\ 
 
X 
 
 THE 
 
 WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 RICHMOND: 
 AYRES Sc "WADE 
 1864. 
 
Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 18G4, by 
 
 AYRES & WADE, 
 
 Jn the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Confederate States for the Eastern 
 District of Virginia. 
 

 PREFACE 
 
 The Publishers, with much diffidence, present to the public the first volume 
 of " The War and its Heroes." They would not, however, appear to mag- 
 nify the imperfections of the work by begging the indulgence of its readers. 
 The circumstances under which it is issued at this time are patent to all who 
 have lived in our midst through even the last six months of the great struggle 
 of which it is in part commemorative. That the work is incomplete is a fact 
 which requires no apology, the struggle itself being incomplete. That it docs 
 not appear in the flashing garb of enameled paper, and blue and gold, is an 
 incident which anticipates excuse. The Publishers base their confidence of its 
 kind reception on the merit of accuracy, and they give it to the country as a 
 record in which the reader may find pleasure, and from which the historian may 
 gather information with assurance of its truth. The series will consist of four 
 or more volumes, each of which will be issued in as rapid succession as circum- 
 stances will permit. The engravings have been executed with care and skill, 
 and are takeu from special photographs obtained by the Publishers themselves. 
 The biographical sketches, which accompany them, are made up from official 
 reports and private information from the most reliable sources. The enterprise 
 is one which has long been held in contemplation, and at an early period of last 
 year a revision of data was commenced, with a view to the speedy publication 
 of the work. The interruptions and disappointments consequent upon the state 
 of affairs delayed it however, and its appearance was postponed. Were we to 
 await the consummation of all the arrangements which had been made, the pub- 
 lication would still be delayed for several months, but we prefer to commence 
 with the opening of Spring, and take a fair start with the early birds of the 
 proverbial season of new books, even though it be at the expense of having to 
 appear in a garb less inviting than our own taste would desire. The succeeding 
 volumes will excel the present one in this respect. With this brief explanation 
 we commit the First Volume to the Reader. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 '• The living and the dead arc hac!" We ask ourselves in vain how many 
 of those whose immortality await fruition in the touch of death will have taken 
 their places in the halls of the Eternal ere the concluding volumes of our work 
 are given to the world. Hope, with its golden veil, hides from us all save the 
 smiles of the Future. But we have seen the Past, and are familiar with its 
 characteristics. ^ Our soldiers are brave. That courage which defends, that 
 heroism which dares, that fire of soul which burns a path of fury through a 
 sea of terrors; stand recorded over their unnumbered graves and glisten in the 
 memorial light of their tattered flags. In this llevolution all are heroes. Each 
 leader is not only a representative, but an impersonation. His heart is the heart 
 of the Army. The sympathy is sublime — it is love — it is more than love — it is 
 almost adoration ! That vast and terrible aggregation of armed men which 
 suddenly leaped from the bosom of the South, early in the Spring of 18G1, was 
 no pulseless, cold and mere obedient machine. Its firm and regular tread, as 
 it massed on the bristling borders of the North, or moved in stately columns 
 along the shadowless wastes " down by the sounding sea," was not the step of a 
 " standing army." That monstrous accumulation of human puppets fell to the 
 fortune of the enemy. The animm of independence gathered its propelling 
 force in every breast of the great uprising mass of Southern patriots, and sent 
 them, with resistless momentum, forward, everywhere, to the field of danger. 
 There was no impediment in space — no quiver in the speeding nerve. They 
 shot from point to point like comets, sweeping along the surface of the earth. 
 
 This will be known in the future as the spirit of '61. 
 
 Then came Sumter, and Bethel, and Manassas. The tufted green of patri- 
 archal pines that had peacefully nodded in the winds of eighty summers ; the 
 slopes of velvet verdure on whose cushioned surface had shone for many a year 
 the starry tracks of angels, over which the bee and fairy butterfly swam, in 
 the fragrant, sunny air; the weird and perfumed thicket, and the dell, mossy 
 and shadowy and secluded ; and the innumerable fields of laughing grain ; and 
 the haunted solitudes and romance-breathing streams — threw off their sweet 
 immaculate illusions, and breathed the sulphurous atmosphere of War. Peace, 
 that hung in haloes around the flashing, unencrimsoued bayonets of our hero- 
 legions ; Peace, that whispered in the music of the sea and stayed the crash of 
 the yet impending conflict; Peace, that stole its silvery way along the eve of 
 battle, and smiled, transfigured, in the dawn of victory, fled. A star had fallen, 
 and it was the star of Phage' It fell annng the visions of the past. The 
 summer and the winter rolled away, grim with death ; but bright with triumph 
 
 « 
 
 o 
 
INTRODUCTION. v 
 
 to Southern arms. Then a year of disaster came and red fires lit up the horizon. 
 The lurid gleam shone horrible with visions of dismay, distress and shame, and 
 the pain went home to myriads of Southern hearts. Another year, grand with 
 victories, terrible iu carnage, swept in full-orbed "lory by. We turn from the 
 threshold of the fourth to look back through the vista of fire, and view, amidst 
 its sacred scenery, the features of the dead ! 
 
 Animate iu death, in battle front, gory on breast and cheek and arm, and 
 palled in the smoke of the first Manassas, Bee and Bartow lie. Upon the 
 blooming prairies of Kentucky another- battle " rides upon the storm," and the 
 noble Zollicoefer falls expiring under the very gaze of the exultant foe. Still 
 deeper on the distance of the West, under a storm of lead, brave men, mingling 
 with their allied brothers of the forest, mourn over 3IcCulloch and McImv.se, 
 whose priceless blood the thirsty sod drinks in beneath their feet. At Shiloh 
 a martyr falls. In the mountainous wilds of Northern Virginia, the Amibys, 
 sublime in deeds, almost invulnerable, pour out their life. The young and 
 chivalrous Wise accepts, on the treacherous shores of lionnokc Island, that 
 ''other choice" of heroes — death — and dies iu triumph, though a captive; and 
 the brave and brilliant Latane falls in the deadly fray that illuminates the 
 arms of Stuart's men in the charge at Hanover. 
 
 But wept by the very stars of Heaven, that trembled as they looked upon 
 those midnight flashes in the Wilderness, the bleeding form of the Achilles 
 of the South, Stonewall Jackson, meets, with its drapery of sadness, the 
 wandering gaze — a name on which a country calls in vain and will not realize 
 
 Ler loss — for 
 
 "she remembers thee as one 
 
 Lo: g loved, but for a season gone ; 
 For thee her Poet's lyre is wreathed, 
 Her marble wrought, her mu3ic breathed; 
 For thee she riDgs her birth-day bells; 
 For thee her babe's first lisping tells : 
 For thine her evening prayer is said 
 At palace couch and cottage bed ; 
 Her soldier, closing with the foe, 
 Gives for tby sake a deadlier blow; 
 His plighted maiden, when she fear3 
 For him, the joy of her young years, 
 Thinks of thy fate and checks her tears " 
 
 The scene euds not hire; but the review becomes burthensome with sorrow. 
 The living still must add, alas ! to the endless roll of death. As in the past, a 
 fiery and uneakulating courage has marked both the men and leadeis of the 
 Southern Army, we must anticipate for the future many and costly sacrifices. 
 We have many, as the record of these pages well attest, yet to adorn the field 
 and inspire the charge; but none, none to spare. As the war drags its slow 
 length along, all will be needed, and though it seems not iu their nature, wo 
 jet trust that it will be in their power, to husband their courage and succeed. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PACK 
 
 General Samuel Cooper 17 
 
 General Robert Edward Lee 21 
 
 Lieutenant-General Thomas Jonathan Jackson 27 
 
 Major John Singleton Mosby t 35 
 
 Major-General "Wade Hampton 43 
 
 Major-General Gustavus Woodson Smith 4T 
 
 Lieutenant-General James Longstreet 50 
 
 Lieutenant-General Ambrose Powell Hill 54 
 
 Lieutenant-General Richard S. Eweil 56 
 
 Major John Pelham 60 
 
 General Joseph Eggleston Johnston 67 
 
 Brigadier-General James H. Lane 74 
 
 Lieutenant-General John C. Pemberton 76 
 
 Commodore George N. Hoiiins 78 
 
 Lieutenant-General John B. Hood 81 
 
 Major-General T. C. Hindman 84 
 
 Major-General Martin Luther Smith 86 
 
GENERAL SAMUEL COOTER. 
 
GENERAL SAMUEL COOPER. 
 
 The world has seen but one Crcsar and one Napoleon, nor is it probable that 
 it will see another of either for ten centuries to come. Yet, when armies are 
 already organized, and provided with all the weapons and munitions of war, 
 there will always be found generals to lead them with, at least, tolerable ability. 
 To originate armies out of the mass of a population unused to the stern disci- 
 pline of the camp — to create the munitions of war out of literally nothing — to 
 form soldiers out of a population brave indeed, but undisciplined and impatient 
 of restraint — this is a task quite as difficult as to lead them to victory after they 
 have been once organized. The mind that accomplishes this is, at least as rare 
 as the mind that conceived the battle of Pharsalia, or that planned the over- 
 throw of the Russians and Austrians at Austerlitz. 
 
 Carnot possessed this faculty in a high degree, and so does the illustrious 
 general, whose services it is the purpose of this sketch to illustrate. It is 
 proper to remark, that the task accomplished by Carnot was much easier than 
 that accomplished by General Cooper. The former had an army of 150,000 
 regular troops, which had been employed by the King, and which had all come 
 over to the Republic, to begin with. This body afforded a nucleus around 
 which the new levies might be formed into an army, and many of France's 
 most illustrious soldiers came out of its ranks. The latter had no advantage of 
 the sort. He was obliged to create all — army, artillery, small arms, horses, the 
 means of feeding the men, every thing in fact — for we were utterly destitute of 
 every thing, and we had neither money to buy, nor access to the proper markets, 
 if we had had it. To the amazement of the whole world, and to the amazement 
 of no portion of it so profoundly as to the Yankees, a powerful army wa& created, 
 was led to the field, and has been constantly victorious ever since. It is one of 
 the miracles of history, and the credit of having wrought it is due more to 
 General Cooper than to all other persons combined. 
 
 General Cooper is a native of the State of New York. He was born in the 
 year 1708, and in 1813, when only fifteen years old, entered the Military 
 Academy at West Point. The period of study was not so long at that time as 
 it is now, so that he graduated in 1815, and received his commission of second 
 lieutenant of light artillery, by brevet, on the 11th of December of that year. 
 He became second lieutenant in 1817, and when, in 1821, the army was re- 
 organized, he was retained in the rank he then held. , He became first lieutenant, 
 during the same year, of the Third Artillery; and, in 1824, was transferred to 
 
13 THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 the Fourth. In 182*, he became aide-de-camp to General Macomb, and con- 
 tinued to serve in that capacity until 1830. In 1831, he was appointed captain, 
 by brevet, "for faithful service ten years in one grade." In 1836, he became a 
 fall captain. In 1847, he was made brevet major of the staff (assistant adjutant- 
 general), and, in 1848, brevet colonel of the staff, " for meritorious conduct," 
 particularly in the performance of his duties in the prosecution of tlie Mexican 
 war. In 1852, General Cooper, whose peculiar talent had become widely known 
 to the army aud the public, was appointed adjutant-geueral of the United States. 
 Into that office, he was brought directly and continually into contact with the 
 present President of the Confederate States, when Secretary of War to the 
 United States. Doubtless President Davis soon discovered his extraordinary 
 qualifications for that office, if he was ignorant of them before. The conse- 
 quences were most beneficial to the country. General Cooper, whose political 
 principles had long been well known, resigned his office three days after the 
 inauguration of Lincoln (7th March, 1SG1). He immediately offered his ser- 
 vices to President Davis, and, on the 10th of March, was appointed Adjutant- 
 General of the Confederate States. lie found a Herculean task before him. 
 An army was to be created, furnished with every thing, and taught to fight. 
 How ably he has accomplished his task let the noble army now in the field and 
 the proud military attitude of the country testify. 
 
 General Cooper is the compiler of a work on tactics, designed for the use 
 of the militia of the United States. It is highly spoken of by those who are 
 acquainted with the subject of which it treats. He is the highest in rank of 
 all our generals. 
 
G3NERAL ROBERT EDWARD LEE, 
 
GENERAL ROBERT EDWARD LEE. 
 
 The achievements of this distinguished officer form the most remarkable 
 chapter, not only in the history of the present gigantic war, but, in some 
 respects, in the entire annals of war. To dotail them minutely would fill a. 
 volume even larger than this, and we, therefore, leave this agreeable task to the 
 future historian. In the halcyon days, which we opine are not far distant, 
 the student of history will delight to dwell upon them, even as we delight 
 to find rescued from oblivion any little circumstance of early youth in which 
 Napoleon or Washington was concerned. 
 
 llobert Edward Lee is a member of the old historical family of Westmoreland 
 Lees. He is the youngest son, by a second marriage, of General Henry Lee, 
 better known to history by his soubriquet of " Light Horse Harry," the friend 
 and confidant of Washington, and the author of one of the most pleasant his- 
 tories ever written by a Virginian. He was born at Stratford, in Westmoreland 
 county, in 1806, in the same house and in the same chamber in which Richard 
 Henry Lee and Francis Light foot Lee, two signers of the Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence, were born. 
 
 He entered West Point, as a cadet from his native State, in 1825. On the 
 first day of his entrance he took the head of his class, and kept it until he 
 graduated in 1829, having never been marked with a demerit, or been subjected 
 to a reprimand, or received any other species of punishment whatever, during 
 the whole time of his residence. Having graduated at the head of his class, he 
 Was, of course, selected for service in the corps of topographical engineers, which 
 was always filled from the ranks of the highest graduates. He entered upon his 
 new field of duty in July, 1829, with the brevet rank of second lieutenant. We 
 hear no more of him until 1835, when he was appointed assistant astronomer 
 for fixing the boundary line between Ohio and Michigan. He became first 
 lieutenant in September, 1836, and captain in July, 1838. In 1845, he was 
 chief engineer in the army of General Wool, in Mexico. In 1847, he was bre- 
 vetted major, for "gallant and meritorious conduct" in the battle of Cerro 
 Gordo, fought April 18th, 1847. He received a second brevet for " gallant and 
 meritorious conduct" in the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco, and was now 
 lieutenant-colonel by brevet. For gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle 
 of Chapultepec, where he was wounded, on the 1st September, 1852, he was 
 appointed superintendent of the Military Academy. How long he continued in 
 that post we do not know; but we find him, in 1858, lieutenant-colonel of the 
 
22 THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 famous regiment of cavalry of which Albert Sydney Johnston was colonel, and 
 as such highly distinguishing himself in the desperate fight with the Indians on 
 the prairies of Texas, which created so much excitement at the time. Nor do 
 we know how he came to be at Washington at the time of John Brown's attempt 
 at insurrection ; but we Jo know that he was sent by President Buchanan, with 
 a body of marines, to capture that outlaw, and that he did it. 
 
 Such is a brief outline of the services rendered to the old United States by 
 Bobert E. Lee duriug the long period of thirty years. 
 
 In the old army he was believed by all officers, almost without exception to 
 be, by many degrees, the most accomplished soldier in the whole army. His 
 superiority, indeed, was so incontestable, that it excited no jealousy whatever 
 in any quarter. When his reputation had been somewhat impaired for the 
 time, by his campaign in Westtfn Virginia, a distinguished officer, now in the 
 service of Virginia, but heretofore for many years an officer in the old army 
 of the United States, observed that injustice was done to General Lee — 
 that, in the old army, each officer perfectly understood the calibre of every 
 other — that Lee was, by the acknowledgment of all, the first man in the ser- 
 vice — and that, if an opportunity were afforded him ; he would prove what he 
 was, in a way that would silence scepticism forever. The opinion entertained 
 of him by General Scott is well known. "Lee," said that vain and self-suffi- 
 cient old coxcomb, u is the greatest military genius in America, myself not 
 excepted." He might very well say so, if it be true, as has often been said, that 
 to the genius of Lee he owed the laurels he had reaped in Mexico. Whether 
 this anecdote, however, be true or false, it is well known that he regretted the 
 loss of Lee more than that of all the other officers, when Lee determined to 
 stand by the land that gave him birth, and that he made the most strenuous 
 efforts to retain him. He might as well have attempted to roll back the earth 
 in its daily revolution ujpon it axis. General Lee is the most thorough of all 
 Virginians. Virginian in sentiment and feeling, his father's son could scarcely 
 avoid being ; but he is more thoroughly Virginian than could be expected even 
 from a person born and connected like himself. So intense is this feeling, that 
 he has been heard to say, even since his wonderful successes have placed him 
 at the very head of his Age, that he had but one ambition, and that was to be 
 Governor of Virginia. It was, therefore, as certain as any future event could 
 be, that as soon as Virginia seceded, he would go along with her. She did 
 secede in April, 1S01, and, a few days after, her Convention appointed him 
 Commander-in-Chief of her forces. He arrived in Bichmond about the 25th 
 of April, having sent in his resignation of his commission in the old army some 
 time before. 
 
 General Lee immediately entered upon the duties of his office. It may be 
 presumed that they were of the most arduous character; but difficulties disap- 
 peared beneath his fingers, as though they had been dissolved by magic. He 
 had an army to organize and drill, the taaterials of war to create almost out of 
 nothing, the troops to arm, clothe and feed, after they had been collected, and 
 
THE WAR AN'D ITS HEROES. 23 
 
 all the duties of a minister of war to discharge, in addition to his more imme- 
 diate duties of General-in-Chief. It is impossible, for the want of materials, to 
 furnish an account of his administration between the time of entering upon his 
 office and that of turning the army of Virginia over to the Confederacy. When 
 the difficulties with which he was surrounded are taken into consideration, we 
 feel convinced that his services will bear a comparison with those of Carnot, or 
 any other war minister that ever existed. "When President Davis made his 
 appointments of generals, he was the third on the list; General Cooper being 
 first and General Sydney Johnston second. The appointments were made with 
 reference to the rank held by each officer in the old army. 
 
 After the defeat and death of General Garnett, General Lee was appointed 
 by President Davis to take command of our forces in Western Virginia. In the 
 early part of August he repaired to his command, carrying with him reinforce- 
 ments enough to swell his force to 16,000 men. On the short campaign which 
 ensued it is not our purpose to dwell. It is well known to have failed, whether 
 through any fault of the General it is impossible, among conflicting statements, 
 to decide. The hopes of the people were very high when he took command, 
 and their confidence in his skill unbounded. When, therefore, the campaign 
 resulted in a failure, there was no measure to the indignation of the country. 
 President Davis, however, who is himself a military man, and had the whole 
 facts in his possession, formed a very different opinion of the case from any that 
 had been formed by those who knew nothing but what had been gathered from 
 the newspapers. He acquitted Gcueral Lee thoroughly, and that acquittal must 
 be considered decisive. It was not so considered at the time, however, by the 
 people. General Lee's military reputation fell immeasurably, and from one of 
 the most popular generals in the service he became decidedly unpopular. ' His 
 case presents one of the strongest examples on record of the folly and injustice 
 of judging any man by the standard of popular appreciation. Had he not -had 
 an opportunity afforded him of proving what he really was, he would have gone 
 down to posterity as an inefficient officer, entirely unequal to the command of 
 even a brigade. 
 
 Immediately on his return from this unsuccessful campaign, General Le e 
 was appointed to command in the military district of which Charleston is the 
 centre. His skill as an engineer had never been doubted, notwithstanding his 
 ill success as Commander-in-Chief; and he was expected to put it in practice 
 in fortifying the city and harbor of Charleston. He succeeded completely. 
 Having accomplished this object, General Lee returned to Richmond. It was 
 soon after this that our disasters in Kentucky and Tennessee began to occur. 
 Their effect upon the country was depressing in the extreme. Congress, at 
 that time in session, passed a joint resolution appointing General Lee Com- 
 mander-in-Chief. Whether this act was vetoed by the President we do not 
 know, but he seems of his own accord to have placed General Lee in a position 
 almost equivalent; in one which gave him, in fact, the largest share in the 
 control and direction of the war. It was probably owing to his advice that the 
 
24 THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 policy of concentration was adopted as the only one that could enable our 
 inferior forces to contend successfully with the huge levies of the Yankees. 
 
 We now come to the real commencement of General Lee's career, a career so 
 brilliaut as to establish his claim to be reckoned among the greatest captains 
 that have risen in the world. The army of McClellan was around Richmond. 
 It had been, at the commencement of the Peninsula campaign, 108,000 strong. 
 It had suffered severely in battle, and more severely still from disease. Still it 
 numbered, according to the best estimate we have been able to make, at least 
 130,000 men. General Johnston had gained a great victory at Seven Pines, 
 but the country was deprived of his services at this critical juncture by the 
 severe wound which he had received in that battle. President Davis believed 
 that nobody could so well supply his place as General Lee, and he was accord- 
 ingly ordered to take the command. He did so on the 1st of June. He saw, at 
 a glance, that the siege of Richmond could not be raised without beating the 
 enemy out of the formidable works in which they had entrenched themselves, 
 and he immediately set about devising the means to accomplish it. How it was 
 done we leave the future historian to describe. It suffices our purpose to chron- 
 icle the result. In the course of one week, General Lee, by a series of combi- 
 nations unsurpassed in,the history of war, had succeeded in beating the enemy 
 out of a succession of fortifications of the most formidable character, had driven 
 him from around Richmond, to a place thirty miles below, and had relieved all 
 fears for the safety of the capital. That he did not completely destroy the 
 enemy was no fault of his. 
 
 General Lee is the most successful general of the age. His exploits are bril- 
 liant almost beyond example. When we say this of a man who commands an 
 immense army, it is supererogatory to say anything of his talents. Nothing but 
 genius of the highest order can conceive the combinations necessary to insure 
 the uninterrupted success of so large a host, over an enemy greatly superior in 
 force. In all departments of science his acquirements are great, aflTd has besides 
 an uncommon stock of general information. His judgment is as quick as his 
 military glance, and it rarely deceives. Withal he is one of the most unpre- 
 tending men in the world — a thorough gentleman in his manners — very affable 
 to all who approach him — and extremely amiable in private life. He is about 
 live feet ten inches high, was eminently handsome in his youth, is still one of 
 the finest looking men in the army, rides like a knight of the old crusading 
 days, is indefatigable in business, and bears fatigue like a man of iron. 
 
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 
 
LIEUT. GEN. THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 
 
 Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born January 21, 1824, in Clarksburg, Har- 
 rison county, Virginia. His great grandfather, an Englishman by birth, emi- 
 grated to the western portion of Virginia; and Edward Jackson, grandfather 
 of the general, was surveyor of Lewis county for a long time, representing it in 
 the Legislature. His son, Jonathan Jackson, father of the general, moved to 
 Clarksburg, where he studied and commenced the practice of law with his 
 cousin, John G. Jackson, acquiring considerable reputation, and marrying Miss 
 Neal, a daughter of Thomas Neal, of Wood county. He, however, became 
 embarrassed in his circumstances by going security for friends, and all his 
 property was eventually swept away. "When he died, in 1827, his children 
 were left penniless. These childien were four in number — two sons and two 
 daughters — Thomas, the subject of this sketch, being the youngest, and at the 
 time but three years old. 
 
 • The child was thus left upon the very threshold of life to learn the hard 
 lesson of poverty. But this lesson, thus early learned, bore ample fruits in a 
 soil so rich and auspicious to the finer growth of the human soul. The young 
 man was taught from the very commencement of his earthly career to make up 
 by honest toil for the neglect of fortune, and, instead of frittering away his time 
 and faculties in the haunts of pleasure or the frivolous pursuits of youths gene- 
 rally, to turn his attention to the more ennobling aims of life, and fit himself 
 for that career in which he was to secure his great fame. 
 
 Soon after the death of his parents he was taken to the home of an uncle in 
 Lewis county, and remained at that place — the family homestead of the Jack- 
 son*, in which his father had been born — until he reached the age of seventeen. 
 Here he labored on the farm in summer and went to school three months in the 
 winter, gaining the rudiments of a plain English education — what he acquired 
 subsequently was due to his stay at "West Point and his ultimate studies at the 
 Virginia Military Institute. His habits of life, even at this early age, are said 
 to have been grave and serious — his discharge of every duty conscientious and 
 complete. He assisted his uncle in the management of the farm, and soon 
 secured among the residents of the county a high character for industry, intel- 
 ligence and probity. His orphan condition excited great sympathy among the 
 neighbors, who knew and respected the good character of the Jackson family, 
 and every assistance was rendered him in his struggle to carve out his own path- 
 way in life and secure an honorable independence. A proof of this friendly 
 
28 THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 sympathy is contained in the fact that, at the age of sixteen, he was elected 
 constable of the county of Lewis, the duties of which office he discharged with 
 intelligence and credit. 
 
 The inclinations of the young man seem, however, to have pointed out early 
 towards arms as a profession. Some hereditary instinct of his family for war 
 probably developed itself in the grave and serious youth — but to those who 
 believe, as we do, that a mightier hand than man's shapes all human events, 
 this early inclination will appear to have been the means of fitting him for the 
 grand p:i rt he was eventually to have in the assertion of Southern liberties. It 
 is certain that young Jackson found himself impelled toward a military career, 
 and at the ago of seventeen he set out for Washington, on foot, to secure, if 
 possible, an appointment as cadet at West Point. This he was enabled to do 
 through the instrumentality of some political friends, and he entered upon his 
 studies there in 1842. 
 
 In July, 184(5, at the age of twenty-two, he graduated with distinction, was 
 brevetted second lieutenant, and immediately ordered to report for duty in 
 Mexico, under General Taylor. He served under that commander until General 
 Scott took the field, when he was transferred to the command of the latter. 
 His military career was distinguished and his promotion rapid. In August, 
 1847, he was made first lieutenant in Magruder's battery; brevetted captain for 
 " gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco," 
 August 20th, 1847, (August, 1818,) and brevetted major " for gallant and 
 meritorious conduct in the battle of Chepultepec," September 13th, 1S47, 
 (March, 1849.) No other officer had so distinguished himself and risen so 
 rapidly as the young Virginian. The unknown youth had, in this brief space 
 of time, attracted the attention of his generals, and become one of the most 
 promising young officers of the army. 
 
 The climate of the country had, however, told powerfully upon a frame at no 
 time very robust. His health became so impaired that he was unable to dis- 
 charge his duties, and, with the high sense of honor which marked his character, 
 he, on the conclusion of peace, resigned his commission, (February 29th, 1852.) 
 Returning to Virginia, he obtained a professorship in the Virginia Military 
 Institute, and continued in the performance of the important duties of this 
 position until the breaking out of the present war. Soon after entering upon 
 his duties at the Military Institute, he married Miss Junkin, daughter of the 
 Rev. Dr. Junkin, principal of the Washington College. This lady and her 
 children died, and he was afterwards married to Miss Morrison, of North Caro- 
 lina — his only living child, a daughter, born shortly before his death, being the 
 sole issue of this marriage. 
 
 It is said that, while in Mexico, a battery of the enemy was pouring a storm 
 of shot aud shell down a road, along which he wished his men to advance. 
 They remained under cover, out of the fire, shaken in nerve and fearing to. 
 venture forth. This was excessively distasteful and mortifying to their young 
 commander, and, leaving them, he advanced to the road, and calmly walked up. 
 
THE WAR AN'D ITS HEROES. 29 
 
 and down among the plunging shot and shell, calling out, coolly, "Come on — 
 this is nothing — jou see they can't hurt me!" 
 
 It will thus he seen that, either from native courage or that sentiment of 
 predestination alluded to, young Jackson had already acquired the dauntless 
 nerve and coolness which afterwards rendered him so famous. 
 
 The penetrating eyes of Napoleon, had he seen that youth calmly walking 
 amid the heavy fire of the enemy's artillery, and declaring coolly that it "could 
 not*hurt him," would have discerned much in his face — would have understood 
 that this young man would "go far." 
 
 The first position, we believe, held by General Jackson, after the secession 
 of Virginia, was that of commandant of the camp of instruction at the Fair 
 Grounds, in Richmond. He, however, did not remain long in this position. 
 Having received the first colonel's commission issued by the State after her 
 secession, he was ordered to a point where he would be of more use to the cause 
 in which we were about to engage. Accordingly, on the 3d of May, 1861, he 
 took command at Harper's Ferry, and coutinued in that position until the 23d 
 of May, when he was relieved by General Joseph E. Johnston. Jackson was 
 then assigned to the command of the infantry of the army of the Shenandoah. 
 
 General Johnston, after taking comm-ind, assigned to Colonel Jackson the 
 important duty of checking the Yankee General Patterson in his advance. That 
 duty was performed to the entire satisfaction of General Johnston and the 
 country. In his official report of the battle of Manassas, General Johnston 
 said : 
 
 " On the 2d of July, General Patterson again crossed the Potomac. Colonel 
 Jackson, pursuant to instructions, fell back before him. In retiring, he gave 
 him a severe lesson in the affair at Falling Waters. With a battalion of the 
 5th Virginia regiment (Harper's) and Pendleton's battery of field artillery, he 
 engaged the enemy's advance. Skilfully taking a position where the smallness 
 of his force was concealed, he engaged them for a considerable time, inflicted 
 a heavy loss, and retired when about to be outflanked, scarcely losing a man, 
 but bringing off forty-fee prisoners." 
 
 Shortly after this affair, Colonel Jackson was made a Brigadier-General, and 
 it was understood that the promotion was in consequence of his conduct at 
 Falling Waters. 
 
 But it was at the battle of Manassas that Jackson was to display, in their 
 fullest extent, those heroic qualities of stubborn courage and dauntless resolu- 
 tion which characterized him, and to arouse that enthusiasm which, in the 
 latter months of his life, rendered him the idol of the popular heart. 
 
 At the battle of Manassas, on the 21st of July, 1861, Jackson, with his 
 brigade, was placed in the rear of General Longstreet, near Blackburn's Ford, 
 the scene of the battle of the 18th. This force, which, on that day, won the 
 name of the " Old Stonewall Brigade," consisted of the 2d Virginia, Colonel 
 Allen ; the 4th Virginia, Colonel James L. Preston ; the 5th Virginia, Colonel 
 Harper; the 27th Virginia, Lieutenant-Colonel Echols, and the 33d Virginia, 
 
30 THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 Colonel Cumming; numbering in all 2,611 of the bravest and best men of the 
 Valley of Virginia. 
 
 nOW HE OOT THE NAME OP u STONEWALL." 
 
 'Twas at the first battle of Manassas, when the Southern leaders " saw with 
 irrepressible anguish the exhaustion of the troops, the waning fortunes of the day, 
 and the countless reserves which the enemy hurled incessantly upon their thin 
 and weary lines. Among these was the heroic General Bee, in command of the 
 4th Alabama and some Mississippians, who were nearly worn out by the terrible 
 ordeal through which they had passed. Bee rode up and down the lines, cheer- 
 ing on the men, and beseeching them, by all they held dear, not to give way, 
 when he met Jackson, and said, in the bitter despair of his heart, " General, 
 they are beating us hack!" The face of the stern, silent soldi»r betrayed no 
 answering emotion. The keen eye glittered for an instant; the lips opened; 
 and in the curt, peculiar tones of the speaker he said, " Sir, we will give them 
 the bayonet!" Bee seemed to gather new inspiration from the words; he gal- 
 loped back to the remnants of his command, and, fronting to Jackson, called 
 out to his men, " There is Jackson standing like a stonewall! Let us determine 
 to die here, and we will conquer. Follow me!" * * * 
 
 At Manassas, u the country had gaiued a splendid victory against enormous 
 odds ; and, although he did not then know it, Jackson had gained a name with 
 which he is forever inseparably identified. "When the hemic Bee exclaimed, 
 "There is Jackson standing like a stonewall," he unconsciously employed a 
 term which thenceforth clung to Jackson more closely than his baptismal appel- 
 lation. From that hot day of battle, the leader of the men of the Valley was 
 known as "Stonewall Jackson" — his command as the "Stonewall Brigade." 
 Many are ignorant and few recall the fact, that the great soldier was christened 
 " Thomas Jonathan." His veritable christening in the popular heart was on 
 that evening of Manassas, when Bee, about to surrender his great soul to his 
 Maker, baptized him, amid blood and fire, "Stonewall Jackson!" 
 
 On Saturday, the 22d of April, General Jackson rapidly moved his little 
 army from camp near Mount Jackson back to Cedar Creek, twenty-six miles, in 
 one day, and camped there that night, making his headquarters in Strasburg, 
 which was evacuated by the enemy the day before. v Early the next morning 
 (Sunday) he again moved forward, and his artillery opened on the enemy, 
 near Kernstown, about twelve o'clock. An artillery duel was kept up until 
 about four o'clock in the afternoon, when the enemy's infantry advanced in 
 force, and were met heroically by Jackson's brave little band. Three times the 
 "stars and stripes" fell, and three times did our gallant troops drive the enemy 
 headlong to the hill. The first brigade (the " Stonewall ") finally came up, 
 and again a fresh column of the enemy was driven back, leaving the side of the 
 hill black with their dead. 
 
 No battle has been fought during the war against such odds and under 
 such trying circumstances. With a force not exceeding 3,500 men — men whfc 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 31 
 
 had been on forced matches for weeks, the ranks thinned by the process of 
 re-organization in front of the enemy — Jackson attacked 20,000 fresh troops, 
 repulsed them again and again, and so crippled the dastardly foe that he dared 
 not, with all his number.-, follow him in his retreat. Notwithstanding the great 
 disparity in their forces, the enemy themselves could claim nothing more than 
 a " drawn battle." 
 
 TVe next hear of the untiring hero at Swift Run Gap, occupying a strong 
 position, with daily skir:ui>hes with the enemy. He remained in this position 
 a short time, ani then fell back to Staunton. In the meantime, the enemy had 
 fallen back down the Valley for the purpose of uniting the commands of Mc- 
 Dowell, Banks and Fremont. Immediately after this movement on the part of 
 the enemy, Jackson, with his forces, on the 7th of May, 1861, left Staunton, 
 and on the evening of ffce same day the rear-guard of his army encamped four 
 miles west of Buffalo Gap, fourteen miles from Staunton. General Johnston's 
 forces had advanced to Shenandoah Mountain, in pursuit of Millroy, who was 
 falling back before the united forces of Jackson and Johnston. Millroy is said 
 to have had about 8,000 effective men. 
 
 On Thursday, the 8th, a bloody fight took place between Jackson's forces and 
 the enemy under General Millroy, at Sutlinyton Hill, near McDowell. After 
 four hours' fighting, the enemy were completely routed and driven from all 
 points. General Jackscn thus briefly and gracefully announced his victory: 
 
 Valley District, May 9th, 1862, 
 Via Stac.nto.v, May }Q(k. 
 To General S. Coopeb : 
 
 ■ 
 God blessed our arms with victory at McDowell yesterday. 
 
 T. J. Jackson, 
 
 Mfljor-GeneraJ. 
 
 Fremont was expected to re-ioforce Millroy the day the fight took place, but 
 did not arrive in time. Jackson captured in this fight one hundred boxes 
 of ammunition, five hundred Enfield rifles and Miuie muskets, from sixty to 
 seventy-five cavalry saddles, and nearly two hundred head of cattle, which had 
 been stolen from the citizens living in the vicinity, by the Yankees. The loss 
 of the enemy was supposed to be about 1,300. 
 
 After the fight, the remnant of Millroy's army was re-inforced by Fremont 
 and we hear nothing more from our gallant hero until the battle of "Winchester, 
 which was announced in an official dispatch from General Jackson : 
 
 Winchester, May 26. 
 During the last three days God has blessed our arms with brilliant success* 
 On Friday, the Federals at Front Royal were routed, and one section of artil- 
 lery, in addition to many prisoners, captured. On Saturday, Banks' main 
 column, whilst retreating from Strasburg to Winchester, was pierced; the rear 
 part retreating towards Strasburg. On Sunday, the other part was routed at 
 
32 THE WAR AND ITS HEKOES. 
 
 this place. At last accounts, Brigadier-General George H. Stuart was pursuing 
 them with cavalry and artillery, and capturing mauy. A large amount of 
 medical, ordnance and other stores have fallen into our hands. 
 
 T. J. Jackson. 
 
 After his defeat, Banks, with the remnant of his army, fled across the Poto- 
 mac. The stores captured at Martinsburg were immense. The result of this 
 fight was the annihilation of an array from 12,000 to lf> ; 000, the capture of an 
 amount of provisions, small arms, ordnance stores, horses, wagons and camp 
 equipage almost incredible, and the destruction of the Baltimore and Ohio road, 
 the main artery which connects the Yankee capital with the West! Jackson 
 took six thousand fine rifles, two thousand muskets, six hundred sacks of salt, 
 four hundred wagons, many horses, twelve pieces of artillery, (three being rifled 
 Parrot, guns,) $100,000 worth of medicines, hospital stores of every imaginable 
 kind — splints, amputating instruments, chloroform, oranges, lemons, dried fruits, 
 fresh cheese, every luxury a sick man could desire, and clothes without limit. 
 Colonel Ashby, hearing of many Yankee sutlers who had recently set up their 
 sho;^ in the country, seized them and loaded two hundred wagons with the 
 plunder. A portion of the captured stores had to be destroyed in our retreat, 
 but all the*guns and medicines were saved. 
 
 General Jackson followed Banks in his retreat, striking a blow wherever 
 opportunity offered, until he reached the Potomac. He then turned to meet 
 the combined forces of the enemy under Fremont, Shields and Dix, who were 
 endeavoring to get in his rear. He fell back this side of Winchester, making 
 a stand at Port Republic, in Rockingham county, a short distance this side of 
 South river. 
 
 Sunday morning, the 8th of Juue, 18G2, the cuemy crossed the river in two 
 columns, and made an attack — Fremont being pitted against Ewell, and Shields 
 against Jackson. After a short conflict, Freemont was completely routed and 
 hotly pursued by Ewell, while Jackson held Shields in check, and was pressing 
 him against the Shenandoah. The following characteristic dispatch was received 
 from Jackson announcing the victory: 
 
 Neati Port Republic, 0(h, 
 Via Staunton, June 10th, 1862. 
 To S. Cooper, Adjutant-General: 
 
 Through God's blessing, the enemy near Port Republic was this day 
 routed, with the loss of six pieces of his artillery. 
 
 [Signed] T. J. Jackson, 
 
 Major-Geuerat Commanding. 
 
 The old hero, after giving the astute Yankee generals a severe lesson in the 
 art of war, left them fortifying against his advance, and proceeded with his 
 victorious army in a different direction. We hear nothing more from him until 
 the ball opens in front of Richmond. At the battle of Gaines' Mill — in the 
 darkest hour and moment — at that period in the day's fight when the enemy 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 33 
 
 had almost succeeded in flanking us on the left — great con Vernation is heArd 
 in the woods ! Volley upon volley is heard in rapid succession, which is at once 
 recognized and cheered by our men. "It is Jackson, " they shout, "on our 
 right!" Yes, two or three brigades of Jackson's army had flanked the enemy, 
 and were getting in his rear. Jackson had moved fast, aud was now endeavor- 
 ing to head the retreating foe. Just as the sun was about to sink in the West — 
 just as the last volleys are indistinctly heard in the enemy's rear — a courier 
 arrives, announcing that, ''through the Providence of God," Jacksou had fallen 
 upon the retreating column, broken it, and captured three hundred prisoners. 
 The battle was won, and the exhausted heroes, who had remained to strike the 
 finishing blow, wrap their martial cloaks around them, and quietly sleep upon 
 the field of battle. 
 
 Several carefully prepared biographies of General Jacksou having already 
 been published, (to one of which — Major Cooke's — we are indebted for much 
 contained in this brief sketch,) we deem it unnecessary to enter into further 
 details, and, therefore, come to the closing chapter in the life of this great aud 
 good man. 
 
 It was at the battle of Chancellorsville, on the 2Mb nf April, 1863, after the 
 conflict was over, when Jackson himself had said " the danger is all over, the 
 enemy is routed," aud he had given the order for A. P. Hill " to press on," 
 that the chieftain turned from the front, and, accompanied by his staff, rode 
 back, in a trot, toward his own men. Unhappily in the darkness — it was now 
 nine or ten o'clock at night — the little body of horsemen was mistaken for 
 Federal cavalry charging, and the regiments on the right and left of the road 
 fired a sudden volley into them with the most lamentable results. Captain 
 Boewell, of General Jackson's staff, was killed, and borne into our lines by his 
 horse; Colonel Crutchfield, chief of artillery, was wounded; and two couriers 
 were killed. General Jackson received one ball in his left arm. two inches 
 below the shoulder joint, shattering the bone and severing the chief artery; a 
 second passed through the same arm, between the elbow and wrist, making its 
 exit through the palm of the hand ; a third ball entered the palm of his right 
 hand, about the middle, and, passing through, broke two of the bones. lie fell 
 from his horse, aud was caught by Captain Wormley, to whom he said, "All 
 my wounds are by my own men." 
 
 The firing was responded to by the enemy, who made a sudden advance, and, 
 the Confederates falling back, their foes actually charged over Jackson's body. 
 He was not discovered, however, and the Federals being driven back in turn, 
 he was rescued. Ready hands placed him upon a litter, and he was borne to 
 the rear, amid a heavy fire from the enemy. One of the litter bearers was shot 
 down, and the general fell from the shoulders of the men, receiving a severe 
 contusion, adding to the injury of the arm and injuring the side severely. The 
 enemy's fire of artillery on the point was terrible. General Jacksou was left for 
 five minutes until the fire slackened, then placed in an ambulance and carried 
 to the field hospital at "Wilderness Run. He lost a large amount of biood, and 
 
34 THE WAR Ax\D ITS HEROES. 
 
 at one time told Dr. McGuire he thought he was dying, and would have hied to 
 death, but a tourniquet was immediately applied. For two hours he was nearly 
 pulseless from the shock. As he was being carried from the field, frequent 
 inquiries were made by the soldiers, "Who have you there?" He told the 
 doctor, " Do not tell the troops I am wounded." 
 
 On the Thursday following, all pain had ceased, but a mortal prostration 
 came on, from which he never recovered. He still conversed feebly, and said, 
 "I consider tbese wounds a blessing; they were given me for some good and 
 wise purpose, and I would not part with them if I could." 
 
 From this time he continued to sink, and on Sunday morning it was obvious 
 that he could only live a few hours longer. His mind was still clear, however, 
 and he asked Major Pendleton, his adjutant-general, " who was preaching at 
 headquarters on that day ? " Mrs. Jackson was with him during his last 
 moments, and conversed with him fully and freely. She informed him that he 
 was about to die, and his reply was, " Very good, very good: it is all right!" 
 
 He then sent messages to all his friends, the generals and others, and mur- 
 mured, in a low voice, his wish to be buried in '• Lexington, in the Valley of 
 Virginia." 
 
 His mind then began to wander, and that delirium which seizes upon the 
 most powerful minds, the most vigorous brains, at the mysterious moment, when 
 the last sands fall from the glass, began to affect him. He gave orders to the 
 commissary of his corps, the surgeons, and the commanders. Among the last 
 words which escaped his lips were, "A. P. Hill prepare for action." 
 
 After this he speedily sank, and at dfteeu minutes past three in the evening 
 he tranquilly expired. 
 
MAJOR JOHN SINGLETON MOSBY. 
 
 Among the daring partisans of the present war, few have rendered such 
 valuable services to the cause as Major John S. Mosby. 
 
 John Singleton Mosby is the son of Alfred D. Mosby, formerly of Albemarle 
 county, Va., but now residing in the vicinity of Lynchburg. He is the mater- 
 nal grandson of Mr. James McLaurine, Sr., late of Powhatan county, Virginia. 
 His mother was Miss Virginia J. McLaurine. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was born in Powhatan county, Va., on the Gth of 
 December, 1833, and was educated at the University of Virginia. When quite 
 a young man he was married to the daughter of the Hon. Beverly Clarke, late 
 United States minister to Central America. 
 
 At the commencement of hostilities between the North and South, Mosby 
 resided at Bristol, Washington county, Va., where he was successfully engaged 
 in the practice of law. He immediately gave up his profession, and entered 
 
36 THE WAR AND ITS HER0E3. 
 
 the army as a private, becoming a member of a company raised in Washington 
 county, and couimauded by Captain Jones — now General Jones — in which posi- 
 tion he served for twelve months. Upon the promotion of Captain Jones to the 
 colonelcy of the 1st Virginia Cavalry, Mosby was chosen as adjutant. 
 
 He continued in this position but a short time, for upon the re-organization 
 of the regiment, from some cause the colonel was thrown out, and consequently 
 his adjutant relieved of duty. Mosby was then chosen by General J. E. B. 
 Stuart as a sort of independent scout. 
 
 He first attracted public attention when General Joseph E. Johnston, then 
 in command of the Army of the Potomac, fell back from Manassas. On this 
 occasion, desiring to ascertain whether the movement of McClellan was a feint, 
 or if he really intended to march his army to the Peninsula, General Johustou 
 despatched Mosby to gain the desired informationn. Taking five men with 
 him, Mosby went in the rear of McClellan's army, where he remained some days r 
 spending his time in converse with the Yankee soldiers, from whom he gained all 
 necessary information, and then made his way safely back to General Johnston's 
 headquarters. 
 
 During the summer of 1862, Major Mosby was sent from Hanover Court- 
 house on a mission to General Jackson, who was then on the upper Rapidan, 
 He was the bearer of an oral communication, and as the route was dangerous, 
 had no papers about him except a brief note to serve as a voucher of his iden- 
 tity and reliability. With this note the major proceeded on his journey, and 
 stopping at Beaver Dam station, on the Virginia Central llailroad, to rest and 
 feed his horse, was, while quietly sitting on the platform at the depot, surprised 
 and bagged by a detachment of the enemy's cavalry. 
 
 Now, to be caught thus napping, in an unguarded moment, was gall and 
 wormwood to the brave major. He had deceived and outwitted the enemy so 
 often, had escaped from their clutches so regularly up to'that time, that to find 
 himself surprised thus, filled him with internal rage. From that moment his 
 sentiments toward the enemy increased in intensity. They had been all along 
 decidedly unfriendly — they were now bitter. They took him away with them, 
 searched him, and filched his credentials, and published them as an item of 
 interest in the Northern papers, and immured the partisan in the Old Capitol. 
 
 In due course of time he was exchanged. He returned with a handsome 
 new satchel and an increased affection for the Yankees. He laughed at his 
 misfortunes, but set down the account to the credit of the enemy, to be settled 
 at a more convenient opportunity. 
 
 One of the most daring exploits of this gallant partisan is thus graphically 
 described by the army correspondent of the " Illustrated News :" 
 
 Previous to the 8th of March, Major Mosby had put himself to much trouble 
 to discover the strength and positions of the enemy in Fairfax county, with the 
 design of making a raid in that direction, if circumstances permitted. The 
 information brought to him was as follows : On the Little River turnpike, at 
 Oermantown, a mile or two distant from Fairfax, were three regiments of the 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 37 
 
 •enemy's cavalry, commanded by Colonel Wyndhani. acting brigadier-general, 
 •with his headquarters at the court-house. Within a few hundred yards of 
 the town were two infantry regiments. In the vicinity of Fairfax station, about 
 two miles off, an infantry brigade was encamped. And at Centreville there was 
 another infantry brigade, with cavalry and artillery. 
 
 Thus the way to Fairfax Court-house, the point which the major desired 
 to reach, seemed completely blocked up with troops of all arms — infantry, artil- 
 lery and cavalry. If he attempted to approach by the Little River turnpike, 
 Colonel Wyndham's troopers would meet him full in front. If he tried the 
 route by the Warrenton turnpike, a brigade of infantry, with cavalry to pursue 
 and artillery to thunder at him, was first to be defeated. If he glided in along 
 the railroad, the brigade at Fairfax station was in his track. 
 
 The "situation" would have appeared desperate to almost any one, however 
 adventurous, but danger- and adventure had attractions for Major Mosby. If 
 the peril was great and the probability of success slender, all the greater would 
 be the glory if he succeeded. And the temptation was great. At Fairfax 
 Court-house, the general headquarters of that portion of the army, Brigadier- 
 General Stoughton and other officers of high rank were there known to be, 
 and if these could be captured, great wr uld be his triumph, and horrible the 
 consequent gnashing of teeth among the enemy. 
 
 In spite of the enormous obstacles which presented themselves in his path, 
 Major Mosby determined to undertake no less an enterprise than entering the 
 town, seizing the officers in their beds, destroying the huge quantities of public 
 stores, and bearing off his prisoners in triumph. 
 
 The night of Sunday, March 8th, was chosen as favorable to the expedition. 
 The weather was infamous, the night as dark as pitch, and it was raining 
 steadily. With a detachment of twenty-nine men, Major Mosby set out on 
 his raid. 
 
 He made his approach from the direction of Aldie. Proceeding down the 
 Little Paver turnpike, the main route from the court-housv.- to the mountains, 
 he reached a point within about three miles of Chantilly. Here, turning to the 
 right, he crossed the Frying Pan road, about half-way between Centreville and 
 the turnpike, keeping in the woods, and leaving Centreville well to the right. 
 He was now advancing in the triangle which is made by the Little River and 
 Warrenton turnpikes and the Frying Pan road. Those who are familiar with 
 the country there will easily understand the object of this proceeding. By 
 thus cutting through the triangle, Major Mosby avoided all pickets, scouting 
 parties, and the enemy generally, who would only keep a look out for intruders 
 on the main roads. 
 
 Advancing in this manner through the woods, pierced with devious and 
 uncertain paths only, which the dense darkness scarcely enabled them to follow, 
 the partisan and his little band finally struck into the Warrenton road, between 
 Centreville and Fairfax, at a point about mid-way between the two places. One 
 danger had thus been successfully avoided — a challenge from parties of cavalry 
 
38 THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 on the Little River road, or discovery by the force posted at Centreville. That 
 place was now in their rear; they had " snaked " around it and its warders; 
 but the perils of the enterprise had scarcely commenced. Fairfax Court-httuse 
 was still about four miles distant, and it was girdled with cavalry and infantry. 
 Every approach was guarded, and the attempt to enter the place seemed des- 
 perate, but tbe major determined to essay it. 
 
 Advancing resolutely, he came within a mile and a half of the place, when he 
 found the way barred by a heavy force. Directly in his path were the infantry 
 camps, of which he had been notified, and all advance was checked in that 
 direction. The major did not waver in his purpose, however. Making a 
 detour to the right, and leaving the enemy's camps far to his left, he struck 
 into the road leading from Fairfax southward to the railroad. 
 
 This avenue was guarded like the rest, but by a picket only; and Mosby 
 knew thoroughly how to deal with pickets. Before the sleepy and unsuspicious 
 Yankees were aware of their danger, they found pistols presented at their heads, 
 with the option of surrender or death presented to them. They surrendered 
 immediately, were taken in charge, and, without further ceremony, Major Mosby 
 and his band entered the town. 
 
 From that moment the utmost silence, energy and rapidity of action were 
 requisite. The major had designed reaching the court-house at midnight, 
 but had been delayed two hours by mistaking the road in the pitch darkness. 
 It was now two o'clock in the morning, and an hour and a half, at the very 
 utmost, was left him to finish his business and escape before daylight. If 
 morning found him anywhere in that vicinity, he knew that his retreat would be 
 cut off, and the whole party killed or captured, and this would have spoiled the 
 whole fun of the affair. He accordingly made his dispositions rapidly, enjoined 
 complete silence, and set to work in earnest. The small band was divided 
 into detachments, with special duties assigned to each. Two or three of these 
 detachments were sent to the public stables where the fine horses of the general 
 and his staff officers occupied, with instructions to carry them off without noise. 
 Another party was sent to Colonel Wyndham's headquarters to take him prisoner. 
 Another to Colonel Johnson's, with similar orders. 
 
 Taking six men with him, Major Mosby, who proceeded upon sure informa- 
 tion, went straight to the headquarters of Brigadier-General Stoughton. This 
 worthy was a Vermonter, and a terrific son of Mars; a graduate of West Point, 
 and a suppress-the-rebellion-in-ninety-days' man. He had just been assigned 
 to the command of the post, and much was expected from a brigadier of such 
 ardor and zeal in the service. 
 
 Alas ! how little control have we over our own fates — a moral observation 
 which the present narrative powerfully enforces : 
 
 " 'Twas midnight, in his guarded tent 
 The Turk was dreaming of the hour 
 When Greece, her knee in suppliance bent, 
 Should tremble at his power." 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 39 
 
 And, lo! the brigadier was even then in the power of that Marco Bozzaris, 
 Major Mosby. " Stoughton's Bitters " came in the shape of a Confederate 
 partisan ! 
 
 The major entered his chamber without much ceremony, and found him 
 reposing in all the dignity and grandeur of a brigadier-general commanding, 
 whose person and slumbers are sacred. Making his way toward the bed, in the 
 dark, the partisan shook him suddenly by the shoulder. 
 
 " Who is that ? " growled the sleepy brigadier. 
 
 " Get up quick, I want you," responded the major. 
 
 "Do you know who I am," cried the brigadier, sitting up in bed, with a 
 scowl. " I will have you arrested, sir." 
 
 "Do you know who /am?" retorted the major, shortly. 
 
 " Who are you?" 
 
 " Did you ever hear of Mosby?" 
 
 " Yes ! Tell me, have you caught the rascal ! " 
 
 " No; but he has caught you !" And the major chuckled. 
 
 " What does all this mean, sir?" cried the furious brigadier. 
 
 "It means, sir," the major replied, very coolly, "that Stuart's cavalry are 
 in possession of this place, and you are my prisoner. Get up and come along, 
 or you are a dead man ! " 
 
 The brigadier groaned in anguish of soul, but was compelled to obey, and 
 the partisan mounted, and placed him under guard. His staff and escort were 
 captured without difficulty, but two of the former, owing to the darkness and 
 confusion, subsequently made their escape. 
 
 Meanwhile the other detachments were at work. They entered the stables, 
 and led out fifty-eight horses, with their accoutrements, all belonging to officers, 
 and took a number of prisoners. Hundreds of horses were left, for fear of 
 encumbering the retreat. 
 
 The other parties were less successful. Colonel Wyndham had gone to 
 Washington on the preceding day; but his acting adjutant-general and aide- 
 de-camp were made prisoners. Colonel Johnson, having received notice (if ihe 
 presence of the party, succeeded in making his escape. 
 
 It was now about half-past three in the morning, and it behooved Major 
 Mosby, unless he relished being killed or captured, to effecf his retreat. Time 
 was barely left him to get out of the lines of the enemy before daylight, and 
 none was to be lost. 
 
 He had intended to destroy the valuable quartermaster, commissary and 
 sutler's stores in the place, but these were found to be in the houses which 
 it would have been necessary to burn ; and, even had the proceeding been 
 advisable, time was wanting. The band was encumbered by three times as 
 many horses and prisoners as it numbered men, and day was approaching. The 
 major accordingly made his dispositions rapidly for retiring. 
 
 The prisoners, thirty five in number, were as follows : Brigadier-General E. 
 H. Stoughton ; Baron R. Wordener, an Austrian, aide-de-camp to Colonel 
 
40 tup: war and its heroes. 
 
 Wyndham; Captain A. Barker, 5th New York Cavalry; Colonel Wyndham's 
 acting adjutant-general; thirty prisoners, chiefly of the 18th Pennsylvania and 
 1st Ohio Cavalry, and the telegraph operator at the place. These were placed 
 upon the captured horses, and the band set out in silence on their return. 
 
 Major Mosby took the same road which' had conducted him into the court- 
 house — that which led to Fairfax station. But this was only to deceive the 
 enemy as to his line of retreat, if they attempted pursuit. He soon turned off, 
 and pursued th« same road which he hud followed in advancing, coining out ou 
 the Warrenton turnpike, about a mile and a half from the town. This time, 
 finding no guards on the main road, he continued to follow the turnpike until 
 he came to the bo-It of woods, which crosses the road, about half a mile from 
 Centreville. At this point of the march, one of the prisoners, Captain Barker, 
 no doubt counting on aid from the garrison, made a desperate effort to effect his 
 escape. He broke from the guards, dashed out of the ranks, and tried hard 
 to reach the fort. He was stopped, however, by a shot from one of the party, 
 which came so near him that he thought it advisable not to risk a repetition of 
 it. He accordingly came back and gave himself up again to his enemies. 
 
 Again turning to the right, the major proceeded on his way, passing directly 
 beneath the frowning fortifications. He passed so near them that he distinctly 
 saw the bristling muzzles of the cannon iu the embrazures, and was challenged 
 by the sentinel on the redoubt. Making no reply, he pushed on rapidly — for 
 the day was dawning and no time was to be lost — passed within a hundred yards 
 of the infantry pickets without molestation, swam Cub Run, and again came 
 out on the Warrenton turnpike at Groveton. He had passed through all his 
 enemies, flanked Centreville, wa.s on the open road to the South; he was safe j 
 He had penetrated to the very heart of the enemy's position; glided through 
 their camps; captured their pickets; seized their officers iu bed; borne off their 
 horses; laughed at, and befooled, aud outwitted them completely; and had not 
 lost a man in the interprise ! 
 
 The exploits of Major Mosby would furnish material for a volume which 
 would resemble rather a romance than a true statement of actual occurrences. 
 He has been the chief actor in so many raids, encounters and adventures, that 
 his memoirs, if he committed them to paper, would be regarded as the efforts 
 of his fancy. 
 
 The same correspondent gives the annexed pen-and-ink sketch of the gallant 
 major: His figure is slight, muscular, supple and vigorous; his eye is keen, 
 penetrating, ever on the alert; he wears his sabre and pistol with the air of 
 a man who sleeps with them buckled around his waist, and handles them 
 habitually, almost unconsciously. The major is a determined man in a charge, 
 dangerous on a scout, hard to outwit, and prone to "turn up" suddenly where 
 he is least expected, and bang away with pistol and carbine. 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL WADE HAMPTON. 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL WADE HAMPTON 
 
 Major-General Wade Hampton was born in the city of Charleston, South 
 Carolina, in the year 1818. His father, Colonel Wade Hampton, was a dis- 
 tinguished officer in the war of 1812 and an aide-de-camp to General Jackson 
 at the battle of New Orleans. He was an eminent and esteemed citizen of 
 South Carolina, distinguished as an enlightened and liberal agriculturist, and 
 greatly respected for his elevated and pure character as a man. 
 
 The mother of the subject of our sketch was Miss Anne Fitz Simmons, 
 daughter of Christopher Fitz Simmons, for many years a merchant of Charles- 
 ton city. His grandfather was General Wade Hampton, a distinguished officer 
 of the Revolution, and for a number of years a prominent citizen of South 
 Carolina. 
 
 The present General Hampton, who, it will be seen, descended from a long 
 line of military heroes, received his education at the South Carolina College, 
 where he graduated, with much distinction, at a very early age. While yet 
 quite a young man, he was married to the youngest daughter of General 
 Francis Preston, of Virginia, by which union he had three children — two of 
 them gallant young officers in the Confederate army, and worthy the military 
 name which they bear. The present wife of General Hampton is the only 
 daughter of Governor McDuffie, of South Carolina. 
 
 Previous to' the present war, General Hampton devoted his time and atten- 
 tion almost exclusively to planting, and with much success. He has, however, 
 served in both branches of the South Carolina Legislature, and gave evidence 
 of intellectual qualities which promised high distinction. His argument against 
 the opening of the African slave trade was spoken of as a master-piece of elegant 
 and statesmanlike logic, dictated by the noblest sentiments of the Christian and 
 patriot. # 
 
 At the commencement of hostilities between the North and the South, 
 General Hampton, under authority of the President, raised a splendid legion, 
 and, with profuse and characteristic liberality, contributed largely towards 
 equipping it. The legion was marched to Virginia in time to take an active 
 and efficient part in the first battle of Manassas. General Hampton was- 
 wounded in the head, during this battle, while gallantly leading his command 
 into action. f 
 
 Throughout all the subsequent campaigns in Virginia, he took a prominent 
 past, receiving a severe wound at Seven Pines. After the batttles around 
 
44 THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 Hichniond, .he was promoted to the position of brigadier-general of cavalry 
 •under Major-General J. E. B. Stuart, in which position he has been untiring, 
 and has attracted the attention of the entire Confederacy. He has since had 
 the rank of major-general conferred upon him by the President. 
 
 In the desperate fight at Gettysburg, General Hampton received three 
 wounds — one in the hip from a shrapnel and two sabre cuts in the head — all 
 severe, but, fortunately for his country, not fatal. 
 
 General Hampton's family residence is in Columbia, South Carolina, and is 
 known by all Southerners as the abode of true Southern hospitality, and as one 
 of the handsomest places in the entire South. 
 
SIAJOR-GENETIAL GUSTAVUS WOODSON SMITH. 
 
MA J. GEN. GUSTAVUS WOODSON SMITH, 
 
 General Gustavus "Woodson Smith was born on the 1st day of January, 1822, 
 near Georgetown, Scott county, Kentucky. His parents were both natives of 
 the same county. His grand-parents — paternal and maternal — removed from 
 Eastern Virginia to Kentucky in the time of Daniel Boone, whilst the red men 
 still disputed with the whites for possession of their favorite hunting-ground — 
 the far-famed " Blue Grass District." He is by lineage, education and habits 
 a thorough Kentuckian. 
 
 Through the influence of Colonel Rjchard M. Johnson, then Vice President 
 of the United States, who was the close neighbor and life-long personal and 
 political friend of Bodes Smith, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this 
 sketch, Gustavus W. Smith was appointed a cadet, and entered the United 
 States Military Academy in 1838., and, at the end of six months, had established 
 a reputation for ability of no ordinary character, and was placed first iu mathe- 
 matics in a class reported to be equal, if not superior, to any ever graduated at 
 West Point. 
 
 On leaving the Military Academy in 1842, he was appointed a lieutenant in 
 the United States Corps of Engineers. In 1846, although still a second lieu- 
 tenant and low on the list, because of the slow promotion in that celebrated 
 corps, he was selected by the chief engineer and ordered upon duty as senior 
 lieutenant of the company of " sappers and miners," or engineer soldiers, then 
 being recruited and organized. 
 
 Soon after reaching Mexico, in October, 1846, the captain of the company 
 was taken sick, and died in New Orleans, on his way to his home. Second 
 Lieutenant Smith, as senior officer, assumed command of the company, and 
 retained it to the end of the war. The other officers of the company were 
 Brevet Second Lieutenants George B. McClellan and John G. Foster. 
 
 This company and its officers had an active and leading part in all the opera- 
 tions of the army, in marches, reconnoisances, sieges and battles — Vera Cruz, 
 Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Gherubusco, Chepultapec, and the city of Mexico. 
 
 In the city of Mexico, Lieutenant Smith, at the age of twenty-five, was, by 
 the Commander-in-Chief, General Scott, officially announced as being "'more 
 often and more highly distinguished than any young officer he had ever known." 
 For "signal and distinguished services" he received two brevets — one at Cerro 
 Gordo and one at Contreras. He was recommended more highly and performed 
 more important services, both at Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico, but the 
 
48 TEE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 arbitrary and ucjust rule had been laid down, and was rigidly adhered to, that 
 no found lieutenants should receive more than two brevets. 
 
 Many of Lieutenant Smith's former juniors, who belonged to corps in which 
 promotion was more rapid than in that of the engineers, had reached the grade 
 of first lieutenant, and, by receiving two brevets upon that grade, were made 
 majors; but none of these, it is believed, had a separate command. 
 
 In 1849, Lieutenant Smith was appointed principal assistant professor of 
 engineering and the art of war at West Point Military Academy, with the rank 
 of captain, and continued to fill that position until the 18th of December, 1854, 
 at which time he resigned from the army of the United States. 
 
 In February, 1855, he went to New Orleans, and in October, 1856, removed 
 from that place to the city of New York. 
 
 Captain Gustavus W. Smith, as he was still called, won for himself in civil 
 life a reputation fully equal to that which he had previously established in the 
 army. His administration for three years of the highly responsible position 
 confided to him in the city of New York is regarded by the ablest and best 
 men of that city as unequalled for ability and sterling integrity, and wrung 
 even from his political foes a mead of praise of which any man might well feel 
 proud. 
 
 From his connexions and political opinions, no one doubted which side Cap- 
 tain Smith would espouse. Time passed on. Fort Sumter was bombarded, the 
 battle of Manassas fought, Kentucky was still in the old Union, and Captain 
 Smith was yet in New York He reached Kentucky early in August, 1861, 
 and his Southern friends then learned that he had been suddenly stricken 
 down by disease in New York city just two weeks before the bombardment of 
 Fort Sumter — had been confined to his room for nearly three months, and so 
 soon as he was able to travel, had proceeded to his old home in Kentucky, 
 where he hoped to recuperate his shattered strength and health. 
 
 When the Kentucky Legislature, in the winter of 1861, by an almost unan- 
 imous vote, declared that the seceded States should not be coerced into the 
 Union, it was understood in Kentucky that Captain Smith was the chosen 
 military leader of that State. On arriving at home, he found that a majority 
 of the people of Kentucky had been deceived and betrayed, and immediately 
 determined not to be enchained with her even temporarily under the rule of the 
 Yankees. He therefore left Kentucky, and, on reaching Nashville, offered his 
 services to the President of the Confederate States, stating that he had left the 
 North and come back to the South with the intention of sharing her destiny. 
 In a few days afterwards he proceeded to Puchmond,.and, without application 
 on his part, upon the recommendations of Generals A. S. Johnston, Joseph E. 
 Johnston, and Beauregard, was by the President appointed a major-general. 
 
 As commander of the second corps of the Army of the Potomac, whilst 
 Beauregard commanded the first, and Joseph E. Johnston the army — as com- 
 mander of the left wing of Johnston's army in the celebrated retreat from 
 Centrevilk, and of the rear-guard and left wing from Yorktown in retiring 
 
THE WAR AXD ITS HEROES. .£$ 
 
 upon Richmond — his services upon the battle-field of " Seven Pines," where 
 he had no special command until after General Johnston was wounded — Ua 
 conduct as commander of Johnston's army from the time the latter was wounded 
 until General Lee was ordered to take command of that army — his services as 
 commander of Richmond and its defences, including the country from Wil- 
 mington to Winchester — his services in North Carolina during the two threat- 
 ened advances of the enemy in December, 1862, and the following January 
 cannot and will not be forgotten by the army or the people. 
 
 In the early part of 1863, owing to some misunderstanding between himself 
 and the President, General Smith resigned. 
 
 Immediately after his resignation was accepted, such was his patriotic desire 
 to aid all in his power in our great struggle that he offered his services to 
 General Beauregard as volunteer aid in the then expected attack on Charleston, 
 in any capacity in which he could for the time being be made useful This 
 offer was accepted, and he was with General Beauregard in the gallant defence 
 of that city in April, 1863. 
 
 He now occupies the position as President of the Georgia Manufacturing and 
 Mining Company at Etowah, Georgia ; but we understand accepted this lucra- 
 tive and responsible position with the distinct understanding that if ever his 
 services are needed, or can be made available in defence of the State of Geor- 
 gia, his present residence, or if when the great struggle is made by Kentuckians 
 for Kentucky, which he believes is sure to come, that he must be relieved of 
 the responsibilities of President, and receive his orders from the Governors of 
 either of these States, to both of whom he has already pledged his services. 
 
LIEUT. GEN. JAMES LONGSTREET. 
 
 The name of no officer in the Confederate service has become more familiar 
 to the general reader than that of Lieutenant-General James Longstreet. The 
 number of important conflicts in which he has been engaged since the first 
 shock of arms at Manassas, and the ability and gallantry he has displayed in 
 each, has won for him a proud position in the front rank of distinguished 
 Confederate officers. 
 
 James Longstreet was born in the State of South Carolina, and is about forty- 
 three years of age. For many years past he has been a citizen of Alabama. 
 He entered the Military Academy at West Point in 1838, as a cadet from 
 South Carolina, and graduated in the class of 1842, so celebrated for the 
 number of its distinguished members. Longstreet's grade was number fifty- 
 four in the class, which contained about sixty members. Among his classmates 
 we notice the names of Pope and Rosecranz of the Federal army, and D. H. 
 Ilill, Lovell, G. W. Smith, Van Dorn, M. L. Smith, Rains, McLaws and R. H. 
 Anderson of the Confederate army. We venture the assertion that, notwith- 
 standing the low grade of Longstreet in his class, there is not one of the above- 
 named officers who would not willingly exchange reputations with James Long- 
 street, who has justly won the title of "the hard fighter.'' 
 
 On the 1st of July, 1812, General Longstreet took his position in the United 
 States army, as a brevet second lieutenant of the Fourth Regiment of Infantry, 
 in which he served until March, 1845, when he was transferred to the Eighth 
 Regiment. He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in February, 1847, 
 having previously been distinguished in the battle of Monterey. From June, 
 1847, to July, 1849, he served as adjutant to his regiment. He was breveted 
 captain for " gallant and meritorious conduct " in the battles of Contreras and 
 CherubuscOj August 20th, 1847, and major for "gallantry" in the battle of 
 El Molino del Rey, September 8th, 1847. He was highly distinguished and 
 severely wounded in the assault on Chapultepec, September 13th, 1847. It 
 will thus be seen that the career of Lieutenant Longstreet, in the Mexican war, 
 was one of uncommon brilliancy, and that he came out of the war with an 
 established reputation for courage and ability at the early age of twenty-seven. 
 He became a captain in December, 1852, and paymaster, with the rank of 
 major, in July, 1858. 
 
 General Longstreet was first brought prominently before the Southern public 
 at the battle of Bull Run, on the 18th of July, 1861, where he commanded, 
 
LIEUTKNANT-0ENB8AL JAMBjS LONGSTRBST 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 53 
 
 and subsequently at the battle of Manassas, July 21st, 1861, in which he 
 commanded a brigade under General Beauregard. He was afterwards made a 
 major-general under General Joseph E. Johnston. 
 
 After the battles around Richmond, in which General Longstreet bore a 
 prominent part, he was made lieutenant-general under General Lee, who 
 assumed command of the army after the battle of Seven Pines, General John- 
 ston having been wounded in that engagement. General Longstreet continued 
 with the army of the Potomac until after the battle of Gettysburg, when he was 
 transferred to the command of a separate army, which, at the present writing, 
 (February, 1864,) is successfully engaged in the defence of East Tennessee. 
 
 As a "fighter" General Longstreet stands second to no officer in the army, 
 and it is said that, during his connection with the army of the Potomac, General 
 Lee reposed the most unbounded confidence in his coolness, skill and courage. 
 
 General Longstreet combines, in an eminent degree, the qualities of a great 
 soldier, viz : the spirit and dash to storm a formidable position ; the stubborn 
 courage and cool judgment to maintain his ground against superior numbers, 
 and the skill and ability to control and direct an army, either for offeusive or 
 defensive operations. 
 
 General Longstreet is about six feet high, weighs at least two hundred 
 pounds, and, as will be seen by his portrait, wears a heavy, flowing brown beard. 
 He is justly regarded as one of the finest looking men in the army. 
 
LIEUT. GEN. AMBROSE POWELL HILL. 
 
 Ambrose Powell Hill was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, and is the son 
 of Major Hill, who, for many years, was a leading politician aud merchant of 
 that county. 
 
 The subject of our sketch entered West Point, as a cadet from his native 
 State, in 1843, and graduated on the 3d of June, 1847. On the 1st of July, 
 1847, he was commissioned brevet second lieutenant First Artillery, and on the 
 26th of August, 1847, he was promoted second lieutenant. 
 
 He entered the Confederate service at the commencement of the war, as 
 colonel of the 13th Regiment Virginia Volunteers. At the first battle of 
 Manassas, this regiment, with the remainder of General Joseph E. Johnston's 
 command, arrived on the field just in time to insure and complete the great 
 victory of that memorable day. 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 55 
 
 At the battle of Williamsburg he had risen to tbe rank of brigadier-general, 
 and in that fight exhibited an extraordinary spirit and energy, which was 
 recognized by all who observed his behaviour on the field. 
 
 In the disposition of the forces around Richmond previous to the seven days 
 fighting, General Hill, who had now been made a major-general, occupied with 
 his division the extreme left of our position in the neighborhood of Meadow 
 Bridge. He was placed in command of one of the largest divisions of the 
 army, composed of the brigades of Anderson, Branch, Pender, Gregg, Field, 
 and, perhaps, some others, which he rapidly brought to perfection in organiza- 
 tion.' It was made his duty to cross at Meadow Bridge and make the first 
 attack upon the enemy's forces. Here he maintained a terrible conflict with 
 the enemy, encouraging his troops by examples of personal audacity, which 
 kept him constantly exposed to the enemy's fire. 
 
 That position of the enemy being gained, the division of General Hill followed 
 his subsequent movements, being placed first on the line of our advance and 
 bearing the brunt of the action, to Frazer's farm, where occurred the memorable 
 engagement in which his command, composed of his own and one division of 
 General Longstreet's, fonght the entire Yankee force, and achieved a success 
 which broke the spirit of the invading horde and completed the circuit of our 
 victories. 
 
 General II ill, with his battle-scarred, veterans has borne a conspicuous part; 
 in every battle fought by the army of the Potomac, from the first engagement 
 at Manassas to the battle of Gettyshurg. 
 
LIEUT. GEN. RICHARD S. EWELL. 
 
 Hichard S. Ewell is a native of Prince William county, Virginia. We hare 
 3iot been able to ascertain the year of his birth ; but, as he entered the Military 
 Academy of West Point in 1836 and graduated in 1840, we presume he is 
 somewhat turned of forty. He was appointed second lieutenant of cavalry by 
 brevet on the 1st of July, 1840, and full second lieutenant the November 
 following. On the 18th of September, 1845, he was made first lieutenant, and, 
 with that rank, went into the Mexican war. He won his promotion to captain 
 in the field, having received it for " gallant and meritorious conduct" in the 
 battles of Contreras and Cherubusco. 
 
 Captain Ewell was among the first to cast his fortune with the South when 
 his native State seceded. His first appearance .was at Fairfax CoUrt-house, 
 when a party of cavalry were surprised by the enemy, and Governor Smith 
 succeeded in rallying them. Ewell, we believe, had no command; but, when 
 the alarm took place, he rushed into the street, in the very midst of the danger, 
 and, by his energetic remonstrances and fearless exposure of his person, con- 
 tributed greatly to prevent a catastrophe. With the rank of colonel, we next 
 find him in command of the camp of instruction for cavalry at Ashland. His 
 services here were invaluable and their effect has been felt throughout the war. 
 His discipline was stern and rigid, but humane, and, out of raw mounted 
 militia, he soon formed a most efficient body of troops. At the first battle of 
 Manassas, Ewell, now a brigadier, was stationed with his cavalry on the right. 
 In that position, he was detained all day, without participating in the dangers 
 and glory of the fight. An order was sent to him to advance to Centreville, 
 and fall upon the flank and rear of the enemy. That order never reached him. 
 Had it arrived in time, the consequence would have been the capture of 20,000 
 men, the utter destruction of the Yankee army, and, in all probability, the 
 eapture of Washington. Soon after this battle, Ewell was made a major-general 
 and placed in command of a division. 
 
 Upon Jackson's retreat after the battle of Kernstown, Ewell was sent to 
 re-inforce him. The two great soldiers seemed formed to act together. The 
 utmost cordiality always existed between them. Each was too noble, too brave, 
 too generous, to feel the slightest jealousy of the other. Upon all occasions, 
 Jackson bore testimony to the invaluable services of Ewell ; and Ewell, in 
 return, always expressed the highest admiration for Jackson. In nearly all of 
 Jackson's battles in the Valley, Ewell was a participant, and the part he bore 
 
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL RICHARD S. EWELL. 
 

THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 59 
 
 was always prominent. At Port Republic, Ewell was pitted against Fremont, 
 He routed him completely and clapped an extinguisher upon his pretensions 
 to be considered a soldier. Since that time, Fremont has been continually 
 sinking in the estimation of the Yankees, and has now at last found his level, 
 as the chief of an army of negroes. 
 
 General Ewell was in all the battles around Richmond in which Jackson's 
 corps was engaged. When the latter was ordered to the Piedmont country to* 
 chastise the miscreant Pope, Ewell was his right-hand man. He distinguished 
 himself greatly in tlie battle of Cedar mountain, and was the life and soul of 
 the march to Manassas. In the second battle of that name, he was so severely 
 wounded in the leg, that amputation was rendered necessary. He bore the 
 operation with great fortitude and even cheerfulness. As soon as he had 
 sufficiently recovered, he was removed to Richmond, where, in the house of bis 
 friend, Dr. Hancock, who had been his surgeon on a former occasion, he lay 
 several months, occasionally suffering great pain. Having finally recovered, he 
 was made a lieutenant-general and placed in command of one-half of Jackson's ■ 
 old corps, out of whieh two had been fornfed, General A. P. Hill commanding 
 the other. It is said that JacksoB, on his death-bed, expressed his eareest 
 desire that Ewell might be his successor. That he was correct in his estimate 
 of Ewell's capacity for command has been rendered sufficiently evident. The 
 capture of Winchester was one of the mo6t magnificent achievements of the 
 war, and places its author, at once, in the foremost rank of our genewds 
 
MAJOR JOHN PELHAM. 
 
 The " gallant Pelham," as lie was styled by his commanding general, was a 
 native of Alabama, and commauded the horse artillery attached to the cavalry 
 division of General J. E. 33. Stuart. He entered the army at the commence- 
 ment of the war and was engaged in every battle fought in Virginia from the 
 first Manassas, in 1861, to the battle of Keysville, March 17, 1863, where he 
 fell mortally wounded, with the battle-cry on his lips and the light of victory 
 beaming from his eye. The army correspondent of the "Illustrated News" 
 thus notices the sad event : 
 
 On the morning of the 17th of March, Averill's Federal cavalry, three 
 thousand in the saddle, crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford and attacked 
 about eight hundred of General Fitzhugh Lee's command, who faced, without 
 shrinking, these great odds, and fought them stubbornly, at every point, 
 throughout the entire day. 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 61 
 
 When the sun set on that 'tranquil evening — pinking slowly down behind the 
 quiet forest, unstirred by the least breath of wind — the long and desperate 
 struggle was decided. The enemy was retiring "badly hurt;" and General 
 Stuart added in his dispatch, " We are after hiin. His dead men and horses 
 strew the road." 
 
 No harder battle has been fought during the entire war; and never have the 
 enemy reeled back in greater confusion before the Southern steel than here. 
 Our heroes won the day by hard and desperate fighting, in charge after charge; 
 but lost in the struggle some of the most valiant hearts that ever beat. Puller, 
 Harris and Pelham were among the number — the "gallant Pelham" of the 
 battle of Fredericksburg. He was in the performance of his duty as chief of 
 artillery, and was riding toward his general, when a regiment of cavalry swept 
 by him in a charge. He was waving his hat aloft and cheering them on, when 
 a ball from a carbine struck him on the head, mortally wounding him. He 
 lingered until after midnight, on the morning of the 18th, when General Stuart 
 telegraphed to Mr. Curry, of Alabama : 
 
 u The noble, the chivalric, the gallant Pelham is no more. He was killed in 
 action yesterday. His remains will be sent to you to-day. How much he was 
 beloved, appreciated and admired, let the tears of agony we have shed, and 
 the gloom of mourning throughout my command, bear witness. His loss is 
 irreparable." 
 
 The body of the young officer was sent to Richmond — laid in state in the 
 capitol of Virginia — and we are told that " some tender hand deposited an 
 evergreen wreath, intertwined with white flowers, upon the case that contained 
 all that was mortal of the fallen hero." His family received the soldier's 
 remains; they were taken to his Southern home; Virginia, the field of his 
 fame, had surrendered him to Alabama, the land of his birth. 
 
 In a general order issued on the occasion, General Stuart said : 
 
 "To you, his comrades, it is needless to dwell upon what you have so often 
 witnessed — his prowess in action — already proverbial. You well know how, 
 though young in years — a mere strippling in appearance — remarkable for his 
 genuine modesty of deportment — he yet disclosed on the battle-fiold the conduct 
 of a veteran, and displayed, in his handsome person, the most imperturbable 
 coolness in danger. His eye had glanced over every battle-field of this army, 
 from the first Manassas to the moment of his death, and he was, with a single 
 exception, a brilliant actor in all. 
 
 " The memory of the ' gallant Pelham,' his many virtues, his nobie- 
 nature and purity of character, is enshrined as a sacred legacy in the hearts of 
 all who knew him. His record has been bright and spotless; his career brilliant 
 and successful. He fell — the noblest of sacrifices — on the altar of his country, 
 to whose glorious service he had dedicated his life from the beginning of the 
 war. 
 
 "In token of respect for his cherished memory, the Horse Artillery and 
 division staff will wear the military badge of mourning for thirty days; and the 
 
Q% THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 senior officer of staff, Major Von Borcke, will place his remains in the posses- 
 sion of his bereaved family, to whom is tendered, in behalf of the division, the 
 assurance of heartfelt sympathy in this deep tribulation. 
 
 " In mourning his departure from his accustomed post of honor on the field, 
 let us strive to imitate his virtues, and trust that what is loss to us, may be 
 more than gain to him." 
 
 When killed, Pelham was but twenty-four years of age, but he had made for 
 himself a, " great immortal name." 
 
 The correspondent of the " Illustrated News," above alluded to, furnished 
 that paper with the annexed particulars in regard to his short but brilliant 
 career : 
 
 A son of the great State of Alabama, and descended from an old and honorable 
 family there, he had more than the courage of his race and clime. He chose 
 arms as his profession, and entered "West Point, where he graduated just as the 
 war commenced. He lost no time in offering his services to the South, and 
 reoeived the appointment of first lieutenant in the Confederate States army. 
 Proceeding to Harper's Ferry, when General Johnston was in command there, 
 he was assigned to duty as drill-officer of artillery, and in the battle of Manassas 
 commanded a battery, which he fought with that obstinate and daring courage 
 which afterwards rendered him so famous. He speedily attracted the attention 
 of the other generals of the army, and General J. E. B. Stuart entrusted him 
 with the organization of the battalion of Horse Artillery which he subsequently 
 commanded in nearly every battle of the war upon Virginia Soil. Here I knew 
 him first. 
 
 From the moment when he took command of that now famous corps, a new 
 system of artillery fighting seemed to be inaugurated. The rapidity, the rush, 
 the impetus of the cavalry were grafted on its more deliberate brother. Not 
 once, but repeatedly, has the Horse Artillery of Pelham given chase at full 
 speed to a flying enemy ; and far in advance of all infantry support, unlimbered 
 and hurled its thunders on the foe. It was ever at the point where the line 
 was weakest; and however headlong the charge of the cavalry, the whirling 
 gun.-j were beside it, all ready for their part. "Trot, march!" had yielded to 
 u gallop ! " with the battalion — it was rushed into position, and put in action with 
 a rush ; and in and out among the guns where the bolts fell thickest was the 
 brave young artillerist ; cool and self-possessed, but, as one of his officers said 
 the other day, " as gay as a schoolboy at a frolic." He loved his profession for 
 its own sake purely ; and often spoke to the officers above alluded to of the 
 "jolly good fights" he would have in the present campaign; but I anticipate 
 my subject. 
 
 Once associated with the command of General Stuart, he secured the warm 
 regard and unlimited confidence of that general, who employed his services upon 
 every occasion. Thenceforth their fortunes seemed united, like their hearts ; 
 and the name of the young man became noised abroad as one of the most des- 
 perate fighters of the whole army. He was rightly regarded by General Jackson 
 
THE WAR AN'D ITS HEUOSS. 63 
 
 and others as possessed of a very extraordinary genius for artillery; and when 
 any movement of unusual importance was designed, Pelham was assigned to the 
 artillery to be employed. 
 
 His career- was a brief one, but how glorious ! How crowded with great 
 events that are history now. Let us glance at it : 
 
 "When our forces fell back from Manassas in 1861, his batteries had their part 
 in covering the movement, and guarding the fords of the Rappahannock. During 
 the campaign of the Peninsula, his Blakely was as a sentinel on post next the 
 enemy ; and at the battle of Williamsburg his courage and skill transformed raw 
 militia into veterans. In the seven days' battles around Richmond he won fade- 
 less laurels. With one Napoleon, he engaged three heavy batteries, and fought 
 them with a pertinacity and unfaltering nerve which made the calm face of 
 General Jackson glow ; and the pressure of that heroic hand, warm and eloquent 
 of unspoken admiration. Soon afterwards, at the " White House," he engaged 
 a gunboat, and driving it away, after a brief but hot encounter, proved how 
 fanciful were the terrors of these u monsters," as they were then called. After 
 that work in the Peninsula, the young man was famous. 
 
 His greatest achievements were to come, however; and he hastened to record 
 them on the enduring tablets of history. From the moment when his artillery 
 advanced from the Rappahannock, to the time when it returned thither, to the 
 day of Fredericksburg, the path of the young leader was deluged with the 
 blood of battle. At Manassas he rushed his guns into the very columns of the 
 enemy almost ; fighting their sharpshooters with canister, amid a hurricane of 
 balls. At Sharpsburg be had command of nearly all the artillery on our left, 
 and directed it with the hand of the master. When the army crossed back 
 into Virginia he was posted at Sheppardstown, and guarded the ford with an 
 obstinate valor, which spoke in the regular and unceasing reverberation of his 
 deep-mouthed Napoleous, a> they roared on, hour after hour, driving back the 
 enemy. 
 
 Of the days whieh suceeeJed that exciting period, many persons will long 
 hold the memory. It was in an honest old country house, whither the tide of 
 war bore him for a time, that the gay, noble nature of the young soldier shone 
 forth in all its charms. There, in the old hall on the banks of the Opequon, 
 surrounded by warm hearts who reminded him perhaps of his own beloved ones 
 in far Alabama ; there, in the tranquil days of Autumn, in that beautiful coun- 
 try he seemed to pass some of his happiest hours. All were charmed with his 
 kind temper and his sunny disposition — with his refinement, his courtesy, his 
 high breeding and simplicity. Modest to a fault almost — blushing like a girl 
 at times — and wholly unassuming in his entire deportment — he became a favorite 
 with all around him, and secured that regard of good men and women which is 
 the proof of high traits and fine instincts in its possessor. In the beautiful 
 Autumn forests ; by the stream with its great sycamores ; and under the tall 
 oaks of the lawn, he thus wandered for a time — an exile from his own land of 
 Alabama, but loved, admired and cherished by warm hearts in this. When 
 
(54 THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 he left the haunts of the old " bower " I think he regretted it. But work 
 called hhn. 
 
 The fiat had gone forth from the imperial closet at Washington, that another 
 " On to Richmond " should be attempted — and where the vultures of war 
 hovered, there was the post of duty for the Horse Artillery. The cavalry crossed 
 the Blue Ridge, and met the advancing column at Aldie — and Pelham was 
 again in his element, hurling destruction upon the ranks of General Bayard. 
 Thenceforward, until the banks of the Rappahannock were reached by the 
 cavalry, falling back in order, as was designed — from that instant the batteries 
 of the Horse Artillery disputed every step of ground. The direction of the 
 artillery was left with unhesitating confidence to the young ofiicer ; and those 
 who witnessed, during that arduous movement, the masterly handling of his 
 guns, can tell how this confidence was justified. It was the eye of the great 
 soldier, the hand of the born artillerist which was evident in his work, during 
 those days of struggle. He fell back neither too soon nor too late, and only 
 limbered up his guns to unlimber again in the first position which he reached. 
 Thus fighting every inch of the way from Aldie, round by Paris and Markham's, 
 he reached the Rappahannock, and posted his artillery at the fords, where he 
 stood and bade the enemy defiance. That page in the history of the war is 
 scarcely known; but those who were present know the obstinacy of the contests, 
 and the nerve and skill which were displayed by the young ofiicer. 
 
 That may be unknown, but the work done by Pelham on the great day of 
 Fredericksburg is a part of history now. All know how stubbornly he stood on 
 that day — what laurels encircled his young brow when night at last came. This 
 was the climax of his fame — the event with which his name will be inseparably 
 connected. "With one Napoleon gun, he opened the battle on the right, and 
 instantly drew upon himself the fire, at close range, of four batteries in front, 
 and a heavy enfilading fire from 30-pound Parrots across the river. But this did 
 not daunt him. That Napoleon gun was the same which he had used at the 
 battle of Cold Harbour — it was taken from the enemy at Seven Pines — and, in 
 the hands of the young ofiicer it had won a fame which must not be tarnished 
 by defeat ! Its grim voice must roar, however great the odds ; its reverberating 
 defiance must roll over the plain, until the bronze war dog was silenced. So it 
 roared on steadily, with Pelham beside it, blowing up caissons and continuing to 
 tear the enemy's ranks. General Lee was watching it from the hill above, and 
 exclaimed, with eyes filled with admiration, " It is glorious to see such courage 
 in one so young ! " It was glorious, indeed, to see that one gun, placed in an 
 important position, >>old its ground with a firmness so unflinching and heroic — 
 to see a beardless boy sternly standing in that horrible hurricane of shell, with 
 iron resolution and a soul as immovable as rock. Not until his last round of 
 ammunition was shot away did Pelham retire, and then only after a peremptory 
 order sent to him. He afterwards took command of the entire artillery on the 
 right, and fought it until night with a skill and courage which were admirable. 
 He advanced hie guns steadily, and at nightfall was thundering «n the flank of 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 65 
 
 the retreating foe, who no longer replied. No answering roar cnrae back from 
 those batteries he had fought with his Xapoleon so loDg — he had triumphed- 
 That triumph was complete and placed forever upon record, when the great 
 commander-in-chief, whom he loved and admired so ardently, gave him the 
 name, in his report, of the "gallant Pelhatn." 
 
 Supreme tribute to his courage — immortalizing him in history ! To be the 
 sole name mentioned in all that host of heroes, and mentioned as the "gallant 
 Pel ham !" 
 
 Thenceforward there was little for him to desire. He had never cared for 
 rank, only longed for glory; and now his name was deathless. It is true that 
 he had sometimes said, with modest and noble pride, that he thought it some- 
 what hard to be considered too young for promotion, when they gave him great 
 commands — as at Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg — and called on him when 
 the hardest work was to be done. But he never desired a mere title he had 
 not won, and did his soldier's duty thoroughly, trusting to time. So noble and 
 important, however, had been his recent services that promotion was a matter 
 of course. The President had appointed him a Lieutenant-Colonel, and it only 
 awaited the formal confirmation of the Senate when he fell on the Rappahan- 
 nock. His fall was a public calamity to the nation, but none to him. It was 
 fit that such a spirit should lay down his great work before the hard life of the 
 world had dimmed the polish of the good knight's spotless shield. He wanted 
 no promotion at the hands of men. He had won, if not worn, the highest 
 honors of the great soldier; and having finished his task, the gentle spirit took 
 its flight, promoted by the tender hand of death to other honors in a brighter 
 world. 
 
 "With what obstinate and unyielding courage he fought ! with a daring how 
 splendid, how rich in suggestion of the antique days ! He entered upon a 
 battle with the coolness and resolution of a great leader trained in a thousand 
 combats, and fought his guns with the fury and elan of Murat at the head 
 of his horsemen. No tract of the ground, no movement of the enemy, ever 
 escaped his eagle eye. With an inborn geuius for war which West Point had 
 merely developed, and directed in its proper channels, he had that rapid com- 
 prehension — intuition almost — which counts for so much in a leader. Where 
 the contest was the hottest and the pressure heaviest, there was Pelham with 
 his guns ; and the broken lines of infantry, or cavalry giving ground before 
 irresistible numbers, heard their deep voices roaring, and saw the ranks of the 
 enemy torn and scattered. Often he waited for no orders, took the whole 
 responsibility, and opened his batteries where he saw that they were needed by 
 the emergencies of the moment. But what he did was always the very best 
 that could be done. He struck at the right moment, and his arm was heavy. 
 Many foes had felt it, and the knowledge that Pelham, with his Horse Artillery, 
 was in front, did not give them much heart for the encounter. They knew that 
 the announcement was another manner of informing them that skill, daring, 
 stubborn courage was to be dealt with — that wounds, disaster and death awaited 
 5 
 
QQ THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 them from the hands of the well-known young leader. AVhat terrified the foe 
 was the guage of success to our own men. The roar of Pelham's Napoleons 
 was a welcome sound. When the deep-mouthed thunder of those guns was 
 heard, the faintest took heart, and the contest assumed a new phase to all — for 
 that sound had proved on many a field the harbinger of victory. At Manassas, 
 "Williamsburg, Cold Harbour, Groveton, Oxhill, Sharpsburg, Sheppardstown, 
 Kearneysvillc, Aldie, Union, Upperville, Markham, Barbee's, Hazel River and 
 Fredericksburg — at these and many other places, he fought his Horse Artillery, 
 and handled it with heroic contempt of danger ! One day, when I led 
 him to speak of his cax-eer, he counted up something like sixty battles, great 
 and small, which he had beeu in, and in every one he had borne a prominent 
 part. Talk with the associates of the young leader in those hard-fought battles, 
 and they will tell you a hundred instances of his dauntless courage. At Manassas, 
 he took position in a place so dangerous, that an officer, who had followed him 
 up to that moment, rode away with the declaration, that " if Pelham was fool 
 enough to stay there, he was not." But General Jackson thanked him, as ho 
 thanked him at Cold Harbour, when the brave young soldier came back covered 
 with dust from fighting his Napoleon — the light of victory in his eyes. At 
 Markham, while he was fighting the enemy in front, they made a circuit and 
 charged him in the rear; but he turned his guns about, and fought them, as 
 before, with his "French Detachment," singing the loud, triumphant Marseil- 
 laise, as that same Napoleon gun broke their ranks and drove them back. All 
 that whole great movement was a marvel of hard fightiDg, however, and Pelham 
 was the hero of the stout, close struggle, as he was of the hot contest on the 
 right at Fredericksburg. Any other chief of artillery might have sent his 
 men in, leaving the direction of the guns to such officers as the brave Captain 
 Henry; but this did not suit the young chieftain. He must go himself with 
 the one gun sent forward, and beside that piece he remaiued until it was 
 ordered back — directing his men to lie down, but sitting his own horse, and 
 intent solely upon the movements and designs of the enemy, wholly careless of 
 the "fire of hell" hurled against him. It was glorious, indeed, as General 
 Lee declared, to see such heroism in the boyish artillerist ; and well might 
 General Jackson speak of him in terms of " exaggerated compliment," and ask 
 General Stuart "if he had another Pelham, to give him to him'!'" 
 
 Modest, brave, loving and beloved — the famous soldjer, the charming com- 
 panion, passed away from the friends who cherished him, leaving a void which 
 no other being can fill. Alabama lent him to Virginia for a time; but, alas I 
 the pale face smiles no more as he returns to her. Many mourn his early death 
 here where his glory was won, as in the southern land from whence he came. 
 To these — the wide circle who loved him for his great qualities, and his kind, 
 good heart — his loss is irreparable, as it is to the whole land. The " breed of 
 noble minds" like his is not numerous, and, when such forms disappear, the 
 gap is hard to fill — the struggle for our liberties is more arduous than before. 
 But the memory of this great young soldier still remains with us — his name is 
 immortal in history as in many heart* which throbbed at his death. 
 
GENERAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON 
 
 This distinguished officer is a native of Prince Edward county, Virginia, 
 where he was born about the year i§08. Tils father was the late Judge Peter 
 Johnston, of the General Court of Virginia, distinguished alike at the bar and 
 on the bench, for sound practical sense and solid legal acquirements. He had 
 been a soldier in his youth — had been one of Greene's officers in his celebrated 
 campaign of 1781, in North and South Carolina — bad borne himself honorably 
 and bravely at Guilford, Camden, Eutaw, and Ninety-Six — and retained, to the 
 day of his death, a predilection for his early profession, which not all his 
 subsequent success in a profession of a very different character, could entirely 
 obliterate. It is worthy of record, that he was the First Lieutenant of the 
 company in which the celebrated Peter Francisco served as a private, and that 
 the latter, scarcely less remarkable for his gigantic strength and undaunted 
 
63 THE VTAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 cournge, than for his keen sagacity and powerful, though uncultivated mind, 
 retained to the close of his life a warm affection for his old commander; a 
 suiheicut proof, since he had so often seen him tried, that he had never found 
 him wanting. After the war of the Revolution, Judge Johnston married Miss 
 Polly Wood of Goochland county, a niece of Patrick Henry, and oue of the 
 most accomplished young ladies of her day. If he had chosen his wife 
 avowedly on the principle that Mrs. Primrose chose her gown, " for qualities 
 that would wear," he could scarcely have made a happier selection. Mrs. John- 
 ston proved to be as remarkable in her married life for the ability with which 
 she discharged the duties of her station, as she had been for her personal 
 attractions in her youth. They raised a large family, sons and daughters, all of 
 whom proved to be persons of superior understanding. Both parents paid the 
 strictest attention to their education, moral and physical, as well as mental ; a 
 duty but too often neglected by those to whom the direction of youth is entrusted. 
 Among other things, they were taught to obtain complete mastery over their 
 own minds; a lesson, above all others, essential to human happiness; for the 
 mind in the moral, like fire in the material world, is the best and most useful of 
 .servants, but the most dangerous and tyrannical of masters. 
 
 Of several brothers, the subject of our sketch was the youngest. When yet 
 a small boy, his father having been appoiuted a judge in Abingdon district, 
 removed his family to that town, and there Joseph received the rudiments of 
 his education. At school he was noted as a boy of quick parts and a bold and 
 enterprising disposition. During this period of his life, he had an opportunity 
 to show one of those characteristics for which he has since been distinguished 
 nbove most of his cotemporaries. By some accident he broke an arm. Most 
 boys of his age would have indulged in the loudest lamentation. Joseph, on 
 the contrary, bore his misfortune with the most heroic fortitude. He shed 
 not a tear and uttered not a groan. He submitted to the setting of the limb 
 with the calm and stoical' composure of an Indian, making not a wry face, and 
 distorting not a muscle of his countenance. With equal patience he bore the 
 xjontmeiiient necessary to his situation, and iu every incident connected with 
 ;the ulster showed a manly spirit far above his years. We mention this cir- 
 cumstance because, though trivial, it is characteristic, and affords a key to his 
 subsequent conduct iu some of the most trying situations that a man can be 
 cailed on to occupy. 
 
 It is possible that his own inclination led him to choose arms as a profession. 
 Naturally of such a disposition as we have recorded, the son, moreover, of an 
 old soldier whose stirring narratives of his experience in the army of Greene 
 he must often have heard, it was natural that he should feel his soul stirred 
 •within him as by the sound of a trumpet. It is reasonable to suppose, also, 
 that his father, always retaining a predilection for a military life, and early dis- 
 covering the bent of his son's genius, should encourage his youthful inclina- 
 tions. Be that as it may, we find him, in 1825, a cadet at the military academy 
 of West Point, at that time in the very zenith of its reputation. His applica- 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 69" 
 
 tion to his studies, from the moment he entered the walls of this institution, 
 was earnest and devoted. How successful it was, we think his after history 
 very clearly shows. He graduated in 1829, in the same class with General 
 Robert E. Lee, a circumstance well worthy of note, as calculated to render that 
 year and that class forever memorable in the anuals of West Point. Cadet 
 Johnston was immediately assigned to the 4th artillery, with the rank of 2d 
 Lieutenant, by brevet. There was at that time no war and no opportunity for 
 distinction. Accordingly, we find him, seven years after, while still a Lici- 
 tenant, appointed Assistant Commissary of Subsistence, a post which he 
 resigned the year after, upon being appointed 1st Lieutenant of Topographical 
 Engineers. This rank he held when the Florida war broke out in 1 83S. His 
 conduct throughout that war was such as to merit the highest praise, and to 
 draw the eyes of the whole country upon him. Upon one occasion, having 
 been sent, under the escort of a party of infantry, to make a survey or recon- 
 noisance of a region which lay around a lake, and having crossed the lake in 
 boats, the party was waylaid by an ambuscade of Indians, and all its officers 
 killed or disabled at the first fire. The men were thrown into complete confu- 
 sion, and were in imminent danger of destruction, when Lieutenant Johnston 
 took the commaud, and, by his coolness and determination, succeeded in res- 
 cuing them. He laid hold of a small tree with one hand, and standing boldly 
 out in face of the whole Cre of the savages, called on the men to rally and 
 form upon him. His cooluess enabled him to subdue what was fust becoming 
 a panic. The men returned to their duty and resumed the action. A perfect 
 volcano of balls swept around Johnston. Most of them were aimed directly 
 at him, to the relief of the soldiers. Strange to .say, while numbers of them 
 struck the tree to which he held last, for some time he was not touched. At 
 last oue struck him immediately above the forehead, about the roots of the 
 hair, and ranged backward to the occiput, grazing the skull the whole distance, 
 but not fracturing it or injuring the brain. Lieutenant J. of course fell, but 
 the troops had caught so much of his spirit that they repulsed the enemy and 
 carried off the wounded in safety. For his gallant conduct on this occasion ; 
 and throughout the Florida war, Lieutenant J. was brevetted Captain — a very 
 meagre recompense for so many and such arduous se rvioes, it seems to us. But 
 promotion was slow in the old army. Iu September, 1840, he became a full 
 Captain by seniority. 
 
 The Mexican war had now begun. On the 16th February, 184 7, Captain 
 Johnston was made Lieutenant-Colonel of Voltigeurs. by brevet, and in that- 
 capacity, sailed with the expedition under General Scott. After the capture of 
 Vera Cruz, when the army advanced, Colonel Johnston made a most daring 
 reconnoisance of the enemy's line, strongly posted on the heights of Cerro 
 Gordo. In this reconnoisance he was severely wouuded, having approached so 
 near the enemy's works that he was struck by three musket-balls. It was 
 supposed, for some time, that his wounds were mortal ; but, happily for his 
 country, a powerful constitution and skillful treatment carried him safely 
 
7Q THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 through the trial. His wounds were received on the 12th of April, exactly six 
 days before the battle of Cerro Gordo, in which, of course, he was unable to 
 bear a part. However, he recovered sufficiently to resume his command in the 
 concluding battles of the war. lie distinguished himself at Molino del Rey, 
 and was again severely wounded at Chapultepec. These numerous wounds led 
 General Scott, afterwards, to say of him: "Johnston is a great soldier, but he 
 has an unfortunate knack of getting himself shot in nearly every engagement." 
 This was intended, probably, as a sneer; but there could not be a more honorable 
 testimonial to the gallantry of a soldier. He was several times brevetted for 
 gallant and meritorious conduct in this war, and at its conclusion, was retained 
 as Captain of Topographical Engineers. At what time he was promoted, we 
 are not aware; but he became a Colonel in the old army, and when the disrup- 
 tion of the Union took place, was Quartermaster-Geueral. He immediately 
 resigned and offered his services to his native State. He was appointed to a 
 high command by Governor Letcher, but thinking he could be of more use in 
 the Confederate service, he resigned and offered himself to President Davis, 
 then at Montgomery. He was immediately appointed Major-General, and 
 ordered to take command of the forces at Harper's Ferry. 
 
 On the 23d of May, 1861, General Johnston assumed the command of the 
 forces at Harper's Ferry, consisting of nine regiments of infantry, two battalions 
 of artillery, and Colonel Stuart's cavalry. This force, numbering, in all, less than 
 10,000 men, was called the Army of the Shenandoah, as that which was placed 
 lower down, nearly opposite Washington, uuder the command of General Beau- 
 regard, was called the Army of the Potomac. General Johnston had a hard 
 task before him. With his small force, he was expected to guard Harper's 
 Ferry, to repulse the Yankee General Patterson, who was said to be approaching 
 on the Maryland side with 20,000 men, and to prevent him from forming a 
 junction with McClellan, who was advancing in the direction of Winchester 
 from the western part of Virginia. Johnston saw, at a glance, that the position 
 of Harper's Ferry was of no importance whatever, since an enemy coming down 
 the Valley of Pennsylvania might easily avoid it, and unite in his rear at Win- 
 chester, with an enemy coming down the Valley of Virginia. That such a pro- 
 ject was on foot, he believed to be certain, when he learned, on the 13th of 
 June, that a force of 2.000 men, believed to be the advanced guard of McClel- 
 lan's forces, had arrived in Itomney. He immediately determined to abandon 
 Harper's Ferry, having first burnt and blown up the railroad bridge and set 
 fire to such of the buildings as were likely to prove useful to the enemy. At 
 the same time he sent forward a detachment to Winchester to hold in check any 
 force that might come from the direction of Itomney. On' the 14th, while on 
 the march, he learned that Patterson had crossed at Williamsport, that he had 
 already possession of Martinsburg, and that there was nothing to fear from 
 Romney, from which the enemy had retreated. His course was instantly taken. 
 He occupied Puuker's Hill on the Martinsburg turnpike by a flank march, 
 interposed his army between the enemy and Winchester, took up a strong posi- 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 71 
 
 tion, and so intimidated Patterson that he immediately fell back across the river 
 Johnston then quietly and leisurely pursued his march to Winchester. This 
 position was of great strategical importance, and its occupation evinced a high 
 degree of skill on the part of the Confederate General. He was now between 
 the forces of McClellan and Patterson, and could operate at his pleasure against 
 either before they could be joined by the others. At the same time he was in 
 a situation to unite with Beauregard, should he be attacked, through Ashby's 
 gap and the railroad. Having ascertained that Patterson designed to cross the 
 Potomac again, he sent Colonel Jackson in advance to oppose him, there being 
 no other troops between Winchester and Martinsburg but Colonel Stuart's cav- 
 alry, who acted as a corps of observation. Patterson crossed fur the second 
 time on the 2d of July, Jackson fell back before him, and drew up his small 
 force at Falling Waters. The enemy came on. A fierce conflict ensued, in 
 which Jackson inflicted upon him a Joss almost equal in number to the force he 
 had with him, and himself sustained scarcely any. When about to be out- 
 flanked, Jackson retired, bringing off forty-five prisoners, whom he had cap- 
 tured. Johnston advanced, with his whole force, to support Jackson, but 
 Patterson apparently had had enough of it ; for he made no attempt to renew 
 the engagement. Johnston then took up a position near Martinsburg, with the 
 hope of drawing Patterson into an engagement, but he could not succeed. After 
 remaining four days in this position, Johnston returned to Winchester. On the 
 15th, Patterson advanced as far as Bunker Hill, about ten miles from Winches- 
 ter, and, on the 17th, made a movement on his left, in the direction of Smith- 
 field. Johnston instantly took the hint. 
 
 He had been convinced, from the refusal of Patterson to accept his challenge 
 at Martinsburg, that he did not intend to fight him, and that his only object was 
 to detain him in the Valley until the Grand Army from Washington should 
 have overwhelmed Beauregard. This movement confirmed his original impres- 
 sion. He had already telegraphed to llichmond, requesting orders to join 
 Beauregard, and had received them accordingly Ordering the cavalry under 
 Colonel Stuart to make a movement in advance, as if for the purpose of bring- 
 ing on a general engagement, he completely deceived Patterson. Under cover 
 of Stuart's movement, Johnston passed his whole army through Ashby's Gap to 
 Piedmont Station, on the Manassas Gap railroad, from whence the infantry were 
 to be transported by the cars to Manassas, the artillery and cavalry following as 
 rapidly as they could. Jackson's brigade and two Georgia regiments reached 
 Manassas on the morning of Saturday, 20th, and Johnston, with the 4th and 
 2d Alabama, and a part of the 11th Mississippi, soon after. The rest of his 
 troops, from some cause, did not arrive that day, although the president of the 
 road had promised that they should. The troops thus detained amounted to 
 about 5,000 in number. 
 
 We shall not here, with the limited space at our command, attempt a sketch 
 of the battle of Manassas. It is sufficient to say that General Johnston, upon 
 assuming the command, declined to alter the dispositions of Gen'l Beauregard — 
 
72 THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 that the failure of the troops which had been left behind on the proceeding 
 day to arrive in time, obliged the Confederate Generals to alter their original 
 plan, which was offensive, aud await the attack of the enemy — that the enemy, 
 35,000 strong, attempted to turn the left wing of the Confederates — that a long 
 and desperate battle ensued — that an order sent to Geueral Ewell, posted on our 
 right centre, to charge the exposed flank of the enemy, miscarried — that iu the 
 very crisis of the battle, Kirby Smith arrived with 1,700 men — that he was 
 wounded and succeeded by Colonel Elzey — that the attack of his body caused 
 the enemy to hesitate, and finally to give ground — and that his discomfiture was 
 completed by the attack made on his flank by Colonel Early, at the head of his 
 brigade. The battle of Manassas had been fought, aud the rout was the most 
 thorough known to history since the day of Waterloo 
 
 The Army of the Potomac continued for seven months to occupy the position 
 near Ccntreville which it had conquered from the enemy by this splendid vic- 
 tory. Except the brilliant episode of Leesburg, and the reverse at Drainesville, 
 there were few incidents to diversify the dull monotony of a life in camp. The 
 winter was uncommonly warm and wet, aud sickness and death thinned the 
 ranks of our army. But the men became accustomed to a soldier's life, and 
 learned how to bear fatigue as well as to face danger, without shriuking. In 
 the meantime, the Yankee government made enormous preparations, both naval 
 and military. Their Secretary of War boasted that in an iucredibly short space 
 of time he had put 660,000 troops in the field. The fruits of his energy soon 
 began to ripen. Hatteras was taken, Beaufort fell, Fort Donnclson was captured, 
 with 5,000 men, and New Orleans fell. Nothing in all history can be compared 
 to the exultations of the Yankee press. They believed the South already con- 
 quered, and they spoke the language of conquerors. Nothing would satisfy them 
 but another " On to Richmond." This time it was to be undertaken by 220,000 
 men, under McClellan. Johnston soon became apprised of the designs of that 
 officer, and prepared to foil them Early in March, McClellan moved upon 
 Manassas with his whole force, to find the camp deserted, and everything that 
 could be of value to his army safely removed. Jonnstou had evacuated all his 
 positions, and retreated to Richmond without the loss of a man. There is no 
 comparison, wc believe, between this retreat and any other upon record. Had 
 Johnston never performed any other military exploit, this alone would entitle 
 him to be considered one of the greatest captains of the age. His whole force 
 scarcely amounted to 40,000 men, and with that little army he had confronted 
 for six months, and eluded without loss, a host of more than 200,000 men. 
 
 But we will not undertake to record the events of Af>ril aud May, 1862, the 
 most brilliant of Johnston's whole life. He hastened with his veteran army to 
 the rescue of the gallant Magruder, who was on the Peninsula with 11,500 
 men, and confronted by McClellan with 100,000. On arriving, Johnston at 
 once assumed command, and on the 6th of May, 1862, fought the battle of 
 Williamsburg, repulsiDg the enemy with enormous loss. Falling back with his 
 victorious army upon the line of the Chickahominy, he gave McClellan another 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 73 
 
 severe lesson iu the art of war at the battle of Seven Pines. Unfortunately 
 for his country, he was severely wounded in this engagement, and had to be 
 removed from the field. 
 
 After recovering from his wounds, General Johnston was assigned to duty in 
 Tennessee, and at the present writing (February, 1864,) commands what is 
 known as the Army of Tennessee, where he will doubtless render services even 
 more brilliant than any he has yet rendered to his country. 
 
 The career of General Johnston has been such as the most illustrious chieftain 
 might envy. A quick genius, a solid judgment, invincible firmness, impertur- 
 bable self-reliance, a will as resolute as that of "the first bald Caesar," a penetra- 
 tion which no device can baffle, a perseverance which no difficulty can subdue, 
 a courage which no danger can shake, quickness of conception, promptness of 
 action, endurance almost superhuman, and reticence as perfect as the grave — 
 all these we take to be characteristics of a great commander, and — in a high 
 degree — General Johnston possesses them all. 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES H. LANE. 
 
 James H. Lane was born at Matthews Court-House, Virginia, in 1834. He 
 graduated with high distinction at the Lexington Virginia Military Institute, 
 and afterwards took his degree in the scientific course at the University of Vir- 
 ginia. So highly was he appreciated at his Alma Mater, that he was soon after 
 recalled to Lexington as Assistant Professor of Mathematics 'and Tactics ; he 
 subsequently became Professor in the .same departments at the State Seminary 
 of Florida, and at the outbreak of hostilities was filling the Chair of Natural 
 Philosophy and Tactics in the North Carolina Military Institute of Charlotte. 
 
 With the other officers of this institution, he immediately offered his services 
 to the State, and was most useful and energetic as drill-master and adjutant at 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 75 
 
 the Camp of Instruction near Raleigh. He was elected Major of the 1st Xorth 
 Carolina Volunteers, and with that gallant regiment won his first laurels on the 
 memorable field of Bethel, June 10th, 1861. 
 
 Shortly after the battle of Bethel he was elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
 28th [North Carolina regiment, and subsequently, for gallant and meritorious 
 conduct, he was made a Brigadier-General, and placed in command of the 4th 
 brigade of the Light Division. He received his appointment as Brigadier on 
 the 1st of November, 1862, as the successor of the lamented General L. O'B. 
 Branch, of North Carolina. 
 
 At the head of a brigade of noble troops, whose banners bear upon their folds 
 the names of nearly twenty battle-fields, he is now manfully battling for the 
 independence of the South. 
 
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL JOHN C. PEMBERTON. 
 
 John 0. Peinbcrton was born in the city of Philadelphia, State of Pennsyl- 
 vania. He entered West Point as a Cadet from that State in 1833, and <>raduated 
 on the 30th of June, 1837. On the 1st of July, 1837, he was appointed Second 
 Lieutenant of the 4th Artillery, TI. S. A., and was promoted First Lieutenant 
 on the 9th of March, 1842. From 1846 to 1848 he acted as Aide-de-Camp to 
 Brevet Major-General Worth, in Mexico. He was twice breveted for "gallant 
 and meritorious conduct," during the war with Mexico— first at Monterey, next 
 at Molino del Hey. 
 
 Immediately upon the commencement of hostilities between the North and 
 South, General Pemberton resigned his commission in the United States army 
 and espoused the cause of the South. Hastening to Montgomery, he was at 
 once tendered a position in the Southern army by President Davis. 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 77 
 
 General Pemberton first attracted public attention by bis gallant defence of 
 tbe city of Yicksburg, Mississippi, tbe particulars of wbich will form one of the 
 most interesting chapters in the history of thia second war fdr independence. 
 
 On the 18th of May, 1863, Yicksbu r g, in consequence of a disaster at Big 
 Black Bridge, was closely iuvested by the Yankee forces under Grant, the right 
 of his army resting on the river above the city. As a last resort, General Pem- 
 berton, with a weakened but glorious little army, retired behind his works. To 
 appease the clamor that had been raised against him, and to repel the charge 
 that he designed selling Yicksburg, he exhorted his soldiers to follow him, and 
 see at what price he would sell it, for it would not be less than his own life and 
 that of every man in his command. The siege was continued until the 4th of 
 July, when, after a heroic defence, the place was unconditionally surrendered. 
 General Pemberton, in the letter which proffered surrender, stated his reasons 
 for doing so, as follows : 
 
 "I make this proposition to save the further effusion of blood which must 
 otherwise be shed to a frightful extent, feeling myself fully able to maintain my 
 position for an indefinite period." 
 
 The terms of the capitulation were thus announced : 
 
 " The entire force of the Confederate troops, were to surrender, as prisoners 
 of war, to the United States army, under General Grant ; the whole army, 
 including the generals, were to be immediately paroled and sent into our lines ; 
 all officers were to retain their arms ; all mounted officers to have the privilege 
 of riding out; private property to be respected, and all parties, whether citizens 
 or not, connected in any manner with the army, were to be allowed the privilege 
 of leaving the Federal lines on parole. All ammunition, stores, field artillery 
 and siege guns were to be surrendered to the United States army, as well as al 
 small arms iu our possession." 
 
COMMODORE GEORGE N. HOLLINS. 
 
 The father of Commodore Hollins was born in Manchester, England, and, on 
 coming to the United States, settled in Baltimore, embarked in merchandising, 
 and became engaged in the East India trade, doing a large and extensive busi- 
 ness for many years. lie married a 3Iiss Jane Smith, of Baltimore, a sister of 
 General Samuel Smith, who was Secretary of War, while his brother Bobert 
 was Secretary of the Navy, under Jefferson. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was born in the city of Baltimore in the year 
 1700, on the 20th day of September, where he resided until his fourteenth 
 year, when, at his urgent solicitation, his father consented to his application for 
 a position in the navy of his country. He received the appointment as a mid- 
 shipman from Secretary Jones, the then Secretary of the Navy under President 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 79 
 
 Madison, and was ordered to the sloop-of-war Erie, of twenty guns, commanded 
 by Commander Ridgeley, and lyirjg at Baltimore, waiting an opportunity of 
 passing the English blockading squadron of that port. The English moving 
 from Washington on Baltimore, the sailors of the latter port were placed under 
 Commander Barney, and were ordered forward to check their advance, and did 
 meet them in the fight at Bladensburg. Young Hollins served with Commander 
 Barney in this fight, and fell back with the army to Baltimore, where he was 
 placed in command of the Erik Commander Ridgely being ordered with all 
 available spare men to the lakes, and those remaining to the shore batteries, 
 Hollins formed a crew of volunteer seamen to man the Erie while defending 
 the harbor. He was at this time such a mere lad that one of his mother's lady 
 friends, seeing him march his volunteers down the street, preparatory to going 
 aboard, ordered him home, telling him, if he did not desist, she would be 
 compelled to inform his parents of his conduct. This was a good joke for the 
 sailors, but no fun to the brave boy. 
 
 After the repulse of the English at Baltimore, he was ordered to the Presi- 
 dent, carrying forty-four guns, and commanded by the gallant Decatur. The 
 ship President, left Xew York, at nine o'clock at night, on the 15th of January, 
 1813. The weather was severe, the ni<<ht dark, and the pilot, from the rough- 
 ness of the sea and strong westerly wind, being unable to govern the motion of 
 the vessel, she was carried ashore, which affected her sailing qualities so seriously 
 that it was thought advisable to return to port. The wind still continuing 
 unfavorable, aud it being unsafe to remain where she was, her bold commander 
 determined to keep on his voyage. He accordingly put out at daylight, fell in 
 with the razeed sixty gun frigate Majestie, the forty-four gun frigate Endemion, 
 the forty-four gun frigate Tenados, and the forty-four gun frigate Pomona. 
 These vessels gave chase, firing all day at the President. About suudown, the 
 Endemion, getting much ahead of its consorts, Decatur turned and gave fight. 
 The Endemion was so much crippled that she was compelled to haul off, but 
 not before the Tenados and Pomena had arrived to her assistance. The 
 President, having more than two-thirds of her officers and men killed, and after 
 exchanging a few broadsides with these vessels, surrendered to the squadron. 
 Hollins was carried to Bermuda with his commander, where he remained until 
 the close of the war. On his return home, he was ordered to the ship Guerriere, 
 carrying forty-four guns, and the flag-ship of Commander Decatur's squadron, 
 which was ordered to Algeria to suppress the Algcrine Mediterranean pirates. 
 Decatur captured the admiral and his frigate of forty-four guns, immediately 
 on his arrival in the Mediterranean, and then, sailing for Algiers, commanded 
 a treaty, by which American commerce was freed from the black mail which all 
 nations were paying to the Algerines. 
 
 From this time until 1852, our country remaining at peace, Hollins spent in 
 various positions of naval trust. In this year the people of Gray Town had 
 insulted grossly the American consul and had destroyed much property of our 
 citizens. Commander Hollins was ordered to go immediately to that port in the 
 
80 THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 Vynnr, of twenty guns, and demand a most explicit apology and reparation for 
 damages. He went, and finding the people unwilling to make even the slightest 
 amends, he leveled the town, though protested against by the English command- 
 ing officer then in port. On his return to the United States, his conduct was 
 approved of by the Administration, of which Jefferson Davis was the Secretary 
 Of War. 
 
 A short time before the election of Lincoln, Commander Ilollins was on a cruise 
 in the steamship Susquehanna, and did not arrive in Boston until June, 1861. 
 Unfortunately f° r tne Confederacy, out of his thirty- f wo officers, twenty sided 
 with the North ; and more unfortunately yet, the ship's draught was too great 
 for any port but Norfolk, which entrance was guarded by Fortress Monroe. 
 Commander Ilollins was complimented by twelve of his officers and eighty of 
 his men making immediate application for their discharge. This application 
 went in with his own, and he has had the satisfaction of meeting most of these 
 men in the South. His resignation was not accepted, but he was dismissed 
 without pay, as a punishment for his devotion to his section. This was Yankee 
 gratitude to a man who had spent more than forty-six years in the service of his 
 country. Without delay he hastened to Richmond, and suggested the possi- 
 bility of the taking of the Pawner, which vessel was then giving us much 
 annoyance on the Potomac. Receiving the consent of our government, he 
 hurried to Maryland, and, with men and arms, took passage on the St. Nicholas, 
 Off "Point Look Out," he demanded the surrender of the boat, and, hearing 
 that the Pawnee had gone to Washington, felt that the best thing to be done 
 was to carry the St. Nicholas up the Rappahannock. On his way, he captured 
 twice the number of his own crew and three vessels loaded with coal, coffee and 
 ice — the last being particularly necessary for our sick and wounded. He was 
 then ordered to New Orleans to get up a naval defence, but, before he could do 
 anything, the enemy were reported to be at the upper end of the passes of the 
 Mississippi. After the fall of New Orleans, Commander Hollins was ordered 
 to the Naval Roard, convened in Richmond, to examine young men for the ser- 
 vice. A year since, after the duties of the board were over, he reported for 
 duty. Officers who have the confidence of the people, and are at all time3 
 " eager for the fray/' should not be permitted to remain idle long, and we trust 
 Commander Hollins will soon be placed at the " post of honor," where we are 
 sure his country's flag will not be sullied, so long as he has a sword to defend it. 
 
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL JOHN B. HOOD. 
 
 Lieutenant-General John B. Hcod was born in Owensville, Bath county, 
 Kentucky, June 29th, 1831, and was brought up at Mount Sterling, Mont- 
 gomery county. He entered upon his collegiate course at West Point in 1849, 
 and graduated in 1853. He was then assigned to duty in the Fourth Infantry 
 in California, where he served twenty-two months. When the two new regi- 
 ments, raised by Jefferson Davis, then Secretary of War, were called out, he 
 was transferred July, 1855, to the one (Second Cavalry) in which General 
 Albert Sidney Johnston, who fell at Shiloh, was in command, and General R. 
 E. Lee ; the lieutenant- colonel. This regiment furnished many valuable officers 
 6 
 
82 THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 to the South. Generals Earl Van Dora, E. K. Smith, Fields, Evans and Hardee 
 were from its ranks. 
 
 In the winter of 1855-6, General Hood entered upon the frontier service of 
 Western Texas, where, in July following, he had a spirited engagement, and 
 was wounded by the Indians on Devil's river. 
 
 A short time before the beginning of the present war, he was ordered to 
 report for duty at West Point, as instructor of cavalry. But anticipating the 
 present difficulties, he was allowed, at his own request, to return to duty in 
 Texas — his object being, in view of :A\ the prospects of impending dissolution, 
 to be in that portion of the country which he most loved and so greatly admired. 
 He could see no hope of reconciliation or adjustment, but every indication of a 
 iierce and bloody war; consequently, he had determined to cast his destiny with 
 the South. On the 16th of April, 1861, he resigned his commission under the 
 United States Government, and tendered his services to the Confederacy. His 
 name was entered upon the roll with the rank of first lieutenant, and ordered 
 to report to General Lee, in Virginia, who ordered him to report to General 
 Magruder, on the Peninsula. He was at once placed in command of all the 
 cavalry of the Peninsula, with the rank of captain of regular cavalry. Having 
 several successful engagements with the enemy, he was soon promoted to the 
 rank of major. On September 30th, he was ordered to Kichmond, and, receiving 
 the rank of colonel of infantry, was placed in command of the Fourth Regiment 
 Texas Volunteers, then in camp near the city. Very few of the men had ever 
 s-jen him, and doubts were entertained whether a colonel could be appointed 
 that would give satisfaction. An attempt had previously been made to organize 
 the regiment under Colonel Allen, of Texas; but, in consequence of a protest of 
 some of the captains, the appointment was withdrawn. This produced a feeling 
 with others, and it was thought that they would not be satisfied with any one 
 that might be appointed. Put in a few days the feeling was gone, and every 
 one seemed to be perfectly contented. His commanding appearance, manly de- 
 portment, quick perception, courteous manners and decision of character, readily 
 impressed the officers and men that he was the man to govern them in the camp 
 and command them on the field ; and his thorough acquaintance with every 
 department of the service, satisfied every one with his competency for the posi- 
 tion. The men found him able and ready to give all the necessary instruction, 
 not only in drilling them for the field, but also in the forms and technicalities 
 of the clothing, commissary, ordinance and transportation departments — for the 
 waut of which information, regiments entering the service frequently go hungry, 
 and commissaries and quartermasters make many fruitless trips. 
 
 On the 8th and 9th of November, 1861, the 4th and 5th Texas regiments 
 left Kichmond and arrived at Dumfries on the 12th instant, and were there 
 organized into a brigade, under Colonel Wigfall, of the State of Texas, who, to 
 this end, had received the appointment of brigadier-general. But, as he was 
 the Senator elect from the State of Texas, after the meeting of Congress, he 
 resigned; and on the 3d of March, 1862, Colonel Hood was appointed to take 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 83 
 
 his place. Thus we see, within the short space of ten months and seventeen 
 days, he was promoted from the rank of lieutenant to that of brigadier. 
 
 General Hood continued with the Army of the Potomac until Lieutenant- 
 General Long-street's command was sent to re-inforce the Army of Tennessee, 
 where, with his brave Texans, he followed that general to seek new laurels in 
 the " volunteer State." 
 
 At the battle of Chickamauga, General Hood bore a prominent part, and, 
 during the engagement, was so severely wounded in the right leg as to render 
 amputation necessary. For signal courage, displayed on the hard-fought field 
 of Chickamauga, General Hood was made lieutenant-general. 
 
 General Hood is about six feet two inches high, with full, broad chest, light 
 hair and beard, blue eyes, and is gifted by nature with a voice that can be heard 
 even above the roar of cannon. 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL T. C. HINDMAN. 
 
 Major-General Hindnian is a native of the State of Arkansas, and is now in 
 the prime of life. He entered the army at the commencement of the war, and 
 on the 29th of Jane, 1861, was appointed Colonel of the 2d Arkansas regi- 
 ment. On the 28th of September, 1861, he was made a brigadier-general, 
 which position he held until the Uth of April, 1862, when he was promoted 
 to the rank of major-general. General Hindman, we believe, has never been 
 •connected with the army of Northern or Western Virginia, his fields of opera- 
 tion and usefulness having been chiefly confined to Georgia and Tennessee. 
 
 On the 29th of September last, General Hindman being then at Newman, 
 Oeorgia, disabled by an injury received in the battle of Chickamauga, was sus- 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 85 
 
 pended from command by order of General Bragg. The charge against him 
 Avas disobedience of orders on September 11th, in McLemore'a Cove. General 
 Hindman at once requested a Court of Inquiry, and subsequently made a report 
 of the McLcmore's expedition, showing that the charge of disobedience was not 
 sustained by the facts in the case. The decision of President Davis in the 
 matter is stated in the following letter of General Cooper : 
 
 Adjutant and Inspector General's Oeficb, 
 Richmond, November 23, 18G3. 
 
 General — Enclosed pjease find a copy of a letter from Gen'l Bragg, requesting 
 your restitution to duty, with which it gives the President much pleasure to 
 comply. 
 
 Your letter of October 2d, asking for a court of inquiry, was referred to the 
 President, and has been returned with the following endorsement, viz : 
 
 4< The investigation — which I had opportunity to make personally — into the 
 facts of the case, convinces me that, bad the explanations which have since been 
 furnished preceded the order of General Bragg relieving General Rindman 
 from command, that order would not probably have been issued ; and, in view 
 of the letter of General Bragg of November ] 5, it is not deemed necessary to 
 the honor of General Hindman, or to the interest of the public service, that 
 the inquiry asked for should be instituted." 
 
 I enclose you a special order directing you to report for duty to General 
 Bragg. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 S. Cooper, A. and L G. 
 
 To Major- General T. C. Hwclman, <$se. f &c. 
 
 The following is a copy of the letter of General Bragg referred to 
 
 Headquarters Departmbnt Tennessee, 
 Missionary Ridge, November 15, 1863. 
 
 Mr. President — After your action in the case of Lieutenant-General Polk, 
 which to me has been entirely satisfactory, I feel it a duty, as it is a pleasure, 
 to request a similar action on your part toward Major- General Hindman. This 
 officer, as will appear from the official reports, was conspicuously distinguished 
 at Chickamauga for gallantry and good conduct. And nothing but the neces- 
 sity of uniform discipline prevented my overlooking the previous affair for 
 which he was suspended. 
 
 From what I have heard unofficijilly, the General may prefer not to serve 
 under my command, but it is only just for me to add that he possesses my fullest 
 confidence as a most gallant soldier and excellent disciplinarian. 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 Braxton Bragg, General Comd'g. 
 
 To his Excellency, JrJ}'<'rson Davis, President, Richmond, Va. 
 
 General Hindman is now with the army of Tennessee, under command of 
 that gallant Virginian, General Joseph E. Johnston. 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL MARTIN LUTHER [SMITH. 
 
 Major-General Martin Luther Smith is a native of Western New York, and 
 has family connections residing in the Northern, Western and Southern States, 
 many of whom are in Mississippi and Louisiana. His services seem, in conse- 
 quence, to have been appropriately rendered, defending, as it were, through 
 Vicksburg, the homes of those who are bound to him by the most sacred ties 
 of blood and friendship. Entering West Point as a cadet, in 1838, he graduated 
 in 1842, when he was commissioned in the corps of Topographical Engineers, 
 and seut to the coast of Georgia on duty, since which time he has been engaged, 
 without intermission, south of Masou and Dixon's line. In 1846, he married 
 Miss Nesbit, of Georgia, belonging to a family well known and among the most 
 prominent and influential in that State. At the opening of the Mexican war 
 he was first ordered to Texas, but subsequently joined General Scott in the 
 city of Mexico, where he remained on active duty until the United States 
 forces were withdrawn. He was brevetted for distinguished services, and but 
 few young officers left Mexico with higher marks of distinction and respect. 
 
THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 87 
 
 From 1843 to 1854 General Smith was actively employed on various govern- 
 ment works of internal improvement and defeuce in Georgia, Florida and Texas; 
 •and was subsequently stationed in Washington city, where he remained on duty, 
 with the exception of a brief interval, until the organization of the Southern 
 Confederacy. 
 
 He resigned his commission in the United States army in March, 180 1, and 
 tendered his services without delay to President Davis, from whom he received 
 the appointment of Major of Engineers, and was ordered to report for duty at 
 New Orleans, where he planned and completed the series of works enveloping 
 that city, designed to defend it against an attack by land. Two small batteries, 
 a portion of those works, mounting about as many guns a3 the enemy had ves- 
 sels, successfully disputed, for a time, at Chalmette, under his command, the 
 advance of the enemy's fleet, after it had passed forts Jackson and St. Philip, 
 and were only abandoned after the last round of ammunition had been expended. 
 
 In April, 18(32, he was commissioned brigadier-general, and early in May 
 was ordered with his brigade to Yicksburg by General Lovell, then in command 
 of that department, and directed to defend the city. Upon his arrival at Yicks- 
 burg, the 0th of May, 18G2, he found only three small batteries erected and a 
 fourth begun, which he completed, and »vith great energy proceeded to con- 
 struct other more formidable works before the approach of the enemy, then 
 known to have passed Baton llouge with a powerful fleet. The armed force 
 theu under his command did not exceed 4,000 men, the most of them undis- 
 ciplined troops that had just been mustered into service. 
 
 Notwithstanding the prolonged siege o$ Vieksburg and the length of time 
 occupied by the enemy in shelling the place, the 28th of June was the day on 
 which the decisive battle was fought. At four o'clock in the morning of that 
 day, the enemy concentrated his entire force, numbering about three hundred 
 guns of heavy calibre, and moving boldly up in front of the city, engaged our 
 batteries at very short range Then one of the most terrific bombardments on 
 record began and continued with unabated fury for three bonis, 'luring which 
 time our batteries replied with a tornado of iron hail, dealing death and destruc- 
 tion to the foe, and finally succeeded in driving the whole fleet out of range of 
 our fire; thus gainiHg a brilliant victory for our arms, dispelling the charm 
 which, in the minds of many, had so long attached to the Yankee navy, and 
 disproving the boasted invincibility of their iron-clads. 
 
 Foiled, and smarting under the defeat and repulse of their "Armada," ifc 
 was supposed that a land attack would next be attempted by the enemy. This 
 claimed at once the attention of General Smith, and prompt and decisive efforts 
 were directed to meet it; but the timely arrival just then of General Breckin- 
 ridge, with reinforcements, dispelled all further apprehension, and from that 
 moment the siege of Vieksburg was considered virtually raised. 
 
 2s o combined attack by the enemy was again made to reduce this stronghold, 
 and at the expiration of thirty days both the upper and lower fleets withdrew. 
 
 Relieved of the presence of the enemy on his front, and remaining still in 
 
gg THE WAR AND ITS HEROES. 
 
 command, General Smith begun a system of works that should completely en- 
 velope the city and render it impervious to an attack by land from any quarter. 
 Snyder's Bluff, on the Yazoo, he regarded as an important position to occupy, 
 and at once proceeded to erect fortifications at that place and to obstruct the 
 passage of the Yazoo river, thereby placing an effectual barrier between the 
 enemy and the Valley of the Yazoo. Large forests were felled, forming heavy 
 abattis, and defensible positions selected along the line between the Bluff and 
 Vicksburg, a distance of about ten miles. All these positions were selected 
 after the most careful examination, and the entire works planned and con- 
 structed by General Smith himself, assisted by Captain, now Major, S. EL 
 Locket, Chief Engineer of the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. 
 
 The unavailing efforts of the enemy to ascend the Yazoo and reduce our 
 works at Snyder's, and his overwhelming and disgraceful defeat at Chickasaw 
 Bayou, attest the strength of the fortifications and the judgment displayed in 
 the selection of positions. The battle of Chickasaw Bayou was fought under 
 his immediate eye and direction, and the result stamps him a gallant officer and 
 a man worthy of the honorable position he holds. 
 
 General Smith possesses all the requisite qualifications of a good soldier, a 
 warm friend and an elegant gentleman. His impulses are all noble and generous, 
 and though possessed of a peculiar stiffness of manner, which, on first acquaint- 
 ance, is too often mistaken for hauteur and excessive dignity, yet those who 
 know him well, both equals and subordinates, esteem and love him. Personally, 
 he is sans peur et sans reproche ; genuine modesty and genuine courtesy alike 
 adorning his character. With bim the success of our glorious cause is para- 
 mount to self or any other consideration. Shortly after his arrival to take com- 
 mand at Vicksburg, an incident occurred demonstrative of his. patriotism and 
 entire devotion to the interests committed to his charge. In reply to a tele- 
 graphic dispatch from President Davis, expressing some concern about Vicks- 
 burg and asking what more was particularly needed for its successful defence, 
 General Smith replied: "* * * * More infantry is desired and another 
 general officer, whether ranking me or not is immaterial, so ire succeed.^ 
 
 General Smith was commissioned a major general in November. 1862 — a just 
 reward for his distinguished services. 
 
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