short 
 resistance, fell back to Meadow bridge, where six 
 companies of the Bucktails and four companies 
 of the First Pennsylvania Reserves were sta- 
 tioned. A sharp conflict ensued ; the Union 
 troops were compelled to fall back, and a number 
 of men belono^Inor to one of the Bucktail com- 
 
 O CD 
 
 panles were cut off by the enemy and taken 
 prisoners. 
 
 In the meantime Gen. Reynolds, with the first 
 brigade, had advanced beyond Mechanicsvllle 
 and formed line of battle ; but it soon became 
 evident that the rebels were in such force that It 
 would be useless to try to oppose them with so 
 small a force, and the brigade was withdrawn to 
 its line of Intrenchments this side of Beaver Dam 
 creek. The second briofade was formed In line 
 of battle on the left of the first, and the third 
 briofade In the rear of the first and second, as a 
 reserve. The disposition of these troops had 
 hardly been more than effected when two full 
 divisions of rebel troops, commanded by Gen. 
 Lee In person, advanced to the assault, and the 
 battle opened with great fury along the front of 
 the first brigade. As the enemy's troops came 
 
FIGHT xVT BEAVER DAM. Ill 
 
 within range of McCall's artillery, the batteries of 
 Cooper and De Hart opened on them with the 
 most terrific effect ; but the enemy, encouraged 
 by the presence of Lee, pressed forward to the 
 assault with the most desperate courage. The 
 enemy, who were suffering dreadfully from the 
 fire of the Union batteries, were evidently deter- 
 mined to come to close quarters as soon as pos- 
 sible, and with frantic cries of rage they threw 
 themselves on the Union lines. 
 
 In front of the first brigade a part of the 
 ground was low and swampy, making it almost 
 impossible for troops to cross. Into this a part 
 of the rebel column charged, and a scene of the 
 most indescribable confusion, horror and tumult 
 ensued. Hundreds of the men and horses sank 
 into the mire, and were shot down by the deadly 
 rifles of the first brigade. Again and again the 
 enemy advanced to the assault, only to be driven 
 back with the most terrible slaughter. Gen. Lee, 
 finding he could not storm the posidon held by 
 the first and second brigades of the Pennsylvania 
 Reserves, sent a strong column down the Ellison 
 Mill road, for the purpose of turning the left gf 
 the posidon held by McCall's troops. That gen- 
 eral, however, was equal to the sly rebel leader, 
 and he had already dispatched both infantry and 
 ardllery to that point, and the enemy met the 
 same repulse they had received on our right. 
 The batde raged at different points alo.ng Mc- 
 
I 1 2 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Call's lines until after dark, when the fighting 
 ceased. At about sunset Griffin's brigade of 
 Morrell's division and Edwards' battery came on 
 the ground and became engaged ; but almost all 
 the fighting was done by McCall's division. The 
 rebels had two full divisions engaged, one of 
 which, commanded by A. P. Hill, was officially 
 reported as having 14,000 men when the battle 
 commenced. The loss sustained by the Union 
 troops was less than 300 ; the rebel loss exceeded 
 2,000. 
 
 Althouofh the Reserves had inflicted a terrible 
 defeat on the enemy, and were abundantly able 
 to hold their position against almost any force 
 that might attack them in front, their position 
 nevertheless was one of great peril. The rebel 
 division commanded by Gen. Branch was advanc- 
 ing to turn their right, and Jackson's corps was 
 moving on the left of Branch's division, for the 
 purpose of getting into the rear of the Union 
 army. It became highly necessary to withdraw 
 McCall's division from the dangerous position it 
 occupied to one in closer proximity to the main 
 army. Gen. McClellan in his report says : 
 
 " The position on Beaver Dam Creek, although 
 so successfully defended, had its right flank too 
 much in the air, and was too far from the main 
 army, to make it available to retain it longer. I 
 therefore determined to send the heavy guns at 
 Hocran's and Gaines' houses over the Chickahom- 
 
 o 
 
A CREDITABLE RETREAT. II3 
 
 iny during the night, with as many wagons of the 
 fifth corps as possible, and to withdraw the corps 
 itself to a position stretching around the bridges, 
 where its flanks would be reasonably secure, and 
 it would be within supporting distance of the 
 main army. General Porter carried out my 
 orders to that effect. 
 
 " Meade's and Griffin's briofades were the first 
 to leave the ground; Seymour's brigade covered 
 the rear with the horse batteries of Captains 
 Robinson and Tidball; but the withdrawal was so 
 skillful and gradual, and the repulse of the pre- 
 ceding day so complete, that, although the enemy 
 followed the retreat closely, and some skirmish- 
 ing occurred, they did not appear in front of the 
 new line in force till about noon of the 27th, 
 when we were prepared to receive them." 
 
 The withdrawal of the troops commenced at 
 daylight, but as the rebels opened fire directly 
 after, and it was necessary to keep up a show of 
 resistance for the purpose of deceiving the 
 enemy, it was not fully accomplished until 9 a. 
 M., when the last of the brave division which had 
 fought and defeated three times their number 
 was in retreat in the direction of Gaines' Mill. 
 Gen. McCall, justly proud of his command, said: 
 
 "In fine, our killed had been buried and our 
 
 wounded had been sent off by 7 o'clock a. m. on 
 
 the 27th, and not a man nor a gun nor a musket 
 
 had been left on the field. The regiment filed 
 
 8 
 
I 1 4 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 past as Steadily as if marching- from the parade 
 ground; and it must have been some time before 
 the enemy were aware that we were gone, as no 
 attempt was made to follow immediately." 
 
 The loss of the enemy was heavy beyond 
 precedent in this war in proportion to the num- 
 bers engaged. I learned from official authority 
 while a prisoner in Richmond that Lee's loss in 
 killed and wounded did not fall short of two 
 thousand men. In the official reports published 
 it was admitted that the First North Carolina 
 regiment lost nearly one-half its effective force, 
 and the Forty-fourth Georgia nearly two-thirds. 
 
 In this, the first great battle In which the Penn- 
 sylvania Reserves had taken part, they won 
 laurels that well might make any commander feel 
 proud of them. Gen. Porter had been ordered 
 to withdraw the whole of his corps to a position a 
 short distance beyond Gaines' Mill, and the retreat 
 continued in that direction. The Reserves cov- 
 ered the line of retreat, which was made in the 
 most orderly manner, the last of the column de- 
 stroying the bridge at the mill after crossing. 
 The enemy, finding that our troops were retreat- 
 ing, and being strongly reinforced, rushed for- 
 ward in pursuit, and as we were leisurely retiring, 
 we were soon overtaken by them. The destruc- 
 tion of the bridge did not detain them very long, 
 as they soon had a temporary causeway, on which 
 they crossed their artillery, and the stream was so 
 
ONION 
 CONEEt^ERATE. 
 
 BATTLE OF GAINES'S FARM. 
 
 RUINS OF GAINES'S MILL 
 
COLD HARBOR. II5 
 
 inslenlficant that It did not lonor retard the ad- 
 vance of the infantry. The entire mass was soon 
 across the stream and In pursuit of the Federal 
 army. 
 
 Gen. McClellan, finding that It would be neces- 
 sary to fight another battle on the north side of 
 the Chlckahomlny river to hold the enemy in 
 check lonof enouo^h to cret his trains over the 
 river, ordered Gen. Porter to take a position 
 about two miles this side of Gaines' Mill, and re- 
 sist the further advance of the enemy until that 
 was accomplished. Gen. Porter formed his corps 
 in line of battle in the following order : The divis- 
 ions of Morrell and Sykes were advantageously 
 posted in position, with the left of Morrell's line 
 extending almost to the Chlckahomlny, and the 
 right of Sykes to the rear of Cold Harbor. Mc- 
 Call's division was held in reserve, being In posi- 
 tion about one mile in the rear of the first line. 
 By 1 1 o'clock everything was in readiness to re- 
 ceive the enemy, every man and ever}^ gun being 
 in position. 
 
 The scene, as witnessed by the author from the 
 position held by his regiment, was one of the 
 grandest and most inspiriting imaginable. The 
 space of ground presented to the eye, and on 
 which was soon to be fouo^ht one of the most 
 desperate and destructive battles known in mod- 
 ern warfare, was about two miles in length and 
 nearly as wide. It was made up of beautiful 
 
r 1 6 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON FEN. 
 
 green meadows, large fields of waving grain, 
 several swamps and ravines, which at some places 
 interposed between the two armies, and a strip of 
 wood skirting along the rebel line opposite to the 
 Union position. The long array of glittering 
 steel, the waving of the numerous starry banners, 
 which gracefully and majestically flung their folds 
 to the breeze from every regiment, the dashing 
 of officers from one part of the line to the other 
 giving orders, and the knowledge that the rebels 
 in immense numbers were close upon us, all con- 
 vinced us that the loyal sons of the Nation would 
 soon again have to meet armed treason on the 
 bloody field of battle. 
 
 The retreat from Mechanicsville, and the re- 
 ports of the immense number of reinforcements 
 which the rebels had received, had the effect of 
 filling the hearts of the Union soldiers with appre- 
 hension for the result of the conflict they knew 
 would soon take place, but undismayed they 
 awaited the approach of the enemy. The period 
 of suspense did not last long'. At a few minutes 
 before i o'clock the enemy emerged from the 
 woods along the entire front In countless numbers, 
 and with wild yells advanced on the Union lines. 
 The battle had opened almost instantaneously 
 along our entire front, and the great superiority 
 in numbers of the enemy soon compelled Gen. 
 Porter to use his reserve division, and In a short 
 time almost his entire command was engaged. 
 
THE BATTLE RAGING I I 7 
 
 At 2 o'clock he sent a request to McClellan for 
 reinforcements, and also for axes to fell trees, but 
 unfortunately the message did not reach McClel- 
 lan till late in the day, when a part of Slocum's di- 
 vision was sent to his support. The battle raged 
 all the afternoon with the utmost intensity, and, 
 although a panic seized several regiments which 
 at one time threatened the most serious conse- 
 quences, the mass of the Union troops fought 
 with a desperation unsurpassed in the history of 
 the war. For four long hours 27,000 men* held 
 60,000, led by the ablest chieftains in the Southern 
 army, at bay. At about 4 o'clock there v/as a 
 short lull in the battle, when it again burst forth 
 with even greater fury than before. The enemy 
 had again been strongly reinforced, and, with the 
 most frantic yells of rage, they in overwhelming 
 numbers charo^ed on the Union lines. 
 
 The Union troops, with shouts of defiance, and 
 the most destructive volleys of infantry and artil- 
 lery, met their assailants, and the battle raged 
 with all the fury which characterizes an engage- 
 ment in which brave men fight for victory or 
 death. The fiehtine was now of the most terrible 
 description, and would often be at such close 
 quarters that the savage thrust of the bayonet, and 
 the crash of the butt of the musket, as it struck 
 through the head of some poor unfortunate, added 
 to the horror and tumult of the occasion. In the 
 rear of a portion of the Union position was a low, 
 
Il8 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 marshy swamp, and into this the rebels tried with 
 the utmost desperation to drive the Union troops ; 
 but our men, knowing the nature of the ground, 
 and that it would be certain destruction if the 
 enemy succeeded, fought with all the desperation 
 of despair to prevent it. 
 
 It was fortunate that at about this time the rein- 
 forcements arrived from the south side of the 
 river, and reached the front ; for, even the most 
 heroic fighting could not much longer have held 
 the overwhelming hosts of the enemy at bay. 
 Durinof the battle, the reo^iments beloneine to 
 the division of the Pennsylvania Reserves were 
 sent to combat where their services would be 
 the most needed, and were frequently in the 
 severest parts of the battle. One of the fiercest 
 conflicts that occurred during the battle was 
 fought by Col. Duryea's regiment of Zouaves 
 and a larofe force of rebels. The Zouaves held 
 a position on an open sandy piece of ground, 
 and the enemy occupied the wood in front of 
 them. A rebel column, six or eight men deep, 
 cautiously advanced to the edge of this wood, 
 when, rushing forward, they charged with frantic 
 yells on the Union regiment. The Zouaves 
 poured into their ranks a deadly fire, and then, 
 with a wild shout, charged bayonets. The rebels 
 for some time bravely stood their ground, and 
 then ensued a conflict as terrible as human beings 
 could make it. When the fighting was the sever- 
 
HAND TO HAND. II9 
 
 est, our reeinient was ordered forward to rein- 
 force the gallant Zouaves ; and, as we advanced 
 for that purpose, we could distinctly see the des- 
 perate nature of the fighting. Neither side ap- 
 peared to think of loading their muskets, but 
 depended entirely on the bayonet. We advanced 
 as fast as possible to the assistance of the 
 Zouaves, but by the time we reached the ground, 
 the orallant fellows had beaten the rebels back into 
 the woods and out of sight. They had, however, 
 paid dearly for their victory, as about 300 of this 
 heroic band lay dead or terribly wounded on the 
 field. The regiment was completely disorganized, 
 and left the field In squads. Its brave com- 
 mander stayed for some time with our regiment, 
 evidently regretting that he did not have a fresh 
 reo^iment to seek revenue for the noble fellows 
 lying dead in front of him. When the two Colo- 
 nels met. Col. Roberts remarked, "Well, Colonel, 
 they have used you up pretty badly ;" to which 
 Duryea replied, "Well, yes; but, by the Eternal," 
 — pointing with his sword to the heaps of rebel 
 dead — 'T think we have paid them back in their 
 own coin." 
 
 For a few minutes after we arrived on the field, 
 there was a lull In the fighting, and Col. Roberts 
 ordered the regiment to advance over the ground 
 so hotly contested a few moments before. As we 
 advanced, I had a good opportunity of seeing the 
 terrible character of the conflict. The ground 
 
I20 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 was SO thickly covered with the dead and wounded 
 that it was with the utmost difficulty we could 
 advance without treading on them. To accom- 
 plish this the regiment were compelled to break 
 ranks and get over the ground as best they could, 
 regardless of system or discipline. The red uni- 
 forms of the Zouaves, showing more conspic- 
 uously than the gray of the enemy, gave us at 
 first the impression that the Union loss was the 
 severer ; but a closer inspection of the field re- 
 vealed the fact that the loss of the enemy was 
 even orreater. 
 
 The nature of the wounds inflicted proved the 
 close proximity in which the combatants contested 
 for the mastery. Some of the dead had their 
 heads broken in by blows from butts of rifles, and 
 others lay dead with bayonets thrust through 
 them, the weapon having been left sticking in their 
 bodies. Some of the wounded begged piteously 
 to be helped to the rear ; and altogether, it was 
 the most sickening sight I had ever witnessed. 
 We had hardly more than advanced over the 
 ground when Col. Roberts received orders to 
 about-face his regiment, and march a few steps to 
 the rear of the position held by the Zouaves. At 
 this place the ground formed a small elevation 
 several feet high, and behind this Col. Roberts 
 formed his line. He had hardly more than done 
 so when a chorus of yells, which was enough to 
 make us believe that all the demons from the 
 
REPULSING A CHARGE. 121 
 
 lower regions had broken loose, announced that 
 the enemy was advancing to the assault. Col. 
 Roberts ordered the regiment to lie down, and 
 not fire a shot until the rebels reached the open 
 ground. Some of the men could hardly be re- 
 strained from firing as they came yelling through 
 the woods; but the officers kept telling them to 
 keep cool and wait for the word of command. 
 
 After a few moments of painful suspense, the 
 enemy like a swarm of bees burst from the wood 
 into the open ground. The single word "Fire!" 
 from our gallant Colonel, and the rifles of the 
 first reofiment sent a shower of lead into the 
 rebel mass which swept their line like a scythe 
 of death. The rebel line broke and fled in the 
 utmost confusion, and in a few moments after the 
 men, with loaded rifles and without the loss of a 
 man, were prepared to give them the same recep- 
 tion. We did not have to wait long, however, to 
 get the chance ; for they, having reformed their 
 lines, aofain advanced to the attack. Thev were 
 ao^ain driven back Vvath ereat slaughter, and we 
 were commencine" to congratulate ourselves on 
 having a soft thing of it. when the yells of the 
 enemy again announced their advance. They 
 had now a fresh and a stronger column, and were 
 evidently determined to force us from our posi- 
 tion at any cost. We again reserved our fire 
 until they were out of the woods, and then gave 
 them the contents of our rifles. The rebel line 
 
122 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 wavered for a moment, but soon recovered, and 
 then, giving us a volley, rushed forward to come 
 to close -quarters. A fierce conflict ensued, which 
 raged for almost an hour, when they again fled 
 from the field, leaving us in victorious possession. 
 It was most fortunate, however, for us that they 
 did, for our ammunition was running short, and 
 after a few more volleys at the retreating rebels 
 some of the men were entirely out; and the regi- 
 ment which was advancinof to relieve us made so 
 poor a record after they became engaged, that, 
 had we been compelled to. fall back, they would, 
 no doubt, have fled from the field before they did. 
 Our regiment and the 8th Pennsylvania Re- 
 serves, which had been engaged on our right, and 
 was also out of ammunition, were now ordered to 
 march to the rear for the purpose of getting a 
 new supply and a short rest. The two regiments 
 marched to the rear, stacked arms, and threw 
 themselves on the ground. We had hardly more 
 than done so, when a wild commotion in our front 
 caused us to jump to our feet, when we discovered 
 that a serious break had taken place in the line 
 we had just vacated. The New York regiment 
 which had relieved us broke and fled as soon as 
 the rebels charged on them, and the enemy, pour- 
 ing through the gap thus created, flanked several 
 regiments, which were also compelled to fall back. 
 To add to the confusion, a body of cavalry under 
 the command of Gen. McCook, who, according to 
 

 H 
 O 
 
 
 3» 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 < 
 
PANIC. 123 
 
 the report of Gen. Porter, had been commanded 
 to remain behind the hill, and not under any cir- 
 cumstances to appear above the crest, but to 
 operate against the enemy on the bottom land on 
 the left, should an opportunity present itself, 
 charged on the rebel line. "This charofe in the 
 face of a withering fire of infantry, and in the 
 midst of cannonading, resulted, of course, in their 
 being thrown into confusion ; and the bewildered 
 horses, regardless of the efforts of the riders, 
 wheeled about, and, dashing through the batteries, 
 convinced the gunners that they were charged by 
 the enemy." 
 
 Several of the batteries fell Into the hands of 
 the enemy, and a scene of the most indescribable 
 confusion ensued. Horses plunged madly about, 
 and sometimes ran Into the ranks of the soldiers. 
 Batteries fled to the rear, and from the point where 
 the break occurred In the infantry line came a 
 stream of flying fugitives, some of them throwing 
 away guns and everything that could Impede 
 their flight. Everything now Indicated a terrible 
 disaster to our arms. Looklnof at the mass of 
 running fugitives who came rushing toward us, I 
 remarked to a comrade, " Now look out for a 
 Bull Run stampede ;" but happily such was not to 
 take place. Col. Roberts had formed his regi- 
 ment in line, and to keep them steady com- 
 menced to drill, throwing his command Into col- 
 umns by companies, and then into regimental 
 
124 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 line, with as much coolness as if he had had us on 
 a parade ground in camp, when an officer dash 
 ing up, exclaimed, " Colonel, fire into those men 
 who are falling back !" The Colonel replied^ 
 "We are out of ammunition." In a moment 
 after Gen. Porter came riding up in haste, and 
 exclaimed, " Col. Roberts, can't you take these 
 two regiments and stop those men ?" To which 
 Roberts replied, " I will try ; but get me some 
 ammunition to stop the enemy." 
 
 Col. Roberts formed the two regiments, and, 
 although the shells from the enemy's batteries 
 fell thick around them, and the shouts of the now 
 victorious enemy, who were in hot pursuit of the 
 broken Union troops, could be heard coming 
 nearer and nearer, they stood as firm as if on 
 dress parade, and presented a solid front of steel 
 to the demoralized fugitives, who tried to pass 
 them and get to the rear. The two regiments 
 succeeded In stopping the most of tlrem, but they 
 were now in a most serious situation, as the 
 rebels would soon be upon them, and they without 
 ammunition to defend themselves. 
 
 Fortunately just at this time the cheering In 
 our rear announced the fact that reinforcements 
 were at hand, and never were such more eagerly 
 welcomed. The Irish brigade, commanded by 
 Gen. Meagher, and a brigade commanded by 
 Gen. French, both of Slocum's division, came on 
 the ground on the double-quick, and charging on 
 
A REBEL ACCOUNT. 125 
 
 the enemy with the ferocity of tl^^ers, stopped 
 their farther advance ; and finally the entire line, 
 which was now again in good condition, advanced 
 and drove back the enemy. The approach of 
 night put an end to the fighting, and closed one 
 of the severest battles, for the number engaged, 
 in the history of the war. 
 
 This battle, fought for the purpose of covering 
 the retreat of the Union army over the Chicka- 
 hominy, fully accomplished that purpose. The 
 sieee enns, wagons and army material on t!ie 
 north side of the river were safely crossed to the 
 south side, and Porter s corps followed in perfect 
 order during the night. The loss sustained by 
 the Union forces was, however, very great, and 
 as the rebels captured several batteries of artil- 
 lery and held the battle-ground, the prestige of 
 success was held by them. Gen. Fitz John 
 Porter's corps, which did almost all the fighting, 
 numbered about 27,000 men, and lost nearly one- 
 third. Fearful as was the Union loss, the enemy's 
 was even yet greater. The Union troops fighting 
 most of the time on the defensive, inflicted the 
 most terrible slaucrhter on their enemies. • 
 
 A distincri-iished rebel officer thus describes this 
 terrible conflict : 
 
 "The attack was opened by the columns of 
 Hill (ist), Anderson and Pickett. These gallant 
 masses rushed forward with thunderinor hurrahs 
 upon the musketry of the foe, as though it were 
 
126 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 joy to them. Whole ranks went down under 
 that terrible hail, but nothlne could restrain their 
 courage. The billows of battle raged fiercely 
 onward ; thfe struggle was man to man, eye to 
 eye, bayonet to bayonet. The hostile Meagher's 
 brigade, composed chiefly of Irishmen, offered 
 heroic resistance. After a fierce strueGfle our 
 people began to give way, and at length all 
 orders of encouragement were vain — they were 
 falling back In the greatest disorder. Infuriate, 
 foaming at the mouth, bareheaded, sabre In hand, 
 at this critical moment Gen. Cobb appeared upon 
 the field at the head of his legion, and with him 
 the Nineteenth North Carolina and the Four- 
 teenth Virginia regiments. At once these troops 
 renewed the attack, but all their devotion and 
 self-sacrifice were In vain. The Irish held their 
 position with a determination and ferocity that 
 called forth the admiration of our own officers. 
 Broken to pieces and disorganized, the fragments 
 of that fine lemon came rolllnof back from the 
 charge. The Nineteenth North Carolina lost 
 eight standard-bearers, and most of their staff 
 'officers were either killed or wounded. Ao-ain 
 Gens. Hill (ist) and Anderson led their troops 
 to the attack, and some regiments covered them- 
 selves with Immortal glory. Our troops ex- 
 hibited a contempt for death that made them the 
 equals of old, experienced veterans ; for,' notwith- 
 standing the bloody harvest the destroyer reaped 
 
A REBEL REPORT. \2*] 
 
 in our ranks that day, no disorder, no timid bear- 
 ing, revealed that many of the regiments were 
 under fire and smelt gunpowder then for the first 
 time. But the enemy, nevertheless, quietly and 
 coolly held out against every attack we made, one 
 after the other. Notwithstanding the fact that 
 some of their brigades had to stand their Q^round 
 from four until eight o'clock p. m., they performed 
 feats of incredible valor ; and it was only when 
 the news came that Jackson was upon them in 
 the rear, that, about eight, they retired before our 
 advance. Despite the dreadful carnage in the 
 ranks, they marched on with streaming banners 
 and rolling drums, and carried with them all their 
 slightly wounded and all their baggage ; and 
 when the cavalry regiments of Davies and Wick- 
 ham went in pursuit, repelled this assault also 
 with perfect coolness. 
 
 "By this time night had come on, and over- 
 spread the field of death with darkness, compas- 
 sionately shutting out from the eyes of the living 
 the horrid spectacle of slaughter, '^' '*'* I has- 
 tened with one of my aids to that quarter of the 
 field where the strue^le had rao^ed the most 
 fiercely. The scene of ruin was horrible ; whole 
 ranks of the- enemy lay prone where they had 
 stood at the begfinnine of the battle. The num- 
 ber of wounded was fearful, too, and the groans 
 and imploring cries for help that rose on all sides 
 had, in the obscurity of the night, a ghastly effect 
 
I 28 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 that froze the blood in one's veins. Althoueh I 
 had been upon so many battle-fields In Italy and 
 Hungary, never had my vision beheld such a 
 spectacle of human destruction." 
 
 The troops referred to by this officer as making 
 so desperate a resistance were not, as he thought, 
 the Irish Brigade, that body of troops not coming 
 into action until late in the evening. During the 
 time that this battle was in progress, the enemy 
 made an attack on McClellan's left wing, for the 
 purpose of preventing him from sending rein- 
 forcements to the troops fighting on the north side 
 of the river. The rebels, who were under the 
 command of General Toombs, suffered a severe 
 defeat, and were driven from the field with heavy 
 loss. The enemy renewed the engagement at 
 this point on the following morning, but were 
 again defeated by the desperate fighting of Han- 
 cock's brigade of the Union army. This action Is 
 known as the battle of Golding's farm, and as al- 
 ready stated, had been brought on for the pur- 
 pose of preventing strong reinforcements being 
 sent to Porter. Some writers contend that it had 
 that effect, but that is not in accordance with the 
 facts In the case. • Gen. McClellan had fully made 
 up his mind to withdraw his army to the James 
 river, and the reinforcements he did send to Por- 
 ter's aid, although late through the miscarriage of 
 the order from that general requesting aid, yet 
 had the effect of checking the farther advance of 
 
RETREATING. 1 29 
 
 the enemy, and enabled the army to concentrate 
 on the south side of the river. 
 
 The rear of the Union troops, after crossing 
 the Chlckahominy, blew up the bridges and en- 
 camped on Trent's Farm. The greatest activity, 
 however, prevailed in the Union army, and the 
 most extensive preparations were made to get the 
 siege guns, wagons and army supplies safe off on 
 the line of retreat. The army had succeeded In 
 cencentrating on the south side of the river, but 
 the greater task of getting It through the White 
 Oak Swamp still remained. During the night of 
 the 27th, between five and six thousand loaded 
 wagons, a drove of three thousand head of cattle, 
 and an immense number of ambulances and other 
 war material, were started on the way to the 
 James. There were but two passable roads on 
 the line of retreat to Savage Station, and over 
 them flowed a constant stream of wagons, cattle 
 and men. 
 
 The magnificent corps of reserve artillery of 
 the Army of the Potomac, commanded by Gen. 
 Hunt, and numbering over one thousand guns, 
 was still parked on Trent's farm, waiting to get 
 possession of the road, on the morning of the 
 28th, and it was of the utmost importance that 
 this most valuable auxiliary of the army should 
 be prevented from falling into the hands of the 
 enemy. This splendid park of artillery consisted 
 of thirteen batteries, its guns being of the most 
 
 9 
 
130 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Improved pattern, and was intended to be used in 
 the bombardment of Richmond. It was a few 
 days later used with terrible effect on the enemy 
 from Malvern Hill, and did much to win us that 
 splendid victory. 
 
 There was great danger that these guns, being 
 so heavy that they could only be moved slowly, 
 miorht fall into the hands of the enemv before 
 they could be moved to another battle-field. 
 
 A writer (J. R. Sypher) in describing the move- 
 ment said: 
 
 "Gen. McClellan nervously, and in deep anx- 
 iety, called to mind his ablest generals and his 
 trustiest troops. Gen. McCall and his division of 
 Pennsylvania Reserves had been intrusted with 
 the defense of the right wing at Mechanicsville; 
 they had fully justified the confidence reposed in 
 them by the commanding general. At Gaines' 
 Mill, too, they had put to shame the regulars, and 
 paid a terrible price in blood for their valor. 
 There were other divisions which had rested 
 while the Reserves had been fiorhtino- and march- 
 ing, without sleep and without rations. But Mc- 
 Clellan would take no risks in a labor so momen- 
 tous. Gen. McCall was therefore ordered to 
 guard Hunt's artillery, and conduct it in safety 
 from Trent's Farm to the Quaker road south of 
 White Oak Swamp." 
 
 The giving of this important trust to Gen. Mc- 
 Call and his men was certainly a very great 
 
A HORRID MARCH, 13! 
 
 honor. In the two great battles that had been 
 fought on the north side of the river, the rebels 
 had gained no decided advantage ; In fact, had 
 been severely punished ; but the rebel leaders 
 mistaking the withdrawal of the Union forces for 
 a hurried fllo^ht to White House Landlngr or 
 down the Peninsula towards Yorktown, made a 
 quick movement In that direction to cut off Mc- 
 Clellan's retreat. They, however, soon dis- 
 covered their mistake, and commenced to press 
 the Union rear. The army was now In a posi- 
 tion where a pitched battle with the enemy was 
 out of the question, and it would require the 
 finest generalship to extricate it from the laby- 
 rinth of difficulties which surrounded It. This 
 was accomplished wath the most consummate 
 skill. It was fully 9 o'clock in the evening before 
 the road could be cleared for the. departure of 
 the artillery train, and then, with the regiments 
 equally distributed along the line, the march com- 
 menced. This artillery corps, with the wagons 
 and batteries of our division made a train six or 
 seven miles long, and this valuable property we 
 were to guard over the swamps and bogs of one 
 of the worst of the wretchedly bad roads which 
 crossed the Peninsula. It was raining, and the 
 night was as dark as pitch, and, as the mud at 
 some places was almost knee deep, It was one of 
 the most miserable marches Imaginable. A con- 
 stant watch had to be kept against a surprise 
 
132 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 from the enemy. But the men, feeling the im- 
 portance of the trust confided to their keeping, 
 kept cheerfully to the work, and by the following 
 morning reached Savage Station. This place is 
 a railroad station on the Richmond and York 
 River railroad, running from Richmond to White 
 House Landing, and was being used by the 
 Union commander to send supplies from the 
 latter place to his army. Since the change of 
 base to the James river had been decided on, the 
 road had been used to its utmost capacity to 
 send army material and wounded to the landing 
 for shipment. A large number of sick and 
 wounded were still at the station waitingr to be 
 moved, and a train loaded with them was just in 
 the act of leaving when the telegraph stopped 
 working. It was, of course, at once believed 
 that the enemy had cut our communications 
 with White House Landing, but the train pro- 
 ceeded cautiously down the road a few miles, 
 when it was discovered that the rebels had pos- 
 session of Dispatch Station. It was now evident 
 that all the supplies yet with the army and the 
 wounded that could be got away would have to 
 be sent through White Oak Swamp, and the 
 greatest terror and alarm fell on these poor un- 
 fortunates, who had anxiously hoped to be sent 
 away on the cars from the terrible scenes sur- 
 roundinof them. 
 
 The rapid movement of the troops as they 
 
TERRIBLE SCENES. I 33 
 
 marched past the station, the hurry and confusion 
 of the countless teams as they left on the road to 
 James river, the endless string of ambulances that 
 were still arriving loaded with sick and wounded, 
 the touching cries of those unfortunates, who had 
 been unloaded and laid under the trees, and who 
 were begging piteously not to be left behind, to- 
 gether with the wild reports about the enemy 
 having cut off our retreat, created a scene of the 
 wildest excitement and confusion. About 3,000 
 sick and wounded were at the station, and a con- 
 stant stream still comma- In. The most active 
 preparations were being made to get them away, 
 but It soon became evident that a laro-e number 
 would have to fall into the hands of the enemy. 
 
 A writer, in describing the scene at the station, 
 writes : 
 
 " The poor broken and wounded men, whose 
 hearts had borne them up to endure all hardships, 
 still waited on the cars, hoping against hope, and 
 rejecting the offers of their friends to remove 
 them to beds on the ground. Between two and 
 three thousand sick and wounded were in the 
 houses and tents, and under the trees at Savage 
 Station. Deep gloom and sore. distress fell upon 
 all ; there were a thousand rumors of things most 
 improbable, but the despondency of the men pre- 
 pared them to believe the most extravagant 
 stories, and the confusion that surrounded them 
 increased their consternation. 
 
134 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 "When, therefore, on Sunday morning, the 
 Reserves halted at the station, the men left the 
 ranks, and amid the army of wounded, sought out 
 their companions, and ministered to their many 
 wants. For such as could walk they made canes 
 and crutches ; they bound up the wounds of some, 
 and aided many to follow their regiments in the 
 retreat across the swamp ; to others who could 
 not follow them, they gave water, and rations of 
 bread, meat, sugar, and coffee; and each noble 
 patriot placed in the pocket of his wounded com- 
 panion all the money he had in his possession. 
 The parting of brave men, companions in arms, 
 is rarely witnessed under more distressing cir- 
 cumstances ; the strongest heart was melted in 
 sorrow ; many a manly cheek was wet with tears 
 as the soldiers bade farewell to each other, ex- 
 pecting never to meet again. Fathers dragged 
 themselves away from the couches of their sons, 
 son forsook father, and brother parted from 
 brother. Both were patriotic and brave — one 
 well, robust, and strong ; the other all bleeding, 
 maimed, and dying. They parted like brave men ; 
 those who went, to die gloriously in battle, or to 
 survive with the vindicated honor of their country ; 
 those who remained, doomed to the most terrible 
 hardships that befall men who, in war, become the 
 prisoners of a vengeful foe. Without physician, 
 nurse, or attendant, many died beneath the trees 
 where their companions had left them ; others, 
 
LEAVING THE WOUNDED. 1 35 
 
 carried towards Richmond, eldier died on die way, 
 and were buried in die swamps, or, taken to the 
 Confederate prisons, died of neglect, filth, and 
 abuse." 
 
 Rev. Dr. Marks, who was chaplain of the sixty- 
 third Pennsylvania Volunteers, said : 
 
 "When it became manifest that such was to be 
 their fate, the scenes of distress could not be pic- 
 tured by human language. Some of the wounded 
 men, who were left in their tents, struggled forth 
 through the grounds, exclaiming, they 'would 
 rather die than fall into the hands of the rebels.' 
 I heard one man cry out, 'O, my God! is this the 
 reward I deserve for all the sacrifices I have made, 
 the battles I have fought, and the agony I have 
 endured from my wounds?' Some of the young- 
 est soldiers wept like children, others turned pale, 
 and some fainted. Poor fellows ! they thought 
 this was the last drop in the cup of bitterness; but 
 there were yet many to be added." 
 
 The rebel commander appears to have been 
 somewhat perplexed by the movements of the 
 Union army on Saturday, but on Sunday he dis- 
 covered that the line of retreat was in the direc- 
 tion of the James river instead of the Pamunky, 
 as he had at first supposed, and he immediately 
 made the most desperate efforts to cut off the 
 Union forces from the James river. 
 
 The left wing of the Union army abandoned their 
 intrenchments on Sunday night, and also fell 
 
136 BATtLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 back in the direction of Savage Station. The 
 rebels immediately closed in pursuit, and Gens. 
 Sumner and Helntzelman, who were In command 
 of the Union forces on the left, were ordered by 
 Gen. McClellan to form their commands in line 
 of battle on Allen's Farm, and check the advance 
 of the enemy. The rebels advanced on the 
 Williamsburg road, and, forming line of battle 
 within a short distance of the Union lines, ad- 
 vanced to the attack. They were met with a 
 terrific discharge of artillery and Infantry. They 
 fell back In confusion, but soon again advanced, 
 and the battle raged with great fury until nearly 
 noon, when the rebel line gave way and fled from 
 the field. This action Is known as the battle of 
 Peach Orchard or Allen's Farm, and It was a 
 severe repulse to the rebel army. It was deemed 
 best, however, that Sumner and Helntzelman 
 should fall back to a position nearer Savage Sta- 
 tion ; and after the close of the battle they retired 
 and formed line of battle near that place. 
 
 The position held by the Union forces ex- 
 tended over an almost level tract of land, com- 
 prising several hundred acres ; and on this open 
 ground, like a living wall of fire, stood the rear 
 of the Union army to check the advance and 
 save the Union forces from destruction. It was 
 necessary to give the enemy one more repulse, 
 and hold them in check loner enouc^h to enable 
 the part of the army and trains that had left the 
 
PURSUIT CHECKED. I 37 
 
 Station, to get through the White Oak Swamp 
 before the rear corps could follow. A defeat of 
 this line would have Insured the destruction of a 
 considerable portion of the Union army ; for had 
 it been driven on the mass who were strue^linor 
 to get out of the way, the most terrible conse- 
 quences would have followed. 
 
 That great soldier, Gen. Sumner, had been In- 
 trusted with the command of the rear-guard, and 
 never was trust placed in more loyal or abler 
 hands. He had beside his own corps a part of 
 Heintzelman's corps and Franklin's division, and, 
 forming his column, he calmly awaited the assault 
 of the enemy. At about 5 p. m. the battle 
 opened with a furious discharge of artillery from 
 the enemy's batteries, which was responded to by 
 the Union batteries, and for almost an hour the 
 thunder from these qruns was Incessant. The 
 enemy's Infantry had in the meantime advanced 
 through the woods skirting the front of the Union 
 position, and, at a given signal. In almost countless 
 numbers, with the m.ost frantic yells, they rushed 
 on the Union lines. A sheet of fire from the 
 Union lines, and the roar of musketry was added 
 to the thunder of artillery. The battle raged with 
 Indescribable fury until eleven o'clock at night, 
 when the rebels, defeated in every assault and at 
 every point, sullenly withdrew from the field. The 
 attempt of the enemy to drive our rear in confu- 
 sion on the retreating army was a most signal 
 
I -iS BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 J 
 
 failure ; there Is no doubt that Gen. Sumner 
 could have held at bay almost any" force the en- 
 emy might have been able to concentrate in his 
 front ; but the trains of artillery, wagons, ambu- 
 lances, cattle, and supplies, In the van of the army, 
 had by this time all left the station, and were 
 either over or on the way through White Oak 
 Swamp. So, at twelve o'clock, Gen. Sumner re- 
 ceived orders from Gen. McClellan to evacuate 
 his position as rapidly as possible, and follow the 
 rest of the army. 
 
 It is said that Gen. Sumner, who now had his 
 blood up, retreated with the greatest reluctance, 
 and before doing so requested reinforcements, 
 that he might renew the conflict in the morning; 
 and that he was so disgusted with the order to 
 withdraw from the position he had so nobly de- 
 fended, that from some expressions which he 
 made, he received the sobriquet of " Bull Sum- 
 ner." Subsequent events, however, fully proved 
 the wisdom of the order, as the rebels had already 
 started a stronor column in the direction of White 
 Oak creek, to cut off the retreat of the rear of the 
 army, and it became highly necessary that all of 
 the army should get across the swamp, and over 
 the creek, before the enemy could intercept them. 
 Gen. Sumner rapidly withdrew his men, and, 
 before two o'clock the last of the troops, with the 
 exception of the wounded, had left the station. 
 As the troops marched away, and the wounded 
 
TERRIBLE SCENES. I 39 
 
 found that they would really have to fall into the 
 hands of the enemy, the scene was absolutely 
 heart-rending ; and to add to the terror of these 
 unfortunates, the woods had caught fire and were 
 burning with great rapidity, threatening death to 
 hundreds of them. 
 
 The rebels had also again opened fire with ar- 
 tillery, and, in spite of the hospital signs over the 
 buildings that contained some of the wounded, 
 fired into them. The fiames lit the heavens as 
 bright as day, the air was full of the most dismal 
 sounds, and the shrieks of the fiaming shells, with 
 the piteous cries of the wounded, made a scene 
 of horror no pen can describe, and a sudden de- 
 moralization appeared to seize upon all in the 
 rear of the army. 
 
 The entire retreat had so far been made with 
 the greatest coolness, the troops retreating from 
 one position to another leisurely, and nobly con- 
 testing every foot of ground; but the movement 
 now degenerated into a rapid flight, and the men 
 who had so nobly sustained themselves were now 
 compelled to flee to save themselves from de- 
 struction ; and a scene the most indescribable 
 ensued. The race was, however, won by the 
 Union troops, and before ten o'clock in the morn- 
 inor the last of them had crossed White Oak 
 creek, and had blown up the bridge in their rear. 
 
 The race for position on White Oak creek had 
 been won, but it soon became evident that the 
 
140 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 army had secured very lltde time for rest. The 
 pursuing enemy, as soon as they reached the 
 front of the position occupied by the Federal right 
 wing, opened with artillery, and also made several 
 efforts to cross the stream, but were driven back 
 by Gen. Smith's division. This demonstration 
 was, however, only made for the purpose of 
 diverting the Federal troops from the real attack 
 of the rebels, who were marching to intercept the 
 Union army at Charles City cross roads. This 
 movement again compelled McClellan to give 
 battle, as It was necessary to hold the enemy in 
 check until the trains of siege guns, wagons, and 
 other war material, could be safely transferred to 
 Malvern Hill, and then to Harrison's Landing on 
 the James river. The line of battle extended 
 from near Turkey Bend on the James river to 
 White Oak creek, a distance of about four miles. 
 Sumner's corps held the right of the position, 
 Gen. Porter's the left, and Gen. Heintzelman's 
 the center. Gen. Franklin guarded the passes of 
 White Oak Swamp. McCall's division of Porter's 
 corps was in position on the New Market road, 
 which is the principal one running from the direc- 
 tion of Richmond. This position was the most 
 important one in the Union line of battle, as the 
 main body of the rebel army approached on the 
 New Market road for the purpose of* cutting 
 through the Union lines and getting between 
 McClellan's army and the James river. Han- 
 
CLOSING UP THE FIGHT. I4I 
 
 cock's brigade of Sumner's corps held die ex- 
 treme right of the hne, and the battle opened by a 
 vigorous fire of artillery on that command. This 
 fire was most destructive, and caused a short 
 panic in several Union regiments, but order was 
 soon restored, and the rebels repulsed. This 
 demonstration, as well as several others on our 
 right, was, however, only intended to cover the 
 movement to be made by the enemy on the New 
 Market road. It was not, however, before three 
 o'clock that the enemy, in strong force, appeared 
 in front of McCall's division ; but the battle soon 
 after opened with great fury along his front, and 
 rapidly spreading along the line held by the 
 Union troops, raged with the most desperate fury 
 until night put an end to the conflict. 
 
 The enemy fought with a desperation unsur- 
 passed in the history of the war, and at several 
 periods of the battle the total defeat of the Union 
 army appeared to be certain ; but the equally des- 
 perate fighting of the latter at last drove them 
 back, and when the batde closed the ground was 
 in possession of the Union troops. Several bat- 
 teries of artillery had, however, fallen into the 
 hands of the enemy, and the Union loss in killed 
 and wounded was very great. During the follow- 
 ing night, the army was successfully withdrawn to 
 a strong position at Malvern Hill. The army was 
 now again united, and in one body presented a 
 solid front to the enemy. Harrison's Landing 
 
142 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 was only six miles below, and to this place all the 
 army material not wanted in the coming conflict 
 had been sent. 
 
 The soldiers, almost worn out by the marching 
 and fighting, were now concentrated in a strong 
 position, under the protection of the splendid 
 train of artillery which we had guarded through 
 the White Oak Swamp, and the gun-boats on the 
 James river ; but their task was not yet finished, 
 for the approaching day was to witness one more 
 great conflict in the war for the Union. General 
 McClellan posted his men with great skill, and by 
 daylight the formation of the Federal line was 
 completed. It was drawn up in a semicircle, with 
 the artillery in such a position as to command 
 the entire front. At about nine o'clock the 
 enemy appeared in front of the Union position, 
 but the battle did not open until about noon, when 
 it commenced with a most terrific discharge of 
 artillery, and for almost two hours the earth shook 
 beneath the thunder of the combined artillery of 
 the two armies. The enemy were worsted in this 
 conflict, and finding that they could make no im- 
 pression with artillery on the Union line, ad- 
 vanced a massive column of infantry, commanded 
 by Generals Lee, Jackson, Beauregard and Ma- 
 gruder, to storm the Federal position. 
 
 A battle of the most terrible description ensued, 
 and the rebel line was driven back with the most 
 dreadful slaughter ; but again and again they re- 
 
MALVERN HILL. 1.43 
 
 newed the assault, only to be again driven back 
 with the same fearful loss. The battle rasped 
 until night, when the rebel army, fearfully beaten, 
 fell back out of rancre of the Federal o^uns. The 
 siege guns on Malvern Hill and the gunboats on 
 the James river did most effective service, and did 
 much to win the victory. A storm of shot and 
 shell from these oruns was hurled on the retreat- 
 ing rebel column with fearful effect, until it suc- 
 ceeded in orettinof out of their ranofe ; and until 
 nine o'clock the occasional flash of a eun from 
 Malvern Hill, followed by the crash of a flaming 
 shell, gave notice to the rebels that the vigor of 
 the Union o-uns was not exhausted. 
 
 This ended the great Seven Days battle before 
 Richmond, undoubtedly one of the bloodiest 
 series of battles in the annals of modern or 
 ancient times. After the battle of Malvern Hill, 
 the Union troops marched to Harrison's Landing 
 and the change of base was effected ; it is true, 
 not without great loss. But the loss of the enemy 
 was yet greater, and they could not fairly boast 
 of a victory. They had captured the larger num- 
 ber of prisoners, from the fact that the Union 
 forces falling back were compelled to allow a 
 large number of wounded to fall into their hands ; 
 but as the Union troops fought almost all the 
 time on the defensive, and often from strong 
 positions, the enemy lost a much larger number 
 in killed and wounded. The rebels were, how- 
 
1,44 BATTLE FIELD AND PRLSON PEN. 
 
 ever, loud in their boasts of having gained a 
 great victory ; and the fact of their getting pos- 
 session of the field after the fighting gave their 
 claim some semblance of truth ; but a more care- 
 ful examination of the campaign disclosed the 
 fact that they had suffered much more than the 
 troops they claimed to have defeated. They had 
 gained no important advantage over the Union 
 troops in any of the seven battles, and had been 
 driven from the field with great slaughter in 
 every action but one, and on that occasion they 
 had lost more men than the Union forces. The 
 boast of having driven the Union army to the 
 James river cannot be sustained, as it is unques- 
 tionably true that the Union forces would have 
 been withdrawn to the position they occupied 
 after the battle of Malvern Hill had the rebels 
 not pursued a step after the first day's fighting. 
 The rebels had fought with a desperate courage, 
 well worthy of a better cause ; but the fighting of 
 the Union troops had been fully as brilliant, and 
 they were handled by their officers with at least 
 as great daring and skill. It is certainly to the 
 credit of the Union commander, that, although 
 greatly outnumbered by the enemy, and attacked 
 at the unfortunate time when the removal of his 
 base of supplies became a positive necessity, so 
 little fell into the hands of the enemy. It was 
 perhaps a mistake in not following his decisive 
 victory at Malvern Hill by a pursuit of the flee- 
 
HARRISON S LANDING, I 45 
 
 Ing enemy ; but It must also be remembered that 
 his men were well-nigh worn out with incessant 
 marching and fighting, and consequently not in a 
 condition to make a vigorous pursuit ; and if they 
 had, they would have been compelled to fight the 
 enemy in the strong fortifications of Richmond, 
 and the result would probably have been as dis- 
 astrous as the assault on Malvern Hill was to the 
 enemy, when they charged on the Union lines in 
 that strong position. 
 
 Harrison's Landing, the place selected by Gen. 
 McClellan for his new base, was admirably ad- 
 apted for a defensive position, and was soon made 
 so strong that it could easily have been held 
 against any force that the enemy might have 
 brought to bear upon it. 
 
 10 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 MY FIRST CAPURE. 
 
 TN writing the narrative of my first capture by 
 ^ the enemy, it will be necessary to give a more 
 detailed account of the part taken by my regi- 
 ment on the sixth day of the Seven Days' fighting 
 before Richmond, than in the previous chapter, in 
 which was given but a general description of the 
 battle. 
 
 As already stated, by Sunday morning, June 
 29th, our division had safely guarded the reserve 
 artillery corps of the army from Trent's farm, on 
 the Chickahominy, to near the James river ; and on 
 the following day this most important arm of the 
 service was removed to Malvern Hill, where it 
 took a prominent part in the great conflict fought 
 at that place. Relieved of that important trust, 
 and as we had now reached the James river, we 
 hoped to get some rest ; and weary and almost 
 worn out by the long marching and fighting we 
 had passed through, we threw ourselves on the 
 ground for that purpose. We were soon, how- 
 ever compelled to realize that our rest would be 
 a short one, for we had hardly more than nestled 
 down when our brigade was ordered to fall in 
 line, and marched down the New Market road to 
 
 (146) 
 
NIGHT MOVEMENTS. 1 47 
 
 picket and watch the movements of the enemy In 
 our front. 
 
 It had already been discovered that the rebels 
 were advancing- on this road in strong force, and 
 that in all probability our division would have to 
 stand the brunt of the attack, and that it was of 
 the utmost importance that a strict watch be 
 maintained alono^ our front, to oruard aofainst ai 
 surprise. The terrible days of battle, and toilsome 
 marching, had told severely on us all, and a large 
 number of the men still in line were better sub- 
 jects for the hospital than for the battle-field. But 
 not a murmur or Vv^ord of complaint could be 
 heard ; and when the order was received to fall 
 in and advance in the direction of the enemy, it 
 was obeyed with as much spirit and alacrity as 
 the weary spirit of the men would allow. 
 
 Since the capture at Gaines' Mill of our be- 
 loved commander. Gen. John F. Reynolds, the 
 brigade was commanded by Col. Simmons, of the 
 Fifth regiment, who immediately advanced his 
 command about one mile, and then placed it in 
 position to guard the New Market road. The 
 night was so intensely dark that it would have 
 been impossible to distinguish an enemy a few 
 steps from us, and in advancing we had been 
 compelled to move with the greatest caution, feel- 
 ing our way at every step, until we reached a 
 private road running at right angles with the New 
 Market road, into which we filed, expecting every 
 
148 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 moment to meet the enemy ; and it was certainly 
 a considerable relief when we were halted and 
 ordered to lie down. 
 
 A picket line was established a few yards in 
 front of the line, and we were then informed that 
 we might lie down and sleep, but with loaded rifle 
 in hand, and ready in a moment's notice to jump 
 into line and receive the enemy. I soon found 
 out that, at least with me, sleep was out of the 
 question, for it was a night of constant alarm. At 
 one time a volley of musketry almost in our rear 
 made us spring to our feet in alarm, as we sup- 
 posed that the enemy was making an effort to cut 
 us off from the army; but it subsequently was 
 learned that two Union reo^iments had fired into 
 each other in mistake. At another time, a num- 
 ber of artillery horses, which had broken loose, 
 dashed alonor the line snortino^ widi terror, mvino- 
 us the impression that a cavalry charge was being 
 made on us. The almost constant barking of 
 doofs at several farm-houses in our front crave us 
 the impression that the enemy was advancing, 
 keeping us in a state of constant alarm, and pre- 
 venting us from getting the sleep we so much 
 needed to prepare us for the desperate work on 
 the morrow. 
 
 At daylight we were withdrawn from this ad- 
 vanced position, and rejoined the division, which 
 was in position in a large open field completely 
 surrounded with woods of scraggy, k)w pines and 
 
CAPTURE OF A SPY. 1 49 
 
 scrub oak. We h^d prepared a hasty meal, ex- 
 pecting we could then lie down and rest, when a 
 fellow having the appearance of a mulatto, or 
 very dark-complexioned white man, came into 
 camp and gave some information which led to 
 our reo^iment beinof ordered out on a reconnois- 
 sance, the stranger accompanying us as guide. 
 After marchinof a short distance through the 
 pines, we struck on a by-road, and had pro- 
 ceeded but a short distance when we discovered 
 that we were in the most imminent danger of 
 beinor ambuscaded and our retreat cut off. The 
 Colonel immediately gave the order to about-face, 
 and double-quick for the rear. 
 
 The stranger, who no doubt had been sent to 
 decoy us into the rebel lines, made an effort to 
 escape, but Col. Roberts ordered the men to 
 secure and bring him along. We had uncon- 
 sciously been marching right Into the enemy's 
 lines, and as they endeavored to close in and cut 
 us off, it became a desperate race with us to get 
 out of the trap. We had about got rid of the 
 pursuing enemy, when a line of Union sharp- 
 shooters, who had advanced in our rear, mistook 
 us for the enemy and fired into us. A large 
 ditch that intervened between us and the sharp- 
 shooters afforded a good protection ; we jumped 
 Into it, and after considerable difficulty we man- 
 aged to let them know who we were, and after 
 they ceased firing we rejoined the brigade. 
 
150 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 The fellow who so nearly succeeded in lead- 
 ing the regiment to destruction, trembled with 
 terror, and his fears were not groundless ; for as 
 soon as we got to the rear, one of the men shot 
 him dead on the spot. Under any other circum- 
 stances, we might have considered it a cowardly 
 act to shoot him after being a prisoner ; but under 
 the present circumstances we could not help but 
 feel that the act was justifiable, and that the mis- 
 creant richly deserved his fate. 
 
 It soon became evident that the enemy were 
 swarminof alone our entire front, and that a des- 
 perate conflict would soon ensue. Gen. McCall 
 formed the division in line of battle, with the 
 second brigade on the right, the third on the left, 
 and our brigade, the first, was held in reserve in 
 the rear of the two other brigades. The position 
 was a fairly good one, but the division was too 
 small to properly occupy it ; and before the open- 
 ine of the battle it was considered best to call 
 the regiments of the Reserve brigade into posi- 
 tion in the front line. Immediately after the 
 battle opened, the entire division became fiercely 
 eneaeed, and for several hours held three times 
 their number at bay, without having a single regi- 
 ment as a support in their rear. Our regiment 
 and the Ninth Reserves had been placed in posi- 
 tion in the rear of Kern's and Cooper's batteries 
 as a support to them, but we were soon after 
 ordered to advance with the Third regiment, and 
 
DESPERATE FIGHTING. I5I 
 
 endeavor to feel the enemy and draw them from 
 the wood. We soon found that the enemy occu- 
 pied the wood in strong force. They appeared 
 shy about advancing, but kept up a scattering 
 fire with our regiment. This was no doubt for 
 the purpose of deceiving us in regard to their 
 strength, and for the purpose of getting us to 
 charge into the wood, where almost sure destruc- 
 tion would have been the result. Finding, how- 
 ever, that we would not be entrapped in that way, 
 they at last advanced and made a violent attack 
 on the Third reofiment on our riorht. At the same 
 time everything indicated the advance of the en- 
 emy along the entire line, and we were ordered 
 to fall back to our former position in the rear of 
 Kern's battery. 
 
 The rebels had made a desperate effort to cut 
 off the Third regiment, but after considerable 
 difficulty it succeeded in extricating itself, and 
 getting back into the main line of battle. About 
 this time the enemy opened a heavy artillery fire 
 along our entire front, and under cover of this 
 cannonading, their infantry advanced to the as- 
 sault. A stronof column threw itself with terrific 
 fury on the left of our division line, and through 
 the cowardly conduct of a New York German 
 battery they at first gained a slight advantage 
 in that direction. This battery became panic- 
 stricken, and fled to the rear in the utmost con- 
 fusion, and its base conduct mior-ht have resulted 
 
152 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 in a terrible disaster to our division, and perhaps 
 to the entire army. The frantic horses attached 
 to the caissons dashed right through the infantry 
 lines, and threw them into disorder. The enemy, 
 takine advantaee of the confusion, charo^ed with 
 frantic yells on the now broken ranks, and the 
 Twelfth regiment, which was in position on the 
 extreme left of our division line, was cut in two, 
 and the greater part of it driven back to the 
 right and rear of Hooker's division. The enemy 
 pursued them, but being taken in flank by 
 Hooker's men, they were driven back on the Re- 
 serves, and then driven from the field. 
 
 When the break occurred on the left, Gen. Mc- 
 Call immediately ordered Col. Simmons, with the 
 Fifth and Eighth regiments of his brigade, to 
 move to the left and support that part of the 
 line. Col. Simmons was one of the finest soldiers 
 in the army, and no braver spirit ever led an as- 
 saulting column than he. Taking the two regi- 
 ments, he advanced to the point of greatest 
 danger, and ordering the Ninth and Tenth regi- 
 ments in position on the left to change front, he 
 formed the four regiments into line, and then his 
 trumpet voice rang out '' Brigade , Forzvard, 
 Charge r' and the four regiments with a loud 
 cheer, which rang out above the roar of battle, 
 charged on the enemy. 
 
 A conflict of the most terrible description en- 
 sued; the rebels with the most frantic yells of 
 
DEATH OF COL. SIMMONS. 1 53 
 
 rage contested the ground with the brave Re- 
 serves with the utmost desperation, but were 
 finally driven from the field with the most dread- 
 ful loss. The left wing of the division was saved, 
 and the enemy, after leaving the ground covered 
 with killed and wounded, and three hundred 
 prisoners in the hands of the victors, were driven 
 from the field ; but the Union troops had also suf- 
 fered severely, a large number of brave patriots 
 being left dead on the field, and they had also to 
 mourn the loss of their leader, who fell mortally 
 wounded while leading the charge. 
 
 The death of Col. S. G. Simmons was a great 
 loss to the army and the country. With no dispar- 
 agement to the other able commanders of regi- 
 ments he was probably the ablest officer in com- 
 mand of a regiment in the division. He was a 
 graduate of West Point, and after participating in 
 the Mexican and Seminole war, was connected 
 with military schools up to within a short time be- 
 fore the commencement of the Civil War, when 
 he was in the far West. At the first commence- 
 ment of hostilities he came to Harrlsburg, and 
 connected himself with the Pennsylvania Reserves, 
 and was immediately appointed Colonel of the 
 Fifth regiment, being one of the most accomplished 
 soldiers In the army. The result was soon felt by 
 his regiment, and under his skillful leadership It 
 soon became one of the best organizations in the 
 army. 
 
154 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 When Gen. Reynolds was captured, Simmons 
 was given the command of the brigade, and had 
 he Hved he would have added one more to the 
 three great army commanders produced by the 
 division of Pennsylvania Reserves.* The entire 
 division, as well as his gallant regiment, deeply 
 felt his loss, and mourned his sad death. 
 
 Directly after the enemy made the desperate 
 charge on the left of our division, they also ad-- 
 vanced in strong force on the position held by 
 Kern's and Cooper's batteries. As already 
 stated, these batteries had been supported by the 
 Ninth and our regiment ; but as the Ninth had 
 been taken to reinforce the left, our regiment was 
 the sole support of these batteries during a con- 
 siderable portion of the engagement. 
 
 As the rebel lines advanced to the assault, we 
 were ordered to He down behind the barriers, and 
 let the artillery first deal with them. On came 
 the yelling mass of rebels until within a short 
 distance of the Union guns, when a discharge 
 of double-shotted grape and canister from these 
 plowed through their ranks with fearful effect. 
 The enemy recoiled a few steps, when quickly 
 reforming, they rushed with the most hideous 
 yells on the batteries. Our regiment was now 
 ordered to fire, and then charge bayonets. This 
 was accomplished with the greatest gallantry, 
 the boys charging on the yelling enemy with 
 
 ♦Mead, Reynolds and Ord. 
 
FIGHTING RENEWED. • I55 
 
 shouts of defiance, and In a short time we drove 
 them from the field and into the wood beyond. 
 They, however, soon reformed and advanced to 
 the attack, and we soon again became fearfully 
 engaged ; but the result was the same, the enemy 
 beinof aeain driven from the field. 
 
 After this assault, we had a few moments rest, 
 and as the enemy had disappeared from our front, 
 we were commencing to hope that the conflict 
 was over, when the sharp whiz of a bullet over our 
 heads, which was soon followed by others, gave 
 indications that our work was not yet over, and 
 that we would have at least one more attack from 
 the enemy. They had now advanced a strong 
 line of sharpshooters to the edge of the wood, and 
 under the protection of the trees, endeavored to 
 pick off the gunners of the batteries. The bat- 
 teries thundered volley after volley into the woods ; 
 but as the rebels were well protected, they prob- 
 ably sustained very little loss, and the fire from* 
 their rifles was telling fearfully in the ranks of the 
 batteries. A detail of the regiment now advanced 
 to dislodge the enemy, and a sharp skirmish en- 
 sued between them and the rebels. It soon after 
 became evident that the enemy was again prepar- 
 inof to charge, and our men were ordered to fall 
 back into line. 
 
 The enemy had been strongly reinforced, and 
 in a few moments after our skirmishers fell back, 
 they rushed in a massive column from the wood, 
 
156 . BATTLE FIELD AND PRLSON PEN. 
 
 and, yelling- like fiends, came swarming across the 
 field and agfainst our line. As the dense mass of 
 humanity, maddened by former repulses, and 
 driven to desperation by the desire to overcome 
 the batteries that had so severely punished them, 
 rushed over the field, the Union batteries, double- 
 shotted with grape and canister, opened on them, 
 and a scene of the most indescribable horror en- 
 sued. The batteries fired with almost lightning 
 rapidity, and every discharge plowed horrible 
 gashes through the enemy's ranks, and strewed 
 the ground with the dead. It appeared as if no 
 flesh and bloodcould withstand these terrible dis- 
 charges ; but the enemy filled up the chasms in 
 their ranks, and pressed forward with a reckless- 
 ness g.nd desperate courage that was unsurpassed 
 In the history of the war. The artillery men at 
 last commenced to load triple charges of grape, 
 and the overloaded guns recoiled with such force 
 as to endanorer the lives of those around them. 
 
 Our regiment, inspired by the valor of the 
 brave artillerymen, could hardly wait until the or- 
 der was given to open on the enemy, and when 
 the order was at last given, they went to work 
 with a will, and crowding on the spaces between 
 the guns, poured a constant stream of bullets on 
 the advancing enemy. For almost two hours the 
 battle raged with the most Intense fijry, the enemy 
 rushing up to the mouths of the cannon with the 
 fury of demons, and the slaughter was horrible in 
 
THE LAST SHOT. I 57 
 
 the extreme; the artillery often fired Into them 
 when only forty or fifty steps from the muzzles of 
 the guns, and we kept up a fire so rapid that the 
 guns commenced to heat so badly as to blister our 
 hands ; but the rebels displaying a contempt of 
 death that was almost Incredible, pushed forward 
 over the dead bodies of their comrades, and It 
 now appeared as If the batteries would have to 
 fall into their hands, but the terrible volleys of 
 death were at last too much, and they fell back. 
 But a terrible crisis was now approaching. Kern's 
 battery was running out of ammunition, and Its 
 brave commander, who had in vain been trying to 
 get a new supply, was compelled to withdraw his 
 guns. After firing the last round of his ammu- 
 nition at the enemy, Captain Kern, with tears In 
 his eyes, ordered his battery to withdraw from the 
 position It had so nobly defended. 
 
 The enemy mistaking the movement for a re- 
 treat of the Union forces, immediately re-formed 
 their lines, and charged on the now defenseless 
 battery, and It would have fallen into their hands, 
 had not the promspt measures of Col. Roberts 
 prevented It. In the few moments which inter- 
 vened between the repulse of the enemy and the 
 withdrawing of the battery, the Colonel had re- 
 formed his thinned and broken ranks ; and when 
 the enemy with cries of exultation rushed forward 
 to take advantage of the break In our line, his 
 voice rang out, '' First Regiment ^ Forward ^ Charge 
 
158 BAITLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Bayonets!'' and with a loud cheer we rushed on 
 the advancing enemy. We did not fire a shot, 
 but relying on the bayonet we charged with an 
 impetuosity that broke the rebel line, when we 
 poured a deadly volley into their backs, and pur- 
 sued them over, the fields. Unfortunately the 
 momentum of the charge carried us too far, and 
 it soon became evident that we had got ourselves 
 into a bad fix. A column of fresh rebel troops 
 flanked us, and we were soon in the most Immi- 
 nent danger of being surrounded and cut off by 
 them. We had also suffered fearfully in the 
 charge; our gallant captain, George H. Hess, and 
 a large number of officers and men of the regi- 
 ment had fallen, and we were compelled to fall 
 back in confusion to the edge of the wood in the 
 rear of Cooper's battery. 
 
 The enemy in strong force now rushed on the 
 battery, and capturing it, were on the point of 
 turnine the enns on our lines, when Col. Roberts 
 ordered us to take cover behind the trees and 
 open on the enemy. We Immediately opened a 
 deadly fire on the rebels, who had possession of 
 the guns, and for a short time we would tumble 
 them over as fast as they could lay hands on the 
 battery ; but we could not accomplish impossibil- 
 ities, and the immense hordes of the enemy would 
 soon have dislodged us and secured the battery, 
 had we not at this most critical moment re- 
 ceived reinforcements. 
 
DESPERATE FIGHTING. I 59 
 
 The Ninth reeinient was hasteninof from the 
 left for that purpose, and when informed that 
 Cooper's battery was in the hands of the enemy, 
 they demanded to be led against them for the 
 purpose of recapturing it. This battery was a 
 great favorite with the Reserves, and the fact of 
 it now being in the hands of the enemy filled our 
 hearts with racre and a fierce determination to re- 
 capture it or die in the attempt. The noble Ninth 
 regiment, joined by our regiment, with a tremen- 
 dous cheer now charged upon the enemy, and a 
 most terrific conflict ensued. Both sides dis- 
 charged their pieces, and then with the most fran- 
 tic yells of rage rushed on each other ; never was 
 battle more severely contested, both sides fight- 
 ing with all the desperation of the most infuriated 
 men. No time could be secured for loading, so 
 all had to rely on the bayonet or such weapons 
 as they might have in their possession. Bayonet 
 thrusts were frequently given, muskets clubbed, 
 and even knives were used in this fearful struggle. 
 The dead bodies of men and horses, and broken 
 caissons were literally piled up around the guns 
 of the battery, and in some cases afforded barri- 
 cades for the contestants. 
 
 On the left, the charge of the four regiments 
 under the gallant Simmons had cleared the field, 
 and on our right Randell's battery of regulars, 
 supported by the Fourth and Seventh Pennsylva- 
 nia Reserves, were sweeping the enem.y like 
 
l60 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 chaff from the field, so the rebels In our front 
 could expect no relief from that quarter ; and the 
 desperate fighting of the Ninth and First regi- 
 ments, who now appeared to be seized with a 
 supernatural frenzy, was at last too much for 
 them, and they broke and fied from the field. 
 With shouts of rage we pursued them over the 
 field, thinning their ranks at every step, until com- 
 pelled by our officers to halt and return to the 
 rear of the battery. The battery was now re-cap- 
 tured, and the enemy was driven from the field, but 
 at a fearful cost, and we looked with dismay on our 
 thinned ranks, and listened with horror to the 
 pitiful pleadings of our wounded comrades who 
 were lying around us. 
 
 As already stated, our brave Captain had fallen 
 mortally wounded in the desperate conflict for the 
 possession of the battery ; and as he was lying on 
 the ground requesting to be helped to the rear, 
 we were compelled to fight over his body for some 
 time to drive back the enemy before his request 
 could be complied with. 
 
 More than one half of the company that went 
 Into this action a few hours before were either 
 killed or suffering from wounds. Among the 
 killed in our company was Sergt. John R. Court- 
 ney — and the army did not contain a braver or 
 more loyal spirit than his. But among the noble 
 slain In our company it would be hard to make a 
 distinction, and the army of the illustrious dead 
 
BRAVE MEN. l6l 
 
 that lined the swamps of the Chlckahomlny from 
 Mechanicsville to Malvern Hill, contained no 
 heroes that gave their lives In defense of their 
 country, more patriotic and brave than George H. 
 Hess, John R. Courtney, Gottlieb Gainer, Samuel 
 Gordon, Amos Haverstick, Henry Pickle, Samuel 
 Robinson, and Robert Scott. 
 
 Col. Roberts re-formed his line at the edee of 
 
 o 
 
 the wood, and made preparation to meet the 
 enemy, should they again advance; but we were 
 not again called into action. The Irish brigade 
 had come to relieve the regiment, and advancing 
 until they met the enemy, after a short conflict 
 drove them still further from the field. 
 
 It has been said that Kern's and Cooper's bat- 
 teries were captured from the Reserves; but that 
 is not true. These batteries remained in posses- 
 sion of the Reserves after the close of the conflict, 
 and were left on the field when the army retreated 
 the night after the battle. Sometime during the 
 night, some of the officers of the batteries re- 
 quested permission to make an attempt to with- 
 draw the guns, and take them to the rear; but this 
 request was refused by Gen. Heintzelman, on the 
 crround thkt it would renew the enoraorement. The 
 batteries had suffered terribly, a large number of 
 men and almost all the horses being killed; and it 
 may be true that it would have been imprudent, 
 under the circumstances, to make an attempt to 
 remove the guns ; but it was certainly highly 
 II 
 
1 62 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 unjust to charge the men who had so nobly de- 
 fended them with their capture by the enemy. 
 
 As we made the last charge on the enemy, a 
 sharp pain In my right arm, followed by a rush of 
 blood over the hand, announced to me the un- 
 pleasant fact that I was wounded. I loaded and 
 fired several shots after the fleeing enemy, when 
 the copious bleeding from my arm alarmed me, 
 and I went to the rear. In the excitement of the 
 moment I strayed to the left. Instead of going 
 directly to the rear; and as it was some time 
 before I got to an hospital, and the ball had opened 
 a vein in m.y arm, I felt weak and sick from the 
 loss of blood. My arm, however, was soon 
 dressed, and the flow of blood stopped, when I 
 threw myself on the ground for a rest. I had 
 hardly more than done so, when the color-bearer 
 of our regiment, William Lafferty, who was 
 wounded In both arms, and also slightly in the 
 side, came to me and said, "Urban, let us get out 
 of this. I do not believe that it will be safe for 
 us to stay here." To my question as to what 
 made him think so, he replied, " Well, I wouldn't 
 be surprised if this hospital is in the hands of the 
 enemy before to-morrow morning." I told him 
 I did not think so ; as we had now reached the 
 James river, and did not think there would be any 
 farther retreating ; and even if the army did 
 retreat down the river, we would no doubt be 
 informed of it, so as to give us a chance to es- 
 

 O 
 
 C/5 
 
 H 
 
AMONG THE WOUNDED. 1 63 
 
 cape. Lafferty, did not, however, appear to think 
 so, and he left, and it was not long before I 
 wished 4 had followed his example. I did not get 
 to see him again, and what became of him has 
 always remained a mystery, as no one heard of 
 him afterwards. 
 
 The cries and o^roans of the wounded were so 
 terrible that I could not sleep, so I moved away a 
 short distance from the house, where I could not 
 hear them so plainly, but still I could get no rest. 
 
 On Friday before, at the battle of Gaines' Mill, 
 I had given myself a severe wound in my hand 
 with the bayonet while In the act of loading. My 
 gun having become heated from the rapid firing, 
 the ball I was trying to ram down stuck about 
 half way, and It was some time before I could 
 move it. Becoming excited in my efforts to ram 
 it down, I finally, in ramming, bent the ramrod, and 
 the bayonet catching my thumb, tore it open 
 almost the full length, and to the bone. In the 
 last fighting I lost the bandage, and in loading, 
 powder and sweat would get into the cut, and the 
 consequence was that it was getting exceedingly 
 painful, and now prevented me from getting the 
 sleep I so much needed. Late at night, however, 
 I fell asleep, and when I awoke I found that It 
 was daylight. I then moved back to the hospital 
 and took a survey of the place. The house, out- 
 buildings and yard were full of wounded, and 
 among the sufferers were quite a number from my 
 
• 
 
 1 64 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 company and regiment. Captain Hess was lying 
 in a room up-stairs, and I went up to see him, but 
 I found him in so sad a condition that I could not 
 speak to him, so I soon left the room. In and 
 about the house I found William Wright, Jacob 
 Finney, and several other members of our com- 
 pany, badly wounded. 
 
 I was looking around to find familiar faces, 
 when hearing some one say that the enemy was 
 coming, I walked out Into the yard ; and, sure 
 enough, but a short distance from the house was 
 a line of rebel skirmishers. Fllc^ht or resistance 
 was out of the question, so we could only submit 
 to the Inevitable and hope for the best. The 
 enemy Immediately took possession of the hos- 
 pital, and their skirmishers advanced in the direc- 
 tion of Malvern Hill. The hou^e we were at 
 stands but a few steps from the road on which 
 most of the rebel army marched In the advance 
 on the Union position at Malvern Hill, and it was 
 but a few moments after the rebels had posses- 
 sion of this house when a rebel column came 
 marching rapidly past. I secured a good position, 
 and for hours watched the rebels marching alonor. 
 Most of the regiments appeared to be well 
 equipped and drilled, and under any other circum- 
 stances I might have enjoyed the sight ; but under 
 the present circumstances, I felt so vexed and 
 chagrined that it was anything but a pleasant 
 sight to me. To look at the long lines of armed 
 
TAKEN PRISONER. I 65 
 
 men marching along, with secession flags flung to 
 the breeze, and in pursuit of my comrades and 
 the dear old flag, and to realize that I was a help- 
 less prisoner among them, made me feel most 
 wretched, and filled my heart with dark fore- 
 bodines of the future. 
 
 The rebel regiments all carried two flaofs, and 
 these emblems of treason were a great annoyance 
 to the Union wounded lying on the ground. 
 ''Look at their dirty rags!'' and similar expres- 
 sions, could be heard frequently, and some of the 
 boys cared very little who heard them. The 
 finest body of rebel troops that marched along 
 this road was Gen Magruder's division. Some 
 of the rebels who came to the pump inside of the 
 yard for water, informed us that these troops had 
 not yet been engaged ; and they did have the 
 appearance of being fresh troops. The regi- 
 ments had from seven to nine or ten hundred 
 men. I counted seventeen regiments, and the 
 division must have had at least 13,000 men. As 
 the rebel army marched past, some of their men 
 were constantly coming inside of the yard for 
 water, and some of them sometimes stopped and 
 exchaneed a few words with us. 
 
 After Magruder's troops had passed, and troops 
 which I think belonged to Gen Jackson's corps, 
 were passing, an officer who was surrounded with 
 a numerous staff came riding into the yard, and I 
 soon came to the conclusion that he was some 
 
1 66 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 leading officer of the rebel army. Directly afte'r 
 riding into the yard, one officer came dashing up 
 and handed him a paper, which I suppose was 
 some kind of a dispatch, for, after reading it, he 
 galloped rapidly down the road, followed by his 
 escort, in the direction of the front. I was in- 
 tently watching him, and wondering who he might 
 be, when a rebel soldier who was standing close 
 to me asked if I knew who he was. On my 
 replying in the negative, he informed me that it 
 was "Stonewall Jackson." 
 
 I had considered him a very ordinary-looking 
 kind of a man, but the mention of his name 
 caused me to look closer, and I at least imagined 
 that his face betokened a strong, resolute and 
 brave character, and that he had the appearance 
 of being a great soldier ; but then had it happened 
 at the present day, and I been informed that it was 
 Guiteau, I might have come to the conclusion that 
 the face indicated a character of quite a different 
 kind. After all, we greatly judge men's faces 
 from what we have heard of them, and the ap- 
 pearance of a person is a poor criterion to judge 
 character from. The general appearance of 
 Jackson on horseback was not of the kind that 
 would impress the beholder with the idea that he 
 was a great military leader, but rather that of a 
 sturdy old farmer, who was riding along with his 
 knees drawn up and shoulders stooped, contem- 
 plating the probable value of his crops. 
 
REBEL SOLDIERS. 1 67 
 
 I had also the pleasure during the day of see- 
 ing the great Confederate leader, Gen. Lee, and I 
 considered him one of the finest-looking military 
 men I had ever seen. SIttlnor on horseback he 
 appeared to be of medium height, strong built, 
 with short, slightly gray, full beard, and warlike 
 cast of feature, which made him look every Inch 
 a soldier. 
 
 The stream of rebel soldiers kept marching 
 alonor the road in the direction of Malvern Hill 
 all the morning, and as early as nine o'clock Indica- 
 tions of a conflict beoran to show themselves In the 
 direction of that place. Gen. Magruder's divis- 
 ion after passing the hospital filed right, and 
 formed In line of battle with his left but a short 
 distance from the hospital, and his right extend- 
 ing towards the James river. They then ad- 
 vanced in the direction of the Union position. 
 This body of men was to lead the assault on the 
 Union lines, and after advancing to within the 
 distance it was to occupy before making the 
 charge, It came to a halt to await the formation 
 of the rebel line of battle. A strong body of 
 troops now advanced to within supporting dis- 
 tance of Magruder's line, and a strong column 
 also marched to the left of his position In the 
 direction of the Union no-ht. A larcre number of 
 batteries of artillery also passed during the fore- 
 noon, and w^ere placed In position along the rebel 
 line. It soon became evident to us that our men 
 
1 68 BATIXE FIELD AND PRISON PEN, 
 
 had made a stand for the purpose of contesting 
 the farther advance of the enemy, and that in all 
 probability a great battle would be fought in our 
 sight ; and we became very anxious as to what 
 would be the result. Up to about noon the mov- 
 ino- of the rebel columns and the occasional firinor 
 indicated that the enemy was feeling the Union 
 position, and we waited with the most painful 
 suspense for the opening of the conflict. 
 
 Directly after noon the enemy opened on the 
 Union lines with a terrific discharge of artillery. 
 This was soon responded to by the Union guns 
 on Malvern Hill, and for several hours the earth 
 shook from the effects of the terrible cannonad- 
 ing. We could plainly see that the advantage in 
 this contest was with our men, and that the rebels 
 were getting the worst of it; their artillery appar- 
 ently making no impression on the Union lines, 
 and some of their batteries beinof driven from 
 position. It was well on to three o'clock when 
 the loud cheering of the enemy indicated that 
 they were advancing to the assault, and soon the 
 crash of musketry announced the fact that the 
 opposing forces had come into close contact. 
 
 A severe contest ensued, and the rebels were 
 driven back with fearful loss. They, however, 
 soon re-formed, and again advanced to the at- 
 tack, and the battle again raged with the most 
 intense fury, and lasted for about one hour, when 
 the rebels were again compelled to fall back. 
 
FIRE FROM THE GUNBOATS. 1 69 
 
 After this repulse there was a short lull in the 
 fighting, but we soon discovered that the enemy 
 had not yet given up the hope of carrying the 
 Union position, and that they were making the 
 most earnest preparations to renew the conflict. 
 Between five and six o'clock the rebel army sud- 
 denly opened a terrific fire on the Union lines, 
 and then with loud cheers their infantry advanced 
 to the assault, and soon the battle opened with 
 greater fury than ever. We could see brigade 
 after bricrade, and division after division charo-inof 
 through the woods and over the open ground in 
 front of the Union lines, only to be driven back 
 with the same dreadful loss. 
 
 The guns of the Union fleet on the James river 
 had also opened fire on the enemy's lines, and 
 with the artillery along the Union position, kept 
 up a constant shower of shell, which played havoc 
 with the enemy. The scene was now one of the 
 most terrible grandeur. The flash of the larcre 
 guns from the ships, the shrieks of the two and 
 three hundred pound shells, as they rushed 
 through the air, and burst in the rebel lines with 
 a report as if the globe had exploded, carrying 
 death and dismay into the enemy's ranks un- 
 paralled in the history of the war, the continuous * 
 flash and roar of the long train of artillery on 
 Malvern Hill, the vivid flashes and incessant 
 ratde of musketry, the shouts of the enraged 
 combatants, all gave proof of a terrible battle. 
 
I JO BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 The enemy fought with the recklessness of 
 despair, but they could not accomplish impossibil- 
 ities, and one assault after the other met the 
 same result. No troops on the face of the earth 
 could have carried the Union position, and it 
 seemed like sheer madness for the rebel leaders 
 to thus sacrifice their men. The battle raged till 
 almost sundown, when the rebel columns, no 
 doubt now fully aware of the utter hopelessness 
 of the contest, broke and fled in the wildest con- 
 fusion from the field. Never had men more re- 
 solutely advanced to an assault, and never were 
 they more justifiable in falling back, than the col- 
 umn of rebel troops that charged on Malvern Hill. 
 
 I was in the yard watching the progress of the 
 battle, earnestly hoping and praying that our 
 troops would be successful, but fearing every mo- 
 ment that some part of our line would give way, 
 and disaster follow our army, but while thus en- 
 gaged, I was surprised and delighted to see a 
 stream of flying men issuing from the wood in 
 the rear of Magruder's position. It soon became 
 evident that his entire division was completely 
 broken, and was leaving the field in the utmost 
 confusion.. In 'a few moments after, the field in 
 the rear of the woods was crowded with a mass 
 of fleeinof fuofitives, and the shells from the Union 
 guns cutting them down at every step. The 
 panic soon spread along the entire rebel line, and 
 it fell back in terrible disorder. 
 
REBELS IN RETREAT. I7I 
 
 The ereatest excitement existed amonof us at 
 the hospital, and some of the men could hardly 
 be kept from cheering when witnessing the 
 flight of the enemy. Some of the shells from 
 the Union gunboats commenced to fall in rather 
 close proximity to the hospital, but we were too 
 much elated at the defeat of the enemy to care 
 much for that. In the excitement of the hour we 
 commenced to entertain a strong hope that we 
 would be re-captured by our men. Had the 
 Union troops advanced after the defeat of the 
 enemy, we certainly would have been, as the 
 rebels had enouorh to look after themselves with- 
 out molestinor us. The defeat of the rebels was 
 most thorough and complete ; they had not only 
 failed in accomplishing the purpose they had in 
 view when they made the assault, but had been 
 driven from the field with the most friofhtful 
 slaughter, and it was with the utmost difficulty 
 that they could get any of their men to rally as 
 far back as the hospital. I saw Gen Magruder 
 riding back and forth, swearing and raving like a 
 madman, trying to re-form his lines, but all in 
 vain. I do not believe that he succeeded in re- 
 forminof a reeiment of his division that nif^ht. 
 Close in the rear of the house I saw the colors of 
 an Alabama regiment with less than a dozen men 
 around them, and an officer making the most frantic 
 appeals to the balance of the regiment to halt 
 and form in line ; but the most of them made in 
 
172 BATTLE FIELD AxMD PRLSON PEN. 
 
 hot haste for the fortifications of Richmond, and I 
 am confident that not twenty men of the regiment 
 re-formed with the colors that nio-ht. 
 
 The Union guns kept up a slow, continuous 
 fire on the enemy in the early part of the even- 
 ing, but by ten o'clock the last shot was fired, and 
 the great Seven Days' struggle had come to a 
 close. Durlnor the nlo^ht laro^e numbers of rebel 
 wounded were brouorht in and laid on the orround 
 around us, and a constant stream of them were 
 belnof loaded In ambulances and wagons and sent 
 in the direction of Richmond. The cries and 
 groans of the poor wretches rang in our ears all 
 night, and I commenced to think that In the con- 
 fusion and hurry of getting the wounded out of 
 the way the enemy might not keep a strict watch 
 over us, and consequently there might be some 
 chance to escape to our lines, so I determined to 
 make the effort. I left the yard, and cautiously 
 passing through the long rows of wounded, took 
 a survey of the situation. I found, however, that 
 a line of rebel guards extended around the 
 hospital, and that escape was Impossible. In the 
 morning a line of rebel skirmishers advanced a 
 short distance in the direction of Malvern Hill, 
 and we found with sorrow that the Union forces 
 had fallen back, and we were sure of having a 
 taste of prison life in the South. 
 
 A number of Union surgeons were captured 
 with us, and they with the rebel surgeons were 
 
SURGEONS AT WORK. I 73 
 
 kept busy amputating limbs, and in other ways 
 attending to the wounded. I here witnessed the 
 most extraordinary display of nerve and courage 
 I have ever witnessed in my life. A captain in a 
 Union regiment had his leg so badly shattered 
 that he was informed that amputation was neces- 
 sary. He was propped up, and without giving 
 him anaesthetics of any kind, the doctors took off 
 his leg, the unfortunate man watching the opera- 
 tion with as little display of fear or nervousness 
 as if the doctors were performing the simplest 
 service for him. 
 
 On the morning after the close of the fighting, 
 the most terrible reports commenced to come in 
 about the condition of a large number of Union 
 wounded who were yet lying on the field, who 
 had fallen in the battle on Monday, at Charles 
 City cross roads. It had rained very heavily since 
 the battle, and it was said that the low grounds 
 beinof overflown with water, som.e of the men had 
 drowned, and others were in the most wretched 
 condition, and would have to perish if speedy 
 relief was not sent to them. The Union surgeons 
 secured the consent of the rebel authorities at the 
 hospital to (it out an expedition and try to save 
 them, and a number of wagons were furnished for 
 that purpose. A number of prisoners, some of 
 them wounded, but in such a manner as not to 
 interfere with their duties, were selected to go 
 with the train and load the wounded. I was se- 
 
174 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 lected to take charge of the squad, and furnished 
 with paper and pencil, and instructions to return 
 a written report of the condition of the field. We 
 were accompanied by a few guards, and to farther 
 protect us from the rebel soldiers who might be 
 rambling over the field, we had white strips of 
 muslin tied around our caps. Thus fitted out, we 
 proceeded on our mission of mercy, and it was 
 not long before we reached the battle field. 
 
 The dead had not been burled, and the sight 
 that met our eyes was horrible to behold. They 
 lay thick on the ground, and In some places were 
 heaped on top of each other, and presented a 
 sight so sickening that we could hardly proceed. 
 All had the appearance of being plundered by 
 rebel stragglers, their pockets being turned inside 
 out. Lying among the dead were a number of 
 wounded, and the hope of helping them gave us 
 nerve and strength to do what, under other cir- 
 cumstances, would have been an impossibility. I 
 had been instructed to remove only such as would 
 probably have a chance of recovery, and not dis- 
 turb those who were past hope ; but I soon found 
 it hard to discriminate between them. They 
 begged with tears In their eyes to be taken, and I 
 soon loaded as many as we could take. We 
 lifted quite a number out of the water and mud, 
 and made them as comfortable as we could, and 
 then started with our load for the hospital. On 
 the way, several died, and I was told by one of the 
 
DEATH IN THE TRENCHES. 
 
OFF FOR RICHMOND. I 75 
 
 doctors that I should not have loaded men who 
 were so hopelessly wounded. We had expected 
 to be sent out again ; but, in the meantime, it had 
 been decided to brinof no more wounded to our 
 hospital, and we did not get to go. 
 
 As we were shortly afterward sent to Rich- 
 mond, I never found out what means, if any, were 
 taken to help the poor fellows; but I have no 
 doubt that hundreds of them perished that might 
 have been saved, had the proper means been 
 taken. On the morning of the Fourth of July, 
 all of the wounded not nursing at the hospital, 
 and who could walk, were ordered to fall into 
 line, and, after bidding our comrades a sad fare- 
 well, we left for Richmond. We had proceeded 
 but a short distance, when I made a narrow escape 
 from being shot by one of the guards. I was 
 walking along carelessly, thinking of our miserable 
 condition, when I unthinkingly stepped a few steps 
 to the side of the column. A guard, who at least 
 pretended to think that I was going to make an 
 attempt to escape, raised his rifle to his shoulder 
 and aimed it for my head, and I suppose would 
 have shot me down like a dog, had not one of my 
 comrades caught me by the arm and jerked me 
 back into the ranks. The brute of a ofuard cursed 
 me, and said that if I attempted that again he 
 would blow the head off my shoulders. The idea 
 of making an attempt to escape had never entered 
 my mind. 
 
176 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 It had been confidently asserted by the North- 
 ern press that Richmond would be In possession 
 of our troops by the Fourth of July, and the rebels 
 appeared to be fully aware of this, and we had to 
 hear it oftener than was pleasant. "Well, you 
 Yanks did get to Richmond by the Fourth, did 
 you?" greeted our ears along the way, and by the 
 time we had reached the city, it appeared as if the 
 entire population had prepared themselves to join 
 the grand chorus. Our appearance seemed to 
 give them intense delight; but some of our boys 
 would keep telling them that they would some day 
 see the ''Yanks" enter the city, when the laugh 
 would be on the other side of the mouth. As we 
 marched through the city, we felt somewhat 
 anxious as to what kind of a place we were to be 
 shut up in; but we were not kept long in sus- 
 pense, for we soon marched up to a long, dingy- 
 lookinof brick buildinor somethinof over a hundred 
 feet long, and nearly as wide. The sign at the 
 one end, "Libby & Son," convinced us that we 
 had arrived at the infamous prison of that name. 
 It certainly presented a dreary and uninviting ap- 
 pearance, and we sincerely hoped that our stay in 
 it would not be lonor. After beinor searched for 
 arms and valuables, v/e marched into the building, 
 and our first experience of life in Southern prisons 
 had commenced. 
 
 After finding myself locked from the outer 
 world, I looked around to examine what kind of a 
 
 II 
 
LIBBY PRISON. I 7 7 
 
 place we had been shut in. I found it to be a 
 room about forty feet wide, and nearly one hun- 
 dred feet lono;. At one end of this room was a 
 wooden water trough, and a spigot to draw water 
 from, which gave us at least the privilege of 
 washing. The room was without furniture of any 
 kind, and the floor was filthy in the extreme. The 
 few low windows at the front but poorly lit up the 
 room, giving it a dreary and desolate appearance. 
 I was informed that five more rooms of the same 
 size, and several basement rooms, composed what 
 was known as Libby Prison — a name that will be 
 synonomous with all that is horrible and cruel ; 
 and as the Tower of London and the Black Hole 
 of Calcutta appear in English history, and the 
 military prison of Paris in French history, so will 
 Libby prison appear in American history, and it 
 will ever remain a blot on the boasted civilization 
 of the age, and a stigma on the American people. 
 In this dreary and desolate room, crowded to 
 overflowing with prisoners, almost all sick or 
 wounded, I stayed twenty-three days ; but as I 
 was subsequently a much longer time a captive 
 in the hands of the enemy, and at a time when 
 prison-life was even less endurable, I will not give 
 a detailed description of my imprisonment at this 
 time. I deem it but just to say, however, that the 
 treatment we received at this time, although bad, 
 was yet much better than the prisoners received 
 during the last two years of the war. The food 
 12 
 
178 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 was of a better quality and also more of it, and 
 more attention was paid to the sick and wounded 
 at this time than later. Several United States 
 surgeons, who had also been captured, were al- 
 lowed to come and see us daily, which was con- 
 siderable of a comfort and benefit. 
 
 A few days before my parole we had been in- 
 formed that we would be sent to Belle Island, in 
 the James river, and as it was represented as 
 being quite a pleasant place as compared to 
 Libby, we all felt anxious to go and stay there as 
 long as we should be compelled to be prisoners 
 of war. About this time, however, the wound in 
 my arm was getting somewhat troublesome. 
 The arm from the wound to the hand had be- 
 come full of dark spots, and threatened to get 
 very sore. My lacerated thumb was also in a 
 highly inflamed and painful condition, and I was 
 terribly alarmed one morning to find that my jaws 
 were aching fearfully and appeard to be getting 
 stiff, and that I could not without the greatest 
 difficulty swallow food. One of the men in the 
 room had died a few days before of lock-jaw, and 
 the fear of taking that terrible disease filled my 
 heart with gloom, and I could hardly wait until the 
 arrival of the doctors. As soon as I could get to 
 them, I informed them of it. They examined my 
 arm and thurnxb carefully, and then put me under 
 treatment, as I supposed for lock-jaw.v 
 
 It was on this day that the removal of prisoners 
 
 I 
 
BELLE ISLAND. I 79 
 
 to Belle Island commenced, and, as stated before, 
 we all felt anxious to go ; but It appears that a 
 number of the worst wounded were to be paroled 
 and sent to our lines, and that I was one of the 
 number selected for that purpose. But as I did 
 not know this, I felt very indignant when the most 
 of my comrades marched out and I was compelled 
 to stay. To add to my misery, I found that I 
 could not swallow any of the food which I received 
 during the day, and I was settling down in utter 
 despair, when it was announced to us that we 
 were to get ready to be sent to the Union lines. 
 My sorrow was immediately turned to joy, and 
 although I felt fearful about the disease that ap- 
 peared to be fastening itself on me, I felt rejoiced 
 that I could at least have the satisfaction of dying 
 away from the terrible scenes surrounding me, 
 and under the folds of the dear old flag. 
 
 We were immediately sent down the James 
 river to Mill Creek Union Hospital, near Fortress 
 Monroe, and there surrounded with all the care 
 and kindness we could wish for. In about one 
 month I regained Q-ood health, and was sent to 
 Camp Parole, at Annapolis, Maryland. After be- 
 ing at that place for about six weeks, I was ex- 
 changed and sent to my regiment. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS OUR CAPTURE AND 
 
 RE-CAPTURE. 
 
 f\N the first of March, 1864, Congress passed an 
 ^ act authorizing the President to appoint an 
 officer of the grade of Lieutenant-General, who 
 was to assume command of all the land forces of 
 the Government. On the tenth of the same 
 month, President Lincoln appointed General U. 
 S. Grant to that important position. Grant was 
 in Nashville, Tenn., at the time he was notified of 
 his appointment, and immediately hastened to 
 Washinofton to take command. In a creneral or- 
 der, he announced his intention of making his 
 headquarters with the Army of the Potomac, and 
 accompanying it in person in the campaign against 
 Richmond. The army was in winter quarters at 
 Culpepper, Va., and was under the gallant Major 
 General Geo. C. Meade, whose fitness to com- 
 mand that splendid organization had been fully 
 tested at Gettysburg. 
 
 Meade had, during the winter, thoroughly reor- 
 ganized his command, and when it entered on the 
 spring campaign, it was probably (with the excep- 
 tion of McClellan's army when it marched for 
 the Peninsula) the best equipped and drilled 
 
 (.So) 
 
GEN. GRANT IN COMMAND. l8l 
 
 army ever marshaled in this country. The First 
 and Third corps had been broken up, and distrib- 
 uted Into the Second, Fifth and Sixth. The Second 
 was commanded by Major General W. S. Han- 
 cock, the Fifth by Major General G. K. Warren, 
 and the Sixth by Major General John Sedgwick. 
 These officers had gready distinguished them- 
 selves, and were recognized as three of the best 
 corps commanders In the Union army. The cav- 
 alry was In command of Major General Sheridan, 
 who was ordered from the West for that special 
 purpose. Major General Burnside was in com- 
 mand of a force of about forty thousand men 
 encamped at Annapolis, Maryland. This force 
 was Intended as a reserve corps for the Army of 
 the Potomac, but was kept at Annapolis until the 
 army was ready to move, evidently for the pur- 
 pose of putting the rebel authorises under the 
 impression that It was intended to strike some 
 point along the Southern coast. Major General 
 B. F. Buder was also in command of an army of 
 about forty thousand men, with headquarters at 
 Fortress Monroe. This body of men was called 
 the Army of the James, and was intended to 
 co-operate with the Army of the Potomac, by at- 
 tackinor Richmond via Bermuda Hundred and Pe- 
 tersburg. The combined force, whose objective 
 point was the capture of Richmond, numbered, 
 about 200,000 men. Major General Siegel was 
 also In command of a considerable force in the 
 
1 82 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Shenandoah Valley. He was directed to move 
 on Lynchburg at the same time Meade and But- 
 ler moved on Richmond. Grant made his head- 
 quarters with the army of the Potomac, and per- 
 sonally directed Its movements. There can be no 
 doubt but that this had much to do In detracting 
 from the honor that really belonged to Meade. 
 The army was constantly spoken of as Grant's 
 army, and the fact that he was with the army 
 would do much to produce the belief that he, 
 more than Meade, deserved credit for compelling 
 the surrender of the greatest chieftain in the 
 Confederate army. Gen. Meade had saved the 
 country In one of Its greatest crises, and, judging 
 from the military genius he displayed wherever In 
 command, the impartial reader can come to no 
 other conclusion but that, had he been In chief 
 command, Lee's overthrow would have been just 
 as certain, and as soon accomplished. General 
 Grant, in a dispatch to the Government, said of 
 Meade: "Commanding all the armies, as I did, I 
 tried as far as possible to leave Gen. Meade in 
 independent command of the Army of the Poto- 
 mac. My instructions were all through him, and 
 were o-eneral in their nature, leavlnor all the de- 
 tails and execution to him. The campaign that 
 followed proved him to be the right man In the 
 right place. His commanding always in the pres- 
 ence of an officer superior to him In rank has 
 drawn from him much of the public attention 
 
THE SHENANDOAH CAMPAIGN. 1 83 
 
 which his zeal and ability entitled him to, and 
 which he would have otherwise received." 
 
 The campaigns of General Siegel, and of his 
 successor, Gen. Hunt, in the Shenandoah Valley 
 where a series of blunders that resulted in the 
 Union forces being driven from the valley with 
 heavy loss. This campaign, in place of terminat- 
 ing in the capture of Lynchburg, and assisting 
 Meade's forces in the capture of Richmond, en- 
 dangered the Capital at Washington to such an 
 extent as to necessitate the sending of a portion 
 of the Army of the Potomac, under the gallant 
 Sheridan, to the valley. Gen, Butler's campaign 
 south of the James river was equally unfortunate, 
 and only resulted in repeated disasters to his 
 army. As these generals received all the odium 
 connected with their respective campaigns, and 
 their forces were under the command of the 
 Lieutenant-General, as well as Meade's army, it 
 would be but fair to suppose that Mende was 
 equally entitled to the credit of conducting the 
 campaign that ended in the surrender of the 
 rebel army at Appomattox Court House. At the 
 time Grant established his headquarters with the 
 Army of the Potomac, our division (the Pennsyl- 
 vania Reserves) was encamped along the line of 
 the Orange and Alexandria railroad, our regi- 
 ment (the First) being in camp at Bristow Station. 
 
 On the 29th of April we broke camp and 
 marched to Warrenton, a distance of thirty 
 
184 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 miles, where we camped for the night. Early in 
 the morning we continued our march, moving in 
 the direction of Culpepper. We crossed the 
 Rappahannock river at Rappahannock Station, 
 and by evening had reached the army. We had 
 been for some time separated from the main 
 army, and were glad to get back to it again. 
 We all knew that we were on the eve of an im- 
 portant campaign, and one that would in all 
 probability close the war. The greatest enthusi- 
 asm existed throughout the entire camp, and all 
 had the utmost confidence in the two oreat 
 soldiers who were to lead us. On the 3d of May 
 the camp was in a furor of excitement, and all 
 anxiously waited for the orders to move. The 
 army had been reinforced, and everything now 
 appeared to be in readiness to commence the 
 campaign that was to break the backbone of the 
 rebellion. 
 
 General Meade during the day issued the fol- 
 lowing order, which was read to every regiment 
 in the evening on dress parade : 
 
 Headquarters Army of the Potomac, '^ 
 
 May 3, 1864. j 
 
 Soldiers: Again you are called upon to advance on the enemies of 
 your country. The time and the occasion are deemed opportune by 
 your commanding General to address you a few words of confidence 
 and caution. You have been reorganized, strengthened, and fully 
 equipped in every respect. You form a part of the several armies of your 
 country, the whole under an able and distinguished General, who enjoys 
 
FORWARD AGAIN. 1 85 
 
 the confidence of the government, the people, and the army. Your 
 movement being m co-operation with others, it is of the utmost 
 importance that no effort should be spared to make it successful. 
 Soldiers, the eyes of the whole country are looking with anxious 
 hope to the blow you are about to strike in the most sacred cause 
 that ever called men to arms. Remember your homes, your wives, 
 and your children, and bear in mind that the sooner your enemies 
 are overcome, the sooner you will be returned to enjoy the bless- 
 ings and benefits of peace. Bear with patience the hardships you 
 will be called upon to endure. Have confidence in your officers 
 and each other. Keep your ranks on the march and on the battle 
 field, and let each man earnestly implore God's blessing, and en- 
 deavor by his thoughts and actions to render himself worthy of 
 the favor he seeks. With clear conscience and strong arms, ac- 
 tuated by a high sense of duty, fighting to preserve the government 
 and the institutions handed down to us by our forefathers, if true 
 to ourselves, victory, under God's blessing, must and will attend our 
 
 efforts. 
 
 George G. Meade, 
 
 Major General Conimanding. 
 
 Directly after midnight, May 4th, the reveille in 
 the Union army was beaten. Soon after^ the 
 troops were marching from their camps, and the 
 great movement against the rebel capital had be- 
 gun. Our corps (the Fifth) marched out on the 
 Fredericksburg plank-road, and some time in the 
 forenoon crossed the Rapidan river at Germania 
 Ford. We marched until about four o'clock in 
 the afternoon, when we camped for the night, 
 having gone a distance of thirty miles. Our camp 
 for the night was in the vicinity of what Is known 
 as the Wilderness tavern. The Sixth corps had 
 
1 86 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 followed on the same road, and had also crossed 
 the river, its left connecting with our right. Gen- 
 eral Hancock's corps crossed at Ely's ford, and 
 marched to Chancellorsville. General Burnside, 
 with the Ninth corps, had left Annapolis, Mary- 
 land, about a week before, and by forced marches, 
 succeeded in getting into camp at Culpepper at 
 about the time the movement beofun. He was 
 instructed to stay in camp twenty-four hours, 
 and then follow the army. It does not appear 
 to have been Grant's plan to fight the battle 
 of the Wilderness, but to compel Lee to abandon 
 his strong position by a movement on his right 
 flank, thinking, no doubt, that if Lee would find 
 his communications with Richmond in dauQfer 
 of being severed, he would withdraw from the 
 Wilderness, and be compelled to fight on ground 
 where the chances of success would be more 
 favorable to the Union army. The tract of land 
 known as the Wilderness is covered with "scrub 
 oak, low pines, cedar, and brush." It is crossed 
 in all directions by a number of narrow roads, 
 and numerous foot or cattle paths. So dense 
 was the undergrowth where the ground was 
 wet and low, that it was almost impossible for 
 troops to get through; and the entire nature of 
 the ground was of such a description that it was 
 almost impossible to bring cavalry or artillery into 
 action. Lee, who was familiar with the country, 
 and had beaten Hooker on nearly the same 
 
COUNTER MOVEMENTS. I 87 
 
 ground, had selected this wild and Isolated place 
 for a defensive position. He had added to its 
 natural strength by a complete system of fortifica- 
 tions, which extended for twenty miles to the 
 rleht and left of Oranore Court House. Had 
 Grant attacked him on his left or Iront, Lee's 
 position would have given him all the advantage; 
 but the weak point In his line was his right Hank, 
 and Grant and Meade seemed soon to have dis- 
 covered It. Lee, who was undoubtedly deceived 
 by Grant's movements, was unprepared to resist 
 the passage of the Rapidan, and the movements 
 of the Federal troops on the first day endangered 
 his position to such an extent that Immediate 
 steps became necessary to prevent Grant from 
 completely turning his right wing and cutting off 
 his communications. But Lee was not the com- 
 mander to be very long deceived by the move- 
 ments of an opponent. He Immediately com- 
 menced a movement on Grant's right flank, 
 assuming' an "oft'enslve defensive" attitude that 
 would compel Grant to give him battle on ground 
 of his own choosing. In this movement Lee was 
 entirely successful, and it soon became evident 
 that Grant would have to fight him where the 
 chances would be greatly against our side. 
 
 Lee's army had been strongly reinforced by 
 Longstreet's corps, which had just arrived from 
 the west, and as near as can be ascertained the 
 two opposing armies were about equal In num- 
 
1 88 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 bers when the fiofhtlnof commenced. Lee had 
 greatly the advantage In fighting in a country 
 where he was famiHar with every foot of the 
 ground, and could resist almost every movement 
 of his opponent with fortified positions. Grant, 
 on the other hand, had the advantage durlnor the 
 campaign, that followed in being strongly rein- 
 forced. It does not appear that Lee received 
 any considerable number after the fighting com- 
 menced. Grant was strongly reinforced after the 
 first battle. On the night of the 4th of May, 
 when the Union army was resting In its camps 
 waiting for the dawn to continue the movement 
 on Lee's flank, that crafty commander w^as mov- 
 ing his army In two parallel lines on Grant's right 
 flank. He had moved Gen. Ewell's corps on the 
 turnpike and Gen. HilPs on the plank road, and 
 before morning had them in position in front of 
 the right wing of our army. 
 
 There was a strange analogy between the two 
 opposing armies on the morning before the great 
 battle; each commander had moved on the right 
 flank of his opponent, and yet from somewhat 
 different motives. Long before daylight, May 
 5th, the Union army was in line, waiting for the 
 orders to advance. At about sunrise the march 
 was continued, but we had not proceeded more 
 than about one-half mile when Information was 
 received that the enemy was in our front. It was 
 evidently somewhat of a surprise to our officers, 
 
IN THE WILDERNESS 1 89 
 
 as the appearance of the enemy was unexpected. 
 Preparations were Immediately made to give 
 them battle. Our corps (the Fifth) was concen- 
 trated on the pike and ordered to attack the 
 enemy In our front whenever an opportunity pre- 
 sented Itself. The Sixth corps was ordered to 
 move to the right of the Fifth and attack the 
 rebels, who were moving In heavy columns In 
 that direction, and endano-erinof our line of com- 
 munlcations. General Hancock was ordered to 
 " deflect his line of march, and take position with 
 his corps on the left of the Fifth." The position 
 of our division (the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps) 
 In the early part of the day was on Major Lacy's 
 farm. At about ten o'clock we were ordered to 
 move In the direction of Parker's store and form 
 a line of battle. We moved along cautiously, meet- 
 ing a few rebel skirmishers, who fled at our ap- 
 proach. We then formed In line of battle near 
 the plank-road, our regiment (the First) and the 
 Bucktalls being on the extreme left. Directly 
 after forming line, Capton Wasson, commanding 
 our company, was ordered to take his command 
 and move through the woods beyond for the pur- 
 pose of reconnoltering the enemy's lines. This 
 wood was a perfect wilderness, being composed 
 of '' low-limbed and scraggy pines, stiff-bristling 
 chlncaplns," and brush of every description. 
 Through It, however, were several foot or cattle 
 paths, on one of which we took our line of march. 
 
190 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 After proceeding about one-half mile, we came to 
 an opening, or small tract of cleared land. Along 
 the edge of the woods on the other side, we could 
 see a line of troops, but could not at first deter- 
 mine to what army they belonged. "When we 
 started, we were cautioned to be careful about 
 firing on any one, as Gen. Getty's division (which 
 had been detached from the Sixth corps) was 
 moving for position on our left. After discover- 
 ing the presence of troops in our front, we came 
 to a halt and tried to make out where they be- 
 longed. They had by this time became aware of 
 our presence, and evidently were about as much 
 perplexed about us as we were about them. We 
 were, however, not to be left long in doubt as 
 to what side they belonged ; for one of them ad- 
 vanced a few steps from his line, and unfurled a 
 large rebel flag. We could hardly be kept from 
 firing on them ; but as our captain had received 
 instructions not to brinor on an en^aorement, he 
 would not let us fire. As we fell back, the rebels 
 fired one shot at us, which passed harmlessly over 
 our heads. We slowly fell back to the line. 
 About an hour after, Lieut. Wilder and ten men 
 from Company B were ordered to make a recon- 
 noissance in the same direction. As our company 
 had been over the ground. Col. Talley thought it 
 would be best to send two men from it with the 
 detail. The Colonel then asked for two volun- 
 teers from the company, and William Bruce and 
 
SKIRMISHING. I9I 
 
 myself offered our services and accompanied the 
 squad. We had proceeded but a short distance 
 when we encountered the enemy, who had ad- 
 vanced and occupied the wood our company had 
 just marched through. We were driven back to 
 our regiment, making a narrow escape from death 
 or captivity. Companies C and K were then sent 
 out to dislodge them ; but, finding the enemy in 
 strong force, fell back in haste to our lines. The 
 severe fighting did not commence, however, until 
 about twelve o'clock, when the divisions of Grifnn 
 and Wadsworth, of our corps, which had position 
 on the right of our division, met the enemy, and 
 soon became hotly engaged. The rebels, who 
 were commanded by Gen. Ewell, were driven 
 back, and a decided advantage would have been 
 gained, had the difficult nature of the ground not 
 prevented the Sixth corps from getting into posi- 
 tion in time to assist Griffin and Wadsworth. 
 The advantasfe thus gained was unfortunate in 
 the end, as it exposed the extreme right flahk of 
 our corps. The enemy soon took advantage of 
 it, and attacking Griffin with great fury, succeeded 
 in turning his right flank, and compelling him to 
 fall back. The division of Wadsworth, after the 
 most desperate fighting, was also compelled to give 
 way, and the enemy succeeded in getting between 
 his troops and our division. The right wing of 
 our division was now in great peril, but bravely 
 held its ground. 
 
192 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 During this time the fighting on our left was 
 also very severe. A. P. Hill's rebel corps had at- 
 tacked and driven in the cavalry, when they en- 
 countered Getty's division of the Sixth corps. 
 Getty, although outnumbered three to one, 
 bravely held his ground until the arrival of Gen- 
 eral Hancock with the Second corps. Had 
 Getty's command given way, our division would 
 have been surrounded and cut off from the army. 
 As stated before, Hancock had marched his com- 
 mand to Chancellorsville, where he was in camp 
 on the morning the battle opened. When he re- 
 ceived the order to deflect his march, he obeyed 
 with his usual alacrity, and his arrival on the field 
 was most fortunate. Hill's entire corps was con- 
 tending with Getty's division, which could not 
 much Ioniser have held out ao^ainst the tremen- 
 dous odds it was fighting. Hancock promptly 
 brought his corps into action, and for three hours 
 the battle on this part of the field raged with the 
 most intense fury. Directly after a gap was 
 created between Wadsworth's command and our 
 division on our right, and Getty's lines were 
 threatened with destruction on our left, an aid 
 rode up to Gen. Crawford, and informed him that 
 his command was in danger of being surrounded, 
 and if he did not withdraw immediately, his 
 retreat would be cut off Almost the entire Third 
 briorade of our division was on the skirmish line. 
 The Second brigade, under the command of Col. 
 
WITHDRAWING THE SKH^MISHERS. 1 93 
 
 McCandless, had been sent to support Wads- 
 worth's hard-pressed troops. Our brigade was 
 in line in the rear of the Third brigade. Gen. 
 Crawford took immediate measures to withdraw 
 his command from its dangerous position. To 
 Col. Fisher, a most meritorious officer, was as- 
 signed the duty of withdrawing the skirmish line 
 in our front. A messenofer was sent to Col. Mc- 
 Candless, ordering him to return to the division. 
 Col. Fisher, with great skill, succeeded In with- 
 drawing the skirmish line, and the First and Second 
 brigades were ordered to a position about one 
 mile in the rear. The Second brigade was, how- 
 ever, not so fortunate. The messenger sent to 
 inform McCandless of his danger, did not find 
 him ; the consequence was, his command was 
 surrounded by the enemy, who had advanced rap- 
 idly over the ground vacated by the other two 
 brigades. Col. McCandless was, however, too 
 good a soldier to surrender his command without 
 making a desperate effort to save it. Finding 
 himself unsupported, and being surrounded, he 
 ordered his command to " about-face," and en- 
 deavor to withdraw from a position he knew had 
 become untenable. The movement was made 
 none too soon, as a rebel column had formed In 
 Una in his rear to cut off his escape. He imme- 
 diately ordered the Eleventh regiment to charge 
 on this line and open the road. This command 
 was obeyed in the most gallant style, the men 
 
194 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 charging with an Impetuosity that scattered the 
 rebels in every direction. The most of the Sec- 
 ond, Sixth, and Eleventh regiments succeeded in 
 escaping through the opening made by the charge, 
 but lost severely in killed and wounded. The 
 Seventh regiment, commanded by Col. Bollinger, 
 had been advanced too far in the woods to be 
 successfully withdrawn, and the Colonel, with 
 almost his entire regiment, were captured and 
 taken to Richmond as prisoners of war. During 
 the fighting, the woods caught fire, and it is said 
 " a number of the unfortunate wounded burned to 
 death." Our division was re-formed on Lacy's 
 farm, which position we held during the night. 
 The Sixth corps, on the right, in moving for posi- 
 tion, had encountered the enemy several times 
 during the day, and had some severe fighting — 
 but very little was accomplished in that direction. 
 Owlno^ to the difficult nature of the ground, Sede- 
 wick did not get his entire corps Into position 
 during the day. A demonstration by Hancock's 
 corps, supported by a portion of the Fifth, put an 
 end to the fighting for the first day ; but little was 
 accomplished, however, by this, more than to get 
 the lines into good position, to renew the conflict 
 in the morning. Night had put an end to the 
 fighting, and both armies rested on their arms, 
 waiting anxiously for the dawning of another day. 
 The desperate nature of the fighting, and indeci- 
 sive results arising from it, were enough to convince 
 
THE VERGE OF BATTLE. 1 95 
 
 US that terrible would be the carnage before the 
 ereat battle was decided. Two armies, -whose 
 combined strength numbered fully one-fourth of a 
 million men, commanded by the best military men 
 of the age, had locked in a deadly embrace, and 
 both would have to suffer severely before the 
 contest was over. Only those wlio have been in 
 like situations can fully appreciate the feelings of 
 a soldier on the night after an indecisive battle. 
 Many of his comrades have fallen, and he knows 
 that before the setting of another sun, many more 
 will be added to the '' bivouac of the dead." He 
 cannot avoid thinking that the chances are many 
 that he, too, may be among the number ; and how 
 lovingly he thinks of the dear ones at home, and 
 hopes and prays that he may meet them again. 
 I have frequently heard men say that the soldiers 
 who fought for the Union were prompted by sel- 
 fish ends, and that men never go to war from 
 patriotic motives. " They enlisted for the money," 
 is a common expression made use of by that kind 
 of people. No baser or more cowardly slander 
 could be invented against the dead, who died to 
 protect the lives and property of their slanderers. 
 Had the men who whipped the rebel army at 
 Gettysburg been moved by no other motive than 
 the few paltry dollars they received for their ser- 
 vices, the boast of the rebel General Toombs, 
 that he would call the roll of his slaves on 
 Bunker Hill, would have become a fact. 
 
196 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 " An honest soldier ne'er despise, 
 Or count him as a stranger ; 
 Remember, he's his country's stay 
 In hour and time of danger," 
 
 The first day's battle closed without any ma- 
 terial advantage to either side ; if any existed at 
 all it was probably on the side of the rebels. The 
 loss in killed and wounded was about equal ; but 
 the greater part of Warren's corps had been 
 thrown into some confusion, and lost a consider- 
 able number of prisoners. No blame can, however, 
 be attached to Gen. Warren and his corps. His 
 attack at noon would undoubtedly have been a 
 complete success, had not the want of roads and 
 denseness of the thicket prevented Sedgwick from 
 bringing his corps into action at the time. On 
 the other hand, it may be said that Grant and 
 Meade had received valuable information in re- 
 gard to Lee's strength ; and, although they had 
 not driven the rebel army from its position, they 
 had held their own ao^ainst the fearful assaults 
 made on them ; and a reasonable hope might be 
 entertained that a decided success could be 
 achieved on the morrow. General Burnside, with 
 the Ninth corps arrived on the field late in the 
 evening, and was moved to the right and rear of 
 Hancock's corps, where it became evident the 
 brunt of the battle would fall in the morning. 
 Subsequent events proved that the disposition of 
 Burnside's corps was most fortunate. General 
 
STILL FIGHTING. 1 97 
 
 Longstreet's corps of the rebel army arrived on 
 the field during- the night, and re-inforced General 
 Hill, whose corps held position in front of Han- 
 cock's lines. 
 
 At daylight, May 5th, Hancock opened the bat- 
 tle by a vigorous charge on the enemy in his 
 front. The attack was at first successful, and 
 Hill's rebel corps was compelled to give way, 
 losing a large number of prisoners, and five 
 stands of colors. Hill's hard-pressed troops were 
 at this time re-inforced by Longstreet's corps, who, 
 as yet, had not been in action. Longstreet and 
 Hill succeeded in rallying Hill's broken divisions, 
 and uniting them with Longstreet's corps. The 
 combined rebel host pressed forward on Han- 
 cock's lines. Then issued one of the most ter- 
 rible battles known in the annals of the war. 
 Hancock was at last compelled to give way and 
 fall back to the Brock road, where, being re-in- 
 forced by the Ninth and part of the Fifth corps, he 
 succeeded in holding his position. It was in this 
 action that the lamented General Wadsworth was 
 killed and Getty severely w^ounded. On the right, 
 Gen. Sedgwick's corps also became furiously en- 
 gaged with Ewell's rebel corps, early in the morn- 
 ing. Ewell commenced the battle by a charge 
 on the Union line, and was driven back with 
 terrible slaughter. At about ten o'clock Ewell 
 renewed the battle, but was again defeated. At 
 about noon the fighting stopped entirely, and 
 
198 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 for four hours peace and quiet reigned along the 
 entire front. During the heavy fighting on the 
 rlo-ht and left, our corps held the centre of the 
 line, and with the exception of Wadsworth's divi- 
 sion, was not severely engaged. 
 
 Durino- the lull In the hc^htlnof, both armies 
 made preparations for another test of strength. 
 The rebels had acraln massed In front of Han- 
 cock's lines, and that part of the field was again 
 to bear the brunt of the battle. Hancock's line 
 advanced from the Brock road, and Stevenson's 
 division, of Burnslde's corps, was placed In posi- 
 tion between the Second and Fifth corps. The 
 balance of the Ninth corps was in position in the 
 rear of the Second. At about four o'clock the 
 cheering and rapid volleys of musketry announced 
 the advance of the enemy. The two large corps 
 of Longstreet and Hill, directed by Longstreet, 
 who was known as the most rapid and desperate 
 fighter in the rebel army, fell like a thunderbolt 
 on the right of Hancock's corps and Stevenson's 
 division of the Ninth. Birney's division of Han- 
 cock's corps was in position on the right, and It, 
 with Stevenson's, received the brunt of the attack. 
 After the most desperate fighting, these two divi- 
 sions were compelled to fall back. The rebel 
 troops rapidly advanced through the gap thus 
 created, and penetrated to within a short distance 
 of Meade's headquarters. 
 
 Their success was, however, short-lived. Gen. 
 
THE ENEMY REPULSED. 1 99 
 
 Hancock ordered Gibbon's division of his corps to 
 charge on die advancing rebel hosts, and after a 
 terrible hand-to-hand conflict, first stayed the fur- 
 ther advance of the enerny, and then drove them 
 from the field, re-capturing BIrney's entrenched 
 position. The balance of the Second, Ninth, and 
 Fifth corps were rapidly brought into action, and 
 the battle raged with great fury until night. The 
 rebels were defeated, and Lee's most desperate 
 effort to cut throui^-h our lines was frustrated It 
 
 o 
 
 is said when Lee saw his troops beaten back by 
 our men, he rushed forward to lead a rebel brigade, 
 but was prevented by his officers and men, who 
 begged him not to expose himself in that way. 
 During the heavy fighting on the left, our division 
 became engaged with the enemy In our front, and 
 defeated them. In the evening we marched to 
 the assistance of Hancock's corps, but did not 
 proceed far when we received word that the rebels 
 were defeated; we then returned to our former 
 position. During the day our brigade lost one of 
 its best ofiflcers, Lieut. Col. Dare, of the Fifth regi- 
 ment, who was killed at the head of his command. 
 To all appearance the fighting was over ; not a 
 shot was heard along the entire line, and we were 
 thinking of getting a good night's rest. But in 
 this we were greatly disappointed. Gen. Lee, 
 after his terrible defeat in front of Hancock's 
 lines, immediately made preparations to attack 
 our right wing. Under cover of the night he rap- 
 
200 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 idly moved a heavy column of troops, and hurled 
 them on our extreme right. We had just finished 
 our suppers and were congratulating ourselves 
 that the day's work was over, when rapid firing on 
 our right dispelled the delusion. The rebel at- 
 tack was a complete surprise, and for sometime 
 threatened a serious disaster to our army. 
 
 The rebels had succeeded in turning the right 
 wing of the army, capturing two brigades of 
 Sedgwick's corps, and getting possession of our 
 line of communication by way of the Rapidan. 
 Our division was ordered to fall In line and march 
 to Sedgwick's support. Communications between 
 the army and that corps had also been severed, 
 and to our division was assigned the duty of 
 opening them. '^ Guided by the roar of battle," 
 we started on the march. As we did not know at 
 what moment we might meet the enemy, we 
 moved along with the utmost caution ; after pro- 
 ceeding a short distance along the pike, we turned 
 to the left, and followed a by-road down a hollow. 
 As we marched through, we could distinctly hear 
 the movements of a rebel battery on a hill to our 
 left. With cautious steps and beating hearts, we 
 worked our way slowly along, no one speaking 
 above a whisper, and using the utmost care to 
 prevent our tin-cups and equipments from clang- 
 ing together or making any noise that would 
 betray us to the enemy. After getting through 
 the hollow, we continued our march through a 
 
THE BATTLE ENDED. 20I 
 
 wood until we reached Sedgwick's lines. The 
 fighting was by this time over, and as Sedgwick 
 had stopped the further advance of the rebels, our 
 services were not needed, and we returned to our 
 former position on Lacy's farm. The fighting on 
 the right ended what Is known In history as the 
 battle of the Wilderness. In the morninof, Sede- 
 wick's batteries on the right opened fire, and as 
 the rebels did not reply, skirmishers were ad- 
 vanced along the entire line, which demonstrated 
 the fact that Lee had withdrawn his army, and 
 was marchlnof In the direction of North Anna 
 river. The battle of the Wilderness was a drawn 
 battle, and neither army could claim much advan- 
 tage over the other. The loss was probably about 
 equal in killed and wounded, but the rebels held 
 the largest number of prisoners. Their getting 
 possession of our line of communications, by way 
 of the Rapidan, was a barren victory to them, as 
 the day after the battle closed, the city of Freder- 
 icksburg was occupied by the Union forces, and 
 communications opened with the army In that 
 direction. Both armies lost severely In officers. 
 On the Union side, Generals Wadsworth and 
 Hayes were killed, and Generals Hancock, Getty, 
 Gregg, Owen, Bartlett, and Carroll were wounded 
 — Hancock but slightly, as he did not retire from 
 the field. 
 
 The rebels lost in killed, Generals Jones, Jen- 
 kins and Stafford, and Generals Longstreet, Peg- 
 
202 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 ram, Rickett and Hunter were wounded. The 
 wounding of Longstreet was a severe loss to the 
 Rebel army, as it disabled him from further ser- 
 vice during the war. He was, without doubt, one 
 of the best commanders in the Southern army. 
 With no disparagement to the other able corps 
 commanders, it may be said, that to the great 
 skill and bravery of General Hancock, more was 
 due for the success that was achieved in this bat- 
 tle than to any other corps commander on the 
 field. 
 
 As soon as it was fully ascertained that Lee 
 was withdrawing entirely from the field, prepara- 
 tions were made to pursue him. The cavalry 
 marched out on the Brock road, and our corps 
 was ordered to move past the Second and join in 
 the pursuit. As we marched well to the front, In 
 passing Hancock's lines, we had a good oppor- 
 tunity of witnessing the terrible effects of the 
 fighting on that part of the field. It was here 
 that the colored troops received their first baptism 
 of fire, and the large number of dead demon- 
 strated how nobly they had sustained the ordeal. 
 After we passed the Second corps, it fell in line 
 and followed in our rear. The Sixth and Ninth 
 corps marched on the Orange plank-road, "all 
 converging to Spottsylvania Court House." 
 
 During the night we marched slowly and made 
 frequent short stops ; the cavalry being com- 
 pelled to feel their way cautiously, as Lee was 
 
A CLOSE RACE. 203 
 
 moving his army on a road parallel with the one 
 we were on, and but a short distance from our 
 column ; and as he was familiar with the ground, 
 he might at any time stop and give us a blow. 
 After daylight we commenced to move along rap- 
 idly, and it soon became evident that we were 
 racing with the rebel army for some object in our 
 front. As we had a good rest the day before, 
 and marched slowly during the night, we were in 
 good marching condition, and all the men kept 
 up to the work, and by nine o'clock the march 
 became a double-quick, which was continued for 
 nine or ten miles. The most of the men gave 
 out, and, when we formed line of battle on the 
 Po, the regiments were small indeed. Captain 
 Wasson, commanding our company, had less than 
 a dozen in line. Most of the men, however, suc- 
 ceeded In getting up during the afternoon and 
 joining their companies. It appeared to have 
 been a race between Grant and Lee for position 
 at Spottsylvania Court House, and Lee was suc- 
 cessful, as he had the start and the shortest route. 
 We may console ourselves with the fact that It 
 was not a fair race, anyhow. The cavalry struck 
 the rebel column at Elsop's farm, and skirmished 
 with the enemy until the arrival of Griffin's and 
 Robinson's division of our corps, which soon be- 
 came severely engaged. The rebels were com- 
 to fall back, but, being re-inforced, they made 
 a desperate charge on Robinson's troops, and 
 
204 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 succeeded in forclnof his division from the field. 
 Our division was at this time arriving on the 
 field, and we were immediately ordered to form 
 line, and charge on the advancing rebels. The 
 troops on our left were fleeing from the field, 
 and a rebel battery was pouring at short range 
 volley after volley, in rapid succession, into their 
 demoralized ranks. This battery our brigade was 
 ordered to charge. As we were almost worn out 
 by the marching, it was with some difficulty that 
 the men could be brought into line. It was a 
 critical moment. The rebels had attacked Grif- 
 fin's division in overwhelming numbers, and it, 
 with Robinson's division, was forced from the 
 field with fearful loss, After we formed line to 
 charge on the battery, it opened its fire on us, 
 and for a short time the bricrade hesitated about 
 advancing. Fortunately, a band belonging to one 
 of the cavalry regiments came to our rear, and 
 commenced playing a national air. The effect 
 was almost maelcal ; the men commenced cheer- 
 ing, and dashed forward on the rebels. The bat- 
 tery was sending volley after volley of grape and 
 canister into our ranks ; but on pressed the bri- 
 gade, reserving its fire until within short range, 
 when, opening on them, it dislodged the battery, 
 and drove its supports to the rear. The charge 
 was made in the most gallant style, and was a 
 decided success, as it enabled the retiring troops 
 to re-form their lines, and stop the further 
 
AGAIN IN BATTLE LINE. 205 
 
 advance of the enemy. In the Impetuosity of the 
 charge, we had, however, advanced too far, and 
 belncr in imminent dancrer of bein^r flanked, we 
 were withdrawn to the main Hne. Re-inforce- 
 ments were rapidly coming up, and a brisk skir- 
 mish was kept up all along the line during the 
 afternoon ; but there was no heavy fighting until 
 about six o'clock in the evening. 
 
 In the meantime, we had refreshed ourselves 
 with a good dinner ; the most of the men had also 
 succeeded in getting a little sleep. At about five 
 o'clock we aijain formed line of battle. Meade's 
 entire army was now on the field. His line ex- 
 tending from the north of Spottsylvania Court 
 House along the Po river, our corps was again in 
 the centre, the Sixth on our left, the Second 
 on the right, and the Ninth in reserve. The 
 marching of troops, the dashing back and forth 
 of aids carrying dispatches, and more than all, 
 the appearance of Meade and Grant on the field, 
 inspecting the line, indicated that a great battle 
 was again at hand. Directly after six o'clock the 
 order was given to advance. As the mighty host 
 moved forward, the loud cheering of the men 
 indicated how little the hard fiehtinof and severe 
 marching of the campaign had dampened the 
 ardor of the army. The rebels were driven back 
 for a considerable distance, and their first line of 
 intrenchments carried. They then fell back to a 
 strongly fortified position, from which they sue- 
 
206 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 cessfully defended themselves from the furious 
 assaults of the Union troops. About dark, our 
 division held a position along the edge of a wood. 
 We were soon after ordered to advance through 
 it and attack the enemy in our front. We had 
 g-one but a short distance when we met the 
 enemy, who held a strong intrenched position. 
 They let us come close to their line, when they 
 gave us a terrible volley of musketry. It was a 
 complete surprise to us, and the line was thrown 
 into some confusion ; but order was soon re- 
 stored, and we commenced to return the enemy's 
 fire. Fortunately for us the rebels had directed 
 their fire too high, a shower of bullets passing 
 over our heads, cutting the leaves and small limbs 
 of the trees like a hail storm. 
 
 Our brigade held its ground for some time ; 
 but owing to the troops on our left giving way, 
 we were flanked and compelled to fall back. Wc, 
 at first, retired slowly, keeping up a continuous 
 fire on the enemy, but finally broke and fled. 
 After retreating a short distance, Col. Talley, 
 commanding the brigade, made a determined 
 effort to rally his men and check the rebel ad- 
 vance. The result was, that he and about four 
 hundred of- his men were captured and marched 
 to the rear. When the line broke I ran for the 
 rear; but, after getting to the place where the 
 Colonel was tr}^ing to make a stand, I fell in line 
 aorain, but soon wished that I had continued in my 
 
FLEEING FOR LIBERTY. 20/ 
 
 flight. We made a short resistance, but found 
 that certain death would be our fate If we did not 
 surrender. The rebels had flanked us on the 
 left, and were getting Into our rear; discovering 
 this, I came to the conclusion to attempt an 
 escape by running to the right. In the confusion 
 I had succeeded In getting away, and would, no 
 doubt, have escaped, had I not become confused 
 in regard to the course I should pursue after get- 
 ting away from my comrades. Had I turned to 
 the right after running a few hundred yards, I 
 would, no doubt, have succeeded in rettino- to our 
 lines; but I continued running until I came to a 
 small opening or clearing in the wood. I stopped 
 to consider what would be best to do. As I was 
 almost played out, and had got away from the 
 rebels, at least for the present, I came to the con- 
 clusion to lie down and take a rest, and watch for 
 further developments. For a short time every- 
 thing was as quiet as the grave ; and tired and 
 worn out as I was, rest was very sweet, and I 
 could hardly make up my mind to move. As I 
 had had very little sleep for the last two nights, I 
 soon became, after lying down, very sleepy. I 
 was almost asleep, when I was startled by a small 
 animal that ran close by me. I jumped up, but 
 discovering the object of my alarm, I lay down 
 again. However, I soon concluded to move on, 
 and was getting up to do so, when I heard a 
 noise as if some one was cominof throucrh the 
 
208 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 wood In my rear. I walked back a few steps and 
 listened, when I discovered that a rebel skirmish, 
 line was moving through the woods. Taking my 
 gun at a trail arms, I started to run across the 
 clearing, and had almost reached the other side, 
 when the word "Halt!" from a skirmisher at the 
 edge of the wood, brought me to a sudden stop. 
 Thinking, however, that I had reached the Union 
 lines, I stopped but an Instant, when I advanced, 
 gun In hand, exclaiming, "Do not fire — I am a 
 Union soldier!' The^ reply was, "Drop that gun 
 and march In here, or I will put a ball through 
 you." I again stopped, but did not drop the gun. 
 The rebel repeated the order, when I threw down 
 my gun and surrendered. My captors belonged 
 to a North Carolina regiment, and were a gentle- 
 manly, clever set of fellows, and as long as I was 
 in their hands I was treated very kindly. After I 
 was captured, one of them asked me where I had 
 intended going. I told him I was trying to find 
 the Union army. He replied, "O, never mind, 
 you will soon find them, for In a few days we will 
 have the rest of you." I could not help but tell 
 him that, judging from the way they had kept up 
 running since leaving the Wilderness, they, them- 
 selves, must have feared capture. Somewhat to 
 my surprise the rest laughed heartily, evidently 
 enjoying the discomfiture of their comrade, who 
 was inclined to be a little cross at what I suppose 
 he considered my impudence. "O, that's all 
 
A PRISONER AGAIN. 209 
 
 right ; we fell back to draw you on," he answered. 
 Among my captors was a Sergeant Hill, who was 
 especially kind to me. I had quite a chat with 
 him, and, judging from what he told me, I do not 
 think he was much of a rebel. Durine the nig-ht, 
 my captors were relieved and sent to the rear, 
 taking me with them. I was then given in charge 
 of guards who proved themselves as mean as the 
 others had been generous. As the sergeant left 
 me, he bid me good-bye, and said he hoped I 
 might soon be released and get home. We also 
 exchanged addresses. I lost his soon after, and 
 as I have never heard from him, I do not know 
 whether he is living or dead. If he is living, I can 
 assure him he will find the latch-strinof of mv door 
 on the outside at any time. 
 
 My captors had not searched or made any 
 effort to take anything from me; but I was not so 
 fortunate with the new guards. I had a fine, new 
 hat, w^hich a big, burly fellow took possession of 
 before I was with them ten minutes. He was, 
 however, generous enough to leave me his ; but 
 as I was not in the soap-fat business, I did not 
 care much about It. It had brim enough to cover 
 a small bake-oven, and looked as if It had been 
 soaked in grease for a year or two. I attempted 
 to remonstrate with the villain, but found the least 
 said, the better for me. I here met Col. Talley and 
 about three hundred and sixty men, who were 
 captured after I left there. 
 
2IO BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 " Misery," it is said, " loves company," but in 
 this case, at least, it was not so. I was sorry to 
 see our brave Colonel and so many men in the 
 hands of the enemy. Early in the morning. May 
 9th, we started for Beaver Dam station, where 
 the rebels intended to put us on the cars and send 
 us to Richmond. Our guards were again changed 
 — a company of cavalry taking charge of us. 
 This change was very agreeable, as the new 
 guards, with few exceptions, were a great im- 
 provement on the ones we had just left. The 
 weather was very warm, and as we were tired out 
 with marching, and received no food, we suffered 
 very much during the day. Some of the men 
 gave out entirely ; what became of them, I could 
 never ascertain. As we marched along, we were 
 quite an object of curiosity to the natives, who 
 gathered along the road to see the " Yankees." 
 Some of them must have formed strange ideas 
 about our appearance and looks, as one good 
 woman exclaimed, " Why, they look just like our 
 men." If the woman had the man in her mind 
 who stole my hat when she made the comparison, 
 I do not think it was much of a compliment. 
 I did not care much about the opinion of most 
 of them, but I could not help wishing that the 
 few really pretty girls we passed would not des- 
 pise us. When within a few miles of Beaver 
 Dam station we passsed the house of a fellow who 
 was terribly indignant, and had a great deal to 
 
MARCHING TO RICHMOND. 211 
 
 say about what should be done with us for com- 
 ing ''down here and taking our niggers from us," 
 as he expressed it to one of the boys, who gave 
 him a dincher by telling him to do all of his 
 "Secesh" talk now, as the Union troops would be 
 along, and then he would be a good Union man. 
 It was well-known to both armies that quite a 
 number of citizens were rebels or Union men just 
 as the occasion suited. The remark of the pris- 
 oner was greeted with hearty laughter by the 
 guards and prisoners, much to the disgust of Mr. 
 Civilian, who, no doubt, came to the conclusion 
 that soldiers were a queer set. We had marched 
 thirty miles, and were within a short distance of 
 the station, when a strange rumbling sound in 
 our rear attracted our attention. The hope had 
 impressed itself on every mind during the day 
 that we might be recaptured ; and when I first 
 heard the noise, I made the remark to one of my 
 comrades, that I believed ou^ cavalry was coming. 
 One of the guards, who was riding close to me, 
 overheard the remark, when, turning his horse, 
 he rode to the other side and commenced talking 
 to one of his officers. The officer put spurs to 
 his horse and rode rapidly back to the top of the 
 hill we had just crossed. The noise could be 
 heard coming nearer and nearer, and I suppose 
 from the top of the hill the officer could see the 
 approaching column. If he did, he did not stay 
 long to view the sight, as he came back as fast 
 
212 BATTLE FIELD AND PRLSON PEN. 
 
 as his horse could carry him, shouting, "The 
 Yankees are comine — the Yankees are cominor I" 
 We were now within a few hundred feet of the 
 station, and the train that was to convey us to 
 Richmond was standino- on the track with steam 
 up and ready for starting. The rebel officer who 
 had charge of our guards, ordered us to 
 double quick for the station ; but instead of obey- 
 ine, we came to a sudden halt. The rebels 
 threatened, by saying, that if we did not move they 
 would fire into us ; but we stubbornly refused to 
 move a step. Finding they could not compel us 
 to move, they turned their attention to the ap- 
 proaching cavalry, and formed line of battle 
 across the road, placing us in the rear. They 
 had just about accomplished this, when the ad- 
 vance of the cavalry column burst over the hill. 
 Gen. Sheridan, with almost the entire cavalry 
 corps, had flanked Lee's army in the morning 
 with the instructions to destroy his line of com- 
 munications, burn his supplies at Beaver Dam, 
 tear up the railroad, and then move on to Rich- 
 mond. He first deceived the rebels by marching 
 his command in the direction of Fredericksburg, 
 when, turning suddenly to the right, he struck out 
 boldly for the rear of Lee's army. He succeeded 
 in passing the right wing of the rebel army, and, 
 after severing Lee's communications, advanced 
 rapidly in the pirection of Beaver Dam station. 
 On the way, some colored people gave him the in- 
 
RE-CAPTURED. 2 I 3 
 
 formation that a rebel guard had passed alono- 
 the road with a number of Union prisoners. He 
 immediately ordered Gen. Custer with the Michi- 
 gan Brigade to advance as fast as possible and 
 endeavor to overtake us before the rebels could 
 get us into cars. Some of his men, after the 
 re-capture, informed us that Custer told them he 
 would overtake us or kill every horse in his com- 
 mand. The horses were certainly In a fearful 
 condition when they reached us. It was the ad- 
 vance of this column with the gallant Custer, the 
 first man in front, that dashed down the hill to our 
 rescue. As the road was narrow, with fence on 
 one side and wood on the other, but a small por- 
 tion of the advance could charge on our guards. 
 This squad, as mentioned before, Custer led in 
 person ; and as he, with sword in hand, dashed on 
 the rebels, we heard him shout, " Clear the way, 
 boys !" We knew this was Intended for us, who 
 were directly In the rear of the rebels, and we did 
 not stand long upon the order of our going, but 
 went at once. Some of the prisoners fled Into 
 the woods, others jumped over the fence, and a 
 few of us got on it, where we could have a better 
 view of the fight. Among the number on the 
 fence was our good, gallant Col. Talley, who was 
 almost wild with excitement. The fi^ht was soon 
 over ; a few of our guards who had fleet horses 
 succeeded In escaping, but the most of them 
 were cut down or captured. A number of rebel 
 
214 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 infantry were at the station guarding the supplies ; 
 they fled at the first alarm. The act was a cow- 
 ardly one, and yet it was the part of wisdom, as 
 Sheridan would have made short work with them 
 after his arrival with the balance of his corps. 
 The rebel guards who had charo^e of us were a 
 brave set of fellows, and fought with a despera- 
 tion worthy of a better cause. Among the num- 
 ber killed was one who had been very kind to us 
 on the march, and I could not help but pity the 
 fate of him who had been so brave and generous ; 
 several times during the day he dismounted and 
 let some poor fellow who had given out ride his 
 horse, he himself walking. 
 
 Among the number captured, was a young fel- 
 low of about sixteen or seventeen years of age, 
 who took great delight in teasing us about our 
 unfortunate condition. He had a peculiarly fine, 
 squeaking voice, very much like an old woman's. 
 Annoying as it \yas to us, it must, however, have 
 been the sweetest music to himself, as he kept his 
 tongue going all the time. One of his frequent 
 expressions, and one that appeared to give him 
 great delight, was " Well, boys, daddy Lee has got 
 you !" and then he would laugh as if he consid- 
 ered it an immense joke. Several of his com- 
 rades during the day told him to shut up ; but he 
 paid no attention to them, evidently thinking the 
 fun too good. One of our boys jokingly, and 
 without the least idea that anything of the kind 
 
REBEL STORES BURNED. 21 5 
 
 might happen, reminded him that the cards mio-ht 
 be turned before the day was over, as our cavalry 
 was in pursuit of them. Little did he think that 
 in a few hours his prediction would come true; 
 After the fight was over, we found our tormentor 
 in the hands of the cavalry, and he was the most 
 frightened man I ever saw. Some of our boys 
 could not help but tease him about the change of 
 affairs ; one of them exclaimed, " Well, my lad, 
 daddy Grant has got you ! " at the same time Imi- 
 tating his voice and manner so perfectly as to 
 raise a shout of laughter from the rest. The poor 
 fellow begged piteously that his life might be 
 spared. This was too much for the boys, who 
 told him to rest easy, as he was entirely too inno- 
 cent to be killed. 
 
 Immediately after the fight. Gen. Custer took 
 possession of the station, where we found an im- 
 mense amount of rebel supplies, consisting of 
 flour, pork, cornmeal, fish, sugar, rum, and other 
 rations. Two large trains of cars, one loaded 
 with flour, and the other which was to take us to 
 Richmond, were captured and destroyed. Fire 
 was Immediately applied to the station and build- 
 ings around it, and in a short time the entire 
 amount of supplies, estimated by Gen. Sheridan 
 to be worth two million of dollars, was totally 
 consumed. The men, in helping themselves 
 around the station, had found several barrels of 
 whisky, and were going to fill their canteens, when 
 
21 6 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Gen. Sheridan, who had come on the ground, 
 ordered the heads of the barrels to be knocked 
 in. It was amusing to see the thirsty fellows run 
 after the dirty stuff, and dip it up as fast as it 
 flowed alono^ the orround. Some of them sue- 
 ceeded in getting too much of it. Gen. Sher- 
 idan's arrival was greeted with three hearty 
 cheers by the re-captured prisoners. He made us 
 a short speech, in which he advised us to stick to 
 his command, as we might be captured again by 
 the rebels if we did not. He also told us to arm 
 ourselves, but if we found the arms a burden, to 
 throw them away, and by all means try to keep 
 up with his command. He said, also, we should 
 take any horse or mule we could find on the way. 
 Some of the cavalry had lost their horses, and as 
 they were on the hunt, we did not stand much of 
 a chance of finding any. 
 
 The rebels had quite a number of colored men 
 employed at the station. They did not imitate 
 the examples of the whites by fleeing, but hid 
 themselves about the station until they felt sure 
 their masters were out of sight ; which, by the 
 way, did not take very long. Then they com- 
 menced to pop their heads out of every con- 
 ceivable hiding place in the vicinity. They ap- 
 peared to understand perfectly well from the first, 
 that we were friends, and they were very demon- 
 strative in their welcome. One big fellow 
 knocked in the top of a sugar barrel, and, taking 
 
CONTRABANDS. 21 7 
 
 a tin-cup for a scoop, commenced to share out the 
 sugar to all who would accept. He would fre- 
 quently call out, "Fall in here, you Yanks, for 
 your rations !" and his broad face would beam with 
 pleasure, when some one would accept a dip. 
 When we started for the James river, they all fol- 
 lowed, and by the time we got there, hundreds of 
 these poor, down-trodden people had joined us. 
 I saw poor mothers, carrying their babes, and 
 keeping up with the column all day. When 
 asked where they intended going, they would 
 reply, " I want to be free." After the destruction 
 of everything at the station was fully assured, the 
 line of march was resumed in the direction of 
 Richmond. In the way of arms I succeeded in 
 getting a fine carbine. I also loaded up as much 
 provisions as I could well manage to carry, but 
 had not gone very far on the march when I was 
 compelled to throw the most of it away. I had 
 delayed longer at the station than was prudent, 
 for I had marched but a short distance, when the 
 boom of cannon in the direction of the station an- 
 nounced the fact that the rebels had overtaken 
 our rear guard. The quick moving of the cav- 
 alry indicated that it was not Sheridan's intention 
 to stop and give them battle longer than he 
 would be compelled to. He had succeeded in 
 accomplishing all that he wanted at the station, 
 and being in the rear of Lee's army, he of course 
 would not stop longer than was absolutely neces- 
 
2l8 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 sary. The rebel Gen. Stuart, with the rebel cav- 
 alry corps, was In pursuit, and several times dur- 
 ing the day had attacked Sheridan's rear, but was 
 every time defeated. When the head of the col- 
 umn started we should have left with them, as it 
 would have given us a much better chance of 
 getting away ; but in place of doing so, some of 
 us stayed at the station until most of the cavalry 
 had left, and as the rear regiment marched away 
 more rapidly than the ones in the van, we had 
 some difficulty in keeping up. The food and 
 short rest I had taken at the station had refreshed 
 me a little ; but the strain on my system had been 
 so severe for the last five days that it did not help 
 me much. I had marched but a few miles after 
 leaving the station, when I became very much 
 exhausted, and found that I would have to unload. 
 I threw away the most of my provisions, and gave 
 my carbine to one of the cavalry, but it was no 
 very great relief. We had proceeded but a short 
 distance when my strength gave out entirely, and 
 I sank down by the road almost unable to move. 
 I wistfully watched the column as it passed along, 
 hoping something would turn up to help me out 
 of the miserable fix I was in. I had just made up 
 my mind to crawl in the bushes and hide, so as to 
 keep the pursuing rebels from finding me, when 
 the van of the Eighth New York cavalry com- 
 menced passing. One of the officers ordered me 
 to get up and move along, as the rebels would 
 
BROTHERLY HELP. 2I9 
 
 capture me. I told them that I was played out, 
 and could go no farther. One of the men then 
 left the ranks, and dismounting-, helped me to 
 mount his horse, at the same time remarkino-, "It 
 would be too bad to leave you in the hands of the 
 rebels again." The kind-hearted fellow marched 
 on foot until we stopped for the night, and almost 
 all of the next day. The company I was fortu- 
 nate enough to get into was one of the most intel- 
 ligent and gentlemanly set of soldiers I had ever 
 met with, and I enjoyed their society very much. 
 About midnight we stopped for the remainder of 
 the night, and had a good rest until seven o'clock 
 in the morning, when we again started on our 
 journey. We marched a distance of about 
 twenty-five miles during the day, and went Into 
 camp early in the evening. As we did not break 
 camp again until about eight o'clock next morn- 
 ing, I had a splendid rest, and felt so much re- 
 freshed that I insisted on my friend taking his 
 horse again. 
 
 On the morning of May nth, Sheridan sent 
 one brigade to Ashland Station to destroy the 
 railroad and burn the depot. The brigade, after 
 completely destroying the railroad station and 
 bridges, returned to the main column, when the 
 march was continued in the direction of Rich- 
 mond. We marched until about three o'clock in 
 the afternoon, and had reached the vicinity of 
 Glenallen Station, when information was received 
 
2 20 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 that the rebels under Gen. Stuart were in force in 
 our front, at a place called Yellow Tavern. The 
 rebel cavalry, by hard marching, had succeeded in 
 getting in position between us and Richmond, 
 evidently for the purpose of cutting off Sheridan's 
 advance on that city. As soon as the presence 
 of the enemy became known, Sheridan made 
 preparations to give them battle. Stuart, how- 
 ever, brought on the engagement by a fierce 
 attack on Sheridan's advance brigade, commanded 
 by Gen. Devens, and was successful in forcing It 
 back. It was re-inforced by several other bri- 
 gades, and a hotly-contested battle took place. 
 The rebels were completely defeated, being driven 
 from the field, and leaving a battery of artillery 
 and a number of prisoners in the hands of the 
 gallant Union troops. I was at Sheridan's head- 
 quarters during the battle, and had the pleasure 
 of witnessing a most gallant cavalry charge,* made 
 by Custer's Michigan brigade, on a rebel battery. 
 When Devens' brigade was compelled to fall 
 back, the rebels succeeded In getting a battery 
 into position that was doing terrible work in his 
 ranks. This battery, .Custer was ordered to 
 charge. He rapidly formed his brigade, and or- 
 dered his advance regiment to charge. The rebel 
 battery had directed its fire on them, and was 
 cutting a swath through their ranks at every dis- 
 charge; but on they rushed, until their glittering 
 blades fiashed over the heads of the rebel can- 
 
SHERIDAN S RAID. 2 2 I 
 
 noneers. The men were cut down at their e^ins, 
 which fell into the hands of the gallant troopers. 
 It was in this battle that the rebels sustained a 
 severe loss in the death of their greatest cavalry 
 leader, Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, who was killed during 
 the encraorement. At three o'clock in the morn- 
 ing, Sheridan again resumed his march, and by 
 daylight was within three miles of Richmond. 
 He succeeded in getting possession of the outer 
 line of intrenchments, and his intention was to 
 attempt the capture of the city itself; but daylight 
 revealed that the rebels had been re-inforced dur- 
 ing the night so strongly as to make the capture 
 of the city by cavalry and light artillery an impos- 
 sibility. The forts and redoubts bristled with 
 bayonets, and as we were in range of the heavy 
 guns of some of the forts, Sheridan immediately 
 commenced to withdraw his command, with the 
 intention of crossing the Chickahominy river at 
 Meadow Bridge. It soon became evident, how- 
 ever, that the enemy did not intend letting him 
 get away without making a most desperate at- 
 tempt to destroy his command. The rebel cav- 
 alry had succeeded In getting possession of and 
 destroying part of the bridge on our line of re- 
 treat, and had a strong force of cavalry and in- 
 fantry in position on the other side to oppose 
 our crossing. At the same time we could see 
 heavy columns of troops marching from the for- 
 tifications, for the purpose of attacking our 
 
22 2 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 rear. The situation now was a most critical 
 one ; the enemy had completely cut off our 
 retreat, and could bring a greatly superior force 
 to advance on our rear. Fortunately for the 
 Union cause, the Federal force was in command 
 of an officer who was known to be very fertile in 
 resources ; and, as the sequel showed, he was fully 
 competent to extricate himself and command from 
 the dangerous position they were placed in. He 
 immediately formed the plan of repairing the 
 bridge partly destroyed, at Meadow Bridge, over 
 the Chickahominy, and escaping by the way of 
 Mechanicsville. ' As mentioned before, the rebels 
 had a strong force of men in position to oppose 
 his crossino^, and had also the advantaofe from the 
 fact that the ground on this side of the river is 
 very swampy, and difficult to move on. The 
 reconstruction of the bridge was also a difficult 
 matter, as it would have to be done under a 
 severe fire from the rebel batteries. I was at 
 headquarters during this time, and was perfectly 
 astonished at the unshrinking bravery and self- 
 possession of Gen. Sheridan during the terrible 
 fighting that followed. Several times, when some 
 of his men gave way, he exposed himself with a 
 bravery that was extremely reckless ; where the 
 fighting was severest, and the danger the great- 
 est, there was Sheridan, encouraging his men by 
 talking in his social, familiar manner, that made 
 him so famous afterwards in the Valley, where he 
 
SHERIDAN S GALLANTRY. 2 23 
 
 turned a disastrous defeat Into a glorious victory. 
 As soon as it was ascertained that the object of 
 the rebels was to surround his command, Sheri- 
 dan ordered one of his divisions to attack them 
 at the bridge. After the most desperate fighting, 
 the enemy was forced back, and, although ex- 
 posed to the most severe firing, our forces recon- 
 structed the bridge. To repel the rebel assaults 
 from the direction of Richmond, Sheridan had 
 formed a line of all his artillery, supported by 
 a division of cavalry dismounted and fighting as 
 infantry. The balance of his men, not engaged 
 at the bridge, he held well in hand, to reinforce- 
 any point where they would be the most needed. 
 The rebels in strong column advanced to the as- 
 sault, cheering loudly, and evidently expecting an 
 easy victory. The Union troops reserved their 
 fire until the enemy was within short range of 
 their guns, when they received them with a terri- 
 ble discharge of grape and canister, which tore 
 horrible crashes through their ranks. The line 
 reeled and commenced to give way ; but the 
 rebel officers succeeded in getting their line re- 
 formed and again advanced to the assault. Again 
 and again the artillery poured volleys of double- 
 shotted grape and canister into their ranks ; but 
 they pressed forward until they came within range 
 of the carbines in the hands of the cavalry, when 
 they received a storm of bullets that shattered 
 their ranks, and drove the entire line in the ut- 
 
224 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 most confusion back towards Richmond. In a 
 short time, however, the rebels aQ^ain advanced 
 with a cokimn stronger than the defeated one, to 
 renew the conflict. Every discharge from the 
 Union guns made terrible gaps through their 
 lines, but on they pressed, determined to carry 
 the Union position. This time, Gea, Sheridan 
 met them with a fierce counter-charge, and a ter- 
 rific conflict ensued, which resulted in the enemy 
 being again compelled to retire from the field. I 
 was watching the flight of the demoralized enemy 
 in the direction of Richmond, when loud cheering 
 in the direction of the bridge announced the fact 
 that our men had succeeded in getting possession 
 of it, and were forcing the enemy from their posi- 
 tian on the opposite side. The enemy, however, 
 fell back but a short distance, when they made 
 the most determined resistance to the further ad- 
 vance, or rather retreat, of our forces. The 
 bridge had, however, been gained, and Sheridan 
 made immediate preparations for crossing his 
 train. His command was still, however, in a per- 
 ilous situation. The rebels were re-formino- their 
 
 o 
 
 lines for another assault on his rear and flanks, 
 and the position they still held near the bridge 
 would enable them to concentrate a severe fire on 
 the Union troops as they crossed it. The cross- 
 ing of the ammunition train, in the face of the fire, 
 was a dangerous undertaking, as the explosion 
 of it would in all probability have insured the 
 
LEADING IN PERSON. 225 
 
 destruction of Sheridan's entire command. After 
 the train was ready to move, he placed himself at 
 the head of one of his brigades, and led a charge 
 against the enemy's lines in person. The men 
 who were ^ghting under the eye of their great 
 leader charged with an impetuosity that drove the 
 enemy from the field, and the ammunition train 
 crossed in safety. After the train was all over, 
 the balance of the troops crossed rapidly, and the 
 rebels pursued in the direction of Mechanicsville. 
 Here they made a stand, but were soon put to 
 flight. We then marched to the vicinity of Gaines 
 Mill, where we camped for the night. Continuing 
 our march, by evening of May 4th, we arrived 
 on the banks of James river, where we camped 
 for the night. Directly after, a Union gunboat, 
 that mistook us for rebels, opened fire on us, 
 and a shell exploded in rather close proximity 
 to where I was sitting making supper. I had a 
 large tin-cup on the fire full of boiling coffee, and 
 not wishing to lose the best of my supper, I 
 grasped it, and ran behind a tree for protection. 
 I succeeded in saving the coffee, but burned my 
 fingers severely in doing so. The unexpected 
 fire from the vessel created considerable alarm ; 
 but the mistake was soon discovered, and the fir- 
 ing ceased. On the following morning we bade 
 our cavalry friends farewell, they marching to re- 
 join the Army of the Potomac, and we leaving on 
 the steamship John Tucker for Fortress Monroe. 
 
226 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Here we changed vessels, and were put on the 
 steamship Baltimore, bound for Alexandria, Vir- 
 ginia, where we arrived at two o'clock p. m., May 
 17th. We stopped at the Soldiers Rest over 
 night, and in the morning marched to^Camp Dis- 
 tribution, where we stayed until Friday, May 20th, 
 when we were shipped to Belle Plains. At this 
 place we were organized into a battalion. Col. 
 Talley in command, and ordered to guard a 
 waofon-train to the front. We marched to Fred- 
 ericksburg, where we stayed all night. On the 
 following day we continued our march, and by 
 evening had reached Bowling Green, a distance 
 of twenty-five miles, where we camped for the 
 night. We again continued our march at day- 
 light, and by evening. May 24th, we reached the 
 army, then in line of battle on the North Anna 
 river. We were informed that in the morning 
 our battalion would be broken up, and we would 
 be sent to our respective regiments. I was so 
 anxious to get back to the boys, that I could not 
 resist the temptation to slip out of camp as soon 
 at it was dark, and make an effort to find them. 
 After a good deal of hunting along the line, I 
 succeded in finding the regiment. The boys had 
 just finished their supper, and were lying on the 
 ground taking a good rest. As it was quite dark, 
 I walked in amone them without beingr noticed. 
 My brother Frank, who was a member of the 
 company, was sitting on the ground, and in ear- 
 
AMONG THE BOYS AGAIN. 22/ 
 
 nest conversation with one of the men. I was 
 trying to get quite close to him without being 
 discovered, so as to give him a pleasant surprise, 
 when, hearing my name mentioned by one of the 
 boys, I stopped to listen, and heard the remark, 
 " I guess Urban's gone up this time ;" before the 
 other could reply, I remarked, *' I suppose not," 
 and commenced to laugh. Brother Frank, who 
 had recognized my voice, jumped up, and the re- 
 membrance of the look of pleasure and surprise 
 depicted on his countenance will ever be a green 
 spot In my memory. I had the glad tidings to tell 
 to the boys that our gallant Colonel and some of 
 the men, who were supposed to be killed, were re- 
 turnine to the regiment, and would be with them 
 on the following day. 
 
 It was like coming home, to get back to the old 
 regiment again ; and I was as happy as man 
 could be. Little did I think, however, that in a 
 few days the fortunes of war would again find me 
 in the hands of the enemy, and that for seven long 
 months I would have to suffer all the pain and 
 misery that could be inflicted on me, and the 
 effects of which would leave my body a physical 
 wreck, and all through life would cause a thrill of 
 horror to pass through me at the recollections of 
 prison life in the South. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Advance of Grant's Forces from the North Anna-^Battle of Bethesda 
 Church — My Third Capture by the Enemy — Entrance into Libby 
 Prison — Pemberton Prison — Departure from Richmond — Arrival at 
 Andersonville. 
 
 A FTER the great battle of Spottsylvania Court 
 House, Gen. Lee withdrew his army to a 
 strong position south of the North Anna river, 
 and alone a stream known as Little river. His 
 left extended for some distance along this stream, 
 and his right to Sexton's Junction on the Fred- 
 ericksburg railroad. Immediately after his retreat 
 from the former place, Gen. Grant marched in 
 pursuit, and after some slight fighting, succeeded 
 in crossing the North Anna, and getting his army 
 into position In front of the Rebel army. 
 
 It does not appear reasonable to suppose that 
 Grant could have crossed this stream without se- 
 vere loss, had Lee wished to prevent it. His 
 strongly intrenched position, but a short distance 
 from that stream, made it desirable for him that 
 the Union forces should cross It. The rebel po- 
 sition, strong by nature, had been greatly strength- 
 ened by long lines of intrenchements and other 
 fortifications ; and should the Union forces attack 
 this position and be defeated, the crossing of the 
 
 (228) 
 
COLD HARBOR. 229 
 
 Steam In their rear micrht have become a difficult 
 matter. Lee's position would have given him al- 
 most all the chances of success, and in case of 
 defeat, his position would not have been as dan- 
 gerous as Grant's under like circumstances, for 
 the stream in his rear was a small, insignificant 
 affair, and would, to no great extent, have embar- 
 rassed his retreat. After crossing his army, 
 Grant spent three days in reconnoitering the posi- 
 tion of the enemy's lines, and evidently came to 
 the conclusion that it was too strong to carry by 
 direct assault, for he again resorted to his flank- 
 ing tactics to compel Lee to withdraw from his 
 chosen orround. 
 
 The movement was entirely successful, and Lee 
 was compelled to abandon his intrenchments, and 
 march to intercept the Federal army before it 
 reached the rebel capital.. Lee succeeded, how- 
 ever, in getting his army into position at Cold 
 Harbor, thus getting a position as strong as the 
 one he had evacuated, and interposed his army 
 between Grant's forces and Richmond. The 
 Union army crossed the Pamunky river on the 
 twenty-eighth of May, the Fifth and Ninth corps 
 crossing at Hanover Ferry, and the other corps at 
 a ford funher up the river. Communications 
 were now opened with the White House Landing 
 on the Pamunky river, and it again became the 
 base of supplies for the Union army. Gen. Grant 
 had now succeeded in getting on Gen. McClellan's 
 
230 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 old fighting-ground, and It would certainly be a 
 stretch of the hyperbole to claim that any great 
 advantage had been gained thus far. 
 
 The loss of the Union army at this period of 
 the campaign exceeded forty thousand men in 
 killed, wounded, and missing ; and although Lee 
 was compelled to evacuate his strong position at 
 the Wilderness, Spottysylvania, and the North 
 Anna river, he was not driven from any of them 
 by direct assault, and the position he secured at 
 Cold Harbor was fully as strong, and better 
 adapted for the defence of the rebel capital than 
 any of the positions he had abandoned. It Is 
 true, Grant again flanked this position, and com- 
 pelled Lee to march to the south of Richmond — 
 but not until he had in vain assaulted it, and 
 added ten thousand more to the Union loss, and 
 inflicted a comparatively small loss on the enemy. 
 
 The crossing of the James river by both armies 
 was only a change of base that again gave the 
 enemy all the advantages in regard to position. 
 That the advantages gained so far by the Union 
 forces compensated for the loss of more than 
 fifty thousand men, is believing more than the facts 
 in the case warrant. 
 
 On Monday, May 13th, our corps crossed the 
 Tolapotomy river, and our division moved for- 
 ward on the Mechanlcsville road. We marched 
 until two o'clock p. m., when we met a rebel skir- 
 mish line, which fled at our approach. Our bri- 
 
WORKING AND FIGHTING. 231 
 
 gade was ordered to move rapidly on Mechanlcs- 
 ville, and hold the Mechanicsville road until the 
 arrival of re-inforcements. Col. Harding, com- 
 manding the brigade, moved us rapidly forward, 
 and we soon encountered a strong line of rebel 
 skirmishers, and drove them across a small stream 
 of water and a swamp bordering on it. We 
 crossed and advanced a short distance, when we 
 found that the enemy was in strong force in our 
 front. As we were some distance from our sup- 
 ports, the brigade should have been withdrawn 
 immediately across the swamp ; but instead of 
 doing so, our officers ordered us to barricade by 
 piling up rails and logs, and endeavor to hold our 
 position. We were working away like beavers to 
 get our position as strong as possible, when the 
 enemy, which numbered a full division of Gen. 
 Ewell's corps, made a desperate charge on us. 
 We sprang to arms, and formed line of battle 
 behind our half-finished breast-works, and when 
 the enemy came within short range of our rifles, 
 we gave them a deadly volley, which shattered 
 their ranks, and compelled them to fall back in 
 confusion. They, however, soon rallied, and again 
 advanced to the assault. We poured volley after 
 volley into them, and succeeded in holding them 
 at bay in our front ; but their line being much 
 longer than ours, they soon outflanked our posi- 
 tion, and compelled us to fall back. 
 
 Capt. Wasson, who did not hear or understand 
 
232 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 the command, and seeing the regiment giving 
 way, called to his company to stick to the pit and 
 hold their position, and the most of the company 
 jumped back to the rifle pit. The Captain had, 
 however, by this time noticed that the entire line 
 was giving way, and that further resistance would 
 be useless, so he told us to save ourselves as best 
 we could. When we reached the swamp, the 
 most available places for crossing were crowded 
 and jammed with men. The rebels had advanced 
 rapidly in pursuit, and were sending a shower of 
 bullets into the struggling mass in the swamp. I 
 stopped for a moment to survey the situation, and 
 then ran to the right for a short distance, and 
 made an attempt to cross. I jumped for what I 
 believed to be a firm spot of ground, but it 
 proved to be anything but solid, for I sank into 
 the mire almost to my knees. Thinking I could 
 not get across, I worked myself back, and ran 
 still farther up to the right, looking for a better 
 place to get over. I had lost considerable time 
 in extricating myself from the mire ; and as the 
 rebel line, which had extended a considerable dis- 
 tance past our left, had advanced and taken pos- 
 session of the ground on the other side, I found 
 my retreat cut off, and was taken prisoner. 
 
 After my capture, I made a narrow escape irom 
 being killed by one of my captors. I had dropped 
 my gun and was entirely disarmed, when the 
 cowardly scoundrel thrust his bayonet almost into 
 
CAPTURED AGAIN. 233, 
 
 my face, and swore that he would olow the 
 Yankee head clean off me. Most of the men who 
 had succeeded in getting over the swamp made 
 their escape, and as they ran over the hill they 
 turned and fired into the pursuing enemy. For- 
 tunately, about the time the rebel was threatening 
 to kill me, several balls came in pretty close 
 proximity to where we were standing, and it 
 probably reminded him that the fighting was not 
 over, and that he would perhaps better let me go 
 and pay more attention to the Yankees who were 
 still armed. A few moments after my capture, 
 the color-bearer of an Alabama regiment was 
 killed close by me, by a shot from one of our 
 men who had escaped over the hill. The rebel 
 column formed on the other side of the swamp, 
 but did not advance until after we were taken 
 to the rear. As we w^ere gathered together for 
 that purpose, I looked around among the captives 
 to see what kind of company I was going to 
 have The first person I recognized was Aaron 
 Fralich, who was captured almost buried in the 
 mud; then my old chum, John E. Gilbert, who 
 had been captured with me on McClellan's penin- 
 sula campaign, and then William Allison and 
 Jack Wilhelm, all members of my company. 
 Wilhelm had succeded in getting over the 
 swamp, when he was struck by a rifle-ball on the 
 head, which knocked him over. He was not 
 injured very severely, the ball scarcely burying 
 
2 34 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 itself, but as he afterwards expressed it, "When I 
 came to, the blasted ' rebs ' had me." 
 
 The rebels had captured between three and 
 four hundred prisoners, and as they marched us 
 to the rear we were cursed and abused to such 
 an extent, that some of the prisoners commenced 
 to entertain the thouorht that we would all be 
 murdered after they got us back into the wood. 
 They certainly were the most enraged set of 
 rebels I had ever met with, and I confess I was 
 glad when we were placed under other guards. 
 I suppose the fact that they had been compelled 
 to fall back day after day had something to do 
 with their ill nature. As bad as we felt at our 
 own capture, we could not help feeling amused at 
 Wilhelm's doleful appearance. Slowly drawing 
 his hand over his head to wipe off the blood, he 
 looked at us with an expression both comical and 
 pitiful, at the same time cursing both his bad luck 
 and the rebels, and caring very little if they heard 
 him or not. 
 
 After my release from rebel prisons — seven 
 months afterward — I was pleased to learn that 
 the rebels who had captured us received a terri- 
 ble beating the following evening after our cap- 
 ture. After the repulse at the swamp, the brigade 
 fell back about one-half mile, when being re-in- 
 forced by the remainder of the division, they 
 re-formed line at the edge of the wood, and 
 waited the attack of the enemy. The rebels for- 
 
VICTORY FOR THE RESERVES. 235 
 
 tunately did not take advantage of their success 
 by immediately pressing forward and pursuing 
 our fleeing troops, but made the mistake of stop- 
 ping long enough after crossing the swamp to en- 
 able our troops to re-form their lines, and to make 
 preparations to receive them. The nature of the 
 ground was such that our line of battle, composed 
 of our division, one brigade of Tyler's, and sev- 
 eral batteries of artillery were almost entirely hid 
 from the enemy, and from their sheltered position 
 calmly awaited the rebel assault. They did not 
 have to wait very long, however, as the rebels, 
 after re-forming and strengthening their line, 
 boldly advanced to storm their position. The 
 Union troops reserved their fire until the rebels 
 were within a hundred yards of their line, when 
 the batteries and regiments poured into the ad- 
 vancing line a terrific volley of grape, canister, 
 and rifle balls, which completely broke the rebel 
 column, and sent it flying to the rear. The enemy 
 again, however, re-formed and advanced to the 
 attack, but were received with a storm of bullets, 
 grape, and canister, which swept their line like a 
 storm of fire. The rebels gave way completely, 
 and fled in the utmost disorder, leaving the 
 ground covered with killed and wounded. The 
 Reserves now advanced from their position, and, 
 charging after the fleeing enemy, succeeded in 
 capturing a large number of prisoners, and drove 
 the entire rebel line in great confusion from the 
 
236 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 field. The term of service of this division expired 
 on this day, and the boys evidently wanted to 
 oflve the rebels a Qfood trlmmlno- before leavlno- 
 the army. It Is a strange fact that the division 
 fought Its last battle on about the same ground 
 upon which most of It had fought Its first one. 
 Parts of the division had been engaged In several 
 actions before, but Mechanlcsvllle was the first 
 battle that the entire division was engaged In. 
 The day after the last battle, the division organ- 
 ization was broken up. The men who had not re- 
 enllsted were sent to their homes, and seventeen 
 hundred and iifty-nlne, who had re-enllsted as 
 veterans, were organized Into two regiments, 
 known as the One Hundred and Ninetieth, and 
 One Hundred and Ninety-First Pennsylvania 
 Volunteers. These two regiments served with 
 the army until the close of the war. 
 
 Among the captured were a large number who 
 had not re-enllsted, and would have left for home 
 the following day. Some of them died In rebel 
 prisons, and their fate was a peculiarly sad one. 
 They had served their country faithfully and well, 
 and had looked anxiously forward to the day 
 when they would be permitted to return to their 
 homes and loved ones ; but to be captured just 
 as their hopes were to be realized, and compelled 
 to suffer untold misery, and then death, was a sad 
 fate Indeed. 
 
 After being taken to the rear, we were marched 
 
A PLAN OF ESCAPE. 237 
 
 Into a field close to the road, and given In charge 
 of other guards, who were more friendly, and In 
 every respect an Improvement on those who had 
 captured us. During the night, a large train* of 
 ambulances, loa-ded with wounded, passed us, go- 
 ing In the direction of Richmond. They were 
 wounded during the afternoon, and the large 
 number convinced us that the rebel loss was very 
 great. As the train conveying them passed, we 
 could hear groans from the Inmates in almost 
 every wagon. Among our guards was one who 
 was very social and friendly with us from the first, 
 and Gilbert became Impressed with the belief that 
 he was a Union man, and could be persuaded. If 
 an opportunity occurred, to let a few of us slip off. 
 He succeeded In getting close to this guard, and 
 had a long talk with him, and found that his first 
 opinion was correct. He informed Gilbert that 
 he was a Union man, but was compelled to enter 
 the rebel service. Gilbert then told him that If he 
 would let us slip off after dark, we would give him 
 what money we had, and his (Gilbert's) watch. 
 He also told him that if he ever came to his (Gil- 
 bert's) home, he would reward him handsomely. 
 The oruard told him that he was w^illine to let us 
 off If he possibly could, but did not wish to be re- 
 warded for it. He also Informed Gilbert which 
 would be the best way to get to our lines. If we 
 succeeded In escaping. We expected the guard 
 to come again on post at about midnight, and 
 
238 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 we waited anxiously for the appearance of our 
 friend, but did not get to see him again ; whether 
 he regretted his promise or was suspected by his 
 officers and kept away, we could not ascertain. 
 The plan would not have been a success, anyhow, 
 as the rebels, after dark, built large fires around 
 us, which lit up the ground to such an extent, that 
 getting away without being noticed by the other 
 guards, would have been an impossibility. 
 
 As soon as we discovered that all hope of 
 escape during the night was cut off, Gilbert Fra- 
 lich and myself lay down to sleep. It would have 
 been pleasant indeed to lose ourselves In grateful 
 unconsciousness of our unfortunate condition for 
 a short time, but I found it impossible to do so. 
 Although weary in body, my mind was in such 
 a disturbed condition that I found it Impossible 
 to fall asleep. But a few days before I was 
 so happy in the thought that I was delivered 
 from a terrible captivity, and I could hardly re- 
 alize that I was again in the hands of the enemy. 
 My thoughts continually went back to the com- 
 pany, and wondering how many of our brave 
 boys had fallen In the battle after I was captured. 
 The last I had seen of my brother Frank was in 
 line of battle, where he was fighting close by my 
 side, and I felt very uneasy about him. After my 
 release from my long captivity, I was rejoiced to 
 hear that he ,was one of the fortunate ones who 
 escaped. I was also happy to hear that comrade 
 
SHOT ON THE LAST DAY. ' 239 
 
 Lindley McClune, whom I had seen fall shot 
 through the neck, and supposed to be dead, had 
 recovered and was doing well. I felt very sad, 
 however, to hear that Jacob Crummel, a member 
 of Company E, a neighbor at home, and an inti- 
 mate friend in the army, was numbered with the 
 slain. Poor Crummel, wounded nigh unto death 
 in the Seven Days' fight before Richmond, and 
 again wounded at Gettysburg, where I stood 
 close to him on the skirmish line, he beine de- 
 tailed from Company E, and I from Company D, 
 to dislodge a number of rebel sharpshooters, and 
 then to fall dead on the last day of his three 
 years service ! A braver or truer soldier never 
 wore the uniform of the Government. 
 
 '* Far away in humble cottage 
 Sits his mother sad and lone, 
 And her eyes are red with weeping 
 Thinking of her absent son J' 
 
 In the morning we were taken to Richmond, 
 and, as we marched through die principal part 
 of the city on our way to Libby, we had a good 
 opportunity of seeing the famous, or I might say 
 infamous Capital of the Southern Confederacy. 
 I could not help noticing the difference in regard 
 to the feelings of the people and appearance of 
 the city, compared to what it was two years be- 
 fore, when I was marched throup^h its streets as a 
 prisoner of war. Then the people were demon- 
 strative and loud in their boasts of what they 
 
240 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 would do, and how soon the Northern Invaders 
 would be driven from Southern soil — the city then 
 had an animated and lively appearance ; but nov/ 
 everything looked gloomy and despondent, and 
 the boastful spirit of the people appeared to be 
 broken. 
 
 The papers still kept up the cry that Grant was 
 accomplishing nothing and getting his men all 
 butchered ; but the people evidently realized the 
 fact that somehow or other the enemy was get- 
 ting nearer and nearer to their Capital, and that 
 the prospects of Southern independence were not 
 very bright. While the papers kept up the cry 
 of "Grant the butcher," they no doubt wished the 
 butcher a sfreat deal farther off. 
 
 In the afternoon we were lodged in the notori- 
 ous Libby prison, and searched for our valuables. 
 Two men acted as searchers, and we were taken 
 two at a time, before them to be robbed. This 
 gave the boys a chance to hide their valuables, 
 and Yankee ingenuity prevented the rebels from 
 getting a good part of them. One of the 
 searchers was an old man, who, for low villany 
 would easily have taken the premium at a world's 
 fair. He took all he could find, even the pictures 
 the soldiers had of loved ones at home. The 
 other one was a young man, who was much more 
 considerate, and I do not think took more than 
 he was compelled to. I was fortunate enough to 
 be searched by this one, and he told me he was 
 
SEARCHING PRISONERS. 24I 
 
 ordered to search for side-arms and monry. I 
 had a few dilngs which I prized very highly, not 
 from any intrinsic value, but from associations 
 connected with them ; these he made no effort to 
 take. As he took a rather long look at a lot of 
 photographs I had, I was beginning to feel a little 
 uneasy, thinking that he might keep them, but 
 after examining them closely, he handed them 
 back with the remark that " we appeared to have 
 pretty girls in the North, anyhow." All the 
 money I had I succeeded in hiding by rolling it 
 up and keeping it in my mouth until he was 
 through with me. 
 
 While I was being searched I had a good 
 opportunity to see how the old gentleman who 
 was searchinor near me was doine business. In 
 searching a prisoner he found an ambrotype pic- 
 ture, and was going to appropriate it to his own 
 use when the prisoner commenced begging for it, 
 telling the rebel that it was a picture of his wife. 
 The rebel, with a malignity that would disgrace a 
 South Sea heathen, dropped it on the floor and 
 stamped it to pieces. The prisoner's face was 
 livid with rage and indignation, but he was 
 powerless to prevent it. He declared afterward 
 that if he had had a knife in his possession, he 
 would have stabbed the villain dead on the spot. 
 
 Some of the boys had very clever plans to hide 
 their money, but did not always succeed in keep- 
 ing it from the old reprobate. I saw one of the 
 16 
 
242 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 prisoners take a fifty-dollar note and put it in a 
 large pipe, and then fill it with tobacco ; when 
 his turn came to be examined, he lit it and com- 
 menced to take a smoke. The old searcher 
 however, suspected the pipe, and emptying it, 
 found the money. Some of the prisoners de- 
 stroyed their greenbacks, saying they would save 
 the Government the expense of redeeming them 
 before they would let the rebels have them. 
 
 On the following day we received our first 
 rations from the rebels. It consisted of a small 
 piece of corn-bread, and quite a small piece of 
 pork. The following day the weather was quite 
 cool and pleasant, and I succeeded" in putting in 
 almost the whole forenoon in sleep. 
 
 About noon we again received our day's ration, 
 which was so small that we consumed it all in 
 one meal. Fralich and myself had our knapsacks 
 taken from us when captured, and did not have 
 overcoat or blanket. Gilbert succeeded in keep- 
 ing his blanket, and also getting it into prison. 
 He kindly offered to share it with us, and in the 
 lono- imprisonment which followed we used it in 
 common. 
 
 On the following day, we were informed that 
 we mio-ht write to our friends if we wished to, but 
 
 o 
 
 that our letters would be examined by the Con- 
 federate authorities before they were sent North. 
 We o-ladly availed ourselves of the privilege, and 
 in a short time the most of us were busy penning 
 
LIBBY AND PEMBERTON. 243 
 
 messages to our friends. We of course knew that 
 it would not not do for us to write anything detri- 
 mental to our enemies, so we merely wrote that 
 we were captives, and doing well. I wrote one to 
 my parents, and another to a dear friend ; but as 
 one never reached its destination, and the other 
 did not until after my release, I might as well have 
 left them unwritten. 
 
 The following day, June 5th, was the Sabbath. It 
 was our first Sabbath in a rebel prison, and it was 
 a most gloomy one, indeed, to all of us. We could 
 not help contrasting our miserable condition with 
 the one we enjoyed a few days before. Then we 
 were free — now in a rebel dungeon, and the pros- 
 pect of getting out, slim indeed. We commenced 
 to suffer severely from hunger, and could hardly 
 wait until two o'clock, when we received our mite 
 again. When it did come, we had a little change ; 
 a small amount of bean soup in addition to the 
 corn bread and pork. But the entire amount was 
 so small that we acrain consumed it at one meal, 
 and felt hungry when we had it eaten. 
 
 Wednesday, June 8th, we left Libby prison, and 
 were put into Pemberton, a short distance from 
 Libby. This place was even worse than Libby, 
 being more filthy and gloomy. Our stay, how- 
 ever, in this place was only a short one, as we left 
 it in the morning ; and, altliough we knew that it 
 was only for the purpose of being sent to some 
 other prison, we were heartily glad to leave. We 
 
244 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 did not think it possible that our ^enemies could 
 find a more terrible place than the one we were 
 leaving ; but then we did not know anything of 
 the horrors of Andersonville, and it was fortunate 
 for us that we did not, and that the terrible future 
 was hidden from us ; for, could we have foreseen 
 the horror and misery of the prisons that were to 
 receive us, we would have given up in utter 
 despair. It was only the continuous hope of a 
 speedy release that enabled us to live through it. 
 After leaving the prison we crossed the James 
 river to Manchester — a town directly opposite 
 Richmond — where we were loaded on the cars as 
 so much inanimate freight, and at eight o'clock 
 A. M. we started on our long journey for Anderson- 
 ville, Georgia. We did not know at the time 
 where we were going to, but from what we 
 learned from the guards, we supposed our next 
 prison would be somewhere in the far South. 
 The distance from Pemberton to the place where 
 we entered the cars is hardly more than one and 
 a half miles ; but so weak had I become in the 
 few days that I was in prison, that I could hardly 
 stand in line when we reached the train, and I 
 was glad when we received the orders to get on 
 board. We found the accommodations, however, 
 were very wretched. The cars were common box 
 freight cars, without seats, and the rebels crowded 
 so many of us into them that we could not all sit 
 down at the same time on the floor. Gilbert, 
 
EN ROUTE TO ANDERSONVILLE. 245 
 
 Frallch, and myself, succeeded in getting together 
 in a corner of the car, and in getting seats side by 
 side on the floor ; but as " eternal vigilance is the 
 price of liberty," so, in our position continual 
 watching was necessary to hold the corner. The 
 train moved along slowly all day and the follow- 
 ing night, and by morning we had reached the 
 city of Danville, about one hundred and forty 
 miles from Richmond. At this place we changed 
 cars, and also received one day's rations. At 
 eight o'clock a. m. we again resumed our journey, 
 and by one p. m. arrived at the beautiful little 
 town of Greensborough, North Carolina, where 
 we aorain chancred cars. 
 
 We arrived at Charlottesville, North Carolina, 
 early on Sunday morning, June 12th. Directly 
 after, we were taken from the cars, and marched 
 into a wood about one mile from town, where we 
 were kept under a strong guard until the next 
 morning. As the weather had been extremely 
 warm since we left Richmond, and we were most 
 of the time without water, we had suffered very 
 much ; and the change from the filthy cars to the 
 pleasant, cool wood, was a most agreeable one to 
 us during the day, but in the evening it began to 
 rain, and continued raining very fast all night; 
 consequently we had a miserable night of it, and 
 bad as the cars were, we wished ourselves back 
 in them again. During the day a large number 
 of men, women, and children gathered together 
 
246 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 to see the " Yankees." It being Sunday, had, no 
 doubt, the effect of greatly increasing the number 
 of our visitors, they using this day for visiting and 
 recreation. We were evidently objects of great 
 curiosity to them, as they stood around and 
 watched us for hours. As the weather was quite 
 pleasant during the day we enjoyed a splendid 
 rest, and stretched out in the shade, watching our 
 visitors was quite a pleasant pastime to us ; and 
 as by far most of our visitors belonged to the 
 feminine gender, and some of the children and 
 young women were really good looking, that did 
 not, of course, detract from our pleasure in watch- 
 ing them. Some of the women were anything 
 else but good-looking, hiDwever, being lean and 
 lank, and as one of the boys expressed it, *' as ugly 
 as a mud fence." But if the day was pleasant, 
 the night was certainly not, as we were without 
 shelter and exposed to the rain all night. About 
 midnight I was taken quite sick and suffered ter- 
 ribly until morning. 
 
 At six o'clock in the morninof we were ordered 
 to fall into line and march back to the town, 
 where we were again put on the cars, and our 
 journey was continued southward. While we 
 were in the wood the day before, a few of the 
 prisoners formed a plan to overpower the guards 
 and make an attempt to escape. The attempt 
 was not to be made until we were on the railroad, 
 and at some lonely place. After discussing the 
 
PLANNING TO ESCAPE. 247 
 
 matter among ourselves, we came to the conclu- 
 sion that it would be folly to attempt anything of 
 the kind. The guards might possibly have been 
 overcome, but it is not likely that any of us 
 would have succeeded in escaping to our lines, as 
 we were right in the heart of the Confederacy, 
 and notice of our escape would have been tele- 
 graphed all over the South in a few hours, and at 
 the first alarm, horsemen and bloodhounds would 
 have been in pursuit. The chances of getting 
 away would have been distressingly small, and I 
 have no doubt that it was well for us that better 
 judgment prevailed, and the plan of trying to 
 escape in a body was abandoned. 
 
 We left Charlotte at seven o'clock a. m., and 
 arrived at Columbia, South Carolina, in the even- 
 ing, where we stopped for the night. We re- 
 mained on the cars all night, and suffered very 
 much for the want of water. What excuse our 
 enemies could make for not furnishing us with it, 
 with plenty all around them, would be hard to 
 conjecture, if it was not for the purpose of tortur- 
 inor us. In the mornino- we airain chancfed cars 
 and continued our journey, and arrived at Au- 
 gusta, Georgia, late in the evening. We were 
 furnished with two days' rations at this place, con- 
 sisting of corn-bread almost as hard as a brick, 
 and a piece of pork hardly fit to eat; but as we 
 were almost starved w^e made short work of it, 
 however, eating nearly all of it at one meal. We 
 
248 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Stayed all night, and were again kept in the cars 
 but as the night was cooler and more pleasant 
 than the previous one, we did not suffer so much. 
 In the morning we again changed cars, and left 
 for Andersonville, Georgia. 
 
 We had by this time found out that Anderson- 
 ville w^as to be our place of imprisonment, and 
 various were the conjectures as to what kind of a 
 place it was, and what kind of treatment we 
 would receive from our new jailers. Surely in 
 our case "ignorance was bliss." We were in- 
 formed by some of the guards that it was a camp 
 in the woods, and that alone made the impression 
 that it would be a better place than prison-life in 
 buildings like Libby. The descriptions we re- 
 cQived of the place were not unfavorable, and the 
 rebels assured us that the treatment we would 
 receive would be much better than that which we 
 experienced In Richmond. 
 
 Whether they did this from Ignorance, or from 
 a desire to keep the truth from us until they had 
 us safely inclosed in the pen, or from a fiendish 
 desire to increase our torture by disappointment, 
 we could not find out ; but we did discover that 
 they were either liars or ignorant of what they 
 were talking about, and that all our former ex- 
 periences and sufferings In rebel prisons were 
 but an intimation of what was still In store for us. 
 
 We arrived at Andersonville at two o'clock p. m., 
 June 1 6th, and as the train stopped we looked 
 
ARRIVAL AT ANDERSONVILLE. 249 
 
 around anxiously to see what kind of a place it 
 was. We were somewhat surprised to find that 
 it was only a small way station, with few houses 
 in sight. Directly after our arrival we were 
 ordered to eet out of the cars and form in line for 
 the purpose of marching to the prison, which was 
 about one mile from the station. It was raining 
 very fast at the time, and, as we were in a coun- 
 try almost entirely covered with timber, we ex- 
 pected to find some kind of shelter in our new 
 prison ; but as we marched from the station, and 
 caught a sight of the prison, our hearts sank 
 within us, for inside of the large inclosure we 
 saw a living mass of prisoners, the most of them 
 being wholly without shelter, standing around 
 in the rain and mud, presenting an appearance 
 no words can describe. It was so crowded that 
 we could not at first believe it possible for them 
 to put all of us into the inclosure. As we came 
 near the orate we noticed that a reofiment of rebel 
 soldiers were drawn up in line to the right of us, 
 and were kept in that position until we were 
 inside of the prison. 
 
 We were afterward informed by the prisoners 
 that this was done every time a large number 
 of new prisoners arrived, and that they were 
 kept there for the purpose of guarding against 
 an outbreak when the gates were open, and per- 
 haps thinking that when the new arrivals dis- 
 covered the hell-hole that was open to receive 
 
250 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 them, they would, in their despair and madness, 
 make an attempt to overcome their fiendish jailers 
 and escape. As we entered the prison a mule- 
 team that was coming from the gate got in posi- 
 tion between us and the line of rebel troops. 
 Capt. Wirz, who was riding to and fro, making as 
 much fuss and putting on as much style as if he 
 were in command of an army of fifty thousand 
 men, discovered the team, and thinking his pre- 
 cious mules in danger should his captives make 
 an attempt to escape, yelled out, "Take them 
 aisels away !" The Captain got his Dutch and 
 English frightfully mixed when excited. 
 
 This act proved at least that the Captain was 
 not entirely without feelings — -that is, for his 
 mules, anyhow. How much he had for the 
 poor wretches who were placed in his charge 
 to be starved and murdered, was a question 
 easily answered. I do not suppose that Jeff. 
 Davis and his advisers could have found a 
 human being on the face of the earth who would 
 have carried out their hellish plans better than 
 this Dutchman, who was sent to Andersonville to 
 reduce our armies. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 ANDERSONVILLE. 
 
 " But that I am forbid 
 To tell the secrets of my prison-house, 
 I could a tale unfold, whose lightest word 
 Would harrow up thy soul ; freeze thy young blood ; 
 Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres ; 
 Thy knotted and combined locks to part, 
 And each particular hair to stand on end, 
 Like quills upon the fretful porcupine." 
 
 AN my way home, after beSng released from 
 rebel prisons, I was in company with a ser- 
 geant of a New Jersey regiment, who had also 
 been a prisoner of war in Andersonville prison. 
 We occupied a seat together, and the seat in 
 front of us was occupied by two gentlemen, who, 
 on finding that we had been prisoners of war in 
 the South, became very sociable, and endeavored 
 to enoraee us in conversation in reo^ard to the 
 treatment we had received. My friend was an 
 intelligent and fluent conversationalist, and for 
 some time related to them incidents of prison-life 
 that had came under his own observation. As I 
 felt very weary and ill, I remained a quiet 
 listener ; but I knew from my own experiences 
 that all my friend was relating was true. After 
 finishing their conversation, the sergeant left the 
 
 (250 
 
252 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 car for a short time, going to the car In front, and 
 I nestled down in the corner of the seat for the 
 purpose of taking a nap. 
 
 The two gentlemen, who had been the most 
 respectful listeners, and were loud in their dem- 
 onstrations of pity for the prisoners, and bitter In 
 denouncing the course of treatment pursued by 
 the rebel authorities toward us, evidently did not 
 believe all the sergeant told them to be the truth. 
 Thinking, I suppose, that I could not overhear 
 them, the one remarked to the other, "What do 
 you think of that?" The one addressed shook 
 his head and replied, "Well, I have no doubt it was 
 a terrible place; but I suppose he was stretching 
 it a little." I could not help feeling indignant at 
 them for doubting my friend's veracity; and as 
 any other soldier would be under the same cir- 
 cumstances, I was somewhat sensitive on that 
 particular point ; so getting up, I remarked to the 
 last speaker that I was sorry that he doubted my 
 friend's word, and that I could assure them that 
 all the sergeant told them was the truth. They 
 did not like it very much that I had heard them, 
 and the one I had spoken to, hastened to reply, 
 and said, "O, I beg your pardon. I did not mean 
 to hurt your feelings or your friend's ; but It really 
 does appear somewhat hard to believe that so 
 many died in that one prison in so short a time. 
 Your friend may possibly have been mistaken as 
 to the numbers." 
 
HARD TO BELIEVE. 253 
 
 After the gentlemen left the car, and my friend 
 returned to his seat, I said, " Sergeant, I think I 
 shall be very careful in the future what I say 
 about the treatment we received from the rebels 
 when in Southern prisons." "Why?" he asked. 
 ''Well, the truth of the matter is," I answered, 
 "we have witnessed and experienced a good 
 many things that any one not acquainted with 
 the facts could hardly believe. " After consider- 
 ing a few moments, he replied, "Well, Urban, I 
 think you are right; for had I not experienced it 
 myself, it would be impossible for me to believe 
 the half I know to be facts. " 
 
 In writing the following description of Ander- 
 sonville, I do not intend to describe the horrors 
 of that place more than is absolutely necessary to 
 set forth the scenes enacted: and in writing this 
 entire volume, I do not expect to produce much 
 of a literary work, but merely a simple, truthful 
 story of life in Southern prisons. I claim but one 
 merit for this narration — Truth — and I shall not 
 relate anything but what I know to be the truth, 
 and that I will be willing to answer for on the 
 great day of final account. If things should appear 
 that may seem incredible to you, kind reader, 
 please remember that comparatively little is 
 known of the sufferings of our soldiers in the 
 South; if much has been said, much more has 
 been left unsaid, and a great deal will remain 
 "with the secrets of unwritten history." No 
 
2 54 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 tongue can express, no pen can describe, the ter- 
 rible sufferings of the inmates of the prisons of 
 the South; and it is only through the experience 
 given to the public by the survivors, that this 
 thrilling part of the history of the war can become 
 known. 
 
 Andersonville prison, where the climax of rebel 
 atrocity was reached, is located in Sumter 
 county, Georgia, about one mile from Anderson- 
 ville, a small station on the Georofia Central 
 Railroad, sixty-two miles southeast of Macon, 
 Georgia, and about fifty or sixty miles from the 
 Alabama state line. This station of itself Is a 
 small. Insignificant, unimportant place; and were it 
 not for the fact that the prison was In such close 
 proximity to It, very few persons outside of its 
 immediate locality would ever have heard of its 
 existence. The land for a considerable distance 
 around it was almost entirely covered with 
 forests, which consisted principally of oak and 
 pine. The surface of the land Is in some places 
 low and swampy, and at others rolling, forming a 
 scenery picturesque and pleasing to the eye. 
 The general appearance of the place, however, is 
 wild and desolate. It is very thinly settled, and 
 was well calculated for the purpose it was intended 
 for. Situated as it was, in a country where the 
 timber was so valueless that large quantities of it 
 were destroyed for the purpose of clearing the 
 land, it can readily be understood by the reader 
 
THE PRISON PEN DESCRIBED. 255 
 
 how easily the rebel authorities could have fur- 
 nished shelter for the prisoners. The extent of 
 ground inclosed by the stockade has been a sub- 
 ject of considerable difference of opinion, as It 
 was somewhat difficult to form an opinion, owlno- 
 to the crowded state of the prison; but I suppose 
 after the enlargement of the pen In July, it con- 
 tained about twenty-five acres. Of this, four or 
 five acres were swampy, and could not be occu- 
 pied. A small stream of water, about five or six 
 inches deep, and several feet wide, entered the 
 east side of the prison, and ran through it. This 
 stream had Its origin in a swamp a short distance 
 from the stockade, and the water was warm and 
 Impure. To add to Its natural filthlness, the 
 rebels had built their cook-house directly across 
 the stream on the side where It entered the 
 prison, and the water was often covered with filth 
 and grease. The rebels also washed their dirty, 
 lousy clothes in the stream. On almost every 
 clear day we could see dozens of them sitting 
 along Its banks for that purpose; and thirsty as 
 the poor prisoners were, they could hardly make 
 use of the water. The entire prison was inclosed 
 with a high stockade made of pine logs. These 
 logs were about sixteen feet long, and were put 
 Into the ground about four feet, thus making a 
 fence twelve feet high. As some of the prisoners 
 succeeded In tunneling out, the rebels built a 
 second stockade a short distance from the first 
 
256 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 one, and the intervening space they kept lit up 
 during the night with large fires, to prevent the 
 prisoners who might succeed in getting out from 
 escaping. Sentinel boxes were built on top of 
 the stockade ; these were about fifty feet apart, 
 and were reached by steps from the ground on 
 the outside. On the inside, about thirty or thirty- 
 five feet from the stockade, was a small railing, 
 fastened on stakes about two feet high. This 
 was called the " Dead Line," and woe to the poor 
 prisoner, whether ignorant of its terrible meaning 
 or not, who crossed, or even reached under it, for 
 instant death was sure. 
 
 The rebels, in building this terrible prison, cut 
 down all the trees in the inside with the exception 
 of two, which stood in the northeast corner of the 
 prison, and in such a position that the shade fell 
 on the outside of the inclosure. The earth, with 
 the exception of the swamp, was of hard, red 
 clay, with a slight covering of soil almost as light 
 as sand. Lying and starving on this unmerciful, 
 unyielding earth ; dying from exposure, hunger 
 and thirst; the sun beating on them until in many 
 cases the hands and neck were burned to blisters 
 — what would not these suffering and dying men 
 have given for the tempering shade of the trees, 
 which the rebels so cruelly and ruthlessly cut 
 away ? 
 
 Since the close of the war, some of the rebels 
 and apologists of the South have endeavored to 
 
TERRIBLE INHUMANITY. 257 
 
 prove to the world that the course of treatment 
 pursued by the Southern authorities was as 
 humane as the circumstances connected with the 
 case would allow. What plea of justification can 
 they give for the fact that thousands of men died 
 in this pen, with the hot, scorching sun beating on 
 their faces with an intensity that alone was 
 enough to kill them, and after the rebels had pur- 
 posely cut down the shade-trees that would have 
 been so grateful, and in some measure have eased 
 their sufferings ? 
 
 Inside of this inclosure, thirteen thousand two 
 hundred and fifty-three Union soldiers perished, 
 averaorinor more than one thousand deaths to 
 every month that the prison existed. There is 
 no spot on the face of the earth where " man's 
 Inhumanity to man " was more fully demonstrated 
 than in this terrible place, and the name of Ander- 
 sonville will be a dark spot on American civiliza- 
 tion for centuries to come. 
 
 As mentioned at the close of the preceding 
 chapter, we had now reached the gate of the 
 prison which was to receive us, and which was to 
 be a Confederate executioner to almost one-half 
 of the entire number who entered its inclosure. 
 As we marched through the gate I could hardly 
 believe it to be possible that this horrible place 
 was to contain us even for a few days, and my 
 blood almost froze with horror as I looked 
 around and saw men who but a short time before 
 
 17 
 
258 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 enjoyed health and strength, worn down by suf- 
 fering and disease, until they hardly looked like 
 human beinofs. Some of them were almost 
 naked, and were all covered with dirt and 
 vermin, presenting an appearance that made our 
 hearts sink'within us as we looked upon them ; 
 and the terrible thought would continually force 
 itself into my mind, How can I ever expect to live 
 in this horrible place ? After the gates closed on 
 us, we stood around for a short time, dumb- 
 founded, and did not know what to do. Around 
 us was a huge wall of pine logs, effectually shut- 
 ting us from the outer world. On top of this 
 wall was a line of guards, who, with rifle in hand, 
 were only too willing to end our mortal career by 
 sending a ball through us for the least violation 
 of the rules imposed upon us. 
 
 The rain was pouring down in torrents, and 
 as it had been raining several days before our 
 arrival, the mud was almost ankle deep, and we 
 could not even see a place to sit down without 
 getting right into it. Night was fast approaching, 
 without a dry stitch of clothing on us, and we 
 were getting chilly and cold. We anxiously 
 inquired of the prisoners if no part of the prison 
 contained sheds, tents, or shelter for us. ThQ 
 reply was, "No, you will find none." One of my 
 comrades, with a groan of despair, exclaimed 
 ''My God, can this be hell?" Gilbert finally 
 suggested that we explore the prison and en- 
 
NO SHELTER. 259 
 
 deavor to find a spot where at least the mud was 
 not so deep, and where we could lie down. We 
 tramped through the mud for a short time, trying 
 to find a spot we could claim for that purpose, 
 but in vain ; wherever we stopped, we found that 
 some one else had already claimed the place. 
 We were commencing to fear that we would not 
 even have room enough to lie down on, when 
 finally we came to where several prisoners, who 
 belonged to a West Virginia regiment, had quar- 
 tered. They were some of the first inmates of 
 the prison, and had succeeded in getting a pretty 
 good shelter. They also possessed a small log or 
 piece of wood, which they kindly offered to us to 
 sit on. Close to them was a small spot of ground 
 not occupied, which we succeeded In getting pos- 
 session of, and, moving the log on it, we at last 
 succeeded in getting a good seat, and It kept us, 
 at least for a short time, from the necessity of 
 lying down in the mud. Valueless as this piece 
 of wood would have been on the outside o( the 
 prison, It was a great treasure to us. I should 
 perhaps mention that at no period of the history 
 of Andersonville was the prison quite so crowded 
 as at the time of our arrival. 
 
 The rebels shordy after built an addldon to the 
 prison, and in regard to room It was somewhat 
 more comfortable. In our wanderings around the 
 prison I had made a narrow escape from being 
 killed by a rebel guard. I had not as yet heard 
 
2 6o BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 about the terrible dead-line, and was in the act of 
 crossing it, when a prisoner cautioned me not to 
 do it. Had I done so, my life in Andersonville 
 would have been of short duration. In the even- 
 ing, our old friend, Amos M. Sourbeer, who had 
 formerly belonged to our company, but was now 
 a member of the One Hundred and Eighteenth 
 regiment, found us. He had been here a few 
 weeks before our arrival, and gave us a terrible 
 account of his experiences. He also informed us 
 that the prisoners were dying at the rate of sixty 
 per day. After the shadows of night had gath- 
 ered around us, Gilbert, Fralich and myself seated 
 ourselves on our log, and, spreading Gilbert's 
 blanket over our shoulders, endeavored to get 
 some sleep. It was long in the night, however, 
 before sweet, welcome slumber closed our senses 
 in unconsciousness of our helpless condition and 
 misery. We talked long about our unfortu- 
 nate condition, and pledged ourselves anew to 
 stick together, and, as best we could, help each 
 other. We tried to console ourselves with the 
 hope that our Government would find out the ter- 
 rible condition of our prison, and some measures 
 be taken to release us. 
 
 It rained all night, and as It was quite cold, we 
 suffered terribly, and were thankful when daylight 
 appeared. In the morning it cleared off, and the 
 sun shone brightly for several hours, when it 
 again became cloudy, and rained almost all the 
 
MISERABLE RATIONS. 261 
 
 time until Sunday morning — two days after. I 
 spent most of the first day in moving around 
 among the prisoners and examining the prison. I 
 was surprised to find from information given me 
 by some of the prisoners, that the prison was in- 
 fested with a gang of lawless characters, who 
 were adding to the horrors of the place by prac- 
 ticing a system of robbery on the new arrivals to 
 better their own condition. I could not at first 
 but believe that the reports about them had been 
 exaggerated ; but I was only a short time in prison 
 when I was fully persuaded that the half had not 
 been told. 
 
 Tuesday we received our first day's rations in 
 Andersonville, which consisted of one pint of corn- 
 meal, a small piece of pork, and about a spoonful 
 of cooked rice. After the close of the day we 
 again took possession of our log, or " chicken 
 roost," as Fralich called it, and had another most 
 miserable night of it. Miserable, however, as our 
 condition was, we had accustomed ourselves a 
 little to our surroundings, and w^ere not quite as 
 despondent as the day before. We even laughed 
 when Fralich, who had been in vain trying to 
 sleep, and becoming impressed with the similarity 
 between our resting-place and a chicken-roost, 
 commenced to imitate a rooster by crowing. 
 Some of the prisoners who had no shelter, and not 
 wishing to lie down in the mud, conceived the plan 
 of making what they called a sleeping-post. A 
 
262 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 number of them got close together, and after 
 forming a centre-post, would get around it one 
 against the other, and try to sleep. Fralich, after 
 watching the proceedings for a short time, informed 
 us that he would try that plan, too. He had hardly 
 got his position when the centre gave way, and 
 the sleepy fellows fell, a confused mass, into the 
 mud. Fralich came back thoroughly disgusted, 
 and said he preferred a log to sleep on to that 
 kind of a sleeping-post. On the following night 
 we again resumed our position on the log, but did 
 not occupy it long, when Gilbert suggested that 
 we lie down in the mud, and endeavor to sleep in 
 that way. Our position on the log had become 
 very tiresome, and we longed to have a place to 
 lie down and rest. So lying down side by side, 
 we soon, in spite of our miserable condition, 
 fell asleep, and slept until late in the morning. 
 After getting up, the impressions of our bodies 
 were stamped on the ground several inches deep. 
 We felt stiff and sore for a short time after get- 
 ting up, but on the whole felt much refreshed 
 after our long sleep. It also stopped raining, 
 and the sun coming out very warm, our clothing 
 became dry, and we felt more comfortable than 
 we had been for some time. In the afternoon 
 we had, however, a very severe thunder-storm 
 and heavy rain, and again received a complete 
 drenching, which compelled us again to sleep in 
 clothing as wet as it could be. On the following 
 
SOAKED WITH RAIN. 263 
 
 day the weather was an exact repetition of that of 
 the day previous, being clear and very hot until 
 some time in the afternoon, when a severe rain 
 and thunder storm passed over us, and left us in 
 a condition to at least sleep cool during the night. 
 
 I had now been six days In Andersonville, and 
 as it had been raining almost all the time since 
 my arrival, I commenced to wonder if there was 
 any prospect of it letting up, or if it rained all the 
 time In that country. In conversation with some 
 of the prisoners who had been inmates of the 
 prison for some time before our arrival, I learned 
 that It had been raining almost every day for two 
 weeks before we came in. Most of the old prison- 
 ers preferred rain to sunshine, as it was so hot 
 when It did not rain for a few days that the men 
 who had no shelter almost perished of the heat. 
 
 The next day, June 2 2d, the sun shone brightly, 
 and It was the most terribly hot season I ever 
 experienced In my life. It really appeared as If 
 we would have to suffocate with heat. I actually 
 found myself wishing It would commence to rain 
 ao^ain. We succeeded in crettlnof a few short 
 sticks, on which we put Gilbert's blanket, and In 
 that way formed a screen to protect us a little. 
 It did not, however, help much, as the sun was so 
 terribly hot that It almost appeared as if it would 
 burn the blanket. Directly after the middle of 
 the day I became quite sick, but after sundown 
 the weather became cooler, and I felt better again. 
 
264 BAITLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 The hot sun had at least brought us some com- 
 fort, as it had dried up the mud, and we could, for 
 the first time since our arrival in Andersonville, 
 lie down to sleep without getting into it. The 
 six following days the sun beat down on us with 
 the same terrible intensity, and it really appeared 
 sometimes as if it would sink us into the eround. 
 The nights, however, were quite cool, and were a 
 great relief to us, although the mosquitoes were a 
 source of considerable annoyance, they being both 
 numerous and laro-e. 
 
 About this time a considerable number of new 
 prisoners arrived, and we eagerly scanned every 
 face and form as they entered, hoping and pray- 
 ing that none of our friends might be among the 
 number. Under any other circumstances, or at 
 any other place, we would have been glad to see 
 them, but we could not but tremble at the thought 
 of any of them coming to our miserable abode. 
 Two hundred and fifty prisoners arrived from 
 the Army of the Potomac on Friday, June 23d, 
 who reported General Grant and his army at 
 Petersburg, Virginia, and that the capture of 
 Richmond was sure to take place in a short time. 
 On the following day a small number arrived 
 from Sherman's army, and reported him within 
 twenty miles of Atlanta. This was glorious news, 
 and created a strong hope within us that the 
 cruel war would soon be over, and we be released 
 from our terrible sufferings. Rumors of a parole 
 
HOPES OF EXCHANGE. 265 
 
 or exchange were also being spread among us, 
 and were the subject of considerable controversy. 
 Some believed them to be true, and others con- 
 tended that they were only rebel lies got up to 
 deceive us. 
 
 These frequent reports about being exchanged, 
 although, containing no truth, were, nevertheless, 
 the means of doing some good, as it to some 
 extent kept up the spirits of the men, and di- 
 verted their minds from the terrible scenes daily 
 enacted before them. I have already referred to 
 the fact that our prison-pen was infested with a 
 gang of lawless roughs, and on the 28th of May 
 I met with an adventure with them in going 
 through the prison, which was the means of rais- 
 ing intense excitement among the prisoners ; and 
 as it differs somewhat from the remainder of my 
 prison-life, and has been a subject of considerable 
 controversy, I will devote the following chapter 
 entirely to a fair, impartial statement of the affair. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 HANGING OF THE THIEVES. 
 
 pERHAPS one of the strangest chapters In the 
 '■■ history of Andersonville is th^ one relating to 
 the hanging of six of the inmates by their own 
 comrades. It has been a subject of much com- 
 ment, and persons who are not famiUar with all the 
 facts connected with the case would naturally look 
 at It as a cruel and barbarous act, with no justifi- 
 cation whatever. It would naturally be supposed 
 that these men, who were suffering for the same 
 cause, would be bound together by the strongest 
 ties of sympathy. Among the better class of 
 prisoners it would undoubtedly have been so ; but 
 we must not forget that, under all circumstances, 
 where so many men are gathered together, we will 
 find a great diversity of character, and of course 
 Andersonville was no exception to the rule. 
 There will be no doubt in any intelligent, un- 
 biased mind, that by far the most of the men 
 who served in the Union army were men who 
 acted from purely patriotic motives ; and in the 
 ranks could be found some of the best citizens in 
 the country. But it Is also true, that quite a 
 number went into the army more for the purpose 
 of plunder than for any love they had for the 
 
 (266) 
 
MOSBY's MARAUDERS. 26/ 
 
 conntry. This class of men came as a general 
 thing from the large cities, and inost of them 
 were not native born. 
 
 When this class of men became prisoners of 
 war, and were compelled to suffer for want of 
 the necessaries of life. It was but natural that 
 they would try to secure their own comfort, al- 
 though it should be at the expense of their more 
 patriotic and honest companions. To what ex- 
 tremes bad men will go to secure their own com- 
 fort was fully Illustrated In the doings of a band 
 of robbers in Andersonville, or "Mosby's Ma- 
 rauders, " as the rest of the prisoners call them. 
 The old adage, "birds of a feather will flock 
 together," was fully verified In this case. To be 
 more fully enabled to carry on their nefarious 
 business, and protect themselves from punish- 
 ment, the villains had congregated themselves, as 
 much as they possibly could, together. Their 
 rendezvous was near the southwest end of the 
 prison. So bold and defiant did the gang be- 
 come, that they soon got to be the terror of the 
 entire prison, and actually at one time appeared 
 to rule it. At least one poor fellow's death was 
 traced to their hands ; others were terribly beaten 
 because they would not submit to their demands. 
 But little did they dream of the terrible retribu- 
 tion they were bringing on their own heads — that 
 the men who appeared to so tamely submit to 
 their despotic sway would rise in their might and 
 
2 68 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 crush them. The prison was at this time In a 
 horrible condition. It was before the grounds were 
 enlarged, and we were literally crowded Into the 
 Inclosure. The number of inmates was not less 
 than fifteen thousand. Sickness was Increasing 
 at a fearful rate, the number of deaths averaging 
 sixty per day. The poor prisoners, who were 
 starving and lying on the ground exposed to the 
 weather, were suffering In a terrible manner, and 
 were in no mood to endure tyranny from those 
 who should have been their friends. The pris- 
 oners organized a company of Regulato7^s to en- 
 force law and order. The leader was a man by 
 the name of Key, from the State of Illinois. 
 
 He was a man of orlorantic stature and Immense 
 
 o o 
 
 strength, and was well fitted to command the de- 
 termlned men who had organized for the purpose 
 of protecting the respectable Inmates from the 
 assaults of the low and vicious. 
 
 For some time the robbers appeared to have 
 things all their own way ; but a storm was brew- 
 ing. Had they been wise they would have 
 averted the consequences by stopping their mis- 
 erable system of robbery and oppression. But 
 very little, however, appeared to be accomplished 
 towards suppressing the raiders, until at length 
 an event occurred that in the end put a stop to 
 their deviltry. 
 
 Robert H. Kellogg, Sergeant-major of the Six- 
 teenth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, who 
 
MR. KELLOGG's book. 269 
 
 was in the prison at the time, and is the author of 
 the interesting work called " Life and Death in 
 Rebel Prisons," writes of that affair in the follow- 
 ing^ words : 
 
 " These new-comers afforded the raiders, or 
 camp robbers, fresh opportunities to continue 
 their work. They seized upon one of these, and 
 it soon proved to be a robbery in earnest. After 
 severely beating and cutting his head, they took 
 his watch and $175 in money. He entered a 
 complaint to Captain Wirz, and the whole camp 
 being completely aroused, collected around with 
 clubs, and beo^an to arrest the orane as fast as 
 possible," etc. 
 
 I was the soldier the Sero^eant refers to as 
 being robbed and beaten by the raiders. Mr. 
 Kellogg is correct in his statement, with the ex- 
 ception of the taking of the money. I had none 
 at the time of the assault, so could not have been 
 robbed of any. In justice to the Sergeant, I will 
 say that I have carefully read his book, and the 
 work is a faithful, reliable account of the terrible 
 sufferings of the prisoners ; and he deserves the 
 thanks of every survivor of rebel prisons for the 
 truthful manner in which he has shown their friends 
 the terrible course of treatment the rebel authori- 
 ties adopted, as they themselves acknowledged, 
 for the purpose of reducing our armies. 
 
 Gilbert was the owner of a small silver watch. 
 When searched by the rebel authorities at Rich- 
 
270 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 mond, after his capture, he somehow succeeded in 
 hidlnof it, and was successful in jrettinof it into 
 Andersonville prison. As the pockets were torn 
 out of his jacket, he requested me to carry it. It 
 was a source of some comfort to us ; but it was 
 not destined to stay with us very long. In the 
 afternoon I went to the brook to q-qi a drink of 
 water, when noticing that some rebel soldiers 
 were drillinor on the crround outside of the stock- 
 ade, I went to the south end of the prison, where 
 I could oret a better view of them. Havinof been 
 but a short time in the prison, I knew nothing 
 about the locality where the raiders had their 
 quarters, and so, unconsciously, got right In 
 amonor them. I was looklnof at the rebel soldiers 
 driliincr when I noticed a stranorer who had come 
 close to my left side, and was apparently looking 
 at the same object. Directly after a second came 
 to my rear, and another to my right side. The 
 three coming so close, aroused my suspicions, and 
 I was thinking about moving away from the place, 
 when I felt a hand lift the watch from my pocket. 
 Turning suddenly, I grasped the thief by the 
 throat ; I succeeded in getting a very good hold, 
 and as he was quite a small man, I soon had the 
 best of him. In the scuffle some one tripped me 
 and I fell to the ground. I, however, kept my 
 hold on his throat, and was giving him a severe 
 choking when some one, to compel me to let go, 
 commenced to <jlve me a terrible beatlncr, Belnof 
 
POCKET-PICKING. 27 1 
 
 now thoroughly alarmed, I cried "Murder !" as loud 
 as I could. Some one then, to stop my cries, 
 commenced to choke me; and I have no doubt 
 that they would soon have finished me, had my 
 cries not been heard by the Regulators and my 
 friends, who came to the rescue. The fellow 
 whom I had taken by the throat was a New York 
 ruffian by the name of Crowly. He was a small, 
 villainous-looking, pock-marked fellow, and was 
 no doubt one of the light-fingered gentry who 
 are so numerous In that city. I had succeeded in 
 giving him a severe punishment, the marks of my 
 fingers being visible on his neck; and had the rest 
 let me alone, I don't think he would have been in 
 a very good condition to carry on his business for 
 some time after. 
 
 At the first alarm, the robbers crowded around 
 us, and in that way tried to cover their tracks by 
 keeping the Regulators and prisoners not be- 
 longing to their gang back until it was over. 
 Had they succeeded in knocking me insensible, 
 they probably would have lied themselves out 
 of the crime ; for had I recovered, I could not 
 have Identified more than the one I had taken 
 hold of, and he loudly proclaimed his Innocence. 
 The disturbance was heard by the rebels, and a 
 sergeant, with several guards, came in to see 
 what was the matter. Crowly then made the 
 most pitiful plea to the rebels, even shedding 
 tears, and charging me with making an attempt 
 
272 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 to kill him. I then told the rebel sergeant that 
 Crowly had taken my watch, and that I was the 
 aggrieved party. The rebels, no doubt expecting 
 to make a watch by the operation, took Crowly 
 and me outside of the prison. On the way going 
 out, the miscreant again, in the most earnest w^ay, 
 protested his innocence, and loudly demanded to 
 be searched. After we got outside the prison, 
 the sergeant proceeded to search him, but no 
 watch appeared. The sergeant, who was evi- 
 dently disappointed in not finding one, then told 
 me I should have been more careful before I 
 made the assault, and that I must have been 
 mistaken in my man. I told him I could not 
 possibly be mistaken ; that the man I had seized 
 by the throat was the owner of the hand that 
 took the watch out of my pocket, and that I did 
 not expect him to have the watch at this stage 
 of the proceedings. We were then sent back to 
 the prison. On the way coming in, Crowly com- 
 menced to threaten me; but after we got in, he 
 found he had trouble enouo^h on hand without 
 disturbing me any further. The most intense 
 excitement existed in the prison among the pris- 
 oners. The Reenlators, who had had their sus- 
 picions aroused for some time in regard to the 
 character of the men who had gathered together 
 on this spot, commenced a furious assault on 
 them. Crowly and about fifty of his comrades 
 were soon under arrest. Hid in the ground 
 
THE HANGING. 2/3 
 
 where the villains stayed, were found watches, 
 money and different kinds of weapons ; also the 
 body of a man the miscreants had worked out of 
 the way. The valuables were taken possession 
 of by the rebels, who no doubt rejoiced at these 
 proceedings, as it not only enriched themselves, 
 but also weakened their enemies. During the 
 next day, the hunt fpr the raiders was kept up. 
 Quite a number were added to the arrested num- 
 ber. As fast as captured, they were turned over 
 to the rebels, who were to keep them until we 
 were ready to try them. A jury of twelve was 
 taken from the new arrivals to try them, and after 
 a fair, impartial trial, six of the ringleaders were 
 found guilty of murder and robbery, and were 
 sentenced to death. A large number of the rest 
 were compelled to run a gauntlet of enraged 
 men, who had formed two lines outside of the 
 prison, and were prepared to give them blows as 
 they passed through ; most of them got off with 
 a few blows, but several were terribly punished, 
 and one was beaten to death. 
 
 On the nth of July a gallows was built on the 
 south side of the pen, and the six who had been 
 sentenced to death were hung. As they were 
 taken to the gallows, one of them broke loose 
 from his guard, and made a vain attempt to get 
 away ; he was soon re-captured, and with the rest 
 put on the platform. Meal-bags were finally put 
 over their heads at the last moment, and then the 
 i8 
 
274 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 drop fell ; the rope around the neck of one of 
 them broke, but he was again taken up, and in 
 a few moments they were in the eternal world. 
 The wretches at first seemed to be unable to 
 understand that they would have to pay the 
 penalty of death for their crimes, and I do not 
 think that any of them believed that they would 
 have to die until within a very short time before 
 their execution. When, however, they found it 
 was to be a terrible reality, their firmness com- 
 menced to give way, and the look of helpless 
 despair on their countenances, as they looked on 
 the mass of men around them, was sad to see. 
 When asked if they had anything to say before 
 being put to death, one of them requested a 
 comrade to go to his friends in New York, and 
 tell them of his sad fate ; all of them requested 
 thef!" comrades to take warning by their death. 
 A Catholic priest, who very frequently paid us a 
 visit, beofSfed hard that their lives mio^ht be 
 Spared; but finding he could not change the pur- 
 pose of the men who were determined to carry 
 out the sentence, he endeavored to get the 
 doomed men to realize the awful position they 
 were in. Let us hope that the pra,yers of this 
 good man prevailed on them to look to Him who 
 will finally judge us all, and who never judges 
 unrighteously. 
 
 It was a sad sight to see six of our own men, 
 who were fellow-prisoners, suffer death in such 
 
11 
 
SEVERITY DEMANDED. 275 
 
 an Ignominious manner; but their crimes were 
 great, and we felt that the punishment was just. 
 Their crimes had been carried on with such total 
 disregard of the rights of others, and so reckless 
 of human life had they become, that there can be 
 no doubt but that the sentence of death inflicted 
 on them saved the lives of others, who were of 
 more service to their country, and better members 
 of society. The prisoners at Andersonville were of 
 all classes of men ; you would find there the most 
 earnest Christian, as well as the most depraved 
 villain. New arrivals were comlnof In almost 
 every day, and we were compelled to have some 
 system of law that would protect the respectable 
 class of prisoners from the low and vicious. Of 
 course, this very bad element was comparatively 
 small ; but a few determined bad characters can 
 do a great deal of evil among a very large class 
 of respectable people, and In this case we felt that 
 severe measures alone would keep in subordina- 
 tion the bad element among us. 
 
 The same view was evidently taken by our 
 captors, who sent an officer and a squad of sol- 
 diers to maintain order at the execution, 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 ENLARGEMENT OF OUR PRISON. 
 
 AN the first day of July the rebels completed the 
 ^ addition to our prison-pen, and a number of 
 us were ordered to gather up our movables and 
 go over into the new part of the inclosure. As the 
 property of our trio did not consist of more than 
 one blanket atid a few short sticks of wood, it did 
 not take us very long to get ready. About ten 
 feet of the stockade standing between the two sec- 
 tions of the prison had been removed for the pur- 
 pose of letting us through ; and as we all felt 
 anxious to get on the ground first, so as to get 
 the most desirable places to camp on, there was 
 quite a stampede to the new portion. 
 
 Captain Wirz, who, I suppose, wanted a little 
 amusement, issued an order that all of the prison- 
 ers who had been ordered to move, and who 
 would not be through this small opening in two 
 hours, should have their blankets, and whatever 
 property they might possess, confiscated. In a 
 short time the old part of the prison was thinned 
 out, and made more comfortable in regard to 
 room than it had been for some time. We suc- 
 ceeded in getting possession of a good dry spot 
 in the northeast corner of the prison, and mark- 
 
 (276) 
 
A NEW PEN. 277 
 
 ing four by six feet of ground, we squatted on It, 
 and bravely held the fort until the rest of the 
 prisoners had located their ground and settled 
 down. 
 
 Some of the soil close to us was composed of 
 brick clay, and we found that by mixing it up 
 with water, and letting it dry, it would get almost 
 as hard as a stone. To make our title stronger, 
 we gathered a lot of this clay, and built a wall 
 about six inches high around our lot. After 
 being in possession of our new quarters for a 
 few days, we gathered more clay, and, at first 
 only for amusement and pastime, commenced to 
 build our wall higher and stronger. We then 
 discovered that when exposed to the sun for sev- 
 eral days it would become very hard, and we 
 commenced to think that we might secure some 
 kind of a shelter by raising the wall higher and 
 arching It part way in. We built the two sides 
 and one eable end of our house about three and 
 one-half feet high, and taking Gilbert's blanket 
 for a roof, we had a pretty good protection 
 against the heavy dews so prevalent after night 
 in that part of the country. 
 
 We found before our removal from Anderson- 
 vllle that even in the very warmest weather the 
 nights were sometimes quite disagreeable, and 
 the dew so heavy as to give us a thorough wet- 
 tine. When it rained hard our roof did not 
 amount to much ; nevertheless, we were in a 
 
278 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 more comfortable condition, and felt considerably 
 richer than when In the old part of the prison. 
 The reader may, perhaps, think that this was a 
 small matter, but to us It was one of the greatest 
 importance, and we prized our mud-house very 
 highly ; more so, no doubt, than some men do 
 their brown-stone fronts. It is said, "necessity is 
 the mother of invention," and our prison life 
 fully demonstrated that to be a fact. Some of 
 the mud-houses and stoves were quite a novelty, 
 and required considerable skill in constructing 
 them. 
 
 Among the inmates of the prison were quite a 
 number of men who were members of churches 
 at home. These men were desirous of forming 
 some system of holding religious meetings, but 
 the terribly crowded condition of the prison had 
 prevented much action being taken In the matter. 
 A few would sometimes get together and have a 
 prayer-meeting, but it was only after the enlarge- 
 ment of the stockade that much attention was 
 paid to this Important movement. A prisoner by 
 the name of Shepard, a native of Ohio, and a 
 member of the Ninety-seventh regiment of the 
 Ohio Volunteers, who had been a minister at 
 home, and Boston Corbett, a native of New 
 Jersey, and whose name become so famous after 
 the close of the war on account of his shootinor 
 John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of the lamented 
 President Lincoln, were recognized as leaders in 
 
RELIGIOUS WORK. 2/9 
 
 these religious movements. They preached to 
 us frequently, and their preaching was no doubt 
 the means of accomplishing much good. They 
 were, indeed, nature's truest noblemen, perfect 
 gentlemen, and earnest true Christians. They 
 devoted almost all their time to giving spiritual 
 consolation and advice to their fellows-prisoners. 
 They appeared never to weary of doing good, 
 and could frequently be found at the side of the 
 dying, and entreating them to look to Him who 
 would deliver them from all their misery and 
 suffering, and receive them to a better and 
 brighter world above. These poor, dying sol- 
 diers, away from loved ones at home, separated 
 from all their comforts, tormented with vermin, 
 dying from exposure, hunger and thirst, these 
 martyrs to "man's inhumanity," had nowhere to 
 look for deliverance but to Him who had created 
 them, and without whose notice no sparrow shall 
 fall to the ground. How sweet and welcome the 
 words of these holy men of God when they pro- 
 claimed to them the words of our Saviour, "But 
 even the very hairs of your head are numbered. 
 Fear not, therefore. Ye are of more value than 
 many sparrows." And again, "Be not afraid of 
 them that kill the body, and after that have no 
 more that they can do." Yes; the enemies of 
 these poor dying men might torture them to 
 death, but when the breath had left their poor 
 emaciated bodies, they could do no more. 
 
28o BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 It is said that "man's extremity is God's oppor- 
 tunity, " and it was surely so with these poor 
 dying ones. Cut off from all earthly hope, they 
 received the w^ord eagerly and gladly, and who 
 can doubt that the Recording Ano^el carried the 
 glad tidings " Saved'' from this terrible spot when 
 the spirits of these poor soldiers passed away. 
 
 The leaders of the " Praying Band^ " that being 
 the name these men were known by in prison, 
 succeeded In getting possession of a spot of 
 ground in the new part of the prison for the 
 purpose of holding religious meetings, and on 
 this spot for some time every evening these men 
 came together and worshiped God. The meet- 
 ings were well attended, and accomplished much 
 crood. What a contrast between these meetincrs 
 .and the ones our friends enjoyed at home ! No 
 rinofino- of bells announced to us the solemn hour 
 that called the people of God together to raise 
 their hearts and voices in praise and thanksgiving 
 unto Him for His mercies. No happy family 
 groups of fathers, mothers, and children, stepping 
 alonor with li^ht hearts to larcre, commodious 
 buildlnes dedicated to God's service, and where 
 were comfortable seats and eloquent sermons, and 
 where swelling anthems, lifting the soul upward 
 from earth, came flowing through these sanctu- 
 aries. None of these blessings were enjoyed by the 
 men who gathered together in this terrible place 
 to thank God for His past mercy, implore His 
 
PRAYER MEETINGS. 28 1 
 
 protection In the future, and beg His forgiveness 
 for past shortcomings. These men enjoyed these 
 blessings in their happy homes before they en- 
 tered the service of their country. But how 
 changed their circumstances now ! When they 
 gathered together to worship their Maker, they 
 came covered with rags, mud, and vermin, and 
 some of them had suffered from disease and 
 starvation, until they presented an appearance so 
 wretched that their best friends would not have 
 recognized them. 
 
 When they reached the spot of ground set 
 apart for worship, instead of seating themselves 
 in good comfortable pews, they sat close together 
 on the ground, and quietly waited for the meet- 
 ing to commence. After a sufficient number had 
 gathered together, some one opened with prayer, 
 and then one of the leaders preached a short 
 sermon or exhortation, which was again followed 
 by prayer and singing. An invitation was also 
 given to those who desired to be prayed for to 
 come forward into the circle and kneel in a row 
 on the ground. Sometimes five or six penitents 
 would be found at one time in that position. Im- 
 ploring God's mercy. It was a strange, solemn 
 sight to see these men kneel side by side on the 
 ground enjoying this great privilege in so terrible 
 a place ; but they felt the need of Divine assist- 
 ance even more In their deplorable condition 
 than they would have felt it if surrounded by the 
 
282 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 comforts of home, and God would hear their 
 humble petitions here as well as anywhere else. 
 
 One Sabbath evening, Elder Shepard preached 
 a sermon from the sixth verse, fiftieth chapter of 
 Isaiah : " I gave my back to the smiters, and my 
 cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid 
 not my face from shame and spitting." The 
 subject was handled In an able manner, disclosing 
 the fact that our comrade was not only a good 
 and pious man, but one who was fully competent 
 to expound to us the teaching of the Holy Bible. 
 
 On one occasion, when we had received no 
 rations at all during the day, and It appeared as 
 if we would all have to die of starvation, Elder 
 Shepard prayed most earnestly In the evening 
 that God would not forsake us altogether, and 
 that we would aealn receive our humble rations 
 in the morning. On the following day we again 
 received our rations, and they were a trifle better 
 than we had received for some time. Whether It 
 was the result of the prayer of our comrade or 
 not, I do not know ; but It was accepted as such 
 by a considerable number of the prisoners, and 
 as 
 
 " More things are wrought by prayer 
 Than this world dreams of," 
 
 it may have had something to do with it. Some 
 of the prisoners, who perhaps depended more on 
 the efficiency of the prayers of their more pious 
 comrades than on their own, said, rather irrever- 
 
THE REGULATORS. 283 
 
 ently, that they thought Shepard might pray more 
 earnestly that God would release us altogether 
 from our dunofeon. 
 
 I am sorry to be compelled to relate that 
 amidst all the suffering, misery, and death sur- 
 rounding us, there were a few among u«s who 
 could so far for^ret the common demands of 
 decency, as to annoy and disturb these religious 
 meetings; but, as already mentioned in the pre- 
 ceding chapter, our prison-pen contained the 
 most vicious characters to be found anywhere, as 
 well as some of the best. The reader will, no 
 doubt, suppose that where disease and death held 
 such high carnival, at least no attempt would be 
 made to disturb those who were making an effort 
 to prepare for the summons that will finally call 
 us all to "that bourne from whence no traveler 
 returns." But such was the case, and as I intend 
 to give a description of our prison life as it really 
 was, I am compelled to state this fact. It gives 
 me pleasure, however, to be enabled to say that 
 this very bad element was comparatively small, 
 and these disturbances did not last long. 
 
 McKey, the leader of the gang of Regulators, 
 hearing of this state of affairs, issued an order 
 that any one found disturbing a religious meeting 
 would be punished by a number of lashes on the 
 bare back, which effectually put an end to that 
 kind of business for the future. Whipping on 
 the bare back was the mode of punishment gen- 
 
284 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 erally inflicted by the Regulators. It was about 
 this time that I saw my old enemy, Crowley, 
 taken to the place of punishment and receive 
 ten strokes well laid on for stealing a fellow- 
 prisoner's tin-cup. I always did think he got off 
 too easy when he stole our watch, and I am afraid 
 I was uncharitable enough to wish the number 
 of lashes twenty instead of only ten. 
 
 It was a strange fact that, situated as our 
 prison was, in a State where several prominent 
 Protestant churches were very strong, no minister 
 (with the exception of one, who was a chaplain in 
 the rebel army) ever entered the prison to 
 administer spiritual consolation to the many who 
 belonged to their own churches. The rebel 
 chaplain referred to came in on one occasion, and 
 read an extract from some Northern paper in 
 regard to an exchange of prisoners, and then 
 held a short religious service. This was the only 
 time during my stay in Andersonville that a 
 Protestant minister from the outside came into 
 the prison. A priest belonging to the Catholic 
 church was almost daily among us, and worked 
 faithfully among the sick and dying members of 
 his own church. He had also always a kind 
 word for all of us. We sometimes tried to find 
 out through him what the prospects of being 
 exchanged were, but he told us that he was on 
 his word and honor not to disclose anything to us 
 that was going on outside of our prison 
 
RATIONS SERVED. 285 
 
 Capt. Wirz, commanding the prison, was a 
 member of the CathoHc church, and it was said 
 that he would allow none but Catholic priests to 
 enter the prison for the purpose of administering 
 spiritual consolation to the dying. I do not know 
 if this was the case or not ; but, if true, it was 
 only in accord with his general principles. lie 
 really appeared to delight in inflicting pain and 
 disappointment on us, and it seems hard to be- 
 lieve that any one could have so fiendish a hate 
 toward human beings as he had toward the help- 
 less captives who were in his power. 
 
 The night after entering the new part of the 
 prison, some of the prisoners carried away part 
 of the old stockade left standlnof between the old 
 and new ground, for fuel. Wirz immediately 
 issued an order that if the timber was not re- 
 turned, he would punish the whole of us by stop- 
 ping our rations altogether. We received most 
 of our food at this time in a raw condition, and, 
 although wood was so plenty on the outside as to 
 be almost valueless, we could hardly get enough 
 of it to cook our scanty food. Our rations con- 
 sisted at this time principally of corn meal, of 
 which we got a cup — holding a little more than a 
 pint — full per day, and a small piece of beef or 
 pork, often covered with vermin. Sometimes we 
 received rice instead of cornmeal, and for quite 
 a time, beans were the principal diet. These we 
 generally got in a cooked, or at least half-cooked, 
 
286 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 condition and filthy beyond description. This 
 bean, or pea, as it was called by the rebels, is 
 grown in the South for cattle ; and I suppose, 
 when purchased by the rebel government for the 
 purpose of feeding their captives, was stored up 
 in old barns and sheds, and left to become so 
 unclean and filthy that it was not fit for human 
 beings to use ; but I suppose they thought it 
 
 good enough fof the "d d Yankees," as they 
 
 called us. Some of the men found the excre- 
 ment of fowls in their soup ; and as that was a 
 little more than even starvino- men would want to 
 eat, careful investigation of that kind of food be- 
 came the order of the day. Under any other 
 circumstances it micrht have been amusinof to see 
 the boys carefully, with stick in hand, examining 
 the soup to find things indigestible ; but when the 
 finding involved the loss of the most of that day's 
 rations, it was no laughing matter, at least not to 
 the unhappy finder. The finding of sand, feath- 
 ers, pods, and even small things which looked 
 suspiciously like as if rats and mice had gamboled 
 over these beans for a month or two, was not 
 uncommon. This was too insignificant to compel 
 the most fastidious of us to do without our daily 
 food; but the finding of the first-named article 
 was too much even for men in our hungry con- 
 dition. Salt must have been a very scarce article 
 in the South, or they did not care about giving us 
 any of it, as sometimes we received none with 
 
MOLASSES INSTEAD OF MEAT. 287 
 
 our food for several days. Sorghum molasses 
 was given in place of meat for a considerable 
 time. This stuff was of the very poorest quality* 
 and almost always sour or in a damaged con- 
 dition. What article of food the rebels could have 
 selected that would have been a poorer substitute 
 for meat, would be hard to find out. As an 
 article of food to men in our condition it was 
 almost entirely worthless, and in fact it was to the 
 men who were sick with the various bowel com- 
 laints, a positive injury. 
 
 We came to the conclusion that a little "lasses" 
 might be good^ but when it was substituted for 
 substantial. It became a positive nuisance. Some 
 of the prisoners declared the rebels had given It 
 for the purpose of killing us, and It was the only 
 article of diet of which they ever complained of 
 receiving too much. 
 
 On Monday was the glorious 4th of July, but 
 we had a poor opportunity to celebrate our coun- 
 try's natal day. About noon we had a severe 
 thunder-storm and rain, which continued until 
 evening. To add to our misery, we did not re- 
 ceive any rations that day, Wirz evidently being 
 determined to make us as miserable and unhappy 
 as he possibly could on this particular occasion. 
 
 We could not help wondering why It was that 
 we appeared to be so forgotten by the Govern- 
 ment we had enlisted to save, and that it could 
 be so Indifferent to our fate. We tried, however, 
 
288 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN 
 
 to comfort ourselves with the hope that perhaps 
 very little of the true state of affairs was known 
 in the North, and consequently it was not be- 
 cause of neglect on the part of the Government 
 that we had to suffer so long. The rebels en- 
 deavored to make us believe that this was 
 so, but we did not pay much attention to what 
 they said. Hungry, wet, and miserable as we 
 were, yet we had not lost all feelings of patriot- 
 ism ; and when in the morning we heard the 
 rumor that Richmond had fallen and Sherman's 
 army was whipping the rebels at Atlanta, we 
 rejoiced heartily. In regard to the capture of 
 Richmond, we soon found that it was not true, as 
 a large number of prisoners arriving a few days 
 later from the Army of the Potomac, informed 
 us that Grant was not in possession of the 
 rebel capital, but that he had gained some de- 
 cided advantages over Lee, and that the capture 
 of the city was only a matter of time. Some 
 prisoners also arrived from Sherman's army, who 
 reported him within three miles of the city and 
 severe fighting going on ; so with all our suffering 
 we were still enabled to rejoice at the continued 
 success of our armies, and entertain the hope 
 that the Rebellion would soon be crushed out. 
 
 About this time we could also see that some- 
 thing of great importance was going on on the 
 outside of our prison. We observed a great 
 commotion among our enemies, and we were 
 
COMMOTION AMONG THE REBS. 289 
 
 somewhat excited with the hope that perhaps 
 our men were advancing on our prison, and 
 our day of deHverance was not far off. A large 
 number of men were busily employed in throw- 
 ing up intrenchments and building forts, not even 
 stopping their work on Sunday. A number more 
 were employed in cutting down trees, no doubt 
 for the purpose of sweeping the country with 
 the fire from the artillery on the forts. Every- 
 thing indicated that the rebels were in a great 
 state of alarm, and that they apprehended an 
 attack on them for the purpose of releasing us. 
 We felt sure they could not be making all this 
 preparation merely for the purpose of guarding 
 against an attempt to break out by their captives. 
 The manner in which the intrenchments were 
 built indicated that they were intended to resist 
 foes from the outside, and the cutting away of 
 the trees in the direction of the station, that they 
 expected to turn their cannon on armed enemies 
 instead of helpless prisoners. Several rebels 
 came, into the prison to try to induce us to go 
 out and work on the fortifications. They prom- 
 ised us good shelter and plenty of food if we 
 would do so • but almost all of the prisoners 
 indignantly rejected all their offers to tempt them 
 to betray the country they had sworn to defend. 
 This act of the rebels was, however, the means 
 of creating a great deal of controversy among 
 us; some contending that it would not be wrong 
 19 
 
290 BArrLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 to go and work for them, but the most of us 
 stoutly maintained that no true Union soldier 
 could think of doing anything of the kind, and 
 that he could not do so without committing 
 perjury and being guilty of treason. 
 
 Perhaps no one among the prisoners opposed 
 this movement more earnestly, or exerted a 
 greater influence for good in persuading men 
 not to forget themselves so far as to assist our 
 enemies, than comrade John E. Gilbert. He ar- 
 gued, begged, and, if necessary, fought with those 
 who were in favor of going out to work. 
 "What!" he would say, "go out and help to 
 build forts to enable the rebels to kill the men 
 who may be sent here to release us! Before I 
 would throw one shovelful of dirt for a purpose 
 so low and mean, I would die a dozen times." 
 Those of his comrades who know " Shorty," as 
 we called him in the army, will have no trouble 
 in believing him perfectly sincere in what he then 
 so stoutly maintained. 
 
 As already stated, the rebels tried hard to 
 create the impression on our minds that our 
 Government did not care for us; but we soon 
 came to the conclusion that they did this not 
 from any sympathy they had for us, but from 
 hatred to the Government we loved, and for the 
 purpose of getting us to assist them. A few, 
 however, whose love for the Union was but 
 slight, and some perhaps who had better never 
 
MEAN WORKMEN. 29 1 
 
 entered the army, accepted the rebel offer, and 
 were taken out and put to work on the intrench- 
 ments and forts from which the rebels expected 
 to slay our soldiers, should an attempt be made 
 to recapture us. Some of the new prisoners 
 coming in informed us that a cavalry expedition 
 had really been fitted out, and was then on its 
 way to attempt our recapture. The news 
 created a great deal of joy throughout the prison, 
 but we felt highly indignant at the base conduct 
 of the few of our comrades who were working 
 on the forts, and we could not help wonder how 
 they would feel if our men were to come and 
 find them engaged in such work. 
 
 About this time the number of prisoners arriv- 
 ing was very great, some coming in almost every 
 day. On the 9th and loth about three hundred 
 arrived from the Army of the Potomac ; and al- 
 though the number of deaths was fearful, the 
 influx was so great that the prospect was that the 
 prison would soon be as crowded as it was before 
 the enlargement of the stockade. The arrival of 
 so many prisoners, and the necessity of having 
 the gates open so often, convinced the brave cap- 
 tain that it would be necessary to intimidate us a 
 little by making a great military display of his 
 forces, and showing how soon he could annihilate 
 us, should we attempt to escape. We were sud- 
 denly startled, and somewhat alarmed, by seeing 
 several of the guns from the forts which pointed 
 
292 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 on our prison flash fire, and apparently pour their 
 contents into our prison. Our first impression 
 was that the rebels had opened fire on us, and we 
 looked anxiously around to see the effects of it ; 
 but we soon discovered that the guns were 
 loaded with blank cartridges, and no harm was 
 done beyond giving us a good scare. Imme- 
 diately after the discharge of the cannon, a great 
 commotion was visible in the rebel camp. The 
 infantry fell into line in double-quick, and all the 
 artillery was manned, with its frowning guns 
 trained on the inmates of the prison. It ap- 
 peared as if certain death was to be the fate of us 
 all ; but after they had succeeded in giving us 
 what I suppose they considered a great fright, 
 they marched back to their quarters, no doubt 
 fully satisfied in their minds that we would not 
 again, after witnessing so terrible a demonstra- 
 tion, think of escape. 
 
 In the early history of the prison, the rnen, 
 finding that the water of the small stream which 
 flowed through the prison was very warm, and 
 made very impure by the rebels building their 
 cook-house over it, commenced to dig for water 
 close to the stream. Much better water could be 
 obtained in this way, by digging a few feet in the 
 ground ; but the unfortunate situation of these 
 springs or wells was such that they soon became 
 in a terrible condition. The prisoners, in obeying 
 the calls of nature, were compelled to go to the 
 
WRETCHED WATER. 293 
 
 swamp bordering on the stream, and the frequent 
 rains washed much of the filth from the sides of 
 the prison on the swamp, where it lodged. This 
 part of the prison became so terribly filthy that it 
 is impossible to give a perfect description of it. 
 The rains, carrying down the sewage of the 
 prison-pen on the filth-covered swamp, made it a 
 mass of putrefaction where the hot sun, beating 
 upon it, soon bred into life millions of loathsome 
 maggots, which spread themselves all over this 
 part of the prison. These tumbled in countless 
 numbers into the new-made springs, making it, 
 with the filth that washed into them, as impure as 
 the horrid stream itself. The lower part of the 
 stream especially received almost all the time a 
 drainage of this hideous spume from the swamp. 
 The prisoners, who were seeking for water to 
 quench their thirst, would crowd to the upper 
 side of the prison, and as close to the dead-line 
 as possible, so as to get the water a little more 
 palatable. On one occasion I went to this place 
 for water, when, finding a crowd at the upper end 
 of the stream, which had gathered for the same 
 purpose, I kept back for a few moments to let it 
 thin out, when my attention was drawn to the 
 nearest guard, who, with rifle in hand, was watch- 
 ing the men getting water. His countenance 
 displayed about as much eagerness and expecta- 
 tion as that of the hunter when he discovers his 
 game, and expects to have a good shot. I was 
 
294 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 watching the demon, and wondering whether it 
 was really possible that he contemplated firing at 
 the men who had gathered there for no other 
 purpose than to get water, when I was horrified 
 to see him deliberately raise his gun and fire into 
 the crowd. I turned in the direction of the 
 crowd, and screamed, "Look out!" but too late, 
 as the ball had sped on its deadly mission, and 
 the soul of one more poor unfortunate had left 
 its earthly abode, and one more murder was 
 added to the already long list in Andersonville. 
 
 One of the prisoners, in his eagerness to get 
 clean water, had dipped through under the dead 
 line, when the guard, who had been watching and 
 waiting for just such a chance to give him some 
 kind of an excuse for his inhumanity, and an 
 opportunity to display his bravery and chivalry, 
 fired at him. The ball missed the mark it was 
 intended for, but unfortunately hit one of the 
 others who was in the act of stooping for water 
 in the rear of the one shot at. The ball passed 
 through his head, and the poor unfortunate sol- 
 dier fell dead alongside of the stream. After the 
 cruel shot was fired, the comrades of the dead 
 prisoner fled, leaving his dead body lying where 
 he fell. Almost riveted to the spot with horror 
 and indignation, I could not run, but, turning 
 around, I took a long look at the monster who 
 could murder a fellow-being for so slight an of- 
 fense, if an offense it could be called at all. He 
 
INDIGNANT AT BARBARITIES. 295 
 
 coolly proceeded to load his gun, turning him- 
 self, however, so that he could not see the dead 
 body of his victim. A few prisoners gathered 
 around me, and we commenced to express indig- 
 nation at the cowardly act. One prisoner ex- 
 claimed, " I want just one good look at him, and 
 then one chance to meet him in this world, and I 
 think I will know him if ever I do meet him." 
 
 After the guard had finished loading his gun, 
 he noticed that we were watching him and ex- 
 pressing indignation; he raised his gun to his 
 shoulder, and yelled out, " Scatter thar, or I will 
 blow some more of you over." I do not think I 
 ever in all my life felt quite as I did when I 
 walked from that spot. I felt as if I would have 
 to cry out, "My God, how long must we endure 
 this ?" I really believe that I would have been 
 willing to give my life for one chance at him. 
 
 A few of the friends of the dead soldier had 
 gathered around his body, and I went up to see 
 if he was really dead. Some of them were shed- 
 ding tears, and all expressing the deepest horror 
 at his sad taking off. His blood had formed a 
 small rivulet that flowed into the foul stream, 
 which of itself had been a terrible rebel exe- 
 cutioner to a large number of our brave soldiers. 
 We had become accustomed to seeing the sight 
 of death in all of its horrible aspects ; we saw 
 men dying almost every hour: but this terrible 
 death moved me more than anything I had yet 
 
296 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 witnessed. It appeared to me so sad that he had 
 to suffer death for trying to get a drink of water. 
 "Vengeance is mine; I will repay/ saith the 
 Lord." And who can doubt that the blood of the 
 thousands of slain soldiers who were murdered in 
 Southern prisons, has cried aloud to high Heaven 
 — not unheard, but God has or will yet inflict 
 punishment on these murderous oppressors. 
 
 It was said, and never denied by the rebels, 
 that a guard on post who shot a prisoner when 
 trying to escape, or in the act of crossing the 
 dead-line, got a thirty-day furlough as his reward. 
 As the miscreant did not again appear on post, I 
 suppose he was thus rewarded for his courageous 
 act. It was a rule of the prison that no prisoners 
 were allowed to cross the dead-line ; but in the 
 case of this poor soldier it could not have been 
 taken for any violation of this order, as the pris- 
 oner had made no attempt to escape or cross it. ' 
 
 It is but fair to state that not all of our guards 
 were that kind of characters. Almost all of them 
 were either boys or old men, who were unfit to 
 be sent to the front. In justice to the old men, I 
 will say that all the shooting was done by the 
 boys, and at least a few of those old men de- 
 nounced the shooting as an outrage. I remem- 
 ber hearing one who was on guard, and was 
 speaking to some prisoners on the inside, say that 
 "God would not prosper a nation or people who 
 used human beings as we were being treated." 
 
DIGGING FOR WATER. 297 
 
 After the water became so impure in the 
 streams and springs along the swamp that we 
 could not use it, or only when positively com- 
 pelled to, some of the prisoners commenced to 
 dig wells on the high ground farther from the 
 stream. Some of these wells were dug quite 
 deep, and when completed contained good water. 
 The nature of the ground was of such a descrip- 
 tion, however, that they sometimes caved in 
 almost as soon as finished ; and even when they 
 did not, the getting up of the water was a very 
 difficult matter. 
 
 Directly after moving into the new part of the 
 prison, a few of us concluded to dig one in our 
 part, but the difficulty in getting tools prevented 
 us for some time from commencing it. We at 
 last succeeded in getting a spade, an old rope, 
 and a common wooden water-pail, and with these 
 implements commenced operations. The ground, 
 with the exception of a few feet of soft soap- 
 stone, was of a soft, loose, sandy nature, and we 
 made considerable progress in sinking it. As 
 the rope was old and unsafe, only small men 
 could be let down to dig. We had succeeded in 
 digging about forty feet when we came to water, 
 but of so small a quantity that it did not amount 
 to much ; so we dug down about six feet more, 
 when we struck a good stream of water. I was 
 in the well digging about the time it was finished, 
 and I noticed that at the place where we first 
 
298 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 found water, small quantities of sand would be 
 continually working out of the wall or side of the 
 well, and fall to the bottom. It soon made quite 
 an opening, and commenced to look dangerous. 
 We, however, finished it, and congratulated our- 
 selves that we would have at least good, pure 
 water. Great was our disappointment, however, 
 when we looked down the well a few days after, 
 and discovered that it had caved in in such a 
 manner as to make it useless for us to think of 
 working at it any longer. During the digging 
 the rope broke, and let one of the boys fall about 
 twelve or fifteen feet, but he was not hurt much. 
 Several of these wells were used by the prisoners 
 as a screen to cover their attempts to tunnel out. 
 Under the pretence of digging a well for water, 
 they dug into the earth for a considerable dis- 
 tance ; and then, abandoning it, would start a few 
 feet from the top, and commence tunneling for 
 freedom. This work had to be done entirely 
 after night, as the rebels were always on the 
 watch; and even among us there were a few who, 
 for a paltry amount of victuals or tobacco, were 
 willing to betray their comrades. 
 
 Just before my arrival in prison, the prisoners 
 had made a most determined effort to tunnel and 
 undermine the stockade. The plan was to 
 weaken the stockade by tunneling under at five 
 or six places, and then make a rush against it 
 and push it over. They then intended to charge 
 
TUNNELING OUT. 299 
 
 the rebel batteries, and try to capture them and 
 turn the cannon on the rebels. The plan was 
 well arranged, and as a large number of the most 
 desperate men had organized and sworn to break 
 out and get their freedom or die in the attempt, it 
 mieht have been successful, at least so far as the 
 overthrowing of the stockade was concerned, had 
 not a traitor disclosed the plot to the enemy, who 
 came in and had the tunnels shut up, and took 
 the most vigorous measures to prevent an out- 
 break. The miserable traitor was taken out of 
 the prison, and no doubt received a reward for 
 his treachery. 
 
 As already mentioned, the stockade had been 
 undermined in five or six places, and the deter- 
 mined men who had accomplished the work had 
 high hopes that the attempt to escape would be a 
 success. When they found themselves betrayed 
 by one who had assisted in the work, and whom 
 they had not suspected of being capable of such 
 meanness, their indignation was very great, and it 
 was no doubt w^ell for the miscreant that his stay 
 in the prison came to an abrupt determination, 
 for his betrayed and outraged comrades would 
 have torn him to pieces. It is not probable, how- 
 ever, even had the effort to overthrow the stock- 
 ade been successful, that any considerable number 
 of the prisoners would have succeeded in getting 
 to the Union lines ; and there can be no doubt 
 that most of them would have been recaptured 
 
300 BATTLE FIELD AND PRLSON TEN. 
 
 or killed. The rebel guard was very strongly 
 reinforced, and the stockade strengthened, and 
 everything indicated that the prisoners had at 
 least succeeded in giving the rebels a good scare. 
 Tunneling was frequently attempted after this 
 failure, but only in one or two instances did any 
 succeed in getting away, and then almost all were 
 killed or recaptured. The rebels kept a pack of 
 bloodhounds, and as soon as the discovery was 
 made that any of the prisoners had escaped, 
 these hounds were put on their track, and for- 
 tunate indeed were the poor fugitives if they 
 escaped death. We could hear the yelping of 
 these furious dogs as they were unchained and 
 sent in pursuit of our comrades, and our sym- 
 pathy was aroused to its utmost extent for the 
 unfortunate objects of their pursuit. At one 
 time three prisoners succeeded in somehow get- 
 ting away from the guard who accompanied them 
 to the dead-house, and in a short time the yelp- 
 ing of the dogs announced to us that they were 
 being pursued. A few days after this occurred 
 one of the guards informed us that they had met 
 with a terrible death at the hands of their pur- 
 suers. The guard stated that the prisoners, find- 
 ing themselves pursued, and that they would 
 surely be. overtaken, climbed on trees to escape 
 the attack of the dogs. The rebels, who were on 
 horseback, and but a short distance in the rear 
 of the dogs, soon came up, and ordered the men 
 
TRAITORS AMONG THE PRISONERS. 3OI 
 
 to come down. As soon as they reached the 
 ground these chivalrous sons of the South put 
 the dogs on them, who tore them to pieces. This 
 is the story as given by one of their own men, 
 whether truly or not I do not know; but as the 
 escaped prisoners were not returned to the 
 prison, it was no doubt true. The guard who 
 gave us the information declared it was an out- 
 rage, and denounced it in the most bitter terms. 
 
 On the 2 2d of July a report reached us that 
 Gen. Grant was killed in front of Petersburof. It 
 created quite a sensation throughout the prison, 
 and much anxiety in regard to the truth of the 
 report. The arrival of a number of prisoners 
 from the Army of the Potomac a few days later 
 dispelled the fear, as they declared the report to 
 be untrue. 
 
 We almost always had some excitement to 
 divert our minds from the terrible transactions 
 going on around us. On the following day 
 I went to the far end of the prison to see a 
 friend, and on coming back I found the prisoners 
 in our part of the prison in a great state of ex^ 
 citement. Some of the men had about finished a 
 tunnel, and expected to pass in a short time 
 through it to freedom ; but the rebels discovered 
 it, and had come into the prison for the purpose 
 of shutting it up. The rebels intimated very 
 plainly that they had received the information of 
 its existence from one of our own men, and it 
 
302 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 created a terrible excitement and anxiety to find 
 out who was the culprit. Suspicion at last rested 
 on an Irishman known among us as " Big Tom." 
 He was a man of immense stature, and was as 
 good, honest, and warm-hearted a son of Erin as 
 could be found anywhere. For some unaccount- 
 able reason, a few of the prisoners suspected him 
 of disclosing the tunnel to the rebels, and in a 
 short time he was in the hands of a crowd of in- 
 furiated men, who charged him with the crime. 
 He earnestly denied the charge; but the mad- 
 dened men would ilot listen to him or give him a 
 chance to defend himself. A considerable num- 
 ber of those who believed Tom innocent, gath- 
 ered together and made an effort to get him out 
 of the hands of the mob. After considerable 
 trouble we succeeded in doing this, but not until 
 the poor fellow was in a sad plight. His hair 
 was cut off on one side of his head, and he had 
 received a terrible beating. One of the enraged 
 men had struck him over his left eye with a stick 
 of wood, Inflicting a severe wound. During the 
 terrible trial he passed through, and when his life 
 was in the most imminent danger, the brave 
 Irishman kept as cool and collected as possible 
 for any one to be under such circumstances ; and 
 although protesting his innocence in the most 
 earnest manner, he did not betray any indications 
 of fear. 
 
 After we succeeded In getting him away from 
 
A TRAITOR PUNISHED. 3O3 
 
 his tormentors, he requested me to dress the 
 wound on his face and cHp the balance of his hair, 
 " so as to look more respectable," as he ex- 
 pressed it. I cut off his hair and fixed up his 
 wound as best I could ; and during the remainder 
 of my prison life I do not think I had a better or 
 warmer friend than " Big Tom." I could not 
 help noticing that he enjoyed my company per- 
 haps a little better than he did that of any one 
 else in the prison ; and when on one occasion he 
 said to me, " Urban, I hope the day may come 
 when I can do you a favor," I felt that the wish 
 came from the warm-hearted man's heart, and 
 should I ever need a friend, with Tom in call, he 
 would not be found wanting. 
 
 In a few hours after we had got Tom out of 
 the hands of the mob, the excitement was re- 
 newed in the central part of the prison ; and on 
 going there I found that the prisoners, who had 
 kept on hunting for the guilty party, had arrested 
 another man on suspicion of disclosing the tunnel 
 to the enemy. This time, however, they suc- 
 ceeded in getting the right one. His base con- 
 duct was found out from the fact that he had a 
 considerable quantity of food and tobacco ; and 
 on being questioned in regard to where he re- 
 ceived it, he could give no satisfactory answer, 
 and his fear disclosed the fact that he was the 
 guilty party. His demeanor was just the oppo- 
 site of that of the one who was first arrested. 
 
304 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 His face was as pale as death, and his limbs 
 shook with terror, as he confessed that he was 
 guilty of the deed, and he begged most piteoudy 
 that his life might be spared. His captors had 
 succeeded in getting possession of an old well- 
 rope, by which they intended to hang him in one 
 of the wells ; and they would have succeeded in 
 accomplishing their object, had not Wirz found 
 out the state of affairs, and sent in a squad of 
 men to rescue him. He was taken outside, but 
 did not fare as well as the traitor who had dis- 
 closed the first tunnel. Instead of protecting 
 him, and keeping him out of the prison, as they 
 in honor were bound to do, Capt. Wirz had him 
 sent back into prison again. He issued an order, 
 however, before doing so, that he would stop our 
 rations if we killed the traitor. 
 
 The poor miserable wretch, almost dead with 
 fright, was sent back to us again, where he knew 
 that almost every one's hand would be turned 
 against him. He no doubt bitterly regretted 
 serving masters who so illy repaid him. He did 
 not live long after being sent back by the rebels. 
 He was abused by some and shunned by all, and 
 in a short time his body was carried to the 
 
 DEAD HOUSE. 
 
 This place was only a short distance from the 
 prison, and was constructed of pine limbs and 
 brush, which formed a kind of a cover or screen 
 to keep off the sun. To this horrid spot more 
 
THE DEAD PRISONERS. 305 
 
 than thirteen thousand dead prisoners of war 
 were carried during the history of this one South- 
 ern prison. After the death of the prisoner, his 
 comrades would write his name, company, and 
 regiment on a piece of paper, and then pin it on 
 his clothing. If his name was not known, as was 
 sometimes the case, the single word " Unknown" 
 was written on the paper. They were then car- 
 ried to the Dead House, and laid side by side on 
 the ground. Sometimes more than one hundred 
 bodies would be lying in a row at one time, 
 awaiting burial. 
 
 When the prison was first established, the 
 rebels furnished plain pine coffins for the dead ; 
 but that was soon abandoned, and ^they com- 
 menced burying in long trenches, in which the 
 bodies of the men were laid side by side, covering 
 them with earth. They then drove a stake into 
 the ground at the head of each body, and num- 
 bered it. A record of the dead was kept by a 
 Union soldier, who had been paroled for that 
 purpose. His duty was to enter the name, com- 
 pany, and regiment, of the dead soldier, in a book 
 called the "dead-list." These names were all 
 numbered, and corresponded with the numbers 
 on the stakes in the cemetery. The soldier thus 
 employed kept a secret list of the dead, and after 
 the close of the war he gave it to the Govern- 
 ment. This enabled the Government to take up 
 all the dead and re-bury them with cofiins, and 
 20 
 
306 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 furnish tomb-stones with the respective names, 
 companies, and regiments, on them. The cem- 
 etery is located one mile from the prison, on high 
 dry ground, surrounded with pine trees, making 
 it a pleasant place, and well adapted for a bury- 
 ing-ground. ^ 
 
 A considerable number of men were employed 
 to remove the corpses from the Dead House to 
 the cemetery, and bury them. It was said these 
 men received large quantities of whisky to enable 
 them to do this horrid work — and horrid it was in 
 the extreme, for some of the bodies had become 
 so decomposed as to almost fall to pieces when 
 taken from the Dead House. It may perhaps 
 seem incredible to the reader, but it is neverthe- 
 less a fact, that it was considered quite a privilege 
 among the prisoners inside of the stockade to 
 carry out the dead, and some of the men even 
 quarreled for the privilege. The principal reason 
 was the hope that they might be allowed to get 
 some wood on the way back, which was very 
 scarce and valuable with us. It was also pleasant 
 to get out into the woods, and away from our 
 horrible abode, even if it was only for a few 
 moments. A few also succeeded in making their 
 escape while engaged in this work ; ^nd no doubt 
 the hope that some such opportunity might recur 
 was a strong inducement with the men who 
 helped in this horrible work. 
 
 One of the prisoners managed to escape by 
 
SHAMMING DEATH. 307 
 
 playing a clever trick on the rebels, which was 
 accomplished In this manner: He feigned death, 
 and then had several of his comrades to carry 
 him to the Dead House, and place him In line 
 with the dead. In the morning the burying party 
 found his place vacant. He had no doubt struck 
 a ** bee-line" for the Union lines, and I hope the 
 clever fellow succeeded in finding them. The 
 rebels after this kept a watch over the dead, for 
 the purpose of preventing any more such 
 *' Yankee tricks." It was, however, but a short 
 time after this that at least one tried the same 
 game ; but he was not so successful. His com- 
 rades, who were in the secret, carried him to the 
 gate, expecting to pass the guards and deposit 
 him In the Dead House. With his name, com- 
 pany, and regiment pinned on his clothing, and 
 his hands crossed over his breast, he looked in- 
 deed as if he were dead; and they no doubt 
 would have been successful in passing through 
 the gate with the pretended corpse, had not an 
 accident occurred that revealed the true state 
 of affairs to the guards. The gate w^as thrown 
 open, and the stretcher-bearers proceeded to 
 pass through, when unfortunately the pretended 
 dead man let one of his arms fall to his side in 
 such a limp manner as to arouse the suspicions 
 of the rebels, who ordered the men to stop, and 
 then proceeded to examine their load. When 
 they found that he was alive they laughed heart- 
 
308 BATFLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 ily, and declared that nothing was equal to the 
 
 " d d Yankees." They did not, however, 
 
 punish him, but sent him back to his fellows 
 again. I suppose it is not necessary to state that 
 he was not carried back. .His comrades were 
 too much disgusted with him for making the 
 awkward mistake to do anything of that kind. 
 
 From the 20th of July to the last of the month, 
 the arrival of prisoners was very great. A con- 
 siderable number arrived from the Army of the 
 Potomac on the 23d, and over two thousand from 
 Sherman's army came in on the 28th and 29th of 
 the month. About five hundred came in on the 
 27th, who were captured on the Monocacy creek 
 in Maryland, which proved conclusively that the 
 rebels had again invaded the North. This last 
 lot of prisoners were ninety-day men, and were 
 just fresh from home, and presented an appear- 
 ance so healthy and fresh as to form a strong 
 contrast between them and the old prisoners. 
 They had been left in possession of their blankets 
 and knapsacks, and as we watched them coming 
 in I remarked to a companion that I considered 
 them the best-lookingf men I had ever seen. 
 *' Yes," he replied, " they should be able to stand 
 it for awhile." A few weeks, however, demon- 
 strated the fact that they could not endure as 
 much as the old soldiers, and the mortality soon 
 became very great among them. Some of them 
 died in less than two weeks after their arrival. 
 
TERRIBLE MORTALITY. 309 
 
 It was the same with the men who belonged to 
 the heavy artillery regiments in the Army of the 
 Potomac. These men had been stationed in the 
 forts in and around Washington, and knew com- 
 paratively nothing of the hardships of a soldier's 
 life. When Grant received the command of the 
 armies he had these soldiers armed with rifles, 
 organized into infantry regiments, and sent to the 
 front. The name "heavy artillery" clung to 
 them, it being the name they were known by in 
 the army. A considerable number of them were 
 captured in the campaign from the Rapidan to 
 the James river, and of those sent to Anderson- 
 ville almost all died. The mortality among them 
 in a short time after their arrival was terrible in 
 the extreme. Close to our quarters twelve of 
 them, belonging to one regiment, quartered. 
 They dug a hole in the ground about eighteen 
 inches deep, and banked up the loose earth to 
 keep the water from flowing into it. They had 
 been left in possession of a few blankets, and 
 with these they formed a roof. After it was 
 finished it looked comfortable compared to some 
 of the lodging places which the other boys had, 
 but it was undoubtedly a mistake in them to dig 
 in the ground as they did. Death soon came 
 among them, and one by one they fell victims to 
 the fell destroyer, until only one remained of the 
 twelve stout, hearty men, who less than three 
 months before had entered the prison; and he 
 
3IO BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 was SO sick when we were removed to Mlllen 
 prison that he could not go along. Thinking we 
 were going home, he made frantic efforts to get 
 up and accompany us, but all in vain ; he was too 
 far gone, and I have no doubt he too very soon 
 after fell a victim to rebel brutality. 
 
 The name of this poor unfortunate, I think, 
 was William Lanodon, and he was from the inter- 
 ior of New York State. He had been in the 
 army but a few short months when he was cap- 
 tured and taken to Andersonville. In conversa- 
 tion with him one day, he informed me that he 
 had received a letter from home a few days 
 before his capture, informing him that he was the 
 father of twin daughters ; and he often talked 
 about them, and told us how anxious he was to 
 get home to see them. When we left he wept 
 and begged piteously to be taken along, but we 
 were obliged to leave him. 
 
 The arrival of so many prisoners made us feel 
 somewhat anxious in regard to the Union cause, 
 especially when we knew that some were cap- 
 tured so far North. The most of them, however, 
 gave us a cheerful account of the situation, and 
 declared the Southern Confederacy almost played 
 out. They also assured us that if the number of 
 prisoners arriving was large, the number of rebel 
 soldiers being sent North was larger. As the 
 prisoners who were captured in Maryland came 
 into the prison, we crowded toward the gate for 
 
LONGING FOR DEATH. 3 I I 
 
 the purpose of getting a talk with them, when 
 the rebels, who, I suppose, thought we intended 
 making an attempt to escape, fired a cannon-ball 
 directly over our heads. We at first believed 
 that they intended to open fire on the prison, and 
 some of the prisoners threw themselves in terror 
 on the ground; but from the throats of thousands 
 of the doomed men inside of the prison arose 
 such a howl of derision and defiance as was per- 
 haps never before heard on the face of the earth. 
 No tongue can express, nor pen describe, the 
 intensity of that cry. It appeared as if on the 
 instant that the cannon flashed fire, every mind 
 was moved with the same impulse, and the thun- 
 der of human voices all came as from one orreat 
 mighty throat. I have heard the mighty shouts 
 of thousands of men when charorinor on each 
 
 o o 
 
 other in mortal combat ; I have heard the cheer- 
 ing of legions of men flushed with joy at the 
 announcement of a great victory, or when some 
 famous commander rode along the line ; but I 
 have never heard a cry or cheer to compare with 
 the one that sprang simultaneously from the 
 throats of the doomed men at Andersonville 
 prison. One poor fellow, who was almost dead, 
 made an effort to get up, at the same time ex- 
 claiming, " My God, why do they not continue 
 firing, and end our misery?" 
 
 After the gates were closed, several rebels 
 came in and planted a line of poles through the 
 
312 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 prison, on which were placed small white flags. 
 This was intended to warn us not to approach or 
 gather in crowds nearer to the gate than the 
 poles when prisoners were being marched in. 
 Capt. Wirz declared that if we did he would open 
 fire on us, and fire away as long as any one was 
 *' left kicking." 
 
 All of this time the rebels worked like beavers 
 on their fortifications, and in cutting down trees. 
 Almost every train brought in reinforcements for 
 the rebels, and the ground in the direction of the 
 station became white with tents. On the arrival 
 of some of the trains we could hear the rebels 
 cheering loudly, and we felt anxious to find out 
 the nature of the news they received. The 
 prison was now again in a fearfully crowded con- 
 dition, and, although death was carrying off the 
 prisoners at the rate of almost one hundred per 
 day, the new arrivals were much in excess of the 
 number carried out. 
 
 The weather for the last three weeks had been 
 warm and dry, with the exception of two or three 
 days, and consequently the prison was again in a 
 dreadfully filthy condition. Some of the men 
 were giving up all hope of ever being released, 
 and some became so despondent that they be- 
 came insane. The ravings, prayers and curses 
 of these men added much to the horrors of the 
 prison. Some of them wandered around the 
 prison in the most helpless manner, and begged 
 
IDIOCY AND MANIA. 313 
 
 piteously for something to eat. Some of the 
 poor wretches Imagined themselves animals, and 
 moved around on their hands and knees, hunting 
 for something to eat. Some of them gathered 
 the undigested beans lying around on the ground, 
 and ate them. The number of these poor unfor- 
 tunates who were becoming idiotic was fearfully 
 on the increase, and this had now become the 
 worst feature of our prison-life. On one occa- 
 sion I was going through the prison when my 
 attention was attracted by the cries of some one, 
 and going in the « direction from which it pro- 
 ceeded, I found one of these poor unfortunate 
 ones, who although in a dying condition was 
 trying to make a speech to a few men who had 
 gathered around him. He was entirely out of 
 his mind, and I am sorry to say that some of the 
 men around him were making a jest of it. The 
 poor fellow was reclining against the side of a 
 mud-house, and made frantic efforts to get up, 
 but was unable to do so. Findings he could not 
 get on his feet, he proceeded with his remarks in 
 a reclining position. Judging from his language 
 and the excellent quotations he made, he must 
 have been a man who had read extensively; but 
 it was a strange mixture of broken remarks 
 which made up his discourse. He appeared to 
 think, however, that his speech was making a 
 great impression on his hearers, and was entirely 
 unconscious of the fact that some of them were 
 
314 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 ridiculing him. He would commence in quite a 
 grand style on the greatness and prosperity of 
 the country, but in a few moments he would 
 change his discourse, and dwell on the inhuman- 
 ity of man; and rebels, devils, and starvaUon 
 would be so mixed up with it, that no intelligent 
 sentence could be taken out of it. Some of 
 his hearers conducted themselves In a manner 
 that proved pretty conclusively that good sense 
 and good manners were none of their qualifica- 
 tions, one of them exclaiming, " Go on, old fellow, 
 we will carry you out in the morning, and trade 
 you off for wood." The* poor fellow appeared to 
 think they were complimenting him on his 
 oratory, and it only encouraged him to greater 
 efforts. I could not conceal my disgust at the 
 want of feeling displayed by a few of the men, 
 and I told them pretty plainly what I thought of 
 them. One of them replied, "Well, he don't 
 know what we are saying, and he will soon be 
 better off than we are, anyhow." I left the spot 
 thoroughly disgusted with them, but I could not 
 but think how indifferent we all were becominor 
 in regard to death. Men were dying all around 
 us every hour of the day, but we had become so 
 accustomed . to such scenes that they had ceased 
 to make much impression on us. How shocked 
 we would have been at home, or even In the 
 army, to be compelled to witness a scene such as 
 we here witnessed every day. A few hours after 
 
NEWS FROM WITHOUT. 315 
 
 leaving the dying man, I went back to see if he 
 was still living, but found that he had passed 
 over the dark river. His clouded mind had left 
 the poor emaciated body, and winged its way to 
 a fairer, brighter home, where sorrow, pain and 
 death can come no more. 
 
 As I looked at the dead bodies of our com- 
 rades, I could not help wishing that the men who 
 were at the head of the Government could look 
 into our prison-pen, and see the condition we 
 were in. I thought surely if they could but 
 know the true state of affairs, some great effort 
 would be made to release us. In spite of the 
 many rumors of exchange, a large number of 
 the prisoners were fast sinking into the belief 
 that we would all have to perish. We had been 
 disappointed so often by these reports, that we 
 had lost all faith in them. 
 
 We sometimes got a chance to talk with some 
 of our guards, and as we were very anxious 
 to find out all we could in regard to what was 
 going on in the outside world, we took the priv- 
 ilege whenever an opportunity occurred. These 
 guards, as a general thing, boasted of their vic- 
 tories ; but some would occasionally admit that 
 things looked a little blue for them — that, in fact, 
 the Confederacy was about played out. Occa- 
 sionally we met with one who informed us that he 
 was a Union man, and was in the rebel army only 
 because he was compelled to be. The rebels 
 
31 6 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 boasted that our prison contained prisoners from 
 almost all the States in the Union, including the 
 states they called the ^* Southern Confederacy," 
 and this was no doubt true; but we could not 
 understand on what special grounds they made 
 this boast, as it revealed the fact that the love for 
 the orlorious Union was not crushed out entirely 
 
 o 
 
 even in this section of the country, which they 
 claimed as exclusively their own. That men who 
 were born and reared in the South would suffer 
 the agony and misery of living and even dying in 
 a hell like Andersonville before they would enter 
 the rebel army, is a high tribute to the glorious 
 character and unflinching loyalty of the Union 
 men of the South. All honor to them ; and may 
 the day hasten when their services will be more 
 fully recognized everywhere ! There can be no 
 doubt that thousands of the men in the South, 
 and even a considerable number in the rebel 
 army, had no heart in the rebellion, and were 
 secretly wishing for the restoration of the Union. 
 We noticed that the rebel flag was very little dis- 
 played in the South. In going through the towns 
 and cities in our travels through the South, we 
 would rarely get to see one ; while we remem- 
 bered with pride that in our Northern homes 
 almost every house contained the dear starry 
 emblem of our country. We remembered with 
 pleasure the countless number of flags which 
 decorated the streets when we left home to fight 
 
THE OLD FLAG AND THE NEW. 317 
 
 the battles of our country, and that even the Httle 
 children were loud in the demonstration of their 
 patriotic feelings for the old flag. It was not so 
 in the South, and it would indeed have been 
 strange if it had been. The people had lived 
 long under the protection of the Stars and 
 Stripes, and it was hard to obliterate from their 
 hearts all love and respect for the old flag. 
 
 The common class of people, or at least the 
 more intelligent part of them, commenced to 
 understand that the new flag had no tendency 
 to better their own condition. The corner-stone 
 of the Government the leaders in the South en- 
 deavored to establish was slavery, and by far the 
 majority of the people of the South had really no 
 interest in that institution. Slavery was a curse 
 to the common, or most numerous, class of people 
 in the South. In fact, the South contained a 
 large number of poor whites who were even in a 
 worse condition than the slaves ; and the light of 
 the present day has revealed the fact that not 
 only this class, but almost the entire population 
 of the South, was benefited by the abolishment of 
 that great curse, human slavery, in the South. 
 
 The only exception may be the very wealthy 
 aristocratic slaveholders, who became rich by the 
 sweat of others, and who looked upon the poor 
 " white trash," as they were pleased to call them, 
 as even below slaves, and entitled to less consid- 
 eration at their hands than the blacks received. 
 
31 8 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Unfortunately, ignorance was so general among 
 the poor class of people that the rich slave- 
 holders, who, as a rule, were the intelligent class, 
 could make them believe just what suited them. 
 I have frequently met and conversed with rebel 
 soldiers in regard to the war, and almost always 
 found them commencing with the inquiry, "What 
 do you *uns' come down 'ere and fight we 'uns' 
 for?" To one who had thus interrogated me, I 
 replied, "We have come to suppress rebellion in 
 the South and save the Union." "No sir; you 
 have come here to take away our slaves," he 
 answered. Thinking it a waste of words to try 
 to explain to him the true state of affairs, I con- 
 cluded to cut the conversation short by asking 
 him how many slaves he was the owner of. He 
 answered, " I do not own any." " Is your father 
 a slaveholder?" "No sir." "Will you please 
 state to me what benefit slavery has been to you 
 or your family?" He frankly admitted that he 
 did not know of any, but still persisted that we 
 Jiad come down to steal their slaves and carry 
 off their women and children. He was a fair 
 sample of thousands of soldiers in the Southern 
 army. Too ignorant to understand anything of 
 the real cause of the war, they blindly followed 
 the leadership of men who cared less for them 
 than they did for the blacks on their plantations. 
 Had free schools and education been as general 
 in the South as they were in the North, the great 
 
MISAPPREHENSIONS AT THE SOUTH. 319 
 
 rebellion would never have occurred. I met with 
 one rebel soldier, however, who appeared to have 
 his eyes open to the true state of affairs. " I can 
 tell you," he said, " we poor people are a set of 
 fools for fighting to build up a slaveholders' 
 Government in the South." "What did you 
 enlist for?" I asked. "Oh well," he replied, "I 
 was made to believe that you 'uns' in the North 
 would come down 'ere and destroy our homes 
 and carry off our people." " Well," I asked, 
 "did you find these reports about us to be true?" 
 "Oh no," he frankly answered, "your men are 
 just about as we are. I suppose we have as bad 
 among our soldiers as you have among yours. 
 Some of your soldiers camped right close to my 
 house, and I must say my family was treated very 
 kindly by them." 
 
 I noticed that in speaking of the treatment that 
 their men received when prisoners of war in the 
 North, they never claimed that any injustice or 
 cruelty was practiced on them. Some of them 
 had friends who had been prisoners of war, and 
 they were compelled to admit that there was a 
 wide difference between the treatment they re- 
 ceived and , that which we were compelled to 
 endure. Some of them even spoke in the warm- 
 est praise of the generosity of our Government 
 toward their captives. 
 
 We could not help contrasting this with our 
 miserable condition; and is it strancre that we 
 
320 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 sometimes felt embittered against the Govern- 
 ment for not making a greater effort to release 
 us ? But as true as the needle to the north pole 
 so were the most of the Union soldiers confuied 
 in Southern prisons to the Government they hp.d 
 sworn to defend. They might feel themselves 
 slighted, neglected, or even deserted, by the Gov- 
 ernment, and among themselves be tempted to say 
 some bitter things ; but a word or insinuation to 
 that effect from their enemies would excite their 
 ire and indignation to the utmost, and they were 
 always ready to defend the Government from the 
 charge that it was not doing all it could to release 
 them. It was, however, a sad fact that hundreds 
 died with the fear haunting them that it was so. 
 Men who had cheerfully faced death on many a 
 battle-field, lay down and died broken-hearted, 
 as the terrible suspicion forced itself into their 
 minds that the Government they loved so well, 
 and had fought so hard to save, was indifferent to 
 their sad fate. 
 
 That thirty thousand men suffered all the hor- 
 rors of a living death, and that more than thir- 
 teen thousand died from exposure and starvation, 
 rather than betray their country, established the 
 fact that there is no spot on the face of the earth 
 where greater heroism or loyalty was displayed 
 than in this horrid prison-pen. These men, ex- 
 posed to the rays of a Southern sun by day, to 
 rain and storm by night, suffering from mad- 
 
LOYAL PRISONERS. 321 
 
 denlng thirst and gnawing hunger, consumed by 
 lice, fleas, mosquitoes, and maggots, suffering from 
 scurvy until the teeth dropped from the gums, 
 enduring all the pain, agony, and misery that 
 could be inflicted on them, and dying at the rate 
 of more than one hundred per day, unflinchingly 
 remained faithful to their flag, and, although 
 food, clothing, and life were offered them to 
 betray their country, less than five per cent, ac- 
 cepted the rebels' offers ; and it is but justice to 
 them to say that some of these fled to the Union 
 lines at the first opportunity that presented itself. 
 I think it but just to say that no blame can be 
 attached to the most of the people of the South 
 in regard to the course of treatment adopted by 
 the rebel authorities. Only those living in the 
 immediate vicinity of the prison probably knew 
 much about it, and they were in a position where 
 they could not have prevented it. But to Jeff*. 
 Davis, his Cabinet, and such tools as Gen. 
 Winder, Capt. Wirz, and Lieut. Davis, belongs 
 the infamy of destroying thousands of Union 
 prisoners, contrary to the rules of war. 
 
 Capt. Wirz and Lieut. Davis paid the penalty 
 of their crimes by death on the scaffold ; but the 
 big sinners. President Davis, Winder & Com- 
 pany, went " scot free." On what principles of 
 justice the Government hung the old Dutch Cap- 
 tain and his Lieutenant, and let the men who 
 were in authority, and were responsible for it all, 
 
 21 
 
322 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 go unpunished, is one of the things which are 
 past finding out. It would surely not be very 
 creditable to the intelligence of the Confederate 
 authorities at Richmond to assume that they were 
 not aware that thousands of their captives were 
 dying of starvation and exposure in their prisons. 
 It is worse than useless for them to try to defend 
 themselves on the plea of inability to prevent it. 
 Permitted to starve in a country where at least 
 corn was very abundant ; suffering for water with 
 Sweetbrier Creek, a pure stream, but one mile 
 from the prison ; lying and dying on the ground 
 exposed to the terrible rays of the sun until, as in 
 many instances, the hands and face had burned 
 to blisters ; shelterless during the most terrific 
 storms, with forests and lumber piles all around 
 them ; compelled frequently to eat their scanty 
 rations raw, for the want of a little wood, at the 
 same time that their enemies were destroying the 
 timber outside of the stockade for the purpose of 
 getting it out of the way ; does it seem probable 
 that the rebels were doing all they could to pre- 
 vent the fearful mortality in Andersonville? No ; 
 there are too many links in the impregnable chain 
 of evidence to prove that it was a fully-premed- 
 itated, devilish plan to reduce the Union armies. 
 When we remember the fearfully large number 
 that perished in the different Southern prisons, 
 we may well believe the boast of Gen. Winder, 
 that he was destroying more Yankees than Lee 
 
REBEL AND FEDERAL PRISONS. 
 
 O^J 
 
 was by fighting In the front. Is not the fact that 
 more than thirteen thousand able-bodied died in 
 one Southern prison alone, sufficient argument to 
 convince any one that it was a plot of Davis and 
 his advisers to destroy the troops of the Govern- 
 ment they were trying to overthrow ? Is it reas- 
 onable to suppose that with proper shelter and 
 sufficient food, ten per cent, of the number that 
 were in prison would have died ? Take the same 
 number of men in the United States army that 
 were in Andersonville, and in the time that the 
 thirteen thousand perished, the mortality from 
 disease could not have been five per cent. But, 
 allowing that ten per cent, of the prisoners would 
 have died had they been properly taken care of, 
 the fact remains that about ten thousand fell vic- 
 tims to rebel brutality. And then, let it be re- 
 membered that at Fort Delaware and Johnson's 
 Island, two of the prominent prisons where rebel 
 prisoners were confined, the mortality was only 
 two per cent, of the number confined for the 
 same lenordi of time as those at Andersonville. 
 
 Look upon the two pictures, reader, and then 
 say if there was no design to murder the poor 
 Union soldiers who fell into their hands ! The 
 mind of the person not believing it must indeed 
 be warped in "treason and treasonable sym- 
 pathies," and they belong to that class of people 
 mentioned in Holy Writ, "They have ears but 
 they hear not, and eyes but they see not." No, 
 
324 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 kind reader, it was not as counsel for Wirz claimed 
 when he made his plea for the life of the monster 
 whose catalogue of crimes was as long and black 
 as the worst demon that was ever arraigned be- 
 fore a legal tribunal to answer for his horrible 
 deeds — it was not " a fantasy of the brain, a wild 
 chimera as unsubstantial as the baseless fabric of 
 a dream." It was a terrible fact, and one that 
 will hand down the names of the perpetrators to 
 endless infamy. 
 
 Time has done, and will yet do, much to heal 
 up the wounds created by the war. This is as it 
 should be; we all belong to one brotherhood, and 
 should glory in the fact of a united Nation. 
 But alter centuries have passed away the name 
 of Andersonville will be a reproach and a by-word 
 to the civilization of the nineteenth century. The 
 time is fast coming when every intelligent citizen 
 of the country will wish, but in vain, that the name 
 of every Southern military prison could be erased 
 from our country's history, and the recollections 
 of them from the minds of the people. 
 
 That the United States authorities hune two 
 miserable tools, and let the head and front of the 
 conspirators, Jefferson Davis and Gen. Winder, 
 escape punishment for their crimes, will ever be 
 a reproach to the "Temple of Justice," and a 
 stigma on the Government which failed to protect 
 its sworn subjects. True, Wirz and his lieutenant 
 richly deserved the punishment they received, for 
 
WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE ? 325 
 
 they were the willing tools of their superiors, and 
 so were alike guilty; and again, a ''superior officer 
 cannot order a subordinate to do an unlawful act; 
 and if a subordinate obey such an order, both are 
 guilty." But these two men, with all their guilt, 
 might have said to Jefferson Davis as Herbert 
 said to King John : " Here is your hand and seal 
 for all I did, and in the winking of authority did 
 we understand a law." 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The Great Mortality in August — The Great Storm — Providential 
 Spring — Departure from Andersonville — Arrival at Savannah — 
 Departure for Millen Prison. 
 
 TT was now the first of August, and almost two 
 months of our prIson-Hfe, with all of its pain, 
 sorrow, and disappointments, had been endured ; 
 and when I remembered the terrible sufferine we 
 had lived through, and the large number that had 
 miserably perished, I felt indeed that I was for- 
 tunate in still beinof in the land of the livinor. 
 The hope that had never entirely forsaken me of 
 a speedy release, had kept me up so far, and it 
 was indeed well that a wise Providence hid from 
 me the future ; for, could I have foreseen the fact 
 that, although much as we had already endured, 
 it was not equal in intensity of suffering to what 
 was yet to come, I would, no doubt, have given 
 up in despair. 
 
 During this month more than three thousand 
 Union prisoners perished in this one Southern 
 prison, being an average of about one hundred 
 deaths for every day in the month. Of these 
 about one-half perished in the first ten days of 
 the month, when an event occurred which greatly 
 benefited the sanitary condition of the prison, and 
 
 (326) 
 
ANDERSON VILLE IN AUGUST. 327 
 
 lessened the mortality. These ten days were 
 undoubtedly the most terrible in the history of 
 this notorious prison. The weather was the 
 warmest we had yet experienced, and the rains 
 had not been sufficient to wash much of the filth 
 away, and most of it that did wash from the hill- 
 sides of the prison lodged on the swamp. Terri- 
 ble as was the prison on the high ground, it was 
 much worse on the latter-named place. This 
 place had become very filthy in the early history 
 of the prison, but it was now In a condition which 
 threatened to destroy every one of us. The filth 
 which had washed from the hills, with the excre- 
 ment of thousands of prisoners, had now become 
 so putrid and full of vermin, that to stand on the 
 banks and look upon it, it would seem as If the 
 entire swamp was a living mass of Insect life. 
 From this large body of rottenness, and of pes- 
 tilence, came millions of maggots, worms, and 
 other vermin, which spread themselves all over 
 the prison. These loathsome things had at first 
 confined themselves almost entirely to that part 
 of the prison ; but at this time I do not believe 
 that there was one foot of ground in the entire 
 prison which did not contain some of them. 
 Many of the prisoners, who had become too weak 
 to help themselves, were covered with them, and 
 were literally eaten up. To look upon these 
 poor tortured ones, too far gone to get up or lift 
 a hand to help themselves, or to keep off the lice, 
 
328 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 magsfots, and worms that were devouring them, 
 and in some cases could be seen issuing from 
 their eyes, ears, and mouth — befouled with filth, 
 writhing in helpless agony, and praying that God 
 would release them from their terrible condition 
 and awful misery — was a sight so sickening, and 
 a sound so horrible, that it was enough to shock 
 the beholder insane with terror. 
 
 The stench arisinor from the rottin^ matter had 
 become almost unendurable. Pestilent vapors 
 loaded the air with deadly poison, which found an 
 easy lodging place on the half-starved beings in- 
 side of the prison. The water had now become 
 so impure that it was almost impossible to get a 
 drink of it that was palatable inside of the stock- 
 ade. Not only the stream and springs along its 
 banks were impure, but even the few deep wells 
 had become so from vermin dropping into them. 
 I have walked along the stream, and examined 
 spring after spring to get a cup of water that was 
 a little better than the rest, and would at last be 
 compelled to dip it from some spring, the bottom 
 of which would be white with maoforots. A laro^e 
 stream of pure water ran within a few hundred 
 yards of us, and we were compelled to drink of 
 this horrid stuff! 
 
 Scurvy, the most destructive disease that af- 
 flicted us, was now becoming fearfully prevalent, 
 and more than one-half of the prisoners were 
 more or less afhicted with it. More than one- 
 
SUFFERING FROM SCURVY. 329 
 
 half of the number that died perished of this 
 dreaded disease. This disease is the result of 
 impure air, bad water and Improper food, and as 
 we had the two first-named articles in abundance, 
 and what we did have of the third was of the im- 
 proper kind, the result was, of course, scurvy. 
 The first indication of its dreaded approach was 
 almost always at the gums, or about the mouth. 
 The gums became soft and ulcerated, and in a 
 short time, if the disease was not checked, the 
 teeth became loose, and in many cases dropped 
 out. In some cases the body became covered 
 with scaly, yellowish spots, and these soon de- 
 veloped into running ulcers, and the entire body 
 of the poor victim was soon in the most hor- 
 rible condition. In some cases the limbs swelled 
 and face puffed up until the skin burst. It 
 sometimes appeared as if the afilicted party was 
 suffering with dropsy, but it was no doubt scurvy 
 in its worst form that was doing it all. A most 
 painful diarrhoea or discharge from the bowels, 
 largely composed of blood, almost always accom- 
 panied it, and added to the suffering of the 
 victim. Often the lower limbs became full of 
 holes, and in some cases almost rotted off 
 Streams of offensive blood poured from the nose, 
 mouth, and different parts of the body. Gan- 
 grene also often got into these sores, and finally 
 mortification took place, and ended the terrible 
 sufferings of the poor victims. 
 
330 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Terrible as this disease was, it could be easily 
 checked when it first made its appearance, if the 
 afflicted one could get potatoes, onions, or any 
 kind of fruit or vegetables. Raw potatoes and 
 onions were especially beneficial. When in its 
 first stages, I have known it to be checked by the 
 use of one raw potato. With us this disease was 
 undoubtedly caused by the want of good water, 
 wholesome food, and pure air ; and had these 
 things been given us by our enemies, this loath- 
 some disease would soon have disappeared from 
 our midst. The prisoner who found himself at- 
 tacked with this disease would trade off anything 
 he might have in his possession, so as to get 
 something to check it. 
 
 A rebel sutler furnished such things as would 
 supply our wants, but at such prices that what 
 little the new prisoners succeeded in getting into 
 prison with them would soon be in his possession. 
 One dollar for a small potato, and the same for 
 an onion, was about a fair sample of the prices 
 charged by the rebels to get what money they 
 could not steal from us when captured. Almost 
 every prisoner had succeeded in getting some 
 little money, or other small valuables, into prison 
 with them, and quite a trade sprung up between 
 them and the rebel guards. Our brass buttons 
 especially were prized quite highly among our 
 enemies, and they were almost all the time ready 
 for a trade for them. I had traded off everything 
 
TRADING BUTTONS. 33 1 
 
 that I could possibly give, with the exception of 
 several rings and my coat buttons. The rings I 
 prized so highly from associations connected with 
 them, that I could not make up my mind to let 
 them go ; but as the coat was in danger of going 
 to pieces anyhow, I concluded to trade off the 
 buttons. 
 
 Gilbert and Fralich were both showing symp- 
 toms of getting scurvy, and we began to anx- 
 iously consider what we could do to prevent it 
 from getting worse. One of the sentry-boxes 
 was direcdy opposite to us, and as only the small 
 space of ground between the dead-line and the 
 stockade separated us, we had a good oppor- 
 tunity of conversing with the guards who would 
 get on this post. We hailed several of them in 
 regard to a trade for our buttons, but were 
 unsuccessful until a guard came on post who 
 wanted a dozen of New York State buttons. 
 The rebels appeared to value that kind of button 
 very highly, and would pay more for them than 
 for the common United States Recrulation button. 
 We did not have any of the former kind ; but as 
 our necessity was great, and believing that the 
 end jus.tified the means, we concluded to play a 
 trick on the rebel by giving him United States 
 buttons in place of the ones he wanted. After 
 some little bargaining, he promised to furnish us 
 with two quarts of corn meal, three pounds of 
 pork, three potatoes, and three onions, providing 
 
332 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 that we eot him one dozen New York State but- 
 tons — the exchange to be after dark. Watching 
 that he did not notice what we were doing, we 
 cut off a dozen of our buttons, and after rub- 
 bing them until they shone Hke gold, we strung 
 them on a string, and held them up for his in- 
 spection. He was pleased, and remarked, "All 
 right, boys; I will be ready for you when I get on 
 post to-night." We waited anxiously for his ap- 
 pearance, nine o'clock being the time we ex- 
 pected to make the trade. We were already 
 enjoying the anticipation of the good meal we 
 would have, and we were heartily glad when the 
 guard made his appearance and informed us that 
 he was ready for the trade. He requested one 
 of us to cross the dead-line, and come to the 
 stockade and throw up the buttons. As a guard 
 was but a short distance on each side of him, we 
 felt a little suspicious about doing so, and asked 
 him what guarantee we would have that they 
 would not fire on the one crossing. He then told 
 us that he had made arrangements with the other 
 guards about that, and we would be in no danger. 
 We, however, still felt somewhat timorous about 
 crossing, as we thought it might possibly be a 
 trap to get us over the dead-line ; so we hes- 
 itated for a few moments, and talked the matter 
 over among ourselves, when Fralich, who was 
 getting impatient, grabbed the buttons, and step- 
 ping over the dead-line, ran to the stockade with 
 
"YANKEE TRICKS. 333 
 
 them. He threw them up to the guard, and 
 catching the bag that the guard dropped contain- 
 ing the victuals, he safely returned to us. The 
 guard had, however, missed catching the buttons, 
 which dropped to the ground, thus compelling 
 Fralich to go back again and give them to him. 
 We watched him examining the buttons, but as 
 he said nothing, we supposed he could not dis- 
 cover the difference in the dark. In the morning 
 when he came on post he told us that we had 
 cheated him. We told him that no New York 
 buttons could be found, and as we were very 
 hungry, we concluded to fool him a little. He 
 did not, however, appear to care much, and 
 laughed over the matter, saying that we were up 
 to all kinds of " Yankee tricks." The guard had 
 given us fully as much as he had promised, and 
 we had a glorious feast that night. The potatoes 
 and onions especially were most welcome, and I 
 have no doubt they did us much good. I do not 
 think I ever in all my life enjoyed the meal as I 
 did the one that night. We had enough to eat 
 all the next day, and felt much refreshed, and our 
 fortunate trade was quite a blessing to us. 
 
 On the afternoon of the 2d we had a severe 
 thunder-storm, but not much rain, which we re- 
 gretted, as it was not enough to wash away the 
 filth, and the terrible arhount of it that had ac- 
 cumulated made us wish for a severe rain to 
 carry some of it away. On the 3d, four hundred 
 
334 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 and forty-two prisoners arrived from Gen. Stone- 
 man's command, captured the day before at 
 Macon, Georgia. On the following day about 
 five hundred more arrived from Gen. McCook's 
 command, captured south of Atlanta. 
 
 It appears that after the great battle of Peach 
 Tree Creek, in which the noble Gen. McPherson 
 lost his life. Gen. Sherman ordered Gen. Stone- 
 man to move with a force of about five thousand 
 mounted men around the left flank of the rebel 
 army, and Gen. McCook with a force of about 
 four thousand around their right flank, both com- 
 mands to march on and destroy the Macon rail- 
 road. This road was the only one in possession 
 of the rebels that could furnish Atlanta with sup- 
 plies. Gen. Stoneman requested and received 
 permission to move with his force on Macon and 
 Andersonville, and attempt the recapture of the 
 Union prisoners confined at those places. The 
 two commands were to destroy the railroads at 
 different places, and then form a junction at 
 Lovejoy Station. Gen. Stoneman diverged from 
 the assigned plan, and in place of meeting Mc- 
 Cook's command at Lovejoy Station, he sent a 
 small portion of his command under Gen. Gar- 
 rard to Flat Rock to cover his movements, and 
 then advanced with the others on Macon. His 
 conduct was strange, to say the least about it. 
 He succeeded in cutting the railroad and in de- 
 stroying a considerable amount of rebel supplies 
 
stoneman's raid. 335 
 
 before getting to Macon, which place he attacked, 
 but did not succeed in capturing. The few pris- 
 oners who had been confined in the place were 
 removed by the rebels when they heard of his 
 approach. He made no attempt to move on 
 Andersonville, but tarried some time at Macon 
 until the rebel cavalry under the command of 
 Gen. Iverson threatened his retreat, and finally 
 succeeded in surroundinor his command. He 
 then held a council of war, and proposed to his 
 officers to surrender his command to the enemy. 
 His brigade commanders demurred against this, 
 and proposed that an attempt be made to cut 
 through the enemy's lines and escape. Gen. 
 Stoneman then consented that two brigades of 
 his command should make an effort to escape, 
 while he with his remaininor brio^ade would en- 
 deavor to hold the enemy in check. On what 
 principles of military tactics he considered that 
 one brigade could successfully resist the attack 
 of the enemy, when he a few hours before pro- 
 posed to surrender his entire command, does not 
 appear; but perhaps the gallant General intended 
 to ofTer himself as a sacrifice for the purpose of 
 letting the most of his command escape, for es- 
 cape they almost all did. 
 
 That one brigade succeeded in escaping en- 
 tirely demonstrated the fact that the rebel line 
 was but a weak one, and could not have pre- 
 vented Stoneman from proceeding on his jour- 
 
336 BATTLE FIELD. AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 ney, much less to surround his command and 
 capture it, as he beHeved it would. The second 
 brigade was handled pretty roughly, but it too 
 succeeded in escaping almost intact to the Union 
 army. Gen. Stoneman, after a most desperate 
 ficrht, surrendered the balance of his command, 
 who were marched into our prison, the crossest 
 and saddest crew I ever saw. Gen. McCook's 
 command succeeded in carrying out its part of 
 the programme, and at Fayetteville he destroyed 
 a large amount of rebel supplies, and captured a 
 considerable number of prisoners. He then 
 moved on Lovejoy Station, at which place he 
 arrived at the appointed time. He succeeded in 
 destroying the station and a considerable amount 
 of supplies, but being attacked by a large force 
 of rebels, and hearing nothing from Stoneman's 
 command, he was compelled to retreat. He 
 moved his command to Newman, where he was 
 attacked by a large force of rebel infantry. This 
 body of troops were being conveyed by rail from 
 Mississippi to reinforce the rebel army at Atlanta, 
 and were stopped on their way on account of the 
 destruction of the railroad. A fierce engagement 
 took place, and McCook was compelled to with- 
 draw, losine a considerable number of his men. 
 He succeeded, however, in escaping with most 
 of his men, and rejoined Sherman's army at 
 Marietta. 
 
 The prisoners belonging to these commands 
 
EFFORTS AT SUICIDE. ' 2>Z7 
 
 had been robbed of everything, as was almost 
 always the case with cavalrymen when captured 
 by the rebels. We had been informed by some 
 newly-arrived prisoners that an effort was being 
 made to recapture us; and as we had high hopes 
 that it might be successful, we now suffered a 
 terrible disappointment in finding out that it was 
 an utter failure. Gen. Stoneman was bitterly 
 denounced by all, but more especially by his own 
 men, who blamed him for their unfortunate con- 
 dition, and some of them charged him with 
 treason or cowardice. 
 
 The truth of the matter probably is, that he 
 overestimated the number of his opponents, and 
 so concluded it useless to make the attempt to 
 escape. Subsequent events, however, revealed 
 the fact that his entire command might have 
 escaped had they left with the other two brigades. 
 
 During the night of the 4th we had quite an 
 excitement in our part of the prison, from the 
 fact that one of our comrades made a desperate 
 attempt to destroy himself. He first made an 
 attempt to accomplish his object by trying to 
 jump into one of the wells, but was prevented by 
 a fellow-prisoner, who caught him. The poor 
 fellow was no doubt out of his mind; and directly 
 after he was taken from the well, he made a des- 
 perate attempt to cross the dead-line and let the 
 guards shoot him, but was prevented by his com- 
 panions. The excitement caused quite a number 
 22 
 
338 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 of prisoners to gather around him, and as his 
 crossing the dead-line would endanger the lives 
 of some of the rest, it was decided to frighten him 
 out of it by making him believe that we intended 
 to kill him — thinking that perhaps if he would get 
 a taste of death, he would give up the notion of 
 self-destruction. We got the old well-rope, and 
 Gilbert fastened it around his neck, at the same 
 time saying, "All right, if you want to die, we'll 
 soon put you out of the way." We then drew 
 the rope pretty tight, to see if he would give up 
 or not, when, finding that he would not, we com- 
 m^enced to pull, and actually slid his body several 
 feet along the ground. But he was evidently 
 determined to die, and we found that we could 
 not frighten him in that way ; so we tied his arms 
 and legs tightly, and left him in charge of the 
 Regulators. Sometime during the day he pre- 
 tended to be very penitent, and begged to be let 
 go, saying that he had given up the notion of 
 self-destruction, and that he would behave him- 
 self. He was then untied and left go. He kept 
 quiet for a short time, when he suddenly jumped 
 up, and before any one could prevent him, 
 jumped over the dead-line, and folding his arms 
 across his breast, he looked up at the guard and 
 told him to fire. It created a great deal of 
 excitement, and several of the men would have 
 jumped after him and made an effort to save the 
 poor fellow, had not their comrades prevented 
 
A CRAZY MAN SHOT. 3 ^^9 
 
 them, telling them that they would also be shot 
 for their trouble. 
 
 The guard, who was only too willing to comply 
 with the crazy man's request, and who no doubt 
 rejoiced to get this chance to shoot a *' Yankee," 
 raised his rifle to his shoulder, and taking a delib- 
 erate aim, pulled the trigger. His gun missed 
 fire, and for a moment we stood in terrible sus- 
 pense, hoping that he would order the poor 
 wretch back, who was standing as immovable as 
 a statue, awaiting his doom. But that hope was 
 soon dispelled, for the brute, with as little display 
 of humanity as if he were preparing to shoot a 
 dog, put a fresh cap on his gun, and then taking 
 aim, shot him dead. A groan of horror escaped 
 from some of the men as the body of their com- 
 rade sank in death to the ground ; but accus- 
 tomed as we were to seeing death in all of its 
 horrible forms, this terrible affair did not make 
 the impression on us that the reader might natur- 
 ally suppose that it would. In the almost certain 
 doom that appeared soon to await us all, the fate 
 of our poor comrade was soon almost forgotten. 
 The sad expressions heard in connection with it 
 revealed the fact that almost all of the prisoners 
 were settling down in utter despair. I heard one 
 man say, " Oh well, we must all go the same 
 road ; it is only a question of time; and after all, 
 he took the best way of getting out of his 
 trouble." The murdered man was a sergeant in 
 
340 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 a German regiment, and was a man of education, 
 and before his suffering drove him out of his 
 mind, was a very companionable sort of a man. 
 Close to us two brothers by the name of 
 Wallace, in company with two other members 
 of their company, quartered. They had suc- 
 ceeded in getting several blankets into prison 
 with them, and were more comfortably fixed than 
 the most of the prisoners. The two brothers 
 were intelligent, agreeable young men, and very 
 fond of each other. They were well-bred and 
 quiet in their demeanor, and belonged to the 
 better class of prisoners, who would suffer the 
 most keenly from their terrible surroundings. In 
 the morning after the affair of the German ser- 
 geant, I was informed that one of them had died 
 during the night; an4 I went to see them. Some 
 of the comrades of the dead prisoner were pre- 
 paring to carry him to the Dead House, and it 
 was distressino^ to witness the sorfow of the 
 brother. He was not demonstrative in his grief, 
 but his countenance indicated that he was suffer- 
 ing intensely; and when his comrades lifted the 
 body of his dead brother to take it away, he 
 quietly kissed it, and then lay down with his face 
 to the ground, and remained in that position for 
 some time. A few days after, he too died, and 
 his spirit had joined that of his brother in a better 
 land to be united forever. He went up from a 
 place of sorrow, to one of eternal rest. 
 
LONELINESS IN THE PRISON. 34I 
 
 They have met 
 
 ' ' beyond the river, 
 
 Where the surges cease to roll ; 
 Where in all the bright forever 
 Sorrow ne'er shall press the soul." 
 
 For a short time after we had occupied the new 
 part of the prison, we had succeeded in keeping 
 our corner pretty clean, and the number of 
 deaths was not as large as in some parts of the 
 prison, but it was now getting to be almost as 
 bad as the old part of the prison. A number of 
 prisoners from the vicinity of the swamp, in their 
 desire to get away from that place, had com- 
 menced to move among us ; and as they were all 
 in the most horrible condition, some of them 
 being compelled to crawl on their hands and 
 knees, it greatly added to the unpleasant condi- 
 tion of our quarters. 
 
 Close to us on our right was a small piece of 
 ground a few feet square, and on this could be 
 found almost all the time one of these poor 
 beings, who had crawled there to die. They be- 
 longed to that class who had no special friends or 
 companions, and consequently were the most 
 unfortunate class of all in prison. When a few 
 who belonged to one company, or became inti- 
 mate friends, kept together, and endeavored to 
 cheer and help each other, they always got along 
 much better than the unfortunates who were 
 without friends or close companions. 
 
342 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 As mentioned before, the prisoners who crept 
 to this spot to die belonged to the first-named 
 class; and as they were in the most wretched con- 
 dition, it of course was very unpleasant to us ; 
 but they had no place to go to, and it was cer- 
 tainly unkind to ill-treat them, as several German 
 Wisconsin soldiers did. These men had their 
 quarters close to the spot, and it w^s a source of 
 great annoyance to them ; but they displayed a 
 w^ant of feeling for their companions that was 
 contemptible. They often ordered them away 
 when the poor fellows were beyond the power of 
 obeying. One who was thus spoken to, asked, 
 "Where do you expect me to go to?" "To 
 where you came from ; you are too filthy to be 
 here," was the brutal reply. The dying man told 
 them that he would not trouble them long; and 
 so it proved, for on the following morning he was 
 carried to the Dead House. 
 
 On another occasion, a soldier belonging to a 
 Maryland regiment crawled to this spot to die. 
 He was a mere boy, and his emaciated body and 
 pain-pinched face did not altogether hide the fact 
 that he had been remarkably handsome ; and not 
 only his physiognomy, but his conduct, gave 
 strong indication of a pure moral character. Be- 
 ing very sick, and unable to keep himself clean, 
 he of course was very filthy; and his general 
 appearance was in strange contrast to his gentle, 
 pure-looking face. One of these Wisconsin sol- 
 
DYING OF DESPAIR. 343 
 
 diers, who, as Gilbert expressed it, had as little 
 humanity as the rebels, ordered him to move 
 away ; and weak as he was, he would have made 
 an effort to do so, had some of us not interfered 
 and told him to stay. His look of gratitude was 
 surely enough to compensate for the short time 
 we were annoyed by his presence. A few hours 
 after, as gently and quietly as falls the autumn 
 leaf, his pure spirit left his tortured body, and 
 winged its way to a better land. 
 
 "Matted and damp are the curls of gold, 
 
 Kissing the snow of the fair young brow, 
 Pale are the lips of delicate mould — 
 
 Somebody's darling is dying now. 
 Back from the beautiful blue-veined brow, 
 
 Brush all the wandering waves of gold ; 
 Cross his hands on his bosom now — 
 
 Somebody's darling is still and cold." 
 
 Some of the prisoners died so suddenly that 
 we could hardly realize that they had passed 
 away. They appeared to be as well as the rest 
 of us up to within a few hours of their departure, 
 when they would expire, sometimes without a 
 groan. The hope of getting out had no doubt 
 kept them up until almost every spark of life had 
 left them, and death was creeping upon them in 
 such a manner that they did not know that they 
 were dying, and then, when they would finally 
 give up hope, death was sure and sudden. An 
 Irish soldier died in this manner close to us, on 
 
344 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 the day the Maryland boy died. He and an 
 Englishman kept close together, and were evi- 
 dently intimate friends. On the day he died we 
 received molasses instead of meat, and the Eng- 
 lishman was offering his friend his portion and 
 urging him to eat ; but finding that he made no 
 effort to take it, he sat down and rested his 
 friend's head on his lap. He, however, soon 
 after aeain commenced to urcre him to eat his 
 rations, holding the molasses to his lips and tell- 
 ing him to take it, saying it would do him good. 
 Sergeant Bradbury and myself were passing 
 them at the time, and noticing the deathly ap- 
 pearance of the sick man, we went close up to 
 them, and Bradbury told the, Englishman that his 
 friend was dying, to which he replied, '' Oh, I 
 guess not," but immediately made an effort to 
 lay him down. He died, however, before he could 
 do so. 
 
 Thus we saw men dying every day, and the 
 conviction was fast stealing upon us that we all 
 would have to, perish. The terrible condition of 
 the prison, the large number of dying, and failure 
 of the expedition sent to recapture us, had so set- 
 tled the inmates of the prison in gloom and de- 
 spair that even the little gatherings in different 
 parts of the prison were given up. On the 7th, 
 the rebel quartermaster came into the prison and 
 informed us that Gen. Winder had received a 
 dispatch from the rebel authorities at Richmond, 
 
CRUEL DECEPTIONS. 345 
 
 informing him that he was to commence paroling 
 us at once. This at first created a Httle excite- 
 ment, and a hope that our day of deliverance was 
 nigh ; but it did not last long, for it soon proved 
 to be another rebel lie. We had been deceived 
 so often that we could hardly believe anything 
 our jailers told us; but this last story was so well 
 got up that it deceived some of us for a day or 
 two, and the fact of it being another deception 
 only sunk us deeper in despair. 
 
 On the 7th, 8th and 9th, the weather was so 
 awfully hot that it really appeared as if the heat 
 would kill us all ; those were the most terrible 
 days in the history of our prison. On the 9th, 
 one hundred and seventy-five prisoners died, and 
 the mortality in the three days was nearly five 
 hundred. I have not the least doubt that had 
 not a kind Providence interfered and sent the 
 great rain-storm on the 9th, death would have 
 swept all of us away inside of sixty days. This 
 may be considered a wild estimate by those who 
 have never experienced prison-life in the South, 
 but I feel sure that at least those who remember 
 Andersonville as it was at that time will not con- 
 sider this is an unlikely statement. The terrible 
 condition of the water we were compelled to 
 drink, the fearful stench arising from the putrid 
 filth that now covered the entire camp, was 
 enough of itself to sweep the prison of every 
 living thing. 
 
346 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Directly after noon on the 9th, the rain-storm 
 already spoken of commenced, and this event 
 will be remembered by those who witnessed it as 
 long as their memory lasts. The large ink-black 
 clouds approaching from the West, the constant 
 vivid flashes of lightning, and sharp, quick claps 
 of thunder, which reminded us of a heavy can- 
 nonade, all indicated that a fearful storm was 
 approaching, and we watched its approach with a 
 great deal of interest and anxiety. It was not 
 pleasant in our unsheltered condition to be ex- 
 posed to such a terrible storm as this threatened 
 to be, but then we needed a heavy rain so badly 
 that we were rather glad to see its approach. It 
 soon burst over us with a fury that was appalling, 
 and the rain poured down as if all the flood-gates 
 of the heavens had opened. The deluge of water, 
 the terrific flashes of lightning, the crashes of 
 thunder and roaring of the storm, made a scene 
 awful and grand; and it seemed as if all the 
 elements of heaven were combining to set us 
 free. The lightning struck into the stockade, 
 and several times into the trees that surrounded 
 our prison in rapid succession, and the prisoners 
 to shut out the terrible sight sat down on the 
 ground and covered their faces with their hands. 
 Consequently we did not notice that the small 
 stream through our prison had become a raging 
 torrent, and was threatening to sweep away part 
 of the stockade, when the boom of a cannon from 
 
THE TERRIBLE STORM. 347 
 
 one of the forts announced the fact that the rebels 
 were alarmed about something, and getting on 
 our feet we discovered that the stockade was 
 being swept away at both sides of the prison. 
 The greatest excitement now existed among the 
 rebels, who were falling into line, and marching 
 to the place where the break in the stockade had 
 occurred, for the purpose of preventing us from 
 making our escape. 
 
 Although the storm was still raging with great 
 fury, and the rain pouring down in torrents, we 
 commenced to crowd toward the stream, hoping 
 some chance of escaping would present itself. 
 The rebels had, however, formed a strong line to 
 prevent this ; but it was some satisfaction to us to 
 know that our enemies had to leave their snug 
 quarters and be exposed to the storm as well as 
 we. After the storm subsided, some of the pris- 
 oners jumped into the still raging stream, and 
 caught some of the wood floating down ; but 
 Wirz, with the devilish cruelty so characteristic of 
 the man, ordered them not to use it, threatening 
 that if we did he would stop our rations for five 
 days. No rations were issued on this day, and 
 hungry and wet, we passed a most miserable 
 night. Whether Wirz did this from a desire to 
 show us that he was in earnest about stopping 
 our rations for five days if we used the wood, or 
 from a desire to take the spite out of us for the 
 trouble the elements had made for him, we could 
 
348 BATFLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 not tell, but one or the other must have been the 
 cause for it ; probably the latter, for the captain 
 was in a terrible rage with every one until the 
 break was fixed. 
 
 The rebels worked like beavers all night and 
 the following day, to replace the stockade washed 
 away. It was also weakened at different places, 
 and a large number of blacks were sent inside of 
 the prison to fix and strengthen it. These poor 
 people were very friendly to us, and would watch 
 every opportunity to show their sympathy in 
 some substantial manner. They would keep a 
 close watch on the guards, and at every oppor- 
 tunity slip to the prisoners tobacco or some arti- 
 cles of food. A squad of these people were at 
 work close to us, and we were watching them 
 working, when one of them suddenly slipped his 
 hand in his pocket, and taking out a piece of 
 tobacco, flung it to us ; the next instant he had 
 resumed his work. This was repeated several 
 times by the generous fellow,- who had no doubt 
 amply supplied himself with the weed for the 
 purpose of sharing it out to us. He was, how- 
 ever, at last caught in the act, and a stop put to 
 it. As he threw the last piece the guard saw the 
 action, and yelled out, " Look out thar, or I will 
 blow your brains out!" The poor fellow was 
 almost frightened to death ; but the guard no 
 doubt only intended to give him a good scare. 
 
 On the loth, the day after the great flood, it 
 
PROVIDENTIAL SPRING. 349 
 
 was very warm until noon, when it again rained 
 until night. The next morning it was clear, cool 
 and pleasant, and we had a chance to dry off 
 and look around and see what the storm had 
 done for us; and we found that it had indeed 
 worked for our good. It had undoubtedly hast- 
 ened the death of the very sickest men, but it 
 had immensely bettered the condition of those 
 who were still living. The entire prison, includ- 
 ing the swamp, was swept in such a manner as to 
 be quite clean compared to its former condition. 
 Almost all the filth and vermin on the ground 
 was swept away, and the atmosphere was quite 
 pure, and in strange contrast to its terrible con- 
 dition a few days before. 
 
 This was not the only great blessing the storm 
 had conferred on us, and which was to greatly 
 improve the condition of our prison ; for it was 
 soon discovered that a strong, pure spring of 
 water had burst out right beneath the dead-line, 
 alongside of the hill, and about one hundred feet 
 from the brook. The water was cool and pure, 
 and was in great contrast to the filthy stuff we 
 had been using. The rebels, perhaps awe- 
 stricken at this providential interference with 
 their plans to destroy us, made a trough so that 
 we could better get the water, and the rush soon 
 became so great to get to this life-giving stream, 
 that the Regulators to preserve order made the 
 men who were crowding up to get water fall 
 
350 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 into line and take their turn to receive it. A 
 long line of prisoners could be seen continually 
 going and coming from this place, and for the 
 remainder of our prison-life in Andersonville we 
 had at least this one great blessing, pure water. 
 If an all-wise Providence guides the destiny of 
 nations and protects God's people, who can 
 doubt but that this spring was sent by the Giver 
 of all good for the purpose of bettering the con- 
 dition of the inmates of our prison? 
 
 ''At his command the lurid lightning flies, 
 Shakes the firm globe, and fires the vaulted skies." 
 
 On the nth, John Robinson, one of my near 
 comrades, passed away. He was a member of 
 the Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and 
 quite an old man. It was often a matter of sur- 
 prise to me as to how he succeeded in getting 
 into the army, as he certainly could not have 
 been less than fifty-five years of age. He had 
 been ailing for some time, but considering his age 
 he had kept up wonderfully well to within about 
 a week of his death, when the terribly warm 
 weather we had just before the great storm broke 
 him down completely, and he fell one more victim 
 to rebel brutality. Had this old man been fur- 
 nished with such shelter as any human being 
 under the circumstances might have reasonably 
 expected, he would in all probabiHty have Uved to 
 return to his friends ; for his death was the result 
 
WORDS OF CHEER. 35 1 
 
 of his exposed condition. He possessed a great 
 deal of vitality, and his death was one of the 
 most lingering and wretched I witnessed in all of 
 our imprisonment. We had all been as kind and 
 attentive to the old man as we under the circum- 
 stances could be, and in every way endeavored 
 to keep him from giving up hope. Life in our 
 abode had tauo^ht us before this that to become 
 despondent and give up in despair was a short 
 but sure road to the Dead House, and those 
 who could put on the boldest face would be the 
 least likely to go there. 
 
 When we found that he was losing hope, we 
 would gather around him and try to cheer him 
 up by relating to him all the runiors we had 
 heard about being exchanged, and tell him we 
 had the strongest hopes of soon being sent home. 
 It would always greatly enliven him, and some- 
 times his countenance would beam with pleasure 
 at the renewed hope of soon meeting his wife 
 and children again. Sergeant Bradbury, a mem- 
 ber of Robinson's company, who had the happy 
 and fortunate felicity of being able, under all cir- 
 cumstances, of looking on the bright side of life, 
 and who I believe did more to keep up the spirits 
 of his fellow-prisoners than any other man in 
 prison, took a very great interest in his old com- 
 rade ; and as he had a strong influence over him, 
 he no doubt was the means of keeping him from 
 giving up and dying before he did. The condition 
 
352 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 of our prison, and the intense heat in the early 
 part of the month, were too severe on him, and it 
 became evident to us that he could not much 
 lono-er endure his sufferinors. The sun had burnt 
 his hands, feet and neck into blisters ; and to add 
 to his misery, his eyes commenced to fail so badly 
 that he could not protect himself from the vermin 
 that like a plague infested the prison, and his 
 condition became wretched and miserable in the 
 extreme. Sergeant Bradbury suggested that it 
 might help the old man if we would trim his hair 
 and give him a good washing, and requested me 
 to help to do it. The old man gladly consented, 
 and procuring the loan of a pair of scissors from 
 one of the ' prisoners, we trimmed his hair and 
 beard quite short, and then gave him a good 
 washing. This appeared to help him a little for 
 a day or two, but it soon became evident that his 
 stay with us would be short. 
 
 On the forenoon of the 9th, and just before the 
 great storm came up, he was standing near the 
 dead-line, and I saw that he was trembling and 
 keeping his feet with a great deal of difficulty. I 
 was in the act of walking up to him when he fell 
 on the dead-line, exclaiming, " Oh, Urban, help 
 me!" I sprang forward and caught him, and with 
 the assistance of several of the men who had gath- 
 ered around, laid him down. He appeared to be 
 so nearly gone that we expected him to expire in 
 a few moments ; but he lived for two days longer, 
 
HORRORS OF THE DEAD HOUSE. 353 
 
 and durine the terrible storm and rain which fol- 
 lowed, he was lying on the ground in a condition 
 so wretched and miserable that it was a great 
 relief to us when we found that his spirit had left 
 the tortured body, and was at rest. It was a sad 
 sight for us to look upon the dead body of this 
 old man, and to think of his death so far away 
 from his wife and children, who, unconscious of 
 his sad fate, were still waiting and hoping for his 
 safe return ; but we could not help but think how 
 great and happy the exchange was for him. His 
 poor, emaciated, pain-racked form was with us, 
 but his immortal spirit had fled to that " bourne 
 from whence no traveler e'er returns," and where 
 pain and sorrow could not reach him again. 
 
 Four of us carried him to the Dead House. 
 When we reached that place we found eighty 
 lying in a row, who had already during the day 
 been carried out for burial. It would be impossi- 
 ble to describe the horrible appearance of these 
 victims of rebel cruelty ; some of the bodies 
 appeared as if they would fall to pieces, and the 
 stench was so sickening that we as quickly as 
 possible discharged our duty, and hastened away 
 from the place. Our guard consented to our 
 request to take some wood with us back into 
 prison, and also gave us the privilege of sitting 
 down on the way going in for a rest, and to enjoy 
 the pure air for a short time. 
 
 This was the first time since my imprisonment 
 
354 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 in Andersonville that I had been In the woods, 
 and oh! how I longed that I might not have to 
 return to the prison-pen again. The trees with 
 their cool, inviting shade, that would have so 
 mercifully protected us from the hot, sultry sun 
 by day and the dew by night — the beautiful 
 flowers that looked so sweet and pure compared 
 with our filthy surroundings in the prison — the 
 birds singing in blissful glee around and over us 
 — all these beautiful things in nature under difler- 
 ent circumstances we might have enjoyed and 
 admired; but now they only reminded us of our 
 miserable condition, and made our hearts ache 
 for the freedom we had so long hoped and 
 prayed for. We could not help but wonder what 
 chance there might be of escaping, could we over- 
 power the guard that was with us ; but the 
 chances would have been slim, as rebel soldiers 
 could be seen prowling around in every direction, 
 and even could we have succeeded in getting 
 away from them, the dreaded bloodhounds would 
 soon have been on our track, and recapture or 
 death almost a certainty. 
 
 We did not, however, have much time to con- 
 template either the beauties of nature or the 
 chances of escape, for our guard after a short 
 rest informed us that he would have to return 
 with us to the prison, and that he had already 
 indulged us longer than might be good for him- 
 self. We had, however, the satisfaction of hav- 
 
HEAT AND HUNGER. 355 
 
 ing secured quite a load of wood, and as we were 
 at this time receiving most of our rations raw, 
 and often had no fuel at all, we felt quite fortu- 
 nate in having secured this supply. 
 
 Early on the following day, Pond and French, 
 two more of our comrades, passed away, and 
 later in the day a comrade whose full name I do 
 not remember, but who was known by the name 
 of " Straney," also died. 
 
 Thus day after day we saw our comrades 
 dying all around us, and we could not help but 
 feel that if deliverance did not soon come, it 
 would only be a short time before we would all 
 perish. 
 
 On Sunday and Monday following, the weather 
 was again most fearfully warm, and the number 
 of deaths from the effects of the heat was very 
 great. The total number of deaths on Sunday 
 was 119, and on Monday 136. It was well in- 
 deed that the great flood had swept the greater 
 part of the filth from the prison; for had the 
 former condition of the prison remained, with the 
 intense heat which prevailed all of the month, we 
 all would certainly have perished. It was also 
 most fortunate that we now at least had plenty 
 of pure cold water, for our rations were so small 
 that it appeared as if we would certainly all have 
 to starve outright. Our daily rations often con- 
 sisted of only one pint of corn-meal and a few 
 raw beans ; and as we often had to prepare this 
 
356 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 without salt, the reader can imagine how pala- 
 table it was. I felt the need of having this last- 
 named article so much, that I came to the conclu- 
 sion to make an effort to trade off my jacket for 
 some of it. It was quite new when I was cap- 
 tured, and was still in pretty good condition, 
 and I knew how much I would need it should I 
 be so unfortunate as to be a prisoner during the 
 fall and winter; but my present necessities were 
 so great that I came to the conclusion to let it go. 
 I also thought that if I was not released before 
 that time I would not live to need it. After look- 
 ing around a little, I finally struck up a trade 
 with a guard, and received a pint of salt in 
 exchanofe for it. 
 
 During the later part of the month, a consider- 
 able number of prisoners arrived from the Army 
 of the Potomac and Sherman's forces, and we 
 received plenty of news. Although it was, in 
 some respects, not such as we had hoped to hear, 
 yet taking it all together, they gave a cheerful 
 account of the situation ; and they also claimed 
 to have positive information that we would soon 
 be exchanged or paroled, and in spite of the fact 
 that we had been fooled so often, we felt quite 
 cheered up, and had a renewed hope that our 
 day of deliverance was not far off. 
 
 On the I St of September we had a very disa- 
 greeable change in the weather, and consequently 
 the mortality again increased fearfully. The 
 
THE PRISON HOSPITAL. 357 
 
 days were terribly hot, and the nights so cold that 
 we shivered in agony. I bitterly regretted part- 
 ing with any of my clothing, and I found to my 
 dismay that I was going to be sick. I could now 
 more than ever realize the unfortunate condition 
 of some of the prisoners who had no friends or 
 comrades to take care of them ; for had I been in 
 that condition, surely death would have been my 
 fate. Attended by my comrades to the best of 
 their ability, and the rumors that now so posi- 
 tively indicated that we would soon be released, 
 kept me up, and in a few days I was better again. 
 The sergeant who had charcye of the detachment 
 I belonged to suggested that I be sent to the hos- 
 pital ; but as I had never heard of any one who 
 had been sent to that place leaving it alive, I 
 came to the conclusion that if I had to die, I 
 would do so surrounded by my comrades. 
 
 This so-called hospital was situated a few hun- 
 dred feet from the entrance into the prison, and 
 was inclosed with a hiQ-h board fence. It was 
 pleasantly located, and had a few shade trees 
 standing inside of it ; but few of the prisoners 
 would, however, enter it voluntarily during the 
 latter part of our imprisonment, for the impression 
 among them was general that once in that place, 
 death was certain. So, when taken sick, they 
 preferred to stay and die with their comrades. 
 The consequence was, that most of those who 
 did get there were already in a very low condi- 
 
358 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 tion, and with the terrible treatment they had no 
 chance of recovery. There can be no doubt, 
 however, but that with proper care and attention 
 some of them at least might have been restored 
 to health ; but what single condition was there in 
 this horrible place that would have a tendency to 
 do this ? Their emaciated bodies had nothing: to 
 rest on but the hard ground ; very little shelter 
 was furnished, and the food was of such a de- 
 scription that it did more to aggravate and in- 
 crease the diseases that afflicted them, than to 
 strengthen and nourish. This, with the utter 
 want of medicine and such care as sick people 
 require, all combined to make death a certainty. 
 
 I do not consider it necessary, however, to give 
 a long description of this spot ; but to give the 
 reader a proper conception of the place, I will 
 give an extract from the testimony of Dr. Bates, 
 a physician from the state of Georgia, and em- 
 ployed by the Rebel Government at the hospital. 
 He said : " I saw a number of men, and was 
 shocked : many of them were lying partially 
 naked, dirty, and lousy, in the sand ; others were 
 crowded together in small tents, the latter unser- 
 viceable at the best. I felt disposed to do my 
 duty, and aid the sufferers all I could ; but know- 
 ing it was against the orders to take anything to 
 the men, I was obliged to slip whatever I took to 
 them very slyly Into my pockets. They fre- 
 quently asked me for a teaspoonful of salt, or for 
 
LONGING FOR HOME. 359 
 
 orders of siftlngs of meal, that they might make 
 a little bread. Again, they have gathered around 
 me and asked for a bone ! I found persons," he 
 continues, " lying dead among the living some- 
 times, and thinking they merely slept, I have 
 tried to wake them up, and found they were tak- 
 ing their everlasting sleep. This was in the hos- 
 pital, but I judge it was about the same in the 
 stockade." 
 
 These poor, wretched creatures, who, with 
 trembling limbs and pain-racked bodies, that had 
 been reduced by the terrible agony they had en- 
 dured until they were almost beyond the sem- 
 blance of human beings, covered with filth and 
 vermin, were the ones that begged of their de- 
 stroyers for a bone, a drop of water, or something 
 to relieve their terrible sufferings. Thesfe men 
 were no exiles for crime ; they had left home 
 moved by a sublime inspiration to help save the 
 life and honor of the Nation. Many of them had 
 been tenderly reared, and had fond, doting moth- 
 ers in Northern homes, who had given them up 
 to the service of the country with a patriotic 
 devotion equal to the ancient Spartan mothers, 
 and who were at this time hoping and praying for 
 their safe return. Others had fond wives and 
 affectionate children, in pleasant and peaceful 
 homes, and oh! who can tell the utter misery and 
 despair of these dying men, when they remem- 
 bered their awful condition, and how they must 
 
360 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 have wished and prayed to be at home again ? 
 It was a frequent occurrence to hear them ex- 
 claim, *' Oh, If I could only die at home, and after 
 seeing my friends again ! " It Is hard to part In 
 death with loved ones at home, when surrounded 
 with all that love and kindness can do to smooth 
 the way over the dark river ; but to die like an 
 outcast, yea, like a dog, was bitter and terrible 
 indeed. But who can doubt that the great and 
 merciful God, who has declared that without His 
 notice " no sparrow shall fall to the ground," In 
 his all-merciful Providence prepared the way for 
 these poor, dying ones, soothed their sorrow, 
 quieted their fears, and at last received them to 
 himself In heaven ? 
 
 On the 4th of the month, eighty-three pris- 
 oners came in, and they had a lot of good news ; 
 among it that we were now positively to be sent 
 to our lines in the course of a few days. On the 
 following day the air was full of all kinds of 
 rumors in regard to an exchange, and a report 
 also reached us that Atlanta had fallen. The 
 prison was In a great bustle of excitement, and 
 presented a more cheerful appearance than it 
 had lor some time, and all were anxiously dis- 
 cussing the probable truth of the good news. 
 On the 6th, the rumors commenced to take a 
 more definite shape, as an order came Into prison 
 that a number of detachments were to be ready 
 to leave the prison : and on the following day six 
 
TRANSFER OF PRISONERS. 361 
 
 detachments, or about 2,000 men, left, as we be- 
 lieved, for our lines. Everything was now in a 
 terrible state of excitement, and all but the poor 
 unfortunates who were too far gone to hope to 
 get away, were talking over the good news and 
 of the prospect of getting into " God's land," as 
 the boys expressed it, again. 
 
 It was pitiful to see the poor sick, who could 
 not expect to go along. We tried to cheer them 
 by telling them that they would no doubt all be 
 taken as soon as the rebels could get transporta- 
 tion, but we felt that the hope for them was in- 
 deed small. On the following day, a large num- 
 ber more left; and, although we were not of the 
 number, we felt confident that our time would 
 soon come, so we tried to keep up our patience 
 and as calmly as possible wait for our turn. On 
 the 9th, loth, nth and 12th, the transfer of pris- 
 oners continued, and our prison was thinning out 
 rapidly, the opposite side of the pen being quite 
 deserted. On the i ^th, our detachment was or- 
 dered to fall into line. We soon had our little 
 property gathered together, and bidding our com- 
 rades an affectionate farewell, fell into line and 
 marched to the south gate, where we halted for 
 further orders. We waited anxiously during the 
 night for the gate to open, but in the morning we 
 were informed that the last train that had left 
 before us had run off the track, and that a large 
 number of men had been killed and wounded. 
 
362 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 On the following day we received the unwelcome 
 news that we could not leave for a few days, as 
 the prisoners who belonged to Sherman's army 
 were to be sent away first. 
 
 All kinds of rumors were now afloat, one being 
 that a portion of Sherman's army was within a 
 a short distance of our prison, and that we would 
 in all probability fall into their hands. This some- 
 what broke our disappointment in not getting 
 away, as we wished that if the prison would fall 
 into the Union army's hands, we might be kept 
 back to witness it, as then there would have been 
 a certainty of our being released. We could not 
 feel quite a certainty of it being the case if we 
 were sent away ; and then again, we felt a little 
 as if we would like to have a chance to revenge 
 ourselves on our jailers. Had our prison been 
 captured, and Wirz fallen into our hands, it is not 
 likely that the Government would have had any 
 expense in trying and hanging him. 
 
 On the 17th, thirty men belonging to Sher- 
 man's army left, as we were told, for that army, 
 and on the following day eleven hundred more 
 were ordered to be ready to move on the next 
 morning. 1 came to the conclusion to write a 
 letter home, and gave it to one of these men with 
 the request that he would have it forwarded as 
 soon as he should get into our lines. The ship- 
 ping of prisoners now stopped again for a few 
 days, and we commenced to fear that we might 
 
OUT AT LAST. 363 
 
 after all be doomed to a longer stay in our 
 miserable prison; but the guards assured us that 
 we would all be sent away just as soon as they 
 could get transportation. 
 
 A very disagreeable rumor now reached us 
 that the rebels had built a large prison-pen for 
 us at some other place, and that we would all be 
 gathered together and put into it — in short, that 
 it was to contain all the Union prisoners in the 
 hands of the enemy, and was situated in such a 
 place that there would be no prospect of our 
 troops ever capturing it. We did not pay much 
 attention to the last part of the story, as we did 
 not believe that with the successes attendinof the 
 Union forces, the enemy could have any part of 
 the Confederacy long; but we did dread the pros- 
 pect of again being disappointed in our hopes of 
 being exchanged, and looked forward with dis- 
 may to again entering another prison, even if it 
 was to be but for a short time. 
 
 On the 27th, three more detachments left, and 
 on the following day we were again ordered to 
 fall into line to leave. This time our expecta- 
 tions were realized, as far at least as leaving the 
 prison was concerned, and the gates were at last 
 thrown open, and we marched out with the ear- 
 nest prayer that we might never get to see it 
 again. As we marched to the station, we could 
 not help shuddering at the remembrance of the 
 terrible misery we had endured and the horrible 
 
364 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 sights we had witnessed since we had entered that 
 miserable place. With all our joy at the prospects 
 of getting away, we remembered with sorrow the 
 many dear comrades who had so miserably per- 
 ished, and we shuddered at the thought of our 
 narrow escape. And even now, when assured 
 over and over that we were going home, our 
 minds were filled with fear and distrust that it 
 might not be true, and that after all we would 
 have to enter some horrible prison again. 
 
 We reached the station at about the time the 
 shades of nieht had closed over us, and were 
 drawn up in line along the side of the train that 
 was to take us away. In this position we stood a 
 few minutes before entering the cars, and Gilbert, 
 who was one of the prisoners who did not have 
 much faith in the truth of the report of our being 
 sent to our lines, proposed to me that we make 
 an attempt to escape. His plan was to wait until 
 the order was griven to eet on board, when in the 
 excitement and confusion of the moment we 
 would slip under the car, lie down, and stay in 
 that position until the train had moved off. The 
 idea at first appeared to me to be a good one, 
 and I agreed to make the effort; but after consid- 
 ering the matter for a moment, I remembered 
 seeino- the trains back for a short distance before 
 
 o 
 
 leaving the station, and I reminded Gilbert of it. 
 " Sure enough," he exclaimed, " it will never do ; 
 if they back the engine over us we will be 
 
THE "BULL-PEN AT SAVANNAH. 365 
 
 crushed." So we gave up the plan, and entered 
 the cars with the rest. The train, however, 
 moved off without backing, and we were sorry a 
 great many times after that we did not make the 
 attempt. We would probably have succeeded in 
 getting away from the train, but it would have 
 been a hard matter to get away from the station, 
 as some prowling rebels no doubt would have 
 discovered us. 
 
 We arrived at Macon at about lo o'clock, at 
 which place we stayed until three in the morning, 
 when we left for Savannah, Georgia. We arrived 
 at that place at about 6 o'clock on the following 
 evening. During the night we were placed 
 under a stronof oruard, and marched throuoh the 
 city to a prison-pen a short distance from it. 
 When we saw the " bull-pen," as some of the 
 boys called it, we fully understood that the ex- 
 change was all a humbug; and the indignation of 
 the men who believed that we would be sent to 
 our lines knew no bounds. The most of us had, 
 however, about come to the conclusion that such 
 was to be our fate, so we were to some extent 
 prepared for it ; but as we marched through the 
 gates and they were closed upon us, our feelings 
 were not of the most amiable kind. 
 
 On the following day we had frequent showers 
 of rain, and as I had a terrible headache, no 
 doubt the result of the nervous excitement I had 
 passed through for the last few days, I had a most 
 
2,66 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 miserable day of it. In the evening I, however, 
 made an examination of our new prison, and 
 found it at least a little better than the one we 
 had left. We had also succeeded before leaving 
 Andersonville in gathering up quite a number of 
 pieces of old blankets and rags, which we had 
 tied together in a bundle, and for fear something 
 of this kind might happen, had brought them 
 along with us. They became quite a comfort to 
 us, and dirty and filthy as they were, they proved 
 a most valuable addition to our stock, and helped 
 much to enable us to endure the remaining part 
 of our imprisonment. 
 
 Some of the prisoners in leaving Andersonville 
 felt so confident of going home that they left their 
 rags behind, and I have often thought that it was 
 more than probable that our forethought in gath- 
 ering them up saved our lives. We could cover 
 the ground for a bed with part of them, and with 
 the best, and Gilbert's old blanket, form a pretty 
 good cover. 
 
 Our rations on the first day after our arrival at 
 this place were quite slim, but on the second we 
 received the best ration we had received since 
 our capture. It consisted of one-half pint of 
 good corn-meal, one-half pint of boiled rice, one- 
 fourth pound beef, salt, molasses, and what was 
 quite as welcome as any, a small piece of soap. 
 The food was, of course, only what a hungry 
 man would eat at one meal, but then it was clean 
 
ONE MEAL A DAY. 367 
 
 and wholesome, and I felt quite refreshed after 
 devouring it. I had intended dividing it into two 
 meals, but it tasted so good I could not stop 
 until I had finished it all. I had a ofood wash 
 
 o 
 
 with the soap, and made the following entry in 
 my diary: ''Washed with soap for the first time 
 in four months." 
 
 This prison-pen compared to some of the 
 others in the South was small, and contained only 
 a few thousand men. The most of the prisoners 
 who had left Andersonville before us had been 
 sent to Millen, Charleston and Florence prisons. 
 It was fortunate for us indeed that we succeeded 
 in getting a little shelter, for in the early part 
 of the month we had a long rainy spell and 
 several severe thunder-storms. On the 2d, 3d, 
 4th, 5th and 6th, it rained almost all the time. 
 Our food, however, continued to be good; and, 
 although only in such quantities as to make one 
 meal per day, we could get along with it right 
 well, and it was heartily enjoyed. 
 
 On the 3d, some Union citizens smuggled into 
 our prison copies of the Savannah Republican 
 and Augusta Senti7zel, which gave a description 
 of the defeat of the rebel army under Gen. 
 Early by Gen. Phil Sheridan, at Winchester. 
 These papers acknowledged that it was a great 
 disaster to the rebel party, and spoke in the bit- 
 terest terms of Gen. Early, whom they declared 
 to be incompetent, and as having been drunk 
 
368 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 during the battle. It was most glorious news to 
 us, and gave us a renewed hope that the war 
 would soon be over, and we would be enabled to 
 go to our homes. 
 
 We soon found out that the city contained 
 quite a strong Union element, and also that the 
 people appeared to have more regard for us than 
 in any place we had yet been in the South; and I 
 have no doubt but that if the rebel officers who 
 had charge of us would have let the inhabitants 
 of the city do so, we would have met with treat- 
 ment such as prisoners of war are entitled to. 
 
 On the 7th the weather again changed, and 
 commenced to get cool; and on Saturday and 
 Sunday it was quite cold and disagreeable. All 
 day during Sunday we were compelled to move 
 around to keep from getting too cold, and by 
 evening we fully realized the fact that we would 
 be sure to have a most miserable night of it. 
 We now found how fortunate it was for us that 
 we had gathered up the rags before leaving 
 Andersonville ; for I really believe we would have 
 perished before morning if we had not had 
 them to protect us during the night. In the 
 early part of the evening we tried to keep warm 
 by walking around in a ring and stamping our 
 feet on the ground, but we soon found that we 
 did not have strength enough to keep that up 
 very long ; so we came to the conclusion to lie 
 down and sleep, and take our chances of living 
 
COLD, DISEASE, AND DEATH. 369 
 
 until morning. Making the best disposition of 
 our bedding, we nestled together as close as we 
 could, and tried to sleep. After shaking and 
 shivering for several hours, we at last fell asleep, 
 and slept part of the night ; but it was one of the 
 most miserable nights I have ever lived through, 
 and I sincerely wished I might never see the like 
 again. In the morning we were quite stiff, and 
 could hardly get up ; but fortunately the wind had 
 fallen, and the sun came up bright and warm, 
 and under the influence of its welcome rays we 
 soon commenced to feel more comfortable. We 
 were shocked to see, however, the large number 
 that had died durinor the niorht, more than a 
 dozen dead bodies lying close around us, and 
 the mortality all over the prison was very great. 
 The yellow fever was raging in the city, and had 
 also made its appearance in the prison ; and it was 
 said that this cold spell was a blessing, as it helped 
 check the disease. 
 
 The appearance of this dreaded disease had 
 greatly alarmed us, and we received with joy the 
 news that we were to be taken away for ex- 
 change. We did not place any confidence in the 
 part of the story relating to an exchange; but the 
 dread of taking yellow fever was so great that we 
 felt glad to leave. Had it not been for this, we 
 would have left this place for another pen with 
 considerable reluctance, as we could not hope to 
 better our condition, and feared another Ander- 
 24 
 
370 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 sonville was in store for us. Almost every day 
 we had experienced some acts of good-will from 
 the citizens of the town, and food, clothing, and 
 even money, were smuggled into prison. 
 
 We left Savannah directly after noon on the 
 1 2th of October, and marched to the depot, 
 where we were again loaded on the cars, but did 
 not leave until eveningf. Durinof the march from 
 the pen to the railroad I witnessed one of the 
 most brutal sights I had ever seen, and one that 
 filled us all with the greatest indignation. Some 
 of the sick could not keep up with the column, 
 and a rebel officer, who I think was Lieutenant 
 Davis, came on behind, and with a large stick or 
 club of wood, commenced to beat the lingering 
 men in a most brutal manner over the head and 
 shoulders, in several cases knockins: them down 
 with such violence that they could not get up. A 
 number of citizens who witnessed the brutal act, 
 and even a few of his own men, commenced to 
 cry "Shame!" and the cowardly scoundrel, intim- 
 idated I suppose by them, stopped his beating, 
 but kept cursing us until we were loaded in the 
 cars. 
 
 A large crowd had gathered around the train, 
 and we soon found that the blacks, and also a 
 considerable number of the whites, sympathized 
 with us ; and had the brutal officer who had 
 charge of the train let the people help us, we 
 would have received substantial aid before we 
 
WOMANLY NOBILITY. 371 
 
 left the city. Just before our departure a beau- 
 tiful lady, accompanied by a black woman, who 
 was carrying a large bundle of clothing, came to 
 the car for the purpose of giving it to the prison- 
 ers. The brutal, pompous officer mentioned be- 
 fore, came riding up to put a stop to it. The lady 
 seeing the officer approaching, and knowing she 
 would not have time to distribute the clothing, 
 ordered her servant to throw them into one of 
 the cars. The colored woman trembled with fear, 
 and appeared to be in doubt as to what to do — no 
 doubt wishing to obey her mistress, and yet too 
 much afraid of the rebel officer to do so — when the 
 lady seized the bundle and threw it into the cars. 
 The enraeed officer called on one of his men to 
 fire on the determined woman; but the guard 
 made no effort to obey the brutal order, and the 
 noble woman, who was as cool and collected as if 
 in her reception-room at home, gave the officer a 
 look of contempt and defiance, which said as plain 
 as words, ''Fire if you dare!" and walked away, 
 followed by more than one earnest prayer that 
 God would bless and reward her for her noble 
 generosity. 
 
 We left Savannah, going westward, late in the 
 evening, and the fact that we were going away 
 from the sea-coast gave us satisfactory proof that 
 we were destined for another prison-pen, and 
 that our day of deliverance had not yet arrived. 
 The rebels had as usual loaded us in common 
 
2i*]2 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 box cars, with a guard stationed at each door, 
 and also four or five of them on the top of each 
 car. Some time during the night the one at the 
 door shut it, and then crept up on top to his com- 
 rades. He had hardly more than done so when 
 some of the boys conceived the plan of making 
 an attempt to escape. They carefully com- 
 menced to open the door, shoving it a few inches 
 at a time, until finally, when they had pushed it 
 open wide enough, they began to jump out. The 
 night was pitch dark, and as the train was run- 
 ning probably at the rate of twenty-five or thirty 
 miles an hour, it was, of course, extremely dan- 
 gerous to jump, as the one doing so did not 
 know whether he would alight in water, or tumble 
 over some steep embankment; but we were so 
 anxious to obtain our freedom that we did not 
 stop to consider the chances of being killed in the 
 attempt to get it. Unfortunately the boys were 
 all too anxious and impatient for the first chance, 
 and made too much noise, which disclosed what 
 was going on to the rebel guards. Only the 
 third man had jumped from the train when the 
 rebels discovered the movement, and the sharp 
 reports of several rifles and the quick shutting of 
 the door put an end to the business. 
 
 Two days after our arrival at Millen, two of 
 the three men were brought into prison : the 
 other one was never heard of. One of them 
 gave me quite an amusing account of his adven- 
 
HUNTED BY BLOODHOUNDS. 373 
 
 ture. He was the first one to jump from the 
 train, and it so happened that at the place he 
 jumped there was a high railroad embankment, 
 and down this he tumbled head over heels and 
 heels over head, until he reached the bottom with 
 a thump which nearly knocked the breath out 
 of him. Finding, however, that he was not much 
 hurt, he made off He had proceeded but a 
 short distance when he came to a large sweet- 
 potato patch, and, after digging out as many as 
 he could eat, he moved on until daylight, when 
 he hid himself in a wood. Sometime in the after- 
 noon he discovered that he was being pursued 
 by bloodhounds; and now, thoroughly alarmed, he 
 made off He had proceeded but a short dis- 
 tance, when he discovered that it was useless for 
 him to try to get away, so he climbed .on a tree 
 and waited for the appearance of his pursuers. 
 The dogs soon reached his hiding-place, and 
 directly after their owners, who were mounted. 
 They commanded him to come down, and he 
 obeyed, not knowing what was in store for him. 
 
 He had, however, fallen into better hands than 
 he had expected, and they treated him kindly. 
 On the way going to the railroad station, from 
 where he was sent to prison, they let him dig up 
 as many sweet-potatoes as he could carry; and 
 when he came into prison he had a string tied 
 around his pantaloons and his shirt filled with 
 them, giving him the look of a " stuffed Paddy." 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 MILLEN PRISON. 
 
 IT/'E arrived at Millen, a station on the Georgia 
 Central Railroad, early in the morning of the 
 13th of October, and in a few hours after our 
 arrival we were taken from the cars and marched 
 to a large prison-pen a short distance from the 
 railroad. We had so litde faith in the truth of 
 the statement made by the rebels when we had 
 left Savannah, that we were going to be ex- 
 changed, that it did not surprise us much to see 
 this prison, it being only what we had expected 
 all along. We had commenced to think that the 
 rebels were such liars that we could not believe 
 anything they said. I am sorry to be compelled 
 to state that before I get to the end of the narra- 
 tive I will have to confess that the scamps fooled 
 us once more. 
 
 This prison-pen was sometimes known as. 
 Camp Lawton, and was quite pleasantly situated 
 about 90 or 100 miles northwest of Savannah. 
 After our entrance into prison I spent most of the 
 day in examining our new quarters, and I found 
 that they compared very favorably with Anderson- 
 ville. It was in many respects the best-arranged 
 prison we had yet been in. It was very large 
 
 (374) 
 
MILLEN PRISON-PEN. 375 
 
 and roomy, and was, as we were informed, to 
 contain all of the prisoners in the hands of the 
 rebels ; and, could the rebels have prevented 
 Sherman's march to the sea, it would no doubt 
 have been used for that purpose. Like Ander- 
 sonville, it was situated in a country almost cov- 
 ered with large pine trees, and about as far away 
 from civilization as the enemy could get us. 
 About forty acres of land had been cleared away, 
 and with the large logs an inclosure built on the 
 same plan as at Andersonville. 
 
 A splendid stream of water ran through the 
 prison almost in the central part ; and this was a 
 great comfort to us, as it gave us plenty of good 
 water, and also the privilege of bathing. A very 
 good arrangement had also been completed to 
 carry off the excrement and filth of the prison ; 
 and had shelter been erected for the prisoners, 
 and proper food been given them, it would cer- 
 tainly have been an arrangement that would have 
 been a credit to the South, and a proper recep- 
 tacle for the confinement of prisoners of war, 
 and such as the laws of humanity required. No 
 shelter was furnished; and this can certainly not 
 be apologized for on the plea of inability to fur- 
 nish it, as the abundance of timber all around us 
 would soon have supplied all the necessary ma- 
 terial. 
 
 A considerable amount of limbs and brush had 
 been left in the prison, and the first arrivals se- 
 
2il^ BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 cured this, and with It constructed a pretty good 
 shelter ; but a large number who came later had 
 no shelter at all, and as they were almost naked, 
 and the cold weather came on, they suffered ter- 
 ribly, and a very large number of them died. 
 Scurvy and diarrhoea, the diseases so fearfully 
 prevalent in the other prisons, were also raging 
 terribly here, and rheumatism was much worse in 
 this place than in any of the prisons we had been 
 before. This was no doubt owing to the colder 
 weather, and the fact that a large number of the 
 prisoners who came to this place had the seeds 
 of disease sown in their system before they came 
 here. 
 
 When I first went to Millen the food was 
 better than in Andersonville, and consisted of 
 one pint of corn -meal, six ounces of uncooked 
 beef, six spoonfuls of cooked rice, and a little 
 salt. This was the ration for twenty-four hours, 
 and with it those who were well enough to be 
 up and about could get along; but the rations 
 were soon after cut down, and were about as 
 bad as at Andersonville. No food of any differ- 
 ent character was issued to the sick, and no 
 medicine given to those inside of the stockade. 
 
 As mentioned before, I spent a good part of 
 my first day in prison in walking around and 
 examining it. We had, however, located our 
 ground and gathered a lot of wood and sticks, 
 and with the aid of our rags and blankets, sue- 
 
POOR SHELTER. 377 
 
 ceeded in making a pretty good shelter. Gilbert, 
 who ever had an eye to business, suggested that 
 we on the following day gather all the small 
 sticks of wood we could find, as we knew that in 
 a few days it would be hard to get, and also as 
 much as possible improve our shelter; so on the 
 following day we worked as hard as our feeble 
 condition would allow, and by evening had a 
 supply of fuel that would at least enable us to 
 cook our rations; and our shelter would have at 
 least passed for a pretty good dog-house — that 
 is, for those who are not inclined to be very 
 particular with their dogs, and where the climate 
 is not too cold. It was certainly not a model of 
 architectural skill, and was just large enough, in 
 the event of our receiving one visitor, to compel at 
 least one of the hosts or the guest to sit on the 
 outside. After it was completed we looked on 
 it with much satisfaction, and it was certainly a 
 real blessing to us. We looked forward, how- 
 ever, to the approach of winter with horror, 
 knowing that our little stock of wood would be 
 gone, and, although there was plenty on the out- 
 side of our prison, we knew that if our jailers 
 had the same spirit that they had at Anderson- 
 ville, it would not do us much good. 
 
 Since our arrival in this prison the weather 
 had been quite pleasant, and continued so until 
 the 2d of November, when it became stormy and 
 cold. A large number of prisoners had arrived 
 
378 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 from Andersonvllle and other prisons, and as 
 many of them were almost naked and without 
 shelter, their sufferings were terrible in the ex- 
 treme. The mortality became very great, and a 
 gloom and despondency fell over the prison 
 which was fearful to behold. It was a common 
 occurrence to find two, and sometimes three, 
 who had laid down side by side to sleep, to have 
 taken the sleep that knows no waking, their 
 spirits having passed away during the night. 
 
 The niofht followinof the 2 2d of the month was 
 cold, wet and stormy, and the medium of human 
 language can not describe the utter wretchedness 
 and misery of our prison during the night. Not- 
 withstanding the terrible anguish and misery of 
 our past prison life, that night overshadowed them 
 all in the intensity of suffering. Surely the angel 
 of death reaped a rich harvest that night, not only 
 in those he carried away before morning, but in the 
 many who eventually died from the effects of that 
 night's sufferings. Huddled together in our little 
 hut, our bed of rags and clothing wet from the 
 water constantly dripping through our roof, shiv- 
 ering and cold, we suffered terribly during the 
 night; and yet we were fortunate, compared to 
 many others who were without any shelter, and 
 exposed to all the storm. As already mentioned, 
 some of these had been just brought from other 
 prisons, and already sick and in a most helpless 
 condition, were thrown in among us to die like 
 
DEATHS FROM EXPOSURE. 379 
 
 dogs. Oh, who can sum up the villainy and 
 crimes of the authors of the rebel brutality In 
 these Southern hell-holes? Surely, If God metes 
 out punishment to man for his Inhumanity to his 
 fellows, these demons will have a fearful catalogue 
 to answer for ! 
 
 In the mornlnof the storm had ceased, and the 
 sun came out bright and warm, but I was quite 
 sick from the terrible freezing I had received dur- 
 ing the night. Among the number that perished 
 during the night, was one of our comrades by the 
 name of John W. Mathias, a native of Carlisle, 
 and a member of company C of our regiment. 
 Poor boy! he was without shelter; and sick as he 
 was, he could not endure the agony of that terri- 
 ble night, and with many others miserably per- 
 ished. Sometime during the night he crept up to 
 where several members of his company stayed, 
 and on his knees begged for the help it was 
 impossible for them to give him. In the early 
 part of the night we heard him praying that 
 God would relieve him of his sufferings, and day- 
 light revealed the fact that his prayers had been 
 answered, for he was at rest. His poor emaci- 
 ated body was lying almost imbedded in the 
 mud, but his pure young spirit had fled to its 
 Maker. Sadly we carried his body to the gate, 
 and laid it down for burial with the large number 
 of dead who had passed away during the night. 
 
 I thought then if I should ever get home I 
 
380 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 would not tell of all the horrible scenes I had 
 witnessed, and I would rather my book could be 
 void of them ; but to describe our prisons as 
 they really were, I will have to write of some 
 thino^s that I would fain wish had never existed. 
 
 o 
 
 I can, however, assure the reader that, horrible as 
 some of the scenes described in these pages may 
 appear to them, they are yet only a faint descrip- 
 tion of the reality, and much will remain forever 
 with the unwritten history of the war. 
 
 It is strange that with all the known facts in 
 the case, any doubt should exist in the North 
 in regard to the terribleness of those Southern 
 prisons, and of the brutality of the men who had 
 charge of them. When men who enjoyed the 
 comforts of home, and really know nothing about 
 the Southern hell-holes, try to mitigate, or en- 
 deavor to raise a doubt as to the truth of the 
 published atrocities in these places, it is time for 
 the survivors, who are the best judges in the 
 matter, to testify to what they have seen. " We 
 speak what we do know, and testify that we have 
 seen ;" and it is only through the personal exper- 
 ience of those who endured the horrors of these 
 places that the history of them can be given. 
 
 Sometimes when prisoners arrived from other 
 prisons, we went among them to look for old 
 friends, and occasionally found some in such a 
 wretched condition that we could not help but 
 wish they had closed their eyes in death before 
 
DYING COMRADES. 38 1 
 
 they came to this terrible place. It was so with 
 our old friend William Rinear, a neighbor in our 
 Northern home. We had left him in Savannah 
 prison, then apparently in good health, and did 
 not again see him until one morning I was walk- 
 ing through the prison, when I noticed a sick man 
 who I thought resembled some one I knew. I 
 went close to him, and found it to be Rinear. He 
 was in a dying condition, and could only make 
 out to talk to me a little. I asked him what I 
 could do for him, and he said that some one had 
 given him a brier root to make tea with, for the 
 purpose of stopping his diarrhoea, and that if I 
 wished to I might make him some tea; but that he 
 did not think it worth while, as he knew that he 
 was dying. He also said that he had made his 
 peace with God, and was anxious to go. After 
 staying with him for a short time, I went for Gil- 
 bert, and soon returned with him to see what we 
 could do for our dying comrade. We looked for 
 the brier root, but it was gone — some one had, no 
 doubt, in my absence, picked it up. But it could 
 not have helped poor Rinear anyhow ; he was 
 fast sinking away, and soon after passed to his 
 eternal home. Sadly and with aching hearts we 
 returned to our hut, feeling that it could not be 
 long before we too would have to share the same 
 fate, if we did not have a speedy deliverance. 
 
 On the following morning Fralich and I went 
 to the spot where we had left Rinear, and found 
 
382 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 that his dead body had been carried to the gate. 
 Instead of carrying the dead to a dead-house out- 
 side of the stockade, as was the custom in Ander- 
 sonville, at this place they were carried to the 
 gate, where they were laid inside of the prison 
 until the arrival of the mule-team, when they 
 were taken away to the burial-ground. We 
 went to the gate, and, among a large number of 
 others, we with some difficulty recognized the 
 dead body of our friend. He, with the rest of 
 the dead, had been stripped of all clothing, and 
 presented a sight so sickening that we soon 
 turned away with horror. We had walked away 
 a short distance, when in looking back we dis- 
 covered that the teams were cominor in to load 
 up the dead, so we stopped to watch the pro- 
 ceeding. With as little feeling or respect for the 
 poor victims of their brutality as if they were 
 logs of wood, the rebels threw them on the 
 wagon until it was full — their arms and legs in 
 some cases dangling out over the wagon — and 
 then drove off. As we left the spot Fralich ex- 
 claimed, "John, I wish to God that every man in 
 the North could witness this ! " 
 
 During the latter part of our imprisonment in 
 this prison, the rebels had again commenced to 
 give us molasses instead of beef. The rebels 
 appeared to have this article in abundance, and 
 as some of the sick could not use it, it was, com- 
 pared to other diet, quite plenty in our prison. 
 
THE CANDY BUSINESS. 383 
 
 It was at this time that we struck upon an idea 
 which was the means of helping us considerably. 
 It was to take our ration of molasses, make 
 candy, and sell it to the new prisoners who were 
 coming in almost every day, and almost always 
 had a little money. Gilbert was quite a good 
 hand at making candy, and after he had trans- 
 ferred our rations into it, I went out to try my 
 luck. I was fortunate enough to get among a 
 squad of new prisoners who had just come from 
 Sherman's army, and soon made a sale of it all. 
 Elated with our good success, we determined to 
 carry on the business on a more extensive scale. 
 We took the money we had thus obtained, and 
 with it purchased molasses from some of the 
 prisoners who could not use it, and then with our 
 next day's rations we made quite a lot of candy, 
 and I soon had sold all of it, realizing quite a 
 profit. By trading and purchasing we soon 
 found that we could get all the molasses we 
 wanted, and Gilbert and Fralich made the candy, 
 while I did the purchasing and selling. 
 
 A large number of prisoners from Sherman's 
 army were coming in about this time, and as my 
 goods were quite a novelty in our prison, and 
 also tasted good, I for some time had ready sale 
 for it. With the proceeds we purchased sweet- 
 potatoes and beans from the rebel sutlers, and 
 what we did not use for ourselves we would 
 trade off for molasses with the other prisoners. 
 
384 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 We soon bettered our condition considerably. 
 It enabled us for a few weeks to have more food, 
 and we also added to our stock of bedding by 
 purchasing an old blanket, for which we paid 
 four dollars and seventy-five cents. We also 
 purchased a little tobacco for Fralich, who was 
 the only one of us three who used it — and now 
 that he had more to eat, he became dreadfully 
 hungry for some of the weed. We also became 
 so extravagant as to spend fifteen cents for a 
 newspaper, so the reader can easily understand 
 that our condition was very much improved. It 
 was also a great benefit to us from the fact that 
 It kept our minds employed, and to some extent 
 made us more satisfied with our lot. As is the 
 case in all matters of business, the success of 
 some will soon bring others into the field, and 
 competition became so sharp that " candy busi- 
 ness" was (to us a common phrase) soon 
 "driven into the ground." 
 
 Fortunately for us, I, however, about this time 
 discovered a plan which would again give us a 
 monopoly of the trade; and I was not slow to 
 avail myself of it. On one occasion I was among 
 a number of prisoners who had just arrived, and 
 calling out, " Here is your nice candy, five cents 
 a stick!" Close to me, and also engraved in the 
 same business, was a prisoner who presented 
 even a more dirty and desolate appearance than 
 myself He was also loudly proclaiming the 
 
CLEAN CANDY. 385 
 
 worth of his goods, and had just made a sale, 
 when his customer came close to me and com- 
 menced to talk to one of his comrades about it. 
 The one spoken to, pointing to me, said, *'I would 
 rather buy from that young man; he keeps his 
 hands cleaner." Looking at my hands, I quickly 
 came to the conclusion that if they were not as 
 dirty as the other fellow's, yet there was much 
 room for improvement, and that I might add to 
 my capital in trade by giving them a good wash- 
 ing. I immediately went to the sutler, and, pur- 
 chasing a small piece of soap, I went to the brook 
 and gave my hands, arms, face and neck a good 
 washing, until they were as clean as soap and 
 water could make them; then fixing my hair as 
 nice as possible, I again commenced business. 
 
 When I informed the boys of my plan they 
 laughed heartily, and one declared that I would 
 get rich some day, which, by the way, so far at 
 least has proved to be quite a mistake. Assured 
 now (if I may be allowed to use a slang expres- 
 sion), that I had the other candy merchants by 
 the nape of the neck, I again sallied forth, and 
 was soon loudly calling out, " This way, boys, for 
 your nice clean candy!" at the same time assur- 
 ing the crowd that it had been made with clean 
 hands, and the most perfect care taken to keep it 
 perfectly clean. As to how clean it was made I 
 am willing to let Gilbert and Fralich tell — they 
 know all about it. The dodge was successful, 
 25 
 
386 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 and I kept the monopoly of the business. I can- 
 not say, however, that on the next day, when 1 
 saw that my principal competitor's hands showed 
 a decided improvement, I felt very highly elated. 
 I am afraid I had a good bit of the spirit that 
 characterizes business men everywhere. The 
 candy business soon after this came to an abrupt 
 close, as the rebels again changed our rations 
 from molasses to meat ; and what was our loss 
 was certainly a great gain to the rest of the pris- 
 oners. As it had greatly helped us, we had no 
 reason to complain. 
 
 On the 3d of November about 1,000 prisoners 
 arrived from Andersonville, who had been left at 
 that place until this time. They reported that 
 prison as being about empty, and that Sherman's 
 army was surely marching in the direction of our 
 prison. On the following day we were again 
 informed that an immediate exchanofe would take 
 place, but we did not pay much attention to it. 
 On the 8th, the day that the loyal states re- 
 elected Abraham Lincoln to the chief magistracy 
 of the Nation, we concluded also to have an 
 election. It would at least be good pastime, and 
 we felt anxious to know how the majority of the 
 inmates of the prison would vote. 
 
 The rebels, who had worked hard to convince 
 us that it was the fault of Lincoln's administra- 
 tion that we were not exchanged, had greatly 
 encouraged the idea, and were really the prime 
 
REBEL CONFUSION. 387 
 
 movers In It, thinking that McClellan would have 
 by far the largest number of votes. Black and 
 white beans were furnished to vote with — the 
 black ones representing the Republican party, 
 and the white ones the Democratic party. A 
 ballot-box was placed Inside of the prison, and 
 men stationed there to see that all voted fairly. 
 All then that wished to vote fell into line, and 
 marching up, quietly deposited their votes. It did 
 not, however, turn out quite as the rebels ex- 
 pected; and I do not think that if they could have 
 foreseen the result, they would have been so 
 anxious to help it along. 
 
 In the evening the votes were counted, when It 
 was found that 3,014 had voted for Lincoln, and 
 1,050 for McClellan, giving Lincoln 2,964 major- 
 ity. This proved pretty conclusively that al- 
 though they might starve and kill us, they could 
 not compel us to sue for peace by favoring a dis- 
 graceful compromise. 
 
 On the 13th a physician came into prison for 
 the purpose of examining us and selecting sev- 
 enty-five out of each thousand prisoners for ex- 
 change ; and on the 15th this lot of men left, as 
 it was said, for the Union lines, but on the follow- 
 ing day they again returned to prison. It now 
 became evident to us that the rebels must be 
 somewhat confused by the situation, and we 
 waited with great anxiety to see what would turn 
 up next. On the i8th the sick were again taken 
 
388 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 out; and finally, on the 19th of November, 1864, 
 we were informed by the rebels that the following 
 day we would be sent to Savannah, Georgia, for 
 the purpose of being exchanged. The news at 
 first created some excitement, but the most of us 
 did not put much faith in the report. The rebels 
 had deceived us so often that we had lost all con- 
 fidence in what they said. A few of the prison- 
 ers, however, who grasped at every rumor as a 
 drowning man does at a straw, . were at first 
 almost wild with joy, and were constantly talking 
 of the good times they expected to have when 
 they could get home to loved ones again. 
 
 But in a few hours, after discussing the matter 
 amone ourselves, almost all came to the conclu- 
 sion that the rebels were deceiving us ; and if 
 they did remove us, it was for some other object. 
 They had deceived us so often that we could not 
 help believing they tried to torture us, by holding 
 out hopes they knew would never be realized. 
 We were also aware of the fact that Atlanta had 
 fallen into possession of Sherman's victorious 
 army, and that he was making preparations to 
 commence his ereat march to the sea. Prisoners 
 from that army had informed us of its move- 
 ments, and we soon came to the conclusion that 
 it was Sherman who had given the rebels march- 
 ing orders. Some of the boys could not help but 
 taunt the rebels at every opportunity, by remind- 
 ing them of it. " How do you like Sherman's 
 
SHERMAN COMING. 389 
 
 marching orders?" became a common saying 
 that could be heard all over camp, much to the 
 disgust and annoyance of our enemies. That we 
 were right in our opinion about the cause that 
 compelled the rebels to remove us from Millen, is 
 fully borne out from the fact that Sherman com- 
 menced his march froni Atlanta on the 14th of 
 November — six days before our removal — and 
 that the situation of our prison was directly in the 
 line of his march toward Savannah, which was 
 the place where he reached the coast. On the 
 2d of December the advance of Sherman's army 
 had possession of Millen. On Sunday, Novem- 
 ber 20th, a large number of prisoners were taken 
 from the prison, put on cars, and sent in the 
 direction of Savannah. The haste and fear dis- 
 played by the rebels convinced us that our troops 
 were coming, and that our enemies were hurry- 
 ing to get us out of the way. We were all in a 
 tremor of joy and excitement, and could hardly 
 keep our feelings within the bounds of propriety, 
 as it would not do to get to be too demonstrative 
 within the hearincr of our o-uards. We becran to 
 entertain the hope that our troops would over- 
 take us before the rebels could get us to another 
 prison ; but in that we were disappointed. W^e 
 had, however, the utmost confidence that the 
 Government would soon crush out rebellion in 
 the South ; and that if we could hold out a short 
 time longer, our deliverance would come. 
 
390 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 But we were also daily reminded of the fa.ct that 
 Death was reaping a rich harvest among us, and 
 almost every hour of the day some poor fellows 
 were being exchanged (as the boys expressed it), 
 by that grim monster. Only those who "have 
 been in like situations can form any idea with 
 what intense anxiety we watched every move- 
 ment of our enemies, and every act and word 
 that would give us any hope of being released 
 from our terrible sufferings. New prisoners 
 coming into prison were eagerly seized upon, and 
 compelled to relate again and again to eager 
 crowds all the news they possessed of the move- 
 ments of our armies, and the prospect of an ex- 
 change of prisoners. Sometimes one of the new 
 arrivals would succeed in getting a newspaper 
 into the prison ; it would soon be going the 
 rounds, and be read and handled until very little 
 of it was left. 
 
 The nights were beginning to be quite cold, 
 and as the old prisoners were almost naked, they 
 were suffering from the effects of it. Scurvy, 
 diarrhoea and rheumatism were also telling fear- 
 fully on us, and day after day we saw our com- 
 rades carried away dead, after suffering all the 
 agony and misery the human system can be 
 afflicted with. In their eao^erness to clothe them- 
 selves, some of the prisoners would strip the rags 
 from the dead and carry their nude bodies to the 
 gate, where the rebels would load them on mule- 
 
ROBBING THE DEAD. 39! 
 
 teams, and haul them away for burial. It was a 
 terrible sight to see their poor emaciated bodies 
 thrown into the wagon, with as little respect as 
 if they had been logs of wood. Some might 
 think that it was a hard thine to rob the dead 
 of the little covering on them; but it is truly said 
 that "self-preservation is the first law of nature," 
 and the prisoners tried to justify themselves by 
 the thought that their poor comrades had passed 
 through their sufferings, and as they were uncon- 
 scious of any indignity heaped on their bodies, it 
 could be no harm to take what they had to better 
 their own condition. 
 
 The prisoners were taken away as fast as pos- 
 sible, but our detachment did not leave until the 
 morning of the 21st, when we were marched to 
 the station, and put on the cars. At twelve m. 
 we left for Savannah, v/here we arrived at nine 
 p. m. We stayed in Savannah over night, and 
 in the morning were again put on the cars and 
 taken South. Where we were going, no one ap- 
 peared to know; but one thing appeared certain 
 — we were not to see the end of our bondage yet. 
 Before starting we were furnished with ten 
 crackers, which was quite an Improvement on 
 our former rations. The weather was extremely 
 cold for the time of the year ; so much so that 
 our guards, who were natives of Georgia, told us 
 they had never experienced weather of that kind 
 so early in the winter. IMost of the prisoners 
 
392 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 were on platform cars, and suffered terribly, and 
 a few of the weaker ones froze to death. We 
 were on the cars till the next morning, when we 
 stopped at a station a short distance from Black- 
 shear, Georgia. It was a wild, desolate-looking 
 place, only one house being in sight. We were 
 then told to get off of the cars, as the train would 
 stop for an hour or two, and we would have the 
 privilege of warming ourselves. I had been for- 
 tunate enough to get into a closed box-car, so 
 did not suffer much from the cold ; but the men 
 on the open platforms were in a sorry condition. 
 I was in the act of getting out of the car, when a 
 prisoner, who had been on one of the platform 
 cars, came to inform me that a member of our 
 regiment was dying in the cars he had left. I 
 hastened forward, and found the poor fellow to 
 be William Dutton, a member of Company C, 
 and a native of Chester, Pa. He was in a dying 
 condition. I went and told Gilbert and Fralich 
 of his situation, and they helped me lift him from 
 the cars. Some of the men had built fires, and 
 we were going to carry him to one of them, when 
 a rebel officer told us not to do so, as that would 
 kill him. We tried to bring him to, but poor 
 Dutton was past recovery. After his death Gil- 
 bert went to one of the rebel officers and re- 
 quested permission to bury our dead comrade. 
 The rebel officer procured a spade for us, and a 
 few steps from the railroad track we dug a grave 
 
A COMRADES DEATH. 393 
 
 and buried him. Poor Button ! a few days be- 
 fore he was rejoicing In the hope that he would 
 soon be released and get home to his family. 
 Little did he think that his body would so soon 
 be burled In the wilds of Georgia, where no loved 
 ones could come to shed tears over his grave. 
 His case was a peculiarly sad one — he had en- 
 listed for three years, and was captured the day 
 before his term of service expired. In his pocket 
 we found a letter that he had received from his 
 wife, a few days before his capture. It was such 
 a letter as a fond, loving wife would write under 
 the circumstances, rejoicing In the belief that her 
 husband would soon be united to her after so 
 long an absence. I kept the letter, and after my 
 release wrote to his widow, informing her of her 
 husband's death. William Button was a true, 
 quiet, peaceable man, and was respected by all 
 who knew him. He was an earnest Christian, and 
 spent most of his dme in reading the Bible, and 
 quietly waidng his Master's call. And who can 
 doubt that death came to him as an angel of 
 mercy? How applicable the following words of 
 the poet : 
 
 "It is not death to die — 
 
 To leave this weary road, 
 And, 'mid the brotherhood on high. 
 To be at home with God. 
 
 " It is not death to close 
 
 The eyes long dimmed with tears, 
 
394 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 And wake in glorious repose, 
 To spend eternal years. 
 
 *'It is not death to bear 
 
 The wrench that sets us free 
 From dungeon chains, to breathe the air 
 Of boundless liberty." 
 
 We stopped at the station for several hours, 
 when we were again put on the cars, and left for 
 Blackshear. After we left the station I was 
 informed that McCoy, a member of Company G 
 of our regiment, had also frozen to death on one 
 of the hind cars, and his body was left lying on 
 the ground near the railroad track. We arrived 
 at Blackshear at three p. m., when we were 
 marched into the woods, and put under a strong 
 guard. The rebels informed us that in the morn- 
 ing we would be paroled and sent to Savannah 
 or Charleston, and at one of the two named 
 places we would be delivered to the United 
 States authorities. We placed very little reliance 
 on the first report, but in the morning everything 
 had the semblance of reality. The rebels made 
 preparations for paroling us, and we commenced 
 to think that at last our long-delayed hopes were 
 going to be realized. In a short time a thousand 
 of us were paroled, and put in the cars. We did 
 not leave Blackshear, however, until six in the 
 evening, when we started for Savannah, at which 
 place we arrived at three o'clock in the morning. 
 We left Savannah at eight a. m. for Charleston, 
 
A SHAM PAROLE. 395 
 
 where we confidently expected to be put on the 
 United States fleet. The rebels had at last suc- 
 ceeded in fooling us, for subsequent events 
 proved the parole to be all a sham. 
 
 The rebels were evidently perplexed about the 
 situation, and did not know what to do with us. 
 Sherman's army had reached and captured Mil- 
 ledgeville, Georgia, and his cavalry had destroyed 
 the railroad between Augusta and Millen ; if they 
 should get possession of the railroad between 
 Savannah and Charleston, and compel Johnston's 
 army to move northward, we would have to fall 
 into the hands of the Union troops. The rebels, 
 no doubt being badly pressed for men, and 
 needing the heavy guard that guarded us at some 
 other point, came to the conclusion to give us a 
 sham parole, so as to be able to get us into some 
 other prison without guards. No guards accom- 
 panied us, and if we had had the least idea they 
 were not actinof in Q-ood faith, we would have fied 
 from the train and made an effort to get to Jack- 
 sonville, Florida, which place we knew to be in 
 the possession of our troops. But we were com- 
 pletely fooled. We had, however, for a short time 
 at least, the satisfaction of enjoying the prospect 
 of soon being at liberty again. 
 
 The weather had again become very pleasant, 
 and we were in high spirits at the prospect of so 
 soon being in "God's land." Some of the men 
 were noisy and demonstrative in their joy; others 
 
39^ BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 were sitting quietly enjoying the prospect of so 
 soon being with loved ones again; and all waiting 
 with terrible suspense to get to the end of the 
 journey: but what a bitter disappointment was in 
 store for all of us! We had hoped to get to 
 Charleston before night, so as to get a sight of 
 the dear old flag, as It floated from the ships in 
 the harbor. But we did not reach there till after 
 dark, and then all our joy and pleasure was 
 changed to bitter sorrow and disappointment. 
 Immediately after our arrival a strong guard of 
 rebel soldiers surrounded us, and we realized the 
 terrible fact that we were destined for another 
 Southern hell-hole. No language can express 
 the bitter disappointment and despair that at first 
 took possession of us. Some of the sick ones 
 gave up entirely, and died In utter despair. The 
 most of the prisoners, however, soon rallied, and 
 tried to take the most philosophical view of the 
 matter the situation allowed. We came to the 
 conclusion that our enemies must be hard pressed 
 to resort to such dirty means to accomplish their 
 objects, and the hope that they would soon be 
 compelled to give us up revived in our hearts. 
 
 Soon after our arrival we were taken from the 
 cars and formed into line for the purpose of 
 marching to the depot, in the northern part of 
 the city. As we formed into line a large crowd 
 of citizens gathered together, and in the vilest 
 lano^uaore commenced to abuse us. The women 
 
INSULT ADDED TO INJURY. 397 
 
 appeared to be the most vicious, and almost ex- 
 hausted the English language to find words mean 
 
 enough to fling at the d d Yankees, as they 
 
 were pleased to call us. ''What do you uns 
 want down 'ere, anyhow?" was an expression 
 we were compelled to hear quite frequently. 
 One of our boys ventured to reply to one in the 
 crowd who had made that expression that he did 
 not think our wishes had been much consulted 
 in regard to our coming so far South, and if they 
 would just give us a chance to get away, we 
 would bid them a long farewell. " Yes," replied 
 this dilapidated specimen of Southern chivalry, 
 *' if I had the power you would never get from 
 here, for I would hang every one of you," to 
 which the Yankee replied, " How fortunate for 
 us that you are not one in authority ; you have 
 the appearance of being a most blood-thirsty 
 fellow, and the only wonder is to us that you are 
 not in the front, fighting. Your friends are want- 
 ing reinforcements pretty badly up about Colum- 
 bus, and if you will just shoulder your musket 
 and march in that direction, you will find plenty 
 of Yankees to catch and kill." 
 
 The prisoner's remarks were greeted with 
 hearty laughter by some of our guards, who evi- 
 dently did not feel very kindly toward the fellows 
 who were willing to help to do the blowing, but 
 not the fighting. Our boys, although in the 
 hands of their enemies, could not be stopped 
 
39^ BATIXE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 from talking, and almost always came off victori- 
 ous in the many tongue-encounters they would 
 get into. Some of the women who had been 
 thus worsted commenced to throw water at us, 
 and it happened to be anything but clean. I had 
 always been an ardent admirer of the fair sex, 
 but on that occasion I came to the conclusion 
 that when it comes down to pure "cussed" mean- 
 ness, a woman can just be a little meaner than 
 any one else. There was, however, one class in 
 that throng that was in sympathy with us, and 
 who would have gladly helped us if they would 
 have had the privilege. Their sympathetic looks, 
 as we were marched away amid the howls and 
 imprecations of our race and color, told plainly 
 enough what they would do if they had the 
 power. The reader of this, who may have been 
 unfortunate enough to enjoy Southern hospitality 
 when a prisoner of war in the South, will have 
 no trouble in coming to a conclusion as to who 
 the class were that I refer to. It was the poor, 
 • despised black race, who were always and under 
 all circumstances the prisoners friend. On the 
 way going to the depot, where we got on the 
 cars for Florence, South Carolina, we marched 
 through a part of the city, and we were to have 
 at least one enjoyment before leaving Charleston. 
 About the time we left the lower depot, the 
 Union guns on Morris Island and the Federal 
 fleet in the harbor opened fire on the city, and 
 
CHARLESTON BOMBARDED. 399 
 
 the fiery missiles commenced dropping Into It. 
 The flash of the guns In the distance, the long 
 streaks of fire coming through the air, the crash 
 of the large shells as they struck the buildings, 
 and the terror of the people, made a scene no 
 pen can describe ; as the night was dark, it added 
 to the brilliancy of the bombardment. It was 
 amusing to us to see the terror and fear dis- 
 played by our guards. Judging by the way they 
 conducted themselves, we supposed they had 
 never been under fire before, and so great was 
 their fear that we began to hope they would flee 
 and leave us. 
 
 I have often wondered why It was that none of 
 us appeared to have any fear, as we were march- 
 ing along under the fire of the Union guns; and I 
 can only account for it from the fact that the con- 
 viction was fast settling upon us that we would 
 have to perish in some Southern prison anyhow, 
 and that we might just as well die from the fire 
 from our fleet as to starve to death. As we were 
 marching along, one of the prisoners remarked 
 that he wished the Union forces would open fire 
 with ten thousand guns and sink the city. When 
 reminded by a comrade that in that case he 
 would also perish, he remarked, " I would not 
 care, if it destroyed the rebels." 
 
 At midnlo^ht we left Charleston for Florence, 
 South Carolina, where we arrived at about five p. 
 m. We were camped in a large field over night. 
 
400 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 When we. left Savannah on the 26th, we received 
 a piece of beef and one pint of corn meal for 
 that day's rations. Somehow we always did get 
 more to eat when in that place than anywhere 
 in the South ; but on the two following days, the 
 27th and 28th, we did not get anything; so that 
 when we got to our new prison, we were suffer- 
 ing terribly of hunger. We expected that per- 
 haps we would get a pretty good allowance ; but 
 we were to suffer another disappointment. When 
 the ration came it consisted of one pint of wheat 
 flour — only that, and nothing more. Unprepared 
 as we were to properly prepare it for eating, it 
 was the most miserable food we had been fur- 
 nished with yet. The most of us could not do 
 anything but mix it with cold water, and eat the 
 paste. The reader can form an opinion as to 
 how palatable such a dish, without salt, would be. 
 At eight o'clock we were commanded to fall 
 into line, and march to the prison-pen. As we 
 came near the gate a prisoner who had become 
 weak-minded, and evidently clung to the hope 
 that we were going home, commenced to weep 
 bitterly, and exclaimed, ''Another bull-pen! I 
 thought we were paroled, and going home." 
 Poor fellow ! he was rapidly nearing his eternal 
 home, for in a few days after his body was carried 
 back through the orates for burial. 
 
CHAPTER XI V; 
 
 Florence Prison — Terrible Condition of the Prison — Sad Death 
 of the Drummer Boy — Paroled, and leave for Charleston — De- 
 livered to the United States Fleet — Departure for Annapolis — 
 Admitted into the Hospital — Receive Furlough, and Start for 
 Home. 
 
 A FTER our entrance into this prison we as 
 usual first located our ground, and then made 
 a survey of our new quarters. I cannot use the 
 word ho7ne in connection with these hell-holes ; it 
 seems to me entirely too sweet a word. The 
 prison was constructed on the same principle that 
 Andersonville was, and resembled it in a great 
 many respects. A stockade built of logs closed 
 us in from the outer world, and a small stream of 
 impure water, with a swamp on either side, ran 
 through the prison. 
 
 The ground inclosed contained about twelve or 
 fifteen acres, of which four or five bordering on 
 the stream were so swampy that they could not 
 be occupied. The dead-line at- this place was 
 marked by a small, narrow ditch, and the same 
 deadly significance attached to it as in the other 
 prison-pens, it being certain death to cross. Un- 
 like the other prison-pens, no sentry-boxes were^ 
 erected on the top of the stockade, the guard 
 standine on a lot of orround which had been 
 26 ( 401 ) 
 
402 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 thrown aofainst the stockade from the outside. 
 No shelter was furnished the inmates, but as at 
 Millen, a considerable lot of offal from the trees 
 that had been cut to build the stockade was left 
 on the inside ; and this furnished the first inmates 
 with material to build shelter, but did not help the 
 later arrivals much. 
 
 On our arrival we found the prison densely 
 packed, and all of the wood had been gathered 
 up by the earlier prisoners. We were, however, 
 fortunate in securing shelter directly after our 
 entrance into prison, in this manner: Two of. the 
 first inmates of the prison had erected a shelter 
 by digging about twelve or fifteen inches into the 
 ground, and over this they formed a roof with 
 limbs, brush, and earth. A fire corner and mud 
 chimney were at the one end, and the entrance at 
 the other. It was a warm nest during dry 
 weather, but when it rained the water soaked 
 through, and made it of course a very unhealthy 
 place. Both of the occupants had taken sick and 
 died. We succeeded in getting possession of 
 this place, and were thankful indeed for the shel- 
 ter it afforded 
 
 It would be utterly impossible for me to try to 
 describe our feelino-s as we marched into this 
 prison. We were broken down in body, and 
 almost in spirit; and the thought would be contin- 
 ually coming into our minds. How can we ever 
 expect to live over the winter in this terrible 
 
ECONOMIZING SALT. 403 
 
 place? Quite a number of men, to escape the 
 horrors of the prison, were enlisting in the rebel 
 army ; not, of course, in the expectation of doing 
 the enemy any real service, but for the purpose 
 of saving themselves by getting shelter and 
 enough to eat, and in the hope that some chance 
 might present itself by which they might escape 
 to the Union lines. 
 
 The food we received was of the worst de- 
 scription, and hardly enough to keep any one 
 alive. It generally consisted of one pint of corn- 
 meal, or wheat flour, and sometimes a few raw 
 beans. Sometimes we received salt, but as often 
 none; and when we did get this article there was 
 so little of it that we could hardly taste it when 
 mixed with the food. Fralich and I discovered 
 that by putting our salt together and dissolving it 
 in water, we could get a better taste of it by dip- 
 ping our mush into the water. In this way we 
 dined together until we were separated. It was 
 certainly more social than elegant-looking to see 
 us with little wooden spoons dip each mouthful 
 as we ate it into the same cup, which contained 
 the precious salt. 
 
 I did not see any meat of any kind while in this 
 prison, and, as already stated, we sometimes got 
 wheat flour instead of corn-meal. This was the 
 worst diet of any we received in prison, as we 
 had no way to prepare it. No medicine was 
 issued to the sick inside of the prison. A hos- 
 
404 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 pital department was connected with the prison, 
 but comparatively few of the 'sick could be ad- 
 mitted, and consequently the mortality inside was 
 very great. As at Millen, the dead were carried 
 to the gate, and then hauled away to the burial- 
 ground, which was located on a wealthy Union 
 man's farm, a short distance from the prison. 
 
 The officer in charge of this prison was one 
 Lieutenant Barrett, one of the most cowardly and 
 brutal wretches that ever lived, and a fit compan- 
 ion for the brutal Dutch Captain Wirz and cow- 
 ardly Davis. This Lieutenant Barrett frequently 
 came into prison and fired a pistol over the heads 
 of the prisoners, to see them dodge around to get 
 away, and their fright appeared to give him in- 
 tense delight. It was about this time that I wit- 
 nessed one of the saddest and most brutal acts I 
 had yet witnessed in my prison life. It was a 
 rule of the prison that all the inmates, in obeying 
 the calls of nature, would go to the part of the 
 prison set apart for that purpose. This was of 
 course right and proper, so far as it applied to 
 men who could go there ; but in the following 
 case the attempt to enforce the rule was as 
 senseless as it was brutal. 
 
 Among the inmates of our prison-pen was a 
 small, tender-looking drummer boy, about thir- 
 teen years of age. He had been a prisoner but a 
 short time, but his health soon gave way, and he 
 commenced to suffer with the diarrhoea. Weak 
 
UNPARDONABLE CRUELTY. 405 
 
 and faint, he got up and proceeded to go to the 
 water-closet arrangement of the prison ; but had 
 proceeded but a short distance, when he found 
 that he could not go any farther. A brutal 
 guard, with a malignant spirit that would have 
 disgraced an imp from the infernal regions, and 
 who it is hard to believe was human, deliberately 
 raised his riiie and fired at the child. The bullet 
 sped on its deadly mission, passed through the 
 body of the demon's innocent little victim, and he 
 fell dead on the ground. A cry of horror rang 
 out from those who had witnessed it, and the 
 poor little corpse was tenderly lifted from the 
 ground and borne to a tent. 
 
 It would be impossible to describe the scene 
 that followed. Strong men wept like children, 
 others raved and swore vengeance, and all ex- 
 pressed it as the most dastardly, cowardly out- 
 rage they had yet witnessed. Had it been one of 
 the men it would have created some excitement, 
 though we had witnessed that quite frequendy 
 before ; but to see this innocent child shot down 
 like a dog, and for an act he could in no way 
 avoid, aroused the men to the most dangerous 
 .pitch of excitement. Plans commenced to be 
 quietly discussed about making an attempt to 
 break out, and it would have been a sad day for 
 the rebels in Florence had we succeeded in do- 
 ing so. 
 
 The companions of the dead boy washed his 
 
406 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 body, and after fixing him for burial, all who 
 wished had the privilege of seeing him. As I 
 looked on the dead body of the child, I thought I 
 had never looked on one more beautiful and 
 innocent-looking. His beautiful curly hair hung 
 in ringlets around his brow, and his pure white 
 face looked as peaceful as if he were sleeping. 
 Yes, he was sleeping the sleep that knows no 
 waking. Murdered by a rebel monster, his little 
 body lay a monument of rebel brutality before 
 us ; but, thank God, man's brutality stopped 
 here: "They can kill the body, but that is all they 
 can do." His pure spirit had left the tortured 
 body, and winged its way to where devils and 
 fiends could not disturb him again. 
 
 During the early part of the month the weather 
 had been quite pleasant; but on the 7th it became 
 quite cold and unpleasant, and continued so until 
 the day before I left prison. On the nth we had 
 a severe rain-storm ; and as we could not keep 
 the water from grettinor throuorh our roof, we be- 
 came wet and very cold, and I found to my 
 dismay that I was getting sick. I began to suffer 
 intensely from rheumatism, and it was most for- 
 tunate for me that at this time arrangements 
 were being made to parole the sick. On the fol- 
 lowing day our detachment was ordered to fall 
 into line and be examined. A large number of 
 sick were to be paroled and sent away, and the 
 doctors made an examination to get the required 
 
SELECTING FOR PAROLE. 407 
 
 number. The object was to get the men who 
 were in the worst condition ; but men whose term 
 of enHstment had expired had the preference, the 
 rebel authorities no doubt thinking that they 
 would be of no further service to the Govern- 
 ment. On that ground they might have rested 
 easy in regard to the sick, for it is safe to say 
 that of all that class who were now sent to the 
 Union lines, not one would again be able to per- 
 form military duty. A few bribed themselves out 
 by giving the rebel doctors rings and other trink- 
 ets. I had suffered fearfully with rheumatism the 
 night before, but in the morning I felt somewhat 
 better. I was, however, so weak that I could 
 hardly stand in line until the examination was 
 over. The first time the doctor passed down the 
 line I was not taken, and I had just about made 
 up my mind that I was to be doomed for a longer 
 imprisonment, when he again returned and said I 
 was to be taken out to the hospital. The hope 
 of beinor sent to our lines made me anxious to 
 
 o 
 
 go, as we were informed that all in the hospital 
 would certainly be sent away. Had it not been 
 for that, I would have preferred to remain with 
 my comrades, and die with them, before taking 
 my chances in that place. As I bade them a sad 
 farewell, fearing that I should never see them 
 again, Gilbert and Fralich, although less fortu- 
 nate, spoke words of cheer. Gilbert exclaimed, 
 ''John, it's a lucky thing for you, for you cannot 
 
408 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 expect to make it much longer here ; and I think 
 we shall all soon get out, for the rebels are on 
 their last pins ! " We did not, however, have 
 much time to talk, for I was soon taken away and 
 put into the hospital. 
 
 This place was in the northwestern parfof the 
 prison, but was divided off from the other part 
 of it. It was under shelter, but it was in the 
 most horrible condition. The men were lying on 
 the cold ground, with only a slight covering, and 
 so filthy and lousy that the sight they presented 
 was horrible in the extreme. The United States 
 Sanitary Commission had sent a considerable 
 amount of clothing and hospital supplies to this 
 place, and it was said that the rebel doctors 
 distributed them fairly among the inmates at one 
 time after the other, as they would be most 
 needed, with the exception of a large number 
 of white sheets, which had been intended for the 
 beds of the sick. The rebel doctors said that as 
 the men slept on the ground, these fine sheets 
 would do them little good, and so made arrange- 
 ments to trade them off to the citizens of the 
 vicinity for sweet-potatoes, which were to be 
 given to the sick, and which the rebels said 
 would do them more good than the bedding. 
 
 A notice having been put up that sweet- 
 potatoes and other food would be received in 
 exchange for the hospital goods, a large number 
 of citizens, mostly ladies, gathered, anxious to 
 
OFF AGAIN. ' 409 
 
 get a good bargain. Somewhat similar to the 
 farmer in Vermont, who when his house burnt 
 away, and after applying to his neighborhood for 
 relief, found that every man for five miles around 
 was bringing relief in the shape of turnips, and 
 to stop the further arrivals of that kind of relief, 
 he was obliged to post one of his sons at the 
 gate and inform his friends that no more turnips 
 would be received — so in this case all came with 
 sweet-potatoes, only it differed from the turnip 
 donation in the fact that they expected to get 
 about ten times the worth of their yams in the 
 despised " Yankees" bedding. 
 
 A large amount of sweet-potatoes were gathered 
 together in this way, and it was said that the sick 
 had for some time all of that kind of diet they 
 wanted. I have yet, however, to learn that sweet- 
 potatoes are very beneficial to sick people; but 
 the doctors had no doubt an eye to business, as 
 it would save so much food to the Southern Con- 
 federacy. The prisoners inside of the prison also 
 for a short time received rations of these potatoes, 
 and among them they were gladly received. 
 
 On the following morning after my entrance 
 into the hospital, the doctors again came around 
 and examined us. This was to fill up a detach- 
 ment, which was to be immediately Sent away, 
 and this time I was one of the fortunate ones 
 selected to go. I was immediately taken outside, 
 and signed a parole, that I would not take up 
 
410 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 arms, perform any field service, or any military 
 duty, until I should be duly declared exchanged. 
 In company with a large number of others who 
 had been paroled, we were kept in a large field 
 a short distance from the prison. As I had once 
 before been paroled by the rebels for the pur- 
 pose of deceiving us, I could not feel altogether 
 at rest, and a terrible fear possessed me all day. 
 I knew now that with me it was a matter of life 
 or death, as my health had given way so badly 
 that if I would be sent into the prison again, a 
 few short days would be as long as I could sur- 
 vive. 
 
 We were not guarded, but I was now too sick 
 and weak to make an attempt to escape, and im- 
 patiently I waited to see what would turn up 
 next. The day was a most beautiful one, and 
 could I have felt positively certain that we were 
 soon to go home, I could have lain down in 
 peace and calmly awaited the order to start; but 
 the fear that perhaps after all it would not be so, 
 kept me nervous and restless. Finally, at about 
 three o'clock p. m. we received orders to fall into 
 line and proceed to the station, a short distance 
 from us. The most of us were really hardly fit 
 to walk at all, but the hope of deliverance kept 
 us up; and slowly, painfully, but gladly, we pro- 
 ceeded on the way, and by four o'clock we were 
 loaded on the cars. In a few moments after, the 
 shrill shriek of the engine announced to us the 
 
BOUND FOR CHARLESTON. 4U 
 
 glad tidings that we were going to start. The 
 cars commenced to move, and we were on the 
 way to Charleston, at which place we were to be 
 delivered to the Union authorities. 
 
 As we could not all get inside of tne cars, 
 some of us had to get on top, and during the 
 night I made quite a narrow escape from being 
 thrown off. The night was quite cold, and being 
 so exposed to the air, we suffered considerably. 
 When I was taken from the hospital I had 
 • taken the privilege of throwing the old blanket I 
 had for covering over my shoulders, and taking 
 this, I wrapped it around me, and lying down on 
 the car, fell asleep. The motion of the car kept 
 moving me gradually around, and I was in a 
 most dangerous position, as a sudden jerk of the 
 car might easily have thrown me off One of the 
 men, seeing my danger, pulled me back and 
 wakened me. When I discovered the narrow 
 escape I had made, I was too much frightened to 
 sleep again ; and as we were getting most miser- 
 ably cold, we were heartily glad when daylight 
 appeared. It was after sunrise when we came 
 in sight of Charleston, and as the sun came -up 
 clear and warm, we soon felt comfortable, and 
 we enjoyed the sight very much. In the distance 
 we saw the Union fleet, and we watched anxiously 
 to get a glimpse of the dear old flag, and it filled 
 our hearts with joy to think we would so soon be 
 under its protection again. 
 
412 BATFLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 After our arrival in the city we were imme- 
 diately taken from the cars and marched to the 
 wharf, where we were loaded on a Confederate 
 steamer, and soon after steamed out of the har- 
 bor for the Union fleet. Some of the rebels on 
 board tried to frighten us by telling of the danger 
 we would have to encounter in passing the tor- 
 pedoes they had planted to blow up the Union 
 fleet, should they attempt to land and take pos- 
 session of the city ; but we soon came to the 
 conclusion that our enemies would be pretty sure 
 to take care of their own precious selves, so we 
 did not bother much about it. 
 
 On the way going out we had a very good 
 view of Fort Sumter, and it looked as if it had 
 passed through a terrible siege. The one side 
 looked more like an immense battered-down pile 
 of bricks than a fort. We had also a good view 
 of the Union iron-clad fleet which was doing duty 
 in the harbor. The new Ironsides especially 
 looked formidable, and it filled our hearts with 
 joy and pride as we looked at her frowning guns 
 and starry flag. 
 
 The rebel steamer steamed directly for the 
 steamship New York, which was to receive us. 
 As we came near the Union steamer, the prison- 
 ers, impatient to get on board of her, commenced 
 to crowd to one side of the rebel ship, and the 
 rebel officers had considerable trouble to manao-e 
 her, the weight being almost all on one side, 
 
UNDER THE OLD FLAG. 413 
 
 making the ship unruly. It was only when the 
 impatient boys discovered that their conduct was 
 retarding their exit from the rebels, that they 
 could be prevailed upon to obey orders. One of 
 the rebel officers, who no doubt felt dismisted 
 with the impatience the prisoners displayed to 
 get out of their hands, and their devotion to the 
 old flag, exclaimed, "Well, you men do certainly 
 feel anxious to get out of our hands !" Quick as 
 a flash an Irishman replied, "Yes, and begorra 
 we hopes niver to see the likes of you again." 
 This created a hearty laugh, in which the rebels 
 themselves joined. They also acknowledged 
 that, judging from our appearance, we must have 
 had a pretty tough time of it during our sojourn 
 in the Southern Confederacy. 
 
 As soon as the two steamers were lashed 
 together, the prisoners made a rush to get on 
 board the Union ship, and in a very short time 
 the rebel steamer was relieved of her load. It 
 must have been a strange sight to the rebels to 
 see the boys gather around the old flag, and wit- 
 ness their devotion to this precious emblem of 
 their country. Some cried like children, others 
 sang and shouted for joy, while others sat down 
 and quietly watched the demonstrations of their 
 more noisy comrades — their faces, however, indi- 
 cating a peace and joy they could find no words 
 to express. 
 
 During these demonstrations of joy, I closely 
 
414 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 watched the countenances of several of the rebel 
 officers, and I could not but think they were 
 touched by the scene, and that their hearts 
 warmed for the dear old flag. It looked so grand 
 and noble compared to their rag, that I thought 
 perhaps they would not care much to see it wave 
 over all the land again. 
 
 Directly after getting on the Union vessel, we 
 were told to take off all our clothing, and with 
 what blankets we had, drop them into the sea. 
 Taking my diary and a few things from my 
 pockets, I soon went through that performance, 
 and I saw with no regret my clothing, baggage, 
 lice and all, float away. We were then washed 
 and furnished with a clean new suit of " Uncle 
 Sam's" blue, and also a good, warm, wholesome 
 dinner. The coffee was especially appreciated 
 by us, and after having partaken of our dinner 
 we felt so much better, that with the same kind 
 of diet we felt that we would soon be well and 
 strong again. In the afternoon we were trans- 
 ferred to the steamship "Star of the South," and 
 soon after the good ship was bearing us away 
 from the terrible scenes that had so long sur- 
 rounded us. I could hardly realize the fact that 
 I was at last going home; and even now, when I 
 knew that I was out of the hands of the enemy, I 
 felt so nervous and my mind so disturbed, that 
 during the first night after my release I found it 
 impossible to sleep. Weak and sick as I was, 
 
HOMEWARD BOUND. 415 
 
 and having hardly any sleep the night before, 
 I felt the importance of a good night's rest; and 
 I closed my eyes and tried to compel my mind 
 to rest, but all in vain. 
 
 During all my long imprisonment I had heard 
 nothing from home, and my mind constantly 
 wandered away to the scenes of my boyhood, 
 and wondered how I would find things there. I 
 had no doubt but that some of my friends had 
 given me up for dead, and I feared that some of 
 them had passed away in my absence; so I felt 
 as if I could not wait until I could write to them 
 and hear from home. My mind also frequently 
 wandered back to the horrible pen I had left, and 
 to the comrades who were still there. We had 
 suffered so lono^ tOQ^ether that our mutual afflic- 
 tions and sorrows had bound us together like 
 brothers; and it seemed almost selfish to rejoice 
 at my own escape, and they still in " durance 
 vile." I felt rejoiced at my own release, but the 
 thought of those who were still in the hell-hole I 
 had left troubled me considerably. I am happy to 
 say that they both returned safely to their homes 
 some time after my release, but with broken-down 
 health. 
 
 On the following day the weather was windy, 
 but cool and pleasant, and I longed to go on 
 deck ; but I was taken quite sick in the latter 
 part of the night, and suffered fearfully during 
 the day; so much so that I was commencing to 
 
41 6 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 fear that perhaps after all I would never see 
 home. On the following night, however, I suc- 
 ceeded in getting some sleep, and felt somewhat 
 better in the morninof. 
 
 At about 9 a. m. we reached Fortress Monroe. 
 I expected that perhaps we would be put into 
 one of the United States hospitals at this place, 
 and judging from my former experience there, I 
 felt that we could not be put in a better one; yet 
 I wished we would proceed farther North, and 
 get as near home as possible. I soon found that 
 my wish would be gratified, for we soon after left, 
 and sailed up the Chesapeake bay. We arrived 
 at Annapolis, Maryland, at ten o'clock on the 
 following day, Monday, December 19th. As we 
 steamed up to the dock we felt that we were in- 
 deed in "God's land" a^ain. 
 
 The wharves and shores were crowded with 
 people, some of them being from the North, who 
 were looking for friends; and the sight of the 
 loyal throng, who with beating hearts and trem- 
 bling voices were inquiring for friends, and who 
 had a kind look and word for us all, made us 
 feel that we were indeed amonor friends. The 
 magnificent band belonging to the St. John's 
 College hospital, which was stationed on the 
 dock, first played " Home, Sweet Home," and 
 then *" Hail Columbia." The scene that followed 
 it would be impossible to describe. It was use- 
 less for any of us to try to keep our eyes dry, 
 
{LAOor^^^^^ 
 
 l¥ "GOD'S COUNTRY" AGAIN. 
 
ST. JOHNS COLLEGE HOSPITAL. 417 
 
 and on the shore some of the men and women 
 wept Hke children. 
 
 As we were taken to the hospital, I heard 
 frequent expressions of indignation, one old gen- 
 tleman exclaiming, " My God, can it be that in 
 an age and country like this a man must look on 
 such a scene ! " I wondered what the old o-en- 
 tleman would have said if he could have seen us 
 before we were washed and put into clean cloth- 
 inor. 
 
 The hospital we were admitted to was called 
 the St. John's College hospital, and after being 
 again washed, and our clothing taken from us, 
 we were furnished with hospital clothing and put 
 into nice clean beds. The contrast from our 
 wretched condition in prison was so great that it 
 almost seemed like a pleasant dream, and my 
 mind could not sometimes fully realize that it was 
 all true. Kind, attentive physicians worked to 
 bring us back to health and strength again ; 
 nurses, both ladies and gentlemen, gathered 
 around us, willing to attend to our every want. 
 The food was all that the most exacting ones 
 could wish for — although, as we were in too weak 
 a condition to have all we might have wished for, 
 some of the men at first complained a little in 
 regard to the quantity of it; but the doctors and 
 nurses explained the matter so nicely to them 
 that they soon became satisfied. 
 
 We were informed that as soon as we should 
 27 
 
41 8/ BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN- 
 
 be Strong enough, we might go to the table set 
 apart for the convalescents, where we would get 
 all the food we wanted. In the meantime only 
 such diet was given us as the doctors would pre- 
 scribe in the morning when examining us. This 
 was, however, of the very best kind, and so com- 
 plete was the arrangement that the patient could 
 hardly ask for any delicacy that could not be 
 immediately procured, and it always was, if the 
 attending physician did not think it would injure 
 the sick applicant. Long suffering and the horri- 
 ble scenes they had witnessed had made some of 
 the men very weak-minded, and they needed 
 constant attention and waiting on; but in every 
 instance that came under my observation, the 
 duty was discharged with the greatest fidelity. 
 
 The night after our entrance into the hospital 
 was cold and stormy, and O ! how grateful I felt 
 that a kind Providence had safely guided me into 
 this haven of rest. As I have already stated, I 
 could sometimes hardly think it could be true that 
 I was safe away from the enemy ; and in the 
 morning the nurse informed me that I had fre- 
 quently jumped up and felt and examined the 
 bed and my surroundings, when, being assured 
 that I was safe, I would lie down and go to sleep 
 ao^ain. 
 
 On the following day I felt much better, and in 
 a few days could be up again. I now wrote a 
 letter home, and then spent the remainder of the 
 
\ \ 
 
 HOME AGAIN. 419 
 
 day In reading and examining the papers. On 
 the following day a large ship-load of released 
 prisoners arrived, and as the authorities at the 
 hospital were short of room, it was announced to 
 us that all who were able to eo home mieht have 
 a sixty-days' furlough. We were soon all in a 
 tremor of excitement, and every one trying to be 
 as well as possible. Comfortably as we were 
 situated, yet we felt so anxious to get home that 
 we forgot the dictates of prudence, and I at least 
 would better have stayed where I was for some 
 time time to come. The doctor in char^re of the 
 ward I was in did not not want to hear of my 
 going ; but I begged so hard that I was at last 
 permitted to go, and with a number of others I 
 was put on a steamer bound for Baltimore. 
 
 We had hardly more than left when I felt that 
 I had made a mistake in leaving the hospital ; nut 
 it was now too late, and I was compelled to make 
 the best of it. At Baltimore I took the cars for 
 home, and arrived there on the following day, but 
 in a sad condition. The great desire to get home 
 had kept me up ; but once there the reaction 
 came quick, and I was soon taken very sick. I 
 was pleased to find, however, that death had not 
 broken our family circle during my absence. 
 Father had, a few hours before my arrival, started 
 for Annapolis, but was overtaken by a mes- 
 senger, who informed him of my arrival, when, he 
 returned home. 
 
420 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 The sickness that followed was lonor- and terri- 
 ble, and for almost three months I could not lift 
 an arm, and for several weeks was unconscious 
 of my own existence. Finally, however, through 
 the skill of our good old family physician, Dr. P. 
 S. dinger, and the care and attention of loving 
 friends, I so far recovered as to be able to return 
 to the hospital. The movement was, however, 
 made too soon, and I was again taken very sick. 
 
 Finally, on the 7th day of July, 1865, after 
 being almost seven months under medical treat- 
 ment, and fourteen months after my capture, I 
 was discharged from the hospital and sent home ; 
 not to again enjoy good health, however. The 
 strain on my system had been too much to hope 
 for that; and a broken constitution and wrecked 
 physical frame will ever be to me a horrible re- 
 minder of prison-life in the South. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 ST. John's college hospital. 
 'PHIS hospital was especially intended for the 
 treatment of released prisoners of war, and I 
 can not close this volume without these words of 
 praise in its behalf. It was beautifully located in 
 the suburbs of the antique city of Annapolis, 
 Maryland, and at first only embraced the build- 
 ing of the St. John's College. It was, however, 
 soon found to be too small, and the Naval Acad- 
 emy buildings and others were used for hospital 
 purposes. A large number of hospital tents 
 were also erected and filled with sick. 
 
 To this place were sent the wrecked and 
 broken-down creatures who had survived the 
 horrors of Southern prisons, for medical treat- 
 ment before being sent to their homes. A large 
 corps of able surgeons and nurses attended to 
 the wants of the inmates, and all that human 
 skill and attention could do, was done to save 
 the poor emaciated victims of rebel brutality, and 
 win them back to health and strength again. 
 
 A considerable number were, however, too far 
 gone for human skill to save; and the soldiers' 
 cemetery near the town contains the graves of 
 hundreds of these men, who had reached the 
 Union lines only to die. (421 ) 
 
42 2 BATTLE FIELD AND PRISON PEN. 
 
 Beside the regular supplies issued by the Gov- 
 ernment, the United States Sanitary Commission 
 and other aid societies sent immense amounts of 
 hospital supplies, and the arrangements for feed- 
 ing the sick were as perfect as could be made. 
 
 The spiritual wants of the inmates were also 
 well attended to, reliofious meetinofs beino- held 
 regularly, and well attended. A Sabbath-school 
 was also organized for the convalescents, and all 
 those who were able to attend. Mrs. Palmer, the 
 wife of the chief surgeon in charge of the hos- 
 pital, and a number of other Christian ladies, 
 took a very active part in this school, and un- 
 doubtedly accomplished much good. 
 
 A good band, which daily discoursed sweet 
 music on the grounds, was one of the most pleas- 
 ing features of this grand institution. A small 
 volume might be written on the management of 
 this hospital, and the scenes connected with it ; 
 and it would indeed be in strange contrast to the 
 horrors of the prison-pens these inmates had 
 come from. In those prisons the destruction of 
 life had been a studied method; but in this hos- 
 pital the prevention of it was the object striven for. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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