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 THE JAMES VERNER SCAIFE 
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 CIVIL WAR LITERATURE 
 
 THE GIFT OF 
 
 JAMES VERNER SCAIFE 
 
 CLASS OF 18B9 
 
 1919 
 
E470.2 Bm"' """"""* '■'""^ 
 
 Battle-fields of the South 
 
 olin 
 
 3 1924 030 914 802 
 
Cornell University 
 library 
 
 The original of tliis book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030914802 
 
SKETCm MAP ILLUSTRATIVE OF THElATTMSioFSBflH^flllS/MIEOilKS AND THlWII^ OJIMffiS"BEFOREMCHMOn) &C. 
 
 PLATE 1. 
 
 (jjnJkderai& ori^iticd/ 
 -positCony. . . . thus. . _ . 
 
 Rd^roL' original/ 
 posiiXorf. . -fftzis. - ._. . 
 
 ConJkder-ate. Tr'oops . . .^tek 
 
 'Fed£rah. . . J>9. . 
 
 ^9tiLctrt's raid/in^juju- , 
 
 Gun/ Batteries. . . . . 
 
 fe C?, Lidio.XoniSOTL 
 
 Loiiduu: I'ublish.edhy STmtli,£lder&C?, Go, Cornlnll, 1863. 
 
3ATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH, 
 
 FROM 
 
 BULL EUN TO FEEDEEICKSBUEa ; 
 
 ^^f WITH SKETCHES OF CONFEDERATE COMMAITDBES, AND 
 
 ■ GOSSIP OF THE CAMPS. 
 
 BY 
 
 AN ENGLISH COMBATANT, 
 
 (LrEUTENANT OP ABXII.I;EST ON THE FIELD STAFF.) 
 
 WITH TWO MAPS. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUME! 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 MITH, ELDER AND CO., 65, CORNHILL. 
 
 M.DCCCLXIII. 
 
 UVj 
 
 Cd 
 
ITIte right of Trantlation is resened.] 
 
TO 
 
 JEFPEESON DAVIS, 
 
 COF MISSISSIPPI,) 
 
 THE SOLDIEE, STATESMAN, AND PATRIOT, 
 
 FIEST. PRESIDENT OF THE CONEEDEKATE STATES, 
 
 COese Folutnes ate Helritatelr 
 
 AS A TOKEN OF PEOPOUND KBSPBCT AND ADMIRATION 
 
 POK THE GALLANT NATION 
 
 OVER WHOSE DESTINY HE SO ABLY PRESIDES, 
 
 BY 
 
 (T. E. C.) 
 AN ENGLISH COMBATANT 
 
 IN THE SOUTHERN ARMY. 
 
" In cases of deliberate, dangerous, and palpable in/t^actions of the Constitution 
 affecting the Sovereignty of a State and the Liberties of the People, it is not only the 
 rig?tt, hut the duty of each State to interpose its authority for their own protection in 
 the manner best calculated to secure that end. When emergencies occur, which are 
 either beyond the reach of judicial tribunals, or too presshig to admit of the delay 
 incident to their forms, States which have no common umpire must be their own 
 judges, and execute their own decisions" — Report of the Neto England Stales 
 assembled in Convention at Bartford, Connecticut, 1812. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. I. 
 
 FAQE 
 
 Inthoduction xi 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 
 Krst Acts of Secession — Measures of the Southern Leaders — 
 Major Ajiderson and iFort Sumter — Southern Preparations- 
 for War — Drilling of Volunteers — Preparing to march — 
 Patriotic Spirit of the South — Journey by Rail — Camp at 
 Corinth — Eegimcntal Officers — ^A tragical Episode . 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Despatch of Troops — State of Southern Arsenals and Stores — 
 Practices of the Jews — Troops ordered to Virginia — ^Rejoicings 
 in the Camp — ^Hospitalities on. the Road — ^Patriotism of the 
 Women — Northern Sympathies In East Tennessee — Camp, at 
 Eynchburg — By Rail to Manassas Station .... 20 
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 Arrival at Manassas — Appearance of Things by Night — Opera- 
 tions of our Army opposed to Patterson around Harper's 
 Periy — ^Forward Movements of the Enemy — Jackson opens the 
 Ball — Colonel Maxey Gregg attacks the Northern Troops on 
 the Railvray at Vienna^-Earthworks at Manassas — Strength of 
 our Troops — Scouting Parties — Letter from a Friend, giving - 
 Details of the Action at Carthage . . . . . .29 
 
 TOL. I. 
 
VI CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTEE IV. ^- -— 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Warlike Preparations around Manassas — ^Beauregard and other 
 Generals— Our Position' at Bull Eun— Advance of the Enemy v 
 —A Night Surprise — Loss to the Enemy— General Tyler 1 
 advances to force a Passage at Blackhum's Ford — ^Battle of 
 Bull Eun, July 18th— The Enemy retire, with Loss— Anxiety 
 regarding Johnson's Movements — ^Night Adventures — Courage 
 of an English Landowner — Our Generals forewarned of 
 meditated Movements 45 
 
 CHAPTEE V. - 
 
 Battle of Manassas Plains, Sunday, July 21st — Disposition of 
 the Southern Porces — Plans of the Enemy — The main Battle 
 on our Left — Struggle at Sudley Pord and Stone Bridge — 
 Attack of Louisiana Msh — Critical Situation of our Porces — 
 Stonewajl Jaekson — Preparations for a . final Advance on both :^ 
 Sides — Arrival of Johnson's Eeinforcements — Total Eout of 
 the Enemy 57 
 
 CHAPTEE VL 
 
 The Pursuit — Immense Booty — Our Prisoners and their Behaviour J 
 — A Eide over the Field of Action — Incidents of the Eight — -. ^j 
 Arrival of President Davis during the Action, and its Effect — 
 Behaviour of the New York Eire Zouaves — ^The victorious 
 Army did not advance upon Washington or Maryland — Eelic- 
 mongers on the Field of Battle — Personal Appearance of 
 President Davis— Sketches of Evans and Longstreet . . 73 
 
 CHAPTEE Vn. 
 Battle of Oak Hill in Missouri— The Confederates under Price, 
 and M'Culloch are surprised, but prove victorious— Death of the 
 Federal General Lyon, and Promotion of General Fremont- 
 Misunderstanding between Southern Generals— Cruel Devasta- 
 tion of the Countiy by Federal Ti-oops— Character of Fremont 
 —Siege and Capture of Lexington by Price— Immense Booty . §^ 
 
CONTENTS. Vll 
 
 CHAPTER Vni. 
 
 TAQE 
 
 March to Leesburg — ^Fertility and Beauty of Loudon — We are sub- 
 jected to many Alarms, much Labour, and incessant Duty — 
 Cavaby lights — Perfidy of Northern Sympathizers — Infantry 
 Encounters — Marauding Parties of the Enemy cross Into Virginia 
 — Their Capture and Punishment^Artillery Duels — Heavy 
 Picket Ering — Movements of the Enemy, who mass heavy- 
 Forces, and endeavour to shell Xeesbnrg from their superior 
 Position. 101 
 
 CHAPTER rx. 
 
 Fortifications of the Enemy — General Banks at Harper's Ferry — 
 Cavalry Raids and Picket Guard on the Upper Potomac — The 
 little Town of "Waterford — Our Scouts in Maryland — Daring 
 of Ehjah White— Capture of M'Clellan's Orderhes . .111 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 .Position at Manassas — ^Ashby at Harper's Ferry — His Prepara- 
 tions for Attack — Our ArtiUery co-operate — ^Incidents of the 
 Fight — General M'Call leaves Drainsville, and threatens our 
 Retreat — Our alarming Position — To Goose Creek and back 
 again 127 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Yhat the Enemy did when our Forces had left Leesburg— Plots 
 of Union Traitors during our Absence— Threatened Approach 
 of the- Enemy from Drainsville upon our Right Flank— We 
 march out to the Attack, Sunday, October 20— Capture of a 
 Federal Courier— The Ruse discovered— Plans of Stone, Baker, 
 and Banks— Countermarch to the Feixy Road — Watching the 
 Eiver — SheU-firing by the Enemy — The Enemy cross in Force at 
 Ball's Bluff on Sunday Night, and at Edward's Ferry, Goose 
 
viii CONTENTS. 
 
 7AGS 
 
 Creek, and other Passages on Monday Moming-Detaas'of the 
 Battle of Leeshurg-General BaJ^er kiUed-Colonel Coggeswell 
 with 800 Men taken Prisoners-Great Slanghter-Victoiy of 
 the Confederate Porces-Retreat of the Enemy to Maiyland- 
 Our Keinforcemcnts arrive 
 
 CHAPTBB, Xn. 
 
 Effects of the Battle of Leesbnrg, or Ball's Bluff, on Public 
 Opinion in the Countiy, North and Sonth-The Yankees claim 
 a Victory as usual— General Stone arrested and sent to Fort 
 Wan-en— Remarkable Incidents of the War — A Fraternal 
 Rencontre- The Negroes with either Army— Humorons Inci- 
 dents— Evans is sent to defend his Native State, South 
 Carolina— General D. Hill assumes Command— Fortifications 
 are erected—We prepare for Winter Quarters . . . .153 
 
 CHAPTER Xin. 
 
 Winter Quai-ters— Amusements of the Men— Cock-fighting, Racing, 
 Snow-balling, Singing-clubs, &c.— I visit Richmond, and see the 
 Fortifications of Manassas en roa^e — Affectation of Military 
 Rank at the Capital— Gaiety of the Place— Solons out of Place 
 
 Much Wisdom thrown away— Scarcity and high Price of 
 
 Provisions — Commodores Lynch and Hollins — Major-General ' 
 Pryor 1^' 
 
 CHAPTER XrV. 
 
 The Battle of Belmont, on the Mississippi, described in a Letter from 
 a Friend — The Forces of General Pillow surpiised by Grant — 
 The Southern Troops narrowly escape a Defeat — Reinforcements 
 from General Polk and Columbus — ^Arrival of Polk on the Field 
 — The Federal Troops defeated and Spoils taken — Characters of 
 General Pillow and General Polk compared — Misrepresentations 
 of the Northern Press 169 
 
CONTENTS. ix 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 TAGE 
 
 "Winter Quavters continued — Scant Eations supplied to the Troops 
 — High Prices of Provisions and Clotliing resulting from the 
 Blockade — Sufferings of the Poor — Refugees from Kentucky — 
 True State of Public EeeUng there — ^Letter from a Friend, con- 
 taining an Account of the Opening of the Campaign in Kentucky 
 and Tennessee — Battle of Millsprings, January 1st, 1862 — 
 General Zollicoffer and most of his Staff killed — Surrender of 
 Port Donnelson, Eebruary 9th — Strange Conduct of General 
 Ployd 176 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Battle of "Elk Horn," Missouri, March 7, 1862— Incidents and 
 Sketches of the War in that State — Colonel Fremont superseded 
 in the Command of the Federals — General ,Van Dom — Our 
 Guerilla Horse — Broach of Parole by Northern Troops — 
 M'CuUoch and M'Intosh killed — Our Forces retire — The Loss 
 on either side 188 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 iJackson's Doings in the Shenandoah Valley — Character of this 
 General — Ashby's Cavalry Force — Heavy Marching — Bivouac 
 in the Snow — Ruse of Jackson and Captm-e of the Enemy's 
 Stores — Battle of Kearnstown, March 23rd — Scenes and Inci- 
 dents during the Fight — General Gamett accused as the Cause 
 of our Defeat 202 
 
 CHAPTER XVIU. 
 
 F'all of " Island No. 10," AprU 5th— Battle of Shilo, April 6th— 
 Capture of Guns — General Albert Sidney Johnstone killed — 
 The Battle resumed at Daybreak — The Enemy are reinforced 
 by Buel — The Confederate Army retreats — Great Loss — False 
 Eeports of the Federal Generals . . . • , .216 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 PAQE 
 
 Movements in Virginia, and Opening of the Campaign, April, 1862 
 — Troops begin to move on the Upper Potomac in March — 
 M'CleUan prepares to flank Manassas, by marching heavy 
 Masses up the Shenandoah Valley, and crossing the Mountains 
 at Snickersville — A general Ketreat is ordered by Johnson 
 — He retires to Culpepper Court-house, and makes his line 
 behind the Rappahannock— Euse of the Enemy, and Design 
 upon YorktOTvn — The Approach to Richmond in that Direction 
 is not so easy as conjectured by M'Clellan— Our "Lines" at 
 Yorktown — M'Clellan's Progress is stopped there — BaUoou 
 Reconnaissances of the Enemy — Artillery Assaults on our 
 Works — Great Distress amongst our Troops — Outpost Adven- 
 tures — Ambitious Generals — ^Attack on Dam No. 1 — ^Erightful 
 Destruction of Life — Horrible Neglect of the Wounded by the 
 Federals — A Texan in search of a Pair of Boots . . .230 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 Pall of New Orleans, April 24th — ^Preparations of Commodore 
 HoUins for the Defence — ^Bombardment of the Forts — Naval 
 Engagements — Destruction of Cotton — Evacuation of the City- 
 Possession taken by Commodore Farragut — Arrival of General 
 Butler — His brutal Attacks upon the Ladies of New Orleans 
 — Examples from his General Orders 257 
 
 CHAPTER XXt. 
 Of our Officers generally — ^Regimental Officers — Surgeons; and Par- 
 sons — Episcopalian Ministers — Roman Catholic Priests — Jesuits 
 on the Field of Battle 275 
 
 CHAPTER XXn. 
 Things at Yorktown Lines continued— We evacuate Yorktown 
 Lines— Battle of Williamsburg, May 5th— It is claimed, as ' 
 usual, by the Federals as a "Brilliant Victory "—Facts of the 
 Matter— We offer the Enemy Battle twice before entering our 
 Lines around Richmond, &c 281 
 
CONTENTS. xi 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Military Transactions in May — Our Army continues to fall tack 
 upon Richmond — I am despatched to the City with Prisoners — 
 Hospitality of the Virginian Farmers — ^News received en route — 
 Evacuation of Norfolk — Destruction of the Merrimac — The 
 Defences of Richmond — Treatment of Prisoners — Our Army 
 forms Line of Battle North of the Chickahominy — Position of 
 M'Clellan — I receive a Staff Appointment— Table Talk, &c. , 297 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Preparations for the Defence of Richmond in May — Operation of 
 the Conscript Law — Earthworks and other Defences designed 
 by Lee — Arrival of Federal Boats and Iron-clads — Works at 
 Drmy's Bluff — Immense Raft — Capture of Richmond antici- 
 pated — Position of the two Armies on the Chickahominy — 
 Number of Troops on either side^M'Clellan advances . .312 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Occurrences in the Shenandoah Valley — ^Battles of " Front Royal," 
 May 23 — Capture of Winchester and Thousands of Prisoners by 
 Jackson — ^Ront of Bank's Corps — Immense Booty . . . 324 
 
INTEODUCTION. 
 
 Althottgh the following narrative sufficiently explains 
 itself, and is replete with evidence of the author's 
 feeling, and of the point of view from which he has 
 regarded the fratricidal strife still raging in America, 
 it may be permitted him to remark in this place, that 
 -the impulse by which he was prompted in bearing 
 arms for the Southern cause was simply that inherent 
 love of liberty which animates every English heart. 
 "With all to lose and nought to gain in opposing the 
 tyranny of Federal rule, and with no legal or political 
 tie to North or South, he could not, in manhood, stand 
 idly by, and gaze upon the despotism which a blind and 
 fanatical majority sought to thrust upon an unoffending 
 and almost helpless minority. 
 
 Having travelled and resided long on the American 
 continent, carefully studying national characteristics, he 
 was not surprised by the inevitable disruption of the 
 Union, nor at any time unaware of the causes tending 
 'to that result. Rather his surprise has been that 
 Southerners should so long have refrained from rising 
 'in arms against the accumulated insults and injuries 
 
XIV INTRODUCTION. 
 
 which, for a long series of years, have been heaped 
 upon them. They would have been unworthy of their 
 origin, and must have shown themselves less than 
 men, had they longer submitted to the degradation of 
 being deprived of free speech and action amongst a 
 people whose prosperity had been fostered by their 
 industry, and whose history they had ennobled by 
 heroic deeds. 
 
 Apart from all untruthful bias, although serving in a 
 cause he enthusiastically espoused, the author has fol- 
 lowed the fortunes of Southern armies in this narrative 
 with an honest intention to present facts, uneolonred, 
 and exact in detail, so far as space would allow or 
 his position and facilities enabled him to obtain them. 
 Every statement he has made can be fully substantiated ; 
 he would esteem it unmanly, unsoldierly, and degrad- 
 ing to speak untruly of these events. 
 
 The real source of Northern rprosperity.has been mis- 
 understood; so, in the author's opinion, has the real 
 character of the Yankee people. The nasal-tonfid, 
 tobacco-chewing, and long-linibed gentleman of the 
 present day inhabiting the New England States, speaJss 
 the English language, it is true, in his own peculiar 
 Avay, but Indian, Canadian, Irislj, Dutch, Erench, and 
 other bloods, course through his veins ; and from his 
 extraordinary peculiarities of habit and character dis- 
 played in this present war, it is extremely difficult to 
 imagine which caste or shade predominates in him. 
 .He is a volatile, imaginative, superficial, theatrically- 
 inclined individual, possessing uncommon self-confidenGfj 
 and is very self-willed, arrogant, and boastful. His 
 
INTRODUCTION. SV 
 
 self-conceit is boundless: any one who disputes his 
 ideas is a fool. 
 
 The peculiarities of Yankee character displayed during 
 the present war are very amusing, but sometimes, it 
 must be confessed, very offensive. When General Scott 
 was in chief command at Washington, and promised to 
 " disperse the rebels within thirty days," the Northern 
 editors were lavish and servile in praise of " the 
 great chief ! " Columns upon columns of editorial 
 flattery daily issued from their journals. A thousand 
 anecdotes and incidents were narrated of him when a 
 precocious child, and, if remembered rightly, it was 
 said his first plaything was a cannon. M'Dowell, his 
 talented lieutenant, came in also for his share of praise, 
 although thousands asked, " Who is McDowell ? " When 
 the reports of the Washington Administrtttion claimed 
 a victory at Manassas, the whole nation vociferously 
 chaunted the praises of Scott and M'Dowell; but when 
 the truth leaked out the day following, not a newspaper 
 in .the whole country but vilified them both, calling the 
 first a stupid, ignorant old blockhead, and the latter a 
 -traitor. 
 
 Butler had appeared upon the scene some short time 
 before. sBeing from Massachusetts (where none are 
 found of course except men of extraordinary taleiits, 
 genius, veracity, and bravery), he was going forth from 
 Fortress Monroe to massacre or "bag" the entire 
 Confederate force at Littie Bethel. The press was in 
 ecstasies ; a swarm of reporters irepaired to head- 
 quarters, and Butler could not sneeze but the fact was 
 tdegraphed North as something very ominous, and 
 
xvi .INTRODUCTION. 
 
 presaging no good to the rebels. Magruder and Hill 
 whipped Mm completely in half an hour ; and thfe 
 press, as usual, poured out their vials of wrath, and 
 he was treated to all the derision and vilification of 
 an angry and disappointed populace. 
 
 M'Clellan next appeared in the arena, and the whole 
 country was awe-struck at the supposed magnitude of 
 his genius. None dared approach him save on tiptoe; 
 dead silence prevailed wherever he went; reporters 
 stretched their ears to catch the least word he utteredi 
 which, after being highly ornamented and rendered 
 very romantic, was blazoned forth to the North as the 
 " last " good thing of the " Young Napoleon." All 
 the world was supposed to be standing in breathless 
 curiosity to know " what was coming next ; " artists of 
 various illustrated journals sharpened their pencils, and 
 anxiously yearned to sketch the rapid succession of 
 victories which were promised to be forthcoming ; but 
 time jogged along, and even Northern journalists began 
 to grow weary of M'Clellan's inactivity. They had 
 fully exhausted all their store of flattery and praise, and 
 were now utterly fatigued with the task of fruitless and 
 never-ending laudation. 
 
 The "Young Napoleon" had been compared to 
 Alexander, Csesar, Hannibal, and Napoleon the Great; 
 but nothing in the history or character of those famous 
 leaders was considered fully adequate to the heaven- 
 born qualities of George B. M'Clellan. His eyeff, 
 hair, mouth, teeth, voice, manner, and apparel had 
 all been described in carefully prepared leaders; and 
 even his boots had something pertaining to their makfe 
 
INTEOD.UCTION. XVll. 
 
 and style indicative of the surpassing talents of the 
 wearer.* His servant was idolized, and nothing could, 
 be too good for him ; for it was thrbugh this important 
 functionary that a gaping and delighted public were 
 favoured with the last and latest anecdotes illustra- 
 tive of the great man, his master. Time went on, 
 and the " Young Napoleon " suffered a series of 
 defeats, not only fatal but humiliating.f Although 
 
 * The Washington Chronicle, June 22nd, furnishes us a case in poiflt. 
 ^-" The Infant Napoleon. — An incident which occurred in the city of 
 Philadelphia in the winter of 1826-7 is particularly worthy of record in 
 our present crisis, inasmuch as it relates to the early history of one who 
 fills a position commanding the attention and admiration of the world, 
 and particularly of our own country. I will premise by saying I was in 
 Philadelphia in the winter spoken of, attending medical lectures under 
 a distinguished surgeon, then a professor in one of the institutions of 
 the city. A son was born to our professor, and the event scai'cely trans- . 
 pired before the father announced it to his delighted pupils. Scales 
 were instantly brought from a neighbouring grocer. Into one dish he 
 placed the babe, into the other all the weights. The beam was raised,, 
 but the child moved not ! The father, emptying his pockets, threw in 
 his watch, coin, keys, knives, and lancets, but to no purpose — the little 
 hero could not be moved! He conquered everything! And, at last, 
 while adding more and more weight, the cord supporting the beam gave 
 way, and broke, rather than the giant infant would yield ! The father 
 was Dr. M'Clellan, and the son— General M'Clellan ! our young com- . 
 mander on the Potomac. The country will see a prophetic charm in 
 this incident. Truly, he was weighed in the balance and not found 
 ■wanting. May his present and future life stand the test as well ! Sur- 
 rounded as he is by traitors at home, while rampant rebellion is before 
 him, I hear him amidst the jealousy and envy of cavillers quietly pray- 
 ing with Job — ' Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may 
 know my integrity ! ' " — This beautiful incident of General M'Clellan's 
 youth was not written subsequent to the Week's Campaign before Eich- 
 mond, but at a, time when he was the great idol of the North, and had 
 much patronage within his gift. 
 
 t The following is the exceedingly modest address of M'Clellan after 
 his disastrous defeat. in the Seven Days' Campaign befpre Eichmond, 
 penned from his snug retreat at Harrison's Lauding, within a hundi-ed 
 yards of numerous gunboats :-t- {_"Iiead- 
 
xvni INTBODUCTION. 
 
 he attempted to conceal his disasters, the truth became 
 known at last, and the long pent-up expectation of the 
 
 " Head-quarters, Army of the Potomac, 
 " Harrison's Landing, July ith. 
 " Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac ! Your achieTements of tha 
 last ten days have illustrated the valour and endurance of the American 
 soldier. Attacked by superior forces, and without hope of reinforcements, 
 you have succeeded in changing your base by a flank movement, always^ 
 regarded as the most hazardous of military expedients. Tou have saved 
 all your material, all your trains, and all your guns, except a few lost in 
 battle, taking in return- guns and colours from the enemy (f). Upon 
 your, march you have been assailed day after day with desperate iury by 
 men of the same race and nation, skilfully massed and led. Under every 
 disadvantage of number, and necessarily of position also, you have ii 
 eyeiy conflict beaten back your foes with immense slaughter (!). Your 
 conduct ranks you among the celebrated armies of history. No one will' 
 now question that each of you may always with pride say, ' I belong to 
 the Army of the Potomac !' You have reached the new base, completes 
 in organization, and unimpaired in spirit. The enemy may at any time , 
 attack yon: we are prepared to meet them. J have personally established 
 your lines. Let them come, and we will convert their repulse into a 
 final defeat. Your 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 againsfc the best intentions of mankind, that this army 
 shall enter the capital of the so-caUed Confedei-acy, that ouj national 
 constitution shall prevail, and that the Union, which can alone insure 
 internal peace and external prosperity to each State, ' must and shall be 
 preserved,' cost what it may in time, treasure, and blood I 
 
 " Geo. B. M'Clbllan." 
 
 General Lee issued Order No. 75, after the Seven Days' Campaign 
 before Eichmond, which wonderfully contrasts with the above : — 
 
 " Sichmond, July 9th. 
 " On Thm-sday, June 26, the powerful and thoroughly-equipped army 
 of the enemy were entrenched in works, vast in extent and most for- 
 midable in character, within sight of our capital. To-day the remains 
 of that confident and threatening host lie on the banks of the James Eiver, 
 thirty miles iirom Richmond, seeking to recover, under the protection 
 of his gunboats, from the eflects of disastrous defeats. The battle, begin- 
 ning on the afternoon of June 26th, above Mechanicsville, continued 
 until the night of July 1st, with only such intervals as were necessary to 
 
INTEODUCTION. xix 
 
 Northern press bm-sf forth m a torrent of abuse. The 
 English language being incapable of illustrating their 
 
 pursue and overtake the flying foe. His strong entrenchments and 
 obstinate resistance were overcome, and our army swept resistlessly down 
 the north side of the Chickahominy untU it reached the rear of the enemy, 
 and broke his communication with York Eiver, capturing or causing the 
 destruction of many valuable stores, and, by the decisive i battle of 
 Friday, forcing the enemy ftom his line of powerful fortifications on the 
 south side of-the Chickahominy, and driving him to a precipitate retreat. 
 Our victorious anny pursued as rapidly as the obstructions placed by the , 
 enemy in his rear .would permit, three times overtaking his flying columns, 
 and as often driving him with slaughter from the field, leaving his 
 numerous dead and wounded in our hands in every conflict. The im- 
 mediate fruits of our success are the relief of Richmond from a state of 
 siege, the rout of the great army which has so long menaced its safety, 
 many thousands of prisoners, including officers of high rank, the capture 
 or destruction of stores to the value of millions, and the acquisition of 
 thousands of arms, and over fifty pieces of superior artillery. The service 
 rendered to the country in this short but eventful period can scarcely be 
 estimated, and the general commanding cannot adequately express his 
 admiration of the courage, endurance, and soldierly conduct of the 
 officers and men engaged. Those brilliant results have cost us many 
 brave men, but while we mourn the loss of our gallant dead, let us not 
 forget that they died in defence of their country's freedom, and have 
 linked their memory with an event that wUl live for ever in the hearts 
 of a grateful people. Soldiers, your country will thank you for the 
 heroic conduct worthy of men engaged in a cause so just and sacred, and 
 deserving a nation's gratitude and praise. 
 
 " By order of General Lee, 
 "B. H.. Chilton, Assistant Adjutant-General." 
 
 The following is the address of President Davis to the Army after 
 the battles before Richmond: — "I congratulate you on the series of 
 brilliant victories which, under Divine Providence, you have lately won, 
 and as President of the Confederate States do heartily tender to you the 
 thanks of our country, whose just cause you have so skilfully and 
 heroically serve^. Ten days ago an invading army, vastly superior to 
 you in numbers and in the material of war, closely beleaguered your 
 capital, and vauntingly proclaimed its- speedy conquest. Tou marched 
 to attack the enemy in his entrenchments. With well-directed move- 
 ments and death-dealing valom- you charged upon him in his strong 
 position, drove him from field to field over a distance of thirty-five miles. 
 
XX INTEODUCTION. 
 
 feelings, new epithets were invented to denote their 
 accnmulated contempt and scorn for the " Young Napo- 
 leon."* Yankee character delights in extremes: it is 
 all adulation or all abuse. 
 
 Fremont, who once ran for President of the United 
 States, had also experienced the changeful feeling of the 
 Northern masses, and bore their strictures, we are told, 
 with but little grace. When appointed to command the 
 forces in Missouri, the newspapers, as usual, were literally 
 crammed with sketches, anecdotes, and illusti-ations of 
 the "great Pathfinder." Nothing too absurd could be' 
 
 and, despite his reinforcements, compelled him to seek shelter under 
 cover of his gunboats, whei'e he now lies cowering before the army so 
 lately derided and threatened with entire subjugation. The fortitudes 
 with which you have borne toil and privation, the gallantry with which j 
 you have entered into each successive battle, must have been , witnessed! 
 to be fully appreciated ; but a grateful people will not fail to recognize 
 yon, and to bear you in loved remembrance. Well may it be said of yon 
 that you have done enough for glory ; but duty to a suffering country,;; 
 and to the cause of constitutional liberty, claims from you yet further: 
 effort. Let it be your pride to relax in nothing which can promote your 
 future efficiency, your one grand object being to drive the invader from 
 your soil, and, carrying your standai'ds beyond the outer boundaries of 
 the Confederacy, to wring from an unscrupulous enemy the recognitiou.' 
 of your birthright — community and independence ! 
 
 " (Signed) , Jeffeeson Davis." 
 
 * I have frequently heard distinguished Southern leaders speak' of 
 M'Clellan in the highest terms of compliment. His successfiil retreat ■ 
 through the Chictahominy swamp, is considered by officers to be equal; 
 to the best deeds on military record. 
 
 It may not be generally known, but men of high position and great ■ 
 veracity have said in Richmond that M'Clellan offered his services to 
 the South when the war began, and that he asked to command a division, . 
 He was answered that, if his heart was in the cause let him join^ th« 
 ranks like Longstreet and others, and fight his way up to that position. 
 There are documents which put this question beyond dispute, but I 
 have not seen thorn. 
 
INTRODUCTION. xxi 
 
 said in his favour ; all the river cities of Missouri were 
 preparing grand receptions for him; Dutch lager-bier 
 brewers were laying in large stocks to meet the forth- 
 coming demand: for, on Fremont's arrival, the land 
 was expected to flow with milk and honey. Fremont 
 was called " the coming man," " the great unknown," 
 "the master-mind;" in truth, he was extolled and 
 looked upon as a demigod. St. Louis and-the West 
 ran riot with delight. Dutch cheese, Dutch beer, 
 Dutch bands, Dutch everything was the order of the 
 day, and delightful guttural Dutch was the language 
 of Fremont's embryo court held with mock state in 
 Choteau-avenue. The "ragged" Confederates, how- 
 ever, put a sudden stop to the round of conviviality 
 and expense in which he indulged. Disaster attended 
 the Federal army in the West, and Fremont sank low 
 in the opinion of even his former admirers. He was 
 suddenly removed, and the Northern newspapers turned 
 against him. 
 
 What had become of John Pope, late Commander- 
 in-Chief of the army of Virginia, was matter of 
 speculation among all classes ; but, from the fear- 
 ful clamour raised throughout the North regarding 
 his late series of brilliant defeats, it was considered 
 possible that he had been sent on a reconnoitring- 
 expedition among those mountains where, as his de- 
 spatches stated, he had driven poor Stonewall Jack- 
 
 * Eegarding this great chieftain (Pope, not Jackson), his doings and 
 his antecedents, it may not he improper to place upon record the f ollow- 
 
 TOL. I, 
 
Xxii INTEODTJCTION. 
 
 exiled him among the Indians of the North-west, where 
 he might practise the art of war without sacrificiDig 
 
 ing historical documents. He thus addressed the army of Virginia on 
 assuming command : — 
 
 " To the Officers and Soldiers of the Army of Virginia !— By special 
 assignment of the President of the United States, I have assumed com- 
 mand of this army. I have spent two weeks in learning your where- 
 abouts, your condition, and your wants, in preparing you for active 
 operations, qjjd in placing you in position from which you can act 
 - promptly and to the purpose. I have come to you from the West, where 
 we have always seen the backs of our enemies — &om an army whose 
 business it ha? been to seek the adversary, and to beat him when fonndf-c 
 whose policy has been attack, and not defence I In but one instance has 
 the enemy been able to place our Western armies in a defensive attitude 
 I presume that I have been called here to pursue the same system, and 
 to lead you against the enemy. It is laj purpose to do so, and that 
 speedily! I am sure you long for an opportunity to win the distinction, 
 you are so capahle of achieving : that opportunity I shall endeavour to 
 give you," &c. 
 
 A Northern authority, speaking of the depravity of Pope's troops 
 in Virginia, writes:— 
 
 " The new usage which has been instituted in regard to proteo 
 tion of rebel property, and the purpose of the Government to subsist 
 £he army as far as practicable upon the enemy's country, has produced 
 a decided revolution in the feelings and practices of the soldiery, and 
 one which seems to me to be regretted. Unless these innovations are 
 guarded by far more stringent saf eguai-ds against irregular and unau- 
 thorized plundering, we shall have let loose upon the country, at the 
 close of the war, a toiTent of unbridled and unscrupulous robbers. Eapid 
 strides towards villany have been made during the last few weeks; men 
 who at home would have shuddered at the saggestion of toucMng 
 another's property, now appropriate remorselessly whatever comes 
 within their reach. Thieving, they imagine, has now become an autho- 
 rized practice; and under the show of subsisting themselves, chickenS) 
 turkeys, hams, and corn, have become lawful plunder, with no disciimi- 
 nation as to the character or circumstances of the original owner, I 
 blush when I state, that on the march through a section of counby, 
 every spring-house is broken open, and butter, milk, eggs, and ham are 
 engulfed before the place is reached by the main body; and it does not 
 seem to matter if such articles are the only stock and store of the poor 
 inhabitants. Calves and sheep, and, in fact, anything and everyiiing 
 serviceable for meat or driuk, or apparel, are not safe a moment after 
 
INTEODUCTION. xxiii 
 
 from five to ten thousand men at every exhibition of 
 his genius. M'Dowell, Porter, and many old officers, 
 
 the approach of our army; even things apparently useless are snatched 
 up, because, it would seem, many men love to steal." 
 
 Begarding his attack upon Jackson's corps, and his repulse, he' 
 wrote: — 
 
 " Manassas Junction, August 2Sth, 10 p.m. 
 
 " As soon as I discovered that a large force of the enemy were turning 
 our right towards Manassas, and that the division I had ordered to take 
 post there two days before had not yet arrived from Alexandria, I im- 
 mediately broke up my camps at Warrenton Junction and Warrenton, 
 and marched rapidly back in three columns. 
 
 " I directed M'Dowell, with his own and Sigel's corps, to march upon 
 Gainsville by the Warrenton and Alexandria turnpike ; Eeno and one 
 division of Heinzleman to march on Greenwich, and with Porter's corps 
 and Hooker's division, I marched back to Manassas Junction. 
 
 " M'Dowell was ordered to interpose between the forces of the enemy 
 which had passed down to Manassas through Gainsville, and his main 
 body moving down from "White Plains through Thoroughfare Gap. 
 This was completely accomplished, Longstreet, who had passed through 
 the Gap, being driven back to the west side (.'.'/) 
 
 " The forces to Greenwich were designed to support M'Dowell in case 
 he met too large a force of the enemy. The division of Hooker, marching 
 towards Manassas, came upon the enemy near Kettle Run, on the after- 
 noon of the 27th, and after a sharp action, routed them completely, 
 killing and wounding three hundred, capturing camps, baggage, and 
 many stand of arms (!) 
 
 "This morning (28th) the command pushed rapidly to Manassas 
 Junction, which Jackson had evacuated three hours before. He re- 
 treated by Centrcville, and took the turnpike towards Warrenton. He 
 was met six miles west of Centrcville by M'Dowell and Sigel late this 
 afternoon. A severe fight took place, which was terminated by darkness. 
 The enemy was driven hack at all points, and thus the affair rests. 
 
 " Heinzleman's corps vrill move on him at daylight from Centrcville, 
 and I do not see how the enemy is to escape without heavy loss. We 
 have captured one thousand prisoners, many arms, and one piece of 
 ariiUery. 
 
 "John 'SovE,,Major-GeneTal." 
 
 Pope's reputation for truth is now so well known to friend and foe, 
 and his despatches are so unique in every particular, that I refram from 
 any comments. Although "Longstreet, who had passed through the Gap, 
 
XXIV INTRODUCTION. 
 
 who had been accused of "treason" by this great and 
 veracious Incapable, were said to be temporarily de- 
 
 had been driven back," Pope met both Jackson and Longstreet on the 
 following day, and thus speaks of the result of the fighting on the 29th 
 in the following "sensational" telegraphic despatch, penned on the 
 morning of the 30th, which was read with uproarious delight by millions 
 at the North, at the very moment, perhaps, when Lee was giving him 
 his quietus: — 
 
 " Head-quarters, Grovetown, August 30th. 
 "We fought a terrific battle here yesterday with the combined 
 forces of the enemy, which lasted with continuous fmy from daylight 
 until dark, by which time the enemy were driven from the field which 
 wo now occupy. Our troops are too much oxhaijsted to push matters; 
 but I shall do so in the course of the morning, as soon as Ktzjohn 
 Porter's corps comes up from Manassas. The enemy is still in front, 
 but badly used. We have not less than 8,000 men killed and wounded^;; 
 and from the appearance of the field, the enemy has lost two to our one. 
 He stood strictly on the defensive, and every assault was made by our- 
 selves. Our troops have behaved splendidly. The battle was fough^ 
 on the identical battle-field of Bull Run, which greatly increased the' 
 enthusiasm of our men. The news has just reached me from the front, 
 that the enemy is retreating towards the mountains. I at once pushed 
 forward a reconnoitring party to ascertain this. We have made great 
 captures, but I am not yet able to form an idea of their extent 
 
 "John Pope, Major-Generd. 
 
 General Lee's despatch to President Davis regarding the Battle of 
 Manassas throws light upon Pope's falsehoods: — 
 
 "Head-quarters, Grovetown, Aug. SOth, Wp.m. 
 "The army achieved to-day, on the plains of Manassas, a signal 
 victoiy over the combined forces of Generals M'Clellan and Pope. Oa 
 the 28th and 29th each wing, under Jackson and Longstreet, repulsed 
 with vigour attacks made upon them separately. We mourn the loss of 
 our gallant dead in every conflict, yet our gratitude to Almighty God for 
 His mercies rises higher each day. To Him, and to the valour of out 
 troops, a nation's gratitude is due. 
 
 " (Signed) Eobeet E. Lee." 
 
 Pope had attained a place in history as a great falsifier long before 
 assuming command of the Army of Virginia, as documents regarding 
 his operations in the West fully demonstrate. 
 
 [Respcctins 
 
INTEODITCTION. XXV 
 
 prived of their commands, and enjoying whisky-and- 
 water among tlie anti- Administration party of New York. 
 
 Eespecting Beauregard's retreat from Corinth, General Halleck 
 thus telegraphed to Washington, on the strength of Pope's reports: — 
 
 " Head-quarters, June 4, 1862. 
 
 " General Pope, with 40,000 men, is thirty miles south of Corinth, 
 pushing the enemy hard. He already reports 10,000 prisoners and 
 deserters from the enemy, and 1 5,000 stand of arms captured. 
 
 " Thousands of the enemy are throwing away their arms. A farmer 
 says, that wlien Beauregard learned that Colonel Elliot had cut the 
 railroad on his line of retreat he became frantic, and told his men to 
 save themselves the best way they could. 
 
 " We have captured nine locomotives and a number of cars. One 
 of the former is already repaired, and is running to-day. Several more 
 will be in running order in two or three days. ■ The result is all I could 
 possibly desire. 
 
 " H. W. Halleck, Major-General Commanding." 
 
 General Beauregard's comments on the above, published in tlie 
 Mobile Register, were to the following effect: — 
 
 "Head-quarters, Western Department, June 17. 
 
 " Gentlemen, — ^My attention has just been called to the despatch of 
 Major-General Halleck, commanding the enemy's forces, which, coming 
 , ti-om such a source, is.most remarkable in one respect — that it contains 
 as many misrepresentations as lines. 
 
 "General Pope did not 'push hard' upon me with 40,000 men 
 thirty miles from Corinth on the 4th inst., for my troops occupied a 
 defensive line in the rear of ' Twenty Mile Creek,' less than twenty- 
 five miles from Corinth, until the 8th inst., when the want of good water 
 induced me to retire at my leisure to a better position. Moreover, if 
 General Pope had attempted, at any time during the retreat from 
 Corinth, to push hard upon me, I would have given him such a lesson 
 as would have checked his ardour ; but he was careful to advance on 
 after my troops had retired from each successive position. 
 
 " The retreat was conducted with great order and precision, doing 
 much credit to the ofBcers and men under my orders, and must be 
 looked upon, in . every respect, by the country as equivalent to a 
 brilliant victory. 
 
 " General Pope. must certainly have dreamed of having taken 10,000 
 prisoners and 15,000 stand of arms ; for we positively never lost them. 
 About 100 or 200 stragglers would probably cover all the prisoners he 
 
XXVI INTIiODUCTiaN. 
 
 While the Yankee is extremely bitter towards un- 
 successful men, and ungenerously visits upon them 
 
 took, and abont 500 damaged muskets is all the arms he got. These 
 belonged to a convalescent camp, four miles south of Corinth, evacuated 
 during the night, and were overlooked on account of the darkness. The 
 actual number of prisoners taken during the retreat was about equal on 
 both sides, and they were but few. 
 
 "Major-General Halleck must be a very credulous man, indeed, to 
 believe the absurd story of ' that farmer.' He ought to know that the 
 burning of two or more cars on a railroad is not sufficient to make 
 ' Beauregard fi-antio ' and ridiculous, especially when I expected every 
 moment to hear of the capture of the marauding party, whose depar- 
 ture &om Farmington had been' comjnunicated to me the day before, and 
 I had given, in consequence, all necessary orders; but a part of my forces 
 passed Boonville an hour before the arrival of Colonel Elliot's com- 
 mand, and the other part arrived just in time to drive it away and 
 liberate the convalescents captured ; unfortunately, however, not in time 
 to save four of the sick, who were barbarously consumed in the station- - 
 house. Let Colonel Elliot's name descend to infamy as the author of 
 such a revolting deed. General Halleck did not capture nine locomotives| 
 It was only by the accidental destruction of a bridge, before some trains 
 had passed, that he got seven engines in a damaged condition, the cars 
 having been burned by my orders. 
 
 " It is, in fact, easy to see how little the enemy respect truth and 
 justice when speaking of their militaiy operations, especially when, 
 through inability or over confidence, they meet with deserved failure. 
 
 "If the result be all he desired, it can be said that Major-General 
 Halleck is easily satisfied; it remains to be seen whether his Government 
 and people will be of the like opinion. 
 
 " I attest that all we lost at Corinth and during the retreat would not 
 amount to one day's expense of his army. 
 
 " G. T. Beabeegaed." 
 
 To complete these documents, an able Northern vrriter thus speaks of 
 Corinth and its evacuation: — 
 
 " The fortifications about Corinth are plain, ordinary entrenchments, 
 constructed of earth and logs, not elaborate or expensive, hardly first- 
 rate, about, six miles in length. They are not superior to any of ours 
 thrown up in a couple of days, and not equal in strength and science to 
 those of our right wing. To speak the truth, they are precisely such as 
 a great army, advancing, retreating, or remaining in the facfr of an equal 
 f 00, would throw up in a night. I was immensely disappointed in them. 
 
INTKODTJCTION. xxvil 
 
 all manner of contumely and disgrace, he is equally 
 unjust to those in subordinate commands who betray 
 
 I hare really got up in the morning, eaten my three meals, and gone to 
 bed again, for the last month, in unutterable awe of these Gibralto-Sebas- 
 topolian fortifications of the enemy at Corinth. I walked round about 
 them to-day, marking well their bulwarks, telling the towers thereof till 
 my sides were sore with merriment and my lips sore with chagrin. 
 With the single exception of the abattis of fallen trees, 500 yards wide 
 in front of them, there is pothing under heaven about the fortifications 
 at Corinth — their situation, style, or strength — more than the most 
 ordinary and temporary fortifications possess. 
 
 " I went all over the l^te tented field of the enemy — all over the 
 fortifications — all over the town — tallced with the frank druggist and 
 the sturdy Irishman that had worked upon the railroad. And so do I 
 write what I saw in grief, mortification, chagrin, and shame. I said 
 yesterday, ' I'll write no more ; others may ; I can't. Patriotism will 
 not let me write what I have seen and can swear to.' When I write 
 such words as I am sometimes compelled to, if I write at all, I am afiraid 
 lest, in exposing military imbecility, I shall wound and damage our 
 beautiful commonwealth that struggles so tremendously for existence 
 and perpetuity. 
 
 " But I do religiously believe that it is best now for the common- 
 wealth to hear and heed what is bitter, undisputed fact— the Confederate 
 strategy since the Battle of Shiloh has been as successful as it has been 
 superior. Taking the enemy's stand-point, and writing when and where 
 I do, I cannot possibly imagine how it could have been more eminent 
 for perfection and success. Taking our stand-point, the stand-point of 
 the Union's hopes and Halleck's fame, I cannot possibly imagine how it 
 could have been more mortifyingly disastrous. If the attack at Shiloh 
 was a surprise to General Grant, the evacuation of Corinth was no less 
 a surprise to General Halleck. If the one mined Grant, the other has 
 laid out in pallid death the mUitary name and fame of Majoi>General 
 Halleck. 
 
 •l.The druggist says he was two weeks getting away. But aside 
 from such testimony, could the army of Beauregard be removed so 
 cleanly, and completely, and noiselessly during a night, or day and 
 night, or two days and two nights ? Did it require the tremendous 
 concussion of the magazine explosion to get into our ears what we 
 would not get into our eyes — the evacuation ? Why, that was the final 
 act of the mortifying drama. On Friday morning we went in. The 
 prisoners that we captured amounted to about 400. Tour hundred ! 
 Even the beggarly picket regiments and light artillery that fought us so 
 
xxvill INTKODUCTIOK. 
 
 tokens of ability and success ; particularly if they are 
 so unfortunate as to entertain political opinions contrary 
 to those of the Administration, It matters not what 
 ability an officer may possess; if he is not politically 
 identified with his masters, promotion is denied, and the 
 press so effectually gagged that no word of commen- 
 dation may escape it. Sigel,* Stui'ges, Grant, Buel, 
 
 toldly, got away. Those that we caught declare that they were kept in 
 ignorance of the movements at Corinth, and were as much surprised at 
 the eyacuation as ourselves. Corinth has been searched in vain for a 
 spiked or disabled gun. Shame on us, what a clean piece of evacuation 
 it was ! 
 
 "Never shall I forget the pertinacity with which that long lean line 
 of Confederate pickets, backed, perchance, by some 5,000 muskets and 
 a few six-pounders, disputed every inch of our advance, while the vast, 
 imposing host behind them — leaders, stores, cannon, commissaries, 
 knapsacks, shoe-strings, tooth-picks, and all — quietly and leisurely flowed 
 away from its entrenchments. I haven't seen the telegram that the 
 Censor sent you. Surely it concluded with the stereotyped encourage- 
 ment, ' Our cavalry in hot pursuit of the flying enemy.' At this writ- 
 ing there are no results from the ' pursuit.' I prophesied a fight 
 at Corinth, and believed there would be down to the moment that I 
 heard the magazines explode. Beauregard fooled me. I am not much 
 ashamed at that. I am no strategist. I am no scout or spy, and 
 employ none. It is my business to record the doings of the National 
 rather thaathe Confederate army. General Beauregard fooled, hood- 
 winked, outwitted General Halleck. I am ashamed of that. I winced 
 under it as much as if General Beauregard had spit in General HaUeck's 
 face — oh, more, of course ! I am speaking the unvarnished, the nnpalat* 
 able truth. My eyes are writing what they saw, my ears what they hay6 
 heard, my conscience what it believes. And to say the galling fact, there 
 isnothingherebntchagrin and shame, disappointment and disapprobation 
 over these empty entrenchments, this bootless, bloodless occupation of 
 Corinth. Better for General Halleck that he had remained in St. Louis, 
 or had never been born, than to have taken the field." 
 
 * Major-General Fi-anz Sigel has proved himself an excellent soldier; 
 and if he had been untrammelled by those in power, or given a distinct 
 command away from Fremont and other incapables, he would have 
 made a great name for himself long ere this. He was bom in Baden in 
 1824, and graduated with much honour in the military college of Carls- 
 
INTRODUCTION. xxix 
 
 Eosecranzj and others, who have displayed traits of 
 genius under adverse circumstances, have never been 
 called to chief command, simply because they were 
 foreigners, or opposed to the dominant party in politics. 
 Men of ability, without politicians to assist them, can 
 never expect to rise ; and if it were known to-morrow 
 that a foreigner was in the ranks capable of guiding the 
 destinies of the nation, he might remain there in obscu- 
 rity, and the continent be reduced to anarchy, ere 
 Northern pride would succumb to be led by any one 
 who was not born on the soil. 
 
 The Yankee proper hates all foreigners, when any- 
 thing is to be gaine4 or given away. It is conceded, 
 indeed, that Europeans are serviceable as food for powder, 
 and great pains are taken to keep up a plentiful supply 
 of this food by numerous agents, who are busily engaged 
 for this purpose in Europe. But, although they cannot 
 deny that the foreign element has been the stepping-stone ' 
 
 itihe ; and, in 1847, was considered one of the ablest artillerists in 
 Europe. When the revolution broke out in Germany, he thi'ew up his 
 command and joined the insurgents. At one time he was in command 
 of the insurgent army, and successfully retreated with 30,000, despite 
 all the traps and snares laid for him by an army of 80,000. His general- 
 ship drew forth praise from some of the best soldiers in Europe. When 
 the rebellion was crushed, Sigol emigi'ated to America, and settled in 
 St. Louis, marrying the daughter of a gentleman in whose academy he 
 taught. When the present war broke out, he received command of the 
 2nd Missouri Volunteers, and was soon appointed brigadier. He served 
 with distinction under Lyon, Eremont, and Curtis. He was removed 
 from Missouri, and appointed to command the 12th Army Corps under 
 Pope, in Virginia, and has greatly distinguished himself. Although 
 much sneered at by those in the Eederal army, and subjected on all 
 occasions to many slights and annoyances, Sigel is a much better 
 general than many who have been his superiors in command, and could 
 do more with a division than half-ardozen men such as General Pope, o 
 
XXS INTRODUCTION. 
 
 to all their past prosperity, and that it has proved, itself 
 superior to native blood upon every battle-field, they 
 will unblnshingly protest on all occasions that '^we 
 Americans" are the great rulers and master-minds, 
 capable of achieving anything and everythmg of which 
 a mortal man might dream. Poor unfortunate foreigners 
 may sweat and toil, and fight or bleed for them ; but, 
 were the war to cease to-morrow, hundreds would be 
 again shot down in the public streets, as happened in 
 Louisville and Baltimore : and ,'for no other reason, 
 perhaps, save that they dare to think for themselves in 
 the use of the suffirage. 
 
 In the appointment and dismissal of their generals, 
 the constant practice of the North has made them 
 ridiculous alike to Southerners and to all Europe. 
 A man is called to command because a political factioii 
 admires or thinks him capable; though, probably, he has 
 no notion of the duties of an officer. Every new ap- 
 pointment serves to create a "sensation," and, for a 
 time, it appeases the clamour of the press. The newly- 
 fledged commander, however modest he may naturally 
 be, finds himself instantly transformed into a genius, 
 and the eyes of the nation are fixed upon him in 
 ecstatic hope. Something in his eye betrays vast 
 penetration, if not positive knowledge, of the futm'e ; 
 his walk may be slow — he is a studious, loiig-headed 
 man, and all will be well; his step may be quick and 
 elastic — a sure sign of brilliancy and activity. If his 
 speech is loud, he was born to command; if soft, he 
 is dealing in mysteries. It matters not, indeed, what 
 ie is, or might have been, or what he has or has not 
 
INTRODUCTION. xxxi 
 
 done — he is a new man, and an untried one. He has 
 many things in his gift, and is quickly flattered out of 
 them by crowds of sycophants, who care not a jot who 
 rules, amid the rack and ruin of the times, so that they 
 themselves, have secured something from the national 
 plunder. 
 
 If the genius of the hour proves unsuccessful, he is 
 immediately kicked from high places, and sinks into 
 deeper obscurity than he had known before. No in- 
 quiries are instituted to ascertain how much he might 
 iave been to blame, and whether the disgrace has been 
 caused by himself or his more culpable subordinates ; it 
 is suflBcient that he has been unsuccessful. The Yankee 
 demands success : it is the master passion of his life ; 
 if he cannot obtain a whole victory, he is willmg to 
 purchase half a one at any cost. Northern victories 
 have been frequent on paper; but these, he is fully 
 aware, are not sufficient to gratify European tastes, 
 however much they may delight and comfort excitable 
 and inflated Northerners. 
 
 The pride and self-love of the North are so extra- 
 vagant, that the bare idea of defeat in any undertaking 
 is hurtful and humiliating. They think themselves 
 born to unpreced^ted renown; and it is a foregone 
 conclusion, that no nation ever did, or ever can, approach 
 them^ in those talentS with which they suppose them- 
 selves to be transcendently endowed. In machinery 
 of all -classes, in ship and boat building, in railways, 
 telegraphs, cities, in energy and success, other nations of 
 the world are supposed to be infinitely their inferiors. 
 And, as to fighting on land or water! they firmly 
 believe tliat one Yankee is worth any six "Britishers." 
 
SXXU INTEODUCTIOK. 
 
 In truth, the Yankee proper has hitherto thought, or 
 been taught to believe, that the nations of Europe are 
 seized with fear and trembling whenever an American 
 stump-orator rises to speak. 
 
 Not long before tlie present war began, Yankee 
 programmes of future operations in the Eastern and 
 Western hemispheres were freely circulated and dis- 
 cussed ; and the preposterous magnitude of them would 
 have excited smiles of compassion in any but the in- 
 flated petty politicians of New England. The whole 
 country, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, was 
 theirs; England was to be deprived of the CanadaSj 
 and American emissaries were already there laying 
 plans for any expected , or presupposed uprising of the 
 people. England, of course, could do nothing in the 
 matter. It was known that she was much averse to 
 any American quarrel — in fact, feared it : and, should 
 she dare to lift a hand in defence of her possessions, a 
 fortnight would be ' all-sufScient to "clean out" the 
 whole British empire, east and west. Ireland was to 
 be made a republic, with Thomas Francis Meagher as 
 president. England was also to be revolutionized, : and 
 Brown, Williams, or Jones placed in the presidential 
 chair. France was next on the list : Louis Napoleon 
 was to be deposed, and the country partitioned. If 
 Ledru Rollin or Louis Blanc were unwilling to take 
 charge of affairs, the empire should be offered as a gift 
 to their particular friend the Emperor of Russia, as a 
 token of commiseration for the injustice done him hy 
 the Western Powers. All the petty German kings 
 and princes were to be sent to the right about; the 
 Sultan was to be thrown into the Bosphorus, and 
 
INTRODUCTION. xxxill 
 
 his lands settled by Russian peasants or free negroes. 
 Mexico was to be appropriated, and all Central America 
 with it ; Cuba, of course, was to be annexed ; and many- 
 predicted that few months would elapse ere the Stars 
 and Stripes should float over the walls of Moro Castle ! 
 The West India, Bahama, and all other islands were to 
 be appendages to the American Republic; and if no 
 other use could be made of them, they were to be con- 
 vert#i into coaling stations for the omnipotent Yankee 
 navy, rather than that the detested banner of Old England 
 should wave over any portion of territory in the Atlantic 
 Ocean. From the Equator to the North Pole, and from 
 the Canaries to the Sandwich Islands, no spot of earth 
 was to be nnder any rule save the sway of the omni- 
 potent Yankee ; who, complacently picking his teeth on 
 top of the Rocky Mountains, might at one view take in 
 half the world, and call it his own. 
 
 This is scarcely an exaggeration of the wild dream of 
 universal empire which haunted the brain of the excit- 
 able and self-sufficient Yankee. But the intoxicating 
 idea was rudely disturbed ; though not by any aggressive 
 power desirous of forestalling Northern ambition by a 
 similar career of conquest and domination.* When 
 
 * Even in this struggle, and towards the border States, Soutlieru 
 leaders have shown no desire to act aggressively- The following was 
 General Lee's address to the people of Maryland on entering their 
 territory: — 
 
 " Head-quarters, Army of Northern Virginia, 
 
 "Near Frederick, Mmday, Sept. 8th, 1862. 
 " To THE People of Maetlandj 
 " It is right that you should know the purpose that has brought the 
 army under my command within the limits of your State, so far as 
 
xxxiv INTEODUCTION. 
 
 hostilities began, the Southerners were comparatively 
 helpless for all purposes of war ; their resources were 
 inconsiderahle, and but little of the materiel of war 
 was at their command, save brave hearts and willing 
 hands. Yet one short year had not elapsed ere this 
 
 that purpose concerns yourselves. The people of the Confederate 
 States have long watched with the deepest sympathy the ■HTonga and 
 outrages that have been inflicted upon the citizens of a commonwealth 
 allied to the States of the South by the strongest social, political and 
 commercial ties, and reduced to the condition of a conquered province. 
 Under the pretence of supporting the Constitution, but in violation of 
 its most valuable provisions, your citizens have been arrested and im- 
 prisoned, upon no charge, and contrary to all the forms of law. A 
 faithful and manly protest against this outrage, made by an iUnstrions 
 Maiylander, to whom, in better days, no citizen appealed for right in 
 vain, was treated with contempt and scorn. The Grovemment ot your 
 chief city has been usurped by armed strangers; your Legislature has 
 been dissolved by the unlawful arrest of its members ; freedom of 
 speech and of the press has been suppressed; words have been declared 
 offences by an arbitrary decree of the Federal Executive, and citizens 
 ordered to be tried by military commissions for what they may dare to 
 speak. 
 
 " Believing that the people of Maryland possess a spirit too lo% to 
 submit to such a Goverimient, the people of the South have long wished 
 to aid you in throwing off this foreign yoke, to enable yon again to 
 enjoy the inalienable rights of freemen, and restore the independence 
 and sovereignty of your State. In obedience to this wish, our army 
 has come among you, and is prepared to assist you with the power of 
 its arms in regaining the rights of which you have been so unjustly 
 despoiled. This, citizens of Maiyland, is our mission, so far as you are 
 concerned. No restraint upon your free-will is intended; no intimidar 
 tion wiU be allowed within the limits of this anny, at least Maiy- 
 landers shall once more enjoy their ancient freedom of thought and 
 speech. We know no enemies among you, and will protect all of yon, 
 in every opinion. It is for you to decide yom- destiny, freely and withont 
 constraint. This army will respect your choice, whatever it may be ; 
 and while the Southern people will rejoice to welcome you to yonr 
 natural position among them, they will only -welcome you when yon 
 come of your own free-wiU. 
 
 " R. E. Lbe, General Commanding." 
 
INTRODUCTION. xxxv 
 
 heroic people stood before the world resolute to defend 
 their idependence, armed with the spoils of victories 
 in many a hard-fought battle-field. The valour and 
 triumphs of the South by land and sea, under the 
 most adverse circumstances, are recorded in these 
 volumes. No people, no nation has struggled more 
 manfully for freedom ; and could England truly know 
 the privations, sufferings, and patriotic self-sacrifice of 
 the women and children in that far distant land, com- 
 passion would assume some material form to relieve 
 the necessities of these descendants of her ancient and 
 noble emigrants. 
 
 Yet the South is just as far from subjugation as 
 when the strife began, despite the almost superhuman 
 exertions of her enemies ; and there is little doubt but 
 that she will ere long claim recognition from the 
 European Powers as an independent nation. 
 
BATTLE-EIELDS OF TEE SOUTH. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 First Acts of Secession — Measures of the Southern Leaders — Major 
 Anderson and Fort Sumpter — Southern Preparations for War — 
 Drilling of Volunteers — Preparing to march — Patriotic Spirit of the 
 South — Journey by Itail — Camp at Corinth — Eegimental Officers — 
 A tragical Episode. 
 
 As an English resident in the then United States of 
 America, I watched intently the progress of public 
 affairs after the election of Abrahaoi Lincoln to the 
 Presidency, and the probable disruption of the time- 
 honoured Federation filled me with serious concern. 
 The stirring political events that followed thick and 
 fast were deeply impressed upon my mind as they 
 occurred, and the most minute details of circumstances 
 bearing upon the calamities that succeeded them are 
 ineffaceable from my memory. 
 
 When the Southern leaders were recalled home by 
 the States they severally represented in the United 
 States Senate and House of Representatives, and those 
 States had seceded from the Union, acts of confedera- 
 ration were immediately agreed upon; Montgomery 
 
 VOL. I. 1 
 
2 BATTLE-PIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 (Alabama) teing judiciously chosen as the temporary 
 seat of Government. Several States had not as yet 
 (April 1st) sundered from the North ; yet no one 
 doubted that they would all secede either unanimously, 
 or by vast majorities, as they subsequently did. 
 
 The Southern leaders had for months past begged 
 the parent Government to allow the seceding States to 
 retire peaceably and without bloodshed ; and commis- 
 sioners had been sent to negotiate for the transfer of 
 Government property hitherto mutually possessed. But 
 the Government, instead of officially communicating 
 with the envoys, put them off with specious promises 
 from day to day, until it became obvious that the 
 Iforth was manoeuvring for time, in order to strengthen 
 the coasts and harbours, and seize the most eligible 
 strategical positions, and thus by mere physical force 
 resist, and if possible prevent, secession. To have 
 quietly allowed President Lincoln to reinforce the 
 Southern garrisons and forts, would have been equi- 
 valent to submission ; and aware, despite all assevera- 
 tions to the contrary, that he then had on the way heavy 
 reinforcements for Charleston harbour. Fort Sumpter 
 was instantly reduced, its colours hauled down, and 
 the Confederate flag raised over its ruins.* 
 
 * Major Eobert Anderson, 1st Artilleiy, was commandant here.. He 
 is a native of Kentucky, and nearly sixty years of age. He entered the 
 service as brevet 2nd lieutenant 2nd Artillery, July 1st, 1825. On 
 the evening of the day that South Carolina formally seceded from the 
 Union (December 20th, 1860), a grand banquet was given in Charleston, 
 at which Major Anderson assisted, and, apparently, very much enjoyed 
 himself ; so that a party of gentlemen accompanied him to the wharf, 
 where a boat was in readiness to convey him to his head-quarters at 
 Port Moultrie ; Fort Sumpter, the strongest of all the forts, placed in 
 
MAJOR AiTDEESON. 3 
 
 This decisive act was bitterly anathematized in the 
 Sioi'tli, both from pulpit and press; but the clamour 
 Dartook les^ of manly indignation than of hypocritical 
 expostulation, and ill-concealed annoyance at the failure 
 Df the Government scheme. 
 
 Now arose the question — What were the prospects of 
 success for the new Confederate Government ? Their 
 Qiunitions of war were some hundred thousand stand of 
 arms found in the State arsenals, and ammunition for 
 
 the middle of the bay, not being tenanted. But the major's inebriety 
 was all assumed, for at midnight he spiked the guns, and conveyed all 
 his men and stores to Port Stimpter ; so that next morning, when it was 
 thought the Confederate troops might take possession, the Union flag 
 betrayed the fact that Anderson was already there. Our leaders were 
 greatly incensed at the major, but President Buchanan would not dis- 
 approve the act, and we bad to bombard the fort. 
 
 Before hostilities commenced, however, the citizens of Charleston 
 treated the major and bis little garrison with much considerate polite- 
 ness, allowing them to procure fresh provisions from the city daily; and 
 it was not untU all negotiations had failed, and a large fleet had been 
 sent by President Lincoln to the assistance of the fort, that it was bom- 
 barded and reduced by General Beauregard, after an expenditure of 
 2,000 shot, during parts of two days: The Federal fleet outside the bar 
 were witness to the whole transaction, but did not attempt to force a 
 passage, even when a conflagration in the fort, the number of his dis- 
 mounted guns, and the shattered walls induced the major to surrender, 
 April 13th, 1861. Anderson .was allowed to march out with the 
 honours of war, and to salute bis flag. Buring this latter ceremony, one 
 of his guns burst, kiUing four of his men — the first blood shed during 
 the whole affair. When Major Anderson arrived among his friends in 
 the North, he was greatly lionized, and cried up as a " martyr " by 
 fanatics; and, on the plea of sickness, he used his leave to travel round 
 the country, feasting and speech-making. He was promoted to the rank 
 of Brigadier-General, and appointed to command the forces then gather- 
 ing in Kentucky for the "Western campaign; but he unexpectedly 
 resigned, averring that the fatigues and hardships endured at Fort 
 Sumpter had ruined his constitution. In truth, he was not willing to 
 jeopardize his easily acquired reputation, by commanding men in whom 
 he had little confidence, and in a cause he thoroughly despised. 
 
 1—2 
 
4 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 twice as many. But for what purpose were these arms 
 likely to be required ? Not for vengeance, seeing that 
 not one drop of blood had been spilled ; and except the 
 battered walls of Fort Sumpter, no material damage 
 had been effected. The danger clearly perceived was 
 the intention of the North to force the Confederate 
 States back into the Union, and to meet this a call was 
 made for 75,000 men, and heartily responded to. 
 
 The chief difficulty proved to be the proper equip- 
 ment and command of the volunteers. The arms in 
 the State arsenals were nothing more than common per- 
 cussion muskets, and the cartridges proved almost use- 
 less, being filled with very old, common, large-grained 
 blasting powder. Our ports were blockaded ; the 
 North had free, communication with Europe ; exchequer 
 we had none ; our opponents could raise millions at 
 home or abroad ; our leaders were few, of inferior rank 
 and little reputation ; our foes had one at their head 
 fondly called by themselves " the greatest general of his 
 age." Save Lee, Johnstone, Beauregard, and Cooper,' 
 we had not one single officer of note ; and the first- 
 named was only a colonel of dragoons in the old United 
 States' service. ' It is true that several officers (among 
 them Van Dorn, Longstreet, Ewell, and Evans) in tlie 
 Indian countries, or on the Border, immediately threw 
 up their commands, and joined the fortunes of their 
 respective States; but little was expected of them) 
 since they could only be regarded as men of theory, 
 with but little experience in warfare. Common ex- 
 pectation, however, was ' most agreeably disappointed 
 in these officers. 
 
SEIZUEB OF HARPER'S TERRY. 5 
 
 While General Scott and a host of officers were 
 drilling and marshalling their men at Washington, the 
 State of Virginia seceded. Her arsenals . and naval 
 works were, as a consequence, blown up or fired by the 
 enemy, and evacuated ; the only spoil that fell to our 
 lot, at Norfolk and other places, being charred and 
 broken hulls, empty dockyards, spiked' cannon, and 
 damaged ammunition. The seizure of Harper's Ferry 
 secured to Virginia several thousand stand of arms; 
 but beyond these, little fell to the Confederates; the 
 Federal officers, before departure, having carefully 
 planned and executed the destruction of all Government 
 property, at the various factories and depots. 
 
 "^hen it became evident, from the vast preparations 
 of the enemy, that hostilities would very shortly com- 
 mence, the Confederate capital was changed from 
 Montgomery (Ala.) to Richmond (Va.). The railroad 
 junctions had to be protected, as within no great dis- 
 tance from our seat of Government were several lines 
 of road leading to and through the heart of the 
 Southern States to the very Gulf. Manassas station (on 
 the Washington and Alexandria Railroad) was selected, 
 as commanding all approach from Washington in front, 
 or on the flank, from Harper's Ferry, through the 
 Shenandoah Valley. This accordingly became the 
 grand rendezvous, and the troops that first arrived 
 were camped there: some few were sent twenty-five 
 miles to the front (Fairfax Court-house and station) to 
 watch the enemy, while General Johnson proceeded 
 down the Shenandoah Valley with all he could gather, 
 to watch and oppose General Patterson, who was mass- 
 
6 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 ing his troops on the Maryland bank of the Potomac, 
 and threatening Harper's Ferry. General Peagram 
 was in Western Virginia, watching the Federals in 
 that direction, who, under General M'Clellan, were 
 threatening to advance circuitously and take us in the 
 rear. Such, in brief, might be said to be the state 
 of things in the middle of April, 1861. I now proceed 
 to a simple narration of facts, of which, for the most 
 part, I was an eye-witness, throughout most of the 
 engagements of the war. 
 
 And in the first place let me observe, that prior to 
 the proclamation of April, 1861, in which President 
 Lincoln warned us " to disperse to our homes in thirty 
 days," there were many who fondly expected that 
 common sense would rule in the councils of the Northi 
 and that the Government would not force a war upos 
 their " brethren " of the South. We were all mistaken; 
 and when the proclamation was read on the bulletin 
 boards of the telegraph offices in every town, crowds 
 perused the document with roars of laughter, and 
 derisive cheers for the great "rail-splitter" Abraham! 
 Companies were formed upon the spot from among the 
 wealthiest of the youth, and thousands of dollars were 
 spent on their organization, drill, and equipment; indeed 
 had President Davis so desired, he could have had 
 200^000 volunteers within a month, for any term of 
 service. 
 
 At the first whisper of war among these excited 
 crowds, a hundred youths repaired to a lawyer's office, 
 drew up a muster-roll, inscribed their names for twelve 
 months' service, and began drilling in a concert hall. 
 
PEEPARING TO MARCH. 7 
 
 Subscriptions for arms and accoutrements began to pour 
 in, and an emissary was despatched Northwards post 
 haste to get these requisites. Many among us having 
 studied at military or semi-military colleges, the details 
 of infantry drill were perfectly understood, so that squads 
 were quickly placed under our care; and in every 
 vacant building-lot of the village might be seen some 
 half-dozen or more going through the movements, at 
 the command of striplings. Muskets, formerly used 
 for holiday parades, were immediately appropriated ; 
 and before a week had elapsed, two full companies were 
 drilling thrice a day, and marched through the streets 
 every evening to the sound of fife and drum. Banners 
 of costly material were made by clubs of patriotic young 
 ladies, and delivered to the companies with appropriate 
 speeches ; the men on such occasions swearing that 
 they would perish rather than desert the flag thus 
 consecrated. 
 
 After a few days, one of these companies, originally 
 intended for Pensacola, received marching orders, and 
 in a brilliant uniform of rifle green with red facings 
 and gold lace, bade adieu to the little town of Yazoo, 
 amid great rejoicing ; and taking steamboat to Mobile, 
 started on their twelve months' service, with light hearts 
 and great shouting. Although the members of our 
 company were individually rich, and the greater number 
 of them well educated, we had much quarrelling regard- 
 ing uniform and general outfit. Some desired costly 
 attire, and the niost expensive rifles ; hut, upon con- 
 sulting the State Executive upon the first point, we 
 learned it was the desire of President i)avis that all 
 
8 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 volunteers should be attired in grey flannels and light 
 blue cotton pantaloons — such articles being inexpensive 
 and more adapted for service. A note from the Pre- 
 sident to his old friend, our captain, concluded with 
 these words : " The young gentlemen of your company 
 must be thoroughly impressed with the idea that their 
 services will prove to be in hardships and dangers — 
 the commonest material, therefore, will be the most 
 durable; and as for arms, we must be content with 
 what we have : the enemy will come superabundantly 
 provided with all things that money and ingenuity can 
 devise ; we must learn to supply ourselves from them." , 
 
 Our officers were elected by acclamation from among 
 the more aged and -influential, who insisted on taking 
 up arms for the country's defence. Several of these 
 gentlemen already bore the title of colonel, major, or 
 captain ; but these were holiday, or honorary titles, in 
 which nearly every old planter and merchant rejoiced : 
 even the gentleman who made my boots flourished in 
 the style of " Colonel Smith." No great harm resulted 
 from this sort of ostentation in the previous circum- 
 stances of the country, but had we selected younger 
 and less influential persons for such important positions 
 at the present crisis,- it would have been much better, 
 for all. 
 
 To prevent us from prowling about the town, and 
 to instil discipline, it was decided to encamp in fields 
 proffered for that purpose. With an ample supply 
 of tents and .all things needful, we commenced camp- 
 ing, and the novelty was dehghtful. From sunrise until 
 sunset it was incessant drill. At evening came parade; 
 
ENTHUSIASM POE THE WAR. 9 
 
 and when all assembled on the greensward, and scores 
 o£ fair creatures visited the grounds, and strolled about 
 with brothers, sons, or sweethearts, we all thought it 
 a fine thing to be a soldier, to strut about, or dance 
 quadrilles to the music of a town band made up of 
 four German cabinet-makers. After two weeks' inces- 
 sant drill, guard-mounting, parades, &c., we yearned 
 for " active " service, and many began to murmur at 
 the monotony of daily routine. All wished to go forth 
 and fight the Yankees — not that the Northerners were 
 deemed worthy of that honour, but there was a strong 
 desire to get to " close quarters " with the enemy and 
 settle the question without further delay. There was 
 not a youth but fancied himself a match for any half- 
 dozen New-Englanders ; and from morning until night 
 the surrounding woods resounded with the reports of 
 fire-arms. 
 
 Our men, however, did not really need such practice, 
 for every youth was accustomed to the woods and to 
 hunting ; each had killed his dozens of panthers, deer, 
 or rattle-snakes ; and with his own rifle could " bring 
 down" anything within a distance of four hundred 
 yards. In fact, nine-tenths of our company seemed 
 born to arms, and were never so happy as when shoot- 
 ing. The country in which we lived had in early times 
 been an unbroken swamp. Even after twenty years' 
 settlement, we numbered but 1,400 voters in the county 
 (forty miles wide), and at this moment the dense woods 
 skirting the town, interspersed with a few cotton planta- 
 tions, abound with reptiles of every description; and 
 panthers, bears, deer, alligators, wolves, and wild cats 
 
10 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 frequent the bjnvays. Still, tbougli accustomed to fire- 
 arms in the chase, we had never used muskets, and some 
 practice was deemed necessary. A target five feet high 
 and fifteen inches broad was erected, and opposite this, 
 at a distance of 150 yards, we took our stand. 
 
 " Now," said our captain, jocosely, " fancy the board 
 is Old Abe, and, at the command * ready,' let all cover 
 it well." The allusion was received with a grim ; and 
 at the word " fire," a volley was admirably delivered, 
 and ninety-five holes counted in the target out of a 
 hundred who had shot. " Save your powder, boys," 
 said the captain, with a smile : " you'll do." This 
 would be marvellous if it were not accounted for by 
 the fondness of the Southern youth for hunting and 
 wood-ranging. As a proof of this, it is not uncommon 
 for a party of youngsters to leave home without a woi-d 
 of warning, and with blanket and gun take to the 
 woods for weeks at a time, depending solely on their 
 rifle and knife for sport and food. 
 
 The Governor of the State having been requested to 
 enrol us immediately in some regiment, made answer 
 that he had but three regiments to fill, and had 
 150 companies to pick from ! In fact, he was perfectly 
 bored with oSers from every part of the State; and 
 political reasons had, of course, some influence upon 
 his selection. Under these circumstances the welcome 
 telegram arrived, " Strike tents, and march for Corinth 
 — the regiments will form there within two weeks." 
 Great was our rejoicing to break up camps and start 
 for the wars. Captains of other companies begged ns 
 to give up our call, and offered munificent compen- 
 
ENTHUSIASM FOR THE WAR. 11 
 
 sation if we would let their companies report instead. 
 Such offers were spurned with contempt. " Give up 
 the chance of going to fight the Yankees ? " No, 
 indeed! We were "favoured" individuals; and not 
 all the wealth of California could have bought us off 
 in favour of others ! Poor fellows : how soon the tune 
 changed! glad would some of these hot heads have 
 been to return home, months subsequently. 
 
 For several days before leaving, parties and balls 
 were of frequent occurrence in camp and town, at the 
 residences of members : all vied with each other in 
 passing the time agreeably; and in our daily inter- 
 course there was little or no distinction apparent between 
 officers and privates. In fact, in worldly matters, many 
 of the privates were far superior to their officers. The 
 ambition of all was "to carry a musket in the holy 
 war " of independence ; and although our company of 
 one hundred men represented property in the aggre- 
 gate worth not less than 20,000,000 dollars, I never 
 saw any signs of insubordination, drunkenness, or foul 
 language amongst them. Having negro servants to do 
 the cooking and camp offices, we had passed our term 
 of encampment very agreeably. Now that the moment 
 approached for departure, the busy note of preparation 
 was heard in all directions. With knapsacks well filled 
 with everything needful by the hands of female friends, 
 we formed rank in marching order, revolvers and bowie- 
 knives by our sides, and, with muskets shouldered, 
 listened to the remarks of our captain, who, encircled by 
 hundreds of our Mends and relatives, spoke in a fatherly 
 manner to us of the duties we should have to perform. 
 
12 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 If any were afraid to meet the enemy, now was the 
 time to say so, and retire ; for none were desired of 
 timid temperament, or who feared to fight for their 
 country. "Fight" was the word, he said: let none 
 imagine that child's play or a holiday excursion is 
 hefore them ; for it was not so. In a few weeks many 
 of us would he numbered' with the dead ; and if auy 
 were afraid of death in their country's cause, let them 
 retire ; if any were of Northern hirth or feeHngs, let 
 them retire ; or if any were physically incapable of 
 enduring a soldier's duty or fatigues, from infirmity, 
 disease, or malformation, let iliem retire also — and 
 they should incur no blame. Yet no one stirred — 
 not a sound could be heard in the whole assembly 
 save occasional sobs from the fair spectators ; and, 
 at the conclusion of the address, one loud yell * rent 
 the air. 
 
 Then the band struck up " Dixie's Land," and our 
 colours waved in the wind, and amid cheers and tears 
 from young and old, male and female, we gaily marched 
 through'town, towards the steamboat ^ope ; and, amid 
 the cheers of the multitude, and waving of handker- 
 chiefs, started for the rendezvous at Corinth. Though 
 many tears were shed, and mothers clasped children to 
 their bosoms for the last time ; though fathers grasped 
 the hands of sons, or bashful sweethearts and sisters 
 wept copiously on our departure, not one word was 
 whispered of probable " failure : " no sign of difiSdence 
 was betrayed by young or old, but the universal senti- 
 
 * The English " hurrah " is not heard in the Southern aimies, but a 
 yell not unlike that of the Indians -when rushing to the charge. 
 
PEOCEEDING BY EAIL. 13 
 
 ment was, " Go, my son, never be shot in the back : be 
 always in the front rank: fight as a Southerner, and, 
 if need be, die like a patriot. Never ask ' quarter ' 
 from Northern hirelings. Be merciful in the hour of 
 victory, and courageo'us under defeat : behave as men — 
 as true sons of the South. If ever you act otherwise, 
 never turn your face homewards again." Such was the 
 language even of the fair ones we left behind ; and that 
 this was the idea of all seemed apparent, for at every 
 place that the vessel passed in steaming down the river, 
 crowds collected to greet us ; and ladies literally bur- 
 dened us with presents, trifles, fruit, and provisions : 
 none were more enthiisiastic for the cause than these 
 same gentle ones. At every landing we chanced to 
 stop, whether it were night or day, military companies 
 were under arms to salute us, the "favoured" ones, 
 who had thus preceded them to the seat of war. 
 
 By railroad it was the same. The telegraph signalled 
 our approach, and the newspapers having flatteringly 
 noticed us as "one of the crack companies of the State," 
 the stations were crowded with all sorts of people; 
 tables with breakfasts, dinners, or suppers, were spread 
 for our accommodation, and that of other companies on 
 their way to Corinth ; while young and old, whites and 
 blacks, all seemed to vie in rendering our journey an 
 unbroken ovation. Male and female schools would line 
 the track and rend the air with shouts, or toss bouquets 
 upon us by hundreds; planters would have waggon- 
 loads of choice provisions for our accommodation. We 
 picked up, at different stations, company after company 
 likewise bound to Corinth, and our train gradually 
 
14 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 lengthened to fiftj cars. Another and another train 
 being filled, we at length formed three long trains with 
 six engines,, puffing along at the rate of twenty miles 
 an hour. Such noises as the men made are inde- 
 scribable. Some of Tis were in passenger cars, but tb& 
 greater number had to put up with baggage cars having 
 temporary seats ; and for want of sufficient ventilation, 
 muskets were freely used in knocking out the panels to 
 admit air. Some passed days and nights, riotously, on 
 the roof, and beguiled the time with playing cards, or, 
 having violins and banjos, with singing and dancing, 
 scarce heeding the many bridges that jeopardized their 
 heads, or the uneasy and dangerous rolling of over- 
 loaded and ill-constructed cars. 
 
 Tired with this trip of one thousand miles — having 
 travelled this distance without leaving our own State^^^ 
 we were glad to find ourselves at Corinth. This town 
 owes its existence to the intersection of two great 
 lines of railroad, and except its two thousand mha- 
 bitants, or thereabouts, and a few wooden stores, eon- 
 tains nothing worthy of observation : its chief edifice is 
 the Tishomingo Hotel. The lines of railway that inter- 
 sect here are those of the Mississippi Central, and the 
 Mobile and Ohio Railroads: the first was an unbroken 
 line from New Orleans, and crossing the Mobile road at 
 this place, ran to Grand Junction, whence one branch 
 went to Memphis (Tenn.), and the other to Huntsville, 
 Chattanooga, and thence into Virginia ; the second ran 
 direct from Mobile, passed the junction at this place, 
 and ran on to Columbus (Kentucky). In a military 
 point of view, the occupation of this point was of vital 
 
ARRIVAL AT CORINTH. 15 
 
 mportance, as will appear at once to any intelligent 
 reader who glances at the map. 
 
 North of the town we found the fields and woods 
 picturesquely dotted with tents ; we could see various 
 regiments under drill in the distance,, and faintly 
 lieard the word of command of field officers. On 
 leaving the train, we took up the line of march for our 
 camping grounds; and ere sunset had pitched tents, 
 and our numerous mess-fires were surrouTided with 
 busy and talkative groups. On the low grounds in the 
 distance we saw hundreds of camp-fires reddening the 
 scene ; and as the moon rose over the woods, bayonets 
 glancing in the moonlight revealed sentinels keeping the 
 regimental " bounds ; " the hoarse challenge of guards 
 fell upon the ear ; •' patrols " and " relief guards " went 
 their rounds ; and as the clear notes of bugles or drums 
 fell upon our unaccustomed ears at " tattoo," we all 
 began to feel that our liberty was suddenly circum- 
 scribed, and that we must make up our minds to be 
 obedient, and observant of military discipline. One 
 day was allowed for rest, and then commenced incessant 
 daily drill in the manual exercise and company field 
 movements. 
 
 As we formed but eight companies, several com- 
 panies unattached, proffered themselves to our officers, 
 to fill up the regimental quota. But the eight captains 
 considered their respective commands very " select," as 
 being composed of the dlite of their localities, and so, 
 much negotiation ensued. At last an ex-Govemor of 
 the State (an ex-XJ. S. senator also) came forward with 
 hw "select" company, and, being well known, was 
 
16 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 instantly allotted the place of company I. Next day 
 came another ex-U. S. senator with his company — all 
 representatives of " the first families," of course — and 
 was unanimously assigned the place of company K. 
 The companies being at last assembled, and all being 
 proficient in company drill, there was great rivaby 
 among us to see who should be considered " </i«" 
 company of the regiment ; but as field officers had 
 not yet been elected, we were drilled as a regiment 
 on successive days by different captains : and a pretty 
 farce some of them made of it ! We were put througt 
 all kinds of movements, and several of these extem- 
 porized colonels put us into figures that defied all 
 extrication, and then, in despair, left the ground for the 
 companies to " unbungle " themselves as best they coulds 
 Several, bolder than the rest, rashly promised to " form 
 square " for us on the first convenient opportunity ; but 
 after energetic endeavours, they ended by throwing all 
 the companies into inextricable confusion, and left us 
 all in high dudgeon at their bungling pretensions. At 
 last a non-commissioned officer (a school-fellow of mine) 
 got the boys together one evening, after dress-parade, 
 and forming us into sections, formed square imme- 
 diately: several captains taking note thereof, under- 
 stood the manoeuvre at once, and plumed themselves 
 thereafter on their skill and experience. Generally 
 speaking, our officers, with all their pretensions, were 
 quite ignorant of tactics; yet, in truth, little should 
 have been expected from them ; for they, like ourselves, 
 were fresh from civil life, and knew infinitely more of 
 law and of plantations than of life on the tented field. 
 
ELECTION OF FIELD OFFICERS. 17 
 
 After mucli canvassing, we elected field officers from 
 the regiment, and despite all electioneering and party- 
 spirit, selections were made from among the most 
 deserving: our boys wisely preferring "talent and 
 experience" to all other considerations of wealth and 
 social position. There was much heart-burning, of 
 course, among the non-elected, and several immensely 
 wealthy gentlemen, who had travelled hundreds of 
 miles to offer their services as " colonels," " lieutenant- 
 colonels," and " majors," received not a single vote to 
 gratify their vanity. To such the companies gave a 
 blank refusal. " If you wish to serve with us, as you 
 say, and to fight for the common cause, why not be 
 sworn into the ranks, and prove your disinterestedness ? 
 We intend to vote for none who are not enrolled to 
 serve with us ; and in our choice of superiors, we desire 
 no other qualifications than 'ability and sobriety.' As 
 to the champagne suppers eaten at your expense, 
 gentlemen, they were no more than courtesies offered 
 to each other, and returned. We are used to all 
 that kind of thing at home. We should be happy 
 to receive you into our ranks, and should you join, 
 your ' talents,' no doubt, will soon remove every 
 obstacle to quick promotion in the fujture." Such 
 were the sentiments of our regiment, and generally of 
 all others. 
 
 Although there were not less than six or seven regi- 
 ments hard at drill when we arrived at Corinth, good 
 order and sobriety seemed to prevail, and thus it con- 
 tinued for several weeks that we remained there. As 
 might be expected, however, among thousands of hot- 
 
 VOL. I. 2 
 
18 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 blooded Southern youths, rencontres iwomZcZ occasionally 
 occur ; and as in the South pugilistic science is little 
 resorted to, or understood, knives and pistols were used 
 in emergencies, and several were killed, including two 
 or three commissioned officers. Courts-martial were 
 held, but investigations proving that these homicides 
 were simply the results of legitimate quarrels, and not 
 premeditated " killing," the offenders received only a 
 reprimand. 
 
 One instance I may mention, to show the spirit of 
 those about to fight for the freedom of their countrj. 
 A commissioned (company) officer having donned his 
 grey uniform and gilded shoulder-straps, began to 
 strut about camp and assume " airs," eager to show 
 his " little brief authority " on all occasions. This un- 
 fortunate fellow disgusted those who had elected him, 
 and although the men were desirous of learning their 
 duty thoroughly and expeditiously, he seized upon every 
 opportunity to "blackguard" his former associates. 
 He was frequently told how obnoxious his assuming 
 manner was ; but not heeding the admonition, several 
 threatened to take him out and " whale " him. Lauffh- 
 ing at these suppressed remarks, he dared to lift liis 
 sword to slap one of the men when on parade : he was 
 told what the immediate consequence would be, but 
 foolishly raised the weapon again, and slapped one 
 across the shoulders ; when, in an instant, the rifle was 
 dropped, a bowie-knife flashed, and the officer lay dead 
 on the turf, stabbed five or six times in as many 
 seconds. The company did not stir, but looked on, 
 and applauded ; the culprit quietly wiped his knife, 
 
TKAGICAL MCIDENT. 19 
 
 esumed his place in the ranks, and dress-parade pro- 
 eeded as if nothing had happened ! Courts -martial 
 ;ould not — or, at all events, did not — attempt to exer- 
 ise any jurisdiction in t sjmilar cases : they were 
 
 eckoned affairs of self-defence, or " honour." 
 
20 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Despatch of Troops — State of Southern Arsenals and Stores — ^Practice! 
 of the Jews — Troops ordered to Virginia — ^Rejoicings in the Camp- 
 Hospitalities on the Koad — Patriotism of the Women — Nbrthem 
 Sympathies in East Tennessee — Camp at Lynchburg — By Rail fe 
 Manassas Station. 
 
 Apeil having passed, and the intentions of Generi 
 Scott not being as yet developed, it was conjecturec 
 that operations might commence simultaneously ^ 
 different points. Troops were therefore sent to Unioi 
 City (Kentucky), near Cairo, on the Mississippi, and h 
 Columbus (Kentucky), on the same river; the lattei 
 place being the last station of the Mobile and Ohii 
 Railroad, and of great importance in many ways 
 Troops were also hurriedly despatched to Westen 
 Virginia, but not in large bodies. Indeed, our infan 
 Government seemed overwhelmed with care and anxiet; 
 to meet the storm that was rapidly approaching, ani 
 could scarcely attend to the wants of her little armj 
 It is true the various State arsenals contained mor 
 arms than were necessary for the 75,000 men callei 
 upon — thanks to the statesmanlike foresight of on 
 leaders, and the co-operation of Governor Floyd, es 
 Minister of War under Buchanan — yet their qualit 
 and effectiveness were very indifferent indeed, while tli 
 
PUKCHASE OF STORES. 21 
 
 mmunition found at hand on the outbreak proved to 
 ave been made up of the very worst description of 
 owder ; so . much so, that after the second discharge 
 ur muskets were so dirty as to become almost 
 mserviceable. 
 
 The quartermaster's and commissary departments, 
 ilso, were in great confusion, and the service far from 
 fficient. Although the country abounded in corn-meal, 
 >acon, flour, &c., it was evident our stores could not 
 ast for ever, as the two last-named articles were chiefly 
 and perhaps solely) to be found North, We were rich 
 n cotton, sugar, tobacco, rice, hemp, &c., but these 
 vere not commissary stores, or absolute necessaries, and 
 ,s we did not produce any other, and were not in any 
 ense a manufacturing people, we found the whole North 
 idiculing us and our preparations for conquering our 
 ndependence. Indeed, their common taunt was, " How 
 ;an you live without us ? Why, we will starve you 
 nto submission." At the outset, however. President 
 Davis and his military advisers had foreseen, and pro- 
 vided for, many of our most needful supplies: with 
 Eunds immediately furnished by private negotiation, 
 :hey had bought np many millions of various rations in 
 N'orthern markets, while merchants by the thousand 
 quietly proceeded up the country and procured immense 
 supplies of merchandise and wares, before the North 
 bad arrived at any distinct idea of our determination to 
 be free, and of the certainty of warfare. The Israelites, 
 as usual, far surpassed the Gentiles in shrewdness at 
 this auspicious moment, and laid in stocks (procured on 
 :redit) which, in almost every instance, wei'e retailed at 
 
2 a BATTXE-MELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 rates from five hundred to one thousand per cent. aboT 
 ordinary prices ; cash being always exacted. Many c 
 these gentry proved unscrupulous knaves during th 
 war ; for having husbanded their goods' for one or tw 
 years, and converted them into coin, if they did ne 
 decamp from the Confederacy altogether, they fonni 
 a thousand and one excuses for not bearing arm 
 for the country that had enriched them, and ii 
 which perchance they had been born. This is tru 
 of Hollanders generally, and of Dutch Jews almos 
 universally. 
 
 It becoming apparent that General Scott's main lin 
 of advance and attack would be from Washingta, 
 towards the Confederate capital of Richmond, th 
 majority of our forces were directed to a point mid 
 way between both places. From our camp ground w 
 daily saw trains passing onwards to Richmond^ tb 
 locomotives and cars being decked with flags am 
 banners, while on the top. of the cars bands of musii 
 might be seen, and crowds of soldiers shouting* am 
 yelhng to us as they passed swiftly onward. The Wash 
 ington artillery (four companies) from New Orleani 
 had gone the day before, and we almost envied then 
 their trip to Richmond; We were much afraid thi 
 War Department would order us to Union City; bui 
 one evening as we sat chatting round our camp fires 
 the agreeable order was given — " Strike tents ! pads 
 up for Virginia, boys ! " 
 
 Such rejoicing, such confusion, such hilarity, and 
 obstreperous behaviour as characterized our camps os 
 the reception of this news, can scarcely be ima 
 
ORDEEED TO VIRGINIA. , 23 
 
 Some joined hands and capered round their camp-fires 
 in an. Indian war-dance; pots were turned over, and 
 immense bonfires made of straw and wood,, while yells 
 and howls rent the air, so that the. drums and Uugles: 
 at tattoo could be scarcely heard in the unearthly din. 
 Regiments on the hills,, in the woods, in the plain, and 
 from every direction> caught up tlie- shout,, and for one 
 full hour the whole scene far and wide was nought 
 but noisy merriment and excitement. The ceremony 
 of " roll-call " that night was certainly a ridiculous 
 farce : the "orderly" was laughed at, and couglied at; 
 a general buzz and suppressed laughter ran along the 
 whole company line, and the usual calls for " Smith 
 John, Jones James," were received with, derisive cheers^ 
 as if it were impossible any one could be absent on so 
 momentous and joyful an occasion. 
 
 Tents- were soon struck, " four days' rations " were 
 quickly cooked, and all the camp equipage expeditiously 
 packed and carried down to the railroad station and 
 properly guarded. Many journeys were necessary to 
 transfer all our extra baggage ' to the dep6t, and from, 
 the. alacrity of the men in proffering their services to 
 carry things, and the cloudy, mystified appearance of 
 those who had been detailed for that duty all the even- 
 ing, our officers suspected that some strange- barrel had 
 been tapped by them in their frequent journeys to and 
 froi The incoherent answers of the men, and the long 
 absence of the sergeant and his guard, caused a scout 
 to be sent out, who reported that the sergeant and his 
 squad were dancing in a bar-room, all of them in a 
 blissful state of intoxication.] [A corporal's guard was 
 
24 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 sent to arrest them, but the tipsy sergeant challenged 
 the corporal to play the violin, and in less than half an 
 hour the fourth corporal and his guard were no bettei 
 than their comrades, and commenced dancing like sc 
 many madmen. When discovered, the corporal was 
 found seated upon an empty whisky barrel, playing tht 
 fiddle, while all hands were industriously kicking theii 
 heels in a cotillon. They were of course marched bad 
 to camp under escort. 
 
 To prevent intoxication, the greatest precaution hac 
 been taken by our officers : no person was allowed ti 
 sell or give liquor to the men; but as Southerneri 
 usually drink in excess compared with other people 
 every artifice was resorted to by the men to obtaii 
 it; as much as five dollars (1?.) being freely given fo 
 a pint of liquor. But as all had to go to the well, am 
 as guards were not over exact on an occasion like this 
 the men easily stole through the "lines," filled tlieii 
 canteens at some out-of-the-way "doggery,"* and befori 
 morning broke, nearly every man was amply providec 
 for his journey. 
 
 With a full head of steam on, and with the Stan 
 and Bars floating on the front of the engine, we gav( 
 one long and unearthly yell as we passed our ok 
 camping ground, and at the rate of twenty-five milei 
 an hour, dashed along the road to Virginia in gallan 
 style, the band playing " Dixie," and other tunes pecu 
 liar to the times. Tour trains followed ours, keepinj 
 in sight all day ; and as we progressed farther on oui 
 
 * A low bar-room is so called. 
 
EN EOUTE TO MANASSAS. 25 
 
 journey, we overtook other ti-ains, similarly freighted, 
 and bound for the same destination. 
 
 At every town, the cars were received with much 
 rejoicing; the ladies being foremost in the expression 
 of their patriotism and fervour for the cause in which 
 we were all embarked. Mihtary companies were fre- 
 quently drawn up at the dep6t ; the men vexed beyond 
 expression, because they had not, like us, received 
 "marching orders." Collations were prepared for us 
 on every hand, and if the train stopped but for a 
 few minutes to replenish fuel or water, milk, butter- 
 milk, boiled eggs, ham, bread, cooked vegetables, 
 cakes, pastry, and a thousand et-ceteras, were lavishly 
 bestowed upon us, while the old ladies would wave 
 handkerchiefs, and shout, " God bless you, boys. Teach 
 them how Southerners can fight; be men, and never 
 give up." Such patriotism as the women displayed is 
 certainly beyond all description ; they seemed to give 
 all heart and soul to the cause : where men would smile 
 or look serious, mothers and daughters put on their 
 best looks with their holiday attire, and while almost 
 smothering us with bouquets, would cheer us onwards 
 with words of hope and praise, and try to hide the 
 eloquent tear-drops glistening in their eyes. The 
 negroes, too, at the plough, in the cotton fields, or 
 beside their cabin doors, rushed out, hat in hand, mounted 
 the fence, and rolling their eyes in wonder or delight, 
 would shout success to us on our journey. 
 
 We travelled to-day hundreds of miles through our 
 own State — to-morrow as great a distance through 
 another— and yet there was always the same feeling 
 
26 BATTLE- MELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 displayed; there was no repining, but all rejoicing and 
 hilarity: and, save through a district of a few miles: in 
 East Tennessee, where the inhabitants are proverbially 
 coldi hard-fisted, and of Abolition sentiments, through 
 the influence of a few Northern office-holders, we never 
 heard the slightest whisper of XJnion sentiment, but, 
 on the contrary, the most intense Southern feeling. 
 Although our men, in passing through the disaffected 
 district (East Tennessee), had frequent opportunities to 
 wreak theiir vengeance on the persons or dwellings of a 
 few Northern sympathizers, yet not a word or gestuK 
 was exhibited by the boys contrary to the behaviour oi 
 gentlemen : and this,, notwithstanding the incontestable 
 evidence they possessed that some few miscreants ha« 
 meditated our total destruction by obstructions oh th( 
 rails, and attempts to fire bridges across the streams 
 At length, on arriving at Lynchburg (Virginia), we 
 thought our travels were at an end, for now we were 
 on the sacred soil of the first rebel {!), the immortal 
 Washington : but still our troubles and annoyances were 
 far from ended; Many troops had arrived before us, 
 and nearly every available spot in and around the: city 
 was occupied by forces from nearly every State in the 
 Confederacy. After tedious and harassing marches tt 
 and fro, in search of camping grounds, we at lasi 
 pitched tents outside of the amphitheatre of the Fail 
 Grounds, and commenced to drill, as usual, three times 
 a day. The guards were now so numerous and strici 
 that it was next to an impossibility for any one to elude 
 them, or obtain permission to visit the city, basking in 
 the sunlight at the foot of the hill. The thought o1 
 
AT MANASSAS STATION. 27 
 
 "Lynchburg tobacco" tempted many to make large 
 investments for the campaign ; but in this we committed 
 ^ave mistakes,, for we were compelled to' carry every 
 pound of freight we accumulated, and found from 
 experience that tobacco of a far superior quality could 
 be; obtained thousands of miles away on the Gulf 
 Coast. 
 
 After a few days' stay, we continued our march, and 
 for the first time heard mention^ of " Manassas," and 
 "Manassas. Gap." Our quartermasters being inexpe- 
 rienced, we suffered many disappointments .'before we 
 could leave:, train after train started before us, and we 
 had to- bivouac around the railroad station as best 
 we, couldi for two nightsj waiting for accommodation. 
 At last we got started, and rapidly traversed one of the 
 most beautiful regions in the world : hills and' valleys, 
 adorned with picturesque little villages, substantial and 
 elegantly laid out towns, and colleges and schools with- 
 out number. When night came on we travelled through 
 a flat unbroken country. Seeing no houses for many 
 miles, and supposing we were far from our journey's 
 end, nearly all went to sleep, myself among the number. 
 Feeling cold, I awoke, and looking out of the cattle 
 cars in which we were stowed, was astonished to learn 
 we had arrived at Manassas station, thirty miles from 
 Washington, and about eighty from Eichmond. 
 
 I could scarcely believe that this was a great military 
 dep6t, there being nothing within my range of vision to 
 indicate that such was the fact. The station itself was 
 a low, one-storied building, about seventy-five feet in 
 length, with bales and boxes scattered about ; a house 
 
28 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 of refreshment close by was uninvitingj and except one 
 or two small cottages scattered here and there, nought 
 was to be seen. Two or three tents were standing close 
 to the dep&tj with lights in them ; a guard here and 
 there walked his post noiselessly, and in the distance, on 
 neighbouring hills, a few smouldering camp-fires were 
 discernible. Only a mound of newly turned earth, here 
 and there, indicated that the spade and shovel had 
 been at work in fortifying, while the muzzles of a few 
 guns in the embrasures pointed up the track towards 
 "Washington. A trooper or two would occasionally go 
 jingling past in the direction of a cottage a few hundred 
 yards in advance; and from the lights in windows, 
 and groups seated round camp-fires, in the orchard. In 
 learned that the dwelling was General Beauregard'! 
 head-quarters. 
 
29 
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 Anival at Maaassas — Appearance of Things by Night — Operations of 
 our Army opposed to Patterson around Harper's Feny — ^Forward 
 Movements of the Enemy — Jackson opens the Ball — Colonel Maxey 
 Gregg attacks the Northern Troops on the Railway at Vienna — 
 Earthworks at Manassas — Strength of our Troops — Scouting Parties 
 — Letter from a Eriend, giving Details of the Action at Carthage. 
 
 OuK engineless train lay along the track, with others in 
 the rear ; no one was stirring ; the stars shone out in 
 the clear cold skies with unusuail brilliancy. To amuse 
 myself, I spoke to the nearest guard, and gleaned 
 scraps of information regarding the topography of the 
 country. " Do you see yonder chain of hills rismg in 
 the south-west, and running north? Well, that is a 
 spur of the Blue Ridge ; and where you now see the 
 moon rising, and those flickering lights, that is the 
 ' Gap,' through which the railroad runs from here to 
 Strasburg. From the latter place to Winchester, twelve 
 miles, there is a break in the track. From Winchester, 
 however, the road runs to Harper's Ferry, and there 
 joins the Washington and Baltimore roads to the 
 east, and with the Western Virginia and Ohio Rail- 
 roads to the west. General Joe Johnson is at the Ferry 
 with a small force guarding the passage ; for if General 
 Patterson and his 40,000 men pour across from Mary- 
 
30 BATTLE-EIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 land and Pennsylvania into tlie Shenandoah Valley, 
 they can inarch on this place by the flank, while Scott 
 moves down from Washington in our front. 'Tis fully 
 sixty miles, however, from the Ferry here, and if we 
 hadn't so many traitors and spies around at all points, 
 night and day, our boys wouldn't be obliged to guard 
 the 'Gap' yonder this cold night " (May 1, 1861). 
 
 The troops were nearly all from the far Soutli, 
 which accounted for their cliilliness. Giving the guard 
 a drink of brandy, we became friendly in a short time, 
 and he continued : " Yonder black streak you see rising 
 from the south south-west, running north, and turning 
 off due east, is the timber around Bull Run ; 'tis 
 about three or four miles distant from here to any 
 point, and the high grounds you observe rising abruptly 
 beyond the stream — the table-land I mean, northward 
 — and shelving to the east across the track, is Gentre- 
 ville. A small detachment and military telegraph post 
 is stationed there watching the roads from the Upper 
 Potomac and Leesburg, coming in west, and keeping 
 open communication with General Bonham, who holds 
 Fairfax Court-house and the railroad station midway 
 between Washington and this place. Trains run there 
 night and day. See yonder!" said my companion, 
 pointing towards Gentreville. " They are working the 
 telegraph ! See them repeating the signals on yonder 
 hill ? Wait a minute, and you'll perceive the answer 
 given from Beauregard's quarters." 
 
 In a few minutes, one of the men sitting aromid the 
 large fire in front of the general's quarters, seized a 
 long red faggot from the flames, and going to the north 
 
CAMP NEAK BULL EUN. 31 
 
 end of the house, began swaying it to the right and 
 left, according to directions; now horizontally, again 
 perpendicularly, and seemed to be cutting an imaginary 
 circle at different angles. The signs were instantly 
 repeated from post to post, and thus traversed fifteen 
 miles within a very few minutes ! " 'General Bonham's 
 got his answer before now, I know," said the sentry ;■ 
 " I wonder what it is all about, though ? There'll be 
 hot work, shortly, or they ^wouldn't be working that 
 machine so often at night." In a few moments I heard 
 some distant voice shout out — " Third Relief. Turn 
 out, Third Relief ! " and after a little bustle, jingling of 
 accoutrements, and a hurried calling of the roll, I saw 
 bayonets glistening and advancing in the distance, to 
 relieve my agreeable companion ; so, giving him another 
 drink of brandy, I bade him good night, and picked my 
 way back again to our cattle cars, to sleep as best I 
 could for the rest of the night. 
 
 When morning came, we all thought that Beaure- 
 gard and other generals would call, and inspect or 
 review us; but our vanity was not so flattered. We 
 were marched some two ;miles past the station; our 
 baggage was brought down by an engine and cars, 
 amd before we could "well recover from a journey of 
 1,300 mUes, we were unceremoniously marched into 
 some large open fields parallel with the railroad, and 
 about two miles from Bull Run. Camps being formed, 
 drill was commenced and proceeded with incessantly. 
 Little could be gleaned regarding Federal movements. 
 General Joe Johnson had evacuated Harper's Ferry, 
 we knew, and the act was much censured by non- 
 
32 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 military critics; as for the troops, they said nofchinj 
 but reposed implicit reliance iu the wisdom and skill c 
 our generals. 
 
 Patterson was massing his troops for a descent int 
 the Shenandoah Valley, but at what point to expect hi 
 crossing no one could tell. Colonel Jackson (subse 
 quently named " Stonewall " by way of distinction) wa 
 second in command under Johnson, and guarded th 
 Upper Potomac with great vigilance. It was eviden 
 the Federals did not intend to force a passage at th 
 Terry, for we held the town and heights above it, aiK 
 could defy all their attempts. It was soon apparent tha 
 they intended to cross higher up ; so having no mean 
 or force to garrison the place, we destroyed the works 
 removed all materiel, and evacuated it ; advanci^ 
 higher up the river towards Martinsburg, and for tii 
 most part lying in ambush. When their advance hac 
 crossed. Colonel Jackson's force (about 3,000) assailet 
 them vigorously, took many prisoners, a few arms, and 
 drove their main body back to the river. They had 
 crossed, however, in such strength, that it was impos- 
 sible to inflict any decided punishment with the few 
 troops under his command ; Colonel Jackson, therefore, 
 retreated slowly and orderly towards Charlestown 
 (midway between Harper's Ferry and Winchester)) 
 whither Johnson's main force had retired^ While 
 Johnson's and Patterson's forces were thus facing 
 each other near Charlestown, things were unchanged 
 at Manassas. Reports, indeed, were circulated daily 
 regarding the enemy's movements, but nothing of con- 
 sequence transpired. 
 
ATTACK ON A RAILWAY TRAIN. 33 
 
 While seated by the tent-door one afternoon in June, 
 I heard three distinct reports of light field-pieces from 
 the direction of Washington, but did not attach any im- 
 portance to the fact. Next day we learned that one of 
 the Federal generals (Schlich by name) had been out on 
 a reconnaissance, and met with a serious reception from a 
 handful of Confederates. Schlich, or Schlick, had novel 
 notions of warfare, and intended to carry on operations 
 in a free-and-easy style: so embarking two or three 
 Ohio regiments on a long train, with two field-pieces, 
 he proceeded down the Orange and Alexandria road, 
 with the engine in the rear. Colonel Maxey Gregg, 
 with the 1st South Carolina Volunteers, was guarding 
 the road ; and- his scouts reporting the approach of the 
 train, he prepared to give it a warm reception, and 
 placed two field-pieces on a wooded eminence command- 
 ing a long curve in the road. Leisurely approaching, 
 Schlick and other officers were enjoying themselves 
 with champagne and cigars, imconscious of danger, 
 when, as the train entered the curve mentioned, our 
 guns opened with such destructive efi'ect that seven 
 cars were detached from the train, smashed to pieces, 
 and nearly every occupant killed or wounded. The 
 engine was instantly reversed, and disappeared in a few 
 moments, leaving hundreds of killed and wounded 
 behind. Unaware of their force or intentions. Colonel 
 Gregg changed his position and retired towards General 
 Bonham at Fairfax Court-house. 
 
 This incident was the origin of those wonderful 
 stories manufactured at the North about " masked bat- 
 teries," &c., and which served for a time to create hob- 
 
 VOL. I. 3 
 
34 BATTLE-FIELDS' OF THE .SOUTH. 
 
 goblin notions regarding us, and to account for ai 
 reverse they might meet with at our hands. 
 
 As the month of June drew to a close, our pi 
 parations in and around. Manassas began to assume 
 formidable appearance. Heavy guns were brought li 
 and earthworks began to rise in different directis 
 around the statiian,. but nowhere else ; woods we 
 felled by the acre to give fee rangff for artillery, ai 
 troops were placed in different directions,, but with wh 
 design I could not imagine. The strength of our fom 
 and the number of guns, were not generally know 
 Quartermasters and. commissaries seemed to be tl 
 oracles in such matters^ and as they were supposed 
 be acquainted with the secrets of head-quarters,, t 
 majority seemed to place implicit reliance in their stat 
 ments. As might be expected, these important inc 
 viduals were in great request, and answered the mc 
 simple interrogatories with great solemnity and cautio 
 Our strength from such sources of information was p 
 down at from 75,000 to 100^000 ; while the truth m 
 our whole army there assembled did not muster more tka 
 2.0,000 men, and twenty guns ; Johnson having 10,00 
 men and twenty guns with him in the Shenandoah Valle; 
 
 Daily reports now began to possess interest. Pes 
 gram had been surprised and defeated by M^Clellan,, ! 
 Rich Mountain in Western Virginia (July 12th), am 
 from reports of killed and wounded, it was very evidei 
 the Federals had no idea of amusing themselves b 
 throwing snowballs at us. Scott began, to push li 
 outposts towards Fairfax Court-houssi, and shai 
 skirmishing was of daily occurrence ; but with littl 
 
FALSE AIAEMi 35 
 
 mage to either side. We learned that our indepen- 
 ttt scouts around Alexandria caused much annoyance 
 d loss hy their unerring aim ; and judging by the 
 ploits of some few of those adventurous individuals 
 10 visited us in camp, I cannot wonder that the 
 )rtliem press was so bitter against them. They were 
 ill. mounted, and accoutred;,, and dead shots at five 
 indred yards. Most of them were gentlemen of means, 
 10. took delight ia tha werk, andi were as craf&y as 
 idians in: their- movements. 
 
 In the beginning of July, scouting companies, mounted' 
 d foot, daily scouBed the whole country, within and 
 !thout our lines to the front; while lines of picket 
 lards dotted Bull Run, and watched all the fords- with 
 ck vigilance that several cows advancing' to drink as 
 lual- were mistaken; for spies crawling among the 
 ishes ini the dark, and met an untimely fate; When 
 le finedi some other feverish guard would- follow suit 
 om force of imaginationy amdl within a few moments a 
 iccession of "poppings" could be heard along the 
 hole picket line. This careltessness of the outposts 
 lused us all much annoyance. 
 
 A company of Yirginians held the railroad brfdge 
 rev the Run, when about two A.M. their advance fired 
 iree shots in rapid succession. The- nearest regiments 
 3at to arms,, and within two minutes drums were 
 )unding in all directionsi while the only word^ spoken 
 •ere, " They are commg ! It is a surprise ! Old Scott 
 f adjvamcing over the hills with SOjOOO men ! " Thump, 
 mmp, sounded the big drums, bugles called the 
 assembly," while the incessant rattle of small drums 
 
36 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 was alarming. " They are coming — fall in, boj 
 quick!" were the only words passed from one 
 another. " Fall in" we did, and in an immense hurrj 
 some without boots, hats, or coats seized their arms, ai 
 the regiment was formed and drawn up ready for actii 
 within five minutes from the first alarm. Many we 
 on the sick list, and had not been out to drill for day 
 yet out of two hundred who had thus shunned du 
 previously, not one was out of place in line of batt' 
 Captains might be seen in their shirt-sleeves smokii 
 cigars, men sat on the grass, expecting orders eve 
 minute, but after standing shivering in the cold moi 
 ing air for an hour, all marched back to quarte; 
 much disappointed and annoyed. 
 
 Alarms of this nature became frequent^ and wt 
 often resorted to by our colonel when desirous 
 ridding the doctor's list of a few score of those playii 
 the " old soldier." For be it said, to the credit of o 
 men, that, although many counterfeited sickness or a 
 ments to escape drill, marching, or police duty, I knt 
 none who would not turn out with alacrity whenev 
 there was any prospect of a fight : some, indeed, w 
 were really sick had to be forced out of the raul 
 so anxious were all to do their duty, and render servi 
 in our common cause. 
 
 About this time I received the following letter fi-om 
 friend in Missouri, descriptive of the battle of Carthaj 
 and the uprising of the people in that State. It 
 inserted here as an authentic account of the incidei 
 leading to the engagement, and of the rout of t 
 Federal troops : — 
 
THE GERMANS IN MIBSOUEI. 37 
 
 Cowskin Prairie, M'Donald Co., Missouri, 
 Jxily 8, 1861. 
 
 Dear Tom, — I suppose the heading of this letter 
 ill surprise you, for I am no longer in my comfortable 
 See in the good city of St. Louis, but one of Price's 
 rebels," camped in this out-of-the-way place, near the 
 idian nation. As you desire to know everything 
 3garding our movements, I will narrate things as they 
 3curred since I last saw you. 
 
 "When the Border States found that a coercive 
 olicy was determined upon, Missouri was one of the 
 rst to oppose it. We had no arms, but were certain 
 le sympathies of our people would sustain us. Lin- 
 Jn's, hirelings were stirring up the German element in 
 ifferent parts of the State, trusting, by the distribution 
 -. arms in abundance, to overawe any expression of 
 seling in favour of our sister Southern States. Gover- 
 or Claiborne Jackson, feeling that delays might prove 
 angerous, ordered (in May) the State Guard to go into 
 (icampments for their customary annual drill. Briga- 
 ier-General Frost pitphed his camp in the outskirts 
 [■ St. Louis, and called it " Camp Jackson ; " a full 
 jgimeni of city companies assembled, and daily went 
 u-ough the customary exercises. The Abolition German 
 .ement was opposed to this, and, unknown to the 
 lajority of us, Captain Lyon led them in great numbers 
 round our camps, and forced our men to deliver up their 
 rms and disband. This was a piece of treachery we 
 id not expect from Frost, our general, who we thought 
 'as favourable to sustaining State-right principles, 
 'he cowardly Germans, however, were not content in 
 
&8 BATTLE-PIELDS OF THE SOUTH, 
 
 thus humiliating us, hut, on some slight pretext, fired 
 upon the assemhled crowds, kiUing and wounding 
 many ; and getting drunk on lager heer, committed all 
 manner of depredations in and around the city. The 
 arsenals, and all the a-ailroads, were in their possession 
 and as the city was watched from several points, citizens 
 heing arrested, arms seized, houses searched, &c., it was 
 soon perceived that Lincoln and Lyon were determined 
 to suppress, by force, any Southern feeling eixisting in 
 the State, and to spare none that opposed them. As 
 nine-tenths of our State, to your own knowledge, was 
 soundly democratic and Southern, we awoke to find 
 ourselves under the iron heel of tyranny. 
 
 " Determined that the State should not be manacled 
 without a struggle, and fully informed "that Lyon medi- 
 tated seizing the capital at Jefferson City, GovemBr 
 Jackson, in June, issued a call for .50,000 volunteers, 
 and transferred the archives to Boonville, a;bout eighty 
 miles above, on the Missouri River. Ex-Governor 
 Sterling iPrice was named general in chief of these 
 forces, whenever they could he gathered, and seven or 
 eight brigadiers appointed to assist him, includiog 
 iRains, .Parsons, and others.* The call was immedialigly 
 jresponded io by three or four hundred men, myself 
 among the number '; for I was tired of witnessing the 
 
 * tBrigadiei-General Gabriel J. Rains is a North-Carolinian, aid 
 has greatly distingnished ihimself throughout the Missouri campaign. 
 He is about fifty years of age ; entered the IT. S. service as brevet 
 2nd lieutenant 1st 'Infantry, July 1st, 1627; brevet major,. August 20th, 
 1847, and .held that rank in the 4th Infantry when he joined Price in 
 June, 1861. He was immediately appointed brigadier-general by 
 Governor Jackson, and has been present in almost every fight. 
 
MISSOTJEI TEOOPS AT BOONVILI^E. 39 
 
 tyrannical acts of Lyon, and Ms friends the Dutch 
 Aibdlitionists. On arriving at JeflFerson City, I found 
 that all the State officers had gone to BoouTille, with 
 boatloads of books, papers, and other property, and 
 proceeding there, I found that our collective force did 
 not exceed 700 men, armed with such weapons as they 
 could find, and attired in every Tariety of costume. 
 Some had fine clothes and ' stove pipes,' * some were 
 ragged, if >not totally destitute. Altogether, I felt 
 discouraged, as you may suppose ; for I Icnew that 
 Lyon, at St. Louis, had thousands of men, well armed, 
 well drilled, and uniformed; and, 'being in possession 
 of the railroads, could throw a heavy force in our route 
 whichever way we moved. 
 
 " The ' Southern Question ' by this time seems to 
 have aroused the rural population, and they swore that 
 the Dutch in the river cities should not rule the State, 
 even if supported by all the wealth and power of the 
 Lincoln .Government. We bad not been at Boonville 
 long, ere it was ascertained that Lyon and Blair con- 
 templated a movement upon that place, in order to 
 crush the rebels the instant they stirred. At this 
 critical moment. Price being sicfe and unable to attend 
 to business. Colonel Marmaduke took command of our 
 force, if a body such as I have described deserves the 
 name. But their strength consisted in the fact that a 
 pure patriotism had caused them to take the field. 
 
 It was soon ascertained that Lyon was approaching 
 up the Missouri with several thousand men and half-a- 
 
 * Dress hats are so termed. 
 
40 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 dozen field-pieces. Colonel Marmaduke * was fearful 
 of the disparity in force, and wished to retreat, but the 
 men under Lieutenant-Colonel Brand were determined 
 to ' fight.' When the enemy appeared, therefore, our 
 handful of volunteers drew up in battle array and con- 
 fronted them, and within two hours killed and wounded 
 more than 200, our loss not amounting to a dozen. We 
 then gave up the fight, and retired towards Cole Camp, 
 where, it was said, a force of the enemy were stationed 
 to intercept us ; these were attacked during the night 
 by Colonel Kane with a small body of rebels, and 
 defeated, with a loss of more than 200 men killed, 
 100 taken, and 500 stand of arms. This capture 
 assisted in arming hundreds who were flocking to us 
 on our line of march towards Warsaw, on the Osage 
 River. 
 
 Though pursued by Colonel Totten and a thousand 
 cavalry. Governor Jackson safely reached Warsaw, 
 where we rested, and began to look about us. Our 
 case was desperate ; we were but a few ill-armed men 
 of all ages and all sizes, unaccustomed to mihtary 
 service, and less used to privations and sufferings. . We 
 had no tents, no commissary, or quartermaster's stores, 
 few waggons, and those of an inferior kind — in truth, 
 we were a small band of patriots vastly in need of 
 everything but 'pluck.' As the enemy were making 
 
 * Colonel John S. Marmaduke is a Missourian : entered the service 
 as brevet 2nd lieutenant 1st Infantry, July 1st, 1857 ; was 2nd lieu- 
 tenant 7th Infantry, August 1st, 1857; joined the Missourians at Boon- 
 ville, with rank of colonel, and on account of services is now brigadie^ 
 general, acting in the same State. 
 
SIEGEL AT CARTHAGE. 41 
 
 dispositions for our capture, and had full command of 
 the railways, word was sent to General Price at Lexing- 
 ton to hurry along with his recruits, so as to form a 
 junction with Jackson's small force, and, by common 
 consent, both little wings met and joined in Cedar 
 County, July 3rd. 
 
 " Information was now received that Siegel had been 
 despatched from St. Louis with over 3,000 men by the 
 south branch of the Pacific Railroad, and was actually 
 in Carthage, not many miles distant in our front, while 
 Lyon, Lane, and others were rapidly approaching on 
 the flanks and rear! For a little army of not over 
 3,000 badly equipped men, this was a sad situation, and 
 all began to prepare for the worst ; nevertheless, on the 
 5th of July, at 2 a.m., we boldly began our march 
 towards Carthage. After a march of seven hours, word 
 was brought by our scouts that Siegel was in front, with 
 the number of troops first reported, and eight guns. 
 Still we moved on, until between 10 and 11 A.M. we 
 came in full view of the enemy drawn up in three 
 detachments, posted on a rising ground in the prairie, 
 ready to dispute our passage. Although much tired 
 with our long march, and although several hundreds in 
 our command had no weapons of any description, we 
 instantly prepared for the attack, and, pushing ahead, 
 drove in the enemy's pickets. We had several old 
 cannon, which had been picked up here and there on 
 our route — pieces which had done no more than fire 
 salutes on 4th ,of July celebrations and the like — ^but 
 we were deficient in ammunition : these guns we 
 were careful to place in commanding positions. Our 
 
42 BATTLE-EIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 small force of cavalry, after mracli discussion, was placed 
 ttpon the wings, and hardly were these diepositiong 
 made, when Siegel's gaas opened on us with great 
 fiiry ; nor was it possible for our cavalry to attack them 
 either in flank or rear, as intended, for their constant 
 cannonade frightened the horses and made them quite 
 unmanageable. 
 
 " After jnore than an hour of indecisive fighting; and 
 ' bush iwhacking,' our officers, who were determined to 
 bring the affair to a crisis, ordered a ' charge.' A« soon 
 as we began to advance at the ' double-quick,' tlie 
 enemy broke and ran, crossing a broad creek Jn itheir 
 rear, and destroying the bridge, leaving many score 
 dead and wounded behind. They halted after a ruoi rf 
 about two miles in the direction of Carthage, and many 
 of us having crossed on logs and floating timber formed 
 line, and followed in pursuit. We were badly circum- 
 stanced; for the enemy had obtained a splendid position; 
 being concealed in the woodB, their artillery could 
 play upon us as we advanced through the open fields. 
 Our cavalry, finding their horses of little value in sucli 
 an irregular fight, dismounted and assisted us as in- 
 fantry. Again closing up with the enemy, we fought 
 them for about two hours, when they gave way, and 
 made a running fight of more than four miles. We 
 had thus driven them before us into Carthage, where 
 they made a third Btand on the edge of the town, and 
 feom behind houses or ibarns maintained a Jiot fire upon 
 our advance. After some time, our numbers hegan to 
 increase, and we determined to drive them firom the 
 town. Collecting all our strength, we again succeeded, 
 
VICTOEY OF THE STATE TBOOFS. 43 
 
 by superior shoolang, in driving *hem before us, and in 
 our tprogress through the town captured many hundred 
 stand of arms. Still following close after them, we 
 chased themibr several miles on the road to Eolla, and 
 continued the pursuit until long after sunset! Their 
 killed and wounded amounted to 600 men, scattered up 
 and down the road for a distance of twelve miles or 
 more. The people of Carthage rendered us aH the 
 assistance in their power, furnished accommodations :&r 
 our wounded, and provided us with refreshments, of 
 which we were much in need. 
 
 " This victory caused great rejoicing, especially 
 amoi^ the farmers^ whose sons now came forward 'to 
 help fight the Dutch,' and were anxious that other 
 oppontunities might soon ofPer for whipping the Aboli- 
 tionists, For myself, I know not where all this is to 
 end, or how we are ever to succeed in Missouri, where 
 the river, the cities, and the railroads are held by the 
 enemy. In other parts of the South our friends have - 
 railroads at their command, and manufactories of dif- 
 ferent kinds in. their midst, to ' create ' supplies ; but 
 here we have no commissary or quartermaster, no 
 doctor, and but few arms, while the enemy have abun- 
 dance of all things, and can collect any number of men 
 *from neighbouring States to hurl against our little 
 band of adventurers. Nevertheless, we shall prove 
 tough subjects for Lincoln's minions to control, for we 
 are hardened, and know the country so thoroughly, that 
 not a ford or mountain pass but is well marked by 
 scores of trappers and hunters in our ranks. We know 
 that all the weight of the North and North-west will be 
 
44 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 thrown against us, but if their troops are to succeed 
 they must be made of better metal than that we lately 
 encountered at Carthage. 
 
 "The day after the battle. General M'Culloch, of 
 Texas, and General Pearce, of Arkansas, arrived to 
 our aid with about 2,000 men. It appeared that our 
 forces and theirs were advancing to the same place, 
 to prevent either little band being overpowered by a 
 sudden dash of the enemy, who is said to have already 
 an army of 40,000 men in the State. These are not 
 Missourians, but a mixed crowd of Germans and others 
 who have volunteered from every State, imder German 
 leaders. There are not five hundred Missourians arrayed 
 against us, and St. Louis to-morrow, together with dl 
 the river cities, would carry any election in favour of 
 the Southern cause, if uncontrolled by Federal bayonefc 
 More of this soon, — Yours, 
 
 "Polk." 
 
45 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Warlike Preparations around Manassas — ^Beauregard and other Generals 
 — Our Position at Bull Run — ^Advance of the Enemy — A Night 
 Surprise — ^Loss to the Enemy — General Tyler advances to force a 
 Passage at Blackburn's Eord— Battle of Bull Run, July 18th — The 
 Enemy retii'e, with Loss — Anxiety regarding Johnson's Move- 
 ments — ^Night Adventures — Courage of an English Landowner — 
 Our Generals forewarned of meditated Movements. 
 
 FoK several days I was unwell, and could not attend 
 to duty, but being allowed to walk about at leisure, 
 I frequently strolled down to the Junction, to watch 
 the progress of our preparations. A large redoubt 
 about half a mile long, and a quarter wide, had been 
 erected since my previous visit ; it was at least ten feet 
 high, and as many wide on the top, with a large ditch 
 in front. The batteries at the angles were semicircular, 
 with embrasures for four 32-pounders, the mouths of 
 which looked like black bulldogs, protecting the road. 
 In the interior were other works of greater or less 
 magnitude, connected by covered ways, all well pro- 
 vided with ammunition and bomb-proof magazines. 
 There were several smaller batteries placed in front on 
 elevations, and the works altogether seemed formidable 
 enough to protect the dep6t and stores, should the 
 enemy penetrate so far. 
 
46 BATTLE-MELDS OF THE SOTJTP. 
 
 "But who are our generals?" thought I, walking 
 ahout, and meditating ; " our men are as brave as steel, 
 but who are to lead them ? " Our best officers are from 
 the old army, yet none of them held higher rank than 
 that of colonel. R. E. Lee was in the cavalry, and a 
 lieutenant-colonel; Joseph E. Johnson was quarter- 
 master-general, and ranked as lieutenant-colonel ; Beau- 
 regard had been major of engineers ; Evans, Longstreet, 
 and others, did not rank higher than major of cavalry 
 or infantry, ani had seen but little service, except on 
 the frontier among the Indians ; Bragg was a retired 
 captain, of artillery ; T. J, Jackson was professor of 
 mathematics and of tactics in the University of Vir- 
 ginia; D. H. Hill was a lawyer; Polk, an Episcopal 
 bishop in Louisiana, &c. This^ was all the talent we 
 had, and much of it was only said to be " promising;" 
 General Lee was at Richmond, acting' as Secretary of 
 War; General Cooper was there also as adjutant- 
 general; Bragg and Polk were in Tennessee, and 
 Johnson in the Valley ; Beauregard was alone at 
 Manassas, having Evans, Ewell, Longstreet, and a 
 few less known names, as subordinates in the approach- 
 iing struggle. 
 
 Of Beauregard I knew little, but had heard much. 
 He was continually moving about from place to placej 
 his appearance and escort being so unostentatious that 
 many met and passed without knowing him. It was 
 his custom- to walk in the garden of the cottage where 
 his' head-quarters were established after meals, smok- 
 ing ; and it was there I first [saw him. He is a small 
 man, with a sallow complexion, a heavy black moustachej 
 
GENEEAL BEAUBEGAED. 47 
 
 and closely cut hair. With the left hand in his trousers 
 pocket, a cigar in his mouth,, a huttoned-up coat, and 
 small cap, he is the exact type of a French engineer, 
 and could not anywhere be. mistaken for. a civilian. 
 He is jaunty in his gait,, dashing in manner, and 
 evidently takes delight in the circumstance of war. It 
 must be confessed his modesty is equal to his merit 
 — he is not impecious or overbearing, bears great 
 respect for his brother officers of the old servicej and 
 is never seen to such advantage as when standing on 
 aa earthwork, and giving orders, or conversing with 
 animated gesture. 
 
 It was now the 14th of July, and the enemy were 
 advancing in four columns upon Fairfax Court-house. 
 General Bonham's brigade of South Carohnians held 
 the post, and had fortified, it. Having made every 
 di^osition for the fi^t, of which he was in anxious 
 expectation, it was much to his chagrin and disappointr 
 ment that he received orders to retreat when the enemy 
 were but a few miles distant. With much cursing,, the 
 brigade hastily fell back to Centreville, and camped on 
 the heights- on the. evening of the 17th, the enemy's 
 fires being visible about a mile distant On the same 
 day our brigade received orders to move to the front, 
 and we quietly bivouacked in the woods on the banks 
 of the Bull Run to guard M'Lean's Ford. In this 
 position we formed the right centre, and as our troops 
 stood in excellent repute with the army, it was surmised 
 that there was warm work in store- for us — a supposition 
 that was strongly confirmed when not less than seven 
 guns of the Washington Corps were detailed for our 
 
48 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH, 
 
 support. From our position to Blackburn's Ford was 
 half a mile, and there Longstreet was posted with a 
 strong brigade. Ewell was to our right, lower down, 
 and across the Run at Union Mills. While we stood 
 in line of battle, scouts came in, reporting the enemy's 
 approach en masse. In the afternoon an Alabama regi- 
 ment came in, in good order, bringing all its baggage. 
 They had skirmished with the enemy for several miles, 
 taking advantage of every turn in the road, and firing 
 from the woods with good effect. From their reports 
 we learned that all the outposts had made good their 
 retreat, and our skirmishers had done so much damage, 
 that the enemy were extremely slow and cautious in 
 their movements. 
 
 .Towards nightfall four companies of our right wing 
 crossed the ford and occupied a small vaUey which led 
 to Centreville. Our pickets had not long been posted 
 in the timber, when a cavalry scout came across the 
 open, and reported the approach of a strong force. The 
 men were all quietly placed and ready for business, 
 when we distinctly saw several hundred Federals placed 
 in the edge of the wood opposite, and could hear their 
 conversation occasionally. One of our negroes, taking 
 advantage of the darkness, went over to the enemy. 
 
 During the night the lieutenant-colonel, anxious for 
 our safety, attempted to reach us. Thanks to the run- 
 away, the enemy had enclosed us on three sides, the 
 fourth being a range of hills, beyond which was the 
 river. Determined to extricate us, the colonel swam 
 the river, and before the morning dawned we had safely 
 forded it, recrossed again lower down, and flanked the 
 
WAITING FOE THE ATTACK. 49 
 
 enemy. The sequel was exciting. Believing us to be 
 surrounded, the Yankees moved cautiously towards the 
 spot, and two battalions opened close volleys. Dis- 
 covering their exact whereabouts by the flash, we all 
 took accurate aim, and pouring volley after volley into 
 them with great rapidity, scattered their force in all 
 directions. Wet to the skin, but much elated, we were 
 peremptorily commanded to retire across the Run by 
 an orderly of the general's, who said our firing had 
 aroused every man in the division. As we approached 
 M'Lean's Ford. through the woods, our outposts, horse 
 and foot, were as thick as flies, and such was the danger 
 of being fired into, that scouts had to be sent in advance 
 to report our approach. The ford was much deepened, 
 and the river had risen. We crossed as best we could 
 on fallen trees ; and as the moon rose, plainly saw our 
 horse pickets on the opposite hill, while the glare of the 
 enemy's camp fires around Centreville looked like 
 thousands of stars flickering against the dark blue sky. 
 
 It was evident the enemy were perfectly informed 
 of the topographical peculiarities of the region, for 
 there seemed to be little hesitation in their movements, 
 but great knowledge of available ground, and prac- 
 ticable roads. Their extended wings and superior 
 force led many to suppose that it was their real inten- 
 tion to surround and cut us off from all escape. The 
 men laughed at such an idea, and, to use their own 
 language, were "spoiling for a fight." When the 
 morning of the 18th dawned, our regiments formed in 
 line, and waited hour after hour for the attack, which 
 was now certain. 
 
 VOL. I. 4 
 
50 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 About noon, several shots in the direction of Black- 
 burn's Ford indicated that the advance was exchanging 
 compliments with our pickets. Shortly afterwards, 
 I was sent on duty up the Run, and, reaching an 
 elevation, saw that the enemy had crossed above Black- 
 burn's Ford, and were shelling the woods in all direc- 
 tions. Presently, several of our light batteries came 
 galloping on the ground, and an artillery duel imme- 
 diately ensued, with fluctuating fortune; our volun- 
 teers, however, seemed to have the advantage, for they 
 worked their pieces with such rapidity, that the Federal 
 regulars retired, and allowed their infantry to advance, 
 which they did in fine style, and compaenced to fan 
 out in skirmishing order. Ours did the same, and 
 advanced. Presently the skirmishers on both sides fell 
 back, and formed ; then both sides advanced in line. 
 
 After some manoeuvring and firing, eight com- 
 panies on our side (they were the 1st Virginian 
 Volunteers) deceived their opponents by a well-executed 
 ruse. Having first advanced against the enemy, they 
 suddenly turned and fled, at quick time, but in perfect 
 line. With cheers, the Yankees pursued ; but when 
 they were fairly drawn out into the open field, the 
 major in command gave the word, and the Virginians, 
 facing about, fired a most destructive volley. Asto- 
 nishedj the Yankees stood aghast at their loss ; and at 
 the instant were charged by the Virginians, who threw 
 themselves, with an Indian yell, upon the foe. Then 
 the Federals threw away their arms and fled pre- 
 cipitately to the river bank: the artillery duel was 
 resumed with great fury, shells bursting in all direc- 
 
DUEL OF ARTILLERY. 51 
 
 tions ; and our infantry advanced on the enemy's flank, 
 while distant musketry could be plainly heard like the 
 pattering of rain. It was evident the enemy could not, 
 effect a permanent lodgment on the south bank ; and, 
 satisfied with the trial, they were retreating to Centre- 
 ville, under cover of their numerous artillery. Advanc- 
 ing at a gallop across the open ground, our light batteries 
 took up a position, and unlimbered with great celerity" 
 and coolness under fire, and so great was their precision 
 of aim, that the enemy retired in haste. Our infantry 
 pursued for some short distance across the river, while 
 the artillery played until their shots fell into the Federal 
 camps on the hill. Had a small force of cavalry been 
 at hand, we might have inflicted serious loss and 
 i captured several pieces. As it was, the Federal enemy 
 I left many of their dead and wounded behind, together 
 ' with several hundred stand of arms, and decamped in 
 ! great confusion. 
 
 I This auspicious opening of our campaign in Virginia 
 spread great joy among the volunteers, and such was 
 I the enthusiasm it caused, that many regiments who, in 
 ambush, had witnessed the fight, could scarcely be con- 
 . trolled by their officers : the 7th Louisiana obliged their 
 1 commanders to, move forward into the open ground, to 
 I participate in the engagement, but they were too late, 
 I for the "game" had taken wing to their nest on the 
 ; hills. It is strange to remark that the retreating foe 
 ' shouted vociferously, and their bands struck up " Yankee 
 ! Doodle" and other Northern airs, perhaps in joy for 
 i their safe retreat, it being impossible to imagine any 
 I other reason. At the critical moment. General Beau- 
 
 4—2 
 
52 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 regard rode to the front, sent orders to Colonel Fer- 
 guson of his staff to pursue as far as practicable, and, 
 .galloping past our position, ascended a hill, whence he 
 could view the Federal rout in detail. " Poor Tyler,' 
 said some one in the group, " his decapitation has come 
 early ; " and, true enough, his name has scarcely ever 
 been whispered in the North since that fatal 18th day 
 'of July. In Northern reports, indeed, this affair is 
 lightly spoken of as "a, reconnaissance that was emi- 
 nently successful in every way ; " nevertheless, we 
 positively tnow that that division was so roughly 
 handled and dispirited, that it was withdrawn to the 
 rear, and did not fire a single shot in the great battle 
 fought on the following Sunday. The escapes of Beau- 
 regard that afternoon were almost miraculous. Shells 
 penetrated his head-quarters in a dozen places, bursting 
 in the kitchen, and blowing the cooking apparatus about 
 in all directions. The terrified black, cooks struck work, 
 and could not be prevailed upon to resume their labours 
 till nightfall. 
 
 Expecting the attack to be resumed with great fury 
 on the morrow, every preparation was made for it, 
 strong picket guards being posted in all directions. It 
 was while I was out on this duty, far away to the front, 
 that news was brought of Patterson's retreat from the 
 Shenandoah Valley into Maryland, his object being to 
 effect a junction with the forces of General Scott around 
 Washington in time for the great struggle. At the 
 same time, telegrams informed us of Johnson's retreat 
 to Winchester and Strasburg ; and he himself had 
 arrived at Manassas on Friday night (the 19 th), while 
 
ADVANCE OF BEAUREGARD. 53 
 
 Jackson, with one or two brigades, was on his way hy 
 railroad. The rest of Johnson's army, it was expected, 
 would reach us before Sunday, and participate in the 
 general engagement. This was excellent news, and 
 Johnson's manoeuvres raised him high in the opinion of 
 the men. 
 
 During the night we picked up several stragglers 
 from Scott's army, and learned from them thatM'Dowell 
 was in chief command, and had 75,000 men. These 
 prisoners did not wish to be sent far from Manassas, 
 and for peculiar reasons. ** Don't send us to Rich- 
 mond," they said; *'our army will be in Manassas 
 before Sunday, and therefore we wish to save trouble. 
 Lincoln and Scott both promise to be in Richmond 
 within a wgek, and as the thing will be over so soon, we 
 don't wish to be sent far off," &c. We could not 
 help laughing at the simplicity of these would-be " con- 
 querors," but allowed them to continue cherishing their 
 fond expectations, resolved, however, to make breast- 
 works of our bodies rather than allow these Northern 
 hirelings to rule over us. 
 
 On Saturday morning, early, we were provisioned 
 for three days, and everything seemed to denote a 
 forward movement on our part. Some sharp skir- 
 mishing occurred on our right, but towards 9 a.m. we 
 were withdrawn to the position occupied on Thursday. 
 I did not, and do not, believe that an advance was 
 seriously intended by Beauregard, although he is pro- 
 verbially a dashing and spirited commander; for the 
 eiiemy were in immense force on high ground, and 
 superabundantly supplied with artillery. This partial 
 
54 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 advance was more probably a " feint," designed to 
 make the enemy believe we intended to move forward, 
 and thus engage their attention, and gain more time for 
 our troops in the VaUey to join us. Up to Saturday 
 noon, not more than 5,000 had arrived, while, could 
 we avert the impending attack until Sunday, it was 
 thought all would have come up from that and other 
 directions, making an aggregate of 15,000 additional 
 to our strength. The idea, if correct, was commend- 
 able; yet, although Johnson had made every possible 
 preparation for the transport of his force, unforeseen 
 circumstances completely thwarted the design, and up 
 to 1 P.M., none had arrived. The more observant" were 
 particularly silent — ^things did not exactly please them; 
 yet these were the men to speak encouragingly to §&, 
 and plead unbounded confidence in the ability of onr 
 leaders. 
 
 To encourage the troops, a report was spread that 
 all Johnson's force had safely arrived, together with 
 several thousand additional from difierent quarters. 
 AH seemed pleased; and when tattoo sounded, a terrific 
 howl rent the skies, commencing on our extreme right, 
 and gradually extending away to the left. What it 
 meant none could tell ; the men seemed to shout and 
 howl from an overflow of spirits, and from no other 
 cause. Being on distant picket duty at the time, I 
 could not help remarking the effect these Indian yells 
 had on the Yankees. We had crept so close as to see 
 them plainly moving about and hear their conversation. 
 One of the pickets was very valorous in his speedi ; he 
 was willing to stake anything in the world that "the 
 
A COURAGEOUS YANKEE. 55 
 
 rebels would evacuate Manassas before morning ! He 
 only wisbed he came across half-a-dozen rebels ! H^d, 
 show them what fighting stuff Union troops were made 
 of — h^dj show them what old Massachusetts could do ! " 
 &c. Determined to try the metal of this pugnacious 
 individual, iiio of us crawled through the underbush, 
 Indian fashion, and waiting an opportunity, seized this 
 bombastic New Englander, without the shadow of 
 resistance, and, having gagged and tied him, led him 
 into our lines ! From this trembling hero we learned 
 that the greater part of M'Dowell's forces were on the 
 move across country to Stone Bridge or the vicinity, 
 and that the fight would certainly begin at dawn; 
 heavy masses being sent round to turn our left, and 
 get into Manassas by the flank. When we were re- 
 lieved at midnight, we communicated our fragments 
 of information to the officer of the guard, and returned 
 across Bull Run to our regiment, bivouacked in a cedar 
 grove, and refreshed ourselves. 
 
 But ere I attempt to give details of the important 
 engagement of the morrow, I must be permitted, in a 
 short digression, to speak of important movements that 
 were taking place all night long within the Federal 
 lines. Mr. Thornton, an Enghsh gentleman, possessed 
 a very large and handsome estate about a mile north- 
 ward of Centreville, and, being of Southern sentiments, 
 left his plantation on the approach of M'Dowell's forces 
 (on Wednesday night), and fled with his friends across 
 Sudley's Ford towards Manassas — a distance of some 
 seven or more miles. Hearing that the Yankees inva- 
 riably destroyed all property found deserted, he returned 
 
56 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 on Saturday through the woods to ascertain the fate of 
 his house, barns, .and stock. When within half a mile 
 of his premises, he observed large columns of the enemy 
 making a ditour through the country, so as to flank 
 Sudley Ford. That this was their intention he had no 
 doubt, for it was far beyond our left wing, and the 
 stream there only ankle-deep. He attempted to retreat 
 at nightfall, but found that the ford was hemmed ia by 
 large masses of troops — far greater in number than he 
 observed congregated round Stone Bridgd (our extreme 
 left), about two miles lower down the stream. Dete^ 
 mined to advise our generals of these movements, he 
 made several attempts to pass the lines, but failed, and 
 was fired at repeatedly. Penetrating the woods by 
 cow-paths well known to him (being an exentsive stodfe 
 raiser), he finally succeeded in crossing the Run, and 
 set off post-haste for the nearest head-quarters. It was 
 past 2 A.M, on Sunday when Mr. Thornton ushered 
 himself into the presence of Colonel Nathan Evans, 
 who commanded a brigade near Stone Bridge. Evans 
 listened to the narration, asked important questions, 
 and, arriving at conclusions, maliciously showed his 
 white teeth with a wicked grin, and, ordering coffee, 
 dressed himself. Mounted men were immediately sent 
 to Beauregard, yet no additional force arrived, and 
 Evans was left to his own resources. Detaching a 
 portion of his brigade, he immediately moved up 
 towards Sudley Ford, and reinforced the 4th Alabama 
 Regiment and a Mississippi battalion he found stationed 
 there. 
 
57 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Battle of Manassas Plains, Sunday, July 21st— Disposition of the 
 Southern Forces— Plans of the Enemy — The main Battle on our 
 Left — Struggle at Sudley Ford and Stone Bridge — Attack of 
 Iiouisiana Irish — Critical Situation of our Forces — Stonewall Jack- 
 sou — Preparations for a final Advance on both Sides — Arrival of 
 Johnson's Eeinforcements — Total Rout of the Enemy. 
 
 Fkom Tarions causes, I was destined to enjoy but little 
 sleep, and was on the move nearly all night. The great 
 lights around Centreville seemed to die out ahout mid- 
 night, but then arose a low murmuring noise, as if 
 large bodies of men had thus early risen, and were 
 marching through country west of the river. Soon 
 afterwards, being sent to the outposts, my ear quickly 
 detected heavy masses moving along the road towards 
 Stone Bridge, and I could faintly hear the shouts of 
 teamsters and artillery drivers whipping up their horses. 
 The bumping of heavy waggons and artillery was dis- 
 tinctly audible, while now and then the command could 
 be faintly heard in the still night — "Attention, bat- 
 tahon ! — forward, march ! " This continued passage 
 of men along our front gave me very melancholy 
 forebodings regarding the enemy's force, more espe- 
 cially as serious fears were entertained regarding the 
 
58 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 remainder of Johnson's command in the Shenandoah, 
 for it was now nearly 3 a.m., and still no troops had 
 arrived ! 
 
 Could it be that the enemy had sent a heavy force, 
 torn up the track, and seized the " Gap ? " None could 
 tell; few dared speak on the subject; but those who 
 knew our weakness, and the necessity for the speedy 
 arrival of reinforcements, whispered their fears of the 
 deadly conflict that would be surely ushered in at dawn. 
 Again and again cocks on neighbouring farms carolled 
 forth the hour. At last the first grey streaks of morning 
 appeared in the sky, with the pure pale moon slowly 
 descending below the distant woods. The waters of 
 the river audibly rippled past — otherwise, not a sound 
 was heard save the quick, sharp challenge, "Halt!— 
 who goes there ? " 
 
 By entering into conversation with a well-infomrf; 
 comrade, I ascertained the precise position and number 
 of our forces. Ewell's brigade constituted our extreme 
 right, and was across Bull Run, posted at Union Mills; 
 D. R. Jones's brigade came next, being south of the 
 river, at M'Lean's (or Wolf) Ford ; Longstreet's 
 brigade was at Blackburn's Ford; Bonham's brigade 
 at Mitchell's Ford ; Philip St. George Cocke's brigade 
 was posted at Ball's Ford, three miles farther up 
 sixeam; while Colonel Nathan Evans, with two regi- 
 ments, guarded Stone Bridge — making a distance of nine 
 miles from the right to our extreme left. There were 
 several other fords farther up, viz. — the Red House 
 Ford, and still higher, Sndley Ford, &c.; but Stone 
 Bridge was generally considered our extreme left. The 
 
MOENING OF THE BATTLE. 59 
 
 rigit of our line was much stronger than the left in 
 position and numbers, even without considering the two 
 reserve brigades of Holmes and Early, which were 
 stationed with the former for emergencies. 
 
 At which of these points the meditated blow might 
 fall none could foresee. Scott was said to be a crafty 
 general, and there can be no doubt that he taxed his 
 little genius rather heavily on this occasion to assist 
 M'Dowell, who, as our prisoners assured us, held the 
 chief command. I had scarcely returned to camp, 
 about 5 A.M., when all were afoot and ready for moving. 
 The sun had risen in more than usual splendour, and 
 as I stood on a hill across M'Lean's Ford, gazing upon 
 the distant landscape, the e£fect was beautiful. To our 
 right and eastward, on the heights o.f Oentreville, 
 Porter's artillery was deliberately shelling Blackburn's 
 and M'Lean's Fords, the smoke, in the most beautiful 
 and fantastically formed volumes, curling away from 
 the cannon's mouth. Westward, rose the dark outline 
 of the Blue Ridge, which enclosed, as in an amphi- 
 theatre, the woods and hollows, the streams and open 
 spaces of Manassas Plains. Smoke, ascending from the 
 woods on both sides of the stream of Bull Run, eight 
 miles away in the direction of Stone Bridge, told that 
 the fight had commenced there, while the frequent 
 reports of artiUery proved that both sides were be- 
 coming angry, and replying sharply and vindictively 
 to each other. Occasional sounds of musketry fire, 
 fronting Blackburn's and Mitchell's Fords, indicated 
 that Longstreet's and Bonham's brigades at the centre 
 were engaged in heavy skirmishes, though the enemy 
 
60 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 seemed disinclined to attempt any serious assault upon 
 those positions. 
 
 As soon as the first guns disturbed the peace of this 
 calm and beautiful Sabbath morning, Johnson and 
 Beauregard had galloped forward, and taken up a 
 position on a hill to the left and rear of Bonham at 
 Mitchell's Ford, ■where a full view was obtained of the 
 entire Hne of Bull Run. The enemy saw the group of 
 officers, and shells fell thick in the vicinity. These 
 demonstrations met with no response : our generals- 
 in-chief were intently watching the development of 
 M'Dowell's movements, and seemed undecided as to 
 his real point of attack. They had not remained long 
 searching the plain with their glasses, when an increas- 
 ing volume of smoke four miles to the left revealed 
 the fact that the Federals were in force at that point. 
 This was presently confirmed by the arrival of order* 
 lies, who reported that the fire was brisk at Stone 
 Bridge ; that we held our own there, but that a strong 
 column under Colonel Hunter had successfully crossed 
 higher up at Sudley Ford, driven Evans back, and 
 was slowly progressing, at right angles to the river, 
 towards the Red House. 
 
 Colonel Evans having been forewarned of this move- 
 ment, as we have elsewhere shown, had posted about 
 1,000 men and two light pieces near the intersection of 
 the Warrenton Turnpike and Sudley Road. This 
 handful of troops resisted the advance of Hunter, until 
 they were compelled by superior numbers to retire 
 across the Ford ; and this being effected, they took up 
 another position in the woods. The movement was 
 
PLAN OF THE BATTLE. 61 
 
 misunderstood by the enemy, who, believing our force 
 to be routed, halted at the Ford some little time to 
 refresh themselves and fill their canteens. They then 
 crossed in admirable order, and had advanced about a 
 mile, when our two guns opened fire upon them, and 
 blocked up the lane with dead. The enemy now 
 hurried forward their artillery, and, soon overpowering 
 ours, advanced again, meeting with a desperate resist- 
 ance from Evans's heroes, whose precision of fire 
 inflicted severe loss on the masses opposed to them. 
 
 While these events were progressing at Sudley Ford, 
 other parts of the field began to develop more fully the 
 enemy's plan of battle. The reader must picture to 
 himself Wheat's immortal battalion (the Louisiana) and 
 a few other troops still engaged with Tyler's (1st) divi- 
 sion of three brigades at Stone Bridge,* while Evans 
 
 * General Thos. W. Sherman (brigadier of volunteers, in Tyler's 
 division) is a fine, well-made man, six feet high, erect, moderately 
 stout, precise in manner, but quick and voluble in discourse, fair 
 complexion, and closely shaven. He was captain 1st United States 
 Artillery, and served during the Mexican war. His battery was well- 
 known for its efficiency and drill, and was generally called " Sherman's 
 batteiy." When he retired from the United States' service he ranked 
 as major. He lived in Louisiana for some time, and conducted a semi- 
 military academy at Alexandria in that State, in which occupation he 
 realized much money. When war seemed inevitable between the North 
 and South, he gave up his academy, and offered his sendees to the 
 Lincohi Government, to assist in killing the pupils who gave him bread. 
 He .was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, and made himself 
 conspicuous at Manassas. In the old aimy he enjoyed great reputation 
 as an artillerist, but now seems to have sunk into oblivion, or all talent 
 has departed, for we never hear of him as distinguishing himself. His 
 once famous battery, subsequent to his resignation, was commanded by 
 Captain James B. Eicketts, of New York, who greatly distinguished 
 himself at Manassas, and quite eclipsed the fame of Sherman as an artil- 
 lery officer. 
 
62 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH, 
 
 at Sudley !Ford is slowly retiring before the four 
 brigades of Hunter. Then Colonel Heinzleman, -with 
 the 2nd division, is seen moving towards Red House 
 Ford between these two valiant leaders; and joining 
 forces with Hunter, he proceeds — stiU at right angles 
 with the river — to Stone Bridge, his object being to 
 disperse the little force under Major Wheat, and allow 
 Tyler's division to cross. Heinzleman was, in some 
 degree, baffled and held in check. But arriving at 
 and crossing the ford, he discovered one of our regi- 
 ments (4th Alabama) drawn up to receive him. Recall- 
 ing his skirmishers, Heinzleman cheered on the New 
 York " Fire Zouaves " (1,500 strong), leading gallantly 
 himself. Our Alabamians allow them to approach 
 within fifty yards, when they deliver a volley from 800 
 Mississippi rifles, and scatter the Zouaves beyond all 
 recal. They are re-formed, harangued, reminded of 
 their vows, their banners are shaken out, and cheers 
 given for the Union — but "advance" they will not. 
 The morale of these braves was destroyed : they were 
 afterwards seen in companies, or small detachments,, but 
 never as a regiment. 
 
 Disgusted with their behaviour, Heinzleman turned 
 in his saddle, and observing the gallant appearance of 
 the 14th Brooklyn (New York) Zouaves, placed himself 
 at their head, and again advanced ; but again the calm 
 line of Alabamians delivered a fatal volley, and again 
 the crack Federal troops broke and fled. A Massa- 
 chusetts regiment was next brought up to clear the 
 way, but this, and two other regiments which followed 
 it, quailed before the murderous volleys of the "4th." 
 
INEQUALITT OF NUMBERS. 63 
 
 The only regiment that did stand two volleys was a 
 Michigan, or Western regiment. Numbers, however, 
 began to tell, and Bee, who commanded the Alabamians 
 and Mississippians, slowly fell back. By this time, it 
 wiU be seen, the enemy had three full divisions and 
 many guns across the stream, and the conflict began 
 to assume a sanguinary aspect. To oppose their ad- 
 vance we had two light guns and one regiment under 
 Evans, 7th and 8th Georgia under Bartow, 4th Alabama, 
 2nd, and two companies of the 11th Mississippi, and 
 four guns of Imboden's battery under Bee, — a total of 
 six guns and five regiments against 15,000 (including 
 " regulars " and " marines ") and twenty pieces of rifled 
 artillery. Such being the disparity of numbers, the 
 fight was maintained with desperation on our side. The 
 enemy's line, at right angles with the river, was in- 
 creasing in length every moment ; their design, so far 
 as we could judge, was to cut us off from Manassas, 
 and entirely surround our small but heroic band. To 
 add to our misfortune two small brigades had been 
 detached from the division in front of Stone Bridge, 
 and, finding a fordable place, had crossed under Sher- 
 man and Keyes, and appeared forming to our right 
 and rear, leaving sufficient force at the bridge to occupy 
 our small force under Major Wheat. 
 
 On the left the fight up to this time had been 
 desperate. The attack on Hunter's column at Sudley 
 Ford was made by Evans with a full consciousness 
 of the disparity of force, and he expected no more 
 success than consisted in delaying the movements of 
 the enemy ; yet such was the ardour of his men and 
 
64 BATTLB-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 their precision of fire, that he accomplished wonders, 
 They were so exhausted, however, with continuallj 
 advancing to the attack, and were so much weakened 
 in numbers, that at last the men for the most part 
 were firing from the woods in skirmishing order, and, 
 being excellent marksmen, inflicted much loss. It was 
 impossible at this time to concentrate them at any one 
 point, for each was fighting in his own style — " bush- 
 whacking," as it is called. Yet they did not flinch, 
 but continued an incessant fusilade upon the enemy, 
 who seemed to fear that the attack was from our main 
 body. In that conviction, they moved but slowly down 
 towards the Red House Ford, where Bee's Mississip- 
 pians and Bartow's Alabamians were struggling against 
 the craftiness and numbers of Colonel Heinzleman. -^^ 
 
 I have already recorded how five of their best regi- 
 ments were successively beaten back by a single one 
 of ours, or rather parts of two. Bee led his men 
 admirably. Again and again he formed and reformed 
 his little band, encouraging all with words of kindness 
 and confidence. He frequently assailed overwhelm- 
 ing numbers to prevent them securing the passage of 
 Stone Bridge, beyond which heavy divisions : were 
 waiting to cross. He was only relieved when Jackson's 
 Brigade and Hampton's Legion were brought up ; then 
 joining with Evans, their combined forces formed a 
 longer and better line, and repelled the enemy with 
 more ease, although the strength and precision of the 
 opposing artillery made fearful havoc. 
 
 It will be remembered that Major "Wheat's Louisiana 
 battalion were left sole defenders of the bridge itself. 
 
CHAEGB OF THE LOUISIANA lEISH. 65 
 
 Although few in numherj these heroic soldiers sus- 
 tained every shock with unwavering courage, and on 
 more than one occasion dropped their rifles, and rushed 
 among the enemy with long bowie knives. But when 
 it was known that Hunter had crossed at Sudley Ford, 
 and formed a junction with Heinzleman at Red House 
 Ford, Sherman's and Keyes' brigades left the force at 
 Stone Bridge, and crossed a few hundred yards higher 
 up, as related above ; and Wheat was sent to prevent 
 their junction with the other forces on the same side. 
 As the majority of Wheat's command were Louisiana 
 Irish, they robbed the dead of their whisky, and were 
 in high spirits when ordered to assail Sherman and 
 Keyes. They could not attempt this alone, but, re- 
 ceiving reinforcements, wrought such havoc among the 
 enemy that their progress was extremely slow and 
 uncertain. The fighting was irregular. Now, the 
 battalion would keep up a lively fire from the woods,^ 
 creep through the brush, make a sudden charge, upset 
 a cannon or two and retire. Again, they would main- 
 tain a death-like silence until the foe were not more 
 than fifty paces off; then delivering a withering volley, 
 they would dash forward with unearthly yells, and as 
 they drew their knives and rushed to close quarters, 
 the Yankees screamed with horror. 
 
 It is only fair to state that the Federal colonels 
 Hunter, Heinzleman, and others, nobly did their duty, 
 and handled their troops with great precision and judg- 
 ment. Scott's idea of attracting our attention on the 
 right, and at Stone Bridge, while columns were march- 
 ing through the woods to cross at Sudley and Red 
 
 VOL. I. 5 
 
66 BATTLE-PIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 House Fords, was an excellent one, and it was carried 
 out to the letter by his scientific subordinates. Had 
 not our small force made a terrible resistance, it was 
 more than possible the day would have proved disastrous 
 to us, for our line was scattered over a distance of mor& 
 than eight miles up and down the river, and our weakest 
 point had been selected for the assault. 
 
 The events I have attempted to describe occupied the 
 time till midday. There could be -no longer a doubt of 
 the enemy's real plan ; and our small force under Bee 
 gradually fell back towards the Robinson House, against 
 vast odds, suffering severely at every yard. Johnson 
 and Beauregard furiously galloped to the left, to retrieve 
 our failing fortunes. Hampton's Legion and Jackson's 
 Virginia Brigade had already arrived to succour Bee, 
 and were ordered to lie down behind a bit of rising 
 ground, so as to form the centre of a new line when 
 Bee retreated thus far. Riding up to Jackson, yihs, 
 on a mound, sat his horse like a statue, viewing the 
 whole scene. Bee said, " General, they are beating P 
 back — ^we're obliged to give ground." "Well, then, 
 sir," was the dry, calm reply, "we will give them 
 the bayonet ! " Riding hurriedly back to his men, Bee 
 cheered them with encouraging words, saying, " Look 
 at Jackson yonder, boys ! — he is standing like a stone- 
 wall I" 
 
 Finding that the enemy still assailed our left with 
 overwhelming numbers and ftiry. General Beauregard 
 conceived the idea of a forward movement on the right, 
 hoping that it might serve as a diversion. Ewell and 
 Jones were ordered to move into position and attack. 
 
CEITICAL SITUATION. 67 
 
 The latter general marched three miles, and took up his 
 line within half a mile of the enemy ; hut the extreme 
 right failed to fire, and after remaining three hours, 
 Jones retired south of the Run. It has heen said that 
 Ewell never received these orders. Be this as it may, 
 Ewell, Jones, and Longstreet remained idle with their 
 magnificent commands, while the roar of battle to the 
 left was increasing every moment. In the distance shot 
 and shell were ploughing up the ground. Towards 
 Manassas the dark Federal line was approaching slowly, 
 like an immense serpent moving through the fields, 
 while the numerous artillery of the enemy belched 
 forth grape and shell upon our weak and small line. 
 ^ The situation was now exceedingly critical,' but 
 reinforcements were rapidly approaching from Bon- 
 ham's and Longstreet's brigades on the right, together 
 with several pieces of artillery and some cavalry. 
 iSeizing an opportune moment. General Beauregard led 
 Ion one wing, while Johnson, grasping the colours 
 iof the 4th Alabama, rode to the front ; and with a wild 
 iyell our men advanced again, and quickly recovered lost 
 ground, having to move forward under showers of shell 
 and small shot that assailed them at every step. Brilliant 
 'as this charge was, the enemy, it was plain, were over- 
 powering us by weight of numbers. They had seized a 
 plateau on which stood two wooden houses (Widow 
 {Henry's, and the free negro Robinson's), and had placed 
 (thereon Ricketts' and Griffin's celebrated batteries. 
 1 General Beauregard, determined to repossess him- 
 self of the position, formed his line -for an assault, 
 land his right rushed to the charge, while our centre, 
 
 5—2 
 
68 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 under Jackson, pierced theirs. The plateau was won, 
 together with several guns, but the enemy some time, 
 afterwards threw forward a heavy force of infantry and 
 dispossessed us again. 
 
 It was now about two P.M., and the battle still raged 
 furiously on the left, though nothing, save skirmishing 
 and an occasional discharge of ordnance, occurred on 
 our right. The brigades of Holmes and Early were 
 ordered up, and the first arrived opportunely at the 
 moment when our generals were preparing for another 
 advance : at the same time, additional pieces of artillery 
 came galloping up, by their eagerness for action and 
 cheerfulness inspiriting all with bright hopes for the 
 future. At the word to charge, our men seemed 
 to have received new life, and advanced with loud 
 shouts to drive the enemy from the plateau. Our 
 artillery replied admirably, but the enemy were more 
 than a match for us, and inflicted much loss. Our 
 infantry, however, nothing daunted- by the forces 
 massed on the hill, resolutely attacked them, and after 
 a stubborn and sanguinary combat the plateau, with the 
 enemy's guns and ammunition, was again in our pos- 
 session. 
 
 Pursuing the foe through the fields, our men never 
 seemed weary of slaughter, although their own ranks 
 were perceptibly thinning. It was while driving the 
 enemy through the " open " that Bee and Bartow, rid- 
 ing in advance of their commands, fell mortally 
 wounded. The latter, with colours in hand, survived 
 a few moments, and, smiling on his comrades, said, 
 " They have killed me, boys ; but never give up the 
 
AEElVAIi' OF JOHNSON'S TROOPS. 69 
 
 fight." The enemy were puzzled and astounded by 
 the change which two hours had produced in the tide 
 of fortune; as for ourselves, though still inferior in 
 numbersj we had now no doubt of success : our rein- 
 forcements were rapidly arriving from the right, 
 steadily our advance was continued through fields and 
 woods, over hundreds of dead — friends and foes. 
 
 Such was the state of the battle, when, from 
 appearances in the distance, it became evident that the 
 enemy were planning and arranging some great final 
 stroke for our overthrow. But while they rallied their 
 broken line, under shelter of fresh brigades, and pre- 
 pared for the renewal of the struggle, signals from the 
 hills warned General Beauregard to "look out for 
 enemy's advance on the left." I must here remind 
 the reader that the remainder of Johnson's army had 
 been anxiously expected from the Shenandoah Valley 
 during the whole of the previous night; and it was 
 these troops — Kirby Smith's brigade — that had been 
 mistaken for the enemy. As the train approached 
 Manassas, Smith knew ■ by the firing that a great 
 struggle was in progress, and, having stopped the 
 engine, he formed his men, and advanced through the 
 fields. Every countenance was brightened by the 
 intelligence of his arrival at this juncture. "John- 
 son's men have come at last ! " was the remark from 
 mouth to mouth, and that commander instantly made 
 dispositions for an enlargement of our line. While this 
 was ^oing on, Early's brigade also came up from the 
 right (for though the message, as I have before stated, 
 was sent at noon, it was not received until past two). 
 
70 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 and was instantly sent to our extreme left, while Kirby 
 Smith was ordered to assail the enemy's right and rear, 
 which his advance through the fields enabled him to do 
 easily. Other reinforcements were coming from Bon- 
 ham, Cocke, and Longstreet, and as they arrived were 
 placed in position for a general advance. 
 
 On the side of the enemy. Colonels Hunter, Hein- 
 zleman, Sherman, Burnside, Keyes, and others, saw the 
 storm approaching, and made every effort to meet it 
 They had re-formed their line, and endeavoured to out- 
 flank our left; but at the very moment when Major 
 Elzey with Kirby Smith's brigade of 1,700 men 
 and four guns, and Early's brigade (17th Virginia, 
 7th Louisiana, and 13th Mississippi), attacked them 
 on the right flank and rear, Beauregard and Johnson, 
 also, threw forward their whole line, and with loud 
 shouts advanced to the attack ; twenty pieces of cannon 
 at the same time shook the earth with their deafening 
 roar. Among other regiments the following formed 
 this last grand charge, viz. : — 11th, 2nd, and 13th Mis- 
 sissippi; 7th and 8th Georgia; 7th Louisiana; 6th North 
 Carolina; 4th Alabama; 10th, 17th, 4th, 5th, 27th, 
 43rd, 18th, and 28th Virginia; Stuart's Cavalry, and 
 Hampton's Legion ; 4th, 2nd, and 8th South Carolina; 
 3rd Tennessee ; 1st Maryland, &c. 
 
 When the order was given to advance, couriers were 
 sent to our right, with instructions for Longstreet 
 Jones, and Ewell, to make a strong demonstration 
 towards Centreville. The roar of cannon and mugketry 
 on the left was terrible ; clouds of smoke and dust hung 
 over the entire plain ; high above the din of the strife 
 
VICTOEY OF THE CONFEDERATES. 71 
 
 might be heard one of the enemy's heavy pieces, a 
 32-pounderj called " Long Tom." Simultaneously 
 attacked on all sides, and with unexampled fury, the 
 foe made a determined resistance on a rising ground in 
 the vicinity of Chinn's House, and it looked like an 
 island round which flames were gathering in all direc- 
 tions. Appalled by the unexpected chaiige of fortune, 
 the Federal commanders knew not what to do. It was 
 now past three in the afternoon, yet no reinfordements 
 were at hand, and their cannon were being captured at 
 every turn. In vain they rallied their forces ; no 
 sooner were they formed than our troops broke them 
 again, until at last their line, thousands in number 
 sought safety in sudden flight. The landscape was 
 darkened by their fugitive masses flying in all direc- 
 tions, and pursued by the half-wild victors. 
 
 The pursuit was the business of Stuart's cavalry, 
 aided by artillery, and the scene that ensued was awful 
 and heartrending. Ten miles from Centreville heights, 
 these fugitive thousands rushed across Bull Run by 
 the various fords, and horse, foot, artillery, waggons, 
 and ambulances were entangled in inextricable confu- 
 sion ; the roads were blocked up, reinforcements arriving 
 were seized with a panic, and every one rushed towards 
 Centreville by the roads, through the woods and fields. 
 To add to their horror, Jones's brigade on the right, 
 without waiting for Ewell or Longstreet, attacked 
 their reserves on Centreville, and turned what would 
 have been an orderly retreat into a disastrous rout. 
 Thousands rushing towards Centreville for safety, only 
 arrived in time to learn that our troops were advancing 
 
72 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 on the village, and that Blenker's and other reserve 
 corps, unable to withstand the pressure, were rushing 
 towards Washington, For miles around clouds of 
 smoke and dust obscured the landscape, while the rattle 
 of musketry and the cheers of Jones's brigade, as they, 
 rushing into the deserted camps, and seizing upon the 
 artillery, only added additional fears to the horror- 
 stricken multitude. Kemper's and Beckham's batteries, 
 on our left, also pursued the enemy, and kept up such a 
 destructive fire upon them, that at many points of the 
 road waggons, artillery, caissons, ambulances, and car- 
 riages were jammed in masses, and thus barricaded the 
 roads. At these points the fugitives took to the fields 
 and woods, throwing away their arms and accoutre- 
 ments, and whatever might impede flight. Even the 
 sick and wounded were dragged from ambulances, and 
 their places taken by red-legged Zouaves ; ambulance, 
 waggon, and artillery horses had their traces cut, and 
 were mounted by oflScers of every grade, from captains 
 to generals and governors of States. Such a roar, con- 
 fusion, and dust it is impossible to imagine. Every 
 road leading from Manassas was crowded by the fugi- 
 tives—soldiers in every style of costume, ladies, memhers 
 of Congress, governors of States, editors, " special cor- 
 respondents," " own correspondents," telegraph operators, 
 surgeons, paymasters, parsons— all were running for 
 dear life, — hatless, bootless and ragged, dusty and 
 powder-blackened. Behind them thundered our aveng- 
 ing cavalry and artillery; while the sharp rattle of mus- 
 ketry at the foot of Centreville heights told where Jones 
 and Longstreet hurled destruction on theii- flank. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The Pursuit — Immense Booty — Onr Prisoners and tlieir Behaviour — 
 A Ride over the Meld of Action — Incidents of the Pight — Arrival 
 of President Davis during the Action, and its Effect — Behaviour of 
 the New York Fire Zouaves — The victorious Army did not advance 
 upon Washington or Maryland — Eelic-mongera on the Pield of 
 Battle — Personal Appearance of President Davis — Sketches of Evans 
 and longstreet. 
 
 Though a general pursuit was ordered, it was found 
 impossible to overtake the enemy, so precipitate had 
 been their flight ; and as we advanced, the signs of the 
 dreadful combat of that day seemed to multiply at 
 every step. The dead and dying are common to every 
 battle-field ; but here were broken cannon-wheels, 
 deserted camps, overturned caissons, large supplies 
 of commissary stores, files of prisoners, captured 
 waggons, maimed and staggering animals, dead horses, 
 cannons in the mud — innumerable proofs of the haste, 
 confusion, and discomfiture of the enemy. Now small 
 squads of cavalry dashed in advance, then scattering 
 musketry could be heard faintly in the distance ; now a 
 line of Federal waggons were found blocked up in the 
 road, the traces cut and horses gone ; again we came 
 up with squads of red and blue-legged Yankee Zouaves 
 .marching good-humouredly to the rear; now a captured 
 
74 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH, 
 
 battery jingled along in the same direction ; and as for 
 the processions of stores, tents, waggons, ambulances, 
 and private carriages, they seemed endless in numter 
 and variety. Completely exhausted with our labours, 
 the regiment countermarched and bivouacked in one of 
 the deserted camps, where barrels of excellent fresh 
 crackers, hogsheads of hams and bacon, boxes of 
 cheese, raisins, white sugar, coffee, tea, macaroni, well- 
 fitted mess chests, blankets, mattresses, and whisky in 
 abundance, soon made us forgetful of our late privations. 
 Our men were frantic with the glory of tie 
 day and the opportune discovery of such plentiful 
 supplies. The Yankees had been lavish of expense in 
 preparing for the "trip to Richmond," and their aceu- 
 mnlated luxuries had fallen into the hands of those who 
 could appreciate them. We found large numbers of 
 beeves slaughtered and' ready for butchering in their 
 camps, but all the animals had been stolen from neigh- 
 bouring farms on their march. In fact, the destruction 
 of private property, generally, was so great, that 
 farmers were raving — they had been despoiled of 
 almost everything, and nothing was paid for. Hedges 
 and fences were all rendered unserviceable ; stacks of 
 hay and straw were carted off or burned, and the inha- 
 bitants had to flee to the woods to escape insult or 
 violence. Not a horse or mule was left in the country 
 for miles around ; the fugitives had seized and driven 
 them off to Washington — as many as three being often 
 seen bestraddling one poor, jaded beast — so anxious 
 were these invaders to escape us. Coats, hats, boots, 
 muskets, and accoutrements lined all the roads, and 
 
FEDEEAL PEISONEES. 75 
 
 every bypath leading northward ; remnants of clothing 
 hung on every bush ; and over all dense clouds of dust 
 arose, blinding and choking every one. As the last 
 rays of the sun shone upon the neighbouring hills, we 
 could plainly discern, with the aid of glasses, the roads 
 of retreat marked by dense hues of dust rolling over 
 the dark green landscape in the distance. 
 
 The prisoners taken were more dead than alive — 
 men so pale and exhausted I never saw. Their uni- 
 forms were in tatters ; they were, for the most part, 
 shoeless, hatless, and literally gasping for water. With 
 hair dishevelled, powder-begrimed and dusty faces, 
 bloodshot eyes, and unstrung nerves, they were more 
 the objects of pity than derision. As night came on, 
 bodies of troops were moving in all directions ; cavalry 
 jingled by with strings of prisoners, and such were their 
 pitiful appeals for water in passing, that several of our 
 negroes were constantly employed in drawing it for 
 them. Many of the wells we found choked up with all 
 kinds of rubbish — some being filled with ammunition 
 boxes, oifal, and earth. Standing on the heights of 
 Centreville the entire plain was made visible by the 
 large^ number of camp-fires and bivouacks ; and over 
 all arose the busy hum of voices. Everywhere lanterns 
 and torches flickered in the gloom, while Manassas 
 Junction seemed to be in a blaze from the multitude 
 of lights and fires. Every house in Centreville was 
 converted into an hospital — long lines of wounded were 
 carried in mournful procession, while in retired spots 
 fatigue-parties were opening trenches for the dead. 
 But all were thoroughly exhausted : few were tempted 
 
76 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 by pleasure or curiosity to move, and about 9 p.m. oui 
 men were sound asleep in their tents or around theii 
 watch-fires, and the sentinels themselves stood as sta- 
 tionary as statues. 
 
 The incessant rumbling of batteries, waggons, and 
 ambulances broke my slumbers, while ever and anon 
 I started up half in fear : I was fighting the battle over 
 in my dreams, and in this state of semi-consciousness 
 experienced far more danger and adventure than I had 
 done in the actual engagement. Aroused by the crow- 
 ing of cocks at twihght, I refreshed myself with a bath 
 in Bull Run, and found all kinds of clothing floating 
 past, torn, muddy, and bloody. Then, having received 
 orders to proceed to Manassas, I procured a good mount, 
 and chose the most circuitous route, by Stone Bridge 
 and Sudley Ford. My course was for some distance 
 parallel with the river, thrgugh scenes of carnage and 
 destruction indescribable. ^ Near tlie bridge crossing 
 Cub Run there were not less than a dozen waggons 
 overturned; wounded men were sheltering themselves 
 under trees from the heavy rain; tents were torn 
 and flapping in the wind on every hand, and the mud 
 was almost impassable. Approaching Stone BrJ^e, 
 my sight was pained by corn-fields trodden down; 
 meadows trampled to mud; farm-houses riddled by 
 shot and shell, and orchards destroyed for ever; 
 chimneys and gables, stone fences and walls, were 
 crumbling in ruins, while the dead, and sometimes the 
 dying, lay in heaps as they had fallen. 
 
 Havihg crossed Stone Bridge, I perceived that the 
 face of the whole country in front was disfigured, if not 
 
APTER THE BATTLE. 77 
 
 destroyed; and here numerous mounds of newly- 
 turned eartli bespoke the labours of fatigue-parties. 
 The scene was too melancholy. Eecrossing, I pro- 
 ceeded up the stream, and passed the large and 
 beautiful fields over which the Federals had marched 
 in their flank movement and line of retreat. As much 
 as possible, this movement had been concealed from us 
 by marching through the woods ; but, as I approached 
 Sudley Ford, the proofs that great bodies of men had 
 passed here were multiplied. The Ford was not more 
 than knee-deep; and as I crossed, every step convinced 
 me that the copibat had begun in earnest the moment it 
 was attempted by the enemy. The old Stone Church 
 and all the neighbouring houses were perforated with 
 shot, and the ground was thickly covered with 
 branches of trees cut by shot and shell. All the 
 houses, barns, and out-houses, and also the church: 
 here, were used as hospitals, not less than 500 of the 
 enemy being under the treatment of their own and 
 our surgeons. 
 
 Hastening towards Manassas, I came upon the fields 
 where the enemy's flanking column had been routed 
 on the previous afternoon. The around was exces- 
 
 ;2ZS,Ji^^^X,.^SSJ.-ife&J!iL&^ and I diTliot 
 examme it minutely : in fact, the sight of the woufflel 
 —of headless and limbless trunks, and all the sad 
 aspects of war — was too revolting, and I passed; 
 hurriedly by without numbering or examining*^, 
 large pits newly opened for the reception of the dead., 
 This was the spot. (about two miles from Manassas,) 
 which the closing scene's of the day, had rendered for 
 
78 BATTLE-FIELDS OF TfiE SOUTH. 
 
 ever memorable, some additional particulars of whicL 
 may here be given. 
 
 From a distance, on the day of battle, I had observed 
 tihe gradual lengthening of a large black line from Sud- 
 ley Ford towards Manassas, but until the afternoon could 
 not comprehend it. This, however, was the brigaded 
 force of the enemy preparing for the final struggle; 
 and about three p.m., not fewer than twenty-five of our 
 pieces opened fire upon it. Our scattered infantry, at the 
 same time, were re-formed and reinforced, but so steady 
 was the progress made by the enemy, that Beauregard' 
 had thought it prudent to call up Colonel Jackson with 
 the reserves to protect the retreat that seemed ine-rifc- 
 able. Colonel Evans had not proceeded many yards on 
 this errand when he was recalled, our general having 
 been warned by the field telegraph that troops were 
 approaching on the left. Whether they were friends or 
 foes could not be determined, till an orderly, dashing 
 forward, resolved all doubts. "Colonel Terry," said 
 Beauregard, his face lighting up, "ride forward and 
 order General Kirby Smith to hurry up his brigade, 
 and strike them on the flank and rear." 
 
 This important episode in the events of the day 
 occurred in front of the enemy. At the same moment, 
 Manassas station was the scene of a transaction not less 
 memorable for its bearing upon the final issue of the 
 struggle. The Richmond train, which had started at 
 seven A.M., but from various accidents did not arrive 
 sooner, was drawn into the station, and from it Pre- 
 sident Davis instantly alighted, and, mounting his 
 horse, galloped towards the scene of action. The first 
 
AEKIVAL OF PRESIDENT DAVIS. 79 
 
 person he met was Lis own brother. Colonel Joe Dayis. 
 " Return, brother," said the latter, "the dayis lost — 
 they have outflanked us, and will be here in less than 
 half an hour." " If that be true," the President replied, 
 " our right place is on the field with the boys." Rapidly 
 galloping towards the line of fire, he discovered Kirby 
 Smith's brigade advancing at the " double quick," in 
 obedience to the order just received from Beauregard, 
 and the President being recognized, a wild enthusiastic 
 yell burst from the men as they furiously dashed on the 
 Yankee flank, and insta,ntly broke it ! The scene of 
 confusion that then ensued was truly appalling. Believ- 
 ing that the whole of Johnson's army was in their rear, 
 the right wing of the enemy broke and fled in inextri- 
 cable confusion, crossing the Run at diff'erent points, 
 and infusing a panic into whole brigades and divisions, 
 as already related. 
 
 To return to my remembrances of the field, after the 
 battle. Manassas Junction, when I reached the spot, 
 resembled a vast fair. Hundreds of persons were mov-- 
 ing about from enclosure to enclosure, viewing the 
 particoloured prisoners, who were temporarily con- 
 fined in sheds. In one place were several hundreds of 
 muscular fellows in red trousers and caps, blue jackets 
 and white gaiters : these were the famous Fire Zouaves 
 of New York, about whom so much had been said and 
 written by the whole North. Their behaviour was 
 scandalous, and outraged all decency : it being incredi- 
 ble that troops who had behaved so cowardly before an 
 inferior force, should still be so full of bombast as to insult 
 the very men who had voluntarily deprived themselves of 
 
80 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 food and blankets to feed and warm them. But let thii 
 pass. In all directions were prisoners of every grade 
 of every corps, and every imaginable style of uniform. 
 Around the depot were piled immense stores of flour, 
 rice, sugar, coffee, clothing, medicines, ammunition, 
 and, conspicuous above all, thirty pieces of cannon. 
 Other pieces were in our hands, but had not yet been 
 brought in. The rain pouring in torrents, rendered 
 walking impracticable; so having fulfilled the orders 
 entrusted to me, and satisfied my curiosity, I remounted, 
 and, crossing the fields south of the Run, rejoined my 
 regiment, now snugly encamped in the Yankee tents 
 beyond Centreville. 
 
 iTwould be difficult to imagine anything more dreary 
 than the face of the country over which I had journeyed. 
 The rain was pouring in torrents, thunder rolled and 
 crashed in every direction, and stately trees were struol' 
 down by the lightning. ■ Conveyances were sunk in 
 mud up to the axles ; horsemen picked their way as 
 'best they could ; the whole army was wet, dreary, 
 drowsy, dirty, and mud-locked. It was physically im- 
 possible for troops to advance in such weather, and 
 hot all the ingenuity of man could have moved an 
 army over such a country. But even had this been 
 bssible, the army was totally unfit to move. We had 
 ained an important victory by accident, but our troops 
 equired far more experience than they then possessed 
 io commence siege operations and beleaguer the capital 
 pf a numerous and opulent people. Small as our 
 army was, it was deficient in everything but courage : 
 the quartswilSster's, commissary, and other departments 
 
SEASONS FOR KOT ADVANCING. 81 
 
 'ere in the Lands of inexperienced civilians; the- 
 ivalry was totally inadequate to our necessities; the 
 rtillery weak and unorganized, imperfectly supplied 
 dth materiel of the worst description, and indifferently 
 isciplined. It was impossible it could be otherwise 
 a an army so hurriedly formed as ours had been; 
 •nd hence, having a fair knowledge of the facts, I 
 !annot but fully concur in the majority vote of the 
 ;ouncil of war which decided against an advance on 
 Washington. Besides military, there were doubtless 
 3ogent political reasons for this decision; but, though 
 partially informed', it is not my province to speak of 
 them here. 
 
 Leaving the direction of affairs to those resporiSffiTe 
 for them, and with unbounded confidence in their ability, 
 our men betook themselves to gaiety on a small, scale, 
 or occupied their leisure hours in writing home; the 
 daily mail occasionally weighing not less than one 
 ton. Strangers poured into Manassas daily to see 
 the " sights," and carry off " relics." Uniforms, arms, 
 buttons, caps, and even skulls were seized with avidity, 
 and where Bartow, Bee, Fisher, and other heroes had 
 fallen, the woods were stripped of every branch that 
 could be converted into a walking-stick or cane. The 
 vitiated tastes and vulgar curiosity of these people were 
 disgusting. Hundreds of non-combatants daily trudged 
 through the mud from field to field, examining localities 
 with intense curiosity and loquacious patriotism. Even 
 when, during warm weather, the effluvia from graves 
 and unburied matter was unbearable, these relic-mongers 
 might be seen, hovering over the fields like . carrion 
 
 TOL. I. 6 
 
82 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 crows, carrying off all kinds of trifles, including twart 
 four pound shot and shell : any imaginable artid 
 heavy or light, that could, with any show of reaso 
 be called a " relic." 
 
 During the week, when the weather had cleared ai 
 the scorching July sun blazed again as of old, 1 
 common consent we all took to the woods, and encampt 
 there. As for " Jeff. Davis," it appears that when fl 
 rout of the enemy was complete, he had ridden withoi 
 escort along the lines ; but his features and figure wei 
 so well known that he was quickly discovered, and lou 
 yells of delight rang out from our whole army. TaJdii 
 advantage of the fall of evening, he " dropped in" upoi 
 our officers (many of whom were fellow-townsmeajio 
 ex-members of the XJ. S. branches of Legislature) t 
 have a quiet chat. As I had never seen a Uve Pre 
 sident, my curiosity was on the qui vwe, and when M 
 presence was whispered to me, I found him sittings 
 our colonel's tent-door, with a circle of captains ani 
 lieutenants, conversing very quietly on State affairs, bu 
 with no more animation or sign of pleasure than- if i 
 victorious army was not around, or a beaten one flyinj 
 from, him. In citizen attire, with beaver hat, am 
 smoking a cigar, he listened to all that was said, assentec 
 or dissented with a nod of the head, and some timi 
 afterwards, mounting his grey mare, ambled off t( 
 Manassas, as unostentatiously as if he were the leas 
 person in the Confederacy. Since then I have seen thi 
 President frequently on different fields of battle, am 
 have observed little change in his habitually modes 
 and thoughtful demeanour, although on many occasioni 
 
A. BATCH OF GENEKALS. 83 
 
 his proud and victorious troops, unconscious of his 
 presence, were rending the skies with their shouts or 
 charging the enemy with unexampled fury. 
 
 The brigadier under whom we had hitherto served 
 pleased the men so little that it was deemed advisable 
 to appoint in his stead Colonel Nathan- Evans, whose 
 generalship and gallantry at Stone Bridge and Sudley 
 Ford had won for him universal esteem. We had been 
 informed that our command was under marching orders, 
 and parade was just over when three horsemen galloped 
 into camp, and saluted the colonel. These were none 
 other than Evans, Longstreet, and Ewell — names that 
 are now for ever hallowed in the hearts and history of 
 our gallant army. From their style of riding and 
 peculiar seat in the saddle, I at first sight took them 
 for dragoons, and was not mistaken. Evans was very 
 restless, and his horse reared and chafed, and plunged 
 to the right and left all the time he stayed with us. He 
 is about forty years of age, with a head of the cast of 
 Tom Moore's ; slightly bald ; small restless black eyes ; 
 heavy black moustaches ; and when he smiles, displays 
 incomparable teeth; but has a quick, cunning, and 
 snappish look, although his manner is polished and 
 polite. His countenance looks like one who dissipates 
 occasionally ; he is of medium stature, angular in his 
 movements, never happy but when in the saddle — a per- 
 fect soldier in everything, and " swears like a trooper." 
 
 Longstreet is a po^yerfuUy-built man, somewhat 
 bald, about five feet ten inches high, with sandy hair 
 and whiskers — the latter allowed to grow untrimmed. He 
 possesses a fine bluish-grey eye, of great depth, pene- 
 
 6—2 
 
84 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 tration, and calculation; seldom speaks unnecessarili 
 seems absorbed in thought, and very quiet in i^anne; 
 Ewell I did not see distinctly; he was continual] 
 moving about, prying into our camp arrangements, an 
 looking towards Manassas with his glass. All thre 
 were dressed as citizens, with heavy black felt hats ob 
 and, except pistols in their holsters, were unarmed aac 
 unattended. These officers have since acquired im 
 mortal fame. I myself have been witness to theii 
 achievements, of which more anon. 
 
85 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Battle of Oak Hill in Missouri — The Confederates under Price and 
 M'Calloch are surprised, but prove victorious — Death of the Federal 
 General Lyon, and Promotion of General Fremont — Misunderstand- 
 ing between Southern Generals — Cruel Devastation of the Country 
 by Federal Troops — Character of Fremont — Siege and Capture of 
 Lexington by Price — Immense Booty. 
 
 The scene of action now shifts to Missouri, and, as 
 before, I am able to give autlientic details of the events 
 that took place in that State, having received the follow- 
 ing letter descriptive of the battles of " Oak Hill " and 
 " Lexington : " — 
 
 " Dear Tom, — My last letter informed you that, after 
 the action of Carthage, the small commands of Price, 
 M'Culloch, and Pearce were on their way to Cowskin 
 Prairie, in order to recruit and organize. We had not 
 remained in this wilderness of a place many days when 
 information was brought that Lyon and Sturgis had 
 suddenly ceased their pursuit, bewildered by the unex- 
 pected discomfiture of Siegel at Carthage. After a halt, 
 Lyon, Siegel, and others formed a junction at Spring- 
 field, where they numbered some twelve or fifteen 
 thousand men, well armed, disciplined, and counting 
 among them a heavy force of U. S. regulars of all 
 arms. In the meantime we ourselves were receiving 
 
86 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 reinforcements, and in a few days could count upwards 
 of nine thousand, under the command of General Price; 
 of these, however, thousands had no arms whatever, and 
 had to depend entirely on chance for their future 
 supply. 
 
 " Not only were we deficient in weapons, but when the 
 march on Springfield commenced our commissary and 
 quartermaster's departments, but recently organizedj 
 proved very indifferent, and it was seldom the men 
 drew full rations. They made up for all deficiencies, 
 however, by laying violent hands on everything ihat 
 came within reach, appropriating large quantities of 
 green corn, and eating it. They also extensively 
 patronized the various corn-cribs on their several 
 routes, and, shelling the corn, pounded it between 
 Tocks until reduced to powder, and then made bread- 
 Hogs were plentiful, as also beef cattle^ and farmers, 
 being friendly to our cause, willingly sold all things 
 for Confederate paper, so that it much relieved the 
 commissariat, and eased the line of march. Ben 
 M'Culloch, with his small column, led the way; Pearce 
 of Arkansas followed; and last came the hero and 
 patriot. Sterling Price, with his ragged, half-fed, and 
 ill-armed band of Missourians. 
 
 " After many days of toilsome travel, we approached 
 a point thirty miles south of Springfield, where it was 
 reported Lyon and Siegel were encamped on hills beside 
 the road. "We halted until the next morning, and then, 
 cautiously advancing, found that the enemy had de- 
 camped and gone in the direction of Springfield. Their 
 strength we could not ascertain with precision, but they 
 
CAMP AT WILSON'S CBBEK. 87 
 
 were said to number at least 10,000 men, well armed 
 well drilled, and coimting thousands of 'regulars' 
 among them. They also had a strong force of cavalry, 
 and some twenty pieces of artillery — Totten's battery 
 being considered one of the best in the old Federal 
 army. Our eifective force amounted to about 5,000 
 ill-armed, badly drilled men, and some 6,000 horsemen, 
 who were, for politeness' sake, called cavalry ; but they 
 had not a particle of discipline among them ; they had 
 been drilled to serve on foot, and were armed with 
 every imaginable weapon ; their horses, too, were little 
 better than skeletons. 
 
 "Finding that the enemy had fallen back the day 
 previous before our advanced guard, we hurried forward 
 in pursuit ; but after a march of some twenty miles, the 
 men were completely broken down from fatigue and the 
 want of proper supplies. On the 10th of August we 
 camped at "Wilson's Creek, about ten miles south of 
 Springfield, and the whole country was scoured for 
 provisions. Whatever the fields produced was instantly 
 appropriated, and many of us thanked Providence for 
 the abundance of green corn. Ben M'CuIloch had 
 halted his advance on the right of the road, assisted by 
 Pearce ; while Price was on the left of it ; and thought- 
 less of danger— in fact, never dreaming of Lyon being 
 in the vicinity at all — threw out no pickets ; or if any 
 were in advance, they were few indeed. In the evening 
 little was thought of but amusement : most of the boys 
 were dancing and kicking up their heels until a late 
 hour, as lively as if the enemy were a thousand miles 
 away. • But hardly had the sun risen, when the sharp 
 
88 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 report of firearms on our right and rear awoke every 
 one, and the word passed from mouth to mouth, ' They 
 are here! fall in, fall in! we are surprised! quick! 
 quick ! we are surrounded ! fall in ! fall in ! ' M'CuUocli 
 was surprised, as none will venture to deny, and Wore 
 his line was formed, loud drumming in Price's command 
 convinced him that we were all alike in a precarious 
 condition. Siegel, in fact, was attacking our right and 
 rear with great vigour, and his shot and shell were 
 bouncing into our camps and throwing everything.into 
 confusion. 
 
 " When our men had recovered from their excite- 
 ment and formed line, it was found that Siegel had 
 already advanced some distance, while Lyon, hearing 
 that Siegel was fairly engaged, pushed the centre and 
 left with great energy. Totten's battery was admi- 
 rably posted on an eminence, and ploughed up the 
 ground in our front. Yet there old Price, our gallant 
 commander, rode up and down the line, with white 
 hair streaming in the wind, cheering, forming, and 
 encouraging his ragged musketeers, who, by their 
 incessant discharges and their accurate aim, stopped 
 Lyon's advance, and equalized the fight in the cenfi'e 
 and left, while M'CulIoch was stemming the storm on 
 the right and rear. Observing the destructive effect of 
 the fire of Siegel's guns, M'Culloch determined to make 
 a bold dash, and, if possible, silence them. Collecting 
 a few Louisianians, he rushed to the right and rear, 
 and found one of our batteries already engaged in that 
 quarter. Some confusion was caused by the accuracy 
 of our fire, taking advantage of which, M'Culloch 
 
EOUT OF SIEGEL. ' 89 
 
 dashed forward with his companieSj and before the 
 enemy could recover from their astonishment, five guns 
 fell into our hands, and other forces instantly following 
 up the movement, our irregular horse dashed in upon 
 them with a terrific yell, discharging their shot-guns, 
 rifles, and revolvers, at short distance, captured their 
 sixth and -last piece, and began cutting and slashing 
 about them with the wildest fury. Siegel was totally 
 routed !' His infantry, opposed to ours, were not better 
 than Dutchmen usually are ; and their flight was expe- 
 dited by artillery, which hammered away at them, drop- 
 ping shell into every little group, and clearing our whole 
 front in that direction. 
 
 "But while the battle progressed in our favour on 
 the right, Lyon was pushing Price with great vigour in 
 the centre and left. Our men stood manfully to their 
 guns against the accurate and deadly fire of the Federal 
 ' regulars,' but their loss was considerable, for the enemy 
 occupied a hill, and every advance upon them was 
 opposed by discharges from their whole force. At 
 length, owing to the success of our right. Price was 
 reinforced both with men and artillery; perceiving 
 which, it was obvious to Lyon that nothing short of 
 desperate courage could turn the tide now setting 
 against him. Rallying his forces in a gallant manner, 
 he rode to their front, and waving a handkerchief, 
 cheered them on, making himself a conspicuous mark 
 for our musketeers. He had been wounded in the leg 
 early in the day, but rode to the rear, had it dressed, 
 and laughingly observed that ' all was going on well,' 
 and ' he'd turn up trumps before night.' As our men 
 
90 BATTUE-I-IELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 advanced np the Ml against the masses of infantry 
 launched against them, Lyon (whom I recognized on 
 the field, having frequently seen him in St. Louis) was 
 riding hastily from point to point, cheering and leading 
 his men ; but when we reached the top of the hill he 
 was not to be seen, and I concluded he must have fallen 
 by one of the many muskets that were pointed at him. 
 
 "On reaching the brow of the hill, we found the 
 enemy strongly posted, and apparently determined to 
 make a stout resistance. We cheered, and made a rush 
 for the guns, but masses of their infantry came forward 
 and protected the retreat; and it was not untU our 
 whole force was collected and hurled at this point, that 
 they finally gave way, and left the field in great confu- 
 sion. Having secured the field, the wildest excitement 
 and howling ensued ; our cavalry were sent forward to 
 follow them up, but Httle was effected. We captured 
 many prisoners and arms, besides ammunition and 
 stores. We pursued the enemy several miles, and 
 then returning to camp, made ourselves comfortable 
 on the good things which had fallen to our lot. The 
 body of poor Lyon was found among the dead, and was 
 decently coffined and sent to Springfield for interment 
 It was discovered that two small buckshot had pene- 
 trated, one above, and another below, the lefl; nipple; 
 death must have been almost instantaneous.* 
 
 * Major-General Nathaniel Lyon was a Connecticut Yankee of the 
 abolition type ; not more than ferty-five years of age, smaU in stature, 
 wiry, active, with dark hair and complexion, small black eyes; fond of 
 militaiy pomp, but an excellent, though restless, and ambitions officer. 
 He entered the United States' army as second lieutenant, July lst,1841i 
 was made captain by brevet, August 20th, 1847 ; and arrived in St. Louis 
 
LOSS m THE BATTLE OF OAKHILL. 91 
 
 " In this action, we captured six cannon, many wag- 
 gons, a quantity of stores, and five or six hundred stand 
 of arms. Our loss was estimated at 250 killed and 1,000 
 wounded and missing; of these Price claims to have 
 lost 150 killed, and 500 wounded. The loss of the 
 Federals in killed, wounded, and prisoners was about 
 2,000. Of the battle-field I can say little, except that 
 our safety was due to the impetuosity and valour of our 
 men, as both Siegel and Lyon crept upon us during 
 night, and took up commanding positions, from which 
 the latter was driven with much difficulty and not until 
 after an obstinate and bloody fight. We ought to 
 thank God that things turned out so favourably for us, 
 as the most sanguine could never have anticipated such 
 a complete overthrow of the enemy. 
 
 " When our troops had fully rested themselves, and 
 the various departments were reduced to a better 
 system of daily routine, it was the desire of Price to 
 move on with the whole army towards the Upper 
 Missouri, seize the enemy's stores, supply the unarmed 
 
 in April, 1861, having been sent from his post far in the south-west to 
 stand a court-martial on the charge of peculation. His great activity in 
 aiding the suppression of Southern feeling in St. Louis endeared him 
 to the aholitionists ; he seized the arsenal, erected defences round the 
 diy, disarmed the Camp Jackson Southern sympathizers, and rapidly 
 rose from the rank of captain to that of major-general in two months. 
 His cruelty to all suspected of Southern sentiment, and in the adminis- 
 traijon of affairs, will long he remembered by all who had the misfortune 
 to live under his brief and arbitrary rule. But his bravery was undoubted, 
 and had his troops imitated his reckless daring, events might have proved 
 very unfavourable to us in Missouri. His body was interred by us in a 
 metallic coffin at Springfield, but subsequently given to his friends, who 
 removed it north to Connecticut, where it now reposes beneath a costly 
 monument. 
 
92 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 with weapons, and, if need be, procure them upon 
 the battle-field, ere the foe could recover from his late 
 defeat, and mature fresh plans. As one reason, I ought 
 to mention that information was constantly reaching us 
 that Fremont, the new Federal commander-in-chief, was 
 actively engaged in forming a large army in Si Louis, 
 and, having unlimited funds and supplies, was likely 
 to take the field in great strength. The desire of Price, 
 however, did not meet with the approval of General 
 M'Culloch, who wished to fall back on the frontier of 
 Arkansas, and allow the enemy to weary themselves in 
 hunting for him. Price was patriotic enough to waive 
 every personal consideration, but in this case his 
 judgment was against concession, and as the State had 
 not then " formally " seceded, he held no commission 
 under the Confederate seal, and was not bound to obey 
 M'CuUoch. Accordingly, finding there was no pro- 
 spect of arriving at unanimity either in sentiment or 
 action, he pushed forward alone towards the Missouri, 
 and was everywhere hailed as the chief and father of all. 
 You never saw such patriotism as was displayed on 
 every hand ; and although, at best, we were a poor 
 undrilled body of adventurers living upon the public, 
 and trusting to heaven for supplies, our regiments and 
 brigades were animated with a burning enthusiasm for 
 action, and an unbounded confidence in our leader, 
 which were enough to carry us through any enterprise. 
 " Everywhere, as we proceeded, signs were multiplied 
 of the wanton waste and recklessness of the Dutch 
 dastards and Northern fanatics in the pay of Fremont. 
 He was the most ultra abolitionist who could be 
 
ATKOCITIES OF THE FEDERAL TEOOPS. 93 
 
 found, and Frank Blair pointed him out as 'of the 
 right stripe ' — the ' coming man ' — ' one who would 
 put the war upon a proper footing ! seize and confiscate 
 the property of all who dared oppose the ruling system 
 of Northern Government,' &c. Truly the barbarities of 
 our enemies are beyond all description. All law — 
 save military law — is suspended, banks robbed of 
 specie, wealthy men ' compelled ' to contribute largely 
 for the wholesale destruction of friends and relatives, 
 to say nothing of their political rights ; prisons full 
 i in every city where their rule is paramount ; Habeas 
 Corpus laughed at, dwellings seized, property confis- 
 1 cated, negroes sold and carried away, farms destroyed, 
 : cattle driven off, barns, houses, burned before their 
 owners' eyes, while mothers, wives, sisters, or daughters 
 are insulted and disgraced, and oftentimes murdered. 
 All this is true. God forbid I should exaggerate : and 
 were I willing to do so, things are so bad they could 
 not be painted worse, with all the colouring in the 
 world. Our whole march to this place has presented 
 harrowing sights — widows, wives, children, and the 
 aged, standing houseless by the wayside, their homes in 
 flames and ruins, * because the rebels are coming, and 
 it is a military necessity ! ' 
 
 " You will not ask if they are Missourians who have 
 done these things : you know the character of our 
 fellow-countrymen too well. These destroyers are, the 
 valiant German and Dutch heroes of Siegel, runaways 
 from battle-fields, who show their paltry spite to help- 
 less little ones, whose fathers and brothers are fighting 
 for freedom of thought, word, and action. Heaven 
 
94 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 forbid that the name of Missourians should be place 
 on such a record! Yet there are ambitious leader 
 among them, who riot in devastation and care no 
 who perish, so they may rule. A German repnblii 
 or empire is their dream, and already their genera 
 is assuming all the trumpery and airs of foreign court 
 — already he travels in state, has a German body-guatd 
 tricked out in what appears to be the cast-off finerj 
 of a third-class theatrical wardrobe. When he travels 
 on the river an entire steamboat is not more than 
 sufficient to accommodate the majesty of Fremont; 
 guards pace before his door night and day; servants 
 in gay livery hand around catawba on silver waiters; 
 grooms and orderlies flit about like poor imitations 
 of the same class of servants in German cities, wMle 
 the ruling language of the court is very low Dutch, 
 redolent of lager beer and schnapps ! But to. return 
 to the true object of this hurried letter. 
 
 "From those constantly arriving in camp, it was ascer- 
 tained beyond a doubt that Fremont was strongly forti- 
 fying all important cities on the Missouri River, to 
 serve as a safe base of operations, whence supplies 
 could be easily transported into the interior by waggon 
 trains or boats. Lexington, held by Colonel Mulligan 
 and a heavy force, was known to be strongly fortified, 
 and being on high ground it commanded all approacBes 
 from the interior, while the river was kept open for 
 the transit of any number of troops from St. Louis. 
 Price determined to march forward and attack it, but 
 was informed that large bands of outlaws from Kansasi 
 under General Jem Lane and others, were devastating 
 
MARCH UPON LEXINGTON. 95 
 
 the whole country on his left flank and threatened to 
 get in his rear. Suddenly diverging from his proper 
 route, Price sent Rains and Parsons up in that direc- 
 tion with a small force of determined men, and so 
 secretly was the expedition conducted that they un- 
 expectedly came upon Lane at a creek called Drywood, 
 and after a confused fight of some hours, drove the 
 enemy from the field, pushed forward to their head- 
 quarters at Fort Scott, and captured it, with every- 
 thing intact. Joining the column under Price again> 
 our army of 5,000 effectives and five guns pushed 
 forward towards Lexington, and arrived in the vicinity 
 on the 13th of September. 
 
 " Our '.irregular' horse (for I can call them nothing 
 else) did good service in scouring the country for 
 supplies, and keeping the enemy within the lines of 
 the town, and although frequently invited to combat, 
 the noble Yankees remained quietly within their chain 
 of breastworks, and refused every offer. By the 18th, 
 our ammunition waggons and artillery had arrived, and 
 the infantry being sufficiently rested, Price broke up 
 his encampment at the Fair Grounds, several miles 
 from town, and advanced against the city. The Fair 
 Grounds, I may tell you, would have proved an ad- 
 mirable position for us had the enemy ventured to 
 attack : indeed it was surmised that, upon hearing of 
 our appearance at Lexington, Fremont would have 
 collected his available force in St. Louis, and coming 
 up in boats,, reinforced Mulligan and chased us out of 
 the country. 
 
 " Our general was aware of the strength of the city. 
 
96 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 and made his dispositions accordingly. He knew tier 
 were several steamboats under the bluff, and that tb 
 enemy's supply of water depended entirely upon thi 
 river. An assault was out of the question, as tit 
 college buildings and other strong edifices had been 
 converted into forts, and mounted with guns whicli 
 swept every approach. Our men knew, however, that 
 there were immense supplies of all kinds in the place, 
 including cannon, horses, waggons, ambulances, thou- 
 sands of small arms, important state documents, iand 
 much specie, which had been robbed from banks 
 throughout the country; and as some thought, the 
 officers were too slow and careful in approaching 
 through the outskirts, they resolved to charge the 
 enemy's line of intrenchments placed higher up in 
 town. They made the trial, and suffered consider- 
 ably, and were then satisfied that cautious measures 
 were the best. Rains' force moved forward, and with- 
 out much opposition occupied a good position north- 
 north-east of the breastworks, and with two batteries 
 maintained an effective and destructive fire upon them, 
 from which there was no escape ; Parsons moved up 
 south-south-west, and was also favourably posted; each 
 of these brigades having supports within call, should 
 the enemy sally down from the hill, and attempt to 
 dislodge them from their hastily constructed field-works. 
 A heavy body of sharpshodters, thrown out in front, 
 were ready to harass and cut off the gunners, and 
 all such as might appear in sight carrying water fi-om 
 the river or the wells. By 'these operations gradual 
 approach was made upon the foe, who lost every hour 
 
DEFEAT OF GENERAL LANE. 97 
 
 rom the deadly accuracy of our skirmisherSj and made 
 leveral attempts to dislodge them without success. 
 
 " While these events were transpiring at Lexington, 
 Price received word (September 18) that General D. R. 
 A.tcheson (formerly President of the United States 
 Senate) and Colonel Saunders were coming down the 
 north bank of the river to support him. Having 
 reached a point twenty-five miles above the city, 2,000 
 )f this force crossed with Saunders, Atcheson being 
 [eft in charge of the remainder. General Jem Lane, 
 iowever, was also approaching in the same direction 
 with a heavy force of his Kansas ' Jayhawkers ' to 
 'einforce Mulligan in Lexington, and, finding Atcheson 
 vvith so small a force, vigorously attacked him. The 
 ■Vlissourians knew these ' Jayhawkers ' of old, in many a 
 border fight, and, taking to the woods, they maintained 
 %uch a murderous fire that Lane was soon routed, with 
 i loss of more than 200, while Atcheson lost but ten ! 
 'Fhe Missourians then eflected a junction with Price, 
 md instilled new ardour into the whole army. 
 } "Lane was defeated, but now it was known that 
 ^turgis was approaching, also, on the north bank, his 
 sbject being to cross over and assist Mulligan, with 
 .)ver 1,500 cavalry. To accomplish this, he depended 
 iipon the ferry-boats for transportation ; but these boats, 
 iying snugly under the bluff. Price determined to cap- 
 ture, at whatever cost, particularly as a large steamboat 
 jilso lying there was reported to contain considerable 
 quantities of stores. Directing Colonel Rives to this 
 point, that officer carefully approached from the west, 
 ilong the river's edge, partly within view of the forti- 
 
 TOL. I. 7 
 
98 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH, 
 
 fi cations, and effected the important capture in gallant 
 style, removing the vessels beyond reach of destruction. 
 Mulligan saw the manoeuvre when too late, hut opened 
 a vigorous fire upon the party, and as many men fell, 
 on account of the enemy's possession of a house on top 
 of the bluff, several companies were detailed to attack 
 it. Although advancing under a deadly fire from 
 musketry and artillery, the Missourians took the house 
 in gallant style, but not without loss ; nor were thej 
 allowed to hold it with impunity. As this house was 
 within 150 yards of his main works, and could be i 
 made to command them. Mulligan collected a strong 
 force, sallied forth, and retook it, slaughtering- ib 
 captors without mercy : not one man was spared. Still 
 the enemy were not allowed to retain possession; onr 
 forces, having attacked and carried the high grounds 
 to the north, so pounded the house from this position 
 that it was soon vacated as untenable. 
 
 " Thus we were gaining ground on all sides, and the 
 enemy's position becoming more and more circum- 
 scribed every hour ; while our artillery, moving upon 
 conquered positions, blazed away right and left, sweep-. 
 ing everything before them. Mulligan's position, how- 
 ever, was still a strong one, and he could have heH 
 out for a long time, but, being completely cut off from 
 water, his men were failing in strength every hour. 
 Hearing that Sturgis was fast approaching the norft 
 ferry landing. Price got up steam on his captniei 
 boats, and transported a strong force over to tbat 
 side, under Parsons, who managed the enterprise' so 
 warily, that Sturgis barely escaped capture ; his whole 
 
STJKRBNDER OF LEXINGTON. 99 
 
 command retreated in the wildest disorder, leaving 
 hundreds of tents, camp equipage, and large stores 
 behind, untouched. 
 
 ' " Since the first opening skirmishes on the 13th, we 
 'lad gradually worked our way through the town ; hut 
 ':eal business, as I have said, commenced on the 
 ;L8th, and this with great success on every hand. It 
 \ow being the 20th, over fifty hours of incessant fire 
 'lad been maintained on both sides, the loss of the 
 
 inemy being very considerable. Seeing his boats 
 "iaptured, and that Lane and Sturgis, instead of fight- 
 *Qg their way to him, had ' skedaddled ' in all direc- 
 tions. Mulligan showed evident signs of yielding, and 
 sft must be remembered that he found it impossible to 
 psbtain water for his men, who were on constant duty 
 e Slight and day. At the same time, fearful of Fremont's 
 jUBr some other officer's arrival to raise the siege, our 
 
 aen redoubled their efforts, and maintained a heavy 
 iSsire from every point, , the result of which was that 
 Idklulligan hoisted a white flag on his works towards 
 tf: P.M. on the 20th. Firing then ceased, and loud, 
 iilieafening yells fi:om all points of the compass informed 
 'j*»e that the brave Mulligan had xmconditionally sur- 
 
 jjj " When the Federals stacked arms, and marched out, 
 
 i-^ve found that we had captured 4,000 effectives], rank 
 
 ijj^nd file, half-a-dozen colonels, 120 commissioned officers, 
 
 tieveral stands of colours and brass bands, two mortars, 
 
 Jve rifled guns, over 4,000 stand of arms, scores of 
 
 ^ jabres, lots of cavalry and waggon harness, 800 horses, 
 
 numerous waggons, mules, ambulances, and medical 
 
 7—2 
 
100 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 outfits; immense supplies of every description; mucli 
 clothing, shoes, tents, ammunition, and camp utensils, 
 together with about 1,000,000 dollars stolen from 
 various banks, which we instantly returned. Mul- 
 ligan's sword was politely returned to him by Price 
 with a ' neat speech,' and all the prisoners being paroled, 
 were immediately sent North on their way rejoicing. 
 Such jubilation was visible in every camp as Iwill 
 not attempt to describe, although, from your description 
 of Manassas, I suppose one scene is very much like 
 another in this respect. My left arm was wounded 
 in the assault on the bluff, and has caused me mucli 
 suffering ; but to keep my promise I have partly 
 written and partly dictated this scrawl, so that jou 
 may form some idea of our doings. The maUs between 
 us are few and far between, but I look for a letter 
 from you every day. Love to all your boys and any 
 old friends, for I suppose you meet old schoolmates 
 every day in various regiments. I do not know how 
 long Price will remain here, but, judging from reports 
 and Fremont's uneasiness in St. Louis, suspect. Price 
 will be again moving, heaven only knows where, in 
 a few days. — Yours aJways, 
 
 "Polk." 
 
101 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 March to Leesburg — Fertility and Beauty of Loudon — We are subjected 
 to many Alarms, much Labour, and incessant Duty — Cavahy Fights 
 — Perfidy of Northern Sympathizers-^Infantry Encounters — Ma- 
 rauding Parties of the Enemy cross into Virginia — Their Capture and 
 Punishment — Artillery Duels — Heavy Picket Firing — Movements 
 of the Enemy, who mass heavy Forces, and endeavour to shell 
 leesburg from their superior Position. 
 
 Within a short time it was definitely settled that we 
 should move up the country to Leeshurg — a stone's 
 throw from the Potomac and Maryland. What our 
 ultimate destination might he, none knew or cared. 
 Anything to get away from Manassas and Centreville, 
 any place where we could have a change of scene, and 
 find hutter, eggs, and poultry procurable for money, all 
 such articles having been consumed where we then 
 were, or so few remaining that fabulous prices were 
 asked for them. A couple of chickens could not be had 
 for less than 5 dollars (II.) ; milk was 1 dollar per gallon ; 
 butter, 50 cents per pound; whisky hardly attainable 
 at 10 dollars (2Z.) per gallon, and other things in pro- 
 portion. When it was known, therefore, that we had 
 orders for Leesburg, Loudon county — the most fertile 
 and richest county in Virginia — we were envied by every 
 corps in the army, and were generally looked upon as 
 the advance guard of some important movement. 
 
102 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 Taking up the line of march, we passed northwards 
 through the most picturesque and delightful farming 
 country the eye perhaps ever heheld. All was decidedly 
 English in aspect, and the people remarkably so. The 
 lands were highly cultivated; the cattle fat and of 
 superior stock ; the farm-houses, out-houses, and negro 
 quarters were all substantially and neatly built; they 
 were also scrupulously clean, and marked by an air 
 of comfort and contentment superior to anything I 
 had seen farther south. Mountains and valleys, 
 hills and dales, fine springs and majestic woods came 
 into view at every turn of the road, while overloaded 
 barns and corn-cribs, neat school-houses, and rustic 
 churches by the wayside, cozy villages, and strong, 
 mascuhne, rosy-cheeked inhabitants, contrasted favour- 
 ably with the tumble-down appeai'ance, sallow, fever- 
 and-agueish aspect of the immensely wealthy, but care- 
 less and fast-living Cotton States. The habits, dress, 
 look, language, and all things reminded me much of 
 England ; but nothing more so than the buxom, rosy- 
 faced, and white-aproned mothers and daughters who 
 lined the wayside, and brought out of their store to 
 entertain the weary soldiery as they toiled up the hills 
 of this beautiful region. 
 
 Our reception by the inhabitants was enthusiastic 
 and cheering. It had been rumoured that Loudon 
 County was a den of traitors to the patriotic cause, but 
 such cordial behaviour was a more than sufficient con- 
 tradiction of the calumny. This county, situated in the 
 north-eastern corner of the State, was mountainous and 
 rolling in its physical character. The Potomac ran on 
 
MARCH THROUGH LOUDON. 103 
 
 two sicjesj north and east, separating it from Maryland, 
 while in the north-west we could see the mountains 
 which separated us from the Shenandoah Valley. 
 Harper's Ferry lay under the northern extremity of 
 the Loudon heights, the Potomac washed its foot, while 
 on the opposite bank towered perpendicularly the 
 heights of Maryland, commanding the Ferry, by its 
 only lines of approach from Loudon County or the 
 Shenandoah Valley. The distance by the river (unna- 
 vigable here) from Leesburg to the Ferry was about 
 forty miles ; the land route was about thirty-five miles, 
 with two or three very small towns in the valleys — 
 among them Lovettsville, on the south bank, and but 
 fom' miles from the Ferry. A body of the enemy were 
 reported to be in possession of this last-mentioned place, 
 and General Evans grinned good-humouredly in reply to 
 inquiries, and promised to " shake them out of it one of 
 these fine mornings ! " The whole aspect of the country 
 from Leesburg to the river, north and east, and far in 
 Maryland, was unbroken rolling land, but to the north 
 stood a cluster of three isolated hills, the tallest and 
 most conspicuous of which was called the " Sugar 
 Loaf." 
 
 The Federals occupied the last-mentioned eminence 
 on our approach, and from it they obtained a full view 
 of all that transpired on our side of the river, with the 
 advantage of being but fifteen miles distant from their 
 forces at Harper's Ferry, and the same from PoolesviUe, 
 where General Stone commanded a large force. Their 
 pickets lined the whole river from the Ferry to Wash- 
 ington, so that it was impossible for troops to approach 
 
104 BATTLE-PIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 the Potomac -without being discovered, when the fact 
 was instantly telegraphed from post to post to M'CIellan, 
 who was now chief in command. To deceive the 
 enemy, however, Evans had divided his force into 
 small parties, with an over-allowance of tents; and as 
 white canvas-covered waggons were continually seen 
 moving about over the hills, and as our various camps 
 were wide-spread and plentifully supplied with fuel, it 
 was thought by their journals that Johnson was in 
 chief command of our troops, and had not less than 
 from 30,000 to 40,000 men. 
 
 The truth is, that Johnson and Beauregard were 
 manoeuvring around Fairfax Court-house with the main 
 army, while Centreville and Manassas were being im- 
 pregnably fortified ; the total force with which we made 
 so great a show numbering only some 3,000 infantry, 
 with four light field-pieces, and a squadron of cavalry. 
 Evans, however, moved us about continually ; now we 
 marched opposite the Sugar Loaf, our tents still standing 
 in the old camp ground near Leesburg; next day would 
 find us in some other direction, so that at last the 
 enemy were completely deceived as to our number or 
 position, and were ever on the qui vive. So complete 
 was the illusion, that our scouts daily informed us of 
 counter-movements by the enemy, who, with whole 
 brigades and divisions, were continually marching from 
 place to place to prevent our supposed attempts at 
 crossing ! The Federal commander Stone was an old 
 school-fellow with Evans at West Point, and smart 
 messages, it is said, were frequently passed between the 
 rival commanders across the river. Picket-firing was 
 
THE QUAKEES OP PENNSYLVANIA. 105 
 
 constantly maintained between the guards on opposite 
 banks of the stream, with more animosity, however, than 
 decided effect 
 
 The enemy was still on our side of the Potomac at 
 Lovettsville, and it was determined first to entice them 
 into the interior, and then surround them, if possible. 
 Scouts came in daily, correctly informing us of the 
 position, number, and depredations of the enemy, but 
 we were sorry to learn that the inhabitants of the 
 surrounding country patronized them. The people of 
 Lovettsville and Waterford were chiefly Pennsylvania 
 Quakers, who had of late years settled there, and 
 although their creed forbade warfare, they fought 
 amazingly well with the tongue in favour of Unionism, 
 and had on several occasions betrayed our men to the 
 enemy. General Evans had warned them against 
 harbouring the foe, but they replied by concocting a 
 plan to destroy all our cavalry in the neighbourhood. 
 An old broad-brimmed proprietor of an antiquated 
 hotel invited the captain of cavalry t.o halt and refresh 
 his men. The soldier willingly did so, but while 
 engaged at dinner, the premises were surrounded by 
 several hostile squadrons. Our men mounted and 
 fought their way out as best they could, but lost half 
 their number in killed and missing. 
 
 Exasperated at the perfidy of these fanatics, Evans 
 summoned his brigade, and leaving camps standing, to 
 deceive the telegraph at the Sugar Loaf, sallied forth 
 towards Lovettsville long before day. When the sun 
 rose over Maryland, we had just halted on a lofty hill 
 and lay in the woods. The scenery on either hand 
 
106 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 was enrapturing. East of us lay the wide expanse of 
 Maryland and Loudon, tathed in gold ; the Potomac, 
 winding to the sea, was covered with a dense white 
 vapour that sparkled like molten silver ; clouds capped 
 the Sugar Loaf; while to the west rose dark hnes of 
 mist-covered hills and mountains, with snow-wliite 
 villages dotting the undulating [landscape. The colunm 
 pushed rapidly forward; hut ere midday large black 
 clouds gathered on the mountains, and a tremendous 
 rain poured into the valley. At "secure arms," our 
 boys trudged along manfully through mud and water, 
 and as we approached our destination, horsemen were 
 seen hovering in the advance, and rapidly disappearing. 
 With our cavalry to the front, we moved forward at a 
 quick pace, and, halting within a mile of the town, 
 unexpectedly came upon a large body of horse, who 
 were instantly charged by our troopers. A desperate 
 encounter ensued ; the enemy gave way, a running 
 fight took place ; friend and foe simultaneously charging 
 through the town in the greatest confusion. The enemy 
 were at last driven into the river in sight of their whole 
 force drawn up on the opposite bank. Next morning, 
 finding the place deserted, and the enemy being dlB- 
 lodged, we took our departure, without damaging the 
 village, although both officers and men were sufficiently 
 incensed to have burned the miserable place to the 
 ground. 
 
 Excursions of this nature were now of weekly occur- 
 rence, but we were not made acquainted with the 
 reasons for them. Only we knew that Evans seemed to 
 delight in keeping his men moving, and his only answer 
 
IMPORTANCE OE LEESBUKG. 107 
 
 to the remonstrances of sundry fat old officers, who did 
 not much relish marching and countermarching, retreat- 
 ing and advancing, was to swear roundly, and threaten 
 to kick them out of his office. It cannot be denied that 
 our position was a critical one, and required great caution. 
 The enemy at length became aware that we did not 
 meditate crossing, and massed their troops at different 
 points to dislodge us, if possible, from the fertile region 
 of which we had possessed ourselves. Banks at Harper's 
 Ferry, Geary at the Sugar Loaf and Point of Rocks, 
 Stone at Poolesville and Edward's Ferry, were encom- 
 passing us north and east ; M'Call was at Drainsville, 
 sixteen miles farther east on the south bank, and could 
 cut off our retreat across Goose Creek to the south by 
 a bold and dashing movement; Centreville and Ma- 
 nassas were thirty miles distant, and from the state of 
 the country it was impossible to bring up supplies or 
 receive reinforcements: yet Evans was told "to hold 
 the place at all hazards ; " and such instructions to a 
 "fighting" general were likely to be fulfilled to the 
 letter. 
 
 The possession of Leesburg was, in truth, of para- 
 mount importance to us. It was populous and wealthy, 
 and, withal, situated in a county more fruitful in sup- 
 plies than any other in the State. The people of Lees- 
 burg had been somewhat disaffected to our cause, but 
 that had all passed, and now none were more enthu- 
 siastic for independence. The rail and other roads from 
 Washington to Winchester ran through the town, and 
 should it fall, a large area of fruitful country, with the 
 accumulated crops, both in Loudon and the Shenan- 
 
108 BATTLE- flEEnS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 doah Valley, would fall into Northern hands — a consum- 
 mation devoutly wished by the Federals, as Maryland 
 was incapable of supplying their wants. They had, 
 moreover, to pay for what they got from their " friends;" 
 whereas by being quartered among the rebels, that 
 inconvenience would be spared them, and a vast expense 
 saved. 
 
 Our service under these circumstances was exceed- 
 ingly irksome. With a river front of over forty miles 
 to guard against a superior force and a multitude of 
 spies, the utmost vigilance and self-denial were indis- 
 pensable. Our videttes, who were young and inex- 
 perienced, occasioned much annoyance and unnecessary 
 marching, and such was our habitual life of excitement 
 that we could not call a single hour our own. Niglit 
 and day reports would come in of some imaginary 
 " advance " or " crossing," and whether it were night or 
 day, fair or foul, we marched to the threatened point, to 
 find our suspicions groundless. At last, Evans vowed 
 in his wrath to hang the first man that brought in false 
 alarms, and the officer commanding likewise, for per- 
 mitting it. After this informal order, we were much 
 relieved, and enjoyed our leisure hours as best we 
 could in town or country. For once, however, the 
 cavalry were correct in their reports, as I will proceed 
 to show. 
 
 Some of Geary's men at Point of Rocks were in the 
 habit of crossing the river in large boats, and despoiling 
 the country ; besides committing all manner of outrages 
 upon unoffending M'omen and children, whose fathers 
 or brothers were in the Southern army, and not 
 
CAPT0EE OF MAEAUDEKS. 109 
 
 unfrecLuently burned down their houses. A company 
 of foot was sent up to watch for these marauders, and 
 lay perdu in the woods for more than a week without 
 success. At last two large scows were seen approach- 
 ing, containing more than a hundred individuals, some 
 few being renegades, but most of them New England 
 soldiers, and all well armed. Two other scows, 
 similarly freighted, were descried crossing at a point 
 higher up the river. 
 
 Both landing-places were in full view of our men, 
 who waited until the greater number of the Federal 
 soldiers had departed on their shameful errandj when 
 the guards at the boats were surrounded, and of course 
 they had no alternative but to surrender at discre- 
 tion. The prisoners were secured in the woods, and 
 we awaited the return of the marauders. After a 
 few hours, one of the parties approached in a body, 
 well laden, and observing military order against a 
 surprise. Unconsciously, they advanced within our 
 ambuscade, when our captain stepped forward, and 
 demanded a surrender. He was answered with a 
 volley, but before they could reload every man of 
 them was weltering in his blood, dead or wounded. 
 
 The second boat's party, who were approaching by 
 the same track, heard the firing, and rushed towards 
 the landing-place ; our heroes fell back some few paces, 
 and awaited their approach. Having to pass the spot 
 where their companions lay, they halted and gazed 
 with horror on the destruction before them. But 
 at the same moment our commander called upon them 
 to surrender, and they did so. The dead and wounded 
 
110 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 were then placed in a scow, and two men, paroled, 
 conveyed them across. 
 
 On counting oyer our spoil it was found that we 
 had captured in this little affair 150 fine English 
 rifles, 60 revolvers, 6 swords, and over 100 prisoners, 
 besides having killed or wounded 75 others. We 
 procured waggons for the plunder of the Yankees, 
 as well as for the arms and accoutrements, and 
 marched our prisoners to town — the civilian renegades 
 in froni Not a man in our party was scratched in this 
 encounter, but it tended to embitter the feeling between 
 the respective pickets on the river bank, and the firing 
 became incessant. Indeed, 'the Yankees brought down 
 whole regiments to oppose our guards, and maintained 
 an incessant fusilade from sunrise till dark. Not only 
 so, but field-pieces were brought to bear upon every 
 tent or hut within range; and several poor farmers 
 and labourers were unhoused. When our artillery 
 answered, they invariably retired, and at last mounted 
 some heavy pieces on a rising ground behind Edward's 
 Ferry, and incessantly shelled, in the vain hope of 
 destroying, Leesburg, which they had not manhood 
 enough to attempt to take. But their firing was mere 
 waste . of ammunition. Their numerous shell, firom 
 some xmknown cause, though thrown from rifled cannon 
 of the very best quality, always fell short a mile. The 
 distance was not more than two miles and a half. 
 
Ill 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Fortifications of the Enemy— General Banks at Harper's Ferry — Cavalry 
 Eaids and Picket Guard on the Upper Potomac — The little Town of 
 Waterford — Onr Scouts in Maryland — Daring of Elijah White — 
 Captm-e of M'CleUaa's Orderlies. 
 
 It now appeared, from the presence of large bodies 
 of the enemy at all the fords of the river, and the 
 activity they displayed in fortifying every available 
 site, that M'Clellan was determined to raise an 
 impregnable barrier against our attempts upon Mary- 
 land, From Washington to Harper's Ferry the 
 river bank seemed to be one vast line of mud forts 
 and field-works, well armed and guarded, while the 
 continual ascent of smoke from inland camps made 
 us aware that large bodies of troops were waiting 
 orders. Although possessed of fine sites for counter- 
 fortifications. General Evans never essayed to build, 
 and save one small field-work that crowned a rising 
 ground midway between Edward's Ferry and Lees- 
 burg, and our own invaluable bodies, we had nothing 
 to withstand the enemy's approach. " Don't talk to me 
 of earthworks," Evans would petulantly exclaim ; " I 
 have more fortifications now than I can well arm ; 
 besides, these Mississippians don't want to commence 
 
112 BATTLE-PIELDS OF THK SOUTH. 
 
 digging ; they want to fight, not to build. As long as I 
 have such a brigade in command, I can safely defy all 
 that old Stone can do. In fact, if "I had but two or three 
 more regiments, I would cross over and whip the rascals 
 out of Maryland." 
 
 As October advanced, it became apparent that the 
 enemy were resolved to try once more the fortune of 
 war. M'Clellan's force was powerful, highly disci- 
 plined, and finely appointed ; and the clamours of the 
 press seemed to indicate that public opinion would pre- 
 cipitate hostilities. A general of the ranting, raving 
 type of Abolitionism (N. P. Banks, of Massachusetts) 
 commanded Harper's Ferry and the whole line of the 
 Upper Potomac, and it was confidently expected that 
 he would succeed in breaking " the backbone of rebel- 
 lion." On our side, to watch and profit by the false 
 moves of this New-Englander, General Turner Ashby 
 and his cavalry were stationed at Charlestown, in the 
 Shenandoah Valley, and kept continually hovering 
 between that point and Harper's Ferry, intercepting 
 supplies, capturing foraging parties, and making fre- 
 quent dashes into the enemy's line, and even occasion- 
 ally crossing into Maryland, burning railroad bridges, 
 and destroying the Washingtoii and Ohio Canal— one 
 of the chief sources of Federal supplies. At the same 
 time Evans' force was distributed along the river, and 
 our light battery was continually moving from point to 
 point, shelling the enemy's camps. Occasionally they 
 would take up a favourable position, wait for the mili- 
 tary train at Point of Rocks, and destroy a locomotive? 
 or two ; but their favourite practice was firing at canal 
 
THE LADIES OE WATEEFORD. 113 
 
 boats as they approached Washington with supplies. 
 Confederate forces had rendered the Lower Potomac un- 
 navigahle by numerous batteries armed with Armstrong 
 and Whitworth guns, and we endeavoured to imitate 
 the example by stopping all traffic on the north banks 
 of the Upper Potomac. These incessant demonstra- 
 tions, and the raids of Ashby's cavalry, so incensed the 
 ITederal troops that they swore eternal enmity against 
 every Secessionist. 
 
 Being out on picket, we enjoyed ourselves amazingly 
 among the farmers, who willingly furnished all things 
 needful, and as our camps were near the little town of 
 Waterford, many pleasant hours were spent there among 
 the pretty quakeresses and widows — the latter being 
 numerous and handsome. With their little town of 
 one street screened by surrounding hills, the inha- 
 bitants seemed perfectly happy and contented : they 
 possessed a fine mill, two woollen cloth factories, several 
 tanneries ; had a large meeting-house, two small chapels, 
 a newspaper, and excellent grazing land all around 
 them. In general aspect, Waterford looked much like, 
 an English village, only that the inhabitants were 
 prouder in step, wore better clothes, and had rosy, 
 well-cut features that plainly indicated the best of 
 " blood." A large number of the men had decamped 
 into Maryland ; but the women. Heaven bless ' them ! 
 were as true as steel, and behaved like heroines on all 
 occasions. 
 
 Erom deserters and intercepted travellers we gleaned 
 particles of information occasionally which left little 
 doubt that recent acts of boldness were but forerunners 
 VOL. I. 8 
 
114 BATtUE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 of ouscliief, and every day witaessed greater vigilancfi 
 and caution on tie part of officers.. The more distant 
 detachments were called in, and, save a picket guard, 
 under special instructions, our whole force fell back 
 some ten miles to Goose Creek, at which point all 
 flanking forces from Drainsville must of necessity make 
 their first appearance. This was a ruse designed to 
 hewilder the enemy, who were accurately informed of 
 all our movements by spies among the townspeojde of 
 Leesburg. As for our men, what this habitaial retreat- 
 ing and advancing might mean, none could telL-^it 
 sufficed that Evans ordered it, and the men obeyed 
 cheerfully, although frequently compelled to marck in 
 drenching rains and impassable mud. In order to be 
 positively informed of the enemy's movements and 
 intentions, several Marylanders in our command,, volun- 
 teered to cross the river, dodge the pickets, and push 
 into the interior as far as Baltimore, sixty miles distant 
 The most remarkable of these daring feUowSj, EHj^ 
 White, was a rich Maryland planter, who possessed 
 several fine plantations around PoolesviUe, but had 
 forsaken all and joined a cavalry company in Loudon 
 County. His knowledge of localities was so perfect 
 that he was the acknowledged authority in all matters 
 regarding the topography of the country from Alexandria 
 to Harper's Ferry. He frequently swam the Potomac 
 at different points, and. knew more fords in it than, aig 
 octogenarian within a hundred miles. The enemy set 
 all kinds of traps to catch him, but his magnificent grey 
 mare had such speed and endurance that he passed like 
 a phantom from place to place. He was singularly 
 
A GALLANT TEOOPEE. 115 
 
 reserved in manner, although gay and buoyant;, and 
 there can hardly be a doubt that the master passion 
 fiimished a chief motive for his frequent wild adven- 
 tures. Be that as. it may, his services were invaluable 
 in times, of necessiiy, and his daring greatly relieved; 
 the anxiety of Evans> for whose discomfiture the enemy 
 were continually manoeuvring. 
 
 We had pitched tents one evening; afler a long 
 march in the cold winds, and were lying down for a 
 smoke on a bundle of hay by the camp fire; when I 
 heard the jingling of spurs and harness, and, looking- 
 up, saw White on his grey wearily ambling by. The 
 invitation to take a cup of bond fide coffee was eagerly 
 accepted by my old acquaintance ; and his mare lumng 
 been well provided for by the black boy,.. White was so 
 charmed with the savour of sundry beefsteaks broiling 
 on the coals, that he consented to take up his quarters 
 with us for the night. With a circle of some twenty 
 officers and privates, we made a pleasant party round 
 the immense fire of blazing^ oak logs. Some were 
 engaged with cards; others were writing letters; a 
 fiddle was not far distant, with a laughing crowd of 
 dancers going through a cotillon ; many were cooking, 
 eating, and sleeping, and picket-guards were going out 
 on duty. "What's the news. White?" asked' one. 
 " How's all the girls in Maryland?" chimed in another. 
 " How much is whisky worth over there, Lige ? " ques- 
 tioned a third; and so on. 
 
 " I'm mighty tired, boys," said the trooper, smoking 
 and rechning, " but we had a first-rate time of it. We 
 fooled the Feds., as usual, and had a jolly old spree in 
 
 8—2 
 
116 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 Baltimore ; danced with the girls, had lots of tip-top 
 whisky and cigars, and brought back letters for the 
 fellows ; went wherever we darned please ; seized two 
 of M'Clellan's orderlies with despatches — found them 
 in bed a little way back — and brought them over safely, 
 papers and all. We had some diiSculty in crossing at 
 the old place ; so while some of our videttes were 
 fussing about and attracting attention, four of us, in 
 Yankee costume, swam our horses, and soon reaching 
 a friendly house, changed clothes, and put oflF again, 
 for we could hear the Yanks galloping about furiously 
 in all directions. Our boys took to the timber, 
 and never left it until within thirty miles of old 
 Baltimore. 
 
 " Talk of Maryland being sound on the Union ques- 
 tion — 'tis all bosh ! I've lived there for fifteen years, 
 and should know something about it, and I'm posi- 
 tive that ninety-nine out of every hundred are true 
 Southerners, if they only had a fair chance to express 
 themselves. The truth is, boys, Maryland waited too 
 long, and lost her opportunity to declare for secession. 
 She was waiting till Virginia had gone out ; but when 
 that took place her State was crowded with Federal 
 hirelings, and having neither arms nor organization, was 
 obliged to submit to brute force. 
 
 "Freedom of speech, indeed! or freedom of the 
 press!— it is all nonsense; none dare speak openly, 
 and should the newspaper editors even hint at Yankee 
 tyranny, Fort M'Henry is assigned them, without judge 
 or jury. As for habeas corpus ! — that is a thing of the 
 past. While I was in the city, the members of the Legis- 
 
OPINION IN MARYLAND. 117 
 
 lature and Senate arrived, and every one of them vs^ho 
 was in the least suspected of Southern feeling was waited 
 upon, either when he landed from the car, or at his hotel, 
 and, without the slightest explanation, conducted to the 
 dungeons of Fort M'Henry in the bay! There are 
 fortifications of immense strength overlooking the city, 
 and every gun in every battery is shotted, and pointed 
 at the city ! As the tyrants confess with a laugh, ' all 
 these works were raised, not to protect your city, but to 
 destroy and lay it in one indistinguishable heap of ashes 
 should the slightest indication of a revolt betray itself!' 
 " And they claim that Marylanders are loyal, and 
 have brotherly love for them ! Yes, as much love as the 
 lamb bears the wolf. A lady cannot walk the streets in 
 a dress of her own choice without its being noticed and 
 commented on by hundreds of blue-coated soldiers or 
 spies ; and should she wear any colours indicative of 
 Southern sentiment, is immediately arrested and in- 
 sulted. As for taking 'the oath of allegiance,' so 
 called, thousands have done so from sheer, necessity ; 
 but they do not, and will not, consider themselves 
 bound to be faithful to those who -have proved un- 
 faithful to every compact and every instrument be- 
 queathed by our fathers. And they are right. What 
 can the thousands of Maryland do ? Is not the State 
 overrun by all the villains and spies the North can 
 control or hire? Were they to rise, like raving, 
 unarmed fools, .it could only be to be mercilessly 
 butchered by trained bands of hirelings — the offscour- 
 ings of the earth ! Far better as it is, to play the 
 hypocrite with hypocrites ! but the day will come when 
 
118 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 the trae sentiments of Maryland and Kentucky will he 
 fully known ; and when their fate is inseparably linked 
 to onrs, we shall be prone to pity and commiserate, 
 rather than revile them for their helplessness." 
 
 "Well, Lige, no one disputes all that. We know 
 that old Maryland is * sound ' enough, and has two or 
 three fiill regiments at Manassas ; but take a drink ont 
 of Tom's canteen — prime old rye, too — and go on with 
 your trip," said one who was yawning and wanted 
 something exciting to keep him awake. 
 
 " Well, boys," continued Lige, refilling his pipe, "one 
 of my trips is much like another. As we approached 
 Baltimore, I told the boys we had better separate, and 
 meet as strangers at one of the hotels. We did So, and 
 as the guard was not over-vigilant around or in town, 
 I got along very well, and met several friends, taking 
 good care to avoid any I suspected. Having stabled 
 the mare at an out-of-<ihe-way place, I called on an old 
 friend, and was surprised to find him giving a party to 
 some dozen Federals. He laughed, and introduced me 
 as a friend from New York, and, before long, we 
 passed the bottle freely, and got along swimmingly. 
 I bore out my character as a New Yorker admirably, 
 and spoke splendidly about the ' Union, one, and for 
 ever,' the ' Old Flag,' and a hundred other bygone 
 catch-lines; and was put down by the Yankees as 'a 
 regular brick.' I did not drink much, but danced with 
 the girls, condoled with them on the trials and priva- 
 tions of the times, and procured a large amount of 
 information, dropped, in scraps, from the half-intoxicated 
 Federals, rela^ve to the number and disposition of 
 
SECRET -ONDERSTANDING. 119 
 
 troops on the Upper and Lower Potomac. That night 
 I slept at my friend's house. 
 
 " According to promise, 1 called on one of the Fede- 
 rals next morning, and as he was officer of the day, we 
 walked arm-in-arm over the fortifications, everything 
 feeing explained to me, and by well-put questions I 
 extracted all the information possible, and by comparing 
 statements arrived at pretty accurate facts and figures. 
 From W — ■ — I obtained the 'sign' and 'countersign,' 
 by which regularly initiated Southerners might, detect 
 each other, and by this means spent several days very 
 agreeably in the city. I was surprised, however, to 
 find so many belonging to the organization, for I could 
 not be in any assembly long ere signs were exchanged, 
 and I have not unfrequently heard staunch members of 
 the clnb speaking very loudly in favour of union in 
 presence of the Yankees, when at the same moment 
 signs to the contrary were passed between us. They 
 manage this thing well in Baltimore, and have plenty 
 of funds to assist our needy sympathizers who come 
 under their notice. Constant correspondence is main- 
 tained with Richmond, and twice a week despatches are 
 sent there by means which the Yankee authorities can 
 never discover." 
 
 " How about the ladies, old firiend?" • 
 
 " "Well, you may laugh, but of all the Marylanders 
 the women are the most ardent and open in the e'xpres- 
 sion of feeling. When officers ask them to play or 
 sing, they usually comply by performing the most 
 rebellious kinds of music, in the most modest and 
 artless manner, causing the visitors to sit uneasy in 
 
120 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 their seatsj and look very serio-comic. Not that such 
 things can always be done with impunity ; for I know 
 some and have heard of other instances where our 
 female friends have been put into jail for speaking or 
 singing seditious sentiments, or for causing excitement 
 by wearing party colours. As for the Baltimore 
 'theatres, they are controlled by the Federal authority, 
 and are nightly crowded by soldiers, who sit hour 
 after hour applauding clap-trap pieces, in which TJnion 
 soldiers accomplish miracles of heroism ; or, if they die, 
 it is with the Stars and Stripes wrapped around them, 
 and with a great flourish of trumpets." 
 
 A burst of derisive laughter gave the trooper, wlio 
 was growing eloquent with his subject, time to take 
 breath, when he continued : — 
 
 " It strikes me, boys, that the Yankee proper may be 
 truthfully termed a theatrical and imaginative being, 
 and be wrought upon by ' effect ' more than the French, 
 even, whom they endeavour to ape in matters of taste. 
 From childhood they are supplied with a multitude of 
 books of equivocal taste and morality ; their historians 
 are partial; their swarms of novelists are persons of 
 fervid imaginations reared in all the forms of atheism, 
 millerism, free love, and spirituaHsm; most decidedly 
 are unreal in all things, save what pertains to the 
 almighty dollar; but in that they are enthusiastic 
 cheats, and worship the golden calf with more devotion 
 than the Jews. Their theatres everywhere, as well as 
 Baltimore, are the public expounders of prejudice and 
 bad taste. Until of late all battle-pieces had for subject 
 the wars with Great Britain, and we know that one 
 
THE NORTHERN THEATRES. 121 
 
 Yankee was always considered equal to a dozen Bri- 
 tishers, and on the stage, like Samson, they slew their 
 thousands with loud applause, and ended with a large 
 expenditure of 'blue fire,' a waving of banners, and 
 the stereotyped finale of ' Hail Columbia ' or ' Yankee 
 
 Doodle.' This theatrical taste was well developed at 
 Manassas. Orators first addressed the troops, music 
 took up the theme, and with waving banners they 
 marched to. battle, and, with few exceptions, ' bolted ' 
 at the first fire. There was plenty of shouting, indeed, 
 when out of danger ; but though their best regiments 
 cheered till nearly hoarse — though the 'old flag' was 
 shaken out to the winds and ' Yankee Doodle ' broke 
 upon their ear in brilliant variations — nothing could 
 induce their red-legged desperadoes to advance a second 
 time to encounter our ' ragged rebels.' History has not 
 been just- to the North, whose merchants have become 
 princes on the products of the South, and whose books 
 have been volumes of lies." 
 
 " That is all very good. White," broke in a fat old 
 captain; "but go on with the narrative; 'taps' will 
 sound presently, and I must be off to my guard." 
 
 . " When our party had sufficiently enjoyed them- 
 selves, and effected the purposes intended, we met and 
 devised plans for the return. From the information 
 of a trusty friend, it was deemed advisable to be 
 extremely cautious, as everything on the Upper Potomac 
 indicated movements of importance, and the different 
 fords were doubly guarded. General Baker, Lincoln's 
 right-hand man, had been in secret conference with the 
 authorities for several days, and in private circles 
 
122 BATTLE-I'IELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 tragged of what lie was going to do. Me was not 
 going into winter quarters until the vile * ragged 
 rebels ' were driven from his front, and he did so on 
 secession soil, and at rebel expense, &c. Knowing 
 that General Baker was acting in conjunction with 
 Stone, at Poolesville, there could be little reason to 
 doubt after this from what quarter the blow was Ekely 
 to fall upon us, so we hastened back again^ as speedily 
 as possible. 
 
 "The nearer we approached the river, the more 
 difficidt it was to proceed. The Yankees had so many 
 men lying along the main roads, that it was almost 
 impossible to travel. We picketed our horses in the 
 woods when near Poolesville, and held a council of war. 
 I proposed to procure the countersign by stratagem, 
 if possible, and go into Poolesville. The rest of the 
 party vehemently dissented from such an adventure, 
 but promised to stay at the house of a friend till 
 my return. Having resumed my Federal uniform, 
 I proceeded cautiously along the road, and at length 
 came within view of picket-guards round a firej at 
 the fork of the road, which compelled me to halt 
 Hitching the grey in the woods, I now proceeded 
 on foot, and crept among the brushwood until within 
 thirty paces of tie nearest guard. There I lay for 
 an hour or more, until some one approached, and I 
 faintly heard the countersign of ' Bunker Hill ' given, 
 and being satisfied, cautiously returned, mounted the 
 mare, and galloped along the road, roaring the Star 
 Spangled Banner. 
 
 " ' Halt ! ' shouted the picket, as I unceremoniously 
 
CAPTURE OP OEBBRLIES. 123 
 
 approached. ' Who comes there ? ' 'A friend with 
 the coTintersignj' I answered, hiccuping, and pre- 
 tended to reel in the saddle. 'Advance, friend, and 
 give the countersign,' replied the Yankee with a laugh, 
 for, thinking me an officer returning from a joUifioation, 
 he scarcely noticed the countersign. Passing along 
 I could not help lingering near my old plantations ; 
 regiments of New-Englanders were camped upon them, 
 my woods, fences, and barns were all destroyed, and 
 they had converted the dwellings into guard-houses, 
 where dozens of Dutch and Irish were howling in 
 intoxication. Possessed of the countersign, I found no 
 difficulty in passing from place to place, and enjoyed 
 myself until midnight with a lot of officers who were 
 bent on a drinking bout. And now comes the most 
 important part of my story. 
 
 " One of these men had brought important despatches 
 from M'Clellan, and was lo return before sunrise. 
 ' But,' said he, ' if they think I'm going to travel thirty 
 miles again to-night. Stone is much mistaken. I shall 
 just go out of town, and put up at P — 's for the night ; 
 what say you, Smidt ? ' said he to another aide. ' You 
 are not going on with your papers to Banks to-night, 
 eh ? They'll keep, man, they ain't important, so let's 
 make a night of it, and put in an excuse of lame 
 horses!' Both agreed to the plan, and about an hour 
 afterwards proceeded on their way together. I knew 
 P— -'s plantation very well, and resolved that both their 
 persons and papers should visit this side of the river, 
 and immediately started for my party, with a view to 
 the accomplishment of my project. 
 
124 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 " Having watched in which room these worthies were 
 domiciled, we lay in wait some^time, and then, resolyed 
 to commence action by separating them, I rode up to 
 the:h6nse, and inquired 'if Captain Smidt was there; I 
 had been told he was, and had been sent by General 
 Stone to call him immediately.' Smidt soon made his 
 appearance, cursing and swearing in every dialect of 
 Dutch and English. ' Some cot dem tyful hat watched 
 him, sure, unt he was a gone schicken, else how old 
 Shstone know him not gone ? ' While I condoled with 
 Smidt, he was seized and secured without a show of 
 resistance. We then waited a short time until P-^ 
 was about to blow out the candle, when I knocked 
 again. He was in a terrible temper, and having shoved 
 the candlestick close to my face to see who it was, 
 almost staggered with astonishment. Seeing that he 
 recognized me, I presented a revolver at his head, and, 
 placing a finger on my lip, passed in, leaving a com- 
 panion to stand guard over him, while I went upstairs. 
 
 "I knocked at the door of Smidt's room: his com- 
 panion answered me, and I entered. He was sur- 
 prised, but glad to see me. My remark, that 'I 
 had heard him state his intention to stay at P — -'s 
 all night, when in the tavern, and thought Pd follow 
 suit, intending to go on and join my regiment in the 
 morning,' was quite satisfactory. After smoking and 
 partaking of some brandy I had with me, we talked for 
 a long time on the subject of arms and accoutrements. 
 He had a magnificent pair of Colt's navy revolvers, 
 and it was my ambition to effect his capture without 
 bloodshed. I handed over for inspection an Adam's 
 
SUCCESSFUL EUSE. 125 
 
 self-cocker (unloaded), and he pushed across the table 
 his loaded weapons. I fingered them coolly for several 
 minutes, and with apparent thoughtlessness cocked 
 them hoth. Then suddenly presented them at his head, 
 informed him who I was, and commanded him to dress 
 immediately and follow me ; ' resistance is useless,' I 
 remarked: 'the house is surrounded.' Deadly pale 
 and almost paralyzed, the aide dressed and was con- 
 ducted to his horse. We started off without a whisper, 
 and soon arrived at the spot where Smidt was guarded 
 by my companions. 
 
 " During my absence the boys had gagged him, to 
 stop his eternal prattle; and when he recognized his 
 companion handcuffed, I thought hia hair would stand 
 on end with astonishment ! With our prisoners in th« 
 centre, we briskly trotted along the bright moonlit 
 road, and ere long caught a distant view of our camp- 
 fires in Old Virginia.' The river, we knew, was well 
 guarded, at nearly all points; hence, for the sake 
 of caution, we stole through the woods and formed 
 our plans. It was resolved that two of our party 
 should advance boldly to the river, give the counter- 
 sign, and inform the picket that they had volunteered 
 to cross into Virginia to reconnoitre. This news would 
 spread up and down the bank, and the mounted men 
 especially would feel anxious to converse with their 
 comrades and attend little to their posts for a while. 
 The ruse answered admirably; and when I saw one 
 particular spot deserted our party issued from the wood 
 and swam their horses across. No resistance was 
 offered by our prisoners ; we had explained to them the 
 
126 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 importance of silence and obedience, and our revolvers, 
 were always pointed to enforce submission. Scarcely 
 had we crossed when, in the distance, we saw two 
 squadrons of the enemy dashing along the bank 
 'Twas lucky we- had used all expedition, as some 
 
 darkies at P 's must have informed on us. As 
 
 I stood in a thicket listening to their angry conver- 
 sation, I could not help laughing heartily at their 
 aimoyance, and they must have heard it ; for I heard 
 one say, ' Thais him ; I know his voice, major ! ' ' That 
 you. White ? ' " Yes, that's me ; how are you, major? 
 Fiue night, isn't it? I shall give you another call 
 shortly ? ' I could scarcely get out of the way before a 
 perfect shower of shot was dropping aU around me. I 
 cantered to town ; and here I am." 
 
 At the conclusion of White's story> we made some 
 hot punch, as best we could, and wrapping coats and! 
 blankets around us, lay beside the expiring camp-fire, 
 and were soon fiist asle^. 
 
127 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Portion at Manaasaa^ — Ashby at l^rper's Ferry — HLff Preparations for 
 Attack — Our Artillery oo-operate — ^Jncidents of the Fight — General 
 M'Call leaves DrainsvUle, and threatens our Eetreat — Onr alarming 
 Position — To Goose Creek and back again. 
 
 DirsiNG the month of October there was no change 
 in affairs at Manassas or CentreTillet At the latter 
 place, fortifications had been erected under the super- 
 intendence of Generals Gustavus Smith and Beaure- 
 gard, and were generally considered to be impregnable. 
 Our pickets were ' at Fairfax Court-house, but the 
 Yankees were in winter quarters to the front, and 
 could not be coaxed to advance. Active movements 
 were on foot,, however, at Harper's Ferry, andG«neral 
 Banks had pushed his outposts several miles up the 
 Valley. Aahby, with his cavalry, whose daring raids I 
 have mentionedi grew bolder every day^ and solicited 
 reinforcements. These were not granted him,- the 
 authorities perhaps judging it prudent not to fight, 
 although the gallant trooper swore roundly that he 
 would do so. 
 
 Collecting every available man, he made a vow to 
 drive the foe. from their entrenchments into Mary- 
 land; and forliis purpose procured two or three light 
 
128 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 field guns, and an old 24-pound smooth-bore; the latter 
 he ingeniously contrived to mount on the axles of 
 a waggon. With his regiment of cavalry, and several 
 hundred militia, Ashby gradually approached Harper's 
 Ferry, and sent a courier to Evans, asking him to 
 co-operate. Our commander had no orders to leave 
 Loudon County, and it would have been certain 
 destruction to detach any considerable portion of his 
 command, although he ardently admired Ashb/s 
 bravery, and yearned to assist him. Knowing him 
 to be weak in artillery, Evans gave permission for two 
 of our pieces to march to his assistance, ascend the 
 Loudon Heights, and annoy the enemy's rear when 
 marching out to attack Ashby, to destroy the mills, 
 storehouses, bridges, &c. around the Ferry as far 
 as practicable, but by no means to leave the heights 
 and descend into the valley. Four companies of our 
 regiment accompanied the guns and started towards 
 Harper's Ferry at 3 A.M., October 13, 1861, and 
 camped within two miles of the place at sundown. 
 
 At 4 A.M. next morning, we cautiously took up the 
 line of march, and when within a mile of the Ferry 
 abruptly left the main road and approached the Loudon 
 Heights. We could distinctly see the tall bold rocks 
 at Harper's Ferry, encircled by mists and clouds; and 
 as we journeyed quietly through the forest and ascended 
 the steep wood-covered mountains, the sun rose, re- 
 vealing the Potomac swiftly flowing through the natural 
 flood-gates I have elsewhere described, with here and 
 there a white dwelling of the town sleeping in the quiet 
 morning air, at the base of the gigantic rocks which 
 
ASHBY'S CAVALEY. 129 
 
 jverhang the Ferry. With excessive labour we pulled 
 the pieces up the face of the hill, and had them in an 
 imbushed position overlooking the town long before the 
 snemy had sounded reveilK 
 
 The camps of the foe in Maryland and about Harper's 
 Ferry were distinctly seen ; various trenches, forts, and 
 sarthworks looking towards Oharlestown, were counted 
 and examined with glasses : the whole panorama of the 
 Shenandoah Yalley lay several hundred feet below us, 
 while on every road leading to and from the Ferry we 
 saw numerous picket fires and videttes. There was no 
 sign of Ashby or his command : but when the mists of 
 morning cleared away, and the distant woods towards 
 Oharlestown were visible, small faint columns of smoke 
 indicated where his forces lay along the Bolivar road. 
 At the base of the hill on which we were, the Shenan- 
 doah ran on its course to the Potomac, a mile north- 
 ward at the foot of the town, so that on the north and 
 east two different rivers ran winding through the land- 
 scape, while beyond the first-named stream in the valley 
 lay the picturesque village of Bolivar, where the com- 
 mandant of the post, chiefs of arms, factories, and 
 merchants delighted to dwell in the peculation times of 
 the old Government. The chief buildings were now 
 converted into barracks and storehouses, establishments 
 that Ashby had long beheld with a jealous and covetous 
 eye. 
 
 About 7 A.M., I observed several horsemen dash from 
 the distant woods and approach Bolivar in great haste. 
 The drums began to beat very wildly. Shortly after- 
 wards clouds of dust indicated Ashby's approach. At 
 
 VOL. I. 9 
 
130 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 8 A.M. to a minute he halted on the Bolivar road and 
 fired a shot at the infantry barracks : this was a signal 
 to us ; we hoisted a red flag, and two shots answered 
 that all was right. The enemy were not long in assem- 
 bling, and could be seen swarming into their field-works 
 and rifle-pits. Skirmishers were sent out by both 
 parties, and little puffs of smoke and faint reports told 
 that they were hotly engaged. Banks did not seem 
 inclined to leave his fortifications, yet to draw Ashby 
 forward sent out two regiments as decoys ; they were 
 saluted with round shot and sheU, and, quickly turning, 
 fled to the woods south-west of Bolivar, where again 
 volleys saluted them, and a squadron of cavalry dashing 
 forward on their flank cut down many and dispersed 
 the rest in wild confusion. 
 
 Ashby now advanced several hundred yards nearer, 
 and the foe brought forward field-pieces and fi-esh 
 regiments to oppose] him. While this was progressing 
 our artillerists had taken accurate range of the chief 
 storehouse, mills, and other buildings, and began to 
 shell them. This unexpected assault seemed to dis- 
 comfit the enemy within the town and suburbs, and 
 although they endeavoured to save their stores, most of 
 them were fired, and the buildings destroyed. Had 
 they ascended the Maryland Heights (not more than 
 half a mile across the Potomac) our position would have 
 proved untenable, for they were much higher than those 
 of Loudon, on which we were posted. Failing this, 
 our cannonade was maintained with great vigour; and 
 •when fresh parties of the enemy began to cross from 
 Maryland in flats, a few shell were directed towards 
 
GALLANT ATTACK. 131 
 
 ;liem with decided effect. At length the Federals 
 idvanced in line of battle ; and Ashby, having sent his 
 militia to meet them, the latter, at the first fire, broke 
 and fled. The Yankees seeing this gave a tremendous 
 cheer, and ran forward with the bayonet, but in broken 
 lines ; and as they advanced towards the woods, a 
 regiment of cavalry, who were concealed ready for the 
 opportunity, dashed in amongst them, and in a few 
 moments were pistoling the foe and slashing them 
 awkwardly with their sabres. But the cavaby attack 
 was made in great confusion, and most of the enemy 
 effected their escape by running into a large fortified 
 house used for barracks in Bolivar. Ashby observed 
 this place, and stealing along the road with his 
 24-pounder on waggon axles, directed a few well- 
 aimed shells at it, broke the walls, blew off the roof, 
 and the refugees were glad to make for their nearest 
 lines. 
 
 This unsatisfactory style of fighting was maintained 
 with fluctuating success until noon, when a courier 
 swam the Shenandoah, ascended the mountains, and 
 begged our colpnel to bring his force into the valley, 
 and assail the enemy on the right, while he pushed the 
 pentre. Against this, it will be remembered he had 
 received the strictest orders; and although the men 
 crowded round him, and begged to be led against the 
 enemy, the colonel was compelled to refuse. The 
 cannonade was then renewed with great fury by either 
 party, and many shell came screaming over the heights 
 on which we stood, but did no harm. Ashby, seeing 
 that he was greatly outnumbered, and that the enemy 
 
 9—2 
 
132 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 were endeavouring to surround him, used liis field- 
 pieces with such destructive effect as to hold them in 
 check while he drew off his small force to a better 
 position. The militia by this time had hecome accus- 
 tomed to the fight, and, gallantly advancing, repulsed 
 the enemy ; while Ashby, conspicuous on a white horse, 
 led on the cavalry, and made several brilliant charges. 
 Having effected his main object, viz. the destruction of 
 the mills, storehouses, and bridges of Harper's Ferry, 
 he retired towards Charlestown, with several hundred 
 stand of arms, some prisoners, much ammunition, and 
 quantities of stores, which had been seized hy his 
 troopers at unprotected points while the fight was 
 raging. As he retired behind the woods, scouts came 
 in and reported the enemy endeavouring to cut off our 
 retreat; but by expedition and coolness we soon de- 
 scended the mountains, and reaching the main road, 
 occupied the point crossing a hill, and placed our pieces 
 in position, ready for a determined stand. The enemj 
 perceived that we had "taken up a strong position, and 
 ovei'-estimating our force, retired without firing a shot. 
 While bivouacked that night, a courier came dashing 
 towards us, and brought the stirring news that M'Call, 
 with a heavy force, was marching from Drainsville to 
 cut off Evans at Leesburg. The latter, therefore, had 
 hastily retreated to Goose Creek, ten miles nearer 
 Oentreville, and we were ordered to follow in his 
 track, and if the enemy had really entered the town, a 
 courier would inform us of it on the road, and give 
 time to branch off towards "Winchester, to get under 
 fee protection of Ashby. This indeed was startling 
 
BROKEN EEST. 133 
 
 lews. The men had travelled much, and were exces- 
 iively weary. The colonel decided not to call them up 
 or a few hours, but give them rest. Towards twilight 
 ill were quietly awakened and informed of the state of 
 hings ; the men good-humouredly arriving at the con- 
 ;lusion that we had better "up stakes and dust" out of 
 ,he neighbourhood in "a mighty big hurry." Our 
 yaggons were sent out of the way by a road leading 
 iouth-east, with directions to halt at a certain point for 
 further orders. We marched through Hillsborough like 
 shadows — all were in bed and not a dog barked— arid 
 continued at a great pace towards Leesburg. Towards 
 3vening we halted on a large hill overlooking the town, 
 md received orders to keep to the woods and proceed 
 Dn to our brigade at Goose Creek. The rain fell in 
 iorrents, and the roads were awful, as all roads in 
 Virginia are at this season. When within a mile of the 
 creek, a courier brought orders to halt for the night, 
 and proceed to Leesburg at break of day. With much 
 swearing and grumbling at Evans' idea of strategy, the 
 order was obeyed, and shoeless, foot-sore, and dirty, 
 we pitched tents on our old camping-ground, one of 
 the companies being detailed to hold the mudwork 
 on the hill, towards Edward's Ferry, called by the 
 dignified term of "Fort Evans," though it had no 
 guns, and was not pierced for any. This company, 
 together with the other three, detailed men to picket at 
 thB river as usual, and were instructed to wait until 
 further orders. 
 
134 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 What the Enemy did when our Forces had left Leeshurg— Plots of 
 Union Traitors during our Absence — Threatened Approach of He 
 Enemy_from Drainsviile upon our Eight Flank — We march out to 
 the Attack, Sunday, October 20 — Capture of a Federal Courier— 
 The Euse discovered — Plans of Stone, Baker, and Banks — Counter- 
 march to the Ferry Eoad — Watching the Kiver — Shell-firing by the 
 Enemy — The Enemy cross in Force at Ball's Bluff on Sunday Night, 
 and at Edward's Ferry, Goose Creek, and other Passages on Monday 
 Morning — Details of the Battle of Leesburg — General Baker killed 
 — Colonel Coggeswell with 800 Men taken Prisoners — Great Slaugh- 
 ter — Victory of the Confederate Forces— Retreat of the Enemy to 
 Maryland — Our Eeinforoements airire. 
 
 While our brigade was away from Leesburg, and 
 pickets were no longer at the river, many negroes 
 crossed the stream, and informed the Yankees of our 
 whereabouts. Several Unionists, also, had conferred 
 with their friends, and every acre of the vicinity had 
 been accurately mapped out by their engineers. We 
 had long suspected old farmer Trunnell of treachery— 
 his only son had joined the Northern army, and was a 
 brigade commissary in it. It was to his knowledge of 
 localities that the Yankees chiefly trusted when placing 
 their batteries, and he had often been seen directing 
 artillerists in their efforts to shell the town. His father 
 was extremely wealthy, and had an extensive plantation 
 near the river, adjacent to Ball's Bluff. He had large 
 
RETURN TO LEESBURG. 135 
 
 dealings with our army, and was paid thousands of 
 dollars for supplies. His negroes frequently ran away 
 to Maryland, but invariably returned after a few days' 
 absence ; a circumstance whicli rendered it highly pro- 
 bable that the old man corresponded with his son. He 
 himself and his whole household were pecidiarly insult- 
 ing to our soldiers, and I myself have frequently seen 
 signal lights at his house answered from the hills in 
 Maryland. Yet he lived undisturbed in his homestead, 
 and was neither insulted nor annoyed by any one. 
 
 Our return to Leesburg caused some speculation, but 
 the answer to all inquiries was that " we were to hold 
 the place until the enemy appeared, and then retire." 
 Unlooked for by any, the remainder of our brigade 
 marched into town late on Saturday evening, and pitched 
 tents in the accustomed place. Having had but little 
 rest during the past week, I congratulated myself on 
 the prospect of a long nap now that our whole force 
 was come to relieve us; but it fell to my lot to be 
 ordered on guard, and we made ourselves as comfort- 
 able as possible round a camp-fire, little dreaming of 
 the stirring events in which we were about to act a 
 principal part. 
 
 One company of the 13th Mississippi had been de- 
 tailed to picket the river on our left from Carter's 
 Ferry to the head of Harrison's Island ; one of the 
 17th picketed to Edward's Ferry on our right; horse 
 pickets were on duty still lower down the river, 
 watching the ferry, where Goose Creek flows into the 
 Potomac; another company of horse were watching 
 Goose Creek bridge and the Drainsville road on our 
 
136 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH, 
 
 right flank and rear ; a company of horse were also on 
 our extreme left up the river, and one of the IStli 
 Mississippi occupied Fort Evans midway between the 
 river and town. This was our disposition on Saturday 
 night, October 20th. Our active lieutenant-colonel had 
 gone out to examine the posts along the river, but had 
 not visited the woods around Ball's BlufF. It was a 
 wild, desolate place, and the guards disliked duty in 
 the neighbourhood. The Bluff so called was about 
 thirty feet above the level of the river, and not more 
 than one hundred yards from Harrison's Island, the 
 level of which was some twenty-five feet lower than 
 the Bluff. The island, however, was fringed with 
 timber, and could conceal thousands of men. Little 
 notice had been taken of this cheerless looking place, 
 and few guards of either party were seen in its vicinity, 
 although the island was in undisputed possession of the 
 enemy. It was at this point that the enemy's spies 
 and engineers had crossed a few days previously, and 
 seeing only a few tents on the outskirts of Leesburg, 
 had reported that three companies held the town. 
 
 About 3 A.M., Sunday morning, our lieutenant-colonel 
 rode into camp hastily, and in a few minutes every man 
 was under arms ; tents disappeared without noise, and 
 we were drawn up in line of battle. We knew not 
 what to surmise unless another retreat was contem- 
 plated — perhaps to Goose Creek, through mud, two or 
 three feet deep, as usual ! The doubt was soon resolved. 
 Evans and his staff were seen approaching through a 
 dense mist, and our men being formed in columns of 
 division at half distance, the old gentleman addressed 
 
REPORTED APPROACH OF M'CALL. 137 
 
 US almost in the following words: — "Gentlemen, the 
 
 enemy are approaching by the Drainsville road, 16,000 
 
 strong, with 20 pieces of artillery ! They want to cut 
 
 off our retreat ! We raxxsi Jight ! — you need not expect 
 
 any reinforcements, for none can arrive in time if they 
 
 were sent. I am going to lead you out to meet them, 
 
 and if you obey orders we shall give the Yankee rascals 
 
 a sound thrashing ! You have met them before, so 
 
 have I — we both Imow of what they are made. I shall 
 
 be as economical of human life as possible, and shall 
 
 not sacrifice one man unnecessarily. Gentlemen, I fully 
 
 rely upon you, and have unbounded confidence in your 
 
 courage and patriotism ! Gentlemen, good-morning." 
 
 Before the general rode off, some few essayed to cheer, 
 
 but the prevalent feeling was despondent. None cared 
 
 so much about a fight on equal terms — if anything, 
 
 they would willingly have accepted a challenge from 
 
 any two regiments the enemy could produce ; but, much 
 
 as we all admired our commander's pluck, it appeared 
 
 hazardous for a brigade of 2,700 men, with four guns, 
 
 to meet in mortal strife not less than 16,000 of the 
 
 enemy, with twenty pieces of artillery ! 
 
 The die was cast, ho-wever; all the baggage had 
 moved many miles to the rear, and we marched across 
 Goose Creek bridge and along the Drainsville road to 
 meet the enemy under General M'Call. As the sun 
 had not yet risen we approached the mouth of Goose 
 Creek, crossed it, and passed near the guns of the 
 enemy commanding these points without being ob- 
 served ; had they perceived us defiling from the woods, 
 along the road, a finer target for their rifled pieces 
 
138 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 could not have been desired. We proceeded towards 
 Drainsville some two miles and halted, just as the snn 
 rose ; and, as our havresacks were empty, smoked our 
 pipes with great gusto in lieu of breakfast. A courier 
 came down the road and informed Evans that the enemy 
 were six miles away, but had not stirred since 6 p.m. 
 the previous evening. We marched back to await their 
 approach, and bivouacked in the woods. Presently two 
 of our mounted troopers came up with a ^Federal courier, 
 who had been captured proceeding on his way with 
 despatches from M'Call to Stone. His papers betrayed 
 little, yet sufficient to reveal that it was designed to 
 draw us from Leesburg along the Drainsville road, 
 while Stone crossed and occupied the town. Evans 
 was the very, last man to be deceived by such a trans- 
 parent trick, and as we marched back across the creek 
 and halted in the woods along the Edward's Ferry 
 road, he drily observed, showing his teeth, as usual— 
 " They won't come that way, boys ; but, had they done 
 so, we would have given them what they never yet 
 
 had — a d d good whaling ! " 
 
 As we lay in the woods all Sunday, the church bells 
 were sweetly ringing, and nature seemed to sleep in 
 the glorious sunshine of the Indian summer — all around 
 us wore an unnatural calm, and every man as he quietly 
 sat or slumbered beneath the leafy shade seemed lost 
 in reverie. We had nothing to eat, our waggons and 
 stores were far away towards Manassas, and every half- 
 hour reports would come in that the enemy seemed 
 very busy at the river, while the glittering of long 
 lines of bayonets could be plainly seen moving to and 
 
PREPARING FOR THE EIGHT. 139 
 
 fro. As if from intuition all the cottagers left their 
 humble dwellings and farms, and hurried away to town, 
 while the soldiery, half famished, despoiled the gardens, 
 and feasted on raw vegetables, or stole a few ears 
 of corn from the hams, eating it raw. The stillness 
 was oppressive, and all complained of thirst; a few 
 unslung their knapsacks and hurriedly wrote letters 
 home, sending them by couriers pa,ssing to town. 
 
 As the sun began to decline, the enemy's batteries at 
 Edward's Ferry furiously shelled in every direction, 
 aiming particularly at Fort Evans, the red earthworks 
 of which could be plainly discerned dotting the green 
 hill, and overlooking a bend in the road near town. 
 Shell were screaming over our heads through the air in 
 great numbers, even when darkness covered the scene ; 
 and bursting in all directions they presented a rather 
 pretty pyrotechnic display — the white circles of luminous 
 smoke seeming to hang with great sensitiveness and 
 delicacy in the air. 
 
 When all was quiet again reports came in that the 
 enemy were bringing up many boats from various 
 creeks below, and shortly afterwards a courier arrived 
 post haste and reported that 700 men had landed at the 
 Old Ferry at the foot of our road. Three right com- 
 panies of the 18th Mississippi were sent down there- 
 one went into the timber round the Ferjy House, with 
 orders when the enemy advanced to fire and fall back; 
 the second was to act similarly, and the third to protect 
 the retreat and entice the enemy on. They had 
 returned, however; and soon afterwards their tattoo 
 was soimded, and v^e could plainly hear the men 
 
140 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 answering roll-call. We were ordered away lower 
 down stream to the mouth of Goose Creek, — the enemy 
 had been at both places trying their boats. We picketed 
 all night, nearly frozen to death, had nothing to eat, 
 wore light summer clothes, and had no blankets nor 
 firps. 
 
 Why these three companies were detached so far 
 from the main body I could not tell ; we were imme- 
 diately under the guns of Edward's Ferry, and were 
 not informed how to retreat. When the sun rose next 
 morning (Oct. 21), we anxiously awaited orders of 
 recall ; but receiving none, the captains determined to 
 fall back. Seeking the banks of the creek, we followed 
 a hog-path by the water's edge up-hill, and were par- 
 ticularly fortunate in not tumbling over the precipitous 
 banks. We kept to the woods, and had not crossed 
 the hill five minutes when the heavy guns at Edward's 
 Eerry began to shell furiously, many of their missiles 
 falling in close proximity to our halting-place. Witliin 
 ten minutes more we heard the music of fife and drum, 
 and, looking over the hill, saw a strong force of the 
 enemy issuing from the lane where we had picketed 
 all night, with cavalry in front, and guns. Their 
 infantry followed in martial array, and turned up the 
 stream towards Edward's Ferry. Their appearance 
 was martial and imposing. "At last" thought we: 
 " now comes the tug of war ! " 
 
 Not being more than a mile distant in the plain, onr 
 companies enjoyed a fine panoramic view of everything 
 passing. When the enemy had formed line of battle, 
 and artillery was placed in the road, a squadron of 
 
THE ENEMY CKOSS THE POTOMAC. 141 
 
 cavalry were sent out to reconnoitre. They galloped 
 gaily towards Leesburg, and passed a company of the 
 18th ensconced in the woods. The gay-looking horse- 
 men had not proceeded far, when they suddenly came 
 upon the 18th, drawn up across the road behind some 
 timber, and, receiving a withering volley, turned and 
 fled, having to run the gauntlet of the company, who, 
 from their covert, fired heavy loads of buckshot into 
 them as they passed. From our position on a hill to 
 the right, we clearly saw the discomfiture of the 
 cavalry ; their oiEcer commanded them to move forward 
 a second time, but they were so discouraged that no 
 persuasion could induce them to stir. 
 
 Fresh troops now began to pour across the river from 
 the mouth of Goose Creek, and from Edward's Ferry, 
 until at last there were many regiments drawn up in 
 line of battle, well supplied with artillery. The position 
 of the 18th being known, the enemy began to work 
 their batteries with great vigour, firing twenty-four 
 pound spherical case shot, and shelling the woods in 
 all directions. The 18 th then fell back towards town, 
 and formed line to the left, with the 17 th to the right, 
 of the road, and at the foot of a hill on which the 
 artillery was placed in Fort Evans — the first regiment 
 having its left on a bank of the Potopac, while the 
 right of the second regiment lay on Goose Creek. In 
 the rear were the 13th Mississippi and the 8 th Virginia, 
 and still farther beyond was a masked battery in the 
 woods designed to sweep the road, should we be forced 
 back. Skirmishers were sent out to our front, but no 
 enemy appeared; scouts reported them 10,000 strong. 
 
142 BATTLE-FIEtJDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 with twelve pieces drawn up at the Ferry, but there 
 were no indications of an advance. They still kept 
 shelling the woods vigorously, and their percussion 
 shell fell very close to us, as we lay awaiting an attack, 
 smoking, laughing, and eating raw cabbages to assuage 
 hunger. 
 
 To our left and rear, however, about two miles up 
 the stream, things began to assume a lively aspect. 
 One company of the 13th, on picket there, had been- 
 surprised and driven in by' a regiment which had 
 unexpectedly marched out from the woods around Ball's 
 Bluff. The company fought well, and, once getting tte 
 enemy on broken ground, began to deal destruction 
 among them with a rapid and accurate fire. The cap- 
 tain was in his shirt-sleeves, and the men not mnck 
 better attired. " Halt and surrender ! " roared the 
 Federal commander, galloping towards our men, as they 
 were faUing back ; " don't fire, we are friends ! " Onr 
 men, however, had jumped into a field, and each man, 
 taking refuge behind a sheaf of corn, kept on " popping" 
 away with great rapidity and precision. The Yankee 
 colonel ordered his men "forward," but they did not 
 stir, and seemed inclined to fall back for protection to 
 the woods. Then our bare-headed captain of the 13th 
 ordered his men to reserve their fire, and advance at 
 the charge ! Strange to tell, these eighty brave boys, 
 with a yell, boldly advanced at a run towards the beau- 
 tiful line of the enemy, suddenly halted, delivered a 
 murderous voUey, and then charged. The enemy did 
 not stand, but retired to the woods, and kept up a 
 desultory fire from their covert. A cavalry company 
 
BATTLE AT BALL'S BLinBT. 143 
 
 hearing the musketry, when far up the river, advanced, 
 dismounted, and used their Maynard rifles with fine 
 effect, and drove the enemy still farther into the woods. 
 
 The Federals, however, were pouring across at Ball's 
 Bluff in great force, and two companies of the ,18th 
 heing ordered there to sustain the pickets, the battle 
 commenced in earnest. At one time the enemy were 
 driven in, but, being shortly afterwards reinforced, they 
 drove our men completely out of the timber into the 
 open ground. When they essayed to advance still 
 farther, however, our gallant boys reserved their own, 
 but drew the fire of the enemy, and when within seventy 
 yards, blazed away with awful precision, and with a yell 
 charged them through the woods, loading and firing 
 rapidly as they advanced. 
 
 It was now midday, and still our brigade, with few 
 deductions, remained idly on the Edward's Ferry road, 
 and had done nothing, except eat raw vegetables. The 
 sudden falling back of our small force at Ball's Bluff, 
 about 1 P.M., told plainly that the foe were in great force, 
 and soon afterwards their cannon began to roar. The 
 8th Virginia (400 strong) were ordered to proceed to 
 the spot, and drive in the enemy. Their arrival greatly 
 relieved the wearied pickets, and the firing became 
 lively^ but it was plain that the enemy outnumbered 
 us at all points, and we heard their long volleys with 
 great anxiety and impatience. It was not known at 
 what point the enemy meant to make their most vigor- 
 ous attack. Our great strength had been reserved for 
 the defence of Fort Evans, and, finding the enemy were 
 not inclined to advance, Evans determined to do so. 
 
144 BATTLE-PIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 Our orders were to attack the enemy, and " make the 
 business short." " Forward, boys," said our general ; 
 " if they won't come to us, we must go to them, and in 
 less than an hour we'll make them wish they had never 
 been born." 
 
 The 18th led, and following came the 17th and 13th, 
 with four howitzers. As we reached the highest point 
 in the road, we saw the enemy drawn up in beautiful 
 order, in columns of companies, with many pieces of 
 artillery and some cavalry ; above them, on the other 
 side of the river, were three batteries placed on a hill, 
 and all ready for action ! Several brigades had not 
 crossed, and we could plainly see them with arms 
 stacked! As we silently moved forward, an adjutant 
 galloped to the front, and the column halted. The 
 enemy plainly saw our whole force, but reserved their 
 fire. " They have nearly surrounded us at the Bluff," 
 he said, "and the 18th is to countermarch to their 
 relief! " So the 17th and 13th countermarched to their 
 old position, and after pulling down the fences, we 
 began our race of two miles to turn the tide of battle. 
 As we left the road a strange sight was presented, and 
 which caused many a hearty laugh. Some hundred or 
 more of our regiment who were sick had escaped from 
 the hospitals, knocked over the doctors and parsons ■who 
 tried to prevent them, and marched out to participate 
 in the fight, and now fell into rank with great good 
 humour ! As many more had left the hospitals in the 
 morning contrary to orders, and not knowing the 
 whereabouts of their respective regiments, had directed 
 their steps to the line of fire, and fought manfully. As 
 
ATTACK ON THE ENEMY'S CENTEE. 145 
 
 B ran towards the scene of battle, the roar of the 
 lemy's musketry and cannon was deafening. 
 "Lige" White, who had been very active all day, 
 ide up to us and confirmed the statement that our 
 aall force was nearly surrounded : he knew every inch 
 ' the groimd perfectly, and piloted us into a position 
 imediately in front of the enemy's centre. The enemy 
 d not expect us in that direction, and a lull in the 
 ring immediately ensued. Our fatigued comrades 
 emed with one accord to leave the battle entirely to 
 i; and we did not disappoint their flattering expec- 
 tions. Advancing through the woods in good order, 
 B at last came in sight of a large open field where the 
 mtre of the Yankee semicircular line of battle was 
 ipported by four howitzers. Knocking down the 
 nces, we jumped into the open, and re-formed, as 
 lolly as if on parade. The four right companies 
 stantly dashed up a rising ground to the right, and 
 spossessed the foe of a patch of woods that com- 
 anded their centre. Though vigorously assailed with 
 lot and shell, our right companies fired so quickly, and 
 ith such murderous accuracy, that the guns were soon 
 iserted; but the fire of the enemy's infantry at the 
 me time was so well sustained that had we not been 
 ise enough to load and fire on all-fours, not a man of 
 5 would have escaped. We had the advantage of a full 
 iew of every movement made by the enemy, and all 
 leir advances were chastised with such heavy loss that 
 ley contented themselves with the cover of the timber 
 1 the Bluffs, and could not be induced to advance. 
 Such a roar of musketry, for the numbers engaged, I 
 VOL. I. 10 
 
146 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 never heard. Many fell on our side. The four right 
 companies had over one hundred killed or disabled ; but 
 though 2j000 men — some of the very best in the Federal 
 army, and under Baker — were opposed to them and kept 
 up a semicircle of fire, our men held on like bloodhounds, 
 and neither threats, commands, nor entreaties of officers 
 could induce them to fall back and re-form the regi- 
 ment The men would not do it ; the enemy were before 
 them; they would advance, if ordered, but no falling 
 back for anything. In fact, these four companies were 
 fighting the battle alone, and the enemy were 
 scores every moment. Our men had bought 
 quantities of buckshot, and reserved them for " close 
 quarters," as they termed it, and were now using ttem 
 with terrible effect. Besides the ordinary musket cart- 
 ridge, they put in from eight to sixteen buckshot, and 
 kept Tip the fire with so much efPect that the enemy's 
 front and all around the guns were strewn with the dead 
 and wounded in hundreds. 
 
 General Baker having been killed shortly after our 
 fierce onset. Colonel Coggswell now commanded the 
 enemy, and thoiight to make good his retreat by a flank 
 movement to Edward's Ferry. While he deliberated, 
 the 17th came in on our left flank, and the rest of our 
 regiment assailed him on the right. For some time the 
 battle raged with great fury, and it seemed to us there 
 was no end to the stream of fresh troops relieving the 
 enemy. But Colonel Coggswell had succeeded to the 
 command in a luckless hour. Endeavouring to movehy 
 the left flank, in order to effect a junction with Stone at 
 the Ferry, he was intercepted by our lieutenant-colonel, 
 
DRBADEUL MASSACRE. 147 
 
 10 advanced against him with six companies, and 
 ving surrendered, we had the satisfaction to see 800 
 isonersj with the chief in command, marched to the 
 ir. 
 
 The fighting still continued in the centre, as if the troops 
 ;re unaware of Coggswell's surrender, hut as it was 
 t our ohject to shed hlood unnecessarily, we all ceased 
 ing for a few moments. Our company was detached 
 )m the regiment, and rested on the right of the Vir- 
 aians, who lay in the woods. We were soon ordered 
 
 advance across the open ground at the double quick 
 join the regiment drawn up in the woods at the edge 
 
 the river, and as we did so, up rose the enemy on the 
 uff, and poured a heavy volley into us ; but we dropped 
 
 time, rose up instantly, rushed on, discharged our 
 eces in their faces, and drove them over the Bluff on 
 I the bayonets of their friends, thirty feet below. Such 
 lughter, such havoc and mangling of living men, it 
 is never been my lot to witness in any battle. Our 
 en were wrought up to fury, and fought like fiends : no 
 ifair advantages were sought, nor did any act contrary 
 
 the rules of war; but, greatly outnumbered at all 
 )ints, they eagerly seized upon every opportunity to 
 flict chastisement, and from their masterly use of the 
 lusket, killed and wounded twice as many as their own 
 imber actually engaged. 
 
 The centre of the enemy was now completely broken, 
 id the remnant driven over the Bluff into the river ; 
 le guns were ours, and dragged off; the right was 
 tptured to a man ; and the left had disappeared under 
 le high banks of the river, and dispersed in small 
 
 10-2 
 
148 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 parties, endeavouring to cross. As we lay in line of 
 battle, expecting a fresh attack, I plainly saw the wrecks 
 of three large flats, on which hundreds had perished. 
 They had been used for bringing over reinforcements, 
 and returning with wounded, but such was the conster- 
 nation among the troops that large numbers rushed on 
 board, trampling upon the wounded, until, they all sank 
 together amid frightful screams. Colonels and captains 
 had deserted their commands, and throwing off their 
 clothing, escaped by swimming : at one time the river 
 seemed covered with heads, and when, being ordered 
 back, reiusing to return, nearly all were shot by our 
 men. On the island we saw several regiments drawn 
 up, but the rout and destruction of their comrades 
 appalled them : they would not advance, and, to prevent 
 loss from our accurate fire, they were led off from the 
 island into Maryland. Several houses on the island had 
 been converted into hospitals, and the hundreds of 
 suffering beings who lay around the field presented a 
 harrowing sight. 
 
 The sun had now set, the battle was over, and. various 
 companies of men were detailed to bear off the wounded, 
 bury the dead, secure arms and prisoners, and hold the 
 field. Our right was still threatened, and every avail- 
 able man marched to support the 13th, who held Fort 
 Evans. The enemy, indeed, had not advanced an inch, 
 but there was no certainty regarding their movements. 
 
 At night I went to the Bluff to look after the wounded. 
 The sight was an awful one : the groans in every direc- 
 tion fearful to hear. Burial parties were busy with 
 spades, and many a noble boy might be seen consig 
 
PRISONEES AND BOOTT. 149 
 
 to his last resting-place. Crowds of earriages'and con- 
 reyances were on the ground bearing off the wounded, 
 while the hospitals in town were thronged by ladies, 
 fovoig and old, lending their tender aid in all manner of 
 Dffices. Indeed, while the battle was progressing, crowds 
 3f women gathered on a neighbouring hill, and wept 
 md bewailed, while many a good sturdy fellow kept 
 n-doors, ready to shout for either party, and did not stir 
 )ut till victory had saluted our banners. 
 
 The Yankees who had hid themselves along the bank 
 )f the river were loth to come forth, but after much 
 persuasion they voluntarily came forward in a body, 
 ;hrew down their arms, and marched to town very good- 
 lumouredly, and, after being refreshed, were sent 
 Bwards Manassas that same night. The quantities of 
 irms we found along the banks' surprised me — all being 
 )f English manufacture, having on the plates, " Hall, 
 London ; " " Bond, London ; " " London Tower," &c. 
 The stream at the crossing appeared to be literally 
 ihoked with broken boats, dead bodies, and arms — not 
 ess than one hundred dead being piled up under the 
 iluffs in dozens, and scores in other places, and the 
 and all gory. The woods around the Bluffs were all 
 iut down or splintered by shot, the trunks of the larger 
 rees looking as if millions of rats had been gnawing 
 hem. The number of arms captured was near 2,000, 
 t howitzers, much clothing, a few stores and ammuni- 
 ion, 800 prisoners, 20 officers, 2 colonels, one or two 
 itand of colours. The killed and wounded were about 
 1,000, not including the three large boatloads that sank, 
 >v numbers that feU on the island from stray shot, and 
 
150 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 from our fire late in the evening. Our loss was not 
 more than from two to three hundred killed, wounded, 
 and missing. 
 
 It surprised me at the time, and is still sufficiently re- 
 markable to be worthy of note, that General Evans was 
 not upon or even near the field until the last shot had 
 been fired. Then, however, he came galloping upon 
 the ground, and highly complimented us, saying that he 
 had been anxiously watching us, at the same time ob- 
 serving the enemy's movements along the Edward's 
 Ferry road. If the truth must be told, he directed our 
 movements from his office in town, two miles away— or 
 between that point and Fort Evans — and was swearing 
 lustily all the afternoon ; yet although he fondly ex- 
 pected the enemy to approach the fort, they did not do 
 so ; hence every disposition was made at Ball's Bluff by 
 Colonel Burt, of the 18th, who fell while cheering on 
 the four right companies in their headlong massacre of 
 the enemy. Another remarkable fact: when the 
 Yankees had safely reached the shores of Maryland, 
 they began to cheer like madmen, but for what will ever 
 remain a mystery. One of the boys drily remarked, 
 that " the darned fools cheered because they got back 
 safely!" Others said " they cheered because they felt 
 so mighty big over another victory! " Both were pro- 
 bably near the truth ! 
 
 Our whole force now lay in the woods round Fort 
 Evans, anxiously looking for the morrow, for all expected 
 the enemy to advance, and endeavour to retrieve their 
 fallen fortunes. Morning came, and scouts reported 
 them strongly fortified, with large reserves, about to 
 
THE ENEMY EETIRE. 151 
 
 cross. We waited until noon, and although the rain 
 poured in torrents, Evans was anxious to entice them 
 forward. The 13th was ordered to open the fight, and 
 draw the enemy out ; for this purpose the right wing of 
 the regiment was used, to counterfeit weakness, the left 
 being held in reserve. The Yankees accepted battle, 
 and a large regiment advanced to the attack : the right 
 of the 13th, seeing this, were maddened (because not 
 called in at the Bluff), and assailed the New-Englander3 
 with such fury that they broke and ran, the 13th chasing 
 them through ploughed fields, over their breastworks, 
 and past their guns. The guns would have been brought 
 in, but being so far from all support, the men fell back 
 without them. It was in vain that all kinds of expe- 
 dients were used to entice the enemy on, for, although 
 our small force was too much exhausted and insufficient 
 to attack, we all desired the enemy to advance and try 
 their fortunes. The rain feU in torrents all day, and at 
 midnight three guns and loud cheers were heard from 
 the other bank of the river ; the enemy, 12,000 strong, 
 with 12 pieces, had successfully recrossed the river, and 
 were cheering in consequence ! 
 
 Fearful that other forces M'ould move down from 
 Drainsville, and cut off his communication, Evans once 
 more fell back to Goose Creek, where a South Carolina 
 regiment, a Louisiana regiment, and four guns of the 
 Washington Artillery, reinforced us. Here we anxiously 
 awaited battle from M'Oall, or any one else who dared 
 to approach. Our reinforcements were eager for the 
 strife, and could a hundred thousand dollars have pur- 
 chased a battle they would willingly have subscribed 
 
152 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 that amount. The Louisianians in particular were 
 fretful for a fight; they had marched from Centreville 
 in a very short time, and in order not to delay, kicked 
 over their barrels of flour, and journeyed with empty 
 havresacks. This regiment was entirely composed of 
 Creoles and Irish — a splendid lot of men, and highly 
 disciplined by Colonel Kelly. They have smce greatly 
 distinguished themselves in " Stonewall " Jackson's 
 division, having turned the tide in many battles. 
 
153 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Effects of the Battle of Leesbnrg, or Ball's Bluff, on Public' Opinion in 
 the Country, North and Sonth — The Yankees claim a Victory as 
 usual — General Stone arrested and sent to Fort Warren — Eemark- 
 able Incidents of the War — A Fraternal Eencontre — The Negroes 
 with either Army — ^Humorous Incidents — Evans is sent to defend 
 his Native State, South : Caroltna — General P. Hill assumes com- 
 mand — ^Fortifications are erected — We prepare for Winter Quarters. 
 
 !PoE two or three weeks previous to the battle of Lees- 
 bttrg, the Northerh papers overflowed with j'oyM 
 expectations regarding the' movements then in prepara- 
 tion. The administration organ at Washington predicted 
 that *'in a few days the rebels would suddenly drop 
 out of Lee'sburg ; " others said, " we shall begin to make 
 history next week;" "let all prepare for a succession 
 of Union victories that shall eclipse all the doings of 
 the Old World ! " It may well bie supposed that 
 enough had occurred to disenchant them of these bom- 
 bastic ideas; but no, the Federal generals, to cover 
 up their defeat by misrepresentation, acknowledged 
 having met with reverses at Ball's Bluff, but triuni- 
 pharitly rejoined, "We have captured Harrison's Island, 
 and hold it against all eiForts of the rebels ! " The fact 
 is, they had always held undisputed possession of the 
 island-; yet the mainland was so much higher as to 
 command it, and had our artillery been present in the 
 
154 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 battle, not twenty men of their wtole force could have 
 escaped. 
 
 When at length the story was truthfully told by the 
 New York Times and Tribune, the whole North was 
 thrown into consternation and mourning over "the 
 massacre," as they termed it, and began re^'iling each 
 other for urging M'Clellan to advance at all against Rich- 
 mond. Massachusetts was particularly affected by the 
 direful news, for two of its " pet " regiments (the 15tli 
 and 23rd) had suffered fearfully, and many young men 
 of the first families had fallen, including the promising 
 son of the poet Oliver Wendel Holmes, most of the 
 men having been enrolled in Boston and Worcester, 
 New York, also, felt very much humbled on accoimt 
 of the decimation of the 44th — one of its crack regi- 
 ments, which boasted of more professional pugilists 
 and blackguards than any other from that State, except 
 the red-legged Fire Zouaves. Pennyslvania was in 
 mourning for the rout of the 1st Californian Regiment 
 (fifteen companies strong), which had been raised by 
 Baker in Philadelphia, and which was petted, and 
 feasted, and paraded at Washington by Lincoln himself, 
 and called the " Invincibles." Other States had each 
 its special reason for mourning, and so, from one reason 
 or another, the entire press howled over the disaster 
 for a full month. 
 
 In the South, however, our success was not regarded 
 with proportionate admiration : the people expected the 
 " boys " to do well, and when their victory was recorded, 
 it only excited smiles and modest comment As far 
 as our brigade was concerned, scarcely a man spoke 
 
AREEST or GENERAL STONE. 155 
 
 of it, save to show how much more might have been 
 gained by the presence of artillery, or if the preliminary 
 movements in which they had been engaged during the 
 previous week had been less fatiguing. General Evans, 
 indeed, was much lauded in the newspapers, biographical 
 sketches appearing from different pens, tending to 
 prove that the general was an extraordinary soldier; 
 the men, however, could not help believing that his 
 plans were faulty, and that had it not been for the 
 ferocity of the troops the affair would have ended very 
 differently. Be that as it may, the South Carolinians 
 claimed the battle as theirs, since Evans was of that 
 State ; while the gallant Mississippians thought all the 
 honour belonged to them, as they had done all the 
 fighting ; and in truth, the Virginians did very little. 
 Poor Stone, the Federal commander, was bullied unmer- 
 cifully by the Northern press, and being in Washington 
 on business, where he dined with M'Clellan, he was 
 on the following morning arrested and sent to Fort 
 Warren, without a word of explanation. 
 
 Among the numerous incidents that fell under my 
 notice illustrative of the sometimes tragical, sometimes 
 laughable, occurrences of civil war, the following may 
 lie mentioned as properly pertaining to the battle of 
 Leesburg. Two young men, brothers, acquaintance^ 
 of mine in Kentucky, had always differed in politics, 
 and when the war broke out, Howard, the younger, 
 sought the Southern army, and Alfred that of the North. 
 They shook hands at parting, and said it was probable 
 they should meet again on some field or other. Alfred 
 obtained a captain's commission; Howard, with many 
 
156 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 fellow-statesmen, shouldered a musket in our regiment. 
 When the battle was over, Howard was searching for 
 the bodies of friends who had fallen by his side, and 
 stumbled over something. " Halloa ! " said the object, 
 in a hoarse voice, " who are you ?" " I'm a Southerner," 
 replied Howard ; " you are one of the enemy, if I'm 
 not mistaken, and know, of course, that the field is 
 ours." " Well, yes, I have some faint recollection of a 
 fight ; but all I remember is much smoke, a great noise 
 of musketry, and of some active fellow in a white cap 
 knocking me down with a musket, and then I fell 
 asleep." When they advanced to one of the camp-fires, 
 Howard recognized his brother Alfred, and he himself 
 was the man who had knocked him down with the butt 
 of his musket in the confiision of the battle ! 
 
 By the next incident I shall relate we were much 
 amused. One of our best soldiers was a rough Scotch- 
 man named Black, who had relatives in the South, and, 
 desiring to get to them, joined the Northern army, with 
 the intention of deserting at the first opportunity. 
 When on picket guard at the river, he pretended to 
 bathe, and, being a good swimmer, manfully struck out 
 for the Virginian shore. When midway, he turned and 
 shouted, "Good-by, boys; I'm, bound for Dixie!" 
 "Come back, or we'll shoot!" answered the guard. 
 " Shoot, and be d — d, you white-livered nigger-thievesy" 
 shouted Black, and in the midst of a shower of Mini^ 
 balls, he safely landed among us. He willingly entered 
 our service, and proved an admirable soldier. During 
 the battle he performed many feats of daring, and at 
 night formed one of a corporal's guard who escorted a 
 
NEGEO HUMOUE. 157 
 
 full company of Federals off the ground. As Black 
 was laughing and joking, the captain of the Federals 
 remarked to him, " I ought to know that voice ! — is 
 that you. Black ? " " That's me ! " jocosely replied the 
 Scotchman. " I hope you're well, captain, you and all 
 the hoys ! I couldn't stay with you, you see ; it wasn't 
 because I feared to fight, but I like to fight in the right 
 cause always." It is needless to say Black was escorting 
 his old company, officers and all. 
 
 At the commencement of the action our men per-, 
 ceived among the enemy several negroes, who seemed 
 to take great care of themselves, and could not be 
 induced to leave the trees behind which they fought. 
 Many of us took a " pop " at the darkifes, but always 
 missed. When the fact became known to our coloured 
 boys, who always persisted in going to battle with us, 
 they dropped the wounded they were carrying off, and 
 immediately formed plans for capturing " de black 
 'Bolition teeves." It was very amusing to see their 
 display of generalship. " Go back to the rear, boys," 
 said the officers, " this is no place for you ! " But the 
 darkies would not go back, and lurking behind their 
 masters picked off the enemy's officers at a rapid rate. 
 At last the regiment made a sudden charge, when, to 
 our surprise, we found that not less than half-a-dozen 
 black fellows had preceded us, and were each bringing 
 out a prisoner of the same colour, abusing them roundly, 
 and kicking them unmercifully. "You black rascal 
 you! — does you mean to fight agin white folks, you 
 ugly niggers, you ? Suppose you tinks yourselves no 
 ' small taters ' wid^dat blue jacket on and dem striped 
 
158 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 pants. You'll oblige dis Missippi darkey by puUing 
 dem off right smart, if yer doesn't want dat head o' 
 youm broke ! " " You are a mighty smart nigger, you 
 is ! " said one of our cooks to his captive ; " comin' 
 down Souf to whip de whites ! You couldn't stay 't 
 home and let us fight de Yanks, but you must come 
 along too, eh ! You took putty good care o' yourself, 
 you did, behind dat ole oak ! I was a lookin' at yer ; 
 and if you hadn't dodged so much, you was a gone 
 chicken long ago, you ugley ole Abe Lincolnite, you ! " 
 
 Some of our servants were fortunate enough to pick 
 up many valuables, including diamond pins, watches, 
 rings, and money, and as at Manassas they selected 
 the finest Federal uniforms they could discover, in 
 which they dressed themselves, and then promenaded 
 round town with their sweethearts. I discovered my 
 servant one morning making coffee, completely dressed 
 in the grandest style, from boots to the gilded shoulder- 
 straps, of some unfortunate Federal officer. In their 
 conversation, they seemed to look upon the Yankees 
 with contempt, and especially because they didn't fight 
 to suit them. "Talk of dem Yanks comin' down to 
 whip us ! Dey must be sick ! Why, massa can whale 
 a dozen of 'em 'fore coffee is hot, fair fight. Dem 
 Nordon darkies is no 'count, and yet dey puts on all de 
 airs in de worle. If eber I ketch any of dem darkies 
 comin' in my way, or foolin' wid me, dis chile is goin' to 
 make somebody holler, sure ! " 
 
 General Evans had received command of all the 
 forces in South Carolina; and as that State was 
 threatened with invasion, he now hurried forward to 
 
PEKPAEING FOE WINTEE QTJAETEES. 159 
 
 perfect arrangements ; his successor in our command was 
 General D. H. Hill (brother-in-law to "Stonewall" 
 Jackson), and a very superior officer. General Griffith 
 (cousin of the President) commanded the brigade. 
 From the moment of his arrival Hill was continually 
 in the saddle, and, nearly always alone, soon made him- 
 self master of every acre in Loudon County. I shall 
 have to speak of this officer again. He had already 
 achieved fame at Little Bethel as colonel of the Carolina 
 Volunteers, and greatly emulated Jackson in all his 
 doings. Having selected fine sites near the river, he 
 commenced fortifying with great vigour, much to the 
 annoyance of the enemy, who had meditated crossing 
 the ice during heavy winter, and surprising us before 
 reinforcements could march up from Centreville. The 
 mud-work at Fort Evans was also enlarged, covered, 
 made bomb-proof, and pierced for six 32-pounders ; long 
 lines of rifle-pits were dug during night close to the 
 river and elsewhere ; a hill was fortified to the south, 
 commanding Fort Evans ; and another, more important 
 still, north of the town, which commanded every ap- 
 proach. Figuratively, our fortifications were lions 
 without teeth ; for guns could not be spared at Manassas ; 
 and the roads were in such bad order that it required 
 twenty-four oxen to draw one 32-pounder a distance of 
 twenty-five miles, and taking not less than three days to 
 do it. Hill worked hard, however, and placed six heavy 
 pieces in position, and astonished the enemy by shelling 
 them out of their battery behind Edward's Ferry. 
 
 In the meantime it had become apparent to all that 
 some grand move was planning in Maryland ; for heavy 
 
160, BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 masses of troops were continually seen moving from 
 point to point. Our cavalry force was therefore in- 
 creased, and guarded the Upper Potomac ; and now all 
 being prepared as far as our means permitted, we com- 
 mitted the event to fortune, and in November received 
 the joyful order to go into winter quarters. 
 
161 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Winter Quarters— Amusements of 'the Men — Cock-fighting, Racing, 
 Snow-balling, Singing-clubs, &c. — I visit Richmond, and see the 
 Foi-tifications of Manassas en route — Affectation of Military Bank at 
 the Capital — Gaiety of the Place — Solons out of Place — Much 
 "Wisdom thrown away — Scarcity and high Price of Provisions— Com- 
 modores Lynch and Hollins — Major-General Pryor. 
 
 Foe the next two weeks scarcely any sound was heard 
 but that of axe-men engaged in felling trees ; and within 
 a very short time we were all well housed in log-huts, 
 covered with layers of straw and mud. The fire-places 
 being large, admitted ' sticks ' of wood four feet long ; 
 and sometimes ten logs of this length constituted a fire. 
 Some bought stoves to cook oh, and built additional 
 dwellings for their servants ; but within the fortnight 
 all were comfortably provided for. Our commanders 
 occupied some princely residences owned by Union men 
 in Maryland, who had been large lottery dealers, and 
 possessed of immense wealth. The various regiments 
 were placed on the east side of the forts, ready to occupy 
 them within five minutes' notice. 
 
 Amusements of all kinds were soon introduced, but 
 chiefly cock-fighting, as in summer. Men were sent 
 out in all directions to buy up game fowl ; and shortly 
 there rose up a young generation of " trainers," versed 
 
 TOL. I. 11 
 
162 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 in every point of the game, and of undisputed authority in 
 the settlement of a quarrel. These, for the most part, 
 were gentlemen from the Emerald Isle, not a few of 
 whom were in every regiment in the service. In the 
 matches, regiment fought against regiment, and company 
 against company, for stakes varying from 5 dols. to 
 2,000 dols. a side ; and such was the mania for 
 " roosters " that the camps sounded like a poultry show, 
 or a maromoth farmyard. " Snow-balling " was also a 
 favoiirite pastime with the Southerners, and, together 
 with skating and sledging, much delighted them; the 
 majority had never seen snow or ice, except when the 
 latter was used with "sherry-cobblers," "whisky- 
 skins," " cocktails," &c. 
 
 I was loth to leave the brigade ; but service called me 
 to Richmond. So, having partaken of all the enjoy- 
 ments of " singing clubs," " negro minstrels," " debating 
 clubs," and the hke, I departed for Manassas by a quar- 
 termaster's waggon, and soon arrived at Centreville. The 
 out-posts and guards at the latter place were extremely 
 vigilant — annoyingly so, I thought — and for the slightest 
 irregularity in our ' passes ' and papers would hare 
 sent us back to Leesburg. Fortifications of immense 
 strength and extent arose on every hand, and were all 
 well mounted. Though I could not comprehend the 
 half of what fell under my notice, I felt strongly im- 
 pressed that no army in the world could capture the 
 place by an assault in front or flank. For miles these 
 earthworks could be seen stretching through the coun- 
 try ; and I counted not less than five hundred heavy 
 pieces, without numbering them all. 
 
CENTBEVniE. 163 
 
 The troops were comfortably quartered in well-built 
 frame-liouseSj placed in lines of streets, with parade 
 grounds in front; sinks, gutters, and other sanitary 
 arrangements seemed complete. The care and fore- 
 thought displayed by our generals for the comfort, 
 health, and convenience of the men surprised and de- 
 lighted me: large bakeries, wash-houses, infirmaries, 
 blacksmiths' shops, numerous sutlers' establishments 
 (where no liquors were sold), chapels, parade and drill 
 grounds, head-quarters, chiefs of departments, immense 
 stables, warehouses and State dep&ts — even a railroad 
 connecting the place with Oentreville to facilitate com- 
 munication and send supplies. 
 
 The only drawback here — and this was sufficient to 
 mar the whole — was the incredible quantity and tenacity 
 of the mud. Locomotion in rainy or damp weather 
 baffles all description; and to say that I have seen whole 
 waggon trains fast in the road, with mud up to the axles, 
 would afford but a faint idea of the reality. If timber 
 had been plentiful, the roads might have been " cordu- 
 royed," according to the Yankee plan, viz., of piling logs 
 across the road, filling the interstices with small limbs, 
 and covering with mud; but timber was not to be pro- 
 cured for such a purpose ; what little there might be 
 was economically served out for fuel. 
 
 On arriving at Richmond a wonderful contrast to the 
 well-disciplined order of Manassas presented itself. The 
 Oovemment offices were quiet and business-like, but no 
 other part of the capital was so. The hotels were 
 crowded to excess, as they always, are ; and great numr 
 bers of officers in expensive uniforms strutted about on 
 
 11—2 
 
164 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 " sick leave," many of whom had never been in the 
 army at all, and after running up bills with all classes of 
 tradesmen would suddenly depart for parts unknown. 
 The marvel was, that people could be so deceived, for it 
 is no exaggeration to say that every third man was dig- 
 nified with shoulder-straps, and collectively they fai- out- 
 numbered all the officers at Manassas ! In theatres, 
 bar-rooms, and shops, on horseback or on foot, all wore 
 the insignia of office. Not one was to be found of less 
 rank than captain, and as for colonels — ^their name was 
 legion ! I was measured by a youth for a pair of 
 boots, and bought some dry -goods of another, one 
 morning : in the evening I saw both of them playing at 
 billiards at the " Spottswood," dressed out in bran-new 
 imiforms, with insignia belonging to the rank of major ! 
 This was sufficient explanation ; and it did not at all 
 surprise me afterwards to hear that nearly all the thou- 
 sand and one gambling hells were kept by captains, 
 majors, and colonels. General Winder, the provost- 
 marshal, subsequently made it a punishable offence for 
 any to assume uniforms except soldiers. The change 
 was sudden and ludicrous in effect. 
 
 The floating population of Richmond was made up of 
 the strangest elements. Some came to see friends, others 
 with wonderful inventions or suggestions for Govern- 
 ment. Not a few were impressed with an idea that the 
 Cabinet needed their advice and counsel; but the 
 majority of these strangers came with the modest deter- 
 mination to offer their services at large salaries, pre- 
 tending that if they, were not, accepted for this, or that 
 office, some State or other would feel humbled, perhaps 
 
RICHMOND, 165 
 
 secede from the Confederacy, and I know not what. It 
 was laughable indeed to hear the self-sacrificing Scions 
 holding forth in bar-rooms or in private. Their ideas of 
 all things military were decidedly rich, and would have 
 astonished poor Johnson or Beauregard, who were put 
 down as mere schoolboys beside them. General Wash- 
 ington Dobbs, who had been engaged all his life in the 
 leather business somewhere in Georgia, had come tip to 
 proffer his valuable services as brigadier; but being 
 unsuccessful, his patriotism and indignation electrified 
 the whole private family where he boarded. Colonel 
 Madison Warren, some poor relation of the English 
 blacking-maker, had lived in some out-of-the-way 
 swamp in the Carolinas ; he came to Richmond to have 
 a private talk with the President, to let him know what 
 lie thought about General M'Clellan and old Scott. Not 
 getting an audience, he offered himself for the vacancy 
 of quartermaster-general, and not being accepted was 
 sure that Jefferson Davis was a despot, and that the 
 Southern Confederacy was fast going to the devil. 
 
 Smith had a self-loading, self-priming field-piece, that 
 would fire a hundred times a minute, and never miss. 
 Each gun would only weigh twenty tons, and cost 
 10,000 dols. He had asked a commission to make a 
 thousand of them only, was willing to give Government 
 the patent right gratis ; and they would not listen to him ! 
 How could the South succeed when neglecting such 
 men as Smith ? Jones was another type of a nume- 
 rous class of patriots.. Tracts were necessary food for 
 the soldiers. He (Jones) *' only " wanted the Govern- 
 ment to start a large Bible and Tract house, give him the 
 
166 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 control of it, and he would guarantee to print as many 
 as were needed, and sell them as cheaply as anybody 
 else, considering the high price of everything. Jones, 
 like a thousand others, did not succeed with any of the 
 departments, and after being jammed and pushed about 
 in the various lobbies and staircases for a whole month, 
 arrived at the .conclusion that the Confederate Govern- 
 ment was not "sound" on the Bible question, and, 
 therefore, ought not to be trusted in this enlightened 
 and Gospel-preaching age ! 
 
 When the high price of every necessary is considered, 
 it appears strange that the city should be so crowded. 
 Boarding averaged from 2 dols. to 5 dols. per day at the 
 hotels, and not less than 10 dols. per week in any family. 
 Boots were 35 dols. per pair ; a suit of clothes (civil), 
 175 dols. ; military, 200 dols., or more; whisky (very 
 inferior), 5 dols. per quart ; other liquors and wines in 
 proportion; smoking tobacco, 1.50 dols. per pound; 
 socks, 1 dol. per pair ; shoes, 18 dols. to 25 dols; hair- 
 cutting and shaving, 1 dol. ; bath, 50c. ; cigars (inferior)' 
 four for 1 dol., &c. The city, however, knew no inter- 
 ruption to the stream of its floating population, and balls, 
 parties, and theatres, made a merry world of it ; and 
 Frenchmen say, it was Paris in miniature. Four in the 
 afternoon was grand promenade hour; and, in fine 
 weather, the small park and principal streets were 
 crowded. Military and naval officers would sun them- 
 selves on balconies, or stretch their limbs elegantly at 
 hotel doors. Here it was that I first saw Commodore 
 Lynch (late U.S.N.) of "Dead Sea " notoriety in literar 
 ture, and Com. Hollins, the " hero " (?) of Greytown. 
 
LYNCH AND HOLLINS. - 167 
 
 The first-named was a small, quiet, Jewish-looking 
 man of about fifty; thin, sallow complexion, and ourly 
 black hair, small black eyes, and very meek in appear- 
 ance ; wearing a cloak, like a man of economical habits 
 and limited means. No one would take him for the 
 " Tartar " which he undoubtedly is, when aroused : he 
 is indefatigable in all that pertains to naval affairs. 
 Hollins is about 5 feet 6 inches, broad-shouldered and 
 stout, grey hair, whiskers, and moustaches, full face, a 
 fine forehead, a lively blue eye, slow and solemn in 
 deportment and conversation. He always seems to be 
 walking on the quarter'-deck, with his eye on the 
 shrouds. No one would take him to be a person of 
 much energy, ashore, but every movement betrayed 
 that his proper station was that of commander of a 
 seventy-four. He wore a plain dark grey suit, and 
 cap trimmed with a gold band, on which was prominent 
 the anchor and cables — in such a costume he looked 
 more like an old major of fbot than anything else. 
 
 Hollins' son and myself were soon fast friends ; and 
 through him I became acquainted with many persons, 
 who have since become distinguished in the war. Roger 
 Pryor, a Virginian and brigadier, was formerly Con- 
 gressman from Virginia, and distinguished himself in 
 the halls of legislation more by his combativeness than 
 eloquence: more than once he challenged the Northerners 
 who were disrespectful in their language towards the 
 South. He is a young man, rather thin and tall, with 
 a feminine face, delicate moustaches, and long black 
 hair. He is veritably one of the " fire-eaters," and with 
 a brigade of Mississippians once under his command. 
 
168 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 and lately of Louisianians, he has made his name 
 famous. Major-General Macgruder is about forty years 
 of age, thick-set, voluptuous in appearance, very dressy 
 and dandified, " showy " in his style and bearing, and 
 nearly always mounted. He was an artillery officer 
 in Mexico, under Scott, and gained an enviable name 
 for efficiency in that branch, as also in engineering. He 
 looks like a man too much given to dissipation, and is 
 incapable of planning a battle, although very vigorous 
 in fighting one. If appointed to fortify a place, there is 
 no man on the continent that could do it better. He 
 commanded the small Confederate force that defeated 
 Butler in the engagement at Little Bethel, and was ably 
 assisted by Colonel D. H. Hill, now a general, com-, 
 manding at Leesburg. When the war commenced, 
 Macgruder was registered on the U.S. army roll, 
 "Captain Co. 1, 1st Artillery." I saw dozens of other 
 generals, since known to fame, and conversed with 
 many, but defer speaking^ of them until their names 
 occur as prominent actors on the stage of events. 
 
169 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 The Battle of Belmont, on the Mississippi, described in a Letter from a 
 ftiend— The Forces of General Pillow surprised by Grant— The 
 Southern Troops narrowly escape a Defeat — ^Eeinforcements from 
 General Polk and Columbus — Arriyal of Polk on the Field — The 
 Federal Troops defeated and Spoils taken — Characters of General 
 Pillow and General Polk compared — Misrepresentations of the 
 Northern Press. 
 
 I HAD only just returned to my regiment at Leesburg 
 when I received a letter from a Kentucky friend, serv- 
 ing under General Polk, at Columbus, descriptive of the 
 engagement at Belmont, which had been fought some 
 time before at the village of that name in Missouri. 
 
 " Columbus, Ky., Nov. 10th, 1861. 
 " Dear Tom, — You will, ere this reaches you, have 
 heard more than one account of the late fight at Belmont ; 
 but this will satisfy you that I am all right, and ready to 
 have another ' shake ' with the Great Anaconda, so much 
 talked of in the North. In my former letter, I fully 
 informed you of the stupendous works raised here by 
 General Gustavus Smith, and of our having occupied 
 Belmont opposite, so as to command both banks of the 
 stream. But the enemy appeared to know as well as we 
 did that our force on the west bank was not very 
 
170 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 formidable, nor our works of a very threatening cha- 
 racter, and so determined to surprise General Pillow 
 some fine morning. 
 
 " In pursuance of his amiable purpose. Grant collected 
 a fleet of large river steamboats, and embarking at night, 
 steamed down the river unobserved. Within a few mUes 
 of Columbus and Belmont, the river makes a sudden 
 bend, and behind this bend Grant disembarked his 
 forces, and began to advance towards Belmont, through 
 the woods. When morning broke, the action commenced; 
 the first intimation of the enemy's presence being a suc- 
 cession of rapid volleys. The troops were soon under 
 arms, but the sudden surprise precluded all idea of a 
 regular line or plan of battle. We at Columbus had 
 heard the rapid fire for more than an hour, but knew 
 not its cause. The word was passed to our brigade to 
 ' fall in ; ' and before we could conjecture the meaning 
 of all this. General Polk rode up, and informed us, very 
 briefly, that Pillow had been attacked by an overwhelm- 
 ing force under Grant, and that we were going to the 
 rescue. 
 
 " In a short time we were steaming across — ^not to 
 Belmont, but towards the Yankee landing-place up the 
 river, keeping as close in-shore as possible to avoid 
 notice; for had the enemy boldly advanced down the 
 river, and engaged the boats, disregarding our batteries, 
 nothing in the world could have saved us. We had not 
 proceeded far, when their guns on the battle-field were 
 turned against us, but without effect, and we were soon 
 landed in the timber on the enemy's flank and rear. 
 Advancing out of the woods into the • open,' we were 
 
BATTLE OF BELMONT. 171 
 
 received with volleys of musketry and grape ; but the 
 aim was too high, or many would have suffered. When 
 we arrived at close quarters, we discovered the enemy 
 rapidly falling back from their main attack, and seeking 
 to regain their boats. Thus invited, we attacked them 
 vigorously with the bayonet, and for a full hour chased 
 them through woods and fields, majdng every shot tell 
 among the retreating crowd. We captured several 
 pieces of cannon, and drove them to their boats. The 
 scene at the landing was awful. The miserable wretches 
 were rushing on board in great confusion, while our men 
 kept up a continual shower of lead amongst them. We 
 made several attempts to capture some of the boats, but 
 did not succeed. 
 
 " Although not on the field when the fight opened, I 
 fully understood the true position of affairs, and must 
 say that the fight was a desperate one. When the 
 enemy were reported landing troops a few miles above, 
 the garrison in Belmont consisted of only two regiments. 
 Pillow, with four regiments, immediately crossed and 
 assumed command. He had scarcely done so, when 
 Grant's advance opened Gre, and the fight soon became 
 fierce and obstinate. The enemy, who knew our weak- 
 ness, would have succeeded in surrounding our left 
 only for the destructive fire of a battery placed there, 
 and the rapidity with which troops in support maintained 
 their deadly volleys. This wing was severely taxed, 
 as was also the right; but despite all their efforts, the 
 enemy could not force them, though assisted by powerful 
 artillery. 
 
 " Having failed in his attack on the wings. Grant knew 
 
172 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 there was little time to spare, and repeatedly hurled his 
 strongest force at our centre, which occupied open 
 ground. The firing here was incessant, and we gradu- 
 ally gave way. Pillow then ordered a charge, and the 
 first line of the enemy was driven in confusion upon 
 their reserves. But our ammunition now began to fail, 
 and word came that the wings could not maintain their 
 position if the centre gave in, as there was every reason 
 to fear it would do. Again a charge was ordered, 
 which proved no less successful than the first. It was 
 now found that our only battery had not a cartridge 
 remaining, and most of the troops were similai-ly cir- 
 cumstanced ; there was no alternative but to fall back 
 until reinforcements should arrive from Columbus. 
 
 " Taking up a strong position on the river bank. Pillow 
 arranged his lines for the final assault of the enemy; 
 it being supposed, as they had full possession of our 
 camps, and were firing them, that Grant would hurry 
 forward his columns, and give us no time to re-form. 
 As fortune would have it, three regiments arrived at 
 this critical moment to reinforce us, and it was deter- 
 mined to move them up the river bank and get in the 
 enemy's rear. The enemy had seen our boats crossing, 
 and played on them with a heavy battery ; but the guns 
 at Columbus replied, and in a few moments the enemy's 
 pieces were silenced. Finding that Polk himself was 
 crossing, and landing troops far up the river on his line 
 of retreat. Grant immediately began to fall back, but 
 had not proceeded far when he encountered Louisianians, 
 Mississippians, Tennesseeans, and others formed on his 
 flanks, subjecting him to loss every moment, while the 
 
GENEEAL POLK. 173 
 
 guns at Columbus continued rapidly firing across the 
 river, and from the high position of the works, were 
 made to tell with deadly effect. Under these circum- 
 stances resistance was hopeless, and Grant reluctantly 
 ordered a retreat, hut while conducting it was subjected 
 to a terrific cross-fire from our troops, while Polk in 
 person was pushing their rear vigorously, capturing 
 prisoners and arms every yard of the road. The con- 
 fusion, noise, and excitement, were terrible, the enemy 
 rapidly retreating to their boats, and our advance 
 columns pouring deadly volleys into them ; thus almost 
 miraculously changing a defeat into a glorious triumph 
 for our arms. 
 
 " The number of dead and dying that blocked up the 
 landing-place was very great, and it seemed a matter of 
 wonder to me how so many men could have successfully 
 embarked and made their escape in so short a time. 
 Had our officers been active, and brought down some 
 field-pieces in time, we might have disabled the boats, 
 and caused awfiil havoc among their densely packed 
 numbers. We captured several hundred prisoners, 
 several thousand stand of arms, and a few cannon, but, 
 as the enemy simply came with their arms, and did not 
 even carry a blanket to impede their activity in this 
 enterprise, little else of value. 
 
 General Pillow has to thank his stars that Polk so 
 quickly came to his succour, or,* instead of being hailed 
 as victors, we might all have been snugly provided for 
 in some New-England fort or penitentiary. Yet his 
 vanity is not less, conspicuous now than it was in 
 Mexico, and he is eternally carping at " the bishop," as 
 
174 BATTLE-PrEIJ)S OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 lie terms Polk, who, nevertheless, is a capable and 
 laborious commander, accessible at all times by high 
 and low, a thorough disciplinarian, and fine engineer. 
 If he chose to leave the army in former times and enter 
 the Episcopal Church, and become a learned bishop 
 among his brethren, it surely does not detract from his 
 repute as a gentleman, a Christian, and a scholar, to say 
 that he resigned his charge in answer to the especial 
 call of the Executive, who demanded the service of all 
 talented men in behalf of the common cause. Polk 
 was a good bishop : he is now an excellent and accom- 
 plished major-general, and possesses the entire con- 
 fidence, love, and respect of all who know or serve 
 under him. PiUow is annoyed, however, because he 
 himself was not placed in chief command at Columbus— 
 a position for which he is totally unfitted, as subsequent 
 events will fully demonstrate. 
 
 " But to return to the battle. This, as you know, is 
 the first time I have ever been under fire, and I confess 
 I felt very uncomfortable. We were convinced that 
 our boys had been having the worst of it all the 
 morning, or our haste would not have been so pressing. 
 We had scarcely landed when one of Pillow's orderlies 
 rode up and begged us for God's sake ' to hurry up,' as 
 the boys were hard pressed, and had been fighting a 
 long time against odds, and were only recovering firom 
 the confusion in which' they had been thrown. As we 
 marched out into open ground we gave loud yells, and 
 commenced firing; many of our men falling every 
 moment, the thought continually occurred to me that 
 my turn would come next, yet inspired by the example 
 
CONFEDERATE VICTOBY. 176 
 
 of our offififii's. we rnshecl to close nnarters. determined 
 to bring 
 not atten 
 but cone 
 "I h£ 
 unnecess 
 National 
 accounts 
 
 fools, ' the back-bone of the rebellion ' is -weU-nigh 
 broken ; yet, between ourselves, I think the job will 
 prove too big, and break their hearts and pockets over 
 it first — Yours, as ever," 
 
176 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 CHAPTER XY. 
 
 Winter Quarters continued — Scant Rations supplied to the Troops-^ 
 High Pi-ices of Provisions and Clothing resulting from, the Blockade 
 — Sufferings of the Poor — Refugees from Kentucky — True State of 
 Public Feeling there — ^Letter from a Friend, containing an Account 
 of the Opening of the Campaign in Kentuckv and Tennessee— Battle 
 of Millsprings, January 1st, 1862 — General Zollicoffer and most of 
 his Staff killed — Surrender of Foi-t Donnelson, February 91h— 
 Sti-ange Conduct of General Floyd. 
 
 The monotony of camp life was felt severely during 
 the winter, notwithstanding the resources I have men- 
 tioned in a previous chapter. General Hill was a strict 
 disciplinarian, and would permit none to be out in town 
 after nightfall, unless furnished with a pass countersigned 
 by the provost-marshal. So strictly was this rule en- 
 forced that I have known a whole squad of officers 
 arrested and put under guard, including two full-blown 
 colonels and sundry majors, simply for going to and fro 
 unarmpd with the necessary " countersign." 
 
 With books and writing materials many of us made 
 the winter evenings pass off very agreeably, while others 
 had become proficient in vocal and instrumental music, 
 so that if we could only smuggle a gallon of apple- 
 brandy into camp, a roaring fire of logs, pleasant punch 
 and entertaining society made our cabins very enjoyable. 
 
PRICES OF NECESSARIES. 177 
 
 The usual discomforts of a deficient CGmmissariat we 
 had of course to endure: a variety of rations were 
 allowed which were never forthcoming. Coffee, ^ugar, 
 rice, vegetahles, and beans we never had, save for two 
 or three weeks during the first year of service; we 
 knew, however, that Government did the best it could, 
 and therefore, as patriots, did not murmur, but bought 
 what we could. Coffee, as Southerners, we could not do 
 without : hence, if on picket, we exchanged tobacco for 
 it with the Yankees, but otherwise used parched barley 
 as a substitute, as the whole South was cheerfully doing. 
 Bacon or beef, with baker's bread or flour, were the 
 only rations we had regularly : any luxurious addition 
 to this simple fare we had to purchase, and this at the 
 most preposterously high price. 
 
 For example : even in this, an agricultural country, 
 
 turkeys sold for 4 dols. and 5 dols. each ; two chickens, 
 
 ditto; wretched liquors at 20 dols. and 30 dols. per 
 
 gallon, and seldom to be had even at that ; common coarse 
 
 homespun jeans, 5 dols. per yard ; common Manchester 
 
 ■prints, 1 del. per yard; common white cotton shirts, 
 
 5 dols. each ; linen, 10 dols. ; cotton socks, 1 dol. per 
 
 pair; boots, common and clumsily made, 20 dols, to 
 
 35 dols. per pair ; common felt hat, 10 dols. ; coffee, 
 
 3 dols. per pound ; tea, 5 dols ; brown sugar, 50 cents 
 
 per pound; white, 75 cents; flour, 12 dols. to 15 dols. 
 
 per barrel; bath, 75 cents; hair-cutting, 75 cents; 
 
 shaving, 25 cents; washing, 3 dols. per dozen; the 
 
 nost common writing paper, 20 dols. to 25 dols. per 
 
 •earn ; printing paper was not to be had at any price — 
 
 nany suspended publishing, others printed a sheet not 
 
 VOL. I. 12 
 
178 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 much larger than quarto ; horse's feed per day, 2 dols. ; 
 hoarding, from 50 dols. to 100 dols. per month — 1 del. 
 per single meal. These items may suggest to the 
 thoughtful what great trials and privations the poor had 
 to endure in consequence of the war ! 
 
 With regard to wearing apparel, when money and 
 cloth were exhausted, friends at home would send on 
 our cast-off clothes, in hig hales, together with whatever 
 the numerous " soldier-serving societies " could famish, 
 so that all in all, although we looked like a regiment of 
 dilapidated dandies, we were warmly clad, and laughed 
 good-humouredly at each other's grotesque peculiarities 
 of costume. I have more than once caught our good 
 old major darning his socks, and espied the spruce, 
 good-looking adjutant cobhling up his parade Loots! 
 The ladies. Heaven hless them ! were ever at work night 
 and day in our behalf, — their flannel petticoats have 
 heen made into under-shirts; their white skirts eon- 
 verted into lint ; and I have known the blankets snatched 
 from their beds and sent on to the soldier shivering on 
 the snow-covered hills or plains of Virginia. 
 
 During the winter we received several excellent 
 recruits from Kentucky, who had successfully run the 
 "blockade" and joined our fortunes. I personally 
 knew them when in college, and was much interested in 
 the intelligence they brought concerning the affairs of 
 that State. The revolutionary party had formed & 
 Provisional Government and passed acts of secession; still 
 Governor Magoffin fiUed the chair to which he had been 
 elected before the war, and his term was not expired. 
 When hostilities commenced, no one doubted which 
 
KENTUCKY BETEAYED. 179 
 
 cause had the sympathies of th6 people of Kentucky^ 
 but by artifice men were admitted to her councils, who, 
 under the name of "neutrals," played fast and loose 
 with the populace until Lincoln perfected his plans for 
 their enthralment. It was argued by these leading men 
 that Kentucky was, and always liad been, a true 
 Southern State, and would so remain, but in this 
 quarrel of "extremes," she would preserve a strict 
 and " armed neutrality ! " — an idea that could only 
 have found favour With a people who had been taught 
 from childhood to believe in State Rights, and who 
 scoffed at the idea " that any man could be found who 
 should dare to interfere with the sanctity of the 
 Constitution." 
 
 When the plans of the Northern Government were 
 matured, the people of Kentucky had not to wait long 
 to find the man "who should dare," &c., for the 
 Secretary of State coolly took upon himself the direc- 
 tion of their State affairs, elected whom he pleased, and 
 imprisoned whom he desired. When compelled to supply 
 her quota for the war, the Lincolnites officered the men, 
 monopolized every contract, dictated laws to the State, 
 and, in short, ruled with a rod of iron. No one was 
 (permitted to pass from city to city without having 
 ; sworn allegiance; schools were invaded, and Southern 
 (children held as hostages for the behaviour of their 
 Iparents! property was confiscated, men were thrown 
 dnto loathsome dungeons on mere suspicion, negroes 
 ■were taught to despise, mock, whip, and murder their 
 (late masters, while mothers, daughters, or sisters were 
 ilinsulted, violated, and murdered. Such were the 
 
 12—2 
 
180 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 results brought about by the treachery or cowardice of 
 those whom the people elected in good faith to expound 
 their views, and among the betrayers of the parent 
 State must be numbered one of her own most gifted 
 and trusted sons. As long as history lasts will his 
 name be handed down with curses and maledictions. 
 
 My knowledge of the campaign in Kentucky and 
 Tennessee is derived solely from friends who participated 
 in it : among other letters received by me, I present the, 
 following from a young artillery oflScer who had good 
 opportunities for knowing the facts of which he 
 speaks : — 
 
 " Bowling Green, Green River, Ky. Jan. 20<i 1862. 
 " Dear Tom, — If there is one class of persons more 
 likely than another to bring disaster upon our sacred 
 cause, it will be those half-witted editors who imagine 
 that everything is wrong which they do not themselves 
 comprehend. Before I came to Bowling Green I must 
 confess that their articles had some influence upon me; 
 and I, among the rest, could not 'see why Sidney 
 Johnstone did not muster his forces, advance farther 
 into Kentucky, capture Louisville, push across the Ohio, 
 sack Cincinnati, and carry the war into Africa,' &e. 
 But since my arrival here, my thoughts have mate- 
 rially changed, and my wonder now is, how the comman- 
 der has courage enough to stay where he is, and how he 
 has managed to deceive the enemy as to his real strength. 
 We were led to believe that there were at least 100,000 
 men here; and that the fortifications were frowning 
 terrifically with cannon. All this, my friend, is pure 
 fiction. We have not more than 25,000 men, all told, 
 
POSITION AT BOWLING GREEN. 181 
 
 and I think cannot count more than 50 light field-pieces. 
 It is true we have some few dozen heavy siege guns, 
 hut by no means enough to frighten an enemy seriously 
 bent on mischief. The position of Bowling Green is 
 an admirably selected one, with Green River along our 
 front, and railway communication to Nashville and the 
 whole South. Had we simply to contend with an enemy 
 advancing from Louisville and attacking in front, we 
 should have nothing to fear; but, as you are aware, 
 our flanks and rear are threatened by an immense force, 
 and, although they have made no demonstrations in 
 those quarters, I cannot believe their generals to be so 
 blind as to be unaware of their advantages by the 
 Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. Grant, who is now 
 at Cairo, longs for an opportunity to retrieve his disgrace 
 at Belmont, and while he has full command of the 
 rivers, there is nothing to prevent him from advancing 
 with his gunboats and transports upon Nashville. True, 
 the rivers are low at present, and it may be a question 
 whether his vessels can ascend them, even at a flood — 
 this remains to be seen. The only warlike obstructions 
 to his progress would be Forts Henry and Donnelson. 
 If, when Buel advances in concert, we do not ' get out 
 of the way in a hurry,' the Anaconda may give this 
 little army a hug not pleasing to our prospects." 
 
 The subjoined is part of a letter from the same friend, 
 at a later date, descriptive of engagements in which he 
 participated: — 
 
 "Murfreesboro', Term., Feb. Wth, 1862. 
 "Feiend Tom,— I am 'hit' at last, and must tell 
 j'ou all about it. When writing to you last from 
 
182 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 Bowling Green, I had apprehensions that all >vas not 
 going on well with us, and stories were circulated round 
 hekd-quarters regarding ' immense forces ' 'somewhere;' 
 by which there was reason to conclude we should be 
 compelled to relinquish our hold of Kentucky, and 
 possibly cross the Tennessee ! We were not long left 
 in suspense. Buel dared not attack us in front, but 
 waited for Grant to ascend the Cumberland in our reai". 
 Our right flank was threatened also by a large Federal 
 force under Thomas, at Somerset, which was advancing 
 against Crittenden's small force at Beech Grove. 
 
 " Zollicoffer, being but second in command to Crit- 
 tenden at Beech Grove, had but little influence in the 
 management. Our troops had been almost in g, starving 
 condition for some time, and had but scant rations for 
 several months, Crittenden was fully informed of tie 
 Federal advance at Columbia and Somerset, but did 
 little to prepare for the attack. In fact, it is said ttat 
 he was incapable of commanding, from social failings, 
 and did not heed the many warnings of friends, who 
 foresaw that the enemy were bent on surrounding him. 
 On learning that Thomas was at Mill Springs, Crit- 
 tenden set out to meet him, thinking it possible to 
 drive him from his fortified camps. On the morning 
 of the 19th January (Sunday), Zollicoffer's advance 
 exchanged shots with the enemy, and the battle opened 
 with great fury. ZolUcoffer's brigade pushed ahead, 
 and drove the Federals some distance through the 
 woods, and were endeavouring to force their way to the 
 summit of a hill which fully commanded the whole field. 
 The Federals fought desperately for this position, but 
 
GENERAL ZOLLICOFFER KILLED, 183 
 
 scarcely anything could withstand the dashing onset of 
 our troops. Misinformed as to their true position and 
 number, Zollicoffer was rapidly advancing up-hill, but 
 unexpectedly rode up to an Indiana regiment, mis- 
 taking it for one of his own. Not being able to retreat, 
 he determined to sell his hfe dearly, so rode forward 
 with his stafP, and began pistolling right and left at the 
 officers, but soon fell, mortally wounded, and with him 
 most of his staff. The fall of this commander greatly 
 confused the troops ; but finding himself overpowered, 
 and determined to make a bold push for victory, Crit- 
 tenden himself rode to the front, and endeavoured to 
 gain the hill : after three hours' fighting, he was obliged 
 to retreat to Beech Grove and push onwards to thp 
 Cumberland, leaving many dead, wounded, some pri- 
 soners, stores, a few pieces of cannon, and other things 
 behind him.* 
 
 " When this news was brought to Bowling Green, it 
 explained why Johnstone had been so careful in trans- 
 porting all supplies and ordnance to the rear for more 
 than two weeks, None doubted that a retreat was 
 inevitable ; the enemy had shown their strength on our 
 
 * General George B. Crittenden is a Kentuckian, about fifty-five years 
 of age. He entered the United States' service as brevet 2nd lieutenant 
 4th Infantry, July 1st, 1832; resigned, AprU 30th, 1833, was appointed 
 captain of mounted rifles. May 27th, 1846, and served with much dis- 
 tinction in the Mexican war, and was appointed lieutenant-colonel 
 mounted rifles, December 30th, 1856, He is generally considered to 
 be an excellent and reliable officer when free irom the influence of drink 
 i and gay company. It is' said that, previous to his appointment as 
 I commander at Beech Grove, he had rendered himself unfit for service 
 ' by intemperance, and there are many who protest that he was greatly 
 i under the influence of liquor during the battle of Mill Spring. This 
 j vice is too prevalent among talented men of the South. 
 
184 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 right, and driven in Crittenden, while Grant was 
 preparing to ascend the Cumberland. The fortifications 
 were dismantled and blown up. General Buckner 
 watched Green River and our whole front; the sick 
 and baggage had been sent away many days before; 
 and while Buckner was engaging the enemy along the 
 river bank, our whole force departed. 
 
 " Floyd, as you will remember, had been under Lee 
 in Western Virginia, among the mountains, but as that 
 campaign, from paucity of numbers on our part, had 
 been productive ot more expense than profit, he was 
 ordered to cross the mountains and report to Johnstone 
 at Bowling Green. His force was a small one, hut 
 well seasoned ; so that, upon Grant appearing in the 
 Cumberland, he was ordered to Fort Donnelson, and 
 was chief in command by seniority, Buckner's force 
 was also ordered there, and myself with it, but onr 
 total strength did not amount to more than 15,000 men, 
 and we had but little artillery. Very soon Grant 
 steamed up the river, and having captured Fort Henrj 
 without diflBculty, approached Donnelson to find it 
 prepared for a fierce resistance. His fleet of steamboats 
 came up within a few miles of us and landed immense 
 masses of troops, while light-draught iron-clad gunboats 
 opened on us fiercely, both night and day. When 
 ihe Federal troops came within view, it was determined 
 to march out and give them battle. In the meantime 
 the fort, indeed, kept up a lively fire from three tiers of 
 guns upon the boats, doing considerable damage, and 
 keeping off their steady advance. The lower tier, or 
 ' water battery,' as it was termed, was served splei- 
 
DEFENCE OF DONNELSON. 185 
 
 didly, and sank several vessels, killing commanders of 
 note, and wounding Commodore Foote, chief of the 
 flotilla. If I am not mistaken, we engaged twenty gun- 
 boats, and sank or crippled five. 
 
 " When it was determined to give hattle in the open 
 ground, our men were jubilant, and, though fully aware 
 of the disparity of numbers, resolved to sell their lives 
 as dearly as possible. Floyd, Buckner, and Pillow were 
 in chief command: nothing could withstand the im- 
 petuosity of oixr men ; they heroically drove the enemy 
 before them at all points with the bayonet. Still, all 
 this heroism was useless ; fresh divisions of the enemy 
 arrived hourly, and each day saw their lines around us 
 growing stronger. As often as they approached our 
 outer works they were repelled with great slaughter; 
 yet other re^ments would follow, and our men, com- 
 pletely exhausted from want of rest and food, and 
 numbed by the intense cold — fires were prohibited within 
 the works, though snow and rain constantly fell — were 
 completely unstrung and incapable of further action. 
 A council of war being held, it was determined to 
 march out and invite battle, rather than die like rats in 
 a hole. Accordingly, for the third time we marched 
 out against the enemy; but we found them fortified, 
 and loth to meet us in the open, although far away from 
 our guns and under the protection of their own. Never 
 did men fight more gloriously than ours : when I heard 
 their yells ringing in my ears as they advanced at the 
 ' charge,' I almost felt tears rolhng down my cheek, as, 
 wounded in the arm, I retired within the fort, incapable 
 of further exertion. This day was the most glorious of 
 
186 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 all 1 Well might the enemy retire to the woods when 
 they saw the boys advancing with deafening shouts and 
 levelled bayonets. All, from the highest to the lowest, 
 performed their part with exemplary valour, and I may 
 safely predict that the defence of Donnelson against 
 such fearful odds will be one of the brightest pages in 
 our future history. 
 
 " At the close of the third day — after this last attack— 
 a grand council of war was held ; what its purport was 
 I know not, but in the stillness of the night Forrest's 
 cavalry took their departure by the only point of egress 
 remaining, and, soon afterwards, Floyd's command fol- 
 lowed them. Thinking the movement was general, 
 I procured a horse, and arrived at Nashville. General 
 Pillow also made his escape with a few of his troops, 
 leaving the brave Kentuckian Buckner to do the best 
 he could with his small command. In explanation of 
 this strange proceeding on the part of our chief, I hear 
 it whispered that Floyd was afraid of falling into the 
 hands of the Federals, having, when Secretary of War 
 under Buchanan, surreptitiously supplied the South 
 with more than the fair proportion of national arms, 
 without which the war could not have been begun. 
 This may be all true enough, but can never exculpate 
 him for deserting his post at such a trying moment. 
 
 " As might have been expected, Buckner was appalled 
 at his situation, and after the departure of Pillow, he 
 surrendered the fort and the remaining troops to General 
 Grant, who spoke in complimentary terms of 'the 
 splendid but useless resistance of the rebels.' The 
 number of prisoners was about 6,000; and whatever 
 
SUEKENDER OF THE POET. 187 
 
 else fell into the hands of the enemy was of very little 
 value, as most of the guns were spiked or broken, and 
 with regard to stores, we had none, the men, with but 
 few exceptions, not having tasted food for three days. 
 This affair has thrown great gloom over the country, 
 and of course is the subject of Hallelujah Choruses 
 North ! Our people are waking up, however, and begin 
 to imderstand it requires numbers, as well as ' pluck,' 
 to beat back the invader ; and I have no doubt, when 
 properly considered, the fall of Donnelson will be an 
 invaluable lesson to us. — Yours ever," 
 
188 BATTtE-PIEUiS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Battle of " Elk Horn," Missonri, March 7, 1 862 — ^Incidents and Sketches 
 of the War in that State — CJolonel Fremont superseded in the com- 
 mand of the Federals — General Van Dom — Our Guerilla Horse- 
 Breach of Parole by Northern Troops — ^M'CuUoch and MTJitosh 
 killed^Our Forces retire — The Loss on either side. 
 
 " Elk Eiver, M'Vonald Co., Mo., March \Uh, 1862. 
 " Dear Tom, — Your last was received and perused 
 with much pleasure, and here am I on the confines of 
 Missouri, within a few hours' travel of Arkansas and 
 the Cherokee Indian territory, endeavouring to pen a 
 few lines to satisfy your ardent curiosity. You have, 
 doubtless, had reports of oiu- previous manoeuvres since 
 I wrote from Lexington in September, and ere this 
 reaches you in the far East, a thousand newspapers will 
 have related very curious tales regarding our recent 
 battle with the combined forces of Curtis and Sturgis* 
 at Elk Horn, a few miles from here. Still, such details 
 as I may be able to supply will not be unacceptable to 
 yon. 
 
 " The fall of Lexington was an unexpected and heavy 
 
 * Brigadier-General Samuel D. Sturgis, IT. S. A., ranked as captain, 
 CO. E, 1st Cavalry in 1860. He was stationed near St. Iiouis when the 
 troubles commenced, and rose rapidly. 
 
AEMY OF GENERAL PEICE. 189 
 
 blow to the Union party throughout the whole North. 
 Fremont was so exasperated that he instantly began to 
 muster every available man, intending to surround and 
 capture us. Lane had been reinforced, and was ad- 
 vancing from the west ; Sturgis was moving from the 
 north ; while Fremont, with a heavy command, began 
 to advance from the east, thinking to cut off all retreat 
 by the south. Oar victory, however, had aroused a 
 spirit of resistance throughout the length and breadth 
 of the State, and volunteers flocked to Lexington by 
 thousands. A few days after Mulligan's surrender. 
 Price had not less than 25,000 men around him, but 
 lacked arms, provisions, waggons, tents, and ammunition ; 
 and besides these from 10,000 to 15,000 more were 
 gathered at different points north of the river, endeavour- 
 ing to form a junction with us, and, like the rest, unarmed. 
 Price had been promised a heavy waggon train of 
 ammunition and provision from the south-west, and 
 M'CuUoch was to have sent an escort for it, but after 
 many trying delays, it was known that the train was not 
 on its way, and thousands of recruits were obliged to 
 disperse to their homes again, hoping that ere long 
 things would be more favourable for takuig the field. 
 
 " With almost superhuman exertions. Price managed 
 to keep around him some 15,000 men, and as the foe were 
 closing in upon him from different directions, started 
 the baggage and provisions southward, together with 
 most of the infantry; at the same time ordering the 
 cavalry to make demonstrations calculated to deceive 
 Lane, Sturgis, and Fremont. The cavalry acted their 
 part so well that the different columns of the enemy 
 
190 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 thought themselves threatened, and halted^ while Price's 
 main army had stoleii several long marches upon them, 
 and were making rapidly towards the south-west. At 
 Springfield we learned that a different plan of campaign 
 had been decided upon by the Confederate generals, and 
 that Hardee's forces were withdrawn from the south- 
 east. Pushing on towards Neosha, Price formed a 
 junction there with M'Culloch, and the Missouri Legis- 
 lature, in full session, unanimously passed the Ordinance 
 of Secession, amid salvos of artillery, and with the 
 rapturous approval of representatives from every county 
 in the State. 
 
 " As the combined forces of the enemy were still 
 approaching in great numbers, and evidently bent on 
 mischief. Price and M'CuUoch fell back to a strong 
 position at Pineville (M'Donald county), and awaited 
 Fremont's approach. The main body of the Federals 
 were at Springfield, but had an advance division much 
 nearer the Confederate leaders. Our boys were parti- 
 cularly anxious for Fremont's advance, for as his main 
 body was composed of Dutch and Germans, they 
 looked forward with pleasure to the task of thrashing 
 them. Imagine then, if you can, our astonishment t» 
 find from prisoners that Fremont had been thrust from 
 the command by Lincoln, and that his whole army, in a 
 state of mutiny, was running a race towards Rolla and 
 St. Louis ! 
 
 " Here was news indeed ! Lincoln ' did not approve 
 Fremont's Emancipation proclamation and confiscating 
 programme; the North were fighting,' he said, 'to 
 preserve the Constitution intact, &c., and that we should 
 
GENERAL FREMONT SUPERSEDED. 191 
 
 be treated In this war as wayward brethren, whose rights 
 were guaranteed on return to duty.' Premont's heavy 
 expenditure was another objection to him, especially as 
 Frank Blair and other pets of the Administration had 
 so little influence with him, and he had forestalled Lin- 
 coln himself in the favour of the abolitionists. Political 
 aspirants thought, too, he was endeavouring to supplant 
 them in the good graces of those who should live to 
 vote in 1864, and his enemies even imagined that he 
 was endeavouring to follow in the footprints of the 
 Napoleons, and make himself Emperor of all the Dutch, 
 most of whom had flocked around him like geese from 
 all parts of the Union. This last accusation was cer- 
 tainly groundless, if for no other reason simply because 
 Fremont lacked the nerve to attempt any coup so 
 dazzling. Place the fact in whatever light we please, 
 Fremont received peremptory orders to resign, and the 
 messenger had the greatest difficulty in gaining ad- 
 mittance to his tent ; the whole camp being in a terrible 
 uproar, and all discipline abandoned! Halleck, the 
 Veracious, is appointed in his stead, but how long would 
 you insure his head? 
 
 " On learning that the troops of Fremont had re- 
 treated. Price immediately prepared for the pursuit. He 
 followed them several days, capturing many prisoners 
 and large quantities of stores, and at last halted his 
 weary column at Springfield— that city of changing 
 masters! It seemed unwise to proceed farther t the 
 enemy had halted at Kolla, or a little beyond, vastly 
 superior in force, and were making preparations for 
 another advance. 
 
192 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 " While recruiting and drilling his men. Price watched 
 for the first movements of the foe, and early in January 
 they began to advance. Price had taken up a strong 
 position and fortified it, expecting that M'Culloch would 
 move forward -to his assistance, but that commander did 
 not stir, nor make the slightest diversion in his favour j 
 so that, finding the enemy closing in upon him rapidly, 
 he withdrew from Springfield, and was obliged to cut his 
 way through towards Boston Mountain, where M'Cullocli 
 was reported to be. After hard fighting and infinite toil, 
 this was successfully accomplished, and all were agree- 
 ably surprised to find General Von Dom there— the 
 newly-appointed general-in-chief of the Trans-Missis- 
 sippi Department. This appointment had been wisely 
 made by President Davis, for there was evidently little 
 unanimity of feeling existing among commanders, but 
 less querulousness perhaps on the part of Price than of 
 many others. ' Old Stirling ' had begun the war without 
 any means whatever, yet had captured 10,000 stand of 
 arms, 50 cannon, hundreds of tents, together with many 
 other things needful to an active army. No other gene- 
 rals in the department could show half as many proofs 
 of their prowess, though all had done well. 
 
 " Our sufferings during the campaign had been ex- 
 treme, but, setting the inconvenience aside, had tended to 
 harden us and make our limbs as tough as steel. Con- 
 tinually marching through non-inhabited districts, we 
 had to depend upon Providence for supplies. Over 
 mountains, through ' gaps,' across rivers and creeks, onr 
 progress was toilsome and weary ; but few doctors med- 
 dled with any one, and not more than a hundred names 
 
CONFEDERATE HOESE! 193 
 
 could be found upon the sick lists at any time during 
 our frequent and rapid journeyings. Our cavalry led a 
 hard life, and must have been made of brass to support 
 the trials incident to their daily duty. Among the moun- 
 tains a party of these ' irregular ' horse would watch all 
 the roads, conceal their fires, and hang around the enemy 
 with a pertinacious determination that no man should stir 
 without their knowledge, and at the least opportunity 
 making a dash at the foe, capturing and destroying as 
 they went, living as best they might, and doing what- 
 ever they pleased, generally. As scouts these men were 
 invaluable — they were here, there, and everywhere — it 
 was impossible to follow in their track. Their dress was 
 of skins or anything that came to hand, and so long as 
 grass was found for their hardy, wiry Indian horses, 
 ' the riders cared little for food, dress, leisure, or relief 
 ' from duty. 
 
 ' " The enemy Towed vengeance against these hardy 
 ' fellows, and sought to train their own horsemen to the 
 "^wild, half-Indian kind of life practised by ours. But 
 'ijust imagine obese Dutchmen rivalling the swiftness, 
 I daring, and endurance of our wiry frontiersmen ! . They 
 were posted on mountains and in the ' passes,' to guard 
 t fords, bridges, and roads, as ours did, but their loss was 
 iBcontinual, and the mysterious disappearance of stores, 
 lihorses, waggons, and men unaccountable ; so at length 
 itfthey were withdrawn, and the experiment abandoned as 
 Isan expensive and fruitless one. Entirely masters df the 
 jsroads, and every route by land or water, our horse 
 (teeldom troubled Price for supplies of any kind, save 
 Ijjammunition, biit frequently drove into camp large num- 
 TOL. I. 13 
 
194 BATTLE-PIELDS 01" THE SOUTH. 
 
 bers of beeves, liogs, fodder, corn, and whatever coi 
 be purloined from the enemy. Flank, front, or re; 
 the Federals hardly dared to move except in lar 
 bodies : guerillas lay in every bush, and many an ener 
 was found lying dead at his post, without a trace 
 those who did it. These Partisans were remorseles 
 they expected little mercy if captured, and spared it 
 foimd in arms against us. Some of our men falling ir 
 the hands of the enemy were hung on the spot ; but tl 
 only heightened the animosity on either side ; and wh 
 Federal soldiers were found dangling from trees by t 
 roadside, the enemy thought it expedient to recogni 
 our Partisan Rangers as 'legitimate' soldiers. Aft 
 this our scouts usually paroled their prisoners. 
 
 " But of what avail is the parole with men who see 
 to have no honourable instincts, and scoff at an oa 
 when voluntarily given ? Look at the conduct of Mi 
 ligan's men — upwards of 4,000 we paroled at Lexin, 
 ton ! Nine-tenths of them were from Illinois and Ohi 
 and had not been home more than a week, when it w 
 argued, ' No faith should be kept with rebels ; ' and the 
 men were instantly enrolled into new regiments ai 
 sent forth to fight again in some other quarter ! This 
 incontrovertible : and the same perfidy has been enact* 
 in regard to all those paroled in various directioi 
 whether the men can be prevailed upon to re-enhst < 
 not. These are stubborn, ugly facts, and no wonder, 
 say, that Partisans for a time forgot the usages of wa 
 and retaliated with signal vengeance. But to my stoi 
 once again. 
 
 " Scouts informed us that the enemy were strong 
 
ATTACK OF VAN DOEN. 195 
 
 posted on rising ground at a place called Sugar Creek, 
 about sixty miles distant, having a force of some 25,000 
 men, under Curtis and Sturgis, It was also reported 
 that they did not intend to advance until the arrival of 
 heavy reinforcements, which were rapidly moving up. 
 Although not 20,000 strong, Van Dorn resolved to 
 attack them, and sending word to Albert Pike to hurry 
 forward with his brigade of Indians, moved out of camp 
 on the 4th of March, with Price and M'Culloch's forces, 
 his intention being to surround the enemy's advance, 
 some 8,000 strong, under Siegel, at Bentonville. 
 
 " That excellent officer, however, was not to be so caught; 
 he was far superior to Van Dorn in generalship, and suc- 
 cessfully slipped through his fingers, fighting as he went 
 towards the main body at the creek. This retreat of 
 Siegel was admirably conducted, and though he could 
 not successfully withstand our advance, he fought man- 
 ftdly and scientifically, losing fliany men, some priso- 
 ners, and stores. He efiected a junction with Sturgis 
 and Curtis, however, and on the 7th both armies were 
 in fuU view of each other. Early in the morning. Van 
 Dorn had made every disposition for attack, and the 
 advance began. The enemy were strongly posted on 
 high ground, as usual, their front being covered with a 
 heavy body of skirmishers and artillery, but they gave 
 way as we advanced in like order upon them, and fell 
 back upon the main body. Price's forces constituted 
 our left and centre, while M'Culloch was on the right. 
 
 " To prevent the junction of reinforcements, known 
 to be on the way, Van Dorn's attack was made from the 
 north and west, his columns almost surrounding the foe. 
 
 13—2 
 
196 BATTLE-FIELDS Or THE SOUTH, 
 
 The fight was long and ohstinate. Every commander 
 handled his men in an admirable manner ; and though 
 the superior metal of our men forced the enemy before 
 them/ they constantly re-formed under a superior fire of 
 artillery, and renewed the conflict as fiercely as ever. 
 For once we had met good fighters. Our antagonists 
 were nearly all Western men, and their fire was rapid 
 and accurate. We could not bring all our artilleiy into 
 play, and this proved a great disadvantage; besides 
 which, it was soon perceived that Van Dorn's idea of 
 * surrounding ' the enemy was a bad one ; for they were 
 equal to us in number, and in much better position. 
 We boldly pushed forward, however, up hill, under a 
 murderous firfr;' 4nd when we gained the level, found 
 our work a little easier, so that we captured some hun- 
 dreds of prisoners, several Cannon, one or two standards, 
 many waggons, and- some stores, and everything promised 
 a complete rout of; the ^ enemy. They repeatedly fell 
 back, but re-formed and'continued the fight. Price on the 
 left and centre hurling his Missourians upon them with 
 irresistible fury, so that their- line became shaken, and 
 required but a little additional effort to break it in two. 
 " Perceiving this. Van Dorn ordered M'CuUoch to 
 repress his ardour, but keep up the enemy's attention on 
 our right, while he threw forward the whole of the centre 
 and left, so as to completely sweep the field. But 
 M'CuUoch and his second in command were both killed, 
 and there were none to direct the progress of the troops, 
 who felt they were now pushing on to victory; the 
 various colonels, in fact, did not stop to inquire who 
 had succeeded to the command, but each was doing his 
 
, GENERAL M'CULLOCH KILLED, 197 
 
 best in his own way. The enemy were before them, 
 and they neither knew nor cared for anything more : of 
 strategy, they were almost, if not quite, ignorant; the 
 men were in disorder, but still fought on, regiment 
 mixed with regiment. Thinking that his orders would 
 be obeyed, and not knowing that M'CuUoch and M'Intosli 
 were among the slain, Van Dorn pushed forward his 
 centre and left as best he could, and after much hard 
 fighting drove the enemy from their position, inflicting 
 much loss. It was now far past noon. 
 
 " Curtis and Sturgis, perceiving the confusiori on our 
 right, rallied their commands, and presented a for- 
 midable front, the skilful Siegel covering the retreat in 
 a slow and masterly manner, so that, though we had 
 thoroughly beaten them, they were retiring in excellent 
 order to other positions some miles to the rear ; and 
 success was not so decided as it would have been had 
 the various commands been under better discipline. 
 Cheering on our men. Price and the other commanders 
 re-formed their regiments and began the pursuit in 
 earnest ; but it was a continual running fight for the 
 distance of two miles ; and the men were so intoxicated 
 with success that discipline seemed forgotten, and thou- 
 sands fought without orders, ' pitching in ' wherever the 
 enemy seemed in force, or inchned to continue the en- 
 gagement. At last, worn out with fatigue, we all halted, 
 and Van Dorn, taking up his quarters 'at Elk Horn 
 Tavern, commenced burying the dead, and providing for 
 the wounded, who covered a space of over three miles. 
 
 " The camps of the enemy had fallen into our hands, 
 with many prisoners, stores, cannon, &c. ; and the men 
 
198 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 were so excited with their success that it was impossible 
 to form them into Hne for exigencies. Van Dorn indeed 
 surmised that reinforcements had reached the enemy in 
 great number, and felt himself too weak to accept another 
 engagement on the morrow, should the enemy force 
 one upon him : he therefore ordered the sick far to the 
 rear, and, destroying so much of the booty as could not 
 be transported, began to prepare for a retreat. Officers 
 did all in their power to gather and re-form their com- 
 mands during the night ; but it was a work of impossi- 
 bility, as, completely broken down by long marches 
 over hills and mountains, together with many hours of 
 hard fighting, hundreds lay in the bushes completely 
 exhausted, and weak as children. Coupled with this,, 
 our supplies were exhausted, our artillery had but a 
 few rounds of cartridge remaining, and our ammimition 
 waggons were^miles in the rear. Under the circum- 
 stances. Van Dorn wisely decided upon faUing back, 
 and refusing another engagement, should the enemy, 
 from reinforcements, have the hardihood to move for- 
 ward, and try the fortunes of war a second time. 
 
 '' Early in the morning, scouts informed us that the 
 enemy, having been largely reinforced, were advancmg 
 upon us, but Van Dorn had made every disposition for 
 falling back to a strong position some seven miles to the 
 rear, at which point our supplies of ammunition had 
 halted. Covering this movement with a well-displayed 
 disposition of force, the enemy were received with great 
 valour, and their advance checked. Sharp fighting 
 ensued, but they made feeble efforts to move forward, 
 seeming to be highly delighted that we were falling 
 
THE CONFEDERATES EETEEAT. 199 
 
 back, and desirous of nothing more agreeable. In truth, 
 their movements seemed to be nothing more than a 
 feint in force to cover their own retreat ! Most of our 
 forces had retired, however, and the idea did not seem 
 to be countenanced by our commander, who withdrew 
 quietly, and halted six miles to the rear, bringing away 
 between three and four hundred prisoners, seven cannon, 
 stores, waggons, and other booty. It was impossible for 
 us to have withstood the enemy a second time, had they 
 been seriously inclined for battle, for all our ammu- 
 nition was expended, and the artillery, for the most 
 part, had fired their last shell to cover our retreat. 
 The enemy did not follow, however, but, after resting on 
 the old battle-field a few hours, turned their columns 
 eastward, and were in full flight ! " [This is incorrect. 
 My friend was too far from the field after the first day's 
 engagement to know the exact truth. The Federals 
 occupied the field after the second day's fight, and 
 remained there until Van Dorn had retreated many miles 
 from it. The truth of history requires this correction.] 
 " What their loss may have been during the skirmish- 
 ing of the 6th and the battle of the 7th of March, can- 
 not be ascertained ; but, from the large number of dead 
 and wounded, I think that 3,000 would not cover it, 
 irrespective of prisoners and sick that fell into our 
 hands. Our loss was heavy, but nothing near that 
 the enemy. Price* thinks that 1,000 will cover all. 
 
 * This gallant officer receired a severe wound in the right arm duri 
 the action, but could not be prerailed upon to retire. "When the y 
 broke out between the TJnited States and Mexico, Sterling Pr 
 resigned his seat in Congress, and led a regiment into New Mexi 
 capturing Santa PS, and routing the Mexicans in several engagemei 
 
2UU BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 " I expect that Halleck the Veracious will issue a 
 grand account of this Federal victory for the amuse- 
 ment of the North. 
 
 " This is a terribly wild, barren country for a cam- 
 paign. . The boys seem to enjoy good health, however ; 
 but it would be of much greater advantage to the cause 
 did proper disciplinarians come among us, for, although 
 brave and hardy enough for any enterprise, we lack 
 educated ofBcers ; and without them, little of import- 
 ance can be effected against a numerous, well-appointed, 
 and highly disciplined enemy. The late battle proved 
 all this; and although we whipped the Yankees by 
 sheer audacity, ' rough and ready ' fighting, with any 
 
 Although not a military man by education, he evinced great talent and 
 an uncommon idea of strategy, having frequently out-manoeuvred several 
 generals sent against him. His services were of such note that no 
 history of that war fails to bestow upon him the praise his many 
 brilliant achievements deserve. He was Governor of Missouri in 1853, 
 and filled the chair with remarkable ability, having successfully saved 
 the State from the Republican sophistry of Senator Benton, when that 
 demagogue canvassed it in favour of Eremont,his son-in-law. In person 
 General Price is very farmer-like. No one would suppose his predilec- 
 tions to be martial. He is more than fifty years of age, about five feet 
 ten inches in height, strongly made, thick-set, and inclined to oiesity. 
 He has a large, round face, of a ruddy complexion, short-cut grey /lair, 
 small, and restless grey eyes. In his movements he is slow; in manners 
 extremely social and unpretending, a plain, out-spoken man, true as 
 steel, and an unflinching patriot. There were great objectioBS raised 
 against his commanding a large force; for the few thousands nndcr 
 him were indifferently drilled, and he was considered too lax a disci- 
 plinai-ian to accomplish much against the well-educated officers seat 
 against him. Whatever may have been achieved was due more to the 
 indomitable energy and reckless bravery of his men, than to any great 
 display of consummate generalship. Greatly beloved as he is by the 
 masses, I think Government acted wisely in placing others over hnni 
 for there is always danger to be feared from the movements of unedu- 
 cated, though oftentimes suecessfnl, talent. 
 
NEED OF OEFICEES. 2D 
 
 weapons that may be at hand, cannot maintain a con 
 test successfully with an army ever increasing v 
 number, and supplied with the most costly arms h 
 the world, and with every, comfort and improvemen 
 provided which . " has invented or money cai 
 
 procure. . . . 
 
 " Polk." 
 
202 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Jackson's Doings in the Shenandoah Valley — Character of this General 
 — Ashby's Cavalry Force — ^Heavy Marching — Biyouac in the Snow 
 — Buse of Jackson and Capture of the Enemy's Stores — Battle of 
 Keamstown, March 23rd — Scenes and Incidents during the Fight- 
 General Gamett accused as the Cause of our Defeat. 
 
 " Dear Major, — When our regiment received march- 
 ing orders at Manassas in December, and were ordered 
 up the valley with old Jackson, you were among the 
 first to congratulate me upon ' active service,' and all 
 that kind of thing, but believe me I would wiUingly 
 have gone back to winter quarters again after a week's 
 trial, for Jackson is the greatest marcher in the world. 
 When we moved up here, our first orders were for a 
 march to Charlestown ; next day we moved back to 
 Winchester, in a few days again back to Charlestown, 
 and thence from one place to another, untU at last I 
 began to imagine we were commanded by some peripa- 
 tetic philosophical madman, whose forte was pedes- 
 trianism. With little or no baggage, we are a roving, 
 hungry, hardy lot of fellows, and are not patronized at 
 all by parsons or doctors: the latter have a perfect 
 sinecure amongst us. 
 
 " ' Stonewall ' may be a very fine old gentleman, and 
 an honest, good-tempered, industrious man, but I should 
 
"STONEWALL" JACKSON, 203 
 
 admire him much more in a state of rest than conti- 
 nually seeing him moving in the front. And such a 
 dry old stick, too ! As for uniform, he has none — his 
 wardrobe isn't -worth a dollar, and his horse is quite in 
 keeping, being a poor lean animal of little spirit or 
 activity. And don't he keep his aides moving about ! 
 Thirty miles' ride at night through the mud is nothing 
 of a job ; and if they don't come up to time, I'd as soon 
 face the devil, for Jackson takes no excuses when duty 
 is on hand. He is about thirty-five years old, of medium 
 height, strongly built, solemn and thoughtful, speaks 
 but little, and always in a calm, decided tone ; and from 
 what he says there is no appeal, for he seems to know 
 every hole and corner of this Valley as if he made it> 
 or, at least, as if it had been designed for his own use. 
 He knows all the distances, all the roads, even to cow- 
 paths through the woods, and goat-tracks along the 
 hills. He sits his horse very awkwardly, although, 
 generally speaking, all Virginians are fine horsemen,* 
 
 * General Jackson was never known to put his horse out of a trot, 
 except when desirous of escaping the cheering of his men, on which 
 occasions he would raise his cap, discoTcring a high, bald forehead, and 
 force his old " sorrel " into a gallop. This old " sorrel " war-horse is 
 well known throughout the army ; with head down it seldom attempts 
 more than a ti'ot, but stands &e well, and that may be the reason why 
 the general prefers and always rides him. Many gentlemen, imagining 
 that the hero would appear to better advantage on a blood animal, have 
 presented several to him, but they are seldom used. When our army 
 entered Maryland, in September, 1862, in order to get in the rear of 
 General Miles at Harper's Perry, and secure the 14,000 men under his 
 command, Jackson's corps was stationed east of SVederick, and an in- 
 fluential citizen, in token of admiration, gave the commander a very 
 valuable horse, that he might appear to advantage. Jackson mounted 
 in the public street, and was immediately thrown into the mud! The 
 old "soiTcl" was again brought forth, and the general ambled off, 
 very good-humouredly , never essaying to mount " fine " horses again. 
 
204 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 and has a fashion of holding his head very high, and 
 chin up, as if searching for something skywards; yet 
 although you can never see his eyes for the cap-peak 
 drawn down over them, nothing escapes his ohserva- 
 tion. 
 
 " His movements are sudden and unaccountable; his 
 staff don't pretend to keep up with him, and, conse- 
 quently, he is frequently seen alone poking about in all 
 sorts of holes and corners, at all times of night and day. 
 I have frequently seen him approach in the dead of 
 night and enter into conversation with sentinels, and 
 ride off through the darkness without saying, ' God 
 bless you,' or anything civil to the officers. The conse- 
 quence is, that the officers are scared, and the men love 
 him. He was a student at West Point, but never re- 
 markable for any brilliancy. What service he has seen 
 was in Mexico, where he served as lieutenant of artillery. 
 At one of the battles there his captain was about to 
 withdraw the guns, because of the loss suffered by the 
 battery, and also because the range was too great. This 
 did not suit our hero ; he advanced his piece several 
 hundred yards, and ' shortened the distance,' dis- 
 mounted his opponent's guns, and remained master of 
 the position. 
 
 " After the Mexican war he left the army, and was 
 professor of mathematics and tactics in the University 
 of Virginia, but was generally looked upon by the 
 students as an old fogey of little talent, and over-gifted 
 with piety. It is my opinion. Major, that Jackson 
 will assuredly make, his mark in this war, for his un- 
 tiring industry and eternal watchfulness must tell upon 
 
GENERAL ASHBY'S HOESE. 205 
 
 a numerous enemy unacquainted with the country, and 
 incommoded by large baggage-trains. Jackson evi- 
 dently intends to supply himself at Federal expense, 
 and as he is a true fire-eater and an invincible believer 
 in our ' manifest destiny,' poor Banks will find him a 
 disagreeable opponent to confront in the mountain 
 passes or at the many fords. The Virginians have an 
 idea that he is veritably ' the coming man,' and from 
 the numbers joining him, it looks as if he meant mis- 
 chief. But to form an accurate idea of the doings of 
 this man, it is necessary to state in proper order the 
 various affairs in which he has been engaged since last 
 I saw you. 
 
 " Before Jackson was sent to the Valley in the begin- 
 ning of December, 1861, General Ashby, with his own 
 regiment and other cavalry detachments, making a 
 total of some 1,200 horse, assisted by a few companies of 
 foot (militia), was watching the river front from Harper's 
 Ferry to Romney, and very little could transpire of 
 which he was not fully informed. At this time the 
 enemy were strongly posted at Romney and Bath south- 
 wards, and Banks, with his whole army being north of the 
 Potomac, it was evident that some great movement was 
 in contemplation, which prudence demanded should be 
 watched by a strong force. Accordingly Jackson was 
 sent to Winchester with his old brigade, 3,000 strong, 
 and one battery of four pieces. He had not been in 
 chief command many days ere his restless spirit began 
 to appear, and he seemed bent on mischief— if he could 
 not beat the enemy, he was determined to annoy them. 
 ■ " As Washington was blockaded on the Lower 
 
206 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 Potomac by our various batteries at Cockpit Point and 
 other places^ they still received large supplies by the 
 Baltimore and Ohio Canal, which runs parallel with the 
 Potomac from Washington, and branches off on the 
 Upper Potomac to Wheeling. If the ' dams ' could be 
 destroyed up the river, Jackson conceived that it would 
 sorely perplex the enemy to supply their large army 
 around Washington. Accordingly the general marched 
 his force to the Potomac, and amid the cold and snows 
 of this region had his men waist-deep in the river 
 endeavouring to tear down ' Dam No. 5.' Althougli 
 much labour was expended night and day for several 
 days, we did not accomplish our object, but lost some- 
 what from the continual fire of the enemy. We de- 
 sisted from the undertaking for a week, and as the 
 enemy had retired from the river bank, we returned 
 again, and after many efforts effectually destroyed tie 
 ' dam,' so that the canal was unnavigable, and remained 
 so a long time. The amount of fatigue our men 
 endured over this work, labouring as they constantly 
 did in the water above waist-deep, and in the intense 
 cold, can never be sufficiently appreciated. I feel cer- 
 tain that hundreds of them will be ruined for life by 
 rheumatism and the like. 
 
 " When this was accomplished, Jackson was desirous 
 of surprising the Federal force stationed at Bath, and, 
 though inferior to them in number and equipment, was 
 resolved to capture, or crush them. Without much 
 time for preparation, and allowing none to know whither 
 he was bound, Jackson gathered his little force of 2,200 
 men, and amid the snow, sleet, rain, and ice of the first 
 
BIVOUACKING IN THE SNOW. 207 
 
 days of January, 1862, began liis march. No one can 
 tell tlie horrors of this march. We had to travel over 
 fifty miles of the roughest country in the world, and were 
 ohliged to take unfrequented roads to keep the move- 
 ment secret. Over hills our few waggons toiled along : 
 ice was on the ground, and neither man nor beast could 
 maintain a footing. Sometimes, indeed, horsemen, 
 infantry, waggons and all, would slip over an embank- 
 ment. Men were bootless, hatless, and ragged ; horses 
 could scarcely stir ; no tents were carried, and all had 
 to sleep out upon the snow as best they could ; for being 
 within a few miles of the enemy's posts, we were not 
 allowed to kindle fires. 
 
 " It is no exaggeration to say that I have frequently 
 fallen asleep, and, on awaking, found a foot of snow all 
 over me ! We soon discovered that the snow kept us 
 warm, and when the 'halt' sounded, it. became cus- 
 tomary with our men to make a sort of arbour with 
 sticks, which was covered and packed close with snow on 
 three sides ; creeping underneath this and leaving their 
 heads only uncovered, they were comfortable for the 
 night ! This was a decided novelty ; but, believe me, 
 Jackson was cursed by every one for this mad adven- 
 ture, and looked upon as a maniac for dragging his 
 command about through a bleak, cold region without 
 supplies, and losing men and horses every mile, — man 
 and beast 'tumbling down on the ice, and dislocating 
 limbs at every rod. Nor did we accomplish the object 
 for-which we started. Ashby's cavalry arrived at the 
 appointed time, and took up a position on the outskirts 
 of Bath to take the enemy in the rear, but it was 
 
208 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 impossible for infantry and artillery to get up in time; 
 so taking advantage of our slow travelling, the euemv 
 retreated to the Potomac (not more than one and a half 
 mile distant), and got safe across before we arrived. 
 The cavalry, it is true, did some independent fighting, 
 and skirmished with tlie enemy in gallant style; lint 
 though killing, wounding, and capturing a few, not a 
 thousand such adventures would compensate for the 
 loss sustained by this hurried and painful march. This 
 was about the 4th of January. 
 
 " Having rested two or three days in Bath, and lived 
 upon the Federal stores found there, Jackson made 
 daily demonstrations at the river, picket-firing and 
 displaying his force, collecting boats, chopping down 
 timber, and the like, till the enemy imagined that his 
 command was the advance of a large force about. to 
 cross into Maryland. Shields was then in command of 
 the Upper Potomac, but had the largest part of his 
 force in Romney, a town south of the Potomac, across 
 the Alleghany, in Western Virginia. He felt certain 
 that we were bent on crossing, and, though forty miles 
 above, transferred his whole command to the north 
 bank to dispute our supposed passage. As soon as 
 Jackson was informed of this, he marched up the south 
 bank to Romney, surprised and captured many of the 
 enemy, and destroyed what he could not carry away of 
 Shields' immense stores ! 
 
 " Did you ever hear of such a manoeuvre in your 
 life ? It was a lucky hit for us, and we supphed our- 
 selves with waggon-loads of goods of every descriptioi), : 
 including wines, brandies, cigars, and a thousand other 
 
CAPTURE OP BOOTY. 209 
 
 things. We forgot much of our annoyance with Jack- 
 son in this trip, and all began to think ' he had method 
 in his madness,' and was * a pretty good sort of old 
 gentleman enough, but a little too much inclined to 
 " double quick " movements.' As might have been 
 expected. Shields was particularly annoyed to find him- 
 self imposed upon by the small force under Jackson, 
 and, keenly feeling the loss of his stores and small 
 garrison at Romney, was moving heaven and earth to 
 catch 'Stonewall' in some trap. Jackson was too 
 much of a fox for him, however, and when it became 
 apparent that Banks and Shields were preparing to send 
 heavy forces across into Virginia, Stonewall collected his 
 brave little corps from different points of the river, and 
 had everything in readiness for retiring down the Valley, 
 whenever circumstances should demand it. 
 
 "You may be sure that, under such an active 
 marauder as our leader, our waggon train was well 
 supplied with all things needful, thanks to the super- 
 abundance of the enemy ; and that when we finally 
 bade farewell to the river towns on our return trip, our 
 baggage was much more considerable than when we 
 had arrived there. In truth, most of our infantry and 
 cavalry had amply supplied themselves with all things 
 needful; for among Shields's supplies at Romney, we 
 captured hundreds of rifles, pistols, swords, much cavalry 
 and waggon harness, many horses, and, together with 
 what we picked up here and there in our many inroads 
 within the enemy's lines, made up a respectable amount 
 of booty. 
 
 " ASHTON." 
 VOL. I. 14 
 
21Q BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 " M'GockeysvUle, March 26th, 1862. 
 "P.S. — Before this arrives, you will have learned 
 that Jackson has had a fight with Banks and Shields, 
 at a place called Kearnstown, in which affair I received 
 a shot in my arm. I am ^oing well, thanks to a strong 
 constitution and the imceasing kindness of the Virginian 
 ladies, who act towards us like mothers or sisters 
 When last I put pen to paper, I did not seriously 
 imagine that old ' Stonewall ' intended moving in such 
 fearful weather ; but when it was known the general's 
 servant had packed up, I knew we were all bound for a 
 tramp somewhere. ' Whenever I misses massa a little 
 while in de day, I allers knows he's praying a spell; 
 whenever he's out all night, I knows we's goin' to move 
 next day ; but when be stays out and comes back to 
 have a long spell of prayin', I knows dare's goin' to be a 
 fought somewhar, mighty quick, and dis chile packs np 
 de walibles and gets out of de way like a sensible 
 coloured pusson ! ' This coloured thermometer was 
 ' packin' up de walibles ' — pots and pans, — so there was 
 nothing to be done but ' grin and bear it.' 
 
 " Sure enough we had a long trip : our leader marched 
 us nearly blind ; but as he was always in front himself, 
 cheering on the men, all bore it patiently. As we drew 
 near a place called Kearnstown, it was ascertained that 
 Banks and his second in command. Shields, were in 
 strong force in and around Winchester, and great ci^ 
 cumspection was necessary to entice a part of their com- 
 mands after us, so as to whip them in detail. Shielife 
 came after us, all primed and cocked for a fight, and ve 
 ' tolled ' hini to Kearnstown, where the first shots were 
 
BATTLE OT KEAENSTOWN, 211 
 
 exchanged. We had not many troops (not more thafi 
 2,200), while om^ opponents must have had 10.000. 
 For some time it proved to he an artillery fight, in which 
 our pieces stood up nobly to their work, against heavy 
 odds, and suffered considerable loss. Shields was unable 
 to discover our line of battle, or our real force, but had 
 to feel his way ; and as his regiments approached the 
 woods in which we lay, our boys poured in rapid 
 volleys, and could scarcely be restrained from aban- 
 doning their covert ,to charge. Observing their in- 
 crease of force at different points, we frequently 
 changed ground, and presented a different line of fire, 
 i so that they seemed puzzled to make out our intentions 
 lor movements. 
 
 ! " Aboutthree in the afternoon, on the 23rd of Mai:ch, 
 
 :it became evident that Shields was advancing upon us 
 
 ;with all his force; and we obtained information from 
 
 !ia prisoner that Banks, considering the Valley cleared of 
 
 iJackson, had gone to \'\rashington, leaving Shields in 
 
 i3ommand. Finding that the enemy was rapidly ap- 
 
 aroaching, Jackson disposed his little force of 2,200 
 
 iis best he could, on the right and left of the road, 
 
 (Brigadier Garnett commading the left, Jackson the 
 
 i;entre, and Ashby, with his cavalry, the right. HeavV 
 
 ((kirmishing was maintained on both sides until about 
 
 5,1 P.M., when a full brigade of the enemy were observed 
 
 ijiy Ashby endeavouring to get in on our right and 
 
 jjcar, while the fire continually increased in volume 
 
 J a the centre and left. Well knowing that our little 
 
 i^Drce would be totally surrounded if this flank move*- 
 
 'jient should be permitted, Ashby determined to put a 
 
 14—2 
 
212 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 bold face upon matters, and attack them. Observing 
 their advance, covered by a cloud of skirmishers, 
 approaching through open grassy fields, he gathered 
 around him several companies, and dashing out from the 
 woods, killed or captured nearly every one of the sharp- 
 shooters; then riding up to the Federal column, his 
 men discharged their pieces, and galloped back to 
 tlie woods in a shower of shot from the enemy, 
 which being aimed too high did but kill three of our 
 men, and wound half a dozen more. Determined to 
 clear their front, the Federal cavalry now rode forward 
 at a swinging gallop, but had not proceeded far, when 
 Ashby again advanced, sabre in hand, and his men 
 were soon among the enemy, cutting and shooting right 
 and left, and driving them, in great confusion, across 
 the open ground. So obvious was their rout that the 
 infantry of the enemy opened to let their discomfited 
 horsemen through to the rear. 
 
 "While Ashby's gallant little band was thus check- 
 ing the enemy on the right, and effectually retarding 
 the Federal flank movement, the fight was raging with 
 great fury on the left and centre. Garnett and 
 Jackson found themselves overpowered by numbers, 
 but determined to keep up the fight at all hazards until 
 darkness should come on, through which they might 
 securely retreat down the Valley. Garnett begged for 
 ammunition, but the waggons had long been started on 
 the march, for fear of capture, and he had to rely on 
 the bayonet. This was called into requisition several 
 times, but could not resist the many heavy reg 
 continually sent to the front. Observing a long e 
 
EETKEAT OF JACKSON. 213 
 
 fence ruimii)^ across a very large open field, which 
 the enemy were endeavouring to reach, Garnett 
 determined to seize it as a natural breastwork and 
 hold the enemy in check. Shields ordered his men 
 to move forward at the 'double quick' and seize the 
 position, but had not fairly started on the run before 
 the 2'lth Virginia (Irish) ran rapidly forward, and 
 arrived at the fence first, so that when the enemy 
 approached they were received with a deadly volley 
 at ten paces, which killed two-thirds of them : the 
 rest retreated to their former position in the woods, 
 from whence they maintained an ineffectual fire until 
 dark. 
 
 " Despite the heroism of our men, we had suffered 
 so severely, that some time after 7 p.m., Jackson with- 
 drew from the field, with a loss of some 500 killed 
 and wounded, nearly 300 prisoners, and two pieces 
 of artillery. Jackson evidently did not anticipate 
 meeting with such a heavy force of the enemy; for 
 they were reported as retreating from Winchester ; but 
 this proved untrue, for they were, as the battle proved, 
 posted in considerable number, and during the fight had 
 the better position of the two, much cavalry, and 
 powerful artillery. Garnett has been censured, and 
 some say by Jackson, and was threatened with a court- 
 martial for not maintaining his ground on the left ; but 
 any commander would have acted similarly under the 
 circumstances, for he was entirely out of ammunition, 
 and completely overpowered by artillery ; so that he 
 had no alternative but to fall back or be annihilated. 
 His artillery had been captured by numerous caValry: 
 
214 BATTLE-FIELDS GE THE SOUTH. 
 
 yet lie inflicted more loss upon the enemy than he 
 himself suffered, and withdrew his small force from the 
 field, as coolly as if on parade.* 
 
 "We withdrew rapidly southward, but the enemy 
 did not pursue until next morning, hy which time we 
 had got far on oiu- journey. Having rested at Stras- 
 burg, we rapidly pushed across the mountaias towards 
 Harrisonburg ; Ashby's cavalry and the enemy's being 
 continually engaged to our rear in fierce skirmishing, 
 in which the latter suffered considerably. After many 
 hardships and fast travelling, we reached this place on 
 the 26th, the enemy's advance having halted at Harri- 
 sonburg. Jackson is much censured for this fight, and 
 although he acted according to orders, is cursed by 
 every one. We lost no baggage, nor any persons 
 of prominence, but the enemy had several officers 
 killed. Shields himself was desperately wounded in 
 the arm by a shell. There seems to be the fulfilment 
 of his own apostrophe to heaven, in this man Shields. 
 
 * Brigadier-General lUchard Gamett, who commanded the left, has 
 teen accused as the canse of our defeat on this occasion. Jackson com- 
 manded him to hold his position at any sacrifice, hut being entirely ont 
 of ammunition, he did not do so. It was ascertained during the engage- 
 ment that Shields had already prepared to evacuate Winchester, andtiiat 
 all his baggage had passed through that same morning — he was only 
 fighting, in truth, to secure a safe retreat. Gamett, of course, was 
 unaware of this, or he would have obeyed, and Winchester been oursi 
 for when our forces retired, the enemy were amazed, and, instead ol 
 retreating themselves, followed us up very closely and spiriteffly. 
 General Gamett is a Virginian ; entered the old service as second lien- 
 tenant of infantry, July 1st, 184 ; was captain 6th Infantry, May 911, 
 1855; and resigned, to enter the Confederate service. He is reputed a 
 very ahle ofBcer, and has seen much service in Westem Virginia, under 
 Lee, and subsequently in eveiy fight in the Valley under Jackson. 
 
GENERAL SHIELDS WOUNDED. 215 
 
 He was a very successful and dashing general of 
 volunteers in Mexico; commanded the New York 
 Volunteers there, and at one time led on the Palmetto 
 (South Carolina) Regiment in a storming party, in 
 which he was successful. Several years subsequently, 
 at a banquet in Charleston (South Carolina), he had 
 greatly eulogized the South Carolinians for their gal- 
 lantry and heroism, and in token of admiration for 
 Southern valour, wished that his right arm might 
 be palsied or shattered, rather than draw a sabre 
 against the sons of the simny South. 
 
 " ASHTON." 
 
216 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 CHAPTER XVni. 
 
 Fall of " Island No. 10," AprU Sth— Battle of Shilo, April eti-Cap- 
 ture of Guns — General Albert Sidney Jolinstone killed — The Battle 
 resumed at Daybreak — The Enemy are reinforced by Buel— The 
 Confederate Army retreats — Great Loss — False Eeporta of the 
 Federal Generals. 
 
 " Corinth, Miss., April lOth, 1862. 
 
 "Deak ToMj — In exchange for your last entertaining 
 epistle, I send the following hurried scrawl :^It would 
 seem that the army of the West bids fair to rival that 
 of Virginia, As you are doubtless aware, we have 
 fought another great battle, in fact, two, which I 
 consider are without parallel on this continent, and 
 approach more closely to European conflicts than any- 
 thing which either you or I have participated in as yet. 
 To give a plain statement of things, let me begin at the 
 beginning and go through in proper order. 
 
 " After the disastrous affair of Fort Donnelson, John- 
 ston re-formed his army, and remained some short 
 time at Murfreesboro', but subsequently fell back to 
 Corinth to defend the Memphis and Charleston railroad, 
 Beauregard came on from Virginia and inspected 
 Columbus. It was deemed inadvisable to defend that 
 place ; the works were blown up, and all the cannon 
 and stores transferred to Island No. 10, which, it was 
 
SUKEENDER OE MACKALL. 217 
 
 thouaht, miffht be converted into a little Gibraltar, and 
 successfully beat back the enemy's flotillas on the 
 Mississippi. The command was given to General 
 Mackall ; Beauregard was installed second in command 
 at Corinth,* What few troops we had were being daily 
 augmented by fresh arrivals from Pensacola, New 
 Orleans, and Columbus, so that in a few weeks we had 
 quite a respectable army of about 40,000 men. 
 
 " It was known that Buel's force, numbering 40,000 
 strong, were hurrying on from Kentucky to join Grant, 
 who, with 80,000 men, was about to cross the Ten- 
 nessee, and drive us by degrees into the Gulf of 
 Mexico, or elsewhere. He had already crossed tTie 
 river, and was camped at a place rejoicing in some 
 dozen houses, and having Shilo for its name. John- 
 ston gathered every man he could, and marched out 
 to give battle. We camped within five miles of Shilo 
 on Saturday night, April 5th, and could plainly see 
 the long line of camp-fires. Our cavalry had been 
 
 * Beauregard had strongly fortified this island, and it successflillj' 
 withstood a fifteen days' bombardment from a heavy fleet. Being called 
 to superintend operations at a distant point on the mainland, in Missis- 
 sippi, the command was given to Major-General Mackall, on the 3rd of 
 April, and, two days later, it was captured by the combined land and 
 naval forces of the North, under command of General Pope and Commo- 
 dore Eoote. A large canal, twelve miles long, was dug across a penin- 
 sula formed by the winding of the river round the mainland, and thus the 
 island was taken in the rear. The loss to us was a painful one, and quite 
 unlocked for — we expected an engagement there, but its capture was 
 neatly accomplished without it. The enemy captured Mackall himself, 
 two brigadiers, six colonels, 6,000 stand of arms, 5,000 rank and file, 
 100 pieces of siege artillery, thirty pieces of field artillery, 56,000 solid 
 shot, six steam transports, two gunboats, one floating battery, &c. &c. 
 Did not Beauregard know of the canal being dug before he left ? Many 
 think so. 
 
218 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SODTH. 
 
 closer for many days before our arrival, and were 
 lioticed by tlte enemy, but not molested. Early next 
 morning (Sunday), and long before dawn, our line of 
 battle was quietly formed, and as we had no camp- 
 fires our presence was not known. Marching in three 
 grand divisions, commanded respectively by Hardee,* 
 Polk, and Bragg, we approached nearer to the enemy's 
 camps, deployed columns, and commenced the attack. 
 
 " "When about two miles distant from Shilo, the 
 enemy had seen us, and a general alarm was raised, 
 with some appearance of confusion on one part of their 
 line, though Grant had been informed of our vicinity 
 the night before. As we advanced, daylight began to 
 appear, clouds of sharpshooters fanned out in our front, 
 and innumerable little puffs of smoke dotted the dark 
 green landscape over which our lines were rapidly 
 moving. Presently long curls of smoke from the 
 
 * Major-General William J. Hardee was brevet lientenant-coloiel 
 2nd Cavalry, in the old service, and for a long time commandaiit of 
 cadets and instructor in artillery, cavalry, and infantry tactics, at West 
 Point, New York. His famous work on Tactics is the approved text- 
 book, both North and South, and has proved of incalculable benefit to 
 US; for when war commenced, it was our only resource for u^stractio^, 
 and is now in the hands of every one. It was compiled at the desire 
 of, and approved by. President Davis, when Minister of War under 
 President Pierce, being made up of adaptations from the French and 
 English manuals. General Hai-dee was for a long time on the Southern 
 coast, superintending fortifications, but was appointed to organize and 
 command a brigade in South-Eastem Missouri. After the batfle of 
 Lexington (September 1861), he was withdrawn from that State, and 
 sent to reinforce the command of Sidney Johnstone in Tennessee. At 
 Shilo our line of battle marched in three divisions, Hardee commanding 
 the first; and by his rapid, skilful movements, contributing much to the 
 rout of Grant and his lai-ge army at that place. He has proved himself 
 an excellent leader and fierce fighter, but is said not to possess mnch 
 genius for "planning" a campaign. 
 
BATTLE or SHILO. 219 
 
 wooded MUocks to our front were answered by scream- 
 ing shells and loud reports, and artillery bugles were 
 sounding up and down our line. We galloped to the 
 front, and opened a brisk fire, while to the extreme 
 right and left we could faintly hear pattering volleys 
 of musketry. The sun now rose in true Southern 
 brilliancy, and shortly became intensely warm. At 
 all events, it so seemed to us of the artillery, for we 
 pulled off coats and jackets, strapped them on to 
 caissons, and rolling up our sleeves, began to 'roll 
 into ' the Yankees with great gusto. Such a noise you 
 never heard, and I am deaf even now; but feeling 
 determined to pay off old Grant for our scrape at 
 Donnelson, our onset was fierce and dashing, and the 
 continual command was, ' Forward, boys, forward ! ' 
 Sometimes we moved up a few hundred yards, un- 
 limbered, and worked away awhile, then moved for- 
 ward again, until at last we found ourselves blazing 
 away among the tents of a Yankee division, having to 
 withstand the fire of not less than twelve pieces with 
 only three out of our four guns, the other having been 
 upset by a stray shell and rendered unserviceable. Our 
 ammunition, too, was nearly -exhausted, and as supplies 
 were far to the rear, and our infantry were now rushing 
 through the camp, we stopped firing, and retired to a 
 patch of woods while the guns cooled. 
 
 " About this time our brigadier passed by, amd said 
 hastily, ' Hold on a while, boys, we are hard at it in 
 front, and will find some better guns for you in a few 
 moments.' In half an hour the musketry fire somewhat 
 subsided, and orders came to unhitch teams, and select 
 
220 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 a set of guns from some twenty that had been captured. 
 We did so, and claimed for our use four splendid brass 
 feUows — two six-pound rifles, and two twelve-pound 
 howitzers. Having found lots of ammunition, we were 
 ordered in again, and went forward at a gallop, the 
 newly-found horses being much superior to our old 
 mules, and powerful in harness. Thus re-equipped on 
 the battle-field, we turned the enemy's guns upon them. 
 It was now nearly eleven o'clock. Reports from dif- 
 ferent parts of the field represented Hardee and Polk 
 as having driven the enemy pell-mell before them, cap- 
 turing camp after camp, and immense supplies of all 
 kinds. The continual change of scene — from the fields 
 to the woods and from camp to camp — and the incessant 
 fighting, so confused the sense of time, that I could not 
 believe it to be more than 7 A.M. The heat, however, 
 began to be very oppressive, and as we gradually 
 became short-handed, officers dismounted and served 
 the guns with right good-will. 
 
 " We were no longer able to range over tlie field as 
 before: our progress was checked. The enemy had 
 collected in great force towards our front, and had 
 several poweirful batteries in full play against our 
 further advance. Had we not been reinforced in time, 
 our little battery would have been snuffed out; but 
 Bragg, under whose care the artillery had been placed, 
 sent ample succour, and the duel between us became 
 hot and determined. I had noticed our infantry cau- 
 tiously moving up through the woods on their flank, 
 and orders came to cease firing. The enemy saw the 
 danger and moved up their infantry. Suddenly, up 
 
ARTILLERY TO THE FRONT. 221 
 
 sprang several of our regiments, and, with their 
 customary yell, ran across the open ground and 
 up the slope, without firing. Though dozens of 
 them were knocked over by' artillery every moment, 
 they pressed forward, their colonels and colours in 
 front, until, as they drew near the enemy's infantry, 
 volley upon volley of musketry met them with a savage 
 greeting ; yet they gallantly carried the position. 
 
 " The artillery fight lasted full half an hour, rein- 
 forcements went up rapidly, until at last the guns were 
 silenced, a wild yell rent the air, and immediately the 
 order came — * Artillery to the front.' "We moveid for- 
 ward with all possible speed, and passed the scene of 
 the fierce engagement I have described, and found not 
 less than twelve guns deserted, as many more having 
 been drawn off during the fight. The loss in infantry 
 seemed large. The enemy had received an awful 
 lesson, but fought to the last. Our opponents at this 
 point were Western men, fellows of true grit, who 
 fought like heroes, disputing every inch of ground with 
 great determination and valour. We came to a place 
 where Kentuckians and Mississippians had encountered 
 some Dutch regiments from Missouri and Ohio — it was 
 like a slaughter-house, and but few of our men were 
 visible amons the killed. 
 
 " The fight was not over, however, by any means, as 
 incessant musketry on our flanks fully proved. It 
 seemed, from the line of fire, that our wings were 
 out-flanking the enemy, or that they had been fight- 
 ing too fast for us in the centre. After a little 
 breathing-time, we commenced the onward movement 
 
222 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 a third time — deserted camps being to the right, left, 
 and on every side of us. The temptation of so mucli 
 plunder led scores of our young troops to halt, on some 
 excuse or other ; and the result was, that hundreds were 
 lost to their respectivei regiments, and hung behind for 
 purposes of spoil. I was sorry to see this, and remon- 
 strated with many ; but their excuses were so natural 
 or plausible that little could be said : the majority had 
 not been from home more than a month, and having 
 beaten the enemy in their immediate front, thought the 
 game was all over for that day. Many were footsore'; 
 others famished; and not a few perfectly exhausted. 
 But now the enemy had re-formed their line again, and 
 had scarcely got into position, before their artillery 
 opened on us with great fury. Their first shot killed 
 several horses and smashed up an empty caisson. We 
 changed position somewhat, and got within better range 
 of our friends, whose horses and caissons were behind 
 an old farm-house. We hammered away at the house 
 and blew the roof off, knocked in the walls, and 
 got a sight of the caissons. We did not much care 
 about the guns, for they were firing very rapidly and 
 wildly. 
 
 " After a little manoeuvring, we pointed fairly at the 
 caissons, and were about to fire. ' Hold on ! ' shouted 
 our captain ; ' point at the guns until ordered — there is 
 a little game on foot.' The ' game ' aforesaid was con- 
 cocted by our captain and the colonel of our supports. 
 The infantry were to creep up on all-fours, while we 
 maintained a furious fire, and being concealed by the 
 smoke, should wait until all our shot was concentrated 
 
CAPTUEE OF GDNS. 223; 
 
 on the caissons, wlieii the infantry were to make a, 
 sudden rush, and secure the guns. The plan sue-, 
 oeeded admirably: we suddenly opened fire upon the 
 caissons, and blew most of them up; but before the: 
 guns could be removed, the infantry were upon them,, 
 and desperately engaged, with opposing regiments. The 
 guns were ours, and proved to be of beautiful bronze, 
 very elegant and costly. 
 
 " The line of the enemy was temporarily broken, but 
 fresh troops came pouring in, and ultimately forced us 
 to retire ; yet in strengthening one part of their line^ 
 they weakened another, and, by a vigorous push, our 
 infantry and artUlery made a wide gap lower down to 
 our left, and rushed through it like a torrent The 
 fighting now became very confused; different sections 
 of the enemy's line wavered and broke,- and were 
 crowded into a very small space by large masses in 
 their rear, which seemed undecided which way to go, 
 or what to do. Of course our generals did not give 
 them much time to consider, but "poured in upon them, 
 and drove them in confused masses towards the river. 
 The fight was desperately maintained by the Western 
 men, who fought like panthers, but it was of no avail ; 
 our admirable plan of battle was still maintained by 
 the quickness and coolness of our several chiefs, among 
 whom I would especially mention General (Bishop) 
 Polk and old Bragg. The latter, of course, was ever 
 with his beloved artillery, and seemed as. cool as a 
 cucumber, among thirty pieces blazing away like 
 furies. Polk, however, had achieved a great success 
 in capturing that arch-braggadocio Prentiss, and his 
 
224 BATTUE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 whole brigade — the same bombastic hero who, when in 
 command at Cairo, 'was going to play thunder' with 
 us, as the boys termed it. But while all were in high 
 spirits at our evident success and at the prospect of 
 soon driving the enemy into the Tennessee, couriers, 
 looking pale and sad, passed by, reporting that John- 
 stone had been killed while personally leading an attack 
 on a powerful battery.* This news wrought us all up to 
 madness, and without waiting for a word of command, 
 all pushed forward and assailed the enemy with irre- 
 sistible fury, driving them down to the edge of the river 
 in utter confusion and disorder. . 
 
 "It was now about four o'clock, and Buel was 
 reported as rapidly advancing to Grant's relief, but 
 was yet several miles from the river's edge. From 
 
 * Major -General Albert Sidney Johnston was a Kentuckian, and 
 about sixty years of age; tall, commanding, and grave. He was a gra- 
 duate ofWest Point in 1820, and appointed lieutenant of 6tli Infantry. 
 He served in the Black Hawk (Indian) war, and left the army. He 
 migrated to Texas, and was soon appointed Commander-in-Chief of the 
 State forces ; commanded a regiment of Texans in the Mexican war, 
 and was appointed major and paymaster of the United States army; 
 soon after promoted to colonel of 2nd United States Cavalry; and, in 
 1857, was sent as Commander-in-Chief of United States forces against 
 the Mormons. He was in California when the South seceded ; and 
 although Lincoln's spies dogged his footsteps, he managed to escape; 
 and by passing rapidly through the South-western Territories in disguise, 
 arrived safely at Richmond, and was appointed Commander-in-Chief of 
 the West. President Davis, in answer to those who said Johnston was 
 'too slow," remarked, "If he is not a general, there is not me among 
 us ! " Such praise, from such a man, speaks volumes for Johnstm'i 
 true merit. He was of Scotch descent, and very much beloved in mili- 
 tary circles. His early death was a great blow to the South. It is much 
 to be regretted that our Southern generals persist in rushing to the 
 front, for their example is not required to stimulate the men: rather, onr 
 soldiers require to be held in check. 
 
CONFEDERATE VICTORY. 225 
 
 some cause I could never ascertain, a halt was sounded, 
 and when the remnants of the enemy's divisions had 
 stacked arms on the river's edge preparatory to their 
 surrender, no one stirred to finish the business by a 
 coup de main. It was evidently ' drown or surrender ' 
 with them, and they had prepared for the latter, until 
 seeing our inactivity, their gunboats opened furiously, 
 and, save a short cannonade, all subsided into quietness 
 along our lines. 
 
 ■ " Night came on, and great confusion reigned among 
 us. Thousainds were out in quest of plunder ; hundreds 
 had escorted prisoners and wounded; scores were in- 
 toxicated with wines and liquors found ; yet still the 
 gunboats continued (heir bombardment ; and Buel's * 
 forces arriving in haste, crossed the river, and formed 
 line of battle for the morrow. It could not be denied 
 that we had gained a great victory — thousands of pri- 
 soners were in our hands, including many officers of 
 all ranks; we had captured eighty pieces of cannon, 
 enormous quantities of ammunition, and stores of every 
 sort ; many hundreds of tents, camp equipage, hundreds 
 of horses and waggons, much clothing, and eatables of 
 
 * Major-General Don Carlos Buel is from the State of Ohio, and, 
 previous to this present war, was captain, assistant adjutant-general at 
 Washington. He sei-red during the Mexican campaign, and with dis- 
 tinction, having been twice breveted for gallantry. He was always 
 looked upon as a quiet, methodical, and "safe" officer; and when 
 M'Clellau selected leaders from the "regular" service for the volun- 
 teers on General Scott's retirement. Captain Buel was appointed 
 brigadier-general in Kentucky, and soon after rose to the rank of majoif- 
 general. His deportment is gentle and soldierly; he thoroughly under- 
 stands his business, and despises that coarse vulgarity so common 
 among Federal leaders of the present day. 
 
 VOL. I. 15 
 
226 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 every possible description, many standards, and, in fact, 
 waggon-loads of everything pertaining to the camps 
 and commissariat of a superabundantly supplied enemy. 
 But where were our men ? With the exception of a 
 few thousands of well-disciplined troops under Bragg 
 and others, our whole army was scattered abroad, as 
 will generally be the case with young and raw troops, if 
 not kept firmly in hand. Yet our outposts brought 
 word hourly that large masses of the enemy were 
 moving across our whole front, and it could not be 
 doubted that ere the sun again rose, the whole of 
 Buel's and Grant's forces combined would be hurled 
 upon us. 
 
 "Although Beauregard had c6mmitted a gr^at mis- 
 take in not pushing the enemy to conclusions the day 
 before, he exerted himself untiringly for the morrow. 
 Stragglers were gathered, positions taken, and the 
 greatest exertions made to secure the invaluable spoil 
 of the battle-field. Every spare horse and waggon in 
 ■the service was employed in the work, and property 
 worth many millions was conveyed to the rear during 
 night. The artillery were sorely taxed ; their horses 
 were occasionally used in transporting suppHes during 
 the night, and could scarcely get an hour's rest. Couriers 
 and orderlies were dashing to and fro, inquiring for 
 this or that general, who could not be found ; despatch 
 bearers were looking for Beauregard and other chiefs; 
 thousands of wounded were groaning around us ; large 
 fires were consuming everything that could not be 
 transported ; and so it continued till midnight. Wearied 
 beyond all expression, I lay down on bundles of 
 
EETEEAT OF BBAIIEEGAKD, 227 
 
 straw, with my feet to the fire, and soon was fast 
 asleep. 
 
 "I know not how long I had slept, but It seemed 
 that in my dreams I heard constant picket-firing, min- 
 gled with which were hurried voices and the clanking 
 of chains. Arousing myself, I found that our battery 
 was about to move ofi^, and that another battle was 
 inevitable. It was not yet twilight, but our men were 
 moving to and fro, and all seemed inspired with new 
 life and confidence. Everywhere large fires indicated 
 the destruction of Federal property, which plainly 
 showed that Beauregard did not consider himself strong 
 enough to hold the ground any longer. 
 
 " At dawn picket-fighting increased rapidly ; and in 
 
 an hour after sunrise we fired our first shot. The 
 
 shattered regiments and brigades collected by Grant 
 
 gave ground before our men, and every one thought 
 
 that victory would crown our efibrts a second time; 
 
 but after we had wasted our newly acquired strength 
 
 on the dispirited battalions of Grant, Buel poured in 
 
 his fresh troops, and the fight became terrible again. 
 
 In some places we drove them by unexampled feats of 
 
 valour, but sheer exhaustion was hourly telling upon 
 
 both man and beast. Until noon we retained the ground 
 
 I heroically, but it became evident every moment that 
 
 numbers and strength would ultimately prevail, so that 
 
 I although we had gained everything up to this hour a 
 
 i retreat was ordered. 
 
 :i "Beauregard had prepared all the roads fot this 
 ; movement: there was no hurry or confusion, but every- 
 •$ thing was conducted as if in review. We slowly feU. 
 
 15—2 
 
228 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 tack, leaving little of consequence behind, General 
 Breckenridge and his Kentuckians bringing up the 
 rear. We thus in an orderly manner fell back about 
 two miles, and obtaining a favourable position for our 
 small force, re-formed line of battle, and waited several 
 hours. The enemy did not stir; they seemed content 
 to hold the field and not pursue, and did not move five 
 hundred yards from their original position of the morn- 
 ing. General John Pope, of Kentucky, was entrusted 
 with the duty of following us up, but acted very cau- 
 tiously and fearfully, contenting himself with capturing 
 two or three hundred exhausted and footsore Tennes- 
 seans who lay down by the roadside. From personal 
 observation and conversation with those who should 
 know, I think that our total loss would approximate to 
 about 6,000 or 7,000 killed, wounded, and missing;' 
 the enemy confess to twice that total among themselves. 
 We lost but little equipage and no guns ; but, as I have 
 said, have dozens of fine pieces as trophies, and an awfiil 
 amount of baggage. 
 
 " Yours always," 
 
 " N.B. — I see that Pope claims to have captured not 
 less than 10,000 prisoners, and other prizes in propor- 
 tion ! So says his despatch to Halleck. Truly these 
 Federal generals are a voracious and veracious race of 
 knaves. Beauregard says he had not more than 20,000 
 men in line in the fight on Monday, and I know that 
 Johnstone could not muster twice that number when the 
 fight opened on Sunday ! Pope adds in his despatch to 
 
BEAG or GENERAL POPE. 229 
 
 the good folks at Washington, 'As yet I have seen 
 nothing but the " backs " of the rebels I ' If he lives 
 long enough, I pledge my existence he will see more 
 in our faces than he'll find time to stay and admire. 
 Write soon. — Yours, again," 
 
230 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Movements in Virginia, and opening of the Campaign, April, 1862— 
 Troops begin to move on the Upper Potomac in March — ^M'CIellau 
 prepares to flank Manassas, by marching heavy Masses up the She- 
 nandoah Valley, and crossing the Mountains at Snickersville— A 
 general Ketreat is ordered by Johnson — ^He retires to Culpepper 
 Court-house, and makes his Line behind the Kappahannock— Ense 
 of the Enemy, and Design upon Yorktown — The Approach to Rich- 
 mond in that Direction is not so easy as conjectured by M'Clellan— 
 Our " Lines " at Yorktown — M'Clellan's Progress is stopped there- 
 Balloon Eeconnaissances of the Enemy— ArtUlery Assaults on our 
 Works — Great Distress amongst our Troops— Oul^jost Adventurte— 
 Ambitious Generals— Attack on Dam No. 1— Frightful Destruction 
 of Life— Horrible Neglect of the Wounded by the Federals— A 
 Texan in search of a Pair of Boots. 
 
 Otjk batteries along the Potomac below Washington 
 had been so active during winter as to completely 
 blockade the capital, causing much distress and priva- 
 tion among its inhabitants, so that the array itself could 
 not be regularly supplied, and hundreds of horses were 
 dying for want of forage. The only railroad that com- 
 municated with Washington was overworked night and 
 day : the Washington and Ohio Canal was broken up, 
 and an immense number of vessels were detained in the 
 Lower Potomac, unable or afraid to run the gauntlet of 
 our batteries scattered up and down the stream. It was 
 in vain that the United States gunboats would some- 
 
BLOCKADE OF THE POTOMAC. 231 
 
 times cannonade at long range, and attempt to silence 
 us : when their convoys arrived abreast of some patch of 
 woodj an unknown battery would suddenly open, and 
 sink them with apparent ease. For many weeks no 
 vessels could pass ; and down in Hampton Roads a 
 perfect forest of masts was gathered, waiting opportu- 
 nities to ascend. 
 
 Thus, instead of besieging the rebels in Richmond, as 
 had been so often promised ; instead of " driving us to 
 the wall," " breaking the backbone of rebellion," or 
 "the terrific Anaconda hugging us to death," &c., all 
 which had been promised a thousand times, M'Clellan's 
 Grand Army was in uncomfortable winter quarters, 
 and could not be furnished with regular rations, 
 because the rebels had cut off supplies from the river. 
 It was plain, however, that public opinion would force 
 M'Clellan into action long before the proper time ; for 
 until May the roads in Virginia are impassable. To- 
 wards the beginning of March heavy masses of troops 
 were reported moving up towards Harper's Ferry, 
 and almost simultaneously our batteries on the Lower 
 Potomac became wonderfully silent. The Federals 
 claimed a "great success" over them; but the truth 
 was, all guns were quietly removed and Iho batteries 
 abandoned long before the gunboats guvu their final 
 shelhngs. A "great move" was evidently preparing 
 by both parties, but few could guess its object. Banks 
 and others at Harper's Ferry were in great force, and 
 were beginning to move up the Shenandoah slowly and 
 cautiously. General (« Stonewall ") Jackson had been 
 detached from Manassas before Christmas, with about 
 
232 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 3,000 men, -which, together with those ah'eady in the 
 valley, might make a total of 10,000, but certainly 
 not more. He was ably seconded by Generals Ewell 
 and Ashby, and no three men in the Confederacy knew 
 the country better. Although their force was small, 
 and that of the enemy large, they unexpectedly appeared 
 and disappeared like phantoms before Banks and Shields, 
 acting like "Jack-o'-lanterns" to draw them on to 
 destruction. 
 
 Our position on the Upper Potomac at Leesburg 
 was also threatened at not less than four points, viz., 
 westward, from Lovettsville and Harper's Fery ; north- 
 ward, from Point of Rocks; eastward, from Edward's 
 Ferry ; and our rear from Drainsyille. It was thought 
 by some that our movement would be directly westward 
 into the Shenandoah, to Jackson, distant thirty miles ; 
 but a heavy force of the enemy was between that point 
 and our present position, and were tightening the lines 
 around us every day. An advance column had sought 
 the Blue Ridge, and were passing south-westwai-J, 
 evidently intending to flank and get in the rear of 
 Johnson by passing through the mountain "gap" at 
 Snickersville. This, of course, Johnson wisely foresaw, 
 and during winter had been quietly transporting his 
 immense stores towards the Rappahannock, removing 
 every cannon that could be spared, and filling the 
 empty embrasures with hollow logs, painted black, 
 which even at a few yards distance much resembled 32 
 and 64 pounders. 
 
 To diminish the number of his troops during the 
 heaviest part of the winter, Johnson had granted thirty 
 
EETEEAT FKOM MANASSAS. 233 
 
 days' furlough to all of the twelve months' volunteers 
 who should enlist for the war. Although the entire 
 army accepted these terms and re-enlisted, only a few- 
 thousands were permitted to depart at a time. But 
 although this movement was known to M'Clellanj he 
 did not know that for every man going home on 
 furlough, a regiment travelled on the same train towards 
 Culpepper Court-house and our lines on the Rappa- 
 hannock river. In fact, M'Clellan was quietly maturing 
 plans for the surprise and capture of Centreville and 
 Manassas, when Johnson suddenly gave orders for 
 a general retreat, and all our army began to move 
 rapidly southward. 
 
 This retreat was certainly one of the finest things 
 of the war, and the brilliancy of its design and execu- 
 tion presaged a glorious summer campaign. So per- 
 fectly were all things arranged and so quietly per- 
 formed, that all stores, baggage, sick, matiriel, and 
 guns were removed far to the rear before any of us 
 could realize the possibility of retreat ; and it was not 
 until our brigade, after several days' march over hills 
 and impassable roads, came upon the main army 
 defiling southward through Fauquier County, that we 
 discovered the movement to be a general, and not a 
 partial one. All were in the finest spirits, and the line 
 of march was so perfect and orderly that not a hundred 
 stragglers were seen at any time, and the continual 
 tramp of columns was as regular as if on parade. This 
 great retreat was undoubtedly a master feat of the 
 originator; but the exact schedule of movements, 
 routes, time of junction, transportation, and a thousand 
 
234 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 other important points were calculated and fulfilled 
 with so much nicety that it fills me with impartial 
 admiration for Lee and Johnson, together with many 
 talented subordinates. Each army corps, in breaking 
 up quarters for the march, eflfectually destroyed every- 
 thing that could not find transportation, so that when 
 the enemy advanced they found nought but smoking 
 ruins and shattered breastworks. 
 
 With regard to our brigade. Hill had so arranged it, 
 that as we marched out at 3 a.m. (March 4th), immense 
 fires burst out in the valley and on the hills fi-om 
 Harper's Ferry to within a few miles of Drainsville, 
 effectually destroying immense stacks of wheat, straw, 
 hay, clover, &c., so that when our force arrived on 
 a neighbouring hill, the scene was like a grand illumi- 
 nation, for many miles. The Yankees in Maryland and 
 from Sugar Loaf Observatory could not understand it 
 at aU, and their telegraph lights and rockets were 
 working in all directions. It is true enough that much 
 property was thus destroyed which did not belong to 
 us; but we had previously offered to purchase these 
 large crops ; the owners knew we were about to depart, 
 and would not receive Confederate scrip. Besides, 
 they were well-known Unionists, and although not one 
 of them had ever been molested or insulted, to my 
 positive knowledge, we were obliged to destroy all such 
 stores, or they would have fallen into the hands of the 
 enemy. It seemed to be the desire of our generalsj as 
 far as practicable, to render the enemy's advance as 
 irksome as possible — to make the once fair fields a 
 barren waste. It did not require much to do this, for 
 
GENEKAIi LEE. 235 
 
 all the farmers had fled southward with movables and 
 valuables, and had left their fields untouched since 
 previous harvest. They "did not know who might 
 be the ruling powers when crops grew," and hence did 
 not sow. 
 
 When our whole army had crossed the Rappa- 
 hannock, it was drawn up in line, and waited a week 
 for the enemy, hoping to entice them to an engage- 
 ment; but M'Clellan refused the challenge, and moved 
 down the stream near the seaboard. To contract our 
 left, all fell back across the Eapidan, and iucreased the 
 strength of the right against all flanking manoeuvres. 
 Large fleets of transports were gathered at the mouth 
 of the Rappahannock, but few knew their object or 
 destination. Lee, however, who was now commander- 
 in-chief, closely watched the Federal movements, and 
 perceived that while making a show of force along the 
 Lower Rappahannock, they would certainly not attack ; 
 their object being to transport their force with great 
 celerity to the Yorktown Peninsula, thinking to sur- 
 prise Magruder at Yorktown, and quietly seize Rich- 
 mond before any troops could be marched to oppose 
 them. This undoubtedly was M'Clellan's design ; but 
 he proved a novice compared to Lee ; for twelve 
 months before, this accomplished soldier had read 
 M'Clellan's plans so effectually, that when the enemy 
 marched up the Peninsula, their progress was suddenly 
 arrested by a long line of powerful fortifications belting 
 the country, from York River to James River, and 
 completely stopping further invasion. 'Tis true, that 
 M'Clellan's force was well handled, and for the most 
 
236 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 part lay before Yorktown before our troops were there 
 in strength to oppose them. For ten days, indeed, 
 Magruder displayed his 10,000 men and few gnns 
 to such advantage that both M'Clellan and Burnside 
 believed that Lee and Johnson were there before them. 
 The whole army, however, arrived within a few days, 
 and the breastworks frowned with real cannon. 
 
 But while both armies are resting along their exten- 
 sive lines, let me say a few words regarding General 
 Lee and the various fortifications on this peninsula from 
 Yorktown to Richmond. 
 
 When the war broke out, Robert E, Lee was a 
 lieutenant-colonel of cavalry in the United States army, 
 but was generally considered to be the first engineer 
 in the service. He had greatly distinguished himself 
 in Mexico, and shared with Beauregard the highest 
 honours of that campaign. It was Scott's practice 
 never to patronize subordinate talent, although all his 
 renown was achieved by it ; so that while he continually 
 thrust himself upon popular favour, and obtained the 
 highest rank possible in the service, he never spoke a 
 word in favour of those to whom he was undoubtedly 
 indebted for his greatness. For all that Scott and the 
 War Office cared, Lee might have lived and died a 
 lieutenant-colonel, while others infinitely inferior to him 
 were promoted for political reasons. 
 
 Virginia having seceded from the Union, Lee ten- 
 dered his services to his native State. His patrimony 
 was situated on Arlington Heights, overlooking Wash- 
 ington, and he knew every inch of the ground and all 
 its capabilities. He had indeed occupied it with a 
 
lee's line of defence. 237 
 
 small force, but was ordered to fall back to Fairfax 
 Court-house by the Minister of War. He was the 
 only man capable of filling the seat of Minister of War, 
 and, upon going to Richmond, was installed in that 
 office, and fulfilled its Herculean duties with great talent 
 and despatcL The line of the Rapidan and Rappa- 
 hannock rivers was selected by him as our point of 
 defence; while Beauregard preferred Manassas and 
 Bull Run — much inferior situations, although "acci- 
 dental" victory crowned our efforts and immortalized 
 the latter place. The defeat of Peagram in Western 
 Virginia by M'Clellan and Rosecranz, at Rich Moun- 
 tain, occurred before Manassas, as I have mentioned in 
 another place. 
 
 A few weeks after the Yankee rout at Manassas, Lee 
 was sent into Western Virginia, with only a few raw 
 recruits, under Wise and Floyd, to contend against the 
 mumerous and well-provided thousands who flocked 
 to the Federal standard from Ohio and other adjacent 
 States, having canal and railroad communication beyond 
 all their necessities. What Lee needed in men he made 
 up by skilful manoeuvres, and by well fortifying dif- 
 ferent mountain passes and important hills. It was 
 said, because he did not fight, that " he was afraid," 
 that " he was one of the old school," &c. The truth is, 
 he did not dare to fight, except on very advantageous 
 terms, which Rosecranz was too much of an officer 
 to grant. There was no excuse for the latter not offer- 
 ing or seeking battle, for his force was large, and 
 superabundantly supplied. Lee, however, completely 
 foiled him on every occasion ; and thus the time passed. 
 
238 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 until the fall of heavy snows completely blocked up 
 the roads, and rendered all that mountainous region an 
 inhospitable waste. 
 
 As Charleston (South Carolina) was threatened, Lee 
 left the care of his troops to Floyd and took command 
 there, putting the coasts and- harbours In complete 
 defence, and rendering his work almost impregnable. 
 The extensiye works, however, which he had planned 
 for the defence of Richmond and its vicinity occupied 
 much of his time, and when our winter quarters broke 
 up, the army were, for the most part, gratified by the 
 announcement that be had been selected by Government 
 for the post of commander-in-chief. Those who knew 
 the true merits of this modest, retiring, but sklHul 
 officer, foretold great things of him; nor were the 
 most sanguine expectations disappointed, as subsequent 
 events fully demonstrated. " System" seemed to be 
 suddenly Infused into all ranks, and volunteers gradu- 
 ally cooled down into quiet, buslness-hke, stoical 
 regulars. There was less "fuss," and more regu- 
 larity; so that within a few weeks it was evident 
 some mind was at work which could attend alike to 
 great and little matters. Not that our army was abso- 
 lutely without order previously, but there now seemed 
 to be more of intellect displayed in the movements, and 
 results were effected with less noise and bluster thaB 
 formerly. 
 
 Of the fortifications at Yorktown and elsewhere on 
 the peninsula, it is desirable to say a few words, other- 
 wise it will be impossible to understand the movements 
 that occurred there. The occupation of Hampton Roads 
 
GENEBAL MAGEUDER. 239 
 
 by large fleets, and the menacing appearance of Fortress 
 Monroe, with its immense number of troops and muni- 
 tions of war, rendered it necessary for some force to 
 watch the peninsula. This duty was assigned to 
 General Magruder, who often ventured to the vicinity 
 of Newport News (the most southern point of the 
 peninsula), and greatly annoyed General Butler, who 
 then commanded the fortress. Butler was tempted to 
 open the campaign of 1861 before Scott, by marching 
 upon Magruder in the hope of overwhelming him. 
 Having made his preparations, he found the Confede- 
 rates posted at the village of Little Bethel, and was 
 soundly thrashed by a much inferior force in less than 
 sixty minutes. Magruder remained master of the 
 peninsula, and scoured the country between York- 
 town and Newport News until the close of the year. 
 His pickets were numerous and vigilant, and captured 
 several hundred negroes who had run away from their 
 masters and sought the Yankee lines. 
 
 Following the example of Butler, Magruder set the 
 " contrabands " to work on his chain of fortifications, 
 extending from Yorktown (on the York River) south- 
 westwardly along the banks of the shallow Warwick to 
 Mulberry Point, on the James River — a distance of 
 about nine miles. The distance from Yorktown to the 
 head waters of the little Warwick was about five miles ; 
 the land was low, flat, and marshy, unprofitable alike 
 to friend or foe ; but on the point where the chain of 
 redoubts came to the springs of the Warwick, the 
 western banks of that stream were much higher than 
 , the eastern, and the land was partly wooded, partly 
 
240 BATTLE-FIEIJiS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 broken into fields. The Warwick itself was not more 
 than one hundred feet wide at any point, and shallow ; 
 and as it was generally dry in summer, Magruder had 
 made a series of dams, which held the waters and con- 
 verted it into a succession of small lakes. Not only was 
 the river " dammed," but also the mai-shy, swampy land 
 which extended from Yorktown to its head. Thus, our 
 position on the right was a " water front," and on the 
 left also, for the most part ; here, however, as the water 
 was derived from the snows and rains of winter, the 
 depth was generally not more than three feet. 
 
 The character of these various works was admirable, 
 and exactly suited to the topography of the immediate 
 district. Yorktown itself, our left, was of immense 
 strength, as was also Mulberry Point, the extremity of 
 our right wing : Lee's Mills was considered the centre 
 of the line. As the enemy would be necessarily obliged 
 to cross or cut the various dams in approaching to 
 attack, these points were protected by batteries of 
 various calibres, enfilading and otherwise. It would 
 be impossible to attempt detailed descriptions of them, 
 for whatever of skill we possessed in science and 
 engineering was there displayed in elaborated earth- 
 works ; and sheer madness alone could induce the 
 Federals to attempt the line by assault. M'Clellan 
 saw at a glance the work before him, and prepared to 
 approach by parallels, and shell us out at discretion, 
 while the majority of his troops were elsewhere em- 
 ployed. It was conjectured that his true plan would be 
 to arrest our attention by vigorous bombardments and a 
 display of force in front, while he strongly reinforced 
 
magrudeb's eaeth works. 241 
 
 M'Dowell at Fredericksburg, in order to move on Rich- 
 mond from the north ; fleets of gunboats and transports 
 at the same time passing the extremities of our wings 
 on York and James Rivers to throw strong forces on 
 our flanks and rear. This was all seen by every intel- 
 ligent soldier in the army, and the 'general expression 
 was : " These immense works are a monument of 
 Magruder's skill and industry, but are of no avail, for 
 the enemy can ascend the rivers on either hand, and 
 then we are emphatically cooped up, to be destroyed 
 at leisure." . 
 
 Lee and Johnson saw that our position was unte- 
 nable, but determined to hold it until Huger, at Norfolk, 
 should have dismantled his many fortifications, de- 
 stroyed the naval establishments, and evacuated the 
 seaboard. This was a military necessity. We had no 
 navy, and could not expect to contend with a first- 
 class naval power in arms against us. Norfolk had 
 supplied us with many cannon and stores of all kinds ; 
 but while our ports were blockaded it was sheer mad- 
 ness to incur vast expense in keeping open naval 
 establishments and depots when all our small craft were 
 blocked up in harbours. This should have been done 
 at first. Ours was a defensive war even upon land ; it 
 could not be ptherwise on water. It is true that our 
 infant navy achieved great glory in its encounters with 
 ,the U. S. vessels, and the names of the Merrimae, 
 ^Manassas, Arkansas, Sumter, and Nashville can never 
 jbe forgotten; and it is doubtful whether any navy 
 ,in the world did so much with such indifferent 
 Resources. 
 
 VOL. 1. 16 
 
242 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 While Huger was preparing to evacuate Norfolk, 
 most of our troops were retracing their steps up the 
 peninsula towards Richmond, and not one brigade was 
 unnecessarily detained at Yorktown. General D. H. 
 Hill commanded Yorktown and the left wing ; Magruder 
 the right; Longstreet the centre; while Johnson was 
 chief over all. Many episodes and incidents worthy of 
 remembrance daily occurred between the advanced 
 posts of both armies, which served to keep up a bitter 
 feeling between us. M'Olellan made daily reconnais- 
 sances with his large balloon, which remained up occa- 
 sionally many hours : his apparatus and balloon, how- 
 ever, were always two or three miles from the front. 
 Nevertheless, our rifled guns frequently made rather 
 close shots, and compelled the aeronauts to descend. In 
 some instances our shots cut their gearing. 
 
 Determined to discover with certainty how many gnns 
 were in position, and how many embrasures masked, they 
 occasionally moved down to the front and opened a fierce 
 cannonade with field-pieces, and a few rifled 24-pounders. 
 Such tricks were unsuccessful : the most of our guns were 
 parked in the rear and covered, so that at a distance 
 none could tell what they were. A few moments would 
 have suflSced to bring them down to the batteries, but 
 this we never found necessary. About one hundred 
 guns were always ready night and day, frowning 
 through embrasures, with caissons well protected ; and 
 in some places we had a few 24, 32, and 64-pounders 
 ready for the assailants. We never found occasion to 
 use them. 
 
 Whenever the enemy approached with this design, 
 
AKTILLEBY PEACTICB. 243 
 
 and opened fire upon us, the regiments would spring 
 to their arms behind the breastworks and allow the 
 artillery to amuse themselves. While we were sitting 
 down, the enemy's shell fell thick and fast over our 
 heads, and filled the woods in our rear with volumes 
 of sulphurous smoke. Not one man of ours was lost 
 during these frequent visitations, but the enemy some- 
 times suffered very severely. On one occasion not 
 less than a dozen 12-pound howitzers opened on our 
 six-gun battery — our pieces were silent, and not a soul 
 stirred. Two corporals begged permission to have a 
 shot each ; directing two 12-pound rifles at the Yankees, 
 fdly a mile and a half distant, their reports were imme- 
 diately followed by the explosion of several caissons, kill- 
 ing the commandant and thirty men, twenty horses, and 
 upsetting four pieces I Our boys could not restrain their 
 pleasure, and jumping on the breastworks for more than 
 a mile, waved their hats and howled as Mississippians 
 and Louisianians only tan howl — a yell with a true 
 Indian ring in it ! The remaining pieces of the Yankee 
 battery continued firing with great wildness, rapidity, 
 and fury ; still the boys remained on the breastworks, 
 laughing and yelling, and though commanded to come 
 down when shell were chipping the earth near their feet, 
 nothing could induce them to budge until a battery 
 lower down opened on the enemy, and smashed them 
 !up with one discharge ! 
 
 \ Such experiments were too costly to be repeated, so 
 ithat any one portion of our lines was seldom visited 
 more than once. The enemy contented themselves 
 iwith erectmg mortar batteries of great, strength, so as 
 
 16—2 
 
244 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 to effectually shell us out if possible, when the bom- 
 bardment regularly opened. M'Clellan's position was 
 certainly an unenviable one, but such was his popularity 
 with the men, that they performed immense labours 
 with axe and spade at his bidding, and seldom grumbled. 
 With a very large army (175,000 men) encamped in 
 low, swampy lands, sickness and disease was very great. 
 As no roads, except a few ordinary ones, existed from 
 Yorktown to any point of his lines, flanks, or rear, it 
 was necessary to fell the forests and make them. Regi- 
 ments were thus engaged for weeks cutting avenues 
 of communication, while thousands plied the axe and 
 covered the dirt with layers of logs, the interstices of 
 which were then filled with branches, and all covered 
 with a thick coating of tenacious, marly soil. In dry 
 weather, and for the use of light teams, these " cordu- 
 royed" roads might well serve; but as this was the 
 month of April, the logs sank lower and lower, so 
 that heavy waggons, and teams dragging siege pieces 
 and mortars, moved but slowly, and the various routes 
 were blocked up by division quartermasters and com- 
 missaries endeavouring to transport necessary provision 
 to the front. Such was the scarcity at one time that 
 every waggon in the service was insufficient to supply 
 the daily necessities of his army, and M'Clellan's siege 
 operations were delayed. Many deserters came over to 
 us and begged for food. 
 
 But, alas ! if such was the state of M'Clellan's forces, 
 what was the condition of our own ? Flour and bad 
 bacon, indeed, were for the most part regularly served 
 out in half rations ; but as for tea, coffee, sugar, 
 
SHOET OF RATIONS. 245 
 
 molasses, rice, baker's bread, or crackers, fresh meat, 
 salt, or clothing !— these were things unknown to us 
 for many months: the only thing of which we had 
 a superabundance was cartridges! Sugar, rice, and 
 molasses, should have been forthcoming ; but then we 
 knew that our few railroads in the South were over- 
 worked, night and day, in transporting troops and 
 materiel, and such was the press of Government busi- 
 ness tliat no civilian, except on army aflFairs, could ever 
 obtain a " permit " to travel twenty miles on the various 
 railroads. The men fully understood the difficulties of 
 our situation, and never uttered a word of complaint. 
 They fried the abominable bacon for its fat, which they 
 mixed with their flour, and this, with water, was the 
 chief food of all for many weeks. 
 
 Such was our poverty, indeed, that many negro 
 servants, hitherto faithful to the fortunes of their 
 masters, deserted during the darkness of night, and 
 reported us as ragged, starving, footsore, and spiritless. 
 Except . in the latter respect, their reports were but 
 too true. In lieu of coffee or tea, we gathered holly 
 leaves or sassafras roots, to boil down into tea, and 
 felt thankful for this barbai'ous decoction, although 
 much debility and sickness resulted from using it. All 
 this was so well known to the enemy, that their pickets 
 would taunt ours in coarse language that stirred up our 
 men occasionally to deeds of rashness, such as a surprise 
 of the enemy's outposts about dinner-time ! The well- 
 fed rice- cracker- fresh meat- sago- ham- bean- pork- 
 molasses- sugar-eating and tea- coffee- and whisky- 
 drinking Yankees, in fine warm clothes, would often 
 
246 BATTLE-riELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 shout to usj " How do git along, you sassafras-drinking 
 
 sons of ?" "Oh, you mouldy, ragged rebels ! 
 
 what's the price of soap in Dixie ? " Taunts might 
 serve their purpose very well when out of danger 
 behind trees, but, as soon as any of us "fell in "and 
 marched out to give appropriate answers, these gentle- 
 men in blue would invariably " skedaddle ! " 
 
 I have known instances, indeed, of soldiers from the 
 Gulf States having, unknown to the officers, sallied out 
 beyond our extreme outposts during the night, pene- 
 trated the enemy's lines, and brought back provisions 
 in abundance, often having slung over their arms from 
 two to four rifles, the property of Federal sentinels 
 who opposed them. I repeat, I have known several 
 instances of this kind where parties of sis would go 
 out on such expeditions, and, from experience in Indian 
 warfare, would scatter in the timber, prowl about the 
 enemy's encampments, and return unscratched with a 
 heavy load of eatables — the chief weight being of 
 coffee and sugar. One or two particular instances I 
 consider worthy of especial mention. 
 
 One day while on duty near Dam No. 1, we observed 
 within the enemy's lines a flock of sheep grazing, the 
 distance from us being about two miles. We had been 
 joking on the subject and remarking what fine soup they 
 would make for our hungry men, when I observed 
 a tall ragged Texan intently eyeing them. Lifting 
 his two-feet-and-a-half diameter straw hat from his 
 head, he began to scratch as if in profound meditation. 
 It was towards evening, and he was returning from 
 twenty-four hours' picketing in the front "What's 
 
FETCHING IN PEOVISIONS. 247 
 
 the matter ? " I inquired. " Nothin'," he replied ; " but 
 I was just a-thinking I should like to have some mutton 
 for supper! — our folks get nothin' but cartridges to 
 eat." Tired as he was, he answered company roll-call, 
 and shortly afterwards passed me, stealing cautiously 
 towards the enemy, hiding behind fallen timber, and 
 haying crossed' the dam, disappeared. 
 
 After a while I heard several shots fired in the 
 direction of the sheep, but, of course, took little notice 
 of it, for firing was continual from morning till night. 
 As " tattoo " was sounding I was about to repair to my 
 own post, when some unaccountable object seemed to 
 be crossing the dam. One of the guards challenged — 
 " Hold on, boys," was the reply ; " wait a minute — I've 
 got him all right ; " and before I could recover from 
 astonishment, my friend of the large straw hat appeared 
 clambering up the face of the breastwork, heavily laden 
 with something, and, on close inspection, I found he 
 carried a large sheep and a fat lamb on his' back, the 
 legs tied round his neck, a bundle swung around his 
 middle, four rifles hung from his shoulders, and his 
 own trusty Enfield grasped firmly in the right hand, 
 cocked, and loaded. " But where did you get the 
 rifles ? " I inquired. " Oh, well, the darned fools 
 wouldn't let me get the mutton peaceable, so I had 
 to shoot four of 'em ! " This instance is but one 
 of a class, for which I can vouch from personal 
 knowledge. 
 
 The enemy had been taught that we were a pusil- 
 lanimous race, effeminate, lazy, unacclimated, and 
 physically inferior to themselves. Our mode of life at 
 
248 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH, 
 
 home — the ahundance of money, dependence upon slave 
 labour, and inaptitude for everything save cotton-, rice-, 
 and sugar-raising — might give countenance to such 
 ideas 5 and it is equally true that habitual slothfulness 
 had thrown every species of manufacture into their 
 hands. But history should have taught them that the 
 South was ever foremost in fight, and that while 
 Northern troops had never fought south during the 
 Revolution of 17 76, Southern armies had traversed all 
 the North, and had left their bones on every battle- 
 field. The same is equally true of the war of 1812, 
 and of the expedition into Mexico, for the impartial 
 student will be surprised at the numbers lost by ns 
 compared with the North in those transactions, and 
 at the number of times the Cotton States have shown 
 in the front, in every movement of danger. All this, 
 however, was not considered. When M'Clellan took 
 command of the enemy in August, 1861, his words 
 were, "There shall be no more defeats, no more 
 retreats; our progress will henceforth be unchecked, 
 and glorious." The press also had been continually 
 chanting anthems over their own superiority and our 
 wretchedness; every picket fight had been magnified 
 into " a great success," " complete victory," &c., all 
 printed in alarmingly large capitals, until at last every 
 drummer in M'Clellan's army considered himself a 
 hero. 
 
 Surprised to find us more than a match for them 
 in the every-day encounters at the hues, and annoyed 
 to find that their newspapers sometimes told awkward 
 truths by " accident," different ambitious generals 
 
OUTPOST FIGHTING. 249 
 
 sought to distinguish themselves at their respective 
 posts, and to do something of which to boast. On one 
 occasion it was designed to inarch a heavy force into 
 the woods near Lee's mills and surprise four of our com- 
 panies picketed there. Our oujposts quietly gave the 
 signal of approach, and as a full .brigade turned into a 
 lane in line with our battery, some half dozen second 
 shell wepe fired very rapidly, and split up the column, 
 cutting the commander and horse completely in two 
 — the fire of our four companies in extended order did 
 the rest, and the New-Englanders broke and fled in great 
 confusion, leaving many dead and wounded behind. 
 They had to retreat within view of our lower batteries, 
 which, as they passed their front, shelled the woods and 
 broke them a second time. 
 
 On another occasion, some of our pickets advanced 
 farther than necessary, and captured several field- 
 ofiicers. Expecting retaliation, strict watch was main- 
 tained, and on the Sabbath a full regiment appeared to 
 take vengeance on our pickets, but none were seen. 
 The Yankees had not proceeded far, when up rose four 
 companies, and having delivered a slaughtering cross- 
 fire, charged with a terrible yell. The enemy broke, 
 and we were never troubled with them afterwards at 
 that point. 
 
 Our outposts, however, could not keep quiet, and 
 every chance that was presented was improved to 
 slaughter the enemy, for they held them in profound 
 contempt. The enemy devised a new plan for picket- 
 ing. They owned a great many dogs, and when on 
 outpost duty, Mr. Yankee would quietly light his pipe 
 
250 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 and play cards, while the dogs rambled through the 
 woods, and gave the alarm of any approach! The 
 faithfulness of their dogs saved them on many occa- 
 sions from loss, for the animals would howl and retire 
 from any one unless dressed in blue. As woodsmen, 
 the enemy were complete novices compared to us ; but 
 this was as might be expected. There were Maryland 
 regiments, however, in their service who were equal to 
 us, but these were not trusted, — M'Clellan thought, and 
 wisely, that with the first opportunity they would " ske- 
 daddle " to the rebels ! 
 
 Our various batteries, commanding the dams seemed 
 to give the enemy much uneasiness and annoyance. 
 They erected heavy counter-batteries, but still could 
 not show in force at any point without suffering loss, 
 and so determined to try the experiment of taking one 
 of these defences. Towards Yorktown, the various 
 dams were successively numbered 1, 2, 3, &c., until 
 their approach to Lee's Mills, where the river became 
 sufficiently deep to obviate the erection of more. " Dam 
 No. 1 " was consequently situated on land that held but 
 little water, the causeway being about twelve feet broad. 
 The battery which protected it was triangular in form, 
 containing three guns, with a long embankment or rifle- 
 pit connected with it on either side, but situated in very 
 low land. The position of the enemy was much higher, 
 with rising hillocks up and down the face of the swamp, 
 which were, of course, converted into earthworks, and 
 mounted not less than twenty-two guns, commanded by 
 their accomplished artillerist Ayer (I follow Yankee 
 authorities). It was impossible for us to use our guns 
 
ATTACK ON THE DAM. 251 
 
 with much effect, since they were always assailed by 
 enfilade. 
 
 To obviate this, we were constructing a powerful 
 battery in the rear of the first, the work being chiefly 
 performed by the troops on picket there.* While this 
 work was in progress, a North Carolina regiment was 
 stretched along the right rifle pit, and four companies 
 of a Louisiana regiment occupied the left. Yankee 
 sharpshooters, posted in trees, had discovered that the 
 three-gun battery was oftentimes comparatively deserted 
 about noon-time, and as the causeway, or dam, was 
 broad, it would not be very difficult to cross the com- 
 paratively dry swamp, under cover of their guns, seize 
 the place, break our chain of defences, and throw over 
 large bodies of troops. Accordingly they gathered a 
 large force silently in the woods, and at the hour of 
 noon made a rush across the causeway, our pickets 
 fighting desperately as they retreated, instead of falling 
 back upon the rifle pits without delay, after once firing 
 their pieces, conformably to order. As a consequence, 
 the enemy were half-way across the dam and swamp 
 before any alarm was given. 
 
 When the assault was known, the North Carolinians 
 in the right rifle-pit seized their arms, and having fired 
 one volley with destructive effect, unaccountably re- 
 tired. The Yankees once in possession of the battery 
 and right rifle-pit, were much in the situation of iihe 
 man who gained an elephant in a raffle, not knowmg 
 what to do with it ! Swarming over the works, they 
 fought and overcame the few guards who resisted them, 
 and received heavy reinforcements as fast as possible. 
 
252 BATTLE-MELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 The four companies of Louisianians who had gallantly 
 held their pit, were joined by the remainder of the 
 regiment, and rushing into the battery commenced the 
 work of slaughter silently, Ijut with terrible vigour. 
 Having entered the works in two wings, the unfor- 
 tunate. Yankees were thus surrounded, and the first 
 cross-fire delivered by the Louisianians cut them down 
 by scores : many more were destroyed with the sabre- 
 bayonet when our men closed in upon them. Those 
 who attempted to jump out of the breastwork were 
 shot down by our Georgians, who now occupied the 
 right pit. Reinforcements crossing the dam were ob- 
 structed by the dead, the wounded, and those seeking 
 to return, so that scores fell right and left into the 
 swamp, and were half buried in mud and water. The 
 saddest part is yet to tell. Smith, who commanded 
 the Yankee brigade, seeing his men overcome and 
 slaughtered in the battery, ordered Ayer's twenty-two 
 guns to open fire, in order to cover the retreat, but in 
 doing this, their shells killed as many of their own men 
 as of ours. The Louisianians in the battery and the 
 Georgians in the rifle-pits continued the work of de- 
 struction, and of the few that escaped, many sank into 
 the swamp, and could not extricate themselves from 
 the mud. 
 
 This afiair lasted about half an hour ; the enemy 
 numbered near two thousand, while our force did 
 not exceed half that number. The scene of carnage 
 was frightful; several hundreds of the enemy might 
 be seen lying in all directions in the battery, many 
 along the causeway, and more to the right and left of 
 
BAEBAEOUS CONDUCT OP SMITH. 253 
 
 it in the swamp. Our loss was unaccountably small, 
 and never did Louisianians use the bayonet with greater 
 good will, for they had met for the first time " real " 
 Yankees^ (Vermont), -who had done more lying and 
 boasting than those of any State in the North, — always 
 excepting the arch-hypocrites and negro-worshippers of 
 Massachusetts. Proud as were our men of this affair, 
 all regretted one thing, viz. that the gentlemen in blue 
 had not proved to be Massachusetts men. There was 
 not a regiment in the service but would have willingly 
 marched fifty miles for a fair fight with double the 
 number of them. 
 
 Smith, the Federal commander, kept up the can- 
 nonade till long after sundown, but with more destruc- 
 tion to his own wounded than to us ; for as we screened 
 ourselves during the fire, it did not cause us the loss 
 of a man. This conduct, if nothing more were added, 
 affords ample justification for the assertions of the enemy 
 that their commander was completely intoxicated during 
 the whole affair, and incapable of conducting it. During 
 the night we endeavoured to extricate the wounded 
 from the swamp, but our men were repeatedly fired 
 upon ; and even when a fiag of truce was sent across 
 next day, begging, in the name of mercy, that we 
 might be permitted to look after ihdr wounded, whose 
 groans and cries were heartrending, this inhuman com- 
 mander refused to receive it, and our men, being fired 
 upon a second time, retired, and allowed the poor 
 wretches to die from loss of blood or hunger. For 
 two days and nights this barbarous conduct was kept 
 up, and the enemy were allowed to lie festering in the 
 
254 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH, 
 
 sun, nor was anything done for them until their owii 
 regiments (3rd, 4th, and 6th Vermont) were withdraws 
 from the scene. This was done, doubtless, to screei 
 the "real" loss from their own troops. During the 
 night, however, many of our men ventured across the 
 dam, and brought in some of their own dead, and 
 buried many of the enemy's slain, to stay the increasing 
 stench that arose from putrefaction. We also dragged 
 out of the swamp some who had sunk to the armpits in 
 mud and water, but who had sustained themselves bj 
 clinging to stumps and roots. 
 
 Although my thoughts were far from cheerful when 
 standing in the battery and gazing on this awful scene 
 of slaughter, I could not but smile at the indifference oi 
 a tall, hard-fisted, and very ragged Texan, who was 
 cautiously "hunting up a pair of boots and pants." He 
 was warned not to show his head above the parapetj 
 for the Yankee sharpshooters, armed with rifles of a 
 long range, with telescopic "sights," were "thick a.« 
 blackberries " in the woods to the front, and were excel- 
 lent shots. "Darn the blue-skins, any how; who's 
 scared of the blue-bellies (i. e. Eastern men)? Lei 
 
 all the Yankees go to , for all I care. Let 'em 
 
 shoot, and be d — d! I'm bound to have a pair ol 
 boots anyhow!" And so saying, he passed over th( 
 parapet, down its face, and returned with the body oi 
 an enemy, which he had fished out of the water. H( 
 first pulled off the boots, which proved to be an excel- 
 lent pair ; then proceeding to rifle the pockets, he fount 
 sixty dollars in gold. He was much astonished anc 
 delighted at these discoveries ; but when he examinee 
 
IN SEAECH OF A PAm OP BOOTS. 255 
 
 the havresack and found it well stored with capital 
 rations, including a canteen full of fine rye whisky, 
 he was electrified with sudden joy, dropped boots, 
 havresack, and money upon the ground, and half- 
 emptied the canteen at a draught. Setting down the 
 can, he smacked his lips, and thus soliloquized : " Well ! 
 poor devil, he's gone, like a mighty big sight of 'em ; 
 but he was a gentleman, and deserved better luck. If 
 he'd been a Massachusetts Yankee, I wouldn't a cared 
 a dam! but these fellows are tHe right kind. They 
 come along with good boots and pants, lots to eat, 
 money in their pockets, and are no mean judges of 
 whisky. These are the kind of fellows I like to fight ! " 
 It was not from a brutal feeling that our men rifled 
 the dead, but sheer necessity; and although they 
 stripped them of anything needed, the bodies were 
 invariably interred with decency, and not mutilated, as 
 the Northern press delighted to asseverate on all occa- 
 sions. Hardened as we were, men would joke under any 
 circumstances — some would even smoke during action ; 
 and it was not uncommon to hear one remark, when 
 burying ihe enemy, " Well, Lincoln, old Scott, and 
 M'Clellan promised 'em farms each in Virginia when 
 all was over — old Virginny is large enough to accom- 
 modate 'em all with lots, seven by two ! " But this I 
 wish to repeat — there was no brutality displayed on any 
 occasion that came imder my notice on any field on 
 which I was present. It is true the prisoners were 
 immercifully joked occasionally, but I have always seen 
 the wounded treated with the utmost care; and it 
 became a usual expression in the hospitals, when all 
 
256 BATTM-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 did not progress well with patients, " If I was only a 
 Yankee, the darned doctors would do more for me than 
 now." The dead, on all practicable occasions, were 
 decently buried; and in many cases I have known 
 putrid carcases handled and coffined by our men, and 
 even a board placed at the head of the grave, as at 
 Leesburg, with the words, " Here lies a Yankee ; 
 Co. H, 15th Massachusetts." I am emphatic about 
 this subject, for many infamous misrepresentations have 
 been widely* circulated regarding us by the Northern 
 press. 
 
257 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Ml of New Orleans, April 24th — ^Preparations of Commodore HoUins 
 for the Defence — Bombardment of the Forts— Naval Engagements — 
 Destruction of Cotton — ^Evacuation of the City — ^Possession taken by- 
 Commodore Earragut — Arrival of General Butler — His brutal 
 Attacks upon the Ladies of New Orleans — ^Examples from his 
 General Orders. 
 
 " Baton Rouge, April — , 1862. 
 " Dbae Feiend, — Our beautiful city has fallen, and the 
 detested flag of our enemy floats over the mint ! 
 
 " The story of our disgrace is a long and painful one 
 to me, but remembering your kindness in fully inform- 
 ing us of the progress of events in Virginia, it is but 
 right I return the compliment; though my narrative 
 may be wanting in many particulars which history, at 
 some distant future, can alone be expected to unfold. 
 
 " When the bombardment of Fort Sumpter proved 
 that the South was determined to rid her soil of the 
 enemy, troops were also sent to Pensacola, seized Fort 
 M'Eea, Barrancas, and Warrenton, and lay siege to 
 the enemy's fortifications (Fort Pickens) on Santa Rosa 
 Island. Our forces there began to increase very 
 rapidly, and, under the command of General Bragg, 
 were wrought up to a fine spirit of discipline and 
 efficiency. Except the night surprise of the enemy on 
 Santa Rosa, nothing of moment transpired, the respec- 
 
 TOL. I. 17 
 
258 BATTLE-HELDS OP THE SOUTH, 
 
 tlve forces being content to fortify their positions and 
 otherwise remain inactive. Commodore HolHns, who 
 ■was cruising in the Gulf when we declared indepen- 
 dence, brought his sloop-of-war to New Orleans, surren- 
 dered her to the Confederate authorities, and accepted 
 service under our banner. It was natural to surmise 
 that New Orleans would soon be blockaded and attacked 
 by the enemy's fleet ; to meet which contingency. General 
 Anderson was put in command of our land forces, and 
 HoUins of the naval department. 
 
 "The latter began to prepare for the enemy by the 
 construction of fire rafts, and of various impediments 
 for the bar of the river and other shallow places, besides 
 superintending the construction of some rude, ironrclad: 
 floating rams and batteries, the principal of which: was 
 a vessel called the Manassas. With his small flotilla, 
 Hollins could not pretend to accomplish very muchj.bufe 
 he resolved to attack the Federal blockading vessels'.at 
 the mouth of the river, the destruction of which, it was 
 hoped, would enable us to obtain supplies from Europe 
 before the Federal navy should be reinforcedi Li thisi 
 design he was so far successful that he sank one sloop- 
 of-war and disabled several others; but as the ram 
 Manassas proved unmanageable, and had injured, heu 
 machinery, HolHns withdrew and returned to the city, 
 weir satisfied with his achievements. In the meantime 
 Lovell had succeeded Anderson in the military com? 
 mand; numerous volunteers had joined our forces,.and 
 even the coloured men, free and slave, formed batr 
 talions for the defence of the city. Fortifications and 
 breastworks innumerable were thrown up, to prevent 
 
MISSISSIPPI FOETS. 259 
 
 all approach by the lakes of the Mississippi. These 
 works were importantj and, as you know something of 
 the topography of the country, I enumerate them, but am 
 not positive as to the number of guns placed in each. 
 
 " Fort Jackson was on the west, or right bank of the 
 river, nearly opposite Fort St. Philip, and twenty-five 
 miles from the ' Passes ' leading into the Gulf. It was 
 a very strong, casemated fort, intended for over one 
 hundred guns, and will conveniently accommodate five' 
 hundred men. Much labour had been expended on this 
 fort, and it was thought to be impregnable, but adverser 
 circumstances destroyed' all our hopes regarding if. 
 Fort St. Philip was on the east or left bank of the river, 
 nearly opposite Fort Jackson, seventy miles below the 
 city, and, being a heavy casemated fort, was intended 
 for over one hundred gunsi. It was bombarded! by the 
 English in 1812; it had accommodated four hundred 
 men. Fort Livingstone was situated on Grand Terre 
 Island, at the mouth of Barrataria Bay, and was destined 
 for' twenty or more guns. Fort, Pike was a casemate 
 fortification placed, at the Rigolettes, or North Pass,, 
 between Lake Borgue and; Lake Pontchartraiuj com- 
 manding the entrance to the lake, and the main channel 
 to the gulf in that direction. The amount of its arma- 
 ment I could never learn ; Fort Macomb guarded the 
 South Pass, between Lakes Borgue and Pontchartrain,. 
 and had: a dozen or more guns. Fort Dupr^ was a 
 small fort commanding Bayou Dupre into Lake Borgue.. 
 Proctor's Tower was another small work on Lake 
 Borgue; and Battery Bienvenue at the entrance of 
 Bayou Bienvenue into Lake Borgue. Besides these 
 
 17—2 
 
260 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 latter small batteries, mounting a few guns, were the 
 Chalmette Batteries, above Fort Jackson, and much 
 nearer the city.* 
 
 "From the enthusiasm of our population, and the 
 alacrity with which they mustered under arms, it was 
 considered impossible for the enemy to successfully 
 ' run ' the forts on the river and effect a landing, for a 
 long chain of breastworks stretched away in different 
 parts of the city suburbs, and at one time we had not 
 fewer than 24,000 men under arms, including 3,000 free 
 negroes, vrho volunteered to defend them. Notwith- 
 standing all this apparent enthusiasm, there were un- 
 doubtedly many traitors going to and fro in our midst; 
 and much information was carried [to the enemy by 
 runaways, and by fishermen who were allowed free 
 passes to transact their business on the river. Some 
 fifteen or twenty thousand bales of cotton were in ware- 
 bouses or on the landing ready for shipment, in case 
 the enemy should leave the mouth of the river, together 
 with much tobacco owned by foreign merchants. Our 
 planters persisted in sending cotton down the river, and 
 this acted as a temptation to the enemy to attempt the ' 
 capture of the city. 
 
 " Society in New Orleans showed little sensitiveness to ' 
 the great struggle in which we were engaged. Festivity 
 was the order of the day ; balls, parties, theatres, operas, 
 and the like, continued as if we were not in the midst 
 of a furious war, with om' beloved sons, brothers, and 
 relatives bleeding and dying on distant battle-fields. 
 
 * All these positions, guarding the approaches to New Orleans from 
 the Gulf, are distinctly shown on the ordinaiy maps. 
 
PEEPABATIONS TOR DEFENCE. 261 
 
 We felt too secure. We considered it impossible for 
 any force to capture the place. -Jackson, with a 
 handful of men, and a few cotton bales, had defeated 
 Packenham in 1812,' many said; and as we considered 
 the enemy much inferior to the British in all respects, 
 and our present defences vastly superior to those of 
 former times, all were confident of victory in case of 
 attack. None doubted the loyalty of our people, our 
 generals, or the Government. Shipwrights were busy 
 in preparing new rams and floating batteries ; foundries 
 and steam-hammers were in full blast, night and day, 
 preparing boilers, machinery, and iron plates ; and 
 several mammoth rams and iron floating batteries were 
 promised at an early day by the contractors — two 
 Northern men. So much delay, however, occurred in tit- 
 ting and finishing, them, that when the enemy approached 
 we had none of these vessels to assist in the defence. 
 Worse than all, our generals at Corinth were continually 
 .calling upon Lovell for troops; so that our original 
 24,000 rapidly dwindled down to a very low figure. 
 .Northern papers boasted that their fleets and forces 
 could annihilate our city at any time; Butler was 
 reported to have said, 'he held the keys of New 
 Orleans ; ' but all such talk was considered pure Yankee 
 twaddle, and none ever dreamed he had foundation for 
 such boastings. 
 
 "Depending entirely upon our river batteries, we 
 anxiously awaited the enemy's approach ; but they 
 seemed tardy in their movements, and cruised about 
 the Gulf witH evident indecision, so that every one 
 began to smile and say, ' Thgy would think twice before 
 
262 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 attempting a rehearsal of the scenes of 1812 ! ' I do 
 not remember what force the enemy had in gunboats, 
 at the mouth of the river, but the fact soon became 
 known that Commodore Farragut was in command, 
 and that he made light of our fortifications. As it 
 was considered unadvisable to attempt a defence of the 
 'passes,' the works at those points had been dismantled 
 some time before, and the guns carried to the city. We 
 had sunk barriers (sunken vessels, &c.) in the river 
 about a mile below Forts Jackson and Philip, and it 
 was thought they would effectually stop the enemy's 
 progress ; but the swiftness of the current carried many 
 away, and before others could be placed there, the 
 enemy slowly steamed up the stream in strong force, on 
 the 16th of April, and prepared to attack the forts. 
 
 " In the city these threatening appearances were but 
 little heeded — we considered ourselves impregnable;; 
 Farragut's boats M-ere treated with contempt, and even 
 the terrific bombardment was looked upon as a fine 
 spectacle. Duncan, in Fort Jackson, kept all fiiUy 
 informed of the progress of events below; thousands 
 flocked down the river, and on the Levees viewed the 
 bombardment with evident pleasure, for it was soon 
 ascertained that the enemy's fire was inaccurate, and 
 that few, if any, of their eleven-inch shell ever touched 
 the forts. At night the greatest vigilance was main- 
 tained to inform commanders of the enemy's move- 
 ments. On the 23rd the terrific bombardment had 
 continued a whole week ; 'they had thrown over 25j000 
 shells ; and Duncan reported that two of his guns in 
 Fort Jackson were dismounted; half a dozen killed 
 
OUR SHIPS DEFEATED. 263 
 
 anid wounded was the total loss, and the works were 
 as sound as ever. 
 
 "The evening of the 23rd closed as others had done 
 for the past seven days.; our defences were thought to 
 be impassaible, and strong hopes were entertained that 
 Farragut would soon give up the conflict as fruitless 
 and abortive. Towards 3 a.m. on the morning of the 
 24th, the enemy were descried creeping up the river in 
 full force, and as they steamed abreast of the forts 
 were received with deafening roars from our artillery. 
 The conflict then became furious ; the enemy fought 
 admirably, however, and passed the forts, Farragut 
 leading in the Hartford; but had not proceeded far 
 when they encountered our small fleet of seventeen 
 vvessels of different kinds. Except the old Manassas 
 and the Louisiana, the rest of our vessels were vulner- 
 able, so that the destruction, confusion, and noise were 
 ■terrible, , The Louisiana was unmanageable, and could 
 only use two of her nine guns ; so when it was per- 
 ceived that nothing could prevent the enemy from 
 •breaking our line, she was run ashore, and blown up, 
 although the enemy's broadsides had not injured her 
 in ;the least. The Governor Moore, another of our 
 >boats, acted nobly among the enemy's twelve heavy 
 sloops iof war and gunboats, and fired her last cartridge 
 at point blank range, hut was also run ashore and 
 blown up to prevent capture. 
 
 " The action was in full progress when news reached 
 the city that Farragut's fleets had passed the forts,, and 
 had successfully engaged our .ships. The scene of 
 confusion that ensued in town defies all descrintion. 
 
264 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 People were amazed, and could scarcely realize the 
 awful fact, and ran hither and thither in speechless 
 astonishment. Very soon the flames seen issuing from 
 shipyards in Algiers -and other places, convinced them 
 that the news was authentic, and that Government 
 officers were then busily engaged destroying everything 
 that was likely to be of value to the enemy. The 
 unfinished Mississippi and other vessels were scuttled 
 or fired, ammunition destroyed, and shot sunk in the 
 river. The people, on their part, proceeded to the 
 various cotton presses, rolled out thousands of bales, 
 and applied the torch ; countless cotton ships were also 
 sunk or fired, steamboats by the dozen similarly de- 
 stroyed. As the roar of cannon drew nearer, the heat 
 of the sun, and conflagrations in every direction, made 
 the atmosphere oppressively hot, while dense columns 
 of smoke darkened the air. The scene was one of 
 terrible grandeur, the effect of which was much height- 
 ened by the tolling of alarm bells in the city. 
 
 " Banks, and all who had anything to save, were 
 busy sending away their valuables; and their hav- 
 ing done so in good time prevented several millions 
 of specie from falling into the hands of the enemy. 
 Long lines of army waggons, carriages, pedestrians, 
 and horsemen, left the town by every avenue ; the 
 wildest consternation and dejection seemed to have 
 seized all ; the revulsion of feeling was awful. Having 
 narrowly escaped capture in the naval engagement, 
 Lovell rode rapidly by the Levee road, and arrived 
 in town about 2 p.m. Crowds gathered round him 
 while he related the chief features of the engagement 
 
EXCITEMENT IS THE CITY. 265 
 
 beloWj bearing testimony to the heroism of our little 
 navy of indifferent vessels, and seeming heart-broken 
 at the unexpected calamity which had befallen us. 
 He considered it advisable for , his few soldiers to 
 retire, without the limits of the city to avert a bom- 
 bardment, and this idea was luUy endorsed by the 
 City Council. Accordingly, late in the day, his whole 
 force of not more than 2,000 effective men departed 
 by rail some fifteen miles above the city, with orders 
 to keep within easy, call in case of emergency. It 
 now became a difficult task for the City Council to 
 preserve order, as many, under the guise of patriotism, 
 were laying violent hands on the property of others. 
 Sad faces and angry gesticulation met one at every 
 turn; people seemed paralyzed, and could not com- 
 prehend the extent of the great and humiliating visita- 
 , tion. The thing was incredible ! 
 
 " At Fort Jackson and Tort Philip our loss had been 
 trifling — not a hundred men in all. Their guns were 
 untouched; ammunition plentiful; the walls intact! 
 yet Farragut had passed them, under an annihilating 
 shower of rifled shot, and was still approaching, carry- 
 ing all before him, shelling right and left wherever 
 there seemed to be the least appearance of opposition. 
 He was within a few miles of. the city — the smoke from 
 his vessels could be plainly seen curling over the woods 
 in the bends of the river, and he must soon arrive. 
 "Whatever was to be accomplished must be done quickly ; 
 no time was to be lost in idle recrimination or empty 
 rage; moments were precious, and the watchword of 
 all was work! Large stores of tobacco were now 
 
266 BATTLE-MELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 burned on every hand, save where a foreign flag floated 
 to protect it. Sugar, molasses, and rice, in thousands 
 of hogsheads, were thrown into the river, or scattered 
 through the streets and gutters. Men seemed wrought 
 into a frenzy of desperation, and broke, or burned, 
 or sank everything that might prove of use to the 
 enemy, so that within a few hours subsequent to 
 Lovell's official information the whole city presented 
 an indescribable scene of confusion, and property worth 
 many millions was destroyed in an incredibly short 
 space of time. This scene of uproar and confusion 
 continued throughout the day and all night, while now 
 and then heavy guns could be heard down the river, as 
 if the enemy were cautiously approaching and firing 
 at every object that seemed suspicious. Crowds of the 
 poor were enjoying a rich harvest by this wholesale 
 destruction of property, and scores of them could be 
 seen with baskets, and bags, and drays, carrying off to 
 to their homes whatever of sugar, molasses, xice^ 
 bacon, &c. fell in their way. A low murmuring noise 
 filled the air — it was the conversation of assembled 
 thousands. Many were unanimous for destroying rthe 
 city, rather than permit it to fall into the hands of 
 the enemy; but the opinion prevailed that, owing to 
 the great numbers of poor, the place was entirely at the 
 mercy of the foe, and nothing should be done to tempt 
 a bombardment. 
 
 " On the morning of the 25th, Farragut's advance 
 was observed steaming up towards the city. When 
 abreast of the Chalmette batteries, on both sides of the 
 city, he was saluted with volleys from the earth-works, 
 
DESTETJCTION OF PROPERTY. 267 
 
 but, being uninjured, ran past and cast anchor at inter- 
 vals before the city, with ports open and every prepara- 
 tion made for a bombardment. Earragut then opened 
 communication with the mayor, and demanded the 
 surrender of the town, together with Lovell's forces; 
 but the latter were now far away, and Mayor Monroe 
 commenced a spirited correspondence with the commo- 
 dore. He admitted they had no force with which to 
 oppose the enemy ; yet as they came uninvited, and as 
 the people disclaimed all relationship with the Northern 
 Cl'Oivemment, it was impossible to make a formal sur- 
 render of the place. If the admiral desired the removal 
 of objectionable flags floating over the City Hall, he 
 must do it by his own forrce ; for not a man, woman, or 
 child, of any colour, could be found in their midst who 
 would lay a traitor's hand upon the flag of their 
 adoption. 
 
 " In the meantime, the destruction of property con- 
 tinued on every hand ; and at length OFarragut was so 
 ^exasperated, that he swore he would reduce the place to 
 ashes unless the State flag was removed, from the prin- 
 cipal buildings. Still, so long as Forts St. Philip, 
 Jackson, and the Chalmette batteries remained intact, 
 it !was thought that something might be done to save 
 the city, and in this hope the correspondence was 
 protracted. But evil tidings were in store for us! 
 While Farragut and Mayor Monroe were exdhanging 
 angry letters of great length, the sad news reached us 
 that Forts St. Philip and Jackson had surrendered to 
 the enemy on account of a mutiny among their garri- 
 sons. When Duncan .heard it, he used every means in 
 
268 BATTLE-riELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 his power to persuade his men to return to their duty, 
 
 and even threatened to turn his guns upon them. He 
 
 ■was in earnest, and a desperate man ; hut, on examining 
 
 his guns, he found many spiked, several dismounted, 
 
 and not less than three hundred men clamouring around 
 
 him for a surrender. The situation of the heroic 
 
 Duncan was pitiable. He begged, besought his men 
 
 to stand to their arms, vowed that the forts were 
 
 impregnable, and that he could blow up all Butler's 
 
 transports* in a trice, if they only resolved to stand 
 
 by him to the last ; for it was an eternal shame to give 
 
 up the works, provisioned as they were, and scarcely 
 
 touched by the enemy. All the eloquence in the world, 
 
 however, could not affect these soulless traitors ; and as 
 
 poor Duncan, ragged, dusty, powder-blackened, and 
 
 exhausted, narrated the circumstance of his fall, he 
 
 wept like a child, while crowds around him remained 
 
 mute with astonishment, and hung their heads as men 
 
 doomed to humiliation and shame. 
 
 " Farragut, being informed of all these things, was in 
 a hurry to expedite the full and formal surrender of the 
 city before the arrival of Butler, who was now known 
 to be on his way. The correspondence between the 
 commodore and the mayor had lasted from the 24th to 
 the 28th, and on the last-named day Farragut vowedto 
 bombard the city if the State flag was not hauled down, 
 giving forty-eight hours' formal notice for the removal 
 of women and children. He did not put this threat 
 
 • Butler's land forces were on Ship Island and Mississippi City. 
 Had he attempted to march overland upon New Orleans, the " Levees" 
 would have been cut and his men drowned in the swamps. 
 
THE STARS Am) STEIPES. 269 
 
 into execution, however, but reiterated his demand on 
 Monday the 30th, without effect. On Tuesday morn- 
 ing, he sent on shore a party of two hundred marines, 
 with two brass howitzers, who marched through the 
 streets, and, forming before the City Hall, the objection- 
 able State banner — the sign of all State rights — was 
 torn down, and the Stars and Stripes, an emblem of 
 tyrannical oppression, raised instead. The ceremony 
 was witnessed by a silent crowd of many thousands, 
 but it went off quietly; the force returning to their 
 ships without a word of reproach or the least sign of 
 resistance. 
 
 " But the detested flag had not long remained on the 
 dome, when some young men ascended and tore it 
 down, and dragged it through the streets in triumph. 
 Then Farragut moved his vessels closer to the city, and 
 again threatened to bombard it, but again abstained 
 from doing so. Many of the citizens fired upon the 
 vessels, but did no harm. Yet, the first man that 
 advanced to meet Farragut on his landing, and wel- 
 come the return of Federal authority to the city, had 
 scarcely taken the commodore's hand, ere a shot from 
 the crowd sent him to eternity ! The enemy, however, 
 were careful not to move about in detached parties; 
 for there were bands of desperate men who had vowed 
 to slay all who came in their way, so that they remained 
 on board, and did not attempt to stir through the city 
 until the arrival of Butler's force, which landed on the 
 1st of May.* 
 
 * The rule of General Butler in New Orleans has been for ever 
 rendered odious and detestable by his many acts of cruelty, despotism, 
 
270 BATTLB-EIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 " This is the simple narration of our fall and lasting 
 disgrace. No blame can attach to Lovell or to other 
 officers in command — all did their duty; hut none 
 
 aad indecency. Nor shall I add more than say, that he has rendered 
 himself contemptible to friends and foes throughout the civilized world. 
 His General Orders are a. mass of cruelty and folly — an eternal 
 monimient of his debased and indefensible character; and in his 
 persecution of women, he has shown his unmanly disposition and temper, 
 beyond all former example. I subjoin a few specimens of his General 
 Orders:— 
 
 " Head-quarters, Department of the Gulf, 
 
 Nem OrlfJlns. 18fi2- 
 
 New Orleans, 1862. 
 
 " General Orders, No. 150. 
 
 " Mrs. Philips, wife of Philip Philips, having been once imprisoned 
 for her traitorous proclivities and acts at Washington, and released by 
 the Government, and having been found training her children to spit 
 upon officers of the United States, for which act of one of those children 
 both her husband and herself apologized and were forgiven, is now 
 found on the balcony of her house, during the passage of the funeral 
 procession of Lieutenant De Kay, laughing and mocking at his remains; 
 and upon being inquired of by the commanding general if this fact were 
 so, contemptuously repUes— ' I was in good spirits that day.' 
 
 " It is, therefore, ordered that she be not ' regarded and treated as a 
 common woman,' of whom no officer or soldier is bound to take notice, 
 but as an uncommon, bad, and dangerous woman, stirring up strife, and 
 inciting to riot. 
 
 " And that, therefore, she be confined at Ship Island, in the State of 
 Mississippi, within proper limits there till further orders, and that shete 
 allowed one female servant and no more, if she so chooses. That one of 
 the houses for hospital purposes be assigned her as quarters, and a soldier's 
 ration each day be served out to her, with the means of cooking the 
 same, and-that no verbal or written communication be allowed with her, 
 except through this office, and that she be kept in close confinement 
 until removed to Ship Island. 
 
 "By command of Major-General Butler. 
 "E. S. Davis, 
 " Captain and Abting Assistant Adjutant-General." 
 
 The truth of the case is as follows:— Mrs. Philips (wife of Philip 
 Philips, formerly United States senator from Alabama), was standing 
 on her balcony; and when the cortege passed, many children in the next 
 
GENERAL BUTLEB. 271 
 
 expected that Farragut would, ever dream of running 
 the batteries below ; and none could imagine that, the. 
 enemy could find entrance into the forts and corrupt 
 
 honse^-who had a dancing party — ran to the balcony, and" all began to 
 laugh. She was treated barbarously on Ship Island, and went deranged ; 
 but Butler laughed at her sufferings, and would not mitigate the punish- 
 ment, saying that " all women were strumpets who laughed at Federal 
 soldiers." He wished it to be beliered that he was fearless, yet he wore 
 armom' under his clothes, slept on board ship, and was never for a moment 
 ■without an armed guard, whether in or out of his house, while seyeral 
 pistols, ready cocked and capped, lay beside himj and sentinels walked 
 within five paces of him. He had a large sign placed in his office in tbe* 
 St. Charles's Hotel, with the inscription:- "A^sht adder bites worse than 
 a.male adder." 
 
 " Special Order, No. 151. 
 
 "Eidel Keller has been found exhibiting a human skeleton in his 
 window, in a public place, in this city, labelled ' Chickahominy,' in 
 large letters, meaning and intending that the bones should be taken 
 by the populace to be the bones of a United States soldier slain in 
 that battle, in order to bring the authority of the United States and our 
 army into contempt, and for that purpose had stated to the passers-by 
 that the bones were those of a Yankee soldier,' whereas, in truth and 
 fact, they were the bones purchased some weeks before of a Mexican 
 consul, to whom they were pledged by a medical student. 
 
 " It is, therefore, ordered that for this desecration of the dead, he be 
 confined at Ship Island for two years at hard labour, &nd that he be 
 allowed to communicate with no person on the island, except. Mrs. 
 Philips, who has been sent there for a like offence. 
 
 "Any written message may be sent to him through thesa head- 
 quarters. 
 
 "Upon this order being read to him, the said Keller requested that so 
 much- of it as associated him with 'that woman' might be recalled, 
 which request was, therefore, reduced to writing by him, as follows: — 
 
 "'New Orleans, June 30, 1862. 
 "'Mr. Keller desires that a part of the sentence which refers to the 
 communication with Mrs. Phillips be stricken out, as he does not wish 
 to have communication with.Mrs. Phillips.' 
 
 " (Signed) F. Keller, 
 "'Witness: D; Watees.' 
 
 [" Said 
 
2T2 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 the men. Had Government shown less confidence in 
 the land defences and hurried on the construction of a 
 powerful fleet of iron-clads, Farragut's passage of the 
 
 " Said request seeming to the Commanding General to be reasonable, 
 so much of said orders is reroked, and the remainder will be executed. 
 — By order of Major-General Butler. 
 
 "K. S. Davis, 
 " Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General." 
 
 The truth is, that Mr. Keller was informed by the soldiers that the 
 Mrs. Philips on the island was a prostitute ; and as he knew there was 
 an infamous character of the same name, he declined all communicatioii 
 with her. Having discovered his mistake, and found that the lady was 
 Jlrs. Senator Philips, he wrote frequently to Butler to recal his protest, 
 and be allowed to see the afflicted lady. The request was refused, and 
 his punishment increased. 
 
 " Head-quarters, Department of the Gulf, 
 " New Orleans, June 30, 1862. 
 
 " Special Order, No. 152. 
 
 " John W. Andrews exhibited a cross, the emblem of the suffering of 
 our blessed Saviour, fashioned for personal ornament, which he said was 
 made from the bones of a Yankee soldier, and having shown this, too, 
 without rebuke, in the Louisiana Club, which claims to be composed of 
 chivalric gentlemen : 
 
 " It is, therefore, ordered that for this desecration of the dead, he be 
 confined at hard labour for two years on the fortifications at Ship 
 Island, and that he be allowed no verbal or written communication 
 to or with any one except through these head-quarters. — ^By order of 
 Major-General Butler. 
 
 "R S. Davis, 
 " Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
 A lady friend, who has known Butler for years, writes as follows :— 
 " I have known Butler by sight and reputation some fifteen years, 
 and so was not at all sm-prised by his Order No. 28, nor would any 
 woman be who has lived so long in the city of which he is a resident 
 It seemed to me quite natural that he should seek to place as many 
 ladies as possible in a' position in which he would feel most at home 
 with them. If there be feminine spite in the insinuation, it is a pity 
 his character is not likely to contradict it. You know how unscrupulous 
 
TREASON SOMEWHERE. 273 
 
 forts would have involved him in certain destruction. 
 History may reveal on whose . heads should rest the 
 blame and shame. There has been vile treason among 
 us, hut who the traitors are few can tell ; yet it is 
 preposterous to suppose that Government would have 
 neglected anything for our defence and safety had not 
 overweening confidence of those in command led them 
 to report daily that ' the city was impregnable, and fit 
 for a defence of any length.' Our pride and vanity are 
 sorely punished, our routes to Texas and the Gulf com- 
 pletely broken up, and ere long you will find the Father 
 of Waters swept- by innumerable gunboats, totally 
 
 he has always been as a politician ; but perhaps you don't know that in 
 his legal practice he is as coarse and bmtal as he is able. One day he 
 was cross-examining a witness with his usual insolence, when somebody 
 Tentured to hint that eren General Butler might condescend to treat an 
 eminent professor of Harvard College with a little respect. 'Pooh,' 
 said buUy Ben, ' how long is it since we hanged one of those fellows V " 
 Considering the character of the infamous order issued by Butler 
 with reference to the ladies of New Orleans, the following will be 
 thought a well-designed act of retributive justice. Preparations were 
 mating for a dress parade, and a number of officers had congregated in 
 front of the St. Charles, Butler's head-quarters. A handsome carriage 
 was driven in front of the hotel, accompanied by servants in livery, 
 with every sign of wealth and taste in the owner of the equipage. 
 The occupant, dressed in the latest fashion and sparkling with jewellery, 
 drew from her pocket her gold card-case, and taking therefi-om her 
 card, sent it up to Butler's rooms. The next day himself and lady 
 called at the residence indicated on the card — a fine mansion in a 
 fashionable part of the city — where a couple of hours were agreeably 
 spent in conversation, followed by the introduction of wine and cake, 
 when the highly delighted visitors took their departure. Picayune 
 Butler did not appreciate the fact that he had been made the victim 
 of a successflil " sell," until he learned shortly afterwards that he had 
 heen paying his respects to the proprietress of one of the most cele- 
 brated iajnfos in the State, who is at this time " considered a woman of 
 the town, plying her vocation as such." 
 
 VOL. I. 18 
 
274 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 severing us from all communicatiom with States wesi 
 of the river. Excuse haste ; I am dejected and weary, 
 shamed, mortified, humiliated. I scarcely know what 
 to think or say, but am confident if Providence has 
 punished our once gay city by turning it over to the 
 enemy, it will return to us again, purified from all that 
 has long festered in our midsti and brought upon our 
 country this unspeakable calamity. 
 
 " Yours, &c. 
 
 "Evans." 
 
275 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Of our Officers generaHy^Eegimental Officers^-Surgeons and Parsons — 
 Episcopalian Ministers — ^Roman Catholic Priests — Jesuits on the 
 Pield of Battle. 
 
 An army so suddenly gathered as ours will always 
 abound in incompetent officers. The privilege of 
 volunteers to elect their own officers may seem at first 
 like an excellent provision for the selection of the most 
 competent, but experience has proved that this privilege^ 
 uncontrolled by some competent authority, is the parent 
 of many abuses, and countenances great incapacity. 
 The question with the men is, w>t " who is the best 
 soldier," or " the most experienced among us," but 
 " whom do we like best ? " Hence the most wealthy 
 are usually selected for offices of importance and trust, 
 although experience almost invariably proves that the 
 greatest amount of talent is found in the modest and 
 unpretending. 
 
 We had not been in service long ere this was appa- - 
 rent to all, and though many officers were nothing but 
 an incumbrance, pride and love of power would not 
 permit them to resign the gilded stars or shoulder- 
 straps of office. Murmurs and complaints indeed were 
 
 18—2 
 
276 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 not wanting against some in every corps who had been 
 elevated by momentary popularity, nor did this discon- 
 tent arise from that unhappy habit of murmuring so 
 prevalent among newly raised troops. What the capacity 
 of our generals might be none dared to inquire — it was 
 enough that the Administration, or General-in-Chief, 
 had selected and entrusted them with commands, and 
 the men were far too patriotic to question their discretion 
 and choice. But in regard to regimental officers the 
 men were not so delicate : they were criticized unmer- 
 cifully, and their deficiencies magnified tenfold. 
 
 In regard to the medical staif. Government had un- 
 consciously, perhaps, yet grievously erred. How so 
 great a multitude of incompetents could have cajoled 
 the Medical Board is to me a profound mystery. In 
 every regiment there were not. less than a dozen doctors, 
 from whom, for the most part, our men had as much to 
 fear as from their Northern enemies. Our company 
 boasted of six who put M.D. to their names by virtue of 
 diplomas from some far-distant college or other; but if 
 shaken all together their medical knowledge would not 
 have sufficed to prescribe with safety a dose of simples! 
 This is truth ; and were I to lengthen the subject by 
 adverting to the terrible loss arising from malpractice 
 in, or profound ignorance of, the fundamentals of 
 surgery, as evidenced on the plains of Manassas, I might 
 .sorrowfully exclaim with the celebrated Dr. Stone of 
 New Orleans, "our army has suffered infinitely more 
 from surgical ignorance than from shot or steel of the 
 enemy." Such fearful havoc I could never have 
 imagined, as occurred from medical incompetency. 
 
CAMP PEEACHEKS. 277 
 
 Dead were being daily buried in scores ; ' hundreds, if 
 not thousands, were lost to our little army before and 
 after Manassas, from the blind stupidity and culpable 
 pride of medical pretenders. But how could we expect 
 otherwise? The young delighted in this fine field of 
 practice, and became expert at the expense of the living ; 
 their elders (I cannot say betters) would lounge about 
 and discourse pompously of everything but their pro- 
 fession, while the hospital stores gave abundant, oppor- 
 tunities for indulging in their favourite habits of 
 intoxication. Time, certainly, improved this state of 
 things, as it afforded, the younger opportunities of im- 
 provement, but at what an expense of life and limb was 
 their professional education completed ! ■ 
 
 Another class who patriotically, rushed to Richmond 
 and obtained salaries to which they were unaccustomed, 
 was a race of long-jawed, loud-mouthed ranters, termed 
 for courtesy's sake ministers of the Gospel. With pro- 
 found respect for a class " called of heaven " for the 
 administration of, holy ofiSces, I may be allowed to 
 observe that, taken as a whole,. these long-bodied indi- 
 viduals who were saddled on our regiments simply con- 
 sidered themselves " called " to receive 120 dols. per 
 month, with the rank of captain, and the privilege, of 
 eating good dinners wherever chance or Providence 
 provided — to be terribly valiant in words, and offensively 
 loquacious upon every topic of life, save men's salvation. 
 Where they all came from, none knew or cared to know, 
 especially as but little was seen or heard of them, save 
 when some fortunate « mess " had, turkey or chickens, 
 and then, of course, the minister was sure to put in his 
 
278 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH, 
 
 appearance, and fuss about until invited to dine. Most 
 of these gentlemen were particularly condescending in 
 their small talk, could wink at " trifles " after a few 
 weeks' residence, and sometimes betrayed alarming pro- 
 ficiency in handling cards at a social game of poker. 
 
 The sermons preached to us were decidedly original. 
 On one occasion I was almost petrified to hear one of 
 the most popular of these camp preachers confess 
 before an audience of a thousand iniielligent beings that 
 " it has never yet been positively known whether Christ 
 came down from heaven to save the body or the soul 
 of a man ! " I also remember having heard such words 
 of wisdom from the lips of some of these worthies as 
 the following : " It is certain that God is infinite, and 
 therefore He requires some infinite habitation — therefore 
 space is infinite, and was possibly prior to God." 
 Another quietly remarked to his hearers, " Man cannot 
 fulfil the law — all you have to do is to believe, trust 
 to God for and in all thinigs, and as to the rest you 
 may do as you please." Again, another said, " If I 
 disagree with my brother upon points of religion, It is 
 not much matter ; he may believe in universal salvaticm; 
 another denies that Christ was God ; one believes in 
 infant baptism, and another does not ; but all these 
 little things are not of much consequence, my brethren; 
 all are trying to get to heaven as best they can, and all 
 no doubt will finally reach there — at least, we hope so!" 
 
 It is hardly necessary to say that little or no good 
 was effected in the army by these " gospel ministafe " 
 (as they termed themselves); tlieir conduct was not as 
 correct as it might be; and they seemed so eaten up 
 
EOMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS. 279 
 
 with indolence that they were nsnally considered as 
 bores and drones. They were seldom or never found 
 administering to the sick or dying ; service was offered 
 occasionally; but in time of battle or in the hour of 
 anguish at the hospital, they were looked for in vain. 
 Little, however, could be expected from such a class 
 of men. The majority had received "calls" to retire 
 from blacksmithing or wood-chopping to preach the 
 gospel, and as they enjoyed but little celebrity or 
 remuneration at home, theiy patriotically offered their 
 services to Government, and were assigned duty among 
 us. The proof of their "divine vocation" is seen in 
 their subsequent conduct, for when Government, in its 
 calmer moments, reduced their salaries, these spiritual 
 heroes for the most part resigned, alleging as reasons 
 that 80 dollars per month and rations was insufficient 
 remuneration (!) 
 
 Nevertheless, truth compels me to add, by way of 
 exception to this general condemnation, that many good 
 and true nien were to be found, who, by their upright 
 conduct, self-denial, and zeal, counterbalanced much 
 of the evil here adverted to. Among others who were 
 distinguished for their correct deportment, persevering 
 industry, unaffected piety, restless activity, and sound 
 moral instruction, I would mention the Episcopalians 
 and Eoman Catholic priests. The latter, especially, 
 were remarkably zealous : their services were conducted 
 every morning in tents set apart for the purpose ; and 
 on Sunday large crowds of the more southern soldiery 
 were regular in their attendance and devout in their 
 behaviour ; and I have not unfrequently seen General 
 
280 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 Beauregard and other officers kneeling with scores of 
 privates at the Holy Communion Table. Such an 
 instance occurred on the morning of Manassas, and I 
 could not help remarking it, as I rode past in the twi- 
 light on that eventful occasion. 
 
 The Jesuits were perfect soldiers in their demeanour; 
 ever at the head of a column in the advance, ever the 
 last in a retreat ; and on the battle-field a black cassock, 
 in a bending posture, would always betray the disciple 
 of Loyola, ministering to the wounded or dying. No 
 hospital could be found wherein was not a pale-faced, 
 meek, and untiring man of this order. Soldierly in 
 their education and bearing, they are ready for anything 
 — to preach, prescribe for the sick, or offer a wise sug- 
 gestion on military or social affairs. It is to the foresight 
 and judgment of one of them , that Beauregard and 
 Johnson escaped death or capture at Manassas, for had 
 they not met one of these missionaries during the heat 
 of the conflict, and heeded his modest advice, one or 
 other of these calamities must have inevitably ensued. 
 
281 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Things at Yorktown Lines continued— We eyacuate Yorktown Lines- 
 Battle of Williamsburg, May 5tli— It is claimed, as usual, by the 
 Federals as a " Brilliant Victory " — ^Facts of the Matter— We offer 
 the Enemy Battle twice before entering our Lines around Eich- 
 mond, &c. 
 
 EvEKT day saw our troops gradually leaving the lines, 
 and the labour imposed upon us who remained was 
 excessive and exhausting. We had in truth been doing 
 " double duty " in the front ever since our arrival ; but 
 the brigade having "unfortunately" won good repute 
 in the army, we endured the natural consequences, and 
 were worked almost to death. It seems strange that 
 generals should thus treat all troops of any celebrity ; 
 but such I noticed was almost invariably the case, 
 while prim and spruce brigades, which had done nothing 
 but eat rations and parade, were always found snugly 
 encamped to the rear, luxuriating in idleness. Our 
 position might be considered very "honourable," and 
 officers might pompously speak of " posts of honour," 
 and such like, but many like myself would have been 
 infinitely more contented with less of the " honour " 
 and a greater allowance of rations, in a position 
 somewhat more distant than the one occupied ever 
 
282 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 since our arrival. Sleeping without blankets on wet 
 clay, or upon a bed of fence rails, often indeed sleeping 
 on the fence itself, balancing and roosting on rails like 
 game-cocks, was not very poetical or easy, although the 
 general might strut about and talk largely of " reputa- 
 tion," "imperishable glory," and the like; and being 
 awakened twice or thrice each night by stray bullets 
 whistling around breastworks, was not quite so desirable 
 as some ambitious youths " at home " might' imagine ! 
 I had. seen much service, it is true ; but the climax 
 seemed attained among the muddy, watery, slippery 
 roads and breastworks of Yorktown lines. I know not 
 what style of picture artists may draw of us in forth- 
 coming times, but suppose men of genius will paint in 
 glorious colours,' in which all the pomp and circumstance 
 of war will be duly portrayed, with bands and banners, 
 fine cloth and gold lace ; but should any disdple of the 
 beautiful and true require "a living model," he cam 
 dress his, subject at the nearest rag-shop, and I promise 
 it will be pronounced " truthful and life-like " by any 
 who fought in '61 and '62. Except our arms and 
 accoutrements, all things else were worthless. Gar- 
 ments were perforated in all manner of places; some 
 had shoes; but few rejoiced in more than one suit of 
 tinder-clothes, which had never seen soap for months — 
 for soap we had none. A little longer stay at Yorktown 
 lines, and I might have exclaimed with Falstaff, " There 
 is but half a shirt in my whole company." 
 
 When nearly all the troops had left, we of the 
 honourable rearguard received notice to pack up and 
 prepare for departure. Having nothing to pack, it was 
 
TORKTOWN EVACtTATED. 283 
 
 with great facility that we foriaed in line and marched 
 out of the breastworks about 9 p.m., Saturday, May 3rd. 
 A strong picket-guard was left in front "to keep up 
 appearances;" but the enemy were as well aware as 
 ourselves of our every movement, having made fre- 
 quent ascents with their large balloon to satisfy them- 
 selves on this point. The works were left intact, 
 but, save a few unwieldy columbiads, all ordnance had 
 been carried off many days previously. Our men made 
 " dummies," and put them in tlie embrasures, besides 
 stuffing old clothes to represent sentinels. These latter 
 had placards on their backs highly complimentary of 
 course to the "incoming " Yankees : but without ndse, 
 and in perfect order, we sallied forth towards Williams- 
 burg. The artillerists at Yorktown had applied slow 
 matches to their large pieces, so that during the whole 
 night the heavens were illuminated by discharges, the 
 immense shells bursting in all directions among the 
 Yankee advance posts.* 
 
 When we had travelled some fifteen miles, a " halt " 
 was sounded, for a few moments' rest; but I was so 
 
 * A good story is told about Congressmen, a number of whonai pro- 
 ceeded to Yorktown to see the sights after the eyacuation. A Michigan 
 colonel was in conamand of the guard. Citizens were prohibited ad- 
 mittance. Several came up and asked the corporal for permission to 
 pass, on the plea that'they were CongresBmen. The corporal stated the 
 case to the colonel. 
 
 "They aie Congressmen, are they?" asked the colonel. 
 
 " So they say." 
 
 " Well, let them pass, and go wiere they please," said the colonel, 
 "let them tramp on the toi-pedos, go into the magazines, and where 
 there is any prospect of their being blown to the devil, for that is the 
 quickest way to end the war."-^NoTthem. Paper. 
 
284 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 fatigued that I fell sound asleep, and did not wake till 
 long after sunrise, by which time our troops had all 
 passed, except a few stragglers, who hurried on in great 
 haste, bringing .the agreeable news that the Yankee 
 cavalry in great force were close at our heels ! I im- 
 mediately took to the woods for safety, and reached 
 Williamsburg about noon. Expecting the enemy to 
 pursue, our brigade was in battle array; but .up to 
 2 P.M. none had appeared, so the line of march; was 
 resumed, and we halted in the streets of Williamsburg, 
 before Johnson's head-quarters. The Warwick and 
 Yorktown roads converge a short distance east of this 
 little town, the whole eastern part of it being cleared 
 like a lawn, and exactly suitable for a fight. Several 
 earthworks fully commanded all this open space and 
 the east portion of the town, having been erected by 
 Magruder to protect his late winter-quarters. A few 
 pieces of artillery were pointed eastward along the 
 roads, when suddenly the enemy appeared, and, under 
 cover of the woods, commenced shelling our redoubts. 
 
 It was evident a fight must come off at this place, so 
 several brigades were countermarched through Wil- 
 liamsburg, and took up positions in a strip of wood on the 
 edge of the town. The artillery were exchanging shots 
 very briskly, and the greatest confusion was manifested 
 by the inhabitants. The " pattering" of musketry now 
 became audible, but it was generally supposed that the 
 fight would be postponed until the morrow (Mond. ). 
 The enemy's cavalry, however, were particularly active 
 in charging upon a few stragglers who endeavoured to 
 break across the open ground, when several squadrons 
 
BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG. 285 
 
 of ours attacked them sword in hand, upon which 
 they broke, re-formed on a rising ground, and as our 
 men galloped towards them a second time, they dis- 
 charged their revolvers and disappeared. We captured 
 many, and the advance of infantry in line across the 
 open ground drove them through the woods for two 
 miles. At sunset all was over : our outposts^were fully 
 two miles east of the town in the woods, and maintained 
 their ground. General Longstreet was entrusted with 
 defending the rear of the army, and made every dis- 
 position to entice the foe int-o open ground, so that he 
 might soundly thrash them on the morrow. The re- 
 treat of the main army continued as if. nothing had 
 happened ; and as our flank was threatened by a 
 force which had been hurried with great despatch up 
 the York River, Hood's Tepcan brigade was "double 
 quicked " to Westpoint to oppose the movement. 
 
 While our brigade bivouacked west of the town wait- 
 ing for orders, I could not help laughing at the wo- 
 begone features of some of our men, who, supposed to be 
 sick, were sent to King's Mill Landing on the Jaines, for 
 shipment to Richmond ; but the Yankee cavalry, unex- 
 pectedly appearing, dispersed them like chaff. Several 
 days before our departure from Yorktown, the doctors 
 had informed us that all incapable of marching to Rich- 
 mond (75 miles) should give their arms to the ordnance 
 sergeants, and proceed to King's Mill Landing (7 miles), 
 Tft<.t8re steamboats would be ready for their conveyance. 
 As no fight was deemed possible, many " played possum," 
 or " old soldier," and pretended to be terribly affected 
 by rheumatism. But the steamboats had all gone, and 
 
286 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 to the astonisHment of our " sick " the Federal cavalry 
 appeared on a neighbom-ing hill, when all these limpijig, 
 rheumatically-affected gentlemen, threw away their 
 walking-sticks and clubs, and made a rush towards 
 WiUiamsburg. While laughing and chatting round 
 the camp-fire, near the roadside, a cavalry friend of 
 mine rode up spattered with mud : " Tom, letter for 
 you — can't stop — warm work to-morrow ! " and galloped 
 off through the mud at a fearful rate. 
 
 Our conversation had been prolonged far into the 
 night, and as great activity was being displayed by 
 Longstreet, prudence suggested the necessity of obtain- 
 ing some little rest. It was not thought that a general 
 engagement would ensixe on the morrow, but it was 
 imagined that the enemy would move heaven and earth 
 to snatch some sort of victory from our rearguard, in 
 order to magnify it abroad. When the stars paled, our 
 men were awakened and fell into line without drums 
 or bugles. Outposts in the woods below Williamsburg 
 were strengthened, and ordered to fall back in good 
 order should the enemy attack in force. The foe, under 
 Generals Heinzleman, Hooker, and Kearney, were not 
 long in approaching: long lines of blue coats were 
 reported coming up the roads, with strong bodies of 
 skirmishers on the flanks. The " popping " of pickets 
 and outposts soon changed into the distant "pattering* 
 volleys of men in Ime ; artillery began to roar, and the 
 battle of Williamsburg was fairly opened. 
 
 Our advance now began to fall back as directed, and 
 were endeavouring to entice the enemy into open 
 ground. It seemed to be the wish of Longstreet to 
 
ADVANCE OF THE ENEMY. 287 
 
 have "a fair fight and no favour." For this purpose 
 our troops were drawn up in the long open "green" 
 previously described, several breastworks were in the 
 rear, and heavy supports behind, them. Finding our 
 men rapidly giving grpund, the enemy left the woods, 
 where they had been fighting under cover, and boldly 
 came forth on the green, in beautiful order, to attack 
 several earthworks in which were no cannon. They 
 advanced with cheers, and waving banners; but vvhen 
 they had half surrounded those places, and were within 
 seventy paces, up rose our men in the works, and poured 
 volleys into their faces. They broke in utter confusion, 
 sought the woods,, and were mown down by grape shot 
 from guns to the right and left. Similar experiments 
 were tried by the enemy during the morning, but always, 
 with disastrous consequences^ One redoubt was assailed 
 not less than three times by diflPerent brigades, and suc- 
 eessfully repused by a single regiment of South Caroli- 
 nians, under Jenkins. They actually entered one mud- 
 work which had been held by North Carolinians, but 
 while in momentary possession a regiment of Louisia- 
 nians swarmed over the parapets and killed all within it. 
 Cannonading was incessant along the line, which, as 
 could be observed by the smoke, was beautifully kept. 
 
 Every trick that could be imagined was resorted to 
 by Longstreet to entice Heinzleman into open ground ; 
 but that officer remembered Manassas and knew per- 
 fectly well the mettle of our regiments. In vain brigade 
 after brigade dashed across the ' " open," jumped the 
 fences, and attacked the foe in the woods, and then 
 fell back to invite them on ; but it could not be accom- 
 
288 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 plished. About noon it seemed as if Longstreet was 
 desirous of retreating, — ^the enemy perceived it and 
 ventured into the open ground. As quick as thought 
 they were attacked with great fury, and our defence 
 was changed into an attack ! Artillery seemed to have 
 acquired new life; galloping into the open, they un- 
 liinbered and commenced a fearful duel at short range ! 
 Gun after gun was abandoned by the enemy, while 
 artillerymen unemployed would dash with spare horses 
 under fire, and secure the trophies. Infantry in all 
 directions were shouting and entering the woods in 
 front, and every one seemed to wear a pleased and 
 laughing countenance. " If they woiHt advance to 
 Richmond, we'll make them advance to Yorktown," was 
 the common expression. 
 
 From the line of fire it would seem that Heinzleman 
 was inclined to return, for our musketry and artillery 
 were advanced a mile in the woods. But rain had 
 fallen the previous night and rendered our progress 
 irksome and slow, for the roads were of light sand, or 
 deep tenacious mud. Wherever we moved the woods 
 were strewn with dead bodies, and arms plentiful. 
 Those of our men who possessed only old muskets 
 or inferior weapons exchanged them for better whilft 
 advancing, so that the enemy had not thrown them 
 away many minutes ere they were being handled by 
 superior artists, and with deadly effect. The wounded, 
 if at all able, would invariably pick up a good rifle 
 on their way to the rear; so that spare ordnance 
 waggons were continually moving off with valuable 
 spoil. 
 
CAPTURE OF GUNS, 289 
 
 After driving the enemy about a mile through the 
 timber, and with considerable slaughter, Longstreet 
 halted his veteran division, and re-formed. He then 
 endeavoured to entice Heinzleman into an advance, but, 
 failing in this, he " let loose " his men once again, and 
 the Federals were driven still farther back at all points. 
 The enemy were approaching their supports, while we 
 were leaving ours behind us. This would not answer, 
 so that having conquered fully two miles of ground, and 
 driven the enemy from our front, we began to retire, 
 carrying off whatever was likely to prove useful. I 
 myself counted six field-pieces, and several thousand 
 stand of arms, and (though not said in vanity, but for 
 sake of example) among several hundred prisoners were 
 five troopers of the " 5th U. S. Dragoons," whom I 
 had captured without trouble. At nightfall the field 
 was scoured in search of arms, and many prisoners were 
 taken who, lying on their faces during close action, pre- 
 tended to be dead, but willingly came forward and 
 seemed anxious to be paroled, but not exchanged. 
 Having done as much as possible for our dead and 
 wounded, and thrown strong picket-guards along our 
 front, our men were allowed several hours for rest; and 
 about 2 A.M. next morning the line of retreat was con- 
 tinued, and all the forces marched away as undisturbed 
 as if the enemy were a thousand miles distant. As we 
 never had any " spare " transportation in the most 
 prosperous times (and of course very little in presence 
 of an enemy who could well supply us), many of our 
 wounded were left behind in Williamsburg, and scores 
 of dead left unburied. This, of course, was a " military 
 
 TOL. I. 19 
 
290 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 necessity." Longstreet was far in the rear with his 
 corps, and had to hurry on to the main army. No 
 enemy pursued, however, and it was not until Tuesday 
 evening (May 6), sixteen hours after we had left, that 
 the enemy entered Williamsburg in force. 
 
 This affair was heralded by M'Clellan as a " complete 
 victory;." and the newspapers quoted M'Clellan's de- 
 spatch, in large capitals, " The enemy are running ! I 
 will drive them to the wall ! " Large editions, expressly 
 for European circulation, spoke of the rebellion as 
 " nigh broken up," and described our troops as " ragged, 
 hungry, footsore, and dispirited — all they want' now is 
 one more twist of the Anaconda's coil," &c. I will not 
 deny that two or three hundred Dutch, Jews, and 
 unnaturalized foreigners were captured by the enem^a 
 cavalry, and that some few of them, tired of war, took 
 the oath of allegiance, and went North; but this was 
 blazoned abroad with great exaggeration, and the silly 
 ■ multitude of Abolitionists piously believed what news- 
 paper penny-a-liners wrote, and thought the backbone 
 of rebellion was broken. Facts are stubborn things, 
 and truth stranger than fiction ; but if driving our 
 enemy fully two miles over the battle-field by an inferior 
 force, capturing their cannon, together with thousands 
 of arms, and hundreds of prisoners, killing and wound- 
 ing an aggregate of four thousand or more, sleepmg on 
 the battle-field, and retiring at leisure with great booty 
 — if all these things, by any conceivable logic, can be 
 twisted into a " Complete Federal Victory," " Grand 
 Smash-up of the Rebels," &c., as claimed by the official 
 despatches and newspapers of the North, I should very 
 
FORCES ENGAGED. 291 
 
 much like to see what a Federal defeat is like. They 
 have lied, however, so often and so unblushingly, that 
 we can but laugh at their overweening vanity and un- 
 scrupulous falsehood: words are thrown away on the 
 subject 
 
 From prisoners, we ascertained that Heinzleman, 
 Sumner, Hooker, Kearney, and other divisional com- 
 manders, had directed the Federals, from which it was 
 easy to infer that their force numbered 40,000 strong. 
 Longstreet commanded on our side,, and I hnow did not 
 handle more than 25,000 men. The character of the 
 fighting at the onset was brilliant and dashing on both 
 sides, and the enemy displayed more spirit for a few 
 hours than I had ever seen before on battle-fields ; hut 
 ■when they had fairly met our men once or twice, they 
 evinced little desire of marching into open ground. The 
 several, charges made by them on our rifle-pits were 
 well conceived and gallantly attempted, but our fire was 
 so steady and unerring, the rush of our men so deter- 
 mined, that, despite all their teaching and splendid 
 appearance, they invariably broke before our " ragged 
 rebels." 
 
 Several incidents which came under my notice are 
 illustrative of events that were happening along our 
 whole line. We captured several of " Sickles' Brigade" 
 — an or^nization of New York "bellies " and " roughs ; " 
 and the position of which corps was ascertained to be 
 on the edge of timber to our front, where they had 
 erected a barrier by piling branches against the fence- 
 rails, behind and through which they maintained a 
 galling fire, but would not advance into the open. The 
 
 19—2 
 
292 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOtTTH. 
 
 19th Mississippi were in front of this place, and> learn- 
 ing that the immortal Dan Sickles and his " pets" were 
 opposite, formed ranks (700 strong), rushed across the 
 " green," and with deafening yells assaulted the place, 
 clambered over the fence, delivered their fire at ten 
 paces, and drove this brigade several hundred yards 
 before them into the woods, capturing many prisoners. 
 Superior officers were displeased at the affair— the 
 regiment was recalled, and assumed its old position 
 without a word. The gallant colonel of this regiment 
 (Colonel Lomax) was shot during the day; his negro 
 servant recovered the body in the Yankee lines, and 
 carried it on his back several miles, conveyed it to Eich- 
 mond to the bereaved wife, and kept the promise he had 
 made her — viz. never to let his master's body fall into the 
 hands of the enemy. 
 
 Though I disapprove of eulogizing particular regi- 
 ments, except for special reasons, there are several corps 
 which have been mentioned in terms of praise by the 
 enemy, and if I add a few words regarding them, it is 
 but to show the general spirit of the army, and what 
 other regiments would have done if similarly circum- 
 stanced. Some of the South Carolinians, under Colonel 
 Jenkins, were ordered to hold a redoubt, in which, I 
 believe, no cannon were mounted; it was a little in 
 advance of the general line, and an especial mark for 
 the enemy's shells. The men did not expose themselveS) 
 but lay close under the walls, and except that; the 
 colonel appeared on horseback, standing on one of the 
 platforms, no one would have supposed that it was held 
 by more than a corporal's guard. Guns from a neigh- 
 
DEFEIs'CE OF A KEDOUBT. 293 
 
 bouring battery replied to the enemy, and for half an 
 hour the Cai'olinians seemed to be lost in a little island, 
 round which an angry ocean raged in vain. 
 
 The enemy ceased their fire, and troops approaching 
 to attack the redoubt, rushed across the intervening 
 space, and then surrounding the work in horseshoe 
 form, approached still nearer. Those who knew the 
 character of Jenkins were well aware that he was but ■ 
 quietly awaiting the proper moment. It came when 
 the foe were not more than seventy paces distant, when, 
 in a moment, up rose the Carolinians in the redoubt, a 
 simultaneous report was heard, and hundreds of the 
 enemy fell in all directions. They re-formed rapidly, 
 and advanced a few steps nearer, when another volley, 
 heavier than the first, circled the parapet with smoke, 
 and the enemy fled in great disorder. A cheer rose 
 from the redoubt, artillery opened with deafening 
 sounds, and the Carolinians, as before, crouched under 
 the walls. Three several attempts were made to take 
 the work, but each signally failed, the last being most 
 disastrous, for Jenkins, seeing a fine opportunity to 
 charge, withdrew part of his regiment behind the 
 work, and when the volley was given, a "charge" 
 was ordered, and the Yankees retired confusedly to 
 the cover of the woods, and made no more efforts to 
 t^ke the position. Had they possessed themselves of 
 the place it could not have served them, for our guns in 
 regular line would have massacred them in it. 
 
 Another small redoubt was held by North Caro* 
 linians; the enemy stealthily approached and took it 
 bj' escalade, our men suffering considerably in retiring. 
 
294 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 A Louisiana regiment was in the rear, and saw the 
 whole aflFair. Without waiting for orders, they rushed 
 across the open ground, dashed headlong into the 
 redoubt, and all who escaped over the parapet were shot 
 down or bayoneted by two companies who remained 
 outside for that purpose. In this, as in all other 
 instances I have witnessed of the Louisianians, their 
 recklessness and daring have always astonished me, yet, 
 considering their material, half Creole, half Irish, none 
 need be astonished to find them nonpareils, when fight- 
 ing for their homes and liberty against a negro-worship- 
 ping mixture of Dutch and Yankee. In this, as in aH 
 other fights witnessed by me, the cavalry had very 
 little to do, — the Yankee horse were always in the rear 
 collecting stragglers, and forcing men to keep their 
 lines. The day before had witnessed slight cavalry 
 skirmishes, resulting in our favour, but nothing of the 
 kind had transpired on Monday — it was entirely an 
 afiair of infantry and artillery. 
 
 The artillery, it cannot be denied, behaved nobly, 
 and, it must be confessed, effectually " snuffed out " the 
 enemy more than once during the d&y. I cannot 
 account for the fact, yet in aU truth it is fact. When 
 no one opposes them, the drill and accuracy of the 
 enemy are very fine, but I have ever remarked that 
 when ours meet them at close quarters, they work their 
 guns very rapidly, but fire extremely wild. When 
 Mowry's and Gouts' field batteries were sustaining a 
 dueUo against great odds, and had disabled several 
 of the enemy's pieces, fresh ones were ever at hand to 
 replace them, and keep up the fire. Once during the 
 
ATTEMPT OF PRANKLIN, 295 
 
 day Gouts had silenced four guns, and some of the 
 Richmond howitzers, unemployed, seeing him over- 
 worked, volunteered to dash in under fire, and bring 
 the guns off. Unhitching the horses from their howit- 
 zers, they galloped into the smoke, and within a few 
 yards of the foe brought off four magnificent rifled 
 pieces, which they very gallantly presented to the 
 chivalrous Gouts upon the field, and in view of both 
 armies. Obtaining permission to open fire on the 
 enemy, the howitzers, under M'Carthy, drove their 
 gams up to within a hundred yards of the enemy,, and 
 worked them with such effect, that they were driven 
 from their position in the woods within half an hour. 
 The whole face of the timber in McCarthy's front was 
 literally blown to pieces, and when we subsequently 
 advanced in that direction, our path was impeded by 
 dismounted cannons, caissons, numbers of dead horses, 
 and scores of infantry. 
 
 The morning after Williamsburg, I, with others, was 
 detailed to escort a batch of prisoners to Richmond, 
 and in hurrying on I overtook troops marching to West 
 Point, the head of the York River; rumours being 
 rife that Franklin and other Federal generals were 
 disembarking a large force there to assail us on the 
 flank. The main army, however, had travelled with 
 such celerity, that they were beyond the line of West 
 Point, BO that the Texans, in that vicinity, actually con- 
 stituted part of our rearguard; Longstreet, as usual, 
 farther to the rear with his victorious and veteran force, 
 being not far distant in case of emergency. The idea 
 of this flank movement did credit to the genius of 
 
296 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 M'Clellan, but its performance was a miserable failure, 
 Franklin's forces at that point far outnumbered ours, 
 for Hood's Texan brigade was the chief corps to op- 
 pose him. After disembarking, Franklin lingered and 
 loitered near his transports and gunboats, until Hood 
 had beat about to find his whereabouts. Without 
 proper knowledge of the topography of the country, 
 Franklin put his troops in motion, and had not pro- 
 gressed many miles ere he discovered Hood advantage- 
 ously posted in line of battle, and without giving time 
 to deploy the Texans were upon him, decimating his 
 ranks with unerring aim. The fight was wild and 
 confused — Franklin hurriedly fell back before an in- 
 ferior force, and did not halt until under the guns 
 of his flotilla. Hood had punished him severely in a 
 two hours' fight, and sensibly fell back to the main 
 army at his leisure. This affair was claimed as "a 
 decided success " by the Federals, but facts speak for 
 themselves. 
 
297 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Military Transactions in May— Our Army continues to fall back upon 
 Bichmond — I am despatched to the City with Prisoners — Hospitality 
 of the Virginian Farmers — News received en route — Eracuation of 
 Norfolk— Destruction of the ilfemmac— The Defences of Richmond 
 —Treatment of Prisoners— Our Army forms Line of Battle North 
 of the Chickahominy — Position of M'CIellan — I receive a Staff 
 Appointment^Table Talk, &c. 
 
 As before remarked, I was ordered to conduct a batch 
 of prisoners to Richmond, and, to spare them unneces- 
 sary pain in running the gauntlet of our arniy camped 
 along the roads, it was deemed best to proceed by 
 the James River. ' At night we sought the shelter of 
 the farmhouses on our route, and met with a truly 
 hospitable reception. Everything that could be possibly 
 provided for our comfort was lavishly displayed, and 
 I was agreeably impressed with the neatness and comfort 
 exhibited in their dwellings. Courtly, high-toned, and 
 refined, the style of these old Virginians impressed me 
 much with what I could remember of the hale and 
 hearty squires of England, whom they very much 
 resembled in maimer and means. My prisoners seemed 
 delighted with their treatment, and many professed 
 their willingness to take the oath of allegiance, and 
 remain South, as some of them subsequently did, and. 
 
298 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 entering our ranks, made excellent soldiers. Through- 
 out our progress across this heautiful section of country, 
 I never heard an offensive word whispered regarding 
 my charge, and although we sometimes remained all 
 night in houses of those whose sons had already died 
 in the war, except a few words of natural complaint, 
 I never heard or saw anything that would indicate 
 the existence of that revengeful feeling which the 
 Northern papers were continually asserting against us. 
 My own feeling, now the battle was over, was to 
 treat them as I would have wished to he treated, had 
 our positions been reversed, and, although it necessitated 
 an "outlay I could ill spare, there was nothing I could 
 purchase for their comfort that I failed to do. Had 
 fortune thrown in my way such men as Seward, 
 Lincoln, Blair, Sumner, or Hale, I should have been 
 tempted to use some of the handcuffs out of the waggom- 
 loads which old Scott had sent to Manassas for very 
 different individuals. In such a case it would have 
 been a good joke; but in the present instance, a 
 cruel one. 
 
 When we hailed a steamboat above Berkeley, I 
 learned the following facts. Huger, I was informed, 
 had not made a successful evacuation of Norfolk, and 
 much valuable property had fallen into the enemy's 
 hands. This arose from an act of treachery on the 
 part of a Government employ^ When Huger received 
 orders to evacuate, he immediately made eveiy possible 
 arrangement for that purpose. Immense stores were 
 conveyed away, and most of the troops had left, when 
 the captain of a small steamboat hitherto in our employ 
 
THE "MEEEIMAC" DESTROYED. 299 
 
 (a Northerner by birth) thought to make capital by 
 going over to the enemy a few miles distant at For- 
 tress Monroe. The enemy immediately commenced 
 shelling our works at Sewell's Point, and, receiving 
 no response, determined upon landing troops. Several 
 vessels had already escaped up James Eiver, from 
 Norfolk, and others were sunk ; but it became a matter 
 of dispute as to what should be done with the Merrimac, 
 which, a short time before, had become famous by 
 sinking the Cumberland and other vessels under the 
 guns of Fortress Monroe. It was alleged that her 
 draught of water was too great for James River ; pilots 
 disputed the possibility of steering her safely over the 
 "bars," if lightened ; but while this indecision reigned 
 in council, the enemy's guns were heard at Sewell's 
 Point: the Merrimac was hastily coaled, and slowly 
 steamed down to frighten the enemy off. It was thought 
 that a night engagement might ensue, but as it was 
 positively stated that she would not answer helm, she 
 ended her brief but glorious career by being blown 
 up shortly after midnight, and within a mile of the 
 enemy ! * The Federals were so quick in their move- 
 
 * It appears from an authentic account of the event that the officers 
 of the Virginia had no orders for her destruction ; but after the evacuar- 
 tion of Norfolk they held a council on board, and determined to cany 
 her into James Eiver, if possible, which could be done, the pilot said, 
 on eighteen feet draught. The ship was then drawing twenty-two 
 feet, but all hands were set to work lightening her by throwing over- 
 board coal, ballast, &c. By midnight she was lightened to eighteen 
 feetj but it was then found that her wooden hull, below the plating, was 
 exposed, and that the westerly wind prevailing had so lowered the water 
 in.James Eiver, that with eighteen feet draught she could not be taken 
 np fer beyond Newport News. Thus daylight would find her under the 
 gnns of thearon-cMs Galena and Monitor, which eould easily capture 
 
300 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 ments that our "burning parties" had scarcely made 
 their escape from the various ship-yards ere Norfolk 
 was again in the hands of the Yankees. Huger con- 
 ducted his retreat with great order, and was far out 
 of harm's way. 
 
 In our progress up the James we hailed and con- 
 versed with the Patrick Henry and other war vessels, 
 which were steaming about City Point (fifteen miles 
 from Richmond), in anticipation of the enemy's approach, 
 and assisted a gunboat in towing up the iron-clad 
 Virginia No. 2, which required completion. This was 
 
 or destroy her by firing into her below the armour. Another councU 
 was held, and it was resolved to destroy the great ship. Her decks and 
 roof were saturated with oil, her crew of three hundred and fifty men 
 were disembarked in small boats, trains of powder were laid from each 
 port-hole to different parts of the vessel, and these were lighted at a 
 given signal. Simultaneously the ship was on fire in many parts, and 
 after burning several hours the flames reached the magazine about four 
 o'clock in the morning, when the Virginia was blown up with an ex- 
 plosion heard thirty-two miles distant. 
 
 In a despatch sent to the New York Times, from Fortress Monroe, 
 under date of the 14th, we read: — 
 
 "At four o'clock this morning a bright light was observed from 
 Fortress Monroe in the direction of Craney' Island. Precisely at half- 
 past four o'clock an explosion took place which made the earth and 
 water tremble for miles around. In the midst of the bright flame which 
 shot up in the distance, the timbers and iron of a steamer could be seen 
 flying through the air. No doubt was entertained that the Merrimac 
 had ceased to exist. 
 
 " From men found on the island We ascertained that the Merrimaxi 
 lay buried on Saturday at a point nearly a mile from the head of the 
 island. During the night she had been brought hack and brought 
 ashore. Her entire officers and crew were landed on the island, and a 
 slow match was then applied to her magazine. She was torn to frag- 
 ments by the time her crew got out of reach of her. Negroes state that 
 the 'ofiBcers and crew of the Merrimac passed through the adjoining 
 county on the mainland about eight o'clock in the morning, to the ' 
 number of two hundred. They said they were on their way to Suffolk] 
 on the line of the river leading from Craney Island to Norfolk." 
 
GENEEAIi MAGBUDEE. 301 
 
 the first time I had seen any specimen of our infant 
 navy, and must confess the splendid appearance, quick- 
 ness, cleanliness, neatness, and obedience of the seamen 
 were in favourable contrast with the sleepy, lackadaisical 
 dandyism of the officers — many of whom were mere 
 lads. That they all had "pluck" and "dash" in 
 superabundance, their quick eye and recent services 
 well betokened ; but there was a " something " in their 
 affectation, their manner of walking, and their use of 
 the telescope which impressed me with a strong idea 
 that the greater part were "novices," and owed their 
 gold bands and white gloves more to political and 
 family influence than " service " or sound qualification. 
 The men were truly magnificent specimens of bone 
 and muscle — mostly foreign born, from the merchant 
 navy ; and, dressed as they all were in the neat blue 
 uniforms captured at Norfolk, reminded me much of 
 what I had seen of the British navy in American 
 waters — bronzed and rosy fellows, active as cats, and 
 fit to fight a frigate at any odds. 
 
 While at City Point I was informed that General 
 Magruder was alarmingly unwell at one of the many 
 beautiful residences near this point; but it was whis- 
 pered confidentially, " Oh ! he's not very sick ! he's 
 been on a spree because Johnson would not fight at 
 Yorktown ! It is only the effect of too much Bourbon 
 and chagrin!" This was probably the truth. This 
 accomplished but " nervous " officer very much desired 
 to fight and immortalize his name at Yorktown, behind 
 the lines he had so scientifically planned and perfected 
 in secrecy ; but Lee and Johnson could penetrate more 
 
302 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOITTH. 
 
 deeply into the enemy's plans there than the fighting 
 engineer deemed worthy of consideration; and to en- 
 gage a superior force, with our flanks unprotected and 
 assailable at any hour by powerful and resistless fleets, 
 would have been an act of madness. As it was, we 
 could not retreat without a severe fight, and had reason 
 to consider ourselves extremely fortunate in escaping as 
 we did. The true line of defence, as foreseen by the 
 astute Lee a year before, was nearer Richmond ; and 
 it had been magnificently mapped and fortified by 
 that officer, without noise or puflF, even when the 
 majority of the unthinking were loth to consider him 
 anything more than a quiet, inofiensive officer, pos- 
 sessing more of religion than strategy. For my own 
 part, though smiled at by the would-be wiseheadsj, I 
 heartily rejoiced to hear of Lee's appointment as 
 Commander-in-Chief; nor were my opinions of him 
 hastily formed, or doomed to disappointment, as results 
 will amply prove. 
 
 In approaching Richmond, my eye was actively 
 engaged in scanning the landscape and river banks for 
 batteries to resist the coming enemy, but none were 
 visible, nor indeed were any in progress. A few earth- 
 works below City Point had been successively aban- 
 doned, and those which had the hardihood to oppose the 
 Federal gunboats were destroyed by the first broadside. 
 Nearer the city, I observed an immense raft concealed 
 under the banks and trees, which was said to be amply 
 sufficient to blockade the river. It was not closed, but 
 could be within an hour's notice. We had passed 
 several bluffs, which, if properly fortified, could e£fec- 
 
PRESIDENT DAVIS. 303 
 
 tually stop the enemy in the narrow windings of the 
 river, but as yet no works were erected, and no cannon 
 mounted. This I considered gross negligence or inca- 
 pacity in Secretary Mallory, who had charge of naval 
 jtfairs. Some charged the administration with im- 
 becility ; others shook their heads, as if the final hour 
 were rapidly approaching; while a few, I thought, 
 betrayed more pleasure than pain in the anxiety and 
 the feverish excitement of the majority. 
 
 Of President Davis I knew something, but nothing 
 in his character was like the picture angrily drawn of 
 him by the unthinking. He could not attend to every- 
 •tjhing ; after appointments were made, the most he could 
 do was to suggest on matters pertaining to the duties or 
 requirements of those in the various chairs of office. It 
 would not only be presumption, but gross ignorance, to 
 suppose that he did this, or ordered that. His own 
 duties were more than any dozen men, except himself, 
 €ould have pretended to perform ; still, although labour- 
 ing night and day, planning, counselling, providing, 
 receiving visitors, writing, speaking, he was blamed for 
 everything that went amiss. He bore it all, however, 
 without murmuring. The press might abuse him, office 
 seekers annoy him, petty councillors bore him, mistakes 
 and bickerings of his Cabinet vex him ; State, political, 
 social, or religious deputations pester him with demands, 
 petitions, and a thousand other daily annoyances ; yet 
 the poor, pale, hard-working President bore it all with 
 philosophic equanimity. Putting on his blue flannel 
 overcoat, he would mount his chestnut mare, smoke a 
 «igar, and take a quiet ride, unattended, through the 
 
304 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 streets in the afternoon, as calmly and unostentatiously as 
 if he were merely Mr. J. Davis, proprietor of a 20(J-acre 
 farm, with a round dozen of bouncing babies. Heigho ! 
 who would envy the poor President ? If a negro were 
 worked a twentieth as much, his master would be im- 
 prisoned or fined for inhuman treatment ! 
 
 After delivering my prisoners at Lilly's Tobacco 
 Warehouse — the chief of many such establishments in 
 the city — I endeavoured to obtain accommodation at 
 the " Spottswood " and other hotels, but found it an 
 impossibility, every house being crowded to excess. I 
 must confess, too, my personal appearance was anything 
 but prepossessing, and when I pushed my way through 
 a crowd of dandily attired officers and civilians, I was 
 gazed upon as something of a phenomenon ; for my part 
 I looked upon them with contempt, for although dressed 
 in all the colours of the diflPerent arms of the service, 
 from generals down to captains, their unblemished Imen 
 and gold braid told me plainly they were for the most 
 part impostors, boring the various departments for com- 
 missions, or for some kind of employment, and disporting 
 their figures on the sunny side of Capitol Sq[uare. In 
 vain I offered any price for a bed, and even proposed 
 giving five dollars for the privilege of sleeping on the 
 floor of the reception room. All that I have said of 
 Kichmond in a previous chapter — of the fabulo^is prices 
 obtained for necessaries, the scenes of perpetual gaiety, 
 the uninterrupted ^aste of money, and the imposition 
 everywhere practised — might be here repeated; but 
 enough. The one redeeming feature of the city may, 
 however, be mentioned. I never saw the least symp- 
 
PEISONERS AT EICHMOND. 305 
 
 toms of intoxication in the streets, owing to the discipline 
 of martial law, and the almost impossibility of obtaining 
 liquors. 
 
 The prisoners, as I have said, were confined in 
 tobacco-warehouses fitted up for their use, near the 
 river, which served admirably for temporary prisons. 
 Being very large, four stories high, and of great capacity, 
 they were capable of accommodating several hundreds 
 of men each, and being well guarded, it was almost im- 
 possible for a prisoner to effect his escape. The food 
 allotted to those in durance was that usually allowed to 
 soldiers, but in greater quantity and variety than ever 
 fell to our lot in camp. Every convenience was allowed 
 them, and, except room for out-of-door exercise, I saw 
 nothing in the arrangements that merited the denun- 
 ciations of the Northern press about our barbarous 
 treatment of prisoners in our terrible tobacco-ware- 
 houses. Considering all things, they seemed to enjoy 
 themselves very much; they were permitted every 
 facility for purchasing things not allowed by our regu- 
 lations for diet ; ministers and others frequently visited 
 them — ^particularly Catholic priests — and books, cloth- 
 ing, and money were often bestowed upon them. On 
 the other hand, the men, generally speaking, behaved 
 themselves as became their situation ; though occasionally 
 some ill-bred fellow among them would excite to sedition, 
 and the culprit being discovered, he was removed, and 
 punished. Several, I know, were shot for attempting 
 to escape ; and on one or two occasions men particularly 
 vulgar to ladies in passing, after having been duly 
 warned, and on a repetition of the ofience, were shot at 
 vol. I. 20 
 
306 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 and wounded by the guards. Hundreds were sent 
 south, in various directions, to make room for fresh 
 arrivals, and from the preparations of Government for 
 additional prisons and hospitals it became very evident 
 that stirring events were expected at no distant day. 
 
 Hospitals were numerous, the chief being Ohimborazo 
 on the east, and Camp Winder west of the city, each 
 capable of accommodating several thousands. Their 
 situation was the best to be had, and Government had 
 done all in its power to render them comfortable and 
 commodious. They looked like large forts at a dis- 
 tance, with their whitened walls and banners ; but on 
 close inspection proved to be long rows of wooden 
 buUdings, marked off into divisions, streets, and wards : 
 on inspection I found an abundance of all things pro- 
 vided ^that the medical department could possibly fur- 
 nish ; though some kinds of medicines were very scarce, 
 particularly quinine, of which very little could be 
 obtained, even at twenty dollars per ounce. The 
 doctors, however, appeared to me to be very indifferent, 
 and lacking of much kindness and capacity ; they were 
 seldom in their offices, often promenading with ladies, 
 and were great consumers of whatever wines and 
 liquors Government intended for the sick. This may 
 account for the pressure of business among coffin-con- 
 tractors and grave-diggers, and for the stream of hearses 
 continually running to and from the cemeteries. I saw 
 but few clergymen in the hospitals, but was deeply im- 
 pressed with the piety, self-devotion, and unceasing 
 attentions of those good angels called " Sisters 'sf 
 Charity," who were ever in motion, night and day, in 
 
ADVANCE OF M^CXELLAN. 307 
 
 ministering to the sick. They had an especial hospital 
 of their own on the Brooke turnpike road, called " St. 
 Joseph's;" and it was a perfect paradise of cleanliness 
 and comfort. 
 
 From information I could gather round the War 
 Office, it appears that Johnson had remained in line of 
 hattle more than a week several miles north of the 
 Chickahominyj in the vain hope that M'Clellan would 
 attack. The Federals, however, remained at a re- 
 spectful distance, and seemed as disinclined for combat 
 in open ground, with a river in our rear, as they 
 were when we invited them in March, with the 
 Bapidan in our front. Slowly advancing towards 
 Richmond, M'Clellan took up the pursuit, and sharp 
 skirmishing occurred as we crossed the Chickaho- 
 miny at Mechanicsville bridge, five miles from Rich- 
 mond. It surprised me much to hear that our whole 
 army was so near the city, and it Surprised me still 
 more to learn that I was transferred from my regiment 
 to an officer's position on the staff. My futm-e duties 
 would be light, pay increased, forage allowed, with 
 daily opportunities of passing and repassing to town. 
 I felt ashamed to leave my old regiment, with which 
 I had served so long, for I thought it looked unpatriotic 
 to leave the gallant foot to go prancing at the heels of 
 a chief of artillery. My company did not object. I 
 could benefit them considerably in many ways, and, 
 premising to be with them in the hour of battle, I 
 maunted my unruly mare, drew all arrears from the 
 paymaster, and invited several of my old superior 
 officers to a supper in town, in order to finish 
 
 20—2 
 
308 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 my career in the infantry with due honour and so- 
 lemnity. 
 
 We -were in high spirits during our little supper, and 
 much was said regarding the merits and qualifications 
 of various generals and heads of departments, which 
 would have startled the gentlemen mentioned could 
 they have heard it. But when were soldiers in want 
 of topics for conversation ? Captain Smithers and 
 Major Jones, at one end of the table, were professionally 
 discussing the results of the war, and were very decla- 
 matoiy in style ; Lieutenant Jenkins was narrating 
 some romantic adventure among the pretty Quakeresses 
 of Loudon County, and had two listeners ; Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Dobbs was explaining " formations " and 
 " changes of front " to Captain Johnstone, who, Scotch- 
 man-like, was disputing the authority of Dobbs' version 
 of " Hardee ; " while Lieutenant Moore entertained 
 half a dozen round the fire with his reminiscences of 
 the Emerald Isle. 
 
 Said Major Jones, emptying his glass, " Smithers, I 
 entirely disagree with you. The campaign wasn't worth 
 a cent till Lee took the helm, and I believe that Davis 
 himself endeavoured to map out operations before that. 
 See what miserable failures Roanoke and Donnelson 
 were. Who was commander-in-chief before Lee? No- 
 body that I know ; and the fact of sending men to be 
 cooped up, surrounded, and destroyed on that island 
 speaks volumes for the stupidity and incapacity of some- 
 body. I don't mean to say that a stouter resistance 
 might not have been made by a better general thali 
 Wise. Wise has proved himself a first-rate orator, 
 
TABLE TALK. 309 
 
 writer, and politician — is greatly beloved in Virginia — 
 but all these things go to show that it requires some- 
 thing more than popularity to make a general. Fort 
 Donnelson, also, was left to be erected by the State of 
 Tennessee, and see what a miserable waste of money it 
 was. Fort Henry was evacuated even by the Federals 
 on account of the flow of water into it ; and although 
 Donnelson was something better, far more eligible sites 
 could have been selected, and the Government grant, of 
 half a million put to a better use. Look at New Orleans 
 also! Lovell, a man without reputation, was left in 
 supreme command of that all-important place; the 
 batteries below it were insufficient against iron-clads ; 
 the construction of new gunboats was given to 
 Northerners resident there, and although their inactivity 
 and incapacity were known to the authorities, they were 
 allowed to shilly-shally until the enemy came, and 
 passed by the forts unscratched — our ships were burned, 
 Lovell evacuated the city, and it fell. Don't tell me, 
 Smithers, every one knows there has been gross mis- 
 management in several cases ; until Lee came in there 
 was no visible head at work, and those that were 
 at work, the fathers of these blunders, had better keep 
 themselves invisible still." 
 
 " Don't say anything more. Major," said Johnstone, 
 with a strong accent; " I have a great respect for 
 'Hardee,' for he is a good kind of Scotchman from, 
 Glasgow, as my friend M'Gregor informs me, but there 
 is no doubt about it that Beauregard was badly 
 whipped at Manassas by that old Stirling man, 
 M'Dowell. I knew some of the M'Dowells in Scotland, 
 
310 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 and good people they were. Beauregard is a good 
 officer, and all he wants is a little Scotch blood in him 
 to make a first-rate strategist. But we all know that 
 had old Mac followed us up vigorously after passing 
 Sudley Ford, we should never have been here now, 
 I'm thinking, drinking bad whisky at four o'clock o' 
 the morning. Why, man, our right wing was never 
 engaged at all. Longstreet, Jones, and Ewell hardly 
 fired a shot all day ; and there was the left overlapped 
 by the Yankees at three in the afternoon, and when we 
 did drive them back, and got them into a panic, Beau- 
 regard hadn't more than two regiments at their heels. 
 Old Evans, at Leesburg, did the thing handsomely ; he 
 killed more than the number of his own men actually 
 engaged; made prisoners of twice as many, and 
 drowned the rest. I hear he came from Eife before 
 entering the Northern army. Yes, dear old Scotland 
 has given a good many men in this war — there's 
 M'Clellan fi-om Argyle, and Scott from Dumfries, 
 and " 
 
 Johnstone might have gone on claiming Southern 
 celebrities for natives of Scotia, but Moore, becoming 
 indignant, swore roundly that Beauregard was from 
 Limerick, and Lee from Cork, so that those of us who 
 had not gone beyond a dozen glasses were obliged to 
 take care of those who had, and to conduct them to 
 chambers where they might dream over the question of 
 Homer and Garibaldi being Irish or Scotch, without 
 fear of using empty bottles for weapons. 
 
 Having seen some, who required it, comfortably pro- 
 vided for the night, Dobbs and myself retired to the 
 
"STONEWALL" JACKSON. 311 
 
 same room ; while smoking, the conversation turned on 
 Jackson, whose movements in the valley began to excite 
 interest about this time. The Major had seen him at 
 Manassas, and spoke of him dispassionately. He had 
 not achieved much greatness in that conflict, but re- 
 ceived a name there which wiU be as imperishable as 
 history. 
 
 "I received letters a few days ago from I m," 
 said my friend, "who is now with Jackson in the 
 Valley ; you knew Ashton very well. Amuse yourself 
 while I take a nap, for 'tis nearly dawn, and I must be 
 out in camp early." 
 
312 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Preparations for the Defence of Richmond in May — Operation of the 
 Conscript Law — Earthworks and other Defences designed by Lee — 
 Arrival of Federal Boats and Iron-clads — Works at Drury's Bluff 
 — Immense Baft — Capture of Richmond anticipated — ^Position of 
 the two Armies on the Chickahominy — Number of Troops on either 
 side — M'Clellan advances. 
 
 At this period the Conscript law came into operation, 
 and there was much grumbling among such as fell 
 nnder its provisions. Those who had been in the 
 army at all, for however short a period, were not 
 averse to remaining in the ranks ; for they knew 
 absolute necessity alone had compelled Congress to 
 pass such a law, and if liberty was to be gained, it must 
 be by great sacrifices of individual convenience and 
 pleasure. Lincoln had called out 75,000 men at the 
 commencement of the war, and having received every 
 additional man the States offered, he had now an army 
 of not less than seven hundred thousand in the field. 
 There was little opposition made in our several States 
 to the call of the President ; some thought, indeed, the 
 act was an unconstitutional one; yet the men were 
 rapidly supplied, and discussion deferred until times of 
 peace. Accordingly, when Johnson had fallen back to 
 
OUE CONSCEIPT LAW. 313 
 
 his line of defence around Richmond, we found many 
 new regiments awaiting to join us. 
 
 The exactions of this law, however, were very oppres- 
 sive to many, and seemingly despotic; hundreds who 
 had volunteered for and served one year, had not been 
 resident in the South more than a few months when the 
 war broke out : so that to put such men on an equality 
 with those born on the soil who had not served at all, 
 seemed hke the shadow of absolutism. There was 
 much murmuring, therefore; and many, rather than 
 serve for an indefinite period as the price of citizenship, 
 abandoned the cause, and sought protection from the 
 consuls of their several countries. 
 
 The character of the conscripts, who entered willingly 
 on the service, was excellent, and they bore the jokes 
 of the volunteers with a good grace. Physically, they 
 were the flower of the nation, tall, well-made, sinewy 
 fellows, who considered their knapsacks no greater 
 weight than a pair of gloves. We all expected them 
 to behave well in action, nor were we disappointed. 
 Their shooting was splendid. Many of them would 
 have entered the army before, but had been in regi- 
 ments which were refused service at the beginning of 
 the war; some did not know how much they were 
 needed; and others again, though brave and ripe 
 enough for a fight at any time, had formed such dis- 
 agreeable notions of camp life from letters and journals, 
 that ihey felt a decided repugnance to entering the 
 ranks until compelled. Taken altogether, the morale of 
 our troops, though always good, at this period was excel- 
 lent. As they took up the lines assigned them, nought 
 
314 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 but good humour and hilarity was visible, for they well 
 knew that Johnson could not fall back farther, and that 
 the conflict must soon come. This they desired, and 
 were aching to pay back with interest the taunts and 
 insults of the overfed and bombastic Yankees of the 
 Yorktown lines. 
 
 A part of Huger's division from Norfolk had arrived 
 through Petersburg and the south side of the James; 
 rapid progress was made with defensive works and 
 obstructions to prevent gunboats ascending the river; 
 earthworks of magnitude arose on every side around 
 Richmond; and the speedy appearance of Yankee 
 encampments north of the Chickahominy gave elc- 
 quent indications that things were coming to a crisis. 
 The earthworks had been designed by Lee more than 
 ten months ere our army reached their position. They 
 were constructed in different shapes, to suit the con- 
 formation of the ground ; they swept all the roads, 
 crowned every hillock, and mounds of red earth could 
 be seen in striking contrast with the rich green aspect of 
 the landscape. Redoubts, rifle-pits, casemate batteries, 
 horn works, and enfilading batteries were visible in 
 great number, in and out of the woods, in all direc- 
 tions ; some were mounted with heavy siege pieces, of 
 various calibre, but the majority were intended for field 
 guns. Heavy ordnance was scarce, and home-made 
 cannon often proved worthless and brittle, in many 
 instances killing those who put them to the " proof," 
 
 It was reported that the enemy's gunboats and iron- 
 clads were approaching up the river, and had con- 
 temptuously "snuffed out" several mud batteries that 
 
THE FEDERAL IRON-CLADS. 315 
 
 had the temerity to fire. The Monitor, Galena, and 
 other iron-dads, were actually at City Point, fifteen 
 miles from Richmond, and feverish excitement possessed 
 all, save the calm, cold, smiling gentlemen of the War 
 Office. Many large boxes from the various depart- 
 ments stood on the side v^alks ominously labelled 
 "Lynchburg," and I could not help smiling to see 
 how the features of bystanders lengthened while gazing 
 upon them. " Well," said they, " I suppose Johnson 
 is going to give up Richmond like everything else, and 
 will continue to ' fall back ' until we are all swimming 
 in the Gulf of Mexico." There was not the slightest 
 trepidation observable in the Government offices; all 
 things went on as usual, and President Davis took his 
 evening ride as placidly as ever. It was seen, however, 
 that the enemy could never come up the river to Rich- 
 mond, for heavy works had been hastily erected and 
 mounted at Drury's Bluffi The immense raft was 
 considered impregnable ; the crew of the late MerrimaG 
 manned several large rifled pieces, the banks and woods 
 swarmed with sharpshooters, v^hile several excellent 
 rifled field batteries were ready, with the supports, to 
 the rear. 
 
 At length, when the enemy's gunboats came within 
 easy range, the sailors at the land batteries on the south 
 side, and the guns of the Washington Artillery corps 
 on the north bank, poured such a stream of shot and 
 shell into them as to present an unbroken sheet of flame 
 from the woods. At the same time, care was taken 
 that our firing should be accurate. No sooner had the 
 pnboats opened the shutters of their ports, than every 
 
316 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 gun was directed at the vulnerable point, and a shower 
 of small shot poured in, so that the gunboats were soon 
 rendered useless, and " backed out " to greater range.* 
 Dozens of our shell, we could perceive, exploded among 
 their gunners below deck, and such was the destruction 
 that none of the crews ventured to appear above board. 
 Their firing, however, was hotly maintained, but, as our 
 position was on a bluff, their shell passed overhead, and 
 did but trifling damage. This lasted for several hours, 
 when the discomfiture of the foe was so complete, that 
 all their gunboats and iron-clads withdrew in disgust, 
 and never troubled us again. From Northern accounts 
 we learned that not less than twenty gunners were 
 killed in one iron-clad alone, and several boats so 
 much shattered internally, that they were quietly 
 taken down to Fortress Monroe for repairs, and mem- 
 bers of the press were forbidden to visit or inspect 
 them. It was admitted that our shore batteries had 
 fully repulsed them, and this acknowledgment from 
 men accustomed to the falsification of facts speaks 
 volumes for our success. 
 
 Notwithstanding the efforts of Government to prepare 
 for the approaching conflict, the ominous look of large 
 packing-boxes on the pavements, and the removal of 
 iron safes, led thousands to believe the army would 
 
 * A late Northern paper says : — " The armour of the Galena, -which 
 was pierced by the projectiles of the rebel batteries below Eichmond, 
 was three inches thick. The Monitor has thus far stood the fire with 
 her five-inch plates, but as guns of enormous calibre and projectiles of 
 great momentum are in vogue, it is safe to increase the thickness of the. 
 armour." 
 
PEELING AT BICHMdNI). 317 
 
 evacuate Richmond, and perhaps give up Virginia also, 
 as untenable. Many conveyed property to the interior, 
 and there existed a feverish excitement among the little 
 merchants. Jews and Germans were converting every- 
 thing into cash at ruinous rates of discount, sometimes 
 paying 400 dollars in paper for 100 dollars in cash; 
 while others of their brethren changed goods into 
 tobacco, which they stowed away in cellars, prepa- 
 ratory to M'Clellan's arrival; though very secretly 
 accomplished, the thing was known, and no notice 
 taken of it by our authorities. The idea of giving 
 up Richmond was heart-breaking, but so doubtful 
 were appearances that it was not until Governor 
 Letcher, in an audience with President Davis, had been 
 positively assured that " Virginia should not be given 
 tip, but defended until the streets of Richmond ran with 
 blood," that any certainty was felt regarding ministerial 
 measures. When the Governor rehearsed the sub- 
 stance of his interview with the President to the 
 assembled Legislature, a popular outburst of feehng 
 ensued: all swore to reduce the place to ashes rather 
 than surrender, and the faces of all were flushed with 
 patriotic pride as they armed themselves for the coming 
 conflict. The enemy, indeed, had vigorously pushed their 
 iadvance to the neighbourhood of the capital, and on the 
 right of their line were but four miles distant from it. 
 
 To understand the posture of affairs at this time it is 
 necessary to form an intelligible idea of the locality and 
 of the positions occupied by the rival armies. Rich- 
 mond is situated at what may be considered the head of 
 the Yorktown peninsula. On the south side the penin- 
 
318 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH, 
 
 sula is washed by the James River ; on the north, by 
 the York River, to within seventy miles of the capital. 
 The York River is continued by its tributary the 
 Pamunkey River, which approaches within a few miles 
 of the capital. At the foot of the peninsula, where the 
 James flows into Chesapeake Bay, are Newport News 
 and Hampton Roads. So much for the general geo- 
 graphy of the Richmond peninsula, as shown on ordinary 
 maps. 
 
 The approaching battle-fields may be represepted by 
 an imaginary square, the sides of which indicate the 
 four quarters. At the bottom or south will be Rich- 
 mond, and the rear of our army; the upper side, or 
 north, will represent the rear of M'CleUan's forces. 
 We must now suppose that a river rises in the south- 
 west, and runs easterly, but in the centre of the diagram 
 flows rapidly north-eastwardly — this is the Chicka- 
 hominy, cutting the imaginary equator diagonally ; and 
 the equator itself is the common front of both armies. 
 It will thus be seen that M'CleUan's right rested north, 
 and his left south of the stream, the communication 
 being maintained with both wings by several bridges, 
 his centre resting on both sides of the stream at Bottom's 
 Bridge. 
 
 From Richmond there are five roads which cut the 
 Chickahominy at right angles, in the following order, 
 from west to east : — the Brook (or Hanover Court- 
 house) Turnpike; the Mechanicsville Turnpike (the 
 village of Mechanicsville being on the north side of the 
 river, and the head-quarters of FitzJohn Porter, com- 
 manding the Federal right M'ing) ; the Nine Mile Road ; 
 
POSITION OF THE TWO ARMIES. 319 
 
 yoi!k River Eailroad ; the "Williamsburg road ; the 
 Charles City road ; and the Darbytown road. Erom 
 the curve of the river across our front, our left and the 
 enemy's right rested on the stream, but at the Charles 
 City road (our right and the enemy's left) were far 
 from the stream, it being many miles to their rear. 
 
 The whole front, a distance of about seven miles, was 
 strongly defended by field-works of all kinds, to suit 
 the ground. Between our left and the enemy's right, 
 the ground dipped, the head of the stream being in the 
 centre, but friend and foe had high ground which com- 
 manded Mechanicsville Bridge; the pickets of either 
 army being within a hundred yards of the bridge. This 
 bottom land on our left, being partly well timbered by 
 the swampy nature of the ground, was the scene of 
 daily skirmishing, and from the superior position of 
 their guns, and their closer proximity to the bridge, it 
 was indisputably in the enemy's possession, and was 
 well defended by elaborate works. The distance of the 
 enemy's right was not more than four miles from Rich- 
 mond ; that of their left about seven miles. 
 
 M'Clellan did not attempt to push his left and centre 
 across the Chickahominy until more than a week after 
 the tents and flags of his right were seen around 
 Mechanicsville ; in fact, the weather was unsuitable, 
 and the proposed line of formation was in an unhealthy 
 Bwamp of woods and fields. The circumstances left 
 M'Clellan no choice. Between Richmond and the 
 Chickahominy there is an insensible fall of the land, 
 and we had already occupied the relatively higher 
 position, where the lands were better cultivated and 
 
320 BATTLE-FIELDS OE THE SOUTH. 
 
 drier, and less encumbered with timber. Our line 
 being thus formedj M'Clellan had no alternative but 
 to camp his forces in counter line, although he must 
 have seen that his hospitals would soon be crowded, 
 from chills, fevers, ague, and rheumatism among his 
 troops. 
 
 Having taken up his position, M'Clellan began to 
 fortify various points, and particularly the continuations 
 of the five roads mentioned which passed through his 
 lines. Thousands of men were daily employed in 
 throwing up earthworks, building new or repairing old 
 roads, felling timber to uncover our front, and locate 
 his divisions, so that for a few days scarcely a shot was 
 exchanged by pickets, save on our left, and there Fitz- 
 John Porter's sharpshooters and our own were blazing 
 away night and day. As it was for some time con- 
 sidered probable that the enemy would attempt to force 
 the James, our right was extended two miles towards it ; 
 but after the repulse at Drury's Blutf, there seemed to 
 be no further indications of any new attempt, and Long- 
 street removed his division, and camped in regular line 
 across the Charles City road. 
 
 Our effective force, including Huger's arrival from 
 Norfolk, was about 80,000; it could not have been 
 much more, for the strength of the several divisions 
 was not near their maximum ; and our army, as well as 
 M'Clellan's, was terribly weakened by sickness and 
 ailments of various kinds ; in our case arising from 
 insufficient clothing, poor flour, and bad bacon, owing 
 to the poverty of our commissariat. M'Clellan con- 
 fesses to have lost 30,000 men, from all causes, since 
 
JFEDERAL DEP6TS. 321 
 
 Tiis operations began on the peninsula (March) up 
 to the middle of May. This appears incredible, but 
 we have his own words to vouch for the fact. Our 
 loss from all causes was great, but not a tenth of 
 this number. The transports of the enemy brought 
 immense supplies of eveiy kind up to the head of the 
 York River (West Point), and depots were numerous 
 up the Pamunkey, being easily supplied thence to the 
 army by excellent roads, and the York River Railroad, 
 which Johnson, in retreat, wisely or unwisely, left 
 intact. The Northern merchantmen also ascended the 
 James River, steamed up the Chickahominy, and made 
 immense deposits of all things along its banks, con- 
 veniently in the rear. Guns and munitions were thus 
 abundantly provided, and ere many weeks, M'Clellan's 
 army was snugly provided for in their lines before 
 Richmond. 
 
 Our generals, as usual, were calculating upon the 
 capture of this booty, before maiiy suns had set. In 
 fact, it has been suggested, and I believe it to be true, 
 that Johnson's only reason for leaving the York River 
 Railroad untouched in his retreat, was to invite the 
 enemy to make immense deposits at the depots in West 
 Point, and' along the Pamunkey, in order eventually 
 that himself and Jackson, by combined movements, 
 should capture all, and replenish our exhausted stores. 
 Be this as it may, it is certain that inconceivable 
 quantities of baggage and matirieL accumulated in the 
 rear, and so confident were Northern merchants of 
 M'Clellan's success, that they also gathered immense 
 Stores in the rear, so as to be able to open sales 
 
 VOL. I. 21 
 
322 BATTLE-FIELDS OP THE SOUTH. 
 
 in Richmond simultaneously with its occupation I 
 Ridiculous as this may seem, the most incontestable 
 facts prove it to be true. 
 
 Both armies had now been nearly a month in posi- 
 tion, and did nothing from day to day but skirmish, and 
 waste ammunition in fruitless cannonades. Our men 
 were camped in the woods and fields adjacent to the 
 roads ; picket-guards, strong bodies of skirmishers with 
 supports, presented an unbroken front to the enemy, 
 but they did not seem inclined to take the uiitiative. 
 Whole brigades were in line in open fields, night and 
 day, within a mile of the enemy, inviting an attack, 
 yet the foe never came from the woods, but contented 
 himself with throwing up formidable redoubtSj and 
 creeping towards Richmond inch by inch. It was 
 evidently M'CleUan's wish to avoid a field fight, his 
 idea being either to starve us out, or gradually get 
 near enough to shell Richmond at discretion. Every 
 inducement was held out by Johnson to draw the 
 enemy from their works and woods into the open space 
 before us, but his endeavours were unavailing. 
 
 At length it became known to our commanders that 
 M'Clellan designed moving his left and centre nearer 
 to us, and it was determined to attack him before his 
 heavy masses could be brought up in proper order. 
 Several reconnaissances were made to test the truth of 
 the information we had received, and it was also con- 
 firmed by the daily reports of our pickets. In doe 
 time all doubt was removed. General Casey drove in 
 our pickets, and camped on the Williamsburg road, 
 within a mile of us ; the left centre and centre of the 
 
EXPECTED ATTACK OP M'CLELLAN. 323 
 
 enemy down the railway and Nine Mile Road were at 
 the same time thrown forward, and every appearance 
 indicated that they meant to precipitate an action. In 
 this attitude of expectation I must leave the two armies 
 for a short time, in order to follow the fortunes of 
 Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley. 
 
 21—2 
 
324 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Occurrences in the Shenandoali Valley — ^Battles of " Front Royal," 
 May 23 — Capture of "Winchester and Thousands of Prisoners by 
 Jackson — ^Rout of Banks's Corps — Immense Booty. 
 
 Ashton's letter from the Valley * read as follows : — 
 
 " Our retreat after the battle of Kearnstown was 
 very rapid and fatiguing : Jackson forced his men 
 along the Valley Pike all night, for we were but few 
 in number, and Shields' forces very large. Without 
 much rest, we pushed through Strasburg, and took the 
 road towards Charlottesville, and had thus got a stai-t 
 of over twenty miles ere the enemy's cavalry came in 
 siglit. Ashby, as usual, was in the rear, and nobly beat 
 back the foe, and saved us from annihilation; every 
 rise in the road was disputed by him, until at last the 
 Federals seemed weary of fighting, and contented them- 
 selves with hovering in the rear. 
 
 " At Harrisonburg the enemy gave up the pursuit, 
 but we continued our route, ten miles farther, to 
 McGackeysville, having travelled the whole distance 
 of seventy miles without halting for more than a few 
 hours. At McGackeysville we found that Ewell, witli 
 a force of 10,000 men, had crossed the Blue Ridge, 
 
 * See end of Chapter XXIU., p. 311. 
 
MOVEMENT OP JACKSON. 32 
 
 and formed a junction with Jackson. This surprised 
 us, it having been thought that his division was with 
 Johnson; it appeared, however, that he had been 
 hovering around Fredericksburg on the Rappahan- 
 nock, watching a division of M'Dowell, who held the 
 nucleus of a force * destined to march on Richmond 
 from the west, while M'Clellan made his attack on the 
 east. Knowing that M'Dowell dared not move alone, 
 and that Shields threatened to annihilate Jackson, Ewell 
 had wisely crossed the Ridge and hastened to our 
 assistance. 
 
 " It was now hoped by all, that Shields would leave 
 the Valley, push on through Harrisonburg, and attack 
 us at McGackeysville ; but, after some days, it was 
 ascertained that he remained enjoying the fruits of the 
 tattle of Kearnstown, and was waiting until Milroy 
 and Blenker should clear Western Virginia, and arrive 
 on a hue with him, when they would all join M'Dowell 
 at Fredericksburg. Jackson was not many days at 
 McGackeysville, when a courier from the Georgian, 
 Colonel Johnson, arrived, and Informed him that 
 Blenker and Milroy, with their Dutch division, were 
 advancing eastward in Western Virginia, and that his 
 small force of 1 ,500 men was falling back before them. 
 
 "When this news was received, Jackson, finding 
 Ms original command fullv rested, left Ewell's force 
 of 10,000 at McGackeysville, and sallied out during 
 the night, none knew whither. Keeping to the moun- 
 
 * This force, in addition to his own division, was to consist of the 
 troops of Banks and Shields from the Shenandoah Valley, and those of 
 Milroy, Blenker, and Fremont, from 'Westem Virginia. 
 
326 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 tains until he arrived at Port Republic, he struck the 
 Valley Pike there, proceeded on, by night and day, 
 towards Staunton, and then, without entering the town, 
 shaped his course' north-west through the mountains. 
 After a fatiguing march of seventy miles in three days, 
 through valleys, over mountains, and along frightfiilly 
 muddy roads, he arrived at 9 A.Si., May 10th, in sight 
 of Colonel Johnson's littlei force, which was drawn up 
 in a narrow valley, at a village called M'Dowell, with 
 the heavy brigades of Milroy and Blenker in Hne of 
 battle before him. This vaUey was not more than 
 200 yards wide, having steep mountains on either hand, 
 that on our left being called Bull Pasture Mountain. 
 Jackson's men having been allowed a rest of two hours, 
 he and Johnson immediately prepared for battle, and 
 skirmishing began in all directions. 
 
 Milroy and Blenker seemed coflfidetit of success, and 
 handled their troops admirably : they had several pieces 
 of artillery, we had none. At 2 p.m., the fight com- 
 menced in earnest, and Jackson immediately pushed 
 his men forward to bring matters to a crisis. Observing 
 that they suffered from ouf incessant and accurate 
 musketry fire, and that their commands would not 
 stand close work, Milroy and Blenker matched their 
 men by the fight flank Up, and on, to Bull Pasture 
 Mountain, leaving their artillery strongly posted on the 
 mountain to out right, thinking to gain an elevated 
 position, and destroy us. Their artillery was a great 
 annoyance, but we soon followed the plan of our enemy 
 — marched up the mountain by the left flank, and when, 
 arrived at the top, fighting as we went, found it to be an 
 
TEDEEAI, DEFEAT. 327 
 
 admirable place for an engagement, being perfectly flat. 
 The contest was here renewed with great fury, and we 
 drove the enemy a considerable distance, until night 
 put an end to hostilities, and the enemy slunk off in 
 the darkness. Arrangements were made in expectation 
 of the engagement being renewed in the morning, but 
 when our pickets, finding no opposition, moved forward 
 a considerable distance, it was discovered that the foe 
 had left their dead and wounded, together with a quantity 
 of stores, and had hastily decamped. 
 
 " Every arrangement was instantly made for pursuit, 
 and ere midnight our cavalry scouts came in and 
 reported that large fires were seen burning in the 
 direction of Franklin, and that in the hurry and con- 
 fusion of defeat and a forced march, immense supplies 
 lay along the road, and that quantities were burning in 
 all directions. We buried onr own dead, about 100 
 in number, and that of the enemy, some 300, and at 
 dayhght comnienced the pursuit. The distance to 
 Franklin was forty miles, and the road one of the 
 teitghest that mortal was ever doomed to travel; but 
 so rapid were the movements of the enemy that, 
 although we travelled the forty miles in less than 
 twenty hours, they had reached Franklin before us, 
 and were drawn up in a strong position, occupying 
 the right and left of a road that ran between two 
 mountains, Franklin being in their rear. Jackson 
 thought it probable we might be able to flank them, 
 and sent out a force of cavalry to reconnoitre, who 
 reported that not a single road or cow-path was dis- 
 covered by which we could get round the enemy. 
 
328 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 They had artillery on the hills, and every movement we 
 made was clearly seen by them, so that it was deemed 
 unadvisable to attack with our small force, strongly 
 posted as they were, and inaccessible except in front, 
 through the gorge. 
 
 " Learning that Ms success at M'Dowell had so 
 frightened Milroy and Blenker that they had called 
 upon Fremont, who was a few marches behind, Jackson 
 determined to deceive them arid fall back. After re- 
 maining at Franldin part of two days, he ordered his 
 cavalry to be unusually active and make incessant 
 demonstrations in all quarters ; if necessary, they were 
 to fall back on M'Dowell, leaving the enemy to infer 
 that strong forces were near at hand; Jackson in the 
 meanwhile refreshed his own and Johnson's men, and 
 began to retreat through M'Dowell more swiftly than 
 he had advanced. Marching at a rapid rate, he reached 
 the Valley Pike at Mount Crawford, eighteen miles 
 from Staunton, and learned that Banks's force had fallen 
 back from Harrisonburg to Strasburg. Moving at a fast 
 rate down the Valley Pike, Jackson proceeded onwards 
 to Newmarket, and was there joined by Ewell's force 
 of 10,000, which had been awaiting us at Swift Run 
 Gap. Our whole force now amounted to about 14,000 
 men. After a little rest we all proceeded across the 
 Shenandoah Mountains, and camped near Lurah, in 
 Page Valley, about twelve miles from Front Royal — the 
 rear of Banks's army in the Valley. 
 
 "This requires some explanation. "When Shields found 
 Jackson strongly posted at McGackeysville, he declined 
 to advance against him, as I have already mentioned. 
 
SURPRISE OF THE FEDERALS. 329 
 
 and withdrawing his forces from between Woodstock 
 and Harrisonburg, he regained the Valley, determined 
 to push on towards M'Dowell at Fredericksburg, and 
 commence the ' on to Richmond ' movement from the 
 west. Banks, also, had the same destination, having 
 his force scattered up and down the Yalley, the rear 
 being at Front Royal. Blenker and Milroy were 
 similarly bound through Western Virginia, but their 
 defeat had diverted Fremont from his proper route, 
 who immediately went to their assistance. Thinking, 
 therefore, that Jackson was busily engaged in that dis- 
 tant quarter, and not likely to trouble them in the Valley 
 again. Banks and Shields were quietly making their way 
 towards Fredericksburg, unconscious of danger, when, 
 on the morning of May 22nd, Jackson and Ewell, with 
 14,000 men, were meditating an attack on their rear. 
 
 "To make all sure, Ewell was detached with 10,000 
 men to seize Winchester, the enemy's grand dep6t, 
 before they could turn and flee, and — as Banks would 
 be obliged to pass through that town — to man the forti- 
 fications, and keep him to the southward, while Jackson 
 should strike his column on the flanks, and seize the 
 baggage. With this object Ewell started northwards, 
 and we southwards, towards Front Royal. Although 
 we had been camped within twelve miles of the latter 
 place several days, our movements and position had 
 been kept so secret that the Federal commandant knew 
 nothing of our presence until the attack was actually 
 made on the morning of the 23rd of May. The Louisi- 
 anians, as skirmishers, having encircled the place, Jack- 
 son, in battle array, marched up to the village, and 
 
330 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 after some little fighting captured the 1st Federal 
 Maryland Regiment, 700 strong, under command of 
 Colonel Kenly, and immediately seized the town, toge- 
 ther with immense stores. During the afternoon our 
 cavalry attacked the enemy at Buckton station on the 
 railroad, and after smart skirmishing, captured several 
 hundred prisoners, and such quantities of stores that 
 they had to be destroyed. Judge of Banks's astonish- 
 ment when informed of this ! Never dreaming of such 
 a trick, he had established extensive dep&ts up and 
 down the valley — that at Winchester being worth 
 millions of dollars. He had but one way to retreat — 
 by the Valley Pike — and that was held by us; with 
 Ewell marching rapidly towards Winchester to seize the 
 fortifications, and get still farther in his rear. 
 
 "We had accomplished much at Front Royal and 
 Buckton station, and, expecting that Banks would not 
 attempt to move for several days, were meditatiog 
 proper methods of attack along their line of retreat, 
 for Banks had a very large army, and could not well be 
 assailed in regular form by our small force ; but judge 
 of our surprise when, next morning (24th), word was 
 brought that Banks's whole command was racing up the 
 Pike towards Winchester at an awful rate, and in the 
 wildest excitement. Such marching you never saw — 
 cavalry and infantry and baggage-waggons were dashing 
 along at headlong speed in hot haste to reach Will'- 
 Chester, the roads being strewn for miles with every 
 imaginable article known to campaigning. Our cavali^ 
 and infantry attacked them at all points, and in every 
 conceivable way ; but this army of 20,000 men pushed 
 
BATTLE OF "PEONT BOYAL." 331 
 
 along, running and fighting as they went, jumping over 
 fences, leaving waggons, cannon, and thousands of pri- 
 soners in our hands. Cavalry were incessantly charging 
 the fiae or driving batches of prisoners to the rear. Now 
 the enemy's infantry would halt, and make a show of 
 fighting, but our men gave a yell and a voUey, our 
 cavalry plunged into their broken ranks, and they were 
 ruthlessly cut down. In truth, we had been marched 
 and overworked too much to take full advantage of the 
 glorious opportunity now presented ; but all did the best 
 they could. The retreat of the enemy was so rapid that 
 it was impossible for infantry to keep up with them, and 
 most of the duty devolved on cavalry. They seized 
 hundreds of fresh cavalry horses, remounted, and were 
 again aftef the enemy at full gallop, capturing scores 
 of prisoners every mile, and yet the pursuit continued 
 all day. 
 
 " At the village of Middleton a New Jersey regiment 
 of horse turned to fight, but our cavalry rode against 
 them so furiously that the enemy were instantly un- 
 horsed, 50 of them being killed, lOO wounded, and 
 250 captured; so that from waggons, baggage, dead, 
 wounded, and prisoners, the roads were almost im- 
 passable. Waggons by the dozen were driven from 
 the road, and the traces having been cut, the teams 
 might be seen running wildly about in all directions. 
 The scene was that of Manassas over again. Every 
 field was crowded with fugitives who waited to be 
 captured, while scores of ambulances were filled with 
 feotsore OF wounded Federals, and driven to the 
 rear, the men seeming speechless from astonishment. 
 
332 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 Colonels, majors, captains, rank and file, were mairbed 
 indiscriminatelr to the rear, while on dashed onr 
 Tr«jried caTalrv, pistolling and cutting down the still 
 retreating enemy. So it continued all day long on the 
 24th, nntil, perfectly broken down with the labour, we 
 camped at Newtown, a few miles from Winchester. 
 
 "Ewell had not been able to get into Winchester 
 before Banks arrived; and as the place was strongly 
 fortified, Jackson deferred all attack nntil the 25th. by 
 which time it was hoped our exhausted infiintry would 
 arrire. For miles along the road towards and beyond 
 Winchester, large and innumerable fires told that the 
 enemy were destroying their supplies, and already on 
 their retreat towards the Potomac Such a sight I 
 could never have conceived. The whole country seemed 
 on fire, yet every approach to\vards Winchester was still 
 as death, which led many to suppose we should have a 
 hard fight beibre gaining the town on the morrow. 
 
 " We had between trvo and three hundred waggons 
 in our possession untouched, and supplies of every 
 description beyond calculation, so that our wearied and 
 famished soldiery enjoyed themselves hugely, and did 
 not care a straw what the morrow might bring forth. 
 We had beaten Banks — ^that was an all-sufficing feet ; 
 and Jackson, who had been cursed for his long mai"ches 
 and incessant fighting, was now idolized, and ev'ery 
 one saw into and loudly applauded his rapid move- 
 ments and his imexampled success. Standing on a 
 hill near our camps, the sight on the night of the 2-4th 
 was awfully grand; whichever ^^-ay the eye might 
 turn, fires illuminated the dark and distant landscape. 
 
EOUT OP THE FEDERALS. 333 
 
 and it seemed that the destruction and loss to the 
 enemy were incalculable. Their immense amount of 
 supplies and baggage is explained by the fact that 
 this part of the Valley had been used as the grand 
 depot, not only for Banks himself, but for supplying 
 the commands of Shields, Fremont, Milroy, Bleriker, 
 and others, besides the accumulated stores destined 
 for M'Dowell. Such a race, riot, confusion, loss in 
 men and materiel as Banks suffered on that eventful 
 day are totally beyond my power to describe. 
 
 " Early on the morning of the 25th, Jackson began 
 to move on "Winchester. Dense columns of smoke 
 issuing from the town made it evident that the enemy 
 were busily engaged in burning stores ; but as Jackson 
 did not relish this idea, he pushed forward, and, meet- 
 ing with a feeble resistance, we rushed into the town, 
 driving the foe through every street ; even women and 
 children assisting us by throwing brickbats, or what- 
 ever they conveniently could, from the windows. The 
 fight was neither long nor sanguinaiy; the Federals 
 were more scared than hurt, yet our cavalry commenced 
 a hot pursuit, and hung within a few yards of their 
 rear, fighting and chasing them in the same style as 
 the day before. By our opportune arrival, much pro- 
 perty was saved of incalculable value, including several 
 hundred boxes of new arms of various sorts, for all 
 branches of the service, besides a vast supply of medi- 
 cines, a few cannon, and countless articles of value. 
 
 "It was about noon ere the pursuit commenced in 
 force; and as our men were now well clothed, and 
 provided with an abundance of all the necessaries and 
 
334 BATTLE-riELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 many of the luxuries of life, all were gay and anxious 
 to push forward, and, if possible, drive the enemy into 
 the Potomac. Hurrying forward towards Charleston, 
 we found that Banks had shaped his course towards 
 Williamsport, and ere he had crossed over to that town, 
 our advance was well up with him ; while the number 
 of d^ad, wounded, and prisoners along the road showed 
 what havoc Ashby had made amongst the foe with his 
 cavalry. Hats, caps, muskets, hoots, waggons, dead, 
 wounded, prisoners, burning stores, sabres, pistols, &c., 
 lined every yard of the road, while Jmndreds of fatigued 
 and famished Yankees concealed themselves in every 
 wood, making their way towards the Potomac as best 
 they could, footsore, unarmed, ragged, and totally 
 demoralized. Had our men been marched less, and 
 fully recruited from their terrible mountain fights and 
 journeys, it would have been impossible for Banks to 
 have drawn off a single regiment; but, as we were 
 fiir more fatigued than they, the punishment inflicted 
 and the vigour of our pursuit were not half as effective 
 as they might have been. Never giving up, however^ 
 Ashby still hung on their rear, and immercifully 
 thrashed them whenever they turned to fight. At last, 
 totally prostrated from fatigue, and helpless as chUdren, 
 we reached the vicinity of WiUiamsport, onihe evening of 
 the 26th, and found that all who remained of the enemy 
 had effected a passage across the river at different points, 
 and were safe in Maryland. 
 
 " The bare idea of our excessive labour during the 
 pursuit on the 24th, 25th, and 26th, is enough to 
 terrify me, for the whole route travelled was more than 
 
KOUT OF THE FEDERALS. 335 
 
 fifty miles, and every furlong of it witnessed an 
 encounter of some sort, so that when we found the 
 foe had escaped, most of us felt infinite relief. The 
 complete details of our success can never be known, 
 hut, speaking roughly, we had captured thousands of 
 prisoners, killed and wounded hundreds more, seized 
 miles of baggage-waggons, immense stores of every 
 imaginable description, together with many cannons^ 
 thousands of small arms, ammunition by hundreds of 
 tons, clothing, medicines, public documents of vaJue, 
 thousands of shoes, and had burned millions' worth 
 of property for want of transportation. Throughout 
 the whole route from Strasburg to Williamsport, in 
 every lane and every field, booty ■ still lay where 
 the enemy tad left it, and for many days after our 
 arrival on the Potomac, cavalry had httle else to do 
 hut sally forth^ and pick up small parties of prisoners 
 endeavouring to make their way to the river. All 
 description of this memorable defeat of the enemy 
 under Banks must faU short of the reality. Such 
 sights I never expected to behold in the whole course 
 of my existence. The confusion, rout, noise, destruc- 
 tion, incessant discharge of arms^ the utter prostration 
 and consternation of the enemy were appalling, and, 
 although I know nothing of this kind will ever be 
 heard North, and that the Federal leaders will speak 
 lightly of the facts,* God forbid that any army of 
 
 * The following Northern items regarding these events will not ie 
 Buinteresting, as illustrative of their feeling and " exaggeration of 
 truth," viz. :^ 
 
 "Washington, Map 2Gth. — We have passed a very exciting day in 
 Washington. The intelligence received last evening to the effect that 
 
336 BATTLE-MELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 ours should be so broken up and so totally demo- 
 ralized as was that of the vain-glorious and arrant 
 
 General Banks had fallen back from Strasburg to Winchester, was 
 understood to indicate rather a precautionary measure on his part, than 
 the result of any immediate movement of the enemy. The tidings of 
 this morning, announcing the occupation of Winchester by Jackson, 
 and the withdrawal of Banks, after an engagement of six hours in the 
 direction of Martinsburg and Harper's Terry, placed matters in a new 
 light, and aroused serious apprehensions, not only for the safety of his 
 little command, but for the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, the city of 
 Baltimore, and even the capital. Later in the day the reports of the 
 rioting in Baltimore and of the rout of the entire force of Banks, by 
 the quick march and overwhelming numbers of Jackson, intensified the 
 excitement. The secessionist sympathizers, too greatly elated to conceal 
 their joy, openly expressed their belief that the host of Jeff. Davis will 
 overrun Maryland and the district within twenty-four hours." 
 
 One TitnTH about the War told by a Yankee. — ^Wilson, says 
 a Northern journal, one of the senators from Massachusetts in the 
 Yankee Congress, confessed or charged the other day, in a speech ftom 
 his desk, that there was an organized system of lying practised in the 
 management of the war. This is probably the first tnith that Wilson him- 
 self has ever told about the war. It is notorious that old Scott justifies 
 lying as a necessaiy part of the science of war. To such a mind, 
 treason to his native State, his hereditary sovereign, presented no diffi- 
 culty. It is probable that he first introduced the system of lying as a 
 part of the strategy of war, and, indeed, as the means of beginning it, 
 for he was at Washington for some months before the close of Buchanan's 
 administration. The first lie that we remember, bearing directly on the 
 beginning of hostilities, was the pledge made by Buchanan to the South 
 Carolina delegation in Congress that the military, status of Charleston 
 harbour should not be changed. The pledge was violated on the night 
 of the 26th December, 1860, by Major Anderson removing his forces 
 from Port Moultrie to Fort Sumter, and attempting to destroy the 
 defences of the former. The second important lie in the initiation of 
 hostilities was the assembling of troops in force at Washington on the 
 psetext that an attack would be made on the capital, and the inaugura- 
 tion of Lincoln would not otherwise be permitted. The third was, the 
 assurance that due notice would be given to the authorities of Charleston, 
 if it were determined to reinforce or provision Fort Sumter. The notice 
 was not given until the fleet despatched for the purpose was presumed 
 to be at the mouth of Charleston hai-bour. But we have no idea of 
 going fm-ther with the narrative. The lying of the Yankee Govenunent, 
 
NORTHERN ACCOUNTS. 337 
 
 Abolitionist General K P. Banks ! How many mil lions 
 of dollars they have lost in this retreat of three days 
 
 generals, newspapers, and people about the war, is an Augean stable 
 into wMch we will neither take our readers nor go ourselves. 
 
 NoETHEBN Account of " Feoni Eotal " and " Winchesteb." — 
 The following extract from the correspondence of the New York World 
 admits the defeat of the Federals, and tries to palliate it by exaggerating 
 the superiority of the Confederates in numbers : — 
 
 " William H. Mapes, commanding pioneer corps, arrived and reported 
 to Colonel Kenley, who gave orders immediately where they should be 
 stationed, and they continued with the remainder of the little force, 
 domg noble service, and holding in check successfully not less than six 
 times their number. Seeing the danger of their position, the com- 
 mander of the brigade gave the order to retreat, which they did in 
 excellent order, across the Shenandoah. Mapes was then ordered to 
 bum the bridge, which was accordingly fired, by placing upon it piles 
 of fence rails, but was not destroyed. The rebels came on so closely 
 and hotly that we were driven away, and did not succeed in the attempt. 
 They soon arrived, and crossed the bridge on the north branch of the 
 Shenandoah, which they succeeded in firing and destroying, but not, 
 however, in detaining the rebels, who, cavalry and infantry, plunged in 
 and forded it, and were soon upon the other side. 
 
 "Soon was received the unwelcome news that the enemy had sur- 
 rounded them, flanking them with superior numbers right and left. 
 
 " Our men, undaunted, dashed upon them with such vigour as to 
 effect their escape, and cut their way out from the coils of the rebels 
 thrown around them, not, however, without being again surrounded and 
 so effectually beset on every side, behind and before, with the most 
 insmmountable superiority, both in the numbers and,freshness of the 
 rebej troops, that they were completely destroyed or captured, together 
 with their noble colonel and other field officers. 
 
 " The severity of the fight beggars all attempt at description." 
 
 (The enemy tried to effect their retreat through Winchester, and the 
 same writer gives a graphic account of the disasters attending that 
 retreat, and the still greater slaughter at Winchester.) 
 
 "Presently General Williams, who had not left Strasburg, came 
 ridin'g rapidly with his staff to the head of the column, and the soldiers 
 raised a hearty cheer as he passed, which continued up the column as 
 he advanced up the front. General Banks soon followed, and was 
 greeted with similar manifestations of pleasure and confidence in their 
 commander. 
 
 TOL. I. 22 
 
338 BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE SOUTH. 
 
 will never be known, and perhaps cannot be calculated ; 
 but this I do know, that we are now wallowing in the 
 
 " We followed closely, and the road was filled with waggons, some 
 broken down, others with the mules cut suddenly away, and all deserted 
 by their drivers, who had taken fright on the appearance of a few of the 
 enemy's cavalry, and fled in a Bull Run stampede. 
 
 " The infantry were kept somewhat in the rear until the general and 
 his body-guard had advanced, to ascertain the position of the enemy, 
 and the space between was filled with the baggage waggons, which 
 were being repossessed by their timorous guardians, under the inspiring 
 influence of waggon-master's whip, who, enraged at the cowardly rout, 
 was driving them back with unmerciful lashes to their deserted charges. 
 Men were now seen flocking back, and the baggage train was again 
 supplied with teamsters. 
 
 * )F » * * 
 
 " The other end of our column encountered the force which was to 
 have been sent to attack our rear. First the Zouaves d'Afriqne, body- 
 guard of General Banks, has been stationed in the rear, to bum the 
 bridge across Meadow Creek, three miles from Strasburg, after aU had 
 passed except the cavalry, under General Hatch, who was yet to come 
 up and ford the river. While they were besmearing the bridge with 
 tar, unexpecting any danger, the enemy charged down upon them from 
 the mountain on the left, cutting them up in the most umnerciM 
 manner, and capturing all of them except five. 
 
 » » » * » 
 
 " Presently there was a commotion, a sobbing among the women, and 
 a running to and fro, which brought me to my feet in time to find our 
 forces were started on a retreat ; and, as I saw flames rising from the 
 burning buildings not far off, and heavy volumes of smoke roll upward 
 from them, I began to realize that we were to abandon Winchester. 
 The enemy were in the other end of the town, as the rattle and echo 
 of the musketry up the streets and between the houses most plainly 
 indicated. AU the streets were in commotion. Cavalry were rushing 
 away in disorder, and infantry, frightened by the rapidity of their 
 mounted companions, were in consternation. All were trying to escape 
 faster than their neighbours, dreading most of aE to be the last. 
 
 " Presently the enemy's cannon boomed in the rear, and a small 
 ' cloud of smoke in the sky, suddenly ^appealing, and then dissolvingSi 
 showed where the shell had exploded. Some shells fell among- our men; 
 and the panic was quite general for a short time. Guns, knapsacks, 
 cartridge-boxes, bayonets, and bayonet-cases, lay scattered upon the 
 ground in great confusion, thrown away by the panio-stricken soldiers. 
 
NORTHEBN ACCOUNTS. 339 
 
 luxuries of life, and Jackson has sufficient stores to 
 last an indefinite time, should we successfully transport 
 them out of the Valley. Excuse haste, and believe 
 me yours, 
 
 " ASHTON." 
 
 " Colonel Gordon and staff are safe ; also General Williams and staff. 
 WhUe retreating through Winchester, women from the houses opened 
 fire of pistols upon our soldiers, and killed a great many of them." 
 
 My reader will not fail to observe from the above, that General 
 Banks's body-guard is composed of negroes, and that the women of 
 Winchester killed " a great many " of the Tankees. 
 
 END OF VOL I. 
 
LONDON : 
 
 PRINTED BY SUITH, ELDER AND CO., 
 LITTLB GREEN ABBOUia COURT, OLD BAILET, 
 
Jl