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 SHERIDAN 
 
 HANCOCK
 
 A COMPLETE HISTORY 
 
 or THB 
 
 GREAT REBELLION; 
 
 OB, THB 
 
 CIVIL 
 
 tt TH1 
 
 UNITED STATES, 
 
 1861-1865. 
 
 * 
 
 COMPRISING A FULL AND IMPARTIAL ACCOUNT OF THE 
 
 UJLITAHT AMD NAVAL OPERATIONS, WITH VIVID AND ACCURATE DESCRIPTIONS Of 
 
 THB VARIOUS BATTLES, BOMBARDMENTS, SKIRMISHES, ETC., 'WHICH TOOK 
 
 FLACK ON LAND AND WATER; THB WHOLE EMBRACING A 
 
 COMPLETE HISTORY OP THE WAR FOR THK UNIPN ALSO, 
 
 Biographical Sketches of the principal Actors in the Great Drama. 
 BY DR. JAMES MOORE, 
 
 IAT1 tTBOHOS U. 8. ARMT, ACTTHOB OF " KII.PATRICK AND OCR CAVALRT,' " HMIOET 
 THB COOPBK SHOP VOLCNTEEIi BEF11KSHMEMT 8ALOOK," ETC. 
 
 WITH AN INTRODUCTION, 
 1>B. B. SHEL'L^ON MAOKENZIB 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 HURST & CO., PUBLISHERS,
 
 Bntend cccrdlng to Act of OongreM, in the year 1866, b? 
 
 SAMUEL D. BURLOOK. 
 
 ID fl& Cartri OAce of the Dlatrict Court of the United SUtes, m and ftir *bo 
 Digtrict of Penniylranl*.
 
 
 
 INTBODTJCTION. 
 
 THB great war over Fi eedom's battle begun and ended 
 the public mmd has a strong desire for a clear and re- 
 liable narrative of the varying events which occupied four 
 years of our national existence, and finally achieved a great 
 end. At the cost of much blood and treasure, of all evilg 
 that can afflict a nation, none is greater than that of civi. 
 war, if not only for the sorrows it causes and the heartstrings 
 it breaks, but for the heavy legacy of crushed feeling which 
 it bequeaths, and the material penalty of heavy taxation which 
 it inevitably and invariably inflicts. It is easier to forgive 
 than to forget, and a true history in which nothing is extenua- 
 ted, nor any thing set down in malice, must go a great way 
 in mitigating angry feelings, by dissipating prejudices or false 
 impressions created or confirmed by the pen of exaggeration. 
 Knowing the honest purpose of Doctor James Moore, and 
 appreciating the ability, research, industry, and Christian feel- 
 ing which he has brought to the composition of the following 
 pages, I can have no hesitation in complying with his publish- 
 er's request, to introduce him in a few lines, confident that his 
 own merits of impartiality and ability will speedily be recog- 
 nized by his readers. He is no mere civilian, writing of what 
 he merely saw in the far distance, and forming a book out of 
 military despatches and newspaper correspondence, but he 
 has himself served in the war, in his professional capacity, 
 and has had personal experience of what he here describes. 
 
 The materials for a history of the late war are so numerous 
 
 (3)
 
 4 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 that he who has to use them must feel himself almost over- 
 whelmed by their bulk. The despatches of military and 
 naval commanders must form the natural as well as the surest 
 foundation for such a work, and not a single instance can be 
 shown in which any officer, reporting upon what had been 
 done 'inder his own command, has tortured facts to his own 
 advantage, claimed unmerited credit for his men. or ex- 
 aggerated or underrated the valor or the strategy of the 
 enemy. Such materials, however impartial, are not sufficient 
 the historian has to compare them with accounts of the 
 same events written by opposite commanders, and has further 
 to examine the immense mass of information conve3 r ed in the 
 communications from the numerous and intelligent corps of 
 able writers and impartial observers, commonly known as 
 war correspondents. The value of this latter information 
 can scarcely be too highly estimated. The war correspondence 
 of American journalism, throughout the dreadful four years 
 of national affliction, was often diffuse and desultory, being al- 
 most invariably written in extremest haste and under very 
 frequent circumstances of discomfort and difficulty, but it was 
 earnest, graphic, and full of interest, relating many incidents of 
 action, and portraying numerous traits of character, observed 
 and notec? on the instant, which would otherwise never have 
 been made public. The competition between the writers 
 ensured a great degree of accuracy, for one account might be 
 saiu to test the truthfulness of another. The deep loyalty 
 and personal gallantry of the war correspondents was sur 
 passed only by their ability and alacrity. As a clasp, they 
 may be said to have been created by the Mexican >rar of 
 1845-47 : they matured in the war of the Crimea, in 1853-55 ; 
 but their efficiency was most powerfully evidenced in our 
 civil war of 1860-65.
 
 It will be observed that Doctor Moore lias avoided politi 
 eal discussion in this volume. In the opening chapter he 
 has stated, in an impartial manner, the admitted causes of 
 the civil war. His duty, in his necessarily limited space, 
 was to present a true and readable, because intelligible narra- 
 tive, of the events of the late contest the greatest that the 
 world has seen in any time or country. That he has done 
 this, I am confident, having read most of the book while it 
 was passing through the press, and I take the liberty of re- 
 commending it on this account. 
 
 The biographical sketches, which form an appendix to the 
 history, will be found full of interest, and will help the reader 
 to judge of the events here recorded. When the leading inci- 
 dents of a great man's life are known to us, we feel an inter- 
 est in his career not usually awakened in favor of a 
 stranger. His past enables us to foresee how his present 
 will result, and both become prophetic of the future. In 
 these personal sketches, limited though they be, Doctor 
 Moore has shown that he understands how biography should 
 be written. 
 
 There is no occasion of adding more, by way of introduc- 
 tion to this history, save to say that its author, as will be seen, 
 exhibits singular power in describing battle scenes. His ac- 
 count of Bull-Run, the siege of Vicksburg, the Three Days' 
 fight at Gettysburg, and the final achievements of the Army 
 of the Potomac " on this line, all the summer" are graphic 
 and masterly. 
 
 R SHELTON MACKENZIE. 
 
 Pkiladelphia, October 25, 1866.
 
 LlSl OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 1 ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Prmtupuce. 
 
 16. Admiral FARRAQUT 
 
 2. General GRANT, 
 
 17. " PORTKR, 
 
 3. " SHERMAN, 
 
 18. " FOOTI, 
 
 4. " MEADE, 
 
 19. " DAHLORKT, 
 
 5 " SHKRIDAK, 
 
 20. " DUPONT, 
 
 6. " THOMAS, 
 
 21. " GoLDSBOROCaH, 
 
 7. " HANCOCK, 
 
 22. " WlLKES, 
 
 8. " KlLPATBICK, 
 
 23. General K. E. LEI, 
 
 9. " McCLELLAN, 
 
 24. " "STONEWALL" JAOI 
 
 10. " BUTLER, 
 
 SON, 
 
 11. " BURNSIDE, 
 
 5. " BEAURROARD, 
 
 12. " HOOKER, 
 
 26. " Jos. E. JOHNBTOJT, 
 
 13. " MCDOWELL, 
 
 27. " LONOSTREET, 
 
 14. " FREHOXT, 
 
 28. " POLK, 
 
 15. " HCNTKK, 
 
 29. " BRECKINRIDOB. 
 
 SCS1TES, 
 
 1. BATTLE or GETTYSBURG, 
 
 2. BATTLE or CHAPIV'S PARK, 
 
 3. CAPTURE or LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, 
 
 4. EXOAQEMENT BETWEEN THE MONITOR AND MlEKIHAO.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER L 
 
 Causes of the Rebellion Tariff of 1816 The Nullification 
 trine of John C. Calhoun Prompt Measures of President Jack- 
 son The part played by South Carolina A Doctrine of State 
 Supremacy Slavery in the United States Missouri Compro- 
 mise Wihnot Proviso Slavery in Kansas Inflamed state of 
 Parties Buchanan's Administration Southern Conspirators, 
 Yancey and Floyd The South preparing for War Popular 
 Presentiments 21 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Election of Abraham Lincoln South Carolina and Georgia se- 
 cede Anderson at Fort Sumter Star of the West Southern 
 Members in Congress Inauguration of Lincoln His Cabinet 
 Bombardment and Fall of Fort Sumter Heroism of Ander- 
 son and the Garrison Call for Seventy-five thousand troops 
 for Three Months The Slave States refuse to send their Quotas 
 Patriotic spirit in the North Proclamation of Jefferson 
 Davis Virginia secedes Surrender of Norfolk Surrender of 
 Harper's Ferry The People roused to War IS 
 
 CHAPTER IIL 
 
 APRIL MAT, 1861. 
 
 Sanguine hopes of the South Blockade of Southern Ports 
 Baseness of Contractors Troops answering to the President's 
 call Attack by a Mob on Massachusetts and Pennsylvania 
 troops in Baltimore Resignation of Officers in the Army and 
 Navy New York declares Rebellion must cease Effect of the 
 News in the South Call for forty thousand men, and increase 
 of tLe Army and Navy Suspension of Habeas Corpus State 
 o' Affairs in the South 
 
 ni
 
 8 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER* IV. 
 
 The Potomac the centre of attraction Death of Colonel Ells- 
 worth Battle of Big Bethel, and Death of Lieutenant Greble 
 Lyon in Missouri Battle of Booneville General McClellan 
 iu Western Virginia Battle at Philippi Contrabands Battle 
 of Rich Mountain Battle at Barbourville Sigel in Missouri 
 Battle of Carthage His successful Retreat Devotion to 
 the Union of East Tennessee Affairs in Kentucky. . . &S 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 JtTLT, 186L 
 
 Meeting of Congress Presidential Message Requisition for Men 
 and Money Thaddeus Stevens Jefferson Davis's requisition 
 for Troops Principal commanders on both sides The " On to 
 Richmond" cry The Rebels strongly fortify Manassas Gen- 
 eral R. Patterson Onward movement decided on McDowell 
 commands the army Commanders Forces in five Divisions 
 Splendid sight on the March Artillery fight at Blackburn's 
 Ford Plan of the Battle Divisions of Hunter and Heintzel- 
 man Battle and Defeat of Bull Run Salutary effects 52 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 JULY AUGUST, 1861. 
 
 Condition of the Army after the battle of Bull Run Its Dif- 
 charge, and a new one raised Magnitude of the Enterprise 
 McClellan takes the command Banks and Fremont Fremont 
 sent to Missouri Proximity of the Rebels to the Capital 
 Patriotic rising of the North Lyon marches against McCul- 
 lough Kentucky decides by vote to remain loyal Fremont in 
 St. Louis Battle of Wilson's Creek Death of Lyon The 
 Union army retreats Regret on the Death of Lyon Spirit of 
 the Clergy at tl e South 61 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 SEPTEMBER, 1861. 
 
 A-rrestB by the Government Confiscation Exchange of Prison- 
 ers refused Davis uses Retaliation Mutiny quelled Priva- 
 teers of the Rebels Wool at Fort Monroe Foote takes charge 
 of Gunboats west Attack on Cape Hatteras Fremont's Pro- 
 clamation Western Virginia Battle at Carnifex Ferry Fall 
 of Lexington Fight at Cheat Mountajn Lee defeated at Elk- 
 water Are y of the Potomac The National Fast SI
 
 OOJITJESTH. 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 OCTOBIB, 1861. 
 
 The great Armies Pensacola Privateer captured Ship Island 
 occupied Western Virginia Green Brier Creek Fight The 
 enemy's Attack at Fort Hatteras Santa Rosa Island Sur- 
 prise of "Wilson's Zouaves Rebel ram Manassas attacks Block- 
 ading Fleet at mouth of Mississippi Fights at Lebanon, Mis- 
 souri At Fredericktown At Blue Mills Ferry Battle of 
 Wild Cat Camp Upper Potomac Fight at Bolivar Battle 
 of Ball's Bluff General Stone People indignant McClellan 
 -Colonel Lander Charge of Zagonyi ...................... 73 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 NOVEMBER, 1861. 
 
 riie public mind dissatisfied Fremont What difficulties he sur- 
 mounted Advance of the Army of the Potomac expected 
 Great Naval Expedition Encounters a Storm Bombardment 
 of the Rebel forts Attack and Victory General Scott retires, 
 and McClellan succeeds him Grand re view of the Army of the 
 Potomac Grant's expedition from Cairo Battle of Belmont 
 Nelson's Campaign Its Results Investigation of Charges 
 against Fremont His Removal Hunter Succeeds Halleck 
 supersedes Hunter Departments Reconstructed Expedition 
 of Dix Capture of Mason and Slidell Their surrender de- 
 manded, and on what ground obtained The Nashville and 
 Tuecarora McClellan's orders The Negroes at Port Royal 
 Rebels burn the cotton Rebel schooner burned. ............. 83 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 DECEMBER, 1861. 
 
 Opening of Congress Difficulties before it The Military and 
 Naval forces Escape of the Sumter Pope in Missouri Fight 
 at Mount Zion Fight at Rowlett's Station Battle at Camp 
 Alleghany Battle of Drainsville Stone Fleet at Charleston 
 Embarrassment of the President .......................... 91 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 JANUARY, 1862. 
 
 New Year at the Capital At Pensacola Fort Pickens bom- 
 barded Fight at Port Royal Mil-oy in Western Virginia 
 Jackson tears up the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Fight near 
 Hancock Fight at Bine's Gap Battle and T ictory of Gar- 
 field, at Middle Creek, Kentucky Pope in Missouri Matters 
 in Kentucky Thomas moves against Zollicoffer Battle of 
 Mill Spring Bayonet charge, and victory of McCook Cairo 
 Expedition Bui nside Expedition Savannah Fort Pulaski cut 
 off Seer tarv of War Cameron resigns Monitor launched... 104
 
 10 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XH. 
 
 FEBRUARY, 1862. 
 
 Expedition! against Forts Henry and Donelson Fort Henry cap- 
 tured by the gunboats under Foote Fort Donelson invested 
 Attacked by Foote with the gunboats General assault deter- 
 mined on by Grant The attack and victory News of the sur- 
 render at Nashville The Rebels flee southward Curtis drives 
 Price from Missouri Burnside's great Fleet attacks Roanoke 
 Island The battle and victory Captain Rowan attacks the 
 Rebel fleet at Elizabeth City Edenton captured Burning of 
 Winton Canby on the Rio Grande Ill 
 
 CHAPTER XIIL 
 
 MARCH, 1862. 
 
 Escape of the Nashville Destruction of a Rebel battery Death 
 of Colonel Lander Capture of Fernandina and Fort Clinch 
 The Merrimac, and her injury to the Federal fleet Arrival of 
 the Monitor She defeats the Merrimac Battle of Pea Ridge, 
 and its Results Andrew Johnson, Governor of Tennessee 
 Rebels concentrate at Corinth Foot moves against Island 
 Number Ten Pope at New Madrid Capture of Newbern A 
 general advance of the Army of the Potomac Fremont in 
 command of Mountain Department Evacuation of Manassas 
 Battle of Winchester 125 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 APRIL, 1862. 
 
 Island Number Ten Channel cut round it Transports pas 
 through Attack on Union City Spiking of a battery Gun- 
 boats run the batteries Pope crosses the Mississippi ana cap- 
 tures the enemy Surrender of Island Number Ten Battle of 
 Pittsburg Landing, first day Surprise of Sherman's and Pren- 
 tiss's Divisions Gunboats take part in the battle Second 
 day's battle Disposition of the forces Sanitary Comzaissios 131 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 APRIL, 1362. 
 
 Expedition against New Orleans The difficulties to be encoun- 
 tered Bombardment of the Forts Fire rafts Farragut runs 
 the batteries Terrible engagement The surrender of New 
 Orleans, forts, etc., etc. General Butler occupies the city 
 Farragut commands a general Thanksgiving Extracts from 
 Porter's Letters, etc
 
 oojrnom. 11 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 APRIL, 1862. 
 
 Federal success on the Atlantic Coast McClellan at Fort Monroe 
 Plan of the War Plan of Campaign against Richmond 
 Advance on Yorktown Fremont in the Mountain Department 
 Advance on Fredericksburg Capture of Fort Pulaski 
 Fight at Apache Pass Bombardment of Fort Macon Attack 
 on Lee's Mill Fall of Fort Macon General Mitchell in Ala- 
 bama The q icstion of Slavery in Congress Iron-clads to be 
 built Committee report on Treatment of our Dead at Bull 
 Run Our prospects at the end of the first year of the War. . . 153 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 MAT AND JUNE, 1862. 
 
 Battle of Williainsburg Colonel Dwight's bravery Berry and 
 Kearney rush to the Rescue Gallant behavior of Hooker's 
 Brigade Hancock's splendid bayonet charge Great valor of 
 the Eleventh Massachusetts Franklin attacks the enemy at 
 West Point Fall of Norfolk Destruction of the Merrimac 
 Fort Darling bombarded McClellan advances o<n Richmond 
 Battle of Hanover Court House Flood in the Chickahominy 
 Battle of Fair Oaks Rout of Casey's Division Bravery of the 
 troops under lleiutzelman The Second Excelsior 1 63 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 MAT, 1862. 
 
 tfcClellan's Renort of the Battle McDowell about to join on the 
 Right Wing Shields on the way Banks at Strasburg Jack- 
 son determines on an attack Great heroism of Colonel Kenly 
 at Front Royal Banks' famous retreat to the Potomac 
 Battle of Winchester The Militia called out McDowell and 
 Fremont ordered to cut off Jackson's retreat Halleck at 
 Corinth Naval action at Fort Wright Splendid cavalry 
 charge Fight at Farmington Evacuation of Corinth Gen- 
 eral Butler at New Orleans 174 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 JUNK, 1862. 
 
 Naval action before Memphis Its Evacuation General Mitchell 
 captures Chattanooga Expedition up the White River But- 
 ler at New Orleans Loyal East Tennesseans Parson Brown- 
 low Morgan occupies Cumberland Gap Fremont pursues 
 Jackson Fight at Harrisonburg Battle of Cross Keys Fight 
 at Point Republic Fremont superseded by Pope Battle of 
 James Island l&l
 
 12 OOITTIXTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 JUNK, 1862. 
 
 The army before Richmond McClellan's address McOall sent 
 to his support The Rebel General Stuart makes a Raid round 
 the whole Union army Robert E. Lee, Rebel Commander-in- 
 chief His plans Battles of Oak Grove, Mechauicsville, 
 Games' Mill McClallan's despatch 19c 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 JUKB 28TH TO AUGUST 17TH, 1862, INCLU8ITB. 
 
 The wounded sent from Savage Station to White Hcnse Battles 
 of Peach Orchard and Savage Station Panic of the troops 
 Bravery of the Irish Brigade Battle of White Oak Swamp 
 Attack on Hancock Confusion in the ranks Attack on Smith 
 and Franklin Enemy repulsed McCall forced back by the 
 enemy in a tremendous charge Terrible carnage The gun- 
 boats co-operate Crowning charge of lleintzelman Battle of 
 Malvern Hill The Army at Harrison's Landing The Penin- 
 sular Campaign a failure The Army withdrawn from the Pe- 
 ninsula < 211 
 
 CHAPTER XXIL 
 
 JULY, 1862. 
 
 Fresh energy of the Administration Call for three hundred 
 thousand men by draft General Halleck commander-in-chief 
 of the army General Pope's operations Mr. Lincoln's Mes- 
 sage in favor of Emancipation Reconnoissance to Beaver 
 Dam Battle on Bayou Cache, in Arkansas Action on the 
 Mississippi with the Rebel ram Arkansas Fight near Mem- 
 phis, Mississippi The Rebel Morgan in Kentucky Another 
 anti-slavery Message Expeditions to Trenton and Pollocks- 
 ville, from Newbern Colonel Ellet renews the attack on the 
 Arkansas Creation of new grades in the Navy of the United 
 States 220 
 
 CHAPTER XXm. 
 
 AUGUST, 1862. 
 
 Plan of the Campaign in Virginia Pope masses at Culpepper 
 Battle of Cedar Mountain Heroism of Crawford's Brigade 
 Gallantry of Banks, Crawford, and other generals Buford pur- 
 sues the enemy Death of Lieutenant Dutton Lee's designs 
 Imminent danger of Pope Attempt to turn the Union right 
 Attack on Catlett's Station Death of General Bohlen 
 Fight at Kettle Run The enemy cross the river Their posi- 
 tion McClellan's tardiness in reinforcing Pope The latter at 
 Manassas Plan and battle of Manassas Disobedience to or- 
 ders of Fitz John Porter Bravery and death of Colonel Koltes 
 Retreat of Pope on Centreville Death of General Stevens 
 and Kearney The armies within the defences of Washington 
 Pope resigns his command Charges against Porttt. ...... 218
 
 OOHTISTB. IS 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 A.PQC8T SEPTEMBER, 1862. 
 
 Battle of Baton Rouge Incidents of the Conflict Death of Geiv 
 eral Williams Efficient aid of the Federal gunboats Defeat 
 of the enemy The ram Arkansas destroyed Indian atrocities 
 in Minnesota, their defeat by Colonel Sibley Battle near 
 Richmond, Kentucky General Nelson The disaster Inva- 
 sion of Maryland Lee's Proclamation to the People of that 
 State Governor Curtin calls out the Militia of Pennsylvania 
 . Army of the Potomac in motion Colonel Ellet on the Mis- 
 sissippi and Yazoo Capture of the transport Fair Play Bat- 
 tle near Denmark, Tennessee Threatened invasion of Ohio 
 General Lewis Wallace Murder, by guerillas, of General 
 Robert McCook Battle of South Mountain.. . 23S 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 SEPTEMBER, 1862. 
 
 Attack on Harper's terry Its disgraceful surrender Colonel 
 Miles His death General Lee at Sharpsburg Preparations 
 for the coming Battle McClellan's delay The enemy rein- 
 forced The Battle of Antietam Gallantry of the troops 
 Hooker wounded Sublime courage of the Twelfth and Thir- 
 teenth Massachusetts regiments The gallant General Mans- 
 field slain Conspicous valor of Crawford and Gordon Terrible 
 carnage The tide of battle turned by General Franklin The 
 Right Wing victorious Burnside on the left The splendid 
 valor of officers and men at the Stone Bridge The movement 
 successful Enemy reinforced The peril of Burnside McClel- 
 lan, and the Reserves under Porter Dreadful loss on both sides 
 Lee eludes McClellan Escapes across the Potomac Federal 
 army at Harper's Ferry 256 
 
 CHAPTER XXVL 
 
 SEPTEMBER OCTOBER, 1862. 
 
 Battle of Mumfordville, Kentucky Bravery of the Federal troop* 
 Morgan evacuates Cumberland Gap Engagement at Cave 
 City Confederates defeated at Washington, North Carolina 
 Gunboat Picket explodes Political aspect of the War Mr. 
 Lincoln's Proclamation of Emancipation Suspends the Writ 
 of Habeas Corpus Rebels defeated at Owenboro, Kentucky 
 Battle of luka Convention of Governors of the Loyal States, 
 at Alatoona, Pennsylvania Effect on the People Mr. Foote's 
 Peace Proposition in the Confederate Congress Battle of 
 Augusta, Kentucky Battle of Corinth, Mississippi Valorou? 
 Conduct of Officers and Men Rebel designs on the Northwest 
 abandoned Ftuart's raid into Pennsylvania Great Federal 
 cavalry chiefs 261 
 
 1
 
 16 OOKTESTD. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIL 
 
 OCTOBER, 1862. 
 
 Battle of Lavergne, Tennessee Battle of the Hatchie River 
 Expedition to the St. John's River, Florida Battle of Perry- 
 yille Gallantry of Rosseau The Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry 
 Escape of Bragg Buell removed from the command Gen- 
 eral Rosecrans commands the Army of the Ohio The plunder 
 carried off from Kentucky Epitome of minor event* 271 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 OCTOBER NOVEMBER, 1862 
 
 The Pirate Alabama Failure of the efforts for her capture 
 Expedition against the Charleston and Savannah Railroad 
 Reconnoissances by the Army of the Potomac Seizure of 
 Snicker's, Ashby's, and Thoroughfare Gaps by the Federals 
 Engagement at Maysville, Arkansas Captain Dahlgren's re- 
 connoissance to Fredericksburg, Virginia Actions at Philomel 
 and New Creek, Virginia Contest at Williamston, North Car- 
 olina Rebel attempts to capture Nashville Union expedition 
 to Thibodeauxville, Louisiana Reconnoissance of General 
 McPherson to Holly Springs Fredericksbnrg, Virginia, sum- 
 moned to surrender 284 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 DECEMBER, 1862. 
 
 Thirty-eighth Congress assembles President's Annual Message 
 Report of the Secretary of the Treasury Skirmish at Frank- 
 lin, Virginia Union troops captured at Hartsville, Kentucky 
 Reconnoissances of General Geary to Charlestown and Win- 
 chester Surrender of Winchester General Stuart's raid on 
 Dumfries and Occoquan General Washburn's expedition to 
 Coffeeville The steamship Ariel captured The Banks expe- 
 dition Frauds on the Federal Government General Butler 
 relieved from command at New Orleans Effects of the block- 
 ade of Southern ports 294 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 DKCKJfBKB, 1862. 
 
 Battle of Fredericksbnrg Difficulty of laying the Pontoons The 
 Bombardment The troops cross Rebel defence^ Franklin 
 commences the battle on the left Its incidents and result 
 The right and centre Firnich and Howard attack the strong 
 Rebel position Brillitnt charge Stern conflict on the centre 
 Gallantry of the Union generals Hereiam of the troops- 
 Federal and Rebel losses The Sanitary Commission The 
 
 Of Cane Hill 309
 
 CONTENTS. IS 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 DECEMBEB, 1862 JANUABY, 1863. 
 
 The closing year Expedition of General Foster Its return 
 Capture of Holly Springs Battle of Davis' Mills Colonel 
 Morgan Van Dorn defeated Organization and Movement of 
 General Rosecrans' army Battle of Murfreesboro McCook 
 defeated on the Right Wing Heroism of Sheridan Gallantry 
 and death of General Sill Sublime courage of Rosecrans The 
 second day's battle Terrible carnage Loss of the Monitor at 
 sea General Sherman's attack on Vicksburg Withdrawal of 
 the army Sherman superseded The attack on Vicksburg 
 postponed Fights at Springfield and Hartsville President 
 Lincoln proclaims the slaves of Rebels free 311 
 
 CHAPTER XXXH. 
 
 JANUABY FEBBTJABY MABCH, 1863. 
 
 Battle of Hunts' Crossroads Carter's expedition into East Ten- 
 nessee Skirmish at Moorefield, Virginia Rebel attack on, and 
 capture of, Galviston, Texas The Workingmen of Manchester, 
 England, address Mr. Lincoln His reply Bombardment and 
 capture of Arkansas Post General Burnside superseded The 
 question of Negro troops in the army Rebel cruiser Oreto 
 Destruction of the steamboat Hatteras Rebel attack on Fort 
 Donelson The Conscription Bill Capture of the Queen of the 
 West Destruction of the Pirate Nashville Fight at Thomp- 
 son's Station, Tennessee Cavalry fight of Averill, at Kelly's 
 Ford Attack on Port Hudson Its incidents and results Vic- 
 tory of General Gilmore at Somerset Report of the Com- 
 mittee on the conduct of the War 323 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 APBIL MAY, 1863. 
 
 Attack on Charleston Admiral Dupont superseded Naval ac- 
 tions at Grand Gulf, Mississippi, and in the Bayou Teche, 
 Louisiana Raids in both armies Marmadukes's attempt on 
 Cape Girardeau His defeat, flight, and pursuit Raid of Col- 
 onel Streight His heroism Surrender to a superior force 
 Great raid of Colonel Grierson Colonel Clayton's raid Repels 
 Marmaduke's division with two hundred and thirty men Safe 
 return to Helena 333 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 MAY, 1863. 
 
 Hooker's reorganization of the Army of the Potomac Six corps 
 concentrated at Chancellorsville Lee's counter-plot Attack 
 by Stonewall Jackson on the Right Wing Panic and flight of 
 the Eleventh Corps Enemy checked by Berry's divisoin Bat- 
 tle of the Wilderness Jackson mortally wounded Hooker 
 reforms his lines Battle of Chancellorsville Hooker again 
 changes his lines Battle at Fredericksburg of the Sixth Corps 
 Sedgwick crosses the river The retreat of Hooker across 
 the Rappahannock His address to the army The troops re- 
 turn to their old camps 345
 
 16 OOFTXNTB. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 JUNK JULY, 1863. 
 
 Stoneman's raid BatMe of Brandy Station Heroism of Kifl. 
 patrick Cavalry ba ties of Aldie and Upperville The Con- 
 federates cross the Potamac General Hooker relieved of the 
 command, and General Meade appointed his successor Kil- 
 patrick defeats Stuart at Hanover, Pennsylvania First day of 
 the Battle of Gettysburg Death of Reynolds Second day's 
 fight, and its incidents Third day's battle Splendid Union 
 victory The Sanitary and Christian Commissions The Cooper 
 Shop Volunteer Refreshment Saloon 363 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 
 APRIL JULY, 1863. 
 
 General Grant takes command in person of the army before Vicks- 
 bnrg H is different attempts and failures Resolves to attack 
 from below The gunboats pass the batteries The army 
 marches to Hard Times The attack on Grand Gulf; its results 
 The troops at Bruinsburg Battles which follow Capture 
 of Jackson, Mississippi The army marches westward Battles 
 of Champion Hill and Black River Bridge Vicksburg invested 
 The assaults, siege, and surrender Result of the campaign 
 Battle of Milliken's Bend Operations against Port Hudson 
 Its close investment and surrender Attack on Brashear and 
 Terrebonne Inhuman Massacres of Negroes The attempt on 
 Helena Progress of the War 366 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 
 JULY AUGUST, 1863 
 
 Overthrow of the Rebel power in Arkansas The guerillas and 
 bushwhackers Qnantrel Lawrence Massacre Attempts to 
 murder General Blunt Raid in Missouri Morgan's raid into 
 Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio His capture arid escape The 
 Reign of Terror in New York, and suppression of the Riot 
 Losses of life and property Department of the South Gil- 
 more and Dahlgren Morris Island Bombardment of Fort 
 Wagner The " Swamp Angel " Assault on Sumter Damage 
 to its walls Evacuation of Morris Island 37fc 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVHL 
 
 SEPTEMBER OCTOBER, 1863. 
 
 Bragg at Chattanooga Flanked by Rosecrans March of the 
 Army of the Tennessee Rosecrans gains Chattanooga by 
 strategy, without a battle Battle of Chickamauga Thomas 
 victorious on the left The right and centre pressed End of 
 the first day's battle Forces of the two armies McCook, Grit- 
 tenden, and Thomas Second day's battle Heroism of the 
 troops The right and centre swept away by overwhelming 
 numbers Steadfastness of the left wing Desperate struggle 
 of Thomas The crisis The gallant Steadman The battld 
 Mred General Grant put in command of the Mississippi Di- 
 Tirioa Other change*.. Ml
 
 COWTBNTEL 17 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIX. 
 
 SEPTEMBER, 1863 MARCH, 1864. 
 
 fLe situation at Chattanooga Burnside at Knoxville Grant's 
 plan Capture of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge 
 The victory Pursuit of the enemy Battle at Ringgold Con- 
 centration of the troopsLee retreats across the Potomac 
 Reaches the Rapidan Meade at Culpepper Meade outflanked, 
 retreats Cavalry battle at Brandy Station Warren defeats 
 the enemy at Bristow Station General Grant in command of 
 all the Union armies AverilPs raid Sherman's Meridian Ex- 
 pedition Sherman succeeds Grant in command 01' the Military 
 Department of the Mississippi Grant's future plans 39 
 
 CHAPTER XL. 
 
 SEPTEMBER, 1863 MAT, 1864. 
 
 Grant's responsibilities Call for half a million of troops The 
 Expedition into Florida Battle of Olustee Kilpatrick's raid 
 into Richmond Death of Dahlgren Raid of Forrest into Ken- 
 tucky Surrender of Union City Attack on Paducah Mas- 
 sacre at Fort Pillow The Red River Expedition March to 
 Alexandria Defeat of Banks Steele retreats Return of the 
 gunboats to Alexandria Engineering skill of Colonel Bailey 
 His promotion The gunboats Signal and Covington, and the 
 transport Warner destroyed Return of the Expedition End 
 of Banks' Military career Returns to New Orleans Canby in 
 the field 4M 
 
 CHAPTER XLI. 
 MAT, 1864 
 
 Military movements Butler at Bermuda Hundred Drury'g 
 Bluff Wilson's Wharf Attack on Petersburg Changes in 
 the corps Grant's plan Battle of the Wilderness First day's 
 fight Second day's battle Lee attacks the left and centre 
 His failure, and desperate assault on the right Wadsworth 
 mortally wounded Gallantry of Sedgwick Third's day's bat- 
 tle Lee's plan to outflank Grant Death of Sedgwick Batlle 
 of Spottsylvania Grant's despatch Terrible battle of the 
 12th Desperate fighting The losses Results favorable to the 
 Union side Reconnoissances Battle of May 18th The re- 
 pulse Torbert at Guinney's Station. 414 
 
 CHAPTER XLII. 
 
 MAT JUNE JULT, 1864. 
 
 Grant makes another flank movement Ewell repulsed Fight- 
 ing on the North Anna The river crossed Strength of the 
 enemy's position Grant recrosses the North Anna Battle of 
 Tolopatomoy Creek The fighting continuous Battles of Cold
 
 18 CONTENT* 
 
 Harbor and the Chickahominy Intre* -n and fighting- 
 Grant's famous march across the James- -.Attacks on Peter*, 
 burg Their result Raids of Sheridan Crook and Averill in 
 Western Virginia Sigel's failure Early defeats Hunter 
 Sinking of the pirate Alabama Sherman's army The Atlanta 
 campaign Dalton flanked Battle of Resaca Fight at Dallas 
 Alatoona flanked Battle of Kenesaw Mountain Death of 
 Polk Sherman's first defeat The army reaches and crosses 
 the Chattahoochee Atlanta insight 424 
 
 CHAPTER XLIII. 
 
 JULY DECEMBER, 1864. 
 
 Hood's attack Assault on McPherson His death Howard 
 succeeds McPherson Resignation of Hooker Stoncman'a 
 raid and capture Sherman's communications in danger Kil- 
 patrick's raid The army on the Macon road Atlanta cut off 
 and evacuated Slocum occupies the city Non-combatants 
 ordered out Gallantry of Corse at Alatoona Pursuit of Hood 
 Preparations for the March to the Sea Rome and Atlanta 
 burned Sherman's orders respecting foraging parties Divis- 
 ions of the army Pillage of Madison Cavalry fight at Love- 
 joy Milledgeville reached Battle of Griswoldville Millen 
 Defeat of Wheeler at Waynesboro Sherman's march to Sa- 
 vannah Capture of Fort McAllister Savannah evacuated 
 Sherman enters the city Thomas's campaign to Nashville 
 Utter defeat of Hood 439 
 
 CHAPTER XLIV. 
 
 JULY SEPTEMBER, 1864. 
 
 Early's invasion of Maryland Wallace defeated Grand uprising 
 of the Militia at the North Rebels near Washington Burn- 
 ing of Chambersburg Wright and Hunter relieved Sheridan 
 in command in the Valley Failure of the mine at Petersburg 
 Call for more troops Capture of Forts Gaines and Morgan, 
 Mobile Dutch Gap Canal Warren's fight for the Weldon 
 Railroad Battle of Ream's Station Sheridan in the Shenan- 
 doah Valley Pursuit of Early Mosby captures the trains 
 Sheridan retreats Bolivar Heights Second advance of Sheri- 
 dan Berryville Explanation by Grant Battles of Opequan 
 Creek and Fisher's Hill Early defeated Brown's Gap Sheri- 
 dan retires His report New position Leaves for Washing- 
 ton Grant's sudden movement on the James Early's attack 
 in Sheridan's absence Rout of the army Sheridan's oppor- 
 tune arrival The enemy overthrown Tne pursuit The Re- 
 bela abandon Shenandoah Valley 451 
 
 CHAPTER XLV 
 
 OCTOBER, 1864 JANUARY, 1865. 
 
 Another attempt on Richmond Hatcher's Run Failure to tare 
 the Rebel right-- Operations North of the James The ram
 
 CONTENTS. 19 
 
 Albermarle destroyed Rebel raid on St. Albans, Vermont 
 Operations in Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri Price Steele 
 Eosecrans Forrest captures Athens General Burbridgt 
 sent to destroy the enemy's Salt-works at Saltville Expedition 
 from Vicksburg Grierson's expedition Breckinridge in East 
 Tennessee Stoneman sent against him Plot to burn New 
 York Warren's expedition Capture of Fort Fisher Guerillas 
 Perilous situation of the Army of the Potomac Peace Com- 
 missioners Their interview with the President The Southern 
 Prisons Andersonville Wirtz tried, convicted, and executed 
 Sherman's preparations to invade the Carolinas 461 
 
 CHAPTER XLVL 
 
 FKBKUART MARCH, 1865. 
 
 Fhe right wing of Sherman's army threatens Charleston The 
 left, Augusta Heavy floods detain the army Kilpatrick's 
 cavalry The Salkahatchie forced The Confederate leaders 
 outwitted The Charleston and Augxista Railroad destroyed 
 Orangeburg Crossing of the Edisto Columbia burned Burn- 
 ing of Winnsboro Feint on Charlotte Sherman marches on 
 Fayetteville Cheraw Fall of Charleston The two wings 
 meet Schofield and Terry Battles of Averysboro and Benton- 
 ville Goldsboro occupied Sherman visits Grant The army 
 refitted The national finances 483 
 
 CHAPTER XLVII. 
 
 FEBRUARY MAY, 1865. 
 
 Interview between Grant and Sherman Stoneman's raid Pre- 
 parations by Canby against Mobile Sheridan's raid in the 
 Shenandoah Valley and around Richmond to White House 
 Grant's plan to move round the Rebel flank Rebel attack on 
 Fort Steadman Sherman returns to the army Grant's move- 
 ment Battle of Five Forks Grand attack on the enemy's 
 lines Petersburg and Richmond evacuated Lee retreats to- 
 ward Danville The pursuit Weitzel enters Richmond Lee 
 pressed Grant demands his surrender The capitulation 
 Sherman returns to his army Receives the news of the fall of 
 Petersburg and Richmond He moves on Raleigh Sherman's 
 interview with Johnson The armistice Stoneman's raid 
 President Lincoln assassinated His obsequies The conspira- 
 tors tried, convicted, and executed Capture of Mobile Wil- 
 ton's cavalry expedition Grand Review at Washington Tha 
 troops disbanded. 4?I
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 OF 
 
 TFIE PRINCIPAL ACTORS IN THE GREAT CNB. WAR 
 
 MM 
 
 Abraham Lincoln 508 
 
 Major-General Winfield Scott 509 
 General Ulysses S. Grant.. . . 511 
 Lt.-Gen. W. T. Sherman. .... 511 
 Major-Gen. P. H. Sheridan.. 513 
 Major-Gen. Irwin McDowell. 514 
 Major-Gen. G. B. McClellan. . 514 
 Major-Gen. 0. 0. Howard... 516 
 
 Major-Gen. B. F. Butler 517 
 
 Major-Gen. E. V. Sumner... 517 
 
 Major-Gen. G. G. Meade 518 
 
 Major-Gen. A. E. Bnrnside.. 519 
 Major-Gen. Joseph Hooker. . 520 
 Major-Gen. J. C. Fremont. . . 520 
 Major-Gen. W. S. Rosecrans. 521 
 Major-Gen. G. H. Thomas... 522 
 Major-Gen. J. B. McPherson. 523 
 
 Major-Gen. N. P. Banks 525 
 
 Major-Gen. John Pope 525 
 
 Major-Gen. W. S. Hancock.. 526 
 Major-Gen. Daniel B. Birney. 527 
 Major-Gen. John Sedgwick. . 528 
 Major-Gen. J. McA. Schofield 529 
 Major-Gen. H. W. Slocum... 530 
 
 Major-Gen. 0. McK. Mitchel) 531 
 Major-Gen. J. Kilpatrick .... 532 
 Major-Gen. John W. Geary.. 532 
 Brig.-Gen. J. S. Wadsworth.. 533 
 Major-Gen. Geo. Stoneman. . 534 
 Major-Gen. Alfred H. Terry. 534 
 Brig.-Gen. Nathaniel Lyon.. 535 
 Major-Gen. John G. Foster.. 535 
 
 Major-Gen. Franz Sigel 536 
 
 Major-Gen. J. Q. A. Gilmore. 537 
 Brig.-Gen. Alexander Hays. . 537 
 Major-Gen. Philip Kearney.. 538 
 Major-Gen. Jno. F. Reynolds 538 
 General Alfred Pleasonton.. 539 
 Brig.-Gen. Michael Corcoran. 540 
 Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth. 540 
 Colonel Edward D. Baker... 541 
 Lieutenant John T. Greble. . 542 
 Vice-Adm'ID. G. Farragut. 543 
 Rear-Adm'l David D. Porter. 544 
 Rear-Adm'l S. F. Dupont. . . 544 
 Rear-Adm'l J. A. Dahlgren.. 545 
 Rear-Adm'l A. H. Foote.. . 64 S 
 
 BIOGRAPHIES OF LEADING CONFEDERATES 
 
 Jefferson Davis 547 
 
 Lient.-Gen. Robert E. Lee. . . 548 
 Major-Gen. Jos. E. Johnston 549 
 Lt.-Gen. Thomas J. Jackson. 550 
 
 Major-Gen. Peter G. T. Bean- 
 regard 660 
 
 Lt.-Gen. J. Longs t reel 552
 
 
 ~ 
 
 HISTORY OF THE GREAT REBELLION 
 
 CHAPTEB L 
 
 BAUSKB Of THI REBELLION TARIFF Or 1816 TRK NULLIFICATION DOC- 
 TRINE Or JOHN 0. CALHOUN PROMPT MEASURES Or PRESIDENT JACK- 
 IOV THK PART PLATED BT SOUTH CAROLINA DOCTRINE OJ HTAT1 
 
 SUPREMACY SLATERT IN THE UNITED 8TATKS MISSOURI COM' ROMI81 
 
 WILMOT PROVISO SLAVERY IN KANSAS INFLAMED STATE OF PARTIB8 
 
 BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION SOUTHERN CONSPIRATORS. YANCEY 
 AND FLOYD TUB SOUTH PREPARING FOR WAR POPULAR PRESENTI- 
 MENTS. 
 
 DIVINE Providence, as seen in the history of all nations, 
 presides over the destinies of mankind. The fierce and 
 effervescent passions of the human mind, the desire of con- 
 quest, the coveted objects of stimulated ambition, the un- 
 scrupulous efforts of tyranny, oppression, and wrong, are so 
 controlled as to vindicate the perfection of the moral gov- 
 ernment of the Supreme arbiter of events, and prove that 
 the " Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men." 
 
 Such a consideration, though frequently disregarded by 
 historians, is indispensable in the discussion of any portion 
 of the history of a people who laid the foundations of a 
 great Republic, firm and sure, on the grand principle of re- 
 ligion ; and whose institutions and laws, closely entwined 
 therewith, flourish, at once the glory and safety of Consti- 
 tutional liberty. The wisdom of Providence developed the 
 resources of struggling colonies, gave them a Washington 
 to lead their armies, broke the rod of the oppressor, pro 
 claimed liberty to the people, and raised, under the fostering 
 care of heaven, the mighty republic whose bounds are 
 washed by oceans, and contain a wider area than the great 
 monarchies of old. 
 
 For a period of eighty years the nation grew, prospered 
 with astonishing increase, and was happy. On a fruitful 
 oil, the emigrant found a home. Agriculture raised thf 
 
 (21)
 
 28 CAUSES or THE BKBXLUOK. 
 
 prod actions of the earth in abundance; manufactures pro- 
 vided for the wants of population ; commerce poured in 
 profusion the commodities of far distant nations into the 
 lap of the opulent ; and while the solemn temples for divine 
 worship rose throughout the land, education erected schools, 
 the arts were cultivated, science flourished, and the people, 
 at home and in the most distant climes, were in safety, and 
 honored, beneath the glorious ensign of the nation. It is 
 not to be expected, in the state of human nature, with its 
 passions and varied objects of self-interest, that every thing 
 would go on without any diminution of prosperity, or a gov- 
 ernment exist without the conflicting views and aims of 
 opposite factions. "Wicked demagogues and designing 
 Iraaves have always existed, in all ages and communities. 
 Our nation formed no exception to the general rule. Had 
 any one predicted the evils that should in a brief space fall 
 like a thunderbolt of desolation, and shake the foundations 
 of Government from circumference to centre, he would have 
 been deemed unworthy of credit, if not demented. 
 
 But a dark cloud of portentous gloom lowered over the 
 nation in her happiest hours. It sometimes, indeed, par- 
 tially disappeared, but still remained, at times increasing, 
 growing blacker and blacker; till at last, pregnant with 
 ruin, bloodshed, and desolation, it burst with terrific vio- 
 lence, filling loyal hearts with dismay, and threatening to 
 sweep in the down-pouring flood every landmark sacred to 
 the fathers of old, and every star from our political horizon. 
 
 The tocsin of war resounded throughout the land. The 
 drum and shrill bugle note summoned loyal hearts to rally 
 round the flag, and defend the Constitution. Families were 
 divided, and a million of men rose to imbrue their hands in 
 fratricidal blood, and hostile armies stood looking each 
 other in the face, ready to waste, destroy, kill, and trample 
 under foot all that opposed. And all this was in a civilized 
 nation of the same origin, language, institutions, and laws ; 
 a nation professing Christianity in the latter half of the 
 nineteenth century adoring the same God through the same 
 Redeemer. Each called on heaven for confusion to the 
 other ; each drew the manslaying sword, and fought until 
 the most powerful prevailed. After that, peace was restored, 
 and liberty to a down-trodden race ; but it could not bring 
 Wok the brave men sacrificed on many a bloody field, heal
 
 STULLiriCATIUN BOCTMNX. SI 
 
 oroken hearts, drown the piercing cries of the fatherless 
 orphan, or dry np the bereaved widow's tears. Strange 
 anomaly I which seems like some horrid nightmare, but too 
 real, alas 1 Wonderful history, full of dreadful tragedies aa 
 ever were enacted on the stage of time, thrilling and capti- 
 vating the heart. 
 
 It is our task, within the limits assigned, to trace the ori- 
 gin of the feud that bathed the nation in blood, to follow the 
 course of events that drew armies to the ensanguined field, 
 to describe faithfully the battles, skirmishes, incidents, toils, 
 dangers, and sufferings in which the combatants engaged; 
 and, following the best guides, aided by our experience of 
 the actual conflict for four years in the Federal service, lead 
 the reader to a just appreciation of this portion of national 
 history, and only part when rebellious citizens lay down 
 their arms, and happy peace once more smiles on a distracted 
 and tempest-tossed nation. 
 
 The terrible monster of Kebellion had three heads, now to 
 be described, namely, the experiment of Nullification, 
 attempted in 1828 by John C. Calhoun, the doctrine of State 
 Supremacy, and the Perpetuation of Slavery. 
 
 Congress, in 1816, made a reduction on imported woollen 
 and cotton goods of five per cent., which was not favored 
 by those who desired protection, and such required a higher 
 tariff In 1824, a law was made increasing the profits on 
 certain manufactures, but this tariff was found not to afford 
 sufficient protection to the manufactures of Eastern States, 
 the Pennsylvania Iron trade, and the wool and hemp trade 
 of the Northern and Western States. After a severe con- 
 test, in 1827, 1828, between these interests and the advocates 
 of the cotton interest in the South, a tariff bill was passed 
 imposing duties averaging fifty per cent, on imports. 
 
 The representatives of certain important Southern States 
 violently opposed the bill, and John C. Calhoun, a man of 
 genius, and wielding great logical powers, revolved in hia 
 mind the bold design of Nullification. Meetings were held 
 in different parts of South Carolina in defence of Nullifica- 
 tion, and documents were printed and distributed declaring 
 the acts of Congress for the protection of Eastern and 
 Northern manufactures unconstitutional, and inviting other 
 Southern States to aid South Carolina in preventing theii 
 txeoution. In 1832, on the 24th of November, the Conven
 
 14 PROMPT MEASURES OF JACKSOJC. 
 
 tion at Columbia passed the Nullification Act ; forbade 
 to the Supreme Court of the United States in any mattel 
 wherein the validity of the ordinance was concerned ; and de- 
 clared that any attempt at enforcing the revenue laws, except 
 through the civil courts, would "justify that State in seced 
 ing from the Union, and in establishing a separate and in- 
 dependent government." The Legislature, which was in 
 session, approved of the ordinance, and ordered the State to 
 prepare for defence ; raised, armed, and equipped as many 
 men as were deemed sufficient to resist the Government in 
 collecting the revenue, and declared that resistance was to 
 be made to the utmost When General Jackson, then Presi- 
 dent of the United States, declared his intention of collect- 
 ing the revenue, and warned the people of South Carolina 
 in a proclamation, Governor Hayne in another proclamation 
 defended Nullification, and called for twelve thousand vol- 
 unteers to arm against the Federal forces. The Force Bill, 
 which gave the President greater power, and extended the 
 jurisdiction of the Courts of the United States so as to dea* 
 with cases arising under the revenue laws, was passed 28th 
 of February, 1883, and the President, by sending General 
 Scott with a body of troops to Charleston, thus crushed this 
 incipient rebellion. If the imbecile President, James Bu- 
 chanan, who ruled during the outbreak of the great civil war, 
 had used the same strenuous efforts, the country might 
 have been saved from rebellion. The seed sown by Cal- 
 houn and his associates sprung up afterward, and South 
 Carolina was destined to take a leading part in treason 
 against the Government, and to " pierce herself through with 
 many sorrows." Charleston played a prominent part in the 
 war of the great rebellion, and Columbia, in which the Ordi- 
 nance of Nullification was passed, beheld a fugitive and 
 terror-stricken people, and became a heap of burning ruins - 
 Another head of rebellion was the doctrine of State 
 Supremacy, in opposition to the policy of Centralization. 
 Various arguments were used to justify the right of secea- 
 eion from the Federal Union, claimed by the seoeding 
 States. The absurdity of the doctrine is obvious. It is evi- 
 dent that the States gave up all rights to the Federal Gov- 
 ernment for the common good, and that the people of all the 
 States established the Federal Government. "The people" 
 framed and adopted t'le Constitution and they have a right
 
 IHTBODUOTION OF SLAYBBY. 26 
 
 to amend, change, or alter. Those who made the Constitu- 
 tion had no intention that any State should have the right 
 of secession, and for such a procedure the Constitution itself 
 makes no provision. As to the idea of a partnership that 
 might be dissolved at pleasure, the arguments in favor of 
 secession are untenable. They were, however, satisfactory 
 to many, who determined to break up the fair fabric which 
 fcheir fathers had reared rather than forego the desire for 
 State Bights. 
 
 The third head of the cruel monster Rebellion was the 
 desire to perpetuate human slavery, and this was the imme- 
 diate cause of the terrible conflict that ensued, and continued 
 to rage during four long years. 
 
 Slavery was first introduced by a Dutch trading ship from 
 the coast of Africa, which brought twenty slaves up the 
 James river in Virginia. Fresh importations of negroes 
 took place subsequently, and the nefarious traffic became 
 common. 
 
 At the end of the Revolution, the framers of the Constitu- 
 tion had to take things as they found them, and the subject 
 of slavery was one of the greatest difficulties which sages 
 and statesmen of those and future times were destined to 
 encounter. Slavery grew and increased, and the most trying 
 complications existed on the settlement of new Territories. 
 
 When Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama were respec- 
 tively formed from portions of Virginia, North Carolina, and 
 Mississippi, and as Territories ceded to the Federal Govern- 
 ment, it was with the express stipulation that, both as 
 Territories and when the requisite number of inhabitants 
 should entitle them to admission into the Union as States, 
 slavery should be fully recognized and duly protected. 
 
 Several severe contests took place in the Congress of the 
 United States respecting slavery in Missouri, both as a 
 Territory, and when she sought admission as a State. The 
 Missouri Compromise, introduced by Henry Clay in 1820, 
 was intended to restrain slavery within certain limits. Texas, 
 upon her admission into the Union in 1845, by a clause in 
 her constitution, recognized the existence of slavery within 
 her limits. During the war with Mexico, the Wtfmot 
 Proviso was intended to prohibit slavery within any territory 
 acquired by the United States from Mexico ; and also invol- 
 untary servitude except in orininal oases after conviction 
 &
 
 26 SLAVERY IN KANSAS. 
 
 Henry Clay's resolutions, known as the Compromise o 
 effected very little, and a wordy war was kept up on the 
 subject of slavery. In 1852, the National Convention of the 
 Whig and Democratic parties accepted the Compromise of 
 1850, which excluded slavery from the Territory of 
 Nebraska. The bill of Senator Douglas, in 1854, for organiz- 
 ing the Territory of Nebraska, had a clause declaring the 
 Missouri restriction on slavery void, and this bill became 
 a law. In the discussion, however, it had been modified, 
 and on its final adoption contained this provision, that the 
 Act of 1850 did not intend to legislate slavery into any State, 
 nor yet exclude it, but left the people to manage their domes- 
 tic institutions in their own way, and that such a policy should 
 remain as a fundamental principle of their Constitution. 
 
 Subsequently, Kansas Territory was organized and the 
 law promulgated recognizing the liberty of the people to 
 manage their institutions in their own way. A fierce strug- 
 gle arose between the free state and pro-slavery parties, on 
 the question of slavery. The most atrocious murders were 
 committed, and a state of anarchy prevailed, in which ruffian- 
 ism was rampant, elections frustrated, the ballot box inter* 
 fered with, the judiciary corrupt, and a state of things 
 prevalent such as to make the blood run cold. The Kansas 
 imbroglio involved the North and South, and agitations of 
 an alarming character began to threaten civil war. The 
 Topeka Convention adopted a free Constitution for Kansas, 
 and after a desperate contest between the advocates and 
 opponents of slavery in Congress, the bill in favor of admit- 
 ting Kansas as a free State was passed July Sd, 1856. 
 
 Though Congress took ho part in the contests which 
 individual States, north and south, carried on in their 
 legislative capacity, the intenseness of the hatred grew 
 great, and statesmen of the highest abilities were filled with 
 apprehensions the most gloomy. 
 
 The rendition of fugitive slaves became so great an ex- 
 pense as rendered the attempt often worse than useless, 
 while abolitionists, on the other hand, were often treated 
 with the greatest barbarism, The breach between North 
 and South was widened by abolition lecturers and the por- 
 tions of the Northern press that took a deep interest in tha 
 slave question. A feeling of intense natred was increasing 
 in Congress, md new political combination were forming,
 
 SOUTHERN CONSPIRATOE8. 2? 
 
 *hich, by adopting an anti-slavery platform, brought the 
 North and South into competition for the prize of govern- 
 mental power. 
 
 The danger seemed passed when Mr. Buchanan was cleo 
 ted President, and but for a few Southern conspirators, bent 
 on destroying the Government which they had been plotting 
 against many years, better and wiser counsels might yet 
 have prevailed. This was not the intention of those who 
 insidiously poisoned the public mind, while excitement dur- 
 ing a political canvass masked their hidden attempts. They 
 studied how the very triumph of the Republican party 
 might yet favor their aims, and while the North was all un- 
 conscious of their diabolical intents, to destroy one of the 
 noblest fabrics ever erected by mankind. 
 
 The imbecility of Buchanan's administration, and his 
 want of appreciation of the important responsibility of his 
 high office, were favorable to the Southern conspirators, 
 while, the Kansas difficulty being adjusted, public feeling 
 at the North settled into a fatal security. Nothing but an 
 independent government would now suffice the conspirators, 
 who left the campaign of 1860 to work out its own results 
 and made preparations for rebellion. 
 
 Every thing was favorable. Yancey and Da vis v matured 
 their plans, and Floyd and Thompson, members of the cabi 
 net, cooperated. Floyd made such disposition of the troopa 
 at the forts, and so distributed the forces of the army and 
 navy, as might impede the new President, and arms were 
 sent to the South in large quantities, to have all in readiness. 
 Mr. Lincoln was elected in November, i860, and reports 
 were circulated that the Republicans designed to free the 
 slaves and raise an insurrection. The nation stood on the 
 summit of a volcano, and Northern fanatics talked and 
 laughed with unbecoming levity. The crisis was at hand ; 
 but, when the blow was to be given, the boldest of the 
 conspirators trembled. The people feared, but they were 
 told that there, would be no war; that the North 
 would not fight, and that secession would be aided by 
 Northern sympathizers, who were inflamed against the 
 Republican party. The words of the leaders fired the South 
 ern heart. Now was the time for action. If the present 
 passed, so good an opportunity would not again occur, 
 bome wanted to call a convention of the Southern States, bu
 
 28 POPULAR PRESENTIMENTS. 
 
 others thought that such a delay would make their attempt* 
 too late, and tend to strengthen Northern power. An un- 
 easy feeling, therefore, arose in all parts of the country; 
 public confidence, amid the mutterings of discontent, waa 
 k)st, a state of fevered excitement prevailed, and each 
 day added to the apprehensions which already, like a gloomy 
 pall, overspread the nation. The North could not believe 
 that war was imminent, and made not the slightest prepara- 
 tion. The South was on the alert, and well concerted 
 schemes were on foot to secede and establish an indepen- 
 dent nation, in which Cotton would rule and the ilarf 
 power prevail.
 
 CHAPTJija, AA. 
 
 t.lf!TIO>- OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN BOl'TIl CAROLINA ANDGKGKGIA KKCEOB 
 
 AJCDKR8ON AT FORT Kl'MTHR BTAR Of THK WEST SODTHKRN MEMBEKS 
 
 111 CONGRESS INiDaU RATION OF LINCOLN UI8 CABINKT BOMBARD- 
 
 HKNT AND FALL OF FORT 8CMTKR 11KROI8M OF ANDKRSCN AND TUB QAS- 
 
 KISON CALL FOR 8KVKNTY-FIVK TUOUBAND TROOPS FOR THRKS MONTH! 
 
 THK BLAVK BTATKS RKFUSK TO SKND TUKIR QUOTAS PATRIOTIC SPIRIT 
 
 IK THK NORTH PROCLAMATION OF JKKFERSON DAVIS VIRGINIA HKCKDE3 
 BCRRKNDKR OF NORFOLK 8URRKNDKH OF HAKI'Kii's FERRT TU 
 FKOPLK ROCSKD TO WAR. 
 
 THK election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the 
 United States by the vote of seventeen States, or one hun- 
 dred and eighty electors out of three hundred and three, was 
 made known in South Carolina and Georgia, and provoked 
 great indignation. The Legislature of South Carolina, the 
 day following the general election, adopted resolutions to 
 cull a convention of the people to consider the question of 
 secession, call out the militia, and prepare for war. The 
 prominent citizens of Georgia met at Savannah on the 8th 
 of November, and adopted resolutions in favor of secession. 
 Rebellion spread rapidly, and the old colonial flag of Geor- 
 gia was planted at Savannah. South Carolina adopted the 
 Palmetto flag, and many of the leading oflicers of the Federal 
 Government resigned their positions. In the latter part of 
 December, 1S6Q, South Carolina declared herself an inde- 
 pendent State, and the joyful news met with a salute of a 
 hundred guns at Mobile, while the Pelican flag was planted 
 at New Urleans, and secession banners waved in triumph 
 throughout the South. 
 
 Major Anderson, who commanded the forts in Charleston 
 harbor, deeming Fort Moultrio untenable, withdrew hia 
 small garrison to Fort Sumter on the night of the 28th of Do 
 cember. This fort was built on an island, and almost im- 
 pregnable. The act created a profound sensation. It 
 seemed as if actual hostilities were begun, and while John 
 B. Floyd resigned his post as Secretary of War, the South 
 Carolina troops seized the city arsenal, with its large quan- 
 tity of military stores and arms, and erected strong fortifica 
 lions around Fort Sumter. While deep gloom pervaded 
 
 1*9)
 
 50 FORMATION OP THK SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY. 
 
 the nation, and Senators were resigning their Beats, Bach 
 anan vacillated and temporized. His course aided th 
 Southern conspirators, who, regardless of their oaths, be- 
 trayed the country to which they had sworn allegiance. 
 In the dreadful situation in which the nation was placed, 
 there were many, both North and South, who manifested 
 more love for political party than for their country. 
 
 The Southern leaders saw in these distractions the favor- 
 able time to drill their troops, and one State after another 
 seceded. The Governor of North Carolina seized Fort 
 Macon at Beaufort, several forts at Wilmington, and 
 the United States Arsenal at Fayetteville. The Governor 
 of Georgia seized Fort Pulaski; Mississippi and Florida 
 seceded, and the troops of the latter State took Fort Barran- 
 cas and the Pensacola Navy Yard. Louisiana seceded, and 
 seized the United States Mint and half a million of dollars in 
 the sub-treasury at New Orleans. The Arkansas State troops 
 took possession of the arsenal at Little Rock ; and aboat this 
 time the Star of the West, on her way to reinforce Fort 
 Sumter, was fired into. 
 
 At the end of February a Southern Confederacy was 
 formed, with Jefferson Davis as President of the Provisional 
 Government, at Montgomery, Alabama. The conspirators 
 were on the alert, as the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln was 
 soon to take place. Mr. Holt, of Kentucky, was appointed 
 Secretary of War, and Mr. Thompson, of New York, 
 became Secretary of the Treasury, under Mr. Buchanan, 
 which somewhat stayed the waves of sedition. General 
 Twiggs, who commanded in Texas, was dismissed for sur- 
 rendering the posts and United States property to the State 
 authorities. By these stringent measures the weak admin 
 istration of Buchanan was somewhat aided. 
 
 The Southern members, as usual, had taken their seats in 
 Congress, in December, with no intention other than gain- 
 ing some of the public favor in aid of secession. The prin- 
 cipal of them were, Mason from Virginia, Benjamin from 
 Louisiana, and Wigfall from Texas. They used all their 
 artful cunning in favor of peaceful secession, or harped 
 upon the evils which the South suffered from the North, 
 ani in consideration of the dangers that threatened tha 
 nation, different plans were adopted and guarantees offered 
 cf Southern rights in future. It was evident, howerer, that
 
 INAUGURATION 07 LINCOLN. 81 
 
 all concessions were now too late, and the different plans pro 
 posed were rendered abortive, while the nation drifted en 
 toward the whirlpool of ruin. 
 
 The right of secession, claimed by the South," was indig 
 oantly denied by the North. The purchase of Louisiana, 
 uid Florida, the acquisition of Texas, and the driving back 
 >f the Indians, etc., had involved an expense to the Govern- 
 ment of $200,000,000. These considerations, and the fact 
 >hat the Mississippi river, common to the two sections, could 
 cot be divided, made secession, in the mind of the North 
 an absurdity, while with the South it was a foregone con- 
 clusion. The South then rushed madly into the crime of re- 
 bellion, and precipitated the country into all the horrors of 
 civil war. The idea of assassinating President Lincoln about 
 the time of his inauguration was doubtless now entertained. 
 
 The President, on his way to Washington, expressed him- 
 self as convinced that the disturbance was only an artificial 
 excitement. Many friends of the country were, however, 
 filled with serious presentiments of forthcoming evil. When 
 he reached Harrisburg, the President became alarmed, and 
 awoke to the horrible reality that his life was in danger. 
 
 At Ilarrisburg he left his family behind, and took a 
 special train back to Philadelphia, arriving in time for the 
 regular train, and, taking a sleeping car, escaped observa- 
 tion, passing Baltimore at four o'clock in the morning; 
 thereby frustrating the design on his life by the mob it ihe 
 latter city. 
 
 The inauguration took place on the 4th of March, 1861. 
 The tone in which the message of the new President was 
 expressed, proved how little the honest heart of that upright 
 man had calculated on the heinous wickedness which was 
 sapping the foundation of free institutions, and threatening 
 the Government with baleful destruction. Mr. William H. 
 Seward was chosen Secretary of State, and Mr. Simon 
 Cameron Secretary of War, under the new administration. 
 To the commissioners appointed by Virginia to ascertain the 
 Presidential policy Mr. Lincoln made a brief reply, but de- 
 clined to receive those who were sent to propose a settle- 
 ment without war, as such a course would have been a 
 recognition of the seven States composing the "Southern 
 Confederacy." 
 
 Th Southern leaders used very plausible arguments to
 
 92 ATTACK OX FORT SUMTKR. 
 
 the different States which they wished to secede. Thet 
 had an idea that thore would be no war, and that the North 
 would give them their independence without a resort to 
 arms. Events were now rapidly hastening to a crisis, and 
 Major Anderson, in command of Fort Sumter, with its gar- 
 rison of only seventy-five men, was summoned by General 
 P, T. G. Beauregard, in command of the defences of Charles 
 ton, to evacuate the fort. Although starvation stared him 
 in the face, he refused to do so, upon which Beauregard re- 
 solved to open fire. In tne meantime, the rebel forts, which 
 were springing up around the fort, without any interruption 
 from the Federal Government, were near completion. The 
 bristling batteries arose around the brave commander and 
 his men in Sumter. All hope of supplies was cut oft; and 
 the batteries in the harbor prevented the throwing of rein- 
 forcements into the fort. Ilis position became very trying, 
 and yet Anderson received no orders to abandon the fort, or 
 permission GO counteract the hostile preparations against 
 him. The bomb-proof batteries at Fort Moultrie, Sullivan's 
 Island, and the floating battery with the powerful colum- 
 biads, now threatened the devoted garrison. On a summons 
 to surrender, Anderson gave a calm and dignified refusal, 
 but said, if no orders or supplies reached him between the 
 12th and 15th, he would then comply. Beauregard sent 
 word, early on the morning of the 12th, that in one hour he 
 would open the fire of his batteries on the fort. 
 
 On receiving this message, the intrepid Anderson removed 
 the sentinels from the parapets, flung the flag to the breeze in 
 the darkness of \^niing, and that flag was insulted by tha 
 first shot fired at half-past four o'clock. The Rubicon waa 
 now crossed, and a war was begun, destined to sweep thou 
 sands to the grave. After a silence of a few moments, the 
 concentrated fire of Fort Moultrie, Point Pleasant, Fort 
 Johnston, and other batteries shook sea and shore with the 
 reverberations of their thunders. 
 
 The little band in the fort sat in mute silence for some 
 time, and did not return the enemy's fire, though heavy shot 
 struck the fort. After a quiet breakfast, the devoted band 
 was divided into three reliefs. The fort batteries for four 
 hours kept up a responsive fire to the enemy's guns. The 
 shot and shell of the latter destroyed all the guns of the fort 
 that could throw shells, and Anderson had to use solid shot
 
 FALL OF FORT SUMTER. 8ft 
 
 which was of little effect. Repeated fires of the barracks 
 were extinguished. The men made cartridges of their shirt 
 sleeves when the supply was exhausted. The cannonading 
 was as fierce as ever during the night, and the long trains 
 of light showed the course of the shells, while the solid shot 
 shook the fort. For the fourth time the barracks were cm 
 fire, and now fears arose for the magazine. The whole gar- 
 rison left the guns, and rolled away ninety-six barrels, and 
 tbsn, subdued by the fierce heat, had to lock up the maga- 
 zine, and leave it to its fate. The intense and stifling heat 
 obliged the men to hold wet cloths to their mouths, and 
 cast themselves on the ground. Their food was out the day 
 before ; the walls of the fort crumbled about their ears ; the 
 cartridges were exhausted, and no powder could be brought 
 from the magazine. The upper service magazine caught 
 fire and exploded, and the fire was now gaining on the 
 powder barrels. The \nen covered these with wet blankets, 
 but in the dreadful heat they feared lest they would explode, 
 and rolled them all out into the sea except three. Three 
 cartridges were in the guns, and now down went the flag- 
 staff; but the flag, nailed to it, was ordered to wave again on 
 the rampart. Senator Wigfall, late member of Congress 
 from Texas, now appeared with a white flag, and, being 
 admitted at the casemate, said that he saw the flag was 
 down, and "came from Beauregard." He. was told the flag 
 was not down, and then usked for some one to hold his f^&g, 
 which being declined, he held it himself, and then \va? re 
 lieved by a corporal, who at length refused to hold it longer, 
 as the enemy fired at it. Wigfall then placed it outside the 
 embrasure, and in a conference with Major Anderson, told 
 him that General Beauregard wished the firing to cease, and 
 that he wanted to know on what terms the fort would be 
 surrendered. To this, Anderson answered, that Beauregard 
 knew the only terms already. It was found, on the appear- 
 ance of a deputation of four officers at the fort, that Wigfall 
 had acted only on his own responsibility, and without the 
 knowledge of Beauregard, and they came to help put out 
 the fire. When told of the terms of surrender, they were 
 greatly astonished, on which Anderson saic* be would have 
 to put up the flag again. Before the terms with Wjgfall 
 had been put to writing, the ad.j utant-general, and other 
 mem bora of Beauregard's staff! 3am* v o make a proposition of
 
 54 PROCLAMATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN 
 
 acceding to the terms on which Anderson had consented to 
 surrender, except the salute to the flag, and as he would not 
 accept these conditions, the terms first proposed by him were 
 agreed on. A hundred guns saluted the flag, and the brave 
 little band of heroes marched out of the fort to the stirring 
 Bounds of martial music, embarked on the Isabel, and from 
 thence to the steamer Baltic, and sailed for New York. 
 
 The inhabitants of Charleston were in ecstacies of delight 
 and gave way to the wildest joy. Beauregard was magni 
 fied into a valiant hero. 
 
 The news conveyed by telegraph filled the nation with 
 indignant astonishment. The flag was dishonored, and war 
 had commenced. The insolence of South Carolina, the fear- 
 ful news of a State in actual rebellion, and the gloomy pros- 
 pects before the nation, filled the people with horror, and 
 inflamed the public mind to the highest degree. The vitu- 
 perations and threats boldly launched by the Democrats 
 against their successful opponents, the sympathy which they 
 had with the slave power, and the divisions which, at the 
 North, presaged woe to the Union, now, at this crisis, made 
 the administration apprehensive of the result. 
 
 Party lines, however, were now obliterated, the majesty 
 of patriotism rose in grandeur above petty differences, and 
 while an insulted flag and the insolent bravado of the South 
 pressed on the great heart of the nation, it thrilled, and 
 through all the land the cry was vengeance. The President 
 now saw that bloody war had usurped the state of artificial 
 excitement, and he beheld a mighty work before him. 
 When Fort Sumter fell, he at once called for seventy-five 
 thousand volunteers to serve for three months, to defend the 
 national capital. Congress was summoned to meet on the 
 4th of July. 
 
 The proclamation was received with great enthusiasm, 
 and meetings were held in all parts of the North, while 
 ench was the eagerness to volunteer, that a far greatei 
 number than called for flocked to the standard of the 
 Union. Money was raised in all the large towns to support 
 the families of volunteers. Legislatures made liberal appro- 
 priations, and the Government was amply supplied with the 
 means of carrying on the war. 
 
 The slave States were still in the Union, and the call foi 
 their quota rf troops wa? met with a refusal on the part of
 
 PROCLAMATION OF JEFFERSON DAVIS. 35 
 
 the Governors of Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Ten- 
 nessee, Arkansas, and several other States. Governor Hickr 
 of Maryland, was willing to supply troops for the prote< 
 tion of Washington only. Delaware took loyal ground a. 
 once. 
 
 Few in the North dreamed that the exasperated bitter- 
 ness which disgraced Congress, and the inflamed passions 
 which on both sides made the breach for a long time between 
 the North and South wider and wider, would end in civil 
 war. 
 
 This state of things had long existed, and the menacea 
 which might have been taken as significant, excited no 
 alarm. The political demagogues gave out that " the South 
 would not fight," and the Southern conspirators said " the 
 North would never go into a contest with Southern chivalry ; 
 and if such should be the case, one Southerner could easily 
 beat three Yankees." The South they thought was too 
 good a customer to be lost, and thus on both sides the 
 people were cajoled, till hostile armies prepared to decide 
 the contest by the sword. 
 
 The patriotic spirit of the North was now fairly aroused, 
 and the troops, passing through every town, had a most 
 enthusiastic reception, while martial music stirred the heart, 
 banners waved proudly, and citizens thronged to see the 
 soldiers. Many thought fhat the war would end in ?, brief 
 space, and it seemed but an exciting and pleasant holiday. 
 
 Jefferson Davis issued a proclamation calling out 
 volunteers, and also granted letters of marque to privateers 
 to prey on the commerce of the North. This call was 
 
 Sromptly and enthusiastically responded to. Many in the 
 outh were under the impression that the Northern forces 
 were not called out for the defence of Washington, but to 
 liberate the slaves, and hence they must fight for all they 
 held dear their hearths and homes and liberty itself. The 
 most dreadful stories were told of Northern barbarity, and 
 the Southern people were fully roused. The South was a 
 unit, but divisions for a long while were prevalent at the 
 North, where many sympathized with Southern rebels and 
 traitors, and prayed for the success of the Confederate 
 arms. 
 
 On the issue of President Lincoln's proclamation, the 
 State of Virginia at once adopted the ordinance of secession.
 
 86 SCRRBNTXETK OF NORFOLK. 
 
 Her fertile fields were destined to become the stage on 
 which many a bloody tragedy was enacted. One of those 
 who resisted this suicidal policy was John Minor Botts, but 
 n vain. His proud old State sided with the South, and at- 
 achcd an importance to her part in the contest of no little 
 Hftgnitude. 
 
 The Government at Washington now contended with great 
 embarrassments; arid as treason lurked on every side, and the 
 nost secret designs were conveyed to the enemy, great 
 iistrust prevailed. In the conflicting chaos of affairs, an 
 nexperienced hand had to guide the helm. The two 
 cabinet officers on whom Mr. Lincoln relied were neither 
 of them eminently fitted for the crisis, and a? little prepared 
 for the complications with which the nation struggled aa 
 the President himself. The Secretary of the Navy had but 
 limited experience in naval affairs, and, in eonsqncnce of a 
 great disaster that soon followed the fall of Sumter, came in for 
 a heavy share of blame. This was the capture by the rebels of 
 the Navy Yard at Norfolk, the greatest in the United States, and 
 containing a great number of cannon of the largest calibre, 
 in which, notwithstanding the heavy thefts of Floyd, the 
 rebels were deficient, and required for future operations. 
 This important place was not guarded sufficiently, and, 
 falling into the hands of the enemy, supplied them with 
 hundreds of heavy cannon, which were soon turned against 
 the I'nion. The Secretary of the Navy was content to savo 
 the vessels there, and gave orders to Commodore McCauley 
 to that effect. Finding that the design was not carried out, 
 he sent Commodore Paulding to supersede him, who, on 
 arriving, found the Merrimac and other ships scuttled, and the 
 work of destruction going forward. As this process would 
 not save them from the enemy he fired them, and such of 
 the public property as he could, and left the place. The 
 Cumberland and Merrimac were destined to meet again, the 
 former meeting with a worse fate than the torch from 
 patriots. The Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Columbus, of 
 seventy-four guns each ; the Merrimac and Columbia, forty- 
 four ; the Raritan, forty-five ; the war sloops Germantown and 
 Plymouth, and the brig Dolphin, were scuttled and fired. 
 The loss was estimated at fifty millions of dollars of little 
 moment compared with the hundreds of cannon which it 
 gave into the enemy's hands. Grtat indignation aroe thai
 
 THE PEOPLE ROUSED TO WAR. di 
 
 the ships did not shell the batteries of the enemy, lay the 
 place in ruins, and render the guns useless. But now the 
 act was done. 
 
 About the same time, Lieutenant Jones set fire to and 
 destroyed the Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, to save it from 
 falling into the hands of two thousand five hundred men, 
 who marched against it from Virginia. These arms and 
 rrwinitions of war might have been conveyed to a place of 
 afety, and, but for the prompt action of Lieutenant Jones, 
 would have fallen into the enemy's hands. The Gosport 
 Navy Yard was surrendered on the 15th of April, and 
 Harper's Ferry on the 18th, ard Norfolk Navy Yard two 
 days before. There was mismanagement somewhere, and 
 the indignation of the people was fierce, while confidence in 
 the administration was seriously shaken by these dis- 
 asters. 
 
 "While the rebels were at work drilling, preparing the 
 munitions of war, arms, equipments, every thing Govern- 
 ment was listening to politicians who were in want of places 
 and for six weeks, during which warlike preparations should 
 have been vigorously pursued to suppress rebellion, time 
 was frittered away, and the administration did little or 
 nothing. 
 
 But the people took things into their own hands, resolved 
 to finish the quarrel with the bayonet, and with amazing 
 energy devised schemes to frustrate the enemy's designs, and 
 sent out bold patriots to defend the nation from traitors. 
 
 The supineness of the administration and dogged deter- 
 mination of the people, formed a contrast that waa not 
 without alarm, but every thir g, by degrees, righted. 
 4
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 APRIL, If AY, 1861. 
 
 HOPES OF THE SOUTH BLOCKADE OF SOUTHERN PC ftTB BAH* 
 VK88 OF CONTRACTORS TROOPS ANSWERING TO THE PRESIDENT'S CALL 
 
 ATTACK BY A MOB ON MASSACHUSETTS AND PENNSYLVANIA TROCPS IN 
 
 BALTIMORE RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS IN THE ARMY AND NAVY NEW 
 TORR DECLARES REBELLION MUST CEASE EFFECT OF THE NEWS IN THE 
 SOUTH CALL FOR FORTY THOUSAND MEN, AND INCREASE OF THE ARMY 
 AND NAVY SUSPENSION OF HABEAS CORPUS STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THK 
 8CVTH. 
 
 THE rebel leaders intended to capture the Federal capital, 
 and Walker, the rebel Secretary of War, predicted that the 
 flag of the Southern Confederacy would float in triumph 
 over the dome of the capitol before the 1st of May. The 
 Southern press was quite sanguine of success, and its hopes, 
 but for the patriotism of the loyal sons of the North, might 
 6ave been realized. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Southern ports were blockaded by the 
 great steamship Niagara, at Charleston ; the steam frigate 
 Minnesota, at Old Point Comfort ; the Dawn and Yankee, 
 off Fortress Monroe; the Quaker City, off ths mouth of the 
 Chesapeake; the Monticello, off York river; the Harriet 
 Lane, off the James river, and other vessels were sent to 
 Savannah, Mobile, and New Orleans. 
 
 "While the people were bent on saving the country, and 
 pouring forth regiments in its defence, the troops sent 
 out were generally unfurnished with arms and equip 
 ments, which it wa? expected the Government would supply 
 It was then that politicians took these affairs into their own 
 hands to amass money, and many a colossal fortune was mad* 
 by contract in those days of shoddy. The clothing supplied 
 by them soon fell into tatters, and the shoes left the troops 
 barefooted. Swindling to an immense extent prevailed, and 
 General Wool, superintending affairs at New York, attempt- 
 ing to check the wasteful extravagance that was robbing th 
 public treasury, was sent home to Troy by the influence of 
 politicians at Washington. 
 
 Troops were now rushing from Massachusetts, Penniyl- 
 8)
 
 TROOPS ATTACKED IN BALTIMOKE. 89 
 
 rania Rhode Island, Ohio, Illinois, and the distant West, to 
 the defence of the capital. Threats on every side arose 
 that they would not be allowed to pass through Baltimore. 
 Patrols guarded the Long Bridge, at Washington, night and 
 day, and cannon were placed to command the passage. 
 General Scott made the best disposition he could of ths 
 small forces of the Government, and anxious eyes were beni 
 on the Northern troops, who were advancing to reinforce 
 "V\ ashington. 
 
 The first regiment which had that honor was the Sixth 
 Massachusetts, which reached Baltimore on the 19th oi 
 Aoril, and proceeded to the farther depot in eleven cars, 
 drawn by horses. An attack was made on them by the 
 mob, who, with dreadful yells and curses, rained a shower 
 of brickbats, stones, and every missile within reach, break- 
 ing the windows, and wounding the troops seated within. 
 No retaliation on the part of the soldiers took place, and 
 nine cars reached the depot and set off for Washington. 
 Two cars, with a hundred men, were cut off and left behind. 
 The mob, eight thousand in number, lashed into fury, made 
 a fierce attack, and the soldiers, leaving the cars, formed a 
 solid square, and, with the mayor of the city at their head, 
 advanced at double-quick, with bayonets gleaming. Brick 
 bats, stones, clubs, pistols, and muskets were freely used 
 by the mob, but the troops restrained themselves with great 
 forbearance, and only an occasional shot was fired. Two 
 soldiers were killed, and two wounded, and then their com- 
 rades, exasperated, fired, and struggling toward the depot 
 with two killed and eight wounded, set out for the capital. 
 
 A body of Pennsylvania troops from Philadelphia, under 
 Colonel Small, was less fortunate, being almost entirely un- 
 armed. While the armed Massachusetts men made good 
 their way, the Pennsylvanians, leaving the cars, formed a 
 'ine in the street, and marched for the depot. A vast mob, 
 with a Confederate flag, attacked them with a volley of 
 stones, and such of the soldiers as had arms discharged them 
 in self-defence. A hand-to-hand combat ensued, and the 
 soldiers at last succeeded in reaching the "depot; an engine 
 was attached to the train of cars, and the return to Philadel- 
 phia commenced. A number were wounded, several killed, 
 others scattered, and these made their escape facilitated by 
 the circumstance that the reg ; ment was not uniformed.
 
 40 RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS. 
 
 Unirersal indignation burst forth at the news of this nittf- 
 derous outrage, and the c\*y was to lay the city in ashes, 
 should such a course be necessary for the passage of the 
 troops. Fort McHenry received *i stronger garrison. 
 Camps of instruction were formed is different places for 
 drilling troops, and soon all fears for the safety of Washing- 
 ton subsided, by the number of b~*ave defenders who flocked 
 thither. 
 
 The mob took possession of Baltimore, and the mayor and 
 governor informed the President that no more troops could 
 pass through it. When this news reached New York the 
 seventh regiment took forty-eight rounds of cartridges to 
 clear a passage, and their example was followed by other 
 regiments. A bloody battle in the streets of Baltimore was 
 expected, and the commander-in-chief declared that the 
 troops must come by that route to Washington. 
 
 The troops, however, stopped at Havre de Grace, and 
 took steamers for Annapolis. Regiments were hurried for- 
 ward ; and the public squares, both chambers of Congress, 
 and the President's mansion were 1! filled with troops. 
 The rotunda of the capital was filled with stacked arms, and 
 soldiers lounged in the seats of Senators. No fear now that 
 rebels could possess themselves of the national capital. 
 
 Many of the Federal officers in the army and navy, who 
 were natives of the South, now resigned their positions, and 
 severed their connection with the Government. Among 
 these was Colonel Robert E. Lc % e, who was held in great 
 esteem by General Scolt, and universally respected by the 
 nation. Long he hesitated, and is said to have shed bitter 
 tears at the alternative proposed to him ; but the struggle 
 was soon past, and he gave in his adherence to the fortunes 
 of Virginia. The State Rights doctrine of Calhouu at this 
 time bore abundant fruits, and the greater credit is due 
 to those who stood firm to the national Government in the 
 heavy tribulations that followed. 
 
 Nothing but war was now thought of in all parts of the 
 country and the busy hum of industry was drowned in the 
 clash of arms, the strains of military music, and the bustle 
 of warlike movements. The pulpit breathed war. Congre- 
 gations made it the subject of their prayers, and collected 
 money for its support ; while the people of the Northwest 
 gent thousands of brave patriots to fight the battles of tht
 
 41 
 
 Onion. An immense mass meeting, ;hi Hrg r ,<tf ever known 
 in America, was held on the 20th of April in the city of New 
 York. The cry prevailed, "Down with the Rebellion /*' 
 Men of all parties were there, unanimous in the determina- 
 tion to meet the existing evils with the edge of the sword, 
 ind range themselves on the side of Government whatever 
 might betide. One of the great sources of New York was 
 her Southern trade merchants were indebted to her, an i 
 planters owed her millions. The blockade of Southern 
 ports cut off her commerce ; and, with her warehouses idle, 
 bankruptcy stared many of her merchants in the face. But 
 she stood firm in loyalty to the Union, with it to rise or fall. 
 
 Such was the astonishment of the South, that at New 
 Orleans the mob had to be kept down by the police, and 
 the rebels found their hopes of sympathy at the North 
 entirely at an end ; while war, brought on by themselves, 
 left them the alternative of independence or subjugatioa 
 Great boldness distinguished the conspirators, who cast a 
 wistful eye to Europe, and sent Mason and Yancey to try to 
 obtain recognition for their government and the raising of 
 the blockade; promising free trade and cotton in large 
 abundance. 
 
 United States vessels in Southern ports were seized, and 
 the Star of the West, captured at Galveston, was turned 
 into a rebel vessel. In Arkansas and Texas, forts, arsenals, 
 and troops were captured, and Northern property confis- 
 cated. 
 
 By a proclamation on the 3d of May, the President called 
 for forty-two thousand and thirty-four volunteers, to sei ?e 
 for three years or during the war. Eight regiments of in- 
 fantry, one of cavalry, and one of artillery, were to be added 
 to the regular army, and eighteen thousand seamen were to 
 be enlisted for the navy, for not less than one or more than 
 three years. Some wondered how the President got the 
 power for such levies without Congress ; but the situation 
 of public affairs at this juncture made people withhold their 
 objections, or the remonstrances of the press were lost in 
 the shouts for the Union. 
 
 The Southern leaders were anxious for recognition at 
 foreign courts, and Mr. Seward instructed the ministers at 
 those courts that the United States would suffer no inter- 
 vention, but would settle her di Acuities in her own way
 
 42 STATK OF AFFAIRS IN THE SOUTH. 
 
 Special attention was given to counteract the influence of 
 the Southern commissioners at the courts of France and 
 England. 
 
 Domestic traitora were aow turned out of office at Wash- 
 Ligtcn, and the telegraph suddenly seized at many placea 
 simultaneously, in order to find out who were implicated 
 in the disgraceful transaction of betraying their country. 
 Many were arrested, and some obtained release by habeas 
 torpus. About this time the act was suspended by the 
 President, which caused much angry discussion, but this 
 step was believed to be necessary in the existing state of 
 affairs. 
 
 Two hostile armies were now confronting each other on 
 the Potomac. The Government was alarmed at the neutral 
 position of Kentucky, and troops were sent to Cairo. Ten- 
 nessee, on the llth of May, joined the Confederacy, and the 
 state of affairs became better defined as time progressed. 
 The only forts that could be reached were strengthened 
 Fort McIIenry, at Baltimore; Fortress Monroe, in Vir- 
 ginia, and Pickers, at Pensacola. Maryland remained in 
 the Union. Missouri now threatened to be the theatre for 
 intestine war. St. Louis was loyal, but the western portions 
 of the State was full of traitors. The neutrality of Ken- 
 tucky was doubtful, and the influence of Breckinridge 
 might overcome that of the loyal men Crittenden, Holt, 
 and Prentice. The States of North Carolina, Georgia, Ten- 
 nessee, and Alabama, though containing roany loyal men 
 Tould not be depended on. Loyal citizens saw that tebel 
 lior. had indeed struck a wide, powerful root
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 m rOTOM AC THK CENTRE OP ATTRACTION DEATH OF COLONEL ELLSWORTH 
 BATTLE OF BIO BETHEL AND DEATH OP LIEUTENANT GREBLK LYOW 
 IK MISSOURI BATTLE OP BOONEVILLE GENERAL MCCLELLAK IH 
 WESTERN VIRGINIA BATTLE AT PHILIPPI CONTRABANDS BA1TL1. 
 OF RICH MOUNTAIN BATTLE OP BARBOURVILLE SIGEL IN MISSOURI 
 BATTLE OP CARTHAGE HIS SUCCESSFUL RETREAT DEVOTION TO THB 
 UNION OF EAST TENNESSEE AFFAIRS IN KENTUCKY. 
 
 IT was now believed that a great battle was imminent 
 and many thought that the rebellion would be soon sup- 
 pressed, and the Federal power once more reign supreme. 
 The Potomac was the grand centre of attraction, and it was 
 surmised that the great battle would take place in front of 
 Washington. The South determined to defend the sacred 
 soil of Virginia from the Chesapeake to Edward's Ferry. 
 
 Meantime, the appointment of brigadier and major-gen 
 erals, at Washington, went on with great rapidity, and 
 officers of all commands received appointments for which 
 many of them were as well fitted as they were to fly in the 
 air. As a rule, the more political influence a man had 
 the higher the command with which he was entrusted: 
 disaster, however, soon put the men in the places for which 
 they were fitted. 
 
 Alexandria was required to be occupied by the Union 
 forces, and General Mansfield, with the Seventh New York 
 regiment, left Washington on the 24th of May, and crossed 
 the river to Alexandria ; while another force, passing the 
 Chain Bridge, seized the Loudon and Hampshire Railroad, 
 with two trains and their passengers. While other regi- 
 ments part icipated to the number of thirteen thousand men, 
 everal companies, and among them three of the Fire Zouave 
 regiment of New York, took a steamer to Alexandria, where 
 their commander, Colonel Ellsworth, landed them and drove 
 the rebels before him. One company was detailed to de- 
 troy the railroad to Richmond, the others, with Colonel Ells- 
 worth, went to cut the telegraph wires. A large secession 
 flag met his eye and, as it floated over the Marshall House, 
 be entered the hall, inquiring who out it up. No one knew 
 
 (43)
 
 44 DEATH OF COLOXKL ELLSWORTH. 
 
 and the colonel, with some officers and privates, ascended to 
 the house-top and cut down the flag ; on the descent, a man 
 to whom he had spoken about the flag stood in the hall, 
 with a doubled-barrelled gun, with which he shot Ellsworth 
 emptying the contents of both barrels. In the act of rolling 
 up the flag he fell forward on his face, and exclaiming " My 
 God!" expired. The murderer was shot immediately by 
 Corporal Brownell, and the detatchment soon arriving, bore 
 to the boat th remains of their beloved commander, whose 
 death caused deep regret throughout the North. His re- 
 mains were sent in great honor to New York State ; his 
 gallantry was a subject of imitation. 
 
 The Federal troops immediately occupied Alexandria 
 without opposition, and the town was found deserted by a 
 portion of the inhabitants. The Seventh New York and 
 other regiments occupied Arlington Heights, and began to 
 intrench. Three thousand men were constantly at work, 
 under the command of General McDowell, who commanded 
 all troops beyond the Potomac. 
 
 In the skirmishes and engagements between small bodies 
 which now took place, the Union troops were successful, 
 and hopes were entertained of crushing out the rebellion in 
 a little while. The first serious affair between the hostile 
 forces was at Big Bethel, near Fortress Monroe. General 
 Benjamin F. Butler, on the 10th of June, sent General Fierce 
 with a few regiments to occupy Newport News. From this 
 they went and occupied Little Bethel, and from thence, 
 advanced on Big Bethel. The enemy was encountered 
 behind intrench ments, and, after a brief action, the Fedeial 
 forces were driven back, having lost forty men in killed and 
 wounded. Mismanagement characterized the whole move- 
 ment, the signals being neglected by which the troops from 
 Fortress Monroe and Newport News were to recognize each 
 other. They fired into each other in the darkness, and tad 
 the enemy been active, greater disasters would have ensued. 
 
 The greatest loss in this action was John T. Greble. a 
 lieutenant of artillery, and a gallant young officer of the 
 regular service. lie was descended from brave Revolution- 
 ary sires, and distinguished by great energy, intelligence, 
 and gallantry in the execution of his duties. He was a 
 graduate of West Point, and fell lamented by all who knew 
 him. His remains were rescued and borne to Philadelphia,
 
 LYOtf IN MISSOURI. 40 
 
 where they lay m s^ate. A vast concourse of citizens and 
 soldiers iV-Icwed his remains to the grave. 
 
 In the West, Captain Nathaniel Lyon, of the regular 
 army now began to manifest those qualities which causc'3 
 him to be regarded as one of the bravest defenders of the 
 old flag. The police commissioners in St. Louis had ordered 
 him to remove from the grounds of the arsenal which he 
 commanded, all the United States troops. He refused to 
 obey. By an unexpected movement, on the 10th of May, 
 he surrounded and captured the force of six hundred and 
 thirty men brought against him by Govornor Jackson and 
 General Price. Followed by a great mob, who pelted the 
 troops with stones, one company was ordered to fire, and 
 twenty were killed, many more being wounded. lie wag 
 soon after promoted to the j tuik of brigadier-general, and 
 moving against Governor Jackson, who had taken up a 
 position at Jefferson Uity, the latter fled, and reaching 
 Booneville, which was full of rebels., began to fortify. Lyon 
 pushed after him, and having landed below the town, and 
 crossed some blufis, began to ascend a slope, where the enemy 
 was strongly posted on the summit. 
 
 When Captain Totten got within range, he shelled their 
 ranks. The infantry began a deadly fire of musketry, 
 and the enemy, retiring to a wheat field, again advanced. 
 Lyon, whose troops numbered two thousand, was unable to 
 bring more than five hundred into action, on account of the 
 inequality of the ground. Putting himself at the head of 
 these, he led them to victory, and, in twenty minutes, pur. 
 sued the flying enemy, whose retreat was hastened by the 
 artillery, which made havoc in their broken ranks. The 
 victor captured a great quantity of military stores and many 
 flags, and having left a small force in camp, proceeded to 
 Booneville, where he was met by a flag of truce. The 
 Union inhabitants received him with joyful demonstrations, 
 and he issued a proclamation to rebellious citizens to lay 
 down their arms, while the national flag once more waved 
 jn triumph. 
 
 General Ilarney, who commanded the Department of the 
 West, was not supposed to be very loyal, and, in an agree- 
 ment entered into with General Price, displayed a tempor- 
 izino; with the rebels which Lyon foresaw was injurious ta 
 the Union cause.
 
 *6 BATTLE AT PHILIPPI. 
 
 GENERAL MCCLELLAN DJ VIRGINIA. 
 
 Western Virginia proved loyal, and it was only right Us 
 answer her petition for assistance favorably. 
 
 George B. McClellan, a West Point graduate, who had 
 served in Mexico, and was sent to witness military events 
 in the Crimea, having been made a major-general by the 
 President now assumed command of the department. 
 Before he set out he issued a patriotic and inspiring address 
 to his soldiers. The idea that an army was about to in- 
 vade the sacred soil of Virginia stung the descendants of 
 the cavaliers to the quick, and they resolved on a firm 
 resistance. Batteries lined the Potomac from Alexan- 
 dria to Fortress Monroe, and this river formed a line separa- 
 ting the hostile forces. Harper's Ferry, which, since the 
 burning, was not well defended, was evacuated by the 
 rebels, whose main force concentrated at Manassas Junc- 
 tion, a position of great strength by nature, and which the 
 enemy fortified with great labor. There were also constant 
 skirmishing and some important battles between bodies o/ 
 considerable magnitude. 
 
 EATTLE AT PHILIPPI. 
 
 On the 1st of June, a rebel force, from fifteen hundred to 
 two thousand men, under Colonel Porterfield, and four 
 regiments of Union troops, under Colonels Lander and Kelly, 
 encountered at Philippi. The Union commanders had left 
 Grafton and travelled by railroad twenty-five miles ; push- 
 ing through storm, rain, and mud, in dense darkness, till 
 near daybreak, Philippi was reached. 
 
 Colonel Kelly was to make an attack in the rear, and 
 Colonel Lander jn front. Colonel Kelly, however, was un- 
 able to be up in time, and Lander waited in darkness until 
 the approach of day made him known to the enemy. The 
 enemy's camp was in confusion, and Lander, fearing that 
 they would escape, ordered the artillery to open on them. 
 The sound of the guns was heard by Kelly, who was advanc- 
 ing, with shouts, while the rebels, hearing the drums and 
 seeing the gleam of arms front and rear, at once fled 
 Kelly found the town free from the enemy, and pushed on. 
 He was unfortunately shot from behind a fence, and was sup- 
 posed to be mortally wounded. The enemy abandoned 
 ^ery thing, and large Quantities of munitions of war
 
 "COOTRABANDS. 4) 
 
 blankets, wagons, baggage fell into the hancU of tha 
 victors. 
 
 General Schenck, of Ohio, with six hundred and sixty- 
 eight men of his command, was ordered to capture Vienna, 
 on the Potomac. He placed companies along the road at 
 various points, and with four companies went by railway 
 to within a short distance oi' the place. Here masked bat- 
 teries of the enemy brought him to a stand. The balls 
 crashed through the cars, and the men retired from them, 
 and fell back, with a loss of twenty-one in killed, wounded, 
 and missing. This was a curious method of advancing on 
 an enemy without the slightest reconnoissance. 
 
 June was closing, and the schooner Savannah, the first 
 rebel privateer sent out to prey on Northern commerce, was 
 captured. 
 
 Fugitive slaves kept coming into the Union lines, and the 
 difficulty was, how to dispose of them. They were called 
 Ly General Butler, " Contraband of war." The term became 
 lommon, and the sable sons of Africa were thenceforth 
 tolled " Contrabands." 
 
 The session of Congress now drew near, and many acts 
 of the President required its sanction. No small degree of 
 anxiety prevailed. While the members were about meet- 
 ing, the news arrived that the steamer Sumter had eludet 
 the blockade at New Orleans, and had gone to destroy our 
 commerce, in what seas or where no one could conjecture, 
 though commercial men all felt apprehensive, and they had 
 good cause for their uneasiness, as the future will show. 
 
 General McClellan, in command at Western Virginia, was 
 displaying the ability as a military leader which was 
 destined in time to make him the hero of the nation, lie 
 conducted the war with great success, and in a proclamation 
 on the 23d of June, set forth the plan of treatment he would 
 adopt toward both the loyal and rebels against the Govern- 
 ment. He soon after began a series of plans, which, in the 
 end, were successfully carried out. In accordance with these, 
 he rushed right on, over mountains, across streams, and 
 "oaas all but impassable, till at last he met the rebel Colonel 
 1'egraui, who held a strong position on Rich Mountain. 
 The enemy, four thousand strong, was drawn up in line of 
 battle at the foot of the mountain. He was behind strong 
 bieaetworks formed of fallen tkubgr and earth.
 
 48 BATTLE OF RICH MOUNTAIN 
 
 McClellan made a rectonoissance, and sent General 
 crans, with some Indiana and Ohio troops, and a body of 
 Ohio cavalry, to the rear of the enemy. Starting early 
 they reached the top of a mountain where some of the 
 rebels lay fortified, behind the main body. The soldiers, 
 though wet to the skin by the rain, kept their powder dry, 
 and. after a toilsome march of five miles, the mountain-top 
 was reached at noon. The whole design of McClellan was 
 ft profound secret, but a plan of the route and despatches 
 being captured, betrayed his counsel to the enemy, and 
 twenty-five hundred men, with three pieces of artillery, were 
 hurried on to dispute the advance of Rosecrans, whose 
 arrival was greeted with a heavy cannonading. Rain now 
 fell upon the wearied troops in torrents, and Rosccrana 
 having been unable to draw the cannon up the moun- 
 *ain, their progress was arrested, and the men remained 
 ualf an hour in the drenching rain. The enemy could 
 not be seen, but shot from his guns destroyed the tree 
 tops, and Colonel Lander posted twenty sharpshooters to 
 pick off the gunners. The gunners were killed, but the 
 guns were served by others taking their places. Lander 
 wanted his men to charge the gunners, but they would not, 
 and the colonel abandoned his purpose. An Indiana regi- 
 ment now advanced with fixed bayonets, and an Ohio regi- 
 ment, on higher ground, fired a volley, when the Indian?, 
 troops rushed forward with loud cheering. The enemy fled 
 in wild confusion, and were pursued three hundred yards 
 till the recall of the Federals was sounded, and then the 
 latter halted, prepared to resist Pegram's men, but they, dis- 
 mayed, fled into the woods. 
 
 McClellan, in the meantime, had advanced to the enemy'g 
 works, and found them deserted. They had left guns, tents, 
 horses, many prisoners and wounded ; a hundred and fifty 
 were buried on the field. Pegram and six hundred men, 
 unable to escape, surrendered. Garnett, hearing of hia 
 defeat, began hastily to retreat across the mountains, with 
 six thousand men. Five Ohio regiments and the Indiana 
 troops followed in hot pursuit, and encamped near Leeds- 
 ville. Next morning the pursuit was continued through 
 miry loads and torrents of falling rain. The course of the 
 enemy was marked by the usual signs of troops in rapid 
 retreat, and the falling trees, with which they had blocked
 
 BATTLE OF BARBOURVILLK. 49 
 
 the way, yielded to the well-applied axe. Over swollen 
 streams and miry roads the chase continued, till the weary 
 pursuers reached the Cheat river at Kahler's ford. It was 
 noon. The column halted, and washed from their clothes 
 the mud of the mountain. They now saw the enemy drawn 
 up in battle line, but the sound of cannon put them again 
 to flight. The baggage train being in danger of capture, 
 they again formed. When the baggage train got a little 
 forward, the flight and pursuit continued, till, three miles 
 further on, they reached Carrick ford, and here, on a bluff, 
 General Garnett placed his artillery, and drew up his 
 infantry behind a fence and the laurel bushes with which 
 the place abounded. It was a well chosen position. The 
 teams were left in the stream, and when the troops came 
 up pretended to surrender. Garnett shouted to his men to 
 fire, and a long line of flame ran along the river bank. The 
 Fourteenth Ohio rushed forward, when Garnett's artillery 
 opened. Milroy came up, and Colonel Dumont was ordered 
 to cross the stream and take the enemy in the rear. The 
 orders being countermanded, he was now advancing down 
 the ford to take them in front. When he reached the re- 
 quired point the enemy broke, and made for another ford 
 lower down. They reached it, dashed through the stream, 
 and again fled ; and the pursuit was continued until the 
 fatigued troops halted and bivouacked. The rebel com- 
 mander. General Garnett, fell. The wounded wwe cared 
 for, and the dead buried. The enemy lost in the two bat- 
 tles two hundred killed and one thousand captured. The 
 Federal loss was not more than sixty. 
 
 A portion of the rebel troops in Western Virginia, on the 
 Kanawha, were under General Wise, who was opposed by 
 General Cox of Ohio. The enemy had takea position at 
 Barbourville, and at midnight a portion of the command of 
 Colonel Woodruff started off) under Lieutenant-colonel 
 Neff, intending to make an attack at day-dawn. Froir 
 necessary delays, the troops did not reach the place till two 
 hours after sunrise, when they beheld the rebels drawn up 
 in line of battle beyond Guyandotte river, from which 
 stretched an extensive plain. A large body of cavalry, at a 
 hill-side, fell back to take the troops in flank and rear. The 
 column pushed on for the bridge, when the enemy dis- 
 charged a destructive volley. Nothing daunted, the brava 
 5
 
 50 SIQKL IN MISSOURI. 
 
 troops advanced, but when nearly across the bridge, a chasm 
 was seen, and the mule of the guide tell through, while he 
 clung to the timbers. Our troops, infuriated by the cheers 
 of the rebels, held fast to the ties and rafters, and, though dis- 
 ordered, reached the other side, when, without orders, they 
 rushed desperately on the lines of the enemy. The rebels 
 ired one volley and fled, and the victorious soldiers marched 
 n triumph through the town. Cox overtaking Wise at 
 Gauley bridge, the latter retreated without fighting, and so, 
 in a brief space, no more armed rebels remained in all 
 Western Virginia. 
 
 The fame of McClellan became such at this time as to 
 attract universal attention. The eyes of the nation wero 
 upon him as the man that might yet restore the Republic 
 and end the rebellion; and he was destined to rise to a 
 lofty eminence attained by few. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Army of the Potomac, which he was one 
 lay to lead, was increasing in strength and preparing for a 
 grand contest. 
 
 We turn to Missouri, where great distractions prevailed. 
 Colonel Sigel, who commanded a German regiment, about 
 the 23d of June, arrived at Springfield. Price, at this 
 time, was encamped at Neosho, and Sigel resolved on 
 attacking him ere Governor Jackson, who was coming to 
 join him, could arrive. Hearing that Price, Rains, and Jack- 
 son had united their forces near Carthage, Sigel informed 
 General Sweeney, then at Springfield, to that effect, and was 
 ordered to advance and attack the enemy, whom he found 
 in great force in an open plain, and mostly mounted. Ad- 
 vancing within eight hundred yards, he halted, placed the 
 artillery in position, and the rebels opening fire, a brisk 
 artillery fight took place on the open plain. The enemy's 
 guns were badly manned, and several of them dismounted, 
 when their cavalry attempted to outflank the Federals, and 
 cut off the wagon train in the rear. To prevent this, Sigel 
 changed front, sent two six pounders to the rear, and fell 
 back steadily, fighting at every step. The men moved on 
 silently, the enemy's cavalry keeping out of range of the 
 gun*. On reaching the baggage trains, the troops were 
 formed in a solid square, and with the trains well pro- 
 tected, moved to Dry Fork creek, where, the road passing 
 between the bluffs, the enemyis cavary now resolveu to cut
 
 SUCCESSFUL RETREAT OF COLONEL SIGEL. 51 
 
 off their retreat Sigel sent two cannon to the right, and 
 as many to the left, and led on a body of men as if with the 
 intention of cutting his way through, and the enemy at once 
 left the road and moved on each side to prevent the move 
 nent. Advancing, Sigel enfiladed them with a terrific fire, 
 while the main body of his troops came up at a double- 
 quick, cheering loudly. Tl^e enemy's cavalry was rent 
 asunder, and fled in wild dismay; the riderless steeds, in full 
 career, dashing over the plain. Sigel moved rapidly on 
 Carthage, and was amazed to find it in the enemy's posses- 
 sion, a secession flag waving from the court house. He 
 now deterriLaed to join the rest of the Army of the South- 
 west at Mo ant Vernon or Sprmg.'r.cld, and to effect this he 
 must gain toe road which, extending through a thick wood, 
 would b* lavorable to his protection from the cavalry. 
 The enemy possessed it, and a fierce and bloody action took 
 place, in whict' the enemy, after fighting two hours with 
 great lo.is, retreated. Sigel marched on during the night, 
 and continued his retreat until Mount Vernon was reached. 
 lie lost m killed and wounded forty-four. The enemy lost 
 over throe hundied. 
 
 Whiie these things were transpiring, East Tennessee was 
 maintaining her devotion to the Union in a hard struggle ; 
 and in Kentucky the people, many of whom were loyal, 
 made vigorous efforts to remain in the Union. The issue 
 was doubtful, on account of the great popularity of John C, 
 Breckinridge, who strongly espoused the rebel cuje.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 JULY, 1861. 
 
 1CTINO OF CONGRESS PRESIDENTIAL 4IESSAOE REQUISITION FOE Mill 
 AND MONET THADDEUS STEVENS JEFFEKSOX DAVia's REQUISITION FOB 
 TROOI'S PRINCIPAL COMMANDERS ON BOTH SIDKS THE " ON TO RICH 
 
 MONI" CRT THE REBELS STRONGLY FORTIFT MANASSAS GENERAL R. 
 
 PATTKUSON ONWARD MOVEMENT DECIDED ON MCDOWELL COMMANDS 
 THE ARMT COMMANDERS FORCES IN FIVE DIVISIONS SPLENDID SIGHT 
 ON TUK MARCH ARTILLERT FIGHT AT BLACKBURN'S FORD PLAN OF THB 
 BATTLE DIVISIONS OF HUNTER AND HEINTZELMAN BATTLE AND DEFEAT 
 OF BUM- UUN 8ALUTART EFFECTS. 
 * 
 
 THE extraordinary session of Congress at Washington, 
 July 4th, 1861, was of great importance, and will be so re- 
 membered. Speeches of popularity were dispensed with 
 for once, and both houses, with commendable alacrity, pro- 
 ceeded to a consideration of the great business before them. 
 
 The Presidential Message, distinguished by brevity, dis- 
 tinctness, and good sense, was listened to with attention, 
 ft was not, indeed, an elegant production, but was full of 
 earnest and sincere patriotism, and found a faithful response 
 in every loyal heart. 
 
 The President made a requisition on Congress for four 
 hundred thousand men and four hundred millions of dollars, 
 BO that rebellion, by the most stringent measures, might be 
 put down. The speaker of the llouse proceeded to appoint 
 a chaiiman of the Committee of Ways and Means, aad judi- 
 ciously selected Thaddeus Stevens, of Pennsylvania, a man 
 highly gifted by nature, and of great experience in the man 
 agement of deliberative bodies. His tact and skill in tht 
 arts of an eloquent and earnest orator, his logical acumen 
 and scathing sarcasm, the quickness of his replies and com- 
 prehensive grasp of a subject, and even his significant 
 silence, counteracted the pernicious and treasonable in- 
 tents of such men as Vallandigham, of Ohio, and Burnett 
 and Breckinridge, of Kentucky, who gained an unenviable 
 notoriety by their persistent opposition to all loyal measures. 
 
 A bill was passed by Congress on the 10th of July, by 
 whose provisic ^.s the Secretary of the Treasury was author- 
 (Ml
 
 PRINCIPAL COMMANDKBS ON BOTH SIDES. 53 
 
 ized to borrow a sum not exceeding two hundred and fifty 
 millions of dollars, on the credit of the United States, for 
 which certificates of coupon or registered stock and treasury 
 notes were to be issued. This stock was to bear interest 
 not exceeding seven per cent, per annum, paid semi-annually 
 in gold, and to be redeemed in twenty years. The treasury 
 notes were to be payable three years after date, and the in- 
 terest on them was to be seven and three tenths per cent, 
 per annum. The payment of the interest, and redemption 
 of the principal loan, were guaranteed on the faith 01' the 
 United States. 
 
 Though this appropriation was found insufficient, the Act 
 gave the President ample means in other respects to carry 
 on the V.T. . and other important bills were founded on this 
 one. ptc r ic& for an efficient prolongation of military 
 operations. Never was a Congress of the United States so 
 unanimous m voting appropriations, and two separate bills 
 were passed, in which, with the appearance of accident, but 
 doubtless net undesignedly, the President was invested 
 with authority to call out a million of men, should the 
 public safety render it necessary. 
 
 General Scott was commander-in-chief of the army. Gen- 
 eral Butler commanded at Fortress Monroe ; General Banks 
 at Annapolis ; General Irwin McDowell in front of Wash- 
 ington ; General Patterson at Harper's Ferry ; while Model- 
 Ian had charge of the Department of Western Virginia, and 
 Anderson and TIarney, Kentucky and Missouri, respectively 
 
 Jefferson Davis called out man for man to contend with 
 the Union forces, and it was anticipated that the first en- 
 counter of the great armies would prove decisive. The 
 rebels endeavored to stir up the Indians of the Kansas bor- 
 der and the regions of New Mexico against the Union, and 
 threatened Fort Pickens, the only remaining Federal fort on 
 the gulf. 
 
 General P. T. G. Beauregard commanded the rebel army 
 atManassas, while J. E. Johnston opposed General Patteison 
 on the Potomac. Bishop Leonidas Polk, of Louisiana com- 
 manded in Mississippi ; Albert Sidney Johnson in the South- 
 west, and Price in Missouri. 
 
 The press of the country, which, for some time past, had 
 lent the Government gratuitous advice, now headed their 
 columns with " OK to Richmond ;" and grieved to see a largt
 
 64 THE "ON TO RICHMOND" CRT. 
 
 army, at such expense, idle, in no measured terms con 
 demned the inactivity and Fabian policy of the veteran hero 
 General Scott. 
 
 His sagacity and caution did not suit ; according to them 
 the North was invincible, and Southerners cowards. The dela^ 
 was useless. It was but to put it to the test, and bring on 
 a battle which must be successful. Politicians in Congress 
 became inflamed by these oft repeated and urgent demands 
 Tho clamor became still greater, and the Army of the Poto 
 mac must be put in motion. Military experience availed 
 nothing ; neither did the fact that a few weeks were not suf- 
 ficient to enable the raw recruit to discharge efficiently the 
 duty of a soldier. The more sagacious now saw that the 
 nation must be saved from this state of agitation either by 
 moderate counsels or the costly lessons gained by experi- 
 ence. Some ultra-republicans thought this a favorable crisia 
 to advocate the doctrine of the abolition of slavery, and the 
 loyal members from the border States became alarmed. 
 
 The blockade proclaimed by the President, and the col 
 lection of the revenue in Southern States, were sanctioned 
 by an act of Congress, and a bill was passed, authorizing the 
 Secretary of the Navy to increase the naval force, by pur 
 chase or contract, in such a manner as to render the blockade 
 efficient. For this, an appropriation of three millions of 
 dollars was made. The privateer Sumtcr was at this time 
 burning Federal ships on the ocean, and commencing a 
 career of destruction and cruelty seldom paralleled. 
 
 General Scott was now at a loss how to proceed. He 
 knew that in the present state of affairs the army was un- 
 prepared. Regiments, equipped and uniformed, could be 
 transported with difficulty, however easily they might reach 
 Washington. Provisions, and the many requisites of an 
 army, could not be obtained without time and patience. 
 A battle that should not be decisive would but disappoint 
 the nation. To fight unprepared to attack a powerful 
 enemy in strong intrenchments with raw troops seemed 
 highly imprudent. But the troops before Washington 
 were mostly enlisted for three months, and to disband them 
 without giving them a chance of striking a blow for their 
 country, would disappoint the public expectations, and im- 
 pede future enlistments. Politicians, in the meantime 
 pressed Congress ; Congress the President and Cabinet, and
 
 GENERAL R. PATTERSON. 66 
 
 these, in turn, General Scott ; till a battle was resolved on j 
 but na one imagined the result, by which, in one day, the 
 nation was taught a most wholesome lesson. 
 
 It is necessary to go back a little to describe some events, 
 important on account of their bearing on what soon iftei 
 took plac. 
 
 General Robert Patterson commanded the three montha 
 men who made a campaign in Virginia, and, on the 30th o' 
 June. 186L missed his force before crossing the Potomac 
 The duties thla army had to perform were twofold th( 
 first was to drive the rebels from Harper's Ferry, the next 
 to keep Johnston from joining Beauregard at Manassa? 
 The failure of these designs gave rise to the disasters shortl;.' 
 to be described. Patterson, instead of leading his men 
 twenty thousand in number, directly to Harper's Ferry, 
 took the road toward Willinmsport, and the enemy held 
 Harper's Ferry unmolested till it was their purposo to con- 
 centrate at Manassas, and then, after burning the Federal 
 property to a large amount, the place war evacuated. Gen- 
 eral Patterson, instead of intercepting Johnston, occupied the 
 deserted town of Harper's Ferry, which he entered on the 
 same day of the battle of Manassas, and thus failed in both 
 designs. 
 
 Manassas plain was unknown to fame before the battle, 
 which, fought there, rendered it classic ground. Not occe 
 alone during the war did the North and South conterd for 
 supremacy on that ground. It was strong by nature, and 
 fortified with consummate engineering skill by Beauregard. 
 It is situated between the Potomac and the eastern spur of 
 she Blue Ridge, and its higher ground commands the por- 
 tion of couniry between these two points. Toward the 
 head of the Occoquan, ran the right wing of the intrench- 
 ments. The left had a rolling table land, with elevations, 
 on which artillery posted could command the whole ex- 
 panse. The centre of the army was posted on the key to 
 the whole; and batteries, admirably arranged, were con- 
 structed with great skill. A chain of hills, at nearly equal 
 distances, had in front a deep ravine, thickly M x)ded. 
 Water was abundant, c,r,d a fertile country in tl j real 
 afforded ample subsistence to the troops. On this formida- 
 ble position the FuJersl troops were now about to march 
 and make an t,lick. The Federal forces were entrusted to
 
 56 O3TWARD MOVEMENT DECIDED OK. 
 
 the command of Colonel Invin McDowell, an officer of 
 bravery and skill, who, on being consulted respecting the 
 number of men he would need for the attempt, promised 
 success only on the condition that the army under Johnston 
 was not included in the number of his opponents in the 
 forthcoming battle. 
 
 Preparations were now complete, and over forty thousand 
 men, on the 17th of July, 1861, took up the line of march 
 for Manassas. The army consisted of five divisions the 
 first under General Tyler; the second under Colonel Hun- 
 ter- while Colonel Heint/elman commanded the third, 
 General Runyon the fourth, and Colonel Miles the fifth 
 division. The march produced great enthusiasm. Great 
 joy was diffused throughout the loyal North that traitors 
 were now about to receive merited punishment. Visitors 
 to Washington, members of the press, etc., desired permission 
 to accompany the army and a crowd, on horseback and in 
 carriages of different descriptions, impeded the march of 
 the troops, or followed in their rear. The magnificent 
 array looked like some joyful picnic in the fair fields of 
 Virginia, as the regimental bands discoursed eloquent and 
 soul-inspiring national music, the bayonets flung back the 
 solar rays in glittering sheen, and the proud war steed, 
 managed by his skilful and gallant rider, kept pace with 
 the soldier of daantless breast and ardent hope toiling on 
 his march. Where is the loyal heart that would not glow 
 with patriotic ardor, and what dastard spirit would predict 
 misfortune ? 
 
 The troops encamped at Fairfax for the night, after 
 driving out the enemy's pickets, plundering all they could 
 lay their hands on, and had a jolly time of riotous frolio 
 in their camps. 
 
 General Tyler received oiders on the way, near Centre- 
 yille to take up a position there, and observe the ap- 
 
 S roaches to it. Neglecting this, he marched on to Bull 
 un, and seeing the enemy's batteries on the bank oppo- 
 site, opened fire on them, which brought on an artillery 
 duel, of no great effect, only ending in the withdrawal of 
 the Union batteries. Tyler had made no reconnoissance, 
 and was in danger of bringing on a general engagement 
 while the main body of the forces were on the march. 
 The next day (Friday, July 8th) an extended observation
 
 BATTLE OF BULL RUlC. 
 
 made on the enemy's forces and position. A iireot 
 movement on his strongly-posted batteries was a desperate 
 undertaking only to be attempted as the last resort. A 
 flank movement was more likely to succeed. 
 
 Three roads branch off from Centreville toward Bull 
 Ran, which gave the Federal commander the determination 
 to attack in three columns. The enemy was strongly 
 posted along the line of Bull Run for eight miles. The 
 stream, which is sluggish, and has many fords, runs from 
 northwest to southeast, and behind it the ground rises into 
 hills, well wooded. On the left, toward the east, is Black- 
 burn s ford, where Tyler had the artillery fight. The rebel 
 strength on that flank was too great, and this determined 
 McDowell to turn his extreme left by a ford so far away to 
 the west that the enemy had left it undefended. Hunter 
 was to execute this task. Heintzelman was to make an 
 attack at the next ford below, and while Hunter should 
 appear on the other side of the stream, driving the enemy 
 he was to cross, and, joining forces, they were to keep down 
 stream. While thus engaged, Tyler was to move along 
 the War,rentown road and attract the enemy's attention at 
 Stone bridge. Lest the enemy might make a similar move- 
 ment at Blackburn's ford, on the extreme left, while this 
 programme was being carried out he massed a large force 
 there to check him and make it appear that this was the 
 main point of attack. Colonel Miles, with the fifth division 
 as a reserve, was stationed on the heights of Centreville. 
 
 BATTLE OF BULL RUN. 
 
 The march was begun on Saturday, the 21st, at foui 
 o'clock, P. M., in the deepest silence, broken only by the 
 rumbling of artillery-carriages and the tread of advancing 
 brigades. It was a splendid sight, as the moonlight shone 
 on the glancing arms, or fell on the long line of wagons 
 and ambulances, or the columns of cavalry that wound 
 their way through lights and shadows of a scene diversified 
 by the abando'ned camp fires, which shone out brightly, the 
 green fields, and hills, and wooded dells. The divisions 
 moved on to their assigned positions. Those of Hunter 
 and Heintzelman, consisting of fourteen thousand men, on 
 whom the main result depended, moved on together till 
 Heintzelman stopped at tb ^ ford where he was to cross, and
 
 68 BATTLS OF BULL RUW. 
 
 Hunter proceeded. The rest of the forces irere to keep 
 the enemy engaged in front until Hunter and Heintzelman 
 appeared on the opposite ban!:, then a general advance 
 would take place. A thirty pound Parrott gun, the signal 
 agreed on, awoke the still echoes of a calm Sabbath morn- 
 ing, and showed that Tyler was in front of the enemy's 
 centre. He was to threaten the bridge till the appearance 
 of Hunter and Heintzelman on the other side coming down 
 the stream, when he was to cross and assist them. He was 
 jarly in position, and had time to observe the enemy 
 strongly posted on the heights that rose on the banks, 
 where earthworks were thrown up and the woods which 
 prevented his cannon range cleared away. The descent on 
 the side of the Federal army was densely wooded, and less 
 steep. The troops of Hunter and Heintzelman were ob- 
 served by a look-out stationed in a tree. For hours, except 
 a few shells from a Parrott gun, this division remained in- 
 active. 
 
 The brigade of Colonel Eichardson, from the reserve 
 under Miles, was posted at Blackburn's ford; and while 
 Tyler was to suspend his attack till he saw Hunter and 
 Heintzelman on the other side of the stream, the sound of 
 his artillery was to be the signal for Richardson, who vas 
 farther down, to attack at the ford. The di-Hons of Hun- 
 ter and Heintzelman were therefore anxio looked for, 
 and every eye and ear waited with intense interest to see 
 their columns or catch the sound of their artillery. The 
 road laid down on the map was an imaginary one, and so, 
 when this discovery was made by Heintzelman, he followed 
 Hunter and reaching Sudley Springs ford, found that the 
 troops of Hunter, with the exception of one brigade in the 
 stream, had crossed. The troops were fatigued, and the 
 enemy, having discovered the movement, was massing on 
 Hunter, when Heintzelman, finding it took too much time 
 to cross his men in a body, ordered them to break off and 
 cross the best they could. The thirsty soldiers waited to 
 fill their canteens, and the march was delayed. A courier 
 dashed up to McDowell, who had lain on the ground to 
 rest, as he was suffering from illness, and told him that 
 Hunter had crossed Bull Run. He sprang into the saddle 
 and galloped to join the advancing column. In advance 
 of Hunter, the enemy were driven before Porter, Burnside
 
 JOHNSTON REINFORCES BEAUREGARD. 59 
 
 and Sprague ; and Ileintzelman corning up on their left, the 
 enemy's position was turned. For five miles along Bull 
 Run, the artillery belched forth the bolts of death, and 
 moving columns were seen struggling for the victory amid 
 the smoke and battle-din. 
 
 Meagher, at the head of the gallant Sixty-ninth Irish 
 regiment of sixteen hundred men, led them on as thei? 
 houts rent the air. They were quickly followed by the 
 Thirteenth New York and Second Wisconsin legiments, 
 and now, while the sun rose in the zenith, a terrible strug- 
 gle ensued. Rickett's battery was captured by the enemy, 
 after losing every man at the guns. Hunter was wounded, 
 but his division, and that of Heintzleman, still advanced 
 driving the retiring enemy before them. Amid the deafening 
 roar of cannon, the curling smoke of battle, and the dread 
 confusion of conflicting hosts, the work of death went on 
 in the fierce struggle for the victory. The sound of artillery 
 was heard as far as "Washington, and the affrighted in- 
 habitants at places less remote grew pale with fear as the 
 reverberations of the artillery sounded in their ears. A 
 panic which took place among the New York Fire Zouaves 
 occasioned the loss of Rickett's battery. Inefficient officers 
 caused some regiments to fail. Some fought well for awhile, 
 and then fled in terror. Heintzelrnan, Porter, Earnside, and 
 Sprague, distinguished themselves on this sventful day. 
 The two flanking divisions had reached the further banks 
 of Bull Run, and stood opposite Tyler's position at the Stone 
 bridge, and the efforts of the enemy to roll back the tide 
 of battle proved abortive. Tyler Bent reinforcements across 
 the stream. Sherman and Keyes led their men on, and at 
 two o'clock the whole rebel army was borne back a mile 
 and a half, many put to flight, and Beauregard preparing 
 to retreat to Manassas Junction. Victory was perching on 
 loyal banners. 
 
 Just at this critical moment, Johnston, having eluded 
 Patterson, suddenly threw ten thousand fresh troops on the 
 exhausted brigades of Hunter and Heintzelman, who had 
 sustained a long march and protracted fight on scant rations, 
 and now suffered with thirst. The attack was made in 
 flank and rear. The gallant Heintzelman in vain galloped 
 among his broken ranks. Griffin saw his guns captured, 
 and Sprague spiked the guns of hifl regiment with his owu
 
 60 AOUT Or THE FEDERAL TROOPS. 
 
 hands before he fled. McDowell, hearing heavy eannont 
 ding at Blackburn's ford, and fearing to be outflanked on 
 the left, which would be entirely ruinous, drew up the re- 
 serve and took measures to arrest the enemy's pursuit. 
 
 A dreadful spectacle was now presented. The fields and 
 roads were teeming with a disorderly, flying rout, while 
 wagons, teams, carriages, and hacks blocked up the way. 
 and wounded and riderless horses were madly plunging, 
 and wounded men were raising suppliant hands to be car- 
 ried off by those who were mounted. The artillery which 
 remained rumbled on, destroying every thing in its way, 
 and the cavalry dashed on regardless of the flying infantry. 
 The wounded fell into the enemy's hands. The soldiers in 
 their flight cast away every thing ; and cannon, guns, arms, 
 accoutrements, wagons, in a word, all the dtbris of an army 
 sfcewed the way. 
 
 The reserve, under Blencker, at Centreville, drawn up in 
 line, stayed the disorder of the fugitives, but they con- 
 tinued, weary and toiling, to find their way into Washing- 
 ton, whose inhabitants were terror-stricken. Some regi- 
 ments found their way to the capital in good order, and 
 maintained their discipline. 
 
 The news produced horror and shame at the North, and 
 Washington it was feared would be captured. It is probable 
 that, if Beauregard had advanced on the heels of the flying 
 hoet, he might have taken Washington; but the enemy 
 attempted no pursuit, and had got a severe drubbing before 
 reinforcements arrived. 
 
 The Federals lost nearly three thousand in killed, wounded, 
 and missing, including one thousand four hundred and 
 twenty-three prisoners. Colonel Cameron, brother of the 
 secretary of War, was killed, and also Colonel Slocum of 
 Khode Island. Colonel Corcoran of New York, and Mr. Ely, 
 member of Congress from Rochester, New York, were cap- 
 tured. We lost four thousand muskets, twenty-three can- 
 non, artillery wagons, and a large quantity of stores and 
 equipments, and much ammunition. Twenty thousand of 
 our troops were engaged in the battle, which was perhaps 
 equal to the actual number of the enemy before the rein- 
 forcements. 
 
 No discouragement, even for a moment, stopped the on 
 ward progress of the North u the grand determination to
 
 SALUTARY B7FECTS OT THE DEFEAT. 61 
 
 put down rebellion. As usual in cases of failure, some one 
 had to be blamed ; but McDowell in a great measure, and 
 justly, escaped censure. Some blamed the newspapers and 
 the " On to Richmond 1" party ; others, General Patterson ; 
 and others, the administration. It would be fair to sup- 
 pose, that had General Patterson been in a condition to take 
 care of Johnston, and Beauregard received no reinforce- 
 ments, the result of the battle would have been different, 
 and victory, not defeat, have ensued. The time of the three 
 months' men, however, was expiring, and whether better 
 could have been done remains somewhat doubtful. Provi 
 dence taught the nation a lesson, and the nation profited by 
 it in the end. The contempt for the fighting qualities of 
 the South never afterward rose to the same height, and the 
 "Southerners" were found on many a field to be no despi- 
 cable enemies, and to fight with a valor worthy a better 
 cause. 
 
 Many incompetent officers were soon dismissed the ser 
 vice. They were unfit for their positions, and many more 
 too who succeeded them. The folly of enlisting men for 
 three months was seen, and a regular drill was found requi 
 site to make the citizen an efficient soldier. The lesson of 
 humility was not lost on the nation ; and the goodness of 
 Providence watched over its destinies, and gave help in tirns 
 of need.
 
 CHAPTER Vl. 
 
 JULY AUGUST, 1861. 
 
 OtJTDITIOIT OF THB ARMT AFTKR THE BATTLE OF BULL RUN IT* 
 AJD A NEW ONE RAISBD MAGNITUDE OF THE ENTERPRISE MCCl.KLLAR 
 TAKSB THE COMMAND BANKS AND FRKMONT FREMONT SENT TO MIS- 
 SOURI PROXIMITY OF THE REBELS TO THE CAPITAL PATRIOTIC RISING 
 OF THE NORTH LTON MARCHES AGAINST MCCULLOUOH KENTUCKY 
 DECIDES BY VOTE TO REMAIN LOYAL FREMONT IN ST. LOUIS BATTLE OF 
 WILSON'S CREEK ; DEATH OFLYON THE UNION ARMY RETREATS RKQRKT 
 ON THE DEATH OF LYON SPIRIT OF THE CLERGY AT THE SOUTH. 
 
 ABOUT the time of the disaster to the Federal arms at 
 Bull Run, the newa of the surrender of Fort Filmore, in 
 New Mexico, by Major Lynde to some Texan troops, was 
 promulgated to the nation ; and seven hundred men gave 
 up their arms without a struggle. 
 
 The Army of the Potomac was now in a demoralized con- 
 dition, military affairs were in a state of great confusion, 
 and the time for which the men had been enlisted having 
 expired, it became evident that a new army must now be 
 levied. General Patterson assigned as a reason for his slow 
 movements, the refusal of several of his regiments to fight, 
 as their term of enlistment had expired, and the report of 
 General McDowell went to show that ten thousand men 
 would have required their discharge in a few days. In the 
 face of the enemy, the Fourth Pennsylvania regiment and 
 the Ninth New York Militia battery refused to serve 
 aaother day. They demanded their discharge immediately, 
 and when the army marched on to contend with the enemy, 
 these troops " moved to the rear to the sound of the enemy's 
 cannon." No arguments were listened to by them, and 
 affairs, in the circumstances of defeat, were in no way im- 
 proved. The chaos of a demoralized army is always an 
 unhappy event, even in the case of the most hardy 
 veterans, but the seventy five thousand thi ee months ' recruits 
 on the expiration of their term, and upon the defeat of the 
 army, became little better than a mob. In place of this dis- 
 organized army, a new one must be raised, drilled, and made 
 ready for action. The President mighi, like Pompy, call 
 (62)
 
 jfCCLELLAN TAKES THE COMMAND. 63 
 
 forth legions by merely stamping on the ground, but it 
 was an enterprise of immense difficulty to raise and prepare 
 an army of half a million of men for effective field service. 
 
 It was plain that General Scott, from age and infirmities, 
 was not able to undertake this herculean task. The next to 
 him, in seniority, was Major-general George B. McClellan 
 who had covered himself with glory in the campaign f )f 
 Western Virginia. 
 
 While, therefore, Major-general Nathaniel P. Banks i >oi 
 command of Patterson's forces, on the Potomac, and 
 General John C. Fremont, who had been made a major- eu 
 eral in the regular army, was put in command ol the 
 Western Department, including Illinois and the State? be- 
 tween the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains, Go .eral 
 McClellan was ordered to Washington, and reached that 
 place on the 26th of July. The appointments of McC) ;llan 
 and Banks were received with public favor, but man f re- 
 garded that of Fremont as a political expedient, which 
 would have an unfavorable result. Those who took thia 
 view, thought that Lyon was the man best suited to com- 
 mand in the Western Department, and that many defeats 
 and losses might have been thereby avoided, at least in 
 Missouri. 
 
 McClellan's post was no sinecure, but he manfully 
 grappled with the difficulties before him. The capital was 
 full of officers and soldiers, who flocked to the drinking 
 saloons with which the place abounded, and who, forgetting 
 subordinat : on, became a disgrace to the military profession. 
 While they were thus carousing, the Confederate flag waved 
 proudly in sight. The fortifications erected by Scott 
 proved of invaluable service, though the baffled energy 
 threatened the upper Potomac and the not too loyal Mary- 
 land, while batteries sealed the river below. The troops 
 authorized to be raised by the act of Congress, were now 
 warming in every part of the loyal States from the Atlant'O 
 10 the Pacific. Never was such a levy so promptly respond- 
 ed to by any nation, and the number called 'or would, in 
 all likelihood, be far exceeded. Patriotic hearts were fired 
 to wipe the disgrace of defeat from the escutcheon of the 
 North. Every Congressional district, every city and everj? 
 village, poured out its willing volunteers ; schools of in 
 rtruction abound d, and daily dr U. for hours, was forr-
 
 W LTON MARCHES AGAINST MCCULLOUQH. 
 
 ing as fine an army as the world ever saw. Drums beat, 
 flags waved, enthusiasm everywhere prevailed, and the 
 nation soon saw that success would yet crown the efforts cf 
 patriotism. For months the Army of the Potomac lay in- 
 active, busily preparing to strike the blow which should be 
 fatal to rebellion. Order and discipline now began to take 
 the place of chaos and insubordination. Meantime Generals 
 Rosecrans and Cox opposed the enemy in Western Virginia, 
 and the State Convention of Missouri elected Hamilton R. 
 Gamble Provisional Governor, in the place of Jackson, who 
 had joined the Confederates. 
 
 General Lyon was now constantly occupied with the 
 enemy, and had little time to observe the changes affecting 
 the State. He offered battle to a portion of McCul lough's 
 forces at 'Dug Springs, on the 2d of August, but the enemy 
 retired, after sustaining a severe charge of a body of 
 cavalry. The men were suffering from heat and thirst, bnt 
 after marching beyond Springfield, provisions being scarce, 
 and the troops worn out with fatigue, Lyon determined 
 to return to that place, with which his communication was 
 in danger of being severed. 
 
 While the greatest joy was manifested in Congress, on 
 the announcement by Mr. Wickliffe, member from Ken- 
 tucky, that by a decisive vote, she determined to aoide in 
 the Union, John C. Breckinridge, the secessionist, was 
 being serenaded in Baltimore. On the same day, the rebel 
 Magruder, marching out of Hampton, where he had com- 
 manded the enemy's forces, barbarously fired and laid it in 
 ashes. In Missouri, General Pillow was said to be at New 
 Madrid with an army, threatening St. Louis; and Lyon, at 
 Springfield, was threatened by McCullough and Price. Or? 
 the 10th of August, Lyon was informed that Generals McCu! 
 lough and Price, with overwhelming forces, were within 
 ten miles of his command, threatening to attack him. He 
 deemed that the loyal people of Springfield and the Union 
 cause required him to fight, although reinforcements could 
 not reach him. He determined to resist the enemy, and then 
 ensued 
 
 TBK BATTLE OF WILSON'S CREEK. 
 
 Lyon first planned a night attack, but was not ready in 
 time He then put off the fight until next day; this wai
 
 BAttLE Of WILSON'S CRttEK. 6ft 
 
 Saturday, June 9th, 1861. He sent Sigel, with his own com 
 m&nd and that of Colonel Solomon, southerly from Spring- 
 field to the enemy's rear, when the guns of Lyon in front 
 should be the signal of attack. General Lyon marched 
 during Friday night, and reached the enemy's position, nine 
 miles s:uth of Springfield, at four o'clock in the morning. 
 Having haked till six, he attacked the advantageous position 
 of the enemy. Captain Wright, with some companies of 
 mounted home guards, skirmished with a small body of 
 cavalry, in advance to the left, which by retiring, drew the 
 Federals into an ambuscade, and three thousand rebels, 
 rushing to the encounter, forced them to retire. On the other 
 ond of the line, the Federal troops, consisting of the First 
 Missouri, the battalion of Osterhaus, and Totten's battery, 
 being well posted, attacked the enemy, who broke and fled 
 to a hill-top in the rear, pursued by the Federals, when 
 their advance was checked by a fresh Louisiana regiment 
 A desperate fight of forty-five minutes and the routed 
 rebels were pursued to the brow of a third hill, where, meet- 
 ing a fresh rebel force, a deadly combat ensued, which being 
 protracted and the rebel fire destructive, the result was for 
 awhile uncertain. Fresh Kansas and Iowa troops to sup- 
 port the Federals rushed in and were assailed in turn by 
 overwhelming numbers. Captain Grata was killed, and 
 Lieutenant Brown disabled. The carnage was dreadful. 
 But though the enemy, mowed down by Totten's well-served 
 battery, fell like hay, their great numbers enabled them to 
 fill up the gaps in the ranks, and hurl back defiance on 
 their assailants. The action now became general. The 
 Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas regiments had borne the brunt 
 of battle, and General Lyon had in person superintended al' 
 operations, animating his troops, and issuing commands 
 Wounded twice, he continued to urge on his men; and when 
 he saw the firmness of the First Iowa regiment, under a 
 heavy fire, its energetic attack, which made the ene;nj 
 atagger, and the relief it lent the exhausted Missouri regi- 
 ment when about to give way, he cheered it heartily, and 
 expressed his enthusiastic admiration. 
 
 He now determined to carry the day at the point of the 
 bayonet. When all was ready, the commander of the Iowa 
 troops was missing, and Lyon putting himself at their head, 
 Bried " Come on, brave men, / will lead you I"
 
 66 DEATH OF LT01C. 
 
 The charge was made. In vain the enemy's superiot 
 numbers. They faltered, broke, and fled. The heroic 
 Lyon received a ball in the side, fell from his horse, an3 
 immediately expired. General Sweeney was wounded in 
 the leg nd disabled, and Major Sturgis took the command. 
 The enemy made one assault more ; their ranks were thinned 
 by the brave attacks of our men and the fire of Tctten's 
 artillery. They again broke and fled, firing their wagons 
 before retiring. 
 
 The Federals were unable to follow up the victory for 
 want of ammunition and because Sigel had been defeated 
 by overwhelming numbers, and lost five of his guns, though 
 he escaped with most of his command. The Federal troops 
 now retired to Springfield, and later, to Holla, under Colonel 
 Sigel. The Federal loss in the battle was about two hun- 
 dred killed and seven hundred wounded. The rebel loss 
 was much greater, though the exact number is unknown. 
 They lost four hundred horses, and seventy prisoners were 
 captured. Five thousand had fought with twenty thousand. 
 Ours was the triumph, but the loss of Lyon, at the outset 
 of his brief 'and glorious career, was irreparable. When 
 the Federal troops fell back to Holla, Missouri was left 
 mostly in the hands of the rebels, who burnt the bridges, 
 destroyed the railroads, and made peaceful homes a desola- 
 tion. 
 
 The news of the death of Lyon was heard with deep 
 national grief. lie was a pure patriot, full of energy and 
 heroism, endeared to the people, and of high promise. 
 Some blamed Fremont, but he was unable to reinforce him, 
 as General Pillow was at New Madrid, threatening St. Louis. 
 The spirit of the Southern clergy at this time was far 
 different from what could be expected from the professed 
 heralds of the " Prince of Peace," some of them going to the 
 field, others making the pulpit a vehicle to convey t! eir 
 misrepresentations and bitter hatred against the No tn, 
 The Divine Being was invoked by professing Christ /rj 
 of the same denominations to aid them as they rushed /a 
 deadly collision, displaying the worst of human passions
 
 CHAPTER YIL 
 
 SEPTEMBER, 1861. 
 
 BT THK GOVERNMENT CONFISCATION EXCHANOK OF PRI8ONKHS 
 DAVIS USES RETALIATION MUTINY QUELLED PRIVATBKRI 
 OF IHR REBELS WOOL AT FORT MONROE FOOTE TAKES CHARGE OF OUR- 
 BOATS WEST ATTACK ON CAPE UATTERAS FREMONT'S PROCLAMATION 
 WESTERN VIRGINIA BATTLE OF CARNIFEX FERRT FALL OF LEXINGTON 
 FIGHT AT CHEAT MOUNTAIN LEE DEFEATED AT ELKWATER ARMY OF 
 THE POTOMAC THE NATIONAL FAST. 
 
 THE General Government was slow to deprive the South 
 of the mails, even when different States left the Union. 
 But now, when the public offices were cleared of traitors, the 
 act of habeas corpus being suspended, men in every part of 
 the N"orth were arrested and imprisoned, without trial or 
 any charges brought against them. The military power 
 cast the civil in the shade, and men began to look for 
 parallels in history, and to remember the Star Chamber, 
 and letters de cachet. This course of the Government waa 
 necessary to self-preservation, as many traitors lurked about 
 to destroy it. Confiscation of the property of rebels 01 
 disaffected persons was declared, and many abuses ceased. 
 
 The Government regarded the Southern States as in 
 rebellion, and refused to treat with the Confederacy for the 
 exchange of prisoners. To grant any recognition, it was 
 thought, would be worse than leaving brave men to their 
 fate. The privateer Savannah being captured, her men 
 were put in prison as pirates, and as such threats of hanging 
 were made ; Davis retaliated, imprisoned man for man, and 
 threatened to hang as many prisoners as the Federals. 
 This course was not found the best in the end, but indigna- 
 tion prevailed that the Confederates were recognized as 
 belligerents by England. 
 
 A mutiny in the Seventy-ninth New Ycrk regiment waa 
 promptly quelled by McClellan, who drew up bodies of 
 infantry and cavalry, and had cannon placed in position. 
 This put an end to similar follies in future. At this time 
 news came of the depredations of the pirates Surnter and 
 Jeff Davis on merchantmen ; but the latter was soon after 
 
 (67)
 
 48 ATTACK OX CAPE HATTERAS. 
 
 wrecked on the coast of Florida. About this time a Igtat 
 took place at Surnmerville, Western Virginia, and also in 
 Missouri there were terrible combats between Union and 
 rebel forces. General "Wool took the command at Fortress 
 Monroe, and Captain Foote that of the western naval forces 
 A gunboat fleet was soon ready, which was expected ert 
 long to clear the Mississippi. 
 
 FIGHT AT CAPE IIATTERAS. 
 
 Two forts Ilatteras and Henry had been manned, under 
 Captain Barr, late of the United States navy, with six hun- 
 dred men. Hatteras was evacuated and the guns spiked 
 on the approach of the naval force, commanded by Commo 
 dore Stringham and General Butler, consisting of the flag 
 ship Min lesota and four vessels and transports, with nine 
 hundred men. Three hundred and fifteen men landed witir 
 a twelve pound gun and howitzer. Fort Henry being 
 attacked, the rebels surrendered, with twenty five pieces 
 of artillery, a thousand stand of arms, and provisions and 
 stores in abundance. This success was magnified into a 
 battle and victory. 
 
 Had the expedition at this conjuncture proceeded to 
 Pamlico and Albemarle sounds, and made a descent on. 
 North Carolina a thing not then very difficult much 
 good might have been effected, and great expenditure saved. 
 Meantime, General Fremont proclaimed martial law through- 
 out Missouri, and declared that under the confiscation law 
 the slaves were free. The President caused Fremont to 
 modify this proclamation, for it was feared that the Union 
 cause would be injured by it in the border States. The 
 Mississippi valley was now about to become the scene of 
 conflict, and the soil of Kentucky would soon be battle 
 ground. Governor Magoffin had desired the President to 
 withdraw the Union forces from Kentucky, arnd soon after 
 the rebel General Polk occupied Columbus. The rebels 
 determined to hold Kentucky, though it had voted for tho 
 Union. 
 
 General William S. Rosecrans, the worthy successor of 
 McClellan in Western Virginia, moved on the strong 
 position of Floyd, at Carnifex ferry, with the intention of 
 fighting him. After considerable marching, he reached tht 
 enemy, and advanced to his defences.
 
 BATTLE OF CARNIFEX FERRY 
 
 Rosecrans had reached the enemy, but, ignorant of his 
 fortifications, "sent General Benham with his brigade to 
 make a recormoissance. While watching the artillery as it 
 rambled up the hill, Rosecrans heard a deep roll of musketry 
 from the woods, just in front of the direction which the 
 brigade of Benharn's had taken. The steady and quick 
 vollies of the men, proved they had not, as he feared, fallen 
 into an ambuscade, but were nobly battling. Rosecrans 
 ordered up Colonel Lowe with the Twelfth Ohio, while the 
 artillery awakened the echoes of the mountains. Advanc- 
 ing on the run, tKe regiment and artillery toiled up the 
 steep, when Rosecrans, spurring at full speed amid a shower 
 of leaden hail, dashed through the woods, and up to the 
 fort : fi cations. General McCook's German brigade waa 
 ordered up to charge the fortifications, and wild joy filled the 
 hearts of the warriors, while the air was ixjnt with tumultu- 
 ous exultations. The night, however, was falling, and the 
 order was countermanded, while some of the troops on the 
 left had charged up to the defences, and they were recalled 
 by the bugle. The battle lasted four hours, and the troops 
 fell back in darkness, and lay on their arms some hundreds 
 of yards from the enemy. Floyd fled during the night, and 
 was glad, in getting away from the attack in front and flank, 
 to leave his ammunition and stores behind. He placed the 
 Gauley river between him and the Federals, burning the 
 ferry-boat. Colonel Lowe, and one hundred and twenty of 
 the Federal forces, were killed and wounded. 
 
 After the battle of Wilson's Creek, Laune and Mont 
 gomery were driven out of Missouri by Price, who wen^ 
 against a Federal force which he heard was at Warrenburg. Ii 
 fled on his approach, and he advanced on Lexington with 
 an army of thirty thousand troops. Colonel James Mulli- 
 gan, on the first of September, was ordered to lead his Irish 
 brigade one hundred and sixty miles up the river, and 
 reinforce Lexington, which place he reached on the 9th, 
 with three thousand troops. 
 
 Mulligan took up a position between the towns of Old and 
 Kew Lexington, and had not completed his breastworks and 
 ditches before the arrival of the enemy obliged him to desist 
 The headquarters were a large brick collegiate building 
 about half a mile from the rivjr. An assault was made bj
 
 70 FALL or 
 
 General Rains in person, with nine pieces of artillery, but 
 he was gallantly repulsed with such heavy loss that Price 
 was compelled to change his tactics. Jn consequence 
 he rolled hempen bales, saturated with water, to the breast- 
 works, to protect his batteries. Mulligan burnt the old 
 town, and sent to Jefferson City for reinforcements. The 
 messengers were captured, as were others on a different 
 route. Four batteries, of thirteen pieces, made a terrible 
 assault, while sharpshooters rained a shower of balls from 
 every tree. The rebels, notwithstanding the six pieces 
 used by Mulligan, gained a large brick house near the river 
 and opened a galling fire, but a platoon of Federals cleared 
 them out with the bayonet, and now night fell on the 
 combatants. 
 
 Price receiving ammunition on the 18th, occupied the 
 brick house, took possession of the river boats, and seized 
 and fortified the heights during continued fighting. The 
 garrison, now shut out from the river, endured much from 
 thirst ; the beasts were suffering from the same cause, and 
 the enemy rolled down a great number of hempen bales on 
 the breastworks. A sheet of flame ran along the pile of 
 bales, and the numerous sallies of the brave garrison could 
 not ward off the coming doom. Retiring to the inner works, 
 the home guards would fight no longer. The place was 
 intolerable from the stench of dead horses. No reinforce- 
 ments came, and the brave Mulligan reluctantly surrendered 
 two thousand six hundred men and five hundred of the 
 home guard to the enemy. Thus fell one of the most 
 important posts in the State. 
 
 The public now uttered loud complaints against Fremont, 
 who declared that he had sent reinforcements which were 
 not received. His enemies charged him with fraud in 
 arms and supplies for the Government, with incapacity and 
 mismanagement, and never ceased till they obtained his 
 removal from the command. 
 
 The Legislature of Kentucky called on the rebels to leave 
 the State, and this Polk promised on condition that the 
 Federals would do the same. This condition met with no 
 favor, Grant occupied Paducah, but more rebels flocked into 
 the State under A. S. Johnson. Floyd could not cope with 
 Rosecrans in Western Virginia, and Wise and he gave place 
 to General Robert E. Lee, whi with nine thousand men
 
 FIGHT AT CHEAT MOUNTAIN. 71 
 
 lvanced against General Reynolds, who held position on 
 Cheat Mountain. 
 
 One column advanced by the Staunton turnpike, and the 
 other by the Huntersville road to Elkwater. Lee tried to get 
 possession of the path behind and to the rear of Elkwater, 
 but four companies of Indiana troops checked an advance 
 which might have been perilous to Reynolds. When night 
 fell, the communication between our two posts was cut off 
 completely. A mountain bridle-path separated them at a 
 distance of seven miles. Three hundred men on the 
 mountain-top were cut off. Colonel Sullivan, with the 
 Thirteenth Indiana, was sent along the main road. Part 
 of two Virginia and Ohio regiments went by the bridle- 
 path. They were to make an attack at once, and reach the 
 men on the summit, who, ignorant of the movement, deter- 
 mined to force their way to the main body. They soon en- 
 countered the enemy, and opened such an effectual fire, as 
 strewed the place with dead, and drove him off in dismay, 
 leaving a large quantity of guns and clothing behind. The 
 two columns arrived when the engagement was over, and 
 the mountains echoed with loud hurrahs, which greeted 
 their approach. The provision train on the summit was 
 secured, and communication lay open. Lee now advanced 
 on Elkwater, and kept at a respectful distance from Rey- 
 nolds' artillery. He fell back further on hearing of the 
 mountain fight, and having attacked both positions next day, 
 he was driven back with great loss, and then retreated ten 
 miles. The Federals lost nine killed, the enemy one hun- 
 dred. Colonel John Washington, of Mount Yernon, was 
 among the rebel slain. The rebels never succeeded in 
 Western Virginia, where victory always fell to the Federals, 
 and defeat to their enemies. 
 
 The monotony of camp life in the Army of the Potomac, 
 was occasionally varied with the exhilarating exercise of 
 skirmishing with the enemy. Life and spirit was infused 
 nto our troops, and the lines extended to Lewinsville on 
 the right, and in front, took in Munson's hill : our troopa 
 at the latter place fired into each other. Had it not been 
 for a knowledge of this movement, betrayed to the enemy 
 by parties unknown, ten thousand of the rebels would have 
 been captured. The rebels were informed of every move- 
 ment. Nothing transpired that was not made known kr
 
 72 THE NATIONAL FAST. 
 
 them, but how or by whom will probably never be ascfcf 
 tained. 
 
 The army remained inactive in front of "Washington; 
 whether to submit the soldiers to the necessary discipline 
 before an advance, or to protect the capital, which was now 
 Burrounded with forts thirty-two in number, was not dis- 
 covered by the commander, who now had an army every 
 day improving, and augmenting by troops fully equipped, 
 which crowded railway cars, poured in from all parts of the 
 North and West. This immense army extended from 
 Alexandria to the Potomac, some fifteen miles above the 
 capital, while drill and discipline were going on with great 
 diligence. 
 
 The end of the month was marked by fasting and humilia- 
 tion, in which, it is to be hoped, the nation humbled itself 
 before the Creator. Trust in artillery and an armed host 
 was found to be nothing without the Divine blessing. The 
 nelp of the Lord of Hosts was humbly invoked to aid our 
 preparations, and all classes looked up to the Almighty 
 arbiter of events for a prosperous issue to the great contest 
 now about to be waged, when it was hoped our honored 
 flag would once more float in triumph over a happy lanu, 
 and misguided citizens return to their duty and allegiance.
 
 CHAPTER VUL 
 
 OCTOBER, 186J 
 
 n OBBAT ARMIXS 1'ENSAOOLA PRIVATEER CAPTURED SHIP I8LAJTB 
 CCCUPIKD- WESTERN VIROINIA OREEN BRIAR CREEK FIGHT TH1 
 ENKMY'S ATTACK AT ?ORT HATTERAS SANTA ROSA ISLAND, SURPRISS 
 OF WILSON'S ZOUAVKS REBEL RAM MANASSAS ATTACKS B/.OCKADINS 
 FLEET AT MOUTH OF MISSISSIPPI FIGHTS AT LEBANON, MISSOURI AT 
 FREDERICKTOWN AT BLUE MILLS FERRY BATTLE OF WILD CAT CAMP 
 UPPER POTOMAC FIGHT AT BOLIVAR BATTLE OF BALL'S BLUFF GEN- 
 KRAL STONE PEOPLE INDIGNANT MCCLELLAN COLONEL LANDER 
 CHARGE OF ZAGONTI. 
 
 Two mighty armies now confronted each other, and ex- 
 pectation arose to a high pitch on both sides. The North 
 hoped that disgrace would yield to victory, and the Con- 
 federate flag to the " stars and stripes." Beyond the Mis- 
 sissippi, the defences were subject to no regular rule, but 
 east of it the rebel fortifications ran on, with a single inter- 
 ruption, between the Blue Eidge and Alleghanies to the 
 wids expanse of the Atlantic. The line extended from 
 Columbus, across the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers to 
 Bowling Green, and from that to the Alleghanies ; from 
 thence to the Blue Ridge, there was a space in which there 
 were no rebel works, after which, on a line with the Poto- 
 mac, the fortifications ran on to Fortress Monroe. The three 
 hundred thousand men which, for a thousand miles, had 
 their well chosen stations, in all the panoply of war, along 
 this line, had for foernen half a million Northern troops, pro- 
 paring to contend with them in deadly battle strife. 
 
 The combatants were not ill matched, for the defenders 
 of intrenchments can cope with a larger number of assailants, 
 and the rebels had the advantage, in a high degree, of rail- 
 way concentration. The rebel fortifications were now of 
 the most formidable character ; Beau regard spared no labor 
 and skill to make them almost impregnable. 
 
 Public attention was now drawn to the expected battle at 
 Fort Pickens, in Florida, and many patriots distrusted the 
 abilitv of the administration to carry affairs on to a pros- 
 perous termination. An excited, angry, and feverish onndi 
 1 (73)
 
 f4 FEDERAL SUCCESSES. 
 
 tion characterized the people, and the main stay of the nation, 
 at this dangerous crisis, was their implicit confidence in the 
 patriotism and sincerity of the President, who was widely 
 known as "Honest Old Abe" 
 
 The news that the privateer Judah, off Pensacola bay, 
 was destroyed by a boat expedition on the 18th of Septem- 
 ber, afforded some consolation. A hundred men, sailors 
 and marines, were made ready, and while two boats attacked 
 the privateer, the third was to send out her men to spike a 
 shore battery. The design was carried out at half-past three 
 in the morning, with complete success, and was one of those 
 brilliant actions which have made the Federal navy re- 
 nowned. Only three men were killed and twelve wounded. 
 Lieutenants Russell, Blake, and Sproston were highly 
 praised for their gallantry and skill. 
 
 News came, at the same time, of the capture of Ship 
 Is!and. and favorable accounts arrived that General Rey- 
 nolds, in Western Virginia, on the 2d of October, had 
 left his camp at Elkwater to reconnoitre Lee's position on 
 Green Briar creek. 
 
 With five thousand men and a large artillery force 
 General Reynolds left Cheat mountain, sent Colonel Kim- 
 ball, with the Fourteenth Indiana, to attack the enemy's 
 front and right, and drive back his advance at the same 
 time that Milroy would drive in the pickets, deploy to the 
 left, and force the enemy into his intrcnchments. Milroy 
 found Green Briar bridge in rebel possession, and the 
 Indiana troops, without orders, rushed on and cleared it with 
 enthusiastic shouts. The enemy, driven into his fortifications, 
 and shelled with thirteen guns, replied, and the hills shook 
 with the echoes, till three rebel guns were disabled, and, in 
 the slackening fire which ensued, their signal rockets called 
 for reinforcements. Thousands, with artillery, answered the 
 signal, and Reynolds, restraining his men, who wanted to 
 take the works by storm, having gained his point sounded 
 the recall, and returned to his camp with thirteen prisoners. 
 The Federals lost eight killed and thirty-two wounded. 
 
 An action took place about this time in North Carolina 
 The landiig of fifteen hundred men four miles above him 
 being known to Colonel Brown, of the Twentieth Indiana 
 regiment, encamped Airty miles from Fort Ilatteras, he sent 
 to inform Colonel Hwkias at the fort, and of his intention
 
 SURPRISE OF WILSON'S ZOUAVES. 75 
 
 of falling back there. More rebel troops landed to cut 
 him off, when he fired every thing that could not be carried 
 away, and with a forced march reached the light-house. 
 Colonel Hawkins sent six companies of Zouaves to reinforce 
 Brown, and ordered Captain Lardner of the Susquehanna to 
 his aid. The Susquehanna was soon ready, and the Monti- 
 cello was ordered to double Cape Hatteras and go along the 
 shore. She soon saw the enemy pursuing, and the masts of 
 rebel vessels came distinctly to view. On this they were 
 shelled by Lieutenant Braine and scattered, the shells 
 making them flee in terror. The vessels were then shelled, 
 and many rebels jumped into the water, while some of the 
 boats, with their freight, went to the bottom. On the night 
 of October 9th, a Confederate force of about two thousand 
 m&de an attack on Santa Rosa island, Florida, on which 
 Fort Pickens is situated, and surprised the camp of Wilson'a 
 Zouaves, a mile from the fort ; purposing, if successful, to 
 carry the fort. The darkness favored them, and the regi- 
 ment was rudely awakened from its slumbers in confusion, 
 while the shouts and musketry of the enemy rendered it 
 difficult for them to form in order, and the whole camp was 
 blazing from the fire of the rebel torch. The Zouaves fled 
 to the batteries, a little way off, for protection. Meanwhile, 
 the shots being heard at Fort Pickens, the long roll beat, 
 and Major Vogdes sent out two companies in the direction 
 of the firing, and manned the guns on the rampart. A staff 
 officer sent by Colonel Brown to Major Yogdes was cap- 
 tured, and Major Arnold was sent to take the command. 
 Before his arrival the enemy retired from the destructive 
 fire opened upon them by Captain Hildt, of the regular 
 army. Colonel Wilson now rallied his regiment, and with 
 other companies, now arrived from the fort, pursued the 
 flying enemy three miles to thoir boats, drove some into the 
 water, and sent deadly volleys into the boats, which killed 
 them by scores. Federal loss sixty. 
 
 On the night of the llth, Captain Hollins, of the rcbeJE 
 naval force at New Orleans, by means of an iron-clad vessel 
 with a terrible iron prow, called the ram Manassas and two 
 small steamers, attempted the destruction of the blockading 
 fleet at the mouth of the Mississippi. Night favored the 
 design, and dashing suddenly down, the formidable ram 
 struck the Richmond and foil ~ed the vessel from hei moor
 
 76 REBEL RAM MANASSAS. 
 
 ings with a terrible crash, and, backing, struck at he* sten\ 
 ripping off the planks. A broadside from the Richmond 
 was poured in with a will by her undaunted crew, as the 
 ram ran alongside ; and as one of his engines gave out, 
 Captain Hollins, attempting to get off, threw up a rocket 
 The signal was answered, and the bright flame which lighted 
 np the river revealed a number of ships descending to 
 destroy the Federal fleet. While the Richmond and Preble 
 dropped down the pass, the Water Witch and Viucennes 
 remained ; and as the fire ships bore steadily down, the Vin- 
 cennes, fearing lest she should be struck in the position in 
 which she was, determined to drop down and leave the Water 
 Witch, of quicker and lighter build, to lead the way and 
 report on the condition of affairs. As several gunboats 
 were coming down, the Water Witch was sent to convey the 
 tidings, when she saw that the Vincennes had grounded on 
 the bar, and that the Richmond also was aground, which 
 caused great consternation in the Union fleet. Fortunately, 
 as bdth the vessels seemed doomed to destruction, the Rich- 
 mond swung about her broadside toward the stream, so that 
 her guns could be made use of advantageously. Her quick 
 and well-directed fire, brought to bear on the enemy, made 
 it prudent for him to get away as quickly as possible, and 
 he returned to New Orleans. The braggadocia of Hollins 
 made him a hero ; the city was wild with joy ; illuminations 
 to him declared the enthusiasm of the people, as their hopes 
 saw an early opening of the Mississippi. Rebel accounts 
 were received in the North before the true account was had, 
 and the blockading fleet was considered in a perilous situa- 
 tion. The true state of things was soon known ; Hollins 
 was laughed at, and dwindled down from a hero to his 
 native insignificance. 
 
 The Federal aflairs, in the meantime, were prospering in 
 Missouri, and the troops under Fremont were successful in 
 various minor encounters. On the 13th, two companies 
 of cavaliy under Major Wright, charging with gallantry a 
 rebel fcrce of three hundred, near Lebanon, drove them 
 from the Geld with a loss of sixty killed and wounded, and 
 thirty-?ix captured. Captains Switzler and Montgomery 
 gathered unfading laurels in this brilliant affair ; Montgomery 
 discharged all the barrels of his revolver, and then assailing 
 ft rebel with hia f st quickly unhorsed him. A few d&yj
 
 UAttLE OF BLUE MILLS FERRt. 71 
 
 after, the latter a;tacked Linn creek, taking twenty five rebel 
 prisoners, and the ensuing day, Lexington, with seventy 
 prisoners, fell into the possession of the patriots. Ironton 
 and Pilot Knob were now threatened by the rebels, who 
 were advancing under Jeff. Thompson and Colonel Lowe. A 
 severe skirmish with these forces and some troops under 
 Colonel Carlin had taken place, when Colonels Carlin, Boss, 
 and Baker, with two thousand troops, reached Frederick- 
 town, which the enemy had very recently evacuated, and 
 advancing a mile, came up to and attacked his lines. Grape 
 atd canister met their onset, but the undaunted soldiera 
 pressed forward, and in an action of two hours' duration, the 
 enemy, heavily punished, broke and fled in wild dismay, 
 with the loss of Colonel Lowe and one hundred and fifty 
 killed, and sixty-four prisoners. Federal loss in killed and 
 wounded, sixty. The ground was strewed with arms, equip- 
 ments, and clothing, and the pursuit was continued to 
 Greenville, and on the next day for twenty-two miles, but 
 the enemy proved superior in flight, and escaped. 
 
 Some days before, the enemy, four thousand in number, 
 were attacked at Blue Mills Ferry, near Liberty, by Lieu- 
 tenant-colonel Scott, with the Third Iowa regiment of five 
 hundred men. With these, Colonel Smith, with the Six- 
 teenth Illinois and, part of the Thirty-ninth Ohio, was to 
 form a junction. Scott, having waited some time, and while 
 heavy rains detained Smith, determined to advance, and 
 fought the enemy one hour, when he was obliged to retreat 
 to Liberty, where he was found by the cavalry sent after 
 him by Smith. The combined forces now moved on the 
 enemy, but at Blue Mills it was found that he had crossed 
 the river, and was beyond pursuit. The enemy's loss 
 was unknown, that of the Federals was ninety killed and 
 wounded. 
 
 The Federal arms in Kentucky were now prosperous, 
 and the command of the department by the heroic Ander- 
 son, and subsequently by General Crittenden, neutralized 
 the influence of Buckner's proclamation. 
 
 A struggle of great severity was now about to take place 
 Colonel Coburn, on the 16th of October, 1861, was ordered 
 to occupy Camp Wild Cat with three hundred and fifty rien, 
 End had hardly reached his position, when a hidden firo 
 poured on his ixen, and & large rebel force soon made its
 
 78 AFFAIRS ON THE UPPER POTOMAC. 
 
 appearance. Colonel Wood met their advance with two 
 hundred and fifty loyal Kentucky cavalrymen, whom ha 
 formed under fire, when quickly, two Tennessee rebel regi- 
 ments rushed from the woods and in four columns charged 
 the position on two sides with a heavy fire. They advanced, 
 under a fierce fire, within twenty-five yards of the works 
 and the Kentucky troops for a moment faltered, but recov- 
 ering, the contest was fierce and bloody, though brief and 
 the baffled enemy were forced to retire. Another attempt 
 on Camp Wild Cat was frustrated by the bravery of the 
 Seventeenth Ohio regiment and two companies of the 
 Fourteenth Ohio. The enemy retired with heavy loss ; 
 the Federal loss was but twenty-three killed and wounded. 
 This battle, besides answering the purpose for which it waa 
 fought, greatly animated the loyal people of the State. 
 
 At this time the enemy's left on the Potomac was near 
 Leesburg, and General Banks ordered General Stone to keep 
 watch on the rebel troops, and prevent their crossing the river 
 at that point. Great care was needed to keep the rebels out 
 of Maryland, and several unimportant actions had lately taken 
 place. A brisk action took place at Bolivar, a village two 
 miles from the Potomac, October 16th. Major Gould had gone 
 across the river at Harper's Ferry, to get some wheat which 
 the enemy held there, and having attained his end, was re- 
 crossing, when Bolivar Heights swarmed with rebels, whoso 
 cannon, in position, commanded the Union camp. Another 
 body threatened the ferry from Loudon Heights. The 
 Thirteenth Massachusetts regiment, under Captain Schriber, 
 repulsed a fierce charge made by rebel cavalry, at the 
 upper portion of the town, and, having driven them back 
 three times, occupied it, and from every shelter poured 
 showers of bullets upon the enemy, who gained no advan- 
 tage. Reinforcements were called up by Colonel Geary, and 
 Lieutenant Martin dashed through a scathing fire, and hav- 
 ing unlimbered his pieces in the streets, cannonaded the 
 heights. As the Federal troops advanced, the order rang 
 out to " fix bayonets," and the brave men at the ordei 
 " charge," rushed along the heights with wild shouts ; while 
 the artillery prevented the enemy from rallying, and dis- 
 mounted their guns. The fight had lasted five hours, and 
 this heroic band of two hundred and fifty rested till mid 
 night, and reached and crossed the river without annoyance
 
 BATTLE of BALL'S BUJFF. T$ 
 
 The enemy lost a hundred in tliis action, the Federal 1 jss, wai 
 but thirteen. On the 20th of October, Eomney, situated 
 amid an amphitheatre of hills, was taken by General Kelly. 
 
 BATTLE OF BAIL'S BLUFF. 
 
 To ascertain what troops of the enemy were in the neigh- 
 orhood, and how situated, Colonel Devens, of the Sixteenth 
 Massachusetts regiment, crossed the Potomac on the 20th, 
 &t midnight, to make a reconnoissance. He left Harrison's 
 island with three hundred men, with the intention of captur- 
 ing a rebel camp, and waiting until more troops crossed. 
 Three boats, in a miserable condition, took four hours in 
 crossing. Having crossed, the high bluff could not be 
 reached, but a bridle path gave the troops a means of ascent, 
 and they marched in the deepest silence, and, at the top 
 of the bluff, awaited day-dawn. Should the event prove un- 
 fortunate, the brave troops saw at a glance, that death or 
 capture must be the result. A hundred men, under Colonel 
 Lee, of the Twentieth Massachusetts, joined the little band 
 at daylight, and an advance was made on Leesburg. No 
 enemy was in view, and a large scow, capable of containing 
 sixty men, having been added to the transportation, deter- 
 mined the commander to wait for reinforcements, instead of 
 returning to report. A brisk action between Captain Phil- 
 brick and a company of riflemen ensued, when a body of cav- 
 alry appeared, and Colonel Devens then retired to the woods, 
 in which the main body were laying. Not being attacked, 
 he, in half an hour, joined Colonel Lee on the blufl and now 
 receiving orders to await reinforcements, he was rejoined by 
 his regiment, six hundred and twenty-five strong. The 
 enemy was in force on his left, and the attack began at noon. 
 The men maintained their position, but the enemy making 
 great efforts to outflank him, Colonel Devens retired to 
 where the woods left an open space, and the skirmisher? 
 were recalled. Not being followed up by the enemy, he fell 
 back to the bluffs, and found reinforcements, and Colonel 
 Baker in command, by General Stone's orders. It was an 
 unwise plan to send more reinforcements, with such poor 
 facilities for transportation as the bad boats and miserable 
 scow afforded, and why it was done was a mystery. 
 
 Colonel Baker now advanced ; on the right the Fifteenth 
 Massachusetts and pan of the Tammany regiment ; the left
 
 80 t>]fiATfl. Of COLONEL BAKEfc. 
 
 and centre were held by the Twentieth Massachusetts 
 while, also in the centre, marched the California battalion. 
 On the front were the three guns, the six pounder in the 
 centre, and the howitzers on the wings. The enemy ad 
 vanced with dreadful yells, and made the chief attack on the 
 left and centre. They had superior numbers, but the guns 
 made the contest not unequal. The enemy opened a deadly 
 fire at the gunners. Soon, of those who served the six 
 pounder not one was found, and the lanyard and pouch 
 being lost, the gun was of no use. The articles were found, 
 however, but blood-stained, and the gun was put in position 
 by Baker, Coggswell, Lee, and Bramhall, men called from 
 the infantry, and the gun again shelled the enemy. A fierce 
 contest now raged, and grew yet more and more violent, 
 and Bramhall had but a single man to help him at the gun, 
 and he did his duty well. The artillery, however, was not 
 effective, and the enemy, meanwhile, redoubled their efforts, 
 but were met at every point by the gallant troops, who 
 battled well in hopes of promised succor. General German 
 had crossed a few miles lower down with a part of his brig- 
 ade, and General Stone's adjutant promised that the gen- 
 eral would soon be present to aid. But he came not, and 
 the brave Colonel Baker, in this crisis, fell at the head ol 
 his troops, which cast success into the opposing scale. 
 
 Colonel Lee, on whom the command seemed to devolve, 
 decided on a retreat, but Colonel Coggswell galloping up, 
 being senior colonel, assumed it, and changed the line of 
 battle, with the resolve to cut his way through the enemy to 
 Edward's Ferry, some distance below. A rebel officer, on a 
 white horse, now rode up to the Tammany regiment, and 
 pointing to the woods, gave the order " charge" The regi- 
 ment, and the Fifteenth Massachusetts rushed forward, be- 
 lieving the order from their own officers. A destructive 
 volley met them, and they were driven back in disorder, 
 which was now too late to correct, while the exultant enemy 
 pressed on with shouts. The troops now fell back to the 
 bluff. The foe could not be beaten back, and they made a 
 furious attack on the brave men, unable to fight or retire. 
 One scow the only one laden with the wounded and those 
 who were escaping, was crowded in the river, pelted by the 
 thick shower of balls which the enemy shot after her. The 
 motion of these, who tried to shun the hullets, capsized her 
 and with her unhappy freight she saik to the bottom.
 
 GENERAL STONE RELIEVED OF COMMAND. SI 
 
 The river rolled on in sullen grandeur. Its rapid stream 
 and precipitous banks were witnesses of a fearful scene. 
 Groans, cries, and shrieks rent the air, as some cast them- 
 selves down into the swift current, while the yells of the 
 savage foe fell on ears that soon were closed forever ; and 
 the bank was red with the blood of the slaughtered heroes, 
 
 And yet this glorious band, with a bravery not surpassed 
 in ancient story, stood firm to the last, and no white flag told 
 of surrender to the foe. Their lofty souls never stooped tc 
 ask quarter, and they exhibited there, deeds of self-sacrific- 
 ing devotion, such as shed lustre on the cause for which 
 they died. Officers commanded men to escape, and the men, 
 in many an instance, only thought of the safety of their 
 officers. 
 
 Colonel Dcvens ordered his men to cast their muskets into 
 the river, and escape. About eighty, who could not swim, 
 were led by Captain Bartlett up the river. They found a 
 sunken boat, which could convey five at a time, and Cap- 
 tains Bartlett and Tremlett, and Lieutenant Abbott waited 
 until all were over, and then crossed over themselves. 
 Many who swam were shot in the head and perished. Sol- 
 diers would not leave the side of their wounded officers, but 
 swam slowly to save them. The fugitives made for Harri- 
 son's island. The Potomac, here, was red with the blood of 
 the Union slain, for the rebels fired incessantly. 
 
 The bloody tragedy was ended. The sullen stream bore 
 lifeless bodies of brave men, among whom were some of the 
 noblest hearts of the nation, down over the craggy rocks, 
 where they rolled in mangled confusion. The sad survivors 
 sat down in silent rage, gnashing their teeth to think that 
 bravery was of no use, and manhood of no avail ; but a 
 useless butchery had resulted from mismanagement, or per- 
 haps, worse, from treachery. The whole nation mourned, 
 and gloom overspread the people like a pall. The gallant 
 Baker was generally lamented, and his remains lay honored 
 in state, in Independence Hall, at Philadelphia. 
 
 The greatest blame of this movement was attached to 
 General Stone, and he was relieved of his command and 
 imprisoned. General Gorman, from Banks' division, crossed 
 at Edward's Ferry in the meanwhile, and McClellan arrived 
 on the field, and ordered the troops back to Maryland 
 Colonel Lander was put in command of Baker's troops, but
 
 82 CHARGE OF ZAGONYI. 
 
 a wound leceived in a skirmish rendered him unfit for ser 
 vice. The Federal force was eighteen hundred. One-half 
 were lost, as killed, wounded, or prisoners. Of the latter 
 were Colonels Coggswell and Lee. 
 
 In Missouri, Major Zagonji, of Fremont's Body-guard, 
 with one hundred and fifty men, was sent in advance by that 
 general, who had heard that Springfield, at the distance of 
 fifty miles, was occupied by three hundred rebels, whom he 
 determined to dislodge. Reaching the place the following 
 afternoon, Zagonyi found the enemy drawn up in line 
 of battle, half a mile from the city, and reported to be 
 two thousand strong. The major rode boldly on through 
 the fire of the skirmishers, and formed his men in the 
 enemy's camp. The bugle sounded the charge, and these 
 brave cavaliers, sword in hand, dashed on. The enemy fired 
 a volley, broke and fled before this hurricane. The cry of 
 the Federals was, " Fremont and the Union." The infantrj 
 sought safety in the woods ; then a recall was sounded, ana 
 Zagonyi pursued the cavalry through the town, and dashed 
 through the streets, making a score of charges, till not a 
 rebel remained. The recall was sounded, and only two 
 thirds of his command remained. The enemy lost one hun- 
 dred and fifty in killed and wounded, and *wr ty -seven 
 prisoners.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 NOVEMBER, 1861. 
 
 IWi PUBLM MIND DISSATISFIED FREMONT WHAT DIFFICULTIES HE BUR- 
 
 MODNTKD ADVANCE OF THB ARMY OF THE POTOMAC EXPECTH) 5RKAT 
 
 NATAL EXPEDITION ENCOUNTERS A STORM BOMBARDMENT OF THB 
 REBEL FORTS ATTACK AND VICTORY GENERAL SCOTT RETIRES, AND 
 MCCLELLAN SUCCEEDS HIM GRAND REVIEW OF THE ARMY OF THB 
 POTOMAC GRANT'S EXPEDITION FROM CAIRO BATTLE OF BELKONT 
 NELSON'S CAMPAIGN, ITS RESULTS INVESTIGATION OF CHARGES AGAINST 
 FREMONT HIS REMOVAL HUNTER SUCCEEDS HALLECK SUPESREDES 
 HUNTER DEPARTMENTS RECONSTRUCTED EXPEDITION OF DIX CAP- 
 TURE OF MASON AND SLIDELL THEIR SURRENDER DEMANDED, AND 
 ON WHAT GROUND OBTAINED THE NASHVILLE AND TU8CARORA 
 MCCLELLAN'S ORDERS THE NEGROES AT PORT ROYAL REBELS BURN 
 THE COTTON REBEL SCHOONER BURNED. 
 
 GREAT want of satisfaction with the administration now 
 prevailed throughout the country. Fremont still com- 
 manded in Missouri, but his removal was demanded; and he 
 lost the confidence of the public after the battle of Wilson's 
 Creek and the fall of Lexington ; and even the Blairs, who 
 had been his friends, were now become his opponents. Yet 
 when he took the command of Missouri, it was full of rebels 
 and guerillas. Two large armies were invading the State ; 
 the department was disorganized, and the city of St. Louis 
 rebellious. He was without the aid of Government, without 
 arms and equipments, and, in a measure, money or credit. 
 The State was to be recovered, the Illinois border pro- 
 tected, and preparations were to be made for descending the 
 Mississippi. Public calumniators were rife, private hostility 
 abounded, and the national Government manifested no con- 
 cealed distrust. These were great difficulties. He guarded 
 over one thousand miles of river and railroad travel, with- 
 out naval aid, or the loss of a railroad in the State, at a time 
 when the rebels frequently destroyed the. Baltimore and 
 Ohio railroad, and were keeping the Potomac sealed with a 
 blockade. While Western Virginia and East Tennessu, 
 suffered the depredation of guerillas, he kept the contest in 
 Missouri confined between organized bodies of tioops, and, 
 by a good use < f his resources, repelled an army of twenty 
 
 (83)
 
 4 ADVAJfCff OF THE ARV# EXPECTED. 
 
 thousand men from the border on the southeast. He also 
 guarded the Illinois border on the south from invasion. The 
 design, afterward successfully carried out, of striking at the 
 heart of the rebellion, by the rivers Cumberland and Ten- 
 nessee was Fremont's well -matured plan, and would have 
 saved the country millions, if carried out at the time. He 
 collected an army of forty thousand men, marched at their 
 head, through an enemy's country, three hundred miles, 
 chasing the rebels, throwing a bridge over a river broad 
 and deep, and overcoming obstacles declared by a high offi- 
 cial incapable of being surmounted. And on the eve of a 
 great battle he was removed from the command, as will 
 presently be shown. 
 
 The fact that October, so well calculated fcv warlike 
 demonstrations, passed without striking a blow at the 
 enemy on the Potomac, was another source of complaint. 
 And now, in the chill month of November, it was rumored, 
 daily, that an advance was about to be made on the strong 
 jbrtificatioas of Manassas. The enemy expected a flank 
 movement on the Potomac, and their lines now ran from 
 Blue Ridge to Acquia creek. Except when some daring 
 vessel made the unsafe attempt of running down past the 
 heavy shore batteries, the Potomac was effectually block- 
 aded. This was mortifying to the people, and felt as dis- 
 honorable to the nation. Every one thought that the army 
 uhould move, and that the coldness of the weather would 
 prevent an active campaign in Virginia. 
 
 The blockade interfered with the commerce of France and 
 England. The latter wanted cotton, and her operatives, in the 
 manufacturing towns, would be thrown out of employment 
 and reduced to poverty if the blockade was not soon raised. 
 If nothing were done before spring, these nations, it was sur- 
 mised, would demand an abandonment of the blockade. The 
 cry from the West was not the weakest. Its nature required 
 action, and could ill brook the delay which condemned a 
 hundred thousand armed men to inactivity. The Secretary 
 of War (Camecon) was included in the complaints, and wae 
 declared more eager to obtain fat contracts for his friends 
 than to urge the army onward to battle. The Cabinet was 
 thought to be heedless of existing events, aud the veteran 
 hero, General Scott, was deemed too slow, while age and in 
 rendered him unfit to guide the helm, that in such
 
 GREAT NAVAL EXPEDITION 86 
 
 a storm required a firmer hand. Reviews held in Virginia 
 did not compensate the people for inaction, and only one 
 thing drew the public mind from the contemplation of the 
 sombre view before it. This was the grand but secret naval 
 expedition which left Hampton Roads on the 29th of 
 October. 
 
 The rebel" States were still exulting over their victory at 
 Ball's Bluff, when terror and apprehension took the place 
 of wild joy, on hearing of the departure of a powerful 
 Federal fleet from Annapolis, for some point of the south- 
 ern coast unknown to them. This expedition consisted of 
 nearly twenty thousand men, land forces and marines; the 
 troops under command of General W. T. Sherman, and a 
 fleet of fifty vessels, of which eighteen were men-of-war, in 
 command of Commodore Samuel F. Dupont. Unnecessary 
 delays, after embarkation of troops, had rendered the depart- 
 ure too late for fine weather; but, as this fleet faded from 
 view on the horizon, great excitement prevailed as to its 
 destination, and the mystery in which the expedition waa 
 enveloped magnified its importance. One of the most ter- 
 rific storms ever known in this latitude, in a few days, filled 
 the public with dread apprehension, and recalled to mind 
 the fate of the Spanish armada. Many of the vessels were 
 small, and quite unfit for the open sea ; some were but ferry- 
 boats, and these, it was thought, could not survive the 
 storm. The South offered thanksgivings to God for hia 
 Providence, which was so favorable to them, while the North 
 hoped in the mercy of Him " whom winds and sea obey." 
 
 But the grand fleet was not left the sport of the winds. 
 The God that rolled up this mighty continent, arid founded 
 a grand Republic upon it, gave it dominion as well on the 
 ocean as en the dry land. Men saw, in this dreadful storm, 
 the loss of a powerful fleet and a fruitless expedition. Tho 
 swelling tempest presaged dread disaster. Dupont saw the 
 gathering storm with anxiety, and prepared for it as a 
 thorough seaman. The gale rose to a hurricane, which 
 swept the sea with resistless force, and the scattered vessels, 
 like the fle^t of the "Piius ^Eneas," were scattered on the 
 pathless deep, on the first gloomy night of November. 
 Dupont, at dawn, surveyed the heaving sea, with a glass, on 
 the flag-ship Wabash, and not a sail was seen, except one. 
 The srew of tin transport Peerless was taken fiom th 
 6
 
 86 ENCOUNTERS STORMS. 
 
 sinking vessel. The steamer Governor, having on board 
 the marine battalion, was a wreck. She had struggled all 
 night with the waves. Her smoke-stack was gone ; her 
 eteam-pipe burst ; her chains and cable broken, and water 
 poured in upon her. In the morning, she made signals of 
 distress, as a steamer hove in sight, and her rockets wore 
 answered by the Isaac Smith, which flung, but had to cut 
 loose, a hawser. Another snapped, and she was again adrift; 
 but the Rover came up, and, later, the Sabine, and at eight 
 o'clock thirty men were rescued and placed on board the 
 latter. A heavy sea broke the hawsers, and the vessels 
 parted, and, with four feet of water in her hold, the ill-fated 
 steamer was ready to sink. The Sabine again came along- 
 side, and forty more were taken on board. By lightening 
 and pumping, the Governor weathered the storm during the 
 night ; and the boats of the Sabine were launched at day- 
 light ; and, as they durst not come near the rolling wreck, the 
 men of the Governor, jumping overboard, were picked up 
 and all but six saved. The vessel, with a heavy lurch, then 
 sank. The storm was over. All the vessels came up, and 
 continued on their course. Dupont called the Susque- 
 hanna from off blockading duty, in passing Charleston, and 
 soon after anchored off Port Royal, the entrance to Beau- 
 fort, the best cotton port in all South Carolina. When 
 buoys again indicated the channel, the vessels passed the 
 bar, and, in another day, were made ready and in position 
 for action. The entrance was guarded by Fort Beauregard 
 and Fort Walker, on the two islands of Hilton Head and 
 Bay Point, which lay opposite to each other. Fort Beaure- 
 gard mounted twenty-three guns, while Fort Walker" had 
 three, of large calibre. A fleet of eight rebel steamers lay 
 withir, under the command of Commodore Tatnall. 
 
 The Federal ships cleared for action, November 7ch, and 
 now within range, the bombardment commenced. Tha 
 forts were strongly garrisoned, with eighteen hundred men, 
 under General Drayton. The vessels of the fleet before- 
 named, under Commodore Tatnall, began firing as the 
 Federal fleet came up to the forts, but a few shots made 
 them disappear toward Savannah. It was determined \>y 
 the commanders, that only the naval forces would be used 
 in the bombardment, and the land forces were but specta- 
 tors. The war vessels were stationed six hundred vards
 
 BOMBARDMENT OF REBEL PORTS. 87 
 
 from the forts, and often attacked the batteries on both 
 sides simultaneously. The forts were well constructed 
 oeing heavily armed and plentifully supplied. Their can- 
 non answered the Federal attack briskly at first, but were 
 illy manned, and it was soon apparent that the works could 
 not hold out against the storm of shot and shell from the 
 Federal guns. The place was strewn with killed and 
 rounded, and the badly-served guns of the rebels often 
 inflicted more injury on their own gunners than on the 
 Federals. After four hours' contest, the rebels abandoned 
 their works and fled, carrying with them the dead and 
 wounded. At a quarter to three o'clock, the flag was struck 
 on Fort Walker, and a white one was run up before evacu- 
 tion. The firing ceased, and Dupont sent Captain Rodgers 
 io find out the condition of things, who, seeing the fort 
 deserted, raised the stars and stripes on the flag-staff. At 
 the sight of this national emblem, soldiers and sailors sent 
 up loud cheers to greet it. Fort Beauregard was deserted 
 at the same time, and with equal haste, as Fort Walker. 
 During the attack on the forts, which were separate at two 
 miles and a half distance, the Federal ships kept moving, 
 making a detour in a line, and gaining the range of each 
 fort in succession. " They thus formed a formidable pro- 
 cession, resembling a concourse of destroying angels, who, 
 with inexorable vengeance, approached the rebel works, 
 from time to time, to inflict deserved destruction on them." 
 Each war vessel, in passing, remained twenty minutes in 
 range, and, during that time, delivered a great number of 
 shells. The scene was sublime, and the resounding echoes 
 of the guns could be heard as far as Charleston and Savan- 
 nah. The Federal troops took possession of the forts ere 
 night fell. Fort Walker was found to cover an area of four 
 acres. It was angular, and surrounded by a deep ditch, 
 filled with the killed and wounded of the rebels. In thia 
 fight, " the Wabash led the van." The commander of Fort 
 Walker had a brother on the Federal fleet who " helped to 
 ehell him out." 
 
 Great joy at the North followed this victory. The stars 
 and stripes floated in South Carolina once more, and the 
 nation looked to Sherman for an advance of his army but 
 this general confined his attention to dock building. It 
 thought that tl >re was enough Union sentiment at tb
 
 38 MCCLELLAN APPOINTED COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 
 
 South to operate in favor of the Union and that the slaves 
 would rise at the approach of the Federal armies. It was 
 also thought that Sherman might have taken Savannah 
 without a contest, if he had pushed on with his forces. 
 
 General Scott, the veteran commander-in-chief, now 
 superannuated, resigned his position, and left to other hands 
 the task of defending the flag which he loved so well and 
 had so often planted in victory. A portion of the Cabinet 
 escorted him to New York, and his mantle fell on General 
 George B. McClellan, on whom the eyes of the nation were 
 now turned with affection and confidence. The citizens of 
 Philadelphia presented him with a sword, and he told them 
 the war would be brief, but desperate; and asked, in 
 future, for forbearance, patience, and, confidence. This 
 speech took deep root in the public mind, and seemed to 
 presage an advance against the enemy's works. 
 
 Around the capital every height was studded with en- 
 campments; and the Potomac, above and below, on the 
 Maryland side, contained great army divisions, while in- 
 numerable camp fires blazed in Virginia, from Alexandria 
 to Lewinsville, ten miles above Washington. The long roll 
 of the drum, all along this line, daily resounded ; and while 
 the autumn passed away, and the cold days gave pre- 
 monition of winter, no quarters were provided for the 
 troops, and cavalry horses were exposed in the field at a 
 cold picket line. And yet the order for the mighty hosts 
 to move was not yet heard. A grand review of all the 
 divisions stationed in Virginia was announced. All whc 
 desired might witness it, and without passes ; for that day, 
 the public might cross the long bridge. Great excitement 
 prevailed in the city. This review was deemed the precur- 
 sor of an advance, and the time had come to decide the 
 nation's fate. Near Bailey s crossroads McClellan passed 
 in review, in presence of the President and part of the 
 cabinet, nearly a hundred thousand men, of all arms of the 
 service, infantry, cavalry, and artillery. It was a splendid 
 sight. As enthusiastic cheers rent the air, while the general 
 galloped up and down the long lines, the sunbeams glanced 
 on refulgent arms, and brave legions stood in the pride and 
 glory of military array. 
 
 In Missouri, in the meantime, the enemy had established 
 * camp at Belmont, opposite Colwmbus, with the design of
 
 GRANT'S EXPEDITION FROM CAIRO. 8& 
 
 leading troops to Price, wto was striving against superior 
 numbers. To prevent this, and lend aid to some troops 
 whom he had sent against Jeff. Thompson, General Ulysse^ 
 S. Grant formed the plan of an expedition to Belmont, and ; 
 with a feint on Columbus, took two thousand men, en 
 Noyember 6th, in transports, from Cairo, and moving down 
 khe Kentucky shore nine miles, rested during the night. 
 To carry out the feint in perfection, General Grant, on the 
 7th, sent two other columns from Paducah through the 
 country. On the same day Grant continued his course down 
 the river, and when nearly within range of the enemy's guns, 
 landed his men on the Missouri side of the river, where 
 they lay in camp two miles and a half above Belmont 
 Leaving a portion of the troops to guard the transports, he 
 marched about a mile, drew up his men in line of battle, 
 threw out skirmishers, and soon found the enemy prepared 
 for the encounter. The column halted, and soon advanced 
 in line of battle, except the regiment of Colonel Buford, 
 which made a movement to the right so as by a detour to 
 come upon the Rebel camps. The advance of the enemy 
 in force was handsomely met by the troops of Illinois and 
 Iowa, who forced the : j way through the wood and brush, 
 bravely fighting every inch of the way. The enemy at 
 last retired, after pouring a heavy and destructive fire on 
 the Union troops, who firmly held their ground, and met 
 with bravery the reinforcements that soon were hurled 
 against them. The enemy made a stand for half an hour be- 
 hkd a bank; but the Federals, led by brave officers, 
 advanced in face of a deadly fire. Generals Grant and 
 McClernand, with their staffs, were the especial marks aimed 
 at by sharp shooters. Colonels Logan and Foulke animated 
 their troops to deeds of during, and the soldiers with shouts 
 drove the o lemy to their camp. Trees had been felled, and 
 made an abatis through which it required great fortitude 
 so force. The attack was made from three sides simultane- 
 ously. As Colonel Buford, sent out on the right, had 
 reached the desired point and delivered a tremendous vol- 
 ley the troops with shouts crossed the abatis and reached 
 the open space before the rebel camp. The shout of the 
 Twenty-seventh Illinois, who were the first within, brought 
 the whole line forward/ The camp was won ; the old flag 
 replaced the reb -1 banner ; the national airs were played
 
 00 BATTLE OF BELMONT. 
 
 and hearty cheers were borne in echoes along the shores of 
 the great river. The tents and carnp equipage were burnt 
 When the rebel garrison of Columbus saw the camp at 
 Belmont captured, its he?vy guns rient the shot and shell so 
 thickly through the air that it was evident that the place 
 must be abandoned. Grant now discovered that a large 
 force, under the command of General Bishop Polk, was 
 crossing the river between the troops and their transports* 
 and now the contest was to regain the boats. The men, re- 
 called by the sound of the bugles, brought off the dead and 
 wounded, and retired over the ground so bravely gained 
 in time to see the enemy, in line of battle, ready to dis- 
 pute their progress. Colonel Logan advanced on them, 
 and the whole army followed him except the Twenty- 
 seventh Illinois and Dollin's cavalry, which had made a 
 circuit to the right in the morning and returned by the 
 way they came. The troops, entering the woods, again met 
 the rebels, and a hot contest began. The enemy was two 
 to one, but the Federals saw that their safety depended on 
 the transports, and cleared their way through the foe with 
 desperate force, always rallying when disorder for a moment 
 interfered. Fast and thick the shot fell, strewing the wood 
 with dead, but the retreat continued, and two gunboats 
 opening a deadly fire upon the enemy, kept them back, and 
 all gained the transports and got on board except Buford's 
 command and Dollin's cavalry, of which no account was 
 yet received. The enemy continued to fire on the trans- 
 ports, and the gunboats, when they had carried the troops 
 in safety beyond range, went to look after the missing 
 regiment and the cavalry. It was not known what became 
 of them, but the music of their bands was soon heard, 
 and their flags were seen coming up. The wearied men 
 saluted the Tyler and Lexington with shouts of joy, as, 
 laying-to, they awaited their arrival ; and, all aboard, 
 they reached Cairo at midnight, having lest four hundred 
 killed, wounded, and missing, two caissons, and some am- 
 munition. 
 
 On the 9th of November, General William Nelson began 
 a forced march of thirty miles from Prestonburg, Ken- 
 tucky, with two thousand men, for the purpose of attacking 
 the enemy at Pikeville, in the eastern, part of the same State, 
 The men set cut wiih two days' rations. Colonel Sill, with
 
 . NELSON'S CAMPAIGN. 9\ 
 
 part of the command, left the main body on the 7th, with 
 the intention of going by John's creek and passing to the 
 left of Piketon, a distance of forty miles, so as to turn the 
 enemy's position and cut them off'. The day following, 
 Nelson led the main body, by the direct road, at a rapid 
 pace, and, free from impediments, the rnen, in eight hoars 
 toilsome marching, reached a narrow mountain defile, end- 
 ing at Ivy creek, where the road, seven feet wide, is cut in 
 the steep mountain side twenty-five feet above the level of 
 the stream. 
 
 The mountain ridge, descending the gorge, describes a 
 curve inward. Seven hundred rebels lay in ambush behind 
 the ridge, and reserving their fire till Colonel Marshall's 
 battalion, in the advance, reached the turn, poured in a 
 deadly volley, which caused thirteen brave men to fall. At 
 Nelson's orders, two Kentucky regiments darted up the 
 steep mountain side, drawing themselves up by main force 
 over rocks and boulders till they confronted the astonished 
 rebels. Two cannon held position on the road and shelled 
 the rebels in front and on the side of the stream opposite. 
 The enemy in an hour and a half, during which the battle 
 lasted, gave way, and, retiring, cut the bridges across the 
 stream. Trees, felled and cast across the way, impeded the 
 pursuing and wearied troops, who that night bivouacked 
 a few miles beyond Ivy creek. Next morning a heavy 
 storm fell, continuing the whole day, during which the rain 
 did not keep the column back. The men bridged the creek, 
 cut away trees with the axe, marched in mud and water 
 knee deep, and shelterless, and with rations consisting only 
 of meat, without salt, bivouacked in a drenching rain. Pike- 
 ville was reached on the tenth. Colonel Sill had arrived 
 the day before, in time to find the enemy in full flight. 
 
 The enemy's plans in Eastern Kentucky were discon- 
 certed by this bold and rapid march, and their forces scat- 
 tered. This important result was attained in a three weeks 
 campaign. Adjutant-general Lorenzo Thomas was sent 
 about this time to Missouri, to investigate certain charges 
 against General Fremont, whom his friends declared as now 
 in a position to either capture or drive the rebel Price from 
 that State. The report made was permitted by the Secre- 
 tary of War to be published in the New York Tribune, and 
 was devoured greedily by the public. The adjutant-general
 
 2 CHARGES AGAINST FREMONT. 
 
 came in for as great a share of blame as did Fremont, i* 
 consequence of this report. Both the manner in which the 
 evidence was taken, and the whole spirit of the report, were 
 not only in themselves most unjust, but also, by unfolding 
 Fremont's designs to the enemy, highly detrimental to the 
 public service. And this was not all. Not only was the 
 case prejudiced, and the enemy aware of all the weak points 
 which existed in the Department of the "West, but he took 
 precautions to prepare against the Federal forces in future 
 in a way the most effective, and as to blood and treasure, 
 the most costly to the Government. Fremont had presented 
 a bold front to the enemy. He exaggerated his forces to 
 deceive them, and in this was his strength. The report 
 told the enemy how weak in reality the Federal force was 
 and while the press dared not give information of the Army 
 of the Potomac, lest it should be received by the enemy 
 the affairs of Fremont, and his plans, designs, force, and 
 prospects, were discussed with a freedom and a spirit, to the 
 Southern cause most beneficial, and to every rebel most 
 gratifying. 
 
 Hon. Schuyler Colfax, representative from Indiana, ar- 
 rived at St. Louis six days before the fall of Lexington 
 Being a personal friend of Fremont, he called on him, and 
 urged that reinforcements be sent and Price cut off without 
 delay. 
 
 "Mr. Colfax," replied the general, "I will tell you, con- 
 fidentially, how many men we have in St. Louis, though 1 
 would not have it published on the streets for my life. 
 The opinion in the city is that we have here twenty thou- 
 sand men and this gives us strength. If it were known 
 what is the actual number, our enemies would be promptly 
 informed. But I will show you how many there are." 
 The muster-rolls of the morning were brought in, and 
 showed in the city and seven miles around, less than fight 
 thousand men, including the home guards. There wtre but 
 two whole regiments. Mr. Colfax thought that tbis was a 
 miserable array of an army, even for the city's defence, and 
 asked if none could be sent. Could not some be spared ? 
 Fremont silently handed Mr. Colfax the two following tele 
 grams, received the same day from Wasl ington.
 
 REMOVAL OF FREMONT. 98 
 
 "WASHINGTON, Sept. 14/A, 1861. 
 
 "To MAJOR-GENERAL FREMONT. 
 
 " On consultation with the President . and Head of De- 
 partment, it was determined to call upon you for five thou- 
 sand well armed infantry, to be sent here without a moment's 
 delay. Give them three days' cooked rations. This draft 
 from your forces to be replaced to you by draft from the 
 States of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, etc. How many men have 
 you under arms in your district ? 
 
 " Please answer fully and immediatelv. 
 
 "SIMON "CAMERON, 
 "Secretary of War." 
 
 " WASHINGTON, Sept. lth, 1861. 
 " To MAJOR-GENERAL FREMONT. 
 
 " Detach five thousand infantry from your Department, to 
 come here without delay, and report the number of troops 
 that will be left you. The President dictates. 
 
 "WINFIELD 
 
 General Fremont was suddenly deprived of his coma and, 
 and superseded by General Hunter. Hunter was in the 
 rear, on November 3d, and Fremont sent three couriers after 
 him. The enemy were now marching upon Springfield, 
 and Price's advance was reported at Wilson's creek, ten 
 miles off. The rest of his force was but a little behind. 
 McOuliough was at Dug Springs, and the combined for- 
 ces of the enemy, concentrating at Wilson's creek, was esti- 
 mated at forty thousand men. 
 
 Union citizens sought protection in Springfield. One 
 hundred and ien officers, and all the brigadier-generals in 
 the army visited Fremont in a body, presented a written 
 ftddresswith respect and sympathy, and besought him to 
 lead them against the enemy, who now stood on the same 
 ground which they before had held, at the battle ofWilson'i 
 creek. Fremont received the address, and promised that if 
 General Hunter did not arrive before morning he would 
 grant their request. He accordingly, at eight o'clock in the 
 evening, issued the order of battle. According to the 
 plan, which was the same as that previously adopted by 
 General Lyon. a simultaneous attack was to be made by 
 Generals Sigel and Lane in the rear, General Asboth from 
 the east, and Generals McKinstry and "'ope in the front.
 
 4 ' CAPTURE OF MASON AND SLIDELL. 
 
 At midnight, the arrival of General Hunter, and the ret 
 ignation into his hands of the command, countermanded th 
 order of battle. Oders were issued to the troops to prepare 
 to turn their backs upon the enemy, and march to St. Louis. 
 Thus southern Missouri was once more left to be overrun 
 and pillaged by the rebels. 
 
 Meanwhile, General Henry W. Halleck arrived from 
 California, and took command of the Department. New 
 Mexico became a Department, with General Canby at ite 
 head. General Hunter was placed in command of the De 
 partment, including Kansas, part of the Indian Territory 
 Nebraska, Colorado, and Dacotah. The Department ot 
 Missouri included Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, 
 Arkansas, and Kentucky, west of the Cumberland river. 
 The Department of the Ohio included Ohio, Michigan, In- 
 diana, Kentucky, east of the Cumberland, and Tennessee 
 and was commanded by General Don Carlos Buell, while 
 General Eosecrans commanded in Western Virginia. General 
 Dix, who commanded in Maryland, by a sudden movement 
 occupied, without a contest, the counties of Northampton 
 and Accomac, Virginia. 
 
 Great excitement now prevailed in the North, which 
 threatened to involve the relations with England. The 
 Southern Confederacy, desirous of European recognition, 
 had sent Messrs. Mason and Slidell to England and France, 
 to represent its interests. Their escape from Charleston, in 
 the steamer Nashville, caused our Government to send a 
 steamer in pursuit of them. Having landed at Havana, the 
 commissioners took their passage for England on board the 
 Trent, an English packet. The Trent was overhauled by 
 Captain Wilkes, who brought her to under his guns, as he 
 was on his way home from Africa. Messrs. Mason and Sli- 
 dell, with their secretary, Mr. Eustace, were transferred to 
 his own ship, the San Jacinto, brought to port at Boston, 
 and incarcerated in Fort Warren, near that city. Unbounded 
 joy followed their capture, but it was not withcut alloy 
 when the question arose as to how England would regard 
 the insult to her flag. The press, almost without exception, 
 defended the act of Captain Wilkes, and was of opinion that 
 the prisoners should not be surrendered, even to avert a war 
 witi. England. Reflecting minds saw that in two wars of 
 immense magnitude there would not fail to be a recognition
 
 BJELEASK OF MASON AND SLIDELL. 95 
 
 of the Southern Confederacy. News from England soon 
 arrived. The supposed insult to the British flag caused a 
 feeling of indignation through all parts of the kingdom, 
 wli.ch was inflamed by the press, and the probability was, 
 that the Government would be borne on by public senti- 
 ment to declare war against the United States. This was 
 indicated by military preparations, and troops were ordered 
 to Canada. This delighted the South, which had lost all 
 hopes of a recognition from England, Now, in the event of 
 a quarrel, what might not be expected ? Meanwhile, Mason 
 and Slidell lay in Fort Warren, and the demand came for 
 their release. Both in England and the North, there was 
 great anxiety as to what answer the Cabinet at Washington 
 would make to this momentous question. In a long and 
 able reply by Secretary Seward, the conclusion was, that 
 Captain Wilkes did not take the vessel into a neutral port 
 for adjudication of the case, and, on this ground simply, the 
 prisoners were surrendered. 
 
 The duty of a vessel of a nation waging war toward neu- 
 tral ships, which carry articles, etc., contraband of war, or 
 which are suspected, is to arrest and bring to trial, and not 
 to make both seizure and adjudication, which would give *ihe 
 captain of every gunboat power to seize any vessel, and be 
 himself the judge of his own seizure. The vessel, too, was 
 bound to its own, and not to a belligerent port, and if the 
 seizure of Mason and Slidell could legally be made on the 
 voyage from the West Indies to England, might it not have 
 been, " while passing from Southampton to Havre ?" The 
 people acquiesced in the decision made by Government, the 
 popular clamor subsided, and the absence of the prisoners 
 was no serious loss to the country. 
 
 Congress was to meet in December, and some of the wes 
 tern members, who reached the capital during the last days 
 of November, denounced the Fabian policy of McClellan in 
 no measured terms, and it became highly probable that a 
 party would be formed against him. He possessed the en- 
 tire confidence of the President, who had resolved to stand 
 firmly by him. It was thought that the discovery of his de- 
 signs by the enemy delayed McClellan. Some said that 
 he was not ready, and nothing would make him move until 
 be "was ; while others said that the Secretary of War stood 
 in hia w&y. News now ca ne that made the people highly
 
 96 ATTACK BY FORT PICKENS ON REBEL BATTERIES. 
 
 indignant. This was that the Nashville, which started with 
 Mason and Slidell, had burned the American merchantman, 
 the Harvey Birch, at sea, and brought her crew prisoners 
 iDto English waters, and that ^.ow the same protection was 
 extended to her as to the ships of other nations. The Tus- 
 carora, sent to seize the pirate when she got on the seas, had 
 also arrived, and was informed by the English Government 
 that the rebel steamer must have twenty-four hours' start 
 before she could pursue her. This right of all belligerent 
 vessels which circumstances led to a neutral port, must be 
 granted the rebel vessel ; a concession that stirred up angry 
 passions in the American people. The month now drew to 
 a close. McClellan, by an order, prohibited intemperance 
 among his troops, and encouraged their attendance at divine 
 service. It was thought that an advance from Port Eoyal to 
 the interior would be made. It was a question, what would 
 be done with the slaves who flocked thither for protection. 
 Much cotton was burned at this time by the Confederates, 
 to keep it out of the possession of the Unionists. 
 
 The long expected attack of Fort Pickens, in Florida, on 
 the rebel batteries opposite, took place on the 22d of No- 
 vember. The steamers Niagara and Richmond took part in 
 the contest. In consequence of a change of wind, next 
 morning there was not a sufficient depth of water for the 
 vessels to get within effective range. The enemy had not 
 suffered much, though his works were badly deranged, and 
 his winter-quarters interfered with. The Richmond had 
 one killed and six wounded. Fort Pickens was without a 
 breach. The cannonade was terrible, but nine months had 
 made the defences so complete that no result of importance 
 took place. Lieutenant Jewett, on the 7th, \v ith, the fr'gate 
 Santee, burnt the schooner Royal Yacht oil* Calveston 
 harbor an exploit of great gallantry.
 
 CHAPTEH X. 
 
 DICKLJBER 1861. 
 
 OF CONGRESS DIFFICULTIES BEFORE IT THE MILITARY AVB 
 NAVAL FOBCK8 ESCAPE OF THE 8UMTER POPE IN MISSOURI TIGHT 
 
 AT MOUNT ZION FIGHT AT ROWLETT'S STATION BATTLE AT CAMF 
 
 ALLEGHANY BATTLE OF DRAINSVILLE STONE FLEET AT CHARLESTON 
 EMBARRASSMENT OF THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 IN the beginning of the month, the attention of the public 
 was called to the opening session of Congress. The army 
 raised had done nothing, McClellan still held his divisions 
 on the Potomac. The capital was blockaded, the vast sums 
 voted to carry on the war had been expended, and were 
 found insufficient. How would Congress, in regard to the 
 great powers which the President had been obliged to 
 pursue, act ? Would it justify and sustain, or condemn and 
 disallow his course ? Our relations with foreign countries! 
 were complicated, agitation and feverish excitement per- 
 vaded the masses, and the Cabinet was thought to be disu- 
 nited. To whom, as a leading spirit, could the nation turn ? 
 Who was to be the Joshua to lead the anxious people to 
 the promised land ? 
 
 The President's Message was an able state document 
 Its spirit was sanguine, and full of trust in the prosperous 
 issue of events, but its deficiency in the warlike animus 
 disappointed the popular sentiment. The men of the West, 
 themselves active, were for an energetic course. They had 
 now an immense influence, and anxiety prevailed as to 
 whether their action would be conservative or otherwise. 
 
 The committee appointed to inquire into the system of 
 frauds which robbed the treasury, discovered sad abuses 
 in the contract system, and this was expected to be fully 
 reported. There existed apprehensions, also, that the wai 
 policy might be changed. It was clear that the financial 
 difficulties of the country would form an important subject 
 for consideration, and though the utmost good-will toward 
 the Government orevailed, the mode by which the immense 
 amounts required could be raised, was a matter by no meant 
 t (7)
 
 98 THE MILITARY AND XAVAL FORCES. 
 
 obvious. The difficulties in this respect would not be met 
 by an increased tariff, a direct tax, nor without a guarantee 
 better than the customs. The only mode to be adopted, 
 though liable to many objections from European precedents, 
 was internal taxation, and Congress determined on the issue 
 of a hundred and fifty millions in treasury notes, the inteiest 
 thereon to be secured by a tax bill. 
 
 The Reports of the Secretaries of War and of the Navy 
 indicated the forces of the country for the military service, 
 and also the number- of seamen and marines. These were 
 six hundred and eighty-two thousand nine hundred and 
 seventy-one soldiers. Of these, the volunteer militia 
 amounted to six hundred and forty-two thousand six hun- 
 dred and thirty -seven. The regular army numbered twenty 
 thousand three hundred and thirty-four, and seamen and 
 marines twenty-two thousand. The rebels, unable to raise 
 a force to meet this immense levy, resorted to the unpopular 
 method of drafting. 
 
 The news that the Sumter had escaped from the port of 
 Martinique, where she had been blockaded for a long time 
 by the Iroquois, arrived in the early part of this month. 
 The country, greatly mortified at such an occurrence, blamed 
 the commander of the Iroquois, and he was denounced. It 
 was afterward found that no blame could be attached to 
 him, and he was fully acquitted. 
 
 In Missouri, General John Pope was in command of all 
 the Federal troops between the rivers Missouri and Osage, 
 including the greatest portion of the army which Fremont 
 led to Springfield. Strict orders against the Confederate* 
 were issued by Hallcck, and the advantage of these orders-- 
 soon became very evident. 
 
 In Arkansas, a battle took place near Bushy creek, 
 between a Union Cherokee chief, named Opothleyholo, a 
 Federal ally, and the rebels, commanded by Colonel Cooper. 
 The Chickasaws, Creeks, and Choctaws fought against the 
 Union. The tragedies of savage Indian warfare were enacted 
 here, and the loyal Indians, rendered houseless, suffered 
 much in the inclemency of the severe winter season. Towns 
 were sacked, and Missouri was one scene of devastation. 
 This state of alfairs was about to undergo a change. Oil 
 the loth, General Pope, with four thousand men, left Sedalia, 
 intending to into ccpt the supplies and recruits for
 
 FIGHT AT MOUNT Z1ON 99 
 
 army, on their way south. After fifteen miles' march, an 
 encampment was made, and twenty-six miles were traversed 
 the next day. When about six miles from Chilhowee, h6 
 encountered the enemy, numbering twenty-two hundred, 
 and scattered their forces. He gained possession of their 
 cavalry tents, baggage, and wagons, pursued them all 
 day, and the day and night following, The pursuit was led 
 by Lieutenant-colonel Brown. At Johnstown, he heard that 
 the rebel force was as low as five hundred. Colonel Brown, 
 on the 18th, joined the main body advancing toward 
 Warrensburg, and the whole force proceeded in quest of a 
 large body ot the enemy, supposed to be at no great distance. 
 Scouts found that they were marching toward Milford, to 
 encamp there. Pope came on them in the afternoon, on the 
 Blackwater, opposite the mouth of Cedar creek. At this 
 place the rebels were ready to dispute the passage of a long 
 and narrow bridge, to carry which, was the order to Lieu- 
 tenant Gordon, of the Fourth Ohio cavalry. Lieutenant 
 Armery advanced with the regular cavalry, and dismount- 
 ing his men, and leaving every fourth man to hold the 
 horses, led his force with sabres and revolvers, as skirmish 
 ers. Little result was effected on either side, till the arrival 
 of the artillery, when the rebels fled, pursued in hot hasto 
 by the cavalry. They made another stand, but being out- 
 flanked, surrendered, and Colonel Davis returned to Pope's 
 camp late at night, where the men salute^ him with loud 
 cheering. The army moved back to Sedalia next day, 
 when much suffering was occasioned by the intense cold. 
 Fifteen hundred prisoners, twelve hundred stand of arms, a 
 hundred wagons, and army supplies fell to the victors. With 
 a loss of only twelve men, the infantry, in five days, had 
 marched a hundred miles, and the cavalry twice that dis- 
 tance. 
 
 On the 28th, a fight took place at Mount Zion, in Missouri 
 On the 24th, General Prentiss, with five companies of cavalry 
 left Palmyra for Sturgeon, and on hearing of a force of th 
 enemy at Hallsville, Boone county, sent forward Captain 
 Howland, who, finding the enemy near the town, had a skir- 
 mish, lost one man, and then retired. On their report 
 Prentiss sent his cavalry forward, with Colonel Glover, and 
 five companies of sharpshooters, under Colonel Birge, in 
 all numbering four hundred and seventy men, who begw
 
 100 FIGHT AT ROWLETT'S STATION. 
 
 the march at two o'clock in the morning. The weather wag 
 stormy, but the men had marched eighteen miles before 
 eight o'clock. On halting, scouts reported the enemy near, 
 who were found to be only one company. On being attacked, 
 five rebels were killed and nine captured. From these it 
 was found that the enemy were in line of battle near a 
 church known as Mount Zion, with nine hundred men. The 
 sharpshooters tried to drive the enemy from the woods but 
 did not succeed. When they were falling back, Colonol 
 Glover brought up reinforcements, and the enemy now broke 
 and fled, leaving all the camp equipage and one hundred 
 horses. The battle lasted two hours in a hand to hand contest. 
 Federal loss, killed and wounded, was sixty-six. The rebels 
 lost one hundred and seventy-five killed and wounded, and 
 thirty prisoners. The wounded were well cared for. 
 
 Some days previous, a fight took place at Eowlett's sta- 
 tion, near Mumfordville, Kentucky, between a Confederate 
 force of one regiment of cavalry, two regiments of infantry 
 and one battery, and a Federal force consisting of a part of 
 Colonel Willich's regiment of Indiana troops, of Buell's 
 division, on duty as outposts. Owing to this disparity of 
 numbers, the Indiana troops battled as skirmishers, and 
 resisted charges of the cavalry by forming squares, acting on 
 the defensive till other companies of the regiment came to 
 their aid. Three desperate charges of the enemy were gal- 
 lantly sustained, till Willich came upon the field and took 
 the command. Before his arrival, the rebel commander was 
 slain, and now the enemy, although four to one, being quite 
 broken, retreated with a loss of eighty. Federal loss only 
 twenty-eight in killed and wounded. 
 
 On the 13th, General Milroy, in Western Virginia, with 
 two thousand men, had a severe fight with a like number of 
 Confederates, at Camp Alleghany, on the summit of the rnoun- 
 txns of that name, not far from Green Briar river, where 
 Reynolds, by a bold and successful movement in October 
 had outgeneralled Lee. On the 12th, he marched from morn 
 ing till eight o'clock at night, and the column dividing, one 
 body went by the Green Bank road to attack the left, while 
 the main column took the Staunton turnpike under Milroy. 
 The main column started at ten, and the other at eleven 
 o'clock at night. 
 
 Milroy marched on until within half a mile of the enemy's
 
 BATTLE OF CAMP ALLEGHAXY. . 101 
 
 halted, reconnoitered, turned off, and ascended the 
 mountain, and after much toil led his men to its summit at 
 early dawn, and awaited the attack of the column on the left. 
 On the mountain crest they saw the enemy's pickets, who at 
 once fell back to camp. Seeing that they would inform the 
 enemy of the approach, Lieutenant McDonald advanced on 
 jhe rebels with a run, found them in line of battle, and 
 deploying his men, the battle began. The enemy, roused 
 from sleep, did not care to fight, and soon retired in dis- 
 order, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. They 
 rallied, however, and boldly advancing to the attack, the 
 Federals faltered, retired, and again sama on, repulsing an 
 attempt to turn the right flank. The battle, at this point, 
 waxed hot, and the reports of the cannon, and the con- 
 tinual crack of musketry, echoed from the mountain. The 
 rebels alternately yielded to the Federal force which drove 
 them back to their camp, and with overpowering numbers 
 attempted to turn, now the right, now the left flank. Each 
 attempt proved abortive, but as many of the Federals having 
 left their ranks for the rear, and the ammunition being almost 
 exhausted, with the continued absence of the column that 
 was to come up on the enemy's left, McDonald ordered hia 
 men to fall back. The reason the other column did not 
 come up to make the combined attack, as agreed upon at 
 four o'clock in the morning, was the difficulty of the ascent, 
 rendered still worse by fallen trees, which blockaded the 
 way. Thus each division had to encounter the enemy 
 separately, and though each fought well, the attack was 
 failure. The Federal loss was one hundred and thirty-seven 
 The enemy's loss about an equal number. 
 
 The inactivity of the Army of the Potomac was now 
 broken, on the 20th, by the battle of Drainesville, which, 
 though less in importance than was attached to it by the 
 newspapers, had, at least, the advantage of showing of what 
 material the army was composed, and of rousing the martial 
 spirit of the troops to meet the enemy. 
 
 On the 20th, General McCall sent out a foraging party in 
 force, and having found that the rebels were in position at 
 Drainesville, determined to attack them. General Ord re- 
 ceived orders to advance with his brigade, while General 
 Beynolds, marching to Difficult creek, would support him. 
 The troops consisted of the Sixth, Ninth, Tenth, a id Twelfth
 
 102 STONE FLEET AT CHARLESTON. 
 
 Pennsylvania Reserves, the first rifle regiment, and Barton'* 
 battery. Lieutenant-colonel Kane, brother of the explorer 
 of that name, and commander of the Bvriktail rifles, held the 
 advance, with part of the First Pennsylvania cavalry and 
 Easton's battery. The enemy was encountered near Draines- 
 ville, at half past one o'clock, and the battle began. It took 
 some time to find out the true position of a part of the rebel 
 force, which the thick woods concealed, and the woods were 
 shelled by the artillery. An advance was now made by the 
 enemy in order to turn the left, but this design was frus- 
 trated by General McCall, who, with his staff, was now upcn 
 the field. He sent to Colonel McCalmot, who commanded 
 on the Federal left, to warn him of the enemy's attempt, and 
 the troops were so disposed of as to baffle the design, and 
 the foiled rebels returned to their position. On the right 
 and centre of the Union troops, the battle was now raging, 
 and the Ninth infantry, commanded by Colonel Jackson, 
 had met and overcome the rebels. Meanwhile, on the cen- 
 tre, Colonel Ricketts, with the Sixth regiment, and the 
 Bucktail rifles, under Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, were charged 
 by the enemy, who were handsomely repulsed. The rebels 
 retreated, the Federal troops kept advancing, and the rout 
 became general. Two regiments were ordered in pursuit, 
 but the enemy could not be overtaken. The Federal loss 
 was seven killed and sixty wounded. The rebels acknow- 
 ledged a loss of two hundred and forty. General Reynolds' 
 brigade did not arrive in time for the action. 
 
 Nothing of importance, during this month, took place in 
 the Army of the Potomac, though there was a brisk action 
 near Newport News, on the afternoon of the 20th. The 
 "stone fleet," being sixteen old whaling vessels, laden with 
 stone, was sunk to the bottom, oft' Charleston harbor, to 
 render the blockade efficient. Many were dissatisfied, and 
 it seemed as if the harbor of Charleston was about to be 
 totally destroyed. England remonstrated, but the British 
 Minister was told that it was only done to do away with the 
 need of guarding so many channels in the harbor, and that 
 since the ships were sunk, English ships had run the block- 
 ade. The rebel Captain Lynch cut out a schooner under 
 the guns of Fortress Monroe, which was humiliating, and 
 made the public indignant. Drayton took the Bay of St 
 Helena and Tybee roads, and Commodore Rogers went up
 
 EMBARRASSMENT 07 THE PRESIDENT. 103 
 
 f-ound within ten miles of Savannah. On the 16th, 
 Dray ton explored the North and South Edisto rivers, and saw 
 only deserted plantations and numerous slaves, and some bat- 
 teries which he could not approach. Mr. Ely, member of Con 
 gress from Rochester, New York, returned to his friends 
 from imprisonment. He was captured at Bull Run. Con- 
 gress was now weary of the inaction of the army, and oppo- 
 sition to McClellan began to appear more plainly. A 
 party was formed against him. The President, however, 
 still relied confidently upon him. 
 
 Perplexing questions now came before Congress, and the 
 difficulty of dealing with the question of slavery was in no 
 way diminished. The abolitionists demanded that the 
 course of the army should be followed by universal freedom, 
 and the conservatives insisted that war should place the 
 States in statu quo as of old. These opposing elements em- 
 barrassed the President, but, fortunately, he took a practical 
 view, and determined to suppress the rebellion first and 
 diapose of these points of controversy afterward.
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 JANUARY, 1862. 
 
 
 
 mWT YEA* AT THi OAPITAL AT PKNSACOLA FORT PICKENS BOMBARDRD 
 FIGHT AT PORT ROYAL MILROY IN WESTERN VIRGINIA JACKSON TEAK! 
 UP THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD FIGHT WEAR HANCOCK FIOliT 
 AT BLUE'S GAP BATTLE AND VICTORY OF OARFIELD, AT MIDDLE CRKKK. 
 
 KENTUCKY POPE IN MISSOURI MATTERS IW KENTUCKY THOMAS MOVES 
 
 AGAINST 7.0LLICOFFER BATTLE OF MILL SPRING BAYONET CHARGE, 
 AND VICTORY OF MCCOOK CAIRO EXPEDITION BURNSIDE EXPEDITION 
 SAVANNAH FORT PULASKI CUT OFF SECRETARY OF WAR CAMERON 
 XESIGNS MONITOR LAUNCHED. 
 
 WHILE all remained quie. around the Capital, and gaiety 
 prevailed at Richmond, the new year was ushered in with 
 the roar of artillery on the southern coast. A rebel steamer, 
 seen from the direction of Fort Pickens, flaunting defiantly 
 the Confederate flag, and on her way toward Pensacola, re- 
 ceived the fire of the fort, and under the storm of shot and 
 shell that assailed her, had to retire as quickly as possible. 
 This brought on an artillery duel between the fort and the 
 rebel shore batteries, whicfe continued all day. Each being 
 well acquainted with the range of the other, the firing had 
 great precision, and while shells were hurled within the fort, 
 and its massy walls stormed, its own powerful guns sent 
 forth a dreadful storm on the enemy's batteries. Nor did 
 night end the combat, though the fort now used only its 
 thirteen inch mortars, while the enemy played all his bat- 
 teries. The scene was one of terrible grandeur. During 
 the night, the navy yard was fired by the Federal shells, and 
 the lurid glare lighting up the midnight heavens, was re- 
 flected so as to be witnessed forty miles off at sea. In thi 
 great expenditure of ammunition, no important result foJ 
 lowed. In South Carolina, the enemy had concentratec 
 near Port Royal, with the purpose of driving our army from 
 Beaufort, and our land and naval forces, on New Year's 
 morning, made a combined attack to frustrate his design. 
 The naval force, commanded by Captain Rodgers, was tc 
 protect the debarkation of a portion of the troops undei 
 General Stevens, at Hay wood's landing, cover the route to 
 (104)
 
 JflLROY IN WESTERN VIRGINIA. 105 
 
 A dams' plantation, and then tho landing of the remainder. 
 The Federals took possession of the? battery, from which 
 they drove the rebels to Port Royal feriy. The resistance 
 was feeble, the Federals losing only ten or twelve killed and 
 wounded, out of about three thousand men. The enemy 
 was driven inward five miles, his work" destroyed, and 
 the Broad and. Coosaw rivers, which he intended to close 
 aid open to the navigation of our gunboats and transports 
 
 On the night before New Year's, General Milroy, ill 
 Western Virginia, sent seven hundred men and some cav- 
 alry, under the command of Major Webster, to destroy a 
 quantity of the enemy's stores at Huntsville, in Pocahontaa 
 county. The bugle sounded on the cold New Year's morn- 
 ing, and the men, leaving the cheerful blaze of their camp 
 fires, marched twelve miles, and at the foot of Elk mountain, 
 where the pine groves abounded, encamped. Proceeding, 
 they saw the enemy at a bridge over Green Briar river, six 
 miles from Huntsville. A detachment pursued them to 
 within two miles of the town, where again encountering, 
 after a skirmish, the rebels retreated, and their cavalry at 
 length made some show of resistance, but the Federals rush- 
 ing on, they fled, their whole force doing the same, and 
 Webster having accomplished his design, returned. The 
 rebel General Thomas Jackson, at Winchester, started on 
 an expedition on New Year's day, to drive out the Federal 
 forces which lay scattered between him and the Potomac, 
 and to destroy the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. On the 
 4th, near Bath, the rebels surprised forty men of the Thirty- 
 ninth Illinois, who were scouting, killed one, and took eight 
 prisoners. The regiment at Bath opened on them with 
 artillery, and Colonel Murray, with the Eighty -fourth Penn- 
 sylvania, crossing the river to the assistance of the regiment, 
 took the command, but ordering a retreat soon after, aban- 
 doned his stores and camp equipage to the enemy. On the 
 retreat an artillery fire was kept up, and the regiment passed 
 in safety to Hancock, on the Maryland side. Next day, at 
 dawn, the enemy began to shell the town, but did little 
 damage, and was satisfied with tearing up the railroad track. 
 General Lander arrived in the meantime, and prepared to 
 defend the town. The rebels made no further attempt, how 
 ever, and retired, taking a few prisoners with them. 
 
 On the 7th, an expedition from Kelly's command, al
 
 106 BJLTTLE AT MIDLLE CREEK. 
 
 Komney, set out for Blue's Gap. Marching through snow 
 six inches deep, the men advanced fourteen miles, and on a 
 cold wintry morning reached the enemy's outposts, who 
 turned and fled. The order " forward, double-quick," from 
 Colonel Dunning, sent the spirited troops on with shouta. 
 They found the enemy prepared to receive them, in the gap 
 between two precipices, through which the gorge, from 
 twenty to thirty feet wide, had a road which was skirted by 
 a stream. Here the enemy had two cannon in position, 
 while a rifle pit protected him on the north. The enemy 
 attempted to tear up a bridge across the stream, but the 
 advance of the Federals was on them, and they soon crossed 
 over. Colonel Dunning sent the Fifth Ohio to charge the 
 rifle pits, the Fourth to scale the precipitous mountain, and 
 the Seventh to advance along the road, when the fight 
 began. The Fourth and Fifth had accomplished their de- 
 signs before the centre column got into action. Of the two 
 thousand men whom the rebels brought up, forty were killed, 
 and the same number captured. Much spoil, in cattle, 
 ammunition and stores, fell to the victorious little band, 
 which now returned to camp. 
 
 On the same day, Colonel Garfield left Muddy creek, 
 Kentucky, and advanced in the direction of Paintsville, in 
 Johnston county, to attack five thousand men in that vicinity, 
 under Humphrey Marshall, who, hearing of this approach, 
 left three hundred cavalry at the mouth of Jennie creek, 
 near Paintsville, as a corps of observation, and retreated to 
 Middle creek, about two miles from Prestonburg. Garfield 
 pushed on to Prestonburg, fifteen miles off, with twelve 
 hundred men, and arriving within a mile of the place, 
 at eight o'clock, found the enemy encamped three miles 
 distant, up the creek. He sent back to Paintsville for all 
 the available forces. Again advancing, he encamped his 
 men on the top of a wooded hill, in a pelting storm, in 
 which they slept on their arms. After a hasty breakfast 
 next morning, the troops pushed on a mile up the creek, and 
 crossed over to Middle creek, which falls into Big Shanty 
 opposite to Prestonburg. Colonel Garfield, who though* 
 that the enemy were encamped on Abbot's creek, moved 
 up toward Middle creek cautiously, throwing out skir- 
 mishers, and had not gone further than two miles, to the 
 mouth of Middle creek, when he found the enemy in position.
 
 DEFEAT OF THE REBELS. 107 
 
 A thousand yards off. By skirmishers sent to feel the enemy 
 he found that one regiment was posted on the same ridge 
 as himself, on the left of the road, and commanding it. An- 
 other regiment was on the right, and between was the artil- 
 lery. The intention was to draw Garfield along the road 
 between two fires, and annihilate him. Garfield, however, 
 seeing through the design, sent two companies of Kentucki- 
 ans along the crest of the ridge, and an Ohio company across 
 the creek, to capture a spur of a rocky ridge, on the froEt 
 and left of the rebels. Scon the enemy's cannon and mus- 
 ketry, in reply, told Garfield that the detachment to the left 
 was heavily engaged, and he hurried up reinforcements. 
 Then a fierce contest raged. The enemy got possession of 
 the main ridge, almost opposite Garfield's position, and began 
 a heavy fire on his reserves. Lieutenant-colonel Monroe 
 was now ordered to cross the creek and attack the enemy, 
 to prevent a flank movement, and this was gallantly done. 
 While thus engaged, Colonel Cramer and Major Pardee 
 fought against three times their number, and drove the rebels 
 up the ridge in handsome style. With a thousand fresh 
 troops, Garfield saw victory within his grasp ; but when he 
 considered that his brave men were contending with over- 
 whelming odds, and that the conflict must be sustained for 
 hours, he became anxious as to the result. Day was closing, 
 and the enemy yet held the rugged heights, behind which 
 the sun was just retiring. Shouts now rent the skies. The 
 reinforcements had arrived. Without breakfast, and after 
 a toilsome march through deep mud, Lieutenant-colonel 
 Sheldon had led the Forty-second Ohio fifteen miles, 
 the two last at a run, and now, mud-stained, hungry, and 
 exhausted as they were, the demand was made, with loud 
 clamor, to be led against the rebels. When Garfield saw 
 the glittering bayonets dancing in the sunlight, he gave a 
 loud exclamation of joy, prepared for the last encounter, and 
 ordered up Lieutenant-colonel Brown with the entire reserve. 
 The hour had now arrived to decide the contest, and hurl- 
 ing his bold squadrons upon the foe, he pushed him up the 
 hill and over the crest of the ridges, till the curtain of night 
 fell on a retreating enemy. Waiting for day to complete 
 the work begun, no foe appeared. The victorious troops 
 next day entered the deserted town of Prestonburg. The 
 Federal loss was less- than thirty, while seventy -fi"e of the
 
 108 MJLTTKRS IK KENTUCKY. 
 
 enemy's dead on the field told that he had suffered severe 
 punishment. No provisions being at this place, Garfield led 
 his troops back to Paintsville. Meanwhile, Pope, in Mis- 
 souri, on the 8th, sent Major Torrence from Booneville, 
 who encountered the enemy near Silver creek, strotgly 
 posted amid ravines, woods, and underbrush. He dis- 
 mounted the cavalry, and, followed by the infantry, as- 
 sailed the enemy, and won the day, after a severe contest. 
 The enemy lost three times the number of the Federals, 
 whose loss amounted to twenty-five killed and wounded. 
 
 On the 10th, Porter, who commanded a part of the gun- 
 boat fleet on the Mississippi, met the foe moving up 
 from Columbus, and in a contest which followed, drove him 
 back under the guns of his fort. 
 
 Newspaper correspondents were, at this time, kept in great 
 mystery as to army movements, and the public thought that 
 hostilities would not begin before spring. Ere the month 
 closed, however, a series of heavy blows was begun, which 
 went far to clear the great Mississippi valley. 
 
 The rebel line of defence in Kentucky, ran from Columbus, 
 on the Mississippi, to the Alleghanies. Bowling Green, 
 about midway, was commanded by General Johnston. 
 Eastward, toward the mountains, was a large force, under 
 General Felix Zollicoffer, who had taken up a position on 
 the Cumberland river early in the winter, near Mill Spring. 
 Against the rebel line of defences, General Grant and Com 
 modore Foote, with the gunboats, were about advancing on 
 the west, General Thomas on the east, near the mountains, 
 and General Buell on Bowling Green, the centre. Thomas 
 had led his advance, by the 17th, as far as Logan's cross- 
 roads, within ten miles of which lay the strong intrench- 
 ments of Zollicoffer. Bad roads detained the rest of his 
 command, so that Thomas awaited their arrival. General 
 Crittenden had assumed the command of the rebels early in 
 the month, and thought that the position might be able to 
 hold out against any force which Thomas could bring 
 against it. Crittenden determined to attack the latter, and 
 destroy the advance before the rest of the Unionists cams 
 up. Meditating a surprise, therefore, he led eight thousand 
 men from camp, on the 19th (Sunday), and a courier dashed 
 up to the head-quarters cf Colonel Manson, of the Tenth In- 
 diana, who commanded t le advance, at eight o'clock in th*
 
 BVTTL1 OF MILL SPRING. 101 
 
 morning, to report that the enemy was at hand. Th long 
 roll beat, the regiment rushed to arms, and heavy picket 
 firing indicated that the news was correct. A company 
 supported the pickets, while the rest of the regiment ad- 
 vanced to within seventy yards of the enemy, and formed in 
 line of battle. Three rebel regiments poured a destructive 
 fire upon the Indiana troops, who held their ground gal- 
 lantly for an hour, and then fell back. At this crisis, the 
 Fourth Kentucky, under Colonel Frey, came up on their left, 
 and, after a deadly volley, Colonel Manson again formed 
 his left wing in line of battle. The Fourth Kentucky was 
 seen to hold its ground well, as General Thomas rode on 
 the field, and observed the enemy trying to gain its left 
 flank. The ammunition of his men was now unfortunately 
 giving out, yet the determination was, to fight to the last 
 against the overwhelming forces on their front and flank. In 
 this crisis, Thomas sent to the aid of the brave troops the 
 Ninth Ohio and Second Minnesota, under Colonel McCook. 
 This officer rapidly advanced, and occupied a position on 
 the right and left of the Mill Spring road. On his way 
 through the woods to meet the enemy, he came up with the 
 Fourth Kentucky, which was retiring, and the Indianians, 
 who were waiting for ammunition. He moved his men by 
 the flank, to the ground which these exhausted regiments 
 had left, and advanced until within a few feet of the enemy. 
 To guard against being outflanked, the Ninth Ohio then 
 closed rapidly, and a terrible conflict ensued, in which the 
 combatants almost touched, each, the muzzle of the other's 
 guns. The rebels, being unable to resist the deadly fire of 
 the Minnesotians, took refuge behind some piled up rails, 
 and held their ground desperately half an hour. In front 
 of the Ninth Ohio, a log house, stable, and corn-crib pro- 
 tected the enemy, and, although these were taken by 
 McCook, they continued to hold their ground with much 
 obstinacy. McCook determined on a bayonet charge, by 
 the Ninth Ohio. The enemy stood firm ; onward pressed 
 the dreadful line ; the rebels swayed to and fro, and, before 
 the shock, broke and fled in ignominious rout. A bullet 
 penetrated McCook's horse, one his coat, and another his leg, 
 but he continued to lead the column. Shouts now rent the 
 air, and the victory was won. Genearl Zollicoffer was 
 killed, being shot by Colonel Frey, of the Fourth Kentucky. 
 10
 
 110 THE BURNSIDE EXPEDITION. 
 
 Thomas reformed his regiments, and pursued the flying 
 enemy to his intrenchments, and cannonaded him until dark. 
 He might have captured the whole army, but, unaware of its 
 real strength, was reluctant to attempt it in the darknesa, 
 and postponed the attack till morning. The enemy, how- 
 ever, had abandonnd their works in the night, and fled across 
 ne river in great confusion. In them were found twelve 
 pieces of artillery, a hundred and fifty-six wagons, a thousand 
 horses and mules, and large quantities of muskets, ammuni- 
 tion, and camp equipage. Thomas was unable to pursue 
 the enemy across the river. They were a disorganized mass 
 as it was found afterward, and on their flight, the way 
 which marked it was full of their wounded. Our loss in 
 this battle, was one hundred and eighty-six killed and 
 wounded ; that of the enemy, as far as known, three hundred 
 and forty-nine. By this brilliant victory, the line of rebel 
 defence in Kentucky was broken, and it rendered a flank 
 movement possible, though resistance should be made in the 
 centre, and on the Mississippi. 
 
 On the 10th, General McClernand set out from Cairo> 
 with five thousand men infantry and cavalry and scoured 
 all the country south of the Ohio toward Columbus. The 
 marches were difficult and tedious, but nothing of any con- 
 siderable importance resulted from the expedition. 
 
 The famous Burnside expedition, which sailed from 
 Hampton Koads on the llth, though long preparing, and 
 cherished with great expectation, ended in disappointment 
 to the public. It consisted of a naval force, under Golds 
 borough, of twenty-three gunboats, all steamers but three, 
 and twenty thousand troops, under Burnside. Part of it 
 was encountered by a fierce storm in Pamlico sound, and lay 
 there, dismantled. Some of the vessels foundered on the bar 
 in Hatteras inlet, which could not be crossed by anj 
 eftbrta. The largest of the vessels were contracted to re- 
 quire only a certain depth of water, but many, drawing 
 more, were entirely unfit for the purpose, and useless. 
 
 The propeller City of New York foundered on the bar, 
 and thirty vessels in sight could lend her no relief. She 
 contained ammunition, blankets, tents, and stores, and her 
 loss would be terrible to the expedition. The crew was 
 saved, but the V3ssel was a total wreck. The steamboat 
 Zouave sunk as she ay at anchor, and a transport with
 
 SAVANNAH- FOUT PULASKI CUT OFF. Ill 
 
 stores went down on the bar. The Ann E. Thompson, witt 
 die Ninth New Jersey volunteers, lay outside, and Colone] 
 Allen and Surgeon Weller took a boat to report her condi- 
 tion. They crossed the bar through the inlet, and carried 
 out their dangerous attempt, but returning, the boat swamped, 
 and they both perished. Burnside was now in a distressing 
 situation his fine fleet was scattered and wrecked, the am 
 munition was sunk in the sea, and the best vessels, unabl* 
 to cross the bar, lay tossing outside. They were now 
 lightened, with immense labor, and at last crossed the bar 
 but stdrrn after storm threatened to complete the work of 
 destruction, and the great pains to keep the precise point 
 against which the expedition was to operate, a secret to the 
 enemy, proved in vain, and he had time for ample prepara- 
 tions. Surprise was now out of the question, and whatever 
 was done, must be performed by hard fighting, while, for 
 the present at least, this great naval force must remain 
 inactive. 
 
 Events were now occurring of a more fortunate character 
 for the Union, on the Georgia coast, which afforded hopes 
 that the patriots would soon be in possession of Fort 
 Pulaski, or even the fair city of Savannah. At Port Eoyal 
 Sherman had pushed his reconnoissances up through dif- 
 ferent inlets, which run from the river Savannah through 
 the immense marshes that border on the sea. His purpose 
 was to try if any way could be found to reach Savannah 
 without passing Fort Pulaski. Lieutenant Wilson found 
 hid v'ay, with great labor, through Mud and Wright rivers, 
 to Savannah, and reported them capable of receiving gun- 
 boats, and boats of light draught. Another passage found 
 was on the right of Savannah, and communicating with 
 Wilmington sound. Sherman made use of these, and 
 finally cut off Fort Pulaski from Savannah. Batteries 
 frowned on the mud banks, little above water level, and 
 guns were mounted where the rebels deemed it impracti- 
 cable. At last Sherman occupied an island in the river, 
 which shut up Tatnall's fleet, and the people of Savannah 
 were filled with apprehensions. The soldiers, on these ex- 
 peditions, endured more severe trials than on the battle 
 field, and their great energy and indomitable perseverance 
 earned, merited, and obtained the highest praise. 
 
 An important change tx>k place in the Federal Cabinet
 
 Ill IfOlHTOR LAUNCH K I). 
 
 on the 13th, by which Simon Cameron, Secretary of War 
 was notified by Mr. Lincoln that he was relieved from the 
 duties of his office, and that he had been appointed Minister 
 Plenipotentiary to Eussia, in place of Cassius M. Clay. 
 Mr. Edwin M. Stanton, an eminent lawyer, originally of 
 Ohio, but then resident in Washington a War Democrat- 
 was appointed in the place of the retiring secretary. 
 
 The Ericsson floating battery, declared by her inventor 
 to be shot proof, was launched on the 30th, destined 
 for the Atlantic coast. Her deck, just above water, was 
 surmounted by an iron revolving turret, and pierced for 
 only two heavy guns. She was a great curiosity of naval 
 architecture, and was destined, in a few days, to avert dis- 
 aste*"' such as might make patriots tremble to think of, 
 star-..*) the nations, and effect a complete revolution in naval 
 warfare, hitherto unknown. 
 
 Mere skirmishing took place this month, compared with 
 the movements about to be inaugurated. The Government 
 saw that the great valley of the Mississippi must be wrested 
 from the enemy. On account of the great strength of 
 Bowling Green and Columbus, a plan for breaking the 
 rebel line of defence by the Tennessee and Cumberland 
 rivers had long been considered. These rivers discharge 
 into the Ohio, and in the State of Kentucky are nearly 
 parallel, and but little apart. In the winter they can navi- 
 gate steamers of the first class. Where they cross the Ten- 
 nessee line they are only twelve miles apart, and here the 
 enemy had erected two strong forts that of Donelson, on 
 the Cumberland, and Fort Henry, on the Tennessee river. 
 The possession of these forts would effectually turn both 
 Bowling Green and Columbus, and their abandonment be 
 made necessary. Fort Henry was to be first attacked, and 
 Halleck, to make success sure, resolved to move against it 
 by land and water, simultaneously. While Grant led a 
 large land force from Cairo to attack the fort in flank and 
 rear, Foote was ordered to engage the batteries in front 
 with seven gunboats.
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 FEBRUARY, 1862. 
 
 XriOITlONS AGAINST TORTS HENRY AND DONELBON P"r HENRY CA* 
 TUBED BY THE GUNBOATS UNDER FOOTE FORT DONBi^ON INVE8TKD 
 ATTACKED BY FOOTE WITH THE GUNBOATS GENERAL ASSAULT DETER- 
 MINED ON BT GRANT THE ATTACK AND VICTORY N-WS OF THE SUR- 
 RENDER AT NASHVILLE THE REBELS FLEB SOUTHWARD CURTIS DRIVES 
 PRICK FROM MISSOURI BURNSIDE's GREAT FLEET ATTACKS ROANOKB 
 
 ISLAND THE BATTLE AND VICTORY CAPTAIN ROWAN ATTACKS THE 
 
 REBEL FLEET AT ELIZABETH CITY EDENTON CAPTURED BURNING OF 
 WINTON CANBY ON THE RIO GRANDE. 
 
 ON the 5th of February, the expedition against Fort Henry 
 set out, sailed up the Tennessee river, and the infantry 
 landed within four miles of the fort. Captain Andrew H. 
 Foote reconnoitered, ascertained the position of the batteries, 
 and removed torpedoes which had been sunk in the river 
 to blow up the vessels. The fleet anchored at night, abreast 
 of Grant's encampment, and the combined attack was to 
 begin next morning. All was prepared for the great strug- 
 
 fle about to commence, and, after hurrying up Grant with- 
 is forces, Foote advanced toward the fort at ten o'clock. 
 Its situation was on a bend of the river, and such as, for 
 some distance down, to command it. The long range of the 
 guns was escaped by keeping the boats behind an island in 
 the river, and the iron-clads moved slowly, and abreast, on 
 the batteries, while the wooden vessels followed in the rear. 
 In full view of the fort, the wooden vessels stopped, and the 
 Cincinnati, St. Louis, Carondelet, and Essex, moved on 
 slowly. In a moment, they were assailed by a storm of 
 shot and shell, and the dense smoke which issued from the 
 fleet told that the contest had commenced. The enemy 
 having the range of our vessels, the fire of the fort was very 
 effective. The Federal fire was slow and well aimed, and 
 produced terriV.e effect on the guns of the enemy. The 
 rebel infantry fled from the screaming shells which exploded 
 about them, but the garrison, under General Tilghman, kept 
 up a steady fire, which was not slackened on the bursting of 
 their heavy rifled piece, or the flying around them of sand- 
 
 (113)
 
 14 CAPTURE OF FORT HENRT. 
 
 bags, and earth, and shrieking shells. The chief attention 
 of the garrison was directed to the Cincinnati and Essex, 
 which never flinched From the storm that poured on them, 
 but, in the flame and moke, pushed nearer and nearer to 
 the fort, and sent their shot with such precision as to dis- 
 mount one after another of the enemy's guns. Terror wag 
 carried to the inhabitants far inland, as the heavy reverber- 
 *jions shook the shore. 
 
 After an hour's severe conflict; a twenty -four pound shot 
 vas carried through a port hole of the Essex, crushing the 
 head of young Britain, an aid of Porter's, who was watch- 
 ing the effect of his shot. The deadly missile sped on, 
 crushing the massy oak planking round the machinery, 
 and penetrating the boiler, from which the rushing steam, 
 with fearful sound, affrighted the crew. All was disorder, 
 and, in the agony of suffocation, some cast themselves into 
 the river from the port holes, while the two pilots made 
 desperate efforts to get out of the pilot-house. Stretching 
 their arms in fearful distress through the look-outs, they 
 fell at last, gasping and completely asphyxiated. Captain 
 Porter was severely scalded, and twenty-eight officers and 
 men besides, were killed or disabled by the effect of this 
 single shot. The rebels sprang to their guns with redoubled 
 efforts, when they saw the boat compelled to drop out of the 
 battle. But there was no cessation of the fire, and Foote 
 moved steadily on in his orbit of destruction, with the other 
 three vessels, till he stood some six hundred yards from the 
 fort. The enemy's guns were mostly dismounted, and 
 Tilghman was obliged to surrender. 
 
 Victory was won in a battle of one hour and twenty 
 minutes. Grant's road being muddy, he did not arrive 
 hefore the capture of the fort. When he arrived, half an 
 hour after, he assumed the command. Our loss in killed, 
 wounded, and missing, was forty-eight. The Cincinnati 
 was struck thirty-one times, the Essex fifteen, the St. Louis 
 seven, and the Carondelet six. Between sixty and seventy 
 men, and sixty invalids, surrendered, and twenty, mostly 
 heavy guns, barracks, and tents for fifteen thousand men, 
 fell into the hands of the victors. 
 
 On the fall of Fort Henry, public expectation looked to 
 Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland, twelve miles from fort 
 Henry, in a stronger and more important position, and with
 
 FORT DONELSOX INVESTED. 116 
 
 d garrison of fifteen thousand men. The possession of Fort 
 Donelson would give the Federals the key of Nashville, 
 and render the evacuation of Bowling Green imperative. It 
 had been the design of Buell, for a long time, to capture 
 this fort, but the destruction of bridges, and the machina- 
 tions of the enemy had hitherto been an impediment. 
 
 On the llth, five days after the surrender of Fort Henry, 
 six regiments, commanded by Generals McClernand and 
 Smith, were sent off by water, and next day Grant moved 
 across the country with fifteen thousand troops. On arriv- 
 ing within two miles of the fort, he drove in the enemy's 
 pickets, and though Foote had not yet arrived, the place 
 was completely invested. General Lewis Wallace wa 
 ordered to assault the middle redoubt with three Illinois 
 regiments, under Colonel Hayne. They advanced in line 
 of battle across ravines, and climbed gallantly the steep 
 heights on which the redoubt was situated, receiving, with 
 undaunted courage, the terrible fire of musketry which 
 assailed them from behind embankments. The line not 
 being found of sufficient length to surround the works, the 
 Forty-fifth Illinois regiment advanced to its support. Strong 
 reinforcements of rebel troops and cannon soon poured in a 
 deadly fire, but the brave men kept advancing till they 
 came near the works, where the defences, made of long polea 
 and brushwood, presented such a sharpened and jagged 
 appearance as to be impossible to force through. The ad- 
 vance was impossible, and the troops had to fall back. 
 Colonel Morrison was wounded at the head of the Forty- 
 ninth Illinois, and many gallant officers and men fell in the 
 dreadful content. The troops lay down within range of the 
 enemy's guis, unsheltered, and without fire ; and as nigH 
 came on, heavy rain fell, and then sleet and snow, with fitfuJ 
 gusts of wind. During the intervals of the storm, the sound 
 of picket firing was borne to the ears of these brave men, 
 and the murmurs in front, suppressed as they were, told 
 these gallant spirits, who had lain twelve hours in the pelt- 
 ing storm, that the enemy was being reinforced. The 
 works were very strong, Two batteries were placed on the 
 river side. The lower one had eight thirty-two pounders, 
 and a ten inch columbiad ; the upper, two thirty pound car 
 ronades, and a thirty-two pound rifled gun. 
 
 The main fort was on a high ridge in the rear. A deep
 
 J1(J FOOTR ATTACKS THE TO*T. 
 
 gorge cut on the south, and in front, rifle pits ran m * line, 
 protected by brush and fallen trees, so as to render them a 
 most formidable obstruction. Cannon in the rear of the 
 works, commanded the country a considerable distance. 
 
 Grant made a line parallel to that of the enemy, and 
 extended his wings right and left to the river, sui rounding 
 the works. M?anwhile, Foote, on the 14th, came up with 
 his gunboats to the attack, and with four iron-dads in front, 
 and two wooden vessels in the rear, moved up until within 
 range, and then opened fire. There was little fear for th 
 vessels, as the Carondelet, the day before, had sustained the 
 fire of the batteries with little damage. The boats steered 
 straight for the batteries, and when within close range, the 
 fire became terrible. The well-served guns of the enemy 
 struck the advancing boats with all the force of their heavy 
 metal, casting up the water, and filling the air with burst- 
 ing shells, amid which the vessels proceeded. 
 
 The fight had lasted an hour and a quarter. The flag- 
 ship had received fifty-nine shots. Foote laid his hands on 
 the shoulder of the nervous pilot to encourage him ; the 
 latter was killed by a shot, which also wounded Foote. Ad- 
 vancing within a hundred yards of the batteries, their fire 
 slackened under the storm of shells which burst around 
 them, and victory was almost within the Federal grasp, 
 when the Louisville lost one of her wheels by a shot. An 
 accidental shot from the Tyler broke in fragments a tiller 
 which the pilot was adjusting, and the boat swung back 
 helpless from the fire. The St. Louis, also, became unman- 
 ageable from the loss of a wheel, and the two other boata 
 being disabled, retired with the rest down the stream. 
 
 The enemy had sustained little injury, though the water 
 battery had been almost silenced, and the guns on the 
 heights could not be reached from the decks. Fifty-four 
 of the Federals had been killed and wounded in this terrible 
 fight, and it was clear that the capture of the place must be 
 made, if at all, by the land forces. 
 
 It was thought that the river batteries, at least, might 
 be destroyed by the gunboats, and Grant resolved to wait 
 till the latter could be repaired, so as to act in unison with 
 trim. By superior numbers the complete investment of tha 
 place could be made, and the garrison reduced bji starvation. 
 Floyd was in command of the fort, with Pillow and Buck-
 
 BATTLE AT FORT DONELSON. 11? 
 
 tter next in rank. Calling a consultation of his officers, it 
 was agreed that the only way of success which was left 
 them, consisted in forcing the Federal lines up the river, 
 and by the open country making good their escape toward 
 Nashville. Floyd, in carrying out his plan, concentrated 
 bis main force on his left on Friday night, and placed it 
 under the command of Pillow, with orders to attack the 
 Federal right, under McClemand, the next morning, while 
 Buckner attacked Wallace on the centre and laid open the 
 Wynne road. A small force was left to watch General 
 Smith, who commanded the Federal left on the river below 
 the fort. 
 
 The Federal troops were roused from their wintry couch, 
 and shivering took their places in the ranks, when the roar 
 of the enemy's guns burst upon them. The enemy, nearly 
 eight thousand strong, marched out of their works at day- 
 light, and in different columns, well supported by artillery 
 moved right on General McClernand's encampment. Hia 
 division consisted of three brigades, composed of Illinois 
 men, except a regiment of Wisconsin troops, and one of Ken- 
 tuckians. McClernand -prepared to receive the enemy. The 
 Kentuckians being attacked near the river by overpowering 
 numbers, broke and fled, but the Illinois troops stood their 
 ground with great determination. Our advanced legiments 
 had to fight the enemy against great odds massed upon 
 them. The roar of battle rushed through the forest with 
 fearful sound. Cannon commanded every eminence. There 
 was little unity of action, for the troops were concealed in 
 the woods, in which a regiment would disappear here and 
 there, so that its position could only be told by the rattle 
 of musketry, or by the smoke. The tide of battle rolled 
 and surged, and the dead and dying strewed the forest. 
 The enemy, by a sudden movement, hurled a massed force 
 on McClernand's line, which broke it, and gave cause to fear 
 that they would sweep the entire field. McAllister's bat- 
 tery had fired a hundred and fifty rounds of ammunition by 
 ten o'clock, killing many of the enemy. In trying to get 
 ammunition from the rear, a single rebel shot passed 
 through three of his horses, another tore the trail off one 
 of his guns, and a third broke the wheel of another gun in 
 fragments. He tried to drag the sole remaining gun off the 
 field with six horses but it was ruined, and had to be abaci
 
 118 BATTLE AT FORT DONELSON. 
 
 doned. The men of many regiments needed ammunition, 
 and could do nothing but fall back, while the enemy ad- 
 vanced with hideous yells. The day seemed lost, and the 
 path clear for the garrison to escape. McClernand sent to 
 Wallace at eight o'clock for reinforcements, and he, having 
 received orders to hold the centre, sent to head-quarters. 
 Grant had gone on board Foote's boat to consult about 
 uother attack of the fleet. Wallace had waited to hear 
 from him anxiously, and now learned that the enemy had 
 turned McClernand's flank, and endangered his whole force. 
 Se could wait no longer, and sent Colonel Cruft to aid the 
 struggling patriots. A guide was needed to pilot the 
 column, for the investing lines ran some miles over ravines, 
 broken ground, and through dense woods. Cruft's guide 
 fled, but Cruft kept on, and soon found himself on McCler- 
 nand's right, between him and the advancing rebels. He 
 met an overwhelming force of the enemy, and rushing on 
 them, a bloody conflict ensued. The men of Illinois for 
 a long time held at bay the vast numbers of the enemy 
 which bore down upon them. Meanwhile, a part of McCler- 
 nand's brigade to the right began to retreat in confusion, 
 and some of the scattered forces rushed through Cruft's 
 line. The ranks at once closed, but being left to contend 
 alone, were obliged to fall back to a new position. Two 
 bold charges of the enemy were successfully repelled by 
 Colonel Shackleford, in a handsome manner, and charging 
 them in turn, they fell back some distance. 
 
 A regiment on his left gave way, and in danger of being 
 outflanked, Shackleford retired in perfect order to the 
 rear, and seized a new position. Wallace had anxiously 
 -waited for despatches. None came. At last a multitude 
 of stragglers came rushing up the hill where he stood. A 
 mounted officer dashed along the road, shouting " We are all 
 cut to pieces /" Wallace feared a panic, and put himself at 
 the head of the brigade, and ordered it to move on to the 
 right. TLe met broken regiments retiring from the want of 
 ammunition. In reply to his question, as to the state of the 
 field, an officer coolly told him that the enemy was near, 
 and would soon attack him. lie at once sent Colonel 
 Thayer to form a line of battle across the road, and ordered 
 tip Wood's Chicago light artillery. Thayer's men marched 
 at double-quick to their position, and Wood's guns wer
 
 BATTLE AT TORT DONELSON. 119 
 
 brought up at full gallop, unlimbered, and placed in a poii- 
 tion to sweep the road. 
 
 The soldiers who retired for ammunition, were supplied 
 under fire, and the enemy again swept on through the 
 woods, making right for the battery and its support the 
 IHrst Nebraska regiment. "Wood's battery mowed them 
 lown and the First Nebraska poured in a deadly fire. The 
 rebels bore up firmly, ;r.a then, unable to withstand the ter- 
 rible fire which swept their ranks, broke, and retreated ID 
 confusion. "Wallace then dashed on to see Cruft's brigade, 
 which stood in good order. He joined it to Thayer's by a 
 skirmish line, and waited for the enemy. But he had fallen 
 back, and occupied the ground which he had gained in the 
 early part of the day. Grant arrived about three o'clock, 
 and, indignant at the audacity of the enemy's attempt to 
 force his lines, resolved to move his whole army against hia 
 works. McClernand was to attack them on the right, up 
 the river, and Colonel Charles F. Smith on the left, below. 
 Wallace was to lead the assault with his division. Cruft'a 
 brigade, and one under Colonel Smith, of the Eighth Mis- 
 souri, were to advance up the hill in columns of regiments, 
 and act at discretion. The word "forward" was received 
 with acclamations by the brave troops, and moving on 
 rapidly to the foot of the hill, they encountered the enemy. 
 Smith reached the summit before Cruft had arrived, and a 
 bloody combat ensued. The men had urged their way 
 through a scathing fire, which rolled in an unbroken deluge 
 down the slope. They sometimes fell flat on their faces, 
 till, like the simoon of the desert, the fire swept over 
 them, and then, rising, rushed on with renewed vigor. 
 Cruft's men advanced, and fought Indian fashion, from tree 
 to tree, and the combatants often contended for the same 
 cover, while the woods resounded with the roll of the mus- 
 ketry. The intrepid adva nee of Smith, having cleared the 
 hill with a shout, drove the routed enemy to within a hun- 
 dred and fifty yards of his intrenchments, the same ground 
 from which, in the morning, Pillow had driven McClernand. 
 The dead and wounded, who had fallen there in the vain 
 attempt to resist the overwhelming force brought against 
 them, strewed the spot. Night now fell on the field, fight- 
 ing ceased, the wounded were cared for and tended by th 
 wearied soldiers.
 
 120 SUKP.KNDBR OF FORT DONELSO1C. 
 
 With this success on the right, a still more splendid on 
 was gained bj General Charles F. Smith on the left. He 
 was ready at three o'clock in the afternoon to storm the 
 enemy's works, which were constructed on a high hill, and 
 well defended. He sent to the right, as if to move in 
 force on that point, Cook's and Lannan's brigades, and 
 with three picked regiments the Second and Seventh 
 [owa, and Fifty-seventh Indiana led them in person round 
 to the left, and began to climb the hill under a withering 
 fire. Not a shot replied; the gaps in the ranks closed, and 
 the indomitable troops marched resistlessly on ; Smith, in 
 front, with his cap on the sword's point, guiding them for- 
 ward. The terrible way to the top was gained by these 
 gallant spirits, and while they stood there, one deadly volley 
 was shot into the dense ranks below, and then they swept 
 on with the bayonet, driving the enemy before them into the 
 inner works. The stars and stripes floated on the ramparts, 
 greeted by deafening shouts. Guns were planted, and well 
 supported, so as to bid defiance to any power which the 
 rebels could bring against this position. From this point 
 the entire strong portion of the enemy's works could be en 
 filaded. Cold night came upon the soldiers, wearied, and 
 without a fire. 
 
 The drum called the heroes to their post in the morning. 
 Cold and hungry, their ranks were closed on the cold snow, 
 stained with blood. It was on the Sabbath that this last 
 assault was prepared. They had marched from Fort Henry 
 with only rations in their haversacks ; been three days ex 
 posed, with no shelter or fire, in snow and cold, and now 
 were ready with undaunted breasts. 
 
 The guns were trained, and all prepared for the final 
 effort. A bugle blast was heard, and a white flag waved in 
 the breeze. The fort had surrendered, and the joyful news 
 ran from one column to another, while shouts rent the air, 
 anu all were filled with exultation. 
 
 By this important victory the way lay open to Nashville, 
 and the rebel line of defences was broken in the centre. 
 Twelve thousand men, with their stores and arms, fell into 
 the hands of the vectors. When the startling rumor reached 
 Nashville that Fort Donelson had surrendered, all was com- 
 motion acd alarm, and a panic-stricken crowd fled from tho 
 city. Stores were thrown open, and the pillaging rabble
 
 ATTACK ON BOANOKE ISLAND. Hi 
 
 enacted scenes of confusion and madness. Johnston'i 
 column marched through the city to Murfreesboro, and the 
 panic continued. Nashville was taken possession of for- 
 mally by our troops a week after, and contained many 
 secessionists, who required to be well watched. 
 
 Meantime, General Curtis, in command of the army in 
 Missouri, pushed Price before him, drove him over the 
 Arkansas border, and still pursued him. On the east the 
 Union arms were also victorious. 
 
 Oa February 5th, Burnside, who had long been detained 
 at Hatteras inlet, sailed for Eoanoke island, with a fleet of 
 sixty-five vessels. Their course over the waters was grand, 
 as they sailed in three compact columns, displaying such an 
 invincible power as was never before seen in American 
 waters. At sundown the signal was given for the fleet to 
 anchor, when it was within ten miles of the southern point 
 of the island. It was under way the next day at eight 
 o'clock, but the heavens portended a storm, which burst 
 forth at eleven o'clock, and the whole squadron halted. 
 After awhile it moved on, but the Roanoke inlet could not 
 oe attempted that night. The fleet proceeded on in the 
 morning, and at eleven o'clock the silence was broken by 
 the booming of the first gun over the waters. "When the 
 smoke disappeared, and the echoes rolled away, the signal 
 was "This day our country expects that every man will do his 
 duty" An efiect was produced like electricity Between 
 Albemarle and Pamlico sounds is Roanoke island, which 
 commands the intervening channel, well fortified by the 
 rebels, with two strong works, which mounted twenty-two 
 heavy guns, three of them being one hundred pounders, 
 rifled. There were also four batteries of twenty-two guns, 
 and eight steamers, besides great obstructions in the- chan 
 nel, and a garrison of three thousand men. 
 
 The action at noon became general. The guns from the 
 rebel batteries and the Federal fleet, alternately, shook land 
 and sea with loud thunders. While bursting shells lashed 
 up the water, the curling smoke rising in great clouds, and 
 the shrieking missiles, made the scene awfully sublime. 
 
 The enemy's fleet avoided our murderous fire by retiring 
 
 behind some piles, which were extended in rows in the 
 
 channel, and our gunbonts dropped their shells with fatal 
 
 precision into the work* on suc> to waich their attention 
 
 11
 
 122 THE BATTLE. 
 
 was now drawn. The barracks took fire at one o'clock, and 
 enveloped the intrenchments in sable smoke. The fire 
 slackened on both sides, and Burnside anxiously turned his 
 gaze in the direction of the transports. Soon the flames 
 were partially extinguished, and the rebels again opened 
 fire. The transports being now in sight, the rebel gunboats 
 tried to cut them oft' a movement rendered abortive. 
 
 The battle now was renewed with great fury, and the 
 transports having arrived at four o'clock, took up a position 
 beyond the range of the rebel guns. As the men watched 
 the battle from the rigging, and from every spar, they sent 
 up loud shouts, which echoed faintly over the waters. The 
 enemy's fire again slackened, and the Federal commander 
 resolved to land and storm their works. Soon, six thousand 
 men were on shore, and at eleven o'clock, all was put in 
 order for the night, and the cheerful bivouac fires blazed for 
 a mile along the shore. Soon a deluging rain descended, 
 and the blankets being left behind, on board the transports, 
 the soldiers, with only their overcoats, passed the night 
 almost without sleep, and welcomed the coming day, which 
 was to bring all the dangers of battle. A bad road separated 
 them from the enemy. The way ran through a swampy 
 forest, with underbrush and felled trees, amid which the 
 troops must find a passage over the marshy ground, whilst 
 under fire. Morning came. Three Massachusetts regiments, 
 and the Tenth Connecticut, under General Foster, being the 
 centre column, moved off, preceded by a battery of six 
 twelve pound boat howitzers. General Reno, with the second 
 column, was to outflank the enemy on his left, and General 
 Parke, with the third, was to make a similar movement on 
 his right flank. The centre, moving up, drove in the 
 skirmishers, reached the open space in front of the works, 
 placed the artillery in position, and began to fire with ra- 
 pidity. The gunners soon were thinned by the enemy's bat- 
 tery. Rev. Mr. James, chaplain of the Twenty-fifth Mas- 
 sachusetts, rendered assistance in working the guns, as long 
 as the ammunition lasted. This brave divine fought like a 
 soldier. The loader and sponger being shot, his place was 
 supplied by another, who was instantly killed, and midship- 
 man Benjamin A. Porter assisted while the battle lasted 
 The advance was held by the T\n enty-fifth Massachusetts, 
 under a scathing fire, till the oartr.dges were expended, and
 
 SURRENDER OF RCM XOKE ISLAND. 123 
 
 the Fifth Connecticut, taking its place, held it with unflinch- 
 ing courage. The wounded were taken to the real. Msny 
 dodged the enemy's missiles, by crouching down, but the 
 men could not do this easily, as they stood up to their hips 
 in muddy water, into which those who were shot fell back 
 with a splash, and lay half covered. The flanking columns, 
 in the meantime, were slowly forcing a passage through the 
 vhickets, on the intrench men ts, and the enemy, thinking it 
 impossible, were perfectly astounded to see the troops new 
 upon them. Parkes' column was met with a dreadful fire, 
 and the Ninth New York (Hawkins' Zouaves) were led in 
 a charge gallantly, by Major Kimball. The right column, 
 under General Reno, had now cleared the woods, and the 
 Twenty-ninth Massachusetts was ordered to charge. It 
 dashed forward with cheers, at the same instant that the 
 Fifty-first, under General Ferrero, was charging on the left. 
 The stars and stripes soon floated on the ramparts, and see- 
 ing how matters stood, the rebels broke and fled. The vic- 
 torious colunyis met in the deserted work, which now 
 resounded with their cheers. While this was going on upon 
 the two flanks, the centre advanced, and the Tenth Connec- 
 ticut was led to the front by the gallant Colonel Russell, 
 who fell pierced with the enemy's bullets. The works being 
 gained, two columns pursued the flying enemy. To cut them 
 off from crossing to Nag's Head, the Fifty-first and Ninth 
 New York took the road on the east. Ex-Governor Wise, 
 lay an invalid at Nag's Head. The troops came up with 
 some boats, towed by a steamer, while two more were 
 putting off from shore. The rebels in the boats, being or- 
 dered to return, refused, but a volley, well aimed, changed 
 their purpose, and putting back, they surrendered. Jen- 
 nings O. Wise was among these latter, being mortally 
 wounded, and died that night. Different bodies of rebels, 
 pursued by our troops in various directions, surrendered.. 
 The commander of the post. Colonel Shaw, delivered up his 
 iword to General Foster. The garrison of three thousand 
 men, thirty guns, and the munitions of war and stores, fell 
 into our hands. Thus fell Roanoke island. The Federal 
 loss was two hundred and fifty killed and wounded. That 
 of the enemy was much greater. On Sunday, the 9th of 
 February, thirteen steamers, under Captain Rowan, started 
 in pursuit of the gunboats, which haa escaped toward Eliz-
 
 124 CANBY ON THE RIO GRJLNDE. 
 
 abetli City, forty miles off, and encountered them at tlrea 
 o'clock in the afternoon, drawn up in line of battle, under 
 Captain Lynch, the " Dead Sea Explorer." A fort, running 
 a quarter of a mile out beyond the line of battle, mounted 
 four guns of large calibre ; Captain Rowan ran up the signal, 
 " close action." The steamers advanced under a heavy iire ; 
 and, with a full head of steam, plunged into the midst of the 
 heavy boats. The Perry struck the rebel flag-ship Sea 
 Bird amidships, and crushed her. The Ceres ran into and 
 boarded the Ellis, and the Underwriter took the Forrest, 
 Delaware, and Fanny the same way. All the vessels of the 
 rebel navy but two, which escaped up the Dismal swamp, 
 were destroyed or captured. The whole coast of North 
 Carolina, down to Newbern, was the result of this victory. 
 Edenton was occupied, and Winton, on the Chowan, in 
 trying to obstruct the Federal gunboats, was laid in ashes. 
 
 A fierce artillery combat took place on the banks of the 
 Rio Grande, in New Mexico, on the 21st, between Colonel 
 Canby and the rebel Colonel Steel, with a body of Texans. 
 
 Two desperate charges were made, to take two Union flank- 
 ing batteries. The struggle was one of the fiercest ever re- 
 corded. The right flank battery was commanded by Lieu- 
 tenant Hall, and was charged on by the enemy's cavalry ; 
 the left one, under Captain McCrea, by Texan infantry. A 
 dreadful storm of grape and canister laid the rebels in heaps 
 on the field. But they rushed on, even to the muzzles of the 
 guns, and shot down all the gunners except three. The 
 gallant McCrea, single-handed, disdained to flee, and died at 
 his post. The loss of this battery obliged Colonel Canby to 
 retire to the fort, after losing, in killed and wounded, two 
 hundred men.
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 MARCH, 1862. 
 
 MCAPB OF THE NASHVILLE DESTRUCTION OF A REBEL rfATTBRT DKAii 
 OF COLONBL LANDER CAPTDRR OF FERNANDINA AND FORT CLINCH-- 
 
 THR MERRIMAC, AND HER INJURY TO THE FEDERAL FLEBT ARRIVAL O 
 
 THR MONITOR SHE DEFEATS THE MERRIMAC BATTLE OF PEA RIDQR, 
 
 AND ITS RESULTS ANDREW JOHNSON, GOVERNOR OF TENNESSEE 
 
 REBELS CONCENTRATE AT CORINTH FOOTE MOVES AOAINST ISLAND 
 
 NUMBER TEN POPK AT NEW MADRID CAPTURB OF NEWBERN A 
 OKNERAL ADTANCR OF THR ARMT OF THR POTOMAC FREMONT IN COM- 
 MAND OF MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT EVACUATION OF MANASSAS BATTLB 
 OF WINCHESTER. 
 
 THE Southern papers, on the 1st, gave the public the 
 news of the safe arrival of the rebel steamer Nashville at 
 Beaufort, North Carolina. She hoisted the national flag, 
 and steered for the blockading fleet, and before her real 
 character became apparent, had gone too far to be arrested 
 in her course. It was on this day that Lieutenant Gwin, 
 with gunboats, destroyed a rebel battery, and cleared the 
 shores at Pittsburg Landing, on the Tennessee river, the 
 scene, in a short time, of a great battle. Colonel Lander, a 
 gallant officer, who, in a brilliant cavalry dash, on the 14th 
 of February, had taken prisoners commissioned officers, at 
 Blooming Gap, of whom five had surrendered to himself, 
 died on the 2<S, at Paw Paw, Virginia, of congestive fever. 
 His successor was General James Shields. On the same 
 day, Columbus, Mississippi, was entered by a body of Fede- 
 ral cavalry, who raised the national flag over that strong 
 position. The enemy set fire to it, casting all the heavy 
 guns into the river before leaving. They then retreated to 
 Island Number Ten, some miles above New Madrid. The 
 day following, Captain Foote, with the gunboats, took pos- 
 session. The same day (the 2d) the Union flag floated once 
 again on Fort Clinch, Florida, the first of the national forts 
 recovered in the war. The works were found strong, and 
 without injury, and the garrison, having taken flight, had 
 abandoned all its heavy guns, which were found by the 
 men of Dupont's fleet. There occurred a novel scene in aj> 
 
 (126)
 
 126 ATTACK OF THE REBEL RAM MERRIMAC. 
 
 preaching the tovni of Fernandina, in which the fort it 
 situated. A large train of cars, full of passengers, on the 
 point of leaving the town, this was seen by Captain Drayton, 
 who ordered Lieutenant Stearns, of the Ottawa, to stop ita 
 progress. The vessel, having a full head of steam, pursued 
 the cars. The shells fell thick and fast around the train, 
 whose affrighted passengers had no way of escape, the cars 
 running at great speed. But the cars were too rapid for the 
 gunboat, and Stearns was obliged to desist from the pursuit. 
 Two men were killed by a shell ; the rear cars were separ- 
 ated, and the remainder escaped. 
 
 We now come to describe two events of importance 
 which happened at a great distance apart, on the 8th, 
 namely, the attack of the rebel ram Merrimac, at Newport 
 News, and the battle of Pea Eidge, Arkansas. 
 
 A steam-propelled vessel, of singular appearance, was 
 seen to leave the harbor of Norfolk, and sail down the 
 channel toward Se wall's Point. The Union vessels, Cum- 
 berland, Congress, Minnesota, St. Lawrence, and Eoanoke, 
 laying at anchor in Hampton Eoads, were signalled that 
 danger was at hand. The mysterious monster looked like 
 a floating house, with its chimney and roof above the water. 
 She kept on her steady way toward Newport News, and then 
 steered her course to the mouth of James river, where lay 
 the Cumberland and Congress. Soon her character and de- 
 sign became apparent, and she was recognized as the iron- 
 clad Merrimac, constructed at Norfolk by the rebel govern- 
 ment. On approaching the Cumberland, the discharge from 
 the heavy guns of the latter, though well aimed, produced 
 no effect, and the dangerous missiles glanced from her iron 
 sides and deck without doing the least damage. The artil- 
 lery of the Congress had no better result, and the rebel 
 craft seemed to bid defiance to these vessels, as with closed 
 ports she steadily advanced under a powerful force of steam, 
 With increased speed, she at length steered for the Cuir 
 berland, and striking her amidship, with her iron beak 
 left a terrible gash in her side. Discharging a volley a. 
 the ill-fated ship, she retired, and again repeated the assault. 
 The Cumberland was now disabled and ready to sink, but 
 her flag still floated, and her pivot guns gave a last shot 
 then all was over. Her brave crow refused to surrender 
 and went down with her.
 
 AKBIVlIi OF THE MONITOR. 127 
 
 Meanwhile^ two Confederate vessels, the Yorktown and 
 Jamestown, had sailed down the river James, and attacked 
 the Federal fleet. The Cumberland being disposed of, the 
 Merrimac, turning her prow, attacked the Congress, whose 
 crew having been discharged the day previous, she was 
 manned by a portion of the naval brigade. Incapable of re- 
 sistance, and her commander being killed, to avoid a fate 
 similar to that of the Cumberland, she was compelled to 
 strike her colors. The officers were received as prisoners on 
 board the Jamestown. 
 
 The Merrimac, yet seemingly intact, soon came up with 
 the steamship Minnesota, which had grounded. Both ves- 
 sels discharged their guns ; but the Merrimac, either afraid 
 of grounding, or from some injury to her steering appara- 
 tus, kept aloof.- Night fell, but the darkness was lit up by 
 the flashes of the guns, which sent their hoarse thunders 
 over the scene, and made many in Fortress Monroe appre 
 hensive of the result. In vain the most powerful vesse. 
 might contend with this monster of the deep. One plunge 
 of the iron beak would have sent the Minnesota and every 
 vessel that floated the national flag to the bottom. 
 
 The little Monitor, from New York, after a long voyage, 
 in which she was in danger of foundering, suddenly arrived 
 at Fortress Monroe, and though joyfully hailed on her ap- 
 proach, gave no considerable hope of being able to resist 
 the Merrimac, which had made so great havoc the day be 
 fore. She appeared to be an iron raft, with a revolving 
 turret and two guns. Lieutenant Worden, her commander 
 had an opinion quite different. He believed his vessel in 
 vulnerable, and determined to go out the next day and 
 encounter the Merrirnac. More time was needed to get his 
 vessel ready, but delay might be fatal to the Minnesota, and 
 to all the blockading squadron ; and it was feared that, 
 passing the vessels in the harbor, she might proceed to New 
 York, and lay it in ashes. "While gloom pervaded all hearta 
 at Fortress Monroe and the fleet, a flame rose in the direc- 
 jion of Newport News, thunders rolled over the deep which 
 shook the shore ; and again, as the spectators, who had 
 gathered on the land, were eager to know what had 
 occurred, all was suddenly dark and perfectly silent. Gen 
 eral Mansfield has frustrated the design of the rebels to gel 
 possession of the Congress at Newport Newa by his bV
 
 128 SHE DEFEATS THE MKKR1MAC. 
 
 series and sharpshooters, and by firing the vessel. When 
 her magazine blew up, some of her fragments were cast a 
 dozen miles. The Monitor had soon after arrived, and set 
 out on her important mission, seeming to be a mere toy on 
 the waters. The calm and beautiful Sabbath morning 
 revealed a pleasant and picturesque scene. On the cairn 
 surface of the waters lay the powerful Minnesota, near her, 
 the dreaded Merrimac, and, not far away, the rebel steamers 
 Patrick Henry and Jamestown. It was doubtful whether 
 the Minnesota, or the Union fleet near the Rip Raps would 
 be first attacked. The mystery was soon solved by the 
 Merrimac starting, at seven o'clock, for the Minnesota. 
 Approaching the grounded vessel with insolent daring, one 
 dash of the iron prow was, doubtless, deemed sufficient to 
 send her to the bottom. At this crisis, the little Monitor 
 steamed out from behind the Rip Raps and boldly met her 
 adversary. The rebel vessel was unused to such a novel 
 craft, whose movements, as she came on, seemed audacious 
 and likely to receive punishment. A mile apart, the two 
 vessels stopped. Ignoring the existence of the Monitor, 
 the Merrimac fired a gun at the Minnesota, and one, in turn, 
 at the Monitor, which was returned by the latter with a 
 ponderous shot, which struck her adversary near the water- 
 line. The concussion produced by the shot gave the Mer- 
 rimac an intimation of the character of her enemy. A fierce 
 battle now ensued, which, for two hours, tested the impen- 
 etrability of each, as, advancing and retreating alternately, 
 they hurled their broadsides at each other, and then, muz- 
 zle to muzzle, rained their heavy metal amid the dense 
 smoke which concealed the combatants. The atmosphere 
 clearing, the Monitor appeared with the national colors 
 waving, uninjured and undismayed. The Minnesota now 
 brought her heavy guns to bear upon the enemy, whicn 
 latter, in order to sink the grounded vessel, turned on hei 
 the fatal iron prow. The desperate attempt was frustrated 
 by the heavy broadsides of the Monitor, rained down with 
 fierce fury. One dreadful rush against the Monitor was 
 now made by the baffled enemy. With a full head of 
 steam, she drove right upon her, but the shock was firmly 
 sustained by the Monitor, and the Merrimac exposing her 
 hull below the iron platine* a ponderous shot penetrated 
 ker sheathing, and caused her to retire. The disabled
 
 BATTLE OF PEA RIDGE. 129 
 
 Merrimac wheeled, and slowly proceeded toward Sewall's 
 Point. "When under the batteries of the latter, sho sig- 
 nalled for assistance. She was towed to Norfolk. No 
 injuvy happened to the Monitor. Her gallant commander, 
 Lieutenant Worden, had both eyes injured by fragments of 
 shot, and several of the gunners were stunned by a heavy 
 shot which struck the pilot house. The commander of the 
 Merrimac, Buchanan, was seriously wounded, it was thought 
 mortally. This contest produced a great revolution in naval 
 architecture. People were filled with astonishment, and the 
 serious saw, in the happy termination of a dreaded catas- 
 trophe, a confirmation of the doctrine of Divine Providence. 
 It has been already stated that General Curtis had driven 
 Price before him till he fled across the Arkansas border. 
 He was there joined by the forces of MoCullough and Van 
 Dorn, which swelled the rebel force to thirty thousand 
 strong. Van Dorn, now in command, resolved to fight 
 Curtis without delay, and the latter, whose force was inferior 
 in numbers, preferred battle to a tedious march in pursuit. 
 He now recalled all his troops, which had been sent out to 
 capture rebel bands in southwestern Missouri, and northein 
 Arkansas, and also, the foraging parties sent in different 
 quarters. Colonel Yandevere arrived the night before the 
 battle, after a forced march of forty miles, and Generals 
 Si gel, Davis, and Carr, each quickly returne'd to Pea Ridge, 
 the Federal head-quarters. Sigel took up a line of march 
 with scarcely fifteen hundred men, and was soon informed 
 that the enemy, numbering four thousand, were marching 
 upon him. . He sent off all his teams, quickly despatched a 
 messenger to camp for aid, and drew up his men in line of 
 battle. Scarcely had this been done, when the enemy 
 rushed with dreadful yells on the intrepid little band. The 
 men reserved their fire till the rebels came within a short 
 distance, and then a scathing volley doubled up the front 
 rank, which caused them to draw back from the deadly fire. 
 They rallied, and their ranks were swept away by repeated 
 volleys. At length, they made a desperate onset, when a 
 bayonet charge once more hurled them back ; but they pre- 
 pared for another charge, yet more desperate. Sigel, though 
 seven miles from camp ana unsupported, met these over- 
 whelming numbers, as they urged on their horses, at the 
 point of the bayonet. The little band was now surrounded
 
 130 BATTLB OF PKA RIDGI. 
 
 and the balls fell thick around Sigel, who, providentially 
 was unharmed and without a wound, though his coat ana 
 cap were pierced with bullets. He then ordered a bayonet 
 charge, which soon cleared the path. Reinforcements were 
 now at hand, and the enemy, baffled in his attempts, now 
 made an attack to capture the wagon train, but was repulsed 
 
 The column reached the main army, and the divisioni 
 being all arrived at the scene of conflict, Curtis prepared for 
 battle. The drum, on the 7th of March, aroused every sol- 
 dier from his slumbers. Curtis had taken position on Pea 
 Ridge, and sent out Sigel to meet the enemy coming from 
 the westward, while the centre of the ridge was held by 
 Davis. Sigel soon encountered the enemy, and opened on 
 them with artillery. The firing soon ceased, and Osterhaus, 
 with the Third Iowa cavalry, was sent to clear away the tim- 
 ber in the front. The enemy came on in great force, drove 
 back the cavalry, and took a battery of three guns. Oster 
 haus put himself quickly at the head of the Indiana troops 
 and ordered them to charge bayonets, after firing severa- 
 blighting volleys. The movement was successful. The 
 dead covered the ground ; the guns were recaptured, and 
 began again to play on the enemy. A general advanco 
 followed, and Sigel drove the enemy several miles. 
 
 Meanwhile, I}avis had repulsed a strong force in his 
 front. These attacks served but to mask the movement of the 
 main body of the enemy, which was marching on the Fede- 
 ral rear. Colonel Carr had been sent out in the morning 
 to anticipate such a movement, and found the enemy massed 
 on a wooded slope, and at nine o'clock, sent Colonel Dodge 
 to the right, with his artillery. On the arrival of the latter, 
 there arose a close artillery fight along the whole line, and 
 bodies of infantry advancing on each other, the battle raged 
 an hour, when another battery was sent up to support C*rr. 
 The cavalry had at the same time proceeded along the 
 idge to seize the enemy's wagons. A brigade of rebel 
 avalry, supported by infantry, at once rushed upon the 
 scene. The bugles sounded ; the combatants advanced to 
 the charge. Carbines and pistols were emptied, and the 
 clashing blades rang as so many anvils. The Missouri 
 cavalry victoriously drove back the enemy for a mile, till a 
 battery met their advance. A recall was sounded, while 
 the battle raged on each s de of the road, all along the lin_a
 
 BATTLE OF PEA RIDGE. 131 
 
 Ca/r struggled with the main army, and found himself in 
 danger of being surrounded by the fresh forces which came 
 up to succor the enemy. He sent to Curtis for support, and 
 prevented the rebels from outflanking him by a knoll on 
 the roadside. The enemy obtained possession of this by 
 superior numbers, and the loss of half their force. Carr 
 retired to a new position. He saw his troops wasting away, 
 tnd needed " three batteries and two regiments, or night," 
 to save the day. Sigel and Davis were not yet returned 
 from pursuit. With one powerful effort, he retook the kuoli 
 which he had lost, and the charge of the men was fiercer, as 
 the troops of Davis, with a loud cheer, showed that help 
 was at hand. The rebel leader, McCullough, fell in this 
 last charge, and night closed on an enemy falling back in 
 disorder. The two armies spent it in sight of each other, at 
 no great distance. Curtis slept little. Sigel, however, was 
 in high hopes, that presaged victory. 
 
 On the morning of the 8th, the front was turned into the 
 rear, and the force massed north of the camp. The enemy 
 coming up in the rear, made a new line of battle necessary. 
 His position was on a high ridge, with several batteries. On 
 the right, at the base of the ridge, were batteries, and large 
 massed bodies of infantry. A like disposition was made on 
 the left, except that here the infantry force was smaller. The 
 Federal line of battle was ranged in an ample cornfield. Carr 
 held the centre in this cornfield, and in a road which ran 
 through it. Davis held the extreme left. The action became 
 general at eight o'clock, and the fire of the Union guns for 
 two hours shook the enemy's line, while one of his batteries 
 to the left was so galling that it was determined to take it. 
 This was handsomely done by the Twelfth Missouri, who 
 charged up to the muzzles of the guns, and kept them until 
 supported. The enemy began to waver. A general bayonet 
 charge drove them in rout from the field ere the Federal troops 
 could close. Sigel pursued their .shattered columns twelve 
 miles, and then led back his victorious troops. The Federal 
 loss in this battle was one thousand killed and wounded ; 
 that of the enemy was two thousand, and one thousand 
 prisoners. Among the rebel dead were Generals McCullough 
 and Mclntosh. The principal heroes of this battle, were 
 Generals Samuel E. Curtis and Franz Sigel. The enemy 
 in this fight, employed Indians, who scalped many of tha
 
 132 BOMBARDMENT OF ISLAND NUMBER TEW. 
 
 slain and wounded of the Federal troops. This victory wai 
 decisive, and defeated the designs of Price to gain Missouri 
 o the Southern Confederacy. 
 
 In Tennessee, Andrew Johnson, formerly Go>*ernor of the 
 State, had been appointed Provisional Governor, and entered 
 on his duties. A. Sidney Johnston joined Beauregard at 
 Memphis, and Bragg, with the greater part of the forces 
 under his command, was ordered up from Mobile. Troops 
 were hurried up from the southwest, and soon the rebels 
 had massed a great army at Corinth. The battle, it waa 
 thought, was about to be fought which would decide the 
 destiny of the great Mississippi valley. 
 
 Meantime, Foote moved down toward Island Number Ten 
 with his flotilla, composed of ten gunboats, twelve mortar 
 boats, and a fleet of transports, which covered the river a 
 great distance, and gave hopes that New Orleans might bo 
 reached quite easily. The mortar carried by each mortar 
 bout weighed seventeen thousand one hundred and eighty 
 pounds. The shell weighed two hundred and fifteen pounds, 
 and this heavy projectile was hurled two miles, by twenty- 
 three pounds of gunpowder. On the 15th, the attack was 
 made on the rebel works, which consisted of batteries on the 
 island and on the banks of the river, with guns of large capac 
 ity. It was difficult to hit the batteries at two miles' distance, 
 so small was the object presented. In a fortification, the result 
 would have been different, but the aim, in the present case, 
 required great accuracy. There was danger in bringing the 
 gunboats into the engagement, as, in case of any accident, they 
 would lie at the mercy of the enemy's batteries down tho 
 river, which would sink them, even if the works were 
 carried on the island. Foote, therefore, studied other 
 means of attaining the end, while the bombardment con 
 tinued daily. The gunners, who worked the mortars, wer 
 obliged to get behind the wood-work which enclosed these 
 oolossai guns, to avoid .the concussion when they were 
 fired off. 
 
 Meantime, General John Pope, by command of General 
 Ealleck, moved down from Commerce to Point Pleasant, 
 near New Madrid, a little below the island, where he heard 
 that a large body of Confederates lay within their intrench- 
 meuts. Getting heavy guns from St. Louis, with incredible 
 labor in transporting them over nearly impassable roads, he
 
 CAPTURE OF 5TEWBERN. 135 
 
 mounted them, and assaulting the enemy's position, drove 
 them from it, and they fled, leaving in such haste that every 
 thing fell into the hands of the victors. The Federal loss 
 was fifty killed and wounded. The shore batteries now 
 planted, sealed the rebel fleet between Pope and the island, 
 ;ind no way existed of going below by water. Pope could 
 only hold his own, however, and was unable to aid Foote in 
 the attempt on the island. 
 
 The reports which arrived of the unsuccessful bombard- 
 ine-nt of Island Number Ten, had their dull monotony re- 
 lieved by startling news from the Burnside expedition. It 
 was said that this commander was moving on Norfolk. No 
 little apprehension was felt by many, that the enemy would 
 fall on McClellan, and crush him before reinforcements could 
 reach, or the gunboats extend their protection. Intelligence 
 suddenly arrived of the capture of the city of Newbern, and 
 the state of gloom yielded to one of joyfulness. 
 
 General Burnside, on the capture of Roanoke Island, 
 made preparations to push his operations further, and on 
 the 10th of March proceeded through Pamlico sound, with 
 the intention of attacking the rebel fortifications at Newbern. 
 
 This place lies between the confluence of the Neuse ana 
 Trent rivers, about one hundred and fifty miles from Roanoke 
 Island. By its capture, Beaufort, North Carolina, and Fort 
 Macon, near the former place, must fall. The rebel batteries 
 were two miles below Newbern. The earthworks, having an 
 armament of forty-six heavy guns, and extending nearly two 
 miles, were defended by a large force. The troops landed 
 on the evening of the 13th of March, at the mouth of Slo- 
 cum's creek, on the west side of the Neuse, within fifteen 
 miles of Newbern. The attack was made on the 14th, by 
 three brigades, under the command of Generals Reno, Park, 
 and Foster. The rebels were driven from the batteries 
 which they had erected along the Neuse. Felled timber in 
 front of the intrenchments made an almost impenetrable 
 abatis, and four thousand rebels defended the works, with a 
 reserve at Newbern of the same number. Eight thousand 
 Federals attacked the works, and the conflict lasted three 
 hours. The Federals fought at musket range, and, when 
 their ammunition was exhausted, Burnside ordered a bayo- 
 net charge, which was successful and won the day. 
 
 One of the most important advantages gained by tha
 
 134 ARMY OF THE POTOMAC IN MOTTOJT. 
 
 Federals in this battle, was a flank movement of the second 
 and part of the third brigade, under General Reno. The 
 rebels fought with great desperation, and compelled a por- 
 tion of the Twenty-first Massachusetts, which had pressed 
 toward the intrenchments with too great eagerness, to 
 retreat. The whole rebel force, however, was soon driven 
 from their intrenchments with great consternation. They 
 fled, leaving the guns unspiked, and these, with three light 
 batteries of field artillery, three thousand small arms, a great 
 quantity of ammunition, and three hundred prisoners, fell 
 into the hands of the Federals. The loss of the latter was 
 seventy killed and two hundred and fifty wounded. The 
 deserted intrenchments were occupied, and Burnside, pressing 
 on, took possession of Newbern, which was nearly deserted 
 by the whites, being filled with negroes, who revelled in 
 drunkenness. The conquest of Newbern cut off railroad 
 communication with Beaufort, and interfered with that of 
 Richmond, Charleston, and the slave States. North Carolina, 
 on the east, was again under the control of the Government, 
 and an advance on Raleigh, in the interior, or Fort Macon, 
 on the south, rendered quite easy. 
 
 Meanwhile, Dupont was advancing his explorations and 
 conquests on the Florida coast. Jackson and St. Augustine 
 were occupied, and much Union sentiment was found to 
 exist in these places. The greater portion of this State, by 
 the clos > of the month, was again under the stars and 
 stripes. 
 
 While the course of events ran rapidly on, as hitherto 
 described, the Army of the Potomac was put in motion, 
 and, divided into five great army corps, was advancing 
 toward Manassas. 
 
 A mountain department had been added, including 
 Western Virginia, over which General John C. Fremont 
 was placed. 
 
 General McClellan, in command of the Army of the Poto- 
 mac, issued a stirring address to the troops, commending 
 their discipline, and promising to lead them on to victory. 
 
 While the people expected to hear of the onset of thm 
 powerful army against the rebel defences, news came, on 
 the llth, that Manassas had been evacuated. The enemy 
 had taken to flight, and carried off all that he could, burning 
 every thing that it was impossible to transport. The huta 
 which they had wintered, however, were left standing.
 
 BATTLE OF WINCHESTER. 186 
 
 Great public disappointment was experienced at the 
 escape of the rebel army, and the barren triumph of occu- 
 pying a deserted encampment. The great army, however, 
 was in motion, and immense columns were marching on 
 from Leesburg to Alexandria. It was expected to move 
 on until a halt was made only before the rebel capital. 
 
 The main rebel army was retreating behind the Rappa- 
 hannock, but General Thomas J. Jackson was still in force 
 behind the Blue Eidge. The expectation was cherished, 
 that while General Banks pressed him in front, the Federal 
 forces at Manassas would intercept his retreat toward Rich- 
 mond. 
 
 Banks pursued the retiring forces of Jackson as far aa 
 Strasburg. On the 18th and 19th, the enemy was reported 
 as occupying a strong position at New Market, within sup- 
 porting distance of the main army. To draw him from his 
 position, General Shields, who commanded the advance, fell 
 rapidly back to Winchester, on the 20th, and, by a forced 
 march of thirty miles in one day, concealed his troops 
 on the Martinsburg road, two miles from the town. Banks 
 concluded that the feint had not succeeded, as Ashby's 
 rebel cavalry had appeared on his front. On the 23d, 
 therefore, he sent his division to Centreville. The enemy 
 concluded that Winchester was evacuated, and the inhabi- 
 tants signalled them to that effect. Shields saw the signals, 
 divined their meaning, and prepared for whatever might 
 happen. His pickets were driven in at five o'clock by 
 Ashby's cavalry. He despatched a brigade to prevent theii 
 advance, and permitted only two regiments, with a few 
 cavalry, to be seen. This caused the enemy to conclude 
 there were only a few Federals left to defend Winchester 
 At dark, Shields sent Kimball, with a brigade, to take up a 
 strong position. Four batteries were sent to support him. 
 Sullivan's brigade was to protect the flanks, and Tyler's waa 
 held in reserve. While these preparations were going for- 
 ward, the fragment of a shell broke Shields' arm, so that hs 
 could not lead in person. 
 
 A reconnoissance at eight o'clock next morning showed 
 that Ashby's cavalry alone were in sight. Banks, not anti- 
 cipating an attack upon him, left to go after his division 
 At ten o'clock, however, it was known that Jackson waa 
 advancing, but with what force could not be ascertained.
 
 DEFEAT OF JACKSON. 
 
 It soon became evident, as one battery after another came 
 out from where the troops lay concealed, took position, acd 
 began to open fire. The Federal artillery responded, and a 
 fierce cannonade resulted. 
 
 A ravine ran from east to west, clear of woods. On each 
 side was a ridge. These were a mile apart. Each bristled 
 with a line of batteries. The Federal line looked to the 
 north ; that of the rebels to the south. . 
 
 As the firing continued, the Federal infantry moved up 
 to support the batteries, at the distance of a thousand yards. 
 A battery, advanced by the enemy, was worked with deadly 
 accuracy. Kimball, who commanded in that part of the 
 field, determined to take this battery by a flank movement 
 to the east. Six regiments moved into the woods on the 
 right, while Colonel Downing kept up the firing in order to 
 conceal this movement. 
 
 The columns proceeded a mile, turned, and came suddenly 
 on the enemy's flank, two hundred yards ofi^ strongly 
 posted behind a stone wall. Their rifled guns opened a 
 deadly fire on the Federal troops, who fell in large numbers. 
 
 At the word "forward," the troops advanced with loud 
 cneexing, and reserving their fire till within five paces of the 
 wall, poured a scathing volley on the close ranks behind it. 
 The enemy, unable to endure the wasting fire, turned back 
 over the field, and, unmasking two iron six pounders, swept 
 the Federal ranks, which, regardless of danger and death, 
 rushed on. Two more brass pieces were now brought to 
 bear on them, and they fell back. At this crisis, the Fifth 
 Ohio and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania dashed forward in a 
 gallant bayonet charge. The Fifth Ohio had three color- 
 bearers killed in succession. Captain Whitcomb then took 
 them up, and animating his men, fell as the words were on 
 his lips. Dreadful loss of life ensued. Colonel Murray, at 
 the head of the Eighty -fourth Pennsylvania, was shot, and 
 many brave officers and men were killed or wounded. 
 
 The arrival of Captain Scribner, with the Tenth and 
 Fourteenth Indiana regiments, caused the enemy to fall back, 
 and leave a gun and several caissons behind. 
 
 Meantime, the rebel flank was turned. A general advance 
 swept the rebel line, and the hard fought field was won. 
 Three hundred prisoners, two guns, four caissons, and a 
 thousand stand of arms were the fruits of the victory. Th*
 
 PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY 137 
 
 enemy lost one thousand killed and wounded. The Fevlera! 
 loss was three hundred and forty. General Jackson, who 
 commanded the Confederates in this fight, was afterward 
 known under the sobriquet of " Stonewall Jackson." 
 
 Banks arriving on the field the next morning, the enemy 
 was pursued, and his rear harassed as far as Woodstock. 
 The dead and dying filled the houses for twenty miles. 
 
 At the end of the month, the President recommended 
 giving pecuniary aid and co-operation to any State " which 
 nuy adopt a gradual diminution of slavery."
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 APRIL, 1862. 
 
 LAND HUMBXR TEN CHANNEL CUT BOUND IT TRANSPORTS PAS! 
 THROUGH ATTACK ON UNION CITT SPIKING OF A BATTERY QtTK- 
 BOAT8 KUN TIIK BATTERIES POPE CROSSES THE MISSISSIPPI AND CAP- 
 TURES THE ENEMY SURRENDER OF ISLAND NUMBER TEN BATTLE OF 
 
 PITT8BURG LANDING, FIRST DAY SURPRISE OF SHERMAN'S AND ntBK- 
 TI88 1 DIVISIONS GUNBOATS TAKE PART IN THE BATTLE SECOND DAY'g 
 BATTLE DISPOSITION OF THE FORCKS SANITARY COMMISSION. 
 
 IN the beginning of April, 1862, the public interest was 
 centered on the Army of the Potomac. Some anticipated 
 movements, about to be made, were withdrawn, and certain 
 stirring news from the "West, again made the great Father 
 of Waters the centre of attraction. The bombardment of 
 Island Number Ten, on the Mississippi, was a tedious pro- 
 cess which wearied the people, and the possession of the 
 place seemed as remote as ever. To send transports to 
 Pope below would facilitate the work, and a plan was laid 
 for this purpose. 
 
 A lake extended inland through a swamp from the river 
 where the fleet lay, and communicated with a stream which 
 fell into the Mississippi below Island Number Ten, and not 
 far from New Madrid. If Commodore Foote should be 
 able to send some light transports through this lake, he 
 could protect them from the batteries by means of gun- 
 ooats. Pope undertook to perform this task, and when 
 taking his position at New Madrid, sent Colonel Bissell, of 
 the engineers, to see if batteries could be erected on shore 
 opposite the enemy's works. The undertaking was reported 
 by Bissell as- impossible, but that he could cut a way 
 through the lake for transports. Pope gave him permis- 
 sion to obtain all that lie needed, and he at once sent to 
 Cairo for four steamboats, six flats, and as many guns as 
 could be obtained. lie was to undertake the herculean 
 task of opening a channel, twelve miles long, through tim- 
 ber, crooked bayous, brush, and stunted trees. Some of the 
 trees, six feet in girth, had to be sawed ofl* four feet below 
 (138)
 
 ATTACK ON ISLAND NUMBER TEN. 189 
 
 the water. Twenty men, with machines on rafts and flats, 
 cut down the trees, and large gangs of men ahead of them 
 cleared away the drift wood and fallen timber. Then came 
 two barges and a steamer, the last hauling out the heavy 
 'ogs by means of lines. The fleet came last, and the flat 
 boats carried batteries, as the enemy might find out what 
 was going on, and attack them with sharpshooters from the 
 swamp. With incredible labor, this great feat of engineer- 
 ing skill was performed, and the Federal commander who 
 originated it received much praise. 
 
 While this great undertaking was being carried out, two 
 brilliant exploits diversified the dullness of the flotilla 
 above the island. Colonel Buford, with one thousand men, 
 drove the rebels from Union City by a surprise in the night, 
 which caused them to leave behind all their camp equipage. 
 The enemy had been very troublesome to the Union men 
 of llickman. Another exploit, was a night attack by boats 
 upon the upper battery on the island. The officers were 
 weary of the slow prospect of taking the enemy's works, 
 and the men, also, were wearied by two weeks' idleness. An 
 expedition of fifty men, with five boats, was therefore pre- 
 pared, under Colonel Roberts, for the purpose of getting at 
 the upper battery unperceived and spiking the guns. On 
 the night of the 2d of April, the little force left the shore, 
 dropped down the river, and getting opposite the battery, 
 landed, formed in line, and with bayonets fixed, started for 
 it, at the distance of two hundred yards. They had to 
 wade through two feet of water which had overflowed, but 
 except the splashing made by their feet in the water, all 
 was still. The storm which had threatened, now burst 
 forth, and they reached to the ditch in front of the works. 
 They now saw a flash in front, the crack of a gun was 
 heard, followed by another, and while they pursued the 
 affrighted sentry who fired it, another crack was imme- 
 diately heard. The flash of lightning which lit up the 
 darkness was followed by loud roars of thunder. The 
 enemy knew that some design was on foot, and, if any 
 thing could be done, it must be done promptly. The 
 colonel spiked five guns, and a splendid ten inch Colum- 
 biad ; thus, in ten minutes, achieving what the cannonading 
 of the fleet in a fortnight failed to perform. 
 
 Movements cf greater importance were now about to
 
 140 ATTACK ON ISLAND NUMBER TO(. 
 
 take place, one or two gunboats were required to protect 
 the transports which now arrived at New Madrid, in carry- 
 ing troops to the other side. Consequently, two days after 
 the exploit of Colonel Roberts, the Carondelet was prepared 
 to run the risk of passing the batteries. Chains was coiled 
 round the pilot house, the guns were run in and the ports 
 closed. The crew was well armed, and twenty sharp- 
 shooters were also aboard. On the side next the batteries, 
 was a boat loaded with hay, which was balanced by a barge 
 freighted with coal on the other side. At ten o'clock on 
 the night of the 4th, the Carondelet started on its hazardous 
 voyage. The night being very dark, and the rain falling in 
 torrents, accompanied with thunder, perfectly concealed the 
 movements of the vessel, though, at intervals, lightning 
 shot athwart the sky, and the mighty Mississippi resounded 
 with the echoes of conflicting elements. The Carondelet 
 steered her course for the batteries wrapped in the thunder- 
 storm. With breathless awe, those left behind listened for 
 the first gun which should announce her discovery to the 
 enemy. The soot of the chimneys, at this critical moment, 
 caught fire, and the flames, though soon subsiding, by open- 
 ing the flue caps, incurred the risk of revealing her purpose. 
 All expected the signal of discovery to be raised, which 
 would give the warning to each battery, but as none 
 appeared, the hope sprang up that the blinding storm had 
 concealed the approach. Just as the vessel was abreast 
 of upper fort, the chimneys again caught fire and blazed 
 in the face of the enemy. Signal rockets rose. The roll 
 of drums, and the explosion of a cannon shook the shores. 
 The Carondelet swept on in silence; the soundings were 
 taken amid the whistling balls, which threatened the de 
 struction of the vessel, even should she be able in the dark 
 ness to keep the channel. She was near shoal water, when 
 the flash from the guns revealed the danger of grounding, 
 and she swung back into the channel, keeping near the 
 enemy's guns, so that they could not be depressed suflB 
 ciently to reach her. She got out of range at last, the con 
 certed signals told those above the island that she was safe, 
 and at New Madrid it was known that friends were coming. 
 There was loud exultation in the fleet above, and the army 
 below. The soldiers at New Madrid, overjoyed to see the 
 sailors arrive in safety, after their perilous voyage, carried 
 
 1
 
 iDBBENDER OF ISLAND NUMBER TEN. 141 
 
 them in their arms to the hotel. On Sunday eight the 
 Pittsburg also passed uninjured by the batteries. Thus the 
 doom of Island Number Ten was sealed. The batteries on 
 th Kentucky shore were soon silenced by* the gunboats 
 and Pope's army crossed. The rebel army scattered in the 
 woods, and five thousand were at last captured. The rebel 
 commander on the island, General William D. McCall, then 
 capitulated with a few hundred men. A hundred heavy 
 guns, several field batteries, small arms in abundance, tents, 
 wagons, horses, and provisions, were the fruit of the vic- 
 tory. Great joy was diffused throughout the North. The 
 great Mississippi was now open as far as Forts Wright and 
 Pillow, sixty miles above Memphis, and Foote prepared to 
 attack these also. 
 
 Meanwhile, a great battle was in progress at Pittsburg 
 Landing on the banks of the Tennessee. Thus, on the same 
 Sunday ni^ht on which the Pittsburg ran the enemy's bat- 
 teries, the two armies lay on the field where they had fought 
 desperately the entire day ; and when our troops were cross- 
 ing to victory on the Kentucky shore, our army was strug- 
 gling to recover the field which it had lost the preceding 
 day. The battle of Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh, lasted two 
 days. It commenced on the 6th of April. 
 
 It has been already related that Johnston, after retreating 
 south, through Tennessee, proceeded toward Memphis, and 
 subsequently massed his army at Corinth, in Mississippi, 
 near the Tennessee line, ninety -three miles from Memphis. 
 
 General Ulysses S. Grant had moved up the Tennessee 
 river, and placed his army on the west bank, at Pittsburg 
 Landing, where he awaited Buell's corps from Nashville. 
 The design was to combine their forces, and advance on the 
 rebel camp at Corinth. Johnston moved his entire arrny 
 on the 4th of April, intending to assault Grant on Satur- 
 day, but oad roads detained him until Sunday morning. 
 There is a road from Pittsburg Landing to Corinth, distant 
 twenty miles. This road, two miles from the Tennessee, 
 river, divides, and while one fork continues right on in its 
 course, the other runs to lower Corinth. From Hamburg 
 Landing, some miles up the river, a road crosses that before 
 mentioned. Two roads Inuuch off on the right, in the 
 direction of Purdy. it was on these several roads, and 
 between them, at a distance of from twc to five milos frora
 
 42 BATTLE OF P1TTSBURG LANDING. 
 
 Pittsburg Landing, that the Federal army lay encamped 
 The divisions furthest advanced were those of Prentiss, 
 Sherman, and McClernand. Hurlbut's and Smith's divisions 
 lay between them and the river. Smith being sick, his 
 division was commanded by W. H. L. Wallace. Sherman's 
 brigade held the right, Prentiss the centre, and Colonel 
 Stuart the left. The extreme left was deemed sufficiently 
 protected by precipices and a ravine. 
 
 On the rebel side, General A. S. Johnston commanded, and 
 had especial charge of the centre ; Generals Braxton Bragg 
 and T. P. G. Beauregard commanded the two wings; and 
 Hardee, Polk, and Breckinridge held subordinate positions. 
 Their plan was to make an attack on the Federal centre, 
 and then on each of the wings, front and flank. The rebel 
 troops numbered seventy thousand men. 
 
 The enemy attacked the Federals as some were at break- 
 fast, and others lying around. It was a complete surprise. 
 The pickets had been driven in suddenly, and the enemy's 
 artillery cast shot and shell among the regiments. So un- 
 expected was the assault, that officers were bayoneted before 
 they rose from their beds. There was a general panic before 
 any line of battle could be formed. The attack on Buck- 
 land's brigade of Sherman's division, was made so suddenly 
 that the officers had not time to dress. The men, snatching up 
 their muskets as best they could, ran to the other portion 
 of the division in the utmost disorder. Sherman made her- 
 culean efforts to get the division in position to abide the 
 coming shock. McClernand, meanwhile, was trying to fill 
 up the gap caused by Buckland's disordered flight, and was 
 gallantly stemming the tide of battle, amid the rolling smoke, 
 the crash of muskets, and the roar of artillery. Sherman 
 saw that he could not resist the fearful odds which were 
 hurled against him, and issued the order to fall back. 
 
 Meanwhile, the division of Prentiss was in a more deplor- 
 able plight. It is true that there was time to form in line 
 of battle, but, being drawn up in an open field, they were 
 exposed to a murderous fire, poured on them by the enemy 
 from the edge of the woods, and were mowed down with 
 great slaughter. They stood their ground with cool cour- 
 age, and their volleys were rapid and steady. But Grant 
 not on the field, and there was little concert of action, 
 
 each commander could oniv ia*e care of his own, divi-
 
 BATTLE OF PITTSBURG LANDING. 143 
 
 hold his ground, and wait for support. Hence, no 
 regular line of battle could be formed, and while the Federal 
 forces could adopt no connected plan, the rebel army, as 
 one -machine, was hurled on the disorganized troops. Pren- 
 tiss was outflanked, and saw himself enclosed by the enemy. 
 The disorganized portion of his division, numbering three 
 thousand men, surrendered and were marched to the rear. 
 The insolent foe drove the other regiments of this division 
 before them like a flock of sheep. 
 
 One brigade after another was brought up by McClemand 
 to support Sherman. Desperate grew the struggle which 
 ensued, and cannon and musketry rolled their continuous 
 thunders over the bloody field, and the audacious enemy 
 rushed up to the mouth of the cannon, and took several. 
 Desperate hand to hand fights ensued, and the stubborn 
 resistance of Sherman, though the sacrifice of life was great, 
 kept the army from being driven in dismay into the river. 
 The enemy, if not repulsed, was checked for awhile. Mc- 
 Clernand held his ground with great pertinacity, but the gap 
 ".eft by Sherman in retiring, laid him open to a flank move 
 ment, and the head of the enemy's columns was dashing with 
 all their speed at him. At this moment, the rifled guns 
 from Dresser's battery swept the road with a destructive 
 fire, and the enemy paused. Reinforcements, however, 
 strengthened the forces of the enemy, and one charge re- 
 pulsed, was only succeeded by another more desperate. 
 Many Federal officers of the line fell. The artillery horses 
 were shot by scores, and as the guns could not be withdrawn 
 from the field, they fell into the hands of the enemy. The 
 half of Swartz's guns, and sixteen horses of the battery were 
 lost. Dresser lost some rifled pieces and thirty-two horses, 
 tnd McAllister half of his howitzers. The division, at 
 eleven o'clock, was driven back, and on a line with Hurl- 
 but's, which, though fighting well, and at times repelling 
 the enemy, was at last obliged to retreat. Colonel Stuart, 
 in command of a brigade on Sherman's extreme left, would 
 have been cut off, but had been fortunately overlooked by 
 the enemy. Two rebel brigades were now sent to attack 
 him, and he fell back. The enemy pursued, and a bloody 
 combat followed. The gallant brigade had to retreat, with 
 its wounded commander, in ten minutes, but made a stand 
 for upward of an hour CHI a wooded hill McArtUur'g
 
 144 BATTLE OF PITTSBURO LANDING. 
 
 brigade, which was sent to its aid, lost its way, and was 
 driven back again and again, till it had to be sent to the 
 rear to reform. 
 
 At twelve o'clock, the camps of Sherman, Prentiss,'and 
 McClernand were in the possession of the enemy, who were 
 still advancing. The arrival of Grant, from Savannah, a 
 few miles down the river, could not stay the disorder, or 
 prevent a retreat. Wallace's division, at Crump's Landing, 
 had been ordered up in the morning, and would have 
 strengthened the right, but it lost its way, and, had this been 
 known to the enemy, the result would have been fatal. 
 
 Hurlbut put his division into position, and animated his 
 men. Sherman drew up the remains of his brigade, and 
 saw that the crisis was imminent. The rebel troops now 
 rushed on, flushed with victory, but were forced back. 
 They advanced again, with desperate efforts, and were again 
 obliged to flee to the thicket. The leaders led on fresh regi- 
 ments. Terrible carnage followed, and the rebel General 
 A. S. Johnston was slain. For a third time the enemy was 
 repelled, but fresh troops always came up, and the wasted 
 Federal forces were compelled to fall back, while the rebels 
 pressed on, covering the field with the slain. 
 
 The entire left wing was forced back to the river, where 
 thousands were crowded, without boats, and were in danger 
 of being massacred by the exultant enemy. Wallace, on 
 the extreme right, nobly held his ground, and four times 
 repelled the foe. The reserve line was carried, and the 
 army now contracted into the area of half a mile. The sun 
 was on the decline, and the whole army was now on the 
 brink of destruction. Just then a body of cavalry Buell's 
 advance was seen. Help was near. Buell's columns were 
 approaching the Tennessee, and the wily foe bore down on 
 the crowded and disorganized Federal columns to crush 
 hem, and thus verify the prediction of Beauregard, that, 
 ere night fell, his horse would drink from the Tennessee. 
 The enemy reckoned without his host. At the critical 
 moment, Colonel Webster, chief of staff] skilled as an artil- 
 lerist, had collected all the guns, some of large calibre, from 
 the broken batteries, and arranged them in crescent form 
 around the landing. Collecting a force of artillerists, he 
 was ready when the heavy columns of the enemy advanced. 
 Suddenly tweutv-one guas seat forth a deadly fire among
 
 BATTLE OF PITTSBURG LANDING. 145 
 
 the closed ranks, and the enemy recoiled, again to advance. 
 The gunboats Tyler and Lexington now moved down th 
 bank, and, with their twenty-four pound Parrott guns and 
 rifled cannon, sent the shrieking shells bursting among the 
 terrified ranks of the rebels. They halted, turned, and re- 
 tired from the range of these destructive engines. Mean- 
 while, General Nelson, commanding Buell's advance, crossed 
 the Tennessee, and opened a heavy fire on the enemy with 
 * battery of artillery. The rebels withdrew, and bivouacked 
 on the bloody field. Buell's army was coming up rapidly. 
 Nelson's division was across the river, and Crittenden's was 
 placed in front of Sherman's broken line. McCook's divi- 
 sion had reached Savannah, and was waiting to be brought 
 up to the field of battle. The regular batteries, commanded 
 by Captains Mendenhall and Terrell, and an Ohio battery, 
 arrived in the night ; and Captain Bartlett brought word 
 that the rest would be up early in the morning. The 
 news of this powerful reinforcement at hand animated 
 the brave men who had fought against such odds ; and, 
 though defeated, they felt that returning day would turn 
 the scale of victory in their favor. At five o'clock in 
 the morning, oo the 7th of April, Nelson and Crittenden 
 advanced upon the enemy, drove in his pickets, and at 
 seven o'clock neared his line of battle. Crittenden formed 
 on the right f Nelson, with Bartlett's battery in the centre. 
 The sound of cannon shook the field, and told those at the 
 landing that the battle was begun. McCook took position 
 on the right of Crittenden ; and Wallace, with three bri 
 gades, held the extreme right, and opened with artillery at 
 seven o'clock. A grand artillery duel was for some time 
 kept up. Nelson's line first engaged the enemy in a bloody 
 contest. Colonel Hazen, of the nineteenth brigade, captured 
 A battery, but was compelled to relinquish it. The lines of 
 Nelson, however, still kept steadily advancing, sweeping the 
 field lost the day before, which was yet strewed with the 
 dead of the combatants. Crittenden pressed the enemy 
 back in his front ; and Smith's brigade, by a gallant dash, 
 captured a battery, to recover which the enraged foe charged 
 again and again. The combat was deadly for half an hour, 
 on this spot. The splendid troops of McCook rr oved on ; and 
 now the Federal line, a mile and a half in extent, advanced 
 with slow majestic tread again* 5 * *"ie enemy, who, under coyer 
 13
 
 146 BATTLE OF PITTSBUBG LANDING. 
 
 of the thickets, made a desperate rally, and hurled such * 
 powerful force on Nelson's division that it recoiled, faltered, 
 and finally fell back. The compact masses of the foe were 
 assailed, at this critical moment, by Terrell's regular bat- 
 tery, raining shells from the twenty-four pound howitzers. 
 They staggered, but rallied again, and, undaunted, marched 
 p to the death-dealing guns, and horses and gunners alike 
 arent doirn, till there was not a man remaining at one of the 
 pieces. Terrell and a corporal worked one of the guns till 
 saved by the dash of a regiment. Nelson kept his men well 
 in hand, but the rally of the foe, which at first had caused 
 him to give way, swept on, in turn, to Crittenden, who had 
 to take up a new position. The exultant enemy followed 
 up his success till his ranks were swept by the death-bolta 
 hurled by Mendenhall's and Bartlett's artillery. 
 
 Meanwhile, Buell seeing the determined resistance of the 
 enemy, ordered an advance by brigades, at the double-quick. 
 The enemy, recoiling from the terrible line of glittering 
 steel, and the simultaneous movement of that great host, 
 fell back step by step, as the Federal divisions pressed on. 
 They lost all the ground which had been won the day before. 
 The foe was now in confusion, being mowed down in platoons 
 oy the musketry and artillery. On the same spot where the 
 Federal defeat had taken place on the previous day, all the 
 guns lost on that part of the field were recaptured, and two 
 of the enemy's captured in turn. A last and desperate 
 stand was made in front of McCook's division, but could not 
 drive him back, though he was exposed to a flank move- 
 ment. 
 
 Wallace had a desperate encounter with a rebel lino, 
 which seemed, as regiment after regiment poured in, to be 
 interminable. Cannonading on both sides extended along 
 the whole front, till he sent sharpshooters to pick off the 
 gunners. Waiting for Sherman, at last that leader brought 
 up the remnant of his brave division, and advanced on the 
 rebel lines. Sherman rode along where the bullets flew 
 thickest, and roused the courage of his men to a high degree 
 His horse was killed, but he sprang on another, and gave 
 the order, " forward." The woods were gained, one of the 
 enemy's batteries flanked, and here the scale of victory pre- 
 ponderated to the Federal side. Wallace, seeing the rebel 
 guna limbering up, was upon them. The whole line heard
 
 DEFEAT OF THE ENEMY. 147 
 
 the order, " forward," and pressed on the enemy, till he was 
 driven to the woods. By a determined stand here, Sher- 
 man's division was forced back ; but though wounded twice, 
 and having three horses shot under him, he rallied his brave 
 troops, and hurled them on the foe, being distinguished on 
 this hard-fought field as the hero of heroes. The tide of 
 battle, beginning on the left, had rolled like a wave on to 
 the right. The enemy had tried to find an unguarded or 
 weak point, but now fell back slowly, till driven beyond the 
 last Federal camp. Three thousand cavalry in reserve were 
 now ordered to charge them. But the enemy retired in 
 order, and planting his artillery, hurled destruction on the 
 victorious columns which attempted to turn their defeat 
 into a complete rout. Buell gave the order to halt, and the 
 wearied" troops bivouacked on the field. 
 
 General Johnston, the rebel leader, and Johnson, the pro- 
 visional governor of Kentucky, were among the rebel dead. 
 The losses on both sides were nearly equal. The Federals 
 lost in killed, wounded, and missing, including three thou- 
 sand prisoners, almost fourteen thousand. The loss of the 
 enemy was estimated about the same. 
 
 The first day was a defeat ; the second a victory, but 
 dearly purchased. McClernand lost nearly a third of his 
 whole force. 
 
 The field presented a ghastly spectacle. The enemy had 
 left his dead. Ten thousand of the same race and nation lay 
 cold in death on this ensanguined field, while twice that num- 
 ber were wounded. The Sanitary Commission here rendered 
 the most invaluable service ; the ordinary means of supply 
 being inefficient, and nurses, as well as physicians, too few. 
 
 In this battle, the rebel army on the first day was well 
 fought. Want of united action, partly the consequence of 
 surprise, was the cause which, next to overwhelming num- 
 bers, caused the Federal reverse. It was a bloody battle on 
 both sides, and such as this continent had never before 
 witnessed
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 APRIL, 1862. 
 
 iIJ*KDmON .GAINST NEW ORLEANS THE DIFFICULTIES TO BE tKOCUS- 
 TERED BOMBARDMENT OF THE FORTS FIRK RAFTS FAR5AOUT RCJWI 
 THE BATLERIES TERRIBLE ENGAGEMENT THE SURRENDER OF NXW 
 ORLEANS, FORTS, ETC., ETC. GENERAL BUTLER OCCUPIES THE CITY 
 
 FARRAGUT COMMANDS A GENERAL THANKSGIVING EXTRACTS FROM 
 
 PORTER'S LETTERS, ETC. 
 
 AFTER the battle before described, there was no move- 
 ment in that locality; and the rest of Buell's division-iiaving 
 arrived, General Halleck hastened to the field, assumed the 
 command, and began to reorganize the army. 
 
 Meantime, the enemy were fortifying at Corinth. Foote 
 commenced to operate against Fort Wright. General Mit- 
 chell, of Buell's army, marched on Huntsville, Alabama, 
 and, without loss, took it, and captured two hundred 
 prisoners. He also seized the railroad and fifteen locomo- 
 tives. In the telegraph office he found a despatch, in which 
 the forces of Beauregard were enumerated, and a request by 
 him for reinforcements. 
 
 The month of April ended favorably to the Union arms, 
 by giving to the Government possession of New Orleans ; 
 a crushing blow to the Southern Confederacy, and going 
 far to open the Mississippi once more to the commerce of 
 the world. 
 
 In the month of February past, a fleet of gunboats under 
 Captain D. S. Farragut, and a mortar fleet under Porter, had 
 set sail for some unknown point. Intelligence was received 
 that it had left Ship island, where it had remained for som* 
 time, for New Orleans, and that a land force had accompanied 
 it, under General Benjamin F. Butler. The approach to New 
 Orleans was commanded by two strong forts, Jackson and St. 
 Philip, which, together, mounted two hundred and twenty- 
 five guns. A heavy chain reached across the channel, under 
 fire of the batteries, and any vessel could be sunk that at- 
 tempted to remove it. Several heavy rams, iron-clad gun- 
 boats, together with fire rafts and huge masses of drift wood 
 (148)
 
 FOOTE
 
 EXPEDITION AGAINST NEW ORLEANS. 
 
 defended ,he entrance, and these obstacles lay in the course 
 as Farragut and Porter sailed up the river. The inortar 
 boats had a difficult task to ascend the swift current. The 
 whole force, consisting of forty-six armed vessels, carrying 
 two hundred and eighty-six guns, and twenty-one mortars. 
 It was a splendid fleet, but had great difficulties to sur- 
 mount. The bombardment began on the 18th, and two 
 thousand shells were cast into the forts the first day. Green 
 foliage, and a position near trees by the river side, concealed 
 the mortar boats ; the vessels on the other side, were con- 
 cealed by tall reeds covered by flags and rushes. Captain 
 Gurdes and the coast survey party had ascertained, under 
 the fire of the enemy, by triangulation, the precise distance 
 between the forts and the fleet. 
 
 The enemy sent down a fire raft heaped up with pitch 
 pine wood, which sent forth dense columns of smoke on the 
 waters, and blazed and crackled like a forest on fire. Two 
 vessels in the advance, dropped down the stream, having 
 slipped their cables on the approach of the raft. Nothing 
 explosive was on the raft, and it floated by. Porter pre- 
 pared for a similar one, by ordering all the row-boats to be 
 provided with grapnels, ropes, buckets, and axes. All the 
 boats were reviewed at sunset, and as night fell, a dense 
 column of smoke was seen to rise from the river near the 
 forts. A hundred boats were ready for action, and a fire 
 raft of immense size floated down the stream. The West- 
 field opened her steam valves and dashed in upon it, while 
 a hose was turned on it, and a stream of water played on 
 the raft. The sailors in the boats used buckets and ropes, 
 and towed the raft ashore. There was such a constant 
 interchange of shots for a weeK, between the forts and the 
 fleet, that the gunners on the mortar boats were overcome 
 with fatigue. The chain across the river had now been cut, 
 and Farragut resolved to run the batteries and rams, and 
 force his way up to New Orleans. 
 
 All was ready on the 23d of April, and signal lanterns 
 were hoisted from the Hartford's mizzen peak. The 
 silence was unbroken, except by the sound of a gun oc- 
 casionally fr^m the boats on watch. On the appearance of 
 the signals, all was bustle chains rattled, anchors were 
 heaved, and the words of command rang out distinctly 
 One hour an i a half elapsed, and the flag-ship Hartford,
 
 150 BOMBARDMENT OF 'IHK TORTS FIRE RAFTS. 
 
 with the Richmond, Brooklyn, and six gunboats, steered 
 right on Fort Jackson. The Pensacola, Mississippi, Oneida, 
 and Varuna, under Captain Bailey, with four gunboats, pro- 
 ceeded to attack Fort Philip. Porter, with the Harriet Lane, 
 Westfield, Owasco, Miami, Clifton, and Jackson, were to 
 enfilade Fort Jackson, while Farragut attacked it in front 
 The fire of the mortar boats began, and the flag-ship and 
 her consorts steamed on. When within range, signal rock- 
 ets ran up, and the rebel guns opened fire. But Farragut 
 kept on till close abreast, and then the Federal guns belched 
 their thunders. Each ship fired a broadside as it moved 
 up, and did not stop to attack the forts, but steamed on 
 toward the gunboats which were beyond. Five fire rafts 
 were borne down on the tide, and five hundred cannon 
 shook the shore with their echoes. The Ithaca was dis- 
 abled, but there were no casualties among her crew, 
 though in dropping out of the fight she came under the 
 close fire of the fort. The air was filled with shot and 
 bursting shells ; the river ahead, with fire rafts and iron-clad 
 gunboats; but the fleet moved on in its perilous course. 
 The great iron-clad Louisiana, moored near Fort Jackson, 
 sent the shot of her heavy rifled guns through the Union 
 ships ; and the rebel ram Manassas, with a fire raft before 
 her, bore down on the flag-ship. Avoiding the collision, 
 Farragut grounded ; the fire raft came alongside ; the raging 
 flames rushed up through the rigging, but were extinguished 
 by a hose pouring on it a stream of water. 
 
 The Varuna, Captain Boggs, attacked and sunk five rebel 
 gunboats, when a ram bore down on her and crushed her 
 sides. The gallant commander ordered his sinking vessel 
 to be steamed ashore, and poured in his dreadful broadsides 
 at close range, making a great gash in the enemy's hull, and 
 his vessel began to settle, while the Federal guns swept her 
 till her own were under water, The Varuna, with her flag 
 flying, and carrying her dead along with her, went down. 
 The Brooklyn was run into by the Rinco. This accident 
 injured her much. She received also twelve shots in her 
 hull ; but with twelve other vessels she passed on. In an hour 
 and a half, eleven rebel gunboats were sunk in the bottom 
 of the river. The ram Manassas bore down on the Rish 
 mond, when the Mississippi, anticipating her design, steamea 
 toward her, and h T orew sought safety on shore.
 
 BURREin>ER OF NEW ORLEANS. 151 
 
 The fierce strife had now terminated in victory. Termg 
 of capitulation were being agreed upon, and even then the 
 discomfited rebels cut adrift the powerful steam floating 
 battery, Louisiana, which had cost two millions of dollars ; 
 and, having set her on fire, sent her down the stream amid 
 the mortar fleet, where, had she exploded, every vessel might 
 have been destroyed. But, providentially, she drifted on ; 
 and when abreast of Fort St. Philip, the magazine took fire, 
 and she blew up with a concussion that shook every ship 
 as with the power of an earthquake. New Orleans was 
 now in the possession of the Federals; but though com- 
 pletely cut off, the forts refused to surrender. Captain 
 Boggs was sent by Farragut to inform Porter, who re- 
 mained with the mortar boats below Fort Jackson, of his 
 success. Next morning he steamed up to the city of New 
 Orleans, whose inhabitants, but a little while before, had 
 deemed thenmlves so secure. In the words of Captain 
 Bailey, who r?.d been sent with despatches " The squad- 
 ron under Flag-officer Farragut has been vouchsafed a 
 glorious victory and triumph in the capture of New Orleans, 
 Forts Jackson, St. Philip, Lexington, and Pike, the batteries 
 above and below New Orleans, as well as the total destruc- 
 tion of the enemy's gunboats, steam rams, floating batteries 
 (iron-clad), fire rafts, and obstructions, booms and chains. 
 The enemy, with their own hands, destroyed from eight to 
 ten millions of cotton and shipping. Our loss is thirty-six 
 killed and one hundred and twenty-three wounded. The 
 enemy lost from one thousand to fifteen hundred, besides 
 several prisoners. The way is clear, and the rebel defences 
 destroyed from the Gulf to Baton Rouge, and probably to 
 Memphis. Our flag waves triumphantly over them all." 
 
 The preparations made against Fort Jackson, by Comman 
 der Porter, were so formidable as to force the rebel leaders, 
 General Duncan and Lieutenant-colonel Higgins, to surren 
 der, and, as before stated, all the forts fell again into the 
 hands of the Federal Government. General Butler soon 
 after led his army into New Orleans, and took possession of 
 the city. After the surrender of the forts, the gunboats as- 
 cended the river seven- hundred and ninety miles, toward 
 Memphis. 
 
 It is pleasing to relate, that the important events before 
 narrated, were followed by an order of thai ksgiving to the
 
 162 ORDEK OF THANKSGIVING. 
 
 gracious Providence winch had crowned this great expedi- 
 tion with success. It was issued by Flag-officer Farragut 
 April 26th, 1862. 
 
 "GENERAL ORDER. Eleven o'clock this morning is the 
 hour appointed for all the officers and crews of the fleet to 
 return thanks to the Almighty God for his great goodness 
 and mercy in permitting us to pass the events of the last two 
 days with so little* loss of life and blood. 
 
 "At that hour, the church pennant will be hoisted on everr 
 vessel of the fleet, and their crews assembled, will, in humil- 
 iation and prayer, make their acknowledgments therefore to 
 the Great Dispenser of all human events." 
 
 In a private letter, Captain Porter, speaking of the bom- 
 bardment of Fort Jackson, says, " Our firing was a matter of 
 calculation, and you may judge how accurate it was, when 
 I tell you that one thousand three hundred and thirteen 
 bombs struck in the centre and solid parts of the works ; 
 two thousand three hundred and thirty in the' moat, near 
 the foundations, shaking the fort to its base; nearly one 
 thousand three hundred and fifty-seven struck about the 
 levees, in the marsh around, and in the paths and near the 
 water's edge, where the steamers attempted to come. I 
 never saw such a perfect mortar practice. We could clear 
 the batteries whenever the soldiers appeared on the ram- 
 parts." He goes on to mention, " the most splendid speci- 
 men of a floating battery the world has sver seen (sea-going, 
 and, had she been finished, and succeeded in getting to sea, 
 the whole American navy would have been destroyed). 
 Her burthen was six thousand tons, being two hundred and 
 seventy feet lorg, sixty feet beam, had four engines, three 
 propellers, four inches (and in some places more) of iron, 
 and would steam eleven knots an hour. She cost Mallery 
 & Co. two millions of dollars." 
 
 While such important events in the West and Southwest 
 were in progress, and our armies prosperous in the capture 
 of Island Number Ten, the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and 
 the possession of New Orleans, others of no less importance 
 were taking place on the Atlantic slope.
 
 CHAPTER XVL 
 APBIL, 1862. 
 
 VBDHU anccicss ON TUB .TLANTIC COAST MCCLELLAN AT FORT MONROK 
 
 PLAN OK THK WAR PLAN OF CAMPAIGN AGAINST RICHMOND AD- 
 
 TANCK CK YORKTOWN FREMONT IX THK MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT AD- 
 
 TANOB ON FRKDERICKSBURO CAPTURE! OF FORT PULASKI FIGHT AT 
 
 APACKS PASS BOMBARDMENT OF FORT MACON ATTACK ON LEE ? 3 MILL 
 
 FALL OF FOKT MACON GENERAL MITCHELL IN ALABAMA THE QUE8- 
 
 TION OF SLAVERY IN CONGRESS IRON-CLADS TO BE BUILT COMMITTEE 
 
 REPORT ON TKKATMENT OF OUR DEAD AT BULL RUN OUR PROSPECTS AT 
 
 THK KND OF THE FIRST YEAR OF THE WAR. 
 
 WHILE victory was crowning the Federal arms in the 
 West, and the events taking place which have already been 
 described, every thing was prospering on the Atlantic bor- 
 der, and giving promise of a successful issue. Commander 
 Dupont was successful on the Florida coast, and news came 
 of the probable capture of Forts Macon and Pulaski, off the 
 coast of North Carolina, at an early day, by Sherman and 
 Burnside. Nothing sullied the bright prospect in the East, 
 but the fact that attention was directed to isolated points, 
 which would ultimately fall on the defeat of the rebel forces. 
 The attempts against them at this time, however, divided the 
 iroops, who required concentration. Previous to this time, 
 it was known that the Government had chartered a grea* 
 number of vessels, and that a large force was to be trans 
 ported to the Chesapeake. Soon, news came that a great 
 army of a hundred thousand men were on board the trans- 
 ports anchored ofl' Fortress Monroe. 
 
 The promise made to his men by McClellan, had pre- 
 pared the public for some grand movement, and now, when h 
 was announced that the destination was Yorktown, between 
 the York and James rivers, Virginia, a position whose fortifi- 
 cations extended across the whole peninsula, there waa 
 great surprise if not disappointment. 
 
 Yorktown was fortied with great care. Standing on the 
 way to Richmond, and guarded with batteries of the great- 
 est strength, it was, in the rebel opinion, impregnable. Be- 
 fore its defences McClellan sat down, arranged his forces, 
 
 (153)
 
 154 FLAX OF CAMPAIGN AGAINST RICHMOND. 
 
 and prepared for a regular siege. This step of McClellari'g 
 met with much criticism. lie would now have to encoun- 
 ter a powerful army in their strong intrenchments. Many 
 prophets arose who uttered predictions of the future, for- 
 getting, for the present, that a well laid plan was the prin- 
 "iplc on which a campaign must be conducted, and that the 
 groat masters of strategy always referred their movements to 
 A definite end. Wellington for a long time fortified Torres 
 Vedras, and no insults of Massena could draw him into action. 
 Napoleon did not hurl his strong legions on the enemy where- 
 ever found. lie matured his plans, and never moved a col- 
 umn till he had studied out all its relations to the topography 
 of the country, and the resources of the enemy. We are not 
 QOW inquiring whether an advance through the peninsula 
 was the best plan. It was not that adopted subsequently. It 
 was that which McClellan now attempted to carry out. 
 
 The public press gave accounts, at the same time, of the 
 capture of Island Number Ten; the battle of Pittsburg 
 Landing; how Milroy, under Fremont in the Mountain 
 Department, was driving the enemy; while McDowell was 
 reporting the probable evacuation of Fredericksburg ; and 
 the Federal arms were triumphing on the Atlantic coast. 
 This denoted the immense area of Federal operations. Gene- 
 rals Scott and McClellan designed to hurl two great armies 
 on the enemy as early in 1862 as possible, with gunboats 
 acting in concert, and columns on the flanks at supporting 
 distance. Each army was to have three hundred thousand 
 men, with five hundred pieces of artillery. Such a combi- 
 nation was thought to be sufficient to overthrow any rebel 
 force brought against it. The Army of the West moved 
 down through Kentucky and Tennessee, before the Eastern 
 army was prepared. 
 
 Many thought that a great army need only advance oo 
 the rebel capital and at once grasp the victory. Military 
 men knew that an immense body of the enemy was concen- 
 trated in a country intersected by rivers, whose bridges 
 could be destroyed, and with railroads running to Rich- 
 mond. This latter place was sure for a retreat, and aa 
 being an interior line, had always great facilities for trans- 
 porting and concentrating troops. 
 
 The plan for the peninsular campaign, approved by their 
 corps commanders, and adopted by McClellan, was a diatri
 
 ADVANCE ON V/OBKTOWN. 156 
 
 buiion iato three grand divisions. The first, consisting of 
 three corps, under General McClellan, was to land at Fortress 
 Monroe. General Banks was to move to the Rappahan- 
 nock, down to Fredericksburg, and thence south to Hanover 
 Junction, on the north of Richmond. McDowell was to land 
 his corps on Severn river, in Hopjack bay; from thence he 
 was to march to a position almost opposite West Point, crosa 
 on a pontoon bridge, and cut off' the rebel army from the pen- 
 insula. When Mo Do well was ready for embarkation, the ad- 
 vance of McClelhm was to be made from Fortress Monroe. 
 
 The best military men considered this plan almost cer- 
 tain of success. Had it been carried out, the march of 
 McDowell would sither have enclosed the rebel army between 
 him and McClellan, or compelled it to fall back on Rich- 
 mond. This would have rendered any delay at Yorktown 
 unnecessary, and no battle would have occurred till the 
 army stood before Richmond. 
 
 General McClellan arrived at Fortress Monroe, General 
 Nathaniel P. Banks had reached Warrenton, with nearly all 
 his troops. The troops of McDowell's division had partly 
 embarked, when the Government ordered them to remain 
 where they were. Thus McClellan was deprived of the as- 
 sistance of eighty thousand men, upon whose co-operation he 
 had calculated. He then requested, and obtained the division 
 of General Franklin, his army being thereby increased to 
 one hundred and fifteen thousand men. The plan of the 
 campaign thus broken up, threatened to prove a failure, when 
 the Secretary of War promised that McDowell, upon the 
 advance of the main body on the rebel capital, should 
 close up the right wing, by way of Hanover Court House. 
 
 The Federal army before Yorktown, had been engaged in 
 the erection of formidable works, which, by their superior 
 construction and greater strength, would command the rebel 
 defences. This task, of immense labor and great skill, had 
 already produced important results. On the 16th of April, 
 an engagement took place >3tween the rival armies. At Lee's 
 Mill, about eight miles sonth of Yorktown, the rebels had 
 erected a fort to protect the road leading to the latter place, 
 and placed some guns in position. The mill was on War- 
 wick river. There was a bog, some hundreds of feet wide, 
 above the fort, and a large dam near the bog. Captain 
 Mott, at ni-ie o'clock on the 16th, placed his battery in posi-
 
 156 EVACUATION OF YORKTOWU. 
 
 tion, and commenced to bombard the fort. The rcbeli 
 replying, a spirited action took place, which latted an hour. 
 The firing then ceased, and the fort was evacuated. A re- 
 connoissance, immediately afterward, made by sharpshooters, 
 to ascertain the position of the garrison, found it had 
 retired. Quietness reigned till four o'clock. At that hour 
 some rebel troops were found behind a breastwork, defended 
 by several guns. Mott's battery again opened fire, and a 
 contest arose, which lasted half an hour. The Third, Fourth, 
 Fifth, and Sixth Vermont regiments were soon ordered to 
 advance and attack the rebels, who were discovered in large 
 force in the woods, near the fort. These brave regiments ad- 
 vanced boldly to the charge through the bog, up to their 
 waists in mud and water. They came upon a line of rifle 
 pits, from which they drove the rebels, and soon met another 
 line similar, which they assaulted in the same way, aided by 
 Mott's artillery. At this point, the foe being reinforced, 
 the Vermont troops were obliged to fall back. The enemy 
 had opened the mill-dam, and flooded the bog with several 
 feet of water. A number of the wounded, in passing through 
 it, were drowned. On the retreat, the pursuing rebels shot 
 several, who fell and died in the swamp. In vain the effort 
 of the Sixth Vermont to cover the retreat. They were 
 overpowered by a superior force. All, except the wounded 
 and dying, reached a place of safety. The Federal loss was 
 forty-four killed, and one hundred wounded and missing. 
 The rebels acknowledged a loss of over a hundred killed. 
 Preparations for a general assault on Yorktown were now 
 advanced, when, to the astonishment of the Federal troops 
 the plaoe was evacuated by the rebel army before daylight 
 of the 4th of May. The enemy now began to retreat on 
 Richmond. The night before the retreat, the firing, 
 which had continued till midnight, had ceased, and the 
 Federal pickets were the first to discover the desertion of 
 the intrenchments. General McClellan ordered an imme- 
 diate pursuit, and the army was furnished with two days' 
 rations. All was prepared at eight o'clock, and the retreat- 
 ing enemy was pursued toward Williamsburg. GeneraJ 
 Stoneman led the advance, with the First and Sixth cavalry 
 ard four batteries of artillery. 
 
 While events were approaching a crisis at Yorktown, 
 General Fremont was doing good service in the Mouutaia
 
 CAPTUBK OF FORT PULASKI. 157 
 
 Department. He bad a sharp encounter with the enemy at 
 Monterey ; and at this place the latter was defeated by a 
 tolumn under General Milroy. 
 
 By a sudden march, on the 18th of April, General Augur, 
 of McDowell's division, captured Falmouth, opposite to and 
 sommanding Fredericksburg, on the other side of the Po- 
 tomac ; and this last place also surrendered. 
 
 On the 10th of April, Fort Pulaski was besieged by the 
 Federal forces. It was the outpost of the defences of Savan- 
 nah, Georgia, and consisted of a strong casemated work 
 having seventy-five heavy guns, and a garrison of five hun 
 dred men. 
 
 General Sherman saw that, though being cut off from 
 Savannah, its fall was merely a question of time, yet the 
 process of its capture would be slow. He determined, there- 
 fore, to bombard it from Tybee island. Having, with im- 
 mense labor, transported the guns through the deep mire 
 and sand, by a road made of poles joined together, he 
 placed the first battery two miles from the fort. The bat- 
 teries were mounted under the direction of General Gilmore 
 and other able engineers, and when completed, numbered 
 eleven, with thirty-six guns Parrott rifled pieces, colum- 
 biads, and mortars. At this juncture, Sherman was super- 
 seded by General Hunter. General Gilmore, on the 9th, 
 demanded a surrender, which being refused by Colonel 
 Olmstead, a fierce cannonading began next day, and night 
 only put an end to the combat. It was resumed next morn- 
 ing (llth), and continued till noon; shot and shell being 
 poured into the fort from twelve different points, and the 
 magazine, containing a hundred tons of powder, threatened 
 to explode. An unconditional surrender was made by Col 
 Dnel Charles Olmstead, whereby three hundred and eighty 
 five prisoners, forty-seven guns, seven thousand shot and 
 shell, and forty thousand pounds of powder fell 'nto 
 the hands of the Federals. The Union loss was but one 
 killed and one wounded. Thus fell Fort Pulaski, preparing 
 the way for the reduction of Savannah. 
 
 Meantime, news arrived that, in the Department of New 
 Mexico, commanded by Colonel Canby, Colonel Hough, 
 with the troops under his command, had defeated the rebels 
 at Apaohe Pass; killed several h indred, and taken ninety 
 three prisoners, and destroyed fifty-four vagons laden 
 14
 
 158 BOMBARDMENT OF FORT MACON. 
 
 with provisions and ammunition. Four desperate attacks 
 by the Texans, upon the Federal batteries, were as often re- 
 pulsed with great slaughter. The enemy, under Colonel 
 Siblcy (the inventor of the Sibley Tent), formerly a 
 United States officer, were greatly cut up. The Federal 
 loss was one hundred and fifty. 
 
 On the 26th, two days before the capture of New Orleans 
 Fort Macon, on the North Carolina coast, near the towns oi 
 Beaufort and Newbern, was bombarded by the Federal 
 forces. General Burnside had previously ordered Genera! 
 Parke, with his division, to seize Morehead City and the 
 railroad between that place and Newbern. This command 
 was executed ; and the Federals occupied also Bogue island, 
 opposite Carolina City. This position being favorable for 
 operations against Fort Macon, furnished the site for a camp. 
 The enemy continued to annoy the Federal forces with 
 their artillery, but the batteries of the latter were mounted, 
 and all was in readiness, when, on the 24th of April, Gen- 
 eral Burnside arrived from Newbern. He had brought 
 with him the Grenade and Shrapnel, the latter having been 
 changed into a floating battery, with thirty-pound Parrott 
 guns. On the 25th, the demand for a surrender was 
 refused. The Federal batteries, in three lines, extended 
 along Bogue's beach, within a mile of the fort. The first 
 was under Captain Morris, United States artillery, and 
 mounted three thirty pound Parrott guns. At the distance 
 of two hundred yards, Lieutenant Flagler, chief of ordnance 
 on Burnside's staff, commanded the second line of four ten- 
 inch mortar batteries. Lieutenant Prouty commanded the 
 third line, containing four eight-inch mortar guns, on the 
 right of the first named battery. The final demand for sur- 
 render, made on the 25th, being refused by the enemy, the 
 Federal batteries opened fire at six o'clock next morning, 
 and continued all day to shell the fort, but with little effect, 
 the proper range not being attained. Lieutenants Andrews 
 and Wait, of the signal jorps, at Beaufort, rectified the 
 error, and four shells at once could be seen exploding wil fa- 
 in the works or on the parapet. Four gunboats lent their 
 assistance. The rebels replied with skill and energy. The 
 Daylight was struck with a sixty-four pound shot in the 
 larboard quarter. The shot passed through the engine 
 nd other rooms, and lodged in her side. The Gunsbok
 
 OTWEBAL MITCHELL IN ALABAMA. 159 
 
 was shot in the rigging. The reverberations of the guns 
 shook the buildings in Beaufort and Morehead City. At 
 <1'20 P. M., a flag of truce waved on the battlements, and the 
 firing ceased. General Parke entered into an armistice the 
 next day with Colonel White, the commandant of the fort. 
 Its surrender was then formally made to General Burnside. 
 Fifteen of the rebel guns had been disabled. The Federal 
 batteries had discharged twelve hundred shot and shell. 
 The loss of the rebels was seven killed and eighteen 
 wounded. The Federal loss, one man. The rebel officers 
 and men were paroled, and allowed to carry off their effects, 
 except arms ; and the fort was garrisoned by Federal troops, 
 who once more flung the glorious national ensign to the 
 breeze. 
 
 On the llth, General 0. M. Mitchell, distinguished as a 
 soldier as well as savant, left Louisville, Kentucky with a few 
 thousand men, and rapidly advancing south, reached and 
 occupied Hunts ville, capturing seventeen locomotives, one 
 hundred and fifty cars, and one hundred and seventy pris- 
 oners. Two expeditions were sent out in the railroad cars 
 The first, under Colonel Sill, with the Thirty-third Ohio 
 went eastward to Stevenson, where the junction of the Chat 
 tanooga, the Memphis, and the Charleston railroads is formed 
 The other, under Colonel Tarchin, with the Nineteenth 
 Illinois, went westward, and at Decatur saved the railroad 
 bridge, fifteen hundred feet in length, from imminent de- 
 struction. The result of this expedition was the possession 
 of one hundred miles of the Memphis and Charleston rail- 
 road, and the interruption of the communication of the 
 enemy between Corin-th and Eichrnond, It also enabled 
 General Mitchell to threaten Corinth both in front and rear, 
 and to march upon it at any moment, thereby materially 
 aiding both Grant and Buell. 
 
 These were the important events which occurred in the 
 field during the month of April, at the end of which one 
 year had elapsed since the attack on Fort Sumter. 
 
 In Congress, the principal points of discussion were the 
 tax and the confiscation bills. In perfecting the latter the 
 great difficulty presented was, what should be done with the 
 slaves of rebels, and with slavery itself. The advocates of 
 this bill insisted that the only course to suppress rebelliom 
 was by u iiversal emancipation. This Congress passed the
 
 160 
 
 important act prohibiting slavery in all present and ftituie 
 Territories of the United States. 
 
 On the 16th of April, the act for the emancipation of 
 slaves in the District of Columbia, being signed bj the 
 President, became a law. 
 
 General Hunter, in this state of affairs, proclaimed all 
 slaves in his department free. The-condition of things wai 
 not such as to warrant this latter step, and a counter pro- 
 clamation bj the President declared that General Hunter 
 hd exceeded his power, and that his action was conse- 
 quently null and void. The President stated in substance 
 that the time and manner of an edict of general emancipa- 
 tion were matters which he reserved to himself alone, and 
 did not leave to the generals in the field. 
 
 It was attempted to employ thousands of slaves who had 
 been left by the rebels at Port Royal, South Carolina. 
 Efforts also were made by many to obtain permission from 
 the Government to raise colored regiments to fight against 
 the South, or garrison the fortresses. 
 
 Some were not pleased with the recognition of Hayti as 
 an independent State. It was thought that the blacks were 
 placed on a level with the whites by sending ministers to 
 its courts. The nations of Europe had done this long since 
 and the prejudice of mere color was already subsiding. 
 
 Congress authorized the Secretary of the Navy to con- 
 struct, under contract, a powerful fleet of iron-clad vessels, 
 rams, and gunboats. 
 
 The committee appointed by Congress to ascertain the 
 truth of the reports concerning the brutal treatment of tin: 
 Federal dead, who had fallen at Manassas, confirmed their 
 truth. The interments had been made in the most barbar- 
 ous manner. Skulls and bones also had been made into 
 cups and ornaments, as mementoes of the battle. 
 
 The national debt, at the end of this first year of the war 
 amounted to the sum of $491,444,384. The war was carried 
 on upon an extensive scale, and foreign nations, which had 
 attributed the immobility of a large portion of our armies to 
 weakness, now looked upon the vast movements inaugurated 
 w ; th astonishment. England saw that the immense outlay 
 involved in this great struggle was furnished by the coun- 
 try's own resources, and derision gave place to respect and 
 wonderment.
 
 ENCOURAGING PROSPECTS. 161 
 
 The warlike spirit was now fairly roused ; the mighty 
 breast of the nation heaved with powerful and patriotic 
 emotions, while hope buoyed up the spirits of the brave, arid 
 it was ardently hoped and believed that the war would be 
 of short continuance. In twenty-eight battles, of more or 
 less importance, the Union army had been victorious in 
 twenty. Public expectation already saw the rebellion 
 crushed, and rebels laying down their arms in submission, 
 ended the first year of the war.
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 MAT AND JUNE, 1862. 
 
 VATTLI OF WILLIAMSBURO COLONEL DWIOHT'g BRAVKRT BERRY AH I 
 
 KKARNKY RUSH TO THE RESCUE GALLANT BEHAVIOR OF HOOKKR fi 
 
 BRIGADE HANCOCK'S SPLENDID BAYONET CHARGE GREAT VALOR or 
 
 THK ELEVENTH MASSACHUSETTS FRANKLIN ATTACKS THE ENEMY AT 
 
 WEST POINT FALL OF NORFOLK DESTRUCTION OF THE MKRRIMAC 
 
 FORT DARLING BOMBARDED MCCLELLAN ADVANCES ON RICHMOND 
 BATTLE OF HANOVER COURT HOUSE FLOOD IN THE CHICKAHOMINY 
 BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS ROUT OF CASEY'S DIVISION BRAVERY OF THR 
 TROOPS UNDER HEINTZELMAN TUB SECOND KXCELSIOR. 
 
 SEVERAL movements of the great Army of the Potomac 
 were, for the sake of unity, anticipated in the last chapter. 
 Yorktown was occupied on the 4th of May, 1862, and the 
 pursuit of the retreating Confederates resulted in the battle 
 of Williamsburg, on the 5th. 
 
 General Hooker, of Heintxelman's, and General Smith, 
 of Keyes' division, with their brigades, had come up the 
 preceding evening, and next morning moved on the enemy, 
 who were commanded by General Joseph E. Johnston. 
 Hooker advanced through the woods on his right, and Smith 
 on his left. A heavy rain drenched the soldiers to the skin. 
 They had bivouacked the night before in the rain, and now 
 pressed on through it. The enemy's batteries, protected by 
 trees in front, opened fire on Hooker'*? brigade as it ap- 
 proached. The tree tops presented a great obstruction, as 
 they lay in the way of the troops, and any attempt to 
 remove them, being under fire, would be deadly. The men 
 endeavored to make their way over the fallen timber, and 
 many fell from the musketry poured upon them, from an 
 enemy partly concealed. One of the Federal guns was now 
 advanced, but sunk in the mud, and the enemy rushing on 
 in great force, the horses were shot to prevent capture. 
 Hooker sent back for reinforcements, and boldly maintained 
 his ground by charging the enemy, till the expected aid 
 should arrive. Hour after hour passed, and yet it came 
 not, and the wearied trooj s, with brave efforts, would now 
 (162)
 
 BATTLE OP WILLIAMSBURG. 163 
 
 advance on overwhelming numbers, and again be compelled 
 to fall back. 
 
 Heintzelman, exposed to balls which rained around him, 
 as he coolly sat on horseback, became exceedingly anxious, 
 seeing his best troops melting away like frost, and unless 
 supported, would have to fall back. The enemy already 
 had captured four guns ; the gunners lay dead where they 
 had fallen. The Excelsior brigade occupied the place of 
 the New Jersey brigade, whose ammunition was spent or 
 wettei Fiercer now was the strife, and the woods re- 
 sounded with the din of battle. Colonel Dwight, with the 
 First Excelsior, though bleeding from his wounds, and told 
 that the rebels were outflanking him, determined to die 
 rather than yield, and his brave men, losing a third of their 
 number, stood firm as a rock until reinforced. Kearney's 
 division now hurried up, and the soldiers, casting away 
 their haversacks, rapidly advanced in the direction of the 
 firing. The appearance of Berry, at the head of his brave 
 brigade, was a joyful sight to Heintzelman, and when the 
 two Michigan regiments and the Thirty-seventh New York 
 drew near, he waved his cap and shouted, while an answer- 
 ing cheer was sent up by the men as they hurried on 
 through the rain. 
 
 For nearly eight hours, Hooker's brigade had borne the 
 brunt of the battle alone. The help which now came, at 
 three o'clock in the afternoon, was very opportune. Berry 
 at once attacked the enemy, and the Fifth Michigan being 
 galled by their fire, charged with the bayonet, and left 
 one hundred and forty-three rebel dead in their destructive 
 path. Kearney now advanced. 
 
 The wounded of Hooker's brigade uttered groans and 
 distressing cries as the ambulances bore them to the rear. 
 This was not calculated to animate the exhausted troops of 
 Kearney, marching in the rain. By order of Heintzelman, 
 the bands struck up the soul-inspiring tunes which have 
 never failed to rouse the brave. On hearing the notes, the 
 wounded forgot their sufferings, and their loud cheers re- 
 echoed with those of the brave men who now advanced 
 with renewed courage to where the firing was hottest. 
 Berry and Birney, with impetuous charges, rolled the tide 
 of battle back upon the enemy. Hooker's b: igade, which 
 after the exhaustion of its ammunition, had relied on th
 
 161 BATTLE OF WEST POINT. 
 
 bayonet, was now sent to the rear. The Eleventh Massa 
 chusetts, of Grover's brigade, commanded by Colonel Blais 
 dell, was greatly distinguished on this bloody field by break 
 ing the enemy's line and scattering his best regiments. 
 
 Peck, in the meantime, advancing up the road near York 
 river, encountered the enemy's centre. He stood in the 
 op^n space near Fort Magruder, and though assailed by its 
 ahot and shell, and the deadly fire from the rifle pits, hold 
 his ground with tenacious firmness all day, being sheltered 
 by pine woods. While it was thus with the left and centre, 
 General Hancock moved on the extreme right, and having 
 occupied some earthworks, was assailed in the afternoon by 
 a large force of the enemy. To prevent them from cut- 
 ting oft' his retreat, he began slowly to retire in line of 
 battle, followed by the enemy, cheering and firing as they 
 advanced. The artillery being secured in a safe position, 
 he halted his twenty-five hundred dauntless men, and 
 sweeping the enemy's ranks with a terrible volley as they 
 ascended the slope, followed up his success with a resist- 
 less bayonet charge, which broke the lines of the foe, and 
 sent him flying over the field. The victorious troops en- 
 tered Williamsburg with flying banners, shouts, and beating 
 drums. 
 
 The Federal loss, in killed, wounded, and missing, was 
 two thousand. This loss fell mostly on the troops of 
 Hooker. The small loss of only twenty men by Hancock 
 called forth the praises of McClellan to the two charging 
 regiments. 
 
 Meanwhile, Franklin had ascended the York river in 
 transports, and was drawing near West Point to cut off' the 
 rebel retreat. He landed on the afternoon of the 6th, and 
 was attacked by the rebels. In a battle that ensued, the 
 Federal loss was two hundred and fifty killed and wounded, 
 and about five hundred prisoners. The rebels lost one 
 thousand killed and wounded. 
 
 On the 8th of May, the Galena and two other gunboat! 
 ran the batteries on the James river, and proceeded toward 
 Richmond. General Wool, on the 10th, landed at Wil- 
 loughby Point with five thousand men, and moved on Nor- 
 folk. After the fall of Yorktown, it had been evacuated by 
 the rebel General Huger. The Union forces were met by a 
 delegation from the city and this immense dSpot, which
 
 FORT DARLING BOMBARDED. 165 
 
 furnished the foe with heavy cannon, once more fell into 
 our hands, without loss. The fate of Yorktown had sealed 
 that of Norfolk and of the Merrimac, which was blown up 
 by her crew on the night succeeding the day of General 
 Wool's occupation. Her end was a triumph to the fleet, as 
 her presence in the Chesapeake had been considered an in- 
 sult. She cculd now do no more mischief, and left the 
 Galena, Naugatuck, and other vessels, free to go up the 
 James river, attack the batteries on its banks, and feel their 
 w&y up to the rebel capital. 
 
 The navy yard had been destroyed, and as much injury 
 as time allowed done to the granite dry dock, before tha 
 rebels evacuated Norfolk. Sewall's Point, and all the bat- 
 teries in the vicinity, with a great quantity of heavy ord- 
 nance, came into the Federal possession. General Viele 
 commanded as military governor, to the common satisfac- 
 tion, though little Union sentiment existed in the city. 
 
 On her way up the James river, the Galena passed or 
 silenced the batteries till she came almost opposite Williams- 
 burg. The Monitor, Aristook, Naugatuck, and Port Eoya^ 
 accompanied her, and in a sharp bend, seven miles from the 
 city, they came upon Fort Darling, on a bluff one hundred 
 and fifty feet high, strongly fortified with heavy guns, and 
 commanding the river. 
 
 On the morning of the 15th, the Galena ran within six 
 hundred yards of the battery, and, swinging across the 
 channel, began to shell the fort. The Monitor, after finding 
 a proper elevation for her guns, hurled her heavy shot on 
 the works. The other vessels took up their positions, and 
 a heavy cannonading began. The heavy shot of the fort, in 
 the two hours during which the fight had lasted, pierced 
 the Galena in the deck and sides. She continued to main- 
 tain the unequal contest till twenty-four of her crew were 
 killed or wounded, her ammunition expended, and eighteen 
 shots in her side. She was at last compelled to drop out of 
 the fight. The Monitor was hit three times, but, except the 
 bending of some plates in her armor, was unscathed. The 
 bursting of her one hundred pound Parrott gun disabled the 
 Naugatuck. The other vessels, however, received little 
 damage. This reverse to the Federal gunboats greatly en- 
 couraged the rebels. 
 
 Meanwhile, McClellan wad moving hid army steadily
 
 166 MOCLELLAN ADVANCES ON RICHMOND. 
 
 upon Eicbraond, and on the 20th of May drew up withiii 
 ten miles of that city, on the banks of the Chickahominy. 
 Bridges had to be built in the face of the enemy, and the 
 advance made with caution. The cavalry, under General 
 Stoneman, held the advance, and had now reached New 
 bridge, eight miles from the rebel capital, driving th* 
 enemy's pickets before them. 
 
 Every day witnessed bold reconnoissances and skirmish- 
 ing with the pickets. The enemy, it was apparent, would 
 fight desperately for their capital, and a further advance 
 would be keenly contested, and with great loss on both 
 sides. 
 
 McClellan had, by a bold dash on Mechanicsville, sev- 
 ered the railroad between Fredericksburg and Richmond, 
 thereby preventing the rebels from massing on General 
 McDowell. The Federal army drew its lines closer and 
 closer to Richmond, and the troops were crossing the 
 Chickahominy previous to a final advance. The month 
 was passing away without any thing decisive. A telegram 
 announced, that on the 27th, after a sharp contest, here- 
 after described, the Federals had captured Hanover Court 
 House, twenty miles north of Richmond, and cut the Rich- 
 mond and Potomac and Central railroads. This seemed 
 to promise the sudden march of McDowell from Fredericks- 
 burg, with his corps of forty thousand men. McClellan 
 was expecting him with great anxiety. Without his aid 
 he knew he could not capture Richmond. 
 
 General Fitz John Porter, on the 27th, an hour after 
 reveille, started with his troops. The advance was led by 
 Major Williams, with a cavalry squadron. This was fol- 
 lowed by an infantry regiment as skirmishers, by batteries 
 of artillery, and then by the main body. The soldiers 
 marched in drenching rain, which rendered it hard to keep 
 the powder dry, and had not advanced more than six miles 
 when the enemy's pickets were encountered and dispersed. 
 At noon, the column had advanced within three miles of the 
 court house, and there halted. The march was soon re- 
 sumed, under a broiling sun, which succeeded the rain, and 
 the advance having met the enemy in the woods, a keen 
 contest resulted. The regiment could only hold its ground. 
 The artillery galloped up, unlimbered, and poured sheU 
 and canister into the woods. The enemy were quickly
 
 BATTLE OF HANOVER COURT HOUSE. 167 
 
 [licked off by Berdan's sharpshooters. Accessions of strengtl 
 curne uj. from Martindale's and Butterfield's brigades, which 
 brought on a general action. The artillery shelled the 
 woods at all points, and the musketry rolled in vollies fierce 
 arid prolonged. The rebels in the covert of the woods kept 
 dp the conflict two hours, and then broke, fleeing in wild 
 dismay before the deadly fire of the volleying musketry. 
 
 The pursuit, begun with a cheer, was stopped by Genera" 
 Porter, and Martindale's brigade, with a detachment of cav- 
 alry, was ordered to push on the Central railroad, and de- 
 stroy the bridges across the Pamunkey river. This waa 
 executed without resistance, and a train of cars from Rich- 
 mond, freighted with troops, narrowly escaped capture, the 
 conductor reversing his engine and running back. 
 
 The brigades of Butterfield and McQuade, had meanwhile 
 pursued the fugitives to the left, at the point where the rail- 
 road forms a right angle with the turnpike. They pursued 
 through fields and woods, and came upon the enemy, who 
 had been reinforced by the troops on the train, and were now 
 drawn up in the woods. A sharp and severe conflict then took 
 place. Martindale's men had stacked their guns, and were 
 resting on the ground. The report of a cannon recalled 
 them to their ranks. The rebels retired, and made a last 
 stand near the court house. The tired regiments rushed on 
 to make a clean sweep. The artillery was hurried up, and 
 two batteries poured a concentrated fire on the woods. The 
 heavy fire of Griffin's guns, raked the green woods with 
 fearful effect, and the infantry mingled their ominous rattle 
 with the dread artillery. The action began at five o'clock, 
 and ended when night drew her dark curtain on the victo- 
 rious field. The rebels left one hundred dead upon the 
 field Seven hundred and seventy prisoners, and one gun 
 were captured. The Federal loss was three hundred and 
 forty-five killed, wounded, and missing. 
 
 The arrival of McDowell, to close up his right wing, wag 
 now anxiously awaited by McClellan. It was scarcely mora 
 than fifty miles from Fredericksburg to Hanover Court 
 House, and the whole army expected this reinforcement, 
 without which an assault could not be made on Richmond. 
 The enemy there anticipated the movement, and the terrified 
 inhabitants, who first thought that the battle of Hanover 
 Court House had been fought by McDowell now prepared
 
 165 FLOOD IN THE JHICKA HOMINY. 
 
 to leave. With the right wing unprotected, and powerful 
 and well defended fortifications before them, McClellan and 
 his corps commanders knew that an assault on Richmond 
 could not fail to be disastrous. The movement of the Fed- 
 erals on Richmond depended on the assistance of the troops 
 of McDowell, which were withheld for the protection of 
 Washington. The people, notwithstanding, expected that 
 Richmond would be taken. The circumstances were not 
 considered by them. Appeals were sent to the Government 
 to fulfil its promise. At this crisis, a portentous cloud 
 settled upon the brave army. The expected reinforcements 
 had not closed up the unprotected right wing. 
 1 Neither can the Government be blamed for withholding 
 the troops of McDowell. Its course of action was justified 
 by circumstances, rendering a force around, or near Wash- 
 ington, necessary to the public safety. The grand mistake, 
 doubtless, lay in the fact, that the Federal army wanted 
 unity of action. Independent corps had no Commander-in- 
 chief to direct the movements of the whole. The Secretary 
 of War was not a military man, am 1 the forces, which were 
 to mass against one common centre, and fight one great and 
 decisive battle, failed for want of concentration. 
 
 On the 30th of May, a terrible storm of rai a, with light- 
 ning and thunder, broke upon the army as it lay in camp. 
 The water descended in torrents, the small stream of the 
 Chickahominy became a mighty river, which swept away one 
 bridge, and endangered another. Broad lakes expanded in 
 the swamps around, and this unprecedented flood divided 
 the Federal army, one portion of it having already crossed 
 the Chickahominy. The rebels believed the destruction of 
 the portion that crossed, certain. A complete description of 
 the Union forces, and their position, had been found on the 
 person of an aid of the rebel commander Johnston. Pickets 
 reported the advance of the enemy. A regiment was sent 
 to their support. Soon, a vidette dashed in, and brought the 
 news that heavy columns of the foe, in a long line, were ad- 
 vancing on the Union pickets. 
 
 On the advance toward Richmond, McClellan had sent 
 part of his forces across the river, before the sudden flood 
 had swelled the Chickahominy. Casey's division, which 
 before leaving Washington numbered thirteen thousand 
 men, was now reduced to about half that number, and held
 
 BATTLE OF PAIR OAKS 169 
 
 the advance, about seven miles from Richmond. From 
 Bottom's bridge, the Williamsburg stage road runs toward 
 Richmond ; and almost parallel to it, at from one to three 
 miles' distance, runs the "West Point railroad. On these 
 roads, and between them, lay Casey's division, being the ad- 
 vance of the left wing. Couch's division lay in the rear. 
 Negley's brigade was posted in cultivated fields. Wassell 
 was on the centre, and Palmer joined him on the left 
 1 leintzelman was in the rear, on the same side of the river, 
 but several miles distant from the other divisions. Sumnei 
 was ready to cross. This was the situation of the Union 
 troops when the storm came on. The rebels now attempted 
 the destruction of these divisions, and brought on the battle 
 of Fair Oaks. 
 
 On the last day of May, 1862, the long roll beat, and 
 Casey's whole division was under arms. It was noon, and 
 four regiments and four cannon were sent to meet the enemy 
 The latter, under General J. E. Johnston, came on in three 
 heavy columns. Hill and Longstreet were on the wings, 
 which were widely extended. Some of the Federal regiments 
 gallantly maintained their ground for hours, and Regan's 
 artillery made great havoc among them with grape, can- 
 ister, and shells. The Confederates relied on superior 
 numbers, and their small arms, and in a hand to hand con- 
 flict broke the Union line of battle. Several regiments 
 being panic-stricken at this juncture, ignominiously fled to 
 the Chickahominy. General Peok and his officers did all 
 that brave men could to arrest their flight, but their efforts 
 were unavailing. The crowd of fugitives increased, and 
 powerful men, with muskets in their hands, feigning sickness, 
 and limping along, were not restrained even by the line 
 drawn across the road a little further on, but continued 
 through the fields their disgraceful flight to the river. 
 Casey's division was gone. Staff officers, sent by Keyes for 
 help, found Heintzelman already advancing. He had 
 divined the presence of a large force, and sent back for the 
 brigades of Kearney, Birney, and Berry. And soon they 
 came. The 55th New York was ordered up to the fight, 
 but faltered. The 62d New York, amid the raining shells, 
 moved boldly on, determined to conquer. Officers animated 
 their troops, who presented an undaunted front to the enemy 
 Prom half past oua o'clock the Confederates had the advan- 
 II
 
 170 BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS. 
 
 tagc. Generals Couch and Peck, finding them massing on 
 the Union right toward Fair Oaks, met them in the woods, 
 and held them in check till, overpowered by numbers, the 
 Federals were compelled to fall back. Peck's horse was 
 killed under him, but this brave leader mounted another, 
 and still encouraged his men. 
 
 General Kearney, of Heintzelman's division, put himself 
 at the head of his troops, and led them gallantly through 
 the disordered mass. Berry, without a cap, which a ball 
 had carried away, led his troops forward to victory. The 
 Third Michigan, of his command, was first up, aiid fought 
 desperately, until ten of its officers, and one hundred and 
 fifty men were killed or wounded. A company of fifty men, 
 expert marksmen, lost half its number, besides its captain 
 and lieutenant. The Fifth Michigan delivered an effective 
 fire; it lost one hundred and fifty men. Jamieson's brigade 
 now came up, and repulsed the enemy handsomely. A 
 .balloon appeared above the din of battle, and informed Me- 
 Clellan, at headquarters, of all that was transpiring. Heintzel- 
 rnan held the foe in check. Berry, Kearney, and Jainieson 
 still bore the brunt of the battle, and animated the courage 
 of the troops to the highest pitch. 
 
 The advance of Sumner's division was now seen, as the 
 bayonets of Gorman's brigade appeared near Fair Oaks 
 station. He had come up to the aid of Heintzelman. One 
 of the two bridges of Sumner had been swept away ; the 
 other rocked beneath the pressure of the column in crossing. 
 While the artillery was crossing, there seemed a certainty 
 that it would break down, and when at last, with great 
 effort, all were safely across, it floated off on the water. The 
 struggle in the centre, before Slocum's division arrived, was 
 terrible. Kearney, no longer able to hold back the over- 
 whelming force against him, was outflanked, and his retreat 
 sut off. He ordered the Thirty-seventh New York, men of 
 the finest material, to face about and cover the rear. And 
 well they did it, till the advance fell back and occupied the 
 strong position left at mid-day. 
 
 Meanwhile, up rushes Sedgwick's brigade. Quickly, 
 twenty-four guns in an op3n field are put in position, am) 
 rain forth a blighting tempest which sweeps down the op- 
 posing enemy like a resist sss storm. The enemy made the 
 abortive attempt to withstand it, and then, wheeling, left the
 
 BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS. 171 
 
 oloody field on which their dead were strewu in heaps 
 Night again cast her mantle on the scene. The stern corn- 
 but had ceased. The combatants bivouacked on the spot 
 where they had fought in deadly strife. The opposing 
 armies were so closely encamped, that the pickets of each 
 could talk with those of the other. The dead were strewn 
 around. The dying were there, breathing their last sighs 
 of agony. Brave men lay down in balmy slumber, and losi( 
 the consciousness of their situation in dreams of home. Tc 
 many of them, it was their last sleep on earth. The earth 
 would be their resting-place ere the next day's decline ; but 
 sleep now simulated that which knows not waking. 
 
 On the 1st of June a calm, peaceful Sabbath day the 
 roll of the drum roused the soldier from his bed on the damp 
 earth, to the field of battle. The rebel commander, John- 
 ston, had been wounded in the first day's battle and carried 
 to Richmond, and could not lead his troops to the attack 
 after they had enjoyed the spoils of Casey's and Couch'* 
 camps. By daylight, Hooker's division lay on the railroad 
 Richardson and Sedgwick, in a crescent shape, joined his 
 right with their left. Heintzelman and Hooker, at six 
 o'clock, made out the order of battle. The enemy was massed 
 on both the Union flanks. Sickles' brigade, composed of 
 the five New York Excelsior regiments, and the Fifth and 
 Sixth New Jersey, advanced a few minutes past seven, and 
 formed a line of battle on the rebel front. This drew on the 
 fire of the latter, and the battle began. The invincible 
 Excelsior regiments stood firm. Every volley did its 
 work of death in the ranks of the Fifth and Sixth New Jer- 
 sey, but they loaded and fired with cool precision. The 
 Excelsior regiments pressed forward, firing as they advanced 
 Sickles, seeing the enemy had the advantage of being 
 covered by the thickets, sent the Second Excelsior to 
 to clear them out with the bayonet. This brave regiment 
 rushed to the charge, and the levelled pieces and glittering 
 ateel approached nearer and nearer. The rebels, with flash- 
 ing eyes and undaunted courage, gazed on the steady line as 
 it advanced. Reserving their fire until the Federals were 
 within sixty yards, a sheet of flame ran along their ranks, 
 and a deadly volley swept the brave regiment, which, with 
 one long, wild sho t, darted on the foe. The smoke cleared. 
 The deadly line c steel flashed on the enemy. The closed
 
 172 BATTLE OF PAIR OAKS. 
 
 ranks swept on, carrying dismay to the breasts of the foe, 
 who broke and fled, as loud shouts of victory rent the skies. 
 These heroic deeds were emulated by the gallant regiments 
 on the centre and right, where the tide of battle was now roll- 
 ing fiercely on. Where the deadly fire of their guns could not 
 clear the Confederates from their path, these regiments fin- 
 ished the work with the bayonet. Meanwhile, Richardson 
 and Sedgwick were grappling fiercely with the foe. The 
 right wing, which they held in a semicircle, had a cleared 
 field in which to operate, more favorable than the ground on 
 the left of the division, where Hooker held the railroad ; 
 woods, except in a few places, covering the ground held 
 by the latter. Richardson, therefore, planted a battery of 
 ten pound Parrottguns in the open space, and with French's 
 brigade, and a regiment of Howard's, made the first 
 line. The second line consisted of Howard's three remain- 
 ing regiments, and the third of Meagher's artillery eighteen 
 pieces. Early in the morning the enemy's skirmishers 
 formed in line of battle, with a body of cavalry ready to 
 charge. They advanced on the batteries, but were shortly 
 dispersed by the Parrott guns. They now wheeled to the 
 left, and descended in great force on the railroad track to the 
 point where it is intersected by two roads. They sent heavy 
 columns quickly up these roads, and deployed in line of 
 battle. As they approached, Howard and French swept 
 their ranks an hour and a half with tremendous effect. How- 
 ard, gallantly exposing himself where the danger was the 
 greatest, had his arm shattered by a ball. Waving the 
 fractured limb above him, he animated his brave troops and 
 was then carried to the rear. Reinforcements now were 
 received by the enemy, and with loud yells they again 
 moved on to the charge. General Francis Meagher, at the 
 head of his famous Irish brigade, alvanced gallantly, 
 and charging with gr.eat fierceness, mowed down the rebels 
 by platoons ; they were compelled to retreat, while a storm 
 of shells from the Parrott guns accelerated their flight 
 The enemy, along the whole line of battle, were repelled at 
 every point. 
 
 As McClellan, at noon, rode over the field with his staffj 
 he was cheered by the troops with the greatest enthusiasm. 
 He sat down by He itzelman on the ground beneath a tree, 
 and other generals soming up, a picturesque group was
 
 LOSSES ON BOTH SIDES. 173 
 
 formed, as reports came in that the enemy was falling back. 
 The field was won, and had all the troops been across the 
 river, or its swollen state permitted, McClellan would have 
 led on his victorious troops to the rebel capital. 
 
 Deafening shouts greeted the commander as he rode 
 through the victorious ranks. The poor wounded soldiers 
 raised their heads and joined in the deafening cheers which 
 re-echoed over the field won at such heavy cost. It was in- 
 deed won, but presented a terrible spectacle on the Sabbath 
 evening which witnessed men of the same race and religion 
 laying slaughtered in thousands. The Union loss was five 
 thousand seven hundred and thirty-nine killed, wounded, 
 and missing, many prisoners, nineteen cannon taken from 
 Casey's division, and stores of different kinds in abundance. 
 The Confederate loss has been variously estimated at from 
 ten to twelve thousand men. General Pettigrew, of South 
 Carolina, was taken prisoner, and Johnston, the Confederate 
 commander-in-chief, was wounded. A pile was made of four 
 hundred horses which had been killed in the action, and 
 their bodies consumed by fire. The tactics of the enemy 
 were the same in this battle as in that of Pittsburg Landing 
 In both cases they attempted to drive one portion of the 
 troops into the river, and then attack the other. In both 
 they massed their men, and in both failed. Both sides as 
 then claimed the victory, but the battle was indecisive. 
 McClellan was not interrupted in his designs by this battle, 
 but a disaster to the Union arms in the Shenandoah valley, 
 tended at length to visit him and his army with serious 
 consequences.
 
 CHAPTER XYII1. 
 
 MAY, 1862. 
 
 REPORT OF THE BATTLE MCDOWELL ABOUT TO JOIK OK TH1 
 
 BIOHT WING 8HIKI.DS ON THK WAY BANKS AT 8TRA8BCRG JACK8ON 
 
 DETERMINES ON AN ATTACK GREAT HEROISM OF COLONEL KENLT AT 
 
 FRONT ROYAL BANKS* FAMOUS RKTRKAT TO THE POTOMAC BATTLE OF 
 WINCHESTER THE MILITIA CALLED OUT MCDOWELL AND FREMONT 
 ORDERED TO CUT OFF JACKSON*8 RETREAT HALLECK AT CORINTH NATAL 
 ACTION AT FORT WRIGHT SPLENDID CAVALRY CHARGE FIGHT AT 
 
 FARMIXOTON EVACUATION OF CORINTH GENERAL BUTLKR AT NEW 
 
 ORLEANS. 
 
 THE despatch of McClellan to the Government, announc- 
 ing victory, spoke in terms of great eulogy of all the troops 
 except those of Casey's division. " It gave way," says the 
 report, " unaccountably and discreditably." Better infor- 
 mation caused some modification later, but the commander- 
 in-chief continued to feel that its behavior in face of the 
 enemy was disgraceful, and that it brought the army to the 
 verge of destruction. 
 
 General McDowell, previous to the battle of Fair Oaks, 
 was preparing to leave Fredericksburg and join McClellan. 
 News arrived that his division had crossed the Rappahan- 
 nock, and it was anticipated that an advance would at onoe 
 be made on Richmond. It was said that General Shields 
 would augment his forces by fifteen thousand men, and that 
 he had left Banks' division for that purpose. . 
 
 Banks had for awhile pursued " Stonewall" Jackson after 
 the victory over him at Winchester, but had not succeeded 
 in bringing on a battle. His movements were for a time 
 suspended, and the evacuation of Yorktown made no change 
 in his position nor in that of McDowell. Both remained as 
 they were before. Banks was at Strasburg with five thou- 
 sand men, including fifteen hundred cavalry, and should 
 Jackson advance, he must retreat. On the departure of 
 Shields, Banks quietly remained at Strasburg, and placed 
 Colonel Kenly, with a Maryland regiment, at Front Royal, 
 twelve miles in advance. Jackson was not long in finding 
 out that Shields had departed, and thus weakened Bank*' 
 
 (174)
 
 BANKS AT STRASBURG. 175 
 
 foroas. He determined to take advantage of this state of 
 affairs, and by a dash on General Banks, capture his whole 
 force ; and thus, while alarm would seize the Government 
 at Washington on account of the threatening aspect on the 
 Potomac, no more troops would be sent to reinforce Mc- 
 Clellan. 
 
 Accordingly, Jackson, on the 23d of May, made a hostile 
 demonstration, by appearing on the banks of the Shenan- 
 doah at Front Royal, where Kenly, with his regiment, waa 
 stationed. Kenly caused the long roll to be sounded, and 
 drew up his men in line of battle on a commanding position 
 and waited the enemy's approach. Soon they appeared 
 and in heavy force opened fire with musketry and artillery 
 on the small band of Union troops. With great bravery 
 and accurate aim they returned the enemy's fire, and checked 
 his advancing columns, but could not repel him. This 
 brave regiment maintained a desperate contest with five 
 times its number, and covered itself with undying renown. 
 
 Meantime, General Banks, at Strasburg, being informed 
 of the critical condition of affairs, was yet incredulous of the 
 presence of any considerable force. Nevertheless, he sent a 
 regiment of infantry and some cavalry to reinforce Kenly. 
 The latter fought with great resolution and obstinately for 
 hours. At three o'clock was heard the clatter of horses 
 hoofs over Shenandoah bridge, and one hundred of the 
 Harris Light cavalry dashed up to the rescue. Their 
 charge was too light to be effective on so large a body of 
 the enemy. The numbers of the latter increased so greatly, 
 that Kenly was obliged to fall back over the river. This 
 was effected in an orderly manner. The bridge was piled 
 with rails and fired. But the burning was slow, and the 
 enemy, dashing up, extinguished the fire. Bushing across 
 ;n large numbers on both the Federal flanks, a desperate 
 combat was maintained in a hand to hand encounter. Kenly 
 now charged with such fury that the enemy fell back. 
 With a force against him of five thousand men, and a 
 body of cavalry greater than his whole regiment, what could 
 Kenly now do ? To reach Strasburg, he saw was an impos- 
 sibility. Being called on to surrender, he shot down the 
 man who made such a demand. In consequence, however, 
 of the great disparity of numbers against which the brave 
 little band had so Ion $ noblv struggled, and the loss of thei?
 
 BANKS' RETREAT TO THE POTOMAC, 
 
 gallant colonel, who now fell severely wounded, it broke and 
 dispersed. Less than one fifth escaped, and nearly all of the 
 survivors were captured. 
 
 The reinfoi .-ements sent to Kenly were recalled late in 
 the evening. Banks sent scouts to find out the force and 
 position of Jackson. On every road they found the enemy's 
 pickets, who were all over the country. Banks at last saw 
 that the foe was upon him in great force, and that his entire 
 command was on the brink of impending destruction. He 
 deliberated whether to fight the enemy, retreat across the 
 mountains, or falling back suddenly on Winchester, re-open 
 communication with the Potomac. He determined on the 
 last course. On the morning of May 24th, at three o'clock, 
 seven hundred disabled soldiers were sent with the wagon 
 train, and a strong escort of cavalry and infantry, on the 
 road to Winchester. The rest of the troops folio wed, except 
 General Hatch, with the cavalry and six pieces of artillery, 
 which were left to guard the rear, and hold Strasburg as 
 long as possible. 
 
 Scarcely had the army advanced three miles, when word 
 was brought from the wagon train in front, that the road 
 was in possession of the enemy. Fugitives, teamsters, and 
 drivers, lashing up their horses, which brought the wagons 
 rumbling along at full speed, now came back in confusion. 
 Their trepidation might have created a panic among the 
 soldiers, but the general now ordered the troops to advance, 
 and the train fell in behind. More confidence was inspired 
 with the advent of daylight, and the march continued until 
 near Middletown, thirteen miles from Winchester. The 
 enemy at this place Avere prepared to dispute the advance. 
 Colonel Donnelly halted his brigade. The Forty -sixth 
 Pennsylvania regiment, Colonel Knipe, was sent to clear the 
 woods on the right of the enemy's skirmishers. The artil- 
 lery dispersed a body of cavalry from these woods, and the 
 kirmishers pursued them. A destructive fire from the 
 Twenty-eighth New York, compelled the enemy to fall back. 
 Being pursued by the infantry and artillery, they were 
 iriven back two miles from the road, which being now 
 clear, the columns continued their onward march. 
 
 When the panic took place with the wagon train, Banks 
 had sent back to Strasburg tor Hatch, and the latter was 
 on his way when he came upon the enemy. He took a par
 
 BANKS AT WINCHESTER. 177 
 
 ullel road to the left, and twelve companies of his cavalry 
 not long after, finding the turnpike occupied by the enemy 
 with infantry, artillery, and cavalry, returned to Strasburg, 
 where they found the Zouaves d'Afrique, who had been 
 Banks 1 body guard, commanded by Captain Charles EL T 
 Co 11 is. The strong rebel force in every direction rendered 
 it impossible for the different detachments to reach the main 
 column, and they wandered in by-ways to find such an op- 
 portunity, The army was rapidly advancing toward Win- 
 chester. News now came that the wagon train in the rear 
 was attacked. The situation was critical. It was difficult 
 for Banks to make up his mind, whether to abandon his 
 train and save his army, or attempt to save both. He re- 
 solved to do the latter, if possible. Colonel Gordon, of the 
 rear-guard, now marched to relieve the trains and check the 
 enemy, whom he found in force on his way back, at Newtown. 
 Three regiments deploying in the fields, with loud cheers 
 cleared the rebels out of Newtown, while the artillery rained 
 a deadly fire on their batteries. The troops pursued them 
 toward Middletown, which it was intended to reach, and 
 open a way for Hatch's cavalry, who were much needed to 
 protect the rear. The progress of these brave regiments 
 was stopped by the overwhelming force of the enemy, arid 
 falling back they were furiously assailed by cavalry, who 
 were determined to break their line and capture the wagon 
 train. Forming in solid squares, from which they hurled 
 forth murderous volleys, the rebels were forced to turn and 
 gallop down the road. These brave Union troops defended 
 the train with great resolution. And now the teamsters, 
 urging on their horses, the long line of trains was lost to 
 view behind the farthest hill. The disabled trains were 
 burnt. Reports announced the presence of the enemy in 
 great force near Winchester, and rebel officers dashed into 
 the Union lines, believing the town in their own possession. 
 
 General Banks halted here for the night, and the wearied 
 troops bivouacked on the ground. Colonel Gordon was on 
 the right, and Donnelly's brigade, a mile and a half from 
 the town on ihe Front Eoyal road, protected the left. The 
 actual number of the enemy was unknown at the time, but 
 it was afterward found to be twenty thousand. 
 
 The enemy drove in the Union outposts at Winchester 
 long before daylight ; and a 1 ^avy artillery fire at dawn told
 
 78 BATTLE OF WINCHESTER. 
 
 that the a.tack had begun. In the scene of confusion which 
 ensued from the fears of the townspeople, the trepidation of 
 teamsters, and the shouts of the troops, Banks exhibited a 
 calm and unmoved countenance. The first attack of the 
 enemy was on the left, under Donnelly, who charged when 
 they came on, and handsomely repulsed them. The fight 
 was continued desperately three quarters of an hour, and the 
 aves of battle rolled and surged, till the destructive fire of 
 the Federals having destroyed nearly one of the rebel regi- 
 ments, the latter gave way. The smoke of battle clearing 
 away, the enemy were disclosed advancing upon Colonel 
 Gordon on the right. The same well aimed volleys as on the 
 left, laid many or them low. Some of the Union troops at 
 this point mistaking an order, fell back, and wild shouts 
 from the hill disclosed a numerous force of the enemy, which 
 rendered it necessary for the whole line to retire. In the 
 confusion, some troops were thrown in disorder in passing 
 through the town. Citizens from the windows, and even 
 women, fired upon the soldiers. One of the latter shot a dis- 
 abled soldier, who rested on her door steps, dead, with his 
 own revolver. The troops rapidly reformed beyond the 
 town, and continued their march. The retreat for five miles 
 was in the order of battle. No rebel infantry pursued, but 
 artillery and cavalry harassed the Union retreat. While 
 the column rested at Bunker Hill, Captain Bo wen, of the 
 rear-guard, was surrounded by three hundred rebel cav- 
 alry. Forming a line, he forced his way through them with 
 fixed bayonets, and amid cheers reached the main body. 
 
 The army, in three columns, advanced to Martinsburg. 
 The five hours during which Banks held the enemy in check 
 at Winchester, saved the train of five hundred wagons, 
 which kept on toward the Potomac. After a halt of two 
 hours and a half at Martinsburg, the march was continued 
 to the Potomac. One thousand wagons and other vehicles 
 lined the banks of the river. A pontoon bridge received 
 the troops in detachments, and by noon next day, they stood 
 in safety on the Maryland side. The killed, wounded, and 
 missing in this retreat, was nine hundred and five. Over 
 seven hundred were captured or straggled. At Strasburg, 
 Banks left sixty-four sick, and at Winchester, one hundred 
 and twenty -five. Eight surgeons, who volunteered to attend 
 them, and surrendered us prisoners of war, were generouslj
 
 THE MILITIA CALLED OFT. 179 
 
 .eft free to return to the Union lines by "Stonewall" 
 Jackson. This retreat was one of the most masterly in th 
 pages of history. Never did men behave with more gal- 
 lantry, or fight with more determination. 
 
 The rebel commander was unable to destroy Banks, who 
 displayed all the qualities of a skilful general. One great 
 object Jackson gained, however. By this movement he pre- 
 vented the reinforcement of McClellan, through the fears 
 which were now entertained by the Secretary of War. Gen- 
 eral Fremont, in Western Virginia, was ordered to cross tho 
 mountains and intercept the retreat of Jackson. McDowell 
 was to send a division of his forces, and the telegraph called 
 on the North to hurry troops in all haste to the defence of 
 Washington. The whole militia force was called out foi 
 three months, though only some arrived at the national 
 capital. 
 
 Meanwhile, exciting news came from other parts of the 
 country. At Corinth, Mississippi, General Halleck was 
 preparing to deal the enemy a heavy blow. After the fall 
 of New Orleans, Farragut moved up the Mississippi, captur- 
 ing several towns on his course, and the control of the great 
 river, which was only a matter of time, made a great change 
 in the military aspect. It was a considerable way to Mem- 
 phis, but Halleck pushed on, drawing nearer and nearer the 
 rebel fortifications. 
 
 An expedition cut the Mobile and Ohio railroad at Purdy, 
 and severed Beauregard's communication with the North. 
 General Paine, who was sent on the 8d of May by General 
 Pope to Farmington, Mississippi, met and defeated four 
 thousand of the enemy, with the loss of only fourteen killed 
 and wounded. An artillery reconnoissance at the same 
 time to Ellendale, destroyed part of the track of the Mem- 
 phis and Charleston railroad. 
 
 Meanwhile, a great naval expedition had been progressing 
 against Fort Wright, on the Mississippi rrver, in Tennessee. 
 A large number of Federal gunboats, under Flag-officer 
 Foote, had been preparing an attack. He was waiting until 
 Farragut should come up the river ; and the rebels, being 
 reduced to a very close condition, determined to attack and 
 destroy his fleet before the expected arrival of the latter. 
 Accordingly, on the morning of the 10th of May, they ad- 
 vanced from under tl e guns of the fort with eight iron -clad
 
 iSO NAVAL ACTION AT FORT WRIGHT. 
 
 gunboats, four of them fitted up as rams The first that came 
 round the point was the rebel rarn Louisiana, four gunboats 
 accompanying her. The Cincinnati allowed the ram to pro- 
 ceed unmolested for awhile, and then swung into the stream. 
 The ram turned to run her down, and Captain Stemmel, of 
 the Cincinnati, poured a heavy broadside on her. Seeing 
 lliat he could not stop her, he altered the course of his vessel 
 50 as to avoid the ram, and at pistol range, with his revolver 
 shot the pilot at the wheel. At the same moment, a ball 
 pierced him in the shoulder. A deadly fire with small arms 
 now took place. An attempt of the ram to drive her iron 
 prow into the Cincinnati and sink her, proved abortive. 
 The rebel captain then determined to board her. Stemmel 
 opened his steam batteries, and turned the hose upon the 
 rain; her deck was swarming with boarders, armed to the 
 teeth, who sent up shrieks of dreadful agony, and many 
 jumped into the river. The ram then withdrew. Meantime, 
 the rebel gunboat Mai lory tried the same course, and moved 
 on swiftly. The Federal gunboat St. Louis, under a full 
 head of steam, ran into her amidships, and cut her in two. 
 The water rushed in through the gash, and with her crew, 
 except some who clung to the Cincinnati, and a few whom 
 the St. Louis picked up, went to the bottom. A fierce can- 
 nonading now took olace, as the other Union gunboats 
 took part in the fight. Smoke wrapped the river in a cloud. 
 A rebel gunboat then blew up, and the banks trembled, 
 while only a few timbers marked the place where she had 
 floated. Captain C. II. Davis, on the flag-ship Benton, 
 directed all the operations of his fleet, and signals informed 
 him that the captain of each vessel was performing his part 
 well. Captain Davis had shown himself a skilful com- 
 mander, and the rebels, with their shattered fleet, having 
 been badly punished, retired, and sought protection under 
 he guns of the fort. After the engagement, it was .discov- 
 ered that the Cincinnati was much injured. The Federal 
 loss otherwise was slight. 
 
 On the 9th of May, Beauregard made an attempt on the 
 iand forces, as useless as the one made the day after by the 
 rebel flotilla on the fleet. Pope had captured Farrnington on 
 the 3d, and the rebels retook it three days after. On the 8th, 
 Pope again occupied it, and the cavalry advanced within 
 three miles of Corrnth. On the next day, the ?nemy, com-
 
 SPLENDID CAVALRY CHARGE 181 
 
 manded by General Bragg, marched against him in force. 
 The artillery began the fight at ten, and it lasted till noon 
 The Federal forces were commanded by General Paine, who 
 determined to withdraw, as the enemy were trying to get 
 in on his rear. There was a road through a swamp along 
 which he must pass with his troops. The enemy had 
 planted their artillery so as to make a cross fire on this road 
 and their wings were widely extended. To save time, and 
 get his men through, Payne sent Colonel Hatch, with the Sec- 
 ond Iowa, on the desperate mission of charging the enemy's 
 guns. Dashing through a ravine and up a slope, the brave 
 lowans stood before the battery. Forming, they obeyed the 
 bugle call, their sabres flashed aloft, and on the guns they 
 dashed, driving the skirmishers from their path. The enemy'a 
 artillery, opening with deadly missiles, would have made them 
 vanish like smoke, but the too great depression of the 
 guns was fortunate. The ground in front was ploughed 
 up, and one hundred horses fell, but the brave cavaliers 
 dashed on, and the terrified gunners limbered up their pieces. 
 His duty being accomplished, Hatch sounded the recall but 
 the brave cavalrymen never halted till they had sabred the 
 gunners ; then they fell back to the swamp, and the column 
 passed on beyond. In this engagement, the Union loss was 
 twenty-one killed and one hundred and forty wounded. That 
 of the enemy was reported to be four hundred and twenty. 
 
 It was not the design of Halleck to bring on a general 
 engagement, and Pope was not reinforced with sufficient 
 force to hold his own. The army advanced step by step, 
 so as to make success certain, and Beauregard was kept in 
 his intrenchrnents. The preparations were ready on the 
 28th, and three columns advanced to reconnoitre along the 
 entire line, and feel and unmask the batteries of the enemy 
 This brought on a sharp engagement, in which the enemy 
 were repulsed at all points. On the 29th, General William 
 T. Sherman placed a battery within a thousand yards of the 
 enemy's works, and an attack was expected to be made by 
 the whole army next day. Pope, at ten o'clock, opened on 
 the enemy with his artillery, and the cannonading continued 
 the entire day. During the night the rumbling of cars and 
 the shrieks of steam whistles were heard in the enemy'a 
 camp, as were also several loud explosions. Skirmishers were 
 thrown out, an advance ordered, and Pope entered a deserted 
 U
 
 182 GENERAL BUTLKR AT NEW ORLEANS. 
 
 place. The evacuation of Corinth had been going oi< for 
 days, and where the rebel troops had gone was unknown 
 The stars and stripes were planted en the works, arid the 
 mayor formally surrendered the town. The position was a 
 strong one naturally, and rendered more so by the best engi- 
 neering skill of the " Confederacy." 
 
 Meanwhile. General B. F. Butler was administering justice 
 to all classes of people at New Orleans. He divided the 
 Confederate stores among the poor, appointed a provost 
 marshal, tried to bring back the misguided to their loyalty 
 and suppressed disloyal sentiments. He took possession of 
 the Delta newspaper, which was thereafter conducted by an 
 editor from the army, and put an end to other scurrilous 
 sheets. Stores were opened, the banks renewed their busi- 
 ness, and no Confederate scrip was allowed to be circulated. 
 Ladies who insulted the soldiers in the streets, were ordered 
 to be treated as women of the town plying their vocation. 
 This order gave great dissatisfaction to the rebels, and drew 
 forth much animadversion from Europe. Butler was threat- 
 ened with assassination, but steadily persevered, and undei 
 the old flag, matters became more prosperous. 
 
 The banks of the Mississippi were now cleared to Vicks 
 burg, and its whole length was soon expected to be without 
 obstruction. The President, about the middle of the month, 
 had by proclamation opened the ports of Beaufort, Port 
 Royal, and New Orleans, and commerce, it was hoped, would 
 soon improve. 
 
 The Secretary cf War, this month, issued an order prohib 
 iting the enlistment of more volunteers. Regiments were 
 disbanded, and recruiting offices closed. The army was 
 losing ten thousand men monthly, and the great decisive fielda 
 of the rebellion were yet to be won. The Confederate army 
 was doubling by the conscriptions so rigorousl} enforced, 
 and ours was rapidly decreasing. The disasters which bcfel 
 the army are not difficult to be accounted for. It was soon 
 seen that a policy of this kind would never save the nation. 
 
 A defeat of the army before Richmond -would be a great 
 calamity ; a victory would counterbalance all disadvantages. 
 No idea of defeat or disaster entered the public mind. 
 Richmond must be taken, that was sure ; and this fact 
 once settled, every thing became easy. But the Divine Being 
 works with mysterious designs, and human expectations ara 
 not uncommonly disappointed.
 
 UtiAPTER XIX. 
 
 JUNE, 1862. 
 
 **AL ACTION BKFOKB MEMPHIS ITS EVACUATION GENERAL Mm HK1A 
 
 C4.PTURE8 CHATTANOOGA EXPEDITION UP TUB WHITE RIVER BUTLKi 
 
 AT NEW ORLEANS LOYAL EAST TENNESREA.VS PARSON BROWNLOW 
 
 MORGAN OCCUPIES CUMBERLAND GAP FREMONT PURSUES JACKSON 
 
 RIGHT AT HARRI8ONBURG BATTLE OF CROSS KEYS FIGHT AT PORT 
 
 REPUBLIC FREMONT SUPERSEDED BY POPE BATTLE OF JAMES ISLAND. 
 
 
 
 THE rebels, after the evacuation of Corinth, fell back into 
 different new positions, and were not attacked in any of them 
 by the Union army, which now lay inactive. No opera- 
 tions in the field took place, except those of Mitchell in 
 Alabama. 
 
 The Union fleet, however, descended the Mississippi, and 
 bid fair to join Farragut at an early day. Forts Wright 
 and Pillow were evacuated in succession, and in the pleasant 
 rays of the morning of June 6th, Memphis was disclosed to 
 the fleet. All was quiet, and promised the peaceful occu- 
 pation of the place ; but, at the lower end of the town, the 
 approaching flotilla descried that of the enemy lying close 
 to the Arkansas side of the river. The Confederate fleet 
 consisted of the General Bragg, the Jeff. Thompson, Beau- 
 regard, Lovell, General Van Dorn, Su niter, General Price, 
 and Little Rebel, and was under the command of Commodore 
 Edward Montgomery. They were steamers, altered into 
 gunboats, and carried from two to twelve guns each. The 
 gunboats of Commodore C. H. Davis, which were brought 
 into action, were the flag-ship Benton, the Louisville, Cairo, 
 St. Louis, and Carondelet. There were, in addition, four 
 steam rams, commanded by Colonel Charles Ellet, viz.: the 
 Queen of the West. Monarch, Lancaster, and Switzerland. 
 The rebel fleet met that of the Federals in gallant style, op- 
 posite Memphis. The inhabitants, in multitudes, swarmed 
 the levee, bluff, and house-tops, near the river. This day 
 witnessed as complete an overthrow as ever the rebel arms 
 had met with. The battle commenced at five o'clock in the 
 
 (183)
 
 184 NAVAL ACTION BEFORE MEMPHIS. 
 
 morning. "While the vessels were approaching, Colone 
 Ellet ordered the Queen of the West and Monarch to drop 
 down the river and pass between the rebel boats and the 
 shore. The current was swift, and the river here narrow 
 The enemy, in fighting up the river, had the advantage of 
 steerage way. The two rams reached their position, and 
 began the engagement. 
 
 The Queen of the West drove with great force into the 
 General Price, and took off her wheel. The latter soon 
 sunk. The Queen, in turn, was soon disabled by the Beau- 
 regard. The Monarch then, with a severe butt, disabled 
 the latter. She sunk at last, and her crew was saved by the 
 Little Rebel. The Benton and Lovell then engaged. The 
 fifty pound Parrott guns of the Benton raked the Lovell 
 fore and aft, and shots pierced her sides. Her boilers soon 
 exploded, and the scalded crew, suffocated and in the great- 
 est agony, rushed frantically on deck and implored assist- 
 ance. She began to sink, and hardly could the yawl from 
 the Benton rescue a few of her crew before she went down 
 in one hundred feet of water. The rest of the rebel flotilla 
 had so far been engaged at long range. The Beauregard, 
 riddled with shot, was filling fast, and drifting ashore, sunk 
 upon a shoal to her decks. The Jeff. Thompson was on 
 fire, and the flames could not be extinguished. Her maga- 
 zine exploded, and filled the river with shattered timber 
 and flying shells. The Sumter, disabled by the Federal 
 boats, drifted ashore at President's island. The General 
 Bragg, unable longer to maintain the contest, dropped down 
 the river, and was run ashore and abandoned. Boarded by 
 the crew of the Benton, she was found to have on twice the 
 ordinary pressure of steam, proving that the intention was 
 to blow her to atoms. A prize crew was put on board, the 
 stars and stripes raised, and she was towed to Memphis. A 
 shot, about the same time, struck the Little Eebel and dis- 
 abled her; in attempting to reach the Arkansas shore, she 
 was captured. Thus, in less than an hour and a half, the 
 whole rebel fleet, except the Van Dorn, was destroyed 01 
 captured. Being quicker than any of the Federal vessels, 
 she escaped. A greater defeat could not be. Commodore 
 Montgomery, and some of his officers, escaped to the thick- 
 ets on the Arkansas shore. Their loss was one hundred ; 
 the Federal loss was light. Commodore Ellet was wounded
 
 OCCUPATIOJf OP MEMPHIS. 185 
 
 m the leg, and expired subsequently, partly from unskilful 
 treatment. The Queen of the West was seriously disabled 
 Commodore Davis then took possession of Memphis, and a 
 portion of the Federal troops weie quartered there. The 
 stars and stripes were unfurled, and the supremacy of the 
 Uniled States Government again established in one of the 
 jrrcat marts of Tennessee. This once flourishing city had a 
 aosoiate appearance ; many of the inhabitants had left it and 
 fled The stores were closed, and all about the place told 
 the tale of the utter ruin which invariably follows in the 
 train of rebellion. This victory was of great importance in 
 its consequences, and materially assisted to clear the great 
 river of the enemy's gunboats. 
 
 Every rebel stronghold on the river had been captured, 
 except Yicksburg. The possession of the last mentioned 
 place would be a great blow to the power of the Confed- 
 eracy. Farragut had been here arrested in his progress by 
 the strong fortifications, which, even more formidable than 
 ihose of Memphis, stood on high ground, and frowning defi- 
 ance on the Federal fleet, rendered the opening of the Mis- 
 sissippi a task of infinite difficulty. Its capture by the 
 river, it will be found, was an utter impossibility; and such 
 was the natural strength of the position, that as Titus, 
 on beholding the great defences of captured Jerusalem, 
 exclaimed that it could not have been taken without the 
 help of the gods; so, in standing on the works of Vicks- 
 burg, some months after the national emblem waved over 
 it in victory, the conviction was forced upon the writer, 
 ill at to attempt it by water was the boldest of essays, and to 
 effect its capture was by powerful aid from Him whose 
 Providence has mercifully guided the destinies of the 
 American people. 
 
 About the same time, the Federal arms were victorious 
 in Tennessee. Chattanooga, one hundred and forty-five 
 miles from Nashville, in a southeasterly direction, the east 
 em terminus of the Nashville railroad and the connection 
 of the Georgia railroads, was strongly fortified by the rebels. 
 General Mitchell saw the importance of this strong position, 
 as, besides its other advantages, it was available as a ship^ 
 ping point for Middle and Eastern Tennessee. He accord 
 iagly resolved to take it by assault, and entrusted this task 
 to Gjneral James S. Negley. The risks incurred would be
 
 186 GENERAL MITCHELL CAPTURES CHATTANOOGA. 
 
 fully justified in making the attempt. Being situated on 
 the Tennessee river, it was the head of navigation for light 
 craft, commanded East Tennessee, and had connection with 
 Virginia, and even with the rebel capital. 
 
 General Negley, therefore, in execution of his orders, de- 
 spatched Colonel nambright from the camp of Genera! 
 Mitchell, at Eluntsville, Alabama. Moving rapidly, and 
 dispersing, on his way, a body of rebel cavalry, under Gen 
 eral Adums, on the 7th of June he assaulted the enemy V 
 batteries at Chattanooga. A fierce cannonading was kep', 
 up three hours, when the batteries were silenced. The 
 town was shelled next day, and the rebels, being driven 
 Lorn all their works, evacuated, burning the bridge across 
 the Tennessee to prevent pursuit. The works were entirely 
 destroyed. Eighty prisoners, besides a large number of 
 horses and cattle, fell into the hands of the victors. The 
 Federal loss was two killed, seven wounded, an.d three 
 missing. 
 
 This victory wrested from the enemy the advantages 
 before mentioned, and relieving the loyal people from the 
 heavy yoke of the rebels, confirmed their attachment to the 
 Government, for which many of them had experienced 
 great suffering. 
 
 An expedition was sent from Memphis on the 12th of 
 June, under Colonel Fitch, which sailed up the White river 
 to Jacksonport, with supplies and ammunition for the army 
 of General Curtis. The rebels had obstructed the river at 
 St. Charles City, and had erected two batteries of seven 
 guns, supported by infantry. Four iron-clad gunboats, the 
 flag-ship Mound City, St. Louis, Lexington, Conestoga, and 
 the armed tug Spitfire, with three transports, composed the 
 expedition. The land force consisted of the Forty-sixth In- 
 diana regiment. The capture of the new and valuable rebel 
 steamer, the Clara Dolsen, and the reduction of the works 
 at St. Charles, were among the first achievements of the ex- 
 pedition. The fleet, having moved up the river, on the 17th 
 suddenly came upon the batteries which the enemy had 
 erected on the Arkansas shore. These were concealed by 
 brushwood, and their position could only be ascertained by 
 the shot, which, if not heavy, with precision assaulted the 
 approaching Federal fleet. The casemates of the St. Louis 
 were struck with two shots. The Mound City, being first
 
 EXPEDITION UP THE WHITE RIVER. 187 
 
 in the advance, returned the fire promptly, which was soon 
 followed by that from the St. Louis and Conestoga. The 
 Mound City passed the first battery and moved on, when 
 the second battery opened fire on her. She replied with 
 promptitude. Colonel Fitch, meanwhile, landed five hun- 
 dred troops from the transports on the southern shore, for 
 the purpose of attacking the works in the rear. Signals 
 were sent up to cease firing, and it was determined to cap- 
 ture the forts by assault. A dreadful accident occurred at 
 this crisis. The enemy sent a ball of cylindrical form, and 
 iron flanges, at an angle of ninety degrees, which struck the 
 Mound City on her port side near the first gun, and passing 
 through her casemate, cut the connecting pipe of the boilers 
 The rushing hot steam filled the lower part of the vessel, 
 into which a hundred and seventy-five of the crew had 
 crowded ; forty-five died immediately. The most dreadful 
 agony from the hot vapor seized the rest, and, maddened 
 with terrible pain, eighty of the crew cast themselves into 
 the river. The rebels inhumanly fired on the drowning men 
 who struggled to reach the bank. Scarcely thirty-five es- 
 caped. Captain Fry, the rebel commander, arranged his 
 sharpshooters along the shore, and ordered them to pick off 
 the poor victims as they reached land ; this inhuman order 
 was eagerly obeyed. The Conestoga lowered her boats to 
 rescue the survivors ; when within range, they were fired on 
 by the enemy, and though struck, both gigs escaped, and suc- 
 ceeded in snatching a few from destruction. The annals of 
 history furnish few parallels to such diabolical cruelty as 
 this. 
 
 The brave soldiers on shore had reached the works, and 
 after witnessing this sad scene, assaulted the enemy in a bay- 
 onet charge. After a short and desperate resistance, the 
 two forts were carried, and the Union banner erected on the 
 works. The enemy fled to St. Charles. Of the force of five 
 hundred men, one hundred were killed and wounded, fifty 
 captured, and the remainder escaped. Captain Fry was 
 among the captured ; Colonel Fitch had extreme difficulty 
 in saving him from the indignant soldiers. The expedition, 
 except the calamity to the Mound City, was successful, and 
 accomplished its designs by reaching its destination. 
 
 In the meantime, Curtis, in Arkansas, being cut off from 
 hia base of opei itions, and suosisting on the country through
 
 '88 LOYAL TE.VNESSEANS PARSON BROWNLOW. 
 
 which he marched, was advancing in his slow and dangerous 
 course. Butler, at New Orleans, was maintaining his rule 
 with great rigor. He seized large amounts of money found 
 in possession of the English and French consuls, to whom 
 the rebels had intrusted it for safe keeping. Both sexes 
 were hurried off to Fort Jackson, when necessity required. 
 The Sheriff of the city, Pierre Sould, was arrested and ssnt 
 North ; and traitors generally, were informed, for their 
 edification, that there was but one alternative, submission or 
 punishment. 
 
 The army of General Halleck was divided up into different 
 army corps, to hold the immense territory that had fallen to 
 the Federals. General Buell advanced into the heart of the 
 country, with a large force, which it was thought had East 
 Tennessee for its destination. This news was hailed with 
 great joy by the people, who in that portion of the country 
 were loyal to the Union, and suffered much in consequence. 
 From the outbreak of the rebellion, these people, though 
 unaided, had never bowed to rebel sway. The iniquitous 
 rebel government had sent guerilla bands among them, to 
 destroy all who expressed a love for the old flag. The 
 nation heard their cries with sympathy, but could not now 
 come to their relief. Hope, in the midst of their distress, 
 still animated them. The men flocked to the standard of 
 the Union, and some, with the women and children, found 
 their way, through much danger, to an asylum in the North. 
 
 Numbers of them formed themselves into loyal bands, 
 and seeking the fastnesses of the mountains, determined to 
 act on the defensive till aided. They frequently destroyed 
 railroad bridges, to interrupt the rebel transportation. The 
 gallows, which impended, could not arrest the progress of 
 their loyalty ; they defied all that rebel malice could invent. 
 Much was suffered, and borne with a constancy which tested 
 their sincerity in those days of darkness. One, and chief of 
 these loyalists, was Parson Brownlow, editor of the Knox 
 ville Whig, who early used his able pen against treason, 
 and floated the Union flag over his office He threatened 
 tD shoot any man who attempted to pull it down, and when 
 once, in his absence, a rebel officer proceeded to do so, the 
 parson's daughter, pistol in hand, declared that if he touched 
 the flag she would shoot him on the spot. The cloth for 
 awhile protected the preacher. His office at last was closed
 
 MORGAN OCCUPIES CUMBERLAND GAP. 189 
 
 and himself imprisoned. Threats and bribes were tried upon 
 him in vain. He was then allowed to go North, but was 
 detained till, attacked by a dangerous fever, he was for \\ eeka 
 at the point of death. Insults and threats of execution were 
 heaped upon him in this forlorn condition. lie maintained 
 his integrity, and even wrote his dying speech, to be made 
 at the gallows. After months of suffering he was set free, 
 and electrified the North with the narrative of his sufferings 
 and those of his compatriots. The people gave him an en- 
 thusiastic reception wherever he went, -and amid blessings 
 and cheers, alleviated the distresses of this loyal son of East 
 Tennessee. 
 
 At Nashville, Andrew Johnson, Governor of Tennessee, 
 used his most unwearied efforts to calm the distractions 
 under which it labored. Union meetings were held, and 
 the people exhorted by him to come back to their alle- 
 giance. Trade was opened with Nashville, and the cotton 
 and tobacco which the rebels had failed to destroy found a 
 Northern market. Secessionists and spies made his path 
 difficult and perilous. The clergy set him at defiance, and 
 the mayor and common council would not take the re- 
 quired oath of office. He put down treason however, with a 
 firm hand, imprisoning the clergy who refused to take the 
 oath of allegiance. 
 
 Meanwhile, General Morgan, by a flank movement, took 
 possession of Cumberland Gap, the key of East Tennessee. 
 He was obliged to march through the Pine and Cumberland 
 mountains, where two hundred men were required to drag 
 up the artillery. The astonished rebels abandoned this 
 strong position without a battle, and hopes were now enter- 
 tained that deliverance at no distant day would visit East 
 Tennessee. Thousands of hearts, throbbing with patriotic 
 impulses, rejoiced in the supremacy of the Government for 
 which they suffered, and which they loved so well. 
 
 Eventa of greater magnitude were now taking place in 
 Virginia. General Fremont, who had received orders to cut 
 off the retreat of " Stonewall" Jackson, after his battle with 
 Banks at Winchester, now put his army in motion, and left 
 Franklin on Sunday, May 25th. He took his path across 
 the Shenandoah mountains, and led his troops, with the 
 artillery trains and wagons, over roads almost impassable 
 Having man bed one hundred miles in a week, he arrived
 
 190 FREMONT PURSUES JACKSON. 
 
 within five miles of Strasburg on the Is* of June, anl oyer 
 took the enemy, who were in full retreat. The advance 
 brigade, under Colonel Cluseret. was assailed by the enemy's 
 artillery ; mounted in a strong position. Fremont hurried 
 forward the main column, and drew up his men in line of 
 battle. A knowledge that a strong force was advancing 
 f iom Fredericksburg up the Sbenandoah to cut him off, ard 
 that Banks also was hurrying up from the Potomac, made 
 it prudent for the rebel commander to decline measuriro 
 Bwords with Fremont. The fatigue of the troops, and a 
 thunder-storm, which rendered the night dark as pitch, pre- 
 vented pursuit. In the morning, however, it began. Gen- 
 eral Bayard, of McDowell's advance, moved rapidly forward 
 with cavalry and artillery. The enemy made a stand several 
 times with artillery, and skirmishing continued during 
 the entire day. Fremont, however, pursued with great ob- 
 stinacy of purpose, giving the enemy no rest. The artillery 
 roared in his ears daily until the north fork of the Shenan- 
 doah was reached. Here Jackson crossed hastily, burning 
 the bridge behind him. The pontoon train was hurried up, 
 but a heavy rain storm descended, and the mountain tor- 
 rents so swelled the river that one day passed before the 
 pursuit could be continued. Jackson had need of that day 
 to rest his wearied troops, for the next saw Fremont after 
 him again, and the enemy found one as tireless and active 
 as himself, famous as he was for rapid movements. The 
 pursuit was continued through Harrisonburg on the 5th, 
 the Federals harassing the Confederate rear with cavalry and 
 artillery. On the evening of the 6th of June, Fremont en- 
 tered the city with his wearied troops. 
 
 The cavalry, eight hundred strong, under Colonel "W incl- 
 ham, was sent on a reconnoissance a little beyond the town.. 
 Passing through at a quick trot, and turning to the left at 
 its extreme end, the colonel advanced through the fields to 
 h hill that commanded a view of the valley beyond it 
 Skirmishers sent out failed to bring any satisfactory account 
 of the position of the enemy. Advancing, he encountered 
 the rebel cavalry drawn up in line of battle across the road, 
 and extending through the fields to the woods on each flank. 
 He sent out no skirmishers to ascertain the force against 
 him, or if infantry protected the cavalry. The bugles rung 
 out the charge, and the bold squadrons dashed upon th
 
 FIGHT AT HARKISOSBURG. 191 
 
 foe. To come up with the enemy, a large wheat field well 
 grown, had to be crossed, and here several hundred rebel 
 infantry lay in ambush. No sooner did the Federal cavalry 
 come up than a murderous volley threw^ the advance into 
 contusion. Colonel Windham had his horse shot under him, 
 and was captured. Captain Shell man was killed rallying 
 the Union forces. The way was narrow, and no efforts of 
 the officers could restore order to the scattered ranks horses 
 plunged, riders were jostled, and no line could reform. 
 They fell back in wild confusion down the hill. The second 
 squadron, attempting to pass the rebel infantry and come 
 upon the cavalry in flank, was too late for this movement, 
 and the entire force fell back in confusion. General Bayard, 
 wiih four companies of the Bucktail Tories and the First 
 Pennsylvania cavalry, together with Colonel Cluseret, with 
 his brigade, composed of the Sixtieth Ohio and Eighth 
 Virginia infantry, were ordered to advance and hold the 
 further end of the town and its approaches in that direction. 
 The Bucktails had scarcely taken position when a whole 
 brigade of the enemy attacked them. They held their 
 ground, however, manfrlly, and did great execution with 
 their rifles, until nearly half their number fell killed or 
 wounded. Their commander, Colonel Kane, was wounded 
 and taken prisoner. They were then compelled to fail back 
 in retreat. The rebels suffered severely in killed and 
 wounded. Among the killed was the famous rebel cavalry 
 leader, Colonel Ashby, of Salem, Virginia. He was <* hu- 
 mane man, and a great loss to the enemy. Ti 3 writer has 
 seen the tears, at his loss, roll down the hardy cheeks of 
 Federal soldiers whom he had rescued from the murderous 
 attempts of his own men. The Bucktails lost thirty-six 
 killed, thirty-six wounded, and ten missing, doubtless cap- 
 tured. The rest of the Federal troops lost one hundred and 
 eighteen killed, four hundred and fifty wounded, and thirty 
 missing. Jackson had turned oft' to the left, and took up a 
 strong position at Cross Keys. 
 
 The enemy was advantageously posted in the timber, 
 having chosen his own position, which was in a smaller 
 circle than that of the Federals. His troops were massed, 
 and consisted of his whole force. 
 
 On Sunday, June 8th, Fremont advanced to attack tho 
 aemy, and the battle corn-no ced at 11 o'clock. GneraJ
 
 192 BATTLE OF CROSS KEYS. 
 
 Milroy commanded the centre, General Schenck the right, 
 and General Stahl the left of the Federal line. Colonel 
 Cluseret, with his brigade, and the Garibaldi Guard, led the 
 advance. The line moved cautiously and steadily, driving 
 in the enemy's skirmishers. On their descent into an open 
 valley, the forces of the enemy lay before the Union forces 
 who were concealed in the wooded hills which rose in their 
 front. The Union commander watched the movements of 
 ths opposing columns anxiously, from a commanding hill 
 as they advanced to the battle. He tried to find out tha 
 position of the enemy's batteries, but no shot replied to 
 Schenck's guns as they shelled the woods. Meanwhile, 
 Cluseret's brigade, with gleaming bayonets, had disappeared 
 behind the woods. Soon the rattle of musketry, and smoke, 
 rising above the foliage, told Fremont that Cluseret was 
 driving the enemy before him The batteries from every 
 high hill now sent forth the deadly bolts, and the artillery 
 was engaged along the whole line. Jackson knew the coun- 
 try well, and, having the range, he worked his guns with 
 wonderful precision. 
 
 During the dread artillery fight, Milroy moved his troopa 
 right on the centre. Stahl and Bohlen, on the left, sent 
 from the woods the roar of their guns, and the crack of 
 musketry blended with the sound jf their artillery. A 
 desperate battle was fought OL. this spot. At three o'clock, 
 Jackson sent a large body of infantry to take Stahl in flank, 
 which compelled the latter to fall back in a more open posi- 
 tion. Milroy, also, was forced to retire. Cluseret, in the 
 woods to the right, held his ground till ordered to full back. 
 During the battle, Fremont, who, surrounded by a group 
 of officers, watched the battle from an eminence, was a fair 
 mark for the enemy's guns, and a bursting shell at last ren- 
 dered it prudent for him to take up some new position 
 Before night, the battle "had ended, and Fremont discovering 
 that the enemy's Dosition could not be carried, refrained 
 from another assault. 
 
 The Confederates, in this battle, lost one thousand men 
 and the Federals, from seven hundred to eight hundred. 
 Jackson crossed the south branch of the Shenandoah, leav- 
 ing his dead and two cannon on the field. 
 
 Fremont was led into the error that Jackson acknowledged 
 a defeat. The latt >r had ascertained that Shields wae ap
 
 FIGHT AT PORT REPUBLIC. I9S 
 
 preaching, and was now advancing on Port Republic, in his 
 rear. He prudently left the battle field of Cross Keys, a.id 
 determined to fight Shields before the latter could combine hie 
 forces with those of Fremont. The people in the vicinity had 
 kept Jackson well posted in the movements of our army. Tie 
 hospital at Harrisonburg was full of wounded and sick sol- 
 diers. Most of them were sent to Mount Jack^n. A 
 branch hospital in the town remained, and was captured by 
 a troop of Ashby's cavalry. The writer was one of the sur- 
 geons in attendance; and it is just to say that the ladies of 
 Harrisonburg attended and supplied the poor we anded tel- 
 'ows with every delicacy. The Union prisoners, both there 
 and at Staunton and Lynchburg, to both of which places 
 they were sent, met all the humanity that could be expected 
 by prisoners of war. The captivity terminated at Richmond, 
 and was marked by none of the atrocities which, afterward, 
 in other prisons, disgraced indelibly the leaders of the 
 rebellion. 
 
 McDowell having been ordered to send reinforcements to 
 Fremont, despatched General James Shields up the Luray 
 valley, and along the south branch of the Shenandoah river 
 10 cut off Jackson. Another column moved on Strasburg 
 Colonel Carroll, being in the advance, reached Conrad's 
 store by forced marches. lie was then instructed to move 
 on Port Republic, distant about thirty-five miles. Heavy 
 rains and swollen streams placed it beyond his power to ad- 
 vance till the 7th, when, with scarcely one thousand infantry, 
 six pieces of artillery, and one hundred and fifty cavalry, he 
 moved rapidly, hoping to arrive and destroy the bridge at 
 that place before Jackson could come up. He reached it on 
 the 8th (Sunday), while Fremont was fighting the battle of 
 Cross Keys, and drove out the small' body of the enemy 
 found there. Having planted two guns to protect his troops 
 from attack till the main body arrived, he was suddenly 
 assailed by three infantry regiments, eighteen pieces of ar 
 tilleiy, and a large force of cavalry. His instructions b_u 
 directed him to advance up to Waynesboro, and block up 
 Jackson's way, so that the corbined troops of Fremont and 
 McDowell might destroy thr enemy. An overpowering 
 force now, compelled him to retreat, leaving no tim,- i'cr the 
 destruction of the bridge. He retired, slcwiy, t.vo and a 
 half miles, and took up a position where General Tylor. with 
 17
 
 194 ESCAPE OF JACKSON. 
 
 two thousand men, soon joined him. Jackson, having 
 eluded Fremont, crossed the river without loss, and ad- 
 vanced upon the combined forces of the Federals. While 
 Fremont supposed himself in full pursuit, this wily leader 
 Jackson, fortunate in the heavy rains, which kept Carroll 
 from destroying the bridge c rer which he now marched, 
 was breaking up the force sent against trim. Tyler and 
 Carroll, for five hours, fought with great gallantry; and the 
 Seventh Indiana regiment, in terrible charges, almost anni- 
 hiUted the Seventh Louisiana. Carroll led three successful 
 charges, with great bravery. The fight was bloody, and 
 almost hand to hand. The artillery poured grape and can- 
 ister into the enemy's closed ranks, and made fearful gaps, 
 witb great slaughter. The superior numbers of the enemy 
 enabled him to outflank the gallant Union troops, and they 
 were forced, reluctantly, to retire. The battle of Port Be- 
 public was a desperate one, for Jackson could take no 
 time to move with caution. He knew from the first that 
 his movements must be with great celerity. The safety of 
 his retreat depended on swift, prolonged marches, and sud- 
 den attacks. lie had turned from Fremont to Shields, and 
 attacked a portion before the remainder of the troops could 
 come up. Now he eluded all pursuit, and had arrived 
 where he could receive any amount of reinforcements. 
 With scarcely twenty thousand men, he had driven Banks 
 io the Potomac; held his own with Fremont and McDowell; 
 defeated Shields, with loss; and, while eighty thousand 
 troops were within striking distance, escaped with his tro- 
 phies and spoils in safety. He had also done what was of 
 no less importance to the rebel cause, prevented the rein- 
 forcement of AfcGkllan. This great leader outgeneralled all 
 our commanders, and now shone as a star of hope to the 
 rebel army, himself of more value than many hosts. 
 
 Jackson's escape had been deemed impossible. Great 
 vras therefore the public disappointment. The scapegoat 
 must be found, on whose devoted head to visit all these 
 disasters. Consequently, McDowell, Shields, Carroll and 
 Fremont, each had his share of blame. How the rebel leader, 
 wily as ue was, should manage to escape all the toils laid for 
 him seems a mystery, whose solution is perhaps best found 
 in the fact that he was perfectly acquainted with the min- 
 utest movements and dispositions of the Unoin forces, and 
 oould lay all his pinna with unerring certainty.
 
 FREMONT SUPERSEDED BY POPE. 196 
 
 Some remedies are worse than the disease itself. Tb. 
 President had made a mistake in creating independent 
 corps, which could only act under orders from Washington. 
 He resolved to apply a cure. And, in consultation with 
 General Scott, at West Point, he came to the conclusion 
 tlmt the consolidation of the Department of Virginia, under 
 Gr 3neral John Pope, was the best step that could be made 
 inder the circumstances. That General Pope was an officer 
 >f great executive capacity, energy, and bravery, several 
 .veil managed and successful campaigns had proved. The 
 appointment gave general satisfaction, which, however, was 
 not participated in by General Fremont, who declined to 
 serve under an officer who had been his subordinate in 
 Missouri. He therefore resigned his position, and retired 
 from the army. Whether such a course, in the circumstances 
 of the nation at that particular time, was patriotic, it is not 
 attempted here to decide. Be that as it may, the loss of an 
 officer of Fremont's ability and indomitable energy, was no 
 advantage to the struggling country. His friends could 
 hardly apologize for such a step, and his enemies loudly 
 condemned it. When General Pope assumed the command, 
 his address to the army was not without forebodings to men 
 of enlarged military experiences. It cast reflections on his 
 predecessors. " I hear," said he, " of taking strong positions 
 and holding them, of lines of retreat, and of bases of sup- 
 plies ; let us discard such ideas. Let us study the probable 
 line of retreat of our opponents, and leave our own to take 
 care of themselves." 
 
 This want of respect for military rules, though ominoua 
 of 'disaster, was received by the public and the press with 
 great marks of approbation, while military men became 
 somewhat grave. While affairs at Washington were thus 
 growing into a state of confusion not easily recovered, the 
 Union forces before Charleston met with a severe disaster. 
 In the early part of May. General Benham, who commanded 
 ho northern department of the South, was induced to believe 
 that Charleston could be reached by the Stono river. He 
 formed the plan of concentrating the Union troops on James 
 island, taking Fort Johnston, and thence, being in the rear o f 
 the enemy's batteries, of marching on Charleston. The plfcn 
 met the approbation of Hunter, and the two generals en 
 the 2d left Hilton Head, with some troops under Greceral
 
 198 BATTLE OF JAMES .SLAND. 
 
 Stevens, and arriving in the Stono river in the afternoon. 
 landed at " Old Battery." As transportation could not be 
 had, most of the troops were sent to the Edisto river, to be 
 marched across St. John's island. Their arrival was ex- 
 pected at the Stono river the day following. From want of 
 ferry-boats, and various delays, they arrived only on the 5th, 
 and did not cross over to James island until the 9th. Fort 
 Johnston contained but a feeble garrison, and had the mis- 
 chance to the Federals not happened, would doubtless have 
 been taken Stephens, meanwhile, had been skirmishing 
 with the enemy, and captured a battery of iron carronades, 
 and twenty prisoners. On the 10th, the rebels were erect- 
 ing a fort at Secessionville, commanding General Wright's 
 camp, a part of Stevens', and the gunboats on the Stono. A 
 reconnoissance in force next morning, and a sudden attack 
 to capture the fort, were determined on. An attack on the 
 Union lines near Wright's camp, in the afternoon, however, 
 caused the projected reconnoissance to be given up, and a 
 plan was devised to reduce the fort by artillery. Hunter 
 now left, with the orders not to advance on Charleston or at- 
 tack Fort Johnson " until reinforced or ordered from head- 
 quarters, but that the camps should be made sure, and in 
 trenched." Benham, finding that the bombardment did not 
 succeed, and hearing from deserters that the fort was defended 
 by eight hundred men and six guns, and that the whole 
 force on the island was twelve thousand men, resolved upon 
 an assault. The hour appointed was four o'clock on the 
 morning of the 16th. General Stevens, with four thousand 
 men, was to mass suddenly on the right of the works, and 
 the left was to be attacked simultaneously by three thou- 
 sand men, under General Williams. The first to approach 
 i,he works was the Eighth Michigan regiment, four hundred 
 men, moving up at double-quick. They were seen advanc- 
 ing by the enemy, and were mowed down with grape 
 and canister. This heroic band moved forward, though 
 losing half its number, but being without support was com- 
 pelled to fall back. The Seventy-ninth New York (High- 
 landers) formed in a cotton field, and advanced in front of 
 the guns. Not a shot was fired till they came within a 
 thousand yards, when all the guns rained on them a terrible 
 Cre of grape and canister. The regiment closed its broken 
 ranks, and moved swiftly, under a deadly fire, til) it reached
 
 KEPCLSE OF THB UNION FORCES. 191 
 
 the fort. Their brave leader, Lieutenant Morrison, animat 
 ing his men, leaped on the ramparts, and some, in following 
 him, were picked off by sharpshooters. Finally, he receiveo 
 a wound in the head and was borne to the rear. A por- 
 tion of the regiment now filed to the right, another part 
 held its ground in front, and the right wing, in a shel- 
 tered position, poured such an effectual fire as silenced the 
 guns. They were falling fast, and looked for the supports, 
 which, had they come up, the fort would have been taken. 
 They were ordered to fall back, and obeyed with reluctance, 
 leaving half their brave comrades dead or wounded behind 
 them. The Seventh Connecticut, which came up later, met 
 the fate of the other two regiments. Williams' division 
 advanced and fought well, but did not reach the works. 
 The Federal loss was five hundred killed and wounded. 
 Three fifthi of the casualties were in the Michigan and 
 Seventy-ninth llighland regiments. This disaster gave 
 great dissatisfaction. General Benham was arrested, sent 
 home, and deprived of his rank. Stevens blamed him, and 
 he in turn threw the blame on Stevens for not bringing up 
 the supports, thus allowing the battle to be lost. The mor 
 tification was the greater, as it was before Charleston.
 
 CHAPTEK XX. 
 
 JUNK, 1862. 
 
 'UK ARMY BEFORE RICHMOND MCCLELLAN's ADDRESS MCOALL 8KNT T 
 HIS SUPPORT TOE REBEL GENERAL STUART MARKS A RAID ROUND TH8 
 WHOLE UNION ARMY ROBERT E. LEE, REBEL tOMMANDER-IN-CHIEK 
 HIS PLANS BATTLES OP OAK GROVE, MECHANICS V1LLK, GAINKS* MILL 
 MCCLELLAN'S DESPATCH. 
 
 THE battle of Fair Oaks had begun on the 31st day of 
 May, and ended the next day, June 1st. It retarded the 
 Federal advance, but made no change in the plans of 
 McClellan. The delay was more on account of the flood, 
 which swelled the Chickahominy, than of the battle itself. 
 Bridges were to be reconstructed, and timbers to be dragged, 
 with much labor, over the miry ground. The flood had 
 caused the men much suffering, and now the great heat of 
 the sun upon the damp earth, produced malarious diseases, 
 which made the hardships and privations more difficult to 
 endure, and cost the Federals more valuable lives, during 
 the next few weeks, than all the dangers of the field of bat- 
 tle. The hope of taking Richmond still buoyed up 
 McClellan and his brave troops, in all the difficulties and 
 discouragements of their trying situation. About this time 
 he issued the following inspiring address to animate the 
 
 spirit of his troops. 
 
 * '- 
 
 "HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, ) 
 
 CAMP NEAR NEW BRIDGE, VA., [- 
 
 June 2d, 1861. ) 
 
 "SOLDIERS OF THE ARMY or THE POTOMAC: I have 
 fulfilled at least a part of my promise to you. You are now 
 face to face with the rebels, who are held at bay in front of 
 the capital. The final and decisive battle is at hand. Un- 
 less you belie your past history, the result cannot be, for a 
 moment, doubtful. If the troops who labored so faithfully, 
 and fought so gallantly at Yorktown, and who so bravely 
 won the hard fights at ^yilliamsburg, \Yest Point, Hanover 
 (198)
 
 MCCLELLAN S ADDRESS. 199 
 
 Court House, and Fair Oaks, now prove worthy of their an- 
 tecedents, the victory is surely ours. 
 
 "The events of every day prove your superiority 
 Wherever you have met the enemy you have beaten him. 
 Wherever you have used the bayonet, he has given way in 
 panic and disorder. I ask of you now one last crowning 
 effort. The enemy has staked his all on tL:; issue of the 
 coining battle. Let us meet him, and crush him here, in 
 the very centre of the rebellion. 
 
 "Soldiers, I will be with you in this battle, and share its 
 dangers with you. Our confidence in each other is now 
 founded upon the past. Let us strike the blow which is tc 
 restore peace and union to this distracted land. Upon 
 your valor, discipline, and mutual confidence, the result 
 depends. 
 
 "(Signed), GEO. B. McCLELLAN. 
 
 " Major general Commanding? 
 
 The confidence of the commander in the result of the 
 operations of the army before Richmond was unbounded, 
 and nothing yet happened to weaken it. Burnside was 
 ready below to move on the enemy in the rear, and finish 
 up the anticipated defeat of the rebel forces. The idea of 
 abandoning the matured plan of the campaign, and starting 
 the war anew, had never entered into the calculations of any 
 one in that vast host. 
 
 The report was rife in camp, that McDowell had now 
 irrived at Hanover Court House. As before intimated, the 
 rebels were fully aware of the movements of the Union 
 arrny. The whole plan of the campain against Biohmond 
 was better known there than to the people of the Ncitli. 
 IFad the plan been carried out, and McDowell reiufoiced 
 McClellan, there is little doubt that the Federal arms would 
 have been successful. The disasters in the Sh^o-nndcah 
 valley, as b' -'ore related, frightened the Government at 
 Washington and caused the withdrawal of the troops who 
 were so much needed at this juncture to reinforce the army 
 on which so much depended. McClellan, deprived of sup- 
 port, hesitated at the very gates of Richmond. The army 
 was expected to take the city ; and a few thousands of fresh 
 trooprf would, in all human probability, have rendered its 
 capture certain To the midst o f the hot weather of sum*
 
 200 REBEL CAVALRY RAID UNDER GENERAL STUART. 
 
 mer, though the malaria of the pestilential swamps waa 
 rapidly thinning the ranks, yet the army kept up its spirits. 
 Its hopes had been four times elevated to the highest de- 
 gree, and as often depressed. The army had now, by losses 
 in battle, and sickness, and furloughs, dwindled down to 
 less than one hundred thousand men. General McCall, 
 with the Pennsylvania Reserves, a body of eleven thousand 
 men, being now sent as reinforcements, made the number a 
 little over one hundred thousand. Of these, twenty thousand 
 would be required to guard the communications with the 
 White llouse, leaving about eighty thousand to attack the 
 enemy, who were defended by the powerful defences of the 
 rebel capital. The bridges were all ready by the 10th, and 
 as soon as the forces of McDowell should appear, the left 
 wing was ready to advance. 
 
 The cavalry raid by which General J. E. B. Stuart, with some 
 fifteen hundred men, made the circuit of the Union army, in 
 order to find out the disposition and number of the troops 
 between the main body and the White House, on the Pa- 
 munkey, started on the 12th from Richmond. The march 
 began at daylight along the Charlotteville turnpike, and 
 continued to Ashland, where a halt was made for the night. 
 Continuing on his route, early next morning the rebel 
 eader drove in the Union cavalry pickets on the main body, 
 near Hanover Court House. The cavalry made a stand aa 
 the Confederates approached, and the Union commander 
 caused the charge to be sounded, but was shamefully aban- 
 doned by his rncn / who turned and fled. The enemy moved 
 rapidly through the deserted camp, and encountered another 
 body of Union troops, advancing in good order. They were 
 1 riven back by a destructive volley, but came on again, in 
 gallant style, at the sound of the bugle. The shock of the 
 two columns was so violent that the front ranks of both 
 were unhorsed. Latane, the rebel commander, and the 
 leader of the Union force sucountered. The former cleft the 
 cap of the Union leader, who discharged his pistol, and the 
 bullet taking effect in the rebel's side, he instantly expired. 
 The brave Union commander was cut down in pursuing a 
 rebel ; and the Union forces, overpowered by numbers, 
 retired. On their way, at Putney's Landing, the enemj 
 burnt two out of three schooners, quartermasters' stares, etc. 
 und captured some prisoners and horses. AtTunstall's aia
 
 REBEL CAVALRY RAID UNDER GENERAL STUART. 2f>l 
 
 lion, a train of cars, with five hundred passengers, was 
 nearly captured ; but the engineer put on steam, and returned 
 to the White House Of the passengers who jumped off, 
 and made for the woods, fourteen were killed and 
 wounded. 
 
 The Ninety-third New York regiment, stationed near the 
 White House, and all the available forces in the vicinity 
 were there collected. The news had gone ir different Jii ec 
 tions, and the daring rebel chief saw that the clouds around 
 him portended a storm. The way behind him was effec- 
 tually closed, and, from sheer desperation, he formed the 
 bold design of making the compass of the entire Union 
 army, and trusting to fortune to reconduct him across the 
 Chickahominy. Arrived at New Kent, half the semicircle 
 which the Union army formed around Richmond was now 
 completed. Proceeding, the water was found fifteen feet 
 deep at " Blind Ford," which it was necessary for them to 
 cross. The country around swarmed with troops. It was 
 now dark. A desperate attempt in which only fifty suc- 
 ceeded was made to swim the horses across. The joyful 
 information that there was a bridge a little further up 
 stream, brought by the friendly residents of the neighbor- 
 hood, inspired the raiders with hope. Timber was felled 
 and laid on the bridge, which had been partly destroyed. 
 They were within the Federal lines at day-dawn, and, un- 
 molested, proceeded along Charles City road. They reached 
 their own pickets, and were now safe. The rebels, in tbia 
 raid, killed four Unionists, wounded thirty, and captured 
 about one hundred, together with three hundred thousand 
 dollars' worth of property. When the excitement produced 
 by this raid had somewhat cooled down, affairs went on as 
 before, with occasional skirmishes and reconnoissances. The 
 people of Richmond could read the word " Union" on tte 
 balloon which occasionally ascended near that city, and pre 
 parations for a great forthcoming struggle were steadily 
 going forward. 
 
 The enemy's camps were bustle and activity, the precur 
 sor of some great movement. The Federal forces, as the 
 sound of cannonading was heard from the James, indulged 
 the pleasing hope that the gunboats were going up the river 
 to the rebel capital. Rumors of the advance of Burnside on 
 Fort Darling were rife in csmp. All these hopes were des- 
 tined, in a little while, to pass away
 
 202 GENERAL \OBEPT E. LET-, MIS PLANS. 
 
 Genera! Kobert E. Lee had now become the Confederate 
 -ommander-in-chief. Seeing the movement of" Stonewall" 
 Jackson, in the Shenandoah valley, successful, and no re- 
 inforcements augmenting the Union army before Richmond, 
 he formed the design of concentrating all the forces which 
 he could muster upon McClellan, and bringing, at once, 
 ii jsuuction to the Union army, and deliverance to the 
 v :,ieged city. 
 
 The two armies, all this time, had been fortifying with 
 gie-it care. A iouble row of earthworks stood front to front, 
 and in such proximity that no further advance could be 
 made without a battle. Heavy guns had come up from 
 Yorktown. and preparations were hurried forward which 
 betokened a regular siege. Between the Union fortifica- 
 tions and the enemy there was a piece of woods, of which 
 MsClellan wished to get possession before he attempted an 
 onward movement. He made his arrangements on Tuesday 
 night, the 24th, to take it next morning. This might cause 
 a genera 1 engagement. The ground was that which a part 
 of Casey's division had occupied a month before, and lay 
 along the Williamsburg road. On the right, between this 
 road and the railroad, was Heintzelman's division, with 
 Sumner still further to the right. Some distance in the 
 rear, Sickles' Excels:.cr division extended along the left of 
 the road, joined by Kearney's division. The brigades were 
 drawn up in line of battle at seven o'clock in the morning; and 
 the First Massachusetts, supported by the Second New Hamp- 
 shire and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania, was sent out as skir- 
 mishers. The Eleventh Massachusetts was held as a reserve 
 to these regiments. Beyond the woods, which hid the di- 
 'ision of Heintzelman from the foe, there was a swamp ; a 
 peach orchard, at its further extremity, was nearly opposite 
 .tlocker's position. Rifle pits lay near this orchard, and 
 ai o or-. Lhe other side of the road near Kearney's encamp- 
 ment Kearney took the rifle pits with little difficulty. 
 The contest on the other side of the road was not so easy. 
 Hooker's advance regiment cleared the woods and forced 
 the enemy back into the swamp. It was an affair of in- 
 fantry alone, as no artillery could be used except in the rear. 
 The swamp being at length cleared, and the rest of the 
 troops being now up, tha ertire force ad'/anced through the 
 jpe*oh orchard and drove e,ae <->.m>.niy before them. On the
 
 BATTLE )F OAK GROVE. 208 
 
 open field, commanded by the rifle pits, the Union troops 
 fought at great disadvantage in the bloody encounter which 
 took place, the rifle pits protecting the enemy. The Fed- 
 erals here lost three to ono, but they held on with great 
 gallantry, and delivered their fire with coolness and pre- 
 cision. Seeing Kearney now bringing up his division, tht 
 enemy broke and fled, and the Union troops took possession 
 of the rifle pits, holding them until ordered to fall back 
 There was now a cessation till eleven o'clock. McClellan al 
 that hour appearing on the field, was received with great 
 enthusiasm by the troops. He took up his position near 
 the ground which had been Casey's headquarters previous 
 to the battle of Fair Oaks, the first day of which is usually 
 known as the battle of Seven Pines. 
 
 The Union commander now directed all the operations 
 till the close of the action. 
 
 A battery on the railroad began to shell the woods and 
 swamp, and then the troops were ordered to advance and 
 again take the rifle pits. Meantime, Couch's division, led 
 by General Palmer, was sent to the front to reinforce 
 Hooker. It moved up in fine order. Captain Dusenberry led 
 up two Napoleon guns of De Kussey's battery, and succeeded, 
 with great difficulty, in getting them across the swamp. 
 On being placed in position, the rebels attempted their cap- 
 ture, but were prevented by a powerful force which rushed 
 to support them. The whole force now moved foward on 
 the open field. At five o'clock the battle seemed over, when 
 the massed foe came swarming upon Kearney in the rifle 
 pits. The men, < vercome by the sudden attack, retired, and 
 made an obstinute stand at the margin of the woods, thus 
 checking the enemy's further advance. Eepeated efforts to 
 dislodge them were in vain, and, recoiling from the tremen- 
 dous volleys, the Confederates at last abandoned the field; 
 letting their dead behind them. That night the pickets of 
 Hooker were posted within five miles of Kichmond. The 
 rebels during the night kept up the attack at different 
 points, and, driving in the pickets, made an onset on the 
 working parties, when the spade was quickly changed for 
 the musket. 
 
 Thus ended what is known as the battle of Oak Grove, 
 fought on June 25th, and initiating the seven days' fight. 
 The Federal loss m this battle was two hundred killed and
 
 204 CHANGE OS BASE DECIDED ON. 
 
 wounded. The ground in front of the earthworks waa 
 gained. The despatch of MoClellan, "We have gained 
 our point fully, 11 seemed to justify the idea that he haci 
 arranged all things for the capture of Richmond, and the 
 North was preparing to celebrate the anticipated victory 
 on the 4th of July, the anniversary of its independence. 
 
 It now became necessary to effect a change in the Union 
 base of operations, owing to the want of security of '.ho 
 supplies at the White House. The Richmond and York 
 railroad rendered it easy for the enemy to interrupt the 
 communications. Their attacks had lately increased in fre- 
 quency and ferocity, and an entire division of troops waa 
 required constantly to protect the communications and sup- 
 plies. The difficulty was enhanced by the recent losses of 
 the Federal army, and the superiority of the rebel forces, 
 increased by a portion of Beauregard's troops from Corinth, 
 and " Stonewall" Jackson's from the Shenandoah. These 
 considerations determined the course of McClellan. He 
 saw the mighty fabric erected at so much cost crumbling to 
 ruin. A change of base must be made to Harrison's Land- 
 ing, on the James river. This was the only course to be 
 adopted without admitting defeat. The march must be 
 made in the presence of a numerous and exultant enemy. 
 It would be six miles for the left, and twenty for the right 
 wing. The supplies for the army could then be brought 
 up the James guarded by the gunboats. The order for re- 
 moval was issued on or about the 24th of June, and was 
 concealed as well as possible. McClellan acted upon the 
 supposition that the enemy would not discover his plan be- 
 fore he would be in a position to defeat their movements. 
 To make the intended change with success, it would not be 
 possible to withdraw the line of battle from the front with 
 out fighting. The drama was begun in the first act with 
 iho fight at Oak Grove, Wednesday, June 25th, and con 
 tinued in a series of acts until the army reached Harrison c 
 Landing, on Wednesday, 2d of July. A more perilous eu- 
 terprise, and more gallant fighting on a retreat, it has never 
 been the province of the historian to describe. What an 
 immense caravan of army wagons, ambulances, and artillery 
 trains must be moved forward! If this were a difficult 
 matter in itself, how much was it increased by the fact, that, 
 loaded as they were, all these trains must pursue but one
 
 BATTLE OP MECHANICSVILLE. 205 
 
 narrow road. This road runs nearly due south from the 
 Williamsburg road, through White Oak swamp, to the 
 Charles City road, into which it debouches, eight miles from 
 Turkey Bend, on the James. The course then lay up the 
 atter road, toward Richmond, to a point where it struck a 
 ittle southwest by the Quaker road. This latter ended in 
 the New Market road, leading from Richmond. The Jamca 
 river and Malvern Hill were but a little south. Though, 
 with but slight exception, there was but one road, it had 
 the advantage of running through White Oak swamp, 
 which would in some degree be a protection to the flanks. 
 The road itself, though but a narrow funnel for such a vast 
 torrent of trains and men, was at least smooth and dry. 
 There was great danger that the enerny would move a 
 column down the Charles City, Central, or New Market 
 roads, or on all of them, but this must be risked. 
 
 Information was received that " Stonewall" Jackson was 
 sweeping down the Pamunkey to capture the military 
 stores, cut off the communications at the White House, and 
 threaten the rear. Orders were at once given to destroy all 
 the public property at the White House and then evacuate 
 the place. The enemy, in overwhelming numbers, had 
 turned the Union right, and was able to crush the forces in 
 front and rear. 
 
 The battle of Mechanicsville began at noon on Thursday 
 June 26th. The extreme Union right wing, consisting of 
 General George A. McCall's Pennsylvania Reserves, eight 
 thousand five hundred strong, with five batteries, was 
 strongly intrenched, and well prepared, having been fore- 
 warned of an intended attack. At New bridge, within 
 supporting distance, under Fitz John Porter, were MorelPfe 
 division, Sykes' regulars, and Duryea's Zouaves. General 
 Stoneman had been sent to Old Church with one cavalry 
 and two infantry regiments, to reconnoitre, and check any 
 movement on the flanks. The attack was first made on 
 Stoneman, on the extreme right, and then on the troops 
 nearest, in the vicinity of Mechanicsville. The enemy 
 crossed the Chickahominy at Meadow bridge, Mechanics- 
 ville bridge, and at Atlee's, intending doubtless to turn the 
 Federal right wing. They were led by General Robert E. 
 Lee in person, and consisted of the divisions of Generals 
 A. P. Hill, D. H. H'U, Longstreet, and Anderson. GeneraJ
 
 208 BATTLE OF MECHAXICSVILLE 
 
 J. G. Reynolds' brigade held the Union right, and Seymour's 
 brigade the left. The fight began with artillery at long 
 range, but the enemy, finding himself inferior in this arm, 
 came into close conflict. When the assault was made on 
 the Eighth Illinois cavalry, six companies of the Bucktail 
 regiment, and five companies of the Pennsylvania Reserves, 
 the great numbers of the enemy proved that resistance 
 would be impossible, and General Reynolds sent to McCall 
 for assistance. Meanwhile, the enemy was obstinately re- 
 sisted, and man}'- of the Bucktails, fighting bravely, were 
 captured. The battle, at two o'clock p. M., became more 
 general and desperate, and great numbers of the rebels were 
 slaughtered by the effectual fire which the Federal soldiers 
 rained upon them from the rifle pits and earthworks. The 
 men and horses of the enemy, in crossing the swamp, sank 
 in the mire, and many of them fell by the Union sharp- 
 shooters. The battle had now brought on an attack toward 
 the left, and General McCall was engaged with the enemy, 
 who vainly essayed to drive him from his position. At 
 six o'clock, the enemy, rendered desperate from the want of 
 success, brought up more troops, and the battle raged with 
 fiercer fury. General Morell's division now came up as a 
 reinforcement to the Federals, and the second brigade, ad- 
 fancing to McCall's support, was brought into action. The 
 Federal line of battle consisted of the Fourth Michigan, 
 Fourteenth New York, Sixty-second Pennsylvania, Ninth 
 Massachusetts, and a battalion of Berdan's Sharpshooters. 
 The conflict was kept up, without any advantage on either 
 side, till half past nine o'clock. The enemy had been se- 
 verely punished, and his efforts to dislodge the brave troops 
 had proved fruitless. A furious cavalry charge by the Con- 
 federates, late in the day, was not more successful, being 
 handsomely repelled by the Union cavalry, while many 
 rebels were obliged to leave their horses sticking in the 
 marsh. Fitz John Porter was ably seconded in this battle 
 by Generals McCall, Morell, and Griffin. The chief exe- 
 cution was done by the artillery, Easton's Pennsylvania 
 battery, in particular, distinguishing itself. The attempt of 
 the enemy to break the Union centre, at seven o'clock, wa 
 gallantly frustrated by Griffin. The Pennsylvania Reserve* 
 on the left, under Generals Seymour and Reynolds, fought 
 with enthusiastic bravery, and prevented the enemy from 
 crossing the bridge over the Chickahoininy.
 
 BATTLE OF GAINES' MILL. 207 
 
 During the night, long trains of thousands of wagons be- 
 gan their slow line of march toward the James river. The 
 sick and wounded were sent, some to the White House, and 
 others toward Harrison's Landing. General Porter waa 
 ordered to move his forces to a position nearer the river. 
 The enemy, meanwhile, was busily engaged in bringing up 
 heavy reinforcements ; and, on the following day (Friday 
 June 27th), sixty thousand of his men were prepared to 
 renew the fight. The wearied Union troops, during the 
 night, obtained a slight repose, and fearlessly awaited the 
 coming day, destined to be a bloody struggle for friend and 
 foe. General Porter, in falling back to a position two miles 
 beyond Gaines' Mill, had the division of General Sykes in 
 the advance, which was followed by that of General Morell. 
 Though the retreat was conducted in good order, the enemy, 
 mistaking it for a hasty flight, advanced in great masses, 
 and, overtaking the columns in the vicinity of Gaines' Mill, 
 there attacked them. As the enemy was for awhile arrested 
 in his advance, by the destruction of a bridge, one was now 
 thrown over the stream, and having brought over the artil- 
 lery, he eagerly pursued the slowly moving Federal column, 
 and, moving to the assault, brought on the battle of Gaines 
 Mill. 
 
 " Stonewall " Jackson was now advancing in great force. 
 On the morning of Friday, the 27th, the troops of General 
 Porter stood on the arc of a circle. General Butterfield, of 
 Morell's division, occupied the extreme left. General Mar- 
 tindale was on his right ; then General Griffin ; and next, 
 General Sykes. A second line, in the rear, was formed by 
 General McCall's division, which had done such good ser- 
 vice on the preceding day. The First and Fifth regulars, 
 and the Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry, took up a position be- 
 hind a hill. The batteries of Tidball and Robinson were in 
 position on commanding eminences. The Union force on 
 the field was not more than thirty-five thousand men ; that 
 of the enemy is placed, by some, at sixty thousand ; by 
 others, at seventy thousand. 
 
 The battle opened at one o'clock, by skirmishing in tront 
 of Griffin's brigade, and by an artillery attack near Gaines 
 house. The enemy felt the Federal position along the whole 
 line. About two o'clock in the afternoon, Griffin's brigade, 
 advancing to the edge of the woods, brought on the first im
 
 208 BATTLE OF GAINKS' MILL. 
 
 portant opening of the battle. The action immediately 
 commenced on the extreme right, held by Sykes' division, 
 composed of three brigades, supported by Weed's, Edwards', 
 and Tidball's batteries. The repeated attacks by the enemy 
 met each time with a gallant repulse. Martindale's brave 
 men, well posted, sent their broken columns down the hill 
 by their destructive volleys. The Thirteenth New York and 
 Second Maine regiments, of this brigade, saw a brigade of 
 Alabamians, who advanced in fine order up the hill. " Up 
 and at them !" was the word, which, like lightning, ran along 
 the line. Suddenly, such a volley of -Minie balls swept 
 the foe, that the hill was instantly cleared. The battle had 
 now became general along the whole line. "Stonewall" 
 Jackson's column had joined Lee, and soon made a vigorous 
 attack on the Federal right. His shattered columns were 
 hurled reeling back by the galling fire, which swept their 
 ranks, from Edwards', Martin's, and Weeden's artillery 
 Again he massed fresh troops to turn the Union right, and 
 again was repulsed with terrible carnage. The invincible 
 troops, who gallantly repelled this great rebel general, were 
 Sykes' regulars, Warren's brigade, partly composed of Dur- 
 yea's Zouaves, and Benedix's Tenth New York regiment. 
 The Zouaves fought desperately, and suffered greatly, as 
 their uniform was a good mark for the rebel sharpshooters. 
 The Confederate attack on the right signally failed, and the 
 baffled commander, now massing his troops, once more 
 hurled them upon the centre. He had been rein- 
 forced by Hill and the North Carolina troops, which were 
 sent to fight in the front. The most desperate combat en- 
 sued. The battle raged for two hours with fierce violence, 
 rolling and surging in waves of destruction, like a tempest- 
 tossed ocean. McCall's heroic Reserves, the brigades of 
 General Newton, Colonel Bartlett, and Colonel Taylor, of 
 Slocum's division, advanced successively, and mingling in 
 the terrible strife, the rebels were again driven back. A 
 dense pine wood, between the Union forces and the enemy, 
 prevented the use of artillery, and the muskets were again 
 called into requisition. On this spot the greatest loss was 
 sustained, and the field was tinged with a bloody hue. 
 
 The attacks on the right and centre having met with the 
 severe repulses already described, the persevering Jackson 
 now formed his shattered columns and attacked the left
 
 BATTLE OF GAINES' MILL. 209 
 
 Martindale's right wing was pressed heavily by a powerful 
 force, which was gallantly opposed by the scarred veterans 
 of the Twenty-second Massachusetts and Second Maine regi- 
 ments. The most tremendous roar of musketry suddenly 
 arose, and its volume swelled toward the extreme left, be 
 neath a canopy of smoke so impenetrable as, at times, to 
 obscure the sun. The dust raised by cavalry squadrons, 
 moving to and fro, filled the eyes, while the din of strife re 
 echoing over the deadly field, presented such a scene of 
 appalling grandeur as has been seldom witnessed. The 
 Union troops bore up well against the fresh forces of the 
 enemy, and withstood the tremendous shock. Martindale, 
 with true heroism, rallied his men again and again. They 
 were swept down, but bravely prolonged the figh't, without 
 faltering. Suddenly, the enemy, by superior numbers, out- 
 (lanked the rigkt, and, breaking through Martindale's left 
 came swarming down the hill on the Eighty-third Pennsyl 
 vania, which had already lost hundreds of men, besides 
 many officers, among them the gallant Colonel McLean and 
 Major Nagle. Further resistance was hopeless. The right 
 was giving wa,y, and dense crowds were in retreat on the 
 way to the river. 
 
 " Once more, my gallant men 1" shouted the heroic But 
 terfield, as, again rallying his troops, he cut his way 
 through the hosts of the foe, and crossing Emerson's 
 bridge, collected his scattered forces, which now numbered 
 only one thousand five hundred. Part of the brigade had 
 been drawn off by General Butterfield, by the left flank. 
 The centre and the right were now pressed back, and the 
 columns retreating became mingled in one mass. Allen's, 
 Weeden's, Hart's, and Edwards' batteries, each lost a part 
 of their armament. 
 
 About seven o'clock P. M., Generals Meagher and French 
 brought up their brigades, at a double-quick, and, forming 
 in line, gathered up the stragglers. The batteries of Griffin 
 and Martin poured canister, meanwhile, into the rebel ranks, 
 and swept them away like chaff before the wind. Their 
 onset was now useless. Fresh troops held them in check 
 and while Meagher and Griffin had restored order to the 
 confused Union ranks, the night came on, and the enemy 
 sullenly retired. The battle was over, and the exhausted 
 regiments, after a little *est, crossed the bridge, and de
 
 210 BATTLE OF GAINES* MILL. 
 
 stroyed it behind them. While the left wing was struggling 
 the excitement in front was no less. Smith's division, at 
 Goulden's, and Sedgwick, on his left, threatened the key of 
 the rebel position before Richmond. They were suddenly 
 attacked by an invisible foe, which rained bullets into the 
 Union ranks. Hancock had a severe engagement, in which 
 two Georgia regiments were nearly annihilated. The rebels 
 here, also, were obliged to retire with loss. The killed, 
 wounded, and missing of the Federals, amounted to seven 
 thousand. The rebel loss was also very great. 
 
 The battles of Mechanicsville and Games' Mill were fought 
 on the left side of the river, and those which followed, on 
 the right side. There was a large force not brought into 
 action on the Union side, in the latter engagement. The 
 retrograde movement was now becoming known to the 
 troops, and it could not but fill the minds of these brave 
 veterans with depression.
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 
 JUN 28TH TO AUGUST 17TH, 1862, INCLUSIVE 
 
 THI WOUNDED SENT FROM SAVAGE STATION TO WHIT* HOUSE BATt LM Of 
 
 PEACH ORCHARD AND 8AVAGK STATION PANIC OF THK TROOPS BKAYKRY 
 
 OF THE IRISH BRIGADE BATTLK OF WHITE OAK SWAMP ATTACK OV 
 
 HANCOCK CONFUSION IN THE RANKS ATTACK ON SMITH AND FRANKLIN 
 
 ENEMY REPULSED MCC ALL FORCED BACK BY THE ENEMY IN A TREMEN 
 
 DOCS CHARGE TERRIBLE CARNAGE THE GUNBOATS CO-OPERATE . 
 
 CROWNING CHARGE OF HEINTZKLMAN BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL THK 
 ARMY AT HARRISON'S LANDING THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN A FAILURK 
 THE ARMY WITHDRAWN FROM THE PENINSULA. 
 
 THE main body of the Union army was not attacked on 
 Saturday, the 28th of June, and at an early hour of that day, 
 they had crossed the river by four bridges, which they 
 immediately destroyed behind them. At a later hour, the 
 enemy were crossed at New bridge, but the day passed 
 without any hostile demonstration. Both sides were engaged 
 in interring the dead, who had fallen in the late engage- 
 ments. The Union army was withdrawn on this day to 
 Savage Station, from which the wounded were sent by trains 
 of cars to the White House. It was found that the telegraph 
 wires had been cut, and that the enemy had occupied Des- 
 patch station. Ambulances conveyed many of the sick and 
 wounded at Savage Station, toward Harrison's Landing. A 
 sufficient means of transportation not being found, all who 
 were not able to walk were left to the tender mercies of the 
 enemy. A vast quantity of commissary stores, hospital 
 supplies, and ammunition, which could not be removed, were 
 by the orders of McClellan destroyed. A train of four cars, 
 containing ammunition, was run into the Chickahominy, at 
 the bridge, which had been destroyed. 
 
 The sufferings of the wounded, as they hoblled along to 
 escape capture, were intense. Men might be seen, weak 
 and faint, with undressed wounds, making the best of their 
 way to a place of safety. Ambulances were crowded, and 
 as many of the wounded as possible conveyed on the wagon 
 train. The artillery rumbling along with a thundering 
 noise, and fugitives and sutlers, teamsters and nogroes, rain 
 
 (211)
 
 212 BATTLbS OF PEACH ORCHARD AND SAVAGE STATION. 
 
 gled in the tumult and Jin which resounded on all sides. At 
 times, a panic would seize this motley crowd, as a report 
 arrived that the enemy was approaching, but hope would 
 again spring up, and the movements be livelier than before. 
 
 The White House was finally abandoned on Saturday af- 
 ternoon, June 28th, at four o'clock, by the transports and 
 itearr.ers, and at seven o'clock the enemy's pickets found the 
 place deserted. 
 
 On Sunday morning, June 29th, at three o'clock, General 
 McClellan, with his staff and body-guard, rode to Charles 
 City. He ordered his generals to abandon their works, and 
 follow with their troops. Should the enemy try to cut off 
 the retreat, they were to fight him. General Smith left the 
 same morning at daylight, followed soon after by Heintzel- 
 mun, Keyes. and Franklin, with their divisions. McCall, and 
 the Reserves came next, and Hooker and Kearney brought 
 up the rear. 'The Union army was no sooner in motion, 
 ihan the rebel generals began to follow in close pursuit, and 
 later in the day brought on the battles of Peach Orchard 
 and Savage Station. The enemy advanced by the Williams- 
 burg road, and was greeted with a terrible discharge from 
 the Union guns, at the distance of three hundred yards. In 
 a contest, lasting from eight o'clock until noon, the rebels 
 vainly attempted to turn the Union flank. Ineffectual efforts 
 were made by charging the brigades of Burns, Gorman, and 
 Dana, to defeat them separately, and destroy them by piece- 
 meal. The men fought with great bravery under Heintzel- 
 man, Richardson, Sedgwick, Sumner, and Meagher, and no 
 exertion? of the enemy could force them back, or drive them 
 from the position they had taken. When the wagons, am 
 bulances, and cattle had proceeded across White Oak swamp, 
 anl were secure from attack, the troops were ordered to fall 
 bac^. This movement was executed in good order, and at 
 Savage Station, being drawn up in line of battle, they pre- 
 sented a bold front to the enemy. 
 
 The battle of Savage Station, which was fought later in 
 the day, was fierce and bloody. The enemy, previously, had 
 been largely reinforced, and their onset was consequently 
 more fierce and deadly than before. A thick wood con- 
 cealed their advance, until they were within a short distance 
 of the Union lines. Suddenly swarming from the wood, 
 and plantir g four batteries on high hills, they commence-.! a
 
 213 
 
 rapid fire of shot and shell with such vigor, that the One Hun- 
 dred and Sixth Pennsylvania broke and gave way in & 
 panic, after leaving one hundred of its number killed and 
 wounded. The Union cannoneers having been picked off 
 by rebel sharpshooters, or driven from the guns, the artil- 
 lery for a time was of little use. The rebels fought with 
 great resolution, and several times during the battle the 
 Union situation was critical. An entire brigade of the 
 enemy, at one time was quietly moved down to attack the 
 right flank, but the design was frustrated by the grape and 
 canister hurled on them by Petit's battery, and retiring has- 
 tily, they abandoned the design. The Irish regiments fought 
 bravely, charging at times up to the cannon's mouth, and 
 once dragging off a battery and spiking the guns. The in- 
 tervention of night brought no cessation of the combat, and 
 the sound of artillery, in the deafening roar, mingled with 
 the incessant musketry rattle. The flashes of light from the 
 guns, revealed the different positions to the combatants, and 
 the woods, fired by the bursting shells, blazed amic 1 the 
 dense smoke and lent increased horror to the scene. The 
 work of destruction went on till near midnight, with great 
 loss on both sides. The enemy had massed now upon this, 
 now upon that portion of the line, and was repelled at all 
 points with great slaughter. The hospitals, in which the 
 poor wounded patriots lay, were fired into, though white and 
 red flags marked the places which, in civilized warfare, are 
 considered sacred. 
 
 General McClellan, at noon, ordered the Union commanders 
 to fall rapidly back from Savage Station, through White 
 Oak swamp, in order to frustrate the attempts of the enemy 
 to intercept them. The wounded were left behind at Sav- 
 age Station, in the enemy's hands. The brave troops who 
 hud fought so well all day, had now to pursue their way 
 through the miry swamp, and the retreat, begun in good 
 order, would now become a flight, in which despair would 
 nerve the Union troops till they should safely arrive at thoir 
 new base, on the banks of the James. 
 
 The retreat to the swamp was one of great effort, as the 
 enemy pressed on and harassed the rear, while a large body 
 attempted to cut off the Union forces in front. The assaults 
 were warded off by the divisions of Heintzelman, Sumner, 
 and Franklin, who presented a line of battle, and repelled
 
 BATTLE OF WHITE OAK SWAMP 
 
 every onset. The entire train, with all the artillery wagons, 
 were now across White Oak creek, and at eight o'clock 
 next morning, the troops, wearied with their toilsome retreat 
 and desperate struggles, lay down to rest beside the stream. 
 *nd to slake in its limpid waters the intense thirst which 
 the heat and their excessive labors produced. 
 
 The race to White Oak swamp was indeed won, but a 
 very short time was allowed the troops to rest by the per 
 severing enemy, who was again upon them. The place 
 where they now were, was the scene of the battle of White 
 Oak swamp, which was fought on Monday, June 30th. 
 After crossing White Oak creek, the new line of battle was 
 immediately formed, and the position extended four miles, 
 lleintzelman, Sumner, Kearney, Porter, and Hancock, were 
 each in their places. The last held the extreme right, and 
 next him were Brooks and Davidson, with Ayre's batteries. 
 Next were the divisions of Sumner, lleintzelman and 
 Porter. 
 
 The enemy made the first attack on General Hancock, 
 with twenty batteries, which soon sent several of the cais- 
 sons of Mott's battery into flying splinters, shattered his 
 guns, and spread a wild panic among all the troops within 
 range. The Twentieth New York regiment broke and fled 
 in confusion. At noon, the enemy attacked the divisions of 
 Smith and Richardson, and Negley's brigade, at White Oak 
 bridge, and attempted to send an infantry force across the 
 creek under the cover of a heavy artillery fire. The Union 
 artillery fire was kept up with good effect by Ayres' battery 
 but the loss was heavy. General Franklin held his position 
 with great tenacity, and by vigorous charges, drove the 
 enemy back into the swamp. At two o'clock, great masses 
 of the latter, coming up from the direction of Richmond, by 
 the Charles City road, made a furious attack on Slocum's 
 left. The fire was returned, and, in face of it, the rebels 
 pushed boldly on, and for two hours the battle was kept up 
 without cessation. Unable at last to endure the deadly 
 storm poured upon them by infantry and artillery, the rebels 
 at last sullenly withdrew. 
 
 Onward they came again in wedge-shaped columns, and 
 with great daring, through the deadly missiles which made 
 many a gap in their ranks, surrounding Randall's battery, 
 nd sweeping away the Fourth regiment of McCall's division
 
 CHARGE OF HEINTZELA1AN. 216 
 
 McCall, with six thousand men, had long resisted twenty 
 thousand, underLongstreetand Hill, and was now compelled 
 to give way before an overwhelming force. The demoralized 
 troops rushed through Hooker's lines, and gave that com- 
 mander apprehensions of a disastrous effect upon his com- 
 mand. The farious enemy pressing on the routed ranks, 
 were checked by a front fire of the Sixteenth Massachusetts, 
 Mid afterward by a diagonal fire of the Sixty- ninth Penn- 
 sylvania. The enemy, after heavy losses.,, gave way, and 
 were followed up with great gallantry by Grover, at the head 
 of the First Massachusetts, while the Sixty-ninth took them 
 in flank in the open field. Grover was reinforced by the 
 Second New Hampshire and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania 
 regiments. The enemy were driven back through part of 
 McCalPs camp, and were forced by Sumner back on Kear- 
 ney, where the battle raged till a late hour at night. The 
 Federal gunboats, which were anchored in Turkey Bend, 
 participated in this action, and committed terrible havoc 
 among the thick masses of the enemy, who were forced to 
 give way. Heintzelman then determined on one great and 
 combined charge. The gunboats suspended fire, and on the 
 sound of the bugles, the whole line advanced, and drove 
 the routed enemy from the field. This battle saved the 
 Union army from ruin, or capitulation. The enemy were 
 quite sanguine of success, but retired from the field defeated, 
 leaving a large extent of ground covered with their dead 
 and dying. The Federal loss was three thousand five hun 
 dred. The army had now reached the James river, and the 
 soldiers were no more apprehensive of destruction or cap- 
 ture. The seven days' battles were not yet over, nor the 
 task complete, but the army had reached a place of safety. 
 Wagons, stores, ammunition, and supplies, were on their 
 way to Harrison's Landing, six miles below, and the Jamea 
 river was crowded with vessels and transports. 
 
 An admirable position for the Union forces was chosen 
 at Malvern Hill, but a short distance from the James river, 
 and where the gunboats could assail the enemy with shot 
 and shell. It contained an area of a mile and a half, inter- 
 sected by several roads, and skiited by thick woods. On 
 the morning of Tuesday, the 1st of July, the Union army 
 was massed on Malvern Hill, and prepared for the coming 
 conflict. The attack was anticipated on the left, which wai
 
 216 BATTLE OF MALYKRN HILL. 
 
 strongly fortified. The Federal line formed a semicircle 
 The extreme right was held by Keyes. Franklin came 
 next, then Sumner's command, composed of the divisions of 
 Sedgwick and Richardson. Fitz John Porter held the ex- 
 treme left. Heintzelman's corps, including the divisions of 
 Hooker, Kearney, and Couch, held the centre. Sixty guns 
 from the front of the line formed by Porter's corps, with 
 Sykes on the left, and Morell on the right, could pour a 
 concentrated fire on any point. The gunboat flotilla guarded 
 the flank, and held the approach from Richmond. 
 
 The enemy, recovering from the stunning blow which had 
 the day before sent him reeling with shattered columns, 
 emerged from the woods on Tuesday, the 1st of July, at ten 
 o'clock, with artillery and skirmishers. At two o'clock, a 
 column was seen moving along the margin of the woods, in 
 front of Ileintzelman's corps. It took two hours in passing 
 the point of observation, and again was hidden in the recesses 
 of the forest. 
 
 At three o'clock, a fierce attack on Couch's division, by 
 infantry and artillery, being promptly responded to by the 
 Union guns, brought on the battle in earnest. An immense 
 rebel column charged on Couch's division, for the purpose 
 of capturing the guns. Onward they rushed, in fierce and 
 desperate daring, in spite of the wasting fire which mowed 
 down their ranks, and strewed the path with their dead. 
 The Union infantry lay flat upon the ground till they came 
 within range, and then rising, discharged such a murderous 
 fire as sent them panic stricken and flying in wild confusion 
 across the plain, and into the covert of the woods. A large 
 part of their number lay dead or dying on the field. The 
 fugitives were pursued nearly a mile. After a short inter- 
 val, the rebel commanders, Lee, Magruder, and Jackson, 
 massed heavy bodies of troops, supported by artillery, against 
 Porter and Couch. Column after column came up to the 
 rebel support for an hour, and desperate charges were made 
 to carry the hill. 
 
 The brigades of Meagher and Sickles were sent, at seven 
 o'clock, to relieve the brave but exhausted troops of Couch, 
 who had expended all their ammunition. These reinforce- 
 ments, at this critical moment, advanced upon the enemy 
 who recoiled. The tide of battle rolled back. Batteries 
 from the rese-ve were sent up, and the fight lasted till nine
 
 TH ARMY AT HARBISON'S LANDING. 217 
 
 o'clock. The Federal gunners had the range, and with sev 
 eral discharges in the minute, the advancing rebel lines were 
 cut down with great slaughter. 
 
 The gunboats rendered important service during the bat- 
 tle, by casting upon the foe shells twenty inches in length 
 and eight in diameter. Whole lines of the enemy were hurled 
 at once to the dust by these dreadful bolts; but the rebel 
 leaders were reckless of the lives of their men, and drove 
 them forward to sure and speedy destruction. They were 
 huddled together like sheep, and hurled, mangled, to the 
 ground, in writhing agony. The enemy was routed with 
 fearful loss, and driven back to the woods. Some of the 
 Union generals thought that the disorganized rebel force 
 should now be followed up and destroyed, and the Union 
 troops led in triumph to Richmond. One of-these was Gen- 
 eral Philip Kearney, who said that the order to cease the 
 pursuit and retreat to Harrison's bar could "only be 
 prompted by cowardice or treason;" and "General Martin- 
 dale shed tears of shame." With the battle of Malvern 
 Hill ended the Seven Days' Fight, and the last assaults made 
 upon the Union forces for some time. The Union loss, in 
 killed, wounded, and missing, in this series of conflicts, is 
 estimated at fifteen thousand two hundred and forty-nine. 
 The rebel loss is estimated, during the same period, at 
 twenty thousand men. At this last battle alone, they lost 
 at least ten thousand. 
 
 This retreat was well ordered, and the most heroic cour- 
 age was united with the firmest endurance, both in the men 
 ;tnd their officers. The commanders exhibited those great 
 inalities which made them renowned. The carriages and 
 wagons alone, in single line, would have filled a road forty 
 miles. They' were now safe. To conduct an army to a new 
 base so successfully, was an herculean task, under such cir- 
 cumstances. 
 
 On Tuesday night, and Wednesday, July 2d, the concen- 
 tration of all the troops at Harrison's Landing was finished, 
 and the exhausted enemy was too much wearied to make 
 another attack ; they had suffered greater punishment than 
 they inflicted. The place was well suited for defence, and 
 extending five miles along the James, had many wharves 
 where the transports could land. Soon, formidable breast- 
 works rendered it difficult of asscult by the enemy. Thr 
 19
 
 218 RKCONNO1SSAN 3E FIGHT AT MALVERN HILL. 
 
 bravery and persevering energy of the troops, and their patient 
 endurance of suffering, were praised by the commanding 
 general, in an address on the 4th of July. Their noble hero- 
 ism will be recorded in history, and never be forgotten as 
 long as the nation cherishes the recollection of the glorious 
 deeds of this great, but unfortunate, Peninsular Campaign. 
 
 Nearly a month glided away, and the army remained un- 
 disturbed by the enemy. On the 31st of July, the latter 
 crossed the river in large force, and with batteries opposite 
 to the Landing, shelled the Union camp and fleet of trans- 
 ports for an hour and a half. The Federal guns were placed 
 in position, and in half an hour responded with such effect, 
 that those of the rebels were soon silenced. On Monday, 
 August 4th. some troops, consisting of the divisions of 
 Hooker and Sedgwick, a brigade of cavalry, under General 
 Pleasonton, with four batteries, the whole commanded by 
 General Hooker, went out on a reconnoissance. They 
 started at four o'clock in the afternoon, proceeded along the 
 Charles City road, and thence, by several roads, to Nelson's 
 farm, where they halted and bivouacked. Continuing the 
 march, next morning, they found the enemy posted on Mai 
 vern Hill. The Union troops immediately formed in line 
 of battle, with artillery in front, and infantry and cavalry on 
 the flanks. The attack began at six o'clock, by the rebel 
 guns opening fire, which was responded to by the Union 
 batteries. The rebel force consisted of but three infantry 
 regiments, some cavalry, and four pieces of artillery. They 
 fought with firmness, for two hours, and then retired 
 in good order, toward the river, carrying the dead and 
 wounded. They lost six killed and twenty-four wounded. 
 General Hooker now occupied Malvern Hill, which was six 
 miles nearer Richmond than the new base of supplies. 
 
 On the afternoon of Tuesday, the 5th, McClellan visited 
 the place, and greatly commended Hooker for this achieve- 
 ment. Reinforcements were ordered up, as large forces ta 
 assist the rebels were anticipated, and a general engagement 
 was expected. The Federal reinforcements d'd not all arrive 
 in time, and on Wednesday, August 6th, the rebels far out- 
 numbered the Union troops. A hasty retreat was therefore 
 made to Harrison's Landing, and the enemy reoccupied 
 Malvern Hill. The Federal loss was nineteen killed and 
 Wounded. The Government now saw that the Peninsula!
 
 THE ARMY WITHDRAWN FROM THB PKN1KSULA. 219 
 
 Campaign was a failure, and that the army would require 
 reorganization. McClellan demanded fifty thousand fresh 
 troops, for the capture of the rebel capital. In obedience to 
 orders, he evacuated Harrison's Landing on the 16th and 
 17th of August, 1862. The stores, supplies, and ammuni- 
 tion, were all put on board the transports, and the army 
 crossed the Chickahominy on a pontoon bridge, two thou- 
 san.1 feet in length, formed by one hundred boats. While 
 the transports and gunboats sailed down the James river to 
 Fortress Monroe, the troops marched toward Williamsburg 
 Their destination was yet a secret, but they were at length 
 consolidated with the troops under General Pope. 
 
 Thus ended the campaign in the Peninsula; one that wa? 
 calculated, in the earlier stages, to fill the patriotic breast 
 with reasonable hope that the stars and stripes would onca 
 more float over the cupolas and spires of Richmond, and re- 
 creant traitors meet their doom. This hope was blasted. 
 Perseverance, energy, bravery, endurance, suffering, wounds, 
 and the death of thousands of the most valiant men that 
 ever drew the sword in a true cause, were all in vain, 
 llecator.ibs were yet to be offered, and much blood and 
 treasure poured forth, before the goal was reached, and tha 
 insolent foe vanquished.
 
 CHAPTER XXII 
 JULY, 1862. 
 
 ENERGY OF THE ADMINISTRATION CALL FOR THBBH BONDBM 
 THOUSAND MEN BY DRAFT GENERAL HALLECK COMMANDKR-IN-CI1IKP 
 OF THK ARMT GENERAL POPE'S OPERATIONS MR. LINCOLN'S MESS A (IB 
 IN FAVOR OF EMANCIPATION RECONNOISSANCE TO BEAVER DAM BAT- 
 TLE ON BAYOI7 CACHE, IN ARKANSAS ACTION ON THE MISSISSIPPI WITH 
 TBS REBEL HAM ARKANSAS FIGHT NEAR MEMPHIS, MISSISSIPPI TUB 
 REBEL MORGAN IN KENTUCKY ANOTHER ANTI-SLAVERY MESSAGE KX 
 PEDITIONS TO TRENTON AND POLLOCK8VILLE, FROM NEWBERN COLONEL 
 ELLET RENEWS THE ATTACK ON THE ARKANSAS CREATION OF NEW 
 GRADES IN THE NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 IT is recorded in fabulous history, that a certain giant, 
 Antaeus, having a com bat, acquired renewed strength, every 
 time he was thrown, by touching mother earth. Thus, in 
 the great American conflict, when the hope of the nation 
 suffered a temporary overthrow, she rose with unconquerable 
 energy, and, disdaining defeat, hurled with amazing force 
 new legions upon the rebellion, until, crushed beneath the 
 superincumbent weight, the unwieldy monster staggered 
 and fell. The disasters of the campaign in the Peninsula 
 filled the nation with gloomy forebodings ; but as the re- 
 mp'ns of that once magnificent army occupied positions 
 assigned it around the Federal capital, new measures were 
 on foot for reorganization. The administration put forth 
 more strenuous efforts to increase the military strength of 
 the nation, and to resume the offensive as early as possible 
 The governors of nearly all the loyal States had suggested 
 the necessity of a new levy, and the President made a call 
 for three hundred thousand men, for nine months, on the 
 4th of August, by draft. Preparations were made at once 
 to obtain the required quota of each State. 
 
 General John Pope, on the 14th of July, took command 
 of the consolidated army of Virginia, comprising the corps 
 of Fremont and McDowell. 
 
 On the llth of July, General H. W. Halleck was ordered 
 to Washington, and appointed General-in-chief of the 
 armies of the United States. The design of the admin- 
 (220)
 
 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE RECOMMENDING EMANCIPATION. 221 
 
 istration was 10 increase the efficiency of the army, by 
 placing the operations of the War Department chiefly 
 under the superintendence of a military man, one who had 
 made the art of war his especial study. 
 
 On the J4th of July, President Lincoln sent a message to 
 Congress recommending the adoption of a bill for the abo- 
 lition of slavery. The bill provided, that whenever the 
 President should become satisfied that any State had 
 abolished slavery throughout its limits, either immediately 
 or gradually it should be his duty, assisted by the Secretary 
 of the Treasury, to prepare and deliver to such a State an 
 amount of interest-bearing bonds of the United States equai 
 in amount to the aggregate value of all the slaves which 
 were reported to have existed in that State according to the 
 census of 1860. The bill provided, further, that if the 
 abolition of slavery in any State should be made imme- 
 diately, the payment of the designated sum should also be 
 immediate ; if it were made gradually, the payment should 
 be gradual ; and if any State should restore slavery within 
 its limits after its abolition therein, the bonds held by it 
 against the United States should thereby become null and 
 void. 
 
 After some discussion in the Senate, the Message was re- 
 ferred to the Committee on Finance. In the House, it waa 
 gent to the Committee on the Abolition of Slavery in the 
 Border States. This act of the President, as shadowing 
 forth the future action of the administration with respect to 
 slavery, profoundly impressed the citizens of all the States, 
 both the loyal and rebellious. It manifested the intention 
 of Mr. Lincoln to eventually blot out forever an institution 
 which was at once a disgrace to humanity, and one of the 
 most powerful causes of the unjustifiable rebellion. 
 
 The Presidential policy on this vexed question being thus 
 clearly defined, Mr. Lincoln desired the representatives of 
 the border States in Congress to induce their constituents, 
 as far as was in their power, to adopt the emancipation 
 policy which the message set forth. 
 
 The representatives from Kentucky, Missouri, and Mary 
 land, replied that they did not see the necessity for abolish 
 ing slavery in the States which they represented, and that 
 it was at least questionable whether its abolition in the 
 rebel States by Fciera power would be of any assistance
 
 222 RECONNOISSANCE TO BEAVER DAM. 
 
 in bringing about a successful issue to the Union cause. 
 The reply of the minority of the representatives, admitted 
 that the "lever power of the rebellion was slavery;" they 
 were willing to save the Union by all the means in theii 
 power, and as the Confederates gave up slavery to destroy 
 the Union, "they could ask their people to consider the 
 question of emancipation to save the Union." 
 
 On the 22d of July, the Secretary of War, acting un-lei 
 the direction of the President, published an order that the . 
 military commanders in the States of Virginia, South Caro- 
 lina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Ar- 
 kansas, should employ as many persons of African descent 
 in said States as could be advantageously used for military 
 and naval purposes, and that they should be reasonably 
 compensated for their labor ; that accounts should be kept 
 showing from whom such slaves shall have been taken, and 
 the value of their labor, "as a basis on which compensation 
 can be made in proper cases." 
 
 These measures were, at a later date, followed by others, 
 which sounded the death knell to slavery, "preaching de- 
 liverance to the captive, and the opening of the prison 
 loors" to the sable sons of Africa. Thus He, " in whom is 
 hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," was solving 
 difficulties that baffled the wisdom of statesmen, senators, 
 and philanthropists, and was making the great nation indeed 
 " the land of the free." 
 
 General Pope still held his head-quarters at Washington 
 lie initiated a rigid course with secessionists, and pro 
 hibited his soldiers from guarding the properly of reboi 
 sympathizers. The transportation of the army was greatly 
 reduced, and the troops were to find subsistence from the 
 country through which they marched. 
 
 On the 19th of July the first movement took place. Gen- 
 eral Pope had sent General King with a small brdy of 
 cavalry from Warrenton to make a reconnoissance in the 
 direction of Gordons ville. Leaving Fredericksburg on the 
 evening of the 19th, and marching all night, the Virginia 
 Central railroad was struck at Beaver Dam, thirty-five miles 
 from Richmond. At this point the railroad and telegraph 
 were destroyed for several miles by the raiders. The de'pot, 
 containing one hundred barrels of flour, and a considerable 
 quantity of ammunition, was fin I. Ascertaining that th
 
 BATTLE OF BAYOU CACHE. 223 
 
 <snemy, under "Stonewall" Jackson, at Gordons rille, con 
 sisted of a large portion of the rebel arrny, the raiders re- 
 turned to Warrenton, after a march of eighty miles in thirty 
 hours. The strength and operations of the rebels were 
 further disclosed by other reconnoitering parties sent out at 
 Jifferent times by General Pope. 
 
 Leaving the hostile armies to concentrate, and prepare 
 fr the great engagements in which they were soon to con- 
 tend for the supremacy, we proceed to describe some of the 
 everts which occurred in other portions of the stage, on 
 which the melancholy drama of rebellion was enacted. The 
 plan of the campaign in the West, rendered it necessary for 
 General Curtis to march from Batesville to Helena, in Ar- 
 kansas. This march was begun May 24th, 1862, and was 
 much annoyed by the enemy. On the 7th of July, an 
 engagement took place at Bayou Cache, at a point where 
 the enemy had blocked up the way with felled timbor 
 Colonel Ilovey, with three hundred and fifty men, was sent 
 to clear the road and reconnoitre. An action took place 
 between a detachment of his command and a superior rebel 
 force, in which the Union troops were finally routed. At 
 that critical moment, Colonel Hovey went to the support of 
 the Union forces, and Major Wood soon followed. The 
 action was then varied by the use of artillery, infantry, and 
 cavalry, which resulted in the defeat of the enemy. The 
 rebel loss was one hundred and ten killed, and two hundred 
 and fifty wounded ; and the Federals, ten killed, and fifty- 
 seven wounded. The Confederates aimed too high ; the 
 Lin ion troops took more accurate aim ; hence the result. 
 
 On the 14th of July, there was a brisk action on .the Mis- 
 sissipppi, near Vicksburg, between the powerful rebel ram 
 Arkansas, and a part of the Union fleet anchored near that 
 city. The ram was one hundred and eighty feet long, and 
 sixty in breadth. She was propelled, below the water line, 
 by engines of nine hundred horse-power. Her bow and 
 stern were sharp, her sides plated with railroad iron, and a 
 terrible prow of cast-iron enabled her to perforate the 
 sides of an enemy. She had six heavy guns, and was com- 
 manded by Captain J. N. Brown, a man of great daring and 
 <kill in naval combats. As the ram lay in the Yazoo river, 
 not far from where it joins the Mississippi, Commodore 
 IParragut sent Captai i F<let up the Yazoo, with two Union
 
 224 REBEL RAM ARKANSAS. 
 
 gunboats, the Carondelet and Queen of the West, and a 
 battering ram, the Lancaster. The object was to prevent 
 the rebel ram from aiding the people of Vicksburg, who 
 were waiting for her auxiliary efforts in the defence of 
 that city. Colonel Ellet sailed up the narrow river Yazoo 
 some eight miles, when the Arkansas attacked him with her 
 heavy guns. The Federal boats dropped down the river 
 to get more sea room, and the Arkansas promptly followed, 
 keeping p her fire. The Union vessels and the ram had 
 reached a place near the mouth of the Yazoo. In an at- 
 tempt by the Carondelet to grapple with and board the ram, 
 the latter opened her steam pipe, and deluged the boardera 
 with steam and hot water. The Carondelet did likewise, 
 and in this singular encounter both ran aground. While 
 the Carondelet remained grounded, the Arkansas, more for- 
 tunate, was able to free herself; and escaping, she continued 
 her way to Vicksburg. She had to run the gauntlet of the 
 Union fleet, however, before reaching that place. She passed 
 the Louisville without inflicting or receiving much damage. 
 Her shots in the encounter with this vessel, pierced the side 
 of the latter. One of her shot perforated the Benton, and 
 killed one man. In her course, the Cairo, Hartford, Rich- 
 mond, and three gunboats attacked her in succession, but 
 she reached her destination with trifling injury, and was 
 hailed by the rebel forces with the greatest enthusiasm. The 
 rebel Generals Breckinriclge and Van Dorn, at that time com- 
 manded the troops in Vicksburg. The Union loss in these 
 engagements, was fourteen killed and fifteen wounded. The 
 escape of the Arkansas through the Federal fleet, was not 
 flattering to the Union commanders, and the latter, on other 
 occasions, strove to recover their lost laurels by more ener- 
 getic attacks upon the enemy. 
 
 Among the spirited actions which at this time occurred 
 in the southwest, was a guerilla fight on July 15th, at 
 Memphis, Missouri. The combat was between a part of 
 Colonel Merritt's cavalry, three hundred strong, together with 
 a detachment from Major Rodgers' battalion of one hundred 
 men, and the lawless rebel bands of Dunn and Porter, six 
 hundred strong. At the commencement of the action, the 
 enemy were concealed in heavy brush and timber. Major 
 Clopper, at the head of the little band before mentioned, 
 attacked th ?rn with resolution, and drove them from their
 
 ANOTHER ANTI-SLAVERY MESSAGE. 228 
 
 position ; and after six desperate hand to hand assaults, 
 forced them from the field, on which they left a large num- 
 ber of dead and wounded. This blow was a destructive 
 one to the guerillas, who lost one hundred and twenty men 
 in the action. The Union loss was eighty killed and 
 wounded. 
 
 On July 16th, John Morgan, the rebel marauder, crossed 
 the Kentucky river from Lawrenceburg, with one thousand 
 men, and approached Paris, Kentucky. Intelligence of this 
 movement reached Lexington, and General Green Clay 
 Smith proceeded to attack him with a body of cavalry infe- 
 rior to him in numbers. Having assaulted the position of 
 the guerilla chief, the latter, after a slight resistance, fled. 
 The fleet horses which these guerillas had stolen, bore them 
 safely beyond pursuit, and proceeding to Winchester, in 
 Clarke county, they purposed there to increase their 
 numbers. 
 
 The Emancipation Act, after passing both Houses of Con- 
 gress, was approved by President Lincoln on the 17th of 
 July. This act was in pursuance of the vigorous measures 
 of the administration, to destroy rebellion in the rebel States 
 by every lawful means possible. 
 
 The substance of this act provided, that whoever should 
 thereafter be guilty of treason against the United States, 
 should either suffer death, or be fined and imprisoned, and 
 his slaves, if he have any, should be declared free ; and also, 
 that if any person should in any way encourage and assist 
 the existing rebellion, he should be fined 'and imprisoned, 
 and his slaves, if he have any, should be set free ; that no 
 person thus aiding the rebellion, should thereafter be able 
 to collect debts which might be due him in the loyal States, 
 or in the District of Columbia; that the slaves of rebels 
 should be free, and that no fugitive slave who had escaped, 
 should be restored to his master, unless the loyalty of the 
 latter to the Federal Government could be proved, and that 
 he had not in any way aided the rebellion against it. By 
 this act, the President could employ negroes in suppressing 
 the rebellion, and make provision for the settlement and 
 colonization of such of the slaves as, having received freedom 
 by the provisions of this act, might desire to locate then? 
 selves beyond the limits of the United States. This act was 
 doubtless a heavy blow to the insurgents, as well as in the 
 moat perfect accord ince with abstract justice.
 
 226 ATTACK ON THE REBEL RAM ARKANSAS. 
 
 In North Carolina, a large portion of the forces unde* 
 General Burnside had been sent from Newbern to the Army 
 of the Potomac, under McClellan. The troops who re 
 mained, were now placed under General John G. Foster, 
 lie sent two expeditions, on the 29th of July, inland from 
 Newbern, for the double purpose of ascertaining the strength 
 of the enemy, and of proving the efficiency of the Federal 
 troops yet remaining. One detachment, under Colonel Lee, 
 was sent to Trenton, on the Trent river ; the other, com- 
 manded by Colonel Fellows, to Pollocksville, thirteen milea 
 from Newbern. The detachment under Colonel Lee, had 
 an encounter with some rebel pickets, who fled. A pursuit 
 by some of the Third New York cavalry was made. The 
 fleeing rebels fired the bridge across the Trent; the 
 flames were quenched by the pursuers, who occupied the 
 nearly deserted town, and after refreshing themselves, re- 
 turned and joined the force under Colonel Fellows at Pol- 
 locksville. This town was also found evacuated ; and on 
 the third day after setting out, the forces returned to New- 
 bern. 
 
 The triumph of the rebel ram Arkansas, which escaped 
 from the Federal fleet and reached Yicksburg, had a demor- 
 alizing effect on the Union troops, and injured the cause. 
 To counteract this, Lieutenant-colonel A. W. Bllet proposed 
 to Commodore Davis to attack her again with the steam 
 ram Queen of the "West, on the stipulation that while thus 
 engaged, Commodores Davis and Farragut should engage the 
 rebel batteries above and below Vicksburg, and prevent 
 their disabling or injuring his vessel. The proposition was 
 acceded to, and Ellet manned the ram with a selected crew, 
 July 27th. On passing the flag-ship of Commodore Davis, 
 the latter waved his hand and cried "good luck," which, 
 being misinterpreted for an order to " go back," Ellet was 
 some time in rectifying the mistake. 
 
 On reaching the Arkansas, the shore batteries opened fire 
 upon the Queen of the West with great fury, and the strength 
 of the current against which she had now to encounter the 
 rebel ram, lessened the precision and force of her blow, 
 Little damage, therefore, was inflicted on the enemy. Colonel 
 Ellet now found a rapid retreat the only way of escape. He 
 had to run the fire of four batteries. Steaming up the river, 
 the Queen of the West was in a critical situation ; she had
 
 CREATION OF NEW GRADES IN THE NAVY. 227 
 
 Already received twenty-five shots ; balls had penetrated hei 
 smoke stack, and one carried oft' a steam pipe. As Colonel 
 Ellet lay flat on his back, several heavy shot passed over 
 his head. The pilot house was pierced by a fifty pound 
 shot, which the helmsman very narrowly escaped. When 
 the vessel reached a point beyond the range of the rebel 
 guns, she was found to be considerably damaged, with sev- 
 eral of her crew wounded, and her whole fabric resembled a 
 wreck. The heroism of this gallant officer and his crew 
 has never been surpassed. 
 
 The importance of the navy in suppressing the rebellion, 
 caused a 'new arrangement in the grades in the service, by 
 which those who had distinguished themselves would have 
 a fairer opportunity of promotion, and higher dignities were 
 conferred on the meritorious veteran commander*.
 
 CHAPTER 
 AUGUST, 1862. 
 
 rum OF THE CAMPA'GNIN VIRGINIA POPE MASSES ATCULPEPPKR BATTI 
 
 OF CKOAR MOUNTAIN HEROISM OF CRAWFORD'S BRIGADE GALLANTRY 
 OF BArfrfB, CRAWFORD, AND OTHER GENERALS BUFORD PURSUES TUB 
 EN4MT 1>RAYH OF LIEUTENANT DUTTON LEE*S DESIGNS IMMINENT 
 DANGER OF POP ATTEMPT TO TURN THE UNION RIGHT ATTACK ON 
 
 CATLETT'S STATION DEATH or GENERAL BOHLEN FIGHT AT KETTLE 
 
 RUN THE ENFMT CROSS THE RIVER THEIR POSITION MCCLELLAN'fl 
 TARDINESS IN REINFORCING POPK THE LATTER AT MANASSAS PLAN 
 AND BATTLE OF MANASSAS DISOBEDIENCE TO ORDERS OF FITZ JOHN 
 PORTER BRAVERY AND DEATH OF COLONEL KOLTE8 RETREAT OF POPE 
 0* CENTREVILLE DEATH OF GENERALS STF.VEN8 AND KEARNEY THH 
 ABMIE8 WITHIN THE DEFENCES OF WASHINGTON POPE RESIGNS BIB 
 COMMAND CHARGES AGAINST PORTER. 
 
 THE task assigned to the Army of Virginia, under Genera. 
 Pope, was exceedingly important and hazardous. This duty 
 consisted in the defence of Washington, keeping guard in 
 the Shenandoah valley, making bold efforts on the northern 
 approaches of Richmond, and preventing the rebel army 
 from .attacking McClellan at Harrison's Landing. By car- 
 rying out these designs, the troops of the latter could be 
 removed from the banks of the James in safety, and combin- 
 ing with the Army of Virginia, the Federal capital would be 
 secure, whilst the combined forces could move on a new line 
 against Richmond. 
 
 The order of evacuation from Harrison's Landing was 
 not complied with promptly. On the 14th of August, eleven 
 days later than the order for the removal of the army to 
 Aequia creek, the evacuation began. This delay cost the 
 nation millions of treasure, and the loss of thousands of as 
 brave men as ever stood up iu the ranks of war. 
 
 There was great apprehension that ere McClellan could 
 kin the array of Virginia, the rebels would march heavy 
 forces on Washington, which would place Pope in great 
 peril. If the latter general should meet with a defeat, 
 Washington might fall. The removal of the army of 
 McClellan was all important ; his remarkable want of 
 promptitude was therefore very mysterious. 
 (22S)
 
 BATTLE OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN. 229 
 
 The public were kept ignorant of the true state of affairs, 
 and those better informed became very anxious. Pope's 
 army was chiefly stationed at Culpepper, and at Fredericks- 
 burg. On the 7th of August, he learned that the rebels in 
 large force were crossing the Kapidan at several points. 
 The Federal army, only twenty-eight thousand strong, ex 
 lended along this river. The troops who had been sent out 
 on reconnoissances, were now recalled to Culpepper. On 
 Friday, the 8th, General S. W. Crawford's brigade, of Gen- 
 eral Banks' corps, was sent to Cedar or Slaughter mountain, 
 to hold the enemy in check; General Crawford was joined 
 early on Saturday morning by General Banks, with his 
 corps of seven thousand men. 
 
 Cedar mountain is situated near Culpepper. On Thursday 
 morning, August 7th, " Stonewall" Jackson, at the head of a 
 large rebel force, having crossed the Rapidan, took up a 
 strong position on this mountain. General Banks was sent 
 to arrest his further advance, and General Sigel was hastening, 
 by forced marches, to the support of the Union general. 
 The heavy woods concealed the rebels in their strong in- 
 trenchments on the mountain, and on the afternoon of the 9th 
 of August they emerged from the woods, and made an attack 
 on General Banks in great force, with a terrible fire of 
 artillery and musketry. 
 
 General Crawford's brigade, consisting of the Forty-sixth 
 Pennsylvania, Tenth Maine, Twenty-eighth New York, and 
 Fifth Connecticut regiments, was conspicuous in this bloody 
 combat, in which the noblest heroism was displayed. General 
 Crawford drew up his men in line of battle on the edge of 
 the woods, looking to the south. Before them was a large 
 wheat field newly harvested, and the shocks ot grain yet 
 standing. The ground toward the south sloped down gently 
 to a ravine, beyond which rose abruptly the thickly wooded 
 sides of Cedar mountain, which were swarming with the 
 enemy, who occupied a position more commanding than that 
 of the Union forces. The fight at first was with artillery 
 alone, at the distance of a mile. The additional batteries 
 which were brought to bear on the patriots, made the concen- 
 trated fire so deadly, that it was determined to attempt their 
 capture by a bayonet charge. 
 
 At six o'clock e order was given, and the brave troopa 
 moved gallantly t n at <i double-quick. A terrible fire from 
 20
 
 230 BATTLE OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN. 
 
 the batteries swept their ranks. Onward they still pressed, 
 beneath the grape and canister hurled upon them in their 
 exposed position; the dead and wounded strewing the path 
 behind them. Cheering, they gained the woods through 
 the deadly volleys which assailed them, when up sprang an 
 overpowering rebel force from the brushwood, pouring in a 
 point blank fire so deadly, as to compel their retreat. Night 
 ended the bloody struggle, in which seven thousand men 
 had contended with fifteen thousand. Both sides claimed 
 the victory. The Union loss was fifteen hundred ; that of 
 the rebels twenty-five hundred. In the beautiful autumnal 
 night lay the combatants in line of battle, resting on their 
 arms. Groans of agony rose from the poor wounded sol- 
 diers, who could receive no succor as they lay extended on 
 that bloody field, while a full moon was illuminating a scene 
 diversified by green fields, mountains, and woods. 
 
 The weak Union lines were reinforced at midnight. 
 Generals Pope, Banks, and Sigel bivouacked on a hill, which 
 commanded the scene of the late bloody conflict. The rebel 
 sharpshooters annoyed their rest by a sudden attack, which 
 forced them to leave the spot. Both armies were too much 
 exhausted the next day to renew the battle, and reinforce- 
 ments having arrived to support the Union troops, the enemy 
 saw that the hope of breaking their line was desperate. 
 Monday, the llth, was spent in the sad office of burying the 
 dead, and attending to the wounded. The enemy left many 
 of their slain uninterred, and their wounded in the care of the 
 Union soldiers. Their retreating columns were pursued by 
 General John Buford, with cavalry and artillery, beyond 
 the Rapidan. 
 
 The official report of General Pope speaks volumes for 
 the gallant heroes of this fight. He says, "The behavior 
 of General Banks' corps during the action, was very fine. 
 No greater gallantry and daring could be exhibited by any 
 troops. I cannot speak too highly of the ceaseless intrepid- 
 ity of General Banks himself, during the whole of the 
 engagement. He was in the front, and exposed as much aa 
 any man in the command. His example was of the greatest 
 benefit, and should receive the commendation of his Govern 
 ment. Generals "Williams, Augur, Gorman, Crawford, 
 Prince, Green, and Geary, behaved with conspicuous gallant- 
 j. J desire to exprea my appreciation of the prompt and
 
 GENERAL LEE ? S DESIGNS. 281 
 
 skilful mannei in which Generals McDowell and Sige* 
 brought forward their respective commands, and established 
 them on the field, and for their cheerful and hearty co-ope- 
 ration with me from beginning to end. Brigadier-general 
 Roberts, chief of cavalry, was conspicuous for his gallantry. 
 Generals Auger and Geary were wounded in this fight, and 
 General Prince and staff captured." 
 
 Among the patriots who fell, was Lieutenant Henry M. 
 Dutton, son of Governor Dutton, of Connecticut. This young 
 man, in early life, had become a disciple of the Saviour. 
 History has presented to view few scenes more sad, than the 
 vision of the venerable father of this young man 4 a few days 
 after the battle, wandering over this field in the unavailing 
 endeavor to find the remains of this, his beloved and only 
 son. 
 
 The enemy, by this advance across the Rapidan, had tested 
 the spirit and discipline of Pope's army. It was the prelude 
 to a movement of Lee with his whole force, numbering ova 
 one hundred thousand men. He had formed the design ov 
 destroying Pope, before McClellan could reinforce him. 
 
 Several despatches of the enemy, being intercepted on theit 
 way to General Stuart, disclosed the great strength of the 
 rebels. Pope had but thirty thousand men to meet them 
 They were now advancing by forced marches on the Rapi 
 dan, and by the 18th, stood confronted with the Union army, 
 in a line extending from Raccoon ford to Liberty mills. It 
 was necessary for General Pope to manoeuvre, so as to gain 
 time till the reinforcements which he expected should arrive. 
 On the 14th, a portion of Burnside's command, under General 
 Reno, came up from Falmouth. The enemy collected in 
 such force on the Rapidan, on the 18th, as compelled the 
 Union army to fall back to the Rappahannock, which was 
 effected without loss. The Union position was behind the 
 north fork of the river. The left wing held Kelly's f6rd, and 
 the right rested on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, 
 three miles above Rappahannock Station. 
 
 On the morning of the 20th, the enemy drove in the Fed- 
 eral pickets, and attempted to cross the river at Kelly's ford 
 To keep up the communication with Fredericksburg was 
 important, as by that route McCleJan was expected with his 
 divisions On the 21st and 22d, the enemy persistently 
 attempted to cros*. Their endeavors were successfully re
 
 232 ENEMY CROSS THE RAFPAHANNOCK. 
 
 sisted, and they proceeded slowly up the river to turn the 
 Union right, under General Sigel. On the 22d, they 
 made a bold charge near Catlett's Station, in the rear of 
 Pope's army, on part of the baggage and supply trains. The 
 Purnell Legion and the Bucktail regiment bravely resisted 
 awhile, but at last were compelled to give way. The enemy 
 captured a passenger train, and a number of wagons contain- 
 ing the private stores of Generals Pope and McDowell. Some 
 papers of General Pope's, of little importance, shared the same 
 fate. They also captured a large number of horses. This raid 
 of General Stuart, caused the Union officers great mortifica- 
 tion. In this action, Colonel Kane, of the Bucktails, and 
 Colonel Myers, of General Pope's staff, were distinguished ; 
 the former was captured, but ultimately escaped. 
 
 Meanwhile, the enemy was moving his main body across 
 the Rappahannock. During the night of the 21st of A ugust, 
 great numbers crossed on the pontoon bridge which they 
 had constructed, between Waterloo and Rappahannock 
 Stations. The storm of canister from Sigel's guns destroyed 
 hundreds of them in the passage, and compelled their retreat. 
 The next morning, a brigade was ordered by Sigel to cross 
 the river to drive in the enemy's pickets, and make an attack. 
 Reinforcements came up on the side of the enemy, however, 
 which compelled a retreat of the Union troops, with the loss 
 of many killed; and a number of prisoners. In this unfor- 
 tunate affair, the gallant General Bohlen was killed. The 
 several skirmishes which thus took place, occasioned con- 
 siderable loss of life on both sides ; they were but the 
 prelude to the more important engagements at hand. 
 
 The Confederate generals, notwithstanding the resistance 
 with which they were encountered by portions of the Union 
 army, transferred their troops gradually across the river, 
 and marched on Manassas. The object of Pope in opposing 
 the passage, was to give McClellan time to bring up hia 
 troops before a general action should take place. The Com- 
 mander-in-chief ordered the latter to march forward at once 
 nnd not wait for transportation. McClellan, however dis- 
 played great tardiness, and thus, without any assistance from 
 the Army of the Potomac, Pope was obliged to encounter 
 the immense rebel army massed against him. 
 
 Generals Lee and Longstreet had been occupying PopeV 
 retention, until Jackson and Ewell should get in his rear
 
 POPE AT MANASSAS. 238 
 
 A.S goon as the Union commander perceived this design, ht 
 withdrew his forces from Warrenton, and ordered McDowell, 
 with his own troops and those of Sigel, to march to Gaines- 
 ville. Heintzelman and Rene were also ordered to proceed 
 to the latter place, and Pope marched in haste, with the 
 columns of Porter and Hooker, to Manassas. At Kettle- 
 Run, Hooker encountered the rebels, and defeated them in a 
 pirited action. 
 
 Jackson, in the meantime, with Lee, Ewell, and Longstreet, 
 had sent a large body of troops through Thoroughfare Gap 
 and taken a position in Pope's rear. The latter ordered 
 McDowell and Sigel to attack the enemy in their front. 
 Hooker was instructed to attack and drive back the forces 
 at Bristow Station. Pope recovered his position, and once 
 more gained the rebel rear, while his front faced Washing- 
 ton. He gained possession of Manassas on Thursday night, 
 August 28th, and massed his troops, who were now fifty 
 thousand strong, in such a manner as to enable him to 
 assail the enemy with a prospect of success. A conflict of 
 great magnitude was impending, and a victory on one side 
 or the other, was expected to decide the fate of the Repub- 
 lic. In all human probability, had McClellan cast the 
 weight of his legions into the scale, at this juncture, it 
 would have preponderated in a decisive Union victory, and 
 a Waterloo defeat to the Confederate forces. 
 
 The troops now occupied the scene of the Bull Run battle 
 field. Here the noble patriots had bled and died for their 
 country. No one can witness this field without deep and 
 mingled emotions. Another great battle on this hallowed 
 ground, was now about to be fought. The most emphatic tele- 
 grams were sent by General Halleck to McClellan, to push 
 forward reinforcements to the aid of Pope. One on Thurs- 
 day the 28th, at three and a-half o'clock p. M., was as 
 follows : 
 
 " Not a moment must be lost in pushing as large a force 
 as possible toward Manassas, so as to communicate with 
 Pope before the enemy is reinforced." 
 
 In answer to a telegram from McClellan, Halleck replies 
 at about eight and a-half o'clock P. M., the same day . 
 
 "There must be no further delay in moving Franklin'! 
 iorps toward Manassas. They must go to-morrow morning 
 ready or not ready. If there is a want of wagors, the men 
 muit carry provisions with them till the wagons come."
 
 234 PLAN AND BATTLE OF MAXASSAS. 
 
 The arrangements made by General Pope to meet the 
 enemy were well considered. McDowell, Sigel, and Rey- 
 nolds, posted their troops at Gainesville ; those of Kearney 
 and Reno were stationed at Greenwich, and Hooker held 
 the railroad toward Thoroughfare Gap. Sigel, who had re- 
 ceived instructions to attack the enemy the next morning, had 
 all the preparations completed On the 29th, at day-dawn, his 
 division was formed in line of battle near Bull Run. The 
 enemy appeared, his left resting on Catharine creek, his 
 front toward Centreville, his right on the hills which rose 
 on each side of the Centreville road, and the centre occupied 
 a long range of woods. Important changes in the position 
 of his troops were made by Sigel to correspond with those 
 of the enemy, and at six and a-half o'clock on the morning 
 of the 29th of August, this memorable battle commenced. 
 
 Sigel's entire command was engaged with the enemy in 
 a struggle of four hours, at the end of which, Schurtz and 
 Milroy had driven them back one mile, and Schenck, two 
 miles from their first position. This exasperated the foe, 
 who, at ten and a-half o'clock, strove desperately to turn the 
 Union left. Heavy masses were hurled on the centre to 
 break the Union lines, while an attempt was made on each 
 wing to outflank them. 
 
 Jackson saw that all depended on his success in this 
 stroke now aimed. The moment was critical. General 
 Kearney fortunately brought up his troops, and took a 
 position to the right of Sigel, while General Reno was 
 moving up his troops by the Gainesville road. The rein- 
 Ibrcements, thus received, were soon needed, and had 
 scarcely taken their position, when a grand attack began 
 along the whole line from right to left. The contest was 
 fierce. The German troops fought valiantly and met the 
 assaults of Jackson with firmness, which rendered his 
 utmost efforts useless. Hooker reached the battle field at 
 two o'clock, and at once ordered his troops to move on the 
 enemy. General Pope had arrived on the field at noon, 
 a*ad Sigei immediately informed him that his line was weak ; 
 that the divisions of Schurz and Stein wehr were much cut 
 up, and ought to be drawn back from the front. General 
 Pope informed Sigel that this was utterly impossible, as 
 there were no troops to replace them ; that he must hold 
 hia ground, and that his troops would not again be pushed
 
 DISOBEDIENCE TO ORDERS OF FITZ JOHN PORTER. 235 
 
 into action, as the corps of Porter and McDowell were 
 moving forward from Manassas Junction on the road 
 to Gainesville, and mudt very soon be in position to fall 
 upon the enemy's right flank, and probably upon his rear. 
 These expectations, expressed almost in Pope's own words, 
 were not realized. 
 
 It was now four o'clock p. M, and until six tte com 
 batants kept up a vigorous contest. An attack on thf, 
 extreme left of the enemy by General Kearney, forced them 
 to retire, and, at this point, was gained the greatest advan- 
 tage of the day. Part of General McDowell's corps 
 reached the field at six o'clock. The battle, which had con- 
 tinued ten hours, had now ended, with a general result 
 favorable to the Union troops, who had driven back the 
 enemy. 
 
 The battle was yet indecisive and must be renewed 
 Sigel commanded the Union centre, Banks the right, and 
 McDowell the left wing. Jackson was to be kept by them 
 from joining Lee and Longstreet through Thoroughfare 
 Gap ; to prevent which, Pope had determined on a powerftu 
 attack at all points, and, crushing the forces of Jackson, to 
 capture them. Had Fitz John Porter promptly obeyed 
 the orders issued by General Pope, Jackson would have 
 oeen overthrown before Longstreet could arrive to suppor 
 him. The orders were not executed by General Porter, 
 and to his failure may be attributed much of the disaster 
 which, on that day, befel the Union army. The com- 
 manders, on both sides were on the alert during the nighty 
 making such preparations as were necessary. 
 
 On the 30th of August, about noon, the battle began tc 
 rage with violence. The exhausted troops of both armies 
 were not well able to renew the combat earlier. On this 
 day, Lee succeeded in advancing through Thoroughfare 
 Gap, and brought large reinforcements to Jackson and 
 Longstreet. The Union line of battle extended ten miles 
 across the ridges from Bull Run, and its breadth was two 
 and a-half miles. The battle became general at four o'clock, 
 at which hour the rebels had brought all their troops into 
 action. The Union lines were attacked by the fierce onset 
 of the troops of Lee, Jackson, Longstreet, Ewell, and 
 Johnston, whose united strength was nearly one hundred 
 thousand men. Their attacks were repelled with such
 
 236 RETREAT OF POPE ON CENTREV1LL1. 
 
 Buccess by the Federals, that, at five and a-half o'clock 
 nothing decisive of the fate of the day had yet occurred. 
 At that time, the troops of McDowell were assailed on the 
 weakest point of their line. The massed enemy attacked 
 this portion of the line with such energy as to compel it to 
 fall back, as it was in danger of being outflanked. This 
 caused a change of the position, though the Union right 
 and centre retained that which had been taken at the com- 
 mencement of the battle. 
 
 At one time, the rebels boldly advanced, and placed a 
 battery on a hill nearly on the flank and isar of the Union 
 centre. To dislodge them was important, and Sigel sent up 
 three regiments for that purpose. This movement was con- 
 ducted by ColonelJohn M. Koltes, an officer distinguished in 
 the Mexican war, who combined undaunted bravery with 
 many amiable qualities. The heroic leader led on his brig- 
 ade with gallant resolution. Six attempts had failed, when, 
 animating his brave but decimated troops, he waved his 
 sword, and cried to the Seventy -third regiment, " Once more, 
 my brave men, for the honor of Pennsylvania!" They 
 were his last words. Struck with the fragment of a shell, 
 he fell dead from his horse. He was indeed a loss to his 
 country, being universally lamented. The movement had 
 failed. Pope now saw that the rebel hosts became more 
 insolent and desperate every hour, and that victory waa 
 rendered hopeless. The battle ended with the day, and the 
 Union columns during the following night retreated to 
 Gentreville, where Generals Franklin and Sumner came up 
 with reinforcements. The whole Union army bivouacked 
 at Centreville, and watched the further motions of the 
 rebels. We have already stated that hai McClellan rein- 
 forced Pope sooner, victory, and not defeat, would most 
 probably have been the result. 
 
 Fears were now entertained that the insolent foe would 
 press on with more vigor, and follow up his advantage, ex- 
 ulting in the not unreasonable hope of being able to plun- 
 der the opulent cities of the North. On Sunday, August 31st 
 no important movement was made by either army. The 
 losses on both sides were heavy ; the troops too much ex- 
 hausted with the fatigues of battle ; and rest was therefore 
 rendered necessary. 
 
 On the following day, the rebels were massing troops on
 
 DEATH OF GENERALS STEVENS AND KEARNEY. 237 
 
 the road to Fairfax Court House. The intention was the 
 capture of the wagon trains, some of which had been 
 already taken. 
 
 An engagement had already taken place between the 
 enemy and the troops commanded by Generals Stevens and 
 Reno, when in execution of orders to attack and repulse the 
 enemy, Kearney reached the scene of conflict with a por- 
 tion of Heintzelman's corps. General Stevens had been 
 killed, and his troops had exhausted their ammunition, and 
 wore retiring from the field. Kearney advanced, and at 
 once closed in conflict with the foe. A terrible action then 
 took place, and the enemy were driven back several miles, 
 fighting as they retired, and charged upon gallantly by the 
 Union troops. The retreat of the forces of General Stevens 
 had left a gap in the Federal lines which greatly endan- 
 gered them. General Kearney went to examine the ground, 
 unattended, and fell the victim of a rebel sharpshooter. 
 The next morning the remains of this heroic soldier were 
 brought in with a flag of truce. The loss of twp such gal- 
 lant soldiers as Kearney and Stevens was a public calamity. 
 General Birney took command of Kearney's troops, who held 
 the field which their valor had recovered from the enemy, 
 until three o'clock next morning, when they returned to near 
 Fairfax Court House. Chantilly, three miles from Centre- 
 ville, was the scene of this engagement. A bold flank 
 movement of the enemy had placed them between Pope and 
 Washington. 
 
 The retreat of the whole Union army from Centreville 
 to Fairfax was continued on the night of Monday (Septem- 
 ber 1st), and on Tuesday morning the rebels again took 
 possession of their old defences. The retreat was continued 
 on the 2d, and on the 3d, the grand armies of Virginia and 
 the Potomac were safe within the fortifications of Washing- 
 ton. The wounded were brought up in ambulances, which, 
 with the wagons, formed a long line for miles on the road 
 from Fairfax to Alexandria. The retreat was not remarka- 
 ble for order, as the officers had recently sustained great 
 fatigues, and the troops were dispirited, and not under strict 
 discipline. 
 
 The campaign of General Pope in Virginia was now at 
 an end. The causes which led to disaster, and a retreat in 
 .he face of the enemy, have already been stated. General
 
 238 RESIGNATION OF POPE CHARGES AGAINST PORTER. 
 
 Pope had done all in the power of man to do under the cir 
 cumstances in which he was placed. By the combined 
 armies of Virginia and that of the Potomac, the disasters 
 would doubtless have been averted, and such a junction 
 would have resulted in victory. 
 
 Now they were joined, both covered with defeat the 
 one from the Peninsula, the other from the old field of Bull 
 Run, again the scene of disgrace to the Federal arms, and 
 mortifying to the nation. Pope approximated the Federal 
 loss, on the 29th, at from six to eight thousand killed and 
 wounded. 
 
 When the army returned within the works at Washing- 
 ton, General Pope resigned his command, and the request 
 made by him to be transferred to some other post, was im 
 mediately complied with. He was appointed to command 
 the Department of the Northwest. The territory within 
 this jurisdiction had suffered much from the cruelties of 
 the Indians. 
 
 Before General Pope left Washington, he preferred 
 charges against General Fitz John Porter, and other 
 officers, for disobedience to his orders at the battle of 
 Manassas. The chief charge against Porter, was the re 
 fusal of the latter to march against the enemy and join hi 
 troops with those of Hooker, at Kettle Eun, on the 28th of 
 August. Three distinct orders had been sent Porter, who 
 was proved, in future investigations, to have entertained a 
 personal enmity against Pope, and to have censured his 
 mode of conducting the campaign, holding him up to ridi- 
 cule by telegrams to his friends in Washington. The find- 
 ing of a court of investigation, was a verdict of guilty of all 
 the charges against Porter ; and this being approved by the 
 President, he was dismissed from the service, and disquali- 
 fied for holding any office of trust and emolument under 
 the Government of the United States
 
 CHAPTER XXIV, 
 
 AUGUST SEPTEMBER 1862. 
 
 4ITL OF EAT3N KOUGK INCIDENTS OP THK CONFLICT DKATH OF 
 OKKKRAL WILLIAMS EFFICIENT AID OF THE FEDERAL GUNBOATS DU- 
 MA! OF THE ENEMY THE RAM ARKANSAS DESTROYED INDIAN ATRO- 
 CITIES IN MINNESOTA, THEIR DEFEAT BY COLONEL SIBLEY BATTL1 
 HEAR RICHMOND, KENTUCKY GENERAL NELSON THE DISASTER INVA- 
 SION OF MARYLAND LEE'S PROCLAMATION TO THE PEOPLE OF THAT 
 STATE GOVERNOR CURTIN CALLS OUT THE MILITIA OF PENNSYLVANIA 
 ARMY OF THE POTOMAC IN MOTION COLONEL ELLET ON THE MIS- 
 SISSIPPI AND TAZOO CAPTURE OF THE TRANSPORT FAIR PLAY BAT- 
 TLE NEAR DENMARK, TENNESSEE THREATENED INVASION OF OHIO 
 GENERAL LEWIS WALLACE MURDER, BY GUERILLAS, OF GENERAL ROBERT 
 MCCOOK BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 
 
 DURING the occurrence of these events, vital in their im- 
 portance to the Republic, the enemy was persevering with 
 great energy, in other portions of the country, to gain the 
 ascendency, and at various points, the war was pursued 
 with incessant vigor. On the 5th of August, General Wil- 
 liams had a severe contest with the rebels under General 
 John C. Breckinridge, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 
 
 The Federals had twenty-five hundred effective men. The 
 rebel force, about five thousand in number, was detached from 
 the garrison at Vicksburg, and when near the Federal forces, 
 drew up in line of battle. The centre, where the Twenty -first 
 Indiana was posted, became the point of attack, and this 
 regiment, with the Fourteenth Maine, which had come to its 
 support, was compelled to fall back. Pushing on, the rebels 
 occupied a portion of the deserted Union camp. Having 
 plundered and burnt it, and gained possession of one of 
 Everett's guns, they were in turn assailed by the Sixth 
 Michigan, with musketry and artillery, and the Indianiana 
 having rallied and charged, the foe was driven from the 
 camp and the lost gun recaptured. 
 
 It was in this brilliant charge that General William^ 
 leading his men to victory, was mortally wounded by a 
 musket ball in the chest. With his last expiring breath, he 
 animated his troops. The enemy, meanwhile, being hand- 
 somely repulsed on the centre, attacked the Sixth Michigan, 
 
 (239)
 
 240 THE REBEL RAM ARKANSAS DESTROYED. 
 
 which now occupied its original position. Attempting to 
 scale a high picket fence which intervened, the Federal 
 troops took aim from behind it, and poured a volley in thei r 
 faces. The contest continued over the fence, till the foe 
 tore it down, and were repelled. In an hour, the rebels 
 attempted to turn the Union right wing. The troops re- 
 served their ammunition until the foe was within fifty paces, 
 and then a deadly musketry fire was freely interchanged. 
 The Federals being driven back, quickly rallied, and, aided 
 by a portion of the Sixth Michigan, charged the enemy with 
 auch effect, that they fled panic stricken, leaving some pris- 
 oners, their flag, and one cannon, in the hands of the victors. 
 The battle had raged on other portions of the line at the 
 same time, and three successive attacks on Nim's battery, 
 which was supported by the Thirtieth Massachusetts, were 
 repelled, with great loss to the enemy. Great execution 
 was done by Everett's battery, in this engagement ; Colonel 
 Cahill, who took command of the army after the death of 
 General Williams, was particularly distinguished for hi 
 skill and daring. 
 
 The rebels were disappointed at not receiving the 
 expected aid of the ram Arkansas in this action. When 
 the battle had continued from four o'clock in the morning 
 until noon, the Federal gunboats, Essex, Sumter, and Kineo 
 shelled the woods in which the enemy lay, and checked 
 their advance. The Union troops perhaps ultimately owed 
 tlieir safety to the gunboats. The designs of Breckinridge 
 were frustrated, and he ordered a general retreat. The rebel 
 General Clarke was slain in this action. The Federals lost 
 t\vo hundred and fifty killed and six hundred wounded ; the 
 3nemy's loss was much greater. The rebel ram Arkansas left 
 Vicksburg on the 3d, and when within fifteen miles of Batot 
 Rouge, suffered such derangement of her machinery as unfit 
 ted her for action. Drifting helplessly down the stream, she 
 finally grounded, and the day after the battle the Federal 
 gunboats opened fire on her. Lieutenant Stevens, in command, 
 ordered the crew to abandon her, and escape ashore. She 
 was then blown into atoms. Thus ended the career of the 
 Arkansas. 
 
 The harmony which had long existed between the Citi- 
 zens of the United States and the Indians on the frontier 
 was at length interrupted, and in August of this year
 
 INDIAN ATROCITIES IN MINNESOTA. 241 
 
 (1862), the most savage cruelties were perpetrated b/ the 
 tribes, who introduced civil war in all its horrors. Discon- 
 tent had arisen among them in consequence ol the non 
 payment of money due them by the Government, and the 
 frauds of its agents. The Sioux and Chippewas had been 
 cheated infamously for a number of years. The rebel 
 emissaries had stimulated their passions, and told them 
 Jiat the Federal Government was in confusion, and that the 
 present opportunity was propitious to their deliverance and 
 revenge. The Indian insurrection extended along the 
 western border of Minnesota, from Fort Ripley to tho 
 southern boundary. The savages practiced the most revolt- 
 ing cruelties throughout the northwestern region; farm- 
 houses were plundered and burned, and the inhabitants 
 most cruelly murdered, without respect to the helplessness 
 of women and children, or the weakness of old age. An 
 attack was made by two hundred mounted Indians on the 
 village of New Ulm, a part of which was burned. In 
 different attacks, several hundreds were killed or wounded. 
 The people of the town made such defence as was in their 
 power, but, had not timely reinforcements of men and arms 
 been sent by the State government at St. Paul, the whole 
 town would have been laid in ashes, and the entire popula- 
 tion massacred. The roads between New Ulm and the 
 different Sioux agencies were covered with the bodies of 
 men, women, and children, who in attempting to escape, had 
 been brought down by the rifle, or sacrificed with the mur- 
 derous tomahawk. Fort Ripley, which contained one hun- 
 dred Union troops, commanded by Lieutenant Sheehan, was 
 attacked on the 20th of August by a body of Indians nearly 
 one thousand strong. Their attack upon a detachment of the 
 garrison was met by musketry, and many of the savages were 
 killed by a shell which exploded among them. The fight 
 continued till darkness intervened. 
 
 A large body of Indians made a second attack on New 
 Ulm, on the 23d of August. The place was defended by 
 Captain Flandreau, with a small force. The soldiers and 
 gome of the inhabitants charged the savages through the 
 streets of the town, which was partly burned in the conflict. 
 The attack was renewed on the 24th, and lasted till noon. At 
 that hour, reinforcements of one hundred and fifty men, under 
 Captain Cox, sent by Colonel Sibley to the relief of the pUoa, 
 21
 
 242 DEFEAT OF THE INDIANS BY COLONEL SIBLEY. 
 
 arrived. The Indians then withdrew. The place was 
 evacuated, and the inhabitants began their dangerous 
 journey through the midst of prowling savages. Two 
 thousand people had to traverse a distance of thirty miles. 
 A wagon train carried the sick, wounded, women and chil- 
 dren. Escorted by Captain Flandreau and his men the 
 entire distance, they escaped Avith their lives, but lost 
 their property, being stripped of nearly every thing. 
 
 Atrocities by the Indians being still committed, Governor 
 Ramsey called on the militia of Minnesota valley and the 
 frontier towns to arm, equip, and join the expedition which 
 was about to move up the Minnesota river, under Colonel 
 Sibley. The latter obtained one thousand infantry and three 
 hundred cavalry, with such volunteers as might join, and 
 marched from Fort Ridgely on the 19th of September. On 
 the 22d he reached Wood Lake, near Yellow Medicine. 
 Various conflicts took place between the Union troops and 
 a desperate band of the savages, under Little Crow, in one of 
 which, at the above named place, the latter was utterly 
 defeated, the insurrection crushed, and peace once more 
 restored to a country rendered desolate with all the horrors 
 of a savage and relentless foe. 
 
 The 30th of August was the day on which the Union 
 troops suffered a disgraceful overthrow at Eodgersville, some 
 miles from Richmond, Kentucky. General M. D. Manson 
 commanded the Federals, about eight thousand strong, con 
 sistingof infantry, cavalry, and nine pieces of artillery. The 
 rebel forces, fifteen thousand strong, under General Kirby 
 Smith, on the 29th, having driven in the Federal pickets 
 from Big Hill, ten miles from Richmond, were attacked by 
 General Manson, who halted at Rodgersville during the 
 night. As day dawned, the enemy's pickets were encountered. 
 A line of battle was formed, and the action soon became gen- 
 eral. Colonel Korf, with the Sixty-ninth Indiana, being 
 ordered to support the forces engaged on the left, performed 
 his duty with such vigor as to repel the enemy. Thei; over- 
 whelming numbers, however, forced back the Sixty-ninth. 
 Lieutenant-colonel Topping and Major Conkling being 
 killed, panic spread among the Union troops; they fled, 
 and were pursued by the enemy two and a half miles. 
 General Manson rallied his men, and restored the line cf 
 battle, artillery protecting the flanks. The trooos were raw
 
 INVASION OF MA1YLAND. 245 
 
 recruits, and soon broke and fled toward Richmond. Major- 
 general Nelson and his officers rallied the fugitives, and 
 again formed them in line of battle. The ammunition was 
 found to be exhausted, and flight had reduced the troops to 
 three thousand men, wto were now nearly surrounded by 
 the rebels. The disorder increased, and the only way of 
 escape was by cutting through the rebel lines. In this 
 attempt, General Nelson was wounded in the thigh, but 
 subsequently reached Lexington. The rebels pursued the 
 retreating columns to Richmond, drove them from that 
 place, and occupied it. The Federals lost one third their 
 entire force in this battle. The forces under General de 
 Coursy made a disgraceful retreat from Tazewell to Cum- 
 berland Gap, August 9th. 
 
 At this stage of the rebellion, the Confederate command 
 ers, seeing the success which attended their arms, grew 
 more confident of their ultimate success. The defensive 
 policy was now abandoned, the offensive assumed, and 
 they determined to invade the loyal States. They calcu- 
 lated, and not without reason, that there was a large 
 number of persons in those States who were not indifferent 
 to their cause. The plan was deliberately laid, as the 
 writer was informed by number of rebel officers, while a 
 captive in Lynchburg. The information was communi- 
 cated by him, on his return, to the Governor of Pennsyl- 
 vania, who was somewhat incredulous. 
 
 The Confederate forces at Manassas began to move from 
 Fairfax Court House, and approached the Potomac on the 
 5th of September. They continued their march through 
 Leesburg, crossing at Edwards' Ferry, and at those of Conrad, 
 Nolen, and Smith. Proceeding, they destroyed the bridge 
 across the Monocacy, and their advance, under General 
 Hill, reached and occupied Frederick on the 6th. The 
 Point of Rocks and Poolesville were in their possession, 
 euch of the Federal property as came within reach being 
 eized or destroyed. General Lee issued, on the 8th, a 
 proclamation to the people of Maryland, promising to 
 protect their property ; and after setting forth the imagin- 
 ary wrongs which that State had endured at the hands of 
 the Federal Government, offered his services and those of 
 hia army to aid them in the recovery o p their rights a* 
 freemen.
 
 244 GOVERNOR ClfRTIN CALLS OUT THE MILITIJL 
 
 The inhabitants of Maryland did not see their wrongs in 
 the same light as the Confederate commander, and compar- 
 atively few joined th<j standard of rebellion. Few sympa- 
 thized with the rebel cause, the majority regarding the 
 miserable hordes with pity and contempt. Their ill-clad 
 and wretched appearance in many instances excited mere 
 ridicule. Meanwhile, the invasion itself was formidable, 
 and was not expected to terminate in Maryland. The 
 border counties of Pennsylvania were in a state of intense 
 excitement. A proclamation was issued on the 10th of 
 September by Governor Curtin, calling upon all the able- 
 bodied men in the Commonwealth to organize companies 
 and prepare to march against the invaders. The militia of 
 the State promptly responded to the call. The bustle of 
 military preparation was prevalent everywhere, and each 
 patriotic heart was fired to meet and drive back the foe. 
 The advance of the rebels from Frederick was through 
 Middletown, Boonesboro, and Williamspdrt to Ilagcrstown, 
 which was reached on the 9th of September. General 
 Alfred Pleasonton had followed their rear with a detach- 
 ment of Union cavalry, which occupied Frederick upon its 
 abandonment by the enemy, with the intention of prevent- 
 ing their return thither. 
 
 The Union troops and the rear-guard of the Confederates 
 had frequent skirmishes. On the 13th, near Hagerstown, 
 Colonel Farnsworth, with the Eighth Illinois cavalry, charged 
 upon two regiments of the enemy and captured forty 
 prisoners. In an attack upon a rebel regiment in the 
 afternoon of the same day by four squadrons of the Third 
 Indiana cavalry, on the Middletown road, the Union loss 
 was thirty killed and wounded, that of the enemy fifty. A 
 large number of wagons were destroyed to prevent them 
 from falling into the hands of the rebels, so fierce were the 
 attacks made upon the train. 
 
 General Burnside, on the 14th, passed through Hagers- 
 town in pusuit of the enemy, and McClellan also moved 
 with his whole army the same day in that direction, leaving 
 only such troops as were needed to defend Washington. 
 The small comfort which the enemy had received in Mary- 
 land, and the near approach of McClellan, caused the design 
 of invading Pennsylvania to be relinquished. Lee suddenly 
 returned, in order to put the Potomac between him atxl th
 
 COL. ELL.ET ON TSE MISSISSIPPI AND YAZOO. 245 
 
 Union forces, by recrossing at Harper's Ferry and Williams- 
 port. The forces of McClellan, however, were now so 
 disposed as to prevent a retreat without a battle. The 
 Federal left wing, in pursuing the rebels, had a severs 
 engagement with part of their forces at South Mountain, on 
 September 14th. This was the precursor of the battle of 
 Antietam, which was a yet more important contest. Both 
 ghall be described after noticing the events which were 
 transpiring elsewhere at the same period. 
 
 On the 16th of August, Colonel Ellett, who commanded 
 the Union ram fleet at Helena, Arkansas, undertook an 
 expedition down the Mississippi, for the purpose of break- 
 ing up the long existing monotonous inactivity, attacking 
 the flotilla of the enemy, and destroying, if possible, the 
 Star of the West, which had been fitted up as a gunboat. 
 Seven rams and three gunboats formed the force of the 
 expedition, which met nothing worthy of note till it reached 
 Milliken's Bend. At this point, the rebel transport Fair 
 Play, with a cargo of five thousand stand of arms, besides 
 ammunition and provisions, was encountered, bound for 
 Little Rock. This vessel and her cargo fell into the hands 
 of the Federals. The land forces being sent about eight 
 miles inland, destroyed, at Richmond Station, on the Vicks- 
 burg and Shreveport railroad, the depot, railway cars, and 
 a quantity of sugar. On returning to the vessels, they 
 continued down the river. The mouth of the Yazoo was 
 reached, and, sailing up that stream, earthworks were found 
 at Haines Landing, which were shelled by the Benton. 
 The rebels abandoned the place, leaving behind them two 
 forty-two pounders, two thirty -two pounders, several other 
 guns, and some ammunition. After destroying a portion of the 
 place, the vessels continued up the river as far as Liverpt ol, 
 and then returned. Nothing of special interest occurred after- 
 ward, and the expedition returned to Helena, the gunboat 
 Bragg, and the ram Monarch, being left at the mouth of the 
 Yazoo, to reconnoitre the enemy. 
 
 On the 4th of September, the Federals were victorioui 
 in a battle fought at Brittan's Lane, near Denmark, Ten- 
 nessee. The engagement took place between an Illinois 
 infantry regiment, under Colonel Dennie, and four thousand 
 Confederates, under General Armstrong. After some skir- 
 mishing, the enemy ad van" ^d and the Union forces wer
 
 246 THREATENED INVASION OP OHIO. 
 
 drawn up on a ridge in line of battle. After an unimpor 
 tant encounter between the rebels and a small Union force 
 sent out to meet their advance, the enemy made a charge on 
 the whole line, and a simultaneous movement on both flanks. 
 In the terrible struggle which ensued, the enemy captured 
 the Union guns and the supply train. The Thirtieth Illinois 
 ihen came into action, and the Confederates were repulsed, 
 imt again rallied. A well aimed volley from the Federals 
 checked their advance. Subsequently they gained a hill 
 on the Union right, from which they were speedily driven. 
 While thus engaged, they also attacked the Union left aad 
 centre, and were repulsed gallantly in three desperate 
 charges. Four hours the battle had raged, when they 
 retreated and left the Federals in possession of the field. 
 The Confederates lost in the action one hundred and eleven 
 killed and four hundred wounded ; the Federals, thirty 
 killed and one hundred and twenty wounded. This victory 
 in the face of such disparity of numbers, attests the valor 
 Df the Union troops. 
 
 The apprehensions which were excited by the expected 
 invasion of Pennsylvania were no less felt in the State of 
 Ohio. Cincinnati was placed in a state of jeopardy by an 
 intended advance upon it of Generals Kirby Smith and 
 Heth. On the 2d of September, Governor Todd, of Ohio, 
 by a proclamation, after setting forth the danger from 
 invasion of the southern border of the State, recommended 
 t/ie organization of companies for protection. General 
 jew. Wallace was placed in command of the troops in 
 Jincinnati ; all business was suspended ; drilling was rigidly 
 practiced, and the city placed under martial law. Fortifica- 
 tions were erected, and an army of thirty thousand men 
 was extemporized with wonderful celerity. Such an attitude 
 of defence was unexpected by the rebel commander, and, 
 having reached Florence, he gave the order for retreat. 
 
 Some of the minor events of the month of August were, 
 on the 2d, a skirmish on the Rapidan ; on the 3d occurred 
 the capture, off the Bahamas, of the British propeller 
 Columbia, laden with twelve Armstrong guns; 011 the 3d, 
 the brutal murder of General Robert McCook, who was 
 sick in an ambulance, in advance of his troops, by a body 
 of two hundred guerillas, near New Market, Alabama; on 
 ihe llth, the occupation of Bayou Sara by the Union force*
 
 ADVANCE OF MCCLELLAN ON SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 247 
 
 and the defeat of the gu irillas near Canton's Ferry, on Grand 
 river, Missouri, by Colonel Guitai, wounding one hundred 
 and capturing two hundred ; on the 28th, the mortar fleet 
 made a useless attack on Vicksburg ; on the 30th, a fight 
 took place at Bolivar, Tennessee ; on the 31st, battles were 
 fought at Meadow Station, and Middletown, Tennessee, and 
 also near Centrevillo, Yirginia. The important events on 
 foot at this time absorbed all the public attention. 
 
 The battle of South Mountain took place on the 14th of 
 September (1862). The army under General McClellan had 
 overtaken the Confederate forces under General Lee, near 
 Middletown, Maryland, on their flight toward the Potomac, 
 and now a bloody engagement impended. In order to 
 secure his retreat, Lee had determined on the capture of 
 Harper's Ferry, which was not' strongly garrisoned. Jack- 
 son, therefore, was sent to recross the Potomac at Sharps- 
 burg, in order to intercept the retreat of the garrison. At 
 the same time, another division was moved direct to 
 Harper's Ferry, for the purpose of capturing Maryland 
 Heights. Another division crossed below the ferry. This 
 last division, on the capture of the stronghold, was to return 
 to rejoin the main body of the army, which was then to 
 march into Pennsylvania. These divisions, therefore, were 
 not present to participate in the battle of South Mountain. 
 This mountain is a continuation of the Blue Ridge. On its 
 summit and sides, the rebel general had selected an excel- 
 lent position. Few passes existed through these mountains, 
 and the natural defences against the Union advance were 
 very formidable. Two chief passes, at five miles' distance 
 from each other, were Turner's and Crampton's Gaps. The 
 first was that through which the main body of the enemy 
 passed. The chief importance of the other was its defence 
 of the rebel flank. Lcngstreet and Hill, with forty thou- 
 sand troops and twelve pieces of artillery, held Turner's 
 Gap. Cobb occupied Crampton's Gap, with another Con- 
 federate force. The fight at Turner's Gap was brought on 
 by a cavalry reconnoissance of General Pleasonton, sup- 
 ported by infantry. This general was moving upon the 
 enemy on the Hagerstowc. road, with a brigade of cavalry 
 and several guns, when a portion of the Ninth Army Corps 
 was sent to his support. The Confedel Ues fell back slowly 
 toward the mounta : u and wera found to be in too great
 
 248 BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN 
 
 force to be attacked by Pleasonton. At Turner's Gap tht 
 mountain is one thousand feet in altitude. Its steep sides 
 are difficult to scale on account of the loose boulders and 
 ledges. It is covered by woods, except where there is an 
 occasional opening for pasture, and formed a hazardous un 
 dertaking for an attacking column. On each side of the gap, 
 and in the pass itself, the enemy were posted, and were 
 defended by artillery, commanding the approach and the 
 plain at the base of the mountain. At the distance of one 
 and a half miles stands the little village of Bolivar, from 
 which two roads run, one on each side of the turnpike; 
 these roads take a circuitous route, and, ascending, meet 
 at the mountain summit. 
 
 The Federal divisions took position at eight o'clock in 
 the morning, and moved, up the turnpike from the other 
 side of Middletown. General Reno, with the Ninth Corps, 
 advanced on Bolivar, and took the road to the left of the 
 turnpike. In front of the village, upon an ascent, he formed 
 his line of battle. Robinson's battery had previously taken 
 position to the left of the road, but failed to discover the 
 position of the enemy or draw his fire. On the approach of 
 the infantry column, the rebels commenced an artillery fire 
 upon it with two guns. The Federals escaped injury, by 
 turning to their position on the left. The rebels brought up 
 some more pieces, and being replied to, a keen artillery duel 
 ensued, which lasted until ten o'clock. A short time after 
 this, the Confederate batteries were for awhile silent, till 
 the Union infantry began the attack. The concentrated fire 
 from the Union guns was directed upon the gap with such 
 effect, that the enemy were compelled to change the position 
 of their guns, and late in the afternoon to withdraw them. 
 The result of this artillery duel showed, that the enemy would 
 with difficulty be dislodged from the crest of the hill. At 
 eleven o'clock A. M., a division of Ohio troops had been sent 
 forward, with a promise to their leader, General Cox, on the 
 part of General Reno, of support with all the force of the latter. 
 General Cox soon entered the woods at the foot of the moun- 
 tain, with the intention of turning the enemy's right. 
 
 At this time, Generals McClellan and Burnside, with their 
 staffs rode upon the field, watched the progress of the battle, 
 and issied such orders as were requisite. Colonel Scam- 
 tnon lea the first brigade which had its front well extended ,
 
 BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 249 
 
 Colonel Cv'tok led the second, in columns of reserve, the 
 whole L'.fce being well protected with skirmishers. Th 
 Twenty-tint d Ohio, on the left of the advance, soon reached 
 the summit, and Ke>re encountered the Twenty-fifth North 
 Carolina. In a hand to hand contest which ensued, the 
 Carolinians were completely routed, and many of them cap- 
 tured. 
 
 At one time, four pieces were nearly captured by the 
 enemy, who had driven back the two companies who sup- 
 ported the battery. This produced confusion for awhile, 
 but order bei ig restored, a despe)ate struggle was made for 
 the possession of the guns. The tight was kept up awhile, 
 when the rebels, being oveicome fell back in confusion, and 
 the hills re-echoed the cheers of the victorious Union 
 troops. The Twelfth Ohio, on (leneral Cox's centre, had to 
 pass through an open ground, gieiatly exposed to the enemy's 
 fire. The whole regiment, with loud shouts ran up the 
 ascent, where the firm ranks of the enemy were prepared to 
 receive them. When the Union troops were within a few 
 feet of them, the rebels broke and tied to the refuge of the 
 woods. The Second and Twenty-fifth Ohio were then moved 
 up, and the combined forces withstood all the persistent 
 attempts of the enemy to regain their position. Two tern 
 pounder Parrott guns from Simonds' battery, were now 
 moved forward in an open space, and continued during the 
 fight to render effectual service. The enemy's guns, at this 
 point, were withdrawn, and placed in a new position near 
 the Union right and front. At the same time they made a 
 movement toward both the Union flanks. Thiy was the 
 condit.ion of affairs at noon ; at that hour the infantry fire 
 ceased. The cannonading slackened, and at length the gun> 
 wore silent. The Union reinforcements came up eirly in 
 the afternoon, when the Confederates made desperate (.Sorts 
 tc regain their position on the crest. When the troops <vere 
 all in position, General Eeno gave the order for a genoral 
 advance. The brave patriots rushed on with enthusiastic 
 eagerness. Their onset was met by the rebels with great 
 firmness ; fierce charges were made on the advancing lino. 
 The Union trocps behaved with great bravery, and suffered 
 severely ; particularly Wilcox's division, which was exposed 
 to a battery of the enemy. General Sturgis was sent to sup- 
 port Wilcox in driving back the terrible charges of thti
 
 250 BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 
 
 enemy, which, late in the afternoon, were made with greater 
 vigor on both the right and left. General Sturgis withstood 
 the rebel attack for an hour, and at eight o'clock, the baffled 
 foe, bleeding, and utterly exhausted with useless efforts, 
 withdrew. General Jesse L. Reno, about sunset, received a 
 mortal wound from a musket ball. The command devolved 
 on General Cox, who, during this battle, exhibited great skill 
 and oourage. The exultation of the troops was mingled 
 with deep sorrow for the loss of the gallant Reno. General 
 Burnside, in an order, paid just tribute to his character, as 
 the most devoted of patriots, the most thorough of soldiers, 
 and a man of the most kindly qualities of heart in private 
 life. The loss of such a man was a calamity to the cause of 
 his country, for which he nobly died. 
 
 Early in the afternoon, the column of Hooker proceeded 
 up the turnpike, and turning off to the right at Bolivar, took 
 the branch road leading to the base of the mountain. Gen 
 eral Meade was also sent, with the Pennsylvania Reserves, 
 to make an attack on a hill on the right of the opening to 
 the gap, and General Hatch moved up on the left, his right 
 wing resting on the road. The Union line was completed 
 by Ricketts' division, on the extreme right, a mile from the 
 road. The whole line extended three miles. The right 
 wing being formed, the ascent was begun ; and moving up 
 the craggy mountain side, the skirmishers of the enemy 
 were driven in, and the Pennsylvania Reserves encountered 
 the main body. Heavy volleys of musketry rolled along 
 the mountain sides, telling the vigorous assault of the com- 
 batants engaged in deadly strife. 
 
 No straggler was seen on the entire line of the Pennsyl- 
 rania Reserves, and the first brigade of Ricketts' division, as 
 it moved boldly onward, resolved on taking possession of 
 the crest. On the brave men rushed, pouring a terrible re 
 of minie balls into the ranks of the foe, who resisted them 
 stubbornly in a conflict of half an hour, and then were re- 
 polled in disorder toward the summit. Here they made a 
 stand, but nothing could resist the assault of the brave Penn- 
 sylvania ns, and the enemy, again repelled, fled in disorder 
 down the western side of the mountain. 
 
 While the right was thus successful, the left, under Gen- 
 eral Hatch, performed like deeds of heroism. General 
 Patrick's brigade skirmished, and having climbed the moun-
 
 BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 251 
 
 tain, drew the fire of the enemy, who thus revealed their 
 situation. A fence extended along the crest, in the front of 
 flrhich were thick woods, while in the rear was a field full 01 
 ledges of rock. Behind this fence the rebels were strongly 
 posted. The Federal skirmishers were supported, at the 
 distance of some thirty yards, by Phelps' brigade, behind 
 which at a short distance, Doubleday had drawn up his 
 troops in line of battle. 
 
 The enemy were found to be in force, and immediately 
 Phelps' troops rushed into the contest, closely followed by 
 those of Hatch. A deadly fire being poured upon them, 
 soon drove the Confederates from the fence, and the Federal 
 troops rushing forward, took up a position a little beyond. 
 In this spirited action, General Hatch was wounded, "where- 
 upon General Doubleday assumed command of his division. 
 Colonel Wainwright, who took command of Doubleday'a 
 brigade, was disabled, and then its command devolved on 
 Lieutenant-colonel Hoffman, of the Fifty -sixth Pennsylvania. 
 Phelps' troops, who had suffered much in the action, about 
 dusk were relieved by Doubleday's brigade, not more than 
 one thousand strong. The number of Confederates opposed 
 to them was about five thousand, with a strong body in re- 
 serve. The Federals made good use of the fence which 
 they had captured, and, protected by its shelter, defied all 
 the assaults of the enemy. By one volley after another they 
 were kept at bay, though the distance between the combat- 
 ants did not exceed thirty paces. The powerful force of the 
 Confederates was gallantly repelled in the frequent charges 
 which it made. 
 
 The Federals were at length ordered to reserve their fire 
 and lay down behind the fence. The enemy deemed this a 
 favorable opportunity to carry the position by a successful 
 charge. Accordingly, with elated hopes, and dreadful yells, 
 they rushed onward with great eagerness. The Federals 
 lay silent till the Confederates approached within fifteen 
 paces; then, springing to their feet, they swept the lauks 
 with such a well aimed volley, that the whole line reeled, ad 
 if shaken by a thunderbolt, and then turned and fled with 
 precipitation, leaving the ground behind them strewn with 
 slain. All the efforts ol Longstreet to rally his shattered 
 lines to a new assault, proved unavailing. The flashes of 
 the gui s in the shades of ;r.e evening, revealed to the oom-
 
 BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 
 
 batants the position of each, and the firing was still kept up 
 When the Federals had only three cartridges in their boxea 
 General Ricketts, without orders, came up from the right, 
 and relieved the gallant brigade of Doubleday. The heroic 
 troops, who had fought so well, now receded a few paces, 
 and, laying down upon their arms, obtained some needful 
 rest. An attempt now made to turn the Union left flank, 
 was repulsed with severe loss to the enemy. During the 
 attack on the fence, there was a severe contest for another 
 fence, at the northeast side of the cornfield, where the 
 Twenty-first and Twenty-second New York regiments had 
 obtained possession of an excellent position. An assault 
 of great fierceness, was well sustained by the troops under 
 Colonel Rodgers of the Twenty-first. The rebel gunners 
 were picked oflj one of the batteries silenced, and the 
 enemy repelled. The troops under General Ricketts main- 
 tained the contest about half an hour after their arrival at 
 the front. Their tremendous volleys made it impossible for 
 the enemy longer to resist ; they fell back from their posi- 
 tion, and fled in dismay down the mountain side. Thus, in 
 front as well as on the right and left, the Unionists were vic- 
 torious, and the troops laid down and slept on their arms. This 
 engagement at Turner's Gap ceased at nine o'clock in the 
 evening, and proved a decisive victory. Notwithstanding 
 the advantages which the Confederates possessed, both in 
 numbers and a chosen position, the Federal troops had 
 overcome every obstacle and defeated them. The Federal 
 loss was three hundred and twenty-eight killed, and fourteen 
 hundred and sixty-three wounded and missing ; that of the 
 enemy, was estimated at three thousand. 
 
 Another important success was that of Crampton's Gap. 
 General Franklin, moving along the line of the Potomac, 
 reached Sugar Loaf mountain on the 18th, and drove out 
 a body of Conf3derate cavalry from a signal station at that 
 point. The next morning, the enemy's pickets were en- 
 countered at the village of Birkinsville, near the gap, am 1 
 soon a battery began to open fire on the advancing Federal 
 columns. The place, the hour, and manner of attack, wera 
 quite similar to the movement on Turner's Gap, as already 
 mentioned. The enemy occupied the heights on each side of 
 the pass. General Slocum, with his division, held the right 
 of the Federal line, and was covered, on his left, by tht
 
 ^ OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 258 
 
 dirision of General Smith. The enemy occupied a strong 
 position behind a stone wall at the base of the mountain. 
 Slocum's brigades, being ordered to charge up the heights 
 on the right, encountered a body of the enemy behind this 
 wall. In a hand to hand fight, the Confederates firrxly 
 resisted for an hour, and then being routed, were driven up 
 the ascent. Attaining the higher ground, they planted a 
 oattery and opened fire on their eager pursuers. The 
 resistless attack of the Union troops again drove them 
 onward up the heights, and drawing their guns en echelon, 
 they made a more vigorous stand on the summit. The 
 brave Federals rushed on, closing up every gap in their 
 broken ranks and preserving their line of battle. They 
 assaulted the enemy in a vigorous charge, driving right upon 
 his front. A most desperate combat was the result. With 
 great pertinacity, the Confederates held their position, their 
 artillery being served with great effect. 
 
 During this severe conflict on the right, the brigades of 
 Brook and Irvin were driving the enemy up the slope on 
 the left. On each side of the gap, the incessant rattle of 
 musketry was mingled with the hoarser roar of artillery. 
 In the momentary pauses which occurred, the heavy boom- 
 ing of cannon told the combatants that a fierce battle was 
 raging at Turner's Gap. The Confederates could no longer 
 resist the spirited charges both on the right and left. 
 Their ranks wavered and fled in wild disorder down the 
 mountain side. Four hundred prisoners, four regimental 
 colors, one cannon, and three thousand stand of arms were 
 the trophies of the field. The Union loss was four hundred 
 and forty-three killed, eighteen hundred and six wounded 
 and one hundred and seventy-six captured. The Con- 
 federates lost forty-three hundred killed, wounded and 
 prisoners. 
 
 The brigades of Torbert and Newton, were commended 
 for their activity and courage. These displayed an intrepidity 
 in their last charge never surpassed. 
 
 By the occupation of Crampton's Gap, the Confederate 
 flank was exposed and Pleasant valley opened to the Union 
 forces. It was but six miles from Harper's Ferry, which 
 could easily receive reinforcements from General Franklin. 
 The surrender of the place about to be described, was 
 great loss at this crisis t< the nation. 
 22
 
 254 PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY. 
 
 The Confederates having abandoned the South Mountain 
 range, were hotly pursued by the Union eavalry. The 
 corps of Sumner, Hooker, and Mansfield, followed their 
 retreating columns with all haste along the Boonesboro turn 
 pike; Burnside and Porter moved along the old Sharpsburg 
 road with their troops. Franklin, hastening down Pleasant 
 valley, encountered on his march (on the 15th), a superior 
 force of the enemy in a strong position, prepared to dispute 
 his further advance. Only two of his divisions had come 
 up, and he deemed it prudent under the circumstances U. 
 a void the enemy.
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 SEPTEMBER, 1862. 
 
 . fTAOE ON Hi.RI-K.irs FERRY ITS DISGRACEFUL SURRENDER L'OLONB. 
 
 MILKS HIS DKATH GENERAL LEE AT SHARPSBURG PREPARATIONS FOU 
 
 TUB COMING BATTLE MOCLELLAN'S DELAY THE ENKMY RE1NFO.ICED 
 
 TIIK BATTLE OF ANTTETAM GALLANTRY OF THE TROOPS HOOKKR 
 
 WOUNDED SUBLIME COURAGE OF THE TWELFTH AND THIRTEENTH MASSA- 
 CHUSETTS REGIMENTS THE GALLANT GENERAL MANSFIELD SLAIN CON- 
 SPICUOUS VALOR OF CRAWFORD AND GORDON TERRIBLE CARNAGE TH* 
 
 TIDE OF BATTLE TURNED BY GENERAL FRANKLIN THE RIGHT WING 
 
 TICTORIOUS BURNSIDE ON THE LEFT THE SPLENDID VALOR OF OFFICERS 
 
 AND MEN AT THE STONE BRIDGE THE MOVEMENT SUCCESSFUL ENEMY 
 
 HKINFORCKD TUK PERIL OF BURNSIDE MCCLELLAN, AND THE RESERVES 
 
 ONDER PORTER DREADFUL LOSS ON BOTH SIDES LEK ELUDES MCCLEL- 
 LBN ESCAPES ACROSS THK POTOMAC FEDERAL ARMY AT HARPRR*8 
 FERRY. 
 
 THE delight caused by the victory of South Mountain, 
 was considerably qualified by the reverse at Harper's Ferry 
 which occurred about the same time. This place had al 
 ready been rendered famous by the occurrences which had 
 taken place there in the different contests during the rebel- 
 lion. It was now commanded by Colonel Dixon Miles, and 
 added to its strong natural defences, was strongly fortified 
 by art. Maryland Heights rise several hundred feet above 
 the Potomac, being the key of Harper's Ferry, a little village 
 consisting chiefly of government workshops and arsenals. 
 A railroad bridge across the Potomac connects the village 
 with the heights, which are reached by a road from the 
 river. Near the summit of Maryland Heights, is a broad 
 plain, which discloses a splendid view of the Potomac. On 
 the edge of the cliff, the Union troops had planted heavy 
 siege guns, commanding the valley. One of these was a fifty 
 pound Parrott ; besides which there were two Dalghrens, and 
 a battery of howitzers. No successful attack could be made 
 on this position, except on the north side. If barricaded 
 prope'V, a small body of troops could keep an army at 
 bay. The springs and brooks afforded an unfailing supply 
 of water A heavy line of intrenchrneuts, with a deep ditch 
 
 (266)
 
 25<J ATTACK ON MARYLAND HEIGHTS, 
 
 in front, thrown up on the summit of Harper's Ferry, ex 
 tended from the Potomac to the Shenandoah. Bolivai" 
 Heights, on the Virginia side, were fortified with earthworks, 
 to protect the infantry from the musketry of the enemy 
 The number of troops in the garrison was about twelve 
 thousand men. A large quantity of ammunition, artillery, 
 and stores had been accumulated at Harper's Ferry, and the 
 garrisons at Winchester and Martinsburg had been ordered 
 to report to Colonel Miles. 
 
 On the llth of September, McClellan telegraphed to Gen- 
 eial Halleck, suggesting that Colonel Miles be sent to join 
 him by the most practicable route. Halleck answered, that 
 there was no way for Colonel Miles to join him, and that the 
 only chance for the latter was to defend his works. It was 
 of great importance to the Confederates, in the invasion of 
 Maryland, to gain possession of Harper's Ferry. Accord- 
 ingly, they made their appearance on the 8th of September, 
 on Maryland Heights, and during the following week erected 
 i barricade of trees, fourteen hundred yards in length. An 
 attack being expected, Colonel Miles appointed Colonel 
 Ford to guard the heights. It was afterward proved, that 
 Colonel Miles had neglected to fortify Maryland Heights, 
 when ordered to do so a month previous ; that when an 
 attack was apprehended, he withheld from Colonel Ford the 
 necessary means of erecting barricades ; that without suffi- 
 cient cause he allowed these heights to be abandoned on the 
 13th, and that he had paroled Confederate officers during th 
 siege, who could inform the enemy of the exact state of the 
 garrison and the fortifications. 
 
 Their preparations made, the Confederates assaulted the 
 position on the afternoon of Friday, September 12th. The 
 Union line of battle was drawn up in front of the barricade 
 during the night, and a decisive action was anticipated for 
 the morrow. At seven o'clock next morning, the enemy 
 made a vigorous attack, which was repulsed. The contest 
 then raged with greater fury for an hour, and the enemy, 
 being reinforced, again advanced. Most of the regiments in 
 the garrison were raw recruits. The One Hundred and 
 Twenty-sixth New York, intimidated at the approach of the 
 enemy, broke and fled behind the barricades ; Colonel Sher 
 rill rallied the men, and they again took part in the action. 
 The Federal left being turned, they fell back. The Confed-
 
 DISGRACEFUL SURRENDER OF HARPER'S FERRT. 257 
 
 erates retired soon after, and again advanced at four o'clock, 
 p. M., but the attack was not renewed on their part, and night 
 ended the engagement. No hope, but in reinforcements, re- 
 mained to the garrison. During the night, such dispositions 
 were made as best promised successful resistance. At 
 four o'clock A. 1C., on Saturday, the 13th, all the troops 
 were ordered to retreat down the mountain, and Maryland 
 Heights were abandoned to the enemy ; the latter occupying 
 them on the afternoon of the same day. The Union line of bat- 
 tle on Bolivar Heights, was similar to that on Maryland 
 Heights. Colonel D'Utassy held the extreme right, Colonel 
 Trimble the left ; General White occupied a position on the 
 heights, and Major Mcllwaine directed the operations of the 
 artillery. No attack was made until four o'clock, p. M., 
 when a tremendous cannonading thundered from the rebel 
 guns on Maryland Heights, Loudon Heights, Sandy Hook, 
 and from batteries planted on the Shepardstown and Charles- 
 town roads. A spirited reply was made by the Federal 
 guns, and the artillery duel continued during the day. On 
 the approach of night, the Federal lines were somewhat con- 
 tracted, as the enemy had turned the left flank. An attack 
 on Rigby's battery, at eight o'clock, was gallantly repulsed, 
 with great loss to the enemy. 
 
 The final issue was uncertain at the end of the second 
 day's battle, nothing decisive yet occurring. On the follow- 
 ing night the enemy planted batteries so skilfully as to 
 enfilade the Union position. At five o'clock on Monday, 
 15th, the enemy, strongly reinforced, renewed the conflict 
 with great energy. Harper's Ferry had been threatened 
 with an attack during the whole veek, and yet it had not 
 been reinforced. On Sunday night Colonel Miles had sent 
 to General McClellan for aid, but none had arrived. The 
 ammunition of the Federals was exhausted at eight o'clock 
 an Monday night, and Colonel Miles called a council of 
 ffar. All except Colonel D'Utassy approved the determina- 
 tion of Colonel Miles to prevent further loss of life by the 
 surrender of the place. White flags were then raised on 
 the intrenchments, and a flag c f truce was sent by General 
 White to arrange the terms of capitulation with the Confed- 
 erate general, Jackson. The conditions were, that the 
 Union officers should be allowed to depart on parole, with 
 their side arms and private effects. The rank and file wer
 
 268 COLONEL MILES HIS DEATH. 
 
 also paroled and permitted to go out with every thing ou* 
 their arms and equipments. Eleven thousand, five hundred 
 and eighty-three officers and men were thus surrendered to 
 the enemy All the cavalry, two thousand in number, under 
 Colonel Davis, had previously cut their way through the 
 works of the enemy, and escaped by the Sharpsburg road, 
 capturing on their route one hundred wagons of Longstreet'n 
 train and one hundred prisoners. The Confederates captured, 
 at Harper's Ferry, forty-seven pieces of various calibre, 
 also, seven thousand five hundred stands of arms, forty 
 thousand rounds of cartridges, fifty rounds of cannister shot, 
 and rations for six days for twelve thousand men. The 
 Union loss was eighty killed and one hundred and twenty 
 wounded. The rebel loss was estimated by their officers at 
 one thousand five hundred. 
 
 After the surrender, Colonel Miles was wounded by a 
 shell and his leg amputated. He died after the operation. 
 
 When the brave soldiers learned their fate their rage and 
 shame was unbounded. Under a good commander they 
 might have made a successful resistance till reinforced 
 Had Harper's Ferry not been surrendered, the Confederates at 
 the battle of Antietam, weakened by the absence of Jack- 
 ion and his forces, could have been attacked in detail, with 
 the Potomac in their rear. 
 
 Colonel Ford displayed a lack of military capacity in 
 defending Maryland Heights, and in accordance with the 
 report of the investigating commission, he and other officers 
 were dismissed from the service by the President. The 
 splendid victory of South Mountain hardly recompensed 
 for the surrender of Harper's Ferry, the result of delay, 
 stupidity, cowardice, and treason. The paper on which the 
 terms of capitulation were written was scarcely dry, when 
 twenty thousand active troops moved off' rapidly to assist 
 General Lee, and were present at the battle of Antietam. 
 
 The victory of South Mountain being achieved, the Union 
 forces at once, as already seen, pursued the retreating 
 Confederate columns. The latter had made a retrograde 
 movement in the direction of the Potomac, and taken up a 
 atrong position of their own selection near Sharpsburg, 
 where formidable intrench ments were thrown up. The 
 Union cavalry in pursuit had captured two hundred and 
 fifty prisoners and two guns in an action at Boonesboro On
 
 POSITION OF TDK TWO ARMIES. 269 
 
 Monday, September 15th, all the corps of the Federal army 
 with the exception of Franklin's, which was left to check 
 the enemy at Brownsville, were moving upon Sharpsburg. 
 The subordinate commanders were ordered to put their 
 troops in position in the event of finding the enemy in 
 force and well posted. They were then to await the arrival 
 of the Commander-in-chief. The advance division, under 
 Richardson, moved up, and found the enemy deployed no 
 ar from Keedysville, and forming his lines, Richardson 
 took position, and the rest of the column was halted on the 
 main road, while preparations were made for the impending 
 battle. The Federal troops were massed on the Sharpsburg 
 turnpike. The whole night was spent by them in taking 
 up their appointed positions. The Confederate commander 
 formed in the shelter of the mountain crests, and in the 
 woods. Along the western bank of the Antietam river 
 there is a ridge, which, in the form of a semicircle, presents 
 its concave side to the river ; the summit is composed of 
 forests and ravines. The adjacent hill had been cleared ; 
 orchards and cornfields were separated by rail or stone 
 fences. The road from Hagerstown to Sharpsburg and 
 Shepherdstown runs beside this ridge. 
 
 The Confederate lines, four miles in extent, were posted 
 on these hills, and were protected by woods and ravines. 
 The artillery frowned from the hills, and bayonets bristled 
 in every thicket. The Confederate right rested on the 
 Antietam creek, and the line extended along the stream, 
 almost parallel, but deflected toward the left flank. The 
 banks of the stream were too high to permit a crossing; 
 and the water was too deep to be forded except at two 
 points about a mile distant from each other. Between 
 these fords were three bridges on the enemy's right, centre, 
 and left, respectively. Guards held possession of the 
 bridges. The unevenness of the wooded ground, with the 
 ravines and thickets, was concealed from the Federal troops 
 by the waving corn. The path must be traversed under 
 the galling fire of the enemy. 
 
 The Federal position was on the east of the Antietam, 
 behind a low range of hills, inferior in height to those 
 occupied by the enemy. Here the line of battle was 
 formed and the artillery posted. General McClellan spent 
 most of the 16th in reconnoitering. The Union troops, on
 
 2(50 RBCONNOISSANCfc BY GENERAL IU 
 
 arriving on the east side of the Antietam, numbered ninety 
 thousand men, the enemy fifty thousand. By the delay of 
 twenty-four hours, Lee was joined by the forces of Jackson 
 and other Confederate reinforcements arrived as the battle 
 progressed. 
 
 On Tuesday, 16th, at four o'clock in the afternoon, Gen- 
 oral Hooker crossed the Antietam by the upper bridge and 
 the ford above it, and reached the right bank of the river 
 unopposed. Advancing to take the enemy on the left flank, 
 Buch a storm of shell and canister assailed the Union 
 troops as compelled them to fall back. They again moved 
 on with batteries in front, supported by infantry, and the 
 flanks protected by skirmishers. The latter were attacked 
 by a brisk fire from the woods, and the rebel batteries 
 opened a heavy fire on the front and right. The skirmish 
 now became a battle. It soon ceased, however, and while 
 the troops, having made this successful reconnoissance, lay 
 down on their arms to obtain some repose, General Hooker 
 remarked to his officers that the battle on the morrow would 
 decide the fate of the Republic. Frequent alarms during 
 the night prevented the troops of both armies from sleep- 
 ing. While Hooker was thus reconnoitering, on the after 
 noon of the 16th, the Ninth Corps, following the course of 
 the Antietam for three miles, took up a position on the left of 
 the road from Roherville to Sharpsburg. The troops were 
 well posted on a range of hills which commanded the stone 
 bridge across the Antietam and the lower ford. These 
 forces were led next day by General Burnside They 
 moved forward at seven o'clock A. M., to occupy a ridgo 
 nearer the river, with the intention of crossing at the stone 
 bridge and attacking the Confederate right. An artillery 
 duel took place while this movement was progressing, which 
 proved the superiority of the Federal artillery by silencing 
 several of the enemy's guns. These operations were the 
 prelude to the battle of Antietam, which began in earnest 
 at daybreak on Wednesday morning, September the 17th 
 (1862). 
 
 It began with Hooker's division on the extreme right, 
 and here, until noon, the main interest of the battle centred, 
 
 General Lee commanded the Confederate troops ; Jackson 
 held their left, Hill the centre, and Longstreet the right. 
 6*rora big reinforcements and the strong position which hi
 
 BATTLE OF AMTIETAM. 261 
 
 had chosen, the chances of success were favorable to the 
 Confederate general. The corps of Generals Sumner and 
 Mansfield reinforced Hooker during the night, and he 
 advanced confidently to the attack with muskerty and 
 artillery. The battle raged with great fierceness for half 
 an hour, during which victory inclined to neither side. 
 The whole line, extending five miles, was engaged. The 
 deafening roar of two hundred guns was blended with the 
 rattle of tens of thousands of rifles, and the noise of explo- 
 ding shells mingled with the thrilling shouts of the contend- 
 ents. Hooker's men, animated by his spirit, advanced 
 boldly to the encounter, and nobly emulated the heroism 
 of their commander. The tide of battle rolled on, now 
 here, now there, sweeping all before its resistless pressure, 
 and being in turn borne back. The Confederates, flushed 
 with the success of Harper's Ferry, and bent on conquest, 
 fought with desperate energy. The Federal soldier fought 
 as one who was fighting for country, liberty, and life. As 
 the firm rock rears its crest amid the ocean surges, and 
 defies the billows of the deep, so neither side yielded, each 
 maintaining its ground. Regiments and brigades melted 
 away. The deadly bolts laid friend and foe alike on the 
 crimsoned field which drank in their life blood. That terri- 
 ble half hour has fled, and with it the canopy of smoke 
 which obscured the field. The Confederate line falters, and 
 the Union troops dash forward with a cheer. The first 
 retiring motion is made in the front of Hooker's centre, and 
 Meade, with the reserves, -presses the fugitives in hot 
 pursuit to the woods. 
 
 From its gloomy recesses came suddenly terrible volleys, 
 which hurled the brave patriots back over half the distance 
 gained. They had been attacked by fresh troops, but with 
 scarce a brigade, they closed up the broken ranks ; fought 
 till their ammunition was spent, and retired in the most per- 
 fect order. The Confederate general, Wood, pours in fresh 
 forces to fill up the gap in his lines, and the Union troopi 
 are driven back, amid the victorious shouts of the enemy. 
 
 " Fighting Joe Hooker " meets the attack with his nearest 
 brigade, which is forced back. He sends for another. 
 None can be spared. There is danger that the exultant foe 
 will break atf d annihilate his centre. The right must not 
 b6 weakened. He orders Doubleday to send up hit bent
 
 262 BATTLK OF ANT1ETAM. 
 
 brigade instantly ; and these heroic troops, rushing on at 
 the double-quick over the uneven ground, are soon by the 
 side of Hooker. The eyes of the commander flashed with 
 proud satisfaction when he saw this brave band, composed 
 chiefly of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Massachusetts, and 
 he exclaimed "I think they will hold it." And gallantly 
 ,ncy realized his hopes. Crossing the field under a raking 
 fire, they gained the crest of a hill, and stood in line of battle. 
 None bent beneath the terrible storm which swept their 
 ranks. They fired with rapid precision, and held the ridge 
 despite the gaps made in their ranks. Their general, Hart- 
 suff) was wounded, their ammunition spent, and yet no 
 support came up to their aid. These heroic troops still fought 
 with sublime courage; they pressed down with a last fierce 
 charge, and drove the enemy into the woods. 
 
 While the battle thus raged on Hooker's centre, Rickett's 
 division, on his left, had retired exhausted in an unsuccess- 
 ful effort to advance. Part of Mansfield's corps had come 
 up to the support of Hooker, and the two corps combined 
 maintained their ground until General Joseph B. F. Mansfield 
 was mortally wounded. The enemy being then found too 
 heavily massed to afford any prospect of breaking their 
 lines, the troops retired. 
 
 On the right, Doubleday yielded not an inch. His guns 
 finally silenced a battery which had enfiladed the centre 
 with dreadful effect. For four hours the battle had raged 
 along the whole line, with dreadful slaughter on both sides, 
 and little progress against the enemy. Hooker saw a point 
 which he considered the key of the position. Boldly riding 
 at the head of his troops, amid a shower of bullets, ne 
 ordered a general advance, and though pain fully wounded 
 by a ball passing through his foot, still kept his seat in 
 the saddle, and pressed onward. Looking around to find 
 a force by which a Confederate regiment which lurked 
 in the woods might be charged, the capture of which, 
 it was thought, would secure the victory, "There is a 
 regiment to the right," exclaimed Hooker, "order it for- 
 ward I Crawford and Gordon are corning up ; tell them to 
 carry those woods and hold them, and it is our fight." The 
 intrepid Hooker now retired, and General Edwin V. Srm- 
 ner, who had been sent to support him, arriving at that 
 moment, t )ok command of his three divisions. General
 
 BATTLE or JLXTIETAM. 2 tit 
 
 Sedgwick held the advance on the right, French near the 
 centre, and Richardson on the left. The gallant Sumner 
 his hat oft', and his venerable locks floating in the wind, 
 moved rapidly to the point where Crawford and Gordon 
 were nobly maintaining their ground against the tremendous 
 fire with which the enemy swept their ranks. Sedgwick'a 
 division was in front, and in advancing to the support of 
 Crawford and Gordon, met the fierce fire of the enemy, by 
 tli is time heavily reinforced. A portion of his left broke, 
 and Crawford's righi, heavily pressed, gave way at the same 
 time. The troops of the latter rushing back, disordered 
 Sedgwick's line. Every effort was most gallantly made by 
 the officers to rally the men. GeneraJ Sedgwick, though 
 wounded in the shoulder, leg, and wrist, and having hia 
 horse shot under him, still kept the field. The disordered 
 portion of the troops could stand no longer. Of the 
 Thirty-fourth New York, half the officers were disabled 
 every man of the color-guard wounded, their banner tort 
 to shreds by the bullets, and only one hundred and thirty 
 four men left. The Fifteenth Massachusetts had entered 
 the battle with seventeen officers and six hundred men, and 
 came out with nine officers arid one hundred and thirty -four 
 of the rank and file. Howard and Sumner strove ii vain 
 to reform, the shattered columns or check the advance ol 
 the enemy. The well served artillery, however, executed 
 this important task, and the bleeding columns were with- 
 drawn, leaving the trampled cornfield, strewn with the 
 crimson blood of their dead and dying comrades, in the 
 hands of the exultant foe. 
 
 At one o'clock, when gloom fell on the Union right and 
 all that had been gained was lost; when Hooker had been 
 wounded, and his corps had most of its ammunition spent, 
 and any advance was impossible, Providence interposed, 
 and sent General Franklin to the rescue. 
 
 With fresh troops, in all the pride of martial bearing, 
 Franklin appeared, and formed them in line of battle on the 
 left. General Charles F. Smith was ordered to retake the 
 cornfield. Gallantly the command was executed. The 
 brave troops rushed eagerly on at the double-quick, swept 
 the field, pierced the forest recesses, and in the lapse of ten 
 minutes held possession of thorn both. For two hours a 
 light lull succeeded, though the sound of incessant artillery 
 ontinued to re-echo amid the bills.
 
 264 BATTLE OF JLNTIETAM. 
 
 During the severe conflict on the right, the thunder ol 
 the guns on the centre and left, indicated an engagement of 
 the entire line. The Ninth corps, under Burnside, at nine 
 o'clock A. M., advanced to cross the stone bridge. The 
 lead of this daring and perilous enterprise was entrusted to 
 Colonel Kingsbury with he Eleventh Connecticut (infantry); 
 Cacci 3 ^*^*Y5 ' < \*x mi StnrgLs's division in reserve-, 
 ws.'j *3 fonow. rLey 3re to r.ish across the bridge^ 
 deploy to the right and left, and driving the enemy from 
 the hill, to oacupy the crest. Rodman's division was to 
 cross at the ford and carry the heights opposite ; and the 
 forces were to be combined when the crossing was effected. 
 The most heroic efforts to carry out these orders were made 
 by the brave troops.- Frequent attempts were made in vain, 
 and the exhausted men, after leaving the ground covered 
 with dead, were forced to withdraw. The importance of 
 the position required it to be carried. Fresh troops were 
 sent up, and the Fifty -first New York, and Fifty-first Penn 
 sylvania now advanced. Colonel Crook swept the farther 
 end of the bridge, with the fire of a battery. The two 
 regiments named rushed on, and overcoming every obstacle, 
 crossed the bridge, unfurled the flag, and with loud cheers 
 gained the hill, ami planted their banners on the crest. In 
 this fight at the bridge the brave Colonel Kingsbury of the 
 Eleventh Connecticut was killed. 
 
 Rodman's division had successfully carried out the orders 
 received, and joined the brave troops who had succeeded in 
 crossing the bridge. 
 
 At three o'clock in the afternoon a general advance was 
 ordered, on the right and left. Franklin, on the right, was 
 ordered to drive out the enemy and occupy the woods,. 
 Before these commands could be executed, General Sumner 
 sent word to head-quarters that the right would be in great 
 peril should Franklin be dsfeated. a,s his own troops were 
 not in a proper condition to form a reserve. Franklin was 
 then instructed to avoid defeat at all hazards, and according- 
 ly confined his attention to engaging the enemy with artil- 
 lery, in order to make a diversion while Burnside was 
 ad vancing. 
 
 The corps of Burnside, when the battle began, numbered 
 btxteen thousand. His effective force, in the critical enter- 
 prise which he was about to undertake, did not exceed four 
 teen thousand.
 
 BATTLE OF iNTIETAlL 2<J5 
 
 He sent his artillery forward, and moved on with his 
 corps. Wilcox's division, and Crook's brigade, on the right, 
 moved along the crescent ridge which faces the river, toward 
 Sharpsburg. These troops were exposed to the fire of the 
 batteries on the ridge. On the left, General Rodman and 
 Colonel Scammon advanced, and scaled the hill to its summit, 
 under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry. The entiie 
 line enthusiastically advanced. Franklin moved his batteries 
 on the right and Burnside advanced in full view of McClel 
 Ian. It was a magnificent scene, varied with hill and dale 
 water and forest, and illuminated with the mild rays of a 
 September sun. Burnside's right was approaching neai 
 Shurpsburg. The left of the line, under General Rodman 
 and Colonel Scamrnon, though exposed to a heavy fire, had 
 overcome the enemy, driving them back with the bayonet. 
 The Sixteenth Connecticut, of General Harland's brigade, 
 was composed of new troops, and oocupied a ravine between 
 a hill, and a field of corn. The national flag had been raised 
 in the cornfield as a decoy by the treacherous enemy 
 When these raw troops approached, they were attacked 
 with a deadly volley, which drove them back in disorder ca 
 the Fourth Rhode Island, which lost its color-bearer by the 
 same strategem. Two lieutenants rescued the colors. 
 
 During Burnside's last advance, the enemy received rein- 
 forcements, consisting of the troops left \>y Jackson at 
 Harper's Forry. Their dark lines and bristling batteries 
 now accumulated on the semicircular ridge. To counteract 
 the movement of the foe, the Federals were compelled to 
 change their course in the advance on Sharpsburg. The 
 reserve, under Sturgis, was ordered up, and the combined 
 force now engaged the masses of the enemy, who made every 
 effort to regain the ground previously lost. 
 
 In this struggle, the gallant General Rodman fell mortally 
 wounded, while forming his troops to repel an attack of the 
 enemy. This unhappy circumstance caused confusion, and 
 Colonel Ilarland's brigade was repulsed with heavy loss. 
 Reinforcements were again and again demanded by General 
 Burnside, but none arrived. He then ordered the troops to 
 fall back to the cover of a hill in the rear. McClellan was 
 informed by Burnside, that without troops and guns as rein- 
 forcements, he could not hold his position half an hour 
 All the assistance he received however, consisted only of
 
 266 LEE ESCAPES ACROSS THE POTOMAC. 
 
 Miller's battery ; yet the reserve, under Fitz John Porter 
 consisting of fifteen thousand men, had not struck a single 
 blow. McClellan ordered Burnside to hold the bridge, ad- 
 ding, " If the bridge is lost, all is lost." 
 
 The sun went down. The indecisive battle ended. The 
 cannonading died away, and all was still. The Union loss 
 jvas two thousand and ten killed, nine thousand four hundred 
 and sixteen wounded, and one thousand and forty-three mis- 
 sing. The Confederates owned a loss of fourteen thousand, 
 l>ut General McClellan stated it to be twenty-five thousand 
 five hundred and forty-two. The battle was not renewed 
 next day, and the foe, during the night, left his position 
 and crossed the Potomac. The enemy, on the 18th, made 
 a feigned movement of crossing troops to the north side 
 of the Potomac, as reinforcements. On the 23d, Harper's 
 Ferry was occupied by the Union army, which remained 
 there until October 26th, five weeks after the battle of 
 Antietam. 
 
 The delay in bringing on this battle, caused it to be fought 
 against forces which might have been beaten in detail, while 
 the want of concert in action of the Union troops, the failure 
 to bring in the reserves, and the permitting the escape of the 
 enemy, were grand mistakes. The foe, however, departed 
 very severely punished
 
 CHAPTER XXVL 
 
 SEPTEMBER OCTOBER, 1862. 
 
 ATTLK OF MUMFORDVILLE, KENTUCKY BRAVERY OF TIIK FEDERAL T ROOfi 
 
 MORGAN EVACUATES CUMBERLAND GAP ENGAGEMENT AT CAVK CI1 1 
 
 CONFEDERATES DEFEATED AT WASHINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA GUN- 
 BOAT PICKET EXPLODES POLITICAL ASPECT OF THE WAR MR. LINCOLN*! 
 
 PROCLAMATION OF EMANCIPATION SUSPENDS THB WRIT OF HABEAS 
 CORPUS REBELS DEFEATED AT OWENBORO, KENTUCKY BATTLK OF IUKA 
 CONVENTION OF GOVERNORS OF THK LOYAL STATES, AT ALATOONA, 
 PENNSYLVANIA EFFECT ON THE PEOPLE MR. FOOTED PEACE PROPOSI- 
 TION IN THE CONFEDERATE CONGRESS BATTLE OF AUGUSTA, KENTUCKY 
 BATTLE OF CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI VALOROUS CONDUCT OF OFFICERS 
 AND MEN REBEL DESIGNS ON THK NORTHWEST ABANDONED STUART 1 * 
 RAID INTO PENNSYLVANIA GREAT FEDERAL CAVALRY CHIEFS. 
 
 WE now direct our attention to the military operations in 
 other parts of the country. On the 14th of September, a 
 spirited engagement took place at Mumfordville, Kentucky, 
 between the Confederate forces, under Generals Buckner 
 and Cheatham, of Bragg's army, and the Federal forces 
 posted there, under Colonel Wilder. The enemy had pre- 
 viously marched from Glasgow to attack General Rosseau, 
 who, with a part of Buell's army, was posted at Wood- 
 land. Cheatham was left near that place, and Buckner 
 moved on Mumfordville to attack Colonel Wilder. The en- 
 gagement at the latter place, was began at five o'clock P. M. by 
 the enemy, who having driven in the Federal pickets, poured 
 in a heavy fire from the woods. The Federals made a firm 
 resistance, and the left wing of the enemy was finally com- 
 pelled to withdraw. Their right wing, being protected by 
 breastworks, was more successful, and the left formed in a 
 better position. A determined attack was now made ontho 
 Federal right. A Mississippi and Georgia regiment were 
 conspicuous for their bravery. After losing the colonel of 
 the one, and the major of the other, both broke and fled, 
 pursued by the gallant Indiana troops, led bravely on by 
 Major Abbott, of the Sixty-seventh regiment (Indiana), who 
 was soon slain by a rifle sh >t from the foe. After their first 
 retake on their right wing 'Me Confederate again advanced
 
 268 CONFEDERATES DEFEATED AT WASHINGTON, N. 0. 
 
 in fine order, and rushed up to the very intrenehments. 
 Here a fierce combat took place. Finally the enemy was 
 driven from the field ; but the battle was not yet over, and 
 Colonel Wilder was summoned to surrender. The amount 
 of rebel force was stated, and also the propinquity of Bragg'i 
 army. Colonel Wilder, having been reinforced by four 
 hundred troops of the Fiftieth Indiana, refused. The enemy 
 having obtaii.ed permission to remove their dead and 
 wounded, withdrew from the front, and fortified in a new 
 position. There was no fighting on Monday, the 15th 
 On that day, Colonel Dunham, of the Fiftieth Indiana, took 
 command as the ranking officer, and was reinforced by one 
 thousand men. The rebels renewed the attack at half past 
 nine, A. M., and being augmented by the addition of one 
 whole wing of Bragg's army, a desperate action ensued, 
 which lasted till half past four P. M. Bragg himself de- 
 manded a surrender, and as Colonel Dunham was surrounded 
 by an army of twenty-five thousand men, with sixty pieces 
 of artillery, he finally capitulated with all the honors of war 
 The Union loss was thirty-seven killed and wounded, and 
 four thousand prisoners. The enemy lost one thousand 
 killed and wounded. General Morgan evacuated Cumber- 
 land Gap at the same time. On the 18th, there was a con- 
 flict between portions of Buell's and Bragg's armies, near 
 Cave City, Kentucky, in which the former having attacked 
 the rear-guard of the latter, defeated it. 
 
 On the 6th of September, a body of Confederate troops 
 made a desperate attack on the Union forces at Washington, 
 North Carolina. General Martin commanded the Confeder- 
 ate, and Colonel Potter the Union troops. The attack was 
 made in the morning, and was intended to be a surprise, 
 with the object of destroying the works, burning the town, 
 and capturing the loyal citizens. Some of the Federal 
 troops, fortunately, were under arms. The fight continued 
 for awhiie, when the rest of the troops charged the enemy 
 through the town, and the streets were partially cleared 
 The gunboat Louisiana, soon opened with grape and canistei 
 on the portion of the town in which the enemy had collected, 
 and quickly d ispersed them. They rushed to their intreneh- 
 ments, from which they were pursued eight miles by a 
 gquadron of cavalry. The Federal gunboat Picket accident 
 ally exploded during this engagement, by which sad occur-
 
 TH EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION. 260 
 
 rence nineteen persons were killed, and Captain Nichols, 
 with eight men, severely wounded. On the same day, also, 
 General Bragg advanced on Nashville, and the Federal 
 gunboats shelled Hambet, Mississippi. 
 
 The civil and political aspect of the war now demand 
 our attention. On the 22d of September, President Lincoln 
 issued a proclamation, which will ever be a portion of 
 National history to be held in everlasting remembrance. It 
 stated his intention of recommending to Congress, at its 
 next session, a measure to aid and compensate all States not 
 then in rebellion, who might afterward adopt the immediate 
 or gradual diminution of slavery within their limits ; and 
 advising the continuance of the colonization of free negroes 
 at some distant place on the American continent. It further 
 stated, that the President would, on the 1st of January, 1863, 
 designate those States and parts of States which were then 
 in rebellion, and decreed that the slaves of citizens of such 
 regions should then become free, and that all slaves of those 
 engaged in hostilities to the United States, should thence- 
 forth be enfranchised. Mr. Lincoln also recapitulated the 
 ietails of several Acts of Congress of March 13th, and July 
 7th, 1862, forbidding the slaves of rebels who came within 
 the Federal lines, to be restored to their former owners, or 
 the employment of the Federal forces in any way to aid such 
 restoration. This remarkable proclamation was considered 
 by many to be prudent, as a war measure, and just, on the 
 score of humanity. By the former, a great blow was struck 
 at rebellion ; by the latter, disgrace was about to be wiped 
 from the national escutcheon The fiat had gone forth, and 
 slavery was doomed to be no more. 
 
 Another proclamation was issued on the 24th of Septem- 
 ber, by which the President decreed that while rebellion 
 continued, all aiders and abettors within the limits of the 
 United States, all who should discourage volunteer enlist- 
 ments, or be guilty of other disloyal practices against the 
 authority of the Federal Government, should thenceforth 
 be subject to martial law, and be punished by courts-martia^ 
 or military commissions. It was also decreed that the writ 
 df habeas corpus should be suspended in the case of all 
 persons who should be arrested for these causes, during the 
 continuance of the rebellion, and were imprisoned by any 
 military authority, by the sentence of any court-martial, or 
 by the decree of any military Commissiea.
 
 270 BATTLE OF IUKA 
 
 On the 9tli of September, 1862, a great victory waa 
 gained over the rebels under Sterling Price, by General 
 William H. Rosecrans, at the village of luka, Mississippi. 
 The former, with twenty thousand men, had left Tupelo, to 
 cross the Tennessee at Muscle Shoals, and join Bragg. To 
 defeat this object, General Grant, who commanded the 
 Union forces in that vicinity, sent General Rosecrans, with 
 twenty thousand men, to Rienzi, and General Ord, with 
 another body of troops, to luka, while his own army 
 remained at Corinth. This plan of the Union general, if 
 carried out, would include the rebels within the lines of a 
 triangle, and thus their escape would be difficult. General 
 Rosecrans reached Rienzi. Price, however, adroitly evaded 
 the snare, and crossed the country diagonally toward luka. 
 Rosecrans pursued him thither, and arrived just as the rear- 
 guard of the Confederates was leaving it. The men had 
 marched twenty miles, but Rosecrans, continuing the pursuit 
 two miles beyond the town, encountered the enemy's skir- 
 mishers. As night supervened, the armies lay down in 
 sight of each other, till the early dawn called them to the 
 sombat. Rosecrans so arranged his troops as partially to 
 encompass the enemy in his well chosen position. General 
 Hamilton held the Federal right, Rosecrans commanded the 
 centre, and General Stanley the left. The battle raged with 
 varying fortune until noon. A resolute charge of the 
 enemy had, at one time, cut through the Eleventh Missouri 
 and the Twenty-seventh Illinois, with heavy loss to these 
 regiments. The efforts of the foe were rendered unsuccess- 
 ful by the Federal artillery, which, being served with 
 admirable effect, turned the tide of victory. The rebel lines* 
 wavered, broke, and fell into retreat. The pursuit was 
 made some distance by the Union forces, but the enemy 
 escaped, with the loss of three hundred prisoners, and five 
 hundred killed and wounded. The Union loss was three 
 hundred and fifty killed and wounded. On the 20th, the 
 Confederate arms again suffered a reverse at Owensboro, 
 Kentucky. The contest was not of so much importance as 
 to reqiire any particular mention. It formed, however, 
 one of a series planned by General Bragg. 
 
 On the 24th, a convention of the Governors of loyal 
 States, took place at Alatoona, Pennsylvania; their de- 
 liberations \rere se-.ret. The result afterward transpired, in
 
 OONVENTION OF GOVERNORS OF LOYAL STATES. 271 
 
 the adoption of an address to the President, which they 
 presented to him at Washington. It professed attachment 
 to the President, and a pledge to assist him in his constitu- 
 tional authority, throughout their respective States. Also, 
 a promise was made of using all the means in their power 
 to bring back the rebellious States to their allegiance 
 The "Emancipation Proclamation" was declared to be 
 fruitful of beneficial results, and the brave Union soldiers 
 called forth a large share of gubernatorial praise and sym 
 pathy. The President thanked the Governors, "felt en- 
 couraged," and " would use their suggestions as far as his 
 sense of duty permitted." The cordial and harmonious 
 conversation which then ensued, had an excellent effect on 
 the public mind, in the prosecution of the war. 
 
 At this period, the following resolution of Mr. Foote, of 
 Tennessee, was brought before the Confederate Congress, then 
 in session at Eichmond: "Resolved, by the Congress of the 
 Confederate States of America, that the signal success with 
 which Divine Providence has so continually blessed our 
 arms, for several months past, would fully justify the Con- 
 federate Government in despatching a commissoner or 
 commissioners to the Government at Washington City, 
 empowered to propose the terms of an honorable peace." 
 Mr. Foote had feeble hopes that the Executive Government 
 would receive such commissioners, but he deemed the 
 rejection on the part of the Federal Government of the 
 terms of "a just and honorable peace," would exculpate the 
 Confederates in the eyes of the civilized world, while the 
 former would be responsible for the further effusion o^ 
 blood. Mr. Foote remarked that "such a succession of 
 brilliant victoriee had never heretofore adorned the annals 
 of history," and "it was the part of magnanimous conquer- 
 ors to tender the olive branch of peace to their humbled 
 foes." The Confederate Congress voted down this propo 
 sition by a large majority. 
 
 On the 27th, a spirited contest took place at Augusta, 
 Kentucky, between a body of six hundred rebel cavalry, 
 under Colonel Morgan, and the Union forces, one hundred 
 and twenty strong, posted in that place, under Colonc. 
 Bradford. The fight was maintained with great heroism 
 for some time by the patriot band, but overwhelmed by 
 numbers they were compelled to surrender, with a loss of
 
 872 B1TTLE OF CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI. 
 
 nine killeJ and fifteen wounded. The Confedeiate loss wai 
 seventy-re killed, wounded, and missing. Among their 
 killed was Lieutenant-colonel Prentice, son of George D. 
 Prentice, of the Louisville Journal. 
 
 After the battle of luka, General Price moved rapicly in 
 a southwesterly direction, passing around Corinth, and 
 crossing the Mobile and Ohio railroad at Baldwin. He 
 then advanced northwest, and, passing through Ripley, 
 joined Van Dorn and Lovell on the route arriving, on the 
 80th of September, within ten miles of Corinth. 
 
 In the meantime, General Rosecrans had retired from 
 luka, and reoccupied Corinth, from which General Grant 
 had previously withdrawn bis army to Jackson, Tennessee 
 The army under General Rosecrans consisted of four 
 divisions, under Generals Hamilton, McKean. Davies, and 
 Stanley. Its strength was about twenty thousand mea 
 The rebeis were twice that number, commanded by Gene- 
 rals Price, Van Dorn, Villepigue, and Rust. It was uncer- 
 tain whether the latter intended only a feint on Corinth, an 
 advance upon the north, an attack upon Grant at Jackson, 
 to separate Rosecrans from the north, or a direct attack 
 upon his position. General Davies' and part of McKeanV 
 division, were sent to Chewald to reconnoitre. Skirmish- 
 ing took place on the 1st and 2d of October, and the next 
 day the rebels were in such force as indicated that an 
 attack was about to be made. Their advance wae resisted 
 by Rosecrans, who determined to give them battle within 
 the strong intrenchments of Corinth. New redoubts were 
 constructed in an interior line, and a corps of "contraband" 
 sappers and miners was constantly engaged. 
 
 The Federal troops, by the 3d, had received some injury. 
 General Oglesby was wounded, and General Hackleman 
 kuled. The division of General Davies had been fighting 
 biuvely all day against superior numbers, and the officers 
 were anxious as to the result; Rosecrans, however, being 
 confident of victory, did not share this anxiety. The 
 annies rested for the night, and on the 4th, at half past three 
 o'clock A. M., the battle was renewed by Lieutenant II. C. 
 Robinet, with his battery of heavy guns. The enemy re 
 sponded, and the artillery combat continued till six o'clock. 
 Some additional batteries wc'e then brought up, and the 
 Confederates were driven from heir position by an enfilading
 
 BATTLE OF CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI. 278 
 
 fire. Some caissons were captured by part of the Eighty- 
 third Ohio, and a splendid battery of James' rifled cannon 
 was obtained ; two Parrott guns, lost the day before, were 
 recovered by the Thirty-ninth Ohio. The enemy, led by 
 Colonel Rodgers, at half past ten o'clock made a determined 
 attack upon the redoubts. Fearful was the destruction to 
 their columns, thirty men being killed or wounded by the 
 explosion of a single shell. The foe, undaunted, still pressed 
 ->n, and entering the streets of the town, a direful combat 
 resulted. The most terrible conflict arose for the possession 
 of Robinet's battery. The moment was critical. Colonel 
 Rogers led his men forward with a valor worthy of a better 
 cause. In vain the columns of the bold Confederates were 
 swept by a withering fire from every gun. The bleeding, 
 shattered ranks melted away, and the warm blood of dead 
 and dying crimsoned the earth ; yet the resolute band, with 
 closed ranks, pressed on in the shadow of death, and charged 
 the battery with great ferocity. The Federals met them 
 with a courage never surpassed, and a determination to con- 
 quer or die. The parapet is scaled. With teeth firmly set 
 laboring breath, and flashing eyes, the noble defenders of 
 their country assail the audacious foe. Twice the desperate 
 attack is hurled back. The third, more successful, gains 
 the outer works. The Confederate ensign flaunts insolently 
 on the parapet. It is torn into shreds by bullets, again to 
 rise, and again to be destroyed. The rebels hold for awhile 
 the ground they have won. Williams' and Robinet's batteries 
 now pour such a fire on the rebel position, that none 
 can withstand. They are swept before it, and com- 
 pelled to abandon the works, leaving behind them two 
 hundred and sixty of their slaughtered comrades. Their 
 broken ranks are pursued and routed by Colonel Mower. 
 Nearly all their officers were killed, among them Colonel 
 Rodgers. At noon, they were utterly defeated, and retired 
 to their former camp. Rosecrans gave them no rest, and 
 drove the fugitives before him toward Chevalla ; fighting 
 still continued between the Confederates and their pursuers, 
 but eventually the former made good their escape. The 
 trophies of this well fought battle, were a large quantity of 
 ammunition, guns, and baggage. The Union loss was three 
 hundred and fifteen killed, including General Hackleman, 
 one thousand eight hundred and tvelve wounded, and two
 
 274 STUART'S RAID INTO PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 hundred and thirty-two prisoners and missing. The Con 
 federate loss amounted to one thousand four hundred anq 
 twenty-three killed, five thousand six hundred and ninety two 
 wounded, and two thousand two hundred and forty-eiglu 
 taken prisoners, including one hundred and thirty-seven 
 officers This victory shows the great valor of the Unies 
 troops, and displays the remarkable success of Rosccrano 
 Thus ended the fruitless attempt on the part of the Con 
 federates, to invade the loyal States of the Northwest. 
 Their design to carry the war North was rendered abortive. 
 
 Kirby Smith had entered Kentucky, and at Richmond, 
 defeated the new troops sent to dispute his passage. He 
 had caused the Federals to evacuate Cumberland Gap, and 
 after exciting great apprehensions for the safety of Cincin- 
 nati, he retreated without molestation. Bragg, who acted in 
 concert with him, had eluded General Buell without a battle. 
 He now threatened Nashville and Bowling Green, invaded 
 Kentucky, and defeated and captured the Union forces who 
 opposed him at Mumfordsville. 
 
 The rebel Generals Morgan and Forrest had been baffled 
 in their attempts on Nashville, a little later ; the attempt to 
 recapture Fort Donelson had also failed. The plan which 
 Bragg had successfully tried with General Buell, signally 
 failed with such able commanders as Grant and Rosecrans. 
 lie found the hero of luka too wily, as well as too intrepid, 
 and was himself nearly captured. The attempt of Price, 
 Van D~rn, and Lovell, to regain possession of Corinth, was 
 repelled with heavy loss. The rebels were outgeneralled ; 
 the invasion was a signal failure, and the design was conse- 
 quently abandoned. 
 
 General Lee, as far back as August, had conceived the 
 design of a raid on Pennsylvania. Accordingly, he ordered 
 General J. E. B. Stuart, on the 8th of October, to cross the 
 Potomac above Williamsport with fifteen hundred cavalry 
 and leaving Ilagerstown and Greencastle on the right, to 
 move to the rear of Chambersburg, destroy the railroad 
 bridge across the Concocheague, and inflict such other dam- 
 age on the loyal people as he should deem expedient. He 
 (Lee) at the same time instructed Colonel Imboden, with 
 another body of cavalry, to make a feint on Cumberlan-1, 
 Maryland, to draw off attention from Stuart's operations. 
 Stuart, in purs-ianoe of his insl motions, left Darksville en
 
 STUART'S RAID INTO PENNSYLVANIA. 275 
 
 the 9th of October, with the force designated, and supported 
 by four pieces of artillery. Crossing the Potomac early on 
 the 10th, at McCoy's ford, between Williamsport and Han 
 cock, he moved north to the great national road between 
 Hancock and Hagerstown. Ilere he captured a signal 
 station and ten prisoners, and at noon reached Mercersburg 
 Without halting, he moved rapidly on Chambersburg, and 
 arrived at that town on the llth. No attempt was made 
 upon the supplies at Hagerstown, as the army of McClellan 
 was in too close proximity. 
 
 The motley force of Stuart, at Chambersburg, was 
 conducted to the Provost-marshal's, as no one made 
 a profession of holding any office in the town. Stuart 
 demanded an immediate surrender of the place, on 
 pain of its being shelled in three minutes. An interview 
 then took place between him and some influential citizens. . 
 On condition of security to person, and restraint from plun- 
 der, the town was surrendered without resistance, and the 
 rebels occupied the place. Breaking open the stables, they 
 took the best horses, carried away from the barns all the 
 forage which they could bea^ and plundered several stores. 
 In this work, the night was busily spent. Next morning at 
 nine o'clock, they laid the machine shops and warehouses of 
 the Valley railroad in ashes. No money was found in the 
 bank, as it had been conveyed to a place of safety. They 
 destroyed the telegraph, and paroled two hundred and sev- 
 enty-five soldiers who were sick and wounded in the hospital. 
 Moving toward South Mountain, they proceeded i the 
 direction of Gettysburg, and crossing the Blue Ridge, re- 
 turned toward Hagerstown, then toward Emmettsburg, 
 after which they marched on Frederick. Before reaching 
 the latter place, they crossed the Monocacy, and moved 
 during the night through Liberty, New Market, and Mon- 
 rovia. After capturing a few wagons at Hyatt ville, they 
 proceeded toward Poolesville, and when near the Monocacy 
 encountered the Union cavalry under General Alfred Pleas- 
 onton, consisting of a part of the Eighth Illinois, Third In- 
 diana, and two guns of Remington's battery ; a brisk artillery 
 duel ensued. During its continuance, the main body of the 
 enemy moved toward, and crossed the Potomac without 
 Losing a man, tho 1 igh se 'eral were wounded Pleasontcn'g
 
 276 GREAT FEDERAL CAVALRY CHIEFS. 
 
 whole force did not exceed five hundred. The raid was 
 successful, and the enemy escaped. 
 
 The Confederate cavalry had been organized and waa 
 very efficient. This arm of the service had hitherto been 
 neglected by the Federals. A change in this respect, how- 
 ever, took place, and shall be described on a future page, in 
 which the superiority of the Union cavalry will be apparent. 
 Such great cavalry chiefs as Stoneman, Pleasonton, Kilpat- 
 rick, Averill, Ouster, Merritt, Wilson, Sheridan and others, 
 vrill be found to shine forth with undying renown, and to be 
 equal to the most illustrious of any, both of ancient 02 
 a-jdern times.
 
 CHAPTEK XX Vll 
 
 OCTOBEB, 1862. 
 
 ATTI.IC OF LAVKRONK. TKNNKSSEK BATTLK OP THK HATOHIR 
 
 KXPKDITION TO THK ST. JOHN'S RIVKR, FLORIDA BATTLK OF PKRRT 
 
 VILLE GALLANTRY OF ROS8KAU THK NINTH PENNSYLVANIA CAVAI.R1 
 
 K80APK OF BRAGO BUKLL RKMOVED FROM THK COMMAND GKNKKAl 
 
 ROSKCRANS COMMANDS THK ARMY OF THK OHIO THE PLUNDER CARRIK5 
 
 OKP FROM KENTUCKY EPITOMK OF MINOR KVKNT3. 
 
 ON the 7th of October, 1862, General James Negley or- 
 dered a movement against a detachment of the enemy under 
 General Samuel Anderson, posted at Lavergne, near Nashville, 
 Tennessee, which proved successful, and caused them to 
 decamp. The Union force employed for this purpose was 
 divided into two "^lumns, led by Colonels Palmer and 
 Miller. They first Jioved on Lavergne by the Murfrees- 
 boro road, and the latter pursued a route on the left of the 
 railroad. On reaching the Confederate camp, an attempt 
 was made to outflank them by the Thirty-second Alabama, 
 mossed on their righi. The enemy was thrown into some 
 confusion by the explosion of a shell in their powder maga- 
 zine. The battle raged with great fury. Colonel Miller 
 fiercely attacked the Alabamians, and assisted by the 
 Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania, drove them back. A cavalry 
 charge, made on this latter regiment, was met by a fire so 
 destructive as to break the enemy's ranks, and pursued in 
 utter rout, many surrendered. They were driven out of 
 their works by artillery, and fled to the refuge of the 
 woods. A large number of prisoners was captured by the 
 Fourteenth Michigan and Twenty-first Ohio. The victory 
 was complete before General Negley had arrived from 
 Nashville with the reinforcement of three regiments and a 
 battery. The victors found in the enemy's camp one gun, 
 four hundred small arms, a regimental standard, and a 
 quantity of provisions. The Federal loss was five killed, 
 nine wounded, and four missing. The Confederate prison 
 era were three hundred in number, including Colonel* 
 Lang ford and Maury, and several other officers. 
 
 24 (177)
 
 278 BATTLK OP THE HATCITTE RIVER. 
 
 On the 5th of October the rebels were routed at Hatehie 
 on the Mississippi, by a portion of the patriots who had 
 covered themselves with glory at Corinth. The Federals, 
 under Generals Hurlbut and Ord, consisted of thirty thou- 
 sand men. The enemy, under Van Dorn and Price, had 
 about the same number, comprising fifty-six regiments of 
 infantry and three thousand cavalry. Being pursued by 
 the two Union generals after the battle of Corinth, the enemy 
 were encountered near the Hatchie river. The Federal 
 troops had marched twenty-four miles in the heat and dust 
 of the day, and though skirmishing took place on the 4th, 
 the day of their arrival, no engagement ensued. During 
 the night, the enemy was busy in throwing up intrench- 
 ments. On the 5th, the Federals moved against them, the 
 Fourteenth Illinois and Twenty -eighth Indiana having been 
 thrown forward as skirmishers. 
 
 A gentle, undulating hill, which descended to the bridge 
 crossing the stream, was the object for which a heavy 
 struggle took place about nine o'clock A. M. The bridge 
 was defended by a battery supported with infantry. The 
 rebel guns, at this point, were responded to by Bolton's 
 battery. An attempt to flank the Union right wing was 
 defeated by the fire of Burnap's battery, and the expert 
 infantry sharpshooters. The advancing column of the 
 enemy was thrown into confusion, routed, and compelled to 
 retire from the field. All the troops on both sides, except 
 those just mentioned, now began a determined engagement. 
 The first line of the Federals, bravely led by General 
 James C. Yeatch, became engaged with the troops which 
 Ihe enemy had sent across the bridge. The fight was 
 desperately maintained for twenty minutes, when four hun- 
 dred rebels surrendered. Hundreds more, fleeing to the 
 river, swam to the opposite bank. Here, Colonel Davis, of 
 the Forty -sixth Illinois, was seriously wounded. During 
 this contest, General Hurlbut led the rest of the Union 
 troops to the charge, and advancing on the bridge, drove 
 the enemy across and pursued them. The Twenty- fifth 
 and Fifty-third Indiana, and Fourteenth and Fifteenth 
 Illinois, pressed gallantly on through the storm of grape and 
 canister hurled upon the bridge ; many fell on the passage. 
 When these brave troops, and the brigade of General 
 Lanman had rossed, they charged and drove the enemy
 
 BATTLE OJT PERBTVILLK. 279 
 
 from all their positions. The bravery of the Twelfth 
 Michigan, Sixty-eighth Ohio, and Forty-sixth Illinois, was 
 conspicuous, and the enemy was compelled to withdraw 
 his guns. The Federal batteries, in the meantime, were 
 engaged in a combat with the enemy's artillery, which was 
 soon silenced. The latter, at four o'clock, abandoned the 
 field, and were pursued in the direction of Cram's Mills 
 Dy the Union cavalry. The trophies of the victory were 
 four rifled howitzers, and one thousand stand of arras. 
 Four hundred prisoners were also captured by the Federals, 
 whose loss was only five hundred killed and wounded. 
 After this battle, the Federals spent some days in capturing 
 rebels in the adjacent country, and then returned to 
 Bolivar. The defeated foe proceeded to llolly Springs, 
 and was there joined by the forces of General Pillow. 
 
 On October the 3d, a Union expedition of one thousand 
 five hundred troops and seven gunboats left Hilton Head, 
 North Carolina, under command of General Brannan. It 
 concentrated at St. John's river, Florida, and attacked and 
 occupied the rebel fortifications on St. John's Blufl'. Nine 
 guns were captured, together with a large quantity of 
 munitions, provisions, and camp equipage, which had been 
 abandoned by the retreating rebels. The gunboats after- 
 ward ascended the river to Jacksonvile, and the enemy 
 on their approach, retreated. The gunboat Darlington 
 returned on the 6th, bringing the rebel steamer Governor 
 Milton, which she had captured up the river. 
 
 The battle of Perry ville" or Chaplin Hills, Kentucky 
 which was an important one, was fought on the 8th of Octo- 
 ber, between General Buell and the rebel General Bragg, 
 Buell, with his powerful army, had followed the Confederates 
 at a considerable distance, and the latter, on the route from 
 Frankfort to Harrodsburg, were overtaken by General 
 McCook, of Buell's corps, near Perry ville; an engagement 
 was the result. McCook's corps and part of Thomas', were 
 the only Union troops engaged ; Eosseau, Jackson, Sheridan, 
 and Gilbert, being the division commanders. The battle 
 began, at daylight, with a brisk attack on the Eighty-fifth 
 Illinois by the enemy's skirmishers. The enemy poured a 
 destructive fire from their artillery, and forced the Second 
 Michigan cavalry to retire, and pressing on. they had nearly 
 taken the hill, whi ;a was occupied by the Thirty sixth bri
 
 280 BATTLE OF PIRBTVILL1. 
 
 gade. This hill, which was a position of importance, was 
 saved by the brave Captain Hoppe, one of the heroes of 
 Pea Ridge, who commanded the Second Missouri regiment 
 Assisted by the Second Michigan and Fifteenth Missouri, he 
 rushed forward to the charge. In a tremendous shock, tho 
 rebel line wavered and broke ; the fugitives were pursued a 
 mile. 
 
 The great battle of the day took plack at ten o'clock. 
 The cavalry had borne a conspicuous part in the action thus 
 far. A portion of the Ninth Pennsylvania, under Lieuten- 
 ant-colonel James, had been particularly distinguished for 
 the heroism of both officers and men. This brave regiment, 
 with whom the author afterward served as medical officer, 
 was one of the finest bodies of gallant men ever sent by 
 Pennsylvania into the field. The cavalry took no further 
 part in the action during the day, but was posted in the 
 order of battle to the rear, waiting an opportunity that did 
 not again occur. Both sides now brought the artillery 
 prominently forward. Wooded hills, in front, concealed the 
 masses of the enemy, and their strength and position could 
 not well be ascertained. At eleven o'clock, they opened fire, 
 with great spirit, on the batteries of Simonson and Loomis, 
 near the position occupied by General Rosseau's division. 
 The Federal guns responded with vigor, and the enemy's posi- 
 tion was gradually disclosed. A terrible cannonading from the 
 combatants was very destructive of life on both sides. At 
 three o'clock, Bragg, in person, led his infantry, which had 
 been massed, in a ferocious charge on the Union centre and 
 left. The fierce attack of artillery, cavalry, and infantry, 
 upon Rosseau, was hurled gallantly back with resolute bra 
 very. The close rebel ranks were mowed down by the fire 
 of Rosseau's guns, and the well aimed volleys of his musket- 
 ry, and the enemy were compelled to abandon the field, 
 leaving their dead and wounded behind them. Foiled in 
 their attempt, the enemy now more successfully charged 
 General Jackson's division, on the extreme left wing. Gen- 
 eral B ickner led this charge in person, and with such im- 
 petuosity, that the brave men of the Twenty-first Wisconsin, 
 Eightieth Illinois, and Fifth Ohio, were forced to give way. 
 The men of Captain Parson's battery abandoned their guns, 
 which fell into the hand i of the enemy. The contagious 
 panic was communicated to the entire division of GeneraJ
 
 BAJTLE OF PERRYVILLE. 28l 
 
 Jackson, whtop Oed in disorder a quarter of a mile, but ral- 
 lied, and agjy.) termed in order of battle. Generals Jacksoi. 
 and Terroll v. r/e both killed in their gallant efforts to arrest 
 the disorder of their troops, and again urge them upon the 
 exultant foo. Flushed with success, General Bragg now re- 
 newed \iu attack upon Rosseau. His heavy masses were cast 
 upon the seventeenth brigade, commanded by Colonel Lytle. 
 
 Emerging from the woods, with bayonets reflecting the 
 sunbeams, and in proud array, the foe advanced with waving 
 banners and measured tread, to the sound of military music. 
 Their leader and his staff were superbly mounted, and the 
 sight was one of imposing magnificence. The attack of the 
 enemy's cannon, which were now planted, was sustained, 
 though with great loss, by the Third Ohio and Forty-sec- 
 ond Indiana regiments. These brave troops, with great 
 spirit fought the enemy, whose infantry had come up under 
 protection of the artillery. Nobly the shock of battle 
 was borne by these gallant patriots, though one third 
 of their number moistened with their life's blood the deadly 
 battle field. Colonel Bently, of the Third Ohio, was con- 
 spicuous for the great heroism with which he led his men, 
 who continued to sweep the enemy's ranks with a murder- 
 ous fire. The accidental firing, from the scorching heat, of 
 a barn filled with hay on the right of the Third Ohio, com 
 polled the men to leave their ranks, and retire from their 
 position. The Fifteenth Kentucky, after resisting the enemy 
 with great firmness, was also forced to retire. The retreat 
 of these regiments left the Tenth Ohio exposed. Colonel 
 Lytle anticipated a charge in front, and had ordered his 
 men to lay on their faces. In this situation the enemy made 
 a sudden attack upon them. Finding it impossible to form 
 in the midst of the deadly fire which raked them, they fled, 
 ami their gallant leader died in the unavailing effort to stem 
 the tide of battle. 
 
 Meanwhile, the enemy attacked the right and centre, 
 under Generals Sheridan and Mitchell. They charged up 
 the hill with great impetuosity, but their masses were hurled 
 back with a grand repulse, which rent their shattered and 
 bleeding ranks, and sent them fleeing before Mitchell^ 
 who followed them beyond Perryville in hot pursuit 
 The seventeenth brigade, while these events transpired, 
 was reforn 3d, and, supported by the ninth and twenty
 
 282 DEFEAT AND ESCAPE OF BRAGG. 
 
 eighth brigades, charged the foe in a desperate conflict 
 of half an hour's duration. The sun was setting, and, aa 
 if to wrench the victory from the Federals, the foe on 36 
 more rushed on in one last parting charge. Terrible 
 was the cannonade which then shook the trembling earth, 
 and startled the echoes of the distant hills. There was at 
 last a perfect stillness ; night intervened. The Union troops, 
 who had so well sustained their country's honor on this well 
 fought field, sank in repose on their arms. They con- 
 tinued the retreat, and finally escaped through Powell's 
 Gap into Tennessee, and did not halt till they reached Mur- 
 freesboro. They were not pursued. They lost, in this bat- 
 tle, four thousand five hundred killed, wounded, and missing; 
 the Federals, eight hundred and twenty killed, including 
 Generals Jackson and Terrell, and two thousand wounded. 
 
 General Buell's head-quarters were but two and a half 
 miles from the scene of this dire conflict. Gilbert was near, 
 and Crittenden not far off. With the exception of two bri- 
 gades, no reinforcements were sent up, and General McCook's 
 division alone repelled the foe. The whole of Bragg's army 
 might have been totally annihilated, had it not been for the 
 stolid indifference of Buell. 
 
 Thus ended Bragg's invasion of Kentucky, the result ot 
 which was a disappointment to the Confederates. They haa 
 calculated upon a different reception, and cherished good 
 hopes of gaining possession of Louisville and Cincinnati. 
 Their intention was to push the war from the Cotton into the 
 Border States, and continue their operations till the North 
 became a scene of desolation. Providence mercifully frus- 
 trated their intentions, and blighted their hopes ; however, 
 they gained much plunder. The wagon train of Kirby 
 Smith alone was stated to be forty miles long, laden with an 
 immense quantity of clothing, boots, shoes, and army stores. 
 Bragg gathered an immense quantity of groceries and domes 
 tic goods, plundered from the stores of Lexington, Frank- 
 ford, Danville, and Uarrodsburg. 
 
 The slow pursuit of Buell allowed the enemy to retreat 
 without molestation ; he only attacked them once during 
 five months. The enemy passed through the fairest por- 
 tions of the State ; inaugurated a Governor at Frankford ; 
 robbed, defrauded, and terrified wealthy loyal citizens, and 
 finally escaped. Buel had been relieved of his command at
 
 EPITOME OF MINOR EVENTS. 283 
 
 Louisville, and in twenty-four hours reinstated. lie had 
 promised great things in the pursuit of Bragg. His troops, 
 not permitted to assist their struggling comrades at 
 Mumfordville and Perryville, lost confidence in him. On 
 the 30th of October, he was again relieved from command, 
 and General Rosecrans, the hero of luka and Corinth, ap- 
 pointed in his place. Some minor events of the latter part 
 of September and October, 1862, are here epitomized. 
 . On the 20th of September, in a contest at Shepherdstown 
 Ferry, Virginia, the Corn Exchange regiment, of Philadel- 
 phia, fought with bravery and lost heavily. On the 22d, 
 Bragg advanced on Louisville, and next day demanded its 
 surrender. On the 28th, a skirmish took place on the 
 Blackwater river, Virginia, and on October 1st, one also 
 took place near Louisville, Kentucky. On the same day, 
 the Federals captured Sabine Pass, Texas, and on the 4th, 
 Galveston in that State was shelled, and the rebels driven 
 out. On the same day, also, the Union troops fought the 
 battle of Bardstown, Kentucky, and afterward occupied the 
 place. On the 6th, Richard Hewes was inaugurated as 
 Governor of Kentucky by the rebels, Bragg and Ilumphrey 
 Marshall making treasonable speeches on the occasion. On 
 the same day, they destroyed the railroad bridge at Frank- 
 ford, and evacuated the place. On the 30th, skirmishes took 
 place at Upperville, and Petersburg, Virginia.
 
 CHAPTER XXYHL 
 
 OCTOBBR NOVEMBER, 1862. 
 
 m PIRATE ALABAMA FAILURE OF THE EFFORTS FOR HER CAPTOR* - 
 EXPEDITION AGAINST THK CHARLESTON AMD SAVANNAH RAILROAD 
 RECONNCIS8ANCES BY THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC SEIZURE OF SNICKEIv'l 
 ASHBY'S, AND THOROUGHFARE GAPS BY THE FEDERALS ENGAGEHKNI 
 
 AT MAYSVILLE, ARKANSAS CAPTAIN DAHLGREN*8 RECONNOIgSANCE TO 
 
 FREDERICK8BURG, VIRGINIA ACTIONS AT PHILOMEL AND NEW CREEK, 
 VIRGINIA CONTEST AT WILLIAMSTON, NORTH CAROLINA REBEL AT- 
 TEMPTS TO CAPTURE NASHVILLE UNION EXPEDITION TO TIIIBODEAUX* 
 
 VILLE, LOUISIANA RKCONNOISSANCE OF GENERAL MCPHKR8ON TO HOLLT 
 
 SPRINGS FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA, SUMMONED TO SURRENDER. 
 
 AMONG the Confederate cruisers which inflicted so much 
 damage on the commerce of the United States during the 
 war, was the pirate Alabama, commanded by Captain 
 Raphael Semmes, and having, as one of her officers, Lieu- 
 tenant Ilowell, brother-in-law of Jefferson Davis. This 
 vessel, which became a terror to the nation's commerce, was 
 rigged out as a barque. Her speed under canvas was 
 thirteen knots an hour, and fifteen under steam. She was 
 a double decker of one thousand two hundred tons burden, 
 one hundred and twenty-five feet long, thirty-two in 
 breadth, and, like her deeds, her color was of the blackest 
 hue. Her armament consisted of three thirty-two pound- 
 ers on each side, and -ports amidships were made for two 
 more. Forward she had a one hundred pound rifled pivot 
 gun, and on the main deck a sixty-eight pounder. Tracks 
 were laid, fore and aft, for a pivot bow gun and a pivot 
 stern chaser. Her guns were of British manufacture, and 
 her crew of one hundred and thirty men was taken from an 
 English vessel near the West Indies. When occasion 
 required, she hoisted the Hags of all nations, but on 
 approaching a vessel, usually unfurled the banner of St 
 George. Provisions for eight months were put on board, 
 and thus fitted out, her depredations, during the year 1862, 
 were of a formidable character, and her captures numerous ; 
 among the latter, several whalers from New Bedford, etc. 
 besides the barque Ocean Rover, of Mattapoisaet, and the 
 (284)
 
 KPEDITION UNDER GENERAL MITCHELL. 285 
 
 large ship Tonawanda, of Philadelphia, In the case of the 
 latter vessel, Semmes exacted bonds for the value of the 
 ship and cargo, redeemable when the war terminated. 
 After destroying his prizes, which was his usual course, 
 the pirate captain received their crews on board his vessel, 
 nd after plundering them, set them on shore and paroled 
 them. To capture and destroy this scourge of the seas, 
 llie Feaeral Government sent Commander Ronckendorf, at 
 that time in command of the San Jacinto, in pursuit of 
 hsr, and though he came up with her once in the port of 
 Fort Royal Martinique, the wily Semmes eluded him, and 
 escaped to the high seas, to commit more depredations. 
 Posterity will learn with astonishment that the pirate 
 captain was feted by British subjects in Old Albion, and 
 regarded with applause by European nations. The British 
 authorities, it will be seen, favored the rapacious Semmes. 
 The English people, especially the aristocracy, bought up 
 the Confederate bonds, and the ship-builders provided the 
 rebels with war vessels. 
 
 On the 21st of October, the expedition planned by General 
 Mitchell, in command of the Southern Department, left Hilton 
 Head for the purpose of destroying the railroad bridges be- 
 tween Charleston and Savannah. These bridges spanned the 
 streams Pocotaligo, Talliafinney, and Coosawhatchie, which 
 flow into the Broad river. It was necessary that a landing 
 should be made at Mackay's Point, eleven miles from Poco- 
 taligo, where protection could be afforded by the gunboats 
 to the debarkation of the troops, who would from that point 
 move on to the scene of contest. 
 
 A portion of the first and second brigades, four thousand 
 five hundred strong, composed the expedition, which was 
 commanded by Generals J. M. Brannon and A. H. Terry, 
 the former being the ranking officer. Three transports, 
 nine gunboats, and some schooners, carried the troops to 
 thoir destination, at which they arrived on the 22d of 
 October, at six o'clock A. M. A company of the Seventh 
 Connecticut, in command of Captain Gray, had been sent in 
 advance, in boats, for the purpose of surprising and captur- 
 ing the pickets of the enemy at Mackay's Point. Gray 
 succeeded in taking prisoners Lieutenant Banks and three 
 men, but the rest escaped, and informed the enemy of the 
 designed attack. All the troops had landed by ten o'clock
 
 286 SUCCESS OF TUB EXPEDITION. 
 
 with the exception of the Third Rhode Island. Brannan 
 lost no time in marching against the enemy, and encoun- 
 tered them in a strong position near Pocotaligo. The 
 Federals had to advance along a narrow causeway, exposed 
 to the enemy's artillery fire, which swept the brave ranks of 
 the Forty-seventh Pennsylvania, which was in the advance. 
 t lieutenant Henry's artillery effectively responded, while the 
 Pennsylvanians opened a musketry fire. The latter lost, 
 in this encounter, one hundred and fifty killed and 
 wounded, out of six hundred men. The rest of the Fede- 
 rals having come up, the rebels were driven with great loss 
 fiom their position, and after a chase of several miles, they 
 made another stand, and being again routed, rallied on 
 reaching Pocotaligo bridge, where they were protected by 
 twelve pieces of artillery. The Federals had only four 
 Parrott guns, commanded by Lieutenant Phcenix. The 
 enemy was driven from the bridge by a fierce infantry 
 charge, after which the troops crossed and destroyed it. 
 Six o'clock had now arrived, the foe was beyond reach, 
 and indications of reinforcements to the enemy by railroad 
 from Charleston and Savannah, made retreat necessary. 
 This was conducted in good order by General Terry. The 
 dead and wounded, six hundred in number, were carried off 
 the field. The portion of the expedition sent up the Coos- 
 whatchie river, disembarked, encountered a body of the 
 enemy, killed and wounded about thirty of them, and 
 shelled the town, named after the river. Colonel Barton, 
 the commander of the detachment, then led his men back 
 to the gunboats, and rejoining the expedition, it arrived at 
 Hilton Head on the 24th of October, having accomplished 
 the purposes for which it was sent. On the 30th, the com- 
 mander of the Department of the South, General O. M. 
 Mitchell, fell a victim to yellow fever, at Port Royal, South 
 Carolina. 
 
 November had now arrived, and the Army of the Pot> 
 mac, still commanded by General McClellan, was the focug 
 in which public interest anxiously concentrated. Recon- 
 noissanoes and skirmishes had occupied the weeks which 
 (lapsed since the battle of Antietam, and the troops yet 
 made no important movement. The nature of the country 
 in which both armies lay, made the possession of the moun 
 tain defiles a matter of importanc *. Lee's army occupied
 
 OCCUPATION OF GAPS /N TFK BT.UK RIDQB. 287 
 
 the beautiful Shenandoah valley, having his head-quarters 
 at Berryville. His strength had been augmented by 
 reinforcements from Western Virginia. Great strategic 
 importance was therefore attached to the mountain range 
 3ast of the Shenandoah river, and reconnoissances were 
 nnade by the Federals to Snicker's, Ashby's, and Thorough 
 fare Gaps, which outlets mainly commanded the mountain 
 range. It was most important that they should be occnt- 
 pied. Accordingly, Generals Hancock and Couch were 
 sent for that purpose to Snicker's Gap, on the 2d of Novem- 
 ber, which being found to contain a body of the enemy, 
 General Hancock at once drew up his men in order ol 
 battle. General Caldwell, with his brigade, held the right : 
 Meagher, with his Irish brigade and Colonel Zook's regi- 
 ment, was posted on the left ; and the artillery on command- 
 ing eminences. The scouts sent to watch the enemy from 
 the heights, descried their dark masses approaching. Their 
 artillery was in the advance, followed by the cavalry and 
 the infantry, which brought up the rear. When within 
 range the Union guns opened an effective fire, which dis- 
 persed them, and the old flag was hoisted on Snicker's Gap 
 
 During this successful operation, a similar success gavd 
 the Federals possession of Ashby's Gap. Generals Pleason 
 ton and Averill, near Purcellville and Upperville, in the 
 Shenandoah valley, encountered the famed rebel cavalry 
 under their chief, Stuart, consisting of four thousand men, 
 protected by two batteries of artilley. Several skirmishes 
 took place, and Pleasonton at length drove the enemy 
 in a resolute charge, toward the gap, and following up the 
 advantage, the position was gained. 
 
 On the 3d, General Sigel, with a part of his corps, occu- 
 pied Thoroughfare Gap, and on the same day, a reconnois- 
 sance from Fairfax, beyond Bull Run, by a portion of 
 General Sickles' command, disclosed the Confederates there 
 in force, and part of them at Warrenton. While these oper- 
 ations were in progress, and seemed to promise an advance 
 of the army, and another severe engagement, General Model 
 Ian was superseded, on the 5th of November, in the com- 
 mand of the Army of the Potomac, by General Burnside, and 
 ordered to report at Trenton, New Jersey. His removal at 
 this period was expedient and necessary, and was succeeded 
 eventually by his resignation and retirement into the peace' 
 ful ihadea of domestic lil%
 
 288 ENGAGEMENT AT MATSYILL1. ARKANSAS. 
 
 Burnside now assumed command of the army, and in a 
 brief and prudent address to the troops, he expressed his 
 sentiments of respectful esteem for their late commander, hia 
 diffidence of his own abilities, and the confidence in their 
 valor which inspired him. He believed that their military 
 operations in the impending struggle, would be crowned 
 with success and victory. Leaving the mighty armies con- 
 fronting each other, and preparing for the forthcoming battle, 
 we tu :n our attention to the scenes in Arkansas. 
 
 On the 22d of October, General Blunt, in command of part 
 of the troops on that remote frontier, encountered a body of 
 the enemy at " Old Fort Wayne," and utterly defeated it. 
 The rebel forces were in two columns ; one, under Generals 
 Marmaduke and Raines, proceeded toward Huntsville; the 
 other, under Cooper and Standwaite, into the Indian territory, 
 by way of Bentonville. The Federal forces were similarly 
 divided to meet the Confederates. Generals Schofield and 
 Totten pursued Marmaduke and Raines, and Blunt followed 
 in pursuit of Cooper and Standwaite. To preserve the com- 
 munication with the rear of the Union forces, General Solo- 
 mon was left at Pea Ridge, with his command, and the 
 batteries of Blair and Stockton. Moving rapidly in pursuit 
 of the Confederates, General Blunt encountered them near 
 Maysville. His forces then did not exceed six hundred 
 strong, consisting only of his body-guard and part of the 
 Second Kansas regiment, together with two small howitzers. 
 The enemy, three thousand strong, were already in position 
 with four large brass pieces advantageously posted. General 
 Blunt ordered his men to meet the rebels on foot, and the 
 artillery began the conflict. In a daring charge, the Kansas 
 troops routed the enemy, and captured their field pieces. 
 Just as the foe had gained the covert of the woods. Colone! 
 Judson galloped up with the Sixth Kansas, followed by six 
 pieces of Rabb's battery, which shelled the woods. The 
 Eleventh Kansas, and finally the First and Third Indiana 
 arrived, and all the troops being arrayed in the order of 
 battle, were ordered to advance. The Confederates, without 
 awaiting the shock of battle, again betook themselves to the 
 shelter of the forest, and with such celerity as to far outstrip 
 the pursuing Federals. The Union loss was only seven 
 killed and fifteen wounded. The importance of this succeaa 
 was such as to free western Missouri and northwestern 
 Arkansas from the Confederate*.
 
 ACTION AT PHILOMEL AND NEW CR^KK. 289 
 
 On the 8th of November, Captain Ulric Dahlgren, of 
 General Sigel's staff, with sixty men of thi First Indiana 
 cavalry, made a reconnoissance into Fred sricksburg, Vir- 
 ginia, which was occupied by a rebel force, consisting of 
 eight companies of Virginians. On his progress, Captain 
 Dahlgren was joined by Major Steadman and a portion of 
 the Sixth Ohio cavalry. Crossing the Rappahannock, thij 
 brave patriot band, after a march of forty miles, boldly entered 
 the city at half past seven o'clock on the 9th, encountered the 
 enemy in a terrible hand to hand combat, and defeated them. 
 The heroic Dahlgren, with the loss of one killed and three 
 missing, returned to camp, having captured thirty- nine pris- 
 oners, many horses and accoutrements, a banner, and several 
 wagons filled with army cloth. On the same day, the enemy's 
 pickets were driven, by General Stahl, from the vicinity of 
 Snicker's and Ashby's Gaps. Information was thus gained 
 respecting the rebel position and movements. It was also 
 on this day, that Colonel Hoffman, with the second brigade 
 of Doubleday's and a body of Pleasonton's cavalry, charged 
 three thousand of the enemy's cavalry, under General Stuart, 
 at Philomel, and drove them from their position, compelling 
 them to retire beyond Upperville. 
 
 The 9th was the date of another successful movement by 
 General Kelly, who, leaving his camp at New creek with 
 eight hundred men, moved to attack General Imboden near 
 Moorefield. The rebel camp was found to be abandoned, 
 and a rapid pursuit for fifteen miles, brought the Union 
 general upon the foe. In the skirmish which followed, the 
 enemy were routed, dispersed, and driven in flight to the 
 mountain fastnesses. The Federals, with the loss of one 
 man killed and two wounded, returned to camp, bringing 
 with them two captains, two lieutenants, and thirty-four of 
 the rebel rank and file as prisoners of war. 
 
 On the 10th of November, General Foster organized an 
 expedition to proceed up Tar river, in North Carolina. Ita 
 object was the capture of a body of rebels who had been 
 sent to attack Plymouth. On the route, a skirmish with the 
 enemy wa-} participated in at Williamston, by the Maine ar- 
 tillery, Belger's battery, part of the Third New York battery, 
 and the Forty-fourth Massachusetts regiment. The Federals 
 occupied Rainbow Bluffs, a mile of intrencLments which 
 the army had deserted as the former approached Hamilton, 
 25
 
 REBEL ATTEMPTS TO CAPTURE NASHVILLE. 
 
 Reinforcements being sent to the enemy, rendered an attack 
 against their superior numbers imprudent, and the com- 
 manding general led his troops back to Newbern, with & 
 loss of six killed and ten wounded. 
 
 Meanwhile, a bold attempt was made by the rebel Gener 
 als Morgan and Forrest to gain possession of Nashville, the 
 capital of Tennessee, at that time commanded by General 
 Negley. The initiative wis made by Morgan's cavalry 
 who, dashing into the town v f Edgefield, took prisoners the 
 Onion pickets, destroyed the railroad despot and several cars, 
 together with the trellis work of the bridge on the Nashville 
 and Louisville railroad. Lieutenant Beach, with part of 
 Abbott's First Tennessee battery, arrested the rebels in this 
 work of destruction, and in a spirited attack drove them from 
 the place. Forrest was now bringing up a more formidable 
 body in two columns, by the Murfreesboro and Franklin 
 roads, and Negley moving out of his fortifications, advanced 
 upon him on the Franklin turnpike. The troops led against 
 the foe, consisted of Stokes' First Tennessee, and part of the 
 Seventh Pennsylvania cavalry, with four pieces of artillery 
 and the Sixty-ninth Ohio, Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania, and 
 Fourteenth Michigan regiments. At Brown's creek, the 
 rebel cavalry, with three field pieces, were encountered by 
 Negley, who placed his guns in position and ordered them 
 to open fire. Simultaneously, the Union cavalry made a 
 bold charge, and, after a spirited contest, the Confederates 
 broke and fled, and were pursued to Brentwood, seventeen 
 miles from Nashville. 
 
 During this action, Colonel Roberts, with a brigade of 
 Palmer's division, advanced upon the enemy, who were 
 moving up the Murfreesboro road. On the appearance of 
 the Federals, the rebels with terriffic yells rushed to the 
 charge, and their batteries, posted on adjacent hills, began to 
 anell the patriot ranks, but their ardor was soon effectually 
 cooled by the vigorous fire of the Kentucky batteries of 
 Beebe and Hewett. The enemy's cavalry attack waa 
 gallantly repelled, and driven at length in total rout from 
 the field, they were pursued to Mill creek, with a loss of 
 four killed and seventeen wounded. The Union loss was 
 one killed, five wounded, and twelve missing; that of the 
 enemy in both actions, being ten killed, thirty wounded, and 
 forty captured, besides some hundreds of excellent horse*.
 
 EXPEDITION TO THIBODKAUXVILL1. 293 
 
 Thus were the discomfited rebels vigorously repelled, in their 
 attack on the beautiful capital of Tennessee, and the terrified 
 inhabitants, relieved from the most fearful apprehensions 
 were jubilant in their deliverance from the rebel invaders, 
 Future attempts on this much coveted position will be ac- 
 curately, described in due time, and tend to shed a lustre on 
 the valor of the Union troops, many of whom moistened 
 with their life's blood the fields in the vicinity of this fair 
 city. 
 
 On the 24th of October, an expedition, under the com- 
 mand of General "Weit^el, left Carrollton to occupy Thibo- 
 deauxville, Louisiana. The troops were composed of the 
 reserve brigade, being part of General Butler's forces in 
 the Department of the Gulf. The Eighth New Hampshire, 
 Twelfth and Thirteenth Connecticut, Seventy-fifth New 
 York, and First Louisiana regiments, under the escort of 
 four gunboats, moved up the Mississippi in transports, 
 toward Donaldsonville, and landed several miles below that 
 point. Passing through the deserted town, they moved 
 down the Bayou Lafourche, and were joined by crowds of 
 negroes, who mostly gave out on the way through exhaus- 
 tion arising from fatigue and want of food. 
 
 At Labadieville, the enemy was encountered, and a 
 brisk action resulted, which began with artillery. The 
 right was held by the Eighth New Hampshire. The guna 
 of the enemy vainly opposed the crossing of the bayou by 
 the Twelfth and Thirteenth Connecticut, whose order of 
 battle was successfully formed, protected with artillery. 
 The Eighth New Hampshire, in a spirited charge, drove the 
 rebels over ditches and fences and through underbrush. 
 Taking flight, their escape was prevented by the Twelfth 
 Connecticut, who outflanked them on their left. Their 
 flight was stayed by this movement, which resulted in the 
 capture of many of them. In this action the Confederate 
 -jommander, Colonel McPheeters, was killed ; he was burie% 
 afterward in a field by the way-side, in which spot, also 
 the brave patriots, Captains Ralston, Kellahar. and Warren, 
 of the Eighth New Hampshire, found a grave, having 
 nobly sacrificed their lives for the Union. In vain tna 
 enemy rushed on in desperate charges ; in vain their well 
 served artillery raked the Union ranks. After several 
 hours of contest the Union force prevailed, and the cavalry
 
 292 RKCONNOISSANCK TO HOLLY SPRINGS. 
 
 charging the foe, drove him from the field. The Federal* 
 occupied Thibodeauxville, and awaited a renewal of tb 
 conflict. The foe had retreated, however, toward Berwick 
 Bay, destroying two railroad bridges over Bayous Lafourche 
 and Terrebonne. The capt ves in this engagement were 
 two hundred and eight, including several officers. Thus 
 the authority of the Federal Government, by the victorious 
 arms of its brave defenders was again supreme in a large 
 portion of the State of Louisiana. 
 
 On the 8th of November, General McPherson started 
 from Lagrange, Tennessee, to make a reconnoissance in 
 force toward Holly Springs, Mississippi, for the purpose of 
 discovering the position and forces of the enemy at that 
 place. He took with him the first, second, and third 
 brigades of his own division of Grant's army, and a body 
 of cavalry. At old Lamar, the enemy, who had possession 
 of the road to Holly Springs, disputed his further progress, 
 and he drew up his men in line of battle. During an 
 artillery duel in front, Colonel Lee was ordered to make a 
 detour with the cavalry in the enemy's rear, and charge 
 them, which command was well executed. Assailed at 
 once in front and rear, they fled in great trepidation, and, 
 at that critical moment, McPherson, deploying some compa 
 nies to charge them in flank, rendered the rout complete 
 The rebels were pursued toward Cold water creek, having 
 sustained a loss of twelve killed, fifteen wounded, and one 
 hundred and sixty-five captured, including ten officers, 
 while the Union loss was only two slightly wounded. The 
 troops now returned to Lagrange. 
 
 On the llth, General Ransom overtook the Confederate 
 General Woodward, near Garrettsburg, Kentucky, and 
 completely routed him, and drove his whole force from the 
 State, the Union loss being only sixteen killed, forty 
 wounded, twenty-five captured, and a large quantity of 
 stores ; that of the enemy is unknown. On the same day, 
 one thousand and sixteen Federal officers, one thousand five 
 hundred and ninety-six of those of the Confederates, and 
 twenty-one thousand privates were exchanged. 
 
 General Hooker, on the 12th, was appointed to supersede 
 General Fitz John Porter in the command of the Fifth 
 Army Corps. On the 14th, the Army of the Potomac was 
 divided into three gran I divisions, under Generals Sumner
 
 FREDERICKSBURQ SUMMONED TO SURRENDER. 293 
 
 Franklin, and Hooker, the Eleventh Corps acting as a 
 reserve. General Burnside's head-quarters were now at 
 Warrenton. On the 15th, his army began its march toward 
 Fredericksburg-, and moved on the day following to Cat- 
 lett's Station. It was on this day that President Lincoln, 
 in an official order, enjoined a stricl observance of the Sab- 
 bath in the army and navy. On the 17th, Burnside'i 
 idvance occupied Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, oa 
 the Rappahannock. 
 
 On the 21st, General Sumner, who was in command of 
 fchc right wing, by order of General Burnside, sent his 
 Provost-marshal, General Patrick, with a requisition upon 
 the civil authorities to surrender immediately to the Union 
 forces the city of Fredericksburg. With a flag of truce 
 he crossed the river, and bore the written summons, in 
 which General Sumner expressed the fact of the city having 
 been made a cover to the enemy in their assaults on the 
 Union troops. Its inhabitants had fired upon the Federals 
 from the house-tops; its mills and manufactories had 
 supplied the enemy with provisions and clothing; while 
 its railroads had furnished transportation to the Confederate 
 forces. For these reasons, unless the city was surrendered in 
 sixteen hours, during which time the women and children, 
 together with the sick and wounded, would be permitted to 
 leave, it would then be bombarded. 
 
 The reply, which seemed to emanate from the civil 
 authorities, but was really dictated by General Longstreet, 
 soon arrived, and promised redress of the injuries com- 
 plained of by both ceasing to fire on the Federals and to 
 supply the Confederate army ; but as it respected the surren- 
 der of the city to the Federal authorities, any attempt to 
 occupy it would meet with a determined resistance. 
 
 Burnside would have made a hostile demonstration 
 against the place at the time, but the pontoons, which had 
 been ordered to be prepared, had been neglected, and ha 
 was not ready to effect the crossing before the llth of 
 December. This delay gave the enemy time to concentrate 
 their forces, and erect fortifications of a formidable charac- 
 ter. Generals Robert E. Lee, Jackson, Longstreet, Hill, 
 and others, rendered eminent by their perverted, but able 
 efforts to ruin the country now were on the alert, and lost 
 no time in prepar ng for the mighty contest soon to b? 
 fought.
 
 CHA1TER XXIX. 
 
 DECEMBER, 1862. 
 
 rIXTY-EIOHTH CONGRESS ASSEMBLES PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL MKSSAUE 
 
 XKPORT OF THE SECRETARY OP TUB TREASURY SKIRMISH AT FRANKL1M, 
 TIROINIA UNION TROOPS CAPTURED AT HARTSVILLE, KENTUCKY RECON> 
 KCI88ANCES OF GENERAL GEARY TO CHARLESTOWN AND WINCHESTER 
 SURRENDER OF WINCHESTER GENERAL 8TUART*8 RAID ON DUMFRIES 
 AND OCCOQUAN GENERAL WASHBURNE's EXPEDITION TO COFFEEVILoB 
 THE STEAMSHIP ARIEL CAPTURED THE BANKS EXPEDITION FRAUDS 
 
 ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GENERAL BUTLER RELIEVED FROM 
 
 COMMAND AT NEW ORLEANS EFFECTS OF THE BLOCKADE OF SOUTHERN 
 PORTS. 
 
 ON the 1st of December, 1862, the Thirty-eighth Congress 
 commenced its session at Washington, where a full atten- 
 dance met at this important epoch of national affairs. The 
 anxious eyes of the nation turned toward the proceedings 
 of Congress, and, with more than usual intensity of feeling, 
 *he loyal people waited for the message of the Chief Magis- 
 nate. It was presented immediately on the organization of 
 both Houses of Congress, and claimed general attention, 
 being expressed in the spirit of sound patriotism and beautiful 
 simplicity, which always characterized the administration 
 of Mr. Lincoln. The important themes of the finances, and 
 the emancipation of slaves, met with special attention. The 
 President admitted, that the immense expenditures of mili- 
 tary and naval operations, had been met in a manner credit- 
 able to the nation. He showed that, in carrying on the 
 war, a vast expense would necessarily be "involved, which 
 would demand careful legislative attention. The issue of Uni- 
 ted States notes had been rendered necessary by the suspen- 
 sion of specie payments by the banks, in the inception of the 
 rebellion. The use of these notes, in payment of troops, for 
 loans, internal duties, and. as a legal tender for debts, had 
 saved large sums in disoo ants and exchanges. A return to 
 specie payments should 3e kept in view, and it was doubt- 
 ful whether a sufficient y large amount of United States 
 notes would eventually serve as a general equivalent for 
 (294) ,
 
 PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL MESSAGE. 295 
 
 coin to be payable in the same. To obviate this difficulty, 
 the President suggested the organization of banking associ- 
 ations, under a general act of Congress, to which the Gov- 
 ernment might furnish circulating notes, whose security 
 would be the United States bonds deposited in the Treasury. 
 As these notes could be converted into coin, the people 
 would be free from the evils of a vitiated currency, cheap 
 exchanges would aid commerce, and the portion of the public 
 debt which was employed as securities would experience 
 mitigation. A small balance remained in the Treasury. The 
 virtual receipts of the past year amounted to $487,788,324 
 T V(i, the expenditures to $474,744,788^. 
 
 The proclamation respecting " compensated emancipation " 
 was then referred to. The difficulties involving the destiny 
 of the slave, could receive no amelioration by disunion, 
 which was alike forbidden by the geographical features of 
 the country, and any imaginary line which human ingenuity 
 could conceive. As slavery was the chief cause of the re- 
 bellion, so its extinction would be its death-blow. Hence a 
 method of emancipation, gradual and equitable, would prove 
 an effective cure for this great evil. His method was the 
 following : The Amendment of the Constitution in such a 
 manner, that evory State in which slavery at that time ex- 
 isted, which should abolish the same at any time before the 
 1st of January, 1900, should receive compensation from the 
 Federal Government. The interest bearing bonds of the 
 United States would be delivered by the President to every 
 such State, in compensation for every slave whom the eighth 
 census of the United States should prove to be living in that 
 State at that time ; provided, that if the abolition of slavery in 
 ;x State should be gradual, the bonds would be delivered by 
 installments, or on complete abolition, in parcels. The 
 bonds should be returned to the United States, and be val- 
 ueless, in case any State having received them on the abo- 
 lition of slavery within its limits, should again introduce it 
 therein. The President recommended that all slaves, whom 
 the chances and changes of war had enfranchised, should 
 remain free, and that their masters, if loyal, should be 
 reasonably recompensed. The measure was to be made 
 constitutional by amending the Federal Constitution. This 
 would require the vote of two thirds of the members of Con- 
 gress, and eventually of three fourths of all the States, which
 
 296 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. 
 
 would involve the consent of seven of the slave State* 
 Their co-operation now would end the rebellion, and restore 
 the Union. The President concludes in language dear to 
 every loyal heart. " The dogmas of the quiet past are in- 
 adequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high 
 wich difficulties, and we must rise with the occasion. As 
 our case is new, we must think and act anew. We must 
 disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country. 
 \V e cannot escape history. We, of this Congress, and this 
 administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. 
 No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or 
 another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will 
 lip fat us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation. 
 Tiie way is plain, peaceful, generous, just a way which, if 
 foj towed, the world will forever applaud, and God must for 
 ever bless." 
 
 Both Houses of Congress received this message with the re- 
 spect to which it was entitled. The nation read it with ap- 
 plnuse ; and all classes, whether concurring or otherwise 
 with Mr. Lincoln on the slave question, were pleased with 
 the sincere honesty and pure patriotism of this remarkable 
 Piesidential message. 
 
 fu the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P 
 Cnase, distinguished for his able management of the national 
 finances, he, among other matters, explained the manner in 
 wnich the vast future expenditures might be satisfied. 
 Should the rebellion last till July, 1864, provisions must be 
 made to meet a deficiency of six hundred and twenty-three 
 millions, over all which should have been accumulated by the 
 existing revenues. The important measures recommended 
 foj adoption, were twofold. First, a general law authorizing 
 banking associations, and secondly, the obtaining of money 
 by loans, without augmentation of the issue of United States 
 notes beyond the limit fixed by law, except some unavoida 
 We necessity should require the adoption of such a course. 
 
 While the President and Congress were thus engaged in 
 flevmng measures for the benefit of the nation, the soldiers 
 in the field were struggling to put down rebellion, and 
 save the Union. 
 
 On the 2d of December, Colonel Spear, being sent out with 
 a detachment from Norfolk, had a conflict with the enemy 
 near Franklin, on th-e Blackwater river, Virginia. With
 
 CAPTURE OT UNION TROOPS AT HARTSVILLE. 29 1 
 
 four infantry regiments, one battery, and the Eleventh 
 Pennsylvania cavalry, he was instructed to proceed to 
 Beaver Dam Church, a few miles from the Black water. 
 From this place, videttes were to reconnoitre the country, and 
 ascertain the position and forces of the ene.ny. The videttea 
 encountered the Second Georgia regiment, under Lieutenant 
 solonel Towne, and firing began on both sides. Majoi 
 StrattoK with three cavalry companies, now came up to rein 
 force the videttes. In a brief, but desperate action, the rebeu 
 were routed, and sought refuge in their strong fortifications 
 near Franklin. None of the Federals were injured, and they 
 returned to Norfolk with twenty-two prisoners, two cannon, 
 and some muskets and horses. 
 
 On the 7th of December, John Morgan, the guerilla, sud 
 denly appeared before Hartsville, Kentucky, which was gar 
 risoned by the thirty-ninth brigade of Dumont's division, 
 and assaulted the Union force, composed of the One Hundred 
 and Fourth Illinois, One Hundred and Sixth and One 
 Hundred and Eighth Ohio regiments, part of the Second 
 Indiana cavalry, and Nicklen's battery, the whole com- 
 manded by Lieutenant-colonel Moore. The rebel forces 
 were three cavalry and two infantry regiments, who charged 
 the Union troops at daylight. Some resisted the enemy 
 bravely, but the rest were thrown into confusion. The 
 combat lasted an hour, when the Unionists were completely 
 surrounded, and nearly all were compelled to lay down 
 their arms, with a loss of sixty killed and wounded, and the 
 teams and trains of the brigade. Morgan was hotly pur- 
 sued by Colonels Harlan and Mellon, but escaped beyond 
 the Cumberland river. 
 
 General Geary, in command of a division of the Twelfth 
 Army Corps (Slocum's), had been left in garrison duty ai 
 Harper's Ferry since the battle of Antietam, having charge 
 of the fortifications in the neighborhood. With three 
 thousand infantry, a squadron of cavalry, and twelve field 
 pieces, he made a reconnoissance, on the 2d of December, in 
 me direction of Winchester. Encountering at Charlestown 
 a small body of the enemy's cavalry, he soon dispersed it, 
 and it fled to Winchester. Advancing within two miles of 
 Berry ville, Geary had a spirited action with a still larger 
 body of cavalry, and m a fight of short duration, four of the 
 enemy were killed and twenty wounded. He now learned
 
 298 OTUARfS RAID ON DUMFRIES AND OCCOQUAX. 
 
 that the rebel General A. P. Hill was at Winchester, with 
 fifteen thousand men. Moving a few miles on the 3d, he 
 continued during the day to skirmish with the enemy, a~>d 
 encamped on the Opequan creek at night. Advancing on 
 Winchester next day, he encountered a line of rebel cavalry, 
 and found that they were the only troops in the place. 
 Demanding an unconditional surrender of the town, the Con- 
 federate commander proposed to evacuate, provided an hour 
 was granted to non-combatants to leave. TGhis being refused, 
 but a promise of non-interference, provided the citizens re- 
 frained from firing on the troops, being proffered, the rebel 
 commander quickly departed with his troops, and the city, 
 on the reception of a flag of truce, was surrendered. The 
 small-pox prevailing in the place, it was not entered by the 
 Union troops. Possession, however, was taken of the forts 
 and town, and after paroling one hundred and twenty-five 
 of the enemy, the sick and wounded tenants of the hospital, 
 and driving off their cavalry, General Geary returned to 
 Harper's Ferry. On the llth he occupied Leesburg, and the 
 road between Aquia creek and Alexandria, keeping guard 
 over the more important points, from Fairfax Court House 
 to the village of Dumfries. 
 
 The Confederate General J. E. B. Stuart, with three thou- 
 sand five hundred cavalry, and a battery, crossed the Rap- 
 pahannock on the 27th, on a raiding expedition, and assaulted 
 three infantry regiments and one of cavalry, together with a 
 section of artillery, at the latter place. These troops belonged 
 to the division of General Geary, and were in command of 
 Colonel Candy. After the surprise and capture of the 
 pickets, fifty in number, Stuart shelled the town, and 
 charged the Union forces, but in a combat continuing from 
 two till eight o'clock P. M., his attempts to flank the latter 
 signally failed, and after sustaining severe punishment, he 
 withdrew some miles from the village, to the Neoboscc 
 liver. The same evening, Geary brought up the rest of his 
 troops to Wolf Run Shoals, and on the morning of the 28th, 
 crossed the Occoquan. General Williams' division of the 
 Twelfth Army Corps, followed at the distance of a few milca. 
 Early on the 28th, the enemy moved along the road from 
 Brentville to Occoquan, and on their way encountered the 
 Third Pennsylvania cavalry, which was taken by surprise, 
 losing one hundred prisoners, and twenty killed and 
 wounded. The troops of the Sei enteenth Pennsylvania CT
 
 GENERAL WASHBURNfi's EXPEDITION TO COFFEEVILLE. 299 
 
 airy were thrown into disorder, and some of them wounded 
 on the same occasion. They lost none of their number, 
 but being fresh troops were in some trepidation, as the road 
 was narrow, and they could not d Being the surgeon 
 
 of the regiment at the time, and witness of the affair, 
 
 the author can testify that the m bited a commendaWe 
 
 gallantry. Geary having arrived, took position near tl;e 
 Brentville road. Throwing out a company of cavalry to 
 invite the rebel fire, fi^e hundred men of Wade Kair-pkm's 
 Legion rushed with ydls to the charge. The Union cavalry 
 retreated within the opening infantry lines, which then 
 closed, and the advancing Con federate columns were greeted 
 with a withering volley of musketry, and shelled by the ar- 
 tillery. Their bold line, which a moment before was so 
 audacious, now faltered, and broken, they took to flight in 
 wild confusion, with the loss of twenty killed and wcunded. 
 Being reinforced, they formed in an adjoining wood, but 
 v ere again repelled, and forced across the Occoquan. 
 
 On the 27th, an expedition consisting of nineteen hun- 
 dred cavalry and six hundred infantry, under command of 
 Reneral Washburne, set out from Helena, Ariransr s, into 
 Mississippi, to reach Coffee ville, and disperse a bcc'y of tho 
 enemy posted there, and destroy the bridges and telegraph 
 offices. Embarking at Helena, they landed at Delta, and 
 marched into the interior. Thirty-five miles was the first 
 day's march, when the confluence of the Tallahatchie with 
 the Cold water river was gained, and the former stream l:eing 
 crossed, the march continued toward Grenc/la. The Cen- 
 tral Mississippi railroad was reached, and with the Ninth 
 Illinois cavalry, and about one hundred troops, armed with 
 carbines and implements for destroying the railway track 
 telegraph, and bridges, Major Buje successfully carried hit 
 orders into execution. Moving then on the road toward 
 Coffee ville, a skirmish took pla^-e at Mitchell's Crossroads, 
 and the route was continued through Panola and Oakland. 
 Near the latter place, a contest ;ook place, and the enemy 
 being routed, fled toward Coffeeville. The advance waa 
 discontinued, and, his object being accomplished, General 
 Hovey ordered an immediate return. This was done, and 
 the expedition safely reached Helena, after an absence of 
 six days, having travelled about two hundred miles by land. 
 
 OD the 7th of December 1862, the splendid ste%mship
 
 800 THE STEAMSHIP ARIEL CAPTURED. 
 
 Ariel, from New York, bound to Aspinwall, and having * 
 full complement of passengers for California, when off Cape 
 May, Cuba, encountered the rebel pirate Alabama ; although 
 using her utmost speed, she was rapidly approac-ied by the 
 pirate. No attention was paid by the Ariel to the blank 
 shot, and then two shotted guns were fired, which indicated 
 a broadside. A ball passed over the hurricane deck, and 
 another severed the foremast. Captain A. G. Jones, the 
 Ariel's commander, went on board the Alabama, where ho 
 was met by Captain Semmes, and received the unpleasant 
 intelligence that his ship was a prize, and would be de- 
 stroyed on landing the passengers in Cuba. Captain Jonea 
 protested against such cruelty to the passengers, many of 
 whom were women and children. In the interval of two 
 days, during which negotiations were pending in regard to 
 the Ariel, her steam valve was taken away to prevent her 
 escape, in case of the pirate chasing another vessel. Both ves- 
 sels now headed for Kingston, Jamaica, where the passengers 
 were put on shore. Semmes eventually consenting to take 
 bonds for the Ariel and her cargo, Captain Jones entered 
 iuto securities for $228,000, payable to Jefferson Davis, on 
 the declaration of peace. The United States marines, one 
 hundred and twenty in number, were paroled. The pirates 
 plundered the ship of $9,500, but the private property of 
 the passengers was respected. The arms and cannon on 
 board were captured. The Ariel, being in a few days re- 
 leased, resumed her voyage to Aspinwall, and the Alabama 
 *^,in proceeded en her devastating course, in pursuit of 
 viher vessels. Her commander, Raphael Semmes, was borii 
 in Maryland, and in 1837 had gained the rank of lieutenant 
 in the United States navy. He subsequent 1 ^ practiced law 
 at Mobile, was inspector of the light-house mere at a later 
 period, and was finally dismissed for fraud. When the re- 
 bellion broke out, he was placed ny the Confederate Gov- 
 ernment in command of the Alabama. 
 
 The great preparations made in November to tit out an 
 expedition the destination of which was unknown, under 
 general Banks in New York city, were now completed, and 
 it sailed on the 4th of December. None of the frauds prac- 
 ticed on the Government during the war, were of a more 
 villainous and shameful character than those in the contracts 
 for these vessels .he rottenness of many of which endan-
 
 GENERAL BANKS AT NEW ORLEANS. 301 
 
 gered many precious lives. No less than twenty of these 
 vessels had finally to be abandoned as worthless, and the re- 
 mainder on the 14th reached New Orleans. It was supposed 
 that the expedition would eventually sail up the great river, 
 and assist in the assault and capture of Vicksburg. 
 
 General Butler was superseded at New Orleans by Gen- 
 eral Banks, who was welcomed and aided by him. Banks 
 took five thousand troops to be ready for immediate opera- 
 tions, and in a proclamation to the loyal citizens, promised 
 to secure their rights. Arguments were also put forth, to 
 how the motives which should lead to the maintenance of 
 loyalty to the Federal Government. 
 
 General Butler had done good service at New Orleans 
 and his government, which was efficient and vigorous, had 
 nothing of the barbarous inhumanity with which it was 
 stigmatized by the Confederates. By just, and, at the same 
 time, stringent measures, he maintained order in a commu- 
 nity which it was no easy task to rule. When he undertook 
 the government, as we have shown heretofore, affairs were 
 in a state of anarchy. The improved condition of the people, 
 and their conformity to the Federal Government, are the 
 best comments on his wise and useful administration. 
 General Butler now returned North. 
 
 The great prices of provisions and necessaries prove that 
 the blockade of the Southern ports from the commencement 
 of the war was effective to all intents and purposes. A 
 barrel of flour, at Charleston, South Carolina, costing thirty- 
 six dollars ; potatoes four dollars per bushel ; shoes, sixteen 
 dollars per pair. 
 
 We must again direct the attention of the reader, to tlx 
 great movements of the contending armies on the Rappt 
 hannock, where Burnside hai now brought .ip his jontooc 
 trains, and a great battle wai impending. 
 36
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 DECEMBER, 1862. 
 
 iTTLE OF FRKDKRICKRBURG DII FICULTY OF LAYING TH I DNTOON8 TH1 
 
 BOMBARDMENT THE TROOPS CROSS REBRL DEFENCES FRANKLIN COM. 
 MENCE8 THE BATTLE ON TUB LEFT ITS INCIDENTS AND RESULT THM 
 BIGHT AND CENTRE FRENCH AND HOWARD ATTACK THE STRONG REBEL 
 POSITION BRILLIANT CHARGE STERN CONFLICT ON THE CENTRE GAL- 
 LANTRY OF THE UNION GENERALS HEROISM OF THE TROOPS FEDERAL 
 
 AND REBEL LOSSES THE SANITARY COMMISSION THE RETREAT BATTLB 
 OF CANE HILL. 
 
 FREDKRICKSBURQ is situated on the southern bank of 
 the Rappahannock. Its communication with the rebel 
 capital, and the numerous turnpikes which radiate from 
 this centre, made it of importance during the blockade of 
 the Potomac, at which time it was the rebel dSpot of sup- 
 plies. The enemy evacuated it when McClellan advanced 
 on Yorktown, and it was then occupied by McDowell: 
 When the latter fell back, after the Seven Days' battles, 
 the enemy again took possession. Burnside, when march- 
 ing to the aid of Pope, in 1862, held it for a few days, after 
 which the Confederate banner again waved over its hills. 
 The valley here is narrow ; three terraces on the southern 
 bank have each an area of from a quarter to half a mile. 
 The town is situated on the steep slopes of one of these 
 wooded terraces. On another, the great battle took place, 
 and the third mounted the bristling batteries of the foe. 
 The Stafford hills, on the northern bank, commanded the 
 town, and the Union artillery being placed on these, 
 rendered the passage of troops possible. The hills on 
 the south side, bristling with the formidable guns of the 
 enemy, presented such a position of natural and arti- 
 ficial defence, together with the row of strong, carefully 
 constructed intrenchments, as might well cause the most 
 resolute leader to pause, before ordering his troops to 
 assault them. 
 
 The construction of the pontoon bridges began on the 
 night of December 10th, 1862. Hooker, Sumner, and 
 (802)
 
 BATTLE OF FREDEKICKSBURG. SOS 
 
 Franklin were within six miles of each other, with their 
 concentrated forces. Each man carried three days' rations, 
 and sixty rounds of cartridges. Innumerable camp fires 
 cast their glare upon the scene, where orderlies dashed to 
 and fro, artillery carriages rumbled, the music of patriotic 
 songs swelled loudly upon the keen wintry air, and the 
 distant fire of musketry occasionally startled the echoes of 
 the hills. Long ere daylight every warrior was responsive 
 to the shrill bugle sound. The regiments started toward 
 liie river, where the pontoons were being laid amid great 
 peril on account of the rebel sharpshooters, who took aim 
 from every window and behind every cover. The sun 
 had risen, and the work was still incomplete. The enemy's 
 sharpshooters could not be dislodged or compelled to desist 
 by those of the Federals, and one hundred and fifty guns 
 shelled them from the heights with no better result ; but 
 the work could not proceed till they were silenced. The 
 forces of the enemy were massing, and bringing up their 
 heavy guns, to dispute the passage. In this critical mo- 
 ment, the Seventh Michigan regiment won undying renown. 
 Their colonel pledged them for the perilous undertaking 
 of crossing the river on pontoon boats, and dislodging the 
 rebel sharpshooters. The sappers and miners were ordered 
 to row these heroes across, but no efforts of the engineer 
 officers could induce them to undertake the desperate 
 attempt. The gallant Western troops rushed to the boats, 
 and rowed themselves into the fire which assailed them. 
 The river was two hundred yards wide, and the thousands 
 who lined the banks, saw one brave man after another relin- 
 quish the oar, and drop down dead. The object was gained. 
 The brave troops charged the foe up the steep slopes, and 
 cleared the rifle pits and buildings adjacent to the stream. 
 
 Nobly the Nineteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts regi- 
 ments participated. The pontoons were successfully con- 
 structed, while, in the meantime, General Franklin had laid hia 
 bridges three miles below, and crossed his entire division. 
 Part of Hooker's division also made the passage below 
 the city. General Franklin held the left of the line, Hooker 
 the centre, and Sumner the right. From Port Royal, six 
 miles from the city, the Confederate lines extended in th 
 form of a semicircle, on the third terrace before mentioned ; 
 from Port Royal to Gumny Sti tion (on the Richmond and
 
 804 BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURQ. 
 
 j?redericksburg railroad) extended their right wing, under 
 the redoubtable "Stonewall" Jackson; their centre ran to 
 the telegraph road, and was commanded by General Long- 
 street. Generals A. P. Hill and J. E. B. Stuart commanded 
 the left wing, which rested upon Massaponax creek. Lee 
 anxiously watched this wing in person, lest Sigel, who was 
 at Culpepper. should take it in flank. The two armiet 
 are now in full array; and stand ready, at a moment'^ 
 notice, to hurl their dread thunders upon each other. 
 There is a lull. No cannon of the enemy breaks the 
 ominous silence. 
 
 It is worth while to pause, and contemplate the combat- 
 ants, resplendent in all the pride of their glittering warlike 
 array. The first idea which strikes the mind, when survey- 
 ing the great fields of the rebellion and the dread ranks of 
 the combatants, is, that all these thousands of men about 
 to destroy each other at the word of command, are citizens 
 of the same country, alike worshippers of the Supreme 
 Being. 
 
 The morning of Saturday, December 13th, 1862, dawns 
 npon the contending armies. The face of nature smiles 
 serenely. Brave hearts beat high, and noble forms stand in 
 ready attitude. General Franklin is opposed to the men 
 whom Jackson had led at Cedar Mountain, Bull Run, and 
 Antietam ; Meade, with the heroic Pennsylvania Reserves, 
 is ready to encounter A. P. Ilill and Stuart ; and French 
 and Howard have not yet received orders from Sumner to 
 attack the foe. Hooker and his thirty thousand reserves, 
 have not yet crossed the river ; French's division still num- 
 bers seven thousand as brave men as the world ever saw ; 
 and Meagher yet commands twelve hundred of the stalwart 
 sons of Erin. Burnside and Lee marshal their hosts, each 
 confident of success. Providence casts a mist on the eyea 
 of the latter, or the mighty hosts of gallant patriots would 
 most likely have been annihilated. Lee saw his error when 
 too late, and regretted his strange blindness. He had the 
 Union general and his army in a trap ; that trap was the 
 town, and the strong hills its sides. Had he attacked the 
 Union forces therein, a day later, with his artillery, the 
 army might have perished. 
 
 The Federal right was held by the Sixth Army Ccrpa 
 under General Smith, and consisted of the division* of
 
 B4.TTLE OF FREDERICKSBURQ 80 
 
 Generals Newton, Burke, and ITowe. The left, held by the 
 First Army Corps, under Reynolds, was composed of th 
 divisions of Generals Gibbons, Meade, and Doubleday, 
 numbering fifty thousand brave men. Franklin's division 
 was early in motion ; his extreme left lay on the river, 
 ihree miles below the city ; his centre, a mile from the 
 11 ream, and his right on the suburbs of the town. The field 
 ~>u which he was to perform his evolutions, was favorable, 
 'jeing on a gentle undulation. The plan of the battle was, 
 nn attack by Franklin on the left, in order to break the 
 enemy's lines; this being accomplished, Sumner was to 
 charge upon the centre of their position, and was to be 
 followed up by Hooker. 
 
 There was some skirmishing at sunrise, and when the 
 fog was dispelled, General Gibbon opened fire upon the 
 enemy. A hundred guns on each* side now kept up an 
 artillery combat for an hour. The divisions of Generals 
 Meade and Gibbons, advanced at nine o'clock A. M., and 
 were soon involved with the Confederates, under General 
 Elill, who repelled the first attack, and tenaciously held 
 his ground. Near the creek, on the enemy's extreme right, 
 two of General Stuart's batteries were posted, supported by 
 two cavalry brigades. Major Pelham, chief of Stuart's 
 artillery, with a twelve pounder Napoleon gun, kept up a 
 destructive fire on the advancing Union forces. With such 
 deadly precision was the gun worked, that for two hours it 
 was impossible to silence it by thirty Federal cannon, and 
 "Stonewall" Jackson, in admiration declared, "With Major 
 Pelham on either flank, I could vanquish the world." The 
 Ninth New York charged upon another terrible battery at 
 the point of the bayonet. Bravely the men rushed up to 
 the muzzles of the guns ; their thinned and broken ranks 
 were compelled to fall back, and the aid of General Tyler's 
 brigade, in another desperate charge on the guns, did not 
 avail to capture them, and the attempt was abandoned. An 
 action almost general was now in progress. At noon, the 
 whole division of Franklin was desperately struggling to 
 gain the railroad, and flank the enemy's works in the rear 
 of the town. General Meado's division, at one o'clock, 
 gained the hill crest by a brilliant charge, and urgiig its 
 way between Hill's division and Early's brigade, Irove 
 back two of Hill's brigades to their second line of work$
 
 306 BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG 
 
 and captured several hundred prisoners. An attempt 
 duiing this charge, to turn the left flank of the Unioc 
 forces was handsomely frustrated by Doubleday, and as the 
 enemy retired they were fearfully slaughtered by the 
 artillery. 
 
 __ Meadc, not being rei jforced in his brilliant advance, had 
 
 o retire a short distance for want of support, as was also 
 
 he case with Colonel Root's brigade, which had charged 
 
 into the enemy's works, where it had captured two hundred 
 
 prisoners. A baitery had been left by a part of Gibbons 
 
 li vision, in its retreat, and was now exposed to the fire of 
 
 -he rebel artillery. The hazardous enterprise of recapture 
 
 was undertaken by some non-commissioned officers and men 
 
 of the Sixteenth Maine, and most gallantly they succeeded. 
 
 Here the brave cavalry general, George D. Bayard, was 
 mortally wounded in the thigh by a cannon ball, and his 
 lamented death took place in a few brief hours. About the 
 same time, the Confederate General Thomas R. R. Cobb was 
 struck also in the thigh by a shell, and soon after expired. 
 When the day closed, the division of Franklin had only 
 advanced five hundred yards from its first position. The 
 carnage was awful on both sides. 
 
 During the progress of this battle on the left, the 
 terraces and streets of the town were the scene of a yet 
 sterner conflict. The Confederate batteries from the hills 
 had early opened a destructive fire, and a defiant response 
 was made by the Union artillery. Two hundred guns had 
 been thundering for a long time without intermission, and 
 the valley was wreathed in dense clouds of smoke. Tho 
 Union batteries were ineffectual, however, and to gain the 
 fortified terrace a bayonet charge was required, although it 
 seemed madness to make the attempt. There was a high 
 stone wall midway up, and rifle pits behind lined wita 
 Confederates. An enfilading fire could be brought to bear 
 on the assailants from either side. Such was the position, 
 which, pursuant to the order of Sumner, Generals French 
 and Howard were now to attack. The troops repeatedly 
 made the attempt with the most undaunted bravery. Once 
 hurled back, they reformed and were reinforced ; the con- 
 centrated fir 3 of the enemy mowed down whole lines like 
 the grass of the field ; the shattered columns again rallied 
 and advanced, under the eye of the venerable Sumner wha
 
 BATTLE OF FRKDKRICKSBUBQ. 807 
 
 glass in hand, anxiously watched the undaunted lines, aa 
 they fought with the most noble heroism. Up Marye'? 
 Heights their blue lines rushed, wavered, and fell back. 
 Every third man was killed on that fatal spct. In the 
 words of Sumner, "they did all that men could do." Tho 
 troops of the Ninth and Second Corps gained imperishabb 
 honor, but melted away like snow. 
 
 Hookers reserves, late in the afternoon, came up to 
 support the centre, which was now exhausted and battered. 
 The brigades of Humphrey, Monk, Howard, Getty, and 
 Sykes, in solid column, assaulted the fatal heights; the 
 dreadful storm which was hurled upon the lines, caused 
 them to fall back in disorder, as the other troops had done 
 previously. The brave men under Getty had reached the 
 stone wall, where a death struggle ensued. The crest of 
 the hill was gained by the other troops, and some batteries 
 were put in position to concentrate their fire on the Confed- 
 erates. When victory seemed within grasp, the rebel 
 infantry poured down in overwhelming force, and swept 
 the assailants before their resistless charge. General Burn- 
 side, watching this fierce encounter, exclaimed, as he rapidly 
 paced the garden of the Lacy House, "That crest must be 
 taken." But the struggle had ended. The Union army, 
 which had fought with such sublime courage, whose troops 
 had bled, and many of them died for their country, could 
 not avail now to retrieve the fortunes of the day, and the 
 battle was lost. 
 
 Night drew her sable curtain upon the field. More than 
 a thousand of brave Union soldiers lay still in death upon 
 the hills, and their sacrifice on the altar of their country 
 had not broken the rebel works, which yet stood unshaken. 
 The foe in front and the river in his rear, with tha slaugh- 
 tered heroes and their wounded comrades lying on that 
 desperate field, might well wring the heart of gallant Burn 
 side. 
 
 Nc pen can describe, or painter portray, the scenes of 
 Buffering, ajjd the horrors of the night succeeding this bloody 
 conflict. The dead lay on the field on which they had fallen. 
 The wounded were carried away on stretchers ; the hos- 
 pitals were filled, and many of them, being exposed to tha 
 enemy's fire, were not safe. Minie balls and broken shell* 
 pierced the roofs, and flew in at the doors. The wounded
 
 SOS KJCT'UEAT OF THE UNION FORCES 
 
 were soon taken to hospitals on the northern bank of the 
 river ; the night fortunately being mild for the season, or 
 many would have perished. The Sanitary Commission, 
 with its supplies, nurses, and surgeons, was soon ready to 
 mitigate the pains of the poor sufferers ; many by this means 
 being saved from death. A relief party, twelve hours after 
 ttiC report of the battle, embarked on a chartered propeller 
 with plenteous stores. The poor wounded patriots, shiver- 
 irg with cold, were not only supplied with surgical aid, but 
 received eighteen hundred blankets and nine hundred quilts 
 besides necessaries and comforts in great abundance. At 
 Aquia creek, a building was erected for distributing sup- 
 plies, and affording shelter, by means of which hundreds of 
 the patriots were amply supplied, and sent on their way re- 
 joicing. The goodness of these Christian philanthropists, 
 will ever be cherished by a grateful people. 
 
 On Sunday morning, the 14th, there was some firing, but 
 no action resulted. An attempt was made to remove the 
 dead during the night after the battle, but was prevented by 
 the fire of the enemy. On Sunday, however, both armies were 
 engaged in burying the dead. On the part of the enemy ; 
 the South Carolina brigade of General Kershaw had suffered 
 fearfully. It was in the same charge the last that General 
 Maxey Gregg was mortally wounded, and the Third South 
 Carolina was almost utterly destroyed. Among the casual 
 ties on the Union side, were Generals George D. Bayard and 
 Conrad F. Jackson, killed, and Generals Vinton, Gibbon, 
 Kimball, Meagher, and Caldwell, wounded. The whole Fed- 
 eral loss was one thousand five hundred and twelve killed, 
 six thousand wounded, and seven hundred prisoners ; that 
 of the Confederates about three thousand five hundred 
 killed, wounded, and missing. 
 
 Ge^^ral Burnside, having called a council of war, deter- 
 mined to withdraw to his first position across the river. 
 The retreat was effected during the night of the 15th, with 
 great skill, and complete success. Neither men, artillery, 
 nor baggage were lost, and the passage was completed un- 
 known to the enemy. 
 
 The delay of the pontoon train, as before mentioned, had 
 jjiven the enemy time to prepare and concentrate, which waa 
 the great cause of failure. Burnside, in his letter to the 
 Preside nt a few days after, says, " For the failure of the
 
 BATTLE OF CANE HILL. 309 
 
 attack, I am responsible, as the extreme gallantry, courage, 
 and endurance shown by them (his troops) was never 
 exceeded, and would have carried the points had it been 
 possible. But for the fog, and the unexpected and unavoid- 
 able delay in building the bridges, which gave the enemy 
 twenty-four hours more to concentrate his forces in hia 
 strong position, we should almost certainly have succeeded.' 
 The disappointment to the loyal public was indescribable, 
 and certain Senators thought that a change in the Cabinet 
 was necessary 
 
 On the 28th of November, a severe action took place at 
 Boonsboro or Cane Hill, in Arkansas, between the Federals, 
 under General Blunt, and the rebels, commanded by Gener- 
 als Marmaduke and Shelby. The Union forces were com- 
 posed of three brigades, four batteries, and six howitzers; 
 the Confederates were eight thousand strong. The action 
 began with artillery, and the enemy were defeated in a bay- 
 onet charge. Marmaduke sent in a flag of truce, desiriug 
 permission to remove the dead and wounded ; under this 
 pretext, he covered his retreat, and led his shattered forces 
 to Van Buren, where rebel troops were collecting from other 
 parts of the State, under General Hind man. The Confeder- 
 ates were much mortified, and determined to avenge thia 
 defeat, and, by the destruction of Blunt's forces, gain posses- 
 sion of the fertile wheat region of northwestern Arkansas. 
 To effect this purpose, Hindman advanced with thirty 
 thousand men. When Blunt was informed of his design, he 
 telegraphed immediately to General Herron, at Wilson's 
 creek, Missouri, to come to his aid by forced marches. This 
 despatch was received on the 3d of December, and Herron, 
 in three hours was on the way with his advance column, 
 the rest of the forces following immediately. The whole 
 distance was traversed in three days, and on the morning of 
 the 7th, Herron, with five thousand men, encountered the en- 
 emy at Prairie Grove, ten miles above Cane Hill. Blunt, 
 on the 7th, with his five thousand troops attacked Hindman's 
 rear, and thus aided Herron, who was fighting desperately 
 against four times his own force. The sound of Blunt's 
 artillery infused new ardor into the exhausted troops, and 
 the enemy were now driven before them. The combined 
 forces rested on their arms all night, and occupied the 
 ground on which the enemy had first formed. The Federal*
 
 810 FEI/EKAL AXD REBEL LOSS. 
 
 expected to renew the battle next day, but ITindman re 
 quested an interview with Blunt, and practiced the sami 
 deception, after a parley of five hours, as was done previously 
 by Marrnaduke, by withdrawing his troops during the flag 
 of truce. The Federals lost seven hundred men the robela, 
 >Tor fifteen hundred.
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 DECEMBER, 1862 JANUARY, 186K 
 
 *J3 GLOBING TEAR EXPEDITION OF GENERAL FOSTER ITS RKTl *!f - 
 
 CAPTURE OF HOLLT SPRINGS BATTLE OF DAVIS'8 MILLS COIONEL I<OR 
 
 GAN TAN DORN DKFKATED ORGANIZATION AND MOVEMENT OF GENERAI 
 BOSBCRANS' ARMY BATTLE OF MURFREESBORO MOCOOK DRFKATED OK 
 THK RIGHT WING HEROISM OF SHEKIDAN GALLANTRY AND DEATH OF 
 GENERAL SILL SUBLIME COURAGE OF ROSECRANS THF, SECOND DAY*8 
 
 BATTLE TERRIBLE CARNAGE LOSS OF THE MONITOR AT SEA GENERAL 
 
 SHERMAN'S ATTACK ON TICKSBURO WITHDRAWAL OF THE ARMY SHER- 
 MAN SUPERSEDED THE ATTACK ON TICKSBURG POSTPONED FIGHTS A" 
 SPRINGFIELD AND HARTSTILLE PRESIDENT LINCOLN PROCLAIMS THE 
 SLATES OF REBELS FREE. 
 
 THE year was now hastening to a close. Burnside, after 
 the disaster of Fredericksburg, had planned another advance, 
 bat heavy rains, which made the country one sea of mud, 
 caused it to be abandoned. Some three thousand rebels hud 
 crossed the Rappahannock and attacked Dumfries, but were 
 repulsed, and the campaign in Virginia was virtually closed 
 for the year. 
 
 Little was accomplished farther South. In North Caro 
 lina, blows were struck of an isolated character, which had 
 no direct bearing on any great campaign. The chief event 
 in this Department, that marked the closing year, was an 
 expedition of General J. G. Foster, with four brigades, under 
 General Wessels, and Colonels Amory, Stevenson, and 
 Lee, respectively. It left Newbern on the 8th of December, 
 and on the 14th, encountered the enemy in force, under 
 General Evans, near Kingston. The latter was defeated, 
 and fled, abandoning the town, of which the Union troops 
 under Foster took possession. He destroyed two heavy 
 guns, and captured four field pieces. After destroying also 
 various stores, and firing the bridge, he moved to White 
 Hall. Fighting as he advanced, he came within eight miles 
 of Goldsboro, fifty miles from Raleigh, the State capital, 
 destroying the trestle work, cars, and railroad ; and burning 
 the bridge across the Neuse under the enemy's fire ; he then 
 returned to Newbern, having advanced eighty miles into the 
 
 (311)
 
 512 BATTLE OF DAVIS'S MILL* 
 
 Interior of the State. Colonel Gray, of the Ninety sixth 
 New York regiment, was killed on this expedition, whose 
 total loss amounted to five hundred and seventy-seven men. 
 
 On the 21st, a keen contest took place at Davis's Mills, 
 Mississippi, between Colonel "W. H. Morgan, of the Twenty- 
 filth Indiana regimen*,, vith a small body of troops, and a 
 superior force urder Van Dorn, in which the latter was de 
 feated. This place is twenty miles from Holly Springs, and 
 situated on Wolf river, which is crossed by several bridges 
 Van Dcin was en his way from Holly Springs, where, on 
 the 19th, he had captured fifteen hundred Union troops, and 
 destroyed half a million dollars' worth of the Government 
 gtores, and a large quantity of cotton. Morgan determined, 
 i^ his advance toward the bridges, to dispute his passage. 
 He therefore made such arrangement of his troops as were 
 required, and occupied the favorable positions of a saw-mill 
 and Indian mound. In a severe conflict, and after repeated 
 attempts to cross the bridges, Van Dorn deemed it prudent 
 to retire, having suffered a loss of twenty killed and thirty 
 wounded. He then proceeded westerly, and crossed the 
 "Wolf river, ten miles from Lagrange. Moving toward Bol- 
 ivar, and passing through the Federal lines at Middleburg, 
 he escaped. 
 
 After the capture of Holly Springs, General Forrest 
 crossed at Clifton, and proceeded toward Jackson, with the 
 intention of gaining possession of the Mobile and Ohio rail- 
 road, by means of which General Grant's arrny was supplied. 
 Passing Lexington, on his way toward Jackson, he encoun- 
 tered twelve hundred men, under Colonel Ingersoll. In a 
 brisk action, the former gained the advantage, capturing 
 two guns and several prisoners, and driving the Federals 
 back to Jackson, and finally to Trenton. At this place 
 Colonel Fry, commanding the Sixty-first Illinois, was defeated 
 in an action, and obliged to surrender, his men being pa- 
 roled. Forrest then proceeded on his way, destroying the 
 railroul, with its buildings and bridges, to a point within 
 twelve miles of Columbus. Much damage was done to the 
 Union cause by this achievement, and the supplies of Grant's 
 army were for a time cut off. 
 
 The sum total of military operations during 1862, was 
 not satisfactory to the people, and belied the promise of the 
 Government, that the war vould be a short one The ad-
 
 MOVEMENT OF GENERAL ROSECRANS* ARMY. 313 
 
 rent of the New Year, however, was about to be signalized 
 by an important battle, which initiated a series of move- 
 ments, in the end of much significance. 
 
 On the last day of December, 1862, General Rosecrans, 
 having his army organization complete, determined to offer 
 the jnemy battle. His army was forty-three thousand ; that 
 of the enemy, sixty-five thousand. A considerable Union 
 force had to be left for the defence of Nashville. Rosecrami 
 was superior to Bragg in artillery, but far inferior in caval- 
 ry, llis army was divided into three corps, under Generals 
 McDowell, McCook, George H. Thomas, and Thomas L. 
 Crittenden, whose brother was also a general in the Confed- 
 erate service. The corps of General McCook consisted of 
 the divisions of Generals Davis and Sheridan; Rosseau's 
 and Negley's divisions composed the corps of General 
 Thomas; Crittenden's corps consisted of the divisions of 
 Generals Van Cleve, Wood, and Palmer; and the cavalry 
 was commanded, by General D. S. Stanley; Colonel James 
 Barrett being chief of artillery, and Colonel Garechd, chief 
 of Rosecrans' staff. The general was always accompanied 
 in his campaigns, by the Rev. Father Tracy, and offered 
 supplications for success, and thanksgiving for victory. . He 
 had a high reputation for energy and skill, and hitherto had 
 not been beaten in a single battle. He spent two months 
 in preparing for this campaign, and declared himself willing 
 to be superseded, but that nothing could compel him to move 
 till he was ready. Securing his communications with 
 Nashville, the provisions for thirty days being accumulated 
 ho now determined to move. 
 
 General Bragg's troops were divided into three corps, 
 oommanded by Generals Hardee, Polk, and E. Kirby Smith; 
 Generals Morgan and Forrest commanding the cavalry. 
 The enemy had been driven from Nolensville, and were now 
 posted in strong positions in and around Murfreesboro. The 
 memorable battle at the latter place began on Wednesday, 
 the 31st day of December and continued several days. 
 
 The enemy's forces, in their intrenchments, were partially 
 concealed by the dense woods,, and occupied both sides of 
 Stone river ; General Polk, commanding the right, General 
 E. Kirby Smith the centre, and General Breckinridge the 
 extreme right ; the left being under General Hardee. On 
 the west of the Murfreesboro turnpike, which runa 
 27
 
 814 UNION PLAN OF ATTACK. 
 
 almost parallel with the railroad, there is a cedar forest, and 
 adjacent to it lies open ground ; the small and fordable 
 stream of Stone river runs with tortuous windings iu a 
 northwesterly direction. General McCook commanded on 
 the Union right, General Thomas the centre, and General 
 Crittenden the left, which rested on Stone river. The ground, 
 af; the point where the left wing rested, is high, and the 
 stream fordable. Attention to these preliminaries is indis- 
 pensable to the comprehension of this important field of 
 battle. The lines were too much extended, and had they 
 been less so, the result of the first day's battle might have 
 been different. The plan of attack consisted in McCook 
 firmly holding his position on the right, if attacked ; if not, 
 he was to make such a demonstration on the enemy's left, 
 as to hold all their forces in his front The battle was to be 
 commenced by General Thomas in the centre, who was to 
 skirmish, and move toward the river. Crittenden was to 
 cross the ford and gain the hill, followed by the centre, 
 under Thomas. They were then to push back the right of 
 the Confederates, gain their flank, and move on Mnrfrees- 
 boro. The pivot on which the whole army turned was the 
 right wing; the whole body was to swing round, gain the 
 enemy's rear by driving him to the west, and, cutting off his 
 retreat, to defeat or destroy him. All depended on McCook's 
 holding his position for three hours, and, if pressed, to re- 
 cede slowly and in good order ; he knew the ground well, 
 and engaged to do this. 
 
 Bragg, in order to make sure of success, left himself no 
 reserves. His plan of attack was very similar to that of the 
 Federal general. Breckinridge, on the extreme right, with 
 a single division, was to check any advance of the Federals : 
 the forces were then to be massed on McCook's left, under 
 Hardee ; the Union right was to be broken, and driven 
 back, the army to be outflanked by cavalry, communication 
 with Nashville cut off, and that point in the Union rear 
 gained. 
 
 McCook's division was under arms at five o'clock A. M. 
 (31st), but no attack was apprehended. The horses, at least in 
 part, were gone out to water, and the men were breakfasting, 
 The enemy suddenly, and in heavy force, emerged silently 
 from the woods, and moved on it four columns, regimental 
 front. The Union force was unprepared to give them any
 
 BA.TTLE OF MURFREESBORO. 815 
 
 resistance, *nd a part broke and fled without firing a gun 
 The Thirty-fourth Illinois fought bravely to check the rebel 
 advance, but were swept away by the resistless flood of over- 
 whelming numbers. Johnston's, and then Da vis's men, fought 
 with enthusiastic bravery, and were broken before the 
 enemy, as the sturdy oaks before the tempest. The whole 
 Union line was pierced, almost with the first onset, and gave 
 way disordered and routed. Eosecrans sent up one battery 
 fcfter another from Palmer and Negley, but the prevailing 
 panic could not be checked, and at the very commencement, 
 the pivot of the army seemed broken, and the day lost. The 
 rebel General McCown had attacked Johnson, and crushed 
 him at a blow, and Cleburne had attacked Davis, and de- 
 feated his force. The triumphant enemy sweep on, and 
 Withers hurls his forces on Sheridan. The waves of battle 
 dash against a rock, which stands firm as the hills. Every 
 man is prepared at his post. A battery pours a flood of firo 
 on the assailants, who seem to defy the furious missiles 
 which crash through their ranks. The gaps are closed, 
 and the brave Confederates rush with desperate courage upon 
 Sill's brigade. A sheet of fire, at pistol range, flashes in 
 their faces, and their ranks are mowed down. No human 
 flesh can endure such a blast, and the wavering, breaking 
 ranks give way, flee, and are pursued, in a wild charge 
 across the field, by the gallant Sill, who falls mortally 
 wounded. The enemy, rallying, and with fresh forces, make 
 a tremendous attack on Sheridan's flank. He closes up to 
 Negley, locks upon the centre, and faces southwest. Ilia 
 batteries are well served, and move forward, nearer and 
 closer, till the batteries on both sides stand within close rifle 
 shot, and hurl their destructive missiles with such deadly 
 effect as produces fearful carnage. Three times the bold 
 foe advances, and meets a bloody repulse ; Vaughan's brig- 
 ade, on this spot, losing one-third its whole force. Sheridan's 
 ammunition is now expended ; his train has been capturedj 
 and he can obtain no more. He retires, therefore, and in 
 good order, with colors flying ; his killed, wounded, and 
 missing in this fight, amounting to seventeen hundred, in- 
 cluding seventy ofiicers. His uold and gallant resistance, 
 notwithstanding the defeat i>f the left wing, gained time, and 
 saved Eosecrans. Sill was killed, Willich captured, Kirk 
 wounded, and the right wing g:>ne. The tidings reach
 
 816 BATTLE OF MURFREESBORO. 
 
 Rosecram, "Never mind, we must win the lattle," he remarks 
 Tie now vaulted into the saddle, and dashed in amid a fear- 
 ful fire. Galloping up, he halts in front of Barker's brigade, 
 and seeing a hostile battery, cries to the chief of artillery 
 "Silence thai lattery." He planted the guns with his own 
 hands, and galloped ofT again. Meeting Sheridan, with hi? 
 small band of heroes without ammunition, the latter genera! 
 said, "Here is all that is left, general ; we have no cartridges 
 and the guns are empty." He was directed ;vhere to be 
 supplied, and in a few moments again faced the foe. Negley, 
 on the right of the centre, by the retreat of Sheridan 
 was outflanked, and Thomas gave the order to " cut their 
 way out." The Eleventh Michigan, Nineteenth Illinois, and 
 Twenty -first Ohio move forward with the bayonet, and 
 drive the foe back in confusion. The army was now at 
 right angles to its former position, and the left tenaciously 
 held its place on the stream. 
 
 Eosecrans, with admirable skill, prepared to roll back the 
 tide of battle. Thousands of soldiers a moment ago fled 
 in confusion before the pursuing foe ; that moment was preg- 
 nant with the fate of the Republic. A mistake might be 
 fatal to the army. He must adopt a new plan, and change 
 his tactics in the presence of the enemy. He posts his regi- 
 ments and batteries along the turnpike, in front, so as to 
 repel the rebels in their advance. The Federals, pursued 
 by the enemy closer and closer, pour in an unbroken stream, 
 in masses which preserved no recognition of divisions or 
 regiments, infantry or cavalry. The part of the army to 
 which the task of meeting the advancing victorious columns 
 of the enemy is entrusted, is commanded by General Thomas. 
 He rides forward with great coolness, animating his men, 
 and enjoining them to meet with firmness, and in silence, 
 the onset of che yelling foe. The critical moment has come 
 At the word of command, a bright sheet of flume runs along 
 the Union ranks, and the exultant foe is met with a terrible 
 volley. The artillery immediately follows, and shakes the 
 earth with its thunders. The thick masses of the enemy 
 are crushed into fragments; the destructive fire sweeps 
 down wbole ranks before it, and regiments are broken to 
 pieces. Piles of dead and wounded strew the ground. The 
 whole line charges, and the enemy, falling back, are driven 
 over a part of the ground occupied in the commencement
 
 BATTLE OF MURFREESBORO. 817 
 
 of the battle by the Union right wing. In their (light, the 
 Confederates are pursued by the artillery, which continues 
 to thin their broken ranks. 
 
 The first day of this great battle was now closed. Rose- 
 crans had been present in person, and directed its operations 
 after the failure of the right wing ; he was found amid the 
 thickest of the strife, animating the troops with his own 
 courage. Storms of bullets were showered round him; his 
 chief of staff, Colonel Gareche, was killed at his side, arid hia 
 orderlies fell rapidly. The results of the day were not 
 favorable to the Federal cause, and it was plain that 
 another battle would have to be fought. No action 
 took place on Thursday, January 9th. The dead were to be 
 buried, and the wounded cared for ; seven thousand patriots 
 had been struck down in ten hours ; the ammunition was 
 expended, and much of the artillery captured. Rosecrans 
 however, determined on another battle, and marking out the 
 new position, said, " Gentlemen, we conquer or die liere" 
 
 General Van Cleve's division, of Crittendcn's corps, was 
 so disposed, that its left wing rested on the Lebanon road, 
 and its right on Lytle's creek ; Palmer was posted east of 
 the Nashville road ; Rosseau, between the turnpike and the 
 railroad ; McCook on Rosseau's right, while Negley held 
 the rear with the reserves. 
 
 On the morning of Friday, the 2d, the enemy attacked 
 the batteries of Rosseau, which were commanded by Colonel 
 Loomis. A terrible artillery duel ensued, in which several 
 rebel batteries were silenced. When the Confederate generals 
 saw that the Federals had the advantage, they withdrew 
 their guns from the contest, reconnoitered, consulted together 
 for several hours, and resumed the action at four o'clock P.M 
 
 Immense columns, led on by Breckinridge, attacked Vac 
 Cleve's division ; the latter general being wounded, the 
 command devolved on Colonel Beatty, of the Nineteenth 
 Ohio. The troops gallantly resisted half an hour, but An- 
 derson and Cleburne having reinforced the enemy, their 
 superior numbers soon overwhelmed the patriots. The 
 rebels attacked two brigades of Beatty which were retreat- 
 ing, and drove them to Lytle's creek. General Negley ar- 
 rived in time to assist a third brigade, which was also in the 
 ct of retreating. His arrival was opportune, and the troops 
 enthusiastically rushing forward, opened a fire upon the
 
 818 RETREAT OF THE KNKHfY. 
 
 enemy witli such effect, as to decimate their ranks, and force 
 them to retreat. General Jefferson C. Davis now brought 
 up his troops to Negley's assistance. Plunging into the 
 stream, they gained the bank, and charged the disordered 
 enemy. The first across was the Seventy eighth Pennsyl- 
 vania, under Colonel Sirwell, who led his troops in a fieico 
 charge, up the hill. A desperate fight with the Twenty- 
 sixth Tennessee infantry, ended in the capture of a greal 
 portion of that regiment, together with its colors. This 
 triumph of the Seventy-eighth, cost the lives of some of itu 
 bravest men ; Captains Camseller and Chandler being killed, 
 and Colonel Scott and Major Guthrie severely wounded. 
 The Nineteenth Illinois, in this charge, lost fifty men. 
 The enemy were thus driven within a short distance of 
 Murfreesboro, leaving the field covered with the slain and 
 wounded. A battery, many prisoners, and their colors, were 
 oaptured. 
 
 Rosecrans now ordered an advance of the whole lino 
 which was executed with resistless energy. The serried 
 ranks of the enemy faded like frost before the sun ; they 
 made a stern resistence on their centre and left, but Negley 
 had broken, and was pursuing their right wing ; the victo- 
 rious cheers of his men rang in the ears of the Confederates, 
 and at last, giving way, they retreated beyond Lytle's creek, 
 near Murfreesboro, night alone saving their works from 
 assault and capture. General Stanley, with the cavalry, 
 was here conspicuous for heroism, and effectually turned the 
 flight of the enemy into a complete rout. 
 
 At the close of Friday, January 2d, the Federals in- 
 trenched upon the ground already won from the foe. No 
 engagement now occurred, but the Union artillery shelled 
 the enemy. Copious rain descended on the field of battle, 
 and the conflict was expected to be resumed when it ceased, 
 but the Confederates, during Saturday night, abandoned 
 their intrenchments, and retreated to Tullahoma. They ha I 
 captured, on Wednesday, twenty-eight pieces of artillery 
 and several thousands of prisoners, but the battle of Friday, 
 although dearly bought, was a Union victory. During this 
 battle, part of the Anderson cavalry, which had enlisted 
 with the understanding of being Buell's body-guard, and 
 Lad not been properly assigned, since his removal, to a suita- 
 ble position, mw partly mutiuied ; the part which remained
 
 LOSS OF THE MONITOR AT SEA. 819 
 
 fought with great heroism, and had eleven killed and forty 
 wounded, among the former the brave Major Rosengarten, 
 The total loss of the Federals in this battle, was one thousand 
 five hundred and twenty-three killed, including ninety offi- 
 cers seven thousand two hundred and forty-five wounded, 
 and several thousands prisoners. Among the Federal offi- 
 cers killed, were Brigadier-general Sill, Colonels Roberta 
 and Schaffer, and Lieutenant-colonel Gareche'. Among the 
 wounded, were Major-general Alexander McCook, and Brig- 
 adiers Willich, Kirk, Wood, and Van Cleve. The Union 
 loss was over twenty per. cent of the whole force. Tha 
 -ebels lost General Rains, killed ; and Bragg acknowledged 
 a loss of ten thousand killed and wounded, not including 
 twenty-eight hundred in prisoners and wounded, left in the 
 hands of the victors. In this battle, both sides fought with 
 great determination. In few fields did the Confederates 
 suffer a more disastrous defeat ; but the victory was dearljf 
 bought by the Unionists. 
 
 On the 30th of December (1862), the iron-clad Monitor 
 which had achieved such a splendid triumph over the rebei 
 ram Merrimac, in the early part of the year, at Hampton 
 Roads, and which was the oldest of the Federal iron-clads, 
 "oundered at sea off Cape ITatteras, with a loss of two officers 
 and twenty -eight men. Captain John P. Bankhead, was in 
 command, and on the 29th, it was found that the packing 
 under and around the base of the tower, had been loosened 
 by the working of the latter. In a short time, the Worth- 
 ington and Centrifugal pumps, both in turn applied, were 
 not found of any benefit, and the water rose above the floor, 
 in the engine room. The Rhode Island lay along-side of 
 the Monitor, and several of the boats of the former rescued 
 most of the crew of the sinking vessel. Several remained 
 clinging to the turret, fearful of leaving it, as a few had been 
 swept off the deck ; these, when the Monitor gave a lurch, 
 and sunk in the sea, found with her a watery grave. 
 
 On the Mississippi, the first attempt to capture Vicksburg 
 had failed, and on the 21st of June, a new effort had been 
 made by Captains Davis and Porter, with the gunboats ana 
 fleet. An effort to dig an artificial channel for the river, 
 across the narrow peninsula on which the city stands, was 
 found at that time to be impracticable, and the co-operation 
 of a land force was deemed ne^wary, in order to captura
 
 820 SHERMAN'S ADVANCE ON TICKSBUBO. 
 
 the stronghold, and open the Mississippi. After considerable 
 delay, in the month of December, 1862, General William T. 
 Sherman, with a powerful land force, was about to attack 
 the city. The naval portion of the expedition left Memphis 
 and Helena on the 23d of December, and consisted of nearl/ 
 one hundred vessels, including transports and gunboats. 
 
 Many of the gunboats had already been renowned in the 
 annals of this great rebellion. Among them was the Benton, 
 Carondelet, Black Hawk, Mound City, Louisville, Lexington, 
 and Switzerland. The reinforcements to the rebel garrison 
 in Vicksburg, from Arkansas, were sent by the railroad from 
 Shreveport, which traverses Milliken's Bend. To attack the 
 works at Shreveport was important, and some Federal troops 
 being disembarked for that purpose, proceeded twenty miles 
 inland, burned part of the town, and after destroying the track, 
 bridges, culverts, and stations, returned to Milliken's Bend 
 and proceeding down the stream, reached the mouth of th 
 Yazoo on the 26th. They then advanced up the Yazo 
 sixteen miles, and disembarked between the confluence of 
 the Yazoo with the Old river and Johnson's Ferry. The land 
 ing was made on the south side of the stream, eight miles 
 from Vicksburg. The main body of the rebels was posted 
 at Haines' Blufl, with a battery of twenty guns. Every hill 
 and approach to the city was well fortified. The Federal 
 forces, about twenty-five thousand strong, consisted of the 
 troops stationed at Memphis, part of the army of Curtis, in 
 Arkansas, the army which had evacuated Cumberland Gap, 
 and some recruits from the Western States, the whole being 
 under the command of General Sherman. There were four 
 divisions, viz. : those of Generals Frederick Steele, Morgan 
 L. Smith, George W. Morgan, and A. J. Smith ; the brigade 
 commanders were, Frank Blair, A. P. Hovey, Thayer, and 
 Colonel De Courcy. The place was regarded as a second 
 Gibraltcr, and was defended by a large Confederate force 
 This fortified position had powerful intrenchments, made of 
 fallen timber earth embankments, sloughs, and rifle pits, 
 and mounted one hundred guns. 
 
 His dispositions being ready, Sherman ordered the brig- 
 ades of Blair and Stuart to advance on the enemy's position. 
 They drove in the pickets of the foe ; Smith's division fol 
 lowed, and moving up on the front, was placed in position. 
 The arrangements were con oleted on the 27th of December
 
 FAILURE OP THE ATTACK OX VICKSBURG. 82*, 
 
 and on Sunday morning, the 29th, both armies were drawj 
 up in order of battle. It began with cannonading, and for 
 the space of an hour, the Federals lay on their backs ; 
 when the order was given to charge on the nearest battery 
 which was successfully executed, and the rebels removed 
 their guns beyond the lagoon, to the foot of the bluffs. 
 In this charge, the Union Colonel Wyman was killed and 
 General M. Smith wounded. The Sixth and Eighth Mis- 
 souri regiments had participated in the attack. A heavy 
 cannonading on the left, seemed to indicate an attack upon 
 General Steele, and Sherman determined to carry the outer 
 line of the enemy by assault ; consequently he ordered 
 General Morgan and Colonel De Courcy forward, with 
 Colonel Ladrum's brigade as a reserve. The first line was 
 carried, and the Federals now saw what formidable intrench- 
 ments must be taken before the city could be captured. 
 The gunboats, in the meantime, had been engaged, and 
 in an attack of a few hours' duration on Haines' Bluff) each 
 vessel had fired sixty guns. Captain Gwin, of the Benton, 
 was mortally wounded ; the balls of the enemy had twice 
 pierced his vessel, and four men on board were also killed. 
 The attack failed, and the gunboats were withdrawn. 
 
 The grand assault took place on the 29th, at an anticipated 
 point, and therefore the movement was an injudicious one. 
 The first gun boomed at nine o'clock A. M., and a severe 
 cannonading took place, which lasted until noon. Sherman 
 now resolved to storm the works by a general assault, and 
 Steele's troops were brought forward, together with those 
 of Morgan ; Blair, with his troops, occupying the west of 
 the bayou. The advance toward the enemy's second line, 
 was made with great spirit ; the intrenchments were reached, 
 and the enemy driven out of their strongholds. The Feder- 
 als lost heavily. Blair's brigade heroically advanced on the 
 enemy's batteries, and followed by the troops of Fletcher 
 Diester, Peckham, Thayer, and Cavendcr, they scaled th* 
 hill, and hoisted the Union flag upon the inner breast 
 works. A deadly struggle ensued, in which the ad- 
 vantages of the enemy's artillery, and superior numbers 
 prevailed ; the assailants being; hurled down the heights 
 with dreadful slaughter, whicn decimated their ranks. The 
 attack was a failure, and proved that the stronghold could 
 not be taken from the Yazoo, && a base. The Federal loss
 
 $22 SLAVES OF REBELS PROCLAIMED FREE. 
 
 amounted to six hundred killed, one thousand five hundred 
 Bounded, and one thousand captured. 
 
 On Thursday, January 16th, General Sherman was super- 
 seded by General McClernand, and a council of war, on 
 board the Tigris, concluded that the present force was insuf- 
 ficient to capture Yicksburg. The design was therefore for 
 ilie present abandoned, and the troops re-embarked, to make 
 un attempt elsewhere with more prospect of success. 
 
 On the 10th of January, 1863, the rebels, in considerable 
 force, made an attack on Springfield, Missouri, which was 
 defended by Colonel Crabb, with the Nineteenth Iowa, but 
 were repulsed with the loss of thirty- five killed and wounded. 
 The Union loss was seventeen killed and fifty -two wounded. 
 At the same time, a fight took place at Hartsville, in the 
 same State, in which seven hundred troops, under Major 
 Collins, attacked and routed several thousand marauders, 
 under Marmaduke, and drove them five miles toward the 
 south, with the loss of one hundred men ; the Federal loss 
 being only thirty -five killed and wounded. 
 
 In the beginning of 1863, the President, in accordance 
 with the promise of his proclamation of the 22d of Septem 
 ber, 1862, proceeded to designate the States, and parts of 
 States, which should be in a state of resistance to the Federal 
 Government on the 1st of January, 1863, in which States 
 all slaves should become forever free. The States, or parts 
 of States, were Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, except ten par- 
 ishes (including the city of New Orleans), Alabama, Florida, 
 Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, except West Virginia, 
 and seven counties. The radicals regarded this proclamation 
 as the mortal blow of slavery, and rejoiced in consequence. 
 The conservatives received it with approbation, and the 
 loyal North was universally satisfied. Not so the rebel 
 Congress, who poured their unmeasured execrations on the 
 name of Mr. Lincoln, in all the ferocity of men who knew 
 it would be detrimental to the rebel cause. The general 
 voice of the Southern community and press was such that 
 no terms of reprobation could be employed too severe i 
 denouncing the policy of the President of the United Ptatea.
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH, 1868. 
 
 ATTI.K OF HUNT'S CROSSROADS CARTKR's EXPEDITION INTO EAST ItK 
 NK88EE SKIRMISH AT MOOREFIELD, VIRGINIA REBEL ATTACK ON, ANC 
 CAPTURK OF, GALVESTON, TEXAS THE WORKTNGMEN OF MANCHESTER, 
 
 ENGLAND, ADDRESS MR. LINCOLN HIS REPLY BOMBARDMENT AND 
 
 CAPTURE OF ARKANSAS POST GENERAL BURN8IDE SUPERSEDED THK 
 QUESTION OF NEGRO TROOPS IN THE ARMY REBEL CRUISER ORETO DE- 
 STRUCTION OF THE STEAMBOAT HATTERAS REBEL ATTACK ON FORT 
 DONEL8ON THE CONSCRIPTION BILL CAPTURE OF THE QUEEN OF THK 
 WEST DESTRUCTION OF THE PIRATE NASHVILLE FIGHT AT THOMPSON'S 
 STATION, TENNESSEE CAVALRY FIGHT OF AVERILL, AT KELLY'S FORD 
 ATTACK ON PORT HUDSON ITS INCIDENCES AND RESULTS VICTORY OF 
 GENERAL GILMORE AT SOMERSET REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THK 
 CONDUCT OF THE WAR. 
 
 CONTEMPORARY with the battles of Murfreesboro and 
 Vicksburg, was that of Hunt's Crossroads, Tennessee, 
 between the rebel General Forrest, with seven thousand 
 cavalry and ten guns, and General J. C. Sullivan, on the 
 Federal side, with six hundred men and eight guns. This 
 battle occurred in the vicinity of Lexington, Tennessee, and 
 was fought on December 31st, to intercept the passage of 
 Forrest across the Tennessee river, at Clifton, with his plun- 
 der. After a bloody contest, in which the Union troops 
 fought gallantly, the rebels having lost two pieces, which 
 were turned against them, were forced to retire, with the 
 loss of one thousand men. The Federal loss was twenty 
 killed, one hundred wounded, and sixty prisoners. The 
 fruits of the victory, including those before mentioned, were 
 seven cannon, with caissons and ammunition, and five hun- 
 dred horses, together with wagons, ambulances, and smal) 
 arms. 
 
 On the 21st of December, General Carter, with one thou- 
 sand cavalry, started from Manchester, Kentucky, on an 
 expedition into East Tennessee. He destroyed several im 
 portant bridges, a locomotive and train, and captured five 
 hundred and fifty prisoners, and seven hundred stand of 
 arms. The expedition was made in the midst of great diffi 
 
 (323)
 
 824 REBEL ATTACK ON GALVESTON. 
 
 culties, arising from bad roads and inclement weather, bui 
 succeeded, with a loss of only ten killed, in severing the 
 communication between Virginia and the Southwest. Gen- 
 eral Halleck expressed his admiration of this movement of 
 General Carter. 
 
 A spirited skirmish took place at Moorefield, Virginia, on 
 January 3d, 1863, between Colonel Wilder, and a body of 
 the enemy, under General Jones. In a stubborn fight, in 
 which the Confederate cavalry was checked by the volleys 
 of the Federal infantry, the result was for awhile doubtful, 
 Out reinforcements to the latter having arrived, the enemy 
 retreated. The valor of the Union troops was so great, as 
 to render this skirmish worthy of mention. 
 
 On the 1st of January, the second day of the battle of 
 Murfreesboro, the Confederates gained a signal victory at 
 Galveston, Texas, which controlled a great portion of the 
 seaboard of the State. The Federals, under Commodore 
 Renshaw, had previously gained possession of the place, and 
 were reinforced on the 25th of December, 1862. Galveston is 
 situated on an island, connected with the main land by a 
 bridge, at whose extreme end Virginia Point the rebels 
 had assembled in force. Commodore Renshawhad determined 
 on destroy ing the bridge, but on an agreement with the enemy 
 that it would not be used to transfer troops, or any contra- 
 band article, the design was not carried out. The conditions 
 were not respected by the perfidious foe. The Harriet Lane 
 was stationed at the other terminus of the bridge, over which 
 the rebels transported trains of cars, troops, and guns, on 
 the night of December 31st; their force amounting to three 
 thousand men, with fourteen guns. 
 
 Four rebel gunboats were seen approaching the same 
 evening. These were about to be encountered by the Fed 
 eral gunboats Westfield and Clifton, but were driven from 
 their course by the wind and t'.de, and finally grounded on 
 Pelican Island. The enemy, at this time, made an attack 
 upon Galveston, and the Harriet Lane opened fire on them. 
 Seen in the clear moonlight, a large body of rebels assaulted 
 her, reached her deck, and slew her commander, Captain 
 Waimvright. The crew made little defence, and the rebels 
 turned her guns on the Federal gunboats. On the approach 
 of the Owasco, which was not aware of the change of owners 
 T'.is vessel received a broadside but soon disabled hT ad-
 
 THE WORKINGMEN OF MANCHESTER, ENGLAND. 329 
 
 v.rsary by a well directed shot. Next day, the enemy took 
 possession of the city, after a brave resistance. In blowing 
 up the Westfield, the premature explosion of the train de- 
 stroyed the lives of the Federal officers and men who had 
 not time to escape beyond reach. The other gunboats es- 
 caped tc sea, but several vessels were captured by the 
 enemy. Galveston thus fell into the enemy's hands; three 
 hundred of its defenders being killed, wounded, and 
 aliasing. 
 
 An immense meeting of the operatives at Manchester, 
 England, was held December 31st, 1862, in that city. Res- 
 olutions were passed of sympathy with the North, and it 
 was resolved to present an address to President Lincoln, in 
 which the anti-slavery measures of the President, and his 
 determination to receive ambassadors from the Republics of 
 Hayti and Liberia, were commended. The President, on 
 the 19th of January, responded, thanked them for their com- 
 munication, demonstrated " that the duty of self-preservation 
 rested solely with the American people," and concluded 
 with the wish, that the sentiment of those who addressed 
 him might pervade their nation, and that between it and 
 the United States, perpetual harmony should reign. The 
 North, during the war, obtained the sympathies of the great 
 masses of the English people. 
 
 When General McClernand superseded Sherman, he re- 
 solved to attack the rebel fortress of Arkansas Post, and 
 sent to Rear-admiral Farragut for assistance. The expedi- 
 tion, therefore, was soon joined by the Louisville, Pittsburg, 
 De Kalb, Cincinnati, the ram Monarch, and several light 
 draught gunboats. The land and naval forces reached 
 Montgomery Point on the 8th of January, sailed up the 
 White river, and entered the Arkansas ; in the latter river, 
 Band bars and snags rendered the passage slow. The troopa 
 landed at Belleville, ten miles below Arkansas Post. One 
 division proceeded up the White river, to make a flank 
 movement, and cut off the retreat of the' enemy toward 
 Little Rock. Arkansas Post stands one hundred feet high, 
 on a bluff of the Arkansas river. At a point where the 
 latter makes an abrupt bend, the rebels had erected a strong 
 rectangular fort, encircled by a ditch and numerous rifle 
 pits, and having heavy guns on each side. On the outsida 
 was an abatis, and felled timber obstructed all the roada 
 23
 
 BOMBARDMENT AND CAPTURE OF ARKANSAS POST. 
 
 xcept that to Little Eock. The garrison, of five thousand 
 men, was under General Churchill. This force had repelled 
 the attack, some months before, of General Ilovey, and was 
 deemed sufficient on this occasion. The fleet commenced 
 the bombardment with great vigor, on January 10th, at 
 three o'clock P. M. The range was not obtained at first, and 
 the firing on both sides was ineffective, but this state did no; 
 long continue, and soon several of the enemy's guns were 
 silenced, as well as several of the Federal vessels injured. 
 After a contest of one and a half hours, Admiral Porter 
 signalled to the gunboats to suspend fire. The night was 
 approaching, and the Union commanders postponed the 
 attack till the next day, havii-.g lost in killed, in this day's 
 action, thirty -one men. 
 
 On Sunday morning, January llth, the attack was re- 
 sumed. The guns of the enemy had been remounted, and 
 the damages repaired. The cannonading raged fiercely as 
 before, but the Federal fire was now concentrated, and did 
 great damage to the enemy. McClernand moved upon the 
 front, and at the same time the works in the rear were shelled, 
 with well posted light artillery guns. Several thousand 
 men from Fort Charles reinforced the rebels, but the Union 
 "orces drove them from the rifle pits to their intrenchments, 
 while the cannonading between the gunboats and the fort was 
 kept up incessantly. The main dependence of the rebels was 
 on a one hundred pound Parrott gun, which was finally de- 
 stroyed by a shell, which also killed seven men. The fire of the 
 gunboats penetrated not only solid timber, three feet thick, 
 but also the casemates of the fort, clad with railroad iron. The 
 enemy found their situation desperate, and at one time made 
 a sally to attack the Federal right wing, and escape to Little 
 Rock, but were prevented by the division that had crossed 
 from the White river, and compelled to return within 
 their works. The garrison, four thousand eight hundred 
 and ninety-one^ ir all, eventually surrendered, being paroled, 
 and the Federal flag was hoisted on the place. The vie 
 tors captured the stores, artillery, munitions of war, and 
 email arms. The rebels lost also, in killed, wounded, and 
 trussing, five hundred and fifty ; the Federals, one hundred 
 and twenty-nine killed, eight hundred and thirty -one 
 wounded, and seventeen missing. The tremendous and 
 dcruo*dve re of the gunboats here, rendered most impor 
 
 I
 
 QUESTION OP NEGRO TROOPS IN THE ARMY. 327 
 
 taut service. This victory was important, as the fort com 
 manded Little Eock, the capital of Arkansas. Generals 
 Herron and Blunt, in the interior of the State, could now be 
 communicated with, and obtain supplies by the river, in- 
 stead of by the tedious route from Holla. 
 
 General Burnside, after his failure at Fredericksburg, re 
 questing to be relieved from his command, on the 26th of 
 January, 1862, General Joseph Hooker was appointed to 
 succeed him, as commander of the Army of the Potomac, 
 and soon arrived at Falmouth, and entered upon his oneroua 
 duties. During several months, this great army remained 
 inactive in winter quarters, and required to be reorganized. 
 Important changes had to be made, and no movement of 
 importance took place before spring. During this time, 
 important civil and military events occurred elsewhere, 
 which shall now be described. 
 
 The employment of free negroes, as soldiers in the army 
 of the United States, was at this time much agitated. Many 
 distinguished Republicans, prominent among whom were 
 Messrs. Wilson and Sumner, of Massachusetts, Stevens and 
 Kelley, of Pennsylvania, and Trumbull and Lovejoy, ot 
 Illinois, formed a party in Congress favorable to the em 
 ploymeut, as soldiers, of persons of African descent ; but the 
 conservative Republicans and Democrats were opposed to 
 this measure. 
 
 A bill was introduced into the House of Representatives, 
 on the 28th of January, to that effect, but, being premature, 
 it was withdrawn. It was not till some time afterward 
 that it passed the House, was confirmed by the Senate, ap- 
 proved by the President, and became a law. 
 
 The stearn corvette Oreto, in the beginning of January 
 was added to the number of Confederate cruisers. She waa 
 built in Liverpool, England, carried eight heavy guns, and 
 was seven hundred and fifty tons burthen. The pirate Al- 
 abama, on the 17th, fired a tremendous broadside into the 
 United States steamer Hatteras, off Galveston. She was one 
 of those Union steamers which had escaped on the capture 
 of that place. Being perforated, she soon sunk to the 
 bottom, her officers and crew being received on board the 
 Alabama. The Brooklyn pursued the pirate on 'the sarnft 
 day, but she escaped. The g-mboat Calhoun, of General 
 We ; .tzel's expedition, grcui ded ii the Bayou Teche.
 
 828 CAPTURE OP THE QUEEN OF THE WEST. 
 
 Louisiana, and was fired upon by the rebels, by whicb 
 Commander Buchanan was instantly killed. The Union 
 troops charged on them, killing sixty, capturing thirty, and 
 dispersing the rest. They also captured and destroyed the 
 rebel gunboat Cotton. The Confederates had twelve thou- 
 sand men, and three pieces of artillery. 
 
 Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland, was attacked on Feb 
 ruary 3d, 1863, by a force of five thousand Confederates, 
 under Generals Wheeler, Forrest, and Wharton. The fort 
 was commanded by Colonel Harding, and had a garrison of 
 six hundred men. The fire of eight guns upon the works, 
 was briskly responded to by the fort. Two demands of 
 surrender were refused, and the Union gunboat Lexington 
 steaming up rapidly, became a formidable auxiliary. The 
 rebels were defeated, and retreated with a loss of one hun- 
 dred killed, three hundred wounded, and one hundred and 
 forty prisoners, while the Union loss was but sixteen killed, 
 sixty wounded, fifty prisoners, and one gun. 
 
 On the 16th of February, the Conscription bill passed the 
 Senate, and soon after became a law. It was intended to 
 call out the more efficiently the nation's military strength. 
 
 On the 10th, the Federal ram Queen of the West, accom- 
 panied by the De Soto, ran the batteries of Vicksburg. Col- 
 onel C. K. Ellet, her commander, had destroyed a large 
 amount of rebel property, on the shores of the Red and 
 Black rivers. On the 14th, the Queen of the West was cap- 
 tured, at Gordon's Landing on the Red river, by the treachery 
 of the pilot, who ran her aground under the guns of the 
 enemy's battery ; twenty prisoners, and thirty negroes, were 
 thereby captured. Colonel Ellet and the rest made their 
 escape on the De Soto, which was pursued by the rebel gun- 
 boat Webb. The crew were transferred to the Era, No. 5, 
 and the De Soto was burned. On the appearance of the 
 ludiauola, the Webb gave up the chase. 
 
 Tli is disaster was counterbalanced, in some degree, by an 
 achievement of Commander J. L. Worden, near Fort McAl- 
 lister, on the Ogeechee river, Georgia. This happened on 
 the 27th of February, and resulted in the destruction of the 
 rebel steamer Nashville, which had done so much injury to 
 i;he commerce of the United States. She had attempted to 
 ran the gauntlet of the Federal vessels, when she grounded. 
 Being shelled bj the Union vessels, she was wrapped in
 
 TIGHT AT THOMPSON'S STATION, TENNESSEE. 829 
 
 flames, which discharged one of her heaviest guns, thus 
 doing much damage. The magazine soon after exploded 
 and blew her to atoms thus perished the Nashville. 
 
 A considerable disaster overtook the Federal arms on the 
 ith of March, 1863, at Thompson's Station, near Franklin, 
 Tennessee, in which Colonel Coburn's brigade was attacked 
 by Van Dorn, with ten thousand men ; the attack being 
 made both in front and flank. After a desperate fight, the 
 rebels were victorious. The battle lasted all day, ar d the 
 infantry, having expended their ammunition, were eithei 
 killed or captured, the cavalry and artillery alone escaping. 
 The Union loss was sixty-five killed, two hundred and fifty 
 wounded, and one thousand prisoners. The rebel loss wa9 
 eighteen killed and four hundred wounded. 
 
 The minor events of the month of March, 1863, must not 
 be passed over unnoticed, although they had no importance 
 with regard to the general issues of the war. On the 17th, 
 an expedition set out from Murfreesboro. It was com- 
 manded by Colonel A. S. Hall, and consisted of the second 
 brigade of Reynolds' division. Its object was to clear the 
 surrounding country of Morgan's guerillas. Small bodief 
 of the enemy were dispersed at Gainesville and Liberty 
 At Milton, they were assembled to the number of twenty 
 five hundred, and made an attack on the centre, and also at 
 tempted at the same time to turn each flank of the Unionists, 
 but were met with such spirit as made them recoil. They 
 were repulsed in repeated and desperate assaults, and after 
 a bloody struggle of three hours, were forced to withdraw. 
 Their reinforcements from Woodbury met the same fate, 
 and the whole force rapidly retreated. The Federals lost 
 but ten killed and thirty-five wounded ; the rebel loss was 
 forty killed and one hundred and fifty wounded. The ter- 
 ror with which the guerillas had inspired the loyal citizens 
 cf Kentucky, was thereby much diminished. 
 
 On the same day (17th), a cavalry engagement took place 
 at Kelly's Ford, on the Rappahannock, between the Union 
 troops under General Averill, and a body cf Confederates 
 under Generals Stuart and Fitzhugh Lee. Some time pre- 
 viously, several thousand rebel cavalry had raided through 
 the country, between the Union lines at Falmouth and the 
 Warrento i road. On their approach to Berea church, they 
 turned to the Rappahannock. and recrossed. Hooker senf
 
 830 AVERILL'S CAVALRY FIGHT AT KELLY'S FCRD. 
 
 General Averill, with two thousand cavalry, to intercept 
 their retreat, but the enemy had already crossed, and held a 
 fortified position on the other side of the river ; many of 
 them had dismounted, and were posted in rifle pits. Averill 
 crossed the river, notwithstanding the annoyance from tha 
 enemy's batteries, and forming his troops in line of battle, 
 charged and drove the Confederates from the rifle pits. 
 These were evacuated, and the batteries withdrawn. Averill 
 proceeded three miles up the river, where he encountered 
 the main body, under Stuart and Lee, drawn up in line of 
 battle. The Federals advanced boldly to the charge, and 
 great confusion and slaughter took place, in a fight desper- 
 ately maintained for several hours ; artillery, as well as cav- 
 alry, being engaged on both sides. The enemy's infantry, 
 which came upon the scene of conflict, took no part in it, as 
 the mingling together of the combatants made it impossible 
 to distinguish friend from foe. The ammunition of the 
 Unionists being at length exhausted, they retreated in ex- 
 eellent order, and the enemy were too severely handled to 
 aiolest them. The Federals lost forty killed and wounded ; 
 he Confederates suffered in a greater degree. About fifty 
 prisoners were captured on each side. This was one of the 
 most desperate struggles which took place with cavalry 
 during the war. The rebel cavalry had been long organized 
 as a body, but with the Federals, this important arm of tlx^ 
 service had been hitherto neglected. Kilpatrick had indcc'l 
 made a raid into Richmond, and brilliant cavalry engage- 
 ments had taken place in the West, but it was chiefly due 
 to General Hooker, that the Union cavalry was organized 
 into that efficient body which so severely punished that of 
 the enemy in the bloody combats which will hereafter be 
 described. 
 
 About the middle of March, a plan of attack on the rebel 
 stronghold of Port Hudson was adopted by General Banks 
 and Admiral Farragut. Banks was then at Baton Eouge, 
 with a considerable land force. The plan agreed on, was a 
 simultaneous attack on the place by land and water. After 
 some unimportant skirmishes, which were designed to divert 
 the enemy from the attempts of Farragut on Port Hudson, 
 Banks returned with his land forces to Baton Rouge. 
 
 At nine P. M., on Saturday, the 14th of March, in tha 
 bright moonlight *he Federal fleet began to advance on
 
 ATTACK ON PORT HUDSON. 88 
 
 Port Hudson. It consisted of the flag-ship Hartford, the 
 Richmond, Monongahela, Kineo, Mississippi, Essex, Alba- 
 tross, and Switzerland, besides six mortar boats. Five robe, 
 gunboats landed troops to reinforce the place. At half past 
 one o'clock, it was found by experiment that the range was 
 too distant to take effect on the works, and signal lights in- 
 dicated that the foe was on the alert. On the approach of 
 the Union vessels, the rebels kindled an immense bonfire. 
 in front of their fortifications, which effectually brought the 
 fleet in view. The batteries extended nearly four miles, 
 with little interval, and many of the guns were of large 
 calibre. The batteries in the centre, were at the point 
 where the river bends in the form of a horseshoe, and here 
 four immense guns were mounted in casemates. Such 
 was the gauntlet to be run by the Federal fleet. The 
 Hartford was followed by the other vessels, and all respond- 
 ing to the thunders of the batteries, the banks shook with 
 deafening reverberations. In the darkness which now en- 
 veloped the scene, and also from the winding nature of the 
 river at this point, it became impossible to steer with safety 
 and thus there was danger from collision. The air was filled 
 with shells, which were rained upon the Federal vessels ; 
 earth and water shook with the heavy concussions. Tha 
 centre batteries poured in a fearful fire, to which but a feeble 
 response could be made, as the guns of the vessels could 
 not be elevated to the required height ; only those from 
 the bow and stern chasers could be used. In the narrow 
 stream, subject to the dreadful fire of the foe, the Mississippi 
 grounded, and had to be abandoned and destroyed ; her 
 crew was saved. Lieutenant-commander Curnmings, of tho 
 Richmond, was mortally wounded. The matchless fortitude 
 of Farragut was of no avail. The Hartford and Albatross 
 alone succeeded in passing the baiteries ; the rest were sig 
 nailed to withdraw, and steamed down the stream to a point 
 of safety, west of Prophet's Island. The Genessee was in- 
 jured in this conflict, and the Ki -ieo lost her rudder, and hei 
 rigging was greatly damaged. On board the Mississippi 
 twenty-two men were killed, and seven on the Monongahela. 
 besides twenty-one wounded. In the battle, which continued 
 from half past nine o'clock p. M., until one A. M. the next 
 morning, the total loss in the fleet was forty killed, ninety
 
 632 VICTORY OF GENERAL QILMORE AT SOMERSET. 
 
 wounded, and forty missing. The Confederates were twenty 
 thousand strong. 
 
 On the 28th of March, part of the beautiful town of Jack- 
 sonville, Florida, was burned by Union soldiers. Several 
 churches were destroyed by this barbarous act. 
 
 On the 30th, there was a brisk contest at Somerset, Ken- 
 tucky, between a body of Federals, commanded by General 
 Gilmore, and a considerable rebel force, chiefly cavalry, 
 under General Pegram. The former had a force of twelve 
 hundred ; the latter, more than double that number. The 
 fight commenced at Button Hill, ten miles from Somerset, 
 aud ended in the flight and pursuit of the rebels to the latter 
 place. Here they made a stand, but were defeated, and lost 
 three hundred killed, wounded, and prisoners, also two 
 stands of colors, and four hundred cattle. The Federal loss 
 was thirty killed and wounded. Thus was their purpose 
 of invading Kentucky completely frustrated. 
 
 The Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War 
 rendered its first report in April, 1863. It manifested im- 
 partial investigation, and a desire to advance the common 
 interest. The blunders which entailed disaster were ex- 
 posed, and it dealt mainly with facts, leaving it to the judg- 
 ment of others to form opinions. It dwelt much on General 
 McClellan's army operations, and of those performed by 
 General Patterson, in the three months' service. The de- 
 ductions to be made from the statements of the committee, 
 were not in favor of these generals, but the friends and par- 
 tisans of each believed that they could exonerate themselves 
 satisfactorily. 
 
 On the 2d of April, eight regiments of Union troops, be- 
 longing to the army of General Eosecrans, and commanded 
 by Generals Craft and Ilazen, marched to Woodbury, Ten- 
 nessee, for the purpose of surprising and capturing a Con- 
 federate brigade there posted. The attack was to be 
 made in front and flank. The enemy's pickets were 
 met by some cavalry in the advance, and the foe, thus fore- 
 warned, escaped. In a running fight for three miles, twelve 
 of the rebels were killed or captured. The Federals gained 
 possession of the camp equipage, and some horses and 
 tnuJ '8.
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 APRIL, MAY, 1863. 
 
 ifTACI OH CHARLESTON ADMIRAL DUPONT SUPERSEDED NAVAL ACTION! 
 AT GRAND GULF, MISSISSIPPI, AND IN THE BAYOU TECHE, LOUISIANA 
 RAIDS IN BOTH ARMIES MARMADUKE's ATTEMPT ON CAPE OIRARDEAU 
 HIS DEFEAT, FLIGHT, AND PURSUIT RAID OF COLONEL STREIGHT HIS 
 HEROISM SURRENDERS TO A SUPERIOR FORCE GREAT RAID OF COLONEL 
 GRIBRSON COLONEL CLAYTON'S RAID REPELS MARMADUKfi's DIVISION 
 WITH TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY MEN SAFE RETURN TO HELENA. 
 
 CHARLESTON, South Carolina, the cradle of rebellion, was 
 now again to be attacked by an iron-clad fleet such as for 
 power has been rarely or never witnessed. It consisted of the 
 New Ironsides, Commodore Turner commanding; the mon- 
 itors, seven in number, viz.: the Weehawken, Captain John 
 Rodgers ; the Passaic, Captain P. Drayton ; the Montauk, 
 Captain J. L. Worden ; the Patapsco, Commander D. Ammen ; 
 the Catskill, Commander George Rodgers ; the Nantucket, 
 Commander D. M. Fairfax; the Nahant, Commander J. 
 Downes; and the Keokuk, Lieutenant-commander A. C. 
 Rhind. These, with a number of wooden gunboats, and ninety 
 other vessels and transports, had an appointed rendezvous 
 in the North Edisto river, during the latter part of March, 
 and the early part of April (1863). 
 
 The land forces were to disembark on Cole Island, and 
 proceeding across to Folly Island, ->ake a position as near aa 
 possible to Morris Island, in order to effect a diversion, and 
 thus aid the naval attack. An exploration disclosed the 
 fact 1 hat none but iron-clads could be used in the attack, 
 on account of the formidable batteries, whose fire would be 
 terrible. Charleston harbor, about four miles in extent, had 
 be^n rendered so strong by skilful fortifying for two years, 
 as to be deemed impregnable. On crossing the bar, at ita 
 entrance stands Sullivan's Island on the north, and Morria 
 Island on the south, both ending in a long sandy beach, the 
 distant points of each being a rr ile apart. Fort Sumter, built 
 on an artificial island, is at ar equal distance from these ex- 
 treme points. Sullivan's Island had then three power fuJ 
 
 (333)
 
 834 PREPARATIONS FOR THE ATTACK ON CHARLESTON 
 
 fortifications, and the rifled guns of Fort Beauregard, a for 
 midable saD^ battery, further up on the same island, com 
 manded the harbor. Not far from the point of the island 
 Fort Moultrie was situated, and beyond was the Redan, wiin 
 its fifty powerful guns. Still further on, and near the end of 
 the harbor, was Castle Pinckney. On the south side of the 
 harbor was Wappoo Battery, which protected the city on 
 the left side, and next this, on an artificial island, stood 
 Fort Ripley. Below were Fort Johnston and Battery Bee, 
 and still further below, on Morris Island, was Fort Wagner, 
 a formidable sand work, mounted with heavy guns. Thus 
 twelve great fortifications defended Charleston, all being 
 mounted with heavy guns, many of them rifled, whose con- 
 centrated fire would be exceedingly destructive. 
 
 Admiral Dupont determined to attack these powerful for- 
 tifications. The fleet, on the 3d of April, lay at the moath 
 of the North Edisto, and on the night of the 5th, the wind 
 and sea calmed, and the moon shone on the waves. On 
 Monday morning, the 7th, Admiral Dupont transferred his 
 flag to the New Ironsides, and the iron-clads crossed the 
 bar. By nine o'clock A. M., the nine vessels had gained the 
 main ship channel, parallel with Morris Island, and a mile 
 from shore. The haze, which made some delay inevitable, 
 cleared away at noon, and, half an hour later, the fleet moved 
 forward to the attack. The vessels, on a signal being made, 
 were to form in due order, at a cable's length distance from 
 each other, and sail up the main ship channel, and were not 
 to return the fire of the batteries on Morris Island, unless 
 signalled to that effect. They were to open fire on Fort 
 Sumter when within easy range, and to take up a position 
 to the northward and westward of that fortification, engaging 
 its northwest face at from one thousand to eight hundred 
 yards, firing low, and aiming at the centre embrasure. Shot 
 was not to be wasted, precision, rather than rapidity of fire, 
 being enjoined. Each ship was to assist vessels requiring 
 it. The special code of signa/s, prepared for the iron-clad 
 vessels, was to be used in the aMion. After the reduction of 
 Fort Sumter, the next point of attack was to be the batteries 
 on Morris Island. The order of battle was in succession 
 the Weehawken, Passaic, Montauk, Patapsco, New Ironsides, 
 Catskill, Nantucket, Nahant, and Keokuk. The reserve 
 squadron consisted of the Canandai 'uu, Unadilla, Housatomo.
 
 1TTACK ON CHARLESTON. 856 
 
 Wissahickon, and Huron, it was a noble spectacle, and 
 spoke volumes for the power of the United States. The 
 fleet moved on and came within range of the lower batteries 
 on Morris Island Fort Wagner and Battery Bee but not a 
 gun was fired. When within the range of Sumter, the im- 
 mense guns of Fort Wagner and battery Bee were trained 
 to hurl a destructive storm of deadly bolts upon the advanc 
 ing vessels. 
 
 The fleet crossed the front of Morris Island, and cama 
 within range of the guns of Sumter, and of the batteries on 
 Sullivan's and James' Islands. All their guns, and those of 
 Battery Bee, Fort Moultrie, Fort Beauregard, and the Redan, 
 concentrated their fire on the Weehawken, which, when the 
 smoke cleared, appeared unscathed. The northwest front of 
 Sumter was to be attacked. The rebels, to prevent this, 
 carried a strong hawser from the northeast angle of the fort, 
 across the channel to Fort Moultrie, which hawser was 
 floating on casks, and hung with torpedoes, nets and cables. 
 If entangled therein, the vessels would lose all power of 
 motion, and the torpedoes would disable or destroy them. 
 The Weehawken saw the danger, and kept to the right; the 
 rest followed. There was another channel by which the 
 northwest face of the fort could be reached, but it was 
 blockaded by piles and torpedoes. This part of the order 
 of attack was then changed, and the vessels now assailed the 
 strongest side of the fort. The New Ironsides, being caught, 
 became unmanageable. The other vessels were signalled to 
 advance to the attack. Lieutenant-commander Ehind ran 
 the Keokuk within five hundred yards, and opened fire upon 
 the fort. The Catskill followed, and opened fire six hundred 
 yards off. The Montauk, Passaic, Patapsco, Nahant, Nan- 
 tucket, and Weehawken were near, and the Ironsides attacked 
 Fort Moultrie. The rest fired on Sumter with such effect as 
 to disable four of its guns, make deep indentations in its 
 walls, and injure the parapet. The dreadful storm continued 
 half an hour, and the fort' might have been made too hot for 
 the enemy in little further time, had not the fire of the latter 
 been too dreadful to be endured by the vessels. The Keo- 
 kuk was in a sinking state, having her turrets riddled, her 
 hull damaged, and twelve men wounded, including Lieuten- 
 ant-commander Rhind. This vessel sunk next morning, but 
 the ci 3W were saved. Several other vessels of the fleet were
 
 886 ADMIRAL DUPONT SUPERSEDED 
 
 much injured. The loss of life was small, being in all, three 
 killed ; the wounded were only seventeen, and these but 
 slightly. The rebels lost about the same number. The 
 battle had lasted an hour and a half, during which the Con- 
 federate batteries had thrown one hundred and sixty shot 
 per minute, and in half an hour three thousand five hundred 
 rounds. The attack was not renewed, and the fleet returned 
 to Port Royal. The monitors had each received sixty shots, 
 . but were little injured, and easily repaired. Admiral Du- 
 pont, who had so bravely attempted this attack, was subject 
 to censure for making no renewal of the bombardment, and 
 was superseded in the command of the South Atlantic block- 
 ading squadron by Admiral A. H. Foote. 
 
 In the early part of the month of April, the Federal gun- 
 boats were successful in other operations, on the Mississippi 
 river and its tributaries. An engagement took place, on the 
 1st between Admiral Farragut, with three gunboats, and 
 the rebel batteries at Grand Gulf, Mississippi. The action 
 lasted several hours, and having passed below, the admiral 
 proceeded to the mouth of the Red river, destroying all the 
 rebel boats in his way. lie blockaded the Red river several 
 days, and passing down to the Bayou Sara, where he de- 
 stroyed a large quantity of the rebel stores, finally anchored 
 five miles above the rebel batteries on Port Hudson. On 
 the Bayou Teche, Louisiana, on the 13th, the Federal gun- 
 boats Estrella, Calhoun, and Arizona, destroyed the rebel 
 gunboats Diana and Hart, and the iron-clad ram Queen of 
 The West. Being joined next day by the Clifton, they cap 
 lured the strong fortification, Bute a la Rose, Louisiana, 
 itnd driving the enemy's gunboats up the Teche, finally cap- 
 tured or destroyed most of them. 
 
 On the 20th, Marmaduke, with two thousand rebels, and 
 six pieces of artillery, attacked four hundred of the Tenth 
 Missouri Militia cavalry, under Colonel Smart, at Patterson, 
 twenty-five miles from Pilot Knob, Missouri. Colonel 
 Smart, after destroying such stores as he could not trans- 
 port, fell back eight miles, losing eleven killed and twenty 
 wounded. The enemy lost forty. 
 
 The rebels had, at the commencement, a larger force of 
 cavalry than the Unionists, and their officers had become 
 famous for their raids on the towns of the North, thereby 
 destroying frequently, depots, railroads, and bridges, and
 
 MARMADUKE'S ATTACK ON CAPE GIAAUDEAU. 337 
 
 severing the communications. Ashby, Mosby, and Stuart, 
 each made several raics in the rear of the Army of the 
 Potomac, and, as before related, the last at one time com- 
 pleted a circuit of the Federal forces in the Peninsula. 
 Guerilla bands depredated on the people, and often com- 
 mitted atrocious murders, particularly in the West, where 
 freebooters, ruffians, and murderers committed the greatest 
 outrages. To this class belonged the notorious Quantrell and 
 his band, and also those of Jeff. Thompson and Marmaduke. 
 
 The cavalry of the Army of the Potomac was consolidated 
 into a body by Hooker, and General Stoneman was placed 
 at its head, with such officers as Pleasanton, Buford, Kilpat- 
 rick, and Averill, in the East ; while in the West, the 
 names of Carter, Stanley, Grierson, Clayton, and Wilson 
 were conspicuous. Each of these gallant commanders was 
 able to defeat the rebel cavalry leaders in a fair field, but 
 the most renowned of all was Sheridan, who also had usually 
 an infantry force under his command. 
 
 Marmaduke's raid was made in order to regain a foothold 
 in Missouri. General Sterling Price cast a wistful eye on 
 the fair fields of that State, and collected a large body of 
 rebels, the command of which he entrusted to Marmaduke. 
 The ammunition and stores belonging to the United States 
 at Cape Girardeau, was a coveted object, as well as the hope 
 of capturing St. Louis. There was at Frederickstown, on 
 the road to Cape Girardeau, a large quantity of stores, 
 guarded by Lieutenant-colonel Baumer, with five hundred 
 men. General McNeil was at Bloomfield, with twelve 
 hundred men and six field pieces, and started to encounter 
 Marmaduke at Fredericktown but on the way becoming Con- 
 vinced that the latter would attack Cape Girardeau, he 
 marched rapidly on th 23d of April, arriving the^e the 
 next day. He sent to St. Louis for reinforcements and gun- 
 boats, as his force amounted to but seventeen hundred men, 
 and sixteen guns of various sizes. The town was but badly 
 defended, and Marmaduke arrived before it on the 26th of 
 April, with his ten thousand troops. McNeil placed his 
 artillery in a good position, arranged his sharpshooters ad- 
 vantageously, and then awaited the enemy's attack. At the 
 distance of four hundred yards, such a destructive fire as- 
 Bailed the rebels, that they fell back and retreated beyond 
 range. Reinforcements arrived from St. Louis, and General 
 29
 
 388 HIS DEFEAT, FLIGHT, AND PURSUIT. 
 
 McNeil, having had all the stores transported into Illinois, 
 and the wom<}n and children sent away, determined to de- 
 fend the town. A demand of surrender was made, but 
 refused promptly, and on the next day the rebels opened 
 fire on the town, and an unconditional surrender of the forces, 
 government property, and fortifications of the place waa 
 again demanded. McNeil ordered the firing to proceed, and 
 answered that he would defend the town to the last extrem- 
 ity. A brisk action resulted, and ended with the retreat of 
 Marmaduke, with heavy loss, finally pursued by McNeil 
 The wearied troops of the latter having reached White- 
 water, found the bridge destroyed, and having repaired it, 
 and moved on ten miles, the order came from General Van- 
 dever, who was superior in command to McNeil, to halt 
 The pursuit was continued, however, but when within three 
 miles of the enemy, McNeil was again ordered to halt, and 
 thus matters proceeded for three days, when the enemy 
 being almost reached, General Vandever peremptorily order- 
 ed a halt. Thus Marmaduke escaped into Arkansas with 
 his artillery, and less chastisement than he merited. 
 
 General Rosecrans, in order to ascertain the state of rebel 
 affairs in northern Georgia, cut off Bragg's communications 
 at Tullahoma, and destroy the Bound Mountain iron works, 
 which furnished the enemy with cannon, sent out Colonel 
 A. D. Streight, with two companies of Tennessee cavalry, 
 and four regiments of infantry. Being badly mounted, and 
 some of the members obliged to march on foot, they did not 
 reach Tuscumbia, Alabama, until the 24th. On the 28th, 
 they finally reached Moulton, and found that the rebels 
 were advancing under Colonel Roddy. 
 
 Reaching Day's Gap on the evening of the 29th, they 
 rested there for the night, and as they were leaving camp, 
 on the morning of the 80th, the enemy opened on their rear- 
 guard with two field pieces. Colonel Streight dismounted 
 his men, and ordered them to reserve their fire until the 
 enemy came within close range. Two small pieces of artil- 
 lery were brought to bear on their advancing columns, and 
 then a charge was made upon them, killing and wounding 
 seventy-five of their number, and capturing two field pieces, 
 and a large number of horses. The Federal loss was one 
 killed and twenty wounded. As Colonel Streight was cross- 
 ing a sraall cieek. the -ebels, reinforced and now thre
 
 RAID OF COLONEL STREIGHT- -HIS SURRENDER. 339 
 
 thousand strong, attacked him. Forming in line of battle^ 
 he at first repulsed them with heavy loss, but the enemy, by 
 an attack on the flanks, compelled the centre to fall back, 
 and recaptured the two pieces, which fortunately had been 
 spiked. The Federals fell back a short distance, and in- 
 flicted severe loss on the enemy. Night ended the strife, 
 and Streight, moving on, arrived at noon at Blountville, on 
 the Locust fork of the Black Warrior. 
 
 On May 1st, the fatigued soldiers and animals, stopping 
 two hours to rest, fresh rations and ammunition were dis- 
 tributed, and all the wagons destroyed except one. The 
 enemy harassed the rear, at three P. M., and -were repulsed, 
 The Unionists moved on till midnight, and then reste'd until 
 day appeared. Gadsden, on the Coosa, was passed, and 
 here the troops were disappointed in not finding a steamer, 
 on which a small force was to have been sent to Rome, 
 Georgia, which should hold the place till the brigade should 
 arrive. After several skirmishes, in one of which Colonel 
 Hathaway was killed, the foe was repelled. 
 
 Colonel Streight sent two hundred men, under Captain 
 Russel, to take and hold Rome till the arrival of the main 
 body. The delay which occurred in ferrying a stream, 
 caused the detachment to arrive after the bridge over the 
 Coosa had been destroyed. The town being found to be 
 protected by a large rebel force, with four cannon, the de- 
 tachment returned to the main body. Colonel Streight, 
 meantime, checked the enemy at Blount's farm, till late in 
 the evening, and had sent the pack mules, and part of his 
 command, to cross two tributaries of the Coosa. The am- 
 munition was wet, and rendered useless. The Round 
 Mountain iron- works were destroyed, and a bridge burned 
 after the forces had crossed. A halt was made at Cedar's 
 Blufls, whereupon the enemy assailed the rear-guard, when 
 the line of battle was formed, a flag of truce came in, and a 
 uurrender was demanded. General Forrest, it was asserted 
 by the officer who bore the flag, had surrounded Streight 
 with fivo thousand men, and artillery. As his ammunition 
 was ruined, and his men exhausted, there was no way of 
 escape, and Streight finally surrendered one hunirel and 
 one officers, and one thousand three hundred and sixty-live 
 of the rank and file. The rebels lost five hundred killed 
 and wounded during this raid, and the Federals twelve
 
 340 GREAT RAID OP COLONEL GRIERSON 1 . 
 
 killed and sixty-nine wounded. The prisoners were sent 
 to Kichmond, and the men soon afterward exchanged, but 
 the officers were retained, and treated with great indignity 
 
 In the operations of General Grant, he changed the scene 
 of his attack on Vicksburg to the region below the city. It 
 was found necessary to break the railroad communications 
 of the enemy, and make an expedition into Mississippi, in 
 order to destroy the Mobile and Ohio, the New Orleans and 
 Jackson, and the Meridian and Vicksburg railroads. For 
 this purpose, he sent Colonel B. H. Grierson, with the first 
 cavalry brigade and the Second Iowa cavalry, with orders 
 to capture and destroy any supplies found on the route. 
 The force with which this great raid was made, consisted of 
 sicked men, well mounted. 
 
 The expedition left Lagrange, Tennessee, on the 17th of 
 April, and marched to Ripley, Mississippi, from which 
 Jolonel Hatch was sent, with the Second Iowa, to the east 
 and south, across the Tallahatchie, to New Albany. This 
 was done, and the regiment joined the main body at the 
 latter place. Regiments and detachments scoured the sur- 
 rounding country, and captured many horses, which we w e 
 sent back to Lagrange. Colonel Hatch's command was sent, 
 on the 21st, to the east, from Clear Springs, to proceed to- 
 ward Columbus, and destroy the Mobile and Ohio railroad. 
 They encountered and repulsed a rebel force of eight hundred 
 cavalry, between Houston and Columbus, and striking 
 north, passed a swamp, swam a creek, and entering Okalona, 
 destroyed the depots, barracks, stores, and the railroad ; 
 then proceeding northward, they reached La Grange. 
 Meanwhile, Colonel Grierson, with the Sixth and Seventh 
 Illinois, proceeded southward, and on the night of the 21st, 
 camped at Starkville. On the next morning, he sent Cap- 
 tain Forbes, with a small detachment, to destroy the Mobile 
 and Ohio railroad, and the telegraph between Okalona and 
 Macon, and advance as near the latter place as possible. 
 Should he find a force in Macon, he was instructed to cross 
 the Okanuxubee river, and take the shortest route toward De 
 catur. A force was discovered issuing from Macon, which 
 he followed until it reached Enterprise, where three thousand 
 rebels were seen landing from the railway train. Bearing 
 a flag of truce, h } rode up and boldly demanded their imme- 
 diate surrender in the name of his commander, Colons/
 
 GREAT RAID OF COLONEL GRIERSON. 841 
 
 Grierson. Colonel Goodwin, the rebel chief, asked an koui 
 co consider, and inquired where Captain Forbes could, on 
 its expiration, be found. He was informed by the latter, 
 that he would bear the answer back to the reserves, and 
 having thus escaped, he had no desire to return to the rebel 
 commander. Other detachments went out, and destroyed 
 rebel property, while Colonel Grierson was marching tc 
 within ten miles of Louisville, through the swamps, in 
 which twenty horses were lost. The Pearl river, near Phil- 
 adelphia, was crossed on the 23d, and Lieutenant-colonel 
 Blackburn was sent to Decatur, with two hundred men. At 
 Newton Station, on the Yicksburg and Meridian railroad 
 the rest of the command having arrived, they captured two 
 locomotives, two trains of cars, and seventy-five prisoners, 
 besides destroying the bridges and trestle-work for six 
 miles, and a large quantity of commissary stores and ammu- 
 nition. The forces reached and encamped on a plantation 
 twelve miles from Newton, and on the 26th and 27th, 
 moved to Westville, through Ealeigh and Millhaven, on 
 their route to the Mississippi and Jackson railroad. Colonel 
 Price was sent out on the 27th, with two hundred men, to 
 Hazlehurst, to sever the telegraph, in which he succeeded ; 
 a train of ammunition cars was here also destroyed. 
 
 In the meantime, the main body moved to Gallatin and 
 encamped. On the route, Grierson captured a thirty -two 
 pounder rifled Parrottgun, and fourteen hundred rounds of 
 ammunition. 
 
 On the 28th, four companies went to Bahala, near Hazle' 
 hurst, and destroyed the New Orleans and Jackson railroad. 
 The first skirmish on the raid took place here, and resulted 
 in the capture of thirty-four rebels. On this day, the Sev 
 enth Illinois charged into Brookhaven, on the New Orleans 
 and Jackson railroad, and destroyed the despot, cars, and 
 bridges, with much of the Confederate government property 
 at Simmit, eleven miles below, the bridges and railway cars 
 shared the same fate. In attempting to cross a bridge over 
 the Amitie river, on the 1st of May, Lieutenant-colonel 
 Blackburn received a severe wound from the enemy, who 
 were posted in ambush. Ilaving dispersed them, the column 
 crossed the river, and on the 2d burned a rebel camp, and 
 captured forty-two prisoners. At noon the column entered 
 Baton Kouge. This successful raid was made in fifteen days
 
 J42 COLONEL CLAYTON'S RAID. 
 
 Every railroad in Mississippi had been cut, the enemy's com- 
 munication with Vicksburg completely severed, five hundred 
 prisoners paroled, three hundred negroes freed, and many 
 good horses captured ; and all this was accomplished with a 
 Federal loss of only seven wounded. 
 
 Reports, early in May, had reached General Prentiss, at 
 Helena, Arkansas, of an intended attack on that place by tho 
 combined forces of Generals Sterling Price and Marmaduke ; 
 whereupon he determined on a reconnoissance of the enemy's 
 position, a dispersion of the guerilla band of Colonel Dob- 
 bins, and a destruction of the rebel supplies between the 
 White and the St. Francis rivers. On the 6th of May, there- 
 fore, he instructed Colonel Clayton, of the Fifth Illinois cav- 
 alry, with a brigade consisting of his own command, the 
 First Indiana cavalry, a section of Ilayden's Dubuque bat- 
 tery, a detachment of the Third Iowa cavalry, and one thou- 
 sand infantry under Colonel Rice, to scour the country be- 
 tween the two rivers before named. Colonel Clayton de- 
 spatched Colonel Rice, with the Indiana troops and the artil- 
 lery, to move on the Cotton road, and reconnoitre its vicinity. 
 The time which would be required to construct a road for 
 javalry and artillery in passing a swamp, after bridging the 
 Bayou de Vue, would be a tedious operation, and having 
 found that no rebels were at Cotton Plant, Colonel Rice 
 took the route to Mariana, to return and meet Dobbin, who 
 was said to be in that neighborhood. In the meantime, Col- 
 onel Clayton, with one thousand one hundred men, waa 
 moving on toward Clarendon, at which place he was in- 
 formed that General Price was within fifty miles, between 
 the Arkansas and White rivers, with a force of three brigades, 
 and some field pieces. Colonel Clayton took the military 
 road leading to Memphis, and proceeded north toward L'Aug- 
 ville river, protecting the bridge across the river, in case a 
 retreat should make a passage over it necessary. Lieutenant- 
 colonel Jenkins was sent to ascertain Dobbin's position, and 
 found, on reaching Taylor's creek, that he had crossed the 
 river L' Augville at Hughes' Ferry in the afternoon, and must 
 be near. Being informed that Marmaduke was but tweity- 
 five miles off, he sent to acquaint Colonel Clayton. Re had 
 previously sent another messenger to say that Dobbins waa 
 at Hughes' Ferry, with five hundred men, and received orders 
 from Clayton to move on him *t daylight, being promised
 
 REPELS MVRMADUKE'S DIVISION. 84& 
 
 the assistance of Claytt n. The latter, on receiving the sec- 
 ond message, moved on Marmaduke, without acquainting 
 Colonel Jenkins of this change in his plan. Clayton, at this 
 time had with him only two hundred and thirty men, forty 
 of whom were detailed to guard the bridge. Marmaduke 
 had four brigades, and his advance consisted of one brigade. 
 Colonel Clayton had a brisk engagement with the enemy ai 
 Taylor's creek village, out of which he drove them, and pur 
 sued them into the adjacent woods, where they took up an 
 excellent position, but after another fight, of an hour's dura 
 tion, they again fled in confusion. Some of them retreated 
 in the direction of the bridge, to secure which, and leave a 
 way for his return, Clayton formed his men in column, and 
 marched toward it. The troops who had been left to guard 
 the bridge, had prevented the advance of the enemy from 
 burning it. Colonel Clayton had scarcely drawn up his men 
 when Marmaduke opened fire on him with artillery and 
 musketry, but the latter was quickly routed, and then fell 
 back to the woods. Clayton, concealing his weakness from 
 he fr~ _^de no pursuit, and, as it was probable that Jenkinp 
 WOEA! come up to the bridge, he there remained. In the 
 evening, he was informed of two routes by which the enemy 
 could cross Taylor's creek in his rear. lie remained till 
 eight o'clock P. M., and having kindled the camp fires, and 
 stationed the pickets in front, as a stratagem, he silently 
 took up his line of march for Helena. 
 
 Meanwhile, Colonel Jenkins started for the bridge on the 
 llth, at daylight, and soon after encountered the enemy. 
 Reaching a good position, Jenkins ordered his men to re- 
 serve their fire till the ^Confederates were within forty yards. 
 Infantry and cavalry came on, and received such a tremen 
 ious volley, that their ranks wavered and broke, and they 
 ded in wild dismay to the woods. In twenty minutes, Col- 
 onel Carter, with the Texan rangers, rode forward in a despe 
 rate assault on the Union lines ; but he soon fell wounded, as 
 did most of his line officers, by the deadly fire which swept 
 down their ranks. The enemy tried a third cavalry charge, 
 but dared not approach closely. The Fifth K \nsas had 
 done all the fighting thus far, on the Federal side, and now 
 the Fifth Illinois came up, amid loud cheering. Carter's 
 Confederate brigade, sixteen hundred strong, had taken up a 
 position bejond musket range, and now began to aheil tht
 
 544 SAFE RETURN TO HELENA. 
 
 Union lines. Darkness shrouded the scene, and finding 
 that the enemy could r^ach his rear by two roads, Clayton 
 consulted with his officers, and determined to cross L'Aug- 
 ville river at Hughes' Ferry. He did so in safety, and on 
 the 12th of May reached Helena. The Union loss in this 
 expedition was only t\VD killed and forty wounded, while 
 that of the rebels was fifty killed and one hundred wounded, 
 including one colonel, four captains, and five lieutenants. In 
 me end of April, and beginning of May, the rebel cavalry 
 raided frequently, under Imboden, Jenkins, Harper, and 
 Jones, in Western Virginia, on the Baltimore and Ohio rail- 
 road, at Piedmont, Cranberry, Oakland, Eowlesburg, and 
 Altamont. These raids were very annoying, and on both 
 si^es interrupted communications. 
 
 Greater events, however, now claim our attention. Tha 
 mighty armies are again confronting, and another field of 
 ilaughter, the scene of a great conflict, one which carried 
 desolation to many hearths, is about to be described.
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 MAT, 1863. 
 scsaANi2ATitN OF THB ARMY OF THX POTOMAC ezx 
 
 CONCHNTRAT2I> AT CHANC2LLORSVILLE LEE's COUNTER-PLOT ATTAOi 
 BY STCNEWALI, JACKSON ON THB RIGHT WING PANIC AND FLIGHT Ol 
 THE ELEVENTH CCRPS ENEMY CHECKED BY BERRY'S DIVISION BATTI 
 OF TFB WILDERNESS JACKSON MORTALLY WOUNDED HOOKER REFORM 
 HIS LINES BATTLS OF CHANCELLORS VILLE HOOKER AGAIN CHANGES 
 HIS LINES BATTLE AT FREDERICKSBURQ OF THE SIXTH CORPS 8EDG- 
 
 WICK CROSSES THE RIVER THE RETREAT OF HOOKER ACROSS THK RAP- 
 
 PAHANNOCK HIS ADDRESS TO THE ARMY THE TROOPS RETURN TO THEIK 
 D CAMPS. 
 
 WHEN General Hooker assumed command of the Army 
 *' the Potomac, he increased its efficiency by the dismissal 
 af incompetent officers, the reduction of transportation 
 trains, and the consolidation of the cavalry into one body. 
 When the army was in a proper condition, he determined 
 to hurl it upon the foe, and having carefully studied 
 the topography of the country, perfected a plan, which, 
 as yet, was not divulged even to his corps commanders. 
 
 A large but secret cavalry expedition, with Stoneman in 
 command, and Averill and Kilpatrick as subordinates, was 
 sent out on the 27th of April. On the previous day, orders 
 had been issued to the army, to be ready to break up camp 
 on the day following, and march with eight day's cooked 
 rations. 
 
 The army moved on the morning of the 27th. Three 
 corps, the First, Third, and Sixth, under Generals Reynolds, 
 Sickles, and Sedgwick, respectively, were moved, Monday 
 evening, to a point on the banks of the Rappahannock, two 
 miles below Fredericksburg. The Fifth and Twelfth corps, 
 under Generals Meade and Slocum, respectively, moved at 
 the same time, up the north bank of the Rappahannock, 
 and camped near Banks' and United States fords, the former 
 being eight, and the latter eleven miles from Fredericks-- 
 burg. The Eleventh corps, under General 0. 0. Howard, 
 iaken the same direction on the night of the 26th, an<? 
 
 (346}
 
 140 ADVANCE OF HOOKER TO CHANC-ELLORSVILLfc. 
 
 the Second corps, under General Couch, still remained u 
 camp. 
 
 On Tuesday, April 28th, the boats were taken from the 
 pontoon train, and carried Russell's brigade, of the Sixth 
 corps across the river, the movement being favorably veiled 
 by a dense fog. These troops drove the rebel sharpshooters 
 from the rifle-pit^ and aided in laying the pontoons, over 
 which the whole of Brooks' division crossed, early in thi 
 day. General Sickles' Third corps had been sent back, end 
 proceeded up the river. General Eeynolda' corps, ID at- 
 tempting to cross, was fired on by sharpshooters, but suc- 
 ceeded, after some delay, and by the aid of the batteries on 
 the Falmouth side. The rebel forces below, were drawn to 
 Fredericksburg, by the ostentatious display of Reynolds 1 
 and Sedgwick's corps, marching and counter-marching, with 
 all their artillery. This stratagem succeeded. Howard's 
 and Slocum's corps moved twelve miles to the south, and 
 crossed by wading the Rapidan at Germania ford, and 
 Meade's corps crossed at Ely's ford. These three corps then 
 advanced to Chancellorsville, a village consisting of but one 
 house, at the point where the Gordonsville turnpike and 
 the Orange Court House plank road intersect. 
 
 A squadron of Pleasonton's cavalry kept up communica 
 lion between the advancing columns, and a squadron also 
 protected Howard's left flank. The rebels had thrown up 
 strong intreuchments at United States ford, at the mouth of 
 the Rapidan, twelve miles from Fredericksburg, which they 
 abandoned on the approach of the Union troops, and Couch's 
 corps crossed on bridges, unmolested. Four army corps 
 were now concentrating at Chancellorsville, where Hooker 
 established his head -quarters. 
 
 A column of one hundred thousand men, each man carrj 
 ing sixty pounds of baggage, and marching thirtj-six miles 
 in two days, had crossed, after bridging two streams, and 
 baffled a wily and desperate foe. Lee's flank was turned, and 
 Hooker announced to the army, on the 30th of April, that 
 the Confederates must either ingkiiously fly, or come out 
 from behind their defences and give the (Jnion forces battle 
 on their own ground, where certain destruction awaited 
 them. And indeed, such a result seeme4 inevitable. The 
 Union army V as now massed in the rear of the rebel batter 
 iea, which bristled on th& Rappahannock. The foe must
 
 ''STONEWALL" JACKSON AKACJKS THE RIGHT WING. 347 
 
 ither retreat south, along the line of the railroad to Rich- 
 mond, or fight Hooker on his own ground. The way to 
 Gordonsville was in possession of the Federals, and Stone- 
 man, with three thousand selected cavalry, had gone to cut 
 off the enemy's communication. 
 
 The Confederate force was me hundred thousand men, 
 having been augmented recently by troops from Charleston 
 and by the division of Hill, which had but a few days before 
 been operating near Suffolk. Longstreet's division, which, 
 after a twenty-four days' siege of the latter place, was re- 
 called to Chancellors ville, was not up in time for the battle. 
 
 The Chancellorsville house, which stands in a small clear- 
 ing of a few acres, is a two-story brick mansion, and became 
 Hooker's head-quarters. The piazza on the south has a 
 view on a turnpike road a considerable distance, to Scott'a 
 creek ; and the Orange and Fredericksburg plank road runs 
 sn front, through the middle of the clearing. The army of 
 Hooker was stationed south of, and almost parallel to, thia 
 road, which runs from east to west. Two miles from head- 
 quarters, and on this road, the Eleventh corps was stationed, 
 ind formed the extreme right of the Union line. 
 
 There was skirmishing on Friday, the 1st of May, 
 During the whole night, both armies were busy fortifying, 
 constructing abatis, and throwing up intrenchments. The 
 enemy had left Fredericksburg, and massed at Chancellors- 
 ville. In continual skirmishes, by day and night, consider 
 able life was lost. In one of these struggles, Colonel Mc- 
 Vickar, of the Sixth New York cavalry, a brave man and 
 true Christian soldier, lost his life. 
 
 All day on Saturday, (2d), the rebels were massing along 
 the plank road from Fredericksburg. When near Chancel- 
 lorsviile, they made a detour, through woods and behind 
 hills, in order to hurl their whole force against Howard, on 
 the right wing. Lee had sent Stonewall Jackson, with 
 thirty thousand men, to attack this corps, which contained 
 raly nine thousand fearful odds I 
 
 General Howard was conversing at his head-quarters, 
 when he heard a heavy gun from the southwest, succeeded 
 by musketry. He galloped up, and was met by a panic 
 stricken crowd of fugitives. General Deven's brigade, com- 
 posed o:' the Sixty-eighth and Forty-first New Jersey regi- 
 ments, principally 1 Germans, bore the first shock. The rebel
 
 848 PANIC AND FLIGHT OF THE ELEVENTH CORPS. 
 
 line was long enough to overlap the Union line on the right 
 and sweep it in flank and rear with a scathing fire of mus- 
 ketry and artillery. The first division had given way; and 
 the noblest efforts of the brave Howard and his officers 
 could not arrest the panic, or stem the tide of fugitives roll 
 ag over the field. 
 
 The whole plan of Hooker was changed in one half hour 
 fhe hopes of the mighty were laid low, and the arm} 
 which he confidently expected by one bold stroke of strategy 
 to overthrow, vras threatening his own with destruction, and 
 sweeping his legions before it like the roar and rush of a whirl- 
 wind. But the mighty spirit of Hooker was prepared for such 
 an unexpected emergency. As Rosecrans, at the battle of 
 Murfreesboro, so Hooker now rode to the front, unappalled in 
 danger's hour. His comprehensive mind took in the situa- 
 tion at a glance. Fortunately, General Berry, in command 
 of his (Hooker's) own old division, was at hand. He knew 
 the man with whom to entrust the destinies of the army, and 
 perhaps of the Republic, at this crisis, as he ordered : "Gen- 
 eral Berry, throw your men into the breach. Don't fire a 
 shot. Receive the rebels on the bayonet." The disciplined 
 troops, with steady ranks, moved forward, with their brist- 
 ling bayonets, to the charge. The head of the rebel columns 
 went down before the dreadful shock, and the advance was 
 checked. Generals Williams and Sickles, at the same time, 
 threw themselves in the path of the fugitives. Wagons, am- 
 bulances, men, horses, guns, and caissons were all struggling 
 in a confused mass, into which the enemy hurled their de- 
 structive bolts. Sickles found his way to a stone wall, over 
 which horses were tumbling, with their riders. Here he 
 took his stand beside a gateway, where, drawing his sword, 
 and with pistol raised, he threatened instant death to the dri- 
 vers of th3 artillery, unless they stopped. The pieces wer? 
 unlimbered, and turned against the fugitives, ard the men 
 were rallied, and came to order. Pleasonton hiiiKelf tcok 
 the artillery in charge, and formed it into a battery, which 
 was supported by his cavalry. The rebels, pressed tack by 
 the charge of Berry's division, were now cannonaded by forty 
 pieces of artillery. It was about I he time that the enemy 
 sustained this check, and when preparing for another attack, 
 that ' Stonewall " Jackson was wounded severely in the arm, 
 oear tne shoulder, in mistake by his own men. He fell from
 
 StfEMY CHECKED BY BERRY'S DIVISION. 
 
 his horse, and was carried on a litter, of which the bearers 
 were shol. down by the artillery. , Jackson died on May 10th, 
 of his injaries, and of pneumonia, partly induced by them. 
 His loss was a terrible blow 4 .o the Confederates. He had de- 
 termined in an hour to cut ;ff Hooker from his pontoons. 
 General A. P, Hill, Jackson's successor, was also wounded in 
 this attack. 
 
 The rebels now fell back before the galling fire and fierce 
 charges of the Federal troops. One desperate assault waa 
 made upon Berry's division. It was now supported by 
 W hippie's and Birney's divisions, and by the remnant of 
 Howard's, which was, with immense energy, again brought 
 into action by that gallant general. The enemy fell back, 
 and the Union troops again occupied part of the "lost ground. 
 The battle for the day was ended, and the troops took some 
 rest, while the commanders were busy all night, in reform- 
 ing and strengthening the lines. A new line of battle waa 
 formed; General Ward's brigade, of General Birney's divi- 
 sion, was massed on the ridge to the right, being supported 
 by Captain Best's battery, and General Birney himself waa 
 on the extreme left, to support the attack. The enemy must 
 be driven back. General Ward put his troops in motion 
 before midnight, and loud cheers, the rattle of musketry, 
 and the roar of cannon, told that a battle fought by moon- 
 light was begun. The rebels gave way half a mile, and the 
 victorious troops slept on their arms. The turning of the 
 right wing caused the Union lines, which at first had faced 
 nearly south, to be so changed as to extend both north and 
 south, facing the west; Reynolds holding the extreme right 
 near the Rappahannock, Slocum occupying the centre on 
 the plank road, and Sickles being stationed on the extreme 
 left, resting on Scott's creek. Breastworks had been thrown 
 up along the whole line, and rifle pits and abatis in the 
 front, presented a formidable barrier to the enemy, on the 
 Sabbath morning of May 3d. The latter were massed in 
 and behind the woods beyond Chancellorsville. 
 
 As the sun rose, the enemy fell in large force upon 
 Sickles, and simultaneously, upon Berry's division. The 
 battle on the left and centre became general, and the noise 
 of the artillery deafening. The assailants came on in three 
 V)I umns, and faced death recklessly. 
 
 The Union troops received them w' i a unflinching oourago
 
 850 BATTLE OF CHAXCELLORSVILLI. 
 
 Forty pieces of artillery, under Captain Best, ploughed large 
 furrows in the ranks of the enemy, and whole regiments dis- 
 solved, but still they closed up and moved on. Hookei 
 ordered General French it* attack them in flank. For more 
 than an hour, Sickles, wi.h five thousand men, had kept 
 twenty thousand at bay. It was now seven o'clock, and the 
 battle raged with great fierceness. The Union troops were 
 pressed slowly back through the ravine, over which ran the 
 stone wall where Sickles had arrested the disorder of the 
 previous day. Behind this wall, the troops now retired in 
 good order, to make a determined stand. It was in this 
 conflict that the gallant General Berry fell mortally 
 wounded by a rifle ball. The strife at the wall was 
 most deadly, and the rebel dead strewed the spot so 
 thickly, that their comrades climbed over the piles of 
 dead bodies to discharge one volley, and then fall, cut 
 down like the grass of the field, by the grape and canister, 
 which swept them with inevitable destruction. From the 
 stone wall to Chancellorsville about a mile in extent tho 
 battle raged most furiously. Ambulances conveyed the 
 wounded in great numbers off the field, and those whose 
 wounds required attention, but who were able to walk, 
 thronged to the hospitals, where surgeons were engaged in 
 iheir humane, but dreadful labors. The Chaucellorsville 
 nouse had been turned into a hospital early in the battle, 
 and was soon crowded with the wounded and dying. A 
 storm of shot and shell now beat upon it ; General Hooker, 
 who was standing in its porch, being stunned by one of the 
 latter missiles. He soon rode out, however, and showed 
 himself to the troops. The wounded were removed aa 
 quickly as possible from the house. The roof was riddled 
 with balls, and one room was reduced to ashes, whereby sev- 
 eral of the wounded within were consumed in the flames. 
 
 There was a large hospital at United States ford, and the 
 building was not only crowded, but in the open space 
 around, hundreds of patients lay arranged on the ground, 
 waiting for their wounds to be dressed by the surgeons. 
 
 At nine o'clock, the battle had raged with dreadful car- 
 nage for four hours, the booming of one hundred cannot, 
 and the rattle of incessant musketry, combining their deaf- 
 ening roar. The enemy produced great havoc in the Union 
 muks, but were more severely punished themselves, by thi
 
 BATTLE OF THE SIXTH CORPS AT FREDERICKSBURG. 351 
 
 jqual courage and superior skill which grappled with them 
 on this eventful day. Ten thousand men on both sides were 
 already slain, and as many more wounded. 
 
 The Union forces were slowly falling back to Chancel 
 lorsville in the most perfect order, disputing every inch of 
 the way. They now made a determined stand in a consoli- 
 dated line, and all the fierce assaults of the enemy were gal 
 lantly repelled. Hooker had massed his batteri^? ; n such a 
 manner that no mortal foe could approach them, and the 
 victorious, but severely punished enemy, sullenly withdrew . 
 Their loss was frightful. They had massed their whole 
 army on the left flank alone, the Union right wing not being 
 engaged. Some skirmishing took place in the afternoon, 
 but nothing of importance occurred the rest of the day 
 The Union troops had been baffled, and were humiliated 
 Nothing had been heard of Stonernan, and much anxiety 
 prevailed. A retreat now began to be whispered. 
 
 General Sedgwick, meanwhile, had crossed the Rappahan 
 lock below Fredericksburg on Saturday, and the three 
 livisions of the Sixth corps were all across safely by mid- 
 aight. He moved on Fredericksburg at four o'clock, on 
 Sunday morning, and carrying the first line of the enemy's 
 intrenchments, was within six miles of Hooker. The ene 
 my, on Sunday morning, the 4th, attacked him in strong 
 force, and crowded him back gradually toward Bank's ford. 
 It was a Ireadful battle, in which Sedgwick lost nearly four 
 thousand men. The next day he recrossed the Rappahannock, 
 with most of his trains and camp equipage. There was 
 severe skirmishing, but no battle on Monday (5th). On 
 Tuesday, the army prepared to retreat, and it commenced at 
 ten o'clock p. M. The difficult passage was made in safety. 
 Lee was prevented from pursuing by the rising of the river, 
 and the troops returned to their old camping ground on the 
 left bank of the Rappahanock. 
 
 Hooker, in an address to his troops on the 6th of May, 
 has the following : " We have taken from the enemy five 
 thousand prisoners, fifteen colors, captured and brought ofl 
 seven pieces of artillery, placed liors du combat eighteen 
 thousand of his chosen troops, destroyed his depots filled 
 with vast amounts of stores, deranged his communications 
 captured prisoners within the fortifications of his capita* 1 
 lid filled his country with fear ani consternation."
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 JUNE JULY, 1863. 
 
 RAID BATTLE OP BRANDY STATION HEROISM OF KILPATKICB 
 
 CAVALRY BATTLES OF ALDIE AND UPPERVILLE TUB CONFEDERATE! 
 
 CROSS THE POTOMAC GENERAL HOOKER RELIEVED OF THE COMMAND, 
 AHD GENERAL MEADE APPOINTED HIS SUCCESSOR KILPATRICK DEFEAT* 
 STUART AT HANOVER, PENNSYLVANIA FIRST DAY OF THE BATTLE OF 
 GETTYSBURG DEATH OF REYNOLDS SECOND DAY'S FIGHT, AND ITS INCI- 
 DENTS THIRD DAY'S BATTLE SPLENDID UNION VICTORY THE SANI- 
 TARY AND CHRISTIAN COMMISSIONS THE COOPER SHOP VOLUNTEi 
 REFRESHMENT SALOON. 
 
 GENERAL STONEMAN was ordered by Hooker to cross 
 the Rappahannock and Rapidan, to cut off the commu- 
 nications of the enemy, destroy bridges and railroads, and 
 prevent their retreat in case of their being defeated, such 
 a result being confidently anticipated by the loyal people. 
 The cavalry corps consisted of three divisions, under Gen- 
 erals Pleasonton, Averill, and Gregg, and the regular brig- 
 ade, commanded by General John Buford. Leaving 
 Pleasonton to co-operate with the main army, to which he 
 rendered the important services already described, Stone- 
 man, on the 27th of April, marched for the Rappahannock 
 with three thousand cavalry, intending to cross at Beverly 
 ford, and dispose of Stuart's rebel cavalry, before moving 
 to the rear of Lee's army. High water and bad roads de- 
 tained the expedition till the 29th, when, crossing at Kelly's 
 ford, Stoneman moved his whole force (with the exception 
 of a small body under Genera} Averill) to and across the 
 Rapidan, and struck the Virginia Central railroad, in the rear 
 of Lee's army, on the morning of May 2d. Detachments 
 were sent out in every direction, to destroy the railroad, 
 culverts, and bridges, which was thoroughly done. Kilpat- 
 rick charged into Louisa Court House, and terrified the 
 inhabitants, who, finding no insult offered, and private prop- 
 erty respected, soon recovered from their panic. 
 
 At four o'clock the same day (Saturday, 2d), Stoneman 
 moved on, and reached Thompsor'g crossroads at eleven 
 (352)
 
 STONEMAN'S RAID. 858 
 
 > clock P. M. and, from this point, sent out his principal 
 uJicers to destroy the communications and the property of 
 tLe enemy in every direction. 
 
 Colonel Percy Windham, with the First New Jersey and 
 First Maine cavalry, five hundred men in all, was despatched 
 south to Columbia, on the James river; Lieutenant-colonel 
 Davis, with the Twelfth Illinois, to South Anna and Ash- 
 land, on the Fredericksburg road ; Colonel Kilpatrick, with 
 the Harris Light cavalry, to Hungary, on the Fredericks- 
 burg railroad, and below, on the Virginia Central ; and 
 General Buford proceeded west, toward the James liver 
 oanal, at Cedar Point, and from thence passed near Gordons- 
 ville. The rest of the force scoured the region around 
 Thompson's Four Corners and Yanceyville. All except 
 Kilpatrick's and Davis's commands reached Kelly's ford in 
 safety, early on Friday, May the 8th. This expedition waa 
 full of romauuc adventures, and spoke volumes for the 
 ability of the onicers and men engaged in it. Colonel 
 Davis lost in it, two commissioned officers and thirty-three 
 men; and Colonel "Kiipatrick lost Lieutenant Estes and 
 fifteen men captured, but they were afterward recaptured 
 by a reconnoitering party. The expedition destroyed twen- 
 ty-two bridges, seven culverts, five ferries, broke the rail- 
 roads in seven places, burned four supply trains, three 
 depots, and four telegraph stations ; destroyed one hundred 
 and twenty-two wagons, captured three hundred horses and 
 mules, cut telegraphs in five places, and liberated one hun- 
 dred and fifty slaves. 
 
 The President visited the camp at Falmouth on" the 7th 
 of May, conferred with Hooker on future movements, and 
 expressed himself gratified with the spirit and discipline of 
 the troops. The remainder of May was not signalized by 
 any important military movement. 
 
 Positive information having been received that Lee waa 
 creaking up his camp and moving, Hooker determined on 
 a reconnoissance in force across the Rappahannock, which 
 was made by the Sixth Corps, and it was now determined 
 to send General Alfred Pleasonton to attack General Stuart 
 at Beverly ford, where, anticipating a movement of Lee to 
 invade Maryland and Pennsylvania, he had massed a cavalry 
 force of fifteen thousand men. Pleasonton's forces consisted 
 of nine thousand men, composed of the First cavalry brig-
 
 BATTLE OF BRANDY STATION. 
 
 ade, under General Gregg, the regular brigade, under Gen 
 eral Buford, and the second cavalry brigade, under Cclond 
 Duffie ; two thousand infantry and two batteries made np 
 the rest of the force. Gregg, with two divisions, crossed 
 the Rappabannock at early dawn on the 9th of June, at 
 Beverly ford, intending to move toward Stevensburg, and 
 gain the enemy's flank and rear at Brandy Station. Pleas- 
 onton crossed the ford with Buford and Davis, and surprised 
 the enemy in his camp. A desperate conflict took place, in 
 which Davis fell in the centre of the camp, in leading a 
 gallant charge. The infantry now came up, and fought 
 side by side with the cavalry throughout the day. 
 
 Gregg came in sight of the combatants on the broad 
 plains of -Brandy Station, at ten o'clock. A splendid pros- 
 pect now met the view. Here, in this romantic scene, the 
 artillery was sending shot and shell from the low hills, 
 through the squadrons of the enemy. There the bayonets 
 gleamed, and shouts of friend and foe were borne to the ears 
 of Gi egg's troops, who for the first time had seen the dust 
 and smoke of battle, and longed to mingle in the strife. 
 Windham gallantly led them in a fierce charge, with flash- 
 ing sabres, over and through Stuart's very head-quarters. 
 The enemy was strongly reinforced, and the First New 
 Jersey and First Pennsylvania, fighting bravely, were 
 driven down the hill before superior numbers, and all seemed 
 lost. At this critical moment, Colonel Kilpatrick brought 
 up the Harris Light cavalry, the Tenth New York, and 
 First Maijie. Forming in echelons of squadrons by regi 
 ments, he rushed upon the foe in full career, and met a re- 
 pulse. He now lod up the First Maine, which had not yet 
 been engaged, and at a run struck" the rebel columns; in 
 the dreadful shock, the latter were borne down before the 
 wild charge. Passing the regiments, which had now recov- 
 ered, the gallant leader shouted, " Back, the Harris Light , 
 back, the Tenth New York; reform your squadrons and 
 charge." The hill was won, Windham's guns recaptured, 
 aud the day was saved. At four p. M., Gregg joined Pleas 
 onton. The victory was fairly won, and had Duffie come 
 up at the time ordered, it might have been decisive. The 
 enemy's infantry could now be seen coming from Culpepper 
 to aid their defeated cavalry. The Union loss was two 
 hundred killed and wounded; the rebel loss six hundred
 
 CAVALRY BATTLE OF ALDI3. 356 
 
 The Union cavalry, in fair combat, had met the chivalry of 
 the South in superior numbers, and defeated them. Tha 
 object was accomplished, the raid of Stuart prevented, and 
 the important information obtained that Lee was marching 
 for Maryland. The victorious squadrons were withdrawn 
 across the Bappahannock, and, on the following day, Pleas- 
 onton was promoted to a major-general, and Kilpatrick to 
 * brigadier. 
 
 These reconnoissances discovered the intention of Lee to 
 move on the Potomac, and cross at Harper's Ferry. Hooker 
 did not attempt to prevent him, but watched all his move- 
 ments by his effective cavalry, now one of the finest bodies 
 in the world. The Union army now had its head-quarters 
 at Fairfax Court House, from which Hooker pushed out his 
 columns in the direction of Aldie and Thoroughfare Gap. 
 He wanted to get the enemy where they could not retreat 
 without a battle, and as Lee had not yet appeared on the 
 banks of the Potomac, Pleasonton, on the 18th of June, was 
 sent out with his cavalry to reconnoitre. Moving through 
 the plain of Manassas, and the famous field of Groveton, he 
 reached the high hills of Aldie at noon, and sent Kilpatrick 
 with his brigade in advance. He instructed the latter to 
 move through Aldie, thence to and through Ashby's Gap, 
 and, after ascertaining the enemy's movements, to rejoin the 
 cavalry corps at Nolen's Ferry, on the Potomac, while Col- 
 onel Duffie, with the First Rhode Island cavalry, was to 
 move through Thoroughfare Gap, and join Kilpatrick in the 
 valley beyond. 
 
 The advance of Kilpatrick encountered that of Fitzhugh 
 Lee at Aldie. The Union leader saw the importance of 
 occupying the hills that commanded the town, and in a bril- 
 liant dash had secured possession of them before his adver- 
 sary could prevent it. A most terrible struggle for the 
 possession of the hills ensued. The artillery on each side 
 sent forth the death bolts, and the men fought most desper- 
 ately. The enemy massed on the Union right, on which 
 point a determined charge was made by General Rosser. 
 The whole wing gave way, and Kilpatrick saw with anguish 
 his troQps fleeing in confusion before the enemy. He wai 
 equal to the emergency. Casting hi? rapid glance around, 
 he ordered the left to stand firm, and Randall not to move, 
 *>ut to double shot his guus. Putting himself at the head of
 
 666 THE CONFEDERATES CROSS THE POTOKAC. 
 
 the First Maine, he gave the word "Forward!" The enemy 
 went down before the impetuous charge, though the Union 
 leader had his horse killed under him, and the gallant Colo- 
 nel Doughty was slain. Eemounted on a fresh horse, Kil- 
 patrick ordered the buglers to sound an advance of the 
 whole line. The Confederates were driven before the rerist- 
 lesa charge in complete rout, toward Middleburg, and the 
 approach of night saved the remnant of their forces. 
 
 After the fight at Aldie, Pleasonton resolved to push on 
 through Ashby's Gap to Middleburg, and force back Stuart 
 on the rebel infantry. The town was occupied by Colonel 
 Craig, after a brief skirmish. On the 21st of June, Pleason- 
 ton advanced with his whole corps ; Buford holding the 
 right, and Gregg the left. The enemy were encountered at 
 Upperville, by Kilpatrick, and routed in a bloody combat. 
 The advance of Lee's army, meanwhile,, was moving under 
 Longstreet up the Shenandoah valley, toward Williamsport 
 where it crossed on the 27th. Pleasonton moved to Aldie, 
 crossed at Harper's Ferry, aaid, with the main army under 
 Hooker, proceeded to Frederick city, where, on the 28th, the 
 latter general was relieved from the command of the Army 
 of the Potomac, and succeeded by General G. Meade 
 General Kilpatrick was now placed in command of five 
 thousand cavalry, heretofore commanded by General Stahl, 
 and assigned Generals Custer and Farnsworth to the com- 
 mand of his two brigades. The cavalry, which had done 
 such important service, and was destined to be of still greater 
 use hereafter, was now distributed into three great divisions, 
 commanded by Generals Buford, Gregg, and Kilpatrick. 
 
 General Stuart had not crossed the Potomac with the rest 
 of Lee's army, but had crossed near Harper's Ferry, and 
 eluded every cavalry column sent after him, until he reached 
 ihe town of Hanover, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of June. 
 Here, after being defeated by Kilpatrick in a fierce engage- 
 ment of eight hours, he moved on York. 
 
 While General Hooker was advancing from Falmouth to 
 Manassas Junction and Fairfax, keeping the enemy from 
 Washington and Baltimore, and crowding Lee to the west 
 of the Bull Run range, thus compelling him to cross the 
 Potomac higher up than he desired, the people of Pennsyl- 
 vania bitU :ly complained that their towns were left unde- 
 fended,
 
 If TJPPtftnLLl. I6t 
 
 Hooker Knew well that Lee wanted the TJiuon ariny 
 weakened by sending off detachments, and that he would 
 then attack it in detail, and attempt the capture of Wash 
 ington and Baltimore, in case of success. The Confederate 
 general, on the 20th of June, had reached Winchester with 
 his left and centre, and General A. P. Hill, on his right, 
 was following through the Bull Run mountains in the same 
 direction. On the 22d, E well's corps crossed at Sheppards- 
 town and Williamsport, being followed in a few days by the 
 corps of Longstreet and Hill. General Ehodes, of Ewell'a 
 corps, entered Chambersburg on the 23d. 
 
 The people of Pennsylvania, in this crisis, were apathetic 
 to the earnest calls of their patriotic Governor and of General 
 Couch, as well as to the proclamation of the President for 
 troops, and it was not till the invaders were at their doors, 
 that they began to realize their danger, and to send out men 
 and treasure in earnest to meet the foe. Pennsylvania was 
 now desecrated by the tread of the invader, and a great battle 
 was about to be fought on her soil. 
 
 On the 29th of June, General Buford's Union cavalry, six 
 thousand strong, marched through Gettysburg, and encamped 
 on McPherson's farm, a mile and a half to the northwest of 
 the village. The First and Eleventh corps, under Genera' 
 Reynolds and Howard respectively, and numbering twenty 
 three thousand men, besides six thousand cavalry, encamped 
 on the right bank of Marsh's creek, four miles from the vil- 
 lage. The Confederates had against this force no less than 
 seventy-six thousand men, comprising Hill's, Longstreet's, 
 and E well's corps. Hill's corps of three divisions, under 
 Heath, Pender, and Anderson, occupied the vicinity of Marsh's 
 creek ; Longstreet's corps came next, being detained till the 
 2d of July at Chambersburg. Rhodes' and Early's divisions 
 of Ewell's corps had recently encamped at Heidlersburg, 
 and Johnston's, of the same corps, was at Carlisle, 
 
 The War Department, on the llth of June, had organizes 
 the new military departments of the Susquehanna and the 
 Monongahela. The former was placed in command of Major 
 general Couch,. with his head-quarters at Harrisburg, and the 
 latter under Major-general Brooks, with his head-quarters U 
 Pittsburgh. 
 
 On the 18th of June, General Milroy, who occupied the 
 post at Winchester with nearly nine thousand men, was 
 Stacked by the Confederate advance under Iiongstreet
 
 858 BATTLE OF GtTTYSBURO. 
 
 eighteen thousand strong, and after a severe battle repulsed 
 the enemy. Being attacked next day by still greater number^ 
 Milroy saw no hope of escape, but in cutting his way through. 
 In this attempt, he lost the greater part of his ammunition 
 nuu artillery, and many of his men, in killed, wounded and 
 prisoners. With only a ]ortion of his command, he reached 
 Haiper's Ferry, and the baggage train was sent in safety to 
 Harrisburg. Two thousand cavalry, and stragglers of his 
 force escaped to Bloody Eun, Pennsylvania, and were reor- 
 ganized and joined by the militia of the State. The quota 
 of Pennsylvania in this emergency was fifty thousand men, 
 who were to serve six months, unless sooner discharged. 
 Gettysburg, the capital of Adams county, Pennsylvania, ia 
 a village of eight thousand inhabitants, and lies in a valley. 
 West of the town, at a distance of about ten miles, South 
 Mountain extends from northeast to southwest. Seminary 
 or Oak Ridge, parallel with South Mountain, and half a mile 
 west of the town, runs in a southerly direction several miles, 
 and on the north side of the town, the same ridge extends 
 across the roads, to Carlisle and Harrisburg. 
 
 This Seminary Ridge, and the town itself, is commandea 
 on the south by the unwooded and loftier eminence of Cem- 
 etery Hill. About one and three quarter miles south of this, 
 are two summits, crowned with heavy forest trees, and named 
 Little Round Top or Granite Spur, and Round Top. 
 
 Half a mile further south is a lower eminence, occupied 
 on the 3d of July by two cavalry brigades, under General 
 Kilpatrick. Southeast of Cemetery Hill are two smaller 
 wooded elevations, called Gulp's Hill and Wolf's Hill. 
 
 On the 1st of July, General Buford moved forward to a 
 quarter of a mile west of Seminary Ridge, and planted his 
 batteries near the summit, with his line in the rear near the 
 base. The attack began a little before ten o'clock, by the 
 enemy on his pickets, who were thrown out a mile in front 
 of the batteries. Willoughby's creek flows along the west 
 of the position occupied by Buford. Pender's and Heath's 
 divisions, of twenty thousand men, had moved up on the 
 Cashtown road, and posted themselves along the line of the 
 creek before mentioned, followed by Anderson's division 
 of the same corps (Hill's), and occupied a position near 
 the Hagers^own road. Skirmishing brought on a battle, 
 *ud the % tillory opened on both sides. At half part
 
 BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 559 
 
 ten A. M., General Reynolds moved rapidly up with hi 
 forces (the First corps) through the town, and forming hi 
 line on the eastern slope of Seminary Ridge, with the righs 
 wing near the Seminary, ordered an advance of his troops to 
 the aid of Buford, who was vigorously struggling against 
 overwhelming numbers. On the east of the creek, the rebel 
 sharpshooters occupied a grove, near the summit of which 
 Buford had posted his batteries. It was here that Major 
 general Reynolds, while making a reconnoissance, was struck 
 with a ball in the neck, and shortly afterward expired, the 
 command of his corps devolving on General Doubleday. 
 
 The efforts of uiie Confederates to break the Union line, 
 during a battle which raged fiercely for two hours, were 
 bravely resisted ; a rebel brigade of one thousand five hun- 
 dred men, together with a Mississippi regiment of eight 
 hundred, being captured. Reynolds in the morning had 
 sent to General Howard for reinforcements. General How 
 ard arrived at noon, posted Steinwehr's division on Cemetery 
 Hill, and hurried up with the divisions of Schurz and Bar 
 low, to the assistance of the First corps. Rhodes' division 
 of twelve thousand men was pressing the Union troops s<r 
 hard, that they were beginning to give way, and the rein 
 forcements now coming up, under Schurz and Barlow, at the 
 double-quick, took their position on the extreme right, and 
 for an hour drove back the advancing foe. The Confederate 
 General Early (of Hill's corps) then threw the weight of hia 
 troops into the scale. Thus the enemy had forty thousand 
 men, and as many more in supporting distance, and the 
 Federal troops, to avoid death or capture, were compelled to 
 fall back to Cemetery Hill, where Steinwehr's division waa 
 ready to support them. The First corps moved through 
 the town in perfect order, and took up its position on the 
 left and rear of Steinwehr. The Eleventh corps, which waa 
 heavily pressed, lost over two thousand five hundred cap- 
 tured in passing through the town, and took up a position 
 in front, and on the right centre of the hill. The two corps 
 were now on the hill at half past four P. M. ; the effective fire of 
 the artillery, and of sharpshooters, prevented any pursuit by 
 the enemy. W hen the two corps were in position, General 
 Hancock arrived, and proceeded to carry out the orders of 
 General Meade, by posting the different corps as they came 
 up The Twelfth corps (Slocum's) was posted oa Culp'a
 
 860 BAttttt ot 
 
 Hill, extending to Wolf's Hill, and the Third corps (Sickles^ 
 on the left of the First corps, on Cemetery Hill. 
 
 On the Confederate side, Rhodes' and Early's divisions (of 
 Ewell's corps) occupied the town ; from thence the line ex- 
 tended a mile east, to Rock creek. Johnston's division, of 
 this corps, arrived the next day (July 2d), and occupied the 
 extreme left, behind this creek. Hill's corps was posted 
 on Seminary Ridge, with Heath's division on the left, ex- 
 tending from the Chambersburg turnpike to the Shippens- 
 burg (or Mummasburg) road, next came Fender, and next 
 Anderson; then McLaw's division of Longstreet's corps, 
 which, with Anderson's men, had come up too late, to par- 
 ticipate in the first day's battle. Hood came up with hia 
 division on the next morning, and took up a position on 
 the enemy's extreme right. 
 
 Thus matters were on the night of the 1st of July. The 
 two corps of brave Union troops had fought vastly superior 
 numbers, and lost heavily ; among others, their beloved com- 
 mander, General Reynolds, killed, and General Barlow, se- 
 verely wounded. Schurz's division (Eleventh corps) had 
 br.en in the morning three thousand six hundred strong, 
 and lost two thousand two hundred in killed, wounded, 
 and prisoners. 
 
 The Federal position was excellent, and the confidence of 
 the troops in Meade unbounded. Slocum's, and part of 
 Sickles' corps, came up in the evening, and when General 
 Meade and staff arrived at midnight, the spirits of the troops 
 rose to enthusiasm. 
 
 The enemy were boastful, and prophesied destruction to 
 the Union army on the morrow. The terrified townspeople 
 had seen the Barman House burned to the ground in the 
 morning, and were anxious and disheartened. 
 
 At seven o'clock on Thursday morning, July 2d, the rest 
 of Sickles' corps (Third), the whole of the Second (Han- 
 cook's), and the Fifth (Sykes'), came up. Hancock took posi- 
 tion on the left centre, next the First corps ; Sickles joined 
 him on the left, while the extreme left was held by Sykes, on 
 Round Top, and Little Round Top. Sedgwick, with the 
 Sixth corps, had marched a long distance, and arrived only 
 at two o'clock P. M. ; he took up a position in reserve, in the 
 rear of the Fifth corps. 
 
 All the Confederate trocrw had come up by Thursday,
 
 BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 861 
 
 July 2d. While Stuart was hastening on tc join Lee, he en- 
 countered Kilpatrick's cavalry at Hanover, Pennsylvania, 
 and, after a severe conflict, was routed with the loss of foui 
 hundred killed, wounded, and captured, and six pieces of 
 artillery, the Union loss being only two hundred. Had 
 Stuart not been detained on the first day, matters might 
 have been worse. The Confederate army was made up of 
 the very flower of the South, and numbered one hundred 
 and four thousand men. The patriot army amounted tc 
 ninety-four thousand as brave troops as ever entered a field 
 of battle. The whole world were anxious spectators of the 
 combat, for a nation's destiny once more trembled in the 
 balance. 
 
 The ominous silence which succeeded the first day's battle, 
 was only broken by the firing of the Federal pickets, or by 
 an occasional shot from some field piece, in order to ascer- 
 tain the position and strength of the enemy. The afternoon 
 of the 2d of July, at the hour of 4.20 p. M., was memora- 
 ble for the renewal of the conflict on the part of the rebel 
 commander, by a fierce artillery fire on the left, followed by 
 a desperate charge of infantry. The Third corps (Sickles' 
 advanced three fourths of a mile in front of the main Union 
 line, with the Ninth Massachusetts battery. This position 
 was too far from support, and the enemy quickly hurled 
 twenty-six thousand men on this single corps. Sickles was 
 soon wounded, and Birney, who succeeded him in the com- 
 mand, was also wounded in turn. The corps was forced 
 back, still fighting with great bravery, and the exultant 
 enemy attempted to gain the high ground between Bound 
 Top, and Little Round Top, to reach and hold which would 
 give them command of Cemetery Hill, and the Union posi- 
 tion. So desperate a conflict raged for four hours, that 
 victory trembled in the scale. On Eound Top, there were 
 only three or four batteries; one on the left was commanded 
 by Captain Bigelow, of the Ninth Massachusetts. The in- 
 fantry swayed to and fro, and almost gave way under the 
 overpowering pressure. The failure of the artillery would 
 enable the Confederates to shell the Union lines ; they had 
 planted one battery already, and unlimbered their guns at 
 the very muzzles of Bigelow's. Many of the enemy were 
 blown into atoms, but others pressed on, and killed the 
 Pinion gunners. Two sergeants, three art Uerists, and twenty- 
 31
 
 862 BATTLE OF OEITYSBUTKJ. 
 
 t>ne of Bigelow's men were gone, himself shot in the side, 
 jnd his horses killed. Four of his pieces were dragged oflj 
 )ut he held his ground till Major McGilvray planted his 
 Batteries. A fresh division of the Third corps (Hu- < *- 
 phrey's) coining to the aid of the Htter, they drove the 
 ^nemy back with great slaughter, and recaptured the lost 
 sruns. 
 
 Doubleday's division, of the First corps, part of the Fifth 
 nd Sixth corps, and two divisions of the Twel^h corps 
 (Slocurn's); assisted the Third corps in this tremendous 
 struggle, which no pen can describe. The enemy, who had 
 fought with a fierceness and bravery never surpassed, and 
 were met with a courage equal to their own, had at one 
 time ga'ned the summit of Bound Top, but were repelled at 
 the end of this fierce struggle, which continued three hours 
 General Crawford, with his division of the Fifth corps, the 
 brave Pennsylvania Reserves, drove them down the hill into 
 the valley by a desperate charge, and they sought the woods 
 beyond the next hill. Here three hundred rebels were cap- 
 tured. It was on this charge, that the brave Colonel Taylor, 
 of the Bucktails, was killed, and here also fell the rebei 
 General Barksdale. The attempt on the Union left being 
 met with such a bloody repulse, no further attempts were 
 made upon it. 
 
 The Union right wing had been weakened, to support the 
 attack on the left, and Ewell now determined to gain pos- 
 session of Gulp's and Wolfs hills. He massed his forces 
 against the Eleventh corps, and Green's brigade, of Geary's 
 division. The attack on the Eleventh corps was gallantly 
 repulsed by Howard's artillery, which made dreadful car- 
 nage among the foe, who fell back in total rout. The attack 
 on Green's brigade was also repelled with great loss, the 
 whole ground in his front being strewed with dead and 
 wounded. Aid was sent to these heroic troops. The battle 
 lasted here nearly two hours, until half past nine P. M. 
 Some of the enemy's troops had even pushed on as far aa 
 Spangler's spring, where they lay all night on their arms. 
 The rebels, exc pt at the latter place, had been repulsed at 
 all points. Their commander determined, however, to renew 
 the attack on the next day, July Sd. Accordingly, General 
 Ewell was to carry the Union right wing, and .tjongstreet 
 the left centre.
 
 BATTLE OP QKTT7SBUBO. 881 
 
 At early dawn on Friday morning, the Union guns thun- 
 dered forth defiance, and Slocum's men determined to regain 
 their rifle pits. The Union troops remained behind their 
 intrenchments, and all the efforts of Ewell and Rhodes to 
 gain an inch of ground were quite useless. The Twelfth 
 corps had been reinforced by Shaler's brigade of the Sixth, 
 acd a Maryland brigade. Inch by inch, the rebels wer 
 driven out of the breastworks. From four till eight A. if, 
 the battle raged fiercely, and then came a lull for awhile* 
 when the combat was renewed with greater fury. At half 
 past ten A. M., the enemy were in retreat, being hurled with 
 immense loss over the breastworks, while their ranks were 
 ploughed by the shot and shell of the artillery. At one 
 o'clock p. M., the enemy opened upon Hancock's corps, on 
 the centre and left, with one hundred and fifty guns, and 
 the Union batteries responding, the most awful concussion 
 took place from the fire of three hundred guns. The air 
 vas filled with exploding shells, and other deadly missiles, 
 and the trees were riven as if by forked lightning. The 
 Federals at length ceased firing, and waited for what might 
 next happen. 
 
 Nor did they require to do so long. Pickett's division, 
 of Longstreet's corps, which was quite fresh, and had not 
 yet been under fire in this battle, was now brought for- 
 ward, supported by three brigades from the divisions of 
 Heath and Anderson. On they came for half a mile, to as- 
 sault the Union lines, being confident of carrying them. 
 Grape, canister, and shell raked them at short range, but 
 still they advanced. A destructive musketry fire met them, 
 on a nearer approach, and rushing up to the Federal lines, 
 some threw down their arms and surrendered. The rest, 
 avoiding the fire, which no mortal could endure, betook 
 themselves to flight. Eight hundred prisoners were here 
 taken, by each of two brigades of Doubleday's division, and 
 many by other brigades, as also fifteen stands of colors. 
 General Garnett was killed, General Armistead, of the same 
 division (Pickett's), mortally wounded, and the commander 
 of the third brigade, of the same division, badly wounded 
 and taken prisoner. Generals Pettigrew and Semmes, were 
 also wounded, the latter mortally. More than one third of 
 the participants in this assault were left dead or wounded 
 an the fi jld, and three thousand more captured. Though
 
 104 SPLENDID UNION VICTORY. 
 
 the Federal loss was much inferior, Generals Hancock ana 
 Gibbon were wounded severely, and Generals Warren and 
 Hunt slightly. Thus closed the battle on this part of the 
 field. The trains of ammunition of the Federals were 
 placed in the rear, behin 1 the shelter of Round Top. Long- 
 street endeavored to possess this place, and capture the 
 trains. While the battle with the Union centre was raging, 
 he made a desperate assault with Hood's and McLaw's divis- 
 ions, and sent an infantry force and some batteries south- 
 west of Bound Top, to turn the flank of the Sixth corps, and 
 seize the prizes of the train and position. At this critical 
 moment, when they moved in three lines impetuously to 
 the charge, Kilpatrick's cavalry charged the last line in 
 flank, and forced Hood's division to retire. Other cavalry 
 regiments were sent in, and the rebel charging column)) 
 floated off to the centre of the Union main line, and finally 
 broke, and fled in confusion from under the fire of one hun- 
 dred guns. The Pennsylvania Reserves drove them back 
 to their original position, behind Round Top, and captured 
 their battery, three hundred prisoners, and five thousand 
 stands of arms. At the same time, General Gregg, who 
 held a position on the extreme right, attacked Stuart's 
 cavalry, and E well's force on the left and rear. 
 
 Thus ended the battle of Gettysburg, one of the severest 
 of modern times, and in magnitude compared to Waterloo. 
 The Union losses were two thousand eight hundred and 
 thirty-four killed / fourteen thousand seven hundred and nine 
 wounded, ani eix thousand six hundred and forty- three 
 tiissing, of whom nearly four thousand were captured, 
 aking a total loss of twenty-three thousand one hundred 
 *nd eighty-six. 
 
 Among the killed were Generals Reynolds, Weed, Zook, 
 *nd Farnsworth; and among the wounded, were Major-gen- 
 erals Sickles, Hancock, Butterfield, Doubleday, and Birney, 
 and Brigadier-generals Barlow, Barnes, Gibbon, Hunt, Gra- 
 nam, Paul, and Willard. The rebe 1 loss was five thousand 
 five hundred killed, twenty-one tnousand wounded, nine 
 thousand prisoners, and four thousand stragglers, or a total 
 of nearly forty thousand men. Among their dead were 
 Major-generals Pender, and Brigadiers Barksdale, Armistead, 
 Garnett, and Semmes; the wounded were Major-generala 
 Hood, Heath and Trimble and Brigadiers Kemper, Scale*
 
 SANITARY AND CHRISTIAN COMMISSIONS. 885 
 
 Anderson, Hampton, Jones, and Jenkins; and among the 
 captured, were Brigadier-generals Archer and Kemper. 
 
 The Sanitary and Christian Commissions are worthy to 
 live in history, for the kind care with which they minis- 
 tered to the wants of the wounded on this battle field. Many 
 of them were furnished with surgical treatment, at the hos- 
 pital of the Cooper Shop Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, 
 Philadelphia. This benevolent institution, during the war, 
 fed gratuitously six hundred thousand brave defenders of 
 their country, and, like its rival in beneficence, the Union 
 Saloon, is worthy the gratitude of the nation, and of all 
 future generations of posterity. The former of these saloona, 
 so called from its President, William M. Cooper, originated 
 the Soldier's Home, of Philadelphia, an institution of exten- 
 sive usefulness to the brave defenders of their country.
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI ' 
 
 APRIL JULY, 1863. 
 
 OTKBAL 3RANT TAKES COMMAND IN PKRSON OF THE ARMY BEFORE V ,CK 
 BURG HIS DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS AND FAILURES RESOLVES TO ATTACJ 
 
 FROM BELOW THE GUNBOATS PASS TIIK BATTERIES THE ARMY M.'.RCHBk 
 
 TO HARD TIMES THK ATTACK ON GRAND GULF; ITS RESULTS THETROOPB 
 AT BRUINSBURG BATTLES WHICH FOLLOW CAPTURE OF JACKSON, MISSIS- 
 SIPPI THE ARMY MARCHES WESTWARD BATTLES OF CHAMPION HILl, 
 AND BLACK RIVER BRIDGE VICKSBURG INVESTED THE ASSAULTS, SIEGS, 
 
 AND SURRENDER RESULT OF THE CAMPAIGN BATTLE OF MILLIKEN'g 
 
 BKND OPERATIONS AGAINST PORT HUDSON ITS CLOSE INVESTMENT AND 
 
 SURRENDER ATTACK ON BRASHEAR AND TERREBONNK INHUMAN MAS- 
 
 fl ACRES OF NEGROES THE ATTEMPT ON HELENA PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 
 
 ALL the attempts to capture Vicksburg had hitherto failed. 
 Since the abortive efforts of Sherman, at Chickasaw Bluffs, 
 in the end of 1862, the works and garrison had been 
 strengthened, and an attack would now be attended with 
 great loss of life. Grant had hoped to reach the rear of the 
 stronghold by gaining the command of the Mississippi Cen- 
 tral railroad, as far as Jackson, and making Memphis his 
 base, but the severance of his communications by the enemy 
 in 1862, had frustrated this design. 
 
 In January, 1863, he took command in person of the army 
 before Vicksburg, and followed up a series of operations 
 which, after innumerable difficulties and failures, at last 
 accomplished his grand design, to the lasting honor of its 
 author. 
 
 A canal across the neck of land opposite Vicksburg, for 
 the isolation of the place, by turning the river into a new 
 route, had been projected by General Williams, who was 
 killed at Baton Rouge in 1862. Grant thought that he could 
 send transports below Vicksburg by this canal, which he 
 undertook with great labor to finish, but the rise of the river 
 on the 8th of March, and the consequent pressure on the 
 dam across the canal, caused the failure of the project. 
 
 Grant now directed the opening of a route from Milliken's 
 Bend, through Roundaway Bayou into the Tensas river, 
 which would join the Mississippi at New Carthage. JI 
 (3661
 
 GENERAL GRANT'S OPERATIONS BE? JRE VICKSBURG. 367 
 
 Bent some vessels through this route, but the rapid fall of 
 the river in April, and the roads being then passable between 
 Milliken's BenJ and New Carthage, caused this method to 
 be abandoned. 
 
 A passage also was cut from the river into Lake Provi- 
 lence, which communicated with the Mississippi below, 
 through Bayous Baxter and Macon, and the Tensas, Washita, 
 and Bed rivers. 
 
 A channel was now opened from the Mississippi to Cold 
 water river, through Yazoo Pass, with the intention of de 
 Btroying the enemy's gunboats and transports, in the Yazoo 
 river. Grant hoped by this route to be able to reduce the 
 strong outwork at Haines' Bluff*. Only light gunboats could 
 sail through this passage, and these, after an ineffectual at- 
 tempt to silence the batteries, remained below in the Talla- 
 hatchie river. A reconnoissance of Admiral Porter up 
 Steele's Bayou, disclosed a passage through it, as well as 
 hrough Black Bayou, Deer creek, Rolling Fork, and the 
 Sunflower river, into the Yazoo, at a point where the rebel 
 vessels could be hemmed in between the two squadrons. 
 Phis route was tried on the 25th of March, but failed in its 
 main design. 
 
 The indomitable Grant now adopted the plan of assailing 
 the stronghold from below, and in the rear, by making the 
 Louisiana side, at some point below, his base, and from 
 thence, by rapid marching, to gain and occupy the hilla 
 which looked out upon the high bluff's of Vicksburg. This 
 was a bold and perilous enterprise, as strong batteries lined 
 tb^, eastern bank of the Mississippi from Vicksburg to Port 
 f idson, and from Young's Point to Warrenton. 
 
 A considerable number of Porter's gunboats, with a small 
 L^et of transports, and coal barges, would have to run th 
 gauntlet of these formidable batteries. The main army ^ 
 consisting of the Nineteenth, Fifteenth, and Seventeenth 
 corps, would be obliged to march down the right bank of 
 the river, to a point below, at which a safe crossing could 
 be effected. The soil was marshy, and the roads wet from 
 recent inundations. The troops would have to march seventy 
 miles, from Milliken's Bend, the head-quarters, to Hard 
 Times, and crossing the river at that point, a further route 
 of one hundred miles, through an enemy's country, exposed 
 at every step to attack, would be vet before them, ae well as
 
 868 THE GUNBOATS PASS THE BATTERIES. 
 
 works almost as strong as those in the front. It was at this 
 conjuncture, that in order to weaken the enemy, b} destroy- 
 ing his communications, General Grant sent Colonel Grier- 
 eon on the raid already described. 
 
 On the 29th of March, the Thirteenth army corps, under 
 General McClernand, was sent from Milliken's Bend toward 
 Hard Times ; the Fifteenth and Seventeenth following as 
 fast as supplies of provisions and ammunition could be trans- 
 ported. General Sherman, with the Fifteenth, was to remain 
 to the last, and by making a feint on Haines' Bluff, engage 
 the enemy's attention. 
 
 During the slow and laborious progress of the army, the 
 gunboats and transports were preparing for the hazardous 
 passage. Brave seamen and pilots were found ready to 
 volunteer. Eight gunboats, and three transports, the latte* 
 large river steamers, having their boilers protected by cottof 
 bales, were made ready for the expedition, and left the Yazoo 
 on the 16th of April, at eleven o'clock p. M., being seen, b> 
 anxious spectators, to creep silently down the western shoio. 
 cross, and pass the upper batteries in safety. The boom of 
 cannon announced that the batteries were now opening upop 
 them, while the increasing distance of the sound made it evi 
 ^ent that the vessels were still proceeding on their dangerous 
 xay. The light of beacon fires, now revealed their position on 
 the river, and they were assailed with redoubled efforts by the 
 batteries, to more than one of which the responsive Parrott 
 fiells of the gunboats carried destruction. The transport 
 Jenry Clay was burned and destroyed by the explosion of 
 
 shell, which fired the cotton around her engines, killing 
 ind wounding two men. With this exception, all the vcs 
 sels made the passage successfully. 
 
 On the 22d of April, six more transports, and twelve 
 barges, also successfully passed the batteries, one transport, 
 the Tigress, being sunk by a shot. The troops were trans- 
 ported across the river on the 29th of April, on which day 
 ney moved in front of Grand Gulf, where the gunboats at- 
 acked the batteries. In a severe naval action of five hours 
 nd a half, the batteries were not silenced, and Grant landed 
 he troops at Hard Times. 
 
 The ttext morning, he crossed with them to Bruinsburg, 
 Mississippi. The Thirteenth army corps, being furnished 
 with throe days' rations, was sent on to Port Gibson, and
 
 ATTACK ON GKAND GULF; ITS RESULTS. 
 
 MoPhersou was to follow, with the Seventeenth corps, as 
 soon as it could cross the river. On the 1st of May, at an 
 early hour, the rebel skirmishers were encountered four 
 miles from Port Gibson, at a place where the road branches 
 off, and their main body, about twelve thousand strong, was 
 inet on one of these roads by three divisions of McClernand's 
 sorps, to the right, and by the division of General Osterhaus, 
 on the left. Then resulted the battle of Schaeffer's planta- 
 tion, in which the gallant Osterhaus, although without the 
 reinforcements, for which he had sent to McPherson, drove 
 the enemy before him. The action ended at three P.M., and 
 in another at Clear Hills, near Port Gibson, the enemy, after 
 losing heavily in killed, wounded, and captured, fled in dis- 
 order, burning behind them the bridge over the Bayou Pierre, 
 on the Grand Gulf road. The patriots slept that night on their 
 arms, and the Bayou Pierre being pontooned, at Port Gibson, 
 the advance crossed on the 3d of May, at five A. M. Grand 
 Gulf was evacuated by the enemy. General Grant, riding to 
 Bruinsburg, arranged for a change of base to that place, and 
 General Sherman having arrived with the Fifteenth army 
 corps, he ordered an advance from Hawkinson's Ferry on 
 the 7th of May. The left, formed by McPherson's corps, 
 was to keep the road nearest to Black's river ; McClernand's 
 corps was to follow the ridge road from Willow Springs, 
 and Sherman was to divide his corps between the two roads. 
 The advance of the troops was not made without hard fight- 
 ing, in which the Confederates were worsted with heavy 
 loss, but were soon reinforced, being now commanded by 
 General Joseph Johnston, in person. 
 
 Sherman's and McClernand's corps had been ordered to 
 move toward Raymond. On the 14th, Sherman, with Me- 
 Ciernand within supporting distance, advanced toward Jack- 
 sou, and engaged the enemy. McPherson engaged and routed 
 another force. Pemberton had left the fortifications of 
 "* icksburg, and was marching on Grant's rear, and the latter 
 hearing this, ordered McPherson and McClernand to face 
 about, and march toward Ed card's Station, while he him- 
 self proceeded to Clinton, leaving Sherman to destroy the 
 railroad bridges, factories, and arsenals, and then rejoin the 
 other two corps. This work was thoroughly performed. 
 
 McClernand's corps was sent to feel the enemy on tha 
 16th, toward Edward's Station, at which point the corps of
 
 570 BATTLE OF CHAMPION HIL 
 
 McPharson, and Blair's division of Sherman's corps were 
 concentrating. Information reached General Grant, on the 
 16th, at five o'clock A. M., that the rebel army was twenty- 
 five thousand strong, with ten batteries of artillery. Being 
 further apprised of the enemy's intention of attacking hi* 
 ear, he ordered Sherman lorvvard with all speed. 
 
 \Viiile the other divisions of McClernand's corps were ad 
 rancing, General A. P. Ilovey's division, forming the right 
 wing, occupied the main road from Jackson to Vicksburg, 
 tsar the railroad. North of the road lay McPherson's corps, 
 one division of which, under General Logan, occupied the 
 .eft, next to Ilovey, who had skirmishing with the enemy 
 on the 16th, at Champion Hill, eight miles from Edward's 
 Station. The Confederates held a strong position on a 
 narrow wooded ridge, their left resting on a steep height, 
 at a sharp turn in the Vicksburg road ; in front, beyond 
 the woods, rose a series of cultivated hills, on which their 
 artillery was posted. McClernand was now within a short 
 distance, and Grant, who did not desire to bring on a general 
 action until his arrival, now permitted the attack to be made. 
 Hovey made the attack in front, and Logan in flank. The 
 former charged gallantly, but was forced back by overwhelm- 
 ing numbers. Being supported by Quinby's division, he 
 soon regained his lost ground. Logan operated on the rebel 
 flank and rear, and had the attack in front been made in 
 greater force, was in a situation to have captured almost the 
 entire hostile line. When McClernand arrived, at four 
 o'clock, the rebels were in rapid retreat ; Carr's and Oster- 
 baus's divisions pursuing, captured a train of cars, laden 
 with commissary and ordnance stores. This battle was the 
 most severe fought, heretofore, by General Grant's forces. 
 The Union loss in killed, wounded, and missing, was two 
 thousand five hundred ; that of the rebels, nearly three 
 thousand killed and wounded, two thousand prisoners, 
 thirty-two cannon, and a large quantity of small arms and 
 equipments. Many of the Confederates came voluntarily 
 over to the Union linu). 
 
 The rebels had retreated to a strong position on the Big 
 Black. On the morning of the 17th of May, after a heavy 
 conflict with artillery, the Federal troops advanced to the 
 edge of the woods, frontir.^ the enemy's position, and it was 
 discovered that opposite the extreme Union right, at t.ha
 
 VICKSBURQ INVESTED THE ASSAULTS. 371 
 
 distance of three hundred yards, there was an opening 
 through which the hostile works might be entered. The 
 troops for this dangerous enterprise, were the Twenty-sec- 
 ond and Twenty-third Iowa, and the Eleventh and Twenty- 
 first Wisconsin regiments. These brave men, with a loss of 
 over one tenth of their number, rushed through all obstruc- 
 tions, and cheering, poured in a terrible volley. The ene 
 my's position was carried by assault, and at once surren- 
 dered ; eleven hundred men, eighteen cannon, and several 
 colors being the fruits of the victory. The rest of the 
 enemy's forces fled across the Big Black, and burned the 
 bridge behind them. 
 
 General Sherman had been sent with his corps to Bridge- 
 port, further up the Big Black, which, on May 18th, he 
 crossed by means of a pontoon bridge, and moving rapidly, 
 occupied on the same day the important position at Walnut 
 Hills, on the Yazoo river, northwest of Yicksburg. McCler- 
 nand and McPherson had crossed on the morning of the 
 18th, on floating bridges. The latter occupied the hills east 
 of the city, and the former those to the southeast. Admiral 
 Porter, with his gunboats, held the river front, both above 
 >nd below, and the city was now successfully invested. The 
 great advantage of Grierson's raid was now fully apparent, 
 the enemy's communication was thereby cut off. Grant 
 nad a force sufficient to cope with the garrison of Yicks- 
 burg, which he determined at once to capture by assault 
 
 The first assault was made at two p. M., on the 19th of 
 May, the day of his arrival before Yicksburg. Sherman, 
 with his corps (the 15th), by a vigorous attack gained a 
 position within the rebel works, and McClernand and Me 
 Pherson, with their troops (the 13th and 17th corps), also 
 advanced to positions which were sheltered from the fire of 
 the besieged garrison. 
 
 The second assault on the 22d of May was ordered to 
 begin at ten o'clock A. M., and Porter bombarded the city 
 in front with his gunboats, from seven to half past eleven 
 A. M. The assaults in the rear were neither simultaneous, 
 nor, on account of the difficulties of the ground, well sup- 
 ported by the "forlorn hopes." Lawler's brigade, of Me- 
 demand's corps, led the assault on the left, and found one 
 of the forts in par 4 ; gained, to be divided by a breastwork, in 
 the rea of which *;he rifle pita commanding it sent forth a
 
 872 INTERVIEW BETWEEN* GRANT AND PEMBERTON. 
 
 destructive fire into th 3 Unionists. On the parapet of an 
 other fort to the right of this, the Union flag was planted 
 by the troops of Benton and Burbridge, but these brigades 
 were repulsed ; shells, with lighted fuses, being hurled upon 
 them by the enemy. The attack on these forts, in a despe- 
 rate struggle for five hours, resulted in heavy losses, and 
 General Grant saw that McClernand's assault would be 
 unsuccessful. Nevertheless, at the earnest and repeated 
 request of the latter for reinforcements, he (Grant) sent 
 him McArthur's and Quinby's divisions, which had only 
 the effect of increasing the number of killed and wounded. 
 The assault failed, and the losses were heavy, being one 
 thousand killed and wounded. 
 
 Grant now determined to advance by regular approaches, 
 and in a close siege to cut off all the enemy's supplies and 
 reinforcements. He now received information of the diffi- 
 culty which Johnston was experiencing in raising an army 
 strong enough to attack him. The Union position was ren- 
 dered safe by reinforcements from Memphis, Helena, and 
 Louisville, and investing the city yet more closely, Grant 
 made his approaches with rapidity and success, his works 
 being finally but twenty yards from those of the enemy. A 
 deficiency of engineer officers was met by Captains Prince 
 aiid Comstock, and Lieutenant-colonel Wilson (of Grant's 
 staff 1 ), who gained, in a short time, considerable skill in mil- 
 itary engineering. Johnston approached as near as the Big 
 Black, but never ventured to attack Grant's forces. The 
 saps were ready on the 3d of July, and the final assault was 
 appointed for the 6th. It was to be followed by a vigorous 
 pursuit of the forces under Johnston. 
 
 On the 3d of July, General Pemberton, who commanded 
 the rebel forces in Vicksburg, proposed, by a letter to Gen- 
 eral Grant, an armistice, and the appointment of commision 
 ers to arrange terms of capitulation of the place. Grant, 
 however, would listen to nothing but an unconditional sur- 
 render. Midway between the lines, under a large oak, and 
 within sight of the two armies, a personal interview took 
 place, on the 4th of July, between Grant and Pemberton. In 
 a note sent by the fo-mer, it was said that the unconditional 
 surrender of Vicksburg and its garrison would be required, 
 bat that the troops would be paroled, and permitted tc 
 inarch out of the lines ; the officers being allowed to take 
 *ith them their regime* \tal clothing, and the staflj field, and
 
 SURRENDER OF VICKSBURG, 878 
 
 cavalry officers also one horse each. The terms were ac- 
 cepted, and on the day of the National Jubilee, amid the 
 enthusiastic shouts of the brave troops, the stars and stripes 
 waved in triumph on the fortifications of Yicksburg. 
 
 Grant thus sums up the results of this campaign. " The 
 defeat of the enemy in five battles outside of Vicksburg ; 
 the occupation of Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, and the 
 capture of Vicksburg and its garrison, and munitions of 
 war ; a loss to the enemy of thirty-seven thousand prisoners, 
 jmong whom were fifteen general officers ; at least ten thou- 
 sand killed and wounded, and among the killed, Generals 
 Tracy, Tilghman, and Green ; and hundreds, and perhaps 
 thousands of stragglers, who can never be collected and re- 
 organized. Arms and munitions of war for an army of 
 sixty thousand men have fallen into our hands (there were 
 two hundred and twenty cannon, of which forty-two were 
 guns of heavy calibre, and of the very best make, and sev- 
 enty-one thousand stand of small arms, of which fifty thou- 
 sand were Enfield rifles, in the original English packages), 
 besides a large amount of other public property, consisting 
 i>f railroads, locomotives, cars, steamboats, cotton, etc., and 
 much was destroyed to prevent our capturing it." 
 
 The garrison of Vicksburg had subsisted for three weeks 
 mostly on mule meat, the supplies were exhausted, and the 
 expected assault could not have been sustained. The Fed 
 eral losses, in this series of battles, were one thousand two 
 hundred and forty-three killed, seven thousand and ninety 
 five wounded, and five hundred and thirty -seven missing; 
 total, eight thousand eight hundred and seventy-five. Half 
 the wounded received but slight injuries, and returned to 
 duty in a short time. The rebel leaders violated their 
 promises, and many paroled prisoners, without being ex- 
 changed, returned to the army to fight against the Union. 
 
 After this great victory, General Sherman pursued Johu 
 ston across the Big Black, and on the 14th invested Jackson, 
 where the latter general was strongly intrenched. On the 
 18th he captured the place, losing, in the attack of that and 
 the day previous, one thousand men. He captured seven 
 hundred and sixty-four prisoners, two rifled guns, and a 
 great quantity of ammunition, and destroyed almost all the 
 equipments of the New Orleans and NnrtherD, and thf 
 Jackson, Meridian, and Central railroads. 
 
 a
 
 574 OPERATIONS AGAINST PORT HUDSON. 
 
 General Ransom, with twelve hundred men, proceeded on 
 the 6th of July to Natchez, and crossing the river, captured 
 many prisoners, among whom were five officers; a nine gun 
 battery, four of which were ten pounder Parrotts, and seized 
 two hundred and fifty-seven boxes of ammunition. He also 
 captured five thousand head of Texas cattle, and four thou 
 sand hogsheads of sugar. 
 
 Port Hudson was strongly defended on the water front 
 by eight batteries, mounting twenty-five guns, of which two 
 were one hundred and twenty pounders, and the rest twenty- 
 four, thirty-two, and forty-two pounders. The defences on 
 the land side, were four lines of fortifications, mounting 
 nearly forty heavy guns, and having an abatis in front 
 The garrison, under General Franklin Gardner, numbered 
 seven thousand men. On the 25th of May, General Banka 
 forced the enemy from the first line of works, and General 
 Weitzel having arrived with his brigade on the 26th, an 
 assault was made next day, at six o'clock A. M., by artillery. 
 The guns of Admiral Farragut opened fire on the water 
 oatteries above and below almost simultaneously, and the 
 Dornbardment continued during the day. At ten o'clock, 
 General Weitzel, with his own brigade, portions of Grover's 
 and Emory's divisions, and two colored regiments, under 
 Colonel Paine, assaulted the enemy's works, and after a bat- 
 tle of six hours, forced their lines, crossed Big Sandy creek, 
 and captured a redoubt mounting six heavy guns, near 
 Foster's creek. The action was very severe, and the colored 
 troops fought with such daring courage, as to elicit the 
 highest commendation from the commanding general. Gen- 
 eral Sherman led the assault on the left and centre with 
 great resolution, but less success. There were good hopes, 
 however, that the reduction of the place would soon occur. 
 The losses in killed, wounded, and missing, were one thou- 
 sand. It is probable that the colored troops here taken 
 prisoners, were put tc death by their captors, as they were 
 never afterward returned to the Federals. 
 
 A second assault took place on the 14th of June, by the 
 divisions of Weitzel, Grover, and Paine, but the inequality 
 of the ground prevented simultaneous action. Augur's 
 division, meanwhile, by a feint, drew off the attention of the 
 enemy, but the assault was unsuccessful, the loss, in killed, 
 wounded, and prisoners, amounting to one thousand men
 
 ITS CLOSE INVESTMENT AXD SURRENDER 375 
 
 A charge made on the 17th, v as also unsuccessful, and tne 
 troops engaged again met with a severe repulse. The siege, 
 however, continued to be pressed with ardor, and the garri- 
 son was eventually reduced to great straits for want of food. 
 On the 7th of July, news carne of the capture of Vicksburg, 
 and General Gardner, the Confederate commander, at once 
 proposed a surrender, which took place on the 8th the 
 stronghold being occupied by the Federal forces on the 9th. 
 
 General Banks thereby captured six thousand two hun- 
 Ired and thirty-three prisoners, fifty-one pieces of artillery, 
 two steamers, four thousand eight hundred pounds of pow- 
 der, five thousand small arms, and one hundred and fifty 
 thousand rounds of cannon ammunition. 
 
 "With the surrender of Port Hudson, the triumph of the 
 rebels in the fruitful "Attakapas country" came to an end, 
 and they speedily escaped to western Louisiana. Port Hud- 
 son was now garrisoned by colored troops, and became the 
 camp of instruction for colored regiments, under General 
 Ullman. After the fall of the stronghold, General Banks 
 returned to New Orleans. 
 
 During the siege of the latter place, General Banks was 
 obliged, for a time, to abandon the Teche county, and the 
 rebels, seven thousand strong, appeared on the 19th of June 
 at Terrebonne, tore up the track of the Opelousas railroad, 
 and attacked the Union troops at Lafourche, but were re- 
 pulsed with loss. 
 
 They next attacked Brashear City, the location where werd 
 large stores, a hospital, and a convalescent camp. The gar 
 rison was one thousand strong, and the sick and wounded 
 in the hospital, amounted to three thousand five hundred 
 and thirteen. The attack was made in front and rear, and 
 the patriots were compelled to surrender, the greater part of 
 the soldiers being paroled. In a large carnp of freedmen, 
 chiefly old men, women, and children, a most inhuman and in- 
 discriminate massacre was perpetrated. More than two thou- 
 eand helple.'-s people were the victims of this horrid cruelty. 
 A month p:eviously, a body of five hundred negroes deter- 
 -nined to reach the patriot camp and enlist as soldiers. At 
 St. Martinsville, on their way, they demanded the surrender 
 of the place, and being met by some professed Unionists 
 with the national flag, they were persuaded by these false 
 friends to lay down their arms, consisting of old shot guna
 
 876 . THE ATTfiMPT ON HELENA. 
 
 and pistols. On doing so, they were seized, and every one 
 hung on the spot. Such was the spirit of rebellion, and 
 fully in keeping with the diabolical atrocities of worse than 
 Indian cruelty which are exhibited in the scenes before 
 recorded, and others of which mention must be made here- 
 after. 
 
 While the siege of Vicksburg was in progress, the corps 
 assigned for the defence of northeastern Arkansas, com- 
 manded by General Prentiss, whose head-quarters were at 
 Helena, was greatly reduced, and numbered scarcely four 
 thousand men. The gunboat Tyler was in port, and waa 
 found of valuable service. The combined force of the ene- 
 my, under Holmes, Price, and Marmaduke, consisting of 
 fifteen thousand men, made an attack on the position, on the 
 4th of July, at daylight, and after a severe struggle of two 
 hours, succeeded in capturing one of the outworks, mounting 
 four guns. The Tyler, having got their range, dispersed 
 them with terrible slaughter, by huge shells from her Parrott 
 guns. Colonel Clayton completely routed them in an ap- 
 proach from the north, and the gunbo again prevented 
 their advance on the south. They then attempted to shell 
 the town, but General Prentiss gallantly repulsed them in 
 repeated charges, and the foiled enemy, beaten at every 
 point, retreated toward Little Bock, the capital of the State, 
 with a loss in killed and wounded, of fifteen hundred men, 
 and eleven hundred prisoners. The patriot loss was two 
 hundred and thirty. This was the last expiring effort of 
 the rebels on the Federal posts on the Mississippi river, as 
 after this defeat, no attempt was made of any considerable 
 importance. 
 
 During the eleven months, ending July 15th, 1863, the 
 country had made great progress in bringing the rebellion 
 to a close. Two hundred thousand square miles, which, less 
 than a year ago, were under the power of the Confederacy, 
 had been regained. The Mississippi was again open, the 
 blockade close and effectual, arid the Confederate scrip ren- 
 dered almost valueless. The news of the surrender of Vicks- 
 burg, following so soon upon the cheering intelligence that 
 the rebel hordes had been foiled in their attempt to invade 
 the North, and had sustained a terrible defeat at Gettysburg; 
 strengthened the hearts and hands of the loyal people. The 
 " Confederac 7" was cut in twain and had received a blow
 
 PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 877 
 
 from which it could never recover, being afterward dis 
 trusted both at home and abroad. 
 
 Bloody fields and desperate struggleo were yet to come, 
 but the heart of every patriot was cheered ^'ith the general 
 prospect. Foreign CDuntries began to feel that tin power of 
 the Government was capable of putting down rebellion, and 
 the oppressed people of the South, who were attached fe> tho 
 old flag, and had been cruelly maltreated by the secessionists, 
 saw the day approaching in which the force of A .he rebellion 
 would be broken in pieces. The poor bondsmen, >'ho 
 groaned under the dreadful yoke of slavery, saw deliverance 
 drawing nigh, and thanked God for the hope of .-no day 
 being free. 
 
 Having already sustained such terrible conflicts, and par- 
 mounted such immense difficulties, the nation felt hope ir, the 
 future success of our armies, and magnified the goodness of 
 Him, whose Providence was guiding the affairs of the peo- 
 ple, and whose Omnipotence was raising the instruments 
 with which to break the power of the rebellion, and crush 
 ito hydra >.ead as with a single blow
 
 CHAPTER XXXVDL 
 
 JULY AUGUST, 1888. 
 
 or TH2 REBEL POWER IN ARKANCAS rut QCJ'SSII.V&.B AND 
 
 BD811*JiA.3KI!RO QUANTREL LAWRENCE MA8SACRK ^TIXXPTS TO MUB- 
 PB UlL/ERAL BLUNT RAID IN MISSOURI MORGAN'S BAID INTO KEN- 
 TUCKY, INDIANA, AND OHIO HIS CAPTURE AND ESCAPE-- TFE REiaN OF 
 TXRKOB IN NEW YORK, AND SUPPRESSION OF THE RIOTf - LOOSES OF LIFt 
 AND PEOPERTY DEPARTMENT OF TE>' SOUTH GILKOEK AND DAHLGREN 
 1OHRI8 ISLAND BOMBARDJIE <:T OF F03T WACtXKR THI " SWAMP AN- 
 OT5L" >.SSAULT ON SUMTEB J>i aAQS TO ITS WAL^S EVACUATION OF 
 } ORRIS ISLAND. 
 
 the fall of Vickflbitrg, the Government determined 
 to free Arkansas from the enemy, and aid the loyal citizens, 
 whvaO ?ts,te had been dravn out of the Union by .1 fala-i vote. 
 Acc<W ing^, General Steele vras ordered, with si lai ge force, to 
 advuncc &bn Helena toward' Duval's Bluf on the "White 
 river. Being joined here by General Davidson, and having 
 established a hospital and base of supplies, General Steele 
 moved forward on the 1st of August, 1863, and encountering 
 the rebel army, near the line of the Bayou Metoe, drove it back 
 to Little Rock. Having crossed the Arkansas below this 
 place, Steele moved with part of his supplies to Arkadelphia, 
 the Confederate base and despot of supplies. General Holmes, 
 the rebel commander in Arkansas, sent ^Marmadnke, with 
 his cavalry, to check the Union advance, but the latter gen- 
 eral was put to flight, and Holmes, alter destroying as much 
 property as possible at Little Rock, fell back rapidly on 
 Arkadelphia. General Steele, on the 10th of September, 
 entered Little Rock, captured one thou^aud prisoners, and a 
 large quantity of stores, and continued his pursuit of the 
 rebel army toward the south. 
 
 On the 25th of October, Marmiul uke, with three thousand 
 men, attacked the garrison at Pine BlufT, consisting of five 
 hundred and fifty men, under Colonel Clayton. In an action 
 of five hours, the rebels were defeated, with the loss of two 
 hundred and fifty men. On this day, also, the Unionists oc 
 cupied Arkadelphia, while the shattered rebel columns were 
 crossing the Red river. The power of the Government was 
 (378)
 
 GUERILLAS AND BUSHWHACKERS QUANTREL. 379 
 
 now, with two slight exceptions, in the southwest and north- 
 west, supreme in the State of Arkansas. The northwestern 
 portion of the State, and the Indian Territory adjacent, since 
 the outbreak of rebellion, had nourished a band of bush- 
 whackers, robbers, and murderers, who committed depreda- 
 tions and atrocities upon the loyal inhabitants. 
 
 The most atrocious of these reprobates was one Quan- 
 trel, a villain, plunderer, and cutthroat. On the 21st 
 of August, of this year, he attacked the city of Lawrence, 
 Kansas, with a lawless band of eight hundred men, and mur- 
 dered one hundred and twenty-five citizens in cold blood. 
 The dwellings and stables were burned, after being plun- 
 dered, and robbed of their contents. Nearly one hundred 
 men of this cruel guerilla band were slain by a mounted 
 force, under General James H. Lane, but the rest escaped. 
 
 One of the severest scourges of the guerillas was General 
 Fames G. Blunt, of Kansas, who punished as many of them 
 as came in his way, with great rigor. This made them re- 
 solve on his murder. In a battle fought in the Indian Ter- 
 ritory, in July, he had attacked Cooper and Standwaite, with 
 six thousand marauders, and completely routed them. Quan- 
 trel had fought in this battle, and eager to avenge his de- 
 feat, he attacked Blunt, on the 5th of October, between 
 Forts Smith and Scott, the latter being escorted by only one 
 hundred men. The rebels, three hundred strong, were 
 dressed in Federal uniforms, and, at pistol range, made a 
 fierce attack upon the escort, who broke and fled ; but sev- 
 enty-eight of their number, among whom was a son of Gen- 
 oral Curtis, surrendering, were inhumanly murdered. 
 
 Blunt, and fifteen men, cut their way out by a bold charge, 
 and escaped south, to where Colonel Pond was stationed with 
 his regiment. Great rejoicing prevailed among Quantrel and 
 his associates, at the supposed death of General Blunt. 
 
 The attempts of the guerillas had signally failed in Ar- 
 kansas, and Cabell, Marmaduke, Coffee, and Shelby their 
 chiefs, determined on a raid into Missouri, which was deemed 
 a more promising field for their operations. Collecting 
 seven thousand guerillas, Marmaduke and Cabell left the 
 Indian Territory, on the 1st of October, and crossed the Ar- 
 kansas, east of Fort Smith, where the former remained, with 
 part of the forces in reserve, while Cabell and Shelby pro- 
 feeding onward, were joined by General Coffee, at Crooked
 
 880 MORGAN'S GREAT RAID. 
 
 Prairie, with. a large force. Murdering and plundering on 
 their way, they were closely pursued at Booneville, on the 
 Missouri river, and at Merrill's Crossing, on the Salt Fork; 
 were attacked, on October 12th, by the Missouri State Militia, 
 under General E. B. Brown. A brisk action of several hours 
 resulted, in which they were completely routed, and pur- 
 iued by General Brown, who sent Lieutenant-colonel Lazear 
 to cut off their retreat. Hemmed in, they lost one hundred 
 and fifty killed, or se\ erely wounded, and many prisoners, 
 two guns, and all their train. The shattered remnant escaped 
 to Fayetteville, where Marmaduke failed to reorganize this 
 desperate and severely punished band. 
 
 The guerilla John Morgan, whose atrocities in Kentucky 
 rendered him notorious, moved on the 24th of June, with a 
 selected force of three thousand five hundred mounted men, 
 and a battery, from Jamestown, on the Cumberland. To 
 draw off the Union forces, who were watching his move- 
 ments, he made a feint of attacking Tompkinsville, on the 
 opposite side of the Cumberland, in Kentucky, and crossing 
 at Burksville, thirty miles higher up the river, proceeded 
 toward Columbia, Kentucky, which he reached at noon on 
 July 3d. Advancing to Green river on the 4th, he at- 
 tempted to cross, but encountered Colonel Moore, with two 
 hundred men, of the Twenty-fifth Michigan, defended by 
 earthworks. Morgan's demand of surrender, made upon the 
 latter, received a spirited reply. Repeated charges on the 
 works were gallantly repulsed, and the foiled rebels retired 
 with a loss of thirty killed, many wounded, and one hundred 
 captured. Morgan then crossed higher up the river, reached 
 New Market on the evening of the same day, and moving 
 next morning on Lebanon, which was defended by four hun- 
 dred men, commanded by Colonel Hanson, compelled it to 
 surrender. Driving his prisoners before him to Springfield, 
 over ten miles, in one hour and a half, and shooting down 
 those unable to keep up with his cavalry, he paroled the 
 rest, moved on Bardstown, and was there kept at bay by 
 twenty men, of the Fourth United States' cavalry, who fought 
 from a strong stable. Eapidly pursued, he reached Shep- 
 herdsville, on Salt river, advanced on Lawrenceville and 
 Brandenburg, wht re he seized the steamer McComb, and by 
 signals of distresa lecoyed and captured the steamer Alice 
 Dean.
 
 MORGAN'S GREAT RAID. 881 
 
 The crossing of his men on the Ohio took two days, and 
 on the 8th, two river gunboats opened on them; but Morgan 
 returned the fire with his rifled guns, crossed with his troops 
 and was now on the Indiana side ; General Hobson, and a 
 part of General Judah's cavalry, being in hot pursuit. Mor 
 gan moved on Corydon, defeated the nome guards, some of 
 whom were killed, plundered the town, and levied a heavj 
 gum on the factory owners. Early on the 10th, he arrived 
 at Salem, which he plundered, and moving to "Vienna, on the 
 Jeffcrsonville railroad, destroyed a railroad bridge, and 
 rested during the night. On the evening of the llth, he de- 
 manded of Colonel Lowe, who was stationed at V ernon, witn 
 twelve hundred militia, the surrender of the post. It was re- 
 fused, and Morgan threatened to bombard the town. Moving 
 off in the night, however, he proceeded to Dupont's Station 
 and Versailles, and from thence to Harrison, which he plun 
 dered and burned. At the latter place, a large number of 
 valuable horses replaced the jaded animals of his men. 
 
 The State militia hastened to defend Cincinnati, but though 
 Morgan was within three miles at one time, he was too wily 
 to attempt an attack on that city. He left Harrison on the 
 13th of July, burned the bridge over the Whitewater river, 
 crossed the Great Miami by the Miamitown, Baltimore, and 
 Coleraine bridges, each of which he burned, and encamped 
 at night within ten miles of Cincinnati. Next day he pro- 
 ceeded on his course through Glendale and Springfield, 
 threatened Camps Dennison and Shady, and was driven off 
 by the convalescents, who fired on him from rifle pits. 
 
 Still advancing, he passed through Batavia, and arrived at 
 three P. M., on the 14th, at Williamsburg, from which, mov 
 mg on to Sardinia, he burned two bridges in his rear, and 
 bivouacked for the night. 
 
 General Hobson was now twelve miles behind, his men 
 wearied, and on jaded horses. General Judah's cavalry had 
 gone up the river in steamboats, to cut oft' the retreat south. 
 Military committees had the roads obstructed, and gunboats 
 patrolled the Ohio river. The guerilla chief now became 
 anxious to return with his plunder to Kentucky. At Jack- 
 sonville, in Adams county, he was rejoined by his brother, 
 Colonel Dick Morgan, who had been sent toward the Ohio, 
 to find a place where a safe crossing could be effected, and 
 was informed by him of the preparations to intercept hit 
 retreat in the way of the Ohio river.
 
 882 MORGAN'S GREAT RAID. 
 
 Morgan now passed through and plundered Winchester 
 Jackson, Wheatbridge, and Jacksonville, and then proceeded 
 toward Jasper, on the Scioto. The roads were obstructed, 
 but by the ruse of a false telegram, he succeeded in reach 
 Ing Jasper on the 16th. Here, after plundering the town, 
 aud murdering several citizens, he heard of the ap 
 proach of Ilobson, and hastened on, passing ih?QC. Ji Pike 
 ion in the evening, and reached Jackaoe 3 c yen p. M. 
 On the 17th he advanced to Berlin, v^are ^: vras defeated 
 with the loss of twelve killed and \\ ?^ <*!, in an action 
 with the militia, under Colonel Runkia. He moved in two 
 columns on Pomeroy, and found the roads blockaded, while 
 collecting forces were hemming him in, and the gunboats 
 rendered the passage of the Ohio perilous. 
 
 Passing through Chester, the guerillas reached Buffington 
 ford, opposite an island of that name, at three A. M., on July 
 19th. Here the main force bivouacked. General Judah 
 came up, and opened on the enemy with artillery, while the 
 cavalry charged them. General Ilobson arrived at the 
 same moment, and made a fierce attack on the rear, the in- 
 fantry making a simultaneous assault. The gunboat Moose, 
 and transport Alleghany were training their guns on the 
 foe, from Buffington Island. About eight hundred guerillas 
 now laid down their arms, but Morgan fled with the re- 
 mainder of his band, leaving all his plunder behind, and 
 moved rapidly up the river to Belleville ford, fourteen miles 
 above Buffington Island. In an attempt to cross at dark, 
 the river being deep, about fifty perished in the stream, and 
 three hundred escaping, found their way to the rebel lines 
 in southwestern Virginia. The gunboats drove back the 
 . eat, and among them Morgan, who proceeded to Harrison- 
 ville, and from thence toward the river, in order to make 
 another attempt at crossing. They were brought to a halt 
 by General Shackelford, with a brigade of Hobson's division, 
 near Chester, below Pomeroy. Morgan, sending in a flag 
 of truce, proposed to surrender unconditionally, but made 
 his escape while negotiations were pending; and while Co 1 
 onel Coleman, with four hundred men were captured, the 
 guerilla chief, with eight hundred of his band, reached Er 
 vington, twenty miles from Gallipolis, on the morning of 
 the 21st. Here Major Sontag capitulated with two hun 
 dred and lit v militia, and at Berlin, Major Slain alao BUT 
 rendered
 
 DBFKAT, CAPTURE, ANI> ESCAPE. o8# 
 
 At New Lisbon, on the 2Stli, Major Way, in a spirited 
 action of an hour, completely routed the rebels, with, a loss 
 on their side of two hundred in killed wounded and pris- 
 oners. Morgan and the rest of the band were pursued, and 
 oaptured by Major McCrea, at Smith's Ferry. The leaders, 
 among them Basil Duke and others, were sent to the Ohio 
 State Penitentiary, from which Morgan and six others. OK 
 the 26th of November, 1863, dug their Avay out and escaped 
 Some were retaken, but Morgan escaped to Tennessee, 
 raised a new band, and committed fresh depredations upon 
 the loyal people, until finally an effectual check was put to 
 his career by the bullet of a private soldier. 
 
 Though the discussion of political questions in the ab- 
 stract is generally eschewed, yet historical truth requires 
 mention of certain unpalatable facts, the omission of which 
 would render this work incomplete. The rebellion had 
 many northern sympathizers, and in May and June, 1863, 
 artful demagogues stirred up the "lewd fellows of the baser 
 sort" to resist the draft, and deprive the negroes of work 
 under these pretexts being concealed the design of favoring 
 the cause of rebellion. An unsuccessful attempt to stir 
 up the lower classes to resist the Government, had been 
 frustrated in Philadelphia, Boston, Troy, and other cities. 
 By a riot, in which life and property were destroyed in New 
 York city, where the mob ruled in dreadful carnival for 
 two days, it was expected that the Government would thereby 
 be compelled to draw off its troops from the actual fields of 
 operations, in order that citizens might be protected. 
 
 On Saturday, July the llth (1863), all was quiet in New 
 York. The prominent rioters met the next day, and on 
 Monday, the 13th, a deputy marshal in the Ninth District, 
 who was about commencing the draft, was beaten, left for 
 dead, and the furniture of the room destroyed. Then eu 
 sued a scene which baffles all description. The offices of 
 the provost-marshals were burned, telegraph wires aut> 
 the railroad tracks destroyed, the mayor's house plundered, 
 thf colored orphan asylum laid in ashes, twenty-five police- 
 men killed, and one hundred wounded, thirty negroes mur- 
 dered, and property destroyed to the amount of two millions 
 of dollars. The reign of terror was prevalent on Tuesday 
 and some regulars, undei General Harvey Brown, had three 
 collisions with the mob. On Wednesday, a few militia
 
 884 DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 regiments returned from Meade's army, and the New York 
 Seventh, at once undertook to effectually put down the mob. 
 Several hundreds of the rioters were killed or severely 
 wounded ; the mob was dispersed, and the ringleaders ar- 
 rested. D-iring the day, Colonel O'Brien was inhumanly 
 murdered by the rioters. It is estimated that nearly one 
 thousand persons were killed or wounded by the military 
 *nd police, during the continuance of this dreadful riot. 
 
 Major general Dix was called to assume command of the 
 Department of the East, and events proved that the appoint- 
 ment was judicious and satisfactory. Divine Providence 
 preserved the North both from rebels in open arms, and 
 their sympathizers in her midst, and the public peace was 
 preserved. 
 
 We now return to the Department of the South, where 
 repeated attempts were made to capture Charleston, the 
 cradle of secession. On the sudden death of Rear-admiral 
 Foote, Rear-admiral John A. Dahlgren was appointed to 
 take command of the South Atlantic blockading squadron ; 
 General Hunter being superseded in the command of the land 
 forces by Brigadier-general Q. A. Gilmore. The prepara- 
 tions for an assault upon the fortifications of Morris Island, 
 were completed on the 10th, and General Strong's brigade 
 was ordered to move up Folly Island creek in boats, and 
 land on the south end of Mori-is Island. The landing waa 
 to be covered by shelling the enemy's rifle pits, and this 
 task was entrusted to Lieutenant Bunce, with four howitzers. 
 A feigned attack was to be made on James Island, by Gen- 
 enil Terry, who was to proceed up the Stono river, and 
 engage the attention of the enemy. Some of the batteries 
 were to be turn-ed by another force west of the island. At 
 five o'clock A. M., the first gun was fired, and the foe 
 taken by surprise. The first ball disabled a gun-carriage, 
 scattering the astonished enemy, and soon the masked bat- 
 teries were hurling deadly bolts into the works. The rebels 
 fought well, but their guns were not worked with precision. 
 The gunboats, taking up a good position, made great havoo 
 among them, and their gunners were picked off by the ex- 
 pert Federal marksmen. The howitzer boats opened fire on 
 the rifle pits, near Light-house Inlet, whereupon the rebels 
 directed their fire- upon the boats, one of which was sunk. 
 Lieutenant-colonel Rodma . and part of his regiment the
 
 BOMBARDMENT OF FORT VT4GNER S85" 
 
 Seventh CoLnecticut were the first to land un Morris Island, 
 and, under a scathing fire, they carried the rifle pits. Gen- 
 eral Strong, meanwhile, was approaching the shore with tho 
 Sixth Connecticut, and landed his men under the shelter of 
 the sand hills of the place. 
 
 " The men sprang forward to the charge, and, taking one 
 battery after another, pursued the routed foe to the woods. 
 Colonel Dandy, with the One Hundredth New Hampshire 
 and Colonel S. H. Putnam, with part of the Forty-eighth 
 New York, landed and joined in the pursuit of the foe. 
 When within the range of Forts Wagner and Gregg, the 
 Seventh New Hampshire, which had never before been 
 under fire, performed its duty heroically, and, attacking a 
 battery about two miles further up, captured it in a gallapt 
 charge, and turned its guns on the enemy. Ten batteries 
 fell into the hands of the Unionists, and the enemy, after 
 burning a large quantity of commissary stores, retreated. 
 Many of the guns, and the larger portion of the cargo of 
 the Ruby, a blockade-runner, which had grounded on the 
 beach, were captured, as were also one hundred and thirty- 
 nine privates and eleven commissioned officers. 
 
 After some needful rest, an attack was to be made on 
 Forts Wagner and Gregg. Gilmore put General Strong in 
 command of the island. Meanwhile, the gunboats, about 
 nine o'clock, opened a fire upon Fort Wagner, which was 
 vigorously responded to by the enemy, but a bombardment 
 of several hours was attended with no advantage to either 
 side. The Catskill, Admiral Dahlgren's flag-ship, was struck 
 fifty-two times, but sustained little damage. The prepara- 
 tions were completed for an attack on the forts next morn- 
 ing, and the troops bivouacked during the night on the 
 sand hills of the island. On the llth, at early dawn, the 
 Seventh Connecticut, Ninth Maine, and Seventh Pennsylva- 
 nia regiments moved silently onward, and encountered the 
 hostile pickets, who gave the alarm, so that a destructive 
 lire met the advancing Federal columns. They moved 
 steadily forward, however, amid a shower of shells, rifle 
 balls, and hand-grenades, surmounting all obstacles, ami 
 climb sd the parapet, entered the works, and fought in a 
 hand to hand encounter with the enemy. The Seventh Ccn- 
 uecticut led the charge gallantly, and the rebels were driven 
 to the protectijn of the inner ramparts. The Seventy -sixth 
 33
 
 886 ASSAULT ON PORT WAGNER. 
 
 Pennsylyania, under Colonel Hicks, wavered for a moment 
 under a scathing and .murderous fire, and then rushed 
 toward the parapet, which was reached by few. The works 
 were too strong to be carried, and the Ninth Maine, retreat- 
 ing, left the Connecticut Seventh in a perilous situation. 
 The brave men of the latter were compelled to retreat, and 
 in a race for life were mowed down by the dreadful bolts 
 from the enemy's guns. 
 
 A week was now spent in preparing for a renewal of 
 the conflict; and while the Confederates strengthened their 
 works, the patriots were busy in throwing up intrenchments. 
 General Terry, who had gone to make a diversion on James' 
 Island, landing under the protection of five gunboats, en- 
 countered and routed five thousand Georgia troops at Seces- 
 sionville, from which he drove the enemy, with the loss of 
 three hundred men, to their intrenchments. 
 
 On the 18th, the gunboats Montauk, Ironsides, Catskill, 
 Nantucket, Weehawken, and Patapsco, with several wooden 
 vessels, made a furious assault on Fort Wagner; fifty-four 
 guns in battery, at the same time opening a tremendous fire 
 on the works. The engagement continued from twelve M. 
 till sunset, but the cannonading producing comparatively 
 little effect, the fleet retired. 
 
 In the midst of a severe thunder-storm which followed, 
 preparations were made to capture the fort by assault. The 
 perilous enterprise was undertaken by three brigades, com- 
 manded by Generals Strong and Stevenson, and Colonel 
 Putnam. The tide had retired from the hard beach, along 
 which the Union troops moved in silence amid the darkness. 
 The advance was held by the gallant Colonel Shaw, with 
 the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts (colored) regiment. The 
 troops who followed in succession, were the Sixth Connecti- 
 cut, the Forty-eighth New York, the Third New Hamp 
 shire, the Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania, and Ninth Maine 
 regiments. The march required to be made along the beach, 
 exposed to the murderous fire of Wagner, the fierce storm 
 from the barbette guns of Sumter, and the enfilading bat- 
 teries on Cumming's Point. It was one of the most despe- 
 rate undertakings which can possibly be conceived, and 
 soon resulted in a terrible whirlwind of destruction. The 
 cie&d and dying strewed the dangerous path, but the heroio 
 troops, defying the murderous bolts which laid their corn
 
 FAILURE OF THE ASSAULT. 887 
 
 rades low, gained the parapet, and engaged the enemy hand 
 to hand in a terrible struggle. Grape and canister, hand 
 grenades, and other deadly missiles, were hurled on the 
 patriots. Death stared them in the face, and yet, with the 
 aublimest heroism, they never quailed, but grappled fiercely 
 with the foe. Conspicuous for bravery was the Massachu- 
 setts colored regiment, which lost its brave colonel, Shaw 
 It was like the combats of demons. The night was pitchy 
 dark ; the flash of the dread artillery mingled with that 
 of lightning, and the reports of cannon and musketry 
 blended with the violent thunder-claps, which rolled their 
 reverberations with the deafening sound. The scene waa 
 one of terrible grandeur, but the brave combatants never 
 quailed, though death was reaping a large harvest among 
 them. In a few moments, General Strong, Colonels Shaw, 
 Chatfield, Barton, Green, Jackson, and many patriot officers, 
 had either been wounded or else yielded their lives a sacri- 
 fice at the shrine of their beloved country. What heroism 
 of ancient ages surpassed theirs? The devotion which they 
 exhibited ranks them with the renowned patriots, whom the 
 poet and historian have glowingly described. " Their color- 
 sergeant," says an eye-witness, speaking of the African 
 regiment, " is severely wounded in the thigh, but, falling 
 upon his knees, he plants the flag upon the parapet, and 
 lying down, holds the staff firmly in his hands. Noble 
 Carney 1" When this wounded patriot entered the hospital, 
 " though nearly exhausted with the loss of blood, he says, 
 'Boys, the oklflag never touched the ground f " 
 
 On the death of Colonel Shaw, his regiment (the Fifty- 
 fourth) was led by his youthful successor, Colonel Higgin- 
 son, and acted with great heroism. The Federal troops had 
 now forced their way into a corner of the fort, and for an 
 hour held it. The order was issued to retreat, as it could 
 be retained no longer, and more than a thousand of the 
 enemy, hitherto concealed, had quietly emerged from their 
 bomb-proofs, ready for the fight. The troops retired in the 
 midnight darkness, bringing off their wounded, ami leaving 
 the beach covered with their dead. The losses in this san 
 guinary contest, were fifteen hundred in killed, wounded, 
 and missing. Though foiled in his attempt to carry Fort 
 Wagner by assault, General Gilmore was not discouraged, 
 and was still sanguine of ultimately succeeding in his design*
 
 388 "SWAMP ANGEL" EVACUATION OF MORRIS ISLAND. 
 
 Both sides now spent considerable time in strengthening 
 their positions, and the Federals gradually advanced their 
 parallels despite the fire of the rebels. The latter had dug 
 rifle pits within fifty yards of the Federals, behind which 
 their sharpshooters were posted, who greatly annoyed the 
 "Union troops. On one occasion an attacking column of 
 thf rebels was driven offj the line of its retreat swept 
 with a terrible fire from howitzers, and most of the fugitives 
 compelled to return and surrender. The lines were new 
 advanced within two hundred yards of Fort Wagner. 
 There was a marsh a mile in width on the west of Morris 
 Island. By driving in piles, and floating in sand bags 
 upon scows by night, a firm foundation was made, on which 
 a heavy two hundred pounder Parrott gun was mounted, 
 which was called the "Swamp Angel." When this terrible 
 gun opened fire, it cast solid shot through the gorge wall of 
 the fort, making apertures from four to five feet in di- 
 ameter. 
 
 On the morning of the 17th of August, sixty guns wen 
 in position, and Gilmore renewed the attack on the forf 
 The fleet at the same time opened on Wagner and Gregg, 
 and having silenced their guns, proceeded to assault Fort 
 Sumter. The bombardment was continued from the 17th 
 to the 24th. The Parrott guns cast bolts eight inches in 
 diameter, two feet long, and weighing two hundred pounds. 
 Under this dreadful pounding, the face of the fort was a 
 ruined mass, and the structure was soon rendered useless 
 as a defence. The " Swamp Angel" hurled thirteen shells 
 into the city at a distance of nearly five miles, causing great 
 surprise and consternation to prevail among the inhabitants. 
 
 The parallels rapidly approached Fort Wagner mean- 
 while, and the counterscarp being mined, the fort was to be 
 stormed on the morning of th? 8th of September; but on 
 the night previous to the anticipated attack, Colonel Keitt, 
 of South Carolina, escaped in small boats with sixteen hun- 
 dred men, comprising the garrisons of Forts Wagner and 
 Gregg. In the morning the troops occupied these forts 
 unmolested, and Morris Island was again in the possession 
 of the patriots. An attempt, on the 7th, to storm iort Sum 
 ter, failed. Thirty boats, containing one hundred marines, 
 commanded by Lieutenant-commander Williams, were as- 
 sailed with such a tremendous fire from hand-grenade^
 
 MINOR REVERSES TO THE REBEL CAUSE. 389 
 
 musketry, and the batteries, as compelled them to retire, 
 with the loss of fifty killed and wounded. In the months 
 that followed Charleston still flaunted the Confederate flag, 
 although the bombardment continued. 
 
 In consequence of the reverses which had befallen tha 
 anus of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, on the 25th of 
 July of this year, appointed August llth as a day of fasting 
 and prayer. President Lincoln, in grateful acknowledgment 
 of a beneficent Providence, which had mercifully crowned 
 the Federal arms with victory, appointed the 6th of August 
 as a day of thanksgiving and prayer. 
 
 Among the minor events of the summer of 1863, was 
 the attack upon and destruction of the town of "Wytheville, 
 Virginia, and the cutting of the line of the Virginia and 
 Tennessee railroad. Colonel Toland, of the Thirty-fourth 
 Ohio, the commander of this expedition, which set out from 
 Charleston, Va., captured one hundred and twenty prisoners, 
 three cannon, and a large number of small arms. Sixty- 
 five of the Unionists were killed, including their commander. 
 In Jackson, Mississippi, also, a large number of locomotives 
 and other rolling stock, besides valuable stores, were cap- 
 tured by General Parke, the rebels having evacuated the 
 city after firing it in several places. Thus, the Confederacy 
 was daily losing both in soldiers and in war material, while 
 the Southern people were generally reduced to great straits 
 in consequsnce of the enormous prices of even the barest 
 necessaries of life, and were losing confidence in their lead- 
 en and in the ultimate success of their cause-
 
 CHAPTEK XXXYHL 
 
 SEPTEMBER OCTOBER, 1863. 
 
 X M AT CHATTANOOGA FLANKED BY ROSECRANS MARCH 07 TDK A R 
 OF THK TENNESSEE ROSECRANS GAINS CHATTANOOGA BY STRATEGY WITH- 
 OUT A BATTLE BATTLE OK CHICKAMACGA THOMAS VICTORIOUS ON TU1 
 
 LEFT THE RIGHT AND CENTRE PRESSED END OF TUB FIRST DAY'S BAT- 
 
 TLE FORCES OF THE TWO ARMIES MCCOOK, CRITTEXDEN, AND THOMAS 
 
 SECOND DAY'S BATTLE HEROISM OF THE TROOPS THE RIGHT AND 
 CENTRE SWEPT AWAY BY OVERWHELMING NUMBERS STEADFASTNESS OF 
 
 THK LEFT WING DESPERATE STRUGGLE OF THOMAS THE CRISIS THB 
 
 GALLANT STEADMAN THE BATTLE SAVED GENERAL GRANT PUT IN COM- 
 MAND OF THE MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OTHER CHANGES. 
 
 WE now return to scenes which transpired in eastern Ten- 
 nessee, from which, after the battle of Stone river (or Mur- 
 freesboro), the enemy retreated, followed by General Rose- 
 crans. The long continued inactivity of the latter produced 
 great public disappointment, and the authorities at Wash- 
 'ngton were urgent for an advance movement. Rosecrans, 
 however, determined to be fully prepared, as Bragg held 
 the strong fortifications of Chattanooga with a powerful 
 army. "The movement over the Cumberland mountains 
 began on the morning of the 16th of August, as follows: 
 General Crittenden's corps, in three columns ; General Wood, 
 from Hillsborough, by Pelham, to Thurman, in Sequatchie 
 valley; General Palmer, from Manchester, by the most 
 practicable route to Dunlap ; General Van Clevc, with two 
 brigades, from McMinnville (the third being left in garrison 
 there) by the most practicable route to Pikeville, the head 
 of Sequatchie valley ; Colonel Minty's cavalry to drive back 
 Detrel's cavalry toward Kingston, where the enemy 
 mounted, under Forrest were concentrated, and then cover- 
 ing the left flank of Van Clove's column, to proceed to Pike- 
 ville. The Fourteenth army corps, Major-general George 
 H. Thomas commanding, moved as follows : General Rey- 
 nolds, from University, by way of Battle creek, to take post, 
 concealed, near its mouth ; General Brannon to follow him ; 
 General Negley to go by Tuntillon, ajid halt on Crow creek, 
 between Anderson and Stevenson ; General Baird to follow 
 (390)
 
 ROSECRAN'S GAINS CHATTANOOGA BY STRATEGY. 391 
 
 nim, and camp near Anderson. The Twentieth corps, 
 Major-general A. McCook commanding, moved as fol- 
 lows: General Johnson, by Salem and Larkin's ford., to 
 Belle-font ; General Davis, by Mount Top and Crow creek, 
 to near Stevenson. The three brigades of cavalry by Fay- 
 etteville and Athens, to cover the line of the Tennessee. 
 from Whiteburg up." 
 
 The defences of Chattanooga were so powerful as to render 
 an attack from the north imprudent, and Rosecrans therefore 
 determined on a flank movement from the south. For this 
 purpose, General Waggoner was detached from his division, 
 and with Wilder's cavalry, crossed Walden's Eidge, nearly 
 opposite Chattanooga, and Colonel Minty, with four thou- 
 sand cavalry, and three thousand infantry, proceeded to 
 Smith field. During three weeks, the troops threatened the 
 western bank of the river, batteries shelled the town, and 
 two steamers were captured, besides a horse ferry. Colone. 
 Minty, on the 21st, opened fire with one of his batteries, and 
 made a show of crossing the Tennessee above the city. An 
 ostentatious display of troops led the Confederates to believe 
 that the army of Rosecrans was before them, and they had 
 no idea of the real design of that wily general, until he had 
 crossed the river below the city, and McCook and Thomaa 
 had appeared with their troops on Lookout Mountain. In 
 the early days of September, the army crossed the river by 
 means of pontoons and rafts, and on the 7th, the rebels began 
 to evacuate the stronghold. 
 
 On the 9th, part of the Ninety-seventh Ohio occupied an 
 abandoned fortification on Bell Mountain, and General 
 Wood's division, having driven the enemy from Lookout 
 Point, entered Chattanooga. 
 
 Thus Rosecrans had led his army in twenty-three days on 
 a march three hundred miles from his base of supplies, had 
 crossed three mountain ranges from one thousand five hun 
 dred to two thousand four hundred feet high, had forded a 
 large river, and captured a powerful stronghold, with the 
 loss of only six men. To retain possession of the place 
 would free Tennessee and Georgia from rebel sway. The 
 Confederate general was speedily reinforced by two divisions 
 from Richmond, and troops from Charles. ^n, Savannah, and 
 Mobile ; some of these were on the wa} already, but the 
 evacuation had previously occurred. The Onion forces were
 
 892 BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA. 
 
 \ 
 
 concentrated on the western banks of the West Chickamaugt 
 river, fourteen miles from Chattanooga, on the 18th. During 
 the day, there was skirmishing with artillery at long range, 
 and both sides prepared for a decisive engagement. 
 
 On Saturday, September 19th, the morning was chilly 
 and camp fires blazed around, at which the troops were 
 warming, while the enemy were massing large forces against 
 them. The impetuous charge of a Federal brigade on a body 
 of the enemy at Read's ford, brought on the battle at ten 
 o'clock. The enemy was repulsed but again advanced, and 
 attacking the troops while filling tneir canteens with water, 
 captured three pieces of artillery. The army now occupied 
 a right line, of which General McCook held the right, Gen- 
 eral Thomas the left, and General Crittenden the centre. 
 General Thomas advanced to meet Longstreet, whose forces, 
 twenty thousand strong, were now crossing the shallow 
 stream. The rebel guns made frightful gaps in the Federal 
 ranks, which boldly moved on under a heavy musketry fire, 
 advancing with great bravery, and driving back the enemy 
 in repeated charges. Already two batteries had been cap- 
 tured, which they turned against the retreating foe, and it 
 seemed as if victory were certain. 
 
 Meanwhile, the battle on the right and centre raged with a 
 different result. Polk and Hill massed their troops, dashed 
 upon Palmer and Van Cleve, on the extreme right, and pierced 
 their line. The troops under Van Cleve were routed, when 
 General Davis arriving, for awhile, with desperate efforts, 
 rolled back the tide of battle. The enemy saw the impor- 
 tance of supporting Longstreet at this crisis, and brought up 
 all their forces to overwhelm McCook and Crittenden, to 
 the aid of whom, General Thomas now hastened, and this 
 reinforcement for a time held the enemy in check. 
 
 The enemy soon formed a new line, and in a determined 
 charge, were driven back. At four P.M., there was a ccssa 
 tion of the battle, during which both sides rested. Before 
 sunset, a heavy artillery fire was concentrated on a portion 
 of the Union lines, and was followed up by a desperate 
 charge of the rebel columns. During the repulse of Long- 
 street on the left, the troops under Colonel Wilder, with 
 their "seven -shooters," and the Indiana battery, commanded 
 by Colonel Lilly, made fearful carnage among the enemy, 
 two thousand me a being struck down by the terrible fire 
 from this portion of the tin*
 
 BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA. 89S 
 
 The first day of the battle of Chickamauga had ended, and 
 night fell upon the patriots, bringing with it gloom and sad 
 forebodings. Bragg had there his whole army, and half 
 of Johnston's. Buckner's division, Longstreet's corps, and 
 twelve thousand fresh Georgia troops, augmented the forces 
 of the enemy to not less than eighty thousand strong, and 
 other reinforcements were coming in continually, swelling 
 die number to ninety thousand. 
 
 On the other hand, Rosecrans was hundreds of miles from 
 his base of supplies, in the heart of an enemy's country, and 
 without any hope of reinforcements. His army, consisting 
 of that which he had led at Stone river, and the divisions of 
 Brannon and Reynolds, amouuted to only fifty-five thousand 
 effective men. 
 
 There are two gaps in Missionary Ridge, one on the 
 right, another on the left, through which run two roads, dis- 
 tant two miles from each other. Between these roads, in a 
 level country, covered with thick forests of oak and pine, the 
 Union army was posted, with General Thomas on the left, 
 General Crittenden on the centre, and General McCook on 
 the right. The dense woods prevented the use, to any great 
 degree, of artillery and musketry and the bayonet must, 
 therefore, decide the issue of the conflict. 
 
 On Sunday, the 20th, the fog was dispelled by the sun, 
 which gradually rose in splendor, illuminating a lovely 
 scene. Rosecrans rode along the ranks of his troops, and 
 animated them with kind words of encouragement, calcula- 
 ted to cheer their spirits. On the enemy's side, as before, 
 Longstreet held the right, Hill the centre, and P jlk the left. 
 The battle began at ten A. M., by a sudden onset on the left 
 wing, where overpowering numbers nearly surrounded the 
 Union troops, under Negley, Johnston, Baird, and Palmer, 
 who resisted them for two hours with unshaken fortitude. 
 The hostile troops then massed in three columns, for a re 
 sistless charge in succession. The first faltered, recoiled, 
 and fled before the terrible storm that laid many low. Tht 
 second had lain flat on their faces, and now springing to 
 their feet, rushed on with dreadful yells, firing as they ad- 
 vanced. A terrific fire at the distance of one hundred 
 yards, brought them to a stand ; a universal tremor shook 
 the whole line, and it became a broken mass of fugitives 
 fleeing without organization from the field. The third columi
 
 394 BA1TLE OF CHICKAMAUGA. 
 
 made no attempt to charge, but covered the retreat oi their 
 comrades, and arrested the pursuit. The rebel leaders 
 poured in fresh troops, and Rosecrans, seeing Thomas fear 
 fully pressed, sent Negley to his aid, and Wood, of Critten 
 den's division, to supply Negley's place. The enemy yet 
 poured in, and Wood, in the centre, was heavily pressed. 
 The rebel leaders, stung to madness by their repulse, moved 
 aeavily massed columns on Thomas. The latter double 
 hotted his guns, but the dreadful storm of canister which 
 .binned the rebel ranks, could not keep them back, and at 
 last the Union troops began to waver. Thomas and his 
 officers used all their efforts to animate them, but the whole 
 wing at last fell back in disorder. The troops were now 
 rallied to a new position. Thomas rested his right on Mis- 
 sionary Ridge, the left on a hill by the Lafayette road, 
 while the centre was thrown slightly forward. He now 
 sent for reinforcements. 
 
 At noon, Rosecrans sent Wood to the assistance of Rey- 
 nolds. Brannon was between them, and Wood was obliged 
 to fall back, and march in his rear to reach Reynolds. This 
 eft a gap, broke the centre, and lost the battle. The enemy 
 ushed in immediately, in resistless flood, and Davis was too 
 >ate in closing up to check them. They drove him back in 
 disorder, which was soon communicated to Palmer and Van 
 Cleve on the other side. Sheridan, left alone on the right, 
 strove desperately to hold his ground. The head-quarters 
 of Rosecrans, in the rear, were swept away, but all his efforts, 
 as he rode with drawn sword to rally the troops, proved un- 
 availing. McCook and Crittenden were swept before the 
 overwhelming tide. A confused mass, struggling amid ar- 
 tillery, wagons, and horses, was borne in tumult toward 
 Rossville and the gap. The centre and right were gone, 
 and there now remained the left wing, whose wearied troops, 
 under Thomas and his brave officers, alone could save the 
 army from annihilation. 
 
 Here, General Thomas determined to meet the over- 
 whelming foe. He drew up his shattered ranks on a ridge, 
 and his artillery, advantageously posted, caused the rebel 
 masses to waver. The extreme right of the line rested on a 
 ridge ; through this latter was a gap, by which the enemy 
 now rushed, and would have soon gained the rear, unless 
 prevented. Thomas i_ad no troops to oppose them, and
 
 THE BATTLE SAVED UNION AND REBEL LOSSES. 395 
 
 all seemed lost. Just at that critical moment, General Gran- 
 ger's reserves came up, being the brigades of Mitchell and 
 Whittaker, under command of General Stead man, and 
 rushed in a headlong charge on the advancing Confederates, 
 repulsing them with great slaughter. In that desperate 
 fight, one thousand of Steadman's gallant troops fell. Long- 
 street attempted to fbrce the passage of the main gap, and 
 break the line in the centre, with two large divisions. A 
 battery of six pieces, at short range, mowed down the massea 
 of the enemy. Another advance was made at sunset, and 
 the patriots having exhausted their ammunition, charged 
 the foe with the bayonet, and, in a severe conflict, forced 
 them to give way. 
 
 On the right, another similar attack was made, in which 
 the foe lost five hundred prisoners, and baffled, retired, leav- 
 ing Thomas undisputed master of the field. The victorious 
 Union leader withdrew his exhausted troops to Eossville at 
 midnight, and on the night of the 21st, to Chattanooga, 
 The Union loss in this battle, was one thousand six hundred 
 and forty -four killed, nine thousand two hundred and sixty- 
 two wounded, and four thousand nine hundred and forty- 
 five missing, besides a loss in the cavalry of one thousand, 
 making a total of sixteen thousand eight hundred and fifty- 
 one. There was also lost, thirty-six guns, twenty caissons 
 eight thousand four hundred and fifty small arms, and fivo 
 thousand eight hundred and fifty-four infantry accoutre- 
 ments. The enemy lost two thousand two hundred and 
 ninety-nine killed, among whom were four general officers, 
 and fifteen thousand two hundred and eighty wounded, in- 
 cluding eight generals; total, seventeen thousand five hun- 
 dred and seventy nine, besides two thousand and three 
 prisoners. 
 
 After the battle, Generals McCook and Crittenden were 
 relieved of their commands, and their corps consolidated into 
 the Fourth, of which General Gordon Granger was placed 
 m command. On the 27th of October, General Rosecrans 
 was superseded in the command of the Military Division of 
 the Mississippi by General Grant, whose head-quarters were 
 at Chattanooga.
 
 CHAPTER XXXIX. 
 
 SEPTEMBER, 1863 MARCH, 1864. 
 
 CHI SITO>TION AT CHATTANOOGA BURNSIDE AT KNOXVILLE 
 
 FLA* CAPTURE OP LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN AND MISSIONARY RTDGR TH1 
 
 VICTORf PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY BATTLE AT RINGOOLD CONCENTRA- 
 TION O? THE TROOPS LEE RETREATS ACROSS THE POTOMAC REACHM 
 THB RAPIDAN MEADE AT CULPEPPER MEADE OUTFLANKED, RETREATS 
 CAVALRY BATTLE AT BRANDY STATION WARREN DEFEATS THE ENEMY 
 
 AT BKISTOW STATION GENERAL GRANT IN COMMAND OF ALL THF 
 
 PNION ARMIES AVERIU/S RAID SIIERMAN'8 MERIDIAN EXPEDITION 
 SHERMAN SUCCEEDS GRANT IN COMMAND OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENT 
 OF TUB MISSISSIPPI GRANT'S FUTURE PLANS. 
 
 THE Union position in Chattanooga, was strong but pre- 
 carious. The army lay on the Tennessee river, both abovo 
 and below, and the enemy, advancing against it, held Mis- 
 sionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, and extended hia 
 lines across Chattanooga valley. The communication by 
 Bridgeport being cut off, supplies could reach the place only 
 over roads which the rain soon rendered nearly impassable. 
 A raid injured the road from Stevenson to Nashville, and 
 made a retreat from the stronghold at one time rather prob- 
 able. Its evacuation would leave Atlanta, with its railroads 
 running in every direction, in the power of the Confederacy, 
 and if the army retreated, the struggle for the Mississippi 
 valley would be again renewed. The importance of tin 
 place caused General Grant to order General Thomas to 
 hold it to the last extremity ; Grant himself soon arrived 
 to take command in person. 
 
 Hooker had been sent with two corps to Bridgeport, and 
 Bumsido, with two columns, set out in August on a cam- 
 paign for the capture of Knoxville. The place was in com- 
 mand of Buckner, with a small body of troops. Burnside 
 moved with rapid marches, and unmolested, till on the 1st 
 of September, his advance, under Colonel Foster, entered the 
 place. The arrival of the Unionists was hailed with great joy 
 by the loyal Tennesseans. The rebel garrison, two thou- 
 sand strong, at Cumberland Gap, surrendered, and Burnside 
 sent a strong '->rce to ' hattanoora, for the recapture of which, 
 
 (396)
 
 RECONNOISSANCE CAPTURE OF ORCHARD KNOB. 397 
 
 Bragg, after the battle of Chickamauga, sent Longstreet with 
 his division. 
 
 In consequence of the difficulty in transportation, the 
 scarcity of supplies was beginning to be severely felt at 
 the latter place. Hooker was selected to operate against 
 Lookout Mountain, previous to which it would be necessary 
 to occupy Brown's Ferry. This was successfully effected 
 on the 27th of October, and the next clay the whole Eleventh 
 corps was across, and encamped in Lookout valley. 
 
 On the night of November 22d, the enemy's camp fires 
 blazed along the ridges, and their lines extended seven miles, 
 from Missionary Ridge to Lookout Mountain. The plan 
 of Grant was, to weaken the centre by an attack on the 
 wings, and then by a charge ;o break the line. Generals 
 Sherman and Davis were to a. tack Fort Buckner, at the 
 head of Missionary Ridge ; Hooker, Geary, Osterhaus, and 
 Stanley were to assault Lookout Mountain ; General Thomas, 
 with the troops of Granger and Palmer, was to lay concealed 
 in the hills and woods, and, at a signal, force the centre, and 
 General Howard was held in reserve. A reconnoissance of 
 three brigades of General Wood's division, on Monday, 23d, 
 moved from Fort Wood on the east of the city, and as they 
 advanced toward Missionary Ridge, the guns of the fort 
 (Wood) opened on the enemy, whose batteries on the hills 
 promptly responded. 
 
 The brave veteran troops advanced, encountered the ene- 
 my's skirmishers, and drove them into the woods, where 
 the report of musketry and the smoke of battle alone told 
 the position of the combatants. The troops pressing on, cap- 
 tured Orchard Knob and one hundred prisoners, and then 
 strongly intrenched. The combat for the day terminated, 
 and the enemy collected their forces for an attack on this 
 point on the ensuing day, which perfectly coincided with 
 the plan of General Grant. 
 
 On Tuesday, 23d, the clouds portended a storm, and the 
 whole valley was alive with troops. Rain fell at one o'clock, 
 and the mists obscured the day. Sherman, with his division, 
 xnoved in silence to assault the lofty heights of Missionary 
 Ridge, on which there was a strong fort He reached a 
 point a little north of Orchard Knol, gaining a mound at 
 four o'clock, on th 3 north end of the ridge, from which it 
 was separated by a valley, half a mil 3 wide. In this, the 
 84
 
 898 CAPTURE OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN. 
 
 troops intrenched, and resting for the night, waited the con 
 flict which the next day was to bring. Hooker, in th 
 meantime, moved down the valley toward Lookout Moun- 
 tain, with his own division, and the brigades of Grover and 
 Whitaker. The hostile intrenchments ran in a line down 
 the slope to the base of the mountain, and were filled with 
 a large force. A wall of rock, perpendicular, and thirty 
 feet in height^ rising from the base, was too steep to be 
 climbed. The top was accessible only by a narrow road, 
 winding to the jumniit through well defended gaps. Hooker 
 started early or. Tuesday morning, and marching through 
 the woods, escaped observation. By a rapid movement 
 around the west side of the mountain, he gained a place where 
 the ascent was practicable, and scaled the hill in the rear 
 of the enemy, who opened upon him with a heavy fire. The 
 Union batteries made a prompt and vigorous response, caus- 
 ing the mountain to shake. Clouds now canopied the com- 
 batants, and shrouded them from the gaze of the interested 
 spectators in the valley. Resistance on the part of the rebels 
 was in vain, and as they could not escape to any better refuge 
 ihan rocks and thickets, one thousand three hundred and 
 sixty were captured during the day. Most of the prisoners 
 were of Stevenson's division, and had been paroled by Gen- 
 eral Grant on the fall of Vicksburg. No exchange had 
 been made ; and according to the rules of war, death should 
 have been their portion ; but their officers had told them 
 that they were exchanged, and the authorities at Washing- 
 ton did not therefore exact the penalty. 
 
 The troops marched victorious along the mountain from 
 east to west, and pressed the enemy back at every point in 
 which they were encountered. The contest, at two o'clock, 
 was the most sanguinary ; for two hours it fiercely raged, 
 and at length, a bold charge drove the enemy back some 
 distance, where they in turn charged upon their pursuers. 
 On they rushed with great fury. Geary's troops held them 
 in check for some time, till their ammunition was spent, and 
 were now about to retire, when Hooker provided a fresh 
 supply. The enemy saw that the ammunition was exhausted, 
 and confident of victory, rushed forward with wild yells. 
 But one hundred and t'venty thousand rounds had replen- 
 ished the patriot t-oops, ind they had also been reinforced. 
 A. long line of firo glean id from the Union ranks, the loud
 
 BATTLE OF MISSIONARY RIDGE. 899 
 
 crack of thoiisands of muskets rang forth, and the exultant 
 enemy was repulsed with heavy loss. Night fell upon the 
 mountain, and the defeated Confederates withdrew in the 
 darkness. Hooker r/lvanced bis lines, and the camp fires 
 told those in the valley that Li held the position. The re- 
 turning light discovered that the foe had retreated thus 
 far General Grant had realized his hopes. 
 
 On the 25th, Hooker pursued the retreating columns ol 
 the enemy, down the declivity of the mountain to the east, 
 through the valley, and up the west side of Missionary 
 Ridge, by a road in the rear of Forts Breckinridge and Hind- 
 man. The enemy now prepa/ed for a determined stand, on 
 thesummit of Missionary Ridge. General Corse, of Sherman's 
 corps, moved across the plateau from the north, at eleven 
 A. M.; his forces consisting of three brigades. His assault 
 on Fort Buckner was repelled by a strong force, but* being 
 reinforced by General Howard, the combined corps pressed 
 on against this powerful fort. From the cliffs, the enemy 
 hurled upon the troops large boulders, and hand-grenades, 
 but were heavily pressed by the Unionists, and now ob- 
 tained reinforcements from the centre. The Union troops 
 were compelled to fall back, but again advanced with great 
 oravery. So close was the conflict, that the combatants 
 were scorched with the flames of each other's guns. The 
 battle, as it progressed, was witnessed in the valley, one 
 thousand feet below. It was a sublime spectacle, in which 
 were performed many deeds of noble heroism. The rebels 
 were again heavily reinforced from the centre, and the 
 Union line was pressed back; but the enemy's centre being 
 weakened, Grant, who anxiously waited for this moment, 
 now gave the word " Forward." The four columns were 
 apprised of the order by a signal gun, and rapidly moved 
 ulong the valley between Orchard Knob and Missionary 
 Ridge. Scaling the hill, they swept all opposition from 
 iheir path, and threw themselves into the hostile intrench- 
 ments. The inequality of the ground, and the fierceness of 
 the charge, broke the assaulting line, and the battle, though 
 irregular, was fierce and bloody, as each patriot encountered 
 an adversary. The foe was soon driven in confusion and 
 flight before the stern blows of the Union troops, who occu- 
 pied Fort Hind man, from which the stars and stripes now 
 floated in trium ;>h. It was now four p. M. ; General Bragg;
 
 4-00 THE VICTORY PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY. 
 
 at Fort Buckner, was making desperate efforts to rallj his 
 troops, in order to drive Hooker from the mountain, but 
 Grant was now on the spot, and arrangements were made to 
 meet the onset. The captured guns were turned on the 
 rebels, who recoiled and fled, and the grape and canister 
 which swept their ranks, turned their retreat into a complete 
 rout. They rushed from the brow of the mountain, and 
 sought refuge in the forest. At half past seven o'clock p. M., 
 General Grant telegraphed to Washington, " Although the 
 battle lasted from early dawn till dark this evening, I believe 
 I am not premature in announcing a complete victory over 
 Bragg. Lookout Mountain top, all the rifle pits in Chatta- 
 nooga valley, and Missionary Ridge entire, have been car- 
 ried, and are now held by us." 
 
 The success in this conflict, resulted in the relief of Gen- 
 eral Burnside at Knoxville, the rescue of Kentucky and 
 Tennessee from rebel raids, and the opening of Georgia to 
 the advance of the army. The movements, strategic and 
 tactical, in the accomplishment of this grand design, speak 
 volumes for the great abilities of Grant, and the bravery of 
 the troops. In the pursuit of the enemy next morning, 
 many prisoners were taken, entire regiments casting away 
 their arms, and fleeing in all directions. The enemy burned 
 all their stores, destroyed bridges, and otherwise obstructed 
 the road. They were pursued toward Dal ton, by Hooker 
 Palmer, and Sherman. The pursuit continued on the 27th, 
 along the line of railroad toward Ringgold. The debris 
 of an army lined the road. At Chickamauga Station and 
 at Pigeon Ridge, the foe made a brief but feeble resistance, 
 and the pursuit was still continued. 
 
 At Ringgold, which is situated between two ranges of 
 hills, in a gap where a small body of men could, for a time, 
 resist an army, the enemy, having mounted numerous batter- 
 ies on the crests of White Oak Ridge, determined to dispute 
 the advance of their pursuers. 
 
 At half past eight A. M., on Friday (27th), General Hooker 
 moved up the Rossville road, and the foe returned to the 
 gap, at which place the combatants became engaged. Aa 
 the rebels retired to the gap, the division of Osterhaua 
 pressed them closely with great spirit, and was met with a 
 destructive fire rained upon it from ths rebel batteries, which 
 wept the gup auc 1 shelled Rossville, now occupied by the
 
 BATTLE AT RINGGOLD. 401 
 
 Federal troops. The hill-sides on each side of the gap were 
 filled with the pursuers, who were exposed to a deadly fire, 
 and being almost enveloped by the foe, they were compelled 
 to retire, pursued in turn with great vigor. At thi? crisis. 
 Colonel Creighton, in command of Colonel Canby's brigade, 
 came up to the aid of the patriots, and climbing the steep, 
 reached the summit. 
 
 The rebels at this point resorted to a dishonorable stratagem 
 by the display of Union banners, which had been captured 
 by Hardee's corps. Just as the men of the Seventh Ohio had 
 gained the hill, thinking that their comrades held it, they 
 rushed forward with cheers of enthusiasm, but were met with 
 such a tremendous volley as laid many low. Every officer, 
 except one, was killed or wounded, and the regiment retreateu 
 in wild disorder. 
 
 The brave troops soon formed again. General Osterhaus 
 was on the centre, and General Geary on the flanks. In a 
 spirited action, in which the patriots lost three hundred killed 
 and wounded, the pass was cleared, and three hundred pris- 
 oners captured. Meanwhile, a body of cavalry, of General 
 Howard's corps, seized Parker's Gap, destroyed the Dalton and 
 Cleveland railroad, at Bed Hill, and captured a number of 
 prisoners and a train of cars. The communications of Long- 
 street, who had proceeded to invest Knoxville, were now cut 
 off) and as he could receive no further supplies, he made a 
 desperate assault on that city, but being driven back with 
 great loss, he was compelled to raise the siege. 
 
 On Saturday, the 28th, the troops were concentrated around 
 the important position which their bravery had won. This 
 memorable conquest, one of the most remarkable in the his- 
 tory of the war, was achieved with the loss, on the patriot 
 side, of five thousand six hundred and sixteen killed, 
 wounded, and missing, including the loss sustained in the 
 relief of Knoxville. The losses in the battles of Lookout 
 Mountain and Missionary Kidge, were nearly four thousand 
 killed and wounded. The loss of the enemy is estimated Ht 
 fifteen thousand killed, wounded, and prisoners, besides sev- 
 enty cannon, and seven thousand small arms. Great joy 
 was caused by this victory. Longstreet was driven from 
 Knoxville, the way to Chattanooga was opened, and the 
 power of the Government was so firmly re-established in Ten- 
 nessee, that no future attempts of serious import were macU 
 to draw that State from its allegiance.
 
 i02 RETREAT OF LEE TOWARD WILLIAMSPORT. 
 
 We must now return to the Army of the Potomac, which 
 since the battle of Gettysburg, had remained comparatively 
 quiet till the autumn of this year. The narrative was brought 
 op to the period x when General Lee, after baring marched 
 into Pennsylvania, confident of bringing the war into the 
 very heart of the North, was defeated with great loss, and 
 already meditated a retreat from the scene of his punishment 
 and humiliation. 
 
 Accordingly, he began his retreat by the Fairfield and 
 Cashtown roads, toward Williamsport, on 'the evening of 
 the 4th of July, in a heavy rain, and with great secrecy. 
 On the morning of the 5th, General Meade sent Sedgwick, 
 with the Sixth corps, in pursuit on the Fairfield road, and 
 cavalry on the Cashtown road, by the Emmettsburg and 
 Monterey passes. On reaching Fairfield Pass, Sedgwick 
 found it too strongly defended, and abandoning it, moved on 
 to the Potomac, endeavoring to intercept Lee's retreat. The 
 5th and 6th had been spent in the burial of the dead and 
 sare of the wounded. At midnight, on the 4th, in a furious 
 chunder-storm, General Kilpatrick defeated Stuart at Mon- 
 terey Pass, and captured four hundred prisoners, some 
 artillery, and a battle flag. In his official report, he 
 says : " On this day (July 4th), I captured one thousand 
 eight hundred and sixty prisoners, including many officers 
 of rank, and destroyed the rebel General Ewell's immense 
 wagon train, nine miles long." On the morning of the 
 6th, Kilpatrick surprised and again defeated Stuart at 
 Hagerstown, and forced him to burn a large wagon 
 train. On the 7th, Generals Buford and Kilpatrick at- 
 tempted to destroy Lee's immense supply train at "Williams- 
 port, and partially succeeded, burning several hundred 
 wagons. Their combined forces did not exceed ten thou- 
 sand men, and the enemy furiously attacking them in front, 
 the whole Federal force was enveloped, and only rescued 
 from destruction by desperate fighting, and the great valor 
 of officers and men. They retreated with some loss, and en- 
 camped on the opposite side of the Antietam. 
 
 On the 8th, Stuart's cavalry, and a strong body of infantry, 
 advanced on Boonesboro, and engaged Buford and Kilpatricll 
 in a desperate struggle, which continued from ten A. M. unti" 
 after dark, and resulted : n the total rout of the enemy, wh4 
 was severely punished. On the 9th, the Army of the Poto
 
 HE CROSSES THE POTOMAC 403 
 
 mac encamped on the banks of the Antietam, and on the 
 18th, General Meade determined to assault the enemy's 
 position. The waters of the Potomac were swollen at this 
 time, and it was expected that Lee could not escape. The 
 attack was to be made on the 14th, but on the night of the 
 13th, Kilpatrick examining his picket line, saw indications 
 that the Confederates were leaving his front, and at seven 
 A. M. he charged, and drove a portion of their rear-guard 
 into the Potomac. At Falling Waters, he moved rapidly 
 upon a veteran division of infantry, under Major-general 
 Pettigrew. The enemy, taken by surprise, made a desperate 
 resistance. After a spirited action, General Pettigrew was 
 killed in a sabre charge. Pennington's Federal artillery 
 covered the ground with the killed and wounded, and the 
 rebels lost also fifteen hundred prisoners, two field pieces, and 
 three battle flags. Kilpatrick, in his official report, says : 
 " In this campaign, my command has captured four thousand 
 five hundred prisoners, nine guns, and eleven battle flags." 
 
 The Confederates now retreated toward Staunton and Gor- 
 donsville. Their escape from General Meade occasioned much 
 public discontent, as the North fully expected that a deci- 
 sive battle would be fought, in which the enemy would be 
 defeated, if not annihilated. 
 
 General Meade crossed the Potomac, and moved down the 
 Loudon valley on Lee's flank. Lee continued his retreat 
 to the Rapidan, and at the close of July, the Army of the 
 Potomac took up its position on the banks of the Rappahau- 
 nock. On the approach of autumn, it was necessary to re- 
 sume the offensive, as it was ascertained that Lee was send- 
 ing reinforcements to Braprg. The army therefore advanced 
 about the middle of September, and Pleasonton moving the 
 cavalry first, crossed the Rappahannock, and drove Stuarl 
 out of Culpepper. The cavalry guarded the flanks and 
 rear of the army, which now had crossed the river. Meade 
 had hiu head-quarters at Culpepper, and Lee lay encamped 
 at Orange Court House. Though inferior in numbers, Lee 
 crossed the Rapidan on the 9th of October, completely out- 
 flanked the Union general, and forced him to retreat. A 
 severe cavalry battle took place, in which Pleasonton, Buford, 
 Kilpatrick, Custer, and Davis led separate charges in person, 
 and the plains of Brandy Station again witnessed the superi- 
 ority of the Union cavalry, and the defeat of the euenrr
 
 GRANT APPOINTED LIEUTENANT-GENERAL. 
 
 Lee having forced Meade to fall back to the line of BuL 
 Run, destroyed the Orange and Alexandria railroad, from 
 the Rapidan to M.inassas. In the retrogade movement, 
 General Warren, in a severe conflict with the enemy, on the 
 14th of October, at Bristow Station, compelled them to fall 
 Hack, with the loss of thirteen hundred killed, wounded, and 
 captured, six pieces of artillery, and two battle flags. On 
 the 7th of November, Generals French and Sedgwick cap- 
 tured five hundred prisoners at Kelly's ford, and in a bril- 
 liant, dash on the rebel forts at Rappahannock Station, de- 
 feated the enemy, after an action of twenty minutes, capturing 
 sixteen hundred prisoners, four guns, and eight battle flags. 
 The army, on the night of the 1st of December, recrossed the 
 Rapidan. and went into winter-quarters, confronted by those 
 of the Confederates. 
 
 The third year of the history of the Army of the Potomac 
 was now ended. During that period the policy of the Gov- 
 ernment was to crush out the rebellion by the same means 
 as that which the anaconda takes to destroy its victim. A 
 new system was now inaugurated, and the rebellion was 
 destined to meet its end by the powerful blows of an athlete 
 of one skilled in the art of war, both from education and 
 experience. 
 
 General Grant, with the title of Lieutenant-general, was 
 at this period placed at the head of all the armies of the 
 United States, and with the able subordinates, and bravo 
 patriots under him, achieved that glorious consummation 
 hereafter to be described. 
 
 A brilliant exploit was performed during the month of 
 December, by General Averill, in destroying the East Ten- 
 nessee and Virginia railroad successfully. The expeditiob 
 started on the 16th. Bridges, stations, telegraphs, and other 
 Confederate property were destroyed, two hundred prisoners 
 and one hundred and fifty horses taken, and the brave troops 
 "marched, climbed, and swam three hundred and fifty- 
 five miles." On the 3d of February, 1864, an expedition 
 was made by General Sherman into central Mississippi 
 He ordered General F. W. Smith to start from Memphis, on 
 the 1st, with eight thousand cavalry, and to move toward 
 Meridian; while he, himself, left Vicksburg on the 3d, with 
 twenty thousand infantry and twelve hundred cavalry, with 
 provisions for twenty days. He marched east across the
 
 GRANT'S FUTURE PLANS. 405 
 
 Big Black, by way of Champion Hills, Clinton, and Jackson, 
 and by the middle of the month reached Meridian, the great 
 railroad centre. His intention was to cut off Mobile from 
 the aid of General Johnston, who had succeeded Bragg ir 
 the command of the Confederate army in the West. Ho 
 proposed to defeat Polk, who was in his front, destroy the 
 military depots and supplies within his reach, and then make 
 a descent on Mobile, which Admiral Farragut was bombard- 
 ing. General Smith, who, meanwhile, had not moved until 
 the llth, encountered the enemy at Okalona, and being de 
 feated with loss, was compelled to return to Memphis 
 Sherman in vain waited for his coming, and after destroying 
 one hundred and fifty miles of railroad, and killing, wound- 
 ing, or capturing five hundred rebels, had to retrace his stepa 
 to Yicksburg. On the expedition, he had freed eight thou- 
 sand negroes, and seized many horses. 
 
 The same order, of the 12th of March, which gave Grant 
 the command of all the armies of the United States, trans- 
 ferred that which he had lately held to General Sherman. 
 It comprised the Military Department of the Mississippi, and 
 included the departments of the Ohio, the Cumberland, tha 
 Tennessee, and Arkansas. The subordinate com manders of 
 Sherman were, Generals McPberson, Hooker, Thomas, How 
 ard, Hurlbut, Logan, Schofield, and Kilpatrick, the latter 
 being in command of the cavalry. The two objective points 
 in Grant's plan, were Richmond and Atlanta, against each 
 p f which he determined to move a great army, to act sim- 
 Itaneously the future will show with what success.
 
 CHAPTER XL. 
 SEPTEMBER, 1863 MAY, 1864. 
 
 IANT'B RESPONSIBILITIES CALL FOR HALF A MILLION or TROOPS mi 
 
 EXPEDITION INTO FLORIDA BATTLE OF OLUSTEE KILPATRICS's RAID 
 INTO RICHMOND DEATH OF DAHLORKN RAID OF FORREST INTO KEN- 
 TUCKY SURRENDER OF UNION CITY ATTACK ON PADUCAH MASSACRB 
 AT FORT PILLOW THE RED RIVER EXPEDITION MARCH TO ALEXANDRIA 
 DEFEAT OF BANKS STEELK RETREATS RETURN OF THE GUNBOATS TO 
 ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING SKILL OF COLONEL BAILEY HIS PROMOTION 
 
 THE GUNBOATS SIGNAL AND COVINGTON, AND THE TRANSPORT WARNER 
 
 DESTROYED RETURN OF THE EXPEDITION END OF BANKS* MILITARY 
 
 CAREER RETURNS TO NEW ORLEANS CANBY IN THE FIELD. 
 
 GRANT, on assuming the command of all the armies of 
 the United States, had a vast territory under his control, ex- 
 tending from the Potomac to the Rio Grande, an extent of 
 over five thousand miles. In all this wide area, thousands 
 upon thousands of men awaited his commands ; six hundred 
 war vessels lined the rivers and coasts for twenty-five hun 
 dred miles, and four thousand cannon were ready to hurl 
 destruction on the foe. The earth swarmed with the hosts 
 going forth to battle. In the North, all was bustle and mil- 
 itary preparation. The giants of the North and Soutn were 
 about to grapple in a deadly struggle, in which one or the 
 Dther must succumb. 
 
 The President, on the 1st of February, ordered a draft 
 for five hundred thousand men, to take place on the 10th 
 of March. On the 6th of February, an expedition of the 
 Union forces left Port Royal for Jacksonville, Florida, and 
 reached that place the next day. The expedition consisted 
 of twenty steamers, eight schooners, and five thousand 
 troops. The object was to penetrate as far as Lake City, 
 and cut the railroad at Suwanee river. General Gilmore 
 commanded, and after despatching Seymour's command to 
 Baldwin, and another force to Sanderson, he returned to 
 Jacksonville, and left Seymour in command in the field. 
 The latter advanced one hundred miles inland, for the pur- 
 pose of destroying t/ .e railroad near the Savannah river. On 
 (*)
 
 KILPATRICK'S RAID DEATH OP DAHLQREN. 407 
 
 the 18th, the army struck its tents and marched seventeen 
 miles, and moving on the next day, had advanced but 
 sixteen miles on the way to Lake City, when the enemy was 
 encountered. Hamilton's battery went into action with four 
 officers, eighty -two men, fifty horses, and four pieces ; from 
 its close proximity of one hundred and fifty yards to the 
 enemy's line, half of this force of men and artillery was lost 
 in twenty minutes. The different regiments, as they wheeled 
 into position, were swept with a destructive fire \ yet the 
 fight continued with great fury, from two P. M. until dark 
 when Seymour, who had struggled in vain to gain the battle, 
 Jvithdrew his shattered forces, and leaving the wounded in 
 the hands of the enemy, marched all night to Barbour. One 
 fifth of his army of five thousand men was lost in this dis- 
 astrous fight, which is known as the battle of Olustee, as it 
 took place near a railroad station of that name. The occur- 
 rence produced much indignation in the North, and was 
 condemned by many as a wanton sacrifice of the Union 
 troops. 
 
 On the 28th, General Kilpatrick, with five hundred chosen 
 cavalry, started on an expedition which had the noble object 
 of setting at liberty the seventeen thousand patriots who 
 were languishing in the different prisons of Richmond. Col- 
 onel Dahlgren, after having been led astray through the 
 treachery of a guide, and fallen into an ambuscade, was 
 shot down, and all but seventeen of his party of two hun- 
 dred killed or captured. The body of this gallant young 
 officer was treated with shameful indignity unworthy even 
 of the ferocious savage and was buried in the middle of the 
 road. By his loss, a part of the programme failed, and Kil- 
 patrick, having carried the first line of rebel works, receiving 
 no reply to the signal, at which Dahlgren was to advance, 
 was obliged to retire from the strong force now threat- 
 ening his retreat. His praiseworthy design was thus frus- 
 trated, and he returned with his command to Yorktown. 
 
 On the 24th of March, Forrest, at the head of the rebel 
 forces in Tennessee, attacked Union City, which was shame- 
 fully surrendered by Colonel Hawkins. With six thousand 
 men, Forrest, the next day, made an attack on Paducah, 
 Kentucky, which was defended by Colonel S. Gr. Hicks, with 
 six hundred and fifty-five men. Hicks refused to surrender, 
 retired to Fort Anderson, while the gunboats on tht
 
 408 MASSACRE AT FORT FILLOW. 
 
 river, commanded by Captain Shirk, came up to his assi8 
 tance. Forrest declared that no quarter would be given, it 
 the place should be taken by assault. The women and chil- 
 dren were removed under a flag of truce ; Forrest, in the mean- 
 while, taking a position nearer the fort. His sharpshooters, 
 mingling with the women and children, picked off the offi- 
 cers on the gunboats, who could not fire without killing the 
 women and children, whom these monsters had placed in 
 front of their line. Three desperate assaults on the fcrt 
 proved ineffectual, and the rebels were repulsed with a loss 
 of three hundred killed, and one thousand wounded ; the 
 loss of the brave patriots being but sixty. The baffled rebel, 
 Forrest, then withdrew. 
 
 On the 12th of April, he appeared before Fort Pillow, 
 which is situated on a high bluff, on the banks of the Mis- 
 sissippi, and was, at that time, garrisoned by five hundred 
 and fifty-seven men, under command of Major Booth ; two 
 hundred and sixty-two of the garrison were colored troops. 
 At sunrise, the attack was made, and Major Booth, who was 
 in command of the colored troops, being killed, the com- 
 mand devolved on Major Bradford. Up to three P. M., the 
 rebels made no progress, and were greatly annoyed by the 
 shells of the gunboat New Era, commanded by Captain 
 Marshall. Forrest now resorted to his usual mean and cow- 
 ardly stratagem of a flag of truce, under cover of which he de- 
 termined to gain nearer access to the fort, which he could not 
 otherwise capture. In reply to a demand of surrender, Major 
 Bradford asked for an hour, in which to consult his officers, 
 lie was allowed twenty minutes, and Forrest, meanwhile, 
 gained an advantageous position. Bradford refused to surren- 
 der, whereupon a sudden rush was made, the ramparts cleared, 
 and the cry raised of "no quarter." The troops, black and 
 white, threw down their arms, and some cast themselves from 
 the steep bluffs, while others hid in the brush, or took refuge in 
 the water. An indiscriminate massacre resulted, in which age, 
 sex, and color shared but onb common doom, at which human- 
 itv shudders. Even childhood and sickness were no protec- 
 tion ; little children were shot down, and even were hewn in 
 pieces. The whole number murdered was about four hun* 
 dred, very few escaping. It was, indeed, a most fiendish act 
 and its perpetrators deserve a more than human punishment 
 
 The action required and obtained investigation from the
 
 THE RED RiVER EXPEDITION. 409 
 
 /oint Committee on the Conduct and Expenditures of the 
 War, and the voluminous evidence in the report, which was 
 afterward published, proves an atrocity and cruelty almost 
 impossible for an American to believe. 
 
 General Banks, at New Orleans, having been reinfoiced 
 from Grant's army, in September, sent General Franklin to 
 capture Sabine City, on the Sabine river, on the boundary 
 line between Louisiana and Texas. Four gunboats, and one 
 handred and eighty sharpshooters, were detached to co-ope- 
 rate with him. The land force consisted of four thousand 
 men of the Nineteenth corps. The rebel batteries were found 
 to be too powerful for the gunboats ; the Clifton and Sachem 
 being disabled, and captured with all on board. The expe- 
 dition was therefore compelled to return to Brashear City. 
 The army, on the 21st of October, occupied Opelousas. On 
 November 3d, there was a severe fight near Bayou Bour- 
 beau, which was unattended by any results of importance. 
 In September, Little Rock, Arkansas, was captured by Gen- 
 eral Steele. 
 
 An important expedition, also under General Banks, was 
 made into Texas, in November. At Esperanza, the garri- 
 son, after exploding the magazine, fled, leaving ten guns, 
 which fell into the hands of the Federal troops. By the 9th 
 of November, General Banks had possession of Brazos 
 Island, Point Isabel, and Brownsville. The army advanced, 
 northeast, one hundred miles, to Araugas, and captured 
 one hundred prisoners and three guns. The commander of 
 the rebel forces, Magruder, it was expected, would soon bo 
 driven out of Texas, of which A. J. Hamilton, a fire-tried 
 patriot, was now appointed Military Governor by the Union- 
 ists. The expedition, however, was soon abandoned, and 
 Banks returned to New Orleans. Here, after inaugurating 
 the Free State Government, on the 4th of March (1864), he 
 bad a combined naval and land expedition fitted out, which 
 became well known as the " Bed River Cotton Expedition/' 
 
 On the 10th of March, Porter, with a large fleet of gun- 
 boats and transports, conveyed a portion of Sherman's army 
 from Vicksburg, and proceeded to Alexandria. The desti- 
 nation was Shreveport, on the Red river, the great depot of 
 supplies for the rebel ar,my. On the passage up the river, 
 Smith, moving rapidly by a land march, captured Fort De 
 Russy, with three hundred prisoners, and ten guns. Tho 
 36
 
 410 DEFEAT OF GENERAL BA1TE5. 
 
 land forces joined Porter on the 17th, at Alexandria, and th 
 army now moved on Shreveport, three hundred miles oflj 
 while the gunboats slowly proceeded up the shallow winding 
 river toward the same point. General Steele, commanding 
 in Arkansas, was to advance on Shreveport, from Little 
 Bock, to keep Price from joining Kirby Smith, in Louisiana, 
 and was also to operate in the rear of Shreveport, while Banka 
 mo>od on the town in front. The army was scattered in the 
 rear, anl the cavalry, having advanced within forty miles of 
 Man^Seld, encountered the rebels on the 8th of April. 
 
 The Seventh cavalry, under Colonel Robinson, drove the 
 enemy betore them, and pursuing, came upon a body of in- 
 fantry, which, after a brisk action, was also repulsed. But 
 Kirby Smith knew the condition of the Union forces, and 
 while ihe infantry brigade of Colonel Landrum, and the 
 cavalry of Colonel Lucas, advanced, they were suddenly 
 confronted by a rebel force, from fifteen thousand to twenty 
 thousand strong. 
 
 Meanwhile, General Ransom had arrived with his troops, 
 accompanied by General Banks. The latter sent word to 
 Franklin, in the rear, to hurry up with all speed with his 
 corps. Kirby Smith pressed his advantage, and the Federal 
 cavalry were terribly routed. A panic ensued, which was 
 increased by the frightened teamsters, and the wagons block- 
 ading the road. The cavalry, thus routed, fell back on the 
 Thirteenth corps, under Franklin, which formed, advanced, 
 and fought the enemy bravely, but was flanked and routed. 
 Every thing seemed lost, when at this crisis, General Emory's 
 corps, the Nineteenth, in line of battle, was prepared to meet 
 the exultant foe. The shattered columns of Franklin were 
 allowed to pass to the rear, and the closing line stood firm, 
 till the approach of night ended the conflict. 
 
 General A. J. Smith, with the Sixteenth and Seventeenth 
 army corps, had now reached Pleasant Hill, and drawn up 
 his troops bejiind a low ridge. The enemy, flushed with 
 success, advanced next day. Emory had formed his line in 
 front of Smith, and dealing a heavy blow at the enemy, re- 
 tired, as agreed upon previously between these Union gen- 
 erals. Smith had ordered his men to lay flat on the ground. 
 When the rebels came within range, seven thousand muskets 
 poured into them a fearful volley, the artillery swept them 
 with terrible slaughter, and a gallant charge now drove them
 
 KNGIXEERINO SKILL OF LIEUT.-COLONEL BAILEY. 411 
 
 from the field. General Banks continued u retreat, notwith- 
 standing this decided repulse of the enemy, and informing 
 Admiral Porter of his disaster, instructed him to fall back and 
 meet him at Grand Ecore. From this point, the retreat was con- 
 tinued to Alexandria, and was unmolested, except at Monet's 
 Bluff, where a hostile attack was repulsed with heavy loss. 
 
 Meanwhile, Steele, in marching from Little Rock, suffered 
 the loss of his wagon train, which was cut off and destroyed 
 near Camden. On the 1st of May, Marmaduke threatened 
 his rear, and thus compelled him to fall back. Being greatly 
 pressed, at Saline Falls, by Price, he turned about, and made 
 so furious an attack upon the latter, that the retreat further 
 was unmolested, and Steele, with his command, safely arrived 
 at Little Rock. 
 
 During this time, the enemy, above and below Alexandria, 
 on the Red river, in large numbers, were harassing Admiral 
 Porter, who was much discouraged at the want of a rise in 
 the river. Forage was getting scarce, the army would soon 
 have to move, and it was not improbable that the fleet would 
 have to be destroyed, in order to prevent its falling into the 
 hands of the enemy. In this distressing situation, Lieuten- 
 ant-colonel Bailey (afterward a general) proposed by a 
 series of dams across the rocks, at the lower falls, to raise 
 water deep enough to float the boats over the upper falls. 
 He promised to perform this feat in ten days, and General 
 Banks placed three thousand men and three hundred wagons 
 at his disposal. On the left bank, a dam, made of fallen 
 trees, was run out three hundred feet, at the end of which, 
 four coal barges, filled with brick, were sunk. From the 
 bank opposite, cribs, filled with stone, met the barges. The 
 work was done, and the rising water would have sufficed, in 
 another day, to float the boats over the upper falls. Or 
 the 9th of May, the heavy volume of water forced two of the 
 barges from their places, and the water rushing down, threat- 
 ened the whole with speedy destruction. Porter was deeply 
 moved at this sad catastrophe, and feared that the men would 
 not rebuild the dam, constructed at so much labor. The 
 best engineers had ridiculed the project as an impossibility, 
 but Colonel Bailey had possessed too much experience iu 
 floating logs on the western waters, to doubt his success. 
 
 Now was the time for Admiral Porter, and mounting his 
 horse, he galloped up the bank, and ordered the Lexington
 
 412 SUCCESS OF COLONEL BAILEY'S EXPERIMENT. 
 
 to pass the falls. Her attempt succeeded, and she then pro 
 ceeded direct for the shute in the dam, while the thousands of 
 spectators held their breath. With a full head of steam, hei 
 gallant commander stood watching the crisis of his fate 
 The vessel came on, sloped down the water, and plunged 
 i nto the surge, which seemed to overwhelm her, as she rolled 
 and pitched from side to side. She was caught en a rock 
 for a moment, but soon righted. Thirty thousand voices 
 laised an approving cheer. The Neosho came next, but her 
 frightened pilot, as he saw the deep poul bcibre him, stopped 
 the engine. Her hull disappeared, but she soon rose and 
 passed through, with only a hole in her bottom, which waa 
 easily mended. "The Ilindman and Osage now came 
 through beautifully." This accident to the dam, and partial 
 success of the experiment, encouraged the men to rebuild 
 it. Bailey left a gap in the dam fifty feet wide, and built 
 wing dams above, to relieve the pressure. The work waa 
 finished in three days. On the llth and 12th, six gunboata 
 and two tugs crossed the falls above, and successfully passed 
 the shute of the dam, amid the cheers of the whole army. 
 This great feat of engineering skill delighted Porter, who 
 commended its author, Colonel Bailey, in the highest terms, 
 and the Government promoted him to the rank of Briga- 
 dier-general, a compliment richly merited. 
 
 The fleet did not escape without some loss. The boat 
 Warner, loaded with cotton, was convoyed by the gunboats 
 Signal and Covington, which had been sent down for that 
 purpose from Alexandria. About thirty miles below, the 
 Warner was assailed by concealed batteries, her boilers 
 pierced, and she became a helpless wreck. Two hundred 
 soldiers on board were killed, and others, in trying to escape, 
 shared the same fate. The Signal and Covington, coming 
 to the relief of the transport, had their steam pipes cut, and 
 their boilers penetrated with shot. In a contest gallantly 
 maintained for five hours, the ammunition of the Covington 
 was expended, and Lieutenant G. P. Lord, commanding, 
 spiked his guns, fired the vessel, and brought oft' the portion 
 of the crew that remained. The boat soon after exploded. 
 Lieutenant Edward Morgan, of the Signal, contended gal- 
 lantly half an hour longer, but his decks were covered with 
 the wounded, and he could not fire his vessel. All eecapetf 
 who could, but many fell into the river, brought down, w
 
 EJID or BANKS' MILITARY CAREER. 418 
 
 tnc act of climbing the banks, by the sharpshooters of the 
 enemy. The rebels were soon driven off by a body of cav- 
 alry, who were sent out by General Banks, on hearing of 
 these disasters. 
 
 The fleet and army now returned to the Mississippi, Gen- 
 eral Banks returned to New Orleans, and General Canby 
 replaced him in the field. Thus ended this unfortunate ex- 
 pedition ; one for which General Grant was not responsible, 
 as it was planned before the new order of things was in- 
 augurated. With this expedition, the military career of 
 General Banks ended.
 
 CHAPTER XLI. 
 
 MAY, 1864. 
 
 MILITARY MOVEMENTS BUTLER AT BERMUDA HUNDRBD DRURt's 
 
 WILSON'S WHARF ATTACK ON PKTKRSBCRO CHANGES IN THK COXP3 
 
 GRANT'S PLAN BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS FIRST DAY'S FIGHT SBC- 
 OND DAY'S BATTLE LEE ATTACKS THE LEFT AND CENTRE HIS FAILUBS, 
 AND DESPERATE ASSAULT ON THE RIGHT WADSWORTH MORTALLY WOUND- 
 BD GALLANTRY OF SEDGWICK THIRD DAY'S BATTLE LEE'S PLAN TO OUT- 
 FLANK GRANT DEATH OF SEDGWICK BATTLE OF BPOTTSYLVANIA 
 RANT'S DESPATCH TERRIBLE BATTLE OF THE 12TH DESPERATE FIGHT- 
 ING THE LOSSES RESULTS FAVORABLE TO THE UNION SIDE RECON- 
 NOISSANCES BATTLE OF MAY 18TH THK REPULSE TORBERT AT GUIN- 
 NEY'S STATION. 
 
 THE notes of preparation now resounded on all sides, and 
 armies, greater than any heretofore, were about to commence 
 a campaign, equal in importance to any recorded on the 
 pages of history. The vast army under Grant, had for its 
 objective point, Lee's army, wherever found; that under 
 General Sherman, Atlanta Richmond, the head, and At- 
 lanta, the heart of the Confederacy, being aimed at simul- 
 taneously. The campaigns of the spring and summer of 
 1864, were on a far more extensive scale than those of any 
 previous year of the war. 
 
 The Confederate army under Lee, WLS far superior in 
 numbers and discipline to any which that general had ever 
 before commanded, and gave him hopes that victory would 
 crown his efforts ; but he had now to contend with an an- 
 tagonist \v 10 possessed great abilities as a strategist, was fer- 
 tile in resources, knew no such word as fail, and possessed 
 an iron will and indomitable energy, which never fell short 
 of carrying out his purposes. 
 
 The army under General Meade (including the reserves, 
 commanded by Burnside, then at Annapolis) was one hun- 
 dred and sixty thousand strong. The head-quarters were 
 near Culpepper, on the Eapidan. Major-general Butler's 
 command, afterward called the Army of the James, consist- 
 ing of the Array of Southeast Virginia and North Carolina ; 
 (414)
 
 BERMUDA UL'NUKKD DRURY'S BLUFF. 415 
 
 the Tenth corps (Gilmore's), from the Department of the 
 South, and the Eighteenth corps, from Louisiana, numbered 
 forty thousand men, and lay at and around Fortress Mon- 
 roe. Sigel commanded ten thousand men in the Shenan- 
 doah valley, and Generals Crook and Averill had an army 
 of twenty thousand men in Western Virginia. The army in 
 the Shenandoah valley was to be put in motion simultane- 
 ously with the advance of the main army ; Crook and Aver 
 ill were to co-operate with Sigel ; and the army under Gen 
 eral Butler, was to act in unison with that commanded by 
 General Meade. 
 
 The advance commenced on the 4th of May. The Tenth 
 and Eighteenth corps, having previously reached Yorktown 
 and Gloucester Point, embarked on transports, on the 4th, 
 and made a feint of proceeding up York river ; but Gen- 
 eral Butler secretly descended the same by night, and moved 
 ip the James, with a large squadron of gunboats, four mon- 
 itors, and the iron-clad Atlanta. Part of the troops were 
 .anded at City Point, and Butler, proceeding with the rest to 
 Bermuda Hundred, there intrenched. 
 
 On the 6th, he ascertained the enemy's position, and on 
 the day following, in a demonstration toward Petersburg, 
 after a brisk engagement with a hostile force, succeeded 
 in reaching and cutting the railroad. During this coup de 
 main, Colonel Kautz was sent with a body of cavalry to 
 Durn the railroad bridge below Petersburg; thus, for the time, 
 cutting off a portion of Beauregard's force which had not yet 
 reached the city, while Colonel West also moved from Wil- 
 liamsburg, with two colored regiments, and successfully de- 
 monstrated on Lee's lines, north of the James river. By re- 
 counoissances in force in the direction of Kichmond, on the 
 south side of the James, General Butler destroyed much of 
 the railroad between that city and Petersburg, while the 
 rest of his troops were engaged in fortifying at Bermuda 
 Hundred, and at City Point. He then proceeded to besiege 
 Fort Darling, at Drury's Bluffj on the James, which had been 
 unsuccessfully bombarded by the iron-clads, as hitherto re- 
 corded. The outer line of earthworks was carried on the 
 13th of May, and the troops, moving toward the second line, 
 were bringing the artillery to bear on it, but committed the 
 fatal blunder of neglecting to intrench. 
 
 On the 16th, tae enemy, reinforced bj moft of Beaure-
 
 416 GENERAL BUTLER'S ATTACK ON PETERSBURG. 
 
 gard's army, and favored by a dark mist, made a sally, and 
 assaulting the Union lines with great vigor, forced back the 
 right wing, and so completely flanked it, as to compel the 
 whole army to fall back into the intrenchments at Bermuda 
 Hundred. The Confederates did not pursue. Butler, in 
 this action, lost nearly five thousand troops, killed, wounded 
 and captured. 
 
 On the 20th of May, an attack of the rebel army, on the 
 troops at Bermuda Hundred, was repulsed with a loss of two 
 hundred and sixty-three left dead and wounded upon the 
 field, and an acknowledged loss of over six hundred. The 
 Union loss was heavy, but the position was maintaineu An 
 attack upon the same place by the rebels, on the night of the 
 21st, with infantry and artillery, also met with a severe 
 repulse. 
 
 On the 24th of May, Fitzhugh Lee, with a brigade of 
 rebel cavalry, moved on Wilson's wharf, on the north side 
 of the James, and demanded of General Wild, in command 
 of two regiments of colored troops, the surrender of the 
 place. The demand was refused, and the foiled enemy, after 
 a severe conflict, in which the ground was strewn with his 
 dead and wounded, was compelled to withdraw. On the 
 27th and 28th, the Eighteenth corps, General William F. 
 Smith, was secretly withdrawn, embarked at White House, 
 and sent to reinforce General Grant. All of Beau regard's 
 troops that could be spared, were sent to General Lee. 
 
 General Butler, on the 10th of June, made a combined 
 attack on Petersburg. General Gilmorc approached it on 
 the north with five thousand five hundred troops ; a fine 
 body of cavalry, under General Kautz, attacked it from the 
 south ; while General Butler, with ihe rest of the troops, 
 supported by the gunboats, assaulted it from the northeast 
 *nd east. General Kautz, after a severe contest, forced his 
 way into the city, and General Butler and the gunboats 
 made a vigorous assault, but General Gilmore found the 
 works in his front too strong, and withdrew, which caused 
 General Kautz also to retire. With this attempt, ended tha 
 independent movements of the Army of the James which 
 was afterward under the direct control of General Grant, 
 in his subsequent operations against Richmond and Peters 
 burg. The five corps of the Army of the Potomac were 
 aonsolidated by Lieutenant-general Grant into three. The
 
 ADVANCE OP TH ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 417 
 
 Second was commanded by Major-general W. S. Hancock 
 the Fifth, by Major-general G. B. Warren, and the Sixth, 
 by Major-general John Sedgwick. The reserve corps from 
 the Ninth (Burnside's) had two divisions of colored troops, 
 and was recruited up to forty thousand men. The cavalry 
 was a full corps, under Major-general Philip H. Sheridan. 
 The Lieutenant-general was with the army in person, and 
 directed its important movements, but the way in which they 
 were carried out, was left to General Meade, in command. 
 
 Grant's design was to move on Lee's right flank, and 
 compel him, in order to protect his communications, to fall 
 back on Richmond, in which, a part of the plan of the Union 
 general was to shut up the Confederate army, and at once 
 overthrow both it and the " Confederacy." He foresaw that 
 it would require time for the weakening or surrender of the 
 rebel army, and that its retirement toward Richmond would 
 bring the Union army into battle grounds much more favor- 
 able than the region on which Lee was now encamped. 
 Grant hoped to succeed in his flank movement, without a 
 battle, but was prepared should such an event take place. He 
 shortly discovered that Lee was ready to fight him almost aa 
 soon as he should make the first-movement on his right flank. 
 
 On the morning of the 4th of May, Hancock's corps 
 crossed the river at Ely's, and the corps of Warren and 
 Sedgwick at Germania ford. The entire force had crossed 
 the Rapidan at noon. The region on which the troops now 
 entered was called the Wilderness, on which a portion of 
 the battle of Chancellorsville had been fought. It was a 
 marshy soil, full of forest trees, shrubs and brambles which 
 presented great obstacles to the use of artillery, and no slight 
 difficulty to the movements of infantry. The road to Chan- 
 cellorsville and Fredericksburg was patrolled by Gregg's 
 cavalry, and Wilson's cavalry performed the same duty at 
 Parker's Store and Orange Court House. The battle field 
 of Chancellorsville was occupied by the Second corps ; th 
 Fifth lay around Old Wilderness tavern, and the Sixth be- 
 tween the latter place and Germania ford. 
 
 On the morning of May 5th, the troops marched in the 
 following order: Warren's corps on the Spottsylvania 
 road to Parker's Store ; Sedgwick's to follow ; Hancock to 
 move toward Shady Church, on the Pamunkey road, and join 
 Warren on the left ; and Sheridan's cavalry to engagt
 
 i!8 BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 Stuart's. The enjmy advanced, under Ewell and Hill ; the 
 former on the road from Old Vidiersville, on Mine Run ; the 
 latter on the Spottsylvania road, on which Warren was ad- 
 vancing. Skirmishing took place, but Grant ordered the 
 inarch to continue until the ridges in advance were gained, 
 and then halting, formed the troops in line of battle. Some 
 breastworks were quickly thrown up, and then the Union 
 general awaited the attack of the enemy. 
 
 Sedgwick held the right toward the Rapidan, Warren the 
 centre, near Parker's Store, and Hancock the left, southeast 
 of Warren, and extending toward Shady Grove Church. 
 The line was five miles long, the centre being thrown some- 
 what forward. At noon, Griffin's division of Warren'a 
 corps was ordered to feel the enemy, on the right and left 
 of the turnpike. In less than a mile, the Confederates under 
 Ewell were encountered, in a good position on a wooded 
 slope. In a brisk engagement, for an hour, the superior 
 numbers of the enemy forced back the brigades of Bartlett 
 and Ay res ; especially the latter, which lost two guns, and 
 nearly all the horses killed or captured. Griffin was relieved 
 promptly, and the enemy checked, by the divisions of Wads- 
 worth and Robinson, of the Fifth corps. Musketry firing 
 continued an hour, and a clearing being made, some artil 
 lery was used. This desperat' attack of Lee on the right 
 centre, to destroy the Union HJ my before it arrived in posi- 
 tion, was foiled, and they were at last forced back. 
 
 The baffled rebel commander now massed his troops on 
 the left centre, and made an effort to force his way between 
 Warren and Hancock. The latter general had been recalled 
 from his advance on Shady Grove, when the first attack was 
 made, and marched rapidly across to fill the gap in the line 
 of battle. He arrived at three P. M v when the rebel advance 
 was moving on, to push between the two corps. Getty's 
 division, of the Sixth corps, had been sent to the left, beyond 
 Warren, and had been joined by Mott's division, of the Sec- 
 ond corps, when the Confederate general A. P. Hill en- 
 countered the stern resistance of these two combined, which 
 gave time for the rest of Hancock's corps to come up, and 
 assail the rebel right with a hot fire of musketry. The 
 divisions of Birney, Barlow, and Gibbons were hurried into 
 the fight, and for hours, musketry rained such a deadly 
 storm as has been seldom equalled. The dense undergrowth
 
 BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 419 
 
 prevented the use of artillery. The Secon 1 corps, mostly 
 veterans, kept three times its own number at bay ; but in 
 order to relieve the terrible pressure upon these brave war- 
 riors, an advance of the whole line was necessary. In the 
 gathering darkness, the Sixth corps (Sedgwick's) pressed, 
 and drove back the enemy, putting Ewell's corps in extreme 
 peril. The Union right had thus gained some ground, and 
 when the night was far advanced, the combat ended. The 
 fosses on both sides were heavy, and nearly equal. 
 
 Grant had gained the important information of the posi- 
 tion and strength of the rebels, and therefore could form his 
 troops more advantageously. Burnside's reserves had come 
 up, and were distributed to the support of the other three 
 corps. The line remained as it was, running from north- 
 west to southeast. 
 
 The battle was resumed at dawn, on Friday, May 6th ; 
 Sedgwick's corps, on the right, had been ordered to advance 
 at five A. M., but the Confederates made a desperate effort to 
 turn its flank, which proved useless, and the line advanced 
 a few hundred yards. Lee massed his forces on the right at 
 eight, and half past ten A. M., and repeated attempts to flank 
 Sedgwick again proved abortive, both sides losing heavily. 
 The patriots, during every cessation in the battle, threw up 
 breastworks. Hancock, moving out at dawn, had met Hill's 
 corps, and driven it back two miles, toward Parker's Store, 
 where Longstreet coming up, enabled the foe to hold his 
 ground, though with the loss of many prisoners. A tempo- 
 rary lull then succeeded, after which the rebels attacked the 
 left with great fury, and following up their assault, threw 
 the entire line into some confusion, but order was restored, 
 and the assailants checked by reinforcements from Burn- 
 side's corps. 
 
 In this terrible fight, the whole line surged to and fro, and 
 the dense woods were filled with the slain and wounded. 
 The right and centre gained some ground, but this brought 
 them before the enemy's intrenched line, on a ridge ap- 
 proached only through a wide swamp, and having its front 
 protected by an enfilading fire. Twice during the morning 
 had it been attacked, without success, by part of Warren's 
 and Sedgwick's corps. In the second attack, General Jamea 
 Wadsworth, commanding a division of the Fifth corps, waa 
 mortally wounded and captured. He was recognized, and 
 faithfu'ly attended in hn last moments.
 
 420 BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 In a partial lull, about noon, Grant concentrated his lines, 
 and brought Burnside's corps to fill the gap between Gen- 
 erals Warren and Hancock; and the latter was brought for- 
 ward toward the centre. These changes were scarcely made, 
 when Longstreet and Hill again furiously charged the left 
 and centre, and pushed them back some distance Tho 
 brunt of the assault at the juncture of the left and centre, waa 
 well sustained by Crawford's, Carr's, and Stevenson's divis- 
 ions, of the Fifth, Second, and Ninth corps, respectively. 
 Stevenson's division, at last, was forced to give way, and aa 
 the Confederates were rushing into the gap, they were met by 
 a severe repulse from Carroll's brigade, which had been sent 
 by Hancock to aid the patriots. 
 
 Baffled in his efforts on the centre and left, the Confeder- 
 ate general, at night, suddenly, and with great fury, assaulted 
 the right, and, flanking, broke the brigades of Seymour and 
 Shaler, on its extremity, capturing these generals and a large 
 portion of their troops. By immense energy, and great per- 
 sonal exposure, Sedgwick held his position, which at one 
 time was in extreme danger. The flanking of this position 
 would have entailed the destruction of the army. The losses 
 of this day were heavy on both sides, the result indecisive 
 and the two armies appeared evenly balanced. 
 
 The Union right, during the night, was drawn back ana 
 strengthened, and the patriots, at daybreak on the 7th, resumed 
 the battle with artillery, on the right wing, which provoking 
 no response, skirmishing ensued, in which they had the ad- 
 vantage. At noon, Lee was falling back to his second line 
 of intrenchments, at Spottsylvania Court House, abandoning 
 his strong line at Mine Run. His plan was to outflank 
 Grant while attempting to flank him, and compel him V 
 change his front, or have his line broken and destroyed. 
 
 On Saturday afternoon, General Sheridan, with four cav- 
 alry brigades, fought the Confederate cavalry leader, Stuart, 
 nd maintained his position. Meanwhile, General Lee gave 
 battle to the pursuing troops as often as they pressed upon 
 him. On the evening of the same day, Fredericksburg w-w 
 occupied, and made a depot for the Union troops. 
 
 The corps of Burnside and Hancock renewed the pursuit 
 on Sunday morning, the 8th, and on Saturday night, War- 
 ren took the Brock road past Todd's Tavern to Spottsylvania 
 Court House. A severe battle was fought, at the fcrmef
 
 BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVAHIJL. 421 
 
 place, by Bartlett's brigade of Griffin's division, on Sunday 
 morning, ir which the enemy were repulsed. Toward 
 evening, on the same day, General Grant ordered an ad- 
 vance, in which the Fifth and Sixth corps had a severe 
 conflict with the foe. 
 
 No general battle occurred on Monday, the 9th, until even- 
 ing. General Sedgwick, the brave commander of the Sixth 
 corps, was unfortunately killed during the day by a sharp- 
 shooter. Hancock now held the right, Warren the centre, 
 and the Sixth corps the left. These changes had been mado 
 on Sunday, to prevent a flank movement by the wary foe. 
 Toward evening, Grant ordered another advance ; the Sec- 
 oud corps led the attack on the right, and Burnside offered 
 battle on the left. In a severe contest which resulted, artil- 
 lery was used more than in any previous engagement of the 
 campaign, and alternate charges were made by both armies. 
 Spottsylvania Court House was the object of the strife, and 
 the enemy still held it when the battle ended. Hancock 
 slowly withdrew his troops, who had lost heavily. 
 
 On Tuesday, May 10th, there occurred the most terrible 
 carnage of the campaign. The Union army stretched along 
 the Po, six miles ; Hancock's corps was on the south, and ttw 
 other troops on the north; Burnside held the extreme left; 
 next him extended the Sixth corps (Wright's) ; then War- 
 ren's ; and on the extreme right the corps of Hancock. The 
 flanks were protected by artillery, for which the ground was 
 more favorable than hitherto. The hostile line, strongly 
 intrenched, rested its right on the Ny river and its left on 
 Glady's Run. The position was well supported by breast 
 works ; along the centre extending a forest, and a marsh 
 partially drained. 
 
 The battle began in the morning with a furious cannonade 
 by the Federal guns. Burnside skirmished on the extreme 
 left, to which Mott's division of Hancock's corps being trans- 
 ferred, the advance continued, and the enemy's right was 
 heavily pressed. Grant now ordered an attack on the cen- 
 tre, and in a fierce contest of several hours, the enemy were 
 driven to their rifle pits, which fierce and repeated charging, 
 by Gibbon's division, failed to capture. In this action, the 
 Union general James C. Rice, a gallant young officer, waa 
 killed. Barlow's division, the only remaining one of the 
 Second corps, on the right, was now in extreme peril ; the 
 36
 
 422 BATTLl OF SPOTTSYLVANIA GRANT'S DESPATCH. 
 
 enemy had flanked it before it could be withdrawn north of 
 the Po, but by hard fighting, its retreat was effected. To 
 ward evening, the whole line made a fierce assault, in which 
 Upton's brigade, of the first division, Sixth corps, and Bus- 
 sell's brigade, from the third division, led the forlorn hope, 
 under a deadly fire scaled the enemy's works, and captured 
 one thousand prisoners and several guns. Not being sup- 
 ported, they fell back, and night again ended the contest. 
 
 On Wednesday, lith, there was little heavy fighting. 
 Bain foil in the afternoon, and the two armies enjoyed a ces- 
 sation of hostilities, except some artillery firing. Grant 
 sent his famous despatch to Secretary Stanton, as follows: 
 " We have now ended the sixth day of very hard fighting. 
 The result to this time is much in our favor. Our losses 
 have been heavy, as well as those of the enemy. I think 
 the loss of the enemy must be greater. We have taken over 
 five thousand prisoners in battle, whilst he has taken from 
 us but few, except stragglers. I propose to fight it out on this 
 line, if it takes all summer" 
 
 The most terrible conflict was yet to come. On Wednes- 
 day night, Hancock's corps was transferred from the right 
 to the left, between Wright's and Burnside's commands, 
 leaving General Warren on the right, Generals Wright and 
 Hancock on the right and left centre, respectively, and Gen- 
 eral Burnside on the left wing. 
 
 On Thursday, May 12th, at dawn, and in a dense fog, the 
 Second corps moved cautiously toward the enemy's lines 
 The first line was formed of Barlow's and Birney's, and the 
 reserve of Gibbon's and Mott's divisions. The advance of 
 Barlow marched in columns of battalions, doubled on the 
 centre. The corps, surmounting every obstacle, rushed on 
 the hostile intrenchments with loud cheers, and dashed into 
 the camp of the Confederates. The charge was made by the 
 bayonet, and General Edward Johnston's division, of three 
 thousand men and forty guns, together with Major-general 
 Johnston and Brigadier-general G. H. Stuart, all of Ewell a 
 corps, were captured. By this success, the first of impor- 
 tance in the campaign, the Second corps was forced between 
 the centre and right of the foe, and a further movement 
 would d, Binember the army of Lee. A heavy cannonade 
 was then made along the entire line, and under its cover, 
 the troops moved simultaneously to support the Second
 
 BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA. 425 
 
 corps. Burnside, on the extreme left, pressed on and quickly 
 joined his right to Hancock's left. The Sixth corps urged 
 itself against Ewell's left; Warren's corps, on the extreme 
 (Union) right, became engaged in a hot contest, and the 
 battle rolled along the whole line. The enemy, at nine 
 o'clock A. M., repeatedly charged the Second and Ninth 
 corps, in order to regain the position which he had lost 
 For three hours the battle fiercely raged, and the carnago 
 was terrible. The masses of the, enemy were hurled against 
 the patriot line, only to be repulsed each time with great 
 slaughter, and at noon, they were compelled for a time to 
 3ease their attempts to recapture the lost position. The 
 patriot advance, however, was checked, and most of the cap- 
 tured guns weje exposed to the aim of sharpshooters, and 
 could be carried off by neither side. 
 
 The Unionists, on the centre and right, had made a fierce 
 assault on the hostile centre, but failed to capture the im- 
 pregnable position, and the .effort was abandoned. There 
 was a brief cessation, and early in the afternoon, General 
 Meade shortened and massed his line on the left, and pressed 
 hard upon the Confederate right and right centre, by a tre 
 mendous musketry and artillery fire. The tide of battle 
 roUed with varying success till the approach of night, when 
 finding that the patriot troops had now left their front, the 
 en^my massed on the Union left, and fought with great des- 
 peration, yielding only inch by inch, the muddy and blood- 
 stained soil when it could be held no longer. The dead and 
 wounded lay in heaps ; the rival bayonets interlocked, and 
 for hours the deadly strife raged over the intrenchments, 
 where the Union banner waved, intertwined with the Confed- 
 erate flag, and each in turn, riddled and torn, disappeared 
 from view. 
 
 The enemy now massed against Wilcox's division, on ttio 
 extreme Union left, which latter, though gallantly resisting, 
 was borne back ; three hundred men of Hartranft's brigade 
 being captured, and as many more killed and wounded. A 
 fierce artillery fire checked and drove the rebels back. The 
 other divisions of the same corps not only held their ground, 
 but penetrated the hostile intrenchments. For the fourteen 
 hours that the battle continued, the fierceness cf the conflict 
 was unsurpassed by any action since the beginning of the 
 war. A decided success the first in the campaign had teen
 
 424 UNION AND REBEL LOSSES. 
 
 achieved. Night again shrouded the bloody field. The 
 patriots had gained, and now held, a foothold in the enemy's 
 lines from which desperate and repeated assaults failed to 
 expel them. 
 
 The enemy fell back to a new position during the night, 
 and an attack at dawn by the Fifth and Sixth corps was 
 ordered, but the position was found to be too strong to offer 
 any hope of success. Heavy rains impeded any warlike 
 movements for some days. The lines were again changed ; 
 Warren holding the left, Wright the left centre, Burnside 
 the right centre, and Hancock the right. 
 
 During the cessation of hostilities for a week, both armies 
 were reinforced with all the troops which they could bring 
 up, for the continuance of a conflict, in which Grant had 
 determined to give the enemy no rest. The first act of the 
 campaign was now ended, and the contending armies buried 
 their dead, and attended to their wounded. The patriots 
 had lost two hundred and sixty^-nme officers and three thou- 
 sand and nineteen men killed, one thousand and seventeen 
 officers and eighteen thousand two hundred and sixty-one 
 men wounded, and one hundred and seventeen officers and 
 six thousand six hundred and sixty-seven men missing, 
 mostly captured ; total during the eight days, twenty-nine 
 thousand three hundred and fifty. Among the officers killed, 
 were Major-general Sedgwick, and Brigadier-generals Wads- 
 worth, Hays, Rice, and Stevenson ; several general officers 
 were wounded, and two captured. The loss on the side of 
 the enemy was over thirty thousand, of whom eight thou- 
 sand were captured, as also eighteen cannon, and twenty-two 
 flags. The enemy lost Major-general Samuel Jones, and 
 Brigadier-generals Jenkins, John M. Jones, Daniels, Gordon, 
 Pervin, and Stafford ; General Longstreet was severely 
 wounded, and one major-general and one brigadier were 
 taken prisoners. 
 
 Reconnoissances were made on the 17th of May, and tke 
 forces of the enemy being now massed on his right, it was 
 determined to strike the left flank. The new line was 
 formed on Wednesday, 18th ; Wright occupying the right, 
 Hancock joining him on the right centre ; Buruside being 
 on the left centre, and Warren on the extreme left. The 
 attack was to be made by Wright, Hancock, and Burnsida 
 The battle began with heavy cannonading from the Union
 
 TORBERT AT GUINNEY's STATION. 
 
 right, to which a prompt response was made by the enemy. 
 About five A. M., a general assault was made by the three 
 corps who rushed forward, drove in the enemy's skirmish 
 line, and, with little loss, carried two lines of rifle pits. An 
 impenetrable abatis, strong earthworks lined with sharp- 
 shooters, and heavy artillery behind, made it impossible to 
 advance without great loss, and the troops were withdrawn 
 in good order. At eleven A. M., the assault was abandoned, 
 and the troops occupied their old position, having lost in the 
 assault one thousand two hundred men killed and wounded. 
 No fighting occurred during the day, and General Grant sent 
 Torbert's cavalry to Guinney's Station, to the right and rear 
 of Lee's position, and threatened his communications with 
 Richmond. The d^pot, warehouses, and a large amount of 
 supplies were destroyed, and the railroad and telegraph* 
 cut.
 
 CHAPTER XLII. 
 
 MAY JUNE JULY, 1864. 
 
 ItiNI MAKES ANOTHER FLANK MOVEMENT EWELL REPULSED- FIOHTIM 
 OH THE NORTH ANNA THK RIVER CROSSED STRENGTH OF THE ENEMY*! 
 POSITION GRANT RECROSSES THE NORTH ANNA BATTLE OF TOLOPATO- 
 MOT CREEK THE FIGHTING CONTINUOUS BATTLES OF COLD HARBOR AND 
 THB CHICKAHOMINY INTRENCHING AND FIGHTING GRANT'S FAMOUS 
 
 MARCH ACROSS THE JAMES ATTACKS ON PETERSBURG; THEIR RESULT 
 
 RAIDS OF SHERIDAN CROOK AND AVERILL IN WESTERN VIRGINIA 
 BIGEL'S FAILURE EARLY DEFEATS HUNTER SINKING OF THE PIRATE ALA' 
 BAMA SHERMAN'S ARMY THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN DALTON FLANKED 
 
 BATTLE OF RESACA FIGHT AT DALLAS ALATOONA FLANKED BATTL1 
 
 OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN DEATH OF POLK SHERMAN'S FIRST DEFEAT 
 THE ARMT REACHES AND CROSSES THE CHATTAHOOCHEE ATLANTA IK 
 
 8IOHT. 
 
 SOME preliminary changes were now made, in preparation 
 tor a flanking movement, and on the 19th of May (Thurs- 
 day), part of the Sixth corps began to move from the right 
 to the left. Lee, perceiving this design, sent Ewell to check 
 it by a dash upon the Union rear. The latter crossed the 
 Ny, passed the right wing of the Union army undiscovered, 
 and at five P. M. gained its rear. Attacking the wagons, laden 
 with commissary and ordnance supplies, and some ambu 
 lances, he captured some, and fired upon the rest; the heavy 
 trains, having passed some time before, fortunately escaped. 
 
 General Tyler attacked the rebels, and after a brief con- 
 test, drove them into the woods. In this action, the patriots 
 lost twelve hundred men in killed, wounded, and missing. 
 During this attack, the enemy made another on the Union 
 left, doubtless for the purpose of concealing E well's move- 
 ment, but were repulsed, after a brief and spirited action. 
 At three o'clock, on Friday morning, three divisions of the 
 Union army entered the woods quickly and in silence, and 
 attacking the foe in the rear, captured four buodred prison- 
 ers. Ewell then recrossed the Ny, and retreated. 
 
 The new flanking movement began on Friday, the 19th, 
 at midnight. Torbert's cavalry advanced from Massaponax 
 Church to Guinney's bridge, across the Po, and near its junc- 
 tion with the Nv. Encountering the enemy's cavalry at
 
 FIGHTING AT THE NORTH ANNA. 427 
 
 Dormer's bridge, Torbert drove them back, and sweeping 
 opposition from his path, proceeded to Bowling Green. 
 From thence, advancing to Milford Station, he drove out the 
 rebel garrison at that point, and captured seventy prisoners. 
 The different corps followed, and on the 21st (Sunday), the 
 Union army lay along and near the Fredericksburg railroad, 
 facing to the west ; the right lay at Guinney's Station, tho 
 centre at Bowling Green, and the left at Milford Station. Al 
 the attempts of the enemy on the advancing arrny had been 
 easily repelled. The stores had been removed, as the Con. 
 "eder^tes had anticipated the movement. Givait was aware 
 that Lee also was moving, and was in advance of him, in tho 
 direction of Hanover Court House. 
 
 The Union army moved rapidly on Monday and by night 
 arrived at the North Anna, near Jericho bridge. The 
 enemy, at this place, held a strong position, which Hancock 
 carried by a desperate charge, in which he lost three hundred 
 men. The Fifth corps crossed the river higher up, and waa 
 soon furiously attacked, but drove the Confederates back 
 with great slaughter. More rapid or massive firing, General 
 Grant stated, in his despatch, that he had never before heard. 
 The whole Union army had crossed the North Anna on the 
 25th of May, and was now on the south side. The enemy 
 were found strongly posted ; their right resting on Bull 
 Swamp, their left on Little river, and their front thrown 
 forward toward Oxford in a V form, partially separating the 
 Union right and left wings, and protecting the Virginia Cen- 
 tral and Fredericksburg railroads, and Sexton's Junction, at 
 which important point they united. 
 
 General Grant made Port Royal, en the Rappahannock for 
 a time the base of supplies and depot for the wounded ; but as 
 another flank movement would soon occur, he took the wise 
 precaution to ship the supplies to White House, on the Pa- 
 munkey. The enemy's position could not be carried with- 
 out heavy loss, and Grant again moved on the right flank. 
 
 On the 26th of May, Torbert's and Gregg's divisions, of 
 Sheridan's cavalry, were ordered to recross the North Anna, 
 and occupy Hanover Ferry and Hanovertown, twenty-five 
 miles below the Union position on the Pamunkey, while 
 Wilson's division was engaged in destroying the Virginia 
 Central railroad west from near Sexton's Junction. To con- 
 oeal this movement, the enemy's left was vigorously attacked
 
 428 BATTLE OF TOLOPATOMOY CREEK. 
 
 on Thursday, 26th. The two cavalry divisions, meanwhile 
 arrived at their destination, and captured seventy-five men 
 of a rebel vidette. the only troops in the place. 
 
 On Saturday morning, May 28th, the Federal infantry held 
 fianovertown, and the crossing of the Pamunkey. Sheri 
 dan's cavalry corps now pushed south, and the infantry fol- 
 lowed as quickly as possible. In the vicinity of Howe's 
 Store, on Tolopatomoy creek, an affluent of the Pamunkey, 
 Gregg's cavalry in advance, encountered that of Hampton 
 and Fitzhugh Lee, and after a severe contest was forced back 
 by their superior numbers. Ouster's brigade, of Torbert'a 
 division, coming up, drove the rebels off. Each side lost 
 four hundred men. The patriots moved forward on the 
 Shady Grove Church and Mechanicsville roads. The rebel 
 position was on the south of Tolopatomoy creek, its right 
 resting on the Mechanicsville road, and its left on the Vir- 
 ginia Central, near Altee's. On Monday, May 30th, in at- 
 tempting a raid on the Union rear, the rebels were driven 
 off by the cavalry of Ouster and Merritt, and on "Wednesday, 
 June 1st, in endeavoring to drive the patriots from Cold 
 Harbor, after a desperate combat, they were again completely 
 repulsed by Sheridan, whose men were dismounted, and 
 fought with carbines. 
 
 The Sixth and Eighteenth corps, after a march of twenty - 
 five miles, formed in line of battle. In a desperate engage- 
 ment, Deven's brigade, of the Eighteenth corps, and Rickett's, 
 of the Sixth, swept resistlessly into the hostile intrenchments, 
 and captured the first line of rifle pits, and six hundred men. 
 The attempts of the enemy to regain this positicri during 
 the night, were repulsed. The loss of the Union troops, in 
 this action, was two thousand. The Federal line now ex- 
 tended from Bethesda Church to Cold Harbor. All along 
 this line, except at intervals, there was desperate fighting all 
 day (June 1st), in which General Grant lost one thousand 
 men ; the result, however, was favorable to him, as it secured 
 Cold Harbor, which commanded the divergent roads. On 
 Wednesday night, and Thursday, in floods of rain, prepara- 
 tions ware made for an assault on the enemy's lines, and the 
 troops were massed at different points. 
 
 On Friday morning, June 3d, the Union lines extended 
 from Tolopatomoy creek, through Cold Harbor, to the 
 Chickahominy. All was ready for a grand assault, whicii took
 
 UATtLE Of COLD HARBOR. 
 
 place at four A. M., and commenced with a terrific fire from 
 both sides. The patriots made impetuous charges from many 
 points. The divisions of Gibbon and Barlow drove the 
 rebels, under Breckinridge, from the summit of their posi- 
 tion, and planted the stars and stripes, but a terrible fire 
 from the enfilading batteries forced them to withdraw. They 
 captured a flag, and three hundred prisoners, and held a 
 position during the day within fifty yards of the ramparts. 
 A fierce battle raged the whole day, at the close of which 
 the Union loss was nearly seven thousand killed, wounded, 
 and missing. Several important positions were gained, but 
 the attempt failed to drive the rebels across the Chicka- 
 hominy. 
 
 On Saturday, June 4th, the Union troops were busy 
 throwing up intrenchments ; an assault by the enemy, at 
 nine P. M., on Hancock's corps, on the extreme left, was 
 severely repulsed. On Sunday, the work of intrenching 
 proceeded, and sharpshooters on each side made it extremely 
 dangerous for either Unionist or Confederate to be exposed 
 Rifle pits, trenches, and ramparts were constructed, under a 
 terrible fire of musketry and artillery. Night, dark and 
 foggy, came on, and the troops reposed on their arms. 
 About midnight, the enemy advanced in silence, and rush- 
 ing forward on the Union picket line with cheers, opened a 
 heavy artillery and mortar fire. Every man was at his post 
 in a moment ; a severe fire of musketry, and floods of grape 
 and canister swept the rebels, disordered and broken, before 
 it, and they fled to their ramparts, leaving one thousand of 
 their killed and wounded behind them. This incessant battle 
 continued during Monday and Tuesday, while, in the mean- 
 time, the positions of both armies were being strengthened, 
 and each tried to gain some advantage over the other. 
 
 An assault upon Burnside, on Tuesday night, wad 
 hurled back with great slaughter; Wednesday, the 8th, 
 witnessed repeated exchanges of artillery fire, and the three 
 following days were spent in intrenching, reconnoissances 
 snd brief but severe conflicts. 
 
 Grant was now preparing a secret flank movement, by 
 which, descei-ding the .Chickahominy, he might cross that 
 and the James rivers, and reach the rear of Lee's army. 
 An important object which he had in view, was not only the 
 capture of Richmond, but the prevention of Lee's escape
 
 430 GRANTS FAMOUS MARCH TO PETERSBURG. 
 
 into the Carolinas or Georgia. Accordingly, the railroad 
 between the White House and the Chickahominy was de 
 stroyed on Friday, and on Sunday, June 12th, the famous 
 march was begun. The river was crossed on Tuesday. A 
 march of fifty miles was made, the Chickahominy and the 
 James rivers were crossed, the army was in the enemy's rear, 
 and Petersburg was surprised. This was done in the pres- 
 ence of one hundred thousand of the Confederates, only a 
 few skirmishers being lost on the march. Infantry artillery, 
 and cavalry, with a baggage train which would have filled 
 any road for one hundred miles, were all safely transferred 
 to the new base. The great feat of General Grant was tri- 
 umphantly achieved one of the greatest wonders recorded 
 in the annals of war. 
 
 The Eighteenth corps had arrived on Wednesday, June 
 15th, at Bermuda Hundred, where General Butler was in- 
 trenched, and having crossed the Appomattox, moved on 
 Petersburg. The enemy was encountered at daylight, by 
 Kautz's cavalry in the advance. In a severe engagement 
 the colored troops carried one of the works, and turned a 
 captured gun on the retreating rebels; and at sunset, the 
 intrenchments were assaulted, the ramparts scaled, the ene- 
 my routed, and three hundred prisoners, sixteen guns, and 
 a battle flag captured. By thus carrying the rebel works, 
 which formed the outer defences, the Union troops were 
 now within two miles of Petersburg, and the alarmed enemy 
 made vain efforts to regain his lost ground. 
 
 The army of General Lee now moved hastily through 
 llichmond, and crossing the James, hastened to Petersburg 
 by railway. The Confederates at Bermuda Hundred de- 
 serted their intrenchments, and General Terry occupying 
 them, destroyed the Petersburg and Richmond railway for 
 two miles. Lee was pressing on Petersburg, and Terry had 
 to retire, but delayed the enemy one day by the destruction 
 of the railroad. 
 
 The most vigorous assaults failed to carry the strong triple 
 line of rebel intrenchments at Petersburg. There was con- 
 tinual fighting, however, the Union loss on Thursday, Juts 
 16th, being over two thousand men. The attack was renewed 
 on Friday, at four A. M., and Gi iffin's brigade carried a por 
 tion of the rebel line, capturing four hundred men, a stand 
 of colors, and six guns. The battle raged the entire day
 
 ATTACKS ON PETERSBURG, THEIR RESULT. 481 
 
 and Burnside was within a half a mile of the city, into which 
 he threw a few shells. A desperate attempt was made, during 
 the night, to regain what was lost, and a hand to hand strug- 
 gle ensued over the breastworks, in which the rebels were 
 successful in recapturing one of the works, driving out the 
 troops of Burnside. 
 
 On Saturday, June 18th, the whob line was to be vigor- 
 ously assaulted. The enemy, during the night, retired to 
 the inner intrenchments, and this line required to be reoon- 
 noitered. The carnage which resulted was dreadful. Skir- 
 mishes were deadly, resembling a pitched battle; but the 
 itrong lines could not be taken, and at night, the wearied 
 troops sought repose. The battle had been unceasing for 
 four days, during which not less than ten thousand patriots 
 had been rendered "hors de combat." For the next three 
 days, skirmishing and cannonading, but no decisive action, 
 took place. A few shells were hurled into the city, carry- 
 ing consternation among the inhabitants. The dead werl 
 buried under a flag of truce, and the wounded were carried 
 off by each army. Petersburg and Richmond could not be 
 taken by a direct assault, which would be most destructive 
 to life, if not altogether unsuccessful ; a regular siege was, 
 therefore, necessary. 
 
 During this campaign of a month and a half, nearly one 
 hundred thousand men had disappeared, yet the course of 
 Grant was the only wise one that could have been adopted 
 and saved life in the end. The discouragements under 
 which he labored would have overcome most men. Butler 
 had twice failed at Bermuda Hundred ; and Sigel had been 
 alike unsuccessful in the Shenandoah valley. His path 
 was beset with obstacles at every step, but with a tenacious 
 grasp on the throat of rebellion, Grant sternly resolved never 
 to relax his vigorous measures. 
 
 On the 8th of May, he sent Sheridan to cut off the com- 
 munications in Lee's rear. At Beaver Dam Station, the 
 latter had captured a rebel provost-guard with three hundred 
 Union prisoners, whom Sheridan immediately liberated. A 
 detachment destroyed the Fredericksburg railroad, at Ash- 
 land Station, and on the llth, the main body, within six miles 
 of Richmond, had a severe fight with the command of General 
 J E. B. Stuart, in which that famed cavalry leader was 
 killed. Next morning, a party reeonnoitering within two
 
 432 RAIDS OF SHERIDAN. 
 
 miles of Richmond, penetrated the second line of defences, 
 but had to retire. On the 12th, the advance encountered 
 *he rebels at Meadow bridge, which the latter had burned 
 behind them. In the meantime, another large force fron? 
 the rear surrounded the brave Sheridan, and death or cap 
 ture seemed imminent. 
 
 Sheridan hastily reconstructed the bridge under fire, 
 charged the enemy fiercely during a thunder-storm, drove 
 them back to Mechanicsville, and finally to Cold Harbor, 
 and encamped his weary men near Games' Mill. In two 
 days, he reached Butler's head-quarters, and opening up the 
 communications with Yorktown, returned in time to parti- 
 cipate in the battles of Cold Harbor and the Chickahominy. 
 He next led the advance of the Army of the Potomac, in its 
 passage to and across the James, and on the 8th of June, set 
 out to penetrate the rebel lines and cut the Virginia Central 
 railroad. At Aylett's Station, he destroyed the Fredericks- 
 burg railroad, encountered the rebel* at Buck Childs, and 
 routing them on the llth, after a severe action, established 
 his head- quarters at Trevillian. From Trevillian Station to 
 Louisa Court House, he completely destroyed the railroad on 
 the 12th. After a severe encounter with the enemy, in which 
 the latter was very severely punished, he determined to 
 withdraw. The train and wounded were brought off safely 
 but not without hard fighting, and on the 14th, he reached 
 Spottsylvania Court House. 
 
 In Western Virginia, Crook and Averill fought th lee battles 
 in the middle of May, on New river, with the rebel generals 
 Jones and Jenkins, in all of which the enemy were defeated ; 
 in one, General Jenkins was mortally wounded, and fell into 
 the hands of the patriots. In these actions, the enemy lost 
 six hundred killed and wounded, and three hundred cap- 
 tared. Averill cut the Virginia and Tennessee railroad, 
 destroyed the bridge over New river, and also several miles 
 of the railroad. 
 
 General Sigel, in the Shenandoah valley, moved early in 
 May to New Market, where, on the 15th, he met the enemy, 
 eight thousand strong, under Breckinridge, by whom he 
 was defeated, with the loss of six hundred killed and 
 wounded. After this battle, General Sigel was superseded 
 by General Hunter. Breckinridge then proceeded vo rein- 
 force Lee, and Hunter's progress to Staunton met wit t little
 
 HUlfTJEB DEFEATED PIRATE A LA BAM A DESfHJTED. 433 
 
 opposition. On the 5th of June, the latter defeated the en- 
 emy at Mount Crawford, with a loss of their commander, 
 General W. E. Jones, a large number killed and woianded, 
 and fifteen hundred captured ; and on the 8th, he reached 
 Staunton, where a junction was formed between his forces 
 and those under Averill and Crook. He was directed to 
 proceed with this reinforcement toward Charlotteville, and, 
 destroying the Virginia Central railroad, in his way, to drive 
 the onemy toward Charlotteville and Gordonsrille, and thero 
 join Sheridan, who was marching to the latter point. The 
 combined forces might have captured Lynchburg, an impor- 
 tant rebel depot, but Hunter delayed too long, and Sheridan, 
 for want of support, had no other recourse than to fall back. 
 On his advance to Lynchburg, he found it too strongly for- 
 tified and garrisoned to be taken with his limited command. 
 
 Lee now sent General Early to drive Hunter out of the 
 valley, who, moving from Lynchburg, compelled the Union 
 general to fall back. After a contest, in which the latter 
 lost six hundred men, and some artillery, he abandoned the 
 Shenandoah valley, and leaving it open to the enemy, moved 
 into the Kanawha valley. Early now captured Winchester, 
 and flanking Martinsburg, compelled Sigel, who was in com- 
 mand there, to evacuate and retreat, on July 3d, to Harper's 
 Ferry. Colonel Mulligan had evacuated the town, and this 
 ihe enemy occupied, while Sigel took possession of Mary- 
 land Heights. Making desperate efforts to correct the errors 
 into which he had fallen, and reach the Potomac, Hunter, in 
 attempting to cross the mountains, lost most of his train, and 
 .seven guns. His men were on short allowance, and suffered 
 much. The failures of Sigel and Hunter occasioned great 
 disasters to Maryland and the southern portion of Pennsyl- 
 vania. A call was now made for volunteers to serve during 
 the emergency, which was cheerfully responded to. 
 
 On the 19th of June, the Confederate cruiser Alabama 
 was encountered off Cherbourg, France, by the Kearsarge, 
 Captain Winslow. In a desperate naval combat, the pirate 
 was pierced with the heavy shells of the Kearsarge, and sunk. 
 Her crew was taken up by the English yacht, Deerhound, 
 whose owner, Mr. Lancaster, carried off Captain Semmes, 
 and the other prisoners, to Southampton. This " finishing 
 touch" to the career of such a scourge tc the seas, caused 
 great rejoicing in the North. 
 7
 
 434 SHERMAN'S ARMY THE A PLANT A CAMPAIGN. 
 
 We must now return to General Sherman, in Georgia, 
 whose objective point was Atlanta, the great rebel depot of 
 supplies, and the railway centre of the Confederacy. Th 
 army was collected, organized, armed, and drilled with great 
 celerity, and numbeied nearly one hundred thousand men, 
 and two hundred and fifty-four guns. The troops were mar- 
 halled in three divisions the Army of the Cumberland 
 under Major-general Thomas, numbering over sixty thousand 
 men ; the Army of the Tennessee, commanded by Major gen 
 eral McPherson, nearly twenty-five thousand men ; and tha 
 Army of the Ohio, Major-general Schofield, upward of four- 
 teen thousand. The cavalry force of the Army of the Cumber- 
 land, under General Kilpatrick, amounted to five thousand. 
 The Confederate army, commanded by General Joseph E. 
 Johnston, comprised three grand divisions, under Hardee, 
 Hood, and Polk, and was sixty thousand strong, including 
 ten thousand cavalry. 
 
 The country through which the march was about to be 
 made was delightful, the weather fair, and the Union army 
 in excellent spirits. The advance took place on the 6th of 
 May (1864). The first point to b3 attacked was Dalton, a 
 strongly fortified town, where two roads meet from Ring- 
 gold and Red Clay. In its front is Rocky Face, a craggy 
 ridge, five hundred feet high, anj on the west of this, is 
 Tunnel Hill, another Gibraltar. Between these two hills is 
 " Buzzard Roost Gap." This place, and the way from Red 
 Clay, were both fortified and manned to such a degree, aa 
 seemed to render approach impossible. 
 
 On the 7th of May, General McPherson, who had formed 
 the extreme right at Gordon's Mills, southwest of Dalton, 
 was advancing through hostile territory to destroy the rail- 
 road at Resaca. He was then to intrench south of Snake 
 river, and wait the approach of the rebels, as they should be 
 driven back by Thomas and Schofield, whereupon he was 
 to intercept them. General Thomas drove the enemy's cav- 
 alry into "Buzzard Roost Gap," and Schofield moved on 
 Dalton from Red Clay Hill. The bewildered foe being thus 
 occupied, McPherson, nearly unmolested, advanced within 
 a mile of Resaca. General Thomas made a feint on the en- 
 emy's position at Rocky Face, and then an assault, in which 
 the Rocky ridge was carried by Veatch's division of How- 
 ard's corps, but the gap could not be reached. Geary'*
 
 BATTLK OF KESACA. 435 
 
 division, of Hooker's corps, made a gallant, but unsuccessful 
 attempt to reach the summit. The enemy, strongly posted, 
 and with powerful artillery, even rolled down heavy bouJd 
 ers and rocks, which crashed through the trees, and broke 
 the advancing columns. The Union forces gained no ad- 
 vantage, although McPherson was reinforced by Hooker and 
 Schofield; Howard alone now remained before Dalton, which 
 Johnston evacuated, rapidly retiring on Resaca. Howard at 
 once entered Dalton, and followed the retiring foe. 
 
 Sherman found the enemy at Resaca well posted, and 
 made another flank movement. He pontooried the Oostan- 
 aula, sent General Sweeney to threaten Calhoun, and Gar- 
 rard's cavalry to destroy the railroad beyond. On the 14th, 
 there was severe fighting. In a gallant charge, General 
 Judah was repulsed, but Cox carried the breastworks in 
 front with the bayonet. The enemy assaulted the centre, 
 and after a vain effort, in which Palmer held his ground 
 made a furious onset on the left, and Stanley was at last 
 forced back in disorder. Robinson came to the rescue, and 
 dealing the enemy a heavy blow, sent him back severely 
 punished. Darkness closed on the combat. On the i5th 
 the army stood on a semi-circle McPherson en the right 
 Thomas in the centre, and Schofield on the left, beyona 
 whom on the extremity was Howard. On the rebel side, 
 Hood was on the right, Hardee in the centre, and Polk on 
 the left. 
 
 The army, on a given signal, advanced, pressing on under 
 a fierce fire, and moving up inch by inch, determined to 
 carry the strong position. Butterfield, supported by Wil- 
 liams and Geary, contended bravely for four hours, carrying 
 one line of rifle pits after another, until a large lunette was 
 encountered. The attempts to capture it were attended with 
 great loss. Butterfield, at last, by a charge gained some 
 works under the protection of the fort, and so close, that the 
 guns within could be touched with the hand. Notwithstand- 
 ing the advantages thus gained, the attempt on the fort, how- 
 ever, was unsuccessful, and HuoKer gave up the contest. 
 During the rest of the day, he lay under the breastworks, and 
 at night, formed the design of capturing the lunette by strate- 
 gy. " The ends were dug out of the works, and the guns drawn 
 out by ropes, under the destructive fire of the occupant? of the 
 lunette, who were driven out or captured, as oir Droopa
 
 436 FIGHT AT DALLAS 
 
 awarrned in through the opening in overwhelming numbers.* 
 Hooker, in a night battle, defeated the rebels, and at two 
 A. M. they gave way. On Monday, at dawn, they had evacu- 
 ated their works, and burned the trains, although they saved 
 their artillery. The Union army at once advanced, and the 
 cavalry pressed on the enemy's rear. Johnston partially 
 destioyedthe bridge across the Oostanaula, and got off' safely 
 with his army, preventing McPherson from pontooning the 
 river, by a destructive fire. The Federal loss in two days 
 was five thousand ; that of the rebels was less. One thou- 
 sand prisoners, eight guns, and an abundance of stores were 
 taken by the Unionists. The whole army followed in pur 
 6uit, as rapidly as the rough ground and the passage of 
 streams would permit. 
 
 There was a severe action at Adairsville, near Calhoun, 
 jn the 17th, but Johnston continued his retreat. On the 
 _8th, Clinton was occupied, and here the troops rested a few 
 days while supplies came up, and the communication with 
 Chattanooga was again established. A garrison being left 
 here and at Home, Georgia, the army, on the 23d, moved 
 toward Dallas, which lay west of the railroad, and south of 
 the strong pass of Alatoona. Hooker was sent to secure the 
 junction of the Ackworth, Marietta, and Dallas rail roads. In 
 a severe coaflict with the Confederates, on the 25th, at New 
 Hope Church, in which his division was distinguished for 
 bravery, General Geary drove them to the junction. Night 
 carr 3 on before Hooker arrived there, and a heavy rain storm 
 having fallen, the wearied troops halted, and lay down on 
 the damp field. 
 
 There was now constant fighting for three days. On the 
 28th, Johnston fell furiously on McPherson, as he closed up 
 on the army of Thomas. The onset made by the corps of 
 Hardee and Polk, was sudden and terrific. The patriots, 
 behind a long line of rifle pits, awaited the enemy. Logan 
 and McPherson animated the troops, who reserved their fire 
 till the foe came within short range, when the front rank 
 sent forth a deadly volley, followed by another from the 
 rear rank. The rebels recoiled, bat though they had been 
 mowed down in great numbers, on they came again, charg- 
 ing with shouts of defiance to the " cannon's mouth." The 
 brave patiiots never flinched, and as night came on the 
 baffled enemy retired, with the loss of three thousand men
 
 JLLATOOXA BATTLE OF KENESAW MOUNTAIN. 43) 
 
 triple that of the Unionists. Sherman now paused, and per- 
 plexed the enemy with his fl ink movements, by sending 
 McPherson around to the left. On the 1st of June, John- 
 ston, finding his communications with Atlanta threatened 
 abandoned the stronghold of Alatoona, which Sherman made 
 his secondary base. Leaving a garrison to protect it, and 
 having repaired the railroad, the victorious army, on the 9th 
 pursued the foe to the stronghold on the rugged brow of 
 Kenesaw. This formidable height has two peaks on tbe 
 left lay Chestnut Hills, and on the right, Pine Mountain and 
 Lost Mountain, all being of the same range, and overlook- 
 ing the town of Marietta and the railroad. Sherman says, 
 
 the scene was enchanting, too beautiful to be disturbed by 
 Ae rude clamors of war ; but the Chattahoochee lay beyond, 
 and I had to reach it." 
 
 The army was up on the llth of June, and arrangciu^-nt? 
 were made to break the line between Kenesaw and Pine 
 Mountains. Hooker was on its right and front, Howard on 
 its left and front, and Palmer between it and the railroad. 
 On the 14th, during a severe artillery fire, Lieutenant-gen- 
 eral (Bishop) Polk was killed by a shell, which was hurled 
 among a group of officers. On the next morning, the Con- 
 federates were found to have abandoned Pine Mountain. 
 On the 17th, Lost Mountain was also abandoned, and ih/, 
 enemy occupied Kenesaw, their wings and centre being so 
 disposed as to cover Marietta and the railroad, and leaving 
 no weak point on which the line could be assailed. The 
 snemy could see all the movements of the Union array in 
 the valley below, the thunders of whose cannon shook the 
 mountain. Heavy rains fell on the exposed troops, the 
 roads became impassable, and the country a marsh. But 
 the work advanced, and the troops intrenched on every 
 rod of ground which they gained. "General McPherson, 
 watching the enemy on Kenesaw, and working his Jeft for- 
 ward ; General Thomas, swinging as it were on a grand left 
 wheel, his left on Kenesaw, connected with General McPher- 
 gon, while General Schofield was all the while working to 
 the south and east, along the old Sandtown road." 
 
 On the 22d, the Confederate General Hood made a suJd^n 
 attack on Hooker's and Williams' divisions, but was repulsed 
 with the loss of eight hundred men. On the 27th, the 
 weather being now fine, tbe columns m? ed to the grand
 
 438 SHERMAN'S ARMY CROSSES THE CHATTAHOOCHE*. 
 
 assault on two different points, Thomas assailing the one 
 and McPherson the other. Surmounting all the obstacles 
 which the nature of the ground presented, the steady lines 
 soon became engaged in a fearful struggle with the well 
 posted enemy. Kenesaw smoked like a volcano, and inces- 
 sant thunders rolled down to its base. In leading on their 
 brigades with conspicuous gallantry, Generals McCook and 
 Barker fell, and many other brave officers and men were 
 swept down by the dread nil fire which streamed from the 
 mountain. But valor was in vain, and the bugles sounded 
 the recall, but not until three thousand patriots had been 
 killed or wounded, among whom were many excellent 
 officers. General Sherman, who was here defeated for 
 the first time, now attended to the burial of the slain, and 
 sent McPherson forward to the Chattahoochee, far behind 
 Kenesaw. 
 
 Johnston at once evacuated his stronghold, and Sherman 
 occupied Marietta. lie now pursued the enemy. On the 
 4th and 5th of July, the rebel army crossed the Chattahoo- 
 chee. On the 9th, Sherman had secured three points at 
 which to cross, but this last line was also abandoned by the 
 enemy, who now fell back to Atlanta. Meanwhile, General 
 Rosseau, who with two thousand cavalry had been sent 
 round Atlanta, to destroy the railroad at Opelika, Alabama, 
 had successfully carried out his orders with the loss of only 
 thirty men, and now returned. 
 
 Sherman had now the control of the Chattahoochee, and 
 resolved on the capture of Atlanta, eight miles distant, but 
 after its severe marches and constant fighting, the army re- 
 quired rest, and was now encamped within sight of the 
 "Gate City," in a beautiful and romantic country. On the 
 17th of July, the advance was again made; some fighting 
 occurring on this day. Atlanta soon came within full view 
 of the troops, as they moved against this stronghold. John- 
 ston was superseded in command of the rebel army by 
 General Hood, who determined at once to assume the offen- 
 sive, and it was evident that a desperate battle was about to 
 be fought, which would decide the fate of this ciiy, the very 
 heart ->f thi Confederacy.
 
 CH AFTER XLHL 
 JULY DKCKMBKR, 1864. 
 
 t * j'i ATTACK ASSAULT ON MCPHKRSON HIS DEATH HOWARD 8UCCZ1DS 
 C?H 2R80N RESIGNATION OF HOOKER STONEMAN's RAID AND CAPTURE 
 BHKRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS IN DANGER KILPATRICK'S RAID THB 
 ARMY ON THE MACON ROAD ATLANTA CUT OFF AND EVACUATED SLOCUM 
 
 OCCUPIES THE CITY NON-COMBATANTS ORDERED OUT GALLANTRY OF 
 
 CORSE AT ALATOONA PURSUIT OF HOOD PREPARATIONS FOR THE MARCH 
 
 TO THE SEA ROME AND ATLANTA BURNED SHERMAN'S ORDERS RESPECT- 
 ING FORAGING PARTIES DIVISIONS OF THE ARMY PILLAGE OF MADISON 
 CAVALRY FIGHT AT LOVEJOY MILLEDGEVILLE REACHED BATTLE OF 
 ORI8WOLDVILLE MILLEN DEFEAT OF WHEELER AT WAYNESBORO 
 SHERMAN'S MARCH TO SAVANNAH CAPTURE OF FORT MCALLISTER SA- 
 VANNAH EVACUATED SHERMAN ENTERS THE CITY THOMAS'S CAMPAIGN 
 TO NASHVILLE UTTER DEFEAT OF HOOD. 
 
 ON the 20th of July, Hood made a sudden and furious 
 onset upon the Union lines. The first shock was met by 
 Newton's division of Howard's corps, and Johnston's of 
 Palmer's corps. They had just thrown up a barricade of 
 rails, and from behind it now poured a destructive fire on 
 the foe. General Hooker had no defences, but his troops 
 stood firm. At the point of attack there was a gap in the 
 lines which Hood attempted to pierce ; but the lines could 
 not be broken. The Union batteries poured forth a de- 
 structive fire, piling the dead in heaps upon the field. The 
 rebels fled to their intrenchments with the loss of five thou- 
 sand men, the Union loss being but half that number. On 
 the 22d, Hood, abandoning his line of defence, fell back to 
 his redoubts. Thomas was now moving onward in front, 
 and McPherson marching down the railroad toward Atlanta. 
 Hood massed on the latter general, and made such a sud- 
 den, fierce onset that the Union forces were almost over- 
 whelmed. The first blow fell on Blair, and the infuriated 
 foe rushed down on the whole line with great impetuosity. 
 In the rear twelve guns were captured, the enemy rushing 
 up to the very muzzles, and planting their flag next the 
 stars and stripes. A most desperate hand to hand struggle 
 WW here maintained. Sherman with Howard and Schofield,
 
 440 STOM51LAJTJ RAID AND CAPTUKE. 
 
 were en a commanding eminence which presented a view 
 of the field. Sherman gave General Logan the order, " You 
 must retake those guns." While the artillery from the hill* 
 poured a concentrated fire on the enemy, Logan quickly 
 massed his troops ; Wood's division led the charge, and in a 
 keen contest part of the guns were retaken. The struggle 
 was short, but bloody. Six tremendous attacks were made 
 on the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth corps, but 
 arhen night fell the victory was won. Ranks and companies, 
 swept down by a single volley, strewed the ground. Gen- 
 eral Logan's report estimates the rebel loss in killed at 
 three thousand, and his entire loss at twelve thousand men, 
 besides eighteen stand of colors and five thousand small 
 arms. The Union loss was seventeen hundred men and 
 eight pieces of artillery. The greatest loss was the death 
 of General James B. McPherson, a very talented officer, 
 who was held in high esteem by General Grant. 
 
 The next day Garrard returned from a successful cavalry 
 raid to Covington, forty-two miles east of Atlanta, in which 
 the railroad bridges and a large quantity of cotton and 
 stores were destroyed. The lines were now drawn closer to 
 the city, and in order to cut off its supplies, Stoneman, with 
 five thousand cavalry, was sent to destroy the Macon rail- 
 road. McCook was to meet him on the railroad near Love- 
 joy, and participate in the movement. Stoneman penetrated 
 the country until he was in front of Macon, but on his re- 
 turn was captured, after losing one thousand of his men, by 
 Iverson. McCook performed his part, but being surrounded 
 by a large infantry and cavalry force, had to cut his way 
 out by desperate fighting. Hood, now seeing the coila 
 tightening around him, massed his army in a fierce assault 
 on the Army of the Tennessee on the 28th. This army waa 
 now commanded by Howard. Hooker, offended that his 
 claims were not attended to, had previously requested to be 
 relieved, and left the Army of the West. The attack was 
 made by an advance on the Bull's Ferry road, and the 
 massed Confederates, in parallel lines, moved right upon the 
 Fifteenth corps. The charge was met so firmly that the 
 enemy broke and fled, and six assaults, after rallying, were 
 attended with no more favorable results. The enemy's losa 
 in this attack was six thousand, with five stands of colors 
 and two thousand muskets, while the loss of the patriot!
 
 SHERMAN'S ARMY IN MOTION. 441 
 
 was less thaa six hundred. The lines were now advanced 
 without interruption. Sherman made an assault on one 
 point, but was repulsed with the loss of four hundred men. 
 
 The place could not be taken by storm without immense 
 loss, and he determined to plant his army on the Macon 
 road, the only line of the enemy's supplies. The 18th of 
 August was set as the day for the movement, and the wag' 
 ons were filled with provisions for fifteen days. The Con- 
 federate general now resolved to starve Sherman into a 
 retreat by sending Wheeler with all his cavalry force to 
 destroy the Chattanooga railroad, through the medium of 
 which the supplies reached the Union army. Sherman 
 knew that the design would fail, and in the meantime was 
 relieved from the annoyances of the rebel cavalry. He now 
 sent Kilpatrick, with four thousand cavalry and eight pieces 
 of artillery, to destroy the West Point railroad at Fairburn, 
 and the Macon road at Jonesboro. Kilpatrick made a com- 
 plete circle of Atlanta, but only a partial success attended 
 the enterprise, as to break, and not hold the railroads per- 
 manently, was of no great advantage. Sherman now sent 
 his surplus wagons back to the intrenched bridge on the 
 Chattahoochee, and the Twentieth corps followed. The vast 
 army, directed by one master-mind, moved on different 
 roads. The West Point railroad was reached and destroyed, 
 and the army then moved on Jonesboro. On the 31st of 
 August, the right wing, under Howard, came up; the centre, 
 under Thomas, was at Couch's, and the left, with Schofield, 
 was at Bough and Beady, flood was now cut off south and 
 east by railroad, and must either overcome the forces against 
 him or evacuate Atlanta. 
 
 He attempted the former, and the corps of Generals S. D. 
 Lee and Hardee, assaulting the centre with great vigoc a 
 desperate battle resulted, in which the veterans of Thomas, 
 though severely pressed, drove back the eLemy, who lost 
 Ibur thousand men. On the 1st of September, Davis's corps 
 came up, and moving on the hostile position, captured a 
 whole brigade, with its general, and eight guns. The ene- 
 mv, in this last action, had five thousand men placed hors de 
 combat, while the patriot loss, in both engagements, was lit- 
 tle more than two thousand. Hood's army was now vanish- 
 ing, and flight or capture was the only alternative. All was 
 lost, And aftei blowing up his magazines and stores, and
 
 442 ATLANTA EVACUATED. 
 
 destroying seven locomotives and eighty-one oars, Hoxxi 
 hastily evacuated the stronghold of Atlanta, and moved 
 with great celerity over the country toward Macon. On the 
 morning of the 2d, Slocum, who had heard the explosions, 
 and had seen the heavens red with the flames, sent out a 
 strong rtconnoissance, and finding the city deserted, marched 
 in and took possession. The army pursued Ho^d thirty 
 miles to Lovejoy, where he was found strongly iuirenchea. 
 Sherman wrote, "Atlanta is ours, and fairly won." The 
 army now moved back to the city, and this extraordinary 
 campaign was ended. 
 
 Atlanta was now put in a state of defence, and all non 
 combatants were ordered to be removed to the Confederate 
 lines. Hood declared that this measure was " unprecedented 
 and cruel," upon which Sherman justified himself, and dis- 
 played his ability to wield the pen with the same force 
 and skill as the sword. In a voluminous correspondence 
 with the city authorities on the subject, this great leader 
 manifested his intention of doing all in his power to lessen 
 the cruelties of war, and alleviate the distresses thereby oc- 
 casioned. The fall of Atlanta caused intense feeling in the 
 South, and Jefferson Davis hastened to Macon, and harangued 
 the people, as he did also the army at Palmetto. In violent 
 language, he urged the people for an active campaign against 
 Sherman. By his aid, Hood was reinforced by forty thou- 
 sand men, and was ready, by the latter part of September, to 
 move again on the Union lines. 
 
 Sherman had his army re-clothed, his garrisons in the 
 rear strengthened, and the communications secured. The 
 Ninth Pennsylvania cavalry, four hundred and fifty strong, 
 commanded by Colonel Thomas J. Jordan, on its way to 
 join the main army, had a brilliant action, on the 
 morning of the 6th of October, at Reedyville, Tennessee, 
 with a body of rebel cavalry, eighteen hundred strong, 
 under General Dibbrell. In an attack at daylight, Jordan 
 surprised the enemy's camp, and after a severe conflict with 
 the sabre, routed them with the loss of one hundred killed 
 and wounded, two hundred and fifty captured, and a large 
 number of horses and small arms. 
 
 Hood, unable to meet Sherman in the field, determined 
 to cut his communications, and thus compel him to fall back 
 cm Chatfcwiooga. Accordingly, he sent General French, with
 
 GALLANTRY OF CORS3 AT ALATOONA, 448 
 
 a division, to capture Alatoona, the secondary base of Sher 
 man's supplies. The latter, from the summit of Kenesaw 
 telegraphed General Corse, in command at Rome, to proceed 
 with his brigade in all haste to Alatoona, and hold it to the 
 l.'ist extremity, till he himself should arrive with support 
 Corse immediately started with two thousand men by rail- 
 road, and made his dispositions for the defence of the place. 
 On the demand of General French to surrender, the Union 
 coramander peremptorily refused, and had hardly time to 
 arrange his defences (on the 5th of October), when he was 
 furiously assailed by the enemy. The storm broke on the 
 Thirty ninth Iowa and the Seventh Illinois, upon which 
 regiments, nineteen hundred Texans made a fierce onset, 
 iill checked by Rowett's command. The enemy charged 
 Again and again, and Rowett, being reinforced by the 
 Ninety-third Illinois, and aided by Redfield seemed to prom- 
 ise success. Corse then saw a rebel brigade, under Gen- 
 eral Sears, moving from the north, its left extending across 
 the railroad. He moved up two companies of the Ninety- 
 third Illinois regiment, which had lain at some distance, and 
 were now reinforced by the pickets, but the enemy's line of 
 battle struck the Thirty-ninth Iowa in flank, and threatened 
 the whole band with destruction. Colonel Tourtellotte's 
 fire caught the enemy in flank, and broke their lines; they 
 rallied, however, and made such desperate attacks, both in 
 front and flank, as broke Rowett's line. The splendid fighting 
 of the Thirty-ninth Iowa, in a hand to hand conflict, in turn 
 broke the enemy's lines, and before he could restore them, 
 the Seventh and Ninety-third Illinois, and the remnant of the 
 Thirty-ninth Iowa fell back into the fort. The Twelfth and 
 Fiftieth Illinois, arriving from the east hill, enabled the patri- 
 pts to occupy every foot of trench, and keep up a line of fire, 
 Huch as would render the fort impregnable while the ammu- 
 nition held out. When it failed, a brave soldier crossed over 
 to another fort, under the enemy's fire, and brought back a 
 fresh supply, and the fight went on. Corse knew that Sher- 
 man was hurrying troops, with all speed, to his relief. 
 Sherman " could see the smoke of battle, and hear the faint 
 sound of artillery." His signals were long unheeded, as 
 Corse- was fig iting hard, but at last the latter answered, and 
 the former felt secure that, while his brave subordinate lived, 
 he would defend Alatoona. The enemy was repulsed at
 
 444 ROME AND ATLANTA BURNED. 
 
 every point, his dead strewed the ground, and at thret P. . 
 his bugles sounded a retreat. The bravery of the Union 
 forces, in this defence, emulates Thermopylae. 
 
 General Sherman passed through Alatoona, and on the 
 sixth reached Kingston. He at once reinforced Resaca, 
 and pushed the army forward to that point Hood now 
 found the patriots ready to fight in every place, no matter 
 how greatly they were outnumbered. Dalton alone wai 
 taken by him without resistance, and this was of slight 
 importance, as Sherman was following up, determined to 
 offer the rebels battle wherever they could be met. The 
 latter therefore retreated, through a gap in the mountain 
 ridge, from the railroad line to Lafayette, twenty-five milea 
 southwest of Dalton, and from thence retreated to the Ten- 
 nessee. General Sherman now sent General Thomas to take 
 care of Hood, and returned to Atlanta, where he prepared 
 for a. march through the heart of Georgia, to Savannah, a 
 distance of two hundred and ninety -one miles. 
 
 Rome was burned, and in a few days Atlanta shared tWj 
 same fate. On the 12th of November Sherman was detachoJ 
 from all his communications, and was prepared for an advance 
 the boldest and most hazardous undertaking of the war. 
 His army was divided into four corps ; the Fifteenth and 
 Seventeenth composed the right wing, under Major-general 
 O. 0. Howard, and the Fourteenth and Twentieth the left 
 wing, under Major-general H. W. Slocum, making a strength 
 in the aggregate of sixty thousand men, with a cavalry divi- 
 sion of five thousand five hundred men, under Brigadier- 
 genoral Kilpatrick, and the artillery reduced to one gun for 
 every thousand men. The whole army moved rapidly, and 
 concentrated, on the 14th of November, at Atlanta. The 
 troops were to subsist on the enemy's country, and each 
 foraging party was to be under the direction of a discreci 
 officer. Horses, mules, and wagons were allowed to be cap 
 tured freely, and without limit, by the cavalry and artillery, 
 The army was not to live like banditti, but every brigade 
 and regiment was to have its own recognized foraging party, 
 and in taking provisions, sufficient was to be left for the 
 maintenance of the inhabitants. Soldiers were not to enter 
 the dwellings of the residents, or commit any trespasses 
 but during the halt or in camp, were to be permitted to gathe* 
 turnips, potatoes, and other vegetables, and drive in 
 in front of their camps.
 
 PILLAGE OF MADISCrW. 445 
 
 Such were the wise and humane principles on which thia 
 great march was generally conducted; but there were excep- 
 tions for which none of the commanders were responsible, 
 in which a few wicked wretches sullied the army with dis 
 honor. Money, jewels, silks, books, etc., were plundered, 
 and murders committed to extort the hidden treasures of 
 the irhabitants. The most opulent families were stripped 
 r-.f every thing, and women, delicately brought up, and accus- 
 tomed to luxury all their lives, reduced with their families 
 co absolute want. The cotton, and all that could support 
 the rebel army, or prolong the war, were committed to the 
 flames, which glared on the horizon in every direction, far 
 as the eye could reach ; and for a belt of sixty miles, through 
 the heart of this opulent State, the country was left full of 
 desolation. The eyes of the writer have witnessed scenes 
 which fill them with tears at the recollection scenes which 
 would wring the most unfeeling heart with anguish. 
 
 About two thousand wagons formed the entire train ; each 
 corps had its own, and each brigade several, one only being 
 allowed to a regiment. Transportation was had by pack 
 mules, and frequently the movement of an army wagon was 
 such as to leave the officers without a supply of provisions. 
 The march was to be by four parallel roads, to average fif- 
 teen miles a day, and to begin at seven o'clock in the morn- 
 ing. Howard, with the right wing, was to follow the Georgia 
 Central railroad, running southwesterly through Macon and 
 Milledgeville, to Savannah ; and Slocum, with the left wing, 
 was to march along the railroad, running east to Augusta. 
 These railroads were to be destroyed as the army advanced. 
 The road which Slocum took, was one hundred and seventy 
 miles to Augusta, and that of Howard, two hundred and 
 ninety-one miles to Savannah. Two divisions of cavalry, 
 commanded by Kilpatrick, protected both flanks. The in- 
 habitants were terrified, as the army proceeded on its march. 
 Slocum advanced, destroying the track on his way, and 
 pushed through Decatur, Social Circle, Rutledge, and Mad- 
 ison. He destroyed the railroad and two hundred bales of 
 cotton, at the last named place, where houses were plundered 
 mirrors und pianos broken to pieces, and the stores gutted 
 before the head of the column could enter the town and put 
 an end to such disgraceful proceedings. From Madison, 
 Gteary'g division marked on the Oconse, wtule body </ 
 
 m
 
 446 CAVALRY FIGHT AT LOVKJOY STATION. 
 
 cavalry crossed that stream and proceeded to Grecnboro^ 
 sixty-four miles from Augusta. The cavalry turned at this 
 point, and marched directly south toward Milledgeville. 
 The Fourteenth corps turned in the same direction, and 
 proceeded toward the same point, on which Geary, farther to 
 the east, was now moving down, on the west bank of the 
 Oconee. 
 
 On the 21st, Sherman entered Milledgeville, the capi'al 
 of Georgia, while Howard was marching direct on Maco. 
 The cavalry protecting the right wing, was to make a feint 
 on Forsyth, and after crossing the Ocmulgee river, threaten 
 Macon, near which the railroad was to be destroyed, and 
 then to fall back toward Gordon, tearing up the track on 
 the route. This was to be done in seven days. 
 
 Kilpatrick met and repulsed the enemy at Lovejoy Sta- 
 tion. Their works were gallantly carried by Colonel Mur- 
 ray, and two guns, previously lost by General Stoneman, 
 were recaptured. The enemy also lost a large number in 
 killed and wounded. Wheeler made another stand at Bear 
 creek, but Colonel Atkins, in a vigorous charge, drove him 
 from the field to Griffin. The cavalry now moved rapidly 
 toward Planter's Factory, and crossing the Ocmulgee on the 
 17th of November, reached Clinton. On the advance toward 
 Macon, they encountered and drove Wheeler's cavalry 
 across Walnut creek, and carried Old Fort Hawkins, at 
 East Macon. A large army, defended by breastworks, and 
 with strong artillery, was concentrated in this place. It was 
 not the intention to assault the position, and General How- 
 ard, in order to get across the Ocmulgee without a figh;.. 
 sent the cavalry, by daring and vigorous movements, to 
 &larm the garrison, while he proceeded to Griswoldvulle, ten 
 milt-a beyond. Here, he left a part of the Fifteenth corps 
 to protect his rear, and proceeding onward, entered Mil- 
 ledge\'ille on the 22d (of November). Meanwhile, the rebel 
 leaders at Macon, furious at being outgeneralled, made a 
 desperate attack on the forces left at Griswoldville, with 
 three militia infantry brigades, and Wheeler's entire cavalry 
 force ; but, in a battle at Griswold Station, they were re- 
 pulsed. On the 22d, having driven in the Federal pickets, 
 they again advanced, and another severe action took place 
 at Griswoldville. In this action, the Ninth Pennsylvania 
 avalry Colonel Jordan, bore the brunt, and fought tbt
 
 MILLBDOEYILLB BIAOHKD. 447 
 
 enemy with the sabre alone. The regiment lost twenty five 
 killed and wounded and fifty taken prisoners. The rebels 
 were finally repulsed, with the loss of one thousand men 
 killed and wounded. General Walcott, coming up with a 
 body of Union infantry, drove them beyond Griswold Sta- 
 tion. On the same day, Colonel Atkins, with the Second 
 Union cavalry brigade, bad a severe conflict with the rebel 
 cavalry on the Macon and Milledgeville road, in which the 
 latter were repulsed, and the tr lins, on the route from Clin- 
 ton to Gordon, remained unmolested. The cavalry now 
 reached Milledgeville, and rested a few hours in order to 
 get supplies. The soldiers had taken possession of the 
 State Capitol, from which the Legislature had fled in dis- 
 may, on the approach of the army. A mock legislature was 
 now improvised, and the forms of debate gone through, 
 when a soldier appeared at the door, shouting, " the Yankees 
 are coming." The assembly dissolved in laughter, and made 
 a rush to the door. 
 
 Kilpatrick was here instructed by Sherman to move 
 rapidly toward Millen, and liberate the prisoners there con- 
 fined. Accordingly, he crossed the Ogeechee river at the 
 shoals, and at Waynesboro reached the railroad, a part of 
 which, as well as the railroad bridge over Briar creek, had 
 been destroyed by Captain Estes the day before. 
 
 In this work of destruction, the Union cavalry was severely 
 attacked by the enemy, who were driven off finally by 
 Colonel Murray, with the Third Kentucky and Ninth Penn- 
 sylvania regiments. The rebel cavalry had been skirmish- 
 ing with Kilpatrick, and harassing his rear for some time, 
 but hitherto had evinced no disposition for a vigorous attack, 
 [t was now found that the Union prisoners had been removed 
 from Millen. After the track at Waynesboro had been 
 destroyed, Kilpatrick retired to the infantry force at Louis- 
 ville, Georgia, and on the march thither, with two regiments, 
 was cut off and surrounded by the enemy's cavalry. With 
 great- presence of mind, and aided by the bravery of Colonel 
 Jones, Eighth Indiana cavalry, and Colonel Acker, Seventh 
 Michigan, with their commands, he cut his way out, and, 
 reaching Buckhea-1 creek, found Wheeler with all the rebel 
 cavalry crossing. Kilpatrick had burned the bridge behind 
 him, and now, throwing up barricades, had scarcely com- 
 pleted them, when the enemj rushed on in fierce assault
 
 448 DEFEAT OF WHEELER AT WAYNMSBORO. 
 
 They were repulsed in a brief struggle, and the left wing ol 
 the army, at Louisville, was reached by the Union cavalrj 
 on the 28th. There, a few days of rest were enjoyed by the 
 fatigued troops, and the army then marched on Millen, 
 which is located on the railroad between Savannah and 
 Augusta. The alarmed enemy had deemed the latter place 
 Sherman's objective point, and the means by which that 
 able general had deceived them could now be no longer 
 used. On December 2d, leaving Augusta and Macon in his 
 rear, he boldly marched on Savannah. The same day, the 
 cavalry, with a division of infantry, under General Baird, 
 moved on the Waynesboro road, and encountering a large 
 force of the enemy at Eocky creek, drove them in rapid 
 retreat toward Waynesboro and Augusta. Moving on 
 Thomas's Station, the railroad was thoroughly destroyed. 
 Near Waynesboro, the enemy attacked Colonel Atkins, 
 but were repulsed, with loss. 
 
 Kilpatrick was ordered by Sherman to reconnoitre toward 
 the latter place, and fight Wheeler wherever he could find 
 him. Accordingly, on the 3d of December, he forced in the 
 enemy's skirmishers, placed the Tenth Wisconsin battery, 
 Captain Beebe, within six hundred yards of the barricades, 
 and by an impetuous charge of the whole line, forced the 
 rebels to retire. In several counter-charges they were re 
 pulsed, and finally withdrew to a strong position in the towo 
 of Waynesboro. The Union troops were properly posted, 
 and Kilpatrick determined to break the enemy's centre. 
 For this purpose, he ordered Colonel Murray to make his 
 dispositions, and then sounded the charge. The enemy were 
 driven from their works by a fierce charge, and the pursuit 
 was continued as far as Briar creek. After tearing up the 
 track, the Union cavalry proceeded to Alexander. Thig was 
 the last fight that occurred during the march. The Confed- 
 erate cavalry had been severely punished, and were now so 
 demoralized, that the rest of the campaign was passed with- 
 out ar y attack or molestation on their part. 
 
 The march had hitherto been through a beautiful country, 
 where were rich plantations, cultivated fields, thriving towns, 
 and charming rural villages. Now, between the Savannah 
 and Ogeechee rivers, pine forests formed arcades, through 
 which the sound of the drums and bugles, and the tread 
 of infantry and cavalry resounded. The army marched OB
 
 CAPTURE OF FORT MCALLISTER. 448 
 
 eighty miles to Savannah, and soon Sherman heard the 
 booming of cannon from Ossabaw Sound, which he knew 
 proceeded from the signal guns of the fleet. He answered 
 them on the 9th, by sending Colonel Duncan down the 
 Ogeechee. In three days after, the latter reached the fleet 
 of Dahlgren, and the army rejoiced to know that there was 
 once more communication with their friends in the NortK 
 The lines now steadily closed upon Savannah, but siege 
 gurs must be brought from the fleet to besiege the city. 
 Fort McAllister commanded the entrance of the Ogeechee 
 river, and two attempts to reduce it by the iron-clads had 
 already failed. This fort was defended by a garrison of 
 khree thousand men ; its capture was necessary. Sherman,, 
 resolved on taking it, selected Hazen, with his veteran di- 
 vision, for this duty, and on the 12th told him of what he 
 expected him to perform. On the 13th, Hazen made an 
 assault on the stronghold with nine regiments. The fort 
 was situated on the right bank of the Ogeechee, and a space, 
 a third of a mile, intervened, in which were placed torpe- 
 does, through which the storming force must pass under fire, 
 before the ramparts could be reached. It was a desperate 
 undertaking. The sound of the guns told Sherman that the 
 assault had commenced, and Hazen saw the signal, " The fort 
 must be taken at all hazards to-night." The brave troops, 
 overcoming every obstruction, and with heavy loss, rushed 
 forward, and in a fierce assault, the fort was captured, and 
 the Federal flag waved upon it triumphantly. General Sher- 
 man ordered a boat to be manned, rowed swiftly across the 
 river, and seizing the brave Hazen by the hand, overwhelmed 
 him with praise. He now determined to assault the enemy's 
 works, and on the 17th, a number of thirty-pound Parrott 
 guns having reached Kingsbridge, he formally demanded a 
 surrender of the city of Savannah, which was rejected by 
 General Hardee. The Union commander made his recon 
 noisflances, and ordered General Slocum to put the siege guna 
 in position, and prepare for the final assault. He placed a 
 division between the Coosawhatchie and Tillifinney rivers, 
 under General Foster, and then left for Port Eoyal, for re- 
 inforcements, with which to carry the Charleston ind Sa- 
 vannah railroad, and gain the Union Causeway, a plank 
 road on the South Carolii\a side of the river, the occupation 
 r*" which would make the investment of the place complete
 
 460 SUBRENDER OF SAVANNAH. 
 
 He put to sea on the 20th, but was unable, from a gale of 
 wind arising, to get into Ossabaw Sound. In order to reach 
 the inland channel into Warsaw Sound, the vessel ran into 
 Tyljee Sound, and thence through Romney Maish, but was 
 unable to proceed, on account of the ebb tide, and Admiral 
 Dahlgren took the general in his tug toward Yernon river. 
 A message, received while on his way, informed him that 
 Savannah was evacuated, being already in the possession of 
 the Union troops, and hurrying back, he entered that city 
 early on the 22d. The city had surrendered to General 
 Geary. Sherman sent the President this despatch : " I beg 
 to present you, as a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah, 
 with one hundred and fifty guns, plenty of ammunition, and 
 about twenty-five thousand bales of cotton." There were 
 found in all thirty-eight thousand bales, besides three steam- 
 ers, locomotives, cars, and eight hundred prisoners. This 
 was one of the most wonderful campaigns in military his- 
 tory. During the march, ten thousand negroes flocked to 
 the Union lines, and it was affecting to see how delighted 
 many of these poor creatures were, on seeing the patriot 
 army, in whose track the slave became free. In the city of 
 Savannah, a colored school was now established, and the 
 children, liberated by the sword, sat with books in their 
 hands, and teachers before them, on the same platform where 
 slaves had, but a short time before, been bought and sold 
 like brutes. Tears filled the eyes of parents as they gazed 
 in wonder and thankfulness to God. The sufferings of the 
 whites in the city, were alleviated by the people of the 
 North, who sent them ship loads of provisions to keep them 
 from starvation. Under the order established by General 
 Geary, the people were protected in life and property, and 
 began to feel secure and prosperous. 
 
 We now direct the reader's attention to the rebel army 
 under General Hood. When he found himself north of the 
 Tennessee, and his pursuer still at Atlanta, his surprise 
 knew no bounds, and as he could not now overtake him, he 
 resolved to attack Nashville. Steedman held Chattanooga, 
 Bridgeport, and the line of railroad. Schofield, with the 
 Twenty-third corps, was to check the advance of the Con- 
 federate general, until Thomas should be able to concentrate 
 his army. Hood pressed Schofield so hard at Duck river, 
 that he was compelled to retreat, and firing his own pon
 
 THOMAS'S CAMPAIGN TO NASHVILL1. 451 
 
 toons, he marched rapidly to Franklin, eighteen miles from 
 Nashville, as in case of the rebels reaching Harpeth river first, 
 he would be cut off. It was a race for life. Schofield was 
 impeded with his train, which, when transported safely over 
 .he river, he resolved to strike the rebels a blow; and, pro- 
 tected by his breastworks, he, on the 30th of November, 
 awaited their approach. 
 
 The battle of Franklin began by a bold attack of Hood 
 on the Union centre, which he carried, and forced back 
 General Wagner, with the loss of two guns. In rallying 
 the latter officer charged in turn, retook the guns, and cap- 
 tured a rebel brigade. 
 
 Cox, Wagner, Opdyke, and Stanley fought with great 
 resolution, but Hood succeeded, though with great loss, in 
 capturing their first line of works. At sunset, the struggle 
 became terrible, when Cox and Stanley reformed, and strove 
 to drive back the enemy. Night ended the contest, and 
 Hood retired with the loss of six thousand men, having had 
 also six general officers killed, six wounded, and one 
 captured ; the Federal loss was two thousand three hundred. 
 Schofield, having thus severely punished the enemy, fell 
 back to Nashville. On the same day arrived the commands 
 of General A. J. Smith, from St. Louis, and Steedman, with 
 five thousand men, and a colored brigade, from Chattanooga. 
 The rebel army lay on the hills around Nashville, five miles 
 from the city, and General Thomas occupied intrenchmenta 
 near it. The whole range of hills, in the Federal lines, was a 
 net- work of fortifications. On the 2d of December, Thomas 
 opened with his batteries, and eight gunboats, together with 
 the iron-clad Neosho, came up the river Cumberland. When 
 Thomas was ready, being still in need of a cavalry force, the 
 Secretary of War ordered General Wilson to impress all the 
 good horses in Tennessee and Kentucky. Grant was now 
 impatient, and did not understand the reason of Thomas's 
 delay, but the latter could not, at the time, impart them, for 
 reasons which were afterward satisfactory to the comman- 
 der-in-chief. 
 
 On the 14th of December, Thomas gave orders to the army 
 to be ready for the assault at early dawn, next morning. 
 The plan was a feint on the enemy's right, and then a sud- 
 den attack on his left and centre. Smith, with the Sixteenth 
 corps, on the (Union) right, moved forward at daybreak;
 
 452 UTTER DEFEAT OF HOOD. 
 
 Wilson's cavalry protected his right, and Wood, with the 
 Fourth corps, closed in on his left; Schofield, with the 
 Twenty-third corps in reserve, being stationed on the left 
 of the latter. The heavy firing on their extreme right 
 roused the Confederates at day dawn, and before they could 
 tell its meaning, Smith and Wood dashed upon them, and 
 drove their left back on the centre, while Wilson fell upon 
 their flank and rear. Hood now hurried up all his troop? 
 from the right, and strengthened his centre so that no advan- 
 tage could be taken cf any weak* point. The night ended 
 the combat, in which the enemy had lost two thousand pris 
 oners and sixty guns. 
 
 During the night, Hood contracted his lines. He had 
 sent off his cavalry, and Thomas had no fear of any inter- 
 ruption from that source, as he also had sent Wilson with 
 the Federal cavalry, in the rear, by a circuit, in order to 
 conceal the movement. The latter general waited anxiously 
 for the approach of the hostile cavalry. Hood was awaiting 
 an attack, and Smith and Schofield would have gladly grati- 
 fied him by making one, but Thomas restrained them, till 
 four P. M., when the cavalry, creeping in upon Hood's rear, 
 the report of their carbines told that the favorable moment 
 had come. The assaulting columns advanced with shouts, 
 stormed the rebel batteries, scaled the hill, and captured the 
 strong fort which commanded the Franklin pike, together 
 with nine guns. Over five thousand prisoners, including 
 one major-general, three brigadiers, and two hundred com- 
 missioned officers, were captured ; the field was covered with 
 the rebel dead and wounded, and forty pieces of artillery 
 and large quantities of small arms fell into the hands of the 
 victors. In two days, Thomas had taken eight thousand 
 prisoners, and nearly sixty pieces of artillery. The Fourth 
 sorps, and the cavalry of Wilson, began the pursuit. Hood, 
 on the evening of the 19th, crossed Duck river, and took up 
 the bridge ; Forrest's cavalry joined him at Columbia, and 
 Cheatham's corps also united with him soon after. The de- 
 feated Confederates fled to Alabama, and the campaign 
 ended. Thus virtually closed the war in the extensive 
 valley of the Mississippi.
 
 CHAPTER XLIV. 
 
 JULY SEPTEMBER, 1864 
 
 I4.LY'i rrMlT^H 07 MARYLAND WALLACK DEFEATED ll HANI, UT*\.K9* 
 
 OF THK MTLITIA AT THE NORTH REBELS NEAR WASHINGTON BUR/UNO 
 Of CHAMBERSBURG WRIGHT AND HUNTER RELIEVED 8HFRIDAN IN COW- 
 HAND IN THE VALLEY - FAILURE OF THE MINE AT PETERSBURG - CALL FOB 
 MORE TROOPS CAPTURE OF FORTS GAINES AND MORGAN, MOBILE DUTCH 
 OAP CANAL WARREN'S FIGHT FOR THE WELDON RAILROAD BATTLE OF 
 REAM'S STATION SHERIDAN IN THK SHENANDOAH VALLEY PURSUIT OF 
 EARLY MOSBY CAPTURES THE TRAINS SHERIDAN RETP.EATS BOLIVAR 
 HEIGHTS - SECOND ADVANCE OF SHERIDAN BERRYVILLE - EXPLANATION 
 BY GRANT BATTLES OF OPEQUAN CREEK AND FISHER'S HILL EARLY 
 DEFEATED BROWN'S GAP SHERIDAN RETIRES HIS REPORT NEW POSI- 
 TION LEAVES FOR WASHINGTON GRANT'S SUDDEN MOVEMENT ON THE 
 JAMES EARLY'S ATTACK IN SHERIDAN'S ABSENCE ROUT OF THE ARMY 
 SHERIDAN'S OPPORTUNE ARRIVAL THE ENEMY OVERTHROWN THB PUR- 
 
 SUIT THE REBELS ABANDON SHENANDOAH VALLEY. 
 
 WHEN Hunter left the Shenandoah valley, Maryland was 
 again invaded. On the 2d of July, the enemy was moving 
 on Martinsburg, and Sigel, on the 3d, crossed the Potomac 
 in retreat. Weber, in command at Harper's Ferry, also 
 crossed the river, and occupied Maryland Heights. Fred- 
 erick City was alarmed, the Government stores were removed, 
 and the people fled with their goods. On the 6th, the enem^ 
 in force occupied Hagerstown, the alarmed inhabitants of 
 which, in crowds conveyed their possessions to Baltimore, 
 and all seemed to be abandoning the place. Grant h ad lately 
 lost heavily, and for the time could render little assistance. 
 The enemy encountered General Wallace, with Rickett's 
 division, on the Monocacy, and compelled him to retreat 
 with heavy loss. New York, Pennsylvania, and Masssachu- 
 uetts, were called on for their quotas of militia. Troops 
 hurried to Washington, and the presence of Grant's army 
 might yet be required to defend the capital. It was foitu 
 nate that the Nineteenth corps had been ordered home ; it 
 was now at Hampton Roads, and hurried on to the capital 
 wSth speed, followed by the Sixth corps, under General 
 Wright. Early now moved rapidly on Washington, while 
 
 (453)
 
 4:64 REBELS NEAR WASHINGTON CHAMBERSBURG BURNED. 
 
 a body of rebel cavalry, undei Gilrnor, on Monday, July 
 the llth, captured a train on the railroad between Baltimore 
 and Philadelphia, and by destroying Gunpowder bridge, 
 severed communication with Washington. General Frank- 
 lin was captured on the train, but shortly afterward made 
 his escape. Governor Bradford's house, in the suburbs of 
 Baltimore, was burned by a rebel squad, while others plun- 
 dered all that they could lay hands on. The main body 
 moved on Washington, and when within less than two miles 
 of that city, took up a position in front of Fort Stevens. 
 In the latter part of Sunday the skirmishing was heavy, and 
 the Union loss nearly 300. The Sixth corps arrived in time 
 to save the fort, and lae rebels withdrew. General Wright 
 was now put in command of all the troops around Washing- 
 ton, and received orders to " push Early to the last moment." 
 The rebel cavalry now fell back to the main body, and 
 Early, though pursued by Wright, got safely across the 
 Potomac with a vast amount of booty. General Wright 
 crossed the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry, where Rickett's 
 
 sion now joined the corps. 
 
 1 n the 24th, Early, pursued by Crook and Averill, fell 
 their cavalry in great force, and furiously, compelling 
 them to recross the Potomac with loss. The southern shore, 
 from Williamsport to Sheppardstown, was now in possession 
 of the rebels, and they again tore up the Baltimore and Ohio 
 railroad. On the 30th, McCausland recrossed the Potomac 
 with a body of cavalry, and moving on Chambersburg, levied 
 half a million of dollars on the inhabitants ; but this being 
 refused, he laid the greater part of the beautiful town in 
 ashes. General Kelley met this force retreating toward 
 Cumberland, and defeated and dispersed it. The rebels now 
 held the Shenandoah valley, from which Early expected to 
 obtain much grain, and Hunter, whose forces lay on the 
 Monocacy, now confronted his old enemy. Grant paid 
 Hunter a visit on the 4th of August, and gave him instruc- 
 tions. That night the troops advanced to Halltown, On 
 the llth, the Middle Department, and the Departments of 
 Wes.t Virginia, Washington, and Susquehanna, were etui 
 aolidated into the " Middle Military Division," and General 
 Sheridan was appointed to the command. From that time, 
 affairs in the valley, so often disastrous to the Union armies^ 
 during the various periods of the war, now began to wear * 
 new and brighter aspect
 
 K-SJ'LOSION OF THE MINE AT PETERSBURG. 456 
 
 While these events were enacting, a desperate attempt 
 *as made by Grart to take Petersburg by assault. The 
 capture of a large fort in front of Burnside's corps (Ninth), 
 if carried, would admit the assailants within the enemy's 
 works. A mine had been for some time constructing under 
 Colonel Pleasants, of the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania, whose 
 men were inostly miners. The mine was made with immense 
 labor, and was four and a half feet high, four feet wide, and 
 ran directly under the fort, which it was determined to blow 
 up, after which a rush was to be made into the breach under 
 cover of a powerful artillery fire. The 30th of August was 
 the day fixed for the explosion, and General Grant, to secure 
 success, made a strong demonstration north of the James in 
 order to draw the rebel force from the real point at which 
 the attack was to be made. Accordingly, n the 26th, Kautz'a 
 cavalry, two divisions of the cavalry corps, and the Second 
 corps crossed the James to join the forces of General Butler, 
 on the north side, and during the next day, the enemy were 
 driven from an intrenched position, and suffered the loss of 
 four guns. On the 28th, the Union lines extended from 
 Deep Bottom to New Market road, and on this day vhe 
 enemy made an attack in heavy force, by which both sides 
 lost considerably. The large force thrown over by the 
 enemy caused the first object of the movement to fail, and 
 Grant now determined to assault Petersburg before the 
 enemy's force could return. On the night of the 28th, 
 therefore, one division of the Second corps was withdrawn 
 and moved to relieve the Eighteenth corps in order that it 
 might be prepared for the assault. The other two divisions 
 of the Second corps, and the cavalry lately under Sheridan, 
 were crossed over on the night of the 29th, and moved in 
 front of Petersburg. 
 
 On the 29th of August, at midnight, the Ninth coips was 
 massed in front of the mine, ready when it exploded to make 
 the assault. Three-and-a-half o'clock A. M., was the appointed 
 hour for lighting the train, but the fuse went out, and day- 
 light found the troops still waiting. The fuse was re-lighted, 
 and the explosion took place at sunrise, blowing up the fort 
 and those within it, and opening a gap fifty feet wide, by 
 which Ledlie's division with Marshall's brigade in the 
 advance, and the Fourteenth New York heavy, artillery at 
 once entered ; 100 cannon now played on the rebel batteries,
 
 4W FAILURE OF THE ASSAULT. 
 
 and the Confederates, quickly recovering from their surprise 
 attacked the storming party with their artillery. Hartranft's 
 and Griff a's brigades spread out on the right and left, sur- 
 rounding the flanking rifle pits. All "promised well. The 
 troops hdted to dig out the wounded, and throw up breast- 
 works, and this gave the enemy time to train their guns, which 
 poured a most destructive fire on the assailants. The troops 
 oi Ledlie, Potter, Wilcox, Marshall and Bartlett, reached 
 the side of the crest, and there halted, although u^ider a 
 ceaseless stream of fire. Ferrero's division of colored troops 
 was now sent in and made a vigorous charge, but recoiled 
 and sought the shelter of the ruins which were now stormed 
 by shot and shell. At noon a general retreat was made. The 
 Union loss in this assault was four thousand ; that of the 
 enemy fourteen hundred. After this unsuccessful attempt, 
 General Burnside was relieved of his command. 
 
 Meanwhile, Farragut was preparing for his grand attack 
 on Mobile, and Charleston was assaulted by the Union bat- 
 teries. The iron-clads and land forces at the latter point 
 failed in an attempt to gain possession of James Island. 
 The President, on the 18th of July, called for five hundred 
 thousand additional troops. Almost every one who waa 
 drafted endeavored to procure a substitute ; great bounties 
 were paid, and many physically unfitted for a campaign were 
 often forced on the Government. There were some peace 
 negotiations during this mouth by unauthorized individuals, 
 of which it is necessary to make allusion, but a description 
 of them is superfluous. 
 
 In the beginning of August, 1864, Admiral Farragut 
 determined to capture the powerful forts, Morgan and Gaines, 
 at the entrance of Mobile harbor. The first of these com- 
 manded the two channels to the east, the latter the one on 
 the west. In the direction of the city, beyond the forts, 
 piles obstructed the channel, and the bay contained several 
 rebel steamers, and the powerful iron-clad ram Tennessee. 
 General Granger, who had been sent from New Orleans in 
 July to aid Furragut with his forces, held a consultation 
 with the admiral on August 1st, on board the flag-ship 
 Hartford, and appointed the 4th for the combined assaun 
 of the land and naval forces. The land forces, five thousand 
 strong, were landed on Dauphin Island in the rear of Fort 
 Gaines, and the Tecumseh, which was awaited, having now
 
 BAXD NAVAL ACTION AT MOBILE. 
 
 i rived, on the morning of the 5th, the fleet, consist! ig of 
 tvelve wooden vessels and four iron-dads, moved toward 
 the entrance of the bay. 
 
 The iron-clads were already inside the bar, and were 
 ordered to take up a position between the wooden vessels 
 in'3 Fort Morgan, and engage the water battery and parapet 
 gans of the fort, and also the rebel ram Tennessee. The 
 wooden vessels were abreast, two lashed together. The 
 Brooklyn, Captain James Alden, led the fleet, and next came 
 the flag-ship Hartford. The Tecumseh fired the first gun, 
 about seven A. M., and in twenty minutes the fort opened 
 fire, to which the Brooklyn replied with her two hundred 
 pounder Parrott gims, and the battle began. The rebel iron- 
 clads and ram lay under the guns of the fort, and directed 
 their fire at the wooden vessels. The Brooklyn saw some 
 buoys, which indicated that there were torpedoes in danger- 
 ous proximity, and came to a halt, the other vessels doing 
 likewise. Farragut stood lashed to the main top of the 
 Hartford, and could see every thing. Looking anxiously 
 about him, he saw the turrets of the Tecumseh sinking 
 under water, going down with her brave crew. Having 
 first ordered the Metacomet to send a boat to save any of 
 the crew of the ill-fated vessel who might be struggling in 
 the water, the admiral steamed on with the Hartford, and 
 led the fleet. It was a perilous way ; the torpedoes lined 
 the channel, but the gallant men worked their guns coolly, 
 and with such effect, that some of the rebel batteries were 
 silenced, and before eight A. M., the fort was passed. The 
 ram now dashed out.,but Farragut passed on toward the 
 rebel gunboats, Morgan, Gaines, and Selma ; the last of these 
 causing great havoc among his crew. The Metacomet went 
 in chase of these boats. The Gaines was so much injured, 
 that she was run ashore and destroyed ; the Morgan left the 
 Selma, and the latter being unsupported, soon struck her 
 flag. The vessels were past the batteries, and came to 
 anchor, but the decks were scarcely cleared, and the wounded 
 not yet cared for, when the ram Tennessee bore down upon 
 the fleet. Farragut signalled the vessels to run her down, 
 and ordered the pilot to rush the Hartford against her with 
 a full head of steam. The Monongahela first struck the 
 ram, and bore awa^ her iron prow and cut- water ; the Lack- 
 iwana sustained grsat injury in her attack but effected no
 
 453 SURRENDER OF FORTS OAINES AND MORGAN. 
 
 damage to the ram by her heavy blow; and the Hartford 
 came clown next, but the ram avoided the stroke, and the nine 
 inch solid balls, impelled by thirteen pounds of powder, at 
 ten leet distance, glanced off her mailed sides like play- 
 things. The Hartford was much injured by the one hundred 
 and fifty pound shells of the ram, and several of her crew 
 rero killed and wounded. She now stood off, and making 
 i oirouit to strike the ram, was accidentally struck by tb.5 
 [/ackgwrana, and received a blow intended for her adversary, 
 whisl cut her down within two feet of the water. The 
 Chickasaw, Manhattan, Ossipee, Monongahela, and Lacka- 
 wanna now bore down on the ram, and, threatened on all 
 sides with destruction, she struck her flag. The fight ended 
 a little after ten o'clock, and Farragut anchored his vessels 
 four miles from Fort Morgan. Admiral Buchanan, who 
 commanded the ram, was wounded, and his injured leg 
 amputated ; ten of his crew were killed or wounded. On 
 board the Union fleet, two hundred and twenty-two were 
 killed and wounded. 
 
 The day after the battle, Fort Gaines was surrendered, and 
 General Granger began operations against Fort Morgan. 
 On the morning of the 22d, the land forces and fleet were 
 ready for the assault. A fierce bombardment took place, 
 and at twilight the fort took fire. At six A. M. the next 
 day, a heavy explosion was heard, and a flag of truce from 
 the fort appeared, with offers of surrender. General Page, 
 in his anger and mortification, was found to have spiked 
 most of the guns, and destroyed the ammunition and pro- 
 visions of the fort. The outer defends of Mobile were now 
 taken, but the water was shallow, and the city could only be 
 reached by a land force. 
 
 In the latter end of August, the Niagara captured th^ 
 rebel privateer Japan or Georgia, off the coast of Europe ; 
 ihe was sailing under the British flag, and had been char- 
 tered by the Portuguese Government. 
 
 The Army of the Potomac, in the meanwhile, had met 
 with severe fighting, heavy losses, and no substantial suc- 
 cess. General Grant, however, had long demonstrated to 
 Lee that he was a powerful antagonist, of unboundjed re- 
 sources, who would not let his adversary rest a moment. 
 The enemy, on the 5th, sprung a mine in front of th* 
 Eighteenth corps, but it had no effect
 
 WARREN'S FIGHT FOR THE WELDON RAILROAD. 459 
 
 Below Fort Darling, the James river makes a bend, and 
 encloses the peninsula of Farrar Island, the neck of which is 
 only half a mile across to the main land. On this peninsula, 
 General Butler constructed the Dutch Gap Canal, with great 
 labor, and under the fire of the enemy's guns, but the enter- 
 prise proved a failure. 
 
 Grant was now informed that the enemy had detached 
 three divisions from Petersburg to reinforce Early. He 
 says, "I therefore sent the Second corps, and Gregg's division 
 of cavalry, of the Army of the Potomac, and. a force of 
 General Butler's army, on the night of the 13th of August, 
 to threaten Richmond from the north side of the James, to 
 prevent him from sending troops away, and if possible to 
 draw back those sent. In this move, we captured six pieces 
 of artillery, and several hundred prisoners, detained troops 
 that were under marching orders, and ascertained that but 
 one division (Kershaw's) of the three reputed detached, had 
 gone. The enemy having withdrawn heavily from Peters- 
 burg to resist this movement, the Fifth corps, General 
 Warren commanding, was moved out on the 18th and took 
 possession of the Weldon railroad." 
 
 On the 19th, Hill, with two divisions, made a desperate 
 attack on the Fifth corps, and a portion of the army was 
 overcome. Misfortune threatened, but the troops rallying 
 regained, by a gallant charge, the ground which they had 
 lost, repulsing the foe, and captured many prisoners. The 
 battle ended at night. The Union loss was nearly four 
 thousand, and that of the enemy was estimated to be about 
 the same number. A few days afterward, the rebels made 
 another attack on Warren, but were driven back with much 
 loss, including Generals Sanders and Lamar killed. As 
 Warren advanced his lines toward the city, the Second corpa 
 destroyed the railroad in his rear. 
 
 On the 25th, General Hancock's corps was attacked at 
 Jleam's Station. At half past three P. if., the enemy suddenly 
 massed on Miles and Gibbon, and rushed on with fixed 
 bayonets. The heavy artillery fire, and volleys of musketry 
 could not check them until within twenty paces of the Union 
 line, when they recoiled. They made repeated charges 
 afterward, but were still repulsed. They brought up their 
 batteries, and attacked the Union lines for some time, and 
 then suddenly sprang forward to the breastworks, and fore-
 
 IN THE SHENANDOAH VALL*Y. 
 
 ing back General Miles, captured several pieces of artillery 
 Some of Gibbon's troops went to the aid of Miles, when 
 Wade Hampton attacked Gibbon with his dismounted 
 cavalry, and carried his works. In a desperate fight, in 
 which several regiments were almost destroyed, the impetu- 
 ous onset could not be arrested. Night parted the combat- 
 tants, and Hancock left Ream's Station in the hands of the 
 enemy. The Union loss, in this disaster, was throe thousand 
 five hundred men, seven colors, and five guns ; the enemy's 
 V>S3 was also very great, but has not been well ascertained. 
 This battle gave the enemy possession of the Weldon rail- 
 road at Ream's Station, ten miles from Petersburg. Several 
 weeks now elapsed, during which no active operations took 
 place. 
 
 The eyes of the country were fixed on Sheridan, in the 
 Shenandoah valley ; he commanded the Sixth, Eighth, and 
 part of the Nineteenth corps, the old Army of the Kanawha 
 under Crook, Torbett's and Averill's cavalry divisions, 
 Kelly's command, and Sewell's brigade. A few days after 
 assuming the command, the Second cavalry division, under 
 Wilson, was added to his forces. The Confederate force 
 numbered twenty thousand men, and on the approach of 
 Sheridan, on the 10th, fell back to Strasburg. Skirmish- 
 ing, but no action of importance occurred, though some 
 loss resulted. Early made a stand at Newtow!?. in order to 
 protect his trains, and repulsed a charge of cavalry. Re- 
 treating, he evacuated Winchester, and on the 13th, formed 
 his encampment at Cedar creek, near Strasburg. On the 
 15th, he took a commanding position at Fisher's Hill. In 
 his advance, Sheridan had not sufficient troops to guard the 
 gaps, and Mosby rushing through Snicker's Gap, fell on his 
 supply train at Berryville, destroyed seventy -two wagons, 
 and took two hundred prisoners, six hundred horses and 
 mules, and a large quantity of stores. Sheridan now 
 retreated toward the Potomac, destroying every thing in hia 
 route that could sustain the enemy, and driving the live 
 stock before him. In retaliation for the murders committed 
 by Mosby's guerillas, the cavalry burned the houses of sus- 
 pected persons. Sheridan left the country black with 
 smoking ruins. He now fell back through Winchester to 
 Charlestown, whel 3 Early made an attack, in which Wilson'* 
 cavalry suffered a heavy loss. In a conflict from ten A. if
 
 SHKRTDAN'S MOVEMENTS EXPLAINED BY GRANT. 461 
 
 tmtil dark, the Sixth corps sustained the attacks of the 
 enemy, and then retired to Bolivar Heights, where the army 
 lay, with its right on the Potomac, and its left on the 
 Shenandoah. 
 
 The two armies lay near each other for a few days, after 
 which Early fell back up the valley, and was in turn pur- 
 sued by Sheridan. Moving on in line of battle toward 
 Charleston, on the 28th. the troops passed their old battle 
 ground. On the 29th, General Merritt attacking, drove the 
 rebel cavalry through Smithfield, and beyond the Opequan. 
 Here their infantry were met, and Sheridan returned to 
 Charlestown, where he remained till the 3d of September. 
 On this day he again advanced, and repulsed an attack of 
 the enemy at Berryville. He then erected breastworks, and 
 remained comparatively quiet for two weeks, occasionally 
 sending out cavalry reconnoissances. 
 
 Little had been effected in this campaign, and the public, 
 lisappointed, began to think that Sheridan was unequal to 
 ais situation ; but Grant set the matter at rest in his report, 
 " His operations, during the month of August and the first 
 part of September, were both of an offensive and defensive 
 character, resulting in many severe skirmishes, principally 
 by the cavalry, in which we were generally successful ; but 
 no general engagement took place. The two armies lay in 
 such a position the enemy on the west bank of the Ope- 
 quan creek covering Winchester, and our lines in front of 
 Berryville that either could bring on a battle at any time. 
 Defeat to us would lay open to the enemy the States of 
 Maryland and Pennsylvania for long distances, before 
 another army could be interposed to check him; undef 
 these circumstances, I hesitated about allowing the initia- 
 tive to be taken. Finally, the use of the Baltimore and 
 Ohio railroad, and the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, whicb 
 were both obstructed by the enemy, became so indispensa- 
 bly necessary to us, and the importance of relieving Penn- 
 sylvania and Maryland from continually threatened invasion 
 so great, that I determined the risk should be taken. But 
 fearing to telegraph for an attack without knowing more 
 than I did of General Sheridan's feelings as to what would 
 be the probable result, I left City Point on the loth of Sep 
 tember, to visit him at his head-quarters, to decide, after 
 conference with him what should be done. I met him at
 
 2 BATTLES OF OPEQUAtf CREEK AND FISHER'S HILL. 
 
 Charlestown, and he pointed out so distinctly how each army 
 lay, and what he could do the moment he was authorized, 
 and expressed such confidence of success, that I saw there 
 were but two words necessary go in /" 
 
 Sheridan exulted in that he was free to " go in," and 
 quickly put an end to the Fabian policy, so galling to his 
 active spirit. On Sunday, the 18th of September, tht* 
 troops were placed under arms, with orders to be ready at 
 a moment's notice, and at three o'clock on Monday morning 
 they were in motion. At three P. M. the line of battle was 
 drawn up in front ot the enemy's position on Opequan 
 creek, and on the arrival of Torbert's cavalry, Sheridan 
 ordered an advance of the whole line. The artillery at the 
 same time opened fire. The rebels held their strong posi- 
 tion stubbornly until the powerful squadrons of Averill and 
 Merritt bore down upon them in a headlong charge, causing 
 them to break in disorder, and flee in utter rout toward 
 Winchester, and through it to Fisher's Hill. The dead and 
 three thousand prisoners were left behind, with five guns 
 and nine battle flags. Several rebel generals were killed, 
 and on the Union side fell the lamented General Russell, 
 commander of the Sixth corps. Sheridan followed up the 
 enemy, on the 21st, to their strong position at Fisher's 
 Hill. Forming his troops, he suddenly and with great fury 
 attacked their lines, broke and drove them in rout to 
 Woodstock, with the loss of eleven hundred prisoners, and 
 six pieces of artillery. Wagons, muskets, knapsacks, and 
 all that impeded flight, strewed the road for four miles. 
 Sheridan then moved on Woodstock, and halted until his 
 supplies arrived. 
 
 Averill pursued the fugitives to Mount Jackson, where 
 Early again made a stand, but on the arrival of Sheiidan, 
 retreated, disputing every inch of the way. At last, having 
 arrived at Brown's Gap, in the Blue Ridge, eight miles 
 southeast of Port Republic, he made a determined stand. 
 Torbert, in the meantime, moved on Staunton and Waynes 
 boro, destroying the property of the rebel Government, tle 
 bridges, and all that could aid the enemy. On Sheridan's 
 arrival at Biown's Gap, he found the place too strong to be 
 carried by assault. It laid his flank open to attack in case 
 of his advance on the coveted position of Lynchbur& the 
 goal of his hopes but no further progress could b
 
 SHERIDAN RETIRES HIS REPORT. 465 
 
 until thj rebels were driven from this gap, while the* Union 
 supplies in the rear were endangered by Mosby. Sheridan 
 determined, therefore, to fall back, having in the two battles 
 and on the late retreat^ inflicted upon Early the loss of nearly 
 half his entire force. 
 
 Sheridan now took up a position on the north side of 
 Cedar creek, near Strasburg, having, on his march thither 
 a. well as on his advance, ravaged the country, as seen ii 
 his report, dated at Woodstock, October 7th, 1864. 
 
 "I. have the honor to report my command at this point 
 tonight. I commenced moving back from Port Republic, 
 Mount Crawford, and Harrisonburg yesterday morning. 
 The grain and forage in advance of these points had previ- 
 ously been destroyed. In moving back to this point, the 
 whole country frpm the Blue Ridge to the North Mountain 
 has been made untenable for a rebel army. I lave 
 destroyed over two thousand barns filled with wheat and 
 hay and farming implements, over seventy mills filled with 
 flour and wheat ; have driven in front of the army over 
 four thousand head of stock, and have killed and issued to 
 the troops not less than three thousand sheep. This . de- 
 struction embraces the Luray valley as well as the uain 
 valley. A large number of horses have been obtained, a 
 proper estimate of which I cannot now make. Lieutenant 
 John R. Meigs, my engineer officer, was murdered beyond 
 Harrisonburg, near Dayton. For this atrocious act, all the 
 houses within an area of five miles were burned. Since I 
 came into the valley from Harper's Ferry, every train, 
 every small party, and every straggler, has been bush- 
 whacked by the people, many of whom have protection 
 passes from commanders who have been hitherto in that 
 valley. The people here are getting sick of the war. 
 Heretofore, they have had no reason to complain, because 
 they have been living in great abundance. I have not been 
 followed by the enemy to this point, with the exception of a 
 small force of the rebel cavalry that showed themselves some 
 distance behir.d my rear-guard to-day. A party of one hun- 
 dred of the Eighth Ohio cavalry, which I had stationed at the 
 bridge over the North Shenandoah, near Mount Jackson, 
 was attacked by McNiel with seventeen men, while they 
 were asleep, and the whole party dispersed or captured. I 
 think they will all turn up. I learned that fifty-six of
 
 464 CHANT'S SUDDEN MOVEMENT UP THE JAMKS. 
 
 them nsd reached Winchester. McNiel was mortally 
 wounded, and fell into our hands. This was fortunate, as 
 he was the most daring and dangerous of all the bush 
 whackers in this section of the country." 
 
 On the 9th of October, General Rosser attacked Sheridan 
 on his retreat, but the latter defeated him with the loss of 
 three hundred and fifty prisoners and eleven pieces of artil 
 lery. The Union commander, now deeming the enemy 
 sufficiently punish 3d, refrained from hostilities for a time, 
 and made a short visit to Washington. 
 
 About this time, General Grant made a sudden movement 
 up the James, which is best described ir. his own words : 
 " By the 12th of September, a branch railroad was completed 
 from the City Point and Petersburg railroad to the Weldon 
 railroad, enabling us to supply, without" difficulty, in all 
 weather, the army in front of Petersburg. The extension 
 of our lines across the Weldon railroad, compelled the ene- 
 m) so to extend his, that it seemed he could have but a few 
 troops north of the James for the defence of Richmond. On 
 tht night of the 28th, the Tenth corps, Major-general Bir- 
 ney and the Eighteenth corps, Major-general Ord command- 
 ing, of General Butler's army, were crossed to the north side 
 of tne James, and advanced on the morning of the 29th, 
 cany ing the very strong fortifications and intrenchments 
 Ixilow Chapin's Farm, known as Fort Harrison, capturing 
 fifteen pieces of artillery, and the New Market road and in- 
 tretichments. This success was followed up by a gallant 
 assault upon Fort Gilmore, immediately in front of the Cha- 
 pin : d Farm fortifications, in which we were repulsed with 
 heavy loss. Kautz's cavalry was pushed forward on the 
 road to the right of this, supported by infantry, aiid reached 
 tht> enemy's inner line, but was unable to get further. The 
 position captured from the enemy was so threatening to 
 Richmond, that I determined to hold it. The enemy made 
 several desperate attempts to dislodge us, all of which were 
 unsuccessful, and for which he paid dearly. On the morn- 
 ing of the 30th, General Meade sent out a reconnoissance, 
 with a view to attacking the enemy's line, if it was found 
 sufficiently weakened by withdrawal of troops to the north 
 side. In this reconnoissance, we captured and held the ene- 
 my's works near Poplar Spring Church. In the afternoon 
 troops moving to get to the left of the point gained, were
 
 BABLT'S ATTACK IN SHERIDAN'S ABSENCE. 465 
 
 attacked by the enemy in heavy force, and compelled to fall 
 back until supported by the forces holding the captured 
 works. Our cavalry, under Gregg, was also attacked, but 
 repulsed the enemy with great loss." 
 
 On the 19th, Wade Hampton, with W. F. H. Lee's caval- 
 ry division, and two other brigades, made an attack, near 
 Coggin's Point, upon two cavalry regiments, which were 
 guarding two thousand cattle intended for Grant's army 
 and succeeded in carrying off the cattle, together with some 
 prisoners. 
 
 The army of Sheridan was posted on three hills, rising 
 one behind' the other ; the first, some five miles north of 
 Fisher's Hill, was occupied by the Army of Virginia, com- 
 manded by Crook ; the second, half a mile behind, by Em- 
 ory, with the Nineteenth corps ; and the third, further back, 
 was held by the Sixth corps, with Torbert's cavalry on ita 
 left flank. Sheridan being now in Washington, Early 
 deemed the time propitious for an attack. Accordingly, 
 having been reinforced by twelve thousand men, on the night 
 of the 18th of October, he moved in five columns across the 
 mountains which intervene between the branches of the 
 Shenandoah, and fording the northern fork, advanced in fog 
 and darkness, with silence and secrecy, in order to avoid 
 discovery. It was a perilous enterprise, but he knew the place 
 well, and his army was now over twenty thousand strong. 
 The Union camp was quiet, as no' danger was apprehended. 
 The sound of firing, and a rustling tread through the 
 underbrush, had been reported by the pickets, and some 
 precautions were taken, but no reconnoissance was sent out, 
 as an attack on the part of the enemy was not apprehended. 
 
 Early moved off toward the Union left at two A. M., and 
 pushing on through the gloom, brought up his troops at 
 daylight within six hundred yards of the Union camp. 
 Crook's command was on the point of going out on a recon- 
 naissance, when ten thousand men sprang forward with a 
 yell, and poured in a volley. Then arose a complete panics 
 In the oiidst of the confusion, bugles sounded, drums rat- 
 tled, and bsfore the troops could rush to arms, the enemy 
 were upon them, sweeping over the hill and into the breast- 
 works. In a few minutes, the army of Crook was completely 
 routed, and the enemy now advanced on the Nineteenth 
 oorps ; it had little time to prepare, and the foe moviag rap
 
 466 RO'JT OF THE ARMY SHERIDAN'S RETUBN. 
 
 idly down the road which lay between it and the Sixth 
 corps, turned the captured guns on the troops, and enfiladed 
 the whole line. General W right formed a new line of bat- 
 tle, and endeavored to arre'st the rush of the fugitives. The 
 rebels were now more cautious, and brought up their artil- 
 lery, while many of them were engaged in plundering th 
 camp. Wright, unaware of this, and fearing lest thf 
 communication with Winchester would be cut off, fell back 
 toward Middletown, after repulsing a charge of the enemy. 
 This gave him time to cover the retreat of the fugitives, who 
 swarmed around, hotly pursued by the yelling foe, amid 
 the crash of musketry, and the booming of artillery. The 
 rebels kept up a murderous fire on the left flank, and Ous- 
 ter and Merritt engaged them in a severe conflict in a wooded 
 field near Middletown. The artillery which had been cap- 
 tured, gave the enemy so much strength, that the Federal 
 left wing, being hardly pressed, could make but a brief stand, 
 and the army, passing through Middletown, fell back five 
 miles toward Newtown. A dreadful fire from the heights 
 Bwept the army in its retreat. 
 
 Sheridan was on his return, and had slept the night before 
 at Winchester, twenty miles distant, little apprehending that 
 nis troops were in such imminent peril. His fine army had 
 struggled for four hours in an unequal contest, when he rode 
 from the city slowly with his escort. The army was falling 
 back as he pressed on, and his surprise was great when he 
 heard the sound of artillery. He had no fears, however, for 
 his strong position at Cedar creek. He soon became aware 
 that there was a severe action in progress, and that his army 
 was falling back. Startled as the conviction flashed upon 
 him, he spurred his charger at full speed, and met the fugi- 
 tives, who informed him that all was lost. The intelligence 
 roused his spirit within him, and he determined to wring 
 nctory from the enemy's grasp. Swinging his cap over his 
 head, he cried to the fugitives who swarmed around, " Face 
 the other way, boys, face the other way ; we are going back 
 to our camps ; we are going to lick them out of their boots I" 
 The frightened crowd was arrested, and shouts from even 
 the wounded, rent the air. Sheridan dashed up on his 
 foaming horse, stood before his surprised troops, and stopped 
 the retreat. The pursuit of the enemy had ceased, and the 
 Union troops, now out ot range of the hostile guns, wert
 
 HE ASSUMES THE OFFENSIVE. 467 
 
 formed in line of battle, and the fugitives of a few momenta 
 before, once more presented a firm front to the foe. During 
 two hours, Sheridan rode to and fro along the line, inspiring 
 the troops with his sublime courage. 
 
 " Boys, if I had been here, this never should have hap- 
 pened. I tell you it never should have happened. And now 
 we are going back to our -camps. We are going to get a 
 twist on them. We are going to lick them out of their 
 boots." 
 
 The brave troops, who had fasted since the preceding 
 night, and had been fighting for five hours, cheered with 
 enthusiasm, and felt invigorated by the language of the 
 heroic Sheridan. As the enemy advanced on the Nineteenth 
 corps, the Union commander ordered Emory to check them, 
 which he did after a severe conflict, in which General Bid- 
 well was killed, and General Grover wounded. When 
 Sheridan heard of the repulse of the enemy, he laughed, and 
 said, " That's good, that's good ; thank God for that 1" He 
 ordered Emory, if they attacked him again, " to punish 
 them severely." He brought down his right fist into his 
 left palm at almost every word, and said emphatically: 
 " We'll get the tightest twist on them you ever saw ; we'll 
 have all those camps and cannon back again." 
 
 The enemy now fell back, and threw up breastworks, 
 doubtless thinking t'o remain there till next day ; but Sheri- 
 dan resolved to wipe out the disgrace of his troops, then 
 and there, and never allow the despatch to carry the news of 
 his defeat, without a compensating victory. The army, which, 
 but a little while since, fled in confusion before the enemy, 
 now, at three and a-half o'clock, p. M., advanced in magnificent 
 order against his works. The enemy's artillery, and a severe 
 volley of musketry, rent the line as it moved up, and it fell 
 back. Sheridan galloped up, and, restoring the shattered 
 ranks by the utmost energy, again ordered an advance. 
 A heavy volley, and the troops rushed on in a wild charge ; 
 with a triumphant yell, presaging victory. The breast- 
 works were carried, and amid the shot and shell that 
 crashed through the patriot ranks, the fearless chief rode in 
 front, and delivered his own orders in person to division and 
 corps commanders. Fire flashed from his eyes, his deter- 
 mined countenance was an index of the soul within, and hi* 
 J
 
 468 TOTAL DEFEAT OF EARLY. 
 
 words roused the gallant troops to deeds of heroism. They 
 answered with shouts, and rushed through the thickets and 
 over the ridges and walls in their path, while the astonished 
 foe fled before them. The bugles now sounded the thrilling 
 charge for the cavalry, and the bold squadrons of Ouster 
 and Merritt, like a tempest, swept the rebels right and left, 
 and chased them pell-mell through the Union camp, which 
 they had occupied, leaving behind the artillery previously 
 captured, and also much of their own. Their arms, and all 
 that could retard the flight, were abandoned, and the tired 
 infantry, unable to urge the pursuit, it was kept up by the 
 cavalry through Strasbourg to Fisher's Hill and "Woodstock. 
 The exhausted troops reposed, fasting, in their pillaged camp. 
 In the North, great rejoicing prevailed on account of this 
 splendid victory. The Union loss in this battle was over 
 six thousand men, that of the enemy two thousand. This 
 disparity between the losses of the Unionists and Confeder- 
 ates, was owing to the fact that the former were at first, 
 completely taken by surprise in their camps, and hence 
 great numbers were slaughtered before any check could be 
 administered to the foe. There were some skirmishes and 
 cavalry actions after this, but the enemy finally abandoned 
 the S'aenandoah valley, and in the space of six weeks the 
 Sixth corps returned to General Grant, before Bichnnnd.
 
 CHAPTER XLV. 
 
 OCTOBER, 1864 JANUARY, 1865. 
 
 JCOTHKR ATTEMPT ON RICHMOND HATOHER*S RUN FAILURE TO TURN THl 
 
 KKBKL RIGHT OPERATIONS NORTH OP THE JAMES THE RAM ALBEMARL8 
 
 DKSTROVKD REBEL RAID ON ST. ALBANS, VERMONT OPERATIONS I 
 
 ARKANSAS, KANSAS, AND MISSOURI PRICE STEELE ROSECRANS FOR- 
 
 RKST CAPTURES ATHENS GENERAL BURBRIDGE SENT TO DESTROY TUB 
 KNKMY'S SALT-WORKS AT SALTVILLF EXPEDITION *ROM VICKSBURQ 
 GRIERSON'S EXPEDITION BRECKINRIDGE IN EAST TENNESSEE STONE- 
 MAN SENT AGAINST HIM PLOT TO BURN NEW YORK WARREN'S EXPE- 
 DITION CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER GUERILLAS PERILOUS SITUATION 
 
 OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC PEACE COMMISSIONERS THEIR INTER- 
 TIKW WITH THE PRESIDENT THE SOUTHERN PRISONS ANDERSONVILLE 
 WIRTZ TRIED, CONVICTED, AND EXECUTED SHERMAN'S PREPARATIONS 
 TO INVADE THE CAROLINA8. 
 
 GENERAL GRANT was indefatigable in his attempts at 
 ihe reduction of Richmond, and no sooner did one fail than 
 he immediately made another. He now determined to move 
 more heavily on the enemy's right flank than heretofore, 
 and made his preparations with profound secrecy. All the 
 baggage was sent to City Point ; the infantry troops were sup- 
 plied with four days' rations, and the cavalry with enough for 
 three days' rations, besides forage. The army left its intrench- 
 ments for Hatcher's Run, at which the enemy were strongly 
 posted on the extreme right. The rebel force on the north 
 side of the James was to be drawn off by a demonstration 
 by General Butler. The results of the movement are well 
 described by General Grant, as follows: "On the 27th 
 (of October) the Army of the Potomac, leaving only suffi- 
 cient to hold its fortified line, moved by the enemy's right 
 flank. The Second corps, followed by two divisions of the 
 Fifth corps, with the cavalry in advance, and covering our 
 left flank, forced a passage of Hatcher's Run, and moved 
 up the south side of it toward the Southside railroad, until 
 the Second corps and part of the cavalry reached the Boyd- 
 town plank road, where it crosses Hatcher's Run. At this 
 point we were six miles distant from the Southside railroad, 
 which I had hoped by this movement to reach and hold. 
 But, finding that we had not reached the end of the enemj'i 
 40 (MSI
 
 470 GALLANTRY OF LIE I/TEN ANT GUSHING. 
 
 foj tifications, and no place presenting itself for a successful 
 assault, by which ho might be doubled up and shortened, I 
 determined to withdraw within our fortified line. Im 
 mediately upon receiving a report that General Warren 
 had connected with General Hancock, I returned to my 
 head-quarters. Soon after I left, the enemy moved out acrosi 
 Hatcher's Bun, in the gap between Generals Hancock anil 
 Warren, which was not closed, as reported, and made a 
 desperate attack on General Hancock's right and rear. 
 General Hancock immediately faced his corps to meet it, 
 and after a bloody combat drove the enemy within his 
 works, and withdrew that night to his old position. In 
 support of this movement, General Butler made a demon 
 stration on the north side of the James, and attacked the 
 enemy on the Williamsburg road, and also on the York 
 river railroad. In the former he was unsuccessful. In the 
 latter, he succeeded in carrying a work which was after- 
 ward abandoned, and his forces withdrawn to their former 
 positions. From this time forward the operations in front 
 of Petersburg and Richmond, until tue spring campaign of 
 1865, were confined to the defence and extension of our 
 lines, and to offensive movements for crippling the enemy's 
 lines of communication, and to prevent his detaching any 
 considerable force to send south." 
 
 The Navy Department, desiring to effect the destruction 
 of the rebel ram Albemarle, which lay at Plymouth, sent 
 Lieutenant Gushing to New York city in the summer to 
 prepare for this enterprise. Having constructed a torpedo 
 boat, he returned with it to the sound, and on the night of 
 the 27th of October, with a steam launch and thirteen 
 officers and men, proceeded up the river on his perilous 
 enterprise. The ram lay eight miles from the mouth of the 
 river, which was narrow and lined with rebel pickets; a 
 mile beyond the ram lay the wreck of the Southfield. The 
 launch now pressed with a full head of steam upon the ram. 
 She was surrounded by a pen of logs, against which the 
 bows of the launch were now directed, while bullets from 
 the enemy fell thick. The torpedo boom was lowered, and 
 by a vigorous pull, Gush ing drove the torpedo under the 
 overhang and exploded it. Just then the monster fired a 
 gun, a shot crashed through the boat, and the water rushing 
 in, shr was in a sinking condition. The boat was onJy fifteen
 
 MCBEL RAID ON ST. ALBANS, VEKMoNf. 471 
 
 feet from the ram, and the gallant little band was fired on. 
 Gushing nobly refused to surrender, and divesting himself 
 of his coat and shoes, .ordered the men to make their escape 
 as best they could, and plunging into the stream, swam with 
 the current and reached the shore ; crawling up the bank, 
 he lay until daylight. He then crept into a swamp and 
 threaded his way through another, till he came to a oroek, 
 where he found the boat of a rebel picket, by means of which 
 ho reached a safe place at eleven A. M. The rest of the 
 boat's crew were all killed, captured, or drowned, except one. 
 The brave young officer, Gushing, received much praise 
 from the people, and a complimentary letter from the Sec- 
 retary W cells. By this gallant deed, the Albemarle was 
 sunk at her moorings, and the Federal navy relieved of 
 many apprehensions. 
 
 Since the commencement of the war, the Canadian prov- 
 inces had been the resort of rebels, who plotted against the 
 United States. It had been attempted the year before to 
 jiberate twenty-fire thousand rebel prisoners on Johnston's 
 Island, which is situated on Lake Brie, near Sandusky, Ohio. 
 On the 19th of this month, about forty armed rebels crossed 
 from Canada, robbed the bank at St. Albans, Vermont, of 
 two hundred thousand dollars, and escaped. Part of this 
 inoney was afterward recovered, and the perpetrators of the 
 robbery arrested and tried in Canada, but were all at length 
 discharged, the judges by whom they were tried being sym- 
 pathizers of the rebel cause. 
 
 The two great armies of Grant and Sherman now absorbed 
 all the attention of the nation. Apart from these, there were 
 other military operations in the West, which are thus described 
 in the report of General Grant to the Secretary of War. 
 
 "About the last of August, it being reported that the 
 rebel General Price, with a force of about ten thousand men, 
 had reached Jacksonport, on his way to invade Missouri, 
 General A. J. Smith's command, then en route from Memphis 
 to join Sherman, was ordered to Missouri. A cavalry force 
 was also, at the same time, sent from Memphis, under com- 
 mand of Colonel Winslo\r. This made General Rosecrans' 
 forces superior to those of Price, and no doubt was enter- 
 tained that he would be ?*ble to check Price, and drive him 
 back, while the forces of General Steele in Arkansas would 
 cut off his retreat On the 26th of September, Price
 
 CAPTURES -A.THEKS. 
 
 attacked Pilot Knob, and forced the garrison to retreat, and 
 thence moved north to the Missouri river, and continued up 
 that river toward Kansas. General Curtis, commanding the 
 Department of Kansas, immediately "collected such forces aa 
 he could to repel the invasion of Kansas, while Rosecrans' 
 cavalry was operating in his rear. The enemy was brougbt 
 to battle on the Big Blue, and defeated with the loss of nearly 
 all his artillery and trains, and a large number of prisoner.! 
 He made a precipitate retreat to northern Arkansas. The 
 impunity with which Price was enabled to roam over tho 
 State of Missouri for a long time, and the incalculable mis 
 chief done by him, shows to how little purpose a, superior 
 force may be used. There is no reason why General Rose- 
 crans should not have concentrated his forces, and beaten 
 and driven Price before the latter reached Pilot Knob. 
 
 "September 20th, the enemy's cavalry, under Forrest, 
 crossed the Tennessee, near "Waterloo, Alabama, and on the 
 23d, attacked the garrison at Athens, consisting of six hun- 
 dred men, which capitulated on the 24th. Soon after the 
 surrender, two regiments of reinforcements arrived, and 
 after a severe fight, were compelled to surrender. Forrest 
 destroyed the railroad westward, captured the garrison at 
 Sulphur Branch trestle, skirmished with the garrison at 
 Pulaski on the 27th, and on the same day cut the Nashville 
 and Chattanooga railroad, near Tullahoma and Dechard. 
 On the morning of the 30th, one column of Forrest's com- 
 mand, under Buford, appeared before Huntsville, and sum- 
 moned the surrender of the garrison. Receiving an answer 
 in the negative, he remained in the vicinity of the place 
 until next morning, when he again summoned its surrender, 
 and received the same reply as on the night before. He 
 withdrew in the direction of Athens, which place had been 
 regarrisoned, and attacked it on the afternoon of the 1st of 
 October, but without success. On the morning of the 2d, he 
 renewed his attack, but was handsomely repulsed. Anothei 
 column, under Forrest, appeared before Columbia, on the 
 morning of the 1st, but did not make an attack. On the 
 morning of the 3d, he made toward Mount Pleasant. While 
 these operations were going on, every exertion was made by 
 General Thomas to destroy the forces under Forrest, befora 
 Le could recross the Tennessee, but he was unable to pre 
 rent his escape to Corinth, Mississippi.
 
 IPKD1TION FROM VICKSBURQ GRIERSON'S RAID. 4:73 
 
 In September, an expedition, under General Burbridge, 
 was sent to destroy the salt-works at Saltville, Virginia, 
 He met the enemy on the 2d of October, about three and a 
 half miles from Saltville, and drove him into his strongly 
 intrenched position around the salt-works, from which he 
 iras unable to dislodge him. During the night he withdrew 
 his comrmand, and returned to Kentucky." 
 
 On the 27th of November, an expedition from Vicksburg, 
 under command of General Osborne, sent by General Canby 
 to cut the enemy's communication with Mobile, and detain 
 his troops in that field of operations, captured and de- 
 stroyed the Mississippi Central Railroad bridge and trestle- 
 work over the Big Black river, near Canton, together witi. 
 thirty miles of the road, two locomotives, and a large quan 
 tity of stores. 
 
 On the 21st of December, a cavalry expedition, under 
 Brevet Major-general Grierson, started from Memphis. On 
 the 25th, he surprised and captured Forrest's camp at 
 Verona, Mississippi, on the Mobile and Ohio railroad. He 
 also destroyed the railroad and sixteen cars, which latter 
 were loaded with wagons and pontoons for Hood's army, 
 four thousand new English carbines, and a large quantity 
 of public stores. On the 28th, he attacked and captured a 
 force of the enemy at Egypt, and destroyed a train of four- 
 teen cars. Turning southwest, he struck the Mississippi 
 Central railroad at Winona, destroyed the factories and 
 large amounts of stores at Bankston, and the machine shops 
 and public property at Grenada, arriving on the 5th of 
 January at Vicksburg. Meanwhile, the enemy, under Breck- 
 inridge, entered East Tennessee, and attacked General Gillem 
 near Morristown, on the 13th of November, capturing his 
 artillery and several hundred prisoners. The latter retreated 
 to Knoxville, pursued by Breckinridge, who withdrew on 
 the 18th, followed in turn by General Ammen. The com- 
 mands of Burbridge and Gillem were concentrated, under 
 Stcneman, near Bean's Station, to operate against Breckin- 
 ridge and drive him into Virginia, and destroy the salt- 
 works at Saltville, and also the railroad. 
 
 On the 12th of December, Stoneman swept the enemy 
 from his path, routed them at Marion on the 16th, and pur- 
 sued them to Wytheviile, with the loss of their artillery 
 trains and one hundred and ninety-eight prisoners. Aftei
 
 474 RE-ELECTION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN 
 
 destroying Wytheville, with its gtores, supplies, and the 
 lead- works in the vicinity, he was returning to Marion when 
 he met a force under Breckinridge, which he pursued, but 
 the enemy during the night escaped. Moving then on Salt- 
 ville, Stoneman destroyed the extensive salt- works of that 
 place, and a large quantity of stores, besides capturing eight 
 pieces of artillery. His instructions being thus successfully 
 carried out, he sent back General Burbridge to Lexington, 
 and General Giliem to Knoxville. 
 
 In November, 1864, the Presidential election took place. 
 The interests therein involved were of the highest importance. 
 The candidates before the country were the then incum- 
 bent, Abraham Lincoln, with Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, 
 for Vice President, who had been nominated by the Conven- 
 tion which assembled at Baltimore ; and General George B. 
 McClellan, late commander of the Army of the Potomac, 
 with George H. Pendleton, of Ohio, for Vice-President, who 
 had received the nomination of the Democratic Convention 
 at Chicago. Speculation was rife as to who should be the 
 choice of the nation, although it was generally conceded 
 that the country would testify its appreciation of the noble 
 and disinterested efforts of its honored President, by reelect- 
 ing him to the position which he had for four years so ably 
 filled. According to the platform adopted by the Chicago 
 Convention, had General McClellan been elected, there would 
 have been an entire change in the aspect of affairs, and the 
 vigorous measures inaugurated by the administration of 
 President Lincoln, would have given way to concessions to 
 rebels, and, eventually, a dishonorable peace. The election 
 of 1864, however demonstrated to the armed rebels in the 
 South, as well as, ,neir friends and abettors in the North 
 that the great masses of the people were true to the coun- 
 try, and that they advocated a vigorous prosecution of the 
 war till their misguided brethren should be led to acknow- 
 ledge the supremacy of the Government, and return to their 
 allegiance. Mr. Lincoln was triumphantly reelected, re- 
 ceiving the electoral votes of all the States except New 
 Jersey, Kentucky, and Delaware ; and thus was achieved 
 s great a victory, so to speak, as had been gained during 
 the war. 
 
 During the month of November, also, a plot, before con- 
 certed by the rebel refugees in Canada, to burn the city of
 
 WARREN'S EXPEDITION. 476 
 
 New York, was attempted to be executed. Fires were 
 lighted in several buildings, as many as seven of the largest 
 notels being on fire at the same time; but the diabolical de- 
 sign wa? frustrated. Captain Kennedy, of the Confederate 
 service, was, for his connection with this act of incendiarism, 
 arrested, tried, and executed at Lafayette the ensuing spring. 
 Beall, a rebel officer, who in September destroyed two steam- 
 boats on the lakes, was arrested in December for attempt- 
 ing to throw a railroad train off the track, and was hung 
 on Governor's Island in the February following. 
 
 On the 20th of ^ovember, the President called for three 
 hundred thousand additional troops. Two millions and a 
 half had been called for up to this time, but not near that 
 number ever entered the field. The army around Peters- 
 burg was not unemployed, although no battles took place 
 until the spring campaign. On the 7th of December, 
 General Warren, with twenty thousand men, moved south 
 toward Hatcher's Bun, reached Bellefield Station, on the 
 Mohenin river, forty miles' from Petersburg, on the 9th, and 
 destroyed the rebel works and depot. Returning, next day 
 ne destroyed every thing in his way which could aid the 
 enemy, together with twenty miles of the Weldon railroad. 
 Wilmington was now the most important port still in the 
 hands of the Confederates. From this port, cotton and 
 other products were sent out by blockade-runners, which, 
 in consequence of the imperfect condition of the blockade, 
 brought in many supplies to the enemy. The place was 
 also important in a military point of view, and its capture 
 was therefore determined on. General Grant promised to 
 furnish the land force, which was to co-operate with the 
 naval expedition under Admiral Porter, already assembled 
 in Hampton Roads, and one of the most formidable ever 
 sent out. The attention of the South, as well as of the 
 loyal North, was attracted by the preparations, which were 
 made on a grand scale. The newspapers, both North and 
 South, freely discussed the subject of the destination of 
 this grand expedition, and the enemy prepared to meet it. 
 
 In the latter part of November, General Grant, in company 
 with General Butler, held a conference with Admiral Porter 
 at Hampton Roads, and fixed the number of men required 
 at six thousand. The time was not definitely appointed for 
 tarting, but if not sooner, every thing was expected to bf
 
 476 EXPEDITION AGAINST FORT FISHER. 
 
 ready by the 6th of December. On November 30th, General 
 Grant, having become aware that Bragg had taken with him 
 to Georgia the greater part of the forces at Wilmington, 
 deemed it important that the expedition should reach its 
 destination before his return. The land forces, having 
 been placed under the command of General Weitzel, Grant 
 directed General Butler to have all things ready for his de- 
 parture, so that the fleet should not be detained, and on the 
 6th of December, instructed him that the first object of tho 
 expedition under Weitzel was to close the port of Wilming- 
 ton to the enemy ; and next the capture of the place itself. 
 He approved of all the directions of Butler, respecting the 
 expedition, with the unimportant exception of the place of 
 embarkation, and the amount of intrenching tools to be taken. 
 He says : "The object of the expedition will be gained by 
 effecting a landing on the main land between the Cape Fear 
 river and the Atlantic, north of the north entrance to the 
 river. Should such landing be. effected while the enemy 
 still holds Fort Fisher, and the batteries guarding the 
 entrance to the river, then the troops should intrench them- 
 selves, and, by co-operating with the navy, effect the reduc- 
 tion and capture of those places. These in our hands, the 
 navy could enter the harbor, and the port of Wilmington 
 would be sealed. Should Fort Fisher and the point of land 
 on which it is built, fall into the hands of our troops, 
 immediately on landing, then it would be worth the attempt 
 to capture Wilmington by a forced march and surprise. 
 If time is consumed in gaining the first object of the expe- 
 dition, the second will become a matter of after consideration. 
 
 " The details for execution are entrusted to you (Butler) 
 and the officer immediately in command of the troops. 
 Should the troops under General Weitzel fail to effect a 
 landing at or near Fort Fisher, they will be returned to the 
 armies operating against Richmond without delay." 
 
 General Butler was in command of the army from which 
 the troops were taken for the expedition, and of the territory 
 in which they were to operaie. All orders and instructions 
 by military courtesy were sent through him, and General 
 Weitzel informed General Grant that he had never seen the 
 instructions above quoted till after the attack on Fort Fisher. 
 Grant had no idea, until the evening before he started from 
 Bermuda Hundred, that Butler would join the expedition,
 
 QKNKKAL BUTLEB SUPERSEDED. 
 
 %nd believed that General Weitzel had received thts instruc- 
 tions, and was in command. The loading of a powder boat 
 detained the fleet at Hampton Roads several days. Grant 
 bad urged on Butler the importance of getting off the expe- 
 dition at once, wifh or without the powder boat, which 
 latter was intended to have been blown up near the rebel 
 fort. However, the expedition arrived off New Inlet, near 
 Port Fisher, on the evening of the 15th, and Admiral Porter 
 arrived OE the evening of the 18th ; the sea was rough, and 
 the water and coal of the vessels being nearly exhausted, 
 the transports put back to Beaufort to replenish, and did 
 not return till the 24th, on which day the powder boat wag 
 exploded without inflicting any damage on the works. The 
 landing was effected on the 25th, unopposed, and General 
 GUI tig reconnoitered the fort ; a report of this reconnoissance 
 had not been made before General Butler, " in direct viola- 
 tion of the instructions given, ordered the re-embarkation of 
 the troops and the return of the expedition." The troops 
 re-embarked on the morning of the 27th. 
 
 The fleet of Admiral Porter comprised seventy-three 
 vessels, with six hundred and fifty-five guns, some of them of 
 the largest calibre. Porter kept up a terrible bombardment 
 for two days, silencing the fort, which he affirmed any man 
 of energy could easily have taken. General Butler was now 
 relieved of his command, and superseded by Ord. The de- 
 sign of capturing Fort Fisher was still determined on by 
 General Grant, and adding to the army, lately commanded 
 by Butler, some fifteen hundred men, he placed the whole 
 force under General Terry, with instructions similar to those 
 before given, leaving a direct attack on the fort, in both 
 cases, to the discretion of the general in command. 
 
 The expedition left Fortress Monroe, January 6th, 1865, 
 arrived off Beaufort on the 8th, was detained there by the 
 state of the weather till the morning of the 12th, and then 
 proceeding, reached its destination on the same evening. 
 The disembarkation of the troops was effected at half past 
 three P. M. on the 13th. Some reconnoissauces were made 
 next day, and possession was taken of a small advance work. 
 
 The fleet had kept up a dreadful fire on the fort, and 
 Sunday, January 15th, was appointed for the grand naval 
 assault. It was made in three columns, the first of which 
 was led by the Brooklyn, the seccnd by the Minnesota, and
 
 478 CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER. 
 
 the third by the gunboats. Four hundred guns played upon 
 the works with great precision, and, at one time, four or five 
 shells fell every second, dismounting guns, blowing open 
 embrasures, and rapidly causing traverses to disappear. 
 When Terry's troops should advance from the land side, 
 two thousand marines and sailors were to make a simultane 
 ous assault on the sea side. Three hours before the assault, 
 the guns of the fleet had driven the garrison to the casemates. 
 The parapets were twenty-five feet thick, twenty feet high, 
 and enclosed by a strong palisade ; two hundred yards be- 
 yond, in front, was a line strung with torpedoes, which were 
 connected by wires, eighty-five feet apart, and each contain- 
 ing one hundred pounds of powder. The shells had cut the 
 wires connected with the torpedoes, in the way of the 
 assailants, and part of the palisade was broken down. The 
 signal was given at three o'clock, when Curtis, Pennypacker, 
 and Bell followed with their troops in rotation, each of the 
 three brigades being three hundred yards apart. As they 
 started in their final rush for the west end on the land side, 
 Admiral Porter gave the signal for the vessels to chango 
 their firing from the fort to the batteries, and concentrate it 
 to the left and above. The scene on that Sabbath afternoon 
 was terrible grand as, amid the thunder of many heavy 
 guns, the brave troops of Terry pushed gallantly on, engaging 
 in a hand to hand conflict on the ramparts, and disappearing 
 behind the high parapets, where the work of death went 
 on apace. One traverse after another was nobly wen ; the 
 garrison fell back step by step, and at half past nine o'clock 
 the fort was cleared. 
 
 Shouts arose from within the bloody works, and General 
 Terry's signal told the admiral that the fort was fairly won. 
 At midnight, its commanders General Whitney and Colonel 
 Lamb surrendered, with eighteen hundred men, seventy- 
 three guns, and the. camp equipage and stores. The Union 
 loss in killed and wounded was six hundred and forty-six ; 
 that of the enemy, four hundred. Among the patriots 
 killed Were Colonels Bell and Moore, and Lieutenant-colonel 
 Lyman. The fleet lost in the assault two hundred killed, 
 including Lieutenants Preston and Porter. The forts in 
 ihe vicinity, with eighty-three cannon, fell into the hands 
 of the victors, the garrisons having retired to Wilmington. 
 
 We have anticipated somewhat, in order to preserve the
 
 CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GRANT AND SHERMAN. 479 
 
 thread of the narrative. No important military movements 
 however, took place in the beginning of the year 1865 
 Guerillas swarmed in Kentucky and the border States, and 
 a party of them burned the steamer Venango, on the Mis- 
 sissippi river. Peaoe rumors were still heard, and acquired 
 significance from the repeated visits to Richmond of Francis 
 P. Blair. Important movements were prepared, though all 
 was apparently quiet. When General Sherman arrived at 
 Savannah, General Grant desired him to embark his troops 
 on transports and meet him at City Point, in order to aid 
 him in his advance on Richmond. After the defeat of 
 Hood's army, however, General Grant changed his plan, 
 and wrote asking Sherman's advice as to the best course to 
 be adopted. The latter answered that, if he desired, he 
 would come at once to him by sea, but that he expected to 
 march to Columbia, South Carolina, and thence to Raleigh, 
 North Carolina, from which he would report to him. The 
 confidence which Sherman exhibited, in this letter, of being 
 able to march up and join Grant, pleased the latter, and 
 without waiting for an answer to his letter of the 18th, he 
 directed him, on the 28th, to make the proposed prepare 
 tions without delay, to break up the railroads in North and 
 South Carolina, and join the armies against Richmond as 
 soon as he could. We shall therefore proceed to describe 
 the march of this great chieftain through the Carolinas, 
 after first attending to some events, which, though of in- 
 ferior importance, must not be omitted. 
 
 General Thomas's army being no longer needed in Ten 
 nessee, was broken up. General A. J. Smith's command, witb 
 a cavalry division, was sent to report to General Canby ; and 
 General Schofield's corps was brought east, and sent to Fort 
 Fisher and Newbern. North Carolina was constituted a 
 separate military department, under Schofieldj who was or- 
 dered to report to General Stoneman. 
 
 During the rejoicings that followed the capture of Fort 
 Wisher, the war vessels being nearly all about the Cape Feai 
 river, the enemy, on the night of the 24th, sent four iron- 
 clads down the James river for the purpose of separating 
 the armies on the two sides of the stream, and, arriving at 
 City Point, to cut off the communications. Meanwhile, a 
 large rebel force was concentrated north of the James to 
 ttack the aimy should the effort of the iron -cla'la prov
 
 480 PEACE COMMISSIONERS, 
 
 successful. A high tower, erected by the patriots to over 
 look the hostile army, was to be burned, as a signal thai 
 the gunboats had succeeded. The iron-clads forced through 
 at Dutch Gap canal, passed Fort Brady, and drove back 
 the only vessel stationed in the river. City Point, it was 
 probable, would be reached, and great apprehensions in 
 consequence prevailed in the Union lines. All was com- 
 motion. The vessels, fortunately, grounded ; one was blowr 
 up, and another destroyed, and the whole scheme was provi- 
 dentially frustrated. The court of inquiry which afterward 
 investigated this matter, was of opinion that the arrival of 
 the rebel iron-clads at City Point, would have raised the 
 siege of Richmond. It was a narrow escape, doubtless, and 
 might have been perilous to the country. 
 
 At the close of the month, Peace Commissioner^ from 
 Jefferson Davis arrived at Fortress Monroe, where, in a few 
 days, they had an informal interview with President Lin- 
 coln and Mr. Seward. The rebel Commissioners were 
 Alexander H. Stephens, Vice- President of the Confederacy, 
 B. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia, and J. A. Campbell, of Ala- 
 bama. They desired to keep the question of separation in 
 abeyance, and proposed that hostilities should cease, and th* 
 former intercourse between North and South be resumed, 
 until passion should cool on both sides. Mr. Lincoln in- 
 sisted that the supremacy of the Government should be 
 completely restored, everywhere, previous to a cessation of 
 hostilities, and thus the matter ended. 
 
 The ill treatment of Union prisoners became very griev- 
 ous at this time, and provoked the wrath of the loyal North 
 During the first year of the war, a cartel was not allowed 
 but one agreed on in 1862, permitted the exchange of pris 
 oners, man for man, and the parole of the excess on each 
 side, until an exchange could be effected. When colored 
 tro>ps were received into the army, the rebel authorities 
 WDuld not deal with them as with white troops. Commir 
 ?ioner Ould, on the rebel side, insisted that the require- 
 ments of the first cartel should be met, and General Mere- 
 dith, the Federal Commissioner, refused any exchange unless 
 colored troops were to share in its advantages. The bal 
 ace was in favor of the Federal Government, from the 
 large number of prisoners captured on the fall of Vicks- 
 burg and Port Hudson. No regular system of exchange*
 
 THE HORRORS OF SOL THERN PRISON LIFK. 48 i 
 
 therefore existed, and one attempted by General Butler, while 
 at Fortress Monroe, failed. The enemy treated Union pris- 
 oners with such cruelty as unfitted them for future military 
 service, while they desired the exchange of well-fed prison- 
 ers, who would on their release, greatly aid the diminishing 
 rebel army. 
 
 The people of the North at length grew dissatisfied, and 
 the Administration under the consequent pressure, devolved 
 the responsibility on General Grant, under whose wise ad- 
 ministration, the soldier might hope to see his beloved home 
 once more, if but to die. The chief Southern prisons 
 were Andersonville and Millen, Georgia ; Columbia, Flor- 
 ence, and Charleston, South Carolina ; Tyler, Texas ; Salis- 
 bury, North Carolina ; Cahawba, Alabama ; Danville, Vir- 
 ginia; and Libby, Pemberton, Belle Isle, and Castle Thun- 
 der, Richmond. Millen and Richmond were where the 
 greatest cruelties were practiced, but the real horrors of 
 Southern prison-life were centred in the terrible prison pen of 
 Andersonville, which was in command of a wretch named 
 Captain Wirtz, of terrible ferocity, who, after the close of 
 the war, was apprehended, tried by a military commission 
 at Washington, and, on conviction, hung. It is estimated 
 that more than seventy thousand brave Union patriots per- 
 ished from ill treatment, cruelty, and starvation, in the pris- 
 ons of the South. 
 
 The heart sickens at the diabolical attempts of the rebel 
 leaders to render the prisoners useless for any service to 
 their country when exchanged. In prison they died of the 
 scurvy, were full of filth and vermin, exposed to the weather 
 without shelter, shot down on the slightest pretences, and 
 sometimes actually starved to death. If they returned, they 
 were emaciated, idiotic, and dying. No pen can describe 
 the sufferings of the brave soldiers who pined and died in 
 these Southern charnel houses. 
 
 We now return to General Sherman, who, having rested with 
 his army at Savannah, was prepared to narch through 
 the Carolinas. Preliminaries being arranged, he sent part 
 of his army in transports to Beaufort in the middle of Jan- 
 uary, and on the 1st of February the main body was put 
 
 in motion. 
 41
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 FEBRUARY MARCH, 1866. 
 
 m EIGHT WIKO CF SHERMAN 8 ARMY THREATENS CHARLESTON TTTE LOTT, 
 
 ACOC8TA HEAVY FLOODS L'CTAIN THB ARMY KILPATRICK/S CAYALB1 
 
 THE SALKAHATCHIE FORCBV THB CONFEDERATE LEADERS OCTWITTIB 
 
 THB CHARL38"ON AND AUGUSTA RAILROAD DESTROYED ORANGEBURQ 
 
 CROSSING OF THE EDI8TO COLUMBIA BURNED BURKING OF WINNSBORO 
 
 FKINT ON CHARLOTTE SHERMAN MARCHES ON FATKTTETILLE CHER AW 
 
 FALL OF CHARLESTON THE TWO WINGS MEKT SCHOFIELD AND TERRY 
 BATTLES OF ATERYSBORO AND BENTONTILLE OOLDSBORO OCCUPIED 
 SHERMAN YISITS GRANT THB ARMY REFITTED THE NATIONAL FINANCES. 
 
 SHERMAN'S army, consisting of sixty thousand men, was 
 divided into four corps, of which the right wing, commanded 
 by Howard, comprised those of Blair and Logan, while the 
 left, under Slocum, was composed of the corps of Davis and 
 Williams; and General Kilpatrick commanded the cavalry. 
 The four thousand five hundred vehicles of all kinds, in the 
 army, would have made a continuous line of forty-five miles, 
 but each corps had its own train, which pursued a separate 
 route. The news of the departure of the army caused great 
 alarm to the Confederacy, while the people of the North 
 were not without anxious solicitude. No one knew Sher- 
 man's designs, and his movements were veiled in mystery 
 By some, it was supposed that Augusta, by others, that 
 Charleston was his destination, but there was a more exten 
 A ee field of operation before him than the mere captu re of 
 either, or both of these places, and he formed the design of 
 making Gcldsboro, at the distance of five hundred miles 
 from Savannah, and through two hostile States, his objective 
 point. It was a mighty enterprise on which he was about 
 to enter, and one that required bold daring and consummate 
 strategy. The country through which he was to march after 
 leaving Savannah, consisted for some distance of an exten- 
 sive lowland plain, in which lay large plantations, sur- 
 rounded by negro huts, and cultivated fields, skirted by dark 
 forests of pine, and festooned by cypress, wild vine, and gar- 
 lands of hanging moss. Gloomy and extensive swampi 
 abounded, inhabited by wild fowl, serpents, and alligator*
 
 SAGACITY F GENERAL SHERMAN. 433 
 
 Tne whole coast, from SavannaL to Charleston, has pendent 
 moss hanging like a funeral pall over all its miasmatic 
 swamps, some of which were six miles in width, and through 
 them must pass the troops, infantry and cavalry, together 
 with the artillery, wagons, and ambulances. In a word, the 
 country was deemed impassable ; vehicles broke down in 
 the swamps, or had to be burned and abandoned, and the 
 strongest horses experienced the utmost difficulty in drag- 
 ging through the artillery. Corduroying was necessary for 
 many miles, otherwise the troops could never have got 
 through. Indeed, it was easier for a pilgrim in olden times 
 to walk to Jerusalem barefoot, than for an infantry soldier 
 to make this march, and lest the cavalryman might be sup- 
 posed to have the advantage, in a water covered swamp 
 there would often plunge, almost inextricably, both horse 
 and rider. 
 
 Without consideration of these preliminaries, the march 
 of Sherman can never be comprehended. There was one 
 rebel army at Charleston, on his right, and another at Au- 
 gusta on his left ; numerous troops were swarming through 
 North Carolina, and every mile that he marched brought 
 him nearer Lee's army at Richmond. Besides the intermin- 
 able swamps, which presented such a formidable obstacle, 
 _arge rivers had to be crossed, which were capable of defence 
 by a hostile army. The wonderful sagacity of Sherman 
 had grasped the whole subject, and he was equal to the exe- 
 cution of the grand design, possessing, as he did, a veteran 
 and v/oll disciplined army, under leaders of well-tried valor, 
 such as Howard, Slocum, Blair, Logan, Davis, and Kilpat- 
 rick, and others subordinate to these, but not inferior in 
 skill and prowess. 
 
 General Sherman made Columbia his first objective point, 
 and, to carry out this design, it was necessary to keep the 
 Confederate armies at Charleston and Augusta divided. The 
 ines of defence afforded by the rivers could not be carried 
 without great sacrifice of life. It was necessary to his pur- 
 pose to threaten both armies at the same time, and by keep- 
 ing the enemy in constant suspense, to prevent any move- 
 ment. Accordingly, be instructed Slocum, with the left 
 wing, and Kiipatrick, with the cavalry, to move up the 
 Savannah river, and make a feint on Augusta, while How- 
 ard, with the right wing, threatened Charleston, Thii plan
 
 484 CHARLESTON AND AUGUSTA RAILROAD DESTROTXD. 
 
 prevented the concentration of the Confederate forces on the 
 line of the swampy Salkahatchie. Had the enemy done so, 
 General Sherman would have experienced great difficulty, 
 for the designs in reference to Charleston and Augusta would 
 have had to be given up ; and even if the Salkahatchie had 
 been crossed, the central position of the Confederates would 
 have enabled them to fall back on Columbia, and make a 
 stand on the Edisto. Flanking, as in the Atlanta campaign, 
 would have exposed Sherman's trains greatly in the passage 
 of the rivers. The supplies for the right wing were brought 
 to Pocotaligo, and those for the left to Sister's Ferry, at 
 which the cavalry and Slocum's wing were long detained 
 by a heavy flood in the Savannah river, which overflowed 
 the lowlands to such a degree, that the stream was three 
 miles wide at the point where the troops were to cross. 
 Slocunrs orders were to advance without delay, but the 
 state in which the flood left the swamp on the other side of 
 the river, rendered him very anxious. 
 
 The cavalry, under Kilpatrick, having crossed the river 
 on a pontoon at Sister's Ferry, passed the formidable swamp 
 beyond, and moved rapidly on Augusta. Howard had 
 already crossed the Salkahatchie river, indicating a move- 
 ment of the whole army on Columbia by way of Branchville. 
 By rapid marching, Kilpatrick had also crossed the la^, 
 named river, and occupied Barnwell, thirty miles in his 
 front, undiscovered by the enemy. 
 
 Wheeler now left the front of the Army of the Tennessee, 
 auu rapidly advanced to get in front of the Union cavalry, 
 and save the railroad, but was too late. In a brilliant cav- 
 alry dash by Colonel Jordan, Black ville, on the Charleston 
 and Augusta railroad, was captured on February the 7th, 
 and Wheeler driven across the Edisto river. Nex? day, 
 the whole army occupied the line of this river to Black- 
 ville, and the railroad was destroyed. At Johnston's Sta- 
 tion, near Aiken^ Kilpatrick encountered Wheeler's cavalry, 
 which was supported by Cheatham's corps of infantry- 
 After skirmishing two days with the enemy, until the Fed 
 eral infantry had crossed the Edisto, and were advancing 
 toward Columbia, Kilpatrick suddenly left Wheeler's front, 
 crossed the river, and marched rapidly to Lexington Court 
 House. By this movement, he prevented the rebel cavalrj 
 from reaching Columbia, and forced Wheeler, and (he rem-
 
 THV ALKAHATCHIS FORCED 486 
 
 nft it of Hood's army, to make a wide detour in order to get 
 in Sherman's front. The same day that Blackville was 
 captured, Colonel Spencer, with three regiments of cavalry, 
 defeated six rebel cavalry regiments, and took five battle- 
 flags. On the ninth, Kilpatrick gave Wheeler a severe re- 
 pulse at Johnston's Station. The latter general was not 
 found to be a match for the Union leader, and was, conse- 
 quently, superseded by Lieutenant-general Wade Hampton, 
 The Confederate cavalry now combined against Kilpatrick, 
 whom they far outnumbered. 
 
 On the 31st of January, General Howard left Pocotaligo, 
 where he left Hatch's division to keep up the feint of an 
 advance on Charleston, by the railroad bridge across the 
 Salkahatchie. The roads had been obstructed by fallen tim- 
 ber, and the bridges burned over swollen streams, but these 
 matters were soon set right by the hardy pioneers. Midway 
 Station, on the Charleston and Augusta railroad, is about 
 midway from both these places, and due south of Columbia. 
 Howard moved his columns toward this point. The rebels 
 held the line of the Salkahatchie in force, being intrenched 
 at River and Beaufort bridges, with infantry and artillery. 
 General Howard ordered the Seventeenth corps to clear the 
 former, and the Fifteenth corps the latter. The former waa 
 successfully carried, on February 3d, by the divisions of 
 Mower and Smith, in which a swamp three miles wide, and 
 of a depth ranging from the knee to the shoulder, was 
 crossed. The weather was exceedingly cold, but the patriot 
 commanders set a noble example, marching on foot at the 
 head of their divisions, and wading through the cold water 
 with their soldiers. The Confederates guarding the bridge 
 were driven toward Branchville. In this gallant movement, 
 the Union loss was ninety. 
 
 The next place at which the enemy could make a stand, 
 was on the Edisto river, at Branchville, sixty miles from 
 Charleston. The army moved rapidly, and reaching the 
 railroad at Midway, on the 7th, began to destroy it ; Slocum 
 also destroyed it, nearer Augusta. The enemy's forces at 
 Aiken and Augusta, on the one side, and at Branchvillt 
 and Charleston, on the other, were now separated, without 
 the least prospect of reunion. Sherman now left the work 
 of destroying the railroad to be performed by the left wing, 
 and advanced with the right on Orangeburg. The Seven
 
 486 CROSSING or THE EDISTO. 
 
 teenth corps crossed the South Edisto at Binnaker's bridge 
 and marched on Orangeb irg, and the Fifteenth corps, having 
 crossed at Holman's bridge, advanced to Popl* Springs, 
 for the purpose of supporting the Seventeenth. The Con- 
 federate commander had endeavored to save Charleston, and 
 now retired to his fortifications at Branchville. He burned 
 the bridge over the Edisto, however, and placed a force 
 there to dispute the passage of the army. A heavy discharge 
 of artillery arrested General Ford with the advance division, 
 but the men lower down; by wading and swimming, suc- 
 ceeded in launching four pontoon boats, on which the troops 
 crossed. They now drove the rebels to the woods, and for 
 fifteen miles on the line of the river, the army, at many 
 points, attacked the enemy, who were unable to oppose the 
 passage. Orangeburg was now evacuated, and the place, 
 containing three thousand inhabitants, was occupied by the 
 Union troops. General Howard's troops nobly endeavored 
 to extinguish the flames raging in the place, which had been 
 fired. 
 
 General Blair was ordered to destroy the railroad to 
 Louisville, drive the enemy across the Congaree, and force 
 them to burn the bridges, which was done on the 14th. 
 Sherman now delayed no longer to waste time or labor on 
 Branchville or Charleston, and moved his magnificent col- 
 umns direct on Columbia. Farther west, the left wing moved 
 toward the same point, over the Edisto, across swamps and 
 streams. On the 16th, Howard halted on the Saluda, in 
 front of Columbia, and an hour later, the advance of the 
 left wing appeared a little further west, on the banks of the 
 same stream. The capital city of the proud little State of 
 South Carolina, the cradle of rebellion, now lay at the 
 mercy of the Union army, and it was formally surrendered 
 by the mayor. General Wade Hampton, who commanded 
 the rebel cavalry, had, in anticipation of its capture, ordered 
 that all cotton, both public and private, should be moved 
 into the streets and fired, to prevent its falling into the 
 hands of the patriots. Some piles were burning in the 
 heart of the city, near the Court House, but the fire was 
 partially subdued by the efforts of the Union soldiers. The 
 army had not entered the city. The Fifteenth corps marched 
 through, and encamped beyond on the Camden road ; the 
 Seventeenth did not enter the place at all, and the neare*
 
 COLUMBIA AXD W1NMSBORO BURNED. 437 
 
 point to which the left wing and the cavalry approached, 
 was two miles from the city. One brigade only was placed 
 on duty within the city 4 The flames spread from the com- 
 bustibles, and notwithstanding the efforts of the Union 
 commanders, could not be checked, but reduced the city to 
 ashes. General Sherman and his officers worked with their 
 own hands until long after midnight, trying to save life and 
 property. It was a sad scene, more easily conceived than 
 described. In the convent, the fire began to make fearful 
 ravages, and the terrified inmates were conducted from the 
 awful scene to a place of safety in the City Park. 
 
 During the progress of the fire, the houses were plun- 
 dered, and officers and soldiers, drunken with the wines and 
 liquors thus brought to light, were, in some instances, 
 buried in the burning ruins of the houses ; but we shall not 
 dwell upon the melancholy scene, which rendered desolate 
 this once beautiful city. 
 
 Sherman left the homeless population sufficient provisions 
 to sustain them for some time, and, followed by a vast num 
 ber of negroes and refugees, moved north, toward Charlotte. 
 As in the Georgia campaign, the country, in a belt of forty 
 miles, was left a scene of utter desolation. Many houses wera 
 burned. The pine forests were blazing in the night, light- 
 ing the columns on their way, and casting weird shadows 
 across the paths of the advancing hosts. Slocum, with the 
 left wing, protected on his left flank by Kilpatrick's cavalry, 
 moved on Winnsboro, which is located northwest of 
 Columbia ; this place was fired by foragers, before the act 
 could be prevented. From Columbia, Beauregard had fallen 
 back on Charlotte. Anticipating a movement of Sherman in 
 that direction, Cheathara's corps, of Hood's old army, which 
 had moved over the whole distance from Augusta, almost on 
 parallel roads with Kilpatrick's cavalry, was endeavoring 
 to unite with the rebel chief. 
 
 In consequence of severe rain, the roads were rendered 
 almost impassable ; notwithstanding, Sherman pushed on for 
 two days toward Charlotte. On the 23d, the army wheeled 
 about due east, moving on Fayetteville, and crossing the 
 swollen rivers, over which, a century ago, Cornwallis had 
 pursued General Greene. 
 
 Meanwhile Kilpatrick protected the troops which wer 
 engaged in this movement, and as General Sherman wat
 
 US KILPJLTRICF BTJRPRIPED DEFEAT OF THE ENEMY. 
 
 now moving on Fayetteville, the Confederate cavalry, under 
 Ha .ipton and Wheeler, used vigorous efforts to reach it first, 
 as tbrt was the point on which Hardee was marching, in his 
 retreat from Charleston. Kilpatrick attempted to prevent 
 the combination of these forces, and as there were three 
 roads, on any one of which he judged that the enemy might 
 pass, he endeavored to hold them all, which required the troops 
 to be far apart. Along one of these roads, all of which 
 wera in a wretched condition, Kilpatrick encamped on the 
 night of March 10th ; with Colonel Spencer's small brigade 
 of three regiments, and four hundred dismounted men, with 
 one section of artillery. Wade Hampton, with three divi- 
 sions of cavalry, commanded by Hume, Allen, and Butler, 
 charged Kilpatrick's position just before daylight. Hamp- 
 ton led the centre division, and in less than a minute, had 
 driven back the patriots, taking possession of the head-quar- 
 ters, captured the general's aids, and the whole Union 
 command was flying before a most terrible cavalry charge. 
 At this crisis, Colonel Spencer, and a large portion of the 
 staff, were surrounded by the enemy. Kilpatrick says: 
 "On foot, I succeeded in gaining the cavalry command, a 
 few hundred yards in the rear, and found the men fighting 
 with the rebels for their camp and animals, and they were 
 soon finally forced back ecme five hundred yards to a swamp, 
 impassable to friend or foe. The enemy, eager for plunder, 
 failed to promptly follow us up. We rallied, and at once 
 advanced on the foe. We retook the cavalry camp, and, 
 encouraged by our success, charged the enemy, who were 
 endeavoring to harness up my battery horses, and plunder- 
 ing rny head-quarters. We retook the artillery, and turned 
 it upon the forces about my head-quarters, not twenty steps' 
 distance, and finally forced them out of my camp with great 
 slaughter." 
 
 In this brilliant affair, the Union loss was one hundred 
 killed and wounded, several of them mortally, and many 
 desperately. The enemy left one hundred dead on the 
 field, and six hundred wounded and prisoners. Among 
 their killed were General Humes and Colonel Aiken, and 
 among the wounded, five colonels and fifteen lieutenant- 
 colonels 
 
 Sherman crossed the Catawba, marched toward the Ped 
 ft I Cheraw, at which point the rebels made some resistance
 
 FALL OF CHARLESTON. 489 
 
 but were swept from his patA, with the loss of twenty-five 
 pieces of artillsry. News soon reached the army of the 
 capture of Charleston, and the national banner once more 
 waved as of old on Fort Sumter. The place began to be 
 evacuated by Hardee's troops on the night of the 16th of 
 February, and by the next night, all were gone. Some 
 soldiers burned the upper part of the city, destroying the 
 railroa 1 dep6ts, and a large quantity of cotton. Two hun- 
 Ired kegs of powder were in the depQts, where the inhabitants 
 went to obtain rice, etc, while the buildings were on fire. 
 One hundred persons were killed by the explosion of the 
 powder. The rebel rams in the harbor blew up at daylight, 
 with a terrible explosion. On the 18th, the mayor surren- 
 dered the city, with all the forte in the vicinity, to General 
 Gilmore ; and the Government of the United States was once 
 more supreme in the blackened and ruined Charleston. 
 Four hundred and fifty cannon were captured. The city 
 had been besieged five hundred and eighty-five, and under 
 fire, five hundred and forty days. Ten thousand inhabitants 
 of the poorer classes alone remained in this once magnifi- 
 cent city. 
 
 The right and left wings of the army joined at Cheraw 
 for the first time since they had left Savannah, and now 
 moved together on Fayetteville, which the advance i cached 
 on March 12th. Sherman had previously sent trusty scouts 
 to Wilmington, to give notice of his approach to that pluoe, 
 which was already occupied by the Union troops. The 
 enemy had evacuated Fort Anderson on the approach of 
 General Schofield and Admiral Porter, on both sides of 
 the Cape Fear river. There was some fighting, which 
 resulted in the occupation, on the 22d of February, of this 
 important place by the Union troops. When the news 
 arrived in the city by the scouts, the United States steam 
 tug Davidson was sent up the river, and arrived at Fayette- 
 vills on the same day that the army approached it. Loud 
 cheers from the brave troops greeted the tug, and despatches 
 were thus returned to General Terry, who commanded at Wil- 
 mington, and Schofield, at Newbern, to move and joic 
 Sherman at Goldsboro. The enemy's forces, General Sher- 
 man now expected to concentrate, and he required the aid 
 of these troops. He knew that Cheatham and Beauregard 
 were marching on Raleigh, and that Hardee, on his evacu*
 
 4*0 BATTLE OF AYERYSBORO. 
 
 tion of Fayetteville, was moving toward the same point 
 The forces of Johnston and Hoke, with these and the troops 
 from Wilmington and Newbern, would make a considerable 
 army. The enemy had attacked Schofield on his inland 
 march on the 8th, at Wise's Forks, and repulsed him with 
 heavy loss. On the 10th, an attack on his intrenched camp 
 was punished so severely, that the enemy retreated with great 
 loss ; and crossing Neuse river on the 14th, Schofield entered 
 Kinstou, On the 15th, Sherman moved up the Pedee, as if 
 Rale.gh, the capital of North Carolina, and not Goldsboro, 
 on the Neuse river, were his objective point. 
 
 There is a narrow and marshy track of land between the 
 Cape Fear and South rivers, near Averysboro. Here Gen- 
 eral Hardee had halted in his retreat from Fayetteville, and 
 held an intrenched position with twenty thousand men. He 
 was found by Kilpatrick in this place on the loth of March, 
 The latter was moving toward Kaleigh, followed by two 
 divisions of the Fourteenth and Twentieth corps, respectively. 
 Kilpatrick dismounted his cavalry, and with eight pieces of 
 artillery prepared for battle, sending back to the Twentieth 
 corps for reinforcements. The enemy advanced on Kilpat- 
 rick, who retired, abandoning two pontooons under a heavy 
 fire. Night ended the conflict. On the second day, Kil- 
 patrick, being reinforced, advanced with his entire command, 
 and the rebels were driven steadily back, but while prepa- 
 rations were made for an assault upon them, they attempted 
 to turn the Federal flanks, and were repulsed after seve.e 
 fighting. They fell sullenly back, and during the night 
 retreated to Raleigh, leaving their dead and wounded on the 
 field ; their loss was one thousand two hundred, the Union 
 loss seven hundred and twenty. The gallantry of General 
 Jordan and Colonel Jones, was conspicuous in this action, 
 during the cavalry conflict. This was the last cavalry fight 
 in the campaign, and bravely these heroes fought side by 
 aide with the noble infantry troops. 
 
 Slocum, on the 17th, ceased kis movements on Raleigh, 
 ancl wheeling to tho right, crossed South river, which wae 
 flooded, and marched toward Goldsboro, whither Howard 
 was moving to the east through miry roads. On the 18th, 
 both wings were near the place, and Sherman went across 
 the country to consult with Howard, when he heard the 
 ound of artillery behind him. A staff officer told him that
 
 BATTLE OF BENTONVILLE GOLDSBORO OCCUI IED. 491 
 
 it was an affair between Carlin's division and the rebe^ 
 cavalry, and that the latter were retreating. He was now 
 informed by other officers that Johnston's entire army was 
 in Slocum's front, near Bentonville. 
 
 General Sherman now sent a despatch to Blair, ordering 
 him to march with his corps to Falling Creek Church, and 
 with three divisions of the Fifteenth corps, tc come up in 
 Johnston's rear, from the direction of Cox's bridge. Howard 
 was to move on Bentonville at daylight, leaving his wagon 
 train behind. General Sherman ordered Schofield to march 
 on the came point, and Terry, to march to Cox's bridge. 
 Slocum placed artillery in front, and sent Morgan's division 
 to place another line a mile in advance, but Johnston drove 
 back this line, and captured some guns. Slocum now 
 deployed two divisions of the Fourteenth corps, and two of 
 the Twentieth, with all speed. Barricades were thrown up, 
 and Kilpatrick's cavalry massed on the left. The enemy, at 
 four o'clock, massing in three heavy columns, swept on the 
 barricades, and seemed to carry all before them. The deadly 
 fire of artillery and musketry from the patriot ranks, made 
 the first line recoil, but the second advanced with a cheer 
 and encountered the heroes of Chickamauga, who quickly 
 arrested its course. In half an hour, six distinct charges 
 Were made, the last of which broke Slocum's line, which 
 Tallied and repelled the foe. It was a close combat, and 
 many of the Confederate dead lay round the head-quarters 
 of the Union commanders. During the night, Slocum's 
 wagon train, and its guard of two divisions arrived, and 
 Hazen's division also came up. Johnston had the corps of 
 Hoke, Cheatham, and Hardee, and was superior in numbers 
 to Slocum, on whose left, Howard, coming up next day, took 
 up his position. The army, which Johnston expected to 
 capture in detail, was now well in hand, a-nd its whole 
 machinery, like clock-work, moved in wonderful order under 
 the leadership of the mighty mind that directed each move- 
 ment. Sherman, however, did not wish to bring on a battl 
 here, unless all went in his favor, and merely shelled th 
 Woods and threatened the enemy's flanks. 
 
 This was the state of affairs on the 21st of March. On 
 this day, Schofield occupied Goldsboro, and Terry held Cox's 
 bridge on the Neuse, crossing a brigade on a pontoon, tn 
 miles above. In storm and rain, Mower moved well round
 
 492 3HEHMAN VISITS GRANT. 
 
 the enemy a flank to the right, and had nearly reached hii 
 only line of retreat, at Mill brrige. A battle ensued, and 
 Johnston retired in the night. The total loss on the Union 
 side was one thousand six hundred and forty-six. Sherman 
 left Howard with the cavalry next day, to inter the slain, 
 and ordered the troops to encamp around Goldsbore. He 
 visited Terry at Cox's bridge, rode into the town, and there 
 found Schofield. 
 
 The campaign was ended, and the point for which he had 
 started in the preceding autumn reached. A desolate track 
 had marked the march of the army, nearly three hundred 
 miles through the heart of Georgia, and yet more so through 
 South and North Carolina, for nearly five hundred miles. 
 Sherman now left Schofield in command of the army, and 
 went to consult with Grant, at City Point, where he also met 
 the President, by whom he was cordially welcomed. The 
 army was now supplied with shoes, clothing, and all rhat waa 
 necessary for another campaign. 
 
 Leaving Grant and Sherman with the President, in con- 
 sultation as remarkable a trio as ever met and with 
 matters of the most momentous importance for deliberation, 
 we now turn our attention to the subject of the National 
 finances. 
 
 On the 1st of July, 1864, Mr. Chase, Secretary of the 
 Treasury, resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. Fessenden, 
 who continued in office till March, 1865. The financial 
 policy was unchanged. At the commencement of the war 
 the treasury was nearly empty, and the expenses of Govern- 
 ment would require three hundred and nineteen millions to 
 defray expenses. The Congress of 1861, authorized the 
 Secretary of the Treasury to borrow two hundred and fifty 
 millions of dollars, by the issue of bonds to be redeemable 
 in twenty years, also to issue fifty million dollars in seven 
 and three tenths per cent. Treasury notes, payable in three 
 years, and of United States notes without interest, payable 
 on demand. Twenty millions were to be levied by a direct 
 tax, and the customs were to be increased. The difficulty 
 was now, to find purchasers for the United States bonds. 
 Had the war been a foreign one, any amount of money 
 3ould have been borrowed abroad. The only pian was to 
 make it a people's loan. Agencies were established in the 
 principal cities, to receive subscriptions. Ona of tb* moot
 
 THE NATIONAL FINANCK. 498 
 
 patriotic, energetic, and successful during the war, in obtain- 
 ing the subscriptions which gave the Government the means 
 of meeting its enormous expenditures, was Jay Oooke, of 
 Philadelphia, who proved a benefactor of his country iu 
 her time of need. In the beginning of 1862, only fifty 
 millions of dollars of paper money had been issued. The 
 tax of twenty millions afforded no revenue, while the expen- 
 ditures were now increased to the enormous sum of two 
 millions daily. Congress, laboring under the supposition of 
 the speedy termination of the war, was only anxious to 
 meet present wants. On the last of February, 1863, the 
 Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to issue one 
 hundred and fifty millions of dollars in notes, of such denom- 
 inations, but not less than five dollars, as he desired. The 
 interest of the public debt was to be paid in coin, and 
 customs also were to be paid for in the same. To get at 
 the great amount of wealth usually employed in trade, but 
 now locked up, the Secretary was authorized to receive 
 twenty millions on deposit, to be paid on ten days' notice, 
 and to bear interest at five per cent., payable in gold. The 
 amount was quickly taken, and Congress authorized the 
 reception of one hundred millions, the interest of which was 
 payable in paper. Internal taxation was now resorted to, 
 and by an excise law, taxes were levied on all incomes 
 exceeding six hundred dollars; under this law, stamp duties 
 were to be paid on all transactions and legal demands, and 
 a three per cent, tax on all manufactures. The expenditures 
 for the fiscal year of 1863, were estimated at $693,346.321, 
 not including the public debt of $95,212,456. The calling 
 out of six hundred thousand men swelled the expenditures, 
 and Congress made an appropriation of $882,238,800. To 
 raise this amount, the Secretary was authorized to issue five 
 hundred millions of dollars of six per cent, stock, redeemable 
 in five to twenty years, and an issue of notes for one hundred 
 millions, which could be exchanged at par for the stock. 
 Fractional notes under a dollar, to any amount, made up the 
 balance. Gold, this year reached the extraordinary figuro 
 of one hundred and seventy-two and one half per cent, 
 premium. When Congress again met, the debt amounted 
 to fourteen hundred millions of dollars. To meet the 
 immediate outlay, the Secretary was authorized, at the 
 beginning of the actual year, to issue one hundred millions
 
 494 THE 1TJ * 9NAL FINANCES. 
 
 of dollars of papo- money. I've hundred million dollar! 
 six per cent, bonds were also authorized to be issued, re- 
 deemable within forty, but not until after ten years ; and an 
 issue of four hundred million of dollars of notes, in denomi- 
 nations of ten and upward to be legal tenders, bearing six 
 per cent, compound interest in papev, and redeemable in 
 three years ; also one hundred and fifty million more, into 
 which the smaller interest bearing notes coulu be converted. 
 The National Banking Law was passed, which authorized 
 banks in all the States, secured in Government bonds, to 
 circulate notes redeemable in Government paper. This law, 
 though attended with many difficulties, gave the great advan- 
 tage of a uniform currency. The total amount of revenue 
 from all sources, for the fiscal year of 186-1, was $888,082,128, 
 to meet an expenditure above $895,000,000. At the 
 close of the fiscal year, gold went up to two hundred and 
 ninety. The public debt, in March 1865, amounted to 
 $2,423,437,000. This brief epitome may tend to show the 
 immense sums expended, to bring ba 3k misguided citizen* 
 to their allegiance, and will ae^Te to exhibit the coy.', of the 
 Great Rebellion.
 
 CHAPTER XL VII. 
 
 FEBBUARY MAY, 1866. 
 
 BKTWETiJC ORJNT AND SHERMAN STONEMAN'S 5AI9- PRBPA- 
 
 RATIONS BY OANBT AGAINST MOBILE SHERIDAN'S RAID IN THK SHENAJt- 
 
 DOAH VALLEY Aifl AROUND RICHMOND TO WHITK HOUSE GRANT'S PLA1I 
 
 TO MOVE ROUND THE REBEL FLANS REBRL ATTACK ON FORT STEADMAN 
 
 SHERMAN RETURNS TO THE ARMY GRANT'S MOVEMENT BATTLE OF 
 
 FIVE FORKS GRAND ATTACK ON THE ENKMY's LINES PETERSBURG AH1I 
 
 RICHMOND EVACUATED LEE RETREATS TOWARD DANVILLE THE PURSU11 
 
 WEITZEL ENTERS RICHMOND LEE PRESSED GRANT DEMANDS HIS SUR- 
 RENDER THK CAPITULATION SHERMAN RETURNS TO HIS ARMY RE- 
 CEIVES THE NEWS OF THE FALL OF PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND HI 
 
 MOVES ON RALEIGH SHERMAN'S INTERVIEW WITP JOHNSTON THK 
 
 ARMISTICE STONEMAN'S RAID PRESIDENT LINCOLN ASSASSINATED 
 HIS OBSEQUIES THE CONSPIRATORS TRIED, CONVICTED, AND EXECUTED 
 CAPTURE OF MOBILE WILSON'S CAVALRY EXPEDITION GRAND RK- 
 VIEW AT WASHINGTON THE TROOPS DISBANDED. 
 
 GENERALS GRANT and Sherman had an interview, in 
 arhich the grave matters connected with the overthrow of 
 ihe Confederacy, and the death of the monster rebellion 
 were duly considered. General Sherman had been excluded 
 from almost all communication with the outer world since 
 the beginning of February, and was now informed of the 
 plans both of the past and future, with which General Grant 
 designed to finish his great work. 
 
 When the march was made into South Carolina, General 
 Grant had ordered General Thomas to send Stonernan 
 thither with a cavalry force, for the purpose of destroying 
 the railroads, and all the resources which could aid the 
 enemy ; but Sherman was half across the State before 
 Stoneman could start, and on the last of February, Grant 
 ordered the latter, with five thousand cavalry, to be sent east 
 to destroy the railroad toward Lynchburg, in which work 
 he was now engaged. 
 
 General Canby was preparing to take Mobile, and Thomas 
 was to send a cavalry force of ten thousand men from East- 
 port, Mississippi, into Alabama, to co-operate with him, 
 while another body of cavalry, some eight thousand strong, 
 wao., at the same time, to move east from Vicksburg, for tht
 
 496 SHERIDAN'S ORKAT RAID. 
 
 same purpose. If successful, these operations would, with 
 others carried ' D elsewhere, le*v e the rebellion without a 
 prop. 
 
 Meanwhile, General Sheridan's glorious campaign in the 
 Shenandoah valley was ended, and General Grant, on the 
 20th of February, ordered him to advance on Lynchburg 
 as soon as the state of the roads permitU d, and after the 
 destruction of the railroad and canal near ii, to join General 
 Sherman, whose cavalry force was outnumbered by that cf 
 the enemy. 
 
 Sheridan, on the 27th, left Winchester with ten thousand 
 cavalry, and moving rapidly, secured, on the 29th, tho 
 bridge over the northern fork of the Shenandoah, at Mount 
 Crawford, and on the 30th, entered Staunton. Though Loe 
 had been reinforced, as we have already narrated, with 
 nearly all the troops in the valley, Early was still at Staun- 
 ton with a moderate force, and now, on the approach of the 
 Unionists, fell back and intrenched at Waynesboro. Sheri- 
 dan, having arrived in front of the Confederates, without the 
 trouble of a reconnoissance, rushed upon them. The bugles 
 rang out the spirit-stirring notes, the hostile position was 
 swept like a tornado, and the capture effected of sixteen 
 hundred prisoners, eleven pieces of artillery, with their 
 horses and caissons, two hundred loaded wagons, and seven- 
 teen battle flags. 
 
 The prisoners were sent back to Winchester, and the 
 victorious Sheridan, after destroying the railroad and 
 bridges in his route, moved on, and reached Charlotte on 
 the 3d of March. Here he halted two days, to destroy the 
 railroad and bridges toward Lynchburg and Eichmond, and 
 wait until his trains should come up ; but the Confederates, 
 having had time to prepare for the defence of the place, ne 
 now abandoned the design of its capture. On the 6th, he 
 moved his troops in two columns, one of which advanced 
 to Scottsville, and thence moved up the James to New 
 Market, destroying the locks, and in many places the banks 
 of the canal. A force was sent from this point to secure 
 the bridge at Duigidsville, which the enemy, anticipating 
 the movement, burned. 
 
 The other column moved down the railroad and destroyed 
 it to a point within sixteen miles of Lynchburg. The 
 spring floods had swollen the river, the pontoons would not
 
 BKBKL ATTACK ON FORT 8TI ADMAN. 497 
 
 reach across, and the bridge, having been barned by the 
 enemy on their retreat, Sheridan was unable to join Sher- 
 man. He now, therefore, determined to move around Rich- 
 mond on the north side, and reaching White House, put 
 himself in communication with Grant. On the 10th, he 
 concentrated his troops at Columbia, from which point he 
 sent scouts to inform General Grant of his plans, and also 
 desiring supplies to be sent to White House. The scouta 
 arrived on the 13th, and Grant sent an infantry force to 
 hold White House. Sheridan was now approaching the 
 rebel capital, causing great alarm to its population. A 
 strong force was sent out to cut him off, but turning to the 
 left he crossed the North and South Anna rivers, and 
 moving down the north bank of the Pamunkey, arrived a. 
 the White House on the 27th, and joined the army of the 
 Potomac; on the same day (the 27th) Sherman visited 
 Grant. It was very important, at this time, that the South 
 side and Danville railroads should be destroyed, as General 
 Grant foresaw that by this route Lee would retreat to join 
 Johnston, in case of evacuating Richmond. He now re- 
 solved to send Sheridan on this mission, around the enemy's 
 left. The 29th of March was appointed for this movement, 
 and two corps were to support the cavalry, and attempt to 
 flank the hostile position at Petersburg ; but an unexpected 
 battle occurred on the 27th, by an attack in which the 
 enemy carried Fort Steadman, in front of the ninth corps. 
 The assault was made so suddenly, that the fort was at once 
 carried, and its guns turned on the Union troops. Three 
 mortar batteries near it were also captured. The Union 
 troops held their position firmly on each wing, while Hart- 
 ran ft 's division moved up to assist Wilcox in driving tho 
 rebels out of the captured works, from which they retired 
 as the Union artillery made the place untenable, and many 
 of them, dreading to retreat under a fire so destructive, laid 
 down their arms. Nineteen hundred prisoners were cap- 
 tured by the Union troops, whose loss was nine hundred 
 and nineteen. 
 
 General Meade ordered an advance of the other corps, to 
 feel the enemy's line in front, and the result was the 
 capture, in front of the Second and Sixth corps, of eight 
 hundred and thirty-four prisoners. The time for a decided 
 movement had now arrived, and the days of the Coufed-
 
 498 GRANT'S INSTRUCTIONS TO SHMIDUT. 
 
 eracy were already numbered. The two commander*, 
 Generals Grant and Sherman, in consultation, agreed that the 
 hitter should return to his army, and making a feint up the 
 Neuse river upon Raleigh, move rapidly north to the lino 
 of the Roanoke. Grant knew that on the approach of 
 Sherman to this river, the rebel chieftain would at on t 
 evacuate Richmond. Fearing lest, after the evacuation of 
 Petersburg, Lee would escape, and join Johnston, Grant no* 
 resolved to carry out his original plan, of the movement 
 on the Danville railroad. Accordingly, on the night of 
 the 27th, he sent two divisions of Ord's corps, commanded by 
 General Gibbon, and one of the Twenty-fifth corps, under 
 Birney, together with McKensie's cavalry, to Hatcher's Run. 
 General Sheridan received the following instructions : " The 
 Fifth army corps will move by the Vaughn road, at three A. M. 
 to-morrow morning. The Second moves at about nine A. 
 M. having but about three miles to march to rea ;h the point 
 designated for it to take on the right of the Fifth corps, 
 after the latter reaching Dinwiddie Court House. Move 
 rour cavalry at as early an hour as you can, and without 
 being confined to any particular road or roads ; you may go 
 out by the nearest roads in rear of the Fifth corps, pass by 
 its left, and passing near to or through Dinwiddie, reach 
 the right and rear of the enemy, as soon as you can. It is 
 oot the intention to attack the enemy in his intrenched 
 position, but to force him out if possible. Should he come 
 out and attack us, or get himself where he can be attacked, 
 move in with your entire force, in your own way, and with 
 the full reliance that the army will engage or follow, as 
 circumstarces will dictate. I shall be on the field, and will 
 probably be able to communicate with you. Should I not 
 do so, and you find that the enemy keeps within his main 
 intrenched line, you may cut loose, and push for the 
 Danville road. If you find it practicable, I would like you 
 to cross the South Side road, between Petersburg and 
 Burkesville, and destroy it to some extent. I would not 
 advise much detention, however, until you reach the Dan- 
 ville road, which I would like you to strike as near to the 
 Appomattox as possible. Make your destruction on that 
 road as complete as possible ; you can then pass to the South 
 Side road west of Burkesville, and destroy that in like 
 manner After having accomplished the destruction of the
 
 ATTACK ON THE ENEMY'S LIXES 499 
 
 two railroads, which are now the only avenues of supply to 
 Leo's army, you may return to this army, selecting your 
 road further south, or you may go on into North Carolinaj 
 and join General Sherman. Should you select the latter 
 course, get the information to me as early as possible, so 
 that 1 may send orders to meet you at Goldsboro. (Signed) 
 0". S. Grant, Lieutenant-General." 
 
 Tha movement began on the morning of the 29th 
 Sheriaan moved round the rebel right, and reached Din- 
 widdie Court House, that night, the left of the infantry line 
 extending to the point near which the Quaker road joins 
 the Boydtown plank road. Sheridan was on the extreme 
 left, and next him, in succession, were Warren, Humphreys, 
 Ord, Wright, and Parke. 
 
 General Grant seemed now to be able to reach the enemy's 
 flank, and sent word to Sheridan, not to cut loose, and 
 operate against the railroads. " I now feel," said he, " like 
 ending the matter, if it is possible to do so before going back. 
 We will act together as one army here, until it is seen what 
 can be done with the enemy." 
 
 The next day, rain fell so copiously as to render it im- 
 possible for artillery or trains to proceed. Sheridan, however, 
 moved toward Five Forks, and Warren found the enemy 
 in force on the White Oak road. General Grant's intention 
 was at this juncture to give Sheridan a corp of infantry to 
 move round the enemy's flank, and when this was done, to 
 assault the front with the other corps. On the morning of 
 the 31st, Sheridan obtained possession of the Five Forks, 
 and Warren moved up to seize the White Oak road. The 
 enemy attacked Ayres' division, and drove it back, while 
 Crawford next had to retire on the third division under 
 Bell, where the progress of the enemy was arrested. War- 
 ren, having been reinforced by a division of the second 
 corps, reformed his line, and repulsing the enemy with 
 great loss, gained possession of the White Oak road. 
 
 The Confederates, in great force, now drove Sheridan 
 from the Five Forks back to Dinwiddie Court House. The 
 latter general deployed his cavalry on foot, which caused 
 the enemy to do the same, and being reinforced by McKen- 
 sie's cavalry, a division of the fifth corps, and, later, by the 
 other two of the fifth, Sheridan resumed the offensive next 
 morning, and moving again on Five Forks drove the enanxy
 
 600 WKITZEL ENTERS RICHMOND. 
 
 into their in trench ments. The fifth corps advancing, routed 
 the enemy, and Merritt assaulting the hostile works, carried 
 them at several points. The Confederates, driven from 
 their intrenchments, were completely routed, their artillery 
 captured and turned upon them, and upward of six thou- 
 sand prisoners captured. General Warren was here super- 
 seded, and his command given to General Griffin. General 
 Giant now ordered Miles' division of Humphrey's corps to 
 move rapidly and reinforce General Sheridan, and the ene 
 iny's lines were bombarded continuously during the night. 
 In a general assault, next morning, the army swept on, and 
 General Wright forced the line in his front, capturing many 
 guns, and several thousand prisoners. Ord's two divisions, 
 and his other remaining ones, which had forced the enemy's 
 lines at Hatcher's Run, now joined, and the two corps closed 
 the enemy on the side next them, in Petersburg. General 
 Parke carried the main line in his front, and partly captured 
 two strong works, south of Petersburg. The lines were now 
 shortened, and strengthened. The battle raged fiercely 
 from right to left, and on Sunday, April 2d, affairs were 
 rapidly approaching a crisis. In a desperate combat of 
 Hill's corps, to regain Fo^t Mahone, General Hill was killed, 
 and Sheridan coming up on the left, and rear, the enemy 
 fled in dismay with the loss of their guns, and a large num- 
 ber of prisoners. Richmond and Petersburg were both 
 evacuated that night, and the rebel president, Jefferson Davis, 
 fled toward Danville. On Monday General Weitzel, with 
 that portion of the Army of the James (partly composed of 
 colored troops) under his command, on the north side of the 
 James river, entered Richmond triumphantly, capturing 
 one thousand prisoners, and five hundred pieces of artillery. 
 The two armies, meanwhile, had a race for Burke's Station, 
 which Grant reached first. It is fifty-three miles from 
 Petersburg. 
 
 On the 6th of April, Sheridan found that Lee, who could 
 aot advance by railroad, was attempting to get round him 
 to the west, and he at once moved out . to strike him in 
 flank, followed by the Sixtb. corps. 
 
 The Second and Fifth corps were pressing Lee in the rear 
 BO closely, as to compel him to abandon his wagons and 
 artillery. He appeared to have the intention of striking the 
 railroad at Farmville, and General Ord now moved toward
 
 GRANT DEMANDS THE SURRENDER OF LEI. 501 
 
 that point. Two infantry regiments, under General Read, 
 which were hurried forward to destroy the bridges and do- 
 tain the foe, encountered the head of Lee's column near that 
 place, and, in a gallant assault, checked it till the gallant 
 Read was killed, and his little force overcome. General 
 Ord now came up with the rest of the corps, and the enemy 
 intrenched. On the same afternoon, a little behind this 
 place, Sheridan assaulted the enemy, and captured sixteen 
 guns and four hundred wagons. On the arrival of the Sixth 
 corps, in a general attack, over six thousand Confederates, 
 were captured, among whom were Generals Ewell and 
 Custis. Lee was now pursued toward the west, with every 
 avenue of escape closed. General Grant arrived at Farm- 
 ville, and sent him a note, dated April the 7th. in which 
 he alluded to the events of the past week as affording 
 conviction of the uselessness of any further resistance 
 on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia. He further 
 stated that he regarded it as his duty to shift from himself 
 the responsibility of further effusion of blood, by asking a 
 surrender of that part of the Confederate States' army. 
 Early on the morning of the 8th, General Lee replied that, 
 though not entertaining the opinion of the hopelessness of 
 further resistance, he desired to avoid the further effusion 
 of blood, and wished, before a consideration of General 
 Grant's proposal, to ask the terms on which a surrender 
 would be received. Grant immediately replied : 
 
 "GENERAL: Your note of last evening, in reply to mine 
 of same date, asking the condition on which I will accept 
 the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, is just re- 
 ceived. In reply, I would say that peace being my great 
 desire, there is but one condition I would insist upon 
 namely : that the men and officers surrendered, should ba 
 disqualified for taking up arms against the Government of 
 the United States, until properly exchanged. I will meet 
 you, or will designate officers to meet any officers you may 
 name for the same purpose, at any point agreeable to you, 
 for the purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon which 
 the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia will be 
 received. 
 
 " U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-general 
 R. K.
 
 602 THE CAPITULATION. 
 
 The pursuit was issumed early on the 8th. Genera, 
 Meade followed the Appomattox, and General Sheridan 
 with all the cavaliy, moved direct on Appomattox- Station, 
 followed by Ord's command and the Fifth corps. The rear 
 guard of the enemy and Meade's advance had considera- 
 ble fighting during the day, but no general engagement 
 resulted. Sheridan, late in the evening, drove the enemy 
 from Appomattox Station, with the loss of twenty -five guns 
 a hospital train, and four cars loaded with army supplies 
 About midnight (on the 8th), General Grant received a com- 
 munication from Lee, stating that he did not think that the 
 emergency had arisen for the surrender of his army, but as 
 he desired peace, wanted to know whether Grant's proposals 
 would lead to that end, and would like to meet him at ten 
 A. M. next day, on the old stage road to Richmond, between 
 the two armies. On the 9th of April, Grant laid down as 
 the conditions of peace, the cessation of hostilities on the 
 part of the South. On the morning of that day, General 
 Ord's command, and the Fifth corps, arrived at Appomattox 
 Station, while the enemy were using desperate efforts to 
 break through the Union cavalry. The Federal infantry 
 were at once thrown in, and a white flag soon after appeared 
 from General Lee to desire that hostilities should cease. 
 While negotiations for a surrender were pending, an inter- 
 view was held, on the 9th, between the generals at Appo- 
 mattox Court House, in which the conditions agreed upon 
 were substantially the same as stated in General Grant's 
 first letter, as before mentioned. All public property was 
 to be turned over to the United States, and the officers were 
 to retain their side arms, private horses, and baggage. The 
 rebel army had been reduced in the last few days by the 
 loss of thirty thousand men, and many, also, had straggled 
 oft Less than twenty thousand now remained to surrender. 
 
 Great joy arose throughout the army, and the whole coun- 
 try was filled with delight at the news of the capitulation 
 This was followed by that of most of the troops in the 
 Slier. andoah Valley, including the guerilla band of Mosby, 
 who surrendered his command on the 17th. 
 
 General Sherman prepared to move on his return to 
 Goldsboro, and was ready on the 10th of April, the day on 
 which Lee surrendered. He was about moving his army 
 toward Roanoke, when the news reached him of the fall of
 
 SURBEXDEB OF GENERAL JOHNSTON. 503 
 
 Petersburg and Richmond. His plans required to be 
 changed, for at the same time that the tidings arrived, there 
 came a despatch from General Grant, dated April 5th, in 
 which the hopelessness of Lee's army was alluded to, with 
 die addition that he (Sherman) should push on, and thus 
 Lee's and Johnston's armies might be crushed at the same 
 ime. General Sherman now wheeled his army toward 
 Raleigh, forced the enemy back, and destroyed the bridges 
 .m his route. He had marched two days, and on the third, 
 urivoJ. the news of Lee's surrender. The army was wild 
 with joy, and General Sherman exclaimed, "Glory to God, 
 and our glorious country I" The army encamped within 
 fourteen miles of Raleigh, and Sherman next day entered 
 the city. 
 
 On the 15th of April, General Johnston, having heard of 
 Lee's surrender, sent General Sherman a letter in order to 
 see if some arrangement could not be made to save the effu- 
 sion of blood. Sherman replied that he was willing to hear 
 any terms which he proposed. Johnston then requested a 
 personal interview, and in a meeting next day on the road, 
 the two chieftains cordially shook hands, and entered an 
 adjoining farm house for consultation. On Sherman refusing 
 an armistice for four days, the next day was appointed for a 
 meeting to arrange the terms of surrender. General John 
 C. Breckinridge, the rebel Secretary of War, was present at 
 the interview, and suggested that it would be to the interest 
 of al 1 concerned to adopt some basis of peace. Both parties 
 signed a memorandum contemplating this, and hostilities 
 were suspended until the Government at Washington should 
 ratify or reject the measure. The memorandum was rejected 
 by the President and Cabinet, and General Sherman was 
 o/dered to resume hostilities immediately, unless General 
 Johnston should surrender on the same terms as had beer 
 accepted by General Lee. Meanwhile, General Grant pro 
 ceeded to North Carolina, to direct affairs in person. When 
 Johnston was informed of the decision made by the Govern 
 ment, he surrendered his immediate command, and all the 
 rebel forces between hin> and the Chattahoochee, on the 
 game terras as were granted Lee. Many of the Confederate 
 soldiers had left for their homes during the armistice, and 
 on the 26th of April, the day on which the surrender waa 
 made, only twenty-seven thousand men remained to lay
 
 604 PRESIDENT LINCOLN 1 SSASSIJTLTID. 
 
 down their arms. The artillery thus captured, amounted 
 to one hundred and eight pieces. Before the surrender, 
 Johnston's army had been placed in imminent peril. 
 
 General Stoneman, leaving Knoxville on the 20th of 
 March, moved rapidly, passed Boone, North Carolina, 
 and struck the railroad at Wytheville, Chambersburg, and 
 Big Lick. Part of the column nearly reached Lynchburg 
 The main body broke up the railroad between New rivsr 
 and Big Lick, and then wheeled off to Greensboro, burning 
 the bridges on the way to Danville, and between Greena- 
 boro and the Yadkin, destroying the rebel depots of supplies, 
 and capturing four hundred prisoners. Stoneman, crossing 
 the Yadkin, then moved on Salisbury, where he attacked aad 
 defeated General Gardiner, with the loss of fourteen pieces 
 of artillery, and one thousand three hundred and sixty-foar 
 prisoners. He was now only one hundred miles fron? 
 Raleigh, on the line of Johnston's supplies, and that on 
 which he would retreat. After destroying the rebel stores, 
 and fifteen miles of the railroad toward Charlotte, he pio- 
 ceeded to Statesville so completely had General Grant kid 
 his plans, in order to make the campaign decisive. 
 
 While these victories were filling the nation with univi r 
 sal rejoicings, it was destined to be overwhelmed with the 
 deepest grief almost at the same moment, by the assassination, 
 on the night of the 14th of April, of Abraham Lincoln, 
 President of the United States. In company with his wife, 
 he was taking some relaxation from the busy cares of State, 
 at Ford's Theatre, in Washington, when John Wilkes Booth, 
 a play actor, rushing into the private box, shot him in the 
 back of the head, jumped on the stage and brandishing a dag- 
 ger, cried " Sic semper tyrannis" and then made his escape by 
 a side door. The assassin was afterwards pursued, an immense 
 reward being offered by the nation for his capture, and in 
 less than two weeks from the date of the foul deed, waa 
 traced up to a barn, in which he had taken refuge. Refusing 
 to deliver himself up to his pursuers, and preferring death 
 rather than capture, he was shot by Sergeant Boston 
 Corbett, and survived but an hour. 
 
 The funeral rites of the martyred President were cele- 
 brated at the Executive Mansion, on the 19th of April, and 
 the remains lay in state in the Capitol till the 2 1st, when 
 they were conveyed to Springfield, Illinois. The whole
 
 THE CONSPIRATORS TRIED AND CONVICTID. 606 
 
 nation went into mourning, and this good man, universally 
 lamented as a true patriot, and possessed of an honest and 
 upright principle of action, will be held in cherished memory 
 of the American people forever. 
 
 On the same night that President Lincoln was assassin 
 ated, Mr. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, while sick 
 in bed, was attacked by another assassin, and dangerously 
 wounded. He afterwards recovered. Hia son, the Assistant 
 Secretary, was also nearly assassinated at the same time 
 Booth had many accomplices, who on the 10th of May were 
 arrested, and tried by a military tribunal. The trial lasted 
 two months, and unveiled a plot to murder Mr. Lincoln, Mr. 
 Seward, General Grant, and others. Harrold, Payne, Atze- 
 roth, and Mrs. Surratt, were found guilty of murder, and 
 hung in Washington on the 7th of July. Dr. Mudd, Arnold, 
 and O'Laughlin, were sentenced to imprisonment for life, 
 and Spangler to six years imprisonment at hard labor. 
 
 A few hours after the death of Mr. Lincoln, Andrew 
 Johnson, the Vice President, was installed into the ofikse 
 thus rendered vacant. 
 
 As Sherman was moving on Goldsboro, on the 20th cf 
 March, Canby was beginning his movements against Mo- 
 bile, in the bay of which many light-draught vessels were 
 collected to enable the naval force to co-operate with the 
 land forces. General A. J. Smith proceeded with his troops 
 from Fort Gaines to Fish river by water, and was there 
 joined by Granger and the Thirteenth corps from For. 
 Morgan, while Steele with his command also joined them 
 by a march across from Pensacola, destroying in his route 
 the railroad from Tensas to Montgomery. The army 
 marched up on the east side of the bay. Spanish Fort and 
 Fort Blakeley prevented the approach of the gunboats to 
 Mobile. The first was to be captured by a combined attack, 
 naval and military. The naval forces were to engage the 
 water batteries, while the land forces assailed the works in 
 the rear. The heavy siege guns being brought up, on the 
 4th of April the bombardment commenced. Another bom- 
 bardment was ordered on the 8th, to be followed by a gen- 
 eral assault at five o'clock, P. M. After a terrible fire for 
 three hours, two brigades of Carr's division, charging in a 
 fierce assault, scaled the rampart with cheers and took poa 
 eaeion of three hundred yards of the works, in which thej 
 41
 
 60$ CAPTURE OF MOBIL1. 
 
 secured themselves IL .rder to finish the conquest at day 
 light ; but the garrison, at one o'clock, A. M., capitulated 
 On the same day, General Steele assaulted Fort Blakely, 
 four miles north of the other fort and twelve miles from 
 Mobile. The despatch announcing the fall of Petersburg 
 and Richmond, and the flight of Lee, was read to the troops 
 with the orders for the assault. Cheers rent the air, and 
 the gallant troops moved forward to the fight, tho brunt of 
 which was borne by General Garrard's division. Under a 
 terrible fire, the troops, for an hour, removed obstructions 
 while torpedoes were bursting under their feet nearly every 
 minute. The obstructions were removed, and the troops, 
 with a shout, leaped the ditch and scaled the works those 
 of Colonel Rinneken and General Gilbert entering at once, 
 and the colored troops of Hawkins behaving with great gal- 
 lantry. The national flag floated on the ramparts at seven 
 o'clock, p. M. The Union loss was one thousand ; that of 
 the enemy five hundred, with three thousand prisoners, 
 four thousand stand of arms, and thirty-two pieces of ar- 
 tillery. Two days were now spent in removing torpedoes 
 by the navy, and in reconnoissances by the land forces. The 
 troops were moving on Mobile, on the 12th, when a signal 
 indicated its evacuation by the enemy. 
 
 Of the Union fleet, two heavy iron -clad vessels, two tin 
 clads, and a transport, were destroyed by torpedoes. The 
 cotal loss before the place was two thousand soldiers and 
 fifty seamen. Four hundred pieces of artillery were cap- 
 tured from the enemy. In connection with the movement 
 against Mobile, was General Wilson's raid east from Vicks- 
 burg with twelve thousand five hundred cavalry. After a 
 delay from rains, on the 22d of March he moved from Chick- 
 asaw, Alabama, and on the 1st of April, encountering the 
 rebels under Forrest at Ebenezer Church, routed them , with 
 the loss of three hundred prisoners and three guns. The 
 centre bridge over the Cahawba was destroyed, and Wilson, 
 next day, attacked and captured the fortified city of Selma, 
 again routing Forrest, who had seven thousand men, and 
 thirty two guns. The arsenal, armory, naval foundry, machine 
 shops, and a vast quantity of stores, were destroyed, and 
 three thousand prisoners captured. Wilson also captured and 
 destroyed Tuscaloosa on the 4th of April, and on the 10th, 
 crossed the Alabama river. On the 14th, he occupied Alabama,
 
 COLLAPSE OF THK CONFEDERACY. 60* 
 
 where many stores, and five steamboats fell into his hands 
 On the 16th, Columbus and West Point were assaulted and 
 captured. At the former place, the patriots took fifteen 
 hundred prisoners and fifty-two field guns; they also 
 destroyed two gunboats, the navy yard, foundries, arsenal 
 stores, and much public property. At West Point, three 
 hundred prisoners, four guns, and nineteen locomotives 
 were captured, and three hundred cars destroyed. On 
 the 20th, Macon, Georgia, was taken, together with sixty 
 field guns, one thousand two hundred militia, and five 
 generals, surrendered by General Howell Cobb. 
 
 General Wilson, on the 10th of May, captured, at Irwins- 
 ville, Jefferson Davis, President of the " Confederacy." Thia 
 was one of the most remarkable raids during the war, but 
 created little excitement after the surrender of the great 
 armies. On the 4th of May, Dick Taylor surrendered, to 
 General Canby, all the rebel forces which remained east of 
 the Mississippi. Kirby Smith, west of that river, surren- 
 dered to General Canby on the 26th of May, and in Novem- 
 ber, the pirate Shenandoah surrendered to an English man- 
 of- war in the Mersey. Thus quickly, with the fall of Lee's 
 and Johnston's armies, the mighty rebellion collapsed. The 
 war was ended, and the reign of peace once more began. 
 
 The two great armies of Grant and Sherman were re- 
 viewed in Washington on the 23d and 24th of May, in the 
 presence of the newly inaugurated President, the Cabinet^ 
 and the foreign Ministers. It was a magnificent spectacle, 
 but not more so than the disbandment peacefully of these 
 powerful legions, who retired each to his family circle and 
 friends, secure and happy under the old flag, and once more 
 in the enjoyment of those blessings of peace showered on 
 the nation by a beneficent Providence. 
 
 " The Union must and shall be preserved."
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 or 
 
 CHE PRINCIPAL ACTORS IN THE GREAT CIVIL WiB 
 
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN was born in Kentucky, on 
 the 12th of February, 1809. His parents removed in 1816 to 
 Indiana, where he first used " his axe to clear the forest." Ii 
 removed in 1830 to Decatur, Illinois, and in 1834 was elected 
 to the Legislature, and re-elected in 1836 and 1838. He 
 was admitted to the bar in 1836, and in 1837 removed to 
 Springfield. In 1844, he canvassed the State for Henry 
 Clay, and in 1846 was elected to Congress, as representative. 
 In 1849, he was a candidate for United States Senator; in 
 1856, he received one hundred and ten votes of the Republi- 
 can Convention for Vice-President, and in 1858 was nomi- 
 nated for United States Senator, but was defeated by Stephen 
 A. Douglas by eight majority. In May, 1860, he was nomi- 
 nated for the Presidency, to which, on the 6th of Frebruary, 
 1861, he was elected by one hundred and eighty out of 
 ,hree hundred and three electoral votes. His inauguration 
 took place March 4th, 1861. The capture, on the 14th of 
 April in that year, of Fort Sumter, began the war. Presi- 
 dent Lincoln, not dreaming of the magnitude of the strug- 
 gle thus inaugurated, called for only seventy-five thousand 
 men for three months, and summoned Congress in extra 
 session for July 4th. On the 22d of September, 1862, he 
 issued his preliminary proclamation, declaratory of his inten- 
 tion of proclaiming free all slaves in the rebel States, on the 
 1st of January, 1863. In January, 1864, he appointed 
 Major-general Grant lieutenant-general, and the latter now 
 directed the^novements of all the armies of the United States. 
 
 The victoiies of Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Farragut, 
 and other great commanders, had led to the fall of Peters- 
 burg and Richmond in the spring of 1865, and they wera 
 followed by Lee's surrender. The day after the occupation 
 of Richmond, Mr. Lincoln entered it, and after spending a 
 day there, returned to City Point, thence to Washington, 
 where on the 14th of April he was assassinated at Ford's 
 (506)
 
 MAJOR -GENERAL W1NFIELD SCOTT. 509 
 
 theatre. He died at a little j.fter seven o'clock, A. if., on tha 
 15th, lamented by the nation as an upright and honest man, 
 a pure patriot, the friend of the people, and one beloved by 
 his countrymen. 
 
 " The inflexible integrity of Mr. Lincoln has imprinted 
 itself upon the heart, and the history of the American peo- 
 ple, in that familiar, but honorable epithet, 'Honest Abe. 
 Ilia was not simply a commercial honesty, in dollars and 
 cents, but honesty in opinion, honesty in speech, honesty 
 of purpose, honesty in action. When about to assume the 
 grave responsibilities of the Presidency, he said to his fel- 
 low citizens, ' I promise you that I bring to the work a sin- 
 cere heart Whether I will bring a head equal to the heart 
 will be for future ages to determine.' " 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT was born 
 in Petersburg, Virginia, June 13th, 1786. He was educated 
 at William and Mary College, Virginia, and studied the 
 profession of law. After some years of practice in his pro- 
 fession he became a captain in the light artillery, at Baton 
 Rouge, Louisiana, in the division under General Wilkinson. 
 For some free remarks respecting his superior officer he 
 was suspended, and returning to his native State, studied 
 his profession diligently for a year. In July, 1812, soon 
 after the outbreak of the war with England, he was appoin- 
 ted Lieutenant-colonel and sent to the Canadian frontier. 
 He participated in the battle of Queenstown, where he was 
 taken prisoner. 
 
 Being shortly afterward exchanged, he acted as adjutant- 
 general, under General Dearborn, with the rank of colonel, 
 and commanded the surf boats in the combined land and 
 naval attacks on Fort George, May the 27th, 1813. In this en- 
 gagement he was seriously injured. 
 
 When, in the autumn of 1813, General Wilkinson de- 
 scended the St. Lawrence in an expedition against Montreal, 
 Scott led the advance. He was made a brigadier-general 
 in the spring of 1814, and having joined a camp of instruc- 
 tion at Buffalo, introduced the French tactics. The effi- 
 ciency of his command became soon apparent. In conjunc- 
 tion with General Ripley, he crossed the Niagara river on 
 July 3d, 1814, and captured Fort Erie and part of its ganri- 
 on. Moving on Chippewa, next day, and skirmishing aU
 
 510 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 the way, to the position of Riall, the British general, on the 
 6th, the battle of Chippewa was fought, resulting in the de- 
 feat of the enernj. Twenty days after was fought the bat 
 tie of Lundy's Lai e, in which Scott was severely wounded, 
 and had two horses shot under him. On the close of the 
 war, he declined a seat in the cabinet, and was promoted to 
 major-general. He was sent to Europe in a capacity both 
 military and diplomatic, and arrived in France shortly after 
 the battle of Waterloo. 
 
 Several military works from his pen were found instruc- 
 tive and important, and were introduced into the army of 
 the United States. He participated in the war with the 
 Indians in 1832, and captured the head chief Black Hawk. 
 In the same year, the Nullification troubles in South Caro- 
 lina required great prudence in the commanders of the 
 forces in the harbor of Charleston, and, in this capacity, 
 Scott was conspicuous for boldness, decision, and energy. 
 He commanded in the Seminole war in 1835-1842. 
 
 The troubles in the Cherokee country, in 1838, were 
 successfully terminated through his influence. The Cana- 
 dian rebellion, in 1837, threatened our amicable relations 
 with Great Britain, and in the spring of 1839, through the 
 influence of General Scott, the boundary- question was ad- 
 justed, and finally settled in 1842 by treaty. On the death 
 of General Macomb, in 1841, General Scott became comman- 
 der-in-chief of the army of the United States. In the war 
 with Mexico, the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, 
 Contreras, Cherubusco, Chapultepec, the San Cosme Gate 
 of the city of Mexico, and other places, testify to the valor 
 Df this veteran. 
 
 In 1852 he received one million three hundred and eighty- 
 six thousand five hundred and eighty votes of the Whig 
 party, for the Presidency, but was unsuccessful. He was 
 breveted lieutenant-general in 1855. In 1859 there arose 
 disputes with Great Britain respecting the boundary line 
 through the Straits of Fuca, and General Scott, being sent 
 to that distant locality, settled the differences. In 1861 he 
 gave all his influence and services to the cause of his coun- 
 try, secured the safe inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, 
 defended the national capital, organized the army, and in 
 advanced age, retired from active service, November 1st, 
 1861. He died at West Point* in July, 1666, universally 
 lamented bj the nation.
 
 9RAKT SBKBIUJT. 611 
 
 GENERAL ULYSSES S. GRANT was born in Cler 
 luont county, Ohio, in 1822, entered West Point in 1839, 
 and graduated in 1843. He became brevet second lieutenant, 
 served during the Mexican war, under General Taylor, and 
 under General Scott on the march from Vera Cruz to the 
 city of Mexico. During the war he received two promotions 
 for meritorious services. He was appointed a regimental 
 quartermaster, and was promoted to the rank of captain in 
 the Fourth regular infantry, in 1854. Retiring from the 
 service, he removed to St. Louis county, Missouri, and finally 
 to Galena, where he carried on the business of a tanner. On 
 the outbreak of the war, his tender of services was accepted 
 by Governor Yates, and he was appointed colonel of the 
 Twenty-first regiment of Illinois volunteers. He was soon 
 after made a brigadier-general, and was engaged actively in 
 the earlier battles in Missouri. His occupation of Paducah 
 and gallantry in the battle of Belmont, procured for him 
 the rank of a major-general. His renown was increased by 
 the capture of Forts Henry and Donelsori, and that of 
 Vicksburg raised his reputation to a very high degree. His 
 career, during his command of the Department of the Mis- 
 sissippi, was a series of glorious triumphs; and when he 
 was put in command of all the armies of the United States, 
 with the title of lieutenant-general, he nobly struggled with 
 difficulties almost insurmountable, and with a heroism, a 
 pertinacity, and a success, which place him among the 
 greatest conquerors the world has ever seen. He now re- 
 ceived the title of full general, and deservedly is held in the 
 highest degree of estimation by his countrymen, of all 
 classes, as a hero and a patriot. His fellow-citizens fre- 
 quently testified their appreciation of his distinguished 
 services in a most substantial manner. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WILLIAM TECUMSEH 
 SHERMAN was born in Lancaster, Ohio, February 8th, 
 1820. Losing his parents at an early age, he was adopted, 
 in 1829, by Hon. Thomas Ewing, entered West Point, and 
 graduated sixth of his class, in June, 1840. He was sent as 
 second lieutenant to Florida, where he became first lieu- 
 tenant in 1841, and afterwards, being sent to Charleston 
 Harbor, remained on duty at Fort Moultrie for severai 
 /ears. He served in California in 1846, and received the
 
 612 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 brevet of captain in 1848. In 1860, he was made captain 
 and served in St. Louis, after which he was commissary at 
 the military post of New Orleans. He left the army in 
 September, 1853, and was manager of a banking house in 
 San Francisco, California, for four years. He became, in 
 1357, Superintendent of the State Military Institute of 
 Louisiana, and when, in 1861, he found that the school was 
 usel to aid rebellion, he resigned^ his office, and went to St. 
 Louis. In June, 1861, he was made colonel of the Thir- 
 teenth infantry, and displayed great gallantry in the com 
 mand of one of Tyler's brigades, at the battle of Bull Run. 
 In August, 1861, he was made brigadier-general of volun- 
 teers, and was sent to report to General Robert Anderson, 
 in the Department of the Ohio. The health of the latter 
 failing him, he resigned, and Sherman succeeded to the 
 command. Requiring reinforcements, a demand which the 
 War Department deemed absurd, General Sherman, at his 
 own request, was relieved of the command, and succeeded 
 by Buell, who was reinforced with more troops than Sher- 
 man had requested. He now served at Benton Barracks, 
 St. Louis, was sent by Halleck with reinforcements and 
 supplies to aid Grant at the siege of Fort Donelson, and 
 finally was placed in command of the Fifth division of 
 Grant's army, with which he fought gallantly, April 6th 
 and 7th, 1862, at the battle of Shiloh. He was soon pro- 
 moted to the rank of major-general, captured Holly Springs, 
 Mississippi, June 20th, 1862, and soon after commanded at 
 Memphis. In December, 1862, his attack on Chickasaw 
 Bluffs failed, for want of the co-operation of General Grant, 
 whose base of supplies at Holly Springs being captured, he 
 was unable to give the expected aid. At the capture of 
 Arkansas Post, and in the operations against Vicksburg, 
 Sherman displayed great ability and heroism. Soon after, 
 he was appointed to the command of the Army of the Ten- 
 nessee. He reached Chattanooga on the 15th of November, 
 und raised the siege of Knoxville. In his command of the 
 Military Division of the Mississippi, Sherman exhibited 
 great military capacity. His Atlanta campaign was a series 
 of conflicts with the enemy, and the march tc the sea is one 
 of the most remarkable ever recorded. The movements 
 through the Carolinas were executed with great strategic 
 ability, and the battles of Waynesboro, Avervsboro, and
 
 MAJOR-GENERIC rtilLlP HKNBY SHERIDAN. 61$ 
 
 BeutoLville, were the expiring efforts of the " Confederacy." 
 Sherman, at a later date, becdrae lieutenant-general, upcn 
 Grant's promotion to the full grade of general of the armies 
 of the United States. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL PHILIP HENEY SHERIDAN 
 was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1831. He graduated at 
 West Point in 1853, and as brevet second lieutenant, was 
 sonc to Texas. In the spring of 1855, he was exchanged 
 into another regiment, and ordered to San Francisco. He 
 remained six years on the Pacific coast, and won the confi- 
 dence of the Indian tribes. In 1861, he was promoted to 
 first lieutenant. When the war commenced, he was cap- 
 tain in the Thirteenth United States infantry, stationed at 
 St. Louis, and was made acting-quartermaster under Gene- 
 ral Curtis. He became colonel of cavalry in 1862, and with 
 his regiment, on the 14th of July of that year, defeated a 
 rebel brigade, and was made brigadier-general of volunteers, 
 to date from July 1st, 1862. October 8th, he held the key 
 of the Union position at Perryville, and saved the army 
 from defeat. He displayed great heroism at the battle of 
 Stone river, and for meritorious services therein, was made 
 major-general of volunteers. He warded off serious disaster 
 from Wood's corps, at the battle of Chickamauga, where, as 
 well as at Chattanooga, his bravery shone conspicuous. In 
 the severe march of Sherman, to raise the seige of Krfox- 
 ville, he accompanied that general. Lieutenant-general 
 Grant, on assuming the command of all the armies, made 
 him chief of the cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac, 
 and he conducted two successful expeditions in the rebel 
 rear. In the summer of 1864, he was placed in command 
 of the Army of the Shenandoah valley, where he won un- 
 fading laurels, defeating Early in several battles. In March, 
 1 865, be moved up the Shenandoah to Staunton and Waynes- 
 boro, routed Early again, and destroyed the enemy's com 
 munications, together with fifty million dollars' worth of 
 property. He then marched by way of the White House, 
 and joined Grant on. the 27th of March. The capture of 
 Five Forks, and the surrender of General Lee, were in a 
 great measure due to Sheridan. He was sent to Texas to 
 command an army of eighty thousand men, against Kirbj 
 Smith, and on the 27th of June, 1865, was appointed com
 
 614 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 mander of the Military Division of the Gulf, with his head- 
 quarters at New Orleana 
 
 MAJOR GENERAL IRWIN McDOWELL, of Ohio, 
 entered West Point in 1834, and graduated in 1838. He 
 ras breveted a second lieutenant of artillery in July of that 
 /ear, and became assistant instr actor of infantry tactics at 
 West Point from September to November, 1841. He served 
 as adjutant at the same post until October, 1845, from which 
 date he acted as adjutant to General Wool until May, 1847. 
 He took an active part in the Mexican war, and for mentori 
 ous conduct in the battle of Beuna Vista, February 23d, 1847, 
 was breveted captain. He was made adjutant-general, with 
 the rank of captain, in May of the same year, and relin- 
 quished his rank in the line in February, 1851. Afterward, 
 he offered his services to Governor Dennison, of Ohio, who did 
 not accept them at the time. At a later date, on the recom- 
 mendation of General Scott, he was made a brigadier-general 
 He was an aide of Scott for several years. At the disastrous 
 battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, McDowell commanded 
 the army, and during the campaign on the Peninsula, 
 the Department of the Rappahannock. On the 24th 
 of May, he was ordered to proceed to the aid of General 
 Banks. McDowell received from General Pope official 
 commendation for the prompt and skilful manner in which 
 he brought up, and handled his troops at the battle of Cedar 
 Mountain. On Friday, the 8th of August, he took command 
 of all the forces then at Culpepper. In the various battles 
 during Pope's campaign, General McDowell bore an active 
 part, and proved himself an able and skilful officer. On 
 the close of the war, he was appointed to the command of 
 the Department of California. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE BRINTON McCLEL 
 
 LAN was born in Philadelphia, December, 1826. He on 
 tered West Point, where he ranked second in his class foj 
 merit and ability. He graduated in 1846, and was madt 
 second lieutenant of engineers He was actively engaged 
 iu the war with Mexico, landing with General Scott at Ten. 
 Cruz, and participating in all the battles fought by the Ut- 
 ter. For gallantry at Contreras and Cherubusco, he rer oJveu 
 the brevet of first lieutenant in August 1847, anu fa, next
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE BRINTON MCCLELLAN. 515 
 
 month, that of captain, for heroic valor in the battles of Mo 
 Una del Rey and Chapultepec. In May, 1848, he received 
 the further promotion of commandant of sappers, miners, and 
 pioneers. At the end of the war he returned to West Point, 
 and there remained until 1851. He wrote a work on the 
 bayonet exercises, which became a standard, and in the 
 summer and autumn of 1851, superintended the erection of 
 Fort Delaware, near Philadelphia. He joined the exploring 
 expedition of General Marcy to the Red river, in the spring 
 of 1852, and afterward, as senior engineer, served in Texas. 
 He made an exploration of the Cascade Mountains, with spe- 
 cial reference to a Pacific railroad, and performed his onerous 
 duties satisfactorily. In 1854, he was sent on a secret mis- 
 sion to the West Indies, and the following year was pro- 
 moted to a captaincy in the cavalry. During the Crimean 
 war, he was appointed by Jefferson Davis, then Secretary of 
 War, to make observations in the military establishments 
 of Europe, and the results of two years thus employed, were 
 ably exhibited in a volume published hi 1857, and pro- 
 nounced a valuable production. On his return from Europe, 
 McClellan resigned from the service, became Yice-president 
 and Chief-engineer of the Illinois Central railroad, and sub- 
 sequently, President of the Ohio and Mississippi railroad 
 At the beginning of the great rebellion, he was assigned to 
 the command of the Department of the Ohio, consisting of 
 that State, Illinois, Indiana, and Western Virginia. In the 
 latter place, he won a high reputation for military talent and 
 skill, and after the battle of Bull Run, was appointed com- 
 mander of the Army of the Potomac, with which, for a con- 
 siderable period, his history is identical. The task of or- 
 ganizing, equipping, arming, and disciplining that army, de- 
 volved on McClellan. He led it to Manassas, to the siege 
 of Yorktown, and in the battles of Williamsport, Fair Oaks, 
 and Mechanicsville. It was necessary to change his base 
 from the York to the James river, and this he executed 
 in a masterly manner, though with considerable loss. The 
 battles of Games' Mill, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, 
 White Oak Swamp, and Malvern Hill, attested the heroism 
 of the troops composing this splendid army. General 
 McClellan afterward won the viciory of South Mountain, 
 and severely punished the enemy on the well fought field 
 of Antietam. In November, 1863, he was superseded by
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 General Burnside, in the command of the Army of the Pa 
 tomac. Failing in his aspirations to the Presidency of the 
 Republic, he resigned from the army, and departed on a 
 prolonged sojourn in Europe. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL OLIVER OTIS HOWARD wa 
 born in Kennebec county, Maine, November 8th, 1830. He 
 was educated at Bowdoin College, ranking first of his class. 
 In 1850, he entered West Point, and graduated June, 1854. 
 He was made brevet second lieutenant of ordnance, and 
 served successively in Texas, Florida, and at the United 
 States Arsenals in Georgia and Maine. He became first 
 lieutenant, July 1st, 1857, and was appointed acting assis- 
 tant professor of mathematics at the military academy. 
 At the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, he led his regi 
 ment, the third Maine, having been previously appointed 
 colonel of volunteers. He was made a brigadier-general 
 in September, and was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, 
 after which his arm was amputated. He led his brigade, 
 which was part of Sumner's corps, at Antietam, Septembei 
 17th, 1862. He commanded the first division of tha 
 second army corps (Couch's), and lost one thousand men of 
 his brigade at Fredericksburg, November 29th, 1862. His 
 commission as major-general of volunteers bore the latter 
 date, and he was given the command of the second division 
 of the second corps of the Army of the Potomac. In April, 
 1863, he superseded Sigel in the command of the eleventh 
 army corps, and participated in the battle of Chancellors- 
 ville. He reaped unfading laurels at Gettysburg, and soon 
 after was placed in command of the second army corps. In 
 September, 1863, he reinforced Rosecrans with his corps 
 at Chattanooga, and participated in the battle of Wauhatchie 
 October 28th, of the same year. Part of his troops aided 
 General Hooker in the capture of Lookout Mountain, and 
 with two divisions, he was engaged in Sherman's movement 
 on Fort Buckner. On the 25th of November, he joined the 
 expedition of the latter to raise the siege of Knoxville, and 
 participated in almost all the battles in the Atlanta cam 
 paign, when, at the death of the lamented McPherson, he 
 succeeded him in command of the army of the Tennessee. 
 In his command of the right wing through Georgia and the 
 Carolinas. and in the battles of Averysboro and Bentonville
 
 BUTLER SUMNER. 517 
 
 he was greatly distinguished. General Howard is the mode* 
 of a true Christian soldier. On the close of the war he 
 became commissioner of the Freedrnen's Bureau. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL BENJAMIN F. BUTLER wa 
 born at "Deerfield, New HampsHre, in 1818, and graduated 
 at Waterville College, Maine. He studied law, and having 
 commenced practice at Lowell, Massachusetts, gained distinc- 
 tion, and was remarkable for his success in criminal cases. 
 He supported John C. Breckinridge in the presidential cam- 
 paign of 1860. When the war commenced, being then a 
 brigadier of the Massachusetts Militia, he offered his services 
 to support the government, and was stationed at Annapolis, 
 where his energy and power overawed the secessionists 
 General Butler was in command of the land forces in the 
 expedition against Hatteras Inlet in August, 1861, and 
 captured Forts Hatteras and Clark, with their garrisons. 
 In March, 1862, with much energy and zeal, he raised the 
 volunteer troops which formed the land force against New 
 Orleans. After the bombardment of Forts' Philip and 
 Jackson, and the fall of New Orleans, Butler landed his 
 troops early in May, and undertook the administration of 
 the city with a zeal, ability, and firmness that repressed 
 secession, restored order, and brought back a prosperous 
 condition of affairs. He was afterward relieved by General 
 Banks, and reporting at Washington was put in command 
 of the Departments of Virginia and North Carolina. During 
 the siege of Petersburg and Richmond, he was in command 
 of the army of the James, and made several unsuccessful 
 demonstrations against the former place. After the unsuc- 
 cessful attack on Fort Fisher in December, 1864, General 
 Butler, who had commanded the land forces, in consequence 
 of the failure, was removed from command. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL EDWIN V. SUMNER was born 
 in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1796, and entered the regu'ai 
 service of the United States, in 1819, as second lieutenant of 
 infantry. In July, 1823, he was made first lieutenant, in 
 1833, captain of dragoons, and in 1846 major of the same. 
 In the Mexican war he was distinguished for bravery at 
 Cerro Gordo, Molina Del Rey, and Cherubusco, being 
 breveted lisutenant-colonel, and colonel. On the terra ina 
 44
 
 618 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 tion a: that war, he served in New Mexico, ana at a later 
 period, against the Cheyenne Indians. In the time of the 
 political excitements in Kansas, in 1856, he commanded at 
 Fort Leavenworth. General Scott selected him to conduct 
 President Lincoln from his home at Springfield to the 
 national capital, before the inauguration. In 1861, Sumner 
 was made a brigadier-general, in command of a division, 
 and when the army of the Potomac was divided into corps 
 he commanded the second corp- composed of the divisions 
 of Blenker, Sedgwick, and Kichardson. In all the engage- 
 ments of the Peninsula, his valor was conspicuous, and in 
 July, 1862, he was created a Major-general of volunteers. 
 lie exhibited great heroism at the battles of Antietam, and 
 Fredericksburg. While on his way to the southwest to 
 supersede General Curtis, he died of congestion of the 
 lungs at Syracuse, New York, March 21st, 1863. He bore 
 a high character as a patriot and a soldier, and died greatly 
 lamented. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE GORDON MEADE 
 was born at Cadiz, in Spain, in 1816 ; his father being the 
 United States Consul at the latter place. He graduated at 
 West Point in June, 1835 ; in July of that year was ap- 
 pointed brevet second lieutenant, and was fully commis- 
 sioned in the same rank in December. On the 26th of 
 October, 1836, he resigned from the service, and lived in 
 retirement for the next six years, when in May, 1842, he 
 re-entered the army as second lieutenant of topographical 
 engineers, and served in Mexico with distinction, in the 
 battles of Palo Alto and Monterey ; in tne latter of which 
 he rendered such services, as to be breveted for gallant and 
 meritorious conduct. In August, 1851, he was appointed 
 first lieutenant, and in May, 1856, captain in the corps of 
 topographical engineers, and was employed after the war 
 witii Mexico, in the duties connected with this corps, in the 
 surveys of the northern lakes, and other similar services. 
 On the organization of the Pennsylvania Reserve corps, he 
 was appointed % brigadier-general of volunteers, and com- 
 manded the second brigade, being commissioned under the 
 date of August 31st, 1861. He superintended the erection 
 of Fort Pennsylvania, at Tennallytown, D. C., and in the 
 winter of 1S62, joir.ed the Army of the Potomac. On the
 
 MAJOR-GENERAI VMBKOSK E. BURNSIDK. 519 
 
 18th of June, 1862, he was made major of topographica. 
 engineers, and with the Pennsylvania Reserves participated 
 in the battles of Mechanicsville and of Games' Mill. Ha 
 served under Franklin, in command of the second division 
 of the First army corps, on the left wing at the battle of 
 Fredericksburg, where his bravery was conspicuous. Two 
 days after that battle, he became major-general of volunteers, 
 his commission dating from the 29th of November, 1862. 
 During Hooker's command of the Army of the Potomac, 
 Meade commanded the Fifth corps, and rendered important 
 services in the bloody battle of Chancellorsville. In June, 
 1863, he was chosen as the commander of the Army of the 
 Potomac, and displayed great strategy in the battle of Get- 
 tysburg, and afterward served with great distinction till the 
 close of the war 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE was 
 born in Indiana, in 1824, entered West Point, and graduated 
 in 1847. He was then breveted second lieutenant ; served 
 in Mexico under General Robert Patterson, and on the con 
 elusion of the war at Fort Adams, in Newport Harbor m 
 1849, he was attached to Captain Braxton Bragg's battery, 
 and was on frontier service several years in New Mexico. 
 In 1851, he crossed the plains from the Gila river, and sub- 
 sequently was again stationed at Fort Adams. Resigning 
 from the army, he became post cashier of the Land Depart- 
 ment of the Illinois Central railroad, and two years later, 
 the treasurer of the company. When the war began, he 
 took command of a Rhode Island regiment, and participated 
 in the disastrous battle of Bull Run. He commanded the 
 famous " Burnside expedition," the object of which was the 
 capture of Roanoke Island. The expedition was a complete 
 success, resulting m the conquest of Roanoke Island, and 
 the capture of a large force of the enemy. On -the 14th of 
 March, 'Burnside attacked the defences of Newbern success 
 fully, and occupied that place. He displayed great intrepid- 
 ity at Antietam, and as the commander of his gallant corps, 
 (the Nin6;i), in other battles of the Army of the Potomac, 
 He succeeded McClellan in command of the Army of the 
 Potomac, November 5th, 1862. The attack on Freder- 
 icksburg on the 13th of December, failed, and on the 26th 
 of January, 1863, Burnside was succeeded in command by
 
 520 BIOQRAPHICAI SKETCHES. 
 
 Hooker. In August, 1864, General Burnside was relieved 
 of his command, and thus terminated the military career of 
 this gallant soldier. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JOSEPH HOOKER was born ii 
 Massachusetts in 1816, entered West Point in 18S3, anc 1 
 graduated creditably in 1837. He became second lieuten 
 ant of artillery, and in February, 1838, was promoted to be 
 first lieutenant. He was distinguished in the battles of 
 Monterey and Chapultepec, during the Mexican war, whew 
 he was breveted lieutenant-colonel. He afterward resigned 
 his position in the army, and engaged in commercial and 
 agricultural pursuits in California. In May, 1861, on the 
 outbreak of the war, he was made brigadier-general of vol- 
 unteers, and displayed great bravery under McClellan OP 
 the Peninsula, where he commanded a division. His career 
 under General Pope was brilliant, and at the battles of 
 South Mountain and Antietam, he was especially distin- 
 guished ; in the latter of which he was desperately 
 wounded. He was made major-general of volunteers in 
 July, 1862, and brigadier-general of the regular army in 
 September of that year. He succeeded Burnside in com- 
 mand of the Army of the Potomac, fought the battle of 
 Chancellorsville in May, 1863, and in June was relieved 
 bf the command by General Meade, and transferred to the 
 Army of the West, then under General Grant, where he dis- 
 tinguished himself in several severe battles, especially in 
 that of Lookout Mountain. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN C. FREMONT was born 
 in Savannah, Georgia, January, 1815, entered the Junior class 
 of Charleston College, South Carolina, at the age of fifteen, 
 and was remarkable for proficiency in mathematics. He taught 
 this branch on board the United States sloop of war Natchez, 
 in 1833, and held the position for two years. He then waa 
 engaged in surveying the route from Charleston to Cincinnati, 
 In 1838-39, he explored the country between the river Mis- 
 Bouri and the British line, during which period he was made 
 lieutenant of topographical engineers. Next year he sur- 
 veyed the head waters of the Missouri and the Pacific, and in 
 1845 explored the regions of Oregon, California, and the 
 Sierra Nevada. He was made colonel o a regiment of
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM S. ROSECRAN8. 62 1 
 
 mounted riflemen in 1846, and in 1847, commanded a 
 battalion in the Mexican war. Some misunderstanding 
 arose between him and General Kearney, and he resigned. 
 He made another expedition to the Rocky mountains in 
 1848, and in 1849, was one of the United States Commia 
 sioners to run the boundary line between the United States 
 v.id Mexico. He was soon after chosen United States Sen- 
 ator for California, and in 1856, was the candidate of the 
 Republican party for President, receiving one hundred and 
 fourteen electoral votes, which failed to elect him. For 
 proficiency in the sciences, Fremont received a gold medal 
 from the King of Prussia, and the praises of Humboldt. He 
 was in Paris at the outbreak of the rebellion, but quickly 
 returned home to the aid of his country, and on the 9th of 
 July, 1861, was put in command of the Western Depart 
 ment, with the rank of major-general, head-quarters at St. 
 Louis. His services in Missouri were very important, but 
 political enemies caused him to be superseded by Genera. 
 Hunter, in November, 1861. Fremont was afterward in 
 command of the Mountain Department, and followed Jackson 
 in hot pursuit, through the Shenandoah valley. He meas- 
 ured swords with him at the battle of Cross Keys, in June, 
 1862, and after a severe action Jackson escaped. When 
 General Pope was appointed to command the Army of 
 Virginia, Fremont, declining to serve under one who in 
 Missouri had been his subordinate, resigned, and retired 
 from the army. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS was 
 born in Delaware county, Ohio, in December, 1819, was ad- 
 mitted into West Point at the age of nineteen, and gradu- 
 ated with high honors in 1842-. In 1843, he was Assistant 
 Professor of Engineering at West Point, and in 1847, waa 
 on duty at Newport. In 1853, he completed the survey of 
 the harbors of New Bedford, Providence, and the Taunton 
 river. In 1854, he was on duty at the Washington Navy 
 Yard. Resigning from the army in 1854, he spent some 
 years in Cincinnati as civil engineer and architect, and was 
 then appointed Chief Engineer of the State of Ohio. He 
 was made colonel of the Twenty-third Ohio volunteers on 
 the outbreak of the war, and brigadier-general in the regu- 
 lar army in Jane, 1861. He gained great honor at the bat-
 
 522 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 tie of Rich Mountain, July 12th, and in that of Carnifex 
 Ferry September 10th. In March, 1862, he was made 
 major-general of volunteers, and was placed in command of 
 the Third division of the Army of the Mississippi. He 
 gained the battle of luka, in Mississippi, September 19th, 
 and that ol Corinth, on the 3d and 4th of October, 1862. 
 Succeeding General Buell in command of the Army of tho 
 Cumberland, he fought the battle of Murfreesboro. Ha 
 restored order in the city of Nashville, and from thence 
 marched to Chattanooga. Eosecrans had marched across 
 fche Cumberland mountains, by means of a flank movement, 
 and captured the latter place. The battle of Chickamauga 
 was disastrous to the Union arms, and was only retrieved 
 by the firmness of the left wing, under General Thomas. 
 General Kosecrans, some time after, became commander of 
 the Military Department of Missouri, with his headquarters 
 at St. Louis. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE H. THOMAS was born 
 
 July 31st, 1816, in Southampton county, Virginia, graduated 
 at West Point in 1840, and was commissioned second lieu- 
 tenant of artillery. After serving for eighteen months in 
 the Florida war, he was ordered to New Orleans in January, 
 1842, and in June of the same year to Charleston Harbor. 
 He became first lieutenant in 1843, served at Fort Moultrie 
 in 1844, and was at Fort Brown in 1845, when the Mexicans 
 besieged the place. He also fought at Monterey, where he 
 was breveted captain, and at Buena Yista, where he was 
 breveted major. In 1848, he commanded the commissary 
 depot at Brazos Santiago, Texas. Returning, he joined his 
 company at Rhode Island, in >849, and was again sent to 
 Florida, where he remained- until 1850, and then was on 
 duty at Boston and West Point. He served in California 
 in 1854, as major of cavalry, and then in Mobile and Texas, 
 where he was in command till November, 1860. He was 
 ordered to Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, in 1861, and on 
 the 25th of April, became lieutenant-colonel. On May 5th, 
 of the same year, he was appointed colonel of the Fifth 
 regular cavalry, and commanded a brigade under GeneraJ 
 Patterson, and afterward, under General Banks. On Au- 
 gust 17th, he was made a brigadier-general, and soon after- 
 ward, commanded at Camp Dick Robinson, in Kentucky
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JAMES BIRDSEYE MCPHERSON. 523 
 
 He fougdt the battle of Mill Spring, gaining a decided victory 
 after which he was sent to Nashville, where his division formed 
 the reserve of the Army of the Cumberland. He became 
 major-general of volunteers on April 25th, 1862, and his 
 division was transferred to the Army of the Tennessee. He 
 was again transferred to the Army of the Ohio, and ordered 
 to concentrate at Dechard, Tennessee. Second in command 
 of the Army of the Ohio, before and after the battle of Per 
 ryville, he participated in the campaign in pursuit of Bragg, 
 The Army of the Ohio became that of the Cumberland, now 
 in command of Eosecrans, and Thomas commanded the 
 centre, being the Fourteenth corps, in five divisions. He 
 exhibited great firmness at Stone River and at Chickamauga, 
 rolling back the tide of battle, and saving the army. He 
 scaled Mission Ridge with his veterans, and was eminent 
 for his services at Dalton, Resaca, New Hope Church, 
 Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek, Decatur, and Jonesboro. At 
 Nashville, he almost annihilated Hood's army. He was 
 made a major-general in the regular army in December, 
 1864, but did not afterward command in person, his army 
 being sent to Salisbury, Central Alabama, and Georgia. On 
 the termination of the war, he was put in command of the 
 Military Division of the Tennessee, including the Depart- 
 ments of the Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and Alabam^ 
 with headquarters at Nashville. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL' JAMES BIRDSEYE McPHER- 
 
 SON was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, November 14th, 
 1828, entered West Point, and graduated, at the head of his 
 class, in June, 1853. He received the appointment of second 
 lieutenant of engineers, and assistant instructor of practical 
 engineering at the military academy. In September, 1854, 
 he was made assistant engineer in the defences of New York 
 Harbor, and the improvements of the navigation of tha 
 Hudson, receiving his commission of second lieutenant of 
 engineers, December, 1856. In 1857, he was engaged in 
 the construction of Fort Delaware, and in the defences of 
 Alcatra island, California. He was made first lieutenant in 
 December, 1858, and in August, was m command of the 
 fortifications of Boston Harbor. In November, 1861, ho 
 became aid-de-camp to General Halleck, in the Department 
 of the West, and was promoted to the rank of lioutanaat-
 
 524 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 colonel. He was engaged in engineer duty in Missouri till 
 the early part of 1862, and then joined General Grant aa 
 chief engineer in the operations against Forts Henry and 
 Donelson. On May 1st, he became colonel on the staff of 
 General Halleck, and displayed great ability and engineer- 
 ing skill in *he siege of Corinth. lie was made a brigadier- 
 general of volunteers in May, 1862, and in June, was sent 
 by General Grant to superintend all the United States mili- 
 tary roads in Tennessee. His skill and gallantry were ex- 
 hibited at the battle of Corinth, and he was nominated 
 major-general of volunteers. In November, 1862, he drove 
 the rebels from La Grange, and on the llth, defeated Gen- 
 oral Price at Lamar. McPherson commanded the right 
 wing of Grant's army through Central Mississippi, where ha 
 exhibited great ability as a commander. In December, 
 J 862, he was placed in command of the Seventeenth army 
 ,orps, having been previously made major-general of volun- 
 teers. He was actively engaged during the campaign and 
 d'.ege before the fall of Vicksburg, and rendered important 
 *T vices in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hill, etc. 
 ))n the fall of Vicksburg, General Grant recommended the 
 promotion of McPherson to brigadier-general in the regular 
 trmy, which rank was bestowed upon him in December, 
 1.863. During the winter of 1863, he commanded the whole 
 i egion bordering on the Mississippi, from Helena, Arkansas, 
 to the mouth of the Red river. In February, 1864, he again 
 entered the field with his corps, and 'in Sherman's Meridian 
 expedition, had frequent conflicts with the foe. In March, 
 1864, he was put in command of the Army of the Tennessee 
 comprising the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth corps 
 and joined the right of Sherman's army. During the hard- 
 fought campaign toward Atlanta, McPherson displayed, on 
 every occasion, all the skill of the general, and the bravery 
 of the soldier. He fell by the bullet of a rebel sharpshooter, 
 at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, July 22d, 1864, univer- 
 sally lamented by his soldiers, whose idol he was, by his 
 officers, and by the whole circle of his acquaintances. Gen 
 eral Grant, upon receiving the intelligence of his death, 
 exclaimed : " The country has lost one of its best soldiers, 
 and I have lost one of my best friends." General Sherman, 
 in his official report, says of General McPherson : " He wa 
 a noble youth, of striking personal appearance, of the high
 
 BANKS POPS. 525 
 
 est professional capacity, and with a heart abounding in 
 kindness, which drew toward him the affections of all men." 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL N. P. BANKS was born in Mas- 
 sachusetts, in 1810, and received but a limited education 
 His earliest labors were spent industriously in a cotton 
 factory at Waltham. He afterward became a machinist, 
 and applying himself diligently to the cultivation of his 
 mind, made great progress. In 1848, he was chosen a 
 member of 'the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and 
 became its Speaker in 1851. In 1853, he was chosen to 
 represent the State in Congress, and in 1855, was re- 
 elected. In 1856, he became Speaker of the House of 
 Representatives, after a prolonged ballot, which continued 
 during nearly the entire session of Congress. He was elected 
 Governor of Massachusetts in 1857, and executed the duties 
 of that office with great ability. On account of his high 
 reputation for capacity, energy, and integrity, the govern- 
 ment, at the beginning of the rebellion, appointed him a 
 major-general of volunteers in command of a division on 
 the Potomac at Darnestown. We have traced in the former 
 pages his operations on the Potomac, followed him in his 
 masterly retreat to that river, and.fully described a move- 
 ment which emulates the retreat of the famed ten thousand 
 under Xenophon, whose glory is eclipsed by the greater 
 strategy of the American. The part which he enacted in 
 the disastrous Red river expedition, and his successful 
 government in New Orleans, have been amply set forth. 
 General Banks is possessed of a high order of intellect, and, 
 as a self-made man, is a model to the youth of the country. 
 The nation still respects a patriot, who, with ability and 
 integrity, supported the constitution during the colossal 
 rebellion, and yet holds a high position in the national 
 coundls. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN POPE was born in Ken- 
 tucky in 1823, entered West Point in 1838, and graduated 
 in 1842, with the brevet rank of second lieutenant of en- 
 gineers. His gallantry was evinced during the Mexican war 
 m many battles, particularly those of Monterey and Buena 
 Vista. For meritorious services in the former of these, he 
 was breveted rst lieutenant, and in the latter, captain.
 
 626' BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Afterward, tie served in New Mexico and in the Minnesota 
 Territory, and in 1854, explored the route for a railroad to 
 the Pacific, from the Ked river to the Rio Grande. He re- 
 ce : ved promotion to a captaincy in 1856, and for three years 
 was occupied with the duties of an engineer in the Western 
 Military Department. He became brigadier-general of vol- 
 unteers in May, 1861. His operations at New Madrid and 
 Island Number Ten, covered him with renown. On the 
 25th 01 June, 1862, the armies of Fremont, McDowell, and 
 Banks, were consolidated by the President, as the Army 
 of Virginia, and General Pope placed in command. The 
 movements of the army have been amply discussed. Gen- 
 eral Pope struggled hard for success in the battles of Kettle 
 Run, Bristow Station, Manassas, and Chantilly, and with a 
 resolution worthy his former fame. On the return of the 
 army within the defences of Washington, General Pope, re- 
 questing to be relieved, was at once appointed to the com- 
 mand of the Northwest, and soon restored peace and 
 quietness to that section, which had been ravaged by the 
 Indians. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK 
 was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, February 
 14th, 1824, entered West Point in 1840, and graduated in 
 1844, receiving the brevet of second lieutenant in the Fourth 
 infantry, and on June 18th, 1846, the commission of lieuten 
 ant. Being ordered to Mexico, he won distinction at Con- 
 treras and Cherubusco, for which he was breveted first 
 lieutenant. He displayed great bravery also at Molina Del 
 Rey, Mexico. On his return he became regimental quarter- 
 master, and in 1849 was made adjutant of the Sixth United 
 States infantry ; after which he served on the plains and in 
 California. He was made first lieutenant in January, 1853, 
 and assistant quartermaster-general, with the rank of cap- 
 tain, in November, 1855. He then served for the second 
 time in California, and remained on the Pacific coast till the 
 war broke out. Returning east, he received the appoint 
 ment of chief quartermaster to General (late Major) Ander 
 eon, in command of the Department of the Ohio, but before 
 reaching his new appointment was commissioned brigadier- 
 general in the Army of the Potomac. During the winter 
 of 1861-2, his brigade made some (successful reconnoisancea
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL DANIEL BELL BIRNKY. 627 
 
 He served jn the Peninsula, and on account of meritorious 
 services at Lee's Mills and Yorktown, received the brevet of 
 major in the regular army. He turned the tide of battle in 
 a charge at Williamsburg, and for his gallantry was bre- 
 yeted as lieutenant-colonel in the regulars, to date from 
 May 5th, 1862. After the battles of White Oak Swamp 
 and Golding's farm, he was breveted colonel. lie fough* 
 in the battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg ; in the lattu 
 of which he commanded a division of the Second corps, 
 which lost heavily, and where he also was wounded. After- 
 ward, he was commissioned major-general of volunteers, 
 from November 20th, 1862. At the conflict of Chancellors- 
 ville he commanded a division, and after the appointment 
 of General Couch to the command of the Department of 
 the ^.isquehanna, he was advanced to the command of the 
 Second corps. At the battle of Gettysburg he was actively 
 engaged, being severely wounded on the third day of the 
 battle. His corps had been increased by recruits to 
 forty thousand men, and on his return, after convalescence, 
 in the spring of 1864, he resumed command. He partici- 
 pated in the battles of the campaign, and during the autumn, 
 but his old wounds proving troublesome, he requested to be 
 relieved. When the army was reorganized, in June, 1865, 
 he was appointed to command the Middle Department, con- 
 eisting of West Virginia, most of Maryland and the States 
 of Delaware and Pennsylvania. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL DANIEL BELL BIRNEY 
 was born in Huntsville, Alabama, 1825. He began the 
 practice of law in Philadelphia in 1848, and on the out- 
 break of the rebellion became lieutenant-colonel of a regi 
 ment of that city, which had volunteered for the three 
 months' service. The men re-enlisted for three years and 
 he led them as colonel. He was made brigadier-general in 
 February, 1862, and served with distinction in the battles of 
 the Peninsula, and those before Washington. He was con 
 picuous for gallantry at Fredericksburg and Chancellors- 
 yille, at the latter place his brigade, in Berry's division 
 warded off serious disasters, a panic having seized the Elev- 
 enth corps. 
 
 After the decease of General Berry, Birney took com 
 maud of the division, and became a major-general, May 23d
 
 528 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 1863. At Gettysburg, when Sickles was wounded, Birney 
 commanded the corps, and was afterward assigned to tha 
 command of a division of the second corps, his ability 
 and skill being much commended in the campaign of 186-4. 
 He participated in the movements for driving back Le<3 
 fronrthe Wilderness in the crossing of the North Anna, and 
 the Pamunkey, and in the battles of Hanover Court House, 
 Cold Harbor, and various others, in all of them gaining ie- 
 nown. 
 
 General Grant, on the 23d of July, promoted him to the< 
 command of the tenth corps in the Army of the James 
 He was ill in October from malarious fever, and his constitu- 
 tion became much impaired. He died in Philadelphia, on 
 the 18th of October, 1864. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN SEDGWICK was born 
 in Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1815, and graduated at 
 "West Point in 1837. He entered the war with Mexico as 
 first lieutenant of artillery, and was distinguished for brav- 
 ery in the battles at Contreras, Cherubusco, and Chapultepec, 
 receiving the brevets of captain and major. His gallantry 
 was conspicuous also at the attack on the San Cosme Gate. 
 At the outbreak of the rebellion, he was lieutenant-colone. 
 of the second United States cavalry, and on the 25th of 
 August, 1861, became colonel of the fourth cavalry. He 
 was promoted to a brigadier-generalship of volunteers on 
 the 31st of August, and received command of a brigade, 
 which subsequently was part of the command of Genera] 
 Sumner. Sedgwick then commanded the third division of 
 the corps, and participated in the siege of Yorktown. He 
 served on the Peninsula with honor, and with his division, 
 in connection with the other trooj of Sumner's corps, the 
 battle was saved at Fair Oaks. In the seven days' battle, 
 he reaped many laurels, especially at Savage Station and 
 Glendale. At Antietam, he exhibited every trait of hero- 
 ism and skill, and was wounded, only retiring two hours after 
 receiving a second wound. He was breveted brigadier-gen- 
 eral in the regular army, and on the 23d of December, re- 
 ceived the appointment of major-general of volunteers. In 
 February, 1863, he was placed in command of the sixth army 
 corps. At the head of his troops, he carried Marye's Heights, 
 Fredeiicksburg and after the battles of Salem Height!
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN MCALLIST1R SCHOFIELD. 629 
 
 and Banks Ford, withdrew h's troops across the Rappahan- 
 nock. On the advance of the army into Maryland he com- 
 manded the right wing, and after a remarkable forced 
 march, arrived up in time to participate in the second days' 
 battle of Gettysburg. In this great battle his personal 
 bravery inspired the troops, November the 7th, 1863 ; cross- 
 ing the Rapidan, he captured fifteen hundred men of Early'i 
 division, with several guns and battle-flags. When the 
 army was reorganized in the spring of 18C4, the sixth 
 corps was much increased, and took part in the battles dur- 
 ing the campaign in the Wilderness. On the 9th of May 
 General Sedgwick was killed at Spottsylvania by the bul- 
 let of a rebel sharpshooter. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN McALLISTER SCHO- 
 FIELD was born in Chatauqua County, New York, Soptem- 
 ber 29th, 1831. He graduated at West Point in 1853, and was 
 attached to the second regiment of artillery as brevet second 
 lieutenant. He was soon after promoted, and became first 
 lieutenant on March 1st, 1855. He served two years in 
 South Carolina and Florida, and in the autumn of 1855, be- 
 came assistant professor of natural and experimental phil 
 osophy at West Point. In this position he continued until 
 Tune, 1860, when he was granted leave of absence for 9 
 year, to fill the chair of Physics in Washington University 
 St. Louis. When the war began, he became mustering 
 officer in Missouri, and soon after became major of the first 
 regiment of Missouri volunteers. Under captain (afterward 
 general) Lyon, he assisted in dispersing the secessionists at 
 Camp Jackson, on the 10th of May, 1861, and on the 14th, was 
 promoted to be a captain in the regular army, serving soon 
 after as chief staff officer under General Lyon, till the death 
 of that officer. He was commissioned brigadier-general of 
 volunteers on the 20th of November, and was authorized by 
 the Governor of Missouri to raise, equip, and command ten 
 thousand militia for the service of the United States. Gen- 
 eral Halleck appointed him, in the spring of 1862, com- 
 mander of the district of Missouri, and he did much during 
 the autumn to suppress guerilla warfare in the State. On 
 the 29th of November, 1862, he was appointed by the Pre- 
 sident, major-general of volunteers, but was not confirmed 
 by the Senate. He was relieved at once on his own request 
 46
 
 530 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 and reporting to General Rosecrans, was assigned to tb 
 command of the division of the Fourteenth corps, which 
 had previously been under General Thomas. Being re-ap- 
 pointed by the President, major-general of volunteers, he 
 was ordered to St. Louis to relieve General Curtis as com- 
 mander of the Department of Missouri. He rendered great 
 id to General Grant during the siege and capture of Vicks- 
 Durg, after which, being reinforced by Steele's division, 
 Schofield, in a campaign, drove the rebels from Arkansas. 
 In January, 1864, he was about joining General Banks in 
 the occupation of Shreveport, and the line of the Bed river, 
 but Missouri politicians clamoring for his removal, Rose- 
 crans was sent to relieve him. On the 9th of February, at 
 the request of General Grant, he was put in command of 
 the Department of the Ohio, and as commander of the army 
 of the Ohio (Twenty-third corps) he distinguished himself 
 in the campaign against Atlanta. He was sent by Sherman 
 to reinforce General Thomas, in the Nashville campaign, in 
 which he still further increased his high reputation. In 
 January, 1865, after participating in the capture of Wil- 
 mington, and the battle of Kinston, he joined Sherman at 
 Goldsboro. At the end of the war, he was placed in com- 
 mand of the Department of South Carolina, and left in the 
 fcutumn for Europe, having obtained leave of absence for 
 twelve months. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL HENRY W. SLOCUM was born 
 in Delphi, New York, September 24th, 1827, entered West 
 Point in 1848, and graduated June, 1852. He entered the 
 army as brevet second lieutenant of artillery, and became 
 first lieutenant March 3d, 1855, but resigning in October, 
 1856, was engaged in business in Syracuse, New York. He 
 became colonel of the Twenty-seventh New York volunteers 
 May 21st, 1861, and took part in the battle of Bull Run. 
 In August, 1861, he was made brigadier-general of volun- 
 teers, held the extreme left of the Army of the Potomac be- 
 yond Alexandria, and there remained during the winter of 
 1861-1862. He commanded the third brigade of- the first 
 division of McDowell's corps, in the movement of the army 
 in 1862, and when the division was detached, became its 
 major-general. He took part in the aflair at the Brick 
 House, and helped to hold the West Point and Bichinond
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL ORMSBY MCKNIGHT MITCHELL. 531 
 
 railroad. He also participated in the seven days' fight, es- 
 pecially at Games' Mills, in the battles under Pope, in the 
 Maryland campaign, and at Antietara. He was made ma 
 jor-general in command of the Twelfth corps, July 4th, 1862, 
 participating in the battle of Fredericksburg, and in that of 
 Chancellorsville. At Gettysburg, he commanded the right 
 wing, and in September was sent to Vicksburg, where he 
 remained until August, 1864. In the Atlanta campaign, he 
 commanded the Twentieth corps, being the first to enter 
 that city; and in the campaign through Georgia and the 
 Carolinas, commanded Sherman's left wing. At the end of 
 the war, he was appointed to command the Department of 
 the Mississippi, but in September, 1865, resigned his com- 
 mission. He received the nomination of the Democratic 
 party in the State of New York, to the office of Secretary 
 of State, in September, but was not elected. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL OEMSBY McKNIGHT MITCH 
 ELL was born in Union County, Kentucky, in 1810, and 
 graduated at West Point in 1829. He was appointed 
 assistant professor of mathemathics at the Military Acad- 
 emy, and held the position two years ; after which, having 
 resigned from the service, he studied law, was admitted to 
 the bar, and practiced in Cincinnati until the year 1834, 
 when he was elected professor of mathematics, astronomy, 
 and philosophy, in the college of that city. He proposed 
 in 1845 to erect a grand observatory, and the design was 
 ultimately carried into operation. While in 1859, he was 
 chosen director of the Dudley Observatory at Albany, he 
 still continued connected with that at Cincinnati. He waa 
 distinguished as an astronomical lecturer, wrote several 
 standard works on the subject, and had gained a high repu- 
 tation as a savant, when he left his scientific pursuits for the 
 tented field. In August, 1861, he was commissioned brig- 
 dier-general of volunteers, and served under General Buell 
 in the Department of the Ohio. After the capture of 
 Bowling Green and Nashville, he moved rapidly to the 
 southward, and broke the enemy's communications, by seizing 
 the railway bet Areen Corinth and Chattanooga. He was re- 
 lieved of his command in July, 1862, and in September of 
 the same year appointed commander of the Department of 
 the South. Preparing for an active campaign, he fell a vio
 
 682 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 tira to the yellow fever at Beaufort, South Carolina, Octobet 
 30th, 1862. Throughout his short, but brilliant military 
 career, he displayed all the qualities of a good general and 
 a thorough Christian soldier. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JUDSON KILPATRICK was 
 born in the valley of the Clove, northern New Jersey, in 
 1838, entered West Point on the 20th of June, 1856, and 
 graduated in 1860. He was wounded at the battle of Big 
 Bethel, one of the first of the war, where as a lieutenant he 
 commanded Duryea's Zouaves, June llth, 1861. In the 
 September following, he was made lieutenant-colonel of the 
 famous Harris light cavalry, and became one of the exam- 
 ining board for admitting cavalry officers into the service. 
 He made his first raid on the Virginia Central railroad in 
 July and August, 1862, and participated in the famous raid 
 of Stoneman in the rebel rear, while Hooker was fighting 
 the enemy at Chancellorsville. He was greatly distinguished 
 in the cavalry battles of the Army of the Potomac, and won 
 the star of a brigadier-general on the broad plains of Brandy 
 Station. At Aldie, Upperville, Monterey, Williamsport, 
 Boousboro, Falling Waters, Hagerstown and other places, 
 he reaped imperishable laurels, and at Gettysburg, with his 
 brave men, materially assisted in defeating the rebel attempts 
 on little Round Top, the success of which might have been 
 fatal to the army. His expedition on the 8th of February, 
 1864, to free the seventeen thousand prisoners confined in 
 Richmond, failed for want of the co-operation lost by the 
 death of the heroic young Colonel Dahlgren. Kilpatrick 
 rendered important services during the Atlanta campaign, 
 and was desperately wounded at the battle of Resaca. He 
 commanded the cavalry under Sherman, and protected the 
 wings of the army on the famous march through Georgia 
 to Savannah, atd thence through the Carolinas. His valor 
 was conspicuous in the battles of Griswoldville, Johnston's 
 Station, Waynesboro, and Averysboro. On the termination 
 of the war, he became United States Plenipotentiary to 
 Chili, South America. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN W. GEARY is a native 
 z>f Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, served with dis- 
 tinction in the war with Mexico, and was piomoted for
 
 BBIGADIEB-GENEBAL JAMBS S. WADSWOBTH. 538 
 
 meritorious conduct at Cerro Gordo and the city of Mexico 
 He resided in San Francisco in 1848, and was chosen the 
 first Mayor of that city. President Buchanan appointed him 
 Governor of Kansas in 1856, at a time when that Territory 
 was in a state of insurrection, and border ruffianism rampant. 
 By indomitable energy, ability, and firmness, Governor 
 Geary began to make the laws respected, and to establish 
 security of life and property. He suffered much privation 
 while in Kansas, living in a log house, and was at consider- 
 able expense in disbursing from his private purse funds to 
 supply the territorial administration. Being deprived ol 
 the necessary means for carrying into effect his government- 
 al purposes, he resigned in March, 1857. He then retired 
 to private life, and when the war broke out offered his ser- 
 vices to his country. At Bolivar Heights, October 16th, 
 1861, Colonel Geary, with his regiment, defeated three thou- 
 sand Confederates with heavy loss. In this engagement he 
 exhibited great gallantry. He also did good service at the 
 " Point of Eocks," and was soon after made a brigadier-gen- 
 eral. Geary displayed great heroism at the battle of Cedar 
 Mountain, August 9th, 1862, where a bold attempt to flank 
 the Federal left was repelled and defeated by this leader, at 
 the head of his brave brigade. He served with distinction 
 in many battles of the Army of the Potomac, and having 
 been made a major-general, commanded a division of the 
 Twentieth corps under Sherman, whom he accompanied in 
 the grand march to the sea. On the retreat of Hardee, 
 Geary was the first to occupy the city of Savannah with hia 
 troops, and was appointed Military Governor of the city, trhe 
 sanitary condition of which he improved. Under his j udicious 
 administration of affairs, order and protection to all classes 
 prevailed. General Geary participated in the battles on the 
 march through the Carolinas, and at the close of the war 
 returned to his native State, was nominated by the Eepub 
 hcan party as Governor of Pennsylvania, and elected by 
 large majority. 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES rf. WADSWORTH 
 was born in Livingston County, New York, in 1807, grad- 
 uated at Harvard Col ege, studied law under Daniel Web 
 ater, and was admitted to the bar in 1833. He l>ogan hii 
 military career as a voJumeer aid-de-camp to
 
 684 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 McDowell at the battle of Bull Run, and upon the recom- 
 mendation of that general, was made brigadier-general of 
 volunteers, August, 1861. He was appointed Military Gov- 
 ernor of the District of Columbia, 11 March, 1862, and in 
 the ensuing December was assigned to the command of a 
 division in the Army of the Potomac. His bravery arid 
 skil 1 were evinced at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, 
 and his division rendered the most important services on 
 the first day of the battle of Gettysburg. When the Army 
 of the Potomac was reorganized for the campaign of 1864, 
 General Wadsworth was appointed to take command of the 
 Fourth division of the Fifth corps, at the head of which he 
 bravely met his death on May 6th, at the sanguinary battle 
 of the Wilderness. He was possessed of an immense for- 
 tune, and gave freely to the Union cause 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE STONEMAN was born 
 at Busti, New York, August, 1822, and graduated from 
 West Point in 1846. He received the commission of first 
 lieutenant in July, 1854, and on the 3d of March, 1858, was 
 made captain of cavalry, after which he served in the south- 
 west. He was then ordered to Palo Alto, Texas, where he 
 continued until the commencement of the rebellion. In 
 May, 1861, he was promoted to the rank of major of cavalry, 
 and in August, was made a brigadier-general. He was dis- 
 tinguished at the battle of Gaines' Mill, June 27th, 1862, and 
 was breveted colonel in the regular army. He was a par- 
 ticipant in Pope's campaign in Virginia also, and in that of 
 Maryland. His gallantry was conspicuous in command of 
 the Third Army corps at Fredericksburg. On the 5th of 
 February, 1863, he was made chief of the cavalry corps of 
 Hooker, and was afterward made head of the Cavalry 
 Bureau at Washington. He rendered important services 
 by his numerous raids, and served with distinction under 
 Grant and Sherman, in the great operations by which the 
 war was brought to an end. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL ALFRED HOWE TERRY was 
 born in Hartford, Connecticut, November, 10th, 1827. He 
 graduated at Yale College, and was admitted to the bar in 
 New Ila/en in 1848. lie studied the art of war in the 
 Crimean and Italian campaigns, and in April, 1861, was
 
 LYON POSTER. 585 
 
 commissioned colonel of the seventh Connecticut volunteers, 
 assisting in the capture of Port Royal and Fort Pulaski. 
 On April 25th, 1862, he became brigadier-general of volun- 
 teers. He participated in the battle of Pocotaligo, June, 
 1863, and in the siege of Forts Wagner and Sumter, in 
 July, August, and September of the same year. His brigade 
 being made part of the Army of the James, during 1864, 
 he fought at Deep Run, the Richmond Central railroad, and 
 other places, and was for a time in command of the tenth 
 corps, commanding the first division, when in combination 
 with the eighteenth corps, it became the twenty-fourth 
 corps. In July, 1864, he was breveted major-general, and 
 sent by General Grant to lead the second assault on Fort 
 Fisher. Being reinforced by General Schofield, he ad- 
 vanced upon Wilmington, which was captured on February 
 22d, 1865. General Terry then marched to meet General 
 Sherman at GoJdsboro. For his gallantry at the capture of 
 Fort Fisher, he was made a major-general of volunteers, 
 and a brigadier, and brevet major-general in the regular 
 army. When the war ended, he was placed in command 
 of the Department of Virginia. 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL NATHANIEL LYON was 
 
 oorn at Ashford, Connecticut, in 1819, and graduated with 
 ionor at West Point in 1841. He was soon promoted to a 
 captaincy, and in the Mexican war was distinguished for 
 his gallantry in many battles. He was on active service in 
 Missouri and California, and at the outbreak of the rebel- 
 lion, was chosen by the Missouri volunteers as their brigadier- 
 general. He fell in a glorious charge at the battle of 
 Wilson's Creek, Missouri, on August 9th, 1861, while 
 leading his troops to victory. He is worthy to live in 
 history as one of the noblest of patriots that ever died for his 
 country. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN G. FOSTER was born in 
 Whitefield, New Hampshire, in 1823, and graduated with 
 honor at West Point in 1846. He was made second lieu- 
 tenant of engineers on the completion of his studies, and 
 served under General Scott, during the war with Mexico, 
 as lieutenant of sappers and miners, participating in the 
 battles on the march from Vera Cruz to Molina del Bey.
 
 636 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 At the latter place, and while leading a storming party in 
 an attack on the Casa Mata, he was severely wounded. For 
 meritorious conduct at Contreras, Cherubusco, and Molina 
 del Key, he obtained three brevets. On recovering from his 
 wounds, he was sent, in 1859, to Charleston, South Carolina, 
 to repair and complete the forts in Charleston Harbor. 
 After the fall of Fort Sumter, Captain Foster superintended 
 the erection of the fort at Sandy Hook. In the same year 
 (1861) he received the appointment of brigadier-general of 
 volunteers, and was ordered into active service in the Army 
 of the Potomac. He commanded a division during Burn- 
 side's expedition against Eoanoke island, and added much 
 to the success of the enterprise. Afterward, he gained dis- 
 tinction at Newbern and Fort Macon ; and on the transfer 
 of Burnside to the Army of the Potomac became com- 
 mander of all the troops left in North Carolina. The success- 
 ful expedition to Goldsboro increased greatly his reputation. 
 
 MAJOE-GENEEAL FEANZ STGEL was born in Ba- 
 den, Germany, in 1824, and was educated at the military 
 school of Carlsruhe. He rose rapidly in his profession, at- 
 tained the rank of chief adjutant in 1847, and became one 
 of the best artillery officers in Germany. He participated 
 in the revolution of 1848, and in command of an army of 
 the Liberals, was conspicuous for skill and gallantry. He 
 was obliged to flee at the end of the war, which terminated 
 unfavorably for the cause in which he battled. He came to 
 this country, and was professor in a college at St. Louis, on 
 the outbreak of the war, teaching the military art, among 
 other branches of instruction. His spirit was aroused. He 
 took a leading and active part among the Germans of Mis- 
 souri, and was made commander of the third volunteer 
 regiment, which was raised in St. Louis. On the death of 
 General Lyon, at Springfield, Sigel led back the retreat to 
 Holla. In the battle of Pea Bidge, Arkansas, his valor was 
 conspicuous, and, finally, he attained the rank of major- 
 general, being, for a time, in command of the Eleventh 
 corps, in the Army of the Potomac. He was afterward 
 appointed to the command of the Army of Western Vir- 
 giaia, and was defeated by Breckinridge at New Market, in 
 the Shenandoah valley, May 9th, 1864, after which he wai 
 tent to take charge of the post at Martinsburg.
 
 GILMORB HAYS. 68? 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL J. Q. A. GILMORE was bora in 
 
 Lorain county, Ohio, in 1825, and graduated, first of his class, 
 at "West Point, in 1849. lie was assigned to the corps of 
 topographical engineers, and was engaged on the fortifica 
 tions of Hampton Roads, Virginia, between the years 1849 
 -1852. The following four years, he was assistant in- 
 structor of practical engineering at West Point, during a 
 part of which time he was also quartermaster and treasurer. 
 In 1861, he received the appointment of chief engineer of 
 Sherman's expedition against the Southern coast. He was 
 engaged on the fortifications at Hilton Head, and designed 
 and carried into execution the operations against Fort Pu- 
 laski. In April, 1#62, he became brigadier-general of vol- 
 unteers, was for some time engaged in South Carolina, and 
 in September, of the same year, was put in command of the 
 district of Western Virginia. He defeated Pegram at the 
 battle of Somerset, Kentucky, March 30th, 1863, and on the 
 12th of June, of the same year, was placed in command of 
 the Department of the South. On September 6th, 1863, he 
 captured Fort Wagner and Battery Gregg, in Charleston 
 Harbor. In May, 1864, in command of the Tenth corps, he 
 was ordered to join the Army of the James, under Butler, 
 and was engaged in two unsuccessful assaults on Petersburg. 
 In February, 1865, he was again ordered to the Department 
 of the South, and, on the evacuation of Charleston, occupied 
 that city with his forces. In September, 1865, he became 
 commander of the Department of South Carolina. 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL ALEXANDER HAYS was 
 born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, graduated at West Point 
 in 1844, and passing through several grades, was made 
 first lieutenant of infantry in June, 1846. He was distin- 
 guished during the war with Mexico in several battles. In 
 1848, he left the army, and, at the beginning of the war 
 was engaged in the iron manufacture in Venango county 
 Pennsylvania. In 1861, he re-entered the service as colonei 
 of the Sixty -third Pennsylvania volunteers, and was made a 
 captain in the Sixteenth regular infantry. Hays was con- 
 spicuous for bravery at the battle of Fair Oaks, and received 
 a brevet of major. For gallant conduct in the seven days' 
 battle, he was breveted lieutenant-colonel, and his services 
 during the Maryland campaign won for him the star of
 
 5ft$ BIOG&APHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 brigadier- general. At the battles of Chancellorsville, where 
 he was wounded, and Gettysburg, he evinced his usual 
 bravery. At the latter battle he was in command of the 
 Third division of Hancock's c ">rps, and of the entire corps 
 when that general was wounded. In the battles of Auburn, 
 Brisiow Station, and Mine Run, General Hays was in com- 
 mand of the Third division; and when the Army of the 
 Potomac was reorganized for the next campaign, he waa 
 placed in command of the Second brigade, Third division, 
 Second corps, under General Hancock. On May 5th, 1864, 
 at the battle of the Wilderness, he was killed, while bravely 
 leading his men. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL PHILIP KEARNEY had served 
 with distinction as major in the Mexican war, and partici- 
 pated in the battles of the French army in Algeria, the 
 Crimea, and at Solferino, in which he was noted for his 
 bravery. He was made a brigadier-general in the Union 
 army, in 1861, and was a fearless leader of his men. He led 
 the brave New Jersey troops in the battles of the Peninsula, 
 and was remarkable for gallantry at Yorktown, Williams- 
 burg, Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamp, Cross-roads, and Mal- 
 vern Hill. He was killed September 1st, 1862, on riding 
 forward to explore a gap in the Federal lines being struck 
 by the minie ball of a sharpshooter. The loss of this officer 
 at such a crisis, especially, was a public calamity. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN FULTON REYNOLDS 
 was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1820, entered 
 West Point in 1837, and graduated on the 80th of July, 
 1841. On the 28d of October, 1841, he was commissioned 
 second lieutenant of artillery, and on the 18th of June, 1846, 
 a first lieutenant. In the Mexican war he won the succes- 
 sive brevets of captain and major, at Monterey and Buena 
 Vista, and after his return, was on service against the 
 Indians on the Pacific coast. He was aid to General Wool 
 in March, 1852, and in 1855 became captain of artillery. 
 In May, 1861, he organized the Pennsylvania Reserves, 
 during the same month was made lieutenant-colonel of the 
 Fourteenth United States infantry, and in August, of that 
 year, was placed in command of the first brigade of the 
 rennsylvania Reserves. He was engaged in the construe-
 
 GENERAL ALFRED PLEASANTO1T. 589 
 
 tion of Fort Pennsylvania, at Tenallytown, D. C., and on 
 the Peninsula, tor-k part in the battles of Mechanics ville, 
 Games' Mill, Savage Station, and at Charles City cross- 
 roads. He was taken prisoner on the latter occasion, where 
 ne commanded, for awhile, the division of McCall, on the 
 capture of the latter. Reynolds was made a brevet colonel 
 and a brigadier-general in the regular army, commanded 
 the Pennsylvania Militia during the. rebel invasion in 
 September, 1862, and afterward commanded the First 
 corps under Franklin, being on the left wing at the battle 
 of Fredericksburg. His commission of major-general of 
 volunteers was dated from the 29th of November, 1862. 
 He was in reserve at the battle of Chancellorsville, where 
 he was distinguished for the promptness and skill with 
 which he served his corps, in accordance with the design 
 of General Hooker to deceive the enemy. He was ap- 
 pointed to command the right wing of Hooker's army on 
 the 12th of June, when he had charge of three corps. At 
 Gettysburg, he commanded the vanguard of the army, and 
 on this bloody field he fell in the defence of his country on 
 the first day of the battle. Thus perished a thorough sol- 
 dier, and a true patriot. 
 
 GENERAL ALFRED PLEASANTON was born in the 
 District of Columbia in 1824, entered "West Point at the age 
 of sixteen, and graduated in 1844, the seventh of his class. He 
 was commissioned second lieutenant in the second dragoons, 
 November 3d, 1845, served in the Mexican war under 
 General Taylor, and was breveted for gallant and meritori- 
 ous conduct at Palo Alto, and Resaca de la Palma. He 
 becume first lieutenant in 1839, adjutant of his regiment 
 in 1854, and captain March, 1855. In 1856, he became 
 assistant adjutant-general to General Harney in the Depart- 
 ment of the West. In February, 1862, he received the 
 rank of major in the regular army, and served with such 
 distinction in the Peninsula, in the regular cavalry corps, 
 as to obtain two brevets. On the 16th of July, 1862, he 
 was appointed briadier-general of volunteers, and was 
 placed in command of a cavalry division under Stoneman. 
 He was much distinguished during the Maryland campaign, 
 and by a dash on Frederick, (September 12th,) drove the 
 rebels from that place His cavalry, on the 15th, in th
 
 640 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 battle of Boonesboro, gained a splendid victory. Many 
 important reconnoisances were made bj him, before the bat- 
 tle of Fredericksburg, and he was also actively engaged at 
 Gettysburg. He was promoted to the rank of major-gen- 
 eral of volunteers, and, upon the appointment of General 
 Stoneman to be head of the Cavalry Bureau, Pleasantou 
 became commander of the cavalry corps of the army of the 
 Potomac. 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL MICHAEL CORCORAN 
 was born in the county of Sligo, Ireland, in 1827, and 
 came to the United States in 1849. He began his military 
 career as a private in the Sixty-ninth New York State 
 Militia, which in August, 1859, elected him its colonel. 
 He led this regiment to the seat of war in 1861, and the 
 soldiers composing it, built Fort Corcoran, on Arlington 
 Heights. At the battle of Bull Run, the regiment and its 
 commander gained great renown. The colonel was cap- 
 tured and sent to Richmond, and thence to Charleston, 
 South Carolina. On his release he was commissioned 
 brigadier-general, dating from July 21st, 1862. His pro- 
 gress from Washington to Philadelphia was an ovation, 
 and he was entertained with a sumptuous banquet at the 
 latter city. He organized the Corcoran Legion, and, during 
 April, 1863, fought in the battles of the Nansemond river 
 and Suffolk, holding the enemy at bay. The Legion was 
 attached to the army of the Potomac in August, 1863. On 
 the 22d of December, General Corcoran mounted a horse, 
 and was a little in advance of his friends, who, with him- 
 self, formed a party to convey General Meagher back 
 from the head-quarters to Washington. He was found 
 lying senseless near head-quarters, his horse having fallen 
 upon him. All medical assistance was unavailing, and ha 
 died at Fairfax Court House, where his troops then lay, 
 December 22d, 1863. 
 
 COLONEL ELMER E. ELLSWORTH was born in 
 Massachusetts. At an early age, he was cast on his own re- 
 sources, and exposed to toil and privation. He removed to 
 Chicago in 1852, with but poor prospects, except these 
 which hope presents to the youthful mind. His pursuits 
 Were varied, and at one period he began the study of law
 
 COLONEL EDWARD DICFINSON BAKEB. 541 
 
 ander Abraham Lincoln. He ever cherished a predilection 
 for a military life, and havirg studied the principles and 
 peculiarities of the zouave drill and discipline, raised a com- 
 pany among his friends. The Chicago zouaves emulated 
 those of Algiers, and Ellsworth, proud of his men, chal- 
 lenged all the military corps of the United States to a trial 
 Df skill. He made a military tour through the principal 
 cities and towns with his comrades, over whom he had 
 ga ined a great ascendancy. Ellsworth was also distinguished 
 as an orator, and made speeches in favor of Lincoln for tho 
 Presidency. When the war broke out, he tendered his ser- 
 vices to the country, selected from the firemen of New York 
 material for a zouave regiment, removed to Fort Hamilton 
 to drill them, and then proceeded with them to Washing, 
 too. At Alexandria, May 23d, 1861, the zouaves began to 
 destroy the railroad to Richmond, their design being tc 
 obtain possession of the telegraph office. Ellsworth, a* 
 their head, led them at a double-quick, and his rapid glanca 
 saw a rebel flag waving from the Marshall House. " That 
 flag must come down," he exclaimed, and with a few soldiers, 
 he went up on the roof, cut it down quickly, and was be- 
 ginning the descent, when Jackson, the proprietor of the 
 house, fired at him with a double barreled gun, killing him 
 almost instantaneously. The assassin was immediately shot 
 down by private Brownell. The remains of the gallant Ells 
 worth were finally conveyed to Washington, and embalmed. 
 Thus fell this heroic young officer, a public loss, and gener- 
 ally lamented by his acquaintances. He was the first vol- 
 unteer officer lost in the war. 
 
 COLONEL EDWARD DICKINSON BAKER was 
 early left an orphan, and was the architect of his own for- 
 tune. He travelled on foot across the Alleghenies in the 
 former part of his public life, and devoting himself to the 
 study of law, became renowned at Springfield, Illinois, from 
 which State he was elected to a seat in the national councils. 
 He was a brave soldier during the war with Mexico. The 
 spirit of adventure led him to California, and at San Fran- 
 cisco, he acquired the reputation of a distinguished orator 
 and statesman, his ora:ion on the death of his friend, Sena- 
 tor Broderick, who was killed in a duel, being still consid- 
 ered a masterpiece of eloquence and pathos. After taking 
 46
 
 542 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 hia seat as Senator from Oregon, his answer to tbe argu 
 ments of Breckenridge, was considered a complete and tri 
 umphant refutation. Colonel Baker was known as a valua- 
 ble officer, and when ordered, with part of his own Califor 
 nia regiment, and of the Fifteenth Massachusetts and New 
 York Tammany regiments, eighteen hundred men in all, to 
 sross the river opposite Leesburg, on the 21st of October, 
 1861, although he knew the movement to be foolhardy, ha 
 obeyed, and in the disastrous fight at Ball's Bluff, led hia 
 brave men in an unequal contest against overwhelming 
 numbers, with a resolution and heroism never surpassed. 
 It was here, in a desperate but unavailing struggle, that he 
 fell, mortally wounded, having been pierced by five bullets. 
 His loss occasioned profound regret, and his memory will 
 be cherished by all future generations of patriots, as one of 
 the greatest heroes of the war. In him the country lost a 
 devoted soldier, and a distinguished statesmen. 
 
 LIEUTENANT JOHN T. GEEBLE was a native of 
 Philadelphia, being educated at the celebrated High School 
 of that city. He graduated with honor at West Point Mil- 
 tary Academy, in 1854, received the rank of brevet second 
 ieutenant, and was sent west to Florida, where he served 
 iwo years in the war against the Seminole Indians. He was 
 /nade first lieutenant in March, 1857, and afterward became 
 an instructor at West Point. He was sent to Fortress Monroe 
 in October, 1860, and there remained till May, 1861, when 
 he was put in command of the artillery at the advanced post 
 of Newport News. In the disastrous battle of Great Bethel, 
 June 10th, 1861, he was in command of the artillery used 
 on the occasion, consisting of two guns, which were worked 
 by eleven artillerists of the regular army. Lieutenant 
 Greble was the first to ride up, and rectify the fatal error 
 made by Duryea's zouaves and Colonel Townsend's regi- 
 ment, of firing into each other, in the absence of signals, and 
 during the prevailing darkness. A number were killed and 
 wounded on both sides, and Greble, wrung with agony, de- 
 clared that he had rather himself be shot than that such a 
 fearful disaster should have happened. He had a presenti- 
 ment that he would not survive the expedition on which 
 the troops were sent, and was heard to say, " this is an ill- 
 advised and badly arra iged movement, no good will come
 
 Y10E-ADMIBAL DAVID GLASGOW FARBAGUT. 541 
 
 from it; and as for myself, I shall not return from the battle- 
 field alive." The words were prophetic, and this heroic 
 young officer, by an early death, became the first martyr to 
 the cause of his country from among the commanders of 
 the regular army. The enemy were far superior in artillery, 
 and many patriots were slain. With the most heroic cour- 
 tge, and the greatest precision, Greble worked his guns, and 
 though left exposed from the irregular action of the troops, 
 scorned to retreat till the bugle should sound the recall. 
 He was struck on the right temple with a cannon ball, and 
 instantly expired. His remains were rescued, and the guns 
 recaptured. This lamented young officer was descended 
 from illustrious Revolutionary sires, and will stand an ex- 
 ample to American youth for ages. His amiable disposition, 
 mental acquirements, attention to his duty, unflinching 
 courage, and self-devotion, rank him with those worthies 
 whose memory the country loves to cherish; and many an 
 ardent patriot, stimulated by his example, like him, offered 
 their lives at their country's shrine. 
 
 VICE-ADMIRAL DAYID GLASGOW FARRAGUT 
 was born July 5th, 1801, near Knoxville, Tennessee. He 
 was a midshipman at the early age of nine years, and with 
 Commodore Porter, in 1813, doubled Cape Horn. He was 
 wounded in the fight in the Harbor of Valparaiso, March 
 28th, 1814, and was commissioned-lieutenant in 1821. In 
 1833, he commanded in the Brazil, and afterward in the 
 West India squadron, and in 1841 became commanded of 
 the Frigate Decatur. He returned in 1842 to Norfolk, and 
 was there on leave of absence till 1845 ; from thence he was 
 ordered to the Norfolk navy yard, there remaining till 1847, 
 when he was given the command of the Frigate Saratoga, and 
 took part in the engagements which grew out of the war 
 with Mexico. He commanded the navy yard on More Is- 
 land; California, in 1854, and in 1858 commanded the sloop 
 of war Brooklyn, from which he was relieved in 1860. In 
 1861 he organized a squadron for the capture of New 
 Orleans, and in April, 1862, bombarded Forts Philip and 
 Jackson, passed the forts, destroyed the rebel fleet, had a 
 severe action on the 24th, and on the 26th of June captured 
 the city. He assaulted Vicksburg, and on the llth of July 
 was made rear admiral. In November, 1862, he captured Gal-
 
 544 BIOGKAPHtCAL SKETCHES. 
 
 vedton, Texas, and on the 14th of March, 1863, passed th 
 batteries of Port Hudson, after a severe engagement. His 
 services in command of the gulf blockading squadron, were 
 most efficient. On the 5th of August, 1864, he captured 
 Forts Gaines, and Morgan, and the Ram Tennessee in Mo- 
 bile Bay. In the passage of the forts, Admiral Farragut 
 lashed himself with chains to the rigging, and displayed 
 great heroism. He was afterward placed at the head of the 
 Navy of the United States, with tne rank of Vice- Admiral. 
 
 REAR-ADMIRAL DAVID D. PORTER was bora in 
 Philadelphia in 1814. He was educated at the Naval School 
 of Annapolis, entered the navy, and was passed midship- 
 man on July 3d, 1835. He was for some years on the 
 Coast Survey, and in February 27th, 1841, was promoted to 
 the rank of lieutenant, and ordered to the Mediterranean, 
 and afterward to the Brazil squadron. In 1845, he was on 
 duty at the "Washington Observatory, was at the capture of 
 Vera Cruz in 1847, and was next sent to the rendezvous at 
 New Orleans, after which he was on the Coast Survey. Ha 
 was in command of the United States Mail Steamers Pa- 
 nama and Georgia, from 1847 till 1853. In 1855, he be- 
 came lieutenant commander, and was first in command of 
 the storeship supply. He was then on duty at the Ports- 
 mouth Navy Yard. In 1861, he became commander; was 
 assigned to the Powhattan, on the West blockading squad- 
 ron, and in April, 1862, commanded the mortar fleet below 
 New Orleans. In October of the same year he was made 
 acting rear-admiral, in command of the Upper Mississippi 
 Squadron, and co-operated in the siege of Vicksburg. July 
 the 4th, 1863, he was commissioned rear-admiral. In May. 
 1864, he participated in the Red river expedition, and OL 
 the 1st of November was transferred to the North Atlantic. 
 squadron, planned and executed the portion of the attack 
 on Fort Fisher, in which the navy was engaged, and assisted 
 finally in the capture of Wilmington. On the termination 
 of the war, he was made superintendent of the Annapolis 
 Naval Academy. 
 
 REAR-ADMIRAL SAMUEL FRANCIS DUPONT 
 was born at Bergen Point, New Jersey, September 27th, 
 1803, and was appointed midshipman in the navy Deoem-
 
 JOS* A. 
 
 oer, 1815. He waa commissioned lieutenant in 1826, and 
 served on the schooner Porpoise. In 1845, he received the 
 rank of commander, and served on the Pacific in command 
 of the frigate Congress. In the Mexican war, he captured 
 San Diego, and cleared the Gulf of California of Mexican 
 vessels, thirty of which he either captured or destroyed. 
 In 1855, after forty years of service, he was made a captain, 
 and in 1857, commanded the Minnesota, and was sent on 
 special service to China. Having visited Japan, Western 
 India, and Arabia, he returned in June, 1859. In January, 
 1861, he was placed in command of the Philadelphia Navy 
 Yard, and in September of the same year, was appointed to 
 command the South Atlantic blockading squadron. There 
 he remained till his recall in 1863. lie bombarded, and, 
 aided by the land forces, captured Forts Beauregard and 
 Walker at the entrance of Port Royal harbor, South Caro- 
 lina. He also rendered great service in the blockade of the 
 coast of Carolina and Georgia, in occupying Tybee Roads 
 and Tybee Island, and in March, 1862, in the capture of 
 Cumberland Island and Sound, Amelia Island, Florida, and 
 Fort Clinch. In April, 1863, he made a resolute attempt to 
 capture Charleston, and personally superintended the attack 
 on Fort Sumter. The attack failed, and was not renewed, 
 the Secretary of the Navy removed Dupont from the com- 
 mand of the squadron, and his successor, with a large fleet and 
 a more numerous land force, co-operating, made no attempt 
 to capture Charleston. In July, 1865, Dupon.t was made 
 rear-admiral, but held no active command. He died of 
 quinsy in Philadelphia, June 23d, 1865. As a sailor 
 he was accomplished and brave, a most interpid commander, 
 a true and honest patriot, and a sincere Christian gentleman. 
 
 REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN A. DAHLGREN wan 
 born in Pennsylvania in 1810. He entered the service as a 
 midshipman, February 1st, 1826, and in March, 1837, wa 
 
 gromoted to a lieutenancv. He became commander in 
 eptember, 1855, captain in 1861, and rear-admiral Febru- 
 ary 7th, 1863. He had directed his attention to the ordnance, 
 and had been detached as far back as 1846 for special ser 
 vice in this department. After 1847, he was engaged a 
 number of years in experimenting in the size and material* 
 of fljuna and projectiles. He invented a gun which bearg
 
 646 BIOURAPHICAL SriTCHM. 
 
 nis name, and between the years 1850 and 1856, published 
 several works on ordnance. He was in command of the 
 South Atlantic blockading squadron from July, 1863, till 
 March, 1865. His attempts to capture Charleston were un 
 availing, and both he and General Gilmore. the commander 
 of the land forces before Charleston, came to the conclusion 
 that it was not in their power to gain possession of the city, 
 Admiral Dahlgren had great faith in iron clad vessels, but 
 they were found incapable of effecting the capture. 
 
 REAR-ADMIRAL ANDREW HULL FOOTE raa 
 born in New Haven, Connecticut, September 12th, 1806, 
 and entered the navy as acting midshipman at the age of 
 sixteen. lie had arrived at the rank of commander in 1856, 
 was commissioned captain in July 1861, and in September 
 was made flag officer of the flotilla then fitting out in the 
 Western waters. 
 
 On the 6th of February, 1862, without awaiting the ar 
 rival of General Grant, he attacked, and in two hours, com 
 polled an unconditional surrender of Fort Henry, on the 
 Tennessee River. On the 14th, he opened fire on Fort 
 Donelson, and in an hour and a half silenced the heavy 
 Water batteries of the enemy. The injuries sustained by 
 two vessels, made it necessary to depend on the land forces 
 for the capture of the place, and the flotilla withdrew. 
 Foote was severely wounded, but moved up to destroy some 
 iron works at Clarksville, and after resting some time at 
 Cairo, proceeded down the Mississippi. The enemy, on his 
 approach, abandoned the strong positions of Columbus at 
 Hickman. During the siege of Island Number Ten, Foote re- 
 mained at his post, but on the fall of the place, obtained 
 leave of absence in consequence of his wound. In June, 
 1863, he was sent to relieve Admiral Dupont in the com- 
 mand of the South Atlantic blackading squadron. While 
 preparing for his departure, he died at New York, June 
 26th, 1863.
 
 JEFFERSON DAYIS was born June, 1808, in Christian 
 county, Kentucky. He studied in Transylvania college in 
 hia native State, and on finishing his course, entered West 
 Point in 1824, and graduated in 1828, receiving the appoint- 
 ment of brevet second lieutenant. He served in the Black 
 Hawk war, became first lieutenant of dragoons in 1833, 
 and participated in the various expeditions against the 
 Camanches, Pawnees, and other Indian tribes on the fron- 
 tier. Resigning from the army in 1835, he returned to 
 Mississippi, and began his career as a planter. In 1843, he 
 became an active politician, and in 1844 was chosen one of 
 the Democratic Electors for the State of Mississippi. In 
 1845, he was chosen to represent that State in Congress, 
 when he displayed considerable abilities as a speaker, and 
 won a high political reputation. In July, 1846, he was ap- 
 pointed Colonel of a Mississippi regiment for the Mexican 
 war and joined General Taylor on the Hio Grande, partici- 
 pating in the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista. In the 
 latter, he was severely wounded, and received the commen- 
 dation of General Scott. Returning to Mississippi in the 
 summer, the governor of the State appointed him to fill a 
 seat left vacant in the United States Senate. After his term 
 had expired, in March, 1851, he was chosen for another period. 
 In 1852 he was made Secretary of war, under Franklin Pierce's 
 administration, at the close of which he was again elected to 
 the Senate of the United States by the Mississippi Legislature, 
 for the full term of six years. On January 9th, 1861, Mississip- 
 pi, by an ordinance of Secession, separated from the Union, aad 
 soon after Mr. Davis resigned his seat in the Federal Senate. 
 The rebel Congress met at Montgomery, Alabama, on Mon- 
 day, February 4th, 1861, and, during several successive days, 
 perfected the organization of the infant Confederacy. On 
 the sixth day a "provisional" Constitution was adopted, 
 and Jefferson Davis elected President of the seceding States. 
 He was the animating spirit of the Confederacy ; its armies 
 obeyed him, its privateers by his directions preyed on the 
 commerce of the United States, and all movements of im- 
 portance were under his supervision. On the surrender of
 
 548 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Lee, Davis fled, and was captured at Trivinsville, Georgia, on 
 the llth of May, 1865. From thence, he was transferred to 
 Fortress Monroe, a prisoner of the Government. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-GENERAL ROBERT EDWARD 
 LEE Son of " Light Horse Harry," of Revolutionary fame, 
 was born in Stratford, Virginia, in 1806, and graduated at 
 West Point, second of his class, in 1829. He was appointed 
 brevet second lieutenant of topographical engineers, in 
 which he served until 1835, when he became assistant 
 astronomer. By his marriage, in 1832, with Miss Custis 
 who was descended from Mrs. Washington, he became pro- 
 prietor of the Arlington estate, and the well known White 
 House on the Pamunkey. He was promoted to first lieu- 
 tenant in 1836, and in 1838, to captain. In 1846, he re- 
 ceived the appointment of chief engineer to the central army 
 of Mexico, under General Wool, and held that position 
 under Scott, being at the same time a member of that gen- 
 eral's staff. He was conspicuous for gallantry at Cerro 
 Gordo, Contreras, Cherubusco, and Chapultepec. For 
 meritorious services, he was successively breveted major 
 lieutenant colonel, and colonel, sent witn his regiment in 
 1852 to New Mexico, and in the autumn of the same year 
 became Superintendent of the military academy, West 
 Point. In April, 1855, he was transferred to the second 
 cavalry with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and served a few 
 years in Texas, and on the frontier. In March, 1861, he was 
 appointed colonel of the first United States cavalry. On 
 April 20th, 1861, having resigned his commission in order 
 to share the fortunes of his State, he was made the com- 
 mander of all the Confederate troops in Virginia with the rank 
 of major-general. Richmond, having become the capital of 
 the Confederacy, and the rebel troops in Virginia, a part of 
 its army, Lee then ranked as a brigadier, and after the death 
 of General Garnett, succeeded him in Western Virginia. 
 He was defeated with heavy losa by General John F. Rey- 
 nolds, at Cheat Mountain, September 12th, 1861. In 
 December, 1861, he was in charge of the coast defences of 
 South Carolina, and Georgia, and in March, 1862, was simi- 
 larly engaged at Richmond. General Joseph E. Johnston 
 having been wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, Lee sue 
 oeeded Mm, in command of the Confederate army, with
 
 MAJOR-GKNKKAL JOSEPH ECCLESTON JOHNSTON. 649 
 
 which he fought the seven days' fight, the battles of Popes 
 campaign, and also that of Antietam. After the latter bat 
 tie, he led his army in retreat across the Potomac, and took 
 up a position on the line of the Rappahannock. He pai- 
 ticipated in all the battles in Northern Virginia, gained the 
 advantage at Chancellorsville, and Fredericksburg, was de- 
 feated at Gettysburg, and contended with the Union forces, 
 with varying success, in the autumn of 1863. In 1864, he 
 displayed great energy, through an arduous campaign, 
 and in January, 1865, he was made commander-in-chief, of 
 the whole military force of the Confederacy. Richmond 
 and Petersburg Avere evacuated on the 3d of April, and on 
 the 9th General Lee surrendered the army of Northern 
 Virginia to General Grant. He afterward became President 
 of Washington College, Virginia. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JOSEPH ECCLESTON JOHN- 
 STON was born in Prince Edward's county, Virginia, in 
 1808, graduated at West Point in 1829, and was breveted 
 second lieutenant of artillery. He was made first lieutenant 
 and commissary in 1836, transferred to the topographical 
 engineers in 1838, and received the brevet of captain for 
 bravery and skill during the Florida war. In 1846, he was 
 promoted to a captaincy, and in 1847, breveted lieutenant 
 colonel of Voltigeurs. He served in Mexico, was severely 
 wounded in a reconnoissance near Cerro Gordo, and dis- 
 tinguished for gallantry at Chapultepec and Molino del 
 Rey. In 1855, he was breveted a lieutenant-colonel of the 
 first cavalry, and in 1860, received the appointment of 
 quartermaster-general, of the armies of the United States, 
 with a brigadier's rank. In April, 1861, he espoused the 
 Confederate cause, was commissioned a major-general, and 
 put in command of the rebel army in the Shenandoah val- 
 ley. Escaping General Patterson, he moved toward Man- 
 assas, which he reached on the 20th of July at noon. The 
 next day, he fought in the battle of Bull Run, under Beau 
 regard. He commanded the army of Virginia during the 
 siege of Yorktown, and the battle of Williamsburg, and 
 was severely wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks. In 
 November, 1862 he was appointed to command the forces 
 east of the Mississippi, including the troops under Bragg; 
 Kirby Smith, and others. During the Vicksburg campaign,
 
 660 BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHEa 
 
 he was in command of Jackson, from which Sherman, in 
 July, 1863, forced him to retreat. After the defeat of 
 Bragg at Chattanooga, General Johnston took command of 
 the army against Sherman, and exhibited considerable 
 strategic ability during the Atlanta campaign. He waa 
 superseded by General Ilood, but, during the campaign in 
 the Carolinas, was re-instated, and fought the battles of 
 Averysboro and Bentonville. Hearing of Lee's surrender, 
 Johnston at once proposed to capitulate and after some de- 
 lay, the arrangements were completed April 26th, 1865 
 General Johnston then returned to his allegiance, and the 
 duties of civil life. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL PETER G. T. BEAUREGARD 
 was born in Louisiana in 1817, graduated with honor at 
 West Point in 1838, and was assigned to the corps of 
 engineers. He was made first lieutenant in January, 1840, 
 and during the war with Mexico, was distinguished for 
 bravery and skill, being breveted captain after the battle 
 of Cherubusco, and major after that of Chapultepec. He 
 gained great reputation during that war for engineering 
 skill. In 1861, he was selected by Jefferson Davis to re- 
 duce Fort Sumter, and the bombardment began on April 
 12th, 1K61, a memorable era. On the 15th, the fort was 
 evacuated, by the gallant Anderson and his men with all 
 the honors of war. On the 3d of June, 1861, General Beau- 
 regard assumed command of the Confederate forces at Man- 
 assas Junction. On the 21st of July, the battle of Bull 
 Run was fought. The rebel army had been driven back 
 half a mile, and Beauregard was preparing to retreat to his 
 lines at Manassas Junction, when Johnston having eluded, 
 Patterson brought up his ten thousand fresh 'troops, to the 
 field, and thus decided the battle against the Union forces. 
 In 1863, Beauregard commanded at Charleston, when it was 
 attacked by General Gilmore. The Forts Wagner and 
 Battery Gregg, were evacuated on the 6th of September, 
 but Beauregard had so fortified Charleston that it could 
 only be taken by a flank movement. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-GENERAL THOMAS JONATHAN 
 
 JACKSON of the Confederate army, was born in Lewis 
 County, Western Virginia, January 21st, 1824, graduated at
 
 LISUTIN ANT- GENERAL THOMAS J. JACKSOW. 
 
 West Point, and was breveted second lieutenant. He served 
 with distinction in the war with Mexico, was made first 
 lieutenant in August, 1847, and in August, 1848, waa 
 breveted captain for meritorious services at the battlea 
 of Contreras and Cherubusco, and was also breveted 
 major after the battle of Chapultepec. Ill health caused 
 him, in 1852, to resign his commission, and he returned 
 to Virginia. He was soon made professor of chemistry 
 and natural sciences in the Virginia Military Institute. 
 Governor Letcher, of Virginia, commissioned him in 1861, 
 colonel in the State, with the command of the troops in 
 the Shenandoah valley. On the 2d of July, 1861, Jackson 
 encountered the Union forces under General Patterson, and 
 fought the battle of Falling Waters ; soon after which he was 
 made a brigadier-general. On July 21st, 1861, he partici- 
 pated in the battle of Bull Kun, and in the ensuing October 
 was made a major-general. He encountered the Union 
 forces under Shields, at the battle of Winchester, March 23d, 
 1862, and was defeated in one of the sharpest contests of 
 the war. In an encounter with the Union forces under 
 Milroy, on the 8th of April, he drove them back to Frank 
 lin, and prevented the junction of Generals Fremont anc 
 Banks. On the 23d of May, he surprised the Federal 
 under Colonel Kenley at Front Koyal, and drove Genera. 
 Banks to the Potomac. Jackson eluded the attempt of 
 Fremont and Banks to capture him, and on June 8th, fought 
 the battle of Cross Keys. Eluding General Shields at Port 
 Republic, he attacked McClellan's right wing at Cold Harbor 
 on the 25th of June, and on the 1st of July, shared in the 
 Confederate defeat at Malvern Hill. During General Pope's 
 campaign, Jackson participated in the second battle of Bull 
 Run, and caused the surrender of Harper's Ferry. At An- 
 tietam, Jackson was posted on the Confederate left, where 
 he fought desperately. He held the enemy's right at Fred- 
 ericksburg, December the 13th, and for services therein, waa 
 made lieutenant-general. On the 2d of May, he made a 
 flank movement on General Hooker's right at Chancellors- 
 ville, routed the Eleventh corps, and returning toward hia 
 own lines, was shot by his own men in mistake. Both 
 arms were amputated, and he died on the 10th, in Richmond. 
 He was one of the ablest generals in the " Confederacy," 
 which bitterly lamented his untimely death.
 
 552 BIOGRAPHICAL SK1TOHM. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-GENERAL JAMES LONGSTREET 
 was born in South Carolina, in 1820, graduated at West 
 Point in 1842, and was breveted second lieutenant of infan- 
 try. He took part at the storming of Monterey in Septem- 
 ber 1846, and was promoted to first lieutenant in 1847 
 For gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Centre 
 ras and Cherubusco, he received the brevet of captain, and 
 that of major after the battle of Molino del Key. He won 
 the commendation of General Scott, for conspicuous bravery 
 in the assault of Chapultepec, September, 1847, and became 
 full captain in December. In July, 1858, he was made pay- 
 master with the rank of major. He cast in his lot with 
 the South, was made a general, and in command of a 
 brigade, was stationed at Blackburn's Ford on the 18th of 
 July, 1861, where he resisted the Union forces under Tyier. 
 For his services at the battle of Bull Run, July 21st, 1861, 
 he was made a major-general under Johnston. On the evacu- 
 ation of Yorktown, he defended the rear of the (rebel) 
 army, and fought at Williamsburg. In the battles of the 
 Peninsula he bore an important part. In the invasion of 
 Maryland he was conspicuous, and at Antietam com- 
 manded the Confederate right, opposed to Burnside. In 
 December, 1862, at the battle of Fredericksburg, he was 
 posted on the (Confederate) left. In February, 1863, he 
 was made Lieutenant-general ; laid siege to Suffolk on the 
 14th of April, which he abandoned in order to reinforce 
 Lee at Chancellorsville, and participated in the second inva- 
 sion of the States, bearing a prominent part in the battle of 
 Gettysburg, July, 1863. He reinforced Bragg on the 19th 
 of September, and took part in the battle of Chickamauga. 
 In December, Sherman forced him to raise the siege of 
 Knoxville, and in April, 1864, he rejoined Lee in Virgina, 
 and was severely wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, 
 May 6th. He was taken to Lynchburg to his family, and 
 gradually recovered, but it was six months before he was 
 able to report for duty. He resumed his command in 
 October, 1864, and participated in the movements in which 
 Lee struggled to defend Richmond.
 
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