mmmmmmmmmmmmiim !- * 8 1 * V s ^ " / ^' \^ ^/. ■ > .A* •V-, 'K'. ri. ^^f% « >v "^^ c ^0^ ^v \ * O ''■'^- <*• ,N '^. >-. .^r^^.- .\' ^ "..^^i^^-^ ...^^ N ' O^ •x^' % <^'^" . =D A^^' .-J.-^^' C » ^A V^^ "^ < s^. ^ /> DEDICATION. I pE>,ic.-TE this book to llajor-General William B. Feaxklik, as, „, .light token of my respect for hhn as'a soldier, a gentlemau, and a patriot. Y. COLBURN ADAm\ WA?iu:>(iTON, D. C-., Oc/. 10//i, 1S65. . THE ^TORY OF A TllOOPER. WITH MUCH OF INTEREST CONCERNING THE CAMPAIGN ON THE PENINSULA, NOT BEFORE WRITTEN. By F. COLBURN ADAMS, Itjthob of Chronicles of the Bastilk ; Our World ; The Outcast ; Adven- tures OF Major Roger Sherman Potter, &o., &Ck NEW YORK: DICK & FITZGERALD, PUBLISHERS. 1805. Entered liccordhig to Act of Congress, in the year ISCo, By F. COLBUUN ADAMS, m the Clck's CXnce of the District Court oivthe United States for the Southern District of New T-rlc. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. For more than forty years a timid old man, wlio never Iiad an established principle of liis own, had traf- ficked in political popularity and the opinions of others, until he found himself at the head of and guiding the destinies of a great people. The fears of this timid ^ old man were always uppermost, and where a long road was open to wrong he was sure to take it, in preference to a short one leading to right. This timid old man / now^ sat trembling at tlie head of the nation, and ready to yield it a prey to the revolution he had done so much If to bring on. The Nc ;th regretted him, and the South had used him. But when he had served her purpose, aided her in trampling upon the dearest rights of human- ity, and insulting the manliness of the North, she cast him aside as a thing of no further use, to be looked back to and remembered by the people with a feeling of sor- row. This timid old man— now forgotten even in the contempt of his countrymen, and on whose tombstone some future hand should write : ''Died for want of a principle''— had hopes and fears in abundance. He was S 4, THE STOKY OF A TUOOPliK. unoc-rtmu in even thing, oort.in in Molhing- If l.e an- ol.orcd 10 ono tl.ing to-doy, l.o was snrc to slult 1... U-ronna and pl-.u'O irnnsoir upon auolhor t,o-n,orrow. Ti-aitovs use.- him a. Ih.-y xvouhi a mouUl : ho was ahvav. ready to be .hapod to their wi.ho. -and ,u>^^^ when the follies of the South, winch ho had done >o ,„„,,, ,„ oneoura:.e dnring hi. polit.oa bletune, h d In-on.^.i revolution and its attendant, horrors on the ,„„„l,v. he stood amazed and like a powerless cluld. W-vr was a stern reality, but the shocks it was pro- dudnsouthe eonutry tailed to awake him Irom h,s tveaci.crous dream, lie still hoped, st.ll feared, ^t.ll wanted to wait. , .\„d now this tiudd old n,an, dupe ot demagogue. and obieet of the patriot's pity, has passed from power .,l„,o.HVon. the thoughts of his countrymen, and 1. It Lis eouutrv to struggle for existence in war and con- fusion, lie has gone into unenviable exile, and sorrow bo to the historian who shall attempt to pnnfy Ins "''"r"rnaer, tmt a n.an of higher purpose and bettor ohar-.cter had risen up and taken the destnues of ho • ' p u to his bauds, lie was to decide whether the ..adic should live or die, whether we should have on uatiou or a divided people. Hut scarcely had he t'kcu his place at the head of the nat.on. when t^he * al of arlus was heard in South Carolina, and ^umter f ■„ The uatiou-s flag had been insulted by those who had needed its protection most, and the echo of he • I It worked Sumter-s fall awoke the^>us„lted ; pie of the Xorth from their dull, deep dream of THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 5 d.er s hfe was to be a feast of plon. uj K ' t'° " '-•"-' fi.e focus of tln-s ..oat ll-Scnt "",, ""' -.ppon of the Golr. . ' ' c::'.;;.a"T ^""'f ^" iiiii- ill cvevv ^tron^- f] . • -* ^'1 ^'und drums beat- ■-" ^rw::::''' ?;T ""'"'°°'^- I" going to the.war i:r:;:';^;;^"- '"' ^^ ^^- ^-- Q THE STOEY OF A TKOOPEB. Maiden Lane tlnnking the Gove.n.^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ extra regiment or so '^['^l^^'J. advertisement, -^^^^r a"tt"\ttSo' Broadway,, for the proposing a meetu^ .measures to raise a regiment of purpose of c^" _^<^'"^ C^l^„,^ ,,as wanted, to whom volunteer cavali}. J^ vMiIp horse of srreat value, .ould be presented --arable ho s^ ^.^ ^^_^^^, .^^^ and a near relation to ^^tc hen. ^^^^ attractive about the .^^ver semen^ as t ^^^ about the wild, das^nng f ^H.^^anship being skillful horsemen weie to W y- ,. ^g considered ne«^o a -fult^^^^^^^^^^^^^ remembered tha ^^^J^^^^ ,,,, of military dis- ,,e Government made tha^^ g ^ ^^^ ^^_^^ ^^^ coveries, that it is no ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^p. ride before you - --^r^wi* carbine, sabre and „ents,a.id B-K^l^'" the enemy. There were pistols, in the field » ^= ^,,ler in jewelry rntttynrrgentleman,toha.ardliisfor- tuneonsodangerousanenterp^^^^^^^ When night came, I fo"'^'' ™5 s ^^ ^^^^ trance of a long, narrow P^^-g l^« ^\,,, ^^ed by ^est side of Broadway ai^adm,^^^. ^^ ^_^^^^_ a singing society. l^^J'^^^^:,,^,,, forth the ob- and began reading ^^^ ^^'S P°:;\ gentleman passed in, jeet of tb«;f ^t"^8;^^.3^ twa about to go away, when then one of lean figm e 1 was ^^^^^_ a very tall man, in -j": f ^ a firm, military and booted and spurred, past^eci THE STORY OF A TROOPER. step. He presented a true figure of the melancholy man in black, a name we afterwards gave him. His gait and manner so attracted my attention, that I fol- lowed him into the hall, which presented a somewhat quaint appearance, considering the military object of the meeting. The two rows of benches on the floor were occupied by about a dozen and a half demure looking gentlemen, while on the raised platform in front a dozen or so of very unmilitary looking men sat in a semi-circle. For a time no one seemed inclined to speak, and the meeting had an appearance of pass- ing off with remarkable quietness. At length the gentleman from Maiden Lane came forward and, with a defective intonation, stated the object of the meeting, and was elected president. A young, active and in- telligent man, of the name of Bailey, and who has since distinguished himself in several encounters with the enemy, was chosen secretary. We were told that Colonel Baj^ard Clarke, a gallant officer, and polished gentleman, had gone to Washington to offer his services to the Government to raise this regiment ; that much depended on the encouragement he received there. He would return in a few days, when his report would be laid before us. Colonel Clarke had served in the reg- ular cavalry, in the same regiment with Harney, and had distinguished himself for gallantry during the last' Florida war. He had also served his country in Con- gress, and was now prompted by the purest motives, in offering his services to the Government. It is fair to presume that such a man knew something of cavalry, and that his services would have been exceedingly val- uable to the Government. g THE STOKY OF A TROOPER. There was now brought forward and introduced to ns a small, dark-visaged man, quick of speech, and ornamented with the title of Major. I rarely ever saw a more uumilitary looking gentleman. According to the many accounts he gave of himself he had served m several armies, was a particular friend and old acquamt- ance of General Scott, and had particularly distm- o-uished himself in Venezuela, in the wars of winch he had brought off scars enough to satisfy us that he was a brave man. The Major had brought his sabre with him and after discoursing in detail on the various uses of cavalry, setting forth in glowing terms how tliey could break a column and throw the enemy's line into confusion, how in charging upon and capturing a bat- tery they must first draw tlie enemy's fire, he went through a few exhibitions of his skill in the use of the sabre. Cavalry, with him, was the finest flower of our army, and he had given his life to the study of its uses. The Major was indeed clever with the sabre, and we becran to think we had a jewel of a trooper, under ■svhose leadership we were all to be made famous in the history of the war. But lie damaged his feathers some- what by the wonderful accounts given of his own ex- ploits performed in battles some of us had never heard of and with whioli he would have entertained us until midnight, each of his exploits far surpassing in bold- ness anything done by Mi.rat, Nolan, Cardigan, or Hodo-son, but for an ill-looking and irrepressible Scotchman who shuffled to the edge of the platforni and interrupted the speaker by requesting to know if a little time could not be granted him to relate his THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 9 exploits in India, which he was quite sure would ex- ceed in terrible interest anything the gallant Major bad done or indeed heard of in Venezuela. The Major yielded, and the chair gracefully granted his request. Our Scotch friend was evidently an honest, simple- minded man, who spoke in a broad provincial accent, which, with a total disregard of Mr. Murray, and his rules of speech, afforded us much amusement. His figure, too, was not such as to produce grave misap- prehensions, for he was a thick, solid man, excessively short of leg, and with a flat, bald head, and an inexpres- sive face. Indeed, he must have cut a sorry figure when mounted, either as a heavy or light horseman. But, according to his own account, he had been a terror to the natives of Oude, as well as Affghanistan. I noticed also that the dark-visaged Major listened to his stories with a solemn countenance, as if his feathers had fallen. Our Scotch friend was proud of the service he had seen, of his horsemanship, and of his skill with the sabre. He had served in her Majesty's heavy horse, also in the Bengal cavalry. As to the war in Affghan- istan he had been all through it, and won laurels enough to make a hero of any man all the rest of his life. The Major might show his scars; they were the jewels every brave soldier wore ; but he would show him more scars on a single leg. What he had done in battle was not all. He had had combats with tigers while serv- ing under Hodgson, in Oude. On one occasion two of the desperate brutes attacked him, one at each leg, and would have unhorsed and devoured him but that his boots came off, and tlie hungry beasts ran into 1* 10 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. a jungle tliiuking they had got his legs. A brisk Irish gentleman of the name of O'Mara, interrupting, wanted to know if tigers were not remarkably fond of break- fasting on one of her Majesty's fat troopers? This was rather too much for the sturdy trooper, who paused, rested both hands on his big stick, and for a minute seemed counseling his wits for an answer. "It is neither here nor there, gentlemen,'' said he, regaining confidence. " What I have said is God's truth, and I have letters enough to prove what I have said, at home." Here he changed the character of his discourse, and began giving us a few lessons on the best mode of se- curing a good seat, how to keep the bridle hand during a charge, and how with a swift back stroke of the sabre we could displace the head of an enemy at one blow. He now commenced flourishing his big stick with wonderful agility, making sundry strokes, until at length he brought it in contact with the young secre- tary's nose, much to the amusement of the audience and alarm of those in his^immediate vicinity. The young secretary was not inclined to lose his temper, and taking the ancient trooper by the arms kindly assisted him into his seat, begging him to subside. Mr. O'Mara, the bold Irish gentleman, now came forward as the next speaker. I must here say that this gentleman afterwards held a commission in the Tammany regiment, and behaved with great gallantry in the battle of Ball's Bluff. Mr. O'Mara had heard gentlemen who had served in the jungles of India, and gentlemen wlio liad seen wonders in South America talk before ; but he could tell them there was no place THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 11 like tlie plains of America for a trooper to show his pluck. They might tell about breaking the euem3^'s columns, charging upon and capturing batteries, and all that sort of thing; but had either of them been out on the frontier fighting Indians ? Here he cast a look of admonition at the ancient trooper and the little Major. He had served in the mounted rifles, and had an hon- orable discharge. He had been a Ranger, too, in Texas and knew what it was to do good fighting on the plains. If any gentleman present thought he did not, all he had to do was to afford him an opportunity of satis- fying him. The audience here laughed heartily, and the speaker becoming conscious that he had thrown down a challenge made a pleasant apology. O'Mara, was a good soldier and sensible man. He gave us some good advice in regard to the dangerous services cavalry had to perform, what had been done on the plains, how also to take care of horses, and indeed much more that was valuable relating to the internal economy of the ser- vice. " Gentlemen," said he, in "conclusion, " I am an Irishman; but I love my adopted country, have served her faithfully, and am ready to serve her again. If you want a trooper, O'Mara is your man." When the last speaker sat down, a tall, long-jointed and squint-eyed man, of the name of Carr, rose and made some very sensible remarks concerning cavalry and its use. It was no trifling matter to raise a regi- ment of cavalry, and the first question to be determined was, whether we could get skillful riders enough in New York to do it. There were men enough who could do fancy riding in the Park, but the kind of 12 THE STORY OF A TROOPER, riding necessary for the field, was a very different thing. No doubt, a majority of men would prefer going to the war a-horseback. It was a pleasanter way than tramp- ing through the mud with a knapsack and musket on one's shoulders; but he could tell us there was not one man in ten you could ever make a trooper of. You might mount men in the saddle and call them cavalry, but unless they were expert riders, and trained to fight in the saddle, it was the readiest way in the world to get them killed off. And it was not pleasant to be killed for want of experience necessary to defend one's- self. Beside, unless cavalry were well drilled, it was a useless expense to the Government, and a costly incum- brance to the movements and efficiency of an army. He had lived in the South, and knew southern men to be very expert riders. Here he recounted what he had witnessed many of them perform in the tournament, and referred particularly to Ashby. He regarded it madness to go into the field until we were in a condi- tion to cope with these men. Let, however, the regi- ment be raised, and he would take hold and assist. But we ought to first know whether the Government wanted cavalry. The last speaker was succeeded by a gentleman in the body of the house. Mr. Briggs, for such was his name, took occasion to say that what the gentleman last up had said, was very discouraging to young men anxious and ready to enter the service. He knew from what he had read of the great hardships cavalry had to undergo, of the dangers of the service, as well as its attractions. But he had great faith in the adaptability THE STORY OF A 'TROOPER. 1 Q of tlie American character. Americans could learn to do anything and everything, perhaps not so thoroughly as some other people, but well enough for all necessary purposes, even war. If they undertook to make tliem- selves familiar with the business of cavalry, they would do it, and quicker than any other people. Tliis was the first attempt to raise a regiment of volunteer cav- alry for the war, and he would have every man present brace up his patriotism, and put his shoulder to the wheel. We must learn the art of war, just as we had learned the various professions men followed. There was in Westchester county a gentleman of the name of Yan Allen, who had made a move towards raising some cavalry. We had better open a communication with him, and see what our joint efibrts would result in. He was for raising tliis regiment, and showing what could be done with volunteer cavalry. But he had un- derstood from good authority, tliat the Government at Washington regarded cavalry with indifference. Here the melancholy man in black, whom I had fol- lowed into the hall, rose, and laying aside his cloak, begged permission to say a few words. He did not come here to be the teacher of veterans, nor to take exception to what had been said by troopers who had served in India and Venezuela. He had traveled in Labrador, in Newfoundland, and Canada, where he had resided for many years. He did not know any- thing about this Mr. Van Allen, and would like a gen- tleman present to tell him if he knew anything about cavalry. Because, if he did not, he was sure to want to be Colonel of the res-iment. He thought we had 14 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. better let Mr. Van Allen raise his own regiment. He would, however, like to know if this Mr. Van Allen was a bold, dashing man. For, without a bold, dash- ing leader, cavalry must be a dead weight about the neck of the army. A gentleman on the platform inter- rupted the speaker, by saying that this Van Allen had shown remarkable courage in an encounter (over a dinner table) with a famous Russian Count, and would, doubtless, when in battle, show himself a true man and a soldier. This did not seem to carry the popu- lar sentiment, which was evidently against having any- thing to do with Van Allen and his troopers. The melancholy man in black continued. He would have the regiment mounted on Canadian horses. They were touglier, and better adapted to stand the severity and exposure of a Virginia winter. He had seen some service himself, and had served in South America. In trutli, he belonged to a cavahy family, and had a sabre of great weight and age, which had come down to him from his forefathers, and had a remarkable history. If he only had it with him, he would show them what could be done at a single stroke with the sabre. (This queer sabre afterwards became celebrated in the regi- ment, and was captured and returned to him by one of Imboden's officers.) The night was now far advanced, and some eighteen or twenty persons having enrolled their names, the meeting adjourned to meet at Palace Garden, on the following night, and hear a report from Washington. CHAPTER II. THE SECOND MEETING, AND THE QUESTION OF FUNDS. When we met at Palace Garden tliere was a large increase to our numbers, many of them young men of the right kind to give a successful turn to our enter- prise. We had got rid of her Majesty's talkative trooper and a few others, who were calculated to inter- rupt rather than advance any enterprise. At that time the 2^ress was a powerful aid to recruiting, and it had generously lent us its power in attracting attention to our undertaking. Among those who now joined us, and who afterwards figured honorably in the fortunes of the regiment, I will mention Joseph Stearns, Daniel Harkins, and a young man of erect figure, and remark- able for his beauty, of the name of Henry Hidden. There also joined us at this place a huge politician — a character so remarkable for his eccentricities, that I venture to assert this war has produced nothing to compare with him. His stories of himself were as en- tertaining, if not as reliable, as anything written of Don Quixote. No matter how absurd a story you told, he could beat you in one told with himself as the hero. His adventures in love, war and politics were numer- 16 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. ous as tlie stars. He had served in the Mexican war, but up to this day none of us have been able to dis- cover in what capacity. He disclaimed ever having been a surgeon, and hints were thrown out that he might have been a sutler. He knew (at least he said he did) and was on intimate relations with all the great men of the country. In truth. General Scott always shook hands with him when he met him, and no man ever made him a bow who was not a particular friend. As I liave said before, he was a man of ponderous figure, with a small, unintellectual head, crowned with a mat of bushy hair. He was excessively vain of his appear- ance, knew and attended to everyone's business but his own, lived and flourished in an atmosphere of per- petual trouble, and could no more keep from making mischief than a duck could keep out of a neighboring pond. In a word, he was a sort of cross between Turvydrop and Paul Pry. We now numbered about sixty enrolled names and, forming into squads, commenced drilling, with O'Mara, the melancholy man, and a fine looking young cor- poral of the name of Myers, of the regulars, and who was kindly permitted to act in this capacity by Captain Eagle, then on recruiting service in New York. There was also a Lieutenant Charles Ogle, formerly of the regular cavalry, a man of rare genius, and an efii- cient officer, who, with one Sergeant Ditcher, who had followed Nolan in his desperate charge at Balaclava, rendered us good service as instructors in cavalry tac- tics. Ladies came to witness our drill, friends offered their assistance, and things went on with every appear- THE STORY or A TROOPER. , 17 ance of a bright prospect for several nights. Tlien a dispute arose in regard to the kind of drill that should Le adopted. The smart young corporal, who had be- come a favorite with us all, and O'Mara, were for adopting the American system. The big politician, althougli innocent of any and all systems of cavalry tactics, wanted to instruct them all. He could gallop a liorse or swing a sabre with any of them, and thought that all these new-fangled notions about cavalry could but result in confusing the ideas of the men, as they had his. The melancholy man in black did not agree with any of them. He had brought his huge sabre with him, and would show them what he could do with it after drill. He would drill in his own way, and it was not his fault if they did not understand it. Lieu- tenant Oo-le listened and looked on with silent con- tempt, while the dark-visaged little Major was willing to let them have it all their own way, and was so kindly disposed towards a neighboring bar, that he took occa- sion to pay his respects to it while others were disput- ing. The Balaclava man would obey orders, and drill according to the system we would be required to light under. He was a poor man, did not look for a commission, and expected pay for what he did, for he had a family with open mouths, and but little to put in them. It was a soldier's duty to serve his country, and he could do that best by obeying orders. This was said in rebuke of the big politician, who had evidently given what little power of study he possessed to the reo'ulations rather than to the tactics. He was one of those persons this war has produced too many of; who 18 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. believe in first taking care of themselves, and doing as little as tliey can for the country afterward. He would make himself master of the regulations, for only by that could a man know exactly what he was to get for his services. What was the use of a man exposing his life, unless he knew what he was to get for it. There was no romance in being killed for thirteen dollars a month, rations thrown in. In this manner the big politician would have entertained us every night until midnight, throwing himself back on his dignity, and frisking his fingers through his bushy hair. As for Ogle, he was a man of great good sense, and blessed with an even temper. When, therefore, he had shown his contempt for these disputes and the igno- rance betrayed in them, he would sit quietly down to his pipe, write sonnets to his lady friends, of whom he had a number, or make merry over the names of those who presumed to know so much more about cavalry than he did. CHAPTER III. BAD NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. Our number had increased to about one hundred, of as good material as Avas ever got together. We had held our regular drills nightly, in the great hall, the outside grounds being occupied by Blenker, then organ- izing his 8th New York Volunteers, made up chiefly of Germans, who were making themselves happy over great heaps of bread and Bologna sausage. Just as we had assembled for drill one night, it was announced that Colonel Clarke had returned from Washington, and would report what he had and had not done. The Colonel soon niade his appearance in the body of the hall, and was received with three cheers. But it was not difficult to see by his manner, that what he had to say was not of an encouraging nature. Forming around him in a circle, he began by compli- menting us on the progress we had made, and then gave us a detailed account of his experience in Washington. He had been received cordially by the President, who admitted that there would be a necessity for cavalry during the war. But he expressed alarm, when told that as many as twelve or fourteen new regiments would 20 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. be needed. The}^ might be needed, but he did not be- lieve the country would stand the expense. He was not skilled in the profession of arms, but he wanted to meet the expectations of the people, who would hold him responsible if he did not adopt the best and most efiicient means of putting down the rebellion. But he had intrusted the organization of the army to General Scott and his Secretary of War. Colonel Clarke then proceeded to the War Department and obtained, after some delay, an interview with Mr. Cameron, who was tlien, unfortunately for the country, the ruling spirit of that institution. Mr. Cameron was too much of a pol- itician to have any very deep sympathy or respect for a soldier educated to his profession. Indeed, so lively was his distrust of every officer who had been in the regular army, that he would, at times, treat with in- difference, and even discourtes}^, men whose services tlie country needed most. He was inclined, also, to underrate the merits of his own countrymen, and to give precedence to foreigners, who have since shown how little they were worth in this war. Mr. Cameron, as well as his successor, was unfortunate in falling into the popular error of his party that fighting battles and gaining victories was the business of politicians and reformers, and that if you gave a soldier an odd job now and then when his sword got rust}^ it was merely to liave him shovv^ liow far lie was behind the spirit of the times. All history teaches that the badly educated politician lives in continual fear of the overshadowing figure of the soldier. The good soldier m^ay be a very useful thing to have at hand when there is immediate THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 21 danger, when liis firm nerve is necessary to the politi- cian's safety. But once the danger is over, the politi- cian will mount his feathers and seek for a closet where he can keep the soldier until it suits his conven- ience to give him another job. The man who has sought and gained political power over a road both crooked and muddy, who never had a conscience to accuse him when selling the souls of some men and buying the votes of others, is not the man to appreciate the spirit of chivalry which rules in the heart and controls the acts of every true soldier. His thoughts are fettered, and his actions narrowed by the very means he was forced to use to gain his position, which he holds with- out finding any real favor in the hearts of the people, such being secured only where there is true worth. So it was with Mr. Secretary Cameron. But I have made a diversion from my subject. The reception Colonel Clarke met from Mr. Secre- tary Cameron was not what he had a right to expect. He refused authority to raise the regiment, was unde- cided as to the necessity that would arise for cavalry ; had his prejudices, and so had General Scott. General Scott, he said, had no faith in volunteer cavalry ; it was a very expensive arm of the service ; it would open an immense field for fraud and corruption. Nor was he certain that in such a wild, rugged, and wooded country as we should have to advance through during the war, cavalry in large bodies could be used to ad- vantage. We could not always depend on the country we advanced into for forage, and the necessity of a supply large enough for the animals would so increase 22 THE STOKY OF A TROOPER. the trains as not only to impede the movements of the army, but to quadruple the cost of transportation, and render it extremely dangerous to advance far beyond its depots. General Scott was of opinion, also, that this war would have to be fought chiefly by riflemen and artillery, and Mr. Cameron shared his opinion. He advised keeping up the organization, but could give no encouragement as to whether the regiment would be accepted or not. Colonel Clarke was sorry he had nothing better to report. As the Government had no need of his services, there was nothing for him to do but retire into private life. He retired, wishing us every prosperity in our undertaking. This news fell heavy upon our feelings, and several were ready to give up the enterprise, and would have done so, but for the appeals of the more sanguine. We needed a leader to lean upon and respect, and Colonel Clarke was the man. There were young hearts, full of fire and spirit, such as Bailey and Hidden, engaged in our enterprise. But to make it successful we needed a di- recting head — a man of experience, indomitable energy, and a will to overcome such obstacles as the Govern- ment was sure to throw in our way. Colonel Clarke saw, also, that Mr. Cameron's thoughts and feelings were wedded to Pennsylvania. If the Government should need cavalry, he (Mr. Cameron) said, why go so far as New York for it, when there was Pennsylvania nearer. Mr. Cameron had not then (and I doubt if his successor has now) discovered that there is some difi'erence between the value to an army of a clever horse-thief and a skillful trooper. But if you compel THE STORY OF A TROOPEK. 23 a man to practice law, wlio has been keeping a grocery- shop all his life, you must pay dearly for his blunders. No doubt Mr. Cameron was sincere when he fixed his mind on Pennsylvania as opening the best field for ex- pert troopers. Indeed, it must be borne in mind that the wants of the war had not then developed the fact that Mr. Cameron's favored State has sent more clever horse-thieves and less good troopers to the war than any other. Our drill masters put their squads through a series of evolutions, and when the evening's work was over, a few friends joined Colonel Clarke and retired to Bigsby's, where good cheer was to be had and the spirits of man so elevated as to forget his misfortunes. Among the number was the big politician, who spread over the Colonel and took him immediately under his protection. Before we had half finished our first punch, he began entertaining us with an account of himself. He was a man of fortune, he would have us all know, had filled various positions of high trust, could show how he had reflected honor on them all, and was making great sacrifices in joining the army once more. He was sure the Colonel, who he knew from the high reputation he bore, as a statesman as well as a soldier, had been badly treated. He (the big politician) would see justice done him, if it cost half his fortune and any amount of time. He had influence enough at Washington, and, what was more, knew how to use it. There was not a Senator who would not be delighted to serve him, and his word was enough to secure his friends the position they wanted. The Colonel had but 24 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. to say tlie word, and lie would proceed to Washington (at Ills own expense, for lie was indebted to no man for a dollar,) and see that his new friend, whose acquaint- ance he had just had the honor to make, was not only- made a Colonel, but a General. He had the power and could do it. The Colonel listened quietly to what the speaker had to say, and, being a sensible gentleman, set his promises down to the strength of the cups he had just drained. CHAPTER IV. THE OPPOSITION TO CAVALRY AND GENERAL SCOTT. It may not be out of place here to say a few words on a subject which has been brought before the public in various ways, and is of vital importance to the army and the nation. The charge of opposition to the use of cav- alry when the war began, has been several times brought against General Scott. And the continued demand for more mounted troops that has been made by the press, in many cases prompted by interested persons, has been used to show that his opinions respecting the usefulness of a large cavalry force, were wrong. I have good rea- sons for saying that General Scott's opinions on this sub- ject, when the war began, and at the present time, are very imperfectly understood outside of the War Department. I have reason to believe, also, that General Scott's name was improperly used, in connection with this subject, by the then Secretary of War, to cover his own short- sightedness. The politician's military liorizon was at that time very contracted and indistinct. General Scott rose above it, and saw over it. If his advice had been properly acted on, and his plans not interfered with 2 26 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. and opposed by presumptuous men, the country would have been saved not only much blood and treasure, but manv a diso^raceful defeat at the hands of an inferior enemy. On the question of cavalry, General Scott was too good a soldier and too far-sighted a man, not to foresee that in advancin,!? through a country possess- ing the peculiar features of Virginia and Tennessee, cavalry, or in other words, mounted troops, would be needed in various v/ays. To make quick movements, to take and hold the gaps of mountains before the enemy could reach them, was the business of cavalry. To act as videttes, to scout, to reconnoitre, to feel the enemy's positions, to make diversions and raids, to operate on flanks and harass the enemy's rear when in retreat, were duties expected of cavalry. To do escort duty, and protect supply and other trains tlirough a country where the rear of an advancing army was con- tinually exposed to the operations of guerrillas and small bands of the enemy, cavalry was indispensable But General Scott knew that to perform these services well and effectively, the cavalry would require to be well organized, well officered, and thoroughly drilled. He knew that without these, cavalry, or what is called cavalry, must sooner or later become nothing more than a teri'ible drain on the nation's resources, and a per- plexing incumbrance ta its armies. The duties per- formed by cavalry were more hazardous and laborious than those expected of infantry or artillery. It should be, and was, in European countries, regarded as a supe- rior arm of the service, better paid and better equipped. Its officers and men should possess a higher standard THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 27 of nerve and intelligence than either the infantry or artillery, to make it worthy of its name. And, too, a trooper without natural love for his horse, and a proper desire to see that he was well cared for, would be little more than an animal killer — a sorry expense to any government. General Scott knew also wliat was the character of our people for rushing from one extreme to another, and that the influence of this great error in our national character, was soon to make itself felt dangerously on the Government. No man knew better than he did the true value to the nation of a well organized force of any kind. What he feared was the confusion and corruption which must result from every politician of influence having a military plan of his own, and impa- tient to force that plan on the Government. Nor did he fail to foresee that a Secretary of War, whose busi- ness it had been to practice law in a country village, who was indeed innocent of any military experience, must fall into the errors of such military men as he was likely to call in as private instructors, and that the result of this would be a conflict of authority dis- astrous to the nation's best interests. If, then. General Scott had prejudices on the subject of cavalry when the war began, they were directed aorainst the abuses to which it would be liable, not the uses to which it might be put. And if the experience of two years has taught us anything in the art of war, it has also taught us that General Scott was as correct in his opinions respecting cavalry, as he was in the number of men it would require to carry on the war 28 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. successfully, and make it of short duration. In no otlier branch of the service has there been so much fraud, so much corruption, so much utter worthlessness. Colonels^ commissions were given, and men authorized to raise regiments of cavalry who had never mounted a horse ; who were physically, as well as mentally, unfit to be soldiers. The conduct of a colonel stamps itself on the character of a regiment, especially the offi- cers. And you cannot have good men, unless a colonel shows by his own character that he is fit to prop- erly shape their conduct while in an enemy's country. The Government made cavalry colonels of some men who were as unfit to be at the head of a regiment as a gambler would be to preside over a prayer meeting. Such a position should be, and used to be, the reward of merit, for it is one of great importance in our army. The events of the war have shown that too many of these positions were bestowed on political favorites. Without experience, no heart in the war, or a thought above what could be made out of the positions thus improperly bestowed upon them, it is safe to say that these men have not only been a great drawback, but brought disgrace upon the service. Officers of the regular cavalry were educated and honorable gentle- men ; but the spirit that ruled among them does not seem to have descended to the volunteer. The Gov- ernment is to blame for this, since the remedy is in its own hands, but it fails to apply it. Once armed with authority to raise a regiment, these men go to work picking up whatever sort of material they can find, regardless of its fitness or anything else but numbers. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 29 Numbers are wliat tliey want, and wlicn tliey get their regiment full, probably not more than one hundred and fifty or two Imndred of its men are fit for or will ever make respectable troopers. This is particularly the case with some of the last regiments raised in Pennsylvania and New York. No one can have been with our cavalry long, and observed carefully the material of which these regiments are made up, without being struck with their great inferiority, mentally and physically, when com- pared with either the infantry or artillery. Strange, and almost unaccountable as it may seem, I have no- ticed that an incompetent colonel was sure to want his regiment officered by men who knew no more than he did. This invariably resulted in exhausting quarrels between him and his officers, and such quarrels have a very damaging etfect on the discipline of the men. I have known regiments of cavalry to lay for a year use- less in the outskirts of Washington, the officers spending most of their time in the city or, for want of something better to do, quarrelling among themselves, the men demoralized with dissipation, and finally the regiment, which had cost the Government so much to organize and support, dwindle away, until the amount paid to officers became greater than that paid to the men. It used to be the fashion for officers who wanted to get rid of an incompetent and useless colonel or major, to join in signing a petition asking the President to make him a brigadier general. But even that clever expedient seems to have lost its virtue, since Mr. Lin- coln has not been taken in by it for some time past. I have known not less than a dozen colonels of cavalry, 30 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. loitering about the streets and hotels of Washington for weeks and months, not one of whom gave the slight- est thought to his men ; and all drawing pay for ser- vices they were incompetent to perform. It is not difficult to understand what sort of discipline must rule in a regiment commanded by one of these men, and how little use it must be to the service. It is not at all times pleasant to tell the truth ; but the sooner it is told of this arm of the service, the better for the nation. We have now upwards of two hundred and twenty regiments of cavalry in the ser- vice of the United States. These are exclusive of a few independent companies. Many of these regiments are very much reduced in men ; some of them not mus- tering for duty more than enough to make three full companies. And yet many of these mere skeleton regi- ments are still attended with a full complement of officers, all drawing full pay, while other expenses are going on in little less ratio than when the regiment was full. Some of these regiments have been left to the command of captains, while their incompetent colonels and majors were content to play ornament on the staff of some friendly General. Now, when it is con- sidered that to organize, mount, equip, and put a cavalry regiment into the field, it costs the nation between five and six hundred thousaiid dollars, and between two hundred and fifty and three hundred thousand for every succeeding year it is kept in the service, the enormous cost of this branch of the service can be estimated at a glance. Nor can the necessity of keeping so costly an arm of the service properly officered and actively THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 31 employed, be urged too strongly on tlie Government. The politician tells us every day that it is not wise to study economy while the very existence of the nation is threatened- But a nation with so strong a founda- tion as ours has got in the patriotism of the people, wall find better protection and a safer refuge for its honor in the hands of those who study economy and know how to properly apply it for the benefit of all, and at all times. Economy has no virtues during peace that cannot be applied in war. And every good man whose voice and acts form the administrative power of a na- tion should exert himself in its influence. It might be asked what really the cavalry had done for which it could claim credit corresponding to its numbers and cost to the nation. Grierson, Straight, Pleasanton, and a few others, have given some proof of what might be done with a properly organized and officered force of cavalry. But the west has been more fortunate than the east, as well in the service per- formed by its cavalry, as tlie skill and dash of the offi- cers who commanded it. Tliere is, indeed, as much difference between the cavalry in these two sections of the country, as there is between the 8th Illinois and the 8th Pennsylvania regiments, a comparison every officer that knows anything of the cavalry attached to the army of the Potomac will understand. In order to be concise, I will limit what I have to say on this sub- ject to what our cavalry has done in Virginia. On several occasions I could name, the country has been sent into a fit of joy by the newspapers giving glowing accounts of some remarkable raid our cavalry 32 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. had made into the enemy's country. Even tlie picture papers, not to be wanting in enterprise, liave aston- ished the younger members of our family with savage looking troopers, mounted on fierce war studs, dashing at terrible speed at the head of malicious columns into the enemy's country. But when we sift these glowing accounts down, and get at the real truth, we find it an afi'air so tame as to reflect but little credit on us. McClellan had but little confidence in our volunteer cavalry, and rarely used it. In the winter of 1861-62, he was afraid to send it out, knowing that if he did, it would be " gobbled up" by the enemy. On several oc- casions on the Peninsula, it was the means of throwing the infantry into confusion, and doing serious liarm. The officer whose name has been most prominently before the public in connection with cavalry movements in Virginia, is General Stoneman. But the most ardent admirers of that gallant officer find tlieir energies taxed when invited to show the fruit of his labor. Few will contend that he improved its organization during the winter of 1861-2. He commanded a " flying col- umn" up the Peninsula during the campaign under McClellan. Will any one tell me what he did from the day he left Williamsburg until he reached Mechan- icsville on the Chickaliominy, beyond keeping a re- spectful distance between his own front and the enemy's rear? He certainly did not hurry the movements of Johnson, who retreated up without leaving a sick sol- dier or a broken wagon behind. When Jeb Stuart made his celebrated raid round our array at Cold Har- bor, and destroyed our trains at Tunstill's Station, Gen- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 33 eral Stonemanwas quietly resting near Meadow Bridge. It is true we sent Phillip St. George Cook in pursuit of his bold son-in-law. But that distinguished officer was careful to sail on the same circle, and in tliat way gave his son-in-law the advantage of a respectable start. In truth, it would not do to attempt to cut off so bold a trooper as Stuart, and Phillip St. George had a very natural and, perhaps, commendable aversion to being captured by his own son-in-law, and he a rebel. What the cavalry did during the seven days' battles before Richmond, is too well known to the country to need a word from me. In many instances it was in inextri- cable confusion, and retarded, rather than assisted our movements. Colonel Averill succeeded General Stone- man, and received the appointment of Brigadier Gen- eral. As colonel of the 3d Pennsylvania volunteers, this officer won great credit for the spirit and discipline he infused into that regiment. But at the head of the cavalry force he seems to have lost his capacity to successfully command. His subordinate commanders never had confidence in his ability to handle a large force, and the fights he was engaged in never resulted in anything substantial. When the truth comes to be told, and the true his- tory written of these cavalry fights along the fords of the Rappahannock and Rapidan, and of which so much has been claimed by the press, the real results will show but little to our credit. The luckless Pope, in his memorable advance backwards on Washington, his le- gions as disordered as his own mind was bewildered, took the opportunity to tell some severe truths of his 2* 34 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. cavalry. Soinc of it ran his infantry down in its haste to be first into Alexandria. Had that unfortunate General confined his strictures to his worthless troopers, the country would to-day have shared its sympathy with him, and he would, indeed, stand better before it. It is now December, 1863, and the question may be asked — what is tlie condition of our cavalry in Virginia to-day ? What benefit are we deriving from it in com- parison to the enormous drain it is making upon the Treasury ? General Stoneman, with the rank, pay, and emoluments of a Major General, has retired from active duty in the field, and presides over a cumbrous and costly " Cavalry Bureau '^ at Washington, estab- lished without authority of law, a thing unknown among the acts of Congress, an expensive fancy of that child of magnificent fancies — the present Secretary of War. The duties of this bureau are such as might be performed by any capable captain or lieutenant. Gen- eral Stoneman being a Major General, must have things conforming to his dignity, and hence must have a staff, though the nation suffer. There is attached to this " Cavalry Bureau," an expensive camp, for receiving and remounting dismounted troopers. It is noticed that since the organization of this camp, the number of dismounted cavalry men has alarmingly increased. The utility of this camp, as well as the influence it has on the service, has been questioned by some of our most experienced cavalry officers. Many of them regard it as nothing less than a premium held out to worthless troopers to break down their horses and get away from service and into Washington. It is very well known, THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 35 too, that regiments and parts of regiments sent into this camp to be remounted and re-equipped have, after long delay, returned to the field scarcely improved in their condition. Whether this expensive bureau and extensive camp will work any improvement in the effi- ciency of our cavalry, remains to be seen. General Pleasanton, who really did some good fight- ing with his cavalry, and has some claim on the gratitude of the people, has to-day nothing more than a nominal command in the field. He is powerless even to organ- ize and give proper rank to his own staff. He knows what cavalry ought to be, and feels that he could im- prove its condition, if the Government would but give him the power to act. But when politicians control, he finds it impossible to be anything more than their instrument. Disgusted at the position he holds and does not hold ; disheartened at the condition of the force nominally under his command, we have almost ceased to hear of his name. Gregg, Buford, Custer, and Kilpatrick, officers who have shown what they could do with cavalry if they had the power to perform, are so chained down by orders, that their dash and bravery is lost to the nation. We have now some thirt3^-five regiments and parts of regiments attached to the army of the Potomac. The country may natu- rally ask how it is that with so large and expensive a force, Moseby, with a mere troop cuts in and out through our lines, whenever and wherever he pleases, destroys trains and Government property in our rear, and carries off his plunder and prisoners unmolested? What are our thirty-five regiments of cavalry doing 86 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. while Moseby and his troop play such pranks in our rear ? Our Generals know the map of his operations. That they do not entrap him argues something wrong, and the common sense of the country knows where to fix it. If we turn to the valley of the Shenandoah, so fruit- ful of disgraces to our arms from the beginning of the war up to the present time, and all for want of proper generalship, the condition of our cavalry will be found most deplorable. In an angle formed by Harper's Ferry, Martinsburg, and Winchester, there are some nine regiments of cavalry, or rather what are called cavalry, most of them wasting away in useless inactiv- ity. The cowardly part performed by some of these regiments (especially those from Pennsylvania,) in run- ning away from the enemy, is too well known to the country. The officers seem to have no confidence in their men ; the men no confidence in their officers. It has been a question with many which was the worst cowards. To send them out on an expedition was to see them scamper back at the very shadow of Imboden, in disgraceful disorder. Their condition has been little better than that of a confused mob, made more useless by being mounted. Nor has the discipline and efficiency of some of these regiments improved in the slightest, though they have been nearly two years in the service. This would not be so if the Government did its duty and saw that these worthless officers were removed, and proper ones put in their places. Now it is well known that these nine regiments of cavalry, with their immense expense to the country, are kept at THE STOPvY OF A TROOPER. 37 ])ay by the mere shadow of Iinboden and his iiicii. Any one who knows anything of Iinboden and his followers can attest to their being made up of the most cowardly and characterless vagabonds the confederates have sent out to disgrace a country and damage a cause. They have always been ready to run at any show of courage, and have never dared to meet the first New York cav- alry in a fair fight. In truth, too, it is not adding much to our credit to say that Imboden and his men might have been captured or driven beyond hearing long since, but for the unwillingness of our Generals to give the order. At one time Imboden and his com- mand, with its train, was within the very grasp of the first New York cavalry, the men of which were impa- tient to make the charge and capture it, as seen quietly moving away before their eyes. But the General in command, an eye-witness to the prize it required only an effort to secure, thought the risk too great to assume the responsibility without orders from Washington. He withdrew his forces and left Imboden to seek a peaceful asylum in the mountains. I have more than once suspected our generals commanding in the valley of having a peculiar love for Imboden and his followers, whose shadows served them to prolong the pleasures and pay incident to high command. To say our cavalry was never in a worse condition, more disorganized and helpless than it is now, is only saying what is known in the army to be the truth. Is it not then the very extreme of folly to put the country to the expense of raising new regiments that can be of no earthly use to the service for at least a year, when 38 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. we have so many in the field that should be at once dismounted and made to perform duty as infantry ? What we need is a reorganization and consolidation of the regiments already in the field. Permanent com- mand should be given to some olG&cer of known ability, with power to purge the service of its worthless officers and men, as well as to hold every colonel to a strict re- sponsibility for the discipline and efficiency of his regi- ment. Military men well know that one regiment of good cavalry, well officered and well handled, will do more actual service than ten poor ones. And this is what Congress should understand, and act upon, for the bene at of the country as well as the honor of the ser- vice. C n A P T E II Y. DIFFICULTIES TO BE OVERCOME. Early May had passed, the nation's hopes and fears had been relieved somewhat by the prompt action of the people, and the middle of the month was come. And yet we had received no encouragement from Wash- ington. The Government was still undecided as to whether cavalry would be needed in this war, and Mr. Cameron, without any convictions of liis own on the subject, had enough to do assigning sutlerships and giv- ing places of high trust to his small political friends. We had worked manfully to keep the organization to- gether, but this repeated indifference to our claims at Washington brought a feeling of discouragement on us all. We were without a recognized head ; and how to raise funds to relieve our fast increasing necessities was a question that began to tax all the ingenuity we pos- sessed. Begging was in fashion just then, and men (Germans especially) in all sorts of uniforms, were go- ing from door to door soliciting of generous citizens money to aid in raising some real or imaginary regi- ment. This business was carried to such an extreme 40 THE STORY OF A TEOOPEK. that it assumed a degrading cliaracter, and those en- gaged in it were not the men to make good soldiers. Large sums of money were collected in this manner. And it is safe to say that a large portion of it went into the pockets of worthless officers, and was never ac- counted for to tlie men for whom the donors intended it. We were not inclined to adopt this rule, so generally in practice, of raising the ways and means ; first, be- cause, with the single exception of the big politician, we were none of us skilled in the art of begging ; and second, to be dependent on charity for the means of raising a regiment the Government must ultimately need, seemed mean and despicable. The Union Defense Com- mittee was just then in the height of its power, and had taken a new saint into its circle. This new saint was no less a person than Fernando Wood, who had promised to be as gooda Christian as any of them, and never again to play the political or any other kind of a sinner. He was now distributing the gentle influ- ences of his love and patriotism over the whole com- mittee, upon whose generosity he had made so deep an impression as to secure a vote granting him sixty-seven thousand dollars, or thereabouts, " to assist " in raising the Mozart regiment. Tammany had raised a regi- ment ; why should not Mozart display its patriotism in a similar manner ? And then the famous Union Saving Committee, which really did much good, and, with a little practical knowledge of military matters, might have done much more, had a strange partiality for giving money with a lavish hand to regiments raised through political influences. It had no money THE STORY or A TROOPER. 41 to give US just tlicn. Wo were not up to the political standard received by tlie committee. Mr. Wood had promised henceforth to walk according to the new creed provided for all good men and patriots. It would indeed be withholding justice from this highly honora- ble gentleman and straightforward politician, not to say that he conducted himself as a truly good Christian should, during his probation at the board. If he did not return to his seat after he had secured the object of his heart's desire, it was not because he had failed to impress the more pious members of the committee with the great depth and value of his patriotism. It has been charged, and very unjustly I think, that Mr. Wood had selfish motives in thus setting up for a political saint ; that his regiment was raised, not so much to put down the rebellion, as to keep life in a political enterprise he had invested capital in and was afraid would bo swept into the dead sea of the past. But it must be remembered tliat all gre;it and good men have, in all ages, been charged with selfishness, and I see no good reason why Mr. Wood should not be added to the long list of worthy persons who have been martyrs to their honest intentions, rather than heroes to their ambition. I knew something of this Mozart regiment when it was on the Peninsula, where it did some good service. Strange to say, the officers all seemed to repudiate their great benefactor, against whom several of them pronounced maledictions I would protest against their writing on my tombstone. Tliis I charged to the ingratitude common among mankind, and not to any want of integrity shown by Mr. Wood 42 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. when lie squared his account current with the regiment. But as Mr. Wood will not thank me for writing either his political or military history, and fearing my labor of love may be lost on the reader, I will return to the Union Defense Committee. I have said we got no money of this committee. We did. After several applications to other members, General Dix generously came forward in our behalf, and procured for us the sum of five hundred dollars. Small as this sum was, considering the magnitude of our enterprise, and the obligations we had already in- curred, it came like a fresh gleam of sunlight through dark and discouraging clouds, cheering our spirits and giving new life to our energies. The committee had, perhaps, good reasons for not giving us more. Some of its members told us what had become a stale story. It was not certain that cavalry would be called for. The authorities at Washington had advised raising in- fantry and artillery for immediate use. And cavalry regiments were so expensive, volunteer cavalry could not be depended on, and the country we had to operate in was not suited to the maneuvering of mounted troops. Such were the objections we had to overcome and work against. But we had lost O'Mara, one of our best spirits. Frank, outspoken, manly in his every act, and with as true a heart as ever beat in a brave Irishman, he had served his country faithfully in the field when his su- periors had turned traitors. Like a good patriot, he was again impatient to show his strength in doing battle for her cause. He had given us his services THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 43 ^^illiiigly, and without remuneration, and liis prompt, soldier-like bearing had endeared him to us all. Being doubtful of our success, he was offered and accepted a commission in the Tammany regiment, witli which, as I have said before, he distinguished himself for great coolness and bravery.* Our group of leading spirits, as assembled of a morn- ing in the little office at Palace Garden, to talk over the affairs of the nation and our own troubles, would have formed a fine subject for the pencil of Eastman Johnson. There was the meditative Stearns, his bright bald head, and his kindly face — never out of temper, and ready to accept disappointment without a sigh — to look at the bright side of everything, and never say give up while there was a hope. Harkins, who had played on many a stage, was ready now to entertain us with his amusing stories, his quaint humor, and his in- spiriting laugh. Active and impulsive, he would make various incursions into Jersey, recount the wonderful progress our regiment was making to his friends there, and come away with a number of their names on his roll. And these pleasant adventures after recruits he would recount to us in the morning, in his amusing style. There, too, was Bailey, whom we had all come to love, for his cool nonchalence, his activity, and his genial qualities, and his readiness to invite us all to the Woodbine, over the way, where he would spend liis last dollar for what is known among soldiers as " broth- erly love," to keep the spirits up. And there was •5^ He afterwards commanded a western regiment, and fell like a hero, leading it on at the battle of Chattanooga. 44 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Leavett, (the indomitable Tom,) never behind any man when there was work to be done. Tlie handsome Harry Hidden, restless, impatient to get to the field, so prim in his attire, his black, piercing eyes warm with intelligence, and a curl of manly contempt on his lips for those who were desponding and ready to give up tlie enterprise in despair. Fancy this group forming a half circle, with the soldierly Ogle (well known in the regular army) for a central figure, and you have one of as companionable and genial spirits as ever sat together discoursing their future prospects in the field. Nor must I forget to mention a group that usually assem- bled outside and held their deliberations on the pave- ment. This was composed of the big politician, whom the wits inside had begun to use as a fit subject for their jokes, and whose wonderful stories of liimself had ceased to have efi'ect, except on the mind of some new recruit. The melancholy man in black, who liad taught cavalry tactics over the border, and was always in a desponding mood, was sure we never could raise the regiment, solely because we did not follow his advice. Between the big politician and the melancholy man there sprang up a fellow feeling which it was difiicult either to understand or appreciate, since they were ap- posites mentally and physically. The one had a big sabre, and wore long, square-toed boots ; the other had been a hero in the Mexican war. The little, dark vis- aged Major of Venezuelian fame, fraternized with this outside group, and indeed gave light and shade, if not picturesqueness to it. He was ready always to join the big politician over his cups ; but would never agree THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 45 witli him on a question of arms. And he would dis- pute for an hour with tlie melancholy man over horse- flesh, and his skill in the use of the sabre. I noticed that all three of these distinguished officers were much more inclined to waste time in disputes on their own skill than to engage in the more urgent business of bringing in recruits. The best recruiting officers were those who were freest from self-laudation. Hidden would attend of a morning to the recruits, inspire them with confidence as to our success, and whisper such words of encouragement in their ears as would make them feel impatient to be in the field. If the recruit were an old soldier, he was sure to want a dollar or two. He must drink our health ; he must have success to the,regiment in a square drink or two with a comrade who had served with him during some war in Europe. If there were a few shillings left, he would use it in first wetting the comrade's eye, and then fastening him on the rolls. In this way the " old soldiers" would frequently empty Harry's pockets, for he had a kind heart and could not resist the appeal of a soldier. It must be remembered, also, that at that day men were not bought to serve their country with corrupting bounties. The question of how to get a colonel to act with us either temporarily or permanently, was now troubling us more than any other. Bailey had been up to West Point to see Bayard, then our instructor at the acad- emy. Bayard was eager to get into the field, but could not then get the necessary leave of absence from the regular army to enable him to join the volunteers. Our 46 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. effort did not succeed. The big politician offered to spend half liis immense fortune to get us the right sort of a colonel, or, to accommodate matters, he would take the position himself. But this kind offer was unanimously objected to. In truth, instead of the big politician showing us the color of his wealth, no sooner had we got possession of the fund appropriated by the Union Defense Committee, than he began to have seri- ous designs upon it. There was this must be done, and it would take at least fifty dollars to do it. There was that must be done, or we could never get on ; and it would require sixty dollars to do it. One hundred and fifty would be required to do something else equally important. I noticed that the politician had a queer way of accounting for these sums which he gen- erally got, and that was by assuring us upon his honor that they had been properly expended. Major Merrill, formerly of the regular cavalry, was in the successful practice of law in Wall street. He was an officer of good reputation, had seen considerable service, and, we had been told, was anxious to again give his services to his country. A deputation was at once organized to wait upon him and tender him the command of the regiment. He received the deputation kindly, offered to render us any service within his power ; but, to our disappointment and chagrin, pro- duced proof that he had already offered his services to the Government, in her hour of trial, and requested authority to raise a regiment of cavalry. His offer had been declined, peremptorily, by Mr. Cameron. He did not know why. It might be because he had THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 47 some experience, and knew something of cayalry, -vThich the Secretary of War regarded as dangerons to the rule he had set up for the army about to be organized. He, howeyer, offered to serve us to the extent of his power, joined us, gave us his advice, presided over our deliberations during evenings, and assisted us to make a temporary organization. And now the time had come to make a temporary organization and elect officers to serve nominally. There was a great stir at headquarters one night, and all those ambitious to serve their country as captains and lieutenants of cavalry, were hard at work solicit- ing influence and votes. Foremost among the most active workers was the big politician, who was an adept at wire-pulling, and had fixed his very soul on the quartermastership, a position then considered to be worth an immense prospective fortune to any man with limited scruples as to what the Government lost and a private gentleman made. But as this appointment was within the gift of the colonel, after the regiment should be permanently organized, and not to be voted for at this time, the politician resolved to be content for the present with the captaincy of company A. When drill was over " the men," or rather those who were considered the rank and file, went to their homes ; while those who considered themselves the flower of the organization proceeded up into the gallery, and seated themselves at a long table, Major Merrill taking the head. The major, before proceeding to the busi- ness which he had been called to preside over, made us a neat little speech, full of good advice and sound com- 48 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. moil sense. He also expressed his surprise that while tlie rebels were moving to action as if touched by one spring, our Government should evince a disposition to throw obstacles in the way of men whose energy and patriotism were producing Avhat it would most need. Nor could he understand why the War Department should be so averse to men who had seen service in the regular army. Three cheers were given for tlie major, and we went into the business of voting. The big pol- itician, to his own surprise, was declared elected cap- tain of company A. Rising with great gravity of manner, he began frisking his fingers through his bushy hair and pondering over his sentences, for it would not do to be thus honored without returning tlianks for it. The speaker, after hesitating for some time, and acting as if his mind were in pursuit of thoughts, wliich af- forded Harkins an excellent opportunity for a display of wit, began by saying he had made speeches enough but was never good at the beginning. His language was evidently refractory, for his words would insist on coming out backwards, and sticking half way at that. What he intended to say, but did not, was that such a distinguished honor was intended, he feared, for some one else. He had never sought positions of high trust, and if he accepted them it was only because he was conscious of having ability enough to fill them satis- factorily. A man must not be a martyr to his modesty when his country was in danger ; and if he had not already, he would in good time, prove to us tliat patri- otism alone found him in our ranks. Harkins, Stearns, Battcrsbv, and the little dark-visaged major were also THE STORY OP A TROOPER. 49 elected captains. Others were content to be first lieu- tenants, and some went away disappointed. However, we were organized into working parties, and that was sonietliing. When the evening's work was over we retired to the Woodbine over the way, and joined hands over a social glass. CHAPTER YI. PllESSING NECESSITIES. The middle of May and still working witliont au- thority. McDowell was in command of the troops aronnd Washington, and the country was hnng in sus- pense with daily rumors of terrible things tliQ rebels were doing out west and among the mountains of Vir- ginia. Regiments of volunteers were being quickly formed in New York and sent to aid the Goyernment. At that time true patriotism was aroused, and wives parted freely with husbands who went to the war, and sisters rebuked brothers inclined to stay at home. It was popular to be a soldier then ; even a poetic inspiration seemed to have seized on the people, and the man had some courage who dared stem the rush to arms. These things, however, did but increase our anxieties and heighten the gloom that hung over our prospects. Otlier regiments were fitting up and going off. We could not get ours accepted. Our expenses for rent had in- creased alarmingly ; and our kind and forbearing land- lord needed what we had not got in the exchequer to give him. The man who had printed the big, flaming THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 51 posters, with the fierce looking trooper at a charge, would look in to say he wanted a trifle, if it would not inconvenience us. The gray-bearded man, who liad an advertising bill, and wanted to join us because he hated the south and her " niggers," assured us his employers needed money or he would not have troubled us. Rent for recruiting stations outside was accumulating, and the genius of Bailey was sorely taxed for assurances that they (the importuning landlords) would be paid at a future day. To have no money, and yet be able to send a creditor away encouraged, is a merit not pos- sessed by every gentleman. The poor recruits, too, had mouths and needed something to put in them. They perhaps had little children looking to them for bread. Recruiting officers had to be sent into the country to stir up the patriotism of the people, and bring in the ambitious youth impatient to swing a sabre. Money must be provided for their transportation and other expenses. We needed five thousand where we Imd only five hundred dollars. It was not pleasant to give our time and be compelled to run in debt to serve the Gov- ernment. Tiien we Lad to stop our drills of an evening. Blen- ker's regiment of Teutons had spread over the large hall, piled its sides Avith their blankets and mattresses, and stacked arms in its centre. They used it for a camp at night and a banqueting hall by day, with Bologna sausage and foaming lager for the feast. Germany was just at that time in high feather ; in high feather with the authorities at Washington ; in high feather with our politicians ; in high feather with themselves as 52 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. soldiers superior to all others. Tlic Government was inclined to give Germany all she demanded ; and there was little connected with the army that she did not de- mand. Of course we yielded to Germany ; and taking our departure from Palace Garden, located next at Independence Hall, a narrow little loft over a livery stable on Seventh avenue. Things did not prosper well with us here, recruits began to get dissatisfied and to drop off, and there was a fair prospect that we would have to give up the enterprise and ask our creditors to forgive us our sins. It was, however, proposed to send another delegation to Washington to get authority for Major Merrill to raise the regiinent and take command. It was thought that the little dark-visaged major, who assured us he had an intimate acquaintance with all the high military dignitaries at the capital, might work a favorable result with Mr. Cameron. He did indeed seem the sort of man Mr. Cameron had a weakness for. If, too, the major failed to make an impression by his wonderful stories of what he had done in war, he was sure to effect his purpose with a few exhibi- tions of what he could do with the sabre. Well, the major and myself were chosen a delegation of two, and started for Washington of a Saturday af- ternoon. It was evident, however, that the major re- garded the expedition as an affair of pleasure, and was inclined to make the most of it. We had not gone far when he wanted to see a friend, and left the train for the night. On the following day, (Sunday) the major joined me at tlie Continental Hotel, in a most happy state of mind. He had on a cavalry jacket, was armed THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 53 with a sabre, and had been enjoying his cups with a few friends of a military turn, whom he had chanced to meet on the road. The wonders of Philadelphia must be seen before the major could think of proceeding to Washington to do business witli high military authori- ties. There was Fairmount, and other attractive loca- tions to be seen, and the major rolled away in his car- riage to astonish people not in uniform. It was late in the evening when he returned, feeling very happy, and without a care as to how the war went. We started for Perry ville in the eleven o'clock train, the major armed with a big black bottle, the contents of which we would need, he said, for the night was wet and stormy. But he soon went into a deep sleep, from which he did not wake until we reached Perryville, then a place of some military importance. The road from Havre-de-Grace to Baltimore was destroyed, and some parts of Maryland were in a belligerent state. On alighting from the cars we were brought to ahaltby the guard, two sturdy Ger- mans, neither of whom could speak a word of English, or were inclined to be on very social terms with any of us. Indeed, they several times made feints to charge into our solid column, bringing the points of their bayonets into an uncomfortable proximity to our noses. At this halt we were kept for more than ten minutes, the rain pouring down, and sergeant of the guard No. 2, Avho was called for about every two minutes, seeming resolved not to be disturbed from his sound sleep. Not a few imprecations were bestowed upon the head of sergeant of the guard No. 2, when he made his ap- pearance ; and a few were heard to very emphatically 54 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. condemn the folly of any military order that went to restrict the progress of an American citizen. Sergeant of the guard No. 2 gave the order to pass on. The German sentinels shouldered arms and re- sumed their pacing, and the throng of passengers rushed down the long and rickety wharf, lumbered with all sorts of boxes and bales, and on board a small, cranky steamboat that was to convey us down the Sus- quehanna to Annapolis. It would be difficult to imagine anything more disagreeable than this passage. The little boat was piled beyond her capacity with freight, and swarmed with a suspicious-looking class of passengers, a majority of whom had the seal of Israel on their faces, and were bound to the promised land just being opened for tliem by General Butler. There was no place to lay down, and sleep was a luxury not to be thought of. Tlie mischievous employed the time circulating reports of captures just made by the rebels, of fights with our troops at the Relay House, of re- verses to our arms at Harper's Ferry, and various other reports of an exciting nature, until the timid be- gan to wish themselves back on the safe soil of Penn- sylvania. Stories were told, too, of vessels captured down the river, burnt, their owners robbed, or made prisoners to the new government just started by Mr. Davis, and which Maryland was just then strongly in- clined to coquette with. In this way the effect of the pitiless storm was relieved. Indeed, there were not a few simple enough to inquire of the captain if there was much danger of capture by some rebel craft lurking along the coast. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. About two o'clock in the morning tlie little major made his appearance, creating quite a sensation among a throng of ill-featured persons in the after cabin, who regarded him v/ith no small degree of curiosity, for he Avore his kepi, Iiis cavalry jacket, and a sabre nearly as long as himself. He began by lamenting the loss of his black bottle, and charged it to the Jews, whom he declared to be an unrighteous set of cowards, not one of whom dared to cross, a sabre with him, or shoot at ten paces on the upper deck. Here the major drew his sabre and began flourishing it, to the intense alarm of all unarmed passengers, for he declared he would snow us how they treated the Jews in Venezuela when he commanded the flower of her army. There were not a few inquiries as to who the major was, and a wag circulated it about that he was a distinguished French General, sent over by Napoleon to instruct us in the formation of our army. The more sensible set him down for a mad adventurer, out of a job, and a little tipsy. His expressions of hate for the Jews fail- ing to restore his lost bottle, he began drawing a map of Venezuela on the deck, with the point of his sabre, and then pointed out to the astonished bystanders ex- actly where her array was posted during certain battles hehad taken a prominent part in. In this wayhe would have kept the passengers entertained until daylight, but for a stalwart engineer, who picked him up in his arms and carried him to the pilot's bunk, where he slept soundly until we reached Annapolis. Annapolis presented a busy scene just then ; wherever the eve turned it met some fresh proof of the restless 56 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. activity and indomitable energy of General Butler. The harbor was full of barges, steamboats, and other light draught vessels, some crowded with troops, others loaded with munitions of war, forage or subsistence. The thirteenth New York (Brooklyn) militia were sta- tioned there, and as a proof of their industry and en- gineering skill, had built several extensive piers and storehouses, and laid the railroad track from the de- pot in the town down to and along the Government wharves. We arrived just in time to see the first train make its entrance into the grounds amidst the cheers of the troops. A great change had suddenly come over Annapolis ; a change that might liave been turned to great results in the future, had the people made their thouo-hts and actions conform to it. But thev were moody and sullen, and seemed to regard with distrust, if not outspoken dislike, the busy scene that was being enacted inside of the Government grounds. A little after ten o'clock the train started for Washington, filled with a motley tlirong of passengers. General Butler and his staff accompanied us as far as tlie junction. He was on his way to the Relay House, to direct some mili- tary movements going on there. All along the road, at short intervals, were guards protecting tlie road, their rustic huts, made of boughs and underwood, presenting quite a picturesque appearance. The good Maryland- ers along the road were very uncertain in their loyalty. It was not safe, perhaps, to be open traitors, though slavery had fixed their sympathies with the south ; and the question with many of them was, would patriotism be profitable? Not a few of the "most respectable" and THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 57 more wealthy among tliem would, undercover of dark, iiess, have picked up a rail here and there, or destroyed a bridge, to show their contempt of the " Lincoln Gov- ernment." The storm had ceased, the day was warm and sunny, and it was one o'clock when we reached Washington, then transformed into a vast camp. War had already begun to write the history of its work on objects about the city. Armed with a passport from the Union Defense Committee, setting fortli that I was a good and loyal citizen, I passed guards everywhere and gained ready admittance " within the lines.'' Pennsyl- vania avenue was thronged with men in uniform ; sol- diers lounged on the grass plats, and disorder and want of discipline were already working their evil effect. And, too, it seemed as if all the bad and char- acterless men of the country had gathered into the capital with a view of procuring prominent places in the army. The nation and its cause has since suffered because these men generally got what they demanded. 3* CHAPTER YII. STRANGE SCENES IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON. But if the city was a great camp, it liad indeed tlie appearance of being without a commander. Rhode Island troops had turned the south end of the TreasuiT" building into a barracks, and some Baker who needed employment as a spy was daily discovering rebel plots to blow it up. These ridiculous reports, originating with bad men among ourselves, seriously disturbed the slumbers of certain aged ladies, and also weakened the nerves if not the knees of a weak-kneed Cabinet. Bad men out of business sought and found employment through the fears of those in high office. A French philosopher once told me. that it had cost some nations more to arm tlieir fears than to defend themselves ao'ainst their foes. With what I saw around me I be- gan to think there was some truth in what this savan had said. Some rulers so fear their friends that they lose half their strength when they undertake to fight their country's enemies. It looked to me at this mo- ment as if fear was to lead us into many damaging er- rors. But of this I shall say more in a more appropri- ate place. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 59 Miclii^an, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts troops swarmed over the city ; were quartered in stores and houses along the avenue, and made the very air echo with their merry voices, for war was a novelty then. The Patent Office shared with other buildings its spacious halls for the accommodation of troops. How little control the officers had over their men, what must have been the discipline and the spirit of recklessness that ruled among all, might have been read with pain on the defaced and disfigured walls of those noble buildings. Men who would have scrupu- lously protected their own property at home, and in- deed blushed at the vandal who dared lay vile hands on the public buildings of any country, saw their men defiice these noble monuments of our progress without a word of rebuke. And what, let me ask, could be expected of men in an enemy's country whose acts were to destroy rather than protect our own public buildings ? It was, however, in the Capitol of tlie nation that the finger of desecration had written its Avork in the boldest outlines. This building, so admired by men of taste of every nation, was turned into a garrison. The low€r floor served as a storehouse, its costly tiles broken into crumbs, and the frescoed walls, blackened and de- faced, frowning upon huge piles of beef and flour bar- rels. The second or main floor presented a still more sad and unsightly scene. A Brooklyn regiment, com- posed chiefly of Germans, were encamped here, and the men seemed to regard it their duty to deface or des- troy whatever they came in contact with. The beau- 60 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. tiful corridors, on which art liad exhausted itself in decoration, were wantonly defaced, and strewn with the litter of filthy mattrasses. You could here see how soon war lets loose all the bad passions and makes man the most destructive of animals. You could see, also, how the soldier, once his spirit of destruction is aroused, does not stop to inquire whether the property he des- troys belongs to friend or foe. If works of art in the Capitol of the nation found no respect at the hands of our soldiers, how little could we expect from them for property in an enemy's country ? In the new hall where our representatives assemble, there was being enacted when I entered a strange and grotesque scene. It would be doing injustice to this history did I not record it. In the Speaker's chair sat a grave but stalwart German, with the short thick neck and broad shoulders of an Hercules, a big bullet head, close cropped, a flat inexpressive face, and his brawny arms bared to the elbows. His only raiment was a shirt and trowsers, and no Speaker within my recollection has ever presented so giant-like a figure. Behind him bristled stacks of bright muskets. Accou- trements hung here and there from and disfigured the walls, while pistols and side-arms lay before him on the Speaker's desk. In front of this desk several of his comrades had gathered, having taken part in a very boisterous but good tempered debate. The man then addressing the chair, or rather he who sat in it with such clever mock gravity, was tall, lank of figure, and the features of his face would have done justice to Don Quixote. He spoke with great fluency, clear emphasis, THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 61 and fierce gesticulation. He spoke in the tongue of liis fatherland, and I could not get from any one near me, so intent were they on listening, what tlie subject un- der debate was. The speaker was evidently a man of some humor, for every few minutes he would s^end his audience into a roar of laughter, and so disturb proper decorum that the man in the chair would rise and com- mand order. It was clear they were burlesquing, per- haps imitating, scenes enacted by the country's legisla- ture in the same place. The tall man was evidently a great favorite, for there was great cheering when he sat down^ and not a few of his companions gathered about him offering bread and sausage, and indeed be- stowing upon liim various tokens of appreciation. A little frisky German, who had several times attempted to interrupt the tall man in the course of his speech, now rose and was greeted with cries I could under- stand to mean — put him out. He had a short, crooked nose, this little man, a tea-kettle shaped head, and was what is called bandy-legged. He reminded me of Foot when he rose in the Senate. He always wanted to be up, and nobody could keep him down. He was never happy in his seat, and when he was up he seldom had anything sensible to say. The little frisky man began by frisking in and out among his comrades, making strange motions with his head and fingers at the man in the chair. The chair was not inclined to receive this without rebuke, and rising, in defense of its dignity, threatened to throw a Colt's revolver at the bulgy head of the peace dis- turber. At this the little man made several polite 62 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. l)0\YS, and would have put a question of privilege bad not the chair summarily ruled liini out of order. But he was resolved not to regard himself out of order, and turning to some one in a distant part of the house be- gan ejaculating something I could not understand, and shaking his clenched fists in a parox3^sm of passion. Tlie chair now ordered him in arrest, and a file of three nieu bore him off to one of the committee rooms, then used as a guard-liouse. Several other things common to parliamentary usage were gone through, with con- siderable resemblance to the reality. But it was im- possible to witness this strange scene without feelings of pain and sorrow. Some of the members' desks were brok-en to pieces ; others were rendered useless ; others were used by half-clad soldiers to rest their feet upon. Soldiers sat in tlie chairs of members, cleaning their muskets, or brushing up their belts. The gleam of bright muskets and bayonets shooting up through the body of tlie house, and resting against the frescoed walls, excited a recollection of Rome, when soldiers entered the Senate and murdered or drove out the Sena- tors. The costly furniture, sofas, and settees, that stood along the rear of the hall were broken to frag- ments. A similar scene of destruction might have been seen in tlie galleries. And this work of wantonness, this vandalism of the nineteenth century, the officers who permitted it meriting the severest censure, the Germans now on duty charged as the work of the First New York Zouaves — a regiment made up of, I regret to say, firemen. My own opinion is that the Germans did quite as mucli, if not more than tlie Zouaves, to THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 63 produce tins scene of wreck in the capital of tlie na- tion. I went from the House of Representatives to the Senate cliamber, of which we were all so proud. It was filled with soldiers ; its furniture was broken, its desks destroyed, the paintings on the walls bleared and defaced. Respect and reverence seemed gone, and the brutal conduct of men placed here to guard and protect, deserved the severest censure. The President's desk was used as a rack for fire-arms, and the broken sofas and chairs were piled in a promiscuous Iteap against the side walls. There was no need of turning the Sen- ate Chamber into a camp. There was no need of dese- crating the Halls of Congress, and turning the Capitol of the nation into a barracks. Hs grounds afforded ample shelter for tlie troops, and if the enemy had con- templated an attack upon it the troops could have de- fended it as well from witliout as within. But the enemy, with all his crimes, and they are manifold, never seriously contemplated an attack on Washington. His policy when the war began was to act strictly on the defensive. When he changed that policy he well knew how strongly Washington had been for- tified, and what an attempt to take it would cost him. I must now return to the object of my mission. I had been three days in the city, and through tlie kind- ness of a friend in the War Department had succeeded in irettinG: two interviews with Mr. Cameron. It seemed to me there was no man in the United States more to be pitied, since nearly all his time and atten- 64 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. tion was absorbed (or at least I tlioiiglit it was) in giv- ing sutlersliips to old friends in Pennsylvania, and in- vesting needy lawyers with authority to raise regiments. As to cavalry lie was still uncertain about its useful- ness in this war. He had consulted various writers, and was trying to make up his mind as to what cavalry had and had not done in other wars. He was not sure that cavalry added much to the real strength of an army. Young men would no doubt like to ride to the war at the country's expense ; but to open a great na- tional riding school for the accommodation of these young gentlemen was a question requiring very serious consideration. At all events there was no need of going beyond Pennsylvania for cavalry. Pennsylvania was a great horse-growing State. Her people were honest, and most of them could ride. Her farmers, in many places, still went to mill mounted. It was clear that Mr. Cameron's faith in raising cavalry enough for the war was firmly fastened to Pennsylvania, while the innocence of his ideas respecting that arm of the ser- vice was worthy of the Duke of Newcastle, once Eng- land's Minister of War. The Secretary saw another serious obstacle in the way, and no means of overcoming it. He regarded " the regulations" as his master ; and there was noth- ing in the regulations to warrant him in supplying horses to our volunteer cavalry. Every man must provide his own horse and equipments. For the use of the horse the Government would pay forty cents a day, with an equal amount for forage. Now, it is very easy to see liow few men willing to enter the THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 05 cavalry service would have the means of providing their own horses and equipments. Such a system, if continued, would have been fatal to the organization of a volunteer cavalry. There were undoubtedly men enough ready to have stepped in and supplied the horses ; but few can fail to see liow wide a field for the operations of speculators in bad horse-flesh it would have opened. General Meigs took a more in- telligent view of this subject, and to him is due the credit of opening the eyes of the Government to the necessity of changing this system and mounting our volunteer cavalry at its own expense. It was early June, and although Mr. Cameron could give us no encouragement as to whether the regiment would be accepted, he advised keeping up the organi- zation, and trusting to what the furtlicr necessities of the war might produce. I liad scarcely left the War Department, however, when I heard that the " Gov- ernment" had made a colonel of Mr. Carl Schurz, and autliorized him to raise a regiment of cavalry, to be composed chiefly of Germans, whose military skill the Government was at that time inclined to place a high price upon. Indeed, it may be added with truth, that the Government had at that time a strange and unac- countable weakness for German soldiers, and was quick to bestow its favors on such as applied for high com- mands. This may account for the readiness with which Mr. Schurz, a gentleman of fine literary tastes, ob- tained what had been refused experienced ofiicers who had served in our regular cavalry. Events have sincti shown how much the Government had to learn befpre OG THE STORY OF A TROOPER. it came to place a proper value on American courage and American talent. I liad been four daj^s in Washington, and seen notli- ing of the little Major since our arrival. I began to be much concerned about him, for he had expressed to me great anxiety to get into the very heoTt of Vir- ginia, and give the rebels a taste of his courage. He, liowever, confronted me in the afternoon, in the sitting room of Willards' hotel, very mellow, physically as well as mentally ; and the story he related to me was very remarkable, as well in its manner of delivery as in its deliberate disregard of truth. " Bin troubled iver since we arrived," said the Major, with an unsafe motion of the body, " witli ickups and tic- dol-rue. Had a d — 1 of a time, altogether. Regi- ment's no go. Government don't want it, won't ac- cept it — no use for cavalry, no how. Cost the country too much, you know. Seen General Scott, renewed old acquaintance. Said he had not seen anybody he was so glad to see since the war. Gave me his chair and took another. Talked over Mexico. Took two cocktails with him, one l)efore breakfast, t'otlier just after. Man of solid ideas, sir, and a soldier. Knows just the kind of men needed for this war. Ap- pointed me to the command of the scouts — right off, to-morrow. You'll hear from me, old fellow. Man's curious : up David to-day, down David to-morrow. David's up to-day." The Major continued in this strange strain for several minutes, then oscillated into a chair, drew close to me, and continued in a whisper, " &ot the whole plan of the war. So mucli for the old THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 67 general's confidence in me. Off into Virginia to morrow. Paid respects to President; exctianged jokes with liim ; told him he could rely on me when ho wanted a friend. Bless you, sir, these big men all know me. Caleb Gushing (met him yesterday and tipped glasses) said, what can I do to serve you. Major ? say the word and I'll see you made a general. Seward invited me to dine with him, and wanted to know how long the war would last. Said he was sorry I could not dine with him, and laughed when I said the war would last a year. Cameron was studying the Regulations. Said I might be at better business than raising cavalry to ruin the nation. Couldn't see cavalry that wasn't raised in Pennsylvania, where people were honest." Tlie Major rose from his chair, bid me good bye, and taking the arm of a companion, also under the influ- ence of tic-dol-rue, they both went oscillating out of the room. This was the last I saw of the little Major, nor have I heard of him during the war. CHAPTER VIII. THE WAY WE GOT A COLONEL. When I returned to New York a great clmiige had taken place in our affairs. Our headquarters had been removed back to Palace Garden, and the prospects of our organization were brighter than I had expected to find them. Mr. Carl Schurz, in addition to his commis- sion as colonel of cavalry, had been appointed Minister to Spain. Not many years ago we were represented, or rather misrepresented, at that Court by a frisky Frenchman, who excited among Spaniards the remark that it was strange a people so intelligent as the Amer- icans had to get foreigners to represent them abroad. We were now to be represented at the Court of Madrid by a very talkative German, between whose countrymen and the Spaniards there never existed any very high respect. What sending a German to repre- sent us at the Court of Madrid could do to heighten the respect of Spaniards for us, I leave such of my readers as have resided in Spain to form an opinion. Some persons have said Mr. Schurz could have been better provided for and made more useful at home. Certain it is he was in great tribulation, and for some time un- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 69 decided whether to go into the field— a hero at the head of a regiment of troopers — or to proceed to Spain and enjoy tlie dignity of a four years' residence at Madrid. To be sure, he knew nothing of cavalry, although he had recently given liimself to the study of books on the subject. And he had authorized Count Moltki, as fierce a looking trooper as ever swung sabre, to proceed to the formation of a German organization. The Count gathered about him several other gay troopers from fatherland, and, be it said to his credit, was not long in collecting a goodly number of Teutonic braves ready to take the field under his command. Colonel Carl Schurz walked the streets of New York day after day, now fancying himself at the head of a regiment of troopers, making brilliant charges on the enemy's lines, and for his gallantry winning fame that would live and brighten in the history of the war; now fancying himself a Minister at Madrid, the com- panion of distinguished diplomatists and the sharer of Queen Isabella's smiles. The would-be trooper could not resist the attractions of Madrid. He decided to go to Spain. The question now was how to get rid of his commission as colonel, and also to escape the suspicion that he was afraid to take the field, for there was any number of swash-bucklers in the market at that time, and to be numbered among them was fatal to a gentle- man with high diplomatic pretensions. We, too, had got a colonel, a gentleman who claimed Ireland as his birthplace ; was proud that he could claim her, but was just from Michigan, where he had for some years been engaged in the twin professions of 70 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. law and politics. In appearance one might have mis- taken our new colonel for a village schoolmaster some- time out of a job. He wa^ a man of middle stature, with a round pleasant face, and hair that hung far down over the collar of a shabby black dress coat. His neck was encased in a stiff satin stock such as New England clerg3mien used to wear twenty years ago. His vest was of well-worn black satin ; a big cameo pin illuminated a dingy shirt bosom, his trousers were black and thready, and a pair of dilapidated mo- rocco boots ornamented his feet. I had almost for- gotten to mention a tall and somewhat damaged hat, which he wore jauntily on the top of his head, and a pair of heavy brass-bowed spectacles, that worked every few minutes to the tip of a blunt nose, and gave him a deaconish air. But our colonel was a man of rare genius, and not to bo judged by his clothes. In- deed, I have no doubt he wore the latest and most approved style of dress known to the legal profession in Michigan. I must add also that he had fought, and gallantly, too, in our war witli Mexico, where he was a captain of cavalry. He had charged side by side with the gallant Kearney, when with a mere troop of cav- alry he (Kearney) drove the enemy in confusion over the causeway and up to the very gates of the city of Mexico. The brave Kearney lost his arm there. There, too, our colonel was wounded, and he showed you a paralyzed arm as the proof of his valor. He was ripe of those genial qualities which give strength to friend- ships between men, and are exceedingly valuable in camp. If he lacked quickness and decision, he could THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 71 sing* you a good song, tell you a story of sometliing pleasant in the past, enjoy a companion over his cups, yes, and he had a speech for you after dinner, and few could beat him at a rubber of whist. Here was an excellent opportunity for Colonel Carl Schurz to get rid of the difficulty the War Department had fastened upon him. That astute diplomat and candidate for martial honors saw in McReynolds, for such was our colonel's name, a means of transferring his commission as colonel of cavalry, and proceeding on his way to Spain, Avhere he could enjoy in peace the pleasures of a residence near the Court of Madrid. The big politician, too, thought this an excellent op- portunity to display his talents, and taking both colonels under his shadow, seriously disturbed their peace of mind with his attentions. There was nothing he could not do for them, even if liis influence had to be exerted over the Cabinet at Washington. There, he would assert, his patriotism was appreciated, though not a few of us knew he was at heart as arrant a rebel as could be found soutli of Culpepper. But so afraid was he that either colonel should suspect him of being anything less than a patriot, ready to shed his blood or spend his immense fortune for the cause of the Union, that it was difiicult to get him to leave them, if only for an hour. Or, if he left one it was to ap- pear before the otlier, his hat in his hand, making sundry obsequious bows. He always wanted to assure the Minister to Spain that he could serve him in various ways, and consider it an high honor to be afforded the opportunity. And so persistent Avere his 72 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. offers that Mr. Scliurz began to regard himself as reg- ularly beseiged. He was much concerned, too, and speut many sleepless niglits, lest he should not get the eagles soon enougli on tlie shoulders of our colonel. Indeed, there was little business he did not manage to get himself mixed up in, to the serious injury and delay of whatever we undertook ; and yet he never for one hour attended to his own, which was to recruit for Company A, wliich he boasted of having tlie lionor to command, though, every man in it had long since set him down for a fool, and not to be served under for a day. Various meetings were held, and after the exchange of several propositions it was agreed on tlie part of Carl Schurz, Minister to Spain and colonel of cavalry, on the one side, and our colonel, for himself, on the other : first, that the commission held by Mr. Schurz, with the authority it conferred to raise a regiment of cavalry, be transferred to our colonel ; second, that four companies of Germans were to be admitted a part of the regiment ; third, that they should elect officers of their own countrymen ; fourth, that the position of lieutenant colonel should be given to a German. This done, Mr. Schurz was free to proceed on his mission to Spain; to seek civil and not military glory. This compromise, so quickly agreed upon and so satisfactory to Mr. Schurz, had to be sanctioned by the War De- partment before it became valid. A delegation must be sent to Washington; money must be provided to pay its expenses. Here was a nice job for the big pol- itician, whose fingers always had a remarkable itching for what little money we had in the treasury. This THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 73 rcmarkaljlo delegation, to effect wliat could have been done in an hour by one man, consisted of our colonel, Captain Stearns, Captain Boyd, (who was raising a company for us in Philadelphia,) and the big politician, wlio was sure nothing could be done in Washington witliout him. Tliis man must have three hundred and fifty dollars, at least, to pay the expenses, and as tliat was just the amount we had in the treasury, the contri- bution of a generous friend, there was not a shilling left to warm up the courage of a new recruit at the Wood- bine. What earthly use the big politician could be in Washington not one of us could see. Seriously speak- ing, one might as well have sent our little bugler, a^j ill-begotten an item of flesh and blood as ever was born into this or any other world, and a melancholy illustra- tion of all the vices known to human kind, though he boasted of having sounded his bugle from Maine to Mexico. The War Department was inclined to regard Ger- mans as superior to Americans for cavalry, and hes- itated to ratify the agreement. The President, liow- ever, stepped in and put an end to the delay by ordering the regiment to be accepted, with Colonel McReynolds, and filled up with all speed. This done our delegation returned to New York, much elated with its success, the credit of which the big politician took entirely to himself. We now went on recruiting rapidly — the Germans for themselves, the Americans for themselves. And as we were in better spirits, we changed our liead- quarters to Disbrow's riding school, where many an 4 74 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. amusing scene in the history of oar recruiting was enacted. The Germans were a fine, soldierly looking set of men, especially their officers, and adapted themselves to circumstances better than the Americans. Most of them had seen military service in their own country, were familiar with the tactics, and, indeed, knew all the details of organizing mucli better than we did. Nor were they free from boasting of their superior military knowledge, and what they would do in battle when the time came. We Avere always giving ourselves much trouble as to who was to pay the subsistence bills we were incurring, for Congress had not yet passed the twenty million act for the reimbursement of such per- sons as had paid money for recruiting, subsisting, and organizing new regiments. The Germans gave them- selves no such concern. Their officers enjoyed good dinners with an abundance of Rhine wine, and enter- tained their friends. With them lager was a potent recruiting sergeant, and there was no stint of it among the men, who fared sumptuously and also entertained their friends. A merrier or better natured set of fel- lows never bivouacked. They gave themselves no con- cern as to who would pay the bills, having great faith in the large generosity of the Government they were to fight for. And when they had eaten their credit out in one place they would quietly move to another, form the acquaintance of a new host, and enjoy his fare. In this way tliere came to be numerous confiding Germans, each Avith a bill for several hundred dollars, and anx- ious to get them paid without delay. The German THE STORY OE A TROOPER. 75 officers were polite gentlemen, who would put their im- portuning creditors on the raclv and tell tliem not to get impatient. Our creditors were likewise uneasy, and had to be put off with the best kind of promises we could invent. But recruits came in rapidly, and our companies were filling up, some of them with sons of the first families in New York. The big politician was makino: a irreat deal of trouble for us outside, and had not recruited a man for his company, which was being filled up through the efforts of Ogle, Bailey, and others. The tall melancholy man in black, too, had taken it into his head to feel aggrieved, and instead of recruiting his company (B) had placed himself under the shadow of the big politician ; and both went about like bears in tribulation, creating bad feeling between tiie Ger- mans and Americans. Sometimes they would be accom- panied by the little bugler, who had a strange weakness for keeping their company, and, indeed, blowing his trumpet for them in exchange for a sixpenny dram, to which they would frequently invite him. It is indeed doubtful whether Company B would have been made up in New York, had not Captain Henry B. Todd stepped in and with remarkable energy filled up its ranks. There was among the Germans a short, fair-haired man of ponderous dimensions, weighing more than three hundred pounds, and blessed with a good temper. He was short of legs and body, had a strange gait, and required the aid of four men to mount his horse. His name was Hurtzog, and he was known in the regiment as little Bob, the light-horseman. Bob was a riglit merry fellow, was kind to his men, never out of temper, T6 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. brave withal, and continually falling in love with little women. He was fond of dancing, and could sing toler- ably well. In truth, he afforded us mucli amusement, and was always ready to enjoy a joke made by any one at his expense. I mention him here because he per- formed some amusing parts during our campaign on the Peninsula. CHAPTER IX. SUNDRY MATTERS. I may, perhaps, have written much that may seem of a personal character, and not particularly interesting to the general reader. My object, however, is to show how one or two improper, as well as incompetent per- sons, fastened on a regiment through intrigue and fraud, and whose loyalty is at least open to suspicion, may destroy discipline and endanger the usefulness of that regiment. This was the case with our regiment ; and it was not the only one in the Army of the Potomac that had to contend against the bad influence of a few officers, obnoxious to the rest of the regiment. On the breaking out of the war the worthless men who had fastened themselves on the public institutions of the country during the administrations of James Buchanan and Pierce, found themselves discharged and out of em- ployment. Many of these men were as rank secession- ists as were to be found under the immediate shadow of Mr. Jefferson Davis. The outward signs tliey gave were no proof of what their hearts felt and their liands would have done, were it not for the fear of detection and that loyal public sentiment, then so thoroughly 78 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. aroused. These men must have something to do, and finding tlicmselves dismissed from officcR they had dis- graced, fastened themselves on the army only to corrupt it. Those familiar with the many obstacles General McClellan had to overcome in organizing the Army of the Potomac, also know how much trouble these men gave him. Innocent of all military knowledge, and car- rying into the army with them all that spirit of intrigue common to the petty politician, they were continu- ally increasing the labors of generals, continually spreading dissensions among the men for selfish mo- tives, and never found attending to their proper duties. Many of these worthless men sought and obtained positions as quartermasters, a position regarded, when the war began, as affording the means of making a great fortune in a short time. What their peculations have cost the nation is too well and painfully known to the people. Political influence obtained for others positions as field officers ; this over tlie heads of worthy, loyal, and brave men. Feeling their own incapacity, many of these men sought to screen it by leaving to more competent subordinates the labor Government was paying them to perform. The xVdministration was in a measure to blame for this, since in its haste to con- ciliate the opposite party, it was constantly giving places of iiigh trust in the army to men known to be without character, and utterly unfit mentally or morally to fill them. I have noticed also, tliat tlie most worth- less of these men were the most ambitious of rank and and pay ; generally succeeded in getting botli. It is safe to say that one worthless officer costs the Government THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 79 ton times as mucli as an efficient one. Indeed I think T am not wronir in savincr that I have known officers at- tached to tlie Army of the Potomac, whom the Govern- ment might, with profit to itself, liavepaid to fight in the ranks of the rebels. Experience has shown me also, that one disloyal officer in onr own ranks, can work a more damaging influence than a whole regiment of the enemy in our front. It was now July. The Germans had carried a very high feather for some time, passing us witli an air of coldness and high military superiority, and it was evi- dent that some influence was at work exciting a very bad feelino: between us. We were for some time at a loss how to account for this feeling, but as it grew deeper and deeper every day, and was likely to be very damaging in its results, means were instituted to dis- cover its source. It was soon discovered that the big politician was at the bottom of it. In order to make friends with the Germans he had hung about their camp, shared their hos])itality, flattered their vanity, and caused them to believe that the Americans were all intrio-uino; as-ainst tliem. He could do a great deal for them, and intended to do it. He was their true friend, and all they had to do was to stand by him. He always did like the Germans, and it was the regret of his life that he could not speak their language. The Ameri- cans were jealous of his wealth and his power ; but he would show tiiem that they must do justice by the Germans. This was but a specimen of the means the big politician used to eifect an object. He had set his heart on being quartermaster of the regiment, and was 80 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. using tills means to get the German officers to recom- mend him as a iit and proper person for tlie position. His mischievous propensities, however, did not rest here, for he sought among the Americans, and used similar means to excite bad feeling against the Ger- mans. This war, I may say, and with truth, has had no more remarkable character, for while he was rest- less in spreading mischief, he could not be got to attend to his proper business for an hour ; and there was no indignity he would not submit to with a bow. There was great excitement at headquarters one day, caused by a letter just received from the collector of the port, making a strange disclosure in which the loy- alty of our political friend was involved. A group of our officers stood in the centre of the ring as I entered, and I recognized the manly figure of Harry Hidden, his face flushed with indignation. Anything mean or deceitful found a terrible enemy in Harry, and he was giving vent to his feelings in strong and earnest lan- guage, at the traitor who dared show himself among us in the disguise of a loyal man. The letter was handed me to read and suggest some course of action. I must say here also, that it was shown to our colonel. Hav- ing had god?l reasons for suspecting the loyalty of the big politician, and hearing that he had been employed in the Custom House, one of our officers wrote to the collector making inquiries concerning him. This letter contained the reply, which set forth that he had been dismissed for open and avowed sympathy with the traitors of his country. And this was the man who had given us so much trouble ; who was working to be THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 81 made quartermaster of the regiment — a position where he could distress brave men and plunder the Gov- ernment he secretly hated. He was called up by Ogle and others as soon as he appeared at headquarters, and asked what he had to say in reply to the grave charges contained in the letter, which was handed him to read. His answers not being satisfactory, he was given to understand that hereafter his absence from headquar- ters would be more welcome than his presence. We all now enjoyed a feeling of relief, and flattered ourselves that we had got rid of a man who had given us much trouble, and whose presence in the regiment could not fail to have a damaging effect. And now I must turn to a different phase of our organization, and, for a time, leave our political friend in obscurit}^ It was interesting, as well as instructive, to witness the distinctive traits of national character developed by recruits as tliey presented themselves for enlistment. The American joined the service because he wanted to serve his country and put down the rebellion. So did the Irishman, whose earnestness was such that no man could question his loyalty. Englishmen were full of conceits, did not care much about the war, were willins: to fight on that side which paid best, and as the Ameri- cans didn't know much about war, were sure always to want to give us a great deal of instruction as to how they did it in their country. While a few of us were seated in the office one da}^, quietly enjoying our pipes and suggesting plans to get some of the companies mus- tered in, a little bandy-legged Englishman presented 4- 82 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. himself, and with an air of great self-importance de- manded to see the recruiting hofficer. He had on thick- soled shoes, his bandy legs were incased in a pair of tight-fitting breeches ; a short blue coat with huge side pockets scarcely reached his hips, and a tall hat, of sloping crown, gave a quaintness to his short figure. " Seein as 'ow you wus raisin a cavalry regiment,'' said he, addressing one of our officers, " I thought I'de just drap hin 'an see if you'd han hopinin for a mon whoes a first rate rough rider. Doeant hunderstand mich about rough ridin in this kuntry, I take it? In reply to an inquiry as to where he had served, he said: "In Lunnun, sir. Bien rough rider to Lord Cardigan : he as fought so hin the Criraear. Eard o' him, sir, 'spose ? Dun a deal o' rough ridin, here and there. Seein in the journals as 'ow you wus a raisin a regiment, I says to mysel, here Hugh, a chance now offers to get the possishun as hinstructor in rough riding." Here the little man, who was the very picture of an English groom, began to draw from a side pocket numerous grimey papers, which he said bore testimony to his character as an honest man as well as his skill as a rider. It was agreed among us that something must be done for the rough rider. We proposed to make him a lieutenant of cavalry and general instructor in rough riding, though no such position could be found in the Regulations. Would he give us a taste of his skill before we enrolled him a candidate for the parch- ment .^ That would just suit him. If any gentleman " 'ad a OSS as wusent wiel broken to the zaddlc," let him be brought out, and he would show us two or three THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 83 things in rough riding none of us Americans liad seen before. Now, as I have before said, there was in tlic rcgi" ment one Sergeant Ditcher, a poor but honest man. He had served under Lord Cardigan, and was one of the very few who returned from that desperate charge at Balaclava, led by the brave Nolen. An admiring friend had made Ditcher a present of a horse, a brute so vicious tliat few dare go near him. It required some courage as well as skill in horsemanship to mount this animal, for when he took it into his head he would unsaddle his rider in a trice. The horse was brought out, and the ring prepared for an exhibition of the rough rider's skill. He examined the bit and found fault with it; he found fault with tlie headstall, with the apparent docility of the animal. He called the saddle (McClellan) a rocking chair, made of wood when it ought to have been made of leather. The foot guards no skillful rider in his country, he said, would think of using. In England, saddles were made of pig skin, and her Majesty saw that her troopers all had soft seats. After the little rough rider had ex- hausted his fault-finding propensities we induced him to mount, which he did with some effort. Once or twice the animal bounded wildly around the ring. Some one cracked a whip, he stopped, made a sudden back motion, and the teacher of rough riding was seen turning a somersault over his head. The horse stood motionless over the prostrate figure on the ground. But the unfortunate rider was soon on his feet, saying he was not hurt mucli, and lamenting the destruction 84 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. of his tall hat, and the damage otherwise done to his breeches. He would not give in to a horse like that, he said ; and to show lis that the misfortune was en- tirely owing to liis own carelessness he would mount again. Of course we admired his courage, and had excuses enough for the accident, which might have happened to any one. After a good deal of frisking and rubbing and brushing he mounted again, when the animal set off at increased speed. Once, twice, thrice, he went round the circle at a furious rate ; then with a sudden bound he threw the rough rider from the saddle, his head striking with great force against the woodwork of the ring. He was picked up seriously stunned. Whisky was brought, and sundry applica- tions internally as well as externally soon restored him to consciousness and sound health. A dollar rewarded him for the exhibition he had given ns of his horse- manship ; but he was vain of his skill, and " would like to show us gentlemen that he was not the man to give in to a 'oss like that un." We invited him to come the next day and give us a second lesson, and he promised to do so. He took his departure soon after, and that was the last we saw of her Majesty's rough rider. CHAPTER X. MUSTERING IN. The middle of July was come, and tlie War Depart- ment has changed its polic}^, so far as it respected cav- alry. I have already described how opposed it was to the employment of cavalry when the war began. It now seemed more than impatient to get cavalry regi- ments organized and sent forward. We received des- patch after despatch from the Secretary of War, from General Scott, and other high ofiicials, urging the ne- cessity of filling up our regiment " at once," and send- ing it forward. It was a weakness of the War Depart- ment at that time to do its business with bankrupt editors, speculators with doubtful antecedents, and ambitious keepers of hotels. The despatches sent were not directed to the colonel of the regiment, but to Mr. Clarke, Mr. Stetson, (Astor House,) and others ; show- ins; either that there was a \evv confused state of things in the Adjutant General's office, or thafMr. Cameron preferred to do the military business of the nation through his political friends. McDowell was at this time preparing, or trying to 86 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. prepare, his militia troops for a grand dash on the enemy at Manassas. He said, or some one had said for him, for it was current in Washington at the time, that he had not a caralry officer upon whom he could rely to make a proper" reconnoissance of the enemy's position. The War Department may have had some knowledge of this, which may account for its sudden waking up to the fact that there existed a necessity it had not before discovered. This haste on the part of the Government, however, had a good effect on our officers, and excited them to renewed efforts to fill their companies, each rivalling the other to get mustered in first. According to orders from the War Department, companies could not be mustered in until they were full. This policy cost us a great many men, who, im- patient to get into the field, would stray away and join regiments just leaving. Through the exertions of Ogle, Bailey, and Jones, Company A was nearly full. Todd was encouraging his recruits with a few dollars each, and being popular with his men was nearly ready to muster in. Harkins wanted but a few men to complete his number, and Stearns and Hidden, both ready to help a friend wlien he needed, had got a large number of men enrolled. Some of the officers looked on Stearns' men with a long- ing eye, and would occasionally send an old soldier into their ranks with a view to making them comrades in his'own company. And this the old soldier generally did with a few glasses of whisky and a dollar or two. These little raids were conducted in perfect good na- ture, and as the sweet spirit of love ruled paramount in THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 87 Steam's character he was generally selected as tlie sub- ject of them. About this time, a little, bo3ash and beardless man of the name of Bennett, brought a company down from Syracuse, where he had raised it. I doubt if Syracuse will ever sufficiently repay Captain Bennett for reliev- ing her of this motly collection of men, many of whom must have been a terror to the place. The question was frequently asked where this young, innocent look- ing man, who dressed with scrupulous care, had picked up such a combination of human nature in its lowest form. Hogarth could not have drawn a better cartoon of human depravity, as pictured in the faces of these men. There was the model Bowery boy, as we used to see him twenty years ago, with his oily head, his expan- sive garments, and his love for brass buttons. There was the thick-framed and bullet-headed shoulder hitter, ready ahvays to settle a private quarrel with friend or foe. There too was the wild, ungovernable youth, the misfortune of his parents, who were glad to get him into the army, as a fit place to reform his morals. These men seemed never without a quarrel. Indeed the company enjoyed a perpetual state of war, and when its members were not fighting among themselves, which was seldom, they were disturbing the peace of the neighborhood. Their officers had no control over them, and an attempt to enforce discipline enjoined a risk they were not willing to undertake. Indeed the officers were inclined to treat their men on those terms of equality common among men in a country town, but which cannot be carried into the army witliout des- 88 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. troying discipline. And here let me say that I have frequently noticed that tlie class of men I have just described are rarely to be depended on in battle. Captain Harkins was tlie first to fill his company, and after the excitement incident to the election of offi- cers, which in many cases was a mere matter of form, the men were marched to the arsenal in Centre. street, and the process of mustering in gone through. With some men mustering in is a test of courage. The timid see in it a solemn obligation to serve the country as a soldier for a term of years, to submit to all the rigors of martial law, to undergo all the vexations and hard- ships of camp life, to face death in battle, and what is more trying to the patriotic spirit of every honest sol- dier, to submit tamely to the tyranny and insults of officers unfit, as well by birth as education, to be their superiors. Many a man, anxious to do his part in put- ting down the rebellion, ponders these things over in his mind until fear gains the victory, and he falls out, unwilling to take the oath that is to make him a sol- dier. Instances of this kind occurred when our first company was being mustered in. Several who had marclied in the ranks to the arsenal, dropped out before tlie oatii was administered, and at one time it was doubtful if we should get the requisite number. The company however was mustered in without a man to spare. And then there was great cheering, great shaking of hands among the men, and exchange of con- gratulations between officers. Major General com- manding a corps never felt prouder than did Harkins as he walked up and down in front of tlie men he said THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 89 he was to lead in battle, addressing them words of en- coiiraf^ement. This was to be a new phase in his life. Tlie stage was a new one to him, and the part he had to play was strange and novel. Company B, Captain Todd, was next to muster in, and presented a fine ap- pearance, for it was composed of men of a superior class. The companies, as fast as mustered in and pro- vided with tents, were sent to camp in the breezy shades of Elm Park, to whicli the tents of our German com- panies had already given a picturesque and martial look. We had great trouble in .getting the company of plug ruffians from Syracuse mustered in. Some of them left, or strayed away, as soon as they reached New York, and it was with great difficulty respectable recruits could be got to take their places. Day after day the mustering officer was summoned, and as often had to go away disappointed. Some of them would be away enjoying a fight with a friend, others might have been found at some bar-room, disabled by the too free useof whisky. At length, through the influence and supe- rior energy of one Sergeant McCormack, the only man that seemed to have any control over them, the requis- ite number was got, and they were mustered and sent to camp, much to the relief of the neighborhood and every one about headquarters. Stearns and Hidden, between whom there existed feelings that had grown and ripened into the truest friendship, had generously given tlieir men to assist others in filling up their companies, and neglected themselves. They were now Avithout men enough to muster in, and how to obtain them Avas a very difficult 90 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. problem to solve. Some of tlic means we liad to resort to at times to get a man or two in order to make u]) tlie number required by the regulations were really of the meanest kind, although they afforded us some amuse- ment. In one case, where it was found that we only lacked two men to fill up a company, a sergeant and two men (old soldiers) went out on a raid, and soon returned with a smutty blacksmith, to whom they had 2:1 ven five dollars to come and be mustered in for a sol- o dier. This was given him with the assurance that as soon as mustered in he might go free. But the black- smith was suspicious that we were setting a trap for him, exhibited much uneasiness during the process of being made a soldier, and was quick to take his depar- ture as soon as the ceremony was over. The raiders also made forcible seizure of a poor inoffensive looking baker, on his way to his master's customers with a bas- ket of loaves. The poor baker was frightened out of his wits, and lustily pleaded the necessity of getting bread to his master's customers in time for dinner. He w^as told tliat he would get five dollars to come and be sworn in for a soldier, after that he might go where he pleased. But he was not inclined to understand this way of making a bargain. He declared he did not want to go for a soldier, was indeed a poor but honest man, had a family of small children with stomachs to fill, and would never get absolution if he took an oath he did not intend to respect. The absolution seemed to trouble him most. But tlic sergeant and his com- rades were insensible to these appeals, and wliile one took charge of his basket of loaves, the others brought THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 91 liim hy force into tlie building, wliere they threatened to hang him unless he consented to be sworn in for a trooj^er. The poor fellow consented at last, though in great fear that this was only a plan to deprive him of his liberty. Indeed it was with great difficulty he could be kept from breaking away during the ceremony of mustering in. When it was over he was given the five dollars, and speedily went about his business, declaring by the saints he never would be caught in such a scrape again. Many amusing incidents of this kind might be related, showing to what ^straits we were at times pub to get one or two men to fill up a company. And now the time had come for mustering in Com- pany A, about which the big politician had caused us so much delay and trouble. We had seen nothing of either him or the melancholy man in black for several days, and fears were entertained, not that they had taken final leave of us, but that they had carried oft' the little bugler for some selfish purpose. It was very well understood that no man could blow his own trum- pet better than the big politician, and what need the melancholy man in black could have for the little bu- gler, unless it was to carry his weighty sabre, none of us could tell. Nor could we understand the remark- able and deep sympathy existing between the melan- choly man and the big politician, for while the latter was a man of huge stomach and small brain, a Falstaff in vanity, and exceedingly illiterate, the former was a man of cultivated tastes. Indeed he was something of an artist, as well as a poet, and was given to writing sonnets to ladies, and painting flowers for their albums. 92 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Just as ilic company was a.boiit to proceed to the election of officers, we were all surprised to see tliebig politician come tramping into the circle in all liis magnificence, followed by the melancholy man in black and the little shark-moutlied bugler. He stood expand- ing himself for a fev/ minutes, then began circulating among and conversing with the men. One or two of them assured him" he was immensely popular with every man in the company, and would undoubtedly be .elected their captain. This gave him encouragement. He was sure they could not desire a more warlike leader. And he warned them not to forget how great a responsibility they were about to assume, and how necessary it was that they elect men of first rate military talent and gentlemen for officers. Such qualities, he was proud to say, he had been told he possessed. But that was neither here nor there ; he had seen service in Mexico, and had a good record, notwithstanding some evil- minded persons (and he always loved his enemies) had said they could not find it. Now the men of tliis company were remarkable for their intelligence, and received what the big politician said as a very good off'set to the joke they were attempt- ing to play on him. Indeed they induced him to write a vote for every man, to whom he gave particular in- structions what to do with it. But, to the great sur- prise of all those not in the secret, when the votes came to be opened and counted tliey were all for Ogle, Avho was proclaimed captain with loud cheers. Tlie big politician affected not to understand this ; thought the men must have made a mistake, shook his head, and THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 93 at last intimated that lie would go where first rate mill- tar}^ talent was in better demand. " Hard, hard," he said, running his fingers through his bushy hair, " that wlien a man is brave he can't have a chance to show it." Some of the men expressed great sympathy for him. Olne hoped to meet him on the battle-field. An- other intended to vote for him, and it was through a mistake that he did not. A third declared him fit for a Brigadier General. A fourth knew he would get the stars if the authorities at Washington only knew as much of him as we did. He had a bow for every one of these compliments. There lie stood for some time frisking his fingers through his shaggy hair, and hint- ing that the time would come when first rate military talent would be appreciated. Again he took his de- parture, followed by the melancholy man, who, at tliat time, was always to be found in his shadow. We had now nine companies mustered in ; eight in New York and one under Captain Boyd, in Philadel- phia. And I must here say that Captain Boyd was making great efforts to be the first company of volun- teer cavalry in the field. C U A P T E R XI. BULL RUN. At the time these ])leasaiit and somewhat amusing pceucs were being performed in New York, (say from July ITth to July 23d, 1861) others of more terrible importance to the nation were being enacted on the plains of Manassas. The first battle of Bull Run, if indeed it rises to the dignity of a battle, had been fought with most disastrous results to the nation's honor and arms. The nation's brain was reeling under the burden of its conceits when this battle was fought, and the political foll}^ that assumed to control the ac- tion of our army was clearly illustrated in the result. An army of thirty thousand men, composed chiefly of undisciplined militia, good enough for ornaments in fair weather, but not to be depended on as fighting soldiers, badly officered and indiff"erently equipped, vain of its own strength and yet so weak that it was ready to crumble to pieces under the first shock of battle, marched forth with great pomp and circumstance, conhdent of its ability to crush an army equal in num- bers, holding positions of great strength, and whose THE STORY OV A TROOPER. 95 power ill earnestness and courage onr rulers at Wasli- ington had not tlioiiglit it worth while to consider. There were those who expressed great surprise that this thing of show and glitter, of such great cost to the people who had fondled it as a child fondles a new toy, should have been beaten. But there was really nothing in it to be surprised at. Folly always pays such pen- alties for its crimes. What, indeed, was to have been expected of an army in which whole regiments, on the eve of a battle in which their country's honor was to be staked, refused to obey orders and asserted their right to return home because their last day of enlist- ment was come ? In other regiments officers were encouraging a spirit of insubordination among their men because of some fancied default in rations on the part of Government. And, too, there were regiments that broke up and scattered at the firing of the first gun. One regiment was so ready to exchange its honor and the honor of tlie country for its own safety, as to march off the field witli the echoes of the enemy's guns sounding in its ears. In a word, there were far too many in the ranks of this showy army who considered themselves the superiors of their officers, and who were always ready to make personal considerations an ex- cuse for their bad actions. To hold a general respon- sible for the acts of such an army is to insist that he shall do what is beyond the power of man. While, however, other nations regarded war as the greatest scourge they could be inflicted Avith, and re- quiring their most serious attention, our people had felt none of the horrors incident to it, and were inclined 96 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. to treat it in the light of a novelty ; something out of which money was to be got, and profit made by tlic excitement it was to keep the country in while it lasted. This truth finds an apt illustration in the conduct of that immense rear guard of civilians of all classes that swarmed over the hills and spread over the fields of Fairfax county ; that followed and blocked up the roads in the rear of the army, and made itself joyous with the hope of being an amused spectator at a slaugh- ter of human beings. There, mingling in that strange mob, were grave Senators and common excitement seekers, Congressmen and gamblers, political char- letans and the professional gentleman common to Wash- ington, the writer, the actor, and the artist, the woman of chaste virtue and the painted harlot. Light-hearted and giddy-headed, the anxiety with which each pressed forward to be at the scene of battle first, reminded one of the Romans of other days, when they went to a fight between wild beasts, or the English of to-day as they fill the roads t)n their way to the Derby races. And then there was to be a feast after tlie fight, and such as could carried with them abundant luxuries to spread the banquet tables. These scenes, which every serious thinker contemplates with a feeling of sadness, did no credit to either the lieads or hearts of those who participated in them. . They were there as excitement seekers, and notliing else ; they were there hoping to find enjoyment in tlie most savage scenes^ human inge- nuity can devise. But the injury did not stop here. It interfered with and confused the action of the army, excited the fears of the timid, and greatly increased THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 97 tlie magnitude of our disasters when we retreated. The wonder is that such an army, surrounded by so many bad elements, commanded by a ^general it soon saw was unequal to tlie position, and fighting under such adverse, circumstances, should not have been thrown into disorder and panic sooner. Let us turn now and look at tlie southern army as it appeared on the day of battle. A lower state of civil- ization ruled in the ranks of that army; but candor compels us to admit that it was better officered and more capable of effective handling than ours. These were, indeed, essential advantages in the fighting ma- terial of our army. And then the ofiicers of that army were stern, earnest, and resolved. We cannot deny many of them the claim that they believed they were there to fight for principles as dear to them as liberty itself. It was our error not to place a proper value upon this stern earnestness of the South when the war began. And, too, the men composing the rank and file of the southern army were stimukited to action b}^ the firm belief that tliey were fighting for their homes and all that is dear to home. That belief had increased into a fanaticism more terrible and dangerous than that which at tlie North had driven our rulers at Washington to send an army into the field to fight before it was ready. Nor must it be forgotten that the institution of slav^- ery had done its part in making these men fierce fanatics and formidable in war. The institution re- quired a severe discipline for its proper regulation ; and the enforcement of that discipline had its effect in 5 08 TUE STORY OF A TROOPER. steeliog the hearts of the lower classes against suffering and torture. It made the ignorant white man brutal, and yet subservient to the intelligent and rich. It accustomed men to the use of arms, made them vigilant, reckless of human life, savage in dealing with the weak, and quick to put their courage to the test, if onh' for effect. Among the ruling classes slavery begat a spirit of command and feeling of superiority. The man who had been reared and educated among, and indeed all his life witnessed the utter abjectness of his slaves, whose word was law, and who felt that he was to be promptly obeyed in everything, was not to blame for considering himself a superior being, born to command. Southern society, too, had constituted itself a tribunal for the test of courage, and these tests, so frequently applied between gentlemen, engendered elements of character which, however much to be admired when under proper control, became fierce and warlike when aroused. It was the southern man's worst error that he carried this spirit of command and feeling of supe- riority out into the world with him, and in his haste to exercise them offensively over his equals, made enemies where he needed friends. These elements of character, however dangerous and to be deprecated in private life, were just what were required to make an army fierce and formidable. Our army had all these quali- ties to acquire through training and experience in the field. The northern man had also done much to in- crease the southern man's belief that he was much his superior in courage. And this belief, with its joint value in war, the southern man brought into the field THE STOKY OF A TROOPER. 99 with liim. Was it then matter for surprise that these armies, brought together under such circumstances, should have produced the result they did ? The very savaQ:eness with which some of the southern regiments fought cast a feeling of terror into the ranks of our more undisciplined troops. Nor had the battle pro- ceeded far when it became evident to both the officers and men of our army, that the southern troops were being handled with superior skill ; that our general, if he had a definite plan, was taking no proper meas- ures to carry it out. Some regiments were fighting without orders, and in confusion ; batteries that lost their positions had no one to tell them where to take new ones ; regiments that ought, to have been active in the fight stood looking on ; and the reserve stood waiting for orders it never received. All these things combined to excite the fears of our men, and once this fear broke into a panic, control was beyond human power. Soldiers and civilians became mingled in the confused and terrified mass, made more desperate in its struggle for safety by the shadows of a few cavalry-men the infantry had turned its back upon. The broad landscape now became dark with this terror-stricken mob, rushing back in wild disorder upon Washington, to alarm the country with a thousand stories of blood and savagery, and make the Government feel itself a mere child. General McDowell returned to Washington a forlorn soldier without an army. His army, if an army it might have been called, liad got there before him, a disordered mob, scattered through the streets of a 100 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. capital it had left at the mercy of an enemy ignorant that its gates had been tlirown wide open to him. I have searched in vain through most tliat has been written on this battle for an intelligent analysis of the cause of the panic that seized on our troops. General Barnard says " we should liave undoubtedly gained a victory but for the panic that seized on our troops ;" and Doctor Bellows, an equally profound authority on military philosophy, says, " I am told that we really gained the victory, but threw it away on our fears." I have no doubt that both these wise conclusions will be fully appreciated by an intelligent people. Every mil- itary man of observation knows that fear and its effects have much to do in deciding battles. But when fear in an army degenerates into a panic, the cause must be looked for in its discipline and generalship. Some writer has said fear was the great quicksand of the human breast, but no one could tell where and when its sands were going to shift. It certainly makes children of timid men ; and it even disfigures the ac- tions, at time«, of the brave. Shall we, then, a natu- rally brave people, credit to fear our first great misfor- tune on the plains of Manassas ? We ought, I think, to look for it in the character of our generals. Still, out of this great misfortune there came good. It taught us to distinguish between the value of a fair weather and a fighting soldier. It exposed the worth- lessness of our conceits and reformed the ideas of the nation, if not the Government, as to what really con- stituted an effective army. It ought, also, to have opened the blind eyes of the Government to the real THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 101 value of military experience in conducting a war. But it did not. The dainty fingers of the men who had been most active in producing this disaster — in urging an army to fight before it was ready, were still per- mitted to meddle with the business of generals, and to work mischief for our cause. These men wanted to reverse the old standard rule of war, and place the reformer in advance of the soldier. Who is there to-day that can tell us what their attempts to make experiment take the place of reason has cost the nation in blood and treasure ? c n A r T E R X I T IN CAMP. Our little town under canvas, as it nestled among tlie deep green foliage and under the breezy shades of the tall trees of Elm Park, was fast filling up with a strange mixture of people. It began, too, to put on a busy and military air. The Germans and Americans had drawn well defined lines of distinction, and indeed pitched their tents on separate ground. There were Austrians, Prussians, Poles, and Hungarians composing the former, and, as a natural result, there was at times some bad blood manifested between " the nationalities. '^ The Irish and Scotch joined the American companies, the former always being ready for a fight with " the Dutchmen," as they called the Germans. Now and then they amused us with a little tongue fight across the street, in which sundry challenges would be sent and returned; an Irishman offering to bet a bottle of whisky — of which dangerous fluid he had taken a little too much — that he could wliip six Dutchmen; or a Ger- man offering to bet a keg of lager that he could whip ten Irishmen before eating his supper. Sometimes THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 103 tliese tongue battles ended with an Irishman and a Dutchman being sent to the guard-house to keep com- pany and cultivate more fricndl}^ relations. Not un- frequently these quarrels were in pantomime of the fiercest description, one party not understanding a word of what the other said. This camp life has its quaint lights and shades. It develops and brings boldly out all the good and bad qualities of men — all their virtues and their vices. Here the gentle and generous nature performs its mis- sion of good for others. Here the firm will and the stout heart of the physically weak rise superior and assert their dignity over tlie man of coarse nature. Strange associations are formed in camp ; warm, sincere, and enduring friendships spring up between men, and will be remembered and cherished through life. Charity takes a broader range in camp, heart meets heart in all its longings; strangers from a distance meet to be- come friends and brothers; tent shares its bread audits bottle witli tent next door, and tlie faults and follies of men are judged in a more generous and Christian spirit than that which rules in higher places. Here every man tells tlie story of his life's love and disap- pointment. Here, over a pipe, after taps, the man who has roamed over the world in search of fortune, re- lates his strange advenUu-es to his listening compan- ions, whose sympathies he touches and whose bounty he is sure to share, for the world's unfortunates always find a warm friend in the true soldier. In camp, as our army is composed, rich and poor meet in the ranks as equals, and the educated and the ignorant find shelter 104 ■ THE STORY OF A TROOPER. under one tent. Tliey are here as brotliers, enlisted for a common purpose, to stand shoulder to sl)Oulder against a fierce enemy, and figlit to preserve tlie very life of their country. And the arm finds strengtli wlien sure that true friends are near. We liad reached that stage wlien tlie realities of a soldier's life, and Avhat was before ns during the three years of our enlistment, became subjects of conversa- tion. What dangers we would liave to share, wliat hardships we should have to undergo, what scenes of blood to witness, and perhaps participate in ; how many of us would fall in battle, or die of disease and neelect ; how many of us would return to recount in pleasant homes all the vicissitudes of war our 'regiment had passed through, were subjects of contemplation as well as conversation. Tliese subjects, too, Avere much enlarged by Ihe old soldiers, who found apparent de- light in exciting tlie fears of the timid and hesitating. Love also had leaped the gates of our camp, and we had more than one case where the tender passion was yielding to the charm of Mars. Every fine afternoon a pretty, elastic-stepping girl of eigliteen used to come tripping over tlie lawn, her black braided hair arranged in such beautiful folds, and her eyes beaming with love and tenderness, to see one of our handsome captains. We had several, aiid they were just out in bright new uniforms, which gave them quite a soldierly appear- ance. The other captains envied this one the beautiful captive he was soon, as report had it, to carry off. He would meet her half way down the lawn, and there was something for a bachelor to envy in the sweet THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 105 smile that played over lier pale oval face as the distance shortened between tliem. Then there was the warm, liearty shake of the hand; he had a sly but honest way of imprinting a kiss on her peachy cheek. And there were other little love tokens so tenderly expressed that it needed only a glance to read in them how truly heart was speaking to heart. She would always bring him some little present. Then they would stroll together to the tent door, and sit talking their heart secrets until some duty called him away. I have seen her sit working some piece of worsted for him, her soft eyes looking up lovingly in his face as his hand stole under her shawl and almost unconsciously around her waist. And then* he bid her such an envied good-by as he left her at the gate, and waved his handkerchief as she turned half way down the lane to toss a last fond adieu for the night. This was the high noon of their love dream, and Heaven was sweetening the enchant- ment with the perfume of flowers. And there was a pretty blue-eyed blonde, with round, cherub-like face, and curls the breeze used to play with as she came, tripping Avith such artless gaiety down the lq.wn to see one of our dashing lieutenants. Her tight-fitting bodice, cut after the fashion of a habit, gave a bewitching roundness to her form ; and there was something so childish, so artless in her manners that it seemed as if Heaven had blessed her witli the sweetest of natures. We called her the June flower of our camp, and gave her a hearty welcome, for her presence was like bright sunshine after a dark storm. She brought the young lieutenant flowers, put his tent 5* 106 THE STORY OF A TROOPEK. in order, and rollicked about witli the air of a girl just from school. And the young lieutenant was so proud of her, patted her so gently on the shoulder, and spoke in such tones of kindness. And when they parted, I could see that a feeling of sadness invaded her light heart, for a tear would brighten like a diamond in her blue eyes, and then write the story of her love down her cheeks as she went away. • Our camp at times would also be enlivened by an aged, leather-faced woman in big spectacles. Armed with a bundle of tracts she would distribute them among us; tell us what the Lord was doing for us, and how we would need his help in battle, and must pray to Him, and read the tract before we slept. This 'aged lady was in no very high favor with our parson, (we had got both a parson and a doctor,) who regarded her efforts as an infringement of his right to get us all made Christians in his own way. Nor did the doctor and the parson quite agree as to the best way to save the souls of soldiers. Indeed, they too often had tiieir lit- tle differences as to what sort of medicine would best improve the spiritual and physical condition of the men. But the doctor generally got the best of it, for he was active and skillful, and what was more, gained favor with the men by setting them good examples, while the parson, eloquent enough in speech and prayer, was weak in the flesh, and so given to the bottle as to become its slave. Love also had its votaries among our German compan- ions across the road. A little frisky Dutch woman, with a bright bulging forehead, and a face like an over-fed THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 107 doll, and dressed in pink and blue, would come of /an afternoon to see little Bob the lig'lit-horseman. B-ob Tv^as now a lieutenant, had a t<^nder and generous hyart, and never went into a neio'liborhood without faHins; in love with all the small women in it. There was lio happier being in this world than Bob when the little frisky Dutch woman sat at his side in froiU of his tent, with empty beer kegs for seats. She olways brought something good for Bob, which they enjoyed with the addition of a bottle of Rhine wine. Ti.>e captains, too, had their jolly buxom wives, who came and spent the day, setting their husbands' tents in order, preparing good dinners, and adding an air of che;3rfulness to the camp. Indeed our German side of the camp seemed to be in favor with the women, who brought abundance of good cheer to their friends. Notwithstanding the pleasant scenes I have described above, they were at times marred with acts which told us how much bad blood had been stirred up by some one between the Germans and Americans. That there sliould have been any bad feeling between us was a misfortune, and arose solely from a misunderstanding as to the temper and intentions of the Americans to- wards the Germans. Tliis misunderstanding was caused by the bad influence of one man. Indeed, the Americans were kindly disposed towards the Germans, and ready to give them credit for more knowledge of cavalry, and better skill as soldiers. In truth, all that was required to make us good friends was a better knowledge one of the otlier, and the exercise of a con- ciliatory spirit. And these followed when we had 108 THE STOEY OF A TROOPER. bv^en a short time in the field, and formed a better ac- qijiaintance. In trutli, the time came wlien American officers were so much in favor with the men of tlie Ger- man companies tliat they were pleased when placed under their command. This was no doubt owing to the fact that American officers were more tolerant and less severe vdth their men than the Germans. Indeed, I have noticed in regiments made up chiefly of Ger- mans that there was no very good feeling existing be- tween the men and their officers. It becomes dow my duty to record the first appear- ance of a batt]e. The morning of the 28th of July was warm and sunny. It was nearly noon when the calm of our camp was suddenly broken by signs of war. The hotel near by was the scene of great commotion. Somebody had insulted somebody. Angry words had been exchanged for blows. The slumbering unity of the nationalities had become disturbed, and it seemed as if satisfaction was to be got only through the sabre and pistol. The commotion which began at the hotel, soon spread to our camp, and officers and men were only too ready to take part in it. Men did not stop to think, while the report ran with lightning speed that there was a fight between the Germans and Amer- icans. Officers buckled on tlieir sabres and, grasping their pistols, called on tlieir men to form in line. The little bugler, who had been roaming here and there in search of some one to give him an order, raised his horn and blew what sounded very like "boots and sad- dles." Then he seized a l)ig knife in one hand, and with bis bugle in the other, took position at the right of Com- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 109 pany A. The fat Dutch bugler was not to be outdone by the little bugler, and raising his hoin blew a most dis- cordant strain, sending the ruddy faced Dutch women screamino- to the tents of their husbands and sweet- hearts. Men armed themselves at this signal, some with sticks and clubs, others with rusty old sabres, crooked as reaping hooks, and of so strange a pattern that one of our officers declared they must have been used in the wars of the Assyrians who had bequeathed them to the ancestors of the Union Defense Committee, which loaned them to us with an injunction that we were not to take them to the field. The German officers seemed to have little control over their men, who turned out in great confusion, talked loudly, and threatened to do an immense deal of harm. Several times they broke into disorder, and advanced as if to make a sud- den and desperate charge; and as many times they halted, as if to exhaust their courage in loud and fierce denun- ciation. The American companies were not to be daunted by loud talk, and stood firm, and with solid ranks, ready to receive the attack. Germ.an offi- cers began expostulating with American officers, but as one could not understand a word the other said, the more they attempted to reconcile matters the more ex- citement they made among the men, who began to be- lieve the trouble was to result in a fight between their officers. There was every sign now that blood would be shed, and the peace of the camp seriously dis- turbed. Our little bugler blew another blast of his horn, and the officers told their men to stand firm, and the fat 110 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Dutch bugler answered with a shrill blast from his horn. This was followed by a sudden movement on the German side of the field, as if a real charge was to be made. Two lucky circumstances occurred just at this moment, and to these circumstances I am in- debted for not having to record what might have been one of the bloodiest battles in the history of this war. Little Bob, the light-horseman, with com- mendable courage, threw himself, with drawn sabre, among his countrymen and pleaded for peace. And just as he did this our colonel appeared on the field, and his presence was the signal for a stay of hostilities. Great efibrt was now made to get at the cause of the misunderstanding, to do which required the exercise of a good deal of patience. First the men were sent to their tents, to which they went with some reluctance. Then such of the officers as were most in- clined to peace met in council, and after much and pa- tient research, discovered wdiat the cause of the trouble was, and likewise came to an agreement as to the sat- isfaction. It seems that a German had said or done something whereby the wife of one of our officers, a lady of very sensitive feelings, considered herself in- sulted. The husband came forward as the guardian of his wife's honor, as was natural enough, and threatened, or really did, chastise the offender. On this point, however, the testimony was somewhat confused ; nor did what the little bugler said concerning it Iielp to make it a bit clearer ; for although he swore to seeing a "Dutchman struck in the stomach," to use his own language, he was of opinion the blow came from '' another Dutchman," and not from the lady's husband. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Ill It was now agreed for the Germans, on the first part, and the Americans, on the second, that the offender or offenders when found sliould be sent to the guard-house for two days on short rations ; that tliey should be reprimanded and advised not to do so again. Now, as these terms were accepted as satisfactory, the husband regained his usual good nature, and the lady ceased weeping, and indeed spent the rest of the day in an in- nocent flirtation. As to tlie officers they spent the rest of the day over such good cheer as their friends had provided, thankful that they had escaped without a scar. We were not, however, to leave Elm Park without a real fight; and the shedding of some blood. Tues- day, the 4th of August, witnessed a scene more serious in its results. At another point of the same park there was encamped the nucleus of a cavalry regiment, call- ing itself the " Lincoln Greens," which seemed like an attempt to steal the name of our regiment. These " Greens" were made up chiefly of Austrian s, for whom the Germans of our regiment had the bitterest hate. There were the Prussians, who regarded them as arro- gant cowards ; the Hungarians, who despised them in their hearts ; and ^ the Poles, who only wanted an op- portunity to pay off the old national score against them. It can readily be seen what a state of feeling must have existed between these conflicting elements. Tlie " Greens," too, were inclined to fly a high feather when speaking of our Germans. This bad feeling grew more deep and bitter every day. The men had enjoyed little fights between themselves, which their officers had regarded with indifference. 112 . THE STORY OF A TROOPER. About two o'clock of the day I liave named, several pistol shots, in rapid succession, Avere heard in the vi- cinity of the hotel, the scene where almost every disturb- ance began. These were followed by loud calls for help. Then came the clashing of sabres, the heavy blows of clubs, and such otlier weapons as were at hand. A re- port spread through the camp like lightning that the Germans of the Lincoln Cavalry were fighting with the "Lincoln Greens." The excitement became general. Officers and men seized their weapons and prepared for battle. Again the report of pistol shots rang on the ' ear, and word came that one man had been killed and two severely wounded. The fighting was on the brow of a hill, down which our Germans were being pressed slowly, before superior numbers. The American officers held their men in restraint, being inclined to let the Germans fight it out between themselves, and not caring much which got hurt most. Indeed, the only Americans much concerned about it were our colonel and the little bugler. The first gave orders our Germans neither understood nor obeyed, for, hav- ing armed themselves with all sorts of weapons, and particularly the old sabres of the Union Defense Com- mittee, rushed up the hill to reinforce their hard- pressed comrades ; the second made the noise and con- fusion more intense by blowing all manner of calls on his bugle. And these calls brought out the fat Dutch bugler, wlio blew away until his very face turned purple, making a noise that rose high above the clash of arms. The reinforcements at once took up the fight, which THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 113 became desperate and bloody, considering tlie ancient cliaracter of the weapons tliej fonglit with. One wounded man after another was carried to a place of safety, bleeding. But the Greens were overpowered and began to fall back, at first in regular order, tlien in considerable confusion. The Germans fought with great earnestness, and were not inclined to show much mercy to their enemies, whose officers had souglit safety in the kitclien of the hotel. Finally, there was a gen- eral rout of the Greens, wlio fled in disorder across the fields towards the park, followed and beaten by our infuriated troopers. The Colonel ordered tlie re- call sounded ; the little bugler ran until he was out of breath, mounting one stone wall after another, and sounding the recall, which eclioed over the fields, un- heeded. Tlie fat Dutch bugler was ordered to follow and sound the recall, but he was no more successful in bringing back the fierce victors than was the little buffler. In less tlian half an hour from the time the fio'ht beo-an, not a " Lincoln Green" was to be seen in the adjacent fields. When our men returned, which they did of their own accord, they were cursed by their officers for scoundrels, and sent to their tents, to which they went willingly enough, knowing that what they had done had the secret, if not avowed, approba- tion of their superiors. Some of our German officers then made a search for the officers of the Lincoln Greens, and finding them in their various hiding places, cursed them rii^rht soundlv for cowards who had incited their men to these desperate acts, and then refused to share in the result. High words passed and blows 114 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. had nearly followed, when our parson stepped in as a peace maker. And the good efforts of the parson, who declared that blood enough had been shed on the Lord's day, and that he would hold service in the after- noon, to whicli he invited them all, were increased by the pleadings of two frightened women, sweethearts of the Austrian officers, whom they saved from fur- ther harm by the profuseness of their tears. The result of this terrible battle, fought between the na- tionalities, on the friendly soil of Elm Park, and of which no account has heretofore been written, were three Lincoln Greens wounded, one seriously and two slightly. Two men of the Lincoln Cavalry received severe cuts. I must not forget to record here that this battle was fought without a general or reporter. CHAPTER XIIT. FIRST REAL CAYALRY FIGHT OF THE WAR, WITH OTHER MATTERS. On tlie 5tlj of August onr American companies broke camp at Elm Park and moYcd to Bellevue garden, on the East river, leaving our German friends to recon- cile matters witli tlieir Austrian enemies. It was a pleasant breezy spot, tliis new camp of ours, overlook- ing one of the prettiest scenes on the East river, and affording good bathing for the men. And we had kind and hospitable neighbors, whose families cheered us with their little gifts, and did all in tlieir power to make our stay comfortable. These little attentions have always a good effect on the conduct of the men, since by them they are reminded how mucli they are thought of by those wdiom war does not call to the field. Tlie question began to be frequently asked why were we not off to the field, when there w^as so much need of us there. The fact Tvas we were waiting for the tailor. We had l)een supplied with tents, but had not received our clothing. And the tailor was not to be hurried, though the fate of the nation depended on his efforts. The Government had ordered our uniforms 110 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. made in New York, and there Lad been a difference between the tailor and the Post Quartermaster, tlie tailor wanting a few cents more a suit than the Quar- termaster was williijo- to pay. Hence the delay. In fact, there is no knowing how much our arms have suf- fered by these misunderstandings and banterings over a few shillings between exacting tailors and unyielding quartermasters. While we were quietly smoking our pipes at head- quarters one morning, news came that the big politician had been seen down town in a military cap, and yel- low stripes down his breeches. This had a look of cavalry in it. Ogle cast a glance at Harkins ; Stearns exchanged a sad expression of face with Hidden ; Harry turned to Bailey, and shaking his head, said : *' If there is any manhood left in the fellow, he won't make another attempt to get into this regiment." " He will," said the man who brouo-lit the news. " He is doing it now. He has got authority from the Colonel to raise a company of Germans for this regi- ment, and as he won't understand a word they say, much happiness may he have with them. And I can tell you this, too." continued the man, knowingly, " he is raising money from citizens to pay his recruiting expenses." " Money ! " interrupted one of the company, " why, where is the fortune he has been boasting about ?. Like Lis common sense, we have not seen the color of it yet." The news was indeed true, and cast a feeling of sad- ness over the Camp, since it foreshadowed the fact that a man was to be forced upon us whose presence in the THE STOllY OF A TEOOPER. 117 reo-iment was sure to keep it in perpetual trouble. That a man so ver}^ unacceptable to the Americans, and who liad been rejected by them, should liave been authorized to raise a company of men wliose language he could not speak, showed us too plainly that some grave wrong was to be perpetrated. Now, there was among t]ie Germans a man of the name of Gustavo Otto, a Quixotic sort of person, who had dashed about in a gay uniform, big spurs, and a dangling sabre, and otherwise assumed the mighty man of war. Otto had served in the cavalry in Europe, knew something of the tactics, and was, so far as looks went, a soldier. But he was inclined to be cruel, and had an excessively bad temper, which led him into frequent quarrels with his fellow-countrymen. He aspired to the captaincy of one of tlie German companies ; but failing to get a vote when they were organized, was left outside. In truth the men were afraid of him, just as ours were of the big politician. These two men now joined fortunes, and with the addition of the melancholy man, who still wore his black clothes, formed a sort of mutual sym- pathy society, for I must here mention that the last named gentleman, having failed to get a position in the regiment, had taken to writing poetry of a heavy order. This trio of forsaken men now held frequent meetings, discussed their misfortunes over frothy lager, and were joined by the parson, who evinced remarkable sympa- thy for them, and would share their cups until his mind got into a lofty niood. To tell the truth. Father Ruley had a free use of blarney when under the influence of his cups, and it was seldom he was not. " Faith, gen- 118 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. tlemen, there never was such injured men as yourselves since the world began. Leave the matter to me, and I'll have the three of you generals afore the war's over," he would say. But if they found sympathy in the parson, they were as thoroughly hated by the doc- tor, who was a man of courage, and said what lie tliought of them to their faces. I verily believe he would have found pleasure in making a pill to send them all to the devil, and thus end their mischief. He was willing to excuse the parson getting a little tipsey at times, but he would have him look better after the souls of the men, that being the business the country paid him for. The authority then to raise this new "German com- pany," was given to Otto and the big politician ; to the iirst,'that he miglit have a company to command ; to the second, that he should be eligible as quartermaster when the regiment was organized, a position he had laid siege to with an energy worthy of a better cause. Captain Lord and Lieutenant Pendegrast, two gentle- men from Ireland, were also authorized to raise a com- pany, and were exerting every energy to that end. And here I must leave this stale matter for the pres- ent, and request the reader to bear me company into the field beyond Washington, where he shall witness the first cavalry fight of this war, for Captain Tomp- kins' charge into Vienna, dashing as it was, could not be called a fight. While we were quietly wondering and waiting under the breezy shades of Belle vue Gar- den and Elm Park — waiting for the tailor, and won- dering wlien we should get orders to proceed to the THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 119 field, Captain W. H. Boyd, with an energy worthy of all commendation, had filled up his company in Phila- delphia ; was mustered in on the 19th of July ; proceeded to Washington on the 22d, and in less than ten days from that time was mounted and equipped, and doing service in the field, scouting the country beyond Fair- fax Seminary. Tliose who expect me to describe a battle, in which fierce charges and counter-charges were made, where great skill in the use of the sabre was displayed, and hand to hand combats were waged for the mastery ; or, indeed, where any very clever horsemanship was to be seen on either side, will be disappointed. I am going to describe a cavalry fight just as it was, and just as any sensible man, with the slightest knowledge of cavalry, must have known it would be, made np, as one side was, of troopers fresh from their firesides in Pennsylvania, and to whom war was a new business. There were good men in this company, men not wanting in courage ; but, like all other companies and regiments, it had its share of men who are quick to take alarm at the first sign of danger, and, what is worse, to so communicate their alarm to others as to make its eftect general. Such men as these are always seeking to excuse their want of cour- age by casting reflections on the competency of their commander. It is true, however, that nothing so stimulates the courage of soldiers, and especially such as are new to the field, as the knowledge that their commander is a soldier and competent to take proper care of them in a fight. A fool for an officer will be sure to make brave men appear like cowards ; and 120 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. notliiiiQ: is so true as that in the Army of the Potomac we have had too many fools and knaves at the head of regiments of brave men. It was early in August that Captain Boyd, with his company of gallant troopers, might liave been seen Avinding over tlie hills beyond Fairfax Seminary, leaving the Little River turnpike to tlie left, and heading to- wards Fairfax Court House. Butler's Big Bethel, and Schenck's wonderful display of military science, as shown in his charge backward into the enemyis coun- try with a locomotive and train filled with soldiers, were still fresh in the minds of our men. Masked bat- teries and ambuscades were our dread, and Captain Boyd very wisely felt his way with great caution. An advance guard was out, and flankers were kept con- stantly in motion. Every clump of woods ahead was regarded as an excellent lurking place for the enemy, now made bold by his success at Bull Run, and who had the advantage of knowing every foot of the country. These clumps of wood were the signal given every few min- utes for a halt. This done, men were sent cautiously forward to scour the woods, or, in the event of discov- ering a force concealed there, to return and report. Several of tliese positions, regarded as extremely dan- gerous, were passed in safety, the gallant troopers breathing freer when the report came that no enemy was near. And I am sure there were no braver troop- ers to be found than our boys when they heard the ad- vance sounded, and were told that the road ahead was clear. Nor must I forget to mention here that the gal- lant captain heard only with one ear. The other, how- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 1*21 ever was particularly sharp, and tlie quickness with which he lent it to the amusing reports of every negro he met in the road was remarkable. If the negro car- ried a bundle, and were a fugitive in search of freedom and our lines, his appearance was sure to cause a halt. In most cases the negro was a prodigy of intelli- gence, a perfect index to all rebel secrets, an inti- mate acquaintance of Mr. Jefferson Davis, and very recently enjoying friendly relations with General Beau- regard, who had, while at breakfast one morning, given him the exact strength and position of his army. Here was a storehouse of valuable knowledge, just what our general in command wanted, what the country needed, and what the necessities of a free press demanded for the entertainment of its readers. The gallant captain knowing what a hungry ear the public had for the sto- ries of these very reliable colored gentlemen fresh from Secessia, would send them as fast as picked up to head- quarters. Indeed, he was already becoming famous for the amount of this kind of loose wisdom he had secured for the benefit of the country. The trouble with this person, known subsequently as the " intelligent contra- band," was that he knew so much more of the rebel army than it was possible for even General Beauregard to know, that our generals were astonished rather than instructed by the magnitude of what he had to tell. If, also, a hapless farmer left his plow and came to peer over his gate at the uncommon sight, a halt was called, and the farmer made to discover all he knew about the country ahead ; how the roads ran, and where they intersected ; whether he had seen any of 6 ^ 122 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. the enemy, in what force they were, and indeed all he knew concerning the enemy and his movements. And this poor hapless man was made to say much he did not want to sa}^, and in his fear give such information to-day as miglit appear wrong to-morrow. He must save his property, and keep his family from starvation ; to do whicii he must be a Union man to-day and a rebel to-morrow, just as one force or the other might charge down upon his acres. The rebels will to day threaten to burn his house down over his head unless he tells them all, and in truth more than all, he knows concern^ ing our movements. To-morrow some Union officer, flushed with the great importance of small power, will threaten to burn his house down unless he discloses all the information concerning the enemy in his possession. The question recurs to him, what is a poor man to do with two such friends ? I can affirm that between them both his house is almost sure of being burnt down, and his family sent to wander homeless, perhaps among un- sympathising enemies. One party would not believe him when he told tlie truth, the other always suspected him of knowing much more than he was willing to tell. He might to-morrow discover an enemy in the officer he had to-day mistaken for a friend. I have come to believe that no greater misfortune can befall a man than to live on ground separating the fronts of con- tending armies during war. Both are sure to want his sympathy, to distrust his sincerity, and neither can give him permanent protection — the only thing that will make him of any real value to either side. The Gov- ernment cannot, or will not, give him power to assert THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 123 his manhood to-day; to-morrow it may make him a mar- tyr to events he had no part in producing. He was indeed fortunate if he escaped being made a prisoner, and carried off by some young officer, vain of his au- thority and in search of promotion. If you would know the number of these hapless and now homeless beings, you may read it on those tall gaunt and black piles by the road-sides of Virginia, writing their tales of wantonness in clear and sharp lines against the mid- night sky. These black remnants of war are no proof that tref'-r.^n once had a,hiding place here. They mark alike the spots where good Union men, as well as reb- els once had happy homes. I have wandered somewhat from my subject to show how dangerous it was to act upon information picked up in the manner here described, and more especially at that time. The Government had great faith in the "intelligent contraband," and so had the "friends of the party ;" but our generals in the field knew that on questions of fact he was somewhat like his rebel mas- ter, a very uncertain person. Boyd and his company of gallant troopers advanced cautiously, exploring the country rod by rod, and mile by mile; halting every few minutes to pick up information, after the manner described above. They had now reached a piece of woods, were advancing through it and approaching a spot where the road forked and opened into a clear- ing. A halt was suddenly made, the flankers closed in quickly, and the advance guard was seen returning at rapid speed, and making such signs of " danger ahead" as spread general alarm among the men. One 124 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. of the advance guard came up, and reported " a large army of the enemy " just ahead and moving down upon us. Delivering his report in a hurried and excitable manner, the man was about to put spurs to his already jaded aniuial, and make the best time he could back to the Seminary ; but the company, whicli had been ad- vancing by fours, now stood in that position, blocking up the road. This, however, only seemed to increase liis excitement, which had already began to sliow its effect injuriously on a majority of the company. The captain hesitated for a minute, as if undecided what to do, or what command to give next. Cavalry move- ments require quick thought and quick action. Two more of the advance guard were seen returning, and increasing their speed as they advanced. Seeing the captain hesitate, some of the men mistook-it for defi- ciency of knowledge in the tactics. Now there was an old cavalryman in the company, and it was charged upon him that he gave the command : '' By fours, left about, wheel— forward ! " It matters not who gave the command. It is enough to know that the company got about in some confusion, and away it went over the road towards camp, some trotting, some galloping, others having enough to do to keep themselves in the saddle and their horses in the road. It flashed sud- denly on the mind of the gallant captain, who was not wanting in courage, that liis men were running away before they had seen the enemy, or even tested the metal of his sabres. And it was punishment enough THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 125 that he liad to follow them in retreat, instead of leading them against the enemy in a good fight. One of the two advance guards I have described as seen returning, rode up to him and, luckily for the honor of our arms, on the side he was sharp of hearing on. " Captain," said the man, " the enemy is not in large force. It is a troop of cavalry, not stronger than we are, if as strong. They are halted. You know is short of sight. There is cattle grazing near them, and these he mistook for cavalry in re- serve." Catching what the man said with remarkable quickness, Boyd called his son, a fine young man of twenty, and bidding him follow, dashed after his troopers, and gaining the head of the now disordered column, drew his pistol, and placing himself in an atti- tude of resistance, commanded them to halt or he would shoot the first man who disobeyed orders. Seeing their captain so determined, they halted and formed in order, when he addressed them, appealing to their honor as men, to their courage as soldiers. Point- ing to his son, lie told them he was willing to sacrifice his own life and that of his son, rather than have it said they were cowards. He had more to lose than they had, but if they would stand by him, and go back and meet tlie enemy, he would stand by them. His words fell like electricity on tlie men's feelings. Courage now took the place of fear. They cheered and ex- pressed their anxiety to be led on to the fight. Wheel- ing by fours they were soon faced about and proceeding back at a brisk trot. They soon met the enemy in the edge of an open ground, when he prepared for action, 126 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. liis force being about equal to ours. The captain formed his men in line, advanced until he got within car- bine range, and then made a sudden dash upon the enemy, the men discharging their pieces as they closed up, and emptying two saddles. The suddenness and impetu- osity of the dash surprised the enemy, for lie broke in confusion and scampered down the road, our men cheering and pursuing. They soon came to where the road forked, and here the enemy divided, a few of his troopers taking one road, and the larger number the other. Our force also divided, the larger number fol- lowing the smaller of the enemy on one side, and the smaller the larger on the other. In this way they fol- lowed tlie enemy, at times discliarging their pieces, until it became evident that he was close upon his infantry reserves. The recall was now sounded, the men fell back in good order, and returned to camp^ victorious, but with the loss of one man killed. The effect of tins little fight was never lost on the men. It taught them the true value of courage, and also what advantages were to be gained by these sudden and impetuous charges on the enemy. After this they were always quick to charge whenever they met the enemy ; and no company of cavalry did better service, or performed its duty more satisfactorily during the mem- orable seven days' battles before Richmond. I have frequently noticed that the impression pro- duced on men when first led into a fight, either through defeat or victory, had much to do in shaping their con- duct during a campaign. Defeated at first, it was a difficult matter to restore their courage ; and v>^hen THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 127 brouglit a second time to face tlie enemy, tliey did it with feelings chained to tiie fear of a repulse. If vic- torious at first, it gave them a name that acted with electric effect on their future conduct. STORY OF A TROOPER. BOOIEC II- CHAPTER XIY. niGII OFFICIALS AND CONFUSION. Thanks to our tailor, who had for several weeks aspired to rule our destinies, he had fulfilled his con- tract, and we were in uniform. Still, with the excep- tion of one company, whose exploits I have described in a foregoing chapter, we were yet in New York, waiting for somebody, for something, nobody knew v.diat. We wondered why we were not ordered to the field ; the Secretary of War wondered why we did not come on ; and an impatient public began again to clamor for another forward movement to Richmond. The first onward movement had not shaken the enthu- siast's belief that to take Richmond all that was neces- sary was to move on. Mud and opposing armies formed no part of his reasoning. Our German officers, who had fared sumptuously every day, and incurred numerous and heavy bills for subsistim^ themselves and their men before musterinir in, declared their men should not move an inch until their accounts were settled. In looks, our German friends were sturdy soldiers enough ; but fhey were exceedingly exacting, and a little too much given to 13 132 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. indulge their vanity with the belief tliat no battle could be fought with success until they took the field. It was no more than right that Von Blitzen and Hans Stiennieg, who had furnished piles of bread and Bo- logna sausage, with sundry kegs of lager thrown in, should be paid. Both affected to be poor men now, though well enough off in their own dear Germany. We were all much concerned about these men, but how or from what source we were to get the money to dis- charge their bills was a question none of us had yet been able to solve. I was sent to Washington in pur- suit of knowledge, for on many things we had been working in the dark. A belief prevailed among us that the President might order these bills paid out of the secret service fund. It was the 19th of August, 18^1, when I arrived in Washington. I had letters to Mr. Seward and the President. I called on Mr. Seward first. Cold as an iceberg just out of the North Sea, he lighted his segar and smoked away, like a man without a care, and in- tent on showing how indifferent ho could be to the great events that were developing themselves all around him, and giving a new and strange cliaracter to our history. He read the letter I handed him, and having written the following on its back, returned it : " Will General Meigs please look into this. William II. Sew- ard. I have read this.'' There was no more to be done with Mr. Seward, so I left him to his segar, and proceeded to the White House. The President expressed a deep interest in the matter, saw at once what was wanted, and acted 'JIIE STORY OF A TROOPER. 133 promptly. Expressing bis surprise at the delay that had boon caused in getting the regiment forward, he wrote as follows to the Secretary of War : "Executive Mansion, ''August 19th, 1861. " Will the Secretary of War see Mr. Adams, and take measures to have this regiment come forward at once. ''(Signed,) A. LINCOLN.'^ The Secretary could and did issue an order to bring the regiment to Washington ; but his genius was at fault as to how we were to get funds to satisfy the de- mands of our German friends. He said we must jump over that difficulty in some way ; how, lie did not ex- actly see. He hinted at the Union Defence Committee; at Colonel Cummings, of the World, a newspaper with pious tendencies ; and that great medium of all good intentions, Thurlow Weed, Esq. Either of these might point us to the road out of our difficulties. I discovered in this that Secretary Cameron was a joker as well as a patriot, and was anxious to get rid of me by this clover display of his genius. He might, with pqual propriety, have suggested my going to Richmond to raise funds for a monument to the political memory of James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania. Or, what would liave been equally profitable, to seek in New Jersey money enougli to christianize the Jews. Finally he suggested a conference on the subject with General Meigs. A melancholy looking sutler came in and oc- 134 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. cnpicd the Secretary's attention just then, so I retired and went in pursuit of the Quartermaster General. General Meigs was quick to see the necessity that de- manded payment of these bills, and promptly wrote : " Let him present bills for supplies furnished, certified by Quartermaster and Colonel, and I think I can ar- range to pay them. Signed, M. 0. Meigs." This was so far satisfactory. The organization of this regiment, let me say here, presents a record of economy that cannot be surpassed by any regiment raised for the war ; and the credit of this is due to the four energetic young men (afterwards captains of com- panies) who did the recruiting. "JVe were three months organizing the regiment, and yet eight thousand dol- lars would have covered all the just bills to be paid by the Government for recruiting, subsisting, rent of quar- ters, and, indeed, all such expenses as are necessary to the organization of a regiment; and more than two thirds of this amount was created by our friends of the four German companies. It will indeed seem strange to the intelligent reader that Congress, having at its extra session passed an act appropriating twenty million dollars for the pay- ment of just such bills as were here presented, so few of the heads of Departments should have any distinct knowledge of its provisions. Business had accumu- lated with great rapidity in the Departments, and there was a great lack of system and proper business knowl- edge everyvWiere apparent. There was confusion in the War Department, confusion doubly confused in the Adjutant General's Ofiice, confusion everywhere. If THE STORY OF A TROOPEU. 135 the Pa'csidcnt or General McClellan advanced your business a few steps, some new and airy clerk of some Department was sure to exert bis genius in putting it back. You needed the patience of Job to get through the dead-wood of the Departments. What the Quar- termaster General said was his business, the heav}^- lieaded Adjutant General was sure to say was none of hi<5 business. Clerks had their conceits to air, and very many of them went about their business as if they were conferring a favor on the Government by doing it. This was particularly the case with civilians just ap- pointed. They were the very dead-wood of the De- partments. If your business brought you in contact with an officer of the regular army you were, as a rule, treated with courtesy, and got what you wanted done promptly and properly. Much of the delay caused in organizing and equipping the army after the first battle of Bull Run may be traced to the incompetency of regi- mental officers, and the unwillingness of clerks in the Departments to do their duty. I hastened back to New York with General Meigs's instructions, and these seemed to appease the military dignity of our German friends, who promised to be ready to move when the order came. Their impor- tuning creditors wore brighter faces, quaffed large quantities of lager, and set to work getting their bills certified and sent to me for collection and settlement. And here I must relate a somewhat amusing incident that occurred on the mustering-in of our last German company. Having got the requisite number of Teu- tons, Gustave Otto was elected Captain without a 130 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. murmuj . When, however, the big politician presented liimself a candidate for First Lieutenant, there was a decided commotion. " Nine, nine, nine," and other expressions of opposition were heard all through the company. The captain lost control of his men, and they gathered together in knots, and talked with much earnestness in their own tongue against what they regarded an imposition. The big politician stood like one confounded by some new and remarkable discovery. Becoming very puffy he fell back on his dignity, and declared he could not understand this opposition. In truth he had fancied himself very popular with these Germans, to gain whose favor he had furnished numer- ous kegs of lager. He was sure, too, they would be quick to embrace the honor of being led against the enemy by a man of such great political popularity, whom no great man in the country would pass without a bow ; and more than that, he had once shaken the hand of a President. All this he desired the Captain to tell them, in a tongue they could understand; but the effect was rather to increase their opposition, for they cried, or shouted, " Nine, nine, nine,'^ more vehemently than ever, and also replied to the Captain with jeers, the purport of which there was no misunderstanding. Now, there was in this company an honest German, whom I shall call Earnst Von Hubner. Earnst was a respectable man, and every inch a soldier. He had served for several years in the Prussian cavalry, knew his business, and had letters of recommendation no man could doubt. Prompted by motives of patriotism, he had come to the country at the beginning of the war, THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 137 to fight for our cause and gain promotion. Since join- ing the company he had given his comrades many proofs that he was a srood man and a brave soldier. In this way he had endeared himself to them ; and they, in return, had resolved that he should be their First Lieu- tenant. He could also speak their language and make himself understood when they got into a fight with the enemy. Earnst felt proud of these manifestations in his favor, and took advantage of them. He declared there was neither right nor justice in forcing upon the company a man rejected by his own countrymen, who could not understand a word of their language, and knew nothing about cavalry. By not knowing his business he might get them all killed the first time they met the enemy. Three cheers were here given for Earnst, and so great was tho confusion that followed, that it began to look as if there was to be a dead-lock in the company, and the mustering officer would have to go back without finishing his job. " Say to tliem, sir," said the big politician, addressing the Captain, "that I am tlieir particular friend. T don't lack courage, I don't. I will show them I don't when we meet the enemy !" Here he frisked his fingers through his bushy hair, and grew ponderous. "Tell them I am ready to give any man satisfaction who says I'm a coward. Don't forget to put that in." He touched the Captain significantly on the shoulder, " You see I cannot understand a word they say, yet it seenis to me, the more I tell them I am tiieir friend, the more they take me for their enemy. If it is more lager they want, they shall have five kegs ; and, if tliat is not 7- 138 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. enough, ten ! In addition to this, each man shall have a dollar as soon as I have proof that he has given me his vote/' The Captain smiled, and communicated what had been requested to his men. This so increased their excitement that they would have laid violent hands on the big politician, and indeed driven him from the field, but for the appearance of our Colonel, who was a great peacemaker, and enjoined them to listen for a few min- utes to what he had to say. " Ya, ya, ya !" echoed along the ranks. The men came to order, and listened attentively, while the Colonel addressed them, with the Captain for his interpreter. He assured them that the gentleman who offered himself for a position in their company was a man of profound wisdom, (here the big politician raised his cap and bowed;) and although, like himself, he could n(5t speak their language, he was in every way worthy of their favors. The gentleman only wanted this position as a means to securing a higher one, which he was sure of getting as soon as the regi- ment reached Washington. And he pledged his own honor that, if they honored the gentleman with this position, he would resign it in less than three weeks, when it would again be open to the man of their choice. Some cheered for the Colonel, others shook their heads, others declared they could not understand what they were required to do in this strange and irregular man- ner. A vote, however, was taken, and the big poli- tician declared elected First Lieutenant. For this mark of high favor the Colonel thanked them, and the big politician made them a speech. He was sure they never THE STORf OF A TIIOOPER. 139 would be sorry for what tliey had done ; and, although he should not remain long with them, he would never forgot that it was through their kindness that he had gained a position in the regiment. The men had all at once become exceedingly good-natured; and, al- though they could not understand a word the speaker was saying, they laughed heartily and went to their tents and their rations. Our German battalion was now full, with Captains Von Schickfuss, Hourand, Stosch, and Otto, four as fine looking ofiBcers as were to be found in this or any otfier army, in command. CHAPTER XV. OFF FOR THE FIELD. The 25th of August was a bright and sunny day. From early morning there had been great bustle and confusion in camp, and by ten o'clock we were moving into Fourteenth street, to form in line, previous to embarking, our right resting on Union Square. The American companies were on the ground first. The men were afoot, the oiLcers mounted. Then our Ger- man friends joined us, with an extraordinary flour isli of trumpets, making quiet people along the road stare and wonder. Now began the business of forming a line. Some wanted the German battalion on the left^ others wanted it in the center. The German battalion was inclined to suit itself, and took position on the right. The melancholy man had been appointed Adju- tant, in consideration of his disappointment. His boots came nearly up to his waist; his spurs were of extra- ordinary length, and the horse he rode was remarkable for much bone and little flesh. He had brought his trusty sabre with liim; and, thus mounted, he presented a figure few could have contemplated with serious face. This business of forming a regimental line was new to 140 THE STOIIY OF A TROOPER. 141 the Adjutant, who was not a little confused, and went clattering and tilting up and down the line, novf shout- ing and flourishing his saber, now reining in his horse suddenly and bringing the poor animal to his haunches, now stopping to inquire of some more experienced officer what he should do next. What one told him was right, another told him was w^rong. One cursed him for not doing what another cursed him for doing, till at length the poor man became so confused as not to know what he was doing; and his horse, that had knocked down a dozen or so of the bystanders, was nearly exhausted. Then the big politician, affecting to assist the discomfited Adjutant, went dancing over the ground with his horse — now being up on tlie right of the line, now on the left, and returning the saluta- tions of ladies, who waved their handkerchiefs from adjacent windows. He had friends, he said, in all tliose houses, and when the ladies waved their handkerchiefs he knew they were friends of his, and it would be very unkind of any military gentleman not to return their salute. The poor Adjutant had exhausted his wits and his knowledge of the tactics, and still there was disorder in the ranks. He could not get the regiment into line properly, and began cursing the big politician for his interference. The little bugler now stepped out on tlie left, and blew numerous shrill blasts on his horn, by whose order or for what purpose not one of us kncv/. This brought out the fat Dutch bugler on the right, who returned the compliment by sounding an officer's assembly call. A fierce-looking, fair-haired, and very 142 THE STORY OF A TROOPEE. lean Dutch bugler, now appeared in the center, and raisinor his horn lolew a number of sounds, more loud and discordant than either of the others. This brought the German officers galloping and shouting to the front, where they joined the Americans, and formed opposite the center. A flourish of trumpets by the three buglers, and the Adjutant turned, saluted the Colonel, and re- ported the regiment in line. The band then struck up and played a march, ladies waved their handkerchiefs and pressed forward, and the crowd filled up tlie space necessary for maneuvering the regiment. Then we had an oratorical entertainment of rare quality. A few kind friends had bought a horse for the Colonel; and it would not do to present him without a speech ; and Richard Busteed, Esq., better known as General Bus- teed, Governor of Yorktown, &c., &c., was called on to do us this high honor. The General was on his highest horse that day, could build up a new kingdom or kill a rebel, fight a dozen battles and win as many victories, in one sentence. Being a man of uncommon ingenuity, he spoke at the horse a;id the Colonel, then at the coun- try and the horse, for nearly an hour, and got the patriotism so confoundedly sandwiched in with the bun- combe, that it was impossible to tell which had the better part. In the course of his epeech the speaker alluded to the gods and the devils, to Mars and Ap- pollo, to glorious patriots and rebels with devilish inten- tions, to fields convulsed with the slain and red with glory, and to the terrible part this regiment would liave to play in preserving the life of the nation. In short, according to the speaker, some one connected THE stohy of a trooper. 143 with tlie regiment was to do a great deal of fighting, and kill a great many of the enemy, but whether it Avas the horse or the Colonel was not quite clear. But the men repaid the speaker with a great many cheers, and when he was done the Colonel mounted the horse, and thanking his friends for their valuable present, gave us a long speech, in which the state of the nation was strangely mixed up with the exploits to be performed by the Lincoln Cavalry. It was high noon when the Colonel ended his speech; and now the time for parting was come. Husbands kissed their wives, caressed their children as the part- ing tear wrote their heart's tale, and " God bless and protect you," came trembling from their lips. Many a young lover kissed liis sweetheart slyly, shook her hand warmly, and lisped that good-bye in which love speaks to love, and future hopes and joys brighten even in the hour of darkness. , It was indeed the heart's day of trial to many a young man and woman; and tears were writing honest tales of love down their cheeks. There, weeping, was our airy little June flower, the gentle breeze playing with her golden locks. The bright smiling face that had so often shed its pleasing radiance over our camp was now turned to take a last look at him on whom all the affections of her heart were fixed. And truly she had fixed her heart upon one worthy of her, for he was a young man of handsome figure, and God had blessed him with a noble nature. And there were other fair friends whose hearts were with us in the war, and who had come to share with us such boun- ties as heaven had blessed tbem with; and these were 144 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. to cheer the soldier on his journey. And while their hands brought us good cheer, their lips breathed pray- ers that a merciful God would watch over and protect us in the day of conflict. Among these messengers of mercy was tlie good Mrs. Kirkland, who went about among the men distributing havelocks and other little things necessary to their comfort. Nor must I forget to mention the diminutive little Dutch woman, who had found the idol of her heart in Bob, the light-horseman. She had come to bid him a last good-bye, and her sor- row seemed uncontrollable. Indeed her sorrow had so much affected Bob that he mounted his horse with a tear in his eye and a heavy heart. The little bugler and the fat Dutch bugler now sounded their horns. The officers took their places, the order was given, the band struck up, the regiment wheeled by fours, and we were soon marching down Broadway amidst the waving of handkerchiefs and cheers of the assembled. Scarcely had we reached Canal street, however, when an accident occurred that might have proved very serious in its results. The horse on which Bob, the light-horseman, was mounted, slipped and fell to the pavement, and his rider came heavily upon the stones and rolled for some yards, like a huge ball of India rubber. The bystanders ran in great alarm, saying the poor man must either be killed or seriously hurt. The fat Dutch bugler fell out and sounded a halt, but the regiment continued on. Four men raised the dismounted trooper to his feet, when it turned out tliat he was not even hurt, for he began making merry at his misfortune, as his* sorrowful look- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 145 iiig animal shook the dirt from its sides. The question now was, how to get the man upon the animal's back again, for so short were his legs, and so long his body, that it required some skill to get him safe into the saddle. One suggested a barrel, another the tail of a cart, from which the gentleman might mount his horse with ease. Through the kindly offices of four sturdy bystanders, however, he was got safe into the saddle again, and went off at a rapid pace in pursuit of the regiment, the bugler following as fast as his legs would carry him, and sounding a call every few minutes for the crowd to make way. Our embarkation on board one of the Camden and Amboy's steamers was conducted with remarkable good order, and at five o'clock we were steaming down the harbor on our way to Washington. It was ten o'clock on tlie night of the 27t]i, wlien we reached that city, thanks to a line that boasts of possessing extraordinary and adequate facilities for promoting the Government's interests. The niglit was dark and dreary, rain fell steadily, the great capital was lighted up brilliantly, and, seen through the darkness, had a bewitching ap- pearance. Little or no provision had been made to receive troops at tlie depot, and tlie men wore com- pelled to seek shelter for the night as best they could. On the following day an order came for us to encamp on Seventh street, about a mile and a half from tlie city, and near tlie Park Hotel. We moved at once, and began arranging camp on a piece of stumpy land called Moore's farm. No more unlit location could liave been selected, for a portion of the ground was low and 14G THE STORY OF A TROOPER. swampy, the. road leading from Seventh street to it almost impassable, and the first heavy rain that fell vraslied our German battalion clean out of their tents, and brought curses without number on the heads of those who had selected such -a location. There was encamped near by us the First Kentucky cavalry, a regiment raised in Pennsylvania by a discon- solate looking man of the name of Young, who was daily giving liis sorry looking troopers their first lesson in the art of horsemanship. Why Kentucky should be punished by having her name used by this regiment, even Colonel Young could not explain. The Colonel had his wife with him, and being a courageous woman and a clever rider, she generally took a position at the head of the column. Indeed it came to be said that she was a better soldier than the Colonel, since she had dash and knew something of the drill. I must liere say that I have noticed in too many of our officers a weakness for taking their wives and fam- ilies to the war with them. I can imagine no greater incumbrance, or indeed anything that can work so much injury to the service. Some of our Generals have not been free from this weakness; and whether from an excess of patriotism, or a desire to make the service wear a domestic appearance, tlie reader must judge, when I say I have known several of tJiem fill up their stalls with their needy relatives. Probably this is on the principle that it is good philosophy to make the Government take care of men who never could or did take care of themselves. Ofiicers of tijc rebel army take a different view of their military duties, and verv TUB STOllY OF A TllOOFER. 147 wisely let tlieir families remain at Lome. But enough of this for the present. The man Moore, whose little farm we occupied, and who saw witli a sorrowful heart his fences disappearing to make camp fires, was a rustic of extreme good na- ture, and bestirred himself to make a little money by providing a mess for our officers. He had an old negro or two, and these were enough to incline his sympathies to the South. His mind, too, was fettered with that terrible incumbrance, that it was very hard to disturb the relations of an institution so firmly fixed in the affections of the soutliern people. But he had no ob- jection to being loyal wlien assured that it would ulti- inately be profitable for him to be so. His little rickety house bore evidence of dectiy and want of care; but he was contented, he said, and had little ambition for the luxuries of life. His table was spread with plain fare, and several of our officers messed at it, being cour- teously and kindly served by his two buxom daugliters. The big politician occupied his comfortable little parlor for a sleeping room, for he had a terrible aversion to canvas, and never allowed it to shelter him when there was a house within a mile of camp. There was also, within a short distance of camp, several families who treated us with great kindness, and extended their hospitalities to such of our officers as were disposed to cultivate friendly relations with tliem. On the 3d of September we were joined by a company of Michigan men, raised at Grand Rapids, in that State, and commanded by Captain Norton, with Lieutenants (jranger and Martindale. These men were the giants 148 THE STOKY OF A TROOPER. of the regiment, some of them standing more than six feet, and of large muscular development. You could not have selected better representatives of the gener- ally accepted idea of the western man. Michigan, be it said to her credit, has sent some of the very best troops into the service of the Government, and in no instance have they disgraced their State." But experi- ence proved that very many of these men were too heavy for cavalrymen, and in addition to breaking down their horses, were less able to withstand the exposures and hardships of camp life than many of the delicate looking young men who had been brought up in luxury in New York. On the loth of September our last company raised in New York (M,) by Captain Lord and Lieutenant Pendergrast joined us, and completed the regiment. We now began to draw our horses and equipments. But owing to tlie number of regiments whose requisi- tions had to be filled, and a want of proper system in the Departments, as well as the unwillingness of regi- mental officers to attend to their duties, the process of mounting and equipping went on slowly. At one time we could get liorses but no equipments; at another, equipments but no horses. Then sabres were not to be had, although it appeared as if everybody was offering to sell the Government sabres. Few, indeed, were the pistols to be had; and it was months after before we could get a carbine. Still, we were considered by an impatient public, ready to take the field and run a tilt with tlie well-armed enemy as soon as we were mounted. But after you have armed, equipped, and mounted a THE STORY OF A TllOOPEH. 149 man, something more is necessary to make liim a good trooper. That something is drill and discipline; and these cannot be properly attained in a month or a year unless the officers are men of superior ability, and give their whole attention to their duties. The horses we were getting were of the very worst description, and not one in six of them fit for the cav- alry service. They were of bad stock, many of them blemished beyond cure, and of an age that showed tliat they should have long since been sent to die in a differ- ent and less hazardous service. The Government, it was true, did not pay a very liigh price for these ani- mals; and this fact was used as a plea by those who needed a shelter for their frauds. Many of these horses had evidently been nursed into tolerably good condi- tion externally; but they would sliow their defects, and break down under the least hardship or exposure. In- deed it was clear enough that our honest friends from Pennsylvania had got rid of their aged and infirm animals, that a good natured Government might have the honor of paying for their death and burial. 1 have said Pennsylvania, for if you inquired at the corral you were told that these horses all came from that State. It was very kind of Mr. Cameron to entertain the opin- ion, which he did at that time, that it was not necessary to purchase mules and horses in any otlier State. His friends acknowledged him to be a better judge of mnles than men; but even this should not have found so high- minded a gentleman turning tlic environs of Washing- ton into a graveyard for the decayed horseflesh of his native State. I liave heard mnlii.'ious persons charge 150 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. this and that, as malicious persons always will, to his noble generosity, to his domestic habits, and to his well-known resolution never to forget home and friends* But I am sure the purity of his patriotism is a sufficient shield against any such charges. Indeed, it seems to me that Mr. Cameron deserves credit for affording his State so excellent an opportunity for ridding herself of her old, and introducing a now and better breed of horses. A friend who has read some portions of the manu- script of this work, says he found in it some things not recorded in the Rebellion Record. That is just what I intended there should be. I intend to deal only with things that come under my own observation. Up to this time the field and staff of our regiment had remained unorganized. Few of us could, under- stand the reason for this. Want of decision somewhere was causing great delay and confusion. The big poli- tician seemed to be the dead-wood in every one's way. He had been laying siege to the position of quarter- master, and had at least four score letters, all setting forth his many virtues, as well as fitness for the place, and explaining what the Government would save by- appointing a man of such rare experience. These were the letters of politicians, and with them the applicant was besieging the Quartermaster General, morning and night. It is known that during this war the move- ments of armies have been delayed, plans deranged, and the honor of our arms endangered, because it was not decided what officer should have command. It was so with us. The organization of the regiment could not THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 151 go on until it were ascertained whether this one man had secured the position lie had set his heart on. He failed, however, to secure the appointment, and there was great rejoicing in camp when it was known that Baily, the regiment's choice, had been appointed to the place. There were times when it looked as if the regi- ment was to be turned into a political machine for the benefit of two or three persons, rather than serve as an instrument in putting down the rebellion. General Stoneman was Chief of Cavalry at this time^ and, annoyed at the delay that had been caused, he sent a peremptory order to organize the regiment and get it into working shape. And this was the signal for as great an excitement in our camp as if a shell from the enemy's battery had exploded in it. Captain Frederick Yon Schickfuss, than whom the service had not a better officer, was appointed Lieutenant Colonel. Ogle was nominated for Major of the first battalion, and Captain Hourand (a German) for the second. No objection was made to these appointments. Indeed, they were good and proper. But, to the surprise of every one, the name of the big politician was added, fur Major of the third. This was a new and novel way of making a Major, of raising over the heads of officers of higher rank, and forcing upon the regiment, a man in every way unfitted for the position, and who never could be got to learn or attend to the duties of a soldier, and whose appearance in the regiment, as experience proved, was fatal to good order and discipline. Against this outrage a strong protest was drawn up by the officers, with Major Ogle at their head. 152 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. The officers gathered into Ogle's tent, to hear him read the protest, in which the big politician was de- scribed as an incubus, a man much given to mischief, much wanting in common sense, and not to be trusted in an enemy's country, where the lives of loyal and brave men would be more exposed by traitors in our own ranks than enemies in arms on our front. Before sending this to the Colonel, tlie big politician was invited into the tent, and came, smiling and brushing his hair, as if he expected to be the recipient of a com- pliment. " Lieutenant," said Ogle, " we have sent for you, on business not of the most agreeable kind — " " It doesn't matter," interrupted the politician, " I am accustomed to kicks, and never take them as unkind when I know a man's a particular friend." " You have resolved," continued Ogle, " to honor this regiment with your presence; and believing that you are neither fit for a soldier nor an honest man — that you can do the service much harm and no good; that this regiment would be better without you, we have subscribed to this protest." Here he read, in a loud voice and with clear emphasis, what I have before stated. The politician shook his head, listened, and trembled in his boots. " I'd have you know that it is no compliment to a man," said the politician, " to set him down for a fool; and no one said I was not an honest man when I had the honor of holding a position in the New York Cus- tom House " "A night watcliraan, I suppose," interrupted Ogle. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 153 " Nothing less than a full inspector, if you please," he continued, making a profound bow, and assuming an injured air. " You must know that I have come to the war, not so much to fight as to make peace between the contending parties. As for your opposition to me, this I can tell you, I do not mean to stay but a week or two in the regiment. As to the position of Major, it will only serve me until I am made a General, which I will soon show you I have friends enough to do. Why, I have great respect for my enemies, and never speak ill of them." Here he made another profound bow, and considering that he had gained a triumph, withdrew and went in pursuit of the little bugler, whom he soon had armed with a long paper and going about the camp in search of signatures. This paper set forth that the big politician, who hereafter will be known asJVIajor Yon Flopp, was an highly respectable and honest man, as well as a soldier of much experience, and in every way worthy of a majority. Several signed this for the sake of merriment; others added their preference for the little bugler, and wrote, much to tlie annoyance of Von Flopp, that they considered him a person of great military experience, and in every way worthy of the high position. To be put on a footing with the little bugler so disturbed Yon Flopp's mind that he sent for the Chaplin to advise with him as to what he should do to resent so grave an insult. Now, the Chaplain was a man of a fighting turn, and in na way inclined to have his honor damaged by an insult. It was no crime to fight, he argued, provided a man went into it to resent aii insult offered to his dignity. Yon Flopp 8 154 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. always agreed with what the Chaplain said, even to the number of glasses a man could drink without loosing his wits or ceasing to be a gentleman. " Being a man of courage," said the Chaplain, " and what is more, a gentleman, you must demand satisfaction of these fel- lows. If you do not, there is an end to your peace of mind." " In that I agree with you," replied Flopp. ^'And that I have courage enough you shall see when we get into battle. But tell me, your reverence, is it not a waste of courage to call all these fellows out, and fight them one at a time ? That's what I should have to do, you see, for they are all my enemies. Then again I am told it is not military etiquette to fight a man who is not your equal in rank." Here the Chaplain inter- rupted him. *'A military man may take off his coat and ask liis opponent to do the same, and then the little matter of rank is out of the way." '' Your reverence is riglit," continued the Major, warmly; '' I didn't tliink tliose men were on an equal when their coats were off. But, your reverence, does a man serve his country who throws away his life in a duel ?" " When courage is in the scale, gentlemen never stop to philosopliize. There is no peace for you unless you fight," responded the Cliaplain, turning to his cups. The Major paused for a minute, and was evidently not inclined to regard the Cliaplain's consolation with favor. " I am not the man to hesitate when my honor is on trial. But a man who looks to the future for his re- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 155 wards never sacrifices his life in trifles. And I was turning it over in my mind that if by chance T should be killed by one of these fellows — having to fight the wliole of them — there would be an end to my being made a General " "I see 3^ou were not born in Ireland," interrupted the Chaplain, reproachingly. "An ofiicer born in Ire- land would first take care of his honor and think of the General afterwards." And the Chaplain raised his glass and looked through it, squintingly,atyon Flopp. "It is the quality of your pluck, sir, that these fellows must see, and see quickly," he concluded, draining his glass. Von Flopp shook his head, and began to turn pale. " I don't wisli to ofTend your reverence, who has so often shown us that you are a man of courage. But I have read that a man's courage depends on the state of his stomacli. If his stomach be disordered, so is his courage. The same with liis lienor. A coward may call a brave man a coward. That does not make him one. To tell you the truth, what gads me most is not that they should doubt my courage, but that they should call me a simpleton. If I knew the fellow who put that in the protest I would demand satisfactian of him " " I'll give you the name, sir; you shall not pine long for that," interrupted the Chaplain, raising the bottle in his unsteady hand, and letting the whisky he sup- posed was filling his glass fall on the table. *' Write your challenge, choose your friend and a doctor, and 156 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. let the affair come off at once. But let it not be said I had a hand in it." Von FIopp was quick to understand the meaning of this caution, and as quick to take advantage of it. " Then I am sure your reverence will do me the honor to carry my challenge, and tliis fellow shall soon smart for calling me a simpleton." The Chaplain set his glass on the table and raised his hands while his face expressed surprise and astonish- ment. " May the Apostles save me !" he exclaimed. "A man of my profession carrying a challenge. Well, well! It is for me to save the souls of the regiment. My good temper never lets me get angry; but I can tell you Major, your invitation conveys an insult to a minister in good standing." The good Chaplain, who was a man of rare mental gifts, would willingly have preached Von Flopp's funeral sermon, for he was elo- quent over the grave, could draw delicate comparisons, and allude so tenderly to things connected with the life of the brave dead; but carrying a challenge was not in his line. " Then if your reverence will not carry my challenge there is an end to the whole matter, for I have not an- other friend in the regiment, except the little bugler, and it would not do to send him. As for the doctor, he only wants the opportunity to give me a pill that will insure my passage into another world." Here the two parted, the Chaplain not being well pleased at the way Von Flopp got out of the fight, and Von Flopp firmly believing that it would be gaining a \ THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 157 victory over liis enemies not to fight any of tliem, but to nurse his courage until the day of battle, and then show tliein that lie had pluck of no mean kind. The protest was sent, but it failed to produce any effect, for our good-natured Colonel put it in his pocket, and there it remained. Then, too, Yon F.'opp remained, a political fact, forced on the regiment to destroy its usefulness, just as politicians of more mental capacity were making miscliief destructive to the whole army. A remonstrance against this strange proceeding, signed by a large number of the officers, was sent to General McClcllan, praying that he would take such action as would relieve us from the burden about to be forced upon us. The General acted promptly in the matter, and an order soon came, directing the Colonel to make an inquiry into the matter, and report. This order produced great fluttering in camp for a day or so, and Von Flopp began to think his prospects of being soon made a General were at an end. But I have noticed in the volunteer service that it is one thing to issue an order and quite another to get it obeyed. The inquiry was never made, and General McClellan's order, like the protest, found a quiet sleeping place in the ColoneFs pocket. Promotions are made in this way. CHAPTER XYI. CHANGE OF CA3IP, AND GRAND REVIEW. We had been twice drenched out at Moore's farm, and the wet, swampy nature of the ground had already affected injuriously the healtli of the men. We struck camp on the 19th of September, and moved to Meridian Hill, a liigh and healthy position, overlooking Wash- ington and its beautiful surroundings. Here our little town under canvas began to assume a more orderly and regular appearance, thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Schickfuss, wlio began to win the respect of the men by showing that he knew his business thoroughly, and was resolved to enforce discipline. Under his dii-ection schools of instruction were opened, and the ofScers applied themselves to the tactics. We had company- drills, too, nearly every day, but the work of training new horses so that they could execute movements with celerity progressed slowly. Efficiency was a thing not to be attained in a month or even a year; nor was it difficult to see from the slow progress we made in im- provement what an hcrculian task it was to make an army a general could feel safe with in the face of an enemy. There was, however, little for mounted troops 158 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 159 to do on the Virginia side of the Potomac, for the enemy had his fierce looking Quakers pointed at us from Munson's and Upton's Hills, and the pickets of both armies were keeping up a lively exchange of leaden compliments almost in sight of the Capitol. On the 8th of October General McClellan ordered a grand review of the troops in and about Washington. The field designated was the broad plain east of the Capitol, and we were ordered to be on the ground and in position at three o'clock. This was to be our first appearance before the Commanding General, and our little town under canvas was all astir at an early hour. The men labored hard to get their horses well groomed, their equipments clean, and their arms bright. The Adjutant was kept busy issuing a string of orders, and contraband servants hurried about, makiuG: a f military pomp, of out- ward show, and deceptive strength, figured the men upon whose strong arms and earnest hearts the nation had rested its hope of salvation. The little fair-haired man THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 165 who formed tlie central figure of that brilliant group (brilliant mentally as well as ornamentally) was the great object of attraction, for he was being worshipped as only a people who dislike kings can worship a commoner. Just here a very ludicrous scene occurred. When the line was formed and the column was about to move in review, great cheering was heard on the left of the line among the spectators. It was caused by Yon Floop, who came galloping upon the ground, after the manner of Ichabod Crane, his poor liorse recking with foam, and himself almost breathless with excitement. His manner created great alarm among the troops, many of the officers taking him for a madman, who, in an odd freak, might charge upon them and do them serious bodily harm. Nor did his strange pranks fail to attract tlie notice of the Commanding General, who sent one of his staff to inquire wlio the man was, for he kept galloping up and down the front, now charg- ing through and putting a stop to the music of some band, now frightening officers from their positions. It was seen at last that the man was in search of his reGfi- ment ; but such was the state of his mind that lie had rode past it twice or thrice without recognizing liis own command. At length the good Chaplain, seeing his distress, went to him and put an end to his gala- van ting. The massive column was now in motion, and with bands playing and colors flying swept proudly past the reviewing General, and presenting a formidable appear- ance. But, after all, it was but a thing of show and 166 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. appearance. The experienced eye saw at once that the two most essential things to the efficiency of an army — drill and discipline — were wanting, and could only be attained with time. Horses were new to the business; officers did not know how to give commands correctly; and when they were given, the men did not understand how to obey them. This was especially so with the cavalry. An attempt to execute anything but the simplest movements resulted in lamentable confusion. To have led such a force against a formidable and de- termined foe would have been next to madness on the part of any general. We were glad when the scenes of the day ended, for the part we had taken in them did not reflect much credit on either our drill or discipline. But it must be remembered that ours was a new regiment; that we had been mounted but a few weeks, and hence little could be expected of us. CHAPTER XYII. HOW NOT TO DO IT. There are few objects more entitled to sympathy than tliat of a man with a bundle of accounts under his arm, besieging some crusty, ill-mannered disbursing officer for their examination and payment. I was found in that position once; I hope never to be again. During the month of September I was besieging the Quarter- master General's office for examination and payment of the bills we had incurred in organizing the first regiment of volunteer cavalry raised for the war. General Meigs, who was quick to grasp what the ne- cessities of the times demanded, saw at once that unless such bills as tliese were paid, and paid promptly, tliere would be a check to recruiting in the Northern States. Supposing that the funds appropriated by Congress for the payment of recruiting bills liad been placed to tlie credit of his Department, which indeed tliey ought to have been, he promptly referred me to Captain (now Colonel) Perry, with a request that he would examine them at once, and report. I found in the Captain one of these pleasant, genial, and companionable gentlemen, whose gentle natures have shed a charm around the 167 168 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. associations of West Point. He bad recently returned from Fort Pickens, where he had been to reinforce that stronghold when the rebels were in the hey-day of their defiance. He was snffering from a severe injury to one of liis feet, received while on duty at Pickens, and al- though suffering great pain, was daily performing the immense amount of duty incident to his new position in the Quartermaster General's Department. Captain Perry had such an amount of business al- ready on his hands, and so many volunteer officers wlio knew nothing of their business to instruct, tliat he had but little time to give to the examination of accounts. However, we got alon^ very pleasantly together, and a man softens impatience by doing all he can to pro- mote your interests. Seven or eiglit days past, and we had nearly got to tlie end of the tedious accounts when the Captain's health gave out and he was forced to keep his room for nearly a week. One morning ho went to work with his usual cheerfulness; tlie accounts were examined, and a favorable report made. Then they had each to be numbered and registered, every item copied and indorsed. To do this required several days' time, and the exercise of more than ordinary pa- tience. I now began to flatter myself with tlie hope that I was nearly to the end of the immense reel of red tape I had been trying to unknot for nearly three weeks. No such good fortune was in store for me. When I thought myself done with the red tape of the War Department, the important discovery was made that the fund appropriated by Congress had been assigned to the Adjutant General and not the Quarter- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 169 master General for disbursement. All our time and patience proved to have been wasted, and I had to shoulder my budget and commence a new siege at that tomb of the dead-wood, the Adjutant General's Office. Here I was referred to a newly appointed disbursing officer, who had an office across the street. I shall never forget this gentleman and my first interview with him. He was a Lieutenant of regulars, a brave bitu- minous sort of person, ready to catch fire at the slight- est touch, and composed of all the ill-tempered odds and ends of some very ill-tempered family. He lived and flourished in an atmosphere of perpetual quarrel- ing. And when there was no one else to enjoy a quarrel with he managed to get up a quarrel with him- self. He spoke with a strong nasal twang, and his free use of profane expletives, as well as his odd manner of mixing them up with what many would call })ious invo- cations, marked him as a man of some inventive genius. This, considered as a merit in a disbursing officer, may account for his appointment by Adjutant General Thomas, with whom, I was told, he was a great favorite. But I must say of the poor man that he had the work of a dozen men to do, and in this he found an excuse for being more proficient at inventing profanity than discharging his duties with ease and quickness. His business knowledge was of the most limited and crude kind, and he seemed to regard his position as one giv- ing him full authority to block the wheels of the Gov- ernment as much as he could. He did not think much of volunteers, suspected the motives of every one who had helped raise a regiment, snarled at those who asked 170 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. him questions he held not exactly proper for him to answer, and regarded as a thief any man with a bill it was his business to pay. To any one at all acquainted with business it would have appeared strange that such a man should have been entrusted with the disburse- ment of millions of dollars of the people's money. And yet in addition to being a disbursing officer, he was an inspector of mules and horses, as well as mustering officer. At one time he would be gone to Harper's Ferry to be absent three or four days, inspecting mules and horses, while applicants by the score were besieg- ing his office to get their accounts settled. At another he would be away for a day, mustering in or mustering out troops. And when he got home he was generall}^ so distracted with the amount of business that had accumulated, and his incapacity to get through it properly, that it took him no little time to collect his thoughts. His clerk, for he had only one, would coolly tell you you would be mistaken if you expected to get accounts examined to-day. I rarely ever met a more strange pair than this young man and his master. One seemed to echo the other's aversion to persons having business with the office. He was what is commonly accepted as a nice young man, this clerk, dressed in the highest feather of fashion, and wore painfully tight and bright patent leather boots. These boots evidently gave him more concern than the war and its necessities. The weather being incessantly warm, you generally found this nice young Mr. Dead wood sitting in a chair, one boot off, and airing his chaffed foot out of a window. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 171 " Now, here you are again, botlierin' me about tliem accounts," he would sny to each visitor, screwing his face into a wrinkle. Then he would draw in his boot- less foot, rub his toes, and curse his bootmaker. "Have to suffer tlie torments because that feller didn't under- stand me when I told him to make 'em bigger.'' It was no matter liow much a person had done to serve tb'e Government, how far lie had come, wliat expense he was at in the city, he would find his ardour damped by this nice young Deadwood, of a dead-wood Depart- ment. Once when I called to inquire if tlie disbursing officer had got back from inspecting mules, Mr. Dead- wood was hobbling across the floor, a boot in one hand and fanning himself with the other. *' Now, you don't think there's going to be any ex- amining accounts done here to-day?" he said, increas- ing the motion of his fan. " Got no authority to do notliin' when Lieutenant isn't here. Got enough to do to keep cool this weather." Mr. Deadwood had evi- dently enough to do to take care of his own physical comfort, and was not to be disturbed by persons who had been engaged at the mean work of recruiting regi- ments. An intimation that the system of doing business at his office could not promote the interests of the Gov- ernment, disturbed liis mental equanimity, for he rose to liis feet, and after an ineffectual attempt to pull on his boot, ejaculated: " Tliere'd be a d — d fuss if I took what you say for wliat you meant." Here lie threw his boot on the floor and followed it with his liat. " There's such a d d heap o' work," he muttered, 172 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. rather than spoke. Then, raising his voice, he con- tinued: ''When we get at work, we get at it, and it goes some. Man what makes most noise don't do the most work; it's the man with the settled purpose." Here he picked up his hat, settled himself back into his chair, and returned thanks for the delicious breeze blowing in at the window. " Tell you," he said, de- spondingly, " this war's going to upset things generally. All brought on by them d d abolitionists. Man here yesterday from St. Louis; been here six weeks; got his wife with him; hard case, he thinks, (I don't;) havn't got his accounts through yet." Here he spoke in a tone of encouragement. " 'Nother chap been here three weeks from Cincinnati; he hasn't got hi? accounts through yet, swears some; don't do him no good; Lieu- tenant's down on him." I was about to intimate that I did not see exactly how this could help me, or give me a more favorable opinion of the manner of doing business in that o£6ce, when he interrupted by inquir- ing if I played on the flute. I replied in the negative, when he patronizingly informed me that he was taking lessons regularly. I was in no temper to appreciate tliis condescension, and intimated that I did not see what playing the flute had to do with the business that had brought me to tlie office. " Well, man, you better keep cool," he replied, "there's nothin' gained tliese tim^s by going into a state of excitement. There's a heap of people here wanting their accounts settled; been waitin' longer 'an you. Look a here !" he shook his head earnestly, " you ain't got no pity on a clerk what only gets twelve hun- THE STOKY OF A TROOPER. 173 dred a year, and no cliance to make an outside drive. No you ain't. And look wliat a heap a cussin' a clerk's got to take here." Here Mr. Dead wood went to fann- ing himself with prodigious energy, and continued until a tall, precisely dressed, and very anxious looking man, with a large bundle of papers under his arm, made his appearance. " Well, well, -well," said Mr. Deadwood, " if here isn't another." And with a forced laugh he interrupted what the man was about to say by saying: " Not a ghost of a chance for you to-day." The man had the appearance of a clergyman, spoke in a voice at once pleasing and musical, and seemed not a little surprised at the style of his reception. " You see, sir," said he, bowing, " I am from Massachusetts, represent a body of men who have done good service for the Government. I have been referred here, as you know, by the Adjutant General, (here he again bowed politely,) and it is necessary I get my business in Wash- ington done quickly, and go home " " Business in Washington done quickly!" interrupted Mr. Deadwood, with a loud laugh. " Who ever heard of such a thing ? Havn't been in Washington long, I reckon." " I have not, sir," replied the man from Massachu- setts, again bowing politely, " and as I am one of a committee to attend to the spiritual condition of our soldiers, am very anxious to get through this business." Mr. Deadwood rejoined in a half audible voice : " Spirits! our soldiers get spirits enough, God knows." Then, raising his voice, he continued: " Fact is, Mr. 174 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Massachusetts, my opinion is — my opinion's generally correct you know — that them bills a your'n won't be paid at this office. Got so many things mixed up in 'em." At this the precise gentleman from Massachusetts stood looking at the young man with an air of amaze- ment. In truth, it was evident he regarded him as a physiological phenomenon the Government had placed liere for some purpose he could not exactly understand. He had mused on Bunker Hill, and studied Theodore Parker while taking his morning walk around tlie big tree in the Boston Common; but never in his life had he met so queer a specimen of human odds and ends as the young man who now faced him. " May I venture to tell you, sir," (he now made a bow in whicli there was something positive,) " tliat Congress has passed a law making ample provision for the payment of all such accounts." " Congress! Congress I" interpolated Mr. Deadwood, half rising in liis chair, and making another desperate effort to get his boot on, "that's just like Congress I Congress ain't notliin' now-a-days; nobody cares for Congress; Congress don't know nothin' about the reg- ulations. Them accounts got to be paid according to the regulations; what does Congress know about war and the regulations ? Congress never touched any- thing but what it didn't make more work for the clerks." By this time several persons had gathered into the office, and all stood amazed at hearing Mr. Deadwood place himself so firmly down on the dignity of Congress. He never did like Congress. It made THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 175 more work for liim; it disturbed his peace and comfort; it interfered with bis religion. The man from Massa- chusetts took his departure, intimating tliat this was no way to treat people who liad come so far and done so much, and Mr. Deadwood declared his intention to shut up for the day. After performing attendance for nearly a fortnight at this office, waiting, hoping against hope, patience taxed to its utmost, annoyed and almost insulted for doing what the Government required to have done, I succeeded in gaininc: the attention of the disbursing? DO O officer. But it was only to discover how incompetent he was for the responsible and very important position he held. He knew little or nothing of the provisions of the act of Congress, which were to govern him in the disbursement of the large sums of money placed in his hand. No sensible merchant would have employed such a man in his counting room, unless, indeed, ho were in haste to bring ruin on his affairs. In short, he was ready to dispute everything, and could pay nothing until he had consulted the Auditor of the Treasury as to whether sundry items would or would not be stopped against him.* Finding it impossible to make the slightest headway against the Dead-woods of this office, I appealed to Colonel Ruggles for relief. The Colonel promptly referred me to Colonel D. B. Sacket, recently appointed mustering and disbursing officer at New York. I shall * This officer was afterwards transferred to New York, and it was during his charge of the disbursing office there that such stu- pendous frauds on the Government were committed. laB STORY OF A TROOPER. 176 never forget the feeling of relief afforded me by this change. My previous associations with army officers had made me familiar with the reputation of Sacket. I have rarely met so pleasant a gentleman to do busi- ness with. Ready to take kind and generous views of what the necessities of the time demanded, he was prompt in the discharge of his duty, and never per- mitted prejudice to interfere with his decisions. He knew that he could best promote the interests of the Government by seeing that it promptly discharged its obligations to citizens. ColOnel Sacket had but two assistants, and with these he was compelled to dis- charge the immense amount of business then crowding upon his office. My accounts, however, were examined promptly, and such of them as came within the instruc- tions he had received from the War Department, re- specting the settlement of accounts, paid, and all within a few days of the time I presented them. CHAPTER XYIII. INTO VIRGINIA. We struck tents on tlie morning of the lOtli of Oc- tober and moved over into Virginia. Rumors of all kinds were freely circulated as to tlie object of our movement. And the more wild and absurd these rumors were the more readily did they seem to find believers among the men. One set afloat at the head of the regiment soon found its way to the rear, creating its share of excitement or amusement ail along the line. As usual, every man had his own rumor, and open ears for the rumors of others. One had it that we were to join a force of infantry and artillery on the south side of tlie Potonmc and movo on Leesburg; another, tiiat tlie rebels had advanced a strong force to Annandale, where Ashbyliad his cavalry, which we. were to attack and drive back. X third knew it for certain that the Army of tlie Potom.ac, with General McClcllan at its head, v,^as to move on and thrash the rebels out of Manassas, and that our regiment was to form the ad- vance guard. The weather was damp and the roads heavy, but the men were in fine spirits, and amused themselves by 9 177 178 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. cliccring eacli camp tliey passed along the road, and singing patriotic songs. The fact tliat they were to approach the enemy had an inspiring effect on them, and tliey would have desired nothing better than to have met him. The country through which we passed had a cheerless and deserted air, espooially after we passed the long line of hills on which the grand Army of the Potomac was then encamped. The iron hoof of war was already producing its work of desolation. We had many of us read of, and even enjoyed, those pleasant homes and green fields of Virginia. The sights which now everywhere presented themselves produced strange and painful recollections. Many of these pleasanthomes had been deserted by their former occupants and were now used by our soldiers to hold their nightly revels in. Others were destroyed entirely, and only their ruins re- mained to mark the spots where they had stood. Those green productive fields had been turned into camping grounds, and those pretty oak groves of which Virginia once boasted were being cut down to make fuel for camp fires. What few inhabitants remained were of the poorer class, who hoped to save what little they had through the instrumentality of our army, which they had been led to believe was one of protection. But the destruction that marked its advance gave them little encouragement for tlie future. You would find one liere and tliere who openly acknowledged sympathy with the South; but the majority were moody and downcast; indeed like a people seeking friends and assistance among strangers vv^ho had come suddenly to repopulate their country but had no sympathy for tlieir THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 179 misfortunes. The thought forced itself painfully on one's mind that Virginia's prestige, which once claimed so much power in the body-politic of the nation, was gone forever. The images of her great men, whose virtues the civilized world had come to admire, seemed to rise up, one after another, and hover in our thoughts. And the consciousness that these bright images were things of the past, and that the noble old Common- weaitli reared by their genius was being torn to pieces by Virginians of a different stamp, produced feelings of sorrow and pain. It had come to that, that Virginians were Virginia's worst enemy; and having given her soil as a free grave-yard for her sons, the scourge of war was fast finishing up the work the curse of slavery had begun by corrupting their minds. We had marched about six miles when the whole column was thrown into a state of excitement by the shrill sound of a bugle in our rear. Tliis was followed ]>y tlie sharp tramp of hoofs, the clashing of sabres, and the shout of horsemen. It was at first thought that Asliby might have got in our rear with the intention of harassing us. But then he would not be likely to come under the sound of bugles. On looking in the direction the sound came from, three horsemen were seen emerging from a wood we had passed a few min- utes before, and advancing down a hill at full speed. Tlie officer in command of the rear guard halted his men and formed across the road, ready to receive the strangers and hear what account they had to give of themselves. That they were on a mission demanding the quickest execution, and had important orders, not 180 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. one of us doubted. Judge, then, of our disappointment wlicn I say that as they came up, their horses reeking with foam, lie who rode ahead v^as recognized as our little bugler. And this roving fellow was followed by DO less a person than Major Von Flopp, who in turn was followed by his new servant, an unsightly negro, who had a pair of long, wabbling legs, was without hat or shoes, and rode a lean gray horse, with a heavy old- fashioned rocking chair secured behind. And here I may mention that this venerable chair was a piece of property Major Von Flopp was trans- porting to the field to carry out a maxim he had often asserted — that no really good trooper ought to go to tlie war without furniture to make himself comfortable. In truth, the Major had so much furniture with him that it was evident he intended to make a permanent settlement somewhere in the sunny country, and at no distant day. Now, it was with great difficulty these tlirco remark- able riders could be brought to a halt, or made to give any account of themselves. The Major fell back on his rank, and insisted tliat the officer of the guard, who was only a Captain, had no right to stop him or call his conduct in question; and unless his bugler was allowed to proceed, and himself to pass, he would have him arrested for disrespect to a superior officer. The reader can better imagine than I can describe the puffy figure cut by the Major and his men. It seems that iu order to keep him away from his battalion, v/hich it was feared would break out into open mutiny whenever he appeared before it, the Colonel had very wisely detailed THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 181 liim to remain behind and assist the nurses in tahino- care of and bringing forward the sick. The Colonel hinted that he had made tlie detail out of compliment to liis large humanity, and as such he accepted it, and would have performed the service cheerfully enough but for a mischievous steward, who saw through the deception and enlightened the Major as to the trick that had been played upon him. As may be supposed, tlie Major was indignant at the insult that had been offered to his high rank. "You are a sensible man, steward," said he. " What is more, you are a good friend of mine, and I always said you was. I have studied the regulations, and there is nothing in them that says an officer who has the honor to command a battalion sliall do hospital duty as a nurse.'' A few minutes more and the Major had his faithful bugler at his side, liis servant and the big chair mounted. Then there was a shrill blast; all three were mounted, and away they went, alarming all the timid people along the road, the little bugler blowing his horn every few minutes, warning all wayfarers to make way for his master. The Major now insisted that he must take command of and ride at the head of his battalion, and the Cap- tain of the rear guard giving way, he put spurs to his jaded animal and proceeded on, followed by his servant and the rocking chair. But no sooner had he appeared in front of his battalion than the temper of the men broke out into open disorder. They began treating him with ridicule, and, indeed, saying and doing all sorts of things inconsistent with good order and disci- « 182 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. pline. The disorder kept increasing until the rear com- pany struck up the rogue's march. This was so great an indignity offered to his high rank that tlie Major could stand it no longer. He thereupon rode to the rear, and began expostulating with his officers on the bad behavior of their men, who were now as quiet as mice. But the front now took up the song, and sang it so merrily that he hastened forward, having first drawn his sabre, to put an end to it. In this way they kept the Major riding from front to rear, and from rear to front, followed by his flapping servant, for nearly half an hour. The disorder and confusion at length became so great that the whole regiment was tlirown into convulsions of laughter, and indeed brought to a halt. The Major brandished his sabre, said he was no fool, and not to be laughed at by his battalion; and if they continued it he would have them all punished for disrespect to a superior officer. The Colonel having appeared on the ground in the hope of putting an end to these proceedings, and restoring order, the Major appealed to him for protection. " You shall see, sir," said he, " before the war is over, that I have courage enough, and am no fool." Then he whispered: " Say to them, Colonel, that General McClellan is a particu- lar friend of mine; and it will go hard with them if this matter is reported to him." The appearance of the Colonel restored order on the part of the men. And after reprimanding Yon Flopp for the part he was performing, and also for abandon- ing the sick, he ordered him to proceed in advance and select a camping ground. The Major regarded tliis THE BTOIIY OF A TROOPER. 183 new order as Inglily complimentary to Lis judgment, and lost no time in proceeding to execute it. Indeed, he left Ids battalion at a gallop, liis faitbful bugler in advance, and followed by his servant with the rocking chair. The regiment cheered and shouted as he passed along, and not a few wished he might never return. The regiment marched along at a slow pace, and it was well nigh dark when we encamped near Ball's Cross Roads. Here we reported to General Palmer, and formed a part of hi-s command. A more dreary and inhospitable spot for a camp it would be difficult to imagine. The weatlier was cold and damp, and the ground exceedingly wet and spongy. Indeed, it soon became a soft bed of oily clay, and so difficult to per- ambulate that the men said the soil of Virginia had no bottom. The camp they were inclined to call " mis- fortune." It was well on in the evening when we got our tents up, camp fires lighted; and the preparation of sapper gave an air of cheerfulness to our new camp. It takes some little time to get settled in a new camp, just as it does in a new house; indeed it takes a day or two before the military and subsistence machinery of a camp get working smoothly. The officers were exploririg the contents of their mess-cliests for some- thing for supper, and lie who had anything left in his bottle was free to share it with his companion in arms. In truth, we had to content ourselves with ratlier a scanty supper, for the roads were bad and neither our sutler nor our supply train had come up. The few buiklings that in other days had constituted the cross- ing, where politics were discussed and the gossips of the 184 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. nci^^liborliood were wont to congregate, were either domolislied or occupied b}^ oiir troops, who were fast working tlicir destruction. As for the few farmers left, they were exceedingly poor, and had little to supply their own wants. Indeed they were continually seek- ing to excite our sympatliy by recounting the most painful stories of their losses by our troops. We wore at the front now, where a more strict dis- cipline was required, as well as greater vigilance on the part of the guards. Some of the people were sullen and treacherous, appearing in our camps as friends during the day, and at niglit firing at and sometimes killing our men when they appeared outside. The temper of these people was a problem few of our offi- cers seemed to appreciate, or even give themselves the trouble to study. We were now only about ten miles from Washington, and yet we sujQfered greatly for subsistence and forage. For nearly three days we were without forage, and the sufierings of the poor animals was painful to witness. They would knc^w the bark of trees, and indeed tell us more plainly than woikIs could speak how intensely tliey were suffering for something to sustain life. Several of our animals died before wc could get the means of saving them. Wlien we did get forage, the quality was so bad as to make one feel like inflicting the severest p^jniphment upon the dishonest contractor who furnished it. Tlie climate of Virginia is very try- ing on the constitution of northern horses, most of whicli are raised with great care, and well sheltered during winter. The cavalry horse is exposed to all THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 185 the tests of this most changeable climate, and want of forage too often ends the life exposure had begun to destroy. It was well on in the evening, tattoo was being sounded, the countersign had been given out, roll had been called, and no one had seen or licard anytliing of Major Von Flopp, whose tent still lay on the ground unpitchcd. One and another began to inquire for hiui, and fears were entertained tliat he liad kept on into the enemy's lines, and been captured. In tliat event we sliould have to regret the loss of Crump, the little bugler. The guard at the crossing was interrogated, and such information there obtained as led to search being made for the Major and his men at a neighboring farm-house. And there he was found, having engaged comfortable lodgings for himself and men. Now this history would be incomplete did I not describe the benevolent occupation the Major was found eno'ao'ed in. Tlie ofScers who went in search of him happened to look in at the window before enter- ing, and, to their great amusement, discovered tlie Major in his shirt sleeves, working away at an old- fashioned cliurn, assisting the good woman to make her butter. The woman, who was anything but prepossess- ing, and plainly clad, sat rocking herself in the Major's big chair, while the little bugler was busy washing the supper dishes, and the negro servant lay stretched before a blazing fire, his feet nearly into the ashes and his head on a big shaggy dog. The Major expressed great surprise when the officers entered, ceased his 9^^ . 186 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. work at the cliurn, and made liaste to put on his uniform. - •' What has brought you here at this hour ?'' inquired the Major, reproachfully, and at the same time wiping the splashes of cream from his nether garments. "This is no time to be away from your regiment." " We are in search of you, Major,'' replied one of tliem, " and have orders to bring you in arrest to camp." "Arrest a superior officer ?" returned the Major. " You can't practice a trick like that on me. This poor woman is in great distress. Her husband is away in the Confederate army, and she has no one left to protect her " " Them 'ear sodjers o' yourn," interrupted the woman, increasing her rocking, "give me a right big skaar when they com'd ere fust. Done me a right smart heap a harm since — tue. Han't got a pig nor a sheep — and only one keouw left." " There now," interposed the Major, " you hear the poor woman's own stor3\ Did'nt ask you to believe me. I considered it a soldier's duty to protect this poor woman. If the enemy comes to-night, you will know where to find me." " He's bin mighty kind to me, this ^ere gentleman has," replied the woman. " That are butter he was a churniii' is thefiust I've made for more nor a month.'' Here the Major made an attempt to turn the conver- sation by saying his battalion had not treated him well, and lie thought to punish it by making his headquar- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 187 ters at some distance away. But the woman was not to be silenced by this interruption. "Used to work," said she, "at the millinery busi- ness. Arn'd a right smart heep of money at it afore the war broke out, did. Gentleman says he'll set me up in the business if I'd go with your regiment to Richmond. Husband's in the Thard Virginy. Would go anywhar to see him." " I said," rejoined the Major, apologizingly, "that since the poor woman had no husband, I would see her protected. You may laugh, gentlemen," and here he lowered liis voice to a whisper ; " but I hold it the first duty of a soldier to protect the distressed." Seeing that remonstrance with the Major was use- less, and that he was not to be persuaded into leaving his comfortable quarters, nor, indeed, to consider him- self in arrest, the officers returned to camp and report- ed what they had heard and seen. But no sooner had they taken their departure, than he turned to the woman, saying : " There, you see, madam, my regiment thinks it can't get along without me for a night. These officers will be frighted out of their wits all night, just because I'm away." Tlie officers resolved among themselves that the Major's slumbers should i^ot be so tranquil, and, indeed, concocted a plan to disturb them. It was after midnight, the grand army of the Potomac slept undis- turbed along i]\e hills of Arlington, and the stillness that hung over the broad landscape was broken only by the hoarse voice of some weary sentinel, demanding the countersign. Suddenly the shrill notes of a bugle, 188 THE STOKY OF A TROOPEll. sounding the alarm, were heard, the men responded quickly, and in a few minutes the camp was all astir. Rumor had it that the enemy, meditating a surprise, had advanced and driven in our pickets. Major Ogle and several other officers were seen in a group near the headquarters, their horses saddled and ready to mount. The buglers sounded boots and saddles, and the call was as quickly responded to, for there was great rivalry among the companies to see which should be ready to mount first. And when the line was formed and mounted, the little bugler appeared in camp to inquire for Miijor Yon Flopp what was the matter in camp, and if the battalion he had the honor to command needed his services. The little bugler was sent back to say that the enemy was rapidly advancing in strong force, and as the fight was likely to be a desperate one, there was great need that Major Yon Flopp be here to command his battalion. The Major not making his appearance within a rea- sonable time, the regiment vvheeled by fours and moved out on the Little River Turnpike about two miles. It now began to return by- a different road, and when about one hundred rods from the little farm-house where Yon Flopp had taken lodgings, a company was sent ahead, at a gallop, to surround and surprise tlic inmates. The heavy tramp of the horses made the very ground tremble, and sat all the curs in the neigh- borhood to barking. The ofiicers, having reached tlie house, dismounted and knocked heavily at the door. " Yv'ho's thare?'' inquired a feminine voice. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 189 " Confederate officers, with a portion of the Con- federate army/' was the quick reply. " It has been reported to us that your house is a resort for Yankee officers." The good woman opened the door quickly, and in a delirium of joy thanked Pleaven that her hopes had Leen realized, asked certain questions concerning her husband, when they had left Richmond, and if tbey bad come to stay and drive the cursed Yankees out of Yir- ginia. To all of which the officers gave satisfactory answers. "And now,'' continued the good woman, lowering her voice to a whisper, " thar ain't much in the house, but yer shall have the best I got. Them are Yankees eaten up most all I got." Then touching one of the officers on the arm, she drew him aside, saying, "There's two on 'em in the house now; and a nigger tue. Under the bed in t'other room." The officer was quick to take the hint, for an invita- tion to enter the room was just what he wanted. Then, taking the candle from her hand, he motioned his com- rades, and they proceeded cautiously into the room. After casting about for several minutes, for it would not be polite to make the exposure too soon, a pair of remarkably long legs and feet, stockingless and boot- less, were discovered protruding from under a bed in one corner of the room. But they were black and crusty, and could not belong to Major Yon Flopp. The owner of them, however, was commanded to dis- cover himself, which he did after the manner of a tor- toise, backing out of his hole. When the tall figure of the negro stood erect he was in a sorry plight. 190 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. He was commanded to give an account of his master. " My mas'r ? m}^ mas'r ? He stowed away in dar, boss, in dar," said he, in an agitated voice, and pointing under the bed. They now began to draw forth sundry old blankets and quilts. Then they made divers thrusts with their swords, and other demonstrations of doing serious bodily harm to whomsoever was concealed there. At length a voice cried out: " Heavens, gentlemen, spare my life, and I surrender to you a prisoner of war." Then the Major's ponderous figure came rolling out from under the bedside: "I was only here," he said, " to protect this poor woman and her property." And he rose to his feet and stood amazed at the appearance of his captors, in whom he recognized not confederates, but three officers of the first battalion. The Major sliook his head, sat down in his rocking chair, and never was a man so dis- turbed in his dignity. " You may think this all very fine, gentlemen," said he, looking askance at his cap- tors, " but I am no such fool as you would make me appear before this good woman" " So ! so !" interrupted the woman, " then they arn't our officers. You Yankees beats all for bein' cute." The woman discovered the serious mistake she had committed, and was inclined to make amends for the doubtful quality of her loyalty-. " I'm a gentleman," resumed the Major, " and not to be trifled with in this way. There shall be a court of inquiry into this matter. I liave read the regulations, and am sure there's nothing in them that permits the dignity of a field officer to be outrao-ed in this manner." THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 191 An end was put to this colloquy by one of tlie offi- cers threatening that unless the Major immediately packed up his traps and accompanied him to camp, force would be called in to compel obedience to the order. Search being made for the little bugler, he was found among the branches of an apple tree hard by. And now, all being ready, the truent party were mounted on their animals, and marched to the road, where the regi- ment was halted. No sooner had the men caught a glimpse of the Major's portly figure than they sent up cheers and groans without stint, for they saw in him the object they had been sent out to capture. The regiment now returned to camp, in the very best of temper; and here we must leave tlie Major making an effort to pitch his tent, and procure shelter for the rest of the night. The ruse served a good purpose; it proved how quickly the regiment could turn out on the sound of alarm; and also in what spirit the men were ready to face the enemy. CHAPTER XIX. MOVING HERE AND THERE. Our camp at Ball's Cross Roads became cliurned into a broad clay bed, of a consistency sufficient for brick making. So, on the 21st of October, we moved to a place called Brown's farm, where our ani- mals again suffered for shelter and forage. Our camp at Brown's farm was no improvement over the one we had just left, and on the 24th we were again in motion; and tliis time encamped near General Palmer's head- quarters. It began to look as if we were moving from place to place merely to see with what facility we could change camp, for no sooner had we got our canvas to rights in one place than an order came for us to move to another. And the last camp was sure not to be an improvement over the first. It got to be a by-word that we were practicing to take Riclimond, wliich some of our politicians were sure could be done by a brigade of men on horseback. At last we were becoming skill- ful in the art of moving camp, wliicli was something gained in the grand object of making a figliting army. It vv^ill be remembered, also, that about this time the great impatient and exacting American public had 192 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 193 again become restive, and demanded that the Army of the Potomac move on and take Richmond, having first thrashed the rebel army out of Manassas. There were divers politicians, too, who were sadly oppressed with profound military ideas, and these ideas becoming de- veloped into plans, they were forcing npon and con- founding the Government with. Even the President began to think it was not much of a job to take Rich- mond. Indeed the politicians were ready to show exactly how Richmond could be taken if we only had generals who were not in sympathy with the people they were sent to fight. But I have noticed that there is the greatest difference possible between a quiet gen- tleman in his comfortable home taking Riclunond over his tea-cups of an evening and a great army stuck ffi*3t in twenty-four-inch mud before it has made a day's march toward the object it seeks to destroy. But even the ordinary observer could not fail, on a short con- nection with the Army of the Potomac, to see that however strong it might be in numbers, in earnest hearts, and active spirits, it was weak in the three great essentials to military success — drill, discipline, and equipment. Our regiment was a fair sample of the whole army. We had the men, and they were mounted; but less than two thirds of them were not yet equipped. And the standard of our discipline was quite as low as our drill, of which little could be said. Indeed the officers who ouo-ht to have taken hold and drilled their men either knew nothing whatever of cavalry, or spent the most of their time in some frivolous occupation. We were in- 194 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. debtee! at last to Lieutenant Colonel Scliickfuss, an officer who knew his business, and was always ready to perform it, for taking hold of the regiment and improving its drill and discipline. Indeed, he had in a few weeks so improved our battalion and regimental drill that we performed some of the evolutions with commendable precision, and also began making scouts along the front. As-ain we were ordered to move, and on the 28th of October broke camp, and, by order of General Mc- Clellan, divided the regiment. Six companies, under command of Colonel Schickfuss, joined General Heintz- leman, at Fort Lyon, near Alexandria; the remainder, under Colonel McReynokls, joined General W. B. Franklin's division, at Fairfax Seminary. We were now fairly settled down with the Army of the Poto- mac. The country around Washington is remarkable for the picturesqueness of its hills and the beauty of its scenery. On one of the most prominent of these hills, and distinctly seen from Washington, stands Fairfax Seminary, distinguished before the war as one of the best conducted institutions of learning in Virginia. I doubt if our country affords a more charming picture of hill and dale tlmn that seen from tlie cupola of this Seminary. When tlie Army of the Potomac lay- stretched along these hills for a distance of twenty miles, with its showy paraphernalia flashing and gleam- ing among the oak-crowned slopes, the scene it presented was indeed grand and bewitching. The effect at night was beyond description, forming one of the most inter- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 195 esting subjects for study and contemplation. If you looked East you bad the dusky old city of Alexandria, with its faint, dreamy lights, seeming to sleep at your feet, and the almost motionless Potomac cutting through the background like a belt of silver. I ascended to the cupola one night to view this grand and rare scene, and shall never forget the effect it had on my feelings. There was no moon, but the stars were out in their brightest, and not a clond tinged the clear blue sky. Not a bugle sounded, nor a drum beat. A mys- terious stillness hung over the earth that all at once seemed peopled with shadowy figures just transported from some fairy land. Far away in tlie North signal rockets were going up and mingling their bright colors with the brigliter stars. Then the answers to these appeared rising from those dark hills cutting the hori- zon in the direction of Fairfax Court House, in the West, and sailed through the air like birds of exquisite plumage. South, West, and North, as far as the eye could penetrate, the bright, flitting sliadows of twenty thousand camp fires were adding encliantment to the already touching scene. Then a misty glow spread over the heavens, and in it eacli figure of tliis vast camp was reflected in the clearest outlines. Anotlier chano-e came. The misty glow rolled up into fleecy clouds, and the illusion became so strong that all sorts of figures in real shape seemed taking the place of dancing shadows. Again and again these gave place to wliat seemed chariots and steeds, to long lines of horse and artillery, surging forward as if in pursuit of an enemy. Then came the soft, listing notes of a bugle, sounding lUli THE STORY OF A TROOPER. tattoo on tlie far-off fort. Another and another bugler followed, the accustomed ear detecting their identity, and their strains sounding louder and louder, echoing and re echoing over the hills in one grand chorus. And when the bugle sounds had ceased the bands struck up and played their martial airs with sucli har- mony and sweetness as made the broad landscape re- verberate with melody. Imagine, reader, if you can, what must have been the effect of this grand and exciting night scene, as seen when the earth was white wdth snow. I saw it once, and shall never forget it. The shadows of twenty thousand camp fires, spread for twenty miles over a range of sloping hills, were flitting and dancing over the clear, crusty surface, and reflecting strangely on the misty heavens. Our camp was close by the Seminary, and our white tents nestled on a hill sloping to the East and North, and studded wdth fine young oaks that formed a de- licious shade. We named it Camp Kearney, after the brave and generous General Kearney, who was now our neighbor next door. Indeed, our headquarters were separated from his by a picket fence. I may add, also, that he soon came to regard our regiment with the highest favor. Kearney had for headquarters an elegant mansion, supplied with all modern improve- ments, and from which a beautiful view of the surround- ing country was had. This mansion, with its grounds laid out with such good taste, was the property of a bishop, who had strayed from his flock when the war began, and gone down South, where " his sympathies'' THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 197 were, to assist Mr. Davis in setting np his new govern- ment and developing the glories of human slavery. Our camp, too, was on clerical ground, for the garden our tents were pitched on was the property of a clergyman, whose comfortable villa we had taken for our regimental headquarters, and which was the scene of very many pleasant associations during the win- ter. Indeed, the good shepherd had no further use for his villa, having, as he said, elected to be loyal to his opinions and joined the southern army in the capacity of Chaplain. He left many little articles of furniture, which helped to increase our comfort during the win- ter. He also left us a lithographic likeness of himself, and a number of books on theology, of which we took scrupulous care, not permitting one of them to be re- moved, even by our own Chaplain, while we remained. The people in the neighborhood told us this clergy- man was a good and devout man, charitable to his ene- mies and generous to his friends; that he went away reluctantly when the war began, but that his trust was in God and the strength of southern arms; and he told them he would be back among them soon. He did not want to appear in the sight of Heaven as a man who Iiad been false to his opinions and his State. I have not a doubt that he was a firm believer in the " holy institution of slavery," and, according to the rule accepted among clergymen of Virginia, a good and devout man. But that he was misled by a popular fanaticism, fatal to the State and the cause of true religion, events have since proved. The opinions he entertained were at war with right, justice, and humanity. Indeed there was some. 198 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. tiling painful in the thought that clergymen anywhere should be the strongest advocates of human slavery. There would indeed be something to admire in the con- duct of men who give up home and everything that is dear to it for opinion's sake, were it not for the incon- sistency with which they set forth their love of State while denying their country. CHAPTER XX. APPROPRIATING OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY. Very many of the houses in this part of Fairfax county were spacious and airy, and indicating by their surroundings the wealth and taste of their owners. Pretty sloping lawns, dotted with fine old shade trees; gardens ornamented with rare shrubbery; and the crispy cedar hedges that lined tlie roads, gave a singu- lar charm to the landscape. In many instances the pictures here presented forcibly reminded one of the scenery in the west of England. In some of the houses pictures of some value were fou-nd; while in others were libraries of well selected and standard books — a good proof of the character and intelligence of their owners. Our army had not been long here when a change painful to contemplate came over the face of the coun- try, socially as well as physically. War was writing a new and dark chapter of history on this, the fairest portion of Virginia. And nowhere was this unsightly transformation more forcibly illustrated than in the vicinity of our camp. Landmarks of all kinds were disappearing, fields were no longer carpeted with green 199 200 TUE STORY OF A TROOPER. the iron lioof of war had tramped their surface into bald clay. Rude hands were destroying the dark cedar hedo-erows, gardens, orchards, and even the oak forests. And much of this was done in sheer wantonness. Even the fine old shade trees, with their broad embracing branches, giving such a picturesqueaess to the lawns, were being cut down and made fuel for camp fires. It was indeed sad to see how in a single month war had made desolate what it had taken a century to beautify and perfect. But even this desolation, as seen on the surface of the country, was not the worst punishment war was afaicting the people with. That was to be found in the almost daily acts of high-handed robbery of the private property of citizens, many of whom had had no hand whatever in the rebellion. It did indeed seem as if the spirit of plunder was destined to destroy the morale and discipline of our army. And I regret to say that some of the very worst cases of plundering on record were committed either by men in the uniform of offi- cers, or by those who would share with them the ill- gotten gains. Posterity will yet do justice to Generals McClellan and Franklin for their efforts to protect private prop- erty while in the enemy's country. But even their more stringent measures to prevent plundering failed to save the helpless citizen from the acts of the merce- nary wretches who bad connected themselves v/ith our army only to disgrace it, and to make enemies of men whom kindness and protection would have turned into true and substantial friends. The private soldier, be THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 201 it said to his credit, had no part in this disgraceful work. Fairfax Seminary was plundered of its valua- ble iibrar}', of its works of art, of its scientific and musical instruments, of its furniture, and, indeed, every thing of value found within its walls. There was no- thing sacred to the despoilers. Even the wardrobes of the professors, who had left with the expectation of. returning soon, did not escape the fingers of tlie mer- cenary wretches who tliought it no disgrace to turn thieves in an enemy's country. This Seminary was, early in the war, turned into an hospital, and the person most prominent in plundering it of its contents was a woman who affected to perform the part of a Florence Nightingale in taking care of and administering to the wants of our sick soldiers, when in reality she was fill- ing and furnishing her house in New Jersey with prop- erty plundered from its halls. This, however, was but one case out of an hundred that might be cited. Such conduct deserved the severest punishment; not so much for the effect it had on the discipline of the army, as tlie fiict that it was cloaked by the very worst spe- cies cf Ijypocrisy. When this matter of phmdering tlie Seminary w^as brought to tlie notice of General Kcarncv, notliino: could have exceeded his indignation: but his efforts to bring i\iQ. perpetrators to justice failed. There was a higher power somewhere affording protec- tion to these miscreants, and the brave Kearney found liimsclf powerless to prevent them from carrying away tlieir plunder in safety. Private houses shared the same fate. Some of tlicsc Iiad been left in cliargc of housekeepers, or perhaps a 10 202 THE STORY 0^ A TROOPER. few old servants. This afforded an excuse to some of tlio field officers of our divison for taking " military posses- sion" of tliem, and setting up an elegant headquarters. It was not unfrequently said that the object of this "military possession" was to protect the property from injury by the soldiers. But I invariably noticed that the sort of protection the property received was very similar to that which General Milroy gave to the property of the people of Winchester. In truth, but a few weeks would pass after these gentlemen had set up their elegant headquarters, when the books, pictures, furniture, and even those little treasures so dear to friends, would mysteriously disappear, and there would be nothing left but the blank walls. If the truant owner ever returned, he would have to seek in some rural village of Pennsylvania for the articles his home was so comfortably furnished with before the war. You must not think, reader, that these despoilers intended their work as a punishment for the disloyal ; for even those who had looked to our army as a pro- tection against the folly of their own politicians, found themselves alike the victims of this greed for plunder. To such an exteut did this mercenary spirit develop itself, that nurses, surgeons, chaplains, and profess- ing philanthropists, became participants in theft, to the neglect of their proper duties. In truth, I have heard more than one of these professing philanthro- pists assert that there was no sia in " appropriating " property found in an enemy's country. There was a time when tlieft was publicly honored and rewarded in Sparta, under the delusion that thereby the interests THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 203 of patriotism were encouraged and supported, and some of our people were copying* the example to an alarming extent. But there was this difference, that when our Spartans found nothing to plunder from the enemy, they turned their attention to our own hospi- tals, stripping them of the delicacies, clothing, and indeed all those supplies furnished so profusely by our Government for the sick. And even piety and charity were called in to furnish a cloak for these acts. The Government was not prompt in bringing these persons to justice, although its attention had been repeatedly called to their crimes. Now, here let me say a few words in regard to Gen. Franklin. Pitching his sim.ple tent on the brow of a hill, in the open field, here he remained during the whole winter, holding no communication but that of an official nature with the people, nor permitting himself or any of his staff to occupy their houses. His tent was his lieadquarters, and, like a true soldier, he never forgot that he was there to perform his duty to his God and his country. Quick to interpret between right and wrong, with a nature keenly susceptible to the de- mands of justice and true humanity, modest and unas- suming in his manners, a rigid disciplinarian, always encouraging by his example true manliness in his officers, it was his highest aim to promote the interests of his soldiers, and so increase their efficiency as to reflect honor on themselves and their country in the day of battle. By deciding such cases as were brought before him witli impartiality, and on their true merits, he soon gained the confidence and esteem of his soldiers, 204 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. and formed that firm structure known afterwards in the army as the " noble old Sixth Corps." lie was a stron^^ believer in the policy that it was our duty to fight and conquer the enemy wherever we found him in arms, but to render protection to the defenceless and innocent. He saw that in tlie early stages of the war we were too much inclined to yield to unnecessary fears, and thereby bring distress upon the innocent ; and he was too deep a thinker not to know that justice and moderation, wlien wielded in an enemy's country, form a mightier weapon than the sword. Franklin cherished an honest contempt for hypocrisy, in whatever form it showed itself; and so free was he in his manner of rebuking it when it interfered with the discipline of his troops, that the selfish and evil-minded began to misconstrue his acts, and even to whisper doubts of his ])atriotism. And these whispers soon reached and had their influence on persons in high places ; for it was one of the greatest evils of the day that ihc reckless and the ignorant found willing listen- ers for all their stories at the head of the Government. More particularly was this so v/hen they had charges to make asrainst a General who refused to sink the moralities of his manhood and war against the inno- cent a-s well as the guilty. People were not of one mind as to what caused the rebellion ; nor were our greatest and best public men agreed os to the policy we should pursue in putting it down. It was easy for the unprejudiced mind to see that many of the South- ern people, in entering the rebellion, vrere cither mis- guided by their lenders, or deluded ])y (heir ignor- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 205 ance, the latter being the natural offspring of sla- very ; they, indeed, were not only hurried iiito wrong deeds, but were fostered into wrong sentiments after- wards. The reflecting mind finds no difficulty in dis- covering how easy these things are brought about under the influence of that cupidity and revenge which are so continually changing the sentiments of the hu- man heart. Franklin was too serious and calm a thinker not to comprehend this in all its details ; and hence his anxiety to be merciful to the innoccRt wliile punishing the guilty. In performing his duty to his country, he felt and acted like a man conscious that God is the true guardian of all just judgments, and that whatever earthly rulers may do, He will mete out justice to him who takes for his guides conscience and reason, truth and right. And from these guides no amount of political sophistry ever swerved General Franklin. CHAPTER XXI. A SCOUTING PARTY SURPRISED AND CAPTURED. November, 1861, was a storni}^, blustering month. A great deal of rain fell ; and the chilly, damp weather had a very severe effect on the health of the men. Our animals, too, were without shelter, and suffered in- tensely, many of them dying from sheer exposure and neglect. The opinioa prevailed among officers, not* withstanding the appearance now and then of a forward movement, that the Army of the Potomac would win- ter on these bleak hills. In short, we were in daily expectation of orders to go into winter quarters ; but none came. The men, however, began banking their tents, cutting ditches 'through their camps, and provid- ing themselves with all manner of little stoves. The officers put up comfortable huts, constructed of logs ; and when December came, the camps of .our division began to assume the appearance of a new settlement far away in the backwoods. Here was to be our home for the winter ; and he who did not put his house in order against the storm must suffer. A clump of woods near by was selected, and in it some of our companies put up rude but comfortable stables for their horses, the good effect of which soon began to show itself in their improved condition. 206 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 207 Just at this time tlie more impatient and tliouglitlcss of our people had again begun to clamor for an onward movement to Richmond or the removal of Gencj-al Mc- Clellan, of whom much more was demanded than it was in the power of man to perform. Those who knew anything of the real condition of our army, and the time it took to school our volunteer officers, so that they could perform properly those duties which the short-sighted were holding the commanding General responsible for, must have appreciated the utter folly of making such an attempt. But to appreciate the impediments in all their strength one must have a thorough knowledge of the rapid and wonderful changes that take place in the climate and soil of Virginia during winter. A day of sunshine and balmy breezes may be succeeded by snow and rain, driven by a ])ierc- ing wind, making roads good to-day impassable to- morrow. Man cannot control the elements, and even were we efficient in numbers and equipment, we could gain nothing by making a movement that after a single day^s march would find us fast in the tenacious clay, and with every stream so swollen as to render us help- less. The rebels were defiant in their strongholds at Ma- nassas and Centreville, and the question was frequently asked, why don't we drive them out? The answer is simply that they could do us no more harm at Manassas during the winter than if they had been in position around Richmond. In truth, their near proximity to our army served a good purpose in various ways. 1 1 inspired vigilance in our men and afforded many oppor- 208 THE STOKY OF A TROOPER. tunities for testing the quality of our officers. It also served our interests to keep tlie enemy where he was until we could move with some certaint}; of success, since by so doing we were putting the burden of trans- portation on his shoulders and relieving our own. But I must return to our i egiment. 1 have said before that six companies were for a time under the command of General Heintzleman, at Fort Lyons. The General had a happy way of always find- ing something for cavalry to do, and would frequently send them out to reconnoitre along his front, where there were several localities considered exceedingly dan- gerous. These reconnoissances came in time to be con- sidered very pleasant affairs, since the enemy was rarely seen, and many of the farmers along the road, affecting friendship, would supply the men with milk and other little things so much valued in camp. Our officers, too, would embrace these opportunities to cultivate friendly relations with their families. And to such an extent were these friendly relations carried that many of our officers began to forget that they were in a hostile country, with embittered enemies lurking in almost every house and clump of woods. On the yth of November, Captain Todd, with his company of troopers, and Colonel Berry, with a por- tion of the 4th Maine infantry, were ordered to make a reconnoissance, to proceed to and across the Accotink at what was known as the Bone Mill, and from thence south-eastwardly to Pohick Church, where they were to meet and communicate witli another force sent on a lower road. They proceeded as far as our outposts THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 2(J9 at Mount Olivet Chapel, and there camped for the night. At daylight on the morning of tlie 10 th tliey formed in order and proceeded along the old Fairfax road, the infantry acting as flankers and skirmishers, for there were dense woods on both sides for nearly two thirds of the distance. The cavalry performed the duty of videttes. The Accotink was passed without seeing or hearing anything of the enemy ; and after turning into the road leading to Pohick Church, the command made a short halt. Then Lieutenant Innis, with most of the cavalry and a portion of the infantry, proceeded on ahead, and when they liad nearly reached Pohick Church discovered on the brow of a hill, and near a piece of woods, a force of infantrj^ and cavalry^ their arms gleaming in the sun, and which they mistook for the enemy. Our cavalry came scampering over the road, and, to tell the truth, considerably frightened, the Lieutenant reporting that he had come upon tlie enemy in force. There was no doubt of the force seen being composed of our own men ; but for reasons not necessary for me to explain here, they were not com- municated with. The force now began to return at a slow pace over the same road, the infantry in advance of the cavalry. The captain was a man of pleasant manners, disposed to be friendly with the formers and their families, and to treat them kindly. At this time lie was in just such a mood as you may suppose a man to be in when he has made a pleasant visit to a distant relative. The greater part of his company had preceded ijim nearly half a mile ; and he had with him only a bugler, a ser- 10- 210 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. geant, and tliree or four privates. On rcaciiing the vicinity of the bone mill, a halt was made at the gate of a fine old farm-house, about which there was an air of comfort not common in that part of the country. lie walked up to the door and was met by the ladies of the house, who received him with marked cordiality, the men having all "gone South." He was invited into their parlor, and the ease and gentleness of their manners so captivated the gallant captain as to make him resolve within himself that hereafter his sword should be at the service of Apollo, not Mars. Dusky servants hied here and there, brought out the whitest linen, and to such hospitalities as the house afforded the captain was invited to sit down. Was it some beautiful, some sweet dream, that was weaving such a charm about his too susceptible heart ? Never before had he felt so much poetry in his nature ; never before had he fallen in with such charming society. Could it be that we were at war with our blood, with a people whose families were ideals of love and tenderness? Wbat to him were liis troopers, With clattering sabres arid glistening steel ; The fair angel beside him had golden hair. The lady of the house engaged him in conversation, while her beautiful daughter, a delicate flower that had just bloomed into her seventeenth summer, sat down to the piano and won his heart with a song. The captain has said many times since that this damsel had the face of an angel and voice of a bird. But lie never for a momen . thought that these charms form a dangerous power — one which even mouarchs have found irresist- ible. HE STORY OF A TROOPEll. 211 And as there must be an end to all things earthly, so it was with our Captain's first visit ; he parted from his amiable acquaintances with many expressions of regret and ]/roniises to call again. He now set off at a brisk gallop, hoping soon to come up with his com- mand, which Iiad halted some distance ahead. He had crossed the Accotink, and just turned into a road lead- ing at right angles to the one he had been following, and through a dense wood. A few paces further, and the quick, sharp sound of rifles sounded on the air, the bugler fell dead from his horse, another of the men was severely wounded, and the Captain's horse shot from under him. A dozen men rushed from their place of ambush, and in auotlicr minute Captain Todd and his wounded companion were hurried into the thicket and made prisoners. A small squad of his men came riding back at a full gallop, when they were fired at by the secreted enemy, and thrown into confusion. At this time several of the men were wounded, a number of horses captured, and three more prisoners added to the list. Tlie whole scene must have been enacted within sound of the main body of the cavalry and a portion of the infantry; but either from stupidity or want of courage on the part of- the officers in command not the slightest effort was made either to recapture the prisoners or punish their captors. There were not more tlian ten or twelve of the enemy, at most, and they were permitted to carry off their prisoners and plunder unmolested. Tlie Captain's dream of love and beauty had suddealy changed. He was a captive, in the hands of ruda 212 THE STOlir OF A TROOPEli. rebels, men of our own blood, to be sure, but fierce ntid cruel. Indeed, these men of our own blood found pleas- ure, and even amusement, in treating their prisoners harshly. After stripping them of nearly everything (^f value they possessed, they were compelled to march all night tlirough mud and rain, and kept without foud for nearly thirty hours. Not even the wounded were ex- empt from this harsh treatment. On reaching Manassas the Captain found himself an object of intense-curiosity, for a rumor had spread through the rebel camp that a brother of Mrs. President Lincoln had been captured; and not a few insisted that he could be nothing less than a spy. Indeed, it was not until the real brother of Mrs. Lincoln, then on duty at Manassas, corrected the slander, that the Captain enjoyed any peace of mind. The prisoners were a few days afterwards sent to Libby prison, wiiere they remained guests for several months. The Captain, I am informed, has not made a second visit to those amiable ladies, having uade up his mind that appearances are very deceptive. C II A P T E R X X J I . A NEW CHARACTER, AND AN AMUSING ADVENTURE. Wo had got into December, the weather was clear nnd fine, and the roads fast coming into good condition. Our regiment was together again, in Camp Kearney, and better satisfied at being iinder the command of General Franklin. Onr time was employed doing picket duty, and scouting along our front from Fall's Church to tlie quiet little tov/n of Annandale, the in- habitants of which were more than once seriously alarmed by our dashes through their streets. We would also make frequent expeditions beyond our lines into the enemy's country, sometimes to procure forage, at others to observe the enemy. The farmers were not inclined to approve our mode of relieving them of their Furplus forage, and would frequently protest against it. and even assert that they were loyal to our cause a? a means of protecting it. These little attentions ou (,\)r port the enemy would frequently repay with com- pour.d ihterest. If he did not get even with us in the mailer of forage he was sure to be more than square in jirisor.ers. Indeed, he had an impudent way of coming into our lines, deceiving and capturing our pickets; 213 214 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. sometimes lie would carry off a whole outpost in tlie most cool manner. He had also a mysterious process of obtainini^ our siirnals from day to day : and these he ^YOuld turn to his own advantage. In truth he could beat us at inventing mischief and taking advantage of circumstances. . He had his spies everywhere, and his secret telegraph, it was clear, extended into the highest places of our Government. There joined us about this time a sturdy and remark- able Irishman, a man of great power and strengtli, ol the name of Alexander. He was a fellow of infinite humor and great nimbleness of tongue, ready always to fight with or do a favor for any man in the regiment. Fists, sabres, or pistols were equally in favor with him, and the man who opp6sed him could have his choice. He would make friends with all the distressed damsels in the neighborhood, and would spend his next month's pay account, and as much more as he could raise, to relieve their wants. Alex, for such was the name he went by, never was known to throw whisky over his shoulder, and no man wanted for a bottle while he had a dollar in his pocket. His mind seemed to be con- tinually at war with the sutler and Major A^on Flopp. He would propose 4o buy out the former's traps and distribute them among the men; the latter he always wanted to get into a fight, merely for the amusement of others. Indeed, Yon Flopp became so alarmed at the queer pranks this brusque Irishman would cut that he held his life unsafe while in his company, and, in accordance with wliat he considered prudence and wis- dom, never crossed his path if he could reach his tent bv any other road. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 215 Alex was soon favored with a Lieutenant's commis- sion, and in time became amusement for the wliolo camp, for he could play a good flute, sing a good song, sound a good bugle, beat any man at telling an im- probable story, and furnisli a dancing party with music on the violin. His exploits in Western Virginia, per- formed since the time I write of, have given him a i\ame among the people of that region, that will live long after this war. He had served, too, in the regu- lar cavalry, and bad seen active service in California, where he made an extraordinary escape from his ene- mies by riding forty miles on the bare back of a mule, and in no other uniform than his shirt. And this ex- traordinary feat was performed at night, in a drenching rain. Now it so liappened one day thatour good Chaplain, who had been sharing Alex's bottle somewhat freely, got into a quarrel with him on a matter of religion. But the question, not being very clearly understood by either gentleman, soon shifted to one of muscle. The Chaplain, I may mention, was a man of good fighting qualities, and loosing Ids temper at the moment de- clared it useless to argue with a fellow whose head was incapable of comprehending the simplest question of the Trinity. Here was an opportunity of accommo- dating the camp with a fight of a very novel and inter- esting character. The Lieutenant was quick to doff his coat and invite the Chaplain to do the same. He liad been insulted, and must,have satisfaction. The parson began quietly to put off his coat and lay aside his spectacles, while 216 THE STORY OF A TllOOPER. the Lieutenant brouglit out a pair of huge pistols, and called in several of the officers who had been attracted to the scene to measure the ground and see fair play. He then picked up a couple of sabres, and handing one to the parson, whose countenance assumed an air of surprise, said in an emphatic tone: "Here! your reverence — pistols or sabres ? There is no passing this fight ; and we'd as well get the job over afore sunset. Send for a doctor at once.'' '' Sinner that I am," muttered the parson, confusedly, '* to be seen with this sabre in my hand when it is the Bible I should have had.'' The Domiiiie was evidently taken at a disadvantage, and became somewhat pale and nervous, for he remem- bered that be was not skilled in the use of either of these death-dealing weapons. Happily at this moment Major V^on Flopp, preceded by Crump, the bugler, made his appearaace, and began pumping up his cour- age to the highest guage. '' Good heavens ! your reverence Is not going to fight with this Irish Lieutenant, who is not your equal, and would like nothing better than furnishing the camp with a funeral every day — " Yon Flopp made a low bow, and was about to pro- ceed further, when the parson interrupted, and in a a manner that surprised and confounded him. " Am I to be insulted in this way?" said the parson, " and by one I took for a frieiid ?" '' Heavens, me !" interposed Von Flopp, " there is not a man in camp that does not take me for an enemy, do what I will to oblige him." Then raising his voice, THE STOllY OF A TROOPER. 217 he continued : " I was goino: to say, yonr reverence, that as I was ranking officer present, and no officer of the day on the ground, I would order this Irishman in arrest, and have him tried by court-martial for con- duct disrespectful to our chaplain." "Have you no manners, Major?" interposed the par. son, in an angry tone, " 1 an Irishman, and you insult me by casting reflections on an Irisliman ! It is said every fool pays dear for liis folly." He was about to proceed further, wlien the Lieutenant, who had sent one man for the doctor and another for a friend, in the warmest gush of his nature, grasped the parson firmly by the hand. " If you'll pass the quarrel 1 will," said he. " There's no cause of light atwecn us, onyhow. And here's the man as '11 be yer friend in ail future quarrels ye may have." They shook liands and exchanged other tokens of future friendship. The Lieutenant, who liad been cast- ing wicked glances at Von Flopp, drew his sabre and ruslied at the doughty Major, who took to his heels and ran faster than he liad ever been known to do be- fore. Indeed he ran far beyond the limits of the camp, the Lieutenant close at his heels; and in attempt- ing to get over a fence tumbled into a deep ditch of mud and water, from which he was extricated in as sorry a plight as man ever was seen in, and so fright- tened tliat nothing was seen of him in camp for several days. "It was tlie mission of Him who came on earth to save us all, to preserve peace between men." The speaker was a meek lltt'e man, with a smooth, round 21b THE STORY OF A TROOPER. face, and his liair parted over tlie center of his head. On hearing that there was a fight between an Irish Lieutenant and the Chaplain, he liad forced his way through the crowd and into the presence of the latter, who was still holding the sabre in his hand. "And pray, who are you?" inquired the Dominic, replacing his spectacles, and fixiug his eyes on him. " I am a worker in the holy cause of the Christian Commission," responded the man. "Have been dis- tributing tracts and socks through the camps, and pray- ing with the sick in your hospitals. And may heaven give me strength to do this good work well, for thei-e is much need of it. The flock looks to us for example ; and it is meet that we set tliem a f?ood one." Pie said no more, but quietly took his departure. And such was the force of the rebuke that the Dominie put the sabre away and sinking into a chair wept like a child. A few days after what I have related above hap- pened, a squadron of Von Flopp's battalion was or- dered to proceed over the Little River Turnpike on a reconnoissance, with orders to proceed as far as possi- ble in the direction of Fairfax Court House. The squadron was mounted and ready to march, wlien A^on Flopp made his appearance in camp, boiling over with courage. He was in a new uniform, ornamented with much lace, prodigiously booted and spurred, and armed to the very teeth, if I may use a phrase so common anions: writers on the war. Indeed no less than four pistols hung from liis belt, while his sabre was of un- common length, and kept up such a clattering as he paced to and fro before his tent, casting a challenging THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 219 glance at each officer as lie passed, as mucli as to say : '' You took me for a fool and a coward ; but now if you want a quarrel — here's your man." Once or twice the Irish Lieutenant passed liim, and as he did the Ma- jor would strike the Lilt of his sabre violently and assume a defiant air. No sooner was Von Flopp in camp than he began giv- ing all sorts of orders to all sorts of persons, creating general disturbance. He sent buglers .one way, order- lies another, and servants another. Then he set Crump to sounding all sorts of calls, none of which either officers or men couid understand. A servant brought liis horse, when he mounted and commenced cavorting up and down in front of the officers' tents, which was the signal for all sorts of shouts and cries from the men, upon several of which he made a charge with his sabre drawn. And this sad state of things was not put an end to until the Colonel came out and reproached Von Flopp for his folly; in fine, calling him a fool and threatening to order him in arrest for disturbing the peace of the camp. He now claimed the right to command the squadron, and there being no other way of of keeping him from doing further harm in camp, (except placing him in ar- rest,) the Colonel granted his request, much to the dis- o-ust of the officers, who knew there was no better way of putting an end to the uselessness of the expedition. The day was fine, however, and the sqiiaxlrun pro- ceeded along the Little River Turnpike at a brisk trot, the Major accompanied by his faithful bugler, and in th« rear, for he asserted tliat it was written in all 220 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. books on war he had ever read that no commanding officer, on whose life so much depended, would ever think of advancing into an enemy's country at the head of his command. It was in vain that the officers as- sured him we were at least eight miles from our picket line, and would not be considered in the enemy's country until we had got beyond it. Officers as well as men were disposed to make merry with him, and various plans to get liim to ride at the head of the column were resorted to in vain. He assured his officers, when told there was not the slightest danger, that it was not danger but respect for the rules of war that shaped his con- duct. " It will not do," he would say, " for an officer hio-h in command to trust to luck for hi? life. You know there's no knowing what our enemies may do with a man of my rank when they get him." In order to change the subject somewhat, the Major began to give the officers an amusing account of the numerous affairs of honor he had been engaged in, from Tennessee to California. I say amusing, for tuey afforded his hearers much merriment. Out of these little affairs he had always come out a hero, in high fa- vor with all the women of the neighborhood in which they were enacted. The squadron had now reached Benton's Tavern, where we had a station, and a company of infantry. The officer in command had his guard turned out to salute the cavalry, and the men, seeing the Major, be- gan to cheer heartily, for his fame had spread through- out the division, and there was scarcely a man in it who did not know him. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 221 *' These men are cheering in honor of you, Major ^on Flopp," said one of the officers, riding up and touching his hat respectfully. " I take it !" replied the Major ; " you are right. Lieutenant ; and it is only right and polite that I thank them in a speech. Let the squadron be halted.'' The order was quickly obeyed ^and the command formed in line, facing the infantry, two deep. Tliis done, the Major rode to the center, and raising his hat began to speak thus : " I always did respect soldiers ; and now I love them because they have so many hardships and so few comforts. And this I can tell you of myself, that if I was not edycated to the pro- fession of arms — not ground out at West Point — I was born of a military family. And if a man be born of a military family and the blood of the soldier be in liis veins, that's enough for me." He continued in this strain, discoursing of himself, of the high political po- r^ilions he had held, and the great sacrifices he had made to join the army, for nearly fifteen minutes, and until the men began to turn what he said into ridicule, for indeed they saw that he was either a fool or the strongest sort of an egotist. The officer in command of the station at length lost his temper, and interrupted the Major's speech in a very rude manner. Indeed he called him a balloon [i. e. a gas bag.) and various other names not recorded in the reo-ulations. He also declared that if he did not take himself off he would report him at headquarters for disturbing the peace and discipline of liis post. This BO astonii^hed and sururised the T^laior that he called 222 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. loudly for Crump, saying it would not do to pay this rude fellow any further respect. Crump sounded liis bugle, the troopers wheeled into line, and in another minute were moving forward in the best of temper. But the Major did not relish this want of respect to a superior officer. And after proceeding a few minutes in silence he called one of the officers to him, saying : " Kri0wi:]g you to be a friend and no en- emy of mine, I would have you make note of what this Captain of infantry said to me. He called me a bal- loon, mind you ; and what could be more insulting to the honor of a soldier? Mind you, gentlemen, he is only a Captain of infantry ; and talks in this way to a field officer of cavalry. He shall be court-martialed, gentlemen. He called me a balloon, which means a wind bag; you shall be my proof of that." CHAPTER XXIII. SURPRISE OF MAJOR TON FLOOP AT THE CONDUCT OF AN INDIGNANT FEMALE— MORE INSTRUCTIONS TO HIS OFFICERS AS TO HOW WAU OUGHT TO BE CARRIED ON— CAPTURE OF AN I3IP0RTANT PRISONER AND WHO UE TURNED OUT TO BE. The troopers had not proceeded many miles be3^ond Benton's Tavern, when they came to a neat little farm- house, at the door of which a woman of respectable appearance, and well dressed, stood looking anxiously at tlie column. The Major immediately began to rein in his horse and put on the best appearance he was ca- pable of. He also called Crump, the bugler, saying : " When you have sounded a trot, you will follow me, for I intend to make my compliments to the lady you see there." He also told tlie officers that it would not do for him to pass without paying his respects to this lady, ascer- taining wliat her politics were, and what news she had concerning the rebel arm3^ " And you will see, gen- tlemen," said he, " tliat it \^ill not take me long to win her aifcctions. Never saw a woman yet I could'nt make an impression on at fir^t sight ; and I say this not boasting." In another minute he was prancing up to tlie gate, followed by his faithful bugler. The wo- 223 224 THE STORY OF A T800PEH. man stood almost motionless as the Major alighted and advanced up the path with an air of great self-confi- dence, for he was in full feather, and no general in the army liad more brilliant trappings for his horse. As he was about to ascend a few steps that led to the door the woman made a backward motion, as if to retire. " I would speak to you, Madame,'* said the Major, raising his hat with his left hand, and frisking the lingers of his left tlirough his bushy hair. " I am an officer of the Federal army, and want to prove to you that I am no enemy — " " Yeou arn't a bit better nor the rest on'em,'"' inter- rupted the woman in an angry tone, disappearing into her house and shutting the door." Never was door so quickly shut in a man's face. " Zounds, me !" ejaculated the Major, " the woman has misunderstood me. Don't you think she has, Crump?" This last sentence was addressed to the little bugler, who had dismounted and joined him, in the hope of sharing any milk and hoe-cake that might result from his master's visit. ''' Reckon not," replied Crump. " These seccsh wo- men don't make friends easy." Of all the rebuffs the Major had received thero was none that took snich a deep effect on his feelings as this. lie looked north and he looked soutli ; he first rubbed his hands and then his head. How could he stand such a cold, stinging defeat as this, inflicted by a woman? And this, too, wlienit had been truly said of him that no woman's heart was safe when he was near. Thus mused our crest-fallen hero, until the troopers had nearly pasocd beyond ^^igtit. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 225 " I once knew a woman," said Crump, suggestively, '* who shut the door in a man's face, and what com'd his best friend after. I'd knock at the door, Major.^' "This is a good suggestion of yours, Crump," re- plied the Major, regaining his courage. " I knew a woman marry a man two days after she liad shut the door in his face." Thus saying he ascended the steps and tapped gently at the door, while he bent his head in a listening attitude. There was no response. Again and again he tapped in the same gentle manner. " Thar now, jist you git away. Ye'h arn't a bit bet" tcr nor the rest o' them Yankees. Ye'd steal my chick- ens jist as soon as them tother fellers," said the woman, replying from within. '' Worse and worse !" exclaimed the Major. " If these women will have us enemies when we come to make peace witli them, what are we to do? We must give this matter up, Crump, for tliere is no making a woman polite when she makes up her mind she won't be. But say not a word about it to the officers." Giving up in de- spair, he mounted his horse and set off at a full gallop in pursuit of his troop, which he found halted at our outer picket post, on a liill overlooking Annandaic and the plains beyond. Colonel Pinto was in command here, and when tlie Major came up was sharing what broth- erly love there was left in his bottle with our officers. Of course, tie Major was invited, and, in addition, treated to a bowl of soup, whicli hospitality lie was re- solved to repay in his usual manner. " You are a brave and gallant man, Colonel Pinto ; and now that I have the honor of shaking so famous a military 11 226 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. man by the hand, I will say that I consider you in every way worthy of being placed at this post of danjrer and honor." Here he made a low bow, and continued : " You shall have fame, sir, in accordance witli your- merits ; and I will see that what you have performed here on this outpost shall be set forth in the newspapers, for I feed and have a large acquaintance uith a number of fellows who write for them." The Colonel smiled and blushed, for he was a modest man, and had never before had his merits so openly sounded. Indeed he began to wish the Major at least ten miles away in the enemy's country. " You shall have the honor to receive a good report of this expedition of mine into the enemy's country. The Commanding General has great confidence in me, and said as I was coming away : ' If you meet the en- emy, Major, crush him.' Yes, sir, and it shall be done, too. If fortune favors me so much as to tlirow the €nemy in my way he shall be scattered right and left, and banished — yes, sir, banished clean out of sight. Sir, you must know that the only true way to carry on war is to first frighten your enemy and then scatter him. Frighten him first and you can always whip him after." There can be little doubt tliat Von Flopp's policy of conducting the war was treated with serious consideration by men whose duty it was to sliape the military affairs of the nation, when the war began. " If you can't frighten a man you can't whip him,'' conclu- ded the Major ; " and if you can't whip him so that he'll stay whipped, why, there's no victory." An ofiicer of his own troop, seeing that if he went THE STOY OF A TROOPER. 227 on much longer.iii this strain he would discover himself the fool he really was, inquired wliat success he had with tlie lady at whose house he called. " You would have been astonished, gentlemen, at the heartiness of the welcome I received. Asked me into the parlor, brought out a table, and spread it with the very best. She on parting made nic promise never to pass that way without stopping and spending an hour. The poor woman (he assumed an air of sympathy) was in a sad state of mind concerning her husband and son, who were in the Southern army." Then shaking his head, he said, " I parted from the lady reluctantly, I did." Crump, who had been listening to his master's ac- count of his visit, began first to stretch his mouth wide open, then to put the bugle to his lips and caper round like a merry-Andrew, to the surprise of the soldiers near by. When asked by one of them to explain his i!onduct, he replied in a whisper : " Should like to see the man who could tell a better lie nor my master, or blow his own horn louder." The Major would have remained here recounting the pleasures of his reception until sun-down, had not the senior Captain ordered ''boots and saddles" called, and indeed taken it upon himself to put the troops in motion. When the Major had mounted his horse, he extended his hand to Colonel Pinto, saying : " And now, sir, I must part with you, for the service demands that I go and perform the duties of a soldier. Sir, you have treated me like a gentleman, and I part with you reluc- tantly. Your subordinate, at the post below, is no gen- 228 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. tleraan. He called me a balloon, yes, sir, a balloon ! and Ibc insult is tliat balloon means a wind bacr. He shall be brought before a court-martial and punished for his insult." He now put spurs to his liorse and proceeded after his troops at full gallop, the little bugler cIosq at his heels, and blowing the most shrill sounds his liorn was capable of. Half an hour more and the column disap- peared beyond our lines, preceded by an advance guard, and flankers out riglit and left. Officers as well as men were inclined to have their measure of jokes with the Major, and when they had got about four miles beyond our lines two of the advance guard and an ofiicer, whose name it will not be necessary to mention here, came galloping back in a state of great anxiety, and reported tliat a force of the enemy was posted just on the edge of a clump of wood, and could be seen from a bit of elevated ground a few rods ahead. He had a battery and a flag-staff, with infantry supports just in the edge of the wood. The Major became suddenly pale, and was also seized with a trembling in his limbs. He ordered Crump to sound a halt, which the column quickly obeyed, and came to a rest in the road. " And now, gentlemen," said the Major, addressing tlie oflicers as they gathered round liim, preserving an air of great seriousness, " afi'airs look serious, and we must consult together as to what is to be done." " We are here for tliat object. Major," they replied, " and to get your orders as to how the troops shall move and be disposed, and if we are to make an attack, to get your plan." THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 229 "How would you have me give you a plan without knowing the strength of the enemy ? " returned the Major. "If you will proceed with me to the front, sir/' in- terposed one of the officers, " we will go near enougli to make a correct estimate of tlieir strength.'' " I know you for a man of truth and a good soldier," resumed the Major, '' and will take your word tliat the enemy is in stronir force. There is a latin maxim somewhere that says, prudence is necessary to success in war. And there is anotlier maxim somewhere that says, it is not wisdom, for a commanding officer to ex- pose himself unnecessarily at the front when careless firing is going on." YonFlopp insisted on makinghis headquarters where he was, while two of the lieuten- ants went to the front to get a more correct view of the enemy. Presently one of them came riding back, saying the enemy was but a mere handful, and could be easily whipped and captured. " Roast me ! " exclaimed the Major, pumping up his courage, " we must not let this chance slip. They must be crushed, gentlemen, crushed ! And if we can't crush them we must frighten them first, and then scatter tliem — '' The officers here interrupted by demanding to know in what order the troops should move, for there was no time to be lost. "Gentlemen," he answered, rubbino: his head, "I am not an adept in your military technicalities got at West Point, and liave not at my tongue the exact orders it would be neccssarv to i^-ive in makinir the 230 THE STORY OF A TROOPER, movement you are to make. But if a man liave mili- tary aptness, as I have, they will come to him as Well out of West Point as in. Roast me! if a man can't be a good General without being learned with West Point knowledge. Listen now to what I say. Divide your forces; let one go to the right, and the other go to the left; then Crump and the other bugler shall gallop along the front and sound their bugles. Tliis will surely frighten the enemy; then when you seehiin beirin to shake in his boots, dash in and scatter him. That's the way to properly conduct the war. Find out where the enemy's fears lay, and when well frightened vou can capture liim without shedding a drop of blood. "" A sergeant of the advance guard now rode up and reported that the enemy was discovering himself in tlie edge of the wood and advancing rapidly in strong fore. The officers preserved an air of great anxiety, and again appealed to the Major for his plan of action. " This changes the whole complexion of things,'' said the Major, making a motion to mount liis horse. "Prudence is necessary to overcome trouble; and it looks as if there was to be trouble enougli here. I have it now, I liave it ! My orders are only to observe the enemy; not to make a demonstration. It follows then that if the enemy does not run away from us we must get away from him. Them's our orders, you see. So do you order a retreat; that it may be said we fdl * It was evident that the Major had acquired his railitary science by reading Schencji's history of Vienna and Butler's expedition to Big Bethel. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 231 back before superior numbers. If we cannot frighten them and scatter them we must fall back. That's my plan, gentlemen; and if it be not a good one I have no failh in your high science got at West Point." The Major mounted his horse, and was about to commence the retreat, when the other Lieutenant, who had gone to the front, rode back to say that a closer observation had revealed the fact that what appeared to be a battery and a flag-staff was only a cow with her tail up, and the infantry supports were only a row of young saplings. A scene of merriment fol- lowed tills announcement such as I cannot describe here, but which for a time completely destroyed all order and discipline. The Major declared he could not appreciate it; and as he had taken no part in pro- ducing it, so they must not make him share its dishonor. *• If you had performed your duty properly, officers of the advance guard," he said, assuming an air of pro- found wisdom, " the history of our war would not have been disgraced by this affair." The gallant Major could not see that he had bee.i ^nade the victim of what might have turned out to be a very serious joke. The troops soon moved forward and reached a high piece of ground within a few miles of I'airfax Court House, the dome of which was plainly in sight. Here the enemy's pickets were discovered on the edge of a belt of wood, just beyond a^i open field. They began making a movement as soon as our men discovered themselves. Then a number of their cavalry appeared in sight and began to advance, as if with the intention of off-rincr battle. Of course this was the signal for 232 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. V considerable excitement, and Major Yon Flopp, who had resolved not to " smoke liis new uniform," and kept at a prudent distance in the rear, was called upon to know what was to be done. The men were in fine spirits, and began to engage the enemy in a free and easy sort of a way, without orders. " Do ? that is the great question," replied Von Flopp, nervously. " D — 1 take rae if I know what to do." And he scratched up his thoughts and struck the hilt of his sabre. *' This is an important matter, gentlemen, and no subject to laugli over just now," he resumed, notic- ing that some of the officers wore smiling at his inno- cence. " Things have a serious look; but I would have you bear in mind, gentlemen, that the battle was not brought on by m}' orders; and if there's a defeat don't make me responsible for it. 1 have, heard it said that cavalry should not fight without infantry for supports." The Major became evidently agitated, and as the firing increased lost all control over himself, and declared it his intention to go ba'^k to Colonel Pinto and bring up a force of infantry, it not boing prudent to trust the honor of the nation to tliose cavalrymen. And he would liave returned but for one of the ofS".crs, wJio assured him that it would bo extremely dangerous for an officer of his rank to pass over a road infested with rebels. There was anotlicr and more serious obstacle to the Major's return. Crump was at tlie front, making all sorts of noises on his bugle, ajid increasing the excite- ment. Yon Flopp would not think of travelling a mile without his faitliful bugler. The skirmishing was kept up for more than half an THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 2-33 hour, and was remarkable only for the little harm done to either side. Indeed, if I remember right, the only damage done was to the Mojor's nerves, for the enemy kindly kept beyond carbine range, and we very pru- dently followed his example. On the return of the troops Yon Flopp recovered his courage and became marvellously brave. He pro- ceeded to show that the expedition had gained a great victory; and that in all but one of its results had been highly satisfactory to him, and he would take it upon himself to see tha it was properly announced to the nation. One of the officers wanted to know what the excep- tion was. " Prisoners, sir, prisoners," replied Von Flopp. " If we had taken a few prisoners we miglit have had it a grand affair in the newspapers." They had not proceeded far, however, when one of the ser- geants, seeing a side road, dashed down it at a brisk gallop, as if to see where it led to, and what was to be found on it. " That sergeant is a brave fellow," said one of the officers. " Were it not that he takes too much on himself, and acts as if he had a commission in his pocket, he might set up for the bravest man in the regiment," rejoined another. "He never waits for orders, but is always dashing offin search of adventure — " "It is my opinion, gentlemen," interposed a third officer, "that the regiment has no braver officer thnn Major Yon Flopp." Yon Flopp caught the compliment, and raised his 11^ 234 THE STORY OF A TROOPEK. hat in appreciation of it. " Time's coming, gentlemen/' said he, his hat still raised, " when you will not call me a fool, but do justice to my courage. If, therefore, you accept what you ha^e spen as a proof of this ser- geant's courage, I will show you that your command- ing officer is not behind any man." Thus saying he called Crump, ordered him to sound his bugle, and in another minute was dashing after him, the sergeant, at full speed. The men were astonished and amused at this strange scene, and cheered the Major at the very top of their yoices. He had proceeded only a mile down the road, when he came up with the sergeant, who was holding a par- ley with a man of strange appearance, and, as he said, suspicious action. The sergeant, who was zealous in the discharge of his duty, had just met the man " comb- ing across a field." The man was extremely lean of figure, wore a soft white hat, bound with a sash of dce[) crape. His clothes were of brown homespun, and very shabby. Altogether he was a fine specimen of wlmt might be accepted as the shabby genteel gentleman of Old Yirginia. His hands were small and white, an air of melancholy shadowed a countenance on which care and disappointment had written deep furrows, and his manners indicated that he had seen better days. " Arrested this man," said the sergeant, saluting llie Major, "because he was found under suspicious circum- stances. He came ont of the woods yonder — tells 11 lo d st story you ever heard — it don't hang togethci-, thon,ixh." " You^'e right, sergeant, you are a Irave fellow. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 235 But the prisoner belongs to me," replied Yon Flopp. '' He's a spy ! There's no getting over that, because he looks just like a spy. Roast me! I'd not be sur- prised if he was a bushwhacker." Then turning to the prisoner, who was nervous and confused, he contin- ued. " It'll go hard with you. Yes it will. You're a bushwhacker and a spy, and you know you are. You may lie as fast as a rain storm, but you can't deceive me." Here the Major began flourishing his sabre, which so alarmed the poor prisoner that he essayed to speak in his own defence. He had not proceeded far, however, when his voice failed him, and his eyes filled with tears that coursed down his cheeks, writing their tale of sorrow as they went. " Heaven can bear me witness that I am no spy, but a man full of trouble, and driven from my home, and separated from my friends by this cruel war — " " You can't deceive a military man like me with that dodge. You must prepare to get hung, and well hung, as every spy deserves to be," interrupted the Major exultingly. " Has it come to that," the man muttered rather than spoke, " that I must not speak in my own defence?" " There's no saving your neck with these tears of your's, and what you have got to say will keep until you get to headquarters." So proud was the Mnjor of having secured a prisoner that lie would not listen to anything the man had to say. He was therefore ordered to prepare for a tramp to Fairfax Seminary, a journey he was ill prepared for, since his toes were out of his shoes, and his raiment 23G THE STOnY OF A TROOPER. not sufficient to keep out tlie cold. The prisoner wag told in what manner lie must proceed, and just as he was about to set off a very amusing scene occurred, which T must describe here, or the true history of this expedition will not be complete. I remember also that a very grave and serious account of the achievements of this expedition appeared in several newspapers con- spicuous for their veracity, and which, it was asserted by several officers of the regiment, could liave been written by no other person than Von FIopp liimself, as not a word was said about the officer who called him a balloon. The sergeant declared the prisoner his by right of capture. This the Major disputed, asserting that the prisoner was his by right of rank. To which the ser- geant, who had rare courage, replied that the Major was a fool, who got brave enough when there Avas no danger, and was meddling with business that did not concern him. Indiu^nant at this slander on his wisdom, the Major drew his sabre and declared the sergeant should feel the weiglit of it. The sergeant, however, was equally quick in drawing his sabre, saying he was ready to try strength of weapons with his superior. He now began to maneuvre his horse, and instead of putting himself in an attitude of defence, made ready for a sudden charge on liis commanding officer. Thi^ completely changed the aspect of affairs, and so con- tracted tlie bounds of Von Flopp s courage that he called lustily on the prisoner to stand by him and save him from the venoreance of this cruel-hearted ser<'-eant. lie also sent Crump back to the interiection of the road, THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 237 there to blow as loud as lie could on liis bugle until help came. This terrible sounding of Crump's bugle soon alarmed the troop, which came back at a brisk trot to sec what was the matter. Indeed several of tlie officers gave signs of serious alarm, for they feared Yon Flopp had fallen in with the enemy and been captured. Wlien told by Crump that it was only a fight between his master and the sergeant, and all about a scraggy-look- ing prisoner, they rode quickly to the spot, expecting to find one or the other dead. Judge then, if you can, of their disappointment, when they found the Major and the sergeant dismounted and shaking hands, appa- rently the very best of friends. " We have a tricing difficulty," said the Major, call- ing one of the officers aside and whispering in his ear, "but we have settled it amicably between ourselves, and there is no need of any further reference to it. I honor this sergeant, and can endorse him fcr a brave man and a soldier.'' They now mounted their horses, and having joined the troop, set out for camp in the best of humor, tlie prisoner proceeding on foot between, the Major and the sergeant, for in the accommodation it was agreed that he should belong to them jointly. When within a few miles of the Seminary the Major began to consult willi himself as to the results of so important an expedition. He must make a report, and give it sound and circum- stance. And it would hardly do to round off the report of an expedition that had been so eminently successful with a single prisoner, and he so shabby an one. In 238 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. short, ho concluded within himself that it would not do to have less than three prisoners. As fortune was with him just then, so two inoffensive travellers were found sitting by the roadside, for they were weary and needed rest. And these Von Flopp proceeded forthwith to capture as prisoners of war. The men were on their way home from Alexandria, where they had been to at- tend to some law business, and were armed with passes, which, however, the Major declared he was not bound to respect. . The other officers remonstrated with him against tiic wisdom of making such strange arrests; one of them even called him a fool and a madman. But it was all to no purpose, the Major asserted iiis rank; and the prisoners were necessary to make up what he called Iiis complement. It mattered not how much they pleaded tlieir innocence and offered to show their passes — how much distress was brought on their fami- lies ; they were ordered to join the lirst prisoner and move forward. The bugles were sounding tattoo when the troop reached Camp Kearney. Crump liad beeii sent in ad- vance to announce the approach of liis master, to wliich he added all sorts of stories as to tlie events of the day. According to Crump his master had borne a conspic- uous part in several battles the troop had been engaged in; that he had witli his own hands captured and was bringing in a number of prisoners. Tliis story set tlie camp all astir, and the men broke away from all re- Ftraint and gathered in crowds about the gate, giving the troop three hearty, cheers as it wlieeled into camp. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 230 Anxious inquiries were also made concerning the pris- oners; and not a little disappointment prevailed when the true story of the expedition got out, and the men were told there were only three prisoners, neither of whom were taken with arms. The Major entered camp a few minutes after the troop, carefully guarding the prisoners. Instead of cheers and other complimentary demonstrations, his ears were greeted with cat-calls, and other sounds of a very unpleasant nature. Indeed the peaceful quality of his prisoners excited sympathy rather than joy in the feelings of the men. One said he ought to be ashamed of himself to capture sucli men. Another said he had found the devil and two friends and brought them in to help fight liis battles. A third was sure they were only three Jews, employed by our sutler in the bone and rag business. The big Sergeant Major would have the little bugler tried by court-martial and punished for disappointing the camp with these lies about his master's victories over the enemy. And a nice little fight was got up in Hugh McSourley's tent ; for Hugh had invited Fin. Maginnis to come over and join him in finishing the last end of his bottb, and the guest not content with the whiskey, had something dis- respectful to say of Major Yon Flopp. Now Hugh was an old soldier, and declared he would not stand by and hear language disrespectful to a superior officer spoken in his tent. Fin. would not take back a word, and the result was that Hugh, who liked a fight, awd all the better if he could have it before breakfast, ac- commodated his guest witli a very black eye. 240 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. The camp was, indeed, all disorder and confusion, and although the bugles had sounded taps, and the lights were all out at General Kearney's headquarters, it was wit'i great dilliculty the men could be got to their tents, so intent were they on playing pranks with the Major and his prisoners. But Yon Flopp was not to be cheated out of liis laurels in this way, and with an air of pomp few could assume, proceeded to head- quarters with his motley prisoners. The Colonel was examining some papers by the light of a candle when the Major entered, in all liis serenity. " If your honor," said he, rubbing his head, " has time to listen, I will illuminate what we have done. We have liad excitement enough for one day, Colonel — " The Major hesitated, rubbed his head again, turned to his prisoners, and then was about to continue. " So I understand, Major," interrupted the Colonel, raising his eyes and looking inquiringly at tlie prison- ers over his spectacles; " and I am told you conducted yourself with great coolness and gallantry." " It would not serve me much to speak of myself." The Major bowed, and smiled in return for the compli- ment. " Tlie officers shall be the judges of my bravery. The eneuiy felt tlie weight of our sabres; yes, and he had occasion to run several times. My bi-ave men would have followed me anywhere." " I am sure of that, Major," rejoined the Colonel, suppressing a smile. '* But who, pray, are these men you have here ?" " These here men ? Prisoners of war, sir: prisoners of war; desperate characters; cut-throats; famous all THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 241 over the country for their rascality," he replied, warm- ing into enthus asm. " You give them very hard characters, Major, but what proof have you—" " Listen now, listen," interrupted the Major, point- ing to one of the men who was about to speak in reply to the charges; " you will hear liim talk treason by the page." " We are peaceable citizens, sir," said the man, ad- dressing the Colonel, " and it's not right for the Gov- ernment to arrest us this way — " "Roast me! Just hear liim, Colonel. He does^it open liis mouth but treason comes out. They can't deceive me with their innocence — no they can't. Colo- nel!" Here the Major spread his hands and became eloquent over his prisoners. " Why, sir," he resumed, "look you. This one lias red hair and a disreputable look." He referred to the prisoner taken first. " These two, why sir, you can tell their dangerous faces as far as you can see them." The men looked at their accuser with an air of sur- prise mingled witli contempt. Both men had passes from the Provost Marshal, aud were indeed as peace- able persons as could be found anywhere. After hearing their statements the Colonel ordered tlieir release, had them comfortably provided for during the night, and sent to their suffering families in the morning. *'Umph!" ejaculated the disappointed Major; ^'ain't no good to take prisoners if they are to be let loose in this way. "But you won't turn tliis one loose, I know, Colonel. He's a spy. You can read it in every wrin- 242 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Ide of his countenance. You'll give him the guard- house and the halter, I know ! " The man turned toward him with a look of scorn. *^ There is a judge above who shall sit wlien my loyalty is on trial," he spoke, suppressing his emotions. " Hea- ven knows 1 have already suffered enough for my opin- ions, but I. have been true to my country and my con- science; and I have been punished because I have been true to my country. My property has been destroyed, my home threatened with the torch, and with my family I have been night after night driven to the woods for safety. If but half the tale of my sorrow were told, it would be a sad one indeed. A merciful God pro- tects us all, and to Him I look for deliverance." Here he drew a paper from his pocket, and passing it to the Colonel, who was affected by the man's manner, sank into a chair and wept like a child. "When he had read it he passed it to the Major, say- ing : "You have made one of those mistakes which do us more injury than good." Yon Flopp scanned and scanned over the paper, then shook his head and bowed himself out of the room. The paper was a protection, signed by no less a person than General George B. McClellan. *'I offered to show him my protection," said the man, becoming more calm, " and when I did he treated me with increased rudeness." " I am sorry for what has happened, sir," replied the Colonel, his face warming witli benevolence. " I am also sorry that any one connected with my regiment Bhould have added to your sorrow, sir. There is more THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 243 power ill one kind word than in twenty swords. Your wounded feelings shall be healed, and you shall go to your liome rejoicing. You shall have a supper and a bed, and both shall be the best these headquarters af- ford, for I see you are weary and hungry. It is mad- ness to call a man a criminal who is merely a sufferer ; and he who does it has a heart without sympathy. Charity to the sorrowing heart is like dew to the drooping rose ; it is the sweet incense of the soul ; and he who has the noblest nature bestows it most." Tliis evidence of generosity on the part of the Colo- nel so touched the man's feelings that he again gave vent to his tears. " Cheer up, cheer up!" continued the Colonel, " war makes us all the children of misfortune ; all liable to the abuse of that little brief authority so dangerous in tlie liands of the thoughtless." And he again pressed the man's hand warmly and tenderly. " There was my little garden," sobbed the man, " which made us all so happy to see the flowers when they bloomed. It has all been destroyed. Not a shrub remains. I liave no place to shelter my head in safety, and I meet my family to-day not knowing where tliey will be to-morrow. My father was a patriot, a gen- tleman ; lie served his country long and faithfully in the Senate of the United States. Tliink you I would dishonor his name by being faithless to my country ? No! never." " Dickens ! Dickens !" interrupted the Colonel, '' why, 1 knew liim well." "He was my father," rejoined the man, "and may 244 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Heaven keep hallowed the names of the great men who respected him." " Bless the j^ood old man; may his name live forever. Why, sir, I knew your father well ; his kindness was as bright as the stars of heaven, and fell on all who enjoyed it like a good spirit. You are twice welcome at these headquarters.^' When the Colonel had done speaking he turned to Tantery, the sooty negro, and ordered him to prepare supper and a bed for the poor prisoner, which was done. " And you shall have a good warm punch," resumed the Colonel, " for I see you are suffering from the cold." But on going to the closet he found his bottle empty, an unfortunate result, pro. duced by Tantery, who had an uncommon weakness for strong drink ; and as to the rights of property, he held them in utter contempt. " The bottle is empty, and the sutler has gone to bed," said the Colonel, setting the bottle down with an air of disappointment. Alex, the Irish Lieutenant, entered just at this mo- ment, and being told what was the matter, exclaimed : " Ye'd niver want a bottle, and a dollar is in my pocket. Do ye mind that! And bad luck to the sutler what ^id refuse it liad'nt I a dollar in my pocket!" Alex was never so happy as wlien he Avas relieving the wants of some distressed individual. He started for the sut- ler's shanty, and found tliat avaricious person reluc- tant to rise from his blanket and serve his customer. " Git up ye divil splittin cross atwcen a Jew and a Quaker," roared the Irish Lieutenant, tlmndering away at the sutler's door. '* Git up, ye divil, ye, or by the THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 245 powers yer shanty '11 come down. Ud )^e see a poor man suffer for a bottle, and he sick ?" The sutler re- cognized the voice of his customer, and knowing there would be trouble if he did not get up and give him what he wanted, soon opened the door. " Three ! three! three! bottles; the best ye got, and that's mighty bad. Hand them out, quick now," demanded the Lieutenant. '' Cash or booked ?" inquired the sutler, rubbing his eyes. *' Cashed or booked, is it, ye say, ye thief?" responded Alex, poising his left. *' Musha, bad luck to ye, would ye throw a shadey of discredit on my responsibility — and it night, too? Repate that and I'd mighty soon thrash dacency into ye." " Three bottles," muttered the sutler, sullenly, "six dollars. Booked." Alex grasped the Ijottles eagerly from the sutler's hand, and retiring to headquarters, soon had a hot punch prepared for the poor prisoner. He also as- sisted Tantery in getting supper ready, and which the prisoner partook of with a keen appetite, for in truth he had r»ot tasted food since early morning, when he bx'eak fasted on a potato and a slice of bread. It was on the 4th of December that a good deal of excitement was caused throughout tlie division by the Note. — In colorin.q: my picture it may not be exact in all its tints. I have enJeav- ort'd, however, to give a truthful account of this expedition. The prisoner referred to \v;i.s ;i ^ou of the venerable Dickens, who so long hold an honorable position in th« Scu;:te of the United St.itcd. 245 THE STORY or a trooper. news tliat a man of our regiment liad been captured while deserting to the enemy. The man, William H. Johnson, was a private in Company D. He had Ijcen on picket near Benton's Tavern ; and leaving his com- panion under pretence of watering his horse at a neigh- boring brook, deliberately proceeded to give himself up to the enemy. Johnson was a man of weak intellect, with a down- cast but inoffensive countenance; and no doubt a natu- rally bad man. But the many stories told of him at the time, and some of whicli got into the newspapers, were nothing less than the rare inventions of camp gossips. Johnson's parents resided in Louisiana, where he was, according to his own account, born and raised. Like many others of his class, he was leading a sort of vas-abond life at the North when the war began, and only joined the army because it afforded him a quicker means of aiding the bad cause in which his heart was engaged. Justice was swift to overtake him and bring his career of mischief to an end. He had got but a short distance beyond our outer picket line when he was met by a party of officers of t.:c First New Jersey Brigade, returning from an ex- cursion outside our picket posts. Mistaking them for Confederates, a mistake they were quick to discover and take advantjge of, he proceeded to give them a minute account of what he knew concerning the dispo- sition of our forces, and more particularly the strength and position of our picket posts, exulting at the same time in his crime. When- he liad sufTiciently convicted himself out of his own mouth, the oCncers discovered to THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 247 him who they were, disarmed him, and brouglit him back a prisoner; a man than whom none could have been more wretched. Johnson was arraigned before a court-martial, of which Colonel N. J. Jackson, 5th Maine Volunteers, was President, found guilty, and sentenced to be shot to death. General McClellan, in approving the sen- tence and fixing the day of execution, (the 13lh of De- cember,) concluded his remarks with these words : "For simple desertion the penalty is death. For desertion coupled with such treachery there can be no mercy." Tliere are few things more solemn and touching than a military execution, when properly conducted. And the present one, I venture to assert, has never been ex- celled for its force and impressiveness. The place of execution was a broad, level plain just nortli of the Seminary. Three o'clock was the liour appointed for the division to be in position; but it was nearly four when all the troops had taken tlieir places. The scene was then grand and imposing. Three sides of a square were formed, in double lines, the space between being twenty paces. General Slocum's Brigade formed one side of the square, on the Leesburg turnpike; General Kearney's at right angles, and resting on his right; and General Newton's farming the other side, the cen- tre facing west. Then the artillery formed on one side of the square ; the cavalry on the other. General Franklin and his staff, the Brigade Generals and their staffs, making a brilliant display, took position beside the place of execution. Then a great crowd of spec- tators came, some in gay equipages, others afoot, all 248 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. oagcr to witness the putting to death of this wretched man. The vounj^ laughing girl and the grave Senator mingled with painted harlots and their gaudily dressed companions. The sad procession approached at last, and the im- patient crowd pressed forward to catch a glimpse of the condemned. There was the music, and the Provost Marshal and his aids ; the wagon with the coffin, the prisoner, and his priest; the carbineers with reversed arms, and the escort. It began its solemn march by entering between the lines at the riglit of the division, the front battalions facing to the rear as it approached, and in that manner passed along to the extreme left, one band after anoth.cr striking up and playing a dirge, with an effect not easily described. Now the proces- sion halted at the place of execution. The last faint strains of music had died away. The prisoner crouched on the foot of his coffin, for he was overcome, and there was no courage in his soul. The priest whispered a benediction and took a parting farewell. The carbi- neers were at their places; a strange and solemn still- ness prevailed, and the red, setting sun clothed the scene in mysterious shadows, mingling with the gleam of arms, and giving deeper solemnity to the picture. T:ie Marshal waved his handkerchief. It was the final signal. There was a flash, a crack of carioincs, a wreath of pale white smoke curled away, but the wretched man was not dead. At least a groan had been heard, and the reserve was called up to finish the work of death. STORY OF A TROOPER. BOOiC III. CHAPTER XXVI. DISAFFECTION IN HIGH PLACES. From early in December, 1861, until about tlie 7tli of January, 1862, the weather in Virginia had been remarkably line, the roads good, and tolerably dry. The army took advantage of this to improve its drill and discipline. Indeed, so great was the improvement made during this fine weather, that few could fail to notice it. General McClellan, too, had appeared among his men almost every day, and by his constant attention to their wants had gained their affections and confidence to a remarkable degree. He had the power of making the soldier feel that he was liis true friend; and so carefully and kindly did he exercise this power that he gained a complete mastery over his impulses. Whatever may be said of General McClel- lan a3 a politician, it cannot be denied that as a soldier he liad the love and confidence of his troops. While, liowever, General McClellan was embracing the opportunity tliis fine weather afforded to improve tlie condition of liis army, a feeling of dissatisfaction seized upon the public mind, because lie did not venture forth while it lasted, and do all sorts of impossible things ajxainst the enemy. Men who had been careful not to 251 252 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. get witliin hearing of drum-beat or bullet-sound, sud- denly became wise in military matters, and were ready to show the nation how the rebellion could be put down, if they were onl}^ put in command of the army. War was a new thing to us then, and impatience had come to be the besetting sin of the nation. And the thought- less, and the reckless, and the weak minded were quick to take advantage of this impatience, to exert their bad influence over an administration daily discovering its inability to properly understand the military neces- sities of the day. So persistently did these men urge their conceits upon the President, whose natural good judgment should have been a sufficient protection against such bad influence, that they succeeded in making him believe that he only had to issue an order commanding the army to move forward and conquer our enemies, and it would be done. Men sensible enough in other things, became wild when they talked of war. Many of them talked and acted as if they were sincere in the belief that President Lincoln was a second Joshua, and putting on the mantle of that ancient warrior, could control the winds, the weather, and more than all, the mud of Virginia, while our army went forth to conquer. Washington was, indeed, just then, full of men wise in the art of war. Clergymen were ready to take the field, and went about the streets muttei'ing their dis- trust of generals, and discoursing learnedly on strategy. ATid there were a number of doctors, too, who had never distinguished themselves in their own profession, but ready enough to be made generals, just to show us that an army could be organized and led to victory, as well THE STORY OF A TROOPER. '253 by a man accustomed to the syringe as a man educated to the use of the sword. Tipsy Senators set up for rare military critics; and having seldom appeared in the Senate without bringing discredit on those who sent t lem there, now went about seeking in public places listeners to their criminations against General McClel- lan's patriotism, as well as generalship. Because he did not condescend to make them his confidants, they made him the object of their bitterness. Instead of exerting their influence to preserve harmony in tlie army, so much needed at that time, these reckless men went about exciting jealousy and insubordination among officers, and fanning the fire of malignity already burn- ing too deep in society. The Congressman last from his country-home, with fresh and new notions of public duty, took to this nov- elty of war as a cliild would to a toy, playing with it until his fancy became dazzled. He knew nothing of military affairs, and yet he meddled with them, and was ingenious at making mischief; and nothing else. With- out capacity to gain public attention on the floor of Congress, he hoped, by meddling with military matters, to share a portion of that cheap popularity so plenty on the streets of Washington. And the clamor rung by these men so constantly into the ears of the thought- less soon found its way to the camp, and had its bad effect on the conduct of the soldier. Generals caught up the spirit and gave license to their jealousies ; offi- cers neglected their men, and began intriguing one against the other, seeking promotion and neglecting their proper duties, until crimination and bitter feeling 254 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. divided their councils and weakened their usefulness. Petty officers, following tlie example set by their supe- riors, forgot that they were brothers in arms, forgot that a great and holy cause had brought them into tlie field, forgot what was their first duty to their country in its day of trial, and even forgot that during war the spirit of Union is the throne of power. Generals who had shown themselves incapable in the field, who had brouglit disaster on our arms in our first struggle with tlie enemy, and who had lost the respect and confidence of their men, were again taken into the confidence of the administration, and their advice lis- tened to most when it was most damaging to McClellan. What the nation wanted, just then, to put down this clamor, to stay the discord made by little men whom the tempest of war had lifted into high places, was a firm hand, guided by broad judgment, and a superior mind at the head of its affairs. It wanted an admin- istration bold enough and strong enough to strengthen the hands of the commanding general, by showing that it had confidence in him. But tlie administration be- trayed its own distrust in acts that only increased public clamor, fettered the movements of the general in command, and gave the advantage in military power to the enemy. Instead of standing up boldly against the disaffection of politicians, it sought in the most dangerous expedients, a temporary relief from the pressure that was being brought upon it by the reck- less and thoughtless. In fine, it yielded up its own better judgment, and became a weak instrument in their hands. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 255 The old Secretary of War, Cameron, was out ; and the impatient were pleased for a day because we had got a new one. Fawning flatterers now surrounded the President, complimenting him for his firmness at one moment, and at the next acting as if they expected liim to make a traffic of his favors. He accepted their flattery as pure friendship, and failed to discover that it was only froth from the fraud concealed in their Ijearts. The President had friends, good and true; but they were not among those who cast doubt on liis wis- dom by assuming to control his measures. Few men in the army knew or had ever heard of this new Secretary of War; and many were the inquiries concerning his military experience. I only found three officers who had answers for these questions. One affected to know him as a smart lawyer from Steuben- ville, Ohio. A second said he had got rich by pursuing the business of a claim agent. The tliird presumed to know him as a clever attorney, prominent at procuring patents. They were all dumb as to liis military expe- rience. It was indeed hinted at the lieadquarters of one of our generals, that if tbe spirit of the War De- partment was to be controled by patent lawyers, the effect of the misfortune must fall heavily upon the nation. This new Secretary of War was simply a busy, bust- ling man, whose patriotism was beyond doubt, earnest and etiergetic in the performance of his duty, of a stout iignre and iicrce countenance, impulsive, and, at times, wrong-lieaded; deficient in that calmness of tempera- ment necessary to just judgments, a combustible but 256 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. successful lawyer, rash when combatting legal difficul- ties, and reckless in the use of language when the ends were more easily obtained by logic and calmness. Am- bitious of power, he had no sooner got it than it became a dangerous weapon in Lis hands, as it is sure to do in tlie hands of all those who fear the public will not be- lieve them honest in the use of it. He made enemies of men whose friendship he should have been quick to secure, and chose for his friends mere flatterers and favor seekers, who should have been kept at a proper distance, since all history has sliown that the political influence of such men is the most dangerous thing a Cabinet officer can traffic in. The new Secretary had some reputation as a politician. But even that was gained by aiming at broad and spas- modic effects, rather than by the constant and stern advocacy of any of those great principles which have conferred benefit on mankind. It is never pleasant to deal witli dead men who have enjoyed an unenviable reputation while living. During the administration of that dead man, James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, and while its arm chairs were filled chiefly witli traitors, our new Secretary's loyalty shone forth like a bright star breaking through leaden clouds. But he tried in vain to awake that dead ruler from his treacherous sleep. And although earnest and energetic in his efforts to defend the nation against traitors, he (the Secretary) had none of those higher and more generous attributes of character which carry force with the people and reflect at all times the real statesman. His greatest misfortune as a public officer, however, THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 257 was his maimers, which repelled instead of attracted, and which at times were rude, and even offensive. He had no natural sympatliy for military men, and hence it was that he could not appreciate those courtesies which rule among and give tone to the conduct of offi- cers, and also foster that respect so necessary between superiors and subordinates. Nor was it his fault that he lacked all those finer qualities of the heart which excite the enthusiasm of the soldier, and are so essen- tial to a good understanding between the army and the War Department. That he had a task to perform in his new office requiring the strength and energy of an Hercules cannot be denied. Whether he surrounded liimself with men qualified to lighten and make Iiis labors eas}^ is a question many have doubted. Some men simplify, systematize, and make labor easy. Other men confuse, complicate, and bestow a great deal of labor on a small amount of work. The new Secretary has at least had the credit of being one of the latter. The jealousy, intrigue, disaffection, and even insub- ordination of which I have spoken, as cropping out in the Army of the Potomac, was not confined there. The virus had extended its poison to the West. General Buell had taken offence at his superior, Halleck; and that his insubordination might not be mistaken, sent his reports direct to Washington. Such conduct should have insured his summary dismissal, instead of which it found favor at headquarters. In truth. General Buell found a defence for liis conduct in the example set by his immediate superior. For while Halleck commanded the armies of the West from his easy chair 12-^ 258 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. in St. Louis, far from sight of his men, who had begun to regard him and speak of him as a magnificent phan- tom, he was working up a nice little quarrel v/ith his superior, McClellan, and betraying his insubordination by sending his reports direct to the War Department. These quarrels between generals were not only para- lyzing the military power of the nation, but a source of increasing anxiety to the President and Secretary of War, whose time was absorbed in trying to reconcile them, while other important public business was neg- lected. It has since been proved tliat the officers most active in producing this state of things were less scru- pulous of the nation's honor than anxious for their own promotion. The President had it in his power, not to reconcile these quarrels, but to put a stop to them. It was only necessary that he openly avow his confidence in Mc- Clellan, endorse his instructions, and give him such power as would insure respect for Iiis orders on the part of his subordinates. It is not for me to say whether the President lacked resolution or was guided to his duty by too much charity; but lie did not adopt this wise course. No; he gave to quarreling generals a plea of excuse for their conduct, by "jumping " Gen- eral McClellan and holding a council with two of his subordinate generals, to inquire what they knew of their superior's plan, whether indeed he had one, and what he was going to do with the army. The reckless and the restless in the army wanted no better apology for their conduct than this avowed distrust of McClel- lan's capacity to command the army, on the part of the President. Insubordination is a contaaion that works THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 259 upon an army with tlic poison of a pestilence; and no ruler of a great nation can afford to encourage it un- less he expect his people to reap the dead fruit. It has been said that politicians in all times have been the dread of generals and the scourge of armies. The truism was now brought to our own door in the most forcible and damaging manner. Those who knew the President best, who understood and were capable of appreciating his devotion to what he supposed to be the people's will, needed no assurance that what he did was with a view to promote the pub- lic good. But he mistook public clamor for the peo- ple's judgment, and in underrating the position and casting doubt on the capacity of the general he had placed in command, set a dangerous example to the army, the result of whicli, as shown by the disasters of Pope, Burnside, and Hooker, came very near proving fatal to it. General McClellan had not been seen by the army for several days: and the news that he was dangerously sick Im Vv^ashington ran from camp to camp, and was received with feelings of regret, and even despondency, by both officers and men. This news was succeeded in a few days by rumors the most wild, exciting, and unsatisfactory. It was only necessary for some officer to invent an absurd story in the morning, and before evening it would have a thousand believers among sensible men. One had it that the President, impa- tient that General McClellan had kept the army in sight of Washington all winter, was resolved to dis- miss him, and having furbished up his own military knowledge, would take command of the army himself. 2G0 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Officers gatlicred together in groups, and with scnous faces discussed the President's ability to perform such a duty successfully, expressing their dissatisfaction in unmistakeable language. The men, following the example of their officers, shook their heads and mut- tered their discontent in their tents. Then the whole army was agitated with a rumor that the President had sent privately for Generals McDowell and Franklin, to consult with them as to whether General McClellan had a plan, and, if he had, whether it was a good one, and if he (McClellan) could be relied on to carry ii out. This rumor I knew to have too much foundation in fact. Indeed, there was not a clamor-making poli- tician in Congress who did not fancy either that Gen- eral McClellan had no plan, or that he had a better one himself. Then we had a rumor that McClellan had been relieved, and McDowell appointed to take his place. This report seemed to increase and make the dissatis- faction complete. Officers of all ranks openly declared him a failure, arraigned his management of the first battle of Bull Run, and threatened to throw up their commissions rather than serve under him. A man sel- dom hears what is said of his character by those under him. From what I could see and hear, I was satisfied that General McDowell had, unfortunately for himscH', lost both the confidence and respect of the Army of the Potomac. The desire of the army leaned towards Franklin, who would have been acceptable to both offi- cers and men, for they knew him to be McDowell's superior mentally, and he had already gained the rcpu tation of being a good soldier and a pure patriot. CHAPTER XXYII. CURIOUS RESULT OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S WAR ORDER, NO. .. When this great struggle for national life shall have become a thing of the pastj wlicn tlie clash of arras shall have ceased, and the ghastly figures of the battle- field become as mere shadows in a distant dream; when future generations shall look calmly back upon us, and review in all their relations the acts of men who con- trolled our affairs, civil as well as military, then, and only then, will the great Christian world do full justice to President Lincoln for his emancipation proclama- tion. It was a just, a timely tribute to that great pro- gressive spirit of humanity every good man ought to be interested in, and whicl) is shaping and directing all great events throughout the world. Jt required a clear mind to grasp tlie spirit, and rare independence to perform the act; and the good and the great will honor him for the blessings he will have conferred on a race that had suffered through generations of bondage. It will be very different with the future historian who attempts to deal seriously with Mr. Lincoln's ca- pacity as a commander of armies. Three of the most remarkable war orders history has any account of stand recorded as on a monument of brass, showing 261 262 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. him to be but an indifferent soldier. Mr. Lincoln, T am sure, must by this time join the nation in its wish that these innocent war orders had never seen the liglit of da}^ We have improved by exj)erience since tlien, and can now read them by the light of reason. You read them, expressing a regret and suppressing a smile. You regret that they contain so little of the soldier and so much of the lawyer. And you wish they liad neither defied the elements, nor tortured wisdom with their in- nocence of what an army can do. The fine weather of early January was succeeded by the severest storms. To-day it would be freezing cold. To-morrow a drenching rain, filling the streams and overflowing roads, would be accompanied by liail, sleet, and a fierce, cutting wind. Tlien snow would cover the ground, and the Army of the Potomac would lay for weeks buried in a mud drench. Mud churned up everywhere, as only mud can churn up in Virginia. Picket reliefs struggled and picked their way over fields and through woods to get to the outposts. Subsistence waaid in advance for what they were pleased to call the ]>i-ivilege. In many other instances the men were cliarged for every meal they were permitted to cook in the ship's galley, asserting at the same time that the Government had chartered nothing but tiie ship's hold and deck. The mate of a vessel on which Captain Arnold was transporting his celebrated battery threat- ened to shoot a lieutenant for asserting his right to enter the cabin without charge. He was arraigned before a court at Cheesman's Landing, and acquitted on the ground of defect in the charter. Other steamers and sailing vessels seemed to have little or nothing to do. And it not unfrequently hap- pened that splendid steamers, for the use of which the GoNcrnment was paying a thousand, and even twelve hundred dollars a day, exclusive of fuel, would be ap- propriated by airy young gentlemen, upholstered in the tapestry of brigadiers — young men with a weakness for finery and feather-beds — as headquarters for theni- Fclvcs and staff. And this was too frequently done while their men were crowded on old, unsafe boats, where comfort was out of the question. In this weak- ness to indulge in elegance and luxury, it must be con- fessed General McClellan set his subordinates a very bad example. He appropriated the largest and most THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 275 costly steamer (Sound) of the fleet (the Commodore) for his lieadquarters, which had the air and elegance of the drawing-room. But we must not forget that vanity in officers is a commodity the nation always has had to pay dear for. In embarking the troops new difficulties arose at every step, causing serious delays and adding to the confusion. Officers who ought to have superintended the work entrusted it to others; and tiicse, in turn, acted as if it were none of their business. The men detailed to do the work either did not know their busi- ness, or performed it with unmistakable reluctance. Then the supply of coal would run short, and we had to wait until it could be procured ; and what would be assigned as the work of a day might not be finished for a week. In fact, it soon appeared that we were not skilled in the art of moving an army of such mag- nitude ])}' water; and the nation had to pay dear for the lessons of experience we were taking. Nor was it reasonable to suppose that sucli a movement could be made without the enemy knowing all about it, and, in- deed, foreseeing all our intentions. In fact, it could not be executed witliout giving him time to so dispose his forces as to be able to confront us as effectually in our new position as in the one we had left. General Franklin, and a few friends who had faith in his judgment, favored a more effective and less expen- sive plan, which was to move directly up the York river, land at West Point, and then march on Rich- mond direct, over a level country; or, having done that, ci- .ss lo the south side of the James river at Citv Point, 276 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. make a rapid movement and capture Petersbjrg, and then close up on Richmond at the south, while another portion of the army held the north side. So far as flar.kini^ the enemy and compelling him to evacuate Manassas and withdraw to Richmond was concerned, this plan had superior advantages over the other. But to insure expedition and success, it was necessary that the York river have only such impediments as could be easily overcome by the gunboats. And there can be no. doubt that General Franklin, whose opinions had great weight in the army, did not make sufccient allow- ance for the strength of the eneniy's defences along that river. The thing of first importance in considering these different lines or roads to Richmond, was a thorough knowledge of the topographical features of those sec- tions of Virginia through v;hich t!)cy ran. It must, indeed, be confessed that few of our general officers had any very correct knowledge of the peculiar fea- tures of that portion of Virginia we purposed to cam- paign over. Slavery forbade rather than invited emi- gration; and so f\xr as population was concerned, the State had stood almost stationary for nearly half a century. In truth, Virginians were non-progressive, and the country, which had not been " opened up " as it has since been, was as much a mystery to most of our people as are the wihls of Nevada at the present time. Farmers residing in one county could give you very little correct information concerning the surface l\>alures of the next. We were very likely to find f'v/ump and woods where they told us wc wouhi iiiid THE STOr.Y OF A TROOPEK. 277 liigli and cleared land. ^Icn liad fished in tlie streams and water courses, and aiFccted to know all about tliem. When, however, we came to question tliem closely, we found they knew nothing- of their source, their course, the features of the soil along their banks, or tlie changes to which they were so frequently sul)ject. Plodding farmers wlio had travelled over tiie pikes and bye-roads on their way to and from market could tell us that they were dry here and wet there; that they ran to Jones's Corner or Smith's Mill, and that was about all. They knew little or nothing of those peculiar features of the country so essential to the successful movements of an army, and so important for a general to know. As for' the local maps of the country, not the slightest reli- ance could be placed on them. The generally accepted opinion among general oflicers of the Army of the Potomac, at that time, was that what was called the overland route to Richmond crossed a number of very capricious streams vrith high southern banks, affording the enemy great natural advantages, which could be easily strengthened and made almost impregnable; and from which wg could iiot successively drive the enemy without great sacrihcc of life and time. It was urged, too, that the tenacious clay which formed the soil of this section of t!ie country and rendered the roads almost impassable with eveiy rain, would be a danger- ous impediment to our movements. These were the disadvantages urged, and I amiiiclincd to believe with too nmch persistency. It Vv'as true these roads were bad in wet weather, but they soon became dry and hard; 278 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. and once so were less liable to be cut up by our trains than where tlie soil was light and spongy. AmoDc: the advautaires ur<2:ed in favor of tliePenin- sula were tliat the country was more open; had few if any dangerous streams to be crossed; and that the soil was of such a character as to render the roads good and safe at all seasons of the year. General McCIel- lan, in his letter to the President, dated February 3d, 1862, in urging the advantages of the route up the Peninsula, says : " The roads in that region are passa- ble at all seasons of the year." Again he says : "The country now alluded to is much more favorable for of- fensive operations than that in front of Washington, (which is very unfavorable.) much more level, more cleared land, the woods less dense, the soil more sandy, and the spring some two or three weeks earlier." Ex- perience has shown that General McClellan^s informa- tion on this subject was sadly at fault; and this he discovered to his sorrow before he had marched ten miles from his base at Fort Monroe. The soil, it is true, was more sandy. But it was also light, spongy, and treacherous, full of dangerous quicksands, into which our animals sank and plunged and soon became powerless to drag out the trains they were attached to. Indeed, the soil was so light and spongy that it seemed to be destitute of bearing qualities, and the roads be- came a bog with the slightest rain. In some places these roads had to be corduroyed for miles before a team could pass over them, and even then it was ex- tremely hazardous, as the corduroy would give way in THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 270 places, and the plunging animals break their limbs iii trj^ing to extricate themselves. In truth, where General McClellan had looked fnr hard dry soil and cleared land, he found dense fores i ^ and deep swamps. Where he had expected to find tiu^ enemy in small force and take him at a disadvanta^r^, he found him much more strongly intrenched than ho was at Manassas, both his flanks protected by river^^ and ready to defend liimself behind a line of works the most extensive and formidable of any he had yet erected. Tiie opportunity of turning him on either flank was now less favorable than at Manassas. Indeed, there was no alternative but to fight him in front; and as there was an excellent opportunity for the display of some magnificent engineering, General McClellan sat quietly down to a siege. General Barnard, our engineer, lioisted his petard, his men went to work making gabi- ons and sand bags, the infantry took to the spade, and our dasliing cavalry had nothing to do but get demor- alized, which it did pretty thorouglily. CHAPTER XXIX. MOVE FORWARD— DASHING CAVALRY CHARGE, AND DEATH OF A GAL- LANT YOUNG OFFICER. Sunday, the 9th of March, came in with a pale grey sky and a damp, chilly atmosphere. Bugles were sound- ing, drums beating, and bands playing along tlie whole line. Mounted orderlies and staff officers were gallop- ing to and fro, from division to brigade headquarters, carrying orders. Indeed, everything indicated a move- ment of the army at once. For several days previous all sorts of rumors respecting a forward movement had circulated in camp ; and a color of truth was given to them when the impatient and brave Kearney, with his First New Jerse}^ Brigade, (an honor to the State tliat sent such a fine body of men,) moved out to Burke's Station. The army was provided with rations for six days, and a feeling akin to joy ran through it at the prospect of meeting and trying strength once more with the enemy. About three o'clock the first battalion of the 1st New York or Lincoln cavalry received orders to mai'cli and join General Kearney at Bui'ko's Station. Later in the day, an order was issued for a general movement of the arm v. Tlie battalion proceeded over 280 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 281 the Little River turnpike and joined General Kearney at Burke's Station the same niorht. On the followinir day, tlie 10th, tliey advanced to Sangster's Station, on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, and were en- gaged protecting a working party building a- bridge and repairing the road. There was a piece of rising ground to the right of the Station; and just beyond this an open, level field, skirted on the west by a belt of thick wood. Early in the afternoon it was discov- ered that the enemy jiad an infantry picket of about one hundred and fifty men posted near a clump of woods on the western part of this field. Kearney at once ordered Captain Stearns, of Company H, to send one of his best and most reliable ofiBcers and fifteen or twenty men to feel their position, and, if possible, dislodge them. Lieutenant Harry Hidden, of whom I liave before spoken, was selected to perform this ser- vice, and given only sixteen troopers to aid him in carry- ing out his orders. Hidden was loved and respected by the regiment. He was brave and fearless, full of the spirit of command, and earnest in the cause of his coun- try. He had won the respect of his superiors for liis strict attention to duty, and his men loved him because he was kind to them, and they knew him to be devoted to their interests, and brave. He had a fine, handsome figure, a face of rare beauty, and, withal, was a skillful horseman. He was proud at being selected to perform so hazardous a service, raid his dark, flashing eyes beamed with satisfaction as lie proceeded to perform it. He selected from his com[)any sixteen of the best and most reliable men, among whom was Hao-h McSourlcv, IB- o ., 282 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. the man I left in a preceding chapter moored to a ball and cliain ; and one Corporal Lewis, a brave young New Yorker. With this mere handful of men, armed with sabres and pistols, Hidden moved in tlie direction of the enemy, General Kearney and other officers watching liis ad- vance from a hill near by. The enemy was on tlie alert, and began forming his line and advancing as soon as he discovered onr troopers. Indeed, he came out bold and defiant, and indicated an intention to re- sist the advance. Steadily the little band of troopers advanced, until they got within half a mile of the en- emy, who received them with a few sliots. Here Hid- den lialted, and formed his men for a charge against the infantry's steel. They were soon ready, drew sabres, and away they went over the field, first at a brisk trot, then, wlien the enemy's fire was drawn, dashed down upon him at full gallop, cutting and slashing witli the sabre. McSourley and Corporal Lewis had their horses shot dead ; still they rushed on, engaging the enemy in hand to hand conflicts, Union sabres againt rebel bayonets and knives. Tlie struggle was desperate and bloody while it lasted, and so excited Kearney's admiration tliat he gave vent to his feelings in applause. The enemy fought bravely, but could not stand tlie impetuosity of our trooi.ers, and began to give way and fall back. Our men fol- lowed up quickly, until they came to a fence, v/hicli gave the enemy a momentary advantage. Some of the horses took this fence handsomelv, and the troonerj THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 283 proceeded to keep the enemy in confusion by quick and effective use of the sabre; others balked. Hidden was riding the bugler's horse, an awkward, unwieldy animal, who balked and refused to take the fence. In turning him for a second attempt, an enemy's bullet entered his left shoulder, twisting upwards into his neck, cut the jugular vein, and the gallant young officer fell dead from his horse, his blood watering the spot where he lay. The little band of troopers now fought more desperately than before, and soon had the enemy driven in confusion into the woods. They had killed several, captured more than double their number of men, and two officers. These officers were captured after the most desperate resistance, and only yielded when they were prostrate and disarmed. Young Lewis displayed great coolness and judgment in fight- ing his men after Hidden had fallen, and bringing them off the field, with tlieir prisoners. Kearney was fond of these displays of courage, and complimented Lewis on the spot for his bravery, as well as recommended him for promotion in his report. McSourley, who had sworn that the rebels should pay dearly for all his troubles, embraced this as the first opportunity to prove that wliat he had said was really in earnest. He fought a good fight, was a brave Irishman, and when he had put three of his antagonists Aors du com- bat in hand to hand fights, brought off four prisoners in triumph. Another act of bravery in this sharp, short fight 1 must not forget to record. Alex, the Irish Lieutenant, admired Hidden for his promptness and bravery, and 284 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. seeing liim engaged in a desperate struggle, mounted Ills horse and galloped to his assistance, resolved to help him out of the fight. Hidden fell from his horse when Alex was witliin a few paces of him. Thinking lie had been thrown and slightly injured, Alex dismount- ed quickly and raised the lifeless body from the ground, the whistling bullets still flying thick about him. Twice he called the name of the dead officer and as often felt his pulse. There was no answer. The life spark had gone out ; and the warm blood still stream- ing from his wound was the last and most costly tri- bute he had to pay to his country's honor. "He is dead !" said the Lieutenant. And tears filled his eyes while sorrow touched his heart, for beneath that rough outside there was a nature full of generosity and kindness. The struggle had not yet ended, but he took the lifeless body in his arms, and, mounting his horse, bore it away from the field. I cannot help thinking that ordering such a charge evinced more indiscretion than judgment on the part of General Kearney. It was, indeed, no test of what cavalry could do in force ; and the only wonder is that every trooper was not sacrificed. As it was, a valua- ble life was lost to the service and nothing of any con- sequence gained. General McClellan, wlit. Here again I am compelled, reluctantly, to record scenes of plunder and wanton destruction on the part of our troops, disgraceful alike to those who took part in them and those who permitted them. The spirit of mischief and plunder for a time seized upon the men, who lost all respect for discipline, and began an indis- criminate pilfering. The Pennsylvania soldiers, always more ready to steal than fight, joined with tlie Teutons of our German battalion, never of much value as sol- diers, and both were soon active in tlic work of destruc- tion. They broke open the venerable old Court House and other buildings, destroyed the county records, tore up old and valuable parchments, and strewed the floors a foot deep with papers and books. Many papers, valuable as historical reminiscences, connected with and bearing the signatures of members of the Wasli- ington, Custis, Fairfax, and other Virginia families distinguished in the nation's history, were carried off 290 THE STOBY OF A TROOPER. by the soldiers. Many of these valuable papers and parchments fell into the hands of sutlers and the vciy worst class of camp followers, who I afterwards found offering them for sale in Washington. Gen. Kearney, on learning what had taken place, expressed his indig- nation in language more emphatic than polite. He at once took measures to put a stop to it. Like a true soldier, Kearney regarded it his highest duty to fight the enemy in the field, not to destroy private property; the I'csult of which was sure soon to find us with a po- litical as well as military battle to fight. Col. McRey- nolds, too, on coming up, proceeded to put a stop to this work of destruction. Colonel Averill reached Centreville a little after one o'clock, P. M., on the 10th; and a portion of ]iis force joined us at Manassas Junction on the 11th. On the 12th a considerable portion of the infantry and artillery joined us, and the junction presented a busy scene. The irresistible Yankee was there in quick time and had his shanty up; and the persevering Jew was everywhere competing with him in the sale of those almost worthless trifles which the soldier, like a child, must have, if only to please his fancy. There, too, was your " New York Hotel,'' erected in a few hours, of rough boards; your " Continental," and your " Metropolitan," where a breakfast of ham and eggs and a cup of intolerable coffee was to be had for half a dollar. And for another half dollar the enterpri- sing landlord, who could show you Gen. McClellan's protection, would accommodate you witli a blanket and rude shelicr for the night. These busy, entcr[)risin^ THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 291 persons set an exam{3le in getting up supplies that some of our quartermasters might have imitated with credit to lliemselves and comfort to the soldiers. It had rained steadily for nearly three days, so tliat the roads had become almost impassable, and the rail- road was not jet in running order. The weather, too, was cold and cliilly, and both men and animals suffered terribly. Neither subsistence nor forage trains could be got up, and for three days the men had little beside coffee and liard bread for rations, and the animals no forage of any consequence. Complaints loud and deep were lieard everywhere along the line, quartermasters were blamed, and curses instead of com[)liments show- ered on their heads. But they could not control the elements, and Virginia mud ruled in all its majesty, damping the feelings with discouragement. Many of our poor animals died or became permanently disabled from exposure and want of forage. Men apparently the most strong and robust, broke down and added to the already fast increasing sick list. In addition to bad roads, the streams were swollen to an unusual heiglit, the speed of their currents in- creased to a dangerous extent, and their passage ren- dered impossible without pontoons. Many of the bridges, too, were swept away; others were rendered unsafe for either cavalry or artillery to cross on. With this condition of things before him, the intelligent reader will easily see what an attempt to follow the enemy would have resulted in. The main body of the Confederate army had fallen back to the south side of the Rappahannock; but his rear guard was on this. 292 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. side, and not far from us. To have followed with any hope of inflicting injury would only have more forci- bly shown the weakness of human efforts. General Stoneraan, famous for moving cautiously, was, however, sent forward on the 14tli, witli a consid- erable body of cavalry, regular as well as volunteer, and some infantry, to feel the enemy's rear and, if pos- sible, harass him. But Gen. Stoneman could neither get his troops through the mud faster than a slow walk, nor subsist his men. Indeed, after getting as far as Union Mills, his fears seem to have increased lest he should not get back safe, the mud became so deep and the rise and fall of the streams so capricious. And if we may credit the stories of some of his officers, liis anxiety to return was heightened by the appearance of some of t!ie enemy's cavalry, looking bold and confi- dent ; indeed acting as a rear guard to hasten his back- ward movement. He also heard cars running during the night, and very naturally inferred that the enemy was bringing up reinforcements that might gobble him up, a matter no ambitious Brigadier would consider as a pleasant end to his expedition. To add to this appear- ance of danger, some one told him there were two or more regiments of infantry at Warrenton. The part taken by General Kearney in this advance on evacuated Manassas did not meet tlie approbation of either General McClellan or McDowell.. Tlie for- mer is said to have censured Kearney's haste in severe terms; while the latter, meeting him on liis return to Centreville to report what he had done and seen, in- quired of him (Kearney) by what authority he had THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 293 taken it upon liimself to get his troops so far beyond the advance of tlie army, and thus expose them to un- necessary danger. Kearney had a ready answer, and one characteristic of the mar He had no very high opinion of McDowell, as a general, and very naturally felt restless and sore at being placed in a subordinate position under him. It was said, too, that Kearney, in moving thus rapidly into Manassas, acted without orders, and in disregard of what he knew to be the intentions of the commanding General. What Kear- ney did had an air of independence about it, at that time very alarming to such of our generals as were tied down to extreme caution. It was also somewhat mortifying to the feelings of several gallant ofiBcers, who were ambitious to be first into Manassas. I may also say that it can easily be proved that Kearney, who was at Sangster's Station when Averill started out with his cavalry, had orders from General Frank- lin's headquarters to " push on." That he did not halt to inquire whether " push on " meant that he should stop before he got into Manassas and let Col. Averill go ahead, is very clear. The above remarks have been called out in conse- quence of a very great difference of opinion among officers in the army as to the course pursued by Kear- ney on this occasion. General McClellan was inclined to ignore it altogether, and so were very many of his friends ; and this, I have no doubt, led to the opinion among many that Colonel Averill was first into Ma- nassas, an error wliich to this day lias full force in the minds of many. Kearney moved one portion of his 294 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. force from Sangster's Station up tlie railroad, under Colonel Taylor, and tlic other over the old Braddock road. And, as I have before described, Taylor was first into the enemy's works, and hoisted tlie old flag ; and was found there in quiet possession, early in the morning, by the cavalry. In returning towards Cen- treville to report, Kearney, accompanied by two of his aids, met Averill's force advancing cautiously, with skirmishers and flankers out. The advance guard mis- took Kearney and his companions for rebels, halted them, and compelled them to give an account of them- selves. It was shortly after this that tlie interview took place between Generals McDowell and Kearney.* A good deal has been said and written concerning the strength of the enemy's position at Manassas Junc- tion and Centreville, and also the number of troops he maintained there during the winter. He had indeed displayed great engineering skill on his works at Cen- treville, which were not only extensive but very strong. And these, added to a naturally strong position, would have afforded him the means of a formidable resistance. Manassas was also a very strong natural position ; but the works thrown up were of the weakest kind. In- *" Since writing the above I have read General McClelhin's re- port, and am somewhat surprised to find that he does not mention General Kearney's name in connection with the advance on jManas- sas, and indeed leaves the reader to believe that Colonel Averill was first into Manassas, I confess an unwillingness to l)clicve that General McClellan would knov/ingly do injury, even by omission, to any brave oCicer, much less Kearne^^, whose gtillantry as a sol- dier should have been accepted as atonement for any errors of judgment he may have committed v/hilo speaking of his comand- in-'ucncr:i!. THE STORY OF A TKOOPER. 295 deed, so far as I could judge, the feeling among both officers and men was that of surprise and disappoint- ment at the sparcity and weakness of the works we found there. There was even more than this. The opinion everywhere prevailed that we had been deceived by the stories of spies and deserters, who had frightened some of our generals with the very names of Beauregard and Manassas. In short, we had accepted for truth the vast amount of engineering skill some of our newspapers had credited General Beauregard with expending on this imaginary stronghold. Several of our officers, whose opinions I have always found to be valua- ble as well as reliable, declared that General Beauregard coukl not have intended to make a formidable resist- ance here, or lie would have taken more pains to strengthen it. There were, it is true, long and intri- cate lines of rifle pits radiating from the Junction ; but beyond these, I again repeat, the works were weak in comparison with what we been led to believe them. It was also the opinion of many officers that Gen- eral McClellan had been misled in regard to the num- ber of troops kept by the enemy during the winter at Manassas and Centreville. It must not be forgotten that there is a natural tendency to over-estimate large bodies of men ; this is particularly so with civilians when estimating the number of a body of troops. Gen- eral McClellan estimated the number of the enemy's troops at and in the vicinity of Manassas and Centre- ville at eighty thousand. But it must not be forgot- ten that this estimate was based on information pro- cured through spies, railroad engineers, constructors, 296 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. and baggage masters. It is very well known that General McCIellan's confiding nature too frequently led him to attach an undue importance to the opinions and acts of men, many of whom were not entitled to his confidence. Railroad engineers, constructors, and baggage masters, will hardly be accepted as cor- rect judges of the number of troops composing a large army ; and yet the General, in his report, gives great importance to the opportunities these men had for forming correct opinions. Some of our officers who professed to have made a careful examination of the rebel camps, as well as pro- cured information from Confederate sources, put the number down at sixty thousand. I am inclined to believe this number nearer correct. Intelligent citizens residing near Centreville and Manassas, and with whom I conversed on the subject, never estimated the rebel force in that vicinity over sixty thousand. The part performed by General Kearney in this first advance on Manassas, whether irregular or in conform- ity with orders, was such as to deserve some mention from the commanding General. None whatever was made. Indeed, by this silence General McClellan leads the reader to infer that Colonel Averill, with his cavalry, formed the advance, and was first into Manassas, wliich is erroneous. And this impression has so gained force in the minds of many as to give rise to innumerable disputes, as well in as out of the army. It was also reported at the tine that Kearney, in his anxiety to be into Manassas first or have a trial of arms with the enemy acted in disregard of General THE STORY OF A TllOOl'ER. 297 McClcllan's orders. There was no truth in these reports, some of which found their way into the news- papers. I know that General Kearney had orders for what he did. I know, also, that he received those orders from the headquarters of General Franklin, the General to whom be was immediately responsible for his acts. CHAPTER XXIX. COUNCIL OF WAR— MOVEMENT FOR THE PENIXSUIA. On the IStli of March, in the little quaint old town of Fairfax Court House, thronored now with soldiers of the Union, and its usual quiet disturbed by the tramp of iiorsemen. General McClellan called a council of war, composed of his four corps commanders. There was the discontented McDowell, the brave and patri- otic Sumner, that quaint and impatient little soldier, Heintzelman, and the mild mannered Keyes. The group was of itself an exquisite picture, for the men forming it possessed rare peculiarities of form and feature, and were as opposite mentally and physically as it is pos- sible for nature, in her wildest freaks, to form men. To this council of war McClellan submitted his plan for the campaign on the Peninsula, with his reasons for urging it in preference to the " line of the Rappahan- uock.'"' • It must be remembered that these officers were the President's choice, selected and assigned to their posi- tions by him, by virtue of that power which he de- scribed as giving him the riglit to order what he pleased. Indeed, in making these appointments the President did not (Iccm it worth while to consrdt the feelings of 21)8 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 299 tlie commander of the army, wliose orders tbo}^ were to obey and execute, and between whom the most es- sential requisite to success was harmony and good feeling. It was very natural, tlien, for General Mc- Clellan to regard this singular action on the part of the President as setting a very dangerous example to the officers of the army, by treating his position with indifference and showing want of faith in his judgment. McClcllan knew also that at least two of these gen- erals were hostile to him; and he had reasons to fear that they would oppose his plans, from motives they dare not explain to the public. He was led to believe, also, that they would support the President's plan in prefer- ence to his, unless he could overbalance their opposi- tion with arguments of the strongest kind. One of these generals, McDowell, had allowed his hostility to his superior to take so open and undisguised a form du- ring the winter, that it became a subject of conversa- tion in the hotels of Washington, and was condemned by all right-thinking men. The reproach of his own miserable failure at Manassas was yet cutting deep into McDowell's feelings. Disappointed and restless, he went about the streets like a man made sorrowful with a perpetual grievance, and seeking consolation in criticisms damaging to the capacity and plans of an officer it was his first duty to show respect for and obey. The great mind, as illustrated in the true sol- dier, docs not seek either relief or glory in such means. Time, it is said, is the great corrector of all wrongs. I am not a believer in this kind of philosophy. Time and events, however, have satisfactorily proven that in 300 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. selecting these officers for corps commandois, tlie Presi- dent did not exercise correct judgment. Indeed, it must be clear to him now, as it is to every right-think- ing man. that the country would have been the gainer liad he consulted the opinion, and yielded something to the feelings of General McClellan before making these appointments. McClellan's choice, it was well known, would have been Sedgwipk, Sumner, Franklin, and Fitz John Porter, officers wlio already had the respect and confidence of the army, and who would have dif- fused througli it a moral influence such as cannot be overestimated. But the administration was at that time a martyr to its political fancies, and in its timidity could not divest itself of the idea that a man cannot be a good soldier unless he have political prejudices of the accepted color. , Enough has been written about the proceedings of this council of war to fill several large volumes. Hence the nation need have no fear of being left in doubt concerning what transpired. Busy politicians have sprung up in various parts of the country, and made desperate efforts to astonish the nation witli their knowledge of what took place at that council of war, denouncing at the same time the desperate strategy resorted to by General McClellan and officers in his confidence to secure a decision in favor of his plan. Then some spiteful brigadier comes forward, lays aside his sword, and with a fev/ strokes of his pen proves that vdiat the politician said was all false. And the fight goes on between the politicians and the brigadier, increasing in warmth and bitterness, until there comes THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 301 up a writer for tlie newspapers, a cunning fellow, who knows all about war, and carries the secrets of our generals in his portfolio, a place of safety he will as- sure you has numerous advantages over the War De- partment. Cutting right and left, he soon has both the politicians and brigadier demolished, and, at the same time, proves to the astonished reader that he only lias the true history of this council of war, and can tell you what improper influences General McClellan brought to bear to insure a decision in favor of his plan. Now, the proceedings of this council of war were of the most simple and direct kind; and no outside or irregular influence was used by McClellan or liis friends to shape its decision. The chief questions dis- cussed and passed upon were : The availability of the two lines; the efQciency of the navy to neutralize the power of the enemy's steamer Merrimac; water trans- portation; the force necessary to secure the safety of Washington, and whether the navy could furnish a suf- ficient auxiliary force to silence the enemy's batteries on the York river, of the strength of which all our generals seemed to have very imperfect information, while the navy does not appear to have given itself much trouble to procure any at all. This council of war closed its deliberations by adopting Fort Monroe as a base of future operations, the two reluctant gene- rals yielding, as they were reported to have said, be- cause they knew General McClellan had made up his mind to transfer his operations to the Peninsula. A correct liistory of the proceedings of this council of 302 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. war may be got from the testimony given before the Committee on the Conduct of the War. There can be no doubt about the feeling in the army favoring the new line by the Peninsula ; and when news came that it had been decided to move by thai route, it was received with general approbation. On the 15th orders were issued, and tlie main por- tion of the army began to move back to its old quar- ters on the banks of tlie Potomac, much to the relief of quartermasters, who liad seen men and animals suf- fer terribly, without being able to get subsistence or forage up, owing to the bad condition of the roads and the small amount of motive power tlien on the railroad. In truth, tlie whole machinery of transportation worked badly, and seemed to be in inexperienced hands. It seemed as if we could not go any distance from our base without the army suffering for forage and sub- sistence. A portion of Sumner's corps was left at Manassas to disguise our movements, as it was facetiously said, and observe the enemy. A drenching rain fell on the 15th, and although the roads were churned up into a clay bed, and the jaded animals in a sorry plight, the men were in good spirits at the prospect of taking another, and, as they believed, a better road to Richmond. We were all back in our old quarters on the IGlh, and entered them with feel- ings of joy. Indeed, the old cam[>ing grounds had a sort of home charm about tliem; and on entering tliem the men acted like members of a family that had been THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 803 scattered and absent returning home and greeting with kind s3-nipath3^ the little objects they had stored it with in their childhood. And now, camps had to be put in order anew, equipments polished, and arms made bright and clean. In a day or two, however, the men ap- peared on parade in as good condition as before their march. It was rumored that the First Corps, to which Frank- lin's division belonged, would embark first. Men and officers were greatly elated at this news, and waited impatiently for orders to proceed on board. Then we received news that a change had been made by the President, and tliat we were to embark last. This caused a feeling of general disappointment throughout the division; and by none more tlian the general offi- cers. These were Franklin, Kearney, Slocum, and Newton, men v^^hose ability McClellan knew and ap- preciated. These were the officers who gave what was afterwards tlie old Sixth Corps its pre-eminence, its fisi-htinG: stamina. xVud tliese are the men whose ser- vices to the country will receive their proper reward when truth and reason shall have gained the victory over passion and prejudice. Our disappointment was increased on the 17th of March, when t lie embarkation of troops began, and in- stead of our own, we saw Hamilton's division of Heint- zclinan's corps going on board. No sooner had the work of embarkation begun than tlie difficulties of transportation .showed themselves. Vessels arrived slowly, and many of them were not suited for the busi- ness. Wlien enough was got to transport the infantry 304 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. of a division, tliore would be few left fit to carry either cavalry or artillery. Then there was the immense number of animals, wagons, &c., necessary to the land transportation, all to be moved by water , and the means to do it with not at hand. An American army cannot move far without its mules. The consequence of this inadequate transportation was that one arm of the service had to be left behind while the other went ahead. This not only caused de- lay, but seriously interrupted organization and disci- pline. And so openly was this new movement talked about, and even our destination and object discussed in camp, that the enemy, who had friends and spies in every house from Alexandria to Manassas, could not fail to know all about and have ample time to take advantage of it. To show how slow and tedious tliis work of shipping the troops was, I need only say that althougli it commenced on the 17th of March, the troops forming the expedition had not all reached Fort Monroe on the 5th of April. The War Department had assumed a part in the programme it did not under- stand, and had assigned persons to carry on and per- form the service who were not equal to its duties. General McClellan readied Fort Monroe on board the stately steamer Commodore, and in a style almost re- gal, on the 2d of April, to find things very different from what he expected. A large portion of his artil- lery was yet afloat, and only a small portion of his cav- alry had arrived. The same was true of his land transportation. In truth, things seemed mixed up in inextricable confusion. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 3'05 To add to this, jealousy bad broken out atresli be- tween generals, some of whom never could or did agree on anything. One claimed rank in virtue of this; another claimed rank in virtue of that. One slighted orders; another refused to obey them because they •w^ere not worded to suit his pride. The service suf- fered because these gentlemen, into whose hands the country had committed its honor, saw fit to behave like petted children. General Wool was in command at Fort Monroe. He agreed with none of them. In- deed, the venerable General had an independent com- mand, and desired that no one should disturb jt or interfere with his authority. And this very damaging quarrel was not diminished when Gen. Wool applied to the President to have liis fears and his pride pro- tected, and his command made independent of Gen. McClellan's orders. It was exceedingly kind of the President, so good-natured in military matters as to want to accommodate the feelings and grant the desires of an}^ general but the one in command, to please Gen. Wool in a matter which concerned only his pride. But the most ordinary observer cannot fail to see how damaging the granting of such iudulgencies must have been to tlic service, as well as mortifying and discoura- ging to the General whose duty it was to direct active movements in the field. The morning of the 4th of April came in warm and spring-like. Birds were making the very air melodious wiih their songs, fields were putting on their suit of jireen, and trees were in bud and blossom, while the wind wliispcred warm and lovingly over the bright 11^ oOG THE STORY OF A TROOPER. landscape. It reminded one of some soft Arcadian scene, suddenly invaded by all the terrible ])omp of war. The army began its first movement of the disas- trous and costly campaign of the Peninsula about 8, A. M., on that day, advancing in the direction of York- town, in three columns. The country was flat, swampy,* thickly wooded, and made almost impenetrable with a thick undergrowth of tanglewood. Indeed, the openings along the road were small and few, and the houses of the poorest kind found in Virginia, indicating poverty as well as want of enterprise in their occupants. Most of these houses were left in charge of the females of the family and a few old and faithful servants, the men capable of bearing arms being in the Southern army. Some of these females exhibited considerable fear at our approach, for they had been told that our troops would commit all sorts of outrages, and make their condition too degrading to contemplate. And tliese ridiculous stories were magnified and made more terri- ble to these helpless women by tlie very men who had deserted them to blindly follow the fortunes of the demagogue Wise. The conduct of our soldiers, how- ever, was so unexceptionable that these people soon regained confidence, and a good understanding between them and our troops was the result. I must here say, also, that the conduct of these women towards our troops was respectful and kindly. It only required re- spectful treatment to get the same in return. Many of them hoisted the white flag nt their garden gates, and readily brought out any little things our men might require, giving or selling for a price we might set. THE STORY OP A TROOPER. 307 Their conduct did indeed form a beautiful contrast to the treatment our soldiers received from the farmers of some parts of Pennsylvania in the summer of 1863. Nor did I discover on the part of any of these females that disposition to be refractory and insult our men wliicli caused General Butler so mucli concern, and furnished so much employment for the youn.2^ gentle- men of liis staff. But it must not be forgotten that the behavior of our soldiers towards peaceable citi- zens was ahvays good under McClellan. Public re- spect for the army ran liigh tlien; the War Department had not succeeded in making it unpopular, and its ranks were filled with men whose hearts were earnest in tlic cause of the country, and who asked no bounty to fight for the life of the Republic. Judges of criminal courts in the North did not degrade the army then by sending convicted felons into its ranks instead of the peniten- tiary. Nor had village authorities come to regard our patriot soldiers good enough associates for all their bad characters. The march of the first day, although we only made about nine miles, was an exceedingly fatiguing one, and must, I think, have convinced General McClellan that he had been deceived, both in regard to the strength of the enemy's position and the topographical features of the country. The soil, it is true, was light and sandy; but the sand was not of that kind that hardens under rain. It was liglit, spongy, and almost destitute of bearing qualities. The infantry got over the roads witli some difficulty; but wherever they at- tempted to take the fields they were sure to find capri- 308 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. cious quicksands and get into trouble. Artillery and transportation wagons ploughed into the roads and buried to the hubs; and tlic poor animals plunged and struggled for a foothold until they became helpless and exhausted, and gave up, unable to drag them out. It became evident that we could not get either rations or forage up over such roads as these, compared v^^ith which those of Northern and Western Virginia were like turnpikes. Tlie engineers were soon set to work, corduroying the roads in some places, building long bridges and causeways in others. And yet so soft and spongy was the soil that the corduroy soon gave way and became unsafe for heavy trains to pass over. Still the army was in good courage, and resumed its inarch clieerfully on the 5th, when there was some skir- mishing with the enemy, who was making a quick re- treat into his defences at Yorktown. Rain fell heavy during the afternoon, streams began to overflow, and the roads became impassable, causing much sufl'cring for want of rations and forage. The infantry strug- gled on through the wet and mud; but neither artillery nor supply trains could be got up. About three o'clock in the afternoon the advance infanti-y halted on the left bank of the Warwick river, in front of the defences of Yorktown, and v/as for some time exposed to a sharp artillery fire from the enemy's guns on the opposite bank. Before night live divisions of our infantry, and two regiments of cavalry had come up, and were taking position in front of Yorktown. The weather con- tinued bad on the Oth, and t'.e roads did not iniprovo. Qwing to uui- land transportatiju uot being lauded hi THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 309 time, the troops moved with very scanty supplies; and now tlie men had only coffee and hard bread, and our animals went nearly two days without a bite of forage. Reconnoissances were at once pushed forward, but were attended with great difficulty, owing to the dense woods and the activity of the enemy's sharpshooters, who infested the opposite bank of the Warwick. These reconnoissances, however, developed the great strength and magnitude of the enemy's defences, wliich were found to form a continuous line directly across the isthmus from the York to the James river. Here the enemy had expended his very best engineering skill, and with slave labor erected works the extent and strength of which those at Manassas were not to be compared. The skill with wliich these works were constructed ex- cited the admiration of every engineer officer that exam- ined them after York town was evacuated. Indeed, I doubt if stronger earthworks were ever built. And these, it must be remembered, were supplied with the heaviest and, in many places, the most approved ord- nance. There was no turning this position, for the James river was sealed up by that terror to our navy, the Merii- mac. And this monster phantom so haunted the mind of Admiral Goldsborough, and limited his action, that he confessed his inability to render any assistance in reducing the water batteries at Yorktown and the works at Gloucester Point — both necessary to a move- ment on the York river. But, if this position wcio strong on the flanks, it was still stronger in front, where n;;turc l)ad provided a protection it would have bcoii diuicultto overcome. That protection wixa the \Var\vick 310 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. river and its marshy banks, which I will try to de- scribe. Fancy yourself, reader, having travelled ten miles westward over a level, swampy country, with the very worst of roads, the ditches full of water, and densely timbered on both sides, just come to where it termi- nates in what appears to be a marsh, varying in width from one hundred to six hundred yards. Clumps of stunted pines, cedar, and gumwood give a picturesque- ness to the view. A stream, very insignificant in ordi- nary tiimes, cuts its crooked way nearly north and south, now almost lost to view among trees, now stretching itself through the marsliy level, as far as the eye can reach. You are looking west now, over the defences of Yorktown, frowning in all their extent and strength on the opposite bank. From a rod or two v/idc this little capricious stream expands itself at points a mile or so distant into broad dams and mill-ponds. This is the Warwick river. An hour of rain will overflow its marshy banks, so increase the rapidity of its current as to make crossing dangerous, and, indeed, give to it the appearance of an important stream. Its left bank, the one you stand on, is broken into points and inden- tations, and also covered with a dense jungle of under- wood, crowned here and there by clumps of tall pines. Long causeways extend over the approaches to this stream, the soil on which they are made being soft and marshy. The enemy has destroyed all the bridges, and has powerful batteries to sweep all the approaches from this side, over the mill dams. "Roads must bo cut throu^-h this dense w^ood and the THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 311 timber cleared away before a safe footlioM can be had, or our army take up its position, and to do this is a work of extraordinary labor, for each road has to be corduroyed througliout, and a solid foundation made in front of the enemy's line, before our defensive works are bei2:un. And all this has to be done while our Avorking parties are exposed to the nnerring aim of the enemy's sharpshooters, concealed in trees and clumps of shrubbery on the opposite bank. The enemy has adopted the old line used by the British during the revolution, but has made it ten times more strong and effective. And to further add to the strength of his position, his engineers have constructed ingeni- ous dams across the Warwick, destroying its fords and controlling its rise and fall. Our engineers declare this to be the strongest line of defences ever thrown up by the enemy. On the right bank, and back to the enemy's outer works, the ground is a stumpy level, soft and marshy, and over which tlic enemy's guns have a clear sweep of all our approaclies. It is said he can bring at least fifty guns to bear on these approaches, many of them of tlie heaviest calibre. On our right, and immediately in front of Yorktown, wlicrc the ene- my's works are strongest, the ground has the appear- ance of a rugged, stumpy plain, but is broken into intricate ravines and spongy formations, declining eastward into Wormly creek. To have attempted an assault overground so treach- erous, and aG:ainst works than Avhicli none could have been stronger, and with troops, few of whom had been under lire, would have been simple slaughter. No 312 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. good general would risk the lives of liis men in an en- terprise so desperate that the chances were all against hini. And this was the case here. And yet there were officers reckless enough to gain a little noto- riety by such a waste of human life as to urge that tlie attempt be made. It was discouraging and morti- fying enough for McCIellan to find that he had not im- proved his advantages with his change of base ; that, in a word, he had taken his army off its feet, and made a sea voyage to find York town a mountain of difficul- ties where Manassas was but a mound. There was no taking Yorktown except by a regular siege. To erect the formidable works necessary to carry on such a siege, must cause a delay that would again excite the people to impatience, and give the thoughtless dema- gogue in Congress new weapons to carry on his oppo- sition to McCIellan. Delay is a condition of war ex- perience has taught the people it were best to endure with patience. But the people had not then so trained their minds as to accept it on such conditions. Here there was no alternative consistent with good judg- ment. The army changed the rifle for the spade, and went to work erecting the preliminary works, none of which were ready to receive siege guns until the ITtli of April, or perhaps I should say the morning of the 18th. I cannot close this chapter without briefly referring to a matter which gave us much trouble and, at times, caused serious confusion on the Peninsula. This was the utter want of correct information concernino: the enemy's strength and positions, as well as the face of THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 313 the coviiitry — a want certainly not very creditable to the generals wlio had commanded at Fort Monroe pre- vious to our arrival. During this short march of scarcely twenty miles, the army had twice been thrown into confusion by the inaccuracies of maps furnished to us for true guides, but which had neither the roads nor the streams laid down correctly. After the disas- ter at Big Bethel, General Butler and his staff seem to have come to •the conclusion that it was safer to turn an honest penny at a little trade and invest largely in popular humanity, than to venture in pursuit of knowl- edge that might be useful in a military wa}^ bej'ond the narrow circle of our own picket line. It is said somewlicre that the devil, having done all the mischief lie could, must needs be a reformer, and to that end put on the armor of a saint, and went about with his hands raised, in search of a cure for his stricken conscience. But so shrewd a saint was he that he soon turned his new occupation to profit, which so bent the ambition of his soul that he fell a martyr to the love of gain. Per- haps this case of the d — I does not bear any resem- blance to that of General Butler; and perhaps it does. At least tlio General was content to believe he had performed the duties of a Major General when he had organized a system of moral reforms for freed slaves, v/ith wliom he had suddenly fallen in love and now Vv^orshipped with the zeal of an apostate. That, per- haps, was necessary, for every new reformer who sets up as a teacher of the people has trouble in making tliem believe him sincere. Hence his anxiety to punish tJ14 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. those who refused to accept his mode of repentance as the true one. Before Butler became a general, and took to the sword, his political master was Mr. Jefferson Davis, the same man who set up a government of his own at Rich- mond, and is now making such desperate efforts to main- tain it. This master he served well and faithfully, as- sisting him to drive home the last rivet in the fetters that were to bind moregallingly the limbs of the despised and down-trodden slave; forgetting that in doing this servile work for so haughty a master, he was insulting the manli- ness of the great free North, and the great free West. And yet this ungrateful master betrayed his servant as soon as his despicable work was done, and sent him away without the wages he had asked for. Was not this sting enough to make an aspiring gentleman, left in this manner without party or political stool to stand on, suddenly tack his political ship go in search of new friends and bear down on his old ones with all the force of outrageous patriotism? It was asking too much of this Major General that he attend to the dis- cipline of his troops, that he get information concern- ing the enemy beyond his picket line, that he fight battles, gain victories, and assist in putting an end to the war. He had to purify himself in the sanctimony of his new friends every day, to manifest unbounded love for a race he had tried so hard to keep in degra- dation, to wink at mammon and prove to the innocent that there was no dross in his philanthropy. General Wool, a better soldier, seems also to have been remiss in his duty so far as to procuring correct inform- THE STOEY OF A TROOPER. 815 ation of what was going on beyond his lines. He had a large and highly respectable staff of young gentlemen, unexceptionable in dress and appearance. But judging from what they did, the inference to be drawn is that this staff was more ornamental than enterprising. From them General McClellan got a very large amount of very unreliable information concerning the short dis- tance of country we had travelled over. I have in my mind a German officer attached to our division, who wore an elegant uniform, spurs of prodigious length, and a pair of spectacles. This officer was several times sent out in command of scouting parties, but could never find the road to tlie enemy after he got be- yond our lines. He however always returned with a fund of valuable information picked up along the road, and wliich he would assert was more reliable than any- thing that could be got by actual observation. Indeed, he could tell us all we wanted to know, and a great deal more. Some of General Wool's staff seemed to have adopted the same pleasant mode of gaining infor- mation concerning the enemy's strength and country. We were indebted, also, to gentlemen of Gen. Wool's staff for maps on which a great deal of time and un- limited imagination had been spent. On these maps, which we were assured described the country accu- rately, imaginary islands were set up for real ones, and streams made to run down at right angles from their natural course. CHAPTER XXX. BACK ON THE BANKS OF THE POTOMAC. Let US, for a time, leave General McClellan's engi- neers erecting these works before Yorktown, wliicli afterwards became famous in liis Peninsula campaign, and return to the banks of the Potomac. The First Corps is yet encamped on Arlington hills, near the Seminary; and the officers and men of Franklin's divi- sion are waiting with impatience for the order that is to send them to the Peninsula. ^ The deserted camps along the Arlington hills as they appeared on the morning after our first advance on Manassas, formed so striking a picture to what tliey had done the day before, as to merit a few words of notice. The day came in with all the softness and sweetness of a bright May morning. The trees were alive with birds, singing their first welcomes to spring. There was neither drum beat, nor bugle sound, nor the tramp of cavalry heard that morning. A dreamy, mysterious stillness hung over the scene. A plodding farmer, heartsick and sad at the desolation of his home, picked his way listlessly over the rutt}^ roads, pausing now to gaze over the deserted camps or to inquire of some liomelcss negi-o what had become of the soldicrf^, 316 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 317 then muttering his curses at the wickedness that had brought so much sorrow to his door. A few invalid soldiers straggled carelessly over the hills and through the fields; others smoked their pipes contemplatively under trees. And when it was nearly noon a singular change came over the scene. A swarm of persevering Jews, so numerous that one wondered where they had all come from, swarmed over the hills and through the deserted camps, like tlie locusts of Egypt, gleaning whatever there was left by the soldiers. Some came with odd-shaped carts and lean horses; others with sacks on their backs and prod-hooks in their hands. Bits of canvas, scraps of leather and iron, dirty rags and beef bones, old shoes and empty bottles, everything included in the debris of a camp, was whipped up and carried away. Nothing of the slightest value escaped them, not even a soldier's button. No matter how filthy these things were, the Jew saw value in them; and, to use his own language, could be turned so quick into monish so clean as gold. These thrifty people, prosperous everywhere, and everywhere to be found, had foreseen that when the army moved there would be a rich harvest in their line, and no sooner were the guards removed than they advanced to their work. I have often noticed that in all phases of camp following the Jew is prominent; and although his nerves may not be of tlie best kind, nor his motive in following the army good, he is less an extortioner than your un- improved Yankee, who sets up in business as his rival. But I must turn again to matters concerning our divi- sion. J 318 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. We had seen the fleet of transports, presenting a grand and exciting scene, depart with their freight of troops, return and again depart, increasing the sting of our disappointment, which in Franklin's division was daily manifesting itself in various ways. This feeling of disappointment was increased into open ex- pressions of dissatisfaction when a rumor came that the President had made a change in the programme, that the First Corps had been detached from General McClellan's command, and that we were not to go to the Peninsula. This report was soon confirmed; and tlie confirmation produced a feeling of indignation it would be difficult to describe. Officers gathered to- gether in groups, some discussing, others boldly de- nouncing the means by which such a change had been brought about. The men took up the feeling and dis- cussed the subject in their tents, in their rude but hon- est way. Their hearts and their confidence were with McClellan; and their anxiety to be with him and under his command was the best proof of the opinion they held concerning McDowell as a general. It was re- ported at the same time that tliis change had been brought about through the influence of McDowell; and the report gained force from the fact that he was much in Washington, and had not been seen by the army for several days. Some officers high in rank even charged that, with his proverbial weakness for intrigue, he liad taken advantage of McClellan's absence to prejudice the President's mind against the plan of campaign on the Peninsula ; and that after he had sanctioned it in the council of war on the 13tli of ]\Iarch. The com- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 319 iiionest understanding can easily see what must liave been llie eCfect on soldiers by reports such as these. It may have been very pleasant to General McDowell's feelings to be thus accommodated with an independent command ; but, to a great majority of the officers of Franklin's division, it was mortifying indeed to be compelled to serve under such a commander. These may not be grateful words to the ears of some persons, but the truth is best told when it is told undisguisedly. The feeling which at that time existed in the corps against this unfortunate General may be compared to that whicli manifests itself in the genius who is com- pelled to be subordinate to the man of less than com- mon understanding. This was the temper of the First Corps on the 3d of April, when orders were distributed through the camps for the men to prepare to march, with four days' "boiled rations." On the 4th, our division broke camp at the Seminary and marched to Ccntrevillo. We halted at Centreville nearly all day, waiting for the supply train to come up. The roads in places were almost impassable, and the trains had to struggle along under the greatest difficulties. The railroad was still scantily supplied with rollino^-stock, and the trains were nearly all occupied in bringing up infantry, at that time a favorite way of moving troops. We marched from Centreville to Manassas on the Gth, oc- cupying tlie comfortable log liuts we had left on ilio 15th of March. The weather became cold and chilly, and both men and animals suffered terribly. It be- gan raining on the 7th, the wind came sharp and cut- 320 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. ting from the northeast in the afternoon ; and the cold increased until big fires and overcoats were necessary to keep the men comfortable. ITail succeeded rain and snow succeeded hail. Snow fell fast and heavy during the niglit and day of the 8th, until the ground was covered two inches deep, and the roads cliurned up into a bed of soft red clay, through which neitlier man nor beast could get without a desperate struggle. The people of the country told us that for severity they had seen nothing like tliis weather in Virginia. Blenker's division had been sent to Warrenton, and it was reported that it was suffering for want of sup- plies. A train was sent to its relief, guarded by a company of the First New York Cavalry, On the 7th a small force of the First New York Cavalry and some artillery and infimtry was sent out with orders to proceed to Catlett's Station. On the morning of the 8th it liad only reached Bristov/ Sla- tion, some six miles. Here its progress seemed (o ]>g stopped by snow and rain, which churned iri-to the mud until it were impossible to move with any degree of certainty as to when we would make another mile.^lt continued to rain on the 9t!i, and alternated with sleet and snow. No weather could be more trying to the constitution of man. The men had only coffee and liard bread for rations ; and the poor animals had lit- tle or no forage for nearly three days. Men, apj)a- rcntly the strongest and best able to endure hardship, broke down under the severity of this weather, and liad to be sent to the hospital. Colds were contracted which brought on permanent disability ; others were THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 321 seiz d with intermittent fever. At such a time as this a moderate ration of whisky or some similar stimulant would liavc been a benefit to the men. But tliere was none to be had. One of those absurd orders, so fre- quently issued by the War Department at that time, and illustrating liow little the rulers of that depart- ment knew what the soldier needed on a trying march, had forbidden the sutlers to follow the army until fur- ther orders, and the commissary was not provided with stimulants. General Kearney, who always studied the best interests of his men, sent to Washington at Lis own expense, and, it was said, in violation of orders, and had his men provided with stimulants necessary to preserve their health. He declared that no absurd order of the War or any other department should pre- vent him from giving his men what they needed to relieve their suiffering.- On the 9th the advance reached Broad run, which was swollen to an uncommon height and its current very rapid. Fording was out of the question, and the old bridge, which our men made an attempt to repair, was not in a condition to cross artillery. The banks were also high and difficult. On the following morn, ing, the 10th, the water having subsided a little, some of the First New York Cavalry began swimming the stream, but the current ran so swiftly that the men lost command of their horses, both being carried far down the stream, and only gaining the opposite bank after a desperate struggle. Indeed, we lost several horses in this bold attempt to cross a dangerous stream. Cap- tain Stearns and Lieutenant Granger, two brave offi- 15 tJ:i2 THE STOIIY OF A TnOOPLR cers of the First New York, were carried away from their horses in the middle of the stream, and only res- cued from drowning after the most heroic ellbrts made by Lieutenants Martindale and Bailey. When brought to shore they were completely benumbed and almost insensible. It was indeed next to madness to attempt to cross such a stream with the means then at hand. Captain Arnold very properly refused to trust his bat- tery on such unsafe means, and did not cross. In the afternoon the water rose some two feet in as many hours. Some of our men attempted to get back; but, finding the danger too great, gave it up and proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as they could for the night. Some of them got into an old mill, taking their horses with them, cooking their coffee at a fire made from the machinery. Others sought refuge in farm houses near by, cultivating an acquaintance with the inmates and securing a necessary supply of provisions. Some of the farmers in the neighborhood had very valuable sheep and cattle, which it was no- ticed our German troopers laid violent hands upon without making the first inquiry as to the owner's loy- alty. With these Germans the farmer who had fat mutton and beef in his yard was sure to be disloyal, and unworthy of having his table spread with such delicacies, which they would coolly transfer to their own. Sometimes they would invite the owner to dine with them, but that was a matter of politeness only. On the 11th, the weather having improved and the water in Broad run considerably subsided, we crossed, with some difficulty however, and proceeded on our THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 323 marcli to Catlott's Station. The people here were un- i^^'^takably in favor of secession, and openly manifested their sympathy for the South and their hatred of the North. If you asked them why they did this, they could give you no good reason. They knew only what they had been taught by their political demagogues; and these they followed with the mental blindness of children. And, indeed, so bitter was the hate enter- tained for us by some of these people, that men out at night were shot and killed inside our picket line. Learning that the enemy had fallen back behind the Rappahannock, and, indeed, was retreating with his main force towards Richmond, our division (Franklin's) lell back to Manassas, recrossing Broad run on the 12th. Here Franklin received the order detaching him from McDowell's command, and ordering him to proceed with his division and join McClellan on the Peninsula. I was not present when General Franklin received this order, but those who were told me that he received it with evident satisfaction, his face light- ing up with a smile in wliich any one acquainted with him could read the feeliygs of his heart. The news of this order, as it spread througli the division, was re- ceived with great rejoiring among both officers and men. In writing of it at the time, I made use of the following language : " I do not know why it is, but among the men (and here is where you get correct opin- ions concerning the worth of commanders) there is a want of proper respect for McDowell. His lack of generalship, so convincingly „. ..played at Bull Run, has cost him their confidence. Wliile amonf? officers of O.' 24 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. tlie regular army, men wliose sense of honor has not yet been blunted by political associations, there exists a feeling of deep dislike, engendered, no doubt, by the shape his hostility towards McOi'^lian has taken. Our division was never happy under him; and there was great rejoicing to-day among-^ officers and men when the order came that was once more to transfer us from his command to that of McClellan." The weather had changed for the better, and the roads continued to improve. Our backward move- ment commenced early on the morning of the 12th, and the scene that followed was exciting in the ex- treme. The men cheered, exchanged congratulations, and as they marched along sang songs in which Mc- Clellan was the hero. Each railroad train, as it came rushing down the road crowded with soldiers in evory part, numbers riding on the engines, made the very air resound with shouts of joy. Before dark our infantry were nearly all located, some in new quarters near Alexandria, others in their old camps on" the hills out- side. A general cleaning up and getting out of the mud followed. The Lincoln Cavalry made the first long and rapid march of the war during this movement. Two battal- ions were at Weaverstown when the order came to return to Alexandria. In less than half an hour after receiving it the men were in the saddle and moving. Takino: the road throuo'h Centreville, they reached Camp Kearney before sundown, making a march of forty miles in less than twenty-four hours. This was good mai'ching for horsco that had been without forage THE STORY OP A TROOPER. ' 825 more than half the time since leaving the banks of the Potomac. Indeed, the poor animals seemed animated with a knowledge that they were going in the direc- tion of forage, and seemed quite as anxious as the men to get back to their old quarters. On the 14th we moved down to the vicinity of Alex- andria, and got ready to embark with the rest of the troops. CHAPTER XXXI. HUMOROUS SCENES. Our campaign to Catlett's Station and back, althoug;' made through deep mud and in the severest of weatl ei , was not wUhout incidents of an amusing characer. Ne ther Crump, the bugler, nor Von Plopp, his mas e those exploits have been faithfully recorded ,n » Wstory, hid been seen near the front during ou fli .t advance into Manassas. It was reported that Von Filpp took Crump with him to bear witness that what he saw was truth when he made love to tlie secesh l.i- dies, for indeed he was in the habit of g.vmg such ac^ counts of himself that no sensible person would behoe them unless he had an endorser for everything he sa d arTthis he found in his trumpeter ^nd now, van . were the surmises as to what had caused t us a^^^^^^ of Maior Von Flopp and his bugler. The Maoi u was wdl known, halco.ne to the field possessed^ variety of .houlder- straps, denoting ^f^t'^^^^, ft-om a first lieutenant to a ■"^.l-'f "^7' ■'^°'^; t be expected to wear at no very distant d. 1 lia c bearin-v the two stars he would show to hi. mend '"t a^n air of oxuUa.ion, saying that to w,,. then, a TUE STORY OF A TROOPER. 327 man Iiad only to sliow that he had courage, which he intended to do when a chance olTered. The Major, I may add, spent much of his time, and also the time of his bugler, in procuring certificates of his great military ability. And these he would get by the score, from good-natured officers who wanted the regiment rid of him, and saw no surer way of securing the blessing than b}- recommending that the President honor liim witii the highest promotion in his gift. It may not be generally known that this mode of getting rid of wortliless or obnoxious officers was quite com- mon in tlie arm}^ at one time, which may, in a measure, account for tlie great number of useless brigadier generals now on the hands of the nation, but out of employment. When all other means of getting an incompetent out of a regiment failed, the officers would furnisli liim with any number of certificates, and work until they had secured his promotion to a brigadier general or any other rank that would relieve them of his presence. Tlie army is not so prolific of fools now; hence there is less need of practicing such deceptions. And, too, our good-natured President has come to be mucli wiser in military matters; and, indeed, is less in- clined than formerly (o waste his admiration on men who come to him for promotion blowing their own horns. Some said Von Flopp had gone to Washington armed with a huge bundle of these certificates, and was astonishing tlie War Department with his wisdom on war. Indeed, it was more than hinted that he had found a way to the affections of the Secretary of War, who promised that he should be a brigadier general 328 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. whenever he could induce one to get killed off and cre- ate a vacancy. Others said the Major, when last seen, was enjoying his arm chair and feather bed at the house of a violent secessionist, for whose political opinions he had the highest respect and sympathy. Be this as it may, I only know that the battalion Yon Flopp claimed the honor of commanding, but never did, was moving quietly along the Little River turn- pike, during our second advance to Manassas, when the Major suddenly made his appearance, accompanied by Crump, who sounded a halt on his bugle. The sun was setting in a deep black cloud, and the column was within a mile or two of Annandale, as quiet a village as could be found anywhere, and as seen through the deep shadows of evening, seemed to sleep peacefully in the valley at the foot of some high hills. The Ma- jor's appearance created no little excitement as well as amusement among the men, who were sure to greet him with all sorts of unpleasant sounds. As to his bugler, they more than once tossed him into a ditcli, a way they had of showing their disrespect for his master. The Major was mounted on his best charger, was armed to the very teeth, upholstered in his gayest uni- form, and, indeed, was in every way as feathery as an Austrian sub-lieutenant. The column came to a halt, and the senior Captain, who was in command, and knew that Yon Flopp would give him no little trouble and annoyance, rode up, and after making the customary salute, inquired why he interfered with his command. "Roast me 1" ejaculated the Major. "Did you ever THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 329 hear an}- thing like tliat, Crump?" Here he turned to Crump, who blushed, but made no reply. Then turn- ing to the Captain, he continued : " You are a good sol- dier and a brave man, Captain, and therefore it is that I have always respected you and spoken well of you in the face of your enemies. Now, sir, let there be no more of this disrespect to a superior officer — " " We have no time to spend here," interrupted the Captain, who was a sensible man, and one of the best officers in the cavalry service. " It is still ten miles to Fairfax Court House, and we must camp there be- fore nine o'clock." " As I say," rejoined the Major. " You must know, sir, that I assume command of this battalion. Yes, sir, I command this party, and see you now that you respect my rank and obey my orders." The Major said this with such a degree of pomp and self-satisfac- tion that the Captain smiled and was about to return to In's position and put the column in motion. "Stop, sir, stop," said the Major; "your superior officer will dismiss you when he is done with you. And now, see you, sir, I have a job for this battalion, and intend that it shall distinguish itself. But roast me, Captain, you must respect my rank and obey my orders — " " You shall be respected, and your orders obeyed," interrupted the Captain, who saw there was no other way of getting over the annoyance. "I will receive vQur orders." " Then bring your men to front face, two deep," re- plied the Major, lifting liis hat, " for I have a speech 15" 330 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. to make to these men, and you will see what an efiecfc it will have on their courage/' The Captain obeyed the order and soon had his men in line, and the officers in their places. The Major now spurred his charger and pranced up aiid down the line with his sabre drawn, two or three times, followed by Crump, making all sorts of grimaces behind his back, which drew roars of laughter from the men. He now halted in the centre of the line and began addressing them in a manner so wild and rambling as to increase the merri- ment he was affording them. He complimented theuj on their fine soldierly appearance, told them he knew they were all friends of his, that the good condition of their horses was an honor to them, that he felt it an honor to be their commander, that the time would come when, like himself, they would all hold high and hon- orable positions in the army, and have a grand and glorious record for their children to be proud of. He told them he had resolved on the capture of Annandale; that they must make a sudden dash into it, and take it while the enemy was in confusion; that they must show by their deeds that they were brave men and gentle- men; and that he, as their commander, would show them that he was a brave officer and a gentleman. The men greeted this speech with increased laughter. " You see, sir," said he, turning to the Captain, " the speech has had a good effect on the men. This applause is proof of it." " Applause ?" interrogated the Captain, a curl of con- tempt on his lip. " Do you not know that they take you for a fool, and are laughing at your folly ? — " THE STORY OF A TROOPER. o3l *' Roast me !" interposed the Major, who had been called a fool so often that he only smiled to hear it re- peated. " Many a wiser man than me's called a fool; and a man is always master of his enemies when he treats them as if they were his friends. I know you are a friend of mine, Captain, and a clever fellow, and shall not ask you to give me satisfaction for this in- sult. We came here to fight the enemy, and it shall not be said of me that I got up quarrels witli my friends. Get the column in motion, and we will pro- ceed to the taking of this town." " You cannot be sincere in this matter?'' returned the Captain, with a salute. " I know of no town so much at peace with the world as Annandale. There has not been a rebel in it these six weeks; and as for the women and children who remain, their thoughts are most occupied about how they are to get something to eat." " All the better," replied the Major, with a bow; " if there are no rebels in the place then there will be no harm done. An appearance put in is just as good as a victory gained. A good general counts the moral as well as physical effects he can produce. If, then, we dash in and capture this town of Annandale, and it turn out that there be no rebels in it, in wliicli event there would be no bloodslied, why, tlierc would be a great moral effect gained. In this, mark you. Captain, that it would show the rebels what sort of men they had to deal with, and when their commander once re- solved to take a town, he would do it if it were crammed with rebels." 332 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Seeing there was little use for any more reason, the Captain put liis column in motion, proceeding by fours, at a brisk walk. It was now quite dark, the roads were heavy, and in places very wet, for it was begin- ning to rain, and a cold biting wind made the weather quite uncomfortable. They had not proceeded many yards when the Major called Crump, and directed him to say to the Adjutant that he wanted to see him. Now, the Adjutant was a fine young soldier, a man of sense and good education. He bore the Major no good will, and, indeed, had several times made him the victim of practical jokes, for which the Major was resolved ta make him a fair return whenever he got an opportu- nity. The Adjutant rode up, making a reluctant salute, and inquiring what orders he had to give. " Orders enough to keep you on active duty all night," said the Major, assuming an air of great pomp. " And see that you execute them like an lionest man, and an officer. Ride you now to tlio head of tlie col- umn and tell Captain H to trot." Away went the Adjutant, his horse tossing the m.ud at every step, delivered the order, and came back to report. The column now proceeded at a brisk trot for several min- utes. " As you delivered that order so well, Adjutant, I have another. Ride again to the head of the column and tell Captain H that the officer in command desires him to move the column at a gallop." Away went the Adjutant again, throwing mud at every jump, delivered the order and came back to report. The column now struck a gallop, which so covered the Ma- THE STORY OF A TilOOPER. 333 jor with mud and threatened serious damage to liis new uniform, that he ordered Crump to sound a halt on his bugle. This not being heeded, he ordered his Adjutant to again proceed to the head of the column and say it was the order of the ofiQcer in command that the column proceed at a walk. In this way he kept the poor Adjutant riding to and from the head of the column until his feelings were outraged, his pa- tience exhausted, and his spirited little horse com- pletely jaded out, and reeking with foam and mud. But tlie Major was only asserting the power which rank gives to a fool. " I care nothing for myself. Major," said the Adju- tant, " but if you have any pity for my poor horse, please show it by shortening the number of orders you would have me execute." The Major made no reply to this request, but again ordered the Adjutant to proceed to the head of the col- umn and say to the Captain that the officer in command ordered him to trot when he got within a mile of An- nandale, and wlien witliin lialf a mile dash full gallop into the town. " Say to him/' he added, " that as there are four buglers, they shall ride ten paces ahead, blow- ing on their instruments and making all the noise they can.'' Tlie Adjutant was about to proceed with the order, when tlie Major stopped him suddenly, and, with an air of great concern, said : " Tell him not to get frightened if he sees the enemy, since his superior offi- cer will lead the charge and make the capture in person." The Adjutant shrugged his slioulders and muttered 334 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. something about a madman 'who had mistaken his busi- ness. He proceeded, however, to execute the order, which the Captain received with an exclamation it would not be proper to insert here. " What did he say about carrying oui my orders, Adjutant ?" inquired the Major, as that perplexed and fatigued officer returned to report. " Many things it would not be pleasant for a Major of cavalry to hear," replied the Adjutant, dryly, as he shook the rain from his cap. " Among others, that you were a donkey in shoulder straps, but didn't know it." " Did he, though ?" rejoined Von Flopp, with a forced laugh. "He is a clever fellow, that Captain, and must have said this in the way of a joke. You see. Adjutant, he is a friend of mine, therefore it would not become me to demand satisfaction of him for these little slips of the tongue. When you carry another order, give him my compliments, and say that his supe rior officer holds him in profound respect.'' In a few minutes more the column was dashing at a full gallop into Annandale, the Major flourishing his sabre at its head, and shouting, come on men ! come on ! follow your leader ! The four buglers, I must add, rode a few paces aliead, making louder and more dis- cordant sounds than have been heard anywhere since the fall of Jericho. The blowing of these horns, the sharp clanking of sabres, and the quick, heavy tramp of horses, awoke the still, sleeping village from its slumbers, and so alarmed the poor people that they Ihonglit their last day had come. Here a liglit glim- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 335 mered in a window, and there a pale face looked out into the shadowy darkness. There a shadowy figure stood in a half opened door, then disappeared at the appearance of a drenched and muddy trooper. The column dashed up and down the town for several min- utes, the Major being in a state of distraction, and not knowing how to give the command necessary to bring it to order. Annandale was agitated that night, but not one of its alarmed inhabitants ventured out be- yond the threshold of their doors. When the column was brought to order, the Major proceeded to compliment the men for their bravery. He told them they were all brave men and gentlemen; and that the capture of this town should be recorded to their honor. He then ordered strong guards posted in various parts of the town. The inn and the town pump had an especial guard, with instructions not to let the people poison the water of the latter, nor our troopers get any bad whiskey at the former, which was as shabby-looking a concern as could be found any- where in Virginia. He also ordered pickets posted in the outskirts, to the west and south, declaring that no enemy should surprise him that night. This done, he ordered Crump to call the Adjutant. " And now, Adjutant,'' said he, addressing that officer, *' knowing you to be a brave man, and not afraid of your duty, I have selected you to bear an important order to General Kearney, who is a friend of mine, a gentleman, and always salutes me when lie meets me. Go to him with all speed, report that I have capturvxl 336 TUE STOHY OF A TROOPER. Annandale, and don't forget to add that I intend to hold it until he sends me a reinforcement of infantry." The Adjutant stood amazed at sucli an order, and well he might, for his poor horse was jaded out, and lie had not tasted food since morning. Besides, there was no knowing where to find Kearney, whose command was on the road to Manassas. And to convey so ri- diculous a report to so sensible a general would only have been to excite his indignation and bring the poor Adjutant to grief at the reply he would get. He thereupon remonstrated with the Major on tlic folly of sending such a report, as well as tlie impossibility of delivering it without killing his horse. But the more he remonstrated the more demonstrative the Major be- came, declaring that he would not have an Adjutant of his battalion cross arguments with him when he had an order to send. Thereupon the Adjutant drew his sabre, saying : "If you are my superior, it is only in the shoulder- straps. Take them off ; and if you insult my argu- ments I can cross sabres with you! Do jon under- stand ?" " No, sir !" replied the Major, " I never understand that sort of talk from a man who is only a Lieutenant." He now called Crump and ordered liim first to sound boots and saddles, and then bring the senior Captain to him. And while he was gone, seeing there were no witnesses within hearing, the Adjutant began cursing the Major for a fool and a madman ; told him he ought to be whipped at the tail of a cart, and then drammed out of the arm}^ for a noodle. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. ij31 " Stop sir, stop !'^ said Yon Flopp, assuming an air of profound wisdom. "Do you not know that by the rules of war it would be my duty to shoot you down for language like this, addressed to a superior officer in the face of the enemy ?" "As to shooting,^' replied the Adjutant, angrily, throwing aside his water-proof cape and touching the hilt of his pistol, " two can amuse themselves at that play. You have made a fool of yourself to-night, and if you have any message for General Kearney, take it yourself. I don't Avant to get kicked out of his tent.'^ Yon Flopp had captured the town of Annandale, and found it a sore burden on his hands. If he didn't get the report of his victory to some general officer, and that very soon, why, the glory would all slip away from him. The senior Captain now rode up, and reported that both men and horses were suffering terribly from cold and wet ; that the horses were jaded out, and the men had not tasted food since morning ; that, as there was no enemy near, it was the first duty of those in command to see that they had food and some place of shelter for tbe night. " A good soldier," said the Major, smiling, " never minds cold and rain ; and as to rations for the men, and forage for the horses, why, sir, when 1 was in Mexi- co fighting for my country, and had General Scott for a friend, we used to go forty-eight hours without either, and think nothing of it. But, roast me, sir, I have a matter of more importance to bring before you. Hav- ing captured this town, which is showing you tljat I 338 THE STORY OF A TROOPER.' am no lout, but a man of courage, this Adjutant of mine insults me by calling me names — '' " Pray, what did lie call you?" interrupted the Cap- tain. " Names not commonly mentioned in the regulations, sir, I assure you," returned Yon FIopp, in a whisper. Then turning to the indignant Adjutant, lie continued, " And now, sir, if you will be kind enough to repeat what you said, just for the benefit of the Captain, you know." The Adjutant shook his head and begged to be ex- cused. *' If I must do it myself, I will," said the Major. ** But it is grievous, very grievous, sir, to be called so many of these names and know you don't deserve them." Here he drew near to the Captain, and whis- pered in his ear : " You shall know, sir, that he called me a fool. Yes, sir, and he added madman !" " You should order him in arrest at once," returned the Captain, jokingly, " file charges against him, and have him tried by court-martial. You will then have an opportunity to prove that you are a sensible man, and no fool." " Thank you. Captain, tha.ik you," returned the Major, raising his sabre and making a respectful bow. *' You give me the advice of a friend. Roast me, but I shall follow it. And now. Adjutant," he continued, turning to that officer, " get you in arrest, and there remain until you receive further orders from me." The Adjutant made a salute and thanked him, for he was glad to be free from a coaimander who ha. I given THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 339 him so mucli trouble and labor. He then rode quietly away to the inn, got up the innkeeper, a tall, leathery sort of man, with an ochre-colored face and a haggard look, and dressed in coarse, well-worn homespun, and in whose every motion there was alarm and suspicion depicted. " Hain't got much to give you," said the innkeeper, as the Adjutant entered, shaking the water from his clothes, then swinging his cap for the same purpose. " Folks about here was mighty well to do once. Bin stripped of everything now, first by your folks an then by ourn — I meant to say (he corrected himself) first by ourn folks, thenbyyourn. Folks is mighty poor round here now.. Hain't a pig nor a chicken in the village. Hain't bin a race nor a chicken fight in more nor two years. Nothin made by keepin tavern now. Virginy's mighty bad off since this war beginned. diggers is all runned away, teu." Thus he moodily muttered his complaints, while catching the few words of sympathy that fell from the Adjutant's lips, as if they afforded him sweet consolation. " I only want some fodder for my horse," said the Adjutant, taking a seat before the great old-fashioned fire-place, from which a few charred sticks gave out a sickly light. " And if you couM get me up a punch I would be thankful, and pay you, too." The man pro- vided corn husks for the horse, and the Adjutant was in a few minutes enjoying a good warm punch, for which he thanked the landlord and the man that made apple-jack. He continued to enjoy himself in this way until nearly midniglit 8-10 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. In the meantime the Major had been galloping up and down the main street, for Annandale only had one, keeping up a general state of alarm. Then he sent orderlies to inspect the guards and pickets, and bring him back reports. He also kept Crump busy, making all sorts of noises on his bugle, which, he said, was to let the people know that he still held their town, and was master of the situation. The captains now got together and proceeded to remonstrate with Yon Flopp on the extreme folly of his conduct, as well as the suffering it was inflicting on the men and animals. The group had, for shelter, taken a position under a tree just in front of a two story wood house. Presently a light glimmered in one of the upper windows. Then the window slowly opened, a trembling hand protruded, and was followed by a tall white niglit-cap and an agitated head. All eyes were now turned towards the strange figure, for the face was pale and spectre-like, and a big pair of spectacles gave deeper strength to the picture. The Major lifted his reins, as if to change his position. " Don't get alarmed, Major,'^ said one of the officers, "its only a woman, and old at that." " Is you the man what's creatin all tliis arr raket ?" inquired a dry, husky voice, speaking in a broad, Vir- ginia accent. " Is you the man what's bin a tuten on his horn all the living night long, disturbin sick folks, and makin it so a body can't git a winko' sleep. What on arth do ye want here, anyhow, a frightenin peace- able folks most to death? Thir ain't nobody in this village what's goin to hurt yen." THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 841 This, for a moment, upset all tlie Major^s pomp and dignity. " Madame," said lie, '' I have been known all my life for my politeness to ladies. We are here to protect you. Yes, madame, to defend you against your enemies, and to see that you are not disturbed by rebels — " " Tute'n on yer horn ain't no way to do it," replied the woman, her agitation increasing, and her voice growing more husky. *' If its whip'n on the rebels yeu come'd here fir, why don't ye go out an whip 'em ? Ye'll find 'em ready for ye, any time I 'Taint sayin much for yer courage to be tute'n yer horn round here all night, keepin folks awake. Might find somethin better fir raakiu a livin at. Your folks thinks they's mighty smart, disturbing us poor people this ere way." This little episode was cut short by the fat Dutch bu- gler, who came at a full gallop up the muddy street, blowing his bugle at the very top of his wind, and creating intense alarm. The woman withdrew, shut the window, and put out the light, just as the Major was about to reply, and say that he was a man of peace, and had come with these horsemen to show her that he was a friend of the Southern people. The noisy bugler cut short his little speech, however, and threw the speaker into a state of deep agitation, for he brought a report that a large force of Ashby's cavalry had got in our rear, and was manoeuvring to cut us off. Yon Flopp now begged the senior Captain to lose no more time in An- nandale, but get the battalion in order and move at once for Manassas. That as there was no further need of his presence, he would go in search of his friend, 342 TUE STORY OF A TROOPER. General Kearney, and report in person the capture lie had made, and show to the Adjutant that he, at least, was no coward. The last seen of Yon Flopp that night he was making his way out of the town at a full gallop, followed by Crump and two orderlies. It is almost needless to tell the reader that this was a trick, played by the officers to get rid of Von Flopp, who they knew was an arrant coward, without the slightest taste for fighting. In truth, his love for the enemy never found him within pistol shot of him. The battalion was now got in order, the Adjutant de- prived of his comfort at the inn, and proceeded to the outskirts of the town, where there was a respectable looking farm house, and a stack of fodder, which was served to the hungry and shivering animals. Here a bivouac was made for the rest of the night, and the men made fires and proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as the weather and the means at hand would admit. Setting out early on the following morning, the bat- talion reached Manassas Junction and encamped during the afternoon. Von Flopp, with his bugler and order- lies, had arrived some hours before, circulating reports of the most extraordinary kind concerning his adven- tures at Annandale. Indeed, he had told no less than a dozen lies, all of which Crump was ready to swear to, notwithstanding the orderlies, who were men of truth, declared every one of them to be sheer romance. Among other things, he told them that in capturing Annandale he found a force of rebel cavalry and drove them through and at least two miles beyond the town, THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 343 in the direction of the Occoquan; that he would have captured at least a troop of them but for the cowardly conduct of some of his officers; that at least a dozen bullets came so close to him that he could feel them. With such stories as these, and a few of a different kind which Crump added to make the account square with his master's, he quite astonished a number of very enterprising newspaper correspondents, who gathered about him and eagerly noted down every word that fell from his lips, which they would have given to the world for truth but for the senior Captain, who came up in time to prevent so great a misfortune. There wasthia to be said of Von Flopp, that, holding that truth had no advantages over falsehood, he came in time to be- lieve there was truth enough in whatever he told, and all that was required was to stick to it. The Major now saw there was a storm brewing about his ears, and that a number of unpleasant epithets were being aimed at liim, for the part he had taken in the capture of Annandale. To avoid these, he made his way to a neighboring farm house, where he engaged comfortable lodgings and such fare as the good woman could spread her table with. Two days passed, and nothing was seen of Von Flopp or his faithful bugler. The next day was Sunday, and the quiet of the after- noon was broken and the camp thrown into a state of violent excitement by a report that Major Von Flopp had got into a difficulty with one of the Dutcli captains, and there was likely to be some bloodshed. Now, the name of tliis Captain was Gustavo Otto, a man of fiery temper and fierce appearance, for no man in the regi- 344 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. ment carried a higher head or wore longer spurs, or, indeed, could eat more Bologna sausage. He com- manded the company through which Yon Flopp found a means of getting into the regiment as a lieutenant; and after being the firmest of friends they had become the bitterest of enemies. The cause of the quarrel was some unsettled account, in which the German charged that he had been defrauded by Yon Flopp; and finding he could get a settlement in no other way, applied to him all manner of epithets he could command, calling him everything but an honest man and a gentleman, and, indeed, challenging him to mortal combat. The officers in the immediate vicinity gathered around the combatants, but were not inclined to interfere, feeling that it was a falling out between rogues, and if one told the truth of the other, the result would be a bene- fit to the regiment. It soon became apparent, however, that there would be no blood spilt, for Yon Flopp heard the character given of him by the German with- out the slightest resentment, saying that as he was un- armed he would not give him satisfaction then, nor would it become him to do so on the Sabbath day. He would, however, pledge his honor as an officer and gentleman, that this insult to a superior officer should receive his attention on the following morning. Thus saying, he took his departure for the farm house, cheered by several of the officers, but somewhat crest-fallen. The prospect of a duel on the following morning created quite a lively feeling among many of the offi- cers, and bets were freely offered and taken as to whether tlie affair vrould end seriously. Alex, the TIIi: STOllY OF A TROOPER. 345 Irish Lieutenant, was wild with joy over the prospect of a fight, and sent his compliments to the Major to say that if he wanted a friend he had only to call on him, and he would sit up all night to get the weapons ready. In addition to this, the little doctor, who would have enjoyed nothing better than seeing Von Flopp killed, sent to say that as the Major might need his services in the affair of honor that was to come off in the morning, he would be ready at any hour he might please to name. These little attentions had a serious effect on Von Flopp's mind, for his courage was brought to a test at last it was never before put to. He sat up until a late hour that night, now walked the room, now examined his pistols, then sat in his rocking chair, moody and contemplative. The good woman at whose house he was, noticing his distressed state of mind, sought sev- eral times to console him, and at length begged that he would tell her what was causing him this anxiety of mind. He shook his head, put his right hand to his heart, and then heaved a heavy sigh. '• Its no trifling matter, madame — no trifling matter," said he, his voice tremb- ling and choking. " If I should be brought in a corpse in the morning — " " A corpse ! a corpse !" interrupted the woman, rais- ing her hands in astonishment, as the Major raised his eyes sorrowfully. " Then there's going to be a battle atween our folks and your'n ? La's me, heow your folks did run at Bull Run. Don't want to see 'em run so again. You war'nt with 'em that time ?'' 16 y4(5 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. " No, madame, its not a battle — a matter of a more serious character. An affair of honor. And if I am killed by my antagonist, there's an end of me, and you'll see me brougut in a corpse; " replied the Major, shaking his head. " An affair of honor I" exclaimed the woman. "La's me. What do you Union officers want to fight duels for. Think they might find fightin enough with our folks. My poor husband had a duel once. Afore he jined the Southern army, though." Von Flopp was somewhat disappointed that he did not receive more sympathy from the woman, who pro- posed now to make ]\im a cup of strong tea and get hot water for his feet. She also wanted to know if ho could not settle it with the gentleman in some more quiet way than shooting at him with pistols. " Ah, madame," he replied, taking and squeezing her hand, " there's my honor. What am I to do with that? The whole regiment expects me to protect it against the insults of this man, who is no gentleman, as you would have seen if you had heard the language he used. By the rules of the service, either he must kill me or I must kill him. If he kills me, I pray you, madame, to see me decently buried." " La's me," replied the woman, quickly, '' there shan't be no thin wanting as I can do to give you a genteel funeral." " A genteel funeral," repeated the Major to himself, "doesn't sound well when a man is so far away from 11 is friends." He now requested the woman to bring him some THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 847 paper and ink, as it would be necessary for him to make a will; and as lie had few friends, and no rela- tives he cared for, and an ample fortune, he would leave her comfortable for the rest of her life. This he would do as a reward for her kindness, and because he saw she was a good and honest woman, against whose vir- tue not a word could be said. The woman now shed numerous tears, but they were tears of joy rather than sorrow. Hastening into an- other room, she soon returned with a bottle of ink and paper enough to make a dozen wills. " Oh, sir," she said, setting them down on the table, " you are too kind to remember me in your will. Depend on it, sir, if you are killed I will see that you have a genteel fu- neral." The woman was about to withdraw and bid him good night, when he put his arm about her waist and would liave kissed her, merely to lighten his grief. " Please don't do that, sir," said the woman, drawing quickly away from him, " or I shall not think you so kind and generous as you would have me think you. Good night, sir, good night. I shall rise early and at- tend to your wants." The woman retired for the night, leaving Yon Flopp, a disappointed man, to his ink and paper. The weather on the following morning was raw and chilly. Reveille had sounded and the camp was astir early. At six o'clock Crump was seen sitting on a log near headquarters breakfasting on numerous hard crackers and a piece of salt pork. One asked him why he was not messing with his master; another in- quired how his master slept. Crump was not inclined o 48 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. to reply to these questions, lest wliat lie might say should bring him a kick or a cuff. It was the misfor- tune of Crump that he was made to sliare the ill-will the regiment bore his master, and, indeed, got no end of kicks and cuffs on his account. When however, he had eaten his breakfast he began capering about and making sundry guttural noises on his bugle. Several of the officers, who were sitting in a group near headquarters, sent for Crump, and demanded to know why he was making these strange noises. Crump wiped his mouth with his sleeve, shook his head, looked first at one, then at the other. " Somebody's blood '11 be shed this morning," he stammered out. "Su-sum- some — body's b-b-b-blood '11 be spilt — somebody '11 git hurt." " Who's going to do all this desperate work, Crump?" one of the officers inquired, smiling. " My master I Got his courage all screwed up. Bin keepin it screwed up all night. Bin shoo tin at a bull's eye out of a win- der for more nor an liour. Got so now he can hit it plump every shot. Got four big pistols in his belt. There '11 be some on ye burst when he comes down." The officers now sent for Captain Otto, and made Crump repeat what he had said in his presence, telling him at the same time that he had better make his will and prepare to get killed, for the Major was coming with no less than four pistols, and there was sure to be somebody hurt this time. Indeed, we all began to think, from what the bugler said, that Von Flopp had really got his courage up, and we should be entertained with a sort of offhand duel, fought without seconds or THE bTORY OF A TllOUPEll. S4:\) doctors. The German, liowcvcr, was iu nowise daunted, made liglit of tlie Major's courage, and intimated tliat lie was ready to cross sabres or do him at ten paces with pistols. I ought also to inform the reader that tlie good wo- man was up early and had an ample l)reakfast for the Major, and, indeed, did many other little things to quiet his mind and make him comfortable, for she re- membered Y/liat he had said about seeing her provided for in his will. And wlien he left the house she bid him good bye, adding : " And now, sir, I shall pray for you until I hear you are safe. Indeed, sir, I shall look for you back to dinner, for I am sure that with so many pistols you must kill your adversary." As soon as he was out of Bight she repaired to the table in search of the will, for she was anxious to see what share of his large fortune she was to get. Instead of the will she found he had not wasted a sheet of the paper. Indeed, to tell the truth, Yon Flopp had not a shilling in the world beside what came to him from his pay as an officer, and instead of wasting an inch of his candle over a will, had gone quietly to bed and slept soundly during the night. The good woman was grievously disappointed at this discovery, and began to think she had been deceived in the character of her guest. And now things began to look serious about head- quarters, for Von Flopp appeared, in full feather, ad- vancing over a piece of rising ground in the direction of the camp, two pistols in his belt, one in each hand, his longest spurs mounted, and liis sabre dangling about his heels. There was not a more ponderous figure to 350 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. be seen anywhere, and as lie loomed out through the cold gray mist, his fat sides shaking as he picked his way through the mud, the picture he presented was ex- tremely ludicrous. The officers made way as he came up. " By the holy St. Patrick !'' exclaimed the Irish Lieutenant, thrusting his hands deep into his breeches pockets and moving aside, " here's a fight oneyhow; an the divila chance for a fellow to get a hand in.'' He had scarcely Tittered the sentence when the Major confronted the German Captain, and, in a menacing attitude, demanded to know what he had to say for himself; in other words, what excuse he had to offer for not being killed on the spot. " I would have you know, sir, that these pistols are loaded, and with balls, too, every one of them,'' said the Major, becoming pale with excitement, and his hands trembling violently. "I am a brave man, and I take it you are a brave man. Now, either you will repeat what you said yesterday and give me satis- faction, or make a proper apology, and I will forget the matter and consider you a gentleman." "As I do not understand English very well," replied the German, more quietly than he had ever done be- fore, "this little fellow shall interpret for me, and at ten or a dozen paces, as you may choose." Here he drew from a side pocket a pistol of exquisite finish, and with which Von Flopp had seen him make some remarkable shots from the saddle. The sight of it, and the hostile attitude the German was quick to take, increased the Major's nervousness to a remarkable de- gree. " I'm not to be frightened," he stammered rather than spoke, " not to bo frightened — no, I'm not — by THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 351 the sight of that weapon. You don't know me if 3-011 think yon can frighten me so easy. I am convinced now that you are no gentleman, therefore it would not become me, a superior officer, to put myself on a level with you by shooting you on the spot. But you shall be punished for this conduct of yours, and I have the power to do it.'' Here he aifected to get himself into a passion, and instead of shooting the German, rushed frantically to the Colonel's quarters, the crowd cheer- ing as he went, reported the insults he had received from Captain Otto, and demanded that he be placed in arrest. The Colonel was at first inclined to sympathize with Von Flopp, and granted the order, whereupon the Ger- man proceeded quietly to obey it, for he regarded the whole affair as a ridiculous farce, as indeed it really was. When, however, the Colonel had received a true account of the whole affair, he laughed as heartily as the rest, and when 10 o'clock came put an end to it by releasing Captain Otto and sending him with his com- pany to guard a supply train on its way to Warrenton, to relieve Blenker's division, wMch was reported to be in great distress for want of rations. Here again Yon Flopp's courage gave out when the crisis came. Indeed, he never could get it up when there was the slightest danger. He now went back to his comfortable lodgings, his feathers drooping and his powder wet — for it began to rain fast — disappointed at the luck he had met, as also was the good woman vvho was waiting him at the door. CHAPTER XXXIY. SCENES IN ALEXANDRIA— EMBARKATION FOR THE PENINSULA From the 12th to the 18th of April the sombre old town of Alexandria, in whose streets secession had i-aised so haughty a head when the war began, but where its advocates might now be seen looking humbled and dejected, presented a busy scene. Long lines of infantry marched and counter-marched through its streets, with banners flying, drums beating, and bands playing na- tional airs. Staff ofiScers and mounted orderlies dashed up and down the rugged pavement, carrying orders and arranging the details of embarkation. All night long the heavy tramp of horsemen, the ominous clatter of sabres, the " halt ! " of the provost guard, and the rumbling of artillery and subsistence trains, might be heard breaking the silence with their harsh sounds. Alexandria reminded one of a city long gone to de- cay, hopelessly conquered, its people broken in spirit, just waking up with a new and improved lease of life. CProvost marshals ordered all saloons to be closed, and issued stringent orders against the sale of liquor to sol- diers. But these orders seemed to have little effect, for the soldiers got liquor in some way, and not a few cases of disorder resulted from it." Then guards were kept 352 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 853 m busy day and night searching for officers and men who li'ad been decoyed from their commands by the gambler and the harlot — those vampires wlio hang about an army and harvest on the misfortunes of the soldier. Alexandria swarmed witli them then, as Alexandria swarms with them now, to the disgrace of the military authority that sets itself up as a necessity to preserve law and order.^ The scene on the river and at the wharves was equally busy and exciting. A long line of transports, some of them sea steamers of the largest capacity, the light, airy, and spacious North river " floating palace,'' ships, brigs, and schooners, lay moored on the bosom of the placid Potomac for a distance of at least three miles. In places these huge transports iay five and six abreast, making a grand and imposing appearance. Then a swarm of small, odd-shaped craft, from the unsightly canal boat to the clumsy barge and puffing tug, threaded their way through the fleet, each performing its pecu- liar service. Now great steamers move in line to the wliarves, soon fill up with their livinjr freidit, and return to their places in the stream, their decks swarming with merry soldiers, who dance and sing, and are as gay as if they were bound on a party oi pleasure. There are long lines of schooners and brigs in the stream, packed with horses and mules, the long ears of the latter giving a toucli of quaintness to the picture. The mules keep up an intense braying, espe- cially at night, and the liorses are restless. The soK diers say the mules are holding a caucus and object to this new way of marching to a new base. The shipping 16^ 354 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. of these mules affords the soldiers a great deal of amusement. There was a scene of excitement on the wharf just now. A refractory mule lopped his ears, shook his head, and made decided objection to the plank method of putting liim on board. Then he broke away from his keepers, charged at a gallop up the wharf, up- set several persons, and performed numerous odd freaks, as a mule will when in the humor, and caused great cheering among the lookers on. A race now follows, and the mule seems to have the best of it, and treats the intentions of his pursuers with an amount of ca- price remarkable even for a mule. A mounted guard is at length called in to capture him, and he is brought back a more submissive if not wiser mule; and after being well kicked and cursed he is put into the slings and whipped on board in a manner that seems to as- tonish him. I never could exactly understand the relations existing between the soldier and this long- eared friend of his. The soldier always seemed to have a strong attachment for the animal, and, indeed, to regard him as a true friend, which he really was, but never seemed so happy as when he was either kicking him or heaping imprecations on his head. General Franklin had liis unpretending headquarters on board tlie little steamer Mystic, and her movements were watched with interest throughout the fleet, as they were supposed to indicate those of the General. During the time of our embarkation, Franklin made a visit to the army at Yorktown, to consult with General M'Clellan about our movements, and get some knowl- edge of the situation. On his return he gave us a THE STORY OF A TROOPER. o56 pretty clear idea of the situation of affairs before York town, and, also, of the part we should have to take in the plan that was being so slowly developed. The little comfortable cabin of the Mystic was the scene of several conferences between Franklin, Kearney, New- ton, and Slocum, concerning our future movements. And these conferences were conducted with so much courtesy and apparent good feeling, that any one wit- nessing them would have found it difficult to believe that even a difference of opinion could have existed between such gentlemen. But even here the rank weed of jealousy had taken root, and beneath that appa- rently calm surface there was a current of troubled waters which subsequently showed itself in open violence. The morning of the 18th of April was warm and Bummer-like. The fleet, consisting of nearly two hun- dred vessels, ranged along in a formidable line, ready to sail. The wind cam.e light and breezy up the river. Suddenly the whole fleet was hung with flags that floated and coquetted in the breeze, and gave a gay and picturesque appearance to the scene. Then signals were exchanged along the line, and the boatswain's whistle sounded on the gunboats. Tugs steamed and puffed through the fleet, the steamers got up steam, and the noise of windlasses as the ships hove short, echoed and re-echoed along the river, and gave a mystic touch to the grand pageant. Now a huge steamer starts her wheels, forges ahead a few rods, then drops back to her anchor. Soldiers swarm the decks of the larger trans- ports, and cheer after cheer goes up along the whole 35(3 THE STOllY OF A TROOPER. line, until the very air resounds. The steamers that are to tow the sailing vessels are seen to lift their anchors, and drop quietly into line, and affix their tow ropes. At half past ten o^clock the fleet was ready, and the signal for sailing had been made. The scene that now followed was grand and impos- ing beyond precedent, for the novelty and variety of tlie craft composing tlie fleet gave to it features such as had never been seen in a fleet before. Two trim, taunt lookinjr ffunboats led the line, and moved off with a sort of defiant air. Then the big sea steamers, and the liuge river boats, with their lofty cabins, moved majestically into line, their decks covered with cheering troops. And these were followed by steamers towing long lines of ships, brigs, schooners, and barges, the whole forming a bright and dazzling picture as it swept majestically down the Potomac, with bands playing, banners flying, and the troops cheering. The day continued fine until sundown, and the fleet swept along at a rapid speed, when heavy, threatening clouds festooned tlie heavens in the south, portending a sudden storm. Then quick, vivid flashes of lightning, followed by the deep rumbling of distant thunder, indi- cated the rapidly approaching squall. The fleet had become stretched out over a distance of eight or nine miles, and being at a point where the river curved, presented the appearance of a semicircle. And as the lightning played tlirough the rigging of the fleet, lighting up and giving a clear outline to each hull, the efl'ect was grand beyond description. Indeed, there was something mysterious and spectre-like about THE STOr.Y OF A TIIOOPER. 357 tlie scene, and tlie beholder might have fancied himself suddenly transported to a land of enchant- ment. Then each craft sent up her 'blue, red, and white signal lights, and the scene became more brilliant and dazzling. There was now considerable commotion along the line. The wind murmured violently through the rigging of the ships and saloons of the steamers, and soon the whole line assumed the appearance of a lighted city in a vaulting mood. Signals were made to slacken speed. But the thunder storm was upon us, and without waiting for the signal to come to an anchor, steamers began cutting away from their tows, and taking position before coming to anchor. The fleet had scarcely come to anchor, however, when the storm broke in all its fury, accompanied by hail and rain, but was of short duration. Here we rode at anchor for the rest of the night. We were underweigh early on the following morning, and reached our destination in Poquosin river during the afternoon of the 19th. The French fleet under Count Rochambeau had occupied the same position durins: the revolution, when it blockaded the York river and assisted Washington in effecting the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. The coast here pre- sented a long, low line of white sand, fringed with scrubby pines, the deep green foliage forming a pretty contrast. Little white houses nestled here and there beneath the foliage, and gave a picturesque air to tlie quiet picture. Tlie channel of Poquosin river was very narrow and crooked, but deep enough for several miles up for our largest vessels. A long, low sand spit curved 358 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. from the south entrance to Poquosin river, extending nearly to the channel, and forming a breakwater foi the fleet inside, which anchored in the form of a semi- circle, and was well sheltered from the bay. An- other spit to the north of us, and on which there was a clump of scrub pines, separated us from the York river. This Poquosin river ran up to Cheesman's Land- ing, abotit five miles, where subsistence and munitions oi war were being landed in immense quantities, for Gen- eral McClellan had made it a base of supplies, its dis- t^.nce from our works in front of Yorktown being about six miles. The river was full of little creeks and in- dentations, some of them cutting through thickly tim- bered swamp three and four miles, with water deep enough for our largest river steamers to float in. The continual ingoing and outgoing of steamers and supply vessels gave to this usually quiet sheet of water the appearance of a busy commercial port, doing an ex- tensive trade. York river is famous for the quantity and fine quality of its oysters, and no sooner had the fleet come to anchor than numerous expeditions were fitted out to raid on the beds. Indeed, before tattoo it seemed as if the whole division, ofiicers and men, were ban- queting on the finest oysters, served in a variety of styles. Negroes sliowed us where the best beds were to be found, and we helped ourselves without inquiring whether their owners Avere in the Southern army, or still carrying on the oyster trade with New York. A large number of wooden canoes, or "dug-outs" were found secreted up the creeks, and these were brought THE STORY OF A TROOPER. • 359 fout and appropriated by our officers, who soon became experts in the use of tlicm, and made daily voyages in them in search of fish and oysters. In short, tlie little river swarmed with them in a few days, and so intent were our officers on indulging in these aquatic sports that an order was issued directing all the " dug-outs" to be turned over to the quartermaster. Tliis put an end to '' dug-out" sailing, and brought many a young hero who had invested his fifteen or twenty dollars for a ship of his own to sail in, to grief. We had also an abundance of fine fish, for the river and adjacent creeks were full of bass, rock and other species. Our officers became inquisitive as to what sort of people lived in those pretty little white houses that nestled so lovingly among the deep green foliage on shore. Numerous visits of discovery were made, and in a few days relations of the most friendly kind were cultivated. Distance had certainly lent enchantment here, for on a near view these houses were found to be of the plainest description, and their occupants simple- minded people, who knew little of the world beyond Poquosin river, and had got an honest living by fishing and oystering. Nearly all the men were away in the Southern army, and had left their little homes and farms in charge of a hardy, healthy looking race of women. Four fresh, buxom girls, the youngest sixteen, and the oldest just twenty-one, were the sole occupants of one of these houses, the father and two brothers liaving joined the Southern army, and left tlicm to do the fishing and protect themselves against " the insults of the rude Yankees." I noticed, however, that these 860 THE STOIIY OF A TROOPER. improtected damsels liad a remnrlaibly coy way Tvilli them, and although each affected to have a lover in the South, they did a great deal of coquetting with our officers, and, indeed, came to regard their visits as little pleasant affairs they would 1 ike to have repeated as often as possible. There was something really good about these honest-hearted girls, who always spread before us such fare as they had, and with such a trua and sincere generosity as to touch the tenderest sym- pathies of the heart. Indeed, I may venture the asser- tion that if their " Southern lovers " could have seen to what an extent these damsels coquetted with our offi- cers, there would have been explanations demanded, and perhaps something more. We returned their kind- ness by giving them many little thirgs they stood in need of; and we left them with a prayer that God might guard and protect them. In another house there was a widow and her two daughters, one a girl of remark- able beauty, with a bright, peacliy complexion, dark, flashing eyes, raven black hair, an oval face in which every feature was beauty and delicacy, and a finely rounded form. We came to call her the belle of Po- quosin river, and not a few of our officers paid her visits out of compliment to her beauty, and, indeed, would have given her their hands and their hearts, and made her happy for the rest of her life. She received their attentions coldly but respectfully, told them she had a lover fighting us in the South, and in whose keep- ing her heart would remain until he returned. In short, I noticed that whenever she spoke of tin's lover tears welled into her beautiful eves and lier voice failed THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 3G1 lier. She gave us his name when we left, and also showed us his portrait which she kept in a little locket nestling on her fair bosom ; and she begged us to be kind to him if we met him in battle, for she was sure he would be kind to us. Another and somewhat different sort of person was a woman who resided near the head of the creek, and whose farm extended half way across the broad plain. She was a woman of ponderous figure, weighed at least two hundred and forty pounds, and the most talkative person I met on the Peninsula. The soldiers called her Mrs. Heavysides, out of respect to her figure, I suppose. She had three rustic looking daughters, who were much given to flirting with our soldiers, which seemed to keep her in a state of perpetual trouble. Three or four decayed old negroes hobbled about the garden and yard, and received her scolding with the most perfect indifference. She took a dislike to the Yankees, she said, some years ago. A jolly brick-maker from Staten Island had come that way on an oyster boat and carried oif one of her daughters. She regarded that transaction as rather an ink spot on the family rec- ord. But she had not quite made up her mind whether to be a secessionist or remain true to the Union. She would rather wait a little while and see which whipped before giving her political opinions a decided color. She didn't like Jeff. Davis any more, she would say, nor Abe Lincoln, and thought if they were both put in a bag and well shook up, and then tossed into Po- quosin river, honest folks would have been a deal bet- ter off. The soldiers of General Sickles's brigade, 362 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. which was encamped for a time near her house, kept her in a state of continual excitement, for they not only persisted in courting her daughters, but stole all her pigs and chickens. But the most amusing part of it was that she insisted in charging the theft of her pigs and chickens to the General himself. This talkative woman afforded me a great deal of entertainment. I would find her of a morning filling up her front door, her hands tucked under her apron, and ready to fire a volley at General Sickles and the Yankees in general. Her first salutation would gen- erally be : "Another shoat's gone. You fellers keeps on this ere way, you'll get every shoat and chicken I got. That Gineral Sickles I he is a pretty right smart Gineral to steal all a poor woman's pigs and chickens in this way. Have one cooked for dinner to-day — I reckon, and '11 ask his friends in to help eat 'em. Need'nt tell me he won't. Would'nt believe one on yeu." I made several attempts to defend the General's character against these serious charges, but without effect. She would insist that it was the General who stole her pigs, not his soldiers, who had no means of cooking them. Then her mind would run from the General and her poultry to Yorktown and General Magruder. " Wliare on airth did you Yankees all come from ?" she would inquire, sarcastically. Mighty smart heap on yeu — there is. What did yeu come down liere fur, raisin sich a hub-bub — disturbin the peace of we poor Poquosin folks. Want to get Yorktown, 'spose ? THE STOllY OF A TROOPER. 363 Yorktown ain't no town after jeou git it. Makin a right smart fuss over Yorktown, firing them arr big guns every day and killin folks. Ain't a dozen good houses in Yorktown when yeou deou git it. Wish you'd a gone some other way to take Yorktown, if its York- town you want; and not bringed that are Gineral Sickles here a stealin all my shoats. There's this, hain't got a gineral among you Yankees what can drink more whiskey nor Gineral Magruder. Its a miglity little wliiskey you'll find in Yorktown when yeou deu take it." The old lady would talk in this strain until attracted by the appearance of some sol- diers who had come to court her daughters and needed a little watching. CHAPTER XXXY. UNCERTAINTY ABOUT LANDING— THE WEATHER, ETC., ETC. Our division left Alexandria with the expectation of landing on the Severn river, under cover of gunboats, moving on the enemy's vrorks at Gloucester Point, op- posite Yorktown, and having the first fight with the enemy. But we remained afloat day after day in Poquosin river, until both officers and men became im- patient at the delay, and it was evident tliere was a hitch somewhere. To-day a report would be circulated that gunboats to cover our landing could not be got, and then the navy would come in for an amount of crimination I dare not venture to describe here. To- morrow this report would be contradicted, and the de- lay charged to the engineer's department, which, it was said, had not provided the proper means of landing. A feeling of disappointment and impatience prevailed throughout the division. General Kearney was still with us, and had his headquarters on board the fine steamer Elm City, which lay a few rods from us. The. General's impatience at being kept afloat in this man- ner found expression every day in language more em- phatic than the rules of the service warranted. Gen- eral Franklin, who felt chagrined at the part we vrero 3G4 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 365 compelled to perform, made frequent visits to the front, but generally returned without anything favorable to communicate. It was indeed mortifying to him to have his fine division cooped up in this manner on ship- board, to be conscious that both men and animals were suffering terribly, and no immediate prospect of afford- in"- them relief. The rigors of ship-board soon be- came more trying than those common to camp life. On the 20th, Lieutenant Colonel B. S. Alexander joined our staff. He enjoyed the reputation of being one of tlic most skillful engineers in the regular army, a man of rare genius, of quick perception, great coolness, a keen sense of the ludicrous, and a genial disposition. He began his work by collecting a large number of barges, old canal boats, and scows, with which to form landing stages. His movements were watched with the deepest interest, as their progress was supposed to denote the time of our relief from this sea prison. I must say here that I found in Colonel Alexander an old acquaintance whom I had met while stationed in Savannah several years ago, and who, like myself, had enjoyed to their fullest many of those pleasant scenes so common to Southern society before the war. The recollection and recalling of those pleasant scenes, with the images of old and congenial friends, many of whom held prominent places in the Southern army, and were arrayed against us as enemies, afforded us entertain- ment for many an hour after the labors of the day were over. The Colonel was a prominent feature in the campaign on the Peninsula, for he was to be seen wherever active operations were going on, directing or 366 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. taking a part in them. His eye was as quick in grasp- ing- the advantages of a position as in detecting the errors committed b}^ a general on the field. And to his clear judgment and correct knowledge of military science, many officers of higher rank were indebted for the means of escaping from the serious disasters that might have resulted from their own blunders. The Colonel was a man of Falstaffian figure, with a round, ruddy face, and a merry twinkling eye. He wore big canvas boots, and a broad brim hat ; and, as seen at night, with liis inseparable lantern, presented a picture worth preserving and not easily to be forgotten. Sol- diers are always quick to attach odd and unique names to officers prominent in any particular arm of the ser- vice. Some of ours called the Colonel " Old Pon- toons." Others knew him as '' Old Corduroy." In the staff he was known as Diogenes. He enjoyed these names as much as those who applied them ; in- deed, he was fond of applying quaint names to others, and no man enjoyed a good joke more. If he could have his at the expense of some incompetent brigadier, so much the better. We were together through most of the campaign, and the bright recollection of so agreeable a companion is something I shall carry with me through life. When, liowever, the Colonel got his landing stages ready, it was reported that the navy could not furnish the requisite number of gunboats to co-operate in our intended movement, and another delay was the result. Then every one became impatient to know why Gen- eral McClellan, whose siege guns had been going for- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 8G7 ward for at least a fortnight, did not open the siege. One attributed it to this, another to that. The general impression was, that he wanted to make a grand dis- play of his engineering skill by completing his works and opening fire along the whole line. Officers whom he had counted among his best friends, became restive and impatient at the delay this policy was causing, and openly expressed their doubts of its wisdom. A few were malicious enough to say that General McClellan had again changed his mind as to the practicability of ]ns base, and was contemplating a new plan, which would change the destination of our division. Again, it was whispered that there was a serious misunder- standing between General McClellan and the authori- ties at Washington, which had brought on an unpleas- ant controversy, and was likely to end in a change of commanders. To this it was added that sundry mis- chievous politicians in Washington liad so influenced the President and Secretary against General McClellan that they were doing everything in their power to destroy his plans and damage him in the eyes of the public. These reports had a very bad effect on the army, and more especially on its officers. They placed McClellan in the position of an injured man, with an army to fight in front of him and a worse enemy in his rear, and yet did him no real good. Respect for the authorities at Washington was already too low in the Army of the Potomac, and reports like these were not calculated to promote that good understanding between the executive powers and our army so neces- sarv to success. The General who seeks strength in 3G8 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. the sympathy of Iiis army, places himself in a more un- safe position than if he were to work patiently, avoid political entanglements, and do the best he can with the means at hand. It was the misfortune of Mc- Clellan not to separate his military duties from the political entanglements of the day. He believed, and sincerely, that the fate of the nation was in the hands of the Army of the Potomac, and that he was the polit- ical as well as military saviour of the republic. In- deed, all Iiis mental energies seemed directed to the preservation of this army, whicli he fancied repre- sented the political as well as military status of the country. He seemed to forget that what strength an army gathers on the field of battle may be thrown away in inactivity as well as want of boldness and de- cision in its commander. There was also a too prevalent disposition among a certain class of officers to treat with indifference the authorities at Washington, and even to cast ridicule on their want of military knowledge. Nor were the men slow to catch up this feeling and add their influ- ence to an instrument that was working serious injury to discipline. STORY OF A TROOPER. sooK x-\r. CHAPTER XXXYI. AFLOAT IN POQUOSIN YET. As a partial relief to the impatience of which I have before spoken, we were entertained every day with a des- ultory cannonading at the front. Then a rumor would pass from ship to ship that the siege had really opened at last. But after an exchange of ten or fifteen shots, the cannonading would cease, only to increase our dis- appointment. In short, this tiling became such a fa- miliar, every day affair that we could easily distinguish between the deep thugging sound of mortars and the sharp ring of Parrotts and the loud booming noise of the enemy's hundred-pounder, which afterwards burst on his works. We had been a week in Poquosin river, cooped up on ship board, and yet there was no prospect of land- ing. The poor animals began to suffer terribly for for- age and water. Closely packed on the schooners, ex- posed night and day to the capricious weather, with no opportunity to lay down, their legs became stiff and swollen, and many of them died from sheer exhaustion. It was evident that something must be done to relieve their sufferings, and that very soon. On the 26th, Captains Arnold and Upton landed their batteries and 371 ST2 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. horses. A portion of the cavalry was also landed, and it was a pleasing sight to see how the poor animals enjoyed their freedom on shore. Some cavorted and gamboled over the broad plain ; others rolled and sported in the sand. And in this way they manifested their satisfaction until the bugle called them to hay and oats. General Kearney ran his steamers up to the bank, and indulged his Jersey Brigade with permission to go on shore for exercise. The weather all this time had been very capricious. I find the following note of it in my memorandum : April 19, 5 P. il/.— The fleet came to anchor in Po- quosin river. Weather fine, sea smooth, wind light from the west. Anchorage good. A negro in a dug- out told us where to find good oysters. 202^^.— Weather changed. Wind east-northeast, squally, rainy, and cold. Vessels straining at their anchors. A heavy sea on outside. Overcoats and fires in great demand. 2lst. — The storm has increased. Wind strong from the east, and an ugly sea outside. A gunboat has near- ly dragged afoul of us. Outside vessels move up for better slielter and holding ground. Snow and hail in small quantities, and rain in large. Cold and very dis- agreeable on deck. No sign of landing. 22d— Kainy and squally, but less cold. Wind changing to \\\q northward. Animals sulFcr terribly from exposure, and we are almost out of fresh water and forage. No sign of landing. A report was cir- culated yesterday that General Magruder had been shot by a Berdan sharp-shooter, which is not very likely. THE STOKY OF A TROOPER. 373 23c/. — Wind west, and pleasant weather to-day. Magiuder not so dead as lyoportcd yesterday. Loud cannonading at the front, our every day entertainment after oysters. The fleet in a very peaceable mood. Kearney, with impatience looking out of every feature, is impatient to get his troops ashore, and has gone up to see what the prospect is. 24:tJu — Weather has had a change of m.ind during the night; cold and rain. Strong wind blowing from southeast, and a sharp sea in the bay. Stoves are pleasant companions; overcoats are in demand. Strange weather this for Virginia. Rain has made the roads leading to the front a quagmire. Fleet is in a weep- ing mood. Camp croakers are circulating all sorts of ridiculous rumors respecting General Baldy Smith's affair with the enemy on the 16th. Sensible men put no faith in them. These camp croakers the besetting sin of the army. They are themselves the most arrant cowards, catch at everything damaging to our generals, and serve the enemy by circulating stories that cast a shadow of gloom and despondency over the army. They are worse than members of Congress, and their influence on the spirit of an army is equally damaging. 25th. — Weather still cold and raw. Heavy cannon- adimr at the front. I made an excursion to Fort Monroe on board the steamer Hero. Colonels Torbert and Simpson of the Jersey Brigade, Captains Sturgis and Wilson of General Kearney's staff, with Major Ryerson and' several other officers of the Jersey Brig- ade, formed a pleasant party; had the fine band of the 374 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 3d New Jersey onboard; reached Hampton Roads; full of war ships, with steam up and ready for an encounter with the Merrimac, making a fine appearance. Our band struck up God save the Queen as we passed the English war ships; paid a similar compliment to the French ships by playing the national air of France. Ships acknowledged the compliment by dipping their flags; an attempt at cheering by the sailors on the French ships. The little mysterious looking Monitor lay moored in the stream, an object of great curiosity. The above will give the reader a pretty clear idea of what the weather was during the whole time we re- mained afloat in Poquosin river. CHAPTER XXXY II. GENERAL BALDY SMITH— FALL OF YORKTOWN— BATTLE OF WILLLA.MS- BURG. It was the 1st of May, and we were yet in Poquosin river, wondering at the cause that kept us here, and waiting in vain for the order that was to give us some- thing to do. The roads to the front were in the worst condition it is possible to imagine; and it seemed as if ail the engineering skill we could bestow upon them failed to work the slightest improvement. The work of getting up material for so great a siege, and supplies for so large an army, can only be properly estimated by those who witnessed it. Sometimes the roads would be blocked from one end to the other with strug- gling teams, which had worked so deep into the sand that it seemed impossible to extricate tliem. Fragments of broken wagons, and dead animals, were strewn all along the roadsides, in places marking the spot where a huge team had broken down, or perhaps sunk nearly out of sight in the soft mud. And it was a sad sight to see these trains struggling one way, and ambulances bearing the sick, the wounded, and the dead, struggling another. These sick amd wounded were brought to the steamer Commodore, which had been turned into a 375 376 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. hospital, and lay quietly moored in a little creek at the head of Poquosin river. There occurred on the 16th of April, at Lee's Mills, on the Warwick river, an affair in which impatience and perhaps the rashness of a good General cost us a number of valuable lives, and came very near proving much more serious in its results. I refer to the disaster in which the Yermont troops of General Baldy Smith's division were engaged, and for which that General was not only held responsible before the country, but his conduct misrepresented, and his character grossly as- sailed. Camp gossips were quick to seize upon this little reverse to our arms, to magnify every incident relating to it, and to misrepresent the facts. And what they could not say bad enough of the General who directed the movement, gossirs on the floor of Congress said for them. The facts were simply these. On the opposite bank of the Warwick river, and in a line with General Smith's position, the enemy had a battery, and this, as well as his sharpshooters, used to annoy our working parties every day, and, indeed, give us a great deal of trouble. The annoyance increased until General Smith's impulsive nature could stand it no longer. He became impatient to have a trial of strength with them, and to that end applied to General McClellan for per- mission to make a demonstration, and, if possible, drive the enemy from his position. It will be necessary to add here that the enemy's position was almost wholly concealed, by the old mills on one side, and a clump of scrubby wood on the other. Nor was it possible, for THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 377 the same reason, to get any correct knowledge of the ground intervening between the opposite bank and the enemy's position. The river had to be reached by a narrow causeway, and then crossed over an old mill dam, with a deep and ugly ditch cut on the west bank, rendering the passage of a charging column extremely precarious, as well as exposing it to a concentrated fire. General McClellan had great confidence in Gen- eral Smith's judgment, for he knew him to be a first class engineer and a gallant officer, who sincerely believed that he could accomplish what he undertook. It is due to him, however, to say that he granted the request with reluctance. I must add, also, that several reconnoissances had been made here, and it was the opinion of General Smith that this was the weakest point in the enemy's line. A strong reconnoitering force now moved across under a sharp fire, but found considerable difficulty on reaching the dam and ditch, which they overcame gallantly and gained the opposite bank with cheers. Smitli liad his forces drawn up and held in readiness to support Ihis force, if needs be, by an attack in force. The troops now over became engaged with the enemy, who began to discover himself in stronger force than had been expected. Another and then another regi- ment of the Vermont brigade was pushed over, though with considerable difficulty, owing to the narrow and unsafe condition of the passage over the dam, and ad- vanced gallantly to the support of tlieir comrades, and fought with great steadiness against superior numbers and great disadvantages, for tlie groiiiid war. found to 378 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. be soft and spongy and full of dangerous quicksands. The fire of the enemy's guns in the battery immediately covering the dam had been silenced, but others and more formidable ones, before unknown to us, opened on our attacking party, and with severe effect. For two hours or more our troops fought gallantly, advan- cing foot by foot over the broken, marshy ground, until it became evident they were being led into a dangerous trap. One part of the line, too, got entangled in a swamp, whence the men could with difficulty extricate themselves, and where they were exposed to a raking fire of the enemy's concealed batteries, whicli had just opened. The fact showed itself in all its force, that we had been deceived, as well in regard to the nature of the ground as the strength of the enemy's works and the force he had to support them. The struggle was a gallant and deadly one ; but it was like sending a child to fight a giant. Our brave men fell rapidly, and the line began to falter. General Smith saw the mistc^ko that had been made when it was too late. He struggled hard and did what he could to get over re- inforcements ; but his efforts were in vain. A move- ment of the enemy to cut off the force on the other side had thrown it into a panic, and it came rushing irresistibly back in disorder, blocking up the passage, causing portions of the dam to give wa.y, and suffering terribly from the enemy's concentrated fire. The en- emy pressed on hard, and advanced in such force that General Smith was ordered to entrench his position commanding the dam, so as to keep tlie enemy in check ami prevent him from crospin.u; and attacking us. Tlie THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 379 disaster was mortifying indeed, and to none more so than General Smith. He had put his hand into the lion's mouth to see if he would bite, and paid dearly for his temerity. The enemy followed our disordered and retreating troops boldly to the bank, exulting over his victory. He also sprung a dam and flooded the stream, into which a number of our men were carried and drowned. Others were shot in the water while trying to escape. Our loss in killed, wounded, and missino- was about two hundred. Smith had watched every movement with intense interest, but finding that the enemy had suddenly discovered this overwhelming force, and that the tide of battle liad turned against us thus disastrously, mounted his horse and rode ofi to direct his covering movements. He had gone but a few rods when his horse plunged into a treacherous quicksand and threw him to the ground. Camp gossips at once seized upon this accident, and circulated the report that the General's fall was the result of intoxication. He must have been intoxicated they said, or he never would have fallen from his horse. Eeports like these, under such circumstances, only illus- trate the evil there is in human nature. They are the filthy driblets that fall from the foul tongues of the heartless. And yet, unworthy as these reports were of the slightest consideration among respectable men, they found ready believers in Congress, and a member to spread them abroad for profane and malig- nant ends. Among officers of the army, General Baldy Smith's character for sobriety needed no defenders. He was, perhaps, rash and impetuous ; and if these 880 THE STQRY OF A TROOPER. were faults in an officer, they were the result in thi^ instance of over-earnestness to promote the cause of his country, and punisli her enemies. With a fine sense of honor, tlie service had no purer patriot, no more ac- complished gentleman^ than Baldy Smith. The country knows him better now than it did then; and the slander hurled with so much malignity at his reputation only served to brighten it when the truth became known. The result of this affair gave rise to an unpleasantj^ ^celing between Generals McClellan and Smith, who h^d up to this time been on the most friendly terms» Al\1 it is safe to say that at least one officer prominent on General McClellan's staff urged that General Smith be censured for hi.s- rashness. Indeed, it would not be difficult to trace Smith's hostility to McClellan during the remainder of the campaign to what took place on this occasion. The garrison of Yorktown had been heavily rein- forced by troops under General J. E. Johnston, who succeeded Magruder in command.. He kept up the appearance every day of strengthening and extending his lines ; and, as May approached, annoyed us exceed- ingly, making demonstrations at various points of our line every evening, creating considerable exeiteme-nt^ drawing the fire of some of our batteries, and driviiu^ in our pickets. He continued these demonstration.^-, sometimes accompanying them with sharp and continu- ous cannonading, up to the night of the 3d of May. In- deed, their artillery iii'O was kept up until nearly n^id- iiight on (liatniglit, and had rarely been more vigorou.^. It was evident that the enemy contemplated some iui- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 381 per tan t movement, but so well had he kept his own secrets that our scouts were all deceived in regard to his intentions. Some of our generals looked for an attack rather than an evacuation. We heard his bugles sound and his drums beat that niglit; our pickets heard his sentinels challenge; and lights we had been accustomed to see from tree tops at night burned as brightly as ever in the old town. The firing ceased about half past ten o^clock, and an ominous stillness prevailed up to midnight. About two o'clock on the morning of the 4th, news reached General McClellan that the enemy had evacuated York- town, his rear guard marching out about midnight. The excitement and confusion about headquarters that followed, may easily be imagined. Staff officers were despatched in various directions, and generals waked from their peaceful slumbers to receive orders; some to go in pursuit of the retreating enemy; others to proceed and occupy liis abandoned works. The news was kept from the army generally until morning, and it woke up to find that the enemy liad stolen away unmolested, and left us as a legacy for our labors his huge, frowning earthworks, his heavy artil- lery, and a large quantity of supplies and munitions of war. No cheers went up. The feeling among botli officers and men was that of disappointment rather thau joy. The enemy had bequeatlied us his strong position ; but we had not gained a victory over his army ; and no bulletin the commanding General could issue would change the color of the stubborn facts before us. We were already in possession of tlio old town, arri 302 TUE STORY OF A TROOPER. when the sun rose, the stars and stripes floated on the citadel, and our troopers paraded the streets. Col. McReynolds, with six companies of the Lincoln Cav- alry, had been furnished with a guide, and ordered to proceed and occupy the town immediately after the news of the evacuation reached us. The men were quick in the saddle and moving, but owing to the dark- ness of the night, the density of the woods, and the intricate character as well as bad condition of the roads, the column became confused, took a wrong road? and went several miles beyond Yorktown before find- ing out the mistake. Indeed, they came very near falling on some straggling forces of the enemy. On finding out the mistake, however, they wheeled about, and after gaining the right road, proceeded at a brisk trot, entering Yorktown just in the gray of morning. Several of the roads in the immediate vicinity of York- town were found planted with little villainous torpe- does, a number of which exploded, killed and injured several of our horses, and excited alarm among the men. We accepted this contemptible mode of warfare as a proof of the spirit in which the enemy left liis works. We also found a number of these torpedoes planted in such parts of his works as he thought our men would be likely to gather about. The last of the enemy's troops had evidently left in great haste, for their officers' quarters remained just as they had occupied them, with an ample stock of good provisions in their larders, and clotbing and extra equipments hanging on the walls. Indeed, we liad iiC'!!iing to Co bat step in and prepare the feast Uayt THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 383 had been left by our enemies. Even the fires werelcfb burning, and the cooking utensils ready for use. And for thi^ kind consideration, this warming and making the house comfortable for us to occup}^ many thanks were returned. There was a large quantity of the very finest bacon, of which our officers laid in an ample stock. In short, we had "Yorkcown bacon" during our dead watches in the swamps of the Chickahominy. The stout old lady at the head of Poquosin river was right about Yorktown. It was not much of a town after all. A few scattering houses, some of them perforated with our shells, and none of any importance, except the historical interest that attached to tliem, constituted all there was left of the decayed old town. Indeed, it looked like a place that had been tumbled about a good deal in the turmoil of war, and had squatted down behind huge hills of red clay to seek a hiding place from the rest of the world. But these huge clay hills, on a closer acquaintance, you would find to be defences, unexcelled for completeness of con- struction and strength. Tliey contained long and finely arched galleries, connecting with spacious bombproofs, solidly constructed platforms and traverses, magazines of the most improved style — all showing that the enemy was at least not deficient of the best engineering skill. The few white persons we found in the town were composed chiefly of old men and women, who assumed a sullen air, and were not inclined to enter into friend- ly relations with what tliey were pleased to term the invaders of their homes. There was little or no ?>84 TITE STOEY OF A TROOPER. Union sentimeiit in the place. Tliey nursed the idea that we liad come to carry off their negroes, and more than one of their women reproached us for enticing tlieir servants to run away and making white people slaves to their own household. There was evidently a great struggle going on between their pride and the poverty they were reduced to by the circumstances of war. Nor was this struggle softened by the negroes, who, taking advantage of our appearance, and believ- ing that their liberation was the object we had come for, at once threw off all obligations to their owners, and began packing up their traps for a new and indepen- dent voyage down the stream of life. The most spite- ful and nimble-tongued secessionist we found in York town was the little black-eyed daugliter of a hum- ble cordwainer, who had cobbled the soles of the aris- tocracy for at least a quarter of a. century. And after all, it was said of him that he was a poor wretch, and didn't own a single negro. His dapper little daughter, however, assumed all the airs of an F. F. V., and, in- deed, acted in such a manner as to lead us to believe that the pride of the Old Dominion had been entrusted to her keeping. I never heard so glib a tongue, and she would keep it continually tripping in contempt for " the Yankees." Some of our soldiers, under th© pre- tence of getting their boots mended, would drop in at the humble cordwainer's cottage, and good-naturedly make love to tliis damsel, which would sorely increase her misery. More than one of them proposed a matri- monial alliance, but this only increased her indignation, and made more emphatic her expressions of loyalty to i THE 6T0RT OF A TROOPER. 385 old Virginia, and undying liate to the Yankees^ wlio once cheated her father by selling him bad leather. In truth, I am afraid it was the leather that did the thing for her loyalty. I may add, however, that before leav- ing Yorktown I detected her carrying on quite a llir- tation with a dashing young cavalry officer ; and that, too, over a nice cup of tea she had prepared with her own hands. Orders were also sent earlv on the morninsr of the 4th to General Stoneman, chief of cavalry, to move im- mediately with his command over the Yorktown and Williamsburg road, press vigorously forward, and, it possible, cut off that portion of the enemy's rear wliich was retreating on the road passing Lee's Mills. The command consisted of four batteries of artillery, (the finest in the service,) the First and Sixth U. S. Cavalry, (regulars,) the Third Pennsylvania and Eighth Illinois, and Barker's squadron, (General McClellan's body guard,) all picked troops. General Stoneman's move- ments, although making no inconsiderable display on paper, never were pressed- very vigorously, and, to say the least, tlicrc was always something uncertain about their results. In this instance there was some delay in starting, then more than two hours were spent in re- pairing a bridge before his command could pass safely over the Warwick, and in passing the enemy's works to gain the Y'orktown road several torpedoes exploded, ' killing two (some said three) of his men and disabling several horses. Tlic explosion of tliese torpedoes, and the alarm re- tulliiig from it, rendered it Jiecessary to proceed with 386 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. extreme caution for several miles. The country here was very level, the roads narrow and' intricate, and frequently cutting through wood, the dense foliage of which hampered the actions of our officers. And when ever we approached these woods, we had to feci our way cautiously, to halt and reconnoitre, for tliey were capi- tal places for the enemy to conceal himself and take our cavalry by surprise. And wherever the roads cut through these woody belts, we were sure to find them wet and in an almost impassable condition. In some places, although the weather had been fine for three days, it was almost impossible to get artillery through. All these difficulties had to be overcome ; and the reader can easily see how much they must have retard- ed the movements of the column under Stonemau. But there was even a greater hindrance than these. None of our officers seemed to know anything of the country before them, the local maps were of no use, the people we met were dumb when we v/anted information, the negroes knew everything but could communicate noth- ing correctly, and our guides were either stupidly in- competent or afraid to perform their proper duties. And, too, the country was full of little bye and cross- roads, their course from the main road varying but slightly, and any one of which miglit be mistaken for it by the stranger. These only served to make the confusion more perplexing. A few of the enemy's stragglers were picked up along tlic road, and it was noon before the column reached a point only eight miles from Yorktown, on the road to Williamsburg. To say the least, this was not very ropid nuvrching for THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 387 what was called a flying column. Here, in accordance with instructions from General McClellan, who seems also to have lacked correct knowledge of the roads and surface character of the country, Stoneman despatclied Emory with a battery of artillery and the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Averill, by a cross-road towards the Lee's Mill road, upon which Baldy Smith had moved his division, and with the object of acting in concert with tliat General in attacking or cutting off any portion of the enemy's rear guard that might be retreating that way. This movement was at least of doubtful utility, as a reference to the map will show. We had no short line to operate on, and the hope of cutting off any portion of the enemy's column by these movements was slight indeed. Beside this, the enemy's infantry was well out of the way, and cutting off cav- alry that is worthy of the name is not an easy matter. Smith, for reasons which will appear hereafter, had transferred his command to another road, and Emory was not a little confused at not finding him. He how- ever came upon some cavalry and a battery under Gen- eral Jeb Stuart, who was falling back, and manifested a disposition not to have his movements hastened. In- deed, Stuart assumed a bold and defiant attitude, and some skirmishing followed, the enemy slowly falling back, but keeping his line intact. It was reported that we drove him some distance back in the direction of Lee's Mill, but the position does not warrant the con- clusion, and I am inclined to think there was no truth in it. It is more probable that Stuart, whose knowl- edge of the roads was perfect, fell back a short dis- 388 THE STORY OF A TROOPER tance in that direction, but only to secure a better road of retreat along the James river side of the Peninsula. Shortly after Stoneman left, Smith and Hooker, with their divisions, were ordered to follow, within support- ing distance — the latter along the Yorktown road, the former along the road from Lee's Mill. Both these divisions moved promptly enough; but Hooker and Smith were men not likely to agree very well, and fol- lowed out the bent of their own inclinations rather than obeyed orders. Indeed, each seemed to regard himself as having an independent command, privileged to take what road he pleased, fight the enemy how and where he pleased, and be responsible for the result to no one. Smith had not gone far when he met a strag- gling force of the enemy, the strength of which was much magnified at the time, and engaged it, but with no valuable result. The enemy met us resolutely, and after exchanging shots, fell back regularly and in good order. One of the French princes on General McClellan's staff captured and brought in a number of the enemy's stragglers. The road Smith had taken was full of dangerous and soft places, as well as other obstructions, through which it was almost impossible to get his cannon, and in his impatience to reach Stoneman, transferred his column by a cross road over to the right, or Yorktown and Williamsburg road. The result of this was to increj;se the obstructions on that road, to disarrange the general movement, and to cause a block that came well nigh proving serious in its results. The first bad effect of tills movement was seen about four o'clock in the after- THE STORY OF A TllOOPER. 389 noon, when the head of Hooker's division reached {\ point in the road called the Half-way House, and found Smith's troops filing into the road in his front. This gave rise to the belief that the plan of movement had been changed, and caused considerable irritation on the part of Hooker, who was anxious to be first in reaching Stoneman. But here he had to halt for nearly three hours, which confused and delayed the troops in his rear, for the divisions of Kearney, Casey, and Couch had moved later in the morning, and were com- ing up — Kearney on the. Yorktown road, and Casey and Couch on the Lee's Mill road. I ought to state here that Kearney had been pro- moted and assigned to the command of a division in Heintzelman's corps, leaving his Jersey Brigade of Franklin's division with feelings of regret and no little reluctance. The block caused by Smith thus unexpectedly occupy- ing the Yorktown road, and Hooker's halt of three hours, was felt all along the line. One part of a column, in its impatience to get ahead, would attempt to pass another and get stuck in the mud. Everybody seemed to be giving orders in a state of excitement, and no- body obeying them. General officers gave orders of one kind, and field officers gave orders of another. Eank and authority seemed to have lost their force. If a corps commander gave an order that did not exactly agree with a division commander's notions of what ought to be done, lie would either disregard it al- together, or execute it in such a manner as to destroy its force. 890 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Now a battery of artillery would demand the road, make a desperate struggle to get past a regiment of infantry, and after a few ineffectual plunges, in which the poor animals would do their very best, sink to the axles in the soft sand, amidst the imprecations of the gunners. Ammunition trains would meet the same fate. And the block and confusion would be appar- ently complete, until some young and newly feathered staff of&cer, with more zeal than brains, came along in charge of some headquarters wagons, whicli he would insist in getting past everything else on the road — his fear lest the General be kept hungry when supper time came, rising superior to every other thought. Nor was the confusion and excitement abated by tlie sound of Stoneman's guns, which had been ringing painfully in our ears the fact that he had engaged the enem}^ When the last of Smith's column had filed past, Hooker followed for nearly two miles, then turned off into a cross road on the left, and marched for tlie Lee's Mill road, which Smith had left. They thus changed places, so that if an order had been sent from head- quarters to General Smith on the left, he would have been found several miles away on the right. The same would have been the case, in reverse, with Hooker. This change entailed others, absorbing time, and fatigii- ing the men. Let us now proceed forward and see what Stoncmau is doing. The country for ten miles after leaving York- town is flat, sandy, and with but few openings. The roads for a great part of the way cut through a dense iiDdcrwood, and nrc friupred with a Uixuriaut folinge, THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 391 which was now in full bloom, and impregnating the air with sweet scents. The two roads over which our columns marched from the Warwick river, one leading from Yorktown, and the other past Lee's Mill, form a triangle, and connect about five miles east of Williams- burg, where the Peninsula presents the appearance of a narrow neck, made so by College creek running up from tlie James river on one side, and Queen's creek from tlie York on the other. Little tributary streams break the marshy land on either side of this neck, their banks being dotted with clumps of jungle, rank sedge grass, and scrub cedars, all forming a picturesque enougli appearance, but rendering tlie ground very un- favorable for the manoeuvring of troops. A mile or two before reaching that point where the roads connect on tliis neck, the country became more open and the view less obstructed. The spires and bel- fries of Williamsburg were seen in the west, just beyond a belt of rising ground. Looking in that direction, you saw well cultivated fields, deep, dark hedges, and the ground green with clover and rye. As the eye glanced over the soft and beautiful landscape, it rested at every turn to admire some spacious and well built mansion, with its white out-houses, its sloping lawns, its dark hedge rows, and its long lines of elms and oaks bending so gracefully over the broad avenue leading to its en- trance. We had reached a portion of Virginia in which there was at least wealth and refinement, and a class of society differing essentially from what we had found in the vicinity of Yorktown. Across this neck of land, and within easy range of 392 THE STORY OF A TROOPER^ the ground where Stoneman must debouch after reach- ing the junction of the roads, the enemy had erected strong works for the defence of Williamsburg. In the centre stood Fort Magruder, with its frowning bas- tion, and its deep ditch filled with water, and several strong redoubts on each side and epaulments for field guns. The timber immediately in front of this posi- tion, which was naturally a very strong one, had been felled, so that the enemy's guns had a clear sweep over it, while nearly all of the dykes and bridges over the little streams had been destroyed. A strong network of rifle pits and abatis stretched along the front of these works, offering a formidable barrier to our move- ments. Here the enemy was strongly posted, with artil- lery, cavalry, and infantry, and as Stoneman's advance debouched into the open plain, received it with a galling fire, which did considerable execution. The thunder of cannon and the sharp crashing sound of infantry followed in quick succession and became deafening. The enemy was in stronger force than Stoneman had expected to find him. Not a minute was to be lost. He knew the courage of his troops, and must make a bold move- ment or retire to shelter, for Smith had not come u{) with his infantry. Quickly wheeling what artillery he had up into position, he replied with great spirit to the enemy's fire, and the cannonading became fierce and rapid. At the same time the Sixth Eegular Cavalry, under command of Major Lawrence Williams, was sent round by the right to feel and make a demonstration against the enemy's left. The ground was soft and spongy, and the road it had to proceed over almost im- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 3 93 passable. Encouraged by the indomitable spirit of their commander, a young officer full of dash and cour- age, the men struggled over every difficulty, gained the outer redoubt, which they found unoccupied, and had nearly reached the rear of the second, when a force of cavalry and infantry, double the strength of their own, came down upon them. The Major drew his men up in line of battle, and placing himself at their head, made one of those desperate charges in which the iron hearts of the few are tested against the steel of a supe- rior force. The Sixth did its duty that day. The im- petuosity and boldness of the charge caused the enemy some confusion, but it was for a minute, for although the men crossed sabres, and steel clashed against steel, and the fierce conflict raged until the stoutest heroes lay dead on the ground, still grasping the bloody sabre they had so manfully disputed for life, they were forced to give way before the fast accumulat- ing force of the enemy. But there was no sign of a rout, no disorder. Valuable information respecting the position had been gained, and Major Williams seeing that it would be madness to expose his men any longer, gradur'lly withdrew them. Once during the retreat the enemy charged on the rear squadron, commanded by Captain Sanders, a remarkably cool and gallant officer, who suddenly wheeled his troopers and repelled the charge in handsome style, emptying a number of the enemy's saddles. This ended the cavalry move- ment on the right, for that day, and Major Williams returned to report a loss of some thirty of his men and a greater number of horses. 18 394 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Additional artillery had come up, and the fight in front liad been carried on with great spirit and tenaci- ty for nearly two hours, the enemy having a perfect range of our position and inflicting serious damage. Artillery horses were killed on all sides of us, and our men suffered from the unerring aim of sharpshooters, covered in the rifle pits on our front. The struggle brought out the true courage of our men, but against sucli a force, entrenched as it was, and with the means of concentrating at least thirty guns against the eight or ten we had brought into action, it was useless to longer contend. Our forces were now withdrawn out of rangje to await reinforcements. In making this movement, one piece of artillery got into a quicksand and could not be extricated. Most of the horses had been killed by the enemy's shells, but extra teams were attached, and the men worked as if they had slaked their reputation and their lives on the sav- ing of " that gun," but all in vain. The enemy con- centrated liis fire on it, almost covering it witli the dirt thrown up by his shells. When our men witlidrcw he fancied he had only to advance and secure tlie trophy. But it was not yet witliin liis reacli. As 'his forces advanced to secure the prize, the 1st Regular Cavalry, under command of Lieut. Colonel Grier, made a gallant charge, driving them back in confusion, killing and wounding about twenty, and capturing a number of officers and men and a stand of colors. The struggle now ceased for a time, and the troops rested on the field. They soon became impatient, however, for another trial of strength. They wanted THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 395 to recover '* that gun/' and declared (heir determina- tion to make anollicr effort. Later in tlie afternoon the General ^^-ratified their desire, and a brisk fight was tiie result. l>ut the enemy again discovering himself in heavy force and concentrating liis fire on the disputed gun, our troops fell back cheering. While this was going on General Sumner appeared on the ground and took command. Generals Ilcint- zelman and Ke^'cs also appeared on the ground, but, if report be true, only to disagree as to what was best to ])C done. Tt was a few minutes after five o'clock when tlie head of GTeneral Smith's division debouclied into the open plain, and, after deploying to the riglit, began to take position on ground much broken by small streams and encumbered with dense woods, rendering it ex- ceedingly difficult to make a movement and preserve any regularity of line. Nor was it possible to see what was going on in front of his i)Osition. In short, he had to advance against the eaemy like a man feeling his way in the dark, and apprehensive every moment of coming against something he did not want to find. The reader will pardon me for pausing in the narra- tive of battle to say a few words on a subject of ];erhaps not less importance A report came to us on the afternoon of the 4th that there had been consider- able "jarring between generals" at the front. There was indeed too much truth in that report. All that took place during the !th and 5th of ]\Iay cannot be written here, nor would the pul)iic be benefitted now if it were. Allhousjh there were manv things done SOG THE STORY OF A TROOPETC. Avliicli affected the public service seriously tliey be- longed liiorc particularly to tlie personal affairs of the anny. It is enougli to say that this '"jarring ])et\veen generals,"' as it was called, did niucli to damage our cause during our wlido campaign on the Peninsula. Much of it was the natural offspring of an injudicious selection and assignment of general officers by the authorities at Washington, who, it was clear, knew little or nothing of their mental peculiari- ties, and had put tiie right men in the wrong places. Ilci'e were men esteemed in the old army for superior intellect and high soldierly qualities, subordinate to those wlio had been regarded as their infv^riofs. It is easy to see what a source of dissatisfaction this must have been, and to what damaging influences it must havo given life. Filz Joliii Porter was not likely to entertain a very high opinion of the military ability of cither Sumner or Ileinlzclinan, ncjr to give them vigorous support unless their orders squared with his own notions of Vvliat was right, 'j'iie fccliiig between Keyes and Ileint- zclnKiJi was aiiythim>- but amiable, to say the least ; indeed, on (lie held of Fair Oaks it took a more danger- ous turn. Nor were tlie Generals I liave named here likely to get along very well witli Samner, or yield })rompt obedience to In's orders. Sumner was l)ravc. p;itriotic, and earnest, but lie was not nuick to crrasn iho iidvnntaires and disadvantaijes of a field ; nor was lie always governed bv correct ju.lgmciit. But (ho soldiers honored him for liis many \irtucs an;l foi-gol his few faults; and the countiy will vL> ilio tame. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 397 T have before named tlic time when Sumner appeared at tlie front and assumed command. Although the cavalry fight ought to have developed the ground and given us a clear understanding of tlie enemy's position, no one seemed to know much about it, or where and liow to form a strong line. Our officers seemed merely lo have been figliting, not thinking. Sumner examined (he ground hastily, but did not, it seems, comprehend its difficulties, nor tlic strength and extent of the enemy's works. It was nearly six o'clock, and Smith's troops, then in tlie position I have before described, were hungry and fatigued by their crooked march over the heavy roads. In short, they needed rest and refreshment, and were in no condition to iiglit. And yet Sumner's first thought was to press this division forward and attack the enemy's left, where he had strong advantages of ground, and had evidently concentrated his forces where he drove our cavalry back. The movement, how- ever, was attempted ; but, owing to the dense woods and the broken character of the ground, the column soon got into confusion, one part of it getting separated from and in advance of another. The result was any- thing but satisfactory; and after some desultory firing the broken and confused line fell back and bivouacked for the night. And such a night it was ! A drenching rain began to fall just after dark, and continued during the night, overflowing the already soft ground, turning the roads into brooks, and causing great suffering among men and animals. There was no sleep on the field that 3^8 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. niglit, and the men alternately hoped and prayed for the dawn of morning. The gloom that hung over the scene was relieved only by the indomitable courage of the troops. And when morning came they welcomed it with expressions of readiness to move forward and engage the enemy. Early on the wet and misty morning of the 5th, Hooker appeared with his division debouching on the left, nearly in front of Fort Magruder. He had made an heroic struggle to get up, had marched a part of the night, and, by his example of earnestness, had encour- aged his men to put forth all their strength. Quickly forming his line of battle, and without waiting for any detailed information as to what was in his front, en- gaged the enemy in his own way. I say in his own way, for he seems to have "gone in" without orders, and to have fancied it a fi<2rht between himself and the rebel general — that the troops were mere accessories, necessary to help out. It was evident, too, that the brave and gallant Hooker preferred not to receive orders from any one, had no great faith in supports, and, in short, desired to be left to square the account with his antagonist across the brook according to liis own notions of what was a good fight. He had formed his line with a nar- row and crooked front, and his artillery was badly posted, and for some time was of little use to him. Tn truth, he had put his faith in small-arms and iron hearts ; and these ho hurled in vain against breast- works and cannon. At one time he had nearly silenced the guns of Fort Magruder, but the enemy brought up THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 399 frcsli troops rapidly, and tlirowing tliem with great recklessness of life into the gaps, would repel the fierce charges made by our columns. Charge and countei-- charge was made with the most desperate valor, and for nearly four hours this unequal contest, this struggle for life and honor, all that was dear to men, was kept up. But it was valor thrown away. The enemy had got the exact range of our line, and swept it as with a tongue of fire. Our men had nearly exhausted their ammunition, and with it their strength ; and their ter- ribly thinned ranks told but too plainly that we were fighting without a plan and needlessly exposing our men. The enemy, too, was taking advantage of our errors, not least of which was that of keeping our forces on the right inactive, and allowing him to concentrate his on and crush Hooker. Full fifteen hundred of these brave troops lay killed and wounded on the narrow field, and yet there were no reinforcements. Every- thing looked gloomy. The tide of battle had turned against us. And Hooker's efforts to encourage his weak and shattered column began to loose their force. The men had fouglit, and fell, hoping for reinforce- ments, and still none came. And between the disagree- ment of Generals and the increasing disorder eveiy- where apparent, the gloom increased. And wliiie this clash of arms was trying the stoutest liearts, l!)C divis- ions of Casey and Couch were blocking up tiic roads in tlie rear, inactive, and the gallant Kearney was making the most desperate struggle to get past them, and to the aid of Hooker. He had been in command 400 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. of his division only a few days, but liis efforts fairly electrified his men, and wherever he appeared they re- ceived him with every conceivable manifestation of joy, redoubling their efforts to press forward and join in the fight. At eleven o'clock the drenched field presented one of those ghastly pictures it is as difficult to forget as de- scribe. The fight had been a good one, but we had been outnumbered and beaten. In addition to the killed and wounded, everywhere disfiguring the field, we had lost one battery, and the horses of another had all been killed, and it was likely also to fall into the enemy's hands. "What we needed now was generalship. We needed also prompt action and harmony on the part of subor- dinates, and generals who could think only of their country and forget themselves. General Peck, with his brigade, came up in time to save this second battery, and the sight of his troops as they deployed on the right of Hooker's shattered column encouraged his men, and gave fresh impulse to the fight, which again raged furiously. It was now thought advisable to make a diversion on the enemy's left, and Smith was ordered by Sumner to send a brigade for that purpose. Hancock was se- lected to make the movement, and with his brigade moved off in gallant style. This brigade liad already secured a high reputation for drill and discipline, and it was during this movement that its brave commander first displayed those sterling qualities as a man and soldier which have since distinguished him among our generals. Moving across a narrow dam, and then HIE STORY OF A TROOPER. 401 over intricate and dangerous ground, lie soon gained the enemy's first redoubt, whicli lie found unoccupied. A second was also unoccupied. Here liis quick eye at once cauglit the advantages of the position in front of Iiim. He saw tliat it gave him the enemy's fl nk, and the power of threatening his communications. The enemy also saw the danger that was likely to follow from this movement, and began to increase tlie strength of his force before him. The infantry at once became engaged, with severe fighting. Hancock saw that if he could get reinforcements and hold his position the day was ours. But he seemed to fail in his efforts to make General Sumner understand the great importance of the movement he was making. His repeated re- quests for supports remained unanswered. The little brigade stood its ground manfully, encouraged by its commander, who was in tlie very thickest of the fiirht. But it was an unequal fight, for the enemy had brought up twice his number, and fought with unyielding tena- city. Hancock's position, too, was a dangerous one, for both his rear and right flank were exposed, and the enemy had already made two attempts to cut him off. Hancock's feelings at finding himself unsupported, and with the prospect of being compelled to give up so important a position, may easily be imagined ; but he remained cool and determined, resolved not to yield it while there was a hope. Twice, it is said. General Smith was ordered to support him with the rest of his division, but, for reasons I have never yet heard ex- plained, did not. Indeed, the rest of the division remained inactive until night. It would be uniust to 18^ ^ 402 THE STOHY OF A TROOPER. General Smith's well known courage and anxiety to join in a figlit, to believe that he was in any way re- P{)onsible for this inactivity. After this heroic contest between Hancock and the enemy had been waged for some hours, and at a moment when he had been led to believe that reinforcements would be up, he received an order to fall back. To have fallen back before such a force would not only have had the very worst effect on his troops, but con- sidering the very broken and intricate ground he would have liad to retreat over, could not have been done without serious loss of life. He carried that order in his head for some time, and showed by his manner that lie was unwilling to throw away what he had gained by such a hard struggle, and which, if held, would give us the field. After a time, however, he affected a slow retreat, which encouraged the enemy to press forward with great boldness. This was what Hancock wanted, and when the enemy's forces had come close enough, he turned, and having delivered some rapid and well-aimed volleys of musketry, charged upon them with the bayo- net. The impetuosity of that charge has not been ex- ceeded during the war. The enemy broke before it in confusion, losing about 570 in killed, wounded, and captured, while we lost only some 30 or 40 men. Han- cock held his position, and the victory on this part of the line was complete. We must now pass to another part of the line. Hooker's troops, driven back and exhausted, had in- creased the enemy's boldness in his front, when Kear- ney came up. He had made superhuman efforts to pass THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 403 the obstructions on the roads, and his appearance on the field was received with shouts of joy. "Kearney has come ! Kearney has come ! ! " ran along the con- fused line, and had a strange and inspiring effect on the men. That slender, one-armed man, with the "eye of fire,'^ riding with so much recklessness up and down the line, was like a meteor amonc: his men, excitinir tlicir courage everywhere to the very highest. Reliev- iDg Booker, he threw his division promptly into the fight, and for two hours the battle raged with great fury. There was no faltering in the ranks where Kear- ney was. The enemy had the advantage of ground, and met him at every stop with fresh troops, making attack after attack on his right flank, wliicli he repelled in the most gallant style. Two of his aids, Barnard and Wilson, were killed. The latter was a fine young officer, who had fought with Garibaldi in Italy. It was five o'clock, and still the battle raged with desperate fury. The enemy had evidently sent back a heavy force, which some of our generals had mistaken for liis rearguard. His most stubborn resistance, how- ever, was again made in front of Kearney, the good fighting of whose troops began to have its effect on the enemy's line, which now wavered and fell back, and then came sweeping forward, as if ins] fired with new strength, causing our line in turn to fill back. Never did forces seem more evenly balanced in strength and valor. Our men were steady, resolute, and determined. The enemy, dashing, defiant, and reckless of life. Both fought with desperate valor ; and tlie wish was. con- tinually uppermost in our thoughts that it had been in 404 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. a clifTcrent cause. But the enemy's fire began to slacken, his line became less steady, and his charges more and more feeble. Tlien KearBoy began to drive him back, and recover the ground lost by Hooker. Night, too, ■was coming on, rain fell in torrents, and the dead and wounded lay in unsightly heaps wherever the eye fell. Want of harmony between generals in the early part of the day had done its damaging work. So apparent was this, that it excited considerable alarm among a number of "amateur soldiers'^ present with the army, and who are always more ornamental than useful ; and one of these, who seemed more concerned than the rest, started off in pursuit of McClellan. This was a young man of the name of Sprague, from Rliode Island, who was studying the art of war under Stoneman, and doing tlie ornamental soldier in the upholstery of a brigadier general. A few persons were mischievous enough to say that this little gentleman was the best alarmed man that day. I am not ready to vouch for the truth of this. It is certain, however, that he gal- lopped all the way from the battle-field to Yorktown, and appearing before General McClellan in a state of great excitement, begged him to go to the front, where things were not going on right. General McClellan reached the field a little after four o'clockj while Kearney was in tlie thickest of tlio fight. The news of his appearance on the field ran along the line, and clieer after cheer went up, and the men seemed to take new courage. If Kearney pos- sessed the power of making these men fight, ^IcClerian had also the power of gaining their confidence and re- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 405 ?pcct. Those men knew tliat our troubles in tlie early part of the day were due to want of generalsliip in handling them, not their valor. And this cntliusiastic reception on the field was but anotlier proof of the hold McClellan had got on the feelings and affections of his troops. McClellan found the troops fighting on tliree sides of Iiim,our line full of gaps, no communication between the centre and left wing, and our centre pressed back, and on the east when it should have been on the west side of a belt of woods between the enemy's position and our own. Not a very skilfully planned line of battle this, to sa}^ the least. But perhaps the three corps and half a dozen or so of division commanders then on the field were not to blame for its defects. We had not fought many battles then, and the practical in generalship was something new to even our best generals. McClellan quickly re-formed the line, and took ad- vantage of what positions we had for artillery. The good effect of this was visible at once. He at once comprehended the value of Hancock's movement, and sent two brigades to support liim, but that General had finished the job before they got up. He also ordered General Emory, with a force of four regiments of in- fantry and two batteries of artillery, to move along a road on our extreme left, and, by a quick movement, turn the enemy's right. Quick movements were not popular at that time, and there was an unaccountable delay in getting this small force in motion. Various reports were circulated concerning this delay, and the 406 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. feeling against General Emory for tlie manner in wliich lie moved to execute the order was very strong. It was said that General Emory complained of inad- equate force, want of knowledge of the roads, of want of guides, and various other things equally insignifi- cant. At least they would be considered so at tliis day. It was nearly dark when he began to move. And he lost his way before he got far, his column became confused, and the Avhole thing was a miserable failure. It was common among soldiers at tliat time to say when a movement of this kind failed, tliat the offi- cer in command could not find his way to the enemy. The saying will apply with considerable force in this case. Kearney held the field, and, night coming in, closed the contest. The morning of the 6th came in briglit and beautiful. A renewal of the contest was looked for, but the enemy had withdrawn during the night, leaving us his deserted works and Williamsburg filled with the dead and wounded. A sad and sickening scene was presented to the eye when we entered the old town. Public buildings and private mansions were turned into hospitals. In the porticos of private dwel- lings the wounded lay stretched in groups, without any one to care for them. Others lay writhing in their agonies on the lawns. These were the enemy's wounded who had been removed to the rear, and left. No pen can describe the suffering of our own wounded during the terrible night of the 5th. Our means of taking care of them were very inadequate at that time. Many died for want of prompt attention and proper care. Others had crawled into the woods to die, and THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 407 were found two and three days after, breathing thcii- last breath. The conduct of the people of Williamsburg during this trying scene merited the severest censure, and should be marked with condemnation as long as our history lasts. At a time when all political differences should have been kept out of sight, and every thought and energy given to the care of the wounded, v/ithout distinction of army, these people, and especidlly the women, seized every opportunity to display tlicir liate and bitterness. They would even pass by our vrounded and suffering with an air of scorn, and carry to their own the delicacies with which their houses vv^crc v/cU filled. Nor did our offers to pay in gold induce them to part with anything that might relieve the suffo/fiugs of our men. One woman resisted an attempt to carry a wounded officer into her house, insulted the officer accompanying him in the most gross manner, and liad to be removed by force. Another, when a:^kcd If she could give a room to one of our wounded officers, replied by saying she would not have her house " polluted by a Yankee." And those "high bred'' Virginia ladies, when meeting our officers on the streets, would insult them in various ways. Indeed, it seemed as if all that is infernal in human nature was just tlsen concentrated in the hearts of these women, who had sharpened tlieir treason with education and refinement, for they bc- louGced to the better class of socio tv. The Americans of our army, soldiers as well as offi- cers, bore these indignities with great forbearance, and, indeed, treated them as matter for amusement. Not so with our soldiers of foreign birth. They regarded 408 THE fTORY OF A TROOPER. whatever fell i'lto tlicir hands as legitimate prize, and I noticed not a few officers of German and Irish birth who were read}' to repay these insults in a very sum- mary manner, and were only prevented by their respect for tiie discipline that then ruled in the army of the Potomac. Care for tlic wounded and suffering absorbed all General McClellan's attention during the morning. The roads were in such a bad condition that following the enemy with any prospect of success was sligiit in- deed. Colonel Averill, however, was despatched witli his own regiment of cavalry, (3d Pejinsylvania,) and parts of two others, and succeeded, during tiie day, in picking up a small number of stragglers, and " captur- ing" four guns that had stuck in the mud and been aban- doned. This achievement complete, he returned to Williamsburg to supper, having neglected to carry that very necessary article with him. On tlie 8th, General Stoneman set off in pursuit, over the Williamsburg and Richmond road, with General Sprague and his "flying column." Our loss, in killed, wounded, and missing, summed up about 2.340. Tliere were various estimates, but I am inclined to believe this one, which I procured from a very reliable source, nearly correct. The enemy's loss was also heavy, but probably less than ours, as lie fouglit behind entrenchments most of the time, o,nd liis men were well handled. Perhaps it were charity to forget much tliat took place at this battle of Wil- liamsburg, to cover up forever the omissions of those who erred, and to remember it only in the lustre of the deeds of valor performed by Hancock and Kearney. CHAPTER XXXVIII. MOVEMENT OF THE IIIGIIT WING. The fleet in Poqiiosin river presented a busy, ])iist- ling scene during the 4th and 5th. Franklin was or- dered to move with liis division up the York river on West Point, at once. It v/as iioped by this movement to cut off or intercept some portion of the enen-jy's force retreating np the Peninsula. But a flank movement by water, even for so short a distance, was likely to be attended witii considerable dehiy. Such of the divi- sion as had been landed had to bo i:e-shii>ped, aiKl the work of getting animals and artillery on board was heavy. And there was not room in the river, nor wharf facilities, to work to advantage. Officers and men worked night and day, and did their best, des- patching the vessels round to Yorktown as soon as they were loaded, but it was not until nearly noon of the Gth that the division was on board, and the fleet in line before Yorktown, ready to move. The day was remarkably clear and springlike, and the river smooth. The signal was given at one o'clock, and the fleet moved in two lines, preceded by gunboats, and presented a grand appearance. These gunboats were at that time a terror to the people along 409 410 THE STOHY OF A TROOPER. river banks ; a few shells thrown ashore causing many of them to leave their homes and seek safety at a distance. Tlie landscape here was new and strange to us. It did, indeed, seem as if we were sailing on a grand ex- cursion, with a gay and joyous company, through some fair and beautiful garden. The beautifully sloping banks of the river, the deep green fields, the fine farm houses, with their pretty gardens, their orchards in full bloisom, their broad avenues, and lawns dotted with shade trees, and the cattle grazing in the distance, formed a pastoral picture of great beauty. The people came out at times from their liouses, and stood along the banks, watching the movements of the fleet. Tlie masts of a sunken vessel or the booming of a gun on one of the gunboats were tlie only things that gave a tinge of war to this beautiful picture. Twenty miles above Yorktown the water began to shoal, and the river seemed to expand into a lake. There was a thickly wooded ridge on the south sliore, and extending nearly at right angles from tliis, and well across the head of the stream, was a broad level |>latcau, at the nortlicrn extremity of which a little brick house stood. This was Brick House Point The river here made a sweep to the right, or nortli, and opened into what seemed a sequestered cove. About a mile and a half beyond this, and to the west, was a narrow point of land, on which stood a number of large wooden buildings or sheds. This was West Point, the buildings marking the terminus of the Rich- mond and West Point railroad. The Mattapony on THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 411 tlie one side, and the Pamunky on the other, swept past this point, mingled tlieir waters in the cove be- low, and formed the York river. Our light draught steamers and sailing vessels de- ployed along this broad plateau, some of them within one hundred yards of the shore, and prepared to land the troops, while the gunboats took position to cover the landing. The 15th New York, (engineers,) under command of Colonel McLeod Murphy, were soon at work, preparing landing stages of old canal boats and barges. In less than an hour from the time we had taken position, the water swarmed with all sorts of odd craft, from pontoons to canal boats. Newton's brigade was to land first, and began filling the pontoons. Slocum's, and then Taylor's, (late Kearney's.) were to follow. But the enemy was not inclined to let us do this work in peace. As soon as the first fleet of pontoons started to make a landing, tlie enemy op,ened from a battery concealed on the lower end of the ridge I l}aYe before described. His shells and round shot flew thick and fast ; some of them exploding among the [)ontoons ; others payin;^- their compliments to the fleet. The pontoons kept steadily on towards the shore, which the men readied with cheers. But there was intense excitement among the fleet, and it was amusing to see the alarm crealed among some of the captains ; some ran ui> iiilo t'lo rigging, thinking it a bettei- place of safely than the deck. Others sought shelter on the or.tsid<' oi iheit- vessels. A sliot whizzed past oiie who had sought slielter in the rigging, juid ho canic to (hede*:k so quick 412 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. that many tliouglit him killed. But he was up in an instant, over the side of his vessel, and sculling away for dear life in his boat. That captain was remembered long after this event, and furnished the subject for many a pleasant joke. He had been brave among the bravest while we lay in Poquosin river. But he was not the only New England captain ready to forsake his ship at the first sound of the enemy's guns. One shot cut clean through the smoke-stack of the steamer Yanderbilt. A second lodged in the cabin of a steamer. A third cut the rigging of a schooner. Officers began to inquire what our gunboats were doing that they did not open. The enemy's shot and shell fell too thick and fast to make the work of landing pleasant. The fact was, that owing to want of water the gunboats found it difficult to get within range of the enemy's batteries. They however succeeded at last, and a few well directed shells silenced the enemy and drove him from his position. The work of landing now went on unmolested, and it was surprising to see in what a short space of time the engineers had the landing stages ready. When the sun went down we had one brigade of infantry and two regiments of another landed. We also liad three batteries of artillery, Arnold's, Xamer's, and Upton's ; and two companies, A and C, of the Lincoln Cavalry. Quartermasters, too, were rapidly landing supplies. Professor Low was up taking an airing in his balloon, but came down without bringing us any valuable information concern- ing the enemy. He thought he saw signs of the enemy north of West Point, but was not sure. I am afraid THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 413 the balloon, as an instrument of war, was, like many of our cheap generals, a sad failure. The Secretary of War, I am happy to record to his credit, does not even give a passing word to the balloon corps in his report. Drums beat, bugles sounded, and bands played on Brick House Point that night ; and as the shadows of the setting sun played over the broad plateau, over the gleaming bayonets and flying banners, and over the ships on the broad river, giving to each a strange and shadowy outline, the scene became grand and imposing. The troops formed in line of battle as soon as landed, the right stretching away towards the Pamunky river, the left residing near the south bank of the York, and facing the ridge of wood where the enemy had his bat- teries. In a word, our thin line stretched nearly across the plateau, on each side of which there was a road leading to the wooded position in which the en- emy was supposed to be concealed. We were entirely in the dark as to the enemy's strength, position, and intentions. Pickets were posted, and scouts v/cre i^cnt out, wh.o soon returned and re- ported the enemy's pickets just in tliC edge of the v/ood, a few liundrcd yards south of us. The few people we found at Brick House Point had no informa- tion to give UP. About ten o'clock at night our picliois captured and sent in two of the enemy's men, who, for some time, would give no particular account of them- selves, except that they belonged to a Texas regiment, were out for a " look round,'' and did'nt know our lines were so near their own. Thev were both intelli- 414 THE sTor.Y of a trooper. gent men, and fine looking soldiers. One was botli silent and sullen ; from the otlier we ascertained tliafc the rebel General Whiting, with two brigades of in- fantry, a small portion of Wade Hampton's cav- alry, and two batteries of artillery, (one a Louisiana battery,) some of the best troops of their army, was in position in the woods in front of us, and would at- tack at daylight in the morning. This force consisted of that portion of the enemy's troops retreating along the bank of the York river. A consultation was held at headquarters, and dispo- sitions made to meet this attack with Newton's brig- ade, Newton being assigned to command the field. At nine o'clock, A. M., of the 7th, tiie enemy opened the light with his skirmishers on our riQ:ht and centre. This was the first time the troops of our division had been under fire, but they met the enemy with steadiness and fought with great spirit. The batteries on both sides opened about ten o'clock, and a fierce cannonading was kept up until one o'clock, the en- emy fighting most of the time under cover of the woods. , He now began to demonstrate on our right, and made several bold and desperate attempts to get possession of the road and turn our right. As soon as our batteries were got into position these attempts on our right were handsomely repulsed, with heavy loss to the enemy, regaining the ground we had tempo- rarily lost. Newton was everywhere in the thickest of the fight, displaying remarkable coolness, great skill in handling his troops, and considerable power in encouraging his men. A little after one o'clock the THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 415 95 til Pennsyh^ania, or Goslin Zouaves, were ordered to advance across a piece of open ground, and dislodge the enemy from a piece of wood, from which lie had annoyed our center and left considerably. This regi- ment always had a bad reputation in the division, its material being of the very worst description. It was noticed at this time that the regiment moved to its work in bad order, and with evident reluctance. It reached the edge of the woods, but broke in confu- sion at the enemy's first fire, and ran back like a flock of frightened sheep. The ofiBcers were quite as bad as the men. It was indeed amusing to hear the stories these distressed heroes told of meeting tlie enemy's in- fantry four deep, of getting waist deep into a swamp, of being led into a trap and cut down without any chance of defending themselves. Not a few of them sought a cover for their cowardice by attacking the general- ship of the ofiBcer in command." This disgraceful affair of the Pennsylvanians encour- aged the enemy to make one or two more bold move- ments on our right and center. The 3lst and 32d New York were now ordered up to do the work. It was a beautiful sio-ht to see these regiments move promptly forward in a steady straight line, receive and return the enemy's fire as they approached the wood, and then charge into it, sweeping everything before tliem as they advanced up tlie hill. The enemy met thsm here with a deadly fire, the effect of wliich was seen in their thinned line. But there was no waver- in;linQ: for nearlv four hours, and picking most of our way through the woods, reached the White House before the head of the column debouched into the open fields. About six o'clock the rain began to pour down, and continued until one, when we were all droncljcd to the very skin, and so hungry. Slocum and oLher general officers came up, dripping wet, and having given direc- tions to the troo[)S wdiere to camp, were glad to accept shelter in the dingy cabin of an old negro, the few smouldering embers in the great open fireplace afford- ing us a little warmth. The plantation here was an extensive level plain of ricli and productive soil, easy of cultivation, and evi- dently under good care. It extended about five miles along the bank of the river, and nearly three inland. THE STORY OF A TilOOPER. 455 There were fields of clover a Toot deep, and rye, and wheat, and coriijlookinj^^ so bright and healthy, extend- ing as far as the eye could reach. Clumps of fine old shade trees broke the monotony here and there, while broad avenues ran in various directions, fringed with willows and cedars. The plantation had belonged to the Custis estate, and, like the rest of that property, had descended to the Lee family. The scenery, as we advanced up the Pamunky, be- came more and more beautiful, the plantations more extensive and under a higher state of cultivation, and the people more wealthy and intelligent. In short, it seemed as if our march was through a succession of beautiful gardens, on which the eye dwelt with ad- mi ration The people, however, were considerably alarm :l at first, and approached us with an air of timidity. Now there was a sort of feudal air about these es- tates which remindei me of many parts of the West of England. A high ridge extended along the bank of the river, whicli was obscured here and there by tall trees arid clustering vines, affording delightful shade in summer. The Loe house, a small, neat cottage of modern style, with gothic windows, pointed gables, and little balustrades, stood at the upper end of the ridge, overlooking the river, and was surrounded by a irreen lawn in which there were" a few shade trees. A gravel ley was evidently preparing to make a dash, and we as quickly prepared to meet it. One of our men suggested that they were equipped with the saddles of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry. We stood watching eacii other lor a few seconds more. Then, their bugle sounded, anal, as it did. Lieutenant Granger ro le forward and made a signal, which they recognized. Tiiey w^crc a scouting party of the brave Eighth Illinois Cavalry, old friends of owrs, whom we greeted with feelings of pleasure. Neither of us had seen anjtking of the enemy. They, however, had been four miles beyond us, and gave a glowing account of the beauty and rich- ness of the country. There was one thing which particularly impressed- me while we were marching up the Peninsula, and which I have often recurred to as affording proof of the friendly disposition of some of these people: When- ever we found the slightest love for the old Union re- ■1G4 THE sTOiir oy a tiiooper. mainiiig, we could get correct information ; and tlie people thus friendly disposed toward us all agreed that Johnston was only falling back to the Chickahominy for a stronger line of defence, and where the whole Southern army would be concentrated against us for a great battle. They also gave us a minute account of the Chickahominy swamps, of the malignant fevers prevailing in them during tlie summer, and warned us against being caught in them by Johnston. In short, they told us that the fevers of these swamps, if we remained in them long, would be more effective in destroying our army than the enemy's bullets. Many of our officers began to regard these stories as mere romance, got up to frighten us. But the air of sin- cerity with which they were told convinced me that (hey were worthy our serious consideration. I re- member well how one honest old farmer warned us to "keep out them d — d swamps or there'll be an end of you." ^This White House plantation has since been a promi- nent feature in the war. I visited it about two weeks after the time we first occupied it, and found it trans- formed into a city of tents, inhabited by Jews, sutlers, and speculators. Streets were laid out and named, and lono: lines of tent-shanties, in which a brisk trade was carried on, gave a gay and picturesque appear- ance to the place. Here a persuasive Jew made his bow, and invited you in to buy his cheap clothing and his flimsy haberdasliery; there, an enterprising gentle- man from Boston had opened a showy establishment, and had every tiling the soldier wanted, from a bunch THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 4G5 of matches to a leathery cheese. Then a respectable- looking gentleman from New York invited you in to see the extensive stock he was just opening, and intended to sell at cost and expenses. He didn't want to make a dollar out of the soldier, he was sure he didn't; and as for the like of a bottle of good wliiskcy, why he always threw that in as a matter of friendship. The " Broadway Saloon '"' rivalled with tlie "Philadelphia House" in the quantity and quality of the dinner given you for a dollar. Both had their female contraband waiters, draped in the gayest attire ; both swarmed with flies, and steamed with the heat of a furnace. Steamboats in the pay of the Government were turned into lodging-houses by their enterprising captains, who would oblige the traveller with a mattress and a blanket for a dollar a night. The good young men of the Sanitary Commission had a part of the city set off to themselves, and went about in search of the sick and hungry, whom they invited to come in and be healed. Those gentlemen, I found, were an object of dislike to the Jews, who complained that trade was seriously damaged by the Sanitary men giving away what they had to sell. There, too, was the sleek, in- sinuating gentleman, with his dyed beard and mous- tache, and his hair so exactly oiled and parted, mov- ing about and making the acquaintance of officers, to whom he would suggest in a quiet way that there was a "little game" going on just beyond tlie Oaks. The great feature of this city of camps, however, was the vast number of contrabands that had congregated in it, of every hue, and the gay colors they were draped 21 466 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. in. The energetic Col. Ingalls, whose highest ambition was to see the soldiers well provided for, was the great presiding genius of this queen city, and managed its affairs in a manner that seemed to give satisfaction to all. I noticed that he was a great fiivorite with the contrabands, for whom he found employment. The army had become much encumbered with baggage, in consequence of a large number of officers travelling with their families and furnitureVas if they liad joined the army for the purpose of opening a boarding-house as soon as we entered Richmond. General Franklin's attention had been called to this subject; and that a stop might be put to this improper use of army wagons, he ordered an inspection of baggage to be made. An order was sent to the several regiments of the divi- sion to be got ready for marching. Captains Arnold, McMahon, and myself proceeded first to examine officers' baggage in the First New York Cavalry, when considerable amusement was caused by Major Von Flopp, who had appropriated a whole army wagon to himself, and had it filled with the most promiscuous assortment of furniture ever soldier went to the wars with. Here was the venerable rocking chair, bolsters, pillows, mattresses, bed-quilts, a lounge, a bath tub, and a number of bootjacks; crockery enough for a - large family, and a stock of preserved fruits and vege- tables that showed the Major had no idea of living on the country. Now, Arnold was an officer of the old army, and a true soldier, who was content Avith liis blanket and the ground for a bed, and travelled with a dozen shirt-collars, a towel, pocket-comb, and tooth- THE STORY 01? A TROOPER. 467 brusli for baggage. His remarks as lie directed the orderlies to unload the Major's furniture were cx- treujel}^ amusing. Nor was it decreased by the air of surprise with which the doughty Major witnessed the recklessness of the mischievous orderlies as they tossed his venerable incumbrances to the ground. ''Provided for a large family, eh ?" said Arnold. "Rocking-chair, eh? feather-beds '11 come next. Intend to open a boarding-house when you get to Richmond, that's clear." " If a field officer can't carry his travelling comforts, why, he'd better not go to the war. When a gentle- man's going into a country he don't know, it's wisdom on his part to go well provided," replied the Major, with a polite bow. " A man who can't go to the war as a soldier is an incumbrance to the army, and had better stay at home," returned Arnold, dryly, as he ordered the men to turn the traps over to the provost marshal. " But, sir," rejoined the Major, rubbing his head, "I can prove to you that I am a soldier and a gentleman. And I will get you the proof in writing; yes, sir, in writing. And as there is no knowing when this war will end, or when we leave Richmond when we get into it, I take it that he is a wise soldier who travels with his furniture." We left the Major declaring that he would go and see General McClellan, who was a friend of his, and get an order to restore his property. It is due to Yon Flopp to say here that he was not the only officer who incumbered the army with baggage 4G8 TUE STORY OF A TROOPER. enough to furnish a house. We found one Lieutenant Colonel travelling with his wife and three children, and to carry his furniture he had a govci-nmcnt vragon and four Iiorses, and a private wagon and two. Thus incumbered, the Army of the Potomac marched, and the men wore deprived of their proper allotment of transportation. CHAPTER XLIY. BTILL MAltCIIING ALONG— WAITING FOR McDOWELL, Tlic morning of tlie 19th of May was bright and breez3\ Wo w^erc the Sixth corps now, and formed tlie right wing of the grand Army of the Potomac. Our column was in motion at five o'clock, and our morninir march of five miles, to Tunstall's Station, one of the most deliglitful. Our line led tlirough a beauti- ful open country, with good level roads, now fringed with cedars and sweet thorn, now shaded by oahs and pines. Birds were making the air melodious with their songs, the wild grape was diflusing its delicate perfume, and the troops moved along in their happiest mood. It did, indeed, seem as if nature were lending her brightest charms to make the scene one of enchantment. About eight o'clock the troops dcbouclied into the open fields, where in many places the clover was a foot deep, and again cncainped. We made our headquarters at the house of one Bosclia, an arrant rebel, who had deserted his ])roperty on our approach, and followed tiie fortunes of the Confederate army. A few negroes remained in the cabins, gave us milk and baked us hoe- cake, and, indeed, bestirred themselves with great willingness to assist our servants in preparing break- 469 470 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. fast, wliicli we partook of under some trees near the house. There was Franklin, and Fitz Jolm Porter, and Slocum, and Newton, surrounded by their staffs, sitting around these rustic tables, enjoying the liomely meal thus prepared. About ten o'clock I accompanied Colonel Alexander and Captain Baker about five miles beyond our lines, to examine the roads and select the next camping ground. About twelve o'clock, and as we were return- ing, a heavy rain set in, and we stopped at a place called Marl Hill, about three and a half miles from our camp. There was a little old house a few rods from the road; and a little old man with an honest face and a welcome smile on his furrowed countenance sat smok- ing his pipe in a porch nearly covered with rose and honeysuckle vines in full flower. A little white flag fluttered at the outer gate, which he rose and hastened to open as soon as he saw our intention to enter; and the briglit eyes of two pretty girls were seen peeping timidly out at us from an upper window. Baker, for such was the little old man's name, had a heart over- flowing with kindness, and after inviting us into his cozy little house, and assuring us of his loyalty, en- tertained us with fresh milk and nice warm biscuit. Baker was a Philadelphian by birth, but had spent most of his life in Bichmond, where he had married and raised a family of five daughters and two sons, both of T\hom were in the rebel army. We got a good deal of valuable and correct infor- mation here concerning the roads and the country in advance of us, especially that portion of it borderinij THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 4T1 on tlie Cliickaliominy. Baker's wife was in very deli- cate liealtl), and the fear of outrages his family had been told our army would commit had so completely overcome her that he begged one of us to remain at his house to protect his little property and restore confi- dence to his family. At the suggestion of Col. Alex- ander, I concluded to remain; and when he returned to headquarters he sent me four troopers for guards. I was now pleasantly domiciled in the little old house at Marl Hill. For three days I enjoyed this little old man's peaceful home, and never did the sweet spirit of friendship run higher. We smoked the pipe of peace together under the vine-crowned porch, and he enter- tained me with the gossip of the neighborhood, and the political sentiments of the people round about. He had four pretty daughters at home, and one at school in Richmond, and he had brought them up tenderly and given them a good education. They spread their little table with the nicest of fare, they sang and played for me, and they decorated my room with bouquets of fi-esli flowers, and filled my button-holes with rosebuds. And these little acts of kindness they performed with such an air of tenderness and simplicity that the heart had no power to resist the influence. We may as well acknowledge it : there is no resisting dark, languishing eyes when coupled with such acts of kindness; and wlien sympathy takes such a turn it merits to be called love in its purest form. For myself, I forgot even that I had aitempted the soldier, and went romping over the fields with these kind-hearted girls, picking strawber- ries, gathering wild flowers, and helping them over 472 THE STORY OF A TROOPLIR. fences. I regarded this as a very agreeable way of guarding property, and soon found it exceedingly effec- tive. This good family was very kind to our officers and men while we were on the peninsula; and many a weary, hungry, and wounded soldier has thanked them for giving him rest and ref]-esliment. Our corps and that of Fitz John Porter marched up on the morning of the 21st, just as a heavy rain and thunder-storm passed over. At one o'clock the misty clouds cleared away, and the weather became fine. I surrendered this little old man and his family to Colo- nel Black, commanding a Pennsylvania regiment, and who was afterwards killed at the battle of Gaines's Mill, and proceeded in the direction of Cold Harbor. I had proceeded about four miles, threading my way through what seemed an almost endless train of army wagons, and adding to the number of troopers with me by re- lieving safeguards along the road, when I came to "Parsley's Mill," a quiet, sequestered s])ot, situated between two wooded hills. There was the old mill and a spacious pond, with a clear running stream below, and a bridge that crossed the dam. And near by, on the side of a hill, stood a little plain house, with a garden and shade trees in front, and a number of cabins in the rear. On approaching the house I noticed a great number of soldiers of the Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania regiment, and several officers, congregated in tlie front, and con- ducting themselves in a very disgraceful manner. Pigs, chickens, geese, turkeys, bacon, were being carried off by the men, who, I am sorry to say, were encouraged THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 47 £5 by the officers present in their work of indiscriminate plunder. Some of the men were wantonly destroying the gardens and shrubbery ; others were bayoneting the little pigs and leaving them on the ground. A quartermaster had stripped the place of mules, carriage, harness, horses, corn, and, indeed, nearly everything he could find — by whose orders T could not find out. A number of the men had proceeded to the mill, and begun the work of destruction. I heard the cries of a woman in the house, and rode up quickly to inquire the cause. Mrs. Parsley lay pros- trate on a bed, insensible, and in a most distressing con- dition. In truth, her cries and beseechings would have touched a heart of stone. An aged mother and a faith- ful slave woman watched over her, and were making ejQforts to restore her to consciousness. Ascertaining as well as I could what the cause was, I called up the troopers and soon cleared the premises of both officers and soldiers, and sent a guard to save the mill, which was done after some trouble. It seems that Parsley, the owner of the property, was a man of some influ- ence in the district, and had held a civil position pre- vious to the breaking out of tlie war. lie was now Quartermaster of a Virginia regiment in the Confeder- ate service; and this, becoming known to the men, caused them to break away from all restraint, and, indeed, afforded their officers an excuse to encourage them in the work of indiscriminate plunder and destruc- tion. One of the officers threatened to burn the house down over this defenceless woman's head; and it was 21^ 474 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. the fear that he would carry out his shameful threat that caused her distress. It seemed to me no part of an officer's duty to make war on a defenceless woman; nor did our army come into the South to rob hen-roosts and distress the innocent. And so I told the men who had encouraged these acts of wantonness; and when the excitement was over, and reason assumed its proper sway, they were so heartily ashamed of what tliey had done, that they apologized for it, and offered to pay from their own purses for what they had ordered carried away. It was evi- dent tliat we should need the mill for our own use ; and so it proved, for on the following day instruc- tions came to put it in order; and before niglit it was running, grinding meal for own troops. I ascertained that similar acts of wantonness had been committed at houses in the neigliborhood; and on riding about half a mile through a piece of woods, came to the house of a farmer who professed to have been a " Union man througliout," but whose place had been stripped of everything he had by this Pennsylvania regiment. Pigs, geese, and calves lay about the yard, bayoneted, and presenting a sad scene. At the house of a poor widow, a short distance beyond, everything in the form of food had been carried off or destroyed. Her little garden, too, had been despoiled of its shrubbery and vegetables. And this was done while the poor woman had three of our sick soldiers in her house, whom she had nursed with great care and tenderness. Entering another house in the nijjht, three soldiers of THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 475 tlic reL>imeiit I have before named committed outrages I gliall not describe here, on two 3'oung, defenceless fe- ninlcs. Thus was tlie chapter of wantonness committed in th.at neighborhood complete. Measures were taken to ferret out the perpetrators of these acts, but I never heard that they were brought to justice. Mrs. Parsley was an exceedingly kind-hearted and sensible woman, who assured me that she had used all tlic means in her power to persuade her husband from joining the rebels. In her house were two soldiers be- longing to a Rhode Island regiment, sick of fever, whom slie had taken great care of, and nursed with her own hands. One of them, a manly young fellow, was very indignant at the manner in which she had been treated, and seizing his musket, declared he would soon clear the premises of thieves and robbers. But his fe- vered brain soon overcame his manly spirit, and he sank back on Ids bed exhausted. As several more regi- ments and a considerable number of trains w^ere to pass during the night, I concluded to remain and protect the property, and, if possible, quiet this poor woman's fears. The rumbling of army wagons, the steady tramp of soldiers, and the minGrlini? of manv voices, were heard till through the night. The guards called me about one o'clock in the morning, to say that the 15th N. Y. Y., ^IcLcod Murphy's regiment of engineers, was passing up, and that a number of the men were de- stroying tJiC mill. I knew the reputation of this regi- ment for good conduct too well to believe that its offi- cers would permit tlie wanton destruction of property. And on going to the mill I found that although an 476 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. attempt had been made hj a number of the men to do some mischief, tlie officers had checked it immediately on comiiiir up. The road we were marching on, and running through Cold Har])or to Mechanicsville and Richmond, laj some eight miles from the Pamnnk}^ river, and ran nearly parallel with the railroad from the White House. The farms along this road were small, and most of the people of what would be considered in Virginia the middle and lower classes. Along the bank of the Pamunky there was what was called the river road^ exceedingly smooth, level, and wide, and shaded at in- tervals with fine old elms and oaks. This road ran through a rich and trnly beautiful country, with exten- sive plantations under the very highest state of culti- vation, and planters living in a style of comfort and even elegance almost princely. The English thorn hedge grew here in gi^eat luxuriance, was extensively cultivated, trimmed with great care and taste, and gave the landscape a pictnresqneness rarely seen in this country. Then there were fine, broad avenues, bordered with oaks and elms, their huge brandies embi^cingand forming shaded arches, leading from the road to the mansions, always located at the distance of a mile or so from the highway. I visited several of these man- sions, and found them not only spacious, but provided with all the modern improvements, and really elegant. Those of the brothers Webb I shall long remember, since they reminded me of estates I had visited in Eu- rope. The Webbs had chapels attached to their man- sions, which were of brick and stone, and extensiva THE STORY OF A Ti:COPER. 477 libraries of well selected books; their furniture was of that solid and useful kind which we admire for its an- tique rather than ornamental character; and the walls of their spacious parlors were hung with paintings, many of whicli possessed great merit. Tliere was an air of refinement and dignity about the manners of these peo- ple that gave an irresistible charm to their frank, hearty welcome; and you saw at a glance that their style of living was such as only the gentleman of cul- tivated tastes can enjoy. Before the war these men counted their slaves by the score; their stables were of the finest description, and filled with horses of the best blood; the most celebrated breed of cattle and sheep grazed in their fields; and the choicest flowers and shrubs grew in their gardens. War had already pro- duced a strange change in the scene. Their bondmen had gone in pursuit of freedom; their cattle had been driven from their fields and butchered without so much as their consent being asked; and a more rude and in- quisitive people than they had been accustomed to see pass tliat way had entered their doors uninvited and helped themselves unceremoniously. One of these men remarked to me that it was not what our people took that he cared for, but the rude way in whicli they helped themselves. But he forgot that war has no humanity in it, does not wait for bows and ceremony, and cuts whatever it touches. Tke road over which we had marched connected with this river road near Cold Harbor by what is called the Old Church road, used afterwards by Stone- wall Jackson in his flank movement durino- the battle 478 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. of Gaines's Mill. I here met one of the oddest charac- ters on the Peninsula. Ilcr name was Betsy White, familiarly known to her neighbors as Aunt Betsy White. Aunt Betsy had turned her fortieth summer, was a woman of great vigor and strength of mind, 'familiar with the political history of Virginia, and could talk f\^ster than any woman I ever met before in any part of the world. Aunt Betsy was quite well to do in the world, as they say in Virginia, owned a considerable plantation, and, what is more, managed it herself. Another sister, also a maiden, lived with her, but seemed to take no part in the management of affairs. Several of her best negroes had decided to quit the plantation, and had followed our army to become vaga- bonds and servants to ofiicers who never paid them. Aunt Betsy was much concerned about these negroes, and could not clearly understand why it was that we should be so anxious to set them free, since they could not take care of themselves and were sure to become paupers on the hands of the Goyernment. I drank nu- merous cups of tea with lier, and enjoyed the hospi- tality of her house, but failed to convince her that there was any moral difference between owning a negro and a horse. Slie congratulated herself, however, that those who remained were as true to her as steel, and could not be persuaded to leave her. I could not get from Aunt Betsy any decided answer as to whether she was for or against the Union. Her l)olitical morality was just then of a very undecided kind. She would prefer to wait and see which side whipped. " If your folks whips our folks," she would THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 479 say, *' tlieii I'll avow my sentiments, and you can pro- tect me. But if our folks wliips your folks, and I'd said I was Union, then our folks would punish me and destroy my property because I did'nt say I was for the Confederacy." The question of which side to be loyal to kept Aunt Betsy's mind in a continual state of ex- citement ; and she was as undecided about it as she had all her life been over the question of matrimony. Indeed, the question of matrimony had been seriously talked over and considered by these maiden ladies for many years, but still remained undecided. The ne- groes were inclined to have things all their own way, and some years there would be a deliciency in the crop, which would induce the belief that a master was needed on tlie place. But whetlier to introduce him through the silken meshes of matrimony or as a mere overseer Avas a question not so easily solved. Aunt Betsy boasted of having once had an offer from a dis- tinguished Englishman, travelling that way. Tlic ob- jections to a husband were, first, that it was hard to get a good one ; second, tliat liusbands were so liable to cliango after you got tliem ; tliird, that a husband might want to get possession of tlie estate and squander it ; and in that case he would become nothing less than an expensive iiicumbrance. As to an overseer, he might beat the slaves and abuse his trust, and cost the estate more tlian he was worth. With all these doubts per- plexing her mind, Aunt Betsy thouglit, perliaps, it were better to trust no man, but to manage her own afi^airs in lier own way. She applied to Captain Boyd, our Provost Marshal, 480 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. and had safeguards placed over her house. These safeguards made friends with the negroes, who in- formed them that Aunt Betsy liad about fourteen hun- dred dollars in gold buried at a certain spot in the cellar. This incited the cupidity of the guards, who, when night came, put the negroes in their places, and proceeding to the cellar, disentombed the shining treas- ure. Aunt Betsy discovered her loss early on the fol- lowing morning, and great was her excitement. The negroes asserted their innocence of all knowledge of it. The guards were equally emphatic in their declarations of ignorance as to what had become of it. Captain Boyd was called in to make an investigation, and in a few days succeeded in ferreting out the guilty parties and recovering nearly all the money. CHAPTER XLY. COLD HARBOR— THE CHICKAHOMINY, &C. I left Parsley ^s mill grinding meal for our own soldiers, and rode to our camp at Cold Harbor, three miles, on the morning of the 23d. This place is sometimes called Coal Harbor, sometimes Cool Arbor, but more commonly Cold Harbor. Franklin's and Fitz John Porter's corps were encamped here, in the open fields ; and General McClellan had moved his headquarters up to the " Old Tavern," about a mile in the rear. The ground here, for several miles on our riglit and left, was of a very uneven character, full of swampy places, and much of it covered by dense wood, through which it was im- possible to see any distance. In addition to this, it was mucli cut up by ravines, in which ran streams of clear, cool water. Through these woods, running in almost every direction, was a perfect network of what are called blind roads. These roads are very apt to con- fuse and bewilder the man not accustomed to travelling in the woods. In the event of a battle being fought here, these roads could not have failed to confuse and mislead the soldier. In short, this ground was the very last a skilful general would have selected to fight a great battle on ; for unless his troops were manoeuvred 481 482 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. by officers who knew these roads perfectly, they would be liable to all those accidents which result from con- fusion on the field. The position, too, could be easily flanked, and the enemy hold strong ground in our front. Franklin's headquarters tents were pitched on a little hill, and an arbor made of the branches of trees built over them, giving them an airy and picturesque appearance. Just below these our troop of cavalry was encamped, its white tents nestling under a grove of tall pines. There were deep, wooded ravines on two sides of us, and brooks of clear, cold water rippled peacefully over the pebbly bottoms. We had a delight- ful shade here, and our camp presented a rustic picture worthy of being transferred to canvas. Colonel Bartlett, with a regiment of infantry and a company of the Lincoln cavalry, made a reconnoissance yesterday to Mechanicsville. There seems to have been some bad management in the mode of marching. No flankers were thrown out, and little or no precau- tion taken against surprise. While parsing a piece of thick woods, a sergeant and corporal of cavalry were shot, the former killed, and the latter badly wounded aud taken prisoner. It was at first thought that both these men had been killed, and considerable feeling was excited against the officer who commanded the force. The sergeant's body was afterwards recovered and brought into camp, when it was found that after being shot his cars had been brutally cut from his head. A dull iustrument, or knife, seemed to have been used in iHM-form thi^, savage act, wliich excited the deepest liidi'nuilio:) amoirr tlie men, witli wliom the sergeant I THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 483 was much beloved. A. few days afterwards we ascer- tained that the corporal was a pi'isoiier in the hands of* the eiioiny, and that he had been very badly used by his caplors while in the vicinity of Mechanic'sville. The vreather had been very warm and sultry up to one o'clock, when a heavy thunder-storm came up, ac- C(jmi)anied with a drenchinii: rain tliat Hooded the ground, and made the roads almost impassable. On the 24:th our advanced troops had three fights with the enemy in as many places. The first at ^Icchanicsville, where a small body of our troops, under Colonel Bart- lett, after a sharp contest, drove the enemy out of tlie town and beyond the Cliickaliominy. Great credit is due to Captain Arnold for the admirable manner in whicli he posted the artillery, and also directed the movements of the infantry. The enemy, ^after being driven into t!ie town, used the houses for a cover, and in order to dislodge Iiim it became necessary to turn the guus on them. Some of them were literally shat- tered to pieces ; otliers perforated in a dozen places. Every liouse was deserted when we entered. Tlie second occurred near New Bridge, about three miles from Mcciianicsville. Lieutenant Buwen, of the Topograiihical Engineers, was ordered to the Chicka- hominy on a reconnoissancc, accompanied by tlic 4t!i Michigan vohintcers, (a gallant regiment.) and a squad- ron of regular cavalry. About a mile this side of the river they encountered a regiment of the enemy's in- fantry, strongly posted ; but by a sudden and well- directed movement caused it to give way, and then drove it back on its supports. The enemy now made 484 THE STOUY OF A TROOPER. a stand and fought stubbornly for nearl}^ two hours, when he again gave way and retreated across the Chickahominy. Tlio Michigan soldiers fought with great bravery in this little fight, and great credit is due to Colonel Woodbury for the skilful manner in wdiich he handled them. Captain Gordon commanded the cavalry, and displayed great bravery and coolness in handling it. The enemy left his dead and wounded in our hands. About seventy prisoners were captured, some of them officers of importance. The enemy sent in a flag of truce on the following day, asking permis- {rion to bury his dead. His dead had been buried by our own men. We permitted him to send in two sur- geons to take care of his wounded ; and these gentle- men took advantage of the privilege to give vent to their pent up hatred of the Federal Government. The third was a fight which General Naglce called his own. Our left wing, composed of General Ileintzel- raan's and General Keyes's corps, had reached the Ciiick- ahominy at Bottom's Bridge, and were ready to cross. The bridges were all destroyed, but the engineers had examined the fords, and v/ith the aid of Captain Custer, who first displayed his dasli and gallantry here, found them ])racticablc for the crossing of troops. Tliree regi- ments were at once |)assed over, with but trifling re- sistance, under General Naglce, and advanced on the right bank about two miles, to the vicinity of v/hat was called tlie Seven Pines. Here he found the ene- my's infantry posted in considerable ibrce, and in a strong position. He immediately engaged them, and after a sharp contest of about an hour, drove them THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 485 from it and occnpiccl it liimpclf. Tlic licary and rapid cannonading lioard in our front, as well as the in- distinct crasliing sound of small arms, and at times exlending to our right and left, led to tlie report that a general engagement was going on ; and we were ordered to saddle up and be ready to move at a minute's notice. * It was a matter of surprise with many of our olS- cers tliat the enemy, having such a good position to defend, should have offered so little resistance to the crossing of our left wing to the right bank of the river. But the wily enemy had his reasons for this, and, as it afterwards proved, they were wise ones, strategically. In short, the little resistance lie offered was merely to assist liim in carrying out a deception wliich General ^IcClellan fell into with apparent blindness. It would indeed be difficult to find a more unhealthy or a worse place to get an army into than this was. Taking the Seven Pines for a centre, the country for several miles round was little more than a continuation of swamps and belts of thick jungle, in- terspersed with pools of stagnant water, green with decaying vegetation, and emitting hialaria of the most malignant kind. Indeed, this portion of the country was celebrated for nothing but its malignant fevers, and the ])eople inhabiting it wore a lean, cadaverous look, their faces being the color of smoked parchment. Most ol' ihem were of the poorer class, extremely ignorant, and lived by cultivating little patches of sandy, wet land. In the vicinity of Savage Station, and aho the Seven Pines, tiiere were a number of Ion;*;, 486 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. irregular openings of newly cleared land, for the stumps were yet standing. The ground, even w^liere it w^as cleared, was soft and spongy, and water was found everywhere by digging a foot from the surface. Work in the trendies here liad to be carried on with the men almost continually up to their knees in water. On this ground, with its attendant disadvantages, rieintzelman's and Keyes's corps were posted after crossing the Chickahominy, with Casey's division in an exposed position on tlie advan-ze. And here were the unliealtliy and dangerous swamps against which the people along the road had so many times warned us. Disease here would be quite as eifcctive as the enemy's bullets ; and it is clear from what afterwards took place that he counted on the one quite as much as he did on the other. Here also tlie enemy had great advantages of ground, for the position we had to take up found us facing a high ridge of land, in the direction of Rich- mond, and from which we were separated by a belt of thick woods, through wdiich our engineers must slash and make roads before our artillery could get through. The enemy used this belt of woods for a cover for his infantry, and had strong works, with heavy guns mounted, on the hills above. And it was necessary for us to take and hold these hills before we could get within shelling distance of the city. I must return now to the right wing. On the afternoon of the 24th, Captain Boyd and my- self rode forward about four miles to select a head- quarters foi" General Franklin, nearer the Chicka- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 487 hominy. About a mile from New Bridge we came to an extensive opening of well cultivated lields, stretch- ing away to the right and left, and interspersed with clumps of scrubby trees. A dark belt of pine wood formed a background, and aiTorded the men a delight- ful shade during the day. A considerable force of tlie infantry had already moved up, their camps spreading over the fields on a line with these woods. Two comfortable looking houses, nestling among sliade trees, stood at some distance from the road, one on the right, the other on the left. The former was Curtis's, the latter Hogan's, so often referred to during our operations on the Chickahominy. We rode up to the one on the riglit, when a slender old gentleman, of medium height, witli flowing white hair, and a finely outlined face, in which kindness and intelligence min- gled prominently, came to the gate to meet us. In short, he was a fine specimen of the old Virginia gen- tleman, and received us with remarkable ease and dignity. After inviting us into liis house, he offered us sucli hospitality as it afforded. Ilis family had all left him and gone South, and lie had only a few faithful servants to keep him company, and these seemed so much attached to liim and to the i)lace that nothing could induce them to leave. He seemed mucli pleased when we told him that General Franklin would like to make headquarters near his house. Not only extending a polite invitation, he insisted that the General sliould occupy his house, and make it his homo while he remained. Tlie General moved up in the evening, but with his natural aversion to occupy- 488 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. ing a house, liad the headquarters tents pitched on the lawn, just in front of the house, and between it and the garden. This old man was Dr. Curtis. He did not conceal the fact that his political sympathies, if he liad any, were with the South. And yet he answered all our questions promptly and kindly, in no w^ay concealed his knowledge concerning the country, opened his house to us, gave us the free use of his library, sliared the products of his farm with us, caused his servants to cook for us, and, in fine, did everything in his power to make us comfortable. He was in some way con- nected with the Tyler family, and told us where sev- eral of its members were. He entertained an opinion that the presence of a general on his farm would pro- tect it from serious injury. In that he was mistaken. All the general's liorses and the horses of his staff had to be quartered near by. The numerous servants at- tached to headquarters were always inclined to mis- cliief. The })rovost marshal's troop of cavalry had to be picketed near by. The quartermaster parked his trains in a field a few rods away. A regiment of cav- alry came and encamped near by. In short, the farm was surrounded with troops, the pleasing delusion vanished, and tlie truth soon became apparent that if you wanted your property destroyed rapidly, you had only to invite the commander of a corps to make your house his headquarters. One after another his fences disappeared; his crops were destroyed; his fields tramped into mud beds; his out-houses went for fuel; his gardens were despoiled of THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 489 tlicir vegetables; shrubbery, flower and fruit trees were broken down, and the work of destruction went on until his farm presented a pitiable sight. Our cavalry liad carried off his few mules, his favorite cow was killed one night, and the calf he was fatting so care- fully for our feast disappeared mysteriously. The most stringent orders against this work of destruction were ineffectual. The old man witnessed these things with scarcely a murmur, and never forgot that he was a gentleman. But you could at times read in his wan- dering eye and sad face the inward sorrow that was gnawing at his heart. We remained nearly a month at his farm, and left him sick, and sinking under the burden of liis troubles. We were on the Chickahominy now, and the work of building the bridges had begun in earnest. On this, the east bank of the Chickahominy, the ground is a series of ridges, of considerable height, broken by little wooded ravines, in which brooks of clear water run. The ridges are crested here and there with oak forests, extending from Mechanicsville, the highest point, which was nearly three miles north of us, and where our right rested, nearly six miles down. A number of comfortable looking farmhouses, with lawns and gardens attached, stood along the slope at short intervals, prominent among which were those of the Sidnors, Edward and William; Hogan, and Dr. Gaines, on whose plantation the battle of Gaines's Mill was fought. These ridges sloped suddenly down into a fiat, open meadow, varying from three quarters to a mile iind a half wide, separating us from the opposite bank. 92 490 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Little hillocks and clumps of shrubVjery met tbe eye here and there, and at intervals an irregular line of jungle, overtopped with tall trees, marked the course of the Chiokahominy, winding through the centre of the meadow. Directly opposite Mechanicsville, and extending to New Bridge, three miles down, was a high and somewhat steep ridge, with little clearings on its face, and a number of houses on its crest, seen some- what indistinctly through the trees. The enemy had a very strong position here, where he could overlook our movements, for his ground was much higher. In addi- tion to batteries, so constructed as to sweep the bridges, he had a number on the crest of the hill, and near the different houses. And from these he not only annoyed our working parties on the upper bridges, but threw shells and round shot into our lines nearly every day, some of his guns having a very long range. The woods on the top of this hill, or bluff, afforded the ene- my an excellent cover for concealing his infantry, while the roads up its sides, after crossing the Mechanics- ville and New Bridges, wound in an irregular manner, exposing a column attempting to charge up to an enfi- lading fire. Directly opposite Mechanicsville, and near the brow of the hill, there was a cluster of large wooden buildings, which had been used for a cocoonery. Near this the enemy had a number of earthworks, with, heavy guns mounted; and the movein'ith his characteristic cheering and yelling; but his onset was gallantly met by the 44th New York, (Ellsworth Avengers.) 2d Maine, and 25th New York, and two pieces of artillery. This little force fought with remarkable bravery for more than an hour against superior numbers, almost without or- ders or direction from their officers, and unwilling to yield an inch of ground. The 44th New York, or at 502 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. least that portion of it which remained and fought under the direction of its Lieutenant Colonel, (Rice,) particularly distinguished itself. It is told of this brave officer, that he stood encouraging his men in the very face of the enemy, the balls flying about him as thick as hail; that when his sword had been shot from his side, and the standard-bearer twice shot down, sev- eral of his men, who had been wounded, gathered about him and loaded rifles, which lie discharged as fast as handed to him. '' Don't mind me, Colonel — lire away at them, " said one poor fellow, who was laying on the ground near by, mortally wounded. The colonel of this regiment behaved very badly, showing himself ut- terly unfit to be called an American soldier. Becoming alarmed for his own safety, he led a portion of the regiment off the field, and against the protests of the men, who returned to it under another officer. The censure bestowed upon him b}^ his superior officer was mild indeed, when compared with the punishment such an act deserved. General Porter was nearly six miles from the scene of action, and at the head of the column, when news reached him that the rear had been attacked by a su- perior force, and was struggling to hold its position. The sound of cannon had, however, been for more than an hour ringing in his ears, without any definite action on his part. He now saw the error he had made by not properly understanding the enemy's position. His whole column had to be faced about, an entire change of position made, the force sent in pursuit of the scat- tering enemy early in the day recalled. The thought THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 503 now seemed for tlie first time to strike General Porter that a little genera,lsliip was necessar3\ Two rci^i- ments of New York infantry, (the 13tli and 14t]i,) witli Griffin's battery, were sent direct to Martindale's assist- ance, and arrived in time to do good service, for some of the troops who had been contending so gallantly against the enemy had exhausted their ammunition, and were being pressed so hard that it was impossible they could hold their ground much longer. Two rcgi> ments of McQuade's brigade were sent through a piece of forest on the right, to attack the enemy's flank; and Butterfield, with another force of infantry, proceeded down the railroad, still further to the right. But the enemy's line was broken, and we were driving him in disorder before the latter reached the scene of action. Tt was now four o'clock, and tlie balance of tliis and the succeeding day our cavalry were engaged pursuing, if such it may be called, the scattered enemy. The most curious and instructive feature of this battle was, that it was fought without any definite plan. General Porter took the wrong road to find the enemy, and was surprised tliat his rear, instead of his front, had been attacked. It seemed also as if each of his subordinate generals, as they became engaged, fancied they were attacking the enemy's main force. Indeed, each one acted as if it were his business to fight the battle in his own way, and receive orders from no one. Bri- jrades fouirht without concert of action, and regiments without orders; and both retired when they had got rid of tlieir ammunition. To sum up, truth compels me to say that the battle 504 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. of Hanover Court-House, measured by the relative strength of the forces engaged, was a very lame and insignificant affair, scarcely rising to tlie dignity of a battle. There were, it is true, many instances of rare personal bravery displayed during the day, such as are common in every fight; but even these did not relieve the sad failure of the whole affair. We buried about two hundred of the enemy's dead. We captured one abandoned gun and two railroad trains, and about seven hundred of the meanest look- ing prisoners it is possible to imagine were sent to headquarters. We lost about sixty killed, and three hundred and forty wounded and missing. I conversed with one of the prisoners, a very fine looking and in- telligent officer, and from him gathered the following facts, which were confirmed by subsequent reports. The force which gave General McClcllan so much con- cern for his right flank and rear consisted of three bri- gades, under the command of General Anderson, who had been holding Fredericksburg. Hearing that Mc- Dowell was about to advance, and that McClellan was sending a force to hold tlie Fredericksburg railroad in the vicinity of Hanover Court-House, Anderson began falling back as rapidly as possible in the hope of reach- ing the defences of Richmond before he was cut off or forced to take a circuitous route to the north. He had one brigade of North Carolina troops, under Gen- eral Branch, on the south side of the railroad, the oth- ers on the north, and in that order was falling back, more anxious to get safe into Richmond than to attack or be attacked by General McClellan. The force Gen- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 505 era! Porter fell upon was simply Branch's brigade of North Carolinians, and the great surprise is that it was not captured in a body. Had proper disposition of our troops been made, and the force handled with anything like skill and forethought, tlie result must have been different."^' The 29th was a dull, rainy day. The prisoners were brought in, and there was considerable excitement about headquarters to see them. General McClellan had moved up from the Old Tavern, and established his headquarters about forty rods north of us, on a hill at Curtis's farm. The Chickahominy had overflowed its banks, inundated the meadow, and driven our work- ing parties from the bridges, which were in great dan- ger of being swept away. It was with the utmost dif- •'■ Since '.vriting the above I have read General McClellan's re- port of the battle of Hanover Court-House. The General makes a labored and rather strange effort to make it appear that his friend, ritz John Porter, gained two important battles in the vicinity of Hanover Court-Housc. It is true, "we were somewhat innocent at that time as to what constituted a battle. The intelligent I'cadcr, however, will find no difiiculty in estimating the true value of "what was really* done at Hanover Court-Housc on the 27th and 28t)i of Ma3\ Nor will he be misled, after comparing all the facts, by General McClellan's efforts to magnify the militarj'' achieve- ments of his friend. Indeed, it is to be regretted that an officer, iisuall}' so candid, should be led by his attachment for a friend to give undue importance to his performances. I may add here, also, that the importance which General McClellan attaches to what this otiiccr did, and with seeming sinccrit}", was not shared bj^ very many of his generals, whose comments at the time are still fresh in my nicmor3\ Nor is it at all strange that General McClellan found so much difficidty in malcing the authorities at Washington compre- hend the great importance of wdiat was done at Hanover Court- Ilou.'^o. 506 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. ficulty, also, that supplies could be got across ; and great uneasiness was felt for the safety of the trooi)S on the other side. Gloom hung over everything that day, and fears were expressed on all sides lest the ene- my should concentrate his forces and attack while we were unable to get reinforcements over. The morning of the 3()th came in hot and sultry. The roads had been in bad condition for several days; and about noon heavy storm clouds rolled up in threaten- insr masses, and filled the heavens with darkness. Then a fierce wind howled through the forest and over the camps, spreading alarm everywhere. A fearful storm soon broke upon us in all its fury. Vivid flashes of liorhtninf? vaulted aloni? the clouds, filled the heavens with a glare of light, then coursed along our batteries from one end of the line to the other, until the scene became one grand and sublime picture. Now the lightning has killed two men in a shelter tent; now a battery has been struck and a gun carriage shattered, in Porter's corps. Then the thunder crashed and rolled fiercely, the animals started and pricked up their ears at each flash of lightning, and the roar and violence of the storm increased, until the very heavens seemed to be rendinor asunder. I had witnessed thunderstorms in the tropics, but none of them compared with this. A captain of the British army, who accompanied Gent eral McClellan during the campaign, and had been several years in India, declared he had seen nothing so violent as this storm. When night set in the rain fell like a deluge, and continued, accompanied by this vio- lent thunder and lightning, until nearly morning. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 507 Trees were uprooted, tents blown down, tlie bridges over the Chickaliominy nearly swept away, and tlie very earth flooded. Never did the prospect look so gloomy for an army. Never did men of stout hearts and iron nerves look with more anxiety, witli more clianging between hope and fear, to the prospect before them. The enemy could not fail to see his opportunity and take advantage of it. If he could crush our left wing, while there was no hope of getting reinforce- ments over, his victory would give new confidence to his troops, and be an advantage from which we sliould not soon recover. " Saturday morning, (the 31st,) was dull and wet. The storm liad ceased; but the roads were flooded, the woods were weeping, and a pale, gray mist hung over and gave a rare freshness to the long belt of forest on the opposite side of the river, below Mechanicsville. The dark, turbulent waters of the Chickahominy were rushing and surging through the meadow, filled witli wreckwood from the bridges. All eyes were turned instinctively to the other side of the stream, to those woods and fields where our almost isolated left wing stood. By 9 o'clock the fleecy fog began to lift and roll away towards the west, and the houses on the opposite hills took a more distinct and clear outline. At 10 O'clock the mysterious movement of a column of the enemy near one of those houses (Golding's) was reported. At fifteen minutes to one o'clock our whole camp was startled by the sudden, crashing sound of infantry, and the deep roar of cannon. It seemed as if twenty tliousand infantry had discharged simulla- 508 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. neously, and repeated in such rapid succession that it were impossible to count the volleys. And this rolling and crashing of infantry, and roar of artillery, at once indicated the fierceness of the battle that had be2:un. Then we heard the long roll beating on the opposite hills. "As I thought," said General Franklin, who had been nearly washed out of his tent during the night, and stood contemplating the scene in front of the door; " they have attacked us in our weakest point.'' In another minute all was bustle and motion at General McClellan's head- quarters. Staff officers and orderlies went and came at a rapid speed, carrying orders to the various corps com- manders, who in turn sent orders to division comman- ders, increasing the bustle and excitement. Bugles sounded along tlie line, cavalry began saddling up, artillerymen harnessed their batteries, infantry pre- pared to move, and all with a spirit and quickness that proved how anxious they were to proceed to the relief of their comrades, now engaged in the terrible struggle. At one o'clock General Franklin received an order to get his command ready to move at a mo- ment's notice. General cheerfulness prevails among the men, and the Sixth Corps is soon reported ready to move. A similar order was sent to General Sumner, who was holding what was called the centre. The sound of the enemy's cannon had excited the impatience of that sturdy old patriot, and knowing that he was wanted on the other side of the river, he had got his troops ready lo move when he received tlie order. Bottom's bridge^^nd the railroad bridge arc too far THE STORY OF A TROOPER." 609 down the stream to be of any service to us, and the roads leading to tliera are in no condition to pass troops over. The upper bridges were not finished before the flood set in and destroyed their log-ways. The only bridges there is any possibility of passing troops over are two built by Sumner, one in front of each of his divisions. And the lower one of these, it is reported, cannot be used without serious loss of life ; the "upper has the appearance of a raft of rough logs, half buried in mud and water, its centre forging and surging to the motion of the rapid stream, and only saved from destruction by being fastened and guyed with ropes to the roots and trunks of trees. Such were the slender means of getting reinforcements over ; such the frail thread on which hung the fate of the force engaged in this dreadful struggle with the enemy. Two o'clock. The water in the meadows has sub- sided a little. Tlicre is a lull of a few minutes in the battle. The musketry lire is not so rapid, and the can- nonading at the extreme left has become desultory on our side. Captain Arnold and myself have stood at the garden fence, intently listening to the sound of battle since it commenced, and tracing its changes. He can distinguish the enemy's fire from our own, and his quick, experienced ear tells him that all is not going on right there with us. He pulls out his watch every few min- utes and notes time. " They have driven us some dis- tance," lie says ; " unless we get reinforcements over it will go hard with us." The enemy, with an overwhelming force, under Gen- erals Longstreet, D. H. Hill, Huger, and Smith, broke 510 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. like an avalancbe through the woods in front of Keyes's corps, made a sudden and fierce attack upon Casey's division, captured the little redoubt in front of it after an heroic struggle by its commander, (Col. Bailey,) who fell gallantly at his guns. On they swept, captur- ing two more batteries; then the rifle pits; tiien taking advantage of a gap on the left of the division, they attack it both in front and flank, throw it into panic, and drive it from its camp in confusion and disorder. That's what has happened on the other side of the river, and the broken division is just now doing serious harm by blocking the roads and filling the woods, and render- ing it very difficult for our own troops to force a way through them, in order to form a line and make an at- tempt to resist the enemy's onset. The lull of battle lasted but for a few minutes. It has begun again in all its fury. The roll and crasli of musketry is even heavier than before, and more inces- sant; but the cannonading seems to be all on the ene- my's side. The curving and exploding shells can be seen distinctly from Hogan's, and also from Doctor Gaines's houses. A report has just come in that a column of the enemy's troops is distinctly seen on the other side of the river, on the liill over New Bridge. General Franklin sends Captain Philip, of liis staff, with or- ders to General Baldy Smith, whose artillery is posted near Hogan's house, to open on this column with liis twelve-pounder Parrotts. But the distance is too great, and it is found necessary to bring jip the heaviest guns of the reserve artillery. A few well directed shells accelerates their movements. There is also another THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 511 force of the enemy beyond range of our guns, on tlie hill. The enemy evidently intends this force as a dis- guise. Some of our officers think he intends to use it to dispute our attempt to cross reinforcements. There is considerable difference of opinion as to what liis in- tentions are. Some of our officers are of the opinion that this attack on our left is merely a feint to cover his real movement, which is to cross over on the upper bridges and turn our right. Orders are sent to Me- chanicsville, enjoining extra vigilance on the officers in command there. But the enemy has no such intentions. He has concentrated nearly his whole force on that portion of our army across the river, and in the belief that we cannot get reinforcements over, intends to sweep round its riglit, cut it off from the bridges, and crush it if he can. Our officers at Mcchanicsville, on the other hand, are impatient to cross over, storm the works on the opposite hills, and take the enemy in flank and rear while fighting us at Fair Oaks. General Slocum and Colonel Torbert are particularly anxious to make the attempt, and believe that all that is neces- sary to insure success is a bold and resolute movement. They understand the enemy's skill at keeping up ap- pearances, and assert that the force he has at the points opposite Mcchanicsville and Meadow Bridge is a weak one, intended only as a scare. But General McClellan hesitates, fears the sacrifice of life which it may entail, and finally refuses to order the movement. Very likely he has better means of knowing the enemy's strength in front of his right wing tlian either General Slocum or Colonel Torbeit. He refuses to order the movement* 512 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. and it is very clear does not share their opinions as to what can be done. The roar of battle continues. Generals Ke3^es and Naglee have displayed <2^reat gallantry in trying to rally some portions of Casey's routed division, and have par- tially succeeded in getting two or three regiments to make a stand. But the enemy's onset is irresistible, and they again give way. Couch's division, having forced its way through Casey's disordered troops, has got into position, and is fighting with desperate valor. But it is evident that they cannot stand long before such 'an overwhelming force as tlie enemy is bringing against them, fighting with the fierceness of demons. General Keyes has sent a request for reinforcements to General Heintzelman. It is a few minutes after two o'clock when the officer starts with the order, but an unaccountable delay was caused, and it is rumored that there is a misunderstanding between Generals Heint- zelman and Keyes, (about rank,) which is doing us seri- ous injury. Let us, however, pass over that in silence, and leave the reader to infer what the difficulty was when he is told tlia,t orders were not sent to Generals Kearney and Hooker to move until twenty minutes to three o'clock. During tliis delay, when minutes seem like liours to the men engaged in such a struggle, some of the troops of Couch's division were fighting like heroes and falling dead in heaps, while most of Casey's men were scattered and skulking in the woods. Now a rumor is circulated from camp to camp that llio bridges are all gone, and Samner cannot get across. This is rollowcd by tlio inost intense excitement; but it THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 513 seems to make the troops only tlie more anxious to get to tlic assistance of their struggling comrades. It is curious to listen to the many suggestions that are made by staff officers at headquarters as to how troops can be got across the Chickahominy. One suggests that there is a large amount of lumber at Dispatch Station, which can be got to the river and made into rafts to carry the troops over. He forgets that five battles might be fought while he was getting the lum- ber to the river. Another, a better judge of poetry than war, is sure that rope bridges might be made, and the soldiers got across after the manner of landin^: pas- sengers from a stranded ship. These weak and im- practicable suggestions were the best proof of how unequal these young gentlemen of the staff are to the emergency. Parts of a pontoon train stood in afield near by, but either it was forgotten, or nobody knew what to do witli it, for there it remained until nearly night, when it was moved off in the direction of the river. General Franklin has gone over to General McClel- lan's headquarters, where the telegraph is in operation, bringing somewhat confused despatches from the scene of battle. They bring enough, however, to tell the story that we are being badly cut up over there ; that some of our men are fighting with great steadiness and courage, but are being pressed back, and need help, which Heintzelman does not send. McCIellan, Fitz John Porter, and Franklin ride to a point on the bank of the river, where they can get but an imperfect view of what is going on in that long belt of woods on the 23 514 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. opposite side. " I must go to Sumner," sa3-s McClel- lan, and turning to Franklin, directs him to go to headquarters and tal^^e command. In a few minutes more he is plunging through the mud and water, on his way to Sumner and the battle-field, followed by Sweit- zer, Colburn, one of the French princes, and a few orderlies. That little, fair-haired man, dressed in a shabby blue blouse, and with the old, farmer-like hat on his head, and whom no stranger would take for the General-in-Chief, feels that the fate of a great nation is in his hands, and hastens to throw his personal influ- ences into the conflict that is to decide it. He has not only a fierce and strong enemy to fight, but the ele- ments are all against him. At three o'clock, the battle still raging in all its fury, a scene of deep interest might have been witnessed near the log-way approach to Sumner's upper bridge. There stood Sedgwick's division, drawn up in line, ready to cross, in liglit marching order. A group of officers, with serious, thoughtful countenances, and be- spattered with mud from head to foot, stand discussing as to whether it is safe to trust the troops on so frail and apparently unsafe a structure. Generals Sumner, Sedgwick, Richardson, and Colonel Alexander, of tlie engineers, form the prominent figures of the group, which is afterwards joined by General McClellan, and a number of his aids. Generals Sumner and Sedgwick are impatient to make the attempt; the engineers are of opinion that the column cannot be crossed with- out serious loss of life. But the fierceness of tlie battle seems to have suddenly increased, and this hastens a THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 615 decision. The column is got in motion and moves to the log-way with a quick step, as officers of the group watch with breathless anxiety the effect it will have on this loose and swinging structure. Doubt and anx- iety soon changes into a feeling of joy. It is found that the weight of the advancing column presses the loose timbers down, fastens them as it were to the stumps and mud, and, indeed, increases the strength and solidity of the swinging mass. A half suppressed cheer now relieves many a heart of its burden. Never before did an army cross a stream under such dishearten- ing circumstances. For two hours that gallant division, its brave commander setting it a noble example, strug- gled over the uneven bridge bed, and through the water, and at last gained the opposite bank, almost in range of the enemy's frowning batteries. It was another proof of what stout hearts and men earnest in the cause of their country could do. But there is no hesi- tating where men like Sumner and Sedgwick lead. May their names never be forgotten by their country- men for the deeds of valor they liave performed on this day of our tribulation. Richardson has made an attempt to cross his division at the lower bridge, but so much has it been damaged by the flood, that he has succeeded in getting only a bri- gade across. He has had to move the other two to the bridge where Sedgwick crossed, has reached it at five o'clock, and is waiting his opportunity. Two-thirds of the field on which this fierce contest is being waged is dense forest ; the other is composed of a scries of barren and irregular openings, full of 516 THE STORY OP A TROOPER. stumps and quicksands, through which it is next to im- possible to move cannon. These clearings extend from the Chickahominy to White Oak Swamp, in a south- westwardly direction. Two- thirds of the troops are probably figliting in dense woods, and it is impossible to tell at one end of the line what the other is doin^. A railroad cuts obliquely through the centre of these clearings, and forms a sort of dividing line between the two armies. It is three o'clock now, and still the battle rages in all its fury. A dense cloud of smoke hangs like a fu- neral pall over the woods to the south and west of us, and distant thunder mingles its echoes with the peal of cannon and the roll of musketry. The wildest of rumors now come to us from tlie field, and are circulated from camp to camp. Colonel Bai- ley, Major Von Yalkenburg, and Adjutant Ramsey are reported killed wliile gallantly working their guns. Casey's division is reported to liave broken and run in the most cowardly manner, and to have been cut down by scores by the pursuing enemy. Then we liave a report that Casey has been mortally wounded, and is a prisoner in the enemy's hands. A few minutes more and this report is changed for another, which increases the excitement still more. This time Keyes died a prisoner in the enemy's hands, and Casey is safe but badly wounded. Half an hour, and we receive news from headquarters that there is no trutli in either of these reports. Casey's division is a disordered mob, scattered through tlie woods, and cannot be rallied ; but Couch's division is fighting well, and on some other THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 517 portions of the line the troops are behaving with great steadiness and determination. We have proof now that it is not tlie number of men you bring into the field, but the quality of their discipline that gives effi- ciency and strength to an army. There was a lament- able lack of discipline in some portions of Casey^s division, noticed frequently on its march up the Penin- sula. Many of the officers seemed to be as innocent of all knowledge of their duties as the men were unwil- ling to obey them. During the battle it is reported that these officers have actually set a bad example to their men. Further, one brigade commander was nearly deserted by his staff officers, two of whom never returned to the field. Our supply of rations on the other side is very short, and now there is no means of getting supply trains over, except by the long and tedious route to Bottom's Bridge. Nor are we any better off as regards medical stores and means of taking care of the wounded. Ilalf-past three. Although our troops are making a desperate struggle to hold their ground, they are being pressed slowly back, as we can distinctly trace by the sound of the guns. The enemy, too, is seen moving an immense column down past Gelding's house. With this he intends to get on our right and rear, cut us off from our communications with the river, and then he can crush or capture our whole force at his pleasure. The question is, will Sumner be up in time to meet this force, hold it in check, and thwart the designs of the rebel general ? His men are exerting every nerve, but Lis movements are somewhat delayed by a battery of 518 TUE STORY OF A TROOPER. Napoieon guns, wliicli he is struggling to get through the mud to the front. His only guide to the scene of battle is the sound of the guns, which are telling him where he is wanted, and are the only orders he needs to hasten forward. Another and smaller column has pushed across the railroad, to get on General Couch's right, and turn it. Couch, with four regiments of infantry, meets this column, and some desperate fighting follows; tlie enemy makes repeated charges, but is repulsed ; and although we contest every inch of ground with great tenacity, sheer exhaustion compels our troops to fall gradually back. The enemy, who continually relieves his ex- hausted troops with fresh ones, now presses between this small force and the right of the division ; and Couch, understanding that Sumner is coming up, falls back in the direction of the bridge he is expected to cross on. Half-past four. The roar of battle has increased ratlier than diminished, and the very air is pregnant ol gunpowder. A sudden turn in our favor seems to have taken place. The roll of musketry has become more fierce, rapid, and terrible than at any time during the day. We have also got more cannon into position, for the roar becomes incessant, and almost deafening. If we could look over the field now we should see that Kearney had come up with his brigades of that division (Berry's and Jameson's) which fought so gallantly at Williamsburg. There these troops stand, just in front of a belt of woods near the Seven Pines, in and beyond which the enemy is posted in deep, dark masses, and THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 519 deliver their vollies with the rapidity and steadiness of veterans, cutting deep furrows in tlic enemy's lines, causing his ranks to waver, and his dead and wounded to lay in heaps on the ground. The field is dotted everywhere with little pools of blood. Kearney throws himself into the very thickest of the fight, rides up and down the line, cap in hand, everywhere talking to and encouraging his troops, and exerting over them that wonderful influence no one can understand but those who witness it. The rebels see him, recognize him, call him " the one-armed devil," and their sharpshooters level on him. But he escapes unharmed. He repulses some of the enemy's fiercest attacks with Jameson's brigade, and then there follows some desperate charging and countercharging between his brave Irish troops and a brigade of rebels, who exhibit great stubbornness in holding a piece of woods in his front. Berry, with his brigade, has been sent to tlie left, to try and turn the enemy's position; and executing the movement with great skill and quickness, has effected his object. The enemy, seeing the danger he is in, attempts to recover from it and the havoc made in his ranks by the cross fire, changes front on the right of his line, and witli an overwhelming force attempts to drive us from our posi- tion. For more than an hour he makes charge after charge, hurling his troops against us in solid masses, and figliting more like demons than men. Each charge is met and repulsed with terrible slaughter, until the enemy's dead are piled up in lieaps before tlie rifle pits, presenting a sad and ghastly picture. There tlic little brigade has stood as immovable as a wall of granite, 520 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. battling for tlie life of the republic, wliicli an heroic impulse tells ever}^ man he is bound to defend. Tliere is no faltering, but their ranks are fast being thinned, and their dead and wounded are covering the ground. The enemy, too, has brought fresh troops on the field, and a movement he has made to get on the right and cut Berry off has been partially successful. It is also clear, from his great superiority of force, that the little bri- gade cannot stand these furious attacks much longer. The order is given to fall back, which is executed in good order. * But Berry and his brigade are cut off, and an hour later there is a rumor in circulation that the whole force has been captured by the enemy, who has cut us off from the bridges. Berry, however, fell back in the direction of White Oak Swamp, made a circuitous march through the dense forest, and brought his brigade safely in a little after dark. It is now a quarter of six. The most desperate fight- ing has been going on on various parts of the line, and the fate of the day is to be decided by Sumner. lie is up at the right time, and in the right place, and. has got his one battery to the front. He has struck the head of that heavy column that was seen winding down past Gelding's house, intending to cut us off from our com- munications and crush us. He takes it in flank, and opening his battery at short range, with a rapidity that lias never been surpassed, pours such deadly voUics of grape and canister into the enemy's ranks as make them stagger and reel, and for a time exhibit some confusion. Sumner here formed a connection with Couch, at the THE STORY OF A THOOPER. 521 point to wliicli lie had fallen back; and the enemy, re- forming his line of battle, comes on like an avalanche, making effort after effort to pierce our lines and drive us back, to be as often repulsed with fearful slaughter. The recklessness of life here displayed by the enemy cannot be described. Rushing on, as if determined to capture the battery that is doing such deadly work on his ranks, our men wait until he gets within a few rods, and even yards of them, tlaen deliver their vollies with such deliberate aim as to sweep great gaps in their ranks, which fill with dead and wounded. He staggers, hesitates, and falls back, while our second and third lines of infantry, firing over the first, pour in their vol- lies witli terrible effect. But the effect of the repulse lasts but for a minute. Again the enemy is seen to gather new strength, and his troops, encouraged by their officers, who place themselves at thdr head, come surging on in dark masses, and with fearful impetuosity. Again great swaths are cut through their ranks and filled with human bodies; again they are repulsed, and a number of them throw up their arms in token of sur- render. The fighting is now chiefly on the right, and between those forces which have fought with the des- perate stubbornness I have described, for more than an hour. It does, indeed, seem as if both must soon give out from sheer exhaustion. But the enemy has evidently got the worst of it, and the time has come for us to show him that we can be as effective in charg- ing his lines as we have been cool while repelling Isis assaults. The 15th and 20th Massachusetts, the 34tli and 8 2d New York, and the 7th Michigan regiments, 23* 522 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. troops that have made themselves famous at Williams- burg, are ordered up, and charge with tlie bayonet. It is a thrilling sight to see witli what alacrity the men move to execute the order ; with wliat irresistible force they spring to their work, charge into and break the enemy^s lines. He could not stand that long line of glittering steel, and is driven from the field, and into the dark belt of woods beyond. The enemy made a fatal mistake in that movement; he sees his error, but it is too late to repair it. It is night now, and the roar of battle ceases as if by mutual consent. No pen can describe the agonies of that battle-field during this fearful night. Thou- sands of the dead of both armies, sometimes mingled promiscuously, are scattered over the wet ground for a distance of four miles. The groans and cries of the wounded and* dying are heard in every clump of trees, where they have crawled to breathe their last breatli, without a sympathizing voice to whisper a prayer for them, or a kind hand to bring water to moisten tlieir parched lips. Nourishment is not to be had; medical attendance is not a tithe of what it should be, and the darkness of the night, and the uncertainty as to where these sufferers are to be found, makes their condition doubly hopeless. Some of these sufferers are found iu the woods, and by little streams, where they have crawled, some to quench their thirst, others to find a peaceful last resting place, two and even three days after the battle still giving out signs of life. And two or three remarkable instances are recorded wliore the sufferers were restored, by careful nursing, to uerfect health. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 523 It is while witnessing these terrible scenes of suffer- ing on the part of our fellows that the mind revolts, and we instinctively ask who it was that brought this scourge of war on a happy people ? what selfish ends did they expect to gain by it? and why does not a just Providence mete out to them the punishment their crimes merit ? Must sin forever be costly of human life ; must ambition forever demand its Moloch of blood ; and must a great nation be made thus to bleed and suffer, that a few ambitious men may destroy one government and build up anotlier, with human bondage for its foundation ? Let it not be said that all these tears, tliese agonies, and death ; that all this woe, sor- row, broken hearts, and blighted hopes, shall have gone for nothing, and that human bondage, in any form whatever, still exists to shame us for our sins when this war is over ! It is said that Mr. Jefferson Davis and several mem- bers of his cabinet were on the field during the battle, encouraging the rebel hosts, and a witness of the terri- ble carnage. This is said to be the secret of their des- perate fighting. It is also reported that General John- son lias been mortally wounded and carried from the field. It is ten o'clock. The night is exceedingly dark. Good news comes to us of Sumner, Sedgwick, and Kearney. Their praises are on every tongue ; the deeds of valor they have performed are passed from camp to camp, and the private soldier vies with his offi- cers in doing them honor until long past midnight. But the rain begins to fall again ; thunder echoes and rum.- 524 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. bles along the heavens, and vivid lightning vaults along the distant horizon in the south. Richardson, with the second division of Sumner's corps, is still struggling to cross the frail bridge. It is nearly twelve o'clock when his rear guard gets safely over. And here a strange phenomenon occurs in the river. The water, which had partially subsided during the afternoon, suddenly comes rushing down as if some great floodgate had been opened above, rises twenty inches in a little less than two hours, and running like a torrent at the cen- tre, sweeps away what remains of the bridges. All hope of getting over more troops is at an end now. The separation between our right and left is complete. Both armies lay on their arms all night. In some places the pickets are within speaking distance of each other. But McClellan is over there with the troops, and his presence has had an electrical effect on tliem. It has given them new hope, new courage, and more con- fidence in themselves. His name is like a magic spell with the soldier, who waits for the dawn of morning, thinking only of the fight that is to be renewed. Hooker, too, has come up with his gallant division ; some of Casey's stragglers have been got together; new dispositions are being made of the troops ; a bet- ter and more compact line will be formed, and more concert of action secured between the different parts of the field. There, in the grey dawn of that damp Sunday morn- ing, (1st of June, 1862,) stands the long line of patriot soldiers, half concealed by the dense forest. Couch's division and a few of Casey's straggling regiments are THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 525 near an open field on the extreme left ; next comes Kearney, on its right, occupying a series of rifle-pits, and just east of a clump of tall trees called the Seven Pines. On Kearney's right, and a little in the rear, stands Hooker, ready to support Kearney. Then came Eichardson, with Howard's, and French's, and Meagher's Irish brigade, one crossing the railroad and the others posted in the rear, ready to support. On the extreme right stands Sedgwick and the regi- ments of Couch's tliat fought with him on the after- noon before, holding about the same position they did when the battle ended. It is soft, swampy ground where they stand, and on a large portion of their front, as well as to the right, it is covered with thick under- wood and fallen trees. The ground is terribly plough- ed up in places by the shot and shell; and the charges and the counter charges that were made over it yester- day have churned it into a bog. It requires the very highest order of military genius to handle troops successfully on such a field as this. A number of bat- teries have been got to the front during the niglit and are in position now, but the prospect of moving them either one way or tlie other, or handling them with any celerity, is slender indeed. It is evident that if the enemy attacks us the struggle will have to be de- cided with infantry. Opposite us, and entirely concealed by the thick woods, stands the forces of Hill, Magruder, Longstrcet, Smith, and Anderson. It is reported, too, tliat new troops have been brought up and massed on the enc- jny's extreme left, in front of Sumner. 52(J THE STORY OF A TROOPER. The enemy does not keep us in suspense lono- as to his intentions. Precisely at ten minutes to five the sound of cannon announces that the battle has begun. A thin line of the enemy's cavalry, as if feeling our position, appear on the edge of the wood, in front of Richardson. Pettit's battery has dropped a few shells in among them, and they disappear like shadowy fig- ures. Richardson now manoeuvres his troops so as to close up the gap between his left and Kearney's right. Suddenly, the enemy, in dark, rolling masses, breaks from the woods, and more in the condition of a mob than a column of soldiers held well in hand, opens a terrible fire of musketry, and pours in volley after vol- ley, at short range, and with the most deadly efi'ect. It is evidently intended to shake our centre. But there is no wavering in the ranks. Our troops stand cool and determined, and return volley for volley, making terrible havoc in their ranks. We see their killed fall by scores, and tlieir wounded by hundreds carried from the field. But this does not abate his de- termination. The heaviest of his force is now thrown against a position held by General French, and he seems determined to cut it and break our lines. For more than an hour this little brigade receives the shock, but stands as firm as a stone wall, until nearly a fourth of its number has been killed or wounded. The enemy, too, has got some artillery up, and the shell and round shot are ploughing up the ground in every direction. General Howard, at the head of his brigade, moves up to the support of French, and the struggle increases iii fury and extends all along Richardson's front. Never THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 527 did troops beliave with more coolness and steadiness tlianours. The enemy figlits fiercely but spasmodically. His troops are not handled with the regularity and or- der that they were yesterday. A different head directs their movements. Our troops are everywhere inspired with new courage by the mere knowledge that General McClellan is on the field directing tlie battle. Eight o'clock. The enemy has spent his force on this position, finds that he can neither shake nor drive French and Howard from it, and gradually falls back all along Ricliardson's front. It is Hooker and Kear- ney's turn to fight now ; and we already know that wherever they had the fighting to do it was sure to be earnest and desperate. Hooker, further to the left, has moved forward to the extreme front with two regi- ments of New Jersey troops, (always reliable,) the Excelsior brigade, under Sickles, in the rear. Here he finds Birney's brigade, in command of Colonel Ho- bert Ward, drawn up in order of battle, and the enemy in his front in heavy force. He sends back for Sickles to hasten forward, for that gallant brigade never fails him. But Sickles has been halted and sent through the woods to the extreme left, by order of General Heintzelman, to meet a heavy column that has been discovered advancing in that direction with the inten- tion of turning our left. There is a dark belt of woods just in front of Hooker, where the enemy has partially concealed his heavy force. The two Jersey regiments and Birney's brigade are ordered to the attack, and they push forward into the woods in a straight, unbroken line, and after some desperate fighting and terrible slaugh- 528 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. ter, the enemy is driven from his position at the point Df the bayonet. The Jersey regiments have fought for more than an liour, have crossed bayonets with the en- emy's best troops, and the ground where the struggle was hardest is strewn with the dead and wounded. Tlie fight now extends along Kearney's front, and the roll and crasli of infantry is the heaviest that has been heard during the battle. Kearney hurls his battalions against the enemy, who is continually re-enforcing his lines with fresh troops, with reckless impetuosity. Now the enemy's lines are thinned by his deadly vollies ; now he wavers and falls back; now his grey lines send up one of those demoniacal yells common with them in a charge, and surge forward again, as if resolved to die or drive us from our position. But again liis ranks are thinned ; officers are killed while gallantly leading and encouraging their men ; he staggers under the blow and falls back. It is our turn to charge now. Bayonets are fixed, and the long line of bristling steel rushes forward as soon as the order is given, and the enemy is driven in confusion from that part of the field. All his efforts to shake our centre have failed ; and seeing the hopelessness of the contest, he throws away everything in his haste to get beyond harm. And while this is going on, Sickles has been active on another part of the field. He has moved with great rapidity, considering the nature of the ground he had to march over, has gained our extreme left, and de- ploying his troops on each side of the Williamsburg road, is engaging the enemy with great spirit and suc- cess. He is up just in time to check the flank move- THE STORY OP A TROOPER. 629 ment referred to before, advances steadily against the enemy through an open field, facing a deadly fire of musketry. Step by step he pushes them back across the open ground and into the edge of a belt of pine wood. '' Now, boys," he says, calling to his troops, "give it to them with the bayonet!'^ It needed noth- ing more with the Excelsior brigade. On it dashed, charging into the wood with loud cheers, and scattering the enemy like so many' sheep, killing, wounding, and capturing them by scores. Sickles completing his victory by recapturing Casey's camp and giving it back to him. It is eleven o'clock now. From the centre to the extreme left the enemy has been beaten and driven back, leaving nearly all his dead and wounded on the field. A rumor is circulated that Magruder is killed and Longstreet badly wounded. But Magruder has so often been killed and other rebel generals wounded by camp rumors that we are come to be sus- picious of them. There is a partial cessation of hostil- ities now, which lasts for nearly an hour, during which the enemy is seen manoeuvring on our right, where he evidently intends to attack us in force. He does not keep us long in doubt as to his intentions, but again comes forward in solid column, hurling the strongest of his force against Richardson's division, and making charge after cliarge in such rapid succession and with such desperate impetuosity that it seems impossible we can withstand such shocks. Although we have driven his hosts from the field on the left, and even gained a signal victory over him, if he should pierce our line here he will do us serious damao^e ; perhaps throw us 530 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. into confusion and gain the final victory, with all its destructive results. The bridges are all swept away now. There is no hope of getting any more troops over. We must fight and win with the force we have here, or suffer what must naturally be a crushing defeat of the whole Army of the Potomac. Every man, from the commander down to the humblest private, feels this, and fights as if he felt it. For more than an hour he expends his force against this position, our troops receiving his charges un- moved, and pouring their vollies into his ranks with great rapidity and effect. The slaughter is something painful to contemplate. The fight is between people of a kindred race, and the courage of each is so evenly balanced that one cannot help wishing they were fight- ing in a different cause. But the enemy begins to ex- haust himself by the fury of his onsets. It is now our turn to charge. The order is given to advance, and " forward ! forward !'^ is heard along Richardson's line, and the troops respond to it with rare earnest- ness. The enemy delivers a galling fire in the face of our advancing column, but it is only for a few minutes. Now he wavers, then falls back, then is driven in con- fusion from the field. It is twelve o'clock now. Our whole line has taken up the forward movement, and the rebels are fleeing everywhere. The battle has ended, and our victory is complete. In his precipitate retreat the enemy has left behind him his dead and his wounded, his arms, and indeed nearly everything in the shape of war ma- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 531 terial. Our exhausted troops follow liim, and drive him pell-mell into that long belt of woods I have de- scribed in the beginning of this chapter, and where lie stood defiant on the morning of the 31st of May. But they are in no condition to follow him further. They have not slept for forty-eight hours, and have been fight- ing two days on the very worst battle-field the world ever saw. Our ammunition is nearly out, and so also are our supplies. It is unjust to expect of human endurance more than it is capable of giving. At two o'clock the firing ceased altogether, and we had driven the enemy back in confusion to his old line and re-established our own. But so completely exhausted were many of our troops that they lay down on the wet ground, and soon fell into so deep a sleep that it seemed next to impossible to awaken them. Add to this that we had nearly five thousand of our own, and perhaps as many more of the enemy's dead and wounded on the field to be cared for and removed. To have neg- lected these helpless sufferers at such a time would have been a crime than which there is none greater. And such was the condition of the ground that it was impossible to move either artillery or subsistence trains. Nearly all the cavalry, too, was on the left bank of the river, but owing to the boggy and stumpy nature of the ground, to say nothing of the woods, could have been of little service had it been on the right. Every right-minded man will appreciate our true condition after this battle. The question of following up our victory with the capture of Richmond has been 532 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. discussed by various writers, most of them urging that we could have secured the prize with little difficulty. But it has always seemed to me that these writers were either blinded by their prejudices, or knew but very little of the real condition of the field after the battle was over. It is, indeed, much more easy to see what might have been done when a battle is over than to be sure that you are going to make right movements while it is going on. It is true we had driven the en- emy in confusion before us, but an attempt to feel his position on the following day developed the fact that lie had a strong picket line in the woods I have before referred to, and from which we failed to drive him. Nor must it be forgotten that the enemy had come out from his works to fight us. Having driven him from the field, we were not sure that he could not bring up fresh troops to meet our exhausted columns as soon as we crossed (if we could have crossed) that timber. But there was another and still more serious matter to be considered. The enemy had a line of strong works on the hills above, mounted with guns of heavy cal- ibre, and to storm and take these we should at least have troops in good fighting condition. Some writers have urged it as a reason that we could liave marched in and taken possession of Richmond, that the people were alarmed, excited, and ready to pack up their fur- niture and leave. The same state of public feeling has been witnessed in Washington more than once, when not only the people 43ut members of the Govern- ment were alarmed and ready to travel. But it docs not follow that these symptoms on the part of non- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 533 combatants are proof that the troops are unaole to hold the works by which the city is defended. Sensible military men never gave themselves any concern for the safety of Washington after the first battle of Bull Eun. And the enemy knew full well that a serious attempt to take it would cost a sacrifice of life he was never in a condition to pay. My opinion, when compared with the opinion of others, who are, perhaps, better qualified to judge of the real military condition at that time, will go for but little; but it has never seemed to me that we were capable of march- ing into Richmond from the right bank of the Chicka- hominy, immediately after the battle of Fair Oaks. But the question still remains as to whether we could have moved our right wing, on the first day, over New, Mechanicsville, and Meadow bridges, and having scaled the steep hills and captured their works on the crest, taken the enemy in flank and rear, the effect of which would have given us Richmond. The enemy had a very strong position here ; he could defend the approaches to these three bridges with a very small force, and our charging columns would have been exposed to the most destructive enfilading fire. We had no correct informa- tion as to the force he had concealed in that dark belt of timber on the crest of the hill ; and there was the uncertainty as to where Stonewall Jackson was. The Government at Washington had not been able to give us any definite information concerning him for several days, and were he suddenly to strike our right and rear, and by some freak of fortune, which seemed al- ways to be in his favor, to cut us off from our commu- 634 TUB STORY OF A TROOPER. nications, we would have been found without supplies, and in the most hopeless condition an army was ever found in. With all our communications open, the con- dition of the country was such that it was with the greatest difficulty we could supply our army. Nor is it just to say that this sanguinary battle was fought without any material result. It was one of a series of battles by whicli the enemy's power was to be broken down and finally exhausted. That we made errors, as well in the selection of the position as in the manner of fighting the battle, will not be denied. But the enemy also made errors, and greater ones than we did. This was particularly apparent on the first day, when, instead of making his attack on our extreme left at twelve o'clock, he had moved his flanking column at daylight, swept around our right, (the right of our left wing,) which he could easily have done, and, holding his position, sent a small force to destroy the frail bridges on which all our hopes hung, no power within our reach could have saved the force we had on the south bank of the Chickahominy from utter destruction. It was because Johnson felt too sure that he had us secure in his grasp that he did not do this. I have since been informed that it was reported to him in the morning at daylight that the flood had swept away all the bridges, rendering it impossible for the Federals to cross reinforcements. Hence his belief that after crushing our left with one terrible blow he would have little trouble in sweeping round our right, cutting off our means of retreat, and capturing our whole force. The action of Sumner dispelled the illusion and gave us the victory. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 535 Let us be just and generous, then, to the General who fouo.-lit the battle, and did what he thouG^lit best. We can afford to be both; to hold tlies cales of justice also witii a firm hand, and to show that we are truly great by giving to merit the reward it has earned. And v/hile we are crowning with laurel wreaths the General who fought our last battles and won our last victories, let us not forget the one due to him who trained our armies and fought our first battles when the sky wj^s dark. CHAPTER XLYIII. GENERAL CONDITION OF THE ARMY— REVIEW OF THE rilOSPECT. TtiE flood tide of our misfortunes seemed to set in after the battle of Fair Oaks. We began the building of more permanent and higher bridges, the men worked in some places up to their waists in water, pickets stood in water knee deep, and the almost incessant and heavy rains would destroy at night work done during the day. On the upper bridges the engineers worked nearly all the time within range of the enemy's guns, which would open on them nearly every day, and, as I m} self can attest, afforded us an entertainment of sliot and shell not at all pleasant to share. We had batteries in position at Dr. Gaines's house, which always replied, but did not save our working parties from the annoy- ance. At other times the enemy would engage us for an hour in an artillery duel, rarely doing much injury. At one time he threw a number of shells into the camp of the Lincoln cavalry, near Elletson's mill, causing quite a scampering among the troopers. At another he threw a number of sliolls quite a distance over Meclianicsvjlle, into the First Jersey brigade, killing and wounding two or three, and causing the brigade to change camp. The Pennsylvania Reserves, too, en- 536 THE STORY OP A TROOPER. 637 camped near Sidnor's house, were served in a similar manner, and driven in alarm from their camp. Indeed the enemy seemed to know the exact position of our camps, and to accommodate his range accordingly. His most determined effort to disturb our quiet, how- ever, was made against General Baldy Smith's position. He had brought up guns of longer range than usual, and one afternoon, while we were peacefully contem- plating his movements from what we considered a safe distance he opened his batteries and sent several shells clean through Hogan's house, which was used for an hospital, making it necessary to remove the sick and wounded to a place of safety. This outrage so excited the anger of General Smith that he lowered the hos- pital flag, and would have replied to their guns but for an order from General McClcllan, directing him to put the flag up again and hold his fire. The tide of our misfortunes now began to flow fast. The wet weather continued unabated, and sickness set in and spread to an alarming extent. Intermittent fever, diarrhoea of the most virulent kind, and indeed all those diseases peculiar to the swampy lands of the South, prostrated the men, and filled our hospitals to overflowing. There was no keeping the knowledge of this from the troops, and the effect of it on their spirit was very depressing. I thought then, and think now, that disease was increased rather than checked by the large quantities of commissary whiskey, of the very worst description, that was served to the men. Good spirits, served in moderate quantities, might have bene- 24 538 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. fited tliem ; but that wliicli tliey received was little better than poison, and had a stupifying effect. Our condition on the other side of the river was still worse. The troops in many places were encamped on the battle-field, which reeked with putrid matter, while the very air was foul with sickening and offensive smells and black witli flies and other noisome insects. The dead, too, had been buried in great haste, and in many places the rains had washed the bodies almost bare. I rode over the battle-field several times between the 1st and 20th of June, and each time returned sick. We were also throwing up a long line of defences, and the immense amount of work that had to be done in the trenches, most of it with the men np to their knees in water, was having a severe effect on the strength and spirits of the troops. And while all these malignant influences were operating against us and reducing our force day by day, we had reliable information that the enemy was bringing up troops from all parts of the Confederacy and concentrating them in Richmond, preparatory to another great battle. We had troops enough, but they were scattered from Fredericksburg to Harper's Ferry. Some were protecting the fears of the authorities at Washington. Some were doing or- namental duty at Baltimore. Those under McDowell were doing nothing. And an army of nearly thirty thousand, commanded by an ornamental general, was affording mere military entertainment for StonewalL Jackson. Our ornamental generals flourished in those days. And those were the days when the war was carried on from Washington, and people were consid- efed tlind who did not see through its spectacles. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 539 And wliile all these troops were thus scattered and nominally idle, the only reinforcements we could get were gentle assurances and the Pennsylvania Reserves, with General McCall. Perhaps never in the history of war did a general have to fight against so many ad- verse influences as did General McClellan. He had a brave, powerful, and earnest enemy in his front, increas- ing his strength every day; a restless, intriguing polit- ical enemy in his rear, against whom he had to contin- ually struggle ; and the frowning elements overhead. He had to do battle with each in turn ; and to gain a victory over them all was something human nature is scarcely equal to. No wonder, then, that the man's resolution faltered, that he became undecided, that his very nature should change. He had failed to gain the confidence of liis superiors, failed to make them see the necessities of his position ; and their assurances of support and confidence were made more aggravating through the fact that their acts were in conflict with them. It was this that made him give his thoughts more to saving than fighting the army. Extreme caution and hesitar.cy now marks our move- ments. The noisy enemy beats his drums and sounds his bugles on the opposite hills, night and morning. There is perfect stillness in our camp. Music stirs the soul of the soldier, and his courage is inspired by the beat of the drum. But not a band plays, not a bugle sounds, nor a drum beats in our camp, and tlie stillness of a churchvflrd reigns at night. The men ask, " Why is it that we cannot have music ? Is it because we are afraid of the enemy?" Officers reply thnt it will discover 540 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. our position to the enemy. But this stillness carries a deeper significance with it. The better-informed can read in it the thoughts and feelings of the General in command. The wet weather continued, with few intermissions, until the 18th of June. But what was even more dam- aging to the health of our troops was the sudden changes from heat to cold. At times the weather would be op- pressively hot in the morning, storm clouds would roll up in the afternoon, the rain would fall in torrents du- ring the night, and before daybreak the wind would sud- denly change and blow a gale from the east, making overcoats and extra blankets necessary. It was a com- mon thing to be washed out of our tents at night, to wake up by our tents being blown down, and to look out and see the whole line in the same plight with our- selves. We went to bed many a hot night and got up in the morning to find our poor animals shivering witli the cold. And this was June weather in Old Yirginia. We had a visit from the Spanish general Prim, and a number of his staff ; but nothing worthy of record oc- curred after the battle of Fair Oaks until the afternoon of the loth, about three o'clock, when our camp was thrown into an intense state of excitement by a report that the enemy was approaching in force from the direc- tion of Hanover Court-House, his advance guard be- ing composed of several regiments of cavalry and two batteries of artillery; one had it that his force was at least thirty thousand. Another said it was Stonewall Jackson with forty thousand confederate troops ; that he had attacked Stoneman's and Philip St. George THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 541 Cook's cavalry, about four miles away on our riglit, and was sweeping down on our rear, where he "would next attack us and cut us off from our base of supplies. General McClellan had removed his headquarters to near Trent's house, on the south bank of the Chicka- hominy, and Franklin was absent from his. I believe he was with General McClellan. This increased the excitement. Then Captain Royall, of the 5th Regular cavalry, came in with a severe sabre cut wound on his head, and covered with blood. This gave rise to ru- mors of the most ridiculous kind, which were not long in finding their way through every camp. Of course we were all under arms at once, and had our horses saddled, ready to move. Instead of Stonewall Jackson it turned out to be that bold rough-rider J. E. B. Stuart, making liis first grand raid, with about fourteen hundred cavalry, splendidly mounted and equipped, and four pieces of light artil- lery. He came sweeping down close to our right, and comparatively within sight of Stoneman's camp, meet- ing no opposition until he reached the old church, near Cold Harbor, where a battalion of tlie 5th cavalry under Captain Royall was encamped, protecting our communications. The Captain is reported to have fought gallantly, but was soon overpowered, and his little force scattered. Indeed the Confederate horse- men seem to have ridden right over them, then turned off towards the Pamunky river, moving at a rapid pace. At Garlick's landing they destroyed a lot of supplies and three small schooners laden with forage. Pro- ceeding on in the direction of the White House, they 542 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. captured and destroyed a train of about twenty wag- ons, carried off the mules, and barbarously murdered a number of the defenceless teamsters. The Pennsyl- vania Reserves were at the White House, of which Stuart had information. He, however, found at Tuns- tall's station, near by, enough to occupy liis time for an hour. He fired into a train of cars, and nearly fright- ened a paymaster out of his wits. He burnt the depot, cut the telegraph wires, and tore up a portion of the track. And he brought a number of sutlers to grief by appropriating such of their stock as his troopers wanted, destroying the remainder. Having done what damage he could, he made for the Chickahominy as fast as possible, and having made the half-circle of our own lines, crossed his force at Long Bridge and reached Richmond unmolested. Let us see what we did to intercept or cut off this bold raider. Everybody wanted to go in pursuit of him, and yet nobody was ready to go. Everybody knew that he would travel round us and try to get back into Richmond by the lower fords or bridges, and yet nobody seemed to entertain the idea that that was the place to send a force to intercept him. At length a happy and very generous idea seemed to have entered some one's head. Stuart had a father-in-law in our army, a bold trooper withal, and what could be better than to send him in pursuit of his rebel son. If they came to sabres, and one got killed, why it would all be in the family, and in a civil war such things do occur at times. After a good deal of waiting for orders, Philip St. George Cook, at six o'clock, proceeded, with THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 543 a force of two regiments of cavalry and a battery of artillery, in pursuit of his rebel son, and at lialf-past eight o'clock was in the vicinity of Old Church, fol- lowing in his circle, but some three hours behind. Whether this was a serious effort to overtake the bold raider or not I am unable to determine. The reader cannot fail to see, however, that there was little hope of its being successful. And the gallant father seems to have had some grave apprehensions of being cap- tured and entertained by his rebel son, for he gave up the pursuit after proceeding as far as Cold Harbor, and came back safe to us to report. Two or three days after this occurrence a smart little newsboy, crossing the Chickahominy on a fallen tree, came into our lines with a bundle of Richmond Dls^ "patches, containing an elaborate and well-written ac- count of the deeds of valor performed by Stuart and his troopers. The boy had evidently been sent over by Confederate officers anxious that we should see their heroism in print. 'The boy sold his papers readily, and for silver, which pleased him much, for he had not seen such money, he said, for a long time ; but was much distressed when told that we should want him to stay and spend some time with us. Newton and other general officers had joined us over the camp-fire that night, and the little newsboy sang us songs and enter- tained us with stories concerning Richmond until nearly midnight. It was the 18th of June now, and the weather began to improve. Still there was much sickness among tlie troops, and dysenter}^ prevailed to an alarming cxtcut. 4: 544 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Information of the most reliable kind reached us daily that the enemy was concentrating his forces in Rich- mond, under Lee, preparatory to a great battle. We had also information that Beauregard had arrived ; and that Ripley had come up from Charleston, with his command. The Pennsylvania Reserves had reached us, and taken position on our extreme right, near Mechanics- ville. Smith's division of the Sixth Corps had moved over to the south side of the river some days before. Orders had several times been issued to move the other (Slocum's) over, and as often been countermanded, un- til the want of decision manifest in these orders became annoying, and gave rise to unfavorable comments. It was apparent that General McClellan was undecided as to where the enemy would attack us, if he did at- tack, and what force was necessary on the north bank of the river to hold our right. In justice to General Franklin, it must be said that he was opposed to weaken- ing our line on the right, believing that if the enemy came out to attack us it would be at this point — that here he would deal his heaviest blows. And when the final order came to move headquarters and the second divi- sion over he obeyed it, but with feelings of reluctance. We moved over this morning ; and as we halted at Colonel Rowland's headquarters, on the brow of a liill overlooking Alexander's bridge, where we also met General Slocum, more than one general ofiScer looked back over that long thin line we called our right with feelings of misgiving. That line extended from ar where we stood to Mechauicsville, a distance of five THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 545 miles, and was left with Fitz-Jolm Porter^s corps and McCall's division of Pennsylvania Reserves and Stone- man's cavalry to hold it. We had now four corps crowded into that swampy, pestilent battle-field I have before described on the south bank of the river. This was the second grand development of a fatal error. Passing over Alexander's bridge we entered an open field, on the left of which was a piece of high ground on which Trent's house and its large barn stood, and where General McClellan had his headquarters. The Lincoln cavalry, holding the extreme right of Frank- lin's corps, was encamped in the open field, exposed to a burning sun one day, and the drenching rain another. Between the cavalry camp and Trent's house several batteries of artillery stood, harnessed day and night, and ready to belch forth their destroying missiles at a moment's notice. Just south of this position the ground was uneven, thickly wooded, full of ponds of water and little streams, and intersected with roads cordu- royed with rough logs, rendering travel over them ex- ceedingly slow and difficult. Our headquarters were pitched on a hammock just in the edge of this wood, and was surrounded by fallen trees, which gave it quite a backwoods-ish appearance. We were about three quarters of a mile from General McClellan. The lover of solitude could scarcely have selected a more sequestered spot than we had for head- quarters. There was a little green patch about two hundred feet square in the woods, with a deserted log cabin in the centre, and bordered with shrubbery and flowers. Around tliis square we pitched our tents, 546 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. building arbors in front and decorating tlieni with the branches of trees. This little green lawn and its deserted cabin af- forded me food for contemplation. Wlio or what member of the human family could have reared liim a humble cottage and made him a home in this secluded spot? The hand that trained that shrubbery and cul- tivated those flowers was guided by taste. What sturdy arm felled those huge trees just beyond? what heart beat high with hopes for what the future might bring forth on this barren soil ? How much happiness and contentment ma}' he have enjoyed here ? And may it not have been sweeter because it was enjoyed away from the cares of the world and the vices that beset the am- bitious ? Did this humble woodsman, after toiling in poverty and eating the bread wliich poverty brings, give up, heartsick and disappointed ? Where is lie seeking a home now? Perhaps he is dead, and lies buried here where we have pitched our tents. Perhaps his spirit, big with some trouble that haunted liim through life, hovers in these dark woods which grim war has filled with soldiers and their neighing steeds. But did he ever dream that the day would come when a general and his stajff would make a banqueting hall of his humble cabin ? To all these questions not even Captain Hoff, who is wise in the philosophy of spirits, can return a satisfactory answer. There is a deep and densely wooded ravine, a wild and romantic spot, where the magnolia, the jessamine, and the sweet laurel blossom, just back of our liead- quarters, and the air is sweet with their perfumes. A THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 547 pretty brook murmurs at the bottom, and springs of clear, cold water gush out from the hill side. This water is pleasant to the taste, but its effect on the health of the men is bad. Towards morning there was heavy musketry firing on our left. The enemy made an attempt to advance his picket line in front of Hooker ; and that General, always impatient to have a trial of strength with his adversary, drives him back in fine style, and declares he only wants orders to beat him back into Richmond. In short, we have musketry firing on our left nearly every afternoon, with more or less casualties. The enemy also entertains us every day by tossing a num- ber of shells into various parts of our lines, and these we return without restricting the compliment. The enemy is sure to pay us these compliments whenever Professor Lowe's balloon goes up; and that gentleman's apparatus is coming into bad favor with our generals. News comes to us of an exciting nature. Our scouts have brought in a man dressed in dirty gray clothes. He turns out to be a very intelligent man, and after giving various accounts of himself, finally confesses to be a deserter from Jackson's army, which he describes as advancing slowly in the direction of Hanover Court- House. There is no doubt now in the minds of some of our generals as to where the enemy intends to make his real attack, and what part Stonewall Jackson is to play. Now is the time to prepare for it, to send back troops to strengthen our riglit at Mechanicsville, and to guard against Jackson's attempt on our rear. But General McClellan still hesitates, is still uncei'tain as to what tlie enemy's real intentions arc. 548 THE STORY OP A TROOPER. It is the 25th, and we have resolved to drive the enemy back from Heintzelman^s front. He has a con- siderable force there, and holds a strong* position, ex- tending across the Williamsburg road. There is an open field in front of Heintzelman, and beyond it a long belt of thick timber, in which the enemy is partially concealed, and has a redoubt and some rifle pits. He has annoyed us here for several days. At nine o'clock Hooker and Kearney advance with their di- visions over the open fields, and are met with a terrible fire of infantry; steadily they receive and return the fire, advancing step by step, with colors flying and drums beating. For two hours the ground is con- tested with desperate valor on both sides ; but our infantry fire is thinning out the enemy's ranks, and our steadiness is giving us the advantage. Hooker, on his white horse, and Kearney, with his one arm, are con- spicuous along the line, urging on their men, while ex- posing themselves in the thickest of the fight. Bayo- nets are fixed and a charge ordered, and the line dashes into the woods with an impetuosity that is irre- sistible. The Excelsior Brigade has again performed a conspicuous part in the fight. The enemy's redoubt and rifle pits are captured, and his line is driven back through the woods, and into a piece of swampy ground, where the fighting again becomes desperate, for Hooker and Kearney are not the men to give an enemy mucli time to rest during a battle. General Palmer, with a brigade of Couch's division, moves up and engages the enemy, making an attempt to get on his left. The Irisli brigade, nnd anotlier of Richardson's division, also move up and become engaged ; and for a time i t THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 549 looks as if a general engagement would follow. But that idea is soon dispelled. The enemy lias reasons of his own for not extending the fight to any other portion of his line. At four o'clock the feeling of anxiety is relieved. Hooker and Kearney have driven the enemy, after hard fighting, from his position, captured his redoubt and rifle pits, and advanced on him nearly a mile, with a loss of only 340 killed, wounded, and missing. The enemy's loss was evidently greater, for his troops came on in masses, and his officers exhibited a strange recklessness of life in hurling them in this manner against our strongest points. But hark ! There is cannonading on the other side of the river. Fitz John Porter's cannon are ringing in our ears. Some of our officers are at a loss to know what this means. The enemy intends nothing serious. He is only en- tertaining us with a few shells from the hills opposite Mechanicsville. He will to-morrow make his move- ments so bold and pointed that there will be no mis- taking his intentions. We have taken measures for the evacuation of the White House, and the removal of our supplies to the James river. It is the morning of the 26th now, and the weather is hot and sultry. Franklin, with the Sixth corps, is to advance to-day, make an attack on and try to get pos- session of a strong position on his front called the Old, or Burnt Tavern. The engineers have slashed and cut roads through the belt of woods in front of us, and everything is in readiness for the movement. If we can gain and hold that position we shall have secured 650 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. an important advantage. Riclimond it is tliouglit by some will be within range of our siege guns. Gen- eral Franklin and staif are out early, and the corps is seen making preparation for some movement. Gen- erals Baldy Smith and Slocum, too, are in the saddle early, and are here to consult with Franklin. But the enemy is vigilant, and seems to comprehend our move- ments. He, too, is up at the dawn of morning, and is preparing to give us warm work. That dark, dense belt of woods conceals him from our view; but he has strengthened his picket line during the night, and our scouts tells us he has brought a strong force into these woods, and has several batteries of artillery just above. General Franklin, with Captain Philip and two other members of his staff, ride to the front and examine the position. About eiglit o'clock the enemy appears in force, advances in line of battle. Then two bat- teries of liis artillery open and pour in a terrible fire. They seem to have got the range of our position exactly, and the shells explode along our line with great rapidity, doing considerable damage. This is followed by a very rapid and withering musketry fire, which soon extends all along the front of the Sixth Corps. Our infantry return the fire handsomely and hold their ground firmly. Then three batteries of our artillery open with a terrible crash, the shot and shell tearing through the woods and making sad havoc in the enemy's ranks. For an hour or more the battle rages fiercely on Smith's front, artillery horses are being killed in great numbers, and the gunners are l-roiiglit in dead and wounded. But the enemy is re- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 551 pulsed, and falls back to cover. He only intends this demonstration as a disguise. There was more fury in what he did than force to sustain it. We continue throwing shells into the woods, but the enemy's fire has slackened, and is now weak and desultory. A little after twelve o'clock we are startled by the deep booming of artillery, and rapid voUies of mus- ketry on the nortli bank of the river, in the vicinity of Mechanicsville. This tells us that Porter is engaged with the enemy, whose real intentions are now de- veloped. The sound of the artillery becomes louder, and louder, and the roll of musketry almost incessant. Now it ceases for half an hour, then begins again, and increases in violence. There is considerable commotion about General McClellan's headquarters. The telegraph brings reports, and staff oflGicers gallop off across the the river. Generals are seen hastening to general headquarters. But while tliey keep their thoughts to themselves, the wildest of rumors are circulating from camp to camp. The one most believed represents that Jackson has appeared in front of Mechanicsville, and finding it held by only one regiment of Pennsylva- nia troops and a small force of cavalry, has made pris- oners of them all, and is now driving the reserves across Beaver Dam creek. But it is not Jackson. He has his part, and will play it in tlie terrible drama that is to be enacted to-morrow. In the meantime the enemy is resolved to keep up appearances in front of the Sixth Corps. He has taken np a new position, and liis batteries have got an enfilading fire on a por- tion of our line, giving us warm work a great portion of the afternoon. 552 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. Let us go over now to the north side of the river, and see what is being done at Mechanicsville. The enemy has crossed in two columns, one at Meadow bridge, the other just below, and advances under Hill, Longstreet, and some say Ripley. Our pickets have been driven in from Shady Grove, and the Confederate force presses forward boldly and defiantly until it gains the open, rolling ground just north of Mechanics- ville. At three o'clock there is sharp skirmishing, but tlie little force holding the position is soon com- pelled to give way, and fall back in the direction of Beaver Dam creek, on the upper road. The enemy's line presents an imposing appearance, with his right resting well down towards Mechanicsville bridge, and stretching back for a distance of two miles. His ban- ners are flaunting, his drums beating, his arms flash and gleam in the sun's rays, and his cavalry and ar- tillery add their force to the grand display. He has shown us his hand now, and already there are indica- tions that he intends to cross a still heavier force at the same point. We see groups of officers on the opposite hills, some mounted, others afoot, watching intently the movements on this side. Now there is a short cavalry skirmish, and a number of our troopers, in falling back, have got into tlie bog of Beaver Dam creek, and find great difficulty in extricating themselves. Stoneman's "flying column'"' of troopers, instead of finding out something about the enemy, has been quietly enjoying the shade of a pine grove for the past two weeks. It now finds itself cut off and almost helpless; and in order to escape Jack- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 553 son falls back on the White House, and makes good time in reaching it. The enemy has halted at three o^clock, and is seen reforming his line, and making preparations for a forward movement. His fire, however, has not ceased, for he still keeps throwing shells into our line. A mile or so east of Mechanics ville is Beaver Dam creek, an insignificant little stream, with a soft, spongy- bottom, and steep, broken banks, making it exceed- ingly difficult to cross cither artillery or cavalry except at the roads. There are two of these roads leading from Mechanicsville east, the upper and the lower, and about a mile apart. On reaching the creek the lower one winds down a steep hill, turns suddenly to the south, runs for a few rods along the base of the hill, and again turns suddenly to the east, crossing the bridge at Ellison's mill, above which there is a dam and pond, extending some distance up into a meadow. The east or left bank of the creek is high and ridgy ground, much of it covered with oak forest, and form- ing a remarkably strong position. We have formed our line here, and command the only approaches open to the enemy. Seymour, with his brigade, is well down on the left, and holds the bridge at Ellison's mill, as well as the low ground near the Chickahominy. Reynolds is on the right, just above, and holds the upper road. General McClcllan is very anxious about our right flank, which is o))cn and exposed. And this anxiety is increased by the fact tliat Jackson is somewhere within striking distance. It is a little past three 554 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. o'clock now, and the enemy moyes forward with a bold and defiant air, his batteries opening with a terrible crash. Then he hurls his strength against Reynolds, who repels his onsets with admirable effect. Again and again he hurls his force against Reynolds and Seymour, and is repulsed with heavy loss. This only seems to increase his determination to take their posi- tions, no matter at what sacrifice of life. But the strength of our position is developing itself, and gives us material advantages. For three hours the enemy concentrates his force against these two points, fights with desperate valor, but fails to drive us from our position or silence our guns. Meade, Martindale, and Griffin, with their brigades, are ordered up on the right, near Shady Grove, and in line, ready to support Rey- nolds. The battle ceases as the sun sets, the enemy falls back, but is still in sight, and the shadows of evening are playing mysteriousl}'' over the field. The enemy has not remained inactive on the south side of the river. He has got his batteries into a new position in front of Smith, and during the afternoon opens with a terrible enfilading fire on his line. The shell and round shot fell all around us, with fatal ef- fect, exploding and tearing up the ground, and giving it the appearance of a ploughed field. General Smith likes to get his headquarters as near the front as possible. It used to be said of him that he wanted to see his pickets. The enemy's shell now fell faster and exploded with more violence than was consistent with safety, compelling him to withdraw and seek a less dangerous position. Hancock, too, becomes engaged THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 555 with the enemy, and after a sharp infantry fire repulses him handsomely. And yet all this demonstrating on the south side of the river is merely to keep us from sending reinforcements to the north bank. At ten o'clock the stars are out, and shining brightly, and a mysterious stillness prevails. Now and then a staff ofiicer or an orderly gallops up the hill to head- quarters, and then disappears in a different direction. The telegraph is flashing messages backward and for- ward between Generals Fitz John Porter and McClel- lan. Tlien the dull, clucking sound of heavy wagons breaks the stillness, and a long dark train is seen coming cautiously over Alexandria bridge, then wind- ing, in a shadowy line, up the hill and past Trent's house. They are Porter's wagon trains, and their movement to this side of the river, at this hour of the night, tells us but too plainly what we must look for to-morrow. There, too, comes the heavy siege train, moving slowly and cautiously over, and disappearing beyond the hill. It is Friday morning, the 27 th of June. Officers, es- pecially those about headquarters, have had little sleep during the night, and at two and a half o'clock the enemy disturbs our whole line, and causes a rush to arms, by opening a terrific fire just to the left of Franklin's position. Then he extends his fire to General Smith's front, making a final attack with infantry and artillery, which is handsomely repulsed by Hancock and David- son. General Franklin has received orders to hold what force he can spare ready to send to Porter's as- sistance when needed. General Slocum, with his division, is moved down to the right, near the Chicka- 556 THE STORY OP A TROOPER. hominy, and holds Duane's bridge, ready to move on the receipt of orders. We must now go over to the other side of the river and see what Porter is doing. We are on the defen- sive now, and having decided to change our base of supplies to the James river, the thoughts of General McClellan are centered on the best mode of eflfectino: his purpose. We have evacuated that strong position at Beaver Dam creek ; and an hour before daylight on the morning of the 27th finds us falling cautiously back to a position on rolling ground near Gaines's liouse, where we can eover the bridges while holding the enemy in check. Our left rests in a clump of woods, at right angles with and near the Chickahominy, just above Duane's bridge, facing north; from thence it continues across the meadow, and up over the rolling and wooded ground, the right resting near New Cold Harbor, or Gaines's Mill, and forming tlie arc of a circle. The distance is nearly three miles. The fol- lowing is the disposition of our troops. Butterfield's brigade is on our extreme left, well down in tlie meadow. Martindale's brigade is on its right, and on the slojjing ground. Then Griffin's brigade, on the right of Mar- tindale, and on tlie high ground near Gaines's house. These three brigades compose Morrell's division. Each brigade has two regiments in reserve. Sykes's divi- sion of regulars joins the right of Morrell, and stretches away in a curve, through the thick woods, until its right rests where T have before described. But where is Mc- Call's division of Pennsylvania Reserves ? It is hold- ing a second Line about a mile in the rear, covcrii!<> THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 657 Alexander's bridge. Eight companies of Rush's Lan- cers (6th Pennsylvania) are posted still further in the rear, with five companies of the 5th and four of the 1st Regulars, under Philip St. George Cook— all drawn up in line, and ready to support and protect the left flank. Their fluttering pennons, their guidons, their bright sabres and lances, give an additional charm to the martial spirit of the picture. Two companies of the Lincoln cnvalry are posted alons^ the roads leading to tlie bridges, to check straggling, which is fast be- coming an intolerable vice with our army. But that which has tlie most formidable appearance in the line is the artillery, an arm we depend on most, whicli is posted in the intervals between the brigades, and where it can sweep the ground in front. Some of our engineers say the artillery along the line was not well posted, and that Porter has not studied the ground carefully, although he has been on it more than a month. It was a grand and imposing sight to see this little army of scarce thirty thousand men thus drawn up in line of battle amidst these picturesque scenes, and cahnly await the approach of an enemy, their equal at least in courage, and double their number. The enemy has crossed two more columns near Me- chanicsville, and at eleven o'clock may be seen massing his forces in three lines across the meadow. Now tills force advances, horse, foot, and artillery, with dru'.us beating, bugles sounding, and banners flying, and sending up a cloud of dust that fills and darkens the air. It joins the force thai crossed yesterday, 558 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. which now deploys to the left, and is seen moving through the woods towards our right, and tlien de^ bouches into the open ground. It is twenty minutes past twelve now. The weather is excessively hot; there is scarcely a cloud in the sky, nor breeze enough to lift the banners. The clouds of dust that roll up all along our front, added to the noise of artillery and the tramp of horsemen, tell us that the enemy is ad- vancing to the attack. Now we see the top of his banners over the hill in front of our centre, then sud- denly he appears full in view, fifty thousand strong at least, and comes sweeping forward with a force that seems irresistible. The main points of the two armies are now within half a mile of each other, and a fire so terrible that it makes the very ground tremble opens all along the line. For three hours the enemy makes liis strongest effort against our left and centre. He knows that if he can pierce our centre he can throw us into confusion and put us to flight. If he can crush our left and drive us from the belt of woods in that meadow, he will have cut us off from the upper bridges. The slaughter at these points is sad to contemplate. The enemy's batteries have literall}^ rained sliot, sliell, and case into our ranks, and our men have fallen like grass before the mower's scythe. Still we have re- pulsed all his charges up to two o'clock, and our gun- ners have stood to their guns and served them with a rapidity hitherto unknown, yielding them up only when they were nearly all cut down. Captain Robert- son, with his battery of horse artillery posted on the extreme left, has four times driven the enemy back THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 559 with grape and cannister when it seemed as if no ef- fort of ours could save the line. The 5th New York, (Duryea Zouaves,) too, have fought witli desperate valor, and several times saved the line. The reserves have nearly all been brought up, and are engaged at various points, but without seeuiing to add much to the force of our resistance. There is a limit to human endur- ance ; and our troops are beginning to show it. It is clear that the enemy not only outnumbers us, but that we are being outgeneraled. General Porter either does not understand the true condition of his own line or comprehend what the enemy intends to do. Reinforcements are needed and called for to strengthen our left, wliich the enemy is making the most desper- ate efforts to crush, and wliich we must hold, or all is lost ; but tliey are called for in vain. One member of General Porter's staff seems to consider it quite as much a part of his duty to direct the battle, and give orders tliat conflict witli those of liis superior, as to carry out such as are entrusted to him. Our shattered lines now begin to waver and fall back ; and General Porter finds that liis position is so critical as to need reinforcements from the south side of the river. Our men, too, liave lost confidence in the head that is directing llieir movements, for the American soldier is quick to discover tlie faults of his general. They are falling out and straggling in great numbers. The roads to tlie bridges are iilled with the slightly wounded and stragglers, who are making the best of their way to tlie other side of the river, where they circulate the most exciting rumors of our defeat, of 560 THfi STORY OF A TROOPER. the number slain, and the guns we have lost. There is no panic ; but there is something that comes very near it. No efforts of the Lincoln cavalry can stop these stragglers. An officer of that regiment, speak- ing of it, said : "When I attempted to stop a crowd of them with my men, they turned upon me with the question, ' What was the good of staying? Our ammunition was all out, and we had no bayonets.' " It was a question whether they had honorably exhaus- ted their ammunition. They had thrown away their bayonets as an excuse for deliberately walking away from the field. Let us for a few minutes leave the battle here, pro- gressing in all its fury, and pass to the south side of the river to see what is going on there. There has been a wonderful change since morning. Slocum's division has been in position near Duane's bridge all the morning; he is now ordered to move down to Alex- ander's, and hold it at all hazards, until further orders. Slocum was impatient to cross over early in the morn- ing before the sun's rays were hottest, and many of our officers expressed surprise at seeing him held back so long. It is about one o'clock when he falls back to Alexander's bridore and halts. General McClellan and the most of his staff have gone over to Porter, and Franklin is in command at head- quarters, and stands watching anxiously by the tele- graph. For two hours a terrible cannonading has been going on all along Smith's and a part of Sumner's front, and our killed and wounded are being brought in in great numbers. In short, the enemy gets an enfilading fire THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 561 on our lines, and the shot and shell are thrown among Smith's troops with such rapidity, and explode with such terrible effect, that an officer wlio was in the thickest of it said the explosions reminded him of huge fire crackers on Boston Common, on the Fourth of July. He liad been at the battles of Bull Run, Williamsburg, and West Point, but never before had he seen so hot a fire. And yet as the enemy did not discover himself in force, but remained most of the time in cover, I am in- clined to believe that there was more fury than power to sustain it in these demonstrations against our posi- tion on the south bank of the river. Our batteries did not seem to get the direct range of theirs, or if they did, the effect on their fire was not felt. Leaving Captain Philip at the telegraph. General Franklin goes to the front, and, exposed to the hottest of the fire, directs the working of our batteries. While there, a number of messages are received at headquarters re- questing reinforcements for Porter. Franklin is ex- pected back every minute, but does not come. A mes- sage now arrives stating that affairs are in a critical condition, and requesting that Slocum's division be sent immediately to the support of Porter. Captain Pliilip hastens to Franklin with this message, and finds him still directing the fire of our batteries, and the enemy's shells falling thick all around him. Both gal- lop back to headquarters as quick as possible, and in another minute the captain is carrying an order to Slocum to move. It is 2.40 P. M., now, and Slocum moves at a double- ts 562 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. quick, and is on the field and ready to engage tlie enemy at three o'clock and twenty minutes. He found the bridge filled with stragglers, and had to force his way through them. He found the enemy making his fiercest attacks on our left and centre, where our dead lay in long, ghastly lines, attesting the heroism witli \vhich our small force had held these points, and which now needed supports most. He found the left and cen- tre shattered and wavering; some of the batteries had exhausted their ammunition; others were making a last struggle to save their guns ; the men were giving out from sheer exliaustion, and it needed no better proof than the terrible slaughter made in our ranks that our generalship had been at fault, to use no harsher term. Instead of bringing this fine division then to the front, and forming a new line of battle at the points where we were pressed most, and which it was impor- tant for us to hold, and where the troops composing it would fight under an officer tliey knew, respected, and had confidence in, it was divided up into fragments, and sent to various parts of the line, and where, in truth, it was of little use, if we except being needlessly exposed and slaughtered by the enemy. Regiments are sent to the right on the double-quick, and then ordered back to the left, which they reach to find that it has been driven back by force of numbers and an enfilading fire, for the enemy has brought his guns to bear upon it from the opposite side of the river. Colonel Howland, with the 16th New York, their white straw hats answering for targets, is sent across the front over an open field, close to and exposed to the enemy's hottest fire. The colonel THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 663 IS severely wounded, and the regiment is nearly cut to pieces. The sight sickens tliosc who see it, and officers ask each other what military genius it was who ordered such a movement. The Jersey brigade, v*^hich Kearney was so proud of, is sent to the right, and pushed into a dense wood, where, in little more than an hour, it is nearly all captured or destroyed. There is nothing for Slocum to do but look on — a silent spectator of the blunders that are sending his fine division to quick destruction. He knows it is folly to attempt to patcli up and give strength to a weak and shattered line by scattering a division of fresh troops along its whole length, especially when the troops that have been figliting for four hours have lost confidence in the head that is directing their movements. His command has been taken away from him, and he sickens at the sight of what he is powerless to improve. It is twenty minutes past four o'clock now, and still the unequal contest rages all along the line. Sykes, with the regulars, has been doing some desperate fight- ing on tlie riglitj.and has repulsed several attempts of the enemy to turn his position. Bat his troops arc becoming exhausted and overcome with the heat, and lie has had to yield some ground. A terrible can- nonading now breaks forth in tliat direction, as if some new and more determined impulse had been given to the battle. It is the thunder of Stonewall Jackson's artillery that we hear. That adroit flanker has swept down by the Old Church road, and has opened v/Jth terrible force on our riglit, which is not strong enouuii to resist him, and falls bnck, to save oui' rear. 564 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. The fortunes of the day are now in his hands, and it is certain tliat he will wield his power to the best advan- tage. The news of Jackson's arrival, and the rumor that he had outflanked us, ran along our line, and had a depressing eifect on the troops. Straggling increased three-fold, and officers began to lose all influence over their men. Slocum's division had given no visible strength to the line, which again staggers and reels, and makes but a feeble resistance to the fierce and powerful onsets the enemy is making to cut us off from the bridges on the left, and double up our right. In front of that belt of woods in the meadow, the bodies of the dead lay in lines. Porter again calls for reinforce- ments, and reports his condition as critical in the ex- treme. Meagher's Irish brigade, with French's, of Sumner's corps, are ordered to move over with all speed. An hour passes, and they have not made their appearance. The bridge over which they must pass is blocked with stragglers, and an ambulance train, with the wounded, is winding its slow way over another. In the mean- time our loft has again been pressed back ; we have lost tlie piece of woods we struggled for with such tenacity, and the confusion and excitement resulting from it is extending to the centre. And to add to this coiilusion and excitement, some military genius, with more reck- lessness than judgment, and with the mistaken belief that a mere handful of cavalry can force the enemy back, when our artillery and infantry have failed, orders a charge with five companies of the 5th Regu- lars. Both odi'jcrs and men go to their work bravely THE STOr.Y OF A TROOPER. 665 enough, and it is a tlirillinp: sight to see these gallant men draw their sabres, and dash into those lines of steel. But it is like sending men to certain death. The offi- cers are nearly all killed ; the men are cut down by the score ; riderless horses rush wildly tlirough the lines, and the shattered remnant that returns to us only tram- ples down our own men, and increases the disorder already begun. The whole line soon falls back in some disorder to a high ridge about three-quarters of a mile in the rear, which overlooks Alexander's bridge, and where, by the extraordinary exertions of officers, the troops are got to form a new line in a stronger position. The enemy does not seem to grasp the advantages he lias gained, and pauses for some purpose for several minutes. The air is thick with dust and smoke, which rises in clouds above the battle-field, and almost ob- scures the enemy's line on our centre and left. But Jackson's artillery is still thundering on our right, telling us that there the battle is still raging in all its fury ; that our hope of checking him is slender indeed. We have lost upwards of twenty guns, and the ground is strewn with small arms, clothing, and indeed every- thinc: our soldiers find to be an encumbrance. We have also left the enemy all our dead, and the greater part of our severely wounded. It is seven o'clock now. The deep red sun is kissing the hills and tree tops in the West, the heavens are overspread with crimson light, and lurid shadows are playing over the battle-field, now giving a strange and weird effect to the enemy's lino, t!icn lio-htini; uj) and ^Q^ THE STORY OF A TROOPER. giving a clearer outline to tlie features of the dead and the wreck of tlie field. Again the enemy pushes througli the meadow and up the hill, and the battle is renewed. Officers turn instinctively, and cast ominous glances over that long log-way leading to Alexander's bridge, and impatiently ask, "Where are the reinforcements?" If they arc not here soon, all is lost. But listen. There is great shouting and cheering over there. They are coming at last. The head of the column is full in sight, coming at a double quick, pushing the stragglers aside as it sweeps along, and making the very woods resound with cheers. There is French and Meagher, both at the head of their brigades, the latter in his shirt sleeves, calling to his men and encouraging them to hasten forward. We all know how the Irish brigade will fight ; we all know what splendid fight- ing French did with his brigade at Fair Oaks. The sight of these two brigades, sweeping up the slope, their cheers and shouts, and the cheerfulness witli which they advanced to the front, form line of battle, and engage the enemy, revives tlie drooping spirits of the exhausted troops, re-animates them, and gives them new courage. Men who have thrown away tlieir guns and resolved to march from the field pick u]) others, and fall in, ready to renew the fight. This cheering and shouting takes the enemy by surprise, lie sees that our line has found new energy ; and he knows that we have been reinforced, but not to what extent. He hesitates; then advances with a degree of caution uncommon with him. When he has got to where we can i;ln-o t read the faces of hii men Lc dc- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 567 livers a heavy infantry fire; then makes several de- monstrations against our centre and left. He is re- pulsed each time with heavy loss. The sun goes down ; night closes on the scene now, and the clash of arms ceases. The ruddy glare has gone from the dread scene of battle, and dusky shadows are struggling with the veil of smoke that hangs like a funeral pall overhead, giving a dim and misty outline to the configuration of the two armies. The fight had been an unequal one; we had been badly beaten; and no sophistry could change the fact that much of our trouble was the result of bad generalship. I have seen no correct estimate of our loss during this battle. That it was very heavy, and that there was needless slaughter during the day, will not be denied. If it were necessary to fight this battle in order to gain time for our retreat to the James, was it the part of wis- dom to keep the 5th corps, composed of two divisions, and McCall's division of Pennsylvania Reserves, (never very reliable troops,) fighting four hours against double their numbers and in a weak position, while Slocum's division of the finest troops in the army remained idle at Alexander's bridge, within call? Was it necessary first to exhaust our small force on the east bank of the Chickahominy, and then to call for reinforcements from the south? Was it the part of wisdom to wait until our lines were shattered and wavering, and our troops were discouraged at the incapacity of their officers, be- fore calling for reinforcements? The enemy showed us his hand plainly enough in the morning, and it was our dut}" to have made better preparation to meet him. 568 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. The lives of so many human beings placed in the hands of one man constitutes so sacred, so awful a trust, that the severest penalty should be meted out to him who trifles with it. It was indeed a sad, a sickening sight to see returning that niglit the mere wreck of what in the morning was one of the finest and fullest divisions in the army. I refer to the return of Slocum's division. So badly had it been exposed and cut up, that in the space of an hour and a half from the time it came on the field it lost six colonels, three lieutenant colonels, five majors, an unprecedented number of line officers, and nearly 3,000 men. That splendid Jersey Brigade, which went out in the mornins; over three thousand strong, returned with a few over eleven hundred. When every fact in the history of this fierce battle is written, and written without fear or favor, there will be a sad summing up for some one to answer for. On crossing the river after dark, the face of the hill on which General McClellan's headquarters stood presented a scene painful to contemplate. The wound- ed from the battle-field, to the number of several thousand, had been brought over and laid in rows on the ground, so thick that it was with difficulty you could pick your way through them. Guards were placed over them, and although very many were suf- fering from the severest of wounds, and but little care could be given to them, scarcely a murmur or com- ])laint was heard. Now and then one, in seeing a pas- ser by, would raise his head, and inquire how tlie battle had resulted. Another would request him to tell somebody to brinii,- Www a diink of water. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 569 General McClellan's lieadqiiartcr Iciits were all struck, and tlie crcnoral was lavins: down under a booth iiiade of the branches of trees, worn out with ftitigue, for lie ha«l not slept for forty-eight hours, and liad been al- most constantly in the saddle. Generals Franklin, Porter, Sumner, and Ilcintzelnian soon joined him, and remained in consultation until nearly eleven o'clock. Tiio order of falling back to the James river was then decided on, and the corps commanders proceeded to carry out their instructions. About tliree o'clock on the morning of the 28th Keyes's trains were set in motion, lieaded down the main road across White Oak Swamp, wliich Colonel Woodbury and his engineers had been sent to put and keep in order. And then be- gan what was called the dead march of the long wagon train. The work of silently withdrawing the troops from tlicir position near Gaines's house went on during the night, and between five and six o'clock on the morning of tlie 28th, the rear guard, composed of Sykes's regu- lars, Dassed over and destroved the bi-idge. The otlicr bridges had already been destroyed. A good part of the night, too, was spent getting the stragglers to their regiments, and re-establishing the organization of such otliers as had been shattered and broken during tlic battle. The enemy did not seem to understand the drift of our movements, and remained comparatively inactive on the cast side of the river until long after daylight, notwithstanding his pickets must have seen our rear- iiuard withdraw across t!ie bridge. Some of our olH- 9/-,::- 570 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. cers tliouglit lie mistook these troops for a regiment, or two we were merely sending across the river, wlille our main army intended to retreat by a circuitous route to the White House. Others were of opinion that he had mistaken the number and intention of t!ie reinforcements that came up on tlie previous evening-, and expected us to renew the battle in the morning on different ground. Very likely the latter was the more correct version, for early on the morning of tlie *2Sth (Saturday) a heavy column of the enemy's troops was seen moving down the hill, past Garnett's house, and crossinor over to the east ijank of the river. Smitlrs o attention was called to the movement of this cohunn, and the suggestion made that we open upon it witli our artillery. " Not a gun! " returned Smith; " they are going just where we want to get them. When they lind out what our movement is, they will want to got back." They crossed, moved on down the meadow un- molested, and soon came in front of the bridges. Slocum had taken position near a clump of woods at Alexander's bridge, on the extreme right, and Smith liad formed line at some distance on his left, the re- serve artillery holding a strong position between and a little in the rear of the two divisions, and where it could sweep the bridges. In th.is w^ay the whole Sixth corps faced nearly east, forming a curve round the slope of the hill, above which was Trent's house. About 8 o'clock the enemy couid be seen indistinctly throuLch the trees, makinii' attempts to repair and cross two of the bridges. A i^ow well-directed shells put an end to his efforts at that point for the day. About 'J. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 571 o'clock in the morning lie had disturbed the little rest some of our troops attempted to get by opening a sharp infantry fire on our left, which he kept up in a desultory manner for more than an hour. A little after 9 o'clock a vigorous attack, with both infantry and artillery, was made on General Smith's front. They seemed to have got tlie range of our position per- fectly, and for an hour the very air was musical with bullets, and the shell and shot fell in a shower about us. Hancock, with his brigade of fighting Yermonters, was again placed where he could display his skill, and, after some severe fighting, drove the enemy back at the point of the bayonet, with heavy loss, and captured a number of prisoners. The enemy afterwards sent in a flag of truce, asking permission to bury his dead and carry off liis wounded, which was granted. It was the opinion of some of our officers that this permission was used by the enemy to obtain information concerning our position and intentions. An attack was now made against Heintzclman's position, causing that general some excitement, and the loss of not a little temper. Hooker and Kearney, however, v,ere there, and met these attacks handsomely, driving the enemy back every time he altenipted to charge. About 11 o'clock he returned and made another attack on Smith's front, and in this intcriniilcnt manner ke})t us pretty busy for the rest of the day. Franklin remained with Smith', directing the nio\'enieiii of our troops, and watching tiic eneni}'^ until nearly dark. Although the enemy kept up these spasmodic demon- stralions alona' our line on the south bank of the river 572 THE STOllY OF A TROOPER. during the 28tli, it is clear to me that tliey were in- tended o;ily to keep up the appearance of strcngtl) at that point, and were no proof tliathe had a large force ill our front. lie never discovered more tlian two or ilirce regiments of infantry at a time, and it was evi- dent that he moved his ti-oops from one point to another in order to make it appear that he was strong the whole length of liis line. In short, his main army was on the other side of the river, and his attacks on this side, it will be noticed, were made on one or two points at a time. It was now niglit. McClellan has moved his head- quarters to Savage's Station, where a largo number of our wounded liad been carried, where an unnecessary amount of supplies liad accumulated, and were piled up in immense stacks, and whicli was also used as a depot for ammunition. The scene here was of the most confused and indescribable kind. The ground was covered for a considerable distance with wounded men. who had been told that the whole armv wasretreaiino;' : and many of them were in a state of great anxiety at the prospect of being left behind. The very thought of falling into the hands of the enemy seemed to re- vive and put new life into some of them, who were seen to bind up their own wounds with whatever they could get, and move off with the solemn procession of I he sick, the sight of whicli was one of the most touch- ing features of the movement. In addition to the wounded, there was around the Station a perfect mob of teanistei-s and stragglers, of sutlers and camp- iollovvers, blocking up t!ie I'oad- iv.il avenues, increas- THE STOllY OF A TROOPER. 573 ing the excitement, and rendering it exceedingly diffi- cult to force a way to General McClellan's head- quarters. Just after dark, an order came to send all the wag- ons down from Savage's Station to White Oak Swamp; tlicn another, to move Slocum's division by the left, to the station. The night was very dark, and a drizzling rain was falling. Slocnm was laying down in his tent when he received the order, but in less than an hour liis division was moving silently over the hills, and soon disappeared in the dark woods. Later in tlie evening General McClellan sent for General Franklin, who proceeded at once to his headquarters, at Savage's Station, and remained there during tlie night. Smith, with his division, was now all that remained on the extreme right; and as the enemy had got an enfilading fire on his position during the afternoon, he was naturally impatient to know what disposition was to be made of his force. A little after midnight, he sent Captain Philip to Savage's Station, to find Franklin, and ascertain what orders there were for him. The distance was about two miles, over a narrow and very bad road, which ran for some distance through a deep, dark ravine. Here the captain found Mc Call's division laying down in mass in the road an^ woods, and com- pletely blocking up the passage. In truth, the whole division seemed to be enjoying a comfortable nap, and lie pleaded in vain tliat he was a staiF officer, and had important orders for tho commanding general, and must get through. At length, a whizzing noise over- head, as of a shell passing through the woods, was 574 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. heard. Then another, and another. Tliis broniiht the uliole division suddenly to its feet, and created such a scampering of the brave reserves as completely cleared the road, and gave the officer a clear right of way. The captain found General Franklin in General McClellan's tent; and as orders had already been sent to General Smith, he remained there until daylight, when General McCiellan and his staff proceeded to White Oak Swamp, and General Franklin returned to Trent's house, to direct the movements of Smith's division, which, with a division of Sumner's corps, were to cover the retreat of the whole armv. The rear of the long wagon train was just winding over Trent's hill, and one of the siege trains was preparing to fol- low. Smith was in line of battle still, and making: as formidable an appearance as he could. But the enemy had discovered the real intention of our movements now, and was evincing great eagerness to follow us up rapidly. He had not only repaired one of the bridges during the night, and begun to cross troops on our flank, but was demonstrating in heavy force on Sum- ner's, and a portion of Heintzelman's front. The trains were now urged forward as fast as possible, as it was evident we should have to make a stand at Savage's Station. * Our wagons, in a single line, would stretch over a distance of forty miles, a fact from wliich the reader can obtain a correct idea of how much tho movements of the Army of tlie Potomac were impeded, and its fighting capacity reduced. The trains were ordered to take on what subsistence they could at the depot, but very few of the teamsters heeded the order, THE STORY OF A TllOOPER. 575 and very many of them were so anxious to get out of danger, that they proceeded on witli empty trains. Smith began early to withdraw his troops, and had scarcely disappeared beyond Trent's hill when the enemy's advance came in sight, and began throwing shells into his rear. Some of our generals were afraid that the enemy might cross the river at Bottom's bridge, or one of the fords below, and take us in flank and rear. Smith, however, fell back to within a quarter of a mile of the station, and took position on Sumner's right. And here again there was jarring between generals, the result of which might have been very serious, had the enemy understood its true character. Sumner was opposed to the army retreating in this manner, believing that t'lie troops would regard it as an evidence of our weakness, and become demoralized. He was opposed, also, to abandoning the sick and wounded to the mercy of the enem3^ He did not hesitate to say he believed we were yielding too much to our fears, and that some of our officers were setting a bad example to their men in tlieir exhibition of haste to get out of danger. He believed we were strong enough, not only to resist, but to beat the enemy, and that here was the place to stand and decide the great question of strength. These opinions he asserted with an emphasis that amounted to insurbordination; so much so that General McClellan sent one of liis stalY to place him in arrest, and relieve him of his command. General McClellan can tell lis why this was not carried out. I may add, also, that Sumner believed sincerely, that as the enemy had only his moviii;]: shadow on this side of the river, bolwccn 576 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. US and Richmond, and his substance on the otlicr, all that was required even now to give us possession of the city was the outlay of a little boldness and decision on tlie part of the commanding general. He believed that we had the necessary strength in the troops; and to restore confidence and inspire the will, it only needed a proper example from General McClellan himself. Sumner had great confidence in Franklin's clear judgment, and in this instance yielded to his reasoning, which at least saved a great deal of trouble. But between Sumner and Heintzelman there were personal differences, which it were not so easy to reconcile. Both had been ordered to fall back early on the morn- ing of the 29th, about a mile and a half from their old positions, and hold the new line until night, to give time for the trains to get well on the other side of White Oak Swamp. Heintzelman fell back to the point designated, and in some haste. Sumner fell back only to Allen's farm, an open field between Savage's and Orchard Stations, where he formed line of battle, and waited until Franklin came up with Smith's division, and connected with his right, Slocum having moved down by tlie left at daylight, and proceeded to relieve Keves, who had been holdinii: the intersection of the roads on the other side of the swamp. There was a piece of thick wood between Sumner's left and Heintzelman's right; and the latter, finding that the former had not fallen back to the precise point designated on the map, and becoming uneasy about his right flank, deliberately withdrew his corps from the field, (without orders,) and proceeded across White THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 577 Oak Swamp, at Brackett's Crossing. The reader cannot fail to see how disastrous such a proceeding might liave proved. It uncovered the two roads leading to Sumner's left ; and the first intimation he had of his real condition was the enemy coming down on it in force over the Williamsburg road. The rapidity with wiiich one of Sumner's divisions changed front, took up a new position, and drove the enemy back, was all that saved him from serious disaster. CHAPTER XLIX. THE BATTLE OF SAVAGE'S STATION— ITS IMPORTANCE. The American soldier is an observing, thinking being. You never can destroy his individuality; you never can make him a mere piece of machinery. He has a rough and homely way of criticising what is going on around liim, but his criticisms are well taken, and tersely ex- pressed. He observes the movements of his general closely, obeys his orders because it is his duty, but respects him only so far as his ability entitles him to respect. You might, perhaps, convince a whole cabinet of ministers that doctors and lawyers were just the men for generals, but an American soldier never. He is sure to put a general officer on his ability, and judge him by that alone. And he is very likely to draw correct inferences from the drift of what he sees around him. Our present position was one naturally calculated to give the widest scope to those qualities. The soldiers who witnessed the terrible disaster to our arms at Gaines's Mill, as it was called, drew correct conclusions as to its cause, and were fixing the responsi- bility where it belonged. And when a rumor began to circulate that we were retreating before a victorious foe, whose worst pa^^sions had been excited n:riii;ist us, 578 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 579 iLej were ready to believe it. As usual in such cases, alarmists were busy everywhere; and their evil reports received fresh color and strength when, in the gray of morning, General McClellan's headquarter wagons moved hastily to the rear, and were soon followed by tlie general and his whole staff. " Why, if we are not beaten and in danger," inquired an officer, " does the commanding general proceed to the rear? He should be here, directing the movements, and by his presence restoring confidence to the troops." " He has gone to tlie rear," replied another, " to do the work of liis engineers; to study the ground and I^repare the way for our safe retreat. We should have known this country weeks ago, and would, liad the general put his cavalry to a good use. But he never seems to know wliat to do with cavalry." "Yes," said a tliird; " but will the troops understand this, and, putting a correct interpretation on it, act accordingly? How are tliey to know wliat the gener- al's intentions are, when lie only confides them to his corps commanders ?" It w^ould be the sheerest folly to charge cowardice as the cause of these movements on the part of General McClellan Those who know him well, know that he is no coward. But lie was discouraged and heart-sick; and what he did liere was an error of judgment, aris- ing from placing too low an estimate on his own strength, and not fully comprehending the precarious condition the enemy was placed in on tlie 28th, when nearly his whole force was on the north side of the river. 580 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. We now needed something to counteract the bad effect of tliese movements, and to restore some degree of conlidence in the troops. And we secured it iu the battle of Savage's Station, thanks to Franklin's skilful handling of the troops. The work of destroying the immense amount of supplies and ammunition tliat had accumulated began early in the day, under the di- rection of Heintzelman, and for several hours presented one of those grand and terrible pictures it is impossible to describe. A train was loaded with ammunition, and, with its engine, sent headlong into the Chicka- liominy, with a roar and crash that made tlie very ground tremble. Then huge columns of black smoke rolled upwards and darkened the air, and the burning piles became enveloped in a sheet of flame that seemed to li'^k the very clouds. Then shells began to burst, and explosion succeeded explosion, until the whole as- snmed the appearance of some great volcano vomiting its liquid fire. Wliile some men were enQ:a2:ed in knocking in the heads of whisky barrels, others wore drinking the running liquid from little pools. The enemy read in this grand and terrible picture what our intentions were, and made haste to take advanta,2:e of them. Our line was composed of Smith's, Richard- son's, and Seds-wick's divisions, the first formino: the rio;ht and the last the left. About 9 o'clock the enemy appeared in some force on the Williamsburg road, and made an attack on Sedgwick's left with infantry and artillery, which was handsomely repulsed, our men re- covering their courage after a little, and displaying great steadiness. Tl)e contest here lasted for aljout an THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 581 hour, wlicn the enemy, evidently satisfied that he had mistaken our strength, withdrew. About 11 o'clock he made a more determined attack on Richardson's front, expending his force chiefly on a position held by General Brooks, wlio fought with great gallantry, re- pulsing several attempts to force him from his position. Although the enemy made these demonstrations with great boldness and display, several of our officers be- lieved he was merely keeping up appearances, and had no strong force at hand to sustain him. A number of his officers, captured by us afterwards, confirmed this belief, by assuring us that the only troops between us and Richmond at that time were the divisions of Huger and Magruder, neither of them remarkable for discipline. With the exception of some desultory firing, things remained quiet until about 4 o'clock. Sumner had given orders to fall back to the position designated in the morn- ing, and had begun moving by the left to execute it, when the enemy suddenly appeared, advancing rapidly over the Williamsburg road in heavy force. Another force debouched from the woods and appeared in front of Smith. Here was the signal for warm work. Here was the force that had effected a crossing at Alexander's bridge, and followed Smith when he withdrew from Trent's hill. Our column was at once halted, faced about, and moved back to the old position, where a line of battle was rapidly formed. Smith's artillery had a good position, and prepared at once to meet the brunt of the attack. Sumner was in command of the field, but Franklin personally directed the movements; and so skilfully did 582 THE STOHY OF A TROOPER. he liandle the troops, and check-mate every movement the enemy made, that the troops seemed to gain new heart and courage, and for more than four hours our Hue stood unbroken against the enemy's heaviest shocks. The enemy made charge after charge, increasing his force every time, now against our centre, then against our flanks, and with an impetuosity and desperation it seemed almost impossible to resist, and was each time driven back Avith terrible slaugliter. Our artillerymen stood to their guns when at times the enemy seemed determined to charge over them. Never were batteries made to do better execution, or more gallantly de- fended. At times it was found necessary to double shot them to drive the enemy back. The fight con- tinued with great stubbornness until after dark, when the enemy, driven back along the whole line, gave up the contest, and our victory over him was complete. The result of this battle was to dispel the gloom that had settled upon our troops, to give them more confi- dence in themselves, and to convince the enemy that our discipline had not all broken down, and that we were at least in a condition to successfully resist him. During the niglit we quietly and cautiously withdrew from our position, and proceeded to fall back over White Oak Swamp. Our men were exhausted from excessive labor and want of sleep, which many of them had not enjoyed for three days and nights. There is a very general error abroad concerning the condition of White Oak Swamp. The generally ac- cepted idea is that it is one immense, inundated forest, or lagoon, with a deep and dangerous stream in the THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 583 centre, and the passages across it few and very diiBcult. This is erroneous. In very rainy seasons portions of it are inundated, and the stream in its centre assumes some considerable magnitude, and could not be crossed by heavy trains without difficulty. But we have had dry weather for some days, and the terrors of the swamp are more imaginary than real. In fine, the water is at its lowest stage, and, with the exception of the swampy borders of the stream in its centre, the ground is tol- erably dry. The stream is little more than a brook of dark water, moving sluggishly among a thick under- growth of trees, reached by causeways ra3.de of rough logs, and spanned by bridges such as we meet every day on an ordinary country road. Had we understood this swamp better, which we might have done, had our cavalry been properly employed, there would have been no need of crowding our immense trains upon a single crossing, creating such an amount of confusion and excitement, such a block and jam of trains as had never been seen before, and whicli, but for the coolness and courage of a few officers, would have ended in a dis- astrous panic. The confusion of tongues, the disorder of animals, and the wreck of matter, presented at the pas- sage leading to Wliite Oak bridge during the day of the 29th, no pen can describe. For miles around, the woods were blocked witli trains. Quartermasters were fight- ing for the right of way, and with drawn pistols threaten- ing to shoot excited teamsters. Here two or three trains would come togetlier, and in the fight as to wliicli siiould cross first, several teams would bo overturned, a gen- eral smash-up follow, and the whole rear brought to a 584 TDE STORY OF A TROOPER. halt. An ordnance officer, assertino^ that he had orders from General McClellan, would claim the right to pass his wagons before a supply train. Teamsters would get frightened and increase the block by abandoning their teams, and sutlers' wagons were crushed to pieces in the general wreck. The want of a directing head was seen and felt everywhere. Colonel Woodbury and his engineers had done all in their power to facilitate the crossing of trains, and had made sidelings, that doubles might be obtained as often as possible, and thus relieve the pressure. But it seemed beyond the power of man to quiet the excited teamsters, and make them obey orders. The noise of the battle of Savage's Station increased the excitement and confusion, and gave rise to a report that the enemy was advancing in strong force down the Charles City road, intending to cut us off. Towards niglit, however, the block was somewhat relieved, and better order preserved in passing over the trains. Some excuse may be found for these unarmed teamsters when it is known that there were several regiments retreat- ing in the most disorderly manner, the officers setting tlie bad example of being more in haste to get out of danger than their men. There was one regiment, com- posed chiefly of Germans, particularly conspicuous for its bad conduct on this retreat. Nor can I with truth say that the bad conduct of this regiment was an ex- ception to tlie behavior of the German troops of the Army of the Potomac during their seven days of trial. I ouglit, perhaps, to notice here what General Kcyes did on falling back on tiie left. He was enjoined to THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 585 proceed as quietly and cautiously as possible, to watch the Charles City road, and hold the intersections of the roads beyond the Swamp, so as to cover the trains at the main crossing. Quietness and caution were ne- cessary to keep the enemy ignorant of our movements. The general, however, was ambitious of recovering the reputation he had lost at Fair Oaks, and seeing an in- significant force of the enemy on his left, in the direc- tion of the Charles City road, got up an engagement with him, and captured a number of prisoners. And this achievement sent him into such a state of delight that he quite forgot the fact that he had discovered his position, and given the enemy just such information as he was in search of. In short, the general was so much engaged with the few motley prisoners he had captured tliat he could give no attention to the application of an officer of engineers for two hundred axes, needed to fell timber across the roads. Having discovered Gen- eral Keyes's position, the enemy moved a column in that direction during the night — a proceeding that came near proving very serious to Colonel Woodbury and his engineers, working at the crossings. Let us now return to Savage's Station. The forces under Franklin and Sumner began falling back over White Oak Swamp about 11 o'clock, leaving the dead and badly wounded on the ground, in charge of sur- geons detailed to take care of them. So silently and cautiously, and in such good order was this movement made, that the enemy was not aware of it until several hours after it began. General Marcy sent Franklin a guide to conduct him 2G 586 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. l)y a new and circuitous road over the Swamp. The iiiglit was exceedingly dark, and after riding for some lime through dense foliage, and every few minutes plunging into soft mud holes, the guide became bewil- dered, and confessed that he had lost his way. To be lost in the middle of the White Oak Swamp, with an enemy close at your back, with the foliage so thick and tlie night so dark that it was impossible to see any dis- tance, was not a very pleasant condition to be placed in. The poor guide protested his innocence of any de- sign to mislead, and evinced as much alarm as bewil- derment at the predicament he found himself in. Gen- eral Brooks, who had been severely wounded in the leg during the afternoon, joined Franklin and his staff, and, although suffering great pain, kept up with won- derful fortitude during the night. While groping in the forest, the noise of artillery passing over a road to the right was heard. An officer was sent to ascertain whether it was a battery of our own or one of the enemy's. It turned out to be one of our own. This, says Captain Philip, gave us the direc- tion of the road, and after gaining it and passing the column, we proceeded to the White Oak Swamp bridge, reaching General McClellan's headquarters, near a comfortable-looking farm-house just beyond, a little be- fore daylight. We were all wet to the skin, the tents were all full, and our only chance of getting a little rest and sleep was by laying down on the damp ground under the trees. More fortunate than the rest, I found Col. Astor, and engaged his chair for a nap. But it was only for a few minutes; General Franklin ordered me THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 587 to proceed down tlie road and see what liad become of General Sinith and his division. Colonel Astor joined nie, and we proceeded down the road to the bridge, and found Generals Smith and Hancock, and a number of their staff officers, laying down on the ground under an apple tree, apparently worn out with fatigue. Their troops were halted in the edge of the woods, and many of tlie men had given out from sheer exhaustion, had dropped down, and were fast asleep on the wet ground. One of the most striking features of this retreat was the cheerfulness with which the Union soldiers bore up under the fatigue of the severe labor exacted of them. Hunger was now adding its terrors to the want of sleep and rest. The supply trains were out of reach, and many of the men, especially of Smith's and Richard- son's divisions, found themselves with empty haver- sacks. Some of them had subsisted for two days on little else than hard bread, and even that was fast giving out. In fine, "McClellan pies," as the soldiers called their liard bread, came to be a luxury, and the man who had an extra supply would generously share it with his less fortunate comrades. It came to be a common thing to see cavalrymen go to sleep and fall from their horses; to see cannoniers fast asleep on their guns; and to see men of the infantry in a state of apparent stupor while standing in the ranks. And yet these worn out and exliausted men, after an hour of rest and sleep, would wake up, appa- rently refreshed, and exhibitaclieerfulnessand readiness to again fight for their country's cause tiiat surprised and excited the admiration of tliose wlio witnesi^ed it. 588 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. "I found," says Captain Philip, again, "that Smith and Hancock had just arrived. I delivered the order directing General Smith to get his troops together, form line of battle, and be prepared to defend this, the most important position of the whole line, and stand between our army and the advancing enemy. He went immediately to work, bringing up Lis troops, and by 9 o'clock had his line formed.'' A little after daylight, General McClellan, with his staff and headquarters wagons, again moved to the rear, and we were left to fight during the day. Our line conformed to the crooked nature of the Swamp, and was so disjointed as to render it difiScult of de- scription in all its parts. It extended from the White Oak Swamp bridge, (our extreme right,) obliquely, to near the James river, where our left was covered by the gunboats. Porter and Keyes were down on the extreme left, and beyond the field on which the battle of White Oak Swamp was fought. Franklin, with liis corps, Richardson's division, and Neglee's brigade, was ordered to hold the position at the main crossing, on the extreme riglit. Slocum's division was sent some distance to the left, and held a position on the Charles City road, opposite Brackctt's ford, so that the terri- l)le battle at the bridge was fought almost entirely by Smith's and Ricliardson's divisions and Necclce's bri- gadc. Still further to the Jeft stood Ileintzclman, with Lvcarney's and Hooker's divisions, ^Ic Call's Pennsyl- vania Reserves being sandwiched in between them, and near an o[)cn field in the vicinity of Glendalc. It was feared that Jacksoii, whose flank movements THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 6S9 were a source of terror to General McClellan, might cross at Long Bridge or Jones's Ford, and come in suddenly in our rear, as lie bad done at Gaines's Mill. To be prepared for such a contingency, General Sum- ner, with Sedgwick's division, was sent early in the morning to Glendale, where his line swung round so as to guard t!ie roads opening on our rear. He was therefore very nearly in the rear of and within sup- porting distance of McCall, about whose troops some of our generals had serious misgivings. The enemy evidently intended that this battle should be a finishing blow to the army of the Potomac. He had concentrated all his force here in front of us. Jef- ferson Davis, with one or two members of his cabinet, WG afterwards learned, was on the field during the day, encouraging the troops by his presence. Jackson, with ill his force, had come up, having followed Franklin lown through the Swamp. He was now, for the first time, confronted by a general who did not fear liim, and m the skilful liandling of troops was at least his equal, [t was Jackson's business to carry the bridge, and force Franklin from his position, wliich would have secured his object at Glendale without much fighting. It was Franklin's business to hold Jackson at tliis point, and keep him from sending reinforcements to other portions af the line. About 11 o'clock the enemy suddenly appeared in the woods, on the opposite bank, plain in sight, with some forty pieces of artillery trained on us, and stretched along among the trees for a distance of at least a mile. We could distinctly see the gunners busy among 590 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. tlicir batteries, preparing for the work of death. Tlieir infantry yet remained concealed in the rear, covered by the dense foliage. Oar artillery line was formed, and under the command of Ayers, who stood ready to open at the signal. Both armies stood now for some time in silence, as if watching each other, and hesitating as to which should begin tlie work of death first. An open field intervened between the two lines, and on a bit of rising ground near its centre stood the house General McClellan had used for his headquarters. The owner's wife, a smart, talkative woman, with strong southern sympathies, had made herself very uncomfort- able at the presence of so many soldiers about her premises, and had several times remonstrated against the liberties tliey took with her fruit trees. She had also expressed great anxiety as to who was to compen- sate her for the loss of her fences and crop. The Con- federate artillery answered that question, I think, in a ratlier summary mannerj having trained at least two batteries on the house. A little after 12 o'clock they opened along their whole line, with a crash that made the very earth tremble. Such a storm of shot and shell as tlicy hurled into our lines has not been exceeded during the war. The destruction was terrible. The infantry dropped and hugged the ground while it passed, and some of our batteries were struck, but not seriously injured. The house settled to the ground as if it had been cut suddenly from its foundation, and the fruit trees around it were splintered to pieces. The enemy evidently thought General McClellan still occunicd the house. Franklin had left it but a fcv/ THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 591 minutes before, and Smith had hardly time to get away when tlie crash came. A number of orderlies around the house probably led to the error. The battle of White Oak Swamp had now fairly be- gun, and a more fierce artillery fight than was kept up for at least two hours along this point has not occurred during the war. Our batteries replied with great rapid- ity and admirable effect. During the afternoon some of them fired as many as two hundred rounds, and at times it was found necessary to double-shot the guns to defeat the enemy's attempts to force a passage at the bridge. The enemy had evidently his best troops at this point, and made several of the most bold and dar- ing attempts to cross the creek, and with a recklessness of life sad to witness. But eaeh time he was driven back with terrible slaughter. At one time he succeeded in crossing a force below our position, on the right, and so exhausted were our troops, that it began to look as if our power to resist him nmst soon give out. But we drove him back across the creek, cutting down and cap- turing a large number. Here, again, Hancock did some good fighting. Franklin rode continually along the line, closely watcliing every movement, and by his presence inspir- ing the men, who had coiifidence in his ability to handle them properly, and fought with renewed energy where- ever he appeared. In short, he held Jackson as in a vice, and completely destroyed all his desperate at- tempts to gain the object of his ambition. At 2 o'clock the enemy's artillery fire began to slacken; then, one after another, his batteries became silent. At 3 o'clock 592 THL STORl OF A TROOPER the battle was chiefly between the infantry, which kept up an incessant and very destructive fire. Our loss had been very heavy, especially in Richardson's division and Neglee's brigade. Poor Captain Hazzard, after fighting his battery with great gallantry, was mortally wounded. But the enemy's loss was lieavier than ours; and at the points he attempted to force, Ids dead lay in piles. He now moved to the left, and made a fierce attack with artillery on Slocum's front. Two of DeRussy's batteries were brought up to assist Slocum's artillery, and for more than an hour tlie battle raged with great fury. Upton and DeRussy fought their batteries with great skill and gallantry, repelling every attempt of the enemy to force Slocum from his position, although they were made with great boldness and determination. The indomitable courage, the stubbornness and tenacity exhibited on the one side, and the recklessness and dash on the other, afforded excellent standards of the character of the contending forces. While this fierce fight with the artillery was going on in Slocum's front, the enemy was concentrating the infantry of A. P. HilTs and Longstreet's corps for a desperate attack on McCall's position. The enemy had evidently found out where McCall was, and very correctly judged liis position to be the weakest along the line. Various conflicting statements have been made as to the precise time when the attack was made on McCall. An officer of engineers who was near the position at tho time, and whom I have always found correct in regard THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 5^^ to time, says: "The enemy began driving McCairs pickets in at precisely half-past two. At three lie be- gan to feel the position by advancing two regiments, which came forward with great boldness, but were driven back. It was thought he only intended this as a feint to cover some important movement on another part of the line. He then discovered in the edge of the woods what seemed to be a brigade. Still the be- lief was that it was only a feint." At 4 o'clock the enemy's infantry broke from its cover, and advanced under a shower of shot and shell, in such force and with such impetuosity as left no fur- ther doubt of his real intentions. The poor Reserves were not equal to such a shock. The enemy came upon them in overwhelming numbers, and poured into their thin ranks such a well directed and terrible in- fantry fire that they were forced to give way. In vain did Mc Call's batteries hurl their canister, and try to check the charging columns. In vain they cut great gaps through them, and filled them with the enemy'sdead and wounded. The slaughter only seemed to increase his impetuosity; and filling up the gaps with the living, he would charge forward again, and up to the very muzzles of the guns. In vain did McCall plead with his infantry to do their duty, and encourage his artillery to stand by their guns. In one instance, a regiment (the 4th Reserves) that had been sent to support a battery gave way before the advancing enemy, and rushing back on the guns, received and were cut down by the shot intended for the enemy. The Captain who commanded that battery, (Randall,) and who fought it 26^- 594 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. with great gallantry, declared that his supports gave him more trouble than the enemy. To tell the truth, tlie Reserves made but a poor re- sistance, and in a little more than an hour from the time the fight began, were retreating from the field, a disor- ganized mass. The German batteries attached to the division behaved still worse than the infantry, becoming frightened, and leaving the field in the early part of the engagement. McCall and other officers pleaded with them to come back and make a stand, and at length succeeded in getting them near the front. But it was only for a few minutes. Their fears again rose supe- rior to their courage, and they fled ignominiously from the field, leaving sixteen of their guns in the enemy's hands. This made thirty -two the gallant Reserves liad lost in three days. The enemy followed up his ad- vantage step by step, and our condition for a short time began to look gloomy enough. When McCall's line broke up, and the Reserves were swept from their position, the confused mass swung round against Kearney's left, when one of the fiercest and most destructive struggles of this war was kept up for an hour. Captain James Thompson, whose name deserves a prominent place in the history of this battle, wheeled his battery into position, and supported by the 63d Pennsylvania infantry, Colonel Alexander Hays, defended Kearney's left with great gallantry. The enemy would charge upon this battery in solid masses, and with a determination never excelled. Thompson, with his guns double-shotted, would wait until the enemy came within a few rods of his guns, THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 595 when lie would cut them down, and drive them stag- gering back like chaff before the wind. And such was the precision of his aim, that the enemy's dead lay piled in heaps before his guns. The 63d, too, held its posi- tion with great firmness, delivering its vollies with great rapidity, and at last making a gallant charge and driving the enemy back at the point of the bayonet. The courage and gallantry of this regiment was a re- deeming feature in the conduct of Pennsylvania troops during the day. Sedgwick now advanced boldly to the front, and materially assisted in holding the enemy in check along the line McCall had been driven from. Had Kearney's left been turned, and Sedgwick been driven from his position, Franklin would have been cut off, and his com- mand either destroyed or captured. Alarm began to spread, and gloom to settle over everything. So strong were the apprehensions of some of our officers, that they regarded the day as lost. Franklin had called on Sumner, who was at Glendale with Sedgwick, for reinforcements, at a time when it looked as if iiis strength to resist the enemy must give out. Two brigades came promptly; but they were sent back just in time to assist Sedgwick in his struggle. McCall was captured in trying to rally his troops. Hooker, by moving quickly to tlie right, tlirew his division upon the advancing enemy with great effect. The struggle now continued for two liours, and was of the most fierce and sanguinary description. The enemy knew the value of the ground he was thus desperately 596 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. contending for, and he fonglit for it with a recklessness of life only those wlio witnessed it can appreciate. The steadiness of Sedgwick's, Kearney^s, and Hook- er's troops, their quick obedience to orders, and the examples of hei^oism set them by their officers, gave us the ground we had lost, but not a victory. When it was nearly dark, Kearney sent to Slocum for what tliere was left of his old Jersey brigade, wliich came on the field with two pieces of artillery, and took and held a position McCall had been driven from. The fighting had been terrible; our loss had been heavy, but the enemy's was probably three to our one. And we had recovered and held our ground, but gained nothing thafe could be called a victory. Franklin was all this time holding his position on the riglit, at the bridge, watching the enemy, and repul- sing all his attempts to force him from it and get on his flank. About 5 o'clock the enemy appeared in front of Porter, on the extreme left, near Malvern Hill. Warren, who commanded a provisional brigade, was sent to meet him, and after a severe engagement, in which he was materially assisted by the gunboats, re- pulsed him, and captured two of his ^uns and a number of prisoners. The action of the gunboats was a new feature in the struggle, and the destructive ejBfect of their ten-inch shells evidently retarded his move- ments and excited his fears. The fight here, however, grave rise to all sorts of wild rumors, some assortinir that we were cut off from the river, and that as oup supplies were exhausted, and our ammunition nearly so, THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 597 tlie wliole army would be compelled to surrender in the morning. Later in the evening there was a still more serious and damaging rumor spreading along the line, to the effect that General McClellan had abandoned the army, gone on board a gunboat, and had left for Washington. Absurd as this rumor was, it gained belief, and had a serious effect on the troops. Officers were heard to say that a general, to gain victories and be successful, must be present, watch the tide of battle, and know when to take advantage of it. That he must be prepared to take all risks, never " let up '' when he had begun to fight, and to follow up advan- tages until they turned into substantial results. Others argued that an indomitable will was more necessary to a successful general than superior intelligence, which was apt to become oppressed with a i^mcied magnitude of the enemy. The knowledge necessary to dealing successful ly with these objects could not be gained by telegraph, and nature was, after all, the only school that gave a general decision of character and that bold- ness necessary to turning events to his advantage. General Seymour, whose misfortunes in this war have been manifold, came to our tieadquarters in the evening, and reported himself as all there was left of his gallant brigade of Pennsylvania Reserves. Three liorses had been shot under him, for he had fou^^ht bravely, and his vest was pierced with a bullet, lie bore his misfortune with rare contentment, and ev< n cheerfulness, referring to his wandering Reserves with philosophical charity. The public mind has been led into error by the siu.iru- 698 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. larly confused accounts some writers for the news, papers have given of this battle. It is the common be- lief that Nelson's Farm, Glendale, and White Oak Swamp bridge, were distinct and separate battles; whereas they are all included in the battle of White Oak Swamp, the names only designating points along the line where the severest fighting was done. So great was the alarm and excitement caused by the rumors I have referred to above, and so bad their effect on the spirits of the troops, that many sincerely believed we could not fight another day, and must surrender to the enemy, or break up and find our way to Fort Monroe as best we could. I will relate an incident which goes far to give force to this statement. A surgeon connected with a division headquarters re- ported that he was present during the night when a con- sultation was held between four generals, (one the com- mander of a corps,) when the subject of surrendering the army was discussed. He stated that the decision come to was that it was inevitable; that the troops were exhausted from excessive labor and want of sleep, that our supplies were all gone, and being out of ammunition, we could no longer defend ourselves. This strange storj so alarmed an officer of cavalry, to whom the surgeon revealed it, that he drew his command (three companies) up in the morning, and, having stated what he had heard, proposed that they should be the first to surrender, that being the only alternative left. The men, be it said to their credit, were made of better stuff than their officers, and treated the proposal with dc::-ci"ved contcmnt. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 599 It is night now, and wc must return to Franklin's position. The scouts, says Captain Philip, several times reported to us that the enemy was again concen- trating in our front, preparing to make a demonstra- tion in force. Richardson left a single gun bearing on the bridge, and its deep, booming sound echoed through the woods long after the column had passed down the road on its way to the James river. Soon after the column began moving, we received a report that the roads ahead were not only threatened, but that some of them were in possession of the enemy. Our prospect looked gloomy enough. General Smith proposed to make a forced march, and pass down by the Long Bridge road. Our troops could scarcely drag their weary limbs along, and were in no condition to make a forced march. The proposition was scarcely made when a messen- ger came in and reported that the enemy had closed and held the road in that direction. This put an end to Smith's project, and produced the satirical remark that he did not think the enemy would sacrifice his best friend in that way. The pickets were all left at their posts, the dead and wounded (with the exception of Kearney's, who bronglit his wounded off) were left on the field, the soli- tary gun kept up its booming, and we began our solemn, silent march in the darkness. A number of pontoons had been fired by some one, and the bright blaze threw a lurid glare over the strange picture. Silence was enjoined all along the line, and the men spoke only in whispers. Every one seemed to feel deeply impressed 600 THE STORY or A TROOPER. with (lie necessity of keeping the enemy ignorant of our movements. Our advance guard of the Lincoln cavalry proceeded ahead with drawn sabres, to feel the way, and warn us^ of danger. A little after midnight, signal lights wc«o sent up at the head of the column. When we came to a bridge, or a deep ravine, the column would be halted, and scouts sent out to examine the ground, for if the reports we had received early in the evening were true, there was danger of meeting the enemy on some of the cross roads. Atone point the scouts ahead reported a large force moving down upon another road, to the south ol us. The column was at once halted, skirmishers thrown out, and every preparation made to meet an enemy. The force, however, turned out to be Heintzelman's corps, moving down over another road. Our column was put in motion again, and an order was sent ahead to halt the cavalry at a point where the road turned or forked, until the infantry came up. But when tlie in- fantry reached tlie point designated, nothing was to be seen of the cavalry. The column was again halted, and General Franklin sent Captain Philip to see what the difficulty was. " T worked my way," says this officer, " tlirougli the troops, and met an aid of General Hancock on his way to Gen- eral Franklin, with a request that he would come im- mediately to the front of the column. I was about pressing through the 20th regiment, when a noise, wliich turned out to be caused by a runaway horse or mule, was heard coming down the road through the woods, which made the men clear the road in great haste. THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 601 They soon, however, recovered their courage, and be- lieving it to be a charge of the enemy's cavalry, the colonel ordered bayonets fixed, and prepared to resist it. The fact that a regiment liad been stampeded, and a whole division sent into a state of excitement by a runaway horse, caused considerable merriment. It was nearly daylight now, and on passing down to the head of the column, we saw wliat appeared to be a troop or squadron of cavalry, drawn up near the road, on a bit of rising ground. They had their sabres drawn, and seemed ready for action. It turned out, however, that they were a Dutcli company of the Lin- coln cavalry. The balance of tlie squadron (also Dutchmen) had been stampeded by the runaway horse, and were nowhere to be found. The Butch troopers formed here were at a rest, and half of them fast asleep on their horses. We tried to get them to move on, but it was of no use. Then Generals Franklin and Han- cock, and myself, went among them with drawn swords, but our efforts to move them were made in vain. No one could tell us which way the advance guard had gone, and, at the general's request, I rode aliead on the straight road to see if I could discover any cavalry tracks, or learn, if possible, where the had gone to. There was no evidence of cavalry having passed tliat way. I then returned and rode ahead over the other road, which proved to be tlie right one, with Generals Franklin and Hancock. After proceeding about a mile we discovered another body of cavalry, drawn up near a piece of woods, close to the road. This proved to be a part of our advance guard. They were ordered 602 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. aliead at once, and word sent to the infantry to ad- vance. " It was now daylight of the morning of the 1st of July. We now reached and debouched into the broad open field on the east of Malvern hill, where our corps was to encamp and rest. I rode ahead with General Franklin to see General McClellan. We reached his headquarters at broad daylight, and found some of his staff oihccrs taking breakfast, preparatory to engaging in the scenes of the day. On emerging from tlie Gen- eral's tent I met an old friend in Captain John Rogers, of the gunboat Galena, who insisted on my going on board with liim to breakfast. I had not enjoyed a regular meal for five days, and was only too glad to accept his invitation. Colonel Murphy and Captain Jackson joined me, and we had a breakfast that made us feel as if we had got home again, and among friends. The quiet of the ship was such a change from the terrible scenes we liad passed through since leaving Trent's hill, as to produce a strange effect on the feel- ings. After a short time, Generals McClellan and Franklin came on board, and I went ashore. The en- emy had followed us up closel}^ after midnight, and were again reported in force on our front and wings. Some of us had hardly strength enough left to mount our horses. We were ordered out again on the field, and proceeded about two miles from the river, where Generals Slocum and Smith had their head- quarters. Franklin soon joined us, and the troops, scarcely able to drag tlieir weary limbs along, were Boon got into a tolerably strong position. The poor THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 608 fellows came up infinitely better tlian we liad expected they would, and formed in line of battle, and evinced a disposition to again fight for their country, that should make their names memorable. We rode along and ex- amined the line our corps had formed, then took up a position in tlie rear and awaited the attack. It soon came. The enemy made his attack on Porter's fi-ont, and they soon became hotly engaged. Tlien some of our pickets began skirmishing, and we expected every moment to see the Confederate line break from the woods and attack our front." CHAPTER LI. MALVERN HILL. Rain began to fall in the morning, the ground became wet and damp, and the troops had another battle to fight before they could reach their base of supplies and rest with safety. Imagine yourself, reader, travelling in a south-westwardly direction. You have just passed tlirougli a dense forest of flat and wet land, a dozen miles or so in extent. You emerge from that forest into a strip of rolling country, with open fields and clearing, extending irregularly to your right and left, for a dis- tance of five or six miles, the James river being about three miles from you, on the right. About a mile dis- tant, in front of you, there is a rid^^e of high land, cleared on top for nearly a mile back. Its sides are steep from the centre to the right, where it breaks away into a deep, rugged ravine, which extends to the James river. A number of narrow roads wind up over it. Tlie position is one of great natural strength, and, indeed, forms a sort of fortress, and key to our phicc of safety on the river. The east end of the ridge slopes away into a low, wooded countr^^ At 8 o'clock in the morning we had sixty pieces of field artillerv and ten siege guns in position along the 604 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 605 crest of lliis ridge, where tliey could sweep tlie plain below in every direction. The gunboats had taken a position near the Bend, whence they could hurl their liuge ten-inch shells against the enemy's column ad- vancing on our right. Our infantry line was also formed, with Sykes's and Morreirs divisions, of Por- ter's corps, near the river; Coucli's division next; Kearney's and Hooker's divisions, of Ileintzelman's corps, next; Richardson's and Sedgwick's, of Sumner's corps, next; Smith's and Slocum's, of Franklin's corps, forming a curve, and, with the other division of Keyes's corps, extending backward through the low ground nearly to the James river. Porter had one brigade thrown forward over the ravine, into the low ground, near a clump of woods, to check any movement that midit be made on the main road leading from Rich- mond. The Pennsylvania Reserves were kept in a safe position in the rear of Porter and Couch, little being expected of them in the event of a severe struggle. The enemy soon saw the strength of our position, and a little after 9 o'clock began showing himself along the left, from Ileintzelman's position towards the river. He then advanced his artillery, and began shelling and skirmishing, but, finding he could not produce any effect, soon withdrew. About 11 o'clock General Mc- Clellan appeared on the field, and, after examining the line from one end to the other, took a position near Franklin, where he remained most of the day, closely watching every movement. Porter was in command of the field, which gave rise to some ill-feeling among oLlicr general oilicore, who asserted that General Mc- 006 THE STORY OF A TROOPER- Clellan was giving to friendship what belonged to ca- pacity. Our position was such that if the enemy persisted in forcing us to another great struggle, it must be carried on chiefly between artillerj^ It was truly a grand, a glorious sight, to see with what a manly spirit the men of the Army of the Potomac came into line and stood ready to renew the fight with their sanguinary adver- sary. It stood out in bold and striking contrast to the conduct of some of our generals, who were only too ready to find an excuse for their want of courage in acknowledging our army beaten. Not all their weary night-marches; not all their figlits by day; neither hunger nor the discouragement of retreat, had made these men forget that they were patriot soldiers, who were there to fight for the life of the republic. And there was even something grand and imposing in the sight of that army as it stood along the crest of Mal- vern Hill, its batteries trained on the plain below, its infantry resting in line of battle, its banners fluttering, and its drums beating and bands playing. Yes; Mc- Clellan permitted the bands to play and the drums to beat at Malvern Hill, and the cliange was at once per- ceptible in the feelings of the soldiers. It is two o'clock; there has been some desultory firing on the extreme left, near the river; but the enemy has not yet made up his mind where to attack in force. We have just discovered him moving a strong column through the woods towards our right, and Franklin at once makes preparation to meet it. Bat it passes out of si,i2:ht, and we see no more of it. THE STORY OP A TROOPER. C07 At three o'clock the enemy began to develop his force in front of Kearney and Couch. Then he ap- peared in force, and advanced rapidly, until within short range, when he opened a sharp fire with about twenty pieces of artillery. Our batteries replied with excellent effect, and the engagement at once became earnest and desperate. Finding that our guns were too skilfully handled, the enemy advanced a strong column of infantry, that came charging up the sloping ground against the sliowers of canister that were cut- ting down and thinning his ranks, with a gallantry and determination it were impossible not to admire. Our infantry " hugged the ground'' until the charging columns came witliin a few rods of the batteries, when they sprung to their feet and poured such a deadly and well-directed volley into their ranks as sent them back, shattered and broken. Both Couch and Kearney fol- lowed up the enemy with great spirit, and having driven him back nearly half a mile, took up a position in a piece of woods, where they had an excellent cover. The fight had lasted for about an hour, and had been so destructive to the enemy that the ground was strewn with his dead and wounded. The firing now almost entirely ceased all along the line. But the two armies stood facing each other, so close at some points that we could read the faces of the enemy's soldiers. We could also see the enemy bringing up fresh batteries of artillery, and massing them on our left, evidently intending to make his strongest attack on that point. Caldwell, with liis briirade, was sent down to hold a position on Couch's G08 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. right, and every precaution taken to meet tlie move- ment. A few minutes after the enemy opened a terri- ble fire of artillery, extending from Couch's right nearly down to Porter's left. It was one of the most severe and destructive fires he had concentrated upon us during the war, and the shell and round shot came sothick and fast into our lines as to caust some waver- ing and excitement among the advanced infantry. Then his columns of attack rushed from the cover of the woods and came sweeping up over the rolling ground, cheering and shouting in their wildest vein, as if resolved to carry the hill, no matter at what sacrifice of life. Our artillery, double-shotted, hurled their showers of canister against these advancing columns, cut great swaths in his ranks, and literally filled them with his dead and wounded. Still it did not seem to break his determination. Like the wave that breaks ao-ainst the shore and recedes only to come back with renewed strength, the enemy would advance brigade after brigade of fresh troops, and after each repulse he would rush forward again with apparently renewed strength. The enemy's fighting was that of a despair- ing man, making a last desperate struggle for life. The steady and well-directed fire of our artillery, the accu- racy and range of the siege guns, handled by the First Connecticut Artillery, under command of Colonel Tyler, and the rapidity of the vollies the infantry poured into the advancing enemy, sent them staggering back each time — broken, disappointed, and in disorder. The waste of life in these charges was something sad to contemplate. The enemy seemed seized with some THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 609 strange delirium, and, in hurling column after column against our strongest positions, showed but too pain fully the disregard with wliich lie sent his men to certain destruction. At times his columns, braving the storm of shot and shell hurled at tliem, would charge up the hill and to the very muzzles of the guns, where they would be blown away like chaff, and piled up in heaps in the gorges. Our infantry, after the first excitement was over, fought with great gallantry and steadiness. More than once, when it seemed impossible that we could longer resist the enemy's impetuosity, and that we should have to yield some of our batteries, the infantry would advance boldly to the front, deliver a destructive volley, and then charge with the bayonet, capturing flags and prisoners, and driving the enemy's columns back in confusion. For more than an hour the battle raged with great fury and destruction of life. But the enemy failed in all his attempts to carry the hill. Each of his charging columns had been shattered, broken, and driven back, and the open space in front of Couch's and Kearney's batteries were covered witli his dead and wounded. Still his spirit and resolution were not broken, and his courage seemed unconquerable. We, also, had suffered severely, and a number of our regi- ments had been badly cut up and needed replacing with fresh ones. Others had expended tlieir last round of ammunition, and had only the bayonet left for use. Several of tlie batteries, too, liad fired their last shot, and others from the reserve liad to be brought up. Ammunition trains were not to be found, having in some 27 610 THE STORY Of A TROOPEtl. iiistaDces gone to the rear with the wagon trains, and so rapid had been our firing that at one time great un- easiness was felt lest we sliould run out altogetlier. The enemy still kept bringing up fresh troops, and at 7 o'clock began massing an increased force on our cen- tre and left. Sickles, with the Excelsior, and Meagher, with his Irisli brigade, advanced to the relief of such of Porter's troops as had borne the brunt of the fight, and renewed the battle in gallant style. At 7.30 the enemy threw the whole strength of his force against our centre and left, making one of the most determined attacks of the day. For fifteen minutes his columns pressed forward, closing up the gaps made in his ranks at every discharge of our artillery, and again pressing nearly up to the muzzles of the guns. Again our infan- try sprang to their feet, delivered a volley that seem- ed to cut a line in the advancing ranks, following the effect up by a desperate charge of the bayonet. The force of that charge sent the enemy staggering back over the ground he had gained, in confusion and dis- order. But he would recover again, and return to the ^ght with apparently renewed strength. The two armies were still engaged in this terrible struggle when the sun went down, and its mellow rays, as they pla}^d over Malvern hill, the roar of cannon, the explo- sion of shells, the clash of arms, the ghastly features ol the slain, and the heavy cloud of smoke that cast a dim shadow over the scene, told but too painfully how fierce- ly and obstinately they were contending for victory. One was fighting to destroy the republic ; the other was fighting to preserve it. One was fighting for right, jus- THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 611 ticc, and freedom. The other to perpetuate injustice, to violate conscience and reason, to uphold forever one of the greatest crimes mankind had ever been scourged with. Justice and right triumphed; and when darkness came, the cheers and shouts of the Union army attested the victory it had gained. Cheer after cheer went up, shouts of triumph mingled with the peals of cannon and the clash of arms, verberating and reverberating through the woods and along the lines, and closing the terrible tragedy with an halo of inspiration, grand and affecting. At 8i o'clock the enemy had been driven from the field evervwhere, and his lines were in confusion and disorder. Our victory over him was complete, and the news of his defeat reached Richmond at 9 o'clock, when a panic seized upon the people. No sophistry the Confederate authorities could use seemed to cover up the fact that the Confederate army had been badly beaten and suffered heavy loss. The woods were filled with the enemy's shattered and broken columns, which went straggling back into the city on the following morning. General Fitz John Porter had redeemed himself, and by his gallantry on the field, as well as his coolness and skill in handling the troops, completely regained the confidence of his men. The reader does not need to be told here that our strength, if not our fortitude, was exhausted; that we had not the means, however good might have been our dispositioQ, to follow up this victory and grasp the advantage it had opened to us. The excitement of battle gave strength to, and seemed to keep up the 612 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. spirits of our troops, who forgot tlieir own sufferings in their anxiety to sustain their country's cause. And victory made them feel that they were at least tlie enemy's equal in all that constitutes the true soldier. But when the excitement of battle ceased their strength gave way, and hunger and fatigue again returned to assume their sway over human endurance. There was another weary night march to make before the army reached its place of rest and security on the James river, the sight of which was to be to the troops like a promised land. But the feeling of admiration excited by the courage and endurance displayed by our soldiers in battle changed to one of pity, as, in the dark- ness of night, the column began moving by the left and rear, and wended its weary way along over the heavy roads. McClellan had gained the object of his ambition. He had saved the Army of the Potomac, though at heavy cost of life, and not without some disgrace to our arms. And the Army of the Potomac had made for itself a name anions: the armies of the world. It had done even more. It had indicated the power of the free North, and given to the world an illustration of the courage and endurance of Northern troops. xlt midnight we were again in motion, moving from the Bend to Harrison's Landing. General Keyes, with his Corps, and Colonel Averill, with his cavalry, were entrusted with the responsible duty of covering the movement, and both performed it with admirable skill. The latter so disposed his force of cavalry as to completely deceive the enemy, whom he held in check until long after daylight, when he began following us THE STORY OF A TROOPER. 613 up and making feeble attempts to annoy our rear. A drencliing rain set in just after midnight, adding to the discomfiture of the troops, and seriously impeding our march. So exhausted and worn out were the men, that whenever a column halted, numbers of them would drop down, and in another minute be in a sound sleep, from which it seemed almost impossible for their comrades to wake them when the march was resumed. Many of *them, when aroused from their deep slumber, by telling them the enemy was coming, would spring to their feet, and, grasping their muskets, put themselves in an atti- tude of defence. Captain Philip tells of an incident that occurred during this night march which forcibly illustrates the complete exhaustion of our troops. Having been sent down to General McClellan's headquarters for orders, he says: '*I returned about lOJ o'clock, and after con- siderable trouble found General Franklin, who was suffering from a complaint that had seized upon the whole army, under some trees, lying down by a fire. An hour or so after he mounted, and, with several mem- bers of his staff, moved off. On looking for my horse to join him, he w*as not to be found. Here was a di- lemma. After searching for some time I found the ani- mal, and the man asleep holding him. On mounting, I joined what I thought to be the general's escort, fol- lowing him, but wdiich turned out to be a body of cav- alry going the other way, in an opposite direction. Doctor Brown, medical director of the Sixth Corps, joined me in the darkness, under the supposition that I was following the general. As soon as we discovered 614 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. our mistake we turned and proceeded in the opposite direction, and in the course of half an hour fell in with a portion of General Porter's Corps, the rest having passed down. It now commenced raining fearfully, and tlie roads were becoming heavy. The doctor, overcome by hard work and constant watching, fell fast asleep on his horse. I tried in vain to arouse him to consciousness, and was at length obliged to lead his horse off the road, while holding him on. While taking the doctor off, the poor horse listed against a wet tree, and seemed quite as much overcome as his rider." One of the most striking features of this remarkable retreat was the spirit and endurance displayed by the poor animals, which for six days had been compelled to sub- sist on what little grass they could pick during the halts. **A sort of stupor seemed to have come over the doc- tor. He woke up after a little while, apparently re- freshed, and mounting his poor, jaded animal, we pro- ceeded on our journey iu quest of the general. It was very dark, and after passing through a dense wood, about daylight w^e came into a magnificent open coun- try, with fields of waving wheat, ripe for the reaper, extending as far as the eye could reach, with spacious dwellings, surrounded by negro cabins and fine shade trees. We passed on through this new and beautiful country until we came in sight of the James river, the cheering influences of which made one's heart leap for joy. A drenching rain was still falling, and the weary and worn troops, as they debouched into the open fields, trampling down the ripe harvest, was a sight no TliE STORY OF A TROOPER. 615 pen can describe. Trees were souglit as a shelter for oflQcers, who were laying down in groups under them, some enjoying a sound sleep, others satisfying the crav- ings of hunger with a cracker and bit of salt pork. Then a group of wounded, exposed to the pelting storm, were seen dressing their own scars, with a pa- tience and indifference to pain truly remarkable. A few cedars would form shelter for another group of sleepers, while some sleepy negro struggled against the elements to get fire from a few sticks to cook some coffee. Whenever a column or regiment halted, two- thirds of the men would drop down and go fast asleep, regardless of the mud and rain. This continued during the day of the 2d of July and a portion of the 3d, and we had fresh army rations for our banquet on the 4th. "I found the old Corps, after some trouble, and we had a good cup of coffee with Colonel Matheson and Major Lamon, of the 31st New York. We then pro- ceeded to our headquarters, which we found pitched near the river. We were having some fighting with the enemy on our rear, and it was reported that he was ^ advancing rapidly for another attack. A few minutes after I reached headquarters an order came to General Franklin to get the old division (Slocum's) in line and proceed back to our old position, near Herring run, and be prepared to meet the enemy. I proceeded with the order, and found the men lying by regiments on the ground, in the heavy rain, and apparently unable to move their weary limbs. It was, indeed, witli the utmost difficulty that they could be aroused from their position and got into line. It was, however, done at 616 THE STORY OF A TROOPER. last, and it was surprising to see, after a few minutes, Avitli wliat an air of clieerfulness tliey again went out to meet the enemy." He did not come, and it turned out tliat the reports of his adv^ancing in force were unfounded. The division marched back, and remained undisturbed in its place of rest; and with that day ended the fighting of the Army of the Potomac on tlie Peninsula, while under the command of General Mc- Clellan. Oo ■r. ^. -^ :^# % .^ %' ^^^=- -^c,^' ■f V ' .\^^^ cP\ 'S \^ "^. 1 OL T •C- c< -/- i.^"^, ^o 0^' "^o .-n''^^'' ^^^ ^" .^^' •'•; '"oo^ ,^^ ^c.^. './\^.,'^ ->^ -v^ < ■\-^. ^''/•.- ,0^' .V' sX^' ^>- k" l^ ^v lA ^. #,- \ .^' : '^'f' 'OO^ ^,0^ ^ '•'^^"^^^^''. '^. ^^'^ ^^^^ ^.. .' %. ff -^