• * ®fje Hifcrarp of tde WLnibtx&ity of Jgortf) Carolina €nbotoeb ftp Wfyt Hialecttc anb pfjtlantfjroptc Societies? 23 THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA ENDOWED BY THE DIALECTIC AND PHIfcANTHROPIC SOCIETIES 4- Q E605 .W95 UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 10002082531 This book is due at the LOUIS R. WILSON LIBRARY on the last date stamped under "Date Due." If not on hold it may be renewed by bringing it to the library. DATE DUE RET. nm r s is?! [980 \ ■HW- AU6 3 1 I'M M 2 8 % m - rj£LM. M 0ii4 Form No. 513 m DATE DUE f» fcflECl FT *?* ■ . gm ?-» M \ 3 W VfM MANgl ZOOH AUii,"° am ! 9Q3 W >V99 01 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill http://archive.org/details/southerngirlin61wrig MISS LOUISE WIGFALL (Mrs. D. Giiaud Wright, of Baltimore) The star in this portrait was from the coat collar of General Johnston and given by him to the author A Southern Girl in '61 The War-Time Memories of a Confederate Senator's Daughter By Mrs. D. Giraud Wright Illustrated from contemporary portraits New York Doubleday, Page & Company 1905 The Library The University of North CaroBna Chanel Hill { Copyright, 1905, by Doubleday, Page & Company Published, September, 1905 All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign lan- guages, including the Scandinavian THIS RECORD IS WRITTEN IN LOVING MEMORY OF TWO CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS 9®V jFat&er and $®v Tdtot^zt oo Q H <0 CONTENTS Chapter I. Childhood in Texas. The Comet of 1858 — Journey by Stage Coach from Mar- shall to Austin — A Prairie Fire — Fording the Brazos River ......... -7 Chapter II. From Village to City Life. The Writer's Home in Marshall — Anecdotes of Faithful Negroes — Removal to Washington — Meetings with Sen- ators Clay and Slidell and Their Wives and Other Nota- bles . . . . . . . . . . n Chapter III. The Makers of History. John C. Breckenridge — Jefferson Davis — Judah P. Ben- jamin — R. M. T. Hunter — Louis T. Wigfall, the Writer's Father — A Famous Duel — Letters to and from Mrs. Wig- fall in 1 86 1 — The Evacuation of Fort Sumter . . 27 Chapter IV. The Feminine Spirit of the Confederacy. Mrs. Wigfall 's Letters from Montgomery, Alabama, and from Richmond — A Rhode Island Correspondent — A HumorousTncident — The Observations of a Girl of Four- teen — Her Journey from Boston to Baltimore . . 49 Chapter V. Southern Belles and Southern Soldiers. Letter from General Beauregard — The "Cary Invinci- bles" — Turner Ashby — William Pegram — John Pelham — William Latane" — "The Seven Days' Battle Around Richmond" . . . . . . . . 71 viii CONTENTS— Continued Chapter VI. War Time Correspondence. Jefferson Davis Writes to L. T. Wigfall — Notes from General Longstreet and General Lee — Home Gossip — Prince Polignac — Letters from General Hood — From the Author's Brother in Camp Near Fredericksburg — From General Johnston — From the Author's Father — From J. A. Seddon 87 Chapter VII. The Winter of '62-63. Light-hearted Boyish Letters from Camp — Schoolgirl Frolics — A Southern Barbara Frietchie— Chattanooga — Anecdote of "Stonewall" Jackson — Family Letters to 4, and from Richmond . . . . . . . in Chapter VIII. The Fortune of War. Social Life in Richmond — Halsey Wigfall's Letters from the Front — Gettysburg — Letters from General Hamp- ton — From General Stuart — From General Longstreet — A Tournament — Humor in a Hospital . . 135 Chapter IX. Suffering in the South. The President of the Confederacy — What One Woman Endured — High Price of Food and Clothing — A False Alarm — A Proposal to Recruit the Army of the Con- federacy with Slaves . . . . . . .159 Chapter X. Lines from the Losing Side. From Captain Wigfall on General Hood's Staff — After the Battle of the Wilderness — The Wounded Arrive at Charlottesville — Journey from Atlanta to Macon in a Hospital Train — General Johnston Superseded by Gen- eral Hood — Mrs. Clay's Tribute to the Former — The Evacuation of Atlanta . . . . . . .173 Chapter XI. Home Life of a Southern Gen- eral. The Misses Wigfall in Charge of Mrs. Joseph E. Johnston —A Cheerful Household— Mrs. Toby's "Party"— The CONTENTS— Continued ix Approach of General Sherman Causes a Rush from Macon — A Louisiana Swamp — Crossing the Mississippi in Dugouts . . . . . . . .193 Chapter XII. A Letter from the Front. Captain Wigfall Writes from Near Nashville, December 5, 1864 — The Fight at Franklin — Marching to Tennessee — Return to Richmond — A Sorrowing Mother . . 2.1 1 Chapter XIII. Last Months of the War. Unfaltering Hope and Faith of the South — Letters to Senator Wigfall from General Wade Hampton, Vice- President Alexander H. Stephens and General Robert E. Lee — A War Picture from North Carolina — Character Sketch of General Hood . . . . . .221 Chapter XIV. The Fall of the Curtain. General Johnston Reinstated to Command the Army of Tennessee — His Sentiments on the Subject — The Sur- render at Appomattox — Senator Wigfall Escapes in Disguise — The Last Ball of the Confederacy — Return of Major Wigfall — Poem on the Confederate Flag . . 235 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Miss Louise Wigfall (Mrs. D. Giraud Wright, of Baltimore) .... Frontispiece FACING PAGE Senator Slidell, of Louisiana, the Misses Slidell, Mrs. Slidell . Senator James M. Mason, of Virginia Senator Louis Trezevant Wigfall, of Texas Senator R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia . Brigadier-General Ben. McCulloch, C. S. A. The Texas Ranger .... Senator and Mrs. William M. Gwin, of Cali fornia ...... General G. T. Beauregard, C. S. A. Hon. and Mrs. William Porcher Miles Capt. Langdon Cheves, C. S. A., Miss Emma Cheves, Miss Mary Cheves Edmund Ruffin, of Virginia . Hon. James Simons, of South Carolina, and Miss Rheta Simons William Gourdin Young, of South Carolina Mrs. Louis Trezevant Wigfall . Miss Fanny Wigfall, of Texas (Mrs. B. Jones Taylor, of Baltimore) Miss Virginia Pegram, of Virginia (Mrs David Gregg Mcintosh, of Baltimore) 22 24 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 5o 58 74 xii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Miss Mary Haxall, of Virginia (Mrs. Alex- ander Cameron, of Richmond) . . . 76 Miss Mary Triplett, of Virginia (Mrs. Philip Haxall, of Richmond) . . . . 78 Miss Lelia Powers, of Virginia (Mrs. W. Stuart Symington, of Baltimore) . . 80 Miss Evelyn Bayly, of Virginia (Mrs. Louis McLane Tiffany, of Baltimore) . . . 82 Senator and Mrs. James Chesnut, Jr., of South Carolina . " . . . . 84 Miss Bertha Rives, of Virginia (Mrs. Thomas Keith Skinker, of Saint Louis) . . 86 General Joseph E. Johnston, C. S. A., Mrs. Joseph E. Johnston .... 96 Miss Hetty Cary, of Baltimore . . .119 President Jefferson Davis . . . 160 Capt. John Randolph Hamilton, Commander of the Floating Battery, C. S. N., and Mrs. John Randolph Hamilton . . 180 James L. Pettigru, a distinguished jurist of Charleston, S. C. . . . . .190 Lieutenant-General John B. Hood, C. S. A. 230 Miss Mary Maben, of Virginia (Mrs. Frank Peyton Clark, of Baltimore) . . . 236 Miss Turner MacFarland, of Virginia (Mrs. J. Willcox Brown, of Baltimore) . . 238 Miss Nannie Enders, of Virginia (Mrs. J. Caskie Cabell, of Richmond) . . .242 Radical Members of the Legislature of South Carolina . . . . .250 CHILDHOOD IN TEXAS CHAPTER I Childhood in Texas THE COMET OF 1858 JOURNEY BY STAGE COACH FROM MARSHALL TO AUSTIN A PRAIRIE FIRE FORDING THE BRAZOS RIVER. IN gathering the sad and happy memories of the years of which I write, I am actuated by two motives — one, that I am conscious that the days are passing, and that if done at all, the chronicle had best be written ere the eye that has seen these things grows dim and the memory faulty; and the other, that I would fain live in the thoughts of the children who shall come after me, and have their hearts, as they read this record, heat_in unison with-^xuna, Thus shall we be li nked together in these memo ries. I remember, in the summer of 1858, sitting on the broad piazza in front of our home in Marshall, Texa s, watching the great comet that hung in the heavens. I can see now the crepe myrtle bushes with their rose-colored blossoms, flanking the steps; feel again the warm, languorous air of the summer night, heavy with the odor of white jasmine, and honeysuckle; and hear again the voices, long stilled, as we talked together 3 Q <3 .4 4 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 of the comet and its portent. As a child, I felt the influence of the time: great events_ J^ere formingjthe "irrepressible conHicV^ which cul- minated mTneTawful struggle of the sixties, was just becoming, to theminds of thinkers, ^.fearful ■proba bilit y ; and when we looked at the blazing cometin tnat fair summer sky, a feeling of awe and mystery enveloped us. Night after night we watched it, and singular to say, it is the only distinct impression left on my mind of the summer of '58. In the autumn my iat her was e lected to the State Senate and we made preparations for our journey to Austin. There were no railroads across the State in those days, and the hundreds of miles had to be traversed by private convey- ance, or by stage coach. We decided to make the expedition in our old- fashioned family carriage, drawn by a pair of stout horses and driven by our negro coachman, Henry. My brother came with us on horseback. We made the journey in easy stages — our luggage, of course, being sent on by coach. We would drive about thirty miles a day — never more; stopping in the middle of the day for an hour or so, when the horses would be thoroughly rested and fed, and we would have our luncheon. At night, we always stopped at a convenient farmhouse, the location of which had been previously learned, and whose owners were ac- CHILDHOOD IN TEXAS 5 customed, in a country where there were no inns, to receive occasional travelers. What a delightful journey it was! The beau- tiful, level, prairie roads, hard, white and smooth, over which we rolled, with little effort on the horses' part — stretching behind and before us that wide expanse of prairie, now, in November, covered with tall, waving, yellow grass; but in June glorious with the exquisite blue flowers of the buffalo clover — stopping, from time to time, to water the horses from the pure, limpid springs; the heavens blue as a sapphire and the sun shining! I do not remember any rainy days in the ten during which we were on the road. The mid- day meal, taken by the banks of some clear, beau- tiful stream, was a feast indeed — a daily picnic of the most enchanting kind. I recall only two adventures by the way. One was our setting the prairie on fire by thought- lessly throwing a lighted match in the dry grass, which might have resulted very seriously had we not been near a stream, and had not the wind been blowing towards it, and in the opposite direction from that in which we were going. As it hap- pened, it was an interesting and novel sight, viewed at a safe distance. And it resulted in much merriment, as we recalled our first frightened efforts to put out the prairie fire by futile little journey ings to and from the stream with cups of water. 6 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i Our other adventure was fording the Brazos River, a broad, swift-running, shallow stream, so limpid that the stones on the bottom were clearly visible. When we reached the ford, we knew nothing of the treacherous character of the sandy bottom, and when about fifty feet from the shore the horses stopped to drink. Imagine our horror when we felt the carriage beginning to sink and the horses to plunge in a vain endeavor to extricate themselves. Luckily for us, the quicksands were not very deep, and having sunk as far as the hubs of the wheels, there we stuck, hard and fast. My brother, who was on horseback, was able to approach cautiously, and took each of us out of the carriage window, when, seated behind him and holding on to him with a grip made intense by necessity and terror, we rode rapidly across the river and were landed safely on the other side. The carriage, now being lightened of its weight, was raised, and the horses were enabled to get on a firmer footing and soon were out of their dangerous position. I must say that I think we all behaved very well, as I have no recol- lection of any excitement or cries of terror, which might have been expected of us in such a new and trying experience. I recall very vividly the evening when we came in sight of the city of Austin : the brilliant autumn sunset, the invigorating air, the lovely view of CHILDHOOD IN TEXAS 7 the surrounding country, the sound of the horses' feet ringing on the hard, smooth road, as we rolled along, down the slope that brought us to our journey's end — half way across the State of Texas, in ten days. \Dd&u-5 ^ ^^ ^ <^T*^ FROM VILLAGE TO CITY LIFE \^uW-^- ry^c^r<^,\ Ttfa-b CHAPTER II From Village to City Life THE WRITER'S HOME IN MARSHALL ANECDOTES OF FAITH- FUL NEGROES REMOVAL TO WASHINGTON MEETINGS WITH SENATORS CLAY AND SLIDELL AND THEIR WIVES AND OTHER NOTABLES. It is curious how the minor things in a life stand out against the background of the past like silhouettes. The great events are harder to re- member than the trifles. The village of MarshalT\ was not different from a thousand other little country towns throughout the South. The houses set back from the sandy street, with their front yards filled with roses and honeysuckles; the back yards with the servants' quarters and the wood piles; the well dug deep to reach the cool water; and in it the tempting bucket in which the luscious watermelon was sent down to its mysterious depths, and from which it emerged covered with a silver frost. The happy little darkies played in the back- ground through the summer day, and gathered around the kitchen fire when the nights grew chill, and the white folks at "the house" sat by the roaring hickory logs at the chimney side. ii i2 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i I never see a big wood fire but I remember my father and the way he constructed his : The huge back log, first; the light- wood knots in front, and on top the wealth of smaller hickory; and then the blaze, and the warmth, and the delight of replenishing ! There is one little figure, that stands out in positive and pathetic prominence, as I think of those old days; little Emmeline, the small negro girl who was my constant companion. She loved me with a devotion that I have never seen excelled, and in her brief life (for she died when eight years old) she made an im- pression which has never left me, and which I am glad to record here. When she died, after a short illness, I grieved sincerely; and to this day cannot think of her without a pang. Strange to say, of our many plays together only two incidents can I recall. It was the fourth of July. The arrival of the day had been an- nounced at dawn by the explosion of gunpowder placed in an anvil, this being the primitive method in vogue among the village patriots for ushering in the anniversary and producing the desired amount of noise. There was, of course, the usual popping of firecrackers, and the usual parade of the militia. When little Emmeline heard the shouts and the music, she left the enchantment of the approaching FROM VILLAGE TO CITY LIFE 13 pageant, even at the risk of losing the sight, to summon me. "Oh! run, run," she screamed at the top of her voice, "run, and look; General Washington done come." We had a dear old doctor in the village, and he had one invariable method of diagnosis, which used to cause us all infinite amusement. What- ever the disease, and wherever situated, he always, before administering his remedies, would first proceed to feel our spines. We thought it very funny, but he was only a little in advance of his school. Nowadays, I believe, the osteopaths pursue the same practice and proclaim much the same doctrine, as to the general seat of disease. Now Emmeline, like the rest of her race, was im- itative ; she liked to play doctor. We saw her one day, having cornered a little piccaninny, named Hannah, proceed to poke and punch different portions of her anatomy in true medical style, accentuating her thrusts with the suggestive query as to the location of the supposed pain, her voice taking on an indescribable whine, supposed to be professional. "Hannah, Hannah, docker Baylor say your backbone hurt you, Hannah?" If she had lived in later days who knows in what new school of medicine she might not have been a burning and a shining light! Then there was the Court House in the middle i 4 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i of the square, where the voice of the crier was heard on Court days calling, " Oh yes, oh, yes, come into Court," and the long rack where the horses were hitched in patient rows, switching off the flies with their long tails. Fortunately for them "docking" was an unknown art. Then there was the tavern, with the wide front piazza, where appeared the benches and the split-bottomed chairs, with their leisurely occu- pants; and the inevitable accompaniment of ele- vated legs on the railing, which some cavilling Britisher has styled the attitude of the American Congressman. I can hear now the dinner bell, summoning the guests at the hour of noon. The boys had a song to fit the monotonous sound, suggestive of the quality and quantity of the repast. "Pigtail done, Pigtail done, If you don't come quick You won't git none!" Then there were the churches of different de- nominations. The quaint Methodist buildings, where the men sat on one side and the women on the other; where, on Sunday evenings, however, the rules were not so strict but that the girls made themselves pretty and coquettish enough, in their sweet summer dresses, and won many a sly glance of approbation from across the rigid divid- ing line. FROM VILLAGE TO CITY LIFE 15 Then there were the hard-shell Baptists and the Campbellite Baptists; and from their pulpits the theologians of the different schools pronounced a sufficient variety of dogmas to daunt the souls and bewilder the minds of ordinary mortals. Many of the negroes were members of one or other of these denominations. " Dick " professed conversion and was taken into the fold by im- mersion. When "Marcia" heard of it her com- ment was congratulatory for two reasons, "One t'ing, Dick got a good washin'." It was against the rules for the negroes to be out at night without a "pass," and it was the custom to come to young " Massa " or " Missus " to write them for them. Many a one have I written. "Henry has permission to pass and repass until ten o'clock" was the usual form. There have been volumes written about the negro, generally by persons who knew nothing, by practical experience, of the subject of which ( "JQlc^CF^ they wrote. They theorized, from a false basis, f / 1 'l^zr^ s ^y) on a condition of things which existed only in r^\ ,\*jl\ their imaginations; and they built up a fabric, \ c which, in these later days, has tumbled down about their ears, and bids fair, in its fall, to work havoc, in more directions than one. It may be that out of the dirt and debris, a new structure will be erected in time; but that time is certainly not yet. Now I do not propose to theorize on the subject. I merely wish to relate two or three i6 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i facts, to the truth of which I can bear witness — facts that exhibit the character of the negro, as shown during the War, under the then existing conditions of slavery. When my parents left home in the autumn of i860 to go to Washington, they anticipated re- turning in a few months. We had a faithful woman, named Sarah, whose family had belonged to ours for two generations. Before our departure the silver was packed away and the key given to Sarah. Fo r nearly four years we were absent. During that time the house was occupied, on several occasions, as headquarters, by Generals of our own army in command at Marshall, per- mission of course being given. Sarah, for the credit of the establishment, as she told us after- wards, produced the silver and had it constantly in use. When we returned, not a single piece was missing; though, in the meantime the War had ended, and she was free to come and go as she chose, and could easily, in the lawlessness of the time, have decamped with her prize, with no one to gainsay her. When, on our return home after weeks of waiting in fear and anxiety for my father's safety, at last tidings were brought us that he was in our neighborhood — it was to Sarah that we confided the fact, and through her connivance, under cover of night, he entered his home. It was Sarah who watched with us and stood on guard through the long weary hours FROM VILLAGE TO CITY LIFE 17 while we sat together and talked over the plans for the future — and it was Sarah who saw in the early dawn that the coast was clear for her master — her master no longer — to make his escape from his foes! Then again there was Henry, my brother's body servant during the War. In looking back it seems strange that officers in the army, at a time when they were barely existing on a third of a pound of bacon a day and a little corn meal, should have decreased their slender store by sharing it with servants. But those were the good old days and the good old ways, and I, for one, would never have changed them! Now one of my father's admirers in Texas had sent to him at Richmond a very beautiful Mexican saddle, heavily mounted in silver, and he, caring little for such vanities and always delighting to give to his children, promptly transferred the valuable present to my brother. Henry's pride in his young master's grandeur was unbounded, and he polished the handsome silver mountings with unwearied zeal, and I doubt if the suggestion ever occurred to his simple mind as to how sensible it would be to convert a portion of those jingling chains and buckles into some good digestible article to appease the ever-present hunger of both master and man. After General Johnston's sur- render, and when my brother determined to make his way across the river to join Kirby Smith, he A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 \» had to part from Henry. That Henry should leave him voluntarily never occurred to either of them. He left him at a point in Alabama and told him to wait with the horse and famous saddle until he should receive orders to come. And there he remained for weeks, faithful and obedient. When at last my brother wrote for him he sold the horse and the saddle, according to his orders, and with the proceeds made his way home, where he appeared one day to give an account of his adventures and expenditures. Can these instances of faithful service be matched in any negro to-day, ter nearly forty years of freedom? The negro in slavery, before and during the War . was lazy and idle — he w i ll always be that — but he was simple, true and faith ful. What he has become since his emancipation from servitude is a queer comment on the effect of the liberty | bestowed upon him. But that is going very far \r ^field and away from our subject. U^ y* The great events in the county were the barbe- yfcues and the commencements. The former were ^generally the means of gathering the politicians who made stump speeches, and instructed the people as to the proper way to construe the Constitution, and duly inculcated the do ctrine of Stat es' rights ._ Here, over a great pit, spanned by iron rods, were laid and roasted huge beeves and hogs, the dispensing of which savory viands, on immense tables spread under the shade of the FROM VILLAGE TO CITY LIFE 19 branching oaks, was good to see, and better to smell, and best of all to taste. Then the Commencements were the events of the year. The "sweet girl graduates" in their filmy white robes and dainty ribbons, with compo- sitions in hand, astonishing the dear old country papas and mamas, by "words of learned length and thundering sound", and blushing and simper- ing under the admiring gaze of the youthful swains. I knew of one of these, after an occasion of the sort, expressing his feelings of admiration in rather an original way, by sending his lady love a mag- nificent watermelon with its dear little curly tail tied with a blue ribbon ! This youthful enthusiast bore the euphonious appellation of Alonzo Wo- mack, and some cruel, unfeeling one, with a prophetic eye to the possible result of a mutual consumption of the luscious gift, made the follow- ing suggestive couplet: "Alonzo Womack With a pain in his stomach." s * I ^ /From Marshall, my thoughts naturally drift oip" 1 ^ * r*jLin back t o Austin where we spent two winters before co '° " v , rj u my father's election to the United States Senate. 10*4^^ q I wonder if my descendants, should they ever jlX2- { ~*^ x> ~ read these memoirs, will be shocked at the levity of an ancestress who frankly acknowledges that the most vivid recollection left on her mind is a grey merino pelisse and black beaver hat and 20 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 plumes with which her small person was decked during the winter of 1859. At the house where we spent the winter I do remember several inter- esting people. One of these was " Tom " Ochiltree, whose name has since attained wide celebrity. He was then clerk of the Texas Senate, young and full of spirit and mischief and cleverness, of a kindly temper and fond of children. A little girl of six, staying in the house with him, became deeply enamoured, and used to weep bitterly when her elders, to tease her, would de- clare that his locks, which were of an intensified Titian tint, would set the house afire. At this date occurred the event, which was to transport me from the quiet life I had led into that vast theatre whereon was acted the greatest agedy— -^£- modern tkaes, and in which those nearest and dearest to me played prominent parts. From their intimate connection with the chief actors in those tragic days I have been taken behind the scenes, and enabled from tale of lip and pen to write this chronicle. I well remember the night we sat waiting to- gether for news from the Capitol, when suddenly the sound of music was heard and the shouts of the crowd coming to announce the election of my father to the United States Senate. In a short time thereafter we went to Washington, by way of Galveston, where we took the steamer for FROM VILLAGE TO CITY LIFE 21 New Orleans, and thence up the Mississippi River to Memphis, from where the railroad carried us to our destination. I remember my delight in that journey. New Orleans, with its foreign air and beautiful shops; the old St. Charles Hotel, where we stopped for a while, that our wardrobes might receive a finishing touch at the hands of the modistes and milliners, whose good taste was proverbial. Then the week on that river palace, the old John Simonds, one of the famous boats of the day. Such luxury of living, even in these times, could not be ex- celled. And the delicious leisure of it, the lack of hurry and bustle. A week to go from New Orleans to Memphis! When we reached Washing ton, we joined the co lony at Brown's Hotel, where the atmosphere was as distinctly Southern in c haracter as it was Northern at Willard's, the riva l house. Among "the many interesting people at^Brown's" were Senator Clement C. Clay and his brilliant wife. Mrs. Clay was a woman of great vivacity, and rare charm of manner; her cleverness and wit made her a delightful companion, and her lively sallies at the great fancy ball, in the winter of '58, where she personated "Mrs. Partington," with a young friend in attendance as "Ike," will long be remembered Here, I saw, for the first time what was then called "dollar jewelry," and this was when Mrs. 22 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i Clay came down to dinner one night, very ele- gantly gowned, her ornaments being a beautiful set of carbuncles, which sparkled and glowed in the lamplight. After having called attention to her new acquisitions and had them duly admired, she laughingly confessed that she had purchased the gems at the •' dollar store " as a present for her maid. This happy, buoyant temper enabled her to bear up under the sorrows of the coming years, when her husband, sent as a Commissioner from the Confederacy to Canada, was, on his return, imprisoned on a charge of complicity with the assassination of Lincoln (fancy Clement Clay, the noblest, kindest, most gentle of men, in the char- acter of an assassin!), and though released after months of suffering and hardship, never recovered his health or spirits. Photography was in its in- fancy at this time, and the little " cartes de visite," which it was then the fashion to present to one's friends, show what a wide step has been taken between those crude attempts and the finished works of art of this day. Among the many prominent personalities who crowd my memory for recognition are Senator and Mrs. Slidell, of Louisiana, and their lovely daughters, one of whom afterward married Baron Erlanger, of Paris. Mr. Slidell will probably be best remembered by his connection with the Trent affair. Mrs. Slidell and her daughters were on the vessel when her husband was removed and c - 1 < 3 w ■j: FROM VILLAGE TO CITY LIFE 23 were taken with him on board the United States ship. In making the removal, the story goes, and was generally believed, though I cannot vouch for its accuracy, a Federal officer laid a restraining hand on Miss Slidell's shoulder, whereupon she very promptly raised her own and administered an emphatic rebuke for his temerity by a sound slap on the cheek. A rhymster of the day cele- brated the fact in a song, of which the following couplet was the refrain: "A bumper for the gallant girl, Who slapped the dastard Tory oh!" The winter of '60 saw us again in Washington with our quarters changed to " Wormley's." This was more than forty years ago and was in the dawn of Wormley's fame as a caterer — indeed, I believe ours was the first family to lodge with him in the house, which was afterward a synonym for delightful living and even in those days the acme of comfort. I can recall now, in these degenerate times of dis- comfort and bad servants, the admirable service rendered, and the delicious dinners furnished us, and with a sigh of regret confess to myself that if we have progressed in some matters we certainly have retrogressed in others. In our drawing room in " I " Street were often gathered many of the distinguished men of the day — and I, a child of fourteen, would sit quietly by, listening to the talk and hearing Kl 24 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN *6i the great questions of the hour discussed. The war clouds were growing black and threaten- ing, and even the children felt the impulse of the time. My great delight was to go to the Capitol and hear my father speak in the Senate, and he never had a more ardent admirer of his fiery eloquence than the little daughter in the gallery, who listened to the debates with beat- ing heart; but with the most supreme confidence in his wisdom and power to vanquish all adver- saries. SENATOR JAMES M MASON, OF VIRGINIA THE MAKERS OF HISTORY CHAPTER III The Makers of History JOHN C. BRECKENRTDGE JEFFERSON DAVIS JUDAH P. BENJAMIN— -R. M. T. HUNTER LOUIS T. WIGFALL, THE WRITER'S FATHER A FAMOUS DUEL LETTERS TO AND FROM MRS. WIGFALL IN l86l — THE EVACUATION OF FORT SUMTER. In thinking of the men who made the South famous in the Senate at that day, the Vice-Presi- dent, John C. Breckenridge of Kentucky, naturally comes first to mind. With what inimitable dig- nity and grace he presided as President of the Sen- ate — even his worst enemies according him praise for the justice and impartiality of his rulings. He was a delightful man to know well, and I shall never forget the charm of his conversation. His keen sense of humor, fund of anecdote, and the fascinating cordiality of his manner, made a lighter setting to the sterner qualities of his char- acter which came out fully when, throwing in his fortunes with the young Confederacy, he served in the field as Major General, and in the Cabinet as Secretary of War. Brilliant he was and debo- nair, the highest type of a Kentucky gentleman, statesman and soldier. I remember him in Lon- 27 28 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i don, in 1867, broken in fortune and retired to private life from the exalted position he had held ; just the same noble gentleman and delightful com- panion he had ever been, with spirit undaunted, and sense of humor undiminished. He told us a droll story, illustrating this latter trait. When he was in London at the time of which I have spoken, he was much sought after as a celebrity and among many other invitations received one from the Countess of Blank to luncheon. This lady at the same time had advertised for a foot- man, stating, as is usual in such cases, the required height, etc., a footman being considered more or less desirable according to his dimensions. Now General Breckenridge was a man of very magnifi- cent proportions. Mistaking the hour he reached the house before the appointed time and by some accident was ushered into Lady Blank's presence without being announced. The day was in June; owing to the heat, the blinds were drawn, letting in a subdued light; Lady Blank, glancing at the advancing figure, to the astonishment of the visitor greeted him thus: "Have you a reference from your last place?" The General took in the situation instantly, and with a twinkle in his eye unobserved by his hostess, answered respectfully, "Yes, my lady." "What were your duties?" was the next query. "Well, my lady, in the last three places I held, SENATOR LOUIS TREZEVANT WIGFALL, OF TEXAS (1S61) THE MAKERS OF HISTORY 29 I was Vice-President of the United States, Major General in the Confederate Army, and Secretary of War of the Confederate States of America! " "Oh! General Breckenridge," stammered Lady Blank, utterly overcome with confusion, and avert- ing her face. Laughing heartily, he advanced with his hands outstretched, and assured her that his vanity was so tickled at the implied compli- ment to his figure that he quite forgave her mis- take. Jefferson Davis was afterward to be the most famous of that remarkable group of men. He was a man of scholarly attainments, polished man- ners, and of quiet and grave demeanor. His integrity of purpose, pure patriotism and high courage were never questioned by those who knew him best. My father's intimacy with him was of the closest, and he loved and esteemed him as a friend and admired him as a man, until, in the last, unhappy years of the Confederacy, an estrangement grew up between them, owing to differing views as to the conduct of affairs, of which I shall speak more particularly hereafter. As showing the softer side of Mr. Davis's char- acter, I recall my father's telling us one day, when he went to see him in Washington on some grave matter of state, that he found the future President of the Confederacy in his library, lying flat on his back, with two or three of his little children climbing over him. T^cVx^Jc,^ 30 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 As I write the names of others in that famous group, the familiar faces rise before me. Ben- jamin, the silver tongued; I can see him now in the attitude he always assumed when speaking, leaning slightly forward, with one hand resting on his desk, while his softly modulated voice and clear enunciation, the purity of his English and the wonderful flow of language delighted his auditors. However hot and furious the debate, the soft tone of his voice was never raised in anger, nor his placid manner the least ruffled or disturbed. Not so the fiery Georgian, Tombs, who would thunder out his anathemas in a manner com- mensurate with his zeal and earnestness in the defence of his principles. Senator R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia, was a man of great force. My father, in his character- istic way, said of him, " I don't know what we Southern men would do without Hunter ; he is the only one among us who knows anything about finance!" As the fateful winter of '61 wore on, the Southern Senators began to drop off, one by one, with the secession of their states, until, at last, my father was left almost alone in his place. Texas not having seceded, he held his ground and refused to give up his seat in the Senate, until his state had passed the ordinance of secession. During this time he stood at bay, surrounded by enemies, the champion of the South; vindicating J* ■it SENATOR R. M. T. HUNTER, OF VIRGINIA THE MAKERS OF HISTORY 31 the right of the Sovereign States to secede, under the Constitution, appealing to the Northern Sena- tors for a peaceful solution of the "irrepressible conflict," and hurling back, in the faces of their defamers, the calumnies against the Southern States. It was then that he and Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts, contended in a memorable debate on the issues of the day. This contest excited unusual interest, from the fact that Preston Brooks, of South Carolina, whose attack on Sumner is known to the world, had fought a duel with my father in 1841, in which they were both wounded. Preston Brooks was shot through the hip, and my father through both thighs. The latter was twenty-three years old and Preston Brooks twenty-two at the time. My father's second was John Laurens Manning, afterward Governor of South Carolina, and the second of Preston Brooks was Pierce M. Butler, afterward also Governor of the State. My father had been in several affairs of honor before this; but never fought another duel after his marriage. He sel- dom mentioned the subject, but when asked for his opinion would state with an earnestness of conviction, as refreshing as it was real, that he was a firm believer in the code duello as a factor in the improvement of both the morals and the man- ners of a community ! He held that it engendered courtesy of speech and demeanor — had a most restraining tendency on the errant fancy, and as 32 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 a preservative of the domestic relations was with- out an equal. His fame, as a marksman, was known throughout the State. As a funny illus- tration of that, General Hampton used to tell a story, that as he was riding one day through his plantation, he met a negro on the road who touched his forelock respectfully and to whom he stopped and spoke. He was sure the man was one of his own slaves, from the direction from which he came, but from idle curiosity asked the question, " Whom do you belong to, Sambo?" Sambo straightened himself and with an air of great importance replied, " Colonel Wigfall, sah, de best shot in Souf Callina, sah!" This was such a barefaced misappropria- tion of ownership, as Colonel Wigfall 's home was in another part of the state, that General Hampton laughed heartily and saved the story as too good to be lost. But this is a digression. Chandler, of Michigan, was another Republican Senator who was especially violent in his denuncia- tions of the South. On one occasion he made a very virulent attack, saying in the course of his speech many bitter things of the seceded states; finishing up with the statement that if certain contingencies came about, he would "leave this country and join some other nation — even the Comanches he would prefer to this Government in such a case." My father rose in answer and stated in a grave tone of remonstrance, " that he trusted the Senator would think better of this BRIGADIER-GENERAL BEX. McCULLOCH, C. S. A. The Texas Ranker THE MAKERS OF HISTORY 3 $ resolve, for the Comanches had already suffered toa much from contact with the whites!" At this time, March, 1861, the Provisional Gov- ernment of the Confederate States was already established in Montgomery, Ala. The Southern people were still hoping for a peaceful solution of their difficulties by the evacuation of Fort Sumter. In anticipation of leaving Washington and in view of the uncertainty of their movements, my parents had sent my sister and myself, children of eight and fourteen years of age, to remain temporarily with my maternal grandmother at Longwood, a suburb of Boston. My father writes at this time in a letter to my brother at school : " Political matters are in statu quo, ante helium. The war has not yet begun, but I believe it will before the end of summer, though the general impression here is that we will have peace. " When I get to Montgomery I'll write you fully all the news, and my impressions as to the political conditions present and to come. Ben McCulloch was here yesterday. He came on to buy Colt's pistols for a Mounted Regiment in Texas, which he is authorized by the Confederate States to raise. He has gone to Richmond where I'll meet him to-morrow. Morse went on to Hartford to buy the pistols. (The indictment against Governor Floyd has been dismissed by the Government. There never was the slightest ground for indicting him. Andy Johnson was reported in the Repub- 34 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 lican papers here as using very offensive language in reference to Governor Floyd. The Governor addressed him a note to-day enquiring as to the correctness of the report and Andy, of course, dis- claimed it. So the matter ended.)" March 24th. My mother says: "Your father has gone over to-day to Alexandria to meet McCul- loch. McCulloch arrived here last night and went right to Mr. Gwin's. It was deemed imprudent by his friends for him to remain in Washington on account of the part he took about the Forts in Texas, and they advised him to go to Alexandria, so your father has gone there to see him. . . . No news has yet come of the evacuation of Fort Sumter." %. Again, " Richmond, March 29, 1861 . We got here Tuesday . . . and are staying at the Spotswood House. Mr. McCulloch is here to buy arms for Texas, and your father is assisting him in making the arrangements necessary. ... I see by to- day's paper that the Senate has adjourned and what is more is that Sumter has not yet been evac- uated. I don't believe Jeff Davis will allow them to trifle with him much longer, and should not be surprised at any time to hear that he was preparing to take it. ... I attended the Convention yesterday. . . . The friends of secession seem confident that Virginia will join the South, but differ about the time. We went to an elegant din- THE MAKERS OF HISTORY 35 ner yesterday given to us by Mr. & Mrs. Lyons. The party was composed of twenty, and among them were Mr. Tyler, Mr. McCulloch, etc. Mrs. Lyons is one of the loveliest people I have seen in a long time. Mr. Lyons told me that the people here would never allow the removal of the guns that have been ordered to be sent to Fortress Monroe. He said there were about fifty of them, and it was fully determined that the order should not be executed. I think they are some miles from this city and would have to pass through here to get to Old Point. This is a fine looking old place, and reminds me of Charleston." "Charleston, April 2nd, 1861. "We arrived here yesterday morning and I find very little change in the appearance of things since we were here eighteen months ago. You meet a good many soldiers, but that is about the only difference. The people are all s trong ly in hopes that Fort Sumt er wjITTg evacu ated very soon. Some think to-day, and that the reason why it has been put off so long was on account of the New England elections. Your father has gone down to-day to visit the fortifications and has had the Lady Davis put at his command." "Charleston, April 10, 1861. " You see we are still here and it is quite impos- sible to say for how long a time. Your father has been with General Beauregard almost con- 3 6 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 stantly since we came, until yesterday, when General Beauregard requested him to go on his staff, and since then he has been actively engaged in carrying out his orders. I suppose you know the condition of things from the papers — that the administration after their professions of peace have determined to re-inforce the Fort at all risks, and we are in hourly expectation of the arrival of the storeship and the fleet sent to pro- tect it. General Beauregard is only waiting for the arrival of the troops from the country to make the attack on the Fort. He is quite confident of the result, and God grant he may be right. We are all anxious enough as you may suppose." At this date my father sent the following telegram to President Davis at Montgomery: "Charleston, io April, 1861. V No one now doubts that Lincoln intends War. The delay on his~parTis only to complete his prep- arations. All here is ready on our side. Our delay therefore is to his advantage, and our dis- advantage. Let us take Fort Sumter, before we have to fight the fleet and the Fort. General Beauregard will not act without your order. Let me suggest to you to send the order to him to begin the attack as soon as he is ready. Virginia is excited by the preparations, and a bold stroke on our side will complete her purposes. Policy and Prudence are urgent upon us to begin at once. Photo by Quinby, Charleston, S. C, GENERAL G. T. BEAUREGARD. C S. A. THE MAKERS OF HISTORY 37 Let me urge the order to attack most seriously Bpoiryou/"* "L. T. Wigfall." President Davis sent in answer from Mont- gomery the following letter: " Montgomery, Alabama, "April 12th, 1 86 1. "My dear friend, " Your despatch reached me after I had directed one to be sent, which anticipated your wish so fully that you might have imagined it to be an answer if the dates had been reversed. I shall attend to your request about the pistols. The Secretary of War, ' to whom I handed your letter, has not replied ; but there can be no difficulty too great to be overborne by your anxiety in the matter. "As ever your friend, "Jefferson Davis." "A want of vigilance let Anderson pass from Moultrie to Sumter. I hope your guard boats, steamers and launches are under competent and faithfully watchful officers. "J. D." The following letter is from my mother, sent to me to Longwood, Massachusetts: "Charleston, April nth, 1861. ". . . Your father was gone all night with Captain Hartstein, seeing to placing light boats, with fires of pine wood, in the harbor, for the pur- 38 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 pose of detecting the approach of the enemy's boats. He has gone again to-day and will not return until evening. ... A demand for the surrender of the Fort was made to-day, but the answer has not yet come. In case of Anderson's refusal (of which there is little doubt), the fire of the batteries on him will open at 8 to-night. God grant the Fort may be surrendered before the arrival of the Fleet, for although I believe General Beauregard is prepared on every side, yet I should feel al l danger were o ve r if we had the Fort . It will be a night of intense excitement and although I can't help feeling shivery and nervous, yet I am not as much alarmed as I might be, and something tells me it won't be so bad after all I am going down after a while to walk with Mrs. Chesnut on the Battery and will add more when I hear the answer Anderson returns." "April 12. " I was awakened about half past four, this morning, by the booming of a cannon, and it has been going on steadily ever since — the firing is constant and rapid — with what results we don't yet know. Your father has gone to Morris's Island to obtain a report from the command there, and in order to avoid the guns of Sumter he has taken Major Whiting's row boat, so as to run in by the Inlets. I don't know how long he will be gone." " ii o'clock. The news we hear so far is good. THE MAKERS OF HISTORY 39 No one killed on Morris's Island so far — and a breach reported in Fort Sumter. The iron battery is working well and the balls from Sumter have no effect on it. All is excitement of the most painful kind. Another story is that the Harriet Lane which was off the bar last night has been fired into and injured." My father writes to my mother: " Head Quarters, " Morris Island, "April 12th. ". . . I take a moment to write you a line to say that I am well and that all is well. I can- not return till General Beauregard comes. I am very busy examining the position of the different batteries and arranging Infantry to support them in case a landing should be attempted. They are, you know, entirely out of the reach of the guns of Sumter. I have not been to Cummin's Point, but hear a good report. The Iron Battery stands fire admirably, and has dismounted two of Sumter's barbette guns. Not a single accident up to this time on our side. Thought that Sumter suffered this morning from the effect of shells — as Anderson is keeping his men at the casemates. He has thrown no shell, and probably has none; or per- haps, no guns from which to throw them. He has been throwing 32 solid shot at the iron bat- 4 o A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 tery, and they break to pieces, and fly off without making the slightest impression. Dr. St. Julien Ravenel has just come in and says that up to this time no one has been hurt. The wind is very high and I cannot hear the firing, but they still keep it up. I have been on the upper part of the Island, and am about to mount my horse again. We have just held a council to distribute the forces for the night, and before mounting I write to make you easy and assure you that all is well. My mother writes : "Saturday, April 13. "The news is glorio us for us . No one hurt on our side, and no damage of any consequence to our batteries. Your father has been at Morris's Island all yesterday, and all night. He however wrote me not to expect him and I did not feel uneasy, as Captain Hartstein told me it was utterly impossible for boats to land with such a high sea. This morning Fort Sumter is on fire (produced from the shells it is thought). They say the flag is at half mast and has been so all the morning — a sure sign of distress. The fleet will try to relieve him, of course, but it will be in vain, and thus, I trust in God, this business will end. Heaven has favored our side, and we are all grateful'to a Kind f^c^idence. I doubt if your father returns before night." THE MAKERS OF HISTORY 41 The following letter, written from Charleston to the New York Times, gives a very fair account of the surrender of Fort Sumter and my father's connec- tion with the affair. A Southern newspaper says : " Hon. Louis T. Wigfall. "The gallantry, chivalry, and heroism of this distinguished son of the South is even applauded by those from whom we least expected a word of commendation. The following is an extract of a letter written from Charleston to the New York Times, to which we invite the especial attention of our readers, both on account of its fairness, as well as of its correct representation of the inter- view which came off between Senator Wigfall and Major Anderson: "'Mr. Wigfall's exploit was as gallant and chivalrous as any deed of modern times. — Stationed on Morris Island, where he had been on foot or in the saddle since the commencement of the attack, he no sooner saw the second barracks in flames and the flag staff shot away, than he resolved to make his way to the Fort and persuade Major Anderson to desist from a resistance mani- festly so unavailing. "'Despite the remonstrances of those around him, he embarked in a skiff, and with three Negro oarsmen and a coxswain, pulled over to the Fort. He was scarce a hundred yards from shore when they hailed to him to return, "The Stars 42 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 and Stripes were again flying." — He literally turned a deaf ear to this call, and pushed on, brandishing his sword, to which he had tied his white handkerchief as a flag of truce. From the batteries of Fort Moultrie balls and shell were aimed at the skiff. The white flag was invisible at that distance, and the boat, only noticed when nearing the Fort, if not carrying reinforcements, had no business there. A thirty-two pound ball struck the water within five yards of her, and was followed by a shell which came near proving fatal. The Africans strained every nerve to get under the lee of the fort, and the officers at the batteries observing that the boat never swerved from her course, inferred that Wig] all must have been in it, thereby acknowledging his more than Palmetto recklessness and daring. "'On touching the wharf, the volunteer sprang ashore, and finding the gate burst open by the flames, made his way round to an open port hole on the town side of the fort, through which with the aid of a loose piece of timber which he placed beneath it, he swung himself from a protruding gun into the embrasure. He stumbled unchal- lenged upon one of the garrison, who did not know where Major Anderson was. The fire was still raging, the heat intense, and the smoke insuffer- able. Shells were still exploding above, and from time to time within the fort, from the mortars on Sullivan's Island. He worked his way up to a Photo hy Quinby, Charleston, S. C. EDMUND RUFFIN, OF VIRGINIA (At the age of ninety) He fired the first shot at Fort Sumter, and after the surrender at Appomatox killed himself, saying " I cannot survive the liberties of my country." THE MAKERS OF HISTORY 43 group of officers and men standing near a casemate — ' ' Was Major Anderson there ? " " No ! " Before the party had recovered their surprise at the apparition, Major Anderson came up from the quarter Wigfall had just left. He saw the sword and white handkerchief '" " Whom have I the honor of addressing? " "'" Col. Wigfall, of Gen. Beauregard's staff." " ' " May I inquire your business with me? " " ' " I have come to say that you must strike your colors. Your position is untenable. — You have defended it gallantly. It's madness to persevere in useless resistance. You cannot be reinforced. You have no provisions. — Your ammunition is nearly exhausted, and your fort is on fire." " ' " On what terms do you summon me to sur- render ? " " ' " Unconditional. Gen. Beauregard is an officer and a gentleman. He will, doubtless, grant you all the honors of war, but speciali gratia" "'"Well, I have done all that was possible to defend this fort." '" "You have. Haul down your flag." " ' " But your people are still firing into me." "'"Hoist a white one. If you won't, I will, on my own responsibility." " 'A shell burst in the ground within ten paces of them as they were speaking. Major Anderson invited the Ex-Senator into a casemate; a white A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 flag was hoisted, the firing ceased, and what is called the "battle of Fort Sumter" was over. | s * yep sVr " ' All parties concur that Wigf all's performance was an act of heroism and high humanity. There can be no doubt that Major Anderson and the garrison were in that state of morbid exaltation which is the forerunner of martyrdom. They were ready to see their magazines explode and "die in their tracks." " ' You know all the details of the capitulation, and have, doubtless, done justice to the delicacy and generosity of the rebel general in requiring no parole, besides according all the honors of war to the gallant defenders of Sumter. " ' Newspaper correspondents have generally ex- aggerated the jubilation in this city at the evacua- tion of Fort Sumter. T here w ere no bonfires, no illuminations, and far less exuberances of con- vi viality than~T ~ have TvFtpn aSBEsaSj d uring a race w eek. On the contrar y, t here were mani- festations of thankfulness— of t he relief afforded . by the removal of a great anxiety .' " The following communication was received by my father from General Beauregard and his answer is appended : " My dear Colonel: "Will you do me the favor to prepare for the files of my office a clear and concise statement of the main facts of yesterday's proceedings, so THE MAKERS OF HISTORY 45 far as they related to yourself, and to Sumter, for use hereafter if required. " Yours truly, "G. T. Beauregard." " Head Quarters, Confederate States Army, " Charleston, South Carolina, "April 13, 1861. " Major: " I have the honor to report that between one and two o'clock this afternoon, the flag having fallen at Fort Sumter, and its fire having ceased, I left Morris's Island, with the consent and ap- proval of General Simons to demand the sur- render of the work, and offer assistance to the garrison. " Before reaching the Fort the flag was again raised. On entering the work I informed Major Anderson of my name and position on the staff of the Commanding General, and demanded the surrender of the Fort to the Confederate States. " My attention having been called to the fact that most of our batteries continued their fire, I suggested to Major Anderson that the cambric handkerchief, which I bore on my sword, had probably not been seen, as I crossed the Bay, and requested him to raise a white flag; which he did. The firing then ceased from all our batteries — when Major Anderson lowered his flag and sur- rendered the Fort. 46 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 "The time and manner of the evacuation are to be determined by General Beauregard. " Before the surrender I expressed the confident belief to Major Anderson that no terms would be imposed, which would be incompatible with his honor as a soldier, or his feelings as a gentleman — and assured him of the high appreciation in which his gallantry and desperate defence of a place, now no longer tenable, were held by the Commanding General. " Major Anderson exhibited great coolness, and seemed relieved from much of the unpleasantness of his situation by the fact that the proposal had been made by us that he should surrender the work, which he admitted to be no longer defensi- ble. " I take great pleasure in acknowledging that my success in reaching the Fort was due to the courage and patriotism of Private William Gourdin Young, of the Palmetto Guard ; without whose aid I could not have surmounted the obstacles. " I have the honor to be with the highest respect. " Louis T. Wigfall. "Major D. R. Jones, "Asst. Adjutant General, "Confederate States Army." WILLIAM GOURDIN YOUNG, OF CHARLESTON, S. C. Who steered the boat to Fort Sumter for General Wigfall THE FEMININE SPIRIT OF THE CONFEDERACY (X^Y^V^^fV^Vv CHAPTER IV The Feminine Spirit of the Confederacy MRS. WIGFALL'S LETTERS FROM MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, AND FROM RICHMOND A RHODE ISLAND CORRESPONDENT A HUMOROUS INCIDENT THE OBSERVATIONS OF A GIRL OF FOURTEEN HER JOURNEY FROM BOSTON TO BALTIMORE. A few days after the fall of Sumter my father was on the way to Montgomery where he arrived April 24th to attend the session of the Congress which convened on the 29th, and to which he came as Deputy from the State of Texas. My mother writes: " Montgomery, April 26. " The people here are all in fine spirits, and the streets are so lively and every one looks so happy, that you can scarcely realize the cause of the excitement. No one doubts our success . I suppose the chief figh ting will he. in Ma.rv1a.nH and Virginia . . . . This is a beautiful town and much larger than I expected to see it. There are a great many gardens, and as beautiful flowers as I ever saw anywhere. Several bouquets of the most superb flowers were presented to your 49 50 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 father the night he spoke here and, of course, I J-f^ na d the benefit of them. The streets are very <£ wide, and five of them unite, and diverge on the (J>^ square opposite us. Something like Washington." ^ "29th: I have been this morning to witness M the opening of Congress, and hear the President's _ message. It was an admirable one, worthy of ^J his reputation. It gives such a fair and lucid \ statement of matters, as they now stand, that I 2 am sure it will do good abroad, if not at home. CT ^ . w-^-T=\This afternoon I went with Mrs. Chesnut to call on Mrs. Davis?) I am going tomorrow to her reception. . . . You allude to reports given in the Northern papers of the Fort Sumter affair. It is only what might have been expected of them, that t hey would garble and misrepresent , the truth : but I must confess that Major Ander- son's silence, and the disingenuous bulletin he sent to Cameron have surprised me. He takes care not to tell the whole truth, and any one to read his statement would suppose he had only come out on those conditions, whereas, he surrendered uncon- ditionally — the U. S. Flag was lowered without salute while your father was in the fort. This was seen, not only by your father, but by the thousands who were on the watch, and it was only owing to General Beauregard's generosity (misplaced, it seems, now) that he was allowed to raise it again, and to salute it on coming out of the Fort, and take it with him. . . . And MRS. LOUIS TREZEVANT WIGFALL FEMININE SPIRIT OF CONFEDERACY 51 this conduct too, after the kind and generous treatment he met with from the Carolinians. Judge Ochiltree is here and tells me Tom is a private in a company that Capt. Bass has raised in Marshall. . . . The drums are beat- ing here all the time, and it really makes me heart- sick when I think about it all. ft r^ " I don't think though that the military en- \jxcA°^ Lt-~ thusiasm can be very high at the North as I see r->w rvnir>v. g^oagSp t™+™ is Sap ^vp of country . Where was the patriotism of Massachusetts when the country was at war with the English in 1812? I lived then at the South, and was ashamed of my countrymen who refused to assist in the war. Massachusetts, which was the leading state of New England, refused to let her militia leave the state and when the U. S. troops were withdrawn, to fight in other places, applied to the Federal Government to know whether the expenses of their own militia, who were summoned to defend their own State, would be reimbursed by the Government. When our capitol at Washington was burned with the President's House and Treasury buildings, and other public buildings, why did they not go to meet the British? On the contrary, they rejoiced at the English victories, and put every obstacle they could in the way of the government. Now they are subscribing mil- lions, and urging every man to go and fight their own countrymen. It is not patriotis m ; it is hatred to the South and woe is mp, that I mi^t live here among such p eople. Go d gra nt you success. Jt is a righteouswai^rjLd all th"pHh|nnH- jshed will be upon the souls of those who brought it on . " "" ~~*~. . . I think, however, that you at the South are wrong to undervalue the courage and FEMININE SPIRIT OF CONFEDERACY 53 resources of the Northern States. They are no cfaubt l ess accustomed to the u se of flrparmc; — there are very few _who know how to ode, and they are l ess fiery in thei r impulses They are 1 1ess_ dis posed to fight, but, they are nnt rnwarrlly where their interests ar e pnnrpmp.r) ; and wi]1 /jg/at /or f/tgtV money. Where their property is at s take they will not hesitate to risk their li ves, and at present th ere is no laeV of money The women are all roused, and are urging their relatives on ; while some of the young ladies are exceedingly anxious to imitate Florence Nightingale, and distinguish themselves in the Army. The boys are parading about with red shirts and guns; fend their wise mothers are admiring their military ardor. " I would not advise you of the South to trust too much in the idea that the Northerners will not fight; for I believe they will, and t heir numbers are overwhelming. You know an army of ants can kill a wounded horse. It is a mistake, too, for you to suppose that it is only the lower orders, who are enlisted. I have heard of a good many of the most respectable young men, who have enlisted for three years. I suppose there are a good many counter jumpers and Irish among them ; but still there are many very dprent. pprsnnp w ho have gone tr> t.hp war* I hear that with Gov. Sprague no less persons than W. G. and M. J. have gone. Are you not alarmed? Think of M. 54 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 Pray keep out of his way! I wonder what his Quaker progenitors would say, could they look out of their graves? He has not an ancestor, on either side, for as far back as they can be traced, who was not a broad brimmed Quaker. Little F. has had some skirmishes with the girls on Politics ; but there has been no bloodshed; and the last I heard of it is, they said ' anyhow' she was ' a smart little thing and talks very well.' L. does ^§T" not walk out alone: she always goes into Boston ""A ^ Cp: with F. or me. By the way — I hear it said they n)^ have got enough cotton at the North t.n su| > p I t heir factories for a vear? Can it be true? If so, I think there has been a great mistake somewhere. Thfi only thing that will bring these people to t,he(r senses is to stop the importation . I was surprised to see the other day that a cargo of rice from Savannah was stopped, and the vessel was allowed to sail with a load of cotton! " My mother writes: "May 23rd, 1 86 1. " . . . Congress has adjourned to meet in Richmond on the 20th July. The Pre sident ha s begged your father to act on his staff. . . "Richmond, May 30th. "After a terribly fatiguing journey we arrived here safely yesterday morning. We left Mont- gomery on Sunday night, at 8 o'clock, and travelled night and day, until yesterday morning. -^O C*r>^rC>Aj<-VjU*^<£- Vv^^cO ^CA-it^t--^ FEMININE SPIRIT OF CONFEDERACY 55 "The President was everywhere most raptur- ously received. ... I was all packed to start for Texas, when your father found that the President was so unwilling for him to go back at that time, that he determined to accept the position of Aide and at least act in that capacity until the opening of Congress, which will be on the 20th July. So here we are. These Virginian s seem likely to overwhelm your father with their attentions and kill him with kindness — for yester- day he had to make no less than four speeches. "The _ whole country as we came through was lik e a military camp. The cars _ £rawded with troops , and all as jubilan t as if they were going to a frolic, instead of to fight. The President is to take the field; but I don't know the exact pro- gramme, and if I did it would not be safe to write it — for there is no telling who may read our letters now-a-days. Your father of course will go with him. ~ [t seems strange to me that I don't feel more frightened ." The President and his party were established at the Spotswood Hotel where they gathered round them a distinguished group. v v My mother writes: "June nth and 14th. "We are still at the Spotswood Hotel but I don't know whether we shall continue very long. 56 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 The President and his family will move next week to the place selected for them. I hear it is very- handsome and the City Council has bought and put it at the disposal of the Government. They have also given Mrs. Davis the use of a nice car- riage and horses and seem disposed to do all they can to show their joy at the exchange from Montgomery. . . . So far all is quiet here and I can yet scarcely realize that we are at war, actually. " . . . I drove out with Mrs. Davis yesterday to one of the Camp grounds and it was really a beautiful, though rather sad sight to me, to see them drill and go through with their manoeuvres, nor fellows! how many will never return to their jh omes ! . . . There are several camp grounds in the neighborhood, and people throng them every afternoon and unless you engage a carriage in the morning, it is very hard to procure one." To show how the humorous side of life runs parallel with its serious side I will relate a little incident. Col. and Mrs. Bradley Johnson, of Maryland, were in Richmond at that time eagerly engaged in equipping a regiment of Marylanders for the field. Mrs. Johnson was having the cloth- ing made for the men. One day at the President's table, where she was dining, she told the assembled company of a contre-temps, which had occurred, a real tragedy — in view of the difficulties surrounding her enter- FEMININE SPIRIT OF CONFEDERACY 57 prise. The undergarments of the men, by some unfortunate accident, inexplicable, and most de- plorable, had all been cut out for the same leg! The lady was in real grief over the mishap, and, in spite of the ludicrousness of the situation, the company were so in sympathy with her trouble, that even the most frivolously inclined forbore to smile — except Mrs. Davis, who could not repress her mirth; but laughed long and unrestrainedly, much to the discomfiture of Mrs. Johnson, to whom it was no joking matter. At this time mv parents began to feel great a nxiety at their separation from my sister and myself ; who were still at Longwood T near Boston. They had been in corresp ondence for some, tim e. with t.fie ff]p fi ves with wh™^ w ^ weee cf ?ying; but it was difficult to arrange matters , and in the meanwhile all communication was ra pidly being closed between the North and South. I give below some extracts from letters written by myself, a child of fourteen — dated: , QJXK \ « " Longwood, near Boston, a When I read the account in a paper, I felt like crying for joy. No one sympathizes with me here, except Gran H mam a. r anH I feel like a stranger in a foreign land. " Everybody here is groaning, and deploring the 58 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 taking of Sumter. Uncle B. says that Boston was the scene of great excitement to-day, all the military were getting ready and everyone is on the lookout for war in earnest. . . . " I went into Boston to-day and you never saw such confusion ; the State House steps and grounds were crowded with men, some to see, and some to volunteer. " Grandmama had a letter from Mama, written in the midst of the firing of the guns at Sumter. One of Uncle B.'s last puns (you know how fond he is of making them) was the following. ' What does the man who robs and catches the Governor of South Carolina get? Poor Pickings.' (Gov- ernor Pickens.) I have just returned from seeing a company of Zouaves drill, their manoeuvres were miserable (!) and if this is a specimen of Northern chivalry, I don't think we have much to fear. Everybody here knows who we are, and whenever I go out the p ^npjp state and g a7pt sut us. This evening I found little Fanny sur- rounded by girls, who were questioning and teasing her. She seemed to be perfectly able to maintain her position, and she said, ' she gave them as good as they sent ; ' they all seemed quite amused at her answers, and said they liked to hear her ; she talked so 'funny.' One of the girls soon after came up to where I stood and said she thought the girls 'hadn't ought to tease Fanny.' This is one of their common expressions, and another is that they MISS FANNY WIGFALL, OF TEXAS (Mrs. B. Jones Taylor, of Baltimore) FEMININE SPIRIT OF CONFEDERACY 59 'admire' to take a walk, or play on the piano. Grandmama and I went into Boston the other day and to my joy I saw a photo of President Davis in one of the windows. I immediately purchased it. The Babcocks are coming to take tea with us this evening, and I anticipate a good deal of pleas- ure in seeing Emma. She is lovely as ever and I am sure you would like her. We are fast friends and I made her promise she would read Mr. Davis's message, and as a reward I shall give her a very small piece of the flag staff you sent me. She is a very sensible girl and in all our discussions we never get the least excited or vexed. 'Abe Lincoln!' is her hero, and 'Jeff Davis' is mine; but there is one thing she never can explain, namely, 'Abe's' flight through Baltimore! But we agree in almost everything else. She thinks Napoleon the greatest man that ever lived, and so do I, and that is a never failing source of con- versation. "Mrs. Lincoln is now in Boston, and I suppose the Republicans are all flocking to see her, and she is asking them ' How they flourish ? ' Boston is in a whirl of excitement; troops drilling and volunteering all the time — the stores and houses all decked with flags. . . . Dear P apa ^ won't yo u send us each a small flag of South Carolina, and the Confederate States? I am very anxious to see them. Yesterday evening Aunt F. got an invita- tion to attend a meeting of ladies to make shirts, 6o A SOUTHERN GIRL IN \5i and sew for the different regiments; she, of course, is not going. A poor set of creatures they must be if they can't furnish their own shirts! . . . Uncle B. has just bought the Sun announcing the secession of Virginia. I feel as if I can't con- tain myself I am so glad. Poor Uncle B. looks as if he had taken a blue pill — he takes everything so to heart; it is deplorable to see him. Aunt F. is in hopes that all the States will now follow and that will be the means of securing peace." My father in the meantime had been conferring by letter with Mr. William T. Walters, of Balti- more, as to the best means of getting us through the lines. The following letter was written by me to my brother at the Military School of the Uni- versity of Virginia just about two weeks before we finally succeeded in making the arrangements for our departure. "July 15th, Longwood, near Boston. ". . . I received your last letter several days ago, and I had a letter from Mama about the same time, telling Grandmama to send us on by the first good opportunity, but the way Mr. Walters said was the only way we could go would not have been safe, and I am now anxiously awaiting news from Mama as to whether we shall go to Fortress Monroe, and let Papa send a flag of truce, and get us or not. My trunks were all packed ready to start at a minute's notice, when we received Mr. FEMININE SPIRIT OF CONFEDERACY 61 Walter's letter, telling us that the only way of reaching Richmond was by going through Win- chester, to which you know the troops are making a general movement. " You may imagine how I felt. When Mr. Wal- ters wrote the last time, all was different, and I fully expected to go home. I had already pictured our meeting. I almost felt your kiss and I heard Papa calling us 'his darlings' and Mama's dear voice, and in one moment all was gone, and I glanced out of my window and instead of Rich- mond, I saw miserable old Boston. I felt as if my heart would break. " You ask me in your last if I am not ' isolated ' — that is exactly the word. With the exception of Emma Babcock, and her family, there is not a soul here that cares whether I go or stay, or that I could call a friend; but if nobody likes me, there is some satisfaction in knowing there is no love * lost. If I did not follow your injunctio n, and "TI^op^^^ never believe what I see in Republican journals I ^ pv©\JU^ s hould ha ve an nwf. n 1 t imn nf it; for they make ou t Q / themost desperate ca se. All the C. S. soldiers are /f poor, half starved, naked, miserable wretches that will run if you stick your finger at them; who are all waiting for a chance to desert, etc., and become loyal citizens to King Abraham, the First, and prime minister, General Scott. The Southerners are defeated in every engagement; all the killed and wounded are on their side, and none are 62 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 injured on the other. Such is about the summary of their statements — mats je ne le crois pas, and so they don't disturb my mind much. I saw that Papa had gone disguised as a cattle drover to Wash- ington, to pick up information for the President! That is about a specimen of their stories. Mama writes me in her last that you have joined the Military School at the University of Virginia, and would enter the army in three months, if you wished to, at the end of that time. I suppose you are very glad. I don't wonder and wish I could go too. I sit down to the piano every day and play ' Dixie ' and think of you all away in ' the land ob cotton,' etc." Mr. Walters's letter, to which allusion is made, is here given and it was determined, after all, that this was the only feasible plan to get us through the lines. "Balto., 9th July, 1861. "Mrs. Frances M. Cross. " Dear Madam: " I have this moment received your letter dated yesterday and have just telegraphed Mr. Bucklin. Since I had the pleasure of writing you last it has become vastly more difficult to get to Virginia, and this very day the Federal Government has taken possession of the steamers composing the line via the Patuxent River — the most desirable route — leaving at present, but the one open by ^^ £i*fl«J' U| ^ £*£ TU FEMININE SPIRIT OF CONFEDERACY 63 way of Balto. & Ohio R. Road, to a point near Harper's Ferry, thence by stage to Winchester and Strasburg, and thence by Railway via Manas- sas Junction to Richmond. "To pass the Federal Pickets near Harper's Ferry, it would be necessary to have the pass of the War Department at Washington. This I have no doubt I can procure, and, as I before intimated, it would give me great pleasure to undertake the charge of your grandchildren. As I communicated by telegraph, ' It is possible, but very difficult to get to Virginia now.' As I am not aware how important it is to get the children to Virginia, I am unable to advise you in the mat- ter, but have merely set down the facts in relation thereto. If the children do leave, may I ask the favor of you to write, or telegraph me. " Very respectfully, "W. T. Walters." Finally the arrangements being all made we started off on our adventures — being placed by my Uncle in charge of a responsible gentleman, who was to take us to Baltimore, and deliver us into the care of Mr. Walters. We were cautioned to be very quiet, to express nothing at what we heard or saw, and to be as unobtrusive as possible in our demeanor. I shall never forget my emotions the day we started. In the crown of my hat I had concealed a package 64 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 of letters to be delivered in Richmond, and my importance in my own estimation was not a little enhanced by the possession of this delightful secret. We made the journey to Baltimore without mishap or adventures of any kind — and when we reached the station, and alighted from the car, I noticed a gentleman eagerly scanning the passen- gers, as they passed him. As we approached he came forward, asked a question in an undertone, which was answered with equal caution, and we were hurried into a carriage, and driven rapidly to Mr. Walters' house on Mt. Vernon place, where we were received by Mr. and Mrs. Walters with the greatest cordiality and affection. On refresh- ing ourselves after our journey, we were taken in to dinner, where my eyes fairly danced with delight at beholding in a wine glass at each cover, a dear little Confederate flag; placed there in honor of the two little guests. After a short period our kind host and hostess bid us goodbye, and we were again on our travels; it not being deemed safe for us to remain in Baltimore. Mr. Walters' brother now took charge of us, and we were rapidly driven six or seven miles in the country, to a hotel called " Paradise," near Catons- ville — and a veritable " Paradise " it proved to the two tired little children who were received with open arms by the kind ladies at the hotel. There we spent the night, and in the morning were again on our travels. FEMININE SPIRIT OF CONFEDERACY 65 On taking the train near the Relay House we found on board a number of the members of the Maryland Legislature, on their way to Frederick, at which place the Governor had convened the Legislature; Annapolis, the capital of the State, being under the control of Federal troops. When we reached the Point of Rocks, we left the train, and had dinner at the country tavern, where we sat at table with a number of Federal soldiers, our appearance under such circumstances, exciting no little interest and curiosity. Mr. Walters had with him an "open sesame," in the shape of a pass from General Simon Cameron, Secretary of War ; and we were given every facility to proceed on our journey. At a signal, which had of course been pre-arranged, a boat put off from the Virginia side, bearing a white flag of truce, and our sensa- tions may be imagined as we saw the little craft approaching, which was to bear us over the swift, beautiful river into the dear land of "Dixie." Our luggage being put on board we soon followed, and were rowed across the river without mishap. On reaching the shore we found a large comfort- able carriage and a pair of horses waiting for us, and we were soon driving through a deep woods, where the sweet air and refreshing shade were very grateful after the glare, dust and heat of our jour- ney. It seemed like a story in fairyland, where the magic of the good fairy, at every turn, provides the thing most needed. Being furnished with 66 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 fresh horses, we travelled almost all night, stopping to rest but a few hours ; and then taking the train at Gordonsville, arrived in Richmond in the after- noon. We drove at once to the SpotswoodJIotel^ to join my mother. Not knowing the hour we would arrive, she had gone out to the Camp o f the majidmg, to witness the presentation by the Presi- dent of a beautiful Texas State Flag, which she had made for the Regiment. Nothing must do but we must follow, as soon as possible. When we reached the camp the ceremony was over, and my father was reviewing his Regiment. As the carriage stopped, word was carried for- ward of our arrival — and we were immediately surrounded by numbers of friends, eager to greet the little travellers; and my father, hurriedly dis- mounting from his horse, and leaving the regiment in charge of another officer, rushed forward to meet us! He returned with us to Richmond, and there, as we reached the Spotswood, coming down the stairs, we saw my mother; her beautiful face lit up with joy, and her fair arms held out to wel- come us. She was clad, I remember, in a lilac- colored gown, of some soft material, made in the fashion of the day, with the long angel sleeves falling away at the shoulder, while a filmy lace cape covered her neck, leaving the throat bare. As I remember her that day, I love best to think of her. Then we were feted and caressed to our FEMININE SPIRIT OF CONFEDERACY 67 heart's content; took tea with the President and his party that night, where our heads were com- pletely turned by the attentions shown us, and where we gave, to an appreciative audience, a full account of all our adventures " coming through the lines" — and the one query from all our eager auditors was, " What do they think of the battle of Manassas?" SOUTHERN BELLES AND SOUTHERN SOLDIERS CHAPTER V Southern Belles and Southern Soldiers LETTER FROM GENERAL BEAUREGARD THE " CARY INVIN- CIBLES" TURNER ASHBY WILLIAM PEGRAM JOHN PELHAM WILLIAM LATANE " THE SEVEN DAYS BATTLE AROUND RICHMOND." On July 8th, about two weeks before this time, General Beauregard wrote the following letter to my father in Richmond: "Manassas Junction, Va., "July 8th, 1 86 1. "My dear Col, " I believe we are about to be attacked by the enemy, who has been increasing his forces rapidly in the last few days. He no doubt has at present on this side of the Potomac at least 30,000 men — and probably as many in or about Washington; and I am informed on good authority, that he is crossing over reinforcements in large numbers every night; so that very shortly we probably will be attacked by about 40,000 men! What do you suppose is my effective force to resist this attack? About 15,000 effective men! How can it be expected that I should be able to maintain my ground, unless reinforced, and that immediately? 7i y ■ / f A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 jT I am determined to give the enemy battle no matter j^ at what odds against us — but is it right and proper to sacrifice so many valuable lives (and perhaps our cause) without the least prospect of success? " I think not; but I hope that it will delay the forward movement of the enemy, and give our friends time to come to the rescue ! " I have applied two or three times for the most K essential things required here. To obtain any- [JK. thing with despatch, I have to send a special messenger to Richmond. Is that the way to direct and control the operations of an army in the field ? Cannot that evil be remedied ? I am sure it could, if properly represented to the President. " I am afraid General Johnston is no better off than I am — but his section of the country is, I believe, more easily defended, being wooded and mountainous. " My troo ps are in fine spirits and anxious for a fight ! J lriey seem to have the most unbounded confidence in me! " Oh! that I had the genius of a Napoleon to be more worthy of our cause and of their confidence! If I can only get the enemy to attack me — as I am trying to have done — I will stake my reputation on the handsomest victory that could be desired. " Yours very truly, "G. T. Beauregard." "Col. L. T. Wigfall, " Member of C. S. Congress, Richmond, Va." BELLES AND SOLDIERS 73 From Richmond, July 21st my mother writes: " No news except that Gen. Johnston has joined Beauregard with a large force. A part of his troops are left still at Winchester, but the greater part are with him. The President went down to-day, but I don't know exactly in what capacity, whether he will command or not. . . . The troops are pouring in, and a general battle at Manassas is expected very soon. We brought up by one train, upwards of 50 prisoners brought from Winchester, and crowds gathered on the way, at every roadside station, to see ' the Yankees.' I was almost sorry for them." . . \l _±i-~ " 9 o'clock. You will have heard that we have » gained a second victory, and a 'glorious though fi\Vo ^ f paa&t nlPT"! The enormous influx of strangers from other states had to be accommodated. These were brought here by the presence of the Government, and the proximity of the Army of Northern Virginia, which drew to Richmond hosts of anxious relatives, who waited through the weary weeks and months for occasional tidings, and possible glimpses of their loved ones. S ocial pleasures, however, were not negl ected, anefmusic and song and the dance made merry the hearts of the gallant soldier boys, who came from the wet, and mud, and discomfort of the camp. Among the many lovely women in Richmond at this time were the two Misses Cary, of Baltimore, and their cousin, Miss Constance Cary, of Virginia. The former two had come across the lines after experiencing many thrilling adventures on the MISS MARY HAXALL, OF VIRGINIA (Mrs. Alexander Cameron, of Richmond) (This and the following are portraits of schoolmates of the author) BELLES AND SOLDIERS 77 way. In a letter written at the time I find the following: " The young ladies who seem to be the greatest belles are the Miss Carys, of Baltimore . . . They are very beautiful and are commonly known by the name of the ' Cary Invincibles.' " Constance Cary was also a very lovely girl, and even in those days was noted for a facile pen, which from time to time delighted her many friends with charming little productions. Miss Cary, as is well known, married Mr. Burton Harrison, Presi- dent Davis's private secretary, and has since attained widespread note from the clever fictions of which she is the author. In the meantime, my sister and myself had been e ntered at Miss Peg-ram' s on Franklin Street, which was then the fashionabl e schoo l in Richmond . With all the distractions ol the time it was hard work to keep the girls at their books. C ^ J ^ It was difficult to fasten one's attention on ancient kT) N^ history and " belles lettres," when such very modern ^ ^ ^iS>** / *^\ history was being made in our midst, and such . olixb " beaux soldats " were marching, with drums beat- S^>\ ing, and banners flying, by our very doors. Rich- mond has always been famed for its lovely women, but I venture to assert that there has never been a larger assembly of beauties than that collected at Miss Pegram's School during the war. Early in the spring, rumors were rife in Rich- mond of the approach of McClellan's army and in May the great battle of Seven Pines was fought, 78 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i when General Joseph E. Johnston was wounded, and after which General Lee was placed in com- mand of the Army of Northern Virginia. There were four brilliant young soldiers in that great army who especially held the love and admiration of the people — Turner Ashby, com- manding General Stonewall Jackson's Cavalry; William Pegram, the "Boy Artillerist"; John Pelham, commanding Stuart's Horse Artillery, the " Gallant Pelham," as General Lee called him; and William Latane. Each in turn was to immortalize his name and glorify the good cause for which he fought, and each in turn, amid the din of battle and the shouts of victory, was to give his life for his country. William Latane lost his life, June 13, 1862, "lead- ing his squadron in a brilliant and successful charge, the enemy routed and flying before him" — so writes General J. E. B. Stuart in his order, and adds " his regiment will want no better battle cry, than 'Avenge Latane.'" General Robert E. Lee announces the victory with "the loss of but one man, the lamented Captain Latane." The following account of the burial and the peculiar circumstances surrounding it, were given to me by a member of the family and is repeated here almost verbatim. "John Latane, a lieutenant in his brother's company, took charge of the body and with a cart and driver tried to return to Rich- mond. Finding this impossible, as the enemy were juan, *^k '^^P^"'^3t^ ^*R r* •'•• II u *^s£ >*1 's^flra ■ *■ " 2S -9! ^Kv - (t ' j£\ :■ W' • In |*il m :] m? / ^l». ^ iS rfSr CI ^ ' Photo by Anderson, Ki. MISS MARY TRIPLETT, OF VIRGINIA (Mis. Philip Haxall, of Richmond) BELLES AND SOLDIERS 79 in the possession of the country all around — he went to 'Westwood,' the home of Dr. Broken- brough, who was then a surgeon in the Army. The enemy approached and he, to avoid capture, was obliged to leave his brother's remains and escape on foot." Then followed the scene "portrayed by Wash- ington's brush and Thompson's pen" — and also described in a private letter, which, after the war, was published in Blackwood's Magazine and is now given here. "Mrs. Brokenbrough sent for an Episcopal clergyman to perform the funeral ceremonies, but the enemy would not permit him to pass. Then with a few other ladies, a fair haired little girl, her apron filled with white flowers, and a few faith- ful slaves who stood reverently near, a pious Vir- ginia matron read the solemn and beautiful burial service over the cold, still form of one of the noblest gentlemen and most intrepid officers in the Con- federate Army. She watched the clods heaped upon the coffin lid; then sinking on her knees, in sight and hearing of the foe, she committed his soul's welfare and the stricken hearts he had left behind him to the mercy of the All-Father." John R. Thompson writes in the closing stanza of his poem: " And when Virginia, leaning on her spear, ' Victrix et Vidua,' the conflict done; Shall raise her mailed hand to wipe the tear, 8o A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i That starts as she recalls each martyred Son, No dearer memory shall hold its sway Than thine, beloved, ' lamented Latane.' " Among my papers I find next a letter written by my mother after an illness, during that awful time known as " The Seven Days Battle around Richmond ." "~ "Richmond, June 25th, 1862. ". . . I am getting a great deal better, and went out this afternoon to take a drive with your Y m- father. We stopped at Genl. Johnston's to see how he was, and Mrs. Johnston came out and sat in the carriage with me. He is recovering rapidly, but will not be in the fight, which has in fact, begun. There has been very heavy firing all the afternoon, and there will be a regular attack made at daybreak to-morrow, if the present plan is fol- lowed out. I presume it will be, as Genl. Jack- son is to move into position to-night, and of course, has to be supported. This was agreed upon last night. What has caused the fight this afternoon we do not know — but I trust it is all right. Jack- son and his forces are to make the attack on the rear, and I trust it has all been so planned that McClellan will find himself glad enough to take the road away from, instead of on to Richmond." "Thursday 26th. " I wrote you your father had acted as Aide to Genl. Longstreet. After we got home last even- MISS LELIA POWERS, OF VIRGINIA (Mrs. W. Stuart Symington, of Baltimore) BELLES AND SOLDIERS 81 ing, your father determined to go to Genl. Long- street's Headquarters, to see if there had been any change in the programme since the night before. He did not get back till nearly twelve o'clock — and at that time, the original plan was to be carried out — and he accordingly was off at four o'clock this morning. Strange to say, how- ever, there seems to be an impression in town, that there has been no fighting to-day; not a gun has been heard, and everyone has been on the lookout for tidings. Halsey came in just before dinner and he has heard nothing of it — so I am afraid (I was going to say) that something has disconcerted the plan and I feel quite impatient for your father's return. He said he would be back some time to-night." "Friday night, 27th. " Yesterday afternoon I took a drive with Hal- sey and as soon as we got on Church Hill we heard the cannon and it seems the fight had begun at 3 o'clock in the afternoon instead of at daylight as it had been arranged. Your father got back after twelve last night. The news was all good, as you have seen, I suppose. We had driven them from Mechanicsville and taken several batteries, etc. The battle was to be renewed this morning at daybreak, and accordingly, off went Papa, and I don't expect to see him again until midnight or maybe to-morrow. Robert Nicholas, however, told me about sundown that he had left him well 82 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 an hour or two before and that the Yankees had been driven back six miles. All the accounts we have yet received, altho' meagre, yet agree that we are in hot pursuit and the enemy trying to get away. God grant that our victory may be com- plete! I will write more to-morrow when I can tell you what your father says. Good night." "Saturday, 28th. "Your father did not come last night, dear.L. I got a note from him early this morning. Thank God, he was unhurt! and remained to look up our wounded Texans. So far our victory has been brilliant, but oh! at what sacrifice of life! Poor Col. Marshall (1st Texas) is killed; so is Lieut. Col. Warwick. His poor mother's heart will be broken, I fear. (He was an only child.) The Major of the Regiment, too, is dangerously wounded. Genl. Hood is not hurt or was not when your father wrote. God grant your father may be safe now! He expected to be up all night collecting and caring for our wounded. We have heard no cannon to-day and don't know whether the fighting has continued or not. Cousin Lewis has just been here and says he hears 1,500 prisoners have already arrived, and among them 2 generals. There are all sorts of reports, one, that we have taken eighty officers above the rank of major. Your father thought the battle would be over to- day. I am almost afraid to believe it. Halsey Photo by E. Berkeley, Staunton, Va. MISS EVELYN BAYLY, OF VIRGINIA (Mrs. Louis McLane Tiffany, of Baltimore) BELLES AND SOLDIERS S3 has not been at all in the direction of the fight. He is guarding the batteries on the extreme right, and the contest has all been on the left. He has got his commission for 2nd Lieutenant — or rather, I have got it here for him." "Sunday, 29th. "Another note from your dear father this morn- ing. It was written last night, the other side of the Chickahominy at Headquarters. He says they were still driving the enemy before them and that operations would begin again at daybreak, and that he hoped it would be over to-day. I shall not expect him back until it is entirely concluded. He says the slaughter has been terrible, but our f>T"5> -^Jo^-* success glorious." utagn^" *"" ^V"" Subjoined is a short note from the pen of Mrs. , s**.' James Chesnut, the wife of Senator Chesnut, of South Carolina. Mrs. Chesnut was one of the most brilliant women of her time and as warm- hearted as clever, as is shown by this little note. If she had written a volume the tragedy of which she told could not have been more graphically described. "My dear friend, " My heart is heavier to-day than it has been since this murderous war began. I daresay I have told you, over and oyer, as I always talk of what is uppermost, that my cronies in Columbia, my 84 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN *6i bosom friends, were Mrs. Preston, Mrs. McCord and Mrs. Izard. Captain Cheves McCord, only son of my friend, lies dead at a Mr. Meyers' only a few doors below us. I did not know he was here. Mr. Chesnut had a letter from him yesterday dated Fredericksburg. He was wounded at the Second Manassas, two balls in his leg, and one in his head. Contrary to the advice of his doctors, he had rejoined his company, and this is the end. He died in convulsions from a pressure on the brain. His mother is expected by every train — poor thing — I could not sleep for thinking of her. She seemed to have but one thought in this world — ' My Son.' He is barely twenty-one — is married — his wife a beautiful girl — unfortunate and miser- able and wretched is it all! ". . . I will try to see you as soon as pos- sible, but I will not, as I had hoped, take the box with you. This unhappy boy, lying dead so near me, makes the thought of theatres hateful to me just now. ... I feel you are too true hearted a mother not to sympathize. "Your friend, M. B. C." WAR TIME CORRESPONDENCE MISS BERTHA RIVES. OF VIRGINIA (Mrs. Thomas Keith Skinker, of St. Louis) CHAPTER VI War Time Correspondence JEFFERSON DAVIS WRITES TO L. T. WIGFALL — NOTES FROM GENERAL LONGSTREET AND GENERAL LEE HOME GOSSIP PRINCE POLIGNAC LETTERS FROM GENERAL HOOD FROM THE AUTHOR'S BROTHER IN CAMP NEAR FRED- ERICKSBURG FROM GENERAL JOHNSTON FROM THE AUTHOR'S FATHER FROM J. A. SEDDON. The autu mn op ened with dispiriting news from the Wes t. .Beauregard had been superseded and rumors were rife that a demand had been made on the administration for the removal of General Bragg. While we did not know certainly that this was a fact, there was no question but that dissatisfy "tinn was fejt in many quarters with ^ President Davis's pphVy and r.on rluet of affairs, S- my f ather's intimacy with him began to r\^orR»^R ^ S. anH s trained relations to take the place of J their former friendship. Notes asking for con- sultations to discuss pressing matters which for- merly began "Dear Wigfall" — as the time ran on into the autumn were commenced "My dear Sir." One of these letters is given. 87 88 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 " Executive Mansion, "Richmond, Va., "Genl. L. T. Wigfall, "Oct. n, 1862. "My dear Sir: " It has been suggested to me that you thought Holmes had failed in his duty at Malvern Hill, by being too slow in getting into position, and in that connection I wish to say to you that he was ordered up from his position on the South side of James River to aid in the attack upon McClellan's Army and if possible to prevent it from reaching the James River. It being then supposed that the enemy would endeavor to reach a landing some distance above Curl's Neck. He moved down the River Road, taking Gen. Wise and his brigade with him, to the position indicated, where I found him on Monday morning, most advantageously posted. He had made a thorough reconnoissance and fully explained to me his position and plan of operations. He was then about a mile to the right of the place where I found you with Gen. Longstreet's staff and where I met Genl. Lee. Genl. Lee had ascer- tained that the enemy was taking a different route by what was known as the Quaker Road and he ordered Genl. Holmes to advance and take position on that road to intercept the enemy's retreat. He did so promptly, and waited at the place indicated with his infantry for the approach of the enemy. They did not come, but halted and offered battle before reaching Poindexter's farm. Genl. Holmes WAR TIME CORRESPONDENCE 89 thus fulfilled all his orders and proved as well his gallantry, as his candor, by subsequently express- ing his regret that no one knew enough of the ground to have indicated to him what afterward was found to have been feasible, to wit, an attack upon the enemy's left and rear. It may be that such remarks have led you to suppose that he was directed to do something which he failed to per- form. If so, I am sure that your fairness needs only to have the facts distinctly pointed out to you. Genl. Lee reconnoitred the ground as far as he was able and I did the same thing in person — whilst Genl. Holmes was in position and under a heavy fire from the enemy's gunboats. Genl. Lee certainly attributed no shortcoming to Genl. Holmes and it never occurred to me that any blame was fairly to be attached to him. I write this in justice to the individual but am urged much more by the consciousness of his peculiar fitness for the command to which he has been assigned. "Your friend Jeffer. Davis." In a letter from Genl. Longstreet allusion is made to the break in the friendship between my father and the President. "CulpeperC. H., Nov. 7th, 1862. " My dear General, " Your kind favor of 1 7th ulto. was duly received. I have been waiting to have your son's decision before writing. . . 9 o A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 " I heard yesterday that you and the President had had an unpleasant interview. It is no business of mine, but I would like to take the liberty to beg you not to allow anything to bring about any difference between you. We think that all our hopes rest upon you and the hopes of the country rest upon the army. You will readily perceive what weight you have to carry. Most truly and sincerely yours, «j B Longstreet." October found us delightfully situated in a com- fortable house on Grace Street. General and Mrs. Joseph E. Johnston, ourselves, and Major ' ^ Banks, composed our "Mess." The house stood pT back from the street with a large garden in front, N§_, now, in the fall, fragrant with the aromatic scent <§° of that sweetest of all flowers, the white chrysanthe- mum, which grew in great profusion in the old- fashioned borders. General Johnston was still suffering from his wound and too unwell to report for duty for some weeks. One gr eat trouble in I^chmond_ during the winter of^2 was xhe wanx of fuel, and prices began to mount up fabulously , and the suffering among the poor was great. Our men in the field, too, began to feel the difficulty of getting warm overcoats and proper clothing. The snow began as early as November 9th. I say in a letter to jray-ksQtkeiLQf this date : "We had quite a snow-storm day before yester- day, and it is still very cold. I am afraid our poor WAR TIME CORRESPONDENCE 91 soldiers will suffer dreadfully from the weather this winter, as I heard yesterday that we had upwards of 10,000 men without shoes! " Genl. Johnston is improving, and speaks of reporting for duty in two weeks, but Papa says he doubts if he is able." ". . . November 14th. " Mama sends you by Capt. Sellers the buffalo robe and blanket and also a cake of soap, which will be sufficient for present emergencies— and as soon as another occasion offers she will send some more. Mama says as soap is $1.25 a cake you must economise! Capt. Sellers will also take the flag that Mama has had made for the 1st Texas; the tassel on it is one taken by Col. Brewster, from the field of Shiloh, just where Sidney John- ston fell, and of course therefore enhances the value of the flag. We are expecting to leave Richmond next week for Amelia, to return in January when Congress meets. Genl. Johnston reported for duty yesterday and we suppose he will be given command of the Department of the West. They are expecting to leave by Wednesday of next week, so you see there will be a general breaking up of our nice little 'Mess.' I am really very sorry; for Mrs. Johnston is a sweet lovely person. . . . Mama has promised to leave us with her next Summer when she and Papa go back to Texas. There have been several distinguished 92 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i visitors at our house last week — viz., Prince Polignac; an M. P.; and our Bishop General Polk. Yesterday Major Daniel (Examiner) and Col. Myers dined here. Mrs. Elzey and the General *\\ were here evening before last: he is to have another £r operation performed on his jaw, poor fellow, and he looks miserably." It was now a frequent occurrence for foreigners of distinction to come to the Confederacy and in many instan ces to enter the a rmy and fight val iantly for th e_.cause. Prince Polignac was a typical Frenchman in appearance; a fiery little man; erect in figure with a keen black eye, white teeth that showed brilliantly when he smiled, and a dark waxed mustache which lent a fierce- ness to his expression that I remember impressed me very much. He offered his services to the Government, and was given the command of a brigade of Texans in the Western Army. And just here comes an anecdote which I cannot for- bear telling, as an illustration of American humor in general, and Texas wit in particular. It needs little reflection to see how the peculiar name of Polignac would strike the ear of the irrev- erent Texan, with the evident possibility, not to say necessity, of ludicrous transposition. And it is equally evident that the name, at once suggest- ing itself as appropriate, was that of the little animal which bears such a malodorous reputation. WAR TIME CORRESPONDENCE 93 Probably, most of these Texan soldiers had never seen a Frenchman before; they had never tested Prince Polignac's prowess. He was certainly, both in appearance and manners, unlike any of the Rangers, whom it had been their happy fate to follow in other battles, and as they glanced at the dapper little Frenchman, they shook their heads ominously, and with derisive laughter dubbed him "Polecat!" It was impossible that such a soubriquet should have been given and uttered frequently, secure in the Prince's ignorance of the vocabulary, without his curiosity being aroused, and questions following which finally discovered to him the play upon his name, and the meaning of the word. He maintained a discreet silence, and never revealed his knowledge, nor his indignation, until one day — when the bri- gade being ordered into battle he had his revenge. As the order was given to charge, he raised himself in his stirrups and brandishing his sword aloft he led his men in person, shouting at the top of his voice, "Follow me! Follow me! You call me ' Polecat,' I will show you whether I am ' Polecat ' or 'Polignac!'" And he did. With an answer- ing shout they followed him, and that battle over, never had a word of ridicule more for the gallant little Frenchman, who led them on to victory. 1^ cannot refrain here from -paying, _a - tribute to the Texas troops by giving a letter written to my father by General Robert E. Lee in praise of them. f^^O- LooaJl )i> 94 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 "Head Quarters Army, W. Va., " Near Martinsburg, "Gen. Louis T. Wigfall, "Sept. 21st, 1862. "Genl.: " I have not yet heard from you with regard to the new Texas Regiments which you promised to endeavor to raise for this Army. I need them much. I rely upon these we have in all tight places and fear I have to call upon them too often. They have fought grandly, nobly, and we must have more of them. Please make every possible exertion to get them in, and send them on to me. You must help us in this matter. With a few more such regiments as those which Hood now has, as an example of daring and bravery, I could feel much more confident of the results of the campaign. " Very respectfully yours, "Official. "R. E. Lee, "C. S. Venable, "Genl. "Maj. and A. D. C." The following characteristic letter was received a little later from General Hood alluding to these same regiments from Texas. "Div. Hd. Qrts. "Near Culpeper, Nov. 17, '62. "My dear Genl.: " I wish you would let me know so soon as you are informed that the new Regiments are on their WAR TIME CORRESPONDENCE 95 way to Richmond. If they came on as indepen- dent Regiments I wish to recommend a Brig. Genl. for them. . . . " If I can I will come to Richmond about the time the Regiments come on. " . . . Well, I think Mr. Burnsides is coming in a few days, and what a fight! I think we will whip him badly. Our army is in good trim for an old-fashioned fight. " Give my kindest regards to your family. " Your friend, "Gen. L. T. Wigfall, "J- B - HooD - "Richmond, Va." In a letter from my brother dated Camp, near Winchester, Oct. 24th, 1862, he writes of Genl. J. E. B. Stuart and Stonewall Jackson. " I had a very pleasant visit to Rosser's Camp where I spent the night. On my way down I met Genl. Stuart and stopped and had some con- versation. He was in as high spirits as ever, and told me particularly to tell you, when I wrote, that in his recent raid into Pennsylvania he got nothing but 'Apple butter' and 'Dry water.' You know he is a ' Total Abstinence Man ' in prac- tice. The next day I rode down to Shepherds- town about eight miles from Camp with Rosser and through the town to the river bank (the Potomac) where our cavalry pickets are stationed. The 96 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 Yankees who still picket entirely with infantry have their lines on the opposite bank. While I was in that neighborhood Jackson's Corps, and McLaw's Division from this Corps, were hard at work destroying the B. & O. R. R. They have also torn up the track of the road between Winchester and Harper's Ferry and it will be a long time be- for these roads can be repaired. I put my last postage stamp on this letter and I understand there are none in Winchester." In a letter from my mother she writes: "Richmond, Nov. 26th, 1862. " . . . Genl. Johnston got his orders only day before yesterday. He is to have command of the three armies of Bragg, Kirby Smith and Pemberton, but not West of the Mississippi, as I understand. He expects to get off on Saturday, and his wife goes with him." On the date mentioned Genl. Johnston left Richmond for the West and in a letter from me to my brother dated, Amelia Springs, Dec. 5th, 1862, I find this recorded: " Mama and Papa returned last Saturday; they having come with General Johnston and staff and Mrs. Johnston, on a special train from Rich- mond, and parted from them at this place. " . . . What is the general impression as to WAR TIME CORRESPONDENCE 97 Fredericksburg? Will your battery be in the en- gagement, if there is one? The rain is pouring and Mama hopes it will prevent Burnside from advancing. . . ." My brother writes from camp the following letter : " Camp, near Fredericksburg, Nov. 23rd, 1862. " . . . We reached here on yesterday after- noon, having left Culpeper on Wednesday about twelve o'clock. We were on the road three days and a half, and it rained every day but the last. So you see that we have been enjoying ourselves. The Yanks were to have begun the shelling of Fredericksburg on yesterday, but they did not keep their word. We met yesterday, ladies_gn foot in all the mud and wet, fiyg and six miles Tr o1m"The*~town ; the women and children" having been ordered to leave the place in anticipation of the opening of the fight. What kept the enemy from fulfilling their threats I don't know. They demanded a surrender and the authorities refused; they then gave the citizens until nine o'clock the next morning to move out the women and children : they afterwards deferred it until two in the after- noon, but when two o'clock came the Yankee shells did not. T he citizens in t his section from all accounts have suffered, terribly from the pres- ence of the Yankees in their midst and I think are 98 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i prepared to underg o any privations rathe r than see the enemy again among_them. "~"T~afti mucTTobliged for the things sent me — especially the razor, as cats are very scarce in camp and cream more so. "We had a magnificent supper last night con- sisting of preserved salmon, sardines, pepper vinegar, beefsteaks, biscuits and butter and real coffee. It was quite a shock to my system, I assure you. . . ." My mother writes: "Dec. 5th, 1862. " . . . We^j^^ah^jDajnfu^ Fredericksburg. It has been raining hard all day and~nailmg this evening, and if there has been no advance yet I think Burnside will have little chance of doing anything this winter. Genl. Johnston carried quite a numerous staff with him to the West and I hope with all my heart that he will win fresh laurels there." Immediately on reaching Chattanooga General Johnston wrote the following letter to my father which I give in full. " Chattanooga, "Dec. 4th, 1862. "My dear Wigfall: " After a perilous journey, I arrived a little after twelve last night, having been delayed by three ^ WAR TIME CORRESPONDENCE 99 railro ad acc idents. A telegram from the Ad. Genl. urges me, in the name of the President, to reinforce Pemberton, who 'has fallen back from his positions by advance of very superior force of the enemy' with ' a sufficient force of Genl. Bragg 's command.' ' Genl. Holmes has been peremptorily ordered to reinforce him — but his troops may be too late,' I am told. Genl. Pemberton in falling back, moves towards Vicksburg, where Holmes must cross the river — every step he makes, there- fore, brings him nearer to his reinforcements. But as this march is in a direction exactly away from Bragg, and the enemy's army is between, every day's march makes a junction of the latter with Pemberton more difficult. I proposed the order to Holmes more than two weeks ago. Had it been given then, his troops would now be near Vicksburg, and we should be secure of our pos- session of the Mississippi. As matters now are, the enemy being between our armies, and probably superior to any one of them, their junction must be difficult — impossible, if his troops are well directed. I have not had time yet to learn if the movement of Bragg' s troops is practicable, and if so, what time will be necessary for it, nor what Pemberton 's force is, nor that of the enemy — nor where he is — nor in what direction he proposes to move. Under such circumstances a much wiser man, than any I know, might fail to plan wisely. The thing to be done is to urge ioo A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 Holmes to expedition. Do tell the Secretary of War to do so. "The President does not consider, in estimating the time Bragg's movement may require, what an obstacle the Tennessee is. Nor that Vicksburg at least, will secure Holmes's junction. " Nobody ever assumed a command under more unfavorable circumstances. If Rosecranz had disposed our troops himself, their disposition could not have been more unfavorable for us. " My suggestion to the President, referred to above, was to unite the troops of Pemberton and Holmes and attack Grant. It was about the 15th ulto. Genls. Cooper and G. W. Smith were present. "I shall join Bragg at Tullahoma tomorrow; t he railroj i l > arrange 4nen4s-4na^e_jt_impra cticab le sooner. All the information necessary to me is still to be gained. " Mrs. J. sends cordial regards to Mrs. Wigfall and yourself. " Very truly yours, "J. E. Johnston. " Genl. Wigfall, "C. S. Senate." Upon the receipt of this letter from Genl. Johnston, my father sent immediately the follow- ing communication to Secretary of War, Mr. James A. Seddon. WAR TIME CORRESPONDENCE 101 "December 8, 1862. " My dear Sir: " I have just received a letter from Genl. John- ston which causes gloomy forebodings as to our future in the West. Pemberton, he says, has fallen back before a superior force and he, John- ston, is ordered to reinforce him with troops from Bragg's command. Consider the position of their different armies. As Pemberton falls back he will be each day one march further from Bragg. Grant is between them, with, I suppose, a superior force to either. If he falls upon either before their junction, may he not destroy him and then turn upon the other? When Bragg crosses the Ten- nessee river Grant may turn upon him at any moment. How long will it take to cross the Tennessee without Birago trestles or pontoon boats? Before his raid into Kentucky, Bragg was some two or three weeks in effecting a crossing. Holmes, Johnston writes me, has been ordered to reinforce Pemberton, but he does not say with what force. In that movement, it seems to me, lies our only hope of safety. Let me beg you will urge upon Holmes the utmost energy and promptness in his movements. I trust that his whole force has been ordered across. Vicksburg should be the objective point in this campaign. That being safe, as I think it would be, upon the junction of Pemberton and Holmes, the destruc- tion of Grant's Army should be our next 102 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 object. Political considerations should weigh nothing in the movement of troops. A distin- guished writer upon the art of war, says, that political objective points, if adopted during a campaign, must be in accordance with the princi- ples of strategy, and that when that is not possible, then they should be adjourned till after a decisive victory. When Oldham and Bob. Johnston were badgering me for not joining them in insisting that all the troops from the other side of the river should be returned, I told them that if I had control of the army every soldier from Arkansas and Texas should be brought at once to this side so that Bragg might at once crush Buel. The debate was published and I have to see the first man from Texas who does not approve my course. I mention this to show, that those who oppose the concentration of our troops, be it on one side, or the other, of the river, on political grounds, are mistaken as to public opinion. Our people are full of good sense and patriotism, and they will not refuse the means necessary to secure success. Let us save Vicksburg and then crush Rosecranz and then I am indif- ferent whether you winter the army in Kentucky or Missouri. " One word more as to the policy to govern in the West. The valley of the Mississippi should be the echequier of operations and the armies of the West should be under one head. On which- WAR TIME CORRESPONDENCE 103 ever side of the river the enemy appears, he should be met with our whole force, and crushed. If he appears on both sides, concentrate on one, and crush him there, and then cross and crush him again. I trust that the last battle has been fought by us with inferior numbers. Whenever the enemy divides, concentrate and crush; and then 'follow up the hand,' as at ten pins when you make a ten strike. I am induced to write you more fully on this subject from a conversation I had with Boteler during my last visit to Richmond in which he was urging the propriety of giving Jackson a separate command. The entire army of Virginia should continue under Lee. I write you freely and unreservedly because I know you will not misunderstand me, nor regard my advice as obtrusive. I would be obliged if you would answer this letter, as I feel great anxiety and uneasiness as to the fate of Pemberton's Army. I am writing currente calamo and in great haste and beg that you will excuse this scrawl and believe me very truly and sincerely, " LOUIS T. WlGFALL. "Hon. J. A. Seddon. " P. S. Have you any information as to the state of things at Fredericksburg? If not, what is your conjecture? Does Burnside simply wish to get into Fredericksburg, claim a great victory a la McClellan and winter there?" 104 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 I do not find among my papers the answer from Mr. Seddon to this letter, but that he gave it careful attention cannot be doubted, as he says in answer to a previous letter. " . . . When you write to me, mark your letter on the outside ' Private ' and then it will come under my own eye. ... I shall always receive with gratitude the suggestions of your fuller knowledge and riper experience. . . . " Most cordially yours, "J. A. Seddon." But General Johnston's letter of December 15th, 1862, shows that his suggestions were not complied with. He writes as follows: "Chattanooga, Dec. 15, 1862. " My dear Wigfall: " On my return from Murfreesboro' a day or two ago I had the pleasure to find your letter, and the President. The latter is on a military tour, and has taken immediate command in this country. Unless he is greatly mistaken Mr. Seddon has not carried our point and reinforced Pemberton with Holmes's troops. On the contrary he says that H. has not had orders on the subject— requests or suggestions instead — which he thinks himself unable to comply with and therefore will not comply with. Pemberton must be reinforced. WAR TIME CORRESPONDENCE 105 I have no other resource than the troops on this front, and must draw upon them. This has blown away some tall castles in the air. I have been dreaming of crushing Grant with Holmes's and Pemberton's troops, sending the former into Missouri, and with the latter, Bragg and Kirby Smith, marching to the Ohio. Our troops beyond the Mississippi seem to be living in great tran- quillity. " Bragg's troops are in fine condition. Healthy looking and well clothed. In fine spirits too. I see no evidence of the want of confidence and dissatisfaction of which we heard so much in Richmond. " A great mistake has been made in the arrange- ment of my command. Mississippi and Arkansas should have been united to form it. Not this state and Mississippi, which are divided by (to us) an impassable river and impracticable country. The troops in Middle Tennessee could reach Fred- ericksburg much sooner than Mississippi. Then Genl. Holmes's communications depend upon our possession of the Mississippi. It is certainly his business to at least assist in the maintenance of his communications. The troops in Arkansas, as having a common object, could be naturally united. " You perhaps see no special object on my part in troubling you with this, and in truth I have no other than putting my troubles before one, who io6 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 has a head to comprehend grand war, and a heart to sympathize with me. " I start, this afternoon, to Pemberton's Army. About 9,000 men are ordered from Bragg's — and I hope to bring back a great many stragglers who are scattered over the country S. W. of us. "A telegram from the War Department to the President gave us information of the fighting at Fredericksburg on Saturday. What luck some people have. Nobody will ever come to attack me in such a place. " Mrs. J. wrote to Mrs. Wigfall a day or two ago. This mild climate is very favorable to her. She is in excellent health and spirits. " I hope that you have good accounts of Halsey ■ — of his health, I mean, for professionally there can be no doubt. Present me cordially to Mrs. Wigfall and the young ladies. "Very truly yours, "J. E. Johnston." From Jackson, General Johnston wrote the following letter. "Jackson, Jany. 8th, 1863. " My dear Wigfall: " Mrs. Johnston, who arrived evening before last, brought me your letter, which had come to Chattanooga before she left it. Your military criticism has been more strongly called for since WAR TIME CORRESPONDENCE 107 the writing of that letter. And no doubt it has been made. I can't help thinking myself that we ought to have won at Murfreesboro'. You think I am sure, that we ought to have renewed the at- tack on the morning of the 1st, instead of postpon- ing it nearly two days, when the enemy had re- organized his forces behind intrenchments. You think too, that having failed to attack on the 1st, we should either have turned the fortified position or cut off supplies from the enemy by our cavalry. "The present state of things fully confirms the opinion I expressed to the President here that this command of mine is a nominal one, imposing upon me responsibilities which I cannot possibly meet. It is not a unit ; the armies of Bragg and Pendleton have different objects. They can't be united without abandoning one of them. I can have no command when they are not united except by taking the place of Bragg or Pemberton, which could not have been intended. As it would work great injustice to the officer thus superseded, without probabilities of benefit. I cannot, from an intermediate point, direct the operations of the two armies. No man could do it well; these departments are too completely separated to form one proper command — they ought to be separated. Tell Mr. Seddon so. Had I been in Tennessee I could have done nothing except by depriving Bragg of his command. Here in the recent 108 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i battle I did nothing — not choosing to supersede Pemberton. I have asked the President to take me out of a position so little to my taste. It is very like being on the shelf with the responsibil- ities of command. ... I have just read a slip from the N. O. Delta, giving account of a glorious affair at Galveston; but am afraid to believe it. You will see it of course long before this reaches you. Mrs. Johnston is looking ex- tremely well and I trust much to this mild climate for continued good health. " I have an office and staff here, but very little office work. Mrs. Johnston desires to be cordially remembered to Mrs. Wigfall, yourself and the young ladies. "Yours as ever, "J. E. Johnston. '' Genl. Wigfall, "C. S. Senate." THE WINTER OF '62-'6 3 CHAPTER VII The Winter of '62-'63 LIGHT-HEARTED BOYISH LETTERS FROM CAMP — SCHOOLGIRL FROLICS A SOUTHERN BARBARA FRIETCHIE CHATTA- NOOGA — ANECDOTE OF " STONEWALL" JACKSON — FAMILY LETTERS TO AND FROM RICHMOND. JUCk , * In rea ding over the letters written at this pe riod c ry. ~7QFp^ (the Winter of '6 2-' 6 3), the thing that strikes me~' ^iL kj is the tone of cheerfulness and hope that runs 4 through all 6T them. I f ~had liotT dawn ed "yet on the minds of arjyxme that success was not assured. J ackson j wasJ^e_idol "of the people and everything was anticipated of him when the spring campaign should open. The co nfidence in Lee was absolut e ; and no one doubted that he would carry all before him. The IfactA that provisions were scarce ; that / i prices were phenome nally high; that the purchas- ! ing powe r of our curre ncy w as depreciating daily ; seemed to make no impression on the temper or spirits of the people. At this time it was frequent for individuals to run the blockade, or come through the lines, and their advent was hailed with delight by their friends to whom they brought welcome presents in the shape of shoes, and other necessities, which it was difficult to procure in Richmond. in 112 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 The Virginia housekeeper, famed for her hospi- tality and good living, had hard work to produce a tempting menu for her guests. It would have been droll (had the cause not been so tragic) to note the stress laid upon a fair su pper, on the rare occasions when it was forthcoming. F or they still had " parties/' as they were called, and if, by good fortune, ice cream and cake and "real" coffee appeared, the delightful fact is duly recorded. The letter s from c amp were cheering — no com - pla ining at hardships. Men reared in luxury who hadworn^purpie "and fine linen" all their lives, were the best soldiers in the field and the most cheerful bearers of the burden of camp life, and of the terrible marches through the scorching suns of summer, and through the winter's wind and rain. And the poor boys, many of them little more than children, who had come from the far south, sickened and died of homesickness and disease, in camp and hospital — yet we find n o recordjpf complaint or of des ire expressed to give up the fight . Some of the letters from camp at this time give the spirit of the men in the war. y^brother, a boy of eighteen, writes the following boyish nonsense/ from " Camp near Culpeper, "Nov. 15th, 1862. " As Capt. Bachman is going down to Richmond on business I take this opportunity of ' tellin' 'em THE WINTER OF '6 2 -'6 3 113 huddy fur me, an' ask 'em for sen' me sumfin.' As this is a strictly business letter I will proceed to enumerate the articles desired. Primo, one large black valise. Item, a plenty of writing paper (this is my last half sheet) and envelopes and a few postage stamps. Item, one buffalo robe and blan- ket. Item, the horseman's overcoat of which I wrote in my last, and which was to be made of the heavy bluish grey cloth now at the Qr. Mrs. Clothing depot in Richmond or any other suitable stuff, with long skirts and cape and lined through- out with woolen stuff and at the Qr. Mrs. dept. which will be cheaper, 'vich it is a very good thing,' all of the aforesaid to be accomplished through the instrumentality of the ' ubiquitous Banks.' Item, the coat to be double-breasted. Item, if the coat is not finished by the time of Capt. Bachman's return don't send it by him! Item, My BOOTS! Item, some soap and a tooth brush. Item, my red silk sash. Item, one of my razors — my shaving brush and soap. Item, if possible to be procured, one travelling toilet glass — this last very important! Our horses are getting more than they can eat — and we ourselves fare very well, so far as an abundance of beef and bread is concerned. We got a little Sorghum molasses the other day and have had some sweet cakes which were very good, I assure you. We have a battery drill and are at the manual of the piece every day — and altogether camp life is ii 4 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 somewhat endurable though Mama's pen-knife won't compare to it in dul lness . I was at Genl. Hood's Head Quarters this morning. Since he has got to be a Major Genl. he has moved into a house and I suppose intends to live in style ! . . ." And again from Camp near Chesterfield Station : " . . . My home is in a wild pine grove and sweetest melancholy, poesy's child, keeps watch and ward over my innocent spirit. I sit on my bench and muse on the time when the Yank- Yanks shall meet me in battle array and when, 'Virginia leaning on her spear,' I shall retire on my laurels with one arm and no legs to some secluded dell to sigh away my few remaining years in blissful ignorance. But a truce to such deep Philosophy. We are all jogging along as usual. All the day I long for night, and all the night I long for its continuance. In fact it is very disagreeable to get up to attend Reveille roll- call, as I do every fourth morning, and it is vastly more pleasant to remain in my comfortable (?) bed and have no other care upon my mind than that of keeping warm with the least exertion possible. But then comes that inevitable too- diddle-tooty, too-diddle-tooty, &c, &c, &c, and up I have to jump and go out in the cold to hear that Von Spreckelson and Bullwinkle are absent and look at the exciting process of dealing out corn THE WINTER OF '6 2 -'6 3 115 in a tin cup. . . . The snowing began before daylight yesterday morning and kept it up with scarcely an interval until late last night. It fell to a depth of about nine inches. This morning, the 1st, 4th, and 5th Texas Regiments came by our camp, marching in irregular line of battle, with their colors gotten up for the occasion, and with skirmishers thrown out in advance, and passing us, attacked the camp of the 3rd Arkansas, which is immediately on our right. A fierce con- test ensued, snow balls being the weapons. The Texans steadily advanced, passing up the right of the camp; the Arkansians stubbornly disputing their progress, and their shouts and cheers as they would make a charge, or as the fight would become unusually desperate, made the welkin ring. A truce was finally declared and all four regiments marched over the creek to attack Anderson's brigade. After crossing they formed in line, deployed their skirmishers, and at it they went. The Georgians got rather the best of the fight and drove them back to the creek, where they made a stand and fought for some time. They then united and started back across the Massoponax for Genl. Law's brigade. Just before arriving oppo- site our camp they saw another brigade coming over the top of the hill behind their camp (i. e., Anderson's) and back they went to meet them. How that fight terminated I don't know. . . . I suppose this rain and snow will retard the move- n6 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 ments of the enemy too much for them to attempt to cross for some time to come. . . . Yester- day and to-day have been lovely days and I trust that the weather will clear up and continue so. I expect Burnside feels very grateful for the interposition of the elements to giv e him an excu se. f or deferring a little longer the evil day on which he is forced to attack us or be decat I saw in my ride the other day a body of Yankees, apparently a Regiment, drawn up in line, firing. They were using blank cartridges I suppose. This looks as though they had some very fresh troops. If that is the case they had better keep them out of the fight, as they will do precious little good in it. "Christmas eve we went to see the Hood's Minstrels perform. One of the best performances was 'We are a band of brothers' sung by three make-believe darkies, dressed entirely in black, with tall black hats and crepe hatbands, looking more like a deputation from a corps of undertakers than anything else — and was intended, I suppose, as a burlesque upon Puritanism. At all events it was supremely ridiculous. . . . /I understand that several of the tailors in Charleston have com- mitted suicide lately, driven to it by the ruinously low rates at which their wares (no pun intended) are now selling. They can only obtain two hun- dred and fifty dollars for a second lieutenant's uniform coat and pantaloons. Poor wretches! 4roi n*4<. ox- They should bear their burdens with more patience, however, and remember that (according to the newspaper) the hardships of this war fall on all alike and must be endured by high and low, rich and poor, equally. I saw Col. Jenifer who told me he had met Papa and Mama at a party at Col. Ives's in the city of Richmond. Isn't that dissipation for you ? Do they have cake ' and sich ' at parties now, or is it merely ' a feast of reason and a flow of soul ? ' And in conclusion tell me of my overcoat. Have you seen it? If not, has any- body else seen it? If not, how long will it be, in all human probability, and speaking well within the mark, before somebody else will see it? . . My old one has carried me through two winters and is now finishing the third in a sadly dilapidated condition. There is a sort of ' golden halo, hover- ing round decay,' about it, which may perhaps be very poetical, but is far from being practical as i/ys, regards its weather resisting qualities. . . ." In this spirit of lightheartedness\ wrote the soldier boys from their camps "m the mud and rain and discomfort of every kind. In Richmond too the young people managed to make merry, as young people will, under adverse circumstances. The girls made the best show possible with their meagre wardrobes — and fortunate were the ex- travagant ones of other days who had a multi- plicity of garments, from which to levy supplies, n8 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 to cut and make over to suit the fashion of the day. On Franklin Street, on any fine afternoon during the winter, it was a lovely sight to watch the promenaders going up and down. The officers, on leave for a few days, made the best of their holiday, and the pretty girls were decked out in the best finery they could muster. The sun shone and hearts were l i ght and the shadow _ot Appo- mattox was still so far away_ihat not even the cloud as big as a man's hand had showed itself. The school girls too, in spite of the troublous times, found many ways to amuse themselves. One day, when the snow lay thick on the ground, we were all at luncheon, when we heard a great shouting in the street, and with one accord rushed to the windows to see the cause. We found a regiment marching by, on their way through town, to the railway station. They were foot- sore and weary, ill clad and worse shod; but the flag was flying and they held their heads up and stepped out bravely, as the bevy of girls appeared on the doorteps and greeted us with a great shout. We rushed in again and came out speedily, with our hands and aprons full of bread, and everything portable from the table. There was a halt, and we ran out in the street and passed on our refresh- ments from man to man. They laughed in great glee and cheered and shouted — and then such a frolic ensued, for one of the mischievous girls threw a snowball in their midst' This was "a Photo by Bendann Bros., Balli MISS HETTY CARY, OF BALTIMORE THE WINTER OP '6 2 -'6 3 119 dare" and they took it! All discipline was at an end and the snowballs flew thick and fast — as they filed past us on their journey, alas ! to battle- fields from which many, indeed, most of them, would return no more. We went hungry till supper time; but were so glad to have cheered them on their weary way. One of the interesting., incidents that occurred at this time was the arrival of Miss H etty Ca ryjxprn Ealtimore^^-She-bad just been releas ed from Fort McHenr y, _whejg. M she,liad been imprisoned for wearing a white apron with re d ribbons, the Confedera te colors! I remember seeing her at a dance at Mrs. Pegram's which is thus described in a school girl's letter. "We had a glorious time — plenty of ice cream, cake and officers ; the latter predominating. When the evening was a little advanced we were honored by the presence of the beautiful Miss Hetty Cary and we danced until nearly 3 o'clock." Of all the women I have ever met I think she was the most beautiful — and combined with great loveliness of person, a brilliancy of wit, which made her remarkable. At this time, having just come through the lines, she was dressed in the last mode, and shone resplendent in an exquisite violet moir6 with pink roses in her hair. This last was Titian tinted and rippled back from her fair low forehead. Her complexion was lilies and roses; and her figure magnificent. She was indeed a beauty. It is told of Miss Hetty i2o A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i Cary that, on one occasion, when Federal troops were passing through Baltimore, she stood at an open window of her home and waved a Con- federate flag. One of the officers of a regiment passing below noticed the demonstration and calling it to the attention of the Colonel asked: "Shall I have her arrested?" The Colonel, glancing up and catching a glimpse of the vis- ion of defiant loveliness, answered emphatically: "No: she is beautiful enough to do as she pleases." Though anticipating events by two years, I will mention here that Miss Cary married General John Pegram, who was killed in battle three weeks from her wedding day. There are many now who recall those two pro- cessions up the aisle of old St. Paul's. As I have said, it was not uncojnmojiJoxrjeople to slip back and lorth_Jtfi^^^li_lhe_ lines. My mother writes at this date : "February, 1863. " Your father has gone to introduce Burke (the scout) to Mr. Seddon. He wanted to know the Secretary of War and to tell him, I suppose, his impressions of his visit to New York. He spent a week there and has just got back! " General Johnston writes from Chattanooga giving an account of his perplexities. THE WINTER OF '62-'6 3 121 " Chattanooga, Jany. 26th, 1863. "My dear Wigfall: " I have asked the government by telegraph if any additional troops, new or old, can be furnished for Bragg' s Army, but have had no reply. Will you suggest to Mr. Seddon that we are in a very critical condition in Tennessee? The enemy has fully supplied his losses, 1 am officially informed, while our army has received stragglers and exchanged prisoners amounting to about a third of our killed and wounded. Such being the case, if there is any truth in arithmetic, another battle must drive us still farther back. If driven across the Cumberland Mountains we can not hold East Tennessee and once in possession of that country Rosecranz may choose his point on our South Eastern or Eastern frontier from Richmond to Mobile. It is of the utmost importance there- fore to reinforce Bragg. The conscription is operating very slowly. Can no mode of expediting its enforcement be adopted? I cannot draw upon Pemberton, for his force is far too small now. I proposed the bringing to him 18,000 or 20,000 troops from Arkansas, none of whom ever came. The enemy is again at Vicksburg, too, in heavier force, and doubtless with a different plan — prob- ably to attempt to attack from below instead of from the Yazoo. " Bragg has done wonders, I think — no body of troops has done more in proportion to numbers i22 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 in the same time. At Murfreesboro' he killed, wounded and took 17,000 and within the three weeks preceding 7,500. His own loss in all that time about 9,000. My own official position does not improve on acquaintance. It is little, if any, better than being laid on the shelf. I have en- deavored to explain this to the President, but he thinks it essential to have one here who can trans- fer troops from this department to Pemberton's and vice-versa. That would be extremely well if either department could possibly spare troops, even for a short time, but that is not the case, each having too few for immediate purposes and the distance and character of the intermediate country such as completely prevents them- from aiding each other, except an occasional cavalry movement. It is an attempt to join things which cannot be united. It would require at least a month to send 10,000 men from one of the two armies to the other. Each department having its own commander and requiring— indeed having room but for one. You perceive how little occupa- tion I can find. I can not unite the two armies — because they are too far apart, and each is required where it is. Nor can I take command of one because each has its proper commander, and yet the country may hold me responsible for any failure between North Carolina and Georgia and the Mississippi, for I am supposed to be com- manding in all that country. After commanding THE WINTER OF '62-'6 3 123 our most important, and I may add, best army for a year, it is hard to lose that command for wounds in battle and to receive a nominal one. I must confess I cannot help repining at this position. The President, however, evidently in- tends that I shall hold a high position and im- portant one; but I think he mistakes the relation between Tennessee and Mississippi. " I flatter myself that I have never been so garrulous before and won't be so again. "We rarely see Richmond papers, so I don't know what you are doing for us. My cordial regards to Mrs. Wigfall and the young ladies. " If you can help me out of my present place I shall love you more than ever. It will require diplomacy and cunning, however, and I don't think you strong in the latter. " Yours truly, "J. E. Johnston." General Johnston writes again from "Knoxville, Tenn., "Feb. 14th, 1863. " My dear Wigfall: " I have several times taken the liberty of asking you by telegraph to try to get R. A. Howard made Brig. Genl., Schleicher made a Capt. of Engineers and the McLean, of Bull Run, in whom you and Mr. Clay were so much interested, put into the i2 4 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 Qr. Mrs. dept. As these things were all for the benefit of the military service, in which you take as much interest as any soldier or citizen of the Confederacy, it is unnecessary for me to apologize. Let me now ask you to consider the services of the Army of Tennessee. Our principal officers and the most intelligent of our friends in Nashville estimate the loss of the enemy in the battle of Murfreesboro' at not less than 20,000 — the force which inflicted that loss could not have been much more than 30,000. More effective fighting is not to be found in the history of modern battles. The enemy fell back to a very strong position, where he received reinforcements, on account of which our army abandoned the ground; the general being urged to do so by those under him of high rank. This Army of Tennessee has had a hard time of it and a thankless one. My object now is to persuade that in the neighborhood of Murfrees- boro' it was well commanded and fought most gallantly, inflicting upon the enemy more harm in proportion to its members, if my memory is not at fault, than any army of modern times. So if you thank any troops for fighting well, these, it seems to me, should be included. I desired Gen. Harris, of Missouri, to say so to you. I am especially interested in this matter because the thanks of Congress would have a good effect upon the troops who feel that others have received the compliment for far less marching and fighting. Bragg has THE WINTER OF '6 2 -'6 3 125 commanded admirably in Tennessee and made the best use of his troops of all arms. " I have been very busy for some time looking for something to do — to little purpose, but with much travelling. Each of the three departments assigned to me has its general and as there is no room for two, and I can't remove him appointed by the Prest. for the precise place, nothing but the post of Inspector General is left to me. I wrote to the President on the subject — trying to explain that I am virtually laid upon the shelf with the responsibility of command, but he has not replied, perhaps because he has no better place for me. I should much prefer the command of fifty men. " Very truly yours. "J. E. Johnston." As I sit and think of the many memories that mark the passage of those wonderful four years some seem to stand out in bold relief and arrest the mind. Far down the street one day in the early spring we heard the tramp, tramp, of many feet and the unearthly, mournful sound of the dead march. We knew what it was. They were bearing to his last resting place the "gallant Pelham," the young Alabama hero, who had commanded Stuart's Horse Artillery and laid down his life at Kellysville on March 17th, in the first great Cavalry battle of the war. We watched the sad procession file past the door and the music 126 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 floated to our ears like the wail of a human voice. We wept in sympathy — for one so brave, so young, so fair. Such scenes were now frequent and we were soon called upon to bear the heaviest grief yet laid upon the people, who were to be whelmed in sorrow before the end should come. My mother writes to my brother, then with Fitz Lee's Cavalry Division: "May nth, 1863. "We are all saddened to the heart to-night by hearing the death of our hero Jackson! In addition to our own irreparable loss, it will put new life and courage into our cruel foe. It will cause mourning all over our land and each person seems to feel as if he had lost a relative. I feel more disheartened about the war now than I have ever felt before. It seems to me. it is to be inter- minable, anjb?diat_a_wxe:t^ tojook forward to! I suppose the death of Jack- son ha^fl^ftf^ftH HR aft p.nd T ran't. Tiftlp thi nking it fwi-irflprp fn rnnlfr nn"th°r ntt°™pt wry anon You see by the papers they claim having taken almost as many prisoners as we have and I am sure the loss of Jackson has turned the last fight into a calamity, if not a curse. I expect you will think I am really blue — but you know Jackson has been my hero and favorite for a long time. We must, though, hope on, hope ever!" THE WINTER OF '62-63 127 Another letter says: " I have just come up from witnessing the funeral procession of dear 'old Stonewall.' I never saw a more solemn scene and hope never to see another such. This morning early I went to the Governor's and saw the body lying in state. He looks perfectly natural, more as if he were asleep than dead. No one seems to know who will succeed to his command." A touching incident concerning this great man was told me by one of the Maryland men who wore the Grey and served under Jackson, and in whose own words I give it: " Our Battalion was in winter quarters and stationed at Genl. Jackson's Headquarters a few months before the battle of Chancellorsville — a short time before his death. It was Genl. Jackson's custom every afternoon to have a meeting for prayer, in a large tent. He sent over an invitation to the members of our Battalion to be present, saying he would like very much to have us come. One afternoon I went over to the prayer meeting tent and as I approached nearer I heard some one praying aloud — in earnest suppli- cation — and the words of the petition, in their beautiful simplicity were like those of a little child. I did not know at first who it was. When the prayer was ended I perceived it was Genl. i28 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 Jackson. After the prayer there was a pause and Dr. Lacy, his Chaplain, told him that the young men present would like to hear a few words from him. But his modesty was such that he could not be induced to speak a word. I was deeply impressed by the simple childlike faith of this great soldier — to save whom any man among us would have died." At this time thousands of Federal prisoners were taken through Richmond. An extract from a letter says, "They formed a perfect army and as they marched in the middle of the street one could scarcely realize they were actually prisoners, if it had not been that their arms had been taken from them, and that they were guarded on each side by our men, who you may be sure looked proud enough as they escorted them." My mother writes, May 17th, 1863, to my brother : " I send you, with our letters, a pound of candy and a box of Guava jelly which was given me. I know you have no sugar, and I have no doubt that although you will laugh at the idea you will nevertheless enjoy the sweets. Mrs. McLean (Genl. Sumner's daughter) has been staying with Mrs. Davis for three weeks, waiting for a passport from the Yankee Secretary of War, and Mrs. Chesnut told me the other day that it had been THE WINTER OF '62-'6 3 129 peremptorily refused — so I doubt if Rose will be able to get to Baltimore to her children. We are all very anxious to know the next move. I heard yesterday that Genl. Stuart was to go immediately on an extensive raid, but your father says it is not so. Genl. Lee is still here. Your father is talking of going up with Genl. Stuart in the morning." Prices in Richmond had now taken another rise and board in private houses with poor fare was $240 a month, so all persons not obliged to be on the spot were leaving for quiet places in the country, where cheaper rates could be secured. This was difficult too, for it was imperative for one's peace of mind that these retreats should be on a line of railroad and within reach of tidings from the army. The following letter, written by my brother in pencil, bears date May 2, 1863, and gives a de- scription of a skirmish just before the battle of Chancellorsville . "We have had a glorious fight this afternoon. Drove the Yankees from the start and kept them going as fast as we could follow until dark. Major Beckham and Capt. Breathed and I were with my Howitzer which was the first piece of Artillery fired. The fight began about half past five. The first shot the Yankee Artillery fired was a spherical case: one of the bullets struck me on the ^ 130 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 ^j arm. It was however, entirely spent. Three 1* of our pieces and one of McGregor's were the only \? ones of the Horse Artillery engaged. I wrote H last night, but don't know whether you got it. Don't look to hear from me until the fighting is over, for there are no mails. It is all mere chance as to getting a letter to you. Out of our three Jj9n££jik£jd_J^ again and would rather starve, and die here than live and gro^ia^undejr_L_incoln| They have no i dea , e yen_Qjar-^S.QUth ern .^friends there, of _the_. feelings aroused in our hearts by this war. I am SUFFERING IN THE SOUTH 165 busy getting John ready to return to his post on James Island. As it breaks my heart to think of the poor boy being on picket all night in the rain and having only dry hominy and cold water for breakfast, I am scouring the country to buy syrup 3 \ f >F ^ J Poor little mother hearL^ jiow it beat and ^r AV .j, thr obbed "With pairi^ anj~anixiety, and with it all, '0 v % ^ tf ^ o no talk of wanting to give~upTHe"fight. Such \aj ' ^r womenr^srthese were the rule, ~no^ _ tIrie~exception; such women as these were the mothers, who made the soldiers in the armies of the Confederacy. / Thejyjntpr nf ^3-' 6 4 .saw us b^c^in _RichLmond. The Army of Northern Virginia was inactive during the latter part of the winter but made a campaign of heroic endurance without parallel, for suffering and privation. With no proper shelter, half clothed, many without shoes, and barely enough food to keep away starvation, they bore the rigors of the season, the cold rains and snows, the dreary days and long nights of discom- fort with no blankets to cover them, without a murmur. The currency was now so depreciated 4 A t hat the pay o f the highest^offic^s^^was^jnadg-Q^^e .l/JwiAr^ for t heir w ants. W ith cornmeal at $50 a bushel; ^UcJjJt beansat $60; bacon at $8 and sugar at $20 a pound it was almost impossible to procure theTneces- saries of life in Richmond — and vet I do not i& i66 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i re member during that _ w y»tptr of suffering and lave heard-i^ie~FVeTTtuaT^u cceii" "THFspTrits ot the people generally were bright and buoyant. The question of clothes became a burning one, and many were the devices resorted to in order to meet the needs of the occasion. Early in March Dahlgren's raid around Richmond took place and struck terror into the hearts of the women and children when the character of the orders captured on his person were known. It was stated and believed at the time that he and his command had volunteered for this expedition. He was repulsed and lost his life in the attempt, which resulted in absolute failure. The orders found on his person were explicit, and most extraordinary, when viewed in the light of the usual rules governing civilized warfare. He was ordered to burn the city of Richmond, and the oakum and turpentine to carry out this purpose were found with him. He was ordered to sack and loot the city, then filled with helpless women and children — and to the mercy of God we owe it that he was prevented from carrying out his purpose, and that an awful crime against civilization and humanity was not committed. My father said at the time, and I have lived to see his prophecy come true, that in future years no one would believe that such orders had been given or such an expedition organ- ized, but these are facts nevertheless. All during SUFFERING IN THE SOUTH 167 that early spring the alarms in Richmond of an attack on the city were frequent ; and at any hour of the day or night would be heard the sound of the alarm bells ringing and all the remaining men in the town, the clerks and civil officers, would gather up their arms and rally to the defence of their homes and the protection of their families. Itjgas a wr Ptrhff l time of anx iety almost unbear- able*— """*"" ■ " I recall one night particularly when I had been beguiled into reading until a late hour the charmed pages of Dickens's "Tale of Two Cities." It was about one o'clock and all the household were fast asleep; when far down Main Street I heard the clattering of many hoofs, and the shouts of soldiery. I rushed to my father's door, and called him. He dressed with all haste, and buckled on his sword and pistol, which lay always ready to hand. Then he calmed and quieted the terrified women and children who had been aroused by the noise. A moment we waited, as the sounds came nearer and nearer. We were sure the Yankees were upon us — and I must con fess that, fnr jfaefirst and only time during the war I felt terr ified . As the troops came in sight they slackened their pace — and to our joy, we found it was a company of Fitz Lee's Cavalry clattering through the town and for pure mischief rousing the sleeping inhabitants. How we cheered them when we saw the "red heart" gleaming on their grey coats, and knew that we 1 68 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 could go to our beds in peace and sleep safe and sound with Fitz Lee's men on guard! The following letter from General Johnston suggested a method for recruiting the army. " Dalton, Jan. 4th, 1864. " My dear Wigfall: "It is necessary to recruit this army promptly to enable it to hold its ground against Grant's forces. Remember that it was unable to move forward even before it had been weakened by the defeat of Missionary Ridge, and Longstreet's march into East Tennessee, and the enemy strengthened by his victory and 25,000 men brought from Mississippi by Sherman. " \ pro pose to siib stitute = jIa5zes^or^alL^ol4Jg rs employed out of thej^nks-— on detached service, "extra duty, as c^6^s^ngineers 7 -daborers, pioneers, or any kind of work. Such details for this little army amounT"tolnore than 10,000 men. Negroes would serve for such purposes, better than soldiers. The impressment of negroes has been practised ever since the War commenced — but we have never been able to keep the impressed negroes with an army near the enemy. They desert. If you can devise and pass a law to enable us to hold slaves or other negroes with armies, this one can, in a few weeks, be increased by the number given above — of soldiers — not conscripts. Is not this worth trying? We_j^quire,==pr©rnptness here SUFFERING IN THE SOUTH 169 a nd this is the only prompt way of sending us soldiers. The proposed modifications of the con- scrrpTTaw are good, but then operations cannot help us in the present emergency. The plan is simple and quick. It puts soldiers and negroes each in his appropriate place ; the one to fight, the other to work. I need not go into particulars in this matter. You understand it as well as I. Now do apply your energy and zeal to it. There is no other mode by which this army can be recruited before spring — and there is no other so good as this. Speak to General Sparrow and Mr. Miles for me on this subject. I would write to them both but am so pressed for time as to be unable to do so. "As ever yours, "J. E. Johnston." LINES FROM THE LOSING SIDE CHAPTER X Lines from the Losing Side FROM CAPTAIN WIGFALL ON GENERAL HOOD'S STAFF AFTER THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS THE WOUNDED ARRIVE AT CHARLOTTESVILLE — JOURNEY FROM ATLANTA TO MACON IN A HOSPITAL TRAIN GENERAL JOHNSTON SUPERSEDED BY GENERAL HOOD MRS. CLAY'S TRIBUTE TO THE FORMER THE EVACUATION OF ATLANTA. In the month of February, 1864, my brother joined General Hood in the West, as one of his staff, and writes from Dal ton, date March 21st: " . . . . I have just returned from a ride with some of 'the staff' looking at the country. I think Gen. Hood is quite anxious for a fight and I have no doubt will distinguish himself whenever it does come. He brought a carriage up from Atlanta when he came, but has sent it back, and rides everywhere on horseback. He is out nearly every day and rides from twelve to fifteen and twenty miles without dismounting. " . . . I heard a sermon yesterday from Gen. Pendleton, who I wrote in my last to Papa is out here inspecting the artillery of the army. He read the service, and it had a very familiar i73 174 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN *6i sound with the exception of the hymns, which were from the prayer book, but sung to the regular old Camp-meeting tunes, through the nose. . . . April 9. . . . The sham battle of General Har- dee's Corps took place on Thursday, and was wit- nessed by a large number of ladies from all parts of the State. There was a party of them at Gen. Hood's for several days and the evening after the battle we had a dance at Hd. Qurs. to which was gathered 'the beauty and the chivalry.' It was a decided success and was almost fashionably crowded. , I indulged slightly in the galop and deuxtemps and wish L. could have seen me. There are to be some tableaux a few miles below here at a country house on the rail- road Monday evening, to which the General and his staff are invited. I expect there will be a good deal of gaiety in Dal ton, (that is, for the army) until the war begins, which from all appearance is as far off as ever. Tell Papa that the army is very much ' down on ' Congress for the ration bill and ask him to be sure and have it remedied as soon as the session begins. I have heard several plans proposed by officers for inviting one or two members of Congress now with the army to a ' one ration a day dinner.' Something of this sort, for instance: The entertainer would be very gen- erous and have the whole day's ration served for dinner. He would divide the pound and a quarter of meal, the quarter of a pound of hominy and the LINES FROM THE LOSING SIDE 175 third of a pound of bacon into three parts and give his guest one, take one himself and set one aside for his servant. Ho wever, we all live in fe ope of th ebetter tixne^ conning, ' ' "April 29. . . . There was a review to-day. of all the infantry and artillery of the army. The reviewing officer was Gen. Johnston, who rode down the line, halting opposite each brigade to receive its salute. He then took his position and the troops marched in review past him. Mrs. John- ston was there and a good many other ladies and I expect enjoyed the -spectacle though the wind was high and the dust insufferable. Mrs. Johnston spoke to-day of your and Fanny's being with her this sum- mer. I have no doubt you will have a very pleasant time indeed, and if the Army is inactive I shall doubtless be able to run down to see you. . . . "We are barely managing to exist on the third of a pound of bacon. We keep -UDQjir-~^piriJts_, _haw-ever- T ~-and hope for the tirhewhen Congress shall intervene in our behalf and satisfy the Oliver Twists of the Army. A friend of one of our mess the other day sent a turkey and you should have seen our countenances as we prepared to devour him. ..." In the Spring of 1864 board in the country towns in Virginia was hard to obtain at any price and $300 was charged a month in Charlottesville for poor accommodations and wretched fare. 176 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 I find this item, May 3rd, 1864: " It is very un- comfortable at Mrs. , as they allowance each person to butter, etc. Things are in a dread- ful state. Have you tried to get your shoes mended? I am completely unshod, as my boot gave way entirely yesterday in my walk with P." The battle of the Wilderness took place at this time and a letter from Charlottesville, May 9th, gives the following: " . . . Charlottesville is in a whirl of excite- ment and the ladies go in crowds to the depot to assist the wounded, who come in train after train. We are all going this afternoon laden with ice- water, buttermilk, etc., to see what we can do. Dr. C. is going with us and I hope we will do some good. It was urged by Mr. Meade in church yesterday that the ladies should render their assistance, as upwards of four or five thousand are expected this afternoon. "There is nothing new this morning. Every- thing is very favorable and yesterday evening there was a rumor that Grant, being defeated, was entrenching, and Lee, also; the latter to send troops to Richmond, which is threatened on the south side and has only 14,000 at present. Beau- regard in command. It is also said that Pickett had driven the enemy back below Petersburg. There are thousands of rumors and we are satis- fied with knowing we have been victorious thus LINES FROM THE LOSING SIDE 177 far. Gen. Longstreet passed through here yes- terday, painfully, but not seriously, wounded in the shoulder. " I told you in my last the package had come safely and I will be very careful of it. The prices for mending shoes are so exorbitant that I expect I had better wait and have them mended in the country." As the summer advanced the journey to Texas, which necessitated crossing the Mississippi river, and which had been abandoned by my father and mother the previous summer on account of the perils to be incurred, became imperative. It was determined to undertake it at all hazards, though it involved a separation of months from their children, uncertainty of the fate of an only son, who was daily exposed to danger in the army, and the encountering of difficulties which were enough to have deterred even the bold spirit of my father, to say nothing of my mother, whom the anticipa- tion must have filled with dread. With the quiet heroism of the women of that day, she never faltered where duty led, and I find no record of any hesitation or question as to her sharing my father's dangers on that journey to the home from which he had now been absent nearly four years. As it was, of course, impossible that we should accompany them, my sister and I (then girls of twelve and seventeen years of age, respec- 178 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN *6i tively,) were left in the charge of Mrs. Joseph E. Johnston at Atlanta ; General Johnston being then in command of the Army of Tennessee. Mrs. Johnston was temporarily settled in a little house, furnished with cots, tables and chairs borrowed from the hospitals, and some few articles lent by kind friends in an effort to make the wife of the commanding General a little more com- fortable. We had also the General's mess chest with its supply of table cutlery, spoons, etc., "six of everything," and the other members of the party brought in to the general aid of the establish- ment all we could "muster" in the way of addi- tions to the store. Here we were quiet for a few weeks, when the position of affairs at Atlanta became so uncertain that General Johnston thought it best for us to be sent to Macon. In a letter written to my mother on her journey (which reached her at Meridian, Mississippi,) I say: "Macon, July nth, 1864. " . . . You see by the heading of my letter that already we ha ve been forcedj ta lea v e-Atlanta, — not that it has fallen, but Mrs. Johnston re- ceived a letter from the General in which he advised her to send us off at once — to remain until the fate of the city was decided either one way or the other. Col. Brewster and Brother (who came from camp near Atlanta for a conference) agreed with her in thinking it best for us to go — LINES FROM THE LOSING SIDE 179 as the mac hinery j j^vp-mrngri* T3T this trouble and sorrow, on the principle of whistling to keep one's courage up, there were many homes, in other days famed for their generous hospitality, which still in this fair Georgian town opened their doors and called the young people aside to make merry, if possible, for even a few hours — and many a pleasant even- ing we spent with music and song and dancing. The young officers passing to and fro on sick leave, or during periods of cessation of hostilities, having a two or three days' furlough, would find delight in. thpsq_1ifrti ft gli mpses of a brighter side of life. There was in Macon, at this time, a Mrs. Toby, a charming matron, who was noted for her love of young people, and her delight was to have informal gatherings upon every available occasion. There was also in our household a young officer of the staff who was of a serious turn of mind, cared little for the society of the more frivolous sex and who consequently was a continual target for A SOUTHERN GENERAL 195 the mischievous pranks of the young ladies, who teased him unmercifully. Practical jokes were played upon him, which he bore with an equanim- ity and amiability unexampled, and hard to com- prehend, until the sequel showed that he was only biding his time for a goodly revenge. This came, after a consultation with Mrs. John- ston, who was full of life and vivacity and ever ready to further the gaiety of young people, and who suggested, that in the well known hospitality of Mrs. Toby, he might find the long sought oppor- tunity for vengeance. The plot, as concocted, was that the young ladies of the house were to be invited to a " party " at Mrs. Toby's, that lady's name being used for an entertainment which had existence only in the imagination of the conspirators, and which, of course, was never to take place. The following letters were composed and written by Mrs. John- ston and the young officer and delivered at inter- vals — as required by the situation. In reading over these foolish little letters, which caused such merriment at the time, I have thought what a pathetic picture was presented — of that brave old General, with heart bowed down with sorrow for his country's peril, and bitterness at his own enforced inability to help her in her hour of need, forgetting for the moment the tragedy of the times, to indulge in the innocent mirth produced by a practical joke. The first letter was as follows: 196 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i " My dear Mrs. Mackall: "We understand a large party has made pre- paration to storm us this evening. Mr. Toby is eager for the amusement and kindly consents to overcome his aversion to such 'villainous sur- prises,' (as Sherman would say) and receive the company. Please make my regards to the young ladies and ask them to join us- — and fetch any agreeable beaux they can find. All the gentlemen of your house are expected. I hope Mrs. Johnston and yourself will come as lookers on. We are such near neighbors that you should not regard the inclemency of the weather. Some warm gumbo will cheer the inner man and gum shoes and thick mantles protect you from the storm. Don't dis- appoint us. " Very truly, " Nov. 2nd, Wednesday. A. V. Toby." The reception of this invitation, which was delivered in all seriousness and without our having a suspicion of the wicked intention veiled in its smooth phrases, created a nutter of excitement among the girls in the household. Acceptance of the offered delight was a foregone conclusion, but the burning question of apparel loomed up in the foreground. What could we wear? We retired to the upper regions and called Mrs. Johnston to our council. We rummaged among our meagre resources, and spread out for critical inspection A SOUTHERN GENERAL 197 the results of our search. I selected an old crimson silk which had done faithful service in the past on many a festive occasion, and a faded lavender gown, with an ancient cut, and skimped proportions, was the choice of the other eager young aspirant for pleasure. An old sycamore tree grew in the yard and its boughs were heavy with lovely green balls, which suggested them- selves to my excited fancy as a beautiful decor- ation for the hair. This latter, by the way, had to be crimped and curled — so we remained up stairs all day, close prisoners, ripping and re- making the old dresses; and refused even to come down to the corn bread and sorghum repast, owing to the crimped and frizzed condition of oiir tresses. Mrs. Johnston would appear at intervals with suggestions and advice and on returning to the lower regions, if our ears had been attuned to suspicion, we might have wondered at the sounds of laughter and merriment that invariably greeted her return. As night approached and we began to make our toilettes — the conspirators relented. We heard afterwards that the dear old General remon- strated and said " it was a shame " to impose further on our innocence and credulity. So Mrs. Johnston appeared up stairs with the second note — and still we never suspected. " Dear Mrs. Mackall: "The young gentlemen are more particular 198 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN >6i about the weather than I am — and having notified me that I was not to be ' surprised ' tonight have greatly disappointed me. If the young ladies partake of my annoyance, I hope they will also partake of the pleasure I anticipate of seeing them some early evening under more auspicious circumstances. I would even now beg your family and friends to come, but am afraid the gumbo would be a poor inducement. "Truly yours, "A.V.Toby." Upon the receipt of this artful epistle, we sighed our disappointment, donned our sober garments and went down stairs, where we were greeted by the conspirators with many expressions of regret. The next morning at the breakfast table — the third and last note was handed in by the grinning darkey, who knew some joke was being perpe- trated. I can see now the old General's grim visage relaxing into a smile, as with shouts of laughter the note was passed round the table and read by each in turn. "Vineville, Nov. 4, '64. " My dear Mrs. Mackall: " My maid Amanda, on a visit yesterday to your servants, learned that preparations were being made by the young ladies for a large party to be given, as she was informed, by me. Imagine my A SOUTHERN GENERAL 199 amazement, when I tell you that though always glad to do anything for the enjoyment of young people, I was wholly innocent of any such purpose on this occasion. I fear they have been made victims of one of those silly, stupid, practical jokes, in which I never could see any amusement! I do not envy the person whoever he be, who can enjoy the disappointment of two such charming creatures as the ' Fair Rose of Texas ' and ' the Nymph of the Alabama' in the realization of fancied triumphs of dazzling glances, and bewitch- ing smiles, dreams of delicious tete-a-tetes, divine galops and ecstatic waltzes — ambrosial gumbo. (?) They have my heartfelt sympathy. Amanda tells me too, that all day long they were pent up, up stairs, patient martyrs to 'crimps,' (Mr. Toby can't bear me in 'crimps' — says I look like the head of Medusa— horrid man!) — that the entire toilette was arranged. Just think of the crimson silk and the sycamore balls — the killing lavender ! " I cannot close without expressing my contempt for the person who so cruelly and maliciously amused himself at their expense. It can be no other than a young man, one of those unappre- ciative, indifferent, ungallant, 'frisky' creatures of these degenerate days. I am sure that that highly chivalrous gentleman, Capt. Mackall, will become perfectly furious at this disclosure of the plot, and will not be pacified, swearing vengeance on the author! Woe be to him! if caught. I am 2oo A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 too angry to write more. The sad thought of ' how it might have been ! ' " Yours truly, "Toby? or not Toby? "P. S. That is the question. "Tell the young ladies to be sure and bring Capt. Mackall to see me. I hear he is ' coming out.' "T. B." It is needless to add that Mrs. Toby was guiltless of any and all of these effusions but Mrs. Johnston and Captain Mackall could not claim equal ignorance of their composition. This little laughing interlude was of short dura- tion, for graver matters soon absorbed our atten- tion. S herman _ was threatenin g Mac on^ and w e wptp mpVrncr rpa£JyJ-.n Ipavp on his npqrpr appr n a<"h The smal l-pox w as becoming a lso a ser ious menace and knowing the crowde3^o^ditiDn_Qf_the little town andltEc-lnsiimp^^ ing its sanitary conditions^ we were very uneasy. Vaccination was universal and we wore little bags of asafetida next the skin to ward off the in- fection. I don't remember whether this was Mrs. Johnston's own idea of an efficient preventive, or not, but I know all the young people in our house- hold were similarly decorated. At last the dreaded day came when we were forced to fly for safety. The rush for the cars was tremendous. Through the kindness of Mr. Cuyler, A SOUTHERN GENERAL 201 the President of the road, a car was reserved for a number of his friends and acquaintances, and we were lucky enough to secure two seats and one for Captain Miller, who was sent in charge of us. Mrs. Johnston remained behind, to leave next day with the General. I shall never forget that journey. I was ill with fever and headache from my arm, which had "taken" violently from vac- cination. I was separated from father and mother ; my only brother exposed to hourly danger, news of his safety from day to day being impossible to obtain ; with the care and responsibility of a young sister upon me and flying before a ruthless foe to take refuge among strangers. And I not eighteen years old at the time! As our poorly equipped train lumbered slowly along, cumbered with its heavy load, we had time enough for reflection on the terrible situation of affairs. O ur objectiv e point was C olumbia ,, that fair little Carolina town, whTch had not yet fallen into the enemy's hands, and was still a haven for the distressed refugees flying before Sherman's advancing army. At night-fall we reached a way station, and there came to a halt. A raid was threatened and trains were unable to pass beyond that point. The terrified women and children were flocking into the little village, and the only inn, a small frame building, could not even give cover to the crowds that swarmed in from every quarter. We alighted from the train and made an investigation of the 202 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 prospects for a night's lodging. We could not even find a seat in the small sitting room filled to overflowing with women, children and babies ; and the stifling atmosphere caused us to beat a swift retreat. What to do we did not know, or where to find shelter. Captain Miller was at his wits' ends — when the question was promptly settled by our determining to spend the night on the platform. A chair was found, and seated on the bare boards, with my head on my muff, with the chair for a support and with my little sister lying on my lap, we spent the night. I was so exhausted from illness and fatigue that I was soon lost to a sense of all the trouble and terror, and slept the hours away in utter unconsciousness. In the early morning we were aroused and, hurrying on board the train, proceeded on our way to Columbia, and thence to Greenville 1 _where kin d friends receiv ed us. Here we remained in quiet for some weeks, when one happy day, to our utter delight, my father made his appearance, having successfully accomplished the journey to Texas and recrossed the Mississippi river. He had now come for us to join him and my mother on their way back to Richmond. In life, there are always hours that stand out in bold relief against the negative tints of daily events. The joy of that meeting is as fresh to-day as if it were yesterday, and the rapturous delight of being safe once more in the haven of father and mother love A SOUTHERN GENERAL 203 as vivid as the pain and sorrow of the separation. And now we heard the story of the journey. How they had traveled through the Louisiana swamps, with the mosquitoes as big as "woodchucks" almost, (" gallinippers " they were styled), swarm- ing around them, the mules struggling bravely with the heavily laden ambulance over the corduroy roads, my father on the alert day and night, fearing the approach of the enemy. I give the following notes to show the surround- ing circumstances : " In the Swamp, Sunday Morning. "Dear Genl.: " I start on this morning to discover whether the enemy are still on the river or near to Shields, obstructing the upper road. I advise you to return to Miller's and will despatch you there the condition of affairs. " The road over which I am passing can not be passed by any wheel conveyance. I deem it my duty to inform you of this fact. Were there a chance for you I should say come, but as it is I must say the route is impracticable. Should the upper route be free of the enemy's presence, it remains for you to determine whether you will run the risk attendant on it. I believe from all that I have heard, after the most diligent in- quiries, that should the enemy have gone, you can pass in safety to the river — of course, there may 2o 4 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 be enemies there at any time, but such risks fade into utter insignificance compared with this road. You have to pass down the river eight miles, but under cover of night I scarcely think there can be much danger. Should I find the enemy still on the river I will advise you imme- diately of it. I would suggest that as the only practicable means of solving the difficult problem of reaching the East bank of the Mississippi, that you recross the Black River and proceed to Trinity, getting from Col. Purvis, who commands a regiment now stationed there, an escort who know the roads and country, being residents of that part of the state, and proceed to Columbia, crossing the Ouachita River at that point and proceeding via Bayou Macon and St. Joseph road to St. Joseph or Boninsburg. It is with sincere regret that I should find such a course the only one pos- sible for you, but the difficulties on this route, naturally much greater than I had supposed, have been greatly augmented by the recent rains. "The nearest route for you to St. Joseph or Boninsburg would be to cross the Ouachita at Harrisonburg, but as the Bayou Louis, three miles from Harrisonburg, may not be crossable, I give you the other route. Col. Purvis can inform you whether you can cross Bayou Louis, and if you can would take that road. "I do not know whether I can cross the river at the point near to which I shall debouch from A SOUTHERN GENERAL 205 this road or not. If you think it necessary for me to go with you to Boninsburg I will go, although I do not know the road and it will delay me very much. I deem it my duty, however, to assist you to the last extremity. "Very respectfully, "H. F. Douglas, "Lt. Co. Eng." " In the Swamp, Sunday Morning. " Dear Genl.: " Should you conclude from information from Col. Douglas that it is best for you to risk going out the upper road and thence down the bank of the Mississippi river, you will order the Sergeant and the man he has with him to accompany you to the Bayou — where, if there is no enemy, we will meet you. Should you decide not to come that route and determine to proceed to St. Joseph's, you can take him with you to Mrs. Liddell's, which is within a mile of Trinity, and send him to Col. Purvis, commanding at that point — sending this note, by which Col. Purvis is to understand that it is Genl. Buckner's order that he send an officer with an escort of ten men with you to St. Joseph's, who know the country well. In which event you will please order the Sergeant to return to Alexandria. I will only add that I fully concur with Col. Douglas that it is an utter impossibility for any vehicle to come the route we are now 2o6 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i travelling and I should not be at all surprised if some of our animals found it to be their last jour- ney. With great respect, I am, Sir, your obedient servant, "H. T. Foot, Jr., " A. A. Gen. "P. S. — The suggestions which I have made are intended for your information in case accident should befall me. " When, after many vicissitudes and tribulations, the bank of the river was reached without en- countering the enemy the most difficult part of the journey was still to be made. When the width of the river is remembered, that the enemy's gun boats were lying in plain sight, ready to send a shot in any direction that suited their errant fancy, the situation may be imagined, and when to this is added a description of the mode of con- veyance proposed and successfully put in use, the account seems almost incredible. Two long " dug- outs" — i. e., trunks of trees hollowed out in the centre, were procured. The ambulance was then driven into the water and the "dugouts" placed beneath the wheels, and the mules swimming bore the ambulance across the river. In the night the passage was made; and lying clearly defined up and down the broad waters were the Yankee gunboats, their grim shapes looming like the awful monsters they were, with power to hurl A SOUTHERN GENERAL 207 death and destruction in an instant, should even a suspicion arise of the daring travelers on their way over the Father of Waters in that frail craft. And when I remember who was seated there, so calm and composed — in all that danger and ter- rible risk — my gentle mother, the most feminine of women, I am lost in admiration of her amazing courage. In telling of it all her comment was: "And the mules would snort; and made such a dreadful noise that we expected every moment the gunboats would hear and send a shot across our bows! " But they reached the shore in safety and we were now on our way to Richmond for the fateful winter of 1864. A LETTER FROM THE FRONT CHAPTER XII A Letter from the Front CAPTAIN WIGFALL WRITES FROM NEAR NASHVILLE, DECEM- BER 5, 1864 — THE FIGHT AT FRANKLIN MARCHING TO TENNESSEE — RETURN TO RICHMOND A SORROWING MOTHER. The following letter written from near Nashville by my brother, is given here : " At Mrs. Overton's, " Six Miles from Nashville, " On Columbia Turnpike, "Dec. 5th, 1864. " I wrote you a short note from the other side of Franklin the morning after the battle. I have not written oftener because I have been unwilling to trust letters to the mail, as I suppose communi- cation has been interrupted between Macon and Augusta. We left Florence, Alabama, on the 21st of November; we reached Columbia and after remaining in front of the place two or three days it was evacuated by the enemy who then took position on the north bank of Duck River, imme- diately opposite the town. There was some 211 2i2 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 artillery firing and sharp shooting across the river and it was in this on the 28th that Col. Beckham was wounded. I have not heard from him since the morning of the 1st, when he was doing well, but the wound is so severe (the skull fractured) that I fear he will not recover. In fact the sur- geon said there was a bare possibility of his sur- viving. His loss will be very severely felt. It is hard enough to be killed at all, but to be killed in such an insignificant affair makes it doubly bad. "The fight at Franklin was very severe — while it lasted, and though our loss was heavy, every- body is in the finest humor — and ready for the fight again whenever Gen. 'John B.' gives the word. Col. Cofer, Provost Marshall Gen. of the Army, told me the other day that he had taken particular pains to find out by enquiring the feelings of the men and that the morale of the army was very much improved by the fight, and that the men would go into the next with double vim and impetuosity. " Our men fought with the utmost determina- tion and if we had had three hours more of day- light I feel as confident as possible that we should have been to-day in Nashville. The Yankees are now in their works around the city and our main line is at one point only twelve hundred yards from theirs. We have captured three engines and about twenty cars and I hope before long to hear the shriek of the locomotive once more. The A LETTER FROM THE FRONT 213 country we have marched through for the past fifty miles is one of the gardens of the world. The lands are very fertile, the plantations well im- proved and the people before the war were in the possession of every comfort and luxury. The destruction, too, caused by the Yankees, is not to be compared to that in other sections occupied by them. There has been no part of the Con- federacy that I have seen which has been in their possession and has suffered so little. " Our Army, in leaving Tennessee, on both occasions previously, passed to the East of this portion of the state, so that an Army has never before marched over it. The Yankees too have held it a long time and I imagine considered it permanently in their possession. We reached this place on the night of the 2nd. There are several young ladies from Nashville here who are very pretty and agreeable and the most intense Southerners. The enemy was forced from his position north of Duck River by a flank move- ment which placed the whole army except, two Divisions, near his communications. He fell back to Franklin that night and the next day, the 30th November, was the battle of Franklin. " Dec. 8th. I have heard this morning of poor Beckham's death. What a cruel, hard thing is war! The individual suffering, however, is the public gain. Over the road, on which moved Cheatham's Corps, was hung, just at the Tennessee 2i 4 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 State line, an inscription in these words: ' Tennes- see, A grave, or a free home.' A good many graves have been already filled — but better we should all meet that fate than fail to gain the prize we struggle for. As he passed over the line, Gen. Hood received a formal welcome into the state from Governor Harris, who has been with us since we took up the line of march for Ten- nessee. If we can gain Nashville, what a glorious termination it will be for the campaign. Even if we fail in this, for I fear the fortifications are too strong, and hold the enemy in his lines round the city, it will be one of the grandest achieve- ments an army has ever performed. Think of it! Starting from Lovejoy's thirty miles beyond Atlanta on the 18th Sept., here we are on the 8th Dec. in front of Nashville with the enemy cooped up in his works and the fruits of two years hard marching and fighting lost to him. . . . " Dec. ii. There was communion service held at the house this morning. Dr. Quintard officiated and prayer was offered up for the Confederate Congress for the first time publicly in this country, I suppose, since our army retreated from the state. It is bitterly cold. Fortunately the troops are lying quiet and can have their fires to keep warm by. I feel, I assure you, for the poor fellows in the skirmish line in such weather. " In each brigade a detail has been set at work making shoes for the barefooted men from leather A LETTER FROM THE FRONT 215 obtained in the country. They are making some twenty pairs a day in each brigade, and in addi- tion, there is a large supply coming from the rear, so you see we are getting on finely. "The Quartermasters and Commissaries too are hard at work getting other supplies and the R. R. is in operation from Pulaski to Franklin. We have gotten into a real land of plenty and I sincerely trust we shall never leave the State except it be to enter Kentucky. I don't believe myself that the Yankees will allow us to enter Winter Quarters, even should we desire it, without a fight. Of course, in order to make a fight they must leave their entrenchments, and if they attack us in ours or allow us to attack them without works, I feel not the slightest fear of the result. . . We made the journey to Richmond with all possible speed, my father being eager to be at his post in the Senate ; and on our arrival we took up our quarters at "The Spotswood." We found the spirit of the people unchanged. Our reverses in the field were acknowledged; our diminishing resources were apparent to all; shot and shell and disease had decimated our gallant armies ; the land ran red with blood and the wail of the widow and the orphan was heard above the roar and din of battle; vet no voice was raised to cry, "Hold, i t i s enou gh." Ultimate defe at was not contem- 2i6 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i plated, nor discussed as a possibility . And the women, of all the women in the world the most gentle and feminine, and upon whom the suffering and sorrow of the time pressed most heavily, the women of the South, were, if possible, more in- do mitable in their courage than the men! It was the "tender fierceness of the dove," while into their own gentle breasts they received each wound by which a hero fell. Of them, as of the Blessed Sorrowing Mother, may be truly said, "Yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also." I have in my mind, as I write, a picture that comes before me whenever I hear of the suffering of the women of the South. I was on a train, after Appomattox, and seated across the aisle were two figures, a mother and her son. She had journeyed from her far-away home in Alabama to the hospital in Richmond to find her boy and bring him back with her. She found him, sitting there waiting for her, blind and helpless, a minie- ball having passed through his head just back of the eyes, absolutely destroying the optic nerve. How she had made that journey, in weariness and pain- fulness with the hope deferred and the sickening terror of what awaited her at the end, we can never know. She was of the class called "poor white," her faded calico gown was worn and patched; her cheek was pale and the eyes deep-set and pitiful beyond words. At her side sat a patient figure; the hands folded in pathetic idle- A LETTER FROM THE FRONT 217 ness; the sightless eyes closed. His life work done ; his young manhood yet in its dawning ! The war is over: and he, blind and helpless as an infant, is journeying to his desolate, ruined home, one among the thousands of the wrecks from the armies of the South! But in the heart of the poor old mother there was still room for a great joy — he was blind and helpless — but — he was alive! She had him safe, and the spirit of her mother love seemed hovering over him and en- folding him with the wings of peace. LAST MONTHS OF THE WAR 1 ^c% CHAPTER XIII Last Months of the War UNFALTERING HOPE AND FAITH OF THE SOUTH LETTERS TO SENATOR WIGFALL FROM GENERAL WADE HAMPTON, VICE- PRESIDENT ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS AND GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE— A WAR PICTURE FROM NORTH CAROLINA — CHARACTER SKETCH OF GENERAL HOOD. Nnj^JSTAjNfr.R n.f the. ..ahsnhitp. fai't.Ti_gf_ our people , even at this late day , in the success of our Cause, is more convincing than their investment nf mnnfiy in Confede rate bond Su- during these last months of the war. Many circumstances could be related in evidence of this fact ; but one will suffice. My grandmother, ^ in Providence, Rhode Island, had succeeded by some means in sending to us through the lines >7j 'u, "^ $1,000 in gold. Without a moment's hesitation this precious metal was transmuted into Confed- erate bank notes, a large package of which, con- sisting of 500- and 1 00- dollar bills I have with me now, a constant re minder of the implicit faith in the success of the good Cause that was lost. I am sure my father would nave fertrtre was recreant to his country if he had admitted to himself that Confederate money was not as good as gold. It 221 " 222 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 may not have been of the wisdom of this world, but it was beautiful, and I am glad he did it and I keep my bank notes and shall leave them to those that come after me, as an infallible proof that the civilization of the old South pro- duced a race of men, who maintained what they believed to be their constitutional rights, sacrificed every material gain, and, giving freely of their own lives and the lives of their sons, would not withhold the baser treasures of silver and gold. General Wade Hampton writes to my father at this time the following : "Hd. Qrts., Jan. 20th, 1865. "My dear Wigjall: "Your message to me by Mr. Davis reached me a day or two ago. As I am about to start to S. C, I anticipate your letter by writing at once to you. It gave me great pleasure to see your return mentioned. " . . . We are passing through a fiery ordeal but if we ' quit ourselves like men ' we must be successful. I do not allow myself to contem- plate any other than a successful issue to our struggle. " I have given far more than all my property to this cause, and I am ready to give all. Genl. Lee thinks that I may be of some service in South Carolina and I go to see what I can do there. . . *Wli-^_ X- Oou/^ Ua*locPs>W) Cft^piu^^iu^^ LAST MONTHS OF THE WAR 223 I am going to fight for my State and I am willing to fight anywhere. The record of the cavalry which has fought under my command, is that this campaign has been an honorable one, and I take great pride in it. They have been successful in every fight — not a few — have captured large sup- plies of arms and taken not less than 10,000 prisoners. So I leave the record good. . . . What will be done with the Army of Tennessee? Y ou know how -^ig^" 1 )^ T regard Hood.' how much I estee m him, but it seas a m istake to remove Johnsto n. Th e army had perfect confidence in hirn _ and I am convinced that they will not fight as well under anyone else as under him; therefore do I regard his removal as a national calamity. And if the President would reinstate him it would not only restore public confidence, but would strengthen the President greatly. I wish, my dear Wigfall, that you would forget the differences of the past and try to re-establish the intimate relations that once existed between Mr. Davis and yourself. You can aid him greatly and you can serve the country by giving him counsel. . . . I wish that I could have seen you before leaving this State, as there is much I want to talk to you about. But I hope to meet you in brighter times when my heart is not so oppressed by public and private anxieties. . . . But I bate not one jot or tittle of our claims and I shall fight as long as I can wield my sabre. I hope your family 224 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 are well. Give my kindest regards to them and believe me to be, " Very sincerely, your friend, " Hon. L. T. Wigfall, " Wade Hampton. "Write to Columbia." The following letter written to my father by the Vice-President, Alexander H. Stephens, is given in full: "13 Feb., 1865. "Hon. Louis T. Wigfall, "Richmond, Va. "Dear Sir: " I am here sick — laid up on the way — was taken quite unwell night before last, but am better now and hope to be able to go on tomorrow. I am about thirteen miles from Charlotte on the road to Columbia. I drop you a line in fulfilment of my promise to write to you merely to say that I find spirit and vitality enough in the mass of the people as far as I have met with them on my way here. All that is wanting is the proper wisdom and statesmanship to guide it. But our ultimate success, in my deliberate judgment, will never be attained, never can be, without a speedy and thorough change of our policy towards the masses at the North. We must show that we war against the doctrines and principles and power of the radicals there — the fanatics, the aboli- tionists and consolidationists — which we should do, LAST MONTHS OF THE WAR 225 and say anything in our power in a manly way to enlist the sympathy and action of all the true friends there of Constitutional liberty. We should show them we are fighting their battles as well as our own. If we go down; if our liberties are lost in these waters, theirs will be too. We must make them allies in a common struggle. We must not be deterred from this by any such ghosts as the goblin of reconstruction. On this point the future must be left to take care of itself. Congress ought to pass, before it adjourns, some such resolutions as the three first that were reported to the House by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Numbers 1, 2, and 3 of those Resolutions are now quite as opportune as they were when reported. For the remaining Resolution in that series one might be substituted embracing some of the ideas in them and appealing from the authorities at Wash- ington to all friends of Constitutional liberty at the North — invoking an adjournment of the questions of strife from the arbitrament of arms to the forum of reason — upon the great principles of self Government, on which all American institutions are founded. On this line if our people can endure for two years longer — all may yet be well. But my wor d for it, the only peace that the sw ord al one will bring us in fighting, the United North will be the peace of death and_subjugation. " Yours truly, "Alexander H.Stephens." 226 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 The following letter was written by General Lee to my father in answer to an appeal to allow the Texas Brigade to go home to recruit the shattered regiments — after an absence of four years. How little they could have anticipated the near approach of the end (this was just two months before Appomattox) to be contemplating that long journey to Texas and a happy return. " Head Quarters, "Army N. Va., "8th February, 1865. "Hon. Louis T. Wigfall, " Richmond. " Dear Sir: " I have received your letter of the 3rd inst. with reference to permitting the Texas Brigade to return home to recruit. " No troops in the Army have earned a better title to indulgence than the brave Texas Brigade, and to none would I more willingly grant any privilege consistent with the interests of the service. I have no doubt but that they would return, and I hope they would realize all you promise in the way of recruits. But it is impossible for me to detach any men from this army now. I do not think that we shall remain long inactive. Oper- ations on our right have already begun, and there are indications of movements in other quarters in which this army has an immediate concern. ^> Wt+jl^ ^y^^ ^Aa^^o^ LAST MONTHS OF THE WAR 227 Such is our great want of men , that the absence of e ven four hun dred would be_ severely telt, especially four hundred of our best troops. I see no way to accomplish your wish except by first bringing some regiments or a brigade from Texas to take the place of these now here. If that can be done I need not say how much pleasure it would afford me to let the old brigade go home, and how pleased I should be to see it return aug- mented to a Division. " I do think it extremely important that some of the troops west of the Mississippi should be brought to this side. "The enemy has brought away a large part of the force with which he has been operating in the West, and concentrated upon our eastern armies. I think we must do the same with ours, and will be greatly obliged for any assistance you can render to accomplish it. "We are gr eatly in need o f men. - " Very respectfully, " Your obt. servt., "R. E. Lee, "Genl." Ah! the pathos of this letter! Our great Gen- eral could not spare four hundred men; while his adversary had all the world from which to draw recruits ! In the meantime, the brave Army of Tennessee, 228 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 under the gallant Hood, so far from fulfilling the bright hopes of its leader, returned from a disas- trous campaign with decimated ranks, and Sher- man, in his march to the sea, was devastating the fair country through which he passed. The following letter, written to me by Mrs. Joseph E. Johnston, the wife of the Commander of the Army of Tennessee, gives a picture of the time: "Charlotte, N. C, "Feb. 19th, 1865. " . . . I take advantage of this sweet, quiet Sunday afternoon for a little chat with you. It is so quiet in my little nook and the bright sun- shine outside looks so cheerful and calm that 'tis hard to realize the terrible storm of war that is raging within a few miles of us, or the scene of excitement and fatigue I have gone through my- self. At last Sherman has planted himself upon Carolina soil, and the pretty little town of Colum- bia, we learn to-day, has been partially destroyed ; and alas the poor women and children, who were forced to remain there, of their fate we know nothing; but oh horrors, have everything to fear from the nature of the savages who are desolating their homes. What a sight it was to see the poor people flying almost terror stricken to know what they could do — many leaving with only little bundles of clothes — and many compelled to re- LAST MONTHS OF THE WAR 229 main, for they had nothing but God to look to for shelter. ... I left at the last moment on the car that brought the powder out. We only saved our clothes. How fortunate we were to do that, for many saved nothing. We left with the roar of the cannon in our ears ! " . . . I arrived here, after spending two days and nights on the road — three hundred poor women on the car ahead of us — none of us able to get rooms. A gentleman came down to the cars at twelve at night and brought me to this home and gave me this delicious little room, and here I am quite sick, with a Doctor visiting me. I am waiting to hear from the General to know what to do. Oh these terrible times of ship- wreck — everything looks hopeless to me now, and then if we are to go down — we are so far apart that we can see nothing of each other, but the glimpse of a pale face as it sinks out of sight! What a glorious struggle our brave people have made for their liberties! The sight of this town to-day is lamentable : women hunting in every direction for shelter — and the people themselves beginning to move off for a safer place." General Johnston, in a letter to my father, says : "Genl. M. Cook, U. S. A., told several of our officers made prisoners by him, but rescued by Wheeler, that Genl. Sherman said, on learning of 530 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 the change of Commanders of our army, that heretofore we had fought as Johnston pleased, but hereafter 'twould be as he pleased! " A braver man, a purer patriot, a more gallant soldier never breathed than General Hood. Aggres- sive, bold and eager, the "Fabian" Policy of General Johnston was opposed to all the natural impulses of his nature. He revelled in " a fight," and firmly believed he could lead his troops to a victorious conclusion in the active operations he inaugurated on taking command of the Army of Tennessee. Though, as stated, he remonstrated on General Johnston's being removed from com- mand, yet I have no doubt his soldier heart beat with eager hope, as he was called to take his place, and he saw in fancy his brave army marching to victory. He was a man of singular simplicity of character and charm of manner — boyish in his enthusiasm — superbly handsome, with beautiful blue eyes, golden hair and flowing beard — broad shouldered, tall and erect — a noble man of un- daunted courage and blameless life. We made the journey with him homeward when the war was over. I can see him now — we were in a baggage car, seated on boxes and trunks in all the misery and discomfort of the time. He sat opposite, and with calm, sad eyes looked out on the passing scenes, apparently noting nothing. The cause he loved was lost — he was overwhelmed Photo by J. A. Sheldon, New Orleans LIEUTENANT-GENERAL JOHN B. HOOD, C. S. A. LAST MONTHS OF THE WAR 231 with humiliation at the utter failure of his leader- ship—his pride was wounded to the quick by his removal from command and Johnston's re- instatement in his place; he was maimed by the loss of a leg in battle. In the face of his misery, which was greater than our own, we sat silent — there seemed no comfort anywhere. And the end- ing of his life, years after, was even more sombre — dying by the side of his wife with yellow fever and leaving a family of little children to mourn a father, who, though unsuccessful in the glorious ambition of his young manhood, left to them the precious heritage of a stainless name, linked ever with the highest courage and purest patriotism. THE FALL OF THE CURTAIN CHAPTER XIV The Fall of the Curtain GENERAL JOHNSTON REINSTATED TO COMMAND THE ARMY OF TENNESSEE HIS SENTIMENTS ON THE SUBJECT THE SURRENDER AT APPOMATTOX SENATOR WIGFALL ES- CAPES IN DISGUISE THE LAST BALL OF THE CONFED- ERACY RETURN OF MAJOR WIGFALL — POEM ON THE CONFEDERATE FLAG. General Lee having been made Commander-in- Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States, a communication was sent to him dated Feb. 4th, 1865, from the Confederate Senate asking him to assign General Johnston to the command of the Army of Tennessee. After the fall of Columbia this was done. "C. S. Senate Chamber, "4th February, 1865. "Genl. R.E.Lee. " Sir: The undersigned beg leave earnestly but respectfully to recommend the assignment of Genl. Joseph E. Johnston to the command of the troops lately composing the Army of Tennessee. We are induced to make this suggestion by infor- mation derived from such sources as to leave us no 2 35 236 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i room to doubt its correctness, that the Army referred to is seriously disorganized, and that the surest, if not the only means of effecting its speedy reorganization, and of restoring its discip- line and efficiency in time for the approaching campaign, will be the immediate return of its former commander, whose assignment to that position is universally desired by the Officers and Soldiers of that Army. We are further persuaded that among the people of those important and principal States of the Confederacy which have looked to the Army of Tennessee as furnishing their chief defence against the forces with which the enemy is seeking to overcome them, the desire is not only general, but intense, that the principal Army designed for their protection should be placed under the command of Genl. Johnston. And we are convinced that the gratification of their wishes on this point would materially assist in dissipating the feel- ing of despondency which undoubtedly pre- vails to a considerable extent in those States, and do much towards restoring public confi- dence and reanimating the hopes and courage of the people. " In making this suggestion to you, we assume that under the recent Act, by virtue of which, you have been appointed General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States, the right and duty of assigning the General Officers to command our MISS MARY MABEN, OF YIRG1NL (Mrs. Frank Peyton Clark, cf Baltimore) THE FALL OF THE CURTAIN 237 different Annies, are devolved upon you. Such we believe was the intention of Congress in passing the Act, and such we trust will be its practical construction. " In conclusion we beg leave to assure you that in recommending the assignment of Genl. Johnston to the command in question, we have been in- fluenced by an imperative sense of duty, and by a firm conviction that what we have ad- vised, would be promotive of the public good, if indeed it be not essential to the public safety. " With high respect, " Your obdt. Servants, " R. H. Walker, Ala. James L. Orr, So. Ca. A. T. Caperton, Va. Geo. G. Vest, Mo. Landon C. Haynes, Ten. W. E. Simms, Ken. Waldo P. Johnson, Mo. W. A. Graham, No. Ca. A. H. Garland, Ark. W. S. Oldham, Texas. Jos. C. Watson, Miss. Wm. T. Dortch, No. Ca. H. C. Burnett, Ken. A. G. Brown, Miss. Louis T. Wigfall, Texas." " Without committing myself to all the reasons set forth in the foregoing paper, I cordially endorse the recommendation in it for the assign- ment of Genl. Johnston to the position re- quested. "Alexander H. Stephens, "V. P. C. S. A. 238 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 " I concur in the foregoing recommendation, not agreeing however, to the view expressed in the paragraph next preceding the last. " A. E. Maxwell, Flo. "Jas. M. Baker, Flo. " Official. "W.H.Taylor, "A.A.G." " Hd. Qrs. Armies C. States, " 13 Feb., 1865. " Gentlemen: " I had yesterday the honor to receive your letter of the 4th inst., recommending the assign- ment of Genl. Jos. E. Johnston to the command of the Army of Tennessee. The three corps of that Army have been ordered to So. Ca., and are now under the command of Genl. Beauregard, two of them having already arrived in that Deptmt. I entertain a high opinion of Gen. Johnston's capa- city, but think a continued change of commanders is very injurious to any troops, and tends greatly to their disorganization. At this time as far as I understand the condition of affairs, an engage- ment with the enemy may be expected any day, and a change now would be particularly hazardous. Genl. Beauregard is well known to the citizens of So. Ca., as well as to the troops of the Army of Tennessee, and I would recommend that it be certainly ascer- MISS TURNER MacFARLAND, OF VIRGINIA (Mrs. J. Willcox Brown, of Baltimore) THE FALL OF THE CURTAIN 239 tained that a change was necessary, before it was made. "I do not consider that my appt. as Gen. in chief of the Armies of the C. States, confers the right which you assume belongs to it, nor is it proper that it should. I can only employ such troops and Officers as may be placed at my dis- posal by the War Dpt. Those withheld or relieved from service are not at my disposal. " I have the honor to be, " Your most obdt. svt., "R. E. Lee, " Honble. A. H. Stephens, " Genl." Honl. A. E. Maxwell, &c, &c." " Senate Chamber, " 10th February, 1865. " My dear Sir: " A letter has been addressed to you, urging the assignment of Genl. Joseph E. Johnston to the command of the Army in front of Sherman. This letter has been numerously signed by Senators, of whom I was not one. I did not sign because I did not wish to embarrass you. But my opinion is, that such an assignment would have a most beneficial effect. If I am to trust the manifes- tations which I have witnessed from certain mem- bers of Congress, there is nothing which could be done, which would so much revive hope, as the 2 4 o A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 assignment of Genl. Joseph E. Johnston to the command of that Army. " Very truly and respectfully, " Your friend, " Official. " R. M. T. Hunter." W. H. Taylor, A. A. G." General Johnston, after taking command of the little remnant of the army, wrote to my father the following letter — which gives a clear idea of the feeling between these two great men, Lee and Johnston. "Raleigh, March 14th, 1865. " My dear Wigfall: "I have just received yours of February 27th. I have been for two weeks looking for an oppor- tunity other than by mail, to send you a letter. But all are reported to me too late. " What you write me of Lee gratifies me beyond measure. In youth and early manhood I loved and admired him more than any man in the world. Since then we have had little intercourse and have become formal in our personal intercourse. A good deal, I think, from change of taste and habits, in one or the other. When we are together former feelings always return. I have long thought that he had forgotten our early friendship: to be convinced that I was mistaken in so thinking would give me inexpressible pleasure. Be assured, however, that THE FALL OF THE CURTAIN 241 Knight of old never fought under his King more loyally than I'll serve under Gen. Lee. [In another letter he speaks of serving under Gen. Lee 'as loyally as my father served under his in the first revolution.'] I have suggested to him what seems to be the only course for us, should Sherman endeavor to join Grant. "As ever yours, "J. E. Johnston." It seems almost incredible and yet it is a fact that several entertainments were given in Rich- mond in January and February, 1865. The most notable of these was at the beautiful home of the Welfords which was rilled with guests who danced at what, I believe, was the last ball of the Con- federacy. Grandmothers' satins and brocades figured on the occasion; and I warrant no lovelier group of women, nor company of more gallant gentlemen, were ever gathered. How the fiddles scraped and the music swelled for "the dancers dancing in tune;" while they shut their ears and would not hear the minor key that wailed the ruin of our hopes. And the grim shade of Appomattox, looming dark already on the horizon, stalked ever nearer and nearer. In a letter from Mrs. Joseph E. Johnston, dated "Charlotte, North Carolina, March 15th, 1865," I find this record: " Charlotte is in a state of great excitement to-day, at the arrival of the Presi- 242 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 dent's family, on their way South. What does it mean? Everybody seems to think it is the pre- lude to the abandonment of Richmond. How sad it seems after such a struggle as that noble army has made to keep it! These terrible dark hours, when will they be past? " A week before its evacuation we left Richmond. It was a lovely evening late in March. " And as I saw around me the wide world revive With fruits and fertile promise, and the Spring Come forth her work of gladness to contrive With all her joyous birds upon the wing, I turned from all she brought to those she could not bring." As the train pulled out and ran slowly across the long bridge over the James, we watched with aching hearts the sunshine lingering with loving light on the towers and spires of this city, which is veritably " set on a hill " — and the light shining there seemed but a reflection of the glory which shall for all time linger around her as the Capital of the Confederacy. W e stopped in Raleigh and there heard pi-fee fall of Richmond and the ^urrender . a tApp omatt ox^ There we were joined by several of the Cabinet and Members of Congress and traveled in com- pany with them to Georgia. After General Johnston's sijrrpnHer. which fol- lqwed on AprilgjSth — and the capture of the Presi- dent — it became necessary, in order to escape MISS NANNIE ENDERS, OF VIRGINIA. (Mrs. J. Caskie Cabell, of Richmond) THE FALL OF THE CURTAIN 243 arrest, that my father should make all possible effort to conceal his identity, and endeavor to make his way across the Mississippi river as speed- ily as might be, where Kirby Smith was still commanding the remnant of an army. To this end he donned the garb of a private soldier, shaved off his beard and procured a borrowed parole. I have it yet. "Appomattox Court House, Va., "April 10th, 1865. "The Bearer, pri. J. A. White, of Co. M. First Regt. of Texas Vols., a paroled Prisoner of the Army of Northern Virginia, has permission to go to his home, and there remain undisturbed. " Jno. N. Wilson, Capt. "commdg." The next step was to secure a large covered wagon, in which could be stowed away the few belongings we had with us, and four strong mules to draw the load. Then an escort of paroled Texas soldiers was found, among whom my father took his place. Some kind friend provided a saddle horse for me; and clad in a homespun dress, and with my head covered by a poke sun-bonnet I rode alongside of the wagon. We were appar- ently a family of country people moving from one State to another; and that a number of soldiers tramped along in company with us excited no 244 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i surprise, as the country side was full of these poor tired, heart broken travelers, making their way back to their ruined homes. It is recorded of one of these pitiful wayfarers, that he wandered at eventide to the door of a farmhouse, and accosted the woman standing there, with " Stranger, whar's the spring — have you got any milk? I am so hongry, I don't know where I am going to sleep to-night." But to return to our journey. Our plan was to travel direct throug h- the . S ta ie-of Alabama, to Montgome ry. And this we did, riding one hundred miles through the State. Of course we had nojii one v ; that is, what the outside world called by that name. We had thousands of our dear old Confederate Currency, in $100 and $500 bills, (with Stonewall Jackson's head engraved in one corner, and the Confederate banner draped over General Washington, on the Great Seal, with " Deo Vindice " underneath it, on the other) but some kind friend had given us a large box of toba cco, which was as good as specie any time jfor a tr ade— so we went on our way — not rejoicing — alas! far from it; but -with h^avy hearts — while my father tramped the weary miles on foot among the Texas boys, who were proud enough to have the company of their former General and Senator in such unceremonious guise. And you may be sure they never told who he was. All things come to an end; and nearing Montgomery we stopped over night at Governor Fitzpatrick's THE FALL OF THE CURTAIN 245 plantation, and had a rousing welcome and the best accommodations for tired travelers. My father and the Governor had much to talk over. When last he had seen him he was United States Senator from Alabama, and possible candidate for the Vice-Presidency on the Breckinridge ticket. And now! Well, the next morning we continued on our way, and nearing Montgomery we caught sight of the first Federal pickets. I can feel now over again that suffocating sensation that sent the j blood surging through the veins at sight of them. It was all over indeed ! Here we parted from my father, who was to make his way with the soldiers, home to Texas, as it was not safe to go with us, through towns and in the ordinary mode of traveling by railway and boat. We were received into the hospitable home of Mrs. Knox on the outskirts of Montgomery. Here, even the stress and straits of war had not been able to make an impression on the delightful luxury of her well appointed home. Oh! the bliss of those delicious beds and the sweet linen sheets and the comfortable meals. It seemed like a haven of rest after that terrible journey. In a few days Governor Watts, true friend and noble patriot, with heart and hand open to share his all with his countrymen, came for us and took us to his home, where plans were made for our reaching our ulti- mate destination. Here we waited for some weeks, hoping for tidings from my brother, who 246 A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '6i we had heard was making his way in our direction. One evening, about dark, I was standing at the gate, watching down the road, with hardly a thought or hope of his appearing, when, far up the dusty highway, I saw him coming. He walked slowly, unlike the brisk step I knew of old; absolute dejection was in his mien, and he had no joyous greeting to give me. His uniform was worn and soiled, and he had taken from his collar the gold stars of his rank. Somehow I had no word to say. We stood and looked at each other. Finally, we found speech, and to my query, "What are you going to do?" he answered, "I am on my way across the river to join Kirby Smith." I laid my hand upon his shoulder, and paused a moment, "Have you not heard," I said, " Kirby Smith has surrendered. " THE CONFEDERATE FLAG "Requiescat in Pace" THE CONFEDERATE FLAG " Requiescat in Pace" The hands of our women made it! 'Twas baptized in our mother's tears! And drenched with blood of our kindred, While with hope for those four long years, Across vale and plain we watched it, Where the red tide of battle rolled And with tear-dimmed eyes we followed The wave of each silken fold. As high o'er our hosts it floated, Through the dust and din of the fight, We caught the glint of the spear-head And the flash of its crimson light! While the blood of the men who bore it Flowed fast on the reddened plain, Till our cry went up in anguish To God, for our martyred slain! And we wept, and watched, and waited By our lonely household fire, For the mother gave her first born, And the daughter gave her sire ! And the wife sent forth her husband, And the maiden her lover sweet ; And our hearts kept time in the silence To the rhythmic tread of their feet 249 25o A SOUTHERN GIRL IN '61 As they marched o'er vale and mountain While our banner rose and fell, Though victory often crowned it, As the Northern hosts can tell! But the whole world was against us : We fought our fight all alone. To the conquerors Want and Famine, We laid our standard down. Cold are the loved hands that bore it! Stilled are the brave hearts and true! Watching nor waiting can bring them, Weeping is all we can do! Light from our banner has faded, We, in its shadow forlorn Have only our mem'ries left us, And our battle flag drooping and torn! No hand of vandal shall touch it! p 'Tis shrined in our heart of hearts, With dearest, holiest mem'ries And the burning tear drop starts While laurel we weave and cypress, For the fair, the brave, the good; The only stain on our banner Is the stain of our heroes' blood! Louise Wigfall Wright RADICAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF SOUTH CAROLINA These are the photographs of sixty-three members of the " reconstructed" Legislature of South Carolina. Fifty of them were Negroes or Mulattos ; thirteen were white men. Of the twenty-two among them who could read and write only eight used the vernacular grammatically. Forty -one made their mark with the help of an amanuensis. Nineteen were taxpayers to an aggregate of S146.10. The other forty-four paid no taxes, and yet this bodv was empowered to levy on the' white people of the state taxes amounting to $4,000,000. I .'- ■ INDEX INDEX Anderson, Major, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 50. Ashby, Turner, 78. Austin, Texas, 4, 6. Babcock, Miss Emma, 59, 61. Baptists, 15. Bartow, Colonel and Mrs., 73. Beauregard, General G. T., 36, Letter to Colonel Wigfall after Fort Sumter battle, 44, 46, S°- 6 7- Letter to Senator Wigfall before battle of Manassas, 71, 72. Superseded, 87. Beaux and Belles, 77. Beckham, Major, 129, 212, 213. Benjamin, Hon. Judah P., 30. Boston, 52, 57, 59, 60. Boy Hero of the South, 217. Bragg, General, 87, 96, 99. Breathed, Captain, 129. Breckenridge, General John C, anecdote of, 27, 28. Brewster, Colonel Harry P., 91, 178. Brokenbrough, Dr. and Mrs., 79. Brooks, Hon. Preston, duel with Louis T. Wigfall, 31. Burnside, General A. E., 97, 103, 116. Butler, Pierce M., Governor of South Carolina, 31. Cameron, Simon, Secretary of War, 50, 65. Canada, Commissioner from, to Confederacy, 22. Cary Invincibles, the, 76, 77. Cary, Miss Constance, 77. Cary, Miss Hetty, anecdote of, 120. Cartes de Visite, 22. Chancellorsville, battle of, 127, 129. Chandler, Senator, violent speech against South ; retort of Sena- tor Wigfall, 32. Charleston, 35, 46, 141. Charlottesville, board $10 a day; "allowanced to butter," 35. Tournament at, 150. Chesnut, Mrs. James, 38, 50. Letter to Mrs. Wigfall, 83. Chickamauga, battle of, 149. Clay, Mrs. C. G, 21. Greets General J. E. John- ston with sympathy on removal, 186. Clay, Senator 0. C, 21. Code duello, 31. Columbia, S. C., 84. Comet of 1858, 3. Commencements, importance of, 19. "Confederate flag," 249. Confederate money, $1,000 in gold, $40,000 in Confederate money, 221, 244. Cotton, 54. Cross, Mrs. F. M., 62. Culpeper Court House, ball at, 136. Dahlgren's raid around Rich- mond; orders to sack and loot the city found on his person; quantities of oakum and turpentine to burn city found, 166. Daniel, Major John Moncure, Richmond Examiner, 92. 253 2 54 INDEX — Continued Davis, Jefferson, anecdote of, 29. Letter to Senator Wigfall, 37, 88-89. Inauguration of, 76. Fettered in a cell at Fortress Monroe, 160. Davis, Mrs. Jefferson, 50, 56. Anecdote of, 57. "Dixie," 65. Douglas, Lieutenant-Colonel F. F., 205. Drewry's Bluff, 135. Dumfries, life at, 74. Elzey, General and Mrs., 92. Erlanger, Baroness of, 22. Examiner, the Richmond, 74. Ewell, Colonel, General J. E. Johnston's staff, 179. Floyd, John B., Secretary of War, letter to Andrew John- son, 34. Galveston, Texas, 20. Georgia Militia, 190. Gettysburg, 137, 139, 143. Grant, General U. S., 100. Gwin, Senator William, from California, 34. Hampton, General Wade, anec- dote of, 32. Slightly wounded, 73. Letter to Senator Wigfall, 142. Letter to Senator Wigfall, "I shall fight as long as I can wield my sabre," 223. Handcuffs for Confederate pris- oners, 74. Hardie, General, sham battle, 174, 182, 188. Harrison, Burton, 77. Hartstein, Captain, 37. Holmes, General, 99, 10 1. Homeward journey, 243. Hood, General John B., 82. Letter to Senator Wigfall, 94, 95- Hood, Loses a leg, 149. Wonderful endurance, 173. Receives a formal welcome to Tennessee from Gov- ernor Harris on march to Nashville, 214. Sketch of a gallant soldier, 230, 231. Hospital train, moving the wounded, 179. Hunter, Senator R. M. T., of Virginia, 30. Inauguration of President Davis, 76. Iron Battery, 39. Izard, Mrs., 84. Jackson, General "Stonewall," 80, 95, 103. Anecdote of, 121. Death and burial, 126, 127. Johnson, Andy, 33. Johnson, General and Mrs. Bradley T., anecdote of, 56, 57- Johnston, General J. E., joins Beauregard, 73. Wounding of at Seven Pines; General Lee suc- ceeds him in command of Army of Northern Vir- ginia, 78. Given command of armies in the West, 96. Letter to Senator Wigfall on conditions of Western armies, 98, 100. Letter from Chattanooga, 104, 121-123. Letter from Jackson, Miss., 106, 107, 108. Letter from Knoxville, 123. Letter from Meridian, 155. Letter from Brandon, 161. Letter from Dalton, pro- posed substitution of slaves for soldiers on de- tached service, 168. Removed from command of Army of Tennessee, 181. INDEX — Continued 255 Johnston, Home life of General and Mrs., in Macon, 186. Leaves Macon and goes to Vineville; "messing" with General Mackall's family and officers of the staff, 193- Sympathy with young peo- ple; mirth and sadness, J 95- Restored to command of Army of Tennessee, 235. Surrendered April 26, 1865, 242. Johnston, Mrs. J. E., 80, 90, 96. Residence in Atlanta, 178. A pair of conspirators, 195. Letter to Mrs. Wigfall, 228, 242. Johnston, Lieutenant-Colonel, 73. Jones, Major D. R., 46. "Lady Davis," 35. Latane, John, 78. Latane\ William, burial of, 79. Lee, Fitzhugh, "cavalry on a lark," 167. Lee, General Robert E., 78, 93. Letter to Senator Wigfall praising Texas Brigade, 94. Confidence of, in. Pathetic letter to Senator Wigfall, 227. Lee, General Stephen D., 184. Lincoln, Abraham, 22, 59. Lincoln, Mrs. A., 59. Longstreet, General J. B., 89, 90. Letter to General Wigfall, 148, 149. Longwood, near Boston, 33, 37, 57-. Louisiana swamps, 205. Lubbock, Governor Frank, 190. Lyons, Mr. and Mrs. James, 35. Mackall, Captain Thomas B., His revenge — a practical joke, 195, 196, 197, 199, 200. Mackall, General W. W., General J. E. Johnston's Chief of Staff, 184. McCord, Captain Cheves, 84. McCulloch, General Ben, 33. McLean, Mrs., daughter of Gen- eral Sumner, U. S. A., 128. McClellan's army, 34, 77. Manassas, battle of, 67. Manning, Governor John Lau- rens, South Carolina, 31. Marshall, Colonel, First Texas Regiment, 82. Marshall, Texas, village life in, 3, ii- Maryland Legislature, 65. Medical stores declared "con- traband of war," 180. Memphis, Tenn., 21. Methodist gatherings, 14. Mississippi River, steamboats, 21. Crossing the, to Louisiana, 177. Crossing in "dugouts," 203. Montgomery, Ala., 33. Description of, 49. Monroe, Fortress, 35, 60. Morris's Island, 39, 45, 65. Morse, purchase of pistols for Confederate States in Hart- ford, Conn., 33. Moultrie, Fort, 42. Negroes, anecdotes of faithful, 12, 15, 16, 17. New Orleans, La., 21. New York Times, account of surrender of Fort Sumter and General Wigfall 's connection with, 41, 44. Nicholas, Robert, 81. Nightingale, Florence, 53. Ochiltree, "Tom," 20, 51. Oliver Twists of the Army, i75- Palmetto Guard, 46. Pegram, General John, 120. Pegram, Miss, fashionable school on Franklin Street, Rich- mond, 77. Pegram, William, "The Boy Artillerist," 78. 256 INDEX — Continued Pelham, John, "The Gallant Pelham," 78. Death and burial, 126. Pemberton, General, 99, 107. Pendleton, General, sermon by, J 73- Pickens, Governor F. W., South Carolina, 58. Picket, General, 176. Pickets, Federal, 245. Pizzini's, 135. Point of Rocks, crossing the Potomac under flag of truce, 65- Polk, Bishop General, 92. Polignac, Prince Camille de, joins Confederate Army, 92. Anecdote of, 93. Preston, General J. S., 183. Preston, Major, 183. Preston, Mrs., 84. Price of living, exorbitant, 129. Prisoners in Richmond, 128. Provisional Government 0. S. A-, 33- Quintard, Doctor, prayer for Confederate Congress in Tennessee, December 11, '64, 214. Ravenel, St. Julien R., 40. Richmond, 34. Spotswood Hotel, 34, 55, 66, 215. Camps of instruction, 56. Presentation of Texas flag by President Davis to First Texas Regiment, 66. Social pleasures, 76. Grace Street, 90. Franklin Street on a fine afternoon, 118. A terrible night, 201. The last ball of the Con- federacy in Richmond, 241. A week before evacuation, 242. Rosecranz, General, 100. Scott, General Winfield S., 61, 6 3. 73- Seddon, James A., Secretary of War, 100. Letter to Senator Wigfall, 104. Serenades and strawberry feasts, 135- Seven Days' Battle — Letter from Mrs. Wigfall, 80. Seven Pines, battle of, wounding of General J. E. Johnston, 78. General Lee succeeds m command of Army of Northern Virginia, 78. Sherman, 188. Threatens Macon, 200. Advance of, 201. Shiloh, battle of, 91. Simons, General, 45. 'Sixty-three and 'Sixty-four — Campaign of heroic endur- ance, 165. Slidell, Senator and Mrs., 22. Small-pox and asafcetida, 200. Smith, General G. W., 19c. Smith, General Kirby, 96, 105, 142, 246. Snowball battle between school- girls and soldiers, 118. Sprague, Governor, Rhode Is- land, 53. St. Charles Hotel, 21. Stephens, Alexander H., V. P. 0. S. A., letter to Senator Wigfall, 224, 237. Stoneman's raid on Macon and repulse by old men and con- valescents, 186. Stuart, General J. E. B., 95, 136. Letter to General Wigfall, 147, 148. Stuart's Horse Artillery, 125. Sumner, Senator Charles, 31. Sumter, Fort, 35, 36. Battle of, 38, 46. "Tennessee a grave or a free home," 214. Texas, 4. Journey to Austin, 4. IND EX — Continued *57 Texas, prairie fire, 5. Quicksands in the Brazos, 6. Village of Marshall, n. Fourth of July, 12. Churches, 15. Commencements and barbe- cues, 18, 19. Thompson, John R., 79. Tombs, Senator Robert, Geor- gia, 30. Tournament at "Monticello," 150. Tredegar Iron Works, burning of, 130. Trent affair, 23. Tyler, Mr., 35, Virginia, secession of, 60. Von Spreckelson, 114. Walker, General W. H. T., 183. Walters, William T., 60. Letters from, 62, 64. Washington in '61, 23. Wormley's in I Street, 23. Brown's Hotel, 21. Willard's Hotel, 21. Watts, Governor, Alabama, 245-. Warwick, Lieutenant-Colonel, 82. Wigfall, Louise, letters from Longwood, near Boston, 57. 60. Journey from Boston to Confederacy, 62, 66. Arrival in Richmond, 91. Letter from Richmond, 130. Letter from Macon, Ga., preparing for the fall of Atlanta, 178. Letter from Macon, Sep- tember, '64, evacuation of Atlanta, 187. Wigfall, Major Francis Halsey, Camp at Manassas, October, '63. i53- Letter from camp near Fredericksburg, 97. Letter from camp near Culpeper, 112. Wigfall, Major Francis Halsey, Letter from camp near Chesterfield, 114. Life in camp; snowball fight between Texas and Arkansas, 115, 116, 117. Letter just before Chancel- lors ville, 129. Moving with the cavalry, Rector's X Road, 138. Letter on the march just after Gettysburg, 139. Letter from camp near Leetown, 144, 145, 146. Camp on Rappahannock River, 152. Letter from Dalton, March, '64, sham battle Hardee's Corps, 174. Letter from Atlanta on General Johnston's re- moval, 181. Letter from Lovejoy's Sta- tion, September 14, 1864, 188. Letter from Mrs. Overton's near Nashville, Decem- ber 5, '64, 211. Wigfall, Mrs. Louis T., letter from Washington, '61, 34. Letter from Richmond, 34. Letter from Charleston, 35, 36, 37- Letter from Charleston, battle of Fort Sumter, 38, 40. Letter from Montgomery, 49. 5°. 5 1 - . Letter from Richmond, 54, 55- 5 6 . ?3- , . Letter written during the seven days' battle round Richmond, 80, 81, 82, 83. Letter from Amelia Springs, '62, 98. Letter from Richmond on death of Stonewall Jack- son, 126. Letter from Richmond '63, 128. Letter from Orange Court House, 137. 2 5 8 INDEX — Continued Wigfall, Mrs. Louis T., letter, "first news from Gettys- burg," July 8, '63, 140. Letter, "fall of Vicksburg," July, '63, 141, 142. Letter from Charlottesville, '63, 143. J 44- Letter from Charlottesville, "nothing to eat and nothing to wear," 152. Letter from Charlottesville, November, '63, 160. Crossing the Mississippi un- der cover of darkness, in "dugouts," 207. .1 Wigfall, Senator Louis Treze- vant, election to United States Senate, 20. Telegram to President Davis and reply, 36. Report to Beauregard of surrender of Fort Sumter, 45- Wigfall, Senator Louis Treze vant, commissioned Brig- adier-General, 74. Strained relations with Pres- ident Davis, 87. Letter to Secretary of War Seddon, 100, 101. Letter criticising President Davis's course, 160. Crosses Mississippi River on way to Texas, 187. As a paroled private soldier escapes arrest after sur- render of armies, and parts from his family at Montgomery, 245. Wilderness, battle of the, 176. Winchester, 61, 63, 73. Winter quarters, '61, 74. Young, William Gourdin, 46.