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Deposited by
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JECT. GEN. U.S_ GKANT

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THE HISTORY

CIYIL WAR II AMERICA ;

OOMPBISUtG A FULL ASli IMPjlETIAL AOCOUSI OF THE

ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE REBELLION,

OF THB TABIOUS

NAYAL AM MILITARY ENGAGEMENTS,
OF THE
Heroic Deeds Performed bj Armies and Individuals,
AND OF
TOUCHING SCENES IN THE FIELD, THE CAMP, THE HOSPITAL, AND THE CABIN.
BY JOHN S. C. ABBOTT,
*UtHOE -or " LIFE OP NAPOLBOW," " HI3T0RT Or THB FREHCH BBVOLITTION," " HDNAECHIEa 01" OONTIWBNTAL BOBOPB," Ac.
ILLUSTRATED ¦WITH MAPS, DIAGEAMS, AlfD NUMEEOTTS STEEL ENGRAVINGS OS"
BATTLE SCENES,
PROlf OEIGINAL DBSiaNS BY DAELET, AND OTHBK EMINENT ARTISTS,
AND POBTRAITS OF DISTmGUISHED MEN.
VOL. IL
SOLID CUSHj-^Z- B-ST rsiSTREBtTTIlSrCa- A-Ca-EISTTS-

/?2/7

NEW TOEK:
PUBLISHED BY HENKY BILL.
1866.

Uintered, aocordirig to Act of Congress, in the year 1863. by
HENP.Y BILL. GORDON BILL, AND LEDTAED BILL.
In the Clerk s Office of the District Coiirt oivthe United States for Ae District of Connecticut^

ALVOED, PEINTBE.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND VOLUME.

Few persons can be aware of the difficulty of obtaining accuracy in
the minor details of the scenes here recorded. The historian who does not
write from personal observation, sits at his table surrounded by a mass of
material, in the shape of official reports, military orders, newspaper cor
respondence, private letters from prominent actors, and published biog
raphies. He fiiids names.spelt in all varieties of ways, dates and military
titles in inextricable confusion, heroic charges credited to different regi
ments and brigades, and often the same officer lauded by one for military
skill and heroism, and by another denounced for cowardice and imbecility.
The writer has devoted nearly three years of untiring labor to this
volume. He has spared no pains to obtain accuracy, and has conscien
tiously endeavored to do justice to all. He has sought to repress every
emotion and to withhold every word which was not dictated by true impar
tiality. It has been his desire to deal magnanimously with all, commend
ing good deeds by whomsoever performed, and making generous allowance
for all mistakes, however fatal, where the intention has been good.
It cannot be doubted that there will be many minor errors found in
these pages. It is not possible that a history, recording such a multi-:
plicity of events, should entirely avoid them. These errors are, however,
rather annoying to individuals, than of importance to the general public.
It is not pleasant to see one's name misspelt; a major does not like to be
called a captain, and the Ninety-eighth Regiment is unwilling to surrender
its dearly-bought honors to the Ninety-third.
But as to the great campaigns of this war, those majestic movements
which evolved the final and glorious issues, the writer cannot cherish a
dou'9t that the record here presented to the public will stand the scrutiny
of time. There is an impression with some, that these momentous events

iv PREFACE.
can be more correctly described in future years than now. But it is not
improbable that more will be lost than gained by the lapse of time. For
instance, the bombardment and capture of Fort Fisher is a fact accom
plished. Its vivid incidents will be fading and vanishing as the years roll
on. A graphic account of that achievement can be more easily written
now than at any future period. Still, there may be some incidents in its
secret history, unimportant to the great public, but in which individuals
are interested, which may hereafter be brought to light. But even this is
not probable, after the thorough scrutiny to which the event has been
exposed. There is one thought which gives the writer sincere pain. There are
men who, in this war, have performed deeds worthy of renown, whose
names will perhaps scarcely be mentioned in these pages ; while others, no
more deserving of notice, have their exploits minutely detailed. If some
heroic adventure has been achieved on the dark waters of a remote bay,
or far away in the wilds of Arkansas, or in the midst of the tumultuous
fight, where one hundred and fifty thousand men, enveloped in the smoke
and tumult of battle, are struggling with almost superhuman energies, — if
the hero be too modest to give publicity to his own exploit, and if there
be no army correspondent near with friendly pen to record it, the
deed vanishes with the hour. But there is another, in the same battle,
perhaps no more meritorious, who chances to attract the attention of an
army correspondent by his side, and the chivalric deed is wafted through
the land. Thus the one act passes into oblivion, and the other is em
balmed in history. This injustice no historic fidelity can avoid
A military history of this war, for the instruction of military men, can
only be worthily written by the accomplished professional soldier. But
few can be interested in the perplexing labyrinth of details, and these can
only be comprehended by the careful study of diagrams. The writer of
this history has not attempted this. He has only endeavored to describe
those comprehensive strategic and tactical movements Avhich all can under
stand, and from which the great issues of the battle have resulted. We
trust that these, by the aid of the accompanying carefully prepared maps
and diagrams, will generally be made plain to every intelligent reader.
It would require very many volumes to give even a brief description
of all the raids, skirmishes, wild adventures, and minor battles of this
stupendous war, which has swept over a whole continent, and in which
nearty two millions of men have been arrayed against each other. Few

PREFACE. V
men, in this busy age, have time to read such ponderous volumes. Many
of these achievements, though heroic, were isolated, having no apparent
bearing upon the final issues of the conflict. The great campaigns, in
which the National banner was borne so majestically over the land, and
which resulted in the total overthrow of the rebellion, are here minutely
recorded. It is believed that the general reader will find in these pages
an accurate account of this great National struggle, and of the measures
by which the National integrity has been so gloriously preserved and
established. Still, it is with no little solicitude that the writer submits theso pages
to the ordeal of public criticism. There are more than a million of men,
now living, who have taken part in the scenes here recorded. Scarcely
any two have looked upon the spectacle from the same stand-point. Po
litical antipathies and military rivalries may bias the judgment. The
writer can only say that he has not written in haste, and that it has been
his earnest desire to do justice to the theme which for so many months
has employed his pen.
JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.
New Haven, Conn., Sspt, 1865.

CONTENTS OF YOLUME .11.

CHAPTER I.
THE EVACUATION OF MANASSAS.
(From January to April, 1862.) I'AGE
Inaction on the Potomac. — Uneiisiness of the Community. — Plan of the "War. — Peremptory
Order of President Lin^ln. — The Army in Motion. — Rebel Defences at Manassas. — Force
sent to the Peninsula. — Dread of the Merrimac  15

CHAPTER II.
THE ADVANCE TO YOEKTOWN
(from April 3(1 to April ICth, 1S62.)
The Line of March. — Siow Progress. — Brilliant Scene. — First Encounter. — The Fortifica
tions at Yorktown. — Anxiety of the President. — Disastrous ECfect of our Dilatoriness. —
Scene from the BaEoon. — Heroism of the Patriots. — Anecdotes  29

CHAPTER III.
THE SIEGE OE TOEKTOWN.
(From April lOtli to May 8d, 1S62.)
"Vast Siego-"R''orks Constructed. — Insigniiicance of the (Sarrison. — General Franklin's Di
vision. — Scenes of the Siege. — Historical Reminiscences. — The Unexpected Retreat of tho
Poe. — The Pursuit  39

CHAPTER IV.
THE MAECH TO WEPT POINT.
(From May 8d to May 5tb, 1802.)
The Attack upon Fort Magruder. — Kearney and Hooker. — The Renowned Charge of Hun-
cock. — Courage of the Rebels. — Thoir Utter Defeat. — Scenes After the Battle. — Arrival
of General McClellan. — Flight of tlie Kuomy. — Capture of 'Williamalnir'];  .jg

yiii CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
THE ADVANCE TO THE CHICKAHOMINY.
(From May 9tli to June 1st, 1862.) T'A(.S
Scene at "West Point. — March on the Pamuulcey. — Aspect of the Country. — Scrupulous Re
gard for Private Property. — Arrival at the "U'hite House.— Retreat and Concentration of
the Rehels.— Exposure of Washington.— Capture of Norfolk. — Destruction of the Merri
mac. — Encampment on the Chicicahominy  ^2
CHAPTER VI.
THE PEEIL OE WASHINGTON: JACKSOn's EAID.
(From May 20tli to Msiy 27th, lSll2.)
Anxiety of President Lincoln. — McDowell's Corps.^The Mountain Department. — J.iekson's
Dash upon Banks. — Noble Letter of Gen. McDowell.— Panic in "Washington.^ — Energetic
Action of Gen. Fremont. — Running Battle. — Success of Jackson's Raid. — Battle of Han
over Court-PIouse  10
CHAPTER VII.
THE BATTLE AT FAIR OAKS.
(From May 29th to June 3a, 1862.)
Position of Gen. Casey's Division. — Gens. Keyes, Couch, and Sumner. — Concentration of the
Rebels. — The Attack. — Heroism of Casey's Division. — Effect of Canister. — Loss of Bates's
Battery. — Kearney's Testimony. — Promptness of Gen. Sumner. — The Charge and the Re
pulse  S3
CHAPTER VIII.
EATTLE OF SEVEN PINES.
(From Juno 1st to Juno 15th, 1S62.)
Renewal of the Battle. — Fearful Carnage. — Burial Scenes.— Disagreement between (Jen.
McClellan and the Administration. — Gen. McDowell's Co-operation. — Continued Delay. —
Stuart's Raid. — Singular Duel  92
CHAPTER IX.

(From Juno 26th to July 2(1, 1862.)
Necessity of Cliange of Base. — The Approach of the Enemy. — Beaver Dam Creek.  Battle
of Gaines's Mill. — Inhumanity of Lee and Jackson.-rrStrength of the Union Army. 
Savage's Station. — "Woes of War. — Power of Music. — Battle at "White Oak Bridge. — Re
pulse of the Foe. — Battle of Malvern. — Scone after the BattK — Continued Retreat. — Tes
timony of Kearney  qij

CONTENTS. ix
CHAPTER X.

(From Juno 22d to September 22d, 1862.)
Gen. Pope's Proclamation. — Gen. HaUeck Commander-in-Chief — Dilatoriness of Gen. McClel
lan. — Gen. Pope takes the Field. — Battle of Cedar Mountain. — Death of Henry M Dutton.
— ^Heroism of Banks's Corps. — ^Lee's Army. — Heroic Struggles of Gen. Pope. — "Victory of
the Rebels. — Retreat to Centreville. — Rebel Historians  114

CHAPTER XI.
THE VICTOET OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN AND FALL OF HAEPEe's
FEEET.
(From September 2d to September 12th, 1862.)
The Defence of "Washington. — Gen. McClellan in Command. — Invasion of Maryland. —
Slow Pursuit of the Foe. — The Rebel Capture of Frederick. — The South Mountain Range.
— Position of the Enemy. — Battle of South Mountain. — Death of Gen. Reno. — Peril of
Harper's Ferry. — Its Importance Disregarded. — ^Feeble Defence. — Sham«ful Surrender.. . , 128

CHAPTER XII.
BATTLE OP ANTIETAM.
(From September 15tb to September .283, 1862.)
Tirst Position of the Rebels. — Preparations for the Battle. ^The Field of Battle. — Forces on
either Side. — Opening of the Battle. — Heroism of Hooker's Division. — Incidents of the
Battle. — Gen. Burnside's Charge. — The Indecisive Victory. — The Retirement of the Foe. —
Remonstrances of Officers. — Great Errors  14.t

CHAPTER XIII.
THE BATTLE OF FEEDEEICKSBUEG .
(From December 10th to December 17th, 1862.)
The Rebels on the Rappahannock.— Pursued by the Patriots. — Gen. Burnside in Command.
— ^Pace ofthe Country. — Plan ofthe Battle. — Incidents. — Crossing -the River. — Terrific
Artillery Fire. — Successive Charges. — Great Slaughter. — The Repulse. — Recrossing the
River.— Comments on tto Battle. — Anecdotes  1 (i'i
CHAPTER XIV.
THE WAE IN KENTUCKY.
(July and August, 1862.)
Public Sentiment iu the Border States. — Governor Magoffin.- His Treason.— Patriotism of
the People. — Heroism of Rousseau and WaUa(;e. — Noble Address of Joseph Holt.— Draw
ing of the Lines.— Guerrilla Bands. — Ravages of Morgan. — Gathering for the War. — Inva
sion of the State. — Battle of Richmond, Kr-ntucky  Hr,

X CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XV.
ADVANCE AND EETEEAT OF THE EETIKL.S.
(From September 2d to October Sth, 1S62.)
Capture of Lexington and Frankfort. — Heroism cf Lew. "Wallace. — Peril of Cincinnati. —
Manoeuvres of Bragg and Buell. — Murder of Gen. McCook. — Heroism of Col. Wilder at
Mumfordsville. — Ravages of Bragg. — Inefficiency of Buell. — B.ittle of Perryville.— -Retreat
of the Rebels. — Dissatisfaction with Buell.— The Two Parties  187

CHAPTER XVI.
THE BATTLE OF PITTSBUEG LANDING.
(From March 5th to April 7th, 1862.)
Aodrew Johnson Military Governor of Tennessee. — Population of Bast Tennessee. — Ener
getic Measures of Governor Johnson. — Retreat of the Rebels to Murfreesboro'. — Buell's
Advance on Nashville. — Movements of the various Armies. — Gen. Grant's Advance to
Sav.annah, Tennessee.— Character of the Country at Pittsburg Landing. — Surprise of the
Patriot Troops.- Terrible Battle  200

CHAPTER XVII.
THE BATTLE OP SHILOH AND SIEGE OP COEINTH.
(From April 4th to May 30th, 1R62.)
Preparations to Renew the Battle. — Arrival of Reenforcements. — Desperation of the Fight. —
Patriot Victory. — Unexplained Mysteries. — Retreat of the Rebels. — Slow Pursuit. — Battle
of Farmington. — Siege of Corinth. — The Rebels Eseape. — " Negro on the Brain "  214
CHAPTER XVIII.
PUESUIT OF THE EEBELS.
(From January to March, 1863.)
State of the Army after Fremont's Removal. — Retreat of the Rebel Price. — Concentration
of the Patriot Army at Rolla. — Flight and Pursuit of the Rebels. — Conflict at Sugar Creek.
— Heroism of Col. Ellis. — The Rebels Price, McCulloch, and Van Dorn. — Majestic Plan to
Crush the Patriots. — Preluninaries of the Battle of Pea Ridge .¦  224
CHAPTER XIX.
THE BATTLE OP PEA EIDGE.
(April, 1S62,)
The Double Surprise. — Opening of the Battle. — Death of McCuUoch. — Fierceness of the
Conflict. — Heroism of the Fourth Iowa. — Commencement of the Third Day's Battle. 
Gloomy Prospects. — SubUme Battle Scene. — Utter Rout of the Rebels. — Scene after the
Battle  236

CONTENTS. xi

CHAPTER XX,
THE EEDEMPTION OF MIS30UEI.
(From June 1st, 1862, to September 1st, 1863.) PAGE
Long and Perilous ilarch of Gen. Curtis. — Rebel Fort on White River. — Disaster to the
Mound City. — Rebel Barbarity. — Rebel Attempt to Recover Missouri. — Battles of Mays-
viUe and Cross HoUows. — Battle of Cane Hill. — Heroic Decision of Gen. Herron. — Mur
derous Raid of Quantrel.  247

CHAPTER XXI.
CAPTUEE OF ISLAND NUMBEE TEN.
(Mareh and April, 1362.)
Position of Island Number Ten and Surrounding Country. — Strength of its Fortifications. —
Gen. Pope. — Admiral Foote. — Confidence of the Rebels. — ^Sublime and Romantic Inci
dents of the Siege. — Capture of Point Pleasant and New Madrid. — Bombardment of
Island Number Ten. — The Canal Secretly Cut. — Daring Midnight Exploit. — Capture of
the Island. — Great Importance of the Victory  254

CHAPTER XXII.

(May nnd June, 1862.)
The Gunboat Fleet. — Battle on the River. — ^Incidents. — Evacuation of the Forts. — Descent
to Memphis. — Bdttle of the Gunboats and the Rams. — Scenes of Heroism and Death. —
Destruction of the Rebel Fleet. — Capture of Memphis  210

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE INVESTMENT OF VICKSBUEG.
(June, 1864.)
Strength of Vicksburg. — ^Various Plans: 1. The Canal. 2. Lake Providence. 3. Moon
Lake. 4. The Yazoo. — The March through the Morass. — Runuing the Batteries. — Land
ing at Bruinsburg. — The March. — Succession of Battles and Victories. — Vicksburg In
vested  278

CHAPTER XXIV.
FALL OF VICKSBUEG AND POET HUDSON.
(From May 30th to July 13th, 1364.)
Predictions of the Rebel Press. — Intercepted Dispatches. — MiUiken's Bend. — Heroic Fight
of Colored Troops. — The Gunboat Choctaw. — Pemberton's Treason. — His Desperation. —
Suff'erings of the Besieged. — The Capitulation. — ^PaU of Port Hudson. — Testimony to Gen.
Grant  289

xii ' I CONTENTS.
. ¦ '¦¦•', I
CHAPTER XXV.
GENBEAL BUTLEe's CAMPAIGN IN NEW OELEANS.
\^ (From May Ist to November Oth, 1861)
^^^^_^ PAGE
Difiiculty with Foreign Consuls. — With Secessionists. — Reverdy Johnson's Decision. — Wis
dom of Gen. Butler. — Salutary Results of his Administration. — False Charges. — Triumph
ant Refutation. — The TeUow Fever kept at Bay. — The Master" and the Slave. — Embarrass
ments of the Negro Question. — ^Baton Rouge. — Gen. Butler Relieved of his Command  296

CHAPTER XXVI.
THE SIEGE OP CHAELESTON.
(From Febrnary, 1862, to June, 1863.)
Rebel Obstructions. — Loss of the Monitor. — Raid of the Rebel Iron-ClaJs. — Absurd State
ments. — Destruction of the MashviUe. — Conflict with Fort McARister. — Renewal of the
Attack. — Anecdotes. — Preparations for the Attack upon Charleston. — The Terrific Bom
bardment. — Repulse of the Iron-Clads  309

CHAPTER XXVII.
SIEGE OF WAGNEE AND BOMBAEDMENT OF SUMTEE.
FoUy and Morris Islands. — Rebel Fortifications.- Preparations for Attack. — The Masked Bat
teries.— The Vigorous Assault.— Pursuit of the Rebels.— Anecdotes. — The Charge upon
Wagner.— The Repulse.— The Charge Renewed. — Action of the Fleet.— Siege- Works.—
The Swamp Angol. — Bombardment of Sumter. — ^Evacuation of Morris Island. — Assault of
Sumter  324

CHAPTER XXVIII.
EAST TENNESSEE.
(From January, 1S61, to November, 1863.)
Description of the Country. — ^Barbarity of the Rebels. — Sufferings of the Patriots. — Fraudu
lent Measures of Secession. — Battle of Middle Creek. — Anecdotes. — Patriotism of John J.
Crittenden. — Battle of MiU Springs. — Death of the Rebel ZoUicoffer. — Signal Victory. —
Cumberland Gap.— Morgan's Raid. — Army Movements in East Tennessee. — The Carter
FamUy. — Gen, Burnside. — Battle of KuosviUe. — East Tennessee Redeemed  301

CHAPTER XXIX.
THE BATTLES OP lUKA AND COEINTH.
(From October, 1862, to January, 1863.)
Cheerless Prospects. — Dispositions of the two Armies. — FaUuig Back to luka.  Battle of
luka. — Retreat of the Rebels. — Their Vandalism. — Sagacious Plan of the Rebels.  More
Sagacious Plan of Gen. Rosecrans. — ^Aspect of the Country. — The Trap.  Battb of Cor
inth.— Incideuta.—Utter Rout of the Rebels  340

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXX.
BATTLE OF MUEFEEE S BOEo' OE STONE EIV
(From October, 1862, to January, 1S6S.) PA(
Gen. Rosecrans in Command. — Reorganizing the Army. — Col. Truesdail. — His Admirable
Police Regulations. — SkiU of his Detectives. — Preparations for Battle. — Plan of the Bat
tle. — The Patriots Surprised and Defeated. — The Battle Renewed. — Protracted Conflict. —
Discomfiture of the Rebels. — Results. ^  35

CHAPTER XXXI.
THE BATTLE OF OH ANCELL OE S V ILL E.
(From April 27th to May 4th, 1868.)
Breaking Camp at Falmouth. — Adroit Stratagem. — Crossing the Rappahannock. — The Sur
prise of Gen. Howard's Corps. — Battle Scene. — Deatli of Gen. Berry. — Alternations of
Victory and Defeat. — Peril of the Army. — Retreat. — Hooker's Prodam.ition.— The Unex
plained Mystery  379

CHAPTER XXXII.
THE SIEGE OF SUFFOLK.
(May, 1S68.)
Designs of the Rebel Gen. Longstreet. — Efficiency of Union Officers. — Capture of HiU's
Point Battery. — Testimony of Gen. Dix. — Forces in Front of Suffolk. — Leo's Force at
ChanceUorsvilie  394

CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE CAMPAIGN OF GETTYSBDEG.
(From June 25th to July Mth, 1863.)
The Plan of Gen. Lee.— Rebel Sympathizers. — Apathy of the Pennsylvanians. — Energetic
Movement of Gen. Hooker. — Gen. Meade Invested with the Command. — Concentration of
the Armies at Gettysburg. — Description of the Region. — The Three Days' Battle— Death
of Gen. Reynolds. — Repulse of the Rebels. — Incidents of t!id Fight. — The Retreat and
Pursuit. — Scenes after the Battle. — The Siinitary Commission. — Anecdotes  309

CHAPTER XXXIV.
CHICKAMAUGA.
(August and September, 1863.)
The Rebels Driven Across the Cumberland Mountains. — Intrenched at Chattanooga. — Mili
tary Manoeuvres. — The Battle of Chickamauga. — Disasters. — Heroism of Gen. Thomas. —
Barren Victory of the Rebels. — Retreat of Patriots to Chattanooga. — Lookout Mountain
and Missionary Ridge. — Chattanooga Besieged  -s  410

xiv CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXV.
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN AND MI8SI0NAEY EIDGE.
(From November 22d to November 27tlj, 1863.)
^ PAGE
Condition of the Army at Chattanooga.— Plans of Bragg.— Gen. Grant's Plan of Battle.—
Capture of Orchard Knob.— Successful Attack upon Lookout Mountain.— Topography of
the Region. — Attack upon Missionary Ridge. — The Rebel Centre Pierced. — Retreat of the
Foe. — Vigorous Pursuit. — Battle of Ringgold  482
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE MAECH TO ATLANTA.
(From April to August, 4864.)
Composition of the Army. — Battle of Rocky Face. — Capture of Dalton. — Buzzard Gap. —
Battle of Resaca. — Fliglil of the Rebels, — Indiana Troops. — Conflict at Adairsville. — Pur
suit to CassviUe. — Rural Scenes. — Conflict at Marietta. — Anecdotes. — ToUs of tlie Cam
paign. — Heroic Exertions of the Patriots. — Death of Bishop Polk. — Kenesaw. — Pine
Mountain. — Advance to Atlanta. — Commencement of the Siege  440
CHAPTER XXXVII.
SIEGE OP ATLANTA.
(From July 21st to August 25th, 1864.)
Heroism of Gen. Ward. — Repulse of the Rebels. — The Observatory. — The Rebel Ambush. —
Attack upon Gen. Leggett. — Death of Gen. McPherson.^Gen. Logan. — Gen. Howard
succeeds Gen.~ McPherson. — Cutting through the Rebel Lines. — The Decisive Movement. —
Desperation of the Rebels. — Evacuation of Atlanta. — Occupation by tlie Patriots  458
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
PROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH.
(October, November, and Docember, 1864.)
Expulsion of the Inhabitants from Atlanta. — Correspondence with Rebel ^\uthorlties. 
Attempt upon our Lines of Communication. — Allatoona Pass. — Retreat of the Foe. 
Destruction of Atlanta. — The Line of March,— Anecdotes and Incidents. — Capture of Mil-
¦ ledgeville. — Macon and Augusta Threatened. — Services of Gen. Kilpatrick.  The Con
trabands. — Arrival at Savannah. — Storming Fort McAllister. — Tho TriumplLint Issue. . . . 4C7
CHAPTER XXXIX.
THE CAMPAIGN OP THE AVILDEENESS.
(From M.ny 3d to June 20tli, ISK.)
Plans of Gen, Grant, — Battles of tlio WUderness. — Desperation of the Antagonists,  Death
of Gen. Wadsworth. — First Michigan Regiinent. — The Carnage of "W.nr.  Gen. Meade's
Congratulatory Order. — Furious Attack on our Baggage Train. — Grandeur of the Army —
Flank Movgmcnt of Gen. Grant. — Attack on Petersburg 

CONTENTS. XV

CHAPTER XL.
THE MAECH FEOM SAVANNAH TO G O L D S B O E o'.
(From January to April, 180.5,) PACK
Famine in Savannah. — Sun-ender of Cliarleston. — Barbarity of "Wheeler's Cavalry. — Kilpat
rick's Threatened Retaliation. — Picturesque Group. — Columbia Surrendered. — Conflagra
tion. — The Contrabands. — Humanity of Gen. Sherman. — Battle of Averysboro'. — Peril of
Gen. Sherman.- Effect of the News of Lee's Surrender. — Surrender of Raleigh, — Predic
tions of Tanoey Regarding the War  506
CHAPTER XLI.
THE CAPTUEE OF MOBILE.
(From July, 1864, to March, 1865.)
Order of Admiral Farragut. — SkUful Line of Battle. — Passing Fort Morgan. — Fate of the
Tecumseh. — Contest with the Rebel Ram Tennessee. — Commendatory Notices. — Surren
der of Fort Morgan. — Disgraceful Conduct of Commander Page. — Incidents of the Battle.
— ^Investment of MobUe. — Its Surrender. — Conflict between the Kearsarge and Alabama. . 519

CHAPTER XLII.
CAPTUEE OF FOET FISHEE AND WILMINGTON.
(From November, 1864, to February, 1865.)
SaUing of the Fleet. — ^Bombardment aud Assault. — FaUure of the Expedition. — ^Views of Gens.
Weitzel and Butler. — ^Want of Harmony between the Naval and Land Forces. — New Ex
pedition. — SaUing from Beaufort — Subhme Spectacle. — Furious Gale. — Incidents of the
Bombardment. — Valor of Sailors and Soldiers. — Heroism of the Commanders. — Triumph
ant Results  529
CHAPTER XLIII.
THE VALLEY OF THE SHENANDOAH.
(From August, 18M, to March, 1865.)
Gen. Sheridan takes Command. — He Assumes the Offensive. — Tho Advance and Retreat. —
Strategj'. — The Battle of Winchester. — Sublime Spectacle. — Retreat of Early. — Fisher's
Hill. — The Patriots Surprised, — The Rout. — .iVrrival of Gen. Sheridan, — Defeat of the
Rebels. — The LuU. — Winter-Quarters. — Sheridan's Raid. — Rebel Disasters  547
CHAPTER XLIV.
SIEGE OF PETEESBUEG AND EICHMOND.
(From Juno 15th to October 20th, 1864.)
Defences of Petersburg. — Gen. Grant's Plans. — A Mistake. — Firing into Petersburg. — Mos-
by's Eaid into Maryland. — Fight at Monocacy. — .llarm through tho North. — Bloody Re
pulse at the Fort — Dutch Gap Canal. — Heavy Repulse at Reams's Station, — Treachery of

^yi CONTENTS.
the Rebels.— Jeff. Davis's Terms for Peace.— Storming Newmarket Heights.— Duel on
the James. — Surgings of the Battle  ^^''
CHAPTER XLV-
CAPTUEE OF PETEESBUEG AND EICHMOND.
(From November, 1864, to April, 1865.)
Desk-aetion of the Albemarle. — Reelection of Abraham Lincoln. — Capture of the Florida. —
Partial Destruction of the Weldon Railroad. — Dutch Gap Canal. — Naval Attack by the
Rebels, — Battle at Hatcher's Run. — Capture and Recapture of Fort Steedman. — Southside
RaUroad. — Disastrous Attack on White Oak Road. — Another Repulse. — Heroic Action
and Success. — Battle of Five Forks. — Bombardment and Assault on Petersburg. — Capture
of Soutkside RaUroad and Fort Mahone. — Terrific Fighting. — ^Victory. — Evacuation of
Richmond and Petersburg. — Flight and Pursuit of the Enemy. — Scenes at the Rebel
Capit.il. — Surrender of Gen. Lee. — Rejoicings of the Army and Navy  577

CHAPTER XLVI.
THE OVEETHEOW OP THE EEBELLION.
(From April to June, 1805.)
Tragedy at Washington. — Assassination of President Lincoln. — The Conspiracy. — The Spirit
of Slavery and Rebellion. — Effect on the Nation. — Suspension of Hostilities between Sher
man and Johnston. — Terms of Agreement. — Their Rejection by the Government. — Sur
render of Johnston. — Flight of Jefferson Davis.— Pursuit and Capture. — Dispersion of
Rebel Troops. — Disbandment of the United States Army and Navy. — Reconstruction. . . . 505

CHAPTER XLVII.
EESULTS OF THE CONFLICT.
Effect of Disasters at BnU Run. — Excitement Respecting Slavery. — New Laws in the Dis
trict of Columbia. — Proclamation of Gen. David Hunter. — Suppression of the Slave-
Trade. — Resolves of the Thirty-Seventh Congress. — Hon. Edward M. Stanton.  Col.
Robert G. Shaw. — Act of Emancipation. — Letter of Hon. Charles Sumner, — Duties of the
American Citizen  (J07

MiM^MMM^ m^3 mm^m

PAOK
Pbninsulae Campaign . ...... 26
Battles of Fair Oaks and Seven Pines ..... 85
The Seven Days' Battles ....... 113
General Pope's Campaign ..... . 127
South Mountain and Vicinitt ....... 130
Battle-Geocnd of Antietam . . . . 146
Battle of Pittsbueg Landing ...... 204
Movements of General "Wallace at Pittsbiteg L.\ndino . 211
Battle of Pea Eidge .... . . 230
Mississippi Eivee. — Caieo to Island N"o. Te.n . . 2.jT
The Attack on Island No. Ten . .... 262
Mississippi River feo.m Island No. Ten to Vicksburg . 281
Mississippi Kivee feom Viokseueg to New Orleans . . . 292
Fortifications of Corinth. ... . . 354
Battle-Field of Stone River ....... 367
Battle of Chancellorsville ....... 386
Battle-Field of Gettysburg . . . . . . . 402
CnicKAMAUG.v — Saturday's Battlf. ...... 422
Chickamauga — Second Day's Battle ..... 4-2.'i
Lookout Mountain and Missionaey Ridge ... . 435
Sherman's Campaign to Atlanta ...... US
Atlanta to Savannah ....... 4T2
General Thomas's Campaign ....... 485
Battle of the "Wildeeness ....... 495
Savannah to Goldsboro' ....... 512
Map of Mobile Bay ........ C20
Fort Fishee and "Wilmington ....... 537
Siege of Petersburg and Richmond . . . . . . 5C9

THE CIVIL WAR.

CHAPTEE I.
THE EVACUATION OP MANASSAS.
(From January to Ai)ril, 1S62.)
Inaction on the Potomac. — Uneasiness of the Community. — Plan of the War. — Peremp
tory Oedee op President Lincoln,' — The Army m Motion. — Rebel Defences at
Manassas. — ^Foeob sent to the Peninsula. — Dread of the Meeeimac.
The disastrous battle of Bull Eun was fouglit on the 21st of July,
1861. After this, the summer, the autumn, and the winter passed slowly
away, while the immense Army of the Potomac, numbering not less than
one hundred and fifty thousand men, remained quietly within their
intrenchments. General Scott, and after him, General McClellan, deemed
these months of inaction necessary, that the mass of raw recruits might
be organized and drilled. In the commimity there were two parties, the
one appro"ving, the other condemning this policy. The general voice of
the public was, however, very loud and incessant against this long delay
of any military action. It was said that we were thus affording the
enemy time to strengthen his position ; that though our troops were new,
they had only undisciplined troops to encounter ; that it was important to
avail ourselves of the enthusiasm which the assault upon' our l^ational flag
had created, and that a few prompt victories would so discourage the
rebels, that the war would speedily be brought to a close. The result,
however, showed that it was not the Divine will that the war should be
speedily ended. It became manifest to every believer in an overruling
Providence, that the war was the instrument whieh God had brought
forward to sweep from our land the gigantic crime of American Slavery.
Every hour during which the war was protracted, slowly undermined that
massive fabric of sin and shame.
The autumn and the winter, in the mild climate of Yirginia, were
delightful, even to the commencement of the New Year. The rebel
troops, raw recruits, not nearly so -vrell disciplined as our own, certainly
not better armed, and quite inferior in numbers, were encamped at Ma
nassas, distant from our outposts not more than twenty miles. The roads
between the two armies were in good condition. They led over a gently

16 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
undulating country, where our troops could meet with no obstructions
until they reached the intrenchments of the foe.
The general plan, at this time, for the conduct of the war was simple,
and one which, under able leaders, could hardly fail of ultimate success.
First, by a vigorous blockade, the rebels were to be isolated from the rest
of the world, and cut off from all supplies. We have already narrated
the wonderful vigor with which a navy was created, and have shown what
an Herculean task it was to undertake the blockade of a coast over three
thousand miles in extent. Then the Mississippi was to be seized, from
Cairo to the Gulf, so that, with our gunboats, we could have the control
of all the Western rivers. The energy and success with which, this latter
enterprise was commenced, in the storming of Forts Jackson and St.
Philip, and the capture of New Orleans, we have also recorded. To the
Army of the Potomac was intrusted the duty of driving the rebels out of
Yirginia, and wresting from them Richmond, their capital. These various
yet united measures involved campaigns so distant from each other, and
so distinct in their operations, that they could be carried on simulta
neously.* The conquest of Kiehmond, in consequence of the discouragement
with which it would oppress the rebels, and the moral influence it would
exert upon those foreign nations by whom we were menaced with inter
vention, was deemed certainly not less important than either of the other
meq,sures. Hence it was, that the inaction of the Army of the Potomac,
month after month, caused such intense disquietude. The Prince de Join-
ville, one of the sons of Louis Philippe, of France, joined the Union army.
He was the personal friend of General McClellan, and was on his staff. In
some very able articles published by him in the " Kevue des Deux Mondes,"
in Paris, in October, 1862, and subsequently translated and published in a
pamphlet in this country, this inexplicable inaction is attributed to the
natural icant of energy of the Amei'ican people. And yet his pen seems
to falter in bringing against our countrymen a charge so unprecedented.
" And here I may point out," he says, " a characteristic trait of the
American people — delay. This delay in resolving and acting, so opposed
to the promptitude, the decision, the audacity, to which the American,
considered as an individual, had accustomed us, is an inexplicable phenom
enon, wliich always causes me the greatest astonishment."
The Prince was deceived. This amazing delay was not caused by want
of energy in the soldiers, or by lack of zeal in the nation, but by the stra
tegic plans of the Commander-in-Chief At length the impatient nation,
uninformed respecting General McClellan's plans, uttered remonstrances
so united and so loud, that President Lincoln, on the 27th of January,
* The whole extent of tho coast to be guarded by a blockading fleet, according to an official
report made to Rear-Admiral Davis, was three thousand five hundred and forty-nine miles, with
out counting tho indentations of the harbors and ports. There were one hundred and eighty-
niae openings in this coast, either rivers, bays, harbors, inlets, sounds, or passes, through which
vessels could run in and ciut. AU the maritime enterprise of Great Britain seemed to be enlisted
in endeavors to run the blockade. To the honor of France, it should be mentioned, that durino-
the whole continuance of the war, scarcely a French vessel was known to make any effort to
carry aid and comfort to the rebels.

THE EVACUATION OF MANASSAS. 17
1862, issued an order from the Executive Mansion in Washington, that
on the 22d of February there should be a general mc^rement of the land
and naval forces^ of the United States against the insurgents. ¦"•'¦
General McClellan, when he succeeded General Scott in the command
of the whole army of the United States, found his qualifications for this
high military position immediately put to the severest test. The work of
organization of that vast volunteer army of five hundred thousand men
was to be accomplished. To his immediate supervision and agency were
committed the equipment and preparation of the Eastern Army. Two
hundred regiments, of the best material for soldiers that was ever gathered,
were to be organized, drilled, disciplined, furnished with competent gen
erals, equipped with artillery and cavalry, and provided with the muni
tions of war. To create such an army, and to call into existence the vast
quantity of arms and equipments of every kind needed by so immense a
force, involved inconceivable difficulties. But to Major-General McClel
lan, aided by the equally indefatigable exertions of the Secretary of War,
belongs the credit of this achievement. The splendid Army of the Poto
mac, with the bright array of military strength and thoroughly drilled
soldiery gathered into his staff, and conspicuous in his generals, has usually
been admitted to be incontestable e"^dence of the young commander's
organizing genius. '^--
The organization of such an army, from the vast mass of brave, but
undisciplined men, — leaving suddenly the peaceful pursuits of agriculture,
manufac cures, and commerce, or homes of wealth and luxury, — and the
equipment of great naval expeditions, when the means and munitions of
war were as yet unprovided, required, unquestionably, time. The scene
thus created, upon the silent banks of the Potomac, was one of the most
gorgeous war has ever presented. Nearly two hundred thousand men
were dwelling in their neatly arranged and orderly cities of white tents,
on the undulating shores of that beautiful stream. The glistening ranks
upon the hill-sides, the ponderous parks of artillery, ever moving to and
fro, the almost meteoric sweep of squadrons of cavalry over the plains,
the wsLYing of countless banners, the gorgeous display of military staffs
surrounding their chief, the reviews of brigades, divisions, and corps d'ar-
mee, the peal of bugles and the bursts of exultant music from a thousand
* The following note from the President shows his views, at the time, respecting the line of
attack upon Richmond : — ¦ ExEciTTivE Mansion, "WAsniNOTON, February 3fl, 1862.
Major-General McClellan :
My Dear Sir; — You and I have distinct and different plans for a movement of the Army
of the Potomac. Tours appears to be down the Chesapeake, up the Rappahannock to Urbana,
and across the land to the terminus of the railroad on York River. Mine is to move directly to
a point on the railroad southwest of Manassas. If you will give me satisfactory answers to the
following questions, I shall gladly yield my plan to yours :
1st. Does not your plan involve a greatly larger expenditure of time and money than mine ?
2d. Wherein is a victory more certain by your plan than mine ?
3d. Wherein is a victory more valuable by your plan than mine 1
4th. In fact, would it not be less valuable in this, that it would break no great line of the
enemy's communication, while mine would 1 In case of disaster, would not a safe retreat be
more difficult by your plan than mine ? ' Yours truly, A. LINCOLN.
Vol. il— 2

18 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
bands, echoing over the liills and vales, presented a spectacle whicli
attracted the gaze of thousands of admiring spectators, from every loyal
State. It was war's pomp, without any of its action, its carnage, or its
terror. The confident assertions of the press, and the declarations of persons
high in authority, that the grand advance upon Manassas was imminent,
were repeated from week to week with all the more earnestness, as every
successive prediction failed. The troops, daily expecting to move, were
not permitted to go into winter-quarters. The nation would hardly have
endured the iatimation that no advance was intended. Consequently, when
the bleak weather of winter came, with its storms and its snows, the rav
ages of sickness, from exposure in the canvas tents, were found far more
fatal than the bullets of the foe could have proved ; and large niunbers
sank into the grave.
The 22d of February came, the day appointed by a peremptory order
from President Lincoln for the advance npon the foe. Still the army of
the Potomac remained quietly behind its redoubts, General McClellan de
claring that he was not yet ready for a forward movement, and could not
be ready before the 1st of April. The pressure of public opinion was, bow-
ever, so strong, that early in March a council of war was summoned.
General McClellan did not attend, but sent his friends to present his
views. At this council it was decided, by a vote of twelve to eight, that
the army was not yet prepared to be put in motion. This result brought
matters to a crisis. The President, crowded by the clamor which arose
from his Cabinet, Congress, and the people, overruled this decision, and
peremptorily demanded that the army should no longer remain idle, but
that it should commence its march upon the enemy on Monday, March
10th. The muster-roll at that time showed a force of two hundred and
thirty thousand men.
By order No. 2 of the President, dated March 9th, this vast armament
was divided into five corps d'armee, under the respective commands of
Generals McDowell, Sumner, Heintzelman, Keyes, and Banks. By a suc
ceeding order of March llth. General McClellan was relieved of the general
command of these corps, and was intrusted with the command of one very
large division, avhich was to march upon Eichmond, and was still called
the Army of the Potomac. At the same time. General Halleck "was as
signed to the command of the Department of the Mississippi, and General
Fremont, reinstated, was placed over the newly created Mountain Depart
ment — an important region between the Blue Eidge and the Alleghanies,
up which valley it was hoped that he would force his way to Western
North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.
These orders were published simultaneously in Washington, on the
12th of March, and they produced an electric effect throughout the
country. The long delays upon the Potomac had greatly shaken the con
fidence of the community in the Administration. But these orders, accom
panied by the actual movement of the army, immediately foUo-wing the
glorious victory of the Monitor over the Merrimac in Hampton Eoads, and
other cheering successes in the West, elated the nation -with new hope

THE EYACUATION OF MANASSAS. ' 19
and the cry rose louder and longer than ever before, " On to Eichmond !"
General McClellan had a magnificent army, thoroughly armed and
equipped, to whose organization and drill he, with his generally ad
mitted genius in that department of military art, had devoted seven
months of untiring labor. The army, reposing unlimited confidence in
its young chieftain, was inspired with the utmost enthusiasm, and
doubted not that the hour had arrived in which this disastrous war
would be closed, by a series of vigorous and telling blows upon the main
citadel of the rebellion.
The rebels, through traitors and spies, were fully informed of every
movement. For nearly twelve months they had fiaunted their banner over
their stronghold at Manassas, within thirty miles of Washington, and in
the presence of an army in every respect their superior, except in the
energy and determination of its officers. Fatal exception ! " An army
of deer," said Napoleon to the heroic Marshal Ney, " led by a lion, is bet
ter than an army of lions led by a deer." But two attempts had thus far
been made to dislodge the rebels from their intrenchments. One issued
in the disaster at Bull Eun. The other culminated in the inexplicable
fatuity and crime of Ball's Bluff. Since then the rebels, as we supposed,
for, strangely enough, we knew but little about their movements, had
greatly strengthened their positions at Centre"ville and Manassas ; had
extended their left far down the v.alley of the Shenandoah, until their
batteries frowned over the upper waters of the Potomac. They had also
advanced their right wing to the lower portions of that majestic stream,
where all the commanding bluffs bristled with their artillery.
The country keenly felt the disgrace of having its Capital thus block
aded. It was a giant submitting to insult from a dwarf. Whatever had
been the policy which allowed the rebel force so long to menace Washing
ton, the moment they found that the patriot army was moving to attack
them, they turned and fled. Still they fled so secretly, that our generals
had no suspicion of their departure. It seems incredible that so large a
force could have escaped unobserved, with a vigilant general so near them.
Napoleon placed it among the greatest of military crimes to allow an out
numbered enemy to escape. The opportunity of crushing an army re
treating, in the face of a powerful opponent, is so manifest, as to render
the supposition inadmissible, that this retreat could have been known to
the commanding general. And yet, it is also equally difficult to believe,
that when the rebels were for two weeks leisurely withdrawing their guns,
their stores, their regiments, from their long lines of intrenchments, we,
with balloons which we could send two thousand feet into the air, and
"with thousands of contrabands, who were eager to escape into our camp
with information, should have known nothing of their movements. They
(lid escape, without tlie loss of a gun, a baggage wagon, or a man. A
patriot's pen reluctantly records the disgrace.
All unconscious of the flight of the foe, arrangements were made with
great secrecy, in Washington, for a movement upon the abandoned re
doubts at Centre"7ille and Manassas. On Sunday afternoon, March Oth,
unusual activity was manifested in all the camps and forts in the viciriity

20 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
of Washington. On the morning of the 10th, the whole army was "put in
motion. The troops on the Yirginia side of the Potomac, opposite Wash
ington, advanced along several roads towards Centreville. At the same
time, immense supply trains commenced their advance across the Long
Bridge, from Washington, in a ceaseless stream of cavalry, infantry, and
artillery. The flood of cannon, caissons, wagons, tramping soldiery, and
hoi-semen poured on, without break or intermission, till night. The road
to Fairfax Court-House was the great central route of the advancing
army. On Monday night, several divisions of the army which had been march
ing during the day by different roads, were encamped, in compact order,
within a circle of two miles around Fairfax Court-House, where the head
quarters of General McClellan were established. General Kearney, of
Franklin's Division, with a portion of his brigade, cautiously approached
Centreville, when, to his great astonishment, he found the frowning forti
fications and extensive encampments which, for seven months, had held our
army at bay, utterly abandoned. The same night a small body of patriot
cavalry, learning from some contrabands that the rebels had evacuated
Manassas, crossed Bull Eun at a ford, and, galloping four or five miles
over the plain, found at Manassus only a pile of deserted, smouldering
ruins. The still glowing embers, the "wreck and waste of commissary
stores, and the freshness of the desolation and confusion strewed around,
indicated that the rear-guard of the foe had but recently withdrawn.
Early the next morning the advance of the army moved on towards
Manassas. Its march was through scenes of solitude and the most dreary
desolation. The fertile plains over which were once sprinkled Yirginian
homes, were now bare and desolate. The rebel army, often hungry and
cold, had swept the country of its supplies. Houses hq,d been deserted,
sacked, and burnt to the ground. Fences, orchards, and groves had been
consumed for fuel. The inhabitants had thus been starved out, and the
whole region was scathed and depopulated by the billows of war.
Scores of contrabands — men, women, and children of all ages, and in
every variety of costume, to which they had freely helped themselves,
from the eftects of their absconding masters — were frequently met on the
route towards Washington, as their Canaan of freedom, and hailing the
Federal troops as the protectors of their liberty. As soon as they were
within the Union lines, their joy was exuberant. They seemed to cherish
no doubt that the patriot army was on the march to usher in their year of
jubilee. The slaveholders had so constantly raised the obnoxious cry of
abolitionism against the general Government, that the poor slaves univer
sally regarded the Stars and the Stripes as the emblem of their deliverance
from bondage. Many of these men displayed much shrewdness and intel
ligence. The account which they gave of the evacuation of Manassas, of
the number and condition of the rebels who had been intrenched there
throughout the winter, of their own forced service in the rebel army was
fully corroborated by subsequent investigations."*
* " CharleSj the body servant of General Jackson, told me that one spring, after the adiouru-
ment of Congress, tlie General went from Washington to Richmond on horseback. As they rode

THB EVACUATIOJSf OF MANASSAS. 21
Some of these contrabands had eome to the army from ten miles beyond
Manassas. The information which we could have obtained during the winter,
if we would have cordially received these men, would have been invaluable.
But the desire of most of our army officers at that time was so strong to
conciliate the rebels, and they were so anxious to' prove that they had no
wish to weaken the fetters which bound the slave, that the contrabands
were repelled, often with great cruelty, from our lines. This fatal policy
was so decisive, that, by order of General McClellan, the Hutchinsons, a
band of popular singers; were expelled from the camps on the Potomac,
for singing those ballads of freedom which had been received with bursts
of enthusiasm by crowded auditories in Boston, New York, and Philadel
phia. As the Commander-in-Chief, with his staff, and a guard of three thou
sand cavalry, entered these abandoned redoubts, they were astonished, and
not a little chagrined, to find how trivial in reality the defences were.
The main column of the rebels had rested between Centre"^lle and Ma
nassas, and their encampments were scattered along to the northeast as far
as Fairfax Court-House. The force of the rebels had not, at any time
during the winter, exceeded seventy thousand men, and, for a month or
two before their retreat, they had numbered not more than forty thousand.
The main fortifications of the rebels were at Centreville. As you ap
proach Centreville from Fairfax Court House, a high ridge rises in the
form of a crescent, extending north and south. The summit of this ridge
is a plateau. In fi-ont, on the east, there is a plain, bare of trees, about a
mile in width. Along the crest of this hill, commencing at its northern
extremity, where it slopes do"wn to Eocky Eun, there extended, for about
a mile and a half, a chain of forts, connected by covered ways, and resting
at their southern termination upon the bluff's of Bull Eun.
These were the fortifications of the rebel army, so long deemed
impregnable. On the western slope of this ridge lies the village of
Centreville, where the rebels had been mainly encamped. This' single
line of earthworks, along the ridge in front of Centre"vdlle, occupied a
strong position, but had the appearance of having been hastily thrown
up. It was evident that the works had not been recently occupied, for
the escarpments were washed down, and the ditches filled up by the winter's
rains. Along these hues of redoubts were fifty-four embrasures, but no
evidence of siege-guns having ever been mounted. Thirty-five of these
embrasures were occupied by " quaker guns," consisting of maple logs,
their ends painted black, to resemble cannon. This was, indeed, an
economical contrivance in the rebel strategy, and, for the purpose
designed, was really as valuable as Columbiads and Dahlgrens. One
of the contrabands, being jocosely questioned as to the range and accuracy
of these quaker guns, replied :
along, beyond Alexandria, they overtook and passed one of these gangs of chained slaves. Tlie
General was filled with horror at the sight, and when he passed them he heard him exclaim,
'My God, what a terrible sight I' — ' Master,' said Charles, what do you think of that?' — ' Think,'
said the General, 'I do not want to think; surely a day of judgment will come.^ "—The Pen.
Camp., hy Rev. J. J. Marks, D. D.

22 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
" Why, sar, they used to say, them's jest as good to scare as any."^
When the intelligence reached the main body of the army at Fairfax
Court-House that the rebels had evacuated Manassas as well as Centre
ville, and had all escaped, no one knew where, the disappointment was
bitter. The troops had been chafing in their tents all the autumn and
"winter, impatient for action. Many of them actually shed tears in the
intensity of their chagrin that the enemy had eluded them. The intelli
gent soldiers saw at a glance, that, formidable as these earthworks were
in position, even had they been lined with well-served artillery, and
defended by fifty thousand men, they could have been without difficulty
flanked, and could not have withstood a direct assault from our impetuous
troops. The few lines of earthworks at Manassas were quite unimportant, and
e-^ddently had not been relied upon since the construction of the forts at
Centre-ville. No additions had been made to them since the last summer.
There were three or four smaller forts on gentle elevations, pierced for
eight or ten guns each, and separated nearly a mile from each other.
These formed the outer works. Behind this line, at the distance of half
a mile, at Manassas Junction, there was a small redan with a low rampart
of turfed earth. From letters found within the deserted camp, it seemed
that trusty spies had communicated to the rebels the most minute intelli
gence respecting the fortifications around Washington, and the troops
within the intrenchments. ^Ye knew nothing of their movements ; they
knew every thing respecting ours. Still the following extraordinary state
ment is made, in the publication upon the " Army of the Potomac" to
which we have alluded, attributed to the Prince de Joinville.
"McClellan had long known, better than anybody else, the real
strength of the rebels at Manassas and Centre"ville. He was perfectly famil
iar with the existence of ' wooden cannon,' by which it has been pretended
that he was kept in awe for six months. But he also knew that, till the
month of April, the roads of Yirginia are in such a state that wagons and
artillery can only be moved over them by constructing plank roads. We
have the right, we think, to say, that McClellan never intended to advance
upon Centreville. His long-determined purpose was to make Washington
safe by means of a strong garrison, and then to use the great navigable
waters and immense naval resources of the North to transport the army,
by sea, to a point towards Eichmond. For weeks, perhaps for months, this
plan had been secretly maturing. But the moment came, in which, not-
¦withstanding the loyal support given him by the President, that function
ary could no longer resist the tempest. A council of war of all the
divisional generals was held. A plan of campaign, not that of McClellan,
was proposed and discussed. McClellan was then forced to explain his
projects, and the next day they were known to the enemy. Informed, no
doubt, by one of those thousand female spies, Johnston evacuated Ma
nassas at once."
The abandonment of the enemy's works had been accomplished de
liberately, gkilfuUy, and thoroughly. For more than a month the trains
of < the Orange and Alexandria Eailroad had been leisurely transportino-

THE EVACUATION OF MANASSAS. 23
cannon, troops, and commissary stores toward Eichmond. When the
entire army had been safely removed, every bridge and cidvert on railroad
or turnpike was destroyed. The machine-shops and disabled locomotives
were blown up, and most of the buildings at Manassas fired. Numerous
clusters of log huts remained : the indications of the warm and comforta
ble quarters in which the rebels had passed the winter. So deliberate was
their retreat, that their main column of twenty thousand men, after march
ing some miles on Saturday, and finding the roads badly crowded, re
traced their steps to Centreville, slept quietly through the night in their log
huts, and on Sunday morning again resumed their journey. The rear-guard
left on Sunday night. They marked their path with utter desolation,
hoping thus to retard the advance of the patriot troops. All the male in
habitants of the region, capable of bearing arms, were compelled, by the
terrible energies of rebel conscription, to fall into the ranks of the retreating
army. On Friday morning, March 14th, a reconnoissance in force was made,
twelve miles beyond Manassas, to find out in what direction the rebels
had fled. It was greatly feared that they might be taking a northerly
circuit, around by the way of Leesburg, to cross the LTpper Potomac, and
to assail Washington, now comparatively defenceless, in the rear. General
Stoneman, therefore, with twelve hundred cavalry and seven hundred
infantry, followed the rear-guard of the foe along- the Orange and Alex
andria Eailroad to Catlett's Station. Here he came upon a superior force
of the rebels, consisting of five thousand horse and foot, with artillery.
He immediately attacked them. But they, refusing an engagement,
retreated across Cedar Eun, burning the bridge. General Stoneman, not
being provided with artillery, was unable to follow them farther, and re
turned to Manassas.
The National Army of over one hundred and fifty thousand men,
perhaps as splendidly equipped as any force which ever marched to a field
of battle, and eager to be led against the retiring foe, was encamped at
Manassas and CentrevUle. The people at the North were lost in wonder
why there was not an immediate and vigorous pursuit of the rebels.
But, as we have mentioned, it was never General McClellan's intention
to disturb the enemy at Manassas. His plan was to leave them behind
their intrenchments there ; not to molest them at all in their blockade of
the Potomac ; to transport his army across the country to Annapolis, there
embark them in transports, send them down the Chesapeake Bay, and,
landing them in the vicinity of Eichmond, to attack that city where
least defended. Nearly all the trouble of Yirginia mud would be avoided
by this ocean conveyance. Since transports could be had in any quan
tity, and the rebels had no navy, it is difficult to explain why the design
was not carried into execution during the long months of the autumn
and winter, when the troops were apparently idle. The Army of the
Potomac was certainly as well equipped and drilled as the troops in
other parts of the field, who were, through the most heroic battles, win
ning signal victories. It was this plan which, when tardily revealed, at
the council summoned by the President early in March, was overruled,

24 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
by him as we have stated, and the army was ordered to advance upon
Manassas. General McClellan, finding that the enemy had escaped him, instead
of pursuing them in their flight, as many thought he ought to have done,
decided to return to his original plan. It was indeed uncertain but that
the foe who had so stealthily escaped, was already upon the march to cross
the Potomac in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, and to attack Washington
in the rear. Therefore it seemed essential that the army should return as
speedily as possible to the capital. It so happened, however, that while
the National troops were retufliing on the double quick to Washington,
the rebels were leisurely marching south to Eichmond. When the rebels
evacuated Manassas, it of course became necessary for them to abandon all
their batteries with which they had blockaded the Potomac. Thus the river
was opened for our transports, and the Union troo];fs could be easily sent
down the Potomac, and landed within a few miles of Eichmond. But dila-
torincRS, which the Prince de Joinville says belongs to the American peo
ple, but which, the people say, controlled unaccountably the movements
of many of our leading generals, frustrated this plan.*
Eichmond is about one hundred and twenty miles south of Washington.
It is connected Avith the capital mainly by two railroads : one through
Fredericksburg to Acquia Creek ; and the other through Gordonsville,
Warrenton, and Manassas. It was the general sentiment of the commu
nity, that tliese two railroads presented the most available routes for our
army to approach Eichmond, since the divisions could easily co-operate,
and the advancing army would itself prove the protection of Washington.
By sending the main army down the Potomac, Washington would be left
unguarded, inviting a rapid onset from the vigilant foe. But, as General
McClellan chose the route by tlie Potomac, it became necessary to leave
a large force to protect Washington from sudden assault by the lines of
these railroads. It was decided that about fifty thousand men should
be left for the defence of the capital. The remainder of the army
was assembled at Alexandria, to embark in a fleet of over three hun- ^
dred transports. According to statements made by Quartermaster-Gen
eral Meigs before the Congressional Committee upon the conduct- ot
the war, the force shipped for the Peninsula amounted to one hundred
and twenty-three thousand men, eighteen hundred wagons, and forty-
* It was deemed by most military men a matter of great moment that this large army should be
di-nded into corps d'armee, that it might act more effectively in the field. The Congressional Coci-
mittee on the conduct ofthe war urged this ; the President and Secretary of War urged it. '• But."
says the Congressional Committee, "it did not seem to be regarded with much favor by General
McClellan. Indeed, General McClellau stated to your Committee, at the time of their conference
with hun, that although it might at some time be expedient to divide the army 'into army corps,
the subject was one cf great difficulty. He said it was a delicate matter to appoint major-
generals before they had been tried by actual service, and had sho-wn their fitness to be selected
to command thirty or forty thousand men. A major-general could not be stowed away in a
pigeon-hole, if he should prove incompetent, as easily as a brigadier-general. He proposed there
fore himself to manage this entire army in some battle or campaign, and then select from tbe
brigadier-generals in it such as proved themselves competent for the higher commands. Conse
quently, the division of the army into army corps was not even begun until after the movement
in March had commenced, and then only in pursuance of the direct and repeated orders of the
President." — Erpjrt of tlie Congressional Committee on tlie Army of ihe Potomac.

THB EVACUATION OF MANASSAS. 25
four batteries of artillery. The reenforcements soon after dispatched made
the total of the forces sent to the Peninsula over one hundred and fifty-
eight thousand men. It was not possible to send more than this, since
otherwise the safety of Washington would have been seriously imperilled.
Indeed, great anxiety was felt that so many troops should have been with
drawn. The Government at Washington very reluctantly consented to General
McClellan's plan of the campaign. Still, a majority of his subordinate
generals voted with him to move by the way of Yorktown. A council of
war was held in February ; twelve generals were present ; four only voted
to advance upon Eichmond by the direct route, via Fredericksburg and
Gordonsville. These four were McDowell, Sumner, Heintzelman, and
Barnard. Eight, namely, Keyes, Fitz John Porter, Franklin, W. F. Smith,
McCall, Blenker, Andrew Porter, and Naglee, voted in approval of General
McClellan's plan of an advance by the way of Yorktown. The principal
objections urged against the Yorkto-wn route were, the total want of
information in reference to the nature of the country there, the con
dition of the roads, and the preparations which the rebels had made for
defence. After the evacuation of Manassas, a council of general officers was held
at Fairfax Court-House on the 13th of March, when it was decided that
a force of fifty-five thousand men should be left for the protection of Wash
ington. The forts on the right qf the Potomac were to be fully garrisoned,
those on the left occupied, and such a force was to be left at Manassas as to
render it impossible for the foe to reoccupy that position."* For some reason,
however, General McClellan, when he left Alexandria, issued orders for
all the corps of the Army of the Potoinac, excepting General Banks's corps
of about thirty-five thousand men, who were on the other side of the Blue
Eidge, in the Yalley of the Shenandoah, to embark at once for the Penin
sula — the narrow strip of land so called, b,etween the York and James
Elvers. This led the President, anxious for the safety of Washington, to
issue an order for one corps of the Army of the Potomac to remain for the
. protection of the city. Thus the corps of General McDowell, which had
not then moved, was detained.
This unfortunate conflict between General McClellan and the powers
at Washington continued through the whole campaign. On the 2d of
April, General Wadsworth, in command of the forces in and around
Washington, stated that, for the protection of the capital and the immense
amount of military stores accumulated there, he had but, nineteen thousand
men. General McClellan objected strongly to the order of the President
detacliing General McDowell's corps. Again and again he sent the most
urgent entreaties to have portions of that corps forwarded to him. The
* On the 13th of March, General McClellan informed the War Department that " the Council
of Commanders of Army Corps have unanimously agreed upon a plan of operations, and General
McDowell will at once proceed to Washington and lay it before you."
The Secretary of ^ar, impatient that there should be some vigorous action, immediately tele
graphed back, " Whatever plan has been agreed upon, proceed at once to execute, without losing
an hour for my approval." — Report of Congressional Gommittee, p. 6.

JtSlfI^3-<i^^^s_J_

 ,.  ...-^Ku- nr '¦"<.- >.--T^,is./.:ij.-isr^  ^^^-i^..^"*^
MAP OF THE peninsular CAMPAIGN,

THE EVACUATION OF MANASSAS. 27
President, annoyed by these constant calls for reenforcements, and impa
tient at the delay, consented that Franklin's division of General McDowell's
corps should be sent to General McClellan.
The contemplated movements of the army down the Potomac were
kept, as far as possible, a profound secret. The country was electrified with
joyful surprise and hope, when, on the 2d of April, the tidings flashed
across the wires, that the grand army, which had so long been slumbering
on the banks of the Potomac, had been transferred to Fortress Monroe,
and was on the rapid march for Eichmond by the way of Yorktown.* The
rebels had not anticipated an attack in that direction, and had but ten
thousand troops on the Peninsula, a force which could have offered no op
position to an enemy of over one hundred thousand men.
On Friday, the 4th of April, the advance of the army commenced its
movement from Fortress Monroe towards Yorkto-wn, about twenty miles
distant. Yorktown presented a'strong position, where the rebels had built
quite formidable intrenchments. Beyond this line there extended a series
of swamps, exhaling, bene&th a summer's sun, malaria far more fatal to our
Northern troops than the sabres or the bullets of the most intrepid foe.
Nearly a month before this time, on the 10th of March, the reno-wned
conflict had taken place between the iron-clad Merrimac and the turreted
Monitor. The Merrimac, disabled, had retreated behind the guns of Sew-
all's Point. No one knew the nature of her injuries, or how soon she
might reappear with renovated power. Our dread of the Merrimac was
the salvation of Eichmond. But for that fear, we should have sent our
transports up the James Eiver, then but slightly protected, and, landing
our forces within a few miles of Eichmond, the city would inevitably have
fallen. That one ship, skulking behind the ramparts which frowned along
the Elizabeth Eiver, held our whole fleet and army for weeks at bay.
Every arrangement was made -wjiich human ingenuity could devise, to
meet her should she again come forth. The Monitor was there, vigilant,
and ever ready. Five or six large ships, with bows of solid oak cased in
iron, were on the alert, under full head of steam, to crush in with a butt,
which no mail of iron or steel could resist, her sides, should she appear! A
submerged network of cordage was also secretly spread across the mouth
* There chanced to be a pitiless storm when most of the troops were landed at Fortress
Monroe, and gathered in shivering bands on the shore. Dr. Marks, who was present, writes :
" In the darkness, and with the storm beating in their faces, with no light but the flashes of
the lightning, the men marched more than a mile and a half to an open moor ; and there, without
tents and without fire, nearly knee-deep in water, prepared to spend the night. Dreadful would
have been the sufferings of that night; but there were those who heard of our distress and pitied
us. The Sixteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers were encamped about half a mile from
the place where we halted. Some of this noble body of men were on guard when our be
wildered and dripping men passed by. When they were relieved and returned to their camp,
they roused half their regiment, and in a few moments came to us with large buckets of hot coffee
and crackers. This kindness was of incalculable benefit to us. It was the sympathy of true men
and soldiers toward their companions in arms, and cheered us more than the warmth of their
offering. But their efforts for us did not cease with this, for they aroused the camp of the
Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, who opened for us their stables, and into these wo crept : nd
were sheltered from the storm. Without the kindly intervention of these two regiments, great
would have been the sufferings of that wretched night." — Rev. J. J. Mwrlcs, O. D. The Peninsula
Campaign, p. 113.

28 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
of the Elizabeth Eiver, which could hardly fa,il to become wound around
her screw as she passed through it, and thus to paralyze her movements.
It cannot be doubted that, had slie ventured out, she would have been
almost instantly destroyed. It is apparently to be deplored that transports
were not sent into the James Eiver, to lure her out. Her destruction
would have left the path open for our fleet, almost to the threshold of
Eichmond.

CHAPTEE II.
THE ADVANCE TO YORKTOWN.
April 8d to April 16th, 1862.
The Line op March. — Slow Progress. — Brilliant Scene. — First Encounter. — The For
titications AT Yorktown, — Anxiety of the President. — Disastrous Effect of our
Dilatoriness. — Scene from the Balloon. — Heroism of the Patriots. — Anecdotes.
It was but a day's voyage by steam from Alexandria to Fortress Mon
roe, the distance being about seventy miles. The embarkation of the troops
did not commence until the 17th of March. A fortnight was then occu
pied in the transportation.
Though the National troops were all safely landed at Fortress Monroe,
still this delay, caused by the transportation, and the subsequent slow move
ments of the army, afforded the enemy opportunity to gather reenforce
ments and to throw up intrenchments. Soon after landing. General
Heintzelman pushed a strong reconnoissance towards Big Bethel. The force
consisted of the divisions of Generals Smith and Porter.
The advance was made in two columns, each of which started at eight
o'clock in the morning. General Smith took the road to Warwick, reach
ing the -vicinity of Watt's Creek about three o'clock in the afternoon.
Here the National troops were dra-wn up in line of battle, the defences and
strength of the enemy not being kno-wn. As the division advanced to the
ford, the Fifth Wisconsin were deployed as skirmishers,' and pushed for
ward through the woods to within five hundred .yards of the creek. The
other division took the direct route to Big Bethel. General Morrill's
brigade had the right, being attended by a detachment of the Eleventh
Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Spear. General Morrill
made a detour, avoiding Little Bethel, and joining the main division below
Big Bethel. As they emerged from the wood near the ford, six hundred
rebel cavalry and one piece of artillery were discovered across the clearing.
The Union skirmishers immediately deployed, firing a volley at the horse
men, who galloped away down the road, occasionally stopping their
horses and waving their hats tauntingly at their pursuing foes. They left
their artillery on the field, which soon explained to the troops, who had so
bravely charged upon it, the nature of their defiant gestures. The menacing
piece of ordnance proved to be another " quaker," in the form of a stove
pipe, mounted upon wagon wheels. It was soon effectually spiked.
Each column of the advance was accompanied by a band of Berdan's
sharpshooters, as skirmishers, armed with Colt's rifles. With the main
body of the infantry there was also a detachment of the same corps, armed

30 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
-with the hea-vy telescopic rifle, weighing twenty-five pounds. The rebels,
learning from the loud report of these guns that our men were armed with
a formidable weapon, generally kept at a safe distance. One horseman,
however, more bold than the rest, several times waved his hat vauntingly
at our men. Colonel Berdan, having observed this, commanded one of his
band to -wing the man. Not-withstanding the distance of at least thirteen
hundred yards, the moment the hat was again waved the ring of the rifle
was heard, and the boasting rebel dropped from his horse. The two
columns, having united, found themselves near the spot where, at the open
ing of the war, the heroic Winthrop fell, gloriously defending his country's
flag, and where Lieutenant Greble, with chivalry unsurpassed in ancient
story, died at his gun.
But there was no foe now at Big Bethel to oppose the Union troopg,
and they were soon within the ramparts, before which so many of our
patriotic fellow-countrymen had, several months before, shed their blood.
These fortifications were found to be sand batteries, with embrasures for
sixty guns. The rebels, at the approach of our troops in such strength,
fled, taking their guns with them. After having destroyed these works,
the reconnoitring party advanced to within eight miles of Yorktown.
General Heintzelman ascertained that the rebels had not more than ten
thousand troops on the Peninsula, and was confident that he could im
mediately advance and take Yorktown. He telegraphed General McClel
lan what he was doing, and received, in reply, a dispatch urging him to be
cautious and not afford the enemy any indication of the intended line of
advance, whether by Norfolk or Yorktown. General Heintzelman accord
ingly withdrew his reconnoissance, and returned to Fortress Monroe.
On Thursday, the 3d of April, General McClellan arrived, and the order
was given for the main body of the army to be ready the next morning for
the advance upon Yorktown. The soldiers were ordered to prepare five
days' rations, — three to be carried in their knapsacks and two in the wagons.
This command sent a thrill of joy through the ranks, for all were weary of
the long months of inglorious ease, during which they had loitered behind
the intrenchments on the Potomac. As the shades of night settled down
over the bustling camp, a scene more beautiful than imagination can well
conceive was presented to the eye. In that genial clime the air was
deliciously pure and balmy. The winds had all fallen asleep, and scarcely
a leaf moved. The new moon rode serene in a cloudless sky, without suf
ficient splendor to eclipse the myriad of stars which crowded the firmament.
The exultant soldiers threw rails and logs upon their camp-fires, and the
crackling fiames so brilliantly illumined the scene, that, as with the light
of day, all the movements of the camp were revealed. Never did a pic
nic festival present a more joyous aspect. The groups of soldiers were in
all picturesque attitudes. Some were thoughtfully writing to loved ones
at home, with pensive countenance and moistened eye, all oblivious of the
wild and wondrous scene around. Others were frolicking and dancing,
with shouts which rang through the groves. Some were burnishing their
arms, or mending their clothes, or cooking food for the hungry hours which
they knew 'would soon come ; while others were soundly asleep, with the

THE ADVANCE TO YORKTOWN. 31
green turf alone for mattress and pillow. The white tents, scattered around,
added not a little to the beauty of the spectacle. Enlivening music from
many bands rose over all, and floated through the night air in soul-stirring
strains. But at length the moon went do-wn. The camp-fires burned more
and inore dimly, until they expired, and the silence of midnight enveloped
the sleeping camp.
At three o'clock in the morning, at the sound of the reveille, every
soldier sprang from his couch. The camp-fires were instantly replenished,
and almost in a moment the gloom of the midawned morning was dis
pelled by the flashings of a thousand flames. The hot coffee was soon
drank, the morning meal hastily eaten, and at half past five the brigades
were formed in line of march. Each soldier carried his own shelter
tent. Six wagons only were allowed each regiment for the officers' tents,
baggage, and the hospital and commissary stores. As the column took up
its fine of march, the cavalry and sharpshooters were sent in advance, to
search out the foe, and to remove any obstructions of felled trees or broken
bridges, by which the rebels might have endeavored to retard their pro
gress. The main body of the troops advanced by the direct road to York-
town. General Morell's brigade and General Hamilton's di-vision took a
road which led off to the right. The route traversed by both -wings of the
army led through a fertile and very beautiful region, shaded with forests,
and embellished with the mansions of the wealthy planters. But war had
already spread its desolation over these once fair fields. Thelfarms were
forsaken, and the little villages were abandoned by their terrified inhab
itants. Near Big Bethel the scouts of the enemy were first encountered. They
offered little resistance until our troops approached Harrold's Mills. Early
in the afternoon the report of artillery was heard in front. The wearied
soldiers, exhilarated by the sound, grasped their muskets, and were eager
to press forward at the double quick, but they were held back by their of
ficers. The rebels had two field-pieces posted upon an eminence, behind
strong ramparts, and had opened fire upon the advance. The Fifth Massa
chusetts battery moved forward, and threw such a shower of shells into
their redoubt that the rebels speedily retreated, carrying their guns with
them. As the Stars and Stripes were unfurled over the captured ram
parts, the woods rang -with the cheers of the patriots. The main body of
the army remained at this point during the night, but General Morell's
brigade moved on three miles farther to Oockle-ville, where they encamped.
They had marched, circuitously, twenty-four miles during the day, and
were within six miles of Yorktown.*
* " We reached Yorkto-wn on the afternoon of Saturday, the 5th of April. If we had attacked
Yorktown on that Saturday afternoon, there is no doubt we should have taken it. I conversed sub
sequently -with several Confederate officers who had been at the siege, and they all assured me
that they had made arrangements to abandon the town, and, accordingly, had sent away their
families, servants, and camp furniture. They expected us to advance that Saturday afternoon,
and carry the place by assault ; but when they found that we delayed, the officers and troops
determined to make the most gallant defence. And soon they gained large reinforcements, and
received instructions to hold us before Yorktown as long as possible. On the Saturday of our
arrival before that place the rebel officers informed me that they had but seven thousand five

32 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
At seven o'clock the next morning, Saturday, April Sth, the troops at
Cockleville were joined by the divisions which remained in the rear, and
the march on Yorktown was resumed. A heavy rain was falling. The
road ran through a dense forest, and was soon cut up, by the ponderous
wheels of artillery and baggage wagons, into an almost impassable slough.
The mud was sometimes up to the men's knees. When within three miles
of Yorktown, massive fortifications wei-e descried about a mile in advance,
on the right of the main road. At ten o'clock, the Union troops com
menced forming in line of battle, by occupying %e most commanding posi
tions as the various columns arrived on the ground.
General Porter* took the centre. General Sedgwick the extreme right.
Generals Hamilton and Smith the extreme left. It was soon perceived
that the rebel fortifications extended seven miles, from the York Eiver to
the James, s-weeping entirely across the Peninsula. These works, how
ever, had been very hastily thrown up, and it subsequently appeared that,
without much difficulty, our forces could have pierced the line, isolating
Yorktown and cutting off reenforcements. Generals Heintzelman and
Hamilton applied to General McClellan for permission to do this. For
some unexplained reason, no ,answer was returned to their application.
General McClellan had determined upon a siege. The President was op
posed to this, as it would necessarily occupy weeks of time, and enable
the enemy to accumulate a large army for the defence of Eichmond. To
General McClellan's earnest demand for more troops to conduct the siege,
the President replied as follows: the whole letter is so characteristic of
his manly, patriotic, generous spirit, that it deserves a full record.
" Washington, April 9th, 1862.
" Majoe-Geneeal McClellan :
" Mt Deae Sie : — Your dispatches, complaining that you are not
properly sustained, while they do not oflend me, do pain me very much.
" Blenker's division was withdrawn from you before you left here : and
you know the pressure under which I did it ; and, as I thought, acquiesced
in it — certainly not without reluctance.
" After you left, I ascertained that less than twenty thousand unorgan-
hundred men. But in a few days fifty thousand were sent in the defence. The long delay here,
the exposure, fatigue, and the fevers generated in the swamps, did more to dispirit tlie army and
waste its strength than five battles. We were thirty days before the place, casting up intrench
ments and erecting the various works necessary for a successful bombardment." — Tlie Peninsula
Campaign. Rev. J. J. Marks, D. D.
* Brigadier General Fitz-.John Porter was born in New Hampshire, about the year 1824. He
graduated at West Point, in the Artillery Corps, in 1845, and in May, 1847, was promoted to a
First-Lieutenancy. Engaging in tho Mexican war, he was brevetted Captain for gallant conduct
at Molino del Key. Again, at Chapultepec, he distinguished himself, and obtained the brevet
rank of Major., In the confiict at the Belen'gate he was severely wounded. Returning with the
army, his scholarly reputation secured for him the appointment of Assistant Instructor of Artil
lery at West Point. The breaking out of the rebellion called him again into active service. In
May, 1861, he was appointed Colonel, and, three days after, Brigadier-General, of Volunteers.
Many of the National generals were at that time strongly pro-slavery in their feelings, and, while
sincerely opposed to the dismemberment of the Union, were in sympathy with the demands of
the slaveholders, and in favor of yielding to them. General Porter had the reputation of belong
ing, very decidedly, to this class.

THE ADTANCE TO YORKTOWN. 33
ized men, without a single field battery, were all you designed to be left
for the defence of Washington and Manassas Junction ; and part of this,
even, was to go to General Hooker's old position.
" General Banks's corps, once designed for Manassas Junction, was di
verted and tied up on the line of Winchester and Strasburg, and could
not leave it without again exposing the Upper Potomac and the Baltimore
Eaiboad. This presented (or would present, when McDowell and Sumner
should be gone a great temptation to the enemy to turn back from
the Eappahannock, and sack Washington.
" My explicit order that Washington should, by the judgment of all the
commanders of corps, be left entirely secure, had been neglected. It was
precisely this that drove me to detain McDowell. I do not forget that I
was satisfied with your arrangement to leave Banks at Manassas Junction ;
but when that arrangement was broken up, and nothing was substituted
for it, of course I was not satisfied ; I was constrained to substitute some
thing for it myself.
" And now, allow me to ask, do you really think I should permit the
line from Eichmond, via Manassas Junction, to this city, to be entirely
open, except what resistance could be presented by less than twenty
thousand unorganized troops ? This is a question which the country will
not allow me to evade.
" There is a curious mystery about the number of troops now with you.
When I telegraphed you on the Gth, saying that you had over one hundred
thousand -with you, I had just obtained from the Secretary of War a
statement, taken, as he said, from your own returns, making one hundred
and eight thousand then with you, and en route to you.
" You now say that you will have but eighty-five thousand when all en
route shall have reached you. How can the discrepancy of twenty-three
thousand be accounted for? As to General Wool's command, I understand
it is doing for you precisely what a like number of your own would have
to do, if that command were away.
"I suppose the whole force which has gone forward for you is with
you by this time ; and, if so, I think it is the precise time for you to strike
a blow. By delay the enemy will relatively gain upon you ; that is, he
will gain faster by fortifications and reenforcements, than you can by re
enforcements alone.
" And, once more, let me tell you it is indispensable to you that you
strike a blow. I am powerless to help this. You will do me the justice
to remember, I always insisted that going down the bay in search of a
field, instead of fighting at or near Manassas, was only shifting, not sur
mounting a difficulty ; that we would find the same enemy, and the same
or equal intrenchments, at either place. The country will not fail to
J ote — is now noting — that the present hesitation to move upon an in
trenched enemy, is but the story of Manassas repeated.
" I beg to assure you that I have never written you or spoken to you in
greater kindness of feeling than now, nor with a fuller purpose to sustain
you, so far as in my most anxious judgment I consistently can. But you
must act. Yours very truly, A. Lincol:^."
Vol. n.— 3

gi CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
The chain of earthworks which the enehiy had thrown up and were
hourly strengthening, while reenforcements were being hurried forward to
man them, was built in tlie form of a semicircle, with numerous rifle.pitsin
front. The ramparts were rapidly supplied with guns of the heaviest cal
ibre, many of them being 32 and 42-pounders. The ground was generally
an undulating plain, densely covered with forest. Near Yorktown the
land was low and marshy, and in some places so soft as to be quite impas
sable. Between the line of the National troops, as that line was gradually
formed, and the redoubts of the foe, there was a ravine which was occu
pied by Berdan's sharpshooters, who were thus enabled to obtain a range
of about eight hundred yards. The rebels, in the rear of their fortifica
tions, rapidly accumulated a large reserve, so that ere long they had at
that point a force of about thirty thousand men.
As the National troops cautiously approached the rebel redoubts, to
ascertain the weight of their guns, an artillery skirmish commenced, the
first shot being fired at ten o'clock from the rebel works near Yorkto-wn.
The shell passed over the heads of General Porter and his staff, and fell
without exploding some distance behind them, in the thick woods on their
left. Wieden's battery, on our right, was the first to reply, followed by
Martin's on our left. Griffin's Third Ehode Island Battery, aided by Al
len's Third Massachusetts, was also soon engaged on the right. The fire
from the National guns was vigorous and efficient — much more so than that
of the rebels. Berdan's sharpshooters rendered very important service.
When the action commenced, under General Porter, these sharpshoot
ers advanced as skirmishers, to clear the woods. Deploying to the right
and left, they plunged into the bushes, while a storm of shot and shell was
falling around them. A-t length, coming to an open space, where there
was no protection, they threw themselves upon the ground, flat upon their
faces, and wormed themselves along under the shelter of such rocks, stumps,
and hummocks as could be found, until they attained positions from which
they could reach the foe with their unerring rifles. Their fire was so rapid
and deadly as greatly to embarrass the rebels at their guns. If a head
were seen through the embrasures, or a hand rose above the ramparts, it
was sure to be hit. In vain the, rebels endeavored to drive off these un
seen yet stinging foes, by opening upon them the most desperate fire of
their batteries. They maintained their position, and their efficient action,
until the close of the day. At one time a mounted rebel oflicer ventured
outside of one of the redoubts. The white bosom of his shirt, dimly visi
ble, presented a target. " California Joe " drew up his telescopic rifle,
took deliberate aim, fired, and the man reeled and fell headlong from his
horse to the ground.
Through the entire day the shelling of the rebel forts was continued by
our batteries. There were also a few unimportant skirmishes when our
infantry encountered parties of the infantry of the foe. Still, no decisive
results were obtained. One or two rebel guns were captured, and our loss,
during the confiict of the day, amounted to but three killed and twenty
wounded. The forces of the rebels were continually increased by detachments from

THE ADVANCE TO YORKTOWN. 35

their army of the Eapidan. Their position was deemed too strong to be
carried by direct assault. The next morning, Sunday, April 6, General
McClellan arrived from Fortress Monroe, bringing with him large reen
forcements. A balloon ascension was made, by which very accurate infor
mation was obtained respecting the strength of the rebel force, and the
nature of their intrenchments.
The balloon corps became a very important branch of our military ser
vice. Professor Lowe, an experienced aeronaut, was its chief He had
two large balloons, with ample arrangements for their speedy inflation.
These balloons were sent up from all parts of the camp, and, wh^n there
was but little wind and the atmosphere was clear, they proved exceedingly
efficient in disclosing the position and movements of the rebels. It was
manifestly very annoying to the rebels to see the silken globe, at a safe
distance, floating in the air, while, from the car suspended beneath, the
Union officers, with powerful glasses, scrutinized all their movements. A
strong cord, two thousand feet in length, held the balloon firmly in its po
sition at any desirable height. With a pulley and tackle below, it was
easily drawn down. Generally two or three went up together.
The scene was indescribably beautiful and imposing, as, in the clear
atmosphere of a sunny day, these officers looked do-wn from such a dizzy
height upon bannered armies below, who were often at the time contending
upon the green and luxuriant fields of old Yirginia. Within the area of a
circle four miles in diameter, the view, even to the naked eye, was nearly
perfect. From the reconnoissance thus obtained,, it was judged prudent to
wait for the arrival of the heavy siege-guns, many of which had not yet
been taken from the transports. It vt^as thought that a few days' bom
bardment, -with artillery so ponderous, would weaken the defences of the foe
sufficiently to warrant an assault by storm. On this day, however. Ship
ping Point, on Pequosin Bay, was taken by the Union forces, and thus the
transportation of supplies for the army was greatly facilitated.
Ten days passed away in the toil of the siege, when, on Wednesday,
the 16th, the first serious attack upon the enemy's works occurred, near Lee's
Mills, on our left, under the command of General W. F. Smith. This was
the position assigned to the column of the army under General Keyes. In
his advance by a route near James Eiver, the rebels had fallen back be
fore him six miles, from Young's Mill to Lee's Mills, on Warwick Creek,
where they strongly intrenched themselves. Here they seemed disposed
to make a vigorous defence. Xee's Mills are about two miles from the
James Eiver, and six from Yorkto-wn. Warwick Creek here makes up
from the James Eiver, in some places deep and narrow, with bold banks,
the land generally spreading out into swamps. Two forts, with exten
sive rifle-pits, were constructed by the rebels on the west side of the creek.
In front of these forts there was an open space of about twelve hundred
yards, and in the rear a dense forest. Thick woods also fringed the forts
on each side. On the enemy's right the ravine, through which the waters
of the creek sluggishly flow, widened into a marsh, and the stream,
dammed up below, so flooded the morass as to render any flank movement
in that direction almost impossible.

36 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
A little farther down the creek, another fort, with rifle-pits, had been
constructed to command the road to Lee's Mills, which passed by these
works at a distance of about twelve hundred yards. It was resolved to
drive the rebels from this commanding position. Accordingly, at nine
o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, April 16th, a portion ofthe Third
Yermont, supported by Mott's battery, advanced, as skirmishers, towards
the eastern banks of the creek. The first shell they fired exploded directly
over the rebel fort. With a well-manned battery of six guns, the patriots
opened upon the rebels, with great rapidity and precision, a deadly fire of
shot and shell. With equal vigor the rebels returned the fire. Their first
shell exploded in front of one of our guns, killing or wounding every man
but one.
For three hours an incessant duel was thus kept up on both sides, the
marshy creek alone separating the combatants. Soon one-half of the guns
in the rebel forts were silenced by the fire from the National batteries.
The rebels then ceased to reply and evacuated the fort. Sharpshooters
were sent forward to reconnoitre, but they could not ascertain what had
become of the garrison. The National troops, consisting of the Third,
Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Yermont Eegiments, weary of the fatigue 'of
marching and the battle, were now allowed a short respite for dinner and
repose. No enemy was any longer visible. We had thus far lost but
seven men. After a few shells had been thrown into the adjacent woods,
to search out any rebels who might be skulking there, the soldiers slept
upon the greensward, and the most impressive silence and stillness fol
lowed the harsh clamor of war.
At four o'clock in the afternoon the rebels again appeared in possession
of \ another breastwork, upon which they had mounted several guns. In
large numbers they were seen swarming through the woods in the vicinity
of the fort. Captain Mott pointed to the fortification, and, in a few glow- .
ing words, inspired his men with zeal to cross the creek and storm the in
trenchments. Mott's battery was now reenforced by Ayres's and Wheeler's,
numbering, in all, twenty-two guns. They were brought up to within five
hundred yards of the fort, to cover the charge of the Vermonters. The
heroic Green Mountain boys rushed forward to the bank of the creek and
plunged in. The creek, then flooding a marsh about twelve rods wide,
was found unexpectedly deep. The men had but just entered the stream,
when they found themselves sinking to their waists in water and mire.
At the same moment, from a long line of rifle-pits npon tlie opposite
banks, a tempest of bullets was rained down upon them. Undaunted,
these young patriots pressed on, loading and firing as they advanced.
Their killed, and many of their wounded, sank in the stream.
But their comrades, instead of turning back with the wounded, seized
them by the arm or the collar of the coat, and pushed resolutely on
to meet the intrenched foe. As soon as they got foothold on the
western bank, with a cheer, whicli rang like the clarion of victory,
they made a dash at the enemy, concealed in the long line of rifle-
pits. The rebels, in a panic, fled, and sought protection behind the re
doubt. The victors found, to their dismay, that many of their cartrido-ea

THE ADVANCE TO YORKTOWN. 37
were soaked with water and utterly useless. Still, for an hour they fought
against superior numbers. The rebels were behind their ramparts. The
patriots, dividing with each other the few dry cartridges they possessed,
soon found their ammunition expended, while, for some unexplained reason,
no reenforcements were sent to support them. Why the men should have
been sent across the creek to meet a vastly outnumbering force, and then
be left there to be massacred, no one has yet revealed. It is a mystery
wliich can, perhaps, be explained, but unfortunately it has not been, and
we must leave it, as another in the long list of inexplicable events which
have occurred during the progress of the war.*
As the fire of the patriots slackened, suddenly the rebels rushed out
from behind thei;* ramparts by thousands, and charged along the whole
line of rifle-pits. The heroic little band, without ammunition, and with
their ranks greatly thinned, found it impossible to resist the multitude
crowding down upon them. They would all inevitably have been cap
tured or slain, but for the admirable efficiency with which the guns of*
Ayres's battery were served. As the Yermonters, under the shelter of
the batteries, abandoned the captured rifle-pits, and retreated to recross
the stream, the rebels again occupied the pits, and opened upon them
a terribly galling fire. Still, in good order, the National troops entered
the creek, carrying with them their wounded comrades. Many were shot
in the water. A boy of sixteen, who was in the midst of the carnage,
has graphically described the storm of lead which fell upon them, by
saying : " Why, sir, it was just like sap boiling, in that stream, the bullets
fell so thick."
The heroism of these brave men could not be surpassed. As soon as
they reached the eastern banks they rallied and commenced the fight
anew. Many of them, regardless of the murderous fire of the foe, dashed
back again into the stream to help out the wounded, who were clinging to
the flooded trees.
JuHan A. Scott, of the Third Yermont, a lad under sixteen years of
age, was one of these heroes. Again and again he went back, apparently
to almost certain death, and saved no less than nine of his companions. It
is to be deplored that so many similar scenes of heroism, which this war
has elicited, must pass into oblivion. The troops were sayed from total de
struction, mainly through the energy and military skill of Captain Ayres.
He selected just the right position for his batteries. Keeping a watchful
eye upon the foe, the moment he saw them form to charge he opened upon
them, from his twenty-two guns, so terrible a fire that they did not dare
leave their intrenchments. The fire was so accurate that every rebel can
non was silenced. One ball swept a whole file of rebels to the ground.
A patriot boy, but seventeen years of age, John Harrington, having re
turned across the stream, through the tempest of bullets, saw a wounded
comrade left in one of the rifle-pits. He immediately went back and
brought him safely away. Lieutenant Whittemore watched the move-
* The Prince de Joinville, in his pamplilet, simply remarks: "They advanced gallantly, car
ried the rifle-pits, but their ammunition had been wetted in passing the stream; they were not
supported, and retired after losing many of their number."

38 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
ments of the heroic boy, and saved his Life, by shooting several rebels who
were taking deliberate aim at him.
When the Third Yermont charged upon the rifle-pits, the first man
who fell, pierced by six bullets, was William Scott. This young man,
some months before, in his lonely midnight watch, near Chain Bridge, had
fallen asleep at his post. The stern necessities of -war regarded this as a
grievous offence. He was doomed to die, and the day was fixed for hig
execution. The kind-hearted President interposed to save him, and rode
over to the camp with a pardon. The young man was intelligent, brave,
and earnestly patriotic. Now as he fell, and his life-blood was fast ebbing
away, his comrades heard him, amidst all the din of war, praying, with
his last breath, for the President of the United States.
The sharpshooters were marvellously efficient on this occasion. Ten
of them, -with heavy telescopic rifies, were stationed to watch the enemy's
largest gun. So unerring was their fire, that every one who approached it
was instantly killed. For a long time it was thus rendered utterly useless
to the rebels, until at length a ball from Kennedy's battery crushed the
wheels, and hurled the ponderous engine useless to the ground. Our
total loss was one hundred and sixty-four in killed and wounded.
Most of this loss was incurred in the disastrous retreat. And this
retreat was rendered necessary by that unaccountable crime of gener
alship, which left brave men unsupported. Like the disaster at
Ball's Bluff, and some other similar catastrophes during this war,
the expedition seems to have had no responsible head. Napoleon or
Wellington would probably have inquired into the matter, and some one
would have been shot. We, good-naturedly, buried the dead and com
forted ourselves with the assurance that there was " nobody to blame."
The men, under their heroic officers, fought with bravery which could not
have been exceeded. They rushed over the ramparts of the foe, and drove
the outnumbering enemy from their guns. With the support which they
should immediately have received, they, could easily have maintained
their position. By not being supported they found themselves in a trap.
Their brilliant victory thus became a disastrous defeat.

CHAPTER III.
THE SIEGE OP YORKTOWN.
Prom April 19th to May 8d, 1S62.
Vast Siege- Works Constructed.— Insignificance op the Garrison. — General Franklin's
Division. — Scenes op the Siege. — Historical Reminiscences. — The Unexpected Re
treat op the Foe. — The Pursuit.
A MONTH was spent by the National Army in its slow approaches upon
Yorktown. The impatience of the nation became feverish. While many
military officers approved of this cautious procedure, there were others who
deemed it entirely unnecessary. They affirmed that the army was
becoming more demoralized by the labors of this long siege, than it would
have been by even an unsuccessful assault. General McClellan, who had
strongly objected to the order of the President, which detached General
McDowell's corps for the defence of Washington, called so incessantly and
earnestly for reenforcements, that, on the llth of April, General Franklin's
division of McDowell's corps was sent to Fortress Monroe, and placed
under General McClellan's orders.* By the 30th of April, according to
official returns, the National troops on the Peninsula, present for duty,
amounted to one hundred and twelve thousand three hundred and ninety-
two. The President was greatly annoyed by the apparent dilatoriness of
army movements, the cause of which lie could not understand. On the
1st of May he telegraphed to General McClellan : —
" Your call for Parrott guns from Washington alarms me, chiefiy be
cause it argues indefinite procrastination. Is any thing to be done ?"
On Thursday morning, April 17th, the day after the apparently needless
repulse of our victorious troops at Lee's Mills, General McClellan, with
his staff, appeared at General Keyes's head-quarters, and hastily examined,*
from a distance, the enemy's works which we had taken and lost. For a
* General William B. Franklin was born in York, Pennsylvania, February 27th, 182.'?. He
entered West Point, and graduated, with its highest honors, at the head of a class of thirty-pine,
in 1843. As lieutenant in the corps of Topographical Engineers, he was employed for two years
in a survey of the Northern lakes. In 1845, under General Kearney, he accompanied an expe
dition to the South Pass of the Kocky Mountains. In 1846 he accompanied the army of Gen
eral Wool to Mexico. There, joining the staff of General Taylor, he fought at Buena Vista, where
he distinguished himself for his gallautry. In 1848, he was recalled to West Point, and waa
appointed Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy. In 1852, he accepted a situation
to teach the same branches in the New York City Free Academy. This .situation he held but
a short time, and was engaged in various offices of civil and military engineering, in several
parts of the land. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion, he was appointed, in 1861, Colonel
ofthe Twelfth Infantry, and superintended the transportation of volunteers to the seat of war.
In the disastrous battle of Bull Run, his brigade was in the hottest of the fight and covered tha
retreat. He is regarded as one of the most able officers in the army.

4,0 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
few days there was no fighting anywhere along the extended lines. Our
troops, vastly outnumbering the foe, were impatient to be led to the assault,
but were restrained until all things were arranged to render the success of
an assault a certainty. In the mean time the rebels were every hour
receiving reenforcements and strengthening their redoubts. General
McClellan kept his troops very vigorously at work in the trenches. ^ Ten
thousand men were incessantly employed with axes and spades, so relieved,
that the work could go on uninterruptedly night and day. Abatis of
felled trees, with sharpened branches, were constructed, trenches opened,
and batteries reared.
There was a narrow creek winding along in front of the patriot line.
The banks of this stream were fringed with tulip-trees ; and flowering
shrubs, in full bloom, cheered the eye with beauty and filled the air with
fragrance. While the men worked, as far as possible, under concealment,
the rebels kept up a constant fire upon them. Balls and shells shrieked
through the air, and shivered the branches ofthe trees, doing, however, so
little harm, that it became a source of amusement for those in the rear to
go to the front, to witness the -impotent cannonade. The Prince de Join-
-ville speaks glowingly of the picturesque scene presented, when, in the
evening of a fine sunny day, the detachment of ten thousand laboring sol
diers returned from the trenches through the blossoming woods. They
marched gayly to the sound of martial music. The silken banners, the
white tents, the bugle peals, the movements of the well-drilled troops, the
heavy boom of distant guns, the prancing of steeds, the balloon floating
in the air — all combined in the creation of a scene of sublimity and of
beauty, from which every thing revolting in war was excluded.
Eapidly the siege-works rose around Yorktown. Immense rifled guns,
throwing one hundred and two hundred pound shot, were brought up and
placed in commanding positions. Mortars of thirteen and a half inch calibre
were stationed to drop their shells within the rebel redoubts, and fifteen
batteries, with four redoubts, were prepared to rain down a concentric fire
upon the foe. While this immense labor was bteing accomplished, scarce a
gun was fired from the patriot side. So admirable was the mechanism of
the immense cannon, which threw shot weighing two hundred pounds, that
four men could work them with ease ; and their balls w6uld strike the
mark with gieat accuracy at the distance of three miles.
All were impatient to witness the operation of one of these mammoth
guns, and one day, rather as a matter of experiment and curiosity, a few
balls were hurled against the redoubts of the foe. The rebels replied with
a somewhat smaller rifled piece, mounted on one of the bastions of York-
town. For several hours this exciting artillery duel continued. As the
huge gun was discharged, the soldiers sprang upon the parapet to watch
the effects of the shot. At the flash of the responding gun, they jumped
down behind the shelter of the rampart. The distance was so great, that
they had ample time, after the flash, to reach their shelter before the ball
arrived. The shells generally passed over their heads, striking the ground
about one hundred and, fifty feet beyond, and exploding with such force as
to throw stones and earth fifty or sixty feet into the air.

THE SIEGE OP YORKTOWN. 41
Yorktown, a port of entry, and the capital of York County, Yirginia,
was, before the rebellion, a quiet, unobtrusive little village of between
twenty and thirty houses, half of them uninhabited. The place, quite in
significant in itself, had been rendered memorable by the siege, in 1781,
of the British forces under Cornwallis, by the xmited forces of France and
America, under Washington and Eochambeau. At every step our soldiers
were coming upon the traces of this renowned conflict, which was the
finishing blow in securing the independence of our country. The old
decayed hovel is still pointed out, in which Lafayette had his head-quarters.
It was France who aided us in those dark hours through which we strug
gled to independence, and we shall be indeed ungrateful if we ever forget
it. The Prince de Joinville, as he contemplated these scenes, feelingly
writes : —
" I could not but ask myself if, by a strange caprice of destiny, these
same ramparts might not behold the undoing of the work of 1781 ; and
if, from the slow siege of Yorkto-wn, both the ruin of the great Eepublic
and the rupture of the Franco-American alliance might not be fated to
come forth."
Whatever might be the opinion of individuals as to our power to take
Yorktown by storm, there was no doubt whatever that, with our immense
resources, we could take it with all ease if we were willing to resort to the
slow operations of siege. The rebels, with no casemates in which they
could take shelter, with no defences but simple earthworks, could not make
any prolonged resistance. Summer, with- its malaria and its fevers, was
rapidly approaching, and every day of delay perilled almost the existence
of the army. The whole month of April passed away in this -weary work.
Every movement was ordered upon the most approved principles of mili
tary engineering. This was the specialty of General McClellan, and he
enjoyed work which he could perform so well. At length every thing was
arranged for the grand bombardment ; the choicest troops were selected
for the most important positions ; the signals were all ready to set the trans
ports in motion, so soon as Yorktown should fall, to convey Franklin's
division up the York Eiver and cut off the rebels in their retreat. But alas !
the moment -we were ready to clutch the bird it flew !
The rebels, ha-ving detained us before their earthworks for nearly a
month, and knowing to an hour when we intended to strike the blow,
which, they were as fuUy aware as we, must be decisive, on, the night of the
3d of May quietly evacuated Yorktown and all their lines on the Warwick
Eiver. They had learned how to do this at Manassas and Corinth. On
the 3d the rebels opened a tremendous fire from all their batteries, driving
the patriots from their signal-posts, and, under cover of this fire, they safely
and -without molestation withdrew.
As the day dawned on the 4th of May, our sharpshooters, peeping from
the rifle-pits in the advance, were surprised that none of the enemy could
be seen in or around the distant ramparts. Some of the patriots cautiously
crept forward. All was silence and solitude. Emboldened and amazed,
they advanced to the very embrasures of the redoubts, and there was no
enemy there. Through various telegraphic lines the intelligence flashed to

42 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
head-quarters, and as speedily was conveyed through the ranks of the
army. Like a phantom the rebels had disappeared, and the soldiers, with
chagrin inexpressible, mourned over the loss of the brilliant victory they
had so long anticipated.*
The rebels, well satisfled with the delay they had occasioned, fell back
upon the lines in their rear, which in the mean time they had been vigi
lantly throwing up for the defence of Eichmond. Our army, having been
so long encamped in a region of poisonous swamps, was suffering severely
from sickness. The malaria which assailed the men speedily consigned
thousands to the hospital. The Northern soldiers generally were highly
intellio-ent men, and they fully comprehended our unfortunate position.
A sense of discouragement oppressed the army.
Throuo-hout the community at large parties were formed, some warmly
approving, others bitterly condemning the conduct of the campaign. It
was observed that all those who were favorably inclined towards slavery,
who were disposed to sympathize with the rebels, who were hostile to all
measures of emancipation, and who avowed the desire to reconstruct the
Union by yielding to the demands of the slaveholders, were loud in their
commendation of these cautious measures. There were prominent mem
bers of Congress and leading officers in the army, who openly declared that
they did not wish to irritate " our friends " in the South, by striking them
very heavy blows. They hoped, by the show of resistless strength, and by
the manifestation of a spirit of forbearance and conciliation — by gentle and
persuasive violence — to -win back our " wayward sisters." They did not
attempt to conceal their desire to secure the return of the seceded States
upon the basis of new concessions to the demands of slavery. Though
General McClellan is not known to have committed himself to these views,
it was generally understood that he was the recognized representative of
this party. They all, with one voice, proclaimed him their chieftain.
The radical hostility of the rebels to the principles of our free institu
tions was every day more emphatically avowed under the exasperations of
the war. The following statement jfrom the Eichmond (Yirginia) Ex
aminer, issued about this time, forcibly expresses the views held by the
rebels respecting human rights, and avows, in language whieh cannot be
misunderstood, the change they wished to have effected in the American
Constitution, with which alone they would be satisfied : — ¦
" The establishment of the Confederacy is a distinct reaction against
the whole course of the mistaken ci-vilization of the age. And this is the
true reason why Ave have been left without the sympathy of the nations,
until we conquered that' sympathy with the sharp edge of our sword. For
' Liberty, Equality, Fraternity,' we have deliberately substituted Slavery,
Subordination, and Government. Those social and political problems
which rack and torture modern society, we have undertaken to solve for
ourselves, in our own way, and upon our own principles. That, ' among
equals equality is right ;' among those who are naturally unequal, equality
* In the investigation of this affair by the Congressional Committee, one ofthe witnesses tes
tifies '^ that General McClellan was very much chagrined and mortified at the evacuation, as he
had made his f reparations to open from his batteries on Monday, the Sth of May."

THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN. •43
IS chaos ; that there are slave races, born to serve ; master races, born to
govern ; such are the fundamental principles whieh we inherit from the
ancient world, which we lifted up in the face of a perverse generation that
has forgotten the wisdom of its fathers. By those principles we live, and
in their defence we have shown ourselves willing to die. Eeverently, we
feel that our Confederacy is a god-sent missionary to the nations, with great
truths to preach. Thank God ! the Confederates have some statesmen, and
thinkers up to the mark and level of the situation. There are men in
these Confederate States who have long deeply felt and earnestly striven
to express, though timidly and speculatively, on what foundations of fact,
with what corner-stones of principle, our social situation was one day to be
built up fair and bright. Now is the time. Let them speak in no apolo
getic tone."*
There were some at the North who assented to these principles, who
were anxious that the Government should be reconstructed upon this foun
dation. There were many good men at the South who execrated these
sentiments, and implored the North to stand firm in opposition. Had the
m.a,jonty at the North assented to these views the Constitution would have
been peaceably changed, and there would of course have been no rebellion.
The slaveholders, having failed to accomplish this change at the ballot-box,
appealed to the sword, and thus plunged us into the horrors of civil war.
There were not a few far-seeing men at the South who warned the slave
holders against the measures of desperation into which they were about to
plunge. Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, who was subsequently forced
into the ranks of treason, and became Yice-President of the rebel Confed
eracy, uttered a loud cry of remonstrance. Mr. Stephens was generally
esteemed throughout the country as one of the most intelligent and consci
entious ofthe Southern statesmen. In a speech to the Georgia Convention,
in January, 1861, he said, in earnest warning against secession :
" This step, once taken, can never be recalled ; and all the baleful and
-withering consequences that must follow will rest on the Convention for all
coming time. When we and our posterity shall see our lovely South deso
lated by the demon of war, which this act of yours will inevitably invite
and call forth ; when our green fields of waving harvest shall be trodden
down by the murderous soldiery, the fiery car of war sweeping over our
land ; our temples of justice laid in ashes, all the horrors and desolation of
war upon us, who but this Convention will be held responsible for it?
And who but he who has given his vote for this unwise and ill-timed
measure, as I honestly think and believe, shall be held to a strict account
* The rebels, assuming the title of the " Confederate States of America," had envoys at all the
leading courts of Europe, imploring recognition. These envoys invaribly avowed their hatred of
democracy, aud their desire to establi ih a government for the privileged classes, in sympathy with
the European aristocracies. The London Court Journal, in the spring of 1863, says: —
" The Confederate envoy here states that as soon as the war is over, with success to the Con
federate cause, a nobility, consisting of Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Lord, with Baronet
and Knight complete, is to be formed ; and the great men who have distinguished themselves by
their bravery and patriotism, are to be the recipients of the titles."
This is in entire correspondence with the testimony of Mr. Russell, correspondent of the Lon
don Times, who says that " he found everywhere, in South Carolina, the openly avowed desire
for the establishment of a monarchy and an order of nobles."

44' CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
for this suicidal act by the present generation, and probably cursed and
execrated by posterity for all coming time, for the wide and desolating
ruin that will inevitably follow this act you now propose to perpetrate ?
" Pause, I entreat you, and consider for a moment what reason you can
give that will even satisfy yourselves in calmer moments ; what reasons
you can give to your fellow-sufferers in the calamity that it will bring upon
us ? What reasons can you give to the nations of the earth to justify it ?
They will be the calm and deliberate judges in the case. And to what
cause of one overt act can you point upon which to rest the plea of justi
fication ? What right has the North assailed ? What interest of the South
has been invaded? What justice has been denied? And what claim
founded in justice and right has been withheld ? Can either of you to-day
name one governmental act of wrong deliberately and purposely done by
the Government at Washington of which the South has a right to com
plain ? I challenge the answer.
" Now, for you to attempt to overthrow such a Government as this,
under which we have lived for more than three-quarters of a century, in
which we have gained our wealth, our standing as a nation, our domestic
safety, while the elements of peril are around us, with peace and tranquil
lity accompanied by unbounded prosperity and rights unassailed, is the
height of madness, folly, and wickedness, to which I can neither lend my
sanction nor my vote."
And now let us return from this digression to the battle'field, where
these questions were to be settled by the abritranient of the sword.
The foe had escaped by stealth from Yorktown. It was known that he
could not have retreated far. As the Union forces greatly outnumbered
the rebels, and were better armed, they might, perhaps, by a precipitate pur
suit, throw themselves upon the rear-guard of the rebels and destroy it.
In accordance with this plan. General Stoneman, -with some cavalry
and light-horse artillery, was pushed rapidly forward. Some rebel de
serters, who had escaped by loitering behind their retreating comrades,
came into the Union camp under a flag of truce, and increased not a little
the chagrin of the army by the announcement that the rebels, who on our
arrival were spread out along the lines of Yorktown, did not exceed eight
thousand men. They could not have resisted for one hour an immediate
assault. The march might have been triumphant, and almost unresisted,
into Eichmond !
The deserted ramparts of the foe were soon swarming with patriot
troops, and the Stars and Stripes were unfurled over the bastions, amidst
resounding cheers. The fortifications were found to be indeed formidable,
the rebels having been at -work upon them for more than a year, and hav
ing plied all their energies in strengthening them during the month in
which they held us at bay. A Northern gentleman, who had been im
pressed into the rebel ranks, stated that many thousand slaves had been
forced into the service and constantly employed upon these intrenchments.
At that time the prejudices of the Northern troops were so strono- that the
ser-vices of a colored man could hardly be tolerated, even in the most me
nial labors of the camp.

, THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN. 45
Some were disposed to regard the feat of compelling the enemy to
abandon so strong a position without a battle, as a signal victory. An
intelligent observer, examining the works, s.aid, " They might have been
taken by storm, with terrible loss ; could have Keen taken by turning their
right on the Warwick, after a severe battle ; but have been taken without
a Joss of any kind." Others mourned bitterly that the rebels had escaped
unharmed, without the loss of a man, carrying with them all their munitions
of war, and nearly all their guns. They complained that the delay caused by
the cautious and bloodless siege would render subsequent battles more
numerous, severe, and deadly. Thus the loss of life, it was argued, would
eventually be much greater than had the army, advancing with a rush,
taken the works and all within them by storm.
Many tents were left standing in the interior of the fort, and not a few
articles were aba>ndoned by the rebels iu their precipitate fiight. They
had kept themselves well informed of our movements, and were aware of
the very hour when we intended to open fire. General McClellan had
brought into position guns and mortars sufficient to throw sixty shells a
minute into their works. Yorktown was found utterly deserted, present
ing a pitiable aspect. A few " contrabands " only, who had nothuig, to
lose and nothing to fear,^ remained in the streets. They could not repress
the glee -with which they saw their masters fleeing, and the Yankees
approaching. To their eyes the Star-spangled banner was the emblem of
Northern freedom, and they hailed it as God's cloud by day, and His pillar
of fire by night. Seventy-two pieces of heavy artillery, which could not be
moved, the rebels left spiked. A small quantity of ammunition was found
in the magazines, but no commissary stores. The gigantic siege-works, to
which the National forces had devoted the labors of a month, were hence
forth useless.
The rebels, -with a cowardly and treacherous spirit which the patriots
never could stoop to imitate, buried a large number of torpedoes or man
traps slightly beneath the ground and under floors, where the pressure of a
foot upon a percussion-cap would cause an explosion. Several of our troops
were killed, and quite a large number wounded, by these truly infernal
machines. As our whole army, at eight o'clock Sabbath morning, were on
the march, sweeping like ocean tides through the deserted camps and amidst
the smouldering ruinS, there was the occasional explosion of a magazine, as
the fire of the slow match which the rebels had kindled reached the powder.
Still more frequently there was the bursting of torpedoes beneath the
soldiers' feet. Then a few men would be laid out by the roadside to be
buried ; or, groaning and writhing, with fractured bones and mangled limbs,
would be conveyed in an ambulance to the surgeon's quarters in the rear.
The rebels selected particularly every mossy and shady knoll, where the
weary soldiers would be likely to throw themselves down for rest. Here
they would plant the assassin's torpedo, with the capped nipple buried in
the grass, and so arranged as to explode at the slightest touch.
In one case a soldier, resting upon the sod of a green hillock, saw a
pocket-knife lying upon the ground. He picked it up, and found a small
cord attached to it. Thoughtlessly giving a slight jerk to break the cord.

46 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
he sprang the concealed mine. An explosion followed which blew him to
fragments."^* Ten or twelve miles from Yorktown, on the main road to Eichmond,
there was the small city oY Williamsburg, containing about two thousand
inhabitants. Brigadier-General Stoneman, with all the cavalry and four
batteries of horse-artillery, pressed along this road in vigorous pursuit
of the retreating army. The infantry followed as rapidly as possible, by
this and another road which ran nearly, parallel to it. The skilful engi
neers, in but three hours' time, threw a bridge across the Warwick Eiver,
at Lee's Mills. The roads were narrow, and passed over much swampy
o-round where the wheels of the ponderous artillery often sank to the hubs.
The progress was consequently slow.
Still, the general aspect of the country through which our troops
marched was extremely beautiful. It was a genial day ©f the most lovely
month of the year. The luxuriant groves were bursting into fidl leaf. The
air seemed filled with the bloom and the fragrance of flowering shrubs, and
with the songs of birds. General Smith advanced by Lee's Mills. The
two roads met near Williamsburg. Near the junction of these roads, where
the narrowing of the peninsula, and the expansion of swamps upon both
sides, leave but a small isthmus of solid ground through which the troops
could pass, the rebels had thrown up a new line of intrenchments. Directly
opposite the neck of the isthmus, commanding the road, they had erected
a bastioned work, which they called Fort Magruder. The marshes on either
side were also guarded by a series of redoubts and rifle-pits, which com
manded every spot through which our troops could hope to force their way.
This cordon of redoubts extended entirely across the peninsula, from the
James Eiver to the York.
In approaching from the east, these defences were mainly concealed
by a dense forest, until our troops were within a mile of them. Over
this space the rebels had cleared an opening by felling the forest, which
enabled them to gain a distinct view of any approaching foe, and presented
an unobstructed range for the sweep of grape and canister. This belt
of cleared land was filled with rifie-pits. General Hooker, a man of
great energy, and whose whole soul was enlisted in the war, in com
mand of the Third Army Corps, pressed on in pursuit of the foe until
ten o'clock at night. The roads were irightful, thft night was intensely
dark, the rain commenced falling in fioods, and the soldiers, wearied by
exhausting labor in the trenches and by the long march, were compelled
to throw themselves for the night unsheltered upon the wet ground. So
oppressive was their fatigue, that neither di-iving rain nor wailing storm
disturbed their slumbers. At early daylight they were again in motion,
and at half-past five in the morning, found themselves in face of the works
of the enemy.
The fatigue and discomfort of this march can hardly be imagined.
The horses, floundering through the miry roads, often became so bogged
in the mud, interlaced with the roots of the forest-trees, as to render
extrication extremly difficult. If any one attempted to escape from the
^ *The Peninsula Campaign, by J. .1, Marks, D. D., p. 150.

THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN. 47
slough of the roads, and turned aside into the woods, he found the under
growth so dense, as to render it almost impossible to make any progress.
"But if he bravely," wrote an eye-witness, "breasted the sweeping
branches, and tore his hands -with the briers and thorns, there yawned
before him one of those dismal sloughs of uncertain depth, where snakes,
lizards, and small crocodiles welcomed him. From the terrors of the
, swamp the horseman was compelled to return to the horrors of the
road."

CHAPTEE lY.
THE MARCH TO WEST POINT.
I'rom May 8d to May 5th, 1862.
The Attack upon Fort Magruder. — Kearney and Hooker. — The Renowned Charge op
Hancock. — Courage of the Rebels. ^Their Utter Depeat. — Scenes after the Bat
tle, — Arrival op General McClellan. — Flight op the Enemy. — Capture of Williams
burg. General Hookee, ever eager to strike prompt and heavy blows, resolved,
notwithstanding the number and strong position of the foe, to lose no time
in making the attack. He knew that at the distance of but a few miles,
thirty thousand rebel troops were stationed, and that from the whole rebel
army of the Potomac reenforcements would be easily sent to crowd the
fort with defenders. It was therefore necessary to make an immediate
assault. At half-past seven the attack was commenced. General Grover
led the First Massachusetts into the woods on the left of the road. The
Second New Hampshire moved to the right. Both of these regiments
were employed as skirmishers, to harass the gunners in Fort Magruder and
the occupants of the rebel rifle-pits. Other regiments and batteries were
moved forward with great skill and boldness, and such a deadly fire was
opened upon Fort Magruder that, in less than an hour and a half, every
gun of the rebels was silenced. At the same time there was a fierce con
flict raging between bodies of infantry in the forest, extending far and
wide around. The antagonistic parties were so concealed from each other
by dense underbrush, that regiments drifted this way and that, guided
mainly by the musketry fire which they heard.
At length it was deemed safe to send a coui^le of regiments— the
Eleventh Massachusetts and the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania— cautiously
along the road, which approached the fort directly through the clearing.
An incessant musketry fire was at this time kept up in all parts of the
field. One Union regiment after another was drawn into action, as the
rebels hurried reenforcements from their rear, until the battle assumed
truly gigantic proportions, literally extending across the whole peninsula,
from the York Eiver to the James. All day long the confiict raged, with
varying success. The rebels brought up twenty thousand men to oppose
Hooker's division of not more than eight or nine thousand. A dismal
storm of wind and rain still swept the plain. It was almost impossible to
move the artillery over the yielding spongy soil.
General Hooker, on the left, was within a mile of James Eiver, and,
with characteristic impetuosity, launched his troops against the well-armed

THE MAROH TO WEST POINT. 49
redoubts which he encountered there; but such overpowering numbers
came forward to meet him, that he was compelled slowly to fall back, dis
puting every inch of ground. For hours he struggled, unaided, against
these overwhelming odds. Why he was not reenforced, when there were
tens of thousands within sound of his guns, is still a mystery.
Towards the close of the day. General Kearney"^" arrived, leading his
band of six thousand men through the exhausted and bleeding soldiers of
Hooker's division. His impetuous charge checked the progress of the
exultant foe. Immediately upon his arrival, Kearney performed one of
those feats of daring which gave him such renown in the army. The
rebels were in a concealed position, lying, as it were, in ambush. In order
to draw their fire, that he might thus ascertain where they were, he dashed
out at the head of his staff into the open field, and rode along the entire
front of the line where he believed the foe to be concealed. Five thou
sand muskets immediately opened their fire, and the balls rattled like hail
around him. Two of his aides dropped dead at his side. The others were
scattered, so that when he reached the end he was almost alone. Eiding
up to his troops, he said, "You now see, my boys, where to fire." Ani
mated by such bravery, his soldiers held the enemy in check until General
Hancock, by a fiank movement, of which we shall soon speak, compelled
their retreat -within* their works.
It is not easy to conceive why General Hooker's division should have
been so long left to wage an unequal conflict against three times their
number. Our troops in the vicinity decidedly outnumbered those of the
foe, and yet, by good generalship on this, as on many other occasions, the
rebels massed a superior force at the point of attack. The most expe
rienced general in the rebel army. General J. E. Johnston, f directed the
* General Philip Kearney was born in New Jersey, of Irish descent. Though he studied for
the law, after graduating at Columbia College, a strong taste for a military life led him to seek the
adventures of the camp. In 1837 he joined the army, as Lieutenant in the United States First
Dragoons. He first served, gallantly fighting the Indians, on the frontier. He attained so much
distinction as a cavalry officer, that, about the year 1839, he was sent by the Government to
France, to study and report upon French cavalry tactics. He entered the Polytechnic school,
then joined the Chasseurs d'Afrique, and fought through the Algerine war. His gallantry was
rewarded with the Cross of the Legion of Honor. Returning home, he entered the Mexican war,
his squadron composing the body-guard of General Scott. He was then Captain, but was brevet
ted Major for gallant conduct in several conflicts, particularly in that at the San Antonio gate of
Mexico, where he lost an arm. After the war, being in the enjoyment of a large fortune, he
went to Europe, studied -with a critical eye the operations of the Crimean war, and subsequently
entered the French army, and again acquired great renown, by his skill and bravery at Magenta
and Solferino. The attack of the rebels upon Sumter recalled him to his native land. Receiving
a commission of Brigadier-General, during the remainder of Ms heroic career he was ever found
where danger was most imminent. A more fearless man probably never lived.
f General Joseph Eccleston Johnston, bom in Virginia about the year 1804, was educated at
the expense of that Government, whose flag he was now striving to trail dishonored in the dust.
Graduating at West Point iu 1829, he entered the Fourth Artillery, but afterwards retired from
service. Again entering the army at the opening of the Florida war, he served during that con
test in the Corps of Engineers. During the Mexican war he also fought under the Stars and
Stripes. He took part in all the battles between Vera Cruz and Mexico. In these conflicts he
proved himself to be a brave man and a sagacious officer. He was twice wounded and twice bre
vetted. In 1860, his confiding country promoted him to the position of Quartermaster-General of
tiie United States army, with the rank of Brigadier-General. At the breaking out of the slave-
YoL. IL— 4

50 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
rebel troops in person, aided by Generals Longstreet, Pryor, Gohlson, and
Picket. General Hooker, in his official report, says :—
" History will not be believed, when it is told that the noble officers
and men of my division were permitted to carry on this unequal struggle
from morning until night unaided, in the presence of more than thirty
thousand of their comrades with arms in thqir hands. Nevertheless, it is
true. If we failed to capture the rebel army on the plains of Williams
burg, it surely wiU not be ascribed to want of courage and conduct in my
command." The close of this eventful day presented one of the most brilliant
scenes in the tragedy of war. The battle had been waged unintermittedly
along the whole line, from morning till evening. Notwithstanding the
utmost heroism of the Union troops, they were assailed by such superior
numbers that they had hardly held their own. General Smith's division
occupied the right of the National line of battle, near York Eiver. From
this position General Hancock's brigade was sent, with Wheeler's New
York Battery, by a circuitous route, much of the -syay cutting their road
through the woods, to attack Fort Magruder from the north. On their
march they encountered several intrenchments, from which the rebels
were impetuously driven.*
At length General Hancock came to an open plam, about two miles
long, from north to south, and a mile wide. At the northern extremity of
the plain there was a redoubt which General Hancock seized, precipi
tately expelling the enemy from it. At the southern extremity rose the
strong bastions of Fort Magruder. Its crest, with substantial parapets,
ditches, and magazines, extended half a mile. Nearly the whole of this
plain was fringed -with the forest. About half a mile from the northern
entrance, through the woods, there was a farm-house, with a few out-build
ings. A rail fence ran from this house to the forest on the right.
The redoubt which General Hancock had taken was near the farm
house. Here he posted his men, and sent back urgent but unavailing ap
peals for reenforcements, stating that if properly supported, he could, from
the position he then occupied, carry Fort Magruder without difficulty. He
waited impatiently for the reenforcements, which did not come. It was
now four o'clock in the afternoon. There was a moment's lull in the tem
pest of the battle, ominous of the increased fury with which the flght
would be renewed. Wheeler's splendid battery was in position just east
of the farm-house. A little in his rear, and on the east, the Sixth Maine
holders' rebellion. General Johnston abandoned the flag he had so long aud so honorably served,
and joined the ranks of those wlio were banded for the overthrow of the American Union. No
amount of courage or of skiU can atone for such a crime,
* General Winfield Scott Hancock was born in Pennsylvania, in 1823. He entered the Mili
tary School at West Point when seventeen years of age, and graduated in 1844. The rebel
General Buckner, of unenviable notoriety, was one of his class-mates. Entering the Fourth
United States Infantry, he acquired distinction iu several battles of the Mexican war, and was
brevetted First Lieutenant in August, 1847. He gradually rose in rank, during years of peace,
until he attained the rank of Captain, iu 1855. The rebellion found him true to the flag which
lie had ever honored, and -with glowing patriotism bo drew his sword in its defence. He entered
the Army of ^e Potomac as Brigadier-General of Volunteers. His brilliant exploit at Williams-
l3>yig gave him a position among the most heroic men of the war.

THB MARCH TO WEST POINT. 51
Eeglment was stationed, upon the open plain, with a band of skirmishers
thrown out a few hundred feet in advance, also in the open field. West
of the farm-house, the Fifth Wisconsin and the Forty- Third New York
Eegiments were also in position, -with skirmishers thrown out towards the
woods west of them. A road passing by the farm-house ran through the
centre of the plain.
All these movements were made in plain view of the rebels, massed
behind the ramparts and m front of Fort Magruder. The patriot battery,
of beautiful brass field-pieces, directly before them, and slightly guarded,
presented a glittering prize greatly to be coveted. The rebels accordingly
collected in the rear of the fort a body of three thousand men, who were
concealed from the Union lines by the earthworks and the forest. The
duty assigned them was to take the battery. All things being arranged
for an impetuous charge, they rapidly defiled from their covert. First
there emerged from the woods a battalion of rebel cavalry; these were
followed' by three regiments of infantry supporting it. With magic pre
cision they were formed in battle array, and immediately the whole line,
¦with rapid tread, advanced upon the guns. Captain Wheeler had every
man in his place, and instantly opened upon the foe a deadly fixe from his
well-manned battery. At the same moment the skirmishers commenced a
carefully aimed and rapid fire of musketry. The rebels, evincing courage
which extorted admiration from the lips of the patriots, regardless of the
storm of balls which was thinning their ranks, pressed forward very rap
idly, in three parallel lines, but a few yards apart. On they came, resist-
lessly, sublimely, like the ocean surges, and still leaving behind them, at
every step, the mutilated, the dying, and the dead. The Union skirmish
ers, keeping up a scattering fire, slowly retired to their main lines in the
rear of the battery.
Three thousand men, filling the air with war-cries which rose above
the roar of battle, were now within a few yards of the battery, and its
capture seemed inevitable. The field-pieces were, by this time, almost
hidden from -view, in the clouds of smoke -^ich enveloped them. For a
moment, while wrapped in this volcanic shroud, their fire ceased. Then
the guns were all seen emerging, in the rear, from the smoke-cloud, and,
with the horses on the full run, were dragged a few hundred yards to an
other position, where their infantry lines were ready to receive them under
their protection. Again the heated pieces were unlimbered, and, at short
est range, belched forth anew their murderous fire. The rebels now, rush
ing on at the double-quick, were within three hundred feet of the battery.
The Forty-Third New York and the Fifth Wisconsin drew up close upon
the right, near the pieces. The muzzles of their muskets fell to a level.
The bosoms of the rebels were almost near enough to be scorched by the
powder of the discharge. There was a blaze of fire, a rattling peal, a storm
of bullets, and the advancing line reeled and staggered before the leaden
tempest, which -apparently laid one-half their number in the dust. The
moment the rattle of musketry had ceased, and ere the smoke had cleared
away. General Hancock waved his hat and shouted, in the courtly language
of chivalric days,

52 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
" Now, gentlemen, the bayonet !"
The gleaming blades were brought to a level. With a bound and a
shout, such as the enthusiasm of the hour alone could have inspired, the
whole line sprang forward, with its terrible array of keen and bristling
steel. Mortal valor could not be expected to stand such a charge. The
rebels, brave as they had proved themselves to be, broke and fled in a
thorough panic, lea-ving behind them five hundred killed and wounded,
and one hundred and forty-five prisoners. The courage the rebels had dis
played so excited the admiration of the patriots, and the intelligent North-
em troops were so well satisfied that the unintelligent rank and file of the
Southern army were duped by their traitorous leaders, that these prisoners
were treated with almost the affection of brothers.
Thus closed this bloody day. Through all its dreary hours the Union
army had fought nearly upon the same spot, making no advance. The in
trenchments of the foe still frowned before them. This brilliant charge by
General Hancock, driving back the rebels into Fort Magruder, was merely
one of the incidents of the battle on our right wing. No one felt disposed
to claim a victory, though a practised, military eye could see that, from the
position the army occupied that evening, we had an ample force at hand
to carry the fort, in the morning, by storm.
The roar of the battle had abated. The air was suffocating with the
volumes of sulphurous smoke which had settled down upon the field. The
sun was sinking behind the clouds, which still wept, and the gloom of a
dark and rainy night was setting in, when the clattering of hoofs was heard
in the rear, which rose above the subdued murmurs of the dying battle.
All eyes were turned in that direction, when suddenly there emerged
from the rain and mist General McClellan, accompanied by his mag
nificent staff. The General, a man of irreproachable morals and of the
kindliest sympathies, was exceedingly beloved by his troops. All the
day long he had been impatiently expected. As the brilliant cavalcade
swept by, regiment after regiment greeted the young chieftain with cheers,
which proved how thoroughly he was enthroned in their confidence and
affection. His garments were peijetrated through and through -with the
rain and spattered with mud. He rode rapidly to the head-quarters of
General Keyes, and, without dismounting, held a brief consultation with
him, expressed himself satisfied with the course which had been pursued;
and, after a hurried ride over a portion of the field, for night was already
upon him, sought shelter from the storm in a room reserved for him at
head-quarters.* The night succeeding this terrible battle was one of indescribable
gloom and woe. A pitiless storm was raging. Many of our young
soldiers were from the most comfortable and even luxurious homes of the
* " The battle of Williamsburg appears to have been fought under many and serious disad
vantages. Nothing was known of the nature of the country, or the defensive works of the
enemy, until our troops arrived before them. There was no controlling mind in charge of the
movements ; there was uncertainty in regard to who was in command ; each General fought as
he considered best ; and by the time the General Commanding appeared on the field, the prin
cipal part of the..fighting was over." — Report of Congressional Committee on ihe Operations of the
Arm% of the Potomac.

THE MARCH TO WEST POINT. 53
North. After many hours of marching and of battle, having run several
miles at the double-quick to reach the field, they stood, many of them,
knee-deep in water, without food and -without fire, all night under arms.
Towards morning the clouds broke and disappeared. A warm and sunny
day dawned upon the drenched, bleeding, exhausted, half-starved troops.
Nature smiled with rare beauty. The atmosphere was invigorating, with
all the freshness and fragrance of the most lovely of spring mornings.
Bird songs filled the air ; flowers, in great profusion, bloomed around, in
painful contrast with the ruin, death, and woe which strewed the battle
field. No one who was present on the plains of Williamsburg that morning,
will ever forget the spectacle which was presented. Along the road, and
over the wide field of battle, hundreds of the dead were scattered,
mangled, dismembered, trampled in the mire. There were still large
numbers of the wounded scattered over the field, and fainting and dying
in the recesses of the forest. With piteous moans and with beckonings of
the hand they implored relief. Hundreds of dead and dying horses,
broken gun-carriages, abandoned guns, and all the indescribable wreck
and ruin of such a battle, added to the awfulness of the scene. " Lying
in the road, -with upturned face, as if gazing into the heavens, was a dead
soldier, the lower half of his body buried in mud. The storm of the
night had washed his face. It was strikingly beautiful, like that of a
lovely woman. A smile as of the sweetest peace lingered on the face of
death. That calm, angel-like expression, in such a scene, struck every
passing soldier with wonder. Hundreds stopped and looked ; many said
he died dreaming of his mother ; that his last moments were cheered by
the presence of angels."*
The morning light revealed that again the enemy had fied. Beaten in
the battle by inferior numbers, and fearful of a renewal of the strife, which
might prove still more disastrous in the morning, taking advantage of the
darkness and the storm, the rebels again evacuated their works. Many
rebel prisoners had been taken, but they were nearly all from that class
termed "poor whites," whom slavery has degraded even below the con
dition of the negro. No information of any value could be obtained from
them. Contrabands, by scores, came into the camp. Many of them were keen
and sagacious observers. Through them alone could our generals obtain
any knowledge of the country in the rear of the rebel lines. These men
were all patriots. General Keyes remarked, and so had General O. M.
Mitchell, as his experience in his Southern campaign, " that he had never
been deceived by the contrabands. The information they gave was some
times inaccurate, but never intentionally so."
General Hooker immediately took possession of the abandoned forts.
The main body of the National troops, with flying banners, marched tri
umphantly into Williamsburg. General Hancock, with his brigade, was
pushed energetically forward to catch a glimpse of the retreating foe. At
nine o'clock in the morning. General McClellan rode from his head-quarters,
-with his staff, to visit the battle-field of the preceding day. Detachments
* The Peninsula Campaign in Virginia, hy James J. Maries, D. !>., p. 159.

54 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
of soldiers were then busy in the melancholy task of burying the dead.
Large pits were dug in different parts of the field, into which the mangled
bodies and scattered limbs were thrown. The spectacle of these mutilated
corpses of husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers, already swollen and
blackened by approaching corruption, was appalling even to the eyes of
those familiar with such scenes.
The rebels, in their flight, had left but little behind. The barracks
which their troops had occupied during the winter were comfortable huts,
reared of boards and logs, far more commodious than the canvas tents in
which so many of our troops upon the Potomac had suffered and died.
It was remarked that our Northern soldiers treated the wounded rebels
with the utmost tenderness, and spoke of them almost universally more
in pity than in anger.
The town of Williamsburg was about a mile beyond the main range
of forts, the space between consisting of an oi^en plain. There were a few
-wretched cabins scattered over this field, into which large numbers of the
wounded had crawled, and their groans, distinctly audible, blended pain
fully with the song of the robin and the -wren. At eleven o'clock General
McClellan, with his brilliant staff, his cavafry escort, and accompanied by
General Heintzelman and his body-guard, in imposing military array, with
pealing bugles and waving banners, entered -the streets of Williamsburg.
The inhabitants had all fied. White fiags were upon most of the houses,
and the dwellings were nearly all filled with the sick, the wounded, and the
dead of the rebels. The unpaved streets, flooded by the rain and cut up by
the artillery wheels which had passed over them, presented the aspect of a
vast quagmire, through which the horses floundered, sinking, at times, to
the saddle-girths. A few negroes, who had succeeded in eluding the vigi
lance of their masters, smiling with satisfaction, welcomed the Union troops
with every demonstration of confldence and joy.
One young man, who had more of white than African blood in his veins,
said that when the rebels began to retreat, he for a long time waved from
his cabin window a white flag, hoping thus to induce the Union troops to
hurry on. Some one said to him, " We often hear, at the North, that
many of you prefer bondage to freedom." His emphatic reply was, " No
one likes to be a slave." He asked many questions about the North — ^how
to get there ; and then, apprehensive that the rebels might again return,
this chattel made a bee-line for that free land where he would be trans
formed into a man. The enemy's forces which retired from Williamsburo-
were, so far as can be ascertained, between thirty and forty thousand!
The long delay at Yorktown had enabled the rebels to accumulate this
army. Our own loss in killed, wounded, and missing. General Hooker
estimated at fifteen hundred and seventy-five. The loss of the enemy was
certainly not less, and probably considerably more.
The routed foe were retreating precipitately, and in no little confusion.
There was no mountain barrier or broad stream where they could make a
stand. The National forces outnumbered them three to one. The National
gunboats and transports had the entire command of York Eiver, and could
thus follow abng by the side ofthe army, at a distance of but a' few miles

THE MARCH TO WEST POINT. 55
¦with any quantity of supplies. Why, under these circumstances, were not
the rebels vigorously pursued ? Several of the National Generals testified
before the Congressional Committee, that had the enemy been properly
followed up after the battle of Williamsburg, Eichmond could easily
have been taken — one of them says, " without firing a gun."* General
McCleUan assigned as the reason for not pursuing the foe, that the roads
were impracticable. One would think that where rebels could lead,
patriots could follow, especially since the patriot army had the entire con
trol of the York Eiver, for its heavy transportation.
At the western end ofthe broad main street of Williamsburg there was
a square, surrounded by the buildings of William and Mary's College, a
venerable institution founded in 1693. The rooms were filled with wounded
rebels, and they were lying in groups beneath the portico, the steps being
crimsoned with their blood. General McClellan visited these stricken foes
Avith a brother's sympathy. He had a kind word for all. A flag of truce
was, by his orders, immediately sent to the rear-guard of the rebels, request
ing them to send surgeons to take care of their wounded. This humanity
was in accordance with the kindly nature of General McClellan. A very
efficient guard was immediately established to protect all private property,
and to preserve exact discipline. It is gratifying to read the following
testimony upon this subject, from the Prince de Joinville:
"This precaution was superfluous; for if the obedience of the Federal
soldiers to their officers is not what it should be, for the good of the service,
we venture to believe that no army has shown more respect for non-combat
ants and private property. During the whole time of my presence with
the Army of the Potomac, the only instance of disorder which came to my
knowledge, was the pillage of a loft filled -with the finest Yirginia tobacco,
which was discovered in an abandoned barn."
It was thought by many that General McClellan, in his earnest desire
to prohibit that pillaging which is the disgrace and ruin of any army, car
ried to an unwarrantable and impolitic degree this protection of the prop
erty of traitors and rebels, and this respect for the constitutional rights of
those who were trampling the Constitution in the dust. It is said that even
our wounded soldiers were left exposed upon the ground, or in rude tents,
while guards were stationed around the houses of wealthy rebels near at
hand, to prevent their being used for the shelter of these suffering and dy
ing patriots. The rebels refused to sell any clothing, any delicacies, any
food, even for specie, and they were- sustained in this refusal by the Na
tional arms. As soon as the panic of the battle was over, and the rebels
found how effectually they were protected in all their demands, the
women, who showed themselves tenfold more wicked and venomous than
the men, returned to Williamsburg, and, with insulting and tantalizing
parade, carried eggs and wine, and baskets filled with all luxuries, upon
the heads of their slaves, to the wounded rebels, while scarcely a comfort
could be obtained for money, or by anpeals to humanity, for the wounded
and sick of our own army.
" Whenever," writes the Prince de Joinville, " these women, followed
* Rep. of Cong. Com., p. 9,

56 CIYIL WAR IN AMERICA.
by their negro servants, carrying well-filled baskets, met a Federal
soldier on the side-walk, they made a point of gathering up their
dresses in haste, as if to avoid the contact of some unclean animal. The
victors only smiled at these childish and ill-bred demonstrations. Other
troops in their place might have been less patient." General Butler at
New Orleans pursued a more efficient, sagacious, and, we must think, a
more humane course.
General McClellan took for his head-quarters the house which had been
occupied the day before by General J. E. Johnston. The military ability
displayed by this rebel officer is admitted by all. Holdhig our army,
superior in numbers and far better equipped, at bay for two days before
Williamsburg, he gained time for the safe removal of all his trains, and
then, with his whole army, moved to another position in the rear. Here,
upon the banks of the upper York Eiver, he again found time to intrench
himself, employing twenty thousand slaves in throwing up earthworks. A
few squadrons, under General Stoneman, were sent to harass the rear
guard of the foe, while the main body of the army rested three or four
days at Williamsburg, for the purpose of bringing up supplies, and making
other preparations for their cautious advance.
The sick in the National army alrea.dy amounted to fifteen thousand
men. The wounded were about one thousand five hundred. They were
placed in hospitals at Yorktown, Fortress Monroe, and Newport News.
The Ninety-second New York Eeglment, which left Albany on the first
of March with eight hundred and fifty men, had now but one -hundred and
ninety-six which they could bring into the field. The following anecdote,
related by the Eev. Dr. J. J. Marks, in his Peninsula Campaign, is worthy
of record as illustrative of the times :
Passing by the old jail at Yorktown, he heard the plaintive wail of
many voices, singing as in some funeral service. Groups of officers and
soldiers were looking in at the windows and listening. As he approached
he saw within forty or fifty negroes, men, women, and children, in all atti
tudes. They were singing one of the negro religious hymns. The leader
gave out the hymn, which he sang in a plaintive manner, while all voices
joined in the chorus with a richness of melody seldom equalled :
I " Oh I I want to die, and gb home to Heaven in the morning."
After the hymn they all kneeled upon the floor, and the leader prayed
in fervid strains which awoke the most enthusiastic responses. After the
prayer was over. Dr. Marks inquired of the leader why they were in
prison. He said that they had been charged with shooting our pickets,
but that they were not guilty. It was ascertained upon inquiry that some
of our men had been shot ; that these poor and childlike slaves had been
ad-vised in a kindly spirit, by some of our men, to go into the battle-field
and pick up some of the shovels, blankets, and overcoats which were strewed
over the ground. The negroes went into the field, and without knowing
how either to load or to discharge a gun, were accused by some malicious
persons of having shot our soldiers. Hence they were thro-wn into jail, and

THE MARCH TO WEST POINT. 57
the poor creatures supposed that they were soon to be led- forth to be shot
or hung. Dr. Marks assured them that if they were innocent they had
nothing to fear, but added —
" Is it possible that you can have been guilty of such a crime as shoot
ing our men, who have never done you any harm, and who are your
friends?" "No, no, no, massa," they replied; "we no tell which end ob de
gun bullet go out. No shoot a thing as big as massa's big barn. Massa
neber allow shoot gun or carry knife, 'cept one broken blade, x No,
massa, de oberseers, dey kill your men ; dey lie in bush to shoot de
soldier." Dr. Marks again assured them that if they were innocent they would
soon be acquitted and sent back to their homes. They smiled for a mo
ment, but soon their anxiety returned, saying, " dat white man bery un
certain." Again they resumed their hymns and prayers, that they might
be ready for death. What their fate was we are not informed, but doubt
less they were acquitted.
The dead ha-ving been buried, the wounded provided for, and the army
trains being all in readiness, again the mighty host resumed its march.
The weather for a few days became -perfect. The water rapidly evapo
rated from the ground, imder the influence of a benign sun and a fresh
breeze, and the roads became dry and firm. The distance from Williams
burg to the final encampment on the Chickahominy was about forty miles.
It took the army two weeks to traverse that space, while there was scarcely
a shadow of opposition encountered by the way.
The Prince de Join-ville, speaking of this unaccountably slow march,

" The army would get into motion, mingled in masses with its immense
team of wagons. About one-fourth of each regiment was occupied in
escorting the materiel of the corps, piled up pro-visions, ammunition, tents,
and furniture on wagons, at the rate of ten to a battalion. But for the
absence of women, we might have been taken for an armed emigration
rather than for soldiers on the march. Six miles was the extreme limit of
om* day's march."
The main body of the rebels had retreated along the centre of the Pen
insula, while a part of their army had followed the banks of the York
Eiver, accompanied and aided by a small fleet of transports. West Point
is an insignificant hamlet at the head of York Eiver, where that stream is
formed by the confluence of the Mattapony and the Pamunkey. General
Franklin, immediately after the battle of Williamsburg, had been sent
-with a splendid division of the grand army, in transports, up the York
Eiver to West Point. It was hoped that he would be able there to cut
off the retreat of the rebels. The division, of about twenty thousand men,
arrived at its landing-place on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 6th, the Say
after the battle of Williamsburg.
The troops were promptly disembarked on a large open field on the
left bank of the Mattapony, and between that stream and the Pamunkey.
At this spot there was a beautiful plantation, nearly a mile square, and

68 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
almost as level as a floor. West Point was on the other side of the stream ;
but as the rebels were in that vicinity, and had destroyed all the bridges,
and as we had perfect command of the river through our transports and
gunboats, it was deemed best to land the army on the southern shore.
West Point was connected with Eichmond by a railroad, which ran along
the northern banks of the Pamunkey, and crossed the stream about four
teen miles from its mouth, at a place called White House. There was on
the plantation a fine mansion, with numerous barns, negro huts, and other
out-buildings. This beautiful plain was surrounded on three sides by
dense woods, the fourth side resting on the river.
Immediately upon the landing of the troops, the gunboats took posses
sion of West Point, and the Stars and Stripes were unfurled over the de
serted buildings. Not a single white man was left in the place. Pickets
were stationed in the edge of the surrounding woods, and the white tents
of the soldiers were spread over the plain. As yet, there were no signs
whatever of the presence of any enemy. A few light-draught gunboats
were sent on a reconnoissance up both the Pamunkey and the Mattapony,
and though they shelled the banks on both sides of the stream, they could
find no traces of the foe. During the night, however, one of our advance
vedettes, stationed in the woods, was shot by some of the rebel pickets who
were lurking in ambush.
Early in the morning the gunboats discovered, a few miles up the
Pamunkey, several regiments of the rebels, and promptly dispersed them
by a few shells. In the mean time General Slocum and General Dana,
with great energy, pushed forward the disembarkation of the troops, -with
the guns and the horses. The appearance of rebel scouts here and there,
indicated that there was a pretty large rebel force concealed in the vicinity.
Accordingly five regiments, the Sixteenth, Thirty-first, and Thirty-second
New York, and the Ninety-fifth and Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania, were
pushed forward into the woods. Suddenly they were assailed by a volley
of musketry from a numerous body of rebels, hidden, Indian fashion, in
the dense underbrush. . The volley was promptly returned by the patriots,
when the rebels sprang to their feet and fled, almost instantly disappearing
in the depths of the forest.
The National troops were soon widely scattered in the pursuit. Parties
of the foe were encountered here and there, and a desultory battle ensued
from behind stumps and trees, the forest echoing for miles with the inces
sant report of the rifle. For three hours this singular battle raged, -without
any very serious loss on either side, though some scores of men, in all, were
killed or wounded. At length it became evident that the enemy were in
creasing in number. Behind every tree there was a concealed rebel marks
man. The National troops, who had been lured on thus far, in straggling
order, found that they were being quite outnumbered. The infantry were
accoMingly, directed to fall back, and three batteries of artillery were
brought forward.
These batteries — Porter's First Massachusetts, Piatt's United States,
and Hexamer's New Jersey — were admirably manned, and sent their shells
shrieking into the forest at the rate of ten a minute. They were supported '

THEMARCHTOWEST POINT. 59
by the Eighteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts and the Sixteenth New
York Eegiments of infantry. The rebels could not stand this deadly fire,
and fled precipitately. In their flight' they took a direction to-^vard the
river. There the gunboats opened upon them, when they again turned
and were soon out of sight.
For a moment the rebels made an attempt to bring one of their bat
teries into position ; but the First New Jersey Eeglment charged upon
them at the double-quick, with a cheer which made the forest ring, and
the foe, desperate men as they were, were compelled to retire. Our ex
ultant troops plunged after them. Conspicuous in the pni-suit was the
Fifth Eeglment of Maine boys. These hardy young men, in the brilliant
daring with which they chased the foe, won the admiration of the whole
army. The gunboats continued, while slowly ascending the river, to throw
their shells into the forest, wherever an enemy might be Concealed. Om*
loss in this conflict was ten killed and forty-nine wounded. That of the
enemy is not kno-wn.
Though the patriots were left undisputed -victors in possession of the
field. General Franklin adopted vigorous precautions to prevent surprise
during the night, as it- was known that the enemy, in overwhelmmg num
bers, could not be far distant. The battery horses were kept in harness,
and the men were all ready for instant, summons to the ranks. But the
enemy had been too severely punished to attempt to strike another blow.
Availing themselves of the darkness, before the dawn they had put a safe
distance between themselves and Franklin's division.
During this singular forest conffict there were many scenes of wild ad
venture and of hair-breadth escape, which would embellish the pages of
the most romantic tales of chivalry. In the ardor and recklessness of the
pursuit. Captain Montgomery, of General Newton's staff, and Lieutenant
Baker, of General Franklin's staff, ventured too far into the woods. It
was about one o'clock at noon. They were both on horseback. Hearing
some voices proceeding from a jungle of very dense underbrush, and
kno-wing that the National troops were in that direction, they sup
posed that one of our regiments was there. They rode directly into the
thicket and found a mass of men, clustered like bees behind trees, bushes,
stumps, and stones. In the confusion of the scene, they were not at first
particularly noticed, there being nothing in their dress or appearance to
distinguish them.
But they instantly saw, to their dismay, that they were in the midst of
the Hampton Legion, from South Carolina. Instinctively conscious that
nothing but the most imperturbable coolness and audacity could save
them. Captain Montgomery, assuming the most familiar air, shouted out,
" Now, boys, the General expects you all to do your duty to-day." He
was just turning his horse slowly, to luU suspicion, congratulating himself
upon his probably successful escape, when dome one, seeing U. S. upon 'his
cap, cried out, with an oath, that he was a Yankee. Both of the patriot
officers plunged their spurs into their horses, while, at the same moment,
a score of musket-balls whistled around them. Lieutenant Baker almost
miraculously escaped unharmed. Half a dozen bullets pierced the horse

60 :)IVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
of Captain Montgomery, and the steed fell dead to the ground. Fortu
nately, the rider was uninjured, yet, conscious of the barbarism ofthe foe,
he feigned death.
The ruffians gathered around him with imprecations. He remained
for several minutes as motionless as a corpse, with his head half buried in
a ditch. The rebels, in the mean time, rifled his pockets and plundered
his clothing, and honored him with sundry epithets which were any thing
but complimentary — in palpable violation of the time-honored maxim,
Nil de mortuis nisi bonum. Speak nothing but good of the dead. In the
midst of this scene the captain, feignuig the gradual return to conscious
ness, slowly rose to his feet, exclaiiming, " I surrender myself a prisoner of
war." Even these half-civilized men — for the majority of the whites at
the South, " mean whites," are not more than half civilized — hesitated to
kUl a defenceless man in cold blood. Though they heaped upon him un
measured abuse, and several demanded that he should be shot, they did
not proceed to actual violence. As they were assailing him with curses
and threatenii;gs. Captain Montgomery said calmly —
" I have surrendered as a prisoner of war. I demand to be treated as
such. At the North we treat dogs better than you treat men. Now lead
me to your commanding officer."
A large group of rebel soldiers was by this time collected, and new
volleys of abuse were bursting from their lips, when a shell from one of our
gunboats dropped in the midst of them, and exploded. A fragment of the
shell grazed the nose of Captain Montgomery, taking off the skin. The
group was instantly scattered, the rebels rushing in one direction, the
heroic Yankee in another. He soon reached his friends, mounted another
horse, and reported himself as ready for duty.
The following extracts from a letter by a young lady, a niece of Jeffer
son Davis, and who was residing in his family, shows the panic then exist
ing in Eichmond. The authenticity of this letter has never been called
in question. " When I think of the dark gloom which now hovers over our country,
I am ready to sink in despair. General Johnston is falling beick from the
Peninsula, or Yorktown, and Uncle Jeff, thinks we had better go to a
safer place than liichmond. We have not decided yet where we shall go,
but I think to North Carolina, to some far-off country town, or perhaps to
South Carolina. If Johnston falls back as far as Eichmond, all our troops
will also fall back to this place, and make one desperate stand against
General McClellan. 0 God ! defend this people with thy powerful arm,
is my constant prayer. O mother ! Uncle Jeff, is miserable. He tries
to be cheerful, and bear up against such a continuation of troubles, but oh !
I fear that he cannot live long if he does^ not get some rest and quiet.
Our reverses distress him so much, and he is so weak and feeble, it
makes my heart ache to look at him. He knows that he ought to send
his wife and children away, and yet he cannot bear to part with them, and
we all dread to part with him, too. Yarina and I had a hard cry about it
to-day. Oh, what a blow the fall of New Orleans was ! It liked to have
s^ us all crazy here. Everybody looks depressed, and the cause of the

THE MARCH TO WEST POINT. 61
Confederacy looks drooping and sinking ; but if God is with us, who can
be against us ?
" P. S. We all leave here, to-morrow morning, for Ealeigh. Three gun
boats are in James Eiver, on their way to the city, and may, probably,
reach here in a few hours ; so we have no longer any tim^ to delay. I
only hope that we have not delayed too long already. I am afraid that
Eichmond ¦will fall into the hands of the enemy, as there iS no way to keep
back the gunboats. James Eiver is so high that all obstructions are in
danger of being washed away ; so there is no help for the city."

CHAPTER V.
THE ADVANCE TO THE CHICKAHOMINY.
(From May 9tli to June Ist, 1862.)
Scene at West Point. — Maboh on the Pamukkey. — Aspect of the CotiNTRT. — Scrupulous
Req-aed for Pkivatb Property. — Arrival at the White House. — Retreat and Conoeit-
TRATION OP THE REBELS. — EXPOSURE OP WaSHINSTON. — CAPTURE OF NORFOLK. — DESTRUCTION
OP THE Merrimac. — Encampment on the Chickahomint.
On Friday, the 9th of May, 1862, five days after the battle of Wil
liamsburg, General McClellan's army arrived at West Point, and effected
a junction with Franklin's di-vision. The distance traversed was about
twenty miles. The picturesque and animated spectacle presented at this
point cannot be described or imagined. The placid waters of the York
Eiver, expanding into a wide bay where the fioods of the Mattapony and
the Pamunkey meet, exhibited a forest of transport ships, most of them
steamers, with their trailing banners of black smoke. They were inces
santly coming and going, and mo-ving in all directions. Wharves were
improvised. Thousands of active men, with songs and laughter, were
disembarking their stores. The ring of the woodman's axe was heard
everywhere in the forest, as trees were felled, and roads were constructed,
for the passage of thousands of teams from the banks to the encampment.
A canvas city for a hundred thousand inhabitants rose as by magic.
Squadrons of horsemen swept the plain. Wagons and artillery trains
were too numerous to be counted. Polished armor gleamed in the rays
of the setting sun, and silken banners waved in the evening breeze,
while exultant music filled the air from scores of military bands.
Slowly and cautiously the army continued its march along the south
banks of the Pamunkey, accompanied by the immense flotilla of gunboats
and barges, with all needful stores. Probably, never before, in the history
of the world, was an army so liberally supplied. About twelve miles from
West Point, at a place called White House, the railroad from West Point
to Eichmond crossed the Pamunkey. It was consequently intended to
make White House the base of future operations, and the station for our
military supplies. The march over these twelve miles, with all our baggage
transported by water, and during which we encountered no enemy and
no obstacle, occupied seven days — from the 9th to the 16th of May.
The Pamunkey is here a fine stream, winding through a splendid
country, then fragrant with the bloom of flowers and arrayed in the
luxuriant beauty of early spring. Green meadows were fringed by wooded
hillg, and the whole landscape presented an aspect of picturesque beauty

THE ADVANCE TO THE CHI OKAHOMINT. 63
which charmed all eyes. Magnolias, jessamines, and blue lupines bloomed
in profusion, while birds of every variety of song and plumage sported
among the branches of the trees. As the troops sauntered gayly along,
they occasionally passed a fine old mansion, European in its antique style
of architecture" surrounded by its spacious garden and cultivated fields.
These fields had been tilled for generations by negro laborers, whose
wretched, windowless cabins were clustered in the rear. The aristocratic
master was invariably in the rebel army. If not voluntarily, he was there
by the force of a relentless conscription. *
Occasionally a gray-headed old man, surrounded by a group of females,
appeared upon the verandah which is invariably attached to a Yirginia
mansion. By wa-ving a white fiag he supplicated protection. Groups of
negroes gazed with astonishment and with scarcely repressed delight upon
the brilliant pageant, which they all instinctively associated with their
coming deliverance. Whenever a National officer approached the door (
of one of these mansions, he was received with civility. The most intense
eagerness was manifested for news, as these victims of rebellion were shut
out by the censorship of the rebel press from all knowledge, except that
which the conspirators were willing to impart. Frequently all the whites
had fled, and the negroes only were left behind.
The gunboats, steaming up the Pamunkey, kept a little in advance of
the main body of the army, shelling any suspicious point. On the shore
the engineers, with an escort of cavalry, led the advance, reconnoitring
and preparing maps and charts. The army, with its vast train of wagons,
followed. The troops marched by brigades. Each brigade was followed by its
baggage-wagons. Each wagon was drawn usually by six horses or mules.
Thus the army stretched back to an almost measureless distance, exposed
to sudden raids upon any portion of the line by an adventurous foe.
The common soldiers, however, reposed unbounded confldence in their
young Commander-in-Chief Though their progress was very slow, six
miles being the extreme limit of any day's march, with buoyant spirits and
abundantly fed, they trudged merrily on, anticipating no disaster. Soon
the effects of the unhealthy climate began to be seriously felt, and thousands
were prostrate with fever. They were immediately removed to comfortable
hospitals onboard the transports. At the close of each day the encamp
ment of white tents rose like a fairy vision on the green meadows. The
head-quarters of the Commander-in-Chief occupied some central position,
* " The style of living of Virginians differed, as they were divided into the higher and lower
classes. The latter were the ' moan whites,' who owned no slaves, and generally less than half
a dozen acres of land. The log huts of this lower class are so poor, and so unusual at the North,
that a just description will scarcely be believed. They were set about the country without refer
ence either to beauty or convenience. They are built of round hewn timber, joined at the cor
ners, -with the chinks fiUed in with mortar or clay. Never more than one story high, thatone is
so low that a tall man has to stoop on entering the door. Some logs thrown across above, form
the ceiling of the room and the floor of the loft, and a ladder of the rudest description, leading
through a hatch, is the grand staircase. These huts have usually one room ; a two-roomed hut is
a rarity. Sometimes the ground is the floor, the poverty of tho owner preventing the purchase
Of floor-boards. A large fireplace, built also of logs, and a log chimney, finish the building." — Siege
of Richmond, by Joel Parker, p. 1G5.

64 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
surrounded by the spacious tents of his brilliant staff. The telegraph wires
followed the advance of the army, that information might be instantly com
municated to the rear, and thence to Washington.
On the 16th the army reached White House. The respectable mansion
which gives its name to the place was owned by General Lee, one of the
chief officers of the rebel army. General McClellan, with his characteristic
respect for the rights of private property, immediately stationed a guard
around this mansion, it is said, not even allowing the men to draw water
from its cool crystal well. As the water of that swampy region was pro
verbially bad, this was felt to be quite a hardship. Even General McClellan
himself would not take the liberty to appropriate this commodious dwelling
to his own use, but pitched his tent in a neighboring field. Many com
plained bitterly that the sick and the wounded were not permitted to
enjoy the comforts of this home of a rebel, who was leading those forces
which were thro-wing death into the patriot ranks. Speaking upon this
subject the Prince de Joinville says :
" This respect for Southern property has been made a reproach to the
General in Congress. The opinion of the army did not take this direction.
It indorsed the delicate feelings of its leader. It was pushed so far that
when a servant found, in an abandoned house, a basket of champagne,
the General sent it back conspicuously the next day by an aide-de-camp.
We may smile at this puritanical austerity, to which we are not accustomed
in Europe. For my part, I admit that I admired it."
Such were the : two sides to the question. It may safely be said
that those sinking and dying, exposed to the hardships of the camp, did
not smile in being excluded from these ceiled chambers, and in being
deprived of those delicacies which no money could purchase from the
rebels. The Pamunkey is navigable as far as White House. Consequently we
enjoyed two important lines of transportation — the river and the railroad —
fi-om West Point to this spot. The railroad, passing over a plain with
neither viaducts nor embankments, had not been injured by the rebels.
They had, however, destroyed the bridge across the Pamunkey at White
House. Though all the rolling stock had been run off, the National army
had locomotives and cars on board its transports, and trains were soon
passing. General McClellan, instead of rushing on towards Eichmond,
but about twenty-four miles distant, with characteristic caution encamped
his army on a spacious plain at Cumberland, about three miles below
White House. The afternoon and evening of the 16th were spent in
pitching their tents and arranging their camp. The whole army of one
hundred thousand men, -with all its array of horses, wagons, and artillery-
trains, were spread out upon that plain within a circuit of four miles. At
the southeast there was an eminence commanding a view of the whole en
campment. From that hill many sketches were taken, but none of them
can convey an adequate impression of the grandeur of the scene. On the .
north was the river. The other three sides were surrounded with a fringe
of forest. Thus the whole grand army was brought together in one mass,
the magnifieent marquees of the officers, and the more humble canvas

THE ADVANCE TO THE CHICKAHOMINY. 65
houses of the soldiers, occupying a space of about eighteen square miles.
Such a scene was never witnessed before upon this continent.
While our army had been thus slowly advancing, the great body of the
rebel army had fallen back undisturbed upon their intrenchments sur
rounding Eichmond. Here they were concentrating a majestic force for
a desperate resistance. For this purpose all minor objects were wisely
abandoned. A levy en masse of all men capable of bearing arms was or
dered by the leaders of the rebels. These recruits were rapidly drilled in
camps of instruction, and then incorporated in the old regiments. Thus
every hour added to the force and efficiency of the enemy ; while the Na
tional troops, from sickness, and the necessary detachments of garrisons
to guard important points, were continually losing. Thoughtful officers in
the army, and considerate men all over the country, began to be very anx
ious. It was manifest to the most ordinary intelligence that unless a
blow were speedily struck, impregnable defences would frown upon us.
It was apprehended that we should soon be the assailed instead of the as
sailants, and that from behind the rebel redoubts an overpowering army
would be hurled against our lines. Cavalry reconnoissances showed that
the whole rebel force had passed the Chickahominy, and were awaiting
our approach behind the intrenchments of Eichmond.
A fortnight had been occupied in the march from Williamsburg to
White House. General McClellan saw very clearly the perils which were
beginning to thicken around him. As his constitutional caution would
not permit him to risk a sudden and impetuous assaulL he continued to
send imploring cries to Washington for reenforcements. He entreated
that General McDowell, who was then at Fredericksburg, sixty miles north
of Eichmond, might immediately be sent to him, and by water instead of
by land. Notwithstanding the peril to which Washington would be ex
posed by the -withdrawal of these troops, its only defenders, the President,
at the time, seemed disposed to /yield to the entreaty. He wrote on the
21st of May, closing his letter with the following words : —
" General McDowell can reach you by land sooner than he could get
aboard of boats, if the boats were ready at Fredericksburg, unless his march
shall be resisted, in which case the force resisting him will not be confront
ing you at Eichmond. By land he will reach you in five days after start
ing, whereas, by water, he would not reach you in two weeks, judging by
past experience. Franklin's single division did not reach you in ten days
after I ordered it."
On the 25th of the month General McDowell was on the eve of leaving
Fredericksburg to join General McClellan, when General " Stonewall "
Jackson commenced an expedition down the Yalley of the Shenandoah,
menacing Washington. It consequently became necessary immediately to
dispatch General McDowell, with General Fremont, from Western Yirginia,
to aid General Banks, who, with a very feeble force in the Yalley of the
Shenandoah, was exposed to annihilation from the overwhelming rush of
his foes. The President immediately -wrote to General McClellan stating
the posture of affairs, and closed by saying : —
" If McDowell's force was now beyond our reach we should be utterly
Vol. IL— 5

66 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
hopeless. Apprehension of something like this, and no unwillingness to
sustain you, has always been my reason for withholding McDowell's force
from you. Please understand this, and do the best you can with the forces
you now have."
Affairs being in this posture, it was manifestly impossible to spare a
single man of those confessedly too few who had been left for the defence
of Washington. The rebels would gladly allow our troops to march into
Eichmond, if, in exchange, they could take possession of the Capital of the
United States. President Lincoln, feeling very anxious in view of the
military prospects on the Peninsula, went down the Potomac to Fortress
Monroe, accompanied by Secretaries Stanton and Chase. He found that
General Wool, who was in command there, had for some months been
impressed with the conviction that Norfolk could easily be taken, and that
an expedition ought without delay to be sent against it. It had been
ascertained on Thursday, May Sth, that the rebels were evacuating Norfolk,
that they might hasten to the defence of Eichmond, and that only a gar
rison of about three thousand men was left in the intrenchments. A pilot
gave information that a landing could be effected about a mile below the
Eip Eaps, near Willoughby Point, from which place there was a good road
to Norfolk. General Wool, with Secretary Chase and Colonel Cram, of
the Engineers, crossed over to this shore, landed, and satisfied themselves
that troops could easily be disembarked there. Their report satisfied the
President and Secretary Stanton.
A half-dozen transports were speedily crowded -with troops, and on
Friday evening. May 9th, were started for the landing-place. It was a
short passage. In the early dawn of the morning, the steamers were put
ting the men on shore by a bridge of boats. President Lincoln accompanied
the expedition thus far, and it is said he was the first to land. The infantry
were disembarked in the advance, and, without the loss of a moment of
time, pressed forward on their march. It was a tedious tramp of eighteen
miles to Norfolk, over burning sands, beneath a blazing sun. The troops,
meeting with scarcely any opposition, at five o'clock reached an intrenched
camp of the rebels, two miles outside of Norfolk. There were, however,
no troops there. Marching rapidly through the abandoned works, they
approached the town.
Here they were met by the Maj'or, under a flag of truce, and the city was
surrendered to General Wool. After a brief interview at the roadside.
General Wool and Secretary Chase drove into the city with the Mayor, in
his carriage, followed by the General's body-guard and the National troops.
Thus ended this important day's work. At four o'clock in the afternoon of
Friday, General Wool left Fortress Monroe, steamed down the bay to Wil
loughby Point, disembarked his troops, and marched eighteen miles ; took
Norfolk, returned to Fortress Monroe, and was in his own bed before
midnight on Saturday. It was a brilliant moonlight night as the squadron
steamed down the magnificent bay, and the scene is represented as won
derfully beautiful and imposing. The whole expedition consisted of six
regiments of infantry, one battalion of mounted rifles, and one company of
regular artillery — in all, less than six thousand men.

THE ADVANCE TO THE CHICKAHOMINY. 67
As soon as the rebels in Portsmouth, on the opposite side of Elizabeth
Eiver from Norfolk, ascertained that the National troops were advancing
in force which could not be resisted, incendiaries, torch in hand, proceeded
to set fire to all public and private property which could be of any avail to
the victors. During the whole of Saturday night the heavens were lighted
up with the glare of the conflagration. All the combustibles in the Navy
Yard were committed to the flames. The dry dock, a magnificent work,
built at an outlay of a million of dollar*, was mined, and as far as possible
destroyed. The incendiaries could be distinctly seen across the bay and at
the Navy Yard, with fiambeaux of pitch-pine, gliding about like so many
fiends engaged in their congenial work of destruction. The immense
volumes of flame flashing to the skies reminded one of the description of
the burning of Moscow, and presented indeed a spectacle of terrific
grandeur. The evacuation of Norfolk by the "rebels compelled them to abandon
the batteries at Craney Island and at Sewall's Point. The rebel iron-clad
steamer the Merrimac, which they had named the Yirginia, and which, for
several weeks since its confiict with the Monitor, had been lurking behind
these tremendous batteries, was now in a. trap from -v\'hich she could not es
cape. There was not depth of water for her to ascend the James Ei ver to Eich
mond ; she must, consequently, either be destroyed or captured. It would
have been heroic in her commander to have plunged into the midst of our
wooden fleet, regardless of the mailed Monitor, and have fought to the last.
But Commodore Tatnall was not the man for such a deed. Treason seldom
inspires true heroism. He steamed out to the vicinity of Craney Island,
prepared a slow match to communicate to the magazine, set fire to the train,
and hastened on shore -with his men. The ship burned fiercely for an hour,
when, at five o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, the llth of May, there was
a terrific explosion, and, as the smoke disappeared, not even a fragment of
the ship could be seen. Its broken iron mass was in the bottom of the
sea. The destruction of the Merrimac, the necessary consequence of the
capture of Norfolk, opened to the National gunboats and transports the nav
igation of the James Eiver almost to the gates of Eichmond. General Mc
Clellan's' troops, while on the march from West Point to White House, heard
the tidings of the events we have above described. But the intelligence
was not in all respects gratifying. The rebels, by withdrawing their garrisons
from the various fortresses around Norfolk, were enabled to add eighteen
thousand men to the large army now rallied to the defence of Eichmond.
Our three iron-clads, the Monitor, Naugatuck, and Galena, which had
been stationed in Hampton Eoads to watch the Merrimac, immediately
ran up the James Eiver to within seven miles of the city. There they
encountered batteries and obstructions at Fort Darling, which, after a
severe conflict, it was found impossible to pass. They, however, swept
the river clear of all the batteries below.
As we have mentioned, fear of the Merrimac compelled our army to
turn from the direct approach to Eichmond by the James Eiver, and to
take the circuitous route by the York and the Pamunkey. A march of

68 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
twenty-five miles would have taken our troops across the Peninsula, from
the Pamunkey to the James, where they could avail themselves of the
most efficient co-operation of the gunboats in all subsequent movements.
Such a movement could then have been accomplished by a vigorous
march of two days, with no foes to oppose. Those who were carefully
studying the progress of the campaign, supposed that this change of base
would immediately be made. But that dilatoriness, which had thus far-
proved the great vice of the Army of the Potomac, continued its sway,
and the movement was not attempted until it became an absolute ne
cessity, and was finally achieved in the midst of the most awful disaster
and ruin.
The army remained three days at Cumberland. At three o'clock on
Monday morning. May 19th, it resumed its march across the Peninsula to
Eichmond. By this time White House, on the solitary Pamunkey, had
become a port, which, in extent of business and bustle, rivalled New York.
Every thing requisite for an army of one hundred thousand men was trans
ported by the tortuous river to that point. Yessels of every kind were
continually ascending and descending the stream, while an innumerable
company of contrabands, with glee irrepressible, and shouts which made
the welkin ring, were unloading and transferring the army stores.
The troops commenced their march in three columns, following the rail
road track and parallel roads. An advance guard explored the distant
woods, searching for masked batteries, and penetrating every place in
which a foe might lurk. Generals Heintzelman and Keyes, with forty
thousand men, marched for Bottom's Bridge, on the Chickahominy, a few
miles below where the railroad crosses that stream. This point was
thirteen miles from White House and ten from Eichmond. General
McClellan, with the main body of the army, followed the line of the
railroad, and advanced the first day six miles, to Tunstall's Station. The
road led through a very picturesque country, with occasional elevations,
most of the region being covered with forest. General Stoneman in the
advance, by a more rapid march, proceeded eight miles farther, and
reached the railroad bridge on the Chickahominy that afternoon.
The rebels had destroyed the bridge. They were not, however, there in
force, and General Stoneman, without difficulty, took possession of the
ruins, which he immediately proceeded to repair. Having thus made
arrangements for the passage of the stream by the main body of the army,
he marched six miles up the river to a little hamlet called Cold Harbor,
wliich was the appointed rendezvous for the right wing of the army.
Here a strong force of the rebels was found. General Stoneman assailed
them impetuously, drove them before him, and encamped there for the
night. The average distance from the Pamunkey to the Chickahominy
was twelve miles. There was no enemy to oppose our march, no rivers
to ford, no mountains to climb. Still it was found so difficult, in our
inexperience, to move a large army, that a whole week was occupied in
transporting the troops this distance. The rain had fallen in unusual
profusion, a,nd the roads were exceedingly bad.
.The troops commenced their march from the concentrated camp

THE ADVANCE TO THE CHICKAHOMINY. 69
at Cumberland, on the Pamunkey, and spread out in diverging lines as
they approached the sluggish waters and extended marshes of the Chicka
hominy. By Sunday evening, May 25th, our troops were encamped on
both sides of the stream, in a line extending more than twenty miles. The
narrow river was spanned, along the line of the army, by six or seven
dilapidated bridges, and two or three new ones were immediately
comnienced. As the roads were bad, and dense forests and pathless
morasses were spread around, it was manifest that this position of the
army exposed any portion of it to be assailed by a concentrated force of
the rebels, and to be crushed before reenforcements could be sent to their
aid. As it had been invariably the practice of the rebels to combine their
whole force in an overwhelming assault upon some unprotected division
of the National troops, the greatest anxiety was felt in the North as soon
as the disposition of our army was known. The Northern community,
familiar also in their reading with the rapid campaigns and long daily
marches of European troops, could not restrain the utterance of their im
patience, in view of the continued slowness of our advance. They knew
that every day's delay diminished our army, and increased that of the foe.
Two months had now elapsed since the National troops, aided by an
immense fieet of transports and gunboats, had landed on the Peninsula.
It was forty-five miles from Williamsburg to the Chickahominy. Twenty
days had been occupied in the march. The enemy had been all this time
rapidly gathering recruits. Thousands of slaves were driven, day and
night, to work upon their intrenchments around Eichmond. From our
advanced posts we could see the spires of the city, and, in the silence of
the night, could hear the tolling of its bells. It became evident that we
were outnumbered by the rebels. Moreover, they were stationed behind
formidable defences. Those ramparts must be stormed before the patriots
could enter Eichmond. Our opportunity was lost. It was but sixty
miles from Fortress Monroe to Eichmond. Could we have passed over
that space in eight days, instead of eight weeks, the rebel capital could
easily have been taken.
It was now too late. Our army was entangled in the marshes of the
Chickahominy. The sultry heat was beating down upon the heads of the
fainting soldiers. The malaria arising from those sw-amps was filling the
hospitals with the sick. General McClellan continued to send to Wash
ington for reenforcements ; but " Stonewall " Jackson, the most bold and
daring fighter of the rebels, was thundering down the Yalley of the Shen
andoah, and there was not a man to be spared from the defenceless capital.
Under these circumstances, anxiety oppressed every thoughtful man in the
army and in the Nation. We had marched our troops into the heart of
the enemy's country, had entangled them amidst marshes in the presence
of an outnumbering foe, and now the whole army was in imminent danger
of destruction. Here we must leave them for a short season, while we
describe the raid of " Stonewall" Jackson dovsoi the Yalley of the Shenan
doah to the banks ofthe Potomac.

CHAPTER VI.
THE PERIL OF WASHINGTON; JACKSON'S RAID.
(From May 20th to May 2Tth, 1862.) ,
Anxiety of President Lincoln. — McDowell's Corps.— The Mountain Department. — Tack-
son's Dash upon Banks. — iVoble Letter of General McDowell. — Panic in Washing
ton.— Energetic Action of General Fremont. — Running Battle. — Success of Jackson's
Raid. — Battle op Hanover Couet-House.
On the 17th of May, the War Department, at Washington, sent the
following dispatch to General McClellan : —
" Your dispatch to the President, asking for reenforcements, has been
received and carefully considered. The President is not willing to uncover
the Capital entirely, and it is believed that, even if this were prudent, it
would require more time to effect a junction between your army and that
of the Eappahannock, by the way of the Potomac and York Elvers, thain
by the land march.
" In order, therefore, to increase the strength of the attack upon Eich
mond, at the earliest possible moment. General McDowell has been
ordered to march upon the city by the shortest route. He is ordered —
keeping himself always in position to cover the Capital from all possible
attack — so to operate as to put his left wing in communication with your
right, and you are instructed to co-operate, so as to establish this communi
cation as soon as possible. By extending your right wing to the north of
Eichmond, it is believed that the communication can be safely established,
either north or south of the Pamunkey Eiver. In any event, you will be
able to prevent the main body of the enemy's forces from leaving Eich
mond and falling in overwhelming force pon General McDowell. He
will move with between thirty -five and forty thousand men.
" A copy of the instructions to Major-General McDowell is with this.
The specific task assigned to his command, has been to provide against any
danger to the Capital of the Nation. At your earnest call for reenforce
ments, he is sent forward to co-operate in the reduction of Eichmond, but
charged, in attempting this, not to uncover the City of Washington ; and
you will give no orders, either before or after your junction, which can
keep him out of position to cover this city. You and he will communicate
with each other, by telegraph or otherwise, as frequently as may be neces
sary for efficient co-operation.
" The President directs that General McDowell retain the command of
the Department of the Eappahannock, and of the forces with which he
moves forwa^j-d. By order of the President.
" Edwin M. Stanton, Sec. of War."

THE PERIL OP WASHINGTON; JACKSON'S RAID. Tl
Could this union, thus ordered, of General McDowell's force of thirty-
five thousand men with General McClellan's army have then been effected,
it is not improbable that Eichmond might have fallen. General McClellan,
in his testimony on the lOtli of December, before a court-martial in Wash
ington, where General McDowell was triumphantly acquitted of all the
charges brought against hun, said :
" I have no doubt that the Army of the Potomac would have taken
Eichmond had not the corps of General McDowell been separated from it.
It is also my opinion, that had the command of General McDowell joined
the Army of the Potomac in the month of May, by way of Hanover Court-
House, from Fredericksburg, we should have had Eichmond in a week
after the junction. I do not hold General McDowell responsible for a
failure to join me on that occasion."
General McDowell was as anxious as General McClellan to have
this junction effected, but was prevented by the events which we must
turn aside for a moment to describe. It will be remembered that the
majestic Army of the Potomac, numbering over two hundred thousand
men, which for eight months had been reposing in the vicinity of Manassas,
when pushed by the order of the President into action, was divided into
several corps darm.ee. General McClellan took over one hundred and fifty
thousand men to move upon Eichmond by the Peninsular route, which he
chose contrary tothe judgment of the President. As this exposed Washing
ton to attack, by a sudden raid through Fredericksburg, or through the
valley of the Shenandoah, General McDowell was sent to guard the Fred
ericksburg route, with about thirty thousand men ; and General Banks was
sent with a small force of five or eight thousand men into the valley, to
watch against any raid upon Washington in that direction. He entered
the valley at Harper's Ferry, and, passing through the to-wns of Winchester,
Strasburg, Woodstock, New Market, and Harrisonsburg, took position at
Staunton. At Winchester a portion of this force, under General Shields,'*
met a large body of the rebels on the 23d of March, and completely routed
them in one of the most hotly contested battles of the war. Tlie rebels,
under General T. J. Jackson, were driven to Strasburg. They left e^hty-
five dead on the field. They retreated with ten wagons of dead and
wounded in their train.
In addition to these movements, an order was issued by the President
on the llth of March, creating the Mountain Department. General
"'Major-General James Shields wa,s born in Tyrone County, Ireland, in 1810. When sixteen
years of age he emigrated to America, and settled in Kaskaskia, Illinois. He studied law, entered
upon successful practice, and in 1843 was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court of the State.
Upon the opening of the Mexican war he was appointed Brigadier-General of Volunteers. At
Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo he distinguished himself for his gallantry. At the latter battle he
was severely wounded by a copper ball, which passed through his body and lungs. His life was
saved by the skUl of a Mexican surgeon, after the regular surgeons of tlie army had given over
his case as hopeless. He was again wounded at Chapultepec, and was made Major-General. Re
turning from the -war, he was elected to the National House of Representatives in 1849. After
wards removing to Minnesota, he was elected to the United States Senate. Subsequently ho re
moved to California, and resumed the profession of the law. TJpon the breaking out of the
rebellion, he again, with ardent patriotism, took up arms in defence of his imperilled adopted
country.

72 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Fremont was intrusted with the command. It was the plan of the Govern
ment that he should ascend the valley of the Big Sandy Eiver, in Ken
tucky, to Pikeville ; thence advance tlirough Cumberland Gap to Knox
ville, and seize the railroad, so' as to cut the rebel retreat from Eichmond,
and prevent any supplies or reenforcements from being sent to that place.
This department extended from the command of General McClellan on the
Potomac, to that of Genei-al Halleck on the Mississippi. About the 1st of
April, General Fremont commenced military operations in the important
region assigned to him. By a series of energetic movements, the rebels
were driven from the positions they had occupied, and General Fremont,
advancing from Wheeling, reached Petersburg, on the south branch of the
Potomac. Thence pushing vigorously forward, he established his head
quarters at McDowell, on the western declivity of the Shenandoah Moun
tains. This town is about forty-five miles from Harrisonsburg, which is in
the valley of the Shenandoah, on the other side of the mountains. General
Fremont's advance, after a sanguinary confiict with superior forces of the
enemy, retired to Franklin and strongly fortified themselves there. These
three corps were thus stationed at this time, mainly for the defence of
Washington. General McDowell was at Fredericksburg, east of the Blue
Eidge. General Banks was in the valley of the Shenandoah, between the
Blue Eidge and the Shenandoah Mountains. General Fremont was west
of the Shenandoah Mountains.*
General " Stonewall " Jackson, the most dashing of the rebel chieftains,
quietly gathered a force, variously estimated at from forty to sixty thousand
men, and made a rush into the valley of the Shenandoah, intending to
overwhelm and annihilate the small force of but six thousand men wliich
General Banks had at Strasburg; and then, as was supposed, to cross the
Potoinac at Harper's Ferry, and seize Washington. The blow was ap
parently quite feasible, and might have proved to the National cause quite
irreparable. The rebels under Generals Jackson and Ewell moved as
secretly and rapidly as possible between the Blue Eidge and the Massa
nutten mountain range, hoping, by striking directly from Front Eoyal to
Winchester, to cut off the retreat of General Banks and capture his whole
force at Strasburg. General Banks was not aware of his peril until Friday
evening, the 23d of May. The rebels were already near Front Eoyal,
driving all opposition before them. There was no salvation for him but
* The President and Secretary of War were both very anxious to effect a junction of the two
armies in any way in which it could be accomplished without endangering Washington. On the
17tli of May, Secretary Stanton sent the following instructions to General McDowell :
"General: Upon being joined by Sliields's division, you -wiU move upon Richmond by the
general route of the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad, co-operating with the force under
General McClellan, now threatening Richmond from the line of the Pamunkey and York Rivers.
While seeking to establish, as soon as possible, a communication between your left wing
and the right wing of General McClellan, you will hold yourself always in such position as to
cover the Capital of the Nation against a sudden dash by any large body of tlie rebel forces.
" General McClellan will be furnished a copy of these instructions, and will be directed to hold
himself in readiness to establish communications with your left, and to prevent the main body of
the enemy's army from leaving Riohmond and throwing itself upon your column, before a junc
tion between the two armies is effected. A copy of his instructiims, in regard to the employment
of your forces, is annexed. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War."

i}5E4,|)),,.,

THE PERIL OP WASHINGTON; JACKSON'S RAID. 73
in the most cool, determined, and skilful retreat. This General Banks
conducted with such heroism and ability as rendered it virtually a victory ;
and his conduct elevated him to a very high position among military men.
Contesting every inch ofthe way, and fighting an incessant battle, he re
pelled the assaults of his foes, who outnumbered him four to one. After
an uninterrupted retreat and battle of forty-eight hours, he conducted his
army, in a march of fifty-three miles, safely across the Potomac, near
Martinsburg, saving almost his whole wagon-train and every piece of
artillery. As soon as the Government heard of the commencement of this for
midable raid, -with the probable destruction of General Banks's corps, and
the consequent imminent exposure of Washington, the excitement and
anxiety became intense. General Fremont and General McDowell were
telegraphed immediately to move to the support of General Banks. On
Saturday evening. May 24:th, General McDowell received from the Presi
dent the foUo-wing order :
" You are instructed, laying aside for the present the movement on
Eichmond, to put twenty thousand men in motion at once for the Shenan
doah, moving in the line, or in advance of the line, of the Manassas Gap
railroad. Your object will be to capture the force of Jackson and Ewell,
either in co-operation -with General Fremont, or, in case want of supplies
or transportation interfered with his movements, it is believed that the
force which you move will be sufficient to accomplish the object alone.
Eeports received this moment are that Banks is fighting with Ewell, eight
miles from Harper's Ferry."
General McDowell was then on the eve of forming a junction with
General McClellan. This summons, frustrating all his plans, was to him
a bitter disappointment. But, like a good soldier and a true patriot, he
unhesitatingly obeyed. His immediate response shows the promptness of
his movement, and the sore trial which obedience cost him. His reply
was : —
" The President's order has been received, and is in process of execu
tion. This is a crushing blow to us."
The President responded the same hour, the telegrams passing like the
lightning's fiash : " I am highly gratified by your alacrity in obeying my
orders. The change was as painful to me as it can possibly be to you, or
to any one. Every thing now depends upon the celerity and vigor of your
movements." To this General McDowell replied in words which, in justice to as gal
lant a soldier and as pure a patriot as has drawn his sword in this war
fare, should be recorded. The reply was to the President : —
" I obeyed your order immediately, for it was positive and urgent, and
perhaps, as a subordinate, there I ought to stop. But I trust I may be al
lowed to say something in relation to the subject, especially in view of
your remark, that every thing depends upon the vigor and celerity of my
movements. I beg to say that co-operation between General Fremont and
myself, to cut off Jackson and Ewell, is not to be counted upon, even if it
is not a practical impossibility ; next, that I am entirely beyond helping

74 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
distance of General Banks, and no celerity or vigor will be availing, so far
as Me is concerned ; next, that by a glance at the map it will be seen, that
the line of retreat of the enemy's forces up the valley is shorter than mine
to go against him. It will take a week or ten days for the force to get to
the valley by the route which will give it food and forage, and by that time
the enemy will have retreated. I shall gain nothing for you there, and
lose much for you here. It is, therefore, not only on personal grounds that
I have a heavy heart in the matter, but I feel that it throws us all back,
and from Eichmond north, we shall have all our large mass paralyzed, and
shall have to repeat what we have just accomplished."
All this was essentially true. By straining every nerve. General Mc
Dowell was not able to cut off the retreat of the bold, ably led, and fieet-
footed rebels. But had not both General McDowell and General Fremont
rushed for the valley to cut off their retreat, they would not have deemed
retreat necessary. Their lines of communication would not have been -en
dangered ; they might have inflicted incalculable injury upon the National
cause, and it is by no means improbable that they might have taken and
destroyed Washington. Indeed, as it was, the peril of the capture of
Washington was so imminent, that telegrams were immediately sent to all
the adjacent Northern States, urging the Governors to send instantly the
militia to defend the Capital. The following dispatch to the Governor of
Massachusetts, dated May 25, 1864, illustrates this well-founded alarm :—
" Intelligence from various quarters leaves no doubt that the enemy, in
great force, are marching on Washington. You will please organize and
forward immediately all the militia and volunteer force in your State.
" Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of irar."
Upon this same day. May 25th, the President, in a telegram to General
McClellan, said : —
" If McDowell's force were now beyond our reach, we should be utterly
helpless. Apprehensions of something like this, and no unwillingness to
sustain you, has always been my reason for withholding McDowell's force
from you. Please understand this, aud do the best you can with the forces
you now have."* "
At the same time. General Fremont had received a telegram instructing
him to cross the Shenandoah Mountains, with his whole force, from Frank
lin to Harrisonsburg. Could he have done this, the retreat of Jackson
might have been effectually cut off. But General Fremont deemed it im
possible to take that route. It involved a march of fifty miles, over the
roughest roads, and through a region where neither forage nor supplies
could be obtained. Neither had he any sufficient means of transportation.
He therefore assumed the responsibility of taking a different route. He
received the order Saturday evening. With the accustomed promptness
of this man, he had his whole army in motion by three o'clock the next
morning. Had the Prince de Joinville been present, he would not have
accused the Americans of a characteristic trait of delay.
Descending j-apidly the banks of the south fork of the Potomac, he
* Report of Congressional Committee, p. 10.

THE PERIL OP WASHINGTON; JACKSON'S RAID. 75
crossed the mountains at a lower, or more northern point. After one of the
most rapid and energetic marches on record, through an incessant storm of
rain and horrible roads, his advance guard reached Strasburg at noon of
the first of June. At the same time General McDowell's advance, under
General Shields, mo-ving with equal endurance and celerity, reached Front
Eoyal from the east, ten miles from Strasburg. But, unfortunately,
Jackson and his band, a few hours before, had rushed by the point, and
were retreating at full speed, with all the plunder they had gained, up the
valley towards Eichmond. It was a very narrow escape for the rebels.
They just succeeded in slipping between General McDowell on the east
and General Fremont on the west. The advance guard of these two
National forces, forming a junction, pressed impetuously on in pursuit of
the foe. The rear-guard of the rebels made an occasional stand, where
the ground presented great advantages, and fierce contests ensued. On
Monday, June 2d, there was a battle of several hours at Woodstock.
Daring Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, the rebels ran and the
patriots pursued, pelting them with shot and shell, as one week before the
patriots had fled before their determined foes. Such is war. No man
can give blows without recei-ving blows in return. The final conflict was
at Port Eepublic, where the Shenandoah is spanned by a long bridge.'*
It was Sunday morning, June 8th. The rebel General, whose great
military ability no one will question, had sagaciously chosen his position at
a spot called Cross Keys. The battle commenced with heavy flring at
eleven o'clock, and continued, with occasional lulls, and then with renewed
violence, until dark. It was a drawn battle ; but as the rebels fought in
their chosen position and under cover, their loss was less than that of the
Union forces. General Fremont was able to bring into the battle only his
advance of about three thousand men. General Jackson arrayed in op
position eight thousand. The patriot troops, though they fought hero
ically, were unable to dislodge their foes, who were equally determined,
equally well officered, advantageously posted, and who outnumbered their
assailants more than two to one.
The rebels held the field. Their only object, however, was to secure a
safe retreat. The united army of Generals Fremont and McDowell was
rushing down upon them. On Sunday night. General Jackson crossed the
Shenandoah Eiver with all his troops, and destroyed the long bridge behind
them. With but little difficulty they repelled the assaults of General
Shields, who, with an insufficient force, did what he could to head them
* A correspondent of the Philadelphia Press, writing from Winchester, Virginia, relates the
foUowing incident of Banks's retreat, as Ulustratiye of the barbarity which characterized the rebel
women during the war : —
"A soldier w;is wounded in the foot, and had sat down on the steps of one of the houses in
Winchester. He had not been sitting there long, when a woman came out and aslged him if he
were not able to walk? He replied that he was not. The woman, seeing a revdver-in his belt,
asked him to let her look at it. The man, suspecting nothing wrong, handed it to hfir. But she
had had it in her hands but a few minutes when she presented it to his head, and demanded that
he should leave the steps. He did so, and after he had walked a few steps, she flred the pistol,
the ball entering his side, and he fell on the street, where he instantly expired. This is but a
specimen of the numerous incidents I have heard, and I only give it as one which I know cornea
from a reliable source."

76 CIVIL WAR IN "AMERICA.
off. Without further molestation, the rebels retreated to Staunton, and
thence to Eichmond. j,_
This bold and sagacious movement of General Jackson very probably
saved Eichmond. God, in a mysterious way, accomphsh^s his designs.
There are innumerable instances, in the history of this war, in which ap
parent disasters have proved our choicest blessings. Had Eichmond^
then been taken, and the rebel army crushed, it is almost certain that
some compromise would have been- effected which would have preserved
slavery, the fruitful cause of all our troubles. In the whole history of the
world, not an instance can be found in which the hand of God has been more
manifest than in this war. Had Massachusetts-<;nergy prevailed, the war
would have been ended in six months, and slavery would have escaped al
most unscathed. The pro-slavery sympathies of the Northern opponents
of the war prolonged the contest, discouraged volunteering, resisted the
draft, and thus sent our troops by slow marches over the plantations of
the South, liberated slaves by thousands, rendered acts of confiscation and
emancipation ine-vitable, and compelled the enlistment of colored men into
our wasted army. Throughout the whole war, the friends of freedom have
been straining every nerve to bring the war to a speedy end, which, had it
been accomplished, would certainly have riveted the fetters of the slave
anew. The friends of slavery have done every thing in their power to pre
vent the vigorous prosecution of the war, and by thus protracting the con
flict have undermined, inch by inch, the whole foundation of slavery, and
have whelmed the whole enormous fabric of cruelty and crime in ruin.
Slavery has committed suicide. It is right that a monster so diabolical
should have met with such an end.
The genius of a great general is often better illustrated by a well-con
ducted retreat than by a signal victory. General Banks has performed
many heroic deeds during this war.'* In none has he displayed more
brilliantly the characte-x of an accomplished general, than in the valor and
sagacity with which he extricated his little band from the rebel hordes
which rushed upon him at Strasburg. Generals Fremont and McDowell
* General N. P. Banks was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, January 30, 1816. His parents
were poor. With a very limited common-school education, young Banks, when a mere lad, en
tered one of the Waltham factories to earn his living. For several years he worked there faith
fully, yet seizing upon every moment of leisure for the improvement of his mind. He was an
active member of a debating society, and wrote for the columns of a local paper. Rising rap
idly, he finally became editor of a paper. By the vigor of his mind and his untiring intellectual
activity he spread his name and his influence, and in 1848 he was chosen member of the Massa
chusetts Legislature, and soon after was sent to the National Congress at Washington. In 1 854
he was chosen Speaker of the House of Representatives, after one of the most memorable con
tests in our Congressional history. In 1857 he was chosen Governor of Mapsachusetts. AU
these important posts he fllled with distinguished ability. He foresaw the coming storm of the
slaveholders' rebellion and secession, and prepared himself for the strife by a careful study of
military strategy and tactics. When the traitors opened their fire upon the United States flag, at
Sumter, Governor Banks was occupying the very responsible post of Superintendent of the Illinois
Central Railway. The public voice immediately called him to a military command. He was ap
pointed Major-General by the President, and was given a division of the Army of the Potomac.
Nearly all his troops were taken from him to add to the force under General McClellan. The rebel
General Jacksofl pounced upon him, sure of his destruction. His retreat was one of the most
briUiSint operations of the war.

THE PERIL OF WASHINGTON; JACKSON'S RAID. 77
also did every thing that mortal energy could do to cut off the enemy.
The operation, on the part of the rebels, was managed with consummate
bravery and skill ; and, having a shorter route to traverse than those sent
in pursuit of them, they could not be overtaken in their rapid retreat.
We now return again to contemplate the condition and achievements of
the army under General McClellan. For five days, the National troops,
after reaching the Chickahominy, remained in their encampments, as it
were bewildered. They could not advance upon the frowning batteries
before them, without encountering dreadful slaughter. They could not
retreat without shame and disaster. There was a pause which was por
tentous. What does it mean ? the nation inquired anxiously. The very
unsatisfactory reply that came back from the Chickahominy was : " We
are waiting for the roads to dry, and for opportunity to construct more
bridges across the river."
General McClellan was now rapidly losing the confidence of the more
intelligent and patriotic portion of the community, though he still re
tained to a wonderful degree the affections of the rank and file of his
army. He must have possessed some sterling qualities, to have secured
from his troops the unbounded homage with which, at that time, they
undeniably regarded him. There can be no question of the truth of the
following statement by an army correspondent : —
" When I say that General McClellan is beloved, trusted, and perfectly
idolized by every common soldier in the army, I am not saying one whit
more than the bare truth. They will follow him anywhere and every
where, for they know, to a man, that he will not needlessly expose them
to danger. No matter how great the peril, or difficult the task may seem,
when he commands they -will cheerfully obey, and with the most unbound
ed confidence will face any danger or overcome any obstacle. In fact, the
feelings towards General McClellan partake almost of adoration,"
One heroic adventure, in the mean time, achieved by our troops, created
a momentary gleam of hope. There were two railroads running north
from Eichmond. One was called the Yirginia Central, the other was the
Eichmond and Potomac. These roads crossed each other, about twenty
miles from Eichmond, at a place called Sexton's Junction, a few miles
beyond Hanover Court-House. A secret expedition was organized to
destroy both of the roads at their junction. After a careful reconnois
sance. General G. W. Morell's di-vision of General Fitz- John Porter's Fifth
Pro-visional Army Corps, supported by General Stoneman's cavalry, was sent
on this enterprise. There was, perhaps, not in the army a more admirably
disciplined body of men. It was exceedingly important that the enemy
should be taken by surprise. Orders were therefore not given until mid
night on Monday, for the men to be ready at four o'clock the next morn
ing, Tuesday, May 27th, in light marching trim. At three o'clock the
reveille called them. It was dark, stormy, and a drenching rain was fall
ing. Fires could not be built, and the men were compelled to set out on
their cold, wet march,' without the much coveted refreshment of a cup
of hot coffee. Cold rations, for two days, were crowded into their haver
sacks, and each man was supplied with twenty additional rounds of cart-

78 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
ridges. Into the darkness and the rain, and wading through the miry
roads, the long column soon disappeared.
They had moved from their camp at Mechanicsville. None but the
leading officers knew the direction or the object of their march. Soldiers
soon learn to ask no questions, but with blind obedience to obey com
mands. As the morning dawned the clouds were dispersed. At ten
o'clock, the sun of a summer's day was shining down upon them oppres
sively. They had then struck the railroad within five miles of Hanover
Court-IIouse. Here the enemy were first found. They were in a large open field
flanked by woods. The skirmishers immediately opened fire. Sharp
volleys of musketry, and the occasional boom of heavier guns, announced
to those in the rear that the battle was begun. Colonel Johnson, of the
Twenty-fifth New York, who was in advance, attacked them impetuously.
But the superior numbers of the enemy compelled him to retire with severe
loss. Soon General Butterfield appeared, with Morell's division of Porter's
corps, and his command entered the battle with the rapidity and precision
of veterans. With the Stars and Stripes floating proudly in the breeze,
they swept down resistlessly upon the foe. Griffin's battery was at the time
pouring a deadly fire into the hostile ranks. The rebels, after a short con
flict, broke and fled, disappearing in the woods. The victors then, after giv
ing three enthusiastic cheers to General Butterfield as he rode along their
lines, moved rapidly forward towards Hanover Court-House. Some of the
regiments moved along the railroad, tearing it up as they advanced.
Others followed the turnpike road. In the spirited conflict which had
terminated so honorably to the patriot arms. Colonel Lansing, of the
Seventeenth New York, and Colonel McLane, of the Eighty-third Penn
sylvania, displayed great gallantry. Their troops pursued the fugitives
some distance, capturing about sixty prisoners. Two twelve-pound brass
howitzers were also captured. The Second Maine, Colonel Eoberts, and
the Forty-fourth New York, Colonel Stryker, were left behind at a road-
crossing, to guard from an attack in their rear the advancing party,
who were expecting to meet a strong force of rebels at Hanover Court-
House. The scene presented on the march was brilliant. It was a beautiful
afternoon. Nature was smiling in all the bloom and verdure of one of the
lovehest days of early summer. The sun was setting in all its glory. The
doors and windows of the houses were crowded with curious and anxious
spectators, while hundreds of negroes hung upon gates and fences, gazing
with undisguised yet inexpressible delight upon a spectacle, which a
strange instinct taught them was ushering in for them the day of jubilee.
The bright pennons of the lancers, the gay uniforms of the Zouaves, the
parks of artillery, with their mounted cannoneers, and the officers on proud
steeds, splendidly caparisoned, presented a pageant which charmed every
eye. The patriot troops, inspirited with victory, almost forgot the fatigue of
their long niarch, as they pressed forward to other deeds of daring. They
hac^ advanced a few miles, when an aide came galloping up, sent by Gen-

THE PERIL OF WASHINGTON; JACKSON'S RAID 79
eral Martindale, who was in command of the force left behind, stating that
the rebels had come out by rail from Eichmond in great force, and were '
forming for an attack. At the same time, the terrible roar of the renewed
battle came reverberating through the forest. General Butterfield
wheeled his troops around, and, at the double-quick, hastened back to the
rescue of their imperilled comrades.
In the mean time six rebel regiments, with their accustomed yell, came
rushing upon the thin lines of the patriots, expecting to disperse them as the
hunter scatters a covey of partridges upon the mountains. But the patriots
stood as immovable as the forests around them. While all fought with
the utmost intrepidity, the Second Maine displayed marvellous valor. So
near were they at one time to the enemy, that the men on both sides thrust
their guns through the same fence, firing at each other. The Forty-fourth
New York had its flag four times cut down by the bullet. But as one
color-bearer fell, there was always another intrepid hand prompt to raise
it. As the battle raged with terrible fierceness, a captain of the Forty-
fourth was asked, " How many of your men can you muster to follow you
in a charge ?" The quick reply was, " Every man, sir, will follow, save
the dead." For more than an hour this handful of men held the enemy in
check. Just then General Butterfield, -with uncovered head, leading his heroic
band, appeared upon the field. Avoiding the circuitous route by the road,
he had marched the Eighty-third Pennsylvania, Colonel McLane, and the
Sixteenth Michigan, Colonel Stockton, across the fields and through the
woods. He was greeted -with three such cheers as can only be uttered
when the soid's intensest emotions burst from the lips. These cheers were
more appalling to the foe than the boom of artillery or the rattle of mus
ketry. It told them that their ga,me was lost.
At the double-quick the patriot band fell upon the fiank of the rebels,
throwing them into great confusion. Twelve pieces of artillery, skilfully
handled, threw such an incessant storm of shells into their ranks, that
the rebels, dropping their muskets, their colors, and much even of their
clothing, fled wildly, and disappeared in the forest.
They were hotly pursued and many prisoners were taken. Some were
evidently glad to escape from the rebel ranks. Two came forward, wa
ving a torn and soiled handkerchief, once white, and supporting between
them a pale-faced boy, with a ghastly wound. They seemed greatly terri
fied, and piteously begged that their lives might be spared. " We have
been forced into this," they said ; " we are conscripts."
Darkness had now come. These brave men, who bad marched over
twenty miles and fought two battles in one day, returned to their camp
highly elated with their double victory. Proudly the patriots displayed,
as the trophies of the confiicts, two field-pieces, nearly nine hundred stand
of small-arms, over five hundred prisoners, several tents, wagons, and
much other such materiel of war.
The next morning General McClellan appeared upon the field and was
enthusiastically cheered. He grasped General Porter by the hand, with
cordial congratulations. Then turning to General Butterfield, he placed

80 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
his hand upon his shoulder, commending him warmly for his gallant
achievement, and promised to recommend him to the command of a divi
sion. The French princes, the Prince de Joinville, the Count de Paris,
and the Due de Chartres, accompanied the Commander-in-Chief. Sadly
the Prince de JoinviUe said at the time, " What a pity that all this to-day
is for nothino- ! We should have heard the guns of McDowell coming from
Fredericksburg. He should have joined you, and then we could go into
Eichmond, and have a great success."
The Prince has reiterated these sentiments still more emphatically in
his exceedingly interesting pamphlet upon the "Army of the Potomac."
But on the other hand it is said, that even at that moment the impetuous
Jackson was rushing with an army between forty thousand and sixty
thousand strong upon Washington ; that the withdrawal of McDowell's
troops would have left to him almost an unobstructed path to the Capital,
and that the rebels could well afford to exchange Eichmond for Washing
ton. The loss of Washington would then probably have secured the recog
nition of the rebels by England, who was eagerly watching for a chance
to cheer them by that recognition. President ' Lincoln and Secretary
Stanton doubtless decided wisely, that, at every hazard, Washington was
to be protected from insult.
It is worthy of note how many of the officers engaged in this battle sub
sequently attained a National reputation. Major-General Webb was then
a field-officer on the staff of General Porter. Major-General Warren was
colonel in command of a regiment. General Yincent, killed at Gettys
burg, was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Eighty-third Pennsylvania. Gene
ral Eice, who died so heroically in the battles of the Wilderness,
was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Forty-fourth New York. Many others
might be inentioned, then unknown to fame, whose names are now a na
tion's pride. It was on this day that General Butterfield's star first rose
above the horizon. Since then, his fame has become inseparably blended
with all the seven days' battles of the Peninsula, -with Fredericksburg,
Chancellors-ville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Eesaca, and other minor
fields too numerous to be mentioned. On this occasion his officers present
ed to him a pair of golden spurs, containing the following inscription : —
" To General Daniel Butterfield ; presented by the field-officers of the
Third Light Brigade, Porter's Division, Army of the Potomac, for our ad
miration of your brilliant generalship on the field of Hanover Court-House,
May 23d, 1862."
In this expedition, which was eminently successful, though of but little
avail in its bearing on the general campaign, the railroad by which the
rebels were sending reenforcements and supplies to Jackson, in his raid on
Washington, was broken up, and an important bridge across the South
Anna, five hundred feet long, was destroyed. A large amount of quarter
master and commissary stores was also captured. The total loss of the
rebels in killed, wounded, and missing, was fifteen hundred. The Union
loss was fifty-three killed, and two hundred and ninety-six wounded and
missing. » The next day the troops were leisurely marched back to camp. MeadoW

THE PERIL OF WASHINGTON; JACKSON'S RAID. 81
Bridge, near Mechanics-ville, now became the extreme right of the Army
of the Potomac. The night of the 30th of May came, with darkness, wail
ing gusts of wind, and fioods of rain. But, gloomy as was the night,
the hearts of the intelligent and the reflective in the patriot camp were
gloomier still. The tents of the army were scattered along a line more
than twenty miles in extent, in the midst of tangled forests, stagnant
pools, and pathless morasses. The troops, greatly weakened by the sick
ness engendered in the miasmatic swamps, were no longer strong enough
to advance upon the fortifications, which the rebels had now, by the forced
labor of the slaves, found ample time to render almost impregnable, and
which they had crowded with reenforcements gathered from near and from
far. The patriot army could not long remain where it was, breathing the
malaria of these pestilential bogs. Eetreat, in the face of an outnumber-
ino- and vigilant foe, could only be accomplished with enormous loss, and
at the hazard of the very existence of the army. Indeed, it was manifest
to intelligent observers, who from a distance scanned the field, that the
Army of the Potomac was imminently exposed to destruction. The eagle-
eyed foe, conscious of our peril, and equally conscious, from experience.^
that he had nothing to fear from any sudden and daring movement of the
patriot Commander-in-Chief, leisurely massed his forces for an assault upon
our right wing. He intended to crush it before the centre and left could
struggle through the swamp to its rescue. To ordinary intelligence, it
would seem that our army was placed in precisely the position which
would invite attack from an enterprising foe, and which would render that
attack most certainly successful.
It was so6n evident that the enemy was preparing for this flank move*
ment, which we had no power to resist. A precipitate retreat became our
only salvation, a retreat which was mildly called a " change of base;" This
change could have been made without peril immediately after the destruc
tion of the Merrimac. It could now be effected only with fearful loss.
The campaign had proved an utter failure. The only question, now was,
how to rescue from destruction, probably the best and bravest army this
world ever saw.
General Casey,* who had deservedly a high reputation for his military
* Brigadier-General SUas Casey was bom in East Greenwich, Rhode Isfand; July 12, 1807. He^
entered AVest Point in 1822, and graduated as Brevet Second-Lieutenant in 1826. He was first
stationed at Fort Lawson, on the Red River, in the Indian territory. He -had several skirmishes
with the Indians, and at one time, with sixteen men, pursued a party of Pawnee warriors a
hundred miles to Blue River. Seven of the savages he succeeded in capturing. Lieutenant
Casey was subsequently stationed at Sacket's Harbor, on Lake Ontario, at Fort Niagara, and at
Port Gratiot, Michigan. For several years he was then engaged im warfare with the Florida In
dians, signalizing himself by his gallantry and his military sagacity,, when he was promoted to a
Captaincy. In the Mexican war of 1847 he was with General Scott. At Contreras he commanded!.
the leading division of ono of our columns of attack. He was one ofthe first who entered the fort
at Chembusco, where he planted the colors ofthe Second Infantry; For hia gallantry in these ac
tions he received the brevet of Major. At Chapultepec, at the hea(^of a storming party, he waa
severely wounded, and received the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel. . In 1848, Lieutenant-Colonel
Casey went to California, where he spent several years very efRoiently.in the service of his counti'v.
In 1854 he was -made member of a board which. a.ssembledlat Washipgton and West Point to, revise
Vol. il— 6

82 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
ability, was stationed, on the 26th of May, contrary to his own judgment,
with a small force of inexperienced troops, quite in advance of the rest of
the army, within six miles of Eichmond, nearly on the line of the Eich
mond and York Eiver Eailroad. Though General Casey's spirited recon
noissances had entitled hira to the post of honor, his military judgment
pronounced the encampment as too far advanced and too much exposed.
He himself was in front, with five thousand men. Three-quarters of a
mile in his rear. General Keyes was in command of a division of eight
thousand. With Keyes's division thus in the rear. General Casey was ex
posed to a sadden assault from the foe, with no protection whatever on his
right or left.
Fully conscious of his peril, he commenced vigorously digging rifie-pits
and rearing abatis, while he pushed out his pickets two or three miles in
advance. The spot occupied by this partially intrenched camp was called
Fair Oaks, fi'om a beautiful cluster of oak trees in that vicinity. The
country around was swampy, mostly covered with dense forests. The
railroad passed through these plains and morasses in a straight line,
running nearly east and west. Fair Oaks was on this railroad. It was
three-quarters of a mile back from here, on the Williamsburg and Eich
mond Eailroad, that General Keyes was stationed. A road ran diagonally
across, from the railroad to the turnpike. At the junction of this road
with the turnpike, where General Keyes's encampment was planted, there
was a small grove of pines, which gave the locality the name of Seven
Pines. General Sumner was stationed several miles in the rear, on the
other side of the Chickahominy, with about eight thousand troops. The
remainder of the army was scattered along the same northern banks of the
stream for many leagues. The Chickahominy was then a roaring fiood, and
all the morasses were so filled, that any rapid concentration of the army was
impossible. Thus it will be seen how tempting was the bait presented to
the rebel generals. They availed themselves of their opportunity with
skill which was only thwarted by the indomitable heroism of the National
troops.
infantry tactics. Some time after this he was again engaged in Indian w.irs, which he conducted
with great energy and success. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion, he entered into the ser
vice of his country with the utmost zeal. In August, 1862, he was appointed Brigadier-Gene
ral, and was stationed at Washington, to receive and organize the volunteer regiments. Soon
after he took command of a division of the Army of the Potomac. The progress of the war has
developed few characters of such high accomplishment, and such single-hearted devotion to the
welfare of his country, as General Casey.

CHAPTEE VII.
THE BATTLE AT FAIR OAKS.
(From May 29th to June 8d, 1S62.)
Position of Gbkeral Casey's Division. — Geneeals Ketes, Couch, amb Stjmiter. — Conoentsation
OF THE Rebels. — The Attack. — Heroism: of Casey's Division. — Effect of Canister. —
Loss OF Bates's Battery. — Kearney's Testimony, — Promptness op General Sumner. —
The Charge and the Repulse.
OiT the 29th and 30th of May, detachments of the rebels, stri-dng to
ascertain the exact position of our troops, attacked the National pickets
several times, and quite fiercely ; but they were driven back with loss.
During the whole night of the 30th, the cars were heard running out from
Eichmond, indicating that the enemy was approaching in large force. In
the morning General Casey, who had reason to be very anxious, hastened from
Fair Oaks across to Seven Pines, to inform General Keyes of the threaten
ing aspect of affairs. They both made all the preparation in their power
to guard against surprise and to repel a sudden assault, though conscious
that they were liable, while beyond the reach of any immediate help, to
be assailed by treble or quadruple their own numbers.
General Keyes, according to his statement before the Congressional
Committee, had for several days sent to General McClellan reports of his
condition, and of the menacing attitude of the enemy, and had urged that
General Sumner should be sent across the Chickahominy for his support.
For some unexplained reason, this request was disregarded. In the mean
time, the rebels were making vigorous and secret preparations for a
resistless onset. General Hill, with sixteen thousand men, was to march
from Eichmond, along the Williamsburg Eoad, towards Seven Pines;
General Longstreet, with sixteen thousand more, was to support his right
wing ; General Huger, with sixteen thousand more, was appointed to pro
tect his left flank, prepared to fall, -with all possible impetuosity, upon the
right wing ofthe National troops; General Smith, with' sixteen thousand
more, was to make a detour through the woods, to fall upon the rear of
Casey's division and cut off their retreat. Thus sixty-four thousand men
were concentrated and put in motion to overwhelm the few Union troops who
had been placed unprotected upon the Eichmond side ofthe Chickahominy.
Such was the generalship of the rebel oflicers. Often, with decidedly infe
rior numbers, they so massed their troops as to present superior numbers
on the field of battle. It was indeed a fearful thunderbolt which was about
to burst upon the devoted camp.
In the earliest dawn of Saturday morning, the Slst of May, sixty

84 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
thousand rebels were thus stealthily on the march for the destruction of
General Casey's corps. The military sagacity of General Casey enabled
him fully to comprehend the peril of his position. He had remonstrated
against the exposure, and was now doing every thing in his power to pre
pare to meet an assault in which no possible courage or sagacity could give
him the -victory. About 11 o'clock in the morning, a mounted vedette
came riding at full speed into the camp, reporting that quite a large body
of rebel troops were seen approaching on the Eichmond Eoad. The firing
of the pickets almost immediately commenced, and at the same time two
shel*s from the rebel artillery came shrieking through the air, and fell be
yond the encampment.
The troops were instantly called to arms. All the men at work upon
the intrenchments were dispatched to their regiments ; the artillery was
harnessed up, the batteries placed in position, and the One Hundred and
First Eeglment Pennsylvania Yolunteers was sent down the road to check
the force and support the pickets. Thus far no one knew the magnitude of
the advancing force, and it was generally supposed that nothing was impend
ing but one of those sharp skirmishes in which the troops had engaged on
both the preceding days. The Pennsylvania troops, about six hundred in
number, marched briskly along the Eichmond Eoad, little imagining that
they were throwing themselves upon the bayonets of sixteen thousand
rebels. Just as this little band of patriot troops emerged from the forest upon a
clearing, to their surprise and consternation they encountered an army but a
few rods before them, and were instantly assailed by a murderous dis
charge of bullets, which swept thickly as hailstones through then-
ranks. One-fifth of their whole number, at the first volley, fell dead or
wounded. There was no refuge for this handful of men but in precipitate
fiight. In twenty minutes they would have been entirely surrounded,
and every man would have been killed or a prisoner. General McClellan,
who was in the far rear, and who did not always know what was going on in
the front ranks of his army, inconsiderately, and with unintentional cruelty,
telegraphed Secretary Stanton, that General Casey's division gave way
" unaccountably and discreditably." The retreat of this feeble band, before
such overwhelming numbers, refiects not at all upon their heroism. The
Old Guard of Napoleon, under similar circumstances, would have retired.*
Thirty-two thousand rebels were now in battle array, advancing upon
the small band exposed apparently to inevitable destruction. Elated with
the highest anticipations of success, these solid battalions, with wild cheers,
swept through the woods and burst into the clearing, where fiv« thousand
National troops were waiting to receive them. The Union batteries in
stantly opened upon the rebels, pouring a murderous fire into their dense
ranks. General Casey ordered a charge. With a war-cry which rose loud
above the tumult of the battle, these heroic men sprang forward to throw
* " About twenty minutes to one o'clock, the enemy commenced the attack in force, supposed i I
to amount to thu-ty-five thousand men, attacking in front and on both flanks. After fi'o-hting for
some time, the enemy continuing to come on in force, the forces in front fell back to the'^ride-pits,
an(i fought there until nearly surrounded." — Report of Congressional Gommittee, p. 10.

T^

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0 ?«) <?^'S;'

BATTLES OF FAII4 OAKS AND SEVEN PINES.
86 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
themselves upon a foe outnumbering them seven or eight to one. Leaping a
rail-fence in their way, they were promptly within the same enclosure with
the rebels. Arrested in their charge by the awful storm of lead and iron
hurled into their faces, they manfuUy kept their ranks, slowly falling back
while keeping up an incessant fire. The rebels, eijiboldqned by their
numbers, pressed on with courage which excited the admiration of their
foes. The National batteries threw, at point-blank range, what are called
" spherical case-shot." This destructive missUe is composed of a canister
containing seventy-six musket-balls, with a charge of powder in the centre,
which is ignited by a fuze. The canister or ball, when it leaves the
gun, operates like an ordinary solid shot. It ploughs its way through the
masses of the foe, and then, exploding, hurls the bullets in all directions,
-with almost as much deadly power as if thrown from a rifle. There were
four National batteries, which, with unerring aim, threw from sixty to
eio-hty of these shot each minute into the ranks of the advancing foe. And
still the rebels, notwithstanding the frightful gaps made in their lines,
marched unhesitatingly on, closing the ever-opening chasms, apparently, as
regardless of these terrible missiles as of snow-fiakes.
Five thousand men, in comparatively an open field, could do but little to
retard the advance of sixteen thousand, or rather of thirty-two thousand,
for two divisions of the rebels were united in this attack. Onward the long
encircling, unwavering line of the enemy advanced, until within twenty
yards of Spratt's battery. The brave artillerists then delivered their last fire,
and not till then, at the order of their commander, retired. As every horse
was either killed or wounded, the four guns could not be withdra-wn. Such
was the reception wliich this heroic band of five thousand men gave to
thirty-two thousand rebels, marching in line upon them, while there were
thirty-two thousand more advancing to assail them in fiank and rear.
The National troops now fetreated about a third of a mile back to their
second line, consisting of rifle-pits and a redoubt. The rebels halted a
moment to secure the captured cannon, and again advanced, pouring in,
from their dense long line of artillery and infantry, incessant volleys of
bullets and shells. Within the redoubt Bates's battery was stationed.
Here the battle was renewed with the most determined obstinacy.
In every army there are some of timid natures, who skulk in the hour
of peril ; but the troops of General Casey, inspired by the heroism of their
leader, generally fought with determination whicli would have done honor
to veterans. For more than three hours these brave men maintained their
ground -svithout a single regiment being sent to reenforee them, and yet
there was an army of nearly one hundred and fifty thousand troops en
camped almost within sound of their guns. A more heroic fight than was
thus waged by General Casey's little band has not been -witnessed during
the progress of the war.*
* "The redoubt at Seven Pines was surrounded and its defenders fell valiantly. Here among
Others, Colonel Bailey, of the Artillery, met a glorious death among his guns. The redoubt was
earned, and ±he Northern troops fell into some confusion. In vain did Generals Keyes and
Ngglee make a thousand efforts to rally their troops. They were wholly disregarded. At this

THE BATTLE AT FAIR OAKS. 87
At the redoubt where the troops made their second stand there were
two batteries in position — Bates's and Fitch's. The new line which the
Union troops- here formed extended from the Williamsburg road a few
rods northward. The enemy halted a moment to re-form their line, and
then, with four batteries in advance, resumed their slow, steady, resistless
charge. Both the rebel and patriot batteries were worked with the utmost
rapidity, and every infantry soldier in both armies loaded and fired as
quickly as possible. Sublimely, as an ocean billow, the mighty rebel host
moved on, regardless of mutilation and death, and, sweeping over the
ramparts, after a conflict brief but of terrific fierceness, captured the re
doubt. It was, as we have stated, about a third of a mile from the fii-st line of
battle to this second redoubt, which was now lost. Half a mile
farther in the rear. General Couch's troops were drawn up in line. Gen
eral Casey's decimated band, exhausted and bleeding, yet dragging with
them Fitch's battery, leaving Bates's battery behind them, retreated through
General Couch's lines, and, sheltered by them, re-formed in their rear.
Three hours and a half had passed. During all this time General Casey's
division had held the enemy in check, without a single man being sent
to his aid. There was surely grievous fault somewhere. But for this
heroic resistance, the troops on the other or northern bank of the Chicka
hominy would have met with a fearful repulse. The almost unequalled
severity of the battle is e-Tinced by the fact, that out of eighty-four officers
and sixteen hundred and sixty-nine men of the first brigade taken into
action, thirty-five officers and six hundred and three men were killed,
wounded, or taken prisoners.
The rebels halted a moment at the deserted camp, and at four o'clock
again resumed their march for General Couch's line of battle. General
Couch had rapidly formed his line, eight thousand strong, with artillery,
and he was at that moment being reenforced by General Heintzelman's
corps of sixteen thousand men, giving him a force of twenty-four thousand
men. With these he was to encounter thirty-two thousand rebels, advancing
upon him in front under Generals Hill and Longstreet, and another
division of sixteen thousand under General Smith, marching upon his fiank
down the Nine-Mile Eoad to the Old Tavern. The road was so called be
cause it was nine miles by that road from Seven Pines to Eichmond. There
were thus forty-eight thousand rebels marching against twenty- four thous
and patriots.
It was four o'clock in the afternoon. General Couch had thrown up a
few slight intrenchments, and the ground was somewhat in his favor. His
line was formed a little north of the Williamsburg road, with his right
flank upon the railroad. The rebels advanced obliquely, so as to bring the
main impetus of their assault upon General Couch's right wing. Troops
moment they perceived a small battalion of French troops, known as the 'Gardes Lafayette,'
standing in good order. The generals rode up to it, put themselves at its head, charged the en
emy and retook a battery. The battalion lost a fourth of its numbers in this charge ; but like
genuine Frenchmen, the same all the world over, they cried — ' They may call us Gardes la fou/r-
chette now, if they like,' iu allusion to an uncomplimentary nickname which had been bestowed
upon them." — Army of the Potomac, hy the Prince de Joinville, p. Y3.

88 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
were promptly sent to strengthen the point of attack. At half-past
four the roar of battle again commenced. Face to face, but a few
yards apart, the two hostile lines poured upon each other the most deadly
fire. The carnage on both sides was dreadful. A heavy cloud of smoke
hung over the combatants. Every man on both sides was engaged. Even
General Casey's exhausted corps, which had re-formed in the rear, heroically
came forward to aid their comrades. The ground was literally covered
with the dead and the dying. The fiash of artillery, the whistHng of
bullets the shriek of shells, and the unintermitted thunder of the battle,
presented a spectacle of awful sublimity.
General Peck now came to the rescue. With two Pennsylvania regi
ments he passed through an open field swept by a shower of balls, and,
formino- in line across the Nine-Mile Eoad, poured in a very destructive
fire upon the foe. For half an hour General Peck held his post against a
force vastly outnumbering his own. Gradually, however, they were forced
to retire, but not until they had infiicted a severe loss upon the rebels. Gen
eral Peck had his horse shot under him.
The valor was equal on either side. But the rebels greatly out
numbered us. It was impossible to resist their advance. Onward they
moved, bending their -wings like a crescent to surround the patriots. Again
retreat only could save from destruction. Slowly, stubbornly, in good
order, contesting every inch of the way, the troops retired along the
Williamsburg raad, vigorously pursued by the rebels. Night was now at
hand, and a drizzling rain began to fall from the clouds which had been
gathering over the battle-field. It was indeed a dark and gloomy hour.
Still there were no indications of despondency, or of any disposition to
yield to a panic. It was hoped every moment that General Sumner, who
was kno-^n to be not far distant, would appear upon the field with
efficient reenforcements. *
About half-past five o'clock. General Birney, with one of the brigades
of General Kearney's division, succeeded in joining General Couch's corps,
by a very resolute march, whicli entitled him to much praise. General
Simmer was encamped, that morning, at New Bridge, on the other side of
the Chickahominy. The recent rains had swollen the river to a foaming
torrent, and swept away several bridges. About three o'clock in the after
noon. General Sumner received an order to cross the river immediately,
and march as speedily as possible to the aid of the troops, who were every
moment in peril of being overwhelmed.
The vigilant general was anxiously waiting for this order, and imme
diately moved forward with his troops, at the double-quick. It required
a long time to cross the river. The roads through the bordering swamps
were horrible. It was five miles to the scene of confiict from his camp,
which he occupied with General Sedgwick. With eight thousand troops
and several pieces of artillery, Generals Sumner and Sedgwick, through
* General Kearney, the bravest of the brave, thus speaks in his official report of General
Casey's troops : — "As it was, Casey's division held its Hue of battle for more than three hours,
and the execution done upon the enemy was shown by the number of the rebel dead left upon
tlje field after the enemy had held possession of it for upwards of twenty-four hours."

THE BATTLE AT FAIR OAKS. 89
the rain and the mud, pressed forward with the utmost possible energy.
Every soldier was roused to the highest pitch of exertion. The anxious
soldiers, so heroically struggling in the desperate fight at Seven Pines
saw at length, on their right, a column of troops approaching on the full
run. The shout, " It is General Sumner," ran along the lines. It was,
indeed, a glad sight.
With renewed vigor, the patriots, slowly retiring, retarded the advance
of the foe. The rebels pressed on, not with cheers, but with their peculiar
yell borrowed by the frontiersmen from the Indians. In the midst of
their success, a fragment of a shell struck General J. E. Johnston, their
Commander-in-Chief, and hurled him, fatally wounded, from his horse.
This created great confusion in the rebel ranks, which was increased by the
intelligence that a large patriot reenforcement was about to attack them
on their left. General Sumner's regiments came up on the double-quick,
one by one, and ranged themselves in line of battle. They had but just
taken their positions, when the rebels, in immense strength, were seen ad
vancing through the woods. They came from the edge of the forest into
the cleared land, and, dropping upon their knees, delivered their first fire.
The well-trained National soldiers threw themselves upon their faces.
The storm of musket-balls swept over them. " It sounded," said one who
was present, " like the fierce crashing of the wind through the rigging of
a storm-tossed ship."
The patriots, instantly jumping up, poured in their return fire, in
rapid volleys of musketry and artillery. General Sumner, with gray hair
streaming in the -wind, rode up and down the lines, encouraging the men
to the utmost possible rapidity and accuracy in loading and firing. The
rebels, exultant in their vast superiority of numbers, were formed for a
charge. On they came, roaring, and apparently resistless. As they rushed
on, they poured in an incessant fire. Captain Brady, in charge of one of
the patriot batteries, thus graphically describes the scene at this mo
ment : —
" Men fell and horses were cut do-wn around my guns. But still there
was no cessation in the cry for ' canister ;' and the hurrying to and
fro for more, with the mad gesticulating of the sweating rammers, as they
sent home the charges, made a wild scene. ' Canister is out ' caught my
ear. In an instant, I sung out, unthinking, ' Shell without fuze.' The
next moment our guns belched forth bursting shell and spherical case
right in the face of the enemy. Just at this critical junction they charged,
advancing half way into the field, right on our guns, scarce twenty yards
from the muzzle — but no farther. The ' rotten shot,' as one of the poor
rebels graphically termed it, was too much for them. No one could stand,
for it fiew every way. , Those that charged were buried there the next
morning." Essentially the same scene was witnessed along the whole line of bat
tle. Twice the rebels charged ; — twice they were repulsed. There was a
third feeble attempt, when the rebels, overwhelmed by the dreadful car
nage, broke and fied back precipitately through the woods, leaving their
dead and wounded on the field. General Sumner's division pursued the

90 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
routed foe, with the bayonet, as far as Fair Oaks station. Here night
terminated the conflict.*
The battle had raged over a wide-spread field. No one knew of the
result, save what his own eyes had beheld. Patriots and rebels, utterly ex
hausted, threw themselves upon the ground wherever they chanced to be,
among the dead and the dying. Blood, woe, death, made tacit truce
for the night. General. Johnston, by throwing his whole force upon the
National divisions which had crossed the Chickahominy, intended to crush
them before they could receive assistance. The heroic defence of Gene
ral Casey, and the furious onslaught of General Sumner, thwarted this
plan.f The dying and the dead covered the ground for miles. The groans of
the wounded ascended dismally through the night air. Both parties, now
slumbering upon the wet sod, or groping their way for commanding posi
tions, were preparing for the renewal of the strife with the first dawn
of the Sabbath morning. The Prince de Joinville thus comments upon
this important battle : —
" Some persons thought then, and think BtUl, that if, instead of Sumner
alone, all the divisions ofthe right wing had been ordered to cross the river,
the order could have been executed. It is easy to see what must have hap
pened if, instead of fifteen thousand, fifty thousand men had been thrown
upon Johnston's flank; Sumner's bridge, no doubt, would not have sufficed
for the passage of such a force. But several other bridges were ready to
be thrown across at other points. Not a moment should have been lost in
fixing them. No regard should have been paid to the efforts of the enemy
to prevent this. Johnston had paraded a brigade, ostentatiously, as a
sort of scarecrow, at the points which were most fitting for this enterprise.
* " But exactly at this moment, sis o'clock p. m., new actors come upon the stage. Sumner,
who has at last passed the river with Sedgwick's division, ou the bridge built by his troops, and
who, with a soldier's instinct, has marched straight to the cannon, through the woods, suddenly
appears upon tbe flank of the hostile column, which is trying to cut off Heintzelman and Keyes.
He plants in a clearing a battery which he has succeeded in bringing up. His guns are not rifled
guns, the rage of the hour, fit only to be fired in cool blood, and at long range, m an open coun
try; they are real fighting guns, old twelve-pound howitzers, carrying either a round projectile
which ricochets and rolls, or a good dose of grape. The simple and rapid fire of these pieces
makes a terrible havoc in the hostUe ranks. In vain :[ohnstou sends up his best troops against
this battery, the flower of South Carolina, including the Hampton Legion; in vain does ho
come upon the field in person. Nothing can shake the Federal ranks. When nio-ht falls,
it was the Federals who, bayonet in hand, and gallantly led by Sumner himself, charged furiously
upon the foe, and drove him before them with fearful slaughter as far as Fair Oaks station."-
Army of the Potomac, by the Prince de Joinville, p. 14.
t " A few days before the battle of Seven Pines, contrary to the advice of General Keyes and
General Casey, the division (of General Casey) was ordered three-quarters of a mile to the front,
withm SIX miles of Richmond, his pickets extending within five mUes. They had no support on
their right or their left, the remainder ofthe corps to which they belonged (Keyes's) bein- intheif
rear. About eleven o'clock on the morning of the 21st, the pickets reported the enemy approach.
ing, and an aido of General Johnston was captured, with important papers upon him. Generiil
ciron^ J ? t^^ """^ '"' ^'"^'^^ "^""""^ *^' '^^^' '^'°' *° '^^°«^^1 K«y«3 and reported the
6ene!l m'^ ,° ^'"''^^ ^'^'' '''^^'' *^"* ^°' '°'^' ^^^' ^^^°^^ *>>« atte°k he sent to
Sn^n ^'^'^i''^^'"' ^^P°'''s °f li's condition, the threatening attitude of the enemy, and urtred that
Sumner be sent across to his support. This was not done, however, until after the ^^t- I I"
Tn^naed."— Report ofthe Congressional Committee on the Ojperations ofthe Army ofthe Potomac

THE BATTLE AT FAIR OAKS. 91
But the stake was so vast, the result to be sought after so important, the
occasion so unexpected, and so favorable for striking a decisive blow, that,
in our judgment, nothing should have prevented the army from attempt
ing this operation at every risk. Here again it paid the penalty of that
American tardiness, which is more marked in the character of the army
than in that of its leader. It was not till seven in the evening that the
resolution was taken of throwing over all the bridges, and passing the whole
army over by daybreak, to the right bank. It was too late. Four hours
had been lost, and the opportunity, that moment which is ever more fugi
tive in war than in any other occupation of life, had taken wing."*
About midnight the Union troops heard distinctly the words of com
mand of the rebel officers, as they were arranging their forces for the attack
of the next day. At the same time hundreds of axes were heard, felling
trees to protect the front of the rebels from the advance of the patriots.
Just at daybreak, a mounted rebel orderly rode out of the woods, and, mis
taking a National for a rebel brigade, asked a colonel for General Ander
son. " Here he is," was the reply ; " what do you want with him ?" " I
have a dispatch for him from General Pryor." Much to his consternation'
he was informed that he was in the National lines, and that he was a pris
oner. * In reference to this charge " of that American tardiness, which is more marked in the
character of the army than in that of its leader," the testimony given to the Congressional Com
mittee iu reference to the corps of General Sumner is in point : —
" During the battle General Sumner, whose corps was on the left banks of the Chickahominy,
was ordered by General McClellan to hold his forces in readiness to cross. General Sumner not
only did that, hut at once coiled out his forces, and moved them until the heads of the columns were at
tlie hHdges ready to cross, thereby saving heiween one and two hours. When the order came to cross,
he immediately moved his forces in the direction ofthe battle-field, came up -with and engaged the
enemy, and relieved the pressure of the troops engaged upon his left." — Report of Congressional
Commiitee, p. 10.

CHAPTEE VIII.
BATTLE OP SEVEN PINES.
(Fi-om June 1st to June loth, 1862.)
Renewal of the Battle. — Fearfdl Carnage, — Bueial Scenes. — Disasrebment between
General McClellan and the Administration. — General McDowell's Co-opeeatio.\'.—
Continued Delay. — Stuart's Raid. — Singular Duel.
At length the Sabbath morning sun dawned upon the two armies pre
pared for the renewal of the strife. It was the first day of June. It is a
inemorable fact, so often observed as to attract the attention of the most
sceptical, that rarely has any party, during this war, made the attack on
the Sabbath without being defeated. The rebels, -with the earliest light,
came rushing on in vast masses, feeling sure of an easy -factory. The pa
triots, conscious of their great inferiority in numbers, and almost despair
ing of reenforcements, attempted but little more than to beat back the
rebels and maintain their ground. Silently, but with the fiercest deter
mination, they maintained the unequal confiict. Whenever they were too
hardly pressed by the foe, they charged with the bayonet.
About six o'clock in the morning. General Heintzelman, who com
manded the National force on the left, prepared for a charge. Generals
Hooker and Sickles were ready, each with the dashing courage of a Mu-
rat, to lead the assault. General Patterson's New Jersey Brigade was
also conspicuous in this majestic onset. At the word of command, witk
fixed bayonets, and pouring forth incessant volleys of grape, canister, and
musketry, they moved onward, driving the enemy in confusion before
them. For nearly a mile they advanced in an unbroken tide of victory.
At the same time. General Meagher attacked and drove back, in a demor
alized mass, the rebels on the right. Soon the whole National line; with
loud cheers, was advancing, pouring its deadly volleys into the retreat
ing foe. The , rebels were driven tumultuously through the patriot camp,
which they had captured, and for a mile beyond Seven Pines, to Fair Oaks.
There the pursuit was relinquished, and the Union troops again took pos
session of the ground from which they had been driven. General Heint
zelman was now in the advance, on the Williamsburg road, and General
Sumner on the railroad. In a state of inextricable confusion, the rebels
fled through the immense forests. " What might not have happened,"
says the Prince de Joinville, '• if, at this moment, the thirty-five thousand
fresh troops on the other bank of the Chickahominy could have appeared
upon the, flank of this disordered army?" The characteristic story is told
ol General Heintzelman, that, in the midst of this tremendous conflict a

BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES. 93
New Tork colonel, whose name we regret not to know, who had been ab
sent from his regiment on picket duty, came hurrying, with true heroism,
to the General, with two companies, earnestly inquiring where he could
find his brigade. " That, Colonel, I cannot tell," the general coolly replied ;
_ " but if it is fighting you want, just go in. Colonel : there is plenty of
good fighting all along the lines."
The useless, fruitless battle was ended. A great victory was achieved,
from which no results were obtained. " While it was raging this day,"
says the Congressional Eeport, " General McClellan was with the main
part of the army, on the left bank of the Chickahominy. After the fight
ing was over, he came across to the right bank of the river." The officers
engaged in the battle, who have been examined, testify, " that the army
could have pushed right on to the city of Eichmond, with little resistance."
But General McClellan declined moving forward a distance of four miles,
stating, as his reason, that the roads were bad, and the water in the river
high. Upon a field scarcely a mile square, between seven and eight thousand
dead and wounded men were lying. Many had been mutilated by the
trampling of charging squadrons for twenty-four hours. Multitudes,
wounded early in the battle, had perished for want of attention. Otliers
had crawled away from the surgings of the fight, leaving a trail of blood
behind them, to seek such shelter beneath the trees or in the swamps as
could be reached. Their groans attracted the fatigue parties searching for
them, who bore them back on stretchers or in ambulances to Savage's Sta
tion, in the rear. Eebels and patriots, placed on an equality by wounds
and death, were treated with like humanity by the victors.
" Ah, I wish," says the Prince de Joinville, " that all those who, care
less of the past, and urged on by I know not what selfish calculations, who
have encouraged this fatal slaveholders' rebellion, could have looked in
person upon this fratricidal strife. I could ask, as a just punishment, that
they should be condemned to gaze upon that fearful battle-field, where the
dead and dying were piled up by thousands. What varieties of misery !
The houses were too few to contain even a small minority of the wounded.
They were necessarily heaped up around the field. Though they uttered
no complaints, their exposure, under the burning mid-day sun of June, soon
became intolerable. Then they were to be seen gathering up what little
strength was left to them, and crawling about in search of a little shade.
I shall never forget a rose-bush in full bloom, the perfumed flowers of
which I was admiring while I talked with a friend, when he pointed out
to me, under the foliage, one of these poor creatures, who had just drawn
his last breath. We looked at one another in silence, our hearts filled witli
the most painful emotions. Sad scenes ! from which the pen of the -writer,
like the eye of the spectator, hastens to turn away."*
The sadness of these burial scenes cannot be imagined. During night
and day they were continued, for nearly a week, as parties explored the
* " I cannot refrain from mentioning here a most characteristic incident. Newspaper venders
were crying the latest New Tork papers on the battle-field, during the battle, and they found
buyers." — Prince de Joinville.

94: CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
battle-field, gathering the remains, which had already become loathsome
through corruption. Upon one place, not forty feet square, fifty-seven
dead rebels were found. The wounded in the vicinity begged piteously
that the dead might be removed, as the sight and stench were intolerable.
The wounded were so numerous, that, in many cases, forty-eight hours
elapsed before they could be attended to. When they all were collected,
they covered nearly three acres of open lawn. How awful the scene m the
hospital tent ! Ghastly wounds were probed, and bullets cut from quivering
nerves and mutilated, inflamed limbs amputated, while stout men shrieked
in irrepressible agony beneath the keen cutting blade. Thfe loss was
heavy on both sides. The North, it is estimated, lost about six thousand,
and the South at least ten thousand men. Both parties gained a victory.
Both parties suffered a defeat. The rebels, however, met with the final
repulse and were entirely thwarted in the plan which they had attempted
to carry into execution.
It is a truth not to be concealed, that in our army there were many
surgeons who were merely brutal wretches. It is to be hoped, for the
sake of humanity, that the soldiers will remember them, and hold them
up to the execration of the world. They ought not to escape without the
punishment of universal scorn and contempt. But there were others who
were like ministering angels of mercy. They avoided no peril and no fa
tigue, that they might relieve the misery around them. Among those who,
after the battle of Fair Oaks, rendered themselves conspicuous for their
humanity, may be mentioned Doctors Page and Hall, of Boston, Doctor , ,
Bliss, of Michigan, and Doctor Swinburne, of Albany. There were,
doubtless, others equally entitled to honorable mention, and whose un
recorded good deeds God will remember and reward.
After the battle of Seven Pines, the troops remained for several days
-without any essential change in the positions they occupied. General
McClellan's army still remained astride the Chickahominy. Four corps
were on the Eichmond side of the river, and one on the other side. To
guard against another such surprise as that at Fair Oaks, large masses of Na
tional troops were kept together, supported by strong intrenchments. It
seems that General McClellan, after the signal repulse of the foe, contem
plated an immediate movement upon Eichmond. The day after the battle,
on the 2d of June, he -wrote to Mr. Stanton, Secretary of War : —
"The enemy attacked, with force and with great spirit, yesterday morn
ing, but were everywhere most signally repulsed with great loss. Our
troops charged frequently on both days, and uniformly broke the enemy.
The result is, that our left is within four miles of Eichmond. I only wait
for the river to fall, to cross with the rest of the force, and make a general
attack. Should I find them holding firm in a very strong position, I may
wait for what troops I can bring up from Fortress Monroe. But the morale
of my troops is now such, that I can venture much. I do not fear for
odds against me. The victory is complete, and aU credit is due to our
officers and men." i .
Still General McClellan continued to implore that reenforcements .| |
njight be sent him. In response to these importunities, on the 2d of

BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES. 95
June, General McCall's division of General McDowell's corps was
ordered to the Chickahominy. General McDowell was also directed to
move do-wn by land from Fredericksburg to the Peninsula, that he might
co-operate in every way in his power with General McClellan, while still
General McDowell was to retain his independent command. This ar
rangement, however, was not at all satisfactory to General McClellan, for
on the 16th of June, he telegraphed the Secretary of War : —
" It ought to be distinctly understood that McDowell and his troops
are completely under my control. I received a telegram from him, request
ing that McCall's di-vdsion might be placed so as to join him immediately
upon his arrival. That request does not breathe the proper spirit.
Whatever troops come to me must be disposed of so as to do most good.
I do not feel that, in such circumstances as those in which I am now placed.
General McDowell should wish the general interest to be sacrificed for the
purpose of increasing his command. If I cannot fully control all his
troops, I want none of them, but would prefer to fight the battle with
what I have, and let others be responsible for the results."*
Still, days and weeks passed away, and there was no decisive movement.
On the 20th of June, General McClellan gave to the Adjutant-General the
folio-wing statement as to the strength of his army: Present for duty,
one hundred and fifteen thousand one hundred and two ; special duty, sick,
and in arrest, twelve thousand two hundred and twenty-five ; absent, twen
ty-nine thousand five hundred and eleven; total, one hundred and fifty-six
thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine. This was an immense force.
The rebel army was by this time so much reenforced as to amount, prob
ably, to about the same number. For a month these two hostile armies
stood looking each other in the face. Their lines were so near that artil
lery-shot were easily interchanged. The enemy, however, were daily grow
ing stronger in numbers and more powerful in their intrenchments. We
were gro-wing weaker. It was the most gloomy period of the war. The
heat was intense. The incessantly falling rains converted the grounds of
the encampments into quagmires. Thousands of the soldiers were in the
hospitals. Disease was thinning out the ranks of the army more rapidly
than battle could have done. The impatience of the Nation, in view of
this long and inexplicable inaction, became feverish.
The patriot troops were, however, kept constantly employed in con
structing massive bridges, spanning the narrow stream in so many places,
that the valley of the Chickahominy could be freely traversed in all direc
tions. It was desired to place the two wings of the army, separated by
the river, in the most intimate commimication with each other. To
"= The following note from General McDowell to General McClellan, under date of June 10th,
illustrates the character of General McDowell, a, pure patriot, a brave soldier, and a noble
man: —
" For a third time I am ordered to join you, and hope this time to get through. In reference
to the remarks made with reference to my leaving you and not joining you before, by your
friends, and of something I have heard as coming from you on that subject, I wish to say, I go
with the greatest satisfaction, and hope to arrive, with my main body, in time to be of service.
McCall goes in advance by water. I will be with you in ten days, with the remainder, by Fred
ericksburg."

96 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
accomplish this required much time and labor. But, being once accom
plished, nothing more was to be feared from inundations.* On the Sth of
June, General McClellan telegraphed to Washington :—
" I shall be in perfect readiness to move forward and take Eichmond
the moment that McCall reaches here, and the ground will admit the pas-
sao-e of artillery." On the 10th and llth of June, General McCall's
troops commenced landing at the White House. Still ten days passed
away -without any action. On the 20th of June, General McClellan tele
graphed the President : —
" A general engagement may take place at any time. After to-morrow
we shall fio-ht the rebel army as soon as Providence will permit. We shall
await only a favorable condition of earth and sky, and the completion of
some necessary preliminaries."
Five days after this there was a cautious movement made, in sending
General Hooker's division about a mile in advance of Fair Oaks Station.
General Hooker, who was ably sustained by Generals Grover and Sickles,
encountered sharp opposition. The ground he was ordered to occupy he
took, lost, and retook, at the sacrifice of about five hundred men in kiUed
and wounded. But that very night General McClellan received the intel
ligence, that the indomitable " Stonewall " Jackson had returned from his
raid through the Yalley of the Shenandoah, and was encamped in force
near Hanover Court-House, where the rebels were evidently concentrating
to attack our lines of communication, and to cut them off by seizing the
York Eiver Railway in our rear. This was alarming intelligence. It
seemed to put an end to the idea of any immediate advance upon Eich
mond, and General Hooker was the next morning recalled to his former
position. Just before this. General J. E. B. Stuart had undertaken and success
fully executed an adventure, which was exceedingly humiliating to the
pride of the Army of the Potomac. With a picked detachment of two
regiments of infantry, twelve hundred horse, and two pieces of artillery,
he moved from the extreme left of the rebel lines, and in rapid, stealthy,
and noiseless march proceeded the first day as far as Hanover Court-House.
Early the next morning he resumed his march, and, when about six miles
back of Mechanicsville, encountered a small force of Union cavalry pick
ets, and drove them in hot pursuit back to White House, destroying their
camp and taking several prisoners. He then pushed boldly on, along the
railroad, to Tunstall's Station, sending the infantry back, and advancing
* " All these labors were executed with admirable energy and intelligence. In this aspect the
American soldier lias no rival. Patient of fatigue, rich in resources, he is an excellent digger, an
e-xcellent woodman, a good carpenter, aud even something of a civil engineer. Often, in the
course of the campaign, we came upon a flour-mill or a saw-mill, turned sometimes by a water-
wheel, sometimes by an engine, which the enemy, as he retired, had thrown out of order. You
were sure to find immediately, in the first regiment that came up, men who could repair, reflt,
and set them going again for the service of the army. But nothing was so remarkable as to
see a detail fall to work at making an abatis in the woods. It is impossible to give an idea of
the celerity with which work of this kind was done. I remember to havo seen a grove one hun
dred acres iu extent, of ancestral oaks and other hard-wood trees, cut down in a sino-le day bv a
siagle battalion,"— PrzTice de JoinviUe. °

BATTLE OF SEVEN PINES. 97
rapidly with the cavalry alone. When opposite Garlick's Landing, on the
Pamunkey, he destroyed two schooners, many wagons, and captured a num
ber of prisoners. The conduct of his troops was barbarous. Teamsters
were shot down in cold blood. Women and children were treated with the
greatest inhumanity. The helpless contrabands who fell into their hands
suffered very severely. It was beautiful summer weather, and the
roads happened at that time to be very good. The farmers on the route
were all secessionists, and aided, in every possible way, the rebels on their
raid. The negroes only were in sympathy with the Union cause. As
they leaned upon the fences and saw the Union troops passing by, they
could not restrain smiles of welcome and words of cheer.
In a confiict which took place between the Union dragoons and this
rebel band, there was a singular duel between a strongly mounted Texan
rebel and a patriot German trooper, quite in the style of the days of
knight-errantry. The German dragoon, a veteran in the wars of Europe,
scorning to fly with his companions, though before an overpowering force,
sought out the Texan, who was a little separated from his comrades, and
made a plunge at him. Both men were adroit swordsmen, and managed
their horses with equal and admirable skill. They were so equally matched
that the exciting combat was watched with great interest. The German
dragoon, an old trooper, sat his ^rse as if he were a part of the animal,
and wielded his sword with parry, cut, and longe, like flashing lightning.
Tlie Texan, on his fleet barb, wheeled rapidly round his opponent, now
slashing, now warding, now struggling in vain to put in a home-thrust.
At last the Texan struck the German's shoulder, and as the blood spirted
from the gash, the Texans, looking on, raised a cheer. But, almost quicker
than thought, -with a back stroke, the German cut through the sleeve and
flesh of the Texan's left arm, to the bone, and Ms blood, in turn, began to
flow. Bewildered for a moment by the blow, the rebel backed his horse, and
then dashed forward again at his opponent, making a longe at his breast.
The dragoon parried it with great dexterity, and brought down his keen
blade upon his opponent's back, cutting another deep gash. The rebel
wheeledjiis horse, and, in the most cowardly manner, but in accordance
with the ideas of chivalry under which he had been educated, drew a pis
tol and shot the brave dragoon through the heart. Colonel Estvan, a
Prussian officer in the service of the rebels, who witnessed this scene, but
whose ideas of chivalry had been formed on a different standard from
that adopted by his rebel confederates, thus gives vent to his indignant
feelings :^
" Much movfid by his fate, I ordered a grave to receive the remains of
the brave German trooper. We buried him in his regimentals, with his
trusty sword on Ms breast, and his pistols by his side. This sad act having
been performed, I sent for the Texan, and after reprimanding him severely
for his cowardly conduct, I ordered him to seek service in some other
corps, telling him that I could not think of allo-wing a fellow of his stamp
to remain in my regiment. The Texan scowled at me with his cat-like
eyes, and, muttering a curse, mounted his horse and rode away."
Vol. IL— 1

98 eiVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
As the rebel marauders reached Tunstall's Station, on the railroad, they
heard the whistle of an approaching train of cars. They instantly threw
themselves into ambuscade, lining both sides of the track, hiding behind
fences, rocks, stumps, and trees. It was a train of passenger-cars, filled
mostly -with ci-dlians, laborers, and sick and wounded soldiers. As soon
as the cars entered the cut where the rebels were in ambuscade, some of
them sprang upon the track, and ordered the engineer to stop. Instead
of this, he increased the speed, and threw himself for protection upon the
fuel. A deadly fire was instantly poured in upon the train, which was
soon out of sight, on its way to the White House.
The news of this unexpected assault, and of the rebels being on the
railroad, thus cutting off our coiamunications, and threatening, no one
knew how great disasters, created the utmost consternation among the la
borers and sutlers and small protecting force stationed at the White House.
There was, however, a small body of Union cavalry there, which was im
mediately dispatched in pursuit of the rebels. The raiders, ha-ving
inflicted what little damage they could upon the railroad, turned in the
direction of the Chickahominy, which they crossed a little below Bottom's
Bridge, and, striking the river turnpilte, returned safely to Eichmond,
having ridden entirely around our army. In this raid the rebels wounded
thirty Union men, killed four, and captured or destroyed three hundred
thousand dollars' worth of property. Om* lines of communication were
now BO extended, and the inhabitants of the district so hostile to the Union
cause, as to offer peculiar facilities for these prowling bands.

CHAPTER IX.
THE SEVEN DATS' BATTLE.
(From June 26th to July 2d, 1868.)
Necessity of Chansb of Base. — The Approach of the Enemy. — Bea-ver D.iM Creek. —
Battle of Gaines's Mill. — Inhumauitt of Lee and Jackson. — Strength of the Union
Army. — Savage's Station, — Woes of War, — Power of Music. — Battle at White
Oak Beidse. — Repulse of the Foe, — Battle of Malvern. — Scene aftek the Battle.
— Continued Retreat. — Testimont of Kearney.
Days of disaster were at hand. Our army was spread along the river
and through the swamps, in a line over twenty miles in extent. Weary
days of inaction passed. The rebels were busy strengthening their forti
fications and hurrying up reenforcements. We were entangled by swamps
and forests. The rebels, emerging from Eichmond, could strike any one
point and crush the force there, before efficient support could be sent through
the morasses and jungles. In truth, we could, after this fatal delay, neither
advance, retreat, nor remain where we were without peril.
The Chickahominy di-nded the army. Should we remove all the troops
to the southern shore, our line of communication would be imperilled,
and the vast stores on the Pamunkey destroyed. Should we leave a suf
ficient guard north of the river, we had not troops enough left to inarch
upon Eichmond, now strongly fortified and garrisoned. Should we attempt
to remain as we were, astride of the river, the enemy would surely fall upon
us and destroy us by piecemeal. Should we withdraw the troops which
had crossed the stream, and concentrate all on the northern banks, it would
be the abandonment of the siege of Eichmond. Nothing would remain
but a humiliating retreat to Fortress Monroe.
The only possible* movement, which would not confess defeat, was to
effect a change of base by crossing to the James Eiver. This would re
quire a march of about six miles for the left wing and twenty for the right.
Our supplies could then ascend the James, guarded by gunboats. It was
a perilous movement to make, in the presence of a powerful and exultant
foe. Twenty-five days had elapsed since the conflict at Seven Pines. The
rebels had matured their plan to crush our right wing, then our centre,
then our left. The right -wing consisted of the divisions of McCall, Morell,
and Sykes.
At noon of the 26th of June, the approach of the enemy was perceived.
The troops they were about to assail were posted on Beaver Dam Creek.
Seymour's brigade held the left, Eeynolds's the right. They were protected
by rifle-pits and felled timber. At three o'clock the rebels made an impetu
ous charge. It was l^ravely resisted by General Eeynolds, and the foe was

100 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
compelled to retire with severe loss. Soon they massed again for another
charge. The onset fell upon General Seymour. He beat back the assail
ants with great slaughter.
The rebel Jackson's troops were now approaching in formidable force.
During the night the Union troops, guided by General Porter, retired to a
new bne of defence. Seymour's brigade covered the movement, and in the
darkness it was successfully accomplished. On the morning of the 27th
of June General Porter's troops, closely followed in their retreat, occupied an
arc of a circle. General Butterfield, of General Morell's division, held the
extreme left. On his right came General Martindale, then General Griffin,
then General Sykes. General McCall's division, which had borne the
brunt of the first attack, was formed in a second line in the rear. A strong
body of cavalry, consisting of the First and Fifth Eegular, and the Sixth
Pennsylvania, were posted behind a hUl. Eobertson's and Tidball's bat
teries were placed at commanding points.
About noon the enemy approached, and assaulted so impetuously and
with such force, that General Porter was constrained to call for reenforce
ments. By three o'clock the whole of the second line and all the reserves
were engaged with their utmost energies, in repelling the desperate assaults.
Slocum's division was hurried forward, to strengthen the weak points.
Sykes's men fought bravely. Our whole force on the field did not exceed
thirty-five thousand. The rebels numbered seventy thousand. The Union
loss, under the tremendous fire, was dreadful. Most of the men had been
under arms two days, and were utterly exhausted by the fresh masses inces
santly hurled upon them. At five o'clock General Porter's command was so
severely pressed, that French's and Meagher's brigades were sent across the
river to his support. The foe still made frantic endeavors to break through
our Hne, but in vain. About seven o'clock they succeeded, with their over
powering numbers, in outflanking us on the left. A general retreat was
then ordered to a hill in the rear, which commanded the bridge by which
alone this valiant rear-guard could escape.
As this retreat was being conducted -with some disorder, the brigades
of French and Meagher appeared, sternly striding to the front, through
all the debris of apparently a routed army. It was dusk. The enemy
were held in check, while our men rallied behind th§ir comrades who had
so opportunely come to their aid. Our loss had been heavy. The enemy
also had been punished -with terrible slaughter. In the gloom of night our
exhausted regiments, with scarcely a moment of leisure to eat or to sleep,
crossed the bridge in safety, and destroyed it behind them. We lost twenty-
two guns. The batteries of Diedrich, Kanahan, and Grimm, and the First
Connecticut Artillery, rendered signal ser-sdce on this bloody day. This
battle is kno-wn by the name of " Gaines's Mill." Lieutenant-Colonel
Campbell, of the Eighty-third Pennsylvania Yolunteers, says in his official
report, in describing one of the most terrible crises of the battle : — i
"At this moment Brigadier-General Butterfield, amidst a galling fire
from his lines of support in rear, and that of the enemy in front came
coolly do-vjn the knoll, and, sword in hand, seized our colors, waved them
repeatedly aloft, and by all mortal means encouraged the valor of our regi-

THE SEVEN DATS' BATTLE. 101
ment. His presence at once stimulated with new vigor our now thinned
ranks, when the General loudly shouted, 'Tour ammunition is never
expended while you have your bayonets ; and use them to the socket my
boys.'" Probably no battle on earth was ever fought more fiercely. It seems
wonderful that any one could have survived so tremendous a fire. Seventy
thousand men were hurling solid shot, grape, canister, and shrapnel,
loading and firing -with almost inconceivable rapidity into the bosoms of
thirty-five thousand, who, -with their energetic return fire, were literally
mo-wing do-wn the dense ranks of the foe. The loss on either side will
never be kno-wn. Jackson and Lee led the rebels. They massed their
troops, hurling them now upon this, and now upon that portion of our line.
About six o'clock the battle-field presented one of the most sublime scenes
of grandeur and of terror upon which mortal eyes have ever gazed. The
volleys of one hundred thousand muskets were blended in one continuous
and deafening roar ; while the boom of artillery rolled in still hea-Tier rever
berations over the hills. The sun, blood red, glared portentously through
the dense volumes of smoke and stifiing clouds of dust, which, from the
advancing and receding squadrons, filled the air.*
Through the weary hours of the sultry night which succeeded the battle
of Gaines's Mill, while our rear-guard was taking new positions to beat back
the foe the next day, the whole main body of the army continued in tumultu
ous and desponding retreat. Like a swollen river, sweeping all manner of
¦wreck and ruin upon its turbid fiood, this vast mass of infantry, artillery,
and cavalry rolled on towards the James. It was not until this hour that
it began to be whispered through the army that we were on an ignominious
retreat. General officers confided to their staffs the disaster with which we
were being overwhelmed, and thus it gradually became known to the rank
and file.
The sun of Saturday morning, June 28th, rose cloudless, and blazing
-with ahnost tropical heat. Every countenance wore a painful expression.
Weary, haggard, smoke-begrimed, bleeding men were strewed around
everywhere. A chaotic scene of tumult met the eye. The troops were
now all upon the right banks of the Chickahominy, and but a few miles
from Eichmond ; but instead of mo-ving towards the city, they were aim
ing to strike the river fifteen miles below i*.
It was not until after the battle of Gaines's Mill, that, on Friday even
ing, Jime 27th, General McClellan assembled his corps commanders, and
communicated to them his plan and method of change of base. General
Keyes was directed to move through White Oak Swamp, and take position
to cover the march of other troops. This movement he executed in the
* The lamented Lieutenant-Colonel Rice, who subsequently laid down his life for his country.
In his official report of this battle says : — " Nor would I fofget to mention here the most gallant
conduct of Major Bamum, of the Twelfth New Tork State Volunteers, who constantly exposed
his life to gain information of the position of the enemy. This gallant officer now sleeps in
death. He fell mortally wounded at the head of his regiment, on the 6th instant. His last words
wero, ' My wife, my hoy, my couniry^s flag !' The thousand streams of the Peninsula are red
with the best blood of the North ; but none are crimsoned with purer and nobler, than that which
flowed from his heart — a heart entirely devoted to hia country."

102 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
morning. General McClellan spent the day and night at Savage's Station,
pushing on the movement of the trains. All property which could not be
removed was destroyed. It was also found necessary to leave a large
number of thc sick and wounded to the " tender mercies " of the rebels.
An ample supply of rations and medical stores, left for the bleeding, faint
ing, war-stricken men, the merciless rebels seized, abandoning the poor
sufterers to starvation and death. For this crime Eobert E. Lee and
" Stonewall " Jackson are responsible. They merit the execrations of hu
manity. No pen can ever tell the woes our noble boys suffered, who fell
into their barbaric hands. It was the clearly proved, deliberate purpose of
the rebel government, by starvation and exposure so to reduce the Union
prisoners, that they could either throw them into the grave, or return them,
as exchanged prisoners, so emaciated, that they never again could shoulder
a musket. In the progress of the war, it is estimated that sixty thousand
of the noblest young patriots of the North were, by these lingering tortures,
hm-ried to the grave.
At noon of the' 28tli, General McClellan sent* a dispatch, in refer
ence to the battle of Gaines's Mill, to Hon. E. M. Stanton, containing
the following expressions : — " The loss on both sides is terrible. I believe
it -will prove to be the most desperate battle of the war. The sad rem
nants of my men behave as men. My regulars were superb. Had I
twenty thousand, or even ten thousand fresh troops, to use to-morrow, I
could take Eichmond. I have lost the battle because my force was too
small. I again repeat, that I am not responsible for this. If I save this
army now, I tell you plainly, that I owe no thanks to you, or to any other
persons in Washington. Ton have done your best to sacrifice this army."
President Lincoln, on the same day, replied: "If you have had a
dra-wn battle, or a repulse, it is the price we pay for the enemy not being
in Washington. We protected Washington, and the enemy concentrated
on you. Had we stripped Washington, he would have been upon us
before the troops sent could have got to you. Save your army at all
events. We'll send reenforcements as fast as we can."
At the battle of Gaines's Mill seventy thousand rebels rushed upon
thirty thousand patriots. According to the returns sent to the Adjutant-
General's office. General McClellan had then an army of one hundred
and fifty-eight thousand three hundred and fourteen men. Of these there
were in the ranks, and ready for duty, one hundred and one thousand six
hundred and ninety-one men. But thirty thousand were engaged in the
conflict. Thus there were over seventy-one thousand men within sound
of the battle who were not called into action.
During the 28th, the baffied foe made several attacks upon the rear
guard, but were constantly repulsed. In the mean time the mighty mass
of the retreating army pressed on by the Williamsburg road. It was a day
of hunger and of toil, turnult and exhaustion, of bleeding wounds and death.'
Night came, but not for sleep. Onward, still onward, throuo-h' all its
hours, swept the chaotic flood. The morning of Sunday, the 29th, da-wned
upon this awftil spectacle. Our heroic rear-guard, fully appreciating that
the salvation of the army depended upon their desperation of valor took a

THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLE. 103
new position near Savage s Station. General McClellan, early in the
morning, broke up his head-quarters there, and moved across White Oak
Swamp to superintend the passage of the baggage-trains. General Keyes
was sent to Malvem HiU, to establish himself in a defensive position there.
An immense amount of stores were destroyed at Savage's Station. There
was a mound, thirty feet high and sixty feet at the base, committed to the
flames, consisting of sugar, flour, coffee, prepared meats, wines, and all the
stores which an army could need. General F. J. Porter followed General
Keyes, to strengthen his right. At daylight. General Sumner withdrew
his troops from Fair Oaks, and retreated to a point on the raifroad near
Savage's Station, and disposed his troops for the terrible battle with the on-
rushing rebels, which it was sm-e the day would introduce. Eichardson,
Sedg-wick, Heintzelman, French, and Caldwell were there, ready to exhaust
mortal valor and endurance in resisting a foe outnumbering them, as they
-well knew, two or three to one. Hazzard's battery frowned deflantly from
an eminence a little in the rear.
Early in the morning, the watchful eye of General Frankhn discovered
that the enemy, ha-dng reconstructed the bridges across the Chickahom
iny, were advanciug in great force upon Savage's Station. He immedi
ately communicated this information to General Sumner, who was then at
Allen's Farm, a few miles east of Savage's Station, and who subsequently
took up Ms line of march and joined the forces at Savage's Station, under Gen
eral Franklin, where General Sumner, from seniority, assumed command.
It was about eleven o'clock in the morning when the rebels first made
their appearance. They commenced the assault by throwing shells into
General Sumner's lines. General McClellan had given orders to Generals
Sumner, Heintzelman, and Franklin to hold their position until dark.
There was some misunderstanding about the positions assigned by General
McClellan to Generals Sumner and Heintzelman, which left a gap in their
hne, which came very near being attended -with disastrous consequences.
Injustice to General Heintzelman, it should be remarked that General
McClellan says, in his report : — ''
"As stated by General Heintzelman, General Sumner did not occupy
the designated position. But as he was the senior officer present on that
¦ side of the White Oak Swamp, he may have thought that the movements
df the enemy justified a de-viation from the letter of the orders."
General Heintzelman was ordered to be ready to retreat, as soon as it
was dark, through White Oak Swamp. An aide was sent to guide him
through the intricacies of the forest and the morass. The forces of Gen
erals Sumner and Franklin were drawn up in line of battle, in a large
open field, the right touching the railroad, and the left entering the edge
of some woods. General Brooks held the left, with gallantry which se
cured for him honorable mention ; it must have helped to heal the
wound he had received, in defiance of which he retained his command.
At four o'clock, the rebels, pressing in great numbers along the Williams
burg road, from the west, commenced their decisive assaults. The storm
was first met, and most gallantly, by General Burns's brigade, efficiently
ai^ed by the batteries of Haz^ard and Pettit, Osborn and Bramhall.

104 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
With unabated fury the confiict continued until after eight o'clock at night.
The enemy, in masses which they deemed irresistible, came dashiug now
upon this portion ofthe line and now upon that ; but they were invariably
repulsed with fearful slaughter. When night closed the scene, the patriots
remained unshaken at their posts, and the rebels were driven, torn and
bleedino- from the field. Immediately after the battle, and under the
veil of darkness, these indomitable men, who had fought all day only that
they might march all night, fell back rapidly, wading through the mny
patlis of White Oak Swamp. With the light of Monday morning, the
30th, they had crossed White Oak Swamp Bridge, and burned the bridge
behind them. General French, with his brigade, acted as rear-guard. The
corps of Generals Porter and Keyes were now occupying a position near
Turkey Bend, to cover the passage of the trains, and open communication
-with the gunboats. Most of the remaining corps were pressed forward to
guard the approaches from Eichmond. General Franklin was stationed at
White Oak Bridge, to dispute the passage of the rebels, and to cover the
withdrawing trains. For the discharge of this responsible duty, he was
intrusted with the divisions of Generals Eichardson and Naglee, added to
his o-wn corps. But the scene of confusion presented all along the line of
this precipitate and tumultuous retreat beggars description. Two thousand
five hundred cattle were driven along in one herd. The road was blocked
up with such a throng as Broadway has rarely exhibited. Broken wagons
and caissons were strewed along the road. Hea-vy guns were inextricably
mired. The shouts of the teamsters, the struggling of the horses and
mules, the onward sweep of the mighty mass, all blended in a scene of up
roar, tumult, and ruin, which no imagination can conceive. There was
but one known road for the movement of the troops and the baggage-train.
The rebels had thus far entertained no doubt of their ability utterly to
destroy the patriot army. Much to their chagrin, they now awoke to the
fact that they had lost their chance, and that the Union troops would soon
be marshalled on the banks of the James, safe under the protection of their
gunboats. This did but inflame their rage.
The maddened foe was still thundering at the heels of the retreating
army, and it was manifest that another battle must be fought. General
Sumner was ordered, on the morning of the 30th, to take position with
Sedgwick's di-\-ision, at a place called Glendale, or Nelson's Farm, at the
junction of the New Market and Quaker Church roads. A line of battle
was formed, with Meade's brigade on the right, Seymour on the left, and
Eeynolds's brigade, commanded by Colonel Simmons, of the Fifth Penn-
s}-lvania, held in reserve. In front of the infantry line, Eandall's battery
-was on the right, Kern's and Cooper's in the centre, and Diedrich's and
Kanahan's on the left. General McCall's division of the Pennsylvania
Ecserves was also near at hand. General Heintzelman's troops were busy
felling trees across the road by which the rebels were to ad-^ance. Kearney
and Slocum and Hooker were also thereto lend the aid of their strong arms.
The heroic struggles of the rear-guard can never be fully known. Hook
er fought until his men dropped around him from sheer exhaustion. Slo-
cum_ relieved him. When his men were worn out, Sedgwick came to the

THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLE. 105
rescue. And the chivalric Kearney pierced with his impetuous columns
the very centre of the rebel lines. Thus the rear presented an impenetra
ble shield to protrect the retreating army. This faithful guard kept behind
the last wagon, and did not allow a team to be captured. " Wood was
burned, ammunition blown up, whiskey and molasses barrels broached, and
wagons, whose horses died by the way from sheer fatigue, were completely
dismantled. Soldiers who threw away their knapsacks first spilled their
contents or rent them to pieces. Muskets, lying in ditches, were bent and
broken. But little left of that grand army, in its wonderful retreat, was of
use to the enemy."*
The horrors ofthe scene no tongue can adequately tell. The wounded
hobbled painfully along, in the blazing sun and suffocating dust, with lips
blistered by thirst, or dropped by the wayside to die unheeded. The road
presented, for miles upon miles, a turbid, chaotic throng of horses, mules,
wagons, beef-cattle, gun-carriages, and men, mounted and on foot, rolling
along like a fiood. The rebels were thundering behind. Thousands had
thrown away their haversacks and had nothing to eat. The ditches were
trampled into mud, and there were few running streams or springs of water.
Everywhere the eye could look it saw ruin, misery, death.
About noon the enemy commenced an attack upon the forces left to
oppose them at White Oak Bridge, consisting of the divisions of Smith
and Eichardson, and Naglee's brigade. Under cover of a heavy artillery
fire, they sent an infantry force across the creek. Though our artillery,
nnder Captain Ayres, was worked with great effect, our loss was severe.
But General Franklin firmly held his position, repeatedly charging his
swarming foes, and driving them back into the swamp. At two o'clock large
masses of the enemy were reported advancing from the direction of Eich
mond, by the Charles City road, and soon the thunder^ of waa burst upon
General Slocum's left. The rebels, sweeping a path before them with shot
and shell, pressed boldly on in the face of our return fire, and for two hours
the battle raged without intermission. At length they were compelled to
withdraw before the deadly storm which both infantry and artillery poured
in upon them.
They then formed a column in the shape of a wedge, and came rushing
forward in a charge of utter recklessness. Notwithstanding the hail of can
ister, which ploughed great gaps in their ranks, they closed up, and on the
full run, in a " torrent of men," eddied around and enveloped Eandall's
battery. Most of the Fourth Eeglment of McCall's division were swept
away by this fiood. General McCall, with but six thousand men, long
resisted the two ablest di-visions of the rebel army, numbering nearly twenty
thousand men, under Longstreet and Hill. He was finally compelled to
give way before such an overwhelming force. G-enerals Hooker, Sumner,
Sedgwick, and Kearney greatly signalized themselves on this occasion.
Slowly, defiantly, disputing every inch of ground, our forces retired,
while a new line was being formed in the rear. The sun had now gone
do-wn, and the evening f-wilight was fast disappearing. Eeenforcements
from the retreating line were sent back to aid in presenting determined
"= "Siege of Richmond," by Joel Cook, p. 339.

106 CIVIL WAE IN AMERICA.
resistance to the enemy. With compressed lips, and muskets nervously
clinched, the patriots waited for the exultant, yelling foe. A rebel corre
spondent thus describes the scene which ensued : —
" Our forces were still advancing upon the retreating columns of the
enemy. It was about half-past nine o'clock, and very dark; suddenly, as
if it had burst from the heavens, a sheet of fire enveloped the front of our
advance. The enemy had made another stand to receive us, and, from the
black masses of his forces, it was evident that it had been hea-dly re
enforced. The situation being hopeless for any further pursuit. General
Hill retired slowly. At this moment, seeing their adversary retire, the
most vociferous cheers arose along the whole Tankee line. They were
taken up in the distance by the masses, which for miles and miles Avere
supporting McClellan's front. It was a moment when the heart of the
stoutest commander might have been appalled. General Hill's situation
was now as desperate as it well could.be ; and it required a courage and a
presence of mind to retrieve it which the circumstances surrounding him
were well calculated to inspire.
" Wilcox's brigade, which had been almost annihilated, was re-forming
in the rear. Eiding rapidly to the position of this brigade, General Hill
brought them, by great exertions, to the front, to check the progress of
the now confident and cheering enemy. Catching the spirit of their com
mander, the brave but jaded men moved up to the front, replying to the
enemy's cheers with shouts and yells. At this demonstration, which the
enemy no doubt thought signified heavy reenforcements, he stopped his
advance." For some reason unexplained, the bands, for months, had not been
allowed to inspire the troops, in time of action, with their patriotic music
General Butterfield, in one of the most desperate of these struggles, by a
happy thought gathered all the regimental bands, and placed them at the
head of the brigade. In one great burst of sound, which rose above the
clamor ofthe battle, they started " The Star-Spangled Banner." The first
note seemed to inspire our patriotic troops with new energy. " Cheer
after cheer," writes a correspondent of the New Tork World, " arose from
regiment after regiment, and was borne away upon the bosom of the placid
river. The band continued to play, and other regiments and other bri
gades caught the spirit, and the air resounded with tumultuous applause,
until all the columns on the vast plains were vying with each other to do
homage to the inspiring strains of the band."
During the night our sleepless, unfed heroes retreated down the Quaker
Eoad, towards Malvern Hill. General Franklin, who, by his judicious
arrangements and calm courage, had contributed much to the success of
the day, led in this movement. He left at ten o'clock, and reached James
Eiver a little after daylight the next morning. Here he selected an ad
mirable position, not far from the river, where an assailing foe could be
reached by shot and shell from the gunboats.
There was a heavy swell of pasture-land, well cleared of timber, a mile
and a half by three-fourths of a mile in area, called Malvern HOI. Several
converging reads ran over it. It was skirted by dense forests, through

THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLE. lOY
which the foe must come as they entered upon thisi, clearing. The ground
slopes gradually towards the north and east, while towards the northwest
it terminates abruptly in a ravine running to James Eiver. Here the
troops were massed to repel the final blow of the rebels. As the morning
of Tuesday, the 1st of July, dawned, the Union army, massed upon this
bin, was busily employed selecting positions and posting its batteries.
As it was evident, from the position of the enemy, that the brunt of
the attack would fall upon our left, that portion of the line was made
unusually strong. It was held by Porter's corps, Sykes on the left and
Morell on the right. A concentrated fire of sixty guns could be brought
upon any point in front of this line. Colonel Tyler had succeeded, with
great difficulty, in placing ten of his siege-guns on the top of the hill.
Couch's di-vision came next to Porter, on the right, followed in order by
Kearney, Hooker, Sedgwick, Eichardson, Smith, and Slocum. The remain
der of Keyes's corps, by a backward curve, nearly touched the river. The
Pennsylvania reserve was placed in the rear of the positions of Porter and
Couch. The line was a strong one, protected by felled timber and bam-
caded roads. The fiotilla of gunboats guarded our flank, and commanded
the approaches from Eichmond.
It was nearly ten o'clock of this the first day of July, before the
enemy, recovering from the stunning blow he had received the day be
fore, cautiously made his appeai^ance, emerging from the woods on our
left, with a few pieces of artillery, accompanied by a s-warm of skirmishers.
At two o'clock, our eager and anxious gaze discovered a column, in the
edge of the woods, beyond the reach of our fire, mo-ving towards the
right, in fi-ont of Heintzelman's corps. It was a large column occupying
two hours in passing the point of observation. Again it disappeared in
the forest. About three o'clock the battle seemed to be opened in earnest,
by a fierce attack of infantry and artiUery on Couch's di-vision. Our artil
lery was prompt to reply. A colunjin of rebel infantry was formed in
front of Couch's di-vision for a charge upon the guns. As they came,
sweeping up the slope in the face of a terrible artillery fire, which they
utterly disregarded, though it strewed the field with the dying and the
dead, the patriot infantry remained fiat upon the ground, until the charg
ing column were -within such range that every bullet could fulfil its mis
sion. Then, springing to their feet, they poured in a fii-e so destructive,
so appalling, that the whole column for a moment reeled and stag
gered, and then, panic-stricken, in -svild disorder, having lost a large part of
their number, rushed wildly back over the plain into the woods.
Couch's di-vision followed the fugitives nearly half a mile, where they
took a still better position than they had held before, with their left resting
on a thick clump of trees. There was then a short lull in the battle.
The whole line was carefully surveyed, and the patriots were in eager readi
ness to meet the next attack. The rebels gathered their utmost strength
to strike their hea-viest blow. Their batteries were carefully arranged in
position, and -at six o'clock a terrific fire was opened from all their guns.
At the same time, column following column of infantry emerged from the
woods, in desperate charges, to carry the hill.

108 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
" Brigade after brigSkde," says General McClellan, " formed under cover
of the woods, started at a run to cross the open space, and charge our bat
teries ; but the heavy fire of our guns, with the cool and steady volleys
of our infantry, in every case sent them reeling back to shelter, and
covered the ground with their dead and wounded. In several instances
our infantry withheld their fire until the attacking column, which rushed
through the storm of canister and shell from our artillery, had reached
within a few yards of our lines. Then they poured in a single volley,
and dashed forward with the bayonet, capturing prisoners and colors, and
dri-ving the routed columns in confusion from the field."
As was expected, the heaviest assault was made upon the left. As the
storm raged there with apparently ever-increasing fury, about seven o'clock
the brigades of Meagher and Sickles were withdrawn from the troops of
Sumner and Heintzelman, to relieve those troops of Couch's division whose
strength was exhausted, and whose ammunition was expended. Batteries
from the reserve were also pushed forward to relieve those whose boxes
were empty. Thus the conflict raged until nine o'clock. Gradually the
cloud of battle, which hung low over the field, grew so dense and dark
that the assailing host could no longer be seen. But our gunners had
perfectly the range. With well-trained skill, they could fire several
discharges in a minute, and the advancing ranks were cut down with
enormous slaughter.
The shells, thrown from the gunboats, were fearful missiles of destruc
tion. They were twenty inches in length by eight inches in diameter.
From these terrible guns on the river, and the concentrated fire of the bat
teries in front of the foe, and the pitiless storm of lead from the infantry,
whole lines of the rebels were laid low in the dust. Their bold, desperate
leaders were reckless of life. They drove forward their servile masses into
the very jaws of death. Often these lines, bewildered, smothered, pan
ic-stricken by the storm, were huddled together like frightened sheep in a
fiock, while balls and shells tore through the tumultuous mass, hurling their
mangled bodies -writhing to the ground. The enemy, notwithstanding
his pertinacious efforts and vastly superior numbers, was in the end
completely routed, and -with fearful loss driven back to the -woods. So
thorough was his disorganization, that many of our most determined
Generals were anxious to follow up their victory, avowing that then and
there Lee's army could be destroyed, and that we could march triumph
antly into Eichmond. The loss on both sides was very severe, though
ours, as we fought behind intrenchments, was much less than that of the
foe. General McClellan estimates the Union loss, in killed, wounded, and
missing, during this series of battles, from the 26th of June to the 2d of
July, at fifteen thousand two hundred and forty-nine. At the battle of
Malvern alone, the rebels lost ten thousand men.
A rebel officer gives an account, in the Charleston " Courier," of the
battle as seen from his point of view, from which we glean the following
particulars : — About five o'clock, the rebel artillery, supported by a brig
ade of Georgians and Alabamians, opened upon the Union lines. The
concentrated return fire of our batteries was so terrible, Jhat almost in an

THE SEVEN DATS' BATTLE. 109
instant the rebel guns were dismounted, the caissons torn to pieces, and
their horses and men piled and' mangled together. Other batteries were
brought forward only to encounter the same ,fate. A few, only, of the
horses and men escaped in panic-stricken fiight. The rebels saw thirty
siege-guns and twenty light batteries on the hill before them, while thirty
thousand infantry were spread out in line to protect those batteries. The
infantry were in front of the batteries, which were on the brow of the hill.
Thus the shot of the guns, which hurled destruction into the rebel ranks,
passed harmless over their heads. Upon this double line of infantry and
artillery the rebels a'Qvanced in their repeated and impetuous charges. For
the first half-mile the shells burst around them incessantly. Then the gun
boats opened with their broadsides, hurling their thunderbolts through the
woods, crashing, bursting, cutting down and tearing up the largest trees.
As the rebels drew nearer the batteries, and yet not within good
musket range of the infantry, grape and canister were opened upon them.
Filhng up the gaps and leaving their path marked with, blood, and the
mangled dead, and torn bodies in which life still lingered, writhing in
anguish, they pressed recklessly forward. And now, with deliberate aim,
the musketry opened, with its storm of lead, sweeping down whole lines
at a volley.
" We passed over," -writes this rebel officer, " four lines of men, who, sent
out before us, were unable to stand the fire, and lay close to the ground, from
which no threats or persuasion could move them. Our men trampled them
into the mud like logs, and moved on, in an unwavering line, perfectly re
gardless of the numbers who were falling around them."
By this time the rebels were in much confusion. Those in the advance
of the storming column were endangered by the fire of those in the rear.
They were then directed to fall back. The same writer continues : —
" No sooner had our men fallen back, than there came a portion of the
Confederate soldiers dashing past me, panic-stricken, and huddled together
like sheep, presenting elegant marks for the grape and cannon-balls, which
cut paths through them, and hurled them writhing and digging into the
mud and water of the swamp. One man, in his haste to get out of dan
ger, shoved me on one side, and just at the instant a canister-shot tore his
head off, and spattered my face with his blood and brains. On our 'way
out we passed over the ground which we travelled in going in, and found
men lying dead in every direction. When reaching the rear, we marched
into a skirt of woods to rest for the night, the fight having now closed."
The next morning the rebels, evidently to their surprise, found that
our -victorious troops had again retreated. The same rebel officer, early in
the morning, rode over the battle-field, and thus endeavors to describe a
scene which neither pen nor pencil can truthfully portray : —
" Entering the field at the point where our artillery had been posted, I
came upon numbers of dead and dying horses, which, with the drivers and
gunners, lay in a pile together, the several dismantled guns, their caissons
fired and blown up by the enemy's balls, all presenting an aspect of deso
lation and ruin. Then came the point at which our infantry lines ad
vanced through the open fields, and engaged those of the enemy. For a

110 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
mile the ground was thickly strown with the dead and dying, showing
with what energy our men had advanced, and with what energy they were
repulsed. Men, mangled in every conceivable manner, to the number of
ten thousand, were strewn out before me. The painful details of our
wounded I will spare you, but will pass to the enemy's side of the field,
where one-half of the number lay.
" There were men with their arms and legs and hands shot off, bodies
torn up, features distorted and blackened. There was one poor devil with
his back broken, trying to pull himself along by his hands, dragging his
leo-s after him, to get out of the corn-rows which the last night's rain had
filled with water. Another, -with both legs shot off, was trying to steady the
mangled trunk against a gun stuck in the ground. A fair-haired Tankee
boy of sixteen was lying, with both legs broken, half his body submerged
in water, with his teeth clinched, his finger-naUs buried in the flesh, and
his whole body quivering with agony and benumbed with cold. In
this case, my pity got the better of my resentment, and I dismounted,
pulled him out of the water, and wrapped him in my blanket, for whieh
he seemed very grateful. One of the most touching things I saw was a couple
of brothers, both wounded, who had crawled together, and one of them,
in the act of arranging a pillow for the other with a blanket, had fallen,
and they had died with their arms around one another, and their cheeks
together. But your heart will sicken at these details, as mine did at see
ing them, and I -will cease."
" Although the battle of Malvern," says General McClellan, in his official
report, " was a complete victory, it was nevertheless necessary to fall back
still farther, in order to reach a point where our supplies could be brought
to us with certainty. As before stated, in the opinion of Captain Eogers,
commanding the gunboat fiotilla, this could only be done below City
Point. Concurring in his opinion, I selected Harrison's Bar as the new
position of the army. The exhaustion of our supplies of food, forage, and
ammunition, made it imperative to meet the transports immediately."
Accordingly, after the signal repulse of the foe at Malvern, an order
was given for a retreat at once, that very night, to Harrison's Bar. Gen
eral Keyes covered the movement. This order was received by many of
the victorious patriot generals with amazement, and even with indignation.
" It is one of the strangest things in this week of disaster," writes the
Eev. James J. Marks, " that General McClellan ordered a retreat to Har
rison's Landing, six miles down the James Eiver, after we had gaiiied so
decided a victory. When this order was received by the impatient and
eager army, consternation and amazement overwhelmed our patriotic and
ardent hosts. Some refused to obey the command. General Martindale
shed tears of shame. The brave and chivalrous Kearney said, in the pres
ence of many officers —
" ' I, Philip Kearney, an old soldier, enter my solemn protest against
this order for retreat. We ought, instead of retreating, to follow up the
enemy and take Eichmond ; and, in full view of all the responsibility of
such a declaration, I say to you all, such an order can only be prompted
by cowardice or treason.'

THE SEVEN DAYS' BATTLE. Ill
" And with all, hopelessness and despair succeeded the fiush of triumph.
In silence and gloom our victorious army commenced retiring from an
enemy utterly broken, scattered, and panic-stricken. And when there
was not a foe within miles of us, we left our wounded behind to perish ;
and any one witnessing the wild eagerness of our retreat, would have sup
posed that we were in the greatest peril from a vigilant and triumphant
enemy." Pressing on, through the night and day, it was not until after dark on
the 3d of July, that the last train reached Hamson's Bar. The carriages
and wagons alone of the army, in a single line, would fill any road for a
distance of forty miles. General Keyes is highly commended for the skill
and bravery -with which he protected these trains. The rebels cautiously
followed, throwing a few shells into our rear ranks, and watching for an
opportunity to pounce upon their prey. General Keyes broke down the
bridges behind him, felled trees, and so directed the march that while the
wagons occupied the road, the troops pressed along on either side. The
First Connecticut Artillery also, under Colonel Tyler, secured warm com
mendation from General McClellan, for the skill with which they withdrew
all the hea-vy guns during the retreat.
The army, humiliated by disaster, and yet ennobled by heroism, re
mained inactive, in comfortable encampment on the river-banks, during the
months of July and August. In the mean time the Government was
anxiously deliberating respecting future movements. General McClellan
plead earnestly for reenforcements, that he might again march upon Eich
mond. On the 8th of July the President visited the discomfited army. On
the 25th of July General Halleck and General Burnside, -who, with a large
force, had come from North Carolina to Fortress Monroe, met the general
officers of the army of the Potomac, to decide upon future movements.
The army was found to be in a state of great despondency. Their losses
in tents, cooking utensils, camp comforts, and military equipments had
been enormous. The temporary hospitals were crowded with the sick, and
the number was increasing. The general feeling expressed by the officers
was, that the army was not in a condition to fight, and that it should be
withdra-wn from the Peninsula. General McClellan, in his subsequent
testimony before the Congressional Committee, estimated the force which
he had at Harrison's Landing at between eighty-five and ninety thousand
men. As the General thought he could not march upon Eichmond with
less than fifty thousand reenforcements, it was decided to -withdraw the
army as rapidly as possible, that it might co-operate -with the army under
General Pope, then in the presence of a superior force of the enemy.
The narrative we have given sufficiently indicates the causes of the
failure of this campaign. The unfortunate choice of the Tork Eiver and
the Chickahominy, rendered it absolutely necessary that the army should
be di-vided, and a force left for the protection of Washington. As it was,
the Capital narrowly escaped falling into rebel hands. Moving as -we did,
our only hope was in the celerity of our advance. It is now manifest that
the rude intrenchments at Torktown, feebly manned by not more than

112 CIVIL WAE IN AMERICA.
seven thousand rebels, could easily have been carried by our majestic army
by assault in a few hours. The long delay of a month there, in throwing
up works second only to those which frowned upon Sebastopol, and from
which we had scarcely an opportunity to fire a gun ; the snail-like pace
at which we advanced up the Peninsida, with no opposing foe, and over
good roads, which the sun had then dried ; and the final spreading out of
our army astride the Chickahominy, and through its dismal swamps, where
the wings could afford each other no protection, are certainly to be assigned
DS the primary and the final causes of our disastrous failure.
At the close of this short, memorable, terrible campaign, Jefferson
Davis addressed his troops in the following terms : " Ten days ago an in
vading army, vastly superior to you in number, and the materiel of war,
closely beleaguered your capital, and vauntingly proclaimed its speedy con
quest. Tou marched to attack the enemy in his intrenchments ; with
well-directed movements and death-defying valor, you charged upon him
in his strong positions, drove him from field to field, over a distance of
more than thirty-five miles, and, despite his reenforcements, compelled
him to seek safety under cover of his gunboats, where he now lies cower
ing before the army so lately di-vided and threatened with entire subju
gation." On the -ith of July, General McClellan issued the following procla
mation to his troops, in tones of sadness, yet of triumph : — -
" Soldiers of the Aemy of the Potomac : Tour achievements of the
past ten days have illustrated the valor and endurance of the American
soldier. Attacked by superior forces, and without hopes of reenforce
ments, you have succeeded in changing your base of operations by a
fiank movement, always regarded as the most hazardous of military opera
tions. Tou have saved all your guns, except a few lost in battle, taking
in return guns and colors from the enemy.
"Upon your march you have been assailed, day after day, with des
perate fury, by men of the same race and nation, skilfully massed and led.
Under every disadvantage of number, and necessarily of position also, you
have in every conflict beaten back your foes Avith enormous slaughter.
" Tour conduct ranks you among the celebrated armies' of history.
None Avill now question that each of you may always, with pride, say^ ' I
belong to the Army of the Potomac' Ton have reached this new base
complete in organization and unimpaired in spirit. The, enemy may at
any time attack you — we are prepar(?li to meet them. I have personally
established your lines. Let them come, and we will convert their repulse
into a final defeat. Tour Government is strengthening you with the
resources of a great people. On this our nation's birthday, we declare
to our foes, who are rebels against the best interests of mankind, that this
army shall enter the capital of the so-called Confederacy ; that our Na
tional Constitution shall prevail, and that the Union, which can alone
ensure internal peace and external security to each State, must and shall
be preserved, cost what it may in time, treasure, and blood.
" Geoege B. McClellan, Major- General Commanding."

A i -.

THE SEVEN DATS' BATTLEE

CHAPTER X,
GENERAL POPE'S CAMPAIGN.
(From June 22 to September 22, 1S62.)
General Pope's Proclamation. — General Halleck CoMMANDBR-iN-CniEr. — Dilatoriness or
General McClellan,— General Pope takes the Field.— Battle of Cedar Mountain.
— Death of Henry M. Dutton. — Heroism of Banks's Corps. — Lee's Army.- Hehoio
Struggles of General Pope. — Victory op the Rebels. — Retreat to Centreville.—
Rebel Historians.
By an order of the President, dated June 22, 1862, just before General
McClellan's army on the Chickahominy commenced its disastrous " change
of base," the separate commands of Generals Fremont, Banks, and
McDowell, and those in the fortifications around Washington, which
forces had been reserved for the protection of the Capital, were con
solidated into three corps d'armee, and called the Army of Virginia. Ac
cording to military usage. General Fremont, as senior officer, was entitled
to the command. But the three officers above inentioned were each left
with their former commands, while Major-General Pope, who had won
distinction in the West, was appointed General-in-Chief of these united
armies. The late successes of General Fremont against Jackson, his un
deniable qualifications as a prompt and efficient officer, and his priority of
rank, were not sufficient to counterbalance those political considerations
which, in the Cabinet, decreed this his virtual degradation. General Fre-
iruint at once requested to be relieved of this subordinate command. He
was severely blamed for it by many, as being wanting in patriotism. But,
had he not resigned, he would have been still more severely blamed as
mean-spirited, and ready to brook indignity for the sake of office.
General Pope, in assuming the command, issued a proclamation to his
army, which reflected severely and justly upon the wonderfully mild and
lenient manner in which some of his predecessors had conducted their
campaigns. This caused great exasperation among many of the officers
who had adopted General McClellan's -views respecting the best mode of
prosecuting the war, and who were not prepared for those vigorous meas
ures -with which General Pope wished to crush, rather than caress the re
bellion. The Army of Virginia was directed by General Pope henceforth to sub
sist on the enemy's country. Vouchers for supplies seized were to be given
to those who could prove their loyalty. The inhabitants in the vicinity were
to be held responsible for the destruction of railroad bridges and telegraph
wires, and for the outrages of guerrillas. Those refusing the oath of
allegiance were to be sent beyond the army lines, and treated as spies
should they again return.

GENERAL POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 116
These orders excited great indignation in rebeldom. They had been
accustomed to treatment so gentle, that this mode of conducting the war,
with the same ungloved hand with which they had been striking their
hardest blows, seemed a great outrage. In response, they uttered the most
terrible threats of retaliation. General Pope, his officers and soldiers, were
declared to be outlaws, beyond the pale of the ordinary humanities of
war. At this time, Major-General Halleck was summoned from the West to
take the post, at Washington, of General-in-Chief of all the armies of
the United States. He entered upon his duties July 23d, 1862, when the
bleeding, exhausted Army of the Potomac was recovering at Harrison's
Landing from its heroic exertions during the Seven Days' Battles. He
carefully investigated the condition of the troops at the Landing, and held
personal interviews with General McClellan. The defeated General, as
we have stated, asked for a reenforcement of fifty thousand men, that he
might make another attempt upon Eichmond. It was impossible to furnish
these troops without exposing Washington and the borders of Maryland
and Pennsylvania to an invasion, for which the rebels had made great •
preparations. Under these circumstances. General Halleck deemed it
necessary to withdraw McClellan's army from the Peninsula, and unite it
with the Aarmy of Virginia. Against this measure General McClellan
remonstrated vehemently. It however received the approval of the
Administration, and of a bitterly disappointed nation.
Unfortunately, in this case, as in many others, there was a lamentable
want of promptness in executing the movements which had been decided
upon. It was not until the 14th of August that the evacuation was
commenced, eleven days after the order for the immediate removal of the
army for Acquia Creek. The loss of these precious days cost thousands of
lives and millions of treasure. We had the entire control of James Eiver
and Chesapeake Bay, and a vast fleet of gun-boats and transports were
placed at the disposal of General McClellan, to expedite the withdrawal of
the troops.
General Pope left Washington on the 27th of July, to take the field.
The task assigned to the Army of Virginia was important and hazardous.
It was to cover Washington, guard the Shenandoah Valley, and, by bold
operations on the northern approaches to Eichmond, to draw away the
rebel army from any further assaults upon McClellan. Thus these im
perilled troops at Harrison's Landing could be removed unmolested, and,
by junction with the Army of Virginia, could secure the Capital, and move
by a new line upon Eichmond.
' It was greatly to be feared that the rebels would throw their whole
force upon Washington before General McClellan's army could effect a
junction with the Army of Virginia. If this should be so. General Pope
would be in the most imminent peril. The rebels could entirely outnum
ber him, and,- apparently, Washington must fall. Hence it was a matter of
momentous importance that General McClellan should remove his troops
as speedily as possible. And hence it was that his extraordinary dilatori
ness was deemed quite inexplicable.

116 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
The true condition of the two armies and the peril of Washington were
kept as far as possible from the public. But the better informed, all over
the land, awaited events with hushed voice and in intense anxiety. The
greater portion of General Pope's army was stationed at Culpepper and at
Fredericksburg. His force extending aloi^g the Eapidan could muster
ia all but twenty-eight thousand men. On the Tth of August, General
Pope learned that the rebels, in great force, were crossing the Eapidan at
several points. He ordered his troops, who had been dispersed for the
sake of observation, immediately to rally at Culpepper. During the fore
noon of Friday, the 8th, Crawford's brigade of Banks's corps was dispatched
towards Cedar or Slaughter Mountain, to retard the movements of the
enemy. Early on Saturday morning. General Banks, who had the pre-vious
evening promptly arrived from Hazel Eiver. was sent forward, with his
whole corps of about seven thousand men, to join General Crawford.
In the -Pacini ty of Culpepper Court-House, north of the Eapidan, and a
little on the west of the Alexandria and Orange Eailroad, there is a very
considerable eminence, called Cedar Mountain. As this hea-vy swell of land
stood upon the plantation of the Eev. D. F. Slaughter, it was sometimes
called Slaughter Mountain. On Thursday morning, the 7tli of August,
the rebels in great force, under General " Stonewall " Jackson, crossed the
Eapidan, and, advancing upon Culpepper, stationed themselves, on Satur
day, strongly upon Cedar Mountain. General Banks was immediately
sent forward from the direction of Culpepper to retard, and, if possible, to
arrest, the further advances of the foe. At the same time. General Sigel,
by forced marches, was hastening to the support 'of General Banks.
The rebels were strongly intrenched, and concealed in the heavy woods
which covered the sides of the hill. About five o'clock in the afternoon,
they cautiously, but in -great force, emerged from the forest and advanced
upon General Banks, assailing him with a terrific fire of artillery and in
fantry. General Crawford's brigade of General Banks's command, con
sisting of the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania, Tenth Maine, Twenty-eighth
New Tork, and Fifth Connecticut, was conspicuous in this heroic and
sanguinary fight. This brigade was draAvn up in line in the edge of the
woods, facing the south. There Avas a spacious wheat-field before them,
about eighty rods across, from north to south. The wheat had just been
harvested, and the shocks of grain were still standing dispersed throughout
the field. The ground sloped gently toAvards the south to a marshy run or
ravine, beyond which Cedar Mountain rose abruptly, covered with a dense
forest, within which the rebels had found their lair.
The rebels opened their fire from heavy batteries on Cedar Mountain,
in positions considerably above those occupied by the National troops. At
first it was a battle with artillery alone, the two forces being about a
mile from each otiier. Eapidly the rebels multiplied their batteries, con
centrating upon the National troops a fire of terrible severity. The an
noyance Avas so great that it became essential, by a desperate bayonet
charge, to endeavor to silence some of these guns.
It was about six o'clock when the order was given to charge. The
"troops sprang forward at the double-quick. They had not, however, pro-

GENERAL POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 117
ceeded far, on the full run over the open field, Avhen the rebels opened
upon them a crushing fii-e from their batteries. The patriots, in their
exposed position, presented a target which scarcely any shot could fail to hit.
A storm of grape and canister fell upon them, and still they pressed on.
A wake of the dead and of the wounded was left in the path they traversed.
With loud cheers they rushed into the woods, where the batteries were
belching forth their incessant volleys, when "there sprang from the under
brush such an overwhelming force of the rebels, pouring in upon the
patriots a point-blank fire of musketry, that retreat became inevitable.
In the midst of this scene of awful carnage, many noble patriots fell.
Among them was Lieutenant Henry M. Dutton, son of Governor Dutton,
of Connecticut. This young man, in early life, had become a disciple of
the Saviour. Graduating at Tale College, and having successfully prose
cuted the study of the law in the Tale Law School, he entered upon the
practice of his profession in the beautiful town of Litchfield, in his native
State. There was here open before him a cai-eer of honor, of competence,
and of happy domestic life. But this infamous rebelhon raised its banner,
menacing our National existence. The soul of young Dutton was fired.
With all the enthusiasm of his nature, he engaged in the service of his
country, first in raising volunteers, and then going forward himself into
the field of battle. In the battle of Winchester, and during all General
Banks's heroic retreat down the Valley of the Shenandoah, he rendered
himself conspicuous for his sagacity and his bravery. Here, at Cedar
Mountain, cheering on his men, he himself among the foremost in the im
petuous charge, a bullet pierced his body and he fell dead. Such are the
sacrifices which this demon of rebellion has laid in hecatombs upon her
altar. History has presented to my view few scenes more sad, than the
vision of the venerable father of this young man, a few days after the bat
tle, wandering over this field in the unavailing endeavor to find the
remains of this his beloved and only son.
In this persistent confiict, whicii night alone terminated, the National
troops under General Banks were, according to General Pope's official
report, but seven thousand in number. The rebels, according to the Eich
mond Examiner, were fifteen thousand. Both parties claimed the victory.
Neither were entitled to it. Still, the National troops might well feel
exultant, that they had held twice their own number at bay, and had
effectually arrested the onward march of the rebels. Both parties reposed
on their arms in line of battle during the night, while cannon-shot and
shells were interchanged until midnight. T^o or three hundred in this
cannonade were lost on each side. It was a mild, beautiful, brilliant
autumnal night The landscape, in its panorama of meadow, mountain,
and forest, presented a scene of rare loveliness, illumined by the rays of
the full moon. And there, in the narrow space of two hundred yards, were
hundreds of the dying, groaning in agony. No help could reach them. Ee
enforcements had arrived to strengthen the thin and decimated lines of the
National troops. About twelve o'clock at night. Generals Pope, Banks,
and Sigel Avere in conference on a hill Avhich they had. selected for their
night bivouac, and which commanded a view of the field of battle.' Sud-

118 CIVIL WAR IN AMEEICA.
denly a shower of bullets from some rebel pickets, who had crept near
them, put the whole party to flight. For the rest of the night there was
comparative silence.
As the lio-ht of Sunday morning dawned, both armies were found in
the same position which they had occupied at the close of the battle on
the preceding night. Each party had, however, suffered too severely to
assume the initiative in renewing the conflict. The rebels were still
numerically the stronger, but the National troops had received such reen
forcements that the attempt to break through their ranks had become
hopeless. After looking at each other defiantly for a short time, the
rebels commenced a retreat. Monday was spent in the melancholy duties
of burying the dead and relieving the wounded. The retreating enemy
left many of their dead upon the field, and large numbers of their wounded
were picked up and carefully nursed by the National troops. General
Buford, with a column of cavalry and artillery, pursued the fugitives to
the banks of the Eapidan.
General Pope, in his official report, says : " The behavior of General
Banks's 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 intrepidity of General Banks himself, during the whole of
the engagement. He Avas in the front, and exposed as much as any man
in the command. His example was of the greatest benefit, and should
receive the commendation of his Government. Generals Williams,
Augur, Gorman, CraAvford, Prince, Green, and Geary behaved Avith con
spicuous gallantry. I desire publicly to express my appreciation of the
prompt and skilful manner in whieh Generals McDowell and Sigel brought
forward their respective commands and established them on the field, and
for their cheerful and hearty co-operation with me from beginning to end.
Brigadier-General Eoberts, chief of cavalry, was conspicuous for his gal
lantry." The National loss in killed, wounded, and missing, was one thousand
five hundred. The rebels, claiming a victory, admitted a loss of but one
hundred killed and six hundred wounded.
This advance of the rebel troops across the Eapidan was designed to
try the spirit and discipline of General Pope's troops, preparatory to a
grand movement of the Avhole of Lee's army. This army had now, through
a merciless conscription, been swelled to at least one hundred and fifty
thousand men. General Lee resolved utterly to destroy General Pope's
little band of troops before he could receive any reenforcements from
General McClellan, who was so tardily moving his divisions from the
Peninsula. The appalling strength of Lee's army, and his plans, were
made knoAvn by dispatches, which had fortunately been captured on their
Avay to General Stuart. It was thus ascertained that the whole rebel
army was making forced marches for the Eapidan. By the 18th it con
fronted the National forces, in a line extending from Eaeoon Ford to
Liberty Mills.
General Pope, having less than thfrty thousand men with whom to
•resist the march of over one hundred thousand, was obliged to resort to

GENERAL POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 119
manoeuvres to gain time for the reenforcements to meet him, which he so
anxiously awaited. On the 14th, General Eeno had arrived with eight
thousand troops from Falmouth, a portion of General Burnside's command.
On the 18th, the rebels had assembled in such force on the Eapidan, that
General Pope was compelled to retire to the Eappahannock. This retreat
he skilfully effected without loss. The National army took a position
behind the north fork of the river, holding, with its left, Kelly's Ford,
while its right rested three miles above Eappahannock Station, on the
Orange and Alexandria Eailroad.
On the morning of the 20th, the enemy's advance drove in the Union
pickets, and attempted to cross the river at Kelly's Ford. As General
Pope was expecting General McClellan's army to join him by the way of
Fredericksburg, it was of the greatest importance to retain communication
with that city. During the Avhole of the 21st and 22d, the rebels kept up
a continuous fire of artillery, and persisted in their endeavors to effect a
crossing. They were successfully resisted. At length they began slowly
to ascend the river, hoping to turn the Union right, which was held by
General Sigel.
With over twenty miles of communication below to preserve. General
Pope could not follow this moA^ement by extending his own line. General
Sigel was therefore directed to allow the rebels to cross at Sulphur Springs,
but to resist them at every point below. At the same time he was to de
velop his lines towards Warrenton. While these days of awful peril were
passing, the long looked-for reenforcements did not come. The rebels
sent a large detachment to move up the riA-er, while the mass of their army
confronted the Union lines. Pope's fiank would soon be turned. The
heroic Union General then resolved to attack with his whole force the flank
and rear of the long column marching up the river.
It was a hazardous movement. But he must else fall back on Warren
ton and abandon the line of the Eappahannock, or retire by Fredericks
burg and lose direct raifroad communication with Washington. Orders
were given to make the attack on the morning of the 23d ; but during the
night there was a heavy rain, which raised the river six or eight feet,
carried away the bridges, and rendered the fords impassable. In the midst
of the gloom of this tempestuous night, a small rebel cavalry force crossed
at Waterloo Bridge, and made a raid on Catlett's Station, where all the
army trains were packed. They destroyed a few wagons, but were soon
driven off. They, however, captured the baggage of General Pope, with
important papers.
As it was thought that the rise of the river would impede the crossing
of the rebels above our right. General Sigel was ordered to attack thenj at
Sulphur Springs. He was quite successful. The rebels were driven across
the river, destroying the bridges behind them. He then moved down the
river to Waterloo Bridge. General Pope's line now extended from Water
loo Bridge to Sulphur Springs, and thence to Warrenton. Late in the
afternoon of this day, the 24th, over thirty-six regiments of infantry, besides
artillery and cavalry, belonging to "Stonewall" Jackson's command,
were seen from the Union Stations marching towards Eectortown, in the

120 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA
valley between the Blue Eidge and the Bull Eun Mountains. It was their
evident intention to turn General Pope's right in the direction of Thorough
fare Gap, while the main body of the rebels were stiU confronting him at
Waterloo Bridge.
Struggling against such fearful odds, and Avith no hope of the speedy
arrival of General McClellan's army, which would have relieved him of aU
embarrassments, General Pope was compelled to abandon communications
-with Fredericksburg, and no longer to oppose the rebels from crossing at
Eappahannock Station. It was clear that the strong rebel detachment
sent througli Thoroughfare Gap was designed to cut off his supplies from
Washington. General Pope, having for eight days very heroically arrested
the advance of Lee's massive columns upon the Capital, chose a noAv line,
admirably adapted for defence, extending his army from Warrenton to
Gainesville, to make a new stand. Eeenforcements had been pushed forAvard,
so that General Pope had now about fifty-flve thousand men with which
to oppose over one hundred thousand, flushed with success, and inspirited
by the promised invasion of Northern cities and the capture of Washington.
Marches, countermarches, skirmishes, battles, surprises, raids, were for
several days blended in inextricable confusion. A small band of heroic
men performed prodigies of valor in beating back their swarming foes.
The rebels seized Manassas Junction, with a vast amount of stores, which
fed their hungry mouths until they reached Maryland.
As we have mentioned. General Pope's proclamation upon assuming
command greatly displeased many of his fellow-officers, particulariy the
earnest friends of General McClellan. Party lines were beginning to be
very strongly drawn between the supporters and the assailants of that un
fortunate officer. The signal success of Pope would cast an additional echpse
upon the reputation of McClellan. It soon became manifest that there
were officers of highest position under Pope's command who did not
cordially co-operate Avith him. General Pope deserves very great credit
for conducting the defence so ably, under these disastrous circumstances.
Several of General Pope's most wise combinations, which promised dis
tinguished success, failed through lack of co-operation, and through positive
disobedience of orders. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion, that there
were some of the Union generals who Avished to see General Pope defeated.
The rebels Jackson and Longstreet, with their strong divisions, soon
effected a junction east of the Bull Eun Mountains. From the 18th of
August to the 27th, the patriot troops had been marcliing and fighting
ahnost incessantly, night and day. During all this time the roar of artillery
was scarcely intermitted for an hour. The men were worn down with
sleeplessness, fatigue, and hunger. As the various corps were incessantly
moving and fighting, it was found very difficult to keep them supplied with
ammunition. Still, just before the junction. General Pope fell vigorously
upon Jackson at Manassas, and the rebel division of twenty-five thousand
men would apparently have been destroyed, had aU of Pope's generals given
him their cordial co-operation. He had sent emphatic orders to General
Fitz- John Porter to hasten to the scene of action. In General Pope's
rosport he says : —

GENERAL POPE'S CAMPAIGN 121
" Nothing was heard of General Porter, and his forces took no part
whatever in the action ; but were suffered by him to lie idle on their arms,
Avithin sight and sound of the battle, during the whole day. So far as I
know, he made no effort whatever to comply with my orders, or to take any
part in the action. I do not hesitate to say that if he had discharged his
duty, as became a soldier under the circumstances, and had made a A'igor-
ous attack on the enemy, as he was expected and directed to do, we
should have utterly crushed or captured the larger portion of Jackson's
force." This battle with the troops of the renoAvned Stonewall Jackson was one
of the fiercest of the campaign. Over the Avide-extended field, and through
the intricacies of one of the most complicated scenes of battle, hope and
despair on both sides alternated. Now the yell of the rebel rose exultant
over the thunders of war's tempest. Again the cheer of the patriot pierced
the battle-cloud. At one moment a long billow of rebel gray surged over
the field. The next moment it had disappeared, and a wave of blue, with
its crest of patriot flags, swept the plain. Earely can one find, in all the
conflicts of past ages, a struggle so desperate. General Porter was subse
quently dismissed from the serAdce in disgrace by President Lincoln, on
the finding of a court-martial in Washington. General Pope's conduct in
"this campaign merits the highest commendation.
The Union loss in this battle of August 29th was very severe, being not
less than six thousand. The rebels suffered still heavier losses. They did
not allow any official documents of the disasters of the campaign to be pub
lished. Longstreet's corps having joined Jackson near the close of the
battle, the patriots, early in the night, fell back towards Gainesville, to
take a more favorable position for the renewal of the strife on the morrow.
They were near the famous old battle-ground of Bull Eun.
While these scenes were transpiring. General Halleck was sending the
most emphatic telegrams to General McClellan, to push forward reenforce
ments to the aid of General Pope. At half-past three o'clock of Thursday,
28th, having previously urged in repeated telegrams that reenforcements
should instantly be sent, he telegraphs General McClellan : —
" Not a moment must be lost in pushing as large a force as possible
towards Manassas, so as to communicate with Pope before the enemy is re
enforced." General McClellan replies, at forty-five minutes past four o'clock:
" Neither Franklin's nor Sumner's corps is now in condition to move. I
have sent aides to ascertain the condition of the Commands of Cox and
Tyler." At forty minutes past eight o'clock of the same day. General Halleck
replies : " There must be no further delay in moving Franklin's corps to
wards Manassas. They must go to-morrow morning, ready or not ready.
If there is a want of wagons, the men must carry proAdsions with them
till the wagons come."
The next morning, Friday, 29th, the day of the terrible battle near
Bull Eun, General McClellan telegraphs, at thirty minutes past ten a. m. :
" Franklin's corps is in motion ; started about six A. m. I can give him

122 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
but two squadrons of cavalry. I should not have moved him, but for your
pressing orders of last night."
At twelve o'clock. General McClellan sends another dispatch to Gen
eral Halleck : " Do you wish the movement of Franklin's corps to con
tinue ? He is Avithout reserve ammunition and without transportation."
About an hour later he telegraphs : " Franklin has only between ten thou
sand and eleven thousand men- ready for duty. How far do you wish this
force to advance ?"
General Halleck, at three p. m., replies, quite out of patience : " I want
Franklin's corps to go far enough to find out something about the enemy.
Our people must move more actively, and find out where the enemy is. I
am tired of guesses."
At fifty minutes past seven, p. m.. Gen. Halleck again telegraphs Gen
eral McClellan: "Tou Avill immediately send construction train and guards
to repair railroad to Manassas. Let there be no delay in this. I have just
been told that Franklin's corps stopped at Anandale, and that he was this
evening in Alexandria. This is all contrary to my orders. Investigate
and report the fact of this disobedience. That corps must push forAvard
as I directed."
To this General McClellan immediately replies, at eight o'clock : " It
Avas not safe for Franklin to move beyond Anandale, under the circum-'
stances, until we knew what was at Vienna. General Franklin remained
here until about one p. m., endeavoring to arrange for supplies for his com
mand. I am responsible for both of these circumstances."
The next day, August 30th, at forty minutes past nine a. m.. General
Halleck telegraphs General McClellan : " I am by no means satisfied with
General Franklin's march of yesterday. He was very wrong in stopping
at Anandale. Moreover, I learned last night, that the Quartermaster's
Department could have given him plenty of transportation, if he had ap
plied for it, at any time since his arrival in Alexandria. He knew the im
portance of opening communication with General Pope's army, and should
have acted more promptly." *
And so it was, and had been, day after day, week after week, and
month after month. The above was the general character of the com
munications which passed between General McClellan and the authorities
at Washington. In the investigation made before the Congressional Com
mittee, General Halleck was asked, " Had the Army of the Peninsula been
brought to co-operate with the Army of Virginia with the utmost energy
that circumstances would have permitted, in your judgment, as a military
man, would it not have resulted in our Adctory instead of our defeat ?"
The reply was, " I thought so at the time, and still think so."
In the morning of August 30th, the day after the severe battle we have
just described at Bull Eun, General Pope telegraphed General Halleck :
" I received a note this morning from General Franklin, written by order
of General McClellan, saying that wagons and cars would be loaded and
sent to Fairfax Station, as soon as I would send a cavalry escort to Alex
andria to bring them out. Such a request, when Alexandria is full of
trqops and we fighting the enemy, needs no comment." It is impossible

GENERAL POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 123
to make the above record without a feeling of indignation. Was it
treachery, or was it incapacity, which left General Pope thus to struggle,
single-handed, with outnumbering &es ?
We must not forget, while reading the above account of the marches
and engagements of our heroic troops, how much physical and mental ex
haustion they cause, especially when there is added the depressing influ
ence of abandonment and conscious weakness. The rebels, under " Stone
wall" Jackson, after their rapid marches, repulses, and retreats, could
hardly have been in better condition than Pope's worn soldiers. But they
were conscious, after mid-day of the 29th, of strong supports under Long-
street, and felt that they were but the advance of a magnificent army,
sweeping resistlessly forward for the invasion of the North.
The main body of Lee's army, on the 29th and 30th, Was pressing for
ward through the mountains. The proximity* of such allies would have
given nerve and impulse even to the most dispirited troops. Their actual
presence, in constantly increasing numbers, inspired the rebel ranks
with confidence of final victory over Pope's wearied and thinning divi
sions. General Lee's dispatch of August 30, falsely announced that he had
fought the combined forces of Pope and McClellan. Only twenty-five
thousand of the majestic Army of the Potomac had as yet unfurled their
banners in sight of the Army of Virginia. Misunderstandings, hesitations,
excuses, and delays, alike unreasonable and stupid, left General Pope to
struggle unaided, when thousands of Union troops were lying idle almost
within sound of his guns. What a contrast did these Union troops, thus
clogged by the lukewarmness of some of their generals, present to the rag
ged, bare-footed, poorly fed rebels, hastening, by forced marches, throngh
the mountains to the relief of Jackson !
In one of General McClellan's telegrams to President Lincoln, of the
29th, he says : " I am clear that one of two courses should be adopted.
First, to concentrate all our available forces to open communication with
Pope ; second, to leave Pope to get out of his scrape, and at once to use all
means to make the Capital perfectly safe."
On the 31st, General Pope sent the following telegram from Centreville
to General Halleck : " Our troops are all heirf, though much used up and
worn out. But I think it would have been greatly better if Sumner and
Franklin had been here three or four dajs ago. But you may rely upon
our giving the enemy as desperate a fight as I can force our men to stand
up to. I should dike to know whether you feel secure about Washington,
should this army be destroyed. I shall fight it as long as a man will stand
up to his work."
It was not until noon of the 30th that General Franklin was sent for
ward from Anandale. On the morning of the 30th, General Pope's whole
effective command consisted of but forty thousand men. Bitterly dis
appointed in not receiving more promptly reenforcements from General
McClellan, he still heroically prepared, with his exhausted troops, to oppose,
to the last possible moment, the advance of the enemy upon Washington.
Lee's army was rapidly gathering in front of General Popa The rebel

124 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
left was commanded by Jackson, the right by Longstreet, the centre by Col
onel Lee. On a commanding height eight batteries of artillery were posted.
The Union troops were spread out in a line conformed to the position of
the enemy. The more advanced portion of the line Avas at Groveton, com
posed of the corps of Generals Porter, Sigel, and Eeno. General Heint
zelman held the right, and General McDowell the left. The Union batte
ries croAvned the same hill Avhich they occupied in the disastrous battle of
1861. The enemy held more elevated ground than the National forces,
which were stationed generally on a plain, studded occasionally with heavy
woods. The pickets of the two armies, almost blended, had, during the
morning, kept up a brisk skirmish. This was hardly noticed under the
heavy fire of artillery, which, from opposing heights, were hurling their
missiles of death upon the infantry, massing in the plain for the battle.
About one o'clock p. m., the Union forces, both on the right and left, ad-
A'anced in small numbers to dislodge the rebel sharpshooters. These grad
ually retired, but the patriots were driven back by the artillery. Sigel's
corps held a position near the centre, next to Heintzelman. Porter, sup
ported by King's division, was ordered to attack the enemy's left, advan
cing by the turnpike. He took a position which covered the front of Sigel
and Eeno. Eicket's division, whicii had been detached from McDowell's
corps to support this movement, was soon returned, in order to meet the
rebel columns which began to move towards our left.
About four o'clock p. m.. Porter advanced from the covert of dense
woods and marched upon a strong line of the enemy, who were behind
breastworks which they had suddenly thrown up. A furious fire from the
rebel batteries Avas instantly opened upon them. Still they pressed for
ward, until they came within musketry range, where, for a quarter of an
hour, they fought with the utmost desperation. A second and a third
line emerged from the shelter of the, woods, and endeavored to force back
the rebels. But they were resisted by an overposvering force of infantry
and artillery. Sheets of musketry fire from the rebels, behind their em
bankment, Avere melting doAvn the patriot ranks, when the enemy ap
peared in dense masses, in a ncAv position, opening, from batteries within
four hundred yards, a terrific fire. The rebels were plainly getting the
advantage, and as the smoke rose, the patriots could be seen, in increasing
numbers, scattering to the woods.
Here Sigel received the repulsed men of Portet- 's corps, and they were
re-formed in his rear. It was after five o'clock. The exultant rebels
advanced along their whole line. Though Jackson had suftered severely
in Porter's advance, he came doAvn in heavy force on Sigel's left. But
he was nobly repulsed by Milroy's brigade. These patriots were advan
tageously posted behind a road excavation, and were protected by a bat
tery in their rear On both sides supports were pushed forward, and the
battle raged Avith indescribable fury. But the rebels pressed on in denser
masses, crowding the front, and eddying around the fianks ; and the out
numbered patriot troops were mowed down fearfully by a concentric fire.
The Unign troops, after inflicting and enduring carnage truly aAvful Avere
(jompelled to fall back. This they did sloAvly, and in good order.

GENERAL POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 125

Darkness closed the scene of tumult and of blood. At eight o'clock the
guns were silent, and only the wail of mortal agony, which arose from the
extended plain, was heard penetrating the gloom of night. The rebels
had gained the day. They had driven back Heintzelman on the right,
and Porter and Sigel in the centre. But in their attempts to pierce our
centre, and get a position in our rear, they had been repulsed by Milroy,
Sehurz, and Eeno. Our left had also been forced back by Longstreet's
impetuous charges a distance of three-fourths of a mile.
The Union army, unflinching in its patriot resolve, had by no means
been routed. Crowded by the resistless force of numbers, while covering
the ground Avith the slain of their foes, they had, foot by foot, draAvn back,
until they reached a line of eminences, Avhere, in the darkness, they pre
pared to make another stand. The loss on both sides was heavy, but that
of the Union army much the greater. General Pope fought under the
greatest disadvantages. He was opposed by Lee, the ablest of the rebel
generals, and was decidedly inferior in numbers. But through the efforts
of truly patriotic officers, and the bravery of his noble troops, he was able
to maintain such a fight as reclaimed his inevitable defeat from disgrace.
Encouraged by the heavy losses they had inflicted on the rebels, and
by the new and commanding position they had attained, the soldiers gen
erally, and many of the officers, were eager to renew the conflict the next
day. But General Pope did not deem it prudent, with his decimated
ranks, and Avith reenforcements arriving so slowly, to do any thing more
than stand strictly on the defensive. At four o'clock in the afternoon of
the 30th, General Franklin was reported to General Pope as twelve
miles in his rear, Avith but eight thousand troops. Orders were accordingly
given to retire during the night toward Centreville. The withdrawal was
made by different routes, slowly, quietly, and in good order, no pursuit be
ing attempted by the rebels.
A little after midnight the whole Union army had crossed Bull Eun,
and had posted batteries to command the bridge. As soon as all the wagon
trains were safe on their way, the bridge was destroyed. About three
o'clock in the morning, the rear-guard bivouacked until daylight, two miles
before reaching Centreville. General Banks, AA'ho had held possession of the
railroad from BristoAv's Station to Centreville since the 28th, was instructed
during the night to send the ammunition, and all the sick and wounded,
from Warrenton Junction and Bristow Station to Centreville, and to
destroy all the trains and stores he could not remove. This was so success
fully accomplished that but little loss was sustained. There were, however,
false reports of losses truly enormous.
The exultation of the rebels over these victories surpassed all reasonable
bounds. Even the deliberate recital of one of their historians partakes of
the spirit of exaggeration and falsehood, whicii often inspired the Southern
people during this war, and which seemed peculiarly to possess them when
ever they had occasion to speak of Bull Eun, where they gained their first
victory. The following passage is a fair specimen of the style of the rebel
annalists : —
" Night closed upon the battle. When it was impossible to use fire-

126 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
arms, the heavens were lit up by the still continued flashes of the artillery,
and the meteor fiight of shells scattering their iron spray. By this time
the enemy had been forced across Bull Eun, and their dead covered every
acre from the* starting-point of the fight to the Stone Bridge. In its first
stages the retreat was a Avild, frenzied rout — the great mass of the enemy
moving at a full run, scattering over the fields and trampling upon the
dying and the dead in the mad agony of their flight. The whole army was
converted into a mob ; regiments and companies were no longer distinguish
able ; and the panic-stricken fugitives AA-ere slaughtered at every step of their
retreat, our cavalry cutting them down, or our infantry driving their
bayonets into their backs.
" In crossing Bull Eun many of the enemy were drowned, being liter
ally dragged and crushed in the water, which was not more than Avaist-deep,
by the crowds of frenzied men pressing and trampling upon each other hi
the stream. On reaching Centreville, the flight ofthe enemy was arrested
by the appearance of about thirty thousand fresh troops, Franklin's corps.
The mass of fugitives A^-as here rallied into the extent of forming it into
columns, and, Avith this appearance of organization, it was resolved by
General Pope to continue his retreat to the intrenchments of Washington."*
It is amazing that, in this nineteenth century, a man should venture to
Avrite such a Munchausen tale for history. It was, hoAvever, by such fables,
that the Southern people Avere deluded into the belief that they Avere gaining
a constant series of victories, when, as a matter of fact, the Union armies,
in an almost unchecked series of victories, Avere reclaiming territory more
extensive than was won by Alexander, Hannibal, or Julius Ctesar. It is
impossible to ascertain exactly the Union loss in this battle, since the
official reports of the corps and division commanders include the aggregate
losses from August 22d to September 2d. The rebel historian Pollard
modestly estimates the Union loss in killed, wounded, and missing, in the
battle of Saturday, the 30th, at thirty thousand ; the rebel loss he puts at
three thousand.
At last, the corps of Franklin and Sumner, amounting in the aggre
gate to nineteen thousand men, joined Pope at Centreville. With this
reenforcement, he found, on the 1st of September, that he had sixty-three
thousand men under his command. Deducting the nineteen thousand re
enforcements, AA'ould leave forty-four thousand Avho had survived the battle
ofthe 30th. Pope's estimated force, on the evening ofthe 29th, including
Banks's corps, was fifty thousand. This shows an approximate loss of six
thousand on the 30th. The rebels announced to their illiterate and credu
lous foUoAvers that they had taken seven thousand prisoners ; one thousand
more than the patriots had lost in killed, wounded, and prisoners.
During the whole of Sunday, the 3l8t, the different corps of the patriot
army occupied their intrenchments at Centreville, undisturbed by the en
emy. On Monday, September 1st, General Pope commenced a movement
Avithin the intrenchments of Washington, to re-organize his army. About
five o'clock in the afternoon, the rebels, under General A. P. Hill, at-
* Pollard, vol. ii. p. 114.

GENERAL POPE'S CAMPAIGN.

127

tempted to harass their retreat. They were fiercely repulsed. While the
battle raged, a violent thunder-shower arose, and the artillery of earth met
with a response in the still heavier thunder of the skies. Twilight came,
and the darkness became so thick, and the rain so heavy, that the combat
ants could not distinguish each other, except by the fiashes of the tempest.
General Kearney rode forward to reconnoitre. Passing his own pickets, he
approached so near the rebel force that the bullet of a rifleman pierced his
body, and he fell dead from his horse. The body of this greatly lamented
officer Avas brought in the next day, under a flag of truce. General Bir
ney, assuming the command, ordered a bayonet charge, before which the "
foe retired. On the 2d of September, the Army of Virginia was ordered to with
draw to Alexandria. This rendered it necessary that General Burnside
should evacuate Fredericksburg. Falmouth Station, containing a quan
tity of commissary stores, and three bridges across the Eappahannock,
Avere destroyed. Acquia Creek was soon afterwards abandoned, and the
forces removed to Alexandria. Here also were being concentrated the
shattered divisions of General McClellan's once magnificent Army of the
Potomac, to be united with Pope's heroic, exhausted Army of Virginia.

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CHAPTEE XI.
THE VICTORY OP SOUTH MO-pNTAIN AND FALL OF HARPER'S FERRY.
(September 2d to September 12th, 1862.)
The Defence of Washington. — General McClellan in Command. — Invasion of Mary
land. — Slo-w Pursuit of the Poe. — The Rebel Capture of Frederick. — The South
Mountain Range. — Positun of the Enemy. -^Battle of South Mountain. — Death op
General Reno. — Peril of Harper's Ferry. — Its Importance Disbegabded. — Feeble
Defence. — Shameful Surrender.
It was on the 2d of September, 1862, that General Pope was ordered
to fall back upon Washington, where General McClellan had been placed
in charge of the- defences. The army Avas exhausted, dispirited, and shat
tered, by the disastrous issue of Pope's campaign. There seemed to be a
general conviction that a new leader must be chosen to restore confidence
to the army, and to repair these terrible losses. The army in general
called for McClellan. The voice of the people was for some other leader.
As General Pope's army approached Alexandria, General McClellan was
instructed to assume the command, and to assign the troops their positions
for the defence of Washington.
A portion of the rebel troops moved towards Vienna, twelve miles west
of Washington, that they might, by a demonstration near Chain Bridge,
divert attention from the more important movement of General Lee. This
distinguished rebel chief, at the head of a large and victorious army, had
now his choice, either to advance on the fortifications of Washington,
or to move, in overwhelming invasion, upon Maryland and Pennsylvania,
with the hope of capturing both Baltimore and Philadelphia, and perhaps
of uniting Maryland with the fortunes of rebeldom.
The prospect of invading the rich and populous districts of the North,
which had not yet felt the scourge of war, wa^ very inviting. If success
ful, a boundless amount of plunder might be obtained ; Maryland might
be detached from the loyal States ; the Northern sympathizers with the
rebellion would be emboldened to adopfmore vigorous measures to thwart
the Government, and the Enghsh Government would find the excuse it
was so eagerly seeking, to recognize the slaveholding despotism.
Animated by these prospects. General Lee did not wait to refresh his
troops after the hard fighting which they had encountered, but on Sunday,
August 31st, while his advance was still engaged with a portion of Pope's
^rmy near Centreville, he moved Avith the main body of his troops to- ,
wards Leesburg. Thence, rapidly traversing the eastern slope of the BuU
Mountain range, he crossed the Potomac at Noland's Ford. Pushing vig
orously along the western banks of the Monocacy Eiver, on the ni^ht of

THE VICTORY OP SOUTH fiOUNTAIN. 129
September 5th the advance reached White Oak Springs, three miles from
the city of Frederick, and forty-seven miles from Centreville. Frederick is
considered the second city in Maryland in commercial importance, and the
third in population, containing about 6,000 inhabitants. The announce
ment of the approach of a large rebel force filled the city with consterna
tion. There was but one company of soldiers stationed there ; no resist
ance could be offered. Many of the inhabitants fied towards Baltimore
and Pennsylvania. The surgeon in charge of the military hospital suc
ceeded in removing aU but one hundred and twenty of the patients to Bal
timore, and in destroying nearly all the medical stores.
About ten o'clock in the morning of September 6th, the advance-guard
of the rebel army, under " Stonewall " , Jackson, entered Frederick unop
posed. They numbered three thousand men, well provided with artillery,
many of the pieces having been captured from the patriots in their recent
, battles. The appearance of the rebel soldiers was pitiable. Their clothes
of gray homespun were so soiled and ragged, as to be revolting both to the
eye and the nostril. They were nearly all barefooted, and they were not
accompanied by any baggage-train. Both officers and men presented an
aspect so filthy and beggarly, that even the secessionists, who had joyfully
hailed their approach, turned from them in disgust. The men were, how
ever, under very rigid discipline. The butt of a pistol, or a sabre blow,
were the words of warning and command to any who violated the law of
their superior's. Stragglers were mercilessly shot, and the least offence
was visited with severest punishment.
The rebels, much to their disappointment, met with a cold reception.
They had fully expected that the community of slaveholding Maryland
would rally round them as deliverers. On the contrary, the citizens
avoided them, but few Confederate fiags were displayed, and Union senti
ments were freely avowed. One man, to whom the rebel scrip was offered, in
dignantly replied : " The name of the Confederacy depreciates even the
value of the blank paper upon which that name is printed," On the Sun
day following the entrance of the rebels into the city, the churches were
opened as usual. General Jackson attended, a part of the day, the church
at which the Eev. Dr. Zacharias officiated. The heroic and faithful pastor,
in a firm voice, prayed for the President of the United States, in the pres
ence of the rebel General.
On Monday, the Sth, General Lee issued a proclamation to the people of
Maryland, urging them, traitorously, to cast off their allegiance to the Gov
ernment of the United States, and to join the rebels. He assured them of
the co-operation of his army to aid them to sever the ties which bound
them to the Union, but that he would not attempt to force them to meas
ures which they could not volimtarily adopt. There was no response
whatever to this appeal. The Marylanders, unseduced, remained true to
their country. At the same time, Governor Bradford issued a proclama
tion, calling upon the citizens to rise in defence of their homes, and to
form suitable organizations to render effectual aid to the National Govern
ment, whose armies could alone protect them.
In the southern coxmties of Pennsylvania, the greatest excitement and
Vol- II.— 9

130 CIVit WAR IN AMERICA
alarm prevailed. The farmers collected their wives, children, and cattle,
and sent them for safety into the northern counties, while they remained to
defend their homesteads and to repel the invaders. Far and near stores
were closed, alarm-bells were rung, mass-meetings gathered, and, after a
few words of consultation, the men organized immediately for drill.
On the 10th, Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, issued a proclamation,
calling upon every able-bodied man in the State to be ready for immediate
service. The next day came another order, calling for fifty thousand vol
unteers to hasten to meet the foe upon the border. Harrisburg was ap
pointed as the place of rendezvous. Philadelphia was called upon to send
promptly twenty thousand men to the Susquehanna, in company organiza
tion. " Stir up your population tp-night," was the urgent appeal of Gov
ernor Curtin to the Mayor. The words fiashed over the telegraph
wires, and, before the stars came out, were known to almost every intel
ligent man throughout the Keystone State. Seventy-five thousand men
were rapidly gathered on the Susquehanna, which formed the natural line
of defence against the approaching hordes from rebeldom. Harrisburg,
the capital of the State, was crowded with troops, who were concentrated
there by* the various railroads.
But the Pennsylvania militia, in this trying hour, were not left without
the active sympathy and efficient aid of the sister States. Troops who had
already volunteered, under the first call of the President for three hundred
thousand men, were pressed on to Washington, there to relieve veteran
soldiers in the intrenchments, who were hurried forward to the threatened
capital of Pennsylvania. Eecruiting offices throughout the Northern
States were thronged with men eager to rush to the scene of conflict.
Thus this rebel invasion gave new occasion for the exhibition of the
Avonderful capacities of the American people to defend their homes and
sustain their Government. When the first guns of rebellion echoed over
the land, seventy-five thousand volunteers sprang to arms. As the alarm
shot along the telegraph wires that Pennsylvania was threatened with in
vasion, seventy-five thousand men instantly rushed from their farms, their
stores, and their work-shops, to repel the intruders.
While these hurried movements in raising volunteers for self-defence
were in progress in the Border States, public confidence found its chief re
liance in the veteran Army of the Potomac, which, under its former leader,
was promptly ordered by the President to the pursuit of its old foe. Gen
eral McClellan was ordered to advance immediately, -with all the forces hot
needed for the defence of Washington. He moved his army up the west
ern bank of the Potomac, hoping to cut Lee's army in two, by separating
that portion which had crossed the river from the troops which remained
on the Virginia side. Indeed, it was still uncertain how far the invasion
of Maryland Avas a feint, with the design of Avithdrawing the troops from
Washington, that the Capital might be exposed defenceless to the main
body of Lee's army. There was, moreover, the utmost need of dispatch,
that the rebels might be overtaken and their true designs ascertained.
Most of the troops of General McClellan were in motion on the Sth.
The First 'Corps, under General Hooker, and the Ninth, under General

THE VICTORY OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 131
Eeno, forming the right wing, commanded by General Burnside. While
thelineof the Potomac was carefully guarded to protect Washington, massive
divisions of the army advanced, by several nearly parallel roads, in the di
rection of Frederick. With all the lower part of the river in our posses
sion, the rebels could only cross by the upper fords, at a great distance from
Washington. But little reliance could be placed upon the new levies who
had so enthusiastically rushed to our National banner. They were but
poorly prepared to meet the veteran legions of Lee. The only power
which could effectually check the progress of the invaders was in the
hands of General McClellan. With characteristic caution he moved, and
so slowly as to provoke very severe criticism. This advance, in pursuit of
the fleet-footed foe, was at the rate of but seven miles a day. In the fol
lowing words. General McClellan gives his justification for his slow and
cautious advance : —
"During these movements I had not imposed long marches on the
columns. The absolute necessity of refitting and giving some little rest to
troops worn down by previous long-continued marching and severe fight
ing, together with uncertainty as to the actual position, strength, and
intentions of the enemy, rendered it incumbent upon me to move slowly
and cautiously until I reached Urbanna, where I first obtained reliable in
formation that the enemy's object was to move on Harper's Ferry and the
Cumberland Valley; and not upon Baltimore, Washington, or Harris
burg." , '
The number of the rebel army, at the lowest estimate, was sufficient to
indicate a bold and heavy stroke at the North. It was the majestic move
ment of ah army ; not the dashing raid of a few brigades. When the
National troops left Washington, on the 5th, the rebels had already crossed
the Potomac, at Noland's Ford, in force. On the 6th they entered Freder
ick, the capital of the State. On the Sth, General Lee issued from that
city his proclamation to the inhabitants of the State. The main body of
his army encamped, from the 6th to the 10th, near Frederick ; while his
advance, on the 10th, entered Hagerstown, nearly thirty miles northwest
from Frederick, from which point all the detached commands were ap
pointed to rendezvous.
On the 12th, two days after the rebels evacuated Frederick, General
McClellan's advance entered the city. On the 13th, the main body of the
patriot army passed through the streets, enthusiastically cheered by the
citizens. On the same day, Pleasanton's cavalry drove the scattering rear
forces, of the rebels over the Catoctin Hills, and opened the main route of
pursuit to the base of South Mountain Eange. Here the hostile armies
were again to meet, and try their strength on Union soil. When General
Lee found himself pursued, having recruited his worn and half-starved
troops on the fertile fields of Meriden, he put his army again on the march.
To secure his line of retreat, and to gain an important position for defence,
he resolved to capture Harper's Ferry, which was not strongly garrisoned.
He accordingly ordered " Stonewall " Jackson to recross the Potomac at
Sharpsburg, to cut off the retreat of the garrison. Another strong division
was sent directly towards Harper's Ferry, to take possession of Maryland

132 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Heights, which commanded the post. To make sure of the capture,
another rebel division crossed below the ferry. Having captured this
stronghold, the divisions were immediately to return, and rejoin the main
body of the rebel army in its march into Pennsylvania. It was while this
large number of the enemy were thus separated from the main body, that
McClellan made the attack on Lee, which resulted in the decided Union
victory of South Mountain.
The rebels had chosen a fine military position on the sides and summit
of this range, which is a continuation of the Blue Eidge. As there were
but few practical passes through the mountains, they offered a very strong
natural barrier to the advance of the National forces. The two principal
passes. Turner's Gap and Crampton's Gap, but five miles from each other,
are easily defended. The former, through which the rebels mainly passed,
is twelve miles from Frederick, and three from Middletown, on the Hagers-
toAvn turnpike. The lower pass was important, as defending the rebel
fiank. Turner's Gap was held by about forty thousand rebel troops, -with
twelve pieces of artiUery, under Longstreet and Hill. Crampton Gap was
occupied by another rebel force under Cobb. Both of these passes were,
however, carried on the same day, in two distinct engagements, one of
which was conducted by General McCleUan, and the other by General
FrankUn. The engagement at Turner's Gap was brought on by a recon
noissance of Pleasanton's cavalry, which, being wgll supported by infantry,
developed into a stubbornly contested assault of the enemy's position.
At six o'clock, Sunday morning, September 14th, a portion ofthe Ninth
Army Corps was ordered to support General Pleasanton, who, with a
brigade of cavalry and several pieces of artillery, was moving up towards
the rebels on the Hagerstown turnpike. The rebels slowly feU back
towards the mountain, where they were ascertained to be in such force as
to require a more Adgorous attack.
South Mountain, at Turner's Gap, is about one thousand feet high.
Its steep sides are of difficult ascent, on account of the numerous ledges and
loose rocks, which give no steady foothold. Being thickly covered with
forest from bottom to top, except an occasional clearing for pasture, or a
cornfield, they presented a hazardous front to ah attacking column.
The rebels were posted on each side of the gap and within the pass,
commanding by their artUlery every acre ofthe plain at the foot ofthe moun
tain. About a mile and a half from the gap, on the main road from Mid
dletown, is the little vUlage of Bolivar, numbering six or eight houses. At
this point two roads diverge from either side of the turnpike, each taking
a circuitous route, gradually ascending the mountain untU they meet at the
summit. The different divisions, which early in the morning had been put in
readiness for battle, came into position about eight o'clock, and began to
move up the tumpUse from beyond MiddletoAvn. The Ninth Corps, under
General Eeno, proceeded in two columns to Bolivar, and there turned off
by the road on the left of the turnpike. Here, on rising ground in front
of the village, a Une of battle was formed. Since seven o'clock A. M.,

THE VICTORY OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 133
Eobertson's United States battery of four pieces, stationed six hundred
yards to the left of the road, had been fruitlessly engaged in attempting to
draw the rebel fire, and discover his position. When the infantry appeared
on the main road, two rebel pieces in the gap opened on the column,
which, however, escaped injury by turning out to its. appointed position on
the left. Two more rebel batteries were soon at work, which werp replied
to by additional guns on our side. A heavy cannonading ensued, which
lasted till ten o'clock.
Soon after this, the rebel pieces were silenced for a while, tiU onr in
fantry began the assault ; at which time the patriot batteries concentrated
such a vigorous fire upon the gap, that the rebels, after having been three
times forced to change the position of their guns, finally, late in the after
noon, -withdrew.them. It was manifest from this artillery duel that the
rebels were not to be easUy driven from the crest ofthe hill. About eleven
o'clock, a division of Ohio troops, under General Cox, had been ordered
forward, -vrith assurance from General Eeno that the diAdsion should be
supported by the whole corps. In a few moments General Cox began to
enter the woods at the base of the mountain, in order, if possible, to turn
the enemy's right on the crest. At this time Generals McClellan and
Burnside, accompanied by their staffs, rode upon the field, where they
remained during the day, watching and directing the issues of the battle. *
The first brigade, under Colonel Scammon, was in the advance, with a
weU-extended front. The second brigade of Colonel Crook marched in
column of reserve, the whole line being well covered" by skirmishers. The
Twenty-third Ohio, on the left of the advance, ere long succeeded in
reaching the summit. There they encountered the Twenty-fifth North
Carolina. As usual, in aU such stern hand-to-hand confficts, the chivalry
were beaten down by the sturdy blows of the hardy Northern troops. The
Carolinians were effectually routed, and many of them were taken prison
ers. So deadly, however, was their animosity to the Western soldiers, that
-with impotent rage they broke their muskets against the trees before sur
rendering. At one time, four pieces of artillery, which had been pushed
in front of the division to shell the woods, were exposed to capture by the
rebels, who had driven, in a panic, back through our Unes two companies
whfch had been sent to support the battery. This event caused a momen
tary confusion ; but the troops soon rallied, and a terrible conflict ensued
for the possession of the guns. After fighting for some time, within ten
feet of each other, the rebels, overpowered, retreated in confusion, while
the woods resounded Avith the victorious cheers of the patriots.
On the centre of General Cox's line of attack, the Twelfth Ohio were
obliged to pass over several hundred yards of open pasture-ground, entirely
exposed to the rebel fire from behind stone fences, and from the woods which
crowned the summit of the ridge. The field was promptly cleared of the
hostile pickets by our skirmishers ; then, at the word of command, the
whole regiment, with loud huzzas, rushed up the slope upon the rebels,
whose ranks stood firm, until but a few feet separated them from their assail
ants, when they broke, and sought shelter in a dense wood on the other
side of the ridge. The Second and Twenty-fifth Ohio were then brought

134 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
up, and, uniting with their victorious friends of the Twelfth and Thirty-
sixth, by another briUiant charge repeUed the vigorous attempts of the foe
to regain the crest.
Two ten-pounder Parrotts, of Simmons's battery, were now pushed for
ward lo an open field, where they did good service for the rest of the day,
forcing the enemy's guns to retire. They, however, occupied a new posi
tion near our right and front, whUe the rebel columns began to move
towards both our flanks. Thus the engagement stood about noon, there
being a general cessation of infantry firing for two hours, during which the
cannonading became less brisk, and finaUy ceased.
Early in the afternoon Union reenforcements began to an-ive. While
they were taking their positions, the rebels made another desperate en
deavor to regain the ridge which they had lost. As soon as the fresh
troops could be brought into position. General Eeno ordered the whole
line to advance. His order was received with enthusiasm, and obeyed
with alacrity. The rebels fought with their accustomed determination,
charging fiercely on the advancing patriot Unes ; but their onset was Uke
that of the billow upon the rock. In this heroic advance of the patriots,
Wilcox's Division suffered greatly, being much exposed to a rebel battery.
General Sturgis, in reserve, was ordered up to assist Wilcox to repel these
¦tremendous assaults, which, as the afternoon waned, were renewed briskly
on the right and on the left. Their last attack was sustained by General
Sturgis for an hour, when, at eight o'clock, the rebels, baffled, exhausted,
and bleeding, suUenly retired.
A little before sunset. General Eeno feU mortally wounded by a musket-
ball. His command devolved upon Brigadier-General Cox, who had han
dled his troops with great skUl during the day. The exultation of the
patriots, in view of their success, was subdued by deep sorrow for the loss
of General Eeno, one of our best and most heroic men.
As he received the wound, which he instantly knew was mortal, he
said, " Boys, I can be with you no longer in, body ; but I am Avith you in
spirit." In the foUoAving order. General Burnside paid a just tribute to
his character :
" The Commanding General announces to the corps the death of their
late leader, Major-General Jesse L. Eeno. By the death of this di^in-
guished officer, the country loses one of its most devoted patriots, the army
one of its most thorough soldiers. In the long Ust of battles which General
Eeno has fought in his country's service, his name always appears with
the brightest lustre^ and he has now bravely met a soldier's death, while
gaUantly leading his men at the battle of South Mountain. For his high
character, and the kindly qualities of his heart in private life, as weU as
for his nulitary genius and personal daring which' marked him as a soldier,
his loss will be deplored by all who knew him : and the Commanding
General desires to add the tribute of a friend to the pubUc mourning, for
the death of one ofthe country's best defenders."
Early in the afternoon, the head of General Hooker's column appeared,
coming uj) the turnpike ; it wheeled to the right at Bolivar, foUoAving the
branch road to the base of the mountain. From this point General Hooker

THB VICTORY OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 135
sent General Meade, with the Pennsylvania Ecserves, to attack a hiU on
the right of the entrance to the gap. Brigadier-General Hatch advanced
upon the left, his right resting upon the road. The Union line, was com
pleted by Eicketts's Division, w)iich formed the extreme right, about one
mile from the main road. The whole Une thus deployed extended nearly
three miles. As soon as the right wing was well formed, at the foot of the
mountain, in a road parallel to the summit, they commenced moving
steadily up the broken sides, driving back the enemy's skirmishers till the
Pennsylvanians, under General Meade, encountered the main force, with
whieh they were soon hotly engaged. The rattling fire of musketry was
immediately foUowed by heavy volleys roUing along the hillsides, indicat
ing the stern strife of armies.
The patriot forces pressed vigorously on, determined to win the crest.
-Mong the lines of the Pennsylvania Eeserves, and the first brigade of
Eicketts's Division, not a straggler was to be seen. With unbroken front
they advanced, pouring voUey after voUey of Minie balls into the rebel
ranks. The foe met them with equal spirit ; after a fight of about half an
hour, the rebels were forced back in confusion towards the summit. Here
they made a short stand; but were again driven back, and then precipitately,
and in disorder, rushed down the western sides of the mountain.
WhUe these scenes were transpiring on the right. General Hatch was
performing similar feats on the left. Patrick's Brigade was employed as
skirmishers^ and ascended the mountain till they drew the fire of the enemy
and developed his position. The rebels were posted behind a fence running
along the crest, -with woods in front, and a cornfield, full of rocky ledges,
in the rear. Following Patrick's skirmishers, at a distance of thirty paces,
was Phelps's Brigade. Behind Phelps, at a short interval, was Doubleday,
with his men in Une of battle.
As soon as the rebels were -discovered in force, Phelps's Brigade rushed
into the fight with loud cheers, pressed on by General Hatch. The foe
could not long withstand their deadly fire and vigorous onset ; they were
soon driven from behind the fence ; and the patriots rushing on, took posi
tion some yards beyond. In this charge General Hatch was wounded, and
the command of the division devolved on General Doubleday, whose bri
gade, falling first to the command of Colonel WaiuAvright, of the Seventy-
sixth New Tork, after he was disabled, was commanded by Lieutenant-
Colonel Hoffinan, of the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania. This brigade, at dusk,
was ordered to reUeve Phelps's troops, who were severely handled in this
action. Doubleday's men were not more than one thousand in number. A
rebel prisoner reported that there were four or five thousand of the enemy
who assaUed them, supported by a strong reserve. The patriots, however,
sheltered themselves behind the fence which they had captured, and by an
incessant fire kept the rebels at bay, though they were in this great force
at but thirty or forty yards distance. Fortunately, as the rebels were checked
in their massive strength, the gathering shades of evening concealed the
weakness of the patriot line before them. They made frequent attempts
to charge, but were invariably repulsed.

136 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
At length our troops were ordered to -withhold their fire, and to Ue
doATO behind the fence. This was the signal for the rebels, with their
customary yells, to rush forward in a charge, which they doubted not would
be successful. They were allowed to approach, without receiving a shot,
to Avithin fifteen paces, when the patriots sprang to their feet and poured
in upon the rebel ranks such a staggering storm of lead, that the whole
line reeled, as if smitten by thunder-bolts, turned, and fled. The ground
behind them was covered Avith their slain. In vain Longstreet endeavored
to rally his men to a new attack, calling them his " pets," and using every
incentive Avithin his power. The firing, however, still continued on both
sides,- the combatants aiming in the twilight at the flashes of each other's
guns. The ammunition of the patriots was becoming exhausted, only two
or three cartridges remaining in their boxes. At this juncture. General
Eieketts came from the right and voluntarily relieved Doubleday's exhausted
brigade, which fell back but a few paces and laid down on their arms.
The rebels now attempted to flank our left, but were repulsed with
heavy loss by Colonel Wainwright, with the Seventh Indiana. While the
main attack was going on at the fence, there was a spirited contest for
another fence near by, which bounded the northeast side of the cornfield.
Two regiments, the Twenty-first and Twenty-second New Tork, had
anticipated the rebels and secured here a valuable position, just in time to
prevent the rush of the rebels towards the same spot. Colonel Eogers, of
the Twenty-first, held his post firmly, and drove back the foe, completely
silencing one of their batteries, by picking off the gunners.
The contest in front continued about thirty minutes after the arrival of
General Eicketts's men. The heavy firing of these reenforcements dis
heartened the rebels, who fell back and soon abandoned their position, fly
ing in disorder doAvn the mountain-side. Here, as on the left and all along
the line, our victorious troops slept upon their arms, not deeming it safe to
endeavor to ascertain the position of the enemy untU morning.
It was nine o'clock in the evening before this engagement at Turner's
Gap had ceased. It proved, however, a decisive victory for the patriots.
The rebels tad the advantage both of position and in the number of troops
engaged. The mountain-sides which they held were densely wooded, and
covered Avith loose rocks and sUppery ledges. Their artillery was in com
manding positions to sweep the open plain which the patriots were to cross
before they could reach the mountain. Notwithstanding this, their batteries
were repeatedly sUenced by our artUlery, in an inferior position. In infantry
fighting, the patriots were signally successful against great odds. During
the confiict ' the National loss was three hundred and twenty-eight killed,
fourteen hundred and sixtj^-three Avounded and missing. That of the rebels
was estimated at three thousand in all.
A similar success attended the National arms at Crampton's Gap, and
one Avhich, for the advance of our army and the reUef it promised to the
garrison at Harper's Ferry, was of no less importance. Major-General
Franklin, following the Une of the Potomac, on Saturday, the 13th, reached
Sugar Loaf Mountain, and drove out the enemy's cavalry, who were
occupying it as a signal station. The next morning, as they approached

THE VICTORY OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 137
Birkinsville, a smaU vUlage near the gap, they encountered the rebel
pickets, and almost immediately a rebel battery opened upon the advancing
Une. The place selected for the attack was very simUar to Turner's Gap,
and the engagement commenced about the same hour with General Eeno's
forward movement, which has been described. The rebels held the right
on either side of the pass through the mountain. Slocum's Division occupied
the right of the Union line, while his left was covered by General Smith's
Division. Slocum's three brigades were ordered to charge up the heights
on the right. They obeyed Avith alacrity, and soon came upon a small
body of the enemy posted behind a stone waU, which ran along near the
base of the mountain. Here, in a hand-to-hand conflict of nearly an hour,
the rebels firmly stood their ground, till, yielding to the steady pressure of
our dauntless soldiers, they were routed and driven up the accUvity.
Ha-ving reached the higher ground where their battery was stationed, they
turned upon our troops, panting in thefr pursuit up the slope. But unable
to resist the impetuosity of the patriot assault, they again retreated, with-
draAving their artUlery en echelon, ' till they gained the summit of the
ridge, where they were prepared to make a still more determined stand.
Flushed Avith success, the Union troops, closing up their greatly diminished
ranks, stUl preserved their Une of attack, and rushed, in a brUliant charge,
upon the strong front of the foe. Then another desperate struggle en
sued, the rebels defending their position Avith the utmost persistence.
Their artUlery rendered efficient serAdce, causing many a Union soldier to
moisten the sod with his heart's blood.
While the right of the National forces was thus steadily forcing the
hiU, Brooks's and Irvin's Brigades were driving the foe, with equal suc
cess, up the slope on the left: The volleys of musketry answered each
other from either side of the gorge, amidst the deeper reverberations of
artiUery, in the pauses of which might be heard the thunders of the
distant battle at Turner's Gap. At length, on right and left, the rebels
could no longer Avithstand the series of spirited charges which the patriot
Boldiers made, and breaking, they fled in great disorder, over and down
the moimtain-sides. They left in the hands of the victors four hundred
prisoners, four regimental colors, one cannon, and three thousand stand
of arms. The individual feats of heroism in these close encounters can never
be recounted, except by the actors themselves. Equal praise seems to
belong to each body of troops who thus daringly engaged the foe. Among
others, the brigades of Torbett and Newton were specially commended for
their activity and courage, the former having displayed in their final
charge, under the terrible fire of the enemy, courage rarely equalled. The
seizure of Crampton's Gap exposed the flank of Lee's army, and opened
to the Union forces Pleasant Valley, where General Franklin was within
about six miles of Harper's Ferry, and into which place he could easily
throw reenforcements.
As soon as it was ascertained that .the rebels had abandoned the South
Mountain range, the National cavalry started in pursuit. They were
foUowed by the corps of Sumner, Hooker, and Mansfield, with all possible

138 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
dispatch, along the Boonesboro' turnpike. Burnside and Porter, with
their corps, were ordered to move by the old Sharpsburg road. Franklin
pressed down Pleasant Valley, in the endeavor to reUeve Harper's Ferry.
On Monday morning, the 15th, General Franklin, on his march to Harper's
Ferry, encountered a superior force of the enemy, strongly posted to arrest
his advance. As but two of his divisions had arrived, he did not consider
himself strong enough to attack the foe.
For two days a very severe cannonading had been heard at Harper's
Ferry, indicating the fury of the conflict which was raging there. About
eight o'clock in the morning, the roar of the distant battle died away into
perfect silence, announcing, too plainly, that the important post had
fallen into the hands of the rebels. The sad and humiliating intelligence
of the surrender was conflrmed during the forenoon. The victory of
South Mountain was so soon foUoAved by this heavy reverse, as to obscure
the glory which should' justly attach to it. On the llth of September,
General McCleUan, from his head-quarters at Eockville, had telegraphed
General Halleck : '^Colonel Miles is at or near Harper's Ferry, I under
stand, with near nine thousand troops. He can do nothing where he is,
but could be of great service if ordered to join me. I suggest that he he
at once ordered to join me by the most practicable route."
To this General Halleck returned the immediate reply : " There is
no way for Colonel Miles to join you at present. The only chance is to
defend his works until you can open communication with him. When
you can do so, he will be subject to your orders."
On the same day in which these telegrams passed. General McClellan
wrote a letter urging that Miles's Division, and also that two or three of
the corps which were defending Washington, should be sent to his aid.
He adds the extraordinary statement : " Even if Washington should le
talcen while these armies are confronting each other, this would not, in
my judgment, bear comparison with the ruin and disaster which would
follow a single defeat of this army."
In a prompt reply to this letter on the 13th, General Halleck wrote,
that since General Porter, the day previous, had taken over twenty thou
sand troops from the defence of Washington, to join the Army of the
Potomac, and others had also been withdrawn, no more troops could in
safety be sent, until there should be fresh arrivals from the North. He also
suggested that General McClellan attached too little value to the Capital.
A large supply of ammunition, artillery, and stores had been col
lected at Harper's Ferry, and the garrisons at Winchester and Martinsburg
had also been ordered to report to Colonel MUes. There was at that
time no possibility of evacuating the post Avithout immense loss of the
munitions of war; neither Avas it possible for the garrison then, in the face
ofthe swarming enemy, to effect a junction with General McClellan. To
relieve this beleaguered post, and thus to assume the command ofthe
troops hedged up there, Avas apparently one of the most imperative duties
then devolving upon the commander-in-chief. Eight days, however
elapsed, bjef ore that relief Avas within five miles of the besieged garrison.
The distance from Washington to Harper's Ferry is flfty-seven miles.

THE VICTORY OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 139
More than a month before this. Colonel Miles, an experienced army
officer, who was in command at Harper's Ferry, received orders from
General Wool, in whose department he was, to fortify Maryland Heights,
across the river, which commanded the post at Harper's Ferry. He dis
regarded the order. The troops here, under Colonel MUes, were mostly
New Tork miUtia, who had been called out for three months, during
Jackson's raid through the valley of the Shenandoah. On the 5th of Sep
tember, Colonel Thomas H. Ford, of the Thirty-Second Ohio, took com
mand of the heights. Patriot troops were also stationed at Solomon's Gap
and Sandy Hook, which were points not far distant, that commanded some
of the most practicable approaches to the position.
Maryland Heights consist of a sharp mountain range, rising several
hundred feet from the eastern banks of the Potomac, and their eastern
extremity terminates about ten mUes distant in black, precipitous,
storm-torn crags. The name of BoUvar Heights is given to an oval-
shaped hiU, -with broad and naked summit, on the Virginia side of the
Potomac. The hamlet of Bolivar is situated on the side of the hiU, while
the little vUlage of Harper's Ferry, consisting mainly of Government work
shops and arsenals, is at its foot. From this village extends the railroad
bridge across the Potomac to the Maryland shore. This bridge had been
already twice burned and reconstructed since the war commenced.
Loudon Heights consist of a steep, thickly-wooded hill, across the Shenan
doah, nearly opposite Maryland Heights. The latter elevation is the key
to Harper's Ferry ; along its base runs a canal; a road constructed with
great labor ascends the Heights from the banks of the Potomac. Near
the summit of Maryland Heights there is a broad plateau, commanding a.
very magnificent view of the Potomac, the Shenandoah, and the opposite
region of Virginia. Here the Union troops had planted, on the edge of
the cUff, heavy siege-guns, among which were two 11-inch Dahlgrens, one
fifty-pounder Parrott, and a battery of hoAvitzers ; these guns commanded
the valley. The only feasible approach for the attack of this position was
from the northern side. With proper barricades, a small force here could
keep quite an army at bay. There was also every faciUty for withstanding
a long siege, since fresh water in abundance poured out from the numerous
springs and brooks on the mountain sides.
When Colonel Ford assumed command of the Heights on the 5th of
September, apprehending an attack, he made requisition on Colonel Miles
for reenforcements, and for the necessary tools to erect defences; the
former were sent, but none of the latter. With a few borrowed axes he
nevertheless constructed a slight breastwork of lo^ on the llth. On this
day the Union tbrce at Solomon's Gap were attacked and driven back by
the enemy. Two divisions of the rebels were on the rapid march for
Maryland . Heights, while another division under Walker was pressing
forward, in forced marches, wa Point of Eocks, to cut off the retreat of
the garrison. They soon reached and took possession of Loudon Heights.
", Stonewall " Jackson, advancing upon Harper's Ferry by Martinsburg,
was on Saturday morning, the 13th, at HaUsto-wn, but four mUes from the

140 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Ferry, and in the most favorable position to cooperate with the other
rebel generals in investing the post.
When Colonel Ford took command at Maryland Heights, he had a
force of artillery, infantry, and cavalry, amounting to fifteen hundred and
fifty men. A reenforcement was soon sent to him of the Garibaldi
Guards, the One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth and the One Hundred and
Fifteenth New Tork, and the Third Maryland Eegiments, increasing his
strength to four thousand. With this force he felt confident that he could
hold his position. The whole force under Colonel Miles on the 12th of
September amounted to thirteen thousand men, the garrisons of Martins
burg and Winchester having fallen back to the Ferry.
Colonel Ford's troops were stationed at different points on the Heights,
most of them being near the look-out on the summit of the hill. His
force was largely made up of raw militia, without discipline or experience.
Skirmishing commenced on Friday, near the crest, as the enemy approached
by the northern slope. The firing ended at sundown, the Union troops
holding their own. The night was spent in wakeful and anxious expecta
tion of the confiict which the morning would surely introduce. At day
break, on Saturday, the 13th, the National lines were formed about three
hundred yards in front of the barricade. Two companies of the Maryland
Horse Brigade, with the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New Tork, held
the right. The Thirty-first Ohio occupied the front and centre. The Gari
baldi Guard held the extreme left.
At seven o'clock, the rebels opened a sharp musketry fire. They then
twice attempted to charge, but were handsomely repulsed. This fighting
continued for an hour, when the rebels, having been reenforced, advanced
with loud shouts and drums beating the long roll. The inexperienced
troops retreated to the breastworks in great confusion. Colonel Sherrill,
of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New Tork, made the most heroic
efforts to reform his shattered line, but he soon feU severely wounded. As
soon as the regiments gained the shelter of the barricades, some order and
confidence was restored. But again they were thrown into confusion by a
flank movement of the rebels to their left, and tumultuously they retreated
from the breastwork. After an ineffectual endeavor to retake the position,
they fell back to the battery in the rear.
The heavy guns near the crest, from ten o'clock in the morning, were
busily engaged shelling the woods through which the rebels were advan
cing. At two o'clock, to the surprise of all, an order was received from
Colonel Ford to spike the guns. StiU, in disregard of the order, the
fire was continued vigorously until half-past three, when the strange man
date was reluctantly obeyed. In half an hour the troops received another
order from Colonel Ford to Avithdraw from the Heights and abandon them
to the enemy. The regiments retired in good order, but the heart of every
true soldier burned with indignation, at the cowardice and apparent treach
ery of such a movement.
Soon after the patriot forces had descended into the vaUey, the rebels
appeared upon the Heights, above the guns, and hurled down a shower of
ijiusket-balls upon the plain below. Their fire was returned, but with Uttle

THE VICTORY OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 141
effect, untU a shell from a Union battery, near the bridge, put them to a
hasty flight. All fighting in that direction then ceased.
Harper's Ferry was now closely invested by the rebels. Walker's
Division was in possession of Loudon Heights, south of the toAvn. Mc
Laws and Anderson held Maryland Heights. A rebel force was also at
Sandy Hook, whence it could, almost unopposed, approach the Ferry by
the river's course. " Stonewall" Jackson was also at hand, to march upon
the defences at BoUvar Heights, where Colonel Miles had stationed the
largest portion of his troops. The garrison, thus deprived, through im-
beciUty or treachery, of Maiyland Heights, was apparently exposed to
easy capture.
The Army of the Potomac, numbering over seventy thousand men, was
-within twelve mUes of these beleaguered patriots. After the evacuation of
Maryland Heights, oii Saturday night, the 13th, Colonel Miles ordered
Captain Eussell, of the Maryland Cavalry, to endeavor to break through
the rebel Unes, -with a small detachment, and report to General McCleUan,
that Harper's Ferry could not hold out forty-eight hours longer unless im
mediate reUef was given. He succeeded in eluding the enemy, and reached
the head-quarters of the Anny of the Potomac, near Frederick, on Sun
day, at nine o'clock, a. m.
General McClellan immediately dispatched a messenger to General
Franklin, followed by Captain Eussell an hour later, with a communica
tion concerning the desired reenforcements, which was delivered at three
o'clock, p. M. But General Franklin, finding the enemy in force before
him, made no attempt to relieve the beleaguered garrison. ' The morning
of Sunday, 14th, daAvned sUently at Harper's Ferry. But the garrison
every moment expected the opening thunders of hostile artiUery from the
frowning heights, which had so recently surrounded the post with their
friendly protection. No foe was to be seen. The spiked guns and deserted
camps of the patriots remained solitary. The rebels were lying concealed
¦within the mountain forests. Jackson had sent orders to the other rebel
generals to delay the bombardment until he was in position. There were
some indications of an approaching attack from him, which induced the
" National force to form in line of battle, awaiting his approach.
The patriot line was formed behind the breastworks on Bolivar Heights.
Colonel d'Utassy, with his brigade of New Tork and Illinois troops, and
nearly three entire batteries, was on the extreme right. Colonel Trimble's
Brigade, with Eigby's battery, on the left. Brigadier-General JuUus
White, who had recently been in command at Martinsburg, had charge of
the forces at Bolivar Heights. .Upon returning to his former post at Har
per's Ferry, he had unfortunately waived his right to the command, in
courtesy to Colonel Miles, whose age and long experience in the regular
army gave assurance of a gaUant defence of the place.
The forenoon passed without,any hostilities, save the occasional throwing
of a shell from the Union batteries into some suspected spot in the woods.
Hour after hour our forces waited anxiously for the attack. At two
o'clock, two companies of the Garibaldi Guards and two of the Sixty-fifth
Ohio were sent up the Maryland Heights, under Major Wood, wjho

142 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
brought away four brass pieces which had been imperfectly spiked, and a
wagon-load of ammunition. They encountered no opposition in this bold act.
Another hour passed, and the patriots began to hope that the enemy
had been foiled in their plans by some unknown event. But a few minutes
after two o'clock, the thunders of artillery pealed suddenly through the
silent air, from three different points. Maryland Heights and Loudon
Heights and Sandy Hook, were all hurling their missiles of death upon the
little Adllage and the doomed garrison. Soon two other batteries from the
ShepherdstoAvn and CharlestoAvn roads opened their fire. The thickly
flying shot and shell pursued citizen and soldier, alike fleeing for sheltei*
behind rocks and houses. The Union batteries vigorously returned the'
fire, and the Fifth Artillery quickly sUenced the guns on Loudon Heights.
Our forces bravely maintained their position till dusk. Eigby's battery,
whose deadly range provoked a rebel charge about eight o'clock, was hero
ically defended, and the storming party repulsed.
The tempest of war ceased Avith the going down of the sun. During
the night the rebels were busy erecting and strengthening their batteries,
and at five o'clock, on Monday morning, renewed their assaults from seven
different directions, completely enfilading the LTnion lines. Still our artil
lery replied Adgorously for three hours. At seven o'clock. Colonel Miles de
clared to General White that it would be necessary to surrender. At Gen
eral White's suggestion, a council of brigade commanders was called. Col
onel MUes represented that the ammunition of the batteries was exhausted,
and that capitulation was unavoidable. The council approved his inten
tion, -with the exception of Colonel d'Utassy, who declared that he would
never surrender. Our fire now ceased, and the white fiag was raised from
several points over the intrenchments, and General White was dispatched
to arrange terms of capitulation. The rebels, however, continued to fire
for three-quarters of an hour after the flags of surrender were raised, du
ring which time, and even after the terms of surrender had been signed.
Colonel Miles was mortally wounded in the leg by the fragment of a sheU.
Harper's Ferry was thus ingloriously surrendered at nine o'clock, Monday
morning, September 15th. Colonel Miles died the next day.
The mortification and rage of our brave soldiers, when they learned
their fate, was intense. One of the officers, whose battery had silenced the
rebel guns, exclaimed, with tears, "Boys, we have got no country now."
Murmurs and imprecations were heard all along the lines from both offi
cers and men. There was one general cry of indignation throughout the
country, in view of this ignominious sacrifice. But still it was not easy to
decide upon whom the responsibiUty of the shame should faU. The
supineness and neglect of the generals who were commanded to reUeve the
garrison ; the greatly superior force of the besieging army, whose guns
were enfilading the position from different directions ; and the failure of
ammunition, were the most pressing arguments in favor of surrender.
But there was yet hope of reenforcements until the forty-eight hours
had expired, which Umit of endurance Colonel Miles himself had fixed.
Our artiUery was safe from assault, even though its fire were silenced. Our
infantry was in trenches five feet deep, with an abundant supply of car-

THE VICTORY OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN. 143.
tridges. The troops were not discouraged. They had an ample supply of
provisions, and could certainly, under a strong commander, have made a
much more heroic and protracted resistance. The sequel showed of what
immense importance it was to the Union cause that such defence should
have been made. General McClellan would not then have been outnum
bered at Antietam, and General Lee's army, weakened by the absence of
thirty thousand men, detained at Harper's Ferry, could have been attacked
in detail, with the Potomac in its rear.
The terms of capitulation provided that the Union officers should be
suffered to depart on parole, with their side-arms and their private effects.
The common soldiers were also paroled. Eleven thousand five hundred
and eighty-three officers and men were thus surrendered to the rebels.
The rebels also captured six 24-pounder hoAvitzers, twelve 6-pounder Na
poleons, six 3-inch James's riSed cannon, four 24-pounder rifled Parrotts,
and six smooth-bore brass pieces. There were also left, spiked and useless,
on Maryland Heights, two 9-inch Dahlgrens, one 50-pounder Parrott, six
12-pounder hoAvitzers, and four common rough guns — a total of forty -seven
pieces. The Unionists also lost seveil thousand five hundred stand of
£(rms, forty thousand rounds of cartridges, fifty rounds of canister-shot,
and six days' rations for twelve thousand men. The National loss in killed
and wounded was reported at about two hundred. The rebel loss was
estimated by their oavu officers at fifteen hundred.
All the cavalry, numbering two thousand three hundred, escaped on
Sunday night, cutting their way through the rebel lines by the Sharpsburg
road. They captured, on their route, Longstreet's train of a hun
dred wagons, and nearly a hundred prisoners. The greatest praise is due
to Colonel Davies, of the Eighth New Tork Cavalry, whose persistent de
mands upon Colonel Miles for permission to attempt to escape, united with
his gallant leadership, saved to the Government this valuable corps, vrith
whose horses and equipments, Jackson had hoped to refurnish his jaded
and forlorn squadrons.
According to the careful judgment of the investigating committee ap
pointed by Congress, Harper's FeiTy was prematurely surrendered. It
was proved that Colonel Miles had failed to fortify Maryland Heights,
when ordered to do so one month previous to the surrender ; that, in view
of an attack, he had withheld from Colonel Ford reenforcements and the
necessary means for throwing up barricades ; that Avithout sufficient cause
he permitted these Heights, which he acknowledged to the officers as
the only defensible position of the post, to be abandoned on the 13th ; that
he frequently paroled rebel officers and prisoners during the siege, sending
them to the rebel head-quarters, where they could communicate the exact
state of the garrison and of the fortifications ; that he had, when their
abandonment was announced, only expressed the fear that it was " too
soon;" that he had alleged, in refusing to allow the infantry to escape
with the cavalry, that he had no instructions to defend the Ferry to the
last extremity ; and that this refusal was speedily followed by the surrender
of this large force, -without any attempt to form a junction with General
Franklin, who was so near to him.

144 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA
Colonel MUes was a veteran officer in the service of his country. He
had fallen mortally wounded. Still, the above recorded facts compeUed
the committee to the decision, which their sympathies rendered as mild as
possible, that his conduct " exhibited an incapacity amounting almost to
imbecility." The indignant voice of the pubUc was, that it was an act of
t'feason. Colonel Ford was also convicted of having shoAvn, in his defence of
Maryland Heights, such a lack of military capacity as to disqualify him,
in the opinion of the commission, for a command in the service. In
accordance with their report. Colonel Ford and other officers were dis
missed from the service by the President. This punishment would have
seemed almost too lenient for his commanding officer, had not the singular
providence of his death summoned him before another tribunal to answer
for his part in this humiUation of the National arms, and the grave conse
quences which followed.
Hardly were the terms of surrender signed, when the rebel force of
twenty thousand exultant troops .were hurrying away, in rapid march, to sup
port General Lee at Antietam. The victory at South Mountain, brilliant
as it was, scarcely atoned for the National reverse at Harper's Ferry, thfe
result certainly of delay, stupidity, and cowardice, to which, perhaps, is to
be added treason.

CHAPTER XII.
BATTLE OP ANTIETAM.
From September 15th to September 23d, 1862.
FmsT Position of the Rebels. — Preparations for the Battle. — The Field of Battle.—
Forces on either Side. — Opening op the Battle. — Heroism op Hooker's Division. — In
cidents op the Battle. — General Burnside's Charge. — The Indecisive Victory.— The
RbIirement op the Foe. — Remonstrances of Officers. — Great Errors.
Immediately after the victoryof South Mountain, the main body of the
National army pressed on in pursuit of the retreating rebels. They had
fallen back in the direction of the Potomac, and, with concentrated force,
had selected a strong position near Sharspburg. Here they intrenched
themselves ; the memorable battle of Antietam soon ensued. In the pur
suit, our cavalry advance engaged a body of the rebel cavalry at Boonesboro',
and put them to fiight, with a loss of two hundred and fifty prisoners and
two guns.
AU the corps of the National Army were, on Monday, September
15th, marching upon Sharpsburg, except Franklin's, which was left to hold
the enemy in check at Brownsville. The subordinate generals had re
ceived instructions from their Commander-in-Chief, that if the enemy were
met in force, and weU posted, the troops were to be placed in position for
attack, and then to await his arrival Eichardson's Division was in ad
vance, and found the enemy deployed a few miles beyond KeedysvUle, on
ground fronting the position they really intended to hold, and where their
Unes were then forming. When General McClellan reached the front, on
the afternoon of the 15th, he found the divisions of Eichardson in position,
and the remainder of the column halted on the main road.
He deemed it too late to make an attack, and the remainder of the day
and night was spent in preparation for battle on the morrow. The patriot
force was massed on each side of the Sharpsburg road. The whole night
was spent in moving the troops to their appointed stations. The morning
light revealed the forces of Lee, formed behind the sheltering crests of the
mountain, and in the woods which covered the broken ground, where they
were determined to make a desperate stand.
Along the western banks of the Antietam Eiver, there runs, Avith a
gradual rise of undulating ground, a crescent-shaped ridge, presenting its
concave side to the river. The top of this ridge spreads out into a broad
table-ground of forests and ravines. A series of timber- covered hills sur
rounded this ridge; some of the adjacent hills had been cleared of the
forest, and were covered with orchards and cornfields, en closed. Avith fences
Vol. n.— 10

battle-gkound of antietam.

BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 14Y
of rails, or stone ; behind this ridge runs the road from Hagerstown to
Sharpsburg and ShepherdstoAvn. Sharpsburg is just in the rear of the
ridge. Along these hUls the rebel Unes were posted, four miles in extent. Their
position was exceedingly strong, protected by ravines and forests. Every
commanding crest was crowned Avith guns, and the forests were planted
thick with a sudden growth of bristling bayonets. The rebel lines of re
treat, should retreat be found necessary, were unobstructed by the roads
in their rear. The extreme right of the rebel Unes was within three-fourths
of a mile of the Potomac ; in front, and along their left fiank, was the
Antietam, winding through a wooded ravine, Avith banks too high and with
waters too deep to permit a crossing, except at two fords, at some distance
from each other. Between these distant fords there were three bridges : on
the right, the centre, and the left of the rebel lines. These bridges were
aU strongly guarded.
To the Union troops, the nature of the ground held by the rebels was
very deceptive ; the waving corn, the smoothly-ploughed fields, the trees,
of stunted groAvth, and the deeper forests, which covered the gradual slopes,
concealed the crags, the precipices, the gullies, and the tangled jungles,
through which the patriots must force their way, under a withering fire of
artillery and musketry, before they could reach the rebel Unes. General
Lee had AveU chosen his position ; and he had not a doubt that he could
defend it.
The patriot troops were on the east side of the Antietam, behind a low
range of hUls lying at the base of the Blue Eidge. These eminences were
generally commanded by the heights held by the rebels. Here our Unes
were extended and our batteries massed. During most of the day of Tues
day, September 16th, General McClellan was employed reconnoitring the
ground, posting his troops, and forming his plan of attack. The two com
bined armies, amounting to one hundred and seventy thousand men, gazed
quietly at eaeh other, awaiting Avith impatience and anxiety the terrible
shock of battle which was impending. There were, perhaps needful, but
certainly very deplorable delays, which enabled the foe to bring up power
ful reenforcements, and greatly to strengthen their position. When our
troops arrived on the east of the Antietam, they were ninety thousand in
number ; and the rebels but fifty thousand. Twenty-four precious hours
were spent in preparing for the battle, during which time many ot tke
positions of the enemy were rendered almost impregnable, and " Stone-
waU" Jackson joined Lee with his powerful troops; and other reenforce
ments were also enabled to arrive during the battle.*
At four o'clock in the afternoon of Tuesday, the 16th, General Hooker's
Corps was ordered to cross the Antietam, by the upper bridge, on the
* "My plan for the Impending general engagement waa, to attack the enemy's left -with the
corps of Hooker and Mansfield, supported by Sumner's, and?- if necessary, by Franklin's ; and, as
soon as matters looked favorable there, to move the corps of Burnside against the enemy's ex
treme right, upon the ridge running to the south and rear of Sharpsburg ; and, hfving carried
their position, to press along the crest towards our right ; and, whenever either of thpse flank
movements should be successful, to advance our centre with all the forces then disposabia.' —
General McCl^cm't Report.

148 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
HagerstOAvn road, and by the ford above it. The movement was effected
and the height gained on the right bank of the stream, Avithout opposition. ,
Pressing forward in this direction to gain the fiank of the foe, they en
countered an unexpected storm of grape and canister, which compeUed
them to fall back. Again they advanced in more formidable array, with
batteries in front, supported by infantry, while skirmishers were sent out
on either fiank. The ground over which they marched was hilly and
somewhat cultivated with cornfields and meadows, interspered with woods
and ravines.
As the column was approaching an open pasture, enclosed on two sides
by woods, and protected by a hill on the right, the skirmishers on the
flanks were assailed by a brisk flre from the rebels concealed in the woods;
at the same time, in our front, and on om- right flank, batteries opened a
very vigorous fire. The skirmish rose suddenly to the dimensions of a
battle. " The fight flashed, and glimmered, and faded, and finally went
out in the dark." This movement was but a successful reconnoissance in
preparation for the great battle which was to take place on the next day.
The hostile pickets on this portion of the line were so near each other, that
during the night six of the rebels were captured. As the patriot troops
threw themselves doAvn upon their arms for sleep. General Hooker said,
" We are through for to-night, gentlemen ; but to-morrow we' fight the
battle that will decide the fate ofthe EepubUc." During the night there were
repeated alarms, so that the soldiers on either side obtained but little repose.
While General Hooker was making this movement on the afternoon of
the 16th, the Ninth Corps proceeded, by divisions, down the course of the
Antietam about three miles, where they halted, and took position on the
left of the road fi'om EohersvUle to Sharpsburg. They occupied a range of
hills which covered the stone bridge over the Antietam and the lower ford.
These troops were admirably posted, and the next day were placed under
the command of General Burnside. In the morning, at seven o'clock, they
moved forward to occupy a ridge nearer to the river, in anticipation of a
movement across the river at what is called the Stone Bridge, and an attack
upon the right fiank of the foe. In effecting this movement, our batteries
were briskly engaged with the rebel batteries on the other side of the
stream. During this artiUery fight, the superiority of our guns and practice
were manifest in sUencing several guns of the enemy.
But the battle of Antietam really commenced at daybreak, Wednesday
morning, September 11, by Hooker's Division, on the extreme right, and
here until noon the most intense interest of the coniUct centred. During
the night the rebels had been exceedingly elated by the arrival of the di
visions of Jackson and Lawton, flushed with their brUliant victory at
Harper's Ferry, and having their cartridge-boxes weU filled with the cap
tured ammunition. With these reenforcements, the probabiUties of suc
cess were far in favor of Lee. His -position was seemingly impregnable.
The patriots, in making the assault, were compeUed to march, by the most
difficult approaches, upon the muzzles of his guns. Lee, the most renoAvned
of the rebel generals, was in command, with Jackson on his left ; Long-
street on his right ; and HiU at his centre.

BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 149
General Hooker, during the night, was reenforced by the corps of Sum
ner and Mansfield. Wednesday morning opened cloudy ; Hooker's Division
moved on to the assault with a vigorous fire of artillery and musketry. A
National battery was pushed forward over the field beyond the central
woods, which penetrated it Uke a broad promontory. On these two plains
and the interjutting woods were the biUows of battle to surge, the tide-
wave of victory swaying hither and thither, now bearing friend, and now
foe alternately on its crest, but everywhere leaving thickly strcAvn the
dead and wounded, while it swept along in itr devastating course.
Hooker's men, inspired by the spirit of their intrepid commander,
whom they saw everywhere, and constantly under fire, pressed forward ^
bravely in their work. ArtUlery and infantry vied Avith each other in
striking the enemy the heaviest blows. The battle was now opened all
along the Unes, extending four or five miles from the right to the extreme
left. The ear was deafened by the roar of nearly two hundred guns ;
while the discharge of thousands and tens of thousands of rifles, at flrst in
distinct reports and voUeys, and finaUy blending in one confused and thun
dering roU, mingled with the noise of bursting shell and the cry of onset,
which appaUed the spirits even of veterans in horrid war. ,
For half an hour the battle raged Avith the utmost ferocity on both
sides, -without either party giAdng the sUghtest indication of yielding.
Eegiments and brigades melted away under the storm of buUets and iron
hail. At the close of the half-hour the rebels began to falter, and gave
way a Uttle beneath the canopy of smoke which covered them. As their
receding fire was manifest, the patriot lines dashed forward Arith a cheer.
The first giving way was in the front of the centre of Hooker's force.
General Meade, with his reserves, pressed on in pursuit. The fugitives
sought the shelter of the woods, and the victors hotly pursued them.
" But out of those gloomy woods came suddenly and heaAdly terrible
volleys — voUeys which smote, and bent, and broke, in a moment, that eager
front, and hurled them sAviftly back for half the distance they had won.
Not SAviftly nor in a panic any farther. Closing up their shattered Unes,
they came slowly away — a regiment where a brigade^.had been, hardly a
brigade where a whole division had been victorious. They had met at the
woods the first voUey of musketry from fresh troops, and had returned
them tiU their line had yielded and gone doAvn before the weight of fire,
and tUl their ammunition was exhausted." *
There are moments in the dread scenes of battle, when that Divine
Power which watches over conflicting hosts seems to sway the mighty for
ces beneath His control, by the merest touch of His rod. In the execution
of His purposes of individual or National chastisement. He punishes now
this side and now that. Men call this interposition of the Supreme Mind,
which controls the destinies of nations and individuals more easily than
chaff is scattered by the Arind, thefortwne of the hour. The rebel General
Wood rushed forward Avith fresh troops from Texas, Georgia, and Vir
ginia, to fiU the gap left in the Confederate line by the retreat of Law-
* New York Tribune Report.

150 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
ton's Division. But a moment before, the rebels were retreating in confu-
si»n, driven madly by the onset of the patriots. Now the rebels are pour
ing out of the woods and advancing through the fields with yells of vic
tory, and the patriots are compelled to retire.
Hooker sends forward his nearest brigade to meet the oncoming surge ;
but they break before the flame which was flashed in their faces. He calls
for another brigade. There is none within reach which can be spared. There
is danger that his centre Avill soon be overwhelmed and annihUated. To
weaken his right is perilous. But that is his only resource to prevent de
struction. He sends the peremptory order to Doubleday : " Give me your
best brigade instantly." It is Hartsuff 's. The order is promptly obeyed.
Down the hill to the right, at the double-quick, comes the brigadie. It en
ters the woods in front, and is lost for a moment, till it emerges from the
thicket, where crashing limbs of trees, and shot and shell, had been faUing
upon their heads like autumnal leaves. The open field beyond, ploughed
by tjie enemy's shot, was soon reached, where the shattered remnants of
three brigades were rushing past them to the rear. The course of these
veterans, led by their dauntless general, took them by the spot where
General Hooker stood. His eye fiashed with enthusiasm as he beheld
their heroic bearing, and he exclaimed, " I think they will hold it."
Pressing steadily across the field, reckless of wounds and death, they
ascended a hill and formed in line upon its crest. Every man was exposed
to the pitiless storm from the rebel ranks, and yet not one bent before it.
First the patriots fire in volleys, then at will, but Avith remarkable rapidity
and precision. It was a sublime spectacle as the whole Une stood, in clear
relief against the sky, canopied with smoke, and emitting incessant sheets
of fiame. This heroic band was composed mainly of the Twelfth and Thir
teenth Massachusetts.
There, for half an hour, as immovable as the trees of the forest, they
held the ridge. The shot of the foe cut large gaps in their line, but no
where did their line bend. Their general was severely wounded. StiU
Avith bold heart they fought on. No support came to their aid, their ammu
nition was exhausted ; still firmly they began to press down the hill upon
the rebels, and drove them back the second time into the woods. The
troops suffered severely in gaining this victory, but a more gallant deed
has perhaps never been performed on battle-field.
There were critical moments in the fight. Eicketts's Division, on
Hooker's left, after making ineffectual efforts to advance, had fallen back
exhausted. Part of General Mansfield's Corps had been ordered to support
them, and for a time the two corps united maintained their ground, until
General Mansfield* received a mortal wound, when the troops drew back
* Brigadier-General Joseph K. F. Mansfield, of the regular army, was born in New Haven,
Connecticut, December 22, 1803. He graduated at West Point, in 1822, second in a class of forty-
members. Entering the Engmeer Corps as s&cond lieutenant, he was for a time employed in
planning fortifications for harbor and coast defences. Fortress Monroe, Fort Hamilton, and Fort
Pulaski received the benefit of his scientific skiU. During the Mezican war, he was chief engi-
near under General Taylor. For gallantry in several engagements he was rapidly promoted to a
colonelcy. In 1853 he was appointed inspector-general, which post he held at the breaking out
of the Rebelhon. In 1861 he received hia commission as brigadier-general in the regular army,

BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 151
finding the enemy so heavily massed that it was impossible to break their
lines. On the right, Doubleday had not swerved an inch from his appointed
station. Keeping his guns constantly at work, he had finally' silenced a
rebel battery which had for half an hour enfiladed, with terrible effect, our
centre. From five o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock, four hours,
our soldiers were fighting, swaying to and fro over this contracted field, and
making but Uttle progress against the enemy. The carnage on both sides
was fearful. There was an important point, which General Hooker
judged would prove the key of the entire position. He ordered the whole
Une to advance, and rode himself in front of the troops. His white horse
and taU figure had all day long attracted the special attention of the rebel'
sharpshooters. As he approached the point of attack, a shower of bullets,
from the covert of the woods, whistled around him, striking doAvn several
men at his side, while one baU passed entirely through his foot. StiU, re
gardless of hi§ wound and the pain, he retained his seat in the saddle and
pressed forward. There was a rebel regiment lurking in the edge of the
woods. Its capture would secure our victory. Though suffering extreme
pain, he looked eagerly around to find some force to charge the bewildered
foe, and exclaimed, " There is a regiment to the right. Order it forward !
CraAvford and Gordon are coming up. Tell them to carry those woods
and hold them, and it is our fight."
" I could not," Avrites an eye-witness,* " help seeing the sagacity and
promptness of his movements, how completely his troops were kept in
hand, how devotedly they trusted him, how keen was' his insight into the
battle, how every opportunity was seized, and every reverse was checked
and turned into another success."
The anguish of his wound rendered it now necessary for him to retire.
Fortunately, General Sumner, who had been ordered to his support, at that
moment arrived and assumed the command. Of his three diAdsions, Sedg-
-wick advanced on the right, French near the centre, and Eichardson on
the left. Sumner advanced rapidly through the woods to the point where
Gordon and Crawford were holding their ground against a terrible fire of
the rebels.
" The veteran general was riding along in the forest, far ahead of his
brigade, his hat off, his gray hair and beard and moustache strangely con
trasting Avith the fire in his eye and his martial air, as he hurried to where
the bullets were thickest."
Sedgwick's Division was in front. To support Crawford and Gordon
he must emerge from the woods and cross an open cornfield, exposed to a
mercUess fire. Deploying his columns into line, he sweeps over the field.
But the rebels were by this time strongly reenforced. A part of his line
broke on the left. CraAvford heavUy crowded, broke on the right. His
and was placed in command of Washington and of the Department of Virginia. During Pope's
campaign, and in the second battle of BuU Run, he was in active service. At hia own request,
after the invasion of Maryland, he was ordered to report to General McCleUan, and was assigned
to the command of the corps which had been under Major-General Banks.
* George W. Smalley, correspondent of the Nsw York Tribune.

152 CIVIL AVAR IN AMERICA.
troops, rushing back in confusion upon SedgAvick's lines, threw another
portion into disorder. The officers made the most gaUant efforts to rally
their men. General Sedgwick, though wounded in the shoulder, the leg,
and the wrist, and having had his horse shot under him, stiU remained in
the field. His adjutant. Major Sedgwick, was shot through the body.
Lieutenant Howe, of his staff, endeavored to rally the disordered portion
of the troops, but they were too severely cut up to stand.
Half of the officers of the 34th New Tork were disabled ; their colors
were shot to pieces ; every one of their color-guard wounded, and but a
handful of men left. Only thirty-four of the whole regiment could be
brought together after the fight. The Fifteenth Massachusetts went into the
battle Avith seventeen officers and six hundred men. They came out with
nine officers and one hundred and thirty-four men. All the efforts of
Howard and Sumner were unavailing to reorganize the troops or to check
the impetuous advance of the foe. Our troops were withdrawn to the rear,
and again the trampled cornfield, strcAvn with our dead and tlying, was in
the hands of the rebels. Their further advance was, however, checked by
the well-directed fire of our artillery.
It was one o'clock. The prospect looked gloomy. Hooker was carried
from the field wounded ; his corps greatly exhausted ; the ammunition of
several of the batteries was expended, and they had been compeUed to
retire. All that had been gained had been lost. We could now only
hope to hold our OAvn. Advance was impossible. At this crisis Frankhn
appeared with fresh troops, and formed subUmely on the left. General
Smith, with his Maine and Yermont troops, was ordered to retake the
cornfield. Magnificently it was done. His troops, on the double-quick,
swept the field like a cloud-shadow, penetrated the forest, and in ten
minutes had gained them both. So sudden are the changes in the kaleido
scope of battle. Now for a couple of hours there was a slight lull in this
tempest of death — though the thunders of artiUery were incessantly echo
ing over the hUls.
During all these hours of incessant carnage on the right, there had been
a continual thundering of batteries on the centre, mingling with the soimd
of more distant artillery on the left. This plainly indicated that the great
battle was raging along the whole Une. The Ninth Corps, under Burnside,
was posted on a ridge just east of the Antietam Eiver, and extended south
erly from opposite the stone bridge to one-third of a mile below. The rebels
had gathered in great strength to defend the passage of this bridge, and had
strongly fortified the banks on the western side of the stream. At nine
o'clock in the morning. General Burnside led forward his troops to cross
the bridge. It was an attempt before which the boldest hearts weU might
quail. TheEleventh Connecticut Infantry, abrave and veteran regiment. Colonel
Kingsbury commanding, was detailed to lead the attack. They were first
to deploy as skirmishers and drive the rebels from the head of the bridge.
They were to be followed by Crook's Brigade in front and Sturgis's Division
in reserve, who were to rush across the bridge and deploy to the right and
left on the "opposite banks. They were then to drive the rebels over the

BATTLE OF ANTIBtTAM. 153
hUl and carry its crest. Eodman's Division Avas to cross at the ford, carry
the opposite heights, and join the forces crossing at the bridge.
The Eleventh Connecticut promptly advanced on the enemy's outposts,
while the batteries in the rear redoubled their fire upon the rebels guard
ing the bridge. Crook's Brigade was, for a moment, staggered by the
murderous fire Avith which it was assailed. Sturgis's Di-vision, pressing by,
took the perilous precedence. The Second Maryland and the Sixth New
Hampshire charged upon the bridge at the double-quick. But no mortal
endurance could bear up under the fire which assailed them. They
faltered, halted, retreated in confusion. Again, and yet again, they made
the attempt, with a similar result. Exhausted, bleeding, and with the
ground strewn with their dead, they were Avithdrawn from the field.
Fresh troops were brought forward. The Fifty-first New Tork and the
Fifty-first Pennsylvania were now to essay the difficult task. By this time
Colonel Crook had got a battery in position to sweep the farther end of the
bridge. With this aid the two new regiments pushed forward in an enthu
siastic charge, which put to fiight aU oppositioii, and at one o'clock the
Stars and Stripes floated proudly on the opposite banks. The brave
Colonel Kingsbury, of the Connecticut Eleventh, was shot while cheering
his regiment in crossing the bridge. The -victors deployed to the right
and left, and Avith exultant cheers planted their banners and their batteries
on the crest of the hiU.
Eodman's Division, in the mean time, effected a crossing at the ford ;
and forming in line upon the bluff, dri-ving the enemy before them, planted
their batteries on an eminence which commanded the ford. Then forming
in column, they marched along the bluff and joined their comrades who
had so heroicly forced the passage of the bridge. During the march they
suffered mifch from one of the batteries of the rebels, which swept their
ranks Avith very accurate aim.
It is interesting to view the engagement on the left, as pictured from
the enemy's elevated position, by a correspondent of the Charleston (S. C.)
Gowrier :
" Columns of the enemy could be distinctly seen across the Antietam on
the open ground beyond, moving as if in preparation to advance. Others
were so far in the distance that one could recognize them as troops only by
the sunlight that gleamed upon their arms, while considerable numbers were
Avithin cannon-shot, deflantly flaunting their flags in our faces. At twelve
o'clock the scene from the apex of the turnpike was truly magniflcent, and
the eye embraced a picture such as faUs to the lot of few men to look upon
in this age.
" From twenty different stand-points great volumes of smoke were every
instant leaping from the muzzles of angry guns. The air was filled Avith
the white fantastic shapes that fioated away from bursted shells. Men
were leaping to and fro, loading, firing, and handling the artillery, and
now and then a hearty yell would reach the ear, amid the tumult, that
spoke of death or disaster- from some well-aimed ball, Before us were the
enemy. A regiment or two had crossed the river, and running in squads
from the woods along its banks, were trying to form a Une. Suddenly a

154 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
shell falls among them, and another and another, until the thousands
scatter like a swarm of flies, and disappear in the woods. A second tune
the effort is made, and there is a second failure. Then there is a diversion.
The batteries ofthe Federals open afresh; then infantry try another point,
and finaUy they succeed in effectiag a lodgment on this side. Our troops
imder D. H. frill meet them, and a fierce battle ensues in the centre.
Backward, forward, surging and swaying like a ship in a storm, the
various columns are seen in motion. It is a hot place for us, but is hotter
stUl for the enemy. They are directly under our guns, and Ave mow them
doAvn like grass. The raw levies, sustained by the veterans behind, come
up to the work well, and fight for a short time with an excitement inci
dent to their novel experiences of a battle ; but soon a portion of their line
gives way in confusion. Their reserves come up, and endeavor to retrieve
the fortunes of the day. Our centre, however, stands as firm as adamant,
and they fall back."
From one to three o'clock, over the entire battle-field, there was an
interval of comparative quiet, but it was only a lull in the tempest of war.
It succeeded the terrific explosions of the artillery on this centre of the
National line, where from eleven to one o'clock a demonstration had been
made on the enemy by all the batteries, in order to attract his attention
from the movement of our left. A battery was boldly pushed forward across
the bridge half a mile, immediately in front of the rebel centre, and for an
hour or two held its position with great fortitude and success. Our artil
lery was replied to with equal spirit by the rebels, who in force, under
General D. H. Hill, were prepared to resist every advance of infantry. A
scene of mingled horror and grandeur was presented in this battle of
cannon, Avhose brazen mouths spoke in tones of defiance and exultation,
to which the cheers of thousands and tens of thousands of infantry on
right and left Avere as the faintest cries of children in the howling of a
storm. A hail of fearful missiles, of balls and bursting shells, were crash
ing through the trees, and ploughing up the ground, or falling Avith mur
derous effect among the men lying flat upon their faces in regiments and
brigades to escape them. This terrific battle of artiUery, in which nearly
two hundred guns were engaged, continued in its intensity for about two
hours, till ammunition failed on both sides, and battery after battery was
sent to the rear exhausted.
The fields on which the different portions of the Union army were con
tending were hidden from each o'ther by intervening woods, hills, and
raAdnes, so that the right and left wings, separated by miles of broken
land, could neither be stimulated nor disheartened by the successes or
reverses of the other. But from the commanding hill on the left bank of
the Antietam, where General McClellan's head-quarters were established,
the whole scene was brought under his anxious eye. In many instances
the entire movements of the dark columns, advancing over the green hill
sides to the charge, and then the effect of victory with its advancing
banners, or of repulse in the broken or scattering forces, were plainly
Adsible to the commanding general and his staff. From the signal
stiifitions, too, on still higher eminences near the Blue I^dge, the move-

BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 155
ments of the enemy's forces towards different points, either as reenforce
ments or attacking parties, were closely watched through powerful field-
glasses, and often reported in time to enable the officers, whose commands
were endangered, to make preparation to receive them with shot and shell
or at the points of glittering bayonets.
The heaAry work of the morning had been accomplished with great loss.
But ground for' further operations had been obtained in the struggle.
There was as yet no decisive defeat of the enemy. From their advantages
of position our losses, so far, had been heavier than theirs. There had
been little concert of action among the different divisions of the Union
army. Consequently there were no overpowering numbers at hand to fall
triumphantly on any considerable portion of the hostile rebel line, and
either annihilate them or crowd them back in confusion on the centre.
At three o'clock, p. m., the state of the battle, therefore, demanded a vig
orous aiid decisive attack of our advance. Orders to this effect were given
by McCleUan to both right and left at about the same time.
Franklin, on the right, was ordered to carry the woods next in front of
him, stiU in possession of the enemy. Before it could be fulfilled. General
Sumner sent back word that if Franklin -were repulsed, there was great
danger that the right would again be forced back, since his own corps' were
not sufficiently reorganized to act as a reserve. Franklin's grand advance
of infantry was therefore in effect countermanded, since he was ordered to
avoid all risks of defeat. Pushing forward his batteries, however, Avith
heavy supports of infantry, he briskly engaged the enemy's guns, and
occupied his attention whUe the deeply important advance of Burnside
was in progress.
To this brave general was committed the task of deciding, for the
Union or Eebellion, one of the greatest battles of the war. He had for
this purpose a corps of only sixteen thousand troops, diminished and
fatigued by the hot work of the forenoon. His effective force did not
now probably exceed fourteen thousand, too few for the critical action
assigned to him. But General Burnside obeyed the order with great
gallantry. HaAdng sent some of his artillery in front, the corps again
pushed forward. Wilcox's DiAdsion, supported by Crook's Brigade on the
right, moved towards Sharpsburg, which was one mile distant. Their
course lay over the summit of a hill, through a series of ploughed fields
and ravines. Most of the way they were exposed to the fire from a semi
circular ridge in front, from -which, by their accumulating batteries, the
enemy commanded nearly the whole line. On the left. General Eodman
and Colonel Scammon, of the Kanawha DiAdsion, pushed forward, from
the base of the hill up to its summit, directly in front of a heavy force of
artUlery and in:(antry.
The whole Une pressed forward Avith great enthusiasm, and in perfect
order. Franklin, on the other side, was sending forward his batteries, and
the armies seemed once more to be rushing on to cruel battle. Burnside's
movement was in plain view of McClellan's position.
An eye-witness Avrites : " The fight in the ravine was in full progress,
the batteries in the centre were firing with new Adgor, FrankUn blazing

156 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
away on the right, and every hill-top, ridge, and woods, along the whole
Une, was crested and veiled with white clouds of smoke. All day had
been clear and bright since the early cloudy morning, and now this whole
magnificent, unequalled scene, shone Avith the splendor of an afternoon
September sun. Four miles of battle, its glory all -visible, its horrors aU
hidden, the fate of the Eepublic hanging on the hour — could any one be
insensible of its grandeur ?"
The Union troops, on the right of Burnside's Une, pressed on, vic
toriously driving the rebel infantry and batteries before them, tiU they
nearly reached Sharpsburg. The left, under General Eodman and Colonel
Scammon, though greatly exposed to an exceedingly heavy fire from the
rebel guns, which were most advantageously ;f)osted, finally overpowered
the foe. The rebels were compelled to retire before the bayonet, which '
was frequently and always successfully used by our gallant soldiers, un
dismayed by the terrible havoc which the artillery was making among
them. Some of our troops were new volunteer regiments, which had not
been in the service three months. They, however, displayed wonderful
courage and efficiency. It is not surprising that they should some
times have been confused by the galUng fire of the enemy, especiaUy
when thrown far in advance, and led into a trap by a dishonorable
stratagem of the rebels. Such a disaster happened at this time to the
Sixteenth Connecticut, of General Harland's Brigade, all of whose troops,
with the Fourth Ehode Island, displayed unwonted fortitude in their
trying position. The Sixteenth was in a ravine, between the hill which
had been taken by the charge of Colonel Fairchild's Brigade, and another
hill, a little farther beyond, which was planted Avith corn. The Con
necticut troops had pushed forward close to the corn, where they saw the ,
Stars and Stripes waving, raised as a decoy by the rebels swarming there.
Suddenly the rebels sprang up from their IreaQherous ambuscade, and
poured a staggering volley, at close range, upon the young troops. It
was too terrible a surprise for inexperienced men to meet. They broke in
disorder, crowding upon the Fourth Ehode Island, who were coming up
on their left, and who, soon afterwards, through the same stratagem, lost
their color-bearer. He had carried their standard to within twenty feet
of the treacherous foe. Two lieutenants, who had volunteered to accom
pany the colors, rescued them from capture.
Among the brave young officers in this terrible fight was Lieutenant
Marvin Wait, of Norwich, Connecticut. In 1861, though but eighteen
years of age, his whole soul was roused by the insults upon our" flag, and
leaving college, he enlisted as a private in the Eighth Connecticut. His
soldierly quaUties soon gained him promotion under General Burnside, at
Eoanoke Island. He was attached to the " Signal Corps " at the battle of
Fort Macon, and, Avith Lieutenant Andrews, so guided, by signals, the fire
of our guns, as to compel the fall of the fort, receiving the thanks of
General Parke and a battle-fiag, for meritorious conduct.
Belonging to the Ninth Corps, he came north Avith General Burnside,
and fought heroically at Antietam. He Avas wounded three times before
h^ left his command, viz., in the sword arm, the bone being shattered, in

BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 157
the leg, and in the abdomen, and he only retired when he was unable to
stand. He received his fourth and mortal wound while being carried to
the rear. One who saw him in the fight says : " The manly, heroic, deter
mined fire of his eye, and the battle smile of loyalty which rested on his
face, told how subUme was his purpose, how great was his devotion to his
country. He understood the principles for which he fought ; he counted
the cost before he enUsted in the service, and nobly he stood for the right.
Generous in heart, unselfish in patriotism, truly heroic, few young men
have laid more on the country's altar than did Lieutenant Wait."
Popiilar with both officers and men, with a mind of unusual culture
for one so young, endeared to friends by all that was winning and lovely,
it was no common loss to the service, to the country and friends, when
the rebel bullet laid him low.
According to the reports of the Charleston Cmirier correspondent, the
rebels were less than six thousand strong on their right, when Burnside
made his attack, and they could not have escaped irretrievable defeat,
had it not been for their artillery, which was so admirably planted and
handled under the command of Major Garnett. Just at the time that
Burnside's last advance was made, the rebel General A. P. Hill ap
proached Avith the rest of the troops, left by " Stonewall " Jackson at
Harper's Ferry. His timely arrival was the salvation of the rebels.
Forming on their right, his columns were soon seen marching over the
fields to reenforee their comrades, who had fought heroically, despite
their reverses. The rebels were concentrating, from aU directions, on
our left. While their fresh brigades Avere advancing in long, dark lines
upon the patriot troops, their batteries were also accumulating upon the
semicircular ridge above them, and laying low many a braA-e soldier,
by a sharp cross-fire.
To meet the movement of the rebel forces, the Union left was obliged
to diverge from its course towards Sharpsburg, leaving a gap between
itself and the right, which it was necessary to fill up with the troops of
the second Une. Sturgis had been ordered up with his reserves from the
bridge, and the whole united body was now engaged. Still, the numbers
of the enemy continued to increase, and having fchecked the advance
of, our forces, they endeavored, by their overwhelming masses, to retrieve
the lost ground. General Eodman, while forming his troops to meet the
rebel reenforcements, which were seen to be rapidly approaching, fell,
sorely wounded in the chest.*
* Brigadier-General Isaac P. Rodman was a citizen soldier. Immediately upon the breaking
out of the rebeUion, he left the quiet pursuits of business, and volunteered for the defence of the
Government. He entered the service as captain in one of the regiments of his native State of
Rhode Island. His soldierly qualities gained for him quick promotion, and he led his regiment,
as colonel, in Genaral Burnside's North Carolina expedition. At Roa'noke and Newbern he won
high commendation. For these services he was made brigadier-general. With failing health, he
was requested by General Burnside to take a furlough. This he did with reluctance, returning to
the army long before his furlough had expired. At South Mountain he escaped unharmed. At
Antietam, wMle at the head of his division, and performing the part of a major-general, a buUet
pierced his breast, and he was carried to a house in the rear. There, after the lapse of thirteen
days, he died. His remains were buried at his native place. South Kingston, with the highest
honors. Ho was mourned as a Christian warrior, and as one of the purest and best of men.

168 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
The extreme left being throAvn into confusion by the loss of their
leader. Colonel Harland's Brigade was forced to fall back, after terrible
loss. To press forward to Sharpsburg, on the right, in face of so large
a force, would endanger the whole line, unless reenforcements were
speedily sent forward. They were again and again demanded by Gen
eral Burnside for his exhausted and now imperilled troops. FaUing to
obtain any, a further advance was not to be thought of, and the order
was given for the whole line to fall back a Uttle to the rear, to the cover
of the hill taken earlier in the afternoon.
The brave soldiers, with mournful hearts, retired from the fields they
had won at such a fearful sacrifice. No pen can do justice to their heroic
endurance and courage 'under the terrible ordeal to which they were
exposed, while holding their advanced positions, under a constantly in
creasing fire of infantry and artillery. We cannot better describe the
magnificent and intensely exciting scene which the battle-field on the
left presented, during those critical hours, to an eye-witness from McClel
lan's head-quarters, than in the graphic words of Mr. George W. Smalley,
the Neio YorTc Tribune coiTespondent, whom we have several times quoted.
" The hill was carried, but could it be held ? The rebel columns, be
fore seen moving to the left, increased their pace. The guns on the hill
above send an angry tempest of shell down among Burnside's guns and men.
He has formed his columns, apparently in the near angles of two fields,
bordering the road — high ground about them everywhere, except in rear.
" In another moment a rebel battle line appears on the brow of the
ridge above them, moves swiftly down, in the most perfect order, and,
though met by incessant discharges of musketry, of which we plainly
see the fiashes, does not fire a gun. White spaces show where men are
falling, but they close up instantly, and still the line advances. The
brigades of Burnside are in heavy column ; they wiU not give way before
a bayonet-charge in line, and the rebels think twice before they dash into
those hostile masses.
"There is a halt ; the rebel left gives way and scatters over the field;
the rest stand fast and fire. More infantry comes up ; Burnside is out
numbered, flanked, c«mpelled to yield the hiU he took so bravely. His
position is no longer one of attack ; he defends himself Avith unfaltering
firmness, but he sends to McClellan for help.
"McClellan's glass, for the last half hour, has seldom been turned
away from the left. He sees clearly enough that Burnside is pressed—
needs no messenger to tell him that. His face grows darker Avith anxious,
thought. Looking down into the valley, Avhere fifteen thousand troops
are lying, he turns a half-questioning look on Fitz-John Porter, who
stands by his side, gravely scanning the field. They are Porter's troops
below ; are fresh, and only impatient to share in this fight. But Porter '
slowly shakes his head, and one may beUeve that the same thought is
passing through the minds of both generals. ' They are the only reserves
of the army ; they cannot be spared.'
" McClellan remounts his horse, and Avith Porter and a dozen officers
of his staff, rides away to the left, in Burnside's direction. Sykes meets

BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 159
them on the road ; a good soldier, whose opinion is worth taking. The
three generals talk briefly together. It is easy to see that the moment
has come when every thing may turn on one order, given or withheld,
when the history of the battle is only to be written in thoughts, and pur
poses, and words of the general.
" Burnside's messenger rides up. His message is : ' I want troops
and guns. If you do not send them, I cannot hold my position half an
hour.' McCleUan's only ansAver for the moment is a glance at the west
ern sky. Then he turns and speaks very slowly : ' Tell General Burn
side this is the battle of the war. He must hold his ground till dark at
any cost. I wUl send him Miller's Battery. I can do nothing more. I
have no infantry.' Then, as the messenger was riding away, he called
him back. ' TeU him if he cannot hold his ground, then the bridge, to
tlie last man ! always the bridge ! If the bridge is lost, all is lost.'
"The Sim is already doAvn; not half an hour of daylight is left.
Till Burnside's message came it had seemed plain to every one that the
battle could not be finished to-day. None suspected how near was the
peril of defeat, of sudden attack on exhausted forces — how vital to the
safety of the army and the nation were those fifteen thousand waiting
' troops of Fitz-John Porter in the hollow. But the rebels halted instead
of pushing on ; their Adndictive cannonade died away as the light faded.
Before it was quite dark the battle was over. Only a solitary gun of
Burnside's thundered against the enemy, and presently this also ceased,
and the field was stiU."
How aAvful was the silence of the deepening night which now reigned
over mountain, hUl-side, and vaUey, and over the trampled fields, whose
waUs of forest, rock, and blood-stained turf had trembled with the deafening
reverberations of nearly two hundred cannon and one hundred and seventy-
five thousand rifles, from sunrise tiU dark ! Fifteen hours of mortal strife,
in which were Avrought acts of courage and sacrifice that made heroes of
men whose souls had never before risen to the appreciation of deeds of
such lofty empire. There is something in the sublimity of this terrible
confiict for all that nations and individuals hold dear — the triumph of lib
erty and righteous law, which leaves a stamp of nobility upon those whose
privilege it Avas to share in this holy war.
The Union forces slept upon the field which they had won from the
enemy. They had been driven from the extreme ground which they had
captured near Sharpsburg, but the rebels had not been able to recover the
strong position commanding the river, from which they had been driven.
Hooker, Sumner, and Franklin also held all the ground which they had
gained. These advantages had not made the victory decisive, yet» all was
favorable for the renewal of the attack in the morning.
The morning of the 18th found both armies in essentially the same
position they had occupied the evening before ; but the attack was
not renewed — a fatal mistake, which caused the loss to the Union of aU
the bitterly contested advantages gained on the previous day. No satis
factory cause has ever been given for this delay. General McClellan says
in his preUminary report : —

160 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
" A careful and anxious survey of the condition of my command, and
my knowledge of the enemy's force and position, failed to inspire me with
any reasonable certainty of success, if I renewed the attack Avithout reen-
forcing columns. A view of the shattered state of some of the corps
sufficed to deter me from pressing them into immediate action, and I felt
that my duty to the army and the country forbade the risks involved in a
hasty movement, which might result in the loss of what had been gained
the previous day."
General McClellan's over-cautious mind seems on this occasion, as on
many others, not to have been able to appreciate the grave responsibilities
which attended delay. Moreover, his conclusions were reached against the
earnest remonstrances of two, at least, of his ablest officers, and in view of
facts and circumstances which would have led most generals to a different
decision. General Burnside testified before the investigating committee of Con
gress on the war, that at half-past eight o'clock in the evening of the
ITth he went over to McClellan's head-quarters and urged the renewal
of the attack, saying that, with five thousand fresh troops to place
beside his OAvn, he was willing to commence the attack in the morning.
He further testifies that there would have been no difficulty in furnisljing
the troops from Porter's Corps, which had not been engaged ; that, more
over. General Morell's Division, of quite that strength, had been sent to
him, but not Avith orders to renew the engagement.
On the right the opportunities were still more favorable. General
Franklin testifies, " When General McClellan visited the right in the after
noon,. I showed him a position on the right of this wood, which I have
already mentioned, in which was the Dunker Church, which I thought
commanded the wood, and that if it could be taken, we could drive the
enemy from the Avood by merely holding this point. I advised that we
should make the attack on that place the next morning, from General
Smnner's position. I thought there was no doubt about our being able to
carry it. We had plenty of artillery bearing upon it. We drove the enemy
from there that afternoon, and I had no doubt that we could take the
place the next morning, and I thought that would uncover the whole left
ofthe enemy."
The rebel army Avas by no means in a condition again to appeal to the
gage of battle. Their regiments had been broken and disordered by our
frequent fire. Their killed and wounded covered the ground, often in
heaps, having been massed in ravines and on kill-sides, wliich our artillery^
swept with fearful destruction. The Union forces had been deployed in
lines and much more scattered, and consequently did not sufter so much.
Moreover, our troops had now gained positions equal, if not superior, to
those held by their foes. They had the opportunity either of driving the
rebels into the Potomac, and of capturing a large portion of their army,
or of pushing them, in a demoralized state, farther into a hostile country,
where their communications with Yirginia could be easily severed. Our
army, if defeated, could easily retreat to a safe position on the other side

BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. 161
of the Antietam, and wait reenforcements, whicii were rapidly coming
up, and would probably arrive in time to do service on the 18th.
But such considerations faUed to persuade General McClellan to fol
low up the advantages wlUch ought to have been reaped by this great and
bloody battle. The reenforcements of fresh troops under Generals Couch
and Humphreys, which he waited for, would make, he said, a " certain
thing " of it. The 18th was suffered to pass away without any engage
ment, and the almost crushed rebels escaped without molestation. Couch's
Division arrived in the forenoon, and was soon in position. Humphreys'
troops were coming up all through the day. Many of the wounded
were removed, and stragglers collected. The opinions of most of General
McCleUan's officers, together Avith concurring facts, prove that this delay
gave Lee his only opportunity to escape. An attack was ordered for the
nineteenth; but daylight showed that the army had crossed the Potomac,
and, beyond the reacli of pursuit, with all its baggage-trains, was hurrying
to the South. Lee deceived General McClellan, on the 18th, by a
feigned movement of crossing troops to the north side of the Potomac as
reenforcements. The enemy abandoned his position without difficulty.
There was no haste manifested in following him up. The Federal cav
alry, during the battle of Antietam, could not be brought into serviee, and
was, therefore, fresh for pursuit. On the evening of the 19th they made
a reconnoissance across the river, which proved that the rear-guard
of the enemy remained in some force ; but produced no other result than
the capture of six guns. Our army slowly advanced to the Maryland
shore of the Potomac on the 20th, and occupied Harper's Ferry on the;
23d, where it remained till October 26th, five weeks after the battle of
Antietam. The crossing of the Potomac by the Union army occupied
ten days — the last corps having reached the Yirginia side on the 5th of
November. Yiewed in its purpose of repelling invasion in the North, and protect
ing the National Capital, Philadelphia, and Baltimore from the devastations
of the enemy, the campaign of the Army of the Potomac in Maryland was a
successful one. On both sides the casualties among officers in the battle of
Antietam were unusually numerous. The rebels were at least equal suffer
ers Avith ourselves, especially in the loss of general officers. Among their
killed were Brigadier-Generals Starke and Branch, and among their
wounded Major-General Anderson, Brigadier-Generals Anderson, Lawton,
Wright, Eipley, Amistead, and Eansome.
. The Union loss by regiments and brigades was frightful. The carnage
they experienced is indisputable proof of their gallantry and fortitude.
Yeteran regiments were reduced to a captain's command, full regiments to
three or four hundred. Our total loss was, in killed, two thousand and
ten ; wounded, nine thousand four hundred and sixteen ; missing, one thou
sand and forty-three ; total, twelve thousand and sixty-nine. Our com
bined loss at South Mountain and Antietam was fourteen thousand seven
hundred and ninety-four. The patriot troops found three thousand rebels
left dead at Antietam. They also found the fresh graves of five hundred
whom the rebels had interred. Since at South Mountain their estimated
Vol. IL— 11

162 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
loss in killed was five hundred, their wounded hi both battles, at the same
ratio Avith ours, must have made eighteen thousand seven hundred and
forty-two. We captured thirty-nine colors and thirteen guns, and six
thousand prisoners. General McClellan, therefore, confidently puts the
rebel loss by the invasion of Maryland at thirty thousand men. They
gained nothing. j
But the battle of Antietam was marked by four great mistakes : —
1. The attack was delayed till the opportunity of beating a divided
army was lost.
2. There was little concert of action in the attack. The troops were
sent into fight by driblets — division after division. The bridge was at
tacked by regiment after regiment. The assault on the left was made
principally after the fighting on the right had ceased. The enemy's troops
could thus be easily transferred to the point of attack.
3. The reserves, moreover, if designed for any thing and any hour,
were for the critical hour of Adctory or defeat. They were refused to Gen
eral Burnside for no assigned or rationally conceivable reason. Only a
kind Providence saved our imperilled and outnumbered troops from being
crushed. General Burnside fought under the impulse of despair, when
there were fifteen thousand fresh troops looking on, who were not per
mitted tcf pull a trigger.
4. Tlie last and most fatal blunder was that second waiting for reen
forcements, before a foe trembling for his safety, and seeking to improve
the first opportunity to escape, which should not turn a retteat into a dis
astrous rout. A day unmolested was given him. Eagerly he improved it.
For these reasons, under the All-wise Euler of battles, who made
every reverse to the Union army a National blessing, in hastening the
progress of the people to just convictions of their duty to the oppressed,
the battle of Antietam must go to its place as one of the greatest on the
long record of indecisive battles which have crimsoned earth with human
blood.

CHAPTER XIII.
THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG.
From December lOth to Decemier llth, 1862.
The Rebels on the Rappahannock. — Puesuei) by the Pateiots. — General Buensidb in
Command. — Face of the Codntet. — Plan oe the Battle. — Incidents. — Ceossinq the
RiTEE. — Teeeific Aetilleet Fiee. — Successive Chaeces. — Great Slavghtee. — Tee
Repulse. — Recrossing the River. — Comments on the Battle. — Anecdotes.
General Lee's object in crossing to the north side of the Potomac was
to hold and occupy Maryland. In this he utterly failed. Great indigna
tion was expressed, in the North, that he had been allowed to retire with
his shattered army unmolested. As the rebel army retreated into Yirginia,
the patriot troops slowly followed, taking the route east of the Blue Eidge.
General Lee took his position and strongly fortified himself on the southern
. banks of the Eappahannock. The dissatisfaction with General McClellan
was so great, that, on the 5th of November, by direction of the President
of the United States, he was relieved from the command of the Army of
the Potomac, and General Burnside was ordered to succeed him.
The new general made immediate preparations for the prosecution of'
the war with increased vigor. The heroic but unsuccessful attack upon the
foe within their intrenchments, on the heights in the rear of Fredericks
burg, was the result.
Fredericksburg was once the most important toAvn in Spottsylvania
County, Yirginia. It is situated on the southern bank of the Eappahan
nock, at the head of tide-water. It is about sixty miles north of Eich
mond, and is connected with it both by rail and by a turnpike road.
Turnpikes branch from it in numerous directions, making it a prosperous
centre of travel and of traffic. A canal, running forty miles up the
Eappahannock, brought, before the rebellion, great quantities of tobacco,
fiour, and wheat into the town, to be transported, by rail, to the South.
Thirty years ago its prosperity was very great, and on the increase.
For some unexplained reason, the tide of success was stayed, and finally
began to recede, leaving it, in the early days of the rebellion, a town of
minor importance, Avith a smaU population of only four thousand inhab
itants. Its changing fortunes during the progress of the war had made it
rapidly the centre of interest, before the bloody fight of December 13th,
1863, which added its name to the long list of our country's hallowed
fields. During the blockade of the Potomac, it waa the chief depot of suppUes
for the rebels. They evacuated it in haste upon McCleUan's advance

164 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
towards YorktoAvn, and General McDoweU took possession of it. After
the disastrous Seven Days' Battles, McDoweU feU back, and it was again
occupied by the rebels. In August, General Burnside, when he marched
to the aid of General Pope, held it for a few days. But upon his retreat
to Warrenton, the rebel flag was again unfurled upon its river-slopes.
". The valley of the Eappahannock narrows at Fredericksburg, giving
but Uttie more than a bed for the river. The- banks rise in natural ter
races on each side. Those on the southern side are three in number, each
from a quarter to half a mile in Avidth. The town is situated on the
first which slopes steeply down to the water. The second was the scene
of the great fight which we are about to describe. The third, forming
the crest was the line which the rebels had planted thick with theh
deadly batteries. The hiUs, as they recede ,from the river, are more
and more wooded ; and spurs, densely groAvn v/ith low trees, run doAvn
from the ridges into the plain, making tangled ravines and impassable
barriers. Three miles below the toAvn, on the southern banks of the river, there
is a plain six miles in length, and two and a half in breadth. Woods
mark its first rise, which thicken into a forest as the ground becomes
higher. On the northern bank the Stafford hills hang closely over the
river for miles, fully commanding the terrace on which the town of
Fredericksburg stands. These hills, strongly fortified with cannon, gave
us the power to cross the river without any effectual opposition by the
enemy. The most ordinary observer, standing upon the crest of the
southern hills, and looking down upon the terraced slope to the river—
the narrow plain of the toAvn — the semicircular lines of natural and in
trenched defences, rising one above the other, might readily have shud
dered at the suggestion of an attempt on the part of the National forces
to cross the stream and attack the formidable positions of the rebels.
But the gallant, sanguine, and magnanimous Burnside believed that
the heights could be carried by storm, and the rebel forces separated and
beaten on the plain. The plan for crossing the Eappahannock and giving
battle to the foe had been discussed and i assented to by the President,
General Halleck, and tlie Secretary of War. General Burnside made a
change simply in the tim.e of executing the plan, owing to the arrival of
supplies more quickly than he had anticipated, and to his discovery of the
fact that the enemy were totally unprepared for any attempt at Fredericks
burg, but were looking for the crossing at other points. It is but justice
to General Burnside to put upon record his own assertion, after the dis
astrous result of the battle, that his success would have been entire, except
for the unexpected delay in building the bridges, which gave the enemy
ample time to concentrate their whole force at the precise point where it
would be most effective.
That this contingency should have formed an element in his calcula
tions cannot be denied. But there is something extremely touching in the
simple-hearted honesty of his preliminary report to the President, six days
after the battle, wherein he said : —
" For the failure of the attack I am responsible, as the extreme gal-

THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 165
lantry, courage, and endurance shoAvn by them (the patriot soldiers) was
never exceeded, and would have carried the points, had it been possible.
But for the fog, and the unexpected and unavoidable delay in building
• • the bridges, which gave the enemy twenty-four hours more to concen
trate his forces, in his strong positions, we should almost certainly have
succeeded." On the night of the 10th of December, 1862, the work of laying the
pontoon bridges commenced. Silently the small parties of engineers,
with their fi-ail-looking boats, clustered on the river-banks. The grand
Army of the Potomac, with its three good fighters. Hooker, Sumner, and
FrankUn at its head, was concentrated and alert Avithin a stretch of only
six or seven mUes, on the northern shore of the river, whose current
roUed that night under the shadow of Death. The greatest excitement
prcA'ailed in aU the camps. Three days' rations and sixty rounds of car
tridges had been given to each man. Each man knew that a fight was at
hand. Each man thought of victory, of death, of home, in a confusion
of exulting hope, of depressing apprehension, of pressing haste to be
ready. _
Hundreds of our camp-fires blazed through the river-mists, and were
answered back by the picket-fires of the rebels on the opposite shore,
angry, red specks in the black gloom. Orderlies dashed to and fro. Ar
tillery-trains jarred and rumbled over the roads. Cheery men, taking
their last supper together in their tents, sang patriotic songs, in strains
that sweUed loud on the heavy air, prophetic of that martyrdom which is
the price of peace and the croAvn of heroes. Quick, scattering musket-
shots snapped, now and then, in the distance. The night wore on, until,
long before Ught, the shrill bugle-call brought every man to his feet. One
after another, in fighting trim, the regiments fell in, and fi-om all points
marched towards the river.
But the laying of the bridges, always a hazardous task if opposed,
was in this case a task of extremest difficulty and peril. As soon as
the river- fogs lifted sufficiently to make it apparent to the enemy that the
bridges opposite Fredericksburg were commenced, sharpshooters Avere
posted at every Avindow looking out on the Avater, behind every tree af
fording a cover, and at every possible point which Avould enable them to
pick off our brave pontonniers. The bridges opposite the toAvn were only
two-thirds done when the sun arose. It was impossible to continue them
under the fire from hundreds of rebel sharpshooters. Our own sharp
shooters made vain attempts to dislodge the sheltered foe. In the language
of the colonel of the Seventh Michigan : —
" Under the protection of brick houses, ceUars, and rifie-pits, the rebels
could laugh at us with impunity."
One hundred and forty pieces of patriot artillery opened from the
heights, upon the part of the toAvn from which the sharpshooting pro
ceeded. It produced no effect, however, upon the murderous rebel fire.
The workmen feU dead or wounded as fast as they took their stands upon
the boats. It was clearly an impossibility to complete the bridges unless
the sharpshooters were in some way silenced. In the mean time the enemy

166 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
were massing their forces, hurrying back from the points below, at which
they had been looking for our crossing, and where they had posted their
artiUery to mow us down. It was a fearful moment! Honor to the
Michigan Seventh, whose colonel was not afraid to pledge them as volun
teers for the desperate venture of crossing the river in the pontoon-boats,
and dislodging the rebel riflemen from their hiding-places !
The arrangement Avas made that the sappers and miners should man
the boats and row the soldiers across. For half an hour the brave Michi
gan boys stood drawn up on the bank ready lo spring into the boats at an
instant's signal. But the engineer officers could not induce their men to
undertake the perilous enterprise. Flashing Avith scorn of cowardice and
delight in danger, the Western heroes, as soon as they perceived the state
of the case, rushed into the boats, pushed them off, and roAved themselves
undauntedly into the raining fire.
The river, at this point, was two hundred yards in Avidth — a short dis
tance, but it seemed interminable to the anxious thousands who watched
from the banks, and saw brave men, one after another, drop their oars and
fall back from their seats dead. The passage was won, however, and the
regiment charged gallantly up the steep slope of the shore, drove the
rebels out of the rifle-pits, and out of the buildings fronting the Avater.
The Nineteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts Eegiments pressed on after
their heroic pioneers as rapidly as possible, and did a noble share of the
bloody work in the town— holding the ground firmly until the . bridges
Avere completed, and the entire Aving of the army to which they belonged
had crossed in safety.
General Franklin had succeeded in laying his bridges at a point three
miles lower down the river, without serious opposition, and his entire com
mand crossed with little loss. A part of General Hooker's Division had
also crossed below the city. Thursday night found us in possession of its
streets. Severe musket skirmishes had contested our approach at every
point. But the rebel pickets had constantly fallen back, withdrawing into
the centre of their circling line of hill defence, whose strength we little
comprehended. The exploding shells had, in the course of the day, set
fire to many houses in the city, and the slow, mouldering smoke of the
burning mingled with the white wreaths of the bombs and the black
clouds from the artillery. It was a night of terrific confusion. Long after
dark the great gnns blazed and thundered from the hills.
Sumner's grand division, in massive columns, was steadily pressing on
towards the river. The tramp of thousands of men and horses, and the
ponderous wheels of the heavy trains, made a deep undertone of accom
paniment to the cannons' notes. Friday's sun rose clear and bright, and
in a few hours had dissipated much of the fog and smoke which veiled
the river and the town. The pontoon bridges were thronged with our
forces marching across in good cheer ; and the banks on either side were
croAvded with regiments just forming after the passage of the river, or
draAvn up in line awaiting their turn to cross.
The bands of the different regiments were playing patriotic airs, Us
^gayly a^ if on parade, uninterrupted by the shriU screech of the shells

THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 16Y
rushing through the air, or the booming of the artillery in the distance. The
city itself presented a scene of desolation and ruin. Nothing had escaped the
effects of our bombardment on the previous day. Smoking cellars and piles
of charred timbers were all that remained of many houses ; while others were
so rent and riddled by shot, as to be of little more value. The streets were
obstructed, in many places, by fallen chimneys, fences, and walls. Trees
were prostrated and torn, as if thunder-bolts had smitten them. Here
and there, under the pitiful shelter of their leafless and broken branches,
lay blackened corpses, which seemed to have been struck down by the
same flash.
The houses were nearly stripped of furniture ; the few articles which
had been left were soon in the possession of the Union soldiers, who
SAvarmed through the streets. Some of them, for a few hours, held riotous
carnival, decking themselves in the apparel, and breaking up the house
hold utensils of the inhabitants of Fredericksburg. Their license, however,
was soon checked by the energetic measures of General Patrick, the
Provost-Marshal, Avho ordered the instant arrest of any soldier who should
be found with any such article in his possession. The spoils of tobacco
were abundant, and were most greedily sought for and hoarded up by our
men, who had been almost deprived of the luxury for a few months by the
extortionate prices charged by the sutlers.
General Burnside was occupied during the entire day in directing the
crossing and disposition of the different corps. The big gray horse
was seen galloping from point to point with the tall martial figure of his
rider sitting firm in his saddle, erect, alert, and sanguine. Through all
the movement the batteries of the foe were inexpUcably "and ominously
sUent. By the middle of the afternoon every street in the toAvn swarmed
Avith our troops, and had the town been shelled our loss would have been
immense ; but stUl the rebel cannon were silent. Skirmishing musket-shots
were exchanged by the ;^ickets, and occasionally, for a few moments,
bombs were throAvn at some exposed file of men. But the silence of the
froAvning heights, which, we knew to be thickly mounted Avith guns, was
unaccountable, and, to a discriminating observer, significant of evil.
It does not appear, however, to have occurred to the excited officers,
in their preparations for the assault, that this silence-^this quiet permission
of their approach — ^boded any ill. An eye-witness of the fight thus graphi
cally describes the infatuated confidence of some of the leading officers in
the forenoon of Friday : —
" In answer to inquiries as to the meaning of the enemy's silence they
replied, ' The enemy have not ammunition to spare.' Another said, ' Oh,
a bombardment don't amount to any thing, any how.' Another, ' They
don't care about bombing us ; it is an inconsequential sort of business ; we
threw four thousand shells yesterday, and it amounted to nothing.'
Another, ' General Lee thinks he Avill have a big thing on us about the
bombardment of this town ; he proposes to rouse the indignation of the
civUized world, as they call it ; he is playing for the sympathies of Europe.'
Another thought that the enemy were retreating, and that a laugh woold
be raised at Burnside's expense when the true facts were discovered. A

168 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
private soldier, however, was overheard to make a remark which showed
a Avisdom by which the generals might have profited : —
" ' They want us to get in. Getting out won't be quite so smart and
easy. You'll see if it avUL' "
He was right ; the town was a trap, the strong hills were its sides, and
our brave army of ninety thousand men were entering it. Friday night
our camp-fires Ughted both sides of the river. In the streets of the town
our soldiers were resting, with their muskets stacked, their blankets rolled
about them, and their fires gloAving ruddily on the deserted windows.
On the other side, close down to the river-line, the slopes of the Stafford
hiUs were bristling with arms; Adiole brigades ready at one moment's
warning to cross the bridges and fall into line of fight.
On the Fredericksburg side the hostile picket lines were within two
hundred yards of each other. In the course of the night, as the rebels
overheard the patriotic songs and speeches of our men, they called aloud
in insulting and defiant answer. At midnight the fiery cones of the
aurora shot up from the horizon to the zenith, blood-red Avriting in
heaven of the prophecy for the morroAV, hailed by both armies as the token
of success to their cause.
The lines of the rebels extended in a semicirciUar form from Port Eoyal
to a point about six miles above Fredericksburg, and were mainly on the
crest of the thii^d terrace or hill before mentioned. Their right wing was
under the command of the famous "Stonewall" Jackson, and extended
from Port Eoyal to Guineas Station, upon the Eichmond and Fredericks
burg Eailroad. General Longstreet's Division held the centre, and reached
to the telegraph road ; the left wing, resting upon Massaponax Creek, was
under the command of A. P. Hill and Stuart, and under the especial
supervision of General Lee. who feared a fiank movement in that quarter
by Sigel, from Culpepper. The rebel force has been estimated, probably
too largely, at two hundred thousand ; their Unes presented a front of not
less than twenty miles.
The National forces were under the command of Generals Franklin,
Hooker, and Sumner. General Burnside's plan of operations Avas, that
General Franklin's Division, which had crossed the river some three miles
below the town, should attack Jackson's Corps, and if possible turn his
flank upon Massaponax Creek. General Hooker Avas to attack the rebel
centre, while General Sumner turned their right wing.
The morning of Saturday, the 13th, broke warm and still upon the
valley and hills of Fredericksburg. The soft Indian-summer haze Avrap-
ped both armies in its tender embrace, as if Nature herself strove to jhold
apart their hostile hands. The fog was so thick that no balloon observations
could be made. General Burnside, confldent of success, and impatient of
delay, determined to enter at once on the execution of his plan, with a view
to which all his arrangements had been made on the day before.
The day had not yet dawned Avhen General Franklin's Division was put
in motion. His right wing rested on the suburbs of the city ; his centre.
advanced a mile from the river, and his extreme left rested on the river,
three miles below the tOAvn. His task was no easy one ; there was con-

THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG 169
fronting him " Stonewall " Jackson and his men — men who had seen war,
and faced death at Cedar Mountain, Bull Eun, and Antietam, and who
stood flrm now, in secure consciousness of the strength of their position and
the infatuation of our attack.
The field opening before him, although somcAvhat marshy, was a good
one for military evolutions, being level or gently undulating for a distance
of two mUes from the river; afterwards rising into a av coded slope. The
Fredericksburg turnpike runs parallel to the river, and betAveen that and the
intrenched and woody slope Avas the track of the railroad. General Burn
side's Une of battle was formed with the Sixth Army Corps, under General
Smith, on the right, composed of the three divisions of Generals NeAvton,
Burke, and Howe ; on the left, the First Corps, under General Eeynolds,
composed of the divisions of Generals Gibbons, Meade, and Doubleday —
¦fifty thousand men — tried troops, but destined to fail to-day, under a com
bination of circumstances against which no bravery, no skill could avail.
The first rays of the sun saw them drawn up in three lines, eager to ad
vance. A few regiments Avere throAvn forward as skirmishers, to feel the
enemy's position. As the fog lifted sufficiently to give range to the artillery,
a battery, upon General Gibbons's extreme right, opened fire upon the
rebels. It was answered and echoed by hundreds of guns on each side.
In our rear, upon the heights, were heavy siege-guns, which kept up an
unintermitted fire. From the entire rebel line the retort was constant.
After an hour or Iavo of this artiUery practice and skirmishing, during
which the main body ofthe troops chafed in waiting, the order was given
to advance. At nine o'clock General Meade's and General Gibbons's
DiAdsions moved slowly forward. General Meade's command consisted of
the Pennsylvania Eeserves, men who have done brave service on many of
our hardest-fought fields. General A. P. Hill's Division encountered the
first fierce onset, and repelled it with great strength, stubbornly contesting
each foot of ground. General Stuart's horse artillery, with two brigades
. of his cavalry, was stationed on the extreme right of the rebel line, near the
creek. As our forces advanced they poured in a deadly fire from the side.
One twelve-pounder Napoleon gun, under the direction of Major John
Pelham, General Stuart's chief of artiUery, rained such a fatal shower of
shot into our flank that three of our nearest field-batteries, and tAvo heavy
siege-guns from the other side of the river, were immediately brought in
position to silence it. For two hours thirty cannon strove in vain to
sUence that gun, worked with deadly and uninterrupted precision by the
brave rebel major. His general, " Stonewall " Jackson himself, glowing
Avith admiration of Major Pelham's unequalled coolness and courage under
such fire, exclaimed : " With Pelham on either flank, I could vanquish
the world."
Another rebel battery, posted on a small spur of the hills, fired with
such deadly aim that the shot ploughed along the marching lines. The
Ninth New York Eeglment was ordered to charge upon this battery and
take it at the point of the bayonet. The regiment sprang forward, like
one man, and pressed up to the guns' mouths ; but the fire was too hot,
and Avith thinned and broken ranks they feU back. At this moment, Gen-

170 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
eral Tyler threw the effective aid of his brigade into the scale, rallied the
scattering Ninth, and made another desperate charge on the battery. Its
fire, however, was so rapid and so concentrated,, that no infantry could sup
port it, and after fearful losses the attempt was abandoned.
The fight became rapidly more and more general. At midday the
whole of General Franklin's Division was hotly engaged in the desperate
but bootless effort to divide the rebel line, take possession of the raUroad,
and come in on the flank of the rebel works behind the town. At one
o'clock. General Meade's Division made a most gallant charge, reaching
the very crest of the hill, and forcing their way between General HiU's
DiAdsion and General Early's Brigade. They drove two of Hill's brigades
back upon their second line of defences, and captured several hundred
prisoners of Georgia and North Carolina regiments. While General
Meade's Division were in the thickest of this charge, the enemy made a des
perate attempt to turn our left flank ; but were repulsed with Adgor by
General Doubleday's Division, and, as they retreated, were terribly cut to
pieces by our artillery.
In the mean time there were no reenforcements to support General
Meade's successful advance, and he was forced to fall back for a short distance.
A brigade, under the command of Colonel Eoot, made a similar charge,
through an open field beyond the line of the railroad, into the woods and into
the enemy's breastworks, capturing two hundred prisoners. But they also
were forced to fall back. At this point in the fight occurred one of those
gallant actions with which the records of our battle-fields teem. A battery
had been left behind in the retreat of part of Gibbons's Division. It stood
exposed, rebel artillery playing all about it, and a rebel force advancing
rapidly from the woods to capture it. The captain of the battery called for
volunteers to go back and bring it off. Sergeant Berry, Sergeant Stubbe,
Corporal Greeley, and twelve men of the Sixteenth Maine Eeglment, offered
to undertake the hazardous enterprise. Triumphantly they executed it.
While these men were thus covering themselves with the glory of their .
bravery, one of their best generals was suddenly summoned to reap the
full reward of his. The young, chivalrous, and mourned Bayard was
struck in the thigh by a cannon-ball, which inflicted a fearful wound, and
left nothing for the surgeon's art but to prolong his suffering a few hours.
Fearful slaughter marked the progress of the fight on both sides. Night
found the division of General Franklin only five hundred yards in advance
of the position it held at sunrise, with its list of killed, wounded, and miss
ing three thousand four hundred and fifty-two.
While General Franklin was thus gallantly striving on the left, a still
fiercer fight was raging on the terraces and in the streets of Fredericks
burg. In the early morning the rebel artillery, from the circling hills,
had opened a tremendous fire. Our batteries were placed in position,
and thundered a defiant response. Such a storm of artillery had seldom,
if ever, been heard in the world. Dense clouds of smoke enveloped
the entire valley, and rolled heavily away, miles in the distance. There
were hundreds of guns on each side, and the roar of their discharges was
absolutely unintermitted for hours. But our fire produced comparatively

THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. lYl
no impression. It was plain that the fortified ridge in the rear of the city
must be taken by a charge at the bayonet's point, if at all. Yet it seemed
madness to hurl troops upon such a line of defence. Half Avay up the
steep bluff, and deeply cut into its side, ran a turnpike road, with a stone
wall in the front. This wall the rebels had built high, and lined with rifle-
pits. On either hand were placed batteries to pour in an enfllading fire.
General Sumner ordered the divisions of General French and General
Howard to make the attack.
They advanced at a brisk pace, unmindful of the shot and shell falling
thickly about them, till they were within musket range of the base of the
ridge. Then from the rifle-pits behind the stone wall blazed a sharp line
of fire ; and from batteries to the right and batteries to the left, shot
crashed through their lines. They fell back into the shelter of a ravine,
and, reenforced by a fresh body of infantry, re-formed, and, at double-
quick, Avith fixed bayonets, again faced the murderous fire. But the ene
my's guns were so arranged that they could concentrate their aim in
stantly upon any point occupied by our assailing troops. This enfilading
fire from heavy guns, in addition to the close and deadly aim of the rifie-
men, mowed down our men like the summer grass. Whole lines fell, and
the column broke in inevitable confusion, only to be rallied again, how
ever, and brought back.
General Sumner, with his gray, Aveather-beaten countenance working
convulsively with impatience and desire to be in the fight, watched the strug
gling progress of his corps. He had implored the commander-in-chief
to permit him to accompany his men into the field. The permission was
refused, and he had left his head-quarters at the PhilUps House, a mile
from the river, and come down to the shore, where, seated on an ambu
lance, with glass in hand, he gazed anxiously across the water. Miracles
of valor were performed. Again and again the blue lines of the Federals
dashed up the fatal slopes of Marye's Heights, wavered, and fell back,
with one man out of three killed. General Sumner, in his testimony af
terwards, before the Congressional committee, says of his troops, " They
did all that men could do." Such will be the eternal verdict of history.
Generals Couch and Wilcox, with the Ninth and Second Corps, earned
imperishable honors ; biit their forces melted away before the terrific fire.
Late in the afternoon. Hooker's reserves, fifty thousand strong, which had
been drawn up in battle array on the other side of the river, were ordered
to come up to the support of the shattered and exhausted centre. Gen
eral Humphreys' Division of Butterfield's Corps led the way. The move
ment was instantly discovered by the rebels, who trained their guns on the
crowded bridges, and shelled the troops as they crossed, doing, however,
much less injury than would have been anticipated.
The divisions of Humphreys, Monk, Howard, Getty, and Sykes were
formed in a solid column, and attacked the fatal heights, only to meet the
same sweeping death, to fall back broken and in confusion, like the rest.
General Getty's troops succeeded in reaching the line of the stone wall.
For a few moments a struggle of life and death raged around it. Other of
our troops were climbing the crest of the hill. A few of our field-batter-

172 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
ies were brought in position to pour in a concentrated fire. Just as our
agonized generals believed that the dear-bought victory was ours, a large
body of rebel infantry came rushing down from their second tier of defen
ces, and bore our brave charging lines before them. It was the last strug
gle — the last charge. General Burnside had been watching this onset
from the garden in front of the Lacy House. As he paced the walks he
exclaimed, " That crest must be taken." After the final repulse, he sprang
upon his horse and galloped back to his head-quarters at the PhiUipa
Llouse. The day was lost ! Night was interposing her inexorable decree
of peace. Thousands of his soldiers lay dead on the hills. The rebel
works Avere still unbroken, and swarming with men. The river rolled be
hind him ; what the morning might hold in its hand, he might well dread
to think. In the city, the scenes of suffering through the night pass description.
Dead and dying men, and stretchers bearing the wounded, filled the streets.
The hospitals Avere many of them exposed to the fire of the rebel guns.
Indeed, it Avas impossible to indicate any spot which Avoiild long con
tinue to be safe. Fragments of shells, Minie balls, and shot of all kinds
flew in at the doors and windows, and through the roofs. One man, who
Avas brought in from the field with a severe wound in his arm, had just
reached the steps of the hospital of his brigade, Avhen a shell exploded
at his feet, wounding and mangling one of his legs to such an extent that
it, as well as his arm, had to be amputated. Hospitals were established
upon the other side of the river as soon as possible, and the wounded who
were able to be moved such a distance were immediately transported there.
Mercifully to them Avas tempered the December wind of that fearful
night. Had it been a cold and stormy night, hundreds Avould have per
ished before they could have been removed. Long after darkness veiled
the positions of the forces, heavy guns, from either side, continued to fire at
their last range, and sharp musket-skirmishes lighted up fitful glares in the
outskirts of the city. But the battle of Fredericksburg was over. Eleven
hundred and twenty-eight braA^e men dead ; nine thousand and five writh
ing under tortures of wounds ; aud tAvo thousand and seventy-eight men
missing, of whom probably many should have been reported dead. All
this human life gone, or blasted for earth.
Sun;iay morning rose clearly and brightly over the desolated fields and
smoking ridges of Fredericksburg. The rebel lines of battle, clearly in
vieAV, had been much extended during the night ; large bodies of troops
being posted on points not occupied on the previous day. The dead which
fell in Saturday's disastrous charges still lay unburied in front of the
rebel works. Whenever our men attempted to remove them, in the course
of the night, the enemy opened a quick fire on them, and compelled them
to retire. At early dawn the guns opened again in the centre, and also
upon Franklin at the left ; but the firing was merely for the purpose of
feeling each other's position, and soon ceased. Some musketry skirmishing
took place in the course of the day, but there was no action of any
moment. ^ Each army was busy in the sad duties foUoAving a great battle.
. In the afternoon a council of our generals was held at General Bum-

THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 173

side's head-quarters. For hours the discussion lasted. General Burnside,
refusing to believe the disasters of Saturday to be irremediable, and the
heights of Fredericksburg impregnable to assault, proposed a second ad
vance. His plan was to hurl a column of fifteen thousand men against the
central works, and carry them by weight of numbers. A majority of his
corps generals, however, opposed the plan, and it was abandoned. His
next plan was to leave a part of his army to occupy the town, and to Avith
draw the remainder to the opposite side of the river. This also was
abandoned. There remained but one alternative more — to retreat, with
his whole force, across the river, under the full observation of the enemy ;
an undertaking apparently only little less hazardous than the second storm
ing of the heights. The order was not given until late on Monday after
noon, and was so little anticipated that many of the troops had already
bivouacked for the night. During the day the wounded had been care
fully removed^ and this had been supposed to be an indication of a renewal
of the attack.
As soon as the night had sufficiently advanced to conceal our moA'e-
ments from the enemy, the artillery and cavalry were moved to the ex
treme front, to protect the retreating column in case of a sudden discovery
and attack. Two bridges were assigned to the infantry, and one to the
artillery and cavalry. General Burnside had made an estimate that, if it
were necessary to do so, ten thousand could cross in one hour. Earth Avas
strewed upon the pontoons, to muffle the sound of the rumbling wheels of
the heavy trains. But the greatest precautions Avould have probably proA-ed
unavailing to conceal our retreat, had not, providentially, a strong gale of
wind set in from the precise quarter necessary to carry all such sounds
away from the enemy's camps. Through the entire night the long,
dark lines of infantry and artiUery filed through the streets of the town,
doAvn the river-slopes, over the pontoons, and took up their positions on
the opposite shore, pitching their camps in the same spots where they had
broken them up three days before. The pickets, at the outposts, were not
informed of the movement until it was nearly completed. • Then, in the
undistinguishable gray daAvn, officers went stealthily to each man, and, in
a whisper, ordered him to withdraw from his post as silently as possible.
The rebel pickets were only a few yards distant ; but they were not aware,
until daylight, of the deception which had been practised upon them.
One company, of the Sixteenth Massachusetts, belonging to General
Sickles's Division, narrowly escaped falling into the hands of the enemy.
They had been doing picket duty in the early part of the night, and, after
their relief, had fallen asleep from exhaustion, in shelter of a clump of
trees on the extreme front. An officer, riding hastily by, chanced to dis
cover them, and shouted to them, as he passed, " For God's sake, men,
what are you doing here ? Your division has crossed the river some time
since." They reached the river too late for the bridges, but swam safely
over. Before daylight every regiment had crossed, and the bridges were
taken up. A few stragglers were brought over in boats, but not a man
was lost. One or two pickets, who were pursued by the rebels, threw away
their knapsacks, and, springing into the Avater, swam for their lives

174 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Tuesday morning revealed to the astonished and mystified rebels the
National army in full force again upon the Stafford hills, and reUeved them
from the anticipations of the second attack which they had been dreading
and preparing to meet. It is evident from General Lee's report, that he
did not regard the result of the battle as a decisive victory to the Con
federates. While he realized our repulse, he apprehended a second
attempt. In his anxiety of preparation for that, he failed to perceive that
his road to a most brilliant victory was open. Had he made a descent
upon our exhausted and disheartened troops on the 14th, or shelled the
town while its streets were crowded Avith our forces, he would have nearly
annihilated the army. But a strange blindness, afterwards regretted and
clearly seen, fell upon his eyes, usually so far-seeing and sagacious, and we
escaped. The rapidity, secrecy, and masterly combinations with which General
Burnside conducted this retreat cannot be too highly praised. The history
of wars does not record an instance of a retreat on so large a scale, under
the very eyes of the foe, successfully accomplished without the loss of a
mail, a gun, or a caisson. In this, as in all the other battles of this heart
rending war, the Sanitary Commission, with its nurses, stores, and sur
geons, Avas first on the ground to bring relief and salvation from death. In
tAvelve hours after the reception of the report of the battle, a propeller was
chartered, laden with stores, and, carrying a relief party of eleven, sailed
on Sunday evening for Aquia Creek. They found the wounded men suffer
ing much from the severity of the cold ; no stoves had arrived from the hos
pital-tents, and the supply of army blankets was exhausted. Eighteen
hundred blankets and over nine hundred quilts were at once distributed
to the shivering sufferers. In one week the Commission issued, solely
to hospitals, sixteen barrels of dried fruit, ten boxes of soda-crackers, six
barrels of crackers, and nearly one thousand pounds of concentrated milk.
As soon as the wounded were in a state to be transported without
danger, they were removed from the field hospitals to the general hospitals
in Washington and Point Lookout — a dreary, sad, jarring journey, from the
ambulance to the cars, and from the cars to the steamboat. Here, also,
came in the mercies of the Commission. At Aquia Creek, where the
transfer was made from the cars to the steamboat, a building was erected
for distribution of supplies, and for shelter ; in which, on the first night
after its erection, six hundred men took their comfortable and comforting
supper. Each night, a hundred men, too feeble to go on immediately,
slept and Avere refreshed under this hospitable roof, and nourished by
kind and Christian hands. On the 25th of December, only twelve days
after the battle, the last man was removed. The Sanitary agents struck
their tents, and turned their steps to meet the next cry for succor. So long
as the history of this war is read among men, so long will the names of the
Christian men and Avomen who have labored in and with the Commission
be held in high and tender honor.
It Avould require a volume to record the individual and regimental acts
of heroisni displayed in this memorable battle. As the rebels fought, as
U|ual, in comparative safety behind their intrenchments, they had but

THB BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 175
little occasion to display that A»alor which, beyond all controversy, they
possessed. But never Avas the bravery of soldiers brought to a more seveie
ordeal than that to which the Union troops were exposed.
General French's Division, Avhich led the fatal charge on the works back
of the toAvn, a column of seven thousand men, recrossed the pontoons on
Monday night Avith twenty-tAvo hundred.
The Irish Brigade, under General Meagher, which went into the action
on Saturday one thousand Iavo hundred strong, mustered on Sunday morn
ing but two hundred and eighty men.
The Thirteenth New Hampshire, and part of the Twenty-fifth New
Jersey, reached a point nearer to the stone wall than was reached by any
other troops. Their colonel, A. F. Stevens, in his official report, says : —
" Behind that wall, and in rifle-pits on its flanks, were posted the enemy's
infantry, according to their statements four ranks deep, and on the hill, a
few yards above, lay in ominous silence their death-dealing artillery. It
was while we were moving steadily forward that with one st,artUng crash,
with one simultaneous sheet of fire and fiame, they hurled on our advan
cing lines the whole terrible force of their artillery and infantry. The
powder from their musketry burned in our very faces, and the breath of
their artiUery was hot upon our cheeks."
The Eighth Connecticut Eeglment, one of the most heroic bands of
men who ever marched beneath a battle-fiag, distinguished itself upon this
occasion, as upon all others, for great bravery and endurance. On the
morning of Friday, ninety of its members responded to the call for volun
teers to lay the bridges, from which the engineers had been again and
again repulsed with terrific slaughter. One of the first to come forward
was the heroic chaplain of the regiment, the Eev. John M. Morris. They
laid one breadth of the bridge under a very severe fire, and were then
ordered to retire by the engineer officer in charge of the construction.
During the entire day, one of the signal-officers was stationed on the
roof of a house in Fredericksburg. The shot and shells from the guns of
friends and foes rained over and around him, but he continued his task
unmoved, signalling conspicuously with his flags, and night found him
unhurt.

CHAPTEE XIV.
THE WAR IN KENTUCKY.
July and August, 1862.
Public Sentisiest in the Boeder States. — Governoe Magoffin. — His Tbeason. — Patriot-
ISM of the People, — Heroism op Rousseau and Wallace, — Noele Addbess op Joseph
Holt. — Drawing of tub Lines. — Gueeeilla Bands. — Ravages of Morgan. — Gatheeins
foe the War. — Invasion of the State. — Battle of Richmond, Kentuckt.
We must leave our armies struggling in Yirginia, to contemplate the
progress of the war in the West. The rebel conspirators, in the commence
ment of their traitorous enterprise, had made the most earnest, though
secret efforts, to carry the border slaveholding State of Kentucky with
them. The slaveholding aristocracy of Kentucky, dreading the pro
gressive influence of free institutions, were determined at every hazard to
convey the State over to the great slaveholding obligarchy which was to
be established in the South. But the masses of the people were in favor
of the Union. Yet they had been so operated upon by their ambitious
and unscrupulous leaders, that tliey Avere, as a body, not very ardent in
their Union feelings. In the slaveholding section of our country — vastly
more than in those sections where schools,' and churches, and lyceums, and
a prolific press enlighten the community — the masses of the people are
guided by a few leaders. It is confidently asserted, by those best acquainted
AAdth the facts, that ten men in the slaveholding South had attained such
control, that thoj' could with ease haA'e arrested this bloody rebellion, and
have raised shouts for the Union from the lips of those very men whom
they hurled so mercilessly against the arms of the National Government.
The slaveholders of Kentucky had succeeded in placing a thorough
traitor, B. Magoftin, efttirely pledged to their purposes, in the gubernatorial
chair. Wlien- the rebels made their infamous attack upon Fort Sumter,
and were preparing to march for the capture of Washington, and the Presi
dent of the United States called for the patriot troops to hasten to the pro
tection of the Capital, this perjured traitor, Avho had taken a solemn oath
to maintain the Constitution of the United States, replied : —
" Your dispatch is received. In answer, I say emphatically, Kentucky
will furnish no troops for the wicked purpose of subduing her sister
Southern States."
This traitorous response did not carry with it the sympathy of the noble-
hearted yeomanry of the State. Immediately the lines began to be dis
tinctly draAvn betAveen the rebels and the patriots. The " National Union,"
published at Winchester, Kentucky, commenting upon this action of the

THE WAR IN KENTUCKY. 177
Governor, expressed the sentiments of a large majority of the people in the
following words : —
" Mark Avhat Ave say. Any attempt on the part of tiie Government of
the State, or any one else, to put Kentucky out of the Union, is an act of
treason against Kentucky. It is therefore lawful to resist any such ordi
nance. We hope that we now are fully understood thus far."*
Witiim four weeks after the faU of Sumter, notwithstanding the
treacherous action of the Governor, fourteen coinpanies of Kentuckians,
from the northern border counties, tendered their services to the Secretary
of War, through Colonel T. Y. Guthrie. Ten were accepted, with orders
to encamp on the Ohio side of the river. Governor Magoffin, disappointed
in his plan of carrying the State over to the rebels, as the next best step to
favor their cause, endeavored to maintain a position of neutrality. On the
20th of May, 1861, he issued a proclamation forbidding the citizens of
Kentucky from assisting " either of the belligerent parties." Assuming
that the rebels were entitled to be recognized as an independent nation,
with laAvful claim to the mouths of the Mississippi, and to all the United
States forts and territories which they had seized, he said, " I especially
forbid all citizens of Kentucky, whether incorporated in the State Guard
or otherwise, making any hostile demonstrations against any of the afore
said sovereignties.'''' In accordance with the spirit of this unpatriotic proc
lamation, the slaveholding Senate of the State immediately passed a
decree that the State " AviU not sever her relations with the National Gov
ernment, nor take up arms for either belligerent piarty P This tricky and
truckling spirit excited the contempt it merited, in every magnanimous
mind. There is a certain degree of respect which every one feels for
Milton's Devil. He had at least the virtues of boldness open and avowed.
But for conduct like this — alike perfidious, hypocritical, and dastardly^ — one
can cherish no other sentiments than those of unmitigated scorn. The
Hon. Joseph Holt, one of the noblest of the sons of Kentucky, and one of
the most illustrious men in the councils of the nation, addressed, in this
crisis, the citizens of his native State, in an appeal from which we take the
foUowing extracts : —
" The Legislature, it seems, has determined, by resolution, that the State,
pending this unliappy Avar, shall occupy neutral ground. I would as soon
think of being neutral in a contest between an officer of justice and an
incendiary, arrested in the attempt to fire the dwelling over my head. The
Executive of the State has forbidden the Government of the United States
from marching troops across her territory. This is, in no sense, a neutral
step, but one of aggressive hostility. The troops of the Federal Govern
ment have as clear a constitutional right to pass over the soil of Kentucky,
as they have to march along the streets of Washington.
" The conspirators who set this revolution on foot, while affecting to
despise these (border) States, as not sufficiently intensified in their devotion
to African servitude, knew that they could never succeed in their treason-
* The ''Louisville (Kentucky) Journal," in one of its oh.iracteristic witticisms, says, "The
secessionists ask, ' Where will Kentucky go?' When the countryman was asked, ' Where does
this railroad go?' he answered, 'The road don't go at all.' Kentucky won't ' go.' Slifl'lls/CM/."
Vol. il— 12

178 civil war in AMERICA.
able enterprise without their support. It is in vain for them to declare
that they only wish ' to be let alone.' Should a ruffian meet me in the
streets, and seek, with an axe, to hew an arm or a leg from my body, I would
not the less resist him because, as a dishonored and helpless trunk, I might
perchance survive the mutilation. It is easy to perceive what fatal results
to the old Confederacy would follow, should the blow now struck at its
integrity ultimately triumph.
" The war begun is being prosecuted by the Confederate States in a
temper as fierce and unsparing as that which characterizes confiicts between
the most hostile nations. Letters of marque and reprisal are being granted
to all who seek them, so that our coasts will soon swarm with these piratical
cruisers, as the President has properly denounced, them. Every buccaneer
who desires to rob American commerce upon the ocean, can, for the asking,
obtain a warrant to do so, in the name of the new republic. To croAvn
all, large bodies of Indians have been mustered into the service of the
revolutionary States, and are now conspicuous in the ranks of the Southern"
army. A leading North Carolina journal, noting their stalwart frames
and unerring markmanship, observes, with an exultation positively fiendish,
that they are armed not only with the rifle, but also with scalping-knife
and tomahawk.
" Popular government does indeed rest upon the consent of the gov-
'erned — not of all, but of a majority of the governed. Criminals are every
day punished, certainly against their will. When I look upon this bright
land, a few months since so prosperous, so tranquil, and so free, and now
behold it desolated by war, and the firesides of its thirty millions of peo
ple darkened, and their bosoms wrung with anguish, and know, as I do,
that all this is the work of a score or two of men, Avho, over all this
National ruin and despair, are preparing to carve, with the sword, the way
to seats of permanent power, I cannot but feel that they are accumulating
upon their souls an amount of guilt hardly equalled in all the atrocities
of treason and of homicide, that have degraded the annals of our race
from the foundation of the world.
" Kentucky may be assiired that this conflict, which is one of self-
defence, Avill be pursued on the part of the Government in the paternal
spirit in which a father seeks to reclaim his erring offspring. No conquest,
no effusion of blood, is sought. In sorroAv, not in anger, the prayer of
all is, that the end may be reached without loss of life or waste of prop
erty. Among the most powerful instrumentalities relied on for the
reestablishment of the authority of the Government, is that of the Union
sentiment of the South, sustained by a liberated press. It is now trodden
to the earth under a reign of terrorism, which has no parallel but in the
worst days of the French Eevolution. In the seceded States, no man
expresses an opinion opposed to the revolution, bnt at the hazard of his
life and property. A few days since, one of the United States Senators
from Yirginia published a manifesto, in which he announces, with oracu
lar solemnity and severity, that all citizens who would not vote for
secession, but Avere in favor of the Union, must leave the State.
These words have in them decidedly the crack of the overseer's whip.

THE WAR IN KENTUCKY. 179
The Senator evidently treats Yirginia as a great negro-quarter, in which
the lash is the appropriate emblem of authority, and the only argument
he Avill condescend to use. But however the freemen from other parts of
the State may abase themselves, under the exercise of this insolent and
prescriptive tyranny, should the Senator Avith this scourge of slaves en
deavor to drive the people of Western Yirginia from their homes, I will
only say, in the language of the narrative of Gilpin's Eide —
" ' May I be there to see.'
" The Union men of the South, believed to be in the majority of every
seceded State, except perhaps South Carolina, aided by the presence of
the Government, will be fully equal tolthe emergency. Let us, then,
twine each thread of the glorious tissue of our country's flag about our
heart-strings, and let us resolve that, come weal or woe, we Avill, in life
and death, now and forever, stand by the Stars and Stripes. If this banner,
the emblem, for us, of all that is grand in human history, and all that is
transporting in human hope, is to be sacrificed on the altars of a satanic
ambition, then will I feel that henceforth we shall be wanderers and out
casts, with naught but the bread of sorrow and penury for our lips, and
with hands ever outstretched, in feebleness and supplication, on which, in
any hour, a military tyrant may rivet the fetters of a despairing bondage."
Among the heroic men in Kentucky Avho stood nobly for the Union,
and who are thus entitled to a nation's gratitude, the name of the Hon.
Lovell H. Eousseau shoiUd be mentioned with especial honor. In the
Senate of the State, on the 21st of May, he made a bold, patriotic, and
eloquent speech in behalf of the Union, and afterwards still more heroi-
caUy maintained his words, as a general in the National army.
Early in June, the secessionists in Kentucky established a camp at
Ellicott's Mills, ten miles from Cairo. General Prentiss sent two com
panies of Union troops and dispersed them. The slaveholders of Ken
tucky, who were in sympathy Avith the South, and yet opposed to the civil
war the South was inaugurating, called a convention of the Border States,
to meet in Frankfort, Kentucky, about the middle of this month. A few
men from Kentucky and Missouri alone attended. The remedy they
proposed, by which to quell the rising storm, shows how utterly incapable
they were of appreciating the real nature of the tempest which had so long
been brewing. In the earnest appeal, in many respects highly creditable
to their humane and moral feelings, Avliich they addressed first to the people
of Kentucky, and then to all of the inhabitants of the United States, they
said : —
" All the Slave States, except four, are arrayed in hostility to the
General Government, and are demanding that the Confederation which
they have formed shall be recognized as a separate sovereign nation. Our
present purpose does not require us to discuss the propriety of the acts of
these States. Yet it may be proper for us to say, that they find no war
rant, in any known principle of our Government, and no justification in
the facts existing when they seceded. It is proper for us to say that, in
our opinion, the Constitution delegates to no one department of the

180 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Government, nor to aU of them combined, the power to destroy the
Government itself, as would be done by the division of the country into
separate confederacies; and that the obligation exists to maintain the
Constitution of the UnUed States, and to preserve the Union unimpaired."
After making these sensible and honest admissions, they then had the
audacity to recommend Kentucky to lend the National Government no
assistance whatever in the endeavor to maintain its authority. They
advised the people of Kentucky to remain neutral, and look quietly on,
while the burglars fired the National edifice. On the other hand, they
entreated the people of the United States to yield to the demands of the
slaveholders, and to win the slaveholding rebels back, by so amending our
free Constitution as to make it the great bulwark of slavery. To this
strange address, penned with an earnestness of sincerity which commands
respect, the honored names of J. J. Crittenden and James Guthrie are
annexed. It is " an attitude worthy of a great people," they say to the
Kentuckians, " to take no part in the controversy between the Government
and the seceded States, but that of mediator and intercessor." A more
ignominious position, under the circumstances, a gallant people could not
be placed in. The convention had admitted that there was no excuse for
the action of the rebels, and that the Government was bound to maintain
its integrity. And where there is a right and a wrong, that man is con
temptible who does not espouse the right and assail the Avrong.
The Eev. Dr. Breckinridge, of Danville, Kentucky, one of the
most influential men in the State, alike distinguished for his ability as a
preacher and for the statesmanlike character of his mind, espoused the
cause of the Union, and in many able appeals to his countrymen, exerted
a powerful influence in saving the State from the crime of rebellion. Dr.
Breckinridge is uncle to John C. Breckinridge, who was one of the can
didates for the Presidency, and who so traitorously passed over to the
rebels. On the 10th of June, General S. B. Buckner, Inspector-General of
Kentucky, made the remarkable statement, in an official dispatch to
Governor Magoffin, that he had entered into a treaty stipulation Avith
General George B. McClellan, then in command of the United States
troops north of the Ohio Eiver, by Avhich General McClellan agreed to
respect the neutrality of Kentucky, " even though the Southern States
should occupy it. But in the latter case, he will call upon the authorities
of Kentucky to remove the Southern forces from our territory." Should
the State fail to move them, then General McClellan was to have the right
to enter the State. Under the shield of this neutrality. General Buekner
began to collect forces at Columbus, where soon they blockaded the Mis
sissippi. General McClellan, however, on the 26th, in a dispatch to an
officer in the navy, stated that his intervioAv with General Buckner was
private and personal — that it was repeatedly solicited, and that he gave no
pledge whatever, on the part of the authorities at Washington, that the
United States troops should not enter Kentucky. The only result of the
intcrvieAv, as he understood it, Avas, that Confederate, troops should be
confined to Confederate soil, so far as Kentucky was concerned.

THE WAR IN KENTUCKY. 181
All this trifling soon disappeared, and, in the majestic rising of the
American nation, all time-servers and pretended neutrals were driven to
the camp of the rebels or to the flag of our nationality. In all those States
in which there was no slavery, nineteen in number, with unanimity almost
unparalleled, twenty millions, renouncing all factions, rallied to protect
the life of the nation from the dagger-thrust of traitors. A large propor
tion of the four milUons of white persons in the five Border States espoused
the National cause. In Kentucky, more than in any other of the Border
States, the lines were tensely drawn. FamiUes were everyAvhere divided.
The young men, reckless, adventurous, and inspired with the novelty of
creating a new nation, in which they might occupy posts of honor, fiocked
across the frontier into the rebellious States, or crowded into intrenched
camps, within the neutral State, where they invited the hordes of Jeff.
Davis to come to their aid.
Early in July, General Halleck resigned his command of the Army of
the West, and, on the 23d of the same month, assumed the position of
Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States. General Grant
was placed again at the head of the forces in and about Corinth. General
Buell, a month earlier, had moved, with his army, along the line of the
railroads towards Chattanooga. General Mitchel had been recalled, and
was impatiently awaiting assignment to some new post of duty.* -The
disastrous battles before Eichmond had opened the way for a general rebel
advance, and the rebels resolved upon a bold march for the border, that they
might transfer the field of battle to Northern soil. A combined move
ment Avas made, for this purpose, to push by the National armies, gain their
rear, secure the fall crops of Kentucky and NortEern"Yirgrnia, aiidTif " possi-
blejjo penetrate the IN ortFenTStaHsT*'™'''^"^'' "*
In pursuance of this plan. General Lee advanced from Eichmond as
soon as General McClellan commenced his retreat from the fatal swamps of
the Chickahominy. Havinn; fought the successful battles of Centreville and
Manassas, he crossed the Potomac, invaded Pennsylvania, and at length,
being repulsed in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, abandoned
the attempt to maintain a position on Northern soil, and retreated once
more beyond the Eapidan. While these events, elsewhere recorded, were
taking place in the East, a gombinedjiiOAferaeHt-wasrinade under the rebel
Generals_SiniM^dIirb* Braggjand Yan Dorn, to Jnvade Kentucky,..a,nd, if
PflssibleT-ta-g;^^"possession ofLouisville and Cincinnatir"' 1Tie_proae.cutiqn
of this movement gave rise to the battles of Eichmond (Kentucky), Tazewell,
Mum^rdsville, ±^erryville,"TuEl7'iad CoTThth.' At ope time , it. seriously
threatened to more thancouiifefFalaTi'ce the victories of Fort HenryTFort
Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, and Corinth. To these movements we must
now direct the reader's attention.
The National armies had advanced far south of Kentucky, and the
State was still nominally attached to the LTnion. A large majority of her
citizens Avere loyal; no Confederate forces occupied any portion of her
territory, and she had contributed her full quota to the National army.
*Por account of General Mitchel's campaign, see Vol I., Ch. xxi.

182 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
StUl the unfortunate Border State was not free from the curse of civil war.
Many of her citizens were Avarm adherents of the rebel cause. Many of
her young men had enUsted in the rebel armies. Her Governor, Magoffin,
was an ill-disguised friend of the rebeUion. The State was fuU of guer-
riUa bands, who, under pretence of serving the rebel cause, plundered and
murdered indiscriminately on their own account.
These reckless gangs of robbers, in citizens' clothes, mounted on the
best of Kentucky horses, which they exchanged, as soon as worn out, for
the best they could find in the stables of enemies or friends, could not
easily have been arrested and punished even under the most energetic and
loyal administration. They were quite safe under the timid and tempori-
zino- policy of a Governor who was neither loyal enough to punish treason,
nor bold enough openly to join that traitorous cause with which in heart
he was apparently in sympathy.
Chief among these marauders was one John Morgan, whose energy,
reckless daring, and apparent ubiquity, made him an object of universal
dread. No families, placing their heads upod their pilloAvs at night,
knew whether the guerrillas might not be upon them before morning.
Growing bolder by success, and increasing by natural accretions of all
" lewd fellows of the baser sort," they proceeded from plundering private
dwellings and burning bridges, to attacking small towns. On the 12th of
July, 1862, Morgan, with his gang, took possession of the town of Leb
anon, after a brief resistance by a.^ extemporized band of home guards.
His force increased at length to quite a formidable army. With tAventy-
two thousand men he advanced upon Cynthiana. The place Avas defended
only by a home guard of three hundred and forty men, entirely undisci
plined. They made, however, a heroic resistance, and were not over
powered until a large number of the rebels had been slain. No instance
in the war exhibits greater courage than the truly chivalrous defence of
Cynthiana. The little band of patriots Avere commanded by Lieutenant-
Colonel J. J. Landrum, Avhose coolness and braA^ery secured for him a po
sition in the first rank of heroic men. Shortly after this, a band of guer
rillas took possession of Henderson, on the Ohio Eiver. Another hand
crossed the river, and plundered Newburg, in Indiana. These prowling
gangs kept the border in a continual state of ferment. Alarms in the
river towns were of constant occurrence. Home guards were everywhere
formed. Citizens repeatedly patrolled the streets all night, in anticipa
tion of an attack, such as their ancestors encountered from the savages of
the forest with torch and tomahawk. Month after month these disorders
rapidly increased. Like the mist of the morning, the rebel gang dispersed
upon the approach of any hostile force, only to make their unexpected ap
pearance upon some other spot.
In August an extra session of the Legislature was called by the Gov
ernor, at the request of prominent citizens, to consider the condition ofthe
State. It Avas at once apparent that there could be no harmony of
action between the Governor and the Legislature, and the Governor,
to the great relief of the loyal community, Avas induced to resign.
James F. Eobinson, a Union man, Avas elected in his place. Among

THE WAR IN KENTUCKY. 183
other subjects considered at this session was the plan proposed by Presi
dent Lincoln for the gradual emancipation of the slaves. The phUanthrop-
ic plan Avas not accepted. The Legislature, most of whose members were
personally interested in the institution which compels poor men to work
for rich men without wages, .had the boldness to deny that slavery was the
cause of tbe war, and refused to consent to its abolition. This result God
overruled for good. He had better plans in store for the South than
gradual and lingering emancipation. Scarcely a year after this passed
away, ere Missouri, Tennessee, Maryland, and Louisiana were calling aloud
for the immediate abolition of slavery. It cannot be that the soil which
covers the remains of Henry Clay will long be tilled by unpaid laborers.
The rapid increase of guerrilla operations at this time, especially in
Eastern Kentucky, indicated some hostile movements of a more serious
character. Eumors of invasion began to be repeated through the public
press, and to gain credence from those who had previously scouted the
idea. It was said that John Morgan, with a large band, was approaching
Frankfort, the capital of the State. About the middle of August it became
known that the rebel general, E. Kirby Smith, with a Avell-organized
force, was advancing into the State from Knoxville, Tennessee. Cumber
land Gap was in possession of the National forces under General George
W. Morgan.* The rebels first made an attempt to drive him from his
position. They attacked his advance at TazeweU. Being repulsed, they
abandoned the purpose, if indeed they had ever entertained it, of entering
Kentucky tlirough Cumberland Gap, and turning to the Avest, passed over
a difficult mountain road, at a point known as Big Creek Gap.
As early as the 9th of August, General Morgan dispatched to Governor
Johnson intelligence that it was rumored that Kentucky was about to be
•invaded, and that- General Smith had already crossed the mountains and
entered the State. Almost simultaneously came the news that General
Bragg had slipped past General Buell, and was marching for the North.
At the same time the entire country Avas Avatching, Avith the most intense
anxiety, the movements of the two armies in the East. General Lee Avas
then rushing forAvard, by forced marches, to attack General Pope before
General McClellan, who was proverbially slow in his movements, could
join him from the Peninsula.
On the 1st of July, the President, by act of Congress, had called for
three hundred thousand volunteers to serve during the war. These were
being rapidly recruited. On the 4th bf August, the President, by procla
mation, called for three hundred thousand more, to serve for nine months,
to be immediately drafted. The danger was imminent, not merely to the
capital at Washington, but to the entire Northern border. To AA-ithstand
the well-drilled forces of Generals Smith and Bragg, marching upon Ken
tucky, there was no organized army — nothing but the undisciplined, unor
ganized forces under the President's call of July. Fortunately, the guber
natorial chairs of Ohio and Indiana were occupied by men of patriotism
and energy equal to the emergency. It is impossible to speak in terms of
* Por account of his discomfiture and retreat see chapter on Eastern Tennessee.

184 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
too high praise of these distinguished patriots. Governor Morton, of Indi
ana, merits a volume devoted to his own exploits. The whole nation felt
the power of his loyal energy. The whole State seemed imbued with his
spirit. Wherever was the thickest fight, there the soldiers of Indiana were
found in the advance. Without detracting in the slightest degree from
the merits and the achievements of the loyal Governors of othfer States,
who rendered the nation priceless services, History would be faithless to
her trust Avere not distinguished honor rendered to Governor Morton, of
Indiana. He, like Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, and Governor
Buckingham, of Connecticut, was formed upon the highest model of earthly
nobility. And they were all faithful to the mission with which God had
intrusted them.
General Lew. Wallace, one of our most unconditionally loyal and heroic
men, had been relieved from duty on the field. It would be as difficult to
assign any reason for this act of the War Department, as for that which
had allowed at different times Generals Fremont, Mitchel, and Butler to
lie idle. Unwilling to be doing nothing in this great crisis of our National
history. General Wallace Avas earnestly engaged in holding war meetings
in Indiana, for the purpose of stimulating volunteering, when the news
of Kirby Smith's invasion reached his ears. With characteristic nobility,
he immediately volunteered to take command, as colonel, of any of the
unofficered regiments then forming in the State. His offer was accepted.
In less than twenty-four hours he was in Louisville, reporting to General
Boyle for service. General Boyle was not a Uttle embarrassed. Though
in command of the forces in Kentucky, he ranked as brigadier-general.
Wallace was major-general. For a brigadier-general to be issuing orders
to a major-general was without precedent in the army. The circumstances
were also without precedent, and fortunately General Wallace cared less
about military etiquette, than about his country.
General Boyle dispatched him to Lexington, and gave him command
of all the forces which were gathered there. They were raw troops, many
of whom had never even fired a gun. In many instances the officers were
as inexperienced as the men. General Wallace at once proceeded to
organize these forces. He drew into his service, either as captains of home
guards, or upon his staff", some of the most prominent men of Kentucky,
such as John J. Crittenden, Leslie Coombs, and Garrett Davis. The
magic of these names caused volunteers by hundreds to flock to his camp —
keen-eyed and strong-limbed Kentucky riflemen. He telegraphed to Ohio
and Indiana for additional troops, assembled a corps of several hundred
negroes, armed Avith spades and picks, and perfected his plan of defence.
To attempt to oppose the veterans of Kirby Smith in the open field was
no part of his design. Neither would he exhaust the energies of his sol
diers, or occupy their time, so important for drill, by employing them in
the labor of intrenching. Eising above the wretched prejudices of the
times, which would allow horses and mules, but not colored men, to serve
the National cause, he organized an efficient corps of men, in whose veins
floAved commingled Caucasian and Ethiopian blood, to accompany his sol
diers and relieve them of the toil of throwing up breastworks. Posterity

THE WAR IN KENTUCKY. 185
wUl be slow to beUeve that, in the nineteenth century, prejudice could be
so inveterate and crazy, that it required great moral courage to employ
colored men even to dig ditches for the army. No one, as yet, ventured to
place a musket in the hands of men who subsequently proved themselves
to be quite equal to their whiter brothers in all soldierly and heroic quali
ties. Behind the breastAvorks which these dark-faced allies threw up, our
bold but inexperienced white soldiers were invincible.
We blush to write that General Wallace was not permitted to carry
out his eminently sagacious and effective plans. Either his employment
of colored men offended the sensitiveness of some in power, or, as is charita
bly to be hoped, some important changes in the organization of the mili
tary department caused his removal. For, in the midst of these exciting
scenes, the States of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and
Eastern Kentucky were constituted a military district, intitled the Depart
ment of the Ohio, A\hich was assigned to the command of Geperal H. G.
Wright. The command of the Army of Kentucky was intrusted to
Major-General Nelson. Thus, just as the collision of the two armies was
at hand, and while, indeed. General Wallace was writing his last order,
preparatory to taking the field, he was superseded by General Nelson.
With unswerAdng patriotism, which merits record, he offered to serve under
General Nelson in any capacity. His offer was declined, and General
Lew. Wallace, Avith patriotic submission, returned, out of employment, to
Cincinnati. His plan of fighting behind breastworks was abandoned.
His corps of dark-complexioned laborers were contemptuously sent away.
The inexperienced recruits Aveie draAvn out in the open field to withstand
the veterans of Kirby Smith, while theii- chosen commander, at Avhose call
they had so enthusiastically rallied, was compulsively folding his hands,
miles away from the scene of conffict. The result was the disastrous bat
tle of Eichmond.
Eichmond is a small village south of the Kentucky Eiver, and south
east of Frankfort. In the vicinity were two brigades of experienced
troops, under Brigadier-Generals M. D. Manson and Charles Cruft, in all
about six thousand five hundred men. It was known that the enemy were
in considerable force in front, but their numbers could not be accurately
ascertained. On the 29th of August, information was brought to General
Manson that the enemy were advancing in force. As his camp was com
manded by a range of hills on the south, he determined not to " allow the
enemy to occupy them without a struggle. His brigade was accordingly
pressed forward, and formed in line of battle ; he met the advance of the
enemy, who Avere endeavoring to occupy the hills, and drove them back
in disorder. By this movement, hoAA^ever, he placed four miles between
himself and the second brigade, under General Cruft.
The next morning he Avas attacked by the entire force of the rebels,
under Kirby Smith. General Cruft, informed of the engagement by the
roar of the guns, moved up to his support without awaiting orders. He
found the battle already raging, and formed his raw troops in line, under
heavy fire, a difficult and perilous feat to perform CA^en with veterans.
The National troops fought bravely against a foe nearly double their own

186 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
numbers. They had no advantages in position ; they could easUy be out
flanked. The inexperienced troops, with subordinate officers as little accus
tomed to war as themselves, though they fought heroicaUy, could not be
manoeuvred in the midst of the battle so as to meet the new dispositions
of the foe. For nearly tAventy-four hours they maintained their ground in
as brave fight as the war has witnessed.
At length the attempt to change the positions of some of the troops
threw them into confusion. The eagle-eyed enemy improved the occasion,
and, in a fierce attack upon the left wing, drove it back in disorder. This
was followed by the retreat of the whole army, panic-stricken and routed.
General Cruft formed his reserves about a mile in the rear, and succeeded
in checking the flight, and restoring some degree of order. Here a new
line was formed, and a second stand was made. Again the rebels, exult
ant and with loud cheers, came rushing upon the left flank. An imme
diate change of front was necessary ; in the attempt to effect it, the patriot
troops were again thrown into confusion, and, panic-stricken, fled again from
the field. Generals Manson and Cruft rode forward and made a third
attempt to rally their fiying troops, and form a new line of defence at
Eichmond. Just at this juncture General Nelson came upon the scene.
Under the combined efforts of the three officers the third line was formed ;
but it was impossible to hold together any longer the remnants of this
twice defeated army.
As the rebels, with their accustomed impetuosity, advanced to the charge,
the line again broke, the rout became general, and the officers were swept
away upon the tumultuous flood of their panic-stricken men ; each man
saved himself as best he could ; the rebel cavalry succeeded in gaining the
rear of the fugitive army ; nearly half of the patriot army were tal<en cap
tives ; they Avere, however, immediately paroled, as the rebels had scarcely
food sufficient to supply the wants of their own men. General Nelson
escaped, borne from the field with a severe wound in the thigh.* General
Cruft collected the scattered remnants of the discomfited troops at Lex
ington, and thence marched to Louisville.
* General Nelson repaired to Louisville, where, on the 29th of September, he was shot by
Brigadier-General Jefi'erson C. Davis, at the Gait House, in a moment of exasperation produced
by grossly insulting language addressed by General Nelson to General Davis, his subordinate
ofBcer. He died ofthe wound in the course of a few hours, in anguish both of body and of mini
The sympathies of the community were strongly with the avenger, and not with his victim.
General Nelson, as a soldier, was brave ; as au officer, he was considerate of the wants of his
soldiers; but as a man he was hot-tempered, unrefined, and overbearing. He h.id many enemies,
and few friends.

CHAPTEE XV.
ADVANCE AND RETREAT OP THE REBELS.
September 2(1 to October Sth, 1S62.
Capture op Lexington and Feankpoet. — Heroism op Lew. Wallace. — Peril op Cin
cinnati. — MANtBuvRES OP Bragg and Buell — Mueoee op General MoCook. — Heroism
OP Colonel Wilder at Mumfordsville. — Ravages op Bragg — Ineppicienot of Buell.
— Battle op Peeetvillb. — Retreat op the Rebels. — Dissatisfaction avith Buell. — The
two Parties.
The effect of the disaster at Eichmond was to leave an unobstructed
road for the advance of the rebel army. On the 2d of September the
rebel general, Kirby Smith, with his exultant troops, entered Lexington,
one of the most important towns in the heart of Kentucky. On the 6th
he took possession of Frankfort, the capital of the State, but a few miles
distant. The public records and other property had, however, been
previously removed. The most intense excitement pervaded all the- towns
upon the Ohio Eiver, upon both banks.
General Smith was about equally distant from Louisville and Cincin
nati. He could, with equal facility, move upon the one city or the other,
and either would afford him limitless plunder. Vigorous preparations
were made for the defence of both of these threatened cities. Governor
Eobinson, of Kentucky, issued a proclamation calling upon the citizens to
rise en masse and drive out the invaders. The Governors of Ohio and
Indiana called upon the people of those States to rally to protect their
borders from rebel invasion. The appeal was promptly answered, and
from every farm-house and work-shop came the thronging patriots to pro
tect their homes.
Meanwhile, General Lew. Wallace was once more assigned to active
duty. He was ordered to take charge of the city of Cincinnati and its
suburbs, to repel the menacing foe. The patriot troops were, for the most
part, concentrated at Louisville, where there was a large quantity of
Government stores. It was necessary that what remained of the army
should be united, for the protection of those magazines. Ohio was, neces
sarily, left to defend her own border. General Wallace was solely depend
ent, for the protection of Cincinnati, upon the cooperation of the citizens,
and upon the volunteer soldiery. The imminence of the danger may be
inferred from the following extracts from the proclamation which he
issued : —
" It is but fair to inform the citizens that an active, daring, and power
ful enemy threatens them with every consequence of war. All business
must be suspended at nine o'clock to-day. Every business house must be

188 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
closed. Under the direction of the mayor, the citizens must, within an
hour after the suspension of business, assemble in convenient public places
ready for orders. As soon as possible they ivill then be assigned to their
work. The willing will be properly credited; the unwilling promptly
visited. Citizens for labor ; soldiers for the battle. Martial law is hereby
proclaimed in the three cities."
This proclamation, as bold as it was essential, was cheerfully acquiesced
in by the citizens. Indeed, it inspired all Avith confidence, that to meet the
storm which was rising, there was a strong hand at the helm. No one
was permitted to leave the city without a pass. A pontoon bridge was
thrown across the Ohio Eiver. Gunboats were extemporized out of the
steamboats w-hich lined the river-banks. Citizens of all classes, armed
with spade and pickaxe, repaired to the Kentucky hills, back of Coving
ton, and in three days these were covered with earthworks, making a semi
circle from the river back above the city to a point in the river below.
Yolunteers by thousands, from Indiana and Ohio, rushed to Cincinnati,
bringing with them, from the rural districts, their familiar rifles. The
promptness and energy of General Wallace's action, and the cordial co
operation he received from the citizens, preserved the city. The rebels,
warily advancing from Frankfort, reconnoitred the works, which had been
so suddenly thrown up to oppose their progress, and quailed at the thought
of endeavoring to storm those ramparts, Avhere husbands, and fathers, and
sons A^^ere ready to perish in the defence of all to them most dear.
For ten days tliiJ eyes of the Avhole nation were directed, most anxiously,
to the scenes Avhich were transpiring on the banks of the Ohio. General
Kirby Smith, who was very ready, Avitli his veteran troops, to meet inex
perienced volunteers in the open field, Avas quite disinclined to expose his
men to the fire from the intrenchments Avhich General Wallace had reared.
For a feAV days he lingered around, baffled and disappointed ; now exam
ining this position, and now that, until, about the middle of the month,
he sullenly commenced a retreat. The black cloud passed aAvay. Its re
ceding thunders died in the distance, and hundreds of thousands of agi
tated hearts again enjoyed peace and repose. Business was resumed, and
martial law Avas suspended.
While these scenes were transpiring in Eastern Kenturky, General
Bragg Avas moving his forces with a vicAv to pass General Buell's left flank,
gain his rear, threaten his railroad communications, and, marching north,
join Kirby Smith, and, with their united force, advance upon the North
ern border. In this he so far succeeded as to slip by General Buell, and
get in his rear, without fighting a battle. On the 23d of July he surprised
and captured the small National force stationed at Murfreesboro'. This
humiliation to our arms Avas the more inexcusable and disgraceful, since
the purpose of the enemy had been fully made known to us by the ever
patriotic and faithful negroes. But these Avere the days of fanatical con
tempt of all aid whatever from colored men, and the information thus
communicated was utterly disregarded. A force, amply sufficient, with
any degree of vigilance, for the defence of the place, was thus shamefully
surrendered to the rebels. A fortnight before this, Brigadier-General B.

ADVANCE AND RETREAT 01' THE REBELS. 189
L. McCook had been brutally murdered by the savage foe. He had
entered the volunteer service from the State of Ohio, at the commence
ment of the rebellion ; had Avon a name for himself by valor displayed in
Western Yirginia, and had particularly distinguished himself at the battle
of Mill Springs, where he was severely Avounded.
General McCook was sick, and was riding in an open carriage upon his
bed, accompanying his troops in their march from Athens, in Alabama,
to Dechard, in Tennessee. Somewhat carelessly, he had allowed himself
to be conveyed several miles in advance of the bulk of his troops, when he
was -suddenly attacked by a party of guerrillas. The horses took fright
and began to run, becoming utterly unmanageable. The guerrillas pur
sued, caught up Avith the carriage, and in spite of the general's declarations
that he could not control the horses, shot him through the body, producing
a mortal wound.
The latter part of August the rebel General Bragg, having concentrated
his army at Chattanooga, commenced his movement northward. He threw
a considerable force towards McMinnsville, threatening Nashville. The
feint succeeded ; it was thought at first that he intended an attack upon
that city. GeneralBueU was dependeaL,jM:JM»~^umiIiea.,,BOLjmk^auC)n
the possession of ..Nashville, bul:. upon the protection ^ of ..tlia-whole ljiig._x)£
railroad from TPfjiDP?;Rpfi I(JiY'lTL!ill-X:21V'i'^i'lj'^ While his attention Avas
thus imperiously called to the defence of Nashville, General Bragg rapidly
moved his army in a northeasterly direction, and taking a wide circuit
around NashAdlle, entered Kentucky, and advanced towards Bowling
Green. His intentions Avere now apparent, and General Buell, thus cir
cumvented, was compelled to abandon his previous line, and foUoAV his
adversary. On the 13th of September the rebel advance had reached Mumfords
ville, Kentucky, about fifty miles northeast of Bowling Green. Here the
raUroad crosses Green Eiver, and here Colonel J. T. Wilder* was
stationed, in command of a small force for the defence of the railroad
bridge. He had been in command of the post but five days ; during that
time he had energetically gathered supplies, erected considerable fortifica
tions, and sent out some of his raw recruits to act as scouts, who, as yet,
* John T. Wilder was born in Ulster County, New York, in the year 1S30. He ia of a fight
ing family. His great-grandfather was wounded at Bunker Uill. His grandfather served in the
battles of Saratoga, Monmouth, and Stony Point, and his father in the war of 1812. The latter,
though sixty-nine years of age, recently wrote to his son for a position on his staff. Colonel
Wilder was educated as a civil and hydraulic engineer, in whieh business he has been extensively
engaged ever since 1852, his home being m Indiana, but his labors extending throughout the
West. At the breaking out of the war he left his shop and foundry to accept a lieutenant-
colonelcy. In September, 1862, he made for himself a National reputation by his memorable
defence at Mumfordsville. Though still a colonel, he is now appointed to the command of an
^independent brigade. This he has mounted, without expense to the Government, upon horses
borrowed from the enemy, who ha-v?e also had the privilege of feeding them. This brigade takes
care of itself, provides itself with forage, shoes its own horses, and builds its own wagons, and it
has become famous for its many defensive and aggressive operations. Colonel Wilder is said to
have been the first one to suggest that the soldiers appeal to their friends at home to unite
heartily in supporting the war policy of the Administration; an appeal which has produced an
incalculable effect upon the politics ofthe country.

190 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
were unprovided with arms. These vigilant men apprised him of General
Bragg's approach, when he was nearly fifty miles distant.
At daylight on Sabbath morning a furious attack was made on Mum
fordsville by the advance of Bragg's army, under General Chalmers. ' The
National troops were withdrawn to positions behind their Avorks, where,
with fixed bayonets and well-charged guns, they, in perfect silence, awaited
the onset of the foe. The rebels, deluded by the idea that the patriots had
fled, A\ith exulting yells came rushing on. The patriots calmly waited
their time, and not until the enemy were within thirty yards of their well-
aimed guns did they open fire. Appalled by the unexpected sheet of flame
and shower of death, the on-rushing rebels were staggered, reeled back,
broke in confusion, and fled to the cover of the woods. While this assault
was made on the left, a similar but more prolonged attack was made upon
the right. The rebel fire was so deadly that the patriot fiag was jiierced
by one hundred and forty bullet-holes.
Major Abbott, of Illinois, in command at this point, sprang upon the
parapet sword in hand, where he was shot dead while urging his men to
stand firm. . But here, too, the rebels were repulsed, and at half-past nine
in the morning they abandoned the attack. Meanwhile, Colonel Wilder
had been reenforced by six companies from Louisville, under Colonel Dun
ham. The rebel general sent in a note by a fiag of truce : " You have
made," he wrote, " a gallant defence; to avoid further bloodshed, I demand
unconditional surrender ; the railroad track is torn up in your rear, and
you cannot receive reenforcements ; General Bragg is but a short distance
in the rear."
To this Colonel Wilder replied, " Your note demanding the unconditional
surrender of my forces has been received ; thank you for your compliments.
If you wish to avoid further bloodshed, keep out of the range of my guns.
As to reenforcements, they are now entering my works. I think I can
defend my position against your entire force ; at least I shall attempt
to do so."
The remainder of that day was occupied by the rebels in the burial of
their d^ad. Their loss in killed and Avounded was over seven hundred.
The Nation al,ti;oops,__defen_djn^^J^ breastworE^T^t hut
tw^fttS^SSS?^- Oil Monday the fighting was renewed ; earnest dispatches
were sent to Louisville and Bowling Green for reenforcements. From
menaced Louisville none could be spared. Though General Buell's entire
army was at Bowling Green, for some unexplained and inexplicable cause
no troops from that quarter were sent to the aid of the heroic beleaguered
band; under these circumstances, further resistance was in vain. On
Monday evening General Bragg arrived with the bulk of his army.
TAventy-five thousand rebels, veterans in war, surrounded four thousand
patriot citizen soldiers, fresh from their homes ; the hills around bristled
Avith cannon, Avhich threw shot and shell into the Union camp. '
Colonel Wilder, after adroitly securing a delay of over twenty-four hours,
in the expectation of receiAdng relief by that time from General Buell, on
Wednesday morning surrendered his force. Both officers and men were
immediately paroled. General Bragg continued his march northward

ADVANCE AND KETREAT OP THE REBELS. 191
towards Louisville ; before reaching that city he turned his columns in an
easterly direction, towards the centre of the State. ' General Buell, instead
of foUoAving him, marched directly with his army to LouisAdlle. Thus, without
a single battle. General Buell had suffered himself to be led from the southern
border of Tennessee to the northern border of Kentucky. All the ground
which General Mitchel, as recorded in the first volume, had so heroically occu
pied, was given back Avithout a struggle to the rebels. Four thousand patriots
at Mumfordsville were left to struggle unaided, though the soiin.d of the de-
fehsive cahn'b'il'o'f the overpowered b^nd. could be distinctly heard by the
massive_,cplumnsof patriot troops und/^r General Buell's command.
For ah outalortm^t "General Bragg was left unmolesied' in the heart
of Kentucky. Of course he was not idle ; he issued a proclamation urging
the people of Kentucky to rise and join the rebel Confederacy. As this
appeal met with no response, he forced multitudes of the people of
Kentucky, at the point of the bayonet, into the rebel ranks. General
Buell, Uke General McClellan, had been very scrupulous in reference to
the appropriation, under any circumstances, of the private property of the
rebels to the service ofthe General Government ; and, Uke General McClellan,
he was exceedingly indisposed to offer the slightest encouragement to the
colored population to assist us in any way in the struggle. General Bragg,
whose whole heart was in the rebellion, suffered himself to be trammelled
by no such scruples. Whenever he could strike a blow, he struck it Avith
aU the strength of his muscular arm ; he manifested very little regard to
private property, or for the ordinary usages of civilized warfare.
Foraging j^arties, ravaged the State recklessly, and Avith impunity.
Horses, cattle, breadstuffs— all things valuable for an army — were seized,
regardless of OAvnership. Soi^etimes^they went through the mockery of
paymLgiiLiLConfederate scrip," which was as abundant in the rebel camp
and about as worthless as broAvn paper. It is estimated that during this
fortnight, when General Bragg had truly none to molest, and nonfe to make
afraid, he added daily, on an average, a hundred thousand dollars worth
of stores to his famished army. What was GeneralJBuell _dQing_AlUiii6
time ? This question cannot easily be answered.
WhUe General Bragg^'wasmus pushing his untroubled way lesiurely
into Central-^entueky—aa^-G^neral Kirby Smith was menacing Cincin
nati, other events of less importance were taking place throughout the States
of Kentucky and Tennessee, thus overrun by the rebels. The indications
were everywhere apparent that the rebels were endeavoring to take per
manent possession of these regions, which had been once rescued from the
flag of treason. Owing to a fall in the Cumberland Eiver, the larger
boats could not reach Nashville, consequently ClarksAdlle, which was about
fifty miles nearer the embouchure of the stream into the Ohio, became a
depot for suppUes. A large amount of army stores had been collected
here. This very important point had been carelessly left under the guard
of a fragment of a regiment, consisting of less than three hundred men,
commanded by Colonel Eodney Mason. Even this feble band had muskets
only, being entirely destitute of artillery.
Early in August, Colonel Mason became convinced that the rebels were

192 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
preparing to attack ClarksviUe. He sent both to General Grant and to
General BueU, earnestly caUing for ordnance. In the pressure of affairs
deemed more important, the appeal was unanswered. AbouLjthe_middle
of August a rebel force, over a thousand strong, wi&a_battery__DLiour
guiis, suddenly appeared before the place, and deniandedJts^uj3Bnder.
Eesistance, being hopeless, was not attempted. Imputations were cast
upon Colonel Mason for his surrender ; they were cruelly unjust. It would
not have been the act of a gallant soldier to doom his faithful men to
slaughter when no earthly purpose could have been subserved by it. The
responsibiUty, be it greater or less, rests upon those higher in authority,
wfeoj^ft-a-poat ..so jimportant withpu^^^^
On the 22d of August, an engagement occurred at GaUatin, Tennessee,
between the rebel General Morgan, with about eight hundred men, and
Brigadier-General E. W. Johnson,* with about six hundred. The Union
troops were utterly routed. After gaining some decisive advantages, an
inexplicable and causeless panic seized the men, and they fied shamelessly,
in spite of all the efforts of their officers to raUy them. On the 25th of
the month. Fort Donelson, which was held by four companies of infantry,
was attacked by a considerably superior force of rebels, who were, however,
repulsed after a short but severe engagement.f
Nashville was meantime surrounded, not only by guen-illas, but by
organized rebel forces. It was defended by a few regiments under the
command of Brigadier-General James S. Negley, one of America's untitled
nobles.:]: On the 6th of October, learning that a large rebel force was
concentrating at La Yergne, fifteen miles south of Nashville, with the in-
* Richard W. Johnson was born in Livingston County, Kentucky, Tth February, 1827; gradu
ated at West Point in July, 1849; was ordered to Kentucky shortly after the assault on Fort
Sumter, in October, 1861 ; was appointed to a brigadier-generalship, and assigned to a command
in General McCook's Division; was absent from the field at the battle of Shiloh on account of
sickness ; was defeated and captured, tlirough the shameful cowardice of some of his men, by the
rebel General John H. Morgan, in the battle of Gallatin; was subsequently exchanged, and in the
battle of Stone River commanded the extreme right of the army, whose rout, notwithstanding his
most strenuous efforts, contributed so much to the Federal disaster upon the first day.
f When the Union troops marched through one of our towns, with the beaming Stars and
Stripes waving over them, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the heavens. A littlo boy, perceiving
it, ran to his mother, exclaiming, " Mother, God is a Union man!" His mother asked him why
he thought so. He replied that he had seen his fiag in the sky, and it was red, white, and blue. _
— Louisville Journal.
1^ James S. Negley was born December 21, 1826, in East Liberty, Allegheny County, Pennsyl
vania, of Swiss descent. He entered tlie Mexican war, though under age, and appUcation having
been made by his friends to the legal authorities to prevent his going, he told the court he should
go at all events. He was allowed to go. Being there sick, his friends procured and sent him
a discharge, but he refused to accept it, and remained till the close of the war. He then retired
to private life, but still felt an active interest in military affairs, organized a company in his own
village, subsequently was appointed brigadier-general of the State militia ; and four months
before the assault on Sumter, confldent that war could not be avoided, proffered the services of
his brigade to Governor Curtin. He was subsequently assigned to a command under General ,
Mitchel. During the operations at Shiloh and Corinth, he was in command at Columbia, Tennes
see. He entered heartily into the spint of General Mitchel's administration. He was the first
ofBcer in General Buell's department to use slaves as teamsters. During Buell's trip to Louis
ville he was in command at Nashville. On General Rosecrans's return to that city he was
assigned to the command of one of Thomas's divisions, and in the battle of Stone River held the
right of the centre.

ADVANCE AND RETREAT OP THE REBELS. 193
tention of attacking the city. General Negley sent about sixteen hundred
men, who fell upon the rebel force and routed them, with but slight loss.
A month later, on the 5th of November, after General Buell had been
relieved of his command, the rebels, with about five thousand cavalry and
mounted infantry, supported by several pieces of artillery; under the com
mand of Generals Forrest and Morgan, made a rush upon Nashville. They,
however, met only Avith a bloody repulse.
From the recital of these incidents let us now return to the main nar
rative. We left G;eneral Bii,eU encamped at Lo»is,^ie, and General Bragg
in^e_hegj±.ij£ Kentucky, despoiling^ the S.tate and gathering up supplies.
At length, on the 1st of October, General Buell moved from Louisville.
General Bragg now commenced to retreat. General BueU's army was
divided into three corps. The first jvas^^underJ^ajiHr^eneral^
McCook.* The second was under MaioXafieaajal Crittenden. Tb,§Lihij;d^
was under Ma-jor-General GUhert. Major-General JC£ggi3fiy.»^fe£^was
second iiL command, inoved Avith..thfijSjaciDnd.JlQKps ; General Buell wrth
JS.^- fdvand3g^oaJaEtom,J&.,t^^
the enemy indi£atfid>.aSLintention to concentrate at Danville. General
BueU, accordingly, ordered his three corps to advance to that place by dif
ferent routes. The rebels, however, being hard pressed, determined to
make a stand at Perryville. The National army, men and horses, were
suffering severely for want of water. There are certain springs at Perry-
vUle, which the rebels determined not to surrender without a struggle.
On the evening of the \T^ General Buell, who was with the centre,
found his advance stubbornly resisted. Becoming satisfied that the enemy
were concentrating at Perryville, he sent orders to General McCook on his
left, and General Crittenden on his right, to change their line of march so
as to form a junction with him at that point. The rebels rapidly concen
trated their whole force at Perryville. It consisted of about fifty thousand
men, veteran troops. Their position was well chosen. Perryville lies in
a valley. Upon the hills which bounded the southern line of the valley-
the rebels formed their line of battle.
It was half-past two in the morning of the 8th before General McCook
received the order directing him to march towards Perryville. He was
then at Maxville, ten miles distant. He proceeded to execute this ordpr,
'marching before daAvn, but did not reach the field until half-past ten
o'clock. He then formed a junction with General Gilbert's Corps, and
reported, in person, to General Buell for instructions. He was directed to
* General Alexander McDowell MoCook was born in Columbia County, Ohio, Apiil 22d,
1831. He graduated at AVest Point in July, 1852, served five years in New Mexico, and three
years as instructor at West Point. At the breaking out of the rebellion he was elected Cobnel
of First Regiment Ohio Volunteers, and fought with honor to himself in the battle of Bull Run.
In September, 1861, he vt^s appointed brigadier-general of volunteers. By a forced march
he reached Pittsburg Landing just in time to take part in the second day's battle. In July,
1863, he was appointed major-general, and in the following September was assigned, by General
Buell, to the command of one of his army corps. With but two divisions he bore, almost unaided
the assault of nearly the entire rebel army in the battle of Perryville. In the battle of Stone
River a part of his forces were surprised and routed by the enemy; but no better fighting waa
done upon that memorable day than by Sheridan's Division of his corps. He remained in com
mand until after the battle of Chickamauga, when he was relieved by order of General Rosecrans.
Vol. n.— 13 ^

194: CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
make a -reconnoissance on the left as far as Chaplin Eiver, a stream flowing
through the valley to which we have alluded. UpJO-tMa. time, jtbfim,had
been no serious' fighting, and Gener.al Buell .seems, to.,.h.ftye iniBEaad^l^ut
there \vould be none. He. anticipatesdjio_^attack, and, as it was late in_the
day, decided, tp make none until the following^' morning. Unfortunately
for General Buell, the rebels, as little accommodating as they had proved
themselves at the battle of Shiloh, finding the National troops indisposed
to attack, wisely resolved to make the ^.ssault .^emselves, before the third
corps, Jinder General Crittendeji,,, ci)Hld_.<arEive. About two o'clock, the
rebels, with characteristic impetuosity, rushed to the onslaught. Unlike
many of the leaders of the National armies, at that time, whose sympathies
were strongly pro-slavery, and who hoped that there might yet be some
compromise, by which the North would consent to accept slavery, the rebel
leaders were thoroughly in earnest, and resolved to strike the heaviest and
swiftest possible bloAvs.
General Bragg, pursuing his customary tactics, coflftentrated^his^gatire
force, and hurled thernAvith all possible vehemence upon General^SlteCo^
Corps, which consisted of but about fifteen thousand. jnen. Three times
that number were hurled madly upon them. Bravely these patriot sol
diers met the crash. They stood like the storm-swept rock, rolling back
the billows of assault. Again and again the determined foe returned to
the charge. From two o'clock until nearlj' dark the battle raged with
fearful A'iolence. In proportion to the numbers engaged, it was one of
the most desperately fought battles of the war. Both .Qieneral McCook
and General Bragg record it as the sternest and bloodiest battle, for the
numbers'engageE!!' of modern' times.
^ Genera:! BuHrs head-quarters Avere b»t -two- and ^-h-al£ J3ail£a_fi:amthe
field where Geiieral McCook's heroic band, wer.a.slxugaJiiig,-through these
long hours so valiantlyj against such uneqijal numbers. „.Xhp central corps,
under General Gilbert, was very near the contending hosts, a^d General
'Critt en den's troops Avere not so far off but that they heard the distant
thunder of the conflict. The roar of the battle fell heavily on the ear of
Generail Buell. The soldiers waited impatiently for the order to rush to
the succor of their comrades. Tbf- order, however ^ wa.s not gj^gj^ Two
brigades only were pushed forward, " as the cannonading," says .General
Buell, " Avas not supposed to proceed from any serious engagement, as no '
report to that effect was received." It sends a thrill of anguish to the
patriot heart to contemplate the opportunity which was lost. The hearty '
cooperation of these three corps, under one master-mind, would then and
there have annihilated Bragg's army. General McCook's Division alone
repelled the attack.
The-jr^bels coinmeneed their assault upon General Jackson's Division,
which occupied the left of., General M,cCook's CKgtre. Only one brigade
of the diAdsion was on the field to meet the brunt of the onset. General
Jackson was almost immediately killed, and his brigade- thi>»wB-iaiQ..^sor-
der. General Terral, second in command, in endeavoring, to raUy his
men, was mortally wounded, and ten pieces of their artiUery .felTlntoThB
hands of the rebels. The foe, pressing their advantage, feU.ugon General

ADVANCE AND RETREAT OP THB REBELS. 195
Eousseau's * troops with terrible iinpetuosi ty . Massing their forces upon the
side of the hill, so that seya.-^riines could fire at once, they poured in upon
the'patridts a sjgrm'of shot, which mor tal_en durance could not withstand.
Our troops dreAy_bacFa_quarter of a mile, where they took another posi
tion, and'ajain awaited the overpowering ,9,pd^ dreadful onSet.
AndThow'bccurred one of those scenes Avhich no pen can describe, and
which no imagination can conceive. Xiifi-Tenth Ohio Eeglment were ly-
ing^down, just under the crest.of .a hill, expejating JllCadyance of the foe,
wheiijbyjlie^isaster of GeneralJa^^
the regiment being-quite miconscious of its danger. A AA'hole brigade of
the enemy moved furtively axo,iiiid..lhe.. hill, and, concealed by .thcundula-
ting character of the ground, reached unnoticed a position within a hun-
^redTyards of the_jjnsu^ectmg.regimgp Suddenly they poured into ihe
astoundedp_atriot band a well-aimed, pqint-blanc, murderous fire. Colonel
Lytle, the heroic commander pf_ tlie regiment, yvasby alnaost.tha first vol-
lej^jtrQ£k-d£OEii^-4angerously^wouaded. One of his sergeants endeavored
to bear him from-the field. " You can do some good yet," said the hero.
"lean do none. _Let, me.die here."
Bewildered, staggered, and having lost their commander, the regiment
made'oniToM" yet unavailing effort to effect a change of front. Thwarted
in this endeavor,^they fellback, .though not in disorder. It was nearly five
o'cIociE In the afternoon. General McCool:'s Division^ assailed by x^-stly
superior numbers on the centre and both flanks, was slowly, stubbornly re-
tiringjContesting every inch. , Many of his brave men and some, qf his best
oScers^ad'Siaai^-fallen. Disaster faced him frorn. every quarter. He had
^^SLSgSSf .. appeals for reenforcements, which the sound of his cannon
should promptly have brouscht him. When an aid, upon his panting
horse, m hurried tones announced to General Buell that General McCook
Avas sustaining^ severe..iittack-,, that his flanks were giving way, and that
he could not much longer Avithstand , ,the enemy unless reenforced, Gen-
eTad-^uielT'could hardly credit the. statement. Still, he hesitatingly fiir-
* Major-General Lovell H. Rousseau was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, August 4, 1814.
His ancestors were Huguenots. At the age of twenty-two he was admitted to the bar in In
diana. Three years he wag elected to the Legislature by the Whig party. He entered the Mexi
can war as captain of a company of volunteers. In 1849 he was elected to the State Senate.
Subsequently, in 1860, he removed to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was chosen to the Ken
tucky Senate. At the breaking out of the rebeUion, when Kentucljy insanely adopted a policy of
so-caUed neutrality, General Rousseau boldly declared himself in favor of vigorous war measures.
He applied to the War Department for authority to recruit volunteers in Kentucky. He was, how
ever, compelled to establish his camp ou the northern banks ofthe Ohio, since the treasonable ad
ministration of Governor Magoffin would not allow troops raised to defend the National integrity
to be located within the State.
Heroically he encountered the storm of odium his patriotism excited. By tho 1st of Septem
ber he had recruited two regiments of infantry and a battery of artillery. Two weeks later, by a
rapid march to Muldraugh's Hill, he protected Louisville from threatened attack by the rebel
Buckner, advancing from Bowling Green. He was made brigadier-general on the 1st of Octo
ber, fought bra,vely at Shiloh, and, when Jackson's Division at Perryville gave way, held the ex-
'ultant foe in check until reenforcements could arrive. At the request of General Buell he was
promoted to a major-generalship for distinguished gallantry and service on that day. His native
State is now proud of that son whose services she once repelled. Among the many heroic names
to which Kentucky has given birth, few will stand more prominent upon tho page of her history
than that of General Lovell R. llousseau.

196 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
nished aid to the exhausted soldiers. In the mean tune, therebelSj^having
driven back GeiierarMcCook's Division, M in great force _u£on_General
GUhert's Corp¥;~who, awaiting orders from General BueU,-had-4Jot„ad-
yanced to the aid of their comrades, Avho Aveje fighting so isspecatfil^ut a
few miles from them.
The battle was renewed with redoubled fury. !Xhefirst assault of the
foe was upon General Gilbert's left. Thejebels, flushed Avith anticipated
victory, "wefe"met by reenforcements advancing at the double-quick, con
sisting of the Thirtieth Brigade,"under Colonel Gooding, t^sUed^he Tea
Eidge~men. The flood Avas checked and roUed back in tumult. The
rebels, in the precipitation of their flight, did hot stop-tffltil they had
crossed the valley and gained the protection oi their batteries on the
opposite hills, a distance of nearly two miles. The patriots charged the
rebel batteries, but, not being supported and flanked on either side,~they
fell back to a position near the town.
Darkness now gathered over the scene, and put a stop to the conflict.
The pickets of the two armies lay within flfty yards of each other. Thus
ended the baitle of Perryville, o^ Chaplin Hills. The .Iiationa[_los_s, in
killed an.d_ wounded, was fom- thousand three hundred and forty-eight.
Tlie~rebel.loss, as- estimated by thein.seTves, was but two thousand five
hundred ; no official statement, , however, was puljlished. The loss
of officers was heavy on both sides. While the National army was the
largest, and with srood g-eneralship mio-ht have overwhelmed ^^ foes
with superior numbers, only a portion of the trooj^s AA'here broughtjntothe
field. The rebel forces were handled Avith far superior skill. One single
Union corps was attacked by the concentrated rebel army^. For three
hours, siiigle-handed, it sustained tlie attack," and then^w^LSjayedjrajji ut
ter destruction only by the tardy arrival of reentorcemenis._whicL.should
have been in the engagement froih the first. Even thmiy^o^vg^.Ji.'ni] .dJs-
patch might have given us a decisive victory. It was tlip. ii^Jjij^chinp;
courage of the soldiers', and the heroism of the subordinate officer3_which
alone saved us from a disastrous deleat.
It "is said that in this engagement the rebel general. Bishop Polk, nar
rowly escaped capture. He Avas standing, about dusk, near a rebel bat
tery, and observed a body of men, whom he took to be Confederate troops,
opening fire upon his position. None of his staff were present, and yield
ing to the impulse of the moment, he rode over to put a stop to the fire of
his supposed comrades. Eiding up to the colonel, he asked him angrily
what he meant by filing upon his friends. The colonel repUed, " I think
there can be no mistake. I am sure they are the enemy." " Enemy !
replied the bishop, with warmth ; " I just left them myself. Cease yonr
firing. What is your name?" " Colonel  , of the — th Indiana;
and pray what is yours ?" The general Avas in the hands of the enemy.
With wonderful self-possession, assuming a passion which he was far from
feeUng, he shook his fist in the colonel's face, saying, " I'll teach you whoi
I am, sir. Cease your firing, sir." Turning his horse's head, he cantered
slowly away, as Uttle suspected as he had been suspicious.
, We give this story upon the authority of a rebel officer, Coxonel Free*

ADVANCE AND RETREAT OP THE REBELS. 197
mantle, who claims to have had it from General Polk's own lips. Our
readers can estimate its worth for themselves. The history of every bat
tle is encumbered with many apocryphal tales, of which this may be one.
General Buell did not expect an attack from the enemyrinthe morning.
He did not, know tli"arHis__arn)y bad wnn a. vif.t.nTy^inighl;, Cherishing
no doubt thutSEeTneihywould endeavor tQ .hold his PQgJtJQD,. orders were
issued to prepare for battle onJ^.MLamag. day. But while the National
&Tmv were making arrangements, for the renewal of "the conflict^ the van-
qmshed rebels were in full retreat., The light of the next morning .rg-
vealed the abandontntettfCfairtheir positions. ^ It was still thought that the
rebels would encEavor to make a stand at some other point in the vicinity.
Pnrsnit. wa.s insta,nt,1y ordered. Thejebds were^!IE5SiiS^J^IiS&fo2Le<i
to be caught. After chasing them..-abQiit.-aixty mileain a southeast direc
tion, as far as London, tbe pursuit wa,s.abq,ndffne(jj and the National
army, turning due west, leisurely coiitinued_,its march, ^earl;^^^wo]^^n-
dred mUes^^to Boy,lling .^rireorT General Bragg^ crossing the border into
Tennessee, did,jiot..^eck,Jhg_B^^a§aIpf his, ..columns "untU he, reached
Murfreesboro', some thirty miles south of NashxiUe-
Thus ended G^eneral Bragg's invasion of Kentucky. The results were
far from satisfactory to the rebels. They had expected that Kentucky
WQuld rise and welcome General Bragg as a deUverer. 'fheywere "san
guine in their expectariollS of taking 'p"ossessionT)oth of Louisville and
v^ncinnaii. Ihey haaTresoIved to transfer the scene of Avar J:rqm. the.Cot-
ton into the Border States, hoping thence to push their arniies into the Free
States of the Noginn"an'tl5s they ,sig.naU£|aile.d^--ZfiLfeeJBai^
compUshediajg^Sani i;esults for ,thgy;e,bals. A half-starved arm.]^raged al
most uninterrnpte^in_KmlaekY for a foxt.ni^gTT^Eg^tCTgdfM^^tat^ sq
destitnte-o£.prQBgions, that they wej:e,iMigfiA..ta,mmle.. aU theijL.-E!rison£rs
simply because thev had, nothing wherewith to feed them. They revelled.
in_abun,dajisfij8suule--th!ey, remained Avitliin the State, and carriejcl,Q^t,fiLit
an^Jmsafiiise— quantity of aU.-Jdnds.--oJLatQ.res. The Eichmon d ^I^^^g^ffihusr
declared that_tliajzEaeQa4jain ,b£QttaM.ftHtjaL.Kentuck by Genera;l,Kii'by
Simth-aLQaBj^was forty inUgs .long. ..Ii. contained a million yards .of 4eana,
and an immense amount of clothing, 3oots, and shoes^ Two hundred
wagonTwereToaded Avith bacon. Theycaxried off .gj^.thousaiid ba
¦ ¦ " dlowe3 " "'

oork. This immenseJiaiSIS;as_fbUowed By .^een ^ hundred .jtujles and
horses, eight thousand... beeves, and a large Ipt-of swine. Such was the
plunder secured bv-ajaiJl.into j^^'^'heiitral "" State.
The murmurs against General Buell had become so loud and general
that they could no longer be disregarded by the Government. Though
the people claimed no military knowledge, they could not fail to see that
all the territory which, with a single division. General Mitchel had occu
pied and held, had been surrendered to the rebels by General Buell, in
command of a magnificent army, Avithout a struggle. Suspicions of dis
loyalty were Avidely circulated. It was impossible to understand a strategy
which had sacrificed the brave Colonel Wilder and his heroic force at Mum
fordsville, and which permitted General McCook, with a single division, to
fight an enemy whom the united army might easily have annihilated. At

198 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
the time of Colonel Wilder's capture, the removal of General Buell was
impatiently demanded. He was relieved of his command for _a.single day
at Louisville, but within twenty-fou£^hoiir^ ~wa£ r'eirStated. When he
cohrnxeneed^he piifsuit of General Bragg great thing's 'were promised, and
the country expected that the rebels Avould be made to pay dearly for their
audacity. But when it Avas known that the rebel army had escaped with
impunity, carrying all their plunder with them, a clamor of dissatisfaction
arose which could not be silenced. General Buell's army, forbidden to go
to the succor of their comrades at Mumfordsville and Perryville, had lost
confidence in their commander. On the 30th of October General BueU
was ao-ain relieved of his command, and Maior-General W. S. Eosecrans
O ^ "^ " ..I,.., II -  in—*" '" ——J——.
was assigned to his place. General Buell was understood to be undis-
guiiedly^P!7anii"MV0t;Trte- of slavery, and as such it was not possible but
that he must have wished to have the war so conducted as to lead to
some compromise, by which the claims of slavery might be respected.
This_campaign_S£aa,jubjected to a long, official, militaryexamination.
Like_aILniilitary court proceedings, it Avas conducted wimclosed doors.
The result hasnever yet been given to the public^ Had the result been
his triumphant exoneration, it is not probable that it would so long have .
been kept secret.
At the beginning of the rebellion there were two parties in the North,
both aUke desirous of the preservation of the Union. They, however, dif
fered Avidelyin respect to the policy proper to efi"ect this end. A small but
earnest minority, constantly increasing in numbers and strength of purpose
as the war progressed, regarded Avith horror the rebellion, as the last
crowning crime in the long record of infamy of a nefarious slaveocracy.
They saw at once that the impending battle Avas to be no brief contest Avith
a furious but short-lived mob, but a life-and-death struggle between the
EepubUc and the mortal foe which it had so long unconsciously cherished
— slavery. They prepared for the conflict accordingly, determined not
only to preserve the Union, but to bring treason to a speedy and condign
punishment. Eegarding slavery as the source of all our National troubles,
they were desirous not to shield it from any of the blows to which it should
be exposed by the fortunes of the war.
On the other hand, there was a large number of men in the North, con
nected with the South by social, political, and commercial ties, who re
garded that section as the victim of Northern wrongs. They regarded their
treason as the not unnatural anger of .a people goaded to madness by the
Abolitionists. It was, consequently, their wish to conciliate treason, not to
punish it. While, therefore, they girded on the sword to protect the Capital
from capture and the Northern border from invasion, they were very solicit
ous not to push the Avar to such an extremity as to endanger the institution
of slavery. The preservation of slavery was considered, politically, a matter
of vital moment ; for the institution bound the South together as one sec
tional party. A party at the North, combining with the South, had gen
erally succeeded in controlling the action of the Government. It therefore
seemed of the utmost moment not to strike blow^s so heavy as to alienate
these friends, and thus prevent future cooperation. Of the former class,

ADVANCE AND RETREAT OP THB REBELS. 199
Generals Fremont and Grant, and the lamented Generals Lyon and
Mitchel, may be regarded as the type. Generals McClellan and Buell
may, perhaps, be regarded as the mUitary leaders of the other party. Of
them both it may be said, that thev took up the sword_3ei.th.0ut heart,
wielded it Avithout earnestness, and laid it down Avithout honor.

CHAPTER XVI.
THE BATTLE OP PITTSBURG LANDING.
Trom March 6tli to AprU Tth, 1863.
Andeew Johnson Militabt Govbrnoe or Tennessee. — Population op East Tennessee 
Energetic Mbasijiibs or Governor Johnson. — Retreat of the Rebels to Murfreesboeo'.
— Buell's Advance on Nashville. — Movements of the various Armies. — General
Grant's Advance to Savannah, Tennessee. — Character of the Countet ai Pitisburi}
Landing. — Surprise of the Patriot Troops. — Terrible Battle.
As already recounted in a previous chapter, the city of NashvUle was
occupied by the National forces on the 25th of February, 1862. They
advanced under the command of General BueU from Bowling Green
silently, after the fall of Forts Henry and Donelson. The city surrendered
without resistance, which, indeed, had it been attempted, would have been
utterly in vain.
Almost immediately after the capital of Tennessee had thus come
again under National rule. President Lincoln appointed Andrew Johnson
Military Governor of the State. The appointment was confirmed by the
United States Senate on the 5th of March. In two days after. Governor
Johnson, with his staflT — for with his appointment as Governor he received a
commission as brigadier-general of volunteers — was on his way to Nash
ville, which place he reached on the 12th. At the same time, by an order
dated the llth of March, the Departments of Kansas and Kentucky, under
the commands respectively of General Hunter and General BueU, were
united Avith that of Missouri, and the consolidated department received
the designation of Department of the Mississippi. Thus General Buell
and General Hunter were both subordinated to General Halleck, to whom
was intrusted the charge of military affairs, while the civU administration
of Tennessee was in the hands of Governor Johnson.
He entered upon his difficult duties with that energy which had always
characterized him. He found the capital abandoned by the rebel Governor-
elect, and by the Legislature. The State records were removed, and the
moneys of the State had been taken from the' vaults of the bank, and were
appropriated either by individual thieves, or by that organic thief, the
Confederate Government. Nearly all the offices, both State and National,
were vacated either by abandonment, or by undisguised treason. Upon
Governor Johnson devolved the task of reorganizing a State, devastated
by war, and rent by bitter faction. Eastern Tennessee, his OAvn native
home, and the stronghold of loyalty, was still under the miUtary control
of the rebels. In West Tennessee, in which alone Governor Johnson
could exercise any practical authority, he found a few warm, earnest, and

THE BATTLE OP PITTSBURG LANDING. 201
sincere supporters, men who, like himself, had been from the outset lovers
of the Union, and enemies of the rebellion. There were a few open and
imdisguised foes of the Union, who had the courage and consistency to
cling, in the time of its adversity, to the same rebel cause which they had
advocated when it was popular to do so. But far the greater number of
the community consisted of insincere and hypocritical adherents, who had
yielded unresistingly to the popular current when it swept the State into
the political maelstrom of treason and rebellion. These men were now
professedly converted to the National cause by the victorious advance of the
Federal armies, and were equaUy ready to cry " Hosanna " or " Crucify," as
the popular demand and the passing circumstances might seem to require.
The evening of his arrival in Nashville a pubUc meeting was held, at
which Governor Johnson made an address, afterwards published- as an
" Appeal to the People of Tennessee." In this he declared that it was the
purpose of the Administration to secure to every State a republican form of
Government ; that to that end he had been temporarUy appointed military
governor of the State ; that it was his duty to protect public property,
to afford to aU the protection of law, to restore the State as speedily
as possible to the Union, to fill by appointment all offices which had
been vacated by abandonment or treason, to respect all rights and re
dress all Avrongs, and that while he should punish intelligent and con
scious treason in high places, a full and complete amnesty was offered for
aU past acts to those who, in a private, unofficial capacity, had assumed
a position of hostility to the Government, upon the one condition of
their again yielding themselves peaceful subjects to the just supremacy
of the laws.
Governor Johnson at once commenced vigorous pleasures for the
reestablishment of the National authority. The mayor and common
councU of the city were required to take the oath of allegiance; they
refused. He expelled them from office, and appointed others in their
stead. Disloyal men of prominence were arrested. The press was put
under rigid control, that there should be no treasonable utterances. One
or two journals were suppressed. An order was issued that whenever a
Union man Avas maltreated by guerrillas, five or more prominent rebels,
from the immediate vicinity, should be arrested for retaUation.
By these measures of salutary rigor, some degree of peace and pros
perity was gradually restored to the city over which treason had cast its
blight. Union men, seeing that the occupation of Nashville promised to
be permanent, took heart. Time-servers and popularity-hunters fiocked
by hundreds from the faiUng, to the Union cause. Union meetings were
held. Prominent ex-leaders from among the rebels spoke in favor of return
ing to the old flag. Trade rcAdved. The courts recommenced their
sessions. The Louisville and NashviUe Eailroad was put again in running
order. A regular market was caUed again into existence. Prices became
more moderate. Vacant houses found occupants. Some sales of real
estate, even, were effected. Still, there were unmistakable evidences that
the majority of the inhabitants of the city were far from being hearty sup
porters of the United States Government.

202 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
At a local election, held on the 23d of May, a secessionist was elected
by one hundred and ninety majority, though the Union vote was more
than three times the vote cast in 1861 against separation. Treasonable
language was so extensively and openly used, as to call for an order
that all persons who should be arrested therefor must take the oath of
allegiance, and give bonds, or be sent beyond the National lines. The
influence of the churches was antagonistic, in many instances, to the
Government. In June, six prominent clergymen of the city having been
summoned to take the oath of allegiance, and refusing, five were sent
to the penitentiary — one, on account of feeble health, being paroled.
These measures seem severe; doubtless they were so; but it must be
remembered that Nashville was in close proximity to the rebel army;
that it was surrounded by prowling bands of guerrillas; that it was
fiUed Avith men and women venomously traitorous, and who regarded
neither the laAVS of war, the obligations of honor, the requirements of
religion, nor the sanctity of an oath, in their unscrupulous opposition
to the National Government. The most energetic measures were requi
site to secure protection for the patriot, and peace for the city.
While Governor Johnson Avas thus devoting his energies to the main
tenance of order, and the administration of a quasi civil government, the
military authorities found their attention fully demanded by new com
binations and positions of the rebel armies, and by unexpected changes
in the military situation.
Just before the occupation of NashviUe by General Buell's column, on
the 25th of February, General Johnston, at the head of a considerable
rebel force, which, prcAdous to the attack upon Fort Donelson, had held
Bowling Green, passed through the former city, retreating south. He
had continued his march as far as Murfreesboro'. Here it was thought
he would give battle, but upon the advance of the National troops, the
rebels continued their fiight about one hundred miles farther south, and
commenced concentrating along the line of the Memphis and Charleston
Eailroad. It Avas thefr object to resist the attempt which the Union forces
were now making to get in the rear of Memphis, and of the rebel forts
Eandolph and Pillow, which were then frowning upon the Mississippi.
General Buell Avas, therefore, directed to march no farther south, but
to turn his army in a westerly direction, and form a junction Avith General
Grant, who had already advanced up the Tennessee EiA'er as far as Pitts
burg Landing, almost simultaneously with General Buell's advance on
Nashville. As early as the 3d of March, by a gunboat reconnoissance, the
rebels were discovered fortifying themselves at this point, and after a short
but sharp skirmish were driven from their works. Meanwhile a great ex
pedition was fitted out to proceed, nnder General Grant, up the Tennessee.
It consisted of five divisions, commanded respectively by Generals Sher
man, Hurlbut, McClernand, Lew. Wallace, and Colonel Lauman. More
than fifty-seven transports Avere employed, laesides gunboats, in this expe
dition. The nature and object of these various movements, and their connec
tion withjCoutemporaueous events, may perhaps be more readily compre-

THB BATTLE OP PITTSBURG LANDING. 203
hended by a reference to the annexed map ; and a remembrance of those
various operations which were taking place almost simultaneously, and
which constituted parts of a single campaign, culminating in the surrender
of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, and the recovery of the entire line of the
Mississippi Eiver by the National arms. As the historian must record
these acts separately, they are liable to become dissociated in the mind of
the reader.
It is the middle of March, 1862. General Curtis has pursued the
routed battalions of the rebel Price, driven him into the mountains of
Arkansas, awaited quietly his attack, and on the 6th and Tth of March de
feated in the battle of Pea Eidge the combined forces of Van Dorn,
McCuUoch, and Price. General Grant and Commodore Foote have captured
Fort Henry, on the Tennessee E^er, on the 6th of February, and Fort Don
elson, on the Cumberland Eiver, the 16th of the same month. Nashville
had been occupied on the 25th by a column advancing from Louisville and
Bowling Green. The rebel General Johnston has retreated to Murfrees
boro', and thence south towards the Memphis and Charleston Eailroad, to
form a junction Avith Beauregard, which he soon effected.
Columbus was evacuated by the rebels on the 1st of March. New
Madrid surrendered a fortnight later to General Pope. Commodore Foote
is still thundering away at the iron gates of Island No. 10, which does not
surrender until the Tth of April, the very day on which, in the terrible
battle of Shiloh, the rebel victory of the preceding day is Avrested from
them, and turned into a disastrous defeat. Thus, in the short space of
two months, occur the battle of Pea Eidge, the assault at New Madrid,
the successful siege of Island No. 10, the bombardment of Fort Henry, the
sanguinary three days' battle at Fort Donelson, the evacuation of Columbus,
the National advance through BowUng Green, the occupation of Nashville,
General Grant's expedition up the Tennessee Eiver, and the fierce battle
of Shiloh — all forming parts of one campaign, directed by one mind, con
stituting one plan, tending to one object — the recovery of the Mississippi.
These brilUant achievements, aided by General Curtis's march through
the wilderness, the naval engagements on the great river which constitutes
the pride and the power of the nation, and the siege of Corinth, resulted,
after four months of severe campaigning, in the capture of Memphis, and
the National occupation of the river down to that point.
On the llth of March, General Grant's advance reached Savannah, a
little hamlet scarce deserving the name of a village. It was situated on the
Tennessee Eiver, but a few miles north of the Mississippi State Une. The
object of his advance was apparent. If he could obtain and hold posses
sion of the Memphis and Charleston Eailroad, Memphis would fall an easy
prey into the National hands ; the fortifications on the Mississippi Eiver
Avoiild be no longer tenable ; the upper half of the river would pass, at once,
under National control ; and the rebels would be cut off from their most
direct communication between the East and the West.
The rebel leaders, through the multitude of traitors who thronged
Washington, were early informed of the National plans. To thwart the
movement, General Beauregard was assigned the command of the Depart-

204

CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

ment of the Mississippi, which he assumed on the Sth of March, calling
upon the Governors of Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama for
additional troops. Eebel forces were recalled from Pensacola and MobUe
to strengthen his army. The nucleus was composed of two divisions under
General Polk, from Columbus. General A. S. Johnston was directed to
move from Murfreesboro', to form a junction with this body. Cannon were
needed The people were called upon to furnish bells from their churches
and plantations, to melt up for artiUery. By the 1st of AprU, the whole
rebel force was concentrated along the line of the Memphis and Charleston
EaUroad. General Buell was at this time moAdng from Nashville to Savan
nah, to form a junction with General Grant. The nation would thus have
an army which, though inferior in numbers to that of the rebels, would
probably be superior in armament.

The advantages, however, which the rebels possessed for a speedy con
centration of their force may be seen by a glance at the map. General'
BueU's army could not safely bo withdrawn from the front of NashviUe
untU he was assured that General Johnston's force had been permanently
Avithdrawn from Murfreesboro'. He had then a wearisome march across

THB BATTLE OP PITTSBURG LANDING. 205
the country of one hxmdred and fifty miles, from NashAoUe to Savannah,
before he could reach General Grant. The rebels, on the contrary, had
an uninterrupted line of communication by rail between Murfreesboro' and
Corinth. Thus, while General Buell was moving across the country with
the delay unavoidably incident to such a march, the rebel General John
ston had already reached Corinth. The united rebel army had been or
ganized into three grand divisions, under Generals Polk, Bragg, and
Hardee. It was decided by the rebels not to await the National advance, but to
attack General Grant before the arrival of General Buell. With a very
spirited address. General Johnston endeavored to rouse his troops to the
most determined valor. In order to convey to the reader a clear idea of
the conflict which ensued, a brief description of the locality is needful.
Pittsburg Landing is simply a steamboat landing for the surrounding
country. Two log huts constituted the toAvn. Twenty miles back from
the river, in a southwesterly direction, is Corinth, at the junction of the '
Memphis and Charleston, and the Mobile and Ohio Eailroads. A few
miles from the river, on the Corinth road, stood, prior to the battle, a log
church, caUed Shiloh Church. This building, at the close of the first day's
battle, was used by General Beauregard as his head-quarters, and gave the
name to the battle-field. The surrounding country is rolling, partially
cultivated, but, for the most part, covered with thick woods, with some
underbrush, the whole cut up by numerous ravines. The soil is clayey.
A maze of roads, and lanes, and by-paths bewilders any one not thoroughly
acquainted Avith the region.
On either side of Pittsburg Landing, but at some little distance from
it, there is a creek flowing down to the river. One branch is called Lick
Creek, the other Snake Creek. About six miles below Pittsburg Landing
is Crump's Landing ; and stUl farther doAvn, on the eastern banks of the
river, is the hamlet of Savannah, to which we have alluded. Here, some
ten mUes from the main body of his army. General Grant had established
his head-quarters.
At Pittsburg Landing the western bank of the river is high, and the
road runs doAvn to the water through a narrow ravine. Stretching back
from this landing, over a space of from two to four miles. General Grant's
army was encamped. It would seem that the Union commanders had not
conceived that they might be attacked by the rebels before General BueU
should arrive. At least no preparations had been made for such a contin
gency. A superiiir hostile army lay in their immediate front. A deep,
unbridged, unfordable river was in their rear. Yet their divisions were,
apparently, not arranged with any view to easy and speedy concentration.
General Sherman's Division, which occupied the extreme front, was com
posed entirely of new troops, fresh from camps of instruction, none of
whom had ever been under flre. No attempt was made to throw up breast
works. No efficient system of pickets had b^en established, and no suffi
cient system of scouting had been maintained.
The fact is as indisputable as it is extraordinary, that this army, separ
ated by scarcely a score of miles from its outnumbering foe, was whoUy

206 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
unprepared for the tremendous assault which was speedily, on the 6th of
April, made upon it. They were apparently taken as much by surprise as
if the attack had come from the stars. Who is responsible for this inex
plicable fact it is difficult to teU. The country excused, though not with
out hesitation, the blunder, since, by a series of good providences, the
army was saved from destmction, and a National victory was at last
gained, though at a fearful sacrifice. A court of inquiry was talked of,
but none was ordered. The wail over the thousands needlessly .slaughtered
was drowned in the shouts of the final victory, and the hurried verdict of
the military inquest was, as usual, " No blame is attached to any one."
Though the impartial historian cannot indorse this tacit exoneration,
neither can he be expected to do what the military authorities, Avith all
the facts before them, failed to do, determine on whom the responsibility
of the first day's disaster at Pittsburg Landing rests.
On the 2d of April, General Beauregard learned that General Buell was
rapidly advancing across the country, and that the union of the two
National forces would soon be effected. His own preparations for the
attack were not yet quite completed. But he determined to strike Avithout
further delay. On the morning of the 3d, orders were issued for a for
ward movement. It was the plan to attack General Grant's forces early
on the morning of the 5th. The roads, however, were narrow ; the rebel
troops, unused to marching, and a severe rain-storm, on the night of the
4th, delayed them, so that they did not reach the immediate front of the
National troops until the afternoon of Saturday, the 5th. The hour of
attack was, accordingly, deferred until the following morning. This delay
saved the National forces from what must otherwise have proved an over
whelming defeat.
Here, during Saturday night, lay the entire rebel army, in close prox
imity to the Union Unes. Yet their presence seems never to have been so
much as suspected by the Union commanders. But thirty-five thousand
National troops had crossed the river. Seventy thousand rebels were pre
pared to rush upon them. During the entire day of Saturday, portions of
the rebel cavalry were frequently seeji along the front. There were fi"e-
quent skirmishes. It is said that General Sherman had privately stated
that he thought that there was great danger of a rebel attack, and that
General Grant had intimated a like opinion. No adequate measures, how
ever, were taken to ascertain the whereabouts of the rebels. The Union
army slept quietly in its tents on Saturday night, quite unconscious of the
storm which was to burst upon them on the morrow. " I did not beUeve,"
says General Sherman, " that the enemy designed any thing but a strong
demonstration." At half-past five o'clock on the morning of the Sabbath the rebel
columns were put in motion, advancing to the attack in three lines, under
the three generals, Hardee, Bragg, and Polk. The reserves were com
manded by General Breckenridge. Generals Johnston and Beauregard
commanded the entire movement. The former was commander-in-chief.
Their design was to pierce the patriot line, and then drive the two separ-
^ated wings back into the river.

THE BATTLE OP PITTSBURG LANDING. 207
The advance divisions of the patriot army, under Generals Sherman
and Prentiss, were taken entirely by surprise. The men were preparing
breakfast. Many of the soldiers were not dressed. Numbers were still in
their beds. Many of the guns were unloaded ; most of them were stacked ;
when suddenly the pickets came rushing into the camp with the cry, " They
come ! They come !" Warning of the enemy's approach had indeed been
given by the usual signal — the firing of the picket-guns. But the military
law which forbade the discharge of fire arms, except in accordance with
orders, had been habitually disregarded. Consequently, the scattering fire
of the picket-guard failed to alarm the half-awakened army. But the
rushing rebels were in the camp almost as soon as the pickets themselves.
Officers were aAvakened by the crash of shot and shell through their temts.
Others were never awakened, but were found dead, two days after, in their
beds. There was no time to organize ; no opportunity to rally. Eaw
troops, surprised, iinmarshalled, defenceless — it is no wonder that they
should liaA'^fled precipitately and in Avildest confusion back to the river.
Surprised, however, as they were, Generals Shennan and Prentiss made
the most heroic attempts to rally their men, and retard, at least, if they
could not repel, the advance of the foe. General Prentiss's efforts were,
however, in vain. His division was thrown into irremediable confusion
by the sudden fury of the onset. Its broken regiments maintained a
sturdy resistance for a few moments, and then, overwhelmed by the onrush-
ing flood, were driven before it. In the awful scene of tumult and disaster.
General Prentiss, AAdth three regiments, became detached from the rest of
the troops, and all were taken prisoners. By ten o'clock the whole division
was hopelessly disorganized. Some of its troops did brave fighting later
in the day, but in scattered detachments ; and, in connection Avith other
commands. General Sherman's Division, thanks to the indefatigabl eenergy
and fearless, almost reckless, bravery of its commander, maintained its
organization more successfuUy, and on the following day did good service.
The third brigade, which was the one first attacked, and therefore the
most completely surprised, disappeared entirely from the field early in the
action, leaving its gaUant commander. Colonel Hildebrand, without a
command. He, however, served very efficiently in the field, in connection
Avith other brigades, and succeeded in partially reorganizing his own for
the next day's battle. General Sherman, by personal valor, held together
a large proportion of his two remaining brigades. Hastily forming the
shattered regiments in line of battle, he gained a position upon a ridge,
where he succeeded in partially checking the enemy's advance. General
McClernand promptly sent him up reenforcements. But it was impossible
to hold untried troops under the overpowering and terrific fire which fell
upon them. He was driven back, and, abandoning his camps to the
enemy, took a new position in the rear. Thousands of stragglers, throw
ing doAvn their arms, were now rushing in terror for the river, Avhere they
had no means of crossing, but where they could find momentary protection
beneath the high banks.
Meanwhile, General Grant, who was on the other side of the river, at
Savannah, eight miles distant, was apprised, by the thunders of the battle,

208 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
that an engagement was in progress. Providentially, General Nelson, with
the advance of General BueU's army, had arrived at Savannah Saturday
night. General Buell also in person acccompanied this division of his
army. Orders were immediately given to General Nelson to march up the
left bank of the river to Pittsburg Landing, and to be ferried across.
Couriers were also sent to divisions in the rear, urging them to press for
ward with the utmost speed. General Grant immediately embarked upon
a transport, and hastened to the scene of action. General Buell speedily
followed. General Lew. Wallace, of Indiana, who must not be con
founded with Brigadier-General W. H. L. Wallace, of Hlinois, was
stationed at Crump's Landing Aroused by the sound of the cannon, he
had promptly brought his whole command into a condition to move, the
moment he should receive orders to that effect. General Grant passed
Crump's Landing at nine o'clock, and left orders for General Wallace to
hold his brigades in readiness to move, awaiting further orders.
It was nearly ten o'clock when General Grant arrived ^t Pittsburg
Landing. It scarcely needed the few hurried words he there received, to
reveal to him the extent of the disaster which had befallen the army. Be
neath the river's bank, close to the water's edge, he found a vast throng, a
tumultuous mob of fugitives, whose pale faces, trembling limbs, and excited
ejaculations told too plainly the story of defeat and consternation. He
found that the first line of the National army had been entirely abandoned
to the enemy. The division of General Prentiss was, for the time being,
utterly destroyed. General Sherman's Division, having lost a whole brigade,
and fearfully demoralized, had been, together with the reenforcements sent
to it by 'General McClernand, driven back nearly two miles. The position
held by General Stuart's Brigade was no longer tenable, and he was re
treating to avoid being surrounded and captured. General Lew. Wallace,
Avith his division, was six miles distant, under command not to move until
he should receive orders to do so.
It scarcely seemed possible, under disasters so terrible, that the utmost
courage in the ranks, and the most perfect unaminity of counsel among
the oflicers, could retrieve the failing fortunes of the day.
It was probably an advantage to the National cause that there was an
unbridged and unfoi'dable river to check the rush of the fugitives. By
vigorous exertions the terror-stricken crowd was gathered up, and in hur
ried and very imperfect organization led back to the field. A message
Avas promply dispatched to General Lew. Wallace. A new line of defence
was fonned ; and here the battle raged for five hours, with fury which
mortal valor and desperation could not surpass. Again, and again, the out
numbering rebels dashed upon our lines. Again, and again, baffled and
routed, they were driven back. Still the advantages of the assailants in
numbers and preparation was so great that it could scarcely be doubted
that the final victory Avould be theirs. At each repulse the disordered
troops were taken to the rear, and fresh ones took their places.
At length, at half-past three o'clock. General Hurlbut's Division recoiled
before the incessant waves of attack, and fell back to within half a mjle
of the Landing. The division of General W. H. L. WaUace was thus left

THE BATTLE OP PITTSBURG LANDING. 209
Avithout support. Just at this juncture this gallant officer received a
mortal wound, and was borne away from the field. The division, thus
bereaved of its heroic commander, sullenly retreated — the last division to
yield to the disasters of that dreadful day. It was now four o'clock. The
National line was everywhere broken and driven back to the edge of the
river. Further retreat was impossible. One more successful rebel adA-ance
and tho National army would bo litrrally driven into the wat?r. A host
of five or six thousand fugitives was huddled beneath the river's bank. The
most strenuous exertions could not induce them to rally to the assistance
of their comrades, Avho were still, Avith the energies of despair, battling
thefr foes.
The heroic and the cowardly, the noble and the ignoble, were alike
looking anxiously down the river, watching for the advent of General Lew.
WaUacL'. His fresh and weU-disciplincd division might possibly turn tho
fortunes of the day. But, as yet, there were no signs of its approach.
Fortunately the rebels, in their preparation for one grand last assault,
granted our breathless troops the respite of half an hour. Apparently but
for this, our army at the Landing would have been annihilated. The
patriot officers made a wise improvement of these precious moments.
Colonel Webster, chief of General Grant's staff, hurriedly coUected every
gun upon which he could lay his hands. He soon had a battery of twenty-
two pieces. Two of them were heaA^ siege-guns. He arranged them in a
semicfrcle, and improvised a corps of volunteers to work them. While
this movement was going on, suddenly an exuberant shout was heard
from the thousands of panic-stricken soldiers beneath the bank. Across the
river was to be seen the rapid approach of massive columns, their bayonets
gleaming in the setting sun. General Nelson had arrived with his ad
vance division of General BueU's army.
These troops, stimiUated by the thunder of the battle continually peal
ing in their ears, had pressed forward, over an almost impassable road, Avith
the utmost eagerness, and had arrived at the point of peril just in time to
rescue their comrades from utter destruction. Singular was the contrast
exhibited in the rays of that setting sun. On the one side of the stream
there was a crowd of five or six thousand fugitives, young and untried sol
diers, who had fled from the carnage which flooded the field with blood,
leaAdng their comrades to struggle unaided against the exultant foe, and
who were now anxiously looking for some means of transportation, by
which they might escape across the river. Upon the opposite shore there
were about an equal number of troops, who had been toiling all day Avith
unflagging energy to reach the very field from which the others had fled,
and who were now impatiently looking for some ferriage, by which they
might join their struggling and overpowered comrades, and share in thefr
victory or thefr death. The needful transports were speedily at hand, and
General Nelson's troops were sent across the stream.
It was just at this juncture that the last rfebel assault was com
menced. The air was full of shot and shell. So close had the rebels
pressed to the last position of the patriots, that their shot occasionally fell
into the midst of the panic-stricken group at the landing. But as the ex-
VOL. IL— 14

210 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
ultant foe pressed recklessly on, assaUing the National left, they encountered
a new, unexpected, and terrible enemy. Two gunboats, the Tyler and
the Lexington, were in position, awaiting some opportunity to join in the
fray. They immediately opened a swift and deadly fire upon the foe, now
brought within their range. The enormous sheUs careering through the
air, carrying death to the ranks of the rebels struggUng through the oalc
jungles, constituted an imposing feature of the scene. This was the culmi
nating point of the battle. The fight was now desperate beyond description.
Just at this juncture General Nelson's troops reached the western banks
of the river, and with loud cheers rushed upon the field. They did not
arrive one moment too early. The patriot artillery, which was magnifi
cently handled, being feebly supported by infantry, could not long main
tain its position against the odds crowding upon it.
The opportune arrival of Nelson's Division decided the issues- of the
day. The rebel advance, met by the murderous fire of these fresh troops,
was checked ; the hour of twilight faded away into darkness ; the fire of
the foe slackened, and gloomy night enveloped the scene. The tempest
of war had, for the time, expended all its thunders, and silence, as of the
grave, ensued. The rebels, notwithstanding their signal success, had as
signally failed in the accompUshment of the end at which they aimed.
They had fallen upon the patriots by surprise ; had driA^en them from their
tents, which the foe had seized and rified ; they had taken several thousand
¦prisoners; had broken the army into fragments, and driven it several miles
before them. They had not, however, compeUed General Grant to surren
der. They had not driven his troops into the river. And they had lost
the golden opportunity for a decisive victory. The twelve hours of the
night would allow General Grant to bring forAvard fresh forces and try the
wager of battle anew. " To-morrow," said General Grant, " they will be
exhausted, and we will go at them with fresh troops."
Where was General Lew. Wallace all this time ? During the long day ,
the roar of the battle fell heavily upon his impatient ear. He had a divi
sion of fresh men at his command, whose advent upon the field would,
at any moment, have gone far to save the day's disaster. A messenger
had been dispatched for him soon after ten o'clock. And yet he did not
reach the field until after the day's fighting was over. For this apparent
dilatoriness he has been very severely and very unjustly censured. A ref
erence to the annexed diagram will show what are some of the inevitable
casualties of war, and how the most heroic of men may be exposed to the
most cruel judgment.
From Crump's Landing a road leads back into the country, througli
Adamsville to Purdy. From this road three others lead to Pittsburg
Landing, as here indicated. The central road forks it at C, one braneli
leading up to the AdamsvUle, and the other down to the river road.
General Lew. Wallace's Division was stationed in the manner indicated
on the map, in three camps, one at Cramp's Landing, one at Adamsville,
and one midway between. The most direct road from his encampment
to the main army Avas A B. This road he had caused to be cordm'oyed
in anticipation of future exigencies.

T2,eg

J

THE BATTLE OF PITTSBURG LANDING.

211

Early in the morning General Wallace became satisfied that a battle
was in progress. Immediately he concentrated his troops at A, where he
held them in readiness to march. As, however. General Grant must ne
cessarily pass Crump's Landing on his way to the field, he awaited instruc
tions from him. These instructions were, as we have before mentioned,
not to move, but to remain where he was and await further orders.
Bound by this command, he remained, chafing with impatience, within
sound of the battle, until half-past eleven o'clock. A courier then arrived
vrith instructions from General Grant directing him to move immediately,
and joift the National army on their right. This order was issued before
the patriot army had been driven back from their Unes. Obedience to
this order required that General Wallace should take the short road, A B.
His troops were instantly put in motion. Meanwhile the National troops
were, unknown to General Wallace, being steadily beaten back. A Uttle
before he reached Snake Creek, he was overtaken by an aid of General
Grant with the information that the old position had been abandoned, and
that the troops were fighting a desperate and losing battle near the land
ing. To have continued his march in the direction in which he was then
, moving would have brought him, not to the right of his companions in
arms, but to the rear of the rebels, where his entire division would inev
itably have been captured. No cross-road led down to the river road.
There was but one alternative left him. He was compelled to retrace his

212 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
steps to C, and then march by the river road direct to the Landing. Thus,
instead of six miles, his men were obliged to march nearly fifteen. They
did not reach the scene of conflict until after sunset. General Wallace,
under the circumstances in which he was placed, did every thing which a
gallant soldier could do.
During the night the rebel host slept on their ai-ms. General Beaure
gard had received intelligence which led him to suppose that General ,
Buell could not reach the bittle-fleld in time to participate in the next
day's engagement. Little doubt appears to have been entertained by the
rebels that on the morrow the shattered remnants of General Grant's
army would fall an easy prey into their hands. So confident were they of
this, that they made no effort to gather up the spoils from our camp
which they had captured. They did not even bury thefr dead. Beaure
gard telegraphed the noAvs of his victory to Eichmond. Jeff. Davis made
it thc subject of a special message to the rebel Congress.
The rebel host rioted during the night in the confidence of assured ric-
tory. In the patriot lines there was, under the veil of darkness, the most
intense activity.* General Nelson's Division was ferried across the river.
General McCook, who had reached Savannah by a forced march at seven
o'clock Sabbath night, pressed forward with his indomitable, tireless band,
and by half-past nine the next morning Avas on the field of battle, just in
season to take his position in the line. Meanwhile, General Lew. Wallace,
to whom was assigned the extreme right, was busily occupied in ascer
taining the positions of the foe, in planting his batteries, and in arranging
his brigades for the morrow's battle. The remnants of the shattered and
panic-stricken regiments Avere gathered together and reorganized. The
divisions of General W. L. H. Wallace and General Prentiss had lost their
commanders, by the death of the one and the captivity of the other. The ,
two divisions were merged in other organizations of the army. The com
mands of Generals Sherman and McClernand, which had been much shat
tered and dispersed, were collected and reorganized. A council of war
was held, and the line of battle decided upon as indicated on the map.
General Wallace held the right, supported by General Sherman. Gen
erals Nelson and Crittenden held the left, where the National line had been
most seriously driven back the day before. The centre was formed by
Generals Crook, Hurlbut, and McClernand. It was after midnight before
these dispositions were effected. Indeed, as we have mentioned. General
Crook did not arrive upon the ground with his division until after five
o'clock in the morning.
* " On Sunday night General Beauregard estahlished his head-quarters ,nt the little church of
Shiloh, and our troops were directed to sleep on their arms in the enemy's encampment. The
liours, however, which should have been devoted to the refreshment of nature were spent by
many of the troops in a disgraceful hunt after tho spoils. The possession of the rich camp of
the enemy seemed to have demoralized whole regiments. All through the night and early tli9
next morning the hunt after the spoils was continued. Cowardly citizens and rapacious soldiers
were engaged alike in the wretched work. They might be seen everywhere plundering the (
touts, out of which the enemy had been driven, and loading themselves down with the spoil. Tl"
omission of discipline which permitted these scenes is not pardonable, even in the license and in-
dulgence^ which generally attend the victory of an a.vmr.'''— Southern Uistory of the War, Firt'
Tear, p. 301. n J >

THE BATTLE OP PITTSBURG LANDING. 313
About midnight a furious thunder-storm burst upon the camp. It Avas,
of com'se, a som'ce of great discomfort to the men exposed unsheltered to
its drenching fiood. Still, it afforded refreshment to the parched lips of the
multitude of wounded sufferers, moaning, dying, all imcared for, over the
vast field from which the patriot troops had been driven. AU night, too,
the gunboats kept up a slow but unceasing fire upon the rebel lines. In
the terrible disaster of Sunday afternoon the victorious rebels had pursued
the patriots, on the left, even to the banks of the river. The gunboats
opened such a fire upon them that they were compelled to fall back beyond
the range of their shot. Thus, upon our left, the rebels lost, during the
night, much of the ground they had gained, at a fearful cost, during the
day. The hours of darkness passed rapidly away. In the rebel camp,
where the foe were exulting in the abundance from which they had driven
our OAvn troops, there was confidence and inaction. With the patriots,
exposed unsheltered to night and the storm, there was anxiety and toU.

CHAPTEE XVII.
THE BATTLE OP SHILOH AND SIEGE OP CORINTH.
rrom April 4th to May 80th, 1862.
Pbeparations to Renew the Battle. — Arrival of Reenforcements. — Desperation op this
PiGHT. — Patriot Viotoet. — Unexplained Mysteries. — Retreat op the Rebels. — Slow
Pdesuit. — Battle of Farmington. — Siege of Coeinth. — The Rebels Escape. — "Negro
on the Brain."
The morning of Monday, April 4th, was just beginning to dawn, Avhen
the various divisions of the patriot army were simultaneously put in
motion to anticipate the attack of their foes. Though still much outnum
bered, they were animated by the consciousness that four fresh divisions
had reenforced them. General Beauregard had brought his Avhole force
with him, in his first impetuous attack, and had no reenforcements at his
disposal. He had also lost, in the battle of Sunday, his ablest general,
Albert Sidney Johnston.* General Beauregard was himself also, at this
time, suffering from the effects of protracted iUness. -
The morning light revealed to the rebel leader, in the extended fines
of the patriots, that his plan of fighting General Grant's and General
Buell's army separately was defeated. It was apparent that an important
combination had been effected. The patriot hosts, " tlirice armed," slowly,
cautiously, resolutely advanced upon the foe, pressing them back over the
ground they had gained the day before. The rebels fought with their
accustomed desperation, and did not Avillingly relinquish the victory, which
they had supposed was so easily within their grasp. Again and again
they rushed upon our adamantine lines, only to be driven back in disorder.
The heaviest fighting was on the wings, especially on the right. The foe
General Albert Sidney Johnston was bom in Kentucky, in 180.^. He graduated at AVest
Point in 1826 ; served in the Black Hawk war, and in 1836 entered the Texan army as a privats
soldier. After several promotions, he succeeded General Pelix Houston in the chief command,
and was involved in a duel with him in consequence. In 1838 he was appointed Secretary of
War, and, in the foUowing year, engaged in a successful expedition against the Cherokees. In
1840 he retired to private life for a time, in Texas; but in 1846, at the solicitation of General
Taylor, he assumed the command of a volunteer Texan regiment against tho Mexicans. At the
siege of Monterey he served as inspector-general, and gained for himself much distinction. In
October, 1849, he received from President Taylor the appointment of paymaster of the army,
with the rank of major. In ISSt he conducted the expedition against the Mormons, and com
manded the District of Utah, with the brevet rank of brigadier-general, until 18G0, when he was
removed to the command of the Pacific Department, and stationed at San Pranoisoo. His sympa-.
thies being upon the side of the Southern Confederacy, ho was making arrangements to deliver tho
State of California to the Confederacy, when he Avas unexpectedly superseded in his command, by
General E. V. Sumner, before his plans were completed. He then entered the rebel army, and
was, next'to General Lee, of Virginia, perhaps thoir ablest general. — Annual Gijclopedia for 1862.

ta

THE BATTLE OP SHILOH AND SIEGE OP CORINTH. 215
had a salutary dread of the gimboats, and, thus intimidated, were quite
unable to resist, on our left. General Wallace's impetuous charges.
Upon our right, where the gunboats could afford us no aid, they massed
thefr forces. Here they brought forward the Crescent Eegirnent of New
Orleans, and the Washington Artillery ; and here General Beauregard was
present in person, inciting his troops to the most desperate valor. But it
Avas all in vain. The rebels were steadily driven, over the uneven groilnd,
from one position to another, though the surges of battle, over the wide
plain, more than five miles in length and three-fourths of a mile in wddth,
rolled to and fro in many retreats and advances. There were the thuiider-
ings of batteries in artillery duels, impetuous infantry charges, ambuscades,
and the sweep of cavalry. There were dense Avoods to grope through, and.
hills to climb, and raAdnes to be threaded.
Many regiments, on both sides, were almost annihilated. The Eleventh
niinois stood as a rock, when the rebels, five regiments deep, came rushing
upon them. " The whites of their eyes, boys," was the order of their
heroic leader. Colonel Eansom. The brave men held their fire until CA'ery
one could take deliberate aim. Nearly every bullet performed its mission.
The advancing foe staggered, recoiled, and fled, leaving the ground covered
Avith thefr slain. But again they rallied, pom-ing in volley after volley
upon the devoted band. Still the heroic patriots held their ground, be
grimed Avith smoke and smeared with blood, until but one hundred were
left who could shoulder a musket. A few regiments then flled in their
front, and they were for a moment relieved. Their general rode up, and
gazing proudly yet sadly upon them, said, " Is this all that is left of the
Eleventh?" "Yes," was the reply. "Well, my men," said the general,
" we must win this day, or all will be lost. Will you try it again ?" " We
will," was the heroic response. In ten minutes they were again buried in
the smoke and tumult of the battle.
In the desperate struggle for the camps, they were lost and Avon again
and again. The tents were riddled with bullet-holes. The storm of lead
was so thick that it is a marvel that any one could have escaped unshot.
It would seem that a bird could not have passed through that leaden hail
unscathed. One tree, not eighteen inches in diameter, was struck Avith
ninety balls, not ten feet from the ground. Another AA'as pierced by sixty
bullets. General Grant seemed to bear a charmed life. He was in the
tliickest of the battle, and Avas untouched. One bullet passed through the
back of General Sherman's hat, another glanced from his metallic shoulder-
strap, and a third passed through his hand. A private had two front teeth
struck out by a spent bullet, which entered his mouth, but Avent no farther.
In the thick underbrush every shrub, though not larger than one's finger,
Avas struck. During the battle. General Buell Avas very efficient, display
ing commanding qualities of generalship.
Hour after hour this fierce fight continued. The rebel lines, infantry,
horse, artillery, all were sloAvly driven back. Cheer after cheer rang
through the woods, as the Union troops received increasing assurance that
the day was theirs. About four o'clock the retreating foe broke into a,run,
and, rushing through the Union camps which they had occupied the night

216 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
before, pressed on to their own encampment, Avhich was about two mUes
distant. Here, without halting, they committed their tents and much of
their stores to the fiames, and scarcely tarried to look back untU they were
again safe behind their intrenchments in Corinth.
The field of battle presented, as ever after such a conflict, that aspect
of misery which no pen can describe, which no imagination can conceive.
It is said that there was scarcely a rod over the extended plain which did
not contain a dead or wounded man. Where the charges were made the
bodies lay in roAvs, forming parapets of flesh which might serve as breast
Avorks. Mangled horses, mutilated men, broken gun-carriages, and all the
nameless debris of a battle-field, were spread around in appaUing confu
sion. No attempt was made to pursue the retreating rebels. Our exhausted
troops were satisfied with the victory they had Avon, and were in no condi
tion to storm the ramparts of the foe. The patriots had recovered their
camp, and had recaptured most of the guns which had been taken
from them the preceding day. The rebels, in their retreat, left their dead
and wounded upon the field. The following day General Sherman made
a reconnoissance ; but he returned to his camp at night.
It is difficult to state with precision the loss on either side. In the first
day's battle it is estimated that the Union force was about thirty-five thou
sand. The rebels marched out from Corinth in three grand divisions
amounting to seventy thousand men. In the rebel account of this battle,
by Pollard, we find the statement that the Union force amounted to at
least forty-five thousand men ; while the rebel force opposed to them is es
timated at thirty-eight thousand. General Beauregard officially states the
loss in the rebel army at seventeen hundred and twenty-eight killed ; eight
thousand and twelve wounded ; and nine hundred and fifty-nine missing.
General Grant states the Union loss at about fifteen hundred killed, and
three thousand five hundred wounded. To this must be added a large
croAvd of prisoners, of Avhich the rebels, in their wonderful success on the first
day of the battle, took by far the greater number. It is characteristic of
the rebels during this whole conflict, that they should have inscribed Shiloh
upon their banners as a rebel victory.
Thus ended the sanguinary battle of Pittsburg Landing and Shiloh. It
certainly resulted in a National victory. But it was just as surely a Na
tional disaster. At the end of thirty-six hours of almost incessant flghting
the National troops were left in precisely the position which they had
occupied before. Though the rebels had been driven in wild rout back to
thei;- intrenchments, but little Avas gained by the victory. It was utterly
incomprehensible that the army should have been exposed to such an
attack."" None ofthe attempts to explain it have been deemed fully satis-
* " General Prentiss is reported to have made the following statement: — 'General Beaure
gard 'asked me if we had any works at the river, to which I replied: Tou must consider
us poor soldiers, general, if you suppose wo would havo neglected so plain a duty.' The truth is,
however, th.it we had no works at aH. General Beauregard stopped the pursuit at a quarter to
six. Had he used the hour stni left to him, he could have captured the last man on this side of
the river, /or General Buell did not cross till Sunday night."

THE BATTLE OP SHILOH AND SIEGE OF CORINTH. 217
factory. The real explanation probably is, that we were then novices in
the art of Avar. We learned wisdom by experience.
The truth must be told. The history of the battle may be summed up in
one paragraph. On the first day of the confiict an army of thirty-five thou
sand men, with a foe seventy thousand strong in its front, and an impassable
river in its rear, with the head-quarters of its commander-in-chief some ten
miles from its location, with its divisions badly arranged for defence in
case of attack, and utterly unprovided with any breastworks whatcA^er,
allowed itself to be surprised by the siuMen assault of a foe supposed
to be twenty mUes distant, was beaten at every point, and was saved from
utter destruction by the gunboats, and by the fortunate, or rather provi*
dential arrival of General Buell's advance. It is true that this has been
officially denied. ?
" As to the talk," says General Grant, " of our being surprised, nothing
could be more false. If the enemy had sent us word where and when they
would attack, we could not have been better prepared. Skirmishing had
been going on for two days, between our reconnoitring parties and the
enemy's advance. I did not believe, however, that they intended to rnake a
determined attack, but simply to malce a reconnoissance in force'''
It is certain, then, that a determined attack was unexpected, and events
demonstrated that it Avas wholly unprepared for. On the second day the
National army, increased by four divisions, amounting to twenty thousand
men, succeeded, after hard fighting, in driving back the foe, and in regain
ing the position it should never have lost. The military authorities have
never given us the means of ascertaining who is to be held responsible for
this disaster. The responsibiUty surely cannot be thrown upon the raw
recruits, who were placed in front, and who fled terror-stricken from the
foe bursting upon them asleep in their tents. It is only wonderful that the
scenes of BuU Eun were not repeated.
The reckless audacity which gave rise to the battle of Pittsburg Land
ing was followed by an excessive caution. No attempts were made to fol
low up the victory, although reconnoissances showed that the enemy, driven
from the field, and haAdng lost one of their ablest commanders, Avere
greatly demoralized. Indeed, of this there needed no other evidence than
the fact that General Johnston's body was left upon the field.
On the 12th of April, General Halleck arrived at Pittsburg Landing,
and assumed command of the army. It was supposed that he would im
mediately enter into an examination of the causes of the disaster. Eumors
were rife that General Grant was to be put under arrest. All such reports
were, however, quickly silenced by an order from General Halleck, issued
on the 13th of April, expressing his thanks to Generals Buell and Grant,
and the officers and men of their respective commands, for the victory
achieved. In a dispatch to the Secretary of War, however, he thus gives
the credit of the success to General Sherman :
" It is," he writes, " the unanimous opinion here that Brigadier-General
W. T. Sherman saved the fortune of the day on the 6th, and contributed
largely to the glorious victory of the Tth ; he was in the thickest of the
fight on both days, having three horses killed under him, and being

218 CIVIL -WAR IN AMERICA.
wounded twice. I respectfuUy request that he be made major-general of
volunteers, to date from the 6th instant."
Meanwhile the rebels had Avithdrawn to Corinth. The importance of
maintaining that position was duly estimated by them. Its fall would
render Memphis no longer tenable, and would open the Mississippi Eiver
through to Vicksburg. The approaches to Corinth were through an undu
lating and densely-wooded country, where those who held the defence had
great advantage over their assailants. Each party began noAV to prepare for
what was apparently to be a desperate and final encounter. Generals Yan
Dorn and Price, with the remnants of the rebel army Avhich had fied from
tlie terrible defeat at Pea Eidge, were transferred to General Beauregard's
command. General Lovell had also joined liim with the forces which had
escaped from New Orleans. ?
General Pope, released from the siege of Island No. 10, joined Gen
eral Halleck with his superb division, full twenty thousand strong. Other
reenforcements were sent to either army. At length the National army,
on the 29th of April, commenced a slow and cautious forward movement
upon Corinth. ' Their main approach was by the same fine road, along a
high belt of land, which the rebels had traversed in their advance and
retreat. It was, however, a barbarous country, with only occasional houses
in small openings in the forest, at great distances from each other. All
these huts Avere filled with the wounded which the rebels had left behind
them, and were surrounded with graves. At every advance strong
intrenchments were thrown up, as a protection in case of a rebel assault,
and a cover for future movements. General Sherman's Division alone
occupied and strongly intrenched seven distinct camps. The advance was
strenuously resisted by the rebels. Skirmishes, reconnoissances, almost
pitched battles, were of daily occurrence. One of the most serious of these
was what is called the battle of Farmington.*
The country was so Avild, solitary, and full of fastnesses, that General
Halleck deemed it necessary to proceed with the utmost caution. General
Buell's Division Avas moving by the direct road from the landing, towards
Corinth. General Pope's column moved from Hamburg. On the 3d of
May, a reconnoissance in force was sent out from Pope's command,
towards Farmington. Generals Paine and Palmer were detailed for
this operation. The column, consisting of eight or ten regiments, well
sustained by batteries, cavalry, and sharpshooters, proceeded about five
miles on the Farmington road, when it encountered the rebel cavalry
pickets. The patriot troops pressed on, driving the pickets before them,
throwing bridges over the watercourses, and removing the obstructions
thrown in the way, until three o'clock in the afternoon, when, as they
* " The forward movement was ou the line of the circle section, whose centre was Corinth.
Prom our extreme right to our extreme left is about seven miles. For that entire distance there
is an almost continuous succession of encampments of infantry, cavalry, and artillery. These
innumerable canvas villages, with their swarms of men and animals, representing together a
population equal to that of a first-class city, the thousands of army wagons, whicii cover every
road from the river, the martial music, the singing and shouting of the soldiery, the neighing of
horses, aijd thc braying of mules, all resoimding from every hill and ravine, presented a pageant
^ the like of which will probably never be seen again west of the Alleghany Mountains."

THE BATTLE OF SHIIOH AND SIEGE OP CORINTH. 219

were emerging from a swamp, they came upon a large body of the enemy.
The rebels, under Generals Price and Van Dorn, were posted upon some
ridges about twenty feet high, which completely commanded the road.
Their batteries Avpre in admirable position, and well served.
The battle immediately commenced in earnest, and for half an hour
there was a very fierce artUlery duel. But our infantry and sharpshooters
gradually forced their way through the woods, and poured in upon the
rebel gunners so terrible a fire that they could endure it no longer :
dragging their guns away upon the gallop, they fled in confusion back
towards Corinth. The point thus gained was one of great strategic
importance. The steady onward advance continued with extraordinary
caution. It was evident that General Halleck did not intend to storm the
intrenchmentsvif the foe, and equally evident that the rebels had no inten
tion of emerging from behind their ramparts.
For more than a month, from the 12th of April to the 30th of May, the
army, under General Halleck, was thus warily moving a distance of but
about twenty miles in its approaches upon Corinth. At last our lines were
within two hundred yards of the main intrenchments of the foe. The
rebels had attributed their defeat at Shiloh to the aid of the Federal gun-

220 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
boats. Their press had defied the patriots to leave the banks of the river,
assuring them of speedy annihilation by the rebel chivalry should they ven
ture to do so. Corinth was so strong by nature, and so important to the
rebel cause, that it was manifest that it would not be relinquished without
a struggle. One of the sternest and most decisive confiicts of the war was
apparently approaching. Many of the patriot troops were more than a
thousand miles from their homes. Their Unes of communication Avere long,
and greatly .exposed. The rebels were at home, had chosen their OAvn
ground, and the labor of tens of thousands of hands had been employed
for many months in constructing a series of the most formidable intrench
ments. The advantages were so manifestly Avith the rebels, that the coun
try looked forward to the final struggle with great solicitude.
Meanwhile some changes in the organization of the army had taken
place. General Eosecrans took command of General C. F. Smith's * Di
vision, that officer having died soon after the battle of Pittsburg Landing,
of a disease which had prevented him from participating in that conflict.
General Grant was appointed second in command to General Halleck, and
General George H. Thomas f took General Grant's place in command of
the right wing. The reserve was placed under the command of General
McClernand. On the 28th of May, Colonel Elliott, of the Second Iowa Cavalry, was
dispatched with nine hundred horsemen to cut the Mobile and Ohio Eail
* Major-General Charles P. Smith was born in Pennsylvania about 1806, and died at Savannah,
Tennessee, April 25, 1862. He was a son of the late Dr. Samuel B. Smith, U. S. A., graduated at
West Point in 1825, and was made second-lieutenant of artillery on the 1st of July in the same
year. In 1829 he was appointed assistant instructor in infantry tactics at West Point; in 1831
was promoted to the adjutancy, and in 1832 was made a first-heutenant. In 1838 he was ap
pointed instructor in infantry tactics and commandant of cac^ts, and the same year was promoted
to a captaincy. He took an important part in most of the battles of the Mexican war ; in 1847
was brevetted major for gallant conduct in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, in
Texas, and at the battles of Monterey, Contreras, and Churubusco won the successive brevets
of lieutenant-colonel and colonel. In the same year he was appointed acting inspector-general in
Mexico. On the 25th of November, 1854, he was made major of the First Artillery, and in the
following year lieutenant-colonel ofthe Tenth Infantry. In September, 1861, he waa promotedto
the colonelcy of the Third Infantry, having the previous month been appointed brigadier-general
of volunteers and taken charge of the troops at Paducah, Kentucky. At the attack on Port Don
elson, the most brilliant charge was made by the troops under his command. For his gallantry
on that occasion he was promoted to a major-generalship. He died of chronic dysentery contracted
during the Mexican war, and fatally aggravated by his exposures in the campaign of the "West
America has lost iu this war no better soldier, no braver man. — American Cyclopedia for 1862.
f Major-General George H. Thomas was born in Southampton County, Virginia, in July, 1816.
He graduated at West Point in 1840, and was appointed to the Third Artillery. He distinguished
himself in the Florida war, and was brevetted first-lieutenant. At Monterey, iu Mexico, he won
the brevet rank of captain. At Buena Vista he gained the rank of major. At the close of the
war he was appointed, in 1850, instructor of artillery and cavalry at West Point. Upon the break
ing out of the rebellion. Major Thomas was found " faithful among the faithless," and warmly es
poused the National cause. In 1861 he was appointed colonel of the Fifth Cavalry, the post be
ing vacant through the treason of the commanding oificer ofthe regiment. Colonel Robert E. Lee. In
August he was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and went to tho West. Here he dis
tinguished himself aa a soldier aud an ofBcer. When General Buell was removed. General
Thomas was appointed by President Lincoln to take his place. He, however, declined the honor,
and upon General Rosecrans assuming the supreme command, ho took command of a corps of the
Army ofthe Cumberland.

THE BATTLE OP SHILOH AND SIEGE OP CORINTH. 221
road south of Corinth. The country was almost uninhabited. It was ex
ceedingly difficult to obtain forage or food. Though the march was at
tended with great hardships, the object was accomplished. Besides tear
ing up the track, a train of twenty-six cars, laden with arms and ammu
nition, was destroyed.
It now seemed evident that a battle could not long be delayed. The
National troops Avere immediately before the last line of rebel works. A
step in advance would bring them in contact with the foe. On the 2d of
May General Beauregard had issued an appeal to his army, to rally for a
decisive battle. Every subsequent step of the patriot troops had been
stubbornly resisted. The decisive hour had come. On the morning of
the 30th of May, just as our troops were ready for the final rush, heavy ex
plosions were heard in the midst of the enemy's works at Corinth. " About
six o'clock in the morning," writes General Sherman, " a curious explosion,
sounding like a volley of large siege-pieces, foUowed by others singly and
in twos and threes, arrested our attention. Soon after a large smoke arose
from the direction of Corinth, when I telegraphed to General Halleck to
ascertain the cause. He answered that he could not explain it, but or
dered me to advance my division, and feel the enemy, if still in my front."
General Morgan L. Smith's brigade was sent forward. Moving rapidly
down the main road, they entered the first redoubt of the enemy at scA^en
o'clock in the morning of May 30th. It was completely evacuated. Not
the vestige of an enemy could be seen. The reconnoitring force pushed
boldly on into Corinth, and beyond it, to College Hill. Silence, solitude,
desolation reigned everywhere. Abandoned camps, a burning town,
smouldering ruins, provisions of all kinds scattered wastefuUy around,
broken gun-carriages, and piles of shot and shell, were all that remained
to teU of the proud host Avhich, but a few hoiirs before, had garrisoned
those almost impregnable ramparts.
It subsequently appeared that the enemy had spent several days in
their leisurely retfrement. All of the sick, and most of their stores, ar
tillery, and ammunition, had been carefully removed; But even the im
mense rolling stock of the railroad, at their command, could not remove
an army of one hundred thousand men, with the enormous suppUes which
such a host requires. Most of the troops were compelled to march away.
Their retreat commenced at ten o'clock on the night of the 29th. Their
dense and massive colmnns crowded aU the roads leading to the south
and west. During the evacuation an unbroken line of pickets had been
kept out, and a strong show of resistance made. The ruse was quite
successful. General Halleck and his army had been kept for more than a
month at bay, and now the foe had escaped, leaving nothing of value be
hind. By some unexplained mistake. General Pope officially announced
the capture of ten thousand (probably two was written) prisoners. The
public press also announced that the rebel army had fled utterly demor
alized. Both of these statements were very far from the truth.*
* General Halleck's dispatch to the Secretary of War, dated May 30th, announcing the cap
ture, is as follows : —
" The enemy's position and works in front of Corinth were exceedingly strong. He cannot now
occupy a stronger position in his flight. This morning he destroyed an immense amount of public

222 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
The moral and strategic results of the siege of Corinth Avere, however,
very great. Fort Eandolph and Fort Pillow were no longer tenable.
Memphis was forthwith surrendered. All Western Tennessee was hence
forth uhder National authority ; and a very important and essential step
had been taken towards the final opening of the Mississippi Eiver.
General Halleck has been severely criticised for not proceeding with
more rapidity in his advance on Corinth. The event did indeed demon
strate that a more vigorous assault would probably have been successful
But it must be remembered that the National arms had already suffered a
serious disaster, that another reverse would have been terrible, that the
rebels had concentrated a large army in a very commanding position,
strongly fortified, and that there was every indication of their resolve to
maintain their post at every hazard.
The country over which General Halleck was to pass, full of forests
and ravines, was such as required the utmost caution to avoid falling into
ambuscades. The advance upon Corinth miUtary men avUI probably pro
nounce to have been well conducted. But the allowing the rebels to re
treat with their whole army and all their fine material, when our whole
army was, for forty-eight hours, within half a mile of their lines, was
surely an unmilitary act.
The conduct of the rebels, in thus retreating, is quite incomprehensi
ble. A vigorous defence would have made any attempt to carry Corinth
by assault exceedingly difficult, and doubtful of success. Its cowardly
evacuation excited general contempt both throughout the North and the
South. Historic fidelity compels us to say one word in conclusion. " Parson
Brownlow" speaks of a disease called "negro on the brain." Many of
our officers at that time ha'd this disease dreadfully. Several of our gen
erals would not allow a negro to shoulder a musket, or handle a spade in
the trenches, or enter the camp to give any information. There were
thousands of these dark-skinned patriots all around, eager to inform Gen
eral Halleck of the movements of their rebel masters. With patriot zeal
and brawny arms they were hungering to relieve the weary soldiers in the
trenches, and to lighten much of the most onerous toil of the camp. But
by an inexorable decree they were excluded from the lines. General 0.
M. Mitchel informed the Avriter that with all his powers of heart and ut
terance he remonstrated against this insane folly.
The result was as might have been anticipated. As we have narrated,
one morning the rebels had all vanished, like the river-fog; and so
adroitly did they conduct their retreat, that they left not a gun, a wagon,
or a biscuit behind them. It is humiliating to refiect that it took two
years of toil and carnage to conquer the prejudice that, though we may
and private property, stores, provisions, wagons, tents, &c. For miles out of the town the roads
are filled with, arms, haversacks, &c , throvra away by Ms fleeing troops. A large number of
prisoners and deserters have been captured, estimated by General Pope at two thousand. Gen
eral Beauregard evidently distrusts his army, or he would have defended so strong a position. His
troops are generally much discouraged and demoralized- In aU the engagements for the last few
days their resistance has been slight."

THE BATTLE OP SHILOH AND SIEGE OP CORINTH. 223
use mules and donkeys in the army, we must not let men help us Avhose
skins are not as white as ours. God's dealings with us soon cured the
nation of this delusion. Gradually we gathered into the National army
between two and three hundred thousand of these patriots of Ethiopic
hue. And when at length the nation saw Jefferson Davis and Eobert E. Lee
standing hat in hand before a group of negroes, saying, " Please come and
help us ; if you Avill, we AviU give you your freedom and a farm," all were
compelled to admit that the world does indeed move.

CHAPTEE XVIII.
PURSUIT OP THE REBELS.
CFrom Janunry to March, 1S62.)
State of the Armt after Peemont's Removal. — Retreat of the Rebel Price. — Cokobn-
TRATION OP TIIE PATRIOT ArMY AT ROLLA. — FLIGHT AND PURSUIT OP THE REBELS. — CONFLICT
AT Sugar Creek. — Heroism op Colonel Ellis. — The Rebels Price, MoCclloch, and Vak
Dorn. — Majestic Plan to crush the Patriots. — PRELiiiiNARTES op the Battle of Pea
PaDGE. i
HisTOET has no record of any war which, in the magnitude and variety
of its operations, will compare with the Civil War in America. It com
prises a variety of quite distinct campaigns, often simultaneously in
operation, either one of which would, in earlier ages, have sufficed to fur
nish materials ' for volumes of history and libraries of romances. The
single Department of the West, under General HaUeck, embraced three
almost independent campaigns. One was the ascent of the Tennessee
and Cumberland Elvers, including the attempted occupation of East Ten
nessee. The second Avas the descent of the Mississippi Eiver by the gun
boat fleet. The third was the campaign to drive the invading rebels from
Missouri. To this campaign Ave now invite the attention of the reader.
It Avill be remembered that the National army had been AvithdraAvn
from Springfield at the time of General Fremont's untoward supersedure.
As the disheartened army, decUning a battle, was marched back to the
vicinity of St. Louis, the exultant rebels, under General Price, occupied
the ground they vacated ; the rebel general extended his lines as far
north as the Little Osage. The southernmost point occupied by the Union
forces Avas the toAAm of EoUa, which was at the southern terminus of the
southwestern branch of the Pacific Eailroad. General Sigel, who had dis
played military ability as yet unsurpassed, was stationed at this point,
with the Third Division of the army.
In December, 1861, the rebel General Price fell back to Springfield,
built huts for his soldiers, and made extensive preparations to pass the
winter comfortably in quarters. He also established a recruiting camp at
this spot, and soon augmented his command by an addition of four thou
sand volunteers. General Price, however, was not destined long to be left
undisturbed. General Halleck, while he Avas making vigorous preparations
for the descent of the Mississippi, and also for a flank movement by the
army upon the frowning bluffs of Columbus, by the occupation of NashviUe,
was also noiselessly but efficiently organizing a force to drive the invading
rebels out of thc State of Missouri. The rebels had avowed their deter
mination to force into their Confederacy every State in wluch there was a

PURSUIT OP THE REBELS. 225
slave, and to secure unity in their realm by driving from it, or hanging,
every man who was even suspected of being hostile to their sway.
The force organized by General Halleck, for the redemption of Mis
souri, consisted of four divisions. They were commanded repesctively by
Colonel Osterhaus, Brigadier- General Asbotli, and Colonels Jefferson C.
Davis and E. A. Carr. The first and second divisions constituted a single
c6rps, under the command of Brigadier-General Sigel. The whole force
was led by Major-General Curtis.
In the latter part of January, 1862, these forces were quietly concen
trated at their rendezvous at EoUa. They then advanced to Lebanon, an
important point half way betAveen EoUa and Springfield. General Price
being apprised of this fact, and of the assault with which he was thus
menaced, immediately prepared for a retreat. Without making any show
of resistance, he abandoned his winter-quarters so precipitately that six
hundred of his sick were left behind him, and a considerable quantity of
wagons and forage. The National troops, pursuingvthe identical plan
which General Fremont had marked out for them three months before,
moved rapidly forward and took possession of the abandoned intrench
ments. The only opposition they encountered was a slight skirmishing
vrith the enemy's pickets.
It was the 13th of February when the Union troops entered Spring
field, and the National banners again floated over the same position
in Avhich General Fremont had placed them in the autumn. The
weather was then fine, the roads good, and a month or six weeks of the
most favorable season for operations in the field remained, before winter
would set in. Now it was midwinter, aud the most difficult period in the
whole year for military movements. It was the time for storms of sleet
and snow, and icy gales, and of thaws, rendering the roads so miry as to
be almost impassable for wagons. It was weather to try the endurance of
the hardiest soldiers. Such were the disadvantages which had been
incurred by this three montlis' delay.
General Price conjectured that the National troops would remain a few
days at Springfield to recruit, and to enjoy the comforts of the camp he
had surrendered to them, but he miscalculated. General Curtis left a
small force to guard the town, and with the remaindei of his army pressed
immediately and energetically on, in pursuit of the retreating rebels. A
series of extraordinary marches ensued. The advance-guard of the
National army came up several times, at night, with the rear-guard of the
rebels ; but invariably, during the darkness, the rebel host slipped noise
lessly away, and made good their escape. Every man in the patriot army
was elated in the chase, and they pressed forward through roads Avhich
could often be fitly compared with the Slough of Despond, at the rate of
twenty miles a day. It was impossible to transport supplies with such
.rapidity, and the army became mainly dependent upon its daily forage for
its daily food.
The frightened rebels fled Avith such rapidity, that they left behind them
many signs of their continually increasing disorganization. The road
was strewed Avith broken wagons, army stores, and dead and dying horses
Vol. n.— 15

226 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
and mules. But while fear gave speed to the fugitives, hope proved an
equal incentive to the pursuers. The advance-guard of the patriots
frequently threw their shot and shell into the confused ranks of the fugi
tives, and many stragglers were taken prisoners.
On the I'rth, the rebels, finding the pursuit quite too hot for them,
attempted to make a stand to check the National advance. They selected
for this purpose an admirable site, which gave them great advantage over
their assailants. It was the valley of a stream known as Sugar Creek.
The valley is situated just on the boundary-line between Missouri and
Arkansas. The road crossing the creek passds through the valley, and
ascends a range of hills on the opposite side. Dense forests, affording
ample opportunity for ambuscades, and for the concealment and protec
tion of sharpshooters, fringed the road on either side.
As the National troops, in their eager pursuit, ascended the hills which
looked down upon the valley before them, they saw the opposing eminences
frowning with the batteries of the rebels, which were prepared to sweep
with grape and canister the only road over which the Union forces
could advance. Indeed, the whole valley seemed so commanded by the
rebel guns that General Sigel, himself an accomplished artillerist, felt that
a few hundred resolute men, so posted, could hold at bay an army of
thousands. General Curtis anxiously scrutinized the position, exchanged
a few harmless shots with the rebels, and then -decided, at every hazard, to
carry the hostile guns by a charge. Turning to Colonel EUis, who was in
command of the cavalry. General Curtis inqufred —
"Are you willing, colonel, to charge that battery?"
" Yes," was the prompt response, " and I will take it, if it be possible."
The horsemen were immediately formed in solid column, conscious of
the peril which they were to encounter, and of the deadly fire which
would surely sweep their ranks. Spurring their horses to the utmost
speed, they plunged down the hill. Scarcely had they reached the foot of
the opposite ascent, than sheets of flame flashed from the forest on both
sides. Volley after volley of musketry in rapid succession filled the ah,
and bullets like rattling hail from the clouds fell upon them. With the
skilful tactics of Indian warfare the rebels had formed their ambuscade.
Adroitly it was planned, and energetically it was executed. It is in such
a crisis as this that military abiUty develops itself, when the fives of
perhaps thousands depend upon the instantaneous decision of a single
mind. Colonel EUis was found equal to the trial. Not losing for a moment
his self-possession, and unintimidated by the sudden roar of battle; and by
the mutilation and death which met his eye, he ordered his troops on the
right and on the left to abandon the road and plunge into the woods, and
with revolver and sabre to rid themselves of the lurkino' foe. The men
were worthy of their commander, and they obeyed the order with the sam^
alacrity with which it was given. The rebels were as suddenly assailed a«
they had made their assault, and were driven precipitately from their hid-
ing-;glaces. The whole National force then moved onward, the batteries
were carried with a rush, and in almost less time than it has taken to

PURSUIT OP THE REBELS. jj^V
describe the scene, the rebels, infantry and artUlery, were again in full
retreat. General Price was now driven out of Missouri, and the whole State
was purified from the presence of rebel soldiers, excepting a small band
at New Madrid, on the Mississippi Eiver, acting in cooperation with
the large rebel force intrenched on Island No. 10. General Curtis did not
slacken his pursuit. Crossing the frontier into Arkansas, he followed
closely on the heels of the flying foe. The rebels, anxious only to
escape, made no attempt to resist his march. On the 23d of February
he bore the Stars and Stripes proudly into Fayetteville, capturing, at the
same time, a number of prisoners and a considerable amount of mUitary
stores. Here the avenging army was arrested in its progress, and further pur
suit became apparently impossible. Across the corner of Arkansas, from
the Indian Territory to the Missouri border, there runSj in a northeasterly
dfrection, a range of eminences known as the Boston Mountains. Into the
fastnesses of these almost pathless ridges. General Price plunged with his
shattered and exhausted columns. It was useless to follow the foe, dis
persed throughout these Arild ravines, and the toil-worn patriot army here
rested from thefr exciting chase.
In midArinter, through miry roads, in pursuit of a flying enemy, and
engaged Arith him in constant skirmishes. General Curtis had marched his
army two hundred and forty miles in one month. The last ten days of this
arduous pm'suit had been almost literally a race, while the soldiers were
roused to apparently supernatural exertions by the excitement of con
tinual skirmishes. The record of this accompUshment demonstrates that
-American soldiers, Avith that superior inteUigence which free institutions
has given them, need only officers worthy to guide, to constitute an army
which cannot be excelled. With ordinary troops, the feat thus accom-
pUshed by these patriots Avould have been absolutely impossible.
At this time one of those incidents occurred which exhibits the rebel
hon as not less infamous in the weapons it uses, than in the designs of its
original fomenters. A village, rejoicing in the euphonious name of Mud-
town, was occupied by a detachment of the National army. Some poisoned
food, which the rebels had left behind, was unsuspectingly eaten. By this vile
attempt at murder many suffered severely ; one officer died, and the lives
of two others were Arith great difficulty saved. Slavery is so barbarizing
m aU its influences, that it can even convert an American soldier into a
cowardly assassin.
WhUe General Curtis had been thus driving the rebel bands before
him, the rebel authorities in Arkansas Avere rousing every nerve to gather
recruits and rendezvous a force which should check the march of the con
queror, drive hira back in confusion out of Arkansas, and regain possession
of Southern Missouri. They rapidly formed a single military district, to
consist of the principal part of Southern Missouri, Arkansas, and the
Indian Territory. It was called the Trans-Mississippi District, and was
assigned to the command of Major-General Yan Dorn. The most frantic
appeals were made to aU the ruffians in those frontiers of civilization, to

228 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
hasten to the defence of that black banner of slavery extension, which
.seemed to have a peculiar charm for every worthless man.
While Major-General Yan Dorn assumed the command ofthe rebel troops
thus rapidly gathering. General Albert G. Pike was sent into the Indian
wUderness to instigate, by aU the arts of bribery and of whiskey, the ruth
less savage to rally around the rebel banner with their war-whoop, toma
hawk, and scalping-knife. Governor Eector, of Arkansas, also issued a
proclamation, drafting into immediate service every man in the State
capable of bearing arms, and requiring these men to report themselves
ready for duty Arithin twenty days.
General Price, secure in the midst of the fastnesses of the Boston
Mountains, awaited these reenforcements. The most outrageous falsehoods,
in reference to the designs of the National Government, were circulated
among the cabins of these ignorant frontiersmen, most of whom could
neither read nor write. They were told that the Union army was seeking
the perpetration of evefy outrage which the most fertile imagination could
suggest. The poor negroes especially were appalled with the most fi-ight-
ful stories of the designs and deeds of the Yankees. Yolunteers, deluded
by false promises, and incited by these malignant representations, or driven
by fear of the draft, flocked in companies and regiments to the appointed
rendezvous. Those who did not come as volunteers were dragged as con
scripts. Eecruits were also sent from the neighboring rebellious States.
General McCulloch, one of the most noted of the rebel leaders, joined
General Yan Dorn with eleven regiments. General Pike led into his camp
five regiments more. Thus, in the course of a few weeks, the rebels had
assembled a force of thirty -five thousand men, with eighty pieces of cannon.
Though a large proportion of these troops were raw recruits, but little accus
tomed to the drill and discipline of an army, they were nearly all border-
men, inured to hardship, accustomed to the coarsest fare, and well versed in
the use of arms.
General Curtis, on the other hand, was now two hundred and forty
miles from EoUa, the nearest railroad point. He was in an enemy's
country. His long line of communication had necessarily to be protected
by garrisons upon the road. Every provision-train required a guard. His
force, thus weakened, did not exceed ten thousand five hundred men. He
had but forty-nine pieces of artillery. His guns, however, were superior
to those of his foe. Though his men might now almost be termed
veterans, they were greatly exhausted Avith long marches and frequent con
fiicts. His cavalry had lost a large number of their horses by over-fatigae.
As he was compelled to subsist his army mainly upon forage, it became
necessary to scatter them in divisions twelve or fourteen miles from each
other. General Curtis himself, Avith the fourth division, under Colonel
Carr, having fallen back from Fayetteville, occupied a place known as
Cross Hollows.
The instructions he received from General Halleck were, to select
the strongest practicable position, and, awaiting an attack from his out
numbering foes, to give them vigorous battle whenever they should
advaflce. General Curtis, for this purpose, had chosen an eminence on the

PURSUIT OP THE REBELS. 22&
banks of Sugar Creek, twelve miles in the rear of most of his encamp
ments. He could speedily concentrate all his troops upon this spot, so
soon as the rebels should begin to move. The rebel camp was but thirty
miles distant, and the booming of thefr cannon could often be distinctly
heard in their artillery practice.
On the 2d day of March General Yan Dorn arrived at the rebel camp,
and took command of the force there awaiting his orders. He was received
with great rejoicing, and a salute of forty guns sent their boom of chal
lenge to the National army. He immediately commenced preparations for
an attack. These preliminary movements were characteristic of the man
and of the cause. Fictitious dispatches were circulated throughout the
rebel encampments, announcing a great battle at Columbus, Kentucky, in
which it was stated that the National troops were utterly routed, with the
loss of twenty thousand men and three gunboats. The whole rebel host
were also assembled in hollow squares, when they were harangued by their
officers, and the most outrageous falsehoods respecting " Yankee out
rages " were proclaimed. The " poor whites " at the South, who com
posed the rank and file of their army, were, in ignorance and debasement,
even below most of the slaves. State pride and hatred of the Yankees,
whose inteUigence, wealth, and power, united with their disapproval of
slavery, excited the envy and rage of the slaveholders, were excited to
the utmost. The smaUness of the National force and the largetless of the
rebel army were dUated upon, as insuring an easy, decisive, and glorious
rietory. On the 4:th of March this vast host, composing one of the largest armies
which, at that time, had ever moved on the American continent, commenced
its advance. They marched Arith three days' rations, and without tents.
Each soldier carried a blanket on his back. Thirty thousand " brave South
erners " were on the move, with exultation and songs, to disperse and cut to
pieces ten thousand " cowardly Yankees," who had ventured upon Southern
soil.* Not a man doubted as to the result of the expedition. They
did not tread the ground Arith the silent and solemn footsteps of thought
ful men, advancing to stern and doubtful battle, but conscious that they
were to fall upon but one-third of their number, with exultant hearts and
waving banners, and triumphant music they swept along, Uke men return
ing from a great victory, with the laurels of the conqueror fresh upon their
brows. Never did that ancient aphorism, " Let not him that girdeth on
his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off," receive a stronger
enforcement than at the battle of Pea Eidge. In the spfrit of GoUah the
rebel host went forth, and the fate of Goliah was theirs.
A few words of topographical explanation is necessary to a correct
understanding of the events which ensued. The reader Arill easily compre
hend them by referring to the annexed diagram.
General Curtis was at a point caUed Cross HoUows. This place is
* It is true that General Van Dorn, after his signal defeat, in hia official report states his
force as fourteen thousand, but the falsity of his statement is shown by all other accounts both
those of friend and foe. See, for example, the Richmond "Whig" of April Sth, and the official
report of General Curtis, Rep. Rec. Pt. xxiv., p. 411.

230

CIVIL "WAR IN AMERICA.

BATTLE OF PEA RIDGE.

situated on what is termed, in the official dispatches, the KeatsviUe road.
It is the direct road from Fayetteville, Arkansas, to Springfield, Missouri,
the road which General Curtis had traveUed as he drove the retreating
rebels before him. Twelve miles north of Cross HoUows the stream called
Sugar Creek crosses the road, flowing in a westerly direction, at thQ point
where Colonel ElUs so heroically charged the rebel batteries. The valley
of this creek is from a quarter to half a mile wide, Arith hills of very con
siderable elevation on each side. On the north side of this creek there
spreads a plateau of high table-land, with farms and open fields, at inter
vals broken by hills more or less precipitous. Several miles west of the

PURSUIT OP THE REBELS. 231
KeatsvUle road is the Uttle village of Bentonville. A road which crosses
the KeatsviUe road a few miles south of Cross Hollows passes, through
Bentonrille, and then bearing off in a northeasterly direction, again inter
sects the KeatsviUe road a Uttle north of the Arkansas State line. Thus
these three roads constitute an irregular triangle, of which the KeatsviUe
road is the base. Still another cross-road passes from the Bentonville
road, a little north of Bentonville, to the KeatsviUe road, going through
the hamlet of Leestown, and joining the KeatsviUe road at a place called
Elkhorn Tavern. Sugar Creek intersects each of these roads.
The dfrect road to KeatsvUle from Cross Hollows, after passing the
creek, ascends a hill, and traverses a broken plateau lying north of the
stream. This table-land is called by the inhabitants Pea Eidge, from an
old notion, which had long been exploded, that nothing but peas would
grow upon it. As we have before mentioned. General Curtis had chosen
this high ground in the rear of the creek as the spot upon which he Avould
concentrate his army in case of a menaced attack. He had already
encamped the thfrd division here, under General Davis, for the purpose
of making some preUminary examinations and preparations for the battle,
which he was well aware could not long be postponed. The First and
Second Divisions, under General Sigel, were stationed at a point about
four miles southwest of Bentonville. The Fourth Division, under Colonel
Carr, was with General Curtis at Cross Hollows.
The Sth of March was cold and blustering, and several inches of
snow, which had recently faUen, covered the ground. General Curtis was
in his tent Avriting, not anticipating any immediate attack, when scouts
brought to him the inteUigence that the enemy were advancing; that they
had already passed Fayetteville, and that before night their whole force
of cavafry would be Arithin twelve miles of Cross Hollows. This was
startling intelUgence, which demanded the most immediate and energetic
action. Couriers were instantly dispatched in all directions to recaU
foraging parties, and to concentrate the several divisions on Pea Eidge.
General Curtis, also, with the division at Cross Hollows, immediately
fell back to the same place, effecting his movements mainly by a night-
march, which enabled him to reach the place of rendezvous at three
o'clock the following morning. He commenced at once felling trees,
and erecting field-works to check the progress of the foe. The rebels
were expected to advance by the direct road from Fayetteville to Keats
vUle, and General Curtis established his camp in the immediate vicinity
of the spot where this road crossed the valley of Sugar Creek. Here
his principal defensive works were erected, his ammunition and military
stores being placed two or three miles in the rear, at Elkhorn Tavern.
The Sugar Creek raAdne was selected as the main line of defence, and
the National army, with its infantry and artillery facing southward, were
placed along the edge of the bluff. General Curtis and Colonel Carr occu
pied the left. Colonel Davis, with the Third Division, was stationed at the
centre. General Si^el, with the First and Second Divisions, who was
expected to arrive by the cross-road from Bentonville, was assigned the
position on the right. The line thus occupied by the National army

232 CIVIL AVAR IN AMERICA.
extended along the ridge, which on the north fringed the vaUey of Sugar
Creek, to the cross-road from BentonviUe, near Leestown.
No provision appears to have been made to guard against an approach
by the Bentonville road ; none even for watching it. It seems that no
advance of the enemy was anticipated except by the KeatsvUle road.
Most of the 6th of March was occupied in getting the Third and Fom-th
Divisions into position, and in making other arrangements to give the
rebels a warm reception, by felling trees, throwing up breastworks, and
planting batteries. By noon the central divisions were in position, and
were quite well protected by intrenchments. But General Sigel and his
divisions had not yet arrived, and the question was anxiously asked,
" Where are they ?" Anxiety upon this subject every moment increased,
and it was intense and well founded. There was not a soldier in the
Union army who had not sufficient intelligence to know that if the rebels
had succeeded in cutting off General Sigel, by getting between his divisions
and the main army, all hope was lost ; nothing could save them from de
struction. General Sigel had received, on the night of the 5th, the inteUigence
from General Curtis of the advance of the rebels, and the order to hasten
to Pea Eidge. With his accustomed promptness and energy he prepared
to obey, and at two o'clock on the morning of the 6th his whole army
was on the march. General Asboth led the advance. General Sigel
brought up the rear. A long wagon-train, containing the fruits of several
foraging expeditions, accompanied the troops, rendering their progress labori
ous and slow. It was eight o'clock in the morning when they reached Ben
tonville. General Sigel, ordering sixteen hundred men to remain with him, to
check the rebel cavalry, should they attempt a raid upon his baggage-train,
directed the wagons to proceed as rapidly as possible, escorted by General
Asboth, with the remainder of that corps. General Sigel tarried behind,
that in case of attack he might not be embarrassed by being too close upon
his wagons, and subsequent events demonstrated the wisdom of his course.
Bentonville is situated on the edge of a prairie, which extends perfectly
level many miles to the south. The road to Sugar Creek, leaving this
prairie, passes through a hilly countiy, densely wooded.
At ten minutes past ten o'clock, on the morning of the 6th, intelligence
was brought to General Sigel that the rebels were rapidly advancing.
Large masses of their cavalry were soon seen like black clouds sweeping
across the smooth and treeless prairie. The directions they pursued, indi
cated at once their purpose to surround and capture the small force General
Sigel then had at his command. On their fleet and fresh horses they
moved with such velocity, that they succeeded in gaining a position not
only on both flanks, but in his rear, while at the same time, in Une of
battle, with a formidable array of artUlery, the rebels moved slowly and
cautiously, but firmly forward, to assail him in front.
Before a force so overpowering there was nothing to be done but to effect
a retreat. General Sigel, with the coolness of an accompUshed and veteran
soldier, commenced his preparations, when to his surprise he learned that
through some misunderstanding one regiment had already left the town.

PURSUIT OP THE REBELS. 233
He had thus only six hundred men and a single battery with which to cut
his way through the rebel lines, while assailed on every side. Even amono-
the brave officers of our brave army, it must be admitted that foAv could
have been found equal to this crisis. Fortunately, the soldiers had perfect
confidence in thefr leader.
Forming his men instantly in line of battle, he made an impetuous
charge upon that portion of the rebels Avho had gained his rear, and Avho Avere
endeavoring to cut off his retreat, pierced their ranks with volley after
voUey, scattered them in wild confusion, and gained the sheltered road
which wound its Avay amidst the wooded hills. Still ten miles of miry,
rugged road separated him from his comrades on the Eidge. His men
were on foot. The rebels were well mounted, and they outnumbered him
more than ten to one. Without the slightest indication of despair or
anxiety as to the result, he divided his heroic little band into two equal
parties, of three hundred men each, giving each band one-half of the
battery. The advance was ordered to press along the road as rapidly as
possible for a mile or so, and select an available spot to make a stand.
The other half of his battery, which no man in Europe or America knew
better how to serve, was planted in a well-chosen position, commanding
the approach of the rebels, and it was protected by the infantry, three hun
dred in number, sheltered in the dense forest which lined the road.
Onward through the serpentine path, with clattering hoofs, came the
rebel horsemen. As soon as they arrived in sight of the little band-— not
more than fifty of whom w^ere visible, and whom it seemed as though they
could drive before them as the tornado sweeps the withered leaves — with
out checking the speed of their horses, and at the same time making the
forest ring Arith their Arild and exultant huzzas, they made a reckless
charge. But at that moment, when Arith gleaming sabres they were with
in a few yards of the muzzles of the guns, there was a flash, a thunder
roar, a volcanic burst of grape and canister, and rider and horse, quivering
and gory, strewed the ground, " in one red burial blent." YoUey suc
ceeded voUey with almost lightning rapidity, and the whole head of the
column being cut down, and the road being suddenly barricaded with
the mutilated and struggling bodies of man and beast, those in the rear re
coiled, wheeled around, and broke in hopeless confusion. The shouts of
the rebels suddenly sank away into dying groans.
Instantly, before the rebels had any time to recover, the battery
was limbered up, the horses were put upon the trot, the infantry
followed at the double-quick:, and the patriots vanished behind a
turn in the road. Eapidly they flew past the other half of the
battery, which by this time was in good position, ready, in its turn, to
give the rebel host a like reception, and to secure a like retreat. The
rebels, admonished by the terrible lesson they had received, now advanced
more cautiously. But it was so humiUating for ten thousand horsemen to be
held at bay by one hundred and fifty footmen, that, goaded to madness,
the rebels made charge after charge, only to encounter repulse after repulse.
We do not know of any event in the history of the war in which more
miUtary abiUty was displayed than in tins masterly retreat of General Sigel.

234 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Thus heroically, unflinchingly, successfully. General Sigel fought his
way back to the National camp. From half-past ten o'clock in the morn
ing till half past three o'clock in the afternoon, this patriot band remained
under the almost continuous fire of the enemy, and repelled every charge./
Not a gun was lost. Not a wagon was captured by the foe. So admira
bly did General Sigel reduplicate his forces by the rapidity of his evolu
tions, that General Yan Dorn, the baffled rebel general, in his official re
port, estimated the force by which he was repulsed at seven thousand
strong. It was in reality but six hundred. At half-past three o'clock re
enforcements sent by General Curtis met thefr retreating comrades, and
the rebels no longer ventured to molest them.
That night the whole National army slept upon their arms. General
Sigel's Corps, consisting of the First and Second DiAdsions, took their po
sition at the intersection of Sugar Creek and the Leesville road. They
constituted, as we have mentioned, the National right, while General
Curtis established his head-quarters on the left, where the main attack of
the rebels was anticipated. In the latter part ofthe afternoon of this day,
the 6th, dense masses of the enemy made their appearance at this point,
in preparation for the combat of the ensuing day.
Early the next morning, the Tth, intelligence was brought to General
Curtis that the enemy was moving along the road from Bentonville to the
north and west of his camp, threatening a flank attack upon his left
wing, and also seriously menacing his depot at Elkhorn Tavern. It was
supposed that these were merely scouting parties sent out to harass his
rear. To punish them for their presumption. General Carr was ordered to
move back to Elkhorn Tavern with a brigade, and clear out the rebels
there. Colonel Osterhaus, with a -small party of cavalry, a few pieces of
light artillery, and three regiments of infantry, was directed to attack the
enemy, who were now seen moving along the main BentonvUle road, nearly
opposite Leestown.
Both parties advanced unsuspectingly to their allotted tasks. But
Colonel Carr, not a little to his consternation, soon found himself face to
face Arith fifteen thousand Missouri and Arkansas troops, under Generals
Yan Dorn and Price. Colonel 0/Sterhaus found arrayed against him seven
thousand soldiers under McCulloch and Mcintosh, supported by a large
Indian force under Pike and Eoss. The scouting party proved to be the
main body of the rebel army. During the night they had inarched undis
covered and unopposed up to Bentonville, and thence across by the road
which conducted them to the right flank and rear of the National army.
General Curtis thus found himself outflanked, Avith all his breastworks
in the rear. The valley of the creek no longer stood between him and his
foe, and the position of the rebels, with their vast superiority of force, was
as advantageous as his own. Eetreat, too, was impossible, as aU com
munication with the north was cut off. Nothing seemed to remain hut
a battle, inspired by the energies of despair, or surrender. Surrounded afl
they Avere by a force three times as large as their oavu, to less determined
men destruction would have seemed inevitable.
An entire change of the National front became au immediate necessity.

PURSUIT OP THE REBELS. 236
The army had been fronting the south. They must instantly right about,
and face the northwest, to meet this unexpected position of the foe. With
great celerity this movement Avas effected, and an additional brigade was
sent forward to support Colonel Carr. Colonel Davis had also been just
ordered to follow with his division, Avhen disastrous intelligence was re
ceived from Colonel Osterhaus. He had advanced to Awards the Benton
ville road, Arith the First Division, to drive away, as he supposed, a small
scouting party sent out by the rebels to harass our flank and rear. He
planted his battery so as to shell a piece of woods through which some
rebel infantry Avere seen moving. Not receiving any response, he placed
himself at the head of his cavalry and ordered a charge, intending to scour
the woods and drive the rebels from their hiding-places. Scarcely had he
entered the edge of the copse when there swarmed upon him, from their
places of concealment, a rebel host, consisting of the entfre divisions of
McCuUoch and Mcintosh, seven thousand men.
So sudden, unexpected, and irresistible was this irruption, that the cav
afry immediately recoiled, and were driven back in disorder, learing thefr
battery in the hands of the rabels. The danger was now most imminent
that the exultant foe would pierce the Union lines, cutting the little army
in twain, and then all would be lost. Colonel Davis was ordered to turn
aside from the support of Colonel Carr, and with the utmost possible ex
pedition to hasten to the aid of Colonel Osterhaus. But Colonel Carr
was thus left Arith but tAvo divisions to hold in check fifteen thousand
men, who, confident of victory, were striding down upon them.

CHAPTEE XIX.
THE BATTLE OF PEA RIDGE.
(April, 1862.)
The Double Surprise. — Opening of the Battle. — Death of McCulloch. — Fieecenbsb or
THE Conflict.— Heroism op the Fourth Iowa. — Commencement of the Thirl Day's
Battle. — Gloomy Prospects. — Sublime Battle Scene. — Utter Rout op the Rebels.—
Scene after the Battle.
The second day's battle was thus disastrously commenced, with the
National troops being driven to form a new line under the enemy's fire.
But this most difficult of all miUtary evolutiens was performed with great
coolness and precision. Though the rebels had adroitly surprised their foe,
by a circuitous night-march and an unexpected attack. General Curtis met
the emergency with such presence of mind and promptness of action, that
the transient advantage which the enemy had gained was more than over
matched. Indeed, it would be difficult to say which party was taken most by sur
prise — the National troops, by the unexpected appearance of the rebel army
on their fiank and rear, or the rebels, by the promptitude with which their
foe changed his face, and the bold and unflinching front with which he
repelled their attack. The rebels were surprised that the National troops
were not surprised. It is true that the rebels had cut off the retreat of the
patriots, but since not one of the patriots dreamed of retreating, this did
not prove to be a matter of much consequence. This heroic Uttle band
had not boldly adventured a march of two hundred and forty miles into
the realms of rebellion to run away before the first show of a superior force.
Yolunteers, it is often said, are superior to regulars in skirmishes and
frregular warfare, in all those martial adventures which caU for indiridual
action and chivalrous daring, but inferior in those stern evolutions when
the individual is lost in the mass, and where an army becomes an unthink
ing machine, moved by the will of another, reckless of blood and death.
But Pea Eidge seems to refute this assertion. The Old Guard of Napoleon
could not have more nobly met the crisis encountered by these young
volunteers. To meet surprise without surprise, to be prepared for an
attack wholly unprepared for, to form in line of battle while the battle
rages — these are feats which might test the mettle of the finest-drilled
army in the world. Henceforth an army of volunteer patriots wiU never
be deemed inferior to any other army which can be raised.
In the new line thus formed. Colonel Carr occupied the right, near Elk
horn Tavern. Opposed to him were the rebel Generals Yan Dorn and
Price.* The centre was assigned to Colonels Davis and Osterhaus, with the

THE BATTLE OP PEA EIDGE. 237
Third Division and part of the First. They were brought iito immediate
antagonism vrith the rebel Generals McCulloch and Mcintosh, who had a
large rebel force, assisted by thefr savage allies the Indians, under Generals
Pike and Eoss. The extreme left was held by Generals Sigel and Asboth,
Arith the Second and a part of the First Dirision. A small force was also
left at General Curtis's head-quarters, at the Sugar Creek crossing, to guard
against any advance by the enemy along tho Fayetterille road.
The onset was mainly upon the centre. Hour after hour the battle raged
with fury rarely equalled, and, perhaps, never exceeded. Above the roar
of cannon and the rattle of musketry, the shrill and demoniac war-whoop of
the Indian pierced the ear. Excited and almost delirious with that frenzy
which may glow in the bosom of a fiend, these untamed savages burst
away from every restraint, and, like maniacs, rushed over the field, toma
hawking and scalping the wounded wherever they found them, friend and
foe aUke. The rebels found that they had added but little to their strength
in calUng to their aid such atrocious allies. As the fiood of battle surged
to and fro, the rebel General Mcintosh fell as he was desperately endeavor
ing to raUy one of his shattered columns. Soon after, the notorious Ben
McCuUoch, one of the most coarse and brutal of the ruffians of the border,
received his mortal wound from a Minie ball piercing his breast. As he
was borne from the field to die, Arith horrid oaths he declared that he would
not die ; that he was not born to be killed by a Yankee. In this state of
mind he lingered for a few hours, and at eleven o'clock at night, from the
sulphurous gloom of the battle-field, his stormy spirit ascended to the tri
bunal of God. A few moments before his death, the surgeon told him that
he could not possibly recover, and \that he had but a few moments more to
five. Fixing an incredulous look upon the surgeon, his only reply was, in
contemptuous tones, " Oh, hell !" These were his last words on earth. Who
can imagine what was his next utterance when he stood in the presence of
his Maker 1
The two leading rebel generals who conducted this attack being thus slain,
and the National troops pressing the foe with the unfaltering intrepidity
and resolution of veterans, the disheartened rebels wavered, feU back, broke,
and fled in confusion. Thefr wild flight was hastened by the onward rush
of the rictors, and by incessant volleys from their well-served batteries,
mowing doAvn the disordered masses. The guns which the Union troops
had lost ih the morning were regained, and in that portion of the field the
Stars and Stripes had gloriously triumphed.
On the right the battle was fought no less heroically by the patriots, but
not with equally decisive results. Here Colonel Carr, with but Uttle more
than a single division, held at bay, for seven long and bloody hours, a foe
nearly, if not quite, fifteen thousand strong. While the centre was sorely
pressed, and the whole strength of the army was really needed to meet the
assault at that one point. Colonel Carr, staggered by the tremendous blows
he was receiring, sent imploringly to General Curtis for reenforcements.
But it was not possible to send him any aid except a few horsemen, and
the body-guard of General Curtis, with their light mountain howitzers.
This Uttle band, however, chanced to arrive at a very important crisis, and

238 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
rendered essential serrice. With them General Curtis sent word to
Colonel Carr that he could not send him any more reenforcements, and
that he must, at all hazard, stand firm.
But the multitudinous foe, in apparently resistless billows, surged on
and on, till it seemed that the patriots would be ineAdtably overwhelmed.
Again Colonel Carr sent to General Curtis that he could not hold his po
sition much longer unless aid could be afforded him. The only succor
which the commander-in-chief could send to his hard-pressed lieutenant
was the word " Persevere." Wonderful is the power of a single heroic
mind. Colonel Carr ?i\d persevere, and so inspired his men with his own
heroism, that they stood their ground as the rock meets the surge. But
the havoc in their ranks was dreadful. We know not that soldiers ever
passed through a more fiery ordeal than did, on this occasion, the Ninth
and Fourth Iowa, the Twenty-fourth Missouri, and Phelps's Missouri.
Indeed, almost every man in that division merits honorable mention.
It will be remembered that General Curtis had left at his head-quarters
a small force, to watch the Fayetteville road, to guard against an attack
upon his rear by this approach from the south. About the middle of the
afternoon, seeing no indications of the enemy upon that road, he ventured,
in consideration of the terrific struggle in which Colonel Carr was en
gaged, to withdraw from that point three pieces of artillery and a battalion
of infantry, and to send them to his imperilled right wing. Small as was
this reenforcement, it reinvigorated the patriots, and Arith invincible reso
lution they maintained their post.
With great soUcitude General Curtis watched the state of affairs with
his left wing, where Generals Sigel and Asboth, in battle-array, and Avith
shotted guns, awaited an assault. About two o'clock in the afternoon,
Captain Adams, an aide of General Curtis, returned to him from the left
wing with the intelligence that no attack had as yet been made there, and
that General Sigel could see no indications of an immediate assault. It
was soon after this that the rebels, in their attack upon the National cen
tre, were repulsed, and vanished from riew, retreating in confusion into
the forest. The probability was very strong that, abandoning the left and
the centre, they were preparing to concentrate all their force in an over
whelming, crushing charge upon the right.
With this prospect in view. General Curtis resolved immediately to
move up his centre and left wing in support of Colonel Carr, and accord
ingly sent him word that he should be speedily reenforced. It was nearly
five o'clock when these reenforcements reached the right Aring. Colonel
Carr had already been struck by several bullets, one of them infficting a
severe wound in the arm. Many of his field officers had fallen, and his
numbers were very seriously diminished by the dead and wounded who
strewed the ground. General Curtis accompanied the dirision of General
Asboth. As he approached the line, shaken and torn by the storm of bat
tle, he met the Fourth Iowa Eeglment falling back in perfect order to ob
tain a new supply of ammunition, every cartridge being expended. Gen
eral Curtis, believing that he could support them by his reenforcements, or
dered them immediately to return to the position thqy had left, and to

THE BATTLE OP PEA RIDGE. 239
plunge upon the foe by a bayonet charge. Promptly and eagerly they re
sponded to the order, in which they were joined by their heroic comrades
of the loAva Ninth.
In the mean time General Asboth planted his artillery on the road,
and opened a tremendous fire upon the rebels at short range. The Second
Missouri Infantry also deployed, and engaged the enemy with a rapid, ac
curate, and deadly discharge of musketry. As the battle was thus fiercely
waged, the shades of night began to fall upon the field. But the fire on
both sides, instead of slackening, seemed to grow more furious and de
structive. One of General Curtis's body-guard fell dead at his side. His
orderly was struck by a musket-ball. General Asboth received a severe
wound in the arm. To add to the peril, the battery of General Asboth
ran out of ammunition, and was compelled to fall back. By this with
drawal of support, another battery was compelled to follow. Still the in
fantry, thus abandoned- for the time, remained firm, receiving the whole
storm of war upon their bosoms, untU the artillery, obtaining a new sup
ply, returned to their positions and renewed their fire. Thus the terrific
confiict continued until darkness enveloped the scene. The second day of
battle and of blood was ended.
The soldiers of both armies, in utter exhaustion, threw themselves
upon the ground, Avith thefr arms by their side, and sought such repose as
could then and there be found. It was certain that the daAvn would re
new the strife with stUl greater desperation. General Curtis arranged his
infantry in the edge oi the wood, with the open field before them, while
from each company a few men were detached to bring Avater and pro-
risions to their comrades, who had almost forgotten their hunger in the
exhaustion of thefr fatigue. Thus the patriots slept in the midst of the
wounded and the dead scatterec^ all over the field around them, and sep
arated but a few yards from the foe. Detached parties were also busy, all
through the night, in bringing up ammunition, and preparing all the mi
nute details for the third day's fight, which would doubtless prove to the
one party or the other decisive.
The ground was stiU coverea with a thin mantle of snow. A cold
March wind swept the field. The armies lay so close to each other that
neither party dare light its camp-fires, for fear fear of drawing shot and
shell from hostile batteries in shortest range. Even to the most sanguine
in the patriot camp, the night must have been one of fearful gloom. The
prospect for the morrow was certainly dark. Both parties had massed
thefr whole force upon almost a single point, for a final struggle. The
rebels outnumbered the patriots three to one. The retreat of the pa
triots was cut off ; and their defeat would prove not only the utter annihi
lation of the army, but the destruction of the Union cause throughout
Southern Missouri for months to come.
The rebels, conscious of the superiority of their numbers, and elated
with hope, were anticipating an easy rietory. " The next morning," says
the "Eichmond Whig," " we all expected to capture the entire Union army."
Their confidence was not xmnatural. They had virtually crowded the
whole National army into one narrow spot, where they had massed their

240 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
whole force, in a commanding position, ready to hurl it upon the shattered
ranks of the Unionists, weakened by the terrible losses of the preceding
days. Eagerly they awaited the rising of the morrow's sun.
Strange as it may seem. General Curtis had such confidence in his
officers and soldiers, that he did not allow himself to cherish a doubt of
ultimate victory. But these sanguine riews were not generally cherished
by his staff. An officer of the regular army, who was engaged in the
battle, writes : —
" The morning of the eighth was one of the deepest anxiety on the part
of our army. The Confederate forces held the only road for our retreat.
Both ai-mies had drawn their lines close. The woods and hills literally
SAvarmed with foes. The prisoners we had taken assured us that the Con
federates were perfectly sanguine of capturing our entire force, together
with all our supplies. They outnumbered us three to one. Our men
were much exhausted with two days' fighting and with loss of sleep, the
nights being too cold to sleep without fire, and our proximity to the enemy
not alloA\dng us to build fires along our advance lines. Nearly a thou
sand of our men were dead or wounded. Both parties were eager for the
fray — one stimulated by an apparent certainty of success and hopes of
plunder ; the other determined to conquer or die."
The correspondent of the " Boston Transcript," writing from the spot,
says : "At the close of the second day, all the leading officers, except Sigel
and Dodge, were disheartened, and regarded surrender as a foregone con
clusion." In the same spirit the correspondent of the " New York Herald "
AATOte : " Most of the officers were fearful of the result of the conffict on
the morrow, since that of the day's battle had been so unfavorable. Some
turned their thoughts on escape ; but saw not how it was to be accom
plished, as our only lines of retreat to the north were completely cut off.
Around head-quarters most of the commanders passed a sleepless night.
Though there were but few words spoken, nearly every one felt that the
foUoAving dawn would but usher in our defeat."
That these gloomy anticipations were so gloriously disappointed — that
the rebels were not only repulsed, but disastrously routed — is due, primarily,
indeed,- to the bravery of a soldiery who would not be beaten, but largely
to the skill of General Sigel in the disposition and management of the
forces under his command. No fame is so fair that jealousy cannot sully
it. No task ofthe historian is so honorable or so agreeable, as that of giving
a patriot soldier his true position in the esteem and affection of mankind.
So long as the names of Carthage and Pea Eidge are remembered, the
name of Franz Sigel will be cherished with honor by every true American
Let the reader now endeavor to form a definite conception of the posl.
tion of the patriot army. Their lines extended on the ridge from the Lees-
toAvn cross-road in a gentle concave curve, following the bend of the valley, to
the Keatsrille road. The Third and Fourth Divisions, under Colonel Carr,
Avhich had been terribly weakened by the prolonged contest of the prerious
day, strengthened by Colonel Davis's Division, held the right on the Keats
viUe road, near Elkhorn Tavern. The First and Second Divisions, under the
personal command of General Sigel, occupied the left, resting on and across

THE BATTLE OP PEA RIDGE. 241
the Leestown cross-road. The rebel army occupied a position somewhat
advanced from that held by Yan Dorn on the prerious day.
The sun rose dull and chUl, struggUng faintly through the clouds with
which the sky was overcast. Thick clouds of smoke stiU hung over the
field. A few moments after eight o'clock the contest began. It was com
menced by the National troops opening an artiUery fire from their centre
and right. This was promptly repUed to by a raking fire from the batteries
ofthe rebels, so severe as to compel the right Aring to faU back, which it
did, however, in good order.
At the same time that the right wing was thus falling back. General
Sigel vrith quick eye discerned the movement, and with the bold, prompt
action of an accompUshed soldier, advanced his Unes upon the left His
purpose was to wheel round his dirisions in such a way as to face the
enemy's right flank, enclose him thus in a corner, and expose him to a cross-fire
from front and flank. This movement by General Sigel is unsurpassed by
any other during the war, in the miUtary sagacity it displayed and the re
sults it achieved. By this skilful disposition of his forces he infficted the
most terrible destruction upon the rebels, while receiving but Uttle harm
himself In executing this evolution, the Twenty-fifth Illinois, under the
command of Colonel Color, was placed along a fence, in open riew of the
enemy's batteries, which at once opened fire upon them. Immediately a bat
tery of six of our guns, most of them rified twelve-pounders, were thrown into
line on a sUght eminence a hundred paces in the rear of our advanced in
fantry. The Twelfth Missouri then wheeled into Une, Arith the Twenty-
fifth Elinois on thefr left, and another battery was similarly placed a short
distance behind them. Then another regiment and another battery wheel
ed into position, in the same manner, untU thfrty pieces of artillery, each
about fifteen or tweiitj paces from each other, were in a continuous line,
protected by infantry lying down in front, and over whose heads their shot
passed. Each piece, as soon as it was in position, opened a rigorous, accu
rate, and deadly fire.
• The weU-instmeted cannon iers each took a tree for his markuntUhe
had 'gained the range. That gained, the fire was continued with the utmost
rapidity, almost every shot accomplishing its mission. The scene which
now ensued was one of the most terrible which war ever presents, and one
which no skiU of pen or pencil can accurately deUneate. The sheets of
bursting, Uvid fiame, the continuous roar, louder than heaven's heaviest
thunder, so unintermitted that no single explosion could be heard, the
billowy smoke as from hundreds of opening volcanoes, presented a spectacle
which no imagination can create. The rebel batteries, superior in num
ber, but not equal in weight of metal, and not equaUy well served, were at
short range, and the very hiUs trembled beneath this awful tempest of war.
The rebels, crowded together in dense ranks, and exposed to this deadly &re
on both thefr wings, were mowed down with awful carnage. Battery after .
battery was ' silenced, and thefr ranks melted away before this merciless
slorin of shot and shell. No mortal courage could long endure such havoc.
The infantry, in the mean time, Arith loaded muskets and fixed bayonets,
"w^ere lying on the ground in front of the batteries, ready to repel any at-
VOL. H— 16

242 CIVIL -WAR IN AMERICA.
tempt of the rebels to take them by a charge. The rebel leaders, goaded
almost to frenzy by the sudden change which had taken place in the aspects
of the battle, and by the destruction which was sweeping their ranks, yet
did not dare, even in their desperation, to order a charge, so effectuaUy had
General Sigel protected his guns.
One strenuous effort was made by the rebels to gain a position on an
eminence at the left of the National lines, whence they could rake our hat.,
teries with an enfilading fire. But General Sigel's quick eye detected the
movement, and the rebels were driven pell-mell from the hUl, before they had
a chance to plant their battery upon its summit. And now General Sigel
slowly, but steadily and surely, advanced his lines. Onward crept the sUent
infantry. Onward followed the death-dealing cannon. With marveUouin,
precision this wondrous, resistless machine of war, which the genius of Gen
eral Sigel had created and guided, advanced over the plain with unceasing
rapidity and pitiless destruction, delivering its fire. Eye-witnesses have
endeavored in vain to describe the emotions Avith which they watched that
huge, dark mass, vital in every part, emitting flash, and roar, and bursting
thunder-bolts, and moving over the yellow plain with calm energy, which
nothing could check.
Shorter and shorter became the range ; more and more deadly the fire,:
For two hours the National lines Avere thus steadily contracted, and the
rebel forces were huddled more closely together by the encircling fire which
was sweeping around them. For two hours the brave infantry lay upon
the ground, while their OAvn guns played over them, and the rebel cannon
played upon them. This is the very severest ordeal to which a soldier can
be exposed — to stand in silence a target for hostile batteries, without an
opportunity to throw a bullet in return. Men who will plunge with the
most reckless courage into the fiercest of the fight, wiU often faU before
such a trial as this.
At length the long-hoped-for order came to prepare for a charge.
With the utmost alacrity they sprang to their feet, and as coolly as on a
parade-ground they formed in line, and with fixed bayonets advanced
rapidly upon the rebels but a few yards before them. There was one
crash as every gun was discharged, a wild cry of onset, a rush, a confused
scene of straggling shots and gleaming bayonets, and the rebels, dis
heartened by the terrible punishment they had been receiring for the last
two hours, and dismayed by the impetuosity and determination of the
assault, giving up aU for lost, broke and fled in every dfrection. The
panic-stricken fugitives, like a swollen torrent, rush through the rarines,
and are soon beyond the reach of our guns. The booming of cannon
echoes no longer among the hills, and the tempest of war baring passed^,
away, silence ensues, only disturbed by exultant shouts of rietory.
At twelve o'clock at noon, the victorious wings of the National army
met and embraced, beneath the warings of the star-spangled banner, on
the spot which the rebel host, in aU the exultation of a triumph which they
dreamed they had already secured, had so recently occupied. But in thi«
glad hour scenes of unutterable woe met the eye, and sounds of almoSfe
unearthly anguish feU heavUy upon the ear. The ground, which had been

THE BATTLE OP PEA RIDGE. 243
swept by the cross-fire of this terrific cannonading, was strewed Arith branches
of trees, with fragments of wagons and gun-carriages, shattered by the
explosions of the thickly-faUing shells. The field was in places literally
piled with the dying and the dead. The dismembered Umbs and mutilated
bodies of the rebel soldiery were scattered on every side. The forest-trees
in aU directions were perforated, shattered, and cut down by shot, shell,
grape, and canister. One tree was pierced through the trunk by a cannon-
baU, seventeen grape and canister bullets were counted in its wood, and
its top was cut off and shivered into fragments by the explosion of a shell.
A shell had burst in a battery-wagon, utterly demolishing it, and killing
two mules in harness ; while, in the same heap of ruin, there were piled a
caisson blown into fragments, and five wheels of a gun-carriage ; also tAvo
dead artUlerymen were stretched ghastly upon the ground, and a third
was in the agonies of death, vrith his side torn open by a fragment of a
sheU On one of the eminences where the cannonade had been most severe,
trees, rocks, and earth bore witness to its fierceness. Fifteen wounded
rebels lay in one group, piteously imploring those whose arms had struck
them doAvn to bring them water and reUef. A few steps from them was
another wounded man, whose arm had been torn entirely from his body by
a cannon-shot, which threw the severed member several feet from him.
Near this man, who was drenched in blood, fainting and dying, there was
the dead body of a rebel, both of whose legs and one arm had been shat
tered by a single shot. At a short distance from him, behind a tree, there
was stretched a corpse, with two-thirds of its head blown away by a shell,
and the musket which the unhappy man held in his hand dashed to pieces.
Still farther along, there was the body of a soldier who had been kiUed by
a grape-shot through the heart. A letter had faUen from his pocket, which,
on examination, proved to be a long and well- written epistle, breathing the
most earnest spirit of pure affection, from his betrothed in East Tennessee.
Around him in aU directions were his dead and dying comrades, some
Bfretched at fuU length upon the turf, and others contorted as if they had
died in the convulsions of extreme agony.
The earth was thickly covered wdth round-shot and the fragments
of sheUs. The bursting of the shells had set fire in many places to the
dry leaves on the ground, and the woods were burning in all directions.
The rebels, in their disorderly fiight, had been compelled to leave their
wounded aU uncared for. The patriots, as they came up, made every
efibrt to remove these unhappy men before the flames should reach
them, and nearly aU were rescued and taken to places of safety. Some,
however, were afterwards found in remote and secluded spots, stiU aUve,
but horribly burned and blackened by the conflagration.
Such is war. It is weU for those who only see its gUded pageants,
and who only hear its exultant music, to gaze sometimes upon the
ghastly picture of its desolation, and to Usten to its wail of woe. Surely
the judgments of a righteous God shall yet overtake those originators
of this rebellion, whose ungovernable ambition has brought such calami
ties upon our once happy and peaceful land.

244 CIVIL AVAR IN AMERICA.
The loss in the dirisions of Generals Sigel and Asboth, during the
three days' battle, was but two hundred and sixty-three. The injury
which they inflicted upon the rebels is incalculable. Thus ended the
battle of Pea Eidge. A National force of ten thousand five hundred
men, who were outflanked and surrounded, repeUed and utterly routed
a force estimated by the rebels themselves at from thirty to thfrty-five
thousand combatants. The whole National loss in killed, wounded, and
missing, was thfrteen hundred and fifty-one. The rebel loss has never been
officially disclosed, and can probably never be accurately ascertained. The
slaughter on the third day, that could, in less than four hours, Avrest the
rietory from the enemy, and convert a confident host, sure of an easy
triumph, into a routed, panic-stricken, and fieeing rabble, must have been
immense. The rebel cause in the country west of the Mississippi never
recovered from the blow it received in this decisive battle.
The battle of Pea Eidge has an infamy as well as an honor pecuUar to
itself. It was the first battle during the war in which the tomahawk and
the scalping-knife of the savage were called in to the aid of the rebels..
These wild men, when excited by battle, were as ferocious and cruel as
fiends from the pit. With the employment of such allies it is not strange
that many ofthe dead ofthe National troops were found tomahawked and,
scalped, and vrith their bodies shamefully mangled. The indications were
abundant that the wounded had been murdered and mutilated by these
cowardly and fiend-like aids in an insane rebellion. The rebels, however;
received very little service, and very much dishonor, from the employment
of these brutal allies. In the frenzy of the battle the savages recognized no
distinction between friend and foe. A white man's scalp was their proudest
title of nobility, and they took these scalps wherever they could strip them
from a wounded and helpless victim.
In the defeat of the rebels, many of the savages, in large bands, fled
into the congenial glooms of the forest. On the third day after the
fight a body of three or four hundred of these ferocious Avarriors, rush-.
ing from an ambuscade, fell upon a battalion of Arkansas troops,^ their.
allies, -who had hired them to fight. The major of the battalion shouted
to them that they were firing on their OAvn friends, and waved a white
handkerchief to them upon the point of his sword; but these savages,.
on the war-path, cared but little for friends or fiags. They replied with
volley upon volley from their concealment. The major himself was
instantly killed. The exasperated soldiers were then ordered to charge
their red-skinned, painted, howling confederates. The combat which
ensued lasted nearly an hour, and is said to have been one of thc most
furious and sanguinary of the three days' fight. Neither party showed
any quarter.
To General Sigel the credit of the great rietory of Pea Eidge has
sometimes been awarded. He certainly took a very conspicuous part m
the confiict. And yet it must be remembered that the rietory could not
have been achieved but by the equally heroic exertions of others. If
Colonel Carr, vrith his Spartan band of little more than one dirision, had
not so sturdily held in check the immense masses of rebels hurled against

THE BATTLE OP PEA RIDGE. 245
him at EUchom Tavern, hopeless' disaster would have swept through our
lines. If Colonel Daris had not succeeded in repelling the rebel attack
upon our centre, which attack menaced the army with such fearful danger.
General Sigel's skilfully planned and gallantly executed advance could
never have taken place. Neither must the admirable preliminary move
ments, strategic and tactical, of General Cm-tis be forgotten, in distributing
the due meed of praise for the results of this glorious day. His directiug
mind ordered the combined movements. It is not needful to detract from
the weU-eamed laurels qf one, to give due credit to another. Let the
country ever hold in gratefiil remembrance the indomitable courage and
gaUantry of aU engaged, both officers and soldiers, in that memorable battle.
TJie rietory of Pea Eidge must ever be regarded as one of the proudest
achievements of the patriot arms in this warfare against direful rebellion.
The remainder of General Curtis's Arkansas campaign, although it
extended over a period of more than three months, and was marked by some
experiences of pecuUar hardship, was characterized by no very remarkable
incidents. Its history may, with propriety, be briefly recorded here, before
we turn to the recital of more important events contemporaneously occur
ring in other fields.
The National army was too much exhausted, by its forced marches and
prolonged contest, to pursue the scattered rebel forces. They were, con
sequently, allowed to retreat into the fastnesses of the Boston Mountains
unpursued. Almost immediately after the battle. General Curtis withdrew
farther north, to Keatsrille, where he granted his troops that repose which
they so greatly needed, and at the same time watched the further move
ments of the shattered and disheartened columns of the enemy. Spring-
field, in Missouri, being threatened by a rebel raid under the indefa>tigabie
Price, General Curtis fell still farther back across the border, and took a
position at Forsyth. From this point foraging and scouting parties were
continuaUy sent out, the most important of which was on the 16th of April,
under Colonel McCrelUs, of the Third lUinois Cavalry. He destroyed some
rebel saltpetre works, which were then in successful operation, and with
them nearly ten thousand pounds of saltpetre ready for transportation.
It was now the middle of April. The weather, in that southern lati
tude, had become summer-Uke and settled. The army, with its wounds
healed, and refreshed, was eager again for active serrice. General Curtis
determined to march back into Arkansas, and, leaving the Boston Moun
tains on his right, to advance directly upon Little Eock, the capital of the
State. In pursuance of this plan, he rapidly moved his army to Salem, in
Arkansas, one hundred and seventeen miles southeast of Forsyth, and
thence to Batesville, on the White Eiver. The rebel Governor of the State,
Eector, very naturally became alarmed. On the 5th of May, he issued a
frantic appeal to the people to rush, en masse, to arms. It was a charac
teristic document, its purpose being to " fire the Southern heart."
" Northern troops," said he, " formidable in numbers and preparation,
are in the heart of your State, marching upon your capital, wdth the avowed
purpose of perverting your government, plundering your people, eating
your substance, and erecting over yonr heads, as a final consummation, a

246 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
despotic ruler, the measure of whose power will be the hatred he bears his
subjects. W^ the thirty thousand freemen, capable of bearing arms, yet
in Arkansas, look listlessly on, while chains are being riveted upon their
Umbs by a few thousand Hessians from the North — hirelings, mercenary
cowards as they are, seeking to enslave us, that they may grow rich upon
our substance, and diride us and our children as conquered subjects ! This
cannot, will not be. I caU upon every man capable of bearing arms to
prepare at once to meet the enemy."
But not only the movement of the National army, to save the Union
from dismemberment, roused the ire of the rebel governor ; but, if possible,
his AATath was still more aroused by what he considered the apathy of the
rebel Government, in neglecting to send a sufficient army to maintain in
the State the rebel cause.
"If the arteries ofthe Confederate heart," said he with eloquence
characteristic of that latitude, " do not permeate beyond the east bank of
the Mississippi, let Southern Missourians, Arkansians, Texans, and the
great West know it, and prepare for the future. Arkansas lost, aban
doned, subjugated, is not Arkansas as she entered the Confederate Govern
ment. Nor wiU she remain Arkansas, a Confederate State, desolated as a
Arildemess. Her children, fleeing from the Avrath to come, will build them
a new ark, and launch it on new waters, seeking a haven somewhere, of
equality, safety, and rest. Be of good cheer, my countrymen. There is
still a balm in Gilead. The good Samaritan Arill be found."
Then descending from a flight so lofty, in the most moderate of prosaic
terms he said, " It is, by the Military Board of the State of Arkansas,
deemed essential for the public safety that four thousand five hundred men
be called as volunteers from the militia of the State, to serve for twelve
months in the State service, unless sooner discharged."
This urgent appeal met with very little response from tne people of the
State. The ringleaders of the rebellion, wealthy slaveholders, looked with
even more contempt upon the " poor whites " than upon the negroes. The
poor whites were only a nuisance. The negroes could be made serriceahle.
But ignorant as the "poor whites" were, deprived by the institution of
slavery of all the means' of education and advancement, they had, through
out the whole confiict, faint gUmmerings of the truth that they had heen
cheated into fighting, merely to rivet the chains of their own degradajjon.
General Curtis was annoyed, in his march, by the burning of bridges and
by the mosquito buzzings and stingings of guerrillas. His scouting and
foraging parties were engaged in incessant skirmishes with small bandsjof
the rebels. But the advance of the army was not opposed by any consid^-
able armed force. The National troops crossed the White Eiver, and, en
tering Searcy, were Arithin fifty miles of Little Eock. The capital was just
Arithin his grasp, and thus the object of his movement was almost consum
mated, when he was diverted, of necessity, from his purpose, by other and
more important movements in Tennessee.

CHAPTEE XX.
THE REDEMPTION OP MISSOURI.
(June 1, 1862, to September 1, 1863.)
Long and Perilous March op General Curtis. — Rebel Fort on White River. — Disaster
TO the Mound Citt. — Rebel Barbarity. — Rebel Attempt to Recover Missourl — Battles
OF Matsville and Cross Holloavs. — Battle of Cane Hill. — Heroic Decision op Gen
eral Hereon. — Murderous Raid op Qu.anteel.
In AprU, 1862, the battle of Pittsburg Landing, which we have already
described, had been fought. The siege of Corinth had commenced. Gen
eral Halleck decided to concentrate all his forces at that point. General
Pope received an order to hasten with his army from the banks of the
Mississippi, to aid in the great campaign now in progress in the heart
of Tennessee. Under the same pressure*. General Curtis received a dis
patch directing him to send ten regiments by a forced march to Cape
Girardeau, and thence to Corinth. Without hesitation he obeyed the
order, necessarily so disastrous to his own plans. It left him with a
force too small to march upon Little Eock, and that enterprise had to
be abandoned. Bitterly disappointed in relinquishing the prize just
within his grasp, he fell back to Batesville.
The feeble band of patriot troops, thus weakened, found itself not
only in an enemy's country, but also in the midst of a wide and almost
pathless AvUderness. The army, afready exhausted by long marches, and
shorn of its strength by the loss of ten regiments, was many a weary
league from its base of supplies at Springfield. It was exceedingly
difficult to maintain this long line of communication. General Curtis,
therefore, soon decided to abandon his position at Batesrille, and to
move his army across the State to Helena, on the Mississippi. He
could thus make that river his line of communication with the North.
Memphis, to which we shall more particularly refer in th^ next chapter,
was at this time in the possession of the Union troops. Between that
important city and Helena no rebel stronghold intervened. The fiotilla
of gunboats could easily keep the river open, and thus easy communica
tion with the North could be maintained. The proposed march, how
ever, was an undertaking full of peril ; it was to be conducted through
an unknown country, infested with guerrillas; it was necessary for the
army to carry most of its provisions Avith it, as but little dependence
could be placed upon opportunities for forage; and yet they had no
adequate means for transporting tbeir supplies. Indeed, before the
arrangements for the movement were completed, the army suffered
not a little from inability to obtain a sufficient supply of food.

248 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Though these difficulties and dangers were thoroughly comprehended,
they did not deter General Curtis from embarking in his bold enter-
prise. He abandoned his communications with Springfield, caUed in his
guards, concentrated his Uttie force, and commenced his journey. The
wearisome experiences which ensued cannot be well described. Such
marches as that from Forsyth to Searcy, and from BatesriUe to
Helena, test courage not much less, and patience and endurance even
more, than the field of battie. Indeed, the soldier prefers the •excitmg
perils of the confiict, to the hardships, toils, and unintermitted dangers
of such a march. And still these unattractive campaigns, oppressed
with hunger, prostrate with weariness, and exposed to the bullet of an
unseen foe, present few events to be perpetuated on the page of his
tory ; no halo of military glory surrounds the scene, and those who
perish by the way, and they are many, victims of exposure, fatigue,
and disease, are buried in the wilderness, their graves unknown, and
their names unwritten. May God reward these forgotten heroes, who
have thus patiently suffered and died for thefr country, uninspfred hy
the excitement of battle !
The long journey was commenced about the first of June. Its monto-
ony was broken by frequent skirmishings, and by one rather serious en
gagement. There was, however, no pitched battle of any considerahle
magnitude. While General Curtis was pushing his way slowly through
the country to the Mississippi, an expedition was sent out from MempMs
to his assistance. On the 5th day of June Memphis had been surrendered
to the National flotilla. In less than a week from that time a fleet, con
sisting of four gunboats, with transports containing a regiment of infantry,
under Colonel Fitch, left the city, and sailed doAvn the Mississippi -to
the mouth of the White Eiver, for the purpose of ascending that stream
and meeting the army of General Curtis, who was marching down its bank.
About eighty miles above the mouth of the river the rebels had erected
an extensive fort, which was not, however, completed. Opposite this fort
obstructions had been sunk in the channel. The works were somewhat,
formidable in front, but had, as yet, no defence in the rear. Colonel Fitch
landed his force at a point two or three miles doAvn the river, below the
fort. The gunboats, led by the Mound City, and followed by the St. Louis
and the Conestoga, moved up to attack the enemy in front. They opened
a very rigorous fire, which was repUed to Arith spfrit from the fort. But
the fire froni the boats was so accurate that they soon sUenced several-of
the enemy's guns, when a forty-two-pound shot struck the Mound City and
pierced its steam-drum. In an instant the vessel was full of the scalding
steam. It enveloped the whole boat as in a fiery cloud, and burst in hil-
lows out of the port-holes. The shrieks of the suffering victims were
heart-rending. Many were scalded to death. Many succeeded in leaphig
into the river. SmaU boats immediately pushed out from the rest of the
fieet for the rescue of the sufferers. In that terrible hour aU the gunboate
ceased fighting, their energies and sympathies being entfrely engrossed by
the awful sufferings before them.
But the rebels had no mercy. ^7"ith barbarity which would almost

THE REDEMPTION OF MISSOURI. 249
have disgraced the savages whom they had called to their alUance, they
depressed thefr guns, and deliberately and repeatedly fired wdth grape and
fcanister upon the sufferers struggling in a'gony in the water, and upon the
boats humanely hastening to their aid. This statement, so disgraceful to
men assunUng fo be cirilized, is not made without the most ample exi-
dence. It is aUke corroborated by the official and unofficial testimony of
'eye-witnesses. It has never been denied. Prisoners who were taken de
clared that they were ordered by the commander of the fort. Colonel Fry,
to fire upon these scalded men, droAvning in the river. IndeUble infamy
wiU surely be the doom of that man who has no instinct to enable him to
. discriminate between courageous battle and cold-blooded murder.
By this terrible disaster one hundred and twenty out of a crew, officers
and men, of one hundred and seventy-five, were killed or mortally wound
ed. The gunboats were Arithdrawn from the conflict. Meanwhile, Colo
nel Fitch had reached, by a somewhat circuitous route, the rear of the
enemy's works. GaUantly the men rushed to the charge. Eesistlessly they
swept over the ramparts. The struggle was short, desperate, decisive.
The flag of rebeUion and disunion was trampled indignantly in the dust,
and the National banner again waved proudly over those distant waters.
Nearly aU the garrison of the fort, Arith its commander, were taken prison
ers. In justice to the commander, it should be stated that he denied
having given orders to his soldiers to fire upon the men who were scalded
and drowning in the river. None denied that they were fired upon. The
only question was, whence the order came.
For some reason, unexplained, but probably ineritable. General Curtis
was left to march aU the long distance from BatesriUe to Helena unassisted
by any reenforcements or suppUes. The most bold and energetic foraging
was necessary for the subsistence of his army. Early in July he reached
Helena. Here the distinctive history of this campaign terminates. Though
expeditions into the surrounding country were several times undertaken,
yet henceforth this army became merged, Arith other armies, in varied and
remote enterprises. The battle of Pea Eidge really decided the fat& of
Missouri and Arkansas. Still, one or two attempts were made by the rebels
to recover thefr lost ground, only one of which, however, was of a serious
character. The first of these attempts was made in the fall of 1862. The
southern frontier was guarded chiefly by regiments of Kansas troops, under
Brigadier-General James D. Blunt, and of Mississippi and Iowa troops,
under Brigadier-General F. J. Herron. The rebel forces were distributed
throughout various parts of Arkansas, under Generals Hindman, Eoan,
Eains, and Marmaduke. In October an attempt was made by these forces,
united, to reenter the State of Missouri.
The rebels advanced in separate parties of considerable force. Seven
thousand of them, under General Cooper, encamped near Maysrille. Four
thousand, chiefly Texans, were under Marmaduke at Cross Hollows. A
¦nearly simiUtaneous attack was made upon both of these parties. On the
20th of October, General Blunt broke camp at Pea Eidge and moved upon
Maysrille. After a difficult march through the night, he reached the
neighborhood of the enemy early in the morning, attacked him with a

250 CIVIL AVAR IN AMERICA.
single regiment, the rest of his command having been halted, by mistafejfj
several mUes back, fought them under great peril until the rest of his
forces came up, when the rebels beat a hasty retreat, leaving their cannon
behind them.
At the same time, General Herron, Arith a force of nine hundred cav
afry, marched to cooperate with an infantry force upon the rebel camp at
Cross Hollows. Arriving there, he found himself alone, the infantry not
having arrived. Not feeUng disposed to return without a fight, he attacked
the rebels, who, though largely outnumbering their assailants, fled after a
short engagement, learing their camp and all its furniture in their hands.
These trivial successes were not of much permanent value. The rebels,
driven from one camp, gathered at another, or even returned to their old
camp as soon as they could do so in safety. On the 26th of November,
General Blunt received information that General Marmaduke was at Cane
Hill with eight thousand rebels ; and that he was only waiting for the re
mainder of General Hindman's army to arrive, when they would assume
the offensive. General Blunt resolved to attack them before their reen
forcements could arrive, and to drive them from the rich country where they
were gathering abundant supplies.
Apprised of his approach, the rebels took a commanding position, from
which they were dislodged after a brisk engagement. They retreated to
another hill a little farther south ; and thus they were steadily driven all
day long, lyitil night put an end to Avhat was partly a battle, and partly a
stubbornly resisted pursuit. Four days later. General Grant received in
formation that General Hindman had joined General Marmaduke, and
that thefr united forces amounted to over twenty thousand men. With
this fbrmidable army he had undertaken to invade Missouri, and recover
the territory wrested from the rebels by the battle of Pea Eidge. General
Blunt immediately telegraphed to General Herron, who was one hundred
and twenty miles north, at Wilson's Creek, Missouri, to come to his assist
ance. General Hindman, by making a feint, succeeded in sUpping by to
the east of General Blunt, and thus interposed his army between the
divided Union forces. His purpose was first to rush north and crush Gen
eral Herron, advancing with his reenforcements, and then to turn and
destroy General Blunt's army. The success of this well-derised plan
would give Missouri back to rebeldom.
In three hours after General Herron had received his dispatches his
troops were on the move to join General Blunt. He had already marched
one hundred and ten miles in three days, and had sent forward the hulk
of his cavalry, which had reached General Blunt, when he found himself sud
denly and unexpectedly in the presence of the foe. They had taken- a
commanding position on the road, and, with their batteries planted, they
Avere prepared for battle. If General Herron attempted to retreat, his.
wagon-trains would inevitably fall into the hands of the rebels ; Avhile at
the same time every retrograde step he took increased the distance betAveen
himself and the force he was hastening to reUeve. i
To fight an army of tAventy-five thousand men with four thousiid
seems indeed a bold undertaking. But General Herron believed the

THE REDEMPTION OP MISSOURI. 2.*)1
^hazards of a battle less than the hazards of a retreat. Moreover, he hoped
that the report of his guns might bring General Blunt to his reUef Of
course no other communication between them was then possible. Imme
diately bringing his batteries into position, he opened upon the enemy.
MeanwhUe, General Blunt, learning 'that the rebels had passed him,
commenced pursuit. He was five mUes from the battle-field when his at
tention was attracted by the sound of the guns. At once divining the
cause, he pushed rapidly forward." Between two and three o'clock his
advance reached the field of battle, and suddenly opened upon the rebels
an unexpected and destructive fire. Thefr purpose to fight a divided foe
was defeated by the rapid marches and cordial cooperation of the two
divisions. Still, the rebels had over double the number of the patriot troops.
The rebels fought Arith great desperation, for General Hindman had as
sured them, " Our country Arill be ruined if we fail."
All day long the battle raged. Batteries had been repeatedly taken
and retaken at the point ofthe bayonet. Darkness at length put an end
to the conflict, apparently undecided, to be renewed in the morning. But
in the night the rebels, muffiing their cannon- wheels, stole away. The
heroic Uttle patriot army was left in possession of the fleld. Thefr loss
was eleven hundred and forty-eight killed, wounded, and missing. The
rebel loss is estimated at double that number.
Thus ended the last serious attempt on the part of the rebels to recover
Missouri by force of arms. Its history from the time of the battle of Prairie
Grove has been poUtical rather than military. Henceforth the chief efforts
of the rebels were to keep it a Slave State by the aid of intrigue and poUtical
combinations. It was, however, the theatre of a constant and devastating
guerrUia warfare, and the scene of raids of a serious character. In Janu
ary, 1863, a band of three thousand rebels, under Marmaduke, made a
determined assault upon Springfield. They had no expectation of holding
the place ; but it was an important depot of supplies, from which they
hoped to replenish their exhausted stores.
The toAvn was commanded by a brave man. General Brown. He sum
moned the convalescents from the hospital, called together the militia, and
thus largely increasing his regular force, which was but small, he success
fully repelled the rebel attack, and maintained his position until reenforced.
In April foUowing, General Marmaduke entered the State at the head of
a large force of cavalry, and issued a flaming address, in which he pro
claimed his purpose to redeem " a noble State from cruel thraldrom," and
"not to pillage or destroy." He illustrated his words by taking every
thing he wanted and paying with Confederate notes, which were worth
¦ scarcely their weight in broAvn paper.
Marmaduke occupied Frederickstown for a day, attacked Cape Girardeau,
bombastically demanded its surrender, made a show of assaulting it, and
then retreated, pursued by Generals McNeil and Yandever. On the 20th
of August, 1863, a band of rebel guerrillas, under command of Quantrel,
one of the blackest-hearted men w^hom the rebellion developed, entered
Lawrence, Kansas, for purposes of revenge rather than of plunder. Seiz-
hig the defenceless city by night, he remorsely sui-rendered it to be sacked

252 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
by his gang of murderers and outlaws. A guard, surrounding the place,
shot aU who attempted to escape. The houses were first plundered and
then fired. In the morning he left, what had been a prosperous toAvn, httle
more than a heap of smoking nuns. More than two hundred peaceful
citizens were murdered in cold blood. Many others were consumed m the
fiames of thefr dwellings. The horrors of this awful scene of crime and
brutality no pen can describe. In one case twelve men were driven into a
building, when they were all shot, and the house set on fire over then-
bodies. Two millions of property were destroyed. The wife and daughter
of a man threw themselves over his body, begging for his life. One of the
rebel gang thrust his revolver between them, and shot the man. Seldom
has earth witnessed a sadder spectacle than was seen when these assassins
retired. The remains of many of the most distinguished citizens were
left, crisp and black, in the midst of the smouldering ruins of their dwell
ings. The collecting these remains, that they might have respectful
burial, was heart-sickening. Women and little children were wandering
about searching for husbands and fathers, and when they did find them
among the corpses, their anguish Avas indescribable.
It was thus that the rebels, exasperated by the Union victories of Pea
Eidge and Prafrie Grove, kept up a guerrilla warfare throughout Missouri.
Desperate men, the most infamous of robbers, in gangs of from twenty to
two or three thousand, ravaged the entire State, especially the southwestern
portion. Disguised in the garb of citizens, seldom venturing to attack any
but the unarmed, assuming the semblance of honest men at the first
approach of danger, it was difficult to detect and almost impossible to
pm'sue them. They roved with impunity through all defenceless regions,
plundering aUke friend and foe. Hundi-eds of famiUes were bereft of then"
homes by the midnight torch.
A traveller met in one of these desolate regions a family, emaciate and
ragged, crowded into a wagon. They had been robbed, their home burned,
and they, in utter beggary, were trying to escape to some land where they
could dwell under the protection of law. A little boy, bareheaded and
barefooted, trudged along by the side of the rickety, crowded vehicle.
" Well, my little fellow," inqufred the traveller, " where do you live f
" I don't live anywhere," was the artless response, " only in a wagon."
It will be many years before this desolated country wUl recover fi-om
the ravages, not merely of legitimate war, but of guerrilla devastation.
Thus the border-ruffianism of Missouri returned to vex her. She who was
the first to take the sword to drive Free State men from Kansas, has al
most literally perished by the sword thus lawlessly dra-wn.
This thievery and murder, ruinous as it was to indiridual interests, ex
erted no infiuence in arresting the onward movement of the National
Government in rescuing the land from rebellion. All the territory the
Union men gained they held. Nor were they content to remain in the
edge of Arkansas. On the 1st of September, 1863, General Steele, then
in command of the frontier army, prepared to advance on Little Kock.
The city was ineffectually defended by General Price. The rebel general,
being compeUed to evacuate his works, abandoned the city and retreated.

THE redemption: OF MISSOURI. 253
On the 10th of September the capital of Arkansas was formally surren
dered into the hands of the Union general by its mayor. The National
flag has never ceased since to float over that city. Its restoration to the
Union may be considered as effectually and flnally closing the Missouri
campaign.

CHAPTER XXI.
CAPTURE OF ISLAND NUMBER TEN.
March and April, IS62.
Position op Island Number Ten ajto Surrounding Country. — Strength op its Portih-;
CATIONS. — General Pope. — Admiral Foote. — Conpidenoe op the Rebels. — Sublime and
Romantic Incidents op the Siege. — Capture op Point Pleasant and New Madeid.— ,
Bombardment op Island Number Ten, — The Canal Secretly Cut. — Darinq MminsHi'
Exploit. — Capture op the Island. — Great Importance of the Victory.
We must claim the pririlege of the dramatist, and call for a change of
scene from Northwestern Arkansas to the Mississippi Eiver. This majestic
stream, appropriately called by the Indians the Father of Waters, abounds
in islands from above Cairo nearly to New Orleans. These islands, com
mencing a few miles below Cairo, at the junction of the Ohio and Missis
sippi, are numbered from one to one hundred and twenty- four. After the
evacuation of Columbus, the rebels retreated doAvn the river, past the toAm
of Hickman, to one of these islands, known as Island Number Ten. It'is
situated near the boundary-line between the States of Kentucky and Ten
nessee. The general course of the river, from Cairo to Napoleon, in Ar
kansas, is a little west of south. At Island Number Ten, however, it makes
a sudden turn back upon itself, and flows, for six or eight miles, nearly
due north. Then, turning as abruptly again, it continues in its former-
southerly direction.
By these turns in the river two promontories are formed, one on the
Missouri or western shore, and one, a Uttle lower down, on the opposite or
Kentucky bank. Island Number Ten is situated in the first bend of the
river. It commands the approach for miles in either direction. New
Madrid is a small town on the Missouri shore, opposite the point of the
Kentucky promontory, and below Island Number Ten. Some miles fur
ther down the river is Point Pleasant. A few miles below, on the Ten
nessee shore, is the hamlet of TiptonviUe. The annexed diagram will af
ford the reader a clear conception of these localities, which, through the
fortunes of war, have attained such celebrity.
From Island Number Three, across the neck of the peninsula to New Ma
drid, is a distance of six miles. By the river it is fifteen miles. From Island
Number Ten to Tiptonrille it is five miles by land, while it is twenty-seveft
miles by water. On both sides of the river the land is low and marshy. On
tiie Kentucky shore an immense swamp commences nearly forty miles ahote
Island Number Ten, and extends for many miles below, running nearly paf^
allel with the river, with but a narrow strip of dry land between. Opposite
the island this swamp becomes an unbroken body of water, called EeeHoOf

CAPTURE OP ISLAND NUMBER TEN. 255
Lake. The outlet of this lake into the Mississippi is forty mUes below, at
Tiptonrille. Thus the whole eastern bank of the river is here, in effect,
an island, cut otf from the mainland by impassable swamps. There is
however, a good road along the western bank of Eeelfoot Lake from Tip-
tonriUe to Island Number Ten.
The western or Missouri bank of the river here, is also low and swampy.
It was the scene, in 1811, of a terrible earthquake. Large tracts of land
were sunk and converted into lakes or swamps, while other portions of the
land were elevated several feet. The effects of this earthquake are still to
be seen in the singularly wild and broken aspect of the region. It has,
indeed, neither hUls nor rarines, but it is very manifest that large tracts of
land have suddenly faUen below their natural level. The entire peninsula
of which we have spoken is fiat and marshy, intersected by creeks and
bayous. Island Number Ten is about a mile long and half a mile wide. The
channel, on either side, affords depth of water for vessels of the largest class.
It vriUbe remembered that during General Fremont's campaign in Missouri,
the rebel General PUlow had occupied New Madrid, making it the base of
operations against St. Louis. At the same time he occupied and threw up a
few intrenchments on Island Number Ten. As has been stated in the history
of that campaign, it was a part of General Fremont's plan, for the descent
of the Mississippi, to occupy New Madrid at the same tiine that he ad
vanced on NashviUe by the way of BowUng Green and the Tennessee and
Cumberland Elvers. This part of the plan General Halleck did not exe
cute. The events recorded in this chapter wiU enable the reader to see
the importance of this plan of General Fremont, and the unfortunate re
sults to the Mississippi expedition from its omission. If the National
troops had taken possession of New Madrid, when they could easily have
done so. Island Number Ten could not have been occupied by the rebels.
Consequently, npon the evacuation of Columbus, the gunboat fleet could
have swept almost unopposed down the river, along its whole length to New
Orleans, and could have kept the stream clear by shelling out any parties
who should have attempted to throw up obstructions upon its banks.
As soon as the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson rendered it evi-
dent that Columbus was no longer tenable, the rebels commenced the work
of strengthening and rendering as impregnable as possible the fortiflcatlons
on Island Number Ten. Their ablest engineer. General Beauregard, was
ordered to the command of the Western Department, and he personally
dfreeted the construction of these fortifications. The heavy ordnance and
military stores were, as far as possible, removed from Columbus to this
island. Siege-guns were brought up from below. Eiver-batteries were
planted at the water's edge. The whole island frowned with batteries,
guarding every possible approach.
Cooperating batteries were also planted on the Kentucky side of the
river; They were so arranged that any gunboat, coming within short
range to attack any one of these batteries, would be exposed to the con-
¦ centrated fire of them all. A number of rebel gunboats was also ordered
up from the river below, Commodore HoUins commanding, to prevent the

256 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
passage of the river by the patriot fleet, which was being coUected in the
waters above. Immense stores of provisions and munitions of war were-
deposited upon the island, and every preparation which the most unrelentrS
ing energies of rebelUon and treason could contribute was made to repel a
sudden attack or to maintain a long siege. While these works were in
progress at Island Number Ten, a rebel force of five or six thousand men
under Major-General McCown occupied New Madrid. This place was akol
situated in the midst of vast morasses, and was approached only by a siogle
plank-road. As this was commanded by the rebel gunboats, and also !by l
the strong intrenchments which they had reared, New Madrid ^was deemed
by the rebels unapproachable by any patriot force. *
This position was chosen by the rebels as their next stand, after the
evacuation of Columbus, for the command of the Mississippi Eiver; it
might weU be deemed impregnable. There seemed but Uttle prospect of ,
carrying these works by a direct attack from the river, and from no other
dfrection could they apparently be approached. Indeed, it seemed very;
hazardous to make the attempt to carry them ; for should the gunboats, hy
which alone the attempt coidd be made, be disabled in the fight, the rehel
fieet, lurking at -ifhe foot of the island, could easily ascend the river audi
levy contributions upon, or utterly lay in waste, all the rich toAvns which
Ue along the shores of the Northern Mississippi and the Ohio.
The difficult and dangerous task of reducing this position was intrusted^
to Brigadier-General John Pope* and Admiral, then Commodore, A. H,
Foote, with both of whom our readers are afready somewhat acquainted!) j
The general, in command of a land force, was to dislodge the rebelS) if
possible, from New Madrid, so as to move upon Island N^umber Ten from
the rear, while a fleet of gunboats and mortar-boats were to commence the
bombardment in front. Though the rebels awaited the attack Arith some :
anxiety, still they felt very confident of their ability to hold the place
against any force which could be brought to assail it.
" Nothing," said the Memphis " Argus" of March 6th, " but an over
whelming force can ever succeed in whipping us at New Maprid. The,
approach to that place by land can only be effected by the plank-roadji
which leads into the place from the west, and which the enemy have to
pass. The road is through a swamp which is too muddy even for General;
Thompson's command. As the Federals will be compelled to march in the
road, on their approach to the town, our gunboats, under the command of
the veteran Commodore Hollins, Arill be the death of many a Hessiaiitc)
The largest guns which the enemy can bring to bear upon our forces are
six and twelve pounders, while we can play upon them Arith heavier
ordnance. For the enemy to get possession of Memphis and the Mississijffi
* Major-General John Pope was born in Kentucky, in 1821. He graduated at "West Poi"*
in 1842, and received the brevet rank of second lieutenant of topographical engineers. M™
most of our army officers, he had distinguished himself in the Mexican -war, especiaUy at Monte
rey and Buena Vista. Por gaUantry in the latter engagement he was promoted to the ranlf.^of
captain. Earnestly, and with uncompromising patriotism, he espoused the National cause iipo",
the brealdng out of the rebellion. In May, 1861, he was appointed brigadier-general of volun
teers.^ Throughout the war he waa one of the most conspicuous and energetic of the ;
commanders.

CAPTURE OP ISLAND NUMBER TEN.

257

valley, it would requfre an army of
greater strength than Secretary Stan
ton can concentrate on the banks of
the Mississippi Eiver."
In the same strain a correspondent
ofthe New Orleans " Delta" Avrote, on
the Sth of March : " You avUI be glad
to learn that this position, so admi
rably adapted by nature for defensive
'purposes, has been so strengthened,
since the evacuation of Columbus, that
it .can bid defiance to the assaults of
the enemy. The position is, I am
confident, impregnable against any
naval force that can approach it.
New Madrid is now strong- enough to
be held in perpetuo. The enemy know
that they must carry that place before
they can hope to make any impression
on the island. The country around
is a dead level, and whenever the
enemy attempts to advance they wiU
be checked by the fire of our gunboats.
It is the opinion of our officers that
no infantry force can stand the storm
of shot and sheU which the gunboats
can shower upon them."
On the 21st of February, General
Pope, by order of General Halleck,
proceeded to the town of Commerce,
on the Missouri side of the river,
about fifty miles above Cafro. Here
there was rapidly assembled a force
of about forty thousand men. With
this army, the last week in February,
General Pope commenced his march
of seventy-five miles across the coun
try for Ncav Madrid, learing the river
ion his left. On the 3d of March
he arrived before the place. New
I Madrid he found to be then occu
pied by five regiments of rebel in-
|fantry and several companies of
; artillery. By careful reconnoissance,
he ascertained that the place was
defended by a bastioned earthwork of
(fourteen heavy guns at the lower part
jOf the toAvn ; while another strongly
Vol. 11—17

-MLSJB ©JF' TmiS
Mississirri hivem
ITR cm:
CAlRtSTOlSLAfUD W?BO.
Distance SiSLtyMUes

lht«AV£D'PT FliK t. nUS£ELL, NEW rOHK.
MISSISSIPPI EIVEE. CAIEO TO ISLAND NO. 10.

258 CIVIL "WAR IN AMERICA
constructed rampart of seven pieces of heavy artillery guarded all ap-
preaches to the upper part of the town. These two formidable forts were
connected by lines of intrenchment. Six rebel gunboats were anchored
along the shore, each carrying from four to eight heavy guns. The river
was so high, swollen by the spring floods, and the country around so loir,
that from the decks of the gunboats one could look directly over the
bank, the marshes which spread around for miles, and were lower than
the river. There could be no secret or protected advance upon the city,
no approaches by paraUels, and no advance whatever without exposure'to
the concentrated fire of forts, intrenchments, and gunboats. '
General Pope had only infantry and Ught pieces of field artillery, which
he had painfully dragged through the miry roads of Missouri. It was
erident that nothing could be accomplished towards reducing the place
without the aid of .heavy siege-guns. He sent back to Cairo for such guns
to be immediately forwarded to him. While waiting for them he held' hie
army back out of the range of the gunboats, and harassed the enemy hy
continual skirmishes and reconnoissances. At the same time he seized
upon and strongly occupied Point Pleasant, twelve miles below New'
Madrid. Very speedily and skilfully he so intrenched himself here that
he could not be annoyed by the rebel gunboats, while he effectually block
aded the river to prevent approaches from below. Colonel Plummer, Avith
several regiments of, infantry, some cavalry, and a field-battery,' held this
important place. An immense advantage was thus gained, since no
transports or supplies could be sent up the river to Island Number Temft*
The occupation of this point was a very hazardous enterprise, but-^it
was achieved with admirable skill. The bank along which it was neces
sary that the troops should pass was commanded by the rebel gunboaiSj
which patrolled the river night and day. There was a good road running
along on the ridge of the bank, but Colonel Plummer could not avail
himself of it, because the rumbling of his artillery- wheels would have he-
' trayed him to the enemy. He was compelled to traverse a low, moist, soft
road, which passed along the edge of the morass, where he was slightlj'
sheltered by the bank or natural levee which, rising a few feet high, separ
ated the river from the marsh.
A dark and tempestuous night was chosen, when the rain was falling
in torrents, and when the roar of the gale droAvned aU ordinary sounds.
The mud was deep, yet the wheels of the ponderous artillery were dragged
noiselessly, almost hub deep, through the mire. E^ery man comprehended
the situation, and Arith alacrity sprang to his work. In all wars, exhans-
tion and exposure are more rapacious than the bullet. Many a braffc
soldier was, by the toil of that terrible night, sent to his grave.
But when the march of twelve miles was completed, and Point Pleasant
reached, the night's work was but just commenced. Hundreds of spades
Avere instantly at work throwing up intrenchments. Before the morning
dawned a sufficient number of rifie-pits Avere dug to accommodate 'two
hundred and eighty men. Sunk batteries were constructed, wheretthc
guns were planted in single pieces, so as to present as small a mark's*
possible to the enemy. While the storm of that black night was howling

-^b'-

CAPTURE OP ISLAND NUMBER TEN. 259
over the rebel encampments and flooding thefr tents, they had no sus
picion of the storm of war which was gathering, soon to fall upon them
with fury far more unrelenting than the tempest of wind and rain.
The morning was gloomy and dark ; the gale continued unabated ;
the rain still fell in fioods. In the distance, the patriot troops discerned
two rebel transports approaching, struggling up the swift current of the
river, which here rushed to the ocean Avith the combined flood of three
majestic streams — the Mississippi, the Missouri, and the Ohio. The rebel
transports, unsuspicious of any danger, were conveying supplies to Island
Number Ten. As soon as they arrived opposite Point Pleasant, to their un
utterable surprise there suddenly was opened upon them volley after volley
of twelve-pound shot, while a hail-storm of musket-balls, directed vrith
unerring aim, swept their decks. Crippled, and threatened with imme
diate and entire destruction, they fled back out of the range of the guns.
This was the first announcement to the rebels that the river was block
aded. It was emphatic and effectual. No transports, after this, attempted
to pass by this point up the Mississippi. All troops and supplies for Island
Number Ten were henceforth landed below at TiptonviUe, on the Tennessee
shore, and were transported across the country to the island.
On Tuesday, the llth of March, the siege-guns from Cairo arrived,
imder the conduct of Colonel BisseU's engineer regiment. The battery
consisted of three thirty-two-pounders and one eight-inch mortar. Colonel
Bissell transported these pieces across the river from Cafro to Bird's Point,
thence conveyed them by rail twenty miles to SykestoAvn ; from which
place they were dragged, twenty miles farther, upon carriages, over rough,
muddy, and almost impassable roads, to the patriot encampment in the
rear of New Madrid. They arrived late in the night.
It so happened that the next night, Wednesday, the 12th, was dark
and stormy. The rebel pickets were driven in, and, under cover of its
gloom, these guns were placed in battery, within eight hundred yards of
the main works of the enemy, so as to command both them and the river
for some distance above. The battery consisted of two small redoubts,
connected by a curtain. The works were protected by rifie-pits in front and
on the flanks, and were occupied by two regiments of infantry. The par
apets of the two redoubts, which were eighteen hundred feet apart, were
eighteen feet thick and five feet high. The connecting curtain was twelve
feet thick. The rifle-pits, along the front and flanks, extended in a line,
curved at the ends, three hundred feet in length. The energy displayed
throughout this whole department is worthy of great commendation.
Within thirty-six hours from the time when these massive guns were in
storage at Cairo, they were in position and ready to open upon the enemy
at, New Madrid. Our commanders in these Western campaigns seemed aU
inspired with the desire to achieve such military " impossibilities." This is
not the only " impossibility " which Colonel Bissell performed in the reduc
tion of Island Number Ten. This great achievement was accomplished
only by that indomitable audacity which allowed no obstacle to be insur
mountable. With the earUest light of the morning of Thursday, the 13th, the

260 CIVIL AVAR IN AMERICA.
rebels discovered, to their surprise, and not a little to their alarm, the
earthworks which had so suddenly and quietly been thrown up during'
the night. At first they supposed that the redoubt was a simple breast
work for the protection of infantry. Their pickets opened flre upon it
They were answered by the boom of thirty-two-pounders, hurling shot and
sheU far within their Unes. Amazed, alarmed, they immediately concent:
trated upon the menacing works the fire of their heaviest artillery. The
gunboats also drew as near as possible, and cooperated in the attack. But
the forty-two-pounders appalled them. Every boat, if exposed continu
ously to the fire, would soon be destroyed. They, therefore, steamed down
the river until out of the range of the guns, then loaded, and steaming
back again, discharged their broadsides at the breastwork while still v^
motion, and then turning, sought again a place of safety. But, notAritlj'
standing aU thefr precautions, in a few hours several of the gunboats were
disabled, and three of the heaviest guns in the rebel fort were dismounted.
The cannonade was continued with great vigor all day. Though the rehels
had the advantage both in the number and the size -of thefr guns, tffey
only disabled one of the National pieces. At the close of the day they
found the result of the engagement so disastrous to them, that the rebel
commander was satisfied that he could not hold the town. One desperate
attempt at a sortie was made to destroy the patriot works, but it proved a
disastrous failure.
The morning of the 13th, ushering in this eventful confiict, had dawned
clear and beautiful. But as night came on, Nature seemed to assumes
spirit of sympathy with the scene of violence, passion, and ruin Avhich the
day had vritnessed. Yapors gathered in the sky. The air became close
and sultry. As the sun went down, black clouds, Uke a marshalled army,
came rolling up from the west, and the distant rumblings of heaven's
heavy artillery Avere heard, indicative of an elemental battle in the skies.
Just before midnight the storm broke in the full fury of one of the most
extraordinary of southwestern tempests. As the rain fell in floods, throngh
the blackened air, the darkness Avas only rendered more intense by viv^
flashes of Ughtning, followed by an incessant roar of thunder. The patriot
soldiers, muffled in their dripping blankets, stood like statues guarding
their works against any attack the enemy might make under cover of the
night. But the rebels had been so roughly handled during the day, that, instead .
of planning an attack, they were thinking only of escape by flight. In.the
darkness and the storm, the rebel troops were transported silently.^and
with great celerity across the river to the Kentucky shore. Had the rebd
general, McCown, exhibited as much sagacity and energy in holding, New
Madrid as he did rapidity of execution in evacuating it, the reduction of
Island Number Ten would have been far more difficult.
At length the storm passed away, and with it the night. With the
earliest dawn of the morning the National troops were all at their posts,
prepared for the renewal of the combat. They opened a vigorous fi«
upon the rebel fortifications. The fire was not returned, and no evidence
coald be perceived of the presence of the foe. Much surprised, a recon-

CAPTURE OP ISLAND NUMBER TEN. 261
noissance was ordered, but the reconnoitring party were directed to ap
proach the rebel lines with extreme caution, lest they should fall into an
ambuscade. They marched over the intervening ground, until, vrith thefr
bayonets, they could touch the rebel intrenchments, and yet they met only
silence and solitude, as of the tomb. They clambered over the ramparts.
Not a living being was to be seen. The forts and the toAvn were all
deserted. Soldiers, citizens, negroes, aU were gone. The town was left
vrithout an inhabitant.
Two men, indeed, were found soundly asleep. The evacuation had been
conducted in such stealthy silence as not to awake them. New Madrid
was a city where many men of opulence resided. In its suburbs were many
mansions of great architectural elegance, and very splendidly furnished.
Large mirrors and costly paintings still hung upon the walls, and rosewood
furniture, of Parisian manufacture, epibeUished the saloons. AU these
multiplied comforts and luxuries were accumulated under the blessings of
that Government which these men, Avith parricidal hands, Avere now stri-
ring to destroy. Their crime was gTcat. Severe as had been their punish
ment, they deserved it all. General Pope could, perhaps, have taken the
place by storm, immediately upon the arrival of his guns. Humanely he
said, " I can take the place at once, but it will cost the lives of a thousand
men. I AviU take it and lose but few. My conscience will not permit me
to sacrifice uselessly the lives of men intrusted to my care."
The Stars and Stripes were instantly planted upon the ramparts, and
the three-times-three hearty cheers of our rictorious soldiers announced
to the patriot army that they had captured New Madrid. The troops, who
were at that moment at breakfast, sprang to their feet, and echoed back
the cheer, in a volume of sound which fioated over the riA-er, and sent dis
may to the hearts of the discomfited and retiring foe. The flight of the
rebels had been so precipitate that thefr dead were left unburied. Large
stores of prorisions and ammunition were abandoned to the victors. Sup
pers were left upon the tables untouched. The private baggage of the
officers and the knapsacks of the men encumbered the tents. Candles
were found burning. A few of the lighter guns were thrown into the
river, but they were easily raised again. The larger guns were spiked, but
so imperfectly, in the hurry of the evacuation, that the spikes were removed
in' a few hours. As the Union soldiers exultantly explored the deserted
'eacampment, they found that they had indeed taken a rich prize. Thirty-
three cannon, several thousand stands of arms, magazines stored with the
materiel of war, tents for an army of ten thousand men, and a large num
ber of horses, mules, and wagons, fell into the hands of the rictors. This
achievement was gained with a loss, by the Union troops, of but fifty-one
in kUled and wounded. The rebel loss is unknoAvn.'
It is not easy to account for this sudden and apparently cowardly evac
uation of New Madrid. It Avas so strongly and skUfuUy fortified, and
aU its approaches were so carefully guarded, that it was by no means an
empty boast of the rebels that the place Avas impregnable. At the time
it was evacuated it was occupied by over nine thousand troops, so ad
vantageously posted that but few commanders would have ventured the

262

CIVIL WAE IN AMERICA.

5rewjS3Ca

attempt to carry it by storm. It was also so thoroughly supplied with pro
risions that a siege must have been of long duration and of doubtfiil
result. The rebels knew, as Well as General Pope, that New Madrid
was the key to Island Number Ten. Why they should have surrendered
it, Arith so slight a struggle, remains a mystery.
With alacrity the Union troops wheeled the captured guns around
and turned them upon the river. Not a rebel gunboat below could
ascend. The post which the rebels had fortified with so much care be
came a National fortress, and the all-important base for future onerations
in the reduction of th eisland. ^
While these operations were taking place at New Madrid, Admiral
Foote was preparing his flotilla of gunboats for the bombardment of the
island, and for the descent of the Mississippi, to sweep rebelUon fi-om
the banks below. On Saturday, the 15th of March, the day after the evac
uation, he left Hickman, where his fieet had been rendezvoused, vrith eight
gunboats, ten mortar-boats, and an uncounted number of steam-tugs,
advance-boats, and transport steamers. The eyes of the nation were fixel
upon the movements of this flotilla. It was then supposed that the greai
battle for the possession of the Mississippi was to be fought at Island Num
ber Ten. The enemy being driven from that stronghold, it was thought
that the fleet could SAveep the river, almost unimpeded, to New Orleans.',
Many, however, doubted whether it would be possible for the gunboats to
silence the immense batteries on the island and the adjacent shore.
The fortifications on
the island and the main
land were, as we have
stated, formidable both
in the number of then;
guns and the weight of
metal which they threAV.
They were also well
posted to protect each
other. The National
fieet could not come
Arithin short rangA of
battery A, as may be
seen by the diagram,
without being subject '
to the concentrated fire
of the other batteries.
The gunboats were also
compeUed to fire from
anchorage, otherpdsethe
rapid current of the
river would sweep them
down into the enemy's
hands. They could not,
by keeping up steamj'

ISLAND N9 IO

Cjpress ZPoncL
ZMHaSonS

THE ATTACK ON ISLAND NO. 10.

CAPTURE OP ISLAND NUMBER TEN. 263
breast the current, so as to fire from the stern, since, with but one excep
tion, they were only fron-plated on the bows and the sides.
After a careful reconnoissance, the gunboats Avere anchored just above
the point of the promontory which was opposite the land batteries. The
land of this promontory, which here creates so remarkable a bend in the
river, is so low that the batteries on Island Number Ten, two^miles and a
half distant, could be distinctly seen across the point from the decks of
the gunboats. On the morning of the 16th of March the bombardment
was commenced by throwing shells over the promontory into the rebel
works. It was opened simultaneously by the gunboats and the mortar-
'boats upon the island batteries, and upon battery A on the mainland. In
a bombardment conducted at a distance of from two to three miles a vast
amount of shot and shell are necessarily wasted. Whatever the damage
caused by so remote a fire by day, can generally be repaired at night.
Day after day of incessant bombardment continued, while the shores of
the Mississippi resounded vrith the unintermitted roar of these enormous
guns. Three weeks were thus occupied in hurUng tons of iron over the
p;romontory into the rebel works, -and yet no apparent impression was pro
duced. The fleet remained immovable at its anchorage, emitting, hour after
hour, its suUen, deafening roar, while nothing occurred to interrupt the mo
notony of the scene. The country grew impatient and the rebels jubilant
over this ineffective firing. Much exultation was manifested by rebel
sympathizers, over the apparent failure of the much-vaunted flotilla, in
this its. first engagement of any magnitude on the Mississippi Eiver. The
fact was carefully concealed by the Union officers in command of the fio-
tiUa, that this apparent waste of powder was but a cover for other and
far more effectlA-e operations.*
On the morning of the day on which the bombardment commenced.
General HaUeck directed General Pope to ascertain if it were possible to
construct a road from New Madrid, along the western bank of the river,
through the swamps to the end of the promontory opposite the island,
there to erect batteries to cooperate with the fieet in the bombardment.
Colonel BisseU's engineer regiment was deputed to perform this task. He
made the needed examination, and pronounced the plan to be impractica
ble. The ground was so marshy as to forbid the building of a road, and
so low opposite the island as to afford no good position for a battery. By
the careful exploration of this immense morass, it was found that- it was
. intersected with many creeks and bayous, which could perhaps be so con-
* In the rebel account of the war, published at Richmond, it is written : "On -the 1st .of April
General Beuregard telegraphed to the War Department at Riohmond that the bombardment had
continued for flfteen days, in which time the enemy had thrown three thousand.'sheHs, expending
about one hundred thousand pounds of powder, with the result on our side of one man killed, nnd
none seriously wounded. Every day the mortars continued to boom, and still the cannon jof tho
island replied with dull, sullen roar, -sfrasting shot and temper alike. The. very birds became ac
customed to the artificial thunder, and alighted upon the branches of the trees overhanging the
mortars, in tho sulphurous smoke. Tho tongues of flame, leaping from (the mouths of the mor
tars, amid a crash like a thousand thunders, and then the columns of smqlte, Tolling up in beauti
ful, fleecy spirals, developing into rings of exquisite proportions, afforded spme of the most mag;
ntacent spectacles." — Southern Sisiory ofthe War, vol. i., 293.,

264 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
nected and cleared of obstructions, that boats could be floated across froip
the anchorage of the fleet to a point in the river below the island. If
General Pope, at New Madrid, could get a few transports, or even a tug.
boat, to tow his army across the river to the Tennessee shore, he could cut
off entirely the retreat of the rebels from the island, and also effect so per
fect an investment of the place that the rebels could obtain no further
supplies. A Union citizen of New Madrid, familiar with the country,
suggested this idea to General Schuyler Hanulton. He accepted the
thought, revolved it in his own mind into definite shape, and proposed to
General Pope to cut a steamboat canal across the promontory. ColoneJ;
Bissell, to whom as an engineer the plan was presented, pronounced it to
be quite practicable. General Pope directed him to prosecute the enter
prise with the utmost possible vigor, investing him with almost unUmited,
authority to procure materials for his difficult undertaking.
Four steamers from Cairo, of light draught, and six flat- boats were imme
diately sent doAvn with all the necessary implements for the enterprise, '
and to cooperate in the A^ork. The distance to be traversed by the canal
was twelve miles. The canal was to be fifty feet wide, and not less than
four and a half feet deep. One-half of its length it was to be cut through
heaAry timber, by sawing off the trees four feet below the surface of the
water. The remainder of the canal ran through swampy, stagnant bayous,,
filled with tangled brush. The line of procedure in this remarkable un
dertaking was as follows : — First, there were three launches urged slowly
along the pools, occupied by workmen who opened the track, clearing
away the brush and driftwood. Then followed three rafts with skilful
axemen, who felled the overhanging trees, and sawed off those in the watery^^!
path below the water. The rafts were followed by a steamboat provided
Arith a system of ropes and pulleys to remove the larger timber which the
men, unaided by such engines, could not handle. Thus, while the rebels were
kept occupied with the bombardment for nine or ten days, this little fleet
was groping its way through woods, and marshes, and bayous, and pools,i
to assail the foe at a point from which they had no anticipation of an at
tack. " This herculean labor was prosecuted," says General Pope, " Avith
untiring energy and determination, under exposures and privations very
unusual even in the history of warfare."
By Friday, the 4th of April, the canal was open and ready for use.
Three days before this, on the first day of the month, the monotony of the i
bombardment was enlivened by a very daring and successful exploit. A
reconnoissance of the batteries on the island had been ordered by Admiral :
Foote. It was, of course, necessary that it should be made by night. The
command ofthe expedition, arranged by Colonel Buford, was intrusted to
Colonel Eoberts, of the Forty-second Illinois Eeglment. He placed one hun-,.,
dred picked men in five cutters. On the afternoon of Tuesday, the 1st of
April, the clouds gathered thick and the wind" rose, boding a storm of unu
sual severity. As the rayless night enveloped the fleet and the shore in im
penetrable gloom, the gale increased to a tornado, and the rain fell in torrents,,.
At midnight the storm was at its height. The stoutest forest trees were bent.,
like Avithes before the Arind, and the river was lashed into fo amino- billows.

CAPTURE OP ISLAND NUMBER TEN. 265

Fi-equent gleams of lightning threw a momentary glare over the scene,
which was foUowed by the blackness of darkness. While the storm added
not a Uttle to some of the hazards of the enterprise, it afforded other signal
advantages to the heroic spirits who had undertaken it.
Sheltered by the darkness and the tumult of the elements, the boats,
with muffled oars, descended the river, and passing all the batteries on the
shore unseen, approached within a few feet of the battery at the head of the
island. A sudden flash of lightning revealed them to the sentries. It was
but for an instant. All was dark again. The sentries fired a few harm
less, random shots, and fled back upon the hill. The boats, impelled by
Adgorous rowers, Avere in a moment at the shore. The men leaped upon
the island, rushed to the battery, spiked the gims, regained their boats
unhurt, and exultant, though still silent, forced their way, against the cur
rent and the storm, back to the fleet. The successful accomplishment of
this heroic adventnre was quite inspiriting to the bAeaguering army.
The canal was completed. Light transports could pass through, but
there was not depth of water for the gunboats. The rebels had antici
pated that General Pope would make an attempt to cross the river at New
Madrid, and to prevent this, they had planted field-pieces along the left
bank of the river, for a distance of several miles above and below that
city. To attempt to cross the river with transports alone, in the face of
these batteries, and exposed to assaults from the rebel gunboats, which
could ascend from below, was indeed a difflcult and hazardous enterprise.
It was erident that the river could not be crossed without tbe aid of gun
boats. The canal could not be made deep enough for their passage, and it
seemed utterly impossible that they could run down the river without be
ing bloAvn into fragments by the heavy batteries bristling on the banks
and on the island. Admiral Foote was in command of the fleet. He was
exactly the man for the occasion. On the 30th of March, Captain Walker,
of the gunboat Carondelet, received the following order from Commodore
Foote : —
" Tou wiU avail yourself of the first fog, or rainy night, and drift your
steamer down past the rebel batteries on the Tennessee shore and Island
' Number Ten, until you reach New Madrid. I assign you this, as it is vitally
important that a gunboat should be at New Madrid, for the purpose of
covering General Pope's army, while he crosses to the Tennessee side of
the river. I must enjoin upon you the importance of keeping your Ughts
secreted in the hold or put out ; keeping your officers and men from speak
ing, when passing the forts, above a whisper, and then only on duty, and of
using every other precaution to prevent the rebels suspecting that you are
dropping below their batteries. Commending you and all under your
command to the care and protection of God, who rules the world and
directs all things, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
"A. H. Foote.
"P. S. — Should you meet with disaster, you will, as a last resort,
destroy the steam machinery, and, if impossible to escape, set flre to your
gunboat, or sink her, and prevent her from falUng into the hands of the
rebels."

266 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
The night of Friday, the 4th of April, was selected for attempting, the,
enterprise. The adventure was deemed one so full of peril, that none but
volunteers were called upon to embark in it. Captain Walker himself,
with a truly chivafrous spirit, had offered his services. Mr. O. T. Fishbac^,
of the " Mississippi Democrat," had obtained the perilous pririlege of a
passage on the Carondelet, and it is to his graphic pen that we are mainly
indebted for the particulars of the enterprise.
During the day, the hull of the Carondelet was strengthened by every
contrivance which ingenuity could devise. The most vnlnerable parts of
the boat were shielded with rolls of surplus chains. The decks were
covered with a layer of heavy planks to resist plunging shot. A heavy
hawser was wound around the pilot-house up to the window. Barriers of
wood were constructed about the boilers. The sailors were prorided with
hand-grenades and the most efficient Aveapons to repel boarders, while
sharpshooters stood in f-eadiness to give a wai-m reception to any approach
ing assailants. Hose, for throwing hot water upon any intruders upon the
boat, were attached to the boilers. A large coal-barge, laden with compapt^,
bundles of hay, was taken in tow on the side exposed to the fire of the
batteries. During the afternoon the atmosphere became hazy, and as the sun set,
thick clouds gathered and the wind blew freshly from the stormy quarte;;,..
indicating just the weather which Avas desired. By ten o'clock at night,
the moon had gone down, and darkness reigned supreme, while the heavy
masses of a thunder tempest Avere rolling up the western sky. All lights
were extinguished ; breathless silence was imposed ; the lines were cast off,
and the Carondelet started on its perilous trip. The machinery was so
adjusted as to admit the escape of the steam through the wheel-house, thus
avoiding the puffing which results from its passage through the pipes.
For the first half mile all went well, and there was good hope of passing
the rebel batteries unobserved. Suddenly the soot in the chimneys toot,
fire, and fiames five feet in height leaped from their tops, throwing a
bright illumination upon the boat and every thing around. The flame,
quickly extinguished, immediately broke forth again. The casualty
resulted from the alteration in the machinery to change the escape of the
steam. The rigilant eyes of the enemy were of course arrested by this
apparition of a National gunboat drifting by their batteries, and exposed to
point-blank range from almost every gun. The anxious crowd on the fleet
above, who were listening for the signal-gun whicii should announce the
safe passage of the batteries, heard the alarm roll from the rebel encamp
ments on the shore and on the island. Five signal-rockets pierced the
stormy clouds, instantly followed by a shot from one of the batteries.
Flash succeeded flash, and roar followed roar as more than a hundi'ed guns,
in rapid volleys, discharged their shot and shell upon the dim target float
ing before them, AAdiich target could only be seen as revealed by the vivid
flashes of the lightning.
It often seems as though nature had a pulse which throbbed in sympa
thy with the passions of man. Just at this time the rising tempest reached
its crisis. The most vivid flashes of lightning were followed by incessant

CAPTURE OP ISLAND NUMBER TEN. 267
peals of thunder, whUe the rain descended in floods. The artillery of
heaven drowned, by its superior grandeur, the feeble artillery of man.
As concealment was now out of the question, the engineer was ordered to
put on a fiill head of steam, and to drive the boat with all possible speed
past the batteries. A man was stationed at the bow, with lead and line, to
give the soundings. Another upon the upper deck passed the word back
to the pUot. In the pUot-house Captain Walker was stationed. Outside,
entfrely unprotected from the shower of shell, shot, and rifle-balls, which
now began to rain thick and fast upon the boat, stood Captain Hoel, the
the acting first master of the gunboat, watching, by the glare of the light
ning, the course of the banks of the stream, receiving the soundings, and
shouting his orders to the pilots at the wheel.
Thus through the rain, the darkness, the storm of shot, and shell, and
buUets from thousands of marksmen, the Carondelet pushed rapidly down
the river, sweeping by the land batteries, the island batteries, and passing
a formidable floating battery anchored just below the island. Strange to
say, she escaped wholly uninjured. Such race no ship ever ran before.
The patriot flotiUa above the island was crowded Avith anxious, almost
breathless listeners. The roar of the midnight storm, from earth and sky,
deafened them. Thefr eyes were almost blinded by flashes from battery
and cloud. The Carondelet had not fired a gun. Far away in the darkness,
and behind the bend of the river, no vestiges of her could be discerned.
It seemed to be impossible that she could have surrived so terrible a flre.
The most sanguine feared that the brave little steamer, with all her heroic
crew, was drifting, a shapeless mass of ruin, beneath the waves. At all
events, the steamer was beyond the reach of the batteries, for the fixing had
ceased, and no sounds were heard but the mutterings of the receding
thunder and the wailings of the storm. It was a moment of awful sus
pense. If the boat escaped, six heavy guns were to be fired to announce
the joyful fact.
Suddenly, far down the river, the boom of a single gun was heard, and
then another, and another, and another, till the majestic echoes of the six
roUed along the river and the land. Such a frenzy of joy earth seldom
Aritnesses. A cheer rose louder than the voice of many waters, and rap
turous as if from the lips of the blest. The men embraced each other,
danced, sang, shouted, sent back an answering salute ; and the Admiral,
the heroic Admiral Foote, bravest of the brave, and noblest of the noble,
who never commenced an enterprise Avithout looking to God for guidance,
gUded away from the throng, with tears of gratitude, to give thanks to
God in his closet, where he was daily wont to commune with his Maker.
In twenty minutes, aided by a full head of steam and the swift current
of the river, the Carondelet had fun the gauntlet of the batteries, and at
one o'clock in the morning was safely anchored at New Madrid. Encour
aged by this success, on the night of the 6th the gunboat Pittsburg
followed the example of the Carondelet, and with equal safety. The next
morning, the Tth of April, four transports, laden with troops, passed through
the canal to New Madrid. The two gunboats promptly silenced the
' enemy's batteries on the opposite shore, and the National troops, regiment

268

CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

after regiment, were pushed rapidly across in the transports. As fast as
the dirisions landed they were urged rapidly forward to head off the rebels
from any retreat by the road to TiptonviUe. The panic-stricken rebels
now thought only of escape. They were surrounded ; all suppUes were cut
off; resistance was hopeless. Immediately abandoning the island, they
made a despairing and yet feeble effort to cut their way through the patriot
troops, who were seizing all the avenues of flight on the Tennessee shore.
Wherever the disordered masses appeared they were driven back upon the
swamp. At four o'clock in the morning of the Sth, the rebels, who were under
command of General Mackall, sent in a flag of truce, ofiering to surrender.
Three generals, seven colonels, seven regiments, several battaUons of
infantry, five companies of artillery, twenty-four cannon, several thousand
stands of small arms, large magazines, abundantly stored with munitions
of war, and an immense number of tents, horses, and wagons, were taken
on the island by the victors. The batteries on the shore, erected Arith the
highest engineering skill, and armed by seventy heavy rifled guns varying:
in calibre from thirty-two to a hundred pounders, were all taken, Arith all
their magazines and camp equipage. The force of the rebels surrendered
amounted to about five thousand. Four steamers and a floating battery
also fell into the hands of the patriots. In this great achievement of the
final capture, the National forces did not lose a man, either on the land or
on the gunboats;
Thus fell the second rebel stronghold on the Mississippi Eiver. It is
not National boasting to say, that it is difficult to find, in the annals of
war, the record of a deed more heroically accomplished. It is seldom that
any military movement has displayed more skill in the generals, or more zeal,
intrepidity, and endurance in the soldiers. The capture of Island Number
Ten, contemplated in all its aspects, is one of the most memorable achieve- <
ments of this ciril war, which has been so fuU of deeds of daring.
In the rebel account of this transaction, contained in the " Southern His
tory of the War," we read : " The unhappy men on the island were
abandoned to their fate ; the Confederates on the mainland baring fled
with precipitation. On one of the hospital boats were one hundred poor
wretches, half dead with cUsease and neglect. On the shore were crowds
of our men Avandering aroimd among the profusion of ammunition and
stores. A few of them effected their escape, through the most remarkable
dangers and adventures. Some trusted themselves to hastily constructed
rafts, with which to float down the Mississippi, hoping to attract the
attention and aid of those living on the shore. Others gained the upper
banks of the river, where for several days and nights they wandered, lost
in the extensive cane-brakes, without food and in severe toil. Some two or
three hundred of the stragglers, principally from the forces on the main
land, succeeded in making thefr way to Bell's Station, on the Ohio Rail
road, and reached Memphis.
" The disaster was considerable enough in tbe loss of Island Number Ten,
but the circumstances attending it, and the consequences in the loss of men,
cannop, ammunition, supplies, and everything appertaining to an ai-my, all

¦^ CAPTURE OP ISLAND NUMBER TEN. 269
of which might possibly have been avoided, increased the regrets of the
South, and swelled the triumph of her enemies. No single battle-field had
yet afforded to the North such A'isible fruits of rietory a^ had been
gathered at Island Number Ten."*
* Southern History of the War, vol i. p. 294.

CHAPTER XXII.
CAPTURE OP PORTS PILLOW AND RANDOLPH, AND OF MEMPHIS.
(May and June, 1662.)
The Gunboat Fleet. — Battle on the Rivee. — Incidents. — Evacuation of tSe Poets.—
Descent to Memphis. — Battle of the Gunboats and the Rams. — Scenes of Heroism and
Death. — Destruction of the Rebel Fleet. — Captoeb of Memphis.
Though the conquest of Island Number Ten was an achievement of
momentous importance, it Avas still but one of a series of herculean sfrug-
gles which were necessary, before the majestic Mississippi should be opened
in its sweep of more than a thousand mUes from Cairo to the Gulf
Between Island Number Ten and the city of Memphis there were two for
midable rebel fortifications, knoAvn respectively as Fort Pillow and Fort
Eandolph. They were twelve miles apart, on high bluffs, called the First
and Second Chickasaw Bluffs. The upper of these forts was seventy
miles north of Memphis.
With the energy which characterized all the movements in this depart^
ment, not an hour was lost in pressing forward in the great enterprise of
sweeping all traces of the rebelUon from the Mississippi, and in thus
opening again the great national river to the commerce of the United
States. On the 12th of April, only four days after the surrender of Island
Number Ten, the fleet of gunboats, accompanied by transports and mortar^
boats, left Ncav Madrid, and steamed doAvn the river to attack Forts Pillow
and Eandolph. About this time Admiral Foote obtained leave of absence.
He had been severely wounded at Donelson, so that for several months'he
was entirely dependent upon crutches. His health was so seriously
impaired that many of his friends despaired of his life, and he was com
pelled to heed the injunctions of his physicians and seek repose. Captaii"
C. H, Davis took his place as commander of the squadron.
At Plmn Point the Mississippi turns sharply from its southern course,
and floAVS almost directly east. After running several miles in this direc
tion, it strikes the First Chickasaw Bluffs, and is thrown abruptly back
again in a southwest direction, which course it continues below Island No,
Thirty-four, where it again bends in a majestic curve towards the south.
Here the Tennessee shore bulges out to fill the convex side of the curve.
At this point are found the Second Chickasaw Bluffs, surmounted by Fort
Eandolph, twelve mUes, as Ave have stated, below Fort Pillow, on the First
Chickasaw Bluffs. Opposite Plum Point is the viUage of Osceola, in
Arkansas. The fortifications on these two bluffs were as admirably located
as any^engmeer could desire, for both offensive and defensive operations.

CAPTURE OP FORTS PILLOW AND RANDOLPH, ETC. 271
The little squadron steamed rapidly down the river, aided by the svrift
current, and on the evening of Suntiay, the 13th of AprU, reached Plum
Point. Here they anchored out of range of the heavy guns of Fort Pillow,
which fort Avas all in riew at a distance of three and a half miles. Three
rebel gunboats were huddled under the guns of this fort. The heavy
mortars were moved from the Union boats to Craighead Point, on the
Arkansas shore, where, on the afternoon of Thursday, the ITth, they
opened a rigorous fire of shells upon tke rebel gunboats and batteries.
To this fire the rebel batteries energetically responded. For several days
this bombardment continued, the thunder of the explosions reverberatmg for
a great distance up and doAvn the river, though but very little damage Avas
infficted on either^side. The water of the river was so high, flooding vast
regions around, that the land force could not cooperate in this attack.
Meanwhile, the battle of Shiloh, which we have already described, had
been fought on the Tth of April, and events indicated another impending
conffict at Corinth. General Pope was accordingly directed to repafr
immediately with the forces under his command to Pittsbm-g Landing,
learing two regiments only, with the fleet, under the command of Colonel
G. N, Fitch. This Arithdrawal of the land force left Captain Davis, with
the gunboats and the mortar-boats, almost unaided, to attempt the reduc
tion of these formidable fortresses. With twenty-five thousand men in
thirty transports. General Pope arrived, on the 21st of April, at Pittsburg
Landing, on the Tennessee Eiver. *
On the morning of the 10th of May, the rebels made a desperate attempt
to destroy the National fleet. Behind a projecting point of the shore
they had prepared a squadron of eight iron-clads, three or four of them
fitted as rams. The Union mortar-boats had, as usual, been towed down
and anchored in a position somewhat in advance of the gunboats. Sud
denly, from around the point which had concealed them from sight, the
rebel squadron, under fuU head of steam, made its appearance. The lead
ing vessel was a ram of immense weight and strength, coated with raifroad
iron, and furnished Arith engines constructed to drive her with great velocity.
The ram, Arith energy which impressed every beholder with a sense of the
subUme, sought out the Cincinnati, the most formidable of the Union
fleet, thinking that after her destruction the remainder could be easily
disposed of.
The Cincinnati was anchored near the shore, and a large mass of drift
wood had accumulated about her bows. Thus entangled, she became par
tially unmanageable, and the iron ram was rushing flercely upon her.
The Cincinnati could not turn her bows to escape ; and to back out would
be only to run with her stern against the steel-clad prow of her antagonist,
thus adding to the force of the crushing blow. The gunners sprang to
their pieces, and from their stern guns let fly a volley, at but a few yards
4istance, into the face of the plunging ram. The balls glanced from the
thick-ribbed armor like hail-stones from an iceberg. : Another volley was
discharged with the same effect. In another moment the ram, with all her
tremendous weight and velocity, struck the steamer on the starboard stem,
and fortunately, -without inflicting any serious damage, threw riolently the

272 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

/

Item around, so that the Cincinnati could get headway to escape from the
shore, and at the same time could pour a whole broadside directly into the
rebel craft. Greek now met Greek — ^broadside followed broadside. A
series of rapid evolutions at the same time ensued, in which the ram strove
to crush the eunboat, and the boat strove to elude the blows.
And now the ram, t)oth boats being still in _ rapid motion, was along
side of the Cincinnati, and a dense mass of men, armed to the teeth, were
prepared to spring on board the^ational ship, and seize it by utterly ove^
powering the crew. Timbers were crushing as the boats ground against
each other. The shout rang through the sulphurous hold of the Cincinnati,
penetrating the thunders of the incessant cannonade, " All hands prepare
to repel boarders 1" The men seized carbines, boardmg-pikes, cutlasses,
and rushed to their appointed stations, while the steam battery was made
ready to throAv fioods of hot water upon the assailing rebels.
In the midst of this awful yet inspiring scene. Commander Stembel
sprang upon deck, and with accurate aim discharged a revolver directly
into the head of the pilot of the ram, killing him instantly. The pilot's
mate seized a gun, and as the gallant commander turned to attend to some
other duty, discharged a bullet, Avhich entered his shoulder behind, and
passed out through his neck. He feU, and was carried below. As the
wheel of the rebel ram was loosened from the grasp of the pilot, the boat
SAVung off and drifted doAvn the stream. By this time the whole squadron
on both sides was engagtd in the fight, each boat striking wherever it
could put in a bloAV.
The Cincinnati, disabled by the butting she had received, was soon
found to be in a sinking condition, and was run ashore. A fortunate shot
fi-om one of the National gunboats, passing through the boiler of one of
the rebel boats, the Mexico, destroyed the boat with a terrible explosion.
The same shot, continuing its course, entered another rebel boat, set it on '
fire, and it was burned to the water's edge. The National boat St. Louis
came crashing down upon the rebel ram Mallory, and, nearly cutting her in
two, sank her immediately. Most of the crew went under the wave m ^
their ship. Half a dozen only were saved by clinging to the sides of the
St. Logis. ,, '
The action, conducted with the utmost possible fui-y, lasted for nearly an
hour. One of the National gunboats, in a sinking condition, had bee^i ¦'
run ashore. Another, the Mound City, was seriously injured on the star
board bow. No other Union boat was injured. But four men in the
Union fleet were Avounded. The rebels were no longer in a condition to
prolong the battle, and under cover of the smoke, which, in the calm of a
cloudless May morning, hung in a dense canopy over the river, they
retreated rapidly doAAm the stream, behind the protection of their land
batteries. The rebel accounts of this, as of all their battles, are so contrar ,
dictory, that it is cUfficult to estimate, with accuracy, the amount of their
loss. Eebel deserters subsequently reported that, in addition to those who
sank to a Avatery grave in the Mallory, one hundred and eighty dead
bodies were taken from the fieet on its return from the engagement.
Another month passed away of languid, monotonous, ' ineffective bom- |

CAPTURE OP PORTS PILLOW AND RANDOLPH, ETC 273
bardment on both sides. The fleet kept its position, occasionally throwing
a shell, by way of reminder, into the enemy's works, awaiting quietly
other operations Avhich it Avas believed Avoiild compel the rebels to evacuate
both of the forts. The main object of the squadron, after the withdrawal
of General Pope's force, Avas to keep up the show of an attack upon Fort
Pillow, and to prevent the passage of tha rebel fleet up the river.
On the 29th of May the rebels under General Beauregard fled from
Corinth, and the place was occupied by the National troops under General
HaUeck. This withdrawal of a large part of the rebel army from Tennes
see rendered Forts Pillow and Eandolph no longer tenable, since they
were flanked arid nearly surrounded by the National troops. On the night
of the 4th of June both forts were evacuated, every thing of value having
been previously destroyed or removed. It had already been found neces
sary to Arithdraw most of the garrison from both of the forts, to strengthen
General Beauregard at Corinth. These obstructions to the narigation of
the river being thus removed, the morning after the Union troops had taken
"possession of the heights, the National fleet, consisting of the five gunboats,
Benton, Cairo, Carondelet, Louisrille, and St. Louis, and the four rams.
Monarch, Lancaster, No. 3, and Queen of the West, descended the river to
Memphis, and anchored for the night about tAvo miles above the city.
Here the rebel gunboats, from above and beloAv, had rendezvoused, to
dispute the further passage of the stream. They consisted of formidable
iron-clads, the Beauregard, Little Eebel, Price, Bragg, Lovell, Van Dorn,
Jeff. Thompson, and Sumter. This fleet was under the command of
Commodore Edward Montgomery; the iron-clad rams of the National
fleet under Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr. Colonel Ellet was an engineer
of some note previous to the commencement of the war. He built the
wire suspension bridge across the Schuylkill at Fairmount, and also that
over the Niagara Eiver below the falls. He took a prominent part in the
construction of the Baltimore and Ohio, and other Western railroads. At
the breaking out of hostilities he urged upon the Navy Department the
importance of constructing rams, especially for use on the Mississippi
Eiver, His suggestions were, however, rejected, Undiscouraged by this
repulse, he submitted his plans to the Secretary of War, where he met
with better success. Eeceiving the commission of colonel of engineers,
he repaired to the Mississippi, where he converted four steamers into iron
clad rams, with whieh he had now joined Captain Davis's fleet. The most
poAverful of these rams were the Monarch and the Queen of the West, the
latter being his flag-ship. He was placed in independent command by the
War Department, not being subject to orders from Captain Davis, but
reported directly to the Navy Department.
I It was late in the evening when the National souadron arrived within
sight of the Ughts of the city. As there were no batteries to pass, some
of the more ardent ones inquired why they were to remain there all night,
within sight of their long-desired haven. The morning satisfactorily
answered this question, and justified the prudence of Captain Davis.
With the earliest light two of the Union gunboats steamed cautiously
down the river on a reconnoissance. As they passed around a bend in the
Vol. il— 18

274 CIVIL "WAR IN AMERICA.
river, and came in full sight of Memphis, they discovered, .lying close to
the shore, the rebel fleet, under fuU head of steam, eight vessels, all iron
clads, and all rams. Having thus accompUshed the object of their recon
noissance, they returned rapidly to the fleet. .
The rebels, supposing that they were fleeing affrighted, immediately set
out in pursuit, and sent a few shot after them, which passed over the gun
boats, and feU harmlessly into the water beyond. Captain Davis immediately
signalled all his gunboats, five in number, to advance and meet the foe.
The transports and mortar-boats were, of course, of no avail in such a
conflict as this. The rams were an independent fleet, w-hich would
indeed render all possible assistance, but which were subject only to the
orders of Colonel Ellet.
The two fleets approached each other in line of battle, five National
gunboats on the one side, eight. rebel gunboats, which were also rams,
on the other. When within a mile of each other they both opened fire.
Soon they were within a few hundred yards, and volley succeeded volley
in the most rapid succession. It was at the early hour of half-past four in
the morning. The guns had awakened the citizens of Memphis, and by
thousands they rushed to the edge of the bluffs upon Avhich the city is
built. Directly before them, down upon the water, so near that individuals
could be discei-ned in the boats, the naval battle was raging. Probably in
the whole history of this world such a scene was never witnessed before.
For some time the battle stormed sublimely with fiash and smoke, and
incessant peals of cannon, and shot and shell crashing against the armed
sides of the ships, and ricochetting over the placid waters of the river.
Suddenly there steamed from around a bend in the river a singular-looking
craft, rushing forward at almost fabulous speed. Every eye upon the
shore was turned to this strange object, pressing doAvn into the battle like
a living, enraged, devouring monster. It was Colonel EUet's ram, the
Queen of the West, Soon another similar craft Avas seen emerging from
behind the bend. It was the Monarch. The booming of the cannon had
announced to Colonel Ellet the opening of the engg,gement, and the
gallant patriot needed no other summons to lead him into the fray. The
rebels caught sight of these new-comers Arith surprise and alarm, and hesi
tated, halted, and slowly began to fall back with the current.
The Queen of the West, with marvellous speed, rushed through the Na
tional gunboats, single-handed, ran into the group of rebel rams, and select
ing the Beauregard, plunged at her victim. Shot and shell glanced harm
less from the armed prow and sides of this strange assailant. When within
ten feet of the rebel Beauregard, the pilot of that vessel adroitly swung his
boat around so as to avoid the blow. The Queen shot swiftly by, and,
without losing her momentum, made a plunge at the rebel steamer Price,
AA-hich chanced to be near and in an available line of movement. The
Price was on the alert, and opened a well-directed fire upon the Queen ;
but the indignant Queen contemptuously shook the baUs from her impene
trable mail, and striking her antagonist amidships Arith one fearful, fatal
bloAV, crushed in the wheel-house, and splintering like pipe-stems her ribs
of oak aad fron, crushed in ono side of the ship. No second blow was

. it ^

\yil^^f3 " ¦

EN(jRA'/E.Ll i" .'•¦'¦¦'¦*¦

CAPTURE OF PORTS PILLOW AND RANDOLPH, ETC. 275
needed. The Price,, rapidly sinking, was just able to reach the Arkansas
shore, where she settled doAvn a perfect wreck, in fifteen feet of water.
The Queen, elated with this triunaph, turned upon her heel and made
another rush at the Beauregard. The rebel accepted the challenge, and
wdth equal alacrity hastened to the encounter. Head to head these mas
sive ships, with steel-clad bows, each driven at a speed of nearly twenty
mUes an hour, plunged at each other, each striving to crush its adversary.
By a skilful movement of the helm, the rebel evaded the menacing prow
of the Qneen, and struck his antagonist on the side. The bloAV made
every timber strain and creak, hurled the ponderous guns from their
places, shattered the massive engine in the hold, and opened a gaping
wound, through which the water rushed in toirents. The Queen needs
no second blow. She too has met the fate of war, and, seriously disabled,
can take no further active part in the tremendous conffict. She still views
the fight ; but, most deplorable of aU, the heroic Colonel EUet, to Avhose
patriotism and genius the nation oAves a debt of gratitude which can never
be repaid, struck by a bullet in the knee, fell upon the deck, having received
a wound from which he never recovered.
The patriot Monarch was now seen rushing headlong at the Beaure
gard, to avenge the death of the Queen, The Beauregaid opened a vigor
ous fire upon her approaching assailant. The Monarch, scornfully, deigned
no reply, but plunged on Uke a locomotive facing a hail-storm, and furi
ously striking the Beauregard, dashed in her bows. The flood of the
Mississippi rushed in, and the wounded rebel settled rapidly down, and
suddenly disappeared, ingulfed in the deep, dark waters,
I In the mean time the gunboat fleet was not idle. The thunder of its
guns was incessantly reverberating over the waves, and not an opportunity
was lost to throw their heariest metal, as rapidly as possible, upon the
rebel fleet. Sharpshooters were also placed in every available position to
pick off the gunners at their posts, and to strike every head or hand which
for one moment was risible. One of the patriot gunboats, the Benton,
getting a A^ery fair chance, threw a fifty-pound shot, from a rifled Parrott,
at the LoveU. The ponderous missile struck the rebel aft, just above the
water-line, tearing open a large hole, and causing an explosion of the boUer.
The water, rushing in like a torrent, in less than four minutes sunk the
boat in seventy feet of water. The steamer, settling down into these
depths, passed entfrely out of sight, and the rapid current flowed unob
structed over the spot. Many of the crew were carried down in the boat.
Some flfty, wounded and scalded, plunged into the stream, and, while
struggling in the water, a few of them were rescued by boats sent instantly
from the patriot flotilla for their relief The current was so rapid that
most of these unhappy men were swept into a watery grave. For a few
moments the fury of the battle at that spot was forgotten, the attention
of all being arrested by the fifty struggling men who covered the surface
of the river. Friend and foe generously contended Arith each other in thefr
efforts to rescue the sufferers. Elsewhere, however, the battle raged as
mercUessly as before.
It was, as we have mentioned, a beautiful June morning. The river

276 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
was smooth and glassy as a mirror. There was not a breath of air to
sweep away the smoke which now, in a dense sulphurous canopy, hung over
the arena. The levee of Memphis was black with the crowd of human
beings gazing upon this sublime spectacle. In vain they endeavored to
pierce the gloom, where the flash of guns and the thunder of their explo
sions alone announced the terrible strife Avhich was raging. From the
commencement of the battle the rebel gunboats had been slowly falling
back, croAvded closely by the Union fleet. There remained to them only
the Jeff, Thompson, the Bragg, the Sumter, and the Van Dorn. The
storm of shot and shell from the patriot fleet fell so destructively upon the
rebels that they could endure it no longer, and, turning on their heels, they
sought safety in flight. The Thompson ran ashore, and the officers, and
crew, leaping over her bows, escaped into the woods. The crew had hardly
escaped when a shell was thrown on board, which, exploding, set the ship
in flames. There was no escape for the wounded. No one was left to
describe their agonies as they writhed beneath the touch of the consuming
fire. At length a spark reached the magazine, and, with a fearful explo
sion, the ship was blown into fragments. The Bragg, crippled, and hopeless
of escape, rigorously pursued, also ran ashore, half a mile below. Tho
crew escaped in the woods. The vessel was left in the hands of the rictors.
The same doom awaited the Sumter. The Van Dorn, of all the rebel fleet,
was the only one to escape. Being a very swift boat, she paddled doivn
the SArift current of the stream so rapidly, that our fastest runners could not
catch her, and the pursuit was soon relinquished.
The triumph of the Union fieet was entire. The exultation of the
Union men on the levee at Memphis, in vicAV of this glorious victory, could
only be measured by the dismay which pierced the hearts of the secession
ists. The National fleet now came to anchor before the city, and sent in a
demand for its surrender. Memphis had no means of defence whatever,
and it was immediately occupied by the Union troops. The engagement
had lasted but little over an hour. Strange to say, the only casualties, of
any importance, which had occurred to the National fleet, were the injury
received by the Queen of the West and the wound of Colonel Ellet. The
wound was so slight that it did not prevent him from continuing, at the
time, his duties. It subsequently, however, proved more serious than was
at flrst imagi".ed. In less than three weeks, on the 21st of June, he died
at Cairo. It is a singular fact that the only person on the National side
killed in this terrible action was the one whose ingenuity in contrivance
and bravery in action had so eminently contributed to the triumph of the
Union arms. The loss on the side of the rebels could never be ascertained.
It must, however, have been severe. About one hundred prisoners were
taken. Immediately upon the surrender of the city. Colonel Ellet sent four
men ashore, who raised the United States flag over the post-office. There
was one rebel flag left floating in the city, which could not be drawn down,
as the ropes had been cut. A crowd of rebels gathered aroimd it, and wdth
such shoAV of mob A-iolence protected it, that two companies of soldiers had
to be Janded to disperse the crowd, before the pole could be cut doAvn. IP

CAPTURE OP PORTS PILLOAV AND RANDOLPH, ETC. 277
the mean time the singular spectacle was presented of two hostile flags float
ing side by side. Colonel G. N, Fitch was appointed provost-marshal of
the subjugated city. With great good sense, the Mayor of Memphis co
operated with Colonel Fitch in the maintenance of peace and order. Thus
Memphis passed, from the hands of foul rebelUon, back again under the
protection of the National Government. Memphis is the most populous
and important city between St. Louis and New Orleans. Its population, in
1860, was twenty-two thousand six hundred and twenty-flve. It now
became one of the most important National ports upon the Mississippi
Eiver.

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE INVESTMENT OP VICKSBUEG.
(June, 1864.)
Steength of Vicksburg, — Various Plans. 1. The Canal. 2. Lake Providence. 3. Mooj
Lake. 4. The Yazoo. — The Maeoh through the Moeass. — Running the BATTEMEa—
IjAkding at Bruinsburg. — The March. — Succession of Battles and Victories. — Vicks
burg Invested.
The faU of Memphis inspired the National Government wdth new zeal
to open our great National highway, the Mississippi Eiver, from Cairo to
the Gulf. The insolence of a few thousand rebels, residing at the mouth
of the river, in endeavoring to Avrest from the nation that most majestic
stream upon whose tributaries hundreds of millions are to find their homes,
is unparalleled in the records of man's audacity. A few months after the
National flag was again floating over Memphis, an expedition was sent
down the river to Vicksburg. It consisted of fifteen thousand men, who
were conveyed in one hundred transports, accompanied by several gun
boats. The expedition reached Vicksburg the last of September.
This city was situated on a high bluff, about four hundred miles above
New Orleans. Here the rebels, who had escaped from Corinth, again ren
dezvoused. Upon these frowning cliffs they reared their boasted. Gibraltar,
Forts and batteries, with 'connecting curtains, and arm.ed Avith the heariest
ordnance, and garrisoned by thirty thousand rebel troops, crowned the
bluff for miles. General Sherman, under rather unfavorable circum
stances, had made an attack upon Vicksburg by endeavoring to storm
Chickasaw Bluffs. In this heroic attempt he had been bloodily repulsed.
It hence became erident that the defensive works on the north of Vicks
burg were so strong that they could not be carried by assault.
General Grant, who was intrusted, with the command of this expedition,
descending the river from Cairo vrith his transports, was north of the city,
just beyond the reach of its guns. How could those massive batteries be
passed ? In front of Vicksburg the river makes a great bend in the shape
of a horse-shoe, the city on the eastern shore at the toe. General Grant's
first efibrt Avas to cut a canal across the isthmus, from the river above tothe
river beloAv the city, so that the boats, with the army, could pass out of
reach of the rebel shot.
Twelve hundred negroes worked, with a will, upon this ditch for weeks.
But then came floods of rain, and the swollen torrent of the river broke in,
before |he works were completed, and the enterprise proved an utter failuie.
Another attempt was then made.

THE INVESTMENT OF VICESBURG. 279
Seventy miles above Vicksburg, on the western shore of the river, and
but five miles from its banks, there was a vast sheet of Avater called Lake
Proridence. This sheet, by a series of streams, lakes, and bayous, spread
out through labyrinthine intricacies of encumbering stumps, snags, and
faUen trees, opened a possible passage to Eed Eiver, and through that to
the Mississippi again, one hundred and fifty miles below Vicksburg.
A canal was cut from the river into the lake. One steamer and a feAV
barges entered for their romantic voyage. Thefr path led through the
gloomy forest of boundless swamp, by the Bayou Tensas, and the Bayou
Baxter, and the Onac^iita, and we knoAV not what series of nameless lakes and
runs, into the Eed EiA^er. For Aveeks the blows of the pioneer's axe and
the puff of the steam dredge echoed through those solitudes, which even
the Indian's canoe had perhaps never penetrated. Still the heroic little
fleet crept slowly along, till at last a drought came, and the shallow lagunes
aUowed no farther progress. And this enterprise was also abandoned.
Another effort was then made. One hundred and fifty miles north of
Vicksburg, as the bird flies, and nearly opposite the town of Helena, there
is, on the eastern shore of the river, AAdiat is known as Moon Lake. It is
but a few hundred yards east of the river. From the southern extremity
of the lake, Yazoo Pass leads into Cold Eiver, and this into the Talla
hatchie, and this into the Yazoo, whicii enters the Mississippi at Vicksburg,
and whose mouth was strongly guarded by rebel batteries.
It was thought possible that, by cutting a canal into Moon Lake, a Avay
might be forced for the transports through those clogged and winding
sfreams, into the Yazoo above the rebel intrenchments, so as to stiike
Vicksburg in the rear. The boats entered the lake, and commenced their
descent through these savage Avilds. It was an enterprise to task to the
utmost human sagacity, skill, and endurance. The tortuous channel, the
huge branches of the cypress and sycamore trees, upturned by tornadoes,
and the stumps, snags, and decay of the eternal forest, which obstructed
their path, together with the SAvift current of the swollen Mississippi,
rushing through the bayous — all combined to render the narigation such
as might appall the boldest adventurers.
The steamers drifted npon the current, using the paddle-Avheels mainly
to retard their speed. They often came to a dead stop, so that their
average progress Avas not more than a mile in three and a half hours.
Successfully the expedition surmounted all obstacles until it entered the
Yazoo, Here the rebels had reared forts, and interposed obstructions
which could not be passed. Thus this effort failed.
Still another plan was attempted. Our gunboats he'd the mouth of
the Yazoo, for about seven miles from its entrance into the Mississippi.
They then came to bluffs, frowning Avith rebel batteries. Just before
reaching the bluffs, Steele's Bayou opens into the stream. Following this,
in a circuit north and east, you reach Black Bayou, through which you
enter EolUng Fork and SunfloAver Elvers. Thus, by a circuit of some
hundred miles, you enter the Yazoo again, some forty or fifty miles up
the river, just beloAv Yazoo City,
Through this tortuous channel General Grant tried to force his A^-ay.

280 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Commodore Porter led the gunboat .fieet. General Sherman commanded
the infantry. Their path Avas to be cut through an impenetrable forest,
groAving rankly from an almost boundless morass. The rebels SAvarmed
like hornets. Their sharpshooters infested every possible lurking-place.
They felled trees before and behind the expedition, and piled up every
possible obstruction. At length the danger of being entrapped in the in
tricacies of the forest became so great, that this enterprise Avas also aban
doned as a failure.
General Grant had not placed much reliance upon any of these experi
ments. They occupied the army and interested the country, and gave a
chance of success, until the spring floods should so abate that he could
execute his main design. That hour at length arrived. The evaporation
and drainage of the SAvamp had rendered the morass passable on the
western shore of the Mississippi. Secretly General Grant constructed
seventy miles of corduroy road, and marched his army through the con
cealing forest, from Milliken's Bend above, to a point twenty miles below
Vicksburg. The night of the 16th of April came, dark as Egypt. The gunboats
made a midnight assault upon the batteries. In the midst of the tumult
three transports, Avith their exposed sides protected by cotton-bags and
bundles of hay, Avith steam at high pressure, attempted to run the gaunt
let of the batteries, Tavo succeeded. One Avas destroyed. But the crew
escaped to the western shore, and were saved. Five days after, six more
transports, laden Avith provisions, attempted the perilous race. All suc
ceeded but one.
The anny which had marched through the swamp had now five trans
ports with which to cross the river. Several iron-clad gunboats had also
joined them, under the protection of whose guns it was hoped that the
troops could effect a landing on the eastern bank of the stream. After
some pretty hard fighting, the patriot army was landed at Bruinsburg,
from whence they marched to Port Gibson, driving the foe, wherever they
appeared, helter-skelter before them.
Soon after General Grant had taken Port Gibson, he received a letter
from General Banks, in New Orleans, stating that he was about to com
mence operations for the reduction of Port Hudson, Avhich was about three
hundred miles farther down the river. Should he succeed in this attempt,
he would then join General Grant with twelve thousand men. General
Grant, hoAvever, decided that it would not be safe for him to wait for
these reenforcements. The chances of success he thought to be better in
moving directly forward, even with the small force he then had at his com
mand. The result was, that Vicksburg fell before Port Hudson was taken.
The rebel army was uoav divided. General Bowen had retreated across
the Big Black Eiver toAvards Vicksburg, Avhere General Pemberton was
intrenched with a numerous army. The rebels hoped that, by the union
of these their two amnes. General Grant's progress might, for a season at
least, be arrested.
" xVs any further advance of the enemy against Vicksburg," said the
" Jacksoti Appeal," " Arill be contested by greatly increased farces, and aided .

THE INVESTMENT OF VICKSBURG.

281

by all the artificial defences that sci
ence can add to a naturally strong
position, a delay of active hostilities
must ensue, that will enable our gen
erals to make such further arrange
ments as may be required,"
The rebels, Avho counted on a delay
of hostiUties, did not knoAv General
Grant. Subsequent events enlight
ened them. The rebel plan was this :
While Pemberton and BoAven Avere
to hold General Grant in check at
the Big Black Eiver, General Joe
Johnston was to gather another army
at Jackson, the capital of the State
of Mississippi. This city, situated at
the junction of two important rail
roads, was a depot of rebel supplies,
and Avas considered by them a post
of great importance.* The Governor
had issued a proclamation calling
upon all the citizens of the State to
raUy for its defence. With these
troops, and others furnished by the
Confederacy, Johnston expected to
raise an army to attack Goneral
Grant in the rear, while he was con
fronted by the armies of Pemberton
and Bowen,
The plan was exceUent ; but Gene
ral Grant spoiled its execution. Mak
ing some feigned movements, to induce
the behef that he intended to force
the passage of the river, he suddenly-
put his whole army in rapid motion
along the southern banks ofthe stream,
towards the east. At the same time
he abandoned his communications
with Grand Gulf, boldly depending
upon forage and such stores as he
eoiil d take with him. To the General-
in-Chief he forwarded the foUowuig
dispatch : —
" I shall communicate with Grand
Gulf no more, except it becomes ne
cessary to send a train with a heavy
escort. You may not hear from me
again for several days."

MISSISSIPPI EIVEB FEOM ISLAND NO. 10 TO
VICKSBUEG.

282 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
In this advance General McPherson's Corps took the right, moring
directly on Jackson by the way of Eaymond. Generals Sherman and
McClernand marched in a more northerly direction, keeping close to the
Big Black Eiver, and threatening the railroad between Jackson and Vicks
burg. The ferries across the river were closely guarded, so as to deceive
the enemy as to General Grant's real intentions. All these corps were
Arithin supporting distance of each other. It was General Grant's purpose
to seize Jackson, destroy the suppUes accumulated there, capture or scatter
the army Avhich Joe Johnston was collecting, and then, turning suddenly
around, to march directly upon Vicksburg. He Avould thus meet the
divided armies of the rebels and whip them in detail. The plan was as
bravely and successfully executed as it was skilfully formed.
On the 12th of May, General Logan's Division of General McPherson's
Corps, occupying the advance, came up with two brigades of the enemy,
three miles in front of the town of Eaymond. They were strongly posted-
in a piece of timber, from which they were driven after some hard fighting;
falling back a little, they rallied at Fainden's Creek. The banks of this
stream were steep, containing then but little water ; in front there was an
open field. Crouching in this creek — a natural rifle-pit — the rebels com
pletely swept the field before them with their fire, A charge was ordered:
after a brief but terrible struggle, the rebels were di-iven pell-mell from'
their ditch, and were once more on the retreat. In this engagement the
Union loss was sixty-nine killed, three hundred and forty-one wounded,
and thirty-tAvo missing. The rebels had apparently no time to' report*
their loss.
Ill Eaymond, copies of the Jackson newspapers of the previous day
were found, in which the patriots read with amusement the somewhat
surprising intelligence, that the " Yankees had been utterly routed- at-
Grand Gulf and Port Gibson, and were on the rapid retreat to seek the
protection of their gunboats,"
Pressing A'igorously forward the next day. General McPherson entered*
Clinton, where he captured some important dispatches. That night, and-
all the next day until noon, the rain fell in torrents. NotAvithstanding the
roads were noAv in an almost impassable condition, the onward march was
continued. The troops, encouraged by victories, pushed through the mud'
and the rain uncomplainingly. Meanwhile, the corps of Generals Shermafi"
and McClernand changed their Une of march in an easterly direction, so
as to be within supporting distance of General McPherson.
About noon of the llth this latter general came upon the rebels, drawn
up ill line of battle, about two and a half miles out from Jackson. They
were strongly intrenched upon the crest of a hill over whieh the road
passed. At the foot of this hill there was an open plain, which the rebel
guns commanded. After a short artillery duel and some indecisive skir
mishing, General Crocker ordered a charge. The patriots advanced across
tiie plain and up the hill-side with slow and measured step, as if on dress*'
parade. Volley after A'oUey was discharged into their ranks, creating great
rents. ^No answering fire Avas returned ; not until the Union troops were
. witliin tliirty yards of the rebels was a musket discharged ; then the Avhole

THB INVESTMENT OP VICKSBURG. 283
line simultaneously flashed with fire. With fixed bayonets, and a cheer
which made the welkin ring, the patriots sprang upon their foes.
The resistance was but for a moment. Broken by the impetuosity of
the charge, the rebels fied in utter confusion ; a battery of six pieces fell
into the hands of the victors. That night Jackson was occupied by the
Union forces. The office of a bitter secession journal, in anticipation of
the result, had been moved to Brandon. General Grant gave no time for
rest, either to his own army or that of the foe. Not sleeping upon his
laurels, he added victory to victory, and, by the celerity of his movements,
prevented armies from combining, whieh, in the aggregate, outnumbered
his own. The evening of his capture of Jackson, General Grant learned
that Pemberton had been ordered to advance from Vicksburg and attack
him in the rear. He immediately ordered his army to face about, and
learing General Sherman to destroy the railroads, bridges, factories, and
workshops in Jackson, nearly his entire army was marched, on the foUow
ing day, in converging lines towards Edwards's Depot, two miles east of the
Big Black Eiver,
At this point the rebels were said to be strongly fortified. It was also
reported that Joe Johnston, with ten batteries of artillery and twenty-five
thousand men, was nearly ready to advance from the north. General
Grant would thus be placed between two fires. With characteristic
promptness, he decided immediately to attack General Pemberton, and
drive him back to his fortifications before General Johnston could come to
^is relief. In all these operations General Grant established his head-
¦/quarters with his army in the field, moving always with his troops.
Three roads lead from Eaymond to Edwards's Station. General McCler
nand, at the former place, advanced his corps by each of these roads.
Generals Smith and Blair, taking the southern road, formed the extreme
left. Generals Osterhaus and Carr marched by the centre road. General
Hovey took the one most northerly. While the army was thus moving,
General McPherson also marched directly from Bolton to Edwards's Station,
so as to cooperate with General Hovey. General Pemberton had, with
much military sagacity, selected his field of battle. There was a point
where the road passed over a wide open plain, and then, turning -suddenly
to the south, ascended diagonally a long, steep hill. The top of the hill and
the side above the road were covered with a dense growth of timber. Below
these were open cultivated fields extending for a considerable distance.
Under the cover of these woods the rebels had taken their position.
Their fire commanded the road and swept the open field across whicii the
patriots were compelled to advance. While other portions of the Union
froops were advancing by roads farther south, the main battle was to be
fought here; the brunt of the conflict was to fall on General Ilovey's
Division of McClernand's Corps. General Grant was upon the field, and
commanded in person. The battle commenced about nine o'clock in the
morning, The^ebels, knowing that the other divisions of the Union army
were hurrying forward to take part in the conflict, decided not to await their
,ilrrival, but to assume the ofi'ensive themselves. Massing thoir troops, they
hiirled them upon the centre of General Hovey's line. The flre grew hotter

284 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
and hotter; incessant volleys flashed from the Avoods, Avhere the almost
invisible foe was protected from the return flre of the patriots. There
were many in the Union ranks who might now be regarded as veterans.
They had been in the fierce battles of Donelson and Shiloh, and in a score
of other desperate encounters ; but they testified that the fusilade from
this hill-side they had never seen surpassed.
Though General Hovey held his position with great firmness for a time,
he Avas at length compelled to fall back. He, however, made his retrograde
movement slowly and in perfect order, as he was every moment expecting
reenforcements. At length General Quimby's Division of McPherson's
Corps arrived. Thus strengthened. General Hovey massed his artillery,
concentrated it upon the advancing foe, and succeeded in making a stand.
Then the surge of battle turned, and the rebels began to retire. General
Llovey, following up his advantage, pressed them closely.
Just at this moment, word came that General Logan had gained a
position on the rebel left, and was threatening their rear. It Avas this,
indeed, whicii compelled them to fall back. The patriots uoav charged
with a cheer ; the rebels Avere driven in confusion into the Avoods, and being
vigorously ^jursued, they were pressed onward in full retreat. General
McClernand's Corps continued the pursuit until after dark. Edwards's
Station was soon reached and occupied; the rebels, in their tmnultuous
retreat, applied the torch to five car-loads of ammunition which they had
not time to remove.
Thus ended the battle of Champion Hill, or Edwards's Station. It was
the most decisive of General Grant's battles in his advance upon Vicks
burg ; it in reality decided the fate of the city. It Avas henceforth impos
sible ibr Generals Pemberton and Johnston to effect a junction. Over one
thousand rebel prisoners and two batteries fell into the hands of the rictors.
Signal as was the rietory, it was bought at a commensurate price. Nearly
one-third of General Hovey's Division were placed hors de combat. The
entire Union loss was four hundred and twenty-nine killed, one thousand
eight hundred and forty-two wounded, and one hundred and eighty-nuie
missing. The next morning, the 17th, General McClernand, in hot pursuit of
the foe, came upon them in force at the Big Black Eiver. They had evi
dently made careful preparation to dispute the passage of the stream. The
position was well chosen, and it seemed impossible that the stream could
be crossed but at the expense of a bloody battle. The country here loses
its hilly character, and the railroad and turnpike, running parallel to each
other, enter upon a broad plain whicii extends to the river-shore. The
eastern banks spread out into what is called a bottom-land, redeemed from
overflow by a dike or levee. The opposite shore rises in a high bluff
almost from the water's edge. At this point the railroad and tumpiBs
cross the river upon bridges, side by side. On the eastern shore a bayou
emerges from the river above the bridges, and, after a qircuit of about a
mile, enters into the river again below. This bayou was about twenty feet
wide, and was filled with stagnant water but tAvo or three feet deep.
Inside of the bayou, with the river behind them, the rebels had throAvn

THE INVESTMENT OP VICKSBURG. 285
up a line of intrenchments, and had planted eighteen guns. A sufficient
portion of the rebel force was left to man these batteries, whUe the remain
der occupied the bluft' on the western shore. To cross the river it Avas ne
cessary for the patriots to pass over the open plain, wade the bayou, or
throw a bridge over it, charge the rebel ramparts, and, should they succeed
in carrying them, then to force the passage of the river, in the face of
the terrific fire which the rebels could concentrate upon the point of cross-
mg. General McClernand immediately commenced an artillery attack upon
the rebel position. It was A'igorously replied to. At almost the first fire
General Osterhaus was wounded. But he still kept the field through the
day. In consequence of this wound. General A. L. Lee was temporarily
assigned to his command. While, the attention of the enemy Avas en
grossed by this attack. General Lawler succeeded in approaching the rebel
works on the right unobserved. Throwing aside blankets and knapsacks,
his heroic men rushed from their concealment in an impetuous charge upon
the rebel line. A mm-derous fire was instantly poured in upon them.
Eeckless of the death-dealing storm, they rushed over the open field, and
plunged into the stagnant waters of the bayou, which were soon crimsoned
Arith their blood.
But the charge was so sudden and impetuous, and the rebels were so
much taken by surprise, that thefr fire was not annihilating, as it otherwise
might have been. The patriots struggled through the bayou, and with
gleaming bayonets plunged upon the rebel line. There was a frenzied
moment of battle, a scarcely measurable instant of wild delirium, when the
rebels cried for quarter, and a score of extemporized white flags waved in
the afr. A few of the rebels succeeded in escaping across the river by a
steamboat Avhich had been left upon the eastern bank. The bridges were
immediately bloAvn up. Fifteen hundred prisoners, eighteen cannon,
besides a large amount of small arms and ammunition, rewarded the
conquerors. This brilliant victory was gained by General McClernand's
Corps, and chiefly by the commands of Generals Lawler and Osterhaus,
The entire Union loss was three hundred and seventy-three killed, wounded,
and missing.
General McClernand had now the entire command of the eastern shore
of the river. Under the protection of his guns he succeeded in throwing
over a bri(^e, by which his troops crossed on the 18th. On tbe same day
General Sherman effected the passage of the river a few miles above.
This most intrepid yet sagacious commander, turning to the right, marched
for the Yazoo Eiver, and thus came in upon the rear of those rebel works
which, flve months before, he had attempted in vain to carry by an assault
In front. Admiral Porter, with his fleet, had already been AA^aiting several
days in the Yazoo, to cooperate with him in opening a new line of com
munication with the Union army. The hitherto impregnable works of
the enemy on Jhe Yazoo were no longer either tenable or useful. The
rebels were compelled precipitately to abandon them. Thus a new and
admirable base of supplies was provided for the army which General Grant,
by resistless steps, was bringing up for the investment of Vicksburg.

286 CIVIL AVAR IN AMERICA,
General McClernand, having crossed the river, pushed on, the fte
retreating before him, towards the doomed city. Turning to the left, he
approached Vicksburg on its southern side. General McPherson, fol
lowing, fiUed up the gap in the centre. Thus on Tuesday morning, May
19th, the city was nearly invested. The Union lines extended, in a long
circuit of nearly twenty mUes, from the Yazoo above the river, to War
renton below. As yet the line was not sufficiently compact to prevent
a sortie, by a massing of the rebel troops upon almost any one point.
Indeed, in the extreme south the investment consisted of but Uttle more
than a line of pickets, Eeenforcements from the North soon supphed
these deficiencies. The rebel army was cooped up in its fortress, without
a possibility of escape.
Not one moment of time was wasted. Skirmishers were thrown fo^
ward to- engage those of the rebels, and from every commanding position
an artillery fire was opened upon the enemy's works. About, half-past
ten o'clock of this first day of the investment, Tuesday, May 19th, an order
Avas sent from General Grant to all the corps commanders, to advance as
close as possible to the enemy's works until tAVO o'clock p, m. They were
then simultaneously to fire three volleys from all their pieces, as a signal fbr
a general charge along the whole line. The advance positions were gained
and the charge was made, which proved unsuccessful. On the two succeed
ing days there was constant skirmishing, while General Grant was bring
ing forward supplies and preparing for another assault. On the evening
of Thursday, the 21st, all the corps commanders were ordered to have
every thing in readiness for a general assault, along the whole line, the
next morning at ten o'clock. That there might be perfect accuracy, all
the commanders set their chronometers by that of General Grant,
Though aware that the result of an attack upon works so strong waa
doubtful, there were very many reasons why the experiment should be
made, Joe Johnston was collecting a force at Canton to attack General
Grant in the rear. Could General Grant succeed in this sudden assault in
taking Vicksburg, he could then easily disperse the forces of Johnston, and
take possession of nearly the whole State, thus saving the Government the
expense of sending large reenforcements, which were much needed else
where. Moreover, tlie troops were impatient for the assault, and would
not cheerfully work with the spade in the trenches unless they were con
vinced of its necessity. Five minutes before ten o'clock, the bugles sound
ed the charge. General McClernand, with the Thirteenth Corps, was on
the left ; General McFherson, with the Seventeenth, occupied the centre ;
General Sherman, with the Fifteenth, held the right. General Grant
occupied a commanding elevation in front of his centre, from which he
could watch all the advancing columns of the Seventeenth Corps, and a part
of those on the right and left.
With unfaltering step the patriots advanced upon the parapets crowded
with armed rebels, and bristling with artillery charged almost to the muz
zle with grape and canister. When within forty yards of the intrench
ments, there was a sudden fiash and roar, and countless cannon and
thousands of musketry hurled mutilation and death into the advancii^

THE INVESTMENT OF VICKSBUEG. 287
ranks. Without exception, the men behaved with the utmost gallantry,
and accomplished all that mortal valor could achieve. The Thirteenth
Corps, under General McClernand, were the most successful, where all were
equally resolute and brave. Within fifteen miijutes from the time in which
the signal was given. Generals Lawler's and Landrum's Brigades carried the
ditch slope and the bastions of one of the rebel forts. As the rebels fled
to another line of defence in the rear, several of the patriots rushed into the
redoubt, where all were speedily shot down, excepting Sergeant Joseph
Griffith, of the Twenty-second Iowa, This brave soldier, it is said, having
his musket loaded, captured and brought away thirteen rebels who rushed
upon him, having discharged their guns. The colors of the One Hundred
and Twentieth Hlinois were planted on the counterscarp of the ditch, while
those of the Forty-eighth Ohio and Seventy-seventh IlUnois waved over
the bastion.
Ffred by the example of this success, Benton's and Burbridge's Brigades
rushed upon another heavy earthwork, and planted their flags upon its
parapet. Captain White, of the Chicago Battery, bringing forward one of
his pieces by hand, poured a double-shotted charge into one of the embrar
sures, dismounting a gun which the rebels were just ready to flre, and scat
tering around the mangled bodies of the cannoniers. For eight hours,
while the fierce battle raged all along the line, these brave men maintained
the positions which they had gained. It can hardly be doubted that, had
the advantage thus gained been immediately known, and followed up by
the adequate supports which were at hand, the enemy's line might havB
been effectually broken, and the patriots, rushing in, might have swept aU
opposition before them. But in the confusion of the hour, when the smoke
and thunder of battle filled the air, and the surges of the bloody conflict
swept to and fro, over an extent of many miles, the great achievement waa
but dimly discerned. It was not until after the battle, and through the
testimony of many and credible witnesses, that the facts were clearly
brought to Ught.
But the rebels distinctly saw their peril, and hurriedly massed large num
bers from right and left, to, regain the positions they had lost. General
McClernand called earnestly for reenforcements, announcing that he was
in " partial possession of two forts," but that he Avas very hotly pressed.
But before reenforcements could be furnished the patriots, by overwhelm
ing numbers, were driven back. General McClernand felt that he had not
been properly supported, and, in the keenness of his disappointment, in a
congratulatory address to his troops, used expressions which could be inter
preted as not complimentary to General Grant, and which gave much
ofi'ence to other generals, who deemed that their serrices were underrated.
There was also an unfortunate informality in the order, as General McCler
nand's adjutant had neglected to send a copy to General Grant.
A soldier who perils life, and exposes himself to that mutilation which
is far more terrible than death, that he may defend his country, is neces
sarily very jealous of his reputation. General McClernand, one of the most
heroic and successful soldiers of the war, felt deeply and wrote warmly.
A bitter controversy ensued, which for a time seriously tl^reatened the har-

288 CIVIL AVAR IN AMERICA.
mony of the army. General McClernand was, beyond all question, one of
the most efficient officers under General Grant. And yet the harmony of
the army was so imperiUed, that General Grant deemed it necessary to re
lieve General McClernand from his command. There were no charges
brought against him. Indeed, it would have been difficult to have brought
any which would warrant convening a court-martial,*
* The following is the passage in General McClernand's order Avhioh gave rise to the difficulty.
It shows how sensitive naen's minds may be in scenes of tremendous excitement : —
"On the 22d, in pursuance of tlie order of tlie Commander of the Department, you. assaulted
the enemy's defences in front, at ten o'clock a. m., and within thirty minutes had made a lodg
ment, and placed your colors upon two of his bastions. This partial success called into exercise
the highest heroism, and was only gained by a bloody and protracted struggle. Yet it waa
gained, and was the first and largest success gained anywhere along the whole line of our army.
" For nearly eight hours, under u, scorching sun and destructive fire, you firmly held your
footing, and only withdrew when tha enemy had largely massed their forces, and concentrated
their attack upon you.
" How and why the general assault failed, it would be needless now to explain. The Thir
teenth Army Corps, acknowledging the good intentions of all, would scorn indulgence in weak
regrets and idle criminations. According justice to all, it would only defend itself. If, while the
enemy was massing to crush it, assistance was asked for, by a division at other points, or by re
enforcements, it only asked what, in one case, Major-General Grpnt had specifically and peremp
torily ordered, namely, simultaneous and persistent attack all along our line, until the enemy's.
outer works should be carried ; and what, in the other, by massing a strong force in time upon a,
weakened point, would have probably insured success."

CHAPTEE XXIV,
PALL OF VICKSBURG AND PORT HUDSON.
(May 80th to July 13th, ISM.)
Peediotions of the Rebel Press. — Intercepted Dispatches. — Milliken's Bend. — Heroic
Fight op Colored Troops. — The Guneoat Choctaw. — Pemberton's Treason. — His
Desperation. — ^Sdpperinos of the BESiBdED, — The •Capitulation. — Pall op Port
HtrosoN. — Testimony to General Grant.
The impossibility of carrying the rebel works by storm being thus
demonstrated. General Grant prepared to take the city by regular ap
proaches. His army, reenforced by troops from Memphis, Missouri, and
the North, completely invested the city, so as to render it impossible for
the army Arithin to escape or to gain supplies. Gunboats were constantly
patrolling the river. Daily the Union lines were contracted, and the
rebel fortifications more closely approached. To such operations there can
, be but one final issue. Unless the imprisoned garrison are ' sufficiently
sfrong to cut their way through the beleaguering lines, or a force advancing
from AA^hout can raise the siege, sooner or later the garrison must capitu
late. Both of these attempts were made : neither were successful.
General Joe Johnston, with his army reenforced to twenty -five thousand
men, occupied Jackson, which our troops had evacuated on their march to
Vicksburg. Though they threatened General Grant's rear, he feared them
but little, as they were nearly all citizens, dragged into the ranks by a
relentless conscription. The Southern press was continually announcing
that Grant would soon be crushed between the garrison and the army
marching to its aid. Their confident assertions created anxiety at the
North. Still, General Johnston very wisely decUned venturing upon an
attack. The last of May, General Pemberton sent a courier to creep throug-h
our Unes Avitli dispatches to Joe Johnston, calling urgently for assistance.
The courier, a man by tbe name of Douglas, from Illinois, tired of the
rebel serrice, and glad of this opportunity to escape, delivered himself and
his dispatches to General Grant. This revelation of the weakness of the
garrison only animated to a more vigorous prosecution of the work of
sapping and mining. An expedition Avas sent out under General Blair to
' look for Johnston ; but, strange as it may seem, he could not be found.
About the middle of June, however, it was reported that Johnston was
advancing. At the same time another courier was captured with official
dispatches from Pemberton, calUng, in tones still more earnest, for succor.
General Grant dispatched General Sherman with some choice troops,
directing him not to allow Johnston to approach within fifteen miles of
Vol. il— 19

290 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Vicksburg, but to meet his army at least at that distance and disperse it.
When Johnston heard of the approach of the impetuous Sherman Arith his
veterans, he discreetly, turned and fled.
It was at that time that the attack upon the Union camp at Milliken's
Bend took place. The event was unimportant, save as it developed the
bravery of the African race. A number of negro regiments had been
organized in the Western Department, by orders of the General Govern
ment, and under the direct superrision of Adjutant-General Thomas,
These were left by General Grant to act as reserves, and to guard posts in
the rear upon the river, A force of about one thousand negroes, together
with two hundred white men of the Twenty-third Iowa, were holding the
camp at Milliken's Bend,
On the 6th of June, the rebel Colonel McCulloch, brother of the
notorious Ben McCulloch, who was killed at Pea Eidge, attacked the
post with six regiments. Counting upon the imagined timidity of the
negro, the rebels anticipated an easy rietory. Truly they reckoned without
their host. At this place the levee ran along about one hundred and fifty
yards back from the ordinary bank of the river, thus learing, when the
Avater was low, a smooth green lawn, beautifully adapted for an encamp
ment, with the levee or dike, eight feet high and fifteen feet wide,
protecting from attack on the land side. Breastworks were throAvn up from
the levee to the river, above and below the encampment. Back of the
levee there Avas a fine plantation. The mansion of the master and the
huts of the slaves presented a beautiful aspect with the hedge-rows and
flowering shrubbery, and an abundance of fruit and ornamental trees.
The colored troops had been but partially organized, and had received their
muskets but a week before. Early Saturday morning, information
Avas received that a band of rebels, infantry, artillery, and cavalry, from
three to five thousand strong, were marching upon the Bend. " I Avill
take," said the rebel commander, Avith an oath, " the nigger camp, or Avade
in blood to my knees." A negro brought the first information of the
approach of the rebels, and hurried preparations were made to receive
them. A detachment of white troops were sent out in advance, supported
by a negro regiment in reserve. The rebels in their strength came exult
ingly on, Avhen they were suddenly brought to a stand by a volley from-the
Iowa troops. The conflict could not long be maintained by the patriots
against numbers so overwhelming ; yet the Iowa men, Avho, in every battle
during the war, were signalized by their bravery, fought with desperation.
After laying one hundred of the rebels low in the dust, these patriots
retired in good order to the support of their colored reserves.
The negroes came up with a Avill, and poured in volley after volley
upon their former taskmasters Avith a rapidity which astonished both fiiend
and foe. The fire Avas so deadly and so utterly unexpected by the rebels,
that they broke and fell back in confusion, to reform and advance with
more powerful lines. The Union force was too small to pursue. It
was night ; botii parties prepared for the renewal of the strife the next
morning. Just after dark, a Union steamer chanced to touch at the Bend. She

FALL OF VICKSBURG AND PORT HUDSON. 291
was immediately dispatched doAA-n the river a feAV miles to summon the
gunboat ChoctaAv to the aid of the beleaguered post. The morning of the
Sabbath Avas just beginning to daAvn, when the dark massive sides and
yawning ports of the gunboat AA-ere discerned near at hand. The advent
of this ally filled all hearts Avith rejoicing. The Choctaw took her position,
and in ominous silence awaited the expected advance. The commandant
of the post, encouraged by the presence of his iron-clad supporter, drcAV in
all his pickets, leaving not a man outside of the levee.
The sun was half an hour high when the advance movement of the
rebels Avas perceived. They came on, formed for bayonet charge, three
lines deep, with a reserve. At the battle of Lexington the rebels inge
niously rolled before them a breastwork of bales of hay, from behind which
in rapid advance they kept up a deadly fire upon Colonel Mulligan and
his gallant Irish Brigade. Taking hint from this, perhaps, Henry McCul
loch endeavored to coA'er his soldiers from the bullets of the patriots
behind the levee, by a line of mules Avhich Avere driven before his front
ranks. It was, however, not a A^ery effectual protection. The stubborn
mules could not be persuaded to move sidewise, and they presented but a
slight obstacle to the sharp eyes of experienced riflemen. As the rebels
approached the levee, discharging volley after volley, for a time they could
not see a man. But when they had arrived within a few feet of the breast
work, as by magic a long line of black faces seemed to emerge from the earth.
Not a man flinched, every musket took deliberate aim, every bullet ful
filled its mission. The ground was soon covered AAdth the slain, and the
rebel lines Avavered and writhed in agony. Just then the gunboat, which
had been concealed by the banks and the smoke of the battle, opened fire
fi-om her heavy guns. Her agile cannoniers poured a continuous fire of
ten-inch shells into the beAvildered, bleedin,o- ranks of the foe.
The negroes could no longer be restrained. With a Avar-cry which
from their resonant throats rose above the clangor of the battle, they
simultaneously leaped the levee, raid sw-eeping on like heaven's black
tornado, plunged headlong with fixed bayonets into the thickest of the
rebel ranks. Such desperation of valor had not been seen before. The
pricked mules were dispersed in an instant in terror over the field, often
crulhing through and trampling down the rebel lines. With frenzied
energy the rebels fought. To be whipped by negroes was to drink the
last dregs of the cup of humiliation. But the chalice which a God of
retribution presents to the lips, AA-hatever its contents, must be drained.
Here the slaves and their masters AA-erc brought face to face in the
death-gripe, and the masters bit the dust, Y/hen the pride of the oppres-
, sor and the despair of the oppressed meet, then human energies develop
their utmost poAvers, Such a desperate, prolonged hand-to-hand fight had
not been witnessed during the war. Men were knocked down on both
sides by the butts of muskets, Tavo men were found dead side by side,
one white, the other black, each Avitli the other's bayonet through his body.
Broken limbs, and heads, and mangled bodies, attested to the desperation of
the fight. One heroic freedman took his former master prisoner. At
eleven o'clock the battle terminated in the utter rout and flight of the

292

CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

ENGRAVED UV Fl E -v a RUSS ELL NLWYORK
MISSISSIPPI KIVER FROM AaOKSBURG TO NEW
ORLEANS 40.

rebels. They lost five cannon, two
hundred men killed, five hundred
wounded, and two hundred taken
prisoners. The Union loss was also
severe, numbering one hundred and
twenty-seven killed, two hundred
and eighty-nine wounded, and one
hundred and thirty-seven missing.
This battle established the fact that
freedmen would make brave soldiers.
The retreat of Joe Johnston de
prived the city of Vicksburg of its
last hope. Still, General Pemberton
held his post with great pertinacity,
hoping that something favorable
might yet turn up. He was a North
ern man, and had gone from the free
North to espouse the cause of the
rebels. His Northern birth exposed
him to suspicion. He was charged,
Avith treachery, and with plotting to
sell Vicksburg to the Union arms.
Never was charge more unjust.
General Pemberton was faithful to
the wicked cause he had adopted.
The false accusation, however, stung
him to the quick. After the repulse
of the gecond assault upon Vicksburg
he made to his troops the following.-.
brief but pithy speech : — '
"You haA^e heard that I was
incompetent, and a traitor ; and that
it was my intention to sell Vicksburg,
Follow me, and you Avill see the cost
at which I will sell Vicksburg.
When the last pound of beef, bacon,
and flour, the last grain of corn, the
last coAV and hog and horse and dog
shall have been consumed, and the
last man shall have perished in the
trenches, then, and only then, Avill I
sell Vicksburg."
He was virtually as good as his
word. Finding provisions growing s
scarce, Avith no prospect of any fresh J
supply, he first drove a quantity of
mules and cattle Avliich were starving
beyond his lines, and soon after sent

PALL OP VICKSBURG AND PORT HUDSON. 298
out the civilians and negroes. The negroes General Grant retained, at their
OAvn request, but the civilians were sent back into the beleaguered camp. AU
the meat and fiour rapidly disappeared, and the soldiers were fed on bread
made of ground peas ; and even of this they could have but quarter rations.
Famine stared the resolute garrison in the face. Ammunition grcAV short;
so much so that the unexploded shells thrown from the Union guns were
gathered from the streets, and the powder picked out of them, for use.
In the mean time the Union army A\'ere daily making the most heroic
assaults, carrying point after point, and steadily contracting their lines
around the doomed city. The works on either side became equal in extent
and tnagnitude. Sharpshooters, with their unerring long-range telescopic
rifles, were stationed at every available point, and not a palm of a hand
could be exposed, but through it went a bullet. Shot and shell began to
fall into the very heart of the city itself The people lived in cellars over
arched to be bomb-proof, and in caves which^Avere burrowed out in the
sides of the hill.
Not until the Union lines were face to face with the intrenchments of •
• the rebels ; not until, by the explosion of mines, huge gaps had been made
in the rebel defences ; not until starvation threatened the city within, and
preparation had been made by General Grant for a grand assault which
could scarcely by any possibility be resisted, did General Pemberton
make any proposition for surrender. The assault was to have been made
on the 4th of July. Though no specific orders had been given, it was
universally understood, in both armies, that the dawn of the annlA-ersary
of our National Independence Avas to usher in the grand struggle, which
could hardly fail to be decisive.
On the 3d of July, General Pemberton dispatched, by the hands of
General Bowen and Colonel Montgomery, a communication, proposing the
appointment of commissioners to arrange terms for the capitulation. This
he did, he said, although fully able to maintain his position for an indefi
nite period of time, in order to avoid the further effusion of blood.
General Grant, in his prompt reply, said, " The effusion of blood you
propose stopping by this course can be ended, at any time you may choose,
hy an unconditional surrender of the city and garrison. Men who have
shoAvn so much endurance and courage as those ifow in Vicksburg, wiU
always challenge the respect of an adversarj^, and, I can assure you, will be
treated with all the respect due them as prisoners of war. I do not favor
the proposition of appointing commissianers to arrange terms of capitula
tion, because I have no other terms than those indicated above."
General Bowen then requested that General Grant would meet person
ally with General Pemberton. To this he assented. At three o'clock
that afternoon, July 3d, General Grant, accompanied by Generals McPher
son and A. J. Smith, stepped out from the Union lines, while at the same
moment General Pemberton, accompanied by General BoA\-en and Colonel
Montgomery, advanced from the rebel ramparts to meet them. The
conference was held in an open space between the two lines, under the
shade of a gigantic oak. Here Generals Grant and Pemberton were
introduced by Colonel Montgomery. They had never met before.

294

CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

All hostilities were suspended. The respective armies, swarming upon
their ramparts, watched with breathless interest the interview upon the
result of which consequences so momentous were dependent. General
Pemberton was the first to speak.
" General Grant, I meet you in order to arrange terms for tho capitula
tion of the city of Vicksburg and its garrison. What terms do you
propose ? "
" Unconditional surrender," replied General Grant.
" Unconditional surrender ! " responded General Pemberton. "Never, so
long as I have a man left me. I will fight rather."
"Then, sir, you can continue the defence," General Grant replied.
" My army has never been in a better condition to prosecute the siege."
The two generals now separated themselves from their companions, and,
retfring a little distance, continued their conversation Avliere their words
could not be overheard. It seems, however, that no definite result was
then reached. It Avas agreed, however, that General Grant should consult
¦with his generals, and submit in w-riting the terms he would accept. This
in turn General Pemberton Avould submit to a council of his officers, and
send back a prompt reply. General Grant had demanded tmconditianal
surrender ; he adhered to that demand. Without delay a letter was' sent
that evening to General Pemberton, in which General Grant wrote : —
" On your accepting the terms proposed, I will march in one division as
a guard, and take possession at eight o'clock to-morrow morning. As soon
as paroles can be made out and signed by the officers and men, you wiU he
allowed to march out of our lines, the officers taking with them their regi
mental clothing, and stafi", field, and ca\'ali-y officers one horse each."
While these deliberations Avere conducted under a truce, the men of
both armies, who simply kncAV that a surrender had been proposed, were
intensely anxious to learn the result. Groups of men who but a few houra
before had been seeking eaeh other's death, laid aside their arms and
entered freely into conversation from the edge of the opposing Avorks. So
wore away the atternoon. Not until the next morning did General Grant
receive General Pemberton's reply. He accepted the terms proposed, ask
ing only that his troops might march out of their intrenchments Avith their
colors and arms, stacking- them outside their works. This privilege was
freely accorded.
Thus, on .the 4th of July, 1S64, the city of Vicksburg, with its entire gar
rison, surrendered, after a campaign of really six months' duration, although
it was hardly tAvo montlis since the investment of the city. Simultaneously
with this surrender. General Sherman was dispatched Avith a large force to
find and disperse the army under General Joe Johnston. The rebel gen
eral made a feeble attempt to make a stand at Jackson, but soon abandoned
the position, and retreated to the east, leaving the capital of Mississippi
once more in the hands of the patriots. Thus ended the Vicksburg cam
paign, the results of Avhich are thus summed up by General Grant :—
" The result of this campaign has been the defeat of the enemy in five
battles 6utside of Vicksburg ; the occupation of Jackson, the capital of
the State of Mississippi, and the capture of Vicksburg, and its garrison

PALL OP VICKSBURG AND PORT HUDSON. 295
and munitions of war • a loss to the enemy of thirty-seven thousand prison
ers, among Avhom were fifteen general officers ; at least ten thousand 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 reorganized. Arms and munitions of war for an army of
sixty thousand men have fallen into our hands, besides a large amount of
other public property, consisting of railroads, locomotives, cars, steamboats,
cotton, &c., and much was destroyed to prevent our capturing it."
In addition to this, it should be remembered that the fall of Vicksburg
rendered Port Hudson no longer tenable. It was surrendered to GeneraJ
Banks on the 9th of July, five days subsequent to the surrender of Vicks
burg, The total loss of General Grant throughout this protracted cam
paign, in killed, wounded, and missing, Avas estimated at eight thousand five
hundred and seventy-five. The rebel loss in killed and wounded was over
ten thousand.
" When we consider," says General Halleck, in his annual report, " the
nature of the country in which this army operated, the formidable obsta
cles to be overcome, the number of forces, and the strength of the enemy's
works, we cannot fail to admire the courage and endurance of the troops,
and the skUl and daring of their commander. No more brilliant exploit
can be found in military history."
Immediately after the capture. President Lincoln wrote the following
characteristic note to the illustrous conqueror : —
"Executive Mansion, Washington, July 13, 1864.
" To Majoe-Geneeal Grant :
" Mt Deae General : — I do not remember that you and I ever met
personaUy. I Avrite now as a grateful acknowledgment for the almost
inestimable service you have done the country. I AA'ish to say, further,
when you first reached the vicinity of Vicksburg I thought you should
do what you finally did, march the troops across the neck, run the batter
ies with the transports, and thus go below, and I never had any faith,
except a general hope that you knew better than I, that the Yazoo Pass
expedition, and the like, could succeed.. When you got below and took
Port Gibson, Great Gulf, and the Adcinity, I thought you should go doAvn
the river and join General Banks; and when you 'turned northward, east
of the Big Black, I feared it was a mistake. I now Avish to make a per
sonal acknowledgment that you were right, and I Avas wrong.
, Yours very truly,
(Signed) A. Lmcomr,

CHAPTEE XXV.
GENERAL BUTLER'S CAMPAIGN IN NEW ORLEANS.
(May 1 to NoTember 9, 1864)
DiPPICnLTT WITH PORBIGN CONSnLS. — ^WlTH SECESSIONISTS. — RbVERDT JOHNSON'S DECISION.—
Wisdom op General Sutler. — Salutary Results op his ^Administration. — False
Charges. — Triumphant Reputation. — The Tellow Fever kept at Bat. — The Mastbe
AND the Slave. — Embarrassments op the Negeo Question. — Baton Rouge. — GeneeaIi
Butler Relieved op His Command.
The fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson opened the Mississippi Eiver
to New Orleans. The great National highway was thus gloriously redeem
ed. Miserable rebel guerrillas' for a short time infested the banks of the
river, lurking in swamps, and behind stumps and trees, with savage hate
shooting rifle-bullets at passing steamboats ; but soon our gunboats cleared
the river of all these annoyances. We cannot, perhaps, flnd a more
appropriate place than this, to give a brief account of the revolution
which was taking place in the great commercial city near the mouth of
the river.
To do justice to the marvellous details of General Butler's campaign in
New Orleans would require an especial history. We use the word cam
paign advisedly. New Orleans was an enemy's territory. Its population
was more dangerously hostile than if it had confronted us with muskets.
General Butler was at once commander-in-chief and the army of occupa
tion. Step by step he made good his positions. Head by head he Ippped
off traitorous outgrowths. Day by day he slew rebel strengths and trusts,
and set up in their places the preparations for a new Uberty and a new
peace. The foreign consuls, who attempted to pervert their national flags and
to thrive on commissions for sheltering rebel property, were taught quickly
and sternly that a better discretion was wiser valor for them. They
flooded the State Department with indignant remonstrances and one
sided statements in vain. General Butler's keen legal pen pursued them
Avith speedy exposure and defeat. The Secretary of State, anxious to avoid
any collision with foreign powers, would doubtless have been glad
to relinquish much of the property saved for the Government, to
have been spared the repeated shocks to his diplomatic nerves which
Avere given by General Butler's persistence in unearthing and visiting Arith
condign punishment treason or aids to treason, under any and all disguises
of foreign protec;tion.
The British Guard, a military company, composed of old English
residents of New Orleans, had seen fit to donate to General Beaureg

GENERAL BUTLER'S CAMPAIGN IN NEW ORLEANS. 297
their entire outfit of arms, accoutrements, and uniforms. General Butler
cm-tly gave those of them who remained in the city their choice of accom
panying their uniforms, or of being sent as prisoners to Fort Jackson.
The British Consul finally secured for them from the prudent State De
partment a recommendation to the commanding general's mercy. They
were consequently detained but a fcAV weeks.
Eight hundred thousand dollars in silver coin, hid by the Citizens'
Bank of New Orleans, for safe keeping, in the cellar of the Dutch Consul
ate, came mysteriously up to light and adjudication, under the operation
of General Butler's magic wand for the detection of hidden treasure.
Also another sum of money, nearly as large, belonging to the Bank of
NeAV Orleans, and over which, by some hocus-pocus of mercantile scheming,
had been skilfuUy throAvn the protection of the French fiag, was trans
ferred to the National Government. Not long afterwards a large quantity
of sugar was seized by GeneraLButler, upon distinct proof that it was to be
used for the benefit of the Confederate Government in Europe ; and lo,
three foreign consuls — the English, the French, and the Greek — spring
forward for its rescue. Our Government, eager for the things of peace,
decided thrdugh an agent, Mr. Keverdy Johnson, sent out to investigate
these and simUar matters, that General Butler's zeal and devotion to their
interests had, in these three instances, led him to overstep the boundsof
expediency, and perhaps of right. But the consuls had learned a lesson
which did not escape their memories during the remainder of General
Butler's administration. And there is no question that his timely and
forcible dealing Arith these enormities, for such they undoubtedly were in
spite of Mr. Eeverdy Johnson's decisions, was a lasting preventive of re
peated and bolder attempts.
But nothing in General Butler's career in New Orleans shows so forci
bly the almost omnipotence of a master-mind empowered, as hia triumphant
rietory over that deadly and tyrannous scourge, yellow fever. Few persons
at the North have fully realized the extent of its ravages. In some of its
worst years it has exceeded the Great Plague of London, in 1665, Avhich
destroyed only one out of thirteen. In 1853, in Ncav Orleans, the yellow
fever slew one out of ten of the total population, and one out of four of
those who were unacclimated. General Butler, after careful research and
study of medical science, became conrinced that all countries Avhere frost
was known would be free from this fatal pestilence if it were not imported.
To decide upon this point was, with him, practically to abolish the disease,
since absolute quarantine was possible. Here again he encountered a
front of bold and tedious antagonisms, as senseless as it was irritating.
Here again the State Department was appealed to with floods of misrepre
sentation and protest. But here the master Avill and the good cause came
off entirely victorious. In his own strong words, Avhich were not gain
said at Washington, he writes : —
" My orders are imperative and distinct to my health officers, to subject
aU yessels coming from infected ports to such a quarantine as shall insure
safety from disease. Whether one day or one hundred is necessary for the
purpose, it will be done. It will be done if it is necessary to take the

298 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
vessel to pieces to do' it, so long as the United States has the physical power
to enforce it. I have submitted to the judgment of my very competent
surgeon at the quarantine, the question of the length of time and the
action to be taken to insure safety. I have by no order interfered with
his discretion. If he thinks ten days sufficient in a given case, be it so; if
forty in another, be it so; if one hundred in another, be it so."
The result of this philanthropic and unswerving course was, that the
summer heats came and passed away, and no fever ! Ships from Nassau
and Havana, Avhere the contagious death raged unchecked, brought theh
tropical stores and delivered them — but no fever ! Twenty thousand men,
not simply unacclimated to the South, but born and acclimated at the ex
treme North, spent the entire season in New Orleans — and no fever ! One
single case is said to have been brought on shore from a Nassau steamer,
late in the season, when the precautions were less rigorous, owing to the
supposed lessening of the peril, but such stringent measures Avere taken
that no contagion foUoAved. For the first time in the history of New
Orleans, the city, and the strangers in her midst, passed unharmed through
the ordeal of a summer's constant intercourse with the cities where the
pestilence Avalked for Aveeks in poAver, and AA-hose ships had always before
brought sure, fatal, and irremediable contagion into her borders. Thus
Avas bafiled and disappointed one of the chief hopes of the rebels, malig
nant as cowardly, that disease Avould prostrate and thin out the army
Avhich their swords Avero not many and heavy enough to vanquish.
In the mean time, the strong hand and will of the commander-in-chief ,
were slowly gathering up all the strings and currents needful to be held
and turned in the management of the practical daily Ufo of the one hun
dred and fifty thousand inhabitants of New Orleans.
Surly secessionist traders were obliged to open their stores, and retail
their Avares alike to friends and foes. Mechanics, and artisans, and lahor-
ers of all kinds Avere subjected to the hardship of being forced to work for
good Avages. Railroads were put and kept in running order, as far as our
lines extended. Every effort was made to induce the holders of produce
and the owners of plantations to prepare to resume the natural commercial
interchange. On behalf of the Government, the general himself initiated
the exj^iortation of sugar, and endeavored to obtain cotton for the same pur
pose. Much calumny has been heaped upon his head, in consequence of
his efforts at this time to reinstate commerce. Operations begun and car
ried on solely Avith a vicAV to the interests of the United States Govern
ment and ofthe Noav Orleans citizens, and the profits of Avhich were paid
into the United States Treasury, Avere assumed and declared to be for his cm,
personal aggrandizement. Fortunes made in New Orleans at this time hy
Northern men of sufficient business capacity to avail themselves of the
extraordinary relative condition of the markets of New York and New
Orleans, were assumed and declared to have been made fraudulently hy
his connivance and to his profit. But the testimony of those who knoAf
him most intimately, and of those who have iuA'estigated most thoroughly
into the documentary records of his administration, is strong and conclusive
in favor of his entire uprightness.

GENERAL BUTL.ER'S CAMPAIGN IN NEAV ORLEANS. 299
One instance which is given in Barton's memoir of ,in utterly unfound
ed charge against him, may be regarded as a sample of the reliabiUty of all
the accusations Avhieh have been brought against his honesty. A small
quantity of cotton had been shipped by him, to be sold iu the Boston
,market, and chanced to arrive before the papers relative to the transaction.
General Butler's OAvd account is as follows : —
" This cotton was captured by the navy on board a small schooner,
which it would have been unsafe to send to sea. 1 needed the schooner as
a fighter, and took her from the navy. What should be done Avith the
cotton ? A transport was going home empty. It Avould cost the .United
States nothing to transport it. To whom shoidd I send it ? To my quar
termaster at Boston ? But I supposed him on the way here. Owing to
the delays of the expedition, I found all the quartermaster's men and
artisans on the island, whose serrices were indispensable, almost in a state
of mutiny for want of pay. I had seventy-five dollars of my own. The
sutler had money he would lend on iiiy draft on my private banker. I
borrowed on such draft about four thousand dollars, quite equal to the
value of the cotton as I received it, and Avith the money I paid the Gov
ernment debts to the laborers, so that their Avives and children need not
starve. In order that my draft should be paid, I sent the cotton to my
correspondent at Boston, with directions to sell it, pay the draft out of the
proceeds, and hold the rest, if any, subject to my order, so that, upon the
account stated, I might settle with the Government.
" What Avas done ? The Government seized the cotton without a word
of explanation to me, kept it till it had depreciated ten per cent., and
aUowed my draft to be dishonored ; and it had to be paid out of the little
fund I left at home for the support of my children in my absence." It is
. only just to the Government to add that the money Avas afterwards re
funded. General Butler's reform and reestablishment of the currency of the city,
were among his most characteristic and skilful measures. He found it
tottering on the verge of general insolvency. Confederate notes and worth
less shinplasters of all sorts and kinds were the only apparent circulating
medium. The banks had specie, but it was hidden. They Avere buying in
Confederate notes at a discount, and issuing them at par. General Butler
issued an order, forbidding the circulation of Confederate notes after the
27th of May. The banks rejoined immediately, Avarning all parties having
deposited Confederate notes with them to Avithdraw them before the i27th
of May, or assume the risk themselves. Geneiial Butler, stung to full
wrath, by the crafty design on the part of the banks to save their OAvn
wealth and ruin the fortunes of the community, retaliated upon them,
before sundoAvn, by his well-knoAvn General Order No. 30, in Avhicli, after
sternly recapitulating and exposing the details and bearings of their con
duct, he ordered that all banks and all private bankers should pay out no
more Confederate bills to their depositors, but should pay in gold or pil-
yei-, or bills of the bank, or treasury notes ; that all persons having issued
shinplasters should redeem them in one of the above-mentioned mediums,
on penalty of confiscation or imprisonment ; that private bankers, on exhi-

300 - CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
bition of their specie to a commissioner, would be authorized to issue notes
to tAvo-thirds of the amount ; and that incorporated banks were authorized
to issue notes less than five dollars, but not less than "one, in amount.
The issue of this order was relief and salvation to the masses of the peo
ple ; but to the banks, gall and bitterness. Its effect on the people was
such, that a Confederate officer is said to have remarked that it was equiv
alent to a reenforcement of twenty thousand men to the Union army. In
the course of a few weeks, other orders followed, decreeing the surrender
to the United States Government of all the Confederate funds held by
banks or individuals, and insuring the payment of many obligations to
Northern creditors which had been long before regarded by them as hope
lessly lost.
In a very few weeks the currency of the city was estabhshed on a sound
basis, the laboring and middle classes were freed from the apprehension of
ruin, and every thing betokened a gradual return of confidence And ac
tivity. During the months of June and July the repeated and exaggerated
rumors of disaster to the,Union forces in Virginia kindled anew and embold^''
ened, the animosity of the secessionist men and women in New Orleans.
Several disgraceful and disorderly exhibitions occurred in public, but were
speedily silenced and summarily dealt Avitli. Among othei-s, the famed
Mrs. Phillips Avas sentenced to confinement on Ship Island, for having
insulted the funeral procession of the brave Lieutenant De Kay, by laugh
ing loudly and conspicuously ou her balcony while the body was beingv
borne beneath her Avindows. For the sake of the sex to whicii she belonged,
it should be recorded that, after her release, she had the grace to declare
that she had not done this unwomanly and shameful thing by intent, but
that her ill-timed merriment proceeded from other causes.
ToAvards the latter part of June, an occurrence took place in General
Butler's command, whicii ought to have conrinced the most bitter of his
enemies that his justice, severe as it was, took as quick cognizance of
crimes committed by Federals as of those committed by rebels. Four
Union soldiers, convicted of belonging to a gang who systematically
plundered citizens' houses, under pretence of military orders of search,
were hung for the offence Avithin five days of the commission of the deed;
and this rigorous sentence Avas executed in spite of the tears and entreaties
of the Avives of tAvo of the men, and of many of General Butler's friends.
One of his final measures for ridding the city of traitors in power, was
the prescribing of different forms of oath, one for the citizens, and one for
foreign neutrals. The latter Avas formed precisely after the oath Avhich
had been taken by the members of the European Brigade, in the spring
of 1861, "to support, protect, and defend the Constitution ofthe State and
of the Confederate States," and which had been then claimed to be an act
of unquestioned neutrality! Before the 7th of August, eleven thousand
seven hundred and twenty- three persons had taken the citizen's oath,
tAVO thousand four hundred and ninety-nine that for foreign neutrals, apd
four thousand nine hundred and thirty-three privates and tAvo hundred and
eleven officers of tiie Confederate army had given their oath of allciance.

GENERAL BUTLER'S CAMPAIGN IN NEW ORLEANS 301
After this followed the disarming of the population — none too speedily
and none too sweepingly, since we had found dead in their armor, before
Baton Bouge, men who on the previous day had been conversing familiarly
with our officers 1 Six thousand arms were reluctantly handed over to the
authorities — six thousand arms which would undoubtedly have been in
stantly pointed towards the hearts of our brave fourteen thousand men,
had there been a rebel attack upon the city, or the least hope of a success
ful uprising in it.
On the I7tli of July was finally passed by Congress the Confiscation
Act, which provided for immediate confiscation of all property belonging
to office-holders under the Confederate Government, and confiscation within
sixty days after the President's Amnesty Proclamation, July 25tl|, of all
property belonging to disloyal citizens or privates in the Confederate
army. A less ready and powerful mind Avoiild have been baffled and
perplexed by the schemes and manceuvres of the Avealthy secessionists in
New Orleans to escape the effect of this act, by transferring their property
in aU sorts of factitious ways. But order after order from General Butler's
dictator's pen shut up one door after another, aud left them no alternative
but loyalty, beggary, or the grossest dishonesty. Of course they chose
the latter. Had the Government at Washington sustained General Butler's
effective measures at this crisis, the rebel cause would have been vastly
weakened, and greater respect won for the Administration. But the
.gratifying decisions of Mr. Reverdy Johnson, returning millions of dollars
into the rebel hands, from Avhich General Butler had sequestered them,
emboldened them, even to the parish thiev-es, coolly to lay their impudent
claims for exemption and restoration before our Departments. General
Butler says cui-tly, in one remonstrant letter wrung from him by this
species of provocation : " Another such commissioner as Mr. Johnson, sent
to NeAV Orleans, Avould render the city untenable."
But among aU the perplexities and difficulties which hedged the Fed
eral administration of the secessionist city, none compared with the daily,
hourly question, which could not be answered, and which would not be
deferred : " What is to be done AA-ith the black men ?" When our troops
first stepped on the Louisiana shores, there stood awaiting them one black
friend for every white foe. ' In Ncaa' Orleans, out of one hundred and fifty
thousand inhabitants, tAventy-eight thousand were black — ten thousand
of them being free men. In the parishes, the proportion of slaA^es to
white men was large, in some even as large as three-fourths. Every black
face was turned expectantly to us for uoav freedom. Every master's clutch
tightened angrily at our approach. LaAv and the Constitution Avere on the
side of the master. God and the revolution had not yet spoken so loudly
and unmistakably on the side of the slave, that the Government at Wash
ington was forced to unstop both ears and obey ; while the old advocates
of slavery were still urging measures of compromise.
General McClellan carefully abstained from giving any instructions to
Geijeral Butler on the subject. President Lincoln, in the language of the
schools, " was not prepared " to define the policy which the Administra
tion would pursue. In the mean time. General Butler was left to meet

302 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
the daUy issues face to face alone — alone to take the responsibility of the de
cisions, and alone to bear the brunt of the blame, in case the measures made
necessary and inevitable by uncontrollable circumstances, drew doA^i upon
the Government more outside pressure of abuse and remonstrance than
they could Avithstand. This position was surely neither enviable nor easy.
Scylla and Charybdis Avere small rocks to run upon, in comparison with
" conservative " and " abolitionist." ' A less masterly hand would have
made shipAvreck ; and his might have done so, had it not had the double
guidance of an antagonistic head and heart, which alternatively stayed and
impelled his action. By strong conviction and political association, he
tended to the support of the masters ; by native scorn of outrage, and sym
pathy Ajfith the helpless, he found himself gradually departing from the old
view. The article of war forbidding the return of fugitive slaves to their
masters, did not meet the question at all. It was a relief, but so negativBS
and incomplete, that it fell far short of what was intended to be accom
plished by it. ^
The negroes flocked by hundreds into our lines. At every established
Union post they swarmed, and must be disposed of. Harboring involved
subsistence, and the problem grcAv more and more vexatious and intricate
every day. Still the tardy Government looked back from the plow, and
left its representatives in a more hopeless and unendurable bevrildermait
than it knew.
General Phelps, a brave, loyal, zealous man, AAdio was in command at
Carrolton, seven miles from New Orleans, and whose camp Avas literally^
thronged Avith black fugitives,- grew unrestrainably restless under the inac
tion of the Government ; and, seeing clearly AA'hat they were forced to see
montlid later, attempted to form and drill black regiments. General
Butler, hoAvcA^er much he might sympathize in General Phelps's ardent,
gloAving, and patriotic sentiments, did not feel that at that crisis it would
be either right or politic to carry them into effect. Technically he was
right, and General Phelps was Avrong. Morally, and also prophetically,
General Phelps took a higher stand than had been taken by any officer in
the United States army — higher than his OAvn great modesty will allow
him to believe.
His letter, to use his own simple expression, " concerning a large
number of negroes," is an immortal production, clearly setting forth the
inconsistency, inhumanity, and inexpediency of the attitude of the United
States Government toAvards the slaves, and indicating, in an unanswerable
manner, the very policy AA'hich months afterward they were forced to adopt.
But he was not exempt from the fate of all true reformei-s, of whom the
Avorld does not in the outset knoAV its need. The antagonism betAveen his
truth to right, and the Administration's palsied clinging-to wrong, was too
gru.it to be soothed or quieted. Returning his commission to the President,
lie AvithdreAV to his native mountains, whose green solitudes and granite
strengths had done much to make him the single-hearted, clear-sighted
patriot he Avas. Months after, Avhen the slow march of events bad
brought the Government and the country to his stand-point, and black
men in the North and the South, the East and the West, were being armed

GENERAL BUTLER'S CAMPAIGN IN NEW ORLEANS. 303
to fight for themselves and for their people, the President offered to General
Phelps a major-general's commission. His answer was a natural one. He
would accept it if it were dated upon the day of his resignation. To this
the President refused to accede, as, while it would be only justice to
General Phelps, it Avould be also a censure of General Butler, Avhose con
duct throughout the entire controversy had been magnanimous and cour
teous, and in keeping with the wishes and position of the Administration
t at that time.
General Phelps was firm in demanding the official recognition of the
right of his own course, and declined any commission unaccompanied by
iti No one, however, who studies carefully the history and bearing of Gene
ral Butler's decisions in all questions relating to the rights and manage
ment of black men during this trying period of uncertain policy, can fail
to recognize that his desfre was for their vindication and protection. " The
law of Louisiana for the correction of slaves," that is, for the cruel, das
tardly whipping of men, women, and children, was quietly but effectively
abrogated. Major Bell's decisions in the Provost Court soon establisbed
the black man's right to legal justice. In one ofthe first instances of
such a decision, it was so satirically made to turn on the admission of the
opposing party, that the occurrence is worthy of record. A negro was on
the witness' stand. " I object," said the counsel for the prisoner ; " by the
law of Louisiana, a negro cannot testify against a white man."
" Has Louisiana gone out of the Union ?" asked Major Bell, with that
imperturbable grarity of his, which vails his keen sense of humor
"Yes," said the lawyer.
"Well, then," said the judge, " she took her laws with her. Let the
man be sworn."
By these two boons, of comparative freedom from physical torture, and
power to olptain legal redress for injustice. General Butler extended to the
slaves of New Orleans hope and promise for the future. To the freedmen
he gaA'e more. He opened recruiting-offices for them ; invited and stimu
lated their enlistment by all means in his power ; gave them experienced
oflicers and the best possible equipments. In fourteen days one thousand
men had enUsted. In a few Aveeks two batteries of artillery and three
regiments of infantry were in fighting order. Their hearts were in the
contest, for its stake was the Ufe of their race. Good blood, too, kindled
in their martial tread. " The darkest of them," said General Butler, " were
about the complexion of the late Mr. Webster." Noble service they did
on the battle-fields of Port Hudson and Fort Wagner, silencing all doubts
of their valor, and shaming all dislike of thefr skin.
As the summer advanced, the perplexities in regard to the negroes in
creased. Ten thousand fugitives Avere in the city of New Orleans, depend
ent upon the Government for daily bread. Great numbers were in all the
Union camps, and' on many of the deserted plantations. Eai-ly in October,
General Butler determined to undertake the working of these deserted
plantations by the fugitive slaves, to be employed at fair wages, and the
¦ proceeds of the plantations to accrue to the United States. He also
matured and offered to the loyal planters, a projer^ for the trial of free

304 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
labor on their plantations. The experiment was a completely successful
one. In November, General Butler wrote to President Lincoln : —
" Upon one of the plantations, where sugar is being made by the negroes
who had escaped therefrom into our lines, and have been sent back under
wages, Avith the same machinery and with the same negroes, by free labor,
a hogshead and a half more of sugar has been made in a day, than
was ever before made in the same time on the plantation under slave
labor." Later, in the same letter, he says : —
" Certain it is, and I speak the almost universal sentiment and opinion
of my officers, that slavery is doomed. I have no doubt of it. And with
every prejudice and early teaching against the result to which my mind
has been irresistibly brought by my experience here, I am now convinced :
" 1st. That labor can be done in this State by whites, and more econom
ically, than by blacks and slaves.
" 2d. That black labor can be as well governed, used, and made as
profitable in a state of freedom as in slavery.
" 8d. That while it would have been better could this emancipation of
the slaA'^es be gradual, yet it is quite feasible, even under this great change,
as a governmental proposition, to organize, control, and work the negro
with profit and safety to the white ; but this can be best done under mili
tary supervision."
These clearly stated propositions, the effect of but six months' close
contact with slavery and black men, upon a pro-slavery Democrat, have a
grand historical imJDortance. -One year later, an inteUigent observer at th?
South writes : —
" No one has properly noticed how well the slaves in the South have
maintained their difficult position. Whenever our forces have afforded
them an opportunity to break their bonds, they have done it promptly and
efficiently. But they have, with rare prudence, not involved themselves,
in difficulties Avliich would be fruitless of substantial good to themselves."
As free laborers, worthy of and receiving their hire, they more than
met the expectations of General Butler, heartily and intelligently entering
into and fulfilling the obligations of the contracts he drew up for them.
Partoii saj's, in his admirable Life of General Butler : " A whole book
full of testimony could be adduced upon this point. Their perfect
behavior has often been remarked."
Had General Butler remained longer in command of the department,
he would have lifted the curse of slavery from some thousands of blacks
owned by French and Englishmen, mainly in those parishes which were
exempted by the President from the operation of the Confiscation Act
English law made it a penal crime for any English subject to own a slave.
French lavv made it equally illegal for a French citizen in Louisiana to do
so. The enforcing of these laAvs, and the rigorous application of the pro
visions of the Emancipation Act, Avould have set free nearly eighty thou
sand slaves in those exempted parishes. But from this, as Avell as number
less otiier unfinished measures, his hand was, by a singular destiny, suddenly
withdrawn.

GENERAL BUTLER'S CAMPAIGN IN NEAV ORLEANS. 305
The military operations during General Butler's administration of
the Department of the Gulf Avere of necessity limited. His force was
small, and his unswerving principle was, not to attempt to conquer more
country than he could occupy permanently — a principle which it would
have been better for us had all our generals held. General McClellan's
orders were, that New Orleans was to be held at all sacrifices. How A^^ell
that order was obeyed has been seen. Operations upon Mobile, Pensacola,
and Galveston, and the opening of the Mississippi, were also indicated in
his instructions, and reenforcements promised for their execution. The
reenforcements never came, though General Butler begged unceasingly for
them, and made clear to the Government that each month's delay
would make it needful to send thousands more of men.
Our bitter losses on the Mississippi in the sieges of 1863 made appar
ent the truth of his statements. In the mean time sAvarming hordes of
guerrillas roA'ed through the country, and the summer was a series of
fatiguing skirmishes. Union families fled to the city for protection, report
ing the fiendish outrages they had endured. Small bands of our men,
under adventurous leaders, sallied out, feU upon them when they least
expected it, and retaliated quick A'engeance. The hardihood and non
chalance with AA'hich a single company of Union soldiers would plunge
into the hostile depths of one of those infested parishes, fifty miles away
from all support, challenged the admiration of their foes.
In the Lafourche District occurred one of the most signal affairs of the
kind, under the command of Colonel John C. Keith, of the Twenty-first In
diana Regiment. Four of our soldiers, siek and Avounded, were being care
fully transported to New Orleans in a wagon, and had the ill fortune to fall
into a guerrilla ambush. Three of them were shot dead, their bodies kicked,
trampled, and thrown into a shalloAV pit in the centre of the heathen town
of Houma. One was confined in a dungeon ; the convoy escaped to tell the
tale. In a few days four hundred Federal soldiers appeared on the spot,
with two pieces of artillery to enforce the lesson they had come to teach.
Leading citizens of the toAvn Avere driven at the bayonet point to the grave
of the murdered men, forced to disinter the bodi,es, lay them reverently in
coffins, and assist in their burial in the churchyard with appropriate reli
gious ceremonies. Forty-eight hours were given to the toAvn to surrender
the murderers, or disclose their names, with the alternative of utter destruc
tion and confiscation if they refused. In bitter but helpless ra,g6 they
gave all the information in their poAver ; and then for days and nights our
brave men scoured the country in pursuit of the assassins. The chief
offenders escaped, but several of the band vyere captured, and the planters
who had sheltered them were severely punished. The vile caboose in
which the wounded soldier had been confined was razed to the dust.
The Stars and Stripes Avere triumphantly unfurled from the court-house, in
the centre of the town, and the authorities were compelled to pay a con
siderable sum of money toAvards defraying the exjfenses of the expedition ;
for which they Avere more than repaid, however, by Colonel Keith's gener
ous distribution of meat and other stores among the starving poor of the
neighborhood. A little experience of such fearless and instant retribution
Vol. IL— 20

806 CIVIL "WAR IN AMERICA.
as this, would have made the guerrillas in Kentucky and Tennessee far less
dangerous enemies than they proved under a milder system.
Major Strong's expedition up the Tangipaho River, for the purpose of
surprising the rebel General Jeff. Thompson, in his head-quarters at the
vUlage of Ponchatoula, was another of the gallant and daring enterprises
rivalling in their romance the tales of Froissart. Late on a September
afternoon there sailed from New Orleans on their desperate venture, three
companies of Maine, and one of Massachusetts men, with thefr brave cap
tains, and the chivalric Strong at their head. At midnight they were
aground on the sand-bar at the mouth of the Tangipaho. With difficulty
they worked their way up for a few miles, but it was too late to accomphsh
their purpose that night. In the mean time the enemy might be warned ;
and to prevent that misfortune. Major Strong ordered the seizure 'of every
boat on the river. The starring inhabitants, who for months had depended
on the river for their only food, resisted with tears the surrender of their
last resource, unable to believe that a generous foe would return them iu
a foAv hours, after the dangerous emergency had passed. In abject fiight
they refused to render to the Federal troops the slightest service, unless
they would promise to carry them away with them, saying, " I'll do it if
you will agree to take me away with you ; if you leave me 'here, I am a
dead man before your steamboat is out of sight."
The village of Ponchatoula was six miles from the river. On discover
ing in the morning that it was impossible for the steamer to reach the
point at which he had proposed to land. Major Strong, with undiminished
resolve, formed a new plan, and landed his force at the terminus of a raih
road leading to the town, and ten miles in length.
Coolly the little band of one hundred and twelve men prepared for the
scorching march, under a Louisiana sun, oA'er a railroad track of trestle- ¦
work laid through a swamp, and leading to unknown dangers. Some of
their number dropped to the ground under the fatal sunstroke. Faithful-
negroes begged them not to proceed, and warned them that the town was
fortified with cannon ; but still they pressed on, entered the village on the
full run, and in fifteen minutes had routed and driven out the rebel guard,
which outnumbered them three times, and had six pieces of artillery. The
rebel general had left the village on the preceding evening, probably warned
of their approach. His papers and arms, however, Avere seized. Great
quantities of supplies were destroyed, the telegraphic instruments were
broken up, and tne post-office rifled of many valuable letters. But there
was no time to spend in further researches, for the rebel General Thomp
son's main camp was but nine miles distant. Leaving a few severely
Avounded men behind, and tearing up the raUroad track as they retreated,
to prevent pursuit by the cars, they retraced their heroic steps. In less
than an hour, shot began to whizz after them from a howitzer-train which
had been run down as far as the rails lasted. But their precautions had
proved effectual, and the train could not come sufficiently near to work
them any harm. Far more deadly foes were heat and fatigue. Men be
came stupefied and delirious, and implored to be left to ¦ die. Officers fell
to the* ground, and were only roused by the kind brutality of kicks and

GENERAL BUTLER'S CAMPAIGN IN NEW ORLEANS. 307
blows from their tireless major, whose vitality never flagged till he had
seen the last man of his command safe again on the deck of the Ceres.
General Butler, in his report, mentioned this raid as " one of the most
daring and successful exploits of the Avar ; equal in dash, spirit, and cool
courage to any tiring attempted on either side."
On the Sth of August a combined land and water attack was made
upon Baton Rouge, by the rebels. The scenes we are now describing took
place in 1862, nearly two years before the fall of Vicksburg. We had at
Baton Rouge a small garrison of about twenty -five hundred men, under the
command of the heroic General Williams. The rebels prepared a formida
ble ram at Vicksburg, the Arkansas, to assail our garrison from the water.
The rebel General John C. Breckinridge, at the head of eight thousand
froops, was to make a simultaneous and sudden attack by land. At three
o'clock, Tuesday morning, in the gloom of night, and enveloped in the
dense fog, the foe made the attack. The wakeful patriots were ready for
them. The first impetuous plunge was made upon the Fourteenth Maine.
But these men stood firm as thefr own granite hills, with indomitable cour
age breasting the assailing rebel force. The Twenty-first Indiana and
Sixth Michigan were soon in the hottest of the fight. For four hours the
blood-red waves of battle rolled to and fro. It was death's day of jubilee,
for the contending hosts were crowded into such narrow space that every
bullet fulfiUed its mission. General Williams had just said to the Twenty-
first Indiana, " Boys, your field-officers are all gone — I will lead you,"
when he fell mortally wounded.
Colonel Nickerson, of the Fourteenth Maine, had his horse shot from
under him by a discharge of grape. He sprang from under his dying steed,
and, waving his sword, called upon his men for one more charge. By ten
o'clock the rebels Avere effectually repulsed and driven headlong from the
field. The garrison, many of Avhom had come from the hospital for the
fight, were too feeble to pursue. The rebels left their dead behind them.
The redoubtable ram Arkansas, which had been deemed invulnerable, met
the fate it merited. The patriot Essex, by a well-directed fire, broke a
hole through the bows of the rebel iron-clad, plunged an incendiary shot
into the hole, which shot exploded in the ship, setting it on fire. Most of
the crew escaped to the land. The ship, Avrapped in flames, drifted out
upon the current of the stream, and soon blew up with a fearful explosion.
" It is," reported Admiral Farragut, " one of the happiest moments of
my life, that I am enabled to inform the Department of the destruction
of the ram Arkansas ; not because I held the iron-clad in such terror, but
because the community did."
General Butler, in his announcement to the Army of the Gulf of the
death of Brigadier-General Thomas Williams, writes with his accustomed
eloquence : —
"We, his companions in arms, Avho had learned to love him, weep
the true friend, the gallant gentleman, the brave soldier, the accomplished
officer, the pure pa;triot and vdctorious hero, and the devoted Christian. All
and more went out when Williams died. By a singular felicity the man-

308 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
ner of his death illustrated each of these generous qualities. The chivahio
American gentleman, he gave up the vantage of th^ cover ofthe houses of
the city, forming his lines in the open field, lest the women and children
of his enemies should be hurt in the fight. A good general, he had made
his dispositions and prepared for battle at the break of day, AA'hen he met
his foe. A brave soldier, he received his death-shot leading his men. A
patriot hero, he was fighting the battle of his country, and died as went up
the cheer of victory. A Christian, he sleeps in the hope of a blessed Re
deemer ! His virtues we cannot exceed — his example we may emulate,
and, mourning his death, we pray, ' May our last end be like his.'"
For some months previous to the change of commanders in the Depart
ment of the Gulf, rumors indicating it, had been rife in the political world.
It was generally understood to be, and most undoubtedly was, the result of
the questioning timidity in the State Department, which feared the effect
upon foreign powers and home politics of such iron measures as had char
acterized General Butler's administration in New Orleans. These rumors
called out from General Butler an able and manly letter to the President,
protesting, not against being removed, but against being obliged to remain
in mere nominal command at New Orleans, while the active operations of
the Department were intrusted to the charge of another. It was not
thought best to subject even General Butler's already well-tried patience
and loyalty to such a test as that, and accordingly, upon November 9th, the
order was issued assigning Major-General Banks to " the command of the
Department of the Gulf, including Texas."
He arrived in New Orleans on the 14th of December, and was received
with every possible attention by his magnanimous predecessor. Upon the
16th the formal surrender of the command was made, and the new regime
commenced. General Butler published, before leaving, a general order to
the soldiers, the last of his famous series, and perhaps the most remarkable;
also a farewell address to the citizens of New Orleans, which Avill live in
histoi-y among the great utterances of great men. On the 24th of Decem
ber he set sail for the North, leaving for his successor a grand course of
achievements, not only marked out, but partially accomplished. We shall
find him again, however, in a hardly less difficult work, wielding the same
poAverful pen, and dealing to treason and to traitors the same resistless
blows. But it could not be given to him, nor to any man, in another place, ;
to render such delicate and vital service to the Federal cause as he ren
dered in New Orleans, in creating, planting, and forcing into assured life,
a Union sentiment, a Union love, and a Union party. In December, after
seven months' experience of General Butler's administration. New Orleans
elected to Congress tAvo Union men ; the middle classes, almost without
exception, having become strong Unionists, and the whole number of
Union votes cast exceeding by one thousand the whole number cast for
the ordinance of secession.

CHAPTER XXVI.
THE SIEGE OP CHARLESTON.
(From February, 1862, to June, IS68.)
Rebel Obstructions. — Loss op the Monitor. — Raid op the Rebel Iron-clads. — Absurd
Statements. — Destruction op the Nashville. — Conpuct avith Fort McAllister. — Re
newal op the Attack. — Anecdotes. — Preparations for the Attack upon Charleston. —
The Terrific Bombardment. — Repulse op the Iron-clads.
Feom the Valley of the Mississippi we must now return to the Atlantic
coast. On the llth of February, 1862, Edisto Island, in the vicinity of
Charleston, S. C, was occupied by the Forty-seventh New York Regiment
of Volunteers, under General Sherman. From this time dates the com
mencement of operations against Charleston. Edisto Island is about
twelve miles long and nine broad. It is about forty miles south of Charles
ton. The island is low and flat and somewhat marshy, and is intersected
by creeks through which the ocean-tides ebb and fiow. A sluggish bayou
separates it from the main land. Upon the arrival of the patriot troops,
in thefr gunboats, the planters fled in haste, applying the torch to their
cotton as extensively as they could, and yet leaving not a little of the
precious commodity to be gathered by the Unionists.
On the last of March, Major-General David Hunter was intrusted with
the command of the Department of the South, which then embraced por
tions of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. General Sherman had al
ready commenced proceedings for the capture of Fort Pulaski. He was,
however, removed before he had time to carry out his plans ; and, in April,
the fort surrendered to the ponderous guns of General Gillmore.
The rebels had so obstructed and fortifled the main entrance to Charles
ton harbor, that it Avas deemed necessary to seek a new place of entry.
The Stono River, which flows to the ocean west of James Island, is con
nected vrith the Ashley, opposite Charleston, by a narrow stream called
Wappoo Creek. Commodore Dupont, who was at the head of the naval
force, had the channel of Stono River sounded and buoyed, and on the 20th
of May, three gunboats, the Madilla, Pembina, and OttaAva, crossed the
bar and commenced the ascent of the stream. They found upon the
banks, as they cautiously steamed along, a number of deserted earthworks.
Haring ascended the river about ten miles, they came to Wappoo Creek.
They were now within three miles of Charleston, and the steeples of the
city could be plainly discerned from the mast-heads of the steamers. At
the entrance of the creek they found some batteries, Avhich their guns
\ speedUy sUenced. As they had, however, no force to land and take pos-

-310 CIVIL WAE IN AMERICA.
session of them, the boats returned, haring performed simply an important
reconnoissance. Early in July, Generals Hunter and Benham arrived Avith considerable
reenforcements of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and landed on James
Island. For some time there Avere frequent but unimportant skirmishings
with the foe. Thus nearly a year passed away, while we merely held the
few positions we had taken on the Sea Islands which Une the coast of
South Carolina.
On the 29th of September, 1862, the renowned iron-clad Monitor, J. P.
Bankhead, commander, left Hampton Roads for Charleston, in tow of the
Rhode Island. It was a fine day, and the sea was smooth. Early the
next morning the wind began to rise, and the swelling sea washed over
the low deck and dashed against the pilot-house. Soon the steamer began
to leak, but, by the aid of the pumps, was kept free from any embarrassing
fiood of Avater. As they approached Hatteras, the storm increased in
A'iolence. The immense surges, dashing up against the fiat surface of
the projecting armor, caused the ship, iron-bound as she was, to shiver from
stem to stern. The violence of the concussion was so great as graduaUy
to break the upper hull from the lower. The water began to rush in in
such a fiood that the pumps, though throwing out two thousand gallons a
minute, could make no headway against it. The Rhode Island was
stopped to see if the strain in towing aggravated the difficulty, but there
Avas no perceptible difference.
At half past ten at night, signals of distress were made, and the Moni
tor was run under the lee of the Rhode Island, and two boats Avere sent
for the rescue of her croAv. The waves Avere then dashing entirely over
her turret, and the tumultuous night was black, with heavy clouds and
driving rain. In the confusion of the scene, the sharp, solid iron edge of
the Monitor came in contact Avith the port quarter of the wooden steamer, ; -
crushing her launch, and narroAvly escaping inflicting the same injury upon
the steamer herself Thus admonished, the vessels were put at a safe dis
tance from each other. The boats with great peril moved to and fro over
the plunging waves, and, under the skilful guidance of Captain Trenchard,
the crew of the Monitor were rescued. While the boats were engaged in
this service in the midst of this terrific midnight storm, Commander Bank
head learned that the rising Avater had quenched the fires of the Monitor, and
that her wheel ceased to move. In order to keep her head to the wind, the
anchor was dropped. The deck was now entirely submerged, and several
of the crew had been washed overboard. It Avas with extreme peril
that the men could escape from the tower, run the gauntlet of th^vv^cjes
dashing across the deck, and reach the boats, which were surging up snd
down, and swept here and there almost uncontrolled upon the stormjsea.
Some of the men preferred to remain in the turret, hoping that the
ship might outride the gale, rather than run the risk of trying to escape to
the boats. The boats were again filled Avith those who were wUling to
attempt it, and reached the Rhode Island in safety. Again another boat
was manned by heroes, to go to the rescue of those who stiU remained.
Nothing could be seen, through the black night and the storm, but the red

THE SIEGE OP CHARLESTON. 311
lantern, gleaming like a meteor, from the turret of the Monitor. The life
boat had not long been gone, lost in the darkness, ere the light disappeared,
and the brave little iron-clad, which had ay^ou the nation's heart as inani
mate object never did before, was engulfed. The Rhode Island steamed
as near the spot where the light Avas last seen as possible, but the iron-clad
had gone down Uke lead. The boat Avhich had gone to the rescue was
nowhere to be found. Whether overwhelmed by the Avaves or drawn
down into the vortex of the sinking ship, can never be known. All night
the Rhode Island remained, burning signal-Ughts ; but the morning re
vealed naught save the Avide and gloomy waste of an angry sea.
Subsequently, several others of the turreted iron-clads were sent to
Charleston, and, although some of them encountered A'ery severe storms,
they all arrived in safety. They were all, however, found exceedingly
uncomfortable at sea, to both officers and men. In the course of five
months quite a little fieet of these formidable iron-cla-ds was gathered
at Port Royal, and preparations were made for a formidable attack upon
Charleston. While these preparations were in progress, on the 31st of January, 1863,
an affair occurred off Charleston harbor which created much excitement
at the time, from the atrociously false statements made by the rebel General
Beauregard. About four o'clock in the morning, during a thick haze, two
rebel iron steam-rams, the Chicora and Palmetto State, came out of Charles
ton harbor to make an attack upon our blockading fieet, hoping also to
recover a valuable blockade-runner, the Princess Royal, which had been
captured the day before by our gunboats. The blockading squadron con
sisted mainly of vessels from the merchant marine, which had been hastily
altered into men-of-war. The Mercedita, one of these, Avas quietly at
anchor, enveloped in the fog, at half-past four o'clock in the morning, when
suddenly Lieutenant Abbott saw through the haze the smoke of a steamer
rapidly approaching. He hailed the ship, and with the next breath gave
the command to fire. The crew were instantly at their guns. But the
stranger, which proved to be the rebel ram Palmetto State, sat so low
in the water and was already so near, that the guns from the Mercedita
could not be brought to bear upon her. The ram, unimpeded, drove her
fron prow into the side of the Mercedita, tearing a large hole below the
water-line, and at the same moment fired a heavy rifie-shell, Avhich passed
through the condenser and steam-drum, and exploded as it passed through
the other side of the ship, blowing a hole four or five feet square in its
exit, and kiUing one gunner. The escape of the steam instantly filled
large portions of the ship, killing three and severely scalding two of the
crew. The wounded vessel, deprived of all motive-power, seemed to be
rapidly sinking, and not a gun could be brought to bear upon the foe.
" Surrender, or I'll sink you !" shouted the ram. " Do you surrender ?"
" I can make no resistance," the commander of the Mercedita replied ;
"lam sinking."
The rebels then ordered a boat to be sent to them. Lieutenant-Com
mander Abbott went on «board the rebel craft and surrendered the ship ;
pledging his word of honor that neither he nor any of the officers or crew

312 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
of the Mercedita would again take up arms against the Confederate States
unless exchanged.
The ram then pushed forward, and soon encountered another of the
blockading squadron, the Keystone State, which, alarmed by suspicious ap
pearances, had slipped her cable, in preparation for any emergency. The
ram rapidly approached, and receiving a ball from the patriot ship, re
turned a shell, for Avhich she received in reply a full broadside. In less
time almost than we have taken to describe the scene, another rebel ram,
the Chicora, made its appearance, and opened fire. In ¦ the confusion the
Keystone took fire, and bore aAvay for ten minutes until the fire could be
subdued. She then returned, to rencAV the confiict with the two rebel iron
clads. Her commander, William E. Leroy, gallantlj' made for one of the rehel
steamers, with the intention of running her down. Facing a storm of shot
and shell, ten of Avhieh struck the ship, some below the Avater-line, and
lulling twenty men and wounding as many more, the steamer pressed on
until a shell pierced the steam-chimney, depriving the ship of all ability to
move. At this critical moment, Avhen there were two feet of water in the
hold and the ship was on fire, three Union ships, the Augusta, the Quaker
City, and the Memphis, came to the rescue. Boldly they presented their
wooden Avails to their mailed adversaries. Opening a vigorous fire upon
the tw-o rebels, they compelled them to cease their assaults upon the
wounded Keystone State.
The fleet was now thoroughly aroused, and other vessels came bearing
doAvn u[)on the rebel rams. Impregnable as they were, shot and shell Avere
rained upon them so fearfully, that they turned upon their heels, and ran
back under the protection of their forts, where the wooden A'essels of the
fleet could not foUoAv them. This trivial affair would be hardly worth
notice, were it not for the ridiculously false announcement made by the
rebel authorities. The rebel Generals Beauregard and Ingraham issued
the following official proclamation : —
" At about five o'clock this morning, the Confederate States naval force
on this station attacked the United States blockading fleet off the harbor
of the city of Charleston, and sunk, dispersed, or drove off and out of sight,
for the time, the entire hostile fleet. Therefore we, the undersigned, com
manders respectively of the Confederate States naval and land forces in •
this quarter, do hereby formally declare the blockade by the United Stated
of the said city of Charleston, S. C, to be raised by a superior force of the
Confederate States, from and after this 31st day of January, 1863."
The rebel Secretary of State, J. P. Benjamin, whose reputation for
truth and honesty had ever been at a very low ebb, added the climax to these
absurd assumptions, by transmitting a circular to all the foreign consuls in
the Confederacy, stating that the blockade had been broken by the com
plete dispersion of the blockading squadron, in consequence of a success
ful attack by the iron-clad steamers. He closed his circular Avith the
foUoAving Avords : —
" As you are doubtless aware that, by the law of nations, a blockade,
when thus broken by superior force, ceases to exist, and cannot be subset

THE SIEGE OP CHARLESTON. 313
quently enforced unless estabhshed de novo, with adequate force and after
due notice to neutral powers, it has been deemed proper to give you the
information herein contained, for the guidance of such vessels of your
nation as may choose to carry on commerce Avith the now open port of
Charleston." In addition to this false and foolish announcement, a statement was
published, said to be signed by the British Consul in Charleston, who had
openly and ardently espoused the cause of secession and slavery, and also
by the commander of the British war-steamer Petrel, to the effect that
they had been five miles beyond the usual anchorage of the blockading
fleet, ^nd that no vessels were to be seen, even with the most powerful
glasses, and that therefore they declared the blockade to be raised. This
statement was probably a forgery, as it never was reiterated. As neither
the British Consul nor the commander denied the statement, it was quite
evident that they were vriUing that it should produce its effect. The com
manding officers of the Housatonic, the Flag, the Quaker City, the Augus
ta, the Memphis, and the Stettin, jointly signed a card denying that any
vessel was sunk, or that the squadron Avas driven or departed any distance
from its station. They closed their statement with the following words : —
" We believe the statement that any vessel came anywhere near the
usual anchorage of any of the blockaders, or up to the bar after the with
drawal of the rams, to be deliberately and knowingly false. If the state
ment from the papers, as now before us, has the sanction of the Petrel and
the foreign consuls, we can only deplore that foreign officers can lend thefr
official position to the spreading before the world, for unworthy objects,
untruths patent to every officer of the squadron."
The next incident of interest Avas the destruction of the Nashville, on
the Ogeechee River. The NashviUe Avas a very fast steamer, Avhich had
formerly run between New York and Charleston, and had been treacher
ously seized by the rebels in Charleston harbor, as one of the first of thefr
treasonable acts. The vessel was now loaded with cotton to run the
blockade, and she had also been armed to cruise as a privateer, as soon as
she had landed her freight of cotton in a West Indian port. She was
blockaded by several gunboats in the Ogeechee River, near Savannah,
Georgia, and was lying under the ponderous guns of Fort McAllister,
Avatching her chance to escape. The fort, of nine guns of the largest cali
bre, two of them being rifled, was situated at a bend on the right bank
of the stream, which commanded a reach of tAvo miles down the river.
Formidable obstructions were thrown across the river from the fort, leav
ing merely a passage large enough for the Nashville to pass through. The
Nashville was anchored about flve miles above the fort, ready for sea,
watching for a chance to put on all steam, in darkness or fog, and escape
through the Union gunboats which blockaded the mouth of the river.
Two iron-clad river-ljoats were also nearly completed at Savannah, to assist
in getting the rebel privateer to sea.
Quite a fleet of gunboats, several of them iron-clad turrets, were assem
bled at the mouth of the river. Three objects were in view : to destroy
the NashviUe, to batter down Fort McAllister, and to try the impregna-

314 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
bility of the turrets, by bringing them, within short range, under the heav
iest guns of the fort. Accompanied by several wooden gunboats, to remain
in the rear and take part in the action, the iron-turreted Montauk steamed
up to Avithin two hundred yards of the fort, and dropped anchor. It was
at half-past seven o'clock in the morning of Tuesday, January 27. The
experiment thus to be tried was one which might well cause the stoutest
nerves to tremble. The engagement continued for nearly six hours, until
the Montauk had exhausted her stock of shells. The iron-clad effectually
proved her invulnerability. She Avas struck fifteen times. " But it was,"
Avrites one on board, " like throwing beans against a brick wall ; and, as
for all the damage they were doing, we might haA-e lain there a AAseek."
One rifled shot struck the forward-deck plating, making an indentation
about an inch deep, and flying off" in fragments. A ten-inch solid shot
struck the gunwale, merely ruffling the edge of one of the plates, and
glancing off. Tavo solid shot, one a ten-inch and the other a thirty-two
pounder, struck the turret fairly. Each made an indentation in the turret
about seven-eighths of an inch deep, and crumbling, fell harmless upon the
deck. No injury was inflicted upon the vessel by this tremendous flre.
The Montauk had two guns, one throwing fifteen-inch and the other
eleven-inch shot and shell. These enormous missiles made a very visible
impression upon the massive earthworks. Huge holes were torn through
their intrenchments, and tons of sand, as if by earthquake power, were
thrown up into the air. It was, hoAvever, manifest that the fort could not
be carried by the force then arrayed against it ; and a storm of rain and fog
setting in, the gunboats dropped down the river to their former anchorage.
This was a disappointment. All, however, were charmed with the con
duct of the Montauk. Her heavy guns Avere Avorked with wonderful ease
and celerity. The turret revolved with admirable precision. The blowers
instantly cleared away the smoke from within the turret, and the concus
sion was so slight as to produce no ill effects. The fifteen-inch shell,
which one of the guns of the Montauk thrcAv, weighed three hundred and
sixty-five pounds. To tliroAv one of these large shells required eighteen
quarts of powder. It threw also a conical shot weighing four hundred
.pounds. The eleven-inch gun threw a shell weighing one hundred and
thirty pounds. As the rebels had planted many torpedoes and infernal
machines in the river, it was necessary for the boats to move with a great
deal of caution.
Several days were spent in vigorous preparations for the renewal of
the attack, the main object now being to destroy the Nashville. It was
proved that the iron-clads could easily pass the guns of the fort, but they
could not pass the obstructions and torpedoes, which the fort protected,
and beyond which, up the river, the Nashville was riding in apparent
safety. Having received reenforcements, and an ample supply of ammunition
and shells, on Sabbath morning, February 1, 1863, the assault was re
newed. It is a remarkable fact, in the history of this as of other wars,
that the party making the attack on the Sabbath has been seldom success
ful. The Merrimac made the attack upon the Monitor upon the Sabbath,

THE SIEGE OF CHARLESTON. 315
and was repulsed. There was no apparent necessity of depriving the men
ofthe rest of the Sabbath ou this occasion. Our officers, however, did not
consider it expedient to respect the day. They made the attack, and God
Arithheld the blessing of success.
At haU-past five all hands were called to breakfast, and a little after
sis, just as daylight was struggling throiigh the dim mist of the morning,
the Uttle fieet at the mouth* of the river was put in motion. Not a breath
of air was moring, and the surface of the water was smooth as glass. The
Montauk led, foUoAved by several wooden gunboats. The iron-clad dropped
anchor and opened her fire almost directly opposite the fort. The accom
panying gunboats commenced the bombardment from a point a mile and
three-quarters farther doAAm the river. The main energies of the fort
were again dfreeted upon the Montauk. A solid ten-inch shot soon struck
her turret fair and square, and crumbled to powder, doing no harm. For
five hours this battle raged, without any decisive results. The Montauk
was struck forty-eight times, and yet escaped unharmed. At half-past
twelve the fleet again dropped down the river, disappointed in not having
been able to destroy the fort, but still delighted with the invulnerability of
the fron-clads.
A month now passed away in the tedium of blockade duty, watching
the innumerable creeks intersecting that Ioav and marshy land. On Fri
day, the 27th of February, about three o'clock in the afternoon, the dense
black smoke of the NashriUe Avas seen behind a reach of forest skirting a
bend in the river. It was erident that she was stealing along, hoping to
escape. The Seneca was sent up the river on a reconnoissance. She soon
returned vrith the gratifying intelligence that the NashvUle had run
aground but a short distance above the fort, and within reach of our guns,
which could be brought up to the vicinity of the obstructions. Arrange
ments were immediately made to attack and destroy her, if possible.
At four o'clock the next morning, all hands Avere caUed, and at five
o'clock the anchors were weighed. The Montauk led. Three gunboats
— ^the Seneca, Wissahickon, and Dawn — followed. The Montauk steamed
boldly up to the muzzles of the guns of the fort, and beheld Avith great
joy the NashriUe hard aground at a distance of about two hundred yards.
The battery opened fiercely upon the little " cheese box," but the " cheese-
box " did not deign to make any reply. The NashriUe was the exclusive
object of its regard. After a few shots to get the range, a fifteen-inch
shell was dropped beautifully into the very centre of the piratic craft, where
it exploded like a volcano. The rebels had all escaped from the ship,
and not even a flag was to be seen on the doomed craft. Soon dense vol
umes of black smoke rose from the shattered steamer, foUoAved by billowy
sheets of flame, Avhich speedily enveloped the whole fabric in a glowing
mantle of fire. The spectacle was sublime, and was watched with intensest
interest, as it was known that the magazine would ere long be reached,
and that then there would be an appalling explosion. Soon the awful
roar came. The majestic ship seemed to be lifted from her bed, and the
charred and flaming fragments were scattered widely over the water. The
work of destruction was effectually accompUshed. The rebels in the

316 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
fort must have gazed with emotions any thing but pleasurable, upon
this scene transpiring beneath the, very muzzles of their guns. They
kept up an incessant fire, to which scarcely the slightest attention was
paid. As the Montauk was withdrawing, she passed over three torpedoes,
one of which exploded directly beneath her, lifting the vessel up bodily,
and sluing her around. It inflicted, however, no injury upon the boat.
The triumphant result of this expedition filled all hearts with joy.
The next day three new iron-clads — the Passaic, Patapsco, and Na
hant — Arith two or three wooden gunboats, arrived at the mouth of the river,
and preparations were made to renew the assault upon Fort McAllister
Monday morning, March 2, was one of the most lovely days that ever
smiled upon earth. There were then lying at anchor near the mouth o:'
the river four iron-clads and ten wooden gunboats of various description.
There was intense activity on board of them all, preparing for a desperate
fight. The avowed object of the expedition was merely to try the three
new iron-clads, to ascertain how they would operate against the heavy
guns of the fort, and how effectually they could ward off the return
blows. As the Montauk had already been sufficiently tested, she was to
accompany the expedition merely as a looker-on. Shortly after four
o'clock p. M., the whole fieet got under Aveigh and stood up the river, led
by the Passaic. The cloudless sun was slowly descending, and it Avas a
beautiful summer's eve.
Tuesday morning dawned calm and clear, and, at an early hour, the ves
sels were in position for an attack. Each of the iron-clads anchored at the
distance of about three-quarters of a mile from the fort, and the engagemeii,t .|
immediately began. For eight hours these combatants, with their giganti§ '
engines of war, hurled, Avitli terrific velocity, at each other, shot and sheH",
weighing from one hundred to four hundred pounds. When these shells
fell within the traverses of the foe, the sand was seen rising in a column
and filling the air Avith clouds of dust. A fifteen-inch shell exploded un
der one of the rebel guns, hurling the ponderous engine to a great dis
tance. The outline of the fort, which had been so regular in the morn
ing, towards noon began to assume the aspect of dilapidation and ruin.
Huge gaps Avere made in the ramparts, and many of the guns were evi
dently dismounted. Still the massive earthwork Avas not essentially
weakened. The impregnability of the iron-clads was, hoAvever, effectually
established. The Passaic was struck thirty-three times, receiving scarcely
the slightest injury. Three hundred and twenty-one projectiles were
thrown by the iron-clads, and two hundred and seventy Avere sent back by
the fort. Absolutely nobody was hurt on board the vessels. Thus termi
nated this first memorable battle of iron-clads against the heaviest guns in
battery. During the month of March, several other iron-clads, Avith their accom
panying gunboats, cast anchor at Port Royal, There were seven turreted
batteries of the monitor class, which word has now come into use as a gen
eric term. There were, also, tAvo formidable iron-clads of different con
struction — the Keokuk and the new Ironsides, The monitors were larg^
and stronger than the first of that name, but of essentially the same de-

THE SIEGE OP CHARLESTON. 317
sign. The Ironsides was a steam frigate, of threo thousand "five hundred
tons burden, Avith masts and sails. Her armor Avas composed of iron plates,
fifteen feet long, thirty inches vride, and four inches thick. The sides Avere
inclined at a sharp angle so as to cause a ball to glance from them. The
Keokuk, externally, somewhat resembled the monitors. She Avas furnished
with two pyramidal stationary turrets, each containing one gun. These
turrets had but five and a half inches of plating, instead of ten inches, as
was the case with the monitors. It was hoped that the sloping sides of the
turret Avould compensate for the lack of armor.
In addition to this fleet, a small army of ten thousand men was assem
bled to cooperate in the attack upon Charleston. General Hunter was in
command. A number of nondescript machines had also been towed down
from New York, to aid in cleaning the harbor of torpedoes and other ob
structions. An immense amount of shot and shells — of all the enginery
and missiles of Avar — had also been accumulated. The community at this
time cherished almost unUmited confidence in the capabilities of the mon
itors. It was supposed that the fleet, in impregnable mail, could anchor
wherever it pleased under the guns of Sumter, and, unharmed by its balls,
could leisurely batter down the walls of the fortress.
The fleet was under the command of Admiral Dupont, whose brilliant
success at Port Royal had inspired the country with confldence in the result
of the undertaking. It was supposed that the rebels had about fifty-five
thousand troops in and around Charleston. This number, by their rail
roads, could be doubled in forty-eight hours. In the attack, it was
proposed to steam directly by the outer rebel batteries and demolish Sum
ter. Then the shore batteries were one by one to be destroyed. The little
army was then to be escorted up to the city, to take it, and hold it under
the guns of the fieet.
Early in April, the vessels Were rendezvoused in the North Edisto
Eiver, about half way between Port Royal and Charleston. At the time
of sinking the stone fleet before Charleston, as a temporary obstruction of
the channel until our blockading squadron could be formed, the British
Government, in a spirit of unfriendliness to the United States which can
never be* forgotten, insolently denounced the act as barbarism. The waters
ofthe Cooper and Ashley Rivers, in a few months, cut a noAV channel, Avith
a depth of nearly two feet more of water than the old channel afforded.
On Monday, the 6th of April, the ships entered this ncAV channel, AA-hich
had been carefully buoyed out, and cast anchor within a mile of Morris
Island. The Avhole fieet of iron-clads, nine in number, were to advance
in tile to the attack. A reserve fieet of five wooden gunboats were an
chored outside of the bar, under the command of Captain J. F. Green.
The iron-clads Avere carefully stripped for the fight, and covered with a
thick coating of grease, to give more effectual glance to the ball. Project
ing rafts were attached to the bows of the monitors, Avhich, extending sev
eral yards ahead of the vessels, Avould catch and discharge the torpedoes.
On the morning of the appointed day, a dense fog shut out every land
mark necessary for piloting the ships through the intricate channel which
they Avere to na,vigate. A small tugboat was, however, sent on a recon-

318 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
noissance. As she was dimly discerned in her bold advance, the batteries
at Cummings's Point and at Fort Sumter both opened fire upon the intrepid
little explorer. The boat Avas recalled by a signal, having established
the fact that the path was open to within two miles of Sumter. The land
forces had, in the mean time, established themselves on Folly Island, to be
in readiness to act in concert with the fleet. They, however, could take no
part in the contemplated action, and could not even enjoy the privilege of
witnessing the conflict. From the masts of the ships, with telescopes, the
city could be seen, its steeples and housetops covered with spectators.
At noon the fog had disappeared, and the fleet prepared to move. Com
modore Turner, of the Ironsides, called all the crew upon the deck around
him, and all kneeling, the admiral offered a heart-felt prayer for divine
protection and aid. The fleet advanced up the channel, in line about a
cable's length apart. Among the pilots were three contrabands, one being
Robert Small, a man Avho had obtained national renoAvn by the courage andv
sagacity he had displayed in escaping, with the steamer Planter, from
Charleston, and in delivering her to the blockading fleet.
For nearly four miles the steamers were exposed to the batteries on Morris
and Sullivan's Islands, before Sumter was brought AA'ithin easy range. Slow
ly the fleet advanced, expecting, every moment, to encounter the guns of
Fort Wagner. The Weehawken, which led, passed the fort unmolested,
and, one after another, the entire squadron sailed by in silence. Battery
Bee, on Cummings's Point, Avas passed with equal impunity. But as the
Weehawken rounded Morris Island, and came within effective range of
Sumter, a single barbette gun was fired. It was the signal for a converg
ing fire of over three hundred guns from all the batteries. The largest
guns from the Norfolk navy-yard, the most ponderous castings from the
celebrated Tredegar works in Richmond, and the most approved and lar
gest rifled cannon from England, all hurled at once their massive bolts upon
the ships. Still the monitors deigned no reply, but steamed their way
cautiously along to their appointed positions, until a signal from the Iron
sides directed them to commence their work.
Then the huge guns, of fifteen-inch bore, hurled their shot of four hundred
and twenty pounds' weight, deliberately and with unerring accuracy against
the fort. Not a shot was lost. EA'ery ball accomplished its mission. It
was a fearful conflict. No ships were CA'er before exposed to such an ordeal.
Solid shot, shells, and steel-pointed bolts, fell upon them like hailstones,
and plowed the water into foam, raising such a spray over the Ioav tur
rets as at times to hide them entirely from vicAV. The northAvest angle of
Sumter was its most vulnerable point. To prevent the gunboats from
reaching a position from which they could assail that face, the rebels had
suspended, from floating barrels, a network of ropes so arranged as to
catch and clog the screAvs of the propellers. Behind this network there
was another line of obstructions, consisting of torpedoes of as gigantic
power as modern ingenuity could construct. Notwithstanding the utmost
precautions, five of the monitors became entangled in the snares set to
entrap them, though they all were eventually worked free.
Finding it impossible to reach the northwest corner of Sumter by the

THE SIEGE OP CHARLESTON. 319
regular channel, the iron-clads endeavored to force a passage between the
'fort and Cummings's Point. But here they were confronted by a row of
piles, rising ten feet above the water, and extending the whole width of the
passage. Beyond this, there was another row of piles, extending from
Fort Ripley to Fort Johnson, open only at one place. Beneath that open
ing it was said that there was a torpedo, containing five thousand tons of
powder ! Still beyond this row of obstructions there were others, as far as
the eye could reach. Behind them all there were three rebel iron-clads, in
battle array, ready for the onset.
A heavy shot struck the Passaic, in such a position as to prevent the
revolution of her turret. The boat was thus disabled from any further effi
cient action. It was found difficult to steer the vessels in the narrow and
tortuous passage. The massive Ii;onsides, in particular, was quite unman
ageable. Twice it was necessary to drop an anchor to prevent her going
ashore. The rapid tide, rushing around some curve, would strike her bow
and veer the ship about in spite of the power of the rudder. As the
channel grew more narrow and crooked, it became quite impossible to
oarigate the ship, and she Avas anchored within twelve hundred yards of
Fort Moultrie. This monster ship discharged one broadside, which brought
down the rebel flag. Another was instantly run up. The Ironsides had
become entangled in such a position that she could take no further active
part in the engagement. Here she remained during the Avhole conflict, an
admfrable target for the rebel gunners, her officers and men chaflng at their
.compulsory inaction.
• In the mean time, the Catskill, Nantucket, and Nahant, took their sta
tion midway between Sumter and Moultrie. The Keokuk gallantly
steamed to within three hundred yards of Sumter, drawing upon herself
such a concentric fire, that she received two hundred balls for every one
she could throw. There was sublimity of the highest kind, and, as an eye
witness expressed it, something truly pathetic in the spectacle of those Uttle
floating circular towers exposed to the crushing weight of those tons of
metal hurled against them with the terrific force of modern projectiles, and
with such charges of powder as were never before dreamed of in artillery
firing. One hundred and sixty shots were counted in a single minute.
Some of the officers said that the shots struck their turrets as fast as the
ticking of a watch. Not less than three thousand five hundred rounds were
fired by the rebels in the brief space of the engagement. The monitors, but
eight of them — leaving out the Ironsides — with but two guns each, were
able to throw back in return but one hundred and fifty. The contest
was too unequal — sixteen fioating guns against three hundred in bat
tery. The interior of the turrets presented a novel and an exciting scene.
The gunners, begrimed with powder and stripped to the waist, were work
ing, in the frenzy of their enthusiasm, with superhuman energy. The
charge of thirty-five pounds of powder is passed up from below. The ball,
weighing four hundred and twenty pounds, is raised by machinery to the
muzzle, and rammed home. The gun is then run to the port, whose
massive iron door for the instant slides aside. The lanyard is pulled, and

320 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
with earthquake roar the enormous projectile rushes on its way. The
walls of Sumter are smashed, crumbled, pulverized, wherever these Titanic
missiles strike them. A crater of ruin was soon formed — in one part of the
parapet several holes Avere apparent three feet in diameter. Two of the
embrasures Avere stove into one. The speedy reduction of the fort was
certain if the monitors could but endure the terrific pounding with which
they Avere assailed.
For a few moments nearly every rebel gun was turned upon the gallant
little Keokuk. From Sumter and Moultrie and Battery Bee, and Wagner
and Beauregard and the Redan, shot and shell fell upon the two httle
turrets, which in the distance seemed but like fioating buoys. Ninety baUs
struck her sides and turrets. The storm of iron fell literally like hail
stones. Over ninety shot left their marks upon her lacerated sides. Nine
teen massive bolts penetrated her hull. The steel-pointed shafts, which
pierced the armor of the Keokuk as if it were cheese-rind, weighed-Ja
hundred pounds, and were , polished like the finest cutlery. One of these
shafts, which struck the turret at an angle, almost buried itself in the sofid
iron. TAvelve of the crew of the Keokuk were struck, among whoih was
her gallant commander, Alexander C. Rhind. All this was done in ten
minutes, when the heroic craft withdrew, mortally wounded.
The Nahant Avas struck by eighty balls. The most severe injury
received was from a rifled steel shot, Avhich hit the pilot-house violently,
driving in several bolts, Avhich wounded all three of the inmates — one
mortally. Tho commander, John Downes, was but slightly hurt. In
the turret several bolts Avere also driven in, which Avounded a numbeir of
those working the guns.
The Passaic was also struck fifty-three times. A ten-inch rifle-baH
scooped out a huge portion of the top of the turret, cutting through eleven
plates of iron, each an inch thick. Unimpeded, the ponderous missile con
tinued its path, striking tlie pilot-house, making a dent in the plating three
inches deep, and almost tearing the massive structure from its base.
Another shot struck the turret so heavily as to disable by the shock one
of the gun-carriages. Portions of the interior iron casing were also
crumbled down, which, lodging in the groove of the turret, prevented it
from revolving. Captain Percival Drayton was the heroic commander of
this ship. '
The WeehaAvken, under the command of Captain John Rogers, had a
part of her side-armor torn up. A steel shot penetrated five of the plates
of iron, stripping them off. Another shot pierced the deck-armor, and
partially broke through its Avooden foundation.
The Nantucket received such a contusion as to render it impossible to
open one of the port-covers. Thus the fifteen-inch gun could no longer be
used. She received several other very severe blows, but none which in
other respects impaired her efficiency.
The Catskill was hit fifty-one times. A shot broke through her deck-
plating, crashing a beam beneath, spending its force upon an iron stanchion, ,
which it settied half an inch. The remaining iron-clads, though aU were
frequently hit, escaped without any essential injury. Many of the heaviest

THE SIEGE OF CHARLESTON. 321
bails glanced harmless from them. The actual fighting continued but
Itiirty minutes. Thirty minutes more of the same action would have
dpmoUghed Sumter, and would probably also have demolished the moni-
tore. At five o'clock. Admiral Dupont signaUed the fleet to withdraw.
Slowly, reluctantly, sadly they turned away from their powerful foes, and
quietly steained back to their anchorage off Morris Island. An informal
meeting of t ,ie officers was immediately held on the flag-ship. The report
of the commanders was such as to decide the admiral not to renew the
attack. All night long, on board the Keokuk, the pumps were plied to keep
her from sinking. In the morning she hung out a flag of distress. Boats
were sent to her aid. The sea Avas pouring into her turrets, and scarcely
were the wounded men and a part of her crew removed Avhen with a lurch
she plunged under the waves and disappeared. Several of her crew, as
she went down, jumped into the sea, and were rescued by the small boats.
Her flag was stUl flying from the staff as the bold-hearted, chivalric war
rior sank into the silent tomb. At noon the remainder of the fleet returned
to Port Royal, and the troops were removed from Folly Island.
' Thus ended this memorable conflict. It demonstrated the fact that no
ship had then been constructed which could encounter the tremendous
enginei-y of modern warfare. The failure to take Charleston was a bitter
disappointment to the North. The faith of the community in the offensive
and defensive power of the iron-clads received a violent shock. But for
the formidable obstructions in the harbor, the monitors would have steamed
directly by the forts in defiance of their guns, and would have laid the
city in ashes. The obstructions and the guns together caused our defeat.
Either alone would have proved unavaiUng. It is, however, a fact hitherto
APithout a parallel in the history of the world, that eight vessels, with but
sixteen guns in all, fought for half an hour, at a distance of but from three
hundred to five hundred yards, some of the strongest fortifications on the
' eoast, mounting over three hundred guns of the largest calibre and the
most formidable patterns constructed in Europe or America.*
Much diversity of opinion arose in the North in reference to the expe
diency of renewing the attack. Chief-Engineer Stimers, who had been
sent out by the Government to superintend the preparation of the moni
tors, affirmed that all the vessels, except the Keokuk, which was not one
of the monitors, were as ready for effective action the day after the battle
as ever. The injuries sustained were so slight, that they Avere repaired
* The whole fleet, of nine vessels, were struck about five hundred and fifteen times, as follows.
' Many of these blows iaflieted no wound whatever ; they merely struck and glanced harmlessly
away: — New Ironsides received of shots about  65
Keokuk " " "  90
"Weehawken " '- "  60
Montauk " " "  20
Passaic " " "  53
Nantucket " " "  51
Catskill " " "  51
Patapsco " " "  45
Nahant " " "  80
Vol. il— 21

322 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
during the night and a part of the next day. Gradually, however, pubh
opinion coincided with Admiral Dupont in his decision. ^m
In October of 1862, General O. M. Mitchel, being then in comn^J||
the Army of the South, sent out an expedition which, though not^j^arily
directed against the city of Charleston, was intended as ad' aurifiary
demonstration. The Charleston and Savannah Railroad c-iinects these
two cities in a line running about forty miles inland, west of Hilton Head.
The garrisons established in these two commercial capitas of Georgia
and South Carolina had been of much mutual advantage. - The raihoad
furnished a rapid and easy mode of concentration at either point which
might be threatened. It was, therefore, desfrable to destroy this line of
communication permanently, so as to force the rebels to keep a large "gar
rison at both places.
On the 21st of October, Brigadier-General J. M. Brannan, with a force
of four thousand four hundred and forty-eight men, left Port Eoyal in
steamers, and proceeded up Broad River to McKay Point, at the junction
of the Pocotaligo River, Avhere they arrived the next morning. A small
force was then sent to the Coosahatchie River, to destroy the railroad and
bridges in that direction. The remainder of the expedition commenced
their march to destroy the bridges which crossed the Pocotaligo. They
had not advanced more than a mile when they encountered a rebel battery,
which opened fire upon them. The rebels, however, were speedily drivefi"
from the intrenchments. In their retreat they destroyed behind them the
bridges which crossed numerous small streams, thus seriously retarding the
progress of the pursuers.
The patriots pressed vigorously, their engineers rapidly reconstructing
the demolished bridges, until, after the advance of a mile and a half, they
came to a battery of more formidable proportions, which could be ap
proached only by a raised road through a swamp. After an hour of very
heroic fighting, during which the assailants suffered severe loss, this battery
was also taken, the garrison escaping only by the most rapid flight.
A short distance beyond, at the junction of tAvo roads, the rebels made
a third stand on the other side of a bridge crossing the Pocotaligo Eiver.
The patriots had met with more serious opposition than they had antici
pated. Unfortunately, here their ammunition failed them, and they had to
send back to the boats for a fresh supply. The rebels fired the bridge
across the river. From behind their well-manned batteries they openedta
destructive fire, which rendered it impossible for our troops to cross the
stream. In the mean time, reenforcements were rapidly reaching theffl
from Savannah and Charleston.
The situation of the Unionists now became, quite precarious. Theii?
ammunition was nearly expended. Their foes were gathering thick and
fast. Their further progress seemed completely obstructed. They were
utterly exhausted by the long march and incessant fighting of a whole
day, and the gloom of night was fast closing in around them. During the
long hours of the autumnal night, enough troops might be sent forward
from Savannah and Charleston to render their situation desperate. Under
these'circumstances. General Brannan wisely ordered a retreat. He buried

THE SIEGE OP CHARLESTON. 323
piMjdead, took his wounded with him, and successfuUy reached his gun-
jats unmolested.
It subsequently appeared that the rebels had been informed of the
whole movement, and had made deUberate and ample preparations to meet
it. : 'During tbe fight an incident occurred developing courage and pres
ence of mind worthy of the most honorable record. A rebel shell fell
into one of our ammunition-boxes, and lay there smoking and hissing,
ready to explode and scatter terrible destruction all around. Artificer
Zincks, seeing the danger, seized thB shell and threw it into a ditch, where
it almost instantly exploded, wounding him. His coolness and courage
probably saved many lives.
In the mean time, Colonel Barton, with a force of three hundred and
fifty men, had ascended the Coosahatchie River ou the steamer Planter. In
consequence of the low Avater, they could only reach a point about two
nules below the town of the same name. Here the men Avere landed,
though Arith some difficulty, in consequence of the swampy nature of the
ground. The force advanced, skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry.
When about a mile from the town, the Avhistle of a locomotive was heard,
and a frain of eight cars appeared. Six were platfbrm cars, crowded with
Soldiers. Tavo box-cars contained the officers. They had also two pieces
of artillery. The cars were in rapid motion. Colonel Barton immedi
ately opened fire upon the train. Quite a number instantly dropped, killed
or wounded by the storm of bullets. About thirty sprang from the cars.
Many of these were maimed or killed by the fall. The rest took to the
swamp. The patriots picked up from the track thirty stand of arms, an
officer's sword and hat, and a fiag belonging to the " Whippy Swamp
Guards," The train, however, was not stopped. Rushing on with, renewed ve
locity, as though stung by the wound, it soon disappeared in the distance.
The patriot troops then commenced tearing up the road. While this was
bemg done. Colonel Barton pushed rapidly towards the town with the
greater part of his force. They soon came to the enemy, formidably posted
behind a bridge. They were in numbers so superior to the patriots, that it
was not deemed safe to attack them. Colonel Barton, therefore, haring
flrst destroyed the bridge, commenced a return to his boat. The rebels
cautiously followed, and attempted to annoy him as he was reembarking.
They were, however, repulsed with severe loss.
This expedition Avas to have been led by General Mitchel himself.
His serious sickness prevented. The death of this noble man, which
soon followed, and which was everywhere regarded as a national calam
ity, led to the abandonment of "any further designs in that quarter.

CHAPTER XXVII.
SIEGE OP WAGNER AND BOMBARDMENT OP SUMTEE.
Polly and Moreis Islands. — Rebel Poetipioations. — Pebpaeations fob Attack.— iri
Masked Batteries. — The Vigoeous Assault. — Puesuit op the Rebels. — Anecdotes.^
The Charge upon Wagnbe. — The Repulse. — The Chaege renewed. — Action of thi
Pleet.— Siege- WoEKS. — The Swamp Angel. — Bombardment of Sumter. — EvAonATiON or
Morris Island. — Assault op Sumter.
ArxEE the unfortunate attack upon Charleston, two months of inactiri^y
ensued, relieved only by the capture of blockade-runners. In June,
Brigadier-General Quincy A. Gillmore, of the Engineer Corps, was intrusted
with the command at Port Royal. His success in the reduction of Fort
Pulaski had given him some prestige. Folly Island, a narrow strip of
sand fringing James Island, was made the base of operations. This barren
reach of sand-hillocks is about eight miles long, running parallel with the
coast. At its northern extremity it is separated from Morris Island by a
creek called Light-House Inlet. This latter island, extending due north
about five miles, gently bends into Charleston harbor, its extreme north
western terminus, at Cummings's Point, reaching within two miles of Fort
Sumter. At the southern base of Morris Island the rebels had erected a se
ries of batteries, supported by extensive rifle-pits, to command the
crossing of the inlet. Secretly and by night General Gillmore sent
heavy guns along to the northern extremity of Folly Island. It was
the plan to silence the rebel batteries and land the troops at that point.
General Seymour was placed in command of the enterprise. The worls
were erected under the immediate care of Lieutenants Luter, Maguijje,
and Wilson, under curtain of the night. The batteries Avere behind
sand-hiUs, so as not to be visible in the daytime. The rebels had no
suspicion of the enterprise which was in movement. The breastworks
were composed of sand-bags and timber, witii bomb-proofs for infantiy
supports. The preparations being aU thoroughly made on the 10th of July, this
new act in the drama of war Avas opened. General Strong's Brigade was
directed to embark in boats, move up Folly Island Creek, and land on the
south end of Morris Island. Lieutenant-Commanding Bunco was to take
four howitzer launches and cover the landing of Strong's Brigade by shell-

SIEGE OP WAGNER. 325
ing the rifle-pits of the foe. Brigadier-General Terry was to ascend the
Stono River, and attack James Island as a feint. It was hoped that thus
many of the rebels might be drawn away from Morris Island. Another
smaU force was to enter an inlet west of the island, vrith the design of
turning some of the batteries.
On the night of the 9th of July, the sand was shoveUed from the em
brasures of the batteries, and a crowd of eager spectators stationed them
selves in position, where a view of the contest could be gained. At five
minutes of five in the morning the first gun was fitred, and such had been
the secrecy observed, that the enemy were taken entirely by surprise. The
first ball struck a gim-carriage, disabUng it, and the rebels were instantly
seen, like hornets disturbed in their nests, swarming upon their parapets,
.and looking around in amazement to ascertain from Avhat point the bolt
came. In another moment all the guns from the masked batteries were
ablaze, hurling thefr missiles of destruction and death into the works of
the foe. -
IfotArithstanding the complete surprise, the rebels stood their ground
manfully. StiU the excitement of the sudden and destructive attack was
so great, that they fired Arildly. Their shot passed over our batteries, and
were seen ricochetting far away upon the sand in the rear. In the mean
•time the gunboats had taken a good position, and infiicted severe punish
ment upon the rebels, while sharpshooters picked off the men working at
'thefr guns.
The hovritzer boats opened upon the rifle-pits, near Light-House Inlet,
vtith such effect that the rebels turned the main weight of their guns upon
the boats. One boat was sunk. Lieutenant-Colonel Rodman, of the
Seventh Connecticut, Arith a portion of his regiment, was the first to
land on Morris Island. Regardless of a very severe fire, he gallantly
charged and carried the rifie-pits. In the mean time. General Strong was
"'taking the Sixth Connecticut ashore, in front of the batteries which were
not yet silenced. Anxious to inspire his men with his own heroism and
|: 'eagerness, when he had reached as he supposed near enough to the shore,
he was the first to leap overboard. But the water was deeper than
he imagined, and he went entirely under. Captain Harral, his aid, jumped
after him; but the general, with sinewy arms, struck boldly out, swam
ashore, and was the first to land upon the beach. The boats swiftly fol-
dbwed. The men were safely landed, and formed in line under the shelter
, of some sand-hills.
The order to charge was given. With cheers the men sprang forward,
across the marsh, over the rifle-pits, up the bluff, cheered all the way by
the huzzas of their comrades who watched them from the other side of the
inlet or creek. The guns of the rebel batteries were turned fiercely upon
them, but could not check their course. The yards of the gunboats were
manned, and the hearty tars waved their tarpaulins and shouted encourage
ment and admiration, as the storming party took one battery after another,
and, pursuing the fugitives, disappeared over the distant undulations of
the island.
As soon as possible, the One Hundredth New York, under Colonel

326 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA
Dandy, the Seventh New Hampshire, under Colonel S. H. Putnam, and
part of the Forty-eighth New Tork Regiment, were landed as reenforce
ments, and joined in the pursuit of the retreating rebels. At length they
came within range of the fire of the powerful forts Wagner and Gregg,"
on the upper part of the island. The Seventh New Hampshire had never
before been under fire, but heroically they discharged all the duties of the
perilous hour. About two miles up the island they encountered a battery,
which they took by an impetuous charge, and promptly turned the gnns
upon the swift-footed foe.
General Strong, finding his wet clothes encumbered him in the eager
pursuit, threw aside his coat and drew off his boots to pour out the water.
Finding it difficult to get his soaked boots on again, he marched forward
in his stockings two miles over the burning sand. The men were highly
pleased with the novel uniform in which their leader was decked, and ex
pressed their approval in frequent cheers.
One after another, ten batteries of various siz-es were taken. The ene
my, as they retreated, burned several buildings filled with commissary
stores. A number of guns and a large part of the cargo of the blockade-
runner Ruby, which had gone ashore on the island, were captured. One
hundred and thirty-nine privates and eleven commissioned officers were
marched to the rear as prisoners. Having come vrithin range of the guns of
Forts Wagner and Gregg, the column was halted to prepare for a more de
termined attack. General Gillmore came to the front to reconnoitre, and
General Strong was put in command of the island. It was deemed wise,
in riew of the strength of these formidable forts, to rest for a time, and
gather new strength for the desperate assault.
In the mean time the iron-clads were running up along the shore, and
about nine o'clock they opened fire upon Fort Wagner, eliciting a vigorous
though harmless response. The bombardment continued for several houra,
vrithout much damage being -inflicted by either party. Admiral Dahl
gren, who had succeeded Admiral Dupont as commander-in-chief of the
naval force, was on the Catskill, which was struck fifty-two times. The
only damage she suffered was in the driving back of a bolt, which just
grazed the admiral's head, inflicting however no injury. The troops
bivouacked for the night among the hillocks of the marshy island, having
made preparation to storm the forts the next morning.
With the early light of the llth, the Seventh Connecticut, supported
by the Ninth Maine and the Seventh Pennsylvania, moved noiselessly
along the shore, shrouded in the dim twUight of the morning. Unobserved,
they pressed on untU the enemy's pickets were encountered, who gave the
alarm. A terrible fire was instantly opened upon the advancing patriots.
With a shout they rushed headlong into the storm of bursting shells, hand
grenades, and rifle-balls,, which were hurled upon them. The darkness was
however such, that the rebel gunners could not take good aim, and com
paratively few were struck down. Not a man flinched. On they rushed,
over obstructions into ditches, treading upon torpedoes, until they clam
bered the parapet and sprang into the works. A hand-to-hand contest of
great desperation was now waged. The rebels were graduaUy driven be-

SIEGE OP WAGNER. 32T
hind such protections as the interior of the ramparts afforded. The
Seventh Connecticut led in this heroic charge.
The Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania pressed on close behind. But in the in
creasing Ught the rebels had got a better range, and they Avere exposed to a
more destructive fire. In the absence of their colonel, who was sick, for a
moment they wavered ; but Major Hicks promptly rallied them. Again
they rushed in through such a staggering tempest of mutilation and death,
that but few reached the parapet. The Ninth Maine, seeing how matters
stood, and that it was impossible with the force they had to carry works
which were proved to be so strong, commenced a retreat. The Connecticut
troops, with the few from Pennsylvania who had joined them, were now
UI an appalling condition. Every moment they were falling before the
unerring rifles of the foe. Their commander was severely Avounded, and
no reenforcements could come to their aid. It was impossible for them
without support to hold the works into which they had plunged. A retreat
was of necessity ordered. It became a fearful race for life. The rebels
turned their guns, charged with grape and canister, upon them, and the
patriots fell in dreadful slaughter.
Nearly a week passed away, during which time both parties looked
«teridy at each other, each preparing for a renewal of the strife.
WhUe the rebels were strengthening their Avorks, the patriots were
busy throwing up intrenchments, that they might permanently hold the
ground which they had gained. It vrill be remembered that General Terry
was to make a diversion on James Island. In this he was quite successful.
'Jjanding under cover of five gunboats, near a little hamlet called Secession
ville, he encountered and routed some five thousand Georgia troops. He
had two regiments of colored troops — the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts and
the Second South CaroUna. These colored troops charged with great
bravery, and drove the foe wildly before them. The rebels, with the loss
of three hundred men, were driven beyond Secessionrille into some strong
intrenchments in the rear, where they made a stand.
Upon the 18th, a new attack was make on Fort Wagner. It was first
assaUed by a fierce bombardment from the iron-clad gunboats Montauk,
Ironsides, Catskill, Nantucket, Weehawken, and Patapsco. These boats
took position within short range of the fort, while several wooden gunboats,
at a greater distance, pitched their shells into the ramparts of the foe.
At the same time fifty-four guns in battery opened a deadly fire upon the
rebel works. From noon till night the bombardment raged sublimely. It,
however, accomplished but little. Two guns were dismounted, and the
beauty of the parapet was destroyed. The defensive power of the fort was
not, however, materially Aveakened.
At sunset the fieet withdrew, and the cannonade ceased. Just then
a black cloud appeared in the sky, with muttering thunder., One of the
.^ercest of tempests commenced its roar, as if to show how insignificant
tlie artillery of earth compared with that of the skies. In the midst of
,|his storm, preparations were made to carry the fort by assault. Three
brigades, under charge of General Strong, Colonel Putnam, and General
Stevenson, were brought forward for the perilous enterprise. To a thought-

328 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
fal mind the plan did not give promise of success. The brigades were
hurriedly at the moment formed for the duty. The troops were hut
very imperfectly acquainted with their brigade commanders. Many had
never before been under fire ; and all remembered the bloody repulse of
the llth.
The evening twilight was fading away, when these troops with solemiiv
tread moved along the hard beach, from which the tide had retired, to the
assault. Colonel Shaw, at the head of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts
colored troops, led. These were followed by the Sixth Connecticut, under
Colonel Chatfield, the Forty-eighth New York, under Colonel Barton, the
Third New Hampshire, under Colonel Jackson, the Seventy-sixth Penn
sylvania, and the Ninth Maine, under Colonel Emory. These troops were
to march half a mile over the smooth, hard beach, in direct riew of the
enemy, and exposed every step to the murderous fire of his guns. By point-
blank range the batteries of Wagner could sweep this beach with grape
and canister. At the same time, the barbette guns on Fort Sumter and
the heavy batteries on Cummings's Point could rake the line with an enfi
lading fire. Never were men doomed to a more terrible storm of iron hail.
As they, with rapid step, commenced their march, instantly the
terrible tornado of war burst upon them. Leaving their path strewed witlJ
the dead and dying, they rushed on, breasting the smothering tempest, till,
plunging through the ditches and clambering the parapet, they engaged in
a hand-to-hand fight with their foes. The ditches were raked with grape
and canister from the rebel howitzers. Hand grenades and every other
murderous implement of war feU mercilessly upon them. Patriot and
rebel fought with the utmost desperation. There has been no conflict
during the AA'ar in Avliich the Union troops displayed more heroism. Never
did men fight with death staring them more steadfastly in the face. The
famious charge at Balaklava was scarcely more desperate.
The imagination can hardly conceive a scene more awful than was
now presented. It was night, and a night of blackness of darkness. The
earth seemed to shake beneath the terrific peals of thunder, while rivid
fiashes of lightning frequently illumined the spectacle with their terrific
glare. Sulphurous clouds of smoke hung over the struggUng combatants,
while the cries of onset and the explosions of artillery and musketry were
blended with the awful roar.
The carnage was dreadful. In a few moments. General Strong, Colonel
Shaw, Colonel Chatfield, Colonel Barton, Colonel Green, Colonel Jackson,
and a large number of other brave officers, had fallen. The Fifty-fourth Mas
sachusetts Colored Regiment, haring lost their revered commander Colonel
Shaw, performed prodigies of valor, and fought with heroism, which won
for them the love of the nation, under their surviving youthful leader,
Lieutenant Higginson. The patriot troops forced their way into a corner
of the fort, and, for an hour, held it. The fort was too numerous in its
garrison and too strong in its works to be thus taken. It was madness-to
remain longer under so deadly a fire. The order to retreat was given.
It required desperate valor to fight their way into the fort. It requfre(t:no
less valor to fight their way out again. Over a thousand rebels had re

THE BOMBARDMENT OP SUMTER. 329
iqnietly in their bomb-proofs unharmed by the bombardment, and, the mo
ment our charging columns appeared, rushed out fresh for the fight.
It was midnight when our troops retired, still exposed, as they retreated
along the beach, to the pitiless peltings of this battle-storm. The expanse
was covered vrith the wounded, the dying, and the dead. Twinkling lights
were seen here and there, as friendly hands sought the AVOunded and bore
¦ them, in stretchers, from the range of fire. Some, their life-blood ebbing
iaway, fell sweetly asleep, as with placid smile they dreamed of those
friends and that home which they would never see again. Others, in the
rfrenzy of delirium, shouted and sang, while the music of the tireless
biUows chanted funeral dirges all along the desolate shore.
Some time elapsed after this unsuccessful attack upon Wagner, during
which both parties were strengthening their positions. The patriots,
¦.^working day and night, in the face of a severe fire, gradually advanced
their parallels. The rebels had buried thickly torpedoes, just below the
surface of the ground, AA'here the blow of a pick or shovel would explode
them. This rendered extreme caution necessary. About fifty yards in
'advance of our works the enemy had constructed rifie-pits, from which
thefr sharpshooters seriously annoyed our workmen in the parallels. One
evening in August, the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, armed with a gun
in one hand and a shovel in the other, dashed into the pits. The rebels
-rushed in swarms from the rear and made for Fort Wagner A number
of howitzers, which were in position for the service, swept the line of
their retreat vrith so terrible a fire, that most of the fugitives were com
pelled to return and surrender. By this advance our lines were brought
Avithin two hundred yards of Fort Wagner.
About this time a masked battery Avas erected in a marsh, from which
shells could easily be throAvn into Sumter. This marsh fringed Morris
Island on the west, by a border nearly a mile wide. It was covered with
a luxurious growth of canes, and, though dry at low tide, was at high tide
covered with water about four feet deep. Scows, loaded with sand-bags,
were fioated, by night, to a selected spot, and thus a solid foundation Avas
made, which rose several feet above the surface of the water. All the
work had to be done by night, as the spot was in full view from several
batteries. An immense two-hundred-pound Parrott gun was then fioated
through the canes and mounted. Its ponderous missiles were to be thrown
'a httle more than two and a half miles. When it first opened fire, this
monster gun hurled its soUd shot entirely through the gorge wall of the
fort, tearing holes from four to five feet in diameter. The soldiers christ-
!ened this battery the " Swamp Angel." Several other batteries were also
-reared for an assault upon Sumter.
On the morning of the 17th of August, General Gillmore, having sixty
guns in position, opened fire upon the doomed fortress, where the flag of
treason was defiantly unfurled. At the same time the fleet,-' consisting
of the Ironsides, several monitors, and some wooden gunboats, cooperated.
The fleet first opened upon Wagner and Gregg, and speedily sUenced
their guns. They then proceeded to the bombardment of Sumter.
The terriflc cannonade continued with but slight intermission for many

330 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
days. The Parrott guns threw bolts eight inches in diameter, two feet
long, with flat heads of chilled iron, and which weighed two hundred
pounds. Before this pounding the massy walls of the fort were gradually
crumbled into a heap of loose stones. From the 17th of August to the
24th, this storm of iron fell with ceaseless fury on the fort. The face of the
fort- then presented a shapeless mass of ruin, and was reported by General
Gillmore as no longer of any avail in the defence of Charleston.
Several shells Avere also thrown into the city of Charleston, a distance '
of four or five miles, creating great astonishment and consternation there.
Thirteen of these shells, thrown by the " Swamp Angel," entered the city.
While this bombardment was going on, our parallels were rapidly ap
proaching Wagner. By the 7th of September the sappers had mined the
counterscarp, and all the arrangements were made to carry the works by
assault the next morning. That night the rebel Colonel Keitt, of South
Carolina, with his garrisons in Forts Wagner and Gregg, of about sixteen
hundred men, effected their escape in small boats. In the morning our
troops entered the evacuated forts unopposed. They were thus left in
undisputed possession of Morris Island.
A very heroic but disastrous attempt was made on the 7th to storm
Fort Sumter. There was, perhaps, more of chivalric valor than of sound
judgment in this enterprise. Lieutenant-Commandant WilUams, and a
hundred marines, approached the fort in about thirty boats. They were
met with a deadly fire of musketry and hand grenades ; and, at a signal
from the fort, all the surrounding rebel batteries opened upon them with,
such Avell-directed volleys that they were compelled to retire, having lost
about fifty of their number in killed or wounded.
Weary months now passed away, during which no progress was made
towards the capture of Charleston. The hostile forces, strongly intrenched,
looked each other sternly in the face, while a slow but steady bombard
ment was kept up on both sides. Charleston did not fall until Sherman,
in his majestic campaign from Savannah to Columbia, Avas found in its
rear, when the rebels were compelled to a precipitate evacuation. These
incidents must be recorded in the chapter which narrates Sherman's
campaign.

CHAPTEE XXVIII.
EAST TENNESSEE.
(From January, 1861, to November, 1863.)
Desoeiption op the CoimTET. — Barbarity of the Rebels. — Sufferings op the Patriots. —
Fbaudulent Measures op Secession. — Battle. op Middle Creek. — Anecdotes. — Patriot-
isu OP John J. Ceittesden. — Battle op Mill Springs. — Death op the Rebel Zollioofpee.
— Signal Victory. — Cumberland Gap. — Morgan's Raid. — Army Movements in East Ten
nessee. — The Caeiee Pamily. — General Burnside. — Battle op Knoxville. — East Ten
nessee REDEEMED.
A EANGE of mountains, commencing at the extreme northeastern bound
ary of Maine, runs in a southwesterly direction parallel to, and not far
from the Atlantic coast, terminating in the States of Alabama and Geor-
,gia. The White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Green Mountains of
Vermont, the Berkshfre Hills of Massachusetts, and the Catskill Moun
tains of New Tork, constitute a part of this range. Entering the State of
Pennsylvania, it assumes a more distinctly continuous character, and event
ually diverges into three great parallel ridges, the Blue, the Alleghany, and
the Cumberland.
These ridges divide the Old Dominion into East and West Yirginia,
and give a pecuUarly broken and mountainous character to East Tennessee
and Northern Alabama and Georgia. Mountains have always been favor
able to Uberty. In the midst of these hills there have ever chvelt a hardy
and industrious population, in the Southern States, quite different from
their brethrJti of the lowlands. In the American Revolution, when -the
inhabitants of the plains were almost equally dirided into tories and loyalists,
these hardy mountaineers, almost to a man, rallied as patriots. Loyal then,
again they have attested their devotion to their country by their blood.
While the treasonable spirit of secession swept almost unresisted over other
portions of the South, the dwellers among these hills of Tennessee, Ala
bama, and Georgia, were "faithful found among the faithless." The
reason for this is mainly to be ascribed to the fact, that slavery had but a
feeble existence in that region of the Southern States.
That portion of this section where the loyalty of the inhabitants has
heen most illustrious, and their sufferings most dreadful, is East Tennessee.
To the history of that loyalty and those sufferings we now direct the atten
tion of our readers.
East Tennessee x;onsists of thirty counties, occupying a region about
¦three hundred miles long and nearly a hundred wide. The Cumberland
'Mountains separate it from Kentucky. The population is of the same
parentage Arith that of Kentucky, the original settlers having mostly emi
grated from North CaroUna and Yirginia. There is here but Uttle of

332 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
wealth or of poA^erty, the inhabitants being very much on an equaUty, and
characterized by manly frankness, bravery, and devotion to the National
Government. The region which is their favored home enjoys a delicious
climate, and is beautifully diversified Avith all that is sublime in towering
mountains, and all that is lovely in sunny and blooming vales. It is not
a cotton-growing region, and hence, though in the midst of slave-holding
States, it has essentiaUy escaped the curse of slavery. Innumerable herds
of cattle graze upon its green hills. Indian corn and wheat are its great
staples. Apples, peaches, pears, and plums, attain great perfection. Coal
of the finest quality, and rich ores, are stored abundantly in the mountains.
It may be doubted whether there be any other spot upon our globe which
presents greater attractions for a home.
In the Presidential election of 1860, the slave-holders would not allow
the Republican ticket to be presented to the people of the slave-holding
States. But Douglas, a Union candidate, received in this State a major
ity of above fifteen thousand votes over his competitor Breckinridge, the
candidate for secession. Indeed, Breckinridge could not have received as
large a vote as he did, had not the people been deceived by assurances that
he was in favor of the Union. Isham G. Harris, the Governor of the
State, a strong pro-slavery partisan and an unscrupulous secessionist, im
mediately upon the election of President Lincoln, opened a correspondence
Arith the leaders of the incipient rebellion, and, in conspiracy with them,
on the 1st of January, 1861, two months before the inauguration of the
President, called a special session of the Legislature, to contrive measures to
carry the State into the rebellion, although the people had given a major
ity of over fifteen thousand votes in favor of the Union. The Legislature
called for a convention of the people, to consider the state of National
affairs. The people, when called upon to vote, gave a majority of sixty-
four thousand one hundred and fourteen in favor of the Union, with a large
majority against the convention. East Tennessee gave a majority of over
twenty-five thousand against holding any such convention. The secession
ists, thus effectually routed, were for a time quiet.
The traitorous bombardment of the United States Fort Sumter, whose
echoes roused such indignation throughout the North, also roused a corre
sponding spirit of treasonable pride and desperation throughout the South.
The President called for seventy-five thousand volunteers. War could no
longer be avoided. Sectional pride was stronger than National loyalty.
Thousands of Unionmen declared that since war had come, they must cast
in their lot, not with their assailed country, but vrith their native States
in rebellion. In answer to President Lincoln's call for troops, Harris in
solently replied : —
" Tennessee will not furnish a man for purposes of coercion, but fifty
thousand men, if necessary, for the defence of our rights and those of our
Southren brethren."
The Legislature was reassembled on the 25th of April. Its members
had been elected months before, without reference to the issues then before
the people. Composed mainly of slave-holders, in the interest of the
rebellion, it went immediately into secret session. A joint resolution was

EAST TENNESSEE. 333
passed directing the Governor to enter into a military league Arith the Con-
ifederate States, and surrendering the whole military force of Tennessee to
the control of the rebel leaders. The Governor was also authorized to
raise immediately an army of fifty-five thousand men, twenty-five thou
sand of whom were to be at once equipped for the field. By the 1st
of June these men were in camps, armed and mainly fitted out with muni
tions stolen from the arsenals of the United States. These troops exerted
a controlling influence over the elections which followed.
The Legislature also passed a vote declaring Tennessee independent
of the National Government. The declaration was submitted to the
people, who were to ratify or reject it by a vote of " Separation " or " No
Separation." In these extraordinary proceedings the Legislature showed
an utter disregard both of constitutional forms and popular rights. The
Constitution required that any proposed amendment should be passed by
two successive Assemblies before it could be submitted to the people.
Without any consultation with the people, the Legislature, composed mostly
of slaveholders, had effectually divorced the State from the Union ; had by a
miUtary league joined the rebel Confederacy ; and had placed an army of
twenty-five thousand men, which could at any time be doubled, under the con-
frol ofthe rebel leaders. If the people, after all this were done, should refuse
to ratify separation, they would be placed in an anomalous position, deprived
by military force of their old political rights, and not possessed of the new.
Thus swayed by the most passionate appeals to sectional pride, betrayed
by the State Government, and overawed by the soldiers, a majority of fifty-
seven thousand six hundred and sixty-seven was given for separation.
Such was the intrigue by which Tennessee was taken out of the Union.
Successful, however, as these measures had been in other parts of the State,
they failed to overcome the determined loyalty of the East Tennesseans.
Notwithstanding there were over six thousand soldiers stationed in their
counties, these brave patriots, out of a vote of forty-seven thousand nine
hundred and three, gave a majority of twenty-three thousand two hundred
and forty-three against separation. They immediately commenced holding
Union meetings and forming Union organizations. They applied to the
National Government for arms, and made vigorous preparations to repel
the menaced assaults of their rebel foes.
The position of the East Tennesseans was one of which the Confed
erate authorities could not consistently complain. If Tennessee had a
right to secede from the Union, East Tennessee had the same right to se
cede from the^State. The people of East Tennessee were, beyond all dis
pute, the rebels themselves being witnesses, in favor of the Union. Still,
the rebels were enraged beyond measure at the application, by others, of
those very principles upon which they professed to act themselves. They
called these patriots, rebels ; they quartered an army among them to hold
them in subjection, and scoured the country with guerrillas, who robbed
¦,md maltreated the Union people in every way, dragging all capable of
^bearing arms into the rebel ranks, or compelling them to abandon their
,:homes and seek refuge among the mountains. They hunted these patriot
refugees with bloodhounds, and shot down defenceless citizens in cold

334 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
blood on their oavu door-steps. They broke into their dwellings by night,
and growing bolder through the inspiration of whiskey and impunity,
shot even little children for nobly declaring their love for the Union.
Many were hung without judge, jury, or trial, for the sole crime of pat
riotism. The mountains were filled with these unhappy people, driven from their
homes by brutal violence. Enough succeeded, through incredible hard
ships, in escaping across the northern border into Kentucky, to constitute
two regiments of soldiers. Hoav many others made good their escape, to
seek peaceful homes in the Free States, history can never recount. How
many were captured, and sent south, to languish in intolerable captivity,
will never be known till the judgment shall reveal all secrets — and not
until that day shall we know how many Avere shot, hanged, and starved, for
their unflinching loyaltj'.
These outrages, though aggravated by a kind of local ruffianism, were
not produced by it. They Avere carried on by Confederate officers, and in
pursuance of orders issued directly from the war office.* Effectual resist
ance Avas hopeless. The East Tennesseans possessed neither orgamzation,^':
leader, nor arms. They waited for deliverance from the North. It will
ever be a matter of Avonder, as it was then of universal grief, that succor
was not sooner afforded them. Public sympathy was so keenly enlisted in
behalf of these sufferers, that a special call for volunteers to march to their
relief would instantly have met Arith an enthusiastic response. The
people, in zeal and energy, were far in advance of the Administration.
While these events Avere transpiring. General Buell was at Louisvflle,
Kentucky, engaged in organizing an army of one hundred thousand men.
The rebels, contemptuously despising the pretended neutrality of Kentucky^';'
had already entered that State, stationing their forces at various points,
from the Cumberland Gap in the east, to Columbus, on the Mississippi
River. In August, 1861, at the request of loyal Kentuckians, a camp of
instructidn was organized at Crab Orchard. The command was placed
under William Nelson, previously a lieutenant in the regular army, but
now appointed brigadier-general of volunteers. Into this camp flocked
himdreds of loyal Tennesseans, fleeing from their relentless persecutors.
It was General Nelson's plan to move into East Tennessee with this
force, as soon as it had been organized and equipped. But the exigencies of
the great campaign called the troops in another direction. In September^
General ZoUicoffer, at the head of a considerable rebel force, entered the State
from East Tennessee. He was met at Camp Wildcat by three patriot
regiments under Brigadier-General Schoepf, and, after a short but severe
battle, was repulsed and compelled to retreat again to Cumberland Gap.
The East Tennesseans were exultant. They looked to see this victory
followed up, and thought their deliverance was at hand. If it had been
possible for a Union force to have penetrated East Tennessee at this time, it
would have been a signal for a general uprising of the inhabitants, and
thousands would have flocked to the Union standard.
*Seeletter of J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of War, November 26, 1861, Appleton's Annual
Cyc, 1861, p. 153. ^'^

EAST TENNESSEE. 335
While Tennessee possessed a well-organized militia of twenty-five thou
sand, and as many more in reserve, under the control of the rebel leaders
Union recruiting was carried on with difficulty in Kentucky, whose Gov
ernor was an ill-disguised secessionist, and whose professedly Union citizens
aspired to no higher position in the opening struggle than an " armed
neutrality." The Big Sandy River, a tributary of the Ohio, forms the northeastern
boundary of the State of Kentucky. It flows through a rugged region
but sparsely inhabited. A rebel force under Colonel Humphrey Marshall
entered Eastern Kentucky in the autumn, and occupied Paintsville, a
rillage situated in a branch of the Big Sandy. The rebels made great
boasts of Marshall's anticipated achievements. He was to sweep the
whole of Eastern Kentucky, take possession of Frankfort, the capital
of the State, and establish a rebel government. Meanwhile, Colonel
John A. Garfield, subsequently General Rosecrans's chief of staff, was
sent up the Big Sandy to meet Colonel Marshall, and prevent the execu
tion of his plans.
The water was low, and transportation difficult. He did not reach
Paintsville until the 7th of January. The rebels, though strongly in
trenched, abandoned the place without a struggle, retreating towards
Prestonburg. Colonel Garfield pursued. On the 10th he came up with the
foe, posted on the banks of a small stream called Middle Creek. A spirited
battle immediatelytook place, Avhich lasted most of the day. The enemy
were thoroughly routed, learing their dead behind them, and applying the
torch to their stores. This was an exceedingly gallant affair. Not more
than nine hundred patriots, though the rebels at the time supposed them to
be far more numerous, attacked thirty-five hundred rebels in position, and
drove them wildly for mUes. The Fourteenth Kentucky volunteered
to lead the charge. As they started on the rush, Colonel Garfield shouted
to them, " Go in, my boys, and give them Hail Columbia."
As they reached the top of the hill, a rebel officer shouted in surprise,
"How many of you are there ?" " Twenty-five thousand," was the prompt
; reply. A soldier was about to bite a cartridge, when a bullet snatched
it from between his fingers and his teeth, without harming him. Eagerly
looking in the direction from which the shot came, he coolly took another
/.cartridge, saying, "Tou can't do that again, old fellow." Twenty-five
of the rebel dead were left on the field, and sixty more were found
thrown into a gorge among- the hills. Colonel Garfield occupied Preston
burg the next day. Thus ended this attempt to invade Kentucky, and
thus ended the military career of Humphrey Marshall.
At the same time a similar though more important struggle took place
farther west. For three months. General Schoepf, with a Union force of
about eight thousand men, had occupied the town of Somerset, in Pulaski
- County, to resist any advance of the rebels in that direction. General
Zohicoffer, vrith a rebel force of about the same number, held a strongly
intrenched position upon the Cumberland River, about fifteen miles south-
¦;¦ west of Somerset. It was his object t6 prevent any advance of the Union
froops upon East Tennessee. For three months these two armies con-

336 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
fronted each other, neither seeking a confiict. Then, on both sides, almost
simultaneously an advance was made. The rebels were largely reenforced,
and placed under the command of General George B. Crittenden, the
popularity of whose name, it was thought would draw many Kentuckians
to his banner.
Few, if any, public men of the country have felt more keenly, in their
own persons, the anguish of this rebellion than did the Hon. John J.
Crittenden, of Kentucky. An earnest lover of the LTnion, he was also, by
nature, an earnest lover of peace. Sharing the pro-slavery prejudices and
the sectional pride of his brethren, he yet clearly perceived, and declared^ij]
that the rebellion was without justification, or even excuse. A statesman,,
rather than a politician, the companion, though not the compeer, of Webster
and Clay, inheriting their principles, though not their rare ability, fitted
for a mediator, but living in a time when mediation was impossible, he was,
perhaps deservedly, the most popular public man in the State. Anxious to
keep aloof from the approaching struggle, he exerted his entire infiuence
1;o keep Kentucky in that position of neutrality which a natural timidity.
and an innate conservatism made him desirous to maintain for himself
His grief over a divided country was increased by domestic sorrows
over a divided family. One of his sons, George B., entered the rebel ser
vice. The other, Thomas L., remained loyal to that National banner beneath i
whose folds he was born. Since the popularity of the name was a power
in Kentucky, each was at once assigned to an important command—-.
brother against brother. It was one of these sons who hoav entered his
native State at the head of a rebel army, and issued a proclamation sum
moning the young men of Kentucky to rally around his flag of treason.
Just as George B. Crittenden commenced the advance with his new
command. General Buell, having formed a plan for the capture of ZoUi-
coffer's forces, had sent General Thomas, with parts of three brigades, to
get, if possible, in the rear of the rebels, and, with the cooperation of
General Schoepf, to capture their entire force. Thus each party simulta
neously and unknown to each other commenced an aggressive movement.^^
On the 17th and 18tli of January, 1862, the advance of General
Thomas's army, moving south from Somerset, Avere Avithin about ten miles
of the rebel lines, at a place called Mill Springs. Four regiments not
having yet come up, the remainder were halted here. No attack from the
rebels was anticipated ; yet no precautions against an attack were
neglected. General Crittenden was on the alert. Ascertaining that.
General Schoepf 's Brigade had not joined that of General Thomas, he
decided to march from his intrenchments and crush General Thomas's wing
of the Union army.
On the morning of the 19th, the National pickets were driven in. It
was the morning of the Sabbath, dark and rainy. The Tenth Indiana, who
were in the advance, held the enemy in check until nearly surrounded,
when they were compelled to fall back. The rebels followed them up with
loud cheers. Other troops now came up, on both sides, and the engage
ment became general There was ' no occasion for any especial military
skiU. , But Uttle was to be done but dead fighting. The Tenth Indiana,

EAST TENNESSEE. 337
the Ninth Ohio, the Fourth Kentucky, and, the Second Minnesota, fought
greatly outnumbering foes Avith bravery which would have honored
':feterans. At times the hostile forces Avere so near each other, struggling
through the underbrush, that their faces were burned by the powder of
, each other's guns. As the regiments moved here and there, over the hills,
through ravines, and in the midst of a dense wood, darkened by the smoke
of battle, it was not always easy to distinguish friend from foe.
• Colonel Fry was at the head of the Fourth Kentucky Regiment, just
ready to make a charge upon a regiment of Mississippians, when an officer,
accompanied by his aide, rode up to him, supposing him to be a rebel
officer, and said : —
" You are not going to fight your friends, are you ? These men," point
ing to the Mississippians, " are all your friends."
At that moment the officer's aide saw the Union uniform, and, drawing
his pistol, fired upon Colonel Fry, fatally wounding his horse. Colonel
Fry returned the fire, and the rebel officer fell dead from his saddle. It
was soon found that it was General ZoUicoffer. He was one of the most
envenomed of the rebels. As he commenced this raid, intending to sweep
through Kentucky, and carry the Avar into the Free States of the North, he .
said to his troops, with an oath, " I wUl take you to Indiana, or I will go
to hell myself."
¦ He did not take them to Indiana !* After two hours of very hard
fighting, a cheer rang through the Union lines, which proclaimed that the
rebels were retfring. A vigorous charge converted their retreat into
flii^ht. Leaving the dead and many of the wounded scattered along their
path, which was strewed with the debris of a routed army, they scarcely
stopped to breathe, until they were again behind their intrenchments on
the Cumberland. The Union loss Avas thirty-nine killed and two hundrec^
and seven wounded. The rebels lost one hundred and ninety-two killed
and one hundred and fifty-one prisoners. Their wounded were numerous,
but they took them from the field.
•"General Thomas followed up his victory. He pursued the rebels to
their intrenchments, which he immediately proceeded to cannonade, while
at the same time he made preparations to storm the Avorks in the morning.
The rebels saved him this trouble. In the night, precipitately and in
jgreat confusion, they fied across the river, leaving in their camp twelve
pieces of artillery, including eight six-pounders and two Parrott guns, a
large number of small-arms, and over twelve hundred horses and mules, to
fall into the Union hands.
' It will be remembered that this was very early in the war, and it was
the first decisive victory of the Union arms. As such, it created great
, rejoicing. The Governor of. Indiana sent a special message of thanks to
*" Pelix K. ZoUicoffer was bom in Tennessee, in 1812. With a common-school education he
"leamed the trade. of a printer, and took charge of a country newspaper. Most of his life was
spent as an editor. He was originally a Whig, and as an opponent of the Democratic party he
itM sent to Congress in 1853 from the Nashville District. He joined the rebels in their measures
for carrying Tennessee out ofthe Union. Though he had no military experience or education, he
[was a man of undoubted ability, and was appointed brigadier-general in the rebel army."
Vol. n.— 22

338 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA
the only regiment of that State engaged in the battie. President Lincoln
publicly thanked the army of General Thomas. The East Tennesseans
were greatly comforted ; for they judged that now there would be an im
mediate advance of the victorious army to their relief But these hopes
were disappointed. The army of General Thomas was needed elsewhere,
and General Crittenden was alloAved to continue his retreat unmolesteji
and unpursued. He Avas at least unmolested by his foes. But he suffered
from his friends the not unusual consequences of ill success. His defeat
was attributed to his treachery. He was proclaimed a second Arnold.
Those Avho sought to defend him from these charges attributed his defeat
to intoxication. He was a ruined man, and, being placed under arrest,
never again received any important command.
These charges were, however, unjust. His attack was made after due
deliberation, and with the sanction of all his officers. It was wisely
planned. The prudent precautions of General Thomas and the valor of
his soldiers defeated him. The death of General Zollicoffer spread dismay
through the ranks. And when retreat became a necessity, the unfortunate.
general manifested neither the disposition to sacrifice his army, nor the
. ability to save them. • '
The battle of Mill Springs was preparatory to, and part of the great
Southwestern campaign. While in the east, Tennessee is separated from
Kentucky by a lofty range of mountains, whose defiles and passes could
easily be defended by a comparatively small force; in the west, two
navigable rivers, the Cumberland and the Tennessee, tributaries of the
Ohio, afford a natural highAvay into the heart of the State. It was by
these highways that General Halleck intended to enter Tennessee. He
could thus flank the fortifications, then deemed impregnable, at Columbus
on the Mississippi, in the west, and could open the way for the occupation
of Knoxville and the relief of the surrounding country in the east. ^
Immediately after the battle of Mill Springs, General Buell ordered, a
feigned advance towards East Tennessee. The rebels took the alarm. A
part of their forces, then at BoAvling Green, were sent, via NashriUe, to
Knoxville. The purpose of this feint, in the removal of the rebel forces,
being thus accomplished, the troops Avere countermarched from left to
right, so as to join General Mitchel, advancing from the north" upon
Bowling Green.
On the 6th of February, as we have narrated in the first volume. Port
Henry was captured. On the 16th, Donelson fell. On the following day
BowUng Green was evacuated by the rebels. Three days after. General
Buell marclied triumphantly into Nashville. Then followed the battle of
Shiloh, the evacuation of Corinth, and the campaign of General Mitchel
These movements rendered it necessary for the rebels to concentrate their
troops. The rebel forces which had heretofore held East Tennessee in
subjection were now withdraAvn, and collected to guard the strong position
at Cumberland Gap.
The chain of mountains which form what would otherwise be an im
passable wall between Eastern Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky, are
pierced by a natural gateway, caUed Cumberland Gap. Here a single road

EAST TENNESSEE. 339
*
runs through a defile in the mountains which tower far above the traveller
on either side. Such a pass is easily defended by- a small body of brave
men against any direct attack. It constitutes the only natural road from
the northwest into East Tennessee. There are indeed other roads, but
though they pass through what are called gaps, they in reality pass in a
¦rigzag course over the summit of the mountain range.
On the 19th of June, Cumberland Gap, without a struggle, was occu
pied by the National troops. Although the door was open, no arrange
ments were immediately made to pass through it for the relief of East
Tennessee. Other momentous enterprises at that moment engrossed the
whole attention of the National Government.
While George W. Morgan, the patriot general, was at Cumberland
Gap, threatening East Tennessee, John Morgan, a rebel general of
notorious antecedents and subsequents, was plundering Kentucky, in the
¦perpretration of aU manner of outrages, and scattering terror, from appre
hended invasion by his ubiquitous guerrilla band, over the Avhole southei-n
border of Indiana and Ohio.* The fatal repose of McClellan's army in the
Swamps ofthe Chickahominy was followed by the more disastrous activity
of the seven days' battles. The territory which General Mitchel had so
heroicaUy occupied. General Buell abandoned. By some strange remiss
ness, the rebel General Bragg was permitted to slip past without a
'battle, and to enter Central Kentucky.
f On the 22d of August, General E. Kirby Smith crossed the mountains
into Tennessee, with a band of marauders, at Big Creek Gap. The pas
sage was effected without opposition, but not without great difficulty. The
condition of the roads was such, that at times the rear of the wagon train,
at night, would reach only the point from which the advance started in
the morning. His rations failed. The men lived for several days on green
com ; but the fields of Kentucky were ripe, and the granaries full. The
prospect of plenty cheered them on. They safely passed the mountains,
and, easily defeating the inferior force of raw troops, unwisely led against
them in open field, in the battle of Richmond, they threw the whole North
west into a fever-heat of excitement, by their " siege of Cincinnati."
¦ ' These movements completely cut off General George W. Morgan,
at SGumberland Gap, from communication with the North. No prospect
of relief was held out to him. General Buell, who with tardy footsteps
had followed General Bragg, with inactirity stiU more extraordinary,
', * Kentucky had ignobly assumed the attitude of neutrality in this great conflict for the life
of the nation. The Union troops were forbidden the State. The following is a part of the pun-
¦Snnent which the rebels, according to their own statement, inflicted upon Kentucky in its de-
fencelessness. These chastenings were not without very beneficial results : —
¦"i "John Morgan left Tennessee with a thousand men, only a portion of whom were armed,
Jgaietrated the State of Kentucky two hundred and fifty miles ; captured a dozen towns and cities ;
laet, fought, and captured a Tankee force superior to his own iu numbers; captured three thou
sand stand of arms at Lebanon ; and, from first to last, destroyed during his raid, military stores,
Inroad bridges, and other property, to the value of eight or ten millions of dollars. He accom-
Jilished all this, and returned to Tennessee, with a loss, in all his engagements, of fifteen men
Mled and forty wounded."
¦ Nearly two-thirds of the above extract, taken from Pollard's " History of the First Tear of
the War," ia true— a degree of accuracy rarely attained by the rebel writers.

340 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
remained idle at LouisvUle, while the rebels plundered the rich counties
of Kentucky at their pleasure. ^.
The fate of Colonel Wilder, at Munfordsville, was sufficient to dempnj
strate that General George W. Morgan need expect no strenuous effort^
for his relief on the part of the commanding general. On the 17th of
September, his supplies of food being exhausted, he prepared to evacuate
a position which he could hold no longer. After blowing up the magazine
and burning the commissary stores, and destroying tents, wagons, and
accoutrements, he retired with nothing but arms, ammunition, and a few
cooking utensils. It was two hundred and fifty miles to the Ohio
River. A large rebel fiirce intervened. The soldiers could have no sub-
sistence but such as they could gather by the way. They were harasse^-i
during the entire distance by the rebel cavalry. At night they were
compelled to bivouac without tents. At length, after a singularly haz
ardous, arduous, and adventurous march, they reached the borders of thei
Ohio in safety. The door to East Tennessee was again in the hands of
the rebels.
General Bragg did not long retain the advantageous position he had
gained. Retreating before General Buell, and severely punished by a part of
the Union force at Perryrille, Avhere their united cooperation would have
well-nigh annihilated his army, he retreated again into Tennessee, and oc-
cup>ied a strong position a little south of NashviUe. General Rosecrans
became General Buell's successor. In the latter part of December, he pre
pared to attack his foe and drive him from his strong position. General
Bragg's army and that of General Lee were closely connected by means of a
line of railroad, running from Richmond to Knoxrille, and thence to Chat- ¦
tanooga. Over this road reenforcements could rapidly be transported
fi-om one army to the other. It was, indeed, this fact which gave East
Tennessee its peculiar military importance.
The seizure and evacuation of Cumberland Gap, to which we have
alluded, were military adventures deserving of more particular mention.
On the 2Sth of March, 1862, Major-General George W. Morgan was
assigned to the command of the Seventh Dirision of the Army of the Ohio,,,
and was directed to advance and take possession of Cumberland Gap.
The roads to be traversed were almost impassable at that season of the year..
Small trains of wagons could make but three or four miles a day. The
rains and melting snows had converted into torrents many of the mountain
gorges, through which it was necessary for them to pass. Much of the
country was already exhausted by the sweep of armies. Almost at the
commencement of the campaign forage had to be drawn forty miles, and
before its close, a distance of more than eighty miles.
With great energy. General Morgan grappled with the innumerable
obstacles he had to encounter — obstacles often more formidable than those
AA'hich are met with on the field of battle. Pressing resolutely forward,
he reached Cumberland Ford on the llth of April. By a careful recon
noissance, the weak points of the enemy, who held the Gap, were discov-
• ered — if, indeed, there were any weak points in a position second only in
strength to that of the Rock of Gibraltar.

SEIZURE AND EVACUATION OP CUMBERLAND GAP. 341
On the east of Cumberland Gap the mountains rise in massive walls
ahnost perpendicular. On the west there were some narrow, ruwo'ed
gorges, through which light Avagons had occasionally, with great difficulty,
been driven. The rebels had not deemed it necessary to guard these
passes, where a mule could scarcely get foothsld. General Morgan, de
ceiving the enemy by demonstrations at other points, pushed his troops
into one of these gorges through the Cumberland range, called Roger's Gap.
It was twenty miles west of Cumberland Gap. Could he effect the pas
sage here, Cumberland Gap and Knoxville Avould be alike threatened. To
guard against the possibUity of the rebels striking upon his line of supplies.
General Morgan cSused the sides of Pine Mountain to be mined, so that a
hundred thousand tons of rocks and trees could, at a moment's warning, be
hurled into the valley below.
By the 6th of May, all things were prepared for the adventurous march.
*Fatigue parties in advance were busy opening the road ; other parties,
again, blockaded the road with aU possible obstructions, after the rear
guard had passed, to prevent the pursuit of the foe. It was amusing to
Aritness the amazement ofthe country people, as they fiocked, men, women,
and children, to witness the passage of an army, with its ponderous artil
lery and lumbering trains, through a defile which it had required a bold
rider to attempt Arith a mule. But the people of East Tennessee were
nearly aU patriotic. They welcomed the Union anny with every possible
demonstration of their good wishes. *
On the 10th, the advance, haring safely surmounted the highest point
of land, descended the south side of the mountain into Powell's Yalley, and
encamped at the base in a dense forest, which concealed them from obser
vation. The path over which the troops had marched could not with pro
priety be caUed a gap, it was merely a slight depression in the mountain
range. Almost in single file, the soldiers toiled along the steep, rugged
way, with infinite difficulty dragging their cannon over the cliffs. On the
night of the 12th, as the rear of the army was descending the south side of
the mountain. General Morgan reeeiv^ a telegram containing the almost
appalling intelligence that the patriot forces in the vicinity of Chattanooga
were fiiUy occupied, and that he must rely entirely npon bis own feeble
force for the accomplishment of any of his plans. He had been confidently
expecting powerful aid, with which he could march immediately upon
Cumberland Gap. It consequently became necessary instantly to order
a countermarch to Williamsburg. In the midst of the toil and perU of
this movement, he received intelligence that the enemy was evacuating
Cumberland Gap. This led him to the bold resolution of immediately
fassuming the ofiensive.
'"¦ With great alacrity his orders were all obeyed, and on the morning of
the 14th his troops were mainly concentrated in Powell's Yalley. It ap
peared from an intercepted dispatch, that the rebels had been terribly
'fi'ightened by the rumor, that a patriot army of fifty thousand men was
Wishing down the mountain-side to assail them in flank. The valley into
Which General Morgan had descended was occupied by the enemy's cavalry.
Io guard against these raids. General Morgan sent his supply trains

342 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
to the rear^ and subsisted his army by foraging on tiie foe. Generals
Spears and Carter cooperated very efficiently in the bold yet sagacious
strategic movements in which Morgan was now engaged. General Speare
pressed forward to join bin, from the base of Pine Mountain, marching
without tents or wagons. I?
The rebels had concentrated their forces at Thomas's Farm, about
nine miles distant, on the valley road, towards Cumberland Gap. The
troops, after their fatiguing march, were allowed one day to rest, and to
prepare for the decisive struggle at hand. They were to move by two
parallel roads, which met at the point occupied by the foe. At one
o'clock in the morning of the 18th they commenced their march. With
precision which excited the admiration of every beholder, they moved
forward to the stern arbitrament of battle, with a foe whom they had every
reason to believe was far superior to themselves.
Still, General Morgan felt confident of victory. He had abundant gyi- <
dence that the enemy were trembling, dreading the fight, and anticipating
defeat. When the patriots arrived at Thomas's Farm, they found that the
rebels had retreated. Pressing rapidly on. General de Courcy, who led
the advance, took possession of the gap about two o'clock in the afternoon. >.
He found that the rear-guard of the rebels had abandoned their works
about ten o'clock in the morning. The Union army joyfully unfurled
their banners on the pinnacle of the mountain, and fired a salute which
echoed sublimely among the surroiBiding crags.
Thus was this important post gained without the loss of a life. General
Morgan, in his official report, says : " I have since carefully examined the
works, and I believe the place could have been taken in a ten days' struggle
from the front ; but to have done so, I should have left the bones of two-"
thirds of my gallant comrades to bleach upon the mountain-side. And
after all, this fastness, all stained with heroic blood, would have only
been what it now is, a fortress of the Union, from whose highest peak floats
the Stars and Stripes. The result obtained by strategy is less brilliant than
a victory obtained amid the storm and hurricane of battle. But humanity
has gained aU that glory has lost, and I am satisfied."
If the enemy had not evacuated the gap. General Morgan would have
taken a position in his rear, and, haring cut off his supplies, would have
opened upon him with his siege-guns. Thus the foe would either have
been starved out, or would have been compelled to come out into the open
plain, and fight at a great disadvantage. General Morgan certainly de
serves great credit for the skill with which he secured a post so important,
without the shedding of blood. Both the President and the Secretary of
War, warmly congratulated the rictor upon his achievement. He was
informed that no offensive operations could be ej^ected from him Avith
the small force at his disposal. He was requested only to hold and
strengthen lUs position so that it could, by no chance, be recovered by the
enemy. The Department at Washington, as soon as possible, sent Lieutenant
WUliam P. CraighiU, an officer of engineers, of high reputation, to push
forward, with the utmost vigor, such works as General Morgan might

SEIZURE AND EVACUATION OP CUMBERLAND GAP. 343
deem necessary for the defence of the post, and also to make reconnoissance
of the principal roads by which supplies could reach the garrison from
the interior of Kentucky. The officer returned to Washington with a
report from General Morgan, containing the following important observa
tions : —
" A large force might hold this place without fortifications. But no
%rce can erist here, from December to May, without ample facilities for
transportation. Hence I deem the construction of a military road as para
mount to any system of defence Avhich may be adopted. For if we fortify,
without building the road, Ave simply construct works for the use of the
'enemy. In all probability this fastness will always be held as a military
^post. It is our door into the heart of the rebellion ; and, with adequate
'supplies, the connection between the rebel States could, at any time, be
effectually broken. Had a raifroad been constructed from Nicholasville to
this place at the commencement of the war, there would not be a rebel
'-soldier in Yfrginia to-day."
Lieutenant CraighiU, after a rapid journey to Washington, returned to
the gap, on the 14th of August, with instructions to construct a military
road at once from Lexington, Kentucky, to Cumberland Gap. Roads
fi-om all directions converge towards it. The eastern slopes of the ridge
are very steep, often presenting perpendicular walls several hundred feet
in height. The western slope is more gentle, but exceedingly broken with
spurs, knobs, and rarines. Therefore the approaches to the summit are
exceedingly difficult from either direction. The mountain -sides, and nearly
the whole region of the gap, were at this time covered with a dense
forest of heavy timber.
A large force was detailed in the work of fortifications, though the
men were often reduced to half rations, without fiour or bread. The
'Government was, at that time, so crowded by the pressure of the war, that
it was impossible immediately to commence the military road. General
Morgan had with him, at the gap, about ten thousand men, and twenty-
eight pieces of artillery. The rebel forces were in all directions around
him. General Buell was, at that time, on his race with Bragg, for Louis-
riUe. General McClellan's attempt upon Richmond had failed, in the
disastrous Seven Days' Battle, and the Army of the Potomac had been
driven far back into Maryland. General Morgan's troops were very desti
tute of supplies. The rainy season was commencing, and sickness was
thinning his ranks. Many of the horses and mules were dead or dying
from fatigue or want of food. Utter destruction stared the little garrison
at Cumberland Gap in the face. Should they delay the evacuation ofthe
post, even for a few days longer, they would have no wagons left to with
draw their artillery or their wagon-train.
It was too late to construct the road from Lexington for the transmis
sion of supplies. The only route for retreat was through a country utterly
^barren. It was impossible to subsist ten thousand men at the gap through
^,;the Arinter. The vigUant enemy, with his cavalry, could sweep any of the
^joads leading to it. Under these circumstances. General Morgan decided

344 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
to abandon the gap In this judgment he was sustained by the unani
mous opinion of the general officers of his command.
On the night of the 16th of August, a rebel army twenty thousand
strong, under General Stevenson, arrived in front of Cumberland Gap.
The rebel E. Kirby Smith, with a powerful army, was in his rear, in
vading Kentucky. General Morgan was now environed Avith two armies
numbering forty-five thousand men. During the entire night of the
16th, and the day of the 17th, the baggage-wagons Avere pushed, under
a strong convoy, toAvards Manchester. At dark on the latter day the
picket-guard was withdrawn. Two hundred men, under Lieutenant-Colo
nel Gallup and Captain McNish, assumed the delicate and perilous duty
of holding the enemy in check during the night. The next day Colonel
Gallup accompanied a flag of truce to the enemy's line. While occupying
the attention of the officer who accompanied the enemy's flag, in an hour's
chat, some person indiscreetly applied the torch to a mass of military]
stores, which could not be removed. The flame and smoke curling over
the mountain might have informed the enemy of the evacuation which
was in progress. But with characteristic tact, Colonel Gallup quieted sus
picion by ascribing the fire and smoke to the burning of brush upon the
mountain-sides. At ten o'clock at night a courier came breathless into the camp
announcing the desertion of a sentinel, as was supposed, to the enemy.^
It was a moment of intense suspense. All the guns, but one battery, had
been removed, and sent through the gap). Rapidly the fire spread to huts -
and barracks and store-houses, and the Uttle valley of the encampment,
encircled by mountains, was a sea of fiame. Concealment was no longer ;
possible. As Captain Patterson sprung his mines to destroy the roads in
the rear of the retreating army, the rebels awoke to the consciousness of
the scene which A\-as transpiring beyond the curtain of the hills. At mid-iv
night the Union army cautiously and with difficulty descended the Avestem.rl
declivity of the mountain. The rebels A\'ere held in check by the mines, ¦
which threatened to overwhelm them with ruin. Near the dawn of day ;:
General Gallup applied the torch to the remaining buildings, and fired the
train, which blew up the principal powder-magazine.
The night was dark, but the troops pressed on until they reached Flat
Lick, about twenty miles from the gap. From this point they marched,
by two parallel roads, to Manchester, where they arrived on the night of
the 19th of September. Here the troops rested one day. The enemy's
cavalry now appeared in our rear and endeavored to cut off our trains. ¦
They were gallantly repulsed by the Sixth Tennessee, under Colonel Cooper.
The retreating army still toiled along, pursued and harassed by the
enemy's cavalry. The suffering for want of water was very great. John
Morgan, who had been with his cavalry hanging on our flanks and rear,
now passed to our front, and commenced a series of great annoyances by
blocking up the narrow deflles through a route which, at the best, was
almost impracticable.
At West Liberty the patriot troops rested for two days. They then

SEIZURE AND EVACUATION OP" CUMBERLAND GAP. 345
resumed thefr line of march towards Grayson. They fought their way
step by step. At eleven o'clock at night, on the 1st of October, our
troops reached Grayson. The rebels had retired from the place but a foAv
hours before, and annoyed us no more. Our loss, thus far on the march,
had been, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, about eighty men. On the
13th of October the troops reached Greenupsburg, on the Ohio River.
The capture of the gap and its evacuation had been alike conducted with
great ability. The gallantry of the officers and the men was no less
resplendent, in this arduous campaign, than it would have been had the
result proved more decisive on the fortunes of the war.
We must noAv return to General Rosecrans, who was preparing to move
upon the railroad AA-hich connected Richmond, by the way of Knoxville,
with Chattanooga. An expedition was undertaken, on the 21st of Decem
ber, for the purpose of cutting this railroad. Among the Tennessee exiles
'there was a noble family of patriots by the name of Carter. One of them
had become a brigadier-general, one a colonel, and one a chaplain, in the
Union army. It was intrusted to these gentlemen, thoroughly familiar with
the country, to plan this expedition, which was placed under the command
ofthe flrst of them. With a cavalry force of about one thousand. General
Carter crossed the Cumberland Mountains at the extreme southeastern
comer of Kentucky, passed through the edge of Yirginia, struck the rail
road a Uttle west of Bristol, burned two important bridges, destroyed
effectually ten miles of track, demolished a train with miUtary stores and
six or seven hundred stand of arms, and captured five hundred prisoners.
From this very successful enterprise he returned in safety, Avith the loss of
hut two killed and five wounded, and but ten or fifteen missing.
This adventure, which was conducted in midwinter, requiring a jour
ney of four hundred and seventy-five miles, Avas performed in twenty days,
¦without tents, and with no other rations than they could carry in their
haversacks. Their cool bravery extorted even from a rebel paper the
declaration, that " the raid is certainly a most daring one, and argues an
audacity in the enemy which they were not supposed to possess." Its suc
cess contributed largely to the subsequent victory of Stone River, by cutting
of General Bragg from the reenforcements which General Lee would
otherwise have sent him.
In the fall of 1863, a determined attempt was at last made to occupy
East Tennessee, and to afford her long-oppressed citizens permanent relief.
•¦General Burnside had, in March of this year, been assigned to the com
mand of the Department of tfee Ohio. But soon after this he had been
stripped of his troops to reenforee General Grant, then engaged in his
operations before Yicksburg. The fall of this city restored to General
Burnside his troops. By the latter part of August he prepared to carry
out a movement for the permanent occupation of East Tennessee, in co
-operation Avith General Rosecrans. General Bragg had already retreated
across the Tennessee River, and General Rosecrans was preparing to j|tack
and occupy Chattanooga. This rebel stronghold, it was certain, would
.not be relinquished without a struggle. The rebels could easily send to it
r^forcements from Yfrginia. To prevent it, it was necessary to destroy

346 CIVIL WAR, IN AMERICA.
the communication between the two armies ; and to do this, it was neces
sary to occupy East Tennessee.
Late in August, General Burnside entered the State about midway be
tween the east and west boundaries, and occupied Knoxville, from which
the rebel General Buckner retreated without a struggle. His retreat was
so sudden that he had no time to order the evacuation of Cumberland Gap.
Consequently, the rebel forces at that point, about two thousand in num
ber, with their guns, stores, and ammunition, were compeUed to surrender..
Thus Knoxville was, for the first time since the commencement of the war,
delivered from rebel misrule. The people hailed their deliverer Avith
acclamations of joy. Recrmts for the Union arrny rushed in from the
surrounding country. They came even from North Carolina, and in such
numbers that they could not be well armed, nor even clad.
Yet, though General Burnside had taken possession of Knoxville with
out a battle, he could not hold it without much difficulty. On either side
of him were the two great armies of the rebellion — General Lee on the
east, General Bragg on the south. General Burnside's base of supplies
was in Kentucky, two hundred and fifty miles distant. , From thence eveiy
thing had to be brought over a difficult and dangerous mountain road in
wagons. The country swarmed with guerrillas. The rebel forces in the
immediate vicinity of Knoxville, though not large enough to give General
Burnside battle, were sufficiently large to give him serious trouble, by
dashes against important posts. General Burnside had not force sufficient
to occupy and protect the country at large. His only safety Avas in the
concentration of his army. Clothing and shoes began to fail. The utmost
economy was required in the administration of the commissariat. Ap
proaching Avinter was looked forward to Arith well-grounded apprehension,
In the mean time the disastrous battle of Chickamauga — disastrous in
its commencement, glorious in its developments of heroism — had been
fought. Its results imperilled the existence of General Rosecrans's army,
and greatly enhanced the perils with which General Burnside was now
surrounded." About the middle of November it became certain that
General Longstreet had been detached from the army of General Bragg
to attack Knoxville. General Burnside advanced to meet his foe and hold
hun in check. This was all that it was prudent for him to attempt. Meet
ing the foe, and refusing a decisive battle, he retired slowly upon Knox
ville, stubbornly contesting the way. The inhabitants of the city were
alarmed. But General Burnside was shrewdly and successfully leading
the rebel general as far from the main body under Bragg as possible.
The permanent occupation of East Tennessee depended on General
Grant more than on General Burnside. The battle for its redemptioniihad
to be fought at Chattanooga. General Burnside's purpose was to put so
great a distance between Longstreet and Bragg that the former couldnot
retiirn to aid the latter in the battle noAV imminent. He succeeded. This
sagacipus strategy contributed not a little to the glorious victories of Look
out Mountain and Missionary Ridge. On the 17th of November, General
Burnside's army reentered KnoxriUe, the rebel army pressing closely upon
his rear. Immediate preparations were made for the defence of the city.

SEIZURE AND EVACUATION OP CUMBERLAND GAP. 347
The army was informed that there was to be no more retreating. The old
defences were strengthened and new ones erected. Rifle-pits were dug, trees
felled, and all needful things were done to repel an assault or to sustain a siege.
KnoxriUe is situated on the north bank of the Holston River. As the
stream protects it on the south, and a range of hills guards the approaches
.from the west, the rebels prepared to move upon iUxe city from the north
and east. The rebel Une extended in a circular form, with their right
touching upon the river, so as to cut off all water communication. Though
forage trains continued to bring in provisions, the difficulties of transpor-
i tation were so great that an accumulation of suppUes was impossible. A
¦ long siege was not feared, as succor was confidently expected from General
'-Grant. It came, but not in the way anticipated by the soldiers. The vic
tories achieved by General Grant, in the terrible encounters of Missionary
'Eidge and Lookout Mountain, enabled reenforcements to march, exultant
¦with success, to the aid of General Burnside. The tables were thus sud
denly turned. Longstreet was in extreme peril. Before ordering a retreat,
he determined to make one desperate effort to carry KnoxvUle by storm.
On the northeast corner of the town there was a large hill, surmounted
by weU-planned earthworks, called Fort Sanders, in honor of the brave
patriot general of that name who fell in the early part of the siege. This
fort commanded the approaches to the city both from the north and east.
This fort must be taken by the rebels before their troops could enter the
city. The hill-sides had been covered with a dense forest of pine-trees.
':These were felled, so as to present an abattis or network of brush or tim
ber almost impassable. Between this abattis and the fort was a cleared
space two or three hundred yards in width, cleared to afford free range for
-grape and canister. Across this open space wires were stretched imper
ceptible tc the eye. The works themselves consisted of a ditch and parapet.
'General Longstreet ordered this work to be stormed. Three brigades
of picked regiments were assigned to the duty. On Saturday night, the
28th of November, these men, brave, though deluded, succeeded in pushing
'their way through the pine abattis and reaching the edge of the clearing.
This was not done without some skirmishing. But the darkness of the
^?flight aided thefr movement. Just in the edge of this clearing they slept
on thefr arms, awaiting a terrible to-morrow. Early in the morning of the
29th, a Sabbath morning, the command was given to charge.
'' .Then ensued a scene of carnage and desperate courage unsurpassed
during the Avar. As they advanced across the open space, a furious storm
of grape and canister was hurled into their faces. Entangled by the
'¦unseen wires, they were throAvn upon the ground, to be trampled under
^foot by their own comrades. The air was filled with the whiz of Minie
baUs. Still, over the dead and the wounded, they rush on. They reach
'the ditch. They fill it with their bodies. Hand-grenades are thrown into
¦the midst of the struggling mass, exploding with horrible effect. One
; man scales the parapet and plants upon it the rebel flag. A triumphant
"lyeU bursts from the lips of his confederates. The next instant the man and
f'flag faU together into the ditch beneath. Not a single rebel entered the
fort. Hundreds lay dead before it. Only three hundred defended the

348 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
fort. Many more than that number, dead or dying, strewed the ground
around, the victims of its terrible fire, ere the assault was abandoned.
The Union loss was but four killed aud eleven wounded.
The bravery with which the assault had been conducted demonstrated
the uselessness of repeating it. General Longstreet abandoned the siege
and commenced his retreat south. No immediate pursuit was attempted"
A ruse was feared. But a cavalry reconnoissance demonstrated that his
retreat was final. The exultation of the army at their own victory was
increased by receiving in a few days tidings of the great victories at
Lookout Mountain. On the 6th of December, General Sherman entered
the city with reenforcements ; railroad communication with Chattanooga
was opened ; KnoxviUe was no longer in any possibillity of danger, and
East Tennessee was redeemed. On the following day the President called
upon the people to give thanks to God for the final deliverance of this
long-suffering people.
We cannot close this chapter without a few words of admiration of the
almost unexampled heroism of W. G. BroAvnlow, familiarly known as " Par-,
son BrownloAV," editor of the Knoxville " Whig." Firm as Abdiel he stood
in bis patriotism. Insult, torture, imprisonment, starvation, lingering
sickness, and the menace of death by hanging, could not induce him to
give the slightest adhesion to the foul rebellion. Redeemed Tennessee
haring driven tbe traitors from her soil, placed the hero in the gubernatorial
chair. The tidings of this his elevation was received with acclaim through
all the loyal sections of the United States.

CHAPTEE XXIX.
THE BATTLES OP lUKA AND CORINTH.
(October, 1362, to January, IS68.)
Cheeeless Prospects. — Dispositions of the tato Armib.^!. — Pallinc} Back to Iuka. — Battle
OF luKA. — Retreat of the Rebels.— Their Vandalism. — Sagacious Plan of the Rebels.
, — More Sagacious Plan op General Rosecrans.- — Aspect of the Country. — The Trap.
— ^Battle of Corinth. — Incidents. — Utter Rout op the Rebels.
Had Generals Grant and Rosecrans been no more successful than Gen
eral Buell, the invasion of Kentucky might have proved far more disastrous
than it did. General Grant now commanded the Department of West Ten
nessee. General Pope had been summoned by General HaUeck to Yir
ginia. General Rosecrans, on the 30th of October, entered upon the
command of the Army of the Ohio, or of the Cumberland, as it was soon
called. The Department of the " Fourteenth Army Corps " consisted of
all that portion of Tennessee which was east oi the Tennessee River, and
so much of the States of Alabama and Georgia as General Rosecrans
Lfflight occupy.
Winter, with its chiUing, drenching rains, and boundleGS mud, Avas
approaching. The soldiers were exhausted by long marches and disheart-
; ened by an inglorious campaign. The hospitals, wretchedly j)rovided,
were filled vrith the suffering and the dying. The single thread of rail
road, by which communications were opened to Nashville, had been
almost demolished by the rebels, and was now, along the whole line,
infested by guerrillas. Nearly ten thousand of the patriot troops, heart
sick of unavailing toils and sufferings, had deserted. The cavalry corps
had been so much neglected that the vast superiority of the rebel cavalry
gave them the general control of the country. While the National army
was languidly reposing at Bowling Green, Bragg's army, encumbered Avith
its enormous train of plunder, Avas toiling through the defiles of the moun-
tams of East Tennessee, endeavoring to reach Murfreesboro' by the
chcuitous route through Chattanooga.
It had been found necessary essentially to weaken the Union army
which was in the vicinity of Corinth. Eight thousand men had been
sent under the patriot General, Jefferson C. Davis,* to reenforee General
* General Jefferson C. Davia A^raa born in Clarke County, Indiana, March 2, 1838. At seven
teen years of age he volunteered as a private in the Mexican war, vfhere he distinguished him-
aelf, and was appointed first lieutenant in the regular artUlery. At the breaking out of the
rebellion, he was second in command at Fort Sumter, during the assault upon that fortress. After
the surrender, he was ordered to Indianapolis, where he acted as mustering officer for
Indiana. Soon he was appointed colonel of the Twenty-second Indiana Regiment, and ordered
to report to General Fremont. On Fremont's advance on Springfield he commanded the post at

350 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
BueU. A large force had also been sent by General Grant to protect the
¦ northern border. It became evident, early in September, that the National
army would not be permitted to retain the fruit of its victory at Corinth
without a struggle. Indeed, as early as the last of August a force of some
five or six thousand men was sent by the rebels to attack Bolivar and
Jackson, Tennessee, and, by destroying the railroad, to cut off all communi
cation between Memphis and Corinth. The head of the rebel column Avas
met, about four miles south of Bolivar, on the 30th of August, where a
brisk skirmish ensued. The next day there was quite a severe battle near
Meadow Station, where the rebel forces were engaged and repulsed. The
next day, September 1st, the fight was renewed at Britten's Lane, on the
Denmark road. The battle continued until night, when the rebels retreatecj ,
across the Hatchie, leaving one hundred and seventy-nine dead and
wounded on the field. The National loss was five killed, seventy-eight
wounded, ninety-two prisoners and missing.
The National line was now far too much extended for its safety. It
was necessary to concentrate our forces. On the 10th of October, Tus
cumbia was evacuated. Colonel Murphy, who occupied that place with
the second brigade of General Stanley's Division, feU back under orders to
luka, a point on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, about midway
between Tuscumbia and Corinth. Here, after a few days, he was surprised
by a force of rebel cavalry, and, after a short skirmish, retreated. A con
siderable quantity of stores fell into the hands of the enemy, including six
hundred and eighty barrels of flour. At the same time the rebel General
Price occupied luka in force.
The way was now open for General Price to execute his part of the
plan for the invasion of the North. This was to slip by the right Aring of
the National army, whicii was at Corinth, to cross the Tennessee River, and
gaining the rear of Buell, to threaten Nashville. Thus General BueU
would be compelled to abandon the place, or, for its defence, so to weaken
other positions as to expose them to capture. Should, however, the
National army venture to come out from Corinth to dispute the advanG||
of General Price, then General Yan Dorn, marching up from the souths
was immediately to attack that place. Its capture then could be easily
effected. The plan was well conceived, but its execufion was not accom-j
plished. i
General Rosecrans, learning that luka was occupied by General Price
and his army, sent Generals Grant and Ord, with a column of eighteen
thousand men, to move along the railroad and attack Price in front, while
General Rosecrans himself, advancing by the way of Jacinto, was to attack
him in flank and rear. The two columns started out from Corinth the 17th
Jefferson City. He fought under General Curtis, at the battle of Pea Ridge, and joined General
Halleck, in May following, at Corinth. In August he visited home, on leave of absence, ,\in
consequence of ill health, and was thus at Indiana at the time of Bragg's invasion. The approacli|
of the foe led him to repair immediately to Louisville and tender his services to the Government.,
Here he was outrageously insulted by General Nelson, and after demanding an apology .and
receiving only reiterated abuse, he shot him on the stairs of the Gait House. General Nelson
died in^a few hours. General Davis was arrested, but was soon after released, sustained by the.
almost universal sympathy of the public and of the army.

BATTLES OP lUKA AND CORINTH. 351

k

of "September. On the morning of the 19th, General Rosecrans drove in
the rebel pickets, and took position near to the rebel Unes. General Grant
was to have opened the battle upon the north, and General Rosecrans
waited for the sound of his cannon. As, for some unexplained cause,
general Grant's attack was delayed. General Rosecrans, having obtained a
commanding position, opened Avith shot and shell directly upon the head
quarters of General Price. General Little, who commanded a division of
the rebel army, while consulting with General Price, was shot by a bullet
through the head from the rifle of a sharpshooter.
The ground occupied by General Rosecrans was not favorable for the
massing of heavy bodies of troops. General Rosecrans had with him but
three thousand men. He attacked a foe variously estimated at from eleven
to fifteen thousand. He coimted on the cooperation of General Grant's
army. Doubtless for good, though hitherto unexplained reasons, he had
faded to come up in season to participate in the conflict. The battle was
desperately fought on both sides : General Price commanding the rebels
in person, and General Rosecrans commanding the National troops. One
battery, the Eleventh Ohio, was made the centre of a most furious rebel
fire. Every horse was shot ; seventy -two men were either killed or
wounded. Three times the battery was taken by the rebels at the point of
the bayonet. Tvrice it was retaken in the same way by the Fifth Iowa
Infantry. But they had no means of removing the guns, and the battery
remained at last in the hands of the rebels. The battle, though bloody,
was short. Darkness soon put an end to the contest. The result was
apparently indecisive. A renewal of the conflict was expected by General
Eosecrans on the morrow.
General Price, well assured that General Grant's forces would be on
the ground by that time, esteemed discretion the better part of valor, and
retreated during the night. Thus one important and well-conceived plan
for the invasion of the North was defeated. If the attack upon Price's
army had been made as was intended by the combined forces of Grant and
Eosecrans, it would scarcely have escaped utter demolition. The National
loss in tins conflict was about eight hundred killed, wounded, and missing.
The rebel loss is estimated at about a third more, including three promi
nent generals — Little, Berry, and Whitfield. The avowed object of Gen
eral Price was to Uberate the fair fields of the South from the despotism of
l^orthem despoilers. The character of these self-styled liberators may be
inferred from the following statements. They are contained in an article
written by a correspondent in the rebel army, and published in the
"Mississippian " of Jackson : —
" During the entire retreat we lost but four or five wagons, which
feroke down on the road, and were left. Acts of vandalism, disgraceful to
lie army, were, however, perpetrated along the road, which made me
blush to OAvn such men as my countrymen. Cornfields were laid waste,
potato-patches robbed, barn-yards and smoke-houses despoiled, hogs killed,
and aU kinds of outrages perpetrated in broad daylight and in full view of
officers. I doubted, on the march up and down the retreat, whether I was
in an army of brave men, fighting for their country, or merely following a

352 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
band of armed marauders, who are as terrible to their friends as foes. I
once thought General Bragg too severe in his discipline ; but I am satisfied
that none but the severest discipline will restrain men upon a march. '
" The settlements through which we passed were made to pay a heavy
tribute to the rapacity of our soldiers ; and I have no doubt that women
and children will cry for the bread which has been taken from them, hy
those who should have protected and defended them. This plunder, too,
was Avithout excuse, for rations were regularly issued every night ; and,
thourii the men did not get their meals as punctually as when in camp,
still there was no absolute suffering to justify such conduct, and it deserves
the severest reprobation."
This picture is not overdrawn. The scenes thus enacted have been
repeated in well-nigh every section of the rebel Confederacy. The South
has suffered far more from the devastations of its pretended defenders, than
from any rapacity on the part of its sup)posed despoilers. Private property
in the South has always been more sacredly regarded by the National than
by the rebel army.
General Price moved rapidly in a southwesterly direction, maldng a
complete circuit around Corinth, crossing the Mobile and Ohio Railroad at
BaldA^'in ; thence northwesterly through Ripley, forming a junction with
Yan Dorn and Lovell on the route, reaching Chewala, on the Memphis and
Charleston Railroad, about ten miles Avest of Corinth, the last of September.
Meantime, General Rosecrans had withdrawn from luka and reoccupied
Corinth. General Grant had withdrawn to Jackson, Tennessee, the
junction of the Mississippi Central and Mobile and Ohio Railroads. Gen
eral Rosecrans's army consisted of four divisions, under Brigadier-Generals
Hamilton, McKean, Davies, and Stanley — a force in all of aboiir twenty
thousand men. The rebels, commanded by Generals Yan Dorn, Price,
Lovell, Yillepigue, and Rust, were nearly double that number.
The intentions of the rebels were unknown. They might feign an _
attack upon Corinth, rush forward for the North, attack General Grant at
Jackson, and thus accomplish successfully that severance of General Rose
crans's connection with the North which, a month earlier, they had attempt
ed ; or they might be intending a direct attack upon his position. " The
eyes of the army," as General Rosecrans styles his cavalry, were kept open,,.,,:
Every movement of the enemy was promptly communicated to him.
General Davies, and a part of General McKean's Division, Avere sent out
towards Chewala to feel the position and strength of the enemy. There
was brisk skirmishing on the first and second days of October. On
the third, the rebels advanced in sufiicient force to indicate that they
intended a serious attack. Their advance was stiibbornlv resisted, hut
it was no part of theplan of General Rosecrans to accept battle outside of
his defensive works. Corinth had been strongly fortified by General Beau
regard before it was captured by our troops.
But a line of defences constructed for an army of one hundred thousand
men could not be maintained by twenty thousand. A noAv and interior
line of redoubts had therefore been constructed, and additions to these
were'now made by a corps of " contraband" sappers and miners. Upon

BATTLES OP lUKA AND CORINTH. 353
the evening of the 3d of October the rebels had apjiarently gained oreat
successes. They had driven the National troops back into their Avorks
inflicting scA-ere injuries upon them. General Oglesby was Avounded.
General Hackleman was killed. The loss in General Davies's Division Avas
severe. This division had been retreating all day before the enemy
though heroically fighting against superior numbers. " Their magnificent
fighting on the 3d," says General Rosecrans, "more than atones for
what Av^s lacking on the -ith." The discouraging experience of the first
day's battle partly accounts for their disaster on the second. Inevitable
defeat and capture seemed to stare the National army in the face. A
general panic pervaded the community, iu Avhich the army manifestly
chared. Many of the otficers were unable to conceal thoir disquietude. It
was, however, observed that General Rosecrans Avas in magnificent spirits.
He seemed to feel that every thing was going exactly as he could Avish.
In truth, every thing had thus far moved in accordance with his plans.
What were those plans ? Let us endeavor to unfold them.
On the west of Corinth the country is rough, hilly, and intersected by
numerous rarines. On the south it is swampy, and a dense forest with
thick underbrush covers the ground. The trees have been felled, making
an abattis which added to the difficulty of the approach on both of these
sides. Upon the north the ground is comparatively leA-el and open. The
raifroad and two wagon-roads, one leading to Purdy and the other to
Bolivar, enter the toAvn from this direction. Here was apparently General
Eosecrans's weak point. It was from this direction that the rebels Avere
most hkely to approach. To lure them to do this. General Davies's Division
was sent out to provoke the rebels to an attack, Avith orders to fight stiib-
homly, and yet steadily to fall back before the foe. The rebels, foUoAving-
close after, rent the air vrith their exultant shouts. They thought that
they were driving all before them, Avhen in reality they were being drawn
into a trap.
" Two hours more of daylight," Avrote a correspondent of the " Grenada
Appeal" (rebel), " Avould have decided the po^ession of Corinth itself The
Yankees would have been driven from the stronghold in which they long
had revelled, and been scattered in utter rout."
General Rosecrans, delighted with the successful operations of his plans,
now prepared to bait and set his trap. The movement will be quite intel
ligible by referring to the diagram. Fort Chapman and Fort Williams
were two prominent fortifications, AA'hich, being supplied with heavy siege-
guns, commanded the approach to the toAvn. On a line a little advanced
from these forts General Rosecrans placed his men. The left rested upon
Uattery Robinet, the right upon Battery Richardson. But neither of these
batteries were noticeable from the rebel positions. Both were slight breast
works. Battery Richardson was throAvn up on Friday night. In fact, the
rehels discovered neither of them, until after the assault of Saturday was
.commenced. Both were supported by infantry under cover. All of the
forts designated on the diagram are upon high ground. The centre of the
town is low.
On Saturday morning the rebels saw before them the Union army
Vol. II.— 23

364

CIVIL AVAR IN .AMERICA.

fortifications of COEINTH.

drawn out in line of battle, the centre a little retired, and their
apparently resting but a littl'e in advance of Forts Williams and Chapiwan.
Their task seemed a simple one. It was only to assail and break the
National line by one furious charge, and then capture the tAvo forts by an
attack in their rear. Tlie battle was commenced about daylight by artillery
fire from the rebels, Avho had planted a battery west of the town. This,
however, produced no other effect than to render the town an exceedingly
uncomfortable place of residence, and to drive the civilians to the hills in
the rear. Not until after nine o'clock was any general assault attempted.^
Then suddenly an immense mass of rebels emerged from the woods, their
bayonets gleaming in the sun, moving up against the National centre, m
the shape of a monstrous wedge. The column Avas led by General Price.
As the assaulting column swept up to the charge, a fearful storm of
shot and sheU was poured upon it from the tAvo batteries and from the
great guns in Forts Williams and Chapman. Large gaps Avere torn through',
the rebel ranks by the cross and enfilading fire. Heroically the rebel
troops fiUed up the gaps as fast as they were made. Undaunted, and
rending the air with their peculiar savage yeU, the foe rushed to '

BATTLES OP itjKA AND CORINTH. 355
the charge on the full run. Now the sharp rattle of musketry was heard,
in addition to the booming of cannon. The infantry had opened upon
them. Still, with heroic courage, they " marched steadily to death, with
their faces averted like men striring to protect themselves from a driving
storm of hail." Battery Richardson was now unvailed to the rebels. It
must be taken at every cost. The wedge opens. A wing spreads out to
storm it. Still the assailing column presses on. To meet firmly and un
flinchingly such a charge requires no less courage than to make it. Three
months later. General Rosecrans, speaking to the Army of the Cumberland,
said, " Recollect that there are hardly any troops in the world that Avill
stand a bayonet charge."
General Davies's Dirision, wearied with the marches and the confiicts
ofthe prerious day, disheartened too, probably, by their constant retreat,
hegan to waver and break before the foe reached them. General Rose
crans, discovering the danger, sprang earnestly to the front, and, by the
most strenuous operations, prevented a panic. Nevertheless, his line was
pierced, and General Daries's Division, falling back, exposed the right wing,
which was also thrown into confusion. The rebels,' fiushed with success,
swarm about Battery Richardson, clamber the breastworks, and gain for
an instant the guns. It is but for an instant. The Fifty-sixth Illinois
suddenly rises from its cover in a ravine. A terrible volley, a shout, a
charge with bristling bayonets, and the rebels are driven before them
tumultuously and in the utmost precipitation. The rebels were indeed in
a frap. By no possibility could they hold the battery. The diagram will
show how perfectly it was commanded by the guns of Fort Chapman.
Still, the transient panic in the National ranks gave the rebels a temporary
success. The ragged head of Price's storming colmnns gained almost the centre
of the town. General Rosecrans's head-quarters were for a few moments
. occupied by the rebels. Their success was but momentary. They were
flanked on either side. Union reenforcement* were hurried to the centre ;
the guns from the batteries in the rear of the town were reversed and
turned upon them. In a few moments the remnant of General Price's
column was flying from the works far more rapidly and far less orderly than
it had entered. A rebel soldier says that General Yan Dorn, who wit
nessed the assault and repulse, said grimly : —
" That's Rosecrans's trick. He has got Price where he must suffer."
> Certain it is that General Rosecrans had laid an ingenious trap, which
sprang as he intended upon his foe. While General Price was thus as-
saihng the right and centre. General Yan Dorn attacked the left. It was
intended that the assaults should be simultaneous, but the ruggedness of
the ground delayed Yan Dorn's advance. Indeed, the battle on the left
; hardly commenced until the battle on the centre and the right was ,
at an end. Here, however, there was another desperate conflict. It was
essential to the success of the rebels that they should take Battery Robinet.
Sut to take it, they were compelled to march across a rugged ravine,
through dense thickets, and over an abattis, exposed all the Avay to the
concentrated fire of Batteries Robinet and WiUiams. The well-nigh

356 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
impossible task was audaciously attempted. Indeed, there never was more
desperate fighting than was displayed by the rebels during this war. The
leaders had staked every thing upon its issue ; and to them all, death was
infinitely preferable to final defeat. The recklessness with which they
hurled their ignorant and degraded masses upon the lines of the patriots
has never been surpassed in the records of war. The daring manifested by
officers and men in the rush upon Battery Robinet was sublime. Two
brigades, one immediately in the rear of the other, advanced to the charge.
Yolley after volley of shot and shells mangled and lacerated their liae.
Still onward, right onward, unfalteringly they pressed, stumbling over the
wounded and the dead. Colonel Rogers was in front of the First Brigade.
They reached the breastworks : Colonel Rogers leaped upon the parapet
with a rebel fiag in one hand and revolver in the other. For an instant
the rebel and the National flag float side by side. Then the traitor and
his flag fall in the dust together. History must do homage to the bravery
of the rebel, while it abhors his treason.
The Second Brigade, nothing daunted, follows close upon the first. A
storm of leaden hail is poured upon them. They falter not ; but, in their
turn, SAvarming over the breastworks, fill the redoubt. A terrific hand-to-
hand confiict ensues. It was literally hand to hand in the death-grapple.
Bayonets were used, muskets clubbed, and men were felled with brawny
fists. Such a strife could not last long. The rebels, repulsed, broken, and
Avith the mad enthusiasm of their charge dissipated by ill success, in wild
rout fiee back to the cover of the woods, pursued by the Eleventh Mis
souri and the Twenty-seventh Ohio. Entangled in the meshes of the
abattis, there is no escape from the pitiless storm which pursues them.
Many, in despair, wave white handkerchiefs in token of surrender. Over
two hundred prisoners were taken within an area of a hundred yards.
Over two hundred fell in the assault. The ditch in front of the redoubt
was literally filled vrith the dead. Soldiers always respect the brave. The
heroic Colonel Rogers was buried with the honors of war, in a separate
grave, Avith a tablet to indentify the spot.
Thus ended the battle of Corinth. The rebel loss in killed, including
officers and men, was one thousand four hundred and twenty-three. Their
wounded amounted to nearly six thousand. They lost in prisoners, during
the battle and in the subsequent pursuit, two thousand two hundred and
forty-eight. Fourteen stand of colors, two pieces of artillery, three
thousand three hundred stand of arras, four thousand five hundred rounds
of ammunition, together with a large quantity of accoutrements, fell into
the hands of the victors.
As soon as it was ascertained that the rebels had really retreated, prep
arations were made for a vigorous pursuit. A few hours were, however, first
alloAved to the Aveary soldiers for much needed rest and refreshment. " I
notified our victorious troops," said General Rosecrans, " that after two
days' fighting, two almost sleepless nights of preparation, movements, and
march, I wished them to replenish their cartridge-boxes, haversacks, and
stomachs, take an early sleep, and start in pursuit by daylight." His orders
to his officers in command of the pursuit were : —

BATTLES OF lUKA AND CORINTH. 357
« FoUow close ; compel them to form often in line of battle, and so
harass and discourage them; prevent them from communicatino- from
front to rear ; give them no time to distribute subsistence ; don't let them
sleep." General McPherson, who arrived at Corinth from Jackson, Avith a
brigade of patriot troops, but too late to take part in the battle, being
obhged to pass nearly round the enemy, aud to enter Corinth from the
east, led the van in the pursuit. Other forces were sent by General Grant
from Jackson, under Generals Ord and Hurlbut, to cut off the retreat of
the rebels. They arrived in time successfully to dispute the passage of the
Hatchie River by the rebels, Avhose discomfited forces they drove back, after
a severe battle, on the 5th. For a time it seemed that the whole rebel
host would be captured. Caught betAveen two rivers, the Hatchie in their
front and the Tuscumbia in their rear, pursued impetuously by General
Eosecrans, and as impetuously assailed and checked in their flight by
Generals Ord and Hurlbut, their escape seemed impossible. But the
Kational armies- were too much exhausted to follow up their advantage.
General Price, an accompUshed veteran in retreating, succeeded in crossing
the Hatchie a few mUes above where his first attempt had been disputed.
We have thus brought our readers to the end of the rebels' unsuccessful
attempt at an invasion of the North Avestern States. Though they inflicted
serious injuries upon the National cause, they wholly failed in their grand
enterprise of transferring the scenes of the war to the North. General
Kirby Smith, had entered Kentucky unopposed. He had defeated at
Eichmond the raw militia, unwisely sent into the open field to oppose his
march. He had compelled the evacuation of Cumberland Gap, by cutting
off the only feasible Une of supplies. He had laid brief siege to Cincin
nati, causing great anxiety, and had marched away unharmed.
In cooperation with the same plan. General Bragg had slipped past
General BueU's flank without a battle;' had threatened Nashville and
Bowling Green ; had invaded Kentucky, and captured, in spite of the
most heroic defence, the Union forces at Munfordsrille, and had, at his
leisure and unmolested, ravaged Central Kentucky. Subsequently he had
heen defeated by about half of General BueU's army in the indecisive
battle of Perryville, and had retreated to Murfreesboro', Tennessee, with
immense plunder of military and other stores.
¦ Generals Morgan and Forrest had invested Nashville unsuccessfully,
and a Uttle later had attempted to carry it by assault, but had suffered a
repulse. The rebels had fared no better in their attempts to recapture
Fort Donelson. General Price had attempted to play the same game upon
Generals Grant and Rosecrans which Bragg had so successfully accom
plished -with General Buell. He found, however, a more wily foe, and
was defeated at luka, narrowly escaping capture. The combined armies
of Price, Yan Dorn, and Lovell had then attempted the recapture of
Corinth, -which was held by but little more than half their force. But
thanks to the ingenious generalship of its commander, the rebels were
beaten back with heavy loss. The rebel invasion was ended on the whole
ingloriously. As an invasion it had proved an utter failure. As a gigantic
raid it was an unparalleled success.

CHAPTER XXX.
BATTLE OP MURFREESBORO' OR STONE RIVER.
(From October, 1862, to January, 1863.)
General Rosecrans in Command. — Reorganizins the Army. — Colonel Truesdail.— His
Admirable Police Regulations. — Skill of his Detectives. — Preparations for Battle.—
Plan of the Battle. — The Patriots Surprised and Defeated. — The Battle Renewed.—
Protracted Conflict.— Discomfiture of the Rebels. — Results.
One of the results of the battle of Corinth was the transfer of General
Rosecrans to the command of the department over which General Buell
had so unsuccessfully presided. On the 24th of October the State of Ten
nessee, east of the Tennessee River, together with Northern Alabama and
Georgia, Avere constituted the Department of the Cumberland. General
Buell, as Ave have before stated, was relieved from active service. General
Rosecrans was assigned to the command, Avhich he assumed on the 30th
of that month.
The circumstances under which he entered upon his duties were dis
couraging. His army Avas demoralized by its inglorious and disastrous
campaign under his predecessor. Hoav seriously it Avas disheartened, is
evident from the fact that over seven thousand desertions had occurred ;
and from A'arious causes, thirty thousand men, one-third of the army, were
absent from the ranks. The remnant was composed in part of new levies,
undisciplined, and yet possessing a bravery which they had well demon
strated in the battle of Perryville. The army was concentrated chiefly at
Glasgow and BoAvling Green. At the latter point General Rosecrans es
tablished his head-quarters.
General Negley held Nashville with two divisions, but was closely in
vested. General Breckinridge, with one division of the rebel army, already
occupied Murfreesboro'. General Bragg's entire force was rapidly being
concentrated there. The rebel Generals Forrest and Morgan, with a strong
force of cavalry, occupied the surrounding country. All communication
with the North had been for a considerable time cut off. Between Nash
riUe and Bowling Green the railroad was most effectually destroyed.
General Rosecrans's fiVst step was to take measures for the more perfect
organization and discipline of the army. Authority Avas obtained from
Washington to dismiss summarily from the service, officers guilty of fla
grant misdemeanors.* Supplies Avere brought forward from Louisville.
* "Washington, JV(wem&«r 8, 1862.
Major-General Rosecrans :
"The authority you ask, promptly to muster out or dismiss from the service officers for fla
grant misdemeanors and crimes, such as pillaging, drunkenness, and misbehavior before the enemyi
or on guard duty, is essential to discipline, and you are authorized io use it. Report of the facts m
each c^se should be immediately forwarded to the War Department, in order to prevent improvi
dent restoration. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War."

BATTLE .OP MURFREESBORO' OR STONE RIVER. 359
Pioneer corps were organized and set to work, building bridges, repairino-
roads, and putting the raifroad in running order. The country was new
and strange to him. Topographical maps were made, and information ob
tained concerning the nature of the country and the probable designs of
the enemy. Even to become acquainted with his own army, and to give
them opportunity to become acquainted with him, was a task the magni
tude of which it is not easy for a civilian to imagine. Napoleonic energy
characterized all his movements. A devout member of the Catholic
Church, he was never ashamed to recognize the authority of God. On
Sundays and Wednesdays he rose early that he might attend mass. He
seldom retired before two o'clock in the morning, and often not until four.
The equipments of the men Avere examined with the most scrupulous exact
ness. To one of the men who gave as an excuse for being barefooted, that
he could not get shoes, he replied vehemently : —
" Can't get shoes ! Why ? Go to your captain and demand what you
need ! Go to him every day till you get it. Bore him for it ! Bore him
in his quarters I Bore him at meal-time ! Bore him in bed ! Bore him ;
bore him ; bore him. Don't let him rest. Let the captains bore their
colonels ; let colonels bore their brigadiers ; brigadiers their division
generals ; dirision generals their corps commanders ; and let the corps
commanders bore me. Til see then if you don't get what you want.
Bore, bore, bore, imtil you get every thing you are entitled to."
Meanwhile, General McCook was ordered to move, vrith his corps, to
the relief of NashriUe. He commenced his march upon the dth, tliree
days after the arrival of General Rosecrans at Bowling Green. This move
ment incited the rebels to attempt an assault upon Nashville before
General McCook could reach that city. Their repulse by Gen erak Negley,
upon the 5th, has already been recounted in the preceding chapter. On
the Tth, General McCook reached Nashville. On the 10th, General Rose
crans entered the city, and established his head-quarters.* He was now
one hundred and eighty-three miles from Louisrille, his base of supplies.
With this place his only communication Avas a single line of railroad,
which still had to be completed from Mitchelville to NashviUe, a distance
of nearly fifty miles. This work occupied three weeks, during which time
aU stores and provisions had to be transported from the former place in
wagon-trains. It was with the utmost difficulty that the~ wants of an
army of seventy thousand men could be thus provided for. To accumulate
supphes for the future was quite impossible. By the 26th of November,
however, the raifroad was in perfect running order.
It still took three weeks to coUect such a supply as would render an
* " On the Sth it Avas announced that head-quarters would be transferred to Nashville on the
morrow. Subsequently, remembering that the succeeding day was Sunday, the general commanding
suspended the order twenty-four hours. This is worthy of notice, simply as au indication of the
principle by which he was governed. He entertained an aversion to movements upon the Sab-
tath, unless they were indispensable. The troops soon understood this, and they approved it
from motives which seemed a curious combination of superstition and conscientious scruples. But
the impression that Sunday military enterprises could not prosper was fixed in their minds, and
they commended the example of their commander." — Rosecrans's Campaign, p. 44

360 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
advance movement safe. Thus six weeks passed away, while the army of
General Rosecrans was apparently doing nothing to retrieve the disasters
of the past. Skirmishing between the Union foraging parties and the
rebel cavalry Avas, hoAvever, of frequent occurrence. On the Tth of De
cember, Colonel Moore, Avith a brigade of about fifteen hundred men, Avas
captured at Hartsville by the rebel General John A. Morgan, with a force
of cavalry and mounted infantry of about five thousand. This was the
only disaster of any importance Avhich at this time was encountered by the
National army. In most of the skirmishing Avith the enemy the patriot
troops were the rictors.
The people at the North began to grow impatient at a delay which
seemed to them long, and the necessity for which they could not compre
hend. General Bragg's cavalry Avas greatly superior, both in numbers and
efficiency, to that of General Rosecrans. At his request. General D. S.
Stanley was transferred from the Army of the Mississippi, Avhere he had
served so efficiently under General Rosecrans, in the battles of luka and
Corinth, to the Army of the Cumberland, where he was made chief of cav
alry. Requisitions were made for five thousand revolving rifles, and five
thousand mules for pack-trains. The cavalry force was increased by organ
izing and adding to it mounted infantry. Reviews and drills were had
daily. No detail AA'as so insignificant as to escape General Rosecrans's at
tention. One day, in review, he noticed a private's knapsack strapped
aAvry. "Captain," said he, "I am sorry to see you don't know how to
strap a knapsack on a soldier's back." " I didn't do it, general." " Oh,
you didn't ! Well, hereafter 3-ou had better do it yom-self, or see that it is
done. I hold you responsible for the appearance of your men." "But if
I can't make them attend to these matters, general ?" " If you can't," re
plied Rosecrans, " you had better leave the service."
Such detailed attention to the wants of the soldier won for him, very
soon, the aftection of the whole army. This, combined vrith the dismissal
of incompetent oflicers, began speedily to produce a change in its morale. '
Among other objects which engaged the attention of General Rosecrans,
at this time, was the organization of an army postal system, and a detec
tive police. Tho changes in the position of the ai-m/, during the past few
months, had been so numerous as to render it impracticable to deliver to
the soldiery their mails. Tons of mail-matter were scattered through the
department, in different post-offices. Many of the soldiers had been for
months Avithout a letter from home. This -difficulty Avas increased by the
vagueness of the direction in many cases.
General Rosecrans called to his aid William Truesdail, Esq.,* whom he
* Colonel William Truesdail, chief of army police, was born in Chatauque County, New Tork,
January 9, 1815. His life had been full of adventure. While he was a gentleman by nature and
by hubit, his large experience, and his searching, penetratiug cast of mind, had peculiarly qual
ified him for the responsible post he was now called to fill. He had already been engaged in the
work of detective police, then in real-estate speculations, then in banking, then in mercantile life,
then as a railroad contractor, first in the State of New York, then upon the Isthmus, thenin the
West. The year 1861 found him engaged in tho construction of a railroad from New Orleans to
Houstop, Texas. Soon after the deposition of Governor Houston, he left that State and came to
Jlissour,, Avhero ho was appointed miUtary superintendent ofthe North -Missouri Railroad. After

BATTLE OP MURFREESBORO OR STONE RIVER 361
appointed chief of army police, and to whom he intrusted the charge of the
army mails. Mr. Truesdail immediately proceeded to organize an efficient
post-office system. An army directory was prepared. The letters already
accumulated were delivered as far as practicable, and daily mails were
established between the North and the Army of the Cumberland. His
duties as chief of police were exceedingly arduous, and were performed
with skill and sagacity rarely equalled. The city of Nash\'ille swarmed
Arith a horde of spies, smugglers, and rebel emissaries. The army itself
was followed by a crowd of stragglers, who Avere equally ready to turn a
penny by defrauding their own Government or by surreptitiously supplying
the enemy. As Mr. Truesdail's character and work have been A-ery vio
lently assailed, and as General Rosecrans has been accused of corruption,
or at least of favoritism, in sustaining him, it is worth while to glance, for
. a moment,, at the nature of his labors.
The history of war shows that all armies are peculiarly the theatre of
fraud and corruption. These were made the subject of Mr. Truesd-ail's
special investigations. Over five hundred horses and mules, stolen from
the Government, were recovered. Irregularities and petty thefts in the
hospital Avere effectually stopped. The most unblushing frauds had been
perpetrated upon the soldiery. Obscene books and prints flooded the camp.
These nuisances were speedily abated. Smuggling had been carried on
through the lines vrith comparative impunity ; sometimes in the interests
of the rebels, sometimes by private peddlers on their own account. Med
icines, especiaUy quinine, clothing, and even pistols, had been secretly con
veyed to the rebels. The profits of this business, when engaged in on pri
vate account, were enormous. Combs, Avhich cost at the North tAA'o dollars
per dozen, Avere sold at Murfreesboro' for two dollars each, and other arti
cles in like proportion. Four or five thousand dollars were sometimes
made in a single trip. These articles were concealed in the most ingenious
ways. Wagons were made with false bottoms. Contraband articles Avere
packed in the middle of feather beds. Arms and accoutrements were con
cealed beneath the ample hoops of Avomen who assumed to be ladies. In
these ways, the utmost rigilance on the p)art of the pickets was successfully
avoided. It is impossible for a general, situated as was General Rosecrans, to
know Arith accuracy who ,of the citizens are friends and who are traitors.
Ordinarily the voucher of a prominent citizen, supposed to be loyal, Avas
sufficient to secure a pass. Many of the spies Avho thronged Nashville
were women, whose sex relieved them from the rigid examination to which
men would have been subjected. This whole system of smuggling and
spying Mr. TruesdaU undertook to break up. He put the whole city under
BurveiUance. " The detective police system here," wrote a rebel woman, " exceeds
any thing you ever saw." The detectives joined the ranks of spies and
this he became an army contractor, and finally had intrusted to him the police and mail service
connected with the Western Army. In this position General Rosecrans found him when he as
sumed command of General Pope's forces before Corinth. At the solicitation of General Rose
crans he was induced to accompany that officer to the Army of the Cumberland.

362 CIVIL WAE IN AMERICA.
smugglers, and thus ferreted out their plans. It was through Colonel Trues
dail's police that the notorious Ogilvie Byron Toung had his career
brought to a sudden close. This bold, bad man was in Nashville, a rebel
smuggler and spy. Early in December he formed the acquaintance of a
pretended rebel prisoner, whom he took into his confidence, and Arith
whose cooperation he proposed to send plans of the Union works to General
Bragg. He introduced his new friend, the pretended rebel, to a shoe
maker of the city, who proved to be a Confederate agent, and who made
boots for rebel spies, with a convenient place in the heel for the conceal
ment of papers, The maps were drawn, the boots were made, and the
three, for the bootmaker concluded to accompany them, started for the
rebel lines. To the astonishment and dismay of all but the pretended
rebel prisoner, they were arrested, and brought to police head-quarters.
Toung and the bootmaker were sent to Alton Prison, Illinois. . What be
came of their comrade they never knew.
Through Truesdail's police, also, a female spy of General Morgan
was arrested about this time ; and a scheme of his for a raid upon
the railroad was detected and prevented. A horrible trade in colored
people, many of whom, the sons and daughters of chivalric sires,
could not be distinguished from whites, was carried on by kidnappers.
Some of those va'Iio directed these movements Avere men of wealth, social
standing, and eminent respectability. Their loyalty was amply vouched
for, and undoubted. One of them owned a plantation, near Nashville, of
three thousand acres, upon which had been reared a mansion of much
elegance. Tliese men were accustomed to decoy their unhappy victims to
points beyond the lines, during the daytime, and then seize them, gag
them, and drag them off in the night. No ties of heart or home were
thought of by these most infamous of human monsters. Sometimes these
victims of kidnappers were procured by an order from the Union ofBcers,
who, not suspecting the loyalty, much less the designs of these Southern
gentlemen-, allowed them to employ the colored people in repairing the
damages produced by the war on the plantations.
At night half a dozen armed ruffians Avould fall upon these honest, un
suspecting laborers, handcuff and gag them, and hurry them off to the
slave-shambles of the extreme South, A\'here theii despairing cries could not
reach the ears of freemen. The eminently respectable villain,' hypocrit
ically avoAving himself loyal, who planned the whole scheme, and pocketed
the lion's share of the profits, would report to the authorities that the
negroes had run away — a story which, in the general insecurity of negro
property, obtained easy credence. The detention and arrest of a few prom
inent kidnappers put substantially an end to this business.
While Colonel Truesdail Avas thus efficiently ferreting out spies, and re
forming abuses within the National lines, he Avas no less successful in send
ing his own spies into the camp of the enemy. As Tankee peddlers they
passed the rebel pickets with ease. To enter the Confederacy was not dif
ficult. To leave it was much more so. Some of these men assumed to
be spies for the rebel commanders. They were, however, careful not to
give any information to the rebels which could be of essential serrice to

BATTLE OP MURFREESBORO' OR STONE RIVER 363
them. The history of the romantic exploits and hair-breadth escapes of
this class of adventurers would, of itself, fill a volume. We have room
for but one incident, which we recount, not only for its interest, but also
for its moral : —
Among Truesdail's occasional detectives was an Irishman Avhose name
is given as M. E. Joyce. He Avas a ncAA-spaper correspondent. It AA'as just
before the battle of Stone River. Information of the rebel position and move
ments was desired. With wit and impudence inimitable, Joyce rode up
to the rebel Unes, claimed to be the correspondent of the Cincinnati
" Enquirer," and demanded to be taken to General Bragg's head-quarters.
His demand was complied with. He enacted his part perfectly. He soundly
berated the stupid Dutchman at Nashville. He scornfully and venom
ously denounced the abolition Tankees. His false pretence was confirmed
by the statement of some rebel officers, who had recently seen an account
of the banishment of a correspondent of the Cincinnati " Enquirer " from
the Federal lines.
General Bragg was completely deceived. He agreed to insure the
delivery of one of Mr. Joyce's letters to the " Enquirer," in Cincinnati, which
was forthvrith Avritten. He also gave to the correspondent a pass, which
entitled him to the freedom of the town. After a few days' sojourning,
enjoying the hospitality of the rebel general and his officers, and getting
ah the information he could, he accepted an invitation from some officers
to visit Arith them a rebel family, after nightfall, and beyond the lines.
Here he watched his opportunity, slipped out of the house while the rest
were in the midst of their merry-making, turned his comrades' horses
loose, confiscated the best one for his own use, and made good his escape
to the Union army again.
These incidents suffice to show the nature of the service which Colonel
Truesdail rendered to the National cause. An efficient police system cannot,
in the nature of the case, be universally popular. Complaints were made and
charges preferred against Colonel Truesdail. An investigation was ordered
hy General Rosecrans, the result of which showed, that up to June 1st,
1863, the army police had seized property and stores from smugglers to the
value of nearly four hundred and fifty thousand dollars ; property of
rebels, subject to confiscation, to the value of nearly two hundred and
fifty thousand more ; and had'recovered lost or stolen property to the value
of nearly a hundred thousand ; while the total expenses of the mail and
pohce service was less than seventy thousand dollars.
The charges which had been made against Colonel Truesdail were de
clared to be groundless ; and the report closed Avith an earnest recommenda
tion that the army police should be continued. This was done accord
ingly until the removal of General Rosecrans from the Department of
the Cumberland after the battle of Chickamauga. Two months Avere thus
spent by General Rosecrans in reorganizing his army and preparing a
forward movement. He knew his own necessities and the enemy lie had
to cope with ; and he knew how patiently to Avait, as well as how with
energy to advance.
It was the last of December before he was ready to ofler General Bragg

364 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
battle. His army organization Avas then complete. In numbers his force
was not equal to that of the rebels. He had a long line of communica
tion through a hostile and treacherous country to guard, and Avas compelled
to leave a considerable force at Nashville for the protection of the city.
The force with Avhich he advanced from Nashville was a little short of
forty-seven thousand men. General Bragg's force is estimated at over
sixty-five thousand. In artillery. General Rosecrans was probably superior
to his foe. But in cavalry. General Bragg still far outnumbered him.
General Rosecrans's army was divided into three corps, under the com
mand respectively of Generals McDowell, McCook, George H. Thomas,
and Thomas L. Crittenden. General McCook's Corps consisted of three
divisions, under Generals Johnson, Davis, abd Sheridan. The corps of
General Thomas consisted of two divisions, under Generals Rousseau and
Negley. General Crittenden's Corps Avas composed of three divisions,
under Generals Van Cleve, Wood, and Palmer. General Thomas might
almost haA'e been said to be second in command. He enjoyed the con
fidence and esteem of General Rosecrans in an eniment degree, and was
throughout the coming campaign his most confidential adviser.*
General D. S. Stanley, as has been stated, Avas chief of cavalry. He
had already organized the nucleus of a very efficient cavalry force.
Upon his staff' General Rosecrans had for the most part j'oung men, who
quickly caught his enthusiasm and reverently looked up to him as their
leader. " Toung men, without experience," said General Rosecrans, " are
better than experienced old men. Toung men will learn. Old men, fixed
in their habits and opinions, will not learn. Toung men think rapidly
and execute quickly. They will do what I require of them."
Colonel J. P. Garesche f was General Rosecrans's chief of stafi".
* Major-General George H. Thomas was born in Virginia, July 31, 1816. He graduated at
West Point in 1840, and served with distinction in the war with Mexico. He was subsequently
stationed in Texas and in the Indian Territories. When the rebellion broke out he was major
in the regular cavalry. A sincere patriot, he remained true to the flag which he had so long and
so honorably served, and he soon rose to the rank of colonel. In August, 1861, he was made
brigadier-general of volunteers iu the Department of tbe Cumberland. After much active
service, and after thoroughly beating the rebels at MiU Spring, he, Avith his division, joined
General Buell at Nashville. In April, 18S2, he was constituted major-general of volunteers.
When General Rosecrans assumed command of the Army of the Cumberland, he was assigned;,
to the command of the centre.
In personal appearance General Thomas is dignified and manly ; in habit temperate, and dis
tinguished alike for wisdom in council and courage in battle. "George H. Thomas," said General
Rosecrans, " is a man of extraordinary character. Tears ago, at the Military Academy, I con
ceived that there were points of strong resemblance between his character and that of AA'ashington.
I was in the habit of calling him General Washington."
General Thomas is singularly modest and unobtrusive in his demeanor. He was a brigadier-
general for some months before he put on the uniform of that office. He did not assume the
double star till after the battle of Stone River, though made a major-general more than six
months before. '•
f Colonel Julius P. Garesche was born in Cuba, of American parents. He graduated at West
Point iu 1841, and served for eight years prior to the war, in Washington, as assistant adjutant-
general in the regular army. At the commencement of the rebellion, while eager to serve his
country, he, with noble modesty, declined the position of brioadier-general until he should have
earned it. He was appointed by General Rosecrans chief of staff, a position which he filled

BATTLE OP MURFREESBORO' OR STONE RIVER. 365
Brigadier-General J. St. Clair Morton,* commanding the Pioneer Brio-ade
was chief of engineers ; and Colonel James Barrett was his chief of artUlery.
General Rosecrans has been accused of allowing his religious peculiarities
to influence his army appointments. It is certainly true that he is an
earnest Roman Catholic. His chaplain and confessor. Rev. Father
Trecy, was his constant companion. But the simple fact that only one of
his staff was of the Roman Catholic denomination, and he, the noble
Garesche, a man of whom any religious communion might be proud, suf
ficiently refutes the unjust charge of religious favoritism.
General Bragg's forces were also divided into three corps, commanded
by Generals Hardee, Polk, and E. Kirby Smith. In addition, he had two
brigades of cavalry, commanded by Generals Morgan and Forrest, of
about five thousand men. This force he had sent north upon a raid,
misled by the information that General Rosecrans had gone into winter-
quarters at NashriUe. " In the absence of these forces," says General
Eosecrans, " and with adequate supplies at Nashville, the moment was
judged opportune for an advance." A corresponding order was accord
ingly issued on Friday, the 26th of December.
The rebel General Hardee occupied a point on the Nolensville pike, a
httle south of the viUage of that name. The remainder of the rebel force
was at Murfreesboro'. General McCook was ordered to advance upon the
Nolensville pike towards Hardee. General Thomas was to proceed down
the Franklin pike, threatening Hardee's flank, and then by cross-roads to
form a junction vrith General McCook at Nolensrille. General Crittenden
was to advance on the Murfreesboro' pike directly to Lavergne. All these
movements were carried out as projected. Hardee retreated towards
Murfreesboro'. General Crittenden, driving the rebel skii-mishers before
him, on Saturday night had gained a position five miles south of Lavergne.
General McCook, upon the retreat of Hardee, crossed over toAvards the
Murfreesboro' pike. The rebel left, being thus drawn back and their entire
with satisfaction to the entire army. In the battle of Stone River, his head was carried away
by a cannon-ball. Colonel Garesche, a member of the Catholic Church, was one of the purest
spirits and one of the most devout Christians in the American army. The evidence of his piety,
of his love for God and man, was manifest in his daily life. It is said that during the heat of
battle, a moment before his death, he took advantage of a lull in tbe storm to retire to a private
place to read a few verses from the Bible, which he always carried with him, and to offer a short
prayer. * General James St. Clair Morton -was born in 1829, in Philadelphia, and graduated at West
Point in 1851, second in his class. He was employed until the rebellion chiefly as an engineer.
Among the public works upon which he has been engaged are Ports Sumter and Delaware, the
Potomac Water- Works, the Washington Aqueduct, and the fortifications of the Dry Tortugas.
These last-named fortifications are deemed the strongest on the American continent. He made
an exploration in 1860 of the Chirique country, in Central America, to test the practicability of a
railroad route across the Isthmus, at a point midway between the Nicaragua and the Panama
, routes. In 1860 he was appointed chief engineer of the Army of the Ohio, under General Buell.
In that capacity he constructed the fortifications at Nashville. General Rosecrans, upon
assuming the command, formed a pioneer brigade, by detailing two picked men from each com
pany for that purpose. They constituted a force of about three thousand men, and were placed
Mder the command of General Morton. The Pioneer Brigade, as this force was called, built or
repaired roads, railroads, bridges, railways, fortifications, warehouses, &c. During one night
they threw a temporary bridge some eighty feet long across Stone River.

366 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
force concentrated at Murfreesboro', General Thomas moved also over from
the Franklin to the Murfreesboro' road. These movements were not accom
plished without considerable opposition from the enemy. The National
force Avas compelled to feel its Avay over a country broken, wooded, and
unknown. The cross-roads were exceedingly bad, indeed almost impas
sable for artiUery and wagons. It was not untU Tuesday night, the 30th
of December, that General Rosecrans had his line of battle fully formed.
The rebel intrenchments, for the most part concealed in thick woods,
were a mile or tAvo in front of Murfreesboro', and extended across Stone River,
occupying both sides of the stream. General Polk commanded the right.
General E. Kirby Smith the centre, and General Hardee the left. General
Breckinridge, commanding one of Polk's dirisions, held the extreme right.
Opposite these intrenchments the National line was arrayed, the right
held by General McCook, the centre by General Thomas, and the left,
resting on Stone River, by General Crittenden. The pike and the railroad
here run parallel to each other, and quite near together, passing over a slight
rise of ground north of the river. West of this pike is a thick cedar forest,
and still farther west open ground. East of Stone River, at the point where
General Crittenden's right rested, is high ground. At this point the stream
is easily fordable. For a fuller understanding of the nature of the ground,
and the events which ensued, the reader is referred to the annexed diagranj.
On Tuesday night, the 30th of December, the corps commanders met
at the head-quarters of General Rosecrans, Avho explained to them his
plan of battle. It was briefly this : General McCook was to hold his posi
tion firmly, if attacked ; if not, he was to threaten the rebel left sufficiently
to hold all the rebel forces in his front. General Thomas was to open the
battle in his centre with skirmishing, pushing forward his forces towards
the river. General Crittenden was to cross at the ford, gain possession of
the hill, and, followed up by General Thomas with the centre, push back
the rebel right, gain their flank, and then advance on Murfreesboro',.
Thus, General McCook's extreme right constituting a pivot, the whole
army was to swing around upon it, driving the enemy to the west, gaining
their flank and rear, and cut off, if possible, their retreat ; thus not only
defeating, but, as far as practicable, destroying the enemy.
It will be at once perceived that every thing depended on General
McCook's holding the pivot of the movement firmly. " This combina
tion," said General Rosecrans," after explaining it to his corps command
ers, " requires that General McCook should hold his position unfalteringly
for at least three hours, and, if compelled to recede at all, should do so
slowly and steadily, as he advanced the day before." Then, turning to
General McCook, he said, " Tou know the ground, you have fought over
its difficulties; can you hold your present position for three houre?"
" Tes, I think I can," was General McCook's response. General Rosecrans
added, " I do not like your facing so much to the east, but must confide
that to you, who know the ground. If you do not think your present
position the best, change it."
Meanwhile, General Bragg had decided not to await an attack, but to
make one. His fm-ces largely outnumbered those of the National army;

BATTLE OF MURFREESBORO' OR STONE RIVER

361

BATTLE FIEL® @r S¥@l>iE BI¥ER1.

3S XEXAU-AT I OIT t

MURFREESBORtl
Fis7c &3lu.-:seTi Tjiii^tyOT.

BATTLE-rlELD OF STONE ETVER.

his cavalry were far superior in numbers, and perhaps in efficiency ; his
troops were well disciplined. It was his impression that a considerable
part of the National forces were raw recruits, who could not be depended
on to offer his veterans a successful resistance. Perhaps the events which
followed corrected that misapprehension ; but it determined him to assail
the Union army. His plan of attack was simUar to that of General
Bosecrans. He left General Breckinridge with a single division to hold
in cheek any Federal advance upon the right ; he then massed his forces
under General Hardee at the left, opposite McCook's position. In his
deshe to concentrate his troops for a sudden and irresistible onset at this
point, he left himself no reserve. It was his purpose to attack the
Rational right, under General McCook, drive it back, outflank the army
liy a detour of his cavalry, cut off the Federal communications with Nash-

368 rCIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
ville, and if possible gain in force the possession of the NashviUe pike in
the rear of the Union position.
Look for a moment at the diagram ; observe the National right ; it is
drawn up in a long single line ; the divisions have Uttle opportunity to
support one another. Had the line been shorter and heavier the result of
the first day's battle might have been different.
At three o'clock in the morning patrols reported that there were
no indications of rebel movements in front of the National right.
At five o'clock the whole of McCook's Division was under arms. For
over an hour they awaited an attack ; none came. Captain Egertoi^
permitted some of his battery horses to go to water ; General Willich left
his brigade, to go to head-quarters for consultation. The soldiers began to
build fires and prepare for breakfast. Suddenly and silently the enemy
issued from the woods, in which they had been concealed. In majestic
but terrible array they moved across the field which separated them from^
the National line. They advanced in four columns, regimental front, hne
after line.
Steadily, in good order, without music or noise of any kind,.they swept
across the field! The National forces, inferior in numbers, weakly
disposed, " thin and light, without support," and at the moment unpre
pared, were in no position to resist the rebel onset. A portion of the
infantry broke and ran Av-ithout firing a shot. The Thirty-fourth Illinois
Regiment, sent forward to check the rebel advance, fought with magnifi
cent but hopeless bravery, and Avere almost instantly swept away by resist
less numbers. On, on, silently but terribly, pressed the rebel hosts.
Silently the National troops, quickly placed in position, aAvait their
coming. So have we seen the dark masses of black clouds issue
from the western horizon, and press towards the eastern skies; so have
we seen the forest oaks silently aAvait the approaching storm. The
silence was not less terrible than the tempest which ensued. A moment
more, and from the opposing armies there fiashed the deadly lightnmg,
while the before silent woods echoed the reverberating thunder of the
battle-field. The combat was brief; there was some brave fighting, hut
it was fruitless. As the oaks bend and break before the violence of
the irresistible tempest, so the National line, with almost the first shock
of battle, Avas broken, throAvn into disorder, and routed.
One of those singular fatalities of war whicii sometimes determme
the issues of a battle, of an empire even, made the rout more complete.
Both the brigades first attacked lost their commanders at the outset.
General Kirk was disabled by the first fire. General Willich, summoned
back to the field by the first firing, had his horse shot under him, and
was taken prisoner before he had given a single order. Captain Egerton's
Battery fired but three rounds. His men stood and fought with their swabs
till they were bayoneted or captured. Captain Egerton himself was
wounded and taken prisoner. Disheartened by the loss of their com
mander, panic-stricken at the overAvhehning advance of the impetuous
foe, and unsupported by any reserve or second line, first Johnson's and
then.Davis's Division was driven back in irretrievable disorder.

BATTLE OF MURFREESBORO' OR STONE RIVER. 369
¦ The defeat was almost simultaneous with the attack. General
McCook had not held his position even a single hour. The pivot of the
National army was broken, and the proposed attack of General Rosecrans
was defeated before it was commenced. Upon General Sheridan * was now
devolved the task of checking the impetuous onset of the victorious foe.
A single division, outflanked and surrounded by panic-stricken fugitives,
must give battle to three divisions of a triumphant and exultant enemy,
and at least hold them in check until the cc mmanding general could make
new dispositions of his troops to meet this terrible emergency. Nobly
did General Sheridan and his division fulfll their task. Four times they
repulsed the rebel host. Surrounded, outflanked, outnumbered, in danger
of utter destruction, and pressed back into the cedar thickets in their rear,
they fought till one-fourth of their number lay bleeding and dying upon
the field — till two out of three of their brigade commanders were killed —
till every gun and cartridge-box were empty, and then they retired slowly,
steadily, and in good order.
As they passed General Rosecrans, while deliberately falling back to
make way for reenforcements. General Sheridan was heard to say to his
commanding general, with touching pathos, " Here is all that is left of us,
general." His men were even then clamoring for ammunition, and an hour
later were again in line of battle. His dirision consisted of six thousand
four hundred and ninety-five men. They lost in that fearful conflict
among the cedars seventeen hundred in killed, wounded, and missing, in
cluding seventy officers, two of whom were brigadiers. The only re
maining brigadier fell before nightfall. All honor to gallant Sheridan
and his invincible ., division 1 All honor to the memory of his brave gen
erals. Sill, Roberts, and Shaefer, and that of the gallant seventeen hun
dred who fell in that brief but bloody conflict !
General Yan Cleve, of Crittenden's Division, had just begun to cross the
river to commence the attack on the rebel right, when a staff officer from
General McCook an-ived, announcing to Rosecrans that the right was
driven back. The rapid movement of the roar of the battle to the north,
in the rear ofthe Federal line, made this too evident. Almost at the
same time fugitives and stragglers from McCook's panic-stricken division
began to make their appearance in great numbers through the cedar
thicket. The disaster was only too evident. In nothing is military genius
more tried and exhibited than in meeting a crisis so appalling. A complete
* General Philip Henry Sheridan, familiarly known as Phil. Sheridan, was born in Ohio in
1831, and graduated at West Point in 1853. Until 1861 ho was employed on the Western fron
tier. Prom December, 1861, to March, 1362, ho served as chief quartermaster and commissary of
theArmy of the Southwest; and afterwards, in Uke capacity, with tho army in the front of Corinth.
In May he was appointed colonel of the Second Michigan Cavalry, and accompanied Colonel El
liott in his famous expedition to the rear of Corinth. On the 1 1th of June ho was assigned to
the eommand of a brigade of cavalry, and held the front of tho Army of the Mississippi at Boone-
AiUe. In the fierce engagement here his gallantry won for him a brigadier-generalship. In Sep
tember he joined Buell's forces at Louisville. At the battle of Perryville he commanded General
Gilbert's left division. In the battle of Stone River he rose to the rank of major-general, and
T^-on imperishable renown.
Vol. II.— 24

370 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
and instantaneous change of plan was essential. There was not a mo
ment to be spared for deliberate thought. New lines of battle were
instantaneously to be formed, in the midst of the terror, confusion, and
carnage of a disastrous battle, A slight error in judgment might secure
the destruction of the entire National army.
With that quickness of thought and promptness of action which char
acterize the true military leader. General Rosecrans prepared to cope Avith
the disasters thickening around him. His first act showed how thoroughly
he comprehended the emergence. Notwithstanding his right wing was
driven back, and every available man was needed to repel the advance
of the foe, he dispatched instantly a large force of cavalry do^vn the Mur
freesboro' pike, several miles to his rear, to take position at an important
ford. They did not arrive there one moment too soon ; for scarcely had
they reached the spot ere the road was croAvded with Union fugitives,
rushing wildly from the scene of disaster. These Avere promptly arrested
in their flight, reorganized, and sent back to their regiments. In spite of
this precaution, a few, swifter than their comrades, reached NashriUe,
where they declared that the entire army was routed and destroyed.
General Rosecrans, having thus arrested the flood of the rout, ordered
General Van Cleve back from across the river. General Rousseau, who
held tho reserve, was sent into the thicket to support General Sheridan.
A new reserve Avas organized. Thus a force was thrown into the cedar
grove sufficient to check, but that was all, the advance of the enemy.
Still, in spite of heroic struggles, of brave and desperate fighting, the
Union forces were driven slowly but steadily back. Terrible was the
battle which the glooms of that dark cedar forest hid from view. Its his
tory, its scenes of daring and of suffering, no mortal pen can write.
Many a hero fell there, whose name, unrecorded on earth, we trust shall
be held in perpetual remembrance in heaven. There is a fame which
passes beyond the grave, and is as during as the stars.
While these events were transpiring on the right, a confiict scarce^.,
less fierce was raging about the centre. Here Brigadier-General Palmer'^
Dirision fought with truly chivalrous courage. His position was on the
verge of the cedar grove. In the front of him was an open field, in the
centre of which stood the remains of a brick house which had been dis
mantled and burned a few days before. This house formed the centre of
one of the most sanguinary conflicts of the battle. General Palmer or
dered an advance on the burnt house, to be led by Brigadier-General
Cruft. Issuing from the woods, he drove the rebel skirmishers before him,
and gained possession of a fence, Avhich served as some protection to his line-
The enemy immediately marched their forces and charged upon him
with desperate but unavailing abandon. Again and a"-ain they renewed
the charge. General Cruft withheld his fire until the rebels were within
point-blank range. They were then swept, torn, hurled to the dust, by a
volley which no flesh and blood could Avithstand. For half an hour these
surges of battle swept the plain, until the foe was at that point finally re
pulsed. General Cruft foUoAved up his success by charging, in his turn,
the rebels. Driving them before him, he gained the brick house, and, press-

BATTLE OP MURFREESBORO' OR STONE RIVER, 371
ing on his first brigade, stood A\-ithin forty yards of the rebel Une of in
trenchments. This final charge was led by Colonel Engart, and has been
pronounced the most daring exploit of the day. The position thus at
tained was, however, not long tenable.
The retreat of the National right, and the abandonment of the ad
vance upon the left by General Van Cleve, left them liable to be flanked
on either side. The rebels were victorious on the right. They were no
longer threatened on the left. They were resolved to break the National
centre, and drive it back into the cedar woods. This centre now consti
tuted the pivot on which the battle turned. It was fiercely, bravely held.
The fighting in the centre is said not to have been less severe than the
bloodiest encounter on the field of Shiloh. General Cruft held the ad
vance. He needed reenforcements, but they could not be spared. He
was assailed again and again in front and on either side. His brigade
deemed enveloped in a sheet of fiame. At last, its ammunition exhausted,
its ranks decimated, its flank turned, its rear threatened, it slowly re
treated, stubbornly contesting every step, bringing off all the guns, several
of them by hand, the horses having been kUled. Falling back to the east
of its former position, it took a new stand on the turnpike, constituting
the left ofthe new line, which General Rosecrans was forming.
Meanwhile, the advance of the rebels upon the right through the cedar
Airoods, though checked, was not prevented. General Sheridan's Division
had expended all their ammunition. They could get no more. With empty
cartridge-boxes, but still with compact ranks, they slowly retired from the
thicket. Indeed, in the dense undergrowth the artillery could not be
brought into position, and it was necessary to fall back to the open ground
where the batteries could operate. This hazardous movement was Success-
inlly accompUshed. In the midst of the thicket there was a swamp. In
it the flying and the pursuing horsemen and footmen were entangled.
Here were many desperate hand-to-hand encounters. The soldiers afterAvards
fentitledthe spot Hell's Half-Acre. The divisions of Johnson and Davis
were routed. ' Sheridan had been compelled to retire. Negley Avas nearly
surrounded. Rousseau was receding. Still, General Rosecrans, as persist
ent as Napoleon at Marengo, undaunted, said, " We shall beat them yet."
-¦¦¦' Eosecrans was preparing to make good his declaration. Officer after
officer was hurried off in every direction with his orders. A new line of
battle was formed. The high land occupied jointly by the railroad and
the turnpike was the position chosen. Here were massed all the batteries
which could be spared from other parts of the fleld. Here in magnificent
array were gathered the remnants of the National army. The command
ing general in person formed the line, regardless of danger, visiting every
quarter of the field. By his own courage he inspired the fearful and the
faltering. The line, composed of the flower of the left wing and the
centre, faced the woods through which the rebels were advancing. " The
scene at this time," writes an eye-witness, " was grand and awful as any
thing I ever expect to witness untU the day of judgment."
The rebels came rushing and roaring on. Should they obtain the ridge,
the hnmense train of Union wagons, parked along the turnpike, Avould be

372 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
irretrievably lost. The retreat of the army would be cut off, and its anni
hilation sure. All the reenforcements which had been hurried into the
woods to arrest the progress of the enemy had been checked, turned back,-
and thrown into inextricable disorder by the vast mass of fugitives sur
ging through the forest. The shouts and clamor and deafening storm of
battle were sufficient to appall the stoutest hearts.
" The roar of cannon, the crashing of shot through the trees, the whiz
zing and bursting of shell, the uninterrupted rattle of thirty thousand mus
kets, all mingled in one prolonged and tremendous volume of sound, as
though all the thunders of heaven had been rolled together, and each indi
vidual burst of celestial artillery had been rendered perpetual. Above it
all could be heard the wild cheers of the traitorous hosts, as body after
body of our troops gave w-ay, and Avere pushed back towards the turnpike.
Nearer and nearer came the storm. Louder and louder resounded the
tumult of the battle. The immense trains of AA-agons, parked along the
road, suddenly seemed instinct AA-ith struggling life ; and every species of
army vehicle, preceded by frightened mules and horses, rolled and rattled
away pell-mell, in an opposite direction from that in Avhicli the victorions;
foe was pressing onward. The shouts and cries of the terrified teamsters;
urging their teams to the top of their speed, were noAV mingled with the
billows of sound Avhich swayed and surged over the field."
The crisis which was to decide the fate of the army had arrived,]
Every thing depended upon the troops which the genius of General Rose-*
crans had ranged along the ridge. Suddenly, the routed troops, pursued
by the rebels, rushed from the woods upon the open plain before the ridge
frightfully. Ten thousand fugitives, panic-stricken, like forest-leaves driven
by the gale, burst into view. The bullets of the enemy fell thick among
them, and they dropped by scores. The long lines of the enemy, foi-,
lowing in terrible array, emerged from the woods rank behind rank, and,
with demoniac yells, rushed across the plain and charged upon the A'ery
muzzles of the batteries, Avhich General Rosecrans had placed upon the
ridge to receive them. That morning General Rosecrans had issued an
address to his soldiers, the closing sentences of which were as follows : —
" Close readily in upon the enemy, and, when you get within charging
distance, rush upon them with the bayonet. Do this, and victory wiU cer
tainly be yours. Recollect that there are hardly any troops in the world
th*t will stand a bayonet charge, and that those who make it are therer.
fore sure to win."
He now acted upon this principle. Spurring his horse forward to the
front of the line, he shouted, " Shoot Ioav. Be sure. Then charge 1 " The
bullets from the rebel muskets fell around him Uke pattering drops of rain.
A soldier dropped dead at the feet of his horse. Suddenly, a dazzling sheet
of flame is fiashed from the National line. The concentrated fire mows
doAvn the foremost rebel ranks. A moment before exultant, sure of a speedy
and a perfect victory, they now hesitate, halt, break. "Now drive
them home ! " shouts Rosecrans. He leads the charge in person. Like
the flashing change of a rision, the tide of battle is turned. The rebels,
repulsed, discomfited, .are driven back to the fastnesses of thc cedar thickets.

BATTLE OP MURFREESBORO' OR STONE RIVER. 373
V Thus ended the battle of the morning. Silence almost as of the sepul
chre ensued. It was an ominous lull in this terrific tempest of war. What
new elements of destruction were brooding in the dark recesses of the
forest ! Before the tornado bursts the air is often stillest, sultriest, and
all the voices of nature are hushed. Did General Rosecrans divine the
significance of this silence, or were the rebel plans divulged by some de
serter or igpy? However that may be, he prepared to meet the new
attack, as if by some prescience conscious of the quarter from whence it
would come. Promptly he moved his batteries from the right to the left
Aving. Here he massed a formidable array of cannon in a semicircular
form. The battery was supported by troops from General Crittenden's
Division, whUe some rude defences were speedily thrown up upon the
right. Meanwhile, General Bragg had concentrated his forces for a last grand
attack upon the National left. General Rosecrans had rightly judged of
the rebel purpose. About the middle of the afternoon the rebels com
menced a fierce cannonading up the turnpike. Soon, from out the woods,
there issued the rebel infantry in magnificent array, in three lines of battle,
one following the other. On a small knoll, within easy range of riflemen
and shells, stood Rosecrans and his three division commanders. A shower
of buUets and a whizzing shell admonished them of their danger. .. " This
is a nice mark for sheUs. Can't you thin out, men ?" said General McCook.
" I guess," General Thomas repUed, " it is about as safe in one place as
another." General Rosecrans, overlooking the whole field, personally superin
tended the movements of his troops. " The Union army," writes a cor
respondent, " was like a set of chessmen in his hands, and its different
brigades and dirisions were moved about with as much ease as pawns and
Mn^ in the royal game."
¦ "The troops," writes another, "were handled with matchless skill.
Lmes upon Unes were piled upon each other so compactly, that even the
avi-fol momentum and the ferocity of the rebel onslaught could not shake
fihem. Columns were hurled in solid ranks, from one side of the field to
the other, as if they were toys, or were fiung into the face of the enemy as
if it were a game playing. It is no grasp at rhetoric to describe the swift
and steady evolutions of our brigades as perfect as the movements of a
grand reriew."
The least exhausted troops were hurried up from different parts of the
teld upon the double-quick, to strengthen the position already taken. The
celerity of plan and movement was wonderful. Before the first rebel line
had reached the Union position, the patriot troops were massed, and wait
ing to receive them. Then followed a confiict as deadly and terrible as
can be conceived. The rebels, enraged that a victory, of which they had
tliought themselves assured, had been so unexpectedly plucked from their
hands, fought with a desperation amounting almost to madness. They
charged up to the very muzzles of the Union batteries. They shouted
[Aeir imprecations against the patriots. They hurled their emptied mus
kets aHhe heads of the artiUerymen, and feU by scores and hundreds on

374 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
that bloody field. The Union soldiers, aware that every thing might de
pend upon the issue of that hour, fought with a courage less desperate, but
more determined. Solid shot ploughed through their ranks; bursting
shells made great chasms in their columns ; but no cheer, no shout, no
voice, save the voice of command, was heard.
Riderless horses gaUoped in terror over the field. Officers hurried to
and fro, bearing orders from the commanding general, or requests to him
for direction or for aid. General Rosecrans, accompanied by his staff, in
the midst ofthe fiercest ofthe combat, galloped through the deadly rain, to
reenforee a weak point in the line by his presence and by his cheering.
words. It was a fearful ride. His chief of staff fell by his side, his head
carried away by an unexploded shell. Two others fell mortally wounded ;
three had their horses shot under them. General Rosecrans, apparently
unmindful of the danger, scarcely recognized the loss of his comrades.
The death of Garesche was announced to him. " I am very sorry ; we can
not help it," was the reply. It was announced to him that General McCook
was killed. "We cannot help it," he repUed; "this battle must be
won." In this conflict. General Palmer's and General Wood's Divisions held
the front, and won for themselves immortal honor. For three-quarters of
an hour the contest lasted. Then the rebel columns, which had been
hurled with such sublime recklessness upon the Union lines, were effectu
ally repulsed. Smitten into fragments by the terrific storm which swept
down upon them, they scattered in disordered flight to the cover of the
woods. The battle for the day was over.
On the whole, the fortunes of the day had been decidedly adverse to
the National cause. General Rosecrans had been compelled to abandon his
well-matured plans of attack. He had been forced to take the defensive.
His right wing had been driven back two miles. His communications j
with NashriUe were cut off by the rebel cavalry which hoA-ered upon his
rear. His supplies were running short. On Friday, a part of his men
dined on parched corn and horse-flesh. Starvation now threatened the
army not less than defeat. Though General Bragg had been finally re
pulsed, there were no indications that he had been beaten, or that^e
intended to withdraw. In fact, he presumed that Rosecrans would en
deavor to retreat to Nashville ; and Bragg telegraphed to Richmond that
night, claiming a glorious victory.
Serious indeed was the disaster which had befallen the National arms.
Seven thousand patriots had been struck down in ten hours. A number
of guns had been captured by the rebels ; a number of prisoners had been
taken. The disaster of the morning Avas by no means retrieved by the
repulse of the rebels in the afternoon. More than half of the battle-field
Avas now in the hands ofthe foe. Several ammunition-trains had been de
stroyed, and a large part of the ammunition at the command of the army
had been expended.
In this emergence, a council of Avar was summoned. Each general gave
his ojpinion. Some recommended retreat. Many of the men were despon
dent. General Rosecrans, having ascertained the views of his officm,

BATTLE OP MURFREESBORO' OR STONE RIVER. 375
mountea his horse and rode to the rear. He selected a point where he
j'udged that the army could make a second stand, if driven from their
present position. His decision was quickly formed and announced.
" Gentlemen," said he, " we fight or die right here." Careful examination
showed that there was enough ammunition left to fight another battle. All
the officers, even those who differed from General Rosecrans in judgment,
nobly sustained him. " I will say this," writes General Rosecrans, " of all
my officers, that, however adAdsable some of them regarded retreat, every
one of them expressed the greatest alacrity to carry out my purpose ; not a
man of them objected or hesitated."
The position of both armies was now entirely changed. The Union
fbrees were extended north and south along the line of the pike and rail
road. The right rested on the pike, the left on Stone River. The
iteompanying diagram shows both the first and the second position of the
respective armies. These, however, cannot be exhibited with accuracy of
detail, since the various divisions were constantly changing their position.
Thursday passed Arithout any fighting worthy of note. There was
Bkirmishing along the entire line. There Avas a pretty vigorous artillery
duel in the morning, though neither party was ready to reneAV the contest
of the prerious day. The Union right Aving Avas still the weakest point.
Its loss had been hearier than that of either of the other corps. In the first
retreat and the hand-to-hand fight in the woods it had suffered terribly. It
was weakened as much by the fiight of the panic-stricken as by the loss in
battle. It needed reenforcements, but there were none which could be
employed for that purpose. General Rosecrans summoned three or four
'Officers gifted Arith strong lungs, and ordered them to deploy \h.eJFourteenth
. Division in line under cover of darkness, and to make as much noise about
it as possible. The Fourteenth Division was a phantom of the general's
brain. It was Avhat metaphysicians might term a purely " subjective "
dirision. The commands were obeyed. The forest echoed with the
vociferous commands of the officers. The imaginary division was ma
noeuvred into position. Camp-fires were kindled. The commanding
general in person supervised the placing of the imaginary bands of warriors
for the next day's engagement.
' The ruse was successful. Bragg made no more attempts to attack the
right wing. On the 31st of December he claimed a glorious victory. On
the 5th of January he telegraphed, explaining his retreat, by saying that
the enemy were reenforced. This " Fourteenth Division " was the only
reenforcement General Rosecrans had received.
Friday morning wore away much as the previous day had done. From
every point came the booming of cannon, and the occasional sharp rattle
of skirmishers engaged in conflict. The rebels were feeling the Union
lines in search for a weak spot ; but every man was on the alert, and every
'point was weU guarded. Evening drew on, and there had been no decisive
movement. Just as it was supposed that the day would pass Avithout a
conflict, there suddenly appeared, emerging from the woods on the other
side of the river, three rebel divisions, led by Rains, Anderson, and Breck-
¦ipnidge. They moved impetuously forward to assail the two brigades of

376 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA. /
General Van Cleve on the extreme left. These brigades had crossed the
river at the ford the night before, and occupied the high ground at the
bend ofthe stream and on its south bank. Their position commanded and
enfiladed the rebel right. To dislodge them and drive them back across
the river was the purpose of the rebels.
With this object they sUently massed their forces, and hurled them upon
General Van Clove's Division. They were repeating the tactics of Wed
nesday morning. But their onslaught was followed by no rout, no paiiic.
Two brigades could not, indeed, alone Arithstand such a force. They were
pressed back to the river edge ; then into the river, crimsoning it Avith their
blood. There was danger that the Union battery would fall into rebel
hands. There was perhaps danger to the entire National left, for the rebels,
encouraged by their success, were preparing to cross the stream and follow
up the advantage they had gained. Their success, however, was but tran
sient. With energy and alacrity inspired by the disasters of the previous
days, the batteries on the Union side of the river were immediately massed.
In twenty minutes from the first movement of the rebels in their onset,
fifty-two guns Avere sweeping their ranks with mutilation and death.
General Negley, wifh part of his dirision, came on the double-quick
from the centre to General Crittenden's support. General Daris sent a
brigade, without waiting for orders. General McCook, not knowing this,
sent another, which came up to the river bank on the double-quick, in less
than five minutes after General Crittenden's request for help had been re
ceived. There was here none of that tardiness which nearly lost us the
day at Perryville — none of that diabolic jealousy, which, on more than one
occasion, has been willing to overwhelm the National arms with defeat,
rather than aid a rival general to victory. All gladly cooperated.
The Union forces plunged into the river, firing as they ran. They
waded the stream, climbed tbe bank, incessantly loading and firing, and
then, Avith gleaming bayonets, charged impetuously upon the foe. The
rebels Avere driven in disorder before them, abandoning four of their
guns. Two thousand of their number were left dead or wounded upon
the field. The enfilading fire of the Union batteries, playing all the
time, was terribly destructive. The disaster of Wednesday was now in
some measure retrieved. Nothing but the darkness of the approaching
night prevented the Union forces from pursuing the fiying foe into
Murfreesboro'. When one of General Rosecrans's staff, with a captured
rebel banner in his hands, galloped over the field to announce the victory ,
to the other divisions, a cheer arose, from thousands of lips, such as,
not rebels, but patriots only, can give. All loyal hearts, in all peaceful
homes, throbbed Arith pulsations of grateful joy at the intelligence of the
triumph of our National arms. How, then, must the announcement of such
a victory have thrilled the heart of the soldier who had helped to purchase ,
it with suffering and peril, and perhaps with his blood ! ' '' -
Thus ended the battle of Stone River. Side by side, on these hill-
slopes, lay the patriot and rebel wounded, dying, dead. God made them
to be brothers — members of the same race, children of the same country,
citizens of the same republic, disciples of the same religion. Forever

BATTLU OF MURFREESBORO' OR STONE RIVER. 377
accursed of God and man be that wicked rebelUon, and that more wicked
monster, slavery, parent of. the rebeUion, Avhich separated in such deadly
enmity those whom God had, by such bonds, joined together.
" The contrast," says a correspondent of the " Cincinnati Gazette "
(Agate), whose accounts of the battle-fields of Pittsburg Landing and
Stone River are characterized by accurate truthfulness no less than their
graphic power — " The contrast between the patient endurance of our own
wounded, and the restless, agitated, and almost unmanly bearing of the
rebels, in a similar condition, is always most remarkable. One of them
will make a greater outcry than all of half a dozen disabled Union
soldiers. I was much struck with the nature of the prayers which some of
these dying men were uttering. A disquieting doubt seemed to rest upon
their minds as to whether they had been engaged in a righteous cause,
and wdth one or two the entire burden of the prayer was a petition to
Almighty God for forgiveness, in case they had done wrong by taking
part in the war. These were some of the deceived and betrayed men of the
South, whose bl«>od vrill rest heavily upon the souls of the rebel leaders."
The battle of Stone River was substantiaUy brought to a close on
Friday night, having thus lasted three days. The next day the rain fell
in torrents. The miry roads prevented the movement of artillery, and
no attempt to advance on Murfreesboro' > was made. The rebels sullenly
rethed, while there was a continual skirmishing kept up between the
hostile lines. The next morning Avas the Sabbath. It was announced in
camp that the rebels had evacuated Murfreesboro'. But General Rose
crans, beliering in the commandments of God, always gave his men a
Sabbath of rest, whenever it Avas possible. Never did weary men stand
more in need of repose. In accordance with the rites of the Catholic
Church, high mass was celebrated in the tent of the commanding general.
More appropriate words could not have been chosen than were the words
of that morning prayer, which General Rosecrans also attached to the
close of his official report : Non nobis, Domini, non nobis ! sed nomini
tui da gloriam. " Not unto us, 0 Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name
give the glory."
The exact number of rebels engaged in the battle of Stone River is not
known. It is estimated by General Rosecrans, from information obtained
from the prisoners, at sixty-two thousand five hundred. The National
forces engaged in the battle were forty-three thousand four hundred. The
Union loss was fifteen hundred killed, and over seven thousand wounded.
Kearly three thousand were taken prisoners. The final result was an
padoubted Union rietory, though one dearly bought. The rebels fought
with the characteristic enthusiasm of the Southern troops. The patriots
fought with that tenacity of purpose which has ever signalized the North.
The unyielding endurance of the one was more than a match for the
reckless daring ofthe other. "Brag," said General Rosecrans, "is a good
dog, but Holdfast is better."
y The victory of Stone River was won by the heroism of the soldiers,
guided by the mUitary genius and unflinching bravery of General Rosecrans.
"If Eosecrans," said a rebel officer to the Avriter of this page, "had com-

378 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
manded our army, and Bragg yours, we would have had Nashville." On
Thursday morning, January 1, General Bragg telegraphed to Richmond:—
" We assailed the enemy at seven o'clock this morning, and, after ten
hours' hard fighting, have driven him from every position except his extreme
left, where he has successfully resisted us. With the exception of this
point we occupy the whole field." In a later dispatch, of the same date,
he added, " The enemy has yielded his strong point, and is falling back.
We occupy the whole field, and shall follow." On Monday, the 5th, he
telegraphed from Tullahoma, " Unable to dislodge the enemy from his
intrenchments, and learning of reenforcements to him" (the imaginary
Fourteenth Dirision), " I withdrew from his front night before last. We
have retired from Murfreesboro' in perfect order. All our stores are saved."
General Rosecrans, in his official report, says : " If there are any more
bloody battles on record, considering the newness and inexperience of the
troops, both officers and men, or if there has been more true fighting dis
played by any people, I should be pleased to know it." On the 5th of
January, President Lincoln sent to General Rosecrans the following tele
gram : —
" Your dispatch, announcing the retreat of the enemy, has just reached
here. God bless you, and all with you. Please tender to all, and accept
for yourself, a nation's gratitude for your and their skill, endurance, and
dauntless courage." The nation has indorsed the President's utterance as
its own.

CHAPTER XXXI.
THE BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE.
(From April 2Tth to May 4th, IS63.)
Breaking Cimp at Falmouth. — Adroit Stratagem, — Grossing the Rappahannock. — The
Surprise op Gen-er-al Howard's Corps. — B.attle Scene. — Death of General Berry. —
Alternations op Victory and Defeat. — Peku. op the Army. — Retreat. — Hooker's Proc
lamation. — The Unexplained Mystery.
Again let us return to the Atlantic coast. There was a general,
ahnost a universal impression, that General Burnside, in his heroic yet
disasfrous attack upon the heights of Fredericksburg, was not supported as
he should have been by all of his corps commanders. Indeed, party spirit
then ran so high that it was very confidently stated that some of the
prominent officers, whose cordial cooperation was essential to success, pre
ferred defeat, rather than that the Army of the Potomac should be led to
victory by any other commander than General McClellan. Early in
April, General Lee held the city of Fredericksburg, and its adjacent
heights south ofthe Rappahannock. General Hooker, who had succeeded
General Burnside in command of the Army of the Potomac, with about one
hundred and twenty thousand troops, was on the northern banks of the
sfream. With great celerity of movement, early in May, he crossed the upper
waters of the Rappahannock, and placed, almost Avithout a struggle, the
main body of his army, seventy-five thousand strong, in an admirable
position in the rear of Fredericksburg, about ten miles southwest of the
city. The rebels, strongly intrenched on the heights just behind Fredericks
burg, were quite taken by surprise.
This movement of the National forces from their encampment near Fal
mouth was commenced energetically on the morning of the 27th of AprU.
The pickets of the rebels lined the right banks of the narrow stream, and
by tacit consent there had been no firing across the river. The rebel look
outs were upon every eminence, to watch the slightest motion of the army.
But concealing themselves in the dense growth of woods which lined
the stream, and behind the curtain of hills, the camps were suddenly
broken up, the comfortable log-huts, where the men had sheltered them
selves through the storms of winter, were abandoned, and the whole region,
for miles in extent, was alive with the moving masses. The army was in
splendid condition, and, having full confidence in its heroic leader, was
elated vrith the highest hope. Hitherto, every movement of the army had
been knovm, not only throughout the North, but by the rebels, as soon as

380 CIVIL WAK IN AMERICA.
it was contemplated. It was something new to have manoeuvres inaugu
rated under secrecy so profound, that even major-generals knew not the re
sults aimed at, receiving their specific orders day by day. Though all the
arrangements had been so perfectly matured that there Avas no clashing of
the divisions, and no confusion, still the most inteUigent observers were
bewUdered, as, along a line twenty or thirty mUes in length, columns were
moving in different directions, and with great celerity. Three of the
seven army corps, those under Generals Reynolds, Sickles, and Sedgwick,
descended the stream tAvo miles below Fredericksburg, whei'e General
FrankUn had crossed in the campaign of General Burnside. Other corps
were in the mean time moving up the river, in the direction of Banks's
Ford, w-hich was eight miles, and United States Ford, which was eleven
miles distant from Fredericksburg.
No one, apparently, but the commander-in-chief himself knew Avhere
the main attack would be made. The two points towards which vast
bodies of troops were approaching were many miles apart, and manifestly
not within the limits of cooperation. Hence, it was evident that the
operations at one point Avould be merely a feint to distract the attention of
the enemy ; while at the other the main body of the army would be pushed
across the stream. Events proved that the feint with twenty thousand
men was to be made by General Sedgwick, two miles below Fredericks
burg, while the main body of the army were to be rushed across by pontoon
bridges and the various fords above the city.
Before the dawn of Tuesday morning, April 28th, under cover of a dense
fog, several pontoon-boats were taken from the wagons, behind the hills,
two miles below Fredericksburg, and were noislessly carried on the shoul
ders of the men, to the river's brink, and launched into the stream. With
great celerity a bridge was constructed, and General Russell's Brigade of
General Brooks's Dirision of the Sixth Army Corps, with hushed voice and
noiseless tread, rushed across. For forty miles up and down the stream,
the rebels were posted at every ford, and every spot where a crossing was
deemed possible. The National troops, at the point we have alluded to,
crossed so suddenly, and in such strength, that the rebels, in their rifie-
pits, about two hundred in number, made but feeble resistance. Both lines
of the rifie-pits were soon in possession of the patriots, with the loss of
scarcely half a dozen men. This feat being accomplished, three pontoon
bridges were promptly thrown over the river, and the whole of Brooks's
Division crossed. General Sedgwick was here in command, and the move
ment Avas a perfect success. A mile and a half below General SedgAvick's
pontoons there was an estate called Southfield, where General Reynolds
was instructed to effect a crossing.
The day had dawned and the fog had lifted before he was able to get
his pontoons into the water. The rebels, from their rifle-pits, opened upon
him a deadly fire. General Hunt placed forty pieces of artillery in battery,
and so effectually swept the field with grape and canister, that not a rebel
sharpshooter dared peer aboA'e his pit. The patriots, protected by this
rigorous fire, pushed over in boats, and charging up the hill, captured the
first row of rifie-pits, with all the rebels Avho were burrowing in them, on6

THE BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE. 381
hundred and fifty in number. Two pontoon bridges were immediately
constructed, and General Wadsworth's Division passed over. General
Wadsworth himself, in his impatience, plunged into the stream on horse
back, and swam his horse to the other side.
A very adroit stratagem was here adopted, to deceive the rebels into the
beUef that the main body of the army was massed for the purpose of cross
ing at this point. Two dirisions only had thus far been sent over the river.
There were still four upon the left bank. The enemy was in strength on
the crest of the hills, watching our movements. These four divisions were
put on the march, over the brow of the hills, and down towards the cross
ing. But instead of passing over, they were secretly drawn back through
a concealed ravine, round again, and over the top of the hill. This in
terminable Une in solid column, with its long artillery and baggage-trains,
presented the appearance of a hundred thousand men. The deception was
so perfect that even careful observers, on our own side of the river, were
deceived. The rebels sounded the alarm. Promptly they began to accumu
late their forces at this point, to resist our advance. Corps after corps was
on the march, deceived by the feint. On our own part, all was intense
actirity ; our columns in rapid movement, their bayonets gUstening in
the rays of the unclouded sun. One hundred and fifty pieces of artillery
were in position on the left bank of the river, to keep the foe at a
respectful distance, while the two dirisions which had already crossed
were strengthening themselves in the places they had selected. The
scene was animating and beautiful. It was one of the most lovely of days.
The returning sun of spring had already covered the fields and the meadows
Arith their summer verdure, while the peach and the hawthorn, in full
bloom, filled the air with beauty and Avith fragrance.
While these scenes were being thus ostentatiously enacted on the lower
part ofthe river, the main part ofthe army, one hundred thousand strong,
Avere ascending the river through the Avoods and behind the fields, to cross
by the various fords above. All day Monday and Tuesday the immense
force was on the move, and at midnight of Tuesday, the 28th, General
Howard, in command of the Eleventh Corps, crossed the Rappahannock,
twenty-seven mUes above Fredericksburg, mainly on pontoon bridges,
which he threw across the stream at Kelley's" Ford. At daylight. General
Slocum foUowed him by the same path with the Twelfth Corps, and early
in the morning General Meade, with the Fifth Corps, also crossed the river,
at the Same spot. This strong column then struck across the country
directly south to the Rapidan, one of the main affluents of the Rappahan
nock. Generals Howard and Slocum crossed this river at Germania Ford,
about sixteen miles from United States Ford, where the Rapidan joins the
Rappahannock. General Meade took a road a Uttle to the eastward,
Avhich crossed the Rapidan at Ely's Ford, about eight mUes from the mouth
ofthe stream. The most singular success had accompanied the expedition
thus far, and every man was elated with hope. At Germania Ford the
water was very deep, coming up to a man's shoulder, and the current rapid.
One hundred and fifty rebel soldiers were there buUding a bridge. Gen
eral Howard swept around and captured them all.

382 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Notwithstanding the rapidity of the current and the depth of the water,
the men eagerly plunged into the stream, first divesting themselves of their
clothing. Carrying their garments and their cartridge-boxes on their bayo
nets, they waded over, up to their armpits in the water, in one of the gayest
imaginable scenes of fun and frolic. A foot-bridge was constructed on the
abutments which the rebels had reared. During the night immense bon
fires blazed upon the banks, and by their Ught the whole remaining force
crossed the Rapidan before the dawn of morning. So unexpected was this
movement by the rebels, that at five o'clock in the morning of the 29th, a
courier came dashing into Fredericksburg with the startling intelligence
that the Tankees were crossing the river. The alarm-bells instantly sum
moned all the rebels to arms.
General Meade was equally successful in crossing at Ely's Ford, though
the men had to wade through the stream waist-deep in water. Both
columns now marched vigorously on about ten miles farther, to Chancel
lorsville. This Avas a characteristic Southern village, consisting of one
house, at the junction of tAvo roads, the Gordonsville turnpike and the
Orange Court-House plankroad. Communication was carefully kept up be
tween the two advancing columns by means of a squadron of Pleasonton's
cavalry. The right fiank of General Howard's column was also protected
by a squadron of cavafry. The rebels had thrown up formidable intrench
ments opposite United States Ford, at the mouth of the Rapidan, twelve
miles from Fredericksburg. This movement of the National forces com
pelled them precipitately to abandon the position. Couch's Coi-ps conse-'
quently crossed the Rappahannock on bridges at this ford, Avithout
encountering any opposition. Proudly they marched into the vacated
ramparts of the foe to the National air of " Hail Columbia." Four army
corps were now converging towards Chancellorsville.
General Hooker, with his staff, placed himself at the head of the army,
establishing his head- quarters at Chancellorsville. This energetic move
ment electrified the nation. A column of nearly one hundred thousand
troops, each man carrying sixty pounds of baggage, had marched in two
days thirty-six miles, had bridged and crossed tAvo streams, and had baffled
all the efforts of a vigilant and determined enemy. The loss had scarcely
been half a dozen men.
General Lee was greatly surprised when he learned that the National
forces had crossed the Rapidan and had turned his fiank. With consum
mate ability he met the emergence. General Hooker, and his friends gen
erally, considered that the positions already obtained by the patriot anny
Avere decisive of the campaign. He issued an order on Thursday, April
30th, containing the following words : —
" It is Avith heartfelt satisfaction that the General commanding an
nounces to the army that the operations of the last three days have deter
mined that our enemies must ingloriously fly, or come out from behind
their defences and give us battle on our own ground, where certain de
struction awaits them."
A reference to the map Arill convince the reader that General Hooker
was authorized to use language so hopeful Chancellorsrille was ten

i^hiri^^

ENGRAVED E/PRESSLV l-OR ABBOITS CIVIL V,SK

THE BATTLE OP CHANCELLORSVILLE. 383
mUes west by south from Fredericksburg. It was completely in the rear
of the rebel batteries, which were froAvning along the ridges facing the
Rappahannock. There was but one alternative for the foe. He must
either retreat directly south along the Uue of the railroad to Richmond
or give battle to General Hooker on his oavu ground. The doom of the
rebels seemed sealed. Their retreat by way of Gordonsville Avas appar
ently cut off by the presence of the National troops. General Hooker
had sent General Stoneman secretly, by a circuitous route, with a squad
ron of three thousand piicked horsemen, to cut the rebel line of communica
tion with Richmond, by tearing up the railroad and destroying the bridges.
But General Stoneman, who was in command of this expedition, had not
yet been heard from, and it was not known whether his enterprise would
prove a success or a failure.*
The repulse at Charleston, S. C, and the withdrawal of the iron-clads,
had relieved the rebels of any apprehension of any immediate attack upon
that city. Consequently, large reenforcements were sent from Charleston
to strengthen the already powerful army which rebellion had gathered
upon the Rappahannock. The force under General Lee Avas estimated
at from eighty to one hundred thousand men. He was one of the most
wealthy of the Southern slaveholders. It had already become a common
saying in the South, that the rebellion Avas the " rich man's war and the
poor man's fight." General Lee's estate was immense. At Arlington,
near Washington, he had seven hundred acres in one lot, eleven hundred
in another, besides several other plantations at a distance, tilled by
four hundred slaves. The children of these laborers were sold in Virginia,
at prices varying from five hundred to two thousand dollars. This was
the man who, by the energies of a despotism never exceeded in Turkey,
was compelling poor men to fight for the enthronement of the rich and
the oppression of the poor.
On Thursday night, April 30th, the National force was massed in the
vicinity of Chancellorsville, carefully guarding all its approaches. The
rebel generals, conscious of the desperate game they were playing, were
never wanting Ui rigor. General Lee rapidly marched all the troops at
his disposal to fall in solid column upon the weakest portion of the National
hne. The whole of Friday was passed in energetic skirmishing on both
sides, each seeking to find the exposed point of the other. General
Hooker, with his topographical corps, was busy all the day studying the
ground which was manifestly to be the theatre of a great battle.
* General George Stoneman was born in the State of New Tork, in 1826. He entered West
Point in 1842, and was commissioned on his graduation as second lieutenant in the First Dragoons.
Por fifteen years he had no call to active service, and yet he acquired a high reputation among
all who knew him, as a cavalry officer. As soon aa the rebels raised their flag, in May, 1861,
Lieutenant Stoneman was appointed major in the Fourth Cavalry. Soon after ho was made
brigadier-general in the Army of the Potomac, and took charge of a brigade. Subsequently he
was transferred to the cavalry service, and was invested with its chief command. He signalized
himself during the disasters of the campaign of the Chickahominy, approaching nearer to Rich
mond than any other man in the army. The feat he accomplished under General Hooker, riding
entirely around Leo's army, and approaching within two miles of Richmond, gave him National

384 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
The single house found at Chancellorsville stands in a small clearing
of a few acres surrounded by dense woods. The house was a respectable
two-story mansion of brick. From the piazza, facing the south, you look
down a straight turnpike road, for a mile, to a small stream called Scott's
Creek. In front of the house, running east and west through the centre
of the clearing, there is what is called the Orange and Fredericksburg
Plankroad. General Hooker's army was stationed, in an undulating line,
south of this road, and nearly parallel to it. The general's head-quarters
were at the house, and the field was crowded with all the lumbering
paraphernalia of war. Tavo miles from head-quarters, on this road, at the
extreme right of the National line, the Eleventh Army Corps was stationed,
commanded by General Howard, as heroic a commander and as brave a
man as ever stood upon a battle-field. But this corps was composed
mainly of Germans. Many of them could not speak English. They had
been under the command of their own countryman. General Sigel, who,
in the Avars of Europe, had acquired European fame. General Sigel, in
the revolutions in Germany, in 1843, had gained the reputation of being
the most accomplished artillerist in Europe. He had led an army of
eighty thousand men ; and had conducted the campaign with such con
summate skill as to place himself in the front rank of the most illustrious
of generals. Thus far in the conflict vrith the rebels here, no military
officer had displayed more ability, bravery, or more entire consecration of
soul to the Avork of crushing out the treason which menaced our National
existence. For some unexplained reason. General Sigel had been relieved
of his command, and General Howard had succeeded him.
During the whole of Friday night working parties were employed
throwing up breastworks. The woods rang with the blows of thousands
of axes, felling trees for the construction of abattis. At the distance of
not more than half a mile, through all the dark hours of the night, the
rebels, in unknoAvn numbers, Avere engaged in the same work. Both armies
were intrenching, each apparently determined that the other should come
forth and give battle. During the day balloon reconnoissances had shown
that the enemy had moved nearly his whole force from the heights of
Fredericksburg and from the line of the Rappahannock, and had massed
that force for desperate resistance at Chancellorsville.
This fact induced General Sedgwick to make an assault upon those
weakened heights, in front of which, but a few weeks before, so many
patriots had advanced to the most awful carnage. General Hooker's plan
was thoroughly matured and very comprehensive, contemplating the entire
destruction of the rebel army. There was continual skirmishing, by day
and by night, on all parts of the extended field, in the forests and in the
r.ivines. Many precious lives were lost. In one of these fierce confiicts
the brave Colonel McVickar, of the New York Sixth Cavalry, lost his Ufe.
He was reconnoitring on the plankroad, at the head of two hundred
horsemen, when he encountered a band of cavalry. The patriots charged
in columns of ionrz, r.nd drove the rebels a mile and a quarter back into
the woods.
Here the rebels received reenforcements, iand in their turn charged, and

THE BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE. 385
lie patriots were compelled to retreat. Lieutenant-Colonel McVickar,
pierced by a buUet, fell dead. The patriots fled pell-mell through bushes
and over fences and brush, pursued by an overpowering force. But soon
they met reenforcements, and turned again upon thefr pursuers. Thus
the battle surged. The loss of Colonel McVickar was a great calamity.
He was a Scotchman, and a gallant soldier, who had enthusiastically drawn
his sword in defence of free institutions. This intrepid band of two hun
dred men lost fifty of their number in these encounters.
Saturday morning dawned " so calm, so bright 1" The brilliant hues
of flowering shrubs charmed the eye and filled the afr with fragrance.
The music of the robin and the wren blended with the strains which rose
from mUitary bands. The earth and the sky appeared in their brightest
robes of beauty ; and no one could gaze upon the scene of hill and vale,
streamlet and overarching skies, and not feel that our Heavenly Father
had given to us, his children, a magnificent inheritance — a home which
man's vrickedness has desolated with blood and woe.
All day on Saturday the rebels were crowding their masses along the
plankroad from Fredericksburg. When within a few miles of Chancel-
lorsvUle, they moved by a circuitous route, through the woods and behind
the hUls, to hurl their whole army in overpowering force upon the right
wing of the National troops. This right vring, it will be remembered, con
sisted of the Eleventh Army Corps, mainly composed of Germans, undei?
the heroic General Howard. There was an incessant series of brisk and
bloody skirmishes during the whole day, both armies sending out recon
noissances to ascertain the position, and, if possible, the weak points of the
other. About five o'clock in the afternoon. General Howard was sitting upon
the veranda of a house where he held his head-quarters, conversing with
Seneral Sehurz, when a heavy gun was heard from the southwest. In
stantly there came another report, followed by voUeys of musketry. At
the same pioment two prisoners were brought in, who stated that the right
of our line was hotly attacked ; signals also from General Devins an
nounced the same fact. General Howard and his staff instantly mounted
thefr horses and gaUoped to the scene of action. General Lee had massed
thirty thousand men, and had hui-led them upon General Howard's Corps
of but nine thousand. The odds was too great for any ordinary courage
to withstand. A few rounds only were fired, when the patriot soldiers,
conscious of their inability to oppose such masses, in a panic broke and
fled. General Howard met the tumultuous mass of fugitives, as regiment
after r^ment gave way. It is cruel to condemn men for not fighting
persistently one against three.
As the rebels came up, thefr overwhelming onset was directed against
the first brigade of General Devins's command, under Colonel Von Gilsa,
consisting of the Sixty-eighth and Forty-first New Jersey, both German.
The rebel Une was sufficiently long, not only to cover the patriot Une, but
also to overlap it on the right, so as to pour in a deadly fire from both
flank and rear. General Howard had scarcely reached General Devins's
head-quarters when he was met by his chief of staff, who informed him
Vol. IL— 25

SS6

CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

CHANCELLORSVI LLE

BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE.

that the First Division had all given way. The bullets were then hum
ming like swarming bees through the air, and exploding shells were rend
ing the forest. The most energetic efforts of General Howard could not
stem the torrent of the fugitives.
General Schurz's regiments, which were located to support Colonel Von
GUsa, fell back fighting stubbornly. Several of his regiments lost severely.
"Stonewall" Jackson led the attack with his accustomed impetuosity.
General Howard and his officers did all that mortal valor could accomplish
to arrest the panic-stricken throng, bnt all in vain.
It was a terrible scene. The bolt had descended like lightniug from
the cloud. The destruction of the AA-hole army was menaced. Thirty
thousand rebels with reckless courage were rushing upon nine thousand
fugitives, pouring into the tumultuous throng incessant voUeys of bullets
and shells. It was Uke the whirlwind's rush and roar, as it sweeps the
desert. Such are the chances of war. In one half-hour the whole aspect
of thc campaign was changed.
The military abilities of General Hooker were never more conspicuously
displayed than in these trying moments. Instantly he was in the saddte

THE BATTLE OP CHANCELLORSVILLE. 387
and at the post of danger. Apparently as unagitated as if sitting at his
tent-fire, he cast his eye over the wild scene before him, and promptly
adopted measures to meet the crisis. Th^ first thing to be done was to
check the advance of the rebels. The broken columns of the army in
indescribable confusion were rushing down upon the still stable lines, which
were beginning to Avaver, threatening a universal rout. General Berry,
one of tlie most heroic of men, just the man to be relied upon in such a
crisis, chanced to be near with his division. He was General Hooker's
favorite officer, and was in command of his old corps.
" General Berry," shouted the commander, " throw your men into the
breach. Don't fire a shot. Receive the rebels on the bayonet."
It Avas a sight to make even an old man's blood leap iu his veins. These
highly-disciplined men advanced with unwavering ranks on the full run.
A bristling array of glittering steel was at their breasts. They met the
rushing SAveep of rebels as the cliff meets the gale. At the same mo
ment Generals Williams and Sickles threw themselves into the path, along
which the fugitives were rushing headlong. Wagons, ambulances, horses,
men, cannon, caissons, Avere all jumbled together in a struggling, terrified
mass; while the triumphant rebels, hooting and yelling, were pouring
a murderous fire into their bosoms-^every shot dealing mutilation or
death. General Sickles, forcing his way on horseback through the tangled and
convalsed mass, took his stand at a stone wall, over which the fugitives
were leaping, and which extended for several rods across a narrow ravine
from some hills on the one side, to the muddy bed of Scott's Creek on the
other. On rushed the panic-stricken multitude. General Sickles first
succeeded in stopping a cannon, drawn by six horses. With this force he
commenced his blockade of the passage. Still loose horses were leaping
the wall and the men were tumbling headlong over it, until, by herculean
exertions, he succeeded in forming a barricade along the whole line. The
stampede was thus checked, and reason began to regain its sway.
At the same moment. General Pleasanton, with his cavalry and park
of artillery, appeared upon the ridge on the right. The guns were instantly
unlimbered, and an awfully destructive fire of grape and canister was
opened upon the advancing rebels. The tide was turning in favor of the
pafriots. The fugitives recovered self-possession, and began to form in
ranks. In a few moments there were twenty-five pieces of artillery on the
ridge — each gun, at every discharge, mowing down scores of the foe. The
rebels halted, recoiled, and fled back to the intrenchments from which they
had driven the Eleventh Army Corps., Captain Best, chief of artillery to
General Sickles's Corps, soon had forty pieces of artillery in position ready to
open thefr thunders. With such lightning-like rapidity was the aspect of the
.field again changed. The rout was turned almost into a victory. The
rebels, under thefr renowned General " StonewaU" Jackson,* had swept on
•General Thomas Jefferson Jackson was bom In 1826, in LeAvis County, Virginia. He was
siiucated at the expense of the United States Government, at West Point, graduating in 1842, in
Ae game class with Generals McClellan, Stoneman, Couch, and Foster. Entering the Second
¦ArtUlery, he passed through the Mexican war, obtaining promotion for hia gallantry at Contreras,

388 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
with courage never surpassed. The Germans, in a very pardonable panic,
.had broken.
It was now night : the roar of battle ceased. A portion of the Eleventh
Corps had endeavored to escape Eastward towards ChancellorsviUe, througB
a ravine, when General Sickles finally arrested them, as we have mentionecl,
at a stone wall. Another portion turned north, and made for the United
States Ford across the Rappahannock, three miles distant. Through fields
and forests and over fences they rushed along, abandoning twelve pieces of
artillery to the enemy. Many of them dashed into' the stream and swam
to the other side. General Ilooker, as soon as possible, sent a body of
guards to form a line across the roads and fields, and with sabre blows and
bayonet thrusts, if needful, to stop every fugitive. Such was the state of
affairs as the gloom of Saturday night settled around the contending troops.
The National army had met with a severe disaster. Its right flank
had been turned, one of its most important divisions put to flight, elevei
pieces of artillery captured, and the foe was in possession of the in-
fenched line from which he had driven the German troops. Through
out the night the rebels could be massing strong reenforcements there on
our right flank, which, unless immediate and effectual dispositions were
made to meet them, might still result in the ruin of the Patriot army.
It was deemed needful, at all hazards, to drive back the foe. To accom
plish this, notwithstanding the exhaustion of our troops, an immediate
night attack was resolved upon.
In the darkness a new Une of battle was formed. General Ward's
Brigade of General Birney's Division, supported by Captain Best's bat
teries, were massed on the ridge on the right. General Birney was in
position on the extreme left to support the assault. It was one honr be
fore midnight when General Ward put his column in motion. With loud
cheers, and the rattle of musketry and the roar of artillery, the midnight
battle was ushered in. It was one of the most subUme scenes of the war.
A brilliant moon rode high in the heavens. Not a breath of wind moved
a leaf of the forest. Through the still air the thunders of the conflict
surged along with appalling reverberations. The rebels, taken by surprise
were unable to resist the impetuous assault. They were driven back half
a mUe ; our original ground was gained, and the exhausted but victorious
troops slept upon their arms.
Till now the lines of our army had faced nearly south. But the success
Ciurubusco, and Chepultepeo. At the close of the war, he became professor of mathematica at
thS Military Institute of Lexington, Virginia. He is reputed to have been a man of earnest
religious emotions. At the opening of the war by the rebels, it ia said that this reUgious ma"
had many qualms of conscience before he could yield to evil counsels, and raise his arm agaiiiBt
the country which had nurtured him, aud the Stars and Stripes beneath which he had so
gloriously fought.
He cast in his lot with the rebels, and became one of the most determined, fearless, and abls
of the foes his country had to encounter. His brief career is almost unsurpassed in the annala
of war. At the battle of Bull Run, July, 1861, he was asked if he thought his troops, being raff,
would stand. " Tes I like a stone wall," was his reply Thia, it is said, gave him the name of
" Stonewall Jackson." He died at Fredericksburg, accidentally shot by his own troops. Patriotisiii,
and humanity mourn that the reputation of a man of so many virtues should bs sullied with tin
Climes of rebelUon and treason.

THE BATTLE OP CHANCELLORSVILLE. 389
of the enemy in getting upon our extreme right had rendered a change
of front necessary. As the light of the Sabbath morning dawned, the
National troops were in battle-array, in double lines extending north and
south, facing the west, about a mUe. west of Chancellorsville. The rebels
were massed in unknown numbers, in and behind the woods beyond. The
division of General Reynolds was on the extreme right, near the Rappa
hannock. General Slocum occupied the centre on the plankroad.
ijeneral Sickles Jield the extreme left, resting on Scott's Creek. During
the night breastworks had been throAvn np, and rifle-pits dug along our
whole Une.
The sun was just rising, when the rebels, with the promptness and cour
age which marked all thefr movements, emerged in great force from the
AVoods, and feU upon the two dirisions commanded by General Sickles.
Simultaneously vrith this attack, another body pushed doAvn the plankroad
and feU upon Berry's Dirision. Almost immediately the fighting became
general along the whole centre and left wing of the army. As battalion
after battaUon became engaged, and battery after battery was brought into
play, the roar became incessant and deafening. It was erident that a
battle was inaugurated which would prove to be one of most terrible violence.
The enemy had formed his whole available force into three columns of
attack. Advancing with such overwhelming numbers, he seemed
confident of his abUity to crush the National troops. " Stonewall"
Jackson, his name a host, led the assault. Never on battle-field did men
face death with more recklessness than did the troops of Jackson, inspired
by thefr fanatic, unflincMng leader. In solid mass they plunged from the
woods, receiving in their faces the storm of shot which burst from the lines
of Berry and Birney, and Whipple and WUliams.
With equal courage, it could not be superior, the National troops ad
vanced to meet them. They came together as the dashing biUows of an
angry sea. Forty pieces of artillery, under the management of Captain
Best, ploughed thefr ranks with grape and canister, and whole regiments
melted away. Still the rebels, closing in, pushed on, their leaders resolved
to gain the rietory at whatever cost of human life. General Hooker, who
was calmly watching the surges of the battle, ordered a portion of the
froops under General French to make a flank attack upon the foe. For
more than an hour General Sickles, vrith five thousand men, had kept at
bay more than thirty thousand. It was uoav about seven o'clock, and
the battle raged with great fury. In this ^portion of the field, the rebels
were slowly pressing the National troops back through the rarine to which
we have alluded in the %ht of the prerious day. The whole line of battle
was about a mile in length. Falling back in good order, the patriots had
¦made a determined stand behind the stone wall. During this fight General
'Berry feU, mortally wounded by a rifle-baU. He died universally la-
ttiented.* * Major-General Hiram G. Berry was born in Thomaston, Maine. By the energies of his
unaided arm he hewed out hia own path to independence and distinction. His name wUl ever
occupy a prominent position on the roll of noble men to whom his native State has given birth.
He was ono of the first to throw aside the implements of peaceful life and spring to arms, when

390 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
As the rebels, in dense masses, charged upon this wall of stone and
bristling steel, and hearts more firm than stone or steel, they were swept
down by incessant volleys poured into their bosoms, and by a destructive
raking fire from batteries planted on the ridge. The field was soon Uterally
covered with the mangled corpses of the dead. Those in the rear seemed
unconscious of the carnage which was mowing down the heads of tbeir
columns. Climbing over the dead, the rebels would discharge one volley,
when they too would be cut down by the shower of grape and canister
which incessantly swept the field.
This, perhaps, was the sublimest hour in this awful Sabbath-day tragedy.
The plain from the stone wall to Chancellorsville was about a mile in width.
The storm of battle fell everywhere over this plain. Long trains of ambu
lances were continually passing, laden with mutilated forms, the blood
dripping upon the trampled grass. Impromptu hospitals were established
at many points, where large numbers of surgeons, with their sleeves rolled
up, and with blood-crimsoned arms, were prosecuting, with knife and saw,
their humane but dreadful labors. The whole plain was also swarming
with men not sufficiently wounded to require an ambulance, but who Avere
hobbling and groaning along, seeking surgical aid.
Still the carnage continued unabated. It was now nine o'clock. For
four hours the booming of a hundred cannon and the incessant rattle of
musketry had filled the air with a deafening roar. The shot of the
greatly outnumbering enemy produced great havoc in the patriot ranks.
But the rebels themselves suffered much more severely. With unsheltered
bosoms they charged upon our intrenchments, Avhere they were met at
great disadvantage, though by smaller numbers, with courage equal, and
skill superior to their own.
Ten thousand men, on the two sides, had now fallen in death, and ten
thousand more were wounded and bleeding, many crippled for life. This
ratio of the dead to the wounded was, perhaps, never equalled before on
any battle-field. It is to be accounted for by the fearlessness of both
parties, the terrible efficiency of the weapons they wielded, and the
closeness of the fight. It was now half-past ten. The rebels were
manifestly overpowering us. SloAvly and in perfect order, contesting evei-y
rod, the National troops fell back to Chancellorsville, AA-here, with concen
trated forces, they made another stand. Their consolidated line here was
too firm to be broken. The old brick mansion, early in the battle, had
been taken for a hospital. It w^is crowded with the wounded and the dying.
It was now in the direct track of war's desolating path, and the storm of
shot and shell beat mercilessly upon it. General Hooker was standing
upon the porch, issuing his orders, when a shell shattered a piUar at his
side into spUnters, and threw him down, momentarily stunned. During
tlie fight General Hooker had animated his men by his presence, whereven
traitors opened their fire upon Port Sumter. At the battle of BuU Run, and through aU the niobi-
choly scenes of the campaign of the Chickahominy, General Berry displayed great heroism. In
the bootless victory of Antietam he took a conspicuous part. A whole nation united with his
gnef-stricken family in mournmg his loss. Such are the victims sacrificed by tens of thouaandf
on th6<Bltar of rebeUion.

THE BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE. 391
the battle raged most fiercely. It was necessary to remove the wounded
as fast as possible. The building was riddled with war's missiles. Soon a
shell bursting in one of the apartments set the house on fire. It was
speedily in ashes. It is supposed that several of the wounded perished in
the flames.
^ The sun was now in the meridian. After a moment's respite, the
exulting rebels renewed the assault, with courage and resolution which
would have won the homage of all hearts had they been exerted in a
good cause. Thefr assault was unsuccessful. General Hooker had
massed such batteries on his re-formed line, that no mortal foe could
approach them. The rictorious enemy sullenly withdrew. They had
not accompUshed all they wished. But in the battle they were the ric
tors, though at a fearful loss in killed and wounded. The enemy had
dfreeted the strength of his whole army upon our left flank alone. The
right wing was not able to take any part in the action. During the after
noon of the day there were repeated skfrmishes, but nothing of moment
occurred. The position of the National troops was imdeniably humiUating. They
had crossed the Rappahannock, prepared to fall upon the rebel lines
impetuously and drive them in dismay to Richmond. They had been
Baffled. Instead of being the assaUants, they had been put upon the
defensive. Even now whisperings began to arise of the necessity of a
retreat. To add to the gloom, "nothing whatever had been heard from
General Stoneman. It wiU be remembered that he had been sent, on
a bold cavalry raid, in the rear of the rebel forces, to cut thefr com
munications with Richmond, by burning their depots, tearing up the
raflroads, and destroying the bridges. It was feared that he had failed,
and that large reenforcements from the Southern army would be pushed
np by rail to the Rappahannock. Hence there was cause for much
anriety. In the mean time. General Sedgwick, on Saturday, had crossed the Rap
pahannock, below Fredericksburg. The three divisions of the Sixth Corps
by midnight had all crossed in safety. At four o'clock Sunday morning,
they were on the march for Fredericksburg. Gallantly they carried the
first line of the rebel intrenchments. They thus attained a position but
about six mUes from General Hooker. On Sunday morning, the 4th, the
rehels came upon him in strong force. Gradually, notwithstanding the
destructive fire which tore their ranks, they crowded him back towards
Banks's Ford. In the terrible battle General Sedgwick lost nearly four
thousand men. The next day he succeeded in recrossing the Rappahan-
tfbck, with most of his trains and camp equipage. General Lee, having
baffled all the plans of General Hooker, turned upon General SedgArick
with numbers which could not be resisted, and the gallant patriot general
was driven back across the Rappahannock.
Monday was with General Hooker an anxious, busy day, of many fierce
skfrmishes, but of no decisive battle. The rebel batteries of fiying artillery
were continuaUy throwing shells into our ranks. During Tuesday, every
energy of the army was employed in preparing for a retreat. The night

392 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA. ft
was dark and rainy. At ten o'clock, in the midst of gloom, discomfort, and
universal despondency, the humiliating retreat commenced. The hazardous
passage was safely effected. A fortunate sudden rise of the river prevent
ed Lee from pursuing. From this short, inglorious, disastrous campaign,
our troops returned to their old camping-ground, on the left bank of the
Rappahannock. General Stoneman's cavalry raid was heroically conducted. He de
stroyed an immense amount of rebel property, and marched almost within
sight of the spires of Richmond. The disaster which General Hooker had
encountered prevented him from deriring any special advantage from this
gallant raid. On the 6th of May, General Hooker issued a proclamation
to his troops, closing with the following words :—
¦ " The events of last Aveek may sweU with pride the heart of every
officer and soldier of this army. We have added new lustre to its former
renoAvn. We have made long marches, crossed rivers, surprised the enemy
in his intrenchments, and, wherever we have fought, have infficted hearier
blows than we have received. We have taken from the enemy five thou
sand prisoners ; fifteen colors ; captured and brought off seven pieces of
artillery; placed hors du combat eighteen thousand of his chosen :tro(^s;
destroyed his depots filled with vast amounts of stores ; deranged his
commmiications ; captured prisoners within the fortifications of his capital,
and filled his country with fear and consternation. We have no other
regret than that caused by the loss of our brave companions, aud in this
we are consoled by the conriction that they have fallen in the holiest cause
ever submitted to the arbitrament of battle."
Still, notwithstanding the correctness of most of these statements, the
battle of ChanceUorsrille must ever be regarded as a humiliation. We had
unquestionably a larger force in the field than the rebels. We had thou
sands of men and acres of artillery which were not brought into action.
At every point of contact the rebels outnumbered us, and drove us across
the river. There was never a more decided patriot or a more heroic
fighter than General Hooker. The preUminaries of the battle were con
ducted with consummate military abiUty. The soldiers fought with all
the bravery which ever characterized the Army of the Potomac. The
final discomfiture and retreat are inexplicable.*
It is difficult to ascertain with accuracy the numbers engaged m this
battle. The following estimate has been made ; —
* The Committee on the Conduct of the War thus account for the failure of General Hooker's
cam^ign when in command of the Army of the Potomac: —
"It would appesft from all the testimony that there were three causes, perhaps four,
which contributed much to render this campaign unsuccessful, after it had been so successfully
begun. Those causes were, the stampede of the Eleventh Corps, on the 1st of May, by wbich
the enemy were enabled to obtain possession of the ground which commanded the position of the
Union army at Chancellorsville ; then the injury which General Hooker sustained on the morn
ing of the 3d of May, by which the army was deprived of the direction which was so necessary
at that time ; then the faUure by General Sedgwick to carry out the orders he had received to
faU upon the rear of Lee's forces early on the morning of the 3d ; and the entire failure of the
cavalry, under General Stoneman, to perform the part assigned to it, the severing of Lee's com
munications with Richmond."

THE BATTLE OP CHANCELLORS VILLB. 393
Lee's Armt.
New Tork " Tribune," March 26th, 1864  49,100
New York "Herald," March 26th, 1864  64,000
Pollard's " Southern History of the War"  50,000
Hooker's Armt.
American "Annual Encyclopaedia''  120,000
New Tork "Tribune," March 26th, 1864  123,000
Pollard's " Southern History "  160,000
New Tork " Times "  160,300
The editor of the New Tork "Times " had such opportunities for obtain
ing reUable data that his estimate is not improbably the most correct.
'The siege of Suffolk, and its gallant defence by Major-General John J.
Peck, to which we shall refer in the next chapter, had an important
bearing upon the campaign of Chancellorsrille. It was one of those noise
less adventm-es of the war, upon which vast results depended, and was
nevertheless nearly lost sight of, in the midst of the multiplicity of more
imposing, yet not more heroic, events with which it was surrounded.
Ajnong the many heroic regiments at the battle of Chancellorsville,
none suffered more severely or fought more heroically, than the One Hun
dred and Fifth Pennsylvania Yolunteers, raised in part through the energy
and trained by the skUl of Colonel Arthur A. McKnight. It was, with
its heroic leader, ever found ready for any needed post of danger.
Xlolonel McKnight was early cast upon his OAvn exertions by the death
«f his father. As a son and brother he ministered tenderly to those de
pendent upon him. In 1861 he raised a company of three-months' men,
in BrookviUe, in his native State, and after their discharge he interested
himself deeply in the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania, and was
chosen colonel of the regiment. His discipline was strict, perhaps a Uttle
stem; but when in battle or reriew, his soldiers bore testimony by their
conduct to the faithful instructions of thefr commanding officer. Fair
Oaks, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsrille witnessed their gallantry.
At the latter place. Colonel McKnight, while leading his troops, was
struck in the arm by a ball, which, passing through it, entered his head,
near the left eye, and he was instantly killed. His heart was, for his
whole country. He was ready to suffer, to fight, to die for it, and he feU
f noble sacrifice npon its altar.

CHAPTEE XXXn.
THE SIEGE' OP SUFFOLK.
(May, 1863.)
Designs or the Rebel General Longstreet. — Efficienot of Union Opfioers. — Capture of
Hill's Point Battery. — Testimont of General Dix. — I'oroes in Front of Sl-ffolk.— •
Lee's Poroe at Chancellorsville.
Theee is a small stream, called the Nansemond-, flowing from th«
northwest into one of the many inlets on the Virginia coast, near the
mouth of the James River. Upon the banks of this stream is the little
town of Suffolk. It was deemed a point of strategic importance, as it Avas
situated at the junction of two railways — the Norfolk and Petersburg,
and the Portsmouth and Weldon.
Major-General John J. Peck held this strategic point with a garrison of
about fourteen thousand men. The leader and his intelligent soldiers alike
appreciated the value of the post. General Peck had learned from a captured
rebel mail of an intended surprise upon his forces, and also upon those at
Fortress Monroe, by General Longstreet, one of the most able and daring
of the rebel commanders. Longstreet's design was to make demonstrations.
upon Newbern, Little Washington, and other points in North Carolma
hoping thus to draw the troops aAvay from the main position he intended to
attack. These feints upon the North Carolina towns were made, and
General Foster, who was in command there, was compelled to call for
reenforcements. As soon as Longstreet learned that troops had been sent
to General Foster, he hurried on towards Suffolk.
General Peck was on the alert. It was indeed a fearful storm which
was about to burst upon hira. Longstreet, Hill, and Hood, with five
divisions of the rebel army, came rushing upon our lines, expecting to
sweep all resistance before them. They were met with solid shot, and
bursting shells, and bristling steel. Admiral Lee had sent up the Nanse
mond a few gunboats, which very efficiently cooperated in the defence. The
firm resistance thus presented bitterly disappointed the rebels. They had
not cherished a doubt of their ability to cross the narrow Nansemond, seize
the raUroad in the rear of Suffolk, capture the city and its garrison, with
aU its vast stores, and then, after a holiday march, to occupy Portsmouth
and Norfolk. It was now manifest that they must resort to a siege.
Longstreet's first object was to drive the gunboats from the river. This
could apparently be easily accomplished, for the boats were smaU, con
structed of wood, and the stream narrow, shallow, and crooked. TJnder
cover of the night, they reared batteries at several points which com
manded the stream, and placed heavy guns in position. Fortunately, tjie

THE SIEGE OF SUFFOLK. 395
river fleet, which consisted of but six armed tugs and ferry-boats, was
commanded by two young officers — Captains Lee and Rowe — of bravery
and skill equal to the emergence.
Brigadier-General Getty was intrusted with the command of the
Nansemond River. Nobly he fulfilled his mission. With but five thou
sand men, he was to hold a river-line eight miles long, and prevent forty
thousand men from crossing a stream too narrow to alloAv an ordinary
steamer to turn around. In three days, by incredible exertions, he con
structed bridges and corduroy roads over creeks, swamps, and ravines, to
facilitate the rapid transportation of his troops from one point to another.
As soon as rebel batteries were unmasked. General Getty, aided by Colonel
Dutton, an efficient officer of engineers, would, during the night, have an
opposing battery Avith rifie-pits constructed, which would immediately open
a deadly fire upon the rebels.
About six miles from Suffolk, there was an elevated projection called
Hill's Point. Here the rebels reared an earthwork, mounting five heavy
rified guns. From this point they effectually commanded the river. Our
guns could only harmlessly bury their shot in the rebel parapet. One of
our steamers, the Mount Washington, having been disabled by a battery
higher up the stream, drifting doAvn, grounded almost directly under the guns
at Hill's Point. Thus crippled. Lieutenant Dawson maintained for six hours
one of the most desperate contests recorded, until the rising tide floated
him off. Lieutenant Cushing, of the Commodore Barney, shared in this
fight. As his little steamer came out from the unequal conflict, she showed
the wounds of fifty-eight balls and bullets in her huU and machinery.
Matters now seemed desperate. Admiral Lee was compeUed to order
the gunboats to leave the Upper Nansemond. General Peck watched the
rebels with such a sleepless eye, that they could not leave a point exposed
Avithout receiring a damaging blow. He worried them continually with
reconnoissances and sorties, after driving back their outposts, until they
reached thefr main lines, when our weak columns would stubbornly retire
hefore superior numbers.
About this time there took place what may be called a very neat little
affair, which was, nevertheless, an enterprise calling into exercise great
soldierly sagacity and courage. The rebels had taken possession of a slight
elevation on the Nansemond River, where they had erected a battery of
five splendid brass guns. Four of these were twelve-pound howitzers, and
one a twenty -four-pounder. Lieutenant Dawson proposed to General Peek
apian for the capture of the works on this eminence, called Hill's Point
Battery. It seemed feasible, and met with the General's cordial approval,
and it was most gallantly executed.
The battery was very advantageously situated at a bend of the stream,
where it commanded, in both directions, reaches of the river for several
miles. Lieutenant Dawson's design was to dislodge the rebels and re
lieve them of their guns. The Eighth Connecticut Regiment and six com
panies of the Eighty-ninth New York, consisting in all of but two hundred
men, but as heroic a band of veteran soldiers as ever faced a battery,
were marshalled for the enterprise. Under the command of Colonel John

396 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
E. Ward, of the Connecticut Eighth, they embarked on board the gunboat
Stepping Stones. Their orders were : —
" When the boat touches the land, let every man spring ashore at
once. Do not stop to call the roll or to form in line of battle, but rush
impetuously forward the whole band, without regard to miUtary order,
dfrectly upon the battery."
Cautiously the gunboat steamed up the narrow river, until it came
within sight of the rebels. The foe was on the alert, vrith every gun
shotted, and trained to blow the audacious steamer out of the water.
Creeping sloAvly along beneath a bank which slightly sheltered them for
. a time, they crowded on all steam, and feigned that they were about to:
make a desperate attempt to run the battery. But suddenly, just as they
emerged from the sheltering bluff, they turned the bow of the steamer
towards the shore. The boat struck ; the gang-planks were thrown out,
and before the rebels could recover from their amazement, in less than
" five seconds," every man sprang to the shore. Many of the soldiers,
in their ardor, leaped up to their armpits in the water. There was not
an instant of delay. Without any attempt at organization, officers and
men all intermingled, they rushed along with loud cheers through a ravine,
and, without the discharge of a single shot, charged upon the rear of the
battery. The rebels had no time to turn their guns. They were so over
whelmed with consternation, that they attempted no resistance whatever,
but threw up their hands, screaming, " Don't fire ! don't fire ; we cave,
we cave 1"
The battery was taken vrithout the firing of a bullet or the infiiction
of the sUghtest wound. But the hardest task still remained. Within the
sound of any one of those heavy guns, there was a rebel army of nearly
thirty thousand men encamped. The tidings of the capture would speedily
reach their ears. In addition to the guns captured, the patriot troops had
taken one hundred and twelve rebel prisoners. The prisoners were sent on
board the gunboat, and every man was immediately working with the utmost,
alacrity in removing the guns and military stores. The cannon A\'ere
speedily trundled over a ploughed field to the bluff, and were hardly there,
when the rebels came rushing on in great numbers, swarming through, the
woods. Quite a fierce battle ensued, the patriots driving back the foe
with the guns and ammunition which had been just wrested from them.
The captured guns were as by magic ranged around the bluff, and several
howitzers were dragged by the marines from the gunboats on to the bank.
A vigorous fire was opened upon the rebels wherever they ventured to
shoAv themselves in the woods. But they rapidly increased in numbers,
pouncing down from their encampments upon the heroic little band, in
strength which seemed to be irresistible. In the mean time reenforee-,
ments were sent to the patriots. They threw up redoubts, dug rifie-pits,
and were soon so firmly established in the position which they had won,
that no efforts of the foe could dislodge them. The chagrin of the rebels
was excessive, and the exultation of the National troops correspondingly
great. It was indeed a brilliant feat Arith but two hundred men to cap
ture and hold a strong battery, while whole brigades of rebels were Arithin

THE SIEGE OP SUFFOLK. 39Y
a) mile of the spot. Though not a man was harmed on either side in
taking the battery, in the subsequent conffict the patriots lost four in
Jelled and twelve in wounded.
This important capture so- alarmed the rebels that they began imme
diately to act upon the defensive. Protective lines of great strength were
promptly reared for a distance of many miles. They felled trees, planted
abatis, and resorted to every other source of skilful engineering, thus
paying the highest possible tribute to the heroism of the small but gallant
band who baffied aU their efforts.
General Peck divided his line of defence into sections, which he in-
trasted to his subordinates. To General Getty was assigned the longest
and the weakest portion. His men, guided by the engineering skiU
of Colonel Dutton, Avho subsequently assumed the responsibility for a por
tion of the Une, worked uncomplainingly all the day upon forts, pits,
bridges, batteries, and roads, whUe at night they often performed picket
or fatigue duty. Reenforcements were now rapidly arriving for both
parties. Longstreet had lost his chance. The following dispatch from
General Dix to the War Department is one among the many testimonials
that the defence of Suffolk should be included among the most heroic
deeds of the war : —
" I deem it due to the forces at Suffolk to notice briefly their gallant
conduct during the last six days. On Tuesday, General Peck's right was
attacked, and the enemy's advance was gallantly met by Colonel Foster's
light troops, driring him back to the line of his pickets. Anderson's
Division was engaged, at the same tnne, on the water-front, with our gun
boats and batteries, and suffered materiaUy. On Wednesday, a rebel
battery of twenty-pounder rifled guns was effectuaUy silenced, and an
attack on the Smith Briggs, an armed quartermaster's boat, was repulsed.
Eepeated attempts have been made on our lines, but all have been foiled.
The storming of the enemy's battery near the west branch of the Nanse
mond, by General Getty and the gunboats under Lieutenant Dawson of
the navy, and the capture of six guns and two hundred prisoners, closes
lie operations of the six days, against the enemy's large force, very satis
factorily." Longstreet was exceedingly loath to relinquish the prize he had so
confidently expected to gain. He made a few last, despairing efforts, and
then prepared to retfre, and join General Lee in his severe conflict vrith
(aleneral Hooker. But General Peck, ever on the alert, had no idea of
aUoAving the enemy to retire without merited chastisement. On the 3d
of May, two columns were sent across the river to attack the retiring
rebels. General Getty led one, seven thousand strong. The other, much
smaUer, was under Colonel Dutton. They encountered a strong rear
guard, formidably posted. Our trpops attacked them, and from morning
untU night, assailed them in an incessant battle, driving them from all
thefr advanced positions. Exhausted by the herculean toils of the day,
the patriot troops slept soundly through the night. When they awoke
the next morning, the rebels had stolen away. The patriots, at a very
early hour, started eagerly in pursuit of the foe. They captured a few

398 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
hundred, but the main body had esca|)ed across the Blackwater. Thus
ended the siege of Suffolk.
On the 2d ' of May, General Hill was confronting Suffolk with from
thirty to fifty thousand rebel troops. It -is not probable that Lee had
over fifty thousand men at Chancellorsville. One object of Stoneman's
raid was to prevent the rebel general from receiving reenforcements from
Suffolk. Strange, incomprehensible was the fatality by which that num
ber drove the patriot army, one hundred and twenty-five thousand strong,.
across the Rappahannock. The mystery of the disaster at Chancellors-
riUe has never been solved. From the most reliable eridence which can
be obtained. General Lee's army, at the time of the battle of Chancellors
ville, consisted of eight divisions, each about eight thousand strong. Four
of these divisions had been sent under Longstreet for the capture of Suf
folk, leaving but four to assail General Hooker. General Wise, with five thou-'
sand men, made a demonstration upon Williamsburg, in order, as we have
mentioned, to Aveaken Suffolk. After the feint, his troops undoubtedly
joined Longstreet. Not less than twelve thousand troops joined Long-
street from North Carolina. That General Peck, with the limited force
under his command, should have held in check and defeated the designs
of such superior numbers, testifies alike to his military abUity and the
gallantry of his troops.
Had not General Peck kept a large force of rebels busy at Suffolk, it
is probable that the repulse at Chancellorsville would have proved a terri
ble disaster. It appears to be clearly established that Longstreet took no
part in the battle at ChanceUorsvilie. General Robert E. Lee, in his
official report of the battle, transmitted to the rebel Congress by Jefi^.
Daris, December Slst, 1863, says of General Longstreet, that he " was
detached for serrice south of the James River in February, and did not
rejoin the army till after the battle of Chancellorsrille."
The rebel troops who had been so gallantly repulsed at Suffolk soon
after joined General Lee, and then, in a combined force of about one
hundred thousand men, commenced their memorable invasion of Mary
land and Pennsylvania. Lee had at Gettysburg nearly fifty thousand
more men than he had at Chancellorsville.

CHAPTEE XXXIII.
THE CAMPAIGN OF GETTTSBURG
(June 25tll to July Uth, 1S63,)
Tee Plan op General Lee.— Rebel Sympathizers. — Apathy op the Pennsylvanians. —
Energetic Movement of General Hooker. — General Meade Invested with the Com
mand. — Concentration of the Armies at Gettysburg. — Description op the Region. —
The Three Days' Battle. — Death op General Reynolds. — Repulse op the Rebels.
— Incidents op the Fight. — The Retreat and Pursuit. — Scenes after the Battle. —
The Sanitary Commission. — Anecdotes.
It had become necessary for Lee to advance. The restless sentiment
of the South called for such a movement. The hearts of the rebels chafed
nnder the galUng consciousness that the North, as a whole, sat prosper
ously comfortable in its home, and waged the war at arm's length, out
of sight of its women and chUdren, and fed its armies from the disputed
fields. In their infatuated ignorance, they believed that it was only
necessary that Lee should move rapidly into the rich farm-lands of Penn
sylvania to reverse the humUiating picture, to replenish their dwindling
snppUes, and to retaliate on the North the bitter and actual presence of
war in their midst. The only show of reason for this extraordinary im
pression seems to have been in the undeniable reduction of the Army of
the Potomac by the return of many regiments whose term of service had
expired, and in the well-understood position of the dastardly peace party
at the North, which was recognized as clearly as it was despised, in its
. readiness to betray the Christ of Freedom with its loathsome kiss. Some
rumors of dissatisfaction and degeneracy in the forces of Hooker, after the
luckless battle of Chancellorsville, also prevailed, and undoubtedly con
tributed their share to the boastful anticipations vrith which the movement
was urged.
The rebel military leaders, it is believed, hoped to combine in their
tempting programme the overwhelming defeat of Hooker's army, the cap
ture of Washington, and a general forage of Pennsylvania, with operations
as much more extensive and destructive, and as much farther north, as
cbcumstances should appear to favor. That such a gigantic scheme shoidd
have appeared feasible to the sagacious Lee, as he looked upon his worn
and iUy-fitted, though magnificently organized army of ninety thousand
men, is one of those stupendous blunders which are freighted with conse
quences of such eternal moment, that they seem to be explainable only on
the theory of the ancient belief that there are those whom the gods vrish
to desfroy. In thefr inexplicable and causeless confidence, the rebel leaders
disdained secrecy, and flauntingly proclaimed their intentions far and near.

400 ¦ CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
For days, and even weeks, before the army was ready to move, spicy edi
torials in their leading papers discussed the comparative advantages of the
difierent routes by which the army might reach its destination, and gloated
in premature delight over the golden plenty with Avhich they would be
feasted and supplied, through love, by their Copperhead friends, and
through fear, by their foes. Every day brought reports from all sources,
minute and reliable, of these boasts^ and of the preparations for movement
of which they were the forerunners. But there seemed, in some quarters,
and in those, too, where it would have been least looked for, a strange in
sensibility to the approaching danger — none the less real that it was so
boldly unmasked. Most apathetic of all were the farmers, whose lands
lay plainly in the road of the invaders, and upon whose granaries and
stables, the hungry and revengeful eyes of the approaching foe were fixed.
It was impossible to rouse them to any concerted action ; almost impossi
ble to convince their phlegmatic indifference that there was any necessity
for action at all.
Fortunately General Hooker was on the alert, and by his attack -on
General Stuart at Beverly Ford, most seriously deranged the entire rebel
plan. This attack was made by a cavalry force under General Pleasonton,
and besides compelling Stuart to fall back and abandon his intention of
harassing and diverting Hooker's advance, gave us the incalculable advan
tage of a perusal of the private papers of the discomfited commander.
Among these were found the general order for a rapid advance into Penn
sylvania — thus making apparent both the plan of the rebels and the
means needful to thwart it. General Hooker, with his characteristic
energy, put his army at once in motion, and then commenced the race, which
was one neither of swiftness nor of strength, but of subtle caution. The
intricacy of the positions at this crisis has hardly been appreciated. Too
precipitate a concentration northward for the defence of Pennsylvania
would leave Washington open. Too exclusive regard to Washington
might bring ruin on the border. The masterly skill with which General
Hooker, while hurrying on by forced marches, still held his forces so dis
posed as to guard against both these perils, so as to be instantly ready to
meet either, has written him a general for all time, and will forever lead
the student of the history of this war to regret, that there should have
been occasion for his sudden removal from command at the very crisis of
danger. In the mean time the authorities of Pennsylvania were not idle. On
the llth of June, General Couch and Major-General W. S. H. Brooks had
been detailed for the command of its defence ; General Couch to the De
partment ofthe Susquehanna, with his head-quarters at Harrisburg, which
was seriously menaced, and Major-General Brooks to the Department of
the Monongahela, with his head-quarters at Pittsburg. The next day
stirring appeals were issued by both commanders, and by Governor Curtin
of Pennsylvania, summoning the inhabitants of the State to the defence of
thefr homes. The response was tardy and incomplete.. Distrust of
Government measures, uncertainty as to what point would be the one of
most Teal and immediate danger, and, more than all, phlegm, held back the

THE CAMPAIGN OF GETTTSBURG. 401
feet which should have fiown to the service of their threatened State.
New York and New Jersey militia were more promptly offered ; and after
the rebel Jenkins, with his cavalry, had swept through Chambersburg and
the valleys west of the South Mountain, gathering up audaciously the
horses, cattle, and stores of all kinds, which had not been concealed from
them, Philadelphia opened her eyes, and arose with some show of earnest
actirity. The week was one of terror, confusion, and doubt. The vast army of
Lee, Uke a giant monster preparing to spring, turning its head now in this
direction, now in that, making deceptive dashes, and then retiring stealthily
into concealment, was Avorking its Avay sloAA'ly onward, but to what precise
point, no one knew, no one could dare predict. Philadelphia and Wash
ington Avere equally in panic, since, though but one was in immediate dan
ger, it might be either. Baltimore also, on Monday evening, the 29th, had
been startled nearly out of its disloyal wits, by the impudent daring of a
feWsTebel horsemen, who had ventured sufficiently near the city to insure
the report of their presence being carried in by swift-running fright.
Anrious patriotism, all over the country, held its breath, and waited from
day to day, and hour to hour, for some decisive news. On Saturday, the
27th, in the simple but forcible words of one of the clearest-sighted corre
spondents of the war, " nobody knew what Lee was about." On Monday
all was changed. It was apparent that he was concentrating in the
vicinity of Gettysburg — devoted, haUowed Gettysburg ! The rebel
Generals Longstreet and Hill were at Fayetteville, and on the night of
Monday, the 29th, their camp-fires blazed on the eastern slope of the
mountain, in full view of Gettysburg.
General Meade, who had assumed the command on the 28th, made in
stant and corresponding changes in the position of his troops, sending G eneral
Buford, on Tuesday, the 30th, vrith a cavalry force of six thousand men, to
make a reconnoissance on the Chambersburg road, where they encamped
for the night. The First Corps, numbering eight thousand misn, under
the lamented General Reynolds, and the Eleventh Corps, numbering fif
teen thousand men, under General Howard, were sent to a position on the
southwest, vrithin four miles of Gettysburg, where they also encamped.
Of the rebel forces, HiU's Corps, and that of Longstreet, with two divisions
of Ewell's, Avere encamped within a short distance of the town. Strange
sight for the peaceful stars of heaven, through the hours of that summer
night — one hundred and five thousand sleeping men, who were to meet each
other in deadly fight on the morrow, to thousands of whom the next sleep
would be the sleep of death ! Before entering upon the details of thia
battle, it will be necessary to give some general idea of the situation
of the toAvn of Gettysburg, and of the points occupied by the different
corps of each army. By a reference to the accompanying map, the de
scription will be intelligible. Between two ranges of hiUs, the Catoctin
and the South Mountain, is a narrow valley which has always been distin
guished for its fertUe beauty. At the head of this valley, on a gentle west
ern slope, and forming a focal centre for roads running north, south, east,
and west, lies the town of Gettysburg. A mile to the east of the town
Vol. il— 26

BATTLB-FIELD OT SBTTTSEUEO.

THE CAMPAIGN OF GETTTSBURG. 403
runs Rock Creek, the chief of the head-waters of the Monocacy River.
The situation is one of surpassing beauty, and as it is the shire town of
Adams County, and a town of some eight thousand inhabitants, it is quite
a business and social centre for that part of the State. We will imao-ine
that we are approaching the toAvn from the southeast, on the Baltimore
road. Looking towards the north, we see a high wooded ridge, which we as
cend by a gradual slope. At the summit of this ridge, on our left, is holy
ground, long since baptized in tears, where for years the cherished dead
of Gettysburg have been laid to sleep that sleep which no thunders but
those of the archangel's final trump can disturb.
" Life's labor done, securely laid in this their last retreat,
Unheeded o'er their silent dust, the storms of life shall beat."
On their right, half a mUe distant, is ground now no less holy — neAvly
consecrated by the baptism of blood — the God-inspired position of Steiii-
Avehr early in Wednesday's fight.
These two positions are most essential to be remembered. As Ave fol
low this Cemetery Ridge southward, we find it at first curving towards the
east, diminishing in height, and crossed by the Taneytown road; but it
rises again suddenly at the distance of a mile from the cemetery, and
forms two hiUs, well defined and rock-sided, called Round Top and Little
Round Top. Upon the summit of Round Top, General Meade established
his signal-station, and posted the extreme left pf his line.
A mile aAvay to the northwest rises Seminary Hill, with its vvooded
crest sloping gracefully towards the south. At its base is the Lutheran
Seminary. Upon this outer and lower ridge, which, bending in towards
the toAvn, crossed the Chambersburg, Hagersiows, and Emmetsburg roads.
General Lee concentrated his army in a line about eight miles in extent.
Thus posted, they formed a circling sweep around the higher Cemetery
Eidge, upon which the patriot troops were stationed.
Early on the morning of Wednesday, July 1st, General Reynolds, in pur
suance of his orders to occupy Gettysburg, sent forward a reconiioitring
hody of cavalry, under General Buford, which was almost immediately
engaged by the rebel advance. General Reynolds, who was following
closely with the First Corps, kindled to martial rage by the first sound of
hattle, dashed into and through the town, and, forming his line under cover of
Seminary Hill, opened instantly a furious attack upon the enemy, boldly
hnrUng his eight thousand war-worn veterans against twenty thousand
nnivearied by marching. Realizing, however, the fearful odds, he sent an
urgent message to General Howard to advance as rapidly as possible Avith
the Eleventh Corps. For two hours, the gaUant eight thousand not only
held their ground, but fiercely drove back their foes, whenever they charged
iipon them ; the left Avmg standing firm as a rock, and the right, though
kaker and often so heavily pressed that it Avas forced to yield temporarily,
flashing up the hiU again, and defiantly regaining, with a thinner line, its
original position. Glorious among the Spartan corps flashed the Iron

404 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Brigade * — well named — resistless as Western nerve and muscle can be —
clutching helpless in their grasp the entire rebel brigade of General
-Ajcher, which had sought to turn their flank. Foremost in the fray rode
the undaunted Reynolds, to meet, alas ! the relentless death which
had marked his brave life for that day's first crown of Jioly sacrifice,;
No time was there, however, to stay even for a look at the dead.f
The courageous Doubleday, who had brought tried nerves from Sumter's
walls, sprang into the breach, and the fight went on. Noon came, and
passed, and no help for the dwindling band, who stood among their dead
immovable. At last, at one o'clock, came Barlow's and Schurz's Divisions
of the Eleventh Corps, burning to wipe out the memory of Chancellorsville,
and eager to save the hard-pressed First. They formed on the right, and
stayed the faltering line for a space. The remainder of the Eleventh
Corps, under Steinwehr, was moved rapidly forward to occupy Cemetery
Hill. This order on the part of Howard, the noble and Christian general,
was one of those divine inspirations on which destinies turn.:]: It gave him
a stronghold of defence and shelter, when it became necessary to retire, as
his military eye clearly foresaw that it must soon be, Avlien sixteen thou
sand men were confronted by forty thousand. From one until nearly four
they struggled against the constantly increasing odds. But no human
bravery, no endurance could outlast such a concentration of the fire of
superior numbers. The wearied right, which had been most sorely tried
through the day, yielded first, but fell back steadily till they reached the
town. Here an ill destiny awaited them. Confused by their ofiScers
attempting to manoeuvre them through cross-streets, and stung by the
familiar battle-yell of " Stonewall " Jackson's men in their rear, they broke
into inextricable confusion, and fell an easy and wholesale prey to their
pursuers, losing one thousand and tv.-o hundred men in the incredibly short

* " Well-tried troops those — no fear of iheir flinching ; veterans of a score of battles — in tha
vr&T, some of them, from the very start ; Avith the first at Philippi, Lanrel Hill, Carrick's Ford,
Cheat Mountain, and all the Western Virginia campaign ; trusted of Shields at Winchester, and
of Lander at Romney and Bloomery Gap ; through the campaign of the Shenandoah Valley, and
with the Army of the Potomac in every march to the red slaughter-sowing that still had brought
no harvest of victory. Meredith's old Iron Brigade Avas the Nineteenth Indiana, Twenty-fourtli
Michigan, Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin— veterans all, and well mated with the brave New
Torkers whom Wadsworth also led." — Cincinnati Gazette.
f " General Reynolds fell a victim to his cool bravery and zeal. As was his custom, he rodo
in front of his men, placing them in position, and urging them to the fight, when he was shot
through the head, as was supposed, by a rebel sharpshooter, and died shortly afterwards. He
has been charged with rashness, with prematurely bringing on the battle. It would be more just
to say that he had but little agency in bringing it on ; that it was forced on us by the rebels;
that if they had not been held in check that day, they would have pressed on and obtained the
impregnable positi(?n whicli we were enabled to hold; and that, most of all, the hand orProyi-
deuce, who gave us, at last, a signal victory, was in the arrangements of that day." — Noks on
thi Battle of Gettysburg, hy M. Jacobs, p. 27.
X " The other division of the Eleventh Corps, under General Steinwehr, by the prudent fore
thought and wise gen6^alsl^ip of General Howard, was at once sent forward to occupy Cemetery
Hill, on the south s^de of the town, and to provide for the contingency which happened three,
hours afterwards, and which he must have foreseen. To this happy forethought we may, in a
great measure, under God, attribute the favorable results of the battle of the two succeeding days."
— Id., p. 25.

THE CAMPAIGN OP GETTYSBURG. 405
space of twenty minutes. The remainder fled, in utter rout, to the hiUs
on the south, where they were, vrith great difficulty, reorganized.
In the mean time the sturdy left wing, which had borne so steady a
front since morning, had received at half-past three the onset of A. P.
Hill's entire corps. In vain Generals Doubleday, Robinson, and the in
domitable Wadsworth, with his Iron Brigade, stood to resist it. The fire
AA'as such as veterans never saw before. Brave men sprang from one falling
horse to another and another. In thirty minutes Cutler's Brigade had
not one stafi' officer who had not lost his horse. General Cutler himself
had three horses shot under him. It was utter carnage, certain death,
not war. The Une wavered ; the enemy pressed on ; the retreat com
menced ; pursued and pursuers pushed through the town tumultuously ;
Gettysburg was lost, and the day looked dark indeed.*
"Suddenly from the Hill of Refuge to the south, our artillery blazed a
defiant check to the triumphing pursuit ; all was not lost ; all was gained.
A raUying centre, a position difficult to assault, and time for the Union
forces to come up, was all that we needed. For the first, God had built a
hill ; and now came merciful night, to give us the second. The night was
passed on both sides in making the most active preparations for the morrow.
Sadly the remnants of our two corps busied themselves in fortifying the
heights which had saved them from destruction on the day before, but
AA'hich might afford them only a graAje on the next.
K reenforcements did not reach them they were lost, for the slaughter
of one day had left them but a wearied fragment of the force which even
in the outset was outnumbered nearly two to one. The glorious Iron Brigade,
Avhich stood up one thousand eight hundred and twenty strong to meet the
onset of HiU's Corps, reached Cemetery Hill with but seven hundred men.
The brigade by its side, fifteen hundred men at noon, at night read its roll
of death and wounds and loss, thirteen hundred and thirty-three privates
and fifty-four officers. It was a night of solemn grief and earnest work
among the silent monuments of the dead.
BeloAv, in the town, the flushed and boastful rebels rested satisfied.
They jeered at the dismayed citizens, and vaunted loudly of the certain
success ofthe morrow. But they little knew what it had in store. Before
midnight our feeble and .exhausted band was cheered by the arrival of the
Tivelfth Corps, under General Slocum, and the Third, under General
* " The ofBcers, brave almost always to a fault, sought to keep them in. One— his name de
serves to be remembered — Captain Richardson, of the Seventh Wisconsin, seized the colors of a
retreating Pennsylvania regiment, and strove to rally the men around their flag. It was in vain :
Hone but troops that have been tried as by fire can be re-formed under such a storm of death.
But the captain, left alone and almost in the rebel hands, held on to the flaunting colors of another
regiment, that made him a conspicuous target, and brought them safely off.
"Wadsworth still holds on — for a few minutes more his braves protract the carnival of death.
Doubleday managed to get three regiments over to their support ; Colonel Biddle's Pennsylvania
regiment came in and behaved most gallantly. Colonel Stephenson, who all the day had been
serving in the hottest of the fight as aide to Meredith, relieved a wounded colonel, aud strove to
rally his regiment. Meredith himself, ivith tis Antietam wound hardly yet ceasing to pain him,
. is struck again  a mere bruise, however — on the head, with a piece of shell. At the same instant
lis large, heavy horse falls, mortally wounded, bears the general under him to tlic ground, and
teats him there with his head and shoulders, in his death convulsions." — Cincinnati Gazelle.

406 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Sickles. At one a. m., the confident and assured bearing of the Commander-
in-Chief in their midst, gave them new life and courage. Shortly after day
light came the strong aid of the Second and Fifth Corps. The sun of Thurs
day rose upon a changed picture. The hills of Cemetery Ridge bristled
with a noAv army, and the rebels, who had dreamed through the night of
easy and unquestioned rietory over the exhausted survivors of Wednes
day's battle, found themselves, to their dismay, confronted by the greater
portion of the Army of the Potomac. By a glance here at the map, the
reader can comprehend the simple beauty of General Meade's plan.
Cemetery Hill, forming the apex of the triangle in which our forces
were disposed, perfectly commanded the toAvn and the entire valley in
front, through which the rebels must advance to attack our centre. Our
lines, gradually diverging from this central tower of strength. to the
south Avest and southeast, formed the sides of the triangle, outside of which,
and therefore on a larger triangle, the enemy must operate. This gave us
the incalculable advantage of moving on the interior and shorter lines,
and enabled us to throw our reserves, the Fifth and Sixth Corps, rapidly
to east or Avest, as might be most needed. Major-General Howard held
the centre, Avith the Eleventh Corps. The right' leg of the triangle was
made by the remnant of the First Corps and the Twelfth, under Major-
General Slocum, and lay to the right of the Baltimore road. The left
side of the triangle was formed by the Second Corps, under Major-
General Hancock, and the Third, under Major-General Sickles, and lay
between tlie Taneytown and Emmetsburg roads. Through Thursday fore
noon the rebels were inexplicably quiet. Had they opened the attack in
the early morning, before our reiinforcements had recovered from the
fatigue of their forced marches, and before the careful disposition of the
•different corps had been made, the result might have been different. But
they were occupied in making temporary fortifications in the town, in
hurrying up the rest of their troops, and in deliberating upon the dilemma
of finding themselves, to quote from General Lee's, own words, "unex
pectedly confronted by the Federal army."
The afternoon had begun to wane before they ,were ready to make the
attack, for Avhicli we Avere waiting, silent and immovable as the hills on
which we stood. At four o'clock, Longstreet hurled the entire strength of his
division against our left, opening Avith a storm of artillery, and then plung
ing forward with an infantry charge. The brave Third, under the imper-
tm-bable Sickles, stood like granite blocks. They were tried troops ; the
enemy, thirty to forty thousand in number, beat vainly on their hues
again and again. But a new danger threatened them on the left flank.
Stealthily one of Longstreet's divisions Avas aiming to get between them
and Round Top HiU. A glance at the accompanying map will show hoAV
fatal Avould have been the success of this mana3uvre. On Round Top
were only three or four batteries, the one at the extreme left commanded
by Captain Bigelow, of the Massachusetts Ninth. " For God's sake hold
on till Ave can get up more batteries and men," was Sickles's imploring cry,
rather than order. His infantry Avas SAvaying backward, almost breaking.
No Avbnder under such an overwhehning charge. If the artillery failed,

THE CAMPAIGN OP GETTTSBURG. 407
aUwas lost, and rebel batteries on Round Top Avould shell our entire line 1
One battery of the foe was already up. Honor even to rebels, who unlim
bered their pieces at the muzzles of BigeloAv's guns ! He blew the devoted
men in fragments through the air. Still others pressed on, in their places,
climbing, reckless of death, over his guns, and dashing out the brains of
his gunners. Two of his sergeants, three of his artillerists, tAventy-two
of his men were gone, he himself shot through the side, liis horses killed,
four of his guns dragged off Avith infernal cheers, and still he held the hill,
until Major McGilvray's two batteries got up and in position to pour in
an enfilading fire.
At the base of the hill was General Barnes with his division — all brave
men — Michigan, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Ncav York. Furiously the
enemy threw themselves upon them. Round Top must be held if the
battle Avere not to be lost. Loud, even above the deadly roar of the can
non, rang out the gaUant Colonel Yincent's Avords, " Don't yield one inch !"
But, at the same instant, his inspiring voice was silenced. Down, from
the exposed rock on Avhich he had leaped, waving his sword in the air,
he feh, bleeding, in the agonies of a shattered thigh. The whole division of
Barnes stood as firm as the ground they Avere determined to hold. The
rebels came on yelling and running with the fixed bayonet charge AA'hich so
feAV troops can withstand ; but the patriots did not waver. It Avas not an
attack in Une, it was not a charge, it was a melee, a carnival of death.
Men hewed each other's faces ; they grappled in close embrace, murder to
both ; and all through it rained shot and shell, from one hundred pieces
of artillery along the ridge.
While Barnes's Division was thus superhumanly resisting, the First was
in danger of being driA-en back and almost trampled under foot by the rush
ofthe advancing enemy. But just in time to save them from utter annihila
tion, came up General Ayres's steady-marching division and turned the
tide of victory. Gloriously the two brigades of regulars SAvept down, saved
the Fii-st, and repelled the rebels. These were the men wlio held on all
day in front of Fredericksburg, sullenly looking at the heights they could
not capture, and refusing to obey the order to fall back, though their am
munition was gone, and they were powerless to advance.
Great deeds were performed on both sides in this desperate struggle.
Colonel Jeffards, of the Michigan Fourth, sprang forward, and Avith one
hand snatched a flag from a rebel soldier, AA-hile, with the otiier, he dis
charged the contents of his revolver full in the rebel's face. A sharp bayo
net .thrust from a rebel in the rear gave him his mortal wound, and he
fell to the earth, holding the life-bought flag close to his heart with the
death-grasp. The rebel, too, dropped instantly by an avenging bullet
from a patriot's hand. And there they lay, as they fell, tho three brave men,
and the fiag drenched Avith their common blood.
But the redemption of Round Top Avas on the way. General Meade
had detailed the Fourth and Fifth Brigades of the Pennsylvania Reserves,
commanded by General Crawford, to clear the hiU of the enemy. The
¦gallant BucktaUs led the charge. Their colonel was shot down, but they
pressed on. They were men who looked from the smoky hUl-tops awaj;

408 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
to their homos, and they dashed down with a terrific yell of rage, bore the
whole rebel force before them like insects, headlong over the sharp' and
rolUng stones, headlong tjirough the valley, routed and scattered into the
woods beyond. Then they returned to the blood-bought hill, safe now, the
captured guns all retaken, and they grimly held it forty-five hours, tiU the
end of the fight.
In the mean time the rebel General Ewell, who had sworn a fearfiil
oath that he would take and hold, or die in the attempt, the hiUs at the
east of the Baltimore road, on wliich rested our right, had been concen-
tratinp; his forces in that direction. The sun was low in the heavens
Avhen Early's Division attacked the Eleventh Corps, which was posted just
northeast of Cemetery Hill. There stood General Howard, with his calm,
manly, honest face. " An empty coat-sleeve is pinned to his shoulder,
memento of a hard-fought field before, and reminder of many a battle-
scene his splendid Christian courage has illumined." The guns were
smoking, too hot to be worked. The Louisiana Tigers swarmed over the
wall, and, as bravely as their dead comrades at Round Top, leaped
over the very muzzles of the cannon, and were beaten off by our men in
hand-to-hand fight with clubs and stones. After heavy losses, they sullenly
fell back. A simultaneous attack had been made on the position of the
TAvelfth Corps, and had been partially successful. Only 'one brigade had
been left to guard that long line of rifle-pits, as the remainder of the troops
had been thrown over to the assistance ofthe hard-pressed centre and left.
Over the mouths of the pits men grappled with swift bayonet thrusts, hut
our men were too few, and the line was too long. Ewell gained a foot
hold there, which on the morrov.r might give him the Baltimore pike. This
danger on the right clouded the glorious success on our left, but it could
not be met till the next day, for night had again descended on the field yet
undetermined — another night of groans and darkness and death, and stern
and foreboding preparation for another bloody morrow.
Our braA'e men, tender as strong, found time and thought, in the
midst of these terrible hours, to lift up many of the marble stones of the
cemetery and lay them reverently on the ground, that they might be less
exposed to the crashing shot : — men fighting single-heartedly for fi-eedom
to the living, mindful of honor to the sacred dead ! In the tOAvn all Avas
uncertainty and confusion. The terror-stricken people in vain endeavored
to learn from the returning rebels what had been the real issue of the day's
fighting. It was apparent, however, that they were less assured and jubi
lant than they had been on tlie preceding night, and their involuntary
bursts of indignation against the Germans betrayed their keen sense of
some loss at their hands. Among the rebel leaders was much discussio^n
during the night. It has been said that even then a retreat was proposed.
But the partial success of Ewell in obtaining possession of Slocum's rifle-
pits, and the hope that by recnforcing him strongly before morning, and
thus gaining possession of the Baltimore road, they would be able to
break our right, determined them to renew the attack. With a -view to
this movement, Rhodes's Dirision Avas moved before dayUght to join
Ewell. xi further concentration also was made before our left centre.

THE CAMPAIGN OP GETTTSBURG. 409
But we also prepared for the same programme, moved back tho rest of the
TAvelfth Corps to the right, and reenforced it by Shaler's Brigade of the
Si.'cth, and by a Maryland brigade.
At early dawn of Friday morning, our guns thundered forth their
defiant renewal of the fight. On the right. General Slocum's men cheer
ily prepared to regain their lost rifle-pits, which were blazing with
rebel muskets. The town lay quiet, and apparently evacuated by the
enemy. Lee wished us to eome down from our heights and attack him in
the plain ; but better wisdom ruled our councils. Our men remained
quiet behind their fortifications, looked down upon the dispersing rebels,
and laughed at the shallow artifice. On the right, EweU, and Rhodes held
on Arith desperation to the foothold they had gained on the preceding even
ing, and strove fiercely to extend it ; but all in vain. The new morning
strength ofthe reenforced Twelfth was too much for them. Inch by inch,
fighting Avell to the death, the rebels were pressed back out of our breast
works, up the creek, and our line was again our own, and whole. As
they retreated, a battery placed on a hill, on the right of the Baltimore
pike, and some distance farther south, dealt them tremendous showers of
shot and shell, circling in the air high over the heads of the pursuing
TAvelfth Corps.*
Sharpshooters, concealed in the chambers and behind the chimneys of
the Gettysburg mansions, were picking off our officers, as they exposed
themselves along the crest of the hill. They were emboldened by the
conviction that the patriots would be very reluctant to shell the city. But
at last the annoyance became so great that a storm of shells- was directed
npon a mansion which seemed to swarm with these rebel hornets of
deadly sting, and the house was soon laidrin^Ashes. It Avas the only house
in Gettysburg whieh was seriously injured during the battle. «'
AU this Avliile, General Howard, Avho Avas guiding this tempest of war, /
was calmly leaning against a grave-stone, upon a hillock in the cemetery.^
His aides were gathered about, ready for instant serrice, and all watchine-
with their glasses the subUme sweep of the war-cloud before them. %!¦
* " Through this throng, with slow tread, there came a file of soldiers, armed, but marching to
the rear. It was a guard of honor for one who well deserved it. On a stretcher, borne by a
couple of stout privates, lay General Sickles, but yesterday leading his corps with all the enthusi
asm and dash for which he has been distinguished ; to-day with his right leg amputated, nnd
lying there grim snd stoical, with his cap pulled over his eyes, his hands calmly folded across his
breast, and a cigar in his mouth. Por a man who had just lost a leg, and whose life was yet in
imminent jeopardy, it was cool indeed." — Cincinnati Gazette.
"In the field where we buried the dead, a number of colored freedmen, working for Govern
ment on the railroad, had their camp, and every night they took their recreation, after the heavy
york of the day was over, in prayer-meetings. Such an ' inferior race,' you know I We went
over one night and listened for an hour, while they sang, collected under the fly of a tent, a table
m the middle, where the loader sat, and benches all round the sides for the congregation, men
only, all very black and very earnest. They prayed with all their souls as only black men and
slaves can, for themselves and for the dear white people who had come over to the meeting, and
for 'Maspa Lincoln,' for whom they seemed to have a reverential affection, some of them a sort
of worship, which confused Pather Abraham and Massa Abraham in one general call for bless
ings. Whatever else they asked for, they must have strength, and comfort, and blessing for
Massa Lincoln."— IV/ioi We Did ai Gettysburg, p. 18.

410 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
"I have seen many men in action," an eye-witness writes, "but never
one so impertm-bably cool as this general of the Eleventh Corps. I
watched him closely as a Minie Avhizzed overhead. / dodged, of course.
I never expect to get over that habit. But I am confident that he did
not move a muscle by the fraction of a hair's breadth."
At length the conflict became so severe, that the whole field of battle
was buried in an impenetrable cloud of smoke, and the probable results
could only be indicated by the moving thunders which burst forth from
the cloud.
" Ride over to General Meade," said General Howard to one of his
aides, " and tell him the fighting on the right seems more terrific than
ever, and appears sAvinging someAvhat towards the centre, but that Ave
know little or nothing how the battle goes, and ask if he has any orders."
In a few moments the aide came galloping back with the reply, " The
troops are to stand to arms, sir, and watch the front."
It is very difficult to give our readers an idea of the scene which,
during these momentous hours, was witnessed at head-quarters. General
Meade was stationed at a small farm-house, sixteen feet by twenty, on the
western brow of the ridge, which seemed to be sheltered from exposure,
and from which he could easily communicate with any part of his lines.
His staff were gathered around the door. Orderlies were continually
dashing up with reports, and off again with orders. Signal-officers were
bringing in reports telegraphed from signal-stations. The air was filled
Avith the deafening roar of the war-tempest. A few non-combatants were
lying upon the grass beneath tlie trees. Occasionally a shell, with its demo
niac shriek, passed over their heads. Now and then the whiz of a stray
bullet admonished them that the invisible arrows of death were flying
around. Remarks were made, jocose or serious, according to the mood of
the speaker's mind, in commenting upon the different sounds made by
shot or shell, bullets or Minie balls.
Soon it became erident that the surges of the battle were rolling to
Avards the head-quarters. A cannon-ball passed not two feet from the door,
and buried itself in the road. Instantly there was another and another.
Of course there was general commotion. " Those fellows on the left," ex
claimed one, " have got our range exactly."
After the reestablishing of our right line, there had come a lull in the
storm of battle. From eleven until half-past one hardly a shot was fired.
One hundred thousand men, their breath quick draAA-n, their nerves
strained, their eyes blinded by the smoke of the past fray, and by grief— for
their unburied dead lay thick about them — waited unfalteringly the hour
of their doom. The discomfited Lee, it is said, made use of the Cohege
cupola as a reconnoitring ground, contrary to all the principles of mUitary
honor, as that edifice he had appropriated as a hospital, and had protected
it with a hospital flag. From this eminence, so ignobly used, seeing
clearly the uselessness of further attempts upon our right, from which
EweU and Rhodes liad fallen back Avith such terrible slaughter, he de
cided to make one desperate onslaught upon our left centre, which Avas ,

THE CAMPAIGN OP GETTTSBURG. 411

•

held by General Hancock, and which was exactly in the line of General
Meade's head-quarters.
It was just half-past one when the dreadful silence was broken by the
stiU more dreadful thunder of two hundred and fifty guns, belching forth
their fatal missiles. It Avas the last hope of the rebels to disorder and dis
tract our lines and silence our guns, whUe their infantry charged through
the vaUey to attack our centre. It was the opening of this movement
Avhich seemed so suddenly to render General Meade's head-quarters the
focus of all war's missiles. The three rounds to which we have alluded
were instantly followed by a shoAver of shells, accompanied by a fusilade
of musketry which swept the field with leaden hail.
"The air," writes one who was present, '^'was alive with all mysterious
sounds, and death in every one of them. There were muffled howls, that
seemed in rage because their missiles missed you — the angry buzz of the
familiar Minie — the spit of the common musket-ball — hisses, and the great
.whirring rushes of shells. And then there came others which made the air
instinct with warning, or quickened it Avith vivid alarm ; long wails that
fatefully bemoaned the death they wrought ; fluttering screams that fllled
the whole space with their horror, and encompassed one about as a gar
ment ; cries that ran the diapason of terror and despair." ""¦
As this fierce gust of destruction burst upon the head-quarters of Gen
eral Meade, the general came to the door and said to his staff, " The enemy
have manifestly got our range. Tou had better go up the slope to the
stable." This building was distant but a few rods, and slightly out of the
range of the fire. The plan of the rebels was quickly understood by our
trained soldiers. Every National cannon on Cemetery Hill, and to the
right and left, was pointed into the A'alley front, holding back their murder
ous answer till it should carry annihilation to the pressing foe. On they
came, yelling like demons — six brigades of Longstreet's, Pleath's, and
Anderson's Divisions — down Seminary Ridge and half across the plain.
Like doomsday trump the cannon-roar rolled OA^er the army. Two hundred
and fifty pieces of rebel artillery were concentrating their fire upon our
centre and left. It is said that General Howard ordered one after another
of his guns to be quiet, as if silenced by the fire of the enemy, Avhile his
gunners threw themselves fiat upon the ground. The rebel lines, in a vast
"'Mr. Wilkinson, the correspondent of the New Tork "Times," writes vividly : — "Every
size and form of shell known to British or American gunnery shrieked, whirled, moaned, and
Whittled, and wrathfully fluttered over our ground. As many aa six in a second, constantly two
in a second, bursting and screaming over and around the head-quarters. They burst in tho
yard— burst next to thc fence on both sides, garnished, as usual, with the hitched horses of aides
and orderlies. The fastened animals reared and plunged with terror. Then one fell, then another.
Sixteen lay dead and mangled before the flre ceased. Through the midst of the storm of scream
ing and exploding shells, an ambulance, driven by its frenzied conductor at full speed, presented
to all of us the marvellous spectacle of a horse going rapidly on three legs.' A hinder one had
been shot off at the hook. A shell tore up the little step at the head-quarter's cottage, and ripped
bags of oats as with a knife. Another soon carried off one of its two pillars. Soon a spheri
cal case burst opposite the open door ; another ripped through the low garret. The remaining
piDar went almost immediately to the howl of a fixed shot that Whitworth must have made.
Soldiers in Federal blue were torn to pieces in the road, and died with the peculiar yell that
Mends tho extorted cry of pain with horror and despair."

412 CIVIL AVAR IN AMERICA.

•

semicircular sweep, came rushing on ; the storm of grape and sheU did not
stay their thinning Unes.
When they reached the Emmettsburg road the Germans of the
Eleventh Corps sprang to their guns, and all along the patriot line a bhnd
ing zigzag flame, and the sharp, quick report, like the summer thunder at its
fiercest, when it is instant upon the fiery chain of light, told that the army
on the heights had made its deadly mark. Along our centre and left the
rebel lines were more than four mUes long, and over that whole length
there rolled up the volcanic billows of battle. Sheets of flame and smoke
and swiftly-flying death beat in their faces. And yet the thinning Unes,
rushing forward in the charge, pressed on.*
So fiercely they stormed the hill that the patriot General Gibbons Avas
obUged to order his OAvn men back to make road for the fatal grape ; volley
after volley he poured into the surging mass ; and Avhen the smoke cleared
away, the brave charging lines were gone — not broken, not retreating, but
o-one — gone like leaves before the wind. A few officers, galloping back in-
consternation towards Seminary Ridge ; a feAV gallant retreating men, with
one flag, the single saved flag ; piles upon piles of dead, dying, and
Avounded ; among Avhom men with stretchers were stumbling in bewilder
ment, and thirty-five hundred prisoners in Federal keeping, told this Avas the
end of the grand, brave, but mad charge on our centre at Cemetery Hill !
But while Longstreet's Division was thus making its last charge on the
centre. Hood's Division was no less actively engaged on our left, in a desper
ate effort to drive us from Round Top. Here, again, the Pennsylvania
Reserves drove the rebels in utter rout down the hill, through- the vaUey,
and half a mile beyond, captured their battery, five thousand stand of
arms, and three thousand prisoners. This was their last struggle, and the
end of the glorious battle of Gettysburg.
It Avas nearly sunset ; mercifully to the rebels came a night of escape.
As soon as darkness fell, Lee commenced removing his wounded towards
the Cumberland Yalley. Long before daylight, the relieved town saw the
last line of the disheartened and reduced army winding out of their streets,
and taking up a slieltered position behind the Seminary Ridge, from the
crest of Avhich they had so proudly made their disastrous charge in the
afternoon. The next day the rebels threw up field-works in their front, to conceal
their intention of retreating, and to protect their rear in case of an attack,
and hurried their main force precipitately towards Williamsport. Pro
tected by the mountain ridges, they reached that place in safety on Mon
day, the 6th, and Hagerstown on Tuesday, the 7tli. General Meade
unfortunately did not discern during the 4th, that the enemy were
* Pew persons are aware of the heroism which, during this whole terrible conflict, has been dis
played by the army correspondents to the public journals. In their eagerness to obtain information
they have braved every danger of the battle-field. Mr. Wilkinson, of the New Tork "Times," and
his colleague. Prank Henry, remained in the farm-house during the whole of this terrible can
nonade. C. C. Coffin, of the Boston " Journal," whose letter.s, over the signature of Carlton,
havo excited universal admiration, and many other journalists, often exposed themselves to the
heaviest fire of the field. Mr. Crounse, of the New Tork "Times," had his horse shot under
him. *

1^ >

THE CAMPAIGN OP GETTTSBURG. 413
retreating en masse. Still more unfortunately, he had not an unwearied
army in reserve for the pursuit. Forced marches, after that terrific three
days' fight, were too much for human poAver to endure. Our cavalry,
however, harassed Lee's rear, and, in a brisk skirmish at Fairfield, severely
handled the rebel Imboden's cavalry.
The main National army, as soon as the retreat was discovered, pursued
as vigorously as possible, overtaking the rebel force on Sunday, the 12th,
and found it strongly posted on the heights of Marsh Run. The SAvoUen
waters of the river promised to be an impassable barrier to their escape.
After a careful reconnoissance on Monday, the 13th, a plan of attack was
arranged by General Meade for the next day.
On Tuesday, the 14th, the advance was made, but to encounter a keen
disappointment. The foe had eluded their grasp — escaped by night in
stealth and haste — some divisions fording the rushing stream breast high.
Chafing under this failure, the main body of the Union army again pressed
on in pursuit, sending in advance a cavalry force, AA-hich took a large
number of prisoners and two guns. General Meade crossed the Potomac
at BerUn, and still holding, securely guarded, all possible approaches to
Washington, left Lee no alternative but to make his way through one of
the upper passes of the Blue Ridge, and take up his position once more
south of the Rappahannock, defeated, driven, shattered, and more hope
lessly disheartened, than at any former period in the history of the war.
The rebel general had lost before Gettysburg five thousand five hundred
killed, twenty-one thousand wounded, nine thousand prisoners, and four thou
sand stragglers and deserters, making a total of nearly forty thousand, a fear
ful subtraction from the army of ninety, or, as some estimate it, one hundred
thousand men, Arith which he commenced the campaign. The National
loss was four thousand killed, over thirteen thousand wounded, and four
thousand prisoners, about twenty thousand in all. The numbers engaged
were at least ninety thousand rebels, and sixty thousand patriots. The
pieces of artillery Avere about two hundred and fifty on the rebel side, and
tAVO hundred in the Union army.
But terrible as was the numerical loss which the rebels encountered, it
Avas nothing in comparison with the loss of prestige, and the humiliation of
boasting hopes. Numbers might be restored, broken spirits never. The
death-blow was given at Gettysburg to the heart of the rebellion, and
followed soon, as it was, by the lopping off of its sturdiest limb at Vicks
burg and Port Hudson, observant eyes could not fail to see that the day
must before long arrive for the dishonored obsequies of the dead monster.
A sad list of brave martyrs on the Union side marks this last great
struggle. Of the National generals, Reynolds, Weed, Zook, were killed,
and Barlow, Barnes, Butterfield, Doubleday, Gibbon, Graham, Hancock,
Sickles, and Warren, were Avounded.
The loss of the rebels was still more severe. There were kiUed, or
mortally wounded. Generals Armistead, Barksdale, Garnett, Pender, Petti
grew, Semmes; and wounded. Heath, Hood, Johnson, Kemper, and Trimble.
The imagination involuntarily pictures the group of their disembodied
Bpfrits, no longer hostile, looking down with the cahn or remorseful com-

414 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
prehension of their new life, on the still smoking battle-field from which
they had ascended.
Let us glance back upon that battle-field as human eyes saw it on the
morning of Saturday, the 4th, sad anniversary of our first glorious 4th—
freedom still sorely heaet by tyrannies, and calhng Avith tears for the blood
of her children. Thirty thousand men were lying upon this field, either dead,
dying, or hopelessly wounded. The streets of the town Avere blood-stained ;
the rocks of Round Top Avere blood-stained ; through the dusty Avoods of
the valley trailed the same crimson — blood everyAvhere ; dried blood of
dead men, fi-esh blood of living men, writhing in agonies too sharp to he
cured, and, thank God, too sharp to last long. Seven thousand five hun
dred and fifty wounded rebels left behind to our mercy, and thirteen
thousand seven hundred and nine of our own ! All these to be cared for,
saved, if it might be, and if not, eased and cheered in death. The toAvn
was an hospital ; all the churches Avere crowded with the wounded men,
and had no prayers but for the dying. All kindly-hearted citizens hung
red flags from their houses, and filled their beds with the soldiers Avho had
fought for them and their homes.
And here, in the first days of confusion and misery, came the outstretched
hand of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, bearing leaves of the Tree
of Life to the perishing; doing with their holy might just what the Govern
ment could not do — and saving thousands of lives which must, without
their aid, have been lost. Gentle and gently-bred women, whose cheeks
would fiush with tender shame to see their names on the page of history,
but whose names are history in thousands of hearts, here and in heaven,
worked night and day in the supply tents of the Commission ; heartily helped,
as they all bear witness, by the Gettysburg women, who were faithful and
zealous ; but of Avhose husbands and sons only an evil report comes up.*
History can afford to pause and hand doAvn for the appreciation of pos
terity one of these Gettysburg farmers, who sneaked into the hospital
camp, three Aveeks after the fight, and asked to see a rebel. He had
lived five miles from the town, and was familiar with the distant«-oar of the
rebel cannon, but had hitherto never looked on the face of a rebel soldier !
The severe practical satire was pardonable, which grasped him by the collar,
shoring him into a tent full of the objects of his search, and, stating the
nature and date of his curiosity, left him to be hooted and jeered out of
doors by the sick and wounded rebels in their beds.
Late in the afternoon a train of ambulances brought to the lodge ofthe
Sanitary Commission one hundred Avounded rebels to be cared for through
* " One .woman we saAV whose pluck helped to redeem the other sex. She lived in a little
house close up by the fleld where the hardest fighting was done, a red-cheeked, strong country-
girl ' AA'ere you frightened when the shells began flying?' ' AVell, no; you see we was all
a-baking bread round here for the soldiers, and had our dough a-rising. The neighbors they ran
into their cellars, but I couldn't leave my bread. When the first shell came in at the window
and crashed through the room, an officer came and said, " Tou had better get out of thisi" but
I told him I could not leave my bread, and I stood working it tL'l the third shell came through,
and then I went down cellar ; but I left my bread in the oven.' ' And why didn't you go be
fore ?' ' Oh, you see, if I had, the rebels would a come in and daubed the dough all over tho
place.' " — What We Did ai Gettysburg, p. 14

THE CAMPAIGN OP GETTTSBURG. 415
the night. The next morning they were to be taken in the cars to a more
commodious hospital. Among them there was one, a fair-haired blue-
eyed, pale-faced young Ueutenant, a mere boy, from South Carolina, mor
tally wounded.
"I could not," writes a lady of the Sanitary Commission, "think of
him as a rebel; he was too near heaven for that. He wanted nothinfr-
but I coaxed him to try a little milk gruel, made nicely with lemon and
brandy ; and one of the satisfactions of our three Aveeks is the remembrance
of the empty cup I took aAvay afterAvards, and his perfect enjoyment of
that supper. ' It was so good — the best thing he had had since he Avas
Avounded ;' and he thanked me so much and talked of his good supper for
hours. At midnight the change came, and from that time he only thought
of the old days before he was a soldier, Avhen he sang hymns in his father's
church. His father was a Lutheran clergyman iu South Carolina. All
day long we watched him, sometimes fighting his battles over, oftener sing
ing his Lutheran chants, till in at the tent door, close to which he lay,
looked a rebel soldier, just arrived Avith other prisoners. He started when
he saw the young lieutenant, and, quickly kneeling down by him, called
'Henry ! Henry !' But Henry was looking at some one a great, way ofi",
and could not hear him. ' Do you know this soldier ?' we said. ' Oh, yes,
ma'am ; and his brother is wounded, and a prisoner too, in the cars now.'
Two or three men started after him, found him, and half carried him from
the cars to our tent. ' Henry ' did not know him, though ; and he threw
himseff down by his side on the straw, and for the rest of the day lay in a
sort of apathy, without speaking, except to assure himself that he could stay
with his brother, Avithout the risk of being separated from the rest of his
fellow-prisoners. And there the brothers lay, and there we strangers sat,
watching and listening to the strong clear" voice praying, 'Lord, have
mercy upon him !'
" The Lord had mercy ; and at sunset I put my hand on the lieuten
ant's heart to find it still. All night the brother lay close against the
coffin, and in the morning went away Avith his comrades, leaving us to
bury Henry, having ' confidence,' but first thanking us for what Ave had
done, and giving us all that he had to show his gratitude, the palmetto
oriiainent from his brother's cap and a button from his coat. Dr. W.
read the burial service that morning at the grave, and we wrote his name
on the little head-board, ' Lieutenant Ranch, Fourteenth Regiment, South
Carolina Volunteers.' "
For three Aveeks the Sanitary Commission tents stood Avaving their
hospitable flag near the depot where the soldiers took the cars for Wash
ington, and where, but for the Commission, thousands of them Avould have
heen obliged to pass weary hours of exposure and suffering, waiting for
trains. Sixteen thousand good meals were given, hundreds of men shel
tered through the day, and twelve hundred through the night. Rebels
¦-"Union men— all nursed and cherished by the same hands, the same
charity— within a few hours' ride of our devoted, precious, starving mar
tyrs in Libby Prison !
, 'Other Christian Commissions sent valuable and instant aid to the field

416 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
of death. Among the foremost was the noble band of workers from the
Church of the Ascension, in Philadelphia. The Sabbathmoming after the
battle, the aisles of the church reechoed new sounds — no less holy, and no
less gospel-taught than the accustomed words of prayer and praise. The
desk had given place to the sewing machine, and the kneelers were rolling
bandages. The sacred hours of that Sabbath of hallowed work did not
close until tons of stores, an d treasures of money, were ready to be bome to the
suffering soldiers by the first trains, accompanied by willing hands, strong
to work in their distribution. Months afterwards, a simple but graphic
record, by an eye-Avitness, told the story of the labors of the little band.
Slow and long, to their impatient sympathy, seemed the days of a jour
ney, which, before the destructions of the battle, would have been one but of
hours. Blackened and scourged, the valley of Gettysburg greeted their eyes
on the morning of July 10th. On all sides cries for help filled their ears.
General Lee, in his retreat, had left a number of surgeons to look after his
wounded, and a number of men to act as their assistants ; but, with one
single exception, the surgeons and men seemed alike coarse and unfeeling.
They had not availed ihemselves of the facilities at ^heir command for
bestowing their wounded comfortably, but had crowded them, literally by
piled scores, into an uncleanly bam, reserving a narroAV space in the centre
for a large table, upon which their surgical operations were performed in
the most hasty and often atrociously careless manner, in full view of each
harrowed sufferer whose turn might be the next. On one occasion, the
wife of a rebel officer, who had been reported wounded, rode up to this fear
ful slaughter-house, in search of her husband. A surgeon met her at the
door, vrith his dripping knife in his hand, and called out brutally, regard
less of her grief-stricken fear, to an attendant near by, to bring him a carv
ing knife and a razor strop, as his instruments were all getting dull. No
theory of the origin of spirits provides for the locating of such a monster 1
The surprise and incredulity of the suffering rebels was unbounded at
the kind attentions they found the infernal " Tankee " men and women
were lavishing upon them. Every day, men said, tearfully, "We are dis
appointed in 3'ou Northern men ; you are doing more for us than we de
serve ; and much as you are doing, we see that you would gladly do more,
if you could." Among the seven thousand wounded rebel soldiers suc
cored and sheltered, only one man was known to have expressed hostiUty
and hatred to his benefactors. He avowed that he had repeatedly taken
deUberate aim at a Union soldier, and that he would do it again if he had
an opportunity. The more manly and chivalrous men were usually found
to be Georgians, and many of their expressions showed that there is still
left much of the old leaven of patriotic love for the Union, in Georgia.
One poor fellow, a Georgian, who had lost his leg, and was fast sinking
into the grave from exhaustion, repeatedly bemoaned his oavu folly in
having entered the army, and, almost with his dying breath, declared that
he had never been heartily on the Southern side of the contest. As it
became evident that he had but a few moments to live, he implored to he
raised and placed upon his knees. Unmindful of the torture to his shat
tered limb, he lifted both his arms, and, stretching them upward, fixed his

THE CAMPAIGN OP GETTTSBURG. 417
dim eyes on heaven, and, with an unspoken prayer, died. The amount
of reUgious sentiment found among the rebel soldiers was greater than
had been anticipated ; very frequently some of their number would be
occupied in prayer, or whiling away the weary night hours by sino-ing
in a low tone, religious hymns. One man, of great muscular strength,
who was laid upon the floor of the butcher's barn above mentioned, had
the neroe and the grace given him to spend hours together, with his eyes
closed to the appalling scenes about him, and his clear, brave voice rising.
above the horrid din of saws, and shrieks and groans, in verses of faith
and hope, whicii carried strength and spoke of peace to many a less heroic
sufferer. With the exception of the vindictive rebel above referred to, the
most noticeable thing in the general atmosphere of feeling on both sides,
was the lack of animosity and the free mutual kindUness. One of our
wounded men owed his Ufe to the tender care of some of the Confed
erate soldiers, who, finding him lying helpless and exposed, on a part
of the field of Avhich they had gained temporary possession, built above
and around him a rude shelter of stones, under which he laid safe for
hours, while the whizzing bullets Avere flying over his head, and rebound
ing vrith flattened surfaces from his stone roof.
The greater part of the efforts of this noble band of workers from the
Church of the Ascension were directed to the relief of the rebels who
were throAvn on our charities; and the most interesting feature of the
account of thefr ministrations is the bringing to our appreciation such in
stances as these of devoted piety and disinterested kindness on the part of
those whom we have been, perhaps, inclined to regard too sweepingly as
utterly beyond the pale of common brotherhood. Nothing was more con
stantly apparent to these Christain philanthropists, than that by far the
greater number of the rebel soldiers were absolutely and inexplicably igno
rant of the true facts, both in regard to the causes AAdiich led to the open
ing of the war, and to the leading measures which had been instituted in
the course of it. Many of them refused utterly to believe that President
Lincoln had ever issued a warning proclamation before the emancipation
decree, affording to all lhe rebels ninety days in which to lay down their
arms and escape the consequences of their revolt. All of them were sin
cerely impressed Avith the conviction that they were fighting for their
threatened and imperilled liberties — to resist oppression, and to repel in
vaders. And, still more singularly, they were all equaUy filled with the
conriction that, by the triumpji of the Southern cause, the condition of the
'Southern masses would be greatly lifted and bettered.
No despotism of the Old World ever more tyrannously held the minds
and passions of its subjects in abject, blind, and ignorant subservience to its
OAvn rile ends, than have the leaders of this accursed rebelUon. While we wait
restlessly for the sound of the chariot-wheels of the avenging fate which
•wiU surely mete out to them bitter and eternal retribution, we must pity
the poor, cheated, befooled, driven herds they have forced us to kUl.
The sentiment of the country at large demanded some especial consecra
tion of the o-round rendered immortal by the scenes of this unequalled con
flict — unequalled even by world-renowned Waterloo. A thrill of sympathetic
Vol. II— 2Y

418 CIVIL WAE IN AMERICA
and universal appreciation responded to the proposal to dedicate it to the
sacred use of a National Cemetery — sepulchre of martys, from whose
graves shall arise a great cloud of those who laid doAvn their lives, a wiU-
ing sacrifice for freedom and humanity.
On the 19th of April, 186^' the valley roads again swarmed with thou
sands whose feet were pressing to the Cemetery Hill. Four months had not
obliterated from the slopes of Round Top and the banks of the creek the
traces of that terrible battle to whose sacred memory these crowds came to
do honor. With tears, men gazed on the trampled and levelled graves
and their shattered stones, and knelt uncovered while in fervent prayer the
blood-stained earth was reverently given back to God, for the free burial
of His great and glorious army of martyrs. America's greatest orator laid
the burning words of his eloquence on the altar of dedication; and the
solemn strains of a funeral dirge were borne on the air to the east and the
west, bathing with their melting sorroAv every hallowed spot where blood had
been spilled. Battle and heroes of Gettysburg — written immortal forever!
held with Marathon and Thermopylae in golden eternity ! *
* As Mr. Everett closed his eulogium. President Lincoln rose upon the platform, with intensest
emotion beaming from every feature of his speaking countenance. Twelve hundred patriot graves,
in tiers of crescent shape, nearly encircled hira. Solemnly his eye glanced over the long out
stretched crests, on which had lately raged the storm of battle, and then turned to the audience.
An eye-witness writes: —
"A fresh tide of feeling struggled in that great, warm heart; the flgure straitened taller than
before, and with strong though tremulous voice, the President uttered the first sentence of his
terse and unsurpassed address. The surrounding tens of thousands caught its sentiment and rolled
out their thunders of applause. In fuller tone came another great thought, and another response.
Thus, at each period, until that sentence was reached whose emphasis those Avho listened can
never forget.
" ' We cannot consecrate nor hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who
struggled here, have consecrated it far above our power to add or detract. The world will but
little note, nor long remember, what we say here ; but it can never forget what they did here. It
IS for us, the living, rather to be re-dedicated to the unfinished work, which they have thus far
nobly carried on.'
" It seemed as the actual ofi-ering of himself and that vast concourse, and, indeed, the millions
over whom he presides, a sacrifice on the altar of country, of duty, of God. Every heart realized
it as a solemn sincerity. But in none did it appear so personal, so sincere, as in the earnest snd
devoted Chief Magistrate who was addressing us."

CHAPTER XXXIV.
CHICKAMA^^GA.
(August and September, 18G8,)
The Rebels Driten Across the Cumberlaxd Moust.iixs. — ijiTRByoiiBD at Chattanoooa. —
Military Manceuvres.— The Battlb'op Chiokamauoa. — Disasters.- — Heroism of General
Thomas. — BARRB>f Viotort op the Rebels. — Retreat op Patriots to CiiATTANOoaA.—
LooKovr Mountain and Missionary Ridoe. — Chattanooga Besieqed.
We must now transfer our narrative to scenes occurring in Eastern Ten
nessee, to which region the rebels sullenly retreated, followed by General
Rosecrans, after the battle of Stone River. During the first five months
of the year 1863, there was so much apparent inactivity in General Rose
crans's command as to excite uneasiness at Washington, and a general feel
ing of discontent throughout the country. The rebel army was, however,
graduaUy pushed out of Middle Tennessee, across the Cumberland Moun
tains, and over the Tennessee River. They crossed this stream at Bridge
port, and retired to Chattanooga. Here they made an attempt to fortify
themselves strongly. Chattanooga, in itself an insignificant village, nestled
among the mountains, was an important strategic point. It commanded
the entrance from the South into East Tennessee, and was the gateway
from the North, to the vast and fertile plains of Georgia and Alabama.
The road from Murfreesboro' to Chattanooga was long, wild, and moun
tainous. In the pursuit of the foe the utmost precautions were necessary
to protect our extended line of communication from our base at Nashville.
Itwas not until August of 1863, that the patriot troops were able to effect
the passage of the Cumberland Mountains. The defences of Chattanooga
were of such a character that General Rosecrans deemed it unwise to at
tempt a direct attack from the north, but sought by a fiank movement to
approach' the place from the south.
To veil this operation and distract the attention of the enemy. General
Waggoner was detached from his division, then in the Sequatchie Valley,
nearly west of Chattanooga, and with Wilder's Cavalry crossed Walden's
Ridge to a point nearly opposite the town. General Hazen proceeded to
Poe's Tavern, a few miles north. A force of cavalry, under Colonel
Minty, four thousand in number, with three thousand infantry, was sent
to Smithfield. This feint was very successful. For three Aveeks these troops presented
a menacing front on the western banks of the river. Batteries were planted
to throw shells into the town, and two steamboats and a horse-ferry were
captured. On the 21st, Colonel Minty opened fire upon the town from one
of his batteries, and made an ostentatious show of crossing the river just
above Chattanooga. The mounted men exhibited themselves at various-
points many miles apart along the river banks, leading the rebels to imag,-

420 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
ine that the whole Union army was before them. Pontoon bridges were
placed ready for use, where the scouts of the enemy would be sure to see
them. So completely were the foe thus baffied, that apparently they had
no conception of the real movement intended, until General Rosecrans had
crossed the river unopposed, below the town, and the divisions of McCook
and Thomas showed themselves on Lookout Mountain.
The bombardment which General Waggoner opened upon the town
continued for twenty days. It proved quite damaging to property, though
it hardly affected the strength of the place. Early in September the patriot
troops crossed the river by a bridge and rafts which they had constructed
at Bridgeport. On the Tth the rebels commenced evacuating Chattanooga.
On the 9th a portion of the Ninety-seventh Ohio entered a deserted rebel
battery on Bell Mountain. The same day General Wood's Division drove
the rebels from Lookout Point and entered the city in triumph.
This truly was a great feat. In twenty-three days the Army of the
Cumberland, marching three hundred miles from their base of suppUes,
carrying forty-five days' rations, had passed over three ranges of moun
tains, varying from fifteen hundred to tAventy-four hundred feet in height,
had crossed a river a quarter of a mile Avide, and captured one of the most
powerful natural strongholds in the United States. All this they had
accomplished Avith the loss of but six men. The death of four of these
was caused by an accident. For the rebels to allow the patriot army to
retain pei-manent possession of Chattanooga was equivalent to the sur
render of Tennessee and Georgia. The authorities at Richmond were
much alarmed. Two diA'isions Avere promptly sent from their Army of
the Potomac, and also large forces from Charleston, Savannah, and Mo
bile, to aid General Bragg to recover his lost position. Indeed, some of
these troops Avere on their way before the place fell, but they did not ar
rive in season to prevent the evacuation.
General Rosecrans cautiously, that he might avoid a trap, pursued the
retreating foe. An old negro teamster came into the camp, and, inquiring
for the Yankee general, gave information of great importance respecting
the position of the rebel forces. For several days there was manoeuvring
between the hostile armies, each striring for an opportunity to strike a
fatal bloAv. On Friday, the 18th of September, the patriot army was
pretty well concentrated on the western banks of the West Chickamauga
RiA'er. They were at a spot about fourteen miles from Chattanooga, mid
way between that place and Lafayette. The rebels, familiar with every
foot of the ground, moved up the east side of the river. A series of skir
mishes ensued with long-range artillery firing, while each party was pre
paring for a decisive battle. Thus the day passed.
Saturday morning dawned, cold and chilly, enveloping both armies in
a heavy river fog. Muffled in overcoats, and gathered around huge camp-
fires, the patriots were preparing for the temble work before them. They
w&ce not aware how strong a force had been accumulating for their de
struction. About ten o'clock in the morning the battle was opened by a brigade
of patriot troops falling impetuously upon a rebel force stationed at Read's

CHICKAMAUGA. 421
Ford. The rebels Avere driven back, and the patriots plunged into the
river to fill their canteens, for water Avas very scarce among the hills
where they had been obliged to mass' themselves. But in a fcAv moments
the rebels advanced in accumulated force, and the patriots were crowded
back, losing three pieces of artillery. The position the army now occu
pied was nearly that of a straiglit line. Tho corps of General Thomas
was on the left, that of General Crittenden in the centre, and General
McCook's on the right.
It was the rebel General" Longstreet's Division, probably twenty thou
sand in number, which came rushing across the shallow streamlet, whose
waters afforded bnt little impediment to their advance. In a cool, stately,
deliberate charge. General Thomas advanced to meet them. Rebel can
non, worked with deadly precision, cut great gaps in the advancing line,
but the veteran Avarriors closed calmly up and pressed on undaunted.
From double Unes of rebel infantry musket-balls fell thickly upon them.
By the resistless onward sweep several batteries of the foe were taken.
Yolunteers and regulars vied with each other in deeds of bravery. For
nearly a mile the rebels were driven back, rallying only to disperse; re-
raUying only to dissolve. Two captured batteries Avere turned upon the
retreating foe, and the rietory seemed to be decisive.
But while success thus crowned the patriot arms on the left, very
different scenes were witnessed on the right and centre. The rebel
Generals Polk and HiU, massing their veteran legions, dashed' upon
Palmer and Yan Cleve on the extreme right. Rushing upon their
weaker adversaries, they overpowered them by the weight of numbers,
and, piercing their Une, cut them into two fragments. Yan Clove's Divi
sion seemed to be hopelessly routed, when General Davis arrived, and, by
desperate energy, for a time restored the fortune of the day. It was, bow-
ever, Avith the rebels, a matter of necessity to effect a diversion in favor of
Longstreet, whose troops were so badly routed. If Longstreet were driven
much farther, General Tiiomas, Avith his exultant troops, could fall upon
the fiank of Hill's and Polk's Divisions, and thus the rebel arnjy would
meet Aritli a disastrous defeat. The only way to prevent this was now to
overwhelm the troops of McCook and Crittenden.
Every available rebel was consequently brought up. The column was
goaded forward by every energy Avhich could be brought to bear upon it.
Tliey were driving furiously and destructively on, when General Thomas
reluctantly abandoned his pursuit of Longstreet, and turned back to the aid
of his sorely-pressed comrades. It is not our purpose to attempt a detail
of all the eddies and currents of the battle. It is impossible to make such
a narrative interesting, and scarcely possible to make it intelligible, to the
general reader. It is our only design to give those grand and decisive
features of the confiict in v/hich all are interested and which all can
understand. This reenforcement checked the progress of the exultant
foe. Soon, however, they formed another battle-line, and again moved for
ward in the determined charge. Again they were checked and driven
back by the soUd phalanx which opposed them. It was four o'clock in

CHICAMAUGA.

Scale of acies.

'¦'•Jl.^^iiiStyy^tsir^'Siirs.tBX^.y.w'a,.^

CHIO AM AUaA. — SATURDAY'S BATTLE.

CHICKAMAUGA. 423
the afternoon. The wearied and bleeding troops were alike glad on both
sides for the few hours of repose Avhich ensued. Still, just before sunset a
heavy artillery fire was concentrated by the rebels on a portion of our
lines. This was foUoAved by a furious charge upon the point which it
was supposed the cannonade had Aveakened. /
Among the incidents of this day's battle, the repulse of Longstreet's
men on our left by Colonel Wilder deserves special mention. Wilder's
men were in the edge of a forest, through which a ditch ran, five or six
feet deep, to carry off the water of an adjacent swamp. As the rebels
entered the open field m front of the forest, in masses fully exposed, the
mounted infantry, with thefr seven-shooting rifies, poured in upon them a
continuous blast of lead, which swept down with frightful slaughter. At
the same time. Colonel Lilly, with his Indiana battery of rified ten-pound
ers, hurled through their ranks double-shotted canister, at less than three
hundred yards. Every shot seemed to tell. Before this awful fire, the
head of the column melted away. It broke, fied, was again rallied, and
pushed forward through a terrific fire into the ditch, where they crpwded
together for shelter, in a long, straight line, Uke swarming bees.
Instantly Colonel Lilly wheeled around two of his guns into such a.
position that he could pour through the who.le length of the ditch hk
horrible double canister. The slaughter was frightful — scaEcely a man
escaped. " At this point," says Colonel WUder, " it actually seemed a pity to kill
men so. They fell in heaps ; and I had it in my heart to order the firing
to cease, to end the awful sight."
But mercy's voice was lost in Avar's loud thunders. The seven-shooters
and the rifled cannon poured into the struggling mass their deadly charges,
crushing and mangling, untU the ditch was filled with gory bodies. " When
the firing ceased, one could have walked tAvo hundred yards doAvn that
ditch on dead rebels, without touching the ground." Not less than two
thousand were struck down by this terrible fire. Thus terminated the
first day's battle of Chickamauga.
Night came, vrith gloom and sad apprehensions. It was evident that
the patriots were outnumbered. Bragg's whole army was there, and half
= of Johnston's army. Buckner's Division from East Tennessee, a large part
of Longstreet's veteran corps from Yirginia, and twelve thousand fresh
|froops from Georgia, had also been concentrated to crush the patriots.
' This force could not be less, probably, than eighty thousand men, while
j many estimated the number as high as one hundred thousand. Reenforce
¬ments to swell the rebel ranks were also continually arriving. Our troops
; Avere far away from their base of supplies, and in the very heart of the
rebel country. They consisted of General Rosecrans's Stone River army,
hmth. Brannon's and Reynolds's Divisions added. In all, they amounted
; to about fifty-five thousand men. They could not hope for any reenforce
ments before the conflict was ended. These were fearful odds, when the
results of a serious defeat were considered.
There were two roads running to Rossville, about two miles apart.
One passed through a gap on the right of Missionary Ridge, and the other

424 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
on the left. After passing through the gap, the country between these
roads is nearly level, covered with dense forests of oak and pine, with
small clearings scattered about. Here, between these two roads, the
greater part of our forces were assembled. The army was, as before, in
three divisions. General Thomas was on the right. General Crittenden in
the centre, and General McCook on the left. Thus arranged, with here
and there a few breastworks hastily thrown up, they anxiously awaited the
morrow. In consequence of the dense woods all around, artillery could not
be much nsed. A few exposed points were open to the range of the guns,
but mainly the issues of the battle depended upon musketry and the bayonet.
The early light of Sunday morning, September 20th, struggled gloomy
and chill through heavy banks of fog. Gradually, however, the vapor
was dispersed, and the sun burst forth in all its splendor, illumining a scene
of wonderful beauty, which was soon to be deformed by the lurid fires
and the billoAvy smoke of battle. General Rosecrans rode along the lines
with Avords of cheer, to nerve the men for the stem struggle which he well
knew awaited them.
The rebel lines were formed much as on the day before. Longstreet's
men, who had recovered from their panic, were on the right, HiU in the
centre, and Polk on the left. About ten o'clock the battle commenced,
with almost the suddenness of a thunder-clap. The rebels made a rush
. upon our right wing, nearly enveloping the patriot troops of Negley,
Johnson, Baird, and Palmer with their overAvhelming numbera. Magnifi
cently for two hours the patriots met the shock, standing as immovable as
the earth beneath their feet. The rebels then massed their forces for a resist
less charge in three strong columns, one following the other. The first was
staggered ; it recoiled, and fled before the storm of lead hurled pitilessly into
their faces. The second column, in still stronger numbers, sprang from the
ground, where they had been lying flat upon their faces, and with yells which
made the forest ring, rushed forward, pouring in volley after volley as they ran.
When within a hundred yards of the Union lines they were met with
such a terrific fire that they, too, were brought to a sudden stand. A
tremor seemed, for a moment, to pass through the whole line, as if struck
by a galvanic shock. Then suddenly the line disappeared, and was re
solved into a shapeless mass of fugitives, rushing from the field with
scarcely a semblance of organization. The third column now came for
ward, not to attempt a charge, but only to cover the retreat of their com
panions, and to arrest the pursuit which the patriot troops instinctively
commenced. This direct attack having failed, the next movement of the rebels was
an attempt to fiank Thomas's left, gain possession of the Rossville road,
and drive the corps into the mountains, Avhere it could easily be captured
by the overwhelming numbers of the rebels. This anticipated movement
was promptly detected by General Thomas, and he prepared as well as
possible to meet it. Charge after charge was successfuUy repelled. Thus,-
until noon, all things went Avell, Proridence seeming to smUe upon the
patriot arms. Our men, who had met the brunt of the attack, were greatly
exhausted. It was necessary to relievo them, as it was certain that fresh

CHICKAMAUGA.

425

numbers would soon come rushing upon their thin, bleeding, Avearied
ranks. The inevitable movement to exchange the exhausted for fresh
trobps was hazardous. Could it be accomplished before the enemy should
have a chance to take advantage of the momentary confusion, the foe
AvOuld, in all probability, be effectually repulsed.
But the eagle-eyed enemy saw the first indications of the confusion the
change involved. Fresh troops were immediately brought np, and crowded
forward in the assault. As they adA-anced, rebel batteries played over their
heads into our lines. With exultant yells they broke through the patriot
ranks, scattering eA^erywhere, through the right Aving, dismay and death.
Whole regiments melted aAvay by death, capture, and flight. Many regi

ments, in their confused retreat, lost all

organization.

Officers were

^'i ROSSVILLE I Batae

'Separated from their companies, and flags from their regiments. Even the
bravest knew not how or where to rally. General Rosecrans was cut off
from communication with General Thomas, and for a time, as he looked
upon the swollen flood of fugitives rolling before and behind him, he
thought his Avhole army vanquished.
Aided by many officers. General
Eosecrans made the most strenuous
efforts to rally the fugitives. But,
in that hour of disaster and con
sternation, aU human efforts seemed
of but little avail. In the best order
•which could be attained imder the
circumstances, these fragments of
the demolished portions of the right
Avingand centre were marched back
to Rossrille. But for the heroism
of General Thomas and his gallant
men, who held the left of our line,
the battle Avould not only liave been
lost, but the whole army would have
heen routed and dispersed ; Tennes
see and Kentucky avouH have been
'Regained by the rebels, and the rebel
Confederacy would probably have
heen galvanized into another year
of hfe. From this disaster the cour-
' age of General Thomas and his he
roic corps saved the nation.
' As the right and centre of the pa
triot army disappeared, leaving only battle op ohickamauga-sbcond day's battle.
the division of General Thomas to confront the whole Confederate army,
the rebels, with the fierceness of famished wolves leaping into the fold,
plunged upon the feeble band, Avhich was alone left to oppose them. The
patriots manfuUy breasted the storm, whUe, slowly, firmly, and in un-
hroken array, they retired to a new position, where they might more
advantageously meet the shock. They soon reached a gentle elevation.

426 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
upon Avhich they made their stand. They counted, in all, but twen'^,
thousand men, with three batteries. From the hUl they looked down upon
an army eighty thousand strong, advancing for their destruction— an army
flushed with rietory, having just put to rout thirty-five thousand patriot
troops, supported by one hundred and fifty guns.
All that General Thomas could now hope to do, by the most , heroic
valor, was to cover the retreat of the army. He had only his own division,
with Johnson's Corps of McCook's Division. The plain below them was black
Avith threatening masses of the foe, marching upon them in front and flank.
The semicircular ridge occupied by the Unionists afforded them consider-,
able advantage. The key of the position was held by Colonel Harker's
Brigade. The rebels were pressing on furiously, pouring in an incessant
and deadly fire. The patriots stood firm, but still their destruction seemed"!
inevitable. Suddenly a cloud of dust was seen in the rear. It excited
both terror and hope. It might be the cavalry of the foe fianking them.
It might be patriot friends hastening to their succor. The incident is thus
graphically described by Mr. Shanks, the correspondent of the New York
" Herald," who was on the field at the time : —
" General Thomas, near the centre of the army, was engaged, about one
o'clock, sitting on his horse in the hoUoAV of a ridge in an open field, behind
Harker's Brigade, busy watching a heavy cloud of dust in the rear, in such
a direction that it might be General Granger Avith reenforcements, or it
might be the enemy. It cast a cloud over his spirits which was plainly
risible to one who observed him, as I confess I did that day, with eve^-
increasing admiration. The truth is, that General Thomas, at one o'clock,
p. M. on the last day of this battle, had no disposition to fight any more,
and feared the result of the next rebel attack. And so he watched with
natural anxiety the development of the cloud of dust, which was then no
more than a mile distant. If it dissolved to reveal friends, then they would
be welcome ; for at this hour fresh friends were all that Avas needed. If it
disclosed the enemy, then the day was lost, and it became the duty of
those Avho "formed the last square on this battle-field to throw into the
teeth of the ^'ictoridus enemy a defiance as grandly contemptuous as that
of the Cambronne, and die. There was no escape if the troops moving
were, as it was feared, the cavalry of the enemy.
" ' Take my glass, some one of you whose horse stands steady. Tell me
what you see.'
" In the dust that emerged, thick as the clouds that precede the storm,
nothing could be distinguished but a moving mass of men. But it Avas
seen that they were infantry. This information made Thomas breathe
more freely. If infantry, it was much more likely to be Granger than the
enemy. At this moment a tall officer with the yellow straps of a captain
of infantry presented himself to General Thomas.
" ' General,' said he, ' I am cut off from General Negley, and cannot
find him. I beg leave to report to you for duty, sir, of any character.'
" ' Captain Johnson,' said the General to the speaker (Captain Johnson,
Second Indiana Cavalry, inspector-general on General Negley's staff),
' ride over there, and report to me who and what that force is.'

CHICKAMAUGA. 427
" In an instant Johnson was gone — gone upon a mission Avhich proved
itself to be a more dangerous one than any of us supposed. As he slowly
emerged from a dense foliage of willows growing about a narrow stream
in the i-ear, we heard the report of several rifles, and saw him halt for
a'second, and then, dashing spurs to his horse, disappear in a thick
wood in the direction of the coming mass of troops, still enveloped in
clouds of dust. In a few minutes he again emerged from this timber,
and following him came the red, white, and blue crescent-shaped battle-
flag of Gordon Granger. We had Avished for night, and it was Blucher
who had come to us. At a quarter past one, Steedman first, and Gordon
Granger afterwards, had Avrung the hand of the statue Thomas, who
had gone^^tbrough the terrible scenes of the last two days' battle to be
melted and moved at this hour. As Granger came up, I felt that from
the fiice of the heavens a great cloud had passed, and the sun Avas shining
once more upon us as vrith tlie same benignant rays of former victories."
The rebels had attained a position on the ridge to the right of General
ThomaiS, where they Avere massing a great force preparatory to a chai-ge.
General Granger, who had so opportunely arrived, was immediately pushed
forward to attempt to dislodge them. The charging column was promptly
formed. The Ninety-sixch Illinois, Colonel Champion, Avas on the right.
The One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois, Colonel J. II. Moore, occupied
the centre. The Twenty-second Michigan, Colonel Le Fevre, was on the
left. General Steedman conducted the charge. The perilous task as
signed to them could not be performed leisurely. On the full run they
started over the rough inequalities of the ground, and in the face of a wither-
mg fire. With fixed bayonets, impelled by reckless valor, they pressed on,
supported by the Seventy-eighth Illinois and tho Twenty-first Ohio, till
they gained the crest occupied by the rebels, and drove them from it.
With recruited numbers, the rebels made desperate efforts to recover their
lost position. Al; one time, one of the regiments, the One Hundred and
Fifteenth Illinois, which had never before been in a general engagement,
recoiled befoi-e the tremendous onset. General Steedman seized the colors,
and advancing, shouted, in a voice which rang all along the line, " Go
hack, boys, if you Avill, but the flag will not go Avitli you."
Thus inspirited, the heroic boys stood firm, and did their duty manfully.
With others, they fell upon the rebels so fiercely as to drive them back full
half a mile. Tlie enemy, in their retreat, left their dead and wounded
behind them. After dark our troops were withdrawn. When tho troops
ariived at head-quarters, after haring accomplished gloriously their mission,
General Thomas said, " You have saved my corps." It Avas not too high
praise. In saving that heroic corps, the salvation of the whole army had
heen secured. The achievement Avas not accompUshed Avithout severe
loss. Many brave patriots were left pulseless and silent in death upon that
hlood^tained soil.
^ The swai-ming rebels, though for a moment repulsed, were by no means
heaten. There was a lull for an hour in the storm of battle, while the
rebels were accumulating a force for another attack. This hour of grace
Was of priceless value to the patriots. Night alone could save them. All

428 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
they could hope for was to prolong the conflict until darkness should come
to their aid. The only remaining dozen cannon they had, were placed
where eaeh one must do the work of a battery. The rebels could be
distinctly seen re-arranging their men for another onset. The patriots
could only wait in stern patience to meet the storm.
Just then, through dust and smoke, begrimed and mud-spattfyed,
Brigadier-General Garfield, chief of General Rosecrans's staff, appeared
with Captain Gaw, General Thomas's chief of topographers, at the head
quarters. They had ridden from Chattanooga, passing through afiery ordeal.
General Garfield's horse had been shot from under him, his orderly killed,
his clothes tattered and torn, and almost by a miracle he had forced his
way through, to share the fate of the devoted band of patriots. He
brought the cheering message that Genesral Rosecrans had not forgott#;1
his brave companions; he was organizing his 'scattered troops, and would
soon bring them forward to their reUef The glad news was rapidly circu
lated among the men, inspiring them Avith fresh courage.
By this time the foe were again seen advancing. At the same moment
a large Avhite dove lighted upon a dead tree, nearly over the head of
General Thomas, and sat there, calmly watching the battle from her
dangerous perch, until the patriot shout of victory startled her away, as if \
to spread the joyful news. The Unionists, in perfect silence, with loaded
guns and compressed lips, awaited the dreadful onset. The explosion of a
single cannon was heard ; a rebel shell was hurtled shrieking through the
air, and exploding over the heads of the patriots. It was the signal for
the rebel charge. They rushed as the storm-swept billoAV rushes; they
were met as the rock dashes back the surge.- Colonel Turchin, who occu
pied the centre, rushed forward in pursuit of the broken bands of the foe.
With great impetuosity he followed them, capturing nearly the Avhole of a
Mississippi regiment. Chasing the fugitives farther than was prudent, he
became himself involved in the masses of the enemy. He was nearly
surrounded ; but turning his men, he cut his way back with three hundred
prisoners, though not without severe loss to himself.
The rebels noAv prepared for another charge ; it was the final fling of
foiled desperation and rage. Our men were becoming fearfully reducedj
The Third Kentucky Regiment, which went into the battle with three
hundred and sixty mon, had now but eighty left. The largest company
numbered ten. Many other regiments had met ' with nearly an equal
loss. The ammunition Avas again failing, and it was found necessary to
search the dead and the wounded for cartridges. Still the patriots remained
firm and undaunted. They were formed in two lines ; the first would fire
and then step back to load ; the second line would then advance and dqhver
its fire, again to yield place to the first.
With such incessant velocity were these discharges made, that the
rattle of musketry was blended into almost an uninterrupted roar. Yet all
seemed to be done with the precision of a holiday parade ; but the men
were so exhausted by the protracted fight as almost to stagger as they
advanced to deliver their fire. It was indeed bravely done. That little
handful of men, assaulted on flank and in front, and assaUed by an artillery

CHICKAMAUGA. 429
fire on three sides, for two days resisted every assault, and finally repelled
the utmost energies of the whole rebel army.
Just as the sun was sinking behind the peaks of Lookout Mountain,
the rebels were seen retreating, to get beyond the range of those trusty
rifles which had already laid so many of them low in death. With glowing
hearts, but with voices faint from fatigue, there burst forth from the patriot
lips the cheer of victory. They had not only saved the army, but they
had made the name Chickamauga resplendent with the glory of our arms.
Many a patriot eye was moistened Avith thc tear of gratitude, and many a
Christian heart breathed forth the Avords of thanksrivinc:.
I During the night. General Thomas, with his troops, fell back, unmo
lested, to a strong position at Rossville. The enemy advanced upon them
the next day, and made a cautious reconnoissance, but did not venture
upon au attack. The military stores, ambulances, and guns, which had
not been captured by the enemy, were removed during the day, and the
patriot troops retired to Chattanooga, where, strongly intrenched, they
¦awaited the future. The battle of Chickamauga was disastrous to both
parties. The patriot loss was estimated at one thousand six hundred and
fifty-six in killed, nine thousand three hundred and twenty-three wounded,
and five thousand and si.Arty-seven missing, making a total of sixteen thou
sand and forty-six. The rebel loss has never been accurately ascertained.
They claimed that it did not much exceed twelve thousand men. But the
partial returns indicate that it was even heavier than ours.
The battle of Chickamauga was a serious check to the patriot arms,
arresting our advance. Still, it did not wrest from us any territory which
we had preriously gained. It was supposed that Chattanooga could not
he 'captured without a severe battle. Had we fought this battle to gain
admittance to the place, instead of fighting it, as we did, to secure pos
session, the contest would have been deemed a signal victory.
¦¦"The Southern press did not exult over the result ofthe conflict.
Though the rebels claimed a victory, still they admitted that its fruits did
not conapensate for its losses. They gained nothing in territory, but little
in plunder, and nothing in position. They only retarded for a few days tho
^enging march of the patriots, at the expense of a loss of probably from
sixteen to twenty thousand men. A few more such rictories would prove
their utter ruin.
!', The patriots retreated from their repulse to the strong intrenchments
of Chattanooga. The rebels gathered around them, and from various
elevations in the ricinity endeavored to shell them out. Failing in this,
squads of men were sent in every direction to cut lines of communication,
destroy supply trains, and pick off any stragglers on tho roads. These
il&easures were prosecuted with so much energy, that fears were seriously
entertained that our army would be compelled to evacuate Chattanooga
for want of suppUes. The National Government, awake to the importance
of maintaining the ground gained at the expense of so terrible a battle,
inunediately forwarded to General Rosecrans large reenforcements. It
W98 judged expedient to unite all the armies of the West for better
cooperation. General U. S. Grant, the hero of Donelson and Yicksburg,

430 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
was directed to take the general command. Some unhappy differences
occurring betAveen General Rosecrans and the War Department, he was
removed, and General Thomas appointed to fill his place.
While all admitted the ability and fitness of the new commander, yet
the genius of General Rosecrans had inspired such confidence in the com
munity, that universal regret was expressed at his removal. As we study
the battle after the excitement has passed, there seems to have been no
mistake made which should warrant censure.
General Grant arrived at Chattanooga on the 23d of October, and
assumed command. By reference to the map, it will be seen that Chatta
nooga is situated on a bend of the river. Tavo and a half miles southwest
there is a high hill, rising tAventy-four hundred feet above the water, called
Lookout Mountain. Two miles west of this mountain there is a parallel hill
called Raccoon Mountain, which, like Lookout, runs doAvn to the edge of
the river. A stream meanders through the little valley between these
two ridges, called Lookout River. The railroad from Chattanooga south
runs along the edge of this little stream, crossing a depression in Raccoon
Mountain. The rebels held both of these ridges, thus commanding both the rail
road and Tennessee River. East of Lookout Mountain there was another
elevation, called Missionary Ridge, extending north and south about seven
mUes. This the rebels also occupied, having strongly fortified it with
earthworks and with three very respectable forts, called Breckinridge,
Hindman, and Buckner. These works so effectually encircled the toAvn,
from the river above to the river below, tha!t it became very difficult to
supply the numerous Avan,ts of the army. General Rosecrans immediately
commenced such measures as were then in his power to displace the rebel
troops from their commanding position.
On the morning of October 27th, the forces of General Hooker and
General Howard, who had been sent from Yirginia to reenforee Rosecrans,
left Bridgeport, crossing the river on a pontoon bridge, and marched some
fourteen miles on the Chattanooga road, comparatively unmolested. On
the 28th they continued their march, crossing Raccoon Mountain into the
valley, dispersing a force at Brown's Ferry. As General Smith's Brigade
marched along by the right of the railroad, almost under the mountain,
they were so near the enemy on the hills above that they threw percussion-
shells by hand at them, and some few exploded in their midst.
Even during the most fearful scenes of war, occasionally an inciden^
will occur exciting mirth. While the enemy were shelUng our troops near
a house, some of our soldiers entered the dweUing and found a woman
protecting a pet calf from sheUs, by placing it carefully under a bed. She
herself courageously maintained her position in a chair, exposed to the
peril from which she was so tenderly protecting the calf.
On the evening of the 28th, the enemy managed to get between Gen
eral Hooker's two corps, the advance being General Geary's Divisi'sn-
The rebel divisions of Hood and Jenkins were massed on a spur of Eao-j
coon Mountain, thus enabling them to concentrate their forces so as to fall,
on either corps.

CHICKAMAUGA. 435^
The night, illumined by nearly a full moon, was almost as brio-ht as
day, except where the sombre shadows from abrupt cliffs or gloomy forests
darkened the earth. The enemy, about one o'clock in the morning
; opened on General Geary's forces, a mile and a half in advance. General
Schurz's Division was immediately sent to their relief As they passed
the hUI on which the enemy Avere intrenching themselves, they were
opened upon vigorously. General Howard, however, dashed into the fire
to urge forward the reenforcements, to aid General Geary, or to turn Gen
eral Jenkins's Division, as future events should dictate.
With two or three of his staff he advanced considerably beyond his
troops, when suddenly he came upon a small force of the enemy. The
rebel officer, not recognizing his uniform as belonging to a Unionist, asked
who he was. Not losing self-command, Howard replied, " Friend," and
immediately asked, " Have you whipped the enemy ?"
" No," was the reply ; " but Ave should have done so, if our regiments
had not run off and left us here. You had better be careful in going for
ward, for the Yanks are just in the edge of those woods."
" I'll be careful," said the general, as he rode one way and the rebels
another. General Geary was surprised by the rebel attack, and the attempt was
made to turn his fiank, but the enemy were met with so much determina
tion by the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh New York, One Hundred
and Ninth and One Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania, assisted by the
Seventy-eighth and One Hundred and Forty-ninth New York and Twenty-
seventh Pennsylvania Yolunteers, that all their efforts were in vain. Some
thirty men from the Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania, with tAVO artillerymen,
diag^ed a gun of Knapp's Battery, of which all the horses had been killed,
to a suitable position, and succeeded in driving back a flanking column of
rebels. Every officer of this battery was killed or wounded, but the brave
corps succeeded in repulsing their foe before assistance arrived.
WhUe this was transpiring, there was another fight going on. As Gen
eral Sehurz was attacked in passing the rebels on Raccoon Mountain, the
importance of their position Avas at once noticed by General Hooker.
Colonel Orlando Smith, of the Seventy-third Ohio, commanding a brigade,
was ordered to take it at all hazards. As the soldiers advanced up the
hill, a severe fire was opened on them. Slowly struggling up an ascent,
difficult even at peaceful times, through brier-brush tangles and fallen
frees, the Seventy-fifth Ohio led the way, the Thirty-third Massachusetts
followed, and the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth New York brought up
the rear. Losing numbers by the way, at last a point was reached whence
a charge could be made. With vrild and exultant outcry they dashed
over the crest of the hill, and in a few moments the enemy were flying -in
confusion, leaving quite respectable earthworks in the hands of the victors.
. Schurz's Division, as it advanced, drove the enemy from a neighboring
hill, and thus secured their position, and by half-past four in the morning
the firing ceased. By this brilliant achievement our lines of communica-
im were greatly strengthened, and we were prepared for further aggressive
movements.

CHAPTER XXXV.
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN AND MISSIONARY RIDGE.
(November 22d to November STth, 1863.)
Condition of the Army at Chattanooga. — Plans of Bragg.— General Grant's Plan op
Battle. — Capture of Orchard Knob, — Successful Attack upon Lookout Mountain.—
Topography of the Region. — Attack upon Missionary Ridge. — The Rebel Centm
Pierced. — Retreat op the Poe. — Vigorous Pursuit. — Battle of Ringgold.
The possession of a precarious road for the transmission of supplies
beneath the batteries of the rebels did not meet the requirements of the
National forces. Chattanooga was virtually besieged by the rebels ; not
very effectually, it is true, but so menacingly, that it was not safe to employ,
on any distant expedition, any portion of its numerous garrison.
The straggling toAvn of Chattanooga, which contains but about four
thousand inhabitants, is one hundred miles below the city of Knoxville,
and but fou» miles from the Georgia State line. General Grant, upon his
arrival, the latter part of October, to assume the command, immediately took
measures to dislodge the foe from his commanding positions on Lookout
Mountain and Missionary Ridge. The rebel General Bragg, feelmg
strong in numbers, and in the impregnability of his fortifications, had
detached fifteen thousand men to lay siege to KnoxAdlle, where General
Burnside, with a small force, was in command. It was his expectation, as
revealed by captured documents, that General Grant would thus be con
strained to spnd reenforcements from Chattanooga to the aid of General
Burnside. Bragg then intended to make a rush upon the weakened Union
troops and drive them out of Chattanooga. General Grant, however,
instead of falling into the trap, decided to make an assault upon the
weakened lines of Bragg in their mountain fortresses.
On the night of November 22d, the camp-fires of the rebels gleamed
brilliantly along the ridges, as we have mentioned, and illumined the
valley below. The lines of the enemy extended from the extreme northern
point of Missionary Ridge, across the valley, and up to the summit of
Lookout Mountain, embracing a circuit of about seven miles. The plan
of battle adopted by General Grant was to attack both extremes of this
line with such vigor as to compel them to weaken the centre, and then by
an impetuous attack to break through the weakened point. Generals
Sherman and Davis were designated to attack Fort Buckner, at the head,
of Missionary Ridge; Generals Ilooker, Geary, Osterhaus, and Stanley
were to advance to the assault upon Lookout Mountain ; General Thomas,
with the corps of Generals Granger and Palmer, was to remain concealed
by the forest and the hills, awaiting the signal for them to break through

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN AND MISSIONARY RIDGE. 433
the centre. General Howard's Corps was to be held in reserve for any
emergency. At one o'clock of Monday, the 23d, three brigades of General Wood's
Division were pushed forward on a reconnoissance. They advanced from
the cover of Fort Wood, just east of the city, towards Missionary Rido-e.
A strong reserve was held in readiness to rush, in case of need, to their
aid. As the troops emerged from the forest, the guns of Fort Wood
opened upon the enemy. There was a prompt and energetic response
fiom the rebel batteries on the cliff. As these patriots marched along the
valley, all their soldierly pride Avas aroused by the consciousness that they
were in full view of both armies. The veterans of Yicksburg, Gettysburg,
and Chickamauga were there. Not a straggler was seen. The movement
was conducted with the precision of a parade, for which, indeed, it was for
a time mistaken by the enemy. Soon they encountered the rebel skir
mishers, and drove them back into the dense forest which skirted the base
of the mountain. Here the combatants Avere entirely lost to view, and
their position could only be discerned by the continuous roar of the battle,
and the smoke which rose above the trees and floated gently away.
The edge of the forest was skirted with rifie-pits. The patriot troops
pressed on with such impetuosity, that the rebels were quickly driven from
'them, and fied along the sides of the mountain. Here our troops came
upon a heavy mound, called Orchard Knob, Avhich they captured, securing
a hundred prisoners. Upon this point they strongly intrenched themselves,
and thus terminated the events of the day. The rebels were evidently
alarmed by this movement, and through the night were gathering their
forces to resist the continuation of the assault from that point on the mor
row. This was precisely the effect which General Grant had wished to
accomplish. He had thus, as it were, taken command of the rebel army,
and they were moving according to his volition.
Tuesday morning dawned gloomily ; the mountain was robed in clouds
and mist, portentous of a stormy day. The occasional boom of a cannon
and the shriek of a shell, indicated that there was another storm also im
pending, more deadly than nature is accustomed to wage. Nearly the
whole vaUey between the two ridges was that morning covered with
troops moring to and fro in apparently inextricable confusion. But a
master-mind was controlling every movement. At one o'clock a drizzling
rain began to fall, and the mist became so dense that all distant objects
were lost to riew. In perfect silence and with admirable precision, the
'. dirision of General Sherman commenced its march, to assault the almost
inaccessible heights of Missionary Ridge, Avhich was surmounted by a
strong and well-manned fort. The countenances of these men were grave.
The excitement of battle was not yet upon them, but they had been too
often in such scenes to be ignorant of its terrors.
The rain was falUng fast, and the ground was drenched. Advancing a
little to the north of Orchard Knob, the troops reached the base of the
•cliff but slightly annoyed by the skirmishers, a few shells passing harm
lessly over their heads, an'd plunging deep into the soft earth in their rear.
By four o'clock they had gained possession of a semicircular mound which
Vol, IL— 28

434 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
partiaUy encircled the north end of the ridge, being separated from it by
a vaUey nearly half a mUe vride. Here General Sherman's command in
trenched themselves for the night, and prepared for the conflict of the
morrow. In the mean time. General Hooker marched down the valley to attack
the head of Lookout Mountain, which, as we have mentioned, composed
the southern extremity of the rebel line. He was to make a very rigor
ous demonstration against that point, vrith permission, should he deem it
advisable, to press on and take the summit. With him was General
Geary's Division and the brigades of Whitaker and Grover.
The rebels occupied the crest in great force, their intrenchments ex
tending doAvn the front and slope of the mountain to the base. The first
thirty feet of the descent presents an almost perpendicular wall of rock,
which could not be scaled. A rugged and narrow road wound its way
to the top, through gaps which were carefully guarded by the rebels.
Early on Tuesday morning. General Hooker pushed his columns into the
forest, and, thus concealed from observation, marched rapidly around to
the west side of the mountain, until he reached a point favorable for as
cending the hill. Having thus attained a position in the rear of the
rebels, they hastily clambered the hill, opening a severe fire upon the
astonished foe. At the same time the Union batteries opened a terrific
fire, causing the very mountains to shake under their terrible explosions.
The rebels responded, with equal energy, from their batteries and their
dense lines of infantry.
Soon the mountain was so enveloped in clouds of smoke as entirely
to exclude the combatants from sight of the anxious spectators in the
valley below. The rebels found resistance almost in vain, and retreat
impossible. They dispersed in all directions, many hiding in the thickets
and behind the craggy rocks. Before night thirteen* hundred and sixty
were taken prisoners.
The perfidy of the rebel authorities was here strikingly unveiled.
Most of these prisoners were from Stevenson's Division, who had been
paroled by General Grant at the capture of Yicksburg. They had not
been exchanged, and by the laws of war their doom was death. But it
appeared that they had been informed by their officers that they were
regularly exchanged; and had they again refused to enter the service,
they would probably have been forced to do so. The authorities at
Washington, to whom the matter was referred, prohibited their execution.
Our rictorious troops continued to advance across the mountain from
west to east, encountering the foe at various points, but steadily pressing
him back. At two o'clock the severest struggle of the day ensued. For
two hours the struggle was fierce and bloody. At length General Hooker
ordered a charge, before which the rebels sullenly and deliberately retired
from their works and fell back some distance. Here they formed a new
line, and attempted an assault in their turn. Rushing on with character
istic impetuosity, they were met and held at bay for some time by Gen
eral Geary's Brigade, until these brave patriot troops had entirely ex
hausted^ their ammunition. They were just about to retfre, when just

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN AND MISSIONARY RIDGE.

435

MISSipNA^YjfRID

SIS£. *^^ Ji^LI-JiTttrt^

at the opportune moment, by the foresight of General Hooker, a new
supply was provided. The slackening fire of the Unionists had revealed
the state of their cartridge-boxes to the enemy, and they were plunging
forward vrith a shout of assured rietory. They were a moment too la,te.
One hundred and tAventy thousand rounds had been distributed with mar
vellous celerity. Thousands of muskets rang forth their orders for the
advancing rebels to halt. Patriot reenforcements had also arrived, and
the rebels, whose bravery had excited universal admiration, were again
repulsed vrith great slaughter.
This struggle occurred on the eastern brow of Lookout Mountain.
The flash of the guns, and often, through breaks in the cloud, the general
outline of the contending masses, could be distinctly seen, high up on that
rugged peak. The sun went down in clouds, and darkness enveloped
the riew. During the night the discomfited rebels Avere busy in evacua-
tmg the mountain, by the rough road which wound down the eastern side.
Several skfrmishes occurred as exploring parties groped through the gloom
of night to obstruct the retreat. General Hooker cautiously pushed for
ward his Unes. His camp-fires proclaimed to his friends below the ad
vance which had been made. The early light of the morning revealed
that the foe had fled. The plan of General Grant, through the efficiency
of his heroic cooperators, had thus far been successful, even above his
expectations. On Wednesday morning the victorious troops of General Hooker pursued
theretreating foe down the eastern declivity of the mountain, across the val
ley and up the western side of Missionary Ridge, by a road which passed just
in the rear of Forts Breckinridge and Hindman. The rebels, driven en
tirely from Lookout Mountain, and from the northern brow of Missionary
¦^^th their united forces accumulated upon the summit of

were

436 CIVIL AVAR IN AMERICA.
Missionary Ridge, preparing for a desperate stand. The corps of General
Sherman now took its turn at this rough and terrible game of battle,
General Corse, at eleven o'clock, with three brigades, commenced his
march from the northern brow of the hill over the plateau. At Fort
Buckner a strong force of rebels repelled his^assault. General Howard
came up with reenforcements, and the united corps with matchless energy
pressed forward against every disadvantage. The fort was on an emi
nence very difficult to surmount. The rebels rolled down huge rocks
from the cliff and threw hand-grenades upon their assailants. The rebels
found themselves so hotly pressed that they were compelled to call for
additional aid from their centre. The aid was promptly furnished, and
the Union troops were again repulsed, or rather Avere still_ held at bay.
For the third time, in solid mass, the patriots attempted the almost impos
sible feat. The contending armies were soon in such contact as to be
actually scorched by the fiames of each other's guns. From the plain
more than a thousand feet below, the battle, with its surgings, was visible.
The rattle of musketry, the roar of artillery, the forest rent, and the rocks
shivered by cannon-balls, the advancing and receding banners, the clouds
of smoke now enveloping all, and again swept away by a gust of wind —
the whole scene was sublime beyond any power of pen or pencil to de
scribe. Individual acts of heroism were performed, worthy of everlasting
remembrance, but which were lost in their multiplicity.
The rebels again cried loudly for reenforcements, and reenforcements
were again hurried to them from the centre. Thus strengthened, the foe
again dashed against the Union line, and again with overpowering numbers
and bloody hands swept it back. But though thus repulsed, that heroic army
had accomplished its purpose, had achieved all that had been expected of
it. It had weakened the centre, and thus prepared the way for the decisive
attack upon that vital point. The opportune moment vriiich General
Grant had so anxiously looked for had arrived. From Orchard Knob he
had watched the swaying of the battle. His assaulting columns were
concealed behind that eminence. They stood, like hounds in the leash,
grimly waiting the order to spring forward. Already General Grant Avas
assured of success. His plan had not yet failed in a singular particular.
Every cloud of anxiety had disappeared from his brow as, with a cheerful
voice, he said, " Now. boys, onward." A signal-gun gave the order to the
four columns.
Instantly they started from their cover, and with rapid strides crossed
the narrow valley separating Orchard Knob from Missionary Ridge. With
out returning the straggling fire of musketry opened upon them from the
rifle-pits and the heights above, they clambered the hill, and, SAveeping aU
opposition before them, they rushed over the rebel intrenchments. The
impetuosity of the charge, and the rugged nature of the ground, broke
the line of assault, and individual heroism performed the task which had
been assigned to the power of combination. Every man was thrown upon
his own resources; and the intellectual superiority of the privates of the
Union army became very manifest, each man being competent to guide or
to be gpided, as circumstances might require. Where a mere machine

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN AND MISSIONARY RIDGE 437
soldier would have been utterly at a loss, the Union troops, Avith admfrable
skill, adapted themselves to the erigency, and all Avent well.
The weakened line of the foe could make no persistent stand. They
recoiled, broke, and fled. Guns Avere abandoned, muskets dropped m
haste, and Fort Hindman, the central fort, was evacuated as the Unionists
swept over its ramparts. From the valley below, with field-glasses, the
advance of the banners of freedom and the retreat of the rebel flag could
be distinctly traced. In just three-quarters of an hour after the order to
advance was given. Fort Hindman had changed masters. The Stars and
Stripes, Avaving proudly over its parapets, proclaimed to the exultant thou
sands below, the grandeur of the victory, and that Chattanooga was no
longer besieged.
The hill was won. The rebel host Avas cut in twain. Nothing re
mained for the discomfited battalions but to disperse or to be destroyed.
Suddenly General Grant appeared upon the summit of the hill. At the sight
of their chieftain, who was no\v to inscribe Chattanooga upon his already
well-covered banner, the troops raised a shout, which penetrated, like the
triumph of judgment, the hearts of the fugitive rebels, and which echoed
over the eager patriots in the town and in the valley, like the hallelujahs
of the redeemed.
It was four o'clock in the afternoon. By piercing the centre of
the rebel Une, General Grant had prevented all c66peration between the
hostile forces collected in Fort Breckinridge on the south and Fort Buck
ner on the north. While these scenes Avere transpiring. General Hooker,
advancing from Lookout Mountain, was pressing along up Missionary
Eidge from the south, sweeping by Fort Breckinridge, picking up prison
ers, and gathering the spoils of Avar in great abundance by the way. An
officer on the staff of the rebel General Hardee, writing to a friend in
Macon, Georgia, says : —
" At this juncture matters looked terrible. I shall never forget the
look of anguish on General Hardee's face. He sent me hurriedly to make
some changes in his other divisions yet intact, and to hurry one forward to
stem the tide of defeat that was rapidly assuming a dreadful proportion ;
a hard task we found it, while the leaden hail of the exultant Yankees
showered around us."
General Bragg was now at Fort Buckner, on the northern point of the
ridge, making desperate endeavors to rally a force for one last attempt to
drive General Hooker from the mountain. General Grant Avas on the
spot, and fully comprehended the desperation ofthe foe. Promp' irange-
ments were made to meet the onset. The captured guns of the rebels
were turned upon them ; and the ramparts which the rebels had reared
famished faciUties for the destruction of their builders.
Slowly, cautiously, the rebels came on. A glance convinced them
that their own terrible slaughter would be the only result of an attack.
Almost gnashing their teeth, they turned and retired. A few voUeys of
grape and canister throAvn into their ranks, converted their retreat into a
wild rout. Rushing over the brow of the hill, they disappeared in the
midst of the crags and the forest. At half-past seven o'clock that evening.

438 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
General Grant telegraphed to Washington, from Chattanooga, as fol
lows : —
" 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 Chattanooga Yalley, and Mis
sionary Ridge entire, have been carried and are now held by us."
The importance of this conquest could hardly be over-estimated.
General Burnside was reUeved from all serious danger at Knoxrille, Ken
tucky and Tennessee were rescued from rebel raids and menaces, and
Georgia Avas thrown open for the advance of our armies. The strategic
aud tactical movements of this conflict were unsurpassed by those of any
other during the progress of the war. But for the consummate ability of
the general guiding the valor of the troops, these marvellous achievements
could never have been accomplished.
Though the rebel army was thus broken and dispersed, it was not so dis
organized as to prevent reconstruction. At daylight the next morning the
Union troops commenced a vigorous pm'suit of the foe. They gathered np
prisoners by the hundreds. Indeed, the fugitives seemed so disheartened,
that often whole regiments, when they caught sight of our advancing
columns, threw down their arms and fled in utter consternation, learing
their wounded in our hands. Many seemed desirous of surrendering them
selves. As night came on, the country for miles around was lighted by
huge fires, the rebels applying the torch to tlieir abundant stores, that they
might not fall into the Union hands. Bridges were burned, and trees felled,
and all other possible obstructions intei'posed to retard pursuit. Thus the
proud army, which, a few hours before, had threatened to shell the Yankees
fi'om Chattanooga, was now reduced to but little better than a panic-stricken
mob, rushing from the destruction whieh chased them.
The rebels were retreating in the direction of Dalton, followed by the
commands of Hooker, Palmer, and Sherman. The next day, Friday, the
27th, the pursuit was continued. The road was strewed with commissary
stores and broken-dovm caissons and Avagons. Their retreat was mainly
along the line of the railroad, by the valley of Ringgold. The rebels made
a slight resistance at Chickamauga Station and at Pigeon Ridge, but were
quickly clriven forward by the assaults of the Unionists.
The toAvn of Ringgold, containing about twenty-five hundred inhabitants,
is situated in a gap between two ranges of hills, one of which is caUed
White Oak Ridge. The surrounding scenery is quite romantic. The few
roads, all converging towards this gap, were so commanded by the numerous
batteries erected upon these eminences, that a few hundred resolute men
could, for a long time, hold an army in check. Here the rebels concen
trated their forces to dispute the further advance of the patriots.
On Friday, at half-past eight a. m.. General Hooker's column moved
up the Rossrille road, and soon became engaged Avith the enemy, who slowly
retired through the town to tho gap on the other side. Osterhaus's Dirision
pressed the retiring foe with great gallantry. The rebel batteries opened
upon them a deadly fire, which swept the gap, and which threw shells be
yond them into the toAvn of Rossville, now occupied by our troops. Not-

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN AND MISSIONARY RIDGE 439
vrithstanding this, the troops advanced rapidly, crowding alono- the hill
sides on each side of the gap, when terrific volleys were poured in upon
them, and they found themselves almost surrounded by the foe. They were
compelled to retire, pursued resolutely by the rebels.
Just at this juncture. Colonel Canby's Brigade, commanded by Colonel
Creighton, came to the aid of J;lieir comrades. They scaled the heights.
As they reached the summit they were made the victims of a ruse whicii
honorable warfare surely condemns. The Seventh Ohio, which led the
advance, were just mounting the summit of the ridge, when a portion of
Hardee's Corps displayed some Union flags which they had captured. The
Ohio troops, thinking that their comrades had scaled the hill from some
other point, Arith a cheer ran forward eagerly and unguardedly, of course
withholding their fire. The treacherous foe, with deliberate aim, poured
into the bosoms of their rictims a murderous volley, which killed or wounded
a, large number, including every officer except one. Confusion and retreat
ensued. This treachery so exasperated the patriots, that, instantly forming again,
with General Osterhaus's DiAdsion in the centre and General Geary's on the
flanks, they swept aU opposition before them. The pass was taken, and
with it three hundred prisoners ; it, however, required a sacrifice, on the part
of the patriots, of three hundred in killed and wounded.
In the mean time a party of cavalry from General Howard's Corps,
seizing Parker's Gap, struck across to Red Hill to destroy the Dalton and
Cleaveland Raifroad, which they accomplished, capturing a number of
prisoners and a smaU train of cars. By this movement the communication
was cut between the force under Longstreet, sent to invest KnoxviUe, and
General Bragg's army. As Longstreet could receive no further supplies,
he made one desperate onslaught upon Richmond, in which he was repulsed
Arith great slaughter, and Avas then compelled to abandon the siege.
InabiUty to transport supplies for so large an army, and, indeed, the lack
of sufficient suppUes at Chattanooga, rendered it necessary to cease the pur
suit of the foe beyond Ringgold. The soldiers, wearied vvith so many days'
hard marching and constant fighting, on Saturday were concentrated about
the important positions their valor had gained. Thus one of the most
memorable conquests of the war was achieved with a Union loss of less
than four thousand killed and wounded.
The loss of the enemy in killed, wounded, prisoners, and deserters, was
estimated, by those most competent to form a judgment, at fifteen thousand.
We captured between sixty and seventy cannon, and seven thousand small-
arms. The victory caused a thrill of joy in every loyal heart. It drove
General Longstreet from Knoxville, opened the pathway to Chattanooga,
and established the Union power throughout Tennessee so firmly that the
rebels never made any serious attempts to regain the State.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE MARCH TO ATLANTA.
(From April to August, 1864.)
Composition of the Army. — Battle of Rooky Pace. — Capture of Dalton. — Buzzard Gap.—
Battle of Resaca. — Plight of the Rebels, — Indiana Troops. — Conflict at Adaiesville.—
Pursuit to Cassville. — Rural Scenes. — Conflict at Marietta. — Anecdote. — Toils of
the Campaign. — Heroic Exertions of the Patriots. — Death of Bishop Polk. — Eene-
SAW. — Pine Mountain. — ^Advance to Atlanta. — Commencement of the Siege.
Eaelt in April, 1864, General Sherman received orders from his com
mander-in-chief. General Grant, to make immediate preparations for a
campaign through Georgia. The genius of General Grant had planned,
even to its minute details, this bold and majestic movement, which was to
be the beginning of the end of the desolating war then raging from Yir
ginia to the Gulf. With characteristic energy. General Sherman imme
diately commenced collecting a large army. He was about to penetrate
the heart of a hostile country, well defended by resolute men. He was
exactly the man for the enterprise. Rapidly his soldiers were gathered
from near and from far.
All through Kentucky and Tennessee, the veterans who had fought
Avith Buell and Rosecrans were scattered in small detachments, protecting
raifroads and garrisoning forts. These were summoned to the front, and
newly-conscripted men took their places. Horses were collected, men re
cruited, organized, armed, drilled. General Sherman was here, there, and
everywhere. By the 1st of May a grand army was collected, numbering
ninety-eight thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven men and two hun
dred and fifty-four guns.
These troops were marshalled in three divisions. The Army of the
Cumberland, under Major-General Thomas, numbered a little over sixty
thousand men, nearly four thousand of whom were cavalry. Their artillery,
of over two thousand, drew one hundred and thirty guns.
The Army of the Tennessee was commanded by Major-General
McPherson. It numbered over twenty-four thousand, with six hundred
and twenty-four cavalry, and ninety-six guns.
The Army of the Ohio, with nearly fourteen thousand men, seventeen
thousand cavalry, and twenty-eight guns, was led by Major-General Scho
field. On the 6th of May, these armies were assembled at their appointed
places of rendezvous — General Thomas at Ringgold, General McPherson at
Gordon's MiU on the Chickamauga, and General Schofield at Red Clay,
on the Qeosgia Une, a Uttie north of Dalton. The rebel army of about

THE MARCH TO ATLANTA. 4,41
sixty thousand men, including a very superior force of ten thousand cav
alry, was also in three divisions, under Hardee, Hood, and Polk ; the whole
force being under the supreme command of General Joe Johnston. They
were strongly intrenched in and around Dalton.
The first object of the campaign was to secure Atlanta, one of the most
important towns in the State of Georgia. Here railroads from every direc
tion centred. Immense manufactories of the materiel of war were also
established here. It was the grand depot for grain, powder, and ammu
nition. It was more important to the Rebel Government that they should
hold this place than any other toAvn in Georgia. Most of the cloth manu
factured for the rebel army was woven here. The vital importance of the
post caused it to be strongly fortified and garrisoned. The path to Atlanta
lay through Dalton. The country, full of mountains, ravines, forests, and
interlacing rivers, Avas peculiarly adapted for defensive warfare. The
tough vines of the muscadine and Avild grape, festooned from tree to tree,
and SA\'inging low through the underbrush, often rendered' the woods quite
impenetrable. The spring was already far advanced, the buds of tree and
shrub having afready expanded into luxuriant leaf and floAver.
The bloom of the laurel and the yelloAv jasmine filled the ravines, and
the hill-sides were embroidered vrith a gorgeous display of the wild honey
suckle and woodbine ; while the violet, the myrtle, and the Indian creeper
looked up loringly from the green grass, forming a carpet too beautiful to
he soUed and rent beneath the tramp of hostile armies.
The weather was delightful. The troops, in good health and with
buoyant spirits, under their gaUant leaders, were eager for the march into
the heart of the sunny South. They had full confidence in their dauntless
chieftain, and were aware that the eyes, not only of their countrymen, but
of nearly the whole cirilized world, were fixed upon them. It Avas on the
Gth of May that the first move in this sublime campaign was commenced.
Senator Toombs, of Georgia, as he tried to provoke this conflict, said con
temptuously, " War is nothing. There is never more than one-fifth of the
population under arms." Georgia was now to learn that war is something !
The roads from Ringgold and Red Clay meet at Dalton, a strongly for
tified town. The rebels had prepared to defend this place to the utmost.
It was, however, essential to General Thomas's plans that it should be taken.
The toAvn is on the East Tennessee and Georgia Raifroad, one hundred
miles northwest of Atlanta, and thirty-eight miles from Chattanooga. It
is rather a pretty Southern village, nestling among the hills which sur
round it on every side. Rebel cannon bristled upon every eminence ; and
hatteries with thefr strong redoubts were thickly iilanted along the sides of
the mountains.
Dfrectly in front of Dalton, and in the line of General Sherman's
march, there was a ridge of hills, caUed Rocky Face. This range was
about five hundred feet high, very rugged, with boulders, ravines, and
ledges; the summit presenting but a line of broken rocks and abrupt
inequalities, scarcely in any place wider than a wagon-road, and so rough
and gulUed, that no one could traverse it on horseback. Upon the highest
point of this rido-e the rebels were intrenched in a castle of Natu!!re's con-

442 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
struction, while, from the rocky battlements reared all along its sides by
the same architect, shot and shell could sweep the road by which alone any
army could advance.
A little to the west of Rocky Face is Tunnel Hill, another of Nature's
fortresses, Uke Gibraltar, and which the rebels had skilfully armed with
bristling artillery from base to summit. Between these two hills there is
a gap, along which the railroad and the common road run to Dalton.
This pass, not very euphoniously called " Buzzard Roost Gap," was very
narrow, and well defended by abatis along its front, while from the hills
on each side, the cannon of the rebels were arranged to sweep the gorge with
a storm of destruction which no mortal man could face. Thus the approach
to Dalton by the direct route from Ringgold on the west seemed impossible.
The northern route by which the town was approached from Red Clay
was equally well fortified. A Uttle creek ran near the town. On both
sides of this the rebels had thrown up redoubts and earthworks. These
posts were thoroughly manned, and well supplied with guns and ammuni
tion. On the morning of May Yth the three divisions of the army were in
active motion. General McPherson, who was at Gordon's Mill on our
extreme right, and a little south by west of Dalton, was pushing vigorously
down into the very heart of the hostile territory, to strike the railroad at
Resaca. The task assigned to him was to break up the railroad, and then,
marching directly north along its track, to intrench himself upon the south
ern banks of Snake River, which the railroad crossed, there to await the
arrival of the rebels, as they should be driven beftire the forces of Generals
Thomas and Schofield, and cut off their retreat.
At the same time. General Thomas moved from Ringgold, driving the
enemy's cavalry before him into the throat of Buzzard Roost Gap; Gen
eral Schofield pushed down upon Dalton, from his position at Red Clay
Hill in the north. The movements of these two divisions, whose forces
were led by such intrepid and earnest generals as Howard, Hooker, and
Geary, so harassed the enemy with bombardments, and musketry-fire,
and charges, as to alarm and bewilder them, and so fully to engross then:
attention as to enable General McPherson to approach within a mile of
Resaca almost unopposed.
The fighting here, through the gorge of Buzzard Gap and up the sides
of Rocky Face, merits even minute description. On the south side of a
small piece of level ground, through which the road ran, there were large
corn and wheat fields, crossed by two or three ravines. These fields were
skirted by low bushes. The north side was bounded by a ridge forty feet
high, with a ditch lining its base. On the west there was a steep, grassy
bluff, crowned vrith earthAvorks. In Avhatever commanding position a can
non could be placed, the rebels planted one. Along the ridge of Rocky
Face and on its projecting spurs palisades were planted, and trees felled and
arranged into sharp-pointed abatis. Over this plain, towards these
frowning batteries, the patriot skirmishers advanced, followed at the
double-quick by regiments from Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Kentucky.
The rebel guns opened fiercely upon them. The Eightieth Indiana were
then -under fire for the first time, but, Uke all the Indiana troops, they con-

THB MARCH TO ATLANTA. 4,43
ducted Uke heroes. SteadUy, by stem fighting, the patriot line pushed the
rebels back towards their intrenchments. It was slow and deathly work,
this advance exposed to the fire of so many batteries. A charge was or
dered. With a cheer the troops rushed up the grassy bluff, and the rebel
line vanished before their gleaming bayonets. The foe, however, soon ral-
Ued and formed another line. The patriot officers were in the thickest of
the fight, leading wherever they wished their men to go. Nearly every regi-
.mental commander was wounded. The position, however, Avhich they had
attained was found untenable, and they Avere compelled to retire to their
former position at the mouth of the gorge.
The Sixtieth Hlinois Yolunteers had pushed up one slope of Rocky Face,
till they found themselves by some mishap in a gully Avith rebel riflemen
over their heads, in front and on both sides of the almost perpendicular cliff.
The rebels now began to hurl down crashing stones upon their assailants,
who kept so close under the shelter of the cliffs that musketry or cannon
fire could scarcely harm them. A corporal of the Sixtieth hallooed to the
rehels that if they would stop flring stones, he would read to them Presi
dent Lincoln's amnesty proclamation. With shouts of laughter they agreed
to comply. There, in that wild ravine, where the tempest of Avar had for
a moment lulled, the humane proclamation of the kind-hearted President
was read in tones loud and clear. The rebels listened attentively, with
occasional interruptions of applause or derisive laughter. When the cor
poral had finished he cried out, " Now at your rocks again, if that does not
suit you." And at it the implacable rebels went, Avitli shouts and yells.
While the fight was going on at the base of the mountain. General
Hooker with his brigade climbed to the top of the ridge, at a distance out
of range of the enemy's guns. His men dragged the guns by hand up
the rugged road. The top of the ridge was so narrow that but four men
could walk abreast. From this eminence an assault was ordered upon the
position of the foe. The conflict which then ensued upon the summit of
Rocky Face was indeed an Alpine battle. Blue coats and gray coats met
hand to hand, and fought among the stony gorges ; cannon boomed, shells
screamed, and, as if man had not made the scene grandly terrible enough,
a thunder-tempest rose with flash and reverberating peal. The black
cloud settled upon the heads of the troops, and, in the midst of the blended
gleam and roar of the elemental war and man's fierce fight, the patriot
troops, led by " fighting Joe," pushed forward their banner of victory.
It was thus that Johnston and his rebel bands were kept occupied, while
General McPherson was on his rapid march to take possession of the rail
road at Resaca. As we have said, he reached within a* mile of the town
ahnost unopposed. But he found Resaca too strongly fortified to be carried
hy assault with the force then at his disposal. He therefore fell back to a
smaU defensive position near Snake Creek Gap. This was a disappoint
ment. General Hooker's Corps, with their fresh laurels, followed by other
large bodies of troops under General Palmer, were sent to aid in the attack
upon Resaca. General Howard was left vrith the Fourth Corps to threaten
JDalton upon its western front. By the llth of May nearly the whole
'army, except General Howard's Corps, were rendezvoused at Snake Creek

444 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Gap for the aU-important attack upon Resaca. On the 12th they moved
to the assault. The cavalry of the chivalric General Kilpatrick led, fol
lowed by General McPherson and his army of infantry and artillery.
The forces of the enemy sent out to meet them, were speedily repulsed and
driven back to their intrenchments. Unfortunately, General Kilpatrick
was wounded, and the command of his brigade passed into the able hands
of Colonel Murray. The cavalry, when within about two miles of Resaca,
wheeled to the right and left, that the infantry and artillery might march
between them and front the foe.
The rebel General Johnston found the force menacing Resaca too
strong for him to resist with the force he had there. He was, therefore,
compelled to evacuate Dalton, and rush down with all his troops to prevent
the patriot army from getting a position in his rear, which would efi'ectu-
ally cut off all possibility of retreat, and which would probably compel
the surrender of his whole command. Thus Dalton, fortified by all the
resources of nature and of art, fell into the hands of General Sherman,
vrith comparatively little shedding of blood. It A^•as a beautiful strategic
operation, evincing the highest military qualities. Such is the difference
between mere blind bull-dog fighting and accomplished generalship.
As Johnston in his hurried retreat rushed from Dalton towards Resaca,
General Howard vigorously pursued him, pelting from every eminence his
vanishing columns with shot and shell. Nothing but the wonderful
facilities of the broken, mountainous country for defensive warfare pre
vented the destruction or capture of the whole rebel army. Thus by the
14th of May we had driven the foe a distance of eighteen miles, and again
they were intrenched in their " last ditch " at Resaca. They were strongly
posted behind a creek, in numerous formidable forts and upon inaccessible
hills. Here, again, a direct attack would insure fearful slaughter; hut
General Sherman was in a condition noAV of prosecuting a series of flank
movements which the foe could by no possibility prevent.
A few miles south of Resaca was the town of Calhoun, upon the rail- (
road, and about tAventy miles below was the town of Kingston, where the
raifroad from Rome forms a junction with the East Tennessee road. The
¦ same manoeuvre Avas employed as before. When General Sherman rigor
ously engaged the attention of the enemy at Resaca, raining doAvn upon
them a smothering storm of war's missiles. General SAveeney was sent
Arith a dirision of the Sixteenth Corps to threaten Calhoun, while at
the same time a squadron of cavalry was sent under General Gerrard to
break the railroad between CaUioun and Kingston. McPherson, Thomas,
Ilooker hurled war's thunderbolts with such terrible energy into the
midst of the ranks of the intrenched rebels, and with such deafening
clamor, that the foe had but little disposition to think of any thing but
their oavu immediate safety.
The Coosawattie River makes a sharp bend at Resaca, and the little
town lies just in the curve. Oft both banks of the river the rebels had
strong defences, and the hills on each side of the town bristled with can
non from base to summit. The whole rebel army, having rushed doATO
from Dalton, now crowded these lines. A small stream, swollen by recent

THE MARCH TO ATLANTA. 445
rains, waste be crossed, about two miles west of the town. The rebels had
destroyed the bridge. General Sherman, with his characteristic impetu
osity of manner, inquired of the superintendent of a construction train —
" How long will it take to throw another bridge across that stream V
" It can be done in four days^" was the reply.
. " Sir, I give you forty-eight hours, or a position in the front ranks be
fore the enemy."
The bridge was finished in the specified time, and part of McPherson's
Corps crossed over to threaten Calhoun, while a cavalry division, under
General Gerrard, crossed over the same bridge to break the railroad above
Kingston. The advance on Resaca was made in three columns. One
man behind the elaborate fortifications of the foe was equal to at least
three, who should attempt to scale those ramparts. The peculiar formation
of the land was such that it was very difficult to get our artillery into
position to shell the works. On the Sequatchie Creek, two miles to the
left of Resaca, the rebels were strongly posted. Their centre formed the
apex of an angle located on the spur of a mountain, seventy-five feet
ahove the Iqvel of the creek. Their right rested in open fields, where they
were protected by largo fields and underbrush. As our troops emerged
from the woods on the brow of a hill, they found themselves within point-
blank range of the rebel guns. An immediate charge was ordered. Down
the steep declirity dismounted men and officers rushed. The heroic band
pressed on, while " The sulphur-throated guns
Poured out hail and fire."
Many fell while descending the slope. They plunged into the creek at
the foot of the enemy's redoubts. Even veterans turned pale as the hum
of buUets, Uke swarming bees, filled the air. There was no protection
whatever to be found against the deadly storm. Further advance was im
possible. Retreat up the slope was certain death. The two brigades
threw themselves down in the stream along the shallow banks, and there
remafried for more than an hour, until arrangements were made for their
¦withdrawal. Mere fragments of regiments, however, came back from this
impetuous assault. Out of the thirteen hundred composing the Second
Brigade, but six hundred and ninety-seven returned. General Schofield
ordered another advance, protected by his heavy guns ; it was bravely but
nnavailingly executed. General Cox then advanced, under cover of the
woods, to attack the enemy's right wing. Raked by a heavy fire, they
pushed on till they planted thefr flag quite in the rear of the rebel fortiflca
tlons.. About five o'clock in the afternoon a simultaneous attack was made upon
nearly the whole line of rebel intrenchments. Three hours of hard fight
ing ensued. The loss of the assaulting column was very severe. At
length night came, and a gloomy pall of smoke and darkness settled down
Upon the ensanguined field. During aU the hours of that dreary night,
t^e groans which pierced that darkness told too plainly that the angel of
death was busy completing his work, as patriot and rebel struggled alike
beneath his grasp.

446 • CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
It was near noon of the next day, the 15th, when the flame of battle
blazed forth anew upon the enemy's left. General Dan. Butterfleld^ who
had won renown upon many a hard-fought field, assisted by Ward's
Indiana troops, assailed a triangular stronghold of the enemy, and soon
cut a bloody path into the intrenchments. These works protected them
from the fire of the foe, and no rebel could raise his head above the oppos
ing parapets without presenting a mark for the deadly aim of the sharp
shooters. About two o'clock the rebels made a desperate endeavor to dis
lodge the patriots from the important position they had won. A large
force was hurled against Hovey's Indiana troops, who held the centre of
the line. None of these men had ever been under fire before. The rebels
came on with a whoop and a yell, but the Western men met them half-way
across the fiat, and the fight, at times hand to hand, was desperate. The
rebels finally staggered, gave way, and then tumultuously ran back to the
protection of their earthworks. Many of these Indiana troops, so fearless
in battle, were mere boys in years. Far into the night the battle continued.
In these long hours, which tried men's souls. Northern firmness triumphed
over rebel desperation. A little after midnight, in the darkness, Johnston
gathered his shattered columns and fled precipitately, burning his supply
and ammunition trains, but dragging oft' his artillery. All the rebel killed
and wounded were left behind.
The next morning, Sunday, May 16, our victorious troops entered
Resaca, while preparations Avere made for a victorious pursuit of the foe.
The capture of Dalton and Resaca cost five thousand precious patriot lives.
Though the rebels fought behind intrenchments mainly, they lost nearly
an equal number in killed and wounded. General Sherman, with that
wonderful vigor which characterized this whole campaign, had scarcely
entered ll:zaca ere his concentrated columns were again upon the march,
pursuing the vanquished rebels. And now ensued truly an exciting chase.
Sixty thousand men, with all the concomitant encumbering trains of war,
were hotly pursued by an army over ninety thousand strong. The rear
guard of the retreating foe was often caught sight of by the advance of
the pursuers. While the fugitive rebels and the avenging patriots swept
along like a swollen flood, through every channel of movement they could
find. General Jefterson C. Davis,. Avhose patriotism has redeemed the name,
by a slight detour seized Rome. There Avere many buildings there for the
manufacture of articles of war. Among these work-people, thus efficiently
helping on the rebellion. General Sherman captured six hundred girls.
What to do with these young and blooming maidens was quite a perplexity.
To release them would be simply to replace them in the rebel factories,
where they Avere far more efficient in causing the death of our soldiers,
than they could be shouldering muskets in the field. After deliberation,
he wisely decided that the pretty rebels were " contraband of war," and
that they could not be safely surrendered to that hoary sinner, Jeff. Daris.
They were, therefore, sent to the North, outside the rebel lines.
In the eager pursuit of the foe. General Thomas followed by the main
road dfrectiy on the heels of the fugitive army. General McPherson
pressed along by country roads on the right. General Schofield hurried his

:THE MARCH TO ATLANTA. 447
corps through obscure roads on the left. The whole army, Avith all its need
ful trains," stretched along in a single line, Avoiild have filled any one road
for a distance of seventy or eighty miles. It Avas now SAveeping down upon
Atlanta, in a resistless current, tAventy or thirty miles broad. At Adairs-
rille, on the raifroad, a portion of our advance came up with the rear of
Johnston's army. It was near sunset as General Newton's Division caught
sight of the foe, formidably intrenched, as if determined to repel any farther
advance of the patriots. Immediately a rebel shell was hurled screaming into
our ranks, on its mission of mutilation and death. The decisive challenge
was promptly accepted. A shai-p but brief encounter ensued, which the
gloom of night soon terminated. Taking advantage of the darkness, John
ston again retreated, but so precipitately as to leave his Avounded behind him.
The rebels, with swift feet, pressed on through Kingston to a position
about four miles beyond the town, at a little hamlet called Cassville.
Here, on ground peculiarly favorable for defence, the rebels seemed deter
mined to fight a battle. It Avas the 19th of May. But General Sherman
came thundering on with his centre and his right and left wings, and as
his converging columns threatened to envelop the foe, again they hur
riedly abandoned their intrenchments and continued their fiight. A few
miles brought them to the Etowah River, which they tumultuously crossed,
burning the bridge behind them. The rebels thus gained a little respite
from the harassing pursuit. General Sherman, now in undisturbed posses
sion of the whole of Georgia north of the EtoAvah River, gave his heroic
but exhausted troops a few days for rest. For two weeks they had fought
nearly every day. They had occupied eight important towns, capturing
the Gibraltar-Uke fortresses of Dalton and Resaca. They had rebuilt
demolished bridges, and repaired the tom-up rail-track. Every day they
had been pressing forward in their impetuous march, driving all opposition
hefore them, while General Sherman so skilfully repaired the ruin which
the rebels left behind, as to preserve perfect railroad and telegraphic com
munications between his advance-guard and his base at Chattanooga.
The rapidly marching army was thus abundantly supplied.
Cassville is a pretty Uttle village, just off the railroad, where the
wearied men, soiled Arith the dust of travel, spent two and a half days in
the luxury of bathing and sleeping. During the long years of peace, the
inhabitants, but two hundred in number, had led a peculiarly quiet and
isolated life. There were two quite flourishing schools in the place — one
for boys, the other for girls. As these hostile armies, with clamor and battle-
roar, came sweeping on, the inhabitants fled, and the little rural toAvn soon
presented a pitiable scene of desolation. What the rebels left, and that was
but little, the patriots consumed. Though the town suffered but little from
shot and shell, mothers and children, young maidens ancl aged grandames,
by command of the rebel leader, followed the fugitive army, " forced from
their homes, a melancholy train," to endure in their continuous flight pri
vations frightful to contemplate.
On Monday, the 23d, two good bridges having been secured to cross
the river, the victorious army Avas again put in motion. The enemy
occupied formidable positions, strongly intrenched, at Allatoona. These

448

CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

could not be carried in front Avithout great loss of life. Shennan there
fore resolved upon one of those masterly flank movements which he seemed
specially skilled in planning and executing. General McPherson, crossing
the Etowah a few miles Avest of Cassville, moved via Yan Wert to a
position near Dallas. General Daris also moved from Rome to Dallas
by the same route. To the same point, Avhich was to the west and very
considerably to the south of Allatoona, General Thomas also marched,'
but by roads different from those taken by the dirisions to which we have
alluded. General Schofield, advancing by roads farther to the east, came
up on General Thomas's left. The country through which the army now
passed Avas one of the most beautiful parts of Georgia. There were large
and handsome mansions, surrounded with blooming shrubbery, and or
chards of delicious fruits, in the midst of vast plantations. But these
dwellings of opulence were empty. The OAAmers had fled, leaving behind
them the Avoalth Avhich had been accumulating for a hundred years.
One plantation, by its elegance, attracted special attention. It had
belonged to John S. RoAvland, a particular friend of Senator Stephen A.
Douglas. Sitting upon his piazza, he could look over four hundred acres
of cultivated land. His mansion was truly palatial, embowered in an
exuberance of native flowering shrubs and rare exotics. These lands had
been cultivated and this wealth gained by the toil,, through several
generations, of laborers robbed of tiieir hire. The patriot army, Avith

THE MARCH TO ATLANTA. 449
freedom for the slave emblazoned upon its flag, encamped upon tliese
grounds, and wandered through these deserted halls. The rebels had
forced away the most vigorous of the slaves, but those who remained
welcomed thefr deUverers with prayer and thanksgiving, and the most
' exfravagant demonstrations of joy, and gratitude, and praise. The family
who had so luxuriously occupied this mansion were driven from their
home by the storm of war, and were wandering friendless, houseless, and
in hopeless impoverishment. The rebel army, as it swept along, pillaged
mercUessly, under the plea that it wished to leave nothing for the grasp
of the patriot troops.
Johnston detected the flank movement which General Sherman was
making, and attempted to thwart it. There were several spirited skir
mishes, and a sharp battle, which was terminated by the gloom of a darl-:
and stormy night. The morning showed that the rebels were strongly
infrenched ; but General Sherman skilfully avoided assailing them behind
their ramparts, and by a detour marched rapidly with Ids whole army to
strike the raifroad in the rear of AUatoona. ^
f On, on the army rushed, sweeping scouts, pickets, guerrillas, and bush
whackers through Huntsrille and Burnt Hickory, driring the foe across
Pumpkin- Yine Creek, and pursuing them over the smoking, rafters of the
bridge, to a point called New Hope Church. Here the rebels had concen
trated in large force, haring decoyed the patriots into a sort of p.mbush.
It was the 25th of May. At the close of a day of weary mai ehiug and
severe battles, a dark and stormy night set in. Our troops, though ever
rictorious, had been cut doAvn pitilessly by the cannon of the foe. In the
morning the enemy were found strongly intrenched on the road leading
from DaUas to Marietta.
The nature of the ground was^ such, covered with dense forests and
broken up into ravines and precipitous hills, that it took several days to
feel out the position of the foe, and to prepare to attack him in his hidden
and almost inaccessible retreats. Still, these were days of almost uninter
rupted battle. General McPherson moved from Dallas towards the field
where the great battle seemed impending. His route led over the craggy
paths of Dug-Down Mountain. The spectacle, presented from eminences,
oftheUne of march, where twenty-five thousand men, with their long trains
of artillery, horses, and wagons, defiled through the passes of thc mountain,
was;grandly picturesque. The thousands of glittering bayonets ; the brass
; cannon, 'reflecting the sunlight ; the banners, Avaring thick as autumnal
;,Jeavea; the peals of martial music, reverberating in wondrous harmony
'overhiU and dale — all exhibited one of the most gorgeous pictures of the
pageantry of war.
I The rebels sent General Hardee's Corps to flank the patriots on their
line of march. With loud yells, and their accustomed impetuosity, tiiey
fell upon General McPherson's right. The men, tiius assaUed, promptiy
threw up a sUght breastAvork of earth and felled trees, and, thus sheltered, ¦
reserved their flre until the rebel Une of charge was witiiin sixty feet of
them. Solid shot and bursting shell from the batteries of the foe, tore the
Union ranks. Heavy columns of gray-coated infantry were seen emerging'
Vol. il— 29

450 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
from the woods in all directions. On, gayly on, the rebels rushed, antici
pating an easy rietory, when, at a given signal, a thousand muskets opened
upon them their deadly haU. Every bullet fulfilled its mission. Yolley
succeeded volley in unintermitted roar. Lines of artillery opened their
deep-voiced thunders, strewing the ground with the mangled and the dead.
Then, like a spectral host, the whole patriot division suddenly rose from be
hind their frail ramparts, and with cheers, Avhich resounded far and wide
through the forest, sprang upon and closed in with the foe.
The battle Avas long, and on both sides desperate. The billows of flame
and blood surged to and fro. Three times the broken ranks of the rebels
were rallied, and they charged anew. At length they turned and fied in
utter rout, lea-Adng the ground coveredr with the dying and the dead, and
disappeared entirely behind the hills and in the gloomy forests. Hospitals
were prepared for the wounded, and they were tenderly cared for, at Dallas.
Among the patriot wounded there was a boy bnt nineteen years of age.
Though the pain of his wound was intense, he was not aware that it was
mortal, and tlie glorious victory achieved inspired him with enthusiastic
joy. The surgeon, as he examined the ghastly wound, sadly informed him
that he must die, and that his death was very near. Glancing for a mo
ment at his torn and blood-stained limb, a tear glistened in his eye. Draw
ing from his bosom the picture of his mother, he kissed it, and gave it, Arith
a letter, to a comrade, to be transmitted to her. Then calUng a friend to
his side, he grasped his hand, saying : —
" Matt, they tell me that I am about to die. Before I go, let us give
three cheers for the glorious old Union !"
He raised himself in his bed. But the effort was too much for his ex
hausted frame. Sinking back again upon his pillow, he immediately
expired. Johnston was not at all content to lose his strong position at Allatoona.
In the battle, or rather battles, around Dallas, General Hascall was very
efficient. He was everyAvhere through the lines, encouraging his men.
As the rebels retreated before the fire of one of his batteries which, had
been nobly worked, he complimented his men Avith the pithy words, " Boys,
it was nobly done ; do so some more."
The patriot army now occupied all the roads leading from the west to the-
raUroad at Allatoona and AckAvorth. General Johnston, finding himself
in danger of being entirely enveloped by the patriot forces, was again com
pelled to abandon his position. By the Sth of June, the army, sufficiently-
reonforced to compensate for all the losses of the previous battles, was con
centrated at Ackworth.
The toils of this campaign were more arduous than can be described.'
The spring rains, Avhich in Georgia usually come in May, this year came in
June. Drenching showers, drizzly days of mud and Avet, and all nameless
discomforts, swollen streams, miry roads, with occasional days of sultry
heat and great lassitude, with rebel batterie? froAvmng through every
defile, and every forest and mountain-si'de bristUng vrith rebel musketry,
rendered the march one which called into action all the energies of genius,
bravery, and hardihood.

THE MARCH TO ATLANTA 451
Often, when the troops were on a hurried and important movement, the
clouds would gather, a deluge of rain would fall upon them, converting the
red-clay roads into quagmires of gluey mud, and converting the little
streams into mountain torrents, Avhich neither men nor horses could Avade
or swim. In all these experiences of peril and endurance, no men in the
army have displayed more heroism than our chaplrins. The Rev. Mr. Hol-
Hngton, of the Third Ohio Yolunteers, Avalked all the way from Knoxville,
Tennessee, to Ackworth, Georgia. He carried his oavu baggage, and often
that of some sick soldier. He shared the perils of the soldier, and, with
Christian love, ministered to his wants in the hours of anguish and of death.
Many chaplains in the army, by the Cliristian heroism with Avhich they have
inspired the soldiers, have greatly contributed to our final and glorious
rietory. On the 9th of June, General Sherman, having carefully protected his
rear lines of communication, and having brought forward to his front am
ple supplies, moved forward to Big Shanty, where, after a short conflict, he
dislodged the enemy. The rebels had taken a position in the vicinity of
Marietta, from which it seemed almost impossible to drive them. Kenesaw,
the bold and striking TAvin Mountain, so called from its two peaks, lay
directly in front of the patriots' line of march. An extensive range, called
Chestnut Hills, terminating also in a lofty peak, was on their left. On
their right were the rugged sides of Pine Mountain, and Lost Mountain.
These aU compose one range ; but the peaks to which we have alluded,
rising above the general eminence, form a very conspicuous feature in the
landscape. These peaks form a triangle, overlooking the town of Marietta
and the raifroad. • On each of these peaks the rebels had signal-stations.
The summits of the ridge and the sides were covered with batteries, and
the spurs were aliA-e Avith men felling trees, throwing up earthworks, con
structing abatis, planting guns, and in every way preparing for a desperate
battle. General Sherman, in his admirable official report, which shows that,
like Julius Cffisar, he was skilful with his pen as well as with his sword,
says : " The scene was enchanting — too beautiful to be disturbed by the
harsh clamor of war. But the Chattahochie lay beyond, and I had to
reach it." General McPherson moved upon Marietta, his right upon the
railroad. General Thomas advanced to attack Kenesaw and Pine Moun
tain, with the cooperation of General Gerrard's cavalry. General Scho
field, aided by General Stoneman's horsemen, wheeled to the right to
attack Lost Mountain. To General McCoolc Avas assigned, perhaps, the
most important task of all — the protection of the communications in the
rear. By tho llth of June these preparations were all completed. And now
came'the desperate endeavor to break through the embattled lines of the
foe. But nature seemed for a time to frown upon the enterprise. Black
clouds .settled down upon the mountains, and day after day the rain fell
in inces^t floods. The earth was saturated. Turbid torrents roared
through the ravines. The roads became sloughs, through which ne'ther
man nor beast could drag the cannon. Thus three days passed, during

452 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Avhich but little could be accomplished. Still, the heroic army pressed
steadily but slowly on, through mud and rain, gaining daily a liitle, but
being quite, unable to bring on a decisive confUct. A newspaper corre
spondent, in answer to the question, "What has Sherman's army been
about the last few days?" replied, "it was up to its armpits and axles
in mud and water, still skirmishing, watching, and pushing the enemy
back to the Chattahoochie."
At length the long and dismal storm passed away, and the cheering
sun again appeared. On the 14th, a heavy cannonade was opened upon
Pine Mountain. The fire -was very deliberate, well aimed, and terribly
destructive. The rebel genei'al, Bishop Polk, one of the most virulent
of those who had traitorously drawn their swords against the flag of their
country, was, at the time, with some of the officers of his staff, examining
their defences. An artillerist, espying the group, threw a shell into the
midst of them. Polk fell dead. Few mourned his ignominious end. It
is noble to die for one's country ; but it is base indeed to die in the ranks
of treason and rebellion. Disheartened by the death of their leader, the
rebels, during the night, evacuated Pine Mountain, and General Hooker
took possession of their abandoned works the next day.
The rebels had, however, other and still stronger Unes, which were yet
to be taken. One of their positions was on the brow of a hill, directly
opposite a battery of General Ilooker. Their sharpshooters greatly an
noyed the patriot troops. Colonel Wolcott was ordered to dislodge them.
With fixed bayonets his men ran down one hill and up the other, exposed
at every step to the fire of the foe. With a cheer they carried the posi-
tio.i, taking three hundred and sixty-five prisoners. Sixty-four patriots
fell in this bold but decisive charge. It is undeniable that in all these
conflicts the rebels fought bravely. But what must we sa}', then, of the
bravery of those men who, with bare bosoms, faced the bristling ram
parts ofthe foe, driving them from intrenchment after intrenchment, upon
Avhicli they had lavished all the resources of modern art ? Though a thou
sand miles from their Northern homes, the patriots chased the thronged
legions of rebellion, through the very heart of their own country, league
after league, from the mountains to the sea ! *
Pine Mountain being thus gloriously won, the next move was to take
Lost Monntain. The battle was desperate, waged principally by the
troops of Generals Thomas and Schofield. It was the old scene, with
which earth Jias long been familiar, of tumult, clamor, blood, misery,
death. Prayers and curses, groans and shouts, were blended in one wild
cry, Avhich rose to the ear of God. Charge after charge was made upon
* " General Butterfield and staff emulated the splendid bravery of their regiments, riding to all
points -ivliere orders were to be executed or delivered, Avith as little apparent hesitation as if the
air were not thick with flying bullets. Tho general was made the immediate and direct object of
the sharp,5ljeotcrs' aim, for the twent'y-fourth time in this short war, and escaped with impunity.
Early in the evening, Major Griffin, commanding the Ninteenth Michigan, was mortally wounded
through the lungs, and died the next morning. "His name was mentioned by the general as an
officer wlio had distinguished himself by the display of every quality pertaining to an able leader
and a fearless soldier." — Correspondence of Cincinnati Commercial.

THE MARCH TO ATLANTA. 453
the rebel lines, till the foe could no longer bear the fierce assault. Pell-
mell they ran across the mountain slopes to another line of intrenchments
which had been prepared for the possible emergency. But many of the
rebel soldiers took advantage of the confusion to run directly into the
patriot lines. They said that they were tired of the rebellion, and Avere
satisfied that there Avere many things Avorse than living under the laAvs
of the United States. The capture of Lost Mountain was the brilliant
achievement of the lYth of June.
By those victories the rebel lines were greatly contracted, but what
remained were also strengthened. The tent of General Johnston Avas on
the top of Kenesaw. From that lofty summit he could look down, Avith
unobstmcted vision, into the Union lines. The distance was, however,
so great, that though they kept up a continuous fire, but little harm was
done. The weather still continued, as General Sherman says, " villa-
nously bad." General HoAvard and his staff remained in the field nearly
aU the night of June 18th, under a drenching rain, personally superintend
ing the operations all along his lines. Our troops, under their tireless
leader, pressed daily nearer the enemy, intrenching themselves on every
rood of ground they gained, and galling the foe by a constant fire from
their sharpshooters.
One very important lesson our troops had learned — which was to fortify
a position the moment it was gained. The construction of abatis, barri
cades, and rifle-pits anticipated the claims of hunger and weariness. In
the last ten days they had reared more than a hundred miles of these
military works, and since the opening of the campaign not less than five
hundred. Stones, logs, and fence-rails were freely used. Rude as these
intrenchments were, they were constructed Avith true engineering skill,
and were quite available for the purposes for which they Avere designed.
Our Unes now so nearly encircled the mountain, that the rebels were
almost surrounded. The foe, thus menaced, made a desperate charge upon
General Schofield's Corps, hoping to break through. The brigades of
.Generals IlascaU and Williams bore the brunt of the attack, and fiercely
repelled the foe, driving them back in a general stampede. Color-Ser
geant Oaty was mortally wounded, while bearing his regimental flag.
The brave patriot crawled back three hundred yards, into the breastworks,
^ringing his colors vrith him. As soon as the flag was safe, he said, "I
am ready now," and immediately expired.
On General Whitaker's " invincible brigade " the rebels made seven
desperate assaults. Their onset was terrible, their repulse complete.
,Thus, day after day, the stem but indecisive conflict continued. Though
the patriots held their own, they could make but little advance, with
Eenesaw frowning directly in their path. General Whitaker was sent to
charge a batterv on a knoll whicii it was very important for the Union
•force to possess. Up the slope the command ran at double-quick. Though
their comrades fell at every step, they rushed madly on, and plunged over
the breastworks with an abandon which could not be resisted. The posi
tion Avas thus seized and held.
Thus it was that the foe Avas regularly pushed back, mUe after mile, by

454 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
a pressure never for one moment intermitted. Day and night the patriots
crowded upon the rebel lines, pushing them forward from tree to tree, from
ridge 10 ridge, from intrenchment to intrenchment. There was a moving
line of skirmishers sweeping a path twelve miles in Avidth, which from
morning till night kept up an incessant rattle of musketry, with inter
mingled booming of cannon, which shook the pine-hills of Georgia vrith
their roar. Fcav have comprehended the magnitude of these operations.
Our right wing Avas now threatening Marietta, five miles in the rear of the
1 o -viiing cliff's of KenesaAV. Our left wing was also pushing steadily doAvn
iiast Kenesaw.
Among the incidents which may help give an idea of these scenes may
be mentioned the wounding of Captain Courtois, of the Thirty-third New
Jersey. He was in the front ranks of the skirmishing line. A musket-baU
wounded him severely in the shoulder. The ground Avas open, and he was
compelled to creep painfully back, a distance of half a mile, exposed all
the way to the fire of the foe. Occasionally he would rise and attempt to
go forward more rapidly. The rebels would instantly discharge a Avhole
volley of musketry upon him. Seeing him drop to avoid the fire, tiiey
would raise loud cheers. He succeeded, however, in running this terrible
gauntlet safely.
Among the prisoners taken to-day, one said, with the apparent concur
rence of all the rest, " We are all tired of this war, and are willing to see
it ended on any terms. We have nothing to fight for. Our officers are
men of property, haughty and domineering. The privates are fighting
to help the officers hold their slaves, while they themselves are becoming
the worst kind of slaves." *
An eye-witness, describing these scenes, eloquently writes : " General
Hascall, with his division, moved to the right, near Lost Mountain, where
he formed his lines, and then moved steadily onward, driving with a yell
every thing from his front. Reaching a high cleared field, his troops could
be seen from the distance moving majestically on, their flags floating
beautifully in the fresh breezes from the hills around them. The exultant
cheers were borne on the distant winds, and were caught up by other
troops equaUy inspired with success ; and soon from all sources the wild
shouts from General Sherman's grand and victorious army fairly shook the
hills which, but a few hours before, trembled beneath the tread of General
Johnston's retreating posts. Oh that each maimed soldier of our glorious
army, and every bereaved friend of our Government, could have seen the
beautiful starry banner thus borne over the hills of Georgia, on towards
Atlanta, by these brave and cheerful men !"f
* " It is amusing to Avitness the demonstration with which our boys receive rebel deserters into the
lines. Wlien the armies are lying very close together, the disafi'ected rebels contrive to steal out
unnoticed for a time, though they are generally discovered and fired upon before they reach our
lines. As soon as the soldiers see them coming, they appreciate the situation at once, and cannot
resist the temptation to jump up from behind their works, though at the imminent risk of their
heads, waving their hats and shouting, ' Good boy, good boy, come in out of the rain. You
are our man. You are making- good time,' &c. The, first word of salutation is, ' Got any tobacco,
reb ?' The returned prodigal, just escaped from the husks of the rebellion, is then treated to the
fatted calf, the hard tack and coffee, which latter is to hun a luxury indeed."
t Corespondent of " Cincinnati Commercial."

THE MARCH TO ATLANTA. 455
, Thousands of noble deeds worthy of eternal remembrance must pass
.unrecorded. They are only the comparatively few which have been as it
were, accidentally gathered up, which can be transmitted to posterity. It
seems invidious to select any one commander as entitled to special mention
< when nearly all alike were patriotic and heroic in the highest possible
degree. Thomas, McPherson, Schofield, Logan, Rousseau, Butterfield, and
a host of others, merit a whole volume to do justice to their achievements.
There was scarcely a day, during this momentous campaign, in whicii theie
were not engagements which, in the earlier history of the war, would have
heen considered important battles.
On the 29th two unsuccessful assaults were made upon the strongholds
of the foe. General Sherman says, " Both failed, costing us many valua
ble lives ; among them those of Generals Harker and McCook. Colonel
Eice and others were badly wounded; our aggregate loss being near
eight thousand, while we inflicted comparatively little loss upon the enemy,
who lay behind Jiis well-formed breastworks." General Sherman resolved
to try again his flanking movement: on the 2d of July, General
McPherson moved his whole army down to Turner's Ferry across the
Chattahoochie. Much of the march was after sunset. It was a night of
fearful storm and darkness. Far along,
"From peak to peak the rattling crags among,
Leaped the live thunder."
The rain fell in torrents. General Sherman hoped, under cover of night
and the storm, to gain his position without exciting the suspicion of the
foe. But rebel scouts detected the movement, and General Johnston,
fearing the ineritable result of such a position gained in his rear, aban
doned Kenesaw, and all his important earthworks there, and retreated to
the Chattahoochie. The next morning the patriot flag was unfurled from
the summit of Kenesaw, and the patriot army, led by General Sherman,
triumphantly entered the streets of Marietta.
, , Marietta is one of the prettiest places in Northern Georgia, and, before
the war, was a favorite residence of wealthy Georgians. They had estab
lished a military institute here, in preparation for the rebellion, which the
slaveholders had been long contemplating. Now, all the male inhabitants
of the place, capable of bearing arms, had been dragged into the war, and
most of the remainder had foUowed in the footsteps of the retreating
army. Desolation reigned in the deserted mansions.
Leaving a small garrison in the town, the army pressed on in pursuit of
the foe, hoping to fall upon him and throw him into confusion as he was
crossing the Chattahoochie. But General Johnston, the " skUful retreater,"
foreseeing this, had thrown up strong intrenchments at the head of the
bridge. He had also extended his lines more than five miles along the
river-banks, behind well-constructed ramparts protected with abatis. The
.rebels, anticipating this retreat, had been for many months preparing these
.¦fforks. He had thus safely crossed the river, and was apparently in a
^condition to baffle aU the endeavors of his unrelenting pursuers. The
Chattahoochie was, at that time, a deep and rapid stream, passable only by

456 CfVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
bridges, except at one or two very difficult fords. General Schofield was
sent about ten miles to the east, to cross by a rocky ford near the mouth of
Soap Creek.
Beautifully the enterprise was accomplished. He surprised the small
guard stationed there, took them all prisoners, captured a cannon, built a
pontoon bridge, crossed his troops over, and intrenched himself on a com
manding position, Arithout having a man hurt. At the same time. General
Gerrard with his horsemen rode some ten miles farther up the river to
Roswell, burned all the rebel factories there, and secured another ford,
which he held for the passage of General McPherson's troops. In the
mean time. General Howard threw a pontoon bridge across the stream,
about two miles below General Schofield. While these strategic move
ments Avere in operation, which secured three good points for crossing
the river, and rendered all Johnston's intrenchments of no value to
him, the foe Avas deceived and kept busy by a vigorous attack upon his
liues. One of the many prisoners who came and surrendered, said that he had
long heen watching for an opportunity. He lingered in a rifie-pit until he
could hang out his handkerchief without being seen by his retreating
comrades. He said that half of his regiment would be glad thus to escape,
but they dreaded being stigmatized as deserters. He also stated that
tremendous preiJarations were being made to resist us at the Chaltahoochie,
and that four thousand negroes had long been employed in rearing forti
fications on the opposite bank.
Again Johnston found himself outgeneralled. Burning his bridges and
abandoning his tete. de pout, he hurriedly resumed his retreat. The
patriots crossed the river on the 10th of July. The slight opposition they
encountered was resolutely SAvept away. General Sherman's active brain
seemed never to be tired. There was but one finished line of railroad,
connecting Georgia and Alabama with the Mississippi. It was important
so to break this road as to prevent Johnston from receiving suppUes and
reenforcements. As soon as the army had crossed the Chattahoochie,
General Rousseau, who had already proved his capacity to meet any
responsibilities, moved Avith a cavalry force of two thousand from Decatur,
and, riding impetuously through Georgia, to Montgomery in Alabama,
destroyed thirty miles of railroad and thirteen railroad depots. He also
destroyed large quantities of provisions and cotton, and liberated over a
thousand slaves. General Rousseau's heroic ride of fifteen days, through
the heart of the enemy's country, infficted serious damage upon the rebels,
and was of great benefit to the Union cause.
In the mean time the patriots in camp were not idle. Stores were col
lected, railroads repaired, garrisons strengthened, and bridges rebuilt. On
the 17th of July another advance Avas ordered. General McPherson, by a
wide detour to the east, moved upon the Augusta Railroad, striking it seven
miles beyond Decatur, and nearly twenty miles below Atlanta. The men
had to fight nearly every step of their way through swarins of rebel skir
mishers. The march was successful, and Decatur was occupied by our
troops. .» On the morning ofthe 20th of July, the main body ofthe Union

THE MARCH TO ATLAN*TA. 457
army had crossed to the south side of Peach-Tree Creek, within three miles
of Atlanta. The rebels retired within the strong intrenchments with which, for
more than a year, they had been surrounding that important place. Their
works could not be stormed. They were abundantly supplied Avith pro
visions and all the materiel of war. They could not, by the force wo had,
be so surrounded as to prevent the ingress of reenforcements with supplies,
and the egress of marauding bands. Loudly they boasted that they had
Im'cd the patriot army " to just the position where they wished them to
be," " far ft'om their base of supplies, with lines of communication which
could easily be destroyed, and in the very heart of the South, AA'here the
indignant legions of rebeldom would, soon rise in their majesty, and blot
out the deluded invaders from the face of the earth." Such was the boast
of the rebels. It was joyfully echoed back by their sympathizers in the
North. -And many a patriot feared that the representation was too true.

CHAPTER XXXVII.
SIEGE OP ATLANTA.
(July 21st to August 26th, 1864.)
Heroism op General Ward, — Repulse op •the Rebels. — The Observatory. — The Rebel
Ambush. — Attack upon General Leggett. — Death op General McPherson. — General
Logan. — General Howard sdooeeds General McPherson. — Cutting through the Rebel
Lines. — The Decisive Movement. — Desperation op the Rebels. — Evacuation op At
lanta. — Occupation by the Patriots.
The patriot army haring reached the intrenchments of Atlanta, com
menced vigorously forming their lines of siege. At one part of the line
the troops had stacked their arms and were all actively engaged with the
spade and pick, when Hardee's Corps of the rebel army, with a savage yeU
which echoed over the hills, sallied forth from their ramparts in as desper
ate an assault as fury, and whiskey envenomed with gunpowder, could in
spire. The men had barely time to grasp their guns and fall into line be
fore the enemy were upon them. For a few moments it seemed impossi
ble for them to resist the onset. But the men, inspired by General New
ton's presence and voice, stood firm. The artillerists were soon at their
guns, opening a deadly fire of shot and shell into the onrushing rebel janks.
For twenty minutes the leaden storm raged, when the rebels turned and
fled. Their repulse was materially aided by the heroism of General Ward.
The artillery had been sent to the support of General Newton, whose men
had only muskets. As soon as the rebels made their charge, the brunt of
whicii fell upon General Newton, General Ward ordered a counter-charge.
The foe were on a hill in front of his division. Across the flat at the base
of the hill, and up its slope, the patriots rushed with cheers. Near the
crest they met the enemy. The One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois
met them in a hand-to-hand fight, in which officers and men alike min
gled. The rebels were at some points so bewildered, in being thus unex
pectedly attacked, that they were easily captured. Others fought fiercely.
Line after line was carried by the Western heroes, and the vanquished
rebels, abandoning their post, fled to the woods.
While all the energies of the patriots, both of body and mind, were
absorbed by the battle, the enemy stealthily attempted a flanking move
ment, and, unopposed, had gained an important position. General Thomas,
who, from an eminence, was watching the battle, spied them. With the
calm deliberation whicii ever characterized this brave and extraordinary
man, he gathered a force, consisting of the pioneers of Kimball's Brigade,
and some of the straggling skirmishers who had run to the rear, and with

¦'^^'V-»v,S.BOS«^

SIEGE OE ATLANTA. 459
frsvo pieces of artillery assailed this flanking column, and killed or cap
tured them aU.
The repulse of the enemy was complete. At every point they were
driA-en back. When the sun went doAvn and darkness covered the bloody
field, the ground was covered with the abandoned rebel dead and wounded.
The loss on both sides was heavy. The patriot killed and wounded
amounted to fifteen hundred. Our own troops buried nearly seven hun
dred of the rebel dead. Their total loss. General Sherman says, could not
have been less than five thousand. General Logan was conspicuous in
this battle. IHs achievements merit more minute detaU than it is possible
to give in a general history. Not the slightest reUance could ever be
placed in the bulletins of the rebels. The war was got up by them
through fraud, and through fraud it was carried on to its close.
Directly in front of General Leggett's command there was a hUl, occu
pied by some of the desperadoes of the. rebel Hardee's Corps. It was but
five hundred yards from the Union Unes. As the summit of that hill com
manded the two principal roads to Atlanta, it was very important to the
patriots that ^hey should possess it. General Leggett was directed to carry
the position by storm. At a given signal his troops advanced, on the
double-quick, through a cornfield at the foot of the hill. On they dashed,
led by General Leggett, into the very face of the belching fire before
them. Right vaUantly they ran the gauntlet of death, and planted the star-
spangled banner on the summit of the hill. Four times the rebels, with
recruited numbers, endeavored to regain thefr lost ground. Four times
' they were repulsed with great slaughter. From the summit of this hiU
shot and shell could be thrown into the streets of Atlanta.
On the morning of the 21st of July, finding themselves so closely
pressed, the rebels had abandoned their outer Une of earthworks, and taken
possession of an inner line of redoubts, which were very strongly con
structed. These redoubts were connected by curtains, strengthened by
rifle-pits, abatis, and chevaux-de-frise. The clamor of the rebels against
the retreating policy of General Johnston was so loud that he was relieved
of his command, and a fierce Southron, by the name of Hood, Avho had the
reputation of being a good fighter, was substituted in his place. The vic
torious legions of Sherman swept into the defences abandoned by the ene
my, and closed around the doomed city. Thefr encircUng Une was about
two miles from tbe centre of the town.
The signal corps had established an observatory on the top of a tall tree,
but half a mile from the redoubts of the foe. Lieutenant Reynolds took
his station, concealed by the foliage, in the branches of the tree. A gun
was brought to its base ; several shells were thrown into the city, while
Lieutenant Reynolds, directing the fire from his commanding post, watched
the ruin which they spread around.
On the morning of July 21st, at about two o'clock, the army was
roused by sounds of movement within the rebel lines. The night was
clear, and the moon so bright that all near objects were almost as risible
as by day. The enemy had two objects in riew. One was still more to

460 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
concentrate their lines ; the other was, to lure our troops to attack them in
the midst of the movement they were making, while the rebels were pre
pared, with their whole army, to fall upon and crush our assailing column,
thus draAvn into ambush. ' The heroism of General McPherson thwarted
their cunning scheme. A terrible battle was fought, but with signal
disaster to the foe. On the morning of the 22d, General McPherson,
vrith the right of the army, was on both sides of the railroad from Decatur.
General Blair occupied the hiU Avon the day before by General Leggett.
General Logan was on the right, near the railroad.
The troops were all busy strengthening their fortifications. Imme
diately after the change of position to which we have referred, the rebels
emerged from their ramparts, heaA'ily massed, and plunged in fiercest
onset upon the troops commanded by Generals Leggett and Giles A.
Smith. They came in such overpowering numbers that our men, though
valiantly returning the fire, were driven back, and were in imminent peril
of utter rout. Their defeat would enable the foe to outflank th^ Army of
the Tennessee, and to menace it with destruction. The intelligent patriot
soldiers perceived all this, and fought with desperation. Couriers were
sent to the rear, and every teamster and provost-guardsman and straggler
was ordered to hasten to the aid of his overpowered comrades. For three
hours the unequal contest continued. At length the Sixteenth Corps,
which was on the move to reenforee General Logan, arrived, and, uniting
with the heroes of the day, rushed into the open field, and met the enemy
face to face. The ground was broken and rocky, and covered Avith thorny
shrubs. The strife was almost always at close quarters. One of General
Smith's Iowa brigades fought around a line of breastworks, now on one
side, and now on the other. The whole Army of the Tennessee was
engaged, and, though greatly outnumbered, was still, at noon, holding
its own. General McPherson was at all points, encouraging, directing,
and inspiring his men. About twelve o'clock, as, with his staff, he was
riding along the embattled lines, a fatal impulse led him into a gap
between the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Corps, of which he was ignorant.
Being in advance of his staft', he rode to the top of a ridge near by. A
party of rebels sprang from ambush, and fired a voUey of bullets upon
him. The brave patriot commander fell mortally wounded ; the bullet of
a traitor had pierced his bosom. Foremost in danger, and from love to
his country braring every peril, he died in the heat of battle, as he was
leading his men to victory.
A private, George D. Reynolds, of the Fifteenth Iowa, saw his chief
fall. Though his own arm had been shattered by a ball, he crept" to the
side of the dying general, and, regardless of the missiles of death falling
thickly around, held his hand until the pulse ceased to beat ; then, becom
ing faint from heat and loss of blood, he endeavored to find the hospital.
On his way back, he met General Buell and Colonel Strong, searching for
the body of the general. Again forgetting his own wound, he led them
back. When they came in sight of the slight ridge where the blood
stained body lay, they saw a party of rebels, like savages, stripping the
honored remains. Enraged by the indignity, the little band attacked twice

SIEGE OE ATLANTA.- 461
their numbers,.drove them into the Avobds, and sadly and tenderly conveyed
the corpse to the rear.
General McPherson Avas one of the noblest of that band of martyrs
who have been the victims of this infamous rebellion. " He was," writes
General Sherman, " a noble youth, of striking personal appearance, of the
highest professional capacity, and with a heart abounding in kindness, that
drew to him the affections of aU men." By the death of General McPher
son, the command of the Army of the Tennessee devolved upon General
Logan, a man rivalling his predecessor in bravery, patriotism, and military
ability. General Logan, as the news Avas transmitted to him on the field
that the command rested Avith him, brandished his SAvord, and cried out,
" Come on, boys ; McPherson and revenge." For two hours more the fight
raged around the little hUl caUed " Leggett's Bald Top." Hood was a
mere reckless, desperate " fire-eater." In a frenzy like that Avhich reigns
in a drunken row, he hurled his masses, infuriated with whiskey, upon the
patriot Unes. He seemed reckless of slaughter, apparently resolved to
carry his point, or lose the last man. General Logan was by no means his
inferior in impetuous daring, and far his superior in all those intellectual
qualities of circumspection, coolness, and judgment, requisite to constitute
a great general. At three o'clock in the afternoon the rebels, defeated at
every point, retreated from the field. The rebel loss was enormous. " I
entertain no doubt," writes General Sherman, "that the enemy sustained
an aggregate loss of eight thousand men." Our loss was three thousand
seven hundred and twenty-two.
While these scenes were transpiring, the rebel Wheeler, with a strong
cavalry force, made an attack upon Decatur, hoping to destroy the National
stores gathered there. But Colonel, now General Sprague, wlio was in
eommand, with equal bravery and sagacity, baffled his plans. As Hood
had been placed in command, with loud boasts that " the National troops
would vanish before him like mist before the sun," he was morally com
peUed at all hazards to fight. He made an attempt to cut through a weak
portion of our Une, and thus sever the right from the centre of the army.
The Thirteenth Corps met this assault gallantly. General Sherman happened
to be near as the impetuous onset Avas made. He brought forward batteries
which opened with direful slaughter upon the foe. When they were
throAvn a Uttle into confusion. General Woods, supported by General
Schofield, swept down upon them in a j-esistless charge, which drove them
back behind their intrenchments, with the loss of nearly eight thousand in
killed, wounded, and prisoners. The Union loss Avas about three thousand.
Such was the scale on which these operations were carried. Skirmishes
but briefly alluded to in the journals ofthe day, rise to the magnitude of
ordinary pitched battles.
Every day, every hour, had its conflict or wild adventures. General
Gerrard rode with his cavalry to Covington, fortji-two miles below Atlanta,
on the road to Augusta. Here he cut and destroyed the raifroad, burning
two important bridges, destroying two depots, with a large train of cars,
two thousand bales of cotton, and numerous military stores. He also took
two hundred prisoners. In the expedition he lost but one man. The

462 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Augusta road being thus destroyed, the rebels could only obtain suppUes
by the Macon road. This also was doomed.
General Sherman ordered two forces of cavalry to move from Atlanta.
One of five thousand men, under General Stoneman, was to take the route
to McDonough. The other, of four thousand, under General McCook,
was to take a road whicii led through Fayetterille. The tAvo parties were
to meet at Lovejoy's Station, on the Macon road, on the 28th of July.
Having destroyed the road, they were then to seek for Wheeler and give
him battle. Eagerly the men embarked in the gallant enterprise. Just
before starting, a petition was handed from the men to General Sherman,
imploring permission, after having thoroughly accomplished their work, to
attack Macon itself, and release the two thousand Union prisoners held in
confinement there.
This was true chivalry. The heroic request met with a prompt re
sponse from General Sherman. General Stoneman was authorized to accede
to the wishes of his command. Nothing is certain in war. Both parties
started forth in the highest spirits. But obstacles were met which neither
bravery nor skill could surmount. Swollen streams were encountered,
which could not be forded, ancl where there were no bridges. It thus be
came impossible for the two forces to unite at the appointed time and
place. They were separated by the Ocmnlgee River ; General Stoneman
on the east, tearing up the railroad, burning depots and military stores, but
unable to eftect a junction with General McCook. The enterprise, in the
heart of the rebel country, and in the midst of powerful rebel armies, re
quired the utmost expedition. Boldly, with his single command, he pressed
on to Macon. But his force was not sufficient to storm the town.
The rebel cavalry were on the alert. General Stoneman was compelled
to retreat, followed closely by outnumbering foes. They gathered in such
numbers that he was soon surrounded, and with forces so strong that he
could not cut his way through. With a noble spirit of self-sacrifice, he
decided that he, with about seven hundred men and a section of light
guns, would surrender. While protracting the details of this capitulation,
the reniainder of the force, under Colonel Adams, effected their escape.
The greater part of the command was thus saved. The heroic General
Stoneman thus became himself an inmate of those very prisons from which
he had endeavored to release his comrades.
General McCook was not much more successful. He struck the West
Point Railroad at Palmetto Station, tore up the road, destroyed the depot
and other public buildings, and pressed on, without drawing rein, to
Fayetterille. Here he burned a long train of wagons, and seized the mules
and the men. He then struck over to the Macon road at Lovejoy's, and
did what he could to destroy it. He was soon assailed by superior force,
before whom he retreated to Newman, on the West Point road. Here he
was met by another body of rebels, and quite hammed in. Gallantly,
hoAvever, he cut his way through them, till he reached our Unes IJefare
Atlanta, having lost all his captures and five hundred men.
Major-General Howard was appointed by the President to succeed the
lamented McPherson. General Sherman was dailv drawing: his lines

SIEGE OP ATLANTA. 463
nearer the doomed city, and strengthening every position he gained. Gen
eral Hood saw that if he allowed General Sherman to continue his move
ment to the south, he would soon seize the Macon road, and then Atlanta
•would be inevitably starved into surrender. He therefore determined, at
every risk, to break Sherman's line. On the 28tli, he massed his forces for
the desperate endeavor. About noon of this day, an immense force was
hurled against the Fifteenth Corps ; but the charge was so sternly received,
and such volleys of death poured into their ranks, that the officers could no
longer control the men, and they broke and fied.
Again and again were the routed rebels ralUed by thefr desperate lead
ers. Six times, between twelve at noon and four in the afternoon, they
were driven towards the frail intrenchments behind which the patriots
awaited them, and six times they Avere scattered with terrific slaughter.
Hood was apparently utterly reckless of the Ua^cs of his soldiers. He
fought with the brute energy of a madman. On tliat bloody day General
Logan's Corps won great renoAvn. Almost alone they met the assault of
these vastly superior numbers, tiius desperately hurled upon them. Our
loss was less than six hundred ; that of the enemy, General Sherman says,
could not have been less than five thousand. But for the obstruction of
dense and tangled forests, which prevented the opportune arrival of Gen
eral Davis's Dirision, the repulse would have been a disastrous rout.
Day after day passed vrith incessant skirmishes, while our troops were
continually pushing thefr way towards the Macon road. The rebel lines
extended fifteen miles. They were enabled to do this, as the State militia
had been, called out to aid in the defence of Atlanta. The spread of the
forests and the irregularities of the ground so concealed and protected
them, that their weak points could not be discovered. On the 10th of
August, four four-and-a-half-inch rifled guns arrived from Chattanooga.
They Avere immediately put to work, night and day, throwing shells into
the city, causing frequent fires and great consternation. But Hood seemed
determined to hold his forts, whatever might be the fate of the toAvn.
The rebel cavalry leader Wheeler now started, with a force of between
six and ten thousand men, and struck our lines of communication at Cal
houn, near Dalton. He broke up the road for some distance, and captured
about six hundred cattle. "I couldnot," says General Sherman, "have
asked any thing better ; for I had provided well against such a contingency,
and this detachment left me superior to the enemy in cavalry." He im
mediately ordered General Kilpatrick, one of the boldest riders of the
army, to improve the opportunity in making another attempt for the de
struction of the raUroad at Macon.
On the night of August 19th, five thousand horsemen leaped into their
saddles, and passed swiftly away on their mission. The rebels anticipated
the movement. They soon encountered a formidable force. General Kil
patrick, after a bloody battle, dispersed them. Pressing rapidly on at
Jonesboro', he encountered another rebel force, which he also scattered.
Por five hours his men worked at Jonesboro', tearing up the railroad.
They were interrupted by the arrival of a rebel brigade, greatly outnum
bering them. His men, refusing battle against such odds, sprang upon

464

CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

their horses, and turned in the direction of Lovejoy's Station. Here he
again encountered the enemy in great force, and in such a position that he
could not avoid a battle. The foe made a furious assault upon his ex
hausted men, and soon surrounded them. They could only surrender, or
desperately cut their way through the swarming lines by which they were
enveloped. Yisions of imprisonment, starvation, and every outrage which
savage barbarity could inflict, nerved the hearts of his gallant band. In
the scene Avhich ensued. General Minty was conspicuous alike for good
generalship and impetuous'bravery. The men were formed in column for
a charge. At the word of command, with a shout they dashed against the
foe. Fences were leaped, ditches cleared, and with rattling sabres the im
petuous squadron reached the barricade of rails where the foe awaited
them. They leaped the barrier, and, with keen-edged SAvords, cut right
and left, as they rode over the astounded rebels. The yells of the horse
men were mingled with the shrieks of the wounded and the groans of the
dying. The sabre was the only weapon the patriots used. A hundred
rebels were cut down, as the Spartan band hewed a path for their escape.
Merited success roAvarded the bold deed. The men, having broken through
the hostile lines, Avere rallied together. After a ride of four days, during
which they had but three meals of coffee and hard tack, and only one
night's rest, they reached their lines at Atlanta in safety.
It was now the 25th of August. General Sherman had been before the
city for nearly five weeks, and still the rebel flag floated defiantly from its
ramparts. Yet every day some advance was made, and now the hour had
come for decisive action. All the sick, all surplus wagons, and all encum
brances of every kind, were sent back to the Chattahoochie. General Wil
liams, Avith his corps, was stationed there as a guard. The whole remaining
army was then put in motion on the night of the 25th and 26th. General
Schofield, by menaces, bombardments^ and fierce assaults, held the rebels
at their guns. The siege of Atlanta was to be raised, and, instead of
attacking its intrenchments, the whole strength of the army Avas to be
hurled against its only remaining lines of communication. The minute
and complicated details of the movement by whicii the army, abandoning
its intrenchments, marched to Jonesboro' on the Macon road, can be made
interesting only to military readers, Avho will carefully study the account,
aided by diagrams. The well-planned and admirably executed enterprise
would have done honor to Napoleon. It must ever give General Sherman
rank among the ablest of military commanders. A force '^aa first sent,
who destroyed twelve miles of the West Point Railroad. The ties were
burned, the rails heated and twisted, the cuts filled up " with trees, logs,
rocks, and earth, intermingled Avith loaded shells, prepared as torpedoes, to
explode in case of an attempt to clear them out." The three columns of the
army moved on the morning of the 29th, under the commands of Generals
Thomas, Schofield, and Howard. The rebels, under Lee and Hardee, feU
impetuously upon General Howard's column. After a very sternly contested
battle of two hours' duration, the discomfited foe withdrew, with the loss
of four hundred dead, and two thousand five hundred wounded. As soon
as the troops struck the Macon Railroad, they were to commence vigorously

SIEGE OP ATLANTA. 465
the work of destruction. The occupancy of these roads by the patriot
army would send starvation into the streets of Atlanta, and seal its doom.
The rebels made one last desperate endeavor to prevent this movement
which, being successfuUy accomplished, would drive them fugitives from
Atlanta. General Sherman had marched more, than a hundred miles
over the hills and through the beautiful valleys of Northern Georgia. He
had, day after day, in uninterrupted victory, driven the whole rebel army
before him. And now the capture of the " Gate City," with its arsenals,
its magazines, its manufactories, its A-ast amount of military stores, would
open to him an unobstructed path, through the very heart of the State, to
the sea. He had fought his Avay through dense forests, and mountain
gorges; and rocky crags. He was now to enter upon a level country,
where no serious impediment could, block his path. The rebels understood
this perfectly, and stiffened their sineAvs for a last despairing effort.
When General Howard arrived within half a mile of Jonesboro', about
noon of the Slst of July, the rebels plunged upon him, inspired by all the
energies of fury and despair. General Logan received the first onset.
He was just the man for the place and the hour. General Kilpatrick had
. gained an important eminence, from which Ins guns dealt destruction to
the foe. In accumulated masses the surging rebels roUed up the liiU. In
a moment there was a portentous silence, until the serried host were within
a few feet of the guns. Then came flash and roar, peal upon peal, volley
after volley. The range was perfect. There was no need for deUberation
or aim. The gunners worked with superhuman rapidity ; shells, grape,
canister, swept through the ranks of the foe like hail. Fifteen minutes
passed. A puff of wind swept away the billowy smoke. The column had
vanished. The ground was red vrith blood, and covered with the mangled,
ghastly rictims of war — some still in death, many writhing in mortal
agonies. It was vrith the rebels a case of Ufe or death. Defeat now was rem-
edUess ruin. A second column was forced up the hill. A second burst
of war's terrific tempest swept them to destruction. And thiis the battle
raged tUl night. Hardee, the rebel leader at that point, seemed utterly
reckless of the lives of his men. The wretched victims of the rebelUon —
the "poor whites," who, by the most merciless conscription, had been
forced into the war — Avere driven to certain slaughter with the most fanatic
disregard of life. The Union troops were safe behind a parapet of logs.
The rebel dead were piled up before this parapet, in some places four deep.
The next morning the battle Avas rencAved. Nearly the whole of Gen
eral Thomas's Division was now at hand, to aid the Army of the Tennessee.
After standing on the defensive for a few hours and bloodily repelling sev
eral charges, the patriots, in their turn, commenced making assaults. Gen
eral Daris, with Major Edith, made one of the most gallant of these charges.
Rebel and patriot struggled hand to hand over the barricade. The star-
spangled banner and treason's flag intertwined their folds. The Eighth
Bhnois, under Colonel Anderson, performed illustrious deeds. After a
fight of four hours the whole rebel Une was carried, and their battery of
twenty-four guns was captured. The vanquished foe retreated in confu-
VOL. IL— 30

466

CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

sion. The gloom of the night, the dark, pathless forest, and the rugged
nature of the ground prevented pursuit.
Scouts' probably conveyed to Hood, in Atlanta, the disastrous intelU
gence. About tAVO o'clock in the morning heavy explosions were heard in
the city, about twenty miles distant. Hood was blovring up his maga
zines, in preparation for flight. The next morning, July 2d, General Slo
cum, who was watching the movements of the rebels at Atlanta, discov
ered thefr retreat. They were escaping by roads which led eastward
toAvards Augusta. He immediately entered the city in triumph. The
black population received him as thefr deliverer. No tongue can tell the
enthusiasm of their greeting. There were a few Union inhabitants in the
place, " faithful found among the faithless." For their persistent patriot
ism they had suffered untold outrages. With tears which could not be
restrained, and prayers of thanksgiring inarticulate through emotion, they
welcomed the return of the National flag.
General Sherman, with a brilUant cavalcade, soon entered the city.
The Stars and Stripes were unfurled from every spire, and over every ram
part. Along the wires the joyful telegram was flashed to Washington ;
" Atlanta is ours, and fairly won."

CHAPT.ER XXXVIII.
FROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH
(October, November, and December, 1864.)
Expdlsion op the Inhabitants prom Atlanta. — Correspondence with Rebel Authorities. —
Attempt upon our Lines op Communication. — Allatoona Pass. — Retreat op the Poe. —
Destruction op Atlajtta. — The Line op March.— Anecdotes and Incidents. — Capture
OP Milledgeville, — Macon and Augusta Threatened. — Services op General Kil
patrick. — ^The Contraband. — Arrival at Savannah. — Stohming Port McAllister. —
The Triumphant Issuk
As soon as General Sherman had entered Atlanta, his first care was for
the weary veterans who had so patiently and heroically borne the toilsome
march from Chattanooga. WhUe General Kilpatrick, with his tireless
riders, scoured the country to guard against surprise, our soldiers were
encamped within and around the captured town. Rapidly a city rose,
of fifty thousand inhabitants, in whose lowly dwelUngs, constructed mainly
of the timber of deserted houses, the bravest and noblest of human hearts
throbbed. General Sherman, conscious that his grand enterprise was not
finished, only auspiciously commenced, was devoting his apparently ex
haustless energies of mind and body in preparation for his onward march.
It was necessary for the furtherance of his plans that Atlanta, for a time,
should be converted into exclusively a military post, where there should
be no spies to watch his movements, and no idle mouths to consume the
food which must be brought over his long lines of transportation. He
therefore issued an order that all non-feombatants should leave the place,
alloAving those whose sympathies were with rebellion to seek the protection
of the rebel army ; whUe those whose hearts were patriotic were to be
fransferred to the Union lines. The torch was also applied to all those
public buildings which, upon the evacuation of Atlanta by the patriot
troops, the rebels could again occupy for their traitorous purposes.
A wail of anguish now rose from the unfortunate inhabitants. They
had endured the peril and suffering of the siege. Now came expulsion
from their homes. " War is nothing," fiippantly exclaimed Toombs of
Georgia. " War," exclaimed the people of Atlanta, in tones of heart-
piercing anguish, " is themost dreadful of all earthly calamities." The rebel
General Hood, assuming that it was General Sherman's duty to retain
thousands in his camp who would act as spies, and eat the food of his
soldiers, sent a remonstrance, in the name of God and humanity, against
the expulsion of the inhabitants, as " an unprecedented and studied act of
cruelty." General Sherman, in a reply as impetuous and resistless as the
sweep of his columns, reminded Hood of the invariable course of the

468

CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

rebels in regard to the Union famiUes found vrithin their lines. " If we
must be enemies," he wrote, " let us be men, and fight it out as we pro
pose to-day, and not deal in such hypocritical appeals to God and human
ity." He claimed it to be more humane to remove the weak and helpless
from the military post, than to leave them exposed to the ever-recurring
attacks of hostile armies.*
The mayor and city council of Atlanta communicated Hood's remon
strance to General Sherman, accompanied by a very earnest but respectful
remonstrance of their own. To them General Sherman repUed in a letter
under date of September 12, containing the following strongly expressed
sentiments : —
" Gentlemen : — I have your letter of the llth, in the nature of a peti
tion to revoke my order removing all the inhabitants from Atlanta. I
have read it carefully, and give full credit to your statements of the
distress which will be occasioned by it, and yet shall not revoke my order,
simply because my orders are not designed to meet the humanities of the
case, but to prepare for the future struggle in which millions, yea, hun-
di'eds of millions of people outside of Atlanta, have a deep interest.
" We must have peace, not only in Atlanta, but in all America. To
secure this, we must stop the war that now desolates our once favored
country. To stop the war, we must defeat the rebel armies that are
arrayed against the laws and Constitution which all men must respect and
obey. To defeat these armies, we must be prepared to meet them in their
recesses, provided with the arms and instruments which enable us to ac
complish our purpose.
" The use of Atlanta for warlike purposes is inconsistent with its char
acter as a home for families. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it ;
and those who brought war on our country deserve all the curses and male
dictions a people can pour out. I know that I had no hand in making
this war, and I know that I vrill make more sacrifices than any of you, to
to-day, to secure peace. But you cannot have peace and a dirision of our
country. If the United States submit to a division now, it wUl not stop,
but will go on till we meet the fate of Merico, which is eternal war.
" Tou might as well appeal against the thunder-storm as against the
terrible hardships of war. They are inevitable, and the only way the peo
ple of Atlanta can hope once more to live in peace and quiet at home, is
* Tiie following sentence from his reply shows that General Sherman is as able with the pen
as with the sword : —
"In the name of common sense — I ask you not to appeal to a just God in such a sacrilegious
manner — you, who in the midst of peace and prosperity, have plunged a nation into war — dark
and cruel war ; who dared and badgered us to battle ; insulted our flag ; seized our arsenals and
forts, that were left in the honorable custody of a peaceful ordnance sergeant ; seized and made
prisoners of war of the very garrisons sent to protect your people from negroes and Indians,
long before any overt act was committed by the (to you) hateful Lincoln Government ; tried to
force Kentucky and Missouri into rebellion in despite of themselves ; falsifled the vote of Louisi
ana ; turned loose your privateers to plunder unarmed ships ; expelled Union families by the
thousands ; burned their homes, and declared, by acts of your Congress, the confiscation of all
debts due to Northern men for goods had and received I Talk this to tha marines, but not to me,
who have seen these things, and who will this day make as great sacrifice for the peace and
honor of the South, as the best Southerner among you."

I'ROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH. 469
to stop this war, which can alone be done by admitting that it began in
eiTor and is perpetuated in pride. We don't want your negroes, or your
horses, or your houses, or your land, or any thing you have. But we
do want, and we will have, a just obedience to the laws of the United
States." SorrowfuUy the people prepared for the abandonment of their homes.
A ten days' truce was agreed upon, to facilitate this painful operation.
General Sherman furnished transportation for all families, giving them
their choice whether they would go north to Chattanooga, where the
Union flag would protect them, or south to Rough and Ready, where the
flag of rebelUon was unfurled. AU were treated with tenderness, and
every thing was done Avhich humanity could dictate, to mitigate the sever
ity of their inevitable but sad lot. Seven hundred and flve adults and
eight hundred and sixty children were sent south. Each family was al
lowed to take baggage to the amount of sixteen hundred and fifty-one
pounds. The rebels invariably acknowledged the patience, courtesy, and
kindness vrith AA-hich this movement was executed by the patriot com
manders. As soon as the truce was terminated, which was prolonged to thirteen
days. Hood again made a movement, hoping to drive the patriots out of
Atlanta. It was then the 22d of September. Hood had rendezvoused his
army at Macon, about one hundred miles southeast of Atlanta. Jeff.
Daris hastened there to inspire the troops by his presence and Arith his
words of cheer. On Sunday, the 25th, he addressed them in a glowing
speech, in which he assm-ed them that their march should soon be north
ward, and that their feet should " press the soil of Tennessee," where he
promised them brilliant conquests and abundant plunder. Hood, having
been so signally chastised in every attempt to meet General Sherman in the
field, now attempted to accomplish by strategy that which he had in vain
essayed by force of arms. On the 2d of October, with the main portion
of the rebel army, he recrossed the Chattahoochie, and, marching north to
wards Marietta, threatened all the posts on our long line of raifroad com
munication between Atlanta and Chattanooga.
As soon as General Sherman was informed of this movement, he sent
General Thomas to Chattanooga, to watch the rebel General Forrest, who,
vnth a formidable force of cavalry, was marching in that direction. At the
same time General Corse was sent to strengthen the garrison at Rome.
On the 3d, nearly the whole Union army was in motion back again, to pro
tect our menaced line of communication. Atlanta, now truly and only a
military post, strongly fortified, was left under the protection of General
Slocum, Arith a small band of troops.
It was soon evident that Hood, with an army of thirty thousand men,
was aiming to seize the Allatoona Pass, about half-way between Marietta
and Kingston. The importance of this pass Avas well known to both ar
mies. General Sherman promptly signalled to his line of garrisons to ac
cumulate as much force at the pass as possible, and to hold it at every
hazard. On the night of the 4th of October, General Corse left Rome
with part of one brigade, and reached Allatoona at daybreak the next

470 CIVIL "WAR IN AMERICA
morning. The pass was defensible from either side, and its possession was
indispensable to the existence of our army at Atlanta. In addition to the
natural defences of rock, it was fortified by two forts or bastioned earth
works, protected by palisades and rifle-pits.
General Corse had about thirteen hundred men to garrison this Ther
mopylae of the Georgian campaigh. As he entered the defile, an army of
thirty thousand troops were rushing upon him. Rapidly dispositions were
made for battle. Just at sunrise. General French, who commanded the
advance of Hood's army, sent in a demand for the surrender of the pass,
" to avoid a needless effusion of blood." He gave fme minutes for an an
swer. General Corse, as he received the communication, coolly remarked,
as if speaking to himself, " General French is either a fool, or thinks some
one else one." He then replied, " We are prepared for the needless effusion
of blood whenever it is agreeable to you." The moment the messenger
returned, the tempest of war opened with its thunder-roar and its bolts of
destruction. The rebels attacked on three sides at once. A detachment
of the Thirty-ninth Iowa and the Seventh Hlinois were in the rifie-pits west
of the fort. By sheer force of numbers, the rebels gained a position on a
ridge between the forts and these pits, thus isolating the little band, only
a few of Avliom escaped back to the forts.
Fiercer and fiercer waxed the fight as the sun rose high in the heavens.
The patriots fought like men determined to conquer or die. The rebels
fought like men who had nothing to fear, every thing to gain, and who
were certain of victory. In the rifle-pits the fight was terrific. General
Corse commanded one of the two forts, General Tourtelotte the other.
Every moment the battle increased in fury. Exasperation fired the hearts
of the assailants. Massing his troops, French hurled them column after
column upon the patriot band. About eleven o'clock. General Corse was
wounded in the cheek. As he fell, fainting from loss of blood, he cried out,
" Hold Allatoona," Colonel Rowett succeeded him in command, and the
men still stood bravely at their guns. About noon. General Sherman sig
nalled, from the top of Kenesaw Mountain, nearly fifteen miles distant:
" Hold ou to Allatoona to the last. I vrill help you."
For another hour the fight raged vrith unabated fury. In Colonel
Rowett's fort the ammunition ran short. Reluctantly he ordered his men
to cease firing. He intended thus to husband his fire, that every shot
might doubly fulfil its mission upon the masses of the enemy rushing upon
the guns. His troops thought he intended to surrender, and, as they still
plied their guns, cried out, " Never, never !" Just then a buUet struck the
gallant colonel, and he fell dead. General Corse, though suffering intense
pain from his wound, again resumed command, and the patriots, their
numbers every hour diminishing, fought on till two o'clock. The crisis of
the battle then came.
A massive column of the rebels charged up the hill, against the pali
sades, loudly cheering as they ran. There was but one gun which could
be brought to bear upon the foe. It was doubly shotted, and the gunner
waited till the very powder should flash in the faces of the oncoming host.
The infantry also Arithheld their fire until every buUet was sure to reach

FROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH. 4Y1
its rictim. The exultant host came surging on to within a few feet of the
palisades, when there was a fiash and a roar,
" And the angel of death spread his wings on the blast.
And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed."
The rebel Une was fearfully shattered by that fire. The surrivors
staggered, recoiled, fled. The " effusion of blood " on both sides had been
great, but not, on the part of the patriots, needless. Gloriously they had
repulsed the foe. Triumphantly they held the pass. NotArithstanding
every effort General Sherman had made to send them reenforcements, none
could be forwarded to them until the next day.
Hood, thus repulsed at Allatoona, attempted, by a circuitous route, again
to strike the railroad at Resaca, nearly forty miles farther north. He fell
npon the pickets. For three hours they valiantly held their ground.
Hood then sent in a demand for the surrender of the place, stating that if
he were under the necessity of carrying it by assaiilt, " no prisoners would
be taken." Disgusted with the inhumanity of the summons. Colonel
Weaver, who was in command, replied, " I can hold this post. If you
want it, come and take it."
Hood responded to the chaUenge by a deadly fire of shot and sbeU.
The battle raged with no decisive results until dark. About midnight
Colonel Raum arrived vrith reenforcements, and assumed the command.
With the earliest light the battle was renewed with equal desperation on
both sides. Hood, finding all his efforts to carry the position unavailing,
turned his attention to the destruction of the railroad. About six
miles north of Resaca, on the railroad, there is a little town called Tilton.
Here Colonel Archer 'was in command of two hundred and eighty men.
Being fiercely attacked by the rebels, after a slight skirmish they retreat
ed to a block-house, and refused to surrender, when called upon by a rebel
officer, Stewart, who threatened them, in case of resistance, with no quarter.
The rebels opened upon the frail block-house with their artillery.
Every shot shook the house Uke a reed. For two hours the unequal con
test continued. The brave Uttle garrison fired twenty -five thousand rounds
of ammunition, and only when the house was riddled vrith shot, and no
longer tenable, did the gaUant colonel consent to surrender. Everywhere
the rebels found the patriots, no matter how greatly outnumbered, ready
to fight. Dalton only was seized by them without resistance. This slight
success, however, was of but little avail, since General Sherman was afready
thundering at their heels, eager to give Hood battle whenever he would
stop long enough for a fight. The rebels found it discreet to retreat,
through a gap in the mountain ridge, from the railroad line to Lafayette,
about twenty miles southwest of Dalton. From that point he ingloriously
continued his retreat forty miles farther west to the Tennessee River.
General Sherman, haring thus driven the rebel army not only from his
fines of communication, but out of the State, dispatched General Thomas
to take care of Hood, and returned to Atlanta. He now assembled his
troops at Rome, Kingston, and Atlanta, and prepared for a march through
the heart of the State of Georgia, a distance of two hundred and ninety-

ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH.

PROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH. 473
one miles, to Savannah. The rebels were kept in entire ignorance respect
ing his destination. They knew not whether he intended to strike for
MobUe, on the Gulf, or for Brunswick, Savannah, Charleston, or Wilmino--
ton, on the coast. They were therefore compelled to make preparations
on all these lines to resist his advance.
The patriot army which was to undertake this bold march amounted to
about sixty thousand men. It consisted of four corps of infantry, two
divisions of cavafry, four brigades of artillery, and two horse-batteries.
The infantry corps were commanded by Generals Davis, Osterhaus, Blair,
and Slocum. The cavalry was led by the chivalric KUpatrick. One
regiment of the cavalry deserves especial notice even among these heroic
men, all of whom rendered themselves illustrious. It was the First Ala
bama. Colonel George E. Spencer organized this regiment in 1863. It
was composed of the most distinguished men in the State. These pure
patriots braved all obloquy and every danger, in their devotion to the
National fiag. A grateful country must ever hold them in affectionate
remembrance. Thefr knowledge ofthe Southern country and of Southern
sentiment was of much service during the eventful campaign.
The army moved in four columns. Major-General O. O. Howard led
the right vring ; Major-General Slocum the left. They took as little bag
gage as possible, intending mainly to subsist upon the country. That they
might not be annoyed by a pursuing foe, they destroyed in their march
raifroads, bridges, and all pubUc buildings and stores whicii could benefit
the enemy. They also took with them, in their train, all beef cattle,
horses, and mules, and all the able-bodied negroes who could be of service
in the camp. General Sherman seemed to be endowed with those impe
rial powers which could alike grasp the most comprehensive combinations
and superintend the minutest details. The rebels professed to be very
jubilant over what they represented as a Quixotic adventure, which would
lead to the annihilation of the patriot army. Derisively they announced
that Sherman was marching his troops to the Paradise of Fools.
There are two raifroads passing through the heart of this State. The
Georgia Raifroad connects Atlanta with Charleston, S. G, by the way of
Augusta. The other, the Georgia Central, traverses the State about fifty
miles farther south, and passes through Macon to Savannah. The army
was to march in four parallel lines, in the general direction of these roads,
sweeping a path about sixty miles broad through the State. The troops
were not aware themselves of their destination, but were to meet at some
point which General Sherman should afterwards designate. On the 13tli,
•General Howard commenced the march with the right wing from Atlanta.
General Slocum started the next day vrith his wing. General Sherman
and staff soon followed, the general remarking, as he looked back upon
Atlanta, " Let Hood go north ; our business is down south."
The troops were to march about fifteen mUes a day. Regular foraging
parties were detailed to gather supplies. The other soldiers were not per
mitted to enter the dwellings of the inhabitants, or to commit any trespass,
save that they were to drive in the stock Avhich they met on their line of
march, and could gather from the fields such turnips, potatoes, and other

474 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
A^egetables as they needed. No destruction of private property was per
mitted in districts Av'here they did not encounter opposition. But where
they were fired upon from the houses, or attacked by guerrillas, or found
bridges burned, and other obstructions interposed to their march, the corps
commanders were to enforce a punishment of devastation according to the
measure of the offence.
As the troops commenced thefr march, all the public property in
Atlanta, Rome, Kingston, Marietta, such as forts, arsenals, factories, which
could serve the rebel armies, was committed to the flames. It was a subhme
spectacle, as at night, the heavens, for miles around, were red with the
blaze of this Aride-spread conflagration. In that lovely clime it was a
delicious season of the year. The rugged mountainous region they had
left behind them ; and now they entered upon a smooth, fertile, beautiful
expanse, where marching was easy and food abundant, and where the
charm of novelty ever met the eye. The splendid mansions of the wealthy
planters, their wide-extended estates, luxuriantly cultivated by hundreds
of negroes, the clustered cabins of the bondmen, the wretched abodes of
the lank, sallow, half-starved poor whites, the exuberant Avelcome Arith
which the Avhole colored population greeted them, the slight opposition
which they encountered, and which they swept away as the horse sweeps
the flies from his flanks, the prancing steeds, the banners, tlie music, the
song — all these combined to render the march through the beautiful flelds
of Central Georgia one of the most picturesque and poetic in the annals
of war. An anxious mother wrote to her son, wishing for some details ofthe march.
" For instance," she Avrote, " tell me what you have to eat." He replied
playfully : " As to food, we have beef, and mutton, and lamb, and veal, and
pork, and turkeys, and chickens, and geese, and ducks, and sweet potatoes,
and Irish potatoes, and turnips, and cabbages, and' beets, and onions, and
parsnips, and carrots, and milk, and butter, and honey, and sugar, and
sirup, and wheat bread, and corn bread, &c., &c., &c."
The patriot troops were in fine physical condition, and in jubilant
spirits, and, having unbounded confidence in their chivalric leader, " took
no care for the morrow." The rebels were completely bafiSed by
Sherman's movements, and knew not where to gather their forces to meet
the onset of his main column. The ubiquitous army were continually
appearing in places where it was least expected, its movements being well
guarded by detachments of cavalry. The planters had generally obeyed
the order of the rebel Government, and had planted com instead of cotton.
For miles around the ripening ears waved their golden harvest in the
breeze. General Howard marched doAvn the Macon road, destroying the
rail as he advanced, and without any difficulty scattering the rebel cavalry,
who presented spirited but entirely ineffectual resistance to his march.
His horsemen swept in all directions, striking the rebels with bewilderment
and dismay. Learing Macon on the right, the cavalry swept across to
Gordon, where they found Wheeler's cavalry and Cobb's militia, five
thousand in number, strongly posted behind breastworks. The tempest of
war instantly burst. It raged for three hours, when the rebels fied, leaving

PROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH. "475
one-half of their whole number, either dead, wounded, or prisoners in the
hands of the patriots.
The northern division of Howard's column was, at the same time
marching through Jackson, Monticello, and Hillsboro', to Milledgerille, the
capital of the State. On the march. General Sherman encamped one night
on the plantation of Howell Cobb, one of the most prominent of that band
of traitors who had brought this desolating war upon our land. His
granaries were well filled with corn, and there was found also an abundant
supply of sorghum sfrup. The owner, a general in the rebel army, had
taken away his able-bodied negroes, leaving behind the decrepit. The
Jiegroes had been told that the Tankees put all the negroes who were able
to fight in the front ranks of the army, and that, to get rid of the women
and children, they put them in the houses and burned them up.
But nothing could persuade this htunble people, all along the line of
inaij3h, that the Northern army was not God's army, sent, in answer to their
prayers, on a mission of deUverance to them. The strong men, who could
be serriceahle. General Sherman received into the army. The women and
chUdren followed by thousands. But they could not be fed and cared for
on this mUitary march, and, painfiU as it was, it was necessary to order
them back.
General Slocum, with the left wing, marched towards Augusta, aloiig
the line of the Georgia Railroad ; while General Howard, with the right
wing, was moving upon Milledgeville. The two wings of the army were
then concentrated about the 25th near Milledgeville. Governor Brown,
after Uberating the convicts from the penitentiary, upon condition that
they would fight the Tankees, fied from his capital so precipitately, upon
the approach of our army, that three thousand muskets and several
thousand pounds of powder were left belUnd. Brown had released
Barabbas; General Sherman let him run.
While General Kilpatrick, with his cavalry, made a demonstration
towards Macon to bewilder the rebels, the main body of the army pressed
on towards the coast. They encountered no opposition, as the rebels hur
ried to the defence of Macon. Everywhere the simple-hearted slaves wel
comed the Northern army with inexpressible joy. Their gratitude was
most touching. They brought water to the soldiers, and fruit, grasping
their hands, and exclaiming in their broken speech ;
" Bless de Lord ! Tanks be to Almighty God, de Tankees is come.
De day of jubilee hab arrived."
General Sherman had no disposition in his march to waste his time
before fortified cities, or to engage in battles which would encumber his
wagons Arith wounded. General Kilpatrick was, therefore, ordered merely
to demonstrate against Macon, instead of attacking it. When within five
Jniles of the city, the rebels rushed upon our veteran troops with a fool-
, hardy recklessness which woul(t have disgraced Turks. Our soldiers,
, rpiazed at such infatuation, and despising such stupidity, shouted to them
.-With derision to come on, if they thought the whole thing a joke.
Such a terrible fire of musketry and of grape-shot was opened upon them
at point-blank range, that speedily the whole rebel force was scattered

476 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
to the winds, Arith the loss of two thousand five hundred in kUled,
wounded, and prisoners. The Union loss was but forty in killed and
wounded. Among the jokes perpetrated by the soldiers of fhe Union army in
MiUedgeville, one was to organize a mock rebel legislature in the State
House. Of&cers were chosen, and the body, thoroughly organized, went
rigorously to work, making eloquent and witty speeches against the
Tankees, and passing grandiloquent resolutions to whip them. In the
midst of the debate, a courier rushes in with the announcement, " The
Tankers are coming." Instantly there is a terrible panic, and all rush
pell-mell, over the seats and every way, to escape. This is foUowed by
roars of laughter. War has its fun as well as its horrors.
From the comic let us turn to the tragic. " Great God !" exclaimed a
woe-stricken lady in Milledgerille, " little did I think, when I bade my
dear boys, who now sleep in their graves, good-by, and packed them off,
that this day would come, when, old, impoverished, and childless, I must ask
the men whom they fought against, for a meal of rictuals to satisfy my
hunger. But it serves me right. I was deceived ; drove them to battle,
death, and infamy, and here I stand their murderer."
At another time an officer saw an aged woman and three grown-up
daughters, standing at the door of a house, uttering the most frantic cries
for help. As the officer rode up, the old Avoman shrieked out, pointing to
a burning cotton-gin, " Put it out. Tou uns are burnin' me child !" Just
then, a boy, about ten years old, badly singed, came rushing out of the bla
zing building. The poor woman in explanation said, " We uns heard that
you uns killed all the little boys to keep them out from growing up to
fight ye ; and we hid 'em." It Avas by such fraud that these wretched
people were duped into sympathy Avith the rebellion.
Seventy-five miles from Milledgeville, on the Georgia Central, was the
town of Millen, where the Union prisoners were starving and dying, hav
ing been removed to that place for safety from the unutterable woes of
Andersonville. Their camp consisted of a clearing of about fifteen acres,
cut out from a dense pine forest, and surrounded with high palisades.
Here our patriotic soldiers, without houses or tents, or any comfortable
clothing, were exposed to dew and frost, and burning sunshine and delu
ging rain. Their sufferings here and at Andersonville were such as sav
ages only could have inflicted, and such as no imagination can picture.
Our troops were eager to reach Millen to rescue their comrades. There
were several streams to cross, and the march consumed eight days. The
resistance which the rebels made scarcely retarded for an hour the sweep
of our victorious column. In this march a melancholy event occurred,
which gave rise to some unfortunate misrepresentations, and which cannot
be better described than in the language of one of the army correspond
ents : —
" From the time we left Atlanta, with fifty or one hundred contra
bands, the colored brigades continued to swell in numbers until we arrived
at the Ogeechee River, when fully ten thousand were attached to the vari
ous columns. They represented all shades and conditions, from the almost

EROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH. 4-77
white housemaid servant, worth in the market fifteen thousand dollars in
rebel currency, to the tar-black, pock-marked cotton-picker, Avho never
crosses Massa's door-sill. A very large majority of them Avere Avomeu and
children, who, mounted on mules, sometimes five on an animal, in ox-
wagons, buggies, and vehicles of every description, blocked the roads and
materially delayed the movement ofthe column. It was no unusual sight
to behold a slave mother carrying two young children aud leading a third,
who, in a half-nude state, trudged along the thorny path to freedom. Col
umns could be written descriptive of the harrowing scenes presented by
this unfortimate class of fugitives. So much difficulty did General Davis
find in moring his column, that at the Ogeechee River, as a military neces
sity, he placed a guard at the bridge, Avho halted the caravan of contra
bands until the rear of the column had passed, and then removed the
pontoon. The negroes, however, not to be frustrated, constructed a foot
bridge and crossed. Next day the column had its full complement of
negroes. "Arriring at Ebenezer Creek, the same method was taken to clear the
column, vrith better success. The creek runs through a half-mile of
swamp, which is covered by water, and can only be crossed by a narrow
bridge. This bridge was taken up, and the moment our forces disappeared
the brutal Wheeler was in our rear. Next day only a few darkies came
in. Another day passed, and fully two-thirds were missing. Inquiries
eficited the information that Wheeler, on finding the defenceless negroes
blocked, drove them peU-mell into the water, where those who escaped
say they struggled to reach the opposite bank amidst heart-rending
shrieks ; but most of the mothers went down in the water, with their chil
dren clasped to their bosoms, while Wheeler and his inhuman band looked
on Arith a demoniac laugh. Hoav far true this may be I know not. But
aU the negroes who escaped, with whom I have talked, seemed to agree in
their account of the helUsh slaughter." *
When the troops arrived at Millen they Avere much disappointed in
not finding the prisoners there. The rebel Government had removed them
farther south, out of the line of march. Tlie wretched " slaughter-pen,"
however, remained. In the graveyard they counted six hundred and fifty
mounds, Arithout even a wooden slab to mark the names of the loved ones
who there reposed.
On the 3d of December the army again started from Millen for Sa
vannah. Their route was in a southeasterly direction, down both banks
of the Ogeechee River, a stream here about sixty yards Avide. The coun
try was occasionally low and swampy, and again exceedingly rich and
fell of all abundance. The great army swept resistlessly on like an ocean
surge. In the daytime the banners, the gleaming arms, the cavalry, and
the long line of the majestic march, presented a scene of marvellous, pic
turesque beauty. But when evening came, and ten thousand fires of
pitch-pine knots blazed with brilliance which eclipsed the moon, and the
nmsic of miUtary bands fiUed the air, and the soldiers were collected in
groups, in aU varieties of attitude, the spectacle was indescribably charming.
* Hadley's "Life of General Sherman," p. 2SA

478 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
The contrabands, with their gratitude, their joy, their simple religious
faith and trust, were objects of unceasing interest. An officer noticed a
woman with a child in her arms, toiling along in the midst of the teams,
and cattle, and horsemen. " Where are you going, aunty ?" he said to her.
She looked up into his face, with a confiding, yet beseeching glance, and
replied, " I'se gwine whar you'se gwine, massa."
The freedmen who joined the army rendered great service in cutting
down trees, constructing corduroy roads, and, in manifold ways, aided on
the mareh. The rebel cavalry under Wheeler often encountered the
cavalry of Kilpatrick, but the invariable result was the defeat and dis
persion of the rebels. General Howard's column marched down the east
side of the Oconee River, reaching Sandersville on the 26th of November.
General Slocum was about twenty miles farther north, at Sparta, threaten
ing Augusta. The inhabitants of that city were thrown into great con
sternation. The rebels hurriedly summoned all their available forces to
defend the city. Bragg came from Wilmington, as the Augusta papers
stated, with ten thousand men. Charleston sent a large detachment, and
Hampton's cavalry came plunging down from Yirginia. All the slaves
in the vicinity were impressed to work upon the fortifications, and the
entire able-bodied population of the- city were placed under arms.
Thus adroitly General Sherman, by continually concealing the real direc
tion of his march, obtained an almost unobstructed path. At first the rebels
thought that General Sherman was aiming for Mobile — then that he
would strike the Atlantic coast at Brunswick or Darien, near the extreme
southern point of South Carolina, to effect a junction with the gunboats.
But when General Sherman reached Millen, it Avas quite OAddent that he
was moving either upon Savannah or Charleston, and the foe gathered
from all directions to resist his farther advance. On the 3d of December,
quite a stern fight took place between the cavalry of Wheeler and Kilpat
rick. Wheeler was routed and pursued impetuously through Waynesboro',
and beyond Brier Creek, to within twenty miles of Augusta. On his re
treat he found time to stop long enough to send in a report that he had
signally repulsed Kilpatrick. The victorious general, while thus guarding
Shennan's rear, leisurely filled his Avagons with the abundance Avhich could
be gleaned from Burke County.
On the 4th of December, the great army, in six columns, were press
ing rapidly down toAvards Savannah, over the level country between the
Ogeechee and Savannah Rivers. There was then before them a safe and
unobstructed march of about , eighty miles. The two rivers guarded the
flanks of the army, and there Avas no foe to be encountered until they
reached Savannah. By the 8th of December the army was within twenty
miles of its goal. The Gulf Railroad ran from Savannah, in a southeasterly
direction, to the Florida frontier, intending to strike the Gulf of Mexico
at Pensacola. The rebels along this line were hurrying supplies and
reenforcements to the city. General Howard, through the agency of
General Corse, seized the road. General Corse then' pushed rapidly on
and encamped, with the advance, within sight of the city. As they drew
near the doomed metropolis, their march Avas impeded by a shameful and

PROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH, 479
cowardly mode of warfare, introduced by the rebels, and Avorthy only of
savages. Torpedoes were buried in the road and near all springs of
water, which, exploding beneath the pressure of the foot, scattered mutila
tion and death around. Many soldiers were killed in this infamous way.
General Sherman adopted the severe but just precaution of compelling
the rebel prisoners of war to go in advance, and remove these death-traps.
Not much sympathy was felt for them, as, crouching and trembling, vrith
their fingers they dug aAvay the earth and cautiously removed these infer
nal machines. The defences of Savannah were formidable. Fort McAl-
hster was in the rear of the city, on'the Ogeechee River. On the 13th of
December this fort was gallantly attacked and captured. Thus direct
communication was established between our victorious army and the fleet
of Admfral Dahlgren. And thus the gunboats could lend their powerful
aid in the attack upon the city. In the night of the 9th, General Howard
sent three trusty scouts down the river, to communicate with the gunboat
Dandelion, which was Avaiting a couple of miles beloAV the fort to receive
tidings from the army. It was a hazardous enterprise. Under cover of
darkness, in a fragile canoe, they silently floated dow.n by the fort and
safely reached the steamer. Preparations were immediately made to
storm Fort McAlUster. General Sherman, in characteristic speech, thus
described its capture : —
' I went down vrith Howard, and took a look at it, and I said to my
boys, 'Boys, I don't think there are over four hundred in that fort; but
there it is, and I think we might as well have it.' The word was hardly
spoken before the work was done. Fifteen minutes were all that was
required." The fort being taken. General Sherman and General Howard went
doAvn in a tug to the fleet, where they met Admiral Dahlgren and his
stafF. The great leader of the triumphant army, who had thus accom
plished one of the most memorable marches upon record, was received Avith
great enthusiasm. Colonel Markland, Superintendent of Mails, who had
just come from Washington with dispatches for General Sherman, said : —
"General Sherman, before learing Washington, I was directed, by
President Lincoln, to take yoa by the hand wherever I met you, and say
for him, ' God bless you and the army under your command. Since cut
ting loose from Atlanta, my prayers and those of the nation have been
for your success.' "
At half-past eleven o'clock that night. General Shei-man, on board the
DandeUon, sent the following dispatch to Washington : —
"To-day, at tive p. m.. General Hazen's Division ofthe Fifteenth Corps
carried Fort McAlUster by assault, capturing its entire garrison and stores.
This opened to us the Ossabaw Sound, and I puUed down to this gunboat to
communicate with the fleet. Before opening communication we had com
pletely destroyed aU the railroads leading into Savannah, and invested the
oity. The left is on the Savannah River, three miles above the city, and the
right is on the Ogeechee River, at King's Bridge. The army is in splendid
order, and equal to any thing. The weather has been fine and suppUes abun-
^nt. Our march was most agreeable, and we were not at all molested by

•iSO CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
guerrillas. We reached Savannah three days ago, but, owing to Fort Mc
Allister, could not communicate. Now we have McAlUster, we go ahead.
" We have afready captured two boats on the Savannah River, and
have prevented their gunboats from coming down. I estimate the popular
tion of Savannah at twenty-five thousand, and the garrison at fifteen
thousand. General Hardee commands. We have not lost a wagon on the
trip, but have gathered in a large supply of mules, negroes, horses, &c., and
our teams are in far better condition than when we started. We have
utterly destroyed over two hundred miles of railroad, and have consumed
stores and provisions that were essential to Lee's and Hood's armies.
" The quick work made with Fort McAllister, and the opening of com
munication with our fieet, and consequent independence for supplies,
dissipate all their boasted threats to head me off and starve the army. I
regard Savannah as afready gained. Tours truly,
" W. T. Sherman, Major-General"
Such was the state of affairs on the 13th of December. Hour after
hour, the patriot army pressed nearer the doomed city. By the 20th, all
the defences around Savannah were captured, and there was but one narrow
path of escape left to the trembling foe. Preparations for the assault
were nearly completed when the rebel army efi'ected its escape. The
night of the 20th was dark, and a gale of wind was blowing from the
west. Slightly covering the movement by an attack with the gunboats,
the rebels, aided by pontoon bridges, rafts, and boats, crossed the river,
and, before the dawn of the morning, were on the rapid retreat towards
Charleston. A small rear-guard blew up the iron-clads, and appUed the
torch to all the magazines of military stores. They retired in such haste,
hoAvever, that but little destruction Avas accomplished.
About midnight. General Geary became convinced that the enemy was
evacuating, and sent word to General Sherman. About three o'clock the
rebel skirmish line, which had kept up a constant fusilade on our pickets,
drew back. Our picket line advanced, and, meeting Arith no opposition,
floundering through ditches, creeping through abatis, and clambering the
parapets, found the first line deserted. General Geary's Division was then
pushed forward, and after occupying the first line they advanced to the
second, which Avas also found abandoned. General Geary then, with a small
escort, pushed on towards the city. He soon met Mayor Arnold, with a
few attendants, riding out to make the surrender. Dispatching Captain
Yeale, with four hundred men, to take possession of Fort Jackson, and
another member of his staff to inform General Slocum of the surrender,
he entered the city. At eight o'clock the enemy's works were all in our
possession. ' The population had been vastly augmented by fioods of
fugitives escaping from their country homes, before the advance of our
army, to the city, where they expected to find protection. The houses,
barns, sheds, and streets were all full.
The next day, about noon. General Sherman, accompanied by his gal
lant Aring commanders. Generals Howard and Slocum, and at the head of
his triulnphant columns, with music and banners, rode through the broadj

FROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH. 481
quiet avenues of Savannah. The majestic host took possession of the
public buildings, and their tents rose in countless numbers throughout all
the public squares. In an hour the proud commercial metropolis of
Georgia was transfoiTQed into a Tankee city, with Tankee laws control-
Ung its police, and a Tankee population crowding its pavements. The
next day the following telegram was flashed along the wires to Washing
ton: — " Savannah, Geoegia, December 22, 1864.
"His Excellency Peesidbnt Lincoln :
" I beg to present you, as a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah, with
one hundred and fifty heavy guns, and plenty of ammunition, and also
about twenty-five thousand bales of cotton.
" W. T. Sheeman, Major-General."
This memorable campaign developed, from its commencement to its
close, generalship of the highest order. In September our army held At
lanta, a city of but Uttle value to us, but of inestimable worth to the rebels.
Jeff. Daris visited Hood's army at Palmetto, and commanded it to recap
ture Atlanta at every hazard. To accomplish this, they made a desperate
attack upon our lines of communication at DaltQ,n. Gallantly they were
repelled. Generals Thomas and Schofield decoyed the baffled rebels to
FashvUle, where they utterly destroyed them. General Sherman, vrith no
foe before him whom he did not feel competent to outmanoeuvre or crush,
quietly destroyed Atlanta, tore up all the railroads which could help the
enemy, marched triumphantly into the political capital of Georgia, and
raised the Stars and Stripes over the dome of its State House. Thence,
bewildering the foe by skilful movements, and sweeping before him all
l Opposition, he captured the commercial capital, which had been so strongly
fortified as to be impregnable from the sea.
Almost as we were entering Savannah, the glorious tidings came that
Thomas and Schofield had fulfilled their mission, and had nearly annihi
lated Hood's army at Nashville, capturing all his artillery and a large
number of prisoners) and that they were driring his broken and fugitive
bands far away into the wilds of Alabama.
General Sherman's policy in governing the city was alike energetic
and humane, protecting the innocent by severely punishing the guilty.
He opened the market for the adjacent farmers, assuring them of protec
tion and fair prices. He encouraged the people to meet and discuss meas
ures respecting the restoration of the State to the National authority. All
gnerriUa riolence was doomed to prompt and severe punishment. The
colored men, vrith a degree of intelligence and dignity which surprised the
nation, in a delegation of twenty men, many of whom were preachers,
called upon. General Sherman, to confer with him respecting the wants of
the colored population. Most of these men- were free blacks, and were
worth from three thousand dollars to thirty thousand doUars each. Rev.
Garrison Frazier, a venerable man, sixty-seven years of age, was their
speaker. General Sherman received them with courtesy, and won their
confidence and gratitude by his noble appreciation of their wants and their
Vol. n.— 31

482 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
rights. He promptly issued an order, making honorable provision for
them, so that they might secure for themselves homes, and develop that
spirit of industry with which they all seemed to be inspired.
It was, indeed, a new era Avhich was dawning upon the benighted
South, where slavery had sapped the foundations of philanthropy and of
religion. The intense desire of the colored parents to educate, their chil
dren, and of the children to obtain education, seemed almost miraculous.
An " Educational Association " was formed for the colored people, under
the auspices of Rev. J. W. Alvord. Three dollars was the price of admis
sion. The funds raised were to pay teachers. The first evening seven
hundred dollars were raised. Five liundred children were divided into
ten schools of fifty scholars each. In a procession, two by two, with a
teacher at the head of each school, they marched through the street8;0f
Savannah, where, three weeks before, the proposition even to teach the
children of slaves to read Avould have consigned one to the lamp-post.
General Geary, then in command of the city, had assigned to them for
their school-house the old slave-market, a large building, three stories
high. It was a touching sight to see these children, liberated by the
sword, seated, with books in their hands, and teachers before them, upon
the same platforms where they had formerly been brutally exhibited like
cattle for sale. The fathers and mothers of these little ones gazed upon
the spectacle with wonder, vAdiile tears filled their eyes, and ejaculations of
delight and gratitude burst from their lips.
The suffering in the city, even among those whites who had formerly
been in comfortable circumstances, was dreadful. The people were
threatened Avith famine. Northern liberality immediately came to their
aid. Philadelphia, New Tork, and Boston promptly contributed ship
loads of provisions for the starving, but now conquered, enemies of the
United States. The mayor of the city, in his expression of thanks, said :
" General Geary has restored order out of chaos, and has made the people
of Savannah feel that the Northern army has not come among them to ruin
or to pillage them. Life and property have been as safe, during the Fed
eral occupation, as it ever has been under civil rule."*
It will be remembered that early in October, Iiaring been driven from
Atlanta, and failing in his attack upon Sherman's line of communication
at Dalton, Hood retired to Alabama, hoping to draw the patriot army after
him. But General Sherman was not thus to be lured from his glorious
campaign. He left Hood to be " taken care of" by General Thomas, Avho
was then near Nashville. General Thomas took very good care of him, i&
the foUovring narrative will show.
* In addition to the railroads destroyed on the maroh, Sherman says: "We also consumed
the corn and fodder in the region of country thirty miles on either side of a line from Atlanta to
Savannah, as also the sweet potatoes, cattle, hogs, sheep, and poultry, and carried away more
than ten thousand horses and mules, as well as a countless number of their slaves. I estimate
the damage done to the State of Georgia and its military resources at one hundred million dollars,
at least twenty million dollars of which was insured to our advantage, and the remainder is
simple waste and destruction. This may seem a hard species of warfare, but it brings the sad
realities of war home lo those who have been directly or indirectly instrumental in involving us
in its attendant calamities."

FROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH. 483
About the 20th of September, the rebel cavalry under Forrest crossed
the Tennessee River, near Waterloo, and threatened Athens, Alabama.
Colonel Campbell, who was defending the place with some colored troops,
Arithdrew into the fort. Before night, the town was invested, and the
' torch appUed to a large amount of military stores. The next morning the
enemy, after opening a severe fire upon the garrison from a twelve-pounder
¦¦battery, sent in a flag of truce, demanding surrender. Colonel Campbell,
deeming it impossible to repel a force so superior, surrendered his com
mand of four hundred and flfty men. He had scarcely evacuated the fort
when two regiments — the Nineteenth Michigan and the One Hundred
and Second Ohio — arrived to, reenforee him. The surrender of the garri
son proved their ruin. Though they fought heroically for a short time,
Mihey were also compeUed to yield.
'.- Forrest now moved towards Pulaski, destroying the railroad as he
advanced. Here he encountered General Rousseau. After severe skir
mishing, which continued through thg day, the rebel raiders retired. A series
of unimportant movements ensued, and for several weeks Hood encamped
his troops at Tuscumbia and Florence. He was gathering his strength for
an attack upon Nashville. Our forces at Pulaski were watching him. As
he advanced, our whole force in that region, under command of General
Schofleld, retired towards Columbia, yielding Pulaski to the foe. Quite a
sfrong patriot force was concentrated at Columbia. But the rebels came
up vrith numbers so overpowering, that, after the artillery duel of a day's
duration, our troops again fell back towards Nashville, where General
Thomas was in command. General 'Schofield, sending his pick and all his
miUtary stores in a train of one hundred cars to Nashville, fell back,
destroying the bridges behind him, to Franklin. The rebels were soon in
fuU pursuit. They were in great force, and seemed to cherish no doubt
of thefr abiUty to destroy all the troojis which could be called to oppose
them. On the 30th we occupied Franklin, eighteen miles south of NashvUle,
on the raifroad. The Big Harpeth River, with a gentle curve, protects the
toAvn on the north and east, learing only the south and Avest exposed.
, 'General Schofield was anxious to get to NashriUe, where, with a concen
tration of the Union forces, the rebels could be met on more equal
terms. It was Hood's object to crush him before he could effect this junc
tion. He consequently pressed General Schofield so closely as to force
him to a battle at Franklin. Could he succeed in overwhelming the
patriots there, NashriUe would inevitably fall into his hands. General
I'jichofield, avaUing himself as far as possible of the river, hurriedly threw
' up breastworks, while.his skirmishers held the rebels in check, and planted
his batteries in every commanding position.
Hood's legions came thundering on. He formed his line for a charge,
Stewart on the right, Cheatham on the left, Lee in reserve. He rode along
the ranks, animating his men with the assurance that victory would be
easUy attained, and that the undisputed possession of Tennessee would be
the great trophy of the battle. At four o'clock in the afternoon of the 30th
liis troops commenced their onset. As they advanced in long, dense lines,

484 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
fimr deep, there Avas opened upon them a deadly fiye of musketry and
artillery from our whole front. With defiant yells the rebels dashed for
ward. They gained our outworks, burst over them, drove back Wagner's
Division, and, pressing hotly on, amidst a tempest of shot and shell, forced
their way inside of our second line, capturing two guns.
It was a fearful crisis. The patriot General Stanley, with the brigades
of Opdyke and Conrad, met it manfully. With desperate valor they
plunged upon the enemy, and, after a bloody hand-to-hand encounter, re
took the guns and drove the rebels back. Again and again the foe surged
up against our works, only to be repelled with great slaughter. The con
fiict continued until nine o'clock at night, when, under cover of darkness,
our troops retired unmolested to NashriUe. The only object of the patriots
in this encounter was to beat back the foe, so as to secure their retreat. In
this they succeeded. The intention and expectation of the rebels was to
overwhelm and destroy the patriot army. In this they failed.
The Union troops fought behind byeastworks ; still their loss was about
two thousand five hundred. The rebels marched against these breast
works with their accustomed bravery ; their loss was not less, probably,
than six thousand. The next morning, Thursday, the 1st of December,
our troops had crossed the Harpeth Avith all tlieir trains, and had burned
the bridges behind them. Hood followed in pursuit. The patriot army
now united, and formed its line for a decisive battle, three miles south of
Nashville. For several days there were spirited skirmishes, as the troops'
on either side were taking positions. In the mean time the enemy's
cavalry were scouring the country with destructive raids.
On Friday, the 2d of December, a dismal storm swept the plains
where the two armies were preparing for battle. The enemy encircled the
city with his strong lines, and threw up intrenchmeilts across all the
avenues of approach. Our skirmishers were everywhere driven in, and a
rebel raiding party, dashing into Gallatin, captured several hundred head
of cattle. They also seized a train of cars at a station only nine miles
south from Nashville. During all the hours of the gloomy day the two
great armies were skirmishing with infantry, artillery, and cavafry. At
one point, Johnsonville, the rebels destroyed more than one million dollars
worth of Government property.
On Saturday, December 3d, there was stem fighting on the river as
well as on the land. The rebels captured tAvo boats on the Cumberland
River, but a few miles from Nashville. While they Avere carrying off their
plunder, the United States gunboat Carondelet appeared, and opened upon
the rebel battery on the shore such a tempest of shells as speedily to put
the foe to fiight, and the boats were rescued.
The city of Nashville was mostly on the southern bank of the Cumber
land River. It was protected by a chain of five large forts, heavily armed.
These forts were connected by intrenchments. The rear of the city was
protected by the river, which was traversed by our gunboats and two iron
clads. The forts and intrenchments, on commanding positions facing south,
were from one to two miles from the centre of the city, and extended from
river to river, in a sweep five miles long. General Tliomas had received

FROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH.

485

[^^^-^-^^^

reenforcements, so that he had now fifty tiionsand brave men, most of them
veterans, under his command. Hood's army was also nearly fifty thousand
^ Sfrong, but he had been drawn into a position in which he was com
pelled to fight a force behind intrenchments, fully equal to his OAvn. ^
A week passed away of heavy cannonading and incessant skirmishing,
and the annoying fire of sharpshooters. Many buUdings in the range of the
, 'hostUe batteries were entirely destroyed. On Friday, the 9th, the weather
became intensely cold, and a heavy snow-storm ¦ enveloped the contendmg
hosts. For three days the wintry cold continued with unbroken severity.
The rebel ti-oops, who were mainly encamped upon the open plain, suf
fered severely. By the 13th, General Thomas had got his army so firmly
in hand that be resolved to assume the offensive. General Hood, seeing
indications of this movement, withdrew his forces more than a mile m the
rear, and occupied stiong intrenchments upon the Granny White HUls.
¦ ' On Thursday the 15th, the patriots marched out to the assault. Gen
eral Steedman was on the left; Generals Wood and Smith were in the
' centre ; WUson's cavalry corps held the right. Genera Steedman was to
¦ :make a rigorous feint on the left, while the main attack was to be made
¦ :from our centre and right. At six o'clock in the morning our troops com-

486 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
menced their movement, under cover of a heavy fire from the forts and
advanced batteries. The enemy's skirmishers were soon driven in, and
General Steedman, who was in advance, with great gallantry charged the
main works of the enemy. It was not, however, until noon that the real
battle began. The centre and the right had then attained the positions
they desired, and they swept along upon the lines of the foe with resistless
courage. The fighting on both sides was desperate. The enemy had sup
posed that we intended to turn his right fiank, and had massed his troops
to resist the onset of Steedman's columns.
The Union cavalry swept along the banks of the Cumberland, cutting
off and capturing such of the rebels as were on the borders of the stream,
until they reached a point six miles from NashriUe. Then wheeling to
the south, they protected our extreme right. Heavy batteries foUowpd
them, ancl opened with great rigor on the main line of the enemy. About
three o'clock in the afternoon the whole Union line pressed forward, in the
face of a tremendous fire from the enemy's artillery and musketry. But
they rushed forward with enthusiasm which nothing could resist. The
artillery moved resistlessly forward with a rapid and deadly ffre. The charge
of the infantry was desperate. The cavalry dismounted, and fought on
foot. The gunboats cooperated, hurling their ponderous missiles into the
hostile ranks. Speedily sixteen guns were captured, and several battle-
flags. A thousand prisoners were taken, and a portion of the rebel line
was driven back eight miles. The loss in killed and wounded on either
side was about one thousand.
During the night both parties were busy preparing for the renewal of
the flght the next day. At eight o'clock in the morning the conflict
was opened by a tremendous roar of artillery from all the batteries. The
whole Union line moved forward at once, but so terrible was the fire
encountered from the intrenchments of the foe, that one portion of our
line Avas shattered, and fell back. Relief soon came from the right, and
the troops reorganized, rushed over the enemy's left with irresistible
enthusiasm, driving him impetuously from his intrenchments. The
enemy's right still stood firm, and from their commanding position poured in
a tremendous fire of grape and canister upon the advancing Unionists.
Again and again the patriots rushed forward to the charge, only to be
repulsed. At last, after a terrible struggle, the position Avas carried, and
the rebels retreated, abandoning the stronghold they had so long and so
desperately held. As night came and terminated the confiict, the field for
miles around was covered with the dead and the dying, and all the inde
scribable wreck of battle. The enemy, under cover of darkness, were
retreating f apidly, pursued by our troops to the Brentwood hills. The
woods, the fields, the intrenchments were strewn with the enemy's
small-arms, abandoned by them in the retreat. Two thousand prisoners
and twenty pieces of artillery feU into our hands. Thus terminated
gloriously to our arms the second day's battle of NashriUe.
The next morning, Saturday, the 17th, the pursuit was continued,
Wilson's cavalry being in the advance. It was late in the afternoon when
the foe* was overtaken, six miles beyond Franklin. Our caf afry charged

FROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH. 487
with the enthusiasm which the recent rictories had inspired. The foe wl,s
dispersed in all directions, and was only saved from destruction by the
gloom of the wintry night. Fifteen hundred of the enemy's wounded
were captured in the hospitals at Franklin. The railroad was rapidly re
paired from NashviUe to FrankUn, so that suppUes could be pushed for
ward to General Thomas in his chase. The next morning, Sunday, the
18th, the pursuit was continued, but our forces could not overtake the foe
in his rapid retreat. Many hundre.d prisoners were picked up, who from
fatigue or wounds had dropped by the way-side.
Monday morning, the 19th, dawned gloomily.. Clouds darkened the
sky, and freezing rain, with a vrintry wind, chilled and drenched the pur
suers and the pursued. The roads were miry, and the brooks were swollen
into torrents. StUl, the spirit of war could allow of no repose. Onward
rushed the fugitive rebels ; close at their heels thundered the avenging
patriots. The rebel force was virtually destroyed ; they never again could
make any stand. Hood's army was so effectuaUy overthrown that the
froops of General Thomas were soon on thefr way to join the armies of
Grant in their approach to Richmond, and to cooperate with Sherman,
then triumphantly sweeping through North Carolina. In this series of
battles we captured about six thousand prisoners and fifty pieces of artil
lery. An extraordinary number of field and line officers were found
among the prisoners.
On the fifteenth, the second day of the great battle of Nashville, the
patriot forces of General Rousseau met a rebel force under General Forrest
at Murfreesboro'. A severe engagement ensued. Forrest was defeated,
with a loss of fifteen hundred men. Thus the rebel dreams of reconquering
Tennessee were utterly dissipated. A raiding party from Vicksburg had
severed Hood's communications with Mobile, while a formidable cavalry
column from Baton Rouge were menacing his supply-trains from whatever
direction they might move. Instead of wintering amidst the abounding
harvests of Kentucky and Tennessee, Hood's army, haring lost half its
numbers, dispirited, exhausted, humiUated, was sullenly seeking refuge in
the Arilds of Alabama.
Learing General Sherman's army to enjoy a brief season of repose in the
sfreets of Savannah, let us ti^m to the terrific conflict in which General
Grant was driving the hosts of General Lee from the Rappahannock to the
James.

CHAPTEE XXXIX.
THE CAMPAIGN OP THE WILDERNESS.
(May 8, 1865, to June 20th.)
Plans op General Grant. — Battles of the Wilderness. — Desperation or the Antaoonists.
— Death oe General Wadsworth, — First Michigan Regiment. — The Carmagb op War.—
General Meade's Conge atdlato by Order, — Furious Attack on our Baggage-Teain.—
Geandeue oe the Armt. — Flank Movement op General Grant. — Attack on Pe-
teesbueg. Immediately after General Grant had been raised to the post of
Lieutenant-General, and had thus been constituted Commander-in-Chief of
aU the Armies of the United States, he held an interview with the Pres^
ident in Washington. In response to the inquiry, " What is next to be_
done ?" it is said that he replied, " Destroy Lee's army, and take Richmond."
General Lee was then strongly intrenched with a veteran army, one
hundred thousand strong, upon the southern banks of the Upper Rapidan.
He was here very formidably posted in a series of earthworks, which his
whole army, under the guidance of the most able engineers, had been
many months constructing. The plan adopted by General Grant was wide-
reaching, and one which called for the most prompt and energetic action.
General Sigel, with a small but effective army of observation, was placed
in the Yalley of the Shenandoah, that the rebels might not be able to make
a rush upon Washington through that oft-frequented route. General
Butler, vrith nearly thirty thousand troops, including ten thousand colored
soldiers, was to make a show of advancing upon Richmond, by aid of
transports, up the Tork River, and across to the Chickahominy. Having
by this feint diverted the attention of the rebels, he was suddenly to
descend the Tork, and ascend the James to City Point, and thus menace
Richmond with an attack from the south.
Should the rebels in Richmond send a large force to the aid of General
Lee, General Butler was to march impetuously upon the capital. Should
they, on the other hand, endeavor to concentrate a large force south of the
James to crush Butler, he was then to intrench himself, and await the
approach of General Meade's army, which was then on the north side of
the Rapidan. General Grant was to establish his head-quarters with Meades'
army facing Lee. General Sherman, in Georgia, was to push the campaign,
he was so heroically conducting, with all rigor, that the rebels there might
not be able to send any reenforcements to the aid of thefr beleaguered
confederates in Richmond. Meade's army, which was over a hundred
thousand strong, was to march upon Richmond, either driving Lee before

. THE CAMPAIGN OF "THE WILDERNESS. 489
them in dfrect vigorous assault, or dragging film after them, as by flank
movements they menaced his rear. General Burnside was, in the mean
time, accumulating a cooperating force at Annapolis, to advance by
Acquia Creek, and unite with General Meade. Profound secrecy envel
oped the plan, until it was developed in energetic action.
On Tuesday, May 3, 1864, at midnight, General Grant secretly crossed
the Rapidan by fords and pontoon bridges, a few miles below the iatrench-
ments of the rebels. His passage was not opposed. Energetically the pa
triot army pressed forward in its flank movement, to gain the rear of the
foe. The rebels, under their able leader. General Lee, rushed from their
ramparts, and endeavored to break through and crush General Grant on
his Une of march. It was a day of terrific battle. On the two sides, six
thousand were struck down by death or wounds. The rebels were beaten
back. During the night both parties prepared to renew the conflict. Scarcely
had the sun of the next day risen, ere the roar of battle again ran along
the Unes. The billows of war rolled to and fro, through the ravines, and
the jungles, and the massive forest, and the dead and dying were strewed
around like autumnal leaves. Night closed the scene, and the rebels were
again baffled.
At night the army was posted along a line six or eight miles in length.
The Second Corps camped at the old battle-ground at Chancellorsville.
The Fifth, under General Warren, was- at the Wilderness Tavern, and
the Sixth, under General SedgArick, at Germania Ford, where Lieutenant-
General Grant and General Meade estabhshed their head-quarters.
On Thursday morning, before the dawn of day, the reveille summoned
the troops to resume thefr march. They moved in three columns, by roads
tending to the south. General Warren was on the right. General Han
cock occupied the centre, and General Sheridan, vrith his cavalry, covered
the extreme left. The army had not proceeded far before there were indi
cations that the enemy was advancing directly from the west, in great
force, to faU upon the centre of our line and break through it. General
Grant selected some rolling ridges, posted his troops, threw up some hasty
i'feeastworks, and awaited the onset. The line of battle thus formed ex
tended nearly five miles, running northwest and southeast. General
SedgArick held the right. General Warren the centre, and General Hancoclt
* the left. They were in the midst of the Wilderness, and the ground was
covered with a dense growth of pines and dwarf oaks, with such an im
penetrable entanglement of undergrowth, as to render operations with
cavalry or artUlery almost impossible. About noon the battle commenced,
by an attack upon a portion of our line which had been sent forward a
mUe in advance to flnd the foe. The patriot troops, attacked by superior
numbers, were compelled to fall back with the loss of two pieces of
artillery. The retreating troops were soon met by reenforcements, and,
after a sharp battle, the enemy wererinduced to move off to attack us
at some other point.
It was manifestly the object of General Lee to fall, vrith all possible
'desperation, upon our army while on the march, and, breaking through the

490 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
line thus exposed, to destroy the army before it could concentrate its
strength upon any field of battle. .A.bout three o'clock in the after^
noon, the enemy again, in great force, emerged from the forest, and made
a desperate attack upon our left centre. The contest was stubborn and
bloody. Artillery could not be used. But there was a hail of musketry
almost unsurpassed in the annals of Avar. The rebels fought with desper
ation. The patriots, taken at disadvantage, and conscious that the loss of
the battle might prove the ruin of the campaign, maintained their ground,
regardless of wounds and death. Hancock, Birney, Barlow, Gibbons,
Hays, Wadsworth, Robinson, the noble commanders of men Avorthy of
their command, rolled back the surges of the rebel flood hour after hour,
until far into the night. It was a sublime spectacle in that forest, when
the gloom of night enveloped it, to witness the flash of scores of thousands
of guns, as invisible combatants hurled the leaden storm against each
other. The volleys were so regular and incessant, that they echoed through
the Wilderness like pealing thunder. The line aloUg which the battle
raged was not more than half a mile in length. The rebels, in a column
twenty thousand strong, had hurled themselves with almost superhuman
ferocity upon our thin line of march.
General Alexander Hays, who, with General Birney, was bearing the
brunt of this tremendous onset, sent back an imploring cry for reenforce
ments. Hancock replied, " I will send him a brigade in twenty minutes.
Tell him to hold his ground. He can do it. I know him to be a power
ful man." As fresh troops were poured in, hundreds of wounded, bleeding
men were staggering back, to get beyond the reach of the deadly fire.
Stretchers were passing in all directions with thefr ghastly burdens. The
stretchers went back for fresh rictims, laden with boxes of cartridges to
supply the failing ammunition. The result of the battle was a splendid
repulse of the rebels. They felt sure of being able to break through our
line, which that night extended about six miles. But they were com
pletely and bloodily foiled. The loss on both sides was heavy. That of
the rebels is not known, for their bulletins Avere seldom entitled to any
credit. According to their reports, almost every battle was a rebel victory,
in which the " cowardly Tankees " were repulsed with fearful slaughter.
The unintelligent, semi-barbarian people of the South were easily deluded
by such fables. Our own loss, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, was
between two and three thousand. The respective losses were probably
equal. During the day. General Burnside, with his force of about thirty
thousand, advancing from Alexandria, joined General Meade's army.
Friday morning. May 6th, dawned brightly. Cloudless skies sublimely
curtained the luxuriant forest. Flowers bloomed everywhere in vrild
profusion. Bird-songs filled the air. And beneath those sunny skies, and
surrounded by the bloom and the melody of May, one hundred thousand
rebels again emerged from their lairs in another deadly onset. During aU
of Thursday night both parties had been preparing for the renewal of the
struggle. Before five o'clock, the rebels, in great force, commenced their attack
iipou General Sedgvrick. Rapidly the roar and the carnage of battle

THE CAMPAIGN OF THE WILDERNESS. 491
spread. Assault after assault was made by the rebels, now upon this
point, now upon that. Though the fortunes of battle were variable the
Stars and the Stripes gradually gained ground upon the infuriated foe.
General Hancock drove a portion of the rebels more than two miles before
Mm, taking many prisoners. The lines swayed to and fro in the terrific
fight, and the entangling thickets were filled with the wounded and dead.
In one of the fierce assaults, Rrigadier-General Wadsworth, of New Tork,
was struck by a bullet in the head and fell senseless, mortally wounded.
America has maiyr noble names to inscribe upon her roll of honor. But
there is no one deserving a higher position than that of James S. Wads
worth. His princely fortune, his rich mental culture, his courage whicii
knew not fear, his high-toned character as a gentleman, and all the endear
ments of the sweetest domestic relations, he cheerfully laid upon the altar
of his country's service. It is hardly too much to say that a wail of grief
burst from our whole land, when the tidings went forth that he was dead ;
and more intense execrations glowed in the bosoms of all patriots in view
of that accursed rebellion which was thus robbing our country of her
noblest sons. At night. General Hancock, against whose division the
most impetuous assaults of the enemy had been made, held the position he
had occupied in the morning. The rebels had again been foiled, and they
had received terrific blows in exchange for the terrific blows which they
had given.
Throughout the day, the battle had been a series of impetuous assaults
by the rebels and by the patriots. At times our peril was imminent. The
rebels were perfectly famiUar with the country. The dense forest was
pecuUarly favorable for the massing of their forces in perfect concealment.
It was not possible to bring artillery into action to check their onset. The
Sixth Corps at one time came near being overwhelmed. Generals Sedg
wick and Wright made truly sublime displays of energy and of valor.
The carnage on both sides was dreadful. The patriot loss, in the two days'
battle, in kiUed, wounded, and missing, was estimated at fifteen thousand.
The rebel loss could not have been less. The battle closed on a disputed
field. Both parties claimed the victory ; for each could state with truth
that he " had repelled the fierce attack of the enemy."
But neither army had gained any special advantage. Both had fought
with desperation never surpassed on any field of blood. The rebels had
been thwarted in all their plans to break our lines. We had been bloodily
driven back from every endeavor to put their solid masses to rout. As
night came, calm, peaceful, sUent, with its twinkUng stars, fi'om whence
perhaps angel bands looked sadly upon the demoniac scene, the exhausted
hosts threw themselves down, side by side, each sullenly and determinedly
holding the ground upon which he had fought during the day. The
narrow intervening space was crowded with the dead and the dying of
, , both combatants. The rebels, apparently, this day expended aU their
1 1,, Bfrength upon but a portion of our army, and at night, in discouragement
and exhaustion, withdrew from the conflict, conscious that they had gained
no decisive results.
Having exerted themselves to the utmost on Friday, and having been

492 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
thwarted in aU their plans, it was difficult to decide, at night, whether
they would renew the attack on the next day or retire. The patriot army
awoke on Saturday morning. May 7th, exultant over the discomfiture of
the foe, and eager to resume the conflict. During the night our Unes had
been strengthened, and batteries had been planted to protect important
points. After a series of brisk skirmishes in jungles where whole armies
could hide, it was discovered, about noon, that General Lee was retreating,
with his main force, towards Spottsylvania Court-House. The pursuit was
immediately commenced and vigorously prosecuted. .A.S the two a;rmie8
were moving in nearly parallel lines, the march became in reality a race,
each eager to gain first the commanding strategic position at Spottsylvania.
The rebels, having the advance, gained the point. Again and again during
the march there were brief and sanguinary struggles, resulting invariably
in the continued retreat of the foe. The battle, the flight, the pursuit,
were prosecuted late into the hours of Saturday night.
We were now out of the woods. The three days' battle of the Wilder
ness, appropriately so called, was closed as the blood-red sun of Saturday
night sank behind the dense forests of the Rapidan. Probably never be
fore was there a battle of such magnitude fought amidst the thickets of
wild and tangled woods. An eye-witness writes : —
" There is something horrible, yet fascinating, in the mystery shrouding
this strangest of battles ever fought— a battle which no man could see, and
whose progress could only be followed by the ear. It is, beyond a doubt,
the first time in the history of war that two great armies have met, each
with at least tAvo hundred and fifty pieces of artillery, and yet placed ui
such circumstances as to make this vast enginery totally useless. The
combat lasted three days ; but it might have been prolonged a fortnight
longer, and still left the issue undecided."
We can hardly claim a victory in this conflict. Still, the rebels were
foiled in their purpose, were compelled to retreat, and were rigorously
pursued. None can therefore deny that the result was a substantial ad
vantage to our arms. The rebels expended their utmost strength in this
battle, and fought Avith desperation. They, with their accustomed tactics,
brought forth every disposable man, and their line of battle at times ex
tended along our whole front, overlapping both of our wings.
By the daAvn of the Sabbath morning, our troojiS, having marched flf
teen miles, were drawn up in battle-array two and a half miles north of
Spottsylvania Court-FIouse. The rebels again stood at bay, presenting a
defiant and formidable front. General Grant immediately resumed his
onset, with his accustomed vehemence, upon the foe. Through all the
hours of the sacred day there was scarcely any cessation of the roar of
battle. On both sides the fighting was desperate. The First Michigan
Regiment, which numbered but one hundred men, having been frightfally
cut up in the three days' battle of the Wilderness, were caught in a trap,
where they lost three-fourths of their number in fifteen minutes. Twen
ty-five only escaped. General Robinson, who had exhibited great ability
and valor, was severely wounded. Gradually the patriot troops crowded
the rebels along, taking the first line of breastworks and capturing a large

THE CAMPAIGN OF THB WILDERNESS. 493
number of prisoners. Our loss, however, was severe, counting up fifteen
hundred. But we sent back through our lines twenty-five hundred rebel
prisoners. Monday morning came. Both parties were thoroughly exhausted. Still,
General Grant, with his indomitable energy, harassed the foe with inces
sant cannonading and skirmishing. But the day brought mourning to our
land. Brigadier-General John SedgAvick 'was struck down in instant
death by the bullet of a sharpshooter. He was standing directing the
placing of some pieces of artillery, when a ball passed directly through
his head, killing him instantly. Hardly another man could be found
whose death could create a greater vacancy in the army. His ingenuous
ness, simplicity, and geniality won all hearts. His imperturbable bravery
and commanding ability as a general secured for him universal respect
and admiration. His soldiers loved him, and were ready to fbUow " Uncle
John " wherever he might lead.
During the whole of Monday, though there was no general engage
ment, the roar of battle was almost incessantly heard from some portion
ofthe vridely extended field. On both sides there were impetuous charges
and fierce repulses, and, when night came, neither army had materially
changed its position.
Tuesday, the 10th of May, daAvned upon the belligerent armies, intro
ducing a day of blood and woe such as even this sin-stricken world has
seldom Aritnessed. The antagonistic forces occupied essentially the same
positions as on the preceding day. The rebels still occupied Spottsylva
nia Court-House. The patriot army faced them in a line, crescent in form,
crossing the Po, and extending about six miles. The rebel position was
protected along his centre by forest and underbrush, and at other points
by breastworks hastily thrown up. It was manifestly the design of the
rebel General Lee to wear out the Union army by a series of engagements
which he would wage from behind his intrenchments, to withdraw gradu
ally upon Richmond, and then, in cooperation with the forces there, to fall
Avith annihilating power upon General Butler. As the patriot troops were
steadily pressing the rebels southward, the shrewd leader of the foe was
greatly favored in his plans by the broken country and the tangled chap-
paral through which he was moving. Until to-day the battles had been
almost entirely confined to musketry. Now, for the first time in the cam
paign, our artiUery Avas brought into full use, and a terrific cannonade AA'as
opened against the rebel lines. The roar of artUlery was almost as fierce,
incessant, and deafening as at Gettysburg. The battle continued from
morning untU night, and darkness alone closed the sanguinary scene.
The awfiU drama, which had commenced with active skirmishing, ad
vanced to a general engagement as the hours wore on, and waxed hotter
and hotter until it culminated in a series of desperate charges. Thus the
battle surged, all undecisive, until late in the afternoon. Preparations were
then made for a united assault by nearly the whole patriot line, at half-past
six o'clock. A general order, in the mean time, had been read to the
troops, announcing the great success of General Sherman in Georgia, and
General Butler on the James River. These glad tidings roused the army

494 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
to the vrildest excitement and enthusiasm. In preparation for the grand
charge. General Grant and his staff, Generals Meade, Hancock, and War
ren, were stationed on eminences within sight of each other. The vast
columns of the army rapidly gathered for the terrific struggle. The simul
taneous roar of twelve signal-guns put the whole mass in motion. With
exultant cheers, echoed back by defiant rebel yells, the whole front ad
vanced, sweeping resistlessly on, against a murderous fire from the foe.
The rebels were driven from their position, and sullenly retired, under
cover of the darkness, with the loss of two thousand prisoners. Thus ter
minated the sixth day of this protracted conflict, to which history can pre
sent no parallel. The loss in killed, wounded, and missing was probably
about equal, each side not losing less than ten thousand men.
On Wednesday, the llth, there was active skirmishing all day, but no
general engagement. The rebels endeavored to throw up additional
earthworks, which the patriots strove; to prevent by shelling their lines.
Humanity required that the numerous Avounded should be cared for. The
hospitals presented a fearful spectacle of misery. Long trains of ambu
lances, dripping with thefr gory burdens, were continually arriving at the
designated spots for field hospitals. Some of the sufferers were pale and
silent, the life-blood nearly exhausted ; some were mutilated with the most
frightful wounds ; prayers, sighs, groans were heard on all sides. The
surgeons, blood-stained to the elbows, were busy with knife and probe.
Piles of arms, legs, hands, feet, and fingers covered the ground. The
•utmost possible care was taken of the wounded. The dead were reverently
buried. The chaplains were indefatigable in their humane and consoling
labors, and carefully preserved to be returned to friends every thing which
could be treasured as mementoes of the dead.
A tempest of thunder, lightning, and drenching rain swept the camp on
Wednesday night. Taking advantage of the darkness and the storm.
General Hancock, unobserved by the rebels, changed his position, and at
four o'clock in the morning made a rush upon one of the divisions of the
foe. He took them completely by surprise, and captured nearly seven
thousand prisoners, with thirty-two cannon. Within an hour after General
Hancock had put his columns in motion, he sent the following dispatch to
headquarters : —
" I have captured from thirty to forty guns. I have finished up John
ston, and am now going into Earl3^"
The first line of rifle-pits having been carried, the second was stormed,
and followed by the commingling roar of the heaviest cannonade. The
whole line swept forward to the support of the Second Corps. Burnside
came in on the left and Warren on the right. The enemy ralUed, and
charged Avith their accustomed impetuosity. Hour after honr the pitiless
storm of battle drenched the soil with blood. Again and again the rebel
columns dashed against our lines, and were hurled back mangled and bleed
ing. The combatants were reminded of Gettysburg by the tremendous
roar of artillery, which, with deafening peal, reverberated on the hills.
All through the morning and noontide and afternoon the carnage con
tinued with varying success. The valor was equal on either side. The

BATTLE OP THE AVILDERNESS.

496 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
impetuosity of the charge was met by a corresponding stubbornness of
repulse. Every inch of the soil, often miry with blood, Avas fought over
with desperation. Bayonets were often interlocked, and patriot and rebel
grappled together in death-throes. There were actual heaps of the dead
in spots where the fight was fiercest.
-A.fter fourteen hours of ferocity of fighting unsurpassed in the history
of the war, night separated the combatants. But the patriots had won the
day. On the left. General Burnside had driven the enemy before him.
General Hancock, on the same part of the field, had taken by storm an
angle of the enemy's works, which he had firmly held, notwithstanding
the most frantic efforts of the rebels to repossess it. The loss of either
army Avas fearful, and equal. Not less than twenty thousand men on both
sides, in killed and wounded, were stricken down by that tempest of hu
man passion. From twenty thousand distant homes a wail of grief went
up to the ear of God.
By this struggle the Union Unes were pushed forward a mile directly
through the left centre of the foe. The rebels made five desperate attacks
to drive the patriots back, but all were in vain. The exhausted hosts slept
upon their arms. Two or three times during the night the struggle was
resumed, as the rebels endeavored to gain some guns which they had lost,
but which, being covered by the rifies of their sharpshooters, the patriots
have not been able to draw from the field.
With the earUest dawn of the morning of Friday, 13th, skirmishers
were pushed out from the Union lines, ready for a fresh attack. But the
enemy had fallen back, to take a new position of defence. Our troops took
possession of the abandoned ground, much of which was densely wooded,
and from which the foe had retired with such precipitation as to leave
their dead unburied, the ghastly monuments of their defeat. The day
was rainy, and a gloomy storm wailed through the tree-tops. A few hours
of rain so softens the spongy soil of Yirginia that the passage of heavy
wagons immediately cuts up the roads into quagmires. The day was spent
by the rebels in occupying and fortifying their new position. The patriots
were employed in cautiously searching for the retiring foe, and in occar
sional skirmishes with their rear-guard. The forces of the rebels had been
so much diminished by these sanguinary battles, that they found it neces
sary very materially to contract their lines of defence. In the main, Fri
day was a day of rest to the patriot army, during which the wearied sol
diers found a little of that repose which they so greatly needed. A portion
of the troops were, however, busy all the day, some in reconnoitring, and
others engaged in the sad office of burying the dead. In the afternoon,
General Meade issued a congratulatory order to his heroic band, in which
he said : —
" For eight days and nights, almost without intermission, in rain and
sunshine, you have been gallantly fighting a desperate foe, in positions nat
urally strong, and rendered doubly so by intrenchments. You have com
pelled him to abandon his fortifications on the Rapidan, to retire, and
attempt to stop your onward progress ; and now he has abandoned the last
intrenchQd position, so tenaciously held, suffering in all a loss of eighteen

jjH THE CAMPAIGN OF THE WILDERNESS. 497
guns, twenty-two colors, and eight thousand orisoners, including tAvo gen
eral officers."
About nine o'clock at night, the two right corps of the patriot army
were put in motion, and through the darkness and the mud and the piti
less storm they toiled slowly and painfully along, until the dawn of the
morning, to gain a new position. In the morning they were strongly
posted on the crests of some rolUng ridges running northwest and south
east, and commanding the southerly bank of the Ny River. The roads
were so bad that this movement could not be effected before the Ught
revealed it. The rigilant enemy was immediately on the move. Gen-
. . 1 1 erals Grant and Meade established their head-quarters at the Gail House, '
about two miles northeast from Spottsylvania Court-House, and near the
centre of the new line of battle. The line of skfrmishers was about a
mile ia front. From some heights which we occupied, a view could be
obtained of a portion of the town of Spottsylvania, and of the enemy's
camp. During the day there were slight skirmishings of cavalry and
the occasional boom of hostile cannon. But each party was now too
sfrongly posted for the other to venture hastily upon an attack. Both
armies for a time laid aside the bayonet and vigorously plied the spade.
The Sabbath came. It was the twelfth day of the campaign. Both
i I parties watched each other with rigilant and anxious eyes. Reconnois-
:\i\ sauces were made, positions strengthened, and measures adopted to resist
aU possible approaches. The pickets exchanged •% few shots, and here and
there, on both sides, the dense woods were shelled to drive out any lurking
foe. In the afternoon there was quite a sharp confiict between Birney's
Dirision and a strong force of the enemy. The rebels were repulsed with
' I loss. Thus passed the Sabbath.
' '' [ Monday came. General Grant sent a dispatch to Washington, stating
; ; ; I that the condition of the roads rendered any immediate movement imprac-
I 1 1 1 ticable, but that his rictorious army was in the best of spirits and sanguine
of ultimate success. A fresh breeze and a warm sun, during Monday and
Tuesday, rapidly dried the roads, and reconnoitring parties were sent out
to examine the position of the foe. These two days of comparative rest
sfrengthened and refreshed the army. Ample supplies were brought up,
and on Wednesday these indefatigable troops, under their indomitable
• ; \ l leader, were again on the move. It had been General Grant's constant
i s 1 1 endeavor to avoid a direct attack upon the enemy's breastworks, and by a
' ' flank march to compel him to evacuate his strong positions. He had no
ipj- fear that the enemy would sUp by him and rush upon Washington ; for in
' ¦ ' that case, while the intrenchments at Washington held the foe at bay, the
Union army would sever his connection with Richmond, fall upon his rear,
and overwhelm him vrith ruin. This flanking operation had, however,
now been so often repeated, always moring by the enemy's right, that
Greneral Grant decided to surprise the foe by a sudden and rigorous attack
npon his left, which had been graduaUy weakened.
• On Tuesday night, unde»- the 'curtain of da,rkness, there was a rapid
iflovement of troops and batteries in preparation for this assault. The
new line was formed before morning, running from right to left. It
Vol. il— 32

n

498 civil war in America.
was composed of the dirisions of Wright, Hancock, Burnside, and War
ren. With the fij-st Ught, the cannonading commenced. The enemy's
skfrmishers were driven impetuously back, and the roar of a pitched battle
again reverberated over the hills. One Une of rifle-pits was taken, and
then another. As the patriot troops, Arith cheers, were pressing along
their rictorious way, they came upon a broad, dense, and apparently im
pregnable abatis, behind which a long line of unerring riflemen lay con
cealed ; and in their rear was stationed a frowning array of batteries. The
advance was sure to bring horrible slaughter, with but the faintest pros
pect of a successful charge. The troops were, therefore, withdravra.
Though under a destructive fire, they retired in perfect order.
By eleven o'clock in the morning the assault was abandoned. It was
found that the rebels were so strongly intrenched behind earthworks, cur
tained with impenetrable abatis, that they could not be dislodged without
severe expense of Ufe. Our loss in the short engagement, in killed and
wounded, amounted to twelve hundred. For the remainder of the day
both armies remained in comparative quiet, anxiously watching each other.
General Grant, having felt of the enemy, and having ascertained his
position and strength, dispatched during the night a cavalry force, under
General Torbert, to Guinea's Station, on the Richmond and Fredericks
burg Railroad, ten miles southeast of Spottsylvania. This gave us a posi
tion in the rear of the rebels, and enabled us to destroy much rebel prop
erty upon the railroad. » On Thursday a portion of our troops moved in
the same direction. But most of the day was employed in receiving re
enforcements and supply-trains from BeUe Plain. The two hostile lines
were within artillery range of each other, but no gun was flred. Indeed,
the skfrmishers of the two parties, who had recently been engaged in such
deadly battle, indulged in the friendly exchange of jokes, and in gifts of
tobacco and coffee.
In the afternoon a strong dirision of the rebels, under Ewell, crept
through the dense forest, and, with all the desperation of hungry men, rushed
upon our baggage-train, which was flUng along from Fredericksburg, in
the rear of our right flank. They were met with bravery equal — it could
not be superior — to their oAvn. General Tyler's Division of heavy artiUery,
armed as infantry, opened tremendously upon them. The enemy was thus
retarded in his advance until Colonel Tannatt's Brigade came, when they
were effectually brought to a halt. Soon the Kitchings Brigade, with
other portions of Tyler's Dirision, came thundering upon the audacious
reb'els, who were driven pell-mell back into their forests. The engagement
was short, but exceedingly sharp. Our own loss in kUled and wounded
was twelve hundred. That of the enemy was probably not less.
The hungry rebels, at flve o'clock p. m., made another attempt upon our
baggage-train. But they were speedily driven back. In the meantime,
General Lee, finding himself in danger of being outflanked, was secretly
pushing his army on the retreat. For the remainder of the afternoon and
night our trains were very rigilantly "watched. About three o'clock on
Friday morning our troops silently but rapidly plimged into the forest, fell
^impetu(?usly upon the rear of the enemy's retreating column, and cut off

THE CAMPAIGN OF* THE WILDERNESS. 499
four hundred prisoners. The rebels fled across the Ny to their intrenched
camp, leaving a path of tAvo miles in length behind them covered vrith their
wounded and their dead. Friday passed without any conflict. Both armies
were on the move, yet neithei* knew precisely what the other was doing.
But the patriot army was now commencing, with rigor, another flank
movement towards Richmond. During Friday night. General Torbert's
Dirision of cavalry, pushing the enemy before them, advanced to Bowling
Green, fifteen miles southeast of Spottsylvania. They were followed, on
the same road, by the Second Corps, which, after a toilsome march of
twenty-two mUes, reached the same point Saturday evening. It was one
of the most lovely days of May. The roads were perfect, the skies blue,
the afr. invigorating. The landscape, diversified with hills and vales and
running streams, was luxuriant and blooming, while bird-songs and fra
grance fioated upon the breeze.
During the Sabbath, our army, on the resolute advance, learing the
main -body of the enemy several miles north and west of them, and easily
sweeping away the slight opposition they encountered, advanced a mile
beyond Milford bridge, whieh crosses the Mattapony River. They were
now vrithin less than forty miles of Richmond. This forward march of
the whole army was conducted in magnificent style. It was a bold
and hazardous move. But fortune, which so often favors the brave,
crowned it vrith success. Had the enemy known of our exposure, he
might, by "a flank attack, have caused us terrible loss. But General Grant
was probably aware that the affrighted enemy, rushing southward by roads
nearly parallel, and seeking the protection of new ramparts, was in no
mood to tarry for a fiight. Indeed, it soon became manifest that General
Lee was pushing vrith aU rigor for the intrenchments of Richmond.
Eariy on Monday morning. May 23, the patriot army resumed its
march, and before night reached the North Anna River, near a place called
Jericho Mills. The rebels were found at that point, strongly posted,
ready to dispute the passage. General Hancock, who led the advance,
opened his batteries upon the rebel works, whUe, at the same time, his
troops gallantly charged the foe. There was another short, fiery battle.
As usual, the patriots were the rictors. The rebels were driven from their
intrenchments and across the stream. The victors closely foUowed them.
Before dark our army was astride the North Anna. Tuesday the army
crossed to the southern shore. Then advancing southerly, they moved to
the Virginia Central Railroad, which is only two miles from Jericho Ford.
The army crossed at several points, and though the enemy made consider-
.able resistance, they were speedily swept from their works. The current
of the stream was swift, and the banks precipitous, especially upon the
i .Bouthem side, where they were fringed with woods and underbrush. There
•was a loss of about a thousand men in crossing this stream, the loss ofthe
enemy being equally great.
On Wednesday morning, the 25th, the whole army was in good position
oCthe south side of the North Anna. A new base of suppUes was estab
lished at Port Royal, on the Rappahannock, about thirty mUes below
Fredericksburg. Our line now extended four miles from the North Anna,

500 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
facing west. The rebels were on a parallel Une, a few miles west of us,
strongly intrenched, with their right protected by the river, and their left
by a morass. A reconnoissance showed that their works could not be
carried without great slaughter. General Grant, therefore, resolved to dis
lodge the enemy by another of those flank movements which he had afready
twice so successfully accomplished.
Under cover of a strong demonstration against the foe, on Thursday
evening, the 26th, he recrossed the North Anna, and marched rapidly down
its northern bank towards the Pamunkey. General Hancock protected the
rear of the line of march, while a numerous body of skirmishers prevented
the foe from gaining any knowledge of the movement. These soldiets, of
tfreless energy, under their iron commander, pressed along all Thursday
night, and at nine o'clock Friday morning took possession of Hanover
Ferry, on the Pamunkey River, having marched a distance of over twenty
miles. They were now but sixteen miles fi'om Richmond. The White
House on the Pamunkey was made the new base of supplies. This depot,
but sixteen miles distant, was accessible by transports and gunboats as
cending the Tork River, entirely beyond the reach of any annoyance from
the rebels. The ability displayed by General Grant in this series of flank
movements, by which he deprived the rebels of all aid from their elabo
rately constructed intrenchments, and the corresponding change of his base
of supplies, by which he rendered his lines of communication perfectly
secure, developed ,military ability of the highest order. The country began
to feel that at last we had found a general worthy to lead our armies.
The troops had not taken their new position at Hanovertown before trans
ports laden with suppUes were afready on the way towards the new base
of supplies at the White House.
All day on Friday, May 27th, the army was still in motion, advancing
towards Richmond, taking commanding positions, and bringing up the
rear. By Saturday morning the patriot troops were in secure possession
of the ground they occupied. They had travelled twenty-five miles since
Thursday night. General Grant seemed to have command of the rebel
troops as well as of his own ; for they were compelled, at his bidding, to
abandon their intrenchments, and to move in accordance vrith his move
ments. General Lee had hurried along, and had endeavored to obstruct
thefr path, by throwing himself across their line of march at Hanover
Court-House. General Grant's rule seemed to be to march all night and fight all day,
Saturday, the troops were pushed forward to find the enemy. He was soon
found, and, for a few hours, there was a hot conffict of infantry, artiUery,
and cavalry, in which the rebels were driven from the field, leaving many
of their dead and wounded in our hands. The reader is not to suppose
that in these movements the army advanced in a concentrated mass. Their
lines, pressing forward by different roads, spread ¦ over a vast extent of
country, often ten or fifteen miles in vridth ; indeed, the baggage-trainvof
the Army of the Potomac would fill a single road sixty miles in length.
On Sunday, the 29th, tli6 whole army, Arith all its baggage, was across
the Pariiunkey, moring cautiously towards the southwest, anticipating an

THE CAMPAIGN OF TIIE WILDERNESS. 501
attack from General Lee. No general attack was made, though through
out the day there was almost an incessant series of skfrmishes, and both
armies prepared themselves for a general battle. About noon, the rebels
in attempting to get into the rear of our army, brought on a brisk engage
ment, in which the enemy was driven back with loss. General Hancock
dashed upon the enemy's skfrmish line and captured their rifle-pits.
Annoyed by this discomfiture, the rebels made a desperate midnight
assault, hoping to dislodge the patriots. They were, however, repulsed,
after a severe conflict, and several hundi'ed prisoners were left in our
hands. On Tuesday our AA'hole line made an advance, crowding the enemy,
and challenging him to battle. The rebel papers began now to confess
that General Grant, whom hitherto they had affected to despise, had
manifested some mUitary ability. Indeed, any man acquainted with the
annals of war, must pronounce this campaign of General Grant one of the
most wonderfiU on record.
On Wednesday morning, June 1st, the enemy seemed to have resolved
to drive the patriots out from Cold Harbor, while General Sheridan was
ordered to hold the position at all hazards. Some desperate fighting
ensued, in which the enemy was completely repulsed by Sheridan's
dismounted cavafry, fighting vrith carbines. Fighting and marching
were going on aU day. The Sixth and Eighteenth Corps, after an ex-
fremely severe march of twenty-five miles, formed briskly in line of
battle, apparently as ready to meet the foe as if they had just come from
a warm breakfast after refreshing sleep. The Eighteenth Corps, under
General Smith, found itself facing a strong body of the rebels posted in a
pine grove. In front there was a ploughed field, over half a mile wide.
Devens's Brigade, and Ricketts's of the Sixth, rushed across this open field
on a full run, exposed to a murderous fire, swept resistlessly over the rebel
intrenchments, capturing thefr first line of rifie-pits and six hundred
prisoners. In this heroic charge, Drake's Brigade, which was in the
advance, was sadly cut up. During the night the rebels made desperate
attempts to regain their lost position, but in every assault were repelled.
In this conflict we lost two thousand. As the rebels fought from behind
mtrenchments, thefr loss was probably very much less. Our line now
extended in a direction nearly northwest and southeast, from Bethesda
Church to Cold Harbor. This latter place, like many of our Southern
toAvns or villages as seen upon the maps, is nothing but an old tavern at
the junction of two roads. Bethesda Church, at the other extremity of
the line, eight miles distant, was also a dilapidated bam-like structure,
standing alone. All along this line, at intervals during the day, there
was desperate fighting. As the enemy made many charges, their loss
could not have been less than our oaati, which was about one thousand.
On the whole, the result of the day's fighting was in favor of the Union
army. It secured its position at Cold Harbor, which commanded the
divergent roads.
On Wednesday night, and through floods of rain on Thursday, prep
arations were made for a general assault upon the rebel lines. Large
hodies of troops were massed at important points. There were several

502 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
minor battles throughout the day, as the patriots fought thefr way to the
positions they vrished to assume. On Friday morning our compact line
extended from Tolapotomoy Creek, through Cold Harbor, to the Chicka
hominy. Every thing being arranged for the grand assault, at four
o'clock in the morning the skirmishers moved forward, and a terriflc fire
almost instantaneously burst forth from each of the hostile Unes. At
various points our troops made impetuous charges. The gallantry of the
divisions of Gibbon and Barlow was never surpassed. In the face of shot
and shell, which came almost as thick as a blinding snow-storm, they
swept up a broad acclivity, drove the rebels under Breckinridge from the
commanding summit, and bleeding, and almost breathless, with loud and
exultant cheers, planted the Stars and Stripes. But scarcely had its folds
been opened to the breeze, when enfilading batteries swept them with a
murderous fire, and a second line of the rebels was hurled upon their deci
mated and exhausted ranks. Thus assailed in flank and rear, .they were
compelled to withdraw. They took, however, with them a secession flag
and three hundred prisoners. Heroically they retired but a few paces,
when they threw up some hurried intrenchments, and maintained a posi
tion for the rest of the day within flfty yards of the rebel ramparts.
All day long the unintermitted roar of battle was continued. Clouds
of cavalry swept the plains. Squadrons of artillery moved to and fro, now
from this point, now from that, opening with almost mfraculous rapidity
thefr tremendous fire. Here long lines of infantry, and there dense and
soUd masses, rushed forward iato the death-storm, with cries which rose
loud and shrill above the thunder of the battle. The savage yell of the
rebel was ever distinguishable from the cheer of the patriot. The car
nage on both sides was severe. Our whole loss in killed, wounded, and
missing, was but Uttle less than seven thousand. Though we gained
several important positions and lost none, we failed in our attempt to
drive the enemy across the Chickahominy. They were found so firmly
intrenched that it was manifest that they could not be forced from thefr
works except at too great a sacrifice of human life.
Saturday morning, June 4th, found the patriot line facing the ramparts
of the enemy, at many points separated from them by the distance' of but
a few yards. Thus exposed, all hands who could be spared were busy
throwing up intrenchments, while an incessant fire from sharpshooters
and artillery was kept up all the day. About nine o'clock on Saturday
night the rebels attempted a surprise by a desperate assault upon Han
cock's Division on our extreme left. They were, however, repulsed Arith
severe loss.
Sunday came, introducing another day of hard work in the trenches
and Arith the musket. Not a head or a hand could be exposed on either
side but it was struck instantly by the buU^t of a sharpshooter. The
whole region became literally honey-combed with rifle-pits, trenches, and
ramparts. These works were constructed under a continuous flre of
musketry and artiUery. With the night, which came on dark and foggy,
the battle-storm died away. There were a few hours of silence, both
parties sleeping on their arms ready to repel attack. A little before mid-

THE CAMPAIGN OF THE WILDERNESS. 503
night the enemy, in immense masses, emerged silently from their breast
works. Advancing with caution untU they encountered our picket line
they rushed forward with loud cheers, at the same time opening a heavy
fire of artiUery and mortars. In an instant our well-trained veterans
were at thefr posts. A deadly voUey of musketry staggered the advancing
Une. Several batteries instantly flashed forth grape and canister, and the
assaUants, disordered and broken, fled in wild rout back to their ramparts,
learing more than a thousand of their wounded and slain strewed upon
the ground. This incessant battle was continued all day Monday and
Tuesday, each party endeavoring to strengthen its position, and to drive
the other from some important point. At midnight on Tuesday, the
rebels made another of their desperate assaults upon Burnside's Corps,
and again they were decisively repulsed with great slaughter. Wednes
day, the 8th, though a day of comparative quiet, witnessed brisk skirmish
ing, vrith repeated exchanges of artiUery fire. The next three days were
employed in intrenching, in sending out reconnoissances on both sides,
which led to several brief but severe confiicts. At the same time. General
Grant was engaged in secret preparations to make another flank move
ment, by which, descending the Chickahominy, he might cross both that
river and the James, and again throw himself in the rear of Lee's army.
It was an important object with General Grant, not merely to capture
Richmond, but also to prevent the escape of Lee's army into the Carolinas
and Georgia, where at great disadvantage it would have to be fought
again. In preparation for another change in the base of supplies to the
James River, on Friday the railroad was torn up between the White
House and the Chickahominy. On Sunday, June 12th, the army com
menced this momentous march. With consummate skill, boldness, and
prudence, the men were marched from thefr intrenchments, which for
mUes lay under the enemy's guns, and, pressing forward night and day,
accomplished the perilous adventure in perfect safety. On Tuesday the
James River was crossed, and this astonishing feat was consummated.
Our forces had moved out from intrenchments in many places within fifty
yards of the ramparts of the enemy. Accomplishing a march of fifty-
five mUes, they had crossed the Chickahominy and the James River, had
thrown themselves into the rear of the enemy, and had surprised Petersburg.
All this they had done in the face of a vigilant enemy, almost one liun
dred thousand strong, and vrithout the loss of a wagon or a gun. A few
skirmishers only had been lost upon the march.
This rapid and successful movement of an army of one hundred and
fifty thousand men, in the presence of so formidable an enemy, is one of
the marvels of war. This vast army, infantry, artUlery, cavafry, and
ybaggage-train, in a continuous Une of march, would fill any one road, to
its utmost capacity, for a distance of nearly one hundred miles. In this
march they crowded all the public roads, and cross-roads, and wood-paths,
through a vride region. Dirisions often marched ten or fifteen miles to gain
five miles in advance. Through swamps, and dust, and blazing sunlight,
and midnight darkness, they pressed on tiU the enterprise was triumph
antly achieved.

504 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
On Wednesday morning, the 15th, the Eighteenth Corps, which had
arrived at Bermuda Hundi-ed, Avhere General Butler was intrenched,
crossed the Appomattox to the south shore, and started for Petersbm-g.
Soon after dajdight, Kautz's cavafry, which was in the advance, encoimtered
the rebels. A brisk engagement ensued, in which the colored regiments
with great gaUantry carried the enemy's works, and capturing one of then-
guns, tm-ned it upon the retreating foe. A Une of battle Avas soon formed
in fi'ont of the strong intrenchments of the rebels. Just at sunset the
order was given for the charge. The whole Une rushed forward, in the
face of a deadly fire, swept the rifle-pits of the foe, clambered the ram
parts, and put the rebels to ffight, capturing from them sixteen guns, a
battle-flag, and three hundred prisoners. The outer Une of defences were
thus taken, and the Union troops were now within tAvo miles of Petersburg.
The enemy was alai'med in view of thefr loss, and while during the night
fresh Union troops were urged forward to hold the important position, he
made desperate but unavailing endeavors to regain the ground.
The rebels Avere now thoroughly awake to their danger. Lee's army
in hot haste rushed through Richmond, crossed the James, and by the rail
road hurried to Petersburg. The rebels in front of General Butler, at
Bei-muda Hundred, in their eagerness to save Petersbm-g, abandoned their
intrenchments, and General Terry pushed forward, seized the vacated
works, and then boldly advancing, destroyed two miles of the raifroad
between Richmond and Petersburg. The whole of Lee's army was press
ing down upon Petersburg, and the enemy soon appeared in such strength
that General Terry's forces were compelled to retire. They, however, in
fficted such damage upon the road as to inteiTupt for a day the passage
of the rebel army.
Petersburg was found to be surrounded with very formidable triple
lines of intrenchments, into Avhich the rebel army croAvded so rapidly and
in such numbers, that notwithstanding repeated and most gallant assaults,
it was impossible to carry them. The roar of battle Avas almost uniater-
mitted during the whole of Thursday, and the patriot loss amounted to
nearly two thousand men. The loss of the rebels, fighting from behind
their intrenchments, was probably much less. NotAvithstanding the repulse
cf Thursday, at four o'clock on Friday morning the patriots renewed the
assault. An impetuous charge was made by General Griffin's Brigade on
a portion of the rebel Une, which was brilliantly successful. The gaUant
assailants drove the rebels from their position, and captured a stand of
colors, six guns, and four hundred men. During the whole day the battle
raged, with occasional lulls, and at night General Burnside was Avithiu a
mile and a half of the city. From his position he tlu-ew a few shells into
the streets, awful portents of the approaching storm.
During Friday night the rebels made the most desperate endeavors to
regain the ground which General Burnside had taken, and finaUy suc
ceeded, capturing two hundred prisoners and losing as many more. This
conflict, though brief, was terrible, deadly, and desperate. The combatants
fought across the breastworks, often in a hand-to-hand struggle. Early the
next day the fighting was resumed, and continued with intermissions untU

THE CAMPAIGN OP THE WILDERNESS. 505
night. Arrangements were made for a desperate assault upon the enemy's
whole extended line at the first dawn of day. But in the night tho rebels
retreated from their outer line of works, and sought a stronger ])osition in
an inner series of defences. It was necessary to reconnoitre this lino. This
was done through a series of sharp skirmishes, whicii often rose almost to
the grandeur of a pitched battle. Some of the charges made by our troops
upon the rebel lines were sublime in daring, and the carnage was dreadful.
"Wlien night came, the patriots rested from their toils, not having succeeded
m penetrating the strong ramparts of the foe. During the four days of
'almost incessant battle which had now passed, we had lost not less than
ten thousand men in killed aud wounded.
During the three subsequent days there was frequent skirmishing, often
furious cannonading, but no decisive action. Under a flag of truce, the
dead were buried, and the wounded carried off, from between the lines.
A few sheUs Avere thrown into the city. It had become evident that the
rebel intrenchments were too strong to be carried by direct assault. And
now, in good earnest, commenced the siege of Petersburg and Richmond.

CHAPTER XL.
THE MARCH FROM SAVANNAH TO GOLDSBORO'.
(From January to April, 1865.)
Famine is Savannah. — Surrender op Charleston. — Barbaeitt op Wheeler's Catalrt.—
Kilpatrick's Threatened Retaliation. — Pictdsesque Geoup. — Columbia Surrendered.—
conplaoration. — the contrabands. — humanity op general sherman. — battle op ave-
ETSBORO'. — Peril op General Sherman. — Eppeot op the News op Lee's Sueeender.—
SUEEBNDEE OP RaLEIGH. — PEEDIOTIONS OP TANCEY EE&AEDIN& THE WAK.
When GeneraJ Sherman entered Savannah, he found the city fiUed
with refugees from the interior of the State. As the victorious legions
had steadily advanced towards the doomed city, the roads in adtance of
the army were thronged vdth the inhabitants, rich and poor, young and
old, jostling each other, in their haste to enter the fortified toAvn. The
negroes alone remaUied behind, ever eager to welcome the Union troops.
The crowded state of the city had ahnost created a famine before the
conqueror rode into its streets.
The first care of General Sherman was to feed his starring foes. As
far as possible, all the needy were suppUed with army rations, until North-
em charity sent to them ship-loads of the necessaries of Ufe. The Union
army remained for nearly a month in Savannah, resting and preparing for
another march. In anticipation of the general advance, the Seventeenth
Corps was sent, under General Blair, to seize a point on the Charleston
Raifroad near Pocotaligo Creek. The enterprise was accompUshed in spite'
of the stubborn resistance of the rebel garrison stationed there.
" Wlien the sun turns north," said General Sherman, " I shall turn vrith
it." Early in January the movement towards Richmond was commenced.
General Sherman, with the right wing of the army, marched to join
General Blair at Beaufort. The Army of the Tennessee, under General
Howard, ascended the Coosawatcbie, marching along its western banks.
The left vring, under General Slocum, consisting of the Fourteenth and
Sixteenth Corps, moved by the eastern bank of the Savannah River.
Just as the army commenced its march, one of those long rain-storms, so .
common at the South during the winter months, set in, swelling the' rivers
to torrents, and flooding the whole country. This caused such a delay
that it was not until the 1st of February that the left wing commenced its
march along the Georgia Central RaUroad. General Sherman kept all
his movements so concealed, that he usuaUy appeared where least expeclr
ed. The rebels knew not where the impending blow was to fall — whether
upon Augusta, or Charleston, or Columbia. They were therefore com-

FROM SAVANNAH TO GOLDSBORO'. 507
peUed to scatter thefr forces. Tet General Sherman moved in such Unes
that he could at any time concentrate his army, and strike at any point he
pleased. The organization of the army was essentially the same as heretofore,
General Howard, with the corps of Blafr and Logan, led the right wing.
General Slocum, vrith the corps of Daris and WilUams, held the left,
General KUpatrick, who was responsible to General Sherman alone, com
manded the cavalry. The left vring, moving up the Savannah River,
threatened Augusta. The right wing directed its mareh towards Beaufort,
menacing Charleston. The rebels had considerable forces in both of these
places. It was not contemplated to attack either. General Sherman's
strategy would gain one or both vrithout a fight.
As soon as the Union army crossed the Savannah River and entered
South Carolina, a hitherto undeveloped spirit of vengeance inspired the
froops. South Carolina was the nursery of the treason which was deluging
our land in blood. The South CaroUnian journals and public speakers had
rendered themselves universally obnorious, by the bitterness and the
insolence of their tirades against the National Government, and against
the men and the institutions of the North.
The country, after leaving Savannah, was for some distance but a vast
lowland plain. Large plantations, with their surroundings of negro huts,
fiiiged the road. The cultivated lands were almost invariably bordered
by dark pine forests, whose evergreen heads were festooned with the
cypress and vrild-vine, and garlands of hanging moss. Not far distant
could almost invariably be found the gloomy swamp, where wild-fowl,
serpents, and alUgators revelled in undisturbed repose. These dismal mias
matic swamps, over which forever waves the funereal pall of pendent moss,
abound along nearly the whole coast of South CaroUna from Savannah to
Charleston. The swamps across which our armies had to force their march
were often six mUes in width. The army left in its track but an expanse
of smouldering ruin.
The rebel Hardee, acting upon the supposition that General Sherman
was marching upon Charieston, made the Salkehatchie River his chief line
of defence. The rebel Wheeler, with his cavafry, had been, for some time
befsij-e General Sherman's advance, riding up and down the river-banks,
destroying boats, burning bridges, felUng trees, and adopting all other
possible measures to obstruct the progress of the Union army. At all
; probable points of crossing rebel troops were stationed, both infantry
and artUlery. But by the combined energies of skilful strategy and hard
fighting, the passage of the river was effected at Whipple Swamp. The
. rebels were put to ffight, and they retreated across the Edisto River. The
whole army now pressed forward to Branchville. To deceive the enemy,
a small force was sent to menace Charleston. The raifroad was struck
both above and below Branchville, and thus that very important centre,
, from which Augusta, Charleston, and Columbia could be alike threatened,
was ahnost surrounded. Beauregard, who was in command at that point,
hastily evacuated the post, and retreated towards Columbia. Charleston
was thus left helpless. Our army could sweep down the raUroad track,

508 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
and take the city by storm, or, by cutting off all its suppUes, speedily starve
it into surrender. Capitulation hence became ineritable. On the 10th of
February, the city which had so long been the hot-bed of treason and
rebellion, was compelled to strike the Confederate flag, and raise the Stars
and Stripes.
The fall of Charleston gave great satisfaction to the whole commu
nity. The insolence of the South Carolinian rebels, and their haughty
assumption of superiority over the rest of the world, had disgusted OA^en the
Confederates. Neither Georgians nor North Carolinians attempted to con
ceal the pleasure with which they saw South Carolina humbled. But such
a series of wonderful victories as were now accompanying the National
arms was eclipsed, and almost forgotten, in the brilliance of the events
which rapidly followed.
As our troops entered the ill-fated city, whieh for years had been
writhing under the chastisement of the National arms, the spectacle
presented was impressive and solemn beyond the power of words to express.
A wasting conflagration had laid a large portion of the once beautiful
city in ashes. A terrific bombardment, by such missiles of war as never
before were hurled, had spread indescribable devastation far and wide.
Houses, churches, long ranges of stores, were utterly demolished. The few
inhabitants who remained in the limits of the town were huddled together;
in the outskirts, beyond the reach of the bombardment of our batteries and
gunboats. Weeds choked the streets and avenues. The crime of
Charleston had been great, and correspondingly great had been her pun
ishment. Thousands of negroes had been gathered into the city from' the
plantations for leagues around, to prevent their escaping to the Union
army. These poor people here, as everywhere else, welcomed the Na
tional troops with extravagant testimonials of gratitude and joy.
The foragers, or, as they were sometimes called, smoke-house rangers,
or bummers, constituted a very important element of the army. It was
their mission to sweep the country in all directions for food and forage.
They were generally mounted upon mules, without saddles, upon whose
backs they could bind their burdens. They went in squads, sufficiently
powerful to repel any small force of the enemy. Indeed, at times these
bands would concentrate and attack the foe with most desperate valor.
As the army was approaching Medway, a bummer galloped up to General
Howard, and shouted —
" I say, general, the bummers have taken the railroad, and are in line
of battle to hold it. If you'll only hurry up, I reckon we'll keep it."
The general did " hurry up," and helped disperse quite a formidable
force of Wheeler's cavalry. These bummers became wonderfully sagacious
in discovering where cattle were concealed, or where edibles or valuables
of any kind had been buried. It is said that generally they appUed the
torch to the store-houses which they had emptied : thus smouldering ruins
were left in the track of that great army which the rebellion had called
into being.
As soon as General Sherman had fairly brought up his troops to the
Une of railroad which runs from -Augusta to Charleston, learing Augusta

FROM SAVATfNAH TO GOLDSBORO'. 509
unassailed upon his left,, he ordered his army to press rapidly forward due
north to Orangeburg. This town was on the east bank of the North
Edisto River, on the direct road to Columbia, and about sixteen miles from
Branchrille. A bridge crosses the Edisto at the city. Behind this brido-e
the rebels made a stand, haring a battery in position, well protected by
earthworks. General Giles A. Smith, who led the advance, fell upon them
in a very gaUant assault. The rebels, driven from the bridge, fought
furiously behind their parapet. Generals Mower and Force, while the
battle was raging, crossed their dirisions two miles lower doAvn on pon
toons. When the rebels saw the Union banners on their own side of the
sfream, rapidly approaching on their flank, they abandoned every thing,
and fled precipitately to Columbia.
Orangeburg was a pretty place, containing a population of about two
thousand. It was built on a gentle swell of land, the flrst which had been
encountered since learing Savannah. It was but ninety miles west of
Charleston, on the railroad to Columbia, and had been quite a fashionable
summer retreat. A correspondent accompanying the army Avrites : —
" When I reached the city it was hi flames. Our men say that they
found several houses, in which cotton was stored, on fire when they entered
it. Be this as it may, the whole toAvn was soon in fiames, and, by the fol-
lowdng morning, one heap of ashes.
" The tasteful churches, with their taU steeples, and about fifty private
houses, alone escaped. A large amount of cotton was also consumed. It
was a sad sight, next morning, to witness the smoking ruins of the toAvn —
the taU, black chimneys looking down upon it Uke funeral -mutes — and to
see old women and children, hopeless, helpless, almost frenzied, wandering
. anudst the desolation." *
The army pressed forward from Orangeburg by different routes for
Columbia. Here the rebels attempted another stand to defend the capital
of their State. There was a small stream to be crossed, called the Con
garee Creek, where there was a bridge. On the south side of the bridge
the rebels had erected a tele de pont, and a fort on the other side. In
front of the bridge there spread out one of the much-dreaded cypress
swamps. Across this swamp there was but one road to the bridge, which
was swept by the artillery of the foe. General Charles R. Wood, who
led the advance, saw that bravery alone here would be of but little avail.
* " On the line of march we found eighteen of our foragers murdered. Seven of tliem were
placed in a row, side by side, and "¦ piece of paper pinned to the clothing of each, upon which
was ATTitten in pencil, ' This is the way we treat Kilpatrick's thieves.' Others were found by
the roadside with their throats cut from ear to ear. Pinned to these there waa a placard, upon
which was written, ' South Carohna's greeting to Tankee Vandals.''
" General Kilpatrick immediately sent a note, under a flag of truce, to General Wheeler, sta
ting that ' unless, by sunset of the 23d, satisfactory explanation why this thing had been done
was received he would select from among Wheeler's prisoners, in his hands, eighteen, the same
number of men who had been murdered, and cause them to be executed. Further, that he
would not only not restrain his men, but would encourage them to bum every thing in his line
of march, that not a living, breathing thing should show where such cowardly scoundrels Uved.'
" This brought Wheeler to his senses. He denied all knowledge of the transaction, condemned
it in the severest terms, and promised to turn over to General Kilpatrick the perpetrators as soon
as they could be discovered. The rebel prisoners were not hanged." — D. P. Conyngham, i eu)
Tork Herald.

5,10 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
With that quick eye and prompt judgment which are essential to miUtary
success, he formed his plan. Stone's Brigade was sent secretly to the left.
Working their way through an undefended portion of the swamp, they
crossed the stream and marched doAvn upon the rear of the rebels. The
foe fled almost without firing a gun. Thus a very important bloodless
rietory was gained.
The left wing of the army pushed directly on for Winnsboro', nearly
thirty miles north of Columbia, crossing the Saluda at Zion's Church.
' General Howard, vrith the right wing, crossed the Saluda three mUes
above Columbia, and marched down upon the city from the north. There
were no indications of siirrender. Columbia is situated very near the
junction of Broad and Saluda Rivers, which by the union form the Con
garee. The city Ues upon the northeastern bank of this latter stream.
It was early in the morning of February 16th, when the army reached the
banks of the Congaree, opposite Columbia. A fine bridge had spanned
the river at that point; but the torch of the rebels had laid it in ashes.
Our forces bivouacked on the western bank of the stream. The rebels
were busy through the night in throwing shells across the river into
the encampment. It was observed that the veteran soldiers paid about as
much attention to the shriek of the sheU as most persons do the buzz of
mosquitos. General Logan selected a narrow portion of the river, where he sent
some men across in boats, while others drove off the rebel pickets. The
spectacle which was presented in the morning was one of rare loveliness.
The sun had risen cloudless, ushering in one of the most beautiful of
spring days. The tranquil waters of the river, the luxuriant groves, the
house-tops, spfres, and domes of the doomed city were all bathed in spark
ling light. The shadows of the forest were spread over the banks of the
stream as the boat shot across, while the frequent crack of the rifle and
whiz of the bullet seemed only to add a pleasurable excitement to the
scene. The bluff was crowded Arith soldiers, officers, and men, resplendent vrith
all the pageantry of poUshed weapons and silken banners, watching eagerly
the labors of the engineers, as they placed the pontoons. General Sher
man was there, every inch the soldier, rapid in movement, abrupt in speech,
pacing nervously up and doAvn, vrith an unlighted cigar'in his mouth. Now
he would sit for a moment upon a log, whittling a stick. His cast-iron
face, though fuU of the expression of glovring intellect, never betrayed the
thoughts he did not wish to utter. An eye-witness, describing this scene,
writes : —
" Sitting on a log beside General Sherman was Howard, reading a
newspaper, and occasionally stopping to answer some question of Sher
man's, or make some comment on some passages. ,
"Howard always looks the same — the kind, courteous general, the
Christian soldier.
" Another of the group was Frank P. Blair, with his strongly-marked
features, indicative both of talent, energy, and ability.

FROM SAVANNAH TO GOLDSBORO'. 511
," John A. Logan, too, was there, with his dark, almost bronzed coun
tenance, and fiery, commanding eye, the true type of the dashing general.
" Not least was General Hazen, tTie hero of McAlUster, Arith his frank,
expressive, and finely-moulded head, betokening the warm-hearted gentle
man, the soldier of mind and brains.
" These, with several other generals, with a host of gay officers and or
derlies in the background, formed a group worthy the pencil of a Rubens
or Vandyke." Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, is one hundred and twenty-
eight miles from Charleston by railway. It was renowned for its public
buildings and its tasteful mansions, which, embowered in shrubbery and
flowers, presented an aspect of almost Oriental luxury. There was not,
probably, in aU the South, a city more beautifuUy situated, or one more
highly embeUished with aU the combined attractions of nature and art.
It was surrounded by an almost tropical luxuriance of verdure.
Our troops, haring crossed the river at various points, were advancing
upon the city. It manifestly could not be defended. As Colonel Stone's
Brigade, which had crossed the river in boats and on rafts, had reached it
within about two miles, they met the mayor and three members of the
city councU riding out in a carriage to surrender the tovm. A pontoon
bridge was soon laid. General Sherman, vrith his leading generals and
thefr staffs, forming a brilUant cavalcade, rode into the subjugated, metrop
olis. It was an hour of triumph, and of the most enthusiastic ex
citement. The unrelenting traitors had fled from the place. The
long-proscribed Unionists remained. They received the National army
vrith joy which no words can express. Their vrives and sisters crowded
the windows and balconies, waring banners and handkerchiefs. The
negroes were grouped along the street, cheering, singing, dancing, in
the vrildest exuberance of deUght. They seemed fully to comprehend that
the year of jubilee had actually come. One was overheard exclaiming,
Arith deep emotion, " At last, at last, our saviors !"
The march into the city was orderly. No plundering or riotous con
duct on the part of the soldiers was allowed. General Sherman had issued
very particular orders, that while all public property which could be use
ful to the rebel army was to be destroyed, no private property was to be
injured. The bright promise of the spring morning had given place to a
dear, cold, vrintry day. As the afterjioon wore away, the vrind increased
to a gale.
General Wade Hampton, who commanded the rebel rear-guard, had
coUected in the streets aU the cotton which could be moved, and had set
the vast mass on fire. Bales were piled everywhere, with the ropes and
bagging cut. The gale blew the flamiug tufts of cotton, whirling them in
eddies in aU dfrections against the trees and the houses, like a storm of
flakes of fire. Such a spectacle as was witnessed when night came, and
this fiery storm raged vrith ever-increasing fury, was probably never before
beheld on earth. NotArithstanding the most heroic exertions of the soldiers,
the flames spread beyond all control. Generals Sherman, Howard, Lo
gan, Wood, and others were engaged most of the night in the endeavor

SAVANNAH TO GOLDSBORO*.

FROM SAVANNAH TO GOLDSBORO'. 513
to save the city from destruction. But it seemed to be the design of Prov
idence that the rebels should be pernutted to destroy themselves.
"I disclaim," says General Sherman, in his official report, " on the part
of my army, any agency in this fire, but, on the contrary, claim that we
saved what of Columbia remains uneonsumed. And without hesitation I
charge General Wade Hampton vrith haring burned his own city of
Columbia, not vrith a malicious intent, or as a manifestation of a siUy
Roman stoicism, but from folly and want of sense in fiUing it^with lint, cot
ton, and tinder. Our officers and men on duty worked well to extinguish
the flames ; but others, not on duty, including the officers who had long
been imprisoned there, rescued by us, may have assisted in spreading the
fire after it had once begun, and may have indulged in unconcealed joy
to see the ruin ofthe capital of South Carolina."
It was a pitiful sight to look upon. Men, women, and children fled
through the blazing streets, endeavoring to escape the flames which were
consuming thefr homes and consigning them to Ufe-long penury. Mothers
pressed thefr babes to thefr bosoms and fled this way and that ; but
there was fire, fire everywhere. The sick were dragged out of the burn
ing houses to die in the streets. The rebel sick and wounded were crowd
ed by hundreds in the hospital. The flames encircled them, and thefr
despairing shrieks for help, rose loud and dreadful above the crackling of
the flames. But no help for a long time came. Fortunately, the hospital
was saved. The bUlowy flames leaped and roared as if in mad glee over
the carnival of misery and death.
At length, the long, hideous night passed away, and the morning dawned
upon the scene of ruin. Nearly three thousand buUdings were in ashes.
little remained but a wUderness of taU, bare chimneys, blasted trees, heaps
of rubbish, and smouldering ruins, to show where once had been the most
heautifol, refined, and aristocratic city of South CaroUna.
" War," says General Sherman, " is cruelty. Tou cannot refine it."
Every humane heart must ache in the contemplation of this misery, and
which was, nevertheless, but one of the minor acts in the awful tragedy of
war. When we think of these mothers and maidens and babes, thefr hus
bands, fathers, brothers slain in battle, they escaping horror-stricken from
thefr blaring dwellings, vrith no roof to shelter them, home, food, clothing,
famiture, aU gone, as we see them weeping, starving, gathering their thin
garments around them, as the only protection from the wintry blast, we
cannot but execrate those who, vrithout any justifiable cause, brought these
woes upon them.
" The streets," writes an eye-vritness, " were full of rubbish, broken
famiture, and groups of crouching, desponding, weeping women and chil
dren. The park and lunatic asylum, as affording the greatest chance of
safety, were crowded with these miserable outcasts. In one place I saw a
lady, richly dressed, with three pretty little chUdren clinging to ber. She
was sitting on a mattress, whUe around her were strewn rich paintings,
works of art and vertu. It was a picture of hopeless misery, surrounded
hy the trappings of refined taste and wealth. The Sabbath bells toUed
fi'om the few churches remaining, but there was something solemn and
Vol. il— 33

514 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
melancholy ia their chime, and sorrowing hearts Imelt to the Lord for
hope and comfort."
Some of the Union troops, led by negroes and escaped prisoners, paid
a visit to a noted ruffian, who kept a pack of blood-hounds for the pur
pose of hunting down negroes who escaped from their masters, or Union
captives who escaped from their prison. The soldiers very speedily, with
bullet and bayonet, disposed of the dogs. Indeed, not a blood-hound was
anywhere left alive upon their march. They applied the torch to the
barns and the house of the slave-hunting wretch, then tied him to a tree,.
and employed some stout negroes to fiog him in the most approved South
ern plantation style. The miscreant thus became experimentally ac
quainted with the tortures he had so frequently infficted upon his helpless
rictims. The rebels were ingenious in burying their treasures. The "bummers "
were equally shrewd in finding them. In Camden they unearthed, in a
newly-made grave, a coffin containing sixty thousand dollars in specie.
Many Union prisoners were liberated at Columbia. These, with thou
sands of refugees from the tyranny of the rebel Government, were sent
North. Starvation seemed to be the almost ineritable doom left to the
Carolinians. General Sherman, humanely learing six hundred head of
cattle, and quite a large amount of other provisions, for the destitute, again
put his army in motion for Winnsboro', tearing up the railroad track as he
advanced. Winnsboro' was a pretty little toAvn, which was quite a fash
ionable summer resort of the citizens of Charleston and of wealthy plant
ers. Many of the more opulent inhabitants of Charleston had fied from
the bombardment of their own city to this place. A large amount of
miUtary supplies were also collected here.
The rebel garrisons, fleeing before our victorious army, were making
great efforts at concentration. They loudly announced their intention of
flghting a desperate battle, and their expectation of destroying the auda
cious foe, who had so proudly marched through the very heart of South
Carolina. Not a Uttle soUcitude was felt throughout the North, lest the
foe might so combin6 as to strike General Sherman an irreparable blow.
He had cut loose from any base of suppUes, was subsisting entirely upon
the country, and might expend so much of his ammunition in any one
serious battle as to be quite at the mercy of the foe.
But General Sherman so bewildered them with feints upon important
towns, that they could never know what would be his line of march, or
where his next blow would be struck. He now aUke menaced Charlotte
and FayettevUle in North CaroUna. Beauregard retreated with all his
cavalry to defend the road to Charlotte. General Slocum was ordered
to move in such a way as to keep up this delusion. The roads still
continued miry, and the creeks were flooded. But the army, sur
mounting all obstacles, reached the Catawba about the 22d. For many
days there was incessant rain, and the Catawba was swollen into a tor
rent a thousand feet vride. The pontoon bridge was swept away, and
with great difficulty was restored. At length the river was crossed,
and the deft Aring of the army was put in motion for Cheraw. As

FROM SAVANNAH TO GOLDSBORO'. 515
soon as the troops crossed the imaginary Une and entered North Carolina,
there was an immediate change in the treatment of the citizens. It was
no longer necessary to restrain the men. AU burning and destruction of
property was voluntarily abandoned. The troops took only such articles
as were needed for their immediate use. Many of the North Carolinians
were found strong loyaUsts. Most of the people remained quietly in their
homes, manifesting no fear of the army. Old men with gray beards
would frequently come from their dwelUngs, and tell proudly how their
fathers fought in the Revolution to estabUsh our independence, and declar
ing that they would do nothing to dishonor the flag for which their sires
had bled and died.
Our army stUl spread over a wide extent of country, vrith divisions
fraversing different roads, and squadrons of cavalry sweeping in all direc
tions, so that it was impossible for the rebels to obtain any reUable infor
mation respecting the movements which were contemplated.
About noon, on the 3d of March, the Seventeenth Corps entered
Cheraw. The rebels retreated across the Pedee, burning the bridge behind
them. After destroying the miUtary stores which were found here, the
columns again moved for FayetteviUe, North Carolina. On the llth
of March, the Fourteenth and Seventeenth Corps reached FayetteviUe.
They had quite a sharp skirmish with Wade Hampton's cavalry, that
covered the rear of Hardee's retreating army. During the 12th, 13th,
and 14th, the majestic host swept through Fayetterille. Here they
destroyed a vast amoimt of machinery, which the rebels had stolen from
the United States Arsenal at Harper's Ferry. All the rebel forces in that
region were now gathering in the ricinity of Raleigh. Beauregard,
Hardee, Johnston, and Hoke were uniting their separate commands.
Their united eavahy was superior to General Sherman's, and the whole
army, under the leadership of General Joe Johnston, was so formidable
as exceedingly to task General Sherman's military abUities.
Fort Fisher had afready faUen beneath the heroic assaults of Admiral
Porter and General Terry. Wilmington was occupied by the National
froops. Two trusty scouts were dispatched to General Terry at Wilming
ton, and General Schofield at Newbern, informing them of General Sher
man's design to march upon Goldsboro', while he made a feint upon
Ealeigh. On the morning of March 12th, the army-tug Daridson, ascend
ing the Cape Fear River from Wilnungton, brought General Sherman, the
first nqws he had received for many weeks from the outer world. Pontoon
bridges were soon laid across the river, and the army pressed on its way.
The weather continued very bad, and the roads were mere quagmires. It
was necessary to corduroy almost every rod to faciUtate the passage of the
artillery and wagon trains.
On Wednesday, the 15th of March, the columns moved out from
Fayetterille. The left wing of the army encountered the enemy in an
intrenched position on a narrow, swampy neck of land between Cape Fear
and South Rivers. Hardee had assembled here twenty thousand men,
hoping to hold General Sherman in check, untU most of the, rebel array
could be assembled. There was no time to be lost ; yet it was extremely

516 ' CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
difficult to carry the position, from the nature of the ground, which was so
soft and miry that horses and even men could with difficulty force their
way over it.
The battle of Averysboro', as this conflict was called, commenced about
noon on Wednesday, the 15th of March. It continued till night. During
the whole night there were skirmishes. , Through the whole of Thursday
the battle raged with unintermitted fury. Assault after assault was
repulsed by the rebels behind their intrenchments. On the night of the
16th the rebels fled, having lost six hundred men, while the Union loss
was nearly a thousand. Averysboro' is about thirty miles from Fayette
rille, on the dfrect road to Raleigh, which is distant about thfrty-five miles.
Eighteen miles east of Averysboro', in an air-Une, there is the little vUlage
of Bentonville, twenty-six miles west of Goldsboro'. Johnston marched
rapidly down from Raleigh, and took position at this vdUage. Here there
was another battle hotly contested. Hour after hour war's tempest raged,
and no one could tell upon whose banners rietory would aUght. Now
whole brigades of the Union troops were driven more than a mUe through
the swamp. Again order emerged from apparent chaos, new lines were
formed, and the rebels in their turn fled vrildly.
Hour after hour, through the afternoon and the evening, the " fate of
the day trembled in the balance." At night, after very heavy losses on
both sides, the rebels retired, learing the field to the Union troops. So
far as could be ascertained, our loss was about two thousand, that of the
enemy about three thousand. Johnston's entire infantry force was on the
field, giving him probably over thirty thousand men. By daybreak on
the 20th, several dirisions of the Union army had come up. Johnston had
again made a stand. Howard, Davis, Logan, Blair, hurled thefr forces
upon the foe, and after another desperate conffict, at night the rebels
again retired. They retreated upon Smithfield, abandoning the contest
for Goldsboro'.
General Schofield had already occupied the place, ascending from New
bern. Sherman's army, the next day, vrith irrepressible enthusiasm,
marched into the town, and joined the comrades from whom they had
been so long separated. General Sherman now hurried to the head-quar
ters of Grfeneral Grant, to arrange with him new plans of conquest. He
left Goldsboro' on the 25th, and reached City Point on the evening of the
27th. The two armies were now in a position to cooperate in striking
those few last but tremendous blows, before which Richmond and the Con
federacy were doomed to faU. The next day. General Sherman returned to
his victorious troops, haring arranged all his plans to pursue the rebel
Johnston to Raleigh, and to demolish or capture his army.
On Tuesday, April 12th, our columns were again in motion towards
Raleigh. Just as they were getting under march on Wednesday morn
ing. General Saxton and his staff riding in advance of the corps, those in
the rear heard the most enthusiastic cheering from the front, for which
they could not account. Soon two horsemen came gaUoping doAvn the
road, waring thefr hats and shouting : " General Lee has suebehdeeed
HIS whole Aemy to Geitoeal Geant !"

FROM SAVANNAH TO GOLDSBORO'. 517
The joyful tidings flew as on the wings of the Avind. In an instant,
as it were by some magnetic impulse, the shout roUed along the whole
Une, those in the rear sympathetically catching the strain, though as yet
uninformed as to the cause of the joyful cry. Soon General Couch rode
along with his head uncovered, holding a paper in his hands. The brigade
commanders assembled their several brigades by columns of regiments
massed as close together as they could stand. Then Colonel Moore, with
his staff officers and commanders of brigades around him, read the follow
ing order : —
" The General Commanding announces to the army that he has official
notice from General Grant, that General Lee surrendered to him his entire
army, on the 9th instant, at Appomattox Court-House.
" Glory be to God, and to our country ; and aU honor to our comrades
in arms, towards whom we are marching. A little more labor, a Uttle more
toU on our part, and the great race is won, and our Government stands re
generated, after its four long years of bloody war.
"W. T. Sheeman, Major-General Commanding."
The scene which ensued can neither be described nor imagined. A
brigade band struck up " The Star-Spangled Banner." But the triumph
ant tones were lost in the tumult of countless thousands of voices. Hats
were tossed into the afr, knapsacks were thrown about, soldiers and officers
laughed, cried, and embraced each other. Some roUed upon the ground
in the exuberance of their joy ; banners were waved. It was a long time
before this frenzy subsided into sUence and order.
The troops then resumed thefr march. As they advanced, the country
improved, becoming more hiUy and dry, so that the army could proceed
vdth more rapidity. They crossed the Neuse two miles below Smithfield,
on two pontoon bridges, and encamped that night about nine mUes from
Ealeigh. The next morning they were in motion at early Ught. AU the
commands, pressing rapidly forward by different roads, were converging
towards the capital. As the Union army drew nigh. General Johnston,
Avith his rebel army, retfred, and a deputation of the citizens rode out to
Greneral Sherman, tendering the surrender of the city.
The country became more attractive, Arith cultivated fields and not a
few beautiful mansions. Soon the dome of the capitol appeared rising
over the luxuriant foUage. GraduaUy the roads became blocked up Arith
the troops and trains crowding into the city. They passed long lines of
abandoned earthworks, but no banners were to be seen except those of our
OAvn regiments floating gayly in the breeze. Without flring a hostUe shot
or uttering a shout of exultation, the patriot troops, marching to the gen
tle tap of the drum, entered the capital of North Carolina.
Ealeigh was a beautiful city. It suffered far less than any other im
portant place which our armies occupied during the war. The city had
contained about five thousand inhabitants, and supported several fine
schools. The university at Chapel HiU, with an able corps of professors,
and .nearly five hundred pupils, had attained a national reputation. The

518 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
fine residences and ornamented grounds bore witness to the opulence and
refinement of many of its inhabitants. The capitol was the finest buUding
in North Carolina, and was esteemed superior to that of any other State
in the South. It was situated in the centre of the city, upon the highest
point, from which the four principal streets diverged, east, west, north,
and south.
As our troops entered the city the people geueraUy kept in their houses,
peeping through the blinds at the Yankee battalions swarming through
the streets. As the divisions of the grand army arrived, they took thefr
positions, one after another, within the city, and upon all the main thor
oughfares around it. We regret to say that it is the universal testimony
that, throughout all the South, the most venomous rebels were the clergy
and'the women. In Raleigh, as everywhere else, some ofthe women, taking
advantage ofthe protection which their sex afforded them, insulted, in every
way in thefr power, even the guards who were stationed to protect thefr
dwellings. Many, however, received the guards not only vrith civiUty, but
with gratitude.
The citizens testified that Johnston's army, in its retreat through the
toAvn, exhibited a spectacle of haggardness, rags, and misery, seldom
equalled. The men all seemed dispirited, and thoroughly disgusted Arith
the war. It was the general impression that Johnston would not attempt
much longer to carry on the struggle. The people of North CaroUna had
been very reluctantly drawn into the rebellion. The unintelligent masses
had been deceived and betrayed. The arch-traitor Yancey, who possessed
wonderful powers of popular eloquence, had harangued the multitude all
through the State, assuring them that the Yankees never would fight;
that by a little show of boldness they could have every thing their own
way, and that he would pledge his honor that he would pay all the ex
penses of the war with a ten-cent piece, and that Arith his handkerchief he
would wipe up all the-blood that would be shed.
Late on Friday evening, April 14th, a fiag of truce came in from Gen
eral Johnston, proposing a conference with General Sherman, with refer
ence to a surrender of the rebel army. And here we must leave General
Sherman for a time, while we go back in point of time, and risit the Bay
of Mobile, and contemplate the stormy scenes which were transpiring
there.

CHAPTER XLI.
THE CAPTURE OP MOBILE.
(From July, 1864, to Maroh, 1865.)
Obdee of ADATrRATi Fakkagut. — Skilful Ldje of Battle. — Passing Fokt Moesan. — Fate op
The Tecumseh.— Contest avith the Rebel Ram Tejinessee.— Commendatobt Notices.—
SUKEENDBB OF FOKT MOEGAN.— DiSGKAOEFUL CONDUCT OF COMMANDEH PAGE.— INCIDENTS OF
THB Battle.— Investment of Mobile.— Its Sueeendee.— Conflict between the Keae-
SAEGE AND ALABAMA.
The conffict in the Bay of MobUe, in which the rebel fleet was de
stroyed, and Fort Morgan was captured, was one of the most remarkable
engagements on record. On the 12th of July, 1864, Admiral Farragut
issued the foUowing spfrited order to the commanders of the fleet. It was
dated from the United States flag-ship Hartford, off Mobile : —
Geneeal Oedee, No. 10.
" Strip' your vessels and prepare for the conflict. Send down all your
superfluous spars and rigging ; trice up or remove the whiskers ; put up
the spUnter-nets on the starboard side; and barricade the wheel and
steersmen vrith saUs and hammocks. Lay chains or sand-bags on the
deck over the machinery, to resist a plunging fire. Hang the sheet-chains
over the side, or make any other arrangement for security that your in
genuity may suggest. Land your starboard boats, or lower and tow them
on the port side, and lower the port boats down to the Avater's edge.
Place a leadsman and the pilot in the port quarter-boat, or the one most
convenient to the commander.
" The vessels wUl run past the forts in couples, lashed side by side, as
hereinafter designated. The fiag-ship will lead and steer from Sand
Island, north by east- by compass, until abreast of Fort Morgan ; then
northwest half north, until past the Middle Ground, then north by west ;
and the others, as designated in the draAring, will follow in due order,
until ordered to anchor ; but the bow and quarter line must be preserved
to give the chase-guns a fafr range, and each vessel must be kept astern
of the broadside of the next ahead ; each vessel will keep a very little on
the starboard quarter of his next ahead, and, when abreast of the fort, Avill
keep dfrectly astern, and as we pass the fort, Arill take the same distance
on the port quarter of the next ahead, to enable the stern guns to fire clear
ofthe next vessel astern.
" It vrill be the object of the admiral to get as close to the fort as pos
sible before opening fire; the ships, however, AriU open fire the moment
the enemy opens upon us, Arith thefr chase and other guns, as fast as they

520

CIVIL wiAR IN AMERICA.

can be brought to bear. Use short fuses for the sheU and shrapnel, and,
as soon as vrithin three or four hundred yards, give them grape. It is
understood that heretofore we have fired too high ; but vrith grape-shot
it is necessary to elevate a little above the object, as grape wUl dribble
from the muzzle of the gun.
" If one or more of the vessels be disabled, thefr partners must carry
them through, if possible ; but if they cannot, then the next astern must
render the required assistance. But as the admiral contemplates moring
vrith the flood-tide, it AriU only requfre sufficient power to keep the crip
pled vessels in the channel.
" Yessels that can, must place guns upon the poop and top-gallant fore
castle, and in the top on the starboard side. Should the enemy flre
grape, they will remove the men from the top-gallant forecastle and poop
to the guns below, until out of grape range.
" The howitzers must keep up a constant flre from the time they can
reach with shrapnel until out of its range. "D. G. Fareagtjt,
^^ Rear-Admi/ral, Commanding W. O. JB. Squadron.'"
The city of Mobile is situated at the head of MobUe Bay, about thirty
miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Dauphin's Island closes the mouth of
the bay, with the exception of a nan'ow
strait on each side. The western strait is
inaccessible by vessels of any considerable
size, as it affords a channel but five feet
deep. The eastern strait furnishes twenty
feet of water. Two strong forts guard
this main entrance to the bay. Fort Mor
gan is at the end of a long, low, sandy
point opposite Dauphin Island, and about
four miles distant from it. Upon the
island, opposite Fort Morgan, is Fort
Gaines. About a mUe beyond Fort Gaines
is Fort Powell and some water-batteries.
The rebels had blockaded the whole pas
sage between Fort Morgan and Dauphin
Island with tiers of piles, chains, and tor
pedoes. A channel about fifteen hundred
yards in width was left, through which
their blockade-runners could pass dfrectly
under the guns of the fort.
/ <yi -^T vLs^'' E It was not until the 5th of August that
y .Ssio' / W . vtpS" the Union fleet was ready for its perilous
enterprise. Soon after sunrise the fleet
moved up the bay, in the order prescribed.
There were fourteen wooden gunboats and
four iron-clad monitors. Under the guns of Fort Morgan the rebel fleet
was lyin^ Arith guns shotted, and eager for the conffict. About seven

THE CAPTURE OF MOBILE. 521
o'clock the leading vessels of the line came within reach of the rebel shot.
Fort Morgan and the rebel fleet simultaneously opened fire. The rear
ships rapidly closed up, and replied first vrith the rifled bow-guns and then
vrith broadsides. Admiral Farragut had caused himself to be lashed in
the main-top of the flag-ship Hartford, from which spot he had a per
fect riew of the conffict. He communicated his orders through speaking-
tubes. At forty minutes past seven, the leading monitor, Tecumseh, struck a
torpedo. There was a terrible explosion. The ill-fated ship instantly
sank, carrying down vrith her the gallant Craven, her commander, and all
but ten of her crew. The few who were saved were rescued by a boat
which pushed off from the Metacomet, in the midst of the thick storm of
shot and shell. The whole fleet was rushing at full speed to pass the rebel
forts, receiving and emitting a terrific flre. The Brooklyn led, as she had
four chase-guns and an ingenious arrangement for picking up torpedoes.
The Octorara was lashed on her port side, and the iron-clad Tecumseh was
sUghtly ahead, but between the Brooklyn and the fort. The terrible fate
of the Tecumseh caused a momentary delay of the Brooklyn, when the
flag-ship Hartford, with the Metacomet lashed to her port side, and the
monitor Manhattan on her starboard bow, dashed ahead. The peril was
exfreme, not only from the fire of the fort and the rebel iron-clad fleet
upon the wooden gunboats, but also from the sunken torpedoes, with which
the channel was fiUed. But as the Union fleet swept by the fort, they
poured .in such a terrific broadside flre of grape and ctoister, as soon to
drive nearly aU the cannoniers from their guns. It required but about
half an hour to sweep by the reach of the shot of the fort.
It was ten minues before eight o'clock when the Hartford, haring
passed the fort, was assaUed most ferociously by the rebel ram Tennessee.
This was an iron-clad, of such immense strength and power that the
rebels trusted that this vessel alone would make short work with our whole
wooden fleet. At the same time the rebel gunboats Morgan, Gaines, and
Selma, which were directly ahead, opened upon the Hartford a broadside
raking fire. The Metacomet was immediately cast off, and dashed for
ward in pursuit of the Selma. Captain Jewett, her commander, whose
conduct secured the admfral's warmest commendation, in half an hour
had the Selma as a prize, while the Morgan and the Gaines were driven
under the protection of the guns of the fort. The Gaines was so injured
that she had to be run ashore. The Morgan did not dare again to venture
out, but in the night escaped to Mobile.
And now came the confiict vrith the Tennessee. This rebel ram, which
maintained a fight vrith nearly half our entire fleet, proved herself one of
the most formidable craft ever constructed. Her length was one hundred
and eighty feet ; her armor consisted of five inches of solid iron, composed
of two-and-a-half-inch plates, eight inches wide, crossing each other, and
bolted with one-and-three-quarter-inch bolts. This was backed by two
feet of soUd oak. To add to her butting power as a ram, her bows had
six inches of iron plating and three feet of solid oak support. Her gun
room occupied two-thirds of her length. It was constructed with a flat

522 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
top, composed of two-and-a-half by eight-inch iron bars, crossed and bolted
together, forming a lattice above the gunners, which shielded them from
shot and sheU, yet affording them ventilation. She had two ports on
either side, closed by iron shutters turning upon a pivot.
In the action which ensued, one of these shutters was destroyed. It is
an interesting evidence of the coolness of our gunners, that ten shot struck
in close contiguity to this port, which was early discovered to be the atiI-
nerable point of attack. Through this port the fragment of a sheU en
tered, which wounded Admfral Buchanan. Nearly fifty shot struck the
Tennessee, but not one penetrated her armor. A fifteen-inch shell from
the Manhattan made a deep indentation in her ribs of steel, but the tremen
dous missile either bounded back or was crumbled to powder. The ram
was armed with six, seven, and eight-inch rified guns, of the Brooks pat
tern — weapons of great effectiveness. In addition to this armament, she
was provided with an iron proAV for ramming. Two years had been de
voted to the building of this formidable instrument of destruction. Her
commander. Admiral Buchanan, claimed that her impregnability was such,
that she Avas able to destroy a whole fleet. Such was the formidable an
tagonist which (jame rushing down at her utmost speed to butt in the side
of the wooden flag-ship Hartford.
Admiral Farragut immediately signalled the monitors- and several of
the wooden gunboats to attack the ram, not only with their guns, but
bows on at full speed, to crush in her coat of mail. Then commenced one
of the fiercest and most extraordinary naval combats on record. The
Monongahela, Commander Strong, was the first vessel that struck her.
But instead of injuring her adversary, the Monongahela tore off her
own iron prow and cutwater. The Lackawanna, Captain Marchand, then
dashed down at full speed, striking fafrly the sides of her adversary. The
monster ram seemed scarcely to notice the blow, but the Lackawanna cut
and crushed her own stem to the plank ends, for a distance of three feet
above the water's edge. The flag-ship Hartford then came down in ma
jestic strength. The Tennessee shifted her helm, the blow of the Hart
ford glancing harmless. But as the flag-ship rasped along the sides of
the Tennessee, with the muzzles of her guns almost touching her adver
sary, she poured in upon the rebel a whole broadside of nine-inch soUd
shot. They apparently produced about as much impression as so many
peas from the pop-gun of a school-boy. The iron-clad monitors were
cumbrous and worked slowly, but as they hurled against the sides of their
adversary their fifteen-inch shot, these tremendous missiles caused the ram
to shiver and groan, though still its rhinoceros hide was not pierced. And
now the Hartford collects her strength for another plunge. It was a sub
Ume volcanic scene of sulphurous clouds, with rush, and flash, and roar —
a hundred guns emitting their thunders, and the bay lashed into foam by
shot and shell. The parapet of the fort was crowded with spectators, gaz
ing upon the wondrous spectacle — a single ship contending against a whole
fleet. As the Hartford bore down again at the top of her speed upon the
ram, the Laekawanna unfortunately ran into the flag-ship just forward of

THE CAPTURE OF MOBILE. 523
the mizen-mast, cutting her doAvn to within two feet of the water's edge.
The two ships were speedily disentangled, and bore down upon the foe.
The battering and pounding which the ram had received had deranged the
shutters of her ports, so that three of them could not be opened. One had
been blown away, and the fire which penetrated the port was so terrific that
the gunners could not work their piece. Thus for some time the Tennes
see, while hammered by rams and pounded by shot, had not fired a gun.
She was now indeed. sore beset. The monitor Chickasaw was under her
stern, assaUing her with an incessant fire from her ponderous cannon. The
Ossipee, Monongahela, and Lackawanna were bearing down to strike her
simultaneous and crashing blows. Her smoke-stack had been shot away ;
her port-shutters were jammed ; her only remaining available gun was
sUenced. No longer could the rebel maintain the unequal contest, and at
ten o'clock she ran up the white fiag. Thus the struggle for the possession
of MobUe Bay, having lasted two and a half hours, terminated in the
entire triumph of the Union army. , The rebel flag stiU floated over the
parapets of Fort Morgan, but the rebel fleet was destroyed, and we had
obtained such vantage-ground as to render the speedy fall of the fort quite
certain. Admfral Buchanan, of the rebel ram, lost a leg, and eight or ten of his
men were kiUed or wounded by the shot which entered through the one
only open port-hole. Admiral Farragut, in his official report, in speaking
of his officers who merited special commendation, says : — ¦
" I must not omit to call the attention of the Department to the con
duct of Acting Ensign Henry C. Nields, of the Metacomet, who had
charge of the boat sent from that vessel when the Tecumseh sank. He
took her in under one of the most galling fires I ever saw, and succeeded
in rescuing from death ten of her crew, within six hundred yards of the
fort. The commanding officers of all the vessels who took part in the
action deserve my warmest commendation. Our iron-clads, from their
slow speed and bad steering, had some difficulty of getting into and main
taining their position in Une as we passed the fort ; and in the subsequent
encounter, from the same cause, were not as effective as I could have
desired. But I cannot give too much praise to Lieutenant-Commander
Perkins, who, though he had orders from the Department to return North,
volunteered to take command of the Chickasaw, and did his duty nobly.
The Winnebago was commanded by Commander T. H. Stevens, who
volunteered for that posUion. His vessel steers very badly, and neither of
his turrets AriU work, which compeUed him to turn his vessel every time
to get a shot, so that he could not fire very often, but he did the best under
the circumstances. The Manhattan appeared to work weU, though she
moved slowly. Commander Nicholson delivered his fire deUberately, and,
as before stated, with one of his fifteen-inch shot broke through the armor
of the Tennessee, with its wooden backing, though the shot itself did not
enter the vessel. The Hartford was commanded by Captain Percival
Drayton, who exhibited throughout that coolness and abUity for which he
has been long known to his brother officers. He is the fleet captain of my
squadron, and one of more determined energy, untiring devotion toi duty.

524 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
and zeal for the serrice, I do not think adorns any navy. Lieutenant J.
Crittenden Watson has been brought to your notice in former dispatches.
During the action he was on the poop, attending to the signals, and per
formed his duties, as might be expected, thoroughly. He is a scion worthy
of the noble stock he sprang from. My secretary, Mr. McKinley, and
Acting Ensign H. H. Brownell, were also on the poop, the latter takhig
notes of the action, a duty which he performed with coolness and accuracy.
Two other acting ensigns of my staff, Mr. Bogert and Mr. Higginbotham,
were on duty in the powder dirision, and exhibited zeal and ability. The
latter, I regret to add, was severely wounded by a raking shot from the
Tennessee, when we collided with that vessel, and died a few hours after.
Mr. Higginbotham was a young married man, and has left a widow and
one child, whom I commend to the kindness of the Department. Lieuten
ant A. R. Yates, of the Augusta, acted as an additional aid to me on board
the Hartford, and was very efficient in the transmission of orders. The
last of my staff to whom I would call the attention of the Department is
not the least in importance. I mean Pilot Martin Freeman. He has been
my great reliance in all difficulties in his line of duty. During the action
he was in the main-top, piloting the ships into the bay. He was cool and
brave throughout, never losing his self-possession.
" Before closing this report there is one other officer of my squadron of
whom I feel bound to speak : Captain T. A. Jenkins, of the Richmond,
who was formerly my chief-of-staff. He is also the commanding officer
of the second dirision of my squadron, and as such has shown abUity,
and the most untiring zeal. He carries out the spirit of one of Lord Col-
lingwood's best sayings, ' not to be afraid of doing too much. Those who
are so, seldom do enough.' "
Three weeks passed away, during which preparations were being made
for the capture of Fort Morgan, by the combined energies of a land force
under General Granger and of the fleet. Early in the morning of the
22d of June, the bombardment began 'from the shore batteries, and from
the fleet inside and outside the bay. For twenty-four hours a continuous
fire was kept up of such subUme magnitude as deeply to impress even
those accustomed to such scenes. At eight o'clock in the evening the
citadel within the fort took fire. Cheered by these indications of success,
the bombardment was pressed with redoubled energy. At six o'clock in
the morning a loud explosion took place, and at half-past six the white flag
was displayed on the fort. The terms of surrender were brief and deci
sive. They were, " that the fort, its garrison, and aU pubUc property
should be surrendered unconditionally, before two o'clock that day."
General Richard L. Page, the rebel commander, assented to these terms.
He, however, and his associate rebel officers, disgraced themselves by con
duct to which men of honor would not have stooped. After the rebel
officers had been assembled, at the time appointed for the surrender, it
was found that they had employed the few preceding hours in spiking the
guns, breaking the gun-carriages, and in destroying arms, ammunition,
and provisions. General Page, and several of his officers, had no swords to
deliver up. They had either throAvn them into the sea, or otherwise dis-

THE CAPTUEE OF MOBILE. 525
posed of them. Others of the officers surrendered swords which they had
preriously broken. " General Page and his officers," writes Admiral Far
ragut, " with a chUdish spitefulness, destroyed the guns which they had
said they would defend to the last, but which they never defended at all •
and threw away or broke those weapons which they had not the manU-
ness to use against their enemies ; for Fort Morgg-n never fired a gun after
the commencement of the bombardment, and the advance pickets of our
army were absolutely on the glacis."
In the foUovring terms. General Page had soUcited conditions of sur
render, in a written note to Admfral Farragut and General Granger : —
" Gentlemeit :
"The farther sacrifice of Ufe being unnecessary — ^my sick and wounded
suffering and exposed — humanity demands that I ask for terms of capitu
lation." In reply it was stated : —
" The only terms we can make are the unconditional surrender of
yourself, and the garrison of Fort Morgan, with all of the public property
Arithin its Umits, and in the same condition that it is now."
In response. General Page stated : " Your conditions in communication
of to-day are accepted."
In the conflict when passing the fort by the fieet, fifty-two men were
kUled and one hundred and seventy wounded, on board the Union fleet.
The next step was to take MobUe. It was strongly fortified. The rebels
Taylor and Maury held a garrison of about fifteen thousand men, behind
intrenchments which thousands of negroes had been compelled to work
upon for months. The main line of defence was eight mUes in length,
strengthened vrith forty-two redoubts. The 'shallow water would not allow
our large ships to approach the city, and the channel for small ones was
fiUed vrith torpedoes. Bomb-proofs and traverses protected the gunners
along the Unes, which Unes, froAvning with batteries, were rendered more
unapproachable by a ditch extending the whole length, ten feet deep and
eighteen feet Aride.
The imperious demands for men in other quarters rendered necessary
the abandonment for several months of all direct attacks upon Mobile.
The capture of the city was not deemed a matter of much moment, since
we held the harbor. Indeed, it was thought rather desirable not to take it,
Mince the menacing of the place held fifteen thousand rebel troops there,
and thus prevented them from doing harm elsewhere. But after Thomas
had effectually used up Hood's army at NashriUe, and Sherman had com
pleted his march through Georgia and South Carolina, a Union force,
under General Granger, forty thousand strong, completely invested the
city on the land side, while a powerful fleet lent its cooperation in the bay.
The rebels fought, as they ever fought, desperately. But neither numbers
nor courage could avail them. The Union troops, inspired with that
endnirance of valor which seems to characterize Northern men, pressed
boldly on, through battle and through blood, ever gaining, and always
holding what they gained. During the last week of April, 1865, we lost

526 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
four hundred men. The conflict was incessant and terrific. Fort after
fort we invested. The enemy's gunboats carried sixty-four-pounders. He
had also two guns which threw shells weighing one hundred and twenty-
four pounds. One of these shells killed fifteen of our men.
By the 3d of AprU, 1865, preparations were made for the final assault
upon Spanish Fort, the possession of Avhich would render the surrender of
the city inevitable. The gunboats and the batteries on shore opened simul
taneously their bombardment. The patriot sharpshooters crept forward from
trench to trench and from ridge to ridge, until, by their accurate and deadly
fire, they drove the rebel gunners from their pieces. During all the day,
until midnight, the confiict continued. The guns, being then all silencedj
the rebels surrendered. At two o'clock of the morning, March 9th, our
troops entered the intrenchments. General Canby's report the next morn
ing said : —
" Spanish Fort and its dependencies were captured last night. We
have twenty-five officers and five hundred and thirty- eight -enUsted men
prisoners, and have taken five mortars and twenty-five guns. The major
part of the garrison escaped by water. Blakely is already invested, and
wUl be assaulted to-day, unless the works are stronger than I now beUeve
them to be."
Our monitors and gunboats, cautiously remoring torpedoes, worked
their way up almost within shelling distance of Mobile. At the same
time the troops formed for an assault upon the only remaining works pro
tecting the to^vn. The rebel intrenchments were strong, formidably armed,
amply manned, and it was well known that the garrison would fight des
perately. No ordinary ability or valor could carry such works. One man
behind such intrenchments was equal to ten men before them. But
officers and soldiers were alike determined. The hateful rebel banner
floated over the streets of Mobile. It was the only sea-port, with the
exception of Galveston, where that banner was still unfurled. Tidings of
a constant succession of victories Avere constantly reaching the ears of our
soldiers, redoubling their zeal. Officers and men were alike resolved that,
cost what it might in blood and woe, that banner should go down, and
that the National flag should again wave over the city redeemed.
Steele held the right. Smith the centre, and Granger the left. At the given
signal, the Avhole majestic line swept forward under a terriflc flre from the
enemy's batteries and gunboats. Reckless of the storm, they pressed for
ward, cutting their way through the thick abatis, trampling upon the
torpedoes, which exploded beneath their feet, leaping the ditches, and, Arith
loud cheers, clambering the ramparts. The victory was complete. Twenty
guns and two thousand four hundred prisoners fell into our hands.
The rebels immediately evacuated the city, retreating into the interior.
Our rictorious troops marched into Mobile, and at two o'clock of March
10th, 1865, the star-spangled banner floated over the city which rebeUion
had dishonored and almost ruinqd, but which the patriot army had rescued
from disloyalty and shame.
The capture of Mobile merits far more minuteness of detail than the
Umits of thjp history will allow. It Avas a noble deed, nobly accompUshed.

THE CAPTURE OF MOBILE. 527
There was not, perhaps, throughout the whole war, any campaign in whicii
there was displayed higher qualities of generalship or more heroic daring.
But should Ave attempt to do justice to aU individual or regimental acts
worthy of record, our narrative would crowd the pages of many volumes.
About the middle of June, 1864, just before the naval attack upon
Mobile, the steamship Alabama, which had long been the pest of the seas,
ingloriously avoiding all collision Arith armed vessels, but robbing and
burning helpless merchantmen, was caught in the harbor of Cherbourg, by
lie United States steamship Kearsarge. There was no escape for the Ala
bama Arithout a flght. The Kearsarge was vigilantly watching for the
pfratic craft, about ten miles from the mouth of the harbor. The Alabama,
after waiting in port five days to prepare for the confiict, on Sunday morn
ing, June 19th, steamed out of the harbor, and bore down upon the Kear
sarge. They were both thfrd-class sloops-of-war, of nearly the same arma
ment and tonnage.
The Alabama was built in a British port, armed with British guns, and
manned by British sailors, under the command of an American traitor.
The gunners had been carefuUy trained in Her Majesty's practice-ship Ex
cellent. Her battery consisted of eight guns — one one-hundred-pounder
rifle, one sixty-eight-pounder rifle, and six thirty -two-pounders.
The Kearsarge was built in an American port, armed with American
guns, and manned by American sailors, under the command of an Ameri
can patriot. Her battery consisted of seven guns — two eleven-inch Dahl
grens, throvring sheU and hollow shot of one hundred and thirty-eight
pounds, four thirty-two-pounders, and one twenty-eight-pounder rifle.
In a conflict of one hour and ten minutes the Alabama was torn to
pieces, and sunk like lead beneath the waves of the British Channel. The
carnage on board the ship had been awful. Her decks were slippery with
blood, and the wounded, in large numbers, had been carried into the hold.
These aU, with many who were attending them, went down with the ship.
Eighty or ninety of the surrivors, as the ship was ingulfed, were left
struggling in the waves. The Alabama was accompanied from Cherbourg
by an English yacht, the Deerhound, owned by John Lancaster. After
the Alabama had surrendered and sank, Captain Winslow, of the Kear
sarge, humanely asked Lancaster to assist in rescuiag the drowning men,
his prisoners, who had surrendered. Lancaster picked up Semmes, the
captain of the piratic craft, and several others of the officers and crew, and,
instead of placing them on board the Kearsarge, regardless of England's
professed neutrality, steamed off to Cowes, and set them at liberty. Here
the wretch who had roamed the sea, not Uke a warrior, but like a pirate,
and who had committed to the flames more than ten mUlions of private
property, was lauded by English journals, and feted by English merchants,
as though he had been a hero meriting the world's applause. This act of
EngUsh dishonor, added to a thousand others during the war, stung the
National heart to the quick, and added to that universal spirit of indigna-
tion,which was already almost irrepressible throughout ithe land. The sen
timent of the community towards England may be inferred from the foUow
ing extract from one of the New York journals, pubUshed at this time :—

528 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
" It is now a matter of history that British agents helped to excite the
rebeUion at the South. Our rebels are fighting with British guns, and
British powder, and British buUets. The British send them food and
clothing. The British press encourages them to keep up the war. British
peers are not ashamed openly to avow their sympathy with the rebels.
The rebel navy is composed of British vessels. When robbing our mer
chant-ships, these pirates display the British flag. The Alabama was
manned by a British crew, trained in a British man-of-war. The rebelUon
is a British institution from top to bottom."
When the question was asked Captain Winslow, why he allowed the
Deerhound so to insult the American flag as to run away with his prison
ers, and why he did not either stop or sink her, he replied that he could
not beUeve that a vessel carrying the flag of the Royal Yacht Club would
perpetrate so dishonorable an act ; and when he saw that the Deerhound
was actuaUy steaming for England, he said that he trusted to the honor of
Semmes, that he would still consider himself as lawfully a prisoner. The
regret of the nation was universal that Captain Winslow had thus allowed
Semmes to escape, and that he had placed any reliance in the honor of a
man who had riolated his oath, renounced his serrice, betrayed his coun
try, turned pirate on the high seas, and, for two years, burned and de
stroyed defenceless merchantmen, ever skulking from a flght tiU he could
no longer endure the taunts upon his cowardice. It has often been our
duty to speak in the highest terms of the bravery of the rebel army ; but
the career of the Alabama in cautiously avoiding every armed ship, and
in plundering and burning defenceless merchantmen, merits only con
tempt. The Rev. A. H. Quint, of Massachusetts, one of the most heroic chap
lains in the United States army, in a speech before the National CouncU
of Congregational Clergymen, in Boston, in June, 1865, said, in words
which met Arith a response in almost every patriot heart : —
" When I was in the serrice of my country, and saw my comrades faU ;
when I saw friends from Wisconsin, Indiana, and New York, faU side by
side, I knew that they fell by British bullets, from British muskets, loaded
Arith British powder, fired by men wearing British shoes, and British
clothing, and backed by British sympathy."
Such sins cannot be forgiven unrepented of. Throughout the whole of
the United States there is a feeUng of intense and just indignation in riew
of the encouragement which the British Government and the higher classes
of the British people gave to the rebels. Such crimes are not soon forgot
ten.

CHAPTER XLII.
CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER AND WILMINGTON.
(From November, 1S64, to Tebraary, 1865.)
Sailins op the Fleet. — Bombabdmest and Assault. — Failuee op the Expedition. — Views
op Generals Weitzel and Butler. — Want op Harmony between the Naval and
Land Forces. — New Expedition. — Sailing from Beaufort. — Sublime Spectacle. — Fueious
Gale. — Incidents op the Bombaedment. — Valor of Sailoes and Soldiers. — Heeoism op
the Commandees, — Triumphant Results.
Eaelt in August, 1864, arrangements were made for a naval and mUi
tary expedition on a grand scale. A large fieet, under Admiral Porter,
was collected in Hampton Roads. Several months were employed in the
arduous preparations. It was not until Monday evening, December 12th,
1864, that the transports and smaller vessels of the fleet, seventy-five ves
sels in aU, got under way. The next morning the line-of-battle ships, the
fronsides, and the monitors followed. The fieet consisted of seventy-three
war-vessels, carrying six hundred and fifty-five guns, and a large number
of transports, conveying about ten thousand men under General Butler.
After encountering a severe storm off Cape Hatteras, the fleet on the
Mth anchored at Beaufort, in Nerth Carolina. The next day the arma
ment reached the vicinity of Fort Fisher, at the mouth of Cape Fear River,
the most formidable fortress which defended the approaches to Wilming
ton. Unfortunately, a severe storm arose, which prevented the immediate
disembarkation of the troops. Several days were thus lost, and the enemy
was enabled to gather reenforcements, and to make ample preparations
to repel the assault. The violence of the storm was such that the vessels
were compelled to draw off to sea again, but reappeared on the 23d.
It was not until noon of Saturday, the 24th, that the fleet got into posi
tion to open fire upon the fort. The bombardment was terrific. Thfrty
shots a minute of balls and shells of largest caUbre fell upon the works of
the foe. A torpedo-boat was also exploded near the fort, which, however,
mifficted no serious injury. The bombardment Avas continued untU dark,
and Avas resumed the next morning, and continued all the day.
Under cover of this tremendous fire, a body of troops was landed,
Sunday afternoon, to storm the fort. More than twenty thousand shots
were thrown from fifty kinds of war-vessels. The rebels responded with
only about twelve hundred shots. The ground in front and rear of the
fort was torn up with shells, and many of the guns were dismounted. StUl
the fort itself was but slightly injured.
About three thousand men were landed to storm the fort. But the at
tempt was not made, for reasons stated as foUows by General Butler, in a
letter to Admiral Porter : —
Vol. il— 34

530 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
" Upon landing the troops, and making a thorough reconnoissance of
Fort Fisher, both General Weitzel and myself are fully of opinion that
the place could not be carried by assault, as it was left substantially unin
jured as a defensive work, by the navy fire. We found seventeen guns
protected by traverses, two only of which were dismoimted, bearing up
the beach, and covering a strip of land, the only practicable route, not
more than wide enough for a thousand in Une of battle.
" General Weitzel advanced his skirmish line within fifty yards of the
fort, while the garrison was kept in their bomb-proofs by the fire of the
navy, and so closely that three or four men of the picket line ventured
upon the parapet, and through the sally-port of the work, capturing a
horse, which they brought off, kilUng the orderly, who was the bearer of
a dispatch from chief of artillery of General Whiting, to bring a light bat
tery within the fort, and also brought away from the parapet the fiag of
the fort.
" This was done while the sheUs of the navy were falling about the
heads of the daring men who entered the works, and it was evident, as
soon as the fire of the navy ceased, because of the darkness, that the fort
was fully manned again, and opened with grape and canister on our picket
line. " Finding that nothing but the operations of a regular siege, which did
not come withiti my instructions, would reduce the fort, and in view of the
threatening aspect of the weather, wind arising from the southeast, render
ing it impossible to make further landing through the surf, I caused the
troops vrith their prisoners to reembark, and see nothing further that can
be done by the land forces. I shall therefore sail for Hampton Roads as
soon as tbe transport fleet can be got in order. My engineers and officers
report Fort Fisher to me as substantially uninjured as a defensive work."
Admiral Porter was not satisfied with this result. Indeed, it is erident
that there was a want of harmony between the commanders of the land
and naval forces. Admiral Porter replies : —
" I vrish some more of your gallant fellows had followed the officer who
took the flag from the parapet, and the brave fellow who brought the horse
out from the fort. I think that they would have found it an easier con
quest than is supposed. I do not, however, intend to place my opinion in
opposition to General Weitzel, whom I know to be an accomplished sol
dier and engineer, and whose opinion has great weight with me."
The subsequent statements of the rebel officers entirely confirmed the
opinion of Generals Butler and Weitzel, that the fort was substantiaUy
uninjured by the navy fire. The disappointment of the community in
riew of this failure was very great. There was a strong disposition to
censure General Butler for refusing to attempt the assault, and he was
soon relieved of his command.. In his farewell address to his soldiers, he
said : " I have refused to order the useless sacrifice of such soldiers, and I
am relieved from your command."
General Grant was not at aU satisfied with the result of the expedition,
but was fully conrinced that the fort could be taken by dfrect assault.
Preparations were accordingly made to renew the attack by the same fleet

CAPTURE OP FORT FISHER AND WILMINGTON. 531
under Admiral Porter, and by a land force, one-third larger than before
under General Terry. Fortunately, in this case the commanders of the
land and naval forces were in cordial sympathy, and were resolved that if
it were witlUn the limits of possibility, the fort should be taken.
The Committee on the Conduct of the War, after a rigid examination,
exonerated General Butler from all blame in this affair. It appeared in
eridence that Greneral Butler, with his transports, went directly to the
place of rendezA'ous. There he waited during three days of flne weather
for Admfral Porter, who was at Beaufort, taking in supplies. By the time
the admfr-al with his fleet had reached the place of rendezvous, a rising
storm drove General Butler with his transports to Beaufort for shelter, and
to obtain supplies, which had been exhausted by his three days' waiting.
On Friday, the 23d of December, when General Butler was seventy
miles distant from Fort Fisher, Admiral Porter exploded, at two o'clock at
night, his powder-vessel, and then, twelve hours after, at noon the next
day, opened upon the fort. As soon as General Butler could reach the
scene of aetion, whieh was not until Saturday morning, he sent General
Weitzel and Colonel, now General, Comstock, to confer with the admiral
in reference to operations. Immediately two thousand three hundred men
were landed. General Weitzel was sent to reconnoitre the fort, and to pro
nounce upon the practicabiUty of an assault. His testimony before the
Committee was as follows : —
"After that experience [in assaulting military works], with the infor
mation I had obtained from reading and study — for before this war I was
an instructor at the MiUtary Academy for three years, under Professor
Mahan, on these very subjects — remembering Avell the remark of the Lieu
tenant-General commanding, that it was his intention I should command
that expedition, because another officer selected by the War Department
had once shoAvn timidity, and in face of the fact that I had b^en appointed
a major-general only twenty days before, and needed conflrmation ; not-
vrithstanding all that, I went back to General Butler, and told him I con
sidered it would be murder to order an attack on that work vrith that
force. I understood Colonel Comstock to agre'e with me perfectly, al
though I did not ask him, and General Butler has since said that he did."
Upon this report from an officer in whose gallantry as weU as engineer
ing skill the most implicit reUance could be placed. General Butler de
rided not to make an assauU. General Butler, in his testimony, stated:—
" I AriU state what determined my mind against remaining on the
beach near Fort Fisher. I was by no means unmindful of the instructions
of the Ueutenant-general. He had directed me to remain if I had effected
a landing. If I had effected a landing, I should have remained. But a
landing requfres something more than to land two thousand five hundred
men, out of six thousand five hundred, on a beach, Arith nothing but
forty rounds in thefr cartridge-boxes, and where thefr suppUes would be
driven off the first storm. I did not think that was a landmg within my
instructions ; therefore I deemed it much better for the countiy to with
draw as I did ; that it was much less risk, and much better for the future ;
for if it was necessary, a sufficient number of men could hold the line of

532 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
communication from Masonborough Inlet down to Fort Fisher ; and, if
they could be spared from the armies around Richmond, could be sent
down there, where they could go in with six feet of water, and from thence
operating against Fort Fisher, they could come prepared for a siege and
remain there.
" By going away, I would draw off the enemy's attention. If I re
mained there, it would keep his forces concentrated at that point ; and if
I was driven away by tbe storm that was coming up, then I should lose
the men I had landed. I acted for the best, according to the light I
had." The committee conclude their report with the following words : —
" It will be observed from the testimony that there are several points
of difference between the two expeditions. In the case of the first expe
dition, while the navy were prompt and active in the bombardment and
the landing of the troops, there was a want of cordiality and cooperation
between the two arms of the service, which must have seriously impaired
the efficiency of their joint action. The testimony of officers and the
records of the Navy Department, herewith submitted, are referred to by
your committee as containing ample evidence of that fact. In the second
expedition no such feeling was manifested, but the most cordial spirit of
cooperation appears to have actuated the commanding officers of the army
and navy, and to that may be attributed the success which attended thefr
efforts. " In the case of the first expedition, the bombardment by the fieet does
not seem tp have seriously impaired the efficiency of the fort. But few of
tiie guns of the fort were injured, and the garrison seems to have suffered
but small loss. In the case of the second expedition, the bombardment
was far more effective. Almost every gun was disabled on the side of the
fort Avhere the army made its assault, and the contest was more of the
character of infantry fighting on both sides, than a contest between infantry
on the one side and a hearily-armed military work upon the other. And
the assault by the sailors and marines, though novel in its character and
successful in its immediate results, doubtless proved of great advantage to
the army by its very novelty, and the diversion it created in the operations
of the garrison of the fort.
"In conclusion, your committee would say, from all the testimony
before them, that the determination of General Butler not to assault the
fort seems to have been fully justified by all the facts and circumstances
then known or afterAvards ascertained."
Early on the morning of the 4tli of January, the new expedition was
preparing to leave Fortress Monroe. A small fleet of transports rapidly
steamed up James River to Bermuda Hundred. Here, in the evening,
they took on board the soldiers who were to compose the land force, and
in the night returned down the river to their anchorage at Point Comfort.
The fleet consisted of twenty-one steamers of various sizes, but all admi
rable sea-boats, capable of weathering any ordinary storm. Admiral Por
ter was in eommand. The land force was under General Terry, whose
subordinate generals were veteran soldiers, experienced in all war's perils,

CAPTURE OP FORT FISHER AND WILMINGTON. 533
prompt in any emergency. General Terry on many a field of blood had
won renown.* General Adelbert Ames,f an accomplished scholar from
West Point, was a man of true heroic mould. A braver soldier never led
a column. General Paine, of the Twenty-fifth Army Coi-ps, was one
whom no perplexities could bewilder, and no dangers appall. General
Grant was weU aware that the expedition upon which he was sending
these troops was one of the most desperate of the war. With his custom
ary sagacity he had selected his agents to perform the heroic deed.
The transports reached their anchorage at Old Point Comfort about
five o'clock in the afternoon of the Sth. At three o'clock the next morn
ing they were again under way, steaming out of the magnificent harbor,
into the broad Atlantic. The wind Avas blowing freshly at the time, with
every appearance of a storm ; but before the day dawned nearly every
steamer had rounded the point of Cape Henry, and had disappeared on
thefr Southern voyage. With the rising sun the wind increased to a gale
from the southeast, directly ahead. The enormous biUows, driven with
almost tornado fury against the bows of the steamers, greatly retarded
thefr progress. As evening approached the gale became so violent that it
was not deemed safe to attempt to double Cape Hatteras with many of the
smaller transports, and they accordingly hove-to, to ride out the tempest
north of the stormy cape. After a few hours the wind suddenly whirled
round to the northwest, beating doAvn the angry sea, and presenting a
* Major-General Alfred Howe Terry is a citizen of New Haven, Connecticut. He was born
in 1828, and, at the outbreak of the rebellion, was a lawyer in his native city. The uplifting of
the banner of the rebellion called him, like a true patriot, from the oflfice to the field. A natural
taste, perhaps an instinct of perils to come, had led him to be a diligent student of military sci
ence. He commenced his active career, whicli he has passed with so much honor to liimself and
liis country, by recruiting the Second Regiment of Counecticut Volunteers, over which he was
commissioned colonel. At Bull Run, at Port Royal, at Pulaski, Colonel Terry won much renown.
In April, 1862, in acknowledgment of his marked ability, he was appointed brigadier -general
At Pocotaligo, in the conflicts on the James and Morris Islands, he rose to a National reputation.
In February, 1864, he was assigned to the command of the Northern District of the Department
of the South. Soon after he was transferred to Virginia, to operate against Richmond. Gen
eral Grant was a sagacious judge of character. He selected General Terry, now elevated to the
rank of major-general, to lead the land force in the grand expedition against Fort Fisher. The
result proves the wisdom of his choice. " In physical appearance General Terry is a trifle over
six feet in height, very slim, and as straight as an arrow, with a large head, brown hair, and blue
eyes. He is a person of gentle manners and ready intellect. In the profession of law he was as
rapidly rising in eminence as he has since risen in the profession of arms." The heroism of
his attack ou Fort Fisher secured for him the position of major-general in the United States Army.
f General Adelbert Ames was bom in Maine, and entered the Military Academy at West Point
in 1858. The exio-encies of the war induced the Government to transfer his whole class to the
field, in advance of the regular order of graduation. In May, 1861, he was commissioned first
lieutenant in the United States Artillery. Under General McClellan he participated in the siege
of Torktown, and for distinguislred service was brevetted captain. For gallantry displayed at
Garnett's Farm and Malvern Hill, he was brevetted major in July. A few days after this he was
commissioned colonel of a regiment of Maine volunteers. His regiment, numbering nine hundred
and seventy-nine men, was one of which any ofificer might be proud. Colonel Ames possessed
all the soldierly qualities which could entitle him to command such a body of men. Rapidly gain
ing in reputation for both ability and bravery at Brandy Station, Cold Harbor, and many other a
bloody field, he repeatedlv, in the heat of the war, took command of a whole divisioa of one of
the army corps He was always found equal to any emergency, and rose rapidly to a National
reputation in his soldierly career. In April, 1864, he was commissioned brigadier-general of
volunteers. ¦ General Amos is a young man, but a veteran soldier.

534 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
smooth expanse, over which the steamers rapidly glided towards Beaufort,
North Carolina. ,
When they arrived at this beautiful harbor, over which Fort Macon
holds stern sentinel, they found Admiral Porter, with his cooperating fleet
of gunboats, was already there. A more formidable armada never set forth to
avenge a nation's wrongs. There were nineteen transports, conveying nine
thousand two hundred men. There were also connected with the expedi
tion over forty of the most potent ships of war modern art could construct,
most of them invulnerable in their coats of mail, and armed with the most
ponderous weapons of destruction that human skill could devise. It was
Sunday, January 9th, and the scene of peace and loveliness presented to the
eye on the still waters of that spacious harbor surpasses description :
"Sweet day, so still, so calm, so bright,
The bridal of the earth and sky."
As the afternoon sun was gloriously sinking behind the western forest,
Beaufort was seen reposing in beauty on the right, for " distance lends
enchantment to the riew." On the left rose the frowning walls of Fort
Macon bristling with artillery, while far up the harbor appeared the little
hamlet of Morehead City, now just rising to importance. Beyond and
around SAvept apparently the interminable forest of North Carolina pines.
Turning your eye seaward, you beheld that long, narroAV tongue of land
Avliich runs along the Avhole Carolina coast, and Avhich here breaks into an
opening, creating the point called Cape Lookout. This barren, sandy
strip of land, covered with a dwarfed growth of trees, is inhabited by a
very primitive population, composed of those who in the South are called
" poor whites." They obtain a meagre livelihood by flshing and raising
a few vegetables. Schools and churches are alike rare among them.
Their language partakes of the simplicity of their condition. One was
asked the distance across the narrow strip of land ; he replied, " It is
about two barks of a dog." Another, in answer to the same question,
said, " It is two sharp looks, and a right smart chance beyond."
Some of the fleet, both of gunboats and transports, cast anchor outside
of the bar, but they alike rode through the night almost motionless at their
moorings upon the glassy sea. Clouds had gathered in the sky as the
Monday morning's sun rose from the waves ; but gradually the sun dis
persed the clouds, and another beautiful day smiled upon the voyagers.
Some of the transports had been delayed by the storm, and Monday was
necessarily lost in waiting for their arrival, and in attending to sundry
preUminaries of the great fight soon to ensue. Those who were ready to
proceed were impatient of this delay, when bright skies and smooth seas
seemed to invite them onward.
Tuesday morning, the 10th, dawned less propitious. The vrind had
changed to the southeast, and, blowing very freshly, was rolling in massive
billows from the open sea. A drizzling rain, with gathering clouds and a
dense haze, gave indications of a stormy, wintry day. Immense sheets of
foam dashing over the reefs of Shackleford Island shoAved how heavy the
surf must be upon every exposed shore. Clouds of vapor brooded over

CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER AND WILMINGTON. 535
land and water, so that from the centre of the harbor the town of Beau
fort could not be seen. All the signs indicated the approach of one of
those severe storms to which that latitude, in that season of the year was
peculiarly exposed. Every thing was made snug to meet the tempest.
The larger ships, rolling in the angry sea, put out additional anchors ;
others sought a more sheltered spot. Many pushed boldly out into the
ocean to ride out the storm, where there would be no danger from
treacherous reefs and sand-bars. During the day the storm increased.
About two o'clock in the afternoon a brig appeared, running into the
harbor, scudding before the gale. Her topsaU was blown into shreds,
and her ensign, flapping from the shrouds, gave signal of distress.
Captain Berry, of the Blackstone, immediately hove anchor, though with
great difficulty in so stormy a sea, and advanced to the relief of the stranger.
As he dropped under the stern of the brig, and hailed her, the hoarse
answer came back through the driving vapor, and over the waves :
" The WiUiam H. Brickmore, of St. George, Maine, leaking badly,
four feet of water in the hold ; the crew aU beat out."
A naval tug was sent to the reUef of the brig. More and more
furiously blew the gale. The ocean was one vast sheet of foam. The
steamers got up steam to prevent being blowm ashore. Several were seen
rolUng and pitching fearfully in the sea, as they struggled to get out from
the exposed roadstead, where sand-banks were aU around them in most
dangerous proximity. As night came on the gale increased to a hurricane,
Avith thunder and Ughtning and torrents of rain. The scene was awful
on board the transports crowded with troops. Every thing movable was
dashed riolently about. For many, there was no shelter from the piercing
Arintry wind, and from the waves which in showers of spray swept the
decks. The discomfort of that night cannot be told.
About midnight the wind changed a little, and the gale seemed to
relent in its fury. Wednesday morning, the llth, came. But it Avas a
wintry day: " Sullen and sad, with all his rising train,
Vapors, and clouds, and storms."
But the fierceness of the tempest had so far abated that the scattered
fleet began again to reassemble. The transports were most of them at
anchor off the bar. At one o'clock an order was sent from Commodore
Porter, in the flag-ship McCleUan, for the whole squadron to be ready to
saU, assigning to each vessel its position. In long Une the transports were
to follow the vessels of war, each keeping as near its convoy as could be
consistent vrith safety. Yery minute directions Avere given respecting the
order of sailing, the method of landing the assaulting columns, and the
position of the gunboats, iron-clad and wooden, for the bombardment of
the fort.
About sunset the war- vessels flrst got under way, and steamed out of
the harbor, to take their positions in the majestic line of advance upon the
doomed rebel flag. It was a magnificent evening. The vapor and clouds
had disappeared. As the sun, in wintry splendor, sank below the
distant forest, the full-orbed moon rose apparently from the blue waves.

636 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
The fleet rose and fell sublimely on the majestic swell of the sea. From
the peak and flag-staff of every ship, as the lamps were suspended, suddenly
there seemed to rise upon the sea a populous city, with it streets illuminated
by gas-lights. During the night the wind died away to almost a perfect
calm, and the swell subsided to a mirrored ocean.
It was about seventy miles from Beaufort to New Inlet, where the fleet,
which was to enter from the Atlantic Ocean, would pass within the Avidely-
expanded mouth of Cape Fear River. As the fast steamers would be
retarded by those which made less speed, this would require a sail of about
eight hours. On Thursday morning, the 12th, the sun rose in a cloudless
sky. There was scarcely a breath of wind. The ocean was perfectly
smooth. In the clear morning air, remote objects seemed near. Ocean,
land, and sky were lighted up with almost supernatural splendor. The
shores, the toAvn, the frowning fort, the fleet all were bathed in the bril
liant sunlight. General A. H. Terry, who was in command of the land
force, steamed across the bar, in his flag-ship, the McClellan, and flred a
gun r.3 the signal for the transports to get under way. Admiral David D.
Porter, in the Malvern, which was his flag-ship, took his imperial station at
the head of the gunboat fleet. Before noon the whole armada was gliding
swiftly along, in gorgeous array over the surface of the unruffled sea.
Such a scene of majesty and yet of beauty, of peace and yet of power,
few mortal eyes have ever witnessed. The brilliant day, the mirrored
ocean, the long lines of the Carolina coast, only a few miles distant on the
right, the magnificent squadron, with its vast variety of vessels — mammoth
ships-of-war, monitors, looking in the distance but like puncheons on a
raft, transports of almost every size and structure, and black with their
swarming multitudes, flags and pennants streaming in the air, with occa
sional bursts of music from the military bands, echoing faintly over the
waveless expanse — all presented a scene never to be forgotten by those
Avhose pririlege it was to gaze upon it. The ships which led in the long line
were entirely lost beneath the rotundity of the sea, so that they could not
be seen by those in tiie rear. The flock of transports was preceded and
flanked, at regular intervals, by the guardian gunboats.
The monitors, which were not built for swift sailing, were taken in
tow to accelerate their speed. The squadron advanced at the rate of
about seven miles an hour. Fort Fisher was reared, in all its massive
strength, on the southern point of a tongue of land which from the north
commanded New Inlet. A brilliant sunset closed the magnificent day.
Just as the sun was going down, four additional steamers, from the East,
joined the squadron. The vessels in the advance arrested their speed,
that those in the rear might close up. As the tvrilight faded aAvay, again
the lamps were swung from mast-heads and flag-staffs, presenting a specta
cle of sigular picturesque beauty. Soon the moon rose in full-orbed splen
dor. At nine o'clock, in its bright light, the land was distinctly visible,
and likewise the blockading fleet, which, for weary months, had been keep
ing guard at the mouth of the inlet. Signal-lights, rapidly interchanged
between the admiral's ship and the blockading squadron near the shore,
indicated that.some prompt movement was to be made.

CAPTUEE OF FORT FISHER AND WILMINGTON. 537

FORT FISHER
JOTD
LIVaiWC-TQH

The traitors, defiantly arrayed beneath the banner of treason in Fort
Fisher, had eridently been aroused by the appalling spectacle which had
seemingly emerged from the bosom of the sea. An immense bonflre,
just in the rear of the fort, threw up its bUlowy flames into the sky,
illumining the whole region around, apparently a beacon to inform the
rebel hosts in the city of Wilmington and its vicinity of the approach of
the Union fleet. At eleven o'clock the squadron came to anchor at a
point where, under the shelter of its guns, the transports could land the
troops Avho were to storm the fort, immediately after the ships had fulfilled
their allotted task of the bombardment.
Friday, January 13th, dawned beautifully. A bright sun, a smooth
sea, a refreshing breeze from off the shore, presented all the faciUties
which heart could desire for the momentous operations of the day. At
sunrise the splendid frigate Brooklyn, followed by several other war-
vessels, slowly skirted the shore at the distance of about a mile, and
tossed their enormous shells into the forest, and into every spot where
rebel troops could by any possibility be concealed. To this assault not
a traitor gun replied. The ground having been thus effectually recon
noitred, preparations were made to land the troops. From all the ships
and transports boats were launched, and almost in the twinkUng of an
eye the sea was covered vrith the Liliputian fiotUla. With cheers and
waving banners, and bugle peals, and exultant music from martial bands,
the enthusiastic thousands were rowed to the shore, and sprang upon the
beach.

'538 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
While this imposing spectacle was passing, another and a sublimer
scene was being enacted. The majestic war-ship " New Ironsides," with
the turreted monitors, some with single, some with double turrets, de
liberately, defiantly, as though neither shot nor shell could harm them,
took their position within point-blank range of Fort Fisher, and opened
upon the fortress a terrific fire. The thitnders of the cannonade, the bril
liance of the day, the sublimity, of the scene, the grandeur of the enter
prise, caused the blood to leap in one's veins. Even the naturally timid
were made recklessly brave. The soldiers, as they were landing, in thefr
enthusiasm leaped into the surf, and ran dripping from the sea, with loud
cheers, to plant the National banner on the soil which treason and rebellion
had dishonored. Notwithstanding the calmness of the sea, there was as
usual a swell, which the sailors call the breathing of the ocean, which in
foamy crests broke and rolled along the shore. Thus most of the men, in
landing from the heavily-loaded boats, got pretty thoroughly drenched.
Their knapsacks were frequently immersed, and, in some cases, their
ammunition spoiled. Officers and men worked with like eagerness and
alacrity. Before three o'clock in the afternoon the land forces were aU
ashore, with the exception of a few held in reserve.
The landing was effected upon a strip of hard beach about two hun
dred feet in width, and five miles above Fort Fisher. The beach was
Uned by some sand-hillocks, which would afford very good natural breast
works, should the troops be suddenly attacked. The centre of the tongue
of land, which here, with a breadth of about two miles, separates the ocean
from Cape Fear River, is quite densely wooded, and deformed with sAvamps
and stagnant lagunes. The troops, thus successfully landed, Avere promptly
drawn up in military order, their line extending along the beach about
two miles. Pickets were thrown out to guard against surprise. In the
mean time the boats were busy bringing to the shore the supplies needful
for so many hungry mouths.
As the bombardment was progressing fiercely, about three o'clock in
the afternoon, a rebel steamer ran down Cape Fear River from Wilming
ton. Its long line of black smoke was distinctly seen across the tongue
ofi land, and over the low battlements of the fort, from the bombarding
fleet. Soon the paths of the other rebel war-steamers were seen running
nervously up and down the river. Their positions were discerned by the
clouds of billowy smoke from bituminous coal or pitch-pine knots, which
they left in their train. They were probably conveying reenforcements
to Fort Fisher, and rebel troops from Wilmington, to watch and assail the
troops which had landed.
At half-past four. Admiral Porter signalled for all the remaining gun^
boats to move into position and take part in the bombardment. Thus far
only the Ironsides and three monitors had opened upon the fort. But
these formidable men-of-war had kept up a flre so continuous and deadly,
with their ponderous shot and shell, that the rebels were driven to take
refuge in their casemates. They rarely ventured a shot in return. When
they did fire, their aim seemed to be directed exclusively towards the mon
itors. The accuracy with which their shot were throAvn showed that

CAPTURE OP PORT FISHER AND WILMINGTON. 539
thefr guns were manned by skilful hands. The fire of the ships was
so incessant that they were completely enveloped in the clouds
of thefr own smoke. The spectacle was very curious. There seemed
to be upon the ocean several spots of dense, dark vapor, fiashino- ^vith
angry lightnings, belching forth thunder-peals, and hurUng forth shrieking
missiles of war, before Avhose ponderous weight the solid masonry of Fort
Fisher was rapidly crumbUng. One of these immense fifteen-inch shells
pierced the sand of the traverse, and burst in the middle of one of the
casemates, killing and wounding, it is said, more than fifty men.
But when all the ships united in this terrific bombardment, the scene
surpassed, not only all power of pen or pencil to describe, but even of
imagination to conceive. The flash was almost a continuous lightning
gleam. The roar was one incessant rumbling, crashing thunder-peah
The afternoon sun went down, obscured in murky clouds of smoke ; the
tArilight faded away ; darkness came — the darkness of a night as yet with
out a moon. Still the tempest of war flashed and thundered in deafening
roar. The virid gleams illumined the whole wide scene Avith lurid light.
The explosions, hurling their Titanic missiles, seemed to shake both sea
and land. The transport fleet, riding at anchor at a distance of nearly
four mUes, trembled from stem to stem, as though some gigantic battering-
ram were smiting them. Two hundred guns, fired with great rapidity,
were at the same time hurling their shot and shell in and against the fort.
Ko fiesh and blood could stand up against such an assault. The rebel
gunners fied into the casemated dungeons, and silently, without response,
awaited the issue.
While this bombardment was going on, the troops who had landed
about half-past four commenced their march along the beach, a distance,
as we have mentioned, of about five miles, towards the fort. They ad
vanced slowly, and with great caution, skirmishers being thrown out
to guard against the possibility of surprise. After marching about two
miles, they halted to await the effect of the bombardment. It was hoped
that by the tremendous fire, a breach might be made through the walls,
and the interior of the fort so disabled that an assaulting column might
rush in and speedily silence all opposition. During the night, camp-fires
blazed along the beach for a dftetance of four or five miles. As these
flames illumined the land, myriads of lights from lamps upon the rigging
of the ships seemed to dance upon the bosom of the sea. All the night
long, a slow but constant fire was kept up by the monitors, that the gar
rison of the fort might not enjoy any repose.
With the earliest dawn of Saturday morning, the 14th, no fiag-staff
was visible upon Fort Fisher. It had been shot away in the night, and
no one seemed disposed to encounter the perils of the fearful cannonade
by replacing the banner. The weather was cloudy, the wind rising, and
the surf rolled in more hearily upon the beach. About eight o'clock the
rebels ran up another fiag, indicating that they were still alive and defiant.
In the mean time. General Terry had landed and established his head
quarters on the shore, in the midst of the front rank of his troops. The
reserve force of which we have spoken, was now throAvn ashore, and

540 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
several batteries of field-guns. The heavy surf rendered the landing a
measure of some difficulty.
The troops had thrown up tAVO lines of breastworks, extending entirely
across the peninsula, from the ocean to Cape Fear River. One of these
faced Wilnungton, to prevent any troops from descending to the aid of
the beleaguered fortress. The other, a parallel line, a little farther down,
prevented the escape of the garrison by land, and was a protection against
any sortie. Thus far, no foe had appeared to assail the troops who had
landed, though it was known that there was quite a large force in the
vicinity of Wilmington. The lower Une of breastAvorks was within a mUe
of the fort.
The bombardment still continued through the morning hours of Sun
day, the 15th. It was a calm and lovely day, as mild as June. A few
clouds fioated dreamily in the deep-blue sky. During much of the time
as many as four shells struck the fort every minute. In the course of the
morning, six rebel steamers ran doAvn Cape Fear River, from Wilmington,
loaded Avith troops. They succeeded in landing three hundred in the fort,
when such a shoAver of shells were thrown over the fort by the patriot
fleet, that the steamers were compelled to retire. By noon, the terrible
bombardment had so battered down the sea face of the wall, that it was
thought a successful charge could be made through the breach by a reso
lute force of sailors, landed from the ships. It was a desperate enter
prise, for it was not doubted that the assailants would be met by a concen
trated and murderous fire.
Tliree o'clock Sunday afternoon was assigned for this movement. In
preparation for it, the boats were lowered on the outer side of the ships
and filled with men thus screened from observation. At the same time
the land forces were to advance in , a resolute attack upon the land side.
The land force, almost in rear of the fort, moved first upon the massive
fortress. General Ames, as calm, and sagacious, and fearless a soldier
as ever drew a sword, guided his division, aided by the intrepid arm
of General Curtis. The troops sprang forward, and, speedily hewing
down the stockade and chevaux-de-frise, after encountering desperate re
sistance, succeeded in obtaining a lodgment in the northeast corner of the
fortress. Here General Curtis gallantly planted the National fiag, and as
its folds proudly waved in the breeze over the recovered ramparts, it was
greeted with enthusiastic cheers by the patriot troops. The veteran, war
worn Thirteenth Indiana Yolunteers, renowned for their achicA^eraents in
every engagement since the war begun, Avhere their flag had been un
furled, carried and held the counterscarp on the beach face of the fort.
They were armed with the Spencer rifle, and led by thefr tried commander,
Lieutenant-Colonel Lent.
In the midst of these appalling scenes of tumult, uproar, carnage, and
de'ath, and while the fleet was still keeping up its deadly fire upon that
portion of the fortress which our troops had not yet penetrated, the sailors
and marines came plunging into the volcanic arena. The orders given
by Admiral Porter for their cooperation were as follows : —
" Before going into action, the commander of each vessel will detail as

CAPTURE OF POET FISHER AND WILMINGTON. 541
many men as he can spare from the guns, for a landing party, that we may
have a share in the assault when it takes place. Boats will be kept readv
lowered near the water, on the off-side of the vessel. The sailors will be
armed vrith cutlasses, well sharpened, and with revolvers. When the sig
nal is made to man the boats, the men will get in, but not show them
selves. When the signal is made to assault, the boats will pull round the
stem of the monitors, and land eight abreast of them, and board the fort
in a seaman-Uke way. The marines will form in the rear and cover the
saUors. While the soldiers are going over the parapet in front, the saUors
win take the sea face of Fort Fisher. We can land two thousand men
from the fleet and not feel it. Two thousand active men from the fleet
wUl carry the day." «
The utmost harmony and good feeling marked the generous rivalry
between the land and naval forces. They vied with each other in playful
boasts of their individual prowess in the great assault. The storming
party of soldiers and marines was soon assembled upon the beach. The
rebels opened upon them with grape, killing or woundiflg nearly fifty, be
fore they could form for the charge. The force consisted of about sixteen
hundred men, and were organized in two columns. The sailors were
armed vrith cutlasses and revolvers, and the marines with muskets. At the
given signal they all started on the double-quick, running up the sandy
beach, in the face of the storm of grape-shot whistling aromid them.
When they had reached a point but about a thousand yards from the brist
ling cannon of the fort, they halted for a moment, under cover of some
rifle-pits, and reformed their disordered line.
It was nearly a mile along the beach, from the place of landing to the
rifie-pits. The troops had scarcely begun to move before the rebel shells
from the fort and the water-batteries came shrieking into their ranks,
scattering wide destruction in their explosion. Those who anxiously
watched them from the ships could see large gaps torn in the line. Many,
who were thrown dovAm, remained motionless upon the sand. Others were
seen slowly rising again, and limping back, or crawling over the sand, upon
thefr hands and feet, in search of some place of shelter. But the main
body, unchecked, pressed boldly on. When they reached near the foot of
the ramparts, the «w^hole beach over which they had passed was strewed
vrith the dead and wounded.
Just then, those on board the ships saw three American flags rise
proudly over the rear wall of Fort Fisher. It told them that General
Terry had at least partially succeeded in his attempt, and upon some cap
tured redoubt had planted the National banner. The saUors, however, in
the midst of the smoke, tumult, and carnage of their terrible charge, could
not be cheered by this inteUigence. The garrison evidently supposed that
the assault of the seamen was the main attack, and they accumulated at
that point thefr strength for the repulse.
And now came the charge. It was one of the most magniflcent spec
tacles of the war. Every boat's crew carried an ensign and their oavu
distinguishing flag. To see nearly two thousand men rushing forward, in
the face of one of the most pitUess storms of war, with loud cheers, with

542 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
these glittering banners waving thefr gorgeous plumage, whUe flame
flashed in their faces, and billoAvy smoke rose around them, and the thun
der of artillery, in incessant peals, shook the very ground upon which they
trod, was a spectacle in which all the elements of sublimity seemed to be
combined. They soon encountered a stout palisade composed of spiles driven into
the sand. The shot and shell of the bombardment had smashed huge aper
tures through the palisade, and the patriots swept on Uke a swollen tor
rent through a crevasse. Lieutenant Porter, who conducted the van of
the storming party, endeavored to lead some men around the end of the
stockade, when he fell dead, pierced by the bullet of a sharpshooter. The
fleet was compelled to cease shelUng those pBrtions of the fortress upon
which our troops were crowding. The rebels consequently sprang from
their hiding-places, and vigorously worked such guns as they could bring
to bear upon their assailants.
Inside of the palisades there was a ditch torn and encumbered with
the debris which the cannonade had caused. The assailants floundered
through it, struggling to climb tbe crumbled ramparts, and to force their
way through the clogged breaches. It seems invidious to particularize in-
diriduals, where every man acted the part of a hero. But even in this tu
multuous scene. Commander Breeze and Lieutenants Cushing and Preston
were noticed as performing signal feats of gallantry. The rebel infantry,
from the parapet and from between the traverses, poured in upon the assail
ants a continuous fire of musketry. Fortunately, the heavy guns could
not be sufficiently depressed to mow them down with grape and canister.
These brave men did every thing that mortal valor and energy could do
to" escalade the precipitous walls of the fort. It was all in vain. The
deed could not be accomplished. They were repulsed — ^bloodily repulsed—
having had two hundred of their number struck (^own by the missiles hurled
so pitilessly upon them. As they retreated along the beach to thefr boats,
they were again brought Arithin range of the artillery, and were assailed
by a deadly storm of grape-shot and of musketry. Every gun which could
be brought to bear upon them belched forth its bolts of mutilation and
death. For six hours this fearful conffict had continued, ifl a struggle often
hand to hand. The storming of the fort by the naval brigade was, how
ever, by no means a useless operation. It was one of the essential links
in the chain of events by which the fort was taken. This assault operated
as a diversion, summoning to the repulse so much of the strength of the gar
rison, that the soldiers on the other side of the fort were enabled to obtain
a foothold from which they could not be dislodged. Several of the ships
continued to throw thefr shells into those portions of the fort still held by
the rebels.
In the successful assault upon the fort by the land forces. General
Adelbert Ames was an undisputed hero. Eight thousand five hundred troops
had been landed on the peninsula above the fort. Their rapidly con
structed line of intrenchments ran across the peninsula, three miles north
of the fort. • Five thousand men held this defensive Une. Three thousand

CAPTUEE OF FORT FISHER AND WILMINGTON. 543
five hundred men were placed under the command of Brigadier-General
Adelbert Ames, to carry by storm a fort pronounced impregnable by the
ablest engineers. It was not until the afternoon of Sunday, the 15th
that all things were ready. The fire of the navy had been much more
effective than on the first expedition, having disabled fifteen of the
seventeen guns on the north face of the fort. Large gaps had also been
torn thi-ough the paUsading in the front of the fort.
The dirision of General Ames comprised three brigades. The first,
under General Curtis, held the advance. Then came the second brigade,
nnder General Pennypacker. A little in the rear was the third brigade,
under Colonel BeU. General Ames and his staff stood near General
Terry, awaiting his orders. When aU things were ready. General Terry
signaUed to Admfral Porter so to direct his fire as not to injure our
troops. Tirrniag to General Ames, he said, " You may now order Gen
eral Curtis to move forward with his brigade."
" When shall I order up my second and third lines?" said General Ames.
" You will use your OAvn judgment," was the reply.
It is one of the first requisites of a military commander that he
should possess almost an intuitive knowledge of men. General Terry well
knew to what kind of a man he had intrusted this enterprise of honor
and of danger. General Ames was henceforth, during the terrific struggle,
the commander-in-chief of his little band. He not only issued the
general orders, but directed in detail all the movements of the three
brigades ; sharing aU the exposures of the battle, and inspiring his men
vrith his own self-possession and fearlessness.
The first brigade dashed forward vrith a run, and reaching the parapet
near the western extremity ofthe north face, gained a foothold within the
enclosed space of the fort, by entering through the gaps in the ,^palisades.
Immediately General Ames' pushed forward the second brigade to the sup
port of the first ; then Bell's Brigade gallantly dashed forward to share in
the glory and the perils of the strife.
We had thus gained a foothold. How long we could maintain it was
doubtful. The capture of the ifrst traverse was by no means the most diffi
cult part of the work to be done. The issue of the terrible struggle now
entered upon devolved upon the ability and heroism of General Ames.
Fortunately for the nation, the right man was in the right place. ^ The
froops had marched over the open ground with gallantry which elicited the
admfration of every beholder. They were now not only to maintain the
position they had gained, but to advance, in the face of a determined foe, to
the complete possession of the fort. Each traverse was virtually an inde
pendent fort thirty feet high, enclosing within its impenetrable walls a
room entered by a passage so narrow that two men could easily defend
it against a large force.
The rebels could sweep the whole interior of the fort by a galling fire
of both artillery and musketry. Fort Buchanan, from the southwest, also
opened fire upon our men. Notwithstanding all these difficulties. General
Ames gaUantly led his men forward, fighting with bravery which could not
be surpassed, till he had captured nine traverses. It was nearly dark; His

544 CIVIL WAR IN AMEEICA.
troops were exhausted. General Terry sent him reenforcements, consisting
of Abbott's Brigade and a regiment of colored troops. General Terry soon
followed them, with his staff. The whole force was again pressed forward.
The conffict within the fort was terrible, as the troops advanced, taking
traverse after traverse. The first fiag planted upon the fort, it is said, was
that of the One Hundred and Nineteenth New York Yolunteers, under
Colonel Daggett. The deadly nature of the struggle is evidenced by the
large proportion of the officers slain. General Curtis, after overcoming the
most desperate resistance of the foe, was badly wounded.
It was not until ten o'clock at night that the fort was entirely in our
hands. The moon shone brightly, and with night-glasses the star-spangled
banner could be seen fioating from the battered ramparts. But when Gen
eral Terry flashed out his announcement to the admiral that the fort was
ours, the whole sky seemed at once to blaze with a meteoric shower of sig
nal and rejoicing rockets from the fleet. When the rebel flag went down,
and the Stars and Stripes rose proudly over the conquered redoubts, " We
stopped fire," says Admiral Porter in his report, " and gave them three
of the heartiest cheers I ever heard. It was the most terrific struggle I
ever saw. The troops have covered themselves with glory ; and General
Terry is my beau ideal of a general."
The scene in and around the fort, as our troops had leisure to view it
after the capture, was impressive and appalling. The shells had battered
down the masonry, ploughed up the ground into pits and mounds, dis
mounted the guns, and had torn and shattered bomb-proofs, parapets, and
traverses. This ruin of massive works of earth, and brick and stone, to
gether with the mutilated bodies of the wounded and the dead streAvn
around, testified to the almost inconceivably destructive power of the en
gines of war, which modern ingenuity has framed.
Thus was Fort Fisher redeemed, on the 15th of March, 1865. The
harbor of Wilmington was thus forever closed against every blockade-
runner. There also fell into our hands seventy-two guns, some of large
calibre, and one Armstrong gun. Admiral Porter, in his official report,
says : " We have found in each fort an Armstrong gun, with a broad ar
row on it, and the name of Sir William Armstrong in full on the trunnions.
As the British Government claims the exclusive right to use these guns, it
would be interesting to know hoAV they came into forts held by the
rebels." Four hundred of the rebel garrison were killed or wounded. Eighteen
hundred were taken captive. On our side not a ship or transport was lost,
and the fieet experienced but little injury. Our loss, however, in officers
and men, was large. Nine hundred of the army fell, and two hundred
from the fleet. Two of the fifteen-inch guns on the monitors burst, kiUing
and wounding several men. On Monday morning a terrible disaster oc
curred, from the accidental explosion of the magazine of Fort Fisher. The
explosion was so terrific that three hundred of the brigade left in garri
son were killed or wounded.
Fort Fisher Avas, in reality, a cluster of forts. The central works con
sisted of an enclosed fort or bastion, with high parapets or curtains run-

CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER AND WILMINGTON. 545
ning out from the angles. These curtains were at intervals crossed by
high traverses, between which heavy guns were mounted. There were
fifteen of them on the north face of the fort. When the patriots took
one, the rebels retreated behind the next, and there renewed thefr resist
ance. These traverses were all to be taken before our troops could reach
the inner bastion, which was enclosed on aU sides. About a mile from Fort
Fisher there was another strong rectangular earthwork, mounted with
heavy guns, called Fort Buchanan, which was an efficient ally. There
were several water-batteries, and a very formidable redoubt called the
Mound Battery. These aU composed the defences at the mouth of Cape
Fear River, and are to be included when we speak of the capture of Fort
Fisher. These outworks speedily yielded to our summons, after the fall
of the main fortress.
About half-past twelve o'clock at night. General Terry, having received
the capitulation of Fort Buchanan, returned to the bastion of Fisher,
where General Ames, with his heroic men, were resting from the toils of
the day.
About eleven o'clock on Monday, a heavy cloud of smoke, rising over
Fort Smith on the south side of New Inlet, indicated that the rebels had
fired thefr barracks and evacuated the fort. Slowly, resolutely, gaining a
Uttle day by day, the army marched up the peninsula, driving the rebels
from one after another of thefr strongholds, while the fleet ascended the
river cautiously, removing the torpedoes. Fort Anderson was the most
important obstacle to be encountered. It covered nearly as much ground
as Fort Fisher, and was of immense strength — its huge traverses rose thirty
feet above the water of Cape Fear River, on which the fort fronted. But
the works were gallantly carried by a combined attack of the fleet under
Admfral Porter and dirisions of General Terry's army led by Generals
Ames and Cox. There were three thousand rebel troops in garrison.
From the nature of the ground, which prevented the perfect investment
of the fort, they succeeded in effecting their escape in the darkness of Sat
urday night, February 18th, taking with them most of thefr guns. Ten
guns, with fifty prisoners, and a large amount of ordnance stores, feU into
our hands.
Our Unes were now rigorously pushed forward. The fleet was pre
ceded by about thirty yawls, whicli carefuUy took up the torpedoes. Gen
eral Terry marched up the peninsula. On the night of the 20th the
rebels sent down against the fieet two hundred fioating torpedoes. But our
picket-boats sunk them with musketry. The rebels stUl fought desper
ately behind every redoubt which they had reared. The Union troops
were on both banks of the river. There was almost a continuous battle.
The rebels were conscious that thefr hour of doom was surely approach
ing. On the night of the 21st they commenced destroying their material
and stores in WUmington, preparing to evacuate the city. The torch was
appUed to fifteen thousand barrels of resin and to one thousand bales of
cotton. The flames also consumed an extensive range of cotton-sheds and
presses, an unfinished iron-clad, three steam-miUs, three large turpentine
works with their adjacent wharves, and much other property.
Vol. il— 35

546 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
At daylight the next morning. General Terry entered the city. The
poorer inhabitants of the place received the troops with great joy. The
conquest of Wilmington was one of the most brilliant achievements of
the war. Cape Fear River, from Wilmington to the ocean, was more
strongly fortified than any river had been before in the history of the
world. Nineteen forts and batteries, of the heariest character, constructed
upon the most approved principles of engineering skiU and thoroughly
armed, lined its banks.
In addition to this, the rebels had three distinct lines of obstruction to
prevent the passage of the fleet. These consisted of piles, rafts, chain
cables, sunken ships, and torpedoes. The city stood upon a terrace some
thirty feet above the river, and was protected by a series of lakes and
swamps, extending across the peninsula from the river to the ocean. It was
erident that the rebelUon was in its dying struggle. The fall of Atlanta,
Savannah, Charleston, Columbia, and Wilmington rendered it certain that
the rebels could not anywhere successfiiUy resist, for a long time, the Na
tional arms.

CHAPTEE XLIII.
THE VALLEY OF THE SHENANDOAH.
(From August, 1864, to March, 1S66.)
GeNEBAL SHEEIDAlf TAKES COMMAIJD.^ — HB ASSUMES THE OFFEfTSIVE. — THE ADVANCE AND
Retreat. — Strategy. — The Battle of Winohebtee. — Sublime Spectacle. — Retreat of
Eaelt. — Fisher's Hill. — The Patriots Surprised. — The Rgut. — -Arrival of General
Sheridan. — Defeat of the Rebels. — The Lull. — Winter-Quarters.— -Sheridan's Raid. —
Rebel Disasters.
In the early part of September, 1864, there was a strong rebel force in
the YaUey of the Shenandoah, under General Early. General Sheridan
was sent there to oppose him, and was at that time preparing to assume
the offensive. On the 7th of August, General Sheridan had taken com
mand of what was called the Middle MUitary Division, and had estab
hshed his head-quarters at Harper's Ferry. The rebel force amounted to
not more than twenty thousand men. General Sheridan could summon
around his banners dispersed forces amounting to twice as many. At sun
rise on the 10th of August, General Sheridan began to move for the repos
session of the valley. It was one of the hottest days of the season. The
heat, dust, and drouth rendered the march exceedingly uncomfortable.
The troops moved along nearly parallel roads in the direction of Charles
town and Winchester.
The next day, Thursday, as they were a few miles beyond Winchester,
near Newtown, Arith the cavalry in advance, the enertiy was encountered
in some force. After a flght of two hours we Avere driven back, Arith a
loss of thirty men. Some Union reenforcements came up, and the battle
was renewed, raging quite severely from eleven until two o'clock, when
the enemy was driven from his strong position, but not until he had
inflicted heavy loss upon our troops. The next morning, Friday, the 12th,
the column moved on, following the retreating enemy. The cavalry, in
advance, was engaged with the rear-guard of the foe, in almost a constant
skfrmish, until they reached Cedar Creek, but a few miles from Strasburg.
Here the enemy were again found in a strong position on a hill, from
which they shelled our troops. In the night the rebels continued their
retreat, and the Union troops entered Strasburg the next morning. Soon
the enemy reappeared in such numbers that our advance drew back, sur
rendering to them Strasburg. The whole Union army was drawn back
a Uttie, posted along Cedar Creek, where it remained inactive Saturday,
Sunday, and Monday, with occasional skirmishing. Mosby, the most
redoubtable of rebel guerriUas, with his hardy band, made a plunge
through Snicker's Gap, which we had left unguarded in our rear, and com-

548 CIVIL WAE IN AMERICA.
pletely surprised our supply^train. The smaU guard, overpowered, fled in
all directions. Mosby captured and destroyed seventy-five wagons, took
two hundred prisoners, nearly six hundred horses, two hundred beef cattle,
and quite a quantity of valuable stores.
This disaster caused great commotion. It was rumored that Long-
street was in our rear with a powerful army, threatening our entire
destruction. A retrograde movement was immediately ordered. It was
commenced at eleven o'clock Monday night, and the Union troops feU back
to Winchester. On the retreat, all stock, hay, grain, and every thing
which could aid the rebel army in its pursuit, was destroyed. The enemy
foUowed close on our heels, and before Wednesday night reached Win
chester. Our troops continued their retreat back to Harper's Ferry.
There was fearful commotion through all that region, as the rumor spread
that the rebels were in great force, on the move for another invasion of
Maryland. On Sunday, the 21st, General Sheridan had posted his troops on an
important eminence called Summit Point, two miles out from CharlestoAvn.
General Early came up vrith a part of his columns, and made a very
energetic attack. The fighting lasted from ten o'clock untU dark. We
lost four hundred men, and were again compelled to retreat to Bolivar
Heights. But these days of darkness and gloom were now soon to come
to an end. A writer in the " Army and Navy Journal," commenting
upon these alternate advances and retreats, says : —
" It is not difficult to see that su,ch manoeuvres were the best means to
accomplish the purpose for which Grant had placed Sheridan at the mouth
of the valley — ^first, to detach a force from Lee ; second, to employ that
force in the valley, so that not a man of it might be sent to Hood at
Atlanta ; third, to guard Washington and the border from the attack of
this force.
" For about five or six weeks, Sheridan's incessant ' backing and filling '
kept Early busy, and yet idle ; and did this so effectively that Hood could
not get a man from Lee, and was forced to suffer defeat at Jonesboro', and
to evacuate Atlanta, for lack of reenforcements. Meanwhile, Early and
Sheridan were living off the valley farms, and together destroying much
food and forage precious to Lee; and in aU those weeks. Early did no
damage to us."
Upon the fall of Atlanta, Sheridan proceeded to the second part of his
campaign. It was no longer his object to avoid a battle. About the
middle of September, Early had moved his troops to the vicinity of Bunker
Hill. General Sheridan resolved to improve the opportunity of falling
upon Early's rear. On Sunday, the 18th, the troops were placed under
arms, with orders to be ready to march at a moment's notice. At three
o'clock Monday morning the order came for the advance to be made.
The Union army was pushed rapidly forward, up the valley, through a
narrow defile ; to deploy beyond the gorge, and to make an attack upon
the rebels there stationed in force. Just beyond the rarine, whose sides
were steep and thickly wooded, there opened an undulating valley, bor
dered on the south by a ridge of strong hills. Sheridan Arished to pass

tr"HE VALLEY OF THE SHENANDOAH. 549
through the ravine and deploy in the vaUey. The rebel General Early's
plan was to let a part of the Union force pass through the ravine and
then destroy them before the rest could force their way throuo-h the narrow
deflle to thefr aid.
About ten o'clock in the morning the Sixth Corps emerged from the
ravine, and, fiUng off in two colunms to the left, took possession of some
rifle-pits and a wood on the enemy's right. This movement the rebels did
not seriously oppose. The Nineteenth Corps and Ricketts's Division of the
Sixth Corps took position in the centre, to meet the brunt of the rebel
attack. Heroically the Nineteenth Corps performed its mission, stemming
the torrent of the rebels' most furious charges, and, after a fearful loss of
killed and wounded, not only maintaining its position, but pressing back
the foe. Grover's Dirision emerged from the defile about eleven o'clock,
and at a double-quick, the brigades foUowing at a right-shoulder shift, with
deafening yells rushed upon the foe.
Early now became alarmed, lest all of Sheridan's troops should force
thefr way through the defile. The first Une of the rebels was throAvn back.
But immediately an immense mass of troops was developed by the foe
from a position where it had been lying concealed. The column came
rushing forward upon the ranks of Grover and Ricketts, pouring in volley
after voUey of a deadly fire. For a time the advance was successful, and
General Sheridan was threatened Arith a disastrous repulse. Ricketts's
Dirision was driven back along the Berryville and Winchester road
towards the mouth of the gorge. The onset was so overwhelming, that it
was found in vain to attempt to hold the position, and the order to retire
was given. Grover and Ricketts's commands were thrown into a state of
confusion which threatened serious disaster. Many regiments lost for a
time thefr organization. Early's veterans pressed sternly on with yells of
triumph, threatening us with a most bloody and irremediable defeat. The
patriot commanders exerted themselves to the utmost, as they in vain
endeavored to arrest the ffight of the panic-stricken stragglers. Captain
York, of General Emory's staff, seized a regimental fiag, shouting, "Men,
don't desert your colors," when a spent baU struck him in the throat, and
the flag-staff dropped from his hand. Captain Bradbury, of the First
Maine Battery, mentions the foUovring incident, illustrative of bravery and
self-possession in this hour of terror and of death : —
"In the midst of this stormy scene. Captain Rigby, of theTwenty-fourth
Iowa, was seen leading a sergeant and twelve men, as composedly as if on
the parade-ground.
" You are not going to retreat any farther ? " said Captain Bradbury.
" Certainly not," was the reply, ' " Halt, front ; three cheers, men."
The little band cheered lustily. It was the first note of defiance that
broke the desperate monotony of the panic. It gave heart to every one
who heard it, and made an end of retreat in that part of the field. In a
few minutes the platoon swelled to a battalion, composed of men from
half a dozen regiments. " Captain Bradbury," said General Grover, " you
must push a section into that gap. We must show a front there."
" Under a heavy fire of musketry and artillery, two pieces galloped

550 CIVIL WAR IN AMEEICA.
into the open, and, unsupported by infantry, commenced a cannonade, which
assisted greatly in checking the rebel advance and in encouraging our
men to rally."*
Thus gradually our shattered Une was reunited. By this time the
First Division of the Nineteenth Corps emerged from the defile, and was
drawn up in tvA'o columns behind General Grover's re-formed line. They
were not at the time fully aware of the defeat of Grover's men. The
dense woods and the undulating ground shut out the scene of conflict, and
they could only hear the rattle of musketry and the roar of artillery.
They, however, pressed cautiously forward, till the whole field of the fight
ing was opened before them. It Avas indeed a chaotic scene. The battle
was then raging with the utmost fury, each side being equally desperate and
determined. The One Hundred and Fourteenth New York stood its
ground so valorously, that it offered up its heroic sacrifice of one hundred
and eighty-eight men and officers, in killed or wounded. Three out of
every five of this glorious regiment fell on that bloody field.
It is impossible to describe the spectacle now witnessed. Infantry,
artillery, cavalry were moving in all directions. Artillery balls were
ploughing up the ground and cutting down the trees ; shells were shrieking,
and bullets filling the air with their sharp hum. Billowy volumes of
smoke rose and floated away upon the gentle breeze. Batteries were
planted on eminences ; infantry were concealed in the forests, or behind
fences, or lying flat upon their faces beneath the tall grass. Aids were
galloping in all directions. Squadrons of horsemen, with their silken
banners and gleaming sabres, swept over the plains, now disappearing
behind an eminence, and now plunging into the forest. Over many a
mile, broken with rugged hills, and stony ravines, and dense groves, the
battle raged. But a small portion of the field could be seen by any eye.
Even from a balloon the battle-ground would have presented but a bewil
dering maze, Uke the^ changes of the kaleidoscope, with victory here and
defeat there, and entire uncertainty as to the final result of the confiict.
There were cheers and groans, impetuous charges and wild fiight, the
anguish of despair and merry jokes, with loud peals of laughter. The
dead were everywhere. The Avounded were painfully creeping along,
leaving a trail of blood behind, seeking water or shelter.
About three oclock in the afternoon, far away upon the right, there was
heard a tremendous battle-shout, which lasted, without intermission, for
ten minutes. It was from Crook's Division, which had swept around to
assail the enemy in fiank. The rebels were prepared for the assault, and
opened fire upon the assailants. " It was," writes an eye-witness, " the
most terrific, continuous wail of musketry that I ever heard. It was not a
volley, nor a succession of volleys, but an uninterrupted explosion, without
a single break or tremor. As I listened to it, I despaired of the success
of the attack, for it did not seem to me possible that any troops could
endure such a fire."
The assailing party moved across the field in a single line, keeping
. * Sheridan's Battle of Wincliester, Harper's Magazine.

THE VALLEY^F THE SHENANDOAH. 551
their ranks closely formed, notvrithstanding the continual dropping of the
dead, and the staggering retreat of the wounded to the rear. With the
onset of Crook's troops the whole Union army assumed the offensive.
The , impetuosity of the charge cannot be described. The rebels were
routed, and with fearful slaughter were driven back into the Avoods.
" Colonel Thomas noticed one of our officers propped against a tree
vrith a wounded rebel on eaeh side of him. ' Courage, my friend ! ' said he,
' We vriU take care of you soon. But we first want to finish the enemy.'
The sufferer waved his hand feebly, and answered in a low voice, ' Colonel,
you are doing it gloriously.'
" Thomas started, for he now recognized, in this mortally wounded man,
his old companion in arms, the brave Lieutenant- Colonel Babcock, of the
Seventy-fifth New York. 'Don't trouble yourself about me now,' said
Babcock. ' But when you have done your fighting, will you spare me a
couple of men to carry me aAvay V Thomas promised, and followed his
regiment. Colonel Babcock's watch and money had been taken by a
rebel officer, probably with the intention of preserving them for him.
But he had also been plundered in cruel earnest by the soldiers, who
roughly dragged off his boots, although one of his thighs was shattered by
a musket-baU." And now our cavalry came forward, on the extreme right of the infan
try, to complete the victory. These gallant troopers swept along over the
crest of a hill, and dashed down upon Early's disordered regiments, driving
them wildly in all directions. The battle of Winchester was fought and
won. While the infantry bivouacked upon the plain, the cavalry pushed
on, picking up prisoners and all the nameless wreck of a routed army. The
iruits of this rietory were five cannon, six or seven thousand small-arms,
and five thousand prisoners. The entire loss of the rebels was not less
than seven thousand.
General Early, thus routed, retreated up the valley to a strong position,
beyond Strasburg, at Fisher's HiU. Sheridan pursued, and resolved again
to attack the foe in his intrenchments. Early had stationed his army on
the North Fork of the Shenandoah, with his left on North Mountain.
His Une extended across the Strasburg YaUey. On the 21st of September
a fierce battle ensued. With varying success, but unintermitted ferocity,
on either side, it was waged untU evening. The rebels were then driven
from their intrenchments in great confusion. They fled precipitately,
leaving the line of their retreat strewed with wagons, horses, cannon,
small-arms, and the usual debris of a routed army. Eleven hundred
prisoners were taken, rixteen pieces of artiUery, besides caissons, wagons,
norsGS &G
General Sheridan pursued vigorously, driving the enemy before him
to Mount Jackson, which was twenty-five mUes south of Strasburg.
Previously to General Sheridan's assuming the command, the Union
soldiers had met with so many reverses, that they had given the YaUey of
the Shenandoah the epithet of the Valley of Humiliation. It was, how
ever now probable that General Sheridan intended not only to take, but
to hold the valley. Probably its permanent possession was one of the

552 CIVIL WAE IN .AJMEEICA.
primary elements in General Grant's plan of campaign. It was supposed
that General Sheridan, having advanced so far up the vaUey, would push
on to Lynchburg, Staunton, and Lexington. General Sheridan estabhshed
himself for a time at Harrisonburg. General Early retreated by Port
RepubUc to BroAvn's Gap. There were, however, constant skirmishes and
many fierce encounters, in nearly all of which the Union troops were the
rictors. On Sunday, the 19th of October, there was a severe confiict
before Strasburg, in which the Union troops were decidedly victorious.
On Thursday, the 18th, there was another engagement, in which the enemy
gained the day. The two antagonists still confronted each other near
Strasburg, to which position our troops had gradually retfred, foUowed by
the enemy.- Early had spread his lines along Fisher's Hill. Sheridan's
troops Avere posted along Cedar Creek, two miles north of Strasburg,
Our troops were greatly exasperated by the murders which the rebel
guerrillas were perpetrating daily. The rebels were equaUy exasperated
by General Sheridan's sytematic devastation of the valley. This destruc
tion was not wanton, but was considered a military necessity, that thei.^ val
ley might no longer furnish supplies for the rebel bands sweeping dovm it,
for raids across the Potomac.
General Early was now presenting a very bold front at Fisher's Hill,
two miles south of Strasburg. His position was almost impregnable from
an assault in front, though it could be turned. He determined here to
make a stand for a decisive battle. He had recovered from his several
defeats, and had received important reenforcements from Richmond. The
Union army upon Cedar Creek was posted in a line, four or five miles long,
behind breastAvorks. There was a space of four miles between the two
hostile lines. On Satm-day, the 16th, General Sheridan, not anticipating an
attack, had gone to Washington on important business. On Monday, the
16th, the Union cavalry on the right, under Custer, was attacked, and after
a severe skirmish the enemy were driven back. The next day, Tuesday,
the ITth, Colonel Harris made a careful reconnoissance towards Fisher's
HiU, but saw no indications of any immediate movement of the foe. Cap
tured dispatches, however, showed that Early had been reenforced, that he
might advance upon Sheridan. Arrangements were accordingly made for
another and more powerful reconnoissance, under General Ernory, the next
day. About midnight on Tuesday, General Early, haring secretly formed
his troops in Une of battle, moved forward for the assault. A feint was
made upon our right. The real attack was upon the left. Before the
dawn of the morning of Wednesday, the 19th, the rebel General Kershaw,
concealed by the darkness and the fog of a chilly morning, had marched
past the left flank of General Crook's Corps, and unperceived had gained a
position in his rear. At the same time, the rest of Early's command had
marched down the turnpike from Strasburg to Cedar Creek.
The enemy, having gained these positions without alarming our troops,
just before the dawn of day rushed forward to the attack. He advanced
in columns of regiments, and, sweeping forward, captured the greater part
of Crook's picket Une. Before the Union camp was fafrly aroused from its

THE VALLEY OF THE SHENANDOAH. 553
slumbers, the enemy's flanking column was within the intrenchmeilts of
the Eighth Corps. They rushed fiercely on to seize the batteries, and
succeeded in capturing several . pieces of artUlery, before they could fire a
shot. Bewildered by the suddenness and the impetuosity of the assault in
the cold gray of the morning, the left division of Crook's Corps was
thoroughly broken up. The enemy gained our intrenchments, and broke
down our left, said an officer, " tearing regiment after regiment from the
breastworks Uke bark from off a svritch."
Simultaneously vrith this attack upon our left, Early rushed across
Cedar Creek, at the ford, upon Thorburn's Dirision, and drove them back
in disorder. The left flank of the army was now turned, and the entire
corps routed. The retreating troops, haring lost many prisoners, were at
length rallied and formed again into line. But the enemy had his artiUery
in position, and was pouring a deadly fire into the Union ranks. At the
same time, elated with success, his infantry advanced rapidly, deUvering
incessant volleys of musketry into our recoiling lines. His march was
triumphant. The Nineteenth Corps gave way, and the entfre left and
centre were routed, while a fearful fire of musketry and artillery added
every moment to their confusion.
' The broad Ught of day not only revealed the disaster we had already
encountered, but also showed that the whole army was exposed to annihUa-
tion. The enemy had captured eighteen pieces of our artiUery, and had
turned them on our own columns. Nearly his whole force had crossed the
creek, and was within our intrenchments. General Emory was flanked in
his turn, and also gave way. The Sixth Corps rapidly executed a change
of front, and, by great gallantry, succeeded for a time in holding the
enemy in check. The effect of this, however, was only to cover the gen
eral retreat. As we retired, the enemy pursued vrith great rigor, cutting
off many of our trains and infficting serious loss.
The army was now rapidly, and in great confusion, falling back towards
Middletown, the next vUlage to Strasburg, about five miles distant on the
turnpike. Every thing bore the aspect of a total rout. Fugitives, strag
glers, ambulances, baggage-trains, infantry, cavalry — aU vA'ere blended.
The enemy pressed on with his infantry and artillery, until the roar and the
carnage was terrific. The Sixth Corps, by its heroic covering of the re
treat, apparently saved us from utter ruin. General Ricketts, its gallant
commander, was severely wounded in the breast.
At nine o'clock, by immense exertions of the officers, the troops were
formed in line of battle near Winchester, and efforts were made to check
the advance of the enemy. But the momentum the rebels had acquired
was too powerful to be resisted. Again we were forced back, the whole
Une giving way, and the enemy gained Middletown. We were noAV
pressed doAvn the valley towards Newtown, the next rillage, about five
miles distant from MiddletoAvn. Itwas at this time our great object to
protect our trains, a,nd to escape, with as Uttie loss as possible, to Newtown,
where we were to make another stand.
While these scenes were transpiring, the tidings of the attack and
the rout had reached General Sheridan, who was at Winchester, on his

554 CIVIL WAE IN AMEEICA.
return from Washington. Riding at his utmost speed, he reached his
retreating troops about half-past ten o'clock. As he rode upon the
battle-field his men cheered him with great enthusiasm. His presence
inspired their hearts with hope, and nerved anew their faUing strength.
It so happened that just at that time there was a lull in the battle, whUe
the enemy Avere getting their artillery into a new and commanding posi
tion. These precious moments were employed by Sheridan in encourag
ing his troops, and forming his lines in preparation to meet the foe. About
one o'clock the rebels again came on, sanguine of success. The struggle
was long, desperate, and bloody. The enemy was brought to a stand, and
then slowly driven back. Cheer rang upon cheer, as our troops saAV the
tide of victory turning. Still the lines of both armies surged backward
and forward in the tremendous fight. But step by step we drove back
the foe, regained Middletown, and then drove them still more impetuously
before us, until we entered our recaptured camps on Cedar Creek. The
rebel army now in turn was routed. The fugitive soldiers, in their precipi
tate flight, threw away their guns, haversacks, and clothing. The impetu
ous Sheridan allowed the rebels not a moment to pause. The infantry
moved forward in column. The cavalry charged across the open fields.
At Cedar Creek, Early attempted to hold us in check, by planting his
batteries on the opposite banks, where he could command the ford and the
bridge. But our elated and victorious troops, now reckless of all war's
perils, rushed across the stream, drove the foe from the creek, and back to
Fisher's Hill. There they found repose in the strong intrenchments from
which they had emerged the night before. The enemy, in his hasty flight,
abandoned all the cannon he had captured, and much of his own. All our
camp equipage Ave recovered. The Union troops, after this day of defeat
and victory, of retreat and pursuit, found themselves sufficiently weary to
demand a night's repose.
The next morning, Thursday, the 20th, the cavalry pushed out towards
Fisher's Hill, when it was found that the rebels, exhausted as they were,
during the night had retreated through Woodstock, twenty-five miles
south, to Mount Jackson,where they had again intrenched themselves. Our
cavalry followed as far as Woodstock through the valley, throwing out
scouting parties on either side, and gathering stragglers and materiel of
war in great abundance. The rebel force was at that time about twen
ty thousand men, many of them veterans from Lee's 'army. Our army
was nearly twice as large. But the rebel generals, with their usual skiU,
managed, in the night attack, to present the most troops at the actual
point of contact. In the signal rietory which followed the arrival of
General Sheridan, we captured twelve hundred men, sixty-four officers,
forty-eight cannon, including those which we had lost and recaptured,
forty caissons, three battery-wagons, three hundred and ninety-eight
horses or mules vrith their harness, sixty-five ambulances, fifty wagons,
fifteen thousand rounds of artillery ammunition, fifteeen hundred and eighty
small-arms, ten battle-fiags, and a considerable amount of medical and com
missary stores. Our loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners Avas more severe
than that of the enemy. It amounted to between five and six thousand.

THE VALLEY OF THE SHENANDOAH. 555
The community were so exultant over the staggering blow which had
been infficted upon Eariy, and were so elated with the chivalric, individual
influence which had been developed by the opportune arrival of Sheridan,
" Little Phil," as he was affectionately called, that no questions were asked
respecting the carelessness by which we had been exposed to a surprise so
shameful and disastrous. As- the question was permitted to slumber then,
it is not needful to agitate it now. Men of great mUitary ability are
very rare. It is, perhaps, not to our discredit that we had been so long
accustomed to the arts of peace that we were slow to learn those of war.
Among the most to be lamented of our officers who fell at Cedar
Creek was Colonel Charles B. LoweU. Born of one of the most distin
guished famiUes in Boston, he graduated at Harvard College with its
highest honors. European travel had added to the culture of his mind
and the reflnement of his taste. " War," says Napoleon, " is the science
of barbarians." Young Lowell had no fondness for its revolting scenes, but
when treason raised her banner, he immediately tendered his serrices to
his country. His zeal and ability gave him rapid promotion. He was
assigned to the command of a brigade under Sheridan, and at Cedar'
Creek he fell.
Several weeks passed away, during which neither army seemed dis
posed to assume the offensive. Early strongly intrenched himself at New
Market, sending his cavalry doAvn the valley to watch the movements of
Sheridan. There were occasional skirmishes between the hostile horse
men, but no movement of any importance took place. Both armies were
dffigently recruiting their energies. Rebel guerrillas were everywhere
busy, watching for supply -trains, mail-carriers, and any small weak party
of foragers. On the 9th of November, General Sheridan broke camp at
Cedar Creek, and moved his whole army about five miles back, to New
town, which was nine miles south of Winchester. The rebel cavalry
slowly followed. The next day the retrograde movement was continued
five miles farther, to Kearntown. The rebel cavalry continued to follow,
eagerly watching for an opportunity to strike a blow, and occasionally
engaging in a sharp skirmish with our rear-guard. Thence General
Sheridan retired to Winchester. General Early, thus invited, moved doAvn
the valley, and took position at Strasburg.
The community knew not what to make of this retreat of our victorious
army, pursued by the rebel army, which it was supposed had been nearly
annihilated at Cedar Creek. Early's force at this time could not number
more than fifteen thousand, while we had double that number, lying
behind intrenchments. Our retrograde movement, which seemed humiliat
ing, was made that we might be nearer the base of our supplies. The
forage, also, in the vicinity of Cedar Creek, had become entirely exhausted.
The annoyance from the bands of rebel guerriUas was so great, that it was
determined so thoroughly to lay waste the country that they could
not find subsistence. During the first week in December, Merritt's
Cavalry Division crossed the Blue Ridge, and made a grand raid through
Loudon and Fauquier Counties, which were the chief haunts of the
notorious Mosby and his men. Some idea may be given of the desola-

556 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
tion caused by this raid from the statement that Merritt captured three
hundred and thirty-eight horses, five thousand five hundred and twenty
cattle, five thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven sheep, one thousand
one hundred and forty-one swine; that he burned one thousand one
hundred and sixty-nine barns, forty-nine mills, two factories, six distil
leries, twenty-seven thousand six hundred and twenty tons of hay, fifty-
one thousand five hundred bushels of wheat, sixty-two thousand nine hun
dred bushels of corn, and two thousand and two bushels of oats. The
estimated value of the property consumed and captured was $2,508,756.
Soon after this, as there would probably be no further movements in
the valley during the winter, the entire Sixth Corps was withdrawn from
Sheridan, and sent to General Grant, at Richmond. General Early also
sent a large part of his force to Lee, to aid him in the defence of Richmond.
On the 27th of February, General Sheridan left Winchester with a
mounted force, consisting of two full dirisions and a brigade, with no in
fantry, and but four pieces of light artillery. In three days he marched
eighty-three miles, drove Early from Staunton, pursued him the next day
thirteen miles farther to Waynesboro', where he captured thirteen hundred
men and eleven guns. He then crossed the mountain to Charlottesville,
which place he took, with three more guns. Then he rode down to James
River Canal, which he so damaged as seriously to obstruct the transmis
sion of supplies through that important channel to the rebels at Rich
mond. Early's army was now effectually brushed away, and General
Sheridan remained undisputed master of the region for the possession of
which the patriot and the rebel armies had so long and so bloodily con
tended. From the north side of the James River, Sheridan struck across the
country, marching along the Yirginia Central Railroad, which he destroyed
as he advanced, and also an enormous amount of such rebel property as
they could make available in the war. On the 10th of March he reached
the north bank of the Pamunkey, which he crossed to White House. From
this time his army became essentially merged in that mighty host vrith
which General Grant was thundering at the gates of Petersburg and
Richmond. Nearly two hundred negroes followed him into the Union
lines. Women, carrying children two years old, kept up with his cavalry
all the way from Columbia. So eager were the negroes to escape from
their masters, whom it has been said they so ardently love, that at Char
lottesville General Sheridan was obliged to station a rear-guard to pre
vent them from following him by hundreds, as he could neither feed them
nor afford them protection.
This raid was one of the most bold and effective of the war. General
Sheridan approached within fifteen miles of Lynchburg, and within twelve
of Richmond. He left not a bridge standing upon the James River
between those two cities. Every railroad bridge was destroyed between
Staunton and Charlottesville. The canal was so destroyed that many
months would be required to repair it. In several places the river was
turned into the canal, washing it out fifteen feet below its level. The
property destroyed by General Custer's Division alone, on this raid, exceed
ed two millions of dollars.

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CHAPTER XLIV.
(June 15 to October 26, 1864)
SIEGE OF PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND.
Defences of Petersburg. — General Grant's Plans. — A Mistake. — Firing into Petersburg.
— Mosbt's Raid into Maryland. — Fight at Monocacy. — Alarm through the North. —
Bloody Repulse at the Fort. — Dutch Gap Canal. — Heavy Repulse at Eheams's Station.
— ^Treachery op the Rebels. — Jeff. Davis's Terms for Peace. — Storming Neat Market
Heights. — Duel on the James. — Surgings of the Battle.
We must now return to General Grant, and the army with which he
was besieging both Richmond and Petersburg. We last left him about the
middle of June, haring just accomplished his wonderful march from the
region of the Chickahominy to Bermuda Hundred. He was then, with
the main body of his army, struggling with the foe, amidst the ramparts
which protected Petersburg on the southeast. The city of Petersburg lies
principally on the south banks of the Appomattox. It was defended by
concentric lines of earthworks, with square redoubts and rifie trenches.
The outer lines had been carried on Wednesday night, June 15. Rebel
reenforcements were rapidly crowded down from Richmond, which checked
our further advance. AU day Thursday there was incessant fighting. At
dayUght on Friday the conflict was resumed. In a bloody strife across
the breastworks. Griffin's and Curtin's Brigades of Potter's Division cap
tured five hundred men, and gained a position but a mile and a half from
Petersburg. Occasionally a few shells Avere thrown into the city. It was
a great disappointment to the community, and doubtless to General Grant,
to find that the city was so strongly fortified that it could not be taken by
assault. It was the object of General Grant gradually to sweep around Peters
burg, so as to destroy the raUroads running from the south and the
west, by which the city received its supplies. The first road south of the
James is that which runs from Petersburg to Norfolk'. This was in oui-
possession. The next, which ran due south to Weldon, was the one now to
be assailed. On the night of the 20th of June, the Second Corps moved
out from its intrenchments to the left, in preparation for the flank move
ment which was intended. Under General Birney, the troops pressed for
ward as rapidly as possible in a southeriy dfrection, intending to strike at
a distance of several mUes from Richmond. They marched untU noon,
beneath an mtensely hot sun, and through blinding clouds of dust. They
then, at what is caUed the Jerusalem road, encountered the enemy in such
force as to show that the Weldon Railroad could not be taken without
severe fighting. At night the disposition of our army was as follows : A.t

558 CIVIL WAR IN AMEEICA.
Deep Bottom, north of the James River, General Foster's Dirision of the
Tenth Corps was estabUshed. General Butler had the remainder of the
Tenth Corps at Bermuda Hundred. In the intrenchments which had been
thrown up east of Petersburg, the Eighteenth Corps held the right, the
Ninth the centre, and the Fifth, except Griffin's Division, the left. Three
or four miles south were the Second and Sixth Corps, which had been
checked in their advance towards the Weldon Railroad.
On thi^ day, Tuesday, the 21st, President Lincoln visited the army, and
held long and confidential interviews with Generals Butler and Grant.
Early the next morning the movement against the railroad was resumed.
The cavalry of Wilson and Kautz were sent on a detour to cut it, ten
miles south of Petersburg. At the same time the Sixth and Second
Corps moved directly against the road. As these corps struck into some
thick woods, a gap was left in the Une. The eagle-eyed foe took prompt
advantage of the error. A vvhole division swept through the space, and,
impetuously striking General Barlow's flank of the Second Division, rolled
it up, capturing many prisoners. The rebels then rushed on, almost uaiim-
peded, spreading wide havoc. Several whole regiments were captured.
The whole of McKnight's Battery was taken, though a few of the men,
with most of the horses and caissons, escaped to the rear. The Twentieth
Massachusetts, under Captain Patten, at this crisis effected a change of
front, and presented such firm resistance to the foe, that his advance vvas
checked. This heroic regiment was already sadly weakened by its previous
deeds of daring.
Gradually the broken corps was raUied. All the day the fight was'
continued. The disaster in the morning was somoAvhat repaired in the
afternoon. But our loss was great, and we could boast neither of skill nor
success in the conflict. Five hundred of our men Avere killed or wounded,
and two thousand Avere taken prisoners. Nearly the whole of Pierce's
Brigade, one of the best in the army, was captured. A reconnoissance the
next morning disclosed the enemy strongly intrenched this side of the
Weldon Railroad. During the whole of the day there was picket firing,
and occasional sharp skirmishes, but no advance was attempted on either
side. The heat of the day was terrible. Those engaged in fighting, and
also the wounded, suffered scA'crely.
On Thursday, the 23d, there Avas another cautious movement made, but
the enemy in defence of the railroad was found too strongly intrenched to
be displaced. Wilson and Kautz had, however, successfully cut it at a
point below, and Avere now sweeping across to cut the Danville road. In
the attempt to swing around our extreme left, to reach a point uupro-
tected, Ave Avere again assailed by the foe, and met with another mortify
ing repulse, after having sustained a heavy loss.
Friday was ushered in with a tremendous roar of artillery. Throughout
the day there Avas a great noise from the batteries, and a vast amount of iron
was thrown through the air, doing but little harm. Fifty miles north, at
White House, on the Pamunkey, Sheridan's cavalry very narrowly escaped
destruction. They were attacked and almost overpowered on their march
from Whits House, to join the main body of the army. Saturday was a

SIEGE OF PETEESBUEG AND EICHMOND. 559
day of picket flring and battery bombardments — of noise, confusion, peril,
and fatigue, with but little accomplished. The sanguine were disap
pointed by these delays. But those soberly reflecting upon the strength
of the foe we had to encounter, and npon the immense advantages which
he enjoyed in being at home and behind his intrenchments, saw nothing
to discourage in an occasional repulse. Five times since our army left the
north banks of the Rapidan, the rebels in aU their force had thrown them
selves across our line of march. Four times we had dislodged them. The
community had full confldence in General Grant and in his army, and had
no doubt of flnal success.
For ten days there was apparently but little done. Our troops were,
however, constantly busy. They were taking new positions, and intrench
ing themselves, massing the troops more closely, moving down divisions
to within supporting distances, and making all other needful arrangements
for an advance. Some of these movements were conducted under a very
hot and accurate flre from the rebel batteries. During all these days,
there was more or less of flghting along the whole Une. The rebels shelled
General Butler's front at Bermuda Hundred very spiritedly. On Satur
day, the 25th, Sheridan succeeded in crossing the James River in safety at
a point near Fort Powhattan, where the gunboats could protect his cross
ing. His wagon-train was six miles long, and as his troops, six thousand
in number, crossed two abreast, it made an extended line. The enemy in
vain endeavored to molest his rear. From the Pamunkey to the James,
General Sheridan held the rebels at bay, flghting from one position to
'another, while he urged his wagons along as rapidly as possible. Though
every cannon and gun was saved, five hundred men were lost during the
march. The Aveather was excessively hot and dry, and the troops suffered
excessively from dust and drouth.
From General Smith's front near Petersburg, day after day, every five
minutes a thirty-pound Parrott shell was thrown into the city. Constant
practice gave us great accuracy in our firing upon the rebel lines. The
army and the navy were busy every hour. On Wednesday, the 29th, an
alarm, at one o'clock in the morning, caUed the whole Eighteenth Corps
under arms at once. Some heavy siege-guns having been put into posi
tion, the practice was commenced of throwing a shell into the city every
fifteen minutes during the night. This must have been a terrible disturber
of slumber. These sheUs exploded Avith thunder roar. Crashing through
a roof and bursting within a dwelling, the building and its inmates were
bloAvn to destruction. On Thursday, the 30th, the shells kindled large
fires in the city. The ringing of the alarm-beUs which was distinctly
heard, and the volumes of flame and smoke which flUed the air, indicated
the distress of the people. In the mean time the Christian and Sanitary
Commissions were busy aU along our lines, distributing vegetables, and
fruit, and aU other comforts, to our worn and needy soldiers.
The movement of WUson and Kautz against the DanviUe road de
serves more particular mention. Generals Wilson and Kautz started out
from the ricinity of Prince George Court-House, on Blackwater Creek, at
two o'clock fri the mornfrig of June 22d, Thefr force numbered about

560 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
eight thousand mounted men. They had sixteen pieces of artiUery, four
of which were rifled ordnance, four twelve-poundei's, and four smaU moun
tain howitzers. They struck the Weldon RaUroad at Reams, tore up the
track for several hundred yards, and burned the depot and other pubUc
buildings. Sweeping rapidly across the country by the way of DiuAriddie
Court-House, they struck the Petersbm-g and Lynchburg Railroad at Suth
erland's Station. Thence they followed along the railroad to Ford's Sta
tion, about twenty-two miles west of Petersburg, destroying the track and
burning locomotives and depots.
* The next morning, the 23d, at two o'clock. General Kautz started in
advance, and pressed rapidly along the road towards Burksville, where
the Richmond and Danville road intersects the Petersburg and Lynchburg
road. In two hours he reached WUson's Station. He arrived at Burks-
rille about noon. Here he destroyed the track for several miles, and
burned depots, cars, and other property. All the energies of the party
were devoted to destruction. The main column, under General Wilson,
followed about three miles in rear of the advance. About three o'clock
in the afternoon, this column was attacked, in flank, by a rebel brigade.
A sharp flght ensued, which lasted till nightfall, when the rebels retired.
General Wilson bivouacked at Nottaway, and Kautz not far from Burks
ville. The next morning both parties marched for Meherrin, on the Dan-
rille road. General Kautz followed the rail, while General Wilson crossed
the country. These movements of a band of eight thousand men in the
vicinity of a hostile army one hundred thousand strong, were very haz
ardous. At Meherrin they formed a junction and marched together t(f
Keysville, destroying the track and other railroad property as they ad
vanced. The next morning the march and the work of destruction
was resumed. The latter part of the day they reached the long covered
riaduct which spanned the Staunton River. Every rod of track, it is said,
was destroyed from Burksrille to this bridge, a distance of thirty-five miles.
The enemy had coUected in force for the protection of this bridge. From
their intrenchments they opened upon our troops with grape and canister.
After a sharp skirmish they were compelled to withdraw. They had
succeeded in their raid, with the exception of destroying the bridge,
and now commenced a rapid return through Christianville, across Me
herrin Creek, and thence to the double bridges on the Nottaway. The
enemy began to appear in force, at various points, to cut off the retreat
of Wilson and Kautz. It was designed to cross the Weldon Railroad
at Jarrett's Station. But as a large rebel force was assembled there to
oppose them, they changed their route to Stony Creek, which is a few
miles above. The troops dashed across the bridge and formed in luie of
battle. The rebels came on in such force that our troops stood on the defen
sive, hastily throwing up breastworks of rails, logs, and earth. The toils
were now being wound around this heroic little band. In the endeavor
to escape. General Kautz's Dirision, at eleven o'clock at night, started
with all the wagon and ammunition trains, and a large crowd of contra
bands, for Reams's Station, several miles up the raU towards Richmond.

SIEGE OF PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND. 561
Towards dayUght, General WUson foUowed, Avith the rest of his force
learing three regiments behind as a rear-guard.
As General Kautz approached Reams's Station he found the enemy
posted in great strength there. Wilson soon came up. But their united
force was not sufficient to cope with the foe. The patriots were attacked
fiercely and thrown into great confusion. The detachment which Avas left
at Stony Creek was also fianked and partly cut off. Our situation had be
come quite desperate. The rebels were rapidly capturing our guns and
trains, and hurling their shot with fearfiil destruction into our ranks. Re
sistance became hopeless, and as the capture of the whole party seemed
inevitable, the order came for every man to save himself the best way he
could. " The detachments moved," says the Army and Navy Journal, " hith
er and thither, and a general helter-skelter race for our lines was made,
over ditch and fence, through swamp and wood, dodging into by-paths to
escape the enemy, who hotly pursued, shooting at the unresisting rear,
and measuring the amount of his slaughter only by the speed of his de
feated opponents. The enemy followed close up to our lines, and there
gave up the pursuit. On the evening of the 2Sth the main part of
Kautz's force reached the picket reserve, and there bivouacked all night,
after terrible exhaustion and excitement. The old camp was reached on
the evening of the 30th. For two or three days, squads and solitary horse
men straggled into the lines every hour. Kautz's famUiarity with the
country enabled him to get his men through rapidly. But they Avere
•utterly exhausted, some of them riding along asleep on their saddles, and
aU were thoroughly used up." •
General Wilson retreated towards Suffolk under cover of the night.
He crossed the Nottaway about thirty miles below, and regained the Union
Unes on the 1st of July, a few miles from Powhattan. Great fears had
been entertained for his safety. But by taking this very wide circuit he
escaped capture. His force was in a pitiable condition, jaded, worn, with
clothing in rags, and horses scarcely able to stand. They had lost their
entire wagon and ambulance train, all of their guns, most of their caissons,
and many horses. Our total loss in men was about fifteen hundred. The
rehe]^ also captured nearly two thousand negroes A^dio were eagerly follow
ing in the train ot* our army, in pursuit of freedom. The enemy came
upon us in such overpowering numbers as to gain an easy victory. Still,
as a war measure. General Grant considered the destruction of the Dan-
riUe road as worth all it had cost.
On the 29th, Captain Whittaker, with forty men, having cut. his way
through to General Meade's head-quarters, had brought news of General
Wilson's situation. The Sixth Corps and General Sheridan's Cavalry
were immediately dispatched for their relief These were too late. They,
however destroyed portions of the Weldon road, and recaptured many
contrabands. Y^'hUe Generals Wilson and Kautz Avere making this im
portant raid, the army at Petersburg was very diligently conducting the
•siege with almost daily skirmishings and bombardments.
General Hunter had been stationed to guard the Shenandoah YaUey,
Vol. il— 36

562 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
vrith his subordinates. General Sigel at Martinsburg, General Kelly at
Cumberland, and General Max Weber at Harper's Ferry. News reached
General Sigel that the rebel Ewell was approaching in three strong
columns. It consequently became necessary to withdraw in haste the
small garrison stationed at Martinsburg, and to remove the supplies. In
the rapid evacuation many valuable stores were lost.
On Sunday morning, July 3d, General Sigel's garrison at Leestown
was attacked in force. The Union troops fell back to Harper's Ferry, and
took strong position on Maryland Heights. A terrible panic spread
throuo-h all the region, and for miles the country was depopulated. The
rebel cavalry swept through the valley unrestrained. Martinsburg and
Winchester were captured. Mosby's cavalry crossed the Potomac at
Point of Rocks, and swept along in Maryland, plundering at will. They
seized Hagerstown and ransacked the stores, and extorted from the inhab
itants twenty thousand dollars to save the town from the torch. From the
city of Frederick they extorted two hundred thousand dollars. They
struck the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and destroyed it as far down as
Sandy Hook. The enemy, in force no one knew how great, were cross
ing the Potomac at several points. Pennsylvania, New York, Massa
chusetts, hurried forward their militia to meet the crisis.
General Hunter, who had retreated before these resistless columns
from the vicinity of Lynchburg to the Yalley of the Kanawha, was now
rapidly approaching the scene of action. Our troops, who had retreated
from HagerstOAvn before the foe, crossed the Pennsylvania line, and fell
back on Greencastle. From that place, being stUl pursued by the rebels,
they retreated to Chambersburg.
There was a gradual concentration of our troops at Monocacy Junction.
On Saturday, the 12th, the rebels appeared before the place with an in
fantry force, estimated by General Wallace at twenty thousand. General
Wallace had retreated to this place from Frederick, and had Avith him a
force of about ten thousand men. There was a vigorous conflict here.
The Union troops were repulsed with severe loss. As there was appar
ently no power sufficient to repel the advance of the foe, the mass of our
army being down in the rear of Petersburg, intense excitement pervaded
Baltimore and Washington. At six o'clock on Sund^ morning, the. 10th,
all the alarm-bells in Baltimore were rung, mustering the citizens to de
fend the city. That same morning a detachment, of rebel cavalry dashed
into Darnestown, in Maryland, only twenty miles from Washington. An
other detachment drove into Reestown, but sixteen miles from Baltimore.
They Avere plundering stores and stealing cattle, levying contributions,
cutting telegraph lines, and burning bridges.
Soon tidings reached Washington that the enemy was at Rockrille,
but fourteen miles from the city. Tt was understood that the invading
force was very formidable, consisting of Ewell's entire Corps, of Breckin
ridge's Division, and two brigades of Hill's Corps. The whole force con
sisted of about fifteen thousand infantry and five thousand cavalry.
General Augur, in Washington, made every possible preparation to resist
the contemplated attack. In addition to the ordinary forces, he sum-

SIEGE OF PETEESBUEG AND EICHMOND. 563
moned the marines, the home guards, and even the employes in the
Government offices. On Monday, detachments of cavafry had swept
around to the north of Baltimore, and were destroying the Northern Cen
tral Railroad. At the same time an audacious band crossed over on their
fieet horses to the Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Wilmington road. They
destroyed the track and fired the trains, within seventeen miles of Havre
de Grace. General FrankUn, who chanced to be in one of the trains in
citizen's dress, was captured. For a time all railroad and telegraphic
communication between Washington and the North was suspended.
The rebels, approaching Washington, rode on to within five miles of
the city, where they laid in ashes the house of Governor Bradford, of
Maryland. On Monday and Tuesday they cautiously approached Fort
Stevens, but about five miles from the centre of Washington. They made
an attack upon the fort, whicii was a bold insult rather than a serious at
tempt to carry th^ works. General Augur sent out a brigade of infantry
along the Seventh Street road, and indignantly drove off the foe. Still
they fought bravely, striking down two hundred of our men with their
bullets, and leaving behind them a hundred dead or wounded. The
raiders, haring done immense mischief, and excited wide-spread terror,
retreated before the forces rapidly accumulating for their destruction.
The rebels had accompUshed their purpose, which was to procure supplies,
and to draw off a part of the investing force from before Petersburg.
The retreating enemy was pursued, but not with much vigor. In sundry
skirmishes a few hundred were kUled, and some of their well-fflled Avagons
were captured.
While these scenes were transpiring, there was comparative quiet in
front of Petersburg. Still every day there were more or less demonstra
tions of musketry and artillery. On Monday, the llth, a shell entered the
tent of Colonel Davis, of the Thfrty-ninth Massachusetts, instantly killing
him. Both parties were vigilant and active, while neither was ready to
bring on a general engagement. Our forces were, however, cA^ery day gain
ing upon the rebels step by step. The heat and the drouth rendered the
work upon the intrenchments very seA^ere.
We speak of the comparative quiet of the army. But quiet in the
trenches is very different from rest at the fireside. It consists of arduous
labor with the spade at night, and toilsome and perilous picket duty by
night and by day. Not a head or a hand can rise above the trench, but
it is Uable to be struck by the unerring bullet of the sharpshooter. There
is smothering dust and blistering sun, while one toils, in cramped and
stiffened attitudes, vrithin a few rods of the enemy's line. The crack of
the rifle and the rattle of musketry alternate with the shriek of shells,
the roar of batteries, and the deep boom of siege-guns.
The latter part of July, indications of renewed activity began to be
manifest. Our lines of circumvaUation were now twenty niUes long. On
the 26th of July, the Second Corps sUently took up its line of march
from our extreme left, foUowed by Sheridan's Cavalry, crossed the Appo
mattox at Point of Rocks, at midnight reached and crossed the James at
Jones's Neck, on a pontoon bridge muffled with hay, attacked the enemy

564 CIVIL WAE IN AMEEICA.
at Deep Bottqm, but twelve miles from Richmond, and captured a line of
intrenchments and a battery. Twenty thousand men and twenty cannon
were sent north of the James. The demonstration produced its desired
effect. Lee hurried off from Petersburg fifteen thousand men to check
the dangerous advance of this division. Secretly and by night, most of
the Union force was hurried back to Petersburg. As they returned, the
dark and gloomy night was illumined by the flashing of guns, the bursting
of shells, and the flames of a wasting conflagration which the shells had
enkindled in the doomed city.
For a month a portion of the army had been secretly and energetically
employed, pushing a mine under one of the strongest of the enemy's works.
Lieutenant-Colonel Pleasants, of the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania, had
originated the idea. The enterprise was accomplished by his regiment.
The mine was started from a ravine in front of Burnside's Corps, and was
pushed towards a formidable fort of the enemy, but two thousand yards
from Petersburg. The gallery or entrance passage was four feet wide at
the bottom, sloping towards the top. It was four and a half feet high,
and flve hundred feet long. When they reached the fort they Avere about
twenty feet beneath it. Wings were extended to the right and left, from
Avhich eight chambers were opened. These chambers were charged with
four tons of powder. Wooden pipes ran about one hundred feet from the
magazines toAvards the mouth of the gallery, from which point ran the fuse.
This work was conducted with the utmost secrecy. The plan of assault
Avas to explode the mine, and immediately, ere the rebels had recovered
from their consternation, to open a terrific cannonade. Under cover of
this fire, a strong storming party was to rush through the gap which the
explosion had made, a^d carry the position beyond. This position at
which they aimed was a crest which commanded Petersburg. This
gained, the city was in our power.
Just after midnight on Friday, July 29th, the mine was ready to be
sprung, and the troops were arranged' to spring forward in the assault.
The Ninth Corps was to lead, supported by the Eighteenth ; with the
Second in reserve on the right, and the Fifth on the left. At half-past
three o'clock the fuse was kindled. An anxious hour passed, and there
was no explosion. A brave-hearted man, whose name ought to be record
ed, entered the gallery to ascertain the difficulty. The fuse had gone out
in the dripping passage. It was again lighted. The sun had now risen. It
was forty minutes past four. There was a terrible explosion, throwing
earth, rocks, timbers, guns, and men, with volcanic power, high into the
air. Down again came the A^ast column, in a heap of wide-scattered and
indescribable ruin. A moment before the explosion there stood over the
mine a fort garrisoned by two hundred men, with six guns and all neces
sary camp equipage. The next moment there was a yaAvning crater one
hundred feet long, fifty feet wide, and twenty feet deep. Instantly a
hundred cannon from the Union lines opened their fire of round-shot and
shells. The distant batteries of Butler and Foster echoed the roar, while
for miles upon miles the resounding thunders rolled. Unfortunately, a
half-hour was lost before the men rushed forward into the breach.

SIEGE OF PETEESBUEG AND RICHMOND. 565
The rebels with wonderful alacrity raUied, and turned a steady and
deadly fire upon our storming party, from every gun which could be
brought to bear. With cheers the troops rushed forward, through this
almost annihilating fire, into the breach whicii the mine had made. The
Fourteenth New York Heavy Artillery were the first who entered the
gap. It was an awful spectacle which was opened before their eyes.
Mangled bodies, dissevered limbs, ruin, blood, misery, death were every
where. The clouds of dust, blended with the smoke of battle, rendered
the pit almost as dark as night. Some of the garrison were found still
liring. They were dug out, struggling in agony from their half burial.
Thus far all had apparently gone well. We had gained the breach.
It only remained to rush headlong upon the crest called Cemetery Hill,
but four hundred yards distant, and the work was accompUshed. But by
some strange infatuation the brigades stopped to throw up intrenchments,
and to bring some guns to bear upon the enemy. Thus a precious hour
was lost, during which the rebels concentrated a murderous fire upon the
captured fort. At length, after this fatal delay, the Ninth Corps was
re-formed and pressed forward in the charge. Potter was on the right,
LedUe in the centre, Wilcox on the left.
But it was too late. The rebels were prepared to receive them with
a fire which, from their front and on either flank, no mortals could with
stand. Musketry, shot, shells ploughed their ranks with bloody slaughter.
For a time the line moved bravely along. Then, smothered and torn by
the storm, the men hesitated, recoiled, and fled back. In this terrible
onset MarshaU's Brigade led, followed by Bartlett's. After their repulse
White's Division was pushed forward as a forlorn hope. They were
colored men. GaUantly they advanced into the jaws of death. But they
were unable to accomplish that in which their white comrades had failed.
Cut doAvn by the withering fire, they were hurled back breathless and
bleeding. The rebels now concentrated their fire into the crowded crater of the
fort. It was manifest that the day was lost. Nothing remained but to
rescue, if possible, the troops who were huddled together in the fort, which
had now, truly, become a slaughter-pen. To remain where they were, was
certain death or captirity. To retreat was almost equally certain death,
as the rebels directed a deadly fire on the only possible line of escape.
Still these heroic men, under their gallant leaders, repelled several charges
of the foe to retake the fort. Many of the men graduaUy struggled back
to our lines. At tAvo o'clock, those who remained behind, having dis
charged nearly all their ammunition, were unable to repel a final charge,
and surrendered. We lost on this bloody day, in kiUed, wounded; and pris
oners, four thousand men. The loss of the enemy was but one thousand.
It was not until Monday, thirty-six hours after the battle, that Ave could
get permission to bury our dead and to succor our AVOunded. The weather
was oppressively hot, and many of our wounded, in the interim, died in great
suffering and of exhaustion. This repulse was a great disappointment,
but it caused not the slightest shade of despondency in the army or
throughout the country. The enterprise was wisely planned, and ought to

566 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
have proved a success. There were great faults in the execution. The damp
fuse did not explode the mine till an hour after the time, when bright day
exposed every movement. After the explosion, a half-hour was lost before
the troops entered the breach. Then another hour was lost in intrenching
before the troops charged upon Cemetery Hill. It seems that by a
proper handling of the troops, victory was then within our grasp, and
Petersburg could easily have been carried.
There were still many skirmishes and some pretty sharp fighting in the
Yalley of the Shenandoah, but no movements of any great importance.
The rebels were so strongly intrenched at Petersburg, that they could easily
spare from their impregnable ramparts a force sufficiently numerous to
command the vaUey.
About noon of the 9th of August, there was a terrible explosion of an
ordnance boat at a wharf near City Point. Whether it was the work of
some rebel emissary or was accidentally caused, is not certainly known.
The explosion was awful in its violence. Two barges were blown to frag
ments ; a large number of buildings were thrown down. Shell, balls, bullets,
fi'ag ments of vessels and buildings were driven in all directions. Sixty or
seventy persons were instantly killed, their dissevered limbs and mangled
bodies being hurled far and wide. Besides those killed, one hundred
and thirty were more or less severely wounded.
An important Avork was in progress on the James, under the super
vision of General Butler, at a point called Dutch Gap. Here the river
makes a bend six miles in circuit, while the neck of the land enclosed by
this bend is but half a mile wide. This river circuit of six miles Avas
crowded by torpedoes and guarded by gunboats. General Butler com
menced the enterprise of cutting this isthmus by a canal. We should
thus avoid many formidable obstructions, and bring our forces very near
Fort Darling. The enemy was alarmed, and sent down some gunboats to
open fire upon the negro troops who Avere digging the canal. We could
not silence this fire, though we could respond to it. The colored troops
worked bravely, reckless of the fire.
On Saturday night, August 13th, a series of movements was com
menced on the north bank of the James, whicii was continued for four
days, through a succession of very bloody battles. We lost several thousand
men. Though the rebels, fighting behind their intrenchments, experienced
a loss much less severe, the movement on the part of the Union troops was
so far successful, that we pushed our forces to a point within six miles of
Richmond. While these events were taking place, we were unable to push
Avith much vigor the canal at Dutch Gap.
At Petersburg, movements of still more momentous importance were
pressed forward. The apparent attack upon Richmond was intended
merely as a feint, to draw the troops of Lee in that direction. At four
o'clock in the morning of Thursday, the 18th, the Fifth Corps, Gregg's
Cavalry Dirision, started from camp, in the direction of the Weldon Rail
road, with four days' rations. They reached Six Mile-Station about eight
o'clock^ and while one portion of the command were tearing up and burn
ing the' track, a detachment advanced two or three miles towards Peters-

SIEGE OF PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND. 667
burg, and took a position to drive back tiie enemy should they advance
upon them. About noon, two rebel brigades came hurryino- down the
road. The First, Second, Third, and Fourth Dirisions of Ayres's Corps (the
Fifth) were ready to receive them. The rebels rushed on Avith oreat im
petuosity, and for tAvo hours there was a very hot and sanguinary battle.
As the fight was in an open field, the loss on looth sides was heavy.
There was no intermission of the battle until night, when both parties
commenced intrenching, the Union troops being left in command of the
road. The loss on each side was about one thousand. The rebels did not
renew the attack the next day, and both parties were busy strengthening
themselves. On Friday evening the enemy came out in greater force. They
succeeded in outflanking our troops, and cut off tAvo thousand seven hundred
prisoners, after having infficted a loss in killed and wounded of about flfteen
hundred. The opportune arrival of the Ninth Corps checked the exult
ant foe. Saturday was a day of comparative qiftet. On Sunday, the
rebels again made a furious attack, but they were repulsed Avith great
slaughter. On Monday and Tuesduy, they again renewed the struggle,
but all in vain. After a week of desperate flghting we still held the road,
being strongly intrenched but two and a half miles south of Petersburg.
There were two roads to Richmond, each of which Ave threatened to
fraverse. One was north of the James from Malvern Hill ; the other was
from the south, by marching through or around Petersburg. General
Grant, by making demonstrations now at this point and now at that, kept
the enemy harassed, and compelled him to be constantly removing his
troops a distance of thirty miles, to guard the menaced point.
The rebels had by tlfis time repaired the Danville road, which Generals
WUson and Kautz had destroyed for so many miles. But the Weldon
road it was hoped we had seized, permanently to retain. On Thursday,
the 25th, the rebels made another desperate endeavor to recover the road.
After many manoeuvres and vigorous skirmishes during the day, at three
o'clock in the afternoon the enemy's columns, in heavy and close line of
battle, came rushing from the woods, where they had advantageously
formed under cover. As they came forward they were met with a very hot
infantry and artUlery fire. Still, in spite of all resistance, the impetuous
columns rushed on, leaped over our breastworks, and, in a hand-to-hand
flght, broke our lines. The fighting on both sides was conducted with
desperation never surpassed during the war. But our centre was broken
and routed. Nine out of our twelve fine guns were lost. The slaughter
was fearful.
General Miles's Division bore the brunt of this onset. Gibbons's troops
were sent to his support. Gallantly they met the foe, and drove them
back, though at a fearful cost of officers and men. Thus sustained. Gen
eral MUes skUfuUy ralUed his division. But again the enemy came plung
ing with immense solidity of column upon our left. General Gibbons's
Dirision though breathless and bleeding, were hurried back to meet this
attack. 'But the rebels were moving with momentum which no bravery
could check. Some of our regiments were almost literally cut to pieces
upon the ground which they occupied. The Twentieth Massachusetts lost

568 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
almost every man. General Gregg's dismounted cavalry came to the
rescue, and darkness closed the battle. But the Union troops were over-
poAvered. In the night they abandoned Reams's Station, and left it in the
hands of the enemy. This was one of the most desperate of battles. The
enemy accumulated all his available troops, and hurled them upon two
slender divisions of the Second Corps. We lost two thousand prisoners,
seven flags, nine cannon, and one thousand in killed and wounded. The
loss of the enemy was about fifteen hundred. He had received such heavy
blows that he did not attempt to foUoAV our retreating troops.
It is impossible to compute the numbers in these conflicts, as they are
nowhere given with accuracy. When we speak of a regiment it may
mean one hundred and fifty men or tAvelve hundred ; a brigade may be
four hundred or four thousand. The ravages of war had converted many
regiments into mere skeletons.
Though our troops had fallen back a little from Reams's Station, we
still held the Weldon road. The importance of the conquest was manifest
from the desperate endeavors of the rebels to wrest it from us. Reams'^
Station is about ten miles from Petersburg. We had destroyed eleven
miles of the road, from " a point about four miles below the station to
our picket line, which was within three miles of the city. We now held
between Reams's Station and the city about four miles .of the road, where
we were so strongly intrenched as to defy all the efforts of the enemy to
dislodge us.
During the three days whieh succeeded the battle at Reams's Station,
there was much skirmishing along the road, but no general engagement.
Our batteries were almost every hour throwing shells into Petersburg. On
Monday, the 29th of August, the shelling of Petersburg was pushed with
great vigor. There was one continuous roar, all the day long, as shot and
shell fell upon the doomed city. The enemy Avere busy shelling Dutch
Gap; notwithstanding, the work, under Major Ludlow, was pushed on vigor
ously. Ill consequence of our possession of a portion of the Weldon road,
the rebels were compelled to haul their supplies from Stony Creek, below
Reams's Station, by a circuitous route, through Dinwiddle to Petersburg.
Constant changes were going on in the army. Regiments were dissolved
as the term of service of the men expired. There Avere also constant acces
sions from volunteers — the army on the whole decidedly increasing in
numbers. The rebel army was growing weaker. Their despotic conscrip
tion had exhausted all the realms of secessiondom, and desertions Avere
very numerous.
Such a series of petty disasters had attended our movements in the
valley, that on the 5th of August, Genei als Grant, Hunter, and Sheridan
held a consultation. This led to General Sheridan's appointment as com
mander of the Middle Military Division. Sheridan's brilliant campaign
in the Yalley of the Shenandoah, which we have already recorded, was the
result. While the bombardment in the vicinity of Petersburg continued on
both sides, there Avas a tacit truce between the pickets, so that the men on
duty walked about in front of their works unmolested, and there was a

SIEGE OF PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND.

569

SIEGE OF PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND.

fidendly interchange of newspapers and other commodities. On the 1st of
September, the rebel leaders were guilty of an act of treachery, which ex
cited great indignation. While our men were out as usual, suddenly,
and without any warning, the rebels opened flre upon them. They said
afterwards, in defence, that it was a " delicious piece of retaliation " for our
bombardment of Petersburg. One of the Richmond papers alluded to
this infamous deed in the following words : —
" Suddenly, a tremendous volley of, musketry was poured into them
from our works, throwing them into a panic, and causing them to scamper
back into their trenches Uke so many startled rats. The best of it was,
that they had left about two hundred of their number lying dead or
wounded on their recent promenade."
Just before midnight of Sunday, the 4th of September, the news was
shouted along our Unes that Atlanta was taken. The joyful event was
celebrated by a salute of one hundred shotted guns. The roar of artiUery,
the crash of shot and shell, and the shouts of one hundred thousand men
conveyed the appalUng tidings to the rebels. They promptly sent back
a defiant reply, and for an hour the thunders of battle broke in awful peals.
Thus the days roUed on. There was no repose, no cessation of the
struggle for an hour. Our intrenchments on the Weldon road were so
strong as to defy every effort of the rebels. By the 1st of September, we
had a raUroad constructed from City Point to the Weldon road, by which

570 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
all our supplies could be easily transported. Yigorous efforts were at this
time made by various parties in the North to stay the further effusion of
blood by some compromise. Colonel Jacques and Mr. Gilmore went to
Richmond, Avith the consent of the Govei'nment, to inqtiire of the rebel
leaders if there were not some possible way by which peace could be
effected. Jeff. Davis Avould listen to no terms which did not destroy our
National unity, and establish a Southern Confederacy.
" The North," said he, " was mad and blind. It would not let us
govern ourselves. So the war came. Now it must go on till the last man
of this generation falls in his tracks, and his children seize his musket and
fight his battles. We will govern ourselves. We will do it, if we have to
see every Southern plantation sacked and every Southern city in flames."
On Friday, the 16th of September, an event took place quite dis
graceful to our arms. We had a large herd of cattle, two thousand five
hundred in number, grazing at Coggins's Point, on the southern banks of
James River, about ten miles below City Point. The herd was guarded
by a detachment of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry and the First
District of Columbia. A rebel force, consisting of a cavalry division, and
two brigades with two batteries, started on Wednesday morning from
Reams's Station, marched entirely around our extreme left, rushed upon
the guard, captured nearly all of both regiments, with their horses, rifies,
equipments, and camp furniture, and drove off the cattle. By this bold
surprise they secured two thousand four hundred and eighty-six fat cattle,
three hundred men with their horses, two hundred mules, and thirty-two
Avagons. They also captured a telegraphic construction corps of forty men,
with twenty miles of wire. All this was accomplished with a loss by the
rebels of less than fifty men.
The rebels were justly very exultant over this achievement. Their
pickets shouted derisively to our men, " Beef, beef" But the response
Avhich went back was, " Atlanta, Atlanta."
Our troops were more than comforted by the news, which reached them
on the 19th, of -Sheridan's splendid rietory in the Shenandoah, which we
have already narrated. With enthusiasm they fired a salute of shotted
guns along the whole line for an hour. The enemy responded, and from
Deep Bottom on the James to the Weldon Railroad, a distance of nearly
thirty miles, the roar of the bombardment resounded.
We have spoken of two approaches to Richmond — one on the north
side of the James, by the roads which lead from Malvern Hill and Deep
Bottom, and the other from the south, either through or around Peters
burg. In the latter part of September, a movement was made in each of
these directions. The movement was initiated on the right by the Army
of the James. The Eighteenth and Tenth Corps, on the night of Wed
nesday, September 28th, in light marching order, moved from Bermuda
Hundred up to Jones's Neck, crossed the James on muffled pontoons, and
marched to the vicinity of Deep Bottom. Pressing along before dayUght,
they encountered the enemy's pickets, and drove them in. After a skir
mishing march of two or three miles, they reached a long line of intrench
ments, running from the Ncav Market road to the James River. The Une

SIEGE OF PETEESBUEG AND RICHMOND. 571
there terminated in a fbrmidable fort, on what was called Chapin's Farm.
There was here a series of hUls, Uning the river's banks, caUed BaU's Bluff
and Chapin's Bluff. Opposite these, on the right bank of the stream, there
was Drury's Bluff, and just above it Fort Darting. The intrenched Une
which our troops encountered was strengthened by well-constructed con
nected forts. A broad open plain skirted the rebel line.
Our troops formed in the woods, dashed out over the plain, and in the
face of an appalling fire, leaped the intrfenchments, and with loud cheers
carried the whole works. The rebels fled in confusion to the rear, Avhere
there were other works to receive them. Our victory was complete, but it
cost a heavy price. The reckless assaUants, as they crossed the plain,
were swept by a murderous fire from the rifie-pits, the forts on both rides
of the river, and from two iron-clads in the stream. Not less than eight
hundred men were killed or wounded. General Burnham was killed ;
General Ord, Colonel Stevens, and many other staff officers were wounded.
But we had captured Fort Morris, and the long line of intrenchments, with
sixteen pieces of artUlery, several of them heavy siege-guns, and about
three hundred prisoners. The rebel loss in killed and wounded was slight.
By ten o'clock the action was closed. Our men immediately began to
throw up breastworks for their own protection. But the enemy's gunboats
and his batteries on the other side of the river kept up so annoying a fire,
that General Weitzel, who succeeded General Ord, found it necessary to
evacuate the fort and to concentrate. This victory was achieved by the
Eighteenth Corps. At the same time. General Birney, with the Tenth
Corps, haring also with him Paine's colored division of the Eighteenth
Corps, advanced to the junction of the Kingsland and the Ncav Market
road. Here, on a commanding position, called New Market Heights, he
found the enemy behind strong breastworks. Their front was protected
by an abatis, with marshy ground covered with dwarf trees and a dense
undergrowth. Through this Paine's colored troops charged with great
gaUantry, and carried the works at the point of the bayonet.
These heroic men, in the struggle, lost one hundred and thirty-six
kUled, and a much larger number wounded. Generals Grant and
Butler, who were present, witnessed their achievement with delight.
General Birney rewarded them with a letter of special congratulation.
The enemy retreated briskly, and we took possession of the heights.
Without delay. General Birney pressed along the Ncav Market road
towards Richmond. When they had arrived within about six miles of the
city, they came upon .some strong fortifications at Laurel Hill, which
checked their march. It was two o'clock in the afternoon. An imme
diate assault was ordered. The enemy, behind their intrenchments, opened
a deadly fire of artillery and musketry, which our columns were entirely
unable to breast. Officers and men, in the enthusiasm of the hour, were
alike regardless of AVOunds and death. Nearly five hundred were struck
down by the missiles of the foe. Night silenced the roar of battle, and
found the Union troops repulsed.
General Kautz, with his cavafry, had started on a reconnoitring
expedition along the Central road. He met no foe until he reached

572 CIVIL WAR IN AMEEICA.
Arithin a few miles of Richmond, when the batteries of a fort opened upon
him. General Terry also marched across from the New Market to the
Central road, and pressed forward until he came in view of the spires of
Richmond. The operations of the day, on the whole, had been successful.
The enemy was evidently taken by surprise, and his innumerable fortifica
tions were not strongly manned.
' About two o'clock in the afternoon on Friday, the enemy, having been
largely reenforced from Petersburg, and with General Lee at their head,
made a desperate attack upon our force then concentrated at Battery
Harrison. He first opened a furious cannonade for about half an hour,
aided by his gunboats. They then charged in three strong lines ; but a
deadly ifre of musketry whirled them, as with tornado riolence, back to
the woods. A second and a third time they were rallied, and pushed for
ward to the charge. Each time they were repulsed with fearful slaughter.
They at length retired, having lost two hundred prisoners, and five hun-
¦ dred in killed and wounded.
Night again came, with clouds, darkness, and flooding rain. . Through
all the night, and all the day of Saturday, the torrent fell. The softened
roads were so cut up by the heavy army wagons as to become almost
impassable. The city of Richmond was thrown into the utmost con
sternation by this apparition of an army in an unexpected position,
within three miles of the city. Every available man was brought into
requisition. General Lee pushed forward with the utmost precipitancy
troops from the south side of Richmond to met the alarming emergency.
To induce tte rebels to this movement was one of the prominent objects of
the enterprise. General Grant was now prepared to make another advance
on the left, towards the much- coveted Lynchburg road.
To hold his extended line at Petersburg and accompUsh this, he had
the Second Cavalry Division and three corps. Two brigades of the Ninth,
and two brigades and a dirision of the Fifth, under General Warren,
formed the column of advance. They moved from Four-Mile Station, on
the Weldon road, by a circuitous route of more than twenty miles, striking
the Lynchburg road at a point called Poplar Grove. The weather was then
fine, the roads in admirable condition, and the troops pressed joyfully on.
About twelve o'clock, p. m., they reached Peebles's Farm, on the Squirrel
Hill road, three miles from the Weldon road. Here they came upon hos
tile redoubts, armed Avith rifled guns. The approach was over an open
field, which the intrenchments, crowning a gentle ridge, quite commanded.
To Griffin's First Division was assigned the task of carrying the redoubt.
Gallantly they did it, capturing one gun, and about fifty men. The rebels
retreated half a mile to another line ; the patriots pursued. About five
o'clock the Ninth Corps attempted to storm these works. General Potter's
Division, with General Griffin's Brigade, was in advance. The charging
column was severely repulsed, and thrown back in confusion, leaving one
thousand five hundred prisoners. Reenforcements were sent forward, who
checked the advance of the foe. The stubborn fighting continued tiU
dark. During this day we lost, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, two
thousand men. The enemy, behind his breastworks, suffered much less.

SIEGE OF PETEESBUEG AND EICHMOND. 573
The rain, to which we have alluded, north of the James also com
menced here Friday night. Still, through tiie darkness and the storm
the artillery of man's wrath flashed and roared. The next day, Saturday
the enemy, in the drenching ram, made an attack upon Ayres's Division
about nine o'clock in the morning, but Avere easily repulsed, Avith severe
loss. Though there were marchings and countermarchings, there was no
more fighting for the remainder of the day, with the exception of one
cavalry charge by the rebel Hampton's cavalry in the afternoon, which Avas
handsomely repulsed.
Sunday, the 2d of October, was spent in skirmishings and artillery
fire, with but little result. General Butler's movement on the north of
the James had been thus far more successful than General Meade's on the
south. He had swept forward within three miles of Richmond, had lost
but few prisoners, and had met with no serious repulse. He captured as
many prisoners as he lost. On the south, General Meade had not been
able to reach the Lynchburg, or Southside road, as it is also called, and
through some strange misfortune or mismanagement, entire regiments had
been flanked and swept off. General Butler's movement on the right was
intended mainly as a demonstration, to aid General Meade's movement on
the left to seize the Southside road.
Several days were now passed, during which but little -was done, save
intrenching, watching, and preparing for future blows. In the night of
Wednesday, October 12th, General Terry, in temporary command of the
Tenth Corps, with a part of Kautz's Cavalry, and the First Division of his
corps, under General Ames, and the colored division, under General Bir
ney, set out for a reconnoissance in force. They pushed along mainly
through the region between the Central and Charles City roads. About
eight o'clock in the morning they encountered some intrenchments which
had been newly thrown up. Reconnoitring charges Avere pushed through
the slashed forest, to develop the strength of the foe. There were charges,
repulses,, and countercharges ; but at night the rebels still held their line,
and the Union troops retired to their own intrenchments. We lost,
during the day, four hundred and fourteen men, including twenty officers.
On Tuesday night, the llth, there was a terrific mortar and artillery fire
kept up by the rebels against our lines near Petersburg. A Richmond
paper, in speaking of it, says : —
" The heaviest mortar-sheUing of the siege occurred on Tuesday night
last, and the sight is described as having been sublime. For the space of
several hours the eastern heavens seemed ablaze with brilliant meteors —
ascending, descending, and shooting away athwart the horizon, in almost
constant numbers, and in unsurpassed beauty."
Though our effort from the left to seize the Southride RaUroad had
faUed, we had gained a strong advance position at Poplar Grove Church,
from which no efforts of the rebels could drive us. Thus, step by step, we
were advancing to the great achievement, of whose ultimate success no
patriot cherished a doubt. The Dutch Gap Canal was stiU pushed with
great rigor, whUe the workmen were assaUed by a constant shelUng.
On the 22d of October, there was a very exciting artiUery duel between

574 CIVIL WAE IN AMEEICA.
two of our batteries on the north of the James, near Chapin's Bluff,
and the rebel gunboats. There were three iron-clads, and two wooden
gunboats, which commenced the assault. The wooden boats Avere
speedily driven out of range, one of them haring received a shell which
bloAv up a gun-carriage and wounded four men. The three iron-clads
were so roughly handled that they soon, impotent and battered, steamed
back to Richmond.
On Thursday, October 22d, there was another great movement of the
whole army — of that on the right, which was called the Army of the James,
and of that on the left, which was called the Army of the Potomac.
Secret preparations had long been making for this movement. The advan
tage which the enemy had, standing behind intrenchments which for years
he had been constructing, was immense. It was of course known that in
all these assaults a far higher style of courage was requisite to impel for
ward the assailants, than that which was needed to sustain the assailed,
posted where scarcely a buUet could harm them. In these desperate
charges upon rifle-pits, breastworks, and redoubts, it was inevitable that
the Union loss should be much more severe than that of the rebels.
On Wednesday evening both armies received orders to be ready to start
at daylight the next morning. As the sick, the baggage, the camp equi
page, and all commissary and ordnance stores, were sent back to City
Point, it was inferred that the army was to make a movement to some
point which it intended- permanently to hold. Three days' rations and
forage Avere issued to the cavalry, and six days' rations to the infantry,
with an ample supply of ammunition. Only enough men were left
behind to hold our long line of intrenchments against any assaults of
the foe.
General Terry, with the Tenth Corps, advanced in the direction of the
Charles City road ; General Ames held the right. Turner the centre, and
Birney the left. We soon reached the rebel skirmishers, and pushed them
back. At length we came upon breastworks, which assailed us with a very
severe flre. The works were attacked Avith great gaUantry until night
came, but without success. In the mean time. General Weitzel, with the
Eighteenth Corps, turning to the right, struck across_ the country, through
White Oak Swamp, until he reached the Williamsburg road, near the
famed battle-ground of Seven Pines. Soon after noon the rain began
to fall, and the softened roads impeded their march. They were now with
in seven miles of Richmond. Here they found the enemy in force behind
strong ramparts.
The Union troops charged with the greatest bravery. They were met
with an annihilating fire, as soon as they had got within point-blank
range of the rebel guns. To advance was impossible ; to remain where
they were Avas certain death ; and retreat, while assailed by such -a fire,
was scarcely more practicable than advance. They were on the open plain,
and the rebels, shielded from all harm, were cutting them down Avith every
missile of destruction. Reenforcements could not be sent in ; their death
or capture would be inevitable. It was an awful moment. Our troops
were thrown into inextricable confusion. The vigilant foe saw his advan-

SIEGE OP PETEESBUEG AND EICHMOND 575
tage, and, sallying from his intrenchments, captured the greater part of the
two advanced brigades ; a few escaped. It was a bloody repulse. The
remainder of the troops bivouacked out of range of the hostile o-uiis.
The next morning sun rose cloudless. Orders were received from Gen-
,eral Grant to withdraw the troops. The skirmishers moved forward and
assailed the hostile intrenchments with a rattling, impotent fire, under
cover of which the troops retreated to their old camp, much chagrined by
their severe repulse. General Terry's Corps also retired at the same time.
Thus the movement, on the right, with the Army of the James ended.
We lost about fifteen hundred men. It was thus that our army surged
bravely, again and again, against the intrenchments which far and wide
. protected the beleaguered capital of the foe. No reverses disheartened our
heroic troops. They had resolved that, cost what it might, in time, and
blood, and treasure, the flag of treason should be trailed in the dust, and
that the Stars and Stripes should float over our united land. The great
object of this manoeuvre Avas to seize the Lynchburg Railroad. The move
ment of the Army of the James was mainly a demonstration to distract
attention, and to withdraw their forces from the south of Petersburg.
It was General Grant's design, by a flank movement of the Army of
the Potomac, to pass rapidly around the extreme right of the rebels, and
then, by a vigorous march towards the north, to seize the Sotithside road.
To assist this flanking column in slipping around, the attention of the
enemy was to be occupied by a fierce attack upon their intrenchments.
The movements on the right and the left were essentially the same. Gen
eral Butler had attempted to accompUsh by his flank march of the
Eighteenth Corps around to Fair Oaks, AvhUe the Tenth Corps were mak
ing a dfrect attack upon the enemy's works, just what General Meade
sought to bring about by a simUar device. The great object, however, as
we have mentioned, of both enterprises, was the successful transfer of
Meade's fianking column, by a wide southern circuit, around to the South-
side road.
Great secrecy was essential to success. The march was to be conducted
with silence and rapidity. Obscure roads were to be selected, as far as pos
sible from observation. No drum-beats or bugle-caUs were to be aUowed.
No large fires were to be kindled. This flanking column consisted of Han
cock's Second Corps and Weitzel's Eighteenth Infantry, and the cavalry
corps of Kautz and Gregg. The Fifth and the Ninth Corps were to
occupy the rebel troops by a strong demonstration against their works.
Enough men were left behind the intrenchments to hold them firmly
against any rebel attack. ^
There is a small stream, caUed Hatcher's Run, which rises near Suther
land Station, on the Southside road, and, flowing in a southeasteriy direc
tion, empties into the Nottaway, through Rowanty Creek. The whole
force started before dayUght Thursday morning for Hatcher's Run. Han
cock and Gregg, after considerable skirmishing, crossed at the ford. The
First Maine, with their sixteen-shooters, carried the works on the opposite
banks. But the enemy was found ready to meet us in unexpected num
bers, ' Our troops were assailed on aU sides. The road was obstructed by

576 CIVIL WAE IN AMERICA.
feUed trees, and batteries frowned from all commanding positions. But the
men forced their way along by a road running parallel to Hatcher's Run,
until about noon, where they encountered three regiments of dismounted
cavalry, with two batteries. The importance of this movement was such
that Generals Grant and Meade were both on the ground. They could
hear, far off on the right, the Fifth and Ninth Corps pressing the enemy's
works. The road perplexed us. The foe annoyed us. New forces were
appearing in our front. We Avere assailed from every point. Our
men fought bravely. We lost heavily in officers and . men, without
infficting corresponding loss on the foe. It began to rain. Most of
our ammunition was expended. Gloomy, stormy night set in. There.
were no tents but the Aveeping clouds, no couches for repose but the
spongy sod. Our loss during the day, in killed, wounded, and missing,
counted fifteen hundred. We had marched resolutely, and fought
bravely, and yet had made but little progress. The prospect for the next
day was no more encouraging. After dark the order for retreat was given.
All night long, through the darkness and the rain, our wayworn, war-
exhausted troops toiled back to their old camps. The expedition had
proved an utter failure. By some means the movement had been detected
by the enemy, and he was all prepared to thwart it. Our whole loss in
the Army of the Potomac on this untoward day was about three thousand.
But no one was disheartened. The end was not yet. " Try, try again,"
was General Grant's motto, and the motto of every man in his army.
Every patriot in the land felt that General Grant had his hand upon the
throat of the rebellion, and that he would not reUnquish his grasp until
the monster Avas strangled. \

CHAPTEE XLV.
CAPTURE OP PETEESBUEG AND EICHMOND.
(From November, 1864, to April, 1865.)
Dbstettction of the Albemarle. — Eeelection of Abraham Lincoln. — Capture of the Flor
ida. — Partial Destruction of the Weldon Eailroad. — Dutch Gap Canal. — Naval At
tack BY the Rebels. — Battle at Hatcher's Run. — Capture and Recaptuee of Fort
Steedman. — Southside RAnjiOAD. — Disastrous Attack on White Oak Road. — Another
Repulse.^Heroic Action and Success. — Battle of Five Forks. — Bompahdment and
Assault on Petersrurg. — Capture of Southside Railroad and Fort Mahone. — Ter
rific Fighting. — Victory. — Evacuation of Eichmond and Petersburg, — Flight and
PUESUIT OF THE EnEMY. — SCENES AT THE REBEL CAPITAL. — SURRENDER OF GENERAL LbE. —
Rejoicings op the Army and Nation.
Theee was now a week of comparative quiet along the Petersburg
Unes, though the mortars were frequently belching forth their thunders,
and monster shells were shrieking through the air. This interchange of
sheUs, scarcely intermitted by day or by night, the soldiers facetiously
styled the " science of conchology." At this time there was performed by
Lieutenant Cushing, at Plymouth, North Carolina, on the Roanoke River,
one of the most daring exploits of which ancient or modern days can boast.
The rebels had a celebrated iron-clad, the Albemarle, at Plymouth, which
threatened the destruction of our wooden "fleet in those waters. We had
no light-draught iron-clads to meet her, and our monitors sat too deep to
narigate the shallow Avaters of Albemarle Sound. The " Albemarle " was
one of the most formidable vessels the rebels had constructed. It had cap
tured Plymouth, had waged successful war against three double-enders
united, and had escaped unharmed.
Lieutenant W. B. Cushing formed a plan for her destruction. He sub
mitted it to the Navy Department. It was approved. A small, swift
steam-tug was prepared, provided with a bowsprit, or prow, which could
be elevated or depressed upon a hinge. At the end of this boAvsprit there
was attached a very powerful torpedo, which, as the Uttle steamer ap
proached the iron-clad, was tp be thrust under her and exploded.
Thursday night, November 27th, was dark and stormy. In the dark
ness and storm. Lieutenant Cushing, with thirteen men, very cautiously
steamed up Roanoke River eight miles towards Plymouth. The narrow
stream was lined with forts and pickets, but he passed unobserved. The
Albemarle was discovered lying fast to the wharf, protected by a raft of
logs extending about twenty feet from her sides. As the Uttie steamer
approached she was haUed. The answer sent back was: "Look out.
Johnnies, we are coming." Cushing ran his boat bows on, crushing in
Vol. il— 37

578 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
the raft, till he reached within about ten feet of the doomed steamer.
Then lowering the torpedo boom, by a vigorous thrust it was pushed under
the iron-clad and exploded. Simultaneously the pickets on shore opened
fire upon the boat, and the men in the iron-clad threw open one of the port
holes to bring a gun to bear upon the assailants, springing also to the out
side of the armament with their muskets. They were met by volleys of
grape from the howitzer in the bows of Cushing's boat.
All this occurred in less time than it has taken to write it. It was so
dark that nothing could be distinctly seen. At the instant that Cushing
exploded the torpedo, a musket-baU struck him on the wrist, and a shell
went crashing through the launch. The terrific explosion of the torpedo
threw such an immense mass of water into the launch as entirely to disable
her. The enemy were still firing at fifteen feet range. Lieutenant Cush
ing ordered every man to take care of himself. Throwing off overcoat
and shoes, he plunged into the river, and struck out for the opposite shore.
The cries of one of his men, who was drowning, attracted the fire of the
enemy, and the bullets fell thickly around him.
Changing his course, he turned down the stream. After swimming and
floating for an hour in the cold water, he went ashore. But he was unable to
stand. He fell exhausted upon the sand. While lying there in the dark
ness and the rain, near a sentry, he heard two of them talking of the ex
plosion. Fearful of being discovered, he shoved himself along, on his back,
by pushing Avith his heels against the ground, until he reached a place
of concealment. Then he worked his way through a sw'amp, lacerating
his feet and hands Avith briers. In the morning he came across an old
negro. He knew that he had found a friend ; for a black face never be
trayed a Union soldier. The negro was frightened by the wild appearance
of Cushing, and asked who he was.
" I am a Yankee," Cushing replied. " I am one of the men who blew
up the Albemafle."
" My golly, massa ! " exclaimed the kind negro, " dey kill you if dey
catch you. You be dead gone sure."
Cushing knew not as yet the effect ofthe explosion upon the Albemarle,
or the fate of his men. He sent his trusty friend into the town, to bring
him back the news ; and then climbed into a tree to aAvait his return. After
a time the negro came back and told Cushing, to his great joy, that the
Albemarle was destroyed. Our heroic adventurer then cautiously AA'orked
his way d.own the river till he saw a boat on the opposite shore. Plunging
into the chilly water, he swam across, and, detaching the boat, drew it out
into the stream and let it drift by his side. He was afraid to get into it,
lest he should attract observation. At last, half dead with fatigue, excite
ment, hunger, and cold, he climbed into the boat and paddled for eight
hours, until he reached the Union squadron at the mouth of the river.
One other man escaped across the country through the swamps. Two
men were drowned. The rest were captured.
This heroic achievement secured for us the recapture of Plymouth, the
entire command of the North CaroUna sounds, and the release of a fleet of
sixteen vessels which had been for some time watching the Albemarle.

CAPTURE OP PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND. 579
On the 8th of November came the vote on the Preridential election.
Abraham Lincoln's term would expire on the 4th of the ensuing March.
For thfrty-two years the nation had not conferred upon any one of its
Presidents the honor of reelection. By an overwhelming majority of
the electoral college, Abraham Lincoln Avas invited to retain his post at
the helm of state. Thus the world was informed of the unswerving devo
tion ofthe people to the National integrity and honor. The "Army and
Navy Journal " says, truthfully and eloquently : —
" The defeated candidate for the Presidency had in his person very
much that was capable of drawing popular support. The senior major-
general of the regular army, the idol of his old troops, winning in man
ners and address, vrith intelUgence, patriotism, integrity, and a soldier's
share of high-toned honor and principle, all these availed him nothing,
because he was regarded as the representative of a party who had whispered
the fatal word ' peace.' From the hour when the Chicago Platform was
framed, it was clear that whoever should stand thereon would be over
whelmingly defeated at the election polls. General McClellan escaped a
thousand bullets on Yirginia battle-fields, to fall by the paper missile of
a poUtical party. Had a Caesar or a Oincinnatus stood thcBe he would
have met the same ineritable fate."
About this time the welcome news arrived of the destruction of the
rebel privateer Florida, in the Brazilian port of Bahia. This pirate
steamer had outrivalled even the Alabama in its destruction of American
commerce. On the 5th of October she arrived at Bahia, and anchored
under the guns of the fort. The American war-steamer Wachusett was
lying outside of the harbor. There were three channels of exit, by which
the privateer coul,d escape, to prey upon our unarmed merchantmen.
Captain Collins, of the Wachusett, called a council of his officers, and in
a careful debate, in which the fact was carefuUy weighed that the Florida
had repeatedly burned American ships vrithin three miles of the Brazilian
coast, it was determined to destroy her in the neutral port in which she
had taken refuge.
At three o'clock in the morning of the 7th of October, the Wachusett
steanied into the harbor, intending to strike the Florida amidships, and
send her to the bottom. As this could have been regarded as an accident,
the international question might thus have been evaded. As the collision
did not immediately sink the Florida, Captain Collins denjanded her sur
render, and, tying her to his ship, towed her out to sea. Mr. Seward, our
Sagacious Secretary of State, much to the chagrin of England, made such
amends to the Brazilian Government as to retain its friendship.
Days and weeks passed in Yirginia of incessant warfare, without any
decisive results, or any incidents of sufficient moment to call for record in
a general history. Our gunboats, vrith their shells, destroyed upon the
James many houses, which had been used as signal stations for the enemy.
The rebels had for a long time kept a depot of supplies at Stony Creek
Station, on the Weldon RaUroad, about twenty mUes south of Petersburg.
As we held the road near the city, the rebels, to avoid transporting their
supplies by wagons, were constructing a railroad across to the Southside

580 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
Railroad. At half-past three o'clock in the morning of the 1st of October
Gregg's Division of Cavalry broke camp, and started to destroy these
works. At daylight they encountered the rebel pickets, and drove them
back to their lines. At Rowanty Creek a company of cavalry disputed
their advance, but were soon dispersed. Two miles farther on, they reached
Stony Creek Station. Here two hundred of Hampton's cavalry were
found in a well-built fort, on a commanding position, surrounded by a ditch,
and armed with two guns.
A charging column resistlessly swept into the fort, took many of the
garrison prisoners, spiked the guns, and threw them into a ditch, with the
loss of but twenty-six men. The affair lasted but half an hour. Most of
the rebel public property at Stony Creek was consigned to the fiames.
While employed in the work of destruction, the rebels appeared in force,
and our troops were compelled to retire. The enemy endeavored to annoy
them for a short distance on their return, but were easily repulsed. At
eleven o'clock all the command had returned back to the camp. They
had marched forty mile.-, captured and spiked two guns, taken one hun
dred and seventy-five prisoners, six wagons, twenty-three mules, burnt three
thousand sacks of corn, five hundred bales of hay, a train of cars, a long
raUroad bridge, a large amount of food and clothing, some ammunition,
and several hundred Enfield rifies. Still, the expedition could hardly be
deemed a successful one. The branch road was found graded and ready
for the rails, but_the enemy came upon the troops in such force, that they
were compelled to retire before they had time to de.stroy the rails and the
cross-ties. About one hundred contrabands followed our troops back into
their lines.
On Tuesday another force moved forward to destroy the Weldon road
below Stony Creek, that the rebels might lose the benefit of their branch
road to the Southside Railroad. The command consisted of Gregg's Di
rision of Cavalry, the Fifth Corps, and Mott's Division of the Second
Corps — in all about twenty-two thousand men, with twenty pieces of artil
lery, under command of General Warren.
Before day of the 7th, in a cold, drenching rain, which extinguished
the camp-fires, the troops were on the march. AU the day they pressed
south by roads east of the railroad, and running parallel with it, en
countering no serious opposition. They crossed the Nottaway River
about twenty miles below Petersburg. The cavalry forded the stream,
while the infantry crossed on pontoon bridges. The crossing was effec
ted and the pontoons taken up before the morning of the 8th. At three
o'clock in the morning the cavalry advance struck for Jarrett's Station,
thirty-two miles below Petersburg, and about ten miles below Stony
Creek Station. The infantry followed, while a detachment of cavalry pro
tected their rear and covered their fianks. They soon reached a point
where the railroad crosses the Nottaway, where they burned an important
bridge two hundred feet long. At Jarrett's Station the whole party
commenced vigorously the work of destruction, by burning the sleepers
and bending the rails. Our troops had become, by practice, very skilful
in this work, building immense fires of fences and brush. Before night

CAPTURE OP PETBRSBUEG AND EICHMOND. 581
they had destroyed five miles of road and all the buildings at Jarrett's
Station. The next day, Friday, the 9th, they contmued the work of destruction
twelve mUes farther to Bellfield. Just before reaching Bellfield, the rebels
appeared in force to dispute the passage of one of the branches of the
Nottaway. They were speedily routed. Hicksford was a small toAvn on
the southern banks of the Meherrin River. It was protected by intrench
ments on both sides of the stream. These works were well manned Arith
regulars and miUtia. As soon as our column came Avithin range it was
greeted with a hot artillery fire. The Ffrst Massachusetts made a gallant
mounted charge, but were compelled to fall back, thefr leader. Major Sar
gent, having been mortaUy wounded by the fragment of a shell. One
or two other unsuccessful charges were made, when General Y^arren drew
his troops off", and they bivouacked for the night.
It Avas a vrintry night. A drenching rain-storm had thus far incom
moded them, and added greatly to their fatigue and suffering. The storm
now changed to hail and snow. The discomfort of the night cannot be
described. It is surprising that mortal frames can endure such hardships.
As the possession of Hicksford was a matter of but Uttle importance, and
its capture would cause much bloodshed, Saturday morning the troops
marched back towards Petersburg. They destroyed much public property
by the way, including Sussex court-house, jail, tavern, and several dwell
ing-houses, whicii were burned by our troops in retaliation for the shoot
ing of three of our stragglers. All day Saturday, Sunday, and Monday,
the troops continued their march through intense cold, reaching their old
camping-ground Monday night. They had travelled fifty miles, burned
three railroad bridges, and destroyed fifteen miles of track. We lost
about one hundred men. A large number of contrabands were brought in.
By the first of January, the Dutch Gap Canal was nearly completed.
Its bulk-head, on that day, was mined and blown up. But the earth,
which was thrown in an immense mass high into the air, fell directly
back into the canal, blocking it up as firmly as before. It became, there
fore, necessary to resort to the tedious work of dredging. To prevent the
rebels from making a sudden descent with their iron-clads upon our trans
portation fleet at City Point, Admiral Lee had sunk vessels across a nar
row bend of the river just above Bermuda Hundred. This made our base
secure, but also prevented our iron-clads from ascending to Richmond.
We soon found these obstructions more advantageous to the enemy than
to us. One of General Butier's objects in digging the Dutch Gap Canal
was to open a passage for our iron-clads, by which these obstructions,
which were guarded by powerful rebel batteries, could be avoided. The
labor upon the canal ended with this grand explosion. Other and mo
mentous events soon engrossed the energies of the whole army.
The first expedition for the capture of Fort Fisher and WUmington,
which we have already described, which had saUed from the mouth of the
James on the 13th and 14th of December, returned the latter part of the
month, chagrined with defeat. General Butier, it will be remembered,
was in' charge of the land force. In consequence of this failure, he was

582 CIVfcIL WAR IN AMEEICA.
removed from command. In his farewell to his soldiers he said, " I have
refused to order the useless sacrifice of the lives of such soldiers, and am
relieved from your command."
The latter part of January, when Admiral Porter was absent with his
fleet in the second attack upon Fort Fisher, there was a great freshet in the
James, which swept away the obstructions just above Bermuda Hundred.
The rebel fleet, consisting of three iron-clads, four wooden gunboats, and
three torpedo boats, improved the opportunity in the endeavor to run our
batteries, destroy our shipping at City Point, and break our pontoon
bridges. They ran by Fort Brady at midnight, in the midst of a very
lively cannonade, dmdng which they dismounted a one-hundred-pounder
gun in the fort. They cut the chain in front of our obstructions, and one
of the iron-clads passed through. Three others, in attempting to foUow,
grounded. It was now daylight. The grounded boats were in range of
Battery Parsons. Two of them got off. One was blown to pieces by our
shells. The remainder of the fleet escaped as rapidly as possible up the
river. On the 31st of January a new and more vigorous movement than was
ever made before, was planned to seize the Southside Railroad. On Tues
day night the Second, Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth Corps received marching
orders. The greatest activity everywhere prevailed in preparations. Our
batteries opened heavily upon Petersburg, throwing an incessant storm of
shells into the city to engross the attention of the foe. Under cover ofthe
uproar and devastation of this fire, on Friday and Saturday nights, the 3d
and 4th of February, the cars were incessantly running, massing our
troops and supplies on the left, and carrying back the sick and the surplus
baggage to City Point.
At three o'clock Sabbath morning, Gregg's Division of Cavalry com
menced its march. Warren with the Fifth Corps followed at five o'clock,
and Humphrey with the Second Corps at six. The weather was fine, the
roads good, and the whole Army of the Potomac on the move. Advancing
from Reams's Station, by the way of Dinwiddle Court-House, they en
countered at Rowanty Creek a part of Hampton's cavalry, on the opposite
side of the stream, behind breastworks which commanded the bridges.
The works were speedily carried. The advance cavalry sAvept on to Din
widdle Court-House. Other divisions also pressed along in the same
general direction by roads nearly parallel, with more or less fighting. To
resist this movement, the rebels were intrenched at every important post.
To describe these conflicts, spreading over leagues of country, and many
of which rose to the magnitude of battles, is impossible.
The main conflict was on Monday, at Hatcher's Run. The Second
Corps was on the right, the Fifth in the centre, and the cavalry on the
left. The country around was encumbered with swamps, forests, and
ravines, traversed by a single narrow road. The battle commenced grad
ually here and there, until towards evening it swelled into an uninter
mitted roar. For a time our troops were quite effectually routed. Nearly
the whole of the Fifth Corps was engaged. Crawford came near being
flanked and^ cut off. Ayres moved to his support. He was driven back.

CAPTUEE OF PETEESBUEG AND RICHMOND. 583
Wheaton and Hubbard were sent forward. They were both thrown into
confusion. On rushed the rebels, driving aU before them. Nearly all
order was broken. StiU the men feU back stubbornly, fighthig behind
trees and rocks and stumps. At length they reached our intrenched line
on the Yaughan road and at Hatcher's Run, where they made a stand.
The enemy, elated with victory, dashed out of the woods into the open
space in front of our works. But he was met by a fire which drove him
back to his covert. We gained no honor, and, perhaps, incurred no disgrace
in the conffict. The foe did not outnumber us. But they were perfectly
at home on the ground, and could consequently move with alacrity and
choose their positions. Our troops fought obstinately, twice drove back
Lee's lines in confusion before the flnal repulse, and then retreated fight
ing. About four thousand of the Fifth Corps engaged in this action, and
the loss was very severe, amounting to eleven hundred and forty-three..
Night closed the conffict.
Early the next morning, Wednesday, the 7th, the enemy made a hos
tUe movement upon our forces on each side of the Yaughan road, but
were easUy repulsed. The Union troops during the day made some ^
charges against the rebel intrenchments, but were also driven back. There
was, however, but little firing during the day, as our troops were busy
from daylight till dark in intrenching themselves on the ground which
they had taken. We were now firmly established at Hatcher's Run, and
the City Point Railroad was in running order to that position.
By the middle of March the condition of the rebels seemed desperate.
Generals Thomas and Canby were crowding upon Mobile. Sheridan was
threatening Lynchburg; Schofield was entering Goldsboro', and Grant
had his whole majestic armies of the Potomac and the James Avell in
hand, to strike the final blow on Lee's crumbling columns. For some
time it had been manifest that the enemy was preparing for a desperate
attack somewhere upon our lines. We had accumulated ft)rces both upon
our extreme right and our extreme left, ready to strike in either direction,
as circumstances might render it desirable.
On the 25th of March, at break of day, the rebel Gordon's Corps, of
three divisions, made an impetuous charge upon Fort Steedman, about
half a mUe from the Appomattox, and, by the impetuosity of their assault
and the suddenness of the surprise, carried the fort almost without fight
ing. The enemy turned the guns of the fort on the rest of the line, and
speedily captured three batteries. A short distance beyond was Fort
HaskeU, which checked the rush of the enemy.
Our troops speedily raUied from their momentary confurion, and
opened a tremendous fire upon Fort Steedman. Under cover of tiiis
cannonade Hartrauft's Division pressed forward to retake the captured
fort. After a stubborn conflict the rebels were driven out of it and back
to their lines, leaving behind them aU the guns they had captured. But
our batteries 'opened upon them in thefr retreat so severely, that over
seventeen hundred prisoners were cut off, who feU into our hands. In
this short but spirited engagement we lost less than a thousand men,
while the rebels lost two thousand five hundred. It was said that the

584 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
enemy did not fight with his usual courage, and the men seemed not
uuAriUing to be captured.
Yery fierce fighting, Arith charges and countercharges, took place at
various points along the line during the day. The result was almost in
variably in favor of the Union arms. In reference to this day of battle,
General Meade says : " The result of the day was the thorough defeat of
the enemy's plans, the capture of the strongly intrenched picket line under
the artillery fire of his main works, and the capture of ten battle-flags, and
two thousand eight hundred prisoners."
On Wednesday, the 29th of March, the whole Army of the Potomac
was again in motion, to renew the oft-repeated attempt to take the South-
side road. The Sixth and Ninth Corps were left to hold the Unes around
Petersburg. Ord's Army ofthe James was also brought from the vicinity
of Richmond, leaving only enough troops to garrison our positions
there. Of Ord's army. Gibbon commanded the Twenty-fourth and Birney
the Twenty -fifth Corps. The Fifth Corps crossed Hatcher's Run, by three
bridges, without opposition. Griffin led lhe advance, followed by Craw
ford and Ayres. After crossing Gravelly Run, the column reached the
Quaker road. They had ascended this to the north but a quarter of a
mile, when they came upon the enemy. The foe rushed with great force
upon Griffin's Division. The confiict was brief, but terrible. We were
repulsed, and then repelled the foe. Thus closed Wednesday, the 29th.
On Thursday, the 30th, through rain and miry roads, the troops again
pressed on. Through much skirmishing, and often severe fighting, the army
pressed along, until they crowded the enemy into a long line of intrench
ments at a position called Five Forks. This was about twelve miles west
of the Weldon road, and within about three miles of the Southside
road. Here both armies were rapidly concentrated, and it, was manifest
that it was to be the theatre of a decisive action.
Friday morning came. The storrri still raged. At an early hour. Gen
eral Warren sent Griffin's Division by the left, to unite Arith the divisions of
Crawford and Ayres, for advance upon the White Oak road. Miles's Di
vision followed. The enemy rushed from his works in an impetuous
charge, and drove the whole Fifth Corps back to the Boydtown-road. We
were threatened Avitli a severe disaster. The rebels, haA'ing thus dispersed
our infantry advance, turned upon our cavalry, who were left much exposed.
Then ensued a series of marches, manceuvres, and battles, which no reader
can comprehend without tracing out the movement in careful study by
aid of a diagram.
Sheridan in person brought forward his gallant cavalry, and the tri
umph of the foe was checked. The rebels made several desperate charges,
but our men wer'e immovable. The enemy withdrew into the woods, and
the Union troops intrenched.
On Friday, the last day of March, the Fifth Corps moved down the
Boydtown plankroad, to the ricinity of the bridge over Gravelly Run.
The Second and Third Divisions of the Fifth Corps were ordered to
attack the enemy intrenched on the White Oak road. They advanced
handsomely to this attack. They were met with an overwhelming counter-

SIEGE OF PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND. 585
attack of the enemy. Our troops fell back in confusion. General Grifiin
mortified at the repulse of these two divisions, rode up to General Cham
berlain,* who was in command of the First Brigade, and said " General
the Fifth Corps is disgraced. I have told General Warren that you can
retake that fleld. Will you save the honor of the corps ?"
It was indeed an appalling undertaking. With one brigade already
exhausted by hard fightiug and weakened by severe loss. General Cham
berlain was to attack an exultant foe, who had already driven two divisions
from the fleld. But General Griffin well knew upon whom he was calling.
In all the armies of the United States there was not a more heroic officer
than General J. L. Chamberlain, of Maine, a true knight, " sanspeur et sans
reprocheP He immediately formed his lines, dashed through the stream, and
pressed the enemy back for a mile or more to the edge of the hill our
troops had abandoned. Here, the enemy appearing in force, he was or
dered to halt, that he might ascertain the number and position of the foe.
But General Chamberlain, inspired by success, begged permission to press
on, asking only for several regiments to support his flanks in echelon. He
then upon the double-qmck swept the fleld and drove the rebels from their
works, capturing several battle-flags and many prisoners. Thus he effected
a lodgment on the White Oak road, which was secured by throwing a
strong -Une of troops across. The Fifth Corps bivouacked on this line on
the night of the 314t, the Second Corps forming a connection after
dark. At daybreak on Saturday morning, the 1st of April, the Fifth Corps
moved down the White Oak road until it formed a junction with Sheridan
and his cavalry. The w-hole body then moved in the direction of Five
Forks. Here the enemy had intrenched themselves during the 31st, and
were prepared to make a desperate stand. The cavalry were placed in po
sition in the immediate front of these works, while the infantry were formed
on the right obliquely in three lines of battie. The order was for the cav
afry to commence the attack. This was to be the signal for the infantry
to advance by a rapid wheel to the left until they should strike the ene
my's works in flank. This was immediately carried into execution, and
* Major-General J. La-wrence Chamherbin was born in Brewer, Maine, in the year 1829. His
early home was one of culture and reflnement. He graduated with honor at Bowdoin College,
and after finishing Ms theological studies at Bangor, was elected professor of rhetoric and
oratory at Bowdoin. Subsequently resigning this position, he accepted the professorship of
modem languages.
Early in the war General Chamberlain left those collegiate halls for the battle field, as colonel
of the Twentieth Maine Regiment. His training, wlien fitting for coUege, in n miUtary school,
now came to his aid, and with that as a foundation, he tasked all his powers to be in reality an
able commander. He organized schools in his regiment, he teaching those in rank below him,
they imparting his instruction to the next grade, thus employing his men in hours of otherwise
worse than idleness. , . j
The fact that during the time he has been in the service he has received seven wounds, one of
them of a fearful character, while all the rest would have caused many, even brave men, to feel^
justified in seeking hospital rest, attests the zeal with which he met the foe. By his unwavering
patriotism his earnest words, and his heroic deeds, he has taken his place among the most honored
of the major-generals of the United States Volunteer Army.

586 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
with admirable success. Ayres and Griffin fell like a tornado on the rebel
left, sweeping down their works, capturing artillery, ambulances, wagon-
trains, prisoners, and battle-flags in great numbers. General Sheridan,
who was the ranking officer present, was impetuous in urging his troops
forward. Not satisfied with carrying the enemy's works and guns, he
cried out to everybody who attempted to communicate Avith him, " Smash
them ; smash them. We have a record to make before that sun goes
down. I want the Southside Railroad." They did " smash them," utterly
annihilating the rebel Picket's splendid dirision, and sweeping away every
obstacle in the way of their march to the long-coveted Southside road.
Our loss was severe, nearly four thousand. The loss of the rebels inkilled,
wounded, and prisoners was seven thousand.
At nine o'clock at night the intelligence of the glorious victory reached
General Grant at his head-quarters. It will be recollected that the Sixth
and Ninth Corps were left in the vicinity of Petersburg. In order to as
sist General Sheridan in his movement, a general cannonade had been or
dered along our whole front. At ten o'clock at night it Avas opened with
a sublimity of bombardment which had not been surpassed during the
war. Until four o'clock in the morning this artillery engagement raged
Vi'ith the utmost fury. Then, before the dawn of Sunday morning, April
2d, an assault was made, with the endeavor, if possible, to drive the enemy
from his works. Three divisions were arranged for this momentous charge,
Avith a battery assigned to each. AU things being ready, the troops dashed
forward, assailed by a tremendous fire of shells from the rebel forts. Gen
eral Getty's Division was placed in front ; Generals Wheaton and Seymour
moved in echelon, to charge by a flanking fire.
It was still dark when, at the firing ofthe signal-gun, the whole mass moved
forward. The enemy was ready with heavily-shotted guns, at point-blank
range. Our troops had a distance of eight hundred yards to traverse be
fore they could reach the enemy's works. Their Unes, indistinctly seen
through the gloom of the morning, were fearfully torn by the artiUery and
musketry of the foe. For hours the uncertain battle raged, along a line
many miles in extent. At length. Generals Getty and Wheaton succeeded
in capturing two forts in front of them, while General Seymour, in another
part of the line, broke through the ranks of the foe, reached the long-cov
eted Southside Railroad, and commenced tearing it up. Almost at the
same time the Twenty-fourth Corps had accomplished the same feat, hav
ing also captured many prisoners. The whole Une now swung round to
wards Petersburg. But hostile ramparts and batteries were everywhere
around them. The battle-waves swept over Avide expanses, and the car
nage was great. The rebel General A. P. Hill was killed at this time.
At eleven o'clock arrangements were matured for another direct assault
upon Petersburg. It was an afternoon of indescribable tumult, uproar,
and blood. As the twilight was fading, the Sixth Corps had attained a
position, just south of the Appomattox Riv^er, close to the city. Joyfully it
' displayed, as the trophies of the day, twenty guns and two thousand pris
oners. The severest fighting of the day was by the Ninth Corps, and
they also incurred the severest loss. Our rictorious troops, flushed with

CAPTURE OF PETERSBURG AND RICHMOND. 587
a day of wonderful success, had now reached the very outskirts of Peters
burg. The next morning, Sunday, the 2d, at four o'clock, these men of iron
nerves, the Ninth and Sixth Corps, made a gallant charge upon Fort
Mahone, which commanded the Jerusalem road, east of the city. It was
one of the strongest positions of the foe. The struggle was desperate ;
but the fort and its neighboring works were carried, and fourteen guns
were taken. The enemy rallied to retake the position. The conflict which
¦ ensued summoned, on both sides, all the energies of desperation, and
power, and valor. It was an awful day of terror and of blood. When
night came it was found that we held all that we had obtained the day
before, and had also made such advances as to render the fall of Rich
mond certain. The loss of the enemy had not been half as great as ours.
They fought behind elaborate breastworks. Our troops, with bare bosoms,
gaUantly stormed those works, and carried them. But the Southside road
was now in our possession, cutting off the only remaining line of their
communications, which would reduce them to absolute starvation. We
had captured positions which commanded the city, and had taken ten
thousand prisoners. The doom of Petersburg, and consequently of Rich
mond, was sealed. Our loss, in killed and wounded, was about eight
thousand. In the afternoon of this bloody day. General Lee saw that all was lost.
Orders were issued for the speedy evacuation of both cities. During the
night, from both of these cities the foe precipitately fled. As the morn
ing dawned the whole vride-spread Union was in, a tumult of joy. The
telegram, on its Ughtning wings, had proclaimed in every hamlet —
" Richmond and Petersburg are ours ! A third part of Lee's army is
destroyed ! For the remainder there is no escape ! "
At an early hour of the morning, when the right of our line was
pressing into the evacuated works at Petersburg, the Fifth Corps and
the cavalry on the left started out to intercept the retreat of the foe. They
soon came up with the enemy's rear-guard, strongly intrenched. They
were the other side of a creek, having destroyed the bridge, and obstructed
the road with feUed trees. But the foe had lost all heart. A few dis
charges of artillery put the enemy to ffight. They were pursued rigor
ously. It was no longer a retreat, but a rout. The road was strewed with
dead horses and mules, wagons, ambulances, abandoned guns and caissons,
food, clothing, equipments— every thing which marks the wreck of an
army. Our pursuing corps rode as rapidly as possible. At the distance of
several miles they came to the intersection of two roads, where a smaU
rear-guard of the enemy, exhausted and despairing, made another feeble
attempt to resist our advance. The Eighth New York, without even a
pause, rushed upon the foe, driving aU before them. The remainder of
Wells's Brigade then came up, capturing prisoners, horses, and arms m
great abundance. The rebels retreated across the Appomattox, on the
road to AmeUa Court-House, on the right, and also by a road bending to
the left which led to Lynchburg. They were pursued by both roads, the

588 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
foe keeping up a running fight. The Union troops were in the best of
spfrits, driving the enemy fiercely, and continually picking up prisoners and
abandoned material of war. After a flight of several miles, and almost an
incessant conflict, the rebels, who had taken the road towards Lynchburg,
crossed the Appomattox, and joined the remainder of Lee's army on the
north side of the river. It was now night. The enemy had been pursued
twenty miles.
Early the next morning, Tuesday, the 4th, the exciting chase was re
sumed. McKenzie's Division was in the advance, Custer's in the rear.
They did not overtake the swift-footed foe until afternoon. A running
fight was continued until dark. After a very brief rest, the cavalry, at
eleven o'clock at night, again started in pursuit. They reached Jetters-
ville, on the Richmond and Danville road. Here they found our Fifth
Corps intrenched across the road. It was at a point half-way between
Amelia Court-House and Burksville, and fifty-four miles southwest of
Richmond. Sheridan had sent Davies's Brigade around by the left flank
towards Burksville. On the way he met a force of the enemy, which he
scattered, capturing several hundred prisoners, five Armstrong guns and
caissons, seven battle-flags, and two hundred wagons. At three o'clock in
the afternoon, just as Sheridan had received the news of this success, he
telegraphed General Grant : —
"I wish you were here yourself. I feel confident of capturing the
Army of Northern Yirginia, if we exert ourselves. I see no escape for
Lee." General Grant was with Ord's column of the Army of the James. This
column, consisting of Turner's and Foster's Divisions of the TAventy-fourth
Corps, and Birney's Division of the Twenty-fifth, marched from Sutherland
Station, on the Southside road, along what is called the Cox road, on the
direct route to BurksAdlle. They reached this important junction of the
Lynchburg and the Danville road near midnight of the 5th, having
marched tAventy-nine miles that day.
Let us now return to the scenes occurring at Petersburg and Rich
mond. Sunday afternoon, Lee sent a telegram to Richmond, stating that
General Grant had driven him a mile and a half, that he had suffered se
verely, that he had taken a position which he could not hold, and ordering
that the city should be evacuated at midnight.
General Weitzel, in anticipation of this movement, was watching with
an eagle eye. He had been left in command of our line on the north side
of the James. At half-past three o'clock in the morning. Captain Bruce, of
Devins's staff, who had been left in command of the picket line, as he was
risiting his outposts, had his suspicions aroused, and sent forward three
men to reconnoitre. They penetrated the rebel lines for some distance, and
came back with the report that they could find no enemy. He imme
diately pushed forward his whole skirmish line, having fortunately fallen ia
with a deserter to guide him. They entered by a winding path through
lines of chevaux-de-frise, which the rebels had left for their oavu move
ments, and where they had not planted torpedoes, whicii were very thickly
buried everywhere else. Captain Bruce, as his men were advancing, com-

CAPTURE OP PETEESBUEG AND EICHMOND. 589
municated the fact to General Devins, who promptly sent a corresponding
telegram to General Weitzel.
That energetic officer roused his whole force, and by break of day they
vvere on the march. And now came indubitable evidences of the evacua
tion. Yast biUows of flame and smoke were seen rising from the vicinity of
Richmond, and the ground quaked beneatii the explorions of gunboats and
magazines. It may, perhaps, be long disputed as to who were the first to
enter the city. The correspondent of the " New York Tribune " gives the
honor to Major Stephens, of Weitzel's staft; Lieutenant W. J. Ladd, of
Devins's, and Major Brooks, of the Eighth Yermont. In a short time. Gen
erals Weitzel, Devins, Ripley, Shepley, and other generals came up, the
heads of their columns pushing through different streets, and the whole
city fell into our possession.
General Weitzel's colored troops were among the first to enter. They
were inspfred to almost supernatural enthusiasm by the excitement of the
hour. With long strides and ecstatic shouts, and faces brilliant with joy,
they pressed forward, welcomed by their brethren, who in thousands
thronged the streets. Men, women, and children, of the redeemed race, in
quite a delirium of joy, ran to and fro, laughed, shouted, clapped their
hands, prayed, kissed one another, hugged their deliverers, seeming fully
to realize that their prison doors were battered down, never again to be
closed against them.
But the city was in flames. For three hours the Avasting confiagration
had been raging. It is said that the rebel Breckinridge, in the evacuation,
ordered an immense amount of tobacco to be set on fire, that it might not
fall into the hands of the Natitoal Government. The fire spread rapidly,
and was then consuming the most important business portions of one of the
most beautiful cities on the continent. The Avhole city would have been
laid in ashes but for the almost superhuman efforts of the Union army.
Stragglers from the retreating army remained behind, spreading the fire,
plundering houses, and committing all outrages. Thousands of negroes
and poor whites were snatching provisions, clothing, and other valuables
from the flames, and concealing them in their humble homes.
Seven distinct lines of fortifications of the most formidable character
surrounded the city. The retreating enemy had no time to remove the
guns. Their black throats were frowning in immense numbers and in all
dfrections. Chevaux-de-frise of peculiar structure spread along for miles,
the smouldering ruins of the gunboats were strewed along the banks of the
river, roaring flames and billowy volumes of smoke were bursting forth
in all directions, while Avails were crumbling, and chimneys tottering,
and the streets were filled Arith all imaginable wreck and ruin. Where the
fire was not raging, the pavements were covered Avith negroes and citizens,
men women, and children. Some were exultant with joy, and others mute
in consternation and despair. The very air was thick with the cinders
of burnt paper and clothing, flying in the wind.
President Lincoln, who was risiting the army at this time, soon entered
the city attended by a few friends. Thousands rushed to get a view of his
taU figure, as he unostentatiously walked the streets. Probably no mortal

590 CIVIL WAR IN AMEEICA
ever received such a greeting of prayers, and tears, and blessings as that
which was conferred upon Abraham Lincoln by the colored population,
whom the war had emancipated. Every colored man in the city was man
ifestly a true friend to the American Union. The patriotism of many of
the whites, who professed allegiance, Avas, to say the least, very questionable.
The general aspect of the inhabitants in their ungainly, worn-out, and
ragged garments, indicated the severity of the blockade to which the Con
federacy had been subjected.
We must now return to witness the fate of the retreating army. The
rebels were mainly on the Danrille road, in the vicinity of Amelia Court-
House. Escape in all directions was cut off. Their troops were utterly
demoralized, and desertion was rapidly diminishing their ranks.
Thursday morning, the Gth, opened gloomily upon the shattered, routed
army. Its earliest light found the rebels striving to escape through the
country roads running Avestward towards Farmville. The cavalry and the
Second and Sixth Corps were immediately pushed forward in hot pursuit.
The Fifth Corps also, from its position at Jettersville, pressed forward with
the hope of striking the rebel column in "the rear. Itwas evident that
Lee was making a desperate endeavor to cross the Appomattox by the '
High Bridge, where the Southside Railroad spans it at Farmville. To
prevent this crossing, two squadrons of the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry,
under General Read, had been pushed forward with the utmost expedition,
to hold the bridge if possible, and if not, to destroy it by fire.
It was a sad fate which this expedition encountered. When near the
bridge, they met the foe in such overwhelming numbers that they were im
mediately surrounded, and the whole band -was almost literaUy cut to pieces
or captured. General Read, disabled by a wound at Gettysburg, -was shot
dead in a hand-to-hand encounter with a rebel officer. In the mean time,
those in pursuit of the enemy harassed their rear with incessant assaults
of shot and sheU, picking up every mile prisoners, guns, colors, and wag
ons. The pursuit led through a country covered with forests and broken
into rarines. Five times, in the distance of twelve miles, the enemy
selected a commanding position to make a stand. Five times they were
charged by their exultant pursuers, and were put to ffight. The foe now
pushed on as rapidly as possible for High Bridge. The forces of Sheridan,
Wright, and Humphrey were bearing rapidly down upon him.
The Second Corps, which formed the right of the pursuing column,
overtook the enemy late in the afternoon, at a little stream called Sailor's
Creek. General Lee had made a stand here to cover the passage of his
artillery and wagons. An assault was immediately made by the First and
Third Divisions of the Second Corps, and the enemy was driven from his
position. We took two hundred and twenty-five wagons, fifty ambu
lances, and eleven stand of arms. While this exciting scene was being
enacted, the Sixth Corps and Sheridan's Cavalry were cutting to pieces
divisions of the rebel army on the left, near the Southside Railroad. The
enemy were endeavoring to cross this railroad and escape to Danville.
Our troops were brilliantly successful in the assault, capturing nearly seven
thousand prisoners. Thus closed Thursday. The Second and Sixth

CAPTUEE OP PETERSBUR AND RICHMOND. 591
Corps, exhausted by victory, bivouacked upon the ground they had so
triumphantly won at Sailor's Creek. The Fifth Corps, with Sheridan's
tfreless cavalry, swept rapidly on in pursuit of the foe, who, wdtii breathless
speed, was stiU struggling to reach the Danville Railroad. But a vigUant
enemy headed him in all his windings and turnings.
Friday morning dawned. A Avhole army was rushing over the hiUs and
through the vales. Another army of double its numbers Avas pursuing on the
north, on the east, on the south — overthe hills, down into the ravines, through
the forests. The enemy reached Farmville in the morning. The river
was a hundred feet wide. Two bridges spanned it : one a costly railroad
structure of great height ; the other a common bridge for the passage of
carriages. The rebels had crossed the stream and set botii bridges on fire.
The flames were raging fiercely. Four spans of the High Bridge were
destroyed before our advance, Avhich consisted of Barlow's Division,
reached the river. A dirision of the rebel army Avas draAvn up on the
western bank, to prevent the extinguishment of the flame and to dispute
the passage. But our batteries soon compelled the rebels to retire. The
flames were extingmshed, the bridge repaired, and the pursuers pressed
on. The brigade of General Smyth led the advance, pelting the enemy
with shot, shell, and bullets, as he despairingly, yet with oft-exhibited des
peration of valor, rushed along on the road to Farmville.
AYhen within three miles of this latter place. General Smyth, his eye
gleaming with the joy of rietory and his exultant voice urging on his bat
talions, Avhile leading a charge in person, fell mortally wounded. Among
brave and noble men he was one of the bravest and the noblest. One who
knew him Avell, writes : —
" Probably no officer in the Potomac army had more friends and ad-
mfrers, with fewer enemies, than Brigadier-General Thomas A. Smyth.
Always courteous and frank in his demeanor, he won the love and respect
of every one approaching him, and to-day I have seen many an eye grow
dim on learning of his death. That one so good, so noble, and so brave,
one with all the qualities which go to make up the true gentleman and
the gallant soldier, should have died, and at such a time, is indeed sad —
for no one could have been more deeply thrilled by our crowning victory
than he."
The flight of the enemy was now truly a rout, the flying foe strcAving
his wake with guns, wagons, and all the varieties of the equipage of w^ar.
General. Barlow, with the Second Dirision, led the advance in the direct
pursuit towards Farmville. Some miles oft" to the right General Hum
phrey, Avith the First and Third Divisions of his corps, Avere rushing
forward towards Lynchburg, to head off the flight of the enemy in that
dfrection. About the middle of the afternoon, these divisions were united
to crush the enemy, now brought to bay at Farmville. Night came
on, and the wearied troops, conscious that they were infficting upon the
rebelUon its last and annihilating blows, threw themselves upon the sod
for sleep. They had no time to count the prisoners and spoils they had
gathered up during the day.
With the earUest Ught of Saturday morning, the conquering heroes

592 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
sprang from their couch of grass and leaves, and eagerly looked for the
foe. He had disappeared, but there was no mistaking his trail. He was
sweeping along in a northwest direction, probably aiming to gain another
road which would conduct him to the Southside Railroad. He was
soon overtaken, upon a plain surrounded by hills, from which there was
no escape, and where his destruction was sure. Our forces came thun
dering on, planting their batteries upon the surrounding crests, ready to
droAvn the rebel army in a deluge of blood. It is said that General Grant,
conscious that this crisal hour was at hand, humanely shrinking from the
thought of slaughtering so many men who had been dragged unwittingly
into the rebellion, had sent word to General Lee that he was willing to
grant him reasonable terms of capitulation. The answer he received
induced him to send in response the following terms : —
" I propose to receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Yfrginia
on the following terms, to wit : Rolls of all the officers and men to be
made in duplicate, one copy to be given to an officer designated by me, the
other to be retained by such officers as you may designate. The officers
to give their individual paroles not to take arms against the Government
of the United States until properly exchanged, and each company or regi
mental commander sign a like parole for the men under their commands.
The arms, artillery, and public property to be packed and stacked, and
turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive them. This will
not embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor their private horses or bag
gage. This done, each officer and man avUI be aUowed to return to their
homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they
observe their parole, and the laws in force where they r^ide."
To this proposition General Lee immediately returned answer, in the
following terms : —
" I have received your letter of this date, containing the terms of sur
render of the Army of Northern Yirginia, as proposed by you. As they
are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the Sth
instant, they aw accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers
to carry the stipulations into eff'ect."
Our troops were just ready to open their annihilating flre when it was
announced to both armies that Lee had surrendered. Our troops received
the first tidings of the capitulation from the enthusiastic shouts which burst
from the rank and file ofthe rebel troops. These deeply injured men, unfed,
unpaid, haggard with famine and clothed in rags, weary ofthe war and utterly
exhausted, Avho were gradually awaking to the fact that they had no personal
interest in the Avar, and Avho had long since ceased to feel any aninlosity
towards their antagonists in the Union ranks, seemed to be for the moment
frantic with joy. The war was closed, the rebellion ended. There vvas to
be no more fighting, and wounds, and death. Peacefully they could now
return to their homes, to their wives, to their children. Cheer after cheer
rose from the embattled host. The cheer was echoed back in shout after
shout from the victors who surrounded them, and then both voices, that of
friend and foe, blended in a joyftil cry, which must have ascended almost
Uke an anthem of praise to the ear of God. With the great mass of both

CAP.TUEE OP PETEESBUEG AND RICHMOND. 593
armies all animosity for the moment seemed to be forgotten. Tears and
prayers, and shouting and embracings, and the long agony of four years
of blood and woe, seemed to be lost in this one hour of returning peace.
The troops, who in long Unes in the rear were hurrying forward to the sup
posed scene of battle, heard the shout, and knew not what it meant. But
it grew louder and louder, and came rolUng down their ranks with thun
der roar, as the electric tidings sped on thefr way. For miles and miles
the mountains and the forests and the valleys rang with the shouts of this
vast patriot army, which had now trampled out the spfrit of rebeUion, for
ever and forever.
The scene of the surrender was sublime. Major-General Chamberlain,
one of the heroes of Gettysburg and Petersburg, and many another bloody
fight, chanced to be with his dirision in the van. His troops were draAvn
up in a straight Une a mile in length. A dirision of the rebel army was
marched up and paraded dfrectly in front of them, at a distance of but a
few feet. AU were as silent as the trees of the forest — not a word was
uttered — not a bugle sounded — ^not a drum beat. The subUmity of the
scene dimmed vrith tears eyes all unused to weep, and caused lips to
tremble, which neither cannon's roar nor gushing blood could blanch with
fear. The rebels stacked thefr arms, leaned against them their banners,
and sUently filed away. As they came up. General Chamberlain nobly
caUed npon his men to present arms, and thus these heroic rictims of .a
cruel rebeUion, in thefr hour of humiUation and surrender, were received
vrith mUitary honors. One of the rebel generals had the grace to say,
" This is magnanimity which we had not expecteti." And before his troops
stacked thefr arms they returned the courteous salute. As this ffist diri
sion filed away, another came, and passed through the same affecting scene.
And then another and another, till twenty-two thousand men had marched
away unarmed to thefr camps. Not one word of reproach was uttered by
the magnanimous rictors. But twenty-two thousand surrendered. Lee's
army had been three times that number ; but thousands had been cap
tured, large numbers kiUed and wounded, and thousands had thrown down
thefr arms and had dispersed in aU directions to seek their homes.
The rebel troops were starving. In their disastrous ffight, their provi
sions had all disappeared. Our troops, in their eager pursuit, had been able
to bring along but a scanty supply. But they divided their rations with
thefr conquered foe, every man giving one-half of his dinner to the
enemy he had so long been fighting, and then our troops went hungry for
many hours, till fresh supplies could reach them.
No tongue can teU the joy with which the tidings of Lee's surrender
was received throughout our land. Even the most unintelUgent were con
scious that it was the harbinger of peace throughout our whole country ;
that the integrity of the Union was secured for ages to come ; that we had
emerged from the conffict with an established nationality which would
enable us henceforth to bid defiance to all foes vrithin and all foes vrithout ;
that our nation, emancipated from the curse of slavery and from aU those
bickerings and sectionaUties which slavery engendered, had now entered
upon a career which would make her beyond aU controversy the great
Vol. IL— 38

594 CIVIL WAE IN AMERICA.
power — the leading empfre upon the globe. The crushing out of this rebel*
Uon, it was weU understood, placed us upon the soUd, granite foundation
of a pure Christian democracy, opening before us almost dazzUng vistas
of honor, prosperity, and greatness.

CHAPTER XLVI.
THE OVERTHROW OF THB REBELLION.
(From April to Jane, 1865.)
Tragedy at Washington.— Assassination op President Lincoln.- The Conspiracy.— The
Spiiirr OP Slavery and Rebellion. — Effect on the Nation. — Suspension of Hostili
ties between Shekman and Johnston. — Terms of Agreement. — Their Rejection by
THE Government. — Surrender of Johnston. — Plight of Jefferson Davis. — Pursuit
AND Capture. — Dispersion op Rebel Troops. — Disbandment of the United States
Army and Navy. — Reconstruction.
In the midst of these unparalleled triumphs, and while all the bells of
the land were ringing with joy, a calamity feU upon us whieh overwhelmed
the country in consternation and woe. On Friday evening, April 14th, Presi
dent Lincoln attended Ford's Theatre, in Washington. He was sitting quietly
in his box, listening to the drama, when a man entered the door of the lob
by leading to the box, closing the door behind him. Drawing near to
the President, he drew from his pocket a small pistol, and shot him in the
back of the head. As the President fell senseless and mortally wounded,
and the shriek of his wife, who was seated at his side, pierced every ear,
the assassin leaped from the box, a perpendicular height of nine feet, and
as he rushed across the stage bareheaded, brandished a dagger, exclaiming,
" Sic semper tyrannis,^' and disappeared behind the side-scenes. There
was a moment of sUent consternation. Then ensued a scene of confusion
which it is in vain to attempt to describe.
The dying President was taken into a house near by, and placed upon
a bed. What a scene did that room present ! The chief of a mighty
nation lay there senseless, drenched in blood, his brainS oozing from
his wound. Snmner and Farwell and Colfax and Stanton and many
others were there, paUid with grief and consternation. The' surgeon.
General Barnes, solemnly examined the wound. There was silence as of
the grave. The life or death of the nation seemed dependent on the
result. General Barnes looked up sadly and said, " The wound is mortal."
" Oh no ! general, no ! no !" cried out Secretary Stanton, and, sinking
into a chair, he covered his face, and wept like a chUd. Senator Sumner
tenderly holds the hand of the unconscious martyr. Though all unused to
weep, he sobs as though his great heart would break. In his anguish his
head faUs upon the blood-stained piUow, and his black locks blend with
those of the dying victim, which care and toU had rendered gray, and
which blood had crimsoned. What a scene ! Sumner, who had Ungered
through months of agony, haring hunself been stricken, doAvn by the

596 CIVIL WAE IN AMEEICA.
bludgeon of slavery, now sobbing and fainting in anguish over the pros
trate form of his friend, whom slavery has slain. This vile rebellion,
after deluging the land in blood, has culminated in a crime which appalls
all nations. Noble Abraham, true descendant of the Father of the Faithful, honest
in every trust, humble as a child, tender-hearted as a woman, who could
not bear to injure even his most envenomed foes, who in the hour of
triumph was saddened lest the feelings of his adversaries should be
wounded by their defeat, with " charity for all, malice towards none,"
endowed with " common-sense " intelligence never surpassed, and with
powers of intellect which enabled him to grapple with the most gigantic
opponents in debate, developing abilities as a statesman, which won the
gratitude of his country and the admiration of the world, and with
graces of amiability which drew to him all generous hearts ; dies by the
bullet of the assassin !
There was a wide-spread conspfracy for the death of all the leading
officers of the Government and of the army. The President, Yice-
President Johnson, Secretary Seward, Secretary Stanton, and others were
marked for assassination. One of the assassins, at the moment the Presi
dent was struck down, crept stealthily to the chamber of the Secretary of
State, and plunged his dagger again and again into the neck of his helpless
victim. The son of the Secretary and an attendant rushed to the rescue.
Both were severely wounded by the desperate assassin, as with blood-
dripping dagger he cut his way by them and escaped. The other men
marked for death providentially escaped. The murderer of the Presi
dent proved to be a play-actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth. For
many days he eluded the rigilance of the police, and was finally shot in
the endeavor to capture him. The assassin who sought the life of Secre
tary ScAvard proved to be a young man from Florida, by the name of
Lewis Payne Po well. To the joy of the nation. Secretary SeAA%rd recovered.
Through all the embarrassments of the war he had conducted bur foreign
diplomatic relations Avith skill which the more it is studied shines with
increasing lustre. His assassin, Arith three accomplices, Avas taken and
hung. Others who Avere aiders iij the crime were imprisoned.
In tills atrocious act, the Nation saw but the development of the same
spirit Avhich the demon of slavery, treason, and rebellion had exhibited
from the beginning. Since the first gun was fired at Sumter, the rebellion
has rioted over the carnage which has filled hundreds of thousands of
graves with the gory bodies of our sons. It has uttered no voice of sym
pathy, as the wail of the widow and the orphan has been wafted over the
land. It has plunged the bayonet into the bosoms of our soldiers, lying
wounded and bleeding after the battle. It has cut off the limbs of our
loved ones, boiled them to loosen the fiesh, and from the bones carved
trinkets for its women; and with barbarity which would disgrace Coman
che Indians, made drinking-cups of the skulls of patriot martyrs. The
rebellion, in wide-spread conspiracy, has endeavored to wrap in midnight
conflagration hotels crowded with women and children, and to envelop
in fiery billaws a city containing a mUUon of inhabitants. With deUber-

THE OVEETHEOW OP THE EEBELLION. 597

no

ate purpose of cruelty, it has shut up our poor captives where they had ....
shelter from the blistering sun of summer, or from the freezing blasts of
winter. It would not aUow them, with their own labor, to construct huts
from the large forests Avhich surrounded them. It has refused any thing
Uke a sufficient supply of water, food, or clothing to those held as prison
ers, and has even robbed them of the rations and the garments which the
United States Government sent to save them from freezing and starva
tion. It has endeavored thus by torture to compel the Union prisoners of
war to enlist beneath the banner of treason. And when our sons, true
as the seraph Abdiel to their patriot sires, have chosen unspeakable misery
and death, to dishonor, they have laughed derisively to see them die,
devoured by vermin, and reduced even to idiotcy in their Avoe.
It was this demoniac spirit which now culminated in the murder of
the President of the United States and the attempted assassination of the
Secretary of State. Let no one say that this was but an indiridual act ;
that this was but the deed of one or two assassins. It was the spirit of
the rebellion. It was the legitimate fruit of that baleful tree. It was in
character with every development of the rebellion from the beginning
until the end. It was the same fiend-like maUgnity which marked the
whole career of these bold, bad men.
They who AriU burn at the stake and hang men, women, and children,
their own neighbors, because they will not join them in their traitorous
cause ; who can bayonet helpless boys, fainting and dying upon the battle
field; who can shoot unarmed prisoners; who can call tq their aid the
bayonet and the scalping-knife of the savage ; who can make trinkets of the
bones and drinking-cups of the skulls of their enemies ; who can apply the
midnight torch to thronged hotels, where maidens are sleeping in their
purity, and children in their innocence; Avho can burn and ft-eeze and
starve to death sixty thousand, ay, sixty thousand, as they have actually
done, of our noble young men, who were helpless in their hands ; — it is
in vain for these to say : —
"We are not responsible for the acts ofthe assassin."
They are responsible. It was the yenom of secession which distUled
its poison into the souls of the assassins. It was the energy of the rebeUion
which nerved their bloody ariys. RebelUon, created them. They were
rebellion's pUant tools.
If the spirit of the rebellion had dared to brave the scorn of the world,
it would have exulted over the crune, as it shouted for joy over the bloody
blows which the same spirit rained down upon the head of Senator Sum
ner, voting the assassin honors and rewards.
Even in the North, those in sympathy with the rebelUon were unable
to conceal their first emotions of joy. Women, dead to aU womanly
nature, were heard to exclaim, " Thank God for the news !" And men,
distiUing venom more deadly than ever was ejected from reptile sting or
fang, were seen rubbing their hands with deUght, and saying, " Let us
ring 'our bells, and wave our banners, and fire our heaviest guns, for very
joy."

598 CIVIL WAE IN AMEEICA.
For four long years the rebels had been declaring, in every utterance
of vituperation, that the cause of the Union was the cause of hell;
that Abraham Lincoln was a reptile, and that any one would do both
God and man a service who would crush him like a viper. At length the
assassin, thhs roused, nerved himself for the deed. AppaUed by the cry
of indignation which burst from every honest breast, the demon of rebel
Uon shrank back and exclaimed, "It was not I who did it."
Foul spirit ! thou didst do it. And both God and man wUl hold thee
responsible for the deed. It was Davis and Lee and Hood and John
ston and Beauregard who fired that pistol. They shot the deadly bul
let into the brain of our beloved President. The wretch who pulled
the trigger was their agent ; he could not have eristed but for them. It
was Toombs and Wigfall and Pickens and Wise who struck the dagger
into the throat of the Secretary of State. But for their foul treason, thefr
words of encouragement, through long, long years, the assassin's pitUess
heart could never have been fired for the deed.
The Nation bitterly mourned its loss. But was the RepubUc lost ?
No ! The event did but sublimely demonstrate to the world that there is
no government on earth so stable as a pure republic, founded on the affec
tions of the masses of the people. It needed but this final test to prove
to all the crowned heads of Europe that our Presidential Chafr stands upon
a foundation which can endure shocks which would blow every kingly
throne high into the air. The palUd faces and moistened eyes of the Na
tion declared grief only, not affright. The foundations ofthe Government
were never stronger. The resolution of the Nation, and of its faithful
servant, the army, to destroy every root and branch of the rebelUon, was
never so determined as then. Not a department in the Government shook
in the vrind. Not a nerve of governmental action was palsied. Our ma
jestic ship of state, though with flag at half-mast, went careering triumph
antly on, unimpeded, over the waves.
We had still our rictorious army left, its ranks crowded vrith patriots.
We had Grant left, with his imperial, grasping, military mind, rivalling
Napoleon I. in the grandeur of his combinations. We had Sherman left,
with his keen, nervous, tireless energies, performing exploits before which
the achievements of the age of chivalry fade away. We had Sheridan
left, with his flashing sabre, in the light of whose gleams the scimetar of
Richard the Lion-hearted ^loses its lustre. And we had Thomas left,' as
fearless in courage as the Bedouin of the Desert, and as indomitable as
Ararat. No ! the Republic was not endangered. We wept with grief,
and also with indignation, which girded our souls vrith new strength. As
we turned our eyes to Washington, we saw that Stanton was still there, to
hm-1 with nervous arm the thunderbolts of war. Welles was there, the pa
tient, indomitable Welles, who ia four short years lifted up our navy from
nothing, to be the first maritime power on the globe ; and in the thunders
of those walls of iron, we heard the cheering voices of Farragut and Por
ter and Dupont and Lee.
Chase was there, with his imperial mind, his clear rision, his inflexible
love of impartial justice. And Sumner and Fessenden and Wilson and

THE OVEETHEOW OF THE EEBELLION. 599
a host of others were there, as pure and fearless patriots as ever entered
legislative halls, who, with eyes that never slept, and vrith souls never
weary, watched that the RepubUc should receive no harm.
And there was Andrew Johnson, who, through all the scenes of an
eventful Ufe, had proved himself worthy of the distmguished position to
which the suffrages of the Nation had raised hfrn. He was well known
and had been long tried. His character was of the true heroic mould.
He had great power of intellect, great administrative abiUty, great firm
ness of nerve, great love of country, and a thorough detestation of the
rebeUion. We turned our eyes to our State Governments, and there we saw An
drew of Massachusetts, Buckingham of Connecticut, Morton of Indiana,
Curtin of Pennsylvania ; and the most timid heart grew strong. At
twenty minutes past seven o'clock on Saturday morning, Abraham Lincoln
died. In less than four hours after, at eleven o'clock, Andrew Johnson
took the oath of office, administered by Chief-Justice Chase, and was thus
inaugurated President of the United States.
But let us return to the Army of the Mississippi. We left General Sher
man, with his rictorious troops, on the evening of April the 14th, in peace
ful possession of the city of Raleigh. General Johnston had just heard
of the capitulation of Lee's army, and despairingly had sent in a flag of
truce to confer respecting the surrender of his OAvn. On the morning of
the 17th the tidings reached Raleigh of the assassination of the Presi
dent. On the 18th an engagement was entered into for the suspension of hoA-
tiUties, and a memorandum of agreement was draAvn up as a basis of
peace, which gave great dissatisfaction to the Cabinet at Washington, and
to the whole country. It was as follows : —
" 1. The contending armies now in the field to maintain th^fr statu
quo untU notice- is given by the commanding general of either to his oppo
nent, and reasonable time, say forty-eight hours, allowed.
" 2. The Confederate arraies now in existence to be disbanded, and
conducted to the several State capitals, there to deposit thefr arms and
public property in the State arsenal, and each officer and man to file an
agreement to cease from acts of war, and abide the action of both Federal
and State authorities. The number of arms , and munitions of war to be
reported to the chief of ordnance at Washington City, subject to the future
action of the United States, and, in the mean time, to be used solely to
maintain peace and order vrithin the borders of the States respectively. ^
" 3. The recognition by the Executive of the ^United States of the
several State Governments, on their officers and legislatures taking the
oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States, and where con
flicting State Governments have resuUed from the war, the legitunacy of
aU shaU be submitted to the Supreme Court of the United States.
"4 The reestablishment of all Federal Courts in the several States,
vrith powers as deflned by the Constitution and laws of Congress.
" 5 The people and inhabitants of all States to be guaranteed, so far
as the Executive can, their political rights and franchise,' as weU as the

600 CIVIL WAE IN AMERICA.
rights of person and property, as defined by the Constitution of the United
States and of States respectively.
" 6. The Executive authority of the Government of the United States
not to disturb any of the people by reason of the late war, so long as they
live in peace and quiet, abstain from acts of armed hostility, and obey
laws in existence at any place of their residence. >
¦" 7. In general terms, war to cease, a general amnesty, so far as the
Executive power of the United States can command, or on condition of dis
bandment of the Confederate armies, and the distribution of arms and
resumption of peaceful pursuits by officers and men, as hitherto compos
ing the said armies. Not being fully empowered by our respective
principals to fulfil these terms, we individually and officially pledge our
selves to promptly obtain necessary authority to carry out the above pro
gramme. "¦ "W. T. Sheeman, Major-General,
" Commanding the Army of the United States, in North Carolina,
"J. E. Johnston, General,
" Commanding Confederate States Army in North Ga/rolin,aP
Upon the reception of this memorandum of agreement in Washington,
a cabinet meeting was immediately held at eight o'clock in the evening.
The action of General Sherman was disapproA^ed by President Johnson,
by the Secretary of War, by General Grant, and by every member of the
cabinet. General Sherman was ordered to resume hostilities immediately.
Several weeks before, on the night of the 3d of March, while President
Lincoln and his cabinet were at the capital, the Secretary of War received
a_telegram from General Grant, informing him that General Lee had re
quested an interview to confer respecting terms of peace. The telegram
was handed to President Lincoln. He read it thoughtfully, and then, tak
ing his pen, wrote the following reply, which he submitted to both Mr.
Seward and Mr. Stanton. It was then dated, signed by the Secretary of
War, and transmitted to General Grant. The reply was as foUows : —
" Washington, Mojrch 3 — 12 p. m.
" Lieutenant-General Grant :
" The President directs me to say to you that he wishes you to have no
conference with General Ldfe, unless it be for the capitulation of General
Lee's army, or on some minor or purely miUtary matter. He instructs me
to say that you are not to decide, discuss, or confer upon any political ques
tion. Such questions the President holds in his own hands, and will sub
mit them to no military conferences or conventions. Meantime you are
to press to the utmost our military advantages. " Edavin M. Stanton,
" Secretary of War."
The extraordinary tenns proposed to the rebeUion by General Sherman,
settUng the most important civil as well as military question, excited uni
versal condenyiation and anxiety. Some called in question the sanity of

THE OVEETHEOW' OP THE EEBELLION. 601
General Sherman, others his loyalty. The truth, probably, was, that Gen
eral Sherman, a man of great miUtary genius, and eccentric as well as im
petuous in his measures, made a mistake. A man may be a distino-uished
soldier and yet not be an accomplished statesman.
General Grant immediately left Washington to superintend himself
the movements against Johnston's army. General Sherman had achieved
results so glorious that at that hour he stood, in public love and confi
dence, second to no one except, perhaps, to General Grant. The whole
country recognized that "he had made a sad mistake, and it excited univer
sal griefi The excitement was so great that Secretary Stanton issued a
card, containing the foUovring reasons for rejecting the terms which Gen
eral Sherman had proposed : —
SECEETAET STANTOn's EEASONS FOE OVEEEULmG GENEEAL SHBEMAlf's
ACTION.
This proceeding of General Sherman was unapproved for the foUoAring
among other reasons : —
First. It was-an exercise of authority not vested in General Sherman,
and on its face shows that both he and Johnston knew (that Jle (General
Sherman) had no authority to enter into such arrangement.
Second. It was a practical acknowledgment of the rebel Government.
Third. It undertook to reestablish the rebel State Government, that
had been overthrown at the sacrifice of ihany thousand loyal lives and an
immense treasure, and placed arms and munitions of war in the hands of
the rebels at thefr respective capitals, which might be used as soon as the
armies of the United States were disbanded, and used to conquer and sub
due the loyal States.
Fourth. By the restoration of the rebel authority in their respective
States, they would be enabled to reestablish slavery.
Fifth. It might furnish a ground of responsibility by the Federal Gov
ernment to pay the rebel debt, and certainly subjects loyal citizens of the
rebel States to the debt consummated by the rebels in the name of the
State. Sixth. It puts in dispute the existence of loyal State Governments, and
the new State of Western Yirginia, which had been recognized by every
department of the United States Government.
Seventh. It practically abolished the confiscation laws, and relieved
rebels of every degree who had slaughtered our people, from all pains and
penalties for their crimes.
Eighth. It gave terms that had been deliberately, repeatedly, and sol
emnly rejected by President Lincoln, and better terms than the rebels had
ever asked in their most prosperous condition.
Ninth. It formed no basis of true and lasting peace, but relieved rebels
from the pressure of our victories, and left them in condition to renew
thefr effort to overthrow the United States Government, and subdue the
loyal States, whenever their strength was recruited and an opportunity
should offer.

602 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
The foUovring dispatches from Secretary Stanton ana General Halleck
throw additional light upon the confusion into which affafrs were plunged
by the unfortunate terms which General Sherman had proposed : —
" Wae Department, Washington, April 2^ — 9.30 a. m.
" Major-General Dix :
" The Department has received the following dispatch from Major-Gen
eral HaUeck, commanding the MiUtary Division of the James.
" Generals Canby and Thomas were instructed some days ago that Sher
man's arrangement with Johnston was disapproved by the President,
and they were ordered to disregard it and push the enemy in every direc
tion. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.^
Richmond, Virginia, April 26 — 9.30 p. ijt.
" Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War :
" Generals Meade, Sheridan, and Wright are acting under orders to pay
no regard to any truce or orders of General Sherman respecting hostilities,
on the ground that Sherman's agreement could bind his own command
only, and no other. They are directed to push forward, regardless "of or
ders from any one except General Grant, and cut off Johnston's retreat.
Beauregard has telegraphed to Danville that a new arrangement has been
made with Sherman, and that the advance of the Sixth Corps was to be
suspended until further orders. I have telegraphed back to obey no
orders of Sherman's, but to push forward as rapidly as possible. The
bankers here have information to-day that Jeff. Davis's specie is moving
South from Goldsboro', in wagons, as fast as possible. I suggest that or
ders be telegraphed thrj)ugh General Thomas, that WUson obey no orders
from Sherman, and notifying him and Canby' and all commanders on the
Mississippi, to take measures to intercept the rebel chiefs and their plun
der. The specie taken with them is estimated here at from six to thir
teen millions.
" H. W. Halleck, Major-General Commanding?
General Grant arrived at Raleigh on the 24th of AprU. General Sher
man immediately notified Johnston of the rejection of their memorandum
of agreement by the Government at Washington, and demanded his sur
render upon the same terms granted to General Lee. It was in vain for
Johnston to attempt to struggle against the difficulties which envi'roned
him. On the 26th, the surrender of Johnston's army was made at Dur
ham Station.
There was a space of about fifty miles between the two arniies, but
their pickets were near each other. The paroling took place at Greens
boro'. General Johnston had about fifty thousand troops. Of these, less
then thirty thousand waited to be paroled. As soon as these reckless,
semi-civilized men, barbarized by those Southern institutions which depri
ved them of schools aud churches and a free press, found that they were to
be surrendered, they took the law into their own hands. Nearly all these
men had been forced into the rank by unrelenting conscription. They
now seemed resolved upon direful retaliation. Their officers no longer had

THB OVEETHEOW OF THE EEBELLION. 603
power to guide or restrain. They plundered the camp, dragged the offi
cers from their horses and mounted themselves, and rode off with carous
mg and revelry. Instant death was the penalty which any one paid
who opposed them. In robber bands they wandered over the desolated
South, scattering dismay wherever they appeared. In this dreadful war
the South suffered more from the barbarity of its OAvn people than from
the armies of the North.
General Johnston said that he was not so much crippled as to render
an immediate surrender necessary. " But I saw," he remarked, " that we
must come up somewhere. We should certainly have had to stop at the
Mississippi, so I negotiated, beUering it criminal to prolong a hopeless war.
When Lee surrendered, the fate of the Confederacy was decided. Had I
marched away, it would only have dragged Sherman after me. He would
have foraged on the country, and I should have been compelled to do the
same. The coimtry would have been devastated, and we should have been
compeUed to come to terms at last."
One hundred and ten pieces of artiUery and fifteen thousand stand of
smaU-arms comprised a part of the materiel of war taken by the victors.
The country people around seemed delighted with the prospect of peace.
General Hardee, one of the most determined of the rebel chieftains, is
reported to have said, "I accept this war as the providence of God.
He intended that the slave should be free ; and now he his free. Slavery
was never a paying institution. Let our people' give the negroes a fair
compensation for their work, learing them to take care of their families, and
we shaU then have as much left, at the end of the year, as we had under
the old system. The people of the South are anxious for peace. South
Carolina is the worse whipped State in the Union. She has no leading
spirits now. They are all crushed. We must now all go to work. The
prospect before us is gloomy indeed. It wiU be very hard on old men like
me. I cannot now commence a profession."
General Grant, Arith characteristic magnanimity, arranged it that the
surrender should be made to General Sherman. The rebelUon was now
crushed. As a military organization it had ceased to exist. There re
mained a handful of men in Texas, and a few scattered bands, here and
there, who could make no resistance, and who were only seeking an oppor
tunity to capitulate. On the 8th of May, dispatches were received
announcing the surrender of Dick Taylor's forces in Alabama and Mis
sissippi to General Canby.
Jefferson Davis had fled from Richmond when the city was evacuated
by the rebel army. The entire rout of that army and its capitulation
rendered it necessary for him to continue his ffight. He was accompanied
by a part of Wade Hampton's cavalry. Benjamin, Breckinridge, and
others of the rebel cabinet were with him. The Government offered one
hundred thousand doUars for his capture. On the 25th of April, he was
reported at Charlotte, South CaroUna, escorted by about three thousand
cavalry under Generals Echols and Basil Duke. The escort was composed
mainly of Kentuckians and Texans. He had a train of twenty wagons.
His followers were a set of desperadoes, who plundered stores and dwell-

604 CIVIL WAE IN AMEEICA.
ings, and committed all sorts of outrages upon persons and property.
Before learing Charlotte, Davis made a speech, in which he had the
atidacity to declare that he would very soon have a larger army in the
field than ever before.
On the 28th, Davis left Yorkrille, South Carolina. General Stoneman
was in such hot pursuit, that he entered the place with his cavafry the next
day. The fugitive rebel leader was now goaded to his utmost speed. His
troops spurred their horses across the northern part of South CaroUna, cross
ing the Savannah River a little abo-^e Augusta, and reached Washington,
in Georgia, about forty miles northwest of Augusta, on the 4th of May.
General Stoneman was close upon his heels. General Wilson was at
Macon, in the centre of the State, with an ample cavalry force. He had
deployed his troops in various directions to head off the ffight of the fugi
tive. On the night of the 5th of May, Davis had reached PoweUton,
about half-way between Washington and Milledgeville. His escape now
seemed hopeless ; in whatever direction he turned he beheld his pursuers
before him.
By circuitous and unfrequented roads, he succeeded, by the 9th of May,
in reaching Irwinsrille, in Wilkinson County, Georgia, about thirty-five
miles on the railroad east of Macon, where General Wilson's head-quarters
were established. Lieutenant-Colonel Pritchard, commanding the Fourth
Michigan Cavalry, of Wilson's Cavalry Corps, foUowing closely in the
trail of the fugitives, reached Irwinsville at midnight of the 9th. There
he learned from a citizen that Davis was encamped two miles out of toAvn.
He immediately disposed his force, consisting of but one hundred and fifty
picked men, in such a way as to render escape impossible.
Colonel Harden, of the First Wisconsin Cavalry, had struck Davis's
path of flight at Dublin, Lawrence County, on the evening of the 7th.
Harden pushed down the Ocmnlgee towards Hopewell, and pressing along
night and day, through the pine wilderness of Alligator Creek and Green
Swamp, reached Irwinsrille by the way of Cumberland, and encamped at
nine o'clock, on the night of the ninth, within two miles, as he afterwards
learned, of the encampment of Daris. At three o'clock the next morning
he again pressed forward in pursuit, and- had moved but about a mile
vyhen, in the darkness, his advance was fired upon by the Fourth Michigan ,
Cavalry, of Colonel Pritchard's command. Quite a spirited contest for
fifteen minutes ensued, when the mistake was discovered, but not until
two men were killed and five wounded.
This report of musketry was the first intimation that Davis and his
captors received of the vicinity of the Union troops. The unhappy man
had his family with him. Their consternation and anguish probably un
manned him. Instead of meeting his fate with dignity, he exposed him
self to universal derision by endeavoring to escape in the garb of a woman.
His boots revealed him, and he was pursued and brought to bay. It is said
that for a moment he brandished a bowie-knife, but that the presentation
of a revolver subdued him. Before his capture, his party had dispersed,
and Benjamin, Breckinridge, and Trenholm were endeavoring to escape
by another route.

THE OVEETHEOW OP THE EEBELLION. 606
Never before was there so sudden and so terrible a doAvnfaU. But six
weeks had elapsed, since Jefferson Davis nominally held Sway over a
reafrn extending fifteen hundred miles in the southwest, from the James
River to the Rio Grande, and in the southeast, from the AUeghanies to
the Capes of Florida. Four large armies were under his control. His
dominions were sufficiently spacious to carve from them many kingdoms.
Now, his armies were annihilated. His generals were paroled pris^'oners ¦
his possesrions stripped from him ; his capital captured, and his cabinet
dispersed. He, a wretched culprit, fiying for his life, had been caught
in the dress of a woman, thus draining to the dregs the cup of humUiation.
General Wilson, hi his terse dispatch, says of Davis : " He expressed
great indignation at the energy with which he was pursued, and said
that he ' believed our Government was too magnanimous to hunt doAvn
women and children.' "
The rebel chieftain was conveyed to Macon on the 14th. He was then
sent, under guard, by way of Augusta, to Savannah. At Savannah, Jeffei^
son Daris, vrith his wife and four children, with several other captured
rebels of note, was conveyed by the steamer W. P. (Jljde to Fortress
Monroe. He was there placed in solitary confinement in one of the case
mates, there to await his trial, when the Government should find time to
attend to his case.
The war Avas now ended. The reader would take but little interest
in the record of the dispersion or- the surrender ot the scattered bands.
In many eases, the soldiers took the law into their own hands, and, defiant
of any control, in tliiering groups, started for thefr homes. General E.
Kfrby Smith, who had been in command of quite a formidable force in
Texas, found his soldiers thus rapidly vanishing, leaving his camp empty.
Carrying out legitimately the doctrine of secession, they threw themselves
upon their individual rights, and, asserting the prerogatives of indirid
ual sovereignty, seceded from their colors and their commanders. In a
final address to the few who remained. Smith said : —
' " Soldiers ! I am left a commander without an army ; a general Arith
out troops."
He gave them, however, the following good adrice : " Your present
duty is plain. Return to your families. Resume the occupations of peace.
Yield obedience to the laws. Labor to restore order. Strive by both
counsel and example to give security to both Ufe and property. And
may God, in his mercy, direct you aright, and heal the wounds of our
distracted country."
And now the Government commenced very rigorously disbanding the
army and the navy, and dismissing to their peaceful homes those citizens
who by hundreds of thousands had so gloriously listened to the call of
their imperilled country, and had hastened from their farms and thefr
firesides to the field of battle. In less than three months more than
seven hundred thousand were mustered out of service. With scarcely
an exception they returned to their homes and resumed the ennobling
pursuits of civil life. At the date of Lee's surrender, tho United States
Government had upon its army roU nearly a mUUon of men. One hardly

606 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
knows which most to admire — the alacrity vrith which these noble men
rushed to the field of battle, or the quietude with which they laid aside
their arms, and, conscious of the noble deeds they had so nobly performed,
returned to thefr friends and their homes.
After the gale has abated the waves still roll. The work of reconstruc
tion was necessarily slow. Of its final and triumphant success no inteUi
gent man could doubt. The crushing of the rebellion placed our country
in the first ranks, as a power, among the nations of the globe. Our flag
waved with new lustre. Our Union was consoUdated, for no one feared
that rebellion would ever again venture to raise its banner. The follow
ing considerations satisfied the community that the national debt could
very easily be borne : The individual property of the nation was amply
sufficient to pay it many times over ; and the public property of the
nation, consisting of fertile land and mines of gold and silver, was, at the
lowest calculation, five times more than the national debt. Consequently
there were no securities so eagerly sought as the public funds.
It is obvious to aU that God has opened before us a career such as no
other nation has yet enteVed upon. He has given us a whole continent
to ourselves. He has forbidden any dividing lines. The range of our
mountains, the flow of our rivers, the necessities of our National Ufe indi
cate that the Divine Architect will tolerate here but one nation, one flag,
one brotherhood. All causes now combine to promote the grandeur of
this imperial republic. This dreadful war has removed the only obstacle
which has interfered with our harmony and our greatness. Our Govern
ment is wonderfully adapted for expansion. We are one nation in every
thing which involves national questions, while each State is sovereign and
independent in aU that is local in its legislation.

CHAPTER XLVII.
RESULTS OF THE CONFLICT.
Bptect of Disasters at Bull Run.— Excitement Respecting Slavery.— Neav Laws m
the District op Columbla.— Proclamation of General David Hunter.— Suppression
op the Slave-trade.— Resoltes of the Thirty-Seventh Congress.— Hon. Edward M.
Stanton.— Colonel Egbert G. Shaw.— Act of Emancipation.— Letter of Hon. Charles
. Sumner. — Duties op the American Citizen.
-Soon after the assembling of Congress, upon the breaking out of the
slaveholders' rebelUon, as it was manifest that slavery was the cause and
the support and the motive power of the rebellion, an effort was made to
confiscate the property and emancipate the slaves of all rebel masters.
Incredible as it may seem, at that hour, sympathy with slavery was so
strong, and the desire to conciliate the Border Slave States, who were
60 bitterly opposed to the measure, was so potent, that the resolve could
not be passed. The slaves continued, through their enforced labor, to feed
the armies of rebellion and dig the trenches and repair the fortifications before
which Northern patriots were profusely shedding their blood. It was not
until God laid upon us the Egyptian plague of the disastrous battle of
BuU Run, that the nation could be persuaded to let even the slaves of
traitors in arms go free. ^The traitor, John 0. Breckinridge, of Ken
tucky, who stiU lingered in the halls of Congress that he might thwart all
endeavors to crush the rebelUon, denounced this movement as " the first of
a series of acts loosing aU bonds." This biU was passed on the 3d of
August, 1861. The carnage of Bull Run, which had occurred but three
weeks before, pushed it through. But even that plague of blood and woe
could only secure the emancipation of such slaves as had been employed
by their traitorous masters " upon any fort, navy-yard, dock, armory, ship,
intrenchment, or in any military or naval serrice whatsoever, against the
government and lawful authority of the United States." The slaves
who by miUions were working in the field, under the lash, to feed these
armies, were stUl to remain in bondage.
-As the rebellion developed increasingly gigantic proportions, and it
was manifest that the country was engaged in a death-grapple with its
foes General John C. Fremont issued, in Missouri, a proclamation which
was haUed vrith enthusiasm by all the loyal masses of the North, but which
roused to intense indignation the pro-slavery party in the Border States. In
this proclamation, issued on the 30th of August, 1861, General Fremont
said: —
""''^ Real and personal property of those who shaU take up arms against

608 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
the United States, or who shall be directly proven to have taken an active
part Arith their enemies in the field, is declared confiscated to public use,
a/nd their slaves, if any they have, are hereby declared freemen"
It is difficult to imagine the uproar which the sentence we have italicized
created among the pro-slavery men in the North and in the Border States.
General Fremont was denounced in the most vehement terms, and his dis
missal from command clamorously called for. President Lincoln was
alarmed. He Avrote to General Fremont, requesting him to modify his
proclamation so that it should embrace only those slaves who had been
employed by their masters in actual mUitary service. General Fremont
replied, as has been stated in the first volume, in words which vrill forever
redound to his honor: —
" If your better judgment decides that I was wrong in the article re
specting the liberation of slaves, I have to ask that you will openly direct
me to make the correction. The implied censure will be received as a
soldier always should receive the reprimand of his chief If I were to
retract of my own accord, it would imply that I myself thought it wrong,
and that I had acted without the reflection which the gravity of the point
demanded. But I did not."
To this the President replied, with his characteristic frankness, under
the date of September llth : " Your answer, just received, expresses the
preference on your part, that I should make an open order for the modi
fication, which I very cheerfully do. It is therefore ordered, that the said
clause of said proclamation be so modified, held, and construed as to con
form with and not to transcend the provisions on the same ,subject, con
tained in the act of Congress entitled ' An Act to confiscate property used
for insurrectionary purposes.' "
On the 25th of January, 1862, Secretary Seward, in accordahce Arith
the rapidly growing demand of public sentiment, issued an order from the
President, forbidding the Marshal of the Distnct of Columbia from receiv
ing into custody " any persons claimed to.be held to service or labor, and
not charged with any crime, unless upon arrest or commitment, pursuant
to law, as fugitives from such service or labor." Even this so slight recog
nition of the rights of the colored men excited the most violent opposition.
But the tide of freedom was now slowly, yet surely, rising, and nothing
could stay its progress.
In March, Congress adopted a recommendation of the President, offer*-
ing " to cooperate with any State which may adopt a gradual abolishment
of slavery, giving to such State pecuniary aid, to be used by such State in
its discretion, to compensate for the inconveniences, public and private,
produced by such change of system."
Eagle-eyed slavery was again alarmed, and petitions from Kentucky
were sent to the United States Senate, entreating Congress " to disregard
aU schemes for emancipation."
At the same time both halls of Congress were flooded vrith petitions
for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, which was under
the exclusive legislation of Congress. The advocates of slavery were
equally active. Even from the Free State of IlUnois, whose southern

RESULTS OF THE CONFLICT. 609
region, peopled by emigrants from the South, was appropriately caUed
Egypt, a petition was presented by Mr. Sauisbury, of Delaware, asking
Congress not to aboUsh slavery in the District, and asking for the expul
sion of any menber who should adv^ocate such a measure.
For two generations, slavery, under the sanction of the Government
had poUuted our National Capital. There were over three thousand men'
women,^ and children, who held up their fettered hands beneath the Stars
and Stripes which floated so proudly over our haUs of legislation. On the
llth, the bill of emancipation passed the House by a large majority.
John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky, in an impassioned speech, entered his
protest, in the name of his constituents, not only against the bill, but
against any action whatever upon the subject of slavery ; but the fetters
had fallen from the hands of the weary slave forever. The enfranchised
bondmen received their freedom with devout gratitude to God, and in the
joy of prayers and thanksgiving buried in oblirion all the wrongs which
they had received from thefr oppressors. A gratuity of $1,000,000 was
voted to the loyal slave-masters of the District of Columbia, as compen
sation for the emancipation of their slaves.
There were fifteen thousand persons of African descent in the District.
They had long been subjected to the most oppressive laws. Congress
enacted that they should henceforth be under the same code of criminal
law, and be subjected to the same punishment with white persons. The
free colored people had been compelled to pay taxes for the support of
schools from which thefr OAvn children were excluded. Congress author
ized them to estabUsh schools of thefr owm, and to appropriate their
money for the education if their own children. Thus, step by step, free
dom moved on, impeUed by the energies of war.
Regardless of the commercial interests of the country, the pro-slavery
spirit, which had so long dominated in Congress, refused to recognizie the
sister repubUcs of Hayti and Liberia. On the 24th of April, a biU passed
the Senate, opening diplomatic relationship with both of these Govern
ments. On the 9th of May, 1862, Major-General Darid Hunter, struggling
against the infuriate hordes of rebellion and slavery in South Carolina,
issued a proclamation, in which he said : —
" The three States of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, compris
ing the MiUtary Department of the South, haring deliberately declared
themselves no longer under the protection of the United States of
America, and having taken up arms against the said United States, it
becomes a military necessity to declare them under martial law. This Avas
accordingly done on the 25th of April, 1862. Slavery and martial law in
a free country are altogether incompatible. The persons in these three
States Georgia, Florida, and South CaroUna. heretofore held as slaves, are
therefore declared forever frjc."
The clamor which this proclamation aroused from the lips of pro-
slavery partisans fiUed the land. The President was again alarmed. To
appease the cry, he responded on the 19th of May in a proclamation, in
wMch he said : —
Vol. n.— 39

610 CIVIL WAE IN AMERICA.
" I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, proclaim and
declare that the Government of the United States had no knowledge or
belief of an intention on the part of General Hunter to issue such a proc
lamation, nor has it yet any authentic information that the document is
genuine ; and further, that neither General Hunter nor any other com
mander or person has been authorized by the Government of the United
States to make proclamations declaring the slaves of any State free ; and
that the supposed proclamation now in question, whether genuine or false,
is altogether void, so far as respects such declaration."
These concessions on the part of the President to the arrogant spirit
of slavery were very painful to a large portion of the Northern com
munity, while there were many truly patriotic but cautious men, who
deemed these conservative measures eminently wise, and essential to the
preservation of harmony at the North, and calculated to keep alive what
ever of latent Union feeling there still remained at the South.
Slavery demanded the right to establish itself in the Territories, and
to build up its intrenchments there, unchecked by Congressional legislation
or Territorial law. On the 7th of June a bill passed the Senate prohibiting
forever slavery in the Territories. " The irrepealable decree," said Senator
Wilson, from Massachusetts, " has gone forth, that evermore those prairies
and forests and mines, with their illimitable resources to be developed for
mankind, are consecrated to freedom and free institutions for aU, chains
and fetters for none."
For years the African slave-trader had carried on his inhuman traffic
protected from search by the banner of republican America. One of the
earliest acts of Congress, when by the departure of so many of the slave
holders the spirit of freedom became predominant in its councils, was to
efface that foul stain from our escutcheon. A treaty was promptly nego
tiated -with the British GoA^ernment, for the effectual suppression of that
infamous traffic, by the mutual recognition of the right of visitation and
search on the coast of Africa. There had long been a law upon our
statute-books declaring the slave-trade to be piracy, punishable with death.
In defiance of that law, slave-ships were continually sent from our North
ern ports, and slavery shielded from punishment those engaged in the
traffic. Notwithstanding the most noisy and menacing clamors of the
pro-slavery party, on the 21st of February, 1862, Captain Nathaniel P.
Gordon, commander of the Erie, was executed at New York, for haring
been engaged in the slave-trade. This enforcement of the law was indeed
the dawn of a new day upon our land.
At the commencement of the war, very many of the officers in the
Union army were strong pro-slavery men. They did not wish to see the
Union dissevered. They were unwilling to join the Southern traitors in
their war upon the United States flag. They wished to conduct the war
in such a way that the country might be induced to accept the demand
of the slaveholders, and thus reconstitute the Union by the repudiation of
the free Constitution which our fathers formed, and substituting for it the
despotic constitution which the slaveholders had framed at Montgomery.
These officers often disgraced themselves and the nation, by returning to

RESULTS OP THE CONFLICT. 611
their traitorous masters slaves who had escaped from bondage, and who
had sought protection under the National flag. These deeply wronged
men were often surrendered back to their oppressors to suffer torture and
death for attempting to escape. Men in arms against the Government
were actuaUy permitted, under a flag of truce, to enter our encampments,
to search there for escaped slaves, to tie a rope around the neck of some
poor boy or girt, and to gaUop off the ground, lashing thefr victims to
make them keep pace with the speed ofthe horse. These poor slaves
were, without exception, patriots. They knew that tho rebels were forg
ing for them the chains of hopeless bondage— that beneath the Stars and
Stripes alone could they hope for ultimate emancipation.
" Everywhere," wrote WilUam H. Seward, Secretary of State, " the
American general receives his most useful and reliable information from
the negro, who. hails his coming as the harbinger of freedom."
The Congress of 1862, the ever-to-be-remembered Thirty-seventh Con
gress, passed the decree " that persons claimed as fugitive slaves shall not
be surrendered by persons engaged in military or naval service, on pata
of being dismissed from that service." They also decreed " that no slave
escaping into any State, Territory, or the District of Columbia, should be
deUvered up, or deprived of his liberty in any way, except for some offenqe
against the laws, unless the person claiming said fugitive shall make oath
that he has not been in arms against the United States, nor given aid or
comfort to the rebelUon in any way ; that no person in the military or
naval serrice shall assume to decide upon the validity of any claim to fugi
tive slaves, nor surrender any such person to the claimant, on pain of being
dismissed from the serrice ; and that all slaves of persons in rebellion
against the Government, captured by the army or taking refuge within its
lines, should be forever free." By these noble resolves, freedom followed
closely in the footsteps of the advancing flag of the republic.
Bitter was the hostUity and, strenuous the remonstrances of slavery in
riew of all these measures. But God, by resistless providences, was com-
peUing' the nation to loosen the bands of oppression, and to let the op
pressed go free. Though there were thousands in our land whose hearts
were right, and whose prayers were unceasing that our nation might be
delivered from the sin and shame of slavery, and that the brotherhood of
man might be recognized as the comer-stone of our republic, still, impar
tial history must admit that, as a nation, we only went just so fast and so
far as God compelled us. These measures of justice were carried, not
because they were right, but because they were necessary. Few even of
the purest men in Congress- ventured to advocate these measures upon the
plea that they were in accordance vrith the principles of eternal justice,
but because they were necessary for the salvation of the nation.
For a long time a perfect howl of indignation was raised by the pro-
slavery party against employing black men in any other capacity in the
army than that of body-servants. Many Union officers threatened to
throw up their commissions if colored men were permitted to shoulder a
musket or to dig in a trench. The rebels dared not place arms in the
hands of their slaves. But, surrounded by glittering bayonets, the poor

612 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
bondsmen were compelled, by tens of thousands, to throw up the ram
parts, and to drag the guns before which our brothers and sons were to be
swept into bloody graves. The Thirty-seventh Congress passed a resolve
to receive into the service of the United States free colored men and the
slaves of rebel masters ; and then the mothers, wives, and children of
such slaves were made free forever.
There is no man in the nation to whom the country owes a higher debt
of gratitude than to the Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, the Secretary of War,
during nearly the whole of this desperate struggle. From first to last, he
has stood firm to the principles of liberty, with a lion-like steadfastness
which soars even to the sublime. His indomitable integrity and inrinci-
ble moral courage have never been surpassed. In the darkest and most
perilous hours of the storm, he held the helm vrith a hand which never
trembled. To him, far more than to any one else, we are indebted for the
organization of colored men into regiments of soldiers. Among the first
names hereafter to be inscribed upon the American roU of honor, that of
Edwin M. Stanton must stand preeminent.
The introduction of colored men into the army was one of the most
momentous events in the history of the war. In less than six months a
hundred thousand stalwart men, of Ethiopic descent, were clothed in the
uniform of American soldiers. They soon commanded universal respect,
by proving themselves second to no other men in heroism. Some of the
most chivalric acts of the war were performed by colored men. The rebels
were roused by this act to such savage rage, that they forgot all the dic
tates of humanity. They declared such soldiers and thefr white officers to
be outlaws. They shot them in cold blood, when taken prisoners. They
burned them alive at the stake. They mutilated their dead bodies. In
the impotence of their wrath, they stripped the dead body of a distinguished
white officer, cast him into a pit, and then threw in upon him a vast
mass of naked bodies of negroes. They sought to dishonor him. They
gave him a burial which angels might covet. When the trump of the
archangel shall sound, and the dead shall rise. Colonel Robert G. Shaw
shall come forth from the grave and say, " Here am I, O Lord ! and my
humble brothers. Thy children, whose cause I espoused, and for whom I
sacrificed my life." The angels, on that morning, may take no special in
terest in those who come forth from the vaults of Westminster Abbey or
St. Denis ; but they will gaze vrith loving hearts upon the opening grave
at Fort Wagner.
And now came the croAvning act in these series of measures, which
were purifying our land from that great crime which, in God's retributive
justice, had imperilled our National life, and filled hundreds of thousands
of homes with mourning. On the 22d of September, 1862, the nation was
electrified by a proclamation from President Lincoln, announcing that on
the Ist day of January, 1863, he should, as an act of mUitary necessity;
declare all slaves free in every State then in rebellion against the United
States. The 1st of January came. The decree went forth : —
" I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the
power invested ia me as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of

RESULTS OF THE CONFLICT. 613
the United States in time of actual armed rebeUion against the authority
and Government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war meas
ure for suppressing said rebeUion, do, on this first day of January, in the
year of our Lord 1863, and in accordance with my purpose so to do, pub-
Ucly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days from the first
day of the first above-mentioned order, and designate as the States and
parts of States wherein the people thereof respectively are this day in
rebelUon against the United States, the foUowing, to wit :—
"Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, except the parishes of St. Bernard,
Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charies, St. James, Ascenrion, As
sumption, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orieans, in
cluding the city of New Orleans ; Misrissippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
South CaroUna, North Carolina, and Yfrginia, except the forty-eight coun
ties designated as Western Yfrginia, and also the counties of Berkeley,
Accomac, Northampton, EUzabeth City, York, Princess Anne, and Norfolk,
including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, and which excepted
* parts are, for the present, left precisely as if this proclamation were not
issued. " And by vfrtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order
^nd declare that aU persons held as slaves vrithin said designated States
are and henceforth shall be free ; and that the Executive Government of
the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof,
wUl recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.
" And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free, to abstain
from all riolence, unless in necessary self-defence, and I recommend to them
that, in aU cases, when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages.
And I further declare and make known that such persons of suitable con
dition will be received into the armed service of the United States, to gar
rison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of aU
sorts in said service. And upon this, sincerely believed to be an act of
justice, Avarranted by the Constitution upon miUtary necessity, I invoke
the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of Almighty
God." By the Constitution, which the President had taken a solemn oath to
respect, he had no right to emancipate the slaves save as a military neces
sity. He could not claim that necessity in reference to those portions of
the slaveholding country which continued loyal. Therefore the excep
tions he made, he was in honor bound to make.
Many and anxious discussions were held in the Cabinet upon this subject
before the proclamation was issued. President Lincoln, cpeaking of a
Cabinet meeting in 1862, in which the question was agitated, said :—
" Yarious suo-gestions were offered. Secretary Chase wished the lan
guage stronger in reference to arming the blacks. Mr. Blair, after he
came in, deprecated the policy, on the ground that it would cost the
Administration the fall election. Nothing, however, was offered that I
had not already fully anticipated and settied in my own mind, until Secre
tary Seward spoke. Said he : ' Mr. President, / approve of the proclama
tion but I question the expediency of its issue at this juncture. The

614 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
depression of the public mind, consequent upon our repeated reverses, is so
great, that I fear the effect of so important a step. It may be viewed as
the last measure of an exhausted Government — a cry for help ; the Govern
ment stretching forth its hands to Ethiopia, instead of Ethiopia stretching
forth her hands to the Government.' ' His idea,' said the President, ' was
that it would be considered our last shriek, on the retreat.' (This was his
precise expression.) ' Now,' continued Mr. Seward, ' while I approve the
measure, I suggest, sir, that you postpone its issue until you can give
it. to the country supported by military success, instead of issuing it, as
would be the case now, upon the greatest disasters of the war.' Said Mr.
Lincoln : ' The wisdom of the view of the Secretary of State struck me
vrith very great force. It was an aspect of the case that, in all my thought
upon the subject, I had entirely overlooked. The result was that I put
the draft of the proclamation aside, as you do your sketch for a picture,
waiting for a victory.' "
Mr. F. B. Carpenter, in his " History of the Emancipation Proclama
tion," from which the above statement is taken, also says : —
" Mr. Chase told me that, at the Cabinet meeting immediately after
the battle of Antietam, and just prior to the issue of the September proc
lamation, the President entsred upon the business before them by saying,
that ' the time for the enunciation of the emancipation policy could no
longer be delayed. Public sentiment,' he thought, 'would sustain it —
many of his warmest friends and supporters demanded it ; and he had prom
ised his God that he would do it ! ' The last part of this was uttered in a
low tone, and appeared to be heard by no one but Secretary Chase, who
was sitting near him. He asked the President if he correctly understood
him. Mr. Lincoln replied : ^ I made a solemn vow before God that, if Gen
eral Lee was driven back from Pennsylvania, I would crown the result by
the declaration of freedom to the slaves ! "
Posterity can never know the vehemence with which this proclamation
was assaUed by the maddened partisans of slavery in the North. It was,
in the same breath, denounced as one of the most cruel and outrageous
acts which despotism ever perpetrated, inciting insurrection, and indis
criminate massacre, and also as mere senseless noise, brutum fulmen as
ridiculously impotent as the Pope's bull against the comet. But the nation
indorsed the act. Slavery trembled under the blow. Freedmen flocked
beneath the folds of the star-spangled banner. It soon became manifest
that Slavery, like a hideous monster wounded, bleeding, howling, was sinki
ing into a grave whence there could be no resurrection.
The slaveholding State of Delaware sent an immediate emancipa-.
tionist to Congress ; Maryland summoned a convention to abolish slavery.
West Yirginia, organized into a truly loyal State, framed a constitution
providing for the immediate and entire emancipation of her bondmen.
Tennessee, though, like Missouri, Delaware, Maryland, and West Yirginia,
excepted from the decree of emancipation, under the noble leadership of
Governor Andrew Johnson, took rapid strides in the direction of immedi
ate and unconditional emancipation. Arkansas accepted the proclamation,
and in solenfli convention prohibited slavery forever in her organic law.

RESULTS OF THE CONFLICT. 615
Louisiana elected a governor who, in his inaugural address, caUed upon
the people to adopt the " universal and immediate extinction of slavery as
a pubUc and private blessing," and then, in convention, swept the accursed
mstitution from her soU. The Attorney-General of the United States,
Edward Bates, repudiating the atrocious sentiment, which slavery had
countenanced, that the black man had no rights which white men were
bound to respect, declared that loyal black men were citizens of the
United States, entitled, at home and abroad, to all the protection which
white men enjoyed. The Secretary of State gave the black man a pass
for foreign travel, which slavery had refiised, securing for him protection
wherever the Stars and Stripes are recognized.
Many earnest friends of freedom were disposed to censure President
Lincoln for being too dUatory in his movements. The following extracts
from a letter from the Hon. Charles Sumner, one of the most able, elo
quent, and devoted friends of freedom which any age has known, deserve
a place in this history. The letter, addressed to a friend, was dated from
the Senate Chamber at Washington, June 5th, 1862 : —
" Mr Deae Sie : — Your criticism of the President is hasty. I am con
fident that if you knew him as I do, you would not make it. Could you
have seen the President, as it was my pririlege often, while he was con
sidering the great questions on which he has already acted — ^the invi
tation to Emancipation in the States, Emancipation in the District of
Columbia, and the acknowledgment of the independence of Hayti and
Liberia — even your zeal would have been satisfied, for you would have felt
the sincerity of his purpose to do what he could to carry forward the
principles of the Declaration of Independence. His whole soul was
occupied, especially by the first proposition, which was pecuUarly his own.
In famiUar intercourse vrith him I remember nothing more touching than
the earnestness and completeness with which he embraced this idea. To
his mind it was just and beneficent, while it promised the sure end of
slavery. Of course to me, who had afready proposed a bridge of gold
for the retreating fiend, it was most welcome. Proceeding from the Presi
dent, it must take its place among the great events of history.
" I wish that you reaUy knew the President, and had heard the artless
expression of his convictions on those questions which concern you so
deeply. You might perhaps wish that he were less cautious, but you
would be grateful that he is so true to all that you have at heart. If I
write strongly, it is because I feel strongly ; for my constant and intimate
intercourse vrith the President, beginning with the 4th of March, not
only binds me peculiarly to his Administration, but gives me a personal as
well as a poUtical interest in seeing that justice is done him."
The great battle has been fought. The rietory is won. It was a
battle not merely between freedom and slavery on this continent, but for
the rights of humanity throughout the world. Interwoven with our
galaxy of stars in the National banner, and blending with aU its gleammg
stripes there now beams forth, as never before, the emblazonry of Fqual
Bights for all Men. America is henceforth omnipotent among the nations.
We have nothing to fear from others. No Government wiU venture to

616 CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
attack us. It should be the prayer of every patriot, that henceforth the
roar of battle may die away upon our shores forever.
Our hands are fuU. We have four milUons of slaves, unlettered, de
based by ages of oppression, to lift up to manhood. We have four millions
of poor whites at the South, not one whit above the slaves, whom we
must elevate to the dignity of American citizenship. And we have a
flood of emigration pouring in upon us from the poor and the oppressed
of Europe, such as the world never before has vritnessed. To receive all
these into our National family — to instruct, to purify, to harmonize, wiU
task to the uttermost aU the energies of every patriot, philanthropist,
and Christian in the land.
The great mission of the United States now is to build up here the
most majestic empire on this globe — Arith every man inspired by all the
energies of republican freedom, and our whole magnificent domain, from
ocean to ocean, and from Arctic ice to Tropic sun, smiling with happy
homes — with waring fields, and blooming gardens, and bright firesides — vrith
the music of all industries, and the songs of young men and maidens, and
the joys of the bridal — with cities gorgeous with more than the fabled
splendors of the Orient — with all that is massive in architecture, and en
nobling in painting and sculpture, and the arts of the beautiful. And
more than all this — infinitely more — ^that here, in happy homes on earth,
we may all be preparing for still happier homes in the skies.
Here IS scope for genius, and goodness, and energy, in their highest
combinations. We want no more of the dreadful achievements of war ;
no more of bombarded cities, and smouldering villages, and midnight
marches, and rain-swept bivouacs, and gory fields and crowded hospitals,
and wounds, and groans, and death — with thefr distant echoes of weeping
vridows and wailing orphans — no more, O God ! no more. But give us
Peace !

INDEX TO YOLUME II.

Adroit stratagem to deceive the enemy, 381.
Agency of Great Britaui in the cause of the RebeUion, 528.
AL.4RM of the rebels at Cumberland Gap, 341.
Alarming Intelligence, 96.
Allatoona Pass, its importance, 469.
American Soldiers need only skilful officers, 227.
Ames, M.ij.-Gen. Adelbert, notice of, 533 ; advances on Fort Fisher, 540.
Anecdote, 27; of Charles, servant of Andrew Jackson, 27; of Julian A. Seott, 37; of William
Scott, 38; of a slave at Torktown, 54; of Capt. Montgomery, 59; of Gen. Heintzelman, 93;
Qf a little boy, 192; of Bishop Polk, 196; of Gen. Prentiss, 216; of Major Bell, 303; of
Gen. Rosecrans, 359; of M. E. Joyce, 363 ; of a woman at Gettysburg, 414; of a wounded
boy from S. CaroUna, 415 ; of Gen. Howard, 431 ; of a corporal 60th Illinois Vols., 443 ; of
¦Gen. Sherman, 445; of a boy at Dallas, 450; of Sergeant Oatz, 453; of Capt. Courtois, 32d
N. Jersey Vols., 454; of a slave woman, 478; of Union troops in Columbia, 514; of poor
whites at Cape Lookout, 534 ; of Capt. Rigby, 549.
AimonNCEMENT of the surrender of Lee's army to the forces of Sherman, 516.
AsTiETAU, Battle of, 149 and 150.
" Eiver, rebel lines rest upon, 147.
AjniETY iu the army and in the country, 65 ; of the rebel fleet, as the Carondelet ran their bat
teries, 266.
Apathy of Pennsylvanians, 400.
Armstrong Guns found at Fort Fisher, 544.
Army Corbespoxdents. Our indebtedness to them, 412.
Armt of the Potomac on the Chickahominy, 82; its strength, 95.
Army of Virginia. The commands composing it, 114; the task assigned it, 115.
Army Roll of U. S. Number of men upon it at the close of hostilities, 606.
Arrest of spies and kidnappers by Colonel Truesdail, 362.
Archer, Col., his gallantry at TUtoUj 471.
Asboth, Maj.-Gen., wounded, 239.
Assault upon Fort Fisher, 542-3.
" upon Fort McAllister, 316.
Atlaitta. Its possession indispensable, 441.
Attack upon Morris Island, 325; upon Fort Sumter, 318 ; made by a negro regiment, 290.
AuGDR, Gen., warmly commended, 118.
Awful Barbarities by the slaveocracy of the South, 596.
Ayres, Battery; its efficient service, 37.
Baker, Lieut., his narrow escape, 59.
Balloon Corps, their important services, 35.
Banks, Maj.-Gen. N. P., in the Shenandoah Valley, 71 ; his masterly retreat, 73; sketch of, 76.
Barnum, Maj., 12th N. T., tribute to his memory, 101.
Baton Rouge attacked by rebels, 307.
Battery Harrison attacked by Gen. Lee, 572.
Battle of WUliamsburg, 51; of Cross Keys, 75; Hanover Court-House, 79; Fair Oaks,
83- Seven Pines, 92; Gaines's Mill, 99; Malvem HUl, 107; Cedar Mountain, 116; Grove-
ton 124- South Mountain, 132; Antietam, 148; Fredericksburg, 165; Mumfordsville, 190-
Pei^yvill'e 193; Pittsburg Landing, 207; Shiloh, 215; Sugar Creek, 226; Pea Ridge, 236
MaysvUle,' 249 ;' Cross Hollows, 250; Champion Hill, 283; Mill Springs, 336; Corinth, 352
Stone River, 368; ChanoeUorsvUle, 380; Gettysburg, 403; Chickamauga, 420; Lookout

618 INDEX.
Mountain, 434 ; Missionary Ridge, 436 ; Allatoona Pass, 469 ; Franklin, 483 ; Wilderness,
488; Spottsylvania, 492 ; Jericho Mills, 499; Averysboro', 516; Winchester, 548; Fisher's
HUl, 552 ; around Petersburg, 558 ; Reams's Station, 567 ; Hatcher's Run, 584.
Bayard, Brig.-Geu. Geo. D., mortally wounded, 170. •
Bayonet Charge by Fourth and Ninth Iowa, 238.
Beauregard, Gen. P. T. (rebel), assigned to the Mississippi, 204; decides to attack Gen. Buell,
20G; appeals to his troops, 221; fortifies Island No. Ten, 255; retreats from Branchville,
507.
Beautiful Incident, 428.
Big Bethel, retreat of rebels from, 30.
Bigelow, Capt., and his battery, 407.
Bissell, Col., his energy iu overcoming "impossibilities," 259.
Bitter Hostility towards South Carolinians, 507.
Blunt, Brig.-Gen. James D., moves upon Maysville, 249 ; attacks the enemy, 250.
Bolivar, contest commenced, 132; Heights, 139.
Border States, a convention called of, 179.
Buckner, Gen. S. B. (rebel), his statement, 180. *
Buell, Brig.-Gen. D. C, disaffection towards him, 197 ; relieved of command, 198.
Bull Run, Union loss in battle of, 121.
BmniERS, shrewdness of, 514.
Burnside, Maj.-Gen. A. E., his gallant conduct, 155 ; his unavailing call for reenforcements, 158 ;
his line of battle, of whom composed, 169; his successful strategy, 346.
Butterfield, Maj.-Gen. Daniel, greeted enthusiastically, 78; falls fiercely upon the foe, 79; re
ceives varied testimony to his bravery, 80; his daring inspires his men, 100; his cool hero
ism at Pine Mountain, 452. •
Butler, Maj.-Gen. Benjamin F., at New Orleans, 296; his health orders, 297; abuses heaped
upon him 298 ; his reply to one malicious charge, 299 ; his even justice, 300 ; letter to Pres
ident Lincoln, 304; superseded, 308; removed from command, 582.
Bradford, Governor, of Maryland, his proclamation, 129.
Bragg, Maj.-Gen. (rebel), eludes Gen. Buell and enters Kentucky, 189; his ravages in Ken
tucky, 191 ; attacks Gen. Rosecrans at Stone River, 367.
Bravery of Union and rebel soldiers compared, 175.
Breckinridse, Rev. Dr., his infiuence and labors, ISO.
Brigades of Brooks and Irwin drive the foe, 137.
British Consul, a singular statement by, 313.
Brutality of rebel surgeons, 41 G; of Wheeler's band, 477.
Canal cut from Mississippi River to Lake Providence, 279.
Capabilities of Americans illustrated, 130,
Capitulation of Charleston, 508.
Capture of Fort McAllister, 479.
Carter, Brig.-Gen., his exploits, 345.
Carolina, North, weakness and rage ofthe 25th Regiment, 133.
Carondelet fitted for service, 2G6 ; runs the batteries at Island No. Ten, 267.
Carr, Col. E. A., his skiU and bravery, 235 ; is wounded, 238.
Casey, Brig.-Gen. Silas, sketch of, 81 ; his peril, 82.
Cassville made a resting-place for Sherman's army, 447.
Catlett's Station, rebel raid' upon, 119.
Cause of the want cf success of the Army of the Potomac, 111.
Cedar Mountain, contest at, 116; National loss at, 118.
Cemetery Ridge, Gettysburg, 403 ; its consecration, 418.
Centreville, rebel fortifications at, 21.
Chamberlain, Maj.-Gen. I. L., notice of, 585; receives the surrender of Lee's infantry, 593.
Champion Hill, battle of, 283.
Chanoeliorsville, head-quarters of Gen. Hooker, 382 ; the brick house at, 384 ; Union disaster
at, 388 ; bravery of our soldiers at, 392.
Charge of Gen. Sigel's troops, 242; by Gen. Steedman, 427; by a brigade under Col. Orlando
Smith, 431; of sailors at Fort Fisher, 541 ; of colored troops at Newmarket Heights, 571.
Charleston, S. C. ; its appearance when our troops entered it, 508.
" "Courier," graphic description of Malvern Hill, 108 ; statement of a correspondent
of, 153.

INDEX. 619
Chase, Hon. S. P., Secretary ofthe Treasury, visits Fortress Monroe, 66.
Ohattanooga strategically important, 419; threatened danger at, 429 ; its position, 430.
Chestnut Hill Range, Sherman's description of, 451.
Chickahominy, our troops upon the river, 69.
Chickamauga, fearful slaughter at, 423 ; patriot loss at the battle of, 429.
Church ofthe Ascension, PhUadelphia, aid our wounded, 416.
Coast to be blockaded, 16.
Cold Harbor, Maj.-Gen. Geo. Stoneman drives the enemy out of, 68 ; rebel efforts to drive Gen.
Sheridan out, 501.
Columbia, Union forces encamped opposite, 510; a description of it, 511.
Colored men suffer from Northern prejudice, 45 ; employed by Gen. WaUace, 184.
Soldiers. Their bravery at MiUUceu's Bend, 290 ; at Wagner, 328 ; testimony of Gen.
Keyes in favor of, 33.
Cool Heroism of Capt. Hoel on the Carondelet, 267.
Commission, Sanitary, its benevolent labors, 174, 414.
" Christian, 414.
Confiscation Act passed, 301.
Conflict at HiU's Point, 395; upon Rocky Face HiU, 443; with the ram Tennessee, 521; in
MobUe Bay, 521 ; Six-Mile Station, 566.
CONSTECTIOUT, Eleventh, at Stone Bridge, 152 ; Sixteenth, disaster to, 156 ; Eighth, noble conduct
of, 175.
Consequence of delay at Antietam, 147.
Conspiracy for the death of aU officers of Government, 596.
Corinth, an important position, 205; movements towards, 219; evacuated, 221.
Correspondence of Gen. Bragg and Col. Wilder, 190; of Gens. Grant aud Pemberton, 293.
Cooperation of Union generals, 376.
Council of War at Burnside's head-quarters, 173.
Crampton Gap, occupied by rebels, 132 ; charge up the heights, 137.
Chawfohd. Gen., commended for gallantry, 118.
Crittenden, lion. John J., his trying position, 336; Gen. George G. (rebel) unjustly censured, 338
Crocker, Gen. M. M., charges the rebels at Jackson, 282.
Crook, Gen., his division assail the enemy, 550.
Cross Hollows occupied by Gen. Curtis, 228.
Ceupt, Brig.-Gen., leads an advance, 370.
Crump's Landing, 205.
Curtis, Gen. S. R'., pursues rebel Price, 227 ; his peril, 228 ; his position on Pea Ridge, 231 ; re
ceives astounding inteUigence, 234; outflanked, 234; reply to Col. E. A. Carr, 238; his
confidence of final victory, 240.
Dalton falls into Sherman's power, 444.
Davies, Col., Eighth N. Y. Cavalry, deserves great commendation, 143.
Davis, Gen. Jefi'erson C, deserves honor at Pea Ridge, 245; notice of, 349.
Davis, Maj.-Gen. Jeff., his address to rebel troops, 112; he promises success to the Southern
army, 469; his terms of peace, 570; captured and sent to Fortress MOnroe, 604.
Decision of Maj.-Gen. Eosecrans sustained, 375.
Deep Bottom, attack upon, 564.
Defeat of the rebels near Corinth, 215 ; of Gen. Price (rebel) at luka, 357.
Delay in the pursuit of Lee at Antietam, 161.
Description by a rebel correspondent, 106; of Union officers at Columbia, S. C, 510-11.
Desperate Fighting at Fort Wagner, 327.
Destruction of stores at Savage's Station, 103 ; by rebel raids in Tennessee, 484 ; by Sheridan, 556i
Diagram  Gen. Wallace at Pittsburg Landing, 211; of tiie Union fleet at Mobile, 520.
Difficulties in laying pontoons at Fredericksburg, 165; surmounted by Union soldiers, 341.
Dilatoriness of the Army of the Potomac, 24; misfortunes caused by, 115.
Disaster to the Mound City, 248 ; at Fort Fisher, 544.
Discouragement of most of the officers at Pea Ridge, 240.
DiSGRACEFUlj Occurrence at Coggin's Point, 570.
Dispatch captured, llS; of Gen. Dix, 397.
Early, Maj.-Gen. (rebel), attacks Gen. Sheridan, 548.

620 INDEX.
Bast Tennessee and its people, 332 ; redeemed, 348.
Educational Association for blacks, 482.
Edwards's Station, battle of, 284.
Effect of climate upon the army, 63 ; of various disasters upon the country, 607.
Efforts at compromise, 570.
Eleventh Illinois, terrible slaughter in its ranks, 215.
Eleventh Corps, its bravery, 404.
Ellet, Col. Charles, Jr., biographical notice of, 273; severely wounded at Island No. Ten, 275;
his death, 276.
Elliott, CoL, Second Iowa Cavalry sent to cut the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, 220.
Ellis, Col., his ready tact, 226.
Eloquent strain from Gen. Sherman, 4G8.
Emancipation Proclamation, its effect, 614.
Embarkation of the second expedition against Fort Fisher, 532.
Energy of Gen. Butler in New Orleans, 297.
England, her attitude in the American struggle, 80.
Epithet applied to the Shenandoah VaUey, 551.
Estate of Maj.-Gen. Robert E. Lee, 383.
Estvan, Col. (rebel army), his magnanimity, 97.
Evacuation of Ports Pillow and Randolph, 273.
Evidence of the severity of the battle at Fair Oaks, 87 ; of the inteUeotual character of Union
soldiers, 436.
Ewell, Gen. (rebel), attacks our baggage train, 498.
Exciting naval conflict near Fort PiUow, 271.
Exploit of Lieut. Cushing, 577; his perils, 578.
Explosion at Corinth, 221; of an ordnance boat, 566.
Extract from the " Cincinnati Gazette," 377.
Farmington, account ofthe battle of, 218.
Fair Oaks, why so caUed, 82; battle of, 83.
Fairfax, C. H., the Union army advance to, 20.
Feints of Gen. Rosecrans, near Chattanooga, 419.
Feeling at the South, 399.
Ferocity of the savage allies of the rebels, 244.
Field of Battle, its appearance after the contest, 243.
Fifty-sixth Illinois drive the enemy at Corinth, 355.
First Alabama, Col. Geo. E. Spencer, 473.
First Connecticut Artillery, Col. Tyler commanding, 111.
Five Forks, fearful contest at, 584.
Gaines's Mills, battle of, 100.
"Gardes Lafayette," 87.
Garesch:^, Col. J. B., notice of him, 364.
Garrison at Vicksburg, its heroic defence, 293.
Geary, Gen. John W., commended for gaUantry, 118.
Generosity of Union soldiers, 593.
Gerrard, Gen., destroys much rebel property, 461.
Getty, Brig.-Gen. Geo. W., guards the Nansemond, 395 ; his troops reach the wall, and charge
at Fredericksburg, 171.
Gettysburg, National Cem^ery consecrated at, 418.
Gillmore, Brig.-Gen. Q. A., commands at Port Royal, 324.
Gorman, Gen. WiUis A., commended, 118.
God's overruling visible in this war, 76.
Gordon, N. P., Capt., executed, 610.
Graceful remark of a rebel officer, 593.
Grades of Virginians, 63.
Grand and appaUing scene, 372; movement of the army, 574.
Granger, Gen., leads aland force against Fort Morgan, 525.
Grant, Lieut.-Geu. U. S., liis coolness in battle, 215; telegraphs Gen. Halleck, 281 ; his designs
aud execution, 282 ; his sleepless energy, 283 ; assaults works at Vicksburg, 286 ; arrives at

. INDEX. 621
Chattanooga, 430 ; hia first efforts there, 432 ; his telegram to Washington, 438 ; he sur
prises the foe, 497 ; his designs, 575.
Graphic Description by the New York " Tribune" correspondent, 158.
Green, Gen., commended for bravery, 118.
Griffith, Sergeant Joseph H., Twenty-second Iowa, hia bravery, 287.
Grover, Gen. Cuvier, troops led by, 48.
Groveton, battle at, 124.
Guerrilla Bands in Kentucky, 182 ; their depredations in East Tennessee, 334.
Halleck, Maj.-Gen. H. W., assigned to the Department of the Mississippi, 18 ; appointed gen
eral-in-chief, 115; his telegrams sent Gen. McCleUan, 121; his testimony before Congres
sional Committee, 122 ; his dispatch to the Secretary of War, 221; he is censured, 222; tele
graphs Hon. E. M. Stanton, 602.
Hamilton, Gen. Schuyler, cuts a steamboat canal, 264.
Hampton, Gen. Wade (rebel), his viUanous conduct, 513.
Hampton Roads, a splendid scene in, 529.
Hancock, Gen. W. S., notice of, 50 ; his splendid bayonet charge, 52 ; his reply to Gen. Alexan
der Hays, 490; his telegram to Gen. Grant, 494
Hanover C. H., spirited conflict at, 789.
Hardee, Gen. (rebel), his confession, 603.
Habpbr's Ferry, its shameful surrender, 142 ; the cause of the reverse, 144.
Harrington, John, his remarkable adventure, 37.
Harrold's Mills, a little encounter at, 31.
Hastsuff's Brigade, the heroism of Twelfth and Thirteenth Massachusetts, 150.
Hatch, Brig.-Gen., wounded, 135.
Hatcher's Run, faUure ofthe expedition to, 576; second attempt more successful, 583.
Heintzelman, Maj.-Gen. S. P., drives the enemy with bayonets, 92.
Heroism of troops under Gen. Casey, 86 ; of army and navy correspondents, 412.
Herron, Gen. F. I , attacks the enemy at Cross HoUows, 250.
Hildebrand, Col., Third Brigade, his command scattered, i07.
Hill's Point Battery, its capture, 395.
Hood, Maj.-Gen. (rebel), compeUed to fight, 461 ; charges desperately, 4C3 ; evacuates Atlanta,
466; his army broken and routed at Na^ivUle, 481; entirely overthrown, 487.
Hooker, Maj.-Gen. Joseph, his report, 50; he is wounded, 151; his order of April 30th, 1863,
382; his coolness, 387; his proclamation after battle of Chancellors vUle, 392; attacks Gen.
J. E. B. Stuart, 400.
HOLLINGTON, Rev. Mr., of Third Ohio, 451.
Holt, Hon. Joseph, extracts from his appeal to Kentuckians, 177.
HovBY, Gen. A. P., his valor at Edwards's Station, 284.
Howard, Maj.-Gen. 0. 0., his coolness, 410.
Hunter, Gen. David, in command Southern Department, 309 ; proclamation of, 609.
Illinois Third Cavalry, Col. McCrellis, 245.
Impatience at the North at Gen. McClellan's slow progress, 69.
Impositions practised upon Southern people, 229.
Inaction on the Potomac, cause of, 15 ; Prince de JoinviUe's explanation, 16.
Incident, 75 ; of an amusing character, 91 ; at Fredericksburg, 227 ; from a correspondent of tha
New York " Herald," 426 ; at Chickamauga, 428.
Indiana Seventh, Col. Wainwright, repulses the rebels, 135.
Indignation felt at the surrender of Harper's Ferry, 142.
Inexplicable want of preparation at Pittsburg Landing, 205.
Infamous Deed, 569.
Influbngb of loyal Governors, 184.
Injl-ry to the Union fleet on the Tennessee, 272; to the iron-clads before Sumter, 320.
Intrigues of Secessionists in Tennessee, 333.
Iron Brigade at Gettysburg, 404.
lE^viNSVlLLE, Georgia, noted for the capture of Jeflerson Davis and family, 604.
T nr<!nN- Mai -Gen. T. J., "StonewaU," commences an expedition, 65; dashes into the Shenan
doah VaUey, 72; is at Cross Keys, 75; marches to Sharpsburg, 131; cause of hia Bobri-
quet, 387.

622 INDEX.
James Island, Union force lands upon it, 310 ; Gen. H. H. Terry attacks it, 325.
Jeffards, Col., Fourth Michigan, mortally wounded, 407.
Jericho Mills, patriots victorious in a skirmish here, 499.
Johnson, Andrew, Military Governor of Tennessee, 200; his appeal, 201; notice of, 599.
Johnson, Brig.-Gen. Richard W., sketch of, 192.
Johnston, Maj.-Gen. Joseph E., notice of, 49; his military abUity, 56; seriously wounded, 89 ;
threatens Gen. Grant in the rear, 289; surrenders to Maj.-Gen. Sherman, 602.
Johnston, Maj.-Gen. Albert Sydney (rebel), notice of, 214.
Jonesboro', battle near, 465.
Joy of the Slaves along the line of Gen. Sherman's raid, 475.
Kautz, Gen., destroys a railroad near Burksville, 560; with Wilson, flanked and retreats, 561.
Kearny, Maj.-Gen. Philip, notice of, 49; testifies to the bravery of Casey's troops, S8; a daring
speech of, 110; his death, 127.
Kenesaw Mountain abandoned, 455.
Kentucky, a traitor iu its gubernatorial chair, 175; to be invaded, 181; punished for her neu
trality, 339.
Keokuk, iron-clad, sustains a heb,vy fire, 319; is disabled, 320; sinks, 321.
Keyes, Gen. E. D., where stationed, 82.
Kingsbury, Col., shot at Antietam Bridge, 153.
Kilpatrick, Gen. J., his memorable four days' ride, 463.
Knoxville with difficulty held by Union troops, 346 ; defences erected, 347 ; besieged by Gen.
Bragg, 432.
Lafourche District, an occurrence in, 305.
Landrum, Col. J. J., defends Cynthiana, 182.
Laurel Hill, Union troops repulsed at, 571.
La Vergse, a rebel force routed at, 192.
Lee, Maj.-Gen. Robert E., his proclamation to the people of Maryland, 129 ; attacks Gen. Han
cock's position, 411; retreats towards Williamsport, 412; his loss at Gettysburg, 413 ; orders
evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond, 587.
Lee's Mills, attack upon, 35.
Leggett, Gen., captures a hill commanding Atlanta, 459.
Letter from a niece of Jefferson Davis, 60 ; of Gen. Butler, 530.
Lexington, Kentucky, ingenious device at the battle of, 291.
Lincoln, President, his order, Jan. 27, 1862, 17 ; telegram from, 32 ; his letter to Gen. McCleUan,
65; he visits Fortress Monroe and Norfolk, 66; telegraphs Gen. McDowell, 73; telegraphs
Gen. McCleUan, 74; visits the Army of tho Potomac, 111; orders Gen. McClellan to pursue
Lee, 130; sends congratulatory letter to Gen. Grant, 295 ; telegraphs Gen. Rosecrans, 378;
his speech at Gettysburg, 418; sends message to Gen. Sherman, 479; visits the army at
Petersburg, 558; reelected by an overwhelming vote, 579; is seen in Richmond, 590; is
assassinated at Washiiiglon, 595; a telegram sent Lieut.-Gen. Grant, 600; his proclamation,
May, 1862 ; his net of Emancipation, 613.
Little Rock, Arkansas, surrendered, 253.
Logan, Maj.-Gen. John A., sketch of, 461.
Long Bridge, interesting scene upon it, 20.
Loss of Union soldiers in seven days' battles, 108; by both armies at Antietam, 161 ; at Perry-
viUe, 196 ; of Union forces at ShUoh, 216 ; of Sigel and Asboth's forces, 244; at the battle of
Corinth, 35S; at Chickamauga, 429; at Lookout Mountain, 439; of the two armies near
Leggett's Bald Top, 461; the two first days in the Wilderness, 491; of Union soldiers in
assaulting Petersburg, 587.
Loss and Gain of Port Steedman, 583.
Lost Mountain captured, 453.
Loudon Heights, position of, 139.
Lovell, rebel steamer, sunk, 275.
Lowell, Col. Charles B., notice of, 555.
Mackall, Gen. (rebel), surrenders New Madrid, 268.
Magnitude of the War in America, 224.
Magoffin, B., Governor of Kentucky, his insolent reply to President Lmcoln, 176.

INDEX. 623
Maine Regiment, Fifth, their bravery, 59 ; Second, their heroic valor, 79 ; Sixteenth, volunteers,
undertake a daring enterprise, 170.
Malvern Hill, a description of it, 107 ; McCleUan's account of the battle, 108.
Manassas, its evacuation discovered, 20 ; chagrin of Union troops, 22 ; afterwards seized by the
rebels, 120.
Mansfield, Brig.-Gen. Jos. K. F., notice of, 150.
Map of Peninsular Campaign, 26; of Fair Oaks and Seven Pines, 85; of Pope's Campaign, 127 ;
battle of Antietam, 146; South Mountain, 130; of Pittsburg Landing, 204 ; Gen. WaUace at
Pittsburg Landing, 211 ; battle of Pea Ridge, 230; of the Mississippi River from Cairo to
Island No. Ten, 257; attack on Island No. Ten, 262; the Mississippi River fromlsland No. Ten
to Vicksburg, 281; Mississippi River from Vicksburg to New Orleans, 292; Fortifications of
Corinth, 354; battle of Murfreesboro' or Stone River, 367 ; battle of ChanceUorsviUe, 386;
of Gettysburg, 402 ; Chickamauga, Saturday's battle, 422 ; of second day's battle at Chioka^
mauga, 425 ; of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, 435 ; Atlanta to Savannah, 472 ;
Gen. Thomas's campaign, 485 ; campaign of WUderness, 495 ; Savannah to Goldsboro', 512 ;
Fort Fisher and WUmington, 537; siege of Petersburg and Richmond, 669.
March of Gen. Howard'* columns, 474.
Maeietta, Georgia, desolated, 455.
M.ARSHALL, CoL Humphrey, his career, 335.
Marm.iduke, Gen. (rebel), driven by Gen. Blunt, 250; attacks Springfield, Missouri, 251.
Maeye's Heights, valorous fighting at, 171.
Maryland Heights, 139 ; order of Col. Ford, 140.
Mason, CoL Rodney, unjustly censured, 192.
Massachusetts Fifteenth, losses of, 152; Nineteenth and Twentieth, heroic conduct of, 166;
Twentieth at Petersburg, 558.
McCook, Gen. Robert, brutally murdered, 189.
McCook, Maj.-Gen. Alex. McDowell, sketch of, 193.
McClellan, Maj.-Gen. Geo. B., his genius, 17 ; relieved of general command, 18; feelings of the
army towards him, 19; his probable intentions, 23; his conflict with the Government, 25;
his kindly spirit, 55; undue regard for rebel property, 64; he strangely censures Gen.
Casey's troops, 84 ; is on the left bank of the Chickahominy, 93 ; telegraphs President Lin
coln, 96 ; telegraphs Secretary Stanton, 102 ; retreats to Harrison's Bar, 110; pleads for re
enforcements, 111; his proclamation of July 4th, 112; he remonstrates again.st Gen. Hal
leck's measures, 115; telegraphs Gen. Halleck, 121; telegraphs President Lincoln, 123';
his persistent caution, 131; telegraphs Gen. HaUeck, 138; extract from his report, 147;
relieved from command, 163.
McCulloch, CoL, his boast, 290.
McDowell, Maj.-Gen. Irwin, ordered to join Gen. McClellan, 70; his prompt obedience, 73; tel
egram from Secretary Stanton, 72 ; his spirit, 95 ; Gen. Pope's commendation of, 118.
McKay Point, expedition gainst, 322.
McKnight, Col. Arthur A., sketch of, 393
McNeil, Gen., pursues Marmaduke, 251.
McPherson, Maj.-Gen., kiUed, 460 ; Gen. Sherman's opinion of him, 461.
McVickar, Lieut. C, New York Sixth Cavalry, 384; notice of, 385.
Michigan Seventh, its daring adventure, 166.
Miles, CoL D. S., receives orders from Gen. Wool, 139; number of the force at Harper's Ferry,
140 ; mortally wounded, 142.
Military road needed through Cumberland Gap, 343.
Mill Springs, battle of, 337.
Mine under Petersburg, 564.
Mistake of the Memphis " Argus," 256; in the battle of Antietam, 162.
Mitchel, Maj.-Gen., his death, 323.
Mobile Bay, conflict in its waters, 519.
Mobile, its capture, 526.
Monitor, the iron-clad sunk, 310.
Monitors disabled off Sumter, 319 ; speedily repaired, 321.
Monocacy Junction, conflict at, 562.
Monongahela, accident to her, 622.
Montauk Ibon-clad, its invulnerabUity, 314.
Moon Lake Canal, 279.
IklORGAN, Gen. John (rebel), commits depredations, 182.

624 INDEX.
Morgan, Gen. Geo. W., abandons Cumberland Gap, 344.
Morton, Gen. James St. Clair, notice of, 365.
Mosby, the guerrilla, captures a supply train, 548 ; enters Maryland, 562.
Mountain Department, its position, 18 ; its creation and commander, 72.
Movement made by Hooker, Grover, and Sickles, 96 ; of forces under Wilcox and Crook, 156 ;
for the occupation of East Tennessee, 345 ; of Howard, Slocum, and Meade, 381.
Mumfordsville, furious attack upon, 190.
Murderous Charge at Big Black lliver, 285.
Music, its effect upon the troops, 106.
Mysterious Movements of Gen. Hooker, 380; of Gen. Sheridan, 585.
Napoleon I., striking remark of, 19.
Narrow Escape of soldiers at Fredericksburg, 173.
National Loss at Turner's Gap, 136; at Gettysburg, 413.
Natal Conflict in Charleston Harbor, 312 ; between the Alabama and Kearsarge, 527.
Negley, Brig.-Gen. James L., notice of, 192.
Nelson, Brig.-Gen. Wm., supersedes Gen. Lew. Wallace, 185; notice of, 186 ; joy at his arrival
at Pittsburg Landing, 209.
New Attempt to seize the Southside RaUroad, 582.
New Ironsides and other vessels open upon Fort Fisher, 538.
New Jersey First Regiinent, 59.
New Madrid occupied by rebels, under Maj. McCown, 256; Gen. Pope's reconnoissance, 257;
hurried evacuation of, 261.
New York Forty- fourth Regiment, quick reply of one of its captains, 79 ;, Twenty-first and
Twenty-second, 136; Thirty-fourth, sadly cut up, 152; Ninth, terrible slaughter of, 169>
New York "Times" correspondent, 411.
Night attack of the rebels, 388.
Norfolk, expedition against, 66.
Northern Men, different views of, 43.
Oath of CoL Henry McCuUoch, 290 ; of rebel Gen. Ewell, 408.
Object of Gen. Grant at Petersburg, 557
Offensive Paragraph in General McClernand's order, 288.
Official Report of Gen. G. W. Morgan, 342 ; of Admiral Farragut, 523.
Ohio Tenth, and its heroic Colonel Lytle, 195; Twenty-third receives the surrender of Twentj^-
fifth North Carolina, 133.
On.. Hundred and Fourteenth N. Y., its valor, 660.
Opinion of the Jackson " Appeal," 280.
Opportune Arrival of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Corps at Gettysburg, 406.
Orangeburg destroyed, 509.
Orchard Knob captured, 433.
Order of President Lincoln, 18; to subordinates, from Gen. McCleUan, 145; orders of Admiral
Farragut, 519 ; of Admiral Porter, 540.
Organization of General Sherman's army, 507.
Panic of the Union forces at Pittsburg Landing, 208.
Particulars of the surrender of Gen. Lee, 593.
Party Spirit in the army, 379.
Patrick, Gen., Provost-Marsh-il, his energetic measures, 167.
Patriot Force reduced by malaria, 81 ; battery, contest for, 51.
Pea- Ridge, infamy attached to this battle, 244.
Peck, Maj. John J., his position on the Nine-Mile Road, 88 ; Is stationed at Suffolk, 394; bis
bravery commended, 397.
Pelham, Maj. John (rebel), tribute from Stonewall Jackson, 169.
Pemberton, Gen. (rebel), pithy speech of, 292.
Pennsylvania First Regiment sent to check rebels, 84; alarm prevailing in, 130; reserves hotly
engaged, 135; upon Round Top, 407; they drive Hood, 412.
Perfidy of the rebels, 434.
Peril of the army before Richmond, 99.
Perryville, terrible battle at, 193, 194.
Perplexities of General Butler's position, 302.

INDEX. 625
Petersburg formidably defended, 504; shelled, 669; assault of, 586.
Phelps, Brig.-Qen. John W., his character and conduct, 302.
Philadelphia Church renders important aid to the sick and wounded, 416.
Picturesque Scene at West Point, 62 ; on the Rappahannock, 1 65.
Pike, Gen. Albert G. (rebel), employs Indian alUes, 228.
Pine Mount.ain evacuated, 452.
Pithy reply to Gen. French, 470.
Pittsburg Landing, Gen. Grantat, 202; a description of, 205.
Pittsburg, gunboat runs the batteries at Island No. Ten, 267.
Plan of the foo, 81; of Gen. Lee, 118; of battle and assignment of officers at Lookout Moun
tain, 432.
Point Pleasant occupied by Gen. Pope, 258.
Polk, Gea. Bishop (rebel), killed, 452.
Pope, Maj.-Gen. John, effect of his proclamation, 114; his force at Cedar Mountain, 118 ; his re
treat, 119; cause of his failure, 120: his report, 121 ; he 'is relieved of his command, 127;
sketch of; 256; he proceeds to Commerce, Missouri, 257.
Porter, Gen. Fitz John, notice of, 32; valor of his troops at Groveton, 124; dismissed the
service, 121.
Porter, Lieut., kiUed, 542.
Portsmouth (Va.) burned by rebels, 67.
Port Gibson taken by Gen. Grant, 280.
Port Republic, fight at, 75.
Position of troops at White Oak Swamp, 103 ; assumed by Gen. Franklin, 106 ; on June 27,
100 ; of the rebel troops, Sept., 1862, 128.
Prejudice against the negro, and its consequences, 222-3.
Prentiss, Gen., surprised and captured, 207. .
Preparations for a third day's fight at Pea Ridge, 239.
Price, Gen. Sterling (rebel), his winter-quarters at Springfield, 224; he miscalculates Gen.
Curtis's plans, 225 ; he occupies luka, 350 ; his course after leaving luka, 351.
Prince de Joistille, his statement, 22 ; his inquiry, 92 ; his touching words, 93 ; his testi
mony, 96.
Prince, Gen., honorably mentioned, 118.
Prize found at New Madrid, 261.
PROCLAiiATiON of Gov. Magoffin, of Kentucky, 177 ; of Maj.-Gen. John Pope, 1 14; of Gov. Cur
tin, of Pennsylvania, 130; of Gov. Rector, Arkansas, 228 ; of rebel generals, 312.
Progress of the bombardment at Fort Fisher, 539.
Proposals of Lieut.-Gen. Grant for the surrender of Gen. Lee, 592.
Pro-slaveky officers in Union army, 610.
Pursuit of the rebels to Sugar Creek, Missouri, 226.
Quantrel, the guerrUla, enters Lawrence, Kansas, 251.
Quint, Chaplain A. H., his speech in Boston, 528.
Eace for Spottsylvania, 492.
Eaid under Gen. Warren, 580.
Raleigh surrendered, 517 ; conduct of its people, 518.
Eam Arkansas, its destruction, 307.
Eaymond, a brief, spirited struggle at, 282.
Eead's Ford, skirmish at, 421.
Reasons for delay in attacking Mobile, 525.
Rebels, through spies, informed of plans of Union officers, 19; mean treachery of, 45; at
WiUiamsburg kindly cared for by Union soldiers, 54; the vigorous plans of, 83; assault
' Union troops, 84 ; are pursued in their retreat from Crampton Gap 137. ^ ^ _, . ,
Rebel raiders, their success, 98; their aspect on entering Frederick, 129; force at Fredericks-
bur<r 168- plans for Northern invasion, 131; efforts to maintain the war, 204; their
threats 224- their barbarity, 249 ; their view of the bombardment of Island No. Ten, 263;
their view of the loss of Island No. Ten, 268 ; fleet, its end, 276 ; their designs relative to
Gen Grant 281 ; schemes weU planned, but defeated, 357 ; force huried upou the Eleventh
Army Corps, 385; ignorance of the facts concerning the war, 417 ; boast, 457; barbarity,
460 and 509; re-enforcements driven from Fort Fisher, 540.
Ebcapitulation of Union victories, 203.
Vol. il— 40

626 INDEX.
Reception of the rebel army in Maryland, 129 ; of a rebel charge, 136.
Reconnoissance in preparation for battle, 148 ; of the batteries of Island No. Ten, 264.
Rector, Gov., characteristic document of, 245.
Remarks of the Prince de JoinviUe, 90. '
Remark of Robert Toombs disproved, 441 ; of a rebel officer, 378.
Remarkable Fact, 314.
Reno, Maj.-Gen., mortally wounded, 134.
Repeated and bloody skirmishes, 502-3.
Ebpobt of Congressional Committee respecting battle of WiUiamsburg, 52; of Gen. Burnside,
after the battle of Fredericksburg, 164.
Eeply of Gen. Halleck to Gen. McClellan, 138; of Gov. Harris to President Lincoln, 332.
Repulse of the enemy by the Sixth Tennessee, 344; of the rebels by Hooker's force, 437 ; at
Petersburg, 565 ; of the Army of the James, 575.
Requisition of Col. Ford disregarded, 139.
Resaca attacked by General McPherson, 443.
Results of Vicksburg campaign, 294.
Retreat of the rebels from Manassas, 19; ordered by Gen. Pope, 125; of General Burnside
from Fredericksburg, 173.
Eeward ofi'ered for the apprehension of Jefferson Davis, 603.
Eeynolds, Gen. J. J., resists a rebel charge, 99 ; gaUant fighting of his corps, 403 ; kiUed at
Getlysburg, 404.
Reynolds, Lieut, directs a gun from a tree-top, 459.
Rhode Island Fourth suffer by treachery of rebels, 156.
Richardson, Capt, Seventh Wisconsin, 405.
Eichmond, Virginia, why its conquest is desirable, 16; evacuated and set on fire by rebels,
589.
Richmond " Examiner," a statement in, 42.
Ringgold, the rebels concentrate at, 438.
Roberts, Brig.-Gen., his gaUantry, 118. ^
Robinson, James F., succeeds Gov. Magoffin, 182.
Rodman, Maj.-Gen. Isaac P., his division cross at the ford, 153 ; wounded, 157 ; notice of, 157.
Rolla, Union forces occupy this point, 224.
Rosecrans, Maj.-Gen. W. S., commands Gen. Smith's Division, 220; His plans unfolded, 353;
prepares to attack Chattanooga, 346 ; his orders, 357 ; is assigned to Gen. BueU's command,
358; nothing too small for his notice, 360; proves himself a true military leader, 370; forms
grand combinations, 371; his bayonet charge, 372; is removed, by order of Gen. Grant,
430.
Rousseau, Gen. LoveU S., entitled to a nation's gratitude, 179; sketch of, 195; his cavalry
force, 456.
Rowett, CoL, kiUed, 470.
Sailor's Creek, Gen. Lee driven from his stand here, 590.
Savannah, Ga., evacuated and surrendered, 480 ; people suffer from famine, 482.
Scene of picturesque beauty, 30; in the camp on a dark and rainy morning, 77; after the battle
of Seven Pines, 93; enacted below Fredericksburg, 380; at Cemetery HiU, 408; at the
death-bed of President Lincoln, 595.
Schofield, Maj.-Gen., crosses the Chattahoochee, 456.
Secretary of War telegraphs Gen. G. B. McClellan, 95,
Sedgwick, Maj.-Gen. John, kiUed, 493. ~^ V
Seminary Hill, Gettysburg, 403. r- .
Sentiments of many Kentuckians, 177. ,
Seward, W. H., Hon., severely wounded, 596.
Seymour, Gen., repulses the rebels, 100.
Sharpsburg, its position, 145; rebel positions near, 147.
Sharpshooters, their efficient service, 34.
Shaw, CoL Robert G., Fifty-fourth Mass., killed at Fort Wagner, 328; a true, hero, 612.
Sheridan, Maj.-Gen. Philip Henry, notice of, 369 ; in the Shenandoah, 547 ; falls upon the rebel
Early, 549; pursues Early to Fisher's Hill, 651; inspires his troops with his own valor,
554; his cavalry nearly overpowered, 558; his impetuosity, 586; his telegram to Gen.
Grant, 588.

INDEX.
Sherman, Maj.-Gen. W. T., his indefatigable energy, 207; his bravery and skUl, 217 ; reaches
the rear of rebels on the Yazoo, 285 ; prepares for a secret campaign, 440 ; enters Resaca,
446 ; his well-laid schemes, 464; his care for his soldiers, 467 ; his reply to the Mayor of
Atlanta, 468; signals from Kenesaw, 470; Sherman perplexes the rebels, 473; forbids de
struction of private property, 474 ; telegraphs to Washington, 479 ; sends a Christmas gift to
President Lincoln, 481; he feeds his foes at Savannah, 506; his march to Goldsboro', 515.
Sherrill, CoL, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth N. Y., severely wounded, 140. '
Shields, Maj.-Gen. James, sketch of, 71.
Shiloh Church, head-quarters of Gen. Beauregard, 205.
Shrewd Opinion of a private soldier, 168.
Sickles, Gen. Dan. E., checks the fugitives, 387 ; he is wounded, 409.
Sickness in Union army, 56.
Sigel, Maj.-Gen, Franz, commended, 118; his successful attack at Sulphur Springs, 119; is
stationed at Rolla, 224; moves near BentonvUle, 231; anxiety felt by Gen. Curtis for him,
232 ; his masterly strategy, 233 ; his skilful disposition of troops, 241 ; retreats to Harper's
Ferry, 662.
Signal officer at Fredericksburg, 175 ; guns from the Carondelet heard by the anxious fleet, 267.
Silence of the rebels significant, 167.
Skirmishings by various corps, 573.
Slow progress towards emancipation, 608.
Smith, Maj.-Gen. Charles T., notice of, 220.
Smith, E. Kirby, Maj.-Gen. (rebel), advances u^on Tennessee, 183 ; he sUps by Gen. BueU, 188 ;
after his surrender, counsels his command, 605.
Smyth, Brig.-Gen. Thomas A., notice of, 591.
Soldiers, the endurance and sufferings of Northern, 53.
South Mountain, 132.
Southside Railroad reached, 586.
Southern History of the War, an extract from it, 212.
Spanish Fort captured by Gen. Canby's forces, 526.
Stanton, Hon. Edwin M., visits Fortress Monroe, 66 ; telegraphs Gen. McClellan, 70 ; his reasons
for objecting to terms of surrender accepted by Gen. Sherman, 601 ; telegraphs Gen. Dix,
602 ; his position upon American roU of honor, 612.
Stephens, Alex. H., his speech in 1861, 43.
Stevens, Col. A. F., extract from his report, 175.
Stoneman, Gen. George, notice of, 383 ; captured, 462.
Stone River, plan of the battle of, 365-6 ; a, successful ruse of Gen. Rosecrans at this battle,
375.
Stony Creek Station, aff'air at, 580.
Strasburg, Union troops were here victorious, 562.
Strategic movement of Gen. Charles R. Wood, 510.
Strength of our Government tested, 598.
Strong, Major, his expedition up the Tangipaho, 306.
Struggle on the eastern slope of Lookout Mountain, 434.
Stuart, Gen. J. E. B. (rebel), a daring adventure of, 96.
SuBLLSiE charge upon Battery Robinet, 356 ; scene on Pea Ridge, 241.
Success of Gen. Grant's main plan at Vicksburg, 280 ; of the Fifth Corps, under Gen. Chamber
lain, 585.
Successful efforts to elude Johnston, 456 ; dash of the Union forces near NashvUle, 486.
Sufferings of our wounded soldiers left at Savage's Station, 102; after the repulse at Fredericks
burg, 172.
Sumner, Maj.-Gen. Edwin V., his prompt action, 88; his terrific charge, 90; sketch of, 151.
Sumner, Hon. Charles, extracts from a letter of, 615.
Surgeons of the Union army, 94.
Surrender of Vicksburg, 294; of Columbia, S. C, 611; of Fort Morgan, 524.
Swamp Angel, 329.
Tecumseh, accident to this monitor, 521.
Terral, Gen., mortaUy wounded, 194.
Terrible struggles of Gen. Hooker, 105 ; charge upon the rebels, 117 ; storm of leaden naU, 215 ;
fight on the sixth day of battle, 493; explosion of the mme, 564; charge by Capt. (now
Col.) Brady, 89.

628 INDEX.
Terry, Maj.-Gen. Alfred H., notice of, 533.
Testimony before Congressional Committee, respecting Gen. Sumner, 91 ; of Rev. J. J. Marks,
concerning retreat from Malvern Hill, 110; of Gen. Pope, concerning Gen. Banks, 118; of
Committee of Investigation, respecting surrender of Harper's Ferry, 143 ; of an eye-witness
of the battle of Antietam, 155; of Maj.-Gen. Burnside, respecting Antietam, 160; of a cor
respondent in a rebel paper on the conduct of rebel soldiers, 351 ; of the Committee on the
Conduct of the War upon the failure at Chancellorsville, 392 ; of Gen. Weitzel, respecting
Fort Fisher, 531.
Thomas, Maj.-Gen. Geo. H., notice of, 364; heroically he covers our retreat, 426.
Thoroughfare Gap, designs ofthe rebels at, 120.
Threats of many Union officers, 611.
Three independent campaigns, 224.
Time required to march from WiUiamsburg to the Chickahominy, 69.
Touching incidents, 416.
Torpedoes, Sherman's way of removing those near Savannah, 479.
Transports, filled with troops, pass through the canal near Vicksburg, 267. '"'
Treachery of the rebels, 439 ; incapacity at BuU Run, 123.
Treatment of .rebel wounded by Union soldiers, 118.
True chivalry, 462.
Truesdail, CoL William, notice of, 360; consequences of his investigations, 351.
Turchin, CoL, captures nearly a whole regiment j 428.
Turner's Gap occupied by Generals HiU and Longstreet, 132 ; its capture, 136.
Unaccountable prejudice against employing colored men, 185.
Unanimity ofthe Free States, remarkable, 181.
Unavailing assaults upon the enemy", 445.
Unexpected greeting to rebel transports, 259.
Unflinching bravery of Sheridan and his force, 369.
Union Army, testimony of Prince de Joinville respecting it, 55. Troops, their labors, 96. Loss
at WiUiamsburg, 54 ; at Champion Hill, 284. Soldiers surprised at Pittsburg Landing, 207 ;
retreat towards Nashville, 483; respect North Carolinians, 515; retreat from Cedar Creek,
553 ; pursue the enemy retreating from Petersburg, 588.
United States, its future mission, 606.
Unsuccessful attempts at Yazoo River, 279, 280.
Van Cleve'S Division attacked, 376.
Van Dorn, Maj.-Gen. (rebel), he is assigned to Trans-Mississippi District, 227 ; estimates Gen.
Sigel's force, 234.
Vermont troops, heroic conduct of, 36.
Vicksburg, expedition sent against it, 278 ; it is invested, 289; is unconditionally surrendered,
294.
Victory of Gen. Sheridan and its consequences, 654.
Views of two parties in the North, 198 ; types of these views, 199 ; of many rebel prisoners,
454.
Vincent, CoL, his inspiring words, 407.
Volunteers called for by President Lincoln, 183.
Vote upon Gen. McCleUan's plan of campaign, 25.
Wadsworth, Brig.-Gen. James S., mortally wounded, 491.
Wagner, Fort, unsuccessful assault upon, 328 ; evacuated, 330.
Wait, Lieut. Marvin, notice of, 156.
Wallace, Gen. Lew., his unselfish patriotism, 184; assigned to duty, 187; his bold order, 188;
his promptness and efficiency, 208 ; cause of delay at Pittsburg Landing, 210.
Wallace, Gen. W. H. L., mortally wounded, 209.
War, general plan for the conduct of, 16.
Ward, Gen., his heroic deeds, 458.
Washington, secret movements in, 19; force retained for its protection, 24; its perils, 70; de-
feuded by only three corps, 72 ; anxiety respecting its safety, 73, 115.
Wearisome march of Gen. Curtis to Helena, 248.
Weaver, CoL, his heroic reply to Gen. Hood, 471.

INDEX. 629
Webster, CoL, improvises a battery, 209.
Weldon Road, desperate endeavor of the rebels to regain it, 567.
West Point, an important place at the head of York River, 67.
White House, its position, 58 ; busy scenes transpire at, 68.
White, Capt, Chicago Battery, dismounts a gun, 287.
Whitaker, Capt., cuts his way through a rebel force, 561.
Wilderness, terrible battles of the, 489.
Wilder, Col. John T., sketch of, 189; compelled to surrender, 190; repulses Longstreet, 423.
Williams, Brig.-G^n. Thomas, his death announced, 307 ; his eulogy by Gen. Butler, 308.
Williamsburg, battle of, 52; touching scene at, 53; rebel force which retreated, 52; its ap
pearance after the battle, 53; why the rebels were not pursued, 55.
Wilson, Hon. Henry, a beautiful sentiment of, 610.
Wilson and Kautz, Generals, strike the Weldon road, 560.
WiNCEtESTER, a hot skirmish at, 71.
Wilmington evacuated in the night, 645.
Wool, Maj.-Gen. John E., receives the surrender of Norfolk, 66.
Wolcott, CoL, drives out a band of sharpshooters, 452.
Women (rebel), their insults towards Federal soldiers, 56.
Yellow Fever driven from New Orleans, 297.
Yorktown, weakness ofits defences, 31; reenforcements sent, 34; commanding fortifications
around, 40 ; evacuation of the place, 44 ; rebel force at, 44
Zacharias, Rev. Dr., the fearless pastor of a church in Frederick, 129.
ZorcKS, Artificer, his heroic conduct, 323.
Zollicoffer, Maj.-Gen. Felix F., defeated, 334 ; notice of, 337

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