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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

Anonymous Gift

SOUTHERN GEMMLS,

WHO THET AKE,

AND

WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.

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NEW YORK:
CHAELES B. EICHAEDSON,
540 BROADWAY. 1865.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865,
By CHARLES B. EICHAEDSON,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern
District of New York,

PREFACE.

It would be impossible, within the limits of a single
volume, to introduce an account of all the Southern
officers who have borne the rank of General ; and even a
narrative of the career of those justly conspicuous, would
reduce the work to -the style of a mere cyclopedia.
The author has, therefore, been compelled to make bis
selections from among those most prominent, giving more
extended notice of the few towards whom, as the leading
champions of Southern Independence, the eyes of the
whole civilized world have been turned, since first the
sounds were heard, telling of conflict and war in these
long-peaceful States.
It has been the author's endeavor to place before the
public a truthful history, gathered from official documents,
personal correspondence, private information, and the volu
minous, and truly valuable records of the newspaper
press.

CONTEISTTS.

PAQE.
General Robert Edmund Lee  9
Lieutenant-general Thomas J. Jackson  156
General P. G. T. Beauregard  199
General Joseph E. Johnston  258
General Samuel Cooper  288
Lieutenant-general James Longstreet  295
General Braxton Bragg  821
Lieutenant-general R'. S. Ewell  343
MajoS-genbral j. E. B. Stuart  356
Lieutenant-general A. P. Hill  ._  375
Lieutenant-general John B. Hood  ,  384
Major-general A. S. Johnston  397
Lieutenant-general Leonidas Polk  409
Lieutenant-general Sterling Price  422
Lieutenant-general E. Kirby Smith  437
Major-general John H. Morgan  445
Lieutenant-general William J. Hardee  458
Lieutenant-general Wade Hampton  466

SOUTHEEN GENERALS.

GENERAL ROBERT EDMUND LEE.

CHAPTEE I.
Important Position held by General Lee.— A Sketch of his Life more needed 'ia
Detail.— Hia Ancestors.- Bishop Meade's Work on Old Virginia Families. — Thomas
Lee.— Eichard Henry and Francis Lightfoot Lee.— General Harry Lee.— Thanks of
Congress to General Henry Lee. — His Children.— Eobert Edmund Lee.
The subject of this memoir bears so important a part in the
great political and national strife now unfortunately waging
in o\ir land, and his own personal position in the social and
military world lias been of so high a standing, that it seems
necessary to enter more fully into the particulars of his life
than may be deemed requisite as regards others. In common
with several more well-known, and well-tried soldiers of rank,
he has thought fit to take sides with his native South against
the Nortli in those sad disputes which have led to so rnuch
fearful blood and slaughter ; and his past repi^tation in the
army and on the battlefield, has placed him at the head' of all
the forces arraj'ed in hostile attitude against the flag to which
he had formerly owned allegiance. Thus he is, and ever will
be known, as tbe most prominent and important personage
connected with all the military movements in the South, while
boldly and persistently confronting the North. To his mil
itary skill and genius, to his calm and clear-thinking mind, his
high moral and social status, and the family influence of his
name, are undoubtedly due much of the strength of the South,
and whatever success may have been achieved. There may
be, and indeed there are some others in the Confederate ranks,
whose spirit — whose mind and body — also maintain and keep
infusing new life within the sometimes flickering elements of
opposition in the South, but the name of I,ee is in itself of ad
ditional weight to what they could bring forward. Of a Yir-

10 SOUTHERN- GENEBALS.
ginian family, whose- members for more than two hundred
years had beem settled in the State, and some of whom had
¦ handed down to posterity naraes indissolubly connected with
all that was bright, and glorious, and god-like in the cause of
national freedom, besides being inseparably coupled with all
to be esteemed in the mind and intellectual qualities of man,
the present military Commander-in-chief of the Southern
forces is one on whom all eyes turn, with more than ordinary
interest, and whose influence is, perhaps, even greater than
that of the President of the Confederate States himself. To
give, therefore, any thing like a fair and impartial account of
his life to the present time, i« no slight nor easy task. We
have to forget the hostile position he has assumed towards the
national power ; and, keeping clear of all bias or feeling, save
that of a desire to picture the truth wheresoever it be found,
bear in mind that we are putting before the world the history
of a man, himself distinguished from his youth by his own
deeds, but distinguished equally as rauch by his close relation
ship to two of the signers of Independence — Eichard Henry,
and Francis Lightfoot Lee, — to the Ludwells, Corbins, and to
that friend and eulogist of Washington, his own father, General
Harry Lee. Thus, in this memoir, we must take up the mam,,
as well as the military chief in arms against the Government
of the United States, and we must deal with the individual in
his actions, and, as far as we can understand them, his motives,
as well as the public events that are connected with his name.
Nor must we forget that, in judging of the actions of our fel
low-men — especially of those holding a prominent position in
the public eye — we ought always to take into consideration
the circumstances by which they are surrounded, and which
have often led them onward, almost irresistibly. Conse
quently, the various links which bind any man to a course of
conduct, frequently, to all appearance, inexplicable, and some
times reprehensible, should be carefully examined, when pla
cing him before the future in the position wherein he has be
come most prominent. It is not the passing hour that is to
canvass what he does ; but it is the sons and daughters of
another day than this sad and painful one, who will have to
look at him and speak of him with a calmer and more impar
tial mind than can possibly now exist. To lead to thi^ '•- do

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 11
.what present justice can be done to the individual, as well as
to the great military chief, is the object of the following me
moir ; and, to begin this aright, we will briefly introduce some
account of his family and their ancestors.
In the reign of Charles I., of England, there lived in the
county of Shropshire a good old family of the name of Lee.
Induced, probably, by the flaming reports connected with the
still very young colony of Yirginia, then not more than a few
years discovered, a member of this family, Eichard Lee, went
over there in an official appointment under the Governor.
He was "aman of good stature, comely visage, enterprising
genius, a sound head, vigorous spirit, and generous nature.
When he got to Virginia, which at that time was not much
cultivated, he was so pleased with the country that he made
large settlements there with the servants he carried over."*
Afterwards he made several voyages back to England, and on
one occasion, possibly considering his return not eertain, " he
gave all the lands he had taken up and settled at Wis expense,
to those servants he had fixed on them, some of whose de
scendants are now possessed of considerable estates there."
Finally, however, he again visited the colony, bringing with
him more followers, for whom a certain portion of land was
granted him under the title of " Head Eights." He now set
tled definitely in that part of Virginia called the "Northern
Neck," and situated between the Eappahannock and Poto
mac rivers. Here, for a long time, he remained, acting as
secretary to Sir Wm. Berkeley, the Governor, during that por
tion of English history which beheld the raaster genius of a
powerful mind, in the person of Cromwell, triumphing over
the injustice and tyranny of the unhappy Charles, and finally,
when death took away the great Protector, saw the reinstate
ment of monarchy in the form of a dissolute and extravagant,
thoughtless, young man. Lee, however, was faithful to his
trust, and the loyal' sentiments of his early days. With the
Governor, he contrived to keep the colony firm in its allegi
ance, and made it so respected by opponents that a treaty
was ratified in England, under Cromwell's hand, ranking it as
an independent State ; and on the Eestoration, having on its
* Meade ; 137, Life of E. H. Lee, p. 5.

12 SOUTHERN GENEKAIS.
arms the motto, JEk dat 'Virginia qui-ntam, cha,nged since the
Union of England and Scotland, to Mi dat Virginia quartarn.
Thus, even at the very commencement ofthe history of Vir- •
ginia, we see the name of Lee identified with some of its most
important affairs, and, in a measure, forming part and parcel of
the land.
Eichard Lee had two sons, Jolin and Ricliard. The first
was educated at Oxford, and was so clever and learned, that
he could have been promoted to high dignities in the Church,
had not his father detei'mined tliat all his children should set
tle in Virginia. Accordingly, John returned there, and died
before the old man.
Eichard Lee, the father, died and was buried in the land of
bis love and adoption, leaving behind hirn a numerous progeny,
and thus, afterwards, endearing the soil to every member of
the family name.
Eichard Lee, the son, was even more learned, if possible,
than his brother John. He "spent almost his whole life in
study, and usually wrote his notes in Greek, Hebrew, or Latin
— many of which are now in Virginia. He was of the Coun
cil, and also in other offices of honor and profit. " His wife
was a Miss Corbin, of England, and by her he had five sons
and one daughter. His death occurred in Virginia, about
the year 1690.*
Of the children of this Eichard Lee, the daughter married a
Mr. William Fitzhugh, of Eagle's Nest, King George county,
Virginia, — son of the first William Fitzhugh ; and from this
union, a son — William Fitzhugh, of Chatham — was born. Of the
sons of the second Eichard Lee, his eldest born, also a Eichard,
went to England as a Virginia merchant, in partnership with
his maternal uncle, Thomas Corbin. After a time he married
a rich heiress, Miss Silk, and by her had one son, George, and
two daughters, who, on their father's death, went to Virginia
and married and intermarried, respectively, into the families
of Womley, Fairfax, Corbin, and Turberville. The next son,
Philip, went into Maryland, where his descendants are numer
ously and honorably found to the preserit day. The third
son died a bachelor. The fourth was a Thomas, who married
* Meade, p. 188.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 13
a Miss Hannah Ludwell, of whose family a word must be
said. The Ludwells, according to Bishop Meade,* were an old and
honorable family, allied by marriage to the famous Lord Francis
Cottington, mentioned in Clarendon's Histol-y of the Eebellion.
Two brothers, John and Philip, held high office here in the
time of Charles IL, the first in the Virginia Council, the
second as Governor of Carolina, until, joining his brother, he
married the widow of Sir William Berkeley, by whom he had
a daughter (afterwards united to Colonel Parke, Governor of
the Leeward Islands in the West Indies), and one son, P/iilip.
The Ludwells had now acquired a considerable estate in Vir
ginia, and this son, Philip, married a Miss Harrison, who bore
him two daugliters and a boy. One of the daughters married
a Colonel Grymes of Virginia : the other, Thomas Lee. As
for the son, he ultimately married into the Grymes family,
and went to England for his health, where he died without
male issue, thereby leaving the name extinct. Three daugh
ters were, however, born to him, and these were considered
heiresses of some wealth.
We now return to Thomas Lee, who, by his marriage, had
allied to his family name that of the Ludwells and the
Grymes. Thomas Lee was a man of great parts and industry. He
speedily learned the languages, without any assistance but his
own genius, and became a tolerable adept in Greek and Latin ;
but, being a younger brother, with many children and a
small paternal estate, he felt the necessity of perseverance to
acquire that fortune which would properly establish them in
life. This he attained to some considerable extent, and, more
over, was appointed to the Council, of which he became presi
dent, — holding the position for many years, until his death.f
He was one of the first of the leading men of the colony who
turned their attention to our western wilds, and he employed
an engineer of note to explore them, especially about the Ohio
river. But he had the keen foresight to tell of the future
disseverance of the American colonies from England, and even
while President of the Council, said to a friend that such must
* Meade, p. 138. \ Memoirs E. H. Lee, p 6.

14: SOUTHEEN GENERALS.
inevitably be the case, and that "the seat of government
would be located near the Little Falls of the Potomac river,"
where he afterwards took up large tracts of land, which until
lately were in possession of his descendants. His principal
homestead, however, was at Stratford, where he had built a
mansion, still standing in 1860, and considered "one of the
most remarkable buildings in this country."* It appears that
his original dwelling had been burned by a serious fire, and,
so great was the esteem in which he was held, that Govern
ment and merchants alike, and it is said even Queen Caroline,
contributed towards the erection of another suitable mansion
for him. Mr. Lossing, in his valuable "Field Book of the
Eevolution," says: "There is no structure in our country to
corapai-e with it. The walls of the first story are two and a
half feet thick, and of the second story two feet, composed of
brick imported from England. It originally contained about
100 rooms. Besides the main building, there are four offices,
one at each corner, containing fifteen rooms. The stables are
capable of accommodating 100 horses. Its cost was about
$80,000." Thomas Lee died in the year 1750, leaving six sons and two
daughters, all well provided for in point of fortune. Of these
children but a hasty notice can here be given, though they
belong to a day when men and women were the sires and
mothers of a people thenceforth a great nation in themselves.
But we have no need to say much. Their names dwell in the
history of their country's independence, and to that we refer
for those details our space and our purpose here forbid us to
give. Philip Ludwell Lee, the eldest born, succeeded his father,
Thomas, at Stratford. He mari-ied a Miss Steptoe, and had
two daughters, Matilda, who married her second cousin, the
famous General Henry Lee of the Eevolution (father of the
subject of our present memoir), and Flora, wbo married her
first cousin, Mr. Ludwell Lee, son of Eichard Henry.
The second son of Mr. Thomas Lee was Thomas Ludwell
Lae, and he married a Miss Aylett.
The third son was the Eichard Henry just mentioned, who
* Lom-ng, ii., 217.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 15
was born on the 21st January; 1732, and died on the 19th
June, 1794. Educated, as was then customary, in England,
it would have been, supposed that his sentiments were any
thing but favorable to Eepublican ideas; but when, after
various appointments, and after frequently uttering strong
opinions as to the necessity for a severance from the mother
country, he became a member of the first Continental Congress,
his was the first voice to move a resolution on the 7th June,
1776, " That these united colonies are, and of right ought to
be, fi-ee and independent States ; that they are absolved from
all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political con
nection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and
ouglit to be, totally dissolved."
When this resolution was made public a son of his' was at
school in England, and one day a gentleman, standing by,
asked his tutor, "What boy is this?" The professor replied,
"He is the son of Eichard Henry Lee, of America." The
gentleman put his hand upon the boy's head, and said, " We
shall yet see your father's head upon Tower Hill." The boy,
however, promptly answered, " You may have it when you
can •get it." That boy was the late Ludwell Lee, Esq , of
Virginia.* Eichard Henry Lee was married, first to Miss Aylett, by
whom he had four children, Thomas, Ludwell, Mary, and Hau
nah ; and secondh', to a Miss Pinkard, who bore him three
daughters, Harriet, Sally, and Anne. These children married
into the families of Alexander, Washington, Turbeville, Maffit,
and their cousins, the Lee's.
The fourth son of Thomas Lee was Francis Lightfoot Lee,
born October 14th, 1734; died, April, 1797. Like his brother,
he was one of the signers of Independence, and liiS name also
lives to posterity as a true patriot and good man. He married
a Miss Eebecca Tayloe, daughter of Colonel John Tayloe, of
Eichmond county.
The fifth son was William, who settled in London, and
became Sheriff and Alderman there, though effectively serving
the American cause until war was declared, but ever after
wards remaining true to it in private.
* Lomng's Americans, p. 187.

16 . ^ SOUTHEEN GENEJ^ALS.
The sixth son was Arthur Lee, who, " as a scholar, a writer,
a philosopher, a politician and diplomatist, was unsui-passed
by none, and equalled by few of his contemporaries. The ser
vices rendered by him to his country as her minister, at foreign
courts, were most valuable."*
In the preceding brief extract of family history we have
omitted to the last, raention of one branch, viz., Henry Lee,
brother of Thomas, and fifth son of the second Eichard Lee.
This Henry Lee married a Miss Bland, and had several
children, amongst whom was also a Henry (the third son),
who was united to a Miss Grymes. From this marriage came
five sons and three daughters. The eldest was called Henry,
born January 29th, 1766, whose military career during the
Eevolution, and whose patriotism, as well as his personal
friendship for Washington, are too well known to need dwelling
upon here. The following synopsis of his history, however,
as given by Mr. Lossing, may be interesting.
Henry Lee was first educated by a private tutor, under his
father's roof, and then sent to Princeton College, where, under
the guidance of Dr. WItherspoon, he completed his studies,
and graduated in 1774. Two years afterwards, Patrick Henry
nominated him to the command of a cavalry company, raised
in his native State, for Continental service, under the general
command of Colonel Bland. In 1777, Lee's corps was placed
under Washington's immediate control, and soon acquired a
high character for discipline and bravery. Lee was speedily
promoted, and, with his legion, performed many daring ex
ploits. In July, 1779, he captured a British fort at Paulus
Hook, for which Congress gave him thanks and a gold medal.
In November, 1780, Lee was promoted to Lieutenant-colonel,
and early in 1781 joined the army under Greene in the Caro
linas. Here he performed efficient service for several months,
the services of his legion being of vast importance, and himself
ever in the front of success, as well as of danger.
About the beginning of the year 1782 Lee returned to Vir
ginia from the battle of Eutaw Springs, and married Matilda,
daughter of Philip Ludwell Lee, of Stratford. He resided
there with his father-in-law, and, in 1786, was elected to a seat
* Meade, p. 140.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 17
in Congress. In 1791 he was made Governor of, Virginia,
and in 1794 was appointed by Washington to commancj^ the
troops sent tt> quell what was called the Whiskey Insurrection,
in Western Pennsylvania. ' In 1799 he was a member of the
Federal Congress, and was chosen by that body to pronounce
a funeral oration on the death of Washington, in the E[ouse
of Eepresentatives. At the time, Lee was temporarily absent,
and the oration was delivered by his friend. Judge Marshall.
But in it were the well-remembered words, referring to Wash
ington, " He was first in war, first in peace, and first in the
hearts of his countrymen." In 1801 he retired to private life,
but was subject to great annoyance from embarrassed circum-
sta,nces. His first wife having died, he again married, and this time
to Anne, daughter of Charles Carter-, of Shirley, by whom he
had, in 1806, Eobert Edwai'd Lee, the subject of the present
memoir, who was born at the family seat of Stratford, in the
same chamber where Eiehard Henry and Francis Lightfoot
Lee first saw the light.
In 1809 General Harry Lee wrote his Memoirs of the War
in the Southern Department, and in 1814 he was severely
wounded in an attempt to quell a disturbance at Baltimore.
From this he never recovered. In 1817 he went tp the West
Indies for his health, but found no sensible relief. On his
return, the following spring, he stopped to visit Mrs. Shaw, a
daughter of General Greene, on the coast of Georgia, and there
he expired on the 25th of March, 1818, at the age of 63 years.
The character of General Henry Lee, and indeed that of
other members of his family name, not excepting the two
signers of Independence, has been blackened by the venom of
calumny ; but time, through a close analysis of contempora
neous facts, ever establishes something of truth, and thus
clears the fame of reall}' great men. Such is the case with
regard to the Lee family, and the impartial testimony of
candid men gives to them a high meed of praise for their
unswerving patriotism and fidelity to their native land. This
is necessary to be understood ; and, also, that in any comments
upon the name of Lee, General Charles Lee, of the Eevolu-
tionary army, be not brought in with those of whom we here
speak. He was, wholly and absolutely, another person, and
2

18 SOUTHEEN GENEEAL8.
of another family, therefore his actions— good and bad — must
not be confounded with those of the Lees of Virginia. Of -
them, Bishop Meade says : " I have been intimately'a'cquainted
with some most excellent specimens of true piety among
them — too many to be specified and dwelt upon. If tradition
and history, and published documents, are to be relied on,
the patriotic, laborious, self-sacrificing,. and eloquent Eichard
Henry Lee of the Eevolution must have deeply sympathized
with Washington and Peyton, Eandolph and Pendleton, and
Nicholas and Henry, in their religious character and senti
ments. . . . When the question etbout paying debts in
depreciated currency came on, Mr. Lee evinced his high and
honorable sense of morality in the earnest and eloquent op
position made to it. He declared that nothing so deeply
distressed him as a proposition which he regarded as a viola
tion of honesty and good faith among men, and said that it
would have been better to have remained the honest slaves of
Britain than dishonest freemen !"
" Of the descendants of so great and good a man," continues
the bishop, " I cannot refrain from adding, that many of them
are characterized by exemplary piety, and that he has left a
numerous posterity of children, grand-children and great-
grand-children, who walk in the fear of the Lord, while they
still belong to, and love the Church of their ancestors."
But, confining ourselves to the immediate parentage of the
present General Lee, we find also abundant testimony in favor
of excellence and worth inherent amongst them. The gold
ihedal presented by Congress with a vote of thanks to "Legion
Harry, " had, on one side, a bust of the hero with the words
Heneico Lee Legionis E(1uit : pe^efecto Comitia Ameei-
CANA, and on the reverse, as translated, " Notwithstanding
rivers and intrenchments, he with a small band conquered the
foe, by warlike skill and prowess, and firmly bound by his hu
raanity those who had been conquered by his arms. In
memory of the conflict at Paulus Hook, 19th of August,
1779. "
Again, we read elsewhere, that General Greene in writing of *^'
him, said : " He had been under obligations to Lee which he

Lossing, ii., 623.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 19
could never cancel, " and, as to his military services, he added
in a letter to Lee, " I believe that few officers either in Europe
or America are held in so high a position^of admiration as you
are. Everybody knows I have the highest opinion of you as
an officer, and you know I love you as a friend. No man in
the progress of the campaign had equal merit with yourself."*
The " love and thanks, " expressed in a letter to Lee, from
Washington, in 1789, exhibit the affection which his qualities
had inspired in the bosom of his ehief, and in Virginia he is
still known by the name of " Legion Harry. " His remains
reposed near those of his warm friend, General Greene. " His
relentless creditors could rob him of his personal liberty, but
could not chain his noble mind, nor rob him of a well-earned
fame to the glorious title of an honest man."
General Lee, by his first wife, had a son, Henry, and a
daughter, Lucy. The son (the late Major Henry Lee) wrote
and published a work called "The Campaign of 1781," etc.,
vindicating his father from certain attacks made upon him.
By his second wife, he had the following children : Charles
Carter Lee, Robert Edmund Lee,\ Smith Lee, Ann, and
Mildred. * J-udsori's Sages and Heroes of Amer. Eev.
f The Pbdigkeb of the TyTCm Family. — The Virginia Chroidcle publishes
the pedigree of the family of Qeneral Lee. It is from an old manuscript which
has been shown to the editor. The Chronicle says :
"This venerable manuscript, which bears the date 1750, was received by
Mr. Mead (who is a gentleman of intelligence and character) from his mother,
Mrs. Mead (widow of the Rev. Zachariah Mead, formerly of Eichmond). Mrs.
Mead received it from her father, who received it from his father. General Hull.
It consists of several large sheets, aud is written partly in Latin and partly in
English. Accompanying the pedigree are some mutilated deeds, which,
although mueh injured, exliibit the descending rights and titles to several
lands. These deeds are in Latin, and written on the old stamped paper of
England, and, to the antiquarian, are a rare object of curiosity and interest.
" The genealogy of the Lees of Virginia, froni 1666, — just where this pedigree
breaiks off, — is well known, and may be found in Bishop Meade's well-known
work on the Old Churches and Families of Virginia.
"The manuscript commences abruptly with the name of Hugo de Lega, or
de Le, without date. The first name with date is that of Johes de Lee, Miles,
to whom Hugo de Hinton gave the land, as by the old chart. Opposite this
name is the date 1333. The father of Johes de Lee was Thomas de la Lee.
The simple name of Lee occurs first as Ricardus Lee of Laugly, about the year
1500. The first name of Eobert is Eobertus de la Lee, son of Johes de la Lee ;
he married Margarita, daughter and heir of Thomas Astly of Nordly, about

20 SOUTHERN GENERALS.
In October, 1860, a petition was signed by the cavalry and
infantry companies, and other military officers encamped near
Eichmond, to be presented to the next Legislature, "for the
removal to Virginia of the remains of General Harry Lee,
from his burial-place in Georgia, upon the lands once owned
by his companion in arms. General Greene." Tbe locality
of the encampment has sinee been called Oamp Lee, " after
the illustrious hero, Harry Lee."
1400. The first name written in English is Thomas Lee of Cotton, in King's
Nordley, in the Parish of Alvely, who was the son of Johannes Lee.
" There are several coats of arms on the manuscript. That of Ricardus Lee,
of the direct line, is as follows : A sliield with a crescent of a squirrel sejant,
eating a nut or flower ; a Hon rampant gardant in sinister chief ; a star in
precise middle chief; dexter chief, a blood-red field with embattled bars of blue
and yellow. The dexter base, a black cross on white field, with a lion's head,
crowned, in one corner. The middle precise base is a chevron of white, on a
red field,, a white bar, the fesse point on a green field. The sinister base the
same as the dexter chief.
" The Lancelot arms are a shield with crescent squirrel — dexter chief, red
fleld, with blue and yellow embattled bars. Sinister chief, a star ou blue field.
Dexter base same as sinister chief, and sinister base same as dexter chief.
There are no middle divisions on this shield. The prevailing white indicates
royalty ; the star, grandeur ; the lion, courage ; the red, war ; the cross, reli
gion, and, with the crowned lion, denotes the Church of England.
" The pedigree was extracted from the London Tower, and is certified by
Charles Townley, York, and John Pomfret, Eouge Croix, August 1st, 1750.
*****
"Henry Lee, the son of the first wife, was a major in the war of 1813, and
wrote the Strictures on the Writings of Jefferson, also a Life of Napoleon
Bobaparte. Sidney Smith Lee was a commodore in the old TJnited States Navy,
and is now Chief of the Bureau of Orders and Detail, Navy Department, in
Eichmond. He commanded at Drury's Bluff for a long time. Eobert Edmund
Lee is at Petersburg — ^the General Lee of this day.
" He married Miss Custis of Arlington, in Alexandria County, the daughter
and heiress of George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of Qeneral
Washington, who married MrS. Custis, his mother.
" General Lee has three sons — Brigadier-general Q. W. Custis Lee, aid-de
camp to the President (he passed No. 1 at West Point) ; Major General W. H.
, P. Lee, commanding a division of cavalry in the army of Northern Virginia,
and Eobert Edmund Lee, who entered the army at the instance of his father
as a private in the Eockbridge artillery. He is now on the staff of General
BUtzhugh Lee. Besides these children. General Lee had four daughters, —
Mary, Anne, Agnes, and Mildred, — all of them unmarried, and one of whom
(Anne) has died during the war. General W. H. P. Lee married a Miss Wick
man, who died a year or two since.
" General Fitzhugh Lee, of the cavalry, is the son of Commodore Lee."

CHAPTEE II.
Ancestry not to be'lightly esteemed. — The parents of great men entitleito praise
for the early promptings of youth. — They are.,not to be forgotten in the fame of the
son. — Youth of Eobert E. Lee. — Enters West Point as a Cadet. — Graduates, and ia
appointed a Lieutenant Of Engineers.— Marries into the Custis family.— Made Cap
tain, and appointed member of Board of Visitors to Military Academy .^Attached
to Army of Mexico. — General Scott's high opinion of him. — Extracts from Scott's
Autobiography. — Captain Lee's services in Mexico. — His companions in arms. —
Wounded at Chapultepec. — Promoted for gallant and meritorious conduot. — Ap
pointed Superintendent at West Point. — Made Lieutenant-colonel of Cavalry. —
Employed in the Border wars against the Indians. — Returns to Washington. — Sent
by Government to quell the John Brown Eaid. — Successfully accomplishes this, and
returns to Washington.
If, in writing an account of a son's career, we would be
wholly just, and can at all give space to do so, let us not
forget the sire that gave him good example, and, above all,
the mother that is too oft neglected when speaking of the
early promptings of youth. It is to that father, and to that
soft maternal care — so truly and justly prized by all good men,
howsoever great they may be — that virtuous deeds and noble
acts take root, afterwards spreading abroad in rich and
glorious-looking fruit. So, too, with the ancestry of a man,
if that ancestry has been of public note. Few there are of
mind and education, in this world, who would willingly dis
grace their sires,; — nay, who would not rather do increased
honor to them by their own worthy acts. And so it has been
with the family of the Virginia Lees. Truth, honor, unselfish
patriotism, love to God and love to man, seem to have been
mainly the characteristic traits belonging to them.
The youth of Eobert Lee was passed amid exciting times.
For more than twenty years prior to his birth, America had
been at peace as an independent nation ; but about this time,
symptoms of a new struggle with England were manifested,
in addition to hostile attempts by the Indians on the western
frontier. This latter, however, was soon quelled, but the

22 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
former resulted in a declaration of war with Great Britain on
the 18th of June, 1812. What followed is well known to
•every youth in the present day. A British #eet, under
Admiral Cockburn, entered the Chesapeake, and laid waste
such towns and districts upon the coast as were found assaila
ble. Some of the ships ascended the Potomac, and, on the
29th of August, 1814, reached 'Alexandria, while the military
forces of England, under General Eoss, were at work on the
Patuxent, the Patapsco, and finally against Washington, and
Fort McHenry, Baltimore. In the South, Pensacola was in
possession of the British until driven from there by General
Jackson, who, a few months afterwards, completely routed
them again at the celebrated battle of New Orleans. Peace,
however, was now declared, the treaty having been signed on
the 24tli December, 1814 ; and, a few months afterwards,
Algiers was made to sue for peace, after a severe chastisement
at the hands of Commodore Decatur, for having seized Ameri
can vessels, and enslaving their crews. In 1817 Monroe
succeeded Madison as President ; and in the same year, the
Seminole war broke out at the South, General Jackson being
sent to quell the Indians theh overrunning the country.
It was at this time the father of Eobert Lee went to the
West Indies, and died on his return ; the youth being then
twelve years old.
In 1820, Florida was ceded by Spain to the United States ;.
and in 1824, the visit of Lafayette to America, producing a
general burst of enthusiasm throughout the land, could not
fail to have been strongly impressed upon young Lee's mind.
He waa now eighteen years of age, and in the following year,
1825, entered West Point as a cadet from his native State.
There he remained the usual four years, perfecting his studies,
and preparing for that military career in which he afterwards
became so conspicuous.
During the whole of this period Lee never once received a
reprimand, nor had any mark of demerit against him ; and
when, at the e^^piration of his term, he graduated at the head
of his class, he was immediately selected for service in the
corps of topographical engineers, receiving his appointment as
brevet second-lieutenant in July, 1829.
From this time, until the year 1835, he was principally

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 23
employed on the coast defences, but, at that period, we find
him appointed assistant astronomer, for the demarcation of
the boundary line between the States of Ohio and Michigan, t
In 1832, Lieutenant Lee married a daughter of Mr. Custis,
and thus, through her, became proprietor of Arlington House,
and the White House on the banks of the Pamunkey, after
wards so noted in the Peninsular campaign.
On the 21st September, 1836, he was promoted to a first-
lieutenancy ; and in July, 1838, was made captain. During
1844 he was appointed a member of the Board of Visitors to
the Military Academy, and was, afterwards, from September
8th, 1845, a member of the Board of Engineers. In 1846,
Captain Lee was attached to the central army of Mexico as
Chief-engineer, under General Wool, and he retained that
post throughout the whole campaign, under General Scott.
When this latter genei-al landed in Mexico, Captain Lee was
one of the first selected to be of his personal staff and council,
and the high opinion Scott entertained of hitn is well known.
A few extracts, however, from the general's own autobiography,
lately published, may be serviceable. He says, of his first coun
cil at Vera Cruz :
" In my little cabinet, however, consisting of Colonel Totten,
Chief-engineer ; Lieutenant-colonel Hitchcock, Acting In
spector-general ; Captain E. -E. Lee, Engineer ; and (yet)
First-lieutenant Henry L. Scott, Acting Adjutant-general, I
entered fully into the question of storming parties and regular
siege approaches. A death-bed discussion could hardly have
been more solemn. Thus powerfully irapressed, I opened my
subject, substantially as follows :
" We, of course, gentlemen, must take the city and castle
before the return of the vomito — if not by head-work, the slow
scientific process, by storming — and then escape by pushing
the conquest into the healthy interior. I am strongly inclined
to attempt the former, unless you can convince me that the
other is preferable. Sinee our thorough reconnoissances, I
think the suggestion practicable, with a very moderate loss on
our part. The second method would, no doubt, be equally suc
cessful, but at the cost of an immense slaughter on both sides,
including non-combatants — Mexican men, women, and chil
dren — because the assault must be made in the dark, aud the

24 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
assailants dare not lose time in taking and guarding prisoners
without incurring' the certainty of becoming captives them-
gtelves, until all the strongholds of the place are occupied."*
Vera Cruz and the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa surrendered,
and Scott marched forward to Mexicp on the 12th of April.
The enemy made a stand at Cerro Gordo, and bere, again, the
commander-in-chief thus speaks of Lee. He says :
" Hearing that Twiggs, supported by Patterson, found him
self confronted at Plan del Eio, some fifty miles in tbe interior,
by a strong body of the enemy, and that both divisions were
desirous of my presence, I left Vera Cruz on the 12th of April,-
with a small escort of cavalry, under Captain Philip Kearney
(who fell in 1862, a distinguished major-general), and hastened
to the front. Major-general Patterson, though quite sick, had
assumed the comraand on joining Twiggs, in order to prohibit
any aggressive movement before my arrival, according to the
universal wish of the troops. No commander was ever re
ceived with hear'tier cheers, — the certain presage of the victo
ries that followed.
" The two advanced divisions lay in the valley of the Plan
del Eio, and the body of the enemy about three miles off, on
the heights of Cerro Gordo. Eeconnoissances were pushed in
search of some practicable route, other than the winding,-
zigzag road among the spurs of mountains, with heavy batter
ies at every town. The reconnoissances were conducted with
vigor under Captain Lee, at the head of a body of pioneers ;
and, at the end of the third day, a passable way for light bat
teries was accomplished — without alarming the enemy — giving
the possibility of turning the extreme left of his line of defence,
and capturing his whole army, except the reserve, that lay a
mile or two higher up the road. Santa Anna said that he
had not believed a goat could have approached him iu that
direction. Hence the surprise and the results were 'the
greater."f In alluding to this reconnoissance made by Lee, the bra;ve
old general, in his official report, thus again spea,ks :
. " The reconnoissance begun by Lieutenant Beauregard was
continued by Capta,in Lee, Engineers, and a road made along
» Swtt, u., 423-4. t J^nd,, ii., 431.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 25
difficult slopes, and over chasms, out of the enemy's view,
though reached by his fire wheu discovered — until arriving at
the Mexican lines, further reconnoissances became impossible
without an action. The desired point of the debouchure, the
Jalapa road, was not, therefore, reached, though believed to
be within easy distance ; and to gain that point it now be
carae necessary. to carry the heights of Cerro Gordo 
Twiggs' division, reinforced by Shields' brigade of volunteers,
was thrown into position on the 17th, and was, of necessity,
drawn into action in taking up ground for its bivouac, and the
opposing heighf;s for a heavy battery. It will be seen that
many of our officers and men were killed or wounded in this
sharp combat — handsomely commenced by a company of the
Seventh Infantry, under brevet Fii-st-lieutenant Gal-dner,
who was highly praised by all his commanders for signal
services. Colonel Harney, coming up with his rifle regiment
and First Artillery, also parts of his brigade, brushed away the
enemy, and occupied the heights, on which, in the night, was
placed a battery of one 24-pounder and two 24-jDound howit
zers, under the superintendence of CaptainLee, Engineers,
and Lieutenant Hagner, Ordriance. These guns opened next
morning, and were served with effect by Captain Steptoe, and
Lieutenant Brown, Third Artillery ; Lieutenant Hagner, Ord
nance ; and Lieutenant Seymour, First Artillery."*
The details of the victory at Cerro Gordo are well known,
and, moreover, need not be mentioned here. We have only
to refer to the part Captain Lee performed therein ; and
again we quote General Scott. After expressing his "in
debtedness for able assistance" to several gallant officers, par
ticularly named. General Scott then says : " I am compelled to
make special mention of Captain E. E. Lee, Engineer. This
officer greatly distinguished himself at the siege of Vera Cruz ;
was again indefatigable during these operations in reconnois
sances, as daring as laborious, and of the utmost value. Nor
was he less conspicuous in planning batteries, and in conduct
ing columns to their stations, under the heavy fire of the
enemy." The troops now marched onward to Jalapa and Puebla,
Scott, p. 450.

26 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
where we find that, among other well-known narnes mentioned
as among the chief officers comprising the army, the following
were in close companionship :
Engineer Corps.— K&ior J. L. Smith, Chief; Captain R. E.
Zee, Lieutenant P. G. T. Beauregard, G. W. Smith, George
B. McClellan, J. G. Foster.
Quartermaster'' s department. — Captain J. McKinstry.
Harn&ifs (7or^s.— Major Sumner, Major McEeyfiolds, Cap
tain Kearney, and also Captain Magruder of the field battery.
These heroic brothers in arms— then conjointly fighting
against a national foe, have now -all become prominently
known as battling in fierce strife against each other in this
sad war, and some of them have given their lives for the cause
in which they served.
The battles of Contreras, Cherubusco, and Chapultepec fol
lowed, in all of which Captain Lee again highly distinguished
himself. Indeed, so greatly was his meritorious conduct
esteemed by Scott, that, even at tlie present time, in his own
autobiography, he is continually praising bim. A few pas
sages only, and to mark the .opinion entertained of Lee by so
eminent a military authority, and so high a personage as
General Scott, we again quote. He says :
"The same day (August 18th, 1847) a reconnoissance was
commenced to the left of San Augustin, first over difficult
grounds, and further on over the same field of volcanic matter
which extends to the mountain, some five miles from San
Antonio, tdwards Magdalena. This reconnoissance was con
tinued to-day by Captain Lee, assisted by Lieutenants Beaure
gard and Tower, all of the engineers, who were joined in -the
afternoon by Major Smith, of the same corps. Other divisions
coming up. Pillow was advanced to make a practicable road
for heavy artillery, and Twiggs thrown further in front to
cover the operations ; for, by the partial reconnoissance of
yesterday. Captain Lee discovered a large corps of observation
in that dir'ection, with a detachment of which, his suppor'ts of
cavalry and foot, under Captain Kearney and Lieutenant-
colonel Graham, respectively, had a successful skirmish.
 These corps, over the extreme difficulties of the
ground — partly covered with a low forest — before described,
reached Contreras, and found Cadwallader's brigade in po-

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 27
sitidn, observing the formidable movement from the capital,
and much needing the tiraely reinforcement.
" It was already dark, and the cold rain began to fall in
torrents upon our unsheltered troops, for the hamlet, though a
strong defensive position, could only hold the wounded men,
and, unfortunately, the new regiments had little or nothing to
eat in their haversacks. Wet, hungry, and without the possi
bility of sleep, all our gallant corps, I learn, are full of confi
dence, and only waiting for the last hour of darkness to
gain the positions whence to storm and carry the enemy's
works. " Of the seven officers dispatched since about sundown from
my position, opposite the enemy's centre, and on this side of
the. volcanic field, to communicate instructions to the hamlet,
not one has succeeded in getting through these difficulties,
increased by darkness. They have all returned. But the
gallant and indefatigable Captain Lee, of the Engineers, who
has been constantly with the operating forces, is (11 o'clock
p. M.) just in from Shields, Smith, Cadwallader, etc., to
report as above, and to ask that a powerful diversion be made
against the centre of the intrenched camp towards morning.
" Brigadier-general Twiggs, cut off, as above, from the part
of his division, beyond the impracticable ground, and Captain
Lee, are gone, under my orders, to collect the forces remaining
on this side, with which to make that diversion, at about 5
o'clock in the morning.
This " diversion," however, became a real attack, " under the
command of Colonel Eansom, of the Ninth, having with him
that regiment, and some companies of three others, guided
by Captain Lee  At 3 a. m. the great move
ment had commenced on the rear of the enemy's camp. The
march was rendered tedious by the darkness, rain, and mud ;
but, about sunrise, Eiley had reached an elevation behind the
enemy, whence he precipitated his columns, stormed the
intrenchments, planted his several colors upon them, and
carried the work, all in seventeen minutes. Cadwallader had
also brought u'p two of his regiments, and, at the appointed
time, Colonel Eansom, with his teinporary brigade, conducted
by Captain Lee, not only made the movement in front to
divert and to distract the enemy, but, after crossing the deep

28 ' SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
ravine, aidvanced" an4 poured into the work," and upon the
fugitives, many volleys from his destructive musketry."*
The victory of Contreras being complete. General Scott,
after giving necessary orders on the field, in the midst of
prisoners and trophies, and sending instructions to Harney's
brigade of cavalry (left at San Augustin) to join him, person
ally followed Pillow's command.
Arriving at Coyoacan, two miles, by a cross-road, from the
river of' San Antonio, General Scott first detached Captaiii
Lfee with Captain Kearney's troop, First Dragoons, supported
by the Eifle regiment, under Major Loring, to reconnoitre that
strong point, and next dispatched Major-general Pillow, witb
Cadwallader's brigade, to make the attack upon it, in concert
withiMajor General Worth on the opposite side. At the sarae
time, by another road, to the left. Lieutenant Stevens, of the
Engineers, supported by Lieutenant G. W. Smith's company
of sappers and miners of the same corps, was sent to recon
noitre the strongly fortified church or convent of San Pablo, in
the hamlet of Cherubusco, — one mile off. Twiggs, with one
of his brigades. Smith's, less the Eifies, — and Captain Taylor's
field battery, were ordered to follow, and to attack the con
vent. Major Smith, senior Engineer, was dispatched to con
cert with Twiggs the mode and means of attack, and Twiggs'
other brigade, Eifies, were soon ordered up to support him.
Next, but all in ten minutes. Pierce was sent, though just
able to keep his saddle with his brigade (Pillo.w's division),
conducted by Captain Lee, by a third road a little further to
our left, to attack the enemy's right and rear, in order to favor
the movement upon the convent, and to cut off a retreat
towards the capital. Finally, Shields, with the New York
and South Carolina Volunteers (Quitman's division), was
ordered to follow Pierce closely, and to take command of our
left wing. All these movements were made with the utmost
alacrity by our gallant troops and commanders.
General Scott now found himself at Coyoacan, from which
so many roads conveniently branched ; and without escort or
reserve, he had to advance, for safety, close upon Twiggs'
rear. The battle thon raged from right to left of the whole line.

Scott, pp. 471-4-9.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEB. 29
Captain Lee now retui-ned and inforn^ed General Scott that
Shields, in the rear of Cherubusco, was hard pressed and in
danger of being outflanked, if not owerwhelraed, by superior
numbers; thereupon Major Sumner, Second Dragoons, the
Eifles, and Captain &ibley's troop, Second Dragoons, were im
mediately sent to support our left, guided by Captain Lee.
" The victory of the 8th (September), at the Molinos del
Eey, was followed by daring reconnoissances on the part
of our distinguished Engineers^-Captain Lee, Lieutenant
Beauregard, etc. Their operations were directed principally
to the south — towards the gates of the Piedad," and on the
heights of Chapultepecl Here Captain Lee was wounded, and,
though still eager to advance, was compelled to retire "from loss
of blood. But he had well and nobly contributed towards the
glories of the day ; and when the colors of the United States
were hoisted on the national palace of Mexico, he could justly
feel entitled to share -in the praises so generously and nobly be
stowed by Scott on his heroic followers. " In the glorious con
quest," says that distinguished officer, " all had contributed
— early and powerfully — the killed, the wounded, aud the fit
for duty, as much as those who fought at the gates of Belena
and San Cosme."
In his official report, General Scott again bighly compli
ments Captain Lee " as distinguished for felicitous execution
as for science*and daring." And, furthermore, he says, " Cap
tain Lee, so constantly distinguished, also bore important orders
from me (September 13th), until he fainted from a wound and
the loss of two nights' sleep at the batteries."*
A writer in "Harper's Weekly"f has very justly remarked
that " no one who reads the voluminous Eeports of Scott's Cam
paign in Mexico can fail to observe the frequency with which
special honorable mention is made of three young officers of
Engineers, — Captain E. E. Lee, First-lieutenant Beauregard,
and brevet Second-lieutenant G. B. McClellan. Lee seems
to have been the special favorite of the veteran General,
and there is hardly a single dispatch in which his name is
not honorably mentioned  The careful reader of the
whole series of dispatches respecting the campaign in Mexico
* Scott, pp. 507, 583. t Nov. 1, 1863.

30 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
will come to the conclusion that the three men who, after the
veteran General, displayed the highest military talents, were
•the three young officers of Engineers, Lee, Beauregard, and
McClellan  ". Lee and McClellan are now (November,
1862) virtually at the head of the two armies of the North and
South, and by the almost unanimous consent of both sides
they are the most capable men to fill these posts."
In the above remarks there may be some modification re
quired, even as the Editor himself, at a later period, has ex
pressed ; for there were, most undoubtedly, many other eminent
men of great skill and bravery, in the Mexican War, who re
ceived due praise, and still prove in the present war their full
right to the credit of it. But our province is simply to show
what Lee has done, and how every one, from his highest supe
rior officer, to those of equal rank with himself, linited in
awarding to him that eminence in his military profession,
which, as Commander-in-chief of the Confederate forces, he has
since invariably displayed.
During the war in Mexico he was promoted for gallant and
meritorious conduct,-^the first time at the battle of Cerro Gordo,
as brevet major, — the next at Contreras and Cherubusco, an
additional brevet, which made him a lieuteriant-colonel ; and,
for tbe wounds he received at Chapultepec, with bis bravery
there, he was nominated for still higher rank.
The campaign oyer, Lee returned home, and again filled the
duties of a member of the Board of Engineers. In the early
part of 1852 he appears to have been ordered with his regi
ment to New Mexico. The following letter, said to have been
found by a soldier at Arlington House, lately appeared in the
" New York News" and some squthern and western papers, and
as it serves to illustrate the personal character of the writer we
give it entire. " Aelington House, April 5, 1853.
" Mt Deae Son : I am just in the act of leaving home for
New Mexico. My fine old regiment has been ordered to that
distant region, and I must hasten on to see that they are prop
erly cared for. I have but little to add in reply to your let
ters of March 26, 27, and 28. Your letters breathe a true spirit
of frankness ; they have given myself and your mother great

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 31
pleasure. You must study to be frank with the world : frank
ness is the child of horiesty and courage. Say just what you
mean td do on every occasion, and take it for granted you
mean to do right. If a friend asks a favor, you should grant
it, if it is reasonable ; if not, tell him plainly why you cannot :
you will wrong him and wrong yourself by equivocation of
any kind. Never do a wrong thing to make a iriend or keep
one; the man who requires you to do so, is dearly purchased
at a sacrifice. Deal kindly, but firmly, with all your class
mates, you will find it the policy whi'ch wears best. Above
all, do not appear to others what you are not. If you have any
fault to find with any one, tell him, not others, of what. you
complain ; there is no more dangerous experiment than that of
undertaking to be one thing before a man's face and another
behind his back. We should live, act, and say, nothing to the
injury of any one. It is not only best as a matter of principle,
but it is the path to peace and honor-.
" In regard to duty, let me, in conclusion of this hasty letter,
inform you that nearly a hundred years ago there was a day of
remarkable gloom and darkness — still known as "the dark
day-" — a day when the light of the sun was slowly extinguished,
as if by an eclipse. The legislature of Connecticut was in
session, and as, its raembers saw the unexpected and unaccount
able darkness coming on, they shared in the general awe and
terror. It was supposed by many that the last day — the day
of judgraent — had come. Some one, in the consternation of
the hour, moved an adjournment. Then there arose an old
Puritan legislator, Devenport, of Stamford, and said, that if
the last day had come, he desired to be found at his place
doing his duty, and, therefore, moved that candles be brought
in, so that the house could proceed with its duty. There was
quietness in that man's mind, the quietness of heavenly wisdom
and inflexible willingness to obey present duty. Duty, then,
is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all
things, like the old Puritan. You cannot do more, you
should never wish to do less. Never let me and your mother
wear one gray hair for any lack of duty on your part.
"Your affectionate father,
" E. E. Lee.
" To G. W. Custis Lee."

32 SOUTHERN GENEEALS.
On the 1st of September, 1 862, Colonel Lee was appointed to
succeed Captain Brewerton as Superintendent, of the Military
Academy at West Point. Here, under his administration, and
on the 28th of August, 1854, the course of study was, by direc
tion ofthe Secretary of War, extended so as to embrace a term
of five years.
On the first of April, 1855, Colonel Lee, having been pro-
' moted to the Cavalry arm of tbe service, and thereby incapaci
tated by law from exercising superintendence at the Military
Academy, was succeeded by Major J. G. Barnard.
The regiment to which Lee was now appointed was the Second
U. S. Cavalry, a new regiment organized under the act of
March 3, 1855, its colonel being Albert Sydney Johnson,
afterwards a Confederate General. This regiment was much
employed in the Indian wars on the prairies of Texas, which
created so much excitement at the time ; and here again Lieu
tenant-colonel Lee highly distinguished himself. But, for how
long he was so employed, we are unable to say. This is cer
tain, however, that in 1859 he was on his estates at Arlington,
or perhaps at Washington on duty, because he then appeared
in connection with the John Brown raid at Harper's Ferry,
to which we raust now refer.
The news of the insurrection of this enthusiast and his fol
lowers, and their seizure of Government property, had no
sooner reached Washington than President Buchanan con
sulted with the Secretary of War as to the best measures
to be adopted. To this consultation Colonel Lee (then
Lieutenant-colonel of the Second Cavalry, U. S. Army)
was summoned, and, after arranging plans to prevent additional
outbreak, he was dispatched to command the regular troops
concentrating at Harper's Ferry. Accompanied by his Aid,
Lieutenant J. E. B. Stuart— lately a General in the Confed
erate Army— he set out on a special train on the evening of
October 17th, and sent a telegraphic dispatch to the United
States Marines, in advance of him, directing them what to do.
Other troops— the militia from Virginia and Maryland— had
promptly reached the scene, and when Colonel Lee arrived
during the night, were awaiting his orders to act. He imme
diately placed his command within the armory grounds, so as
to completely surround the fire-engine house where the'insur-

geneeal EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 33
rectionists had taken refuge. This building was, no doubt, the
most defensible one in the armory, having dead brick walls
on three sides, and, on the fourth, large doors with window-
sashes above, some eight feet from the ground. In it. Brown
and his party had confined Colonel Washington, Mr. Danger-
field, and some other citizens whom they had surprised and
taken prisoners the night before ; and therefore to use the can
non upon it now, would be to endanger the lives of friends as
well as foes. Accordingly, at daylight. Colonel Lee took
measures to try and capture the insurgents, if possible, with
out bloodshed. While doing so, one of them came out of the
door, and, presenting a fiag of truce, proposed terms of capitu
lation. These, however, could not be accepted ; but, still desi
rous of avoiding more bloodshed. Colonel Lee at seven a. m. sent
his Aid, Lieutenant Stuart, to summon thera quietly to surrender,
promising to hold them in security from the thr'eatened ven
geance of the citizens, until the President's pleasure was known.
Brown refused all terms but those he himself had proposed,
viz. : " That they, should be j)ermitted to march out with their
men and arms, taking their prisoners with them; that
they should proceed unpursued to the seeond toll-gate, when
they would free their prisoners, the soldiers then being per
mitted to pursue them, and they would fight, if they could not
escape." Finding the insurgents thus madly bent on their own de- .
struction, Lieutenant Stuart, by direction of Colonel Lee, ear
nestly remonstrated with them, but, after staying there a while
in a dangerous proximity, and evincing that coolness and
courage ever since so conspicuously displayed in him, he came
away. At this moraent, perceiving all his humane efforts to be
thrown away, Colonel Lee gave orders for an attack. A strong
party of marines under Lieutenant Green had been previously
posted so near the building that, at a concerted signal, they
advanced by two lines quickly on each side the door. When
near enough, two powerful men sprang between the lines, and,
witb heavy sledge-hammers, attempted to batter down the
doors, but failed. They then took hold of a ladder some forty
feet long, and, advancing with a run, brought it with tremen
dous efiect upon the door. At the second blow it gave away,
and immediately the marines, headed by Major Eussell and

34 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
Lieutenant Green, rushed to the breach as a volley from within
came right upon them. One of the marines instantly fell, and
another was severely wounded ; but it was necessary, if possible,
to avoid firing upon the friends within ; and accordingly great
care was taken. Fortunately, this was successful. The marines
marked their men, and, as the captured citizens, by advice of
Colonel Walhington, held up their arms, not one of them was
hurt. In a moment, more of the soldiers rushed in and secured
the rioters, after two of them were killed, and two more
wounded. The next instant all was over : the liberated citizens
were hailed with shouts of congratulation by the excited crowd
of spectators without, and the captured rioters met with exe
crations. Indeed, only for the precautions wisely taken by
Colonel Lee, it is more than probable they would have been
shot down on the spot.
Colonel Lee at once telegraphed to Washington for further
instructions, which were promptly returned to him, stating
that Mr. Ould, District Attorney for the District of Columbia,
would iraraediately arrive to take charge of the legal proceed
ings, and bring the rioters to trial.
Thus ended the John Brown affair, so far as the military and
Colonel Lee were concerned. The prisoners were handed over
to Mr. Ould, and Colonel Lee returned to his cavalry com
mand.

CHAPTEE IIL
Commenoement of Civil War.— Lee at Texas.- Eeturns horae and Resigns his
Commission. — DifSeulty of his. Position. — His Letters on the Subject. — Parting be
tween him and General Seott. — His family Mansion. — Arlington House. — General
McDowell's noble feeling in reference to it. — Description of the Estate. — Washing
ton Eelios. — Lee appointed to the Comraand in Virginia. — Organizes troops around
Eichmond.— .Succeeds General Garnett in Western Virginia. — Battle of Cheat Moun
tain. — Eetreat of Lee. — Appointed to take charge of Coast Defences. — Summoned to
Eichmond and made Commanding General of the Foroes. — Commencement of Siege
of Eichmond. — General Johnston. — Defensive Operations. — The White House. —
Mrs. General Lee Captured.' — Battle of Seven Pines. — Johnston Wounded, and Lee
' appointed to Command the Army.
We now come to the commencement of that period in the
life of Lee which has ma,de his name so Conspicuous through
out the world. In the beginning of 1861, he was with his
regiment at San Antonio, Texas, and it was there that news
reached him of his native State contemplating a withdrawal
from the Federal Union.
At this time it appears evident that a great struggle was
going on within his breast as to the course he should pursue
in relation to the strife then commencing. His natural attach
ment to the State in which he was born, and where all his
family had resided during so many past years, drew him to her
fortunes, whatever they rhight be. On 'the other hand, all his
public career, his fame and rank, were identified with that flag
he had so well and so bravely fought under. Then, too, there
were his gallant associates in arms, — his friend and admirer
General Scott, who, when applied to by the President to rec
ommend some one of the army officers qualifled to fill the
place made vacant by the death of General Jessup, named him
first on the list of four.* Added to all this was the inevitable
reflection that, once in arms against the Government of the
* Mise, Sep., June 34, 1861.

36 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
United states, his high and lofty position as a noble gentle
man and an officer of exalted rank, with an unblemished rep
utation, would be thenceforth coupled, in history and state
documents, with the terms " Eebel and Traitor." Still more,
there was the terrible results certain to accrue from joining in
the war, and the inward sorrow he must feel on beholding the
devastation and misery following the first blood spil ed on his
native soil. His house, his fortunes,* his family, bad all to be
considered, and, turn whichever way he might, it would seera
that no escape from being involved in the national^ calamity
presented itself— one side or the other was alike injurious to
him. Early in the year, the Governor of Virginia had been
authorized by the State Legislature to raise and organize a
military force of from ten to twenty thousand men, under an
officer of experience, with the title of Major-general ; but still
Lee reraained true to his allegiance, perhaps hoping that Vir
ginia would not, after all, secede. That hope, alas ! was futile.
Events followed one another rapidly from the time of his ap
pointment in the regular army as colonel, to the hour when,
Fort Sumter having surrendered, on the lltb of April, open
war between the North and South comraenced. He could no
longer hesitate. Other high and experienced officers, born in
the South, were resigning, and his native State called upon
him to do likewise, and come to her aid. In vain his friend
and former chief, General Scott, begged of him not to relin
quish his position in the regular army. "For God's sake,
don't resign, Lee," the veteran General is reported to have
said ; but the response was, " I am compelled to. I cannot
consult ray own feelings in this matter," and he threw up his
commission, his resignation being received on the 20th of
ApriLf * It was publicly stated in the "Baltimore American," May 23, 1861, that
" Lee's baggage and papers were seized at New Tork en route from Texas to
Virginia." \ Lee's final lettra: to Soott was as follows : Arunoton, Va., April 20th, 1861. •.
Gbnbeal : Since my interview ¦with you on the 18tli instant, I have felt
that I ought not longer to retain my commission in the army. I, therefore,
tender my resignation, which I request you will recommend for acceptance.
It would have been presented at once, but for the struggle it has cost mo to

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 37
It has been stated that the parting between Scott and Lee
was very painful ; — and naturally so.* Two warm friends who
had often been in intimate relationship during a war where all
fought together, even closeted in serious council when military
measures of importance — as at Vera Cruz — were to be adopted,
could not now sever and take opposite sides in an intestine
separate myself from a service to which I have devoted all the best years of
my life and all the ability 1 possessed.
During the whole of that time — ^more than a quarter of a century — 1 have
experienced nothing but kindness from my superiors, and the most cordial
friendship from my comrades. To no one. General, have I been as much in
debted as to yourself for uniform kindness and consideration, and it has always
been my ardent desire to merit your approbation. I shall carry to the grave
the most grateful reoolleotions of your kind consideration, and your name and
fame wiU always be dear to me.
Save in defence of my native State, I never desire again to draw my sword.
Be pleased to accept my most earnest wishes for the continuance of your happi
ness and prosperity, and believe me, most truly yours, E. X.. LEB.
LlEUTBNANT-GENBEAL WlNFrBLD ScOTT,
Commanding United States Army.
A copy of the preceding letter was inclosed in the following letter to a sis
ter of the Qeneral, Mrs. A. M. : Arlington, Va., April 20th, 1861.
Mt Deab Sister : I am grieved at my inability to see you  I have
been waiting " for a more convenient season," which has brought to many
before me deep and lasting regret. Now we are in a state of war which Will
yield to nothing. The whole South is in a state of revolution, into which
Virginia, after a long struggle, has been drawn, aud though I recognize no
necessity for this state ofthings, and would have forborne and pleaded to the
end for redress of grievances, real or supposed, yet in myowu person I had to
meet the question, whether I should take part against my native State. With
all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an Amer
ican citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand
against my relatives, my children, my home. I have, therefore, resigned my
commission in the army, and save iu defence of my native State, with the sin
cere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be
called on to draw my sword.
I know you will blame me, but you mtist think as kindly of me as you can,
and believe that I have endeavored to do what I thought right. To show you
the feeling and struggle it has cost me, I send a copy of my letter to General
Scott, whioh accompanied my letter of resignation. I have no time for more.
. . . . May God guard and protect you and yours, and shower upon you
every blessing, is the prayer of your devoted brother, E. E. LBB.
* Newspaper, June 33, 1861, M. R.

38 ' SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
strife without much pain. Then, too, the knowledge which
as experienced officers each must have had, in common with
other soldiers of rank and skill, of the terrible efifects of such
a strife, would compel them to most sad and gloomy thoughts.
Tliey had seen and well knew the calamities and the horrors
of war, and could too clearly see the fearful misery sure to
attend a civil war above all other wars. Politicians, Lawyers,
Civilians, Theorists, " Humanitarians," knew it not, save in the
fancy of their brain. Thus the two military friends Tinew what
was to follow, and could be well excused-^nay, even ad
mired for their good feeling — if, as is said, tears came into
their eyes when they were about to part, perhaps forever, and
take up opposite sides in deadly strife.
What Lee's struggle of mind must have been at the time,
may be gathered from the following passage in a letter sent
by Mrs. Lee in the Christmas of 1861 to a Union friend. She
says, " My husband has wept tears of blood over this terrible
war, but be must, as a man of honor and a Virginian, share
the destiny of his State, which has solemnly pronounced for
independence." *
Of the great estimation Lee was held in by the highest mili
tary authorities in the United States, an idea may be formed
from General Scott's remark, that " it were better for every
officer in the army, including himself, to die, than Eobert
Lee."t At this time, Lee's family resided at the famous Custis
Mansion, called Arlington House, on the heights, and the
following particulars relating to it may not be uninteresting.
A writer in the " New Tork Daily News," July 9th, 1861,

¦ General McDowell would not occupy the evacuated ' Lee-
House,' preferring the tented field and a soldier's fare to the
luxury of enjoying the General's abandoned quarters. This
act, of Itself, has greatly endeared bim to the soldiers, who are
ready to follow him anywhere. His tent is a few paces distant
from the south wing of the house. In front of the door stands
•a small plain table— without paint, varnish, covering, or any
such thing.. A few books and writing materials upon it, witb

* Bu,n, Oct. 1, 1863. f MdbOe Adv.. May 3, 1861.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 39
a single chair alongside, tell plainly that the General, and he
alone, sits at that table.
" Southeastward some sixty rods, and at gentle descent, the
visitor beholds two monumental pillars of white marble, stand
ing at the head of two graves. The largest of the monuments
reads thus : ^'George Washington Parke Custis, died 1853 ;" the
other, " Mary L. Custis, died 1857." Those departed ones,
— once united in life, and not separated in death — were of
family kin with the iraraortal Washington ; and what a sad,
sad coraraent does the present read of the past !
" All around here, Arlington Heights presents a lovely
picture of rural beauty. The ' General-Lee House' (as some
term it) stands on a grassy lot surrounded with a grove of
stately trees and underwood, except in front, where is a ver
dant sloping ground for a few rods, when it descends into a
valley, spreading away in beautiful and broad expanse to the
lovely Potomac. This part of this splendid estate is apparently
a highly cultivated meadow, the grass waving in the gentle
breeze, like the undulating bosom of Old Atlantic. To the
south, north, and west, the grounds are beautifully diversified
into hill and valley, arid richly stored with oak, willow, and
maple, though the oak is the principal wood.
"The view from this height is a charming picture. Wash
ington, Georgetown, and the intermediate Potoraac, all before
you in the foreground — while the white tents of troops quar
tered in the suburbs over the river, at almost every point, with
mountain high, and valley deep, in the background."
In connection with the above, the following has an especial
interest. When Mrs. Lee was obliged to leave Arlington House on its
being occupied by Goneral Sandford and the New York troops,
it is related in the "Evening Post" — and with no delicacy of
language — that "she undertook to carry with her all the
Washington relics which had been so jealously preserved 'by
her patriotic father, Mr. George Washington Parke Custis.
Eepeatedly she wrote to General McDowell, with whom she
had been acquainted as her husband's associate on the staff of
General Wool during the Mexican War, that she had left
nothing at Arlington in any way connected with the public or
domestic life of the father of his country.

40 SOUTHERN GENEEALS.
"For a long time after the flight of the Lees, General
McDowell, though quartered on the grounds, refused to enter
Arlington. House. A scrupulous respecter of private rights, he
would not occupy, nor allow to be occupied by his officers or
men, any portion of the mansion, which, in his opinion, be
longed to General Lee quite as rauch as though he still made
his horae within its massive walls. When the Confiscation
Act was passed by Congress, and a . telegraphic operator bad
taken possession of one of the best rooms, he was still reluctant
to enter the old building on account of the Washington mem
ories clustering around it, and it was at last by force of cir
cumstances rather than by his own free will, that he madQ it
his headquarters.
" For a long time access to the upper rooms was forbidden,
and even the cellar was not opened to the cnrious visitor.
The historical paintings of Mr. Custis, which, from their want of
merit, clearly demonstrate that however true a patriot that
worthy descendant of the Washington family may have been,
he was by no means an artist, and which Mrs. Lee had shown
good taste in leaving behind, were most carefully guarded.
Never did tenant use a house more gingerly. Eelics of in
estimable value might have slumbered in its upper chambers,
or had quiet preservation in its basement-rooms forever and
aye, for none but General McDowell entered tbe venerable
premises. "But there lately came to Washington a curiosity-hunter —
an antiquarian, vigorous and insatiable — an enthusiast in
Washington relies— Caleb Lyon by name — he of Lyonsdale,
who, disdaining the letters of Mrs. Lee, sought permission to
'unveil the deepest recesses of the establishment. He searched
the house from foundation to roof-tree. Fortunate search ! for
in an inner cellar he found a priceless prize, in a variety of
household articles identified as belonging to Washington ; but
which one less familiar with the history of Mount Vernon and
Arlington would have passed by as of no especial interest or
value. " Among these articles are a number of pieces of the Martha
Washington China. The centre of each piece has the mono
gram 'M. W.,' from which four golden, rays diverge, each
point reaching to a blue oval, in which, in distinct rings, con-

GENEEAL EOBERT EDMUND LEE. 41
nected by golden links, are written the names of the original
States and Kentucky ; while around the rim, the Egyptian sym
bol of eternal union — a green serpent with its tail in its mouth —
and a crimson ribbon bearing the legend, " Decus et tutamen
aiillo" exquisitely painted, completes the decoration, which
for richness and appropriateness has never been excelled at
Sevres. " This set of porcelain was presented by General Lafayette
and his brother officers, including Eochambeau and Count De
Grasse, as a fitting testimonial to the lady whose house had
been their home while fighting tbe battles of the Eevolution,
and also witb the sanction and subscription ofthe Mayor ofthe
municipality of Paris. The set originally contained four hun
dred pieces. A plate, a saucer, or a cup, were occasionally pre
sented by Mrs. Washington or Mr. Custis as the choicest souve
nir they could give of the household relics of Mount Vernon.
Specimens are in possession of the widow of Major-general
Brown, the family of the late Alderman Peters, Major
Mopham, Caleb Lyon, and others ; and it was from a famili
arity with the one given to the latter gentleman some years
ago by Mr. Custis, that he was able to promptly identify the
remainder of the set remaining at Arlington.
" Two of the rich porcelain vases presented to Washington by
Mr. Vaugh, and sketched by Lossing in his ' Mount Vernon
and its Associations' — those ornamented by lions and tigers-
were also brought to light by Mr. Lyon. The one decorated
with leopards has not been discovered, and is probably lost.
The ground-work of these vases is of the finest and rarest blue,
but they are soraewhat broken. •
" It will be remembered that the officer&of the Eevolutionary
army belonging to the Society of the Cincinnati, sent to China
an 'order for a thousand pieces, including breakfast, dinner, and
tea sets, of the finest India ware, for presentation to Washihg-
toh. The ornamentation is blue and gilt, with the coat of
arms of the society, held by Fame, with a blue ribbon from
which is suspended the eagle of the order, with a green wreath
about its neck, and on its breast a shield representing the in
auguration of the order. Altogether, fifty pieces of this set
yet reraain at Arlington, more or less perfect. The tea-table
used by Washington, and one bookcase, also reraain. General

42 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
McDowell rendered Mr. Lyon every facility for brushing up
these interesting reKcs, and expects an order from the War
Department to place thern in the Patent Office or Smithsonian
institute. They would be perfectly safe at Arlington, while
the General remains here, but to guard against the carelessness
of those who may come after him, when the long-promised ad
vance begins, and to gratify the public, it is doubtless wise
to so dispose of the precious articles."
Imraediately upon Lee's resignation in the regular army,
be was appointed, by Governor Letcher, Major-general in
command of all the railitary forces in Virginia. This ap
pointraent was confirmed, and made known to him, on the
23d day of April, by the Convention then assembled, through
the President, John Lanney, Esq. The following particu-
lers of his reception are given in the Eichmond papers of
the day :
"The Convention having asserabled, tbe Honorable A. , H.
Stephens, Vice-president of the Confederate States, entered
the Hall, accompanied by Governor Letcher, and was intro
duced to the President by Mr. Johnston, of Lee county, a
meraber of the committee appointed to invite and conduct that
gentleraan to the Hall.
" Mr. Johnston next introduced Judge Allen, a member of
the Advisory Council of the Governor; and following hira
were Colonel Smith and Captain M. F. Maury, both intro
duced as the other members of the Advisory Council.
" Every delegate was on hjs feet during this ceremony.
The Governor and Mr. Stephens were assigned seats on the
right of the President, and the three members of the Advisory
Council on the left.
"At this time Major-general Lee entered, leaning on the
arm of Mr. Johnson, of Eichmond, the Chairman of the Ponj-
mittee appointed to conduct the distinguished military chief
to the hall. As they reached tbe centre of the main aisle, Mr.
Johnson, said, ' Mr. President, I have the honor to present to
you, and to the convention, Major-general Lee.'
" The President then said, ' Major-general Lee, in the narae
of the people of our native State, here represented, I bid you
a cordial and heartfelt welcome to this hall, in whicb we may
yet almost hear the echo of the voices of the statesmen, the

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEB. 43
soldiers and sages of by-gone days, who bave borne your
name, and whose blood now flows in your veins.
" We met in tbe month of February last, charged with the
solemn duty of protecting the rights, the honor, and the inter
ests of the people of this Comraonwealth. We difi'ered for a
tirae as to the best means of accomplishing that object ; but
there never was, at any moment, a sha,de of difference among
us as to the great object itself; and now Virginia having taken
her position, as far as the power of this Convention extends,
we stand animated by one impulse, governed by one desire
and one determination, and that is, that she shall be defended ;
and that no spot of her soil shall be polluted by the foot of an
invader. "When the necessity became apparent of having a leader
for our forces, all hearts and all eyes, by the impulse of an
instinct which is a surer guide than reason itself, turned to the
old county of Westmoreland. We knew how prolific she'had
been in other days of heroes and statesmen. We knew she
had given birth to tbe Father of his Country, to Eichard Henry
Lee, to Monroe, and last, though not least, to your own gal
lant father, and we knew well by your deeds that her jjroduc-
tive power was not yet exhausted.
" Sir, we watched with the most profound and intense inter
est the triumphal march of the army led by General Scott, to
which you were attached, from Vera Cruz: to the capital of
Mexico. We read of the sanguinary confiicts and the blood
stained fields, in all of whicb victory perched upon our own
banners. We knew of the unfading lustre that was shed upon
the American arras by that campaign, and we know, also,
what your modesty has always disclaimed, that no small share
of the glory of those achievements was due to your valor and
your railitary genius.
" Sir, one of the proudest recollections of my life will be the
honor that I yesterday had of submitting to this body con
firmation of the nomination made by the governor of this State,
of you as Commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces
of this commonwealth. I rose to put the question, and when
I asked if this body would advise and consent to that appoint
ment, there rushed from the hearts to the tongues of all the
members, an affirmative response, told with an emphasis that

44 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
could leave no doubt, or the feeling whence it emanated^ I
put the negative of the question, for form's sake, but there was
an unbroken silence.
" Sir, we have by this unanimous vote, expressed our con
victions that you are at this day araong the living citizens of
Virginia, 'first in war.' We pray to God most fervently,
that you may so conduct the operations committed to your
charge that it will soon be said of you, that you are ' first in
peace,' and when that time coraes, you will have earned the
still prouder distinction of being " first in tbe hearts of your
countrymen.' I will close with one more remark.
" When the Father of bis Country made his last will and
testament, he gave his swords to his favorite nephews with an
injunction that they should never be drawn from their scab
bards except in self-defence, or in defence of the rights and
liberties of their country, and, that if drawn for the latter pur
pose, they should fall with them in tbeir hands, rather than-
relinquish them.
" Yesterday your mother, Virginia, placed her sword in your
hand, upon the implied condition that we know you will keep
it to the letter and in spirit, that you will draw it only in de
fence, and that you will fall with it in your hand rather than
the object for which it was placed there shall fail."
Majoe-geneeal Leb. — " Mr. President and gentlemen of the
Convention : Profoundly impressed with the solemnity of the
occasion, for which I must say I was not prepared, I accept
the position assigned me by your partiality. I would have
much preferred, had your choice fallen upon an abler man.
Trusting in Almighty God, an approving conscience, and the
aid of my fellow-citizens, I devote myself to the service of my
native State, in whose behalf alone, will I ever again draw my
sword." The chair was then vacated, and some time was spent in the
introduction of delegates to Major-general Lee, and the tender
to him of pongratulations by the members.
The appointment of General Lee seemed to give universal
satisfaction in Virginia. One of the leading papers said, in
reference to some disquietude about an attack on Eichmond :
" Our people must rest quiet upon the fact that tbe military
preparations, for our defence, are under tbe direction of shrewd,

geneeal EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 45
skilful, indefatigable, experienced, and patriotic officers. Our
commanding general, Eobert E. Lee, has long been the pride
of the service, and he is supported by subordinates of acknowl
edged capacity and large experience."
One of Lee's first acts was to fortify Arlington Heights.
Heavy batteries were erected, and some five thousand Virginia
troops were concentrated there.* But the principal efl'orts of
General Lee were devoted to the organizing and equipping of
the military forces arriving from the South. Every train
brought in troops, and it required all the skill and experience
of a practical mind to establish discipline and order. The
military council at the State-house, Eichmond, consisting of
Governor Letcher, Lieutenant-governor Montague, Lieutenant
M. F. Maury, of the Navy, General Lee, and others, was inces
santly occupied in effecting for speedy service, the raw material
promptly brought forward. Virginia speedily became a great
camp. The valleys and the hills swarmed with soldiers eager
for the fray. Forty-eight thousand men. May 3d, were under
arms, and distributed as follows : f at Eichmond 10,000, at
Harper's Ferry 10,000, Alexandria 3,000, Staunton 2,000, Pe
tersburgh 5,000, Lynchburg 6,000, Fredericksburg 3,000, Nor
folk 10,000 ; and it was stated that " the thorough and com
plete organization of the Quartermaster and Commissary Depart
ments, which General Lee had perfected, would enable the
immediate concentration of troops upon the borders of the
State, wherever the moveraents of the enemy might demand
the presence of the troops. At any moment General Lee
could leave Eichmond at the head of a large force ; and it is,
indeed, surprising what he accomplished in so short a space of
time. " With the army to organize and drill, the materials of
war to create out of almost nothing, the troops to arm, clothe
an'd feed, after they had been collected, and all the duties of a
minister of war to discharge, in addition to those more imme
diate of general-in-chief,":j: it would seem to be almost impos
sible for one man to effect wbat he did. Yet it was done, and
so efficiently, that the Northern papers, in speaking of military
movements, said, " Should the United States troops succeed in
entering the State of Virginia, they will be compelled to en-
* Mob. Adm., Ap. 35-38, 1861. f Mob. Adi>, May 18, 1861. % Sthrn. Biog.

46 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
counter, at various points on the route, large bodies of troops,
strongly posted in positions capable of being maintained tor
many days against an invading army. By the way ot
Alexandria, a general of superior ability will be required,
as he will probably be compelled to encounter, at some
point on the route to Eichmond, General Lee, himself, or.
Magruder." On the 6th of May, Virginia was admitted to tbe Southern -
Confederacy, and consequently, her forces formed part of the
entire Southern army, under corjtrol of the Secretary of War,
then at Montgomery, Alabama. But on the lOtb of May
General Lee was temporarily retained in tbe post he was so^
well occupying, until the entire military organization of the*
South was complete. On the 29th of May President Davis
arrived at Eichmond ; but it was not until the 20th of July
that the Southern Congress assembled there, in the hall of the
House of Delegates. It was then that Lee's rank was fixed as
Brigadier-general, following, according to previous seniority in
the United States' Army, Generals Cooper and A. S. John
son. Beauregard, after the battle of Bull Eun, was made a
full general ; but there seems to have been something like
doubt, and''perhaps jealousy, amongst the authorities in coun
cil at Eichmond, as to Lee. However, he waited his time, aud
while others were sent forward, and were actively engaged at
the advanced posts, he cheerfully gave bis valuable services to
tbe cause at Eichmond, and eraployed his engineering skill to
great advantage in its defence.
After the retreat of General Garnett from Eicb Mountain,
and the death of tbat officer. General Lee was appointed to
succeed him, and, with as little delay as possible, repaired to
the scene of operations.* He took with him reinforcements,
making his whole force, in conjunction witb the remnant of
General Garnett's army, about sixteen thousand men. On the
10th of August he reached tbe neighborhood of Cheat Moun
tain, and found it strongly fortified. The position was known
to be an exceedingly strong one, and not easily turned. Never
theless, General Lee was confident tbat he would be able, by
strategic movements, to dislodge tbe enemy from his strong-
* PoUa/rd, First Tear of the War, p. 168.

GENEBAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 47
hold, capture his forces, and then march his victorious army
into the heart of Northwestern Virginia. Eosecrans was then
the ranking officer of the Union troops in that department,
but General Eeynolds was in comraand of the forces at Cheat
Mountain, and in its vicinity, his force being estimated at from
ten to twelve thousand men.
General Lee felt his way cautiously along the road leading
• from Huntersville to Huntonsville, and, reaching Valley Moun
tain, he halted for some time, arranging bis plans for attacking
the enemy, who were about eight miles below him, at Crouch's,
in Tygart Valley river, five or six thousand strong. His
plans were arranged so as to divide his forces for the purpose
of surrounding the enemy. After great labor and endurance
of severe hardship on the mountain spurs, where the weather
was very cold, he succeeded in getting below the enemy, on
Tygart Valley river, placing other portions of his forces on
tlje spurs of the mountaiils immediately east and west of the
enemy, and raarched another portion of his troops down the
Valley river, close to the enemy. The forces were thus ar
ranged in position for making attack upon the enemy at
Crouch's, and reraained there for some hours. It was, doubt
less, in the plan of General Lee, for his forces ^o remain in
position until the consuramation of another part of his plan,
viz., tbat some fifteen hundred of General H. E. Jackson's
forces, stationed at Greenbrier river, should raarch around an
other position of the eneray, at the celebrated Cheat Mountain
Pass, where he was five or six thousand strong. Jackson's
forces did march around this position, under command of
Colonel Eust, of Arkansas, through extraordinary difficulties
and perils, and under circumstances of terrible exhaustion.
The troops had to ascend the almost perpendicular mountain
side, but finally succeeded in obtaining a position in front of,
and to the west of the enemy. The attack of this force upon
the enemy at Cheat Mountain, was understood to be, in the
plan of General Lee, a signal for the attack by his forces upon
the enemy at Crouch's. Colonel Eust, however, discovered the
eneray on the mountain to be safely protected by block-houses,
and other defences, and concluding that an attack could not be
nrade with any hope of success, ordered a retreat. The signal
was not given according to the plan of General Lee, and no at-

48 SOUTHERN GENEEALS.
tack was raade by his forces,- which retreated, without firing a
gun, back to Valley Mountain.
This plan of General Lee's, a finished drawing of which
was sent to the War Department, was said to bave been one
ofthe best laid that ever- illustrated the rules of strategy,
or ever went awry on account of practical failure in its ex
ecution. Having failed in his plans for dislodging the enemy from
Cheat Mountain, and thus relieving Northwestern Virginia,
General Lee determined to proceed to the Kanawha region,
with a view of relieving Generals Floyd and Wise, and possibly
driving the enemy to the extrerae western borders of Virginia.
Accordmgly, in the latter part of September he ordered the
principal portions of his command to take up a line of march
in that direction.
It has already been stated, that General Floyd had fallen
back with his forces, to Meadow Bluff, while General Wise
stopped east of the summit of Big Sewell. In this position
General Lee found them on his arrival. He took up his head
quarters with General Floyd, and, after examining his position,
proceeded to SeM'ell, where General Wise still remained in
front of the enemy. He decided to fortify Wise's position.
General Floyd's command, except a garrison at Meadow Bluff,
returned to Big Sewell. He had been largely reinforced since
he had left the Gauley river. The position of Big Sewell was
made exceedingly strong by a breastwork, extending four
miles. The whole Confederate force here, nnder .command of Gen
eral Lee, was nearly twenty thousand ; and for twelve or fifteen
days it remained in position facing the enemy, each party await
ing an attack from the other. At the end of that time, one
morning, it was discovered by General Lee, that Eosecrans had
disappeared in the night, and reached his old position on the
Gauley, thirty-two railes distant. Lee was unable to follow,
on account of the leanness of his artillery-horses, and the
swollen streams and mud impeding his way, with such poor
cavalry.* On -the 3d of October, General Eeynolds with a force of

* Polla/rd, First Tear of the War, p. 173.

GENEEAL EOBERT EDMUND LEE. 49
about five thousand strong, taking the opportunity of Lee's ab
sence in the Kanawha, suddenly came down upon the Con
federate troops at Cheat Mountain, but was repulsed.
With reference to the inability of General Lee to pursue
Eosecrans the following letter from Eichmond, under date of
October 22d, gives sorae explanation. It says : " A gentleman
of this city, occupying a high position in the- Governraent, has
just reached Eichmond from General Lee's headquarters. The
enemy, under Eosecrans, was in full retreat toward the Ohio ;
but pursuit was impossible. The roads were in the most awful
condition. Dead horses and mules that had perished in their
tracks, broken wagons, and abandoned stoi-es, lined the road to
Lewisburg. There was no such thing as getting a team or
wagon through uninjured. The road beyond Big Sewell was,
if any thing, worse than on this side of it."
Meanwhile, as the approaching rigors of winter in the moun
tains gave wai'ning of the speedy termination of further active
operations in that region, General Lee was recalled, and soon
afterwards appointed to take ebai'ge of- the coast defences df
South Carolina and Georgia.
The services of General Lee, in this department, were ad
mitted to have been very valuable, though not of that active
nature which afterwards made his name so famous and so re
vered. His duties consisted- principally in superintending the
fortifications along the coast, and exercising his engineering
skill in raaking them more secure. On the 30th of December,
in company with his staff, he visited the military district of
Brigadier-general Evans, and made iraportant observations in
that quarter. Several additional troops were forwarded from
Eichmond to them, and ever}'' effort raade to resist the at
tempts of the enemy to invade the land. In the latter part of
February, 1862, it was much desired by many members in the
Southern Congress, that General Lee should be appointed
Secretary of War, but this was overruled, though, afterwards,
he was virtually acting as such. Meanwhile, he had got the
army in South Carolina into a very high state of efficiency.
His district was placed in an admirable state of defence, and,
in commenting upon him, the Southern papers remarked, that
" the time would yet come when his superior abilities would
be vindicated, both to his own renown, and tbe glory of hi^
'4

50 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
country." At Charleston, where he was in command, on the
28th of February, every confidence was placed in his power
to defend the city against any force of the enemy, if the people
themselves only helped him aright. But in a few days after
wards, he was summoned by President Davis to Eichmond,
and after various delays and difficulties between parties acting
from jealous motives, he was appointed to the newly formed
office of commanding general of the forces.
It was at this time the valuable services of General Lee
began to be rightly understood. Eichmond and Virginia
were both in a state of great agitation in the public mind,
owing to the advance of the Northern army towards the capi
tal. ,While the foe was at a distance, the people flattered
themselves that success would yet attend the movements of
their leaders ; but, the moment that foe— a power, be it re
membered, that, only fourteen months previous, had been
acknowledged as the sovereign authority in the land — ap
proached the portals of their doors, tremor seized thera. Dis
asters, also, in the West, had tended to depress their rainds,
and doubts began to arise as to the wisdom and policy of the
course then pursued. McClellan, with a large army, had
already commenced a raarch along the Peninsula from York-
town, whieh, with Williamsburg, the Southern forces had
been compelled to abandon, while McDowell, in the southern
part of the State, was prepared to join him. Would Eich
mond be the next city to be yielded ? Would the Confederate
Executive desert them by retreating further inland, and leave
them to their fate? Was President Davis, after all, the man
to meet such an emergency as this ? Were the generals, then
at the head of a fine and powerful army assembling around
Eichmond, and, a part of it, holding in check the Union forces
in the North, sufficiently capable of standing against the
military ehiefs — McClellan, in particular — opposed to them?
These were serious questions, and questions, too, that were
openly discussed, even in their Senate. True, Eichmond had
been placed in a good position of defence ; and J. E. Johnston,
who commanded the army, was a man of acknowledged ability
and skill. Still there was perplexity and doubt, as there ever
will be where men have taken a bold step in opposition to a
long-established constituted authority, and, at length, find

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEB. 61
that authority at their doors, menacingly calling them to ac
count for what they have done.
What the state of the capital was at this important moraent,
when, had not circumstances with which we have nothing
now to do presented him, McClellan could soon have had
Eichmond in his power, may be gathered from the following
brief statement of facts: On the 14th of May, the General
Assembly of Virginia, passed a resolution expressing a desire
that the capital should be defended to the last extremity, " if
such defence be in accordance with the views of the President."
That such was doubtful, was to be inferred from seeing many
large boxes on the side-walks, in front of the various official
departments, labelled " Lynchburg," as if ready for departure
thither. Iron safes, and valuable property were consequently
moved away by timid persons ; and, not a few began to con
vert every thing into cash at ruinous rates of discount, some
times paying four hundred dollars in paper for one hundred
dollars in cash, while others changed goods into tobacco, which
they stowed away in cellars. Fortunately, some relief to the
agitated mind of the peoples was given, when, in response to
the above resolution, and, on a personal interview with the
President, Governor Letcher was assured that "it would be
the effort of Mr. Davis' life to defend the soil of Virginia, and
to cover her capital ;" and, moreover, " he had never enter
tained the thought of withdrawing the army. If, in the course
of events, the capital should fall, — the necessity of which he
did not see or anticipate, — that would be no reason for with
drawing the array frora Virginia. The war could still be suc
cessfully maintained on Virginia soil for twenty years."
Thus reassured, a popular outburst of feeling followed.
The people swore to defend thear capital with the last drop of
their blood. The Governor, in warm language, echoed this
sentiment, and called upon all persons to unite in rallying to
the rescue. .The Mayor, Joseph Mayo — a descendant of the
founder of the city — said it should never be surrendered by
him, for he would sooner die ; and if any persons wished Eich
mond to be abandoned, they must elect another mayor in his
place. The press advocated, rather the total destruction of the
city than its surrender.* " To lose it was to lose Virginia ;
* GooKs Siege of Richmond, p. 106.

52 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
and to lose Virginia was to lose the key of the Southern Con
federacy. Better fall in her streets ; for such, would be bliss,
in comparison with that of basely yielding. The loss of Eich
mond would sound in Europe like tbe loss of Paris or London,
and the moral effect would scarcely be less."
¦ Thus, then, the determination to fight to the last, was made
raanifest, and the fears of the people were somewhat allayed.
But still there was cause for great anxiety. The Union forces
by this time (the end of May) had vigorously pushed forward
advances to the neighborhood of the capital, and the right of
their line was only four miles distant fr-om it — their left about
seven miles. This made it imperative ou the part of the Gov
ernment, to adopt every measure for preventing a nearer ap
proach, and to secure the safety of Eichmond ; and now, in
this trying time, and in the midst of all this agitation and ex
citement, the calm mind, smiling, though ever thoughtful coun
tenance, and kindly tones of General Lee, came forward to give
strength and courage to the feeble and tbe drooping. His
great engineering skill had already done much towards sur
rounding the capital with defences. The earthworks designed
by him around it were of considerable magnitude, and were
constructed in different shape, to suit the conformation of the
ground. They swept all the roads, crowned every hillock, and
moun(Js of red earth could be seen, in striking contrast with
the rich, green aspect of the landscape. Eedoubts, rifie-pits,
casemate-batteries, horn works, and enfilading batteries, were
visible in great number, in and out of the woods, in all direc
tions. Some were mounted with heavy siege pieces, of various
calibre, but the majority were intended for field-guns. Heavy
ordnance was scarce, and home-made . cannon often proved
worthless and brittle, in many instances killing those who put
them to the proof. Strong works bad also been hastily erected
and mounted at Drury's Bluff; and the immense raft on the
river was considered impregnable. Several large rifle pieces
were manned by the crew of the late Merrimac, while the banks
and woods swarmed with sharpshooters, and a number of rifled
'field-batteries were ready, with supports, to the rear. '
Meanwhile General Lee himself was not unmindful of the
serious aspect of affairs. Should Eichmond be laid siege to,
the wives and families of those engaged in 'confiict would be

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 63
better away, and General Lee seeras to have previously sent his
wife to the family seat called the White House. This celebrated
mansion was, to a certain degree, looked upon as sacred by
both the North and the South, on account of its connection
with Washington, through his wife, who, while living there,
as the widow of Mr. Custis, had been visited by the " Father
of his Country" before marrying her. It came into the posses
sion of General Lee when he married, and had we space, sev
eral interesting incidents belonging to the place could here be
given. One only, as immediately referring to the subject of
our memoir, may, however, be recorded.
The White House, known as such at this time, was not the
original, but one built upon the site of that where Mrs. Custis
had lived. It was in the form of a centre building and wings,
its entire front being about forty feet, and its depth twenty,
plainly built, two stories high, with a peaked roof, and porches.
Inside there were main balls, and a staircase occupying the
centre, with a room on eaeh floor in each wing.* Two attics
were under the roof, and the whole structure was of frame.
Such a building could have been erected in the North for
about fifteen hundred dollars.f The grounds around the house
were simply a grass field, in which grew several trees. The
house was about fifty yards back of the Pamunkey Eiver, and
some twenty-fiye miles northeast of Eichmond. The negro
huts and garden were on the bank of the stream below.
When General Stoneman's troops (the advance of McClellan's
army en route to Eichmond, from Williamsburg) occupied
White House on the evening of May 10th, the guard placed
to protect -the mansion found a paper pinned to the wall of the
main corridor, on which was written, in a lady's hand, the fol
lowing words :
" Northern soldiers who profess to reverence Washington,
forbear to desecrate the home of his first married life, the
property of his wife, now owned by her descendants.
" A Geand-daughtee of Mrs. Washington."
This was signed by Mrs. Eobert E. Lee, and beldw it, upon
the wall^ one of the guards wrote an answer : —

¦ Cook, p. 169. t See McClellan's official correspond-ence.

'54 . , SOUTHEEET GENEEALS.
"A northern officer has protected your property, in sight of
the eneray, and at the request of your overseer."
About a fortnight afterwards, the advance forces having
moved near-er Eichmond, found, in a house, distant seven miles
from the capital, the family of General Lee, consisting of his
wife, her daughter-in-law, the wife of Colonel Lee, of the Kent
Cavalry, and two nieces. Probably they had moved ther-e from
the White House, when finding it was to be occupied by the
Northern forces. But they were now again surrounded, and
placed under guard of Union soldiers. A party had been sent
to search the house, with a view of securing some valuable
papers, supposed to be secreted there. Finding nothing, they
were about to depart, when Mrs. Lee handed a note to the
officer in charge. This note was directed to the command
ing officer of the division, with tbe request that it should be
handed to him in person. It was delivered as required, and
was found to be as follows :
" To The GENEEAL IN COMMAND, — Sir, I have patiently and
humbly submitted to the search of my bouse, by men under
your command, who are satisfied that there is nothing -here that
, they want. All the plate and other valuables have long since
been removed to Eichmond, and are now beyond the reach of
any northern marauders who may wish for their possession.
"Wife of Eobeet Lee, Geneeal C. S. A."
The Union forces had now been in position around Eich
mond about a month, and after variotis skirmishes Hanover
Court-house had been captured by them on the 28tb of May.
This, witb other successes to the North, made the Confederates
again very dissatisfied, and the Eichmond papers were once
more clamorous. The Enquirer said :
"We are now looking to General Johnston witb great inter
est, and not without some solicitude  The time has come
when retreat is no longer strategy, but disaster. It must,
therefore, give place to battle. The temper of the army is
opposed to retreat. The men are weary of toilsome marches,
and almost clamor to be led against the enemy. . . .The cam
paign has ripened for the battle, and a battle is at hand."
It was even so as desired. Almost before the printer's ink
was dry, the sound of a general engagement was heard. Ou

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 65
the 31st of May, General Johnston attacked the Union forces
under General Casey, and drove them back ; but his success
was checked afterwards by fresh troops from McClellan,
coming to the rescue. Johnston himself received a severe '
wound in the groin, and was conveyed from the field, at that
time with little hopes of recovery. Longstreet then for the
moraent took command ; but, on renewing the battle next
day, the North raaintained their ground, and made any advan
tage to the South exceedingly doubtful.
During the engagement, which has been termed the Battle
of Seven Pines, there was a violent rain and thunder storm,
and the Chickahominy river was greatly flooded, some of the
bridges having been washed away. The city of Eichmond,
during the night, was also placed in total darkness, owing to
the gas-works becoming flooded. All this, however, did not
prevent renewed eagerness for a continuance of the fight, and
now, at last, the Pi-esident yielded to the conimon desire, by
appointing General Lee, on the 3d of June, to the command-
in-chief of the arrny. On assuming his position, he issued an
address to the array, which was read at the head of the regi
ments. Its sentiments created the liveliest enthusiasm. The
address informed them, in a very few words, that the army
had made its last retreat, and that henceforth every man's
watchword must be " Victory or Death !" The response was
cheers from all the regiments.

CHAPTEE IV.
Lee's Plan of Operations.— General Stuart's Cavalry Eaid around McClellan's
army.— General Jackson's arrival from the Shenandoah Valley.— Battle of Meohan-
iosville.— Lee's Headquarters at Hogan's House.— Personal Description of Lee and
his Generals.— Battle of Gaines' Mills.— General Cobb's gallant Charge.— Meagher
and the Irish Brigade.— Their Heroic Defenoe.—Battlesiof the Chickahominy, White
Oak Swamp, and Malvern Hill.— Tribute to McClellan.- Eichmond Eelieved.—De-
parture of the Federal Army.— Pope's Operations.— Battle of Cedar Mountain.—
Second Battle of Bull Eun.— Lee's Eeport.— Invasion of Maryland.— Capture of Har
per's Ferry,— Battles of South Mountain and Antietam.— Eetreat ofthe Confederates.
—Stuart's Eaid into Maryland.— Movements of the Federals.— MoClellan Eelieved
by Burnside.- Eapid March of the Confederates to the Eappahannock.— Battle of
Fredericksburg. — Eetreat of Burnside.
It was ;iow that an entirely new policy in the Confederate
military affairs was adopted. General Lee had, for some tirne
past, been virtually Secretary of War, though General Eau-
dolph bore that title, and he now was able to carry out the
whole of his plans in reference to army movements. At a
glance, he perceived that the siege of Eichmond could not be
raised without beating the enemy out of their formidable
works in which they had intrenched themselves, and he im
mediately set about devising means to accomplish it. To
attack their intrenchments merely in front, he saw was not
only a hopeless undertaking, but was the thing above all others
tbat they would naturally desire. He saw that a strong force
must be brought from without, to operate upon the flank and
rear of the enemy, and to turn his forraidable works, in co
operation witb an attack in front from the direction of the city.
He therefore determined to bring Jackson down upon the left
flank of the Union forces. To do this, great caution' was
necessary so as not to excite the enemy's suspicion. To that
end, powerful reinforcements were sent to him with a gi-eat
appearance of mystery, and it began to be whispered (that
such might reach McClellan's ears), that he was to invade
Maryland by way of Harper's Ferry, and strike a blow directly
at Washington.
Meanwhile, General Lee strengthened anew the fortifications
around Eichmond, in order that he raight be able to spare as
many men as possible from his right and centre, to operate

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 57
upon his lefit. He was now seen on horseback more frequently,
and scarcely a day passed without his being met ambling along
tbe roads, and in all kinds of out-of-the-way places. Though
naturally quiet, thoughtful, and polite, the responsibility rest
ing on hirn rendered his deportment even more so than usual,
and to strangers, his manner was so calra and placid, his dress
so humble, and his gait so slow and unofficial, that he could
not have been recognized as one whose genius and, resources
commanded the unbounded confidence and hopes of the entire
Confederacy. Brigadiers, with couriers and orderlies at their
heels, dashing to and fro, would have presented a much more
impressive idea of importance and dignity, than the meek,
gray-headed gentleman passing along without the distinctive
color or uniform, or blazing stars on his shoulder-straps.
With reference to General Lee's important services at this
period, when it is very evident that immediately following
upon the battle of Seven Pines, Eichmond could have been
captured, even if, as the people said, all its inhabitants shed
their blood in its defence, a writer observes :
" The shell which wounded General Johnston was the sad
dest shot for Federal success that had been fired during the
war. It changed the entire Southern tactics. It removed
the first commander of the Confederate army, and ' replaced
him by a most eminent leader, General Eobert E. Lee,' who
brpught to the field ' skilful generalship, excellent plans, aud
good discipline.' Before the battle of Fair Oaks, the Southern
troops were sickly, half fed and clothed, and had not a full
heart for the work. On the 1st of June, General, Lee com
menced his efforts to reorganize the army. He removed their
camps from the swamps, and placed them in healthy situations.
He procured supplies of wholesorae provisions, particularly
fresh beef and bread. He redressed many wrongs the men
had suffered, attentively listening to their just complaints, and
he soon found his efforts crowned with success. Mutiny and
dissatisfaction almost universally disappeared. There wei-e
no raore cries for food, no more outcries against oppression.
The troops improved in appearance, cadaverous looks became
rare among prisoners. The discipline became better: they
went to battle with shouts, and without being urged, and,
w,hen in it, fought like tigers. A more marked change for the

58 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
better never was made in any body of men than that wrought
in his army by General Lee."
The preparations in progress made it evident to all, that
operations would soon recommence on a scale surpassing any
thing hither-to attempted. Frequent reconnoissances were made
towards the interior, to ascertaiii the enemy's strength and po
sition on their left wing. McCleUan' never opposed these
movements, being probably ignorant of them, as they were
made principally at night-time, or in unpropitious weather.
The Confederate Generals would sally foi-th on a march of ten
miles, and return, almost without the knowledge of the main
body of the army.
But the most important and extr-aordinary reconnoissance
araong these, was that dashing raid of J. E. B. Stuart, through
and around McClellan's army, as far as the Paraunkey river,
and back. Accorapanied by Colonel Fitz Hugh Lee, the son of
General Lee, and another Colonel Lee, his nephew. This bold
cavalry officer succeeded in accoraplishing his purpose, and re
turned with valuable information.
By these movements Lee had satisfied himself of McClellan's
true position ; and, in a general order, he felt bound to express
" his admiration of the cour-age and skill so conspicuously ex
hibited throughout by Br-igadier-general Stuart and the officer-s
and raen under his command." In addition to the officers,
General Lee deemed it but just, to specially name some of the
privates who had been mentioned by their several commanders
as particularly deserving commendation.
At length, on the 25th of June, .lackson, in pursuance of his
orders, reached Ashland, and Lee prepared for tbe grand at
tack he had contemplated upon the enemy.
On Thursday, June 26th, Jackson began bis march from
Ashland, at 3 a. m., and passed down the country on the left
bank of the Chickahominy. He then quickly came upon the
advanced guaird of the Union forces, driving them in, and con
tinuing his march towards MechanicsviUe. His force was in
three columns, himself on the left, General Branch in the
centr-e, and General A. P. Hill on the right, next the river.
About 5 p. M., Hill assaulted MechanicsviUe, where the enemy
was strongly posted, and in two and a half hours carried their
batteries. But the victory was not complete, for, at Ellison's

geneeal EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 59
Mills, a'bout a mile ffom MechanicsviUe, and on the right of
his line, the Union forces were in great strength, defended by
sixteen pieces of cannon. Feeling the iraportance of settling
this affair as soon as possible. General Lee now gave orders to
storm this battery. Several attempts were made to carry it ;
but these proving, for the tirae, abortive, the troops desisted at
ten o'clock, and during the night the eneray, having burned
his platforms, withdrew a portion of his force.
That night, however, was not to give rest to either party of
the combatants. Ambulances, carriages, and litters were busy
in collecting and conveying the wounded to Eichmond ;
prisoners were collected, spoil secured, and various divisions
put in proper order and position for the next day's operations.
The tramp of men was incessant ; artillery and ammunition-
wagons toiled along; stragglers were brought in; captured
cannon and stores sent to the rear ; and from Brook Church
turnpike to MechanicsviUe, a distance of several miles, lights
were fiitting in fields and woods, searching for the wounded,
or burying the dead. Amidst all this scene of excitement
General Lee had to be calm, and fully prepared in his mind to
direct every movement. Positions had to be taken, and orders
given to the several corps and division coraraanders as they
carae in. At midnight Featherstone and Pryor were sent up
to Beaver Dam Creek, and Gregg towards Ellison's Mills.
Featherstone reached his post about 4 a. m., and found the
enemy on the alert. The twilight had just begun to appear,
and in that dim shadowing of the coming day, his men boldly
advanced to the confiict. Pryor's division ably seconded him ;
and both rushed forward, with the wild yells pecuUar to Louisi
ana soldiers. Wilcox now came on the scene, with reinforce
ments of Alabamians, and then the sight was awftilly grand.
Men were standing on the parapets of batteries, fighting in
every conceivable attitude, and as the sun brilliantly rose over
the tree-tops, illumining the scene, the semicircular line of
fight, with its streams of fire, bursting of caissons, shouts,
yells, and charging on the right and left — the centre occupied
by a strong redoubt, crowds of combatants rushing in and out,
with a sea of heads swaying to and fro round the banners
fioating on the wall — all was soul-stirring, sublime, and horrible I
Finally, the Southern troops gained the point, and Wilcox

60 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
again advanced, while Featherstone and Pryor rested awhile
on the spot.
Meantime General Gregg had been as successful at EUison's
Mills, which was taken at the point of the bayonet, and thus
both of the enemy's advance posts — strong impediments in the
way of the Confederate movements — were removed.
It was now past 8 a. m., and Lee felt the vast importance of
not losing an hour of time. He had received information, to
be relied upon, that McDowell, who was to have supported
McClellan, was still inactive, but how long he might remain
so was very uncertain. McClellan himself, however, was not
to be despised. Lee knew him well : ^hey had been com
panions in arms ; and the strategy of both was familiar to each
other. Moreover, his army was a splendid one, and a brave,
determined body of men, well posted behind various strong
intrenchments. Accordingly, a general advance must imme
diately take place ; and thus, by nine o'clock, the several di
visions of the Confederate forces were approaching the ene
my, towards Gaines' Mills, the commander-in-chief accom
panying them ; and, on arriving, at once formed them in line
of battle.
General Lee's headquarters were now at Hogan's House, a
place about six miles and a half to the northeast of Eichmond.
It was a square mansion of frame, two stories high ; and at
about two hundred yards from it, in fr-ont, on a lane leading
out to the road, was an enormo-us oak, of faultless beauty.
Almost a perfect sphere, it was covered with foliage without
break or imperfection. It was the cynosure of all eyes, and
many of the Union officers ha^ expressed themselves not only
in terms of adrairation, but with a desire that it could have
been conveyed to the North. This house, at first, was used
by the Federal generals as headquarters, but, on the retreat of
the Union Army, General Lee, accompanied by Longstreet,
fixed his post there. In an adjoining orchard, a fine field-work
had been abandoned by the northern soldiers, and several
other important structures near-er the river. The building was
badly shattered by shot and shell from the Confederates during
the previous fights, and was very shaky. In the upper room's
were large stains of blood, near where a shell had entered ;
aud the outhouses bore every appearance of having been used

GENEEAL EOBKKT EDMUND LEK. 61
for hospitals, while numerous mounds of earth spoke' of sep
ulture. As soon as the Confedei-ate chief took possession, the whole
yard and orchard -was occupied by' general officer-s, aids,
cour'ier's, and pi-isoners. Says an eye-witness, Lee sat in the
south portico, absorbed in thought. Dressed in a dark blue
uniform, buttoned to the throat, his fine, calm, open counte
nance and gray hair would have tempted an artist to sketch
him in this thoughtful attitude. Longstreet sat in an old
garden-chair, at the foot of the steps, under shady trees,
busily engaged in disposing of a bunch of sandwiches. With
his feet thrown against a tree, he presented a true type of the
hardy campaigner ; his once gray uniform had changed to
brown, and many a button was missing; his riding-boots were
dusty and worn ; but his pistols and sabre had a bright polish,
by his side, while his charger stood near, anxiously looking
at him, as if expecting a morsel of bread and meat.
Maxcy Gregg was sitting on his horse in the shade, convers
ing with a few about the affair at Ellison's Mills. Wilcox,
Pryor and Featherstone were also present, talking freely and
gaily, as if about to start on some pleasant picnic. Some
other generals likewise surrounded the commander-in-chief,
and a few civilians, principally landowners in the neighbor
hood, who had corae to see the havoc made during the past
engagements. Presently General Gregg was called, and leaning his head
through a window, conversed with General Lee. The sub
stance of the communication he received was brief, and imme
diately afterwards he rode away to take post in a quarter
assigned him. Wilcox, Featherstone, and Pryor then received
orders, and rode off at a gallop. The next moment a courier
rode up; and delivered some papers to General Lee, he calmly
perusing them. The General then mounted, and, with Long-
street and their staffs, proceeded to New Coal Harbor, three
miles distant, where it was now understood Jackson's right
wing had already arrived.
The position of the Union army was such as showed great
forethought, talent, and coolness on the pai-t of General McClel
lan. With one portion of his troops he had crossed to the
south side of the Chickahominy, and there confronted Magru-

62 SOUTHERN GENEEALS.
der, who was in command of the Confederate right, while,
with the larger portion of his force, he bad taken up a position
more to the rear and nearer the railroad, where he was resolved
to accept battle. The different divisions of his army took their
positions with admirable precision, and awaited the onset with
firmness. On the side of the Confederates, their forces were thus
arranged : D. P. HiU, Anders»n, afid Whiting formed the
centre, moving towards Coal Harbor; whUe Jackson, Ambrose
Hill, and Longstreet forraed the left, and marched down along
the bank of the river. Magruder, as we have said, command
ing the right wing, was, on account of the swampy nature of
the ground he occupied, ordered to hold himself merely on
the defensive. General Wise had" command of the defences at
Fort Darling, on the James river.
The advance was begun on Gaines' Mill about one o'clock,
p. M., by Longstreet moving forward, with skirmishers thrown
out, and driving in the enemy's outposts as he proceeded. The
divisions of Anderson, A. P. Hill, and Pickett co-operated
witb him, while Jackson had already commenced work on the
extreme left. The attack now began in fearful earnest. "With
thundering hurrahs the gallant masses rushed forward upon the
musketry of the foe, as though it were a joy to tbem. Whole
ranks went down under the terrible hail, but nothing could
restrain their courage. The struggle was man to man, eye to
eye, bayonet to bayonet." The Union brigade of Meagher,
composed chiefiy of Irishmen, offered heroic resistance. The
Confederates began to give way, and at length all orders and
encouragements were vain — t'hev were falling back in the
greatest disorder. At that critical moment, infuriate, foaming
at the raouth, bareheaded, sabre in hand, appeared on the
field General Cobb at the head of his legion, and with him the
Nineteenth North Carolina and Fourteeuth Virginia regiments.
The attack was at once renewed, but in vain. The Irish held
their position with a determination and ferocity that caUed
forth the admiration of the very officers opposed to tbem, and,
notwithstanding tbat they bad to stand tbeir ground without
other support, from four untU eight, p. m., they firmly resisted
every attack. It was only when the news came that Jackson was
upon them in the rear, that the gaUant defenders of Gaines'

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMmSTD LEE. 63
Mill — the Irish Brigade — retired before the enemy, and then
marched on with streaming banners and rolling drums, carry
ing with them their baggage and wounded.
Gaines' Mill had been won, but at a fearful slaughter, and
when night at last put an end to the horrible carnage, it was
as if the Deity had mercifully spread a pall over man's fero
cious doings in his madness, to hide them from his eye when
more calm and sane. Quiet gradually returned, except where
the noise of the preceding night was repeated in the task of
attending to the wounded and the dying. To use the words of
a Prussian field-officer of the Confederate army : "The scene of
ruin was horrible. Whole ranks of the eneniy lay prone where
they had stood at the beginning of the battle. The nuraber of
wounded was fearful too, and the groans and imploring cries
for help that rose on all sides had, in the obscurity of the night,
a ghastly effect that froze the blood in one's veins." Upon
many battlefields bad this officer been, in Italy and Hungary,
yet " never had his vision beheld such a spectacle of human
destruction." He adds : " It was a most heartrending task to
get the wounded into Eichmond. Many expired just as succor
arrived, and many more received no aid at all in the darkness
of the night. Finally, by midnight, the first train of the most
seriously wounded, about two hundred, in sixty wagons, was
taken to the city."
We need not dwell upon the feelings and the anxieties that
must have filled the breast of General Lee and his several
comraanding officers. There are moments when the nature of
man rises above all art and education, and we very much err
if sueh be not the case with the greater number of those who
are placed in command, even perhaps more so than with those
who have merely to obey. But no exterior emotion must
display itself on the features of him who has to direct great
and important movements. Bettor he appear cold, passive,
and heartless, than alarmed, doubtful, or weak. Thought,
sensation, inward agony, no matter how great, must all be
restrained, that the one object alone shall be accomplished.
Thus was it with General Lee. Still calm, still unruffled, in
tbe midst of all the excitement, he has been described as just
the man suited for the moment. There was, neither for bim
nor bis officers, rest to be obtained until the work was done.

64 SOUTHEEN GENERALS.
The gates of the city— the threshold of their homes— had been
menaced by a deterrained foe, and that foe must be driven
back, no raatter what the cost to all wbo bad volunteered to
defend the capital. The blood that had been freely offered to
save that city and its inhabitants, was now flowing in streams
aroundthe waUs, while heaps of slain ky on the ground never
to rise again. Yet, more blood must run ; more human bodies
must be destroyed, and more terrible scenes enacted ere it
could be hoped the eneray had gone. So it was, and four long
days raore saw the terrible drama of blood repeated, until,
finally, the invading force was driven far beyond the walls,
and Eichmond was free !
The incidents connected with these battles around Eichmond
would fill a large volume full of heroic deeds and interesting
detail. But we can only touch upon the leading points. On
Saturday, June 28th, the enemy was pressed heavily on the
Chickahominy, and General Jackson had succeeded in cutting
off McClellan's communication with the base of his supplies '
at the White House. At ten p. m., the last of the Federal
array had ' left Woodbury bridge, on the Chickahominy, and
were in full retreat towards Savage Station, where, until one
o'clock that night. General McClellan had his headquarters.
But at that hour he ordered his tents to be struck, and, with
his staff and escort, proceeded towards White Oak Swamp.
On Sunday, the 29th, about two p. m., the Confederate forces
again came upon the Union troops near Peach Orchard and
Savage stations. The battle lasted until eleven at night; and
resulted in the Federals again retreating, but with great loss
to both sides. The sarae day General Stuart captured the
White House, and large supplies intended for McClellan's
army. On Monday morning, June 30th, Jackson crossed the Chick
ahominy in pursuit of the Federals, along the Williamsburg
road, while Longstreet, A. P. Hill, and Magruder, followed
them along the Charles City road. Jackson came upon the
right of the enemy, after he had burned the bridge over the
White Oak creek. A long artillery fight ensued, and the
Federals again fell back. On their left, the battle raged with
great fury, and for some time, towards evening, the Confed
erates were compelled to retire, but, by great exertions, they

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 65
were again brought forward, and thus succeeded in holding
their position while McClellan continued the retreat of his
army. to the James river.
In this engagement of Monday, General Lee was on the im
mediate field of action, personally encouraging and pushing
forward his men, whenever showing symptoras of discourage
ment. To his commanders of divisions, as was his wont, he
left all movements, after having once given them his plans,
but when his presence was needed, he was ever at band.
It is also stated that General McClellan was personally on
the battle-ground, but there is much dispute in the Northern
accounts on the subject.
The following morning, Tuesday, July 1st, saw the pursuit
renewed by the Confederate array, and about three p. m. the
Federals were again encountered at Malvern Hill. A desperate
battle ensued, the eneray's gunboats in the river aiding in the
scene of carnage, by throwing in shell. Night came, and the
battle slackened, finally ceasing at dark. The carnage had
been frightful, and the Confederate loss very heavy, with no
successful result, except the empty one of occupying a field
which had been held by the enemy only until his retreat was
safel}' accomplished. StiU, the foe had been driven away, and
General Lee, by a series of skilful combinations in war tactics,
had forced McClellan from his strong intrenchments, round
Eichmond, to a place thirty miles below, thus relieving all
fears for the safety of the Southern capital. The siege had
been raised; an army of 150,000 men had been pushed from
their strongholds and fortifications, and put to flight; and the»
great moral effect of this on the minds of the people could not
be otherwise than immense. Still, such is the extraordinary
perversity of poor human nature, that, because such a large
amount of success had been achieved, there was grumbling that
it had not been greater. Lee and his brave officers and men
had done so well in repeUing the enemy, that it was speedily
a cause of repining that they had not done even more, by com
pletely capturing the foe. Yet, a little thoughtful considera
tion would have shown otherwise. General Lee, it has been
well said, was, like .every general-in-chief, but a workman on
a large scale, using many different instrumefflts ito his- work ;
and it may happen, especially in new operations with a por-
5

6Q SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
tion of untried matei-ial, that all do not fit and accord exactly
as planned. There was an equal amount of mental and physi
cal opposing foi-ce on both sides, and it is therefore to tbe
credit of Lee and his brave army— impelled by that^ strong
feeling which prompts men to greatest deeds in defence of
their homes— that they succeeded so weU against such a brave
and splendid force as that which McCleUan had under his
command. Nor let us forget that chief himself.^ Few even
of his miUtary opponents but award to hira the highest praise
for the skill, spirit, and masterly generalship he displayed in
this retreat thr-ough the difficult and pestilential swamps of the
Chickahominy; and impartial persons competent to judge-
men of high militar-y rank and experience bere and abroad —
speak of it in the highest terms. What may have been the
secret causes that impeded General McClellan's plans in every
thing he undertook, — as he and his friends assert, — it is not
pur province to inquire into. It is enough that we venture
this humble tribute to the merits of a gallant chief, a brave
man, and a patient, forbearing gentleman, and at the same
time bear cheerful testimony to the high courage and daring
of his noble army.
The effect in Eichmond produced by the relief from this im
mediate presence of an enemy before its doors, may be sur
mised. Joy and congratulation were everywhere felt, though
not much outwardly displayed. There was still too much cause
for anxiety, to be overboastful. But there was a calm and
sober thankfulness not to be doubted. In the churches, prayers
were offered up in gratitude for deliverance from peril, and in
hurable supplications, that, if possible, further effusion of blood
might be averted. Elsewhere it was evident, however, that
more work had yet to be done. Tbe War Office departraent
was particularly busy, and General Lee was constantly seen
actively employed on .some new important duty. Where and
when the next blow would be struck, was, however, a secret,
except to himself and those necessarily in his councils.
About this time, or rather on tbe 21st of July^ General Lee
had occasion to communicate with General McClellan, then at
Hai-rison's Landing, on the subject of citizens (non-combatants)
of the State of Virginia being compeUed by tbe United States
to take the oath of allegiance, or be imprisoned, when falling

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LBE. 67
into the hands of the Union forces. He complained, that some
had been so imprisoned at Fortress Monroe, and, by order of
the Confederate Government, he was directed to say, that if
such was persisted in, retaliatory measures would be adopted.
President Davis, and the Adjutant-general at Eichmond, also
wrote in a similar strain ; and, finally, not receiving a reply —
for General McClellan had referred the communications to
Washington — Lee addressed General Halleck on the subject.
After some time replies came, but couched in any thing but
satisfactory terms ; and finally. General Lee received a letter
from General Halleck, as follows :
" Your two communications, of August 9th, 1862, and of the
2d instant, with inclosures, are received. As these papers are
couched in language exceedingly insulting to the Government
of the United States, I most respectfully decline to receive
them. They are returned herewith."
Whether or no General Lee's language was " insulting,"
those who care to read the correspondence can judge.
Shortly afterwards, in a letter to General McClellan, General
Halleck, on the part of the Government, disavowed authorizing
any such measures as complained of.
Much of the cause of this correspondence arose from certain
orders issued in July by General Pope (who had assurried
command of tbe Federal forces in Northern Virginia), to ar:^st
all disloyal male citizens within the Union lines, or within
reach of his several divisions ; and, on refusing to take the
oath of allegiance, tbey were to be banished from their homes,
and, if found to have returned, would be subject to the ex
treme rigor of military law. Moreover, " if any person, ha-v
ing taken the oath of allegiance as above specified, be found to
have violated it, he shall be shot, and his property seized and
applied to public use." In addition to this, there was another
order, to hold under arrest prominent citizens as hostages for
any of the Union soldiers shot by roving bands of the South.
Now, we need hardly say, that this caused a great amount
of bitterness on the part of Southerners towards Pope and his
army, and it was with something more than ordinary joy the
news was finally received that General Lee was ou the way to
attack him. This, however, did not occur until after it, was
seen that McClellan was not in a position to molest Eichmond

68 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
again ; and yet it was necessary to do it before the three hun
dred thousand recruits called for by the Washington Govern
ment should be brought into the field; Consequently, while
Lee still remained watching over the capital, Jackson was dis
patched to hold Pope in check.
As this was, evidently, to be an important campaign, it was
intrusted solely to General Lee, who directed and controlled
every movement ; and, when the Union forces finally evacuated
the Peninsula, hastened, himself, in the middle of August, to
the scene of action.
-Meanwhile Jackson had crossed the Eapidan, at Barnett's
ford, in heavy force, after marching for two days, and attacked
that portion of Pope's army stationed near Cedar Mountain,
under General Banks. The fight began at about 6 p. m., and
lasted nearly twO hours. The contest was very severe ; but
General Banks bravely held his position until darkness ended
the engagement, with great loss on both sides. On the '-next
day, according to well-conceived plans, Jackson rapidly and
secretly withdrew from the Eapidan, intending, by a flank
movement on Pope's right, to menace his rear, while General
Lee came up in front. This Was accomplished by the 17th of
August, when Lee assembled before Pope a force sufficient to
contest his further advance, and balk his threatened passage of
the Efipidan.
It was, probably, the design of General Lee, with the bulk
of the Confederate army, to take the front, left, and right, and
engage General Pope at or near the Eapidan, while Jackson
and EweU were to cross the Shenandoah river and mountains,
cut off bis supplies by way of the railroad, and menace his
rear ; but Pope's retreat to the Eappahannock partly frustrated
the design, and compelled Lee to keep the enemy's attention
drawn to his front. Jackson, however, succeeded in getting
behind Pope, and surprised his troops at Bristow and Manassas'
stations. On the 27th, 28th, and 29tb fighting occurred be
tween Pope and the forces under Jackson and Longstreet;
but, hearing that more soldiers were coming to reinforce Pope,
General Lee at once determined to give him battle. Accord
ingly, on the 30th of August, he attacked him on the old battle
field of BuU Eun.
The account of this battle may be best given, for our present

GENERAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 69
purpose, nearly in the words of General Lee himself, and from
what has already iieen published.
It appears that on Friday night (August 29th) the Confed
erate forces were resting upon their arms, and ready for the
engagement next day. The following morning the pickets of
the two armies were within a few hundred yards of each other,
and the line of battle of each party was as follows.*
The Confederates were placed in the form of an obtuse
crescent, at least five miles long, with Jackson's division stretch
ing from Sudley, on Bull Eun, along the partly excavated
track df the Manassas Independent line of railroad, for a por
tion of the way, and thence towards a point on the Warren
ton turnpike, about a mile and a half west of Groveton. His
extreme right came within about six hundred yards of the
turnpike. Longstreet's command, which formed the Confederate right
wing, extended from , Jackson's, beyond the line of the Ma
nassas Gap railroad. Thus the centre of Lee's army was not
far from the same position that the right wing of McDowell's
army was in at the first battle of Bull Eun, July, 1861. In
deed, the whole ground covered by the fight of this day, was
identical with the scene of McDowell's and Beauregard's hard-
fought field thirteen months before.
In the centre of Lee's army, between Jackson and Long-
street, eight batteries were placed on an important elevation,
under comraand of Colonel S. D. Lee, of South Carolina.
This spot was one of the best that could have been selected,
as it had the advantage of overlooking all the locality around.
Pope's array had formed in line of battle similar to that of
Lee's, with its. advanced centre at Groveton, and its wings
declining obliquely to the right and left. Heintzelman. had
the extreme right (his old ground), and McDowell the left,
while the corps of Fitz John Porter, and Siegel,.with Eeno's
division of Burnside's detached forces, were in the centre.
Early in the morning, the battle began with artillery, but
little damage was done until the afternoon, when the engage
ment became very severe. Jackson's infantry raked the enemy
most fearfully, causing him, to bre^k and run several times,
* Polla/rd, Second. Tear of the "War.

70 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
yet as repeatedly rallying again under the appeals of tjieir
officers. Finally, however, they were com.pelled to retreat,
apparently designing to fall back in the direction of Manassas.
But General Lee, with Jackson and Longstreet, had been care
fully watching their every movement, and frustrated any such
attempt, had it been really intended. For a short time, a pause
now ensued, when suddenly the roar of artUlery again shook
the ground, and the gaUant Federals were seen advancing
with heroic determination upon Lee's centre. They were met
by a murderous discharge from Colonel Lee's well-posted artil
lery, which almost annihilated them, as the shot and sheU
raked and tore them to pieces. It was impossible to withstand
this terrible discharge, and the advancing columns fell back,
only to be succeeded, however, by another gallant brigade of
Federals charging as before. Again the iron storm crashed
through their ranks, rand again they broke and ran. A third
force, heavier than before, now advanced witb mad rapidity,
and, in the midst of the awful fire of the Confederate batteries,
threw themselves upon Jackson, engaging hira most desper
ately. Eeserves followed, and the fight became furious. Pres
ently the Union troops were compelled to give way, amidst a
scene of horrible slaughter. Swift in pursuit, Jackson's men
rushed forward, and at the same time Longstreet dashed with
impetuous force upon the Federal left flank. Tbe whole Con
federate array was now in motion, and tbe battle raged in all
its power. Jackson on the Union right, and Longstreet ou
their left, was forcing their extended flanks inward, while
General Lee with his centre, and artillery, now moved on from
bill to hill in advance, was ploughing a way in huge gaps
through their heart. The effect was terrible. " The Confed
erates came on," says a Northern journalist, "like demons
emerging from the earth." Up the old, and, to some of the
regiments, the well-known Warrenton turnpike; down the
steeps of the plateau around the faraous Henry House ; across
the fields and over the hills on the left, as you corae from Sud
ley to the Dogan farm ; pell-mell, mad with excitement, rage,
and that fearful desire for blood which all feel at such times,
over heaps of dead and dying, rushed the wild Southern sol
diers upon their foe, stUl combating foot by foot the ground
whereon they had to retreat. But, tbis time, it was not as

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 71
before, when a sudden panic drove the Noi-thern soldier madly
forward, in terrible confusion", anxious to escape. It was a
well-contested movement backwards ; and as the sun went
down, once again upon that gory battlefield, as it had done
on the evening of July 21st, of the preceding year, the defeated
forces of the North could boast of having fought bravely to
the last, and only retreated when to longer stand would have
been complete annihilation. Forced across Bull Eun, with
their dead covering every acr-e from Groveton to the Stone
Bridge, and the enemy in overwhelming numbers pursuing,
nothing remained for them but to try and check the foe's ad
vance. This was done by destr-oying the bridge, and making
the fords, as General Lee himself says, doubtful to pass.
Pursuit, therefore, ended, and the reranant of Pope's heroic
arniy marched at once to Centreville, where it encamped in
strong position.
Thus ended the second battle of Bull Eun, and General Lee
had again achieved a victory, for which he and his brave army
soon afterwards received the grateful thanks of President Davis
and the Confederacy.
In the battle. Generals Lee, Jackson, Longstreet, Hood,
Kemper, Evans, Jones, Jenkins, Stuart, and other generals,
were ever-ywhere conspicuous, sharing in all the dangers of
their men, and personally directing and enconr-aging the on
ward movements. The colonels and subordinate officers are
also highly spoken of, and the conduct of the too often forgot
ten private was justly remembered by Lee, as was ever cus
tomary with him.
Night had now put an end to the scene, and the troops
bivouacked on the battlefield. But, next morning, Sunday
31st, it was necessary to put the army in motion again towards
the Little river and Chantilly, for the purpose of trying to turn
Pope's right, or drive him further back. Accordingly, Jack
son's corps was pressed forward, and Stuart pursued with his
cavalry, fighting the Union rearguard at Cub Eun bridge,
which they bur-ned after them. Stuart then struck into the
turnpike towards Chantilly, and found the Federal army, on
Sunday evening, retreating towards Fairfax Court-house.
Meanwhile, General Pope, on the day after the battle, had
found it necessary to send a fiag of truce to General Lee with

72 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
reference to his wounded left on the field uncared for, exce.pt
so far as attention was humanely given them by the Confed
erates. The reply of General Lee gave consent to ambulances
coming within his lines, and promising every assistance, but
did not agree to any suspension of military operations.*
* The following is General Lee's Report of this battle, and the correspond
ence we have referred to : Headquaetees, Aemy Noethwestebw Vikginia, I
Chantillt, Sept. 8, 1862. ) ,
His Excellency, Jefferson Davis, Pkesidbnt CoNrBDBBATE States of
America :
Mr. President : My letter of the 3Qth ult. will have informed your Excel
lency of the progress of this army to that date. General Longstreet's di-vision,
having arrived the day previous, was formed in order of battle on the right of
General Jackson, who had been engaged -with the enemy since morning, resist
ing an attack commenced on the 28th. The enemy, on the latter day, was
-vigorously repulsed, leaving his numerous dead and wounded on the fleld.
His attack on the morning of the 29th was feeble, but became warmer in the
afternoon, when he was again repulsed by both wings of the army. His loss
on this day, as stated in his published report, herewith inclosed, amounted to
8,000 killed and wounded.
The enemy, being reinforced, renewed the attack on the afternoon of the
SOth, when a general advance of both -wings of the army was ordered, and after
a fierce combat; which raged until after nine o'clock, he was completely de
feated and driven beyond Bull Run. The darkness of the night, his destruc
tion ofthe stone bridge after crossing, and the uncertainty ofthe fords, stopped
the pursuit.
The next moming, the enemy was discovered in the strong position at Cen
treville, and the army was put in motion towards the Little River turnpike, to
turn his right. Upou re£u;hing Ox HUl, on the 1st of September, he was again
discovered in our front, ou the heights of Germantown, and about 5 P. M. made
a spirited attack upon the front and right of our columns, -with a -view of appar
ently covering the -withdrawal of his trains on the Centreville road, and mask
ing his retreat. Our position was mamtained with but slight loss on both
sides. Major-general Kearney was left by the enemy dead on the fleld. During
the night the enemy fell back to Fairfax Court-house, and abandoned his posi
tion at Centreville. Yesterday about noon, he evacuated Fairfax Court-house,
taking the roads, as reported to me, to Alexandria and Washington.
I have, as yet, been unable to get official reports of our loss or captured in
these various engagements. Many gallant offlcers have been killed or wounded.
Of the general officers, EweU, Trimble, Taliaferro, Fields, Jenkins, and Ma
hone, have been reported wounded : Colonels Means, Marshall, Baylor, Neff,
and Gadberry, kiUed. About 7,000 prisoners have already been paroled'' about
the same number of smaU-arms collected from the field, and thirty pieces of
cannon captured, besides a number of wagons, ambulances, etc. A large num
ber of arms stiU remain on the ground. For want of transportation, valuable
stores had to be destroyed as captured, while the enemy, at their -various de.
pots, are reported to have burned many millions of property in their retreat.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 73
The results of General Lee's strategy were indicative of the
resources of mUitary genius. Day after day the enemy wer-e
beaten, until his disasters culminated on the plains of Manassas.
Day after day the officers and men manifested a daring and
skill rarely, if ever, surpassed. The summer campaign in
Yirginia had been conducted by the same army that had
relieved the siege of Eichmond in the seven days' battles. The
trials and marches of these troops are most extraordinary.
Transportation was inadequate; the streams which they had
to cross were swollen to unusual height ; and yet, forcing
themselves onward, they ultimately succeeded in their crown
ing triuraphs of the Second Battle of Bull Eun ; or-, as termed
in the South, "Manassas."
General Lee now followed up his success by an attack on the
enemy massed in the neighborhood of Chantilly, at Ox Mill,
Nothing could surpass the gallantry and endurance of the troops, who have
cheerfully borne every danger and hardship, both on the battlefield aud march.
I have the honor to be. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE, General.
[Chantilly is north of Centreville and northwest of Fairfax Court-house, about
six or eight nules from each. The " letter of the SOth," referred to.in the above,
was not received. The Little River turnpike leads from Middleburg to Alex
andria, and intersects the Centreville turnpike about a mile this side of Fairfax
Court-house. Germantown ison the Little River turnpike, about half a mile
west of its intersection with the Centreville turnpike.]
The following correspondence will illustrate the thoroughness of the enemy's
defeat in the battle of the SOth. It bears date, as will be seen, of the next day.
Centkeville, Angivst 31, 1S62.
Sir — Many of the wounded of this army have been left on the field, for
whom I desire to send ambulances. Will you please inform me whether you
consent to a truce until they are cared for? I am, sir, your obedient servant,
JOHN POFE,
Major-general United States Army, Commanding.
CoMMANniNa Oheiobb Confederate foroes, near Groveton.
Headotaetehs, Aemy op Northeen Vikqinia, August 81, 1862.
Major-general John Pops, U. S. A., Commanding, etc. :
Sir — Consideration for your wounded induces me to consent to your sending
ambulances to convey them within your lines. I cannot consent to a truce nor
a suspension of military operations of this army. If you desire to send for your
wounded, should your ambulances report to Dr. Gullet, medical director of tliis
army, he -vriU give directions for their transportation. The wounded will be
paroled, and it is understood that no delay wiH take place in their removal.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. E. LEE, General.

74 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
just above Germantown. Here, in the afternoon, an engage
ment took place, which was exceedingly obstinate, though not
lasting. It was here that the gaUant and lamented Kearney
fell — -the admired and esteemed of all, who had come expressly
frora Europe to join the Union cause, the cause of his native
land ; and his body lay undiscovei-ed until the next day, when
the Confederates carried it to his corarades under a fiag of
truce. That evening the battle was interrupted by a severe
thunder-storm, and darkness coming on, the engagement ceased.
On the next day it was found that the Union forces bad fallen
back within the defences of Washington, and the Confederates
thereupon once more took possession of Fairfax Court-house.
Irnniediately afterwards, demonstrations were made near the
Chain Bridge, and the fords of the Potomac above Washing
ton, as if Lee intended to assault the fortifications. But this
was merely a feint to mislead the foe, — Jackson, ordering maps
of the locality, and inquiring all about the roads around the
capital, quietly and suddenly went forward in another direc
tion, in pursuance of previous plans and the wishes of his
whole array.
General Lee's determination now was to invade Maryland,
and see if that State might not be aroused to join the South.*
On the 4th of September, 1862, leaving to his right Arlington
Heights, to whicb Pope with his army had retreated, he crossed
the Potomac in the neighborhood of Leesburg, and marched
to Frederickton, throwing the whole State of Pennsylvania
into great alarm. The people of Maryland, however, did not
join him as anticipated, and he resolved, therefore, to mark his
invasion by an attack on Harper's Ferry. General Miles, of
the United States army, held the post with 11,500 men, and
Lee sent against hira General Jackson with his corps, while
Longstreet with his troops covered the movement, and D. H.
Hill was stationed at Boonesboro to check the advance of
McClellan, who had been reappointed to the command of the
Union army. Lee himself kept with Longstreet, and continued,
by various feints, to lead the North into continual doubt and
anxiety as to his real object.
On the 14th of September, General D. H. HiU was posted

* Pollard, " Second Year of the War," p. 124.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEB. 75
in and around a gap in the South Mountain, close to Boones
boro. This pass is known as Boonesboro Gap, being over the
broad back of the mountain, a continuation of the National
turnpike. The road is winding, narrow, rocky, and rugged,
with either a deep ravine on one hand, and the steep sides of
the mountain on the other, or like a huge channel cut through
the solid rock. Near the crest are two or three houses, whicb
to some extent overlook the adjacent valley, but elsewhere
the face of the mountain is unbroken by a solitary vestige of
the handiwork of man.
It was here that McClellan with bis new forces encountered
Hill. The battle commenced soon after daylight by a vigor
ous cannonade, under cover of which, two or three hours later,
first the skirmishers and then the raain body becarne engaged.
A regular line of battle on the Confederate side, either as
regards numbers or order, was impossible, and the theatre of
the fight was therefore limited. The fortune of the day, which
was desperate enough in the face of overwhelming numbers,
was stubbornly contested by the Confederates. The brigade
of General Garland, of Yirginia, the first engaged, lost its brave
commander. While endeavoring to rally bis men, he fell,
pierced in the breast by a musket-ball, and died upon tbe field.
While the Confederate lines were giving way under pressure
of McClellan's troops, the welcome sounds of reinforcements
wer-e borne on the air. The corps of General Longstreet was
at Hagerstown, fourteen miles distant, and at daylight com
menced its march towards the scene of action. General Lee
accompanying it. Hurrying forward with all speed, stopping
neither to rest nor eat, the advance arrived at the Pass about
4 p. M., and were at once sent into the mountain. Brigade
after brigade, as rapidly as it came up, followed, until, by five
o'clock, nearly the entire command was in position, and a
portion of it already engaged. The accession of fresh numbers
at once arrested the backward movement of Hill, who, having
gallantly fought all the day, was now overpowered on his right
wing. But the reinforcements had arrived in tirae, and when
night carae on, the two arraies were in much the same position
as at the' coraraenceraent of the battle, with no advantage to
either, except that which the Confederates wished, of holding
McCleUan in check.

76 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
While this action was in progress, the capture of Harper's
Ferry was eff'ected by the ai-my corps pf General Jackson.
During the night of the 14th he had planted his guns, and
ear-ly next morning opened, in all directions, on the Federal
forces, drawn up in Une of battle on BoUvar Heights. Soon
after seven o'clock, however, a white flag was raised, and
Harper's Ferry, with its fine army, its splendid park of artil
lery, and a large number of small-arms, surrendered.
MeanwhUe General Lee fell back to Sharpsburg, to concen
trate his forces, and give battle to the stiU advancing foe.
Sharpsburg is about ten miles north of Harper's Ferry, and
eight miles west of Boonesboro. The town lies in a deep val
ley. The country around it is broken., Ascending a hill, ju^
on the outer edge of the town, and looking towards the Blue
Eidge, the eye ranges over the greater portion of the eventful
field. To the right and left is a succession of hills which were
occupied by the Confederates. In front is the beautiful valley
of the Antietam, divided longitudinally by the river, which
empties into the Potomtac on the right, forming a background
to the pictured Two miles distant are tbe steep, umbrageous
sides of the Blue Eidge.
The morning of the 17th of September found General Lee
strongly posted when the battle commenced. The Union forces,
coraraanded by McClellan in person, were in line of battle,
between four and five miles long, with tbeir left stretching
across the Sharpsburg road. General Burnside was on this
extreme left, and General Hooker on the right.
During the afternoon of the 16th, McClellan had opened a
light artillery fire on the Confederates ; but not until daybreak
of the 17th did the battle, iu all its fury, commence. Then be
gan one of those severe contests which showed the indomitable
bravei-y and determination of each side. In the morning, some
of the divisions belonging to the Confederate army had not
come up from Harper's Ferry ; but, later in the day they ar
rived, and then the conflict raged throughout the entire line.
A portion of the Southern army on the left was driven back ;
and though the troops under McClellan were, in a great meas
ure, composed of raw levies, they behaved so weU, that even
Lee's veterans, for a time, became staggered. At length, how
ever, the new recruits of the Northern army were compeUed

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 77
to fall back, and allow the longer-ti-ied soldiers to maintain the
gi-dund, and this they did most bravely. Furiously the battle
raged, and " backwards and forwards, swaying like a ship in a
storm'," were thei various columns of thei Contending parties
seen in motion. Nobly did the soldiers of the South, also,
perfor-m their duty, and even their enemies could not help
praising them. "It is a wonder," wrote a Federal officer,
" how men such as the rebel troops are, can fight as they do.
That those ragged wretches, sick, hungry, and in all ways
miserable, should prove such heroes in fight, is past explana
tion. Men never fought better."
In the afternoon, the Union forces pushed forward on Lee's
right, where General Jones' division was posted. There Gen
eral Toombs' brigade was guarding a bridge, spanning Antietam
creek, and, as the enemy advanced, they fought until nearly
cut to pieces, and obliged to retreat. The movement was fol
lowed up by Burnside crossing the bridge in force, and with
an irresistible impulse that nothing could resist. But night
now approached, and, after a hard-fought day, the two parties
rested in the positions they had respectively secured, without,
however, either -gaining raaterial advantage over the other.
Burnside held the bridge, but in other parts of the field the
Confederates maintained their own.
This battle was one of tbe most bloody and terrible that had
yet been fought. " Many of the dead had to be left unbirried
for a time on the battlefield. Some of them laid with their
faces to the ground, whither they had turned in the agony of
death ; others were heaped in piles of three and four together,
with their arms interlocked, and their faces turned upwards
towards the sky. Scores of them were laid out in rows, as
though the death-shot had penetrated their breast as they were
advancing to the attack. Covered with mud and dust, with
their faces and elothes smeared with blood and gore, there they
rotted in the sun."
The close of this battle left neither army in a condition to
renew the confiict. The next morning. General Lee found that
McClellan had moved his army from the front, and, knowing
the superiority of Northern troops in numbers, and expecting
a rapid movement to cut him off", he crossed the Potomac with
out delay, taking position near Shepherdstown.

78 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
It has been asserted in the North, and denied by the South,
that McCleUan had here gained a victory over Lee. But, the
truth of history raust admit that both sides were victorious,
andyet both also suffered a defeat. They were victorious—
the North in effectively arresting the enemy from advancing;
further— the South in preventing their foe from entrapping
them; and they were equally defeated, when neither coiUd
further accomplish his designs, and when both had to-leave the
battlefield on the next day without attempting more. To
General Lee and his army, in the eneray's own country, it
was a victory, because he could and did move backward at
wiU, and without molestation. To General McClellan and his
brave soldiers it was- also a victory, for it effectively stopped
the Southern advance and compelled them to retire.
McClellan had now retreated to Harper's Ferry, which was
again in possession of the North ; but, on the 1st of October,
his cavalry under General Pleasanton drove back the Confed
erate pickets in front of Shepherdstown. The Ninth Virginia
Cavalry, on picket duty, bravely disputed the ground, step by
step to the main body. General Lee, in bis official report,
says : " By the time his artiUery reached him, -Colonel W. F.
H. Lee, who was in command of the brigade, was obliged to
place it on the west bank of the Occoquan, on the flank of the
enemy as he approached Martinsburg. General Hampton's
brigade had retired through Martinsburg, when General
Stuart arrived and made dispositions to attack. Lee's brigade
was advanced immediately, and Hampton's ordered forward.
The eneray retired at the approach of Lee along the Sheperds-
town road, and was driven across the Potoraac by the cavalry,
with severe loss, darkness alone preventing it from being a sig
nal victory. His rear was overtaken and put to flight, our
cavalry charging in gallant style under a severe fire of artil
lery, driving squadron after squadron, killing a number,
wounding more, and capturing several. He was driven
through Shepherdstown, and crossed the river after dark, in no
case standing a hand-to-hand conflict, but relying upon his
artillery and carbineers at long range for protection."
General Lee's headquarters were now established near Win
chester, and there, by the skilful disposition of bis forces, he
rendered it impracticable for McClellan to invade the Shenan-

GENKEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 79
doah valley, but forced him to adopt the route on the east
side of the Blue Eidge into Vir-ginia, which was still looked
upon, by tbe Noi-th, as the great field where battles should be
fought. Shi-ewd, careful, and far-seeing, however, Lee was not to be
deceived into fancied security by any display of the enemy's
movements. Under that calm exterior of his, there was a fire
of enthusiasm and an ener-gy of mind — well and ably seconded
by the brave and faithful chiefs, officers, and soldiers around
him — that was capable of tbe most masterly generalship and
prompt execution of plans. Hardly had the Marylanders re
covered from their dismay at finding Lee's army in their
midst, and their after thankfulness at his departure, than they
were astonished by another daring incursion amongst th^m.
This was accomplished by that bold cavalry officer General
Stuart, and was started by Lee on the Sth of October, accord
ing, to the following directions.
Stuart was to take from 1,200 to 1,500 well-mounted men,
cross the Potomac above Williamsport, and proceed to the
rear of Chambersburg, where he was to destroy the railroad
bridge, and commit any other daraage possible, on the enemy,
or his means of transportation. Every information of the po
sition, force, and probable intention of the enemy was to be
gained ; and, to avoid news being forwarded by citizens to
the Union forces, they were, upon suspicion, to be arrested.
Officials under the Federal Government were to be seized
and held as hostages ; but, in all cases, every respect and con
sideration was to be shown them. Horses, and any other
necessary articles, were to be captured ; and then every expe
dition used to rejoin the army.
Full reUance was justly placed on General Stuart to carry
out these instructions as he might consider best ; and Colonel
Imboden was directed to draw the enemy's attention away
frora such parts of the Potomac where the Confederates might
cross. ¦
These instructions were faithfully carried out by General
Stuart, and his command', — Brigadier-general Hampton, Col
onels W. F. H. Lee, and Jones, forming a part of it, — and on
the 12th the entire expedition returned safely,. without the loss
of a single man, and with only a few slight wounds received

80 SOUTriEEN GENEEALS.
in skirmishes. They had passed through several important
places, and entered Chambersburg, where possession of the
town was immediately given to them, and where, as well as
in other places, every care was taken, according to orders, that
the peaceful inhabitants should not be ill-treated. Several
official persons and prorainent citizens were captured as hosta
ges for Southern non-combatants imprisoned by the North,
and a lar-ge amount of provisions and a great number of hor
ses were also secured. Altogether the expedition was most
successful, and Gener-al Lee, in his official report, very highly
complimented Stuart and his comraand for its execution.
Towards the end of October, fr-esh movements, on the part
of the Union forces, began to take place. Several minor en
gagements had occurred, and, finally, the disposition of the
i-especti ve troops was as follows : " The Northern array occupied
all the region east of the Blue Eidge raountains, with the right
resting on Harper's Fei-ry, and the left near Paris, on the road
from Aldie to Winchester. The centre was at Snickersville,
with Snicker's Gap in its possession. The Confederate line
was on the south side of the Blue Eidge, with the Shenandoah
river immediately in its front, extending from Front Eoyal
down to Charleston, with the great body of their troops massed
between Berryville and Winchester. On the 4th of Novem
ber, Ashby's Gap was occupied, without opposition, by the
Federal troops. The approaches to Manassas Gap were also
held by the Federals, and, on the 6th, General McClellan had
his headquarters at Eectortown, near Front Eoyal." Thus, to
all appearance, the Confederate forces were thoroughly hem
med in, and General Lee confined, hopelessly, near Winchester.
Great, therefore, was the surprise of the Union army when it
was found that Lee had intuitively judged their plans, and
forestalled them by detaching the greater part of his troops,
and accompanying them to the south bank of the Eappahannock,
leaving Jackson to guard the Shenandoah until circurastances
would indicate whether he should unite with him.
The avaUable force of General McCleUan was about 120,000
men, and its condition and spirit was unequalled by that of
any force before organized : that of General Lee consisted of
about 60,000 able men, at Culpepper and GordonsviUe, and
30,000 in the Shenandoah valley, and we have already seen

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 81
what was their state, away from all their immediate resources,
and enfeebled, but not dispirited, by a long campaign. Thus,
then, it is evident that it was again a very critical juncture for
the South, and one that required the most consummate ability,
on the part of Lee, to guard against. The two former close
companions in arms — the general-in-chief of the Northern
army, and the commander-in-chief of the Southern forces —
were, as they bad been only three months previously, when
Eichmond was in danger, face to face with each other, ready
to renew a contest for " victory or death." Yet, just at that
moment, by the supreme Federal authority, McClellan was
removed, and a new, a brave, but hitherto untried, militar-y
chief in the field. General Burnside, was placed in coinmand.
What followed is familiar to every one who knows aught of the
history of the heroic array of the Potomac and its beloved
comrhander. McClellan bade bis troops farewell arnidst
scenes of deep feeling, and wild, irapassioned tokens of affec
tion, on the part of his officers and men, such as rarely wit
nessed since Napoleon's adieu at Fontainebleau. Latterly it
has been made to appear tbat this love and esteem of bis
soldiers had decreased, but impartial history cannot fail to do
justice, by recording the truth as here narrated.
With McClellan's departure, Lee found that a new change
of programme, on the part of the enemy, was to commence.
On the 12th of November a consultation took place between
General Burnside and General Halleck, at Warrenton, and by
the ^morning of tbe 18th the Northern forces bad all left, en
route for Fredericksbtrrg, which, at that tirae, was held by the
South. Lee iraraediately followed, and with tbat promptitude
and sagacious skill which characterized his every movement,
bad his army concentrated on the heights, in the rear of
Fredericksburg, at the same time Burnside had massed his
forces at Falmouth, on the oppposite side of the Eappahannock
river. Here was another surprise for the North. A Y&vy
short time previous. General Lee and his worn-out troops were
cooped up at Winchester, in the Shenandoah valley ; now, he
and his hardy veterans were in readiness for the fight at
Fredericksburg, and had actually blocked the passage of the
Eappahannock ! So confident, it is said, was Burnside and
his army of .success attending his stratagem — a stratagem
6

82 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
whereoy he had hoped to get on to Eichmond by the nearer
route from Fredericksburg, left, as he supjposed, unguarded,—
that the most sanguine expectations were raised of a speedy
downfall of the Southern capital. The quick and energetic
steps taken, however, by Lee, so dashed these hopes to the
ground, especiaUy on seeing the way to Eichmond thus again
barred by .the same daring chief and his undaunted soldiers,
wbo had before stayed the invaders at the very threshold of
the coveted city, that gloom and distrust were again speedily
manifested. Delays on the part of the Union forces followed,
and these delays the more enabled General Lee to make his
position impregnable, and to increase his reserve of resources
within his own intrenchments, all unknown to the enemy.
Finally, on the night of the 10th of December the battle was
begun ; and here we cannot do better tban let General Lee
speak for himself, as he does in the report sent by him to
President Davis.
" Headquarters, Akmv of Noethekn Vjeginia, Dec. 14, 1862.
" The Honorable Secretary or War, Eichmond, Va.
" Sie, — On the night of the 10th instant the enemy com
menced to throw three bridges over the Eappahannock — two
at Fredericksburg, and the third about a mUe and a quarter
below, near the mouth of the Deep Eun. The plain on which
Fredericksburg stands is so, completely commanded bythe hills
of Stafford, in possession of tbe enemy, that no effectual oppo
sition could be offered to the construction of the bridges on
the passage of the river, without exposing our troops to the
destructive fire of bis numerous batteries. Positions were,
therefore, selected to oppose his advance after crossing. The
narrowness of the Eappahannock, its winding course, and deep
bed, afforded opportunity for the construction of bridges at
points beyond the reach of our artillery, and the banks had to be
watched by skirmishers. The latter, sheltering themselves be
hind the houses, drove back the working parties of the enemy
at the bridges opposite the city ; but at the lowest point of
crossing, where no shelter could be had, our sharpshooters
themselves were driven off, and the completion of the bridge
was effected about noon on the llth.
" In the afternoon of that day the enemy's batteries opened

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 83
•
upon the city, and by dark had so demolished the houses on
the river-bank, as to deprive our skirmishers of shelter ; and,
under cover of his guns, he effected a lodgment in tbe town.
The troops which had so gallantly beld their position in the
city under the severe cannonade during the day, resisting the
advance of the enemy at every step, were withdrawn during
the night, as were also those who, with equal tenacity, had
maintained their post at the lowest bridge.
" Under cover of darkness and a dense fog, on the 12th, a
large force passed the river, and took position on the right
bank, protected by their heavy guns on the left.
" On the morning of the 13th, his arrangements for attack
being completed, about nine o'clock, the movement, veiled by
a fog, he advanced boldly, in large force, against our right
wing. General Jackson's corps occupied the right of our line,
which rested on the railroad ; General Longstreet's the left, ex
tending along the heights to* the Eappahannock, above Fred
ericksburg; General Stuart, with two brigades of cavalry,
was posted in the extensive plain on our extreme right. As
soon as the advance of the enemy was discovered through the
fog, General Stuart, with his accustomed promptness^ moved
up a section of his horse-artillery, which opened with effect
upon his flank, and drew upon th« gaUant Pelham a heavy
fire, which he sustained unflinchingly for about two hours.
" In th« mean tirae the enemy was fiercely encountered by
General A. P. Hill's division, forming General Jackson's right,
and after an obstinate combat repulsed. During this attack,
wbich was protracted and hotly contested, two of General
Hill's brigades were driven back upon our second line. Gen
eral Early, with part of his division, being ordered to his sup
port, drove the enemy back from the poiiit of woods he had
seized, and pursued him into the plain, until arrested byhis
artillery. " The right of the enemy's column, extending beyond Hill's
front, encountered the right of General Hood, of Longstreet's
corps. The enemy took possession of a small copse in front
of Hood, but were quickly dispossessed of it, and repulsed with
loss. " During the attack on our right the enemy was crossing
troops over his bridges at Fredericksburg, and massing them in

84 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
front of Longstreet's line. Soon after his repulse ou-our right
he commenced a series of attacks on our left, with a view of
obtaining possession of the heights immediately overlooking
the town. These repeated attacks were repulsed in gaUant
style by the Washington ArtiUery, under Colonel Walton and
a portion of McLaw's division, which occupied these heights.
"The last assault was made after dark,. wben Colonel Alex
ander's battalion bad relieved the Washirrgton ArtUlery, whose
aramunition had been exhausted, and ended the contest for
the day.
" The enemy was supported in his attacks by the fire of
strong batteries of artiller-y on the right bank of the river-, as
well as by the numerous heavy batteries on the Stafford
Heights. " Our Ipss during the operation, since the movements of the
eneray began, amounts to about eighteen hundred, killed and
wounded. Among the former, *I regret to report the death of
the patriotic soldier and statesman. Brigadier-general Thonias
E. E. Cobb, who fell upon our left ; and among the latter,
tbat brave soldier and accomplished gentleman, Brigadier-
general M. Gregg, who was very seriously, and, it is feared,
mortally wounded, during the attack on our right.
" The enemy to-day has been apparently burying his dead.
His troops are visible in their first position, in line of battle ;
but, with the exception of some desultory cannonading and
firing between the skirmishers, he has not attempted to renew
the attack.
" About five hundred and fifty prisoners were taken during
the engagement, but tbe full extent of his loss is unknown.
"I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, .<r. e. LBE, .
" General in command."
On the day foUowing the dispatch of this Eeport, Burnside
determined to withdraw across the river, from Fredericksburg,
and reoccupy his old position. This was most skilfully done,
during the night and early morning of December 15th and
16th ; and every man, with all the property, was safely brought
away, the pontoon bridges removed at the same time, before
General Lee and his array were aware of it. Thus ended an-

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 85
other terrific battle, wherein immense slaughter occurred, and
no positive advantage was gained to either side. The ghastly
field was such, that even those most inured to sickening scenes
of blood shuddered. The loss of brave men on both sides was
great, though far greater on the North than on tbe South ; and
the destruction of peaceful homes and private property such as
to make the most indifferent pause thoughtfully on beholding
it. General Lee, with the well-known sensibilities of his kindly
nature, felt this acutely, especially as these were the native
scenes of his early youth, and every thing around him re
minded of cherished family ties, and associations. But honor
and duty forbade any display of bis own personal feelings.
Neither had he time to dwell upon painful memories of the
past. His native soil had chosen him to defend her rights and
privileges as an independent State, and the united South had
elected him for its chief. Thus he had to keep himself actively
employed, and npt allow one moment to be taken away from
carefully watching over, and, as far as possible, protecting the
interests of the people confiding in him.
When the news concerning Lee's victory at Fredericksburg
reached Eichmond, the hopes of the South at first rose high
that some important results would attend the success of their
arms. But these hopes were speedily dashed to the ground,
when it was found that the Northern army had been able to
effect a successful retreat. People at a distance fancied that
Lee could and should have wholly annihilated Burnside and
his men, but they little knew the almo.st utter impossibility of
such a task on either side. There was the same amount of in
domitable courage, the same skill, more or less displayed —
the same fertility of resources — the same perseverance, and
the same remarkable personal bravery (with rare exceptions)
amongst officers and privates alike, on the part of the North
as well as the South, and with the latter as the former.
Neither could justly claim a superiority in these respects.
Both of the contending parties were akin in all the fearlessness
of character and heroism of mind for which they of old, in
the days of Carthage and of Eome, have been remembered.
And it is only the difficulty of trying to compress, within a
liraited space, details belonging to prominent individuals, that
forbids us dwelling with an admiring pen (though also, with a

86 SOUTHEEN QENEftALS.
saddened heart, to find such brave men fighting against each
other) upon the many heroic deeds on record. We must let
them pass now, and merely confine ourselves to general events.
A raaster mind occasionally does arise amongst the many great
and brave ; and it is evident that, for the South, in its great
emergencies, General Lee was that master mind ; yet he could
not do more than direct, and plan, and personally encourage
his brave men. He could not annihilate foes who were equally
brave and daring as himself, and, moreover, fought with the
knowledge that theirs was a cause about whicb there could be
no dispute as regarded its loyalty and national right. There
fore, when cavils, at any time, were raised by thoughtless men
against their general, he only showed a more noble and su
perior mind, by calmly pursuing his way, regardless of them.
The public approbation, however, of the Confederate au
thorities, of the Southern Congress, and of those competent to
judge, as well as the people generally, was fully awarded to
General Lee, and no terms of laudation and esteem seem to
have been strong enough to express wbat was felt concerning
him. Nor was he, himself, unmindful to bestow just praise
upon those who had so ably and cheerfuUy seconded his efforts.
In a general order, issued on tbe 31st of December, 1862, he
expressed himself very warmly on the endurance and good
conduct of h;s troops.

CHAPTEE V.
General Lee's Family. — Death of his Daughter. — Military Operations and Cavalr/
E.tploits at Beginning of 1868. — Burnside relieved by Hooker. — Movements of the
Northern Army to outflank Lee. — Battle of ChancellorsviUe. — Death of StonewaU
Jackson. — Lee's deep Eegrct and General Order on the Subject. — Evacuation of Fred
ericksburg. — March up the Shenandoah Valley. — Ewell in the Advance. — Capture
of Winchester. — Crossing the Potomac. — Occupation of Ciiambersburg. — Personal
CharaoteriBtics of Lee. — Adviinoe upon Gettysburg.. — Commencement of the Battle. —
E-well, Anderson, Early, and McLaws. — A. P. Hill's bold Assault. — Terrific Combat.
— Eetreat ofthe Confederates.— General W. H. F. Lee. — Meade's Pursuit. — Eecross-
ing of the Potomac. — End of tlie Maryland Campaign.
The coraraencement of the year 1863 was signalized by no
event of any military importance as connected with General
Lee personally. A family affiietion, the death of his daughter-,
Annie Carter Lee, at Jones' Spring, Warren county, North
Carolina, may, however, be r-ecord,ed ; but the private history
of the Confederate cliief^-that inner life of a great mau which
all love to hear about, and to read^-cannot yet be written,
until by himself, or anotber authorized, those particulars are
given to the world. But a summary of cavalry exploits un
dertaken by his direction towards the close of the past year
and the beginning of this, in which, as usual, bis sons, nephew,
and personal friends boi-e themselves bravely, may be aptly
noticed here. In his general order, February 28tb, Lee says :
" About the 1st of December, General Hampton, with a de
tachraent of his brigade, crossed the upper Eappahannock,
surprised two squadrons of Union 'cavalry, captured several
commissioned offlcers, and about one hundred men, with their
horses, arms, colors, and accoutrements, without loss on his
part. " On December 4th, General W. F. Lee's brigade crossed the
Eappahannock below Port Eoyal, in skiffs, attacked the en
emy's cavalry pickets, captured forty-nine officers and men,
etc., and recrossed the river without loss.
" On the llth and 16th of December, General Hampton made
two successful raids to Dumfries and the Occoquan.

88 _ SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
" On the 25th of Deceraber, General Stuart, with detach
ments of Hampton's, Fitzhugh Lee's, and W. F. Lee's brigades,
under command of those officers, made a successful attack
upon the enemy's rear at Dumfries, Alexandria, the Occo
quan, and north of Fairfax Court-house, returning to Culpep
per with more than two hundred prisoners and twenty-five
wagons." On February 16th, 1863, Captains McNeU and Stamp, of
General Imboden's cavalry, with twenty-three ;nen, attacked
a Uniori supply-train near Eomney, routed the guard, and took ,
a nuraber of prisoners.
The 25th of February, General W. F. Lee attacked and
damaged two of the enemy's gunboats at Tappahannock, dri
ving them down the river. The same day. General Fitz Hugh
Lee, with four hundred of his brigade, crossed the Eappahan
nock, and reconnoitred the enemy's lines to within a few
miles of Falmouth, broke through his outposts, fell upon his
camps, killed and wounded many, took one hundred and fifty
prisoners, and safely returned with only a loss of fourteen
killed, wounded, and missing.
The next day, Brigadier-general W. E. Jones made an attack
upon two cavalry regiments of Milroy's command, in the Shen
andoah valley, ^nd routed them, taking two hundred pris
oners, etc.
Major White, of General Jones' command, attacked the
enemy's cavalry near PoolesviUe witb success.
Captain Eandolph, of the Black Horse cavalry, had also
made several bold reconnoissances.
Lieutenant Mosby, with his detachment, had likewise done
much to harass the eneray.
Sergeant Michael, with seventeen men of Hampton's bri
gade, had, in like raanner, performed a heroic act in routing
a large body of Federals ; " and, in conclusion, adds General
Lee, " the commanding geiierai takes special pleasure in ad
verting to the promptness of the officers in striking a successful
blow whenever opportunity offered, and the endurance and
gallantry with which the men have always supported their
commanders." We will now return to the main body of the army and its
movements.

GENEEAL EOBERT EDMUND LEE. ' 89
After the battle of Fredericksburg, Burnside kept his posi
tion at Falmouth, until about the middle of January, when he
began to mo^e higher up the Eappahannock, with the object
of trying to cross the fords, and make an attack upon the
flank of General Lee. Various causes prevented this. At
first the roads were dry and hard, but, by the time delays
were ended and the army really prepared for the raarch, the
weather suddenly became so bad that the roads were almost
impassable, and finally the Union forces returned to their for
mer quarters. Of course these movements could not be
wholly concealed from the keen eyes of General Lee and his
officers. Accordingly, at any moment, the Confederate ar-my
was fully prepared for a renewed engagement. Meanwhile,
however, another change in the command of the Northern
forces occurred. Burnside, at his own request, was relieved,
and Hooker was appointed General-in-chief, on the 26th of
January, lS63. From this date, for nearly three months
more, both armies remained comparatively inactive. The
winter season -was too inclement for any operations to be car
ried on successfully. Eaids on both sides occasionally relieved
the monotony of camp-life, and in one of these, on the 12th of
March, a portion of Lee'§ cavalry made a bold dash within tbe
Federal lines as far as Fairfax Court-house. Brigadier-gen-
ei-al Stoughton was taken from his bed and carried off, and a
detachment from his brigade, with guards, horses, &c., cap
tured. On the 17th of March a sharp confiict took place be
tween a body of cavalry under the Union General Averill, and
an equal number of Lee's dashing horsemen at Kelly's ford,
wherein both sides suffered. At length, on the 13th of April,
Major-general Stoneman, with detachments of cavalry, in
fantry, and artillery, proceeded to several places in the neigh
borhood of the Eappahannock and the Eapidan, as an advance
to reconnoitre the ground. No opposition of any importance
was met with, and, therefore. General Hooker finally deter
mined to make the grand attack.
, At this time, the end of April, General Lee's army was en
camped along the Eappahannock, frora above Fredericksbur-g
on the left, to Port Eoyal on the right, and numbered about
70,000 men, whUe Hooker's army consisted of about 120,000
men, in the highest coiidition and spirits. To attack Lee,

90 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
thei-efore,'and fight him with hopes of success. Hooker thought
it a good plan to raake a feint on the right of the Confederate
army, about three miles below Fredericksburg, and at the
sarae time carry on a vigorous fiank raovement on the left,
and thus compel Lee to come out of his intrenchments. The
execution of this plan was commenced on Monday, the 26th
of AprU, by tbree corps of the Union army marching up the
river-, northwest, some twenty miles, to a place called Kelly's
ford, where they arrived and crossed on the next evening and .
following morning. They then promptly turned round to the
south, and before night, had reached the Eapidan which runs
from the west and unites with the Eappahannock at about
twelve miles from Fredericksburg. Due south of this junction,
at about four miles, is a place called ChanceUorsviUe, and
thither the three Union corps, joined by Stoneman's cavalry,
and afterwards by another corps — the Second — made their
way. They all arrived without the slightest interruption, on
Thursday night, April 29th, and General Hooker here made
his headquarters.
Meanwhile, the other part of Hooker's plan of attack was
being carried out at the sarae time. Three other cor-ps were
sent down the river to a place called Deep Eun, there to cross
and make show of attacking Lee in great force. This was
done, still without molestation, and so certain did tbe Federal
troops now appear of success that Hooker, on tbe next day,
April 30th, issued the following order : —
" It is with heartfelt satisfaction tbat the commanding gen
eral announces to the army that the operations of tbe last
three days have determined that our enemy must either in
gloriously fly, or come out from behind his defences and give
us battle on our own ground where certain destruction awaits
him. The operations of the Fifth, Eleventh, and Twelfth
corps have been a succession of splendid achievements."
That such elation did seem justifiable at the time, raay be
gathered frora the fact that, apparently, Lee and his army
were indeed completely entr-apped. Longstreet,, at that pe
riod, was not with Lee, having previously been detached with
his cor-ps, and sent to face the enemy then advancing upon
Suffolk, in Southeast Virginia. But, on the other hand,
StonewaU Jackson and his veterans had joined him, and was

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 91
now stationed on the right. Still, what means of retreat were
there, if it was necessary for tbe army to fall back ? The only
road of communication with the rear, was by the railway from
Fredericksburg to Eichmond, or the turnpike from the same
place to GordonsviUe, passing through ChanceUorsville, and
this was now in possession of the enemy. Moreover, the cav
alry force of General Stoneman had been sent to cut up the
coramunication by rail with Eichmond, and thus completely
isolate Lee's array. Well, then, might the Federal com
mander congratulate himself and his forces at this having been
so speedily, and apparently so successfully accomplished.
But where, then, was the acute and clear-sighted Lee ? Could
he be insensible to what was going on ? Not he ! — no, not
for one moment, had he allowed what was taking place to es
cape his closest observation ; and beneath a calm and seem
ingly indifferent exterior — at least to those who knew him not
— not to his brave and trusting troops — he was silently plan
ning the means for a raoi'e effectual overthrow of bis enemy,
and even while the congratulatory order of Hooker was being
issued, Lee was in the act of bursting upon him with an effect
that soon completely altered the tone of joy to one of dismal
foreboding. He had allowed the crossing of the Eappahan
nock on his left, and likewise the crossing of the river on his
right, that he might thoroughly penetrate the enemy's design
before making any movement of his own that might possibly
weaken himself. It became evident to him that the strategy
of McDowell at the first battle of Bull Eun, was now being
adopted by Hooker ; and, therefore, on the night of Thursday,
April 29th, he ordered General Jackson to leave one division
to watch the enemy on the right — already lessened by the de
tachment of one of the three corps sent to join Hooker — and
march rapidly to the extreme left, where a portion of his for
ces, under Anderson and McLaws had already been forwarded
in advance to watch the Union army. Jackson, characteris
tically, started on his march at midnight, and in the morning
joined the forces in advance. He then proceeded towards
ChanceUorsviUe, and between that place and Fredericksburg,
encountered Sykes' division of Gener-al Meade's corps, thrown
forward by Hooker to reconnoitr-e. Sorae heavy firing ensued,
but the Union forces fell back according to previous orders,

92 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
and, as night approached, Jackson halted to get up the whole
of his command, and better pr-epare for the next day. That
evening General Lee arrived with such additional forces as he
deemed it prudent to withdraw frora their intrenchments, and
immediately a consultation was held.
The position attained by Hooker was indeed a most formi
dable one. ChanceUorsviUe is eleven mUes from, Fredericks
burg, an'd about four miles from the point of confluence ofthe
two rivers, and consisted of a large two-story brick house,
formerly kept as a tavern, and a few outhouses. It is situated
on the plank-road leading to Orange Court-house, and is easily
approached by roads frora the several fords of the Eapidan
and Eappahannock. Between ChanceUorsviUe and the Eapi
dan lies "The Wilderness," a district of country forraerly
covered with a scrubby black-jack, oaks, and a thick, tangled
undergrowth, but now soraewhat cleared up. The ground
around ChanceUorsviUe was heavily tirabered, and favorable
for defence. Seven miles from ChanceUorsviUe, on the road .
to Fredericksburg, and four miles from the latter place, is
Salem Church.
It was at ChanceUorsviUe, Hooker had formed a double line
of battle, resembling the two sides of a square — bis right rang
ing along the plank-road nearly east and west, his left extend
ing towards the river, nearly north and south — the apex, where
the two lines of battle joined each other, being near the Old
Chancellor house. In front of these lines the dense timber of
the region had been felled so as to form an almost impassE^ble
series of abattis : in rear of this were elaborate ranges of earth
works for infantry ; and behind, as upon either flank — wher
ever, indeed, a position could be obtained — the hills bristled
with artiUery, corapletely protected from attack by felled
timber. During the consultation between Generals Lee and Jackson,
it was seen that to storm Hooker in front would be vain, with
out a frightful loss of life. Consequently, a suggestion made
by the heroic Jackson, that he should attempt a flank move
ment to the left, was assented to. But even this was a task
almost impossible, as was thought, in the time necessary to be
effective. A road had to be actually cwi through the for-est
protecting Hooker's advanced right, and this was done under

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 93
the most extrerae difficulties, and, necessarily, with much
secrecy. General Fitz Hugh Lee's brigade of cavalry was dis
posed in such a manner as to guard the front and flanks of
the column as it advaijced, from observation on the part of
the eneray, by driving off scouting parties and acting as pio
neers. Diverging to the left from the plank-road, the command,
which now consisted of three divisions only, and the cavalry,
moved to and passed the point'known as "The Furnace," and
thence proceeded towards the road leading to Gordonsville,
crossing it near its junction with the road 'to Germania ford.
It was along this road tbat tbe main body of Hooker's right
was posted, and to get round this, it was necessary for Jackson
to move still further to the left. Accordingly, the march was
continued, the cavalry moving upon the flank, as well as the
dense undei-growth of timber in the wilderness permitted.
Thus, apparently screened from the enemy, the head of the
column reached Germania ford, about half a mile east of the
old -Wilderness post-office. At this point, General Fitz Hugh
Lee informed General Jackson that by ascending a neighbor-
. ing hill, he could obtain a view of the position of the eneray,
and perhaps be taken for a mere simple vidette. He did so,
accorapanied by one or two of his staff, and saw at a glance
the eneray's position. Instantly, he turned to one of his aids,
and said briefly, " Tell my column to cross that road," and
then hastening back to the head of his command, gave orders
to prepare for action. ' ' .
It is not in our power, here, to give the details of this bat
tle. All we can do is to hurriedly sketch such movements as
were undertaken by the contending parties respectively, under
Generals Lee and Hooker, while we occasionally introduce the
names of the other actors in the engagement, that belong to
this especial work.
The atterapt of Jackson to effect a fiank movement, by sur
prise on Hooker's right, was not so successful as he had sup
posed. The Union forces were coraraanded by shrewd and
skilful generals, who closely watched every raotion raade by
Lee and his raen. Accordingly, the advance of Jackson had
been perceived, and, to ascertain its true character. General
Sickles was sent by Hooker with a reconnoissance in force

94 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
towards the quarter threatened. At the same time certain
divisions were pushed to the front, and were speedily engaged
with General Lee's comraand, under McLaws and Anderson.
It was about 5 p. m. on Saturday, May 2d, when tbe fight
began, by Eodes' and A. P. Hill's divisions, under orders of
Jackson, rushing to the assaultj and so fierce and sudden was
the attack, that, in a short tirae, the Federal troops opposed
to it (principally the Eleventh Corps) gave way. In a few
moments more they threw down their arras, and fled towards
headquarters in the wildest disorder, Jackson's men pressing
the advantage with renewed vigor. Thus, on their right and
rear, the Union ' forces found theraselves furiously attacked
and driven back by General Jackson's coraraand, while in
their front, Lee himself, with Anderson and McLaws, not
only stood their ground, but succeeded in preventing any
advantage being obtained by the entrapped foe. Hooker sent
up reinforcements to his right, biit it was evident tbat noth
ing could retrieve what had already been lost. Night came
on, but a bright moon soon rose to shed its calm and holy
light upon the terrible scene, and the fighting still continued,
with the same success for the Confederate arms.
It was at this tirae, about nine o'clock, when Jackson — the
esteemed and admired, alike of friend and foe— met his death,
and that, most laraentably, at the hands of his own men. He
had been, with his staff, reconnoitering, when, on returning, a
regiraent of his command, mistaking the general and his com
panions for a party of the foe, fired upon them, killing one or
two on the spot, and so severely wounding their beloved com
mander that he died soon afterwards. No words can possi
bly convey the anguish and mourning tbat followed^ not
merely among his own soldiers, but everywhere. General
Lee, on hearing that he was wounded, immediately addressed
him a note, as follows :
" General : I have just received your note, informing me
that you are wounded. I cannot express my regret at the
occurrence. Could I have directed events, I should have
chosen, for the good of the country, to have been disabled in
your stead. I congratulate you upon tbe victory which is due
to your skill and energy." And, when it was known that he
was dead, a general order was issued by Lee, expressive of the

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 95
great grief felt, and eulogizing the departed hero in the highest
terms. General A. P. Hill now took command of the Confederate
left, but soon afterwards was hiraself wounded, and obliged to
relinquish it to General Eodes, who yielded it to General G.
H. Stuart, on his arrival. The latter renewed the fight, and
corapeUed tbe eneray's right wholly to give way.
Sunday morning the battle still raged, and with increased
fury. In every direction the Union forces were made to
retreat, and at one time it was thought by the Confederate
army, that Hooker's -^as certain of entire capture, so com
pletely did they seem hemmed in. But this was not so.
General Lee soon perceived that the enemy were still in force,
toward the river, and, raoreover, heard that Sedgwick was-
advancing on his rear, from where he had crossed below
Fredericksburg. This movement necessarily compelled Lee
to turn and raeet the new foe, who had succeeded in tem
porarily defeating the force, left at the lower crossing, under
Early and Barksdale. Accordingly the divisions of Anderson
and McLaws were sept back towards Fredericksburg, to check
Sedgwick's advance. This was successfully done, not, how
ever, without great loss to both parties, and, finally, night
coming on, the conflict was for a short time closed.
The enemy, however, was not yet defeated. The same un
conquerable spirit, and the sarae fierce bravery, which belonged
to Lee's impetuous soldiers, was possessed also by Hooker's
men, and every inch of ground was pertinaciously resisted.
That the Union troops had raade a raistake in strategy, or in
maturing their plans, was sad, but it was no reason they
should give way without a great struggle; and, therefore,
during the night the Federals, on Hooker's extreme left,
massed a heavy force against McLaws. Anderson moved
rapidly to his support, and during the day, Monday the 4th,
General Lee arrived, having secured the advantage he bad
gained in Hooker's front. About 4 p. m., the battle was
renewed here with impetuous fury, and in a short time Lee's
forces succeeded in driving back the enemy, and, finally, cora
pelling them to cross the Eappahannock with great slaughter.
There still now remained, ihowever, the principal part of
Eooker's army, on the south side of the river, at the United

96 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
States ford. No tirae, therefore, could be lost. One half of ,;-
the enemy defeated and effectually forced back, there was yet
the rest to conquer, and conquer them he must, at once, if
possible. Accordingly, Anderson and McLaws were ordered
back to ChanceUorsville and the ford. But the weather now
changed, a storm of wind and rain set in, continuing, without
cessation, until Wednesday forenoon, and during this time
Hooker recrossed the river, " leaving the dead on the battle
field unburied," and, owing to " the' rapid rise of the river,"
unmolested frora General Lee, who was thus unable to follow
him. Even the wounded belonging to the Union army were
left behind, under charge of the medical director, Dr. Luckley,
and not until a week afterwards. May 12th, wfere they able, some
1,200 in number, to be returned to their own camp. They were;
however, as kindly treated as possible, by General Lee, consider
ing his already straitened means, and he even sent a flag of truce
to General Hooker for supplies for them, stating that his own
medicines and hospital stores were exhausted.
The two armies now re-established theraselves in their old
positions, remaining inactive for some little tirae; but the
effect of the late week's battles was of even rnore iraportance
than perhaps appeared. It proved the undoubted superiority
of generalship on the part of Lee and his officers, while it also
contributed greatly to strengthen the raoral power and prestige
of the South. Indeed, this was fairly and honorably admitted
by several of the Northern journals when commenting on the
battle, and, in speaking of the defeat the Union forces had
received, it was said, "We had men enough, well enough
equipped, and well enough posted to have devoured the
ragged, imperfectly armed and equipped host of our enemies
frdm off the face of the earth. Their artillery horses were
poor, starved frames of beasts, tied on to their carriages and
caissons with odds and ends of rope and strips of raw hide. .
 ¦ And yet they have beaten us fairly, beaten us all to
pieces, beaten us so easily that we are objects of contempt
even to their commonest private soldiers, with no shirts to
hang out of the holes in their pantaloons, and cartridge:boxes
tied round their waists with strands of rope."
On thes 7th of May, General Lee issued an address to his'
array, congratulating his officers and men for "the heroic

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 97
conduct they had displayed under trying vicissitudes of heat
and storm, in a tangled wilderness, and again on the hills of
Fredericksburg," and inviting them to unite on the following
Sunday "in ascribing to the Lord of Hosts the glory due bis
name." At the same tirne, a letter from President Davis was
read, wherein he said to General Lee : " In the name of the
people, I offer ray cordial thanks to you and the troops under
your coramand, for this addition to the unprecedented series
of great victories which your array has achieved. The univer
sal rejoicing produced by this happy result, will be mingled
witb a general regret for the good and the brave who are
numbered among the killed and the wounded."
It might be supposed after this, that General Lee's mind
would have been quietly resting awhile ; but not so. Like his
father, " Light Horse Harry," he was determined to follow
up every advantage where, by so doing, an object of impor
tance could be gained. That object, especially dear to himself
and to every Virginian in his army, as well as necessary to
the South, was to compel the Union forces to evacuate- the
State and fall back on their own Federal soil. Accordingly,
various cavalry reconnoissances were made along the Eapidan,
and, finally, EweU, who had succeeded to Jackson's command,
was rapidly marched across the Blue Eidge Mountains, by
way of Front Eoyal, into the Shenandoah Valley, upon Win
chester. There he quickly defeated General Milroy, and then
promptly raoved up to th'e Potomac, where he occupied all
the fords.
Meanwhile certain movements in Lee's army, at Fredericks
burg, led General Hooker to suppose that some of the Con
federate forces had been withdrawn ; and, accordingly, on the
Sth of June a strong reconnoissance was sent across the river
on Lee's right. Some skirmishing ensued, but Lee's strategy
was again displayed by masking his real strength, and by an
appearance of greater means than he actually had, leading his
enemy to suppose his entire army was still there.
At this time, the beginning of June, the Confederate Army
had been completely reorganized, and filled up, and it was in
tended by Lee, in conjunction with the authorities at Eich
mond, once more to attempt a blow on the enemy, within their
own States. For this purpose, on the 3d of June, a part of the
7

98 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
army left Fredericksburg for Culpepper Court-bouse, and, after
the Federal reconnoissance of the 5th, was joined, on the 8th,
by Longstreet and Ewell, — the cavalry under General Stuart
also being concentrated there. On the following da_y an -at
tack was raade by the Union cavalry, on this force of Stuart's.
A severe engagement ensued, and continued until late in the
afternoon, when the enemy was forced to retire, leaving nearly
four hundred prisoners behind.
Lee having evacuated Fredericksburg, now raarched rapidly
forward in pursuance of his plans, while Hooker, withdraw
ing from the line of the Eappahannock, took up a strong po
sition at Manassas and Centreville, so as to interpose his army
between the Confederate forces and Washington. But in the
mean tirae Lee had pushed on the rest of his forces, and merely
so played with the enemy as to mislead him entirely. Indeed,
so well was this done, that an irapression began to prevail in
the North, that all fear of an invasion into Pennsylvania might
be cast aside, and the Governor of New Jersey went so far in
this feeling of confidence, that his troops were recalled. Lee,
however, was even then well on his way. Hooker had followed
bim to the passes of the Blue ridge, but was so uncertain
whether he meant to give battle there or move up the valley,
that time was lost, and instead of bringing the point to an
issue at once in Virginia, the Federal commander bad to hastily*
cross the Potomac, and take position in Maryland. There he
was in hopes that Lee would give him battle, but again was
disappointed ; for that able general had, after a skirmish be
tween the cavalry of Stuart and Pleasanton, proraptly followed
his advanced forces up the Shenandoah, and on the 24th of
June crossed the Potoraac, in tbe vicinity of Shepherdstown.
The corps of General Ewell bad preceded Lee two days before,
and on the 23d had occupied Chambersburg, where a most
praiseworthy order was issued against the sale or use of intox
icating liquors in his army without perraission of a Major-
general. Lee himself, imraediately after his arrival, issued
very stringent orders against " unnecessary or wanton injury
to private property," and enjoined upon his officers "to arrest,
and bring to punishment all who shall in any way offend."
Indeed his whole order on tbis subject is most praiseworthy,
and truly Christian in spirit. "

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEB. 99
On the 27th of June, the whole of Lee's army was at Cham
bersburg. Preparations had been made to advance on Harris
burg, but the design was abandoned on the 29th, in consequence
of information that the Federal army was moving northwards,
and so menacing the coraraunications of the Confederate army
witb the Potoraac. To check the Federal advance, therefore,
Generals Longstreet, Hill, and Ewell were ordered to proceed to
Gettysburg. But, before we give any particulars of the battle
that here followed, let us again, for a moment or two, speak of
General Lee himself, not forgetting that since the sixth of June,
and thus within twenty days, he had brought his entire army
frora Fredericksburg, by the way of the Shenandoah Valley, to
Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania, without obstruction. This, as
has been justly said, will rank with sorae of the most remark
able marches on record, even though others have bCen per
formed by brave and enduring men, under Sherman, Eose
crans, Blunt, Gi-ant, and other eminent leaders, not omitting
the extraordinary and hazardous retreat with Hunter, across
and along the mountains in Southwest Virginia. But, when
Lee set out upon this northern expedition, he was confronted
by one of the largest and best-appointed armies the enemy ever
had on the field. Winchester, Martinsburg, Harper's Ferry,
and Berryville were garrisoned by hostile forces, and the Union
cavalry were in splendid condition. Yet, General Lee marched
along the Eappahannock, over the passes of the Blue Eidge
mountains, up the Shenandoah Valley,, and across the fords of
thei Potomac, into Pennsylvania, without his progress being
arrested. At this ti^ne. General Lee was in every respect a most popu
lar man, and deservedly so. Even his opponents, with sonde
few partisan exceptions, gave hira that honorable meed of
praise which was his due. Bearing in mind that he was a
Virginian, and had forsaken a splendid home and rich estate
in defence of what he considered to be the just cause, only one
opinion as to the disinterestedness and integrity of his motives
coul4 be given, though the wisdom of his course may cer
tainly be much questioned. His personal character was also
above reproach ; and, as we bave shown, even in his military
operations, every possible forbearance and kindly disposition
was evinced by him towards a foe. A foreign writer, in speak-

100 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
ing of hira at this date, says : "General Lee is, almost with
out exception, the handsoraest raan of his age I ever saw. He
is fifty-six years old, tall, broadsbouldered, very well made,
well set up — a thorough soldier in appearance — and his man
ners are most courteous, and full of dignity. He is a perfect
gentleraan in every respect. I iraagine no man has so few
enemies, or is so universally esteemed. Throughout the South
all agree in pronouncing him as near perfection as a man can
be. He has none of the small vices, such as smoking, drink
ing, chewing, or swearing ; and his bitterest enemy never ac
cused hirn of any of the greater ones. He generally wears a
well-worn, long, gray jacket, a high, black felt hat, and blue
trowsers, tucked into his Wellington boots. I never saw him,
carry arms ; and the only marks of his military rank are the
three stars on his collar. He rides a handsome horse, which
is extremely well groomed. He himself is very neat in his
dress and person ; and in the most arduous marches be always
looks smart and clean."
The same writer adds, that he understood Lee never to have
slept in a house since commanding the Virginia army, and he
had invariably declined all offers of hospitality, fearing that the
person offering it might afterwards get into trouble on accouut
of having sheltered hira. In fact, whatever may be the ideas
of persons interested on either side of the war as to its conduct
and that of its leaders, no one of honest impartiality can deny
to General Lee the credit of being a perfect Christian gentle
man, a brave, skilful soldier, and a thoroughly unambitious,
unselfish man. And thus, under such a leader, united with
subordinate chiefs of similar virtues, and all devoted to the
cause in which they had embarked, did the Confederate army
march to the battlefield of Gettysburg.
On the 26th of June, General Lee encamped on the turn
pike-road, three quarters of a mile from the town of Gettys
burg, and so particular was he as regards any thing that raight
seem to press harshly upon the inhabitants around, that he was
very chary of giving passes, even to officers of rank, to visit
Chambersburg, or elsewhere. No private houses were al
lowed to be entered on any pretence whatever, not even . to
procure rations for tbe troops ; and the stringent order already
mentioned, was issued by bim against all manner of retahation.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 101
This order was tolerably well received by his troops, but, in
such a large array, where so raany bad characters are sure to
be found, it was, as is always the case, impossible to prevent
instances of plunder and pillage. This is true of both sides in
tbe war, and should be fairly adraitted when speaking of ruin
and devastation, either by the North or the South ; and no
doubt it is equally true, as it assuredly is of Lee, that other
generals, in common with him, not only used every effort to
protect private property and non-combatants, but also severely
punished delinquents when guilty of any breach of this com
mand. On the 1st of July, Hill's division, joined afterwards by
EweU's during the engagement, carae up with the Federals,
who were driven through Gettysburg with heavy loss. The
Federals retreated to a high range of hills, and the attack was
not pressed that afternoon, as the Confederates did not know
the force of the enemy. General Lee, in his report, says : " It
had not been intended ;to fight a general battle at such dis
tance from our base, unless attacked by the enemy ; but find
ing ourselves unexpectedly confronted by the Federal army,
it became a matter of difficulty to withdraw through the moun
tains with our large trains. At the sarae time the country
was unfavorable for collecting supplies, while in the presence
of the enemy's raain body, as he was enabled to restrain our
foraging parties by occupying the passes of the raountains
with regular and local troops. A battle thus becarae, in a
measur-e, unavoidable. Encouraged by the successful issue of
the first day, and in view of the valuable results which would
ensue frora the defeat of the array of General Meade,* it was
thought advisable to renew the attack.
" On the following day, about two in the afternoon, the Fed
eral position was again assaulted. Unfortunately, on the pre
vious day, when the eneray were driven through Gettysburg,
they had obtained possession of the high range of hills south
and east of the town, and were so posted as to raake its posi
tion almost impregnable.
"The town of Gettysburg is situated upon the northern
slope of this ridge of hills or mountain range, and about one
* Hooker had been relieved at his own request, and Meade appointed.

102 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
and -a half or two mUes frora its surarait. The western slope'
of this range was in cultivation, except sraall patches where
the mountain-side is so precipitous as to defy the efforts of the
farmer to bring it into subjection' to the ploughshare. At the
foot of the raountain is a narrow valley, from a mile to two
miles wide, broken in small ridges running paraUel with the
moimtains. On the western side of the valley rises a long
high hiU, mostly covered with heavy tiraber, but greatly in
ferior in altitude to tbe mountain range upon which the enemy
had taken position, only running nearly parallel with it. The
valley between this ridge an-d the mountain was in cultivation,
and the fields were yellow with golden harvest. About four
or five miles south of Gettysburg, the raountain rises abruptly
to an altitude of several hundr-ed feet. Upon this the enemy
rested his left fiank, his right being upon the crest of the range
near Gettysburg.
" The Confederate line of battle was foi-med along the western
slope ofthe second and inferior range described above, and in
the following order, — EweU's corps on the left, beginning at
the town with Early's division, then Eodes' division ; on the
right of Eodes' was the left of Hill's corps, coraraencing
with Heth's, then Pender's, and Anderson!s divisions. On
the right of Anderson was Longstreet's left — McLaw's be
ing next to Anderson, and Hood on the extrerae right of
the line, which was opposite the enemy's left on the highest
eminence." It was not until the after-noon that the attack again com
menced. General Lee gave the orders for Longstreet to begin,
and then, in quick succession, the other divisions to follow
him. This was done. Longstreet was gallantly met by Gen
eral Sickles who, for two hours, stood firm against the assault,
and then fell back, but, the wavering line having been rein
forced from Meade's centre, the Confederates were repulsed in
that quarter with great loss. The divisions of McLaws and
Anderson attacked the centre of Meade, and fought with ter
rific fui-y, but after again and again cliarging up the steep
sides of the hills on whioh the eneray were posted, they, also,
had to retire. On the Confederate left, Ewell had made ah
attack upon the high ground before him, and General G. H.
Stewart achieved some success, but, bere again, the enemy

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 103
carae forward with reinforcements:, and finally compeUed him
to retire. Thus, in this day's fight, the advantage was decid
edly in favor of the North.
Meanwhile, and directly the firing began, General Lee had
joined HiU just below a tree, and remained there nearly all
the time looking through his field-glass, soraetiraes talking to
Hill, and soraetiraes to Colonel Long, of his staff. But generally
he sat quite alone, on the stump of a tree; and during the
whole time the fir-ing continued he sent only one raessage, and
received only one report. It was evidently his systera to ar
range the plan thoroughly with the three corps commanders,
and then leave to thera the duty of modifying and carry i.ng it
ont to the best of their abilities.
Soon after 7 p. m. the foUowing report came to General
Lee by signal frorn Longstreet, " We are doing well," and a
little before dar-k the firing dropped off in every direction, and
soon ceased altogether. Intelligence then carae that Long-
street had carried every thing before him for some tirae, captur
ing several batteries and driving the enemy fr-om his positions.
But when Hill's Florida brigade and some other troops gave
way, he was forced to abandon a small portion of the ground
he had won, together with all the captured guns except three.
His troops, however, bivouacked during the night on ground
occupied by the enemy in the ear-lier part of the day.
By 6 o'clock next morning (July 3d) General Lee was
again in the saddle, and, with Longstreet and his staff^ com
menced reconnoitering and making preparations for renewing
the attack. As they rode along, and being rather a large
party, they often drew upon themselves the attention of the
hostile sharpshooter's, and were two or three times favored with
a shell. One of these shells set a brick building on fire which
was situated between the lines. This building was filled with
wounded, principaUy Union men, who thus must have perished
miserably in the flames. As General Lee rode along, some of
the dead were being buried, but great numbers were still lying
about, also many mortally wounded, for whom nothing could
be done. Amongst the latter were several of the Union troops
dressed in the Zouave costume, and these opened their glazed
qyes upou the Confederate general in a painful, imploring man
ner. Alas! with all his desirg to abate their present suff!eriug.

104 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
he could do nothing then. His mind, and all his faculties
were engrossed by the iraportant considerations involved in the
next movement he should make.
During the raorning of this eventful day — a day that was to
decide the great battle — "one of the most terrific combats of
modern times, in which more than two hundred cannon wer-e
belching forth their thunders at one time, and nearly 200,000
muskets were being discharged as rapidly as men, hurried with
excitement and passion, could load them," the fighting -was
renewed on the Confederate left, and during this time General
Lee ascended the CoUege cupola in Gettysburg to reconnoitre.
The issue was, perhaps, even then apparent to him ; but no
steps to alter previous plans were deemed necessary. At 11
A. M. thei-e was a general cessation of firing, and for about two
hours all was quiet. It was, however, merely that calm which
is ,well known to precede the fierce hurricane in nature's
storms. At a given signal, the shrill sound of a Whitworth
gun broke the ominous silence, and then comraenced a can
nonading absolutely appalling, and certainly beyond the power
of pen adequately to describe. One writer-, who was in the
Confederate army, says, " The air was hideous with most dis
cordant noise. The very earth shook beneath our feet, and
the hills and rocks seemed to reel like a drunken man. For
one hour and a half this most terrific fire was continued, dur
ing whicli time the shrieking of shell, the crash of falling tim
bers, the fragments of rocks fiying through the air, shattered
from the cliffs by solid shot, the heavy mutterings from the
valley between the opposing armies, the splash of bursting
shrapnel, and the fierce neighing of wounded artillery horses,
made a picture terribly grand and sublime."
But the day was not for the South. The most daring deeds,
and the most earnest resolution could not gain the victory over
tbe North at Gettysburg. Men fought on both sides with
bravery, perhaps never surpassed, and the record of that three
days' battle must ever arouse a thrill of adrairation and aston-
ishraent. In his report, General Lee says, " Our troops succeeded in
entering the advanced works of the eneray, and getting posses
sion of sorae of his batteries ; but our artillery having nearly
expended its ammunition, the attacking columns became ex-

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 105
posed to the heavy fire of the nuraerous batteries near the sum
mit of the ridge, and after a raost determined and gallant
struggle were corapeUed to relinquish their advantage and fall
back to their original positions with severe loss."
Still the Confederate forces struggled on ; and, during one
pei-iod, when the Federal General Howard slackened the fire
of his guns to allow them to cool, it was determined to make
one more desperate attack, a storming par-ty rushed forward
without a moment's hesitation. The division of General Pickett,
which had arrived since the previous day, led the advance,
supported on the right by Wilcox's brigade of Anderson's
division, and on the left by Heth's division, coraraanded by
General Pettigrew. These latter, however, being mostly raw
soldiers, wavered ; but Pickett's Virginians pressed forward
under a terrible fire of grape, shell and canister fr-om forty
guns opened upon them. On, they pressed, crossing the Era-
mitsburg road, and steadil,7 approaching the masses of Federal
infantr-y. Hundi-eds of them go down under the murderous
fire, and still they falter not, but — up to the enemy's rifie pits
they rush — over them they go, and then with a wild yell dash
up to the very muzzle of the terrible guns belching forth fiame
and destruction upon them. Vain ! vain ! They are now un
supported. Pettigrew's line has been broken, and his raen fiy
panic-stricken to the rear. The brave general, hiraself, is
wounded, but still retained coraraand, and strives to rally his
men. But they heed him not, and he is left alone, while
Pickett and his brave Virginians contend as best they can
against the fearful odds opposed to thern. Presently relief ap
proaches. General Lee sends Wright's brigade to their sup
port, and, finally, the remnant of them effects a retreat.
It was now that General Lee showed some of those admira
ble qualities, for which he was so noted and esteeraed. For
getful of himself, he rode about, quite alone, in front of the
wood, rallying and encouraging the broken troops, the whole
of his staff being engaged in a similar raanner further to the
rear. His cheerful and placid face displayed no signs of the
slightest disappointment, care, or annoyance ; and to the
soldiers he met, some words of encourageraent were addressed.
To one he would say, "All this will come right in the end;
we'll talk it over afterwards ; but, in the mean time, all good

106 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
men must rally. We want aU true men just now.'' To
another, he would speak in simUar terms ; and, to the slightly
wounded, words of exhortation were used for them to bind up
their hurts and take a musket again in the emergency. And
vei'y few failed to answer his appeal, many even of the badly
wounded taking off their hats to cheer him. To a foreign
military officer of rank, who had come to witness the battle,
he said: "This has been a sad day for us. Colonel— a sad
day; but we can't expect always to gain victories," and, at
the same time, seeing this gentleman somewhat exposed;
advised hira to get into a more sheltered position.
Notwithstanding the misfortune which had so suddenly be
fallen him. General Lee seemed io observe everything, however
trivial. When a mounted officer began to ill treat his horse
for shying at the bursting of a shell, he called out, " Don't
whip hira. Captain ; dont whip him. I've got just such another
foolish horse myself, and whipping does no good."
There M-as a man lying fiat on his face, in a small ditch,
groaning dismally ; General Lee's attention was drawn to him,
and he at once appealed to the man's patriotism to arouse
himself, but finding such to be of no avail, be had him igno
miniously set on his legs, by some neighboring gunners.
General Wilcox now came up to him, and, in very depressed
tones of annoyance and vexation, explained the state of his
brigade. But General Lee immediately shook hands with
bim, and said, in a cheerful manner, " Never mind. General.
All this has been my fault. It is I that have lost this fight,
and you raust help me out of it the best way you can." In
this manner did General Lee, wholly ignoring self and position,
encourage and reanimate bis somewhat dispirited troops, and
magnanimously take upon his own shoulders the whole weight
of the repulse. " It was impossible," says tbe writer already
quoted, " to look at bim, or to listen to bim, without feeling
the strongest admiration, and I never saw any man fail him,
except the man in the ditch."
It is difficult to exaggerate the critical state of affairs as they
appeared about tbis tirae. General Lee and bis officers were
fully impressed witb a sense of the situation ; yet there was
much less noise, fuss, or confusion of orders, than at any ordi
nary field day. The men, as they were rallied in the wood,

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 107
were brought up in detachments, and lay down quiet and
coolly in the positions assigned tliem.
The result of this day's fight convinced General Lee that
the Federal position^ was impregnable, and his ammunition
being nearly exhausted, offensive operations could not be
resuraed, even had it been desirable. On the following day,
with rain falling in torrents, both armies were occupied in
burying their dead ; and, at night, Lee retired with tbe whole
of his troops and prisoners, except the wounded. The march,
however, was so slow, owing to the storm, tliat hot until after
daylight of the 5th, had his rear column left Gettysburg ; yet
no important effort; was made to impede him. On Monday,
the 6tb, Lee arrived at Hagerstown, and on the following day
the advance of Meade was at Funktown, six miles south of
that place. Meanwhile, General Couch, in command of the
department, had imraediately sent forward General W. F.
Sraith, in command of the militia that had been called out
from the several States, and directed a pui'suit of the Confeder
ate army. At Carlisle, General Smith was met by General
W. H. F. Lee, who had there expected to find Ewell. Lee
retired, and Smith now joined his raw troops to those of
Meade ; but, by this tirae General Lee had reached the Poto--
mac at Williamsport, ready to cross. Here a difficulty awaited
hira. "The Potoraac," he says, "was so much swollen by
the rains that had fallen almost incessantly since our entrance
into Maryland, as to be unfordable. Our communications
with the south side were thus interrupted, and it was difficult to
procure either ammunition or subsistence ; the latter difficulty
being enhanced by the high waters irapeding the working of
neighboring raills. The trains with the wounded and prisoners
were compelled to await, at Williamsport, the subsiding of the
river, and the construction of boats, as the pontoon bridge left
at Falling Waters had been partiaUy destroyed. The enemy
had not yet made his appearunce, but as he was in a condition
to obtain large reinforceraents, and our situation, for the
reasons above mentioned, was becoming daily more embar
rassing, it was deeraed advisable to recross the river. Part
of tbe pontoon bridge Was recovered, and new boats built, so
that by the 13th, a good bridge was thrown over the river at
FaUing Waters."

108 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
Lee crossed over in face of the enemy (who had arrived on
the 12th, and taken up position) " with no loss of material,
except a few disabled wagons and two pieces of artillery,
which the horses were unable to move through the deep mud.
Before fresh horses could be sent for them, the rear of the
coluran had passed."
Before finally retreating frora Maryland, General Lee, on
the llth of July, issued an address to his array, acknowledging
the gallantry and devotion of his troops, and concludes his
modest report with a few words of kindly remerabrance of the
"brave officers and patriotic gentlemen wbo fell in the faithful
discharge of their duty, leaving the army to mourn their loss
and emulate their noble examples."
General Meade ordered a pursuit of Lee, and, at the Falling
Waters, an encounter took place, which was the cause of some
official correspondence on the part of both generals. The
Federal commander stated that he had captured a brigade of
infantry, besides the two pieces of artillery, etc., already men
tioned ; and to this General Lee replied at sorae length in a
denial. He says that " the enemy did not capture any organ
ized body of men on that occasion, but only stragglers and
such as were left asleep on the road, exhausted by the fatigue
and exposure of one of the most inclement nights known at
that season of the year. It rained without cessation, . . . and
the last of the troops did not cross the river at the bridge till
1 A. M. of the 14th. While the column was thus detained on
the road, a number of men, worn down with fatigue, laid down
in barns and by the roadside, and though officers were, sent
back to arouse them as the troops raoved on, the darkness and
rain prevented them from finding all, and many were in this
way left behind  No arms, cannon, or prisoners were
taken by the enemy in battle, but only sucli as were left
behind, as I have described under the circumstances."
To this reply. General Meade, in an official letter to General
Halleck, responds by reiterating his former stateraent, and
inclosing the report of General Kilpatrick, who commanded
the, cavalry on the occasion. Frora this report, it would seem
that General Lee had been misinformed as to the affair.
We have mentioned the preceding, because it not only
belongs to matters connected with General Lee's personal

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 109
history, but because it shows, very strikingly, the condition
and hardships of the soldiers (on both sides alike) during the
war, although what is here narrated is but ti'ifiing, compared
with what has been endured at other times.
The pursuit of Lee was resumed by a fiank movement of the
Federal army, crossing the Potomac at Berlin and moving
down the Loudon Valley. The cavalry were pushed into
several passes of the Blue Eidge mountains, but despite all
efforts of the Union forces, General Lee succeeded in once
more establishing his men on the Eapidan, while General
Meade took position on the Eappahannock, and thus termi
nated the campaign.

CHAPTEE VI.
Position ofthe two Armies. — General Meade's Order. — Grand Eevie-vr of the Con
federate Army. — Longstreet sent to reinforce Bragg. — Lee's sudden Flanking of
Meade. — Minor Operations of the Army. — Imboden. — Fitzhugh Lee. — General Stu
art. — Meade's Attack on Ewell; — Lee visits Eiolimoud. — Question of Ranking Qffieer.
— ^Bragg as Military Adviser. — Condition of the Confederate Army. — Eeligion in the
Camp. — Amusements. — Thanks of Confederate Congress to Lee and his Army.—
General Custer's Baid. — Position of Lee's Foroes. — Eeinforced by Longstreet.^rDay
of Fast. — Commenoement of a Ne-w Campaign. — Grand Advance of the Northern
Army.- — General Ulysses Grant.-^Battle of the Wilderness. — Heroic Achievements,
— Spottsylvania. — Grant Crosses the Pamunkey.
The pursuit of Lee by General Meade had been as follows :
On tbe 18th of July the latter moved across the Potoraac ; on
the 19th he was at LovettsviUe ; on the 20th and 21st at
Union ; on the 22d at UppervUle ;, on the 23d at Markham
station ; on the 24th at Salera, and on the 25tb at Warrenton,
with the army occupying the same line which it did two
months previous.
On the SOth of July, General Meade issued an order of a
very stringent character, concerning "numerous depredations
coraraitted by citizens, or rebel soldiers in disguise harbored
or concealed by citizens along the Orange and Alexandria
railroad," within his lines, and threatened not only severe
punishraent to offenders, if caught, but held the " people within
ten raUes of the railroad responsible in their persons and
property" for any injury done.
During General Lee's advance into Pennsylvania, some cor
respondence had taken place between hira and President Davis
on the stibject of reinforcements, and the latter intimated that
there was some dorfbt as to whether the capital might not be
left too defenceless, owing to certain movements of the enemy
again on the peninsula. From this, it appears that General
Lee must have' felt sorae difflculty about staying long across
the Potomac, lest Eichraond should be endangered while his
army was at too great a distance to go quickly to its rescue.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. Ill
True, there were other forces, and other commanders, but they
were all much occupied elsewhere, and it was raainly upon the
army of Virginia that the Confederate authorities at the capital
had to depend. <
That there was some cause for doubt may be seen frora the
fact that General Dix, then in command at Fort Monroe, had
made a diversion towards Eichmond, and also to threaten the
communications of Lee, and while thus occupied, Tunstall's
station was seized, and Brigadier-general W. F. Lee — one of
the general's sons — was captured.' The return, however, of
the army frora across the Potomac to its old quarters ou the
Eapidan, relieved the public mind, South, and again cleared
the peninsula.
It was now necessary for a time that some , rest should be
obtained to recruit the army, and prepare for future work.
Consequently a short period of relaxation followed, and fur
loughs were granted to the men. The system adopted by
General Lee, with regard to these furloughs, was very good.
His order on the subject stated that, for the purpose of allow
ing " as many of the brave soldiers to visit their families and
friends as can be done consistently with the service, and at
the sarae time give some reward for meritorious conduct, a
system of furloughs is instituted in the army." First, two for
every one hundred men present for duty, and afterwards at
the rate of one in a hundred. Coraraanders were to forward
urgent and meritorious cases for approval, and the time of
leave varied, according to the State, from fifteen days in Vir
ginia to thirty days in Louisiana.
On September 9tb, General Lee held a grand review of his
army, at which were present Generals Ewell, Longstreet, Hill,
Stuart, Wilcox and others of note. The condition of the troops
was excellent, and the only fault the strictest disciplinarian
could find was the irrepressible manifestations of affection for
the generals. The number of. troops reviewed is not stated,
but it must have been considerable, for in passing along the
lines and returning, the various generals had to gallop over
nine miles.
About this time affairs in the western departraents led to; a
withdrawal of Longstreet's portion of the Virginian array, for
the purpose of reinforcing Bragg. At first, it had been sup-

113 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
posed at Washington, that Lee was receiving mor-e reinforce
ments ; but on the, 14th of September General Meade reported
that, in his opinion, and from all that he had learned, Lee had
been reduced in his forces by Longstreet's withdrawal, and by
some regiments from Ewell and Hill. To meet this additional
force in the west, the North dispatched General Hooker, with
nearly two corps from Meade's army, to reinforce Eosecrans
in Tennessee. Thus the two armies in Virginia still confronted
each other with about the same comparative nurabers. A period
of total inaction, except occasional skirmishes, seemed to have
settled on both parties. The Federals were in a good position,
and the North clamorous for another onward movement, but
none took place. Neither did it appear that General Lee felt
inclined to take the initiative in a fresh struggle. In fact, a
sort of lethargy had apparently fallen upon all, and in the
beginning of October so rauch quiet reigned, that people both
in the North and South began to wonder and to speak aloud
in murmuring tones.
Suddenly, however, unexpectedly, and in a marvellous, un
intelligible way, it was reported that General Lee and his army
had fianked Meade, and was sever'al miles in his rear, between
him and Washington. Then came alarm and dismay. A
hasty retrograde movement of the Northern army ; an inef
fectual attempt to check the Confederate advance; a severe
engagement with the rear guard ; affi-ighted sutlers, and panic-
stricken teamsters pouring in throngs along the roads to Wash
ington ; provisions and materiel, worth hundreds of thousands
of dollars, given to the flaraes, are the priraary results of Lee's
new and masterly strategy. Finally, the Northern army,
jaded with a week's incessant marching, disheartened by an
instinctive sense of the enemy's superior strategy, takes up a
position on the old ground again. And thus it was, as we have
already stated, Lee had posted his army on the line of the
Eapidan, with his right wing at Fredericksbui-g, and his left
near the Orange Court-house, whUe the Northern forces occu
pied the banks of the Eappahannock. On the Sth and 9th of
October Lee suddenly dispatched a portion of his troops
towards Madison Court-house, and by circuitous and concealed
roads, contrived to get up near Culpepper without notice of the
enemy. Lee himself witb the bulk of his army, except a show

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 113
of force, under General Fitzhugh Lee, left in his old lines,
swiftly followed, and on the llth was at Culpepper, where he
found Meade had retreated along the line of railroad running
to Alexandria. Lee imraediately pursued, having now been
joined by the commands of Stuart and Fitzhugh Lee, who bad-
repulsed Buford's attack on the reraaining force of the Con
federates at the Eapidan, and driven hirn back to his main
army. On the llth Lee arrived on the Eappahannock, at
Warrenton Springs, after a skirmish with the Federal cavalry
at Jefferston. The next day, after a short march to Warren
ton, where the whole army was reunited, a halt was made to
supply, the troops with provisions. On Thur-sday, the 14th,
Lee again pushed on in two colurans, and by different roads,
towards Bristoe station, where the rear guard of General
Meade, under General Warren, was attacked by the advance
of General Hill. A sharp fight ensued, ending in the repulse
of /HiU, with considerable loss, before Lee could send to his as
sistance. The advance thus checked, and Meade, having re
treated to the old battlefields around Bull Eun and Centreville,
which he was strongly fortifying, it was deemed unwise by
General L.ee to continue the pursuit any further, especially as
the intrenchments around Washington and Alexandria would
render abortive any success that might attend efforts to turn
Meade's new position. Accordingly, after destroying the rail
road from Cub Eun southwardly, Lee, on the 18th, returned
to the line of the Eappahannock, leaving his cavalry in front
of Meade. Next day this force was attacked, and compelled
to retire, until General Fitzhugh Lee arriving, a severe action
followed, and the Confederates advanced nearly to Haymarket
and Gainesville. There Meade's infantry were met, and Fitz
hugh Lee fell back unpursued.
While this flank raoveraent and advance of Lee's was taking
place, dir^ections had been sent to General Iraboden, of the Con
federate forces, in the Shenandoah, to guard the passes of the
mountains on Lee's left. This was done in a most admirable
manner, and was then swiftly followed by the capture of
Charlestown in West Virginia, by that gallant offlcer, on the ,
18th of October. The Union fbrces stationed there, consisting
of the Ninth Maryland regiment, and three companies of cav
alry, with their stores and transportation, were nearly all made

114 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
ca.ptiye. But, on a strong Federal force appearing from Harp-
^er'fi Ferry, Imboden had to retreat.
vGeneral Lee had placed his troops again in position, on both
sides of the railway, upon the line of the Eappahannock, with
EweU on theright, HiU upon the left, and the cavalry protecting
each flank. It was fully expected that Meade would advance
upon the Corrfederate forces as soon as he could, and this was
seen to be the case on November 6th, when, having repaired
the broken raUroad, he came in force upon Lee's army at Eap
pahannock station and Kelly's ford. An engagement fol
lowed, which was continued after dark, and resulted in the
Confederates being defeated with great loss. General Lee
then fell back to Culpepper, but finding that position untenable,
he once more retired to his old linSs on the Eapidan. There,
on the 27th of November, Meade again advanced upon the
Confederates at Germania ford. General Edward Johnson, of
EweU's corps, with his division, was in advance, and ,the two
armies came into collision about a mile, and a half from the
river, and near the plank-road, noted in the battle of Chancel
lorsviUe. A desperate confiict ensued, which was maintained
on both sides with great obstinacy, until night caused a cessa
tion of the fight. The engagement was not again renewed ;
but Meade withdi-ew next day from the front, and reoccupied
his post about Brandy station, on the Orange and Alexandria
railroad. This virtually ended the campaign for that year.
With the exception of some skirmishes, and a slight engage
ment on the road to Orange Court-house, nothing more was
done by the two armies. The Union forces went into winter
quarters on the line of the Eappahannock about the 6th of
December, and tbe Confederate army did the same on the
Eapidan. Soon afterwards General Lee made a visit of some length,
to Eichmond, which was, no doubt, necessary to give himself
'some change, and to see his family ; -but it was also for the pur
pose of assisting in certain war-councils, especially with regard
to new appointments in the miUtary departments. General
Bragg had been relieved from his command in the West, and
was intended for the post of " consulting or advising officer "
to the Executive— in other words, virtually commander-in-chief
of the Southern armies— while General Lee was to keep the

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 115
field in Virginia ; but raany difflculties were in the way of such
an arrangeraent, though Bragg was not only the ranking gen
eral, his friends claimed for him far greater merits than the
public generally acknowledged. General Lee, as he had in
variably done, was ready to relinquish self to the service of
his country ; but, naturally, his old classmate, friend, and
former corapanion, J. E. Johnston, had his warraest recom
mendations in the raatter of new appointments. The difflculty
arose thus : Generals Cooper, A. S. Johnson, Lee, Beaure
gard, and J. E. Johnston had been appointed under the pro
visional government, in 1861. When A. S. Johnson fell at
Shiloh, in 1862, after the organization of the permanent gov
ernment, Bragg was appointed to the vacancy, and this was at
once confirmed by Congress. The appointments of Cooper,
Lee, and the others, were also confirmed by the sarae Congress,
biit subsequently to that of Bragg, therefore he was considered, in
reality, the senior general. The matter was however settled, at
this tirae, by Bragg's appointment at Eichmond, and Generals
Lee and Johnston keeping their iraportant positions in the field.
There were many other causes tending to much anxiety in
the mind of General Lee. His brave army had been subject
to great depletion, and was suffering from those accursed evils,
which, even raore than the battlefield itself, belong to war, and
help to destroy lives to a greater extent than the cannon-ball
and rifie-sbot. Eichraond was no raore exempt from this than
any other capital, where a market is made by hordes of base
contractors, who seize- the opportunity of a nation's hour of
peril to gorge themselves with golden spoils. The honorable
and just-dealing man, who fairly turns his goods to ordinary-
profit at such times, can make no headway in such a greedy
crowd, and consequently has but faint conception of the fright
ful and inhuman wrongs heaped upon the heroic soldiers
bleeding for their country's weal. Well may a famous general
in the Napoleon wars have expressed a wish that the whole
class of fraudulent contractors had but one neck, that he could
have the pleasure of hanging them at once with a single rope ;
for, if ever men deserve to be strangled or guillotined those
do who thus take advantage of their country's need, and reck
lessly plunder government and soldier alike, by the vile sup
plies they cunningly substitute for the good samples speciously

116 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS. ,
submitted to inspection. Again, these sarae men, and their
innuraerable bangers-on, are too comfortable at home to risk
their precious lives on the camp-ground, in the maintenance of
that cause they, on both sides, talk so much about as a good
and righteous one. The consequence is, that when inaction
among the ranks of the army occurs, and, especially when
cold and hunger — arising frora short rations and ill-made gar
ments—are felt, desertions, repinings, apathy, and general dis
content, are sure to be found. The subordinate officers, even
those of higher grade, experience this, and the generals in com
mand have, in such, far more to contend with than tbe greatest
difficulties connected with strategic moveraents or a battlefield.
In the case of the Northern army of Virginia there was,
about the winter of 1863-4, rauch of this for General Lee to
contend with. The line officers, it was said, who bad marched
many weary miles with their men, and had cheerfully borne
all ordinary privations and want, bitterly felt tlie contrast be
tween themselves and the shirkers who staid at home, speculat
ing upon the miseries of citizens and soldiers alike. The
consequence was that desertions were not unfrequent, and the
commander-in-chief had to use all his own personal popularity
in procuring fresh men to fill the ranks. Every thing he could
possibly do to promote the welfare and comfort of his troops,
it was universally adinitted he did, and his exaraple, not only
in this respect, but by being constantly with thera for so long
a time, shar-ing their privations and often shelterless bivouacs,
was of immense benefit. ' "He was truly tbe soldiers' idol, not
merely on account of his great genius, but— like the first Na
poleon — he ever studied the wants of his private soldiers, and
personally looked into their supplies." Yet, wbat could he,
what can any human being do, especiaUy one of mind, of talent
and masterly ability in great things, adequately to oppose the
mean and contemptible trickery of little souls backed by the
gold they have so avariciously contrived to make? Absolutely
nothing! And, when the calra future arrives in the yet uncon-
ceived history of the great and mighty people such as must
exist on this continent, the eye wiU look with amazement on
the prolongation of this sad struggle, and truth will then admit,
it was chiefiy occasioned by the greed and infamy of designing
speculators, and base men throughout the land.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 117
To meet these difficulties. General Lee had to exercise every
available faculty of his mind. A tithe-tax was instituted,
whereby the people in Virginia, around his troops, furnished
supplies to the army, and in various ways did he so continue to
lessen some of the evils spoken of, that several old regiments
re-enlisted for the war, and new ones numerously came for
ward. He increased the length of furloughs, and it was truly
gratifying to find the soldiers so proraptly return at the expira
tion of their leave. Nor was another iraportant subject in the
welfare of the army forgotten. Say, or think what some will
to the contrary, there is a sure safeguard for tbe moral, and
even physical good of man, in unaffected, honest-hearted re
ligion, particularly when he is thrown amongst his brethren
without the usual restraints of home society. Therefore, the
exercises of religion, even in its mere form alone, are of real
practical good, and we find that it was mueh evinced in Lee's
army. In accounts of what was then passing, it is said " the
religious interest in the army is unchilled by the cold weather.
Meetings are still held in every part of the army ; and, in
many, if not all the brigades, meeting-houses have been con
structed by the soldiers, for their own use, and faithful chaplains
nightly preach to large and deeply attentive congregations."
But, beside the more serious duties incumbent on a wise
general to regard and encourage among his men, the lighter
occupations of life were not forgotten. No one who has ever
been called to headship over others — if he be at all capable of
right feeling himself — can fail to know the importance of raain-
taining a healthy spirit of mirth and cheerfulness around.
Give the soldier, or the sailor, or the employed artisan, a fair
proportion of life's joys, whenever it can be done, and let him
see and experience the pleasant smile or the uproarious glee
of others around him, and assuredly it will do him immense
good, no matter what his privations or even his sufferings may
be. Accordingly we find many wise commander-s especially
attending to this, and in Lee's army (as it was also to be seeu
araongst the Union forces) sports and pastimes were not omitted
in the military economy established; A newspaper, called
The Rapid Ann, was issued by some of the soldiers, with
pen and pencil, and the following is a specimen of its good
humor :

118 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
" Tactics of Kissing. — Eecruit is placed in front of the piece.
First motion— Bend the right knee ; straighten the left ; bring
the head on a level with the face of the piece; at the same
time extend the arms, and clasp the cheeks of the piece firmly
in both hands. Second motion— Bend the body slightly for
ward ; pucker the mouth, and apply the lips smartly to the
muzzle mouldings. Third motion — Break off promptly on both
legs, to escape the jarring or injury should the piece recoil."
It may seem trivial to bring forward such incidents as this,
in writing a biographical sketch of a great man, but we con
ceive that nothing which tends to illustrate the character of
such a one, and of those under his control, who as a glass
throw back the refiection of bis own face, should be omitted.
Lee had been n'ow, March, 1864, for more than twenty raonths
in coraraand of that army, and muoh of the refiex of himself
was sure to be found in the general actions of bis raen, when
free to display the bent'of their own inclinations. Thus, their
pleasures and amusements, their sense of religious duty, aud
their devotion to the cause they served, were all indicative of
that kindly and wise spir-it which ruled over them. Nor was
his family less thoughtful and friendly disposed toward the
soldier. Like the angels of goodness and mercy in the North,
who are ever seeking to relieve the wants and sufferings of the
Union soldiers, so were there in the South, vast numbers of
ladies constantly at work for the benefit of their own troops,
and amongst them was ever prominent, Mrs. General E. E.
Lee. On one occasion, bearing that a detail of men from the
Fifty-third North Carolina regiment were engaged, during
severe weather, in rebuilding the plank-road near Orange
, Court-house, Virginia, she made and presented to them thirty-
seven pairs of most useful gloves, a gift the more valuable on
account of the difficulty and the cost, at that time, to a soldier
in procuring them.
One more trait illustrative of General Lee's personal char
acter as a man, and yet as a military chief, and we pass to
other and sterner things. A soldier had deserted, and had gone
back to his wife, who, however, in spite, as she said, of her love
for him, and tbe suffering and hardship she endured iu conse
quence of his absence, would not shield bim when officers
came in search. The army needed every man in her country's

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEB. 119
hour of tribulation, and to protect him while other brave men
perilled their lives, and other women had to be separated from
tbeir husbands, brothers, and sires, was against her sernse of
duty. Therefore, he was arrested, though she was aware
the sentence for his crime would be death. But, having done
her duty, her woman's nature strove all in her power to get
him pardoned, and that heroic wife, that true woman, had the
bliss of succeeding. General Lee, hearing of the case, granted
his reprieve at the raoraent of execution, giving as his reason
for doing so, that it was on account of the noble-minded,
patriotic wife, and as an encourageraent for other wives to be
equally true to their country and tbeir duty. i
Let us now turn to the general occurrences connected with
Lee, frora the beginning of 1 864.
On the 2d of January, in the Confederate Senate, at Eich
mond, Mr. Johnson, of Ar-kansas, submitted the following,
with reference to General Lee and his array:
" Whereas, the cai^rpaigns of the brave and gallant armies
covering the capital of the Confederate States, during the two
successful years of 1862 and 1 863, under the leadership and
coramand of General Eobert E. Lee, have been crowned with
glorious results ; aird,
" 'Whereas, these and other illustrious services rendered by
this able commander, since the coraraenceraent of the war of
independence, have especially endeared hira to the hearts of
his countrymen, and bave imposed on Congress the grateful
duty of giving expression to their feelings ; therefore, it is
'¦'¦Resolved, by the Congress of the Confederate States of
America, That the thanks of Congress are hereby tendered to
General Eobert E. Lee, and to the officers and soldiers of the
Confederate armies under his command, for the great and sig
nal victories they have won over the vast hosts of the enemy,
and for the inestimable services they have rendered in defence
of the liberty and independence of our country.
" Resolved, That the President be requested to communicate
these resolutions to General Eobert E. Lee, and to the officers
and soldiers herein designated."
After some remarks by senators, highly complimentary to
General Lee and the army, the resolutions were unanimously
adopted, and were afterwards made known, by the coraraander-

120 > SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
in-chief, in handsome terms, to his officers and raen. At about
the same time he annoimced, in a special order, to the Mis
sissippi soldier's under his command, the resolutions of thanks
of their own State Legislature.
The month of January now passed without any military
event of importance, except cavalry raids, and tbe capture of
a Union wagon train by General Eosser, of Early's division, at
Petersburg, in Northwest Virginia, on the SOth, and the fur
ther destruction, on February 2d, of bridges over the Patter
son creek, and north branch of the Potomac, besides taking a
number of prisoners.
In the month of February, on the 6tb, the Federals crossed
in large force at Morton's ford, but, after a sharp contest, were
repulsed by General Edward Johnson's division, and driven
back over the river. They also attempted to cross at Barnett's
ford, but were repulsed by General Scales' North Carolina bri
gade and Lomax's cavalry.
On February 28th, General Custer of the Union cavalry,
made a raid on the left flank of Lee's army, and succeeded in
getting as far as the vicinity of CharlottesviUe, where a camp
of Stuart's horse artillery was stationed, near the Eavenna
river. The huts of tbis camp were arranged with mathemati
cal precision and soldierlike regularity. On one side were the
horses, quietly standing at the time Custer's men approached ;
on the other side, pieces of artillery were packed with all the
appurtenances neatly arranged, and close to the caissons.
It was about noon on Monday when the Federal horse ap
proached this camp, and iramediately the Confederates sounded
alarra. But the surprise was so sudden, that it was found
impossible to save the caissons in the prompt retreat which
had to be made. Captain Moorman, who coraraanded the
post, ordered the men to retire, with what guns they could
save, to a neighboring hill, whence they kept up a galling fire
upon the Union cavalry, now engaged destroying the camp.-
This done, and the Southerners obtaining reinforcements, Gen
eral Custer and his men retreated towards their own lines.
On the way. General Stuart, having swiftly followed on receipt
of the news, met Custer near Stannardsville, and a sharp en
counter took place, the Union commander gallantly charging
through, and ultimately reaching his own camp in safety.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE.^ 121
This expedition of General Custer's was mainly for the pur
pose of drawing away the Confederate cavalry from the Cen
tral railroad to Eichmond, so as to allow General Kilpatrick
the better to accomplish an object then in view, of penetrating
within or to the fortifications. Thig" bold exploit was emi
nently successful, except in the cutting off of Lee's communica
tions, and getting within the works around the capital.
But we must now hasten on to the more important events
that were shortly to occur.
At this period, the beginning of March, the strength of
the Confederate armies was estimated at 344,000.
Lee's force was, as we have said, stationed along the Eapi
dan, and Meade's on the banks of the Eappahannock. But
now another important actor was to appear upon the scene.
Ulysses S. Grant, who had made himself famous as the hero
of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Vicksburg, had been appointed
Lieutenant-general and Commander-in-chief of all the Union
forces. Modest and unpretending, calm and thoughtful in his
raind, he was considered well fitted to cope with Lee ; and,
immediately upon the assumption of his rank he prepared for
active exertions in the field.
General Lee, now reinforced by Longstreet, was not idle in
adopting all precautionary measures to meet him. He strong
ly intrenched his lines, dug rifie-pits at the fords of the Eapi
dan, and kept a good force on the Gordonsville road so as to
hold the communication open to Eichmond by that route,
while by the way of Fredericksburg he destroyed the bridges
and rails in order to prevent, or make more difficult, the
enemy's advance in that direction. Thus, then, when the
battle between the two parties was likely to commence, it was
sure to be again a bloody one. What the plan of the new
campaign would be no one but the few initiated knew. Gen
eral Grant was exceedingly reticent, and Lee equally so. In
deed, on both sides, all communications respecting movements
of the army were forbidden to be published. The visit of
General Grant to Butler at Fortress Monroe, indicated some
important strategic operation in connection with the cam
paign,, but nothing appeared as to the actual object in view.
On the 7th of April General Lee issued a general order di
recting the morrow to be observed "as a day of fasting,. hu-

122 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
mUiation, and prayer." AU military duties, unless absolutely
necessary, were to be suspended, and the chaplains were de
sired to hold divine service in their regiments and brigades.
Officers and men were " requested" to attend. This passed,
the final preparations were made for tbe deadly struggle that,
it was evident, would soon commence. The Northern array
was strong, fresh, vigorous, and anxious for the fight. The
Southerners were firm, defiant, and raaddened with the sense
of wrongs they felt had been inflicted upon them and their
homes. "For your stricken country's sake, and ours," said
the " wives, daughters, sisters, and friends" of these soldiers in
a published address to them, " be true to yourselves and our
glor-ious cause. Never turn your back on the flag, nor desert
the ranks of honor, or the post of danger. Tou are constantly
present to our minds. The women of tbe South bestow all
their respect and affection on the heroes who defend them."
With such an appeal to them, who can doubt that the soldier
— with rare exceptions — reraained true and undaunted ?
General Lee now sent to the rear all superfluous baggage,
and unnecessary incurabrances. The sick and useless were
removed frora the camp, and due transportation provided for
the raoveraent of stores, and the conveyance of wounded in
the forthcoming battles. Ever since KUpatrick's " fruitless
raid," the Confederates had kept a battery in position at Ely's
ford, and, when a party of foreign officers, visiting the Union
array, rode to the front one day to' exaraine Lee's position,
they expressed an opinion that it was all but impregnable, so
strongly and adrairably had he fortified it. As to the South
itself, and what was thought there, we need hardly say that very
hopeful ideas were prorainent in the printed opinions. Gen
eral Grant was admitted to be " a man of far more energy and
ability than any that had yet coraraanded the army of the
Potomac," but " his performances would bear no comparison
whatever to those of General Lee."
Thus stood the two armies, and thus awaited and hoped the
people of the North and South, towards the end of April,
when at length some symptoms of an active movement oc
curred. About the 23d of April, General Grant, whose head
quarters were at Culpepper, ordered portions of two army
corps to make a feint on Lee's left, and draw back Longstreet's

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 123
supposed movement in tbat direction. The result, however,
was merely a reconnoissance on the part of the Union forces,
and the occupation of Warrenton by the Confederates. In the
latter part of April the famous Court-house at Madison was
destroyed by an expedition sent from Washington. The Con
federates occupying the locality were attacked, — retreated,
and fought in the town. The result was that the Union troops
corapeUed a retreat of their opponents by firing the place, and
reducing nearly every house to ashes. On tbe 29th of April
Mosby surprised a Union picket post of men at Hunter's Mill
in Fairfax county, and captured six men, and eighteen horses.
The rest escaped. Afterwards he was pursued, and the Fed
erals recaptured five horses, and took prisoner one of his lieu
tenants. May now opened, and the great and bloody drama of the
war recommenced. On Tuesday night, May 3d, the Union
army broke up its encarapraents and at dawn of next raorning
crossed the Eapidan at the old fords — Ely's and Germania —
and in much the sarae line tbat Meade attempted in the pre
vious November, and where Lee had caused Hooker to retreat
a year before. The Second corps, commanded by General
Hancock, in front, crossed at Ely's ford, the Fifth corps, under
Warren, took tbe Germania ford, while the Sixth (Sedgwick's)
followed immediately upon it. Two corps of Lee's army were
at once moved to raeet them, — EweU's by the old turnpike,
and Hill's by the plank-road., The advance of EweU's corps^
Johnson's division — arrived within three miles of Wilderness
run that evening and encamped. Eodes lay in his rear; and
Eai'ly was next at Locust Grove, all ready to strike at Grant's
advance the next morning. At about 6 a. m. the enemy was
discovered by the skirmishers thrown out, and Johnson imme- '
diately pressed forward to gain a hill where he proceeded to
form his troops in line of battle. The Union forces now ad
vanced as well as they could through the thick tangled forest
already mentroned in describing the battle of ChanceUorsville,
with a heavy line of skirmishers in front, and followed by a-
solid column four lines deep. At the first onslaught, the Con
federate skirmishers were driven in, and the Fifth corps of the
Union army came thundering along, unchecked by a terrible
fusilade from Johnson's line, until with deadly fire, and after

124 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
a brief struggle, General Jones' brigade of Virginians were
forced back. Jones strove, in desperation, to rally his broken
troops, but with no avaU ; and, as the brave general was im
ploring his men to stop their fiight, a ball struck him, and he
feU from his saddle a bleeding corpse. Captain Early, of his
staff, was at the same time also kUled. Now came the decis
ive moraent. War'ren's men poured forward with stem deter
mination, but just then Gener-al Stewart moved from his posi
tion iu line of battle and with a wild cheer dashed upon the
advancing Federals, driving them back by the impetus of his
charge, and capturing their guns. At the same time EweU
ordered Daniels' and Gordon's brigades of Eodes' division to
forra on the right and charge. They did so, crushing through
the enemy's first lines, and capturing many prisoners, besides
some guns. The Federal front, now thrown into confusion,
fell back and retreated some distance. Meanwhile, the Union
troops were engaged in a heavy confiict on the left of this part
of the field, with General Stafford at the head of his Louisian
ians, who succeeded in repulsing thera, but with the loss of
the general, who fell mortally wounded. Sedgwick bad now
corae up, and fiercely attacked the Confederate left fiank, but
was repulsed by Pegram's and Hays' divisions. But again
the brave Federals came on in dense masses, and the fight was
renewed till after dark with great slaughter, Pegram, himself,
falling severely wounded. The engagement for that day now
ended, and both parties maintained their position on the field.,
Meanwhile, Hill's corps had raoved along the Fredericks-'.
burg plank-road, Heth and Wilcox in advance, while Ander
son remained behind for a time to guard some fords. The
two divisions bivouacked for the night of the 4th near Ver-
diersville. Next raorning the mar-ch was pursued along the
same road, and parallel with that which, at the same time,
Ewell was taking, though some three miles apart, the inter
vening space being the " Wilderness" heretofoi-e described.
While thus marching an incident occurred that must be nar
rated as personally affecting General Lee.
Between the two parallel lines of march, and in a part of
the wilderness, was an open field, where, during the forenoon,
the commander-in-chief, witb General Hill and some other
officers, were seated on the ground in consultation. At this.

GENEEAL EOBEKT EDMUND LEE. 125
moment, some of the eneray's scouts and skirraishers, arrived
near the spot, and might with the gr-eatest ease have shot
General Lee, had they not, on finding their dangerous position,
hastily retreated, ignorant of who it was that had lain so
closely at the mercy of their rifles.
General Lee now opened a communication with Ewell, and
Wilcox's division moved forward to effect the junction. The
line of battle thus completed, now extended from the right of
the plank-road through a succession of open flelds and dense
forest to the left of the turnpike. It presented a front of six
miles, and occupied a very irregular plane along the broken
slopes of the streara known as the Wilderness Eun. There
was, however, in the front, an alraost impenetrable thicket
which, as necessarily occupied by the Union troops, prevented
their artiller-y being used except in the openings of the roads.
It was now about 2 p. m. (May 6tli), and large columns of
the enemy were seen coming up, along the roads frora the
Union rear. The attack then began in front of Hill, Heth's
division for some time bearing the whole brunt of the fierce
onslaught of the Federal troops. This being perceived by
General Hill, he ordered Wilcox from EweU's right to come
to the support, which was done in double quick, at about 4 p. m.
The conflict now was again most fearful, and continued with
no important advantage to either side, but with considerable
loss in killed and wounded, until night closed in and com
pelled the combatants to cease.
During that night, the two armies lay so close to each other
as to be within hearing. Indeed, a sraall streara on the Con
federate left constituted their mutual supply of water, and was
so near both, that men from either side going out to flll their
canteens from it, were very often captured by some from the
other. It was in this manner Colonel Baldwin, of the First
Massachusetts regiraent, while slaking his thirst, was taken
prisoner. We raust now, for a moment, turn back to Longstreet's
corps, which, on the 3d, was posted some thirteen railes south
west of the original position on the Eapidan. Ordered by Lee
to march forward, it moved from GordonsviUe on the morning
of the 4th, and on the night of the 5th it halted within twelve
miles of the advanced field of battle just described. News,

126 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
however, now reached Longstreet, at midnight, of Hill's dan
ger in front, and, accordingly, at 2 A. m. of the 6tb, he aroused
his sleeping men from their bivouac, and marched on to the field
of battle. That morning, at daylight. General Lee was him
self well in the advance, but on renewing the engagement,
such was the impetuous valor of the Union troops that, despite
the most determined bravery of Heth's and Wilcox's divisions,
tbey were overpowered, and had to give way. On rushed the
victorious Federals, pushing the Confederates before thern to
within a hundred and fifty yards of Lee, wben, at that mo
ment, McLaws' division of Longstreet's corps arrived, and for
a time checked the enemy in his victorious career. Then
came up Anderson's division, and presently Longstreet him
self rushed forward with bis staff to tbe front. Loud were the
cheers that greeted him and Gener9,l Lee as each rode on, — the
former taking the raore advanced post, and the latter person- ¦
ally directing and encouraging tbe men. Longstreet galloped
forward, and as he pushed on. General Jenkins spurred to his
side to grasp his band, with the true pleasure of a soldier-
friend, — for, be it remerabered, Longstreet had but newly
arrived from several months' campaign in Eastern Tennessee.
But, alas ! hardly had the mutual congratulations passed each
other's lips, when a deadly volley frora one of their own bri
gades — mistaking Longstreet, Jenkins, and the rest, for a party
of the flying foe — poured into them, at short range. Jenkins
fell instantly frora his horse a lifeless corpse, while Lon^treet
received k ball that entered his throat and passed out through
his right shoulder. It was supposed that he was dead, but it
was not so, and he was speedily taken to tbe rear for medical
care. The battle now became general, and the field was well con
tested on both sides. At one time, however, the aspect of
affairs was so alarming for the South that, fearing for the con
stancy of his troops under such fierce attacks. General Lee
placed himself at the head of Gregg's brigade of Texans, and
ordered them to foUow him in a charge. But the wounded
Longstreet, ere he was moved, raised his feeble voice to pro
test against it, and even the rough soldiers positively refused
to move until their beloved general in-chief had gone to his
proper position of safety.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 127
EweU, on the extreme left, was battling severely against the
powerful onslaughts of the enemy, and by a successful move
ment completely repelled Burnside's atterapt to outflank him,
in the space between Lee's two wings left vacant by Wilcox's
reraoval. Ewell then united with the right, and again and
again were the raost valiant charges made on both sides with
out the crown of victory alighting positively on either party.
Success, in a detached forra, undoubtedly attended the one
side and the other. Both took prisoners, and captured guns,
colors, and materiel / but the general results were about equal,
and when night again closed upon the scene, it was to blot
out of sight, for a few hours, another terrible fleld of carnage,
no more decisive than had been that of the day before. In
this battle. General Lee so much exposed himself that Presi
dent Davis wrote hira a touching letter of remonstrance. The
explosion of a shell under his own horse, the killing of the
horse of his Adjutant-general, Lieutenant-colonel Taylor, and
the wounding of another officer. Lieutenant-colonel Marshall.
attached to his person, caused great and most affectionate
anxiety in the army.
On Saturday, the seventh, both armies moved their position
— Grant's to take an interior road towards Eichmond by the
Spottsylvania Court-house, and Lee's, back, apparently, to
wards Orange Court-house, but in reality it was to reach
Spottsylvania before the enemy. Something like a neck and
neck race took place, but the advance of Lee arrived first and
took up a good position, the main array quickly following.
Next morning, Sunday, May 8th, a part of Warren's Fifth
corps of Federals, under General Eobinson, tried to dislodge
Longstreet's corps — now under Anderson's coraraand — from
their strong position, but were repulsed, and General Eobinson
wounded. Grant now placed his array in line of battle, Han
cock being on the right, Warren in the centre, and Sedgwick
on the left, the line reaching about seven miles. The day
following, about 2 p. m., the engagement began, but consisted
principally of skirmishing. It was, however, at that time
General Sedgwick was killed.
Tuesday, May 10th, the struggle was renewed at an early
hour, Warren's corps being the one most hotly engaged against
the Confederates, though all were fighting heavily. About

128 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
half-past five two divisions of Hancock's second corps crossed
the Po river and advanced against Lee's left, making a strong',
show of giving battle there. Lee, supposing the enemy was
massing forces at that point, raoved his troops during the night
and. next day to that quarter, but, in the raor-ning of Thursday,
the 12th, it was found that Hancockwas again in the centre,
and vigorously assaulting' Johnson's' division. The struggle,
here, now became very fierce. Charge after charge was made
by the Confederates to regain what ground they had lost, but
they were met so determinedly that each time they fell back
with broken and shattered ranks. The dead and wounded, ac
cording to the report of one eye witness, here lay piled over
each other, "the latter often undei-neath the former." Gen
erals Edward Johnson and G. H. Stuart were taken pr-isoners ;
and, on the„ Union side, Generals Wadsworth and Hayes were
killed, besides Sedgwick, as previously mentioned, and many
more of lesser rank.
It was now evident that Grant's strategy was, by a series of
flank movements on Lee's right, so to revolve around him,
even as the fierce cyclones of a tropical clime gyrate in their '
rapid career, that a constant surprise might be created, and
the Confederate army kept unsettled, until the Union forces
had again reached the old battle-ground of McClellan's on the r
Peninsula. To aid in this, a cavalry expedition was dispatched
by Grant, while Lee was on the Eapidan, down the Eichmond
railroad. This expedition was under command of General
Sheridan, since so noted in the Shenandoah Valley. It first
effected some damage at Beaver Dam, and thence moved
rapidly to the South Anna and the Ashland station. But Gen
eral J. E. B. Stuart promptly followed, and on May llth
overtook them at the latter place. A sharp fight commenced
between Fitz Lee's advance and the enemy, which resulted in
Sheridan's leaving the place ai;id pushing on towards the
"YeUow Tavern," six miles only from Eichmond. Stuart
quickly moved ahead to intercept'them, while Gener-al Gordon.
was aiding him by attacking them in the rear. An engage
ment ensued, and it was here that the lamented Stuart lost his
life. After the engagement of the 12th, at Spottsylvania, Uttle
was done for a few days except skirmishing, but, on the

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 129
16th, Grant made a retrograde movement to the Ny river,
where he received reinforceraents, and prepared for another
battle. Lee occupied the same position he had previously
held, on the north side of the river Po. On tbe 18th
Grant made an assault upon EweU's line, with a view of turrr-
ing Lee's left, but this failing, the Union troops returned to
their camp, after a severe loss. At the sarae tirae Grant begau ¦
another of his flank movements, by moving to Guinney's sta
tion, some ten miles east of Spottsylvania, on the railroad.
The Union cavalry, under Torbert, went in advance to clear
the way, and tbe right corps followed. Lee was thus neces
sarily obliged to evacuate his position on the Po, and by an
admirable movement took up a new position between the
North and South Anna rivers before Grant's army had arrived.
On Friday, the 20th, the Federal cavalry had reached
Milford station, and the next and following day, Hancock,
Warren, Wright (late Sedgwick's corps), and Burneide, en
camped there.
On Sunday, the 22d, the Union line of battle stretched
in a curve from Milford to Guinney's, through Bowling
Green, and on the next day Grant determined to attack
the Confederate lines. Accordingly, Warren crossed the North
Anna, principally at Jericho ford, the men wading waist-
deep, while Hancock engaged at Taylorv's bridge. These fords
and bridges were just above Sexton's Junction. Warren's
corps and the portion of Hancock's which had crossed, feeling
their way towar-ds the Little river and, the Virginia Central
railroad, were flercely attacked, and were only extricated frora
a very perilous position by their determined bravery and the
timely arrival of Burnside and Wright.
Next day, Tuesday, May 24tb, the fighting continued at
Taylor's bridge, and at a place called Oxford ; and on Wednes
day Grant found it necessary to make another flank raovement,
by recrossing the North Anna, and raarching easterly towards
the Pamunkey. To cover his plans, an attack was made on
Thursday upon Lee's left, while a portion of Sheridan's cavalry
tore up the Central Eailroad track. As this was going on, the
Union forces withdrew, merely keeping a strong body of skir-
.mishers in front of the Confederates, in order to mislead them.
But General Lee was fully master of tbe situation, and could
0

130 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
not be thus blinded. Comprehending Grant's tactics, he was
as prompt in his movements, and as skilful in bis strategy as
the Union commander. Moreover, the , scene of battle was
now, once more, nearing the old ground where his first great
victories had been won. Eichmond, too, the horae of trusting
wives and famiUes, was again to be menaced ; and a wily, as-
.tute, and determined foe was bent on its. destruction. Ac-
cordinglj'-, no sooner did Grant's army, on the 28tb, arrive at
Hanovertown, on the Pamunkey, fifteen mUes northeast of
Eichmond, than it was found the Confederates were in line of
battle, from Atlee's station, on tbe railroad, ten or eleven
miles north of Eichmond, to Shady Grove, eight or nine miles
north-northeast of. the capital. To reconnoitre this position^
on tbe same morning. Grant dispatched Torbert and Gregg's
division of cavalry down towards MechanicsviUe. But before
arriving there, the Confederate cavalry, under Fitzhugh Lee
and Harapton, were encountered at a place not far from Tolo-
patoraoy creek. A severe engagement followed, ending in the
Union cavalry remaining on the field, while Lee and Hamp
ton fell back to the main lines, both sides suffering much loss.
On Sunday, the 29th, the whole of the Union forces were
across the Paraunkey, raarching towards Eichraond, and re
inforcements from Butler's army, on the James river, were
arriving at White House, which once more formed the Federal
base of supplies.
On Monday, May SOth, the Union cavalry pickets on the
left were driven in, and a sharp figbt ensued, with some slight
loss. The same afternoon, Eodes' division of EweU's corps
hotly attacked Warren's corps, then moving along the Mechan
icsviUe road, and Crawford's division was forced back. War
ren's fiank was also in danger, but reinforcements arrived, and
though General Meade ordered an attack of the whole line, it
was dark before any other of the Federals but Hancock could
respond. He, with his accustomed gallantry, dashed' on, and
succeeded in obtaining good ground in the advanced Confed
erate lines, but with no other important advantage. On the
next day, May 31st, the two arraies were ready for a general en
gagement ; and here, for a moment, let us review the whole
situation as it was at tbat time, when the singular fortune of
M-ar had again made the Peninsula a deadly battle-ground.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 131
One month had hardly elapsed since the present campaign
had begun, and of those brave companions and friends already
lost to Lee, and to the Confederacy, the following are some of
the prominent names : —
Killed, Major-general J. E. B. Stuart; Brigadier-general
Stafford ; Brigadier-general Jennings ; Brigadier-general J. M.
Jones; Colonels Nances, Grice, Carter, Forney, Avery, Ean
dolph, and Binney : Wounded, Lieutenant-general Longstreet ;
Major-general Heth; Major-general Pickett; Brigadier-gen
eral Walker ; Brigadier-General Hays ; Pegram ; Bennirrg ;
Colonels Gailland, Kenedy, Herbet, Eonlove, Jones, Sheffield,
Whitehead, Board, Winston, Lane, Sanders, Falum, MiUer,
Davidson, Lamar, Crott, Hartsfield, Wilds, Hodge, and Willett ;
besides Major-general E. Johnson and G. H. Stuart captured.
When Lee stood in array against Grant at the Eapidan, his
force was then estimated at less than 80,000 ; since then it had
been considerably decreased by the many killed, and the
wounded unfit for duty. But it had, also, been reinforced by
Breckinridge with his troops, so that it now numbered about
110,000 men.
Grant's army, at this time, was estiraated at 200,000, includ
ing all the reinforcements sent to him from Butler.
The position of these two armies was as follows : — Grant was
between the Chickahominy and the Pamunkey, with his left
thrown forward to MechanicsviUe, his right withdrawn to
White House, and his reserve massed in rear of his left, and
Eichmond soraewhat behind his left flank.
Lee was posted from Atlett's station, on his left (with his
advance parties towards Hanover Court-house), to Gaines'
Mill, with outposts as far as Coal Harbor. This position of
Lee's was nearly identicial with that of Jackson's in 1862 ; and
indeed, the whole Confederate line of battle was on ground oc
cupied by both the armies at that time.
On Tuesday, the 3Jst of May, there was some skirraishing
between the two parties, and a cavalry attack at Cold Harbor,
by Sheridan, against Fitzhugh Lee ; but it was not till next
day, June 1st, the engagement fully began.
Lee, anticipating Grant's last gyratory movement, had de
termined to secure positions he knew, from the battles of two
years before, to be good ones. Accordingly he sent forward

132 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
to the right, Kershaw's and Hoke's divisions of Anderson's
corps, with orders to occupy the eminences around Gaines'
Mill and Cold HarbOr. As ^ready stated, Grant's orders had
also been to secure these places, and the cavalry engagement
of Tuesday partly effected it. But on arrival of Hoke's di
vision, shortly afterwards reinforced by McLaws', the Confed
erates obtained possession of the desir-ed posts. At tbe same
time Breckinridge and Mahone, of Hill's corps, were equally
successful in gaining certain advanced positions.
In the afternoon an attack was made upon Heth's division,
by the Federals, reinforced by Baldy Smith's Eighteenth
corps ; but after a severe and gallant flght, were unable to
gain any advantage. Next morning it was found that Grant
had made another gyratory movement, even as Loe suspected,
and, therefore, he was closely followed. The Confederates
were put in raotion on a parallel line, while Early, command
ing EweU's corps (Ewell being sick), swung round, late in the
afternoon, and to6k tbe eneray in flank, drove him from two
lines of intrenchments, and inflicted great loss. , Meanwhile
Breckinridge, supported by Wilcox, proceeded, under orders
from Lee, to attapk the advanced Federals, now on the extreme
right, at Turkey Hill, and there succeeded in driving them
away. Thus another important position was obtained by Lee,
for this hill coraraanded the approaches from the north and
east to the military bridges which McClellan had formerly
thrown over the Chickahominy. It was evident to Lee that
Grant was aiming for those bridges, consequently he continued
to move his army to the right, until he had thrown it across
tbe intended path of tbe Federals. During the night, breast
works were hurriedly thrown up, and every preparation made
for the attack. This commenced early on the morning of
Friday, June 3d, when the Union army, now extending from
Tolopatomony creek to and across the road from Cold Harbor
to the Chickahominy, advanced, in full line of battle, upon
the Confederate army.
The formation bf the Union line of battle was as follows :
From right to left, Burnside, Warren, Smith, Wright, and
Hancock, the latter thus being opposed to Breckinridge, who
was on Lee's extreme right, and EweU's corps on the extreme
left, opposite Burnside, — HUl's corps being in reserve. Taking

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 133
the Confederate right, Hancock, with his division commanders
Gibbon, Barlow, and Birney, dashed gaUantly forward, and,
for the moment, carried the position held by Breckinridge,
but speedily General Finnegan, witb Milligan's Florida
brigade and the Maryland battalion, rushed into the breach,
and swept the brave Federals out, and compelled them to
retire, though only to a short distance. On the right of Han
cock, the sixth and eighteenth corps of Wright and Smith
assaulted, with all their force, but with equally bad results ;
while Warren and Burnside vainly strove to gain some advan
tage over Lee's troops before tbem. Nuraerous were the
assaults made by the Federals, but such was the determination
of the Confederates not to be beaten, that no amount of bravery
on the Union side could overcome them. The slaughter was
again imraense, but we may not dwell upon it. Enough that
the battle of Cold Harbor was, after five hours' fighting, lost to
Grant and won by Lee.
On the following two days, Grant renewed the attack upon
Lee, but without success, and during the night of the 5th he
withdrew his right wing about two miles, and placed it behind
a swamp which protected both the fiank and front of that por
tion of his army.
The battle of the 3d was fought upon the same ground as
the battle of Gaines' Mill and Cold Harbor in 1862. Itwas at
Cold Harbor that Jackson first struck McClellan's right aud
- rear in his first grand flank movement, a fact well known to
the Confederates, and from which they drew fresh inspiration.
The position of the armies was reversed in some respects, the
Federals occupying nearly the same ground the Confederates
held in 1862. In the engagements of that year at Gaines' Mill
and Cold Harbor, McClellan, though strongly intrenched, was
driven from his position with heavy loss. Thus far Grant had
found it impossible to dislodge the Confederates from the same
ground. The latter availed theraselves, upon sorae parts
of the fleld, of the works from which they formerly drove
McClellan. Araong the killed on the Confederate side were Brigadier-
general Doles, of Georgia ; Colonel L. M. Keitt, of South
Carolina, formerly a distinguished meraber of the United
States House of llepresentatives, and Colonel Edwin Willis, of

134 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS. m
Georgia, a late graduate of West Point, and one of the most
promising officers in the Confederate array. Among the
wounded were Brigadier-general Law, of Alabama, Kirkland,
of Georgia, and Lane, of North Carolina, the- two first slightly.
Major-general Breckinridge had his horse killed under bim in
tbe night attack of the 4th.
On the evening of the 5th, General Grant sent a communi
cation to General Lee, proposing that when the armies were
not actuaUy engaged, either party may, upon notification to
the other, succor its wounded and bury its dead. General
Lee replied that he preferred the custom common on such
occasions — to wit, that the party desiring to remove its wounded
and inter its dead should send in a flag of truce and ask per
mission to do so; adding, that the burial party. should be
accompanied by white fiags. To this Grant rejoined, affecting
to understand General Lee as accepting his proposition, and
inforraing him that he would send forward a force between the
hours of 12 and 3 p. m. of the 6th, to care for the wounded aud
killed, and that they would be instructed to carry fiags of the
kind designated by General Lee. The latter immediately
informed him that he had misunderstood hira, and that if he
(Grant) should send out a party for the purpose indicated
without first obtaining permission under flag of truce to do so,
he would cause the party to be warned off by bis pickets.
Accordingly, Grant made the usual request for permission
to bury the dead, and Lee immediately granted it.
' For several days after the battle of Cold Harbor there was
coraparative quiet, with tbe exception of a few unimportant
skirmishes and picket firing. At length, on the 12th of June,
Grant completed his preparations to abandon the late field
of operations about tbe Chickahominy, cross the James' river,
and occupy the south side towards Petersburg. To do this he
had to make another movement round Lee's right, extending
as far as Bottom's bridge, and march low down the Chicka-
horainy as far as the next crossings at Long's and Jones'
bridges. The movement was effected witb consummate skill,
and with hardly any impediraent. On Monday evening, June
13th, the advance had reached Wilcox's landing on the James,
near Charles' City Court-bouse, and the next day the whole
Union army was safely transferred over to the opposite shore.

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 135'
It may be a matter of sui-prise to some, that General Lee
did not attack Grant in his movement to the James, but it
must be borne in mind that Eichmond and Petersbui'g had
both to be guarded, not only against the array of the North,
but also that of Butler, who had corae up the river in force to
co-operate witb Grant. Consequently, itwas the capital that
had to be thought of, raore especially as Hunter was advancing
along the road to Lynchburg, with a view of throwing a third
army, if possible, on the city. Lee, therefore, acted wisely in
not forcing his troops into another conflict until they had been
recuperated, and additional nieans of defence prepared. Some
of bis men he had to send away to assist in checking Hunter's
advance, and itwas about this tirae another br'ave. Confederate
general, J. W. Jones, was killed. Then, too, Sherman's opera
tions in the Western part of Georgia had more in them than
met the general eye. Hence there was much to guard against,
and be prepared for. Petersburg was well able to withstand
a siege, especially with the additional fortifications promptly
erected around it and on the banks of the Appomattox, while
at Fort DarUng, Drury's Bluff, there was as good and strong
a point of defence as need be wished for.
At the time Grant determined to cross the James, he had
already sent the eighteenth corps, by way of the White House,
back to Fortress Monroe, in transports. Thence it proceeded
up the James, and, at 1 a. m. of June the 15th, disembarked at
Bermuda Hundred. The different forces, thus united, now
marched rapidly forward to invest Petersburg. It had been
attacked once before, on the 9th, by an expedition from
Butler's army, but, after raaking a gap in the Confederate
Unes, the Federals were repulsed. The first attack was raade
late in the afternoon of the 15th, by 15,000 raen, under General
Smith, Hancock then advancing along the road. The second,
on the l'6th, by the two corps combined, and the third on the
17th, with Burnside's forces in addition to those already en
gaged. The Union losses during these days were very heavy,
especially so among the officers. On the 18th, a fourth attack
was made, by four Union corps, and iu several desperate
assaults they were repulsed, with a slaughter even more terri
ble than the well-known carnage at Fredericksburg in 1862.
Meanwhile Butler, taking advantage of the Confederates in

136 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
his front having been withdrawn to Petersburg, saUied from
behind his intrenchments and advanced towards the railroad,
interiding to tear it up, but Lee promptly prepared for him.
The lines necessarily vacated by Beauregard, wben he bad to
faU back and defend Petersburg, had already been taken pos
session of by the Federals ; but directly Butler made his at
tempt. General Anderson was dispatched with his corps frora
Eichmond to repulse him. This was done most effectively,
Pickett's division being with difficulty restrained in their im
petuous advance. The result was so satisfactory, and the
exploit so gallantly accomplished, tbat General Lee issued the
following congratulatory dispatch :
Clay's House, June 17 — 5 J p. m.
LiEUT.-GEN. E. H. Andbkson, Commanding Longstreet'e Corps :
Geneeal — I take great pleasure in presenting, to you my
congratulations upon the conduct of the men of your corps. 1
believe that tbey will carry any thing tbey are put against.
We tried very hard to stop Pickett's men from capturing the
breastworks of tbe eneray, but could not do it. I hope his
loss has been small.
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE, General.
That tbe statement made by General Butler, to the effect
that he had destroyed the railroad, was a mistake, is evident
from the fact that Lee was, all day, on the 18th, sending troops
from Eichraond to join Beauregard at Petersburg.
The same evening, Friday 17th, at 10 o'clock, au attack
was made on Burnside's line of advanced rifle-pits by the Con
federates, who drove the enemy back on bis supports, and re
mained in possession until daylight, when they retired to their
own works.
The strongest part of the Confederate intrenched line was in
front of the Second Onion corps (Hancock's), then junder Bir
ney's coraraand; and on Saturday the 18th, the attempt al
ready mentioned as the fourth attack was unsuccessfully made
by the Fifth, Eighteenth, Second, and Tenth corps of Federal
troops to capture this line.
This check to the Federals in regard to capturing Peters
burg, by them, at one time, thought so easy of accomplish-

GENEEAL EOBEKT EDMUND LEE. 137
ment, was only what Lee felt convinced would occur. He
had fully expected that city would be attacked, and as he
well knew how impregnable it could be made, in addition
to its original strength, none of Grant's movements affected
him. On the contrary, they were quite in accordance with
his own purposes. As for the siege itself, he knew it raust be
long, and this would give hirn ample time and opportunity to
execute certain measures for the defence of Eichmond on the
south, which he might not otherwise have had.
On Wednesday, the 22d, an attempt was made by the Union
forces to get possession of the Weldon railroad, but wben they
had reached the Jerusalera plank-road, the Confederates, con
sisting of A. P. Hill's corps and Anderson's, successfully en
countered them, and drove them back with severe loss. Gen
eral Wilson, however, on the Union side, succeeded in reach
ing the raib'oad atEeam's station, below where the combatants
were engaged, and tore up some of the track, but which was
repaired again by the Confederates soon afterwards. Wilson,
joined by Kautz, then struck across to tbe Petersburg and
Lynchburg railroad, destroying it in their progress. They
then proceeded to the Southside railroad, and following that,
came upon the Danville track, — on the way having a sharp
engagement with a small Confederate force near Nottoway
Court-house, night ending the fight. Continuing along the
Danville railroad to tbe southwest, they arrived at the cov
ered bridge over tbe Staunton river, about 3 p. m. of the 24th.
There a body of Virginia and North Carolina militia met
them, and after a brisk encounter Wilson and Kautz bad to
retire. This was the Urait of their bold and adventurorls faid.
They returned as rapidly as they could, but at Eeam's station
were nearly all captured by a Confederate force under Plamp-
ton and Fitz Hugh Lee. Kautz's knowledge of the country
only enabled him to escape. He, with his shattered band,
reached the Union camp on the 30th of June, while Wilson,
witb his men in a pitiable and wretched condition, did not ar
rive till next day. It was a brave undertaking, but produc
tive of only most disastrous results to themselves.*
* In (Jeneral Lee's report, dated July 5th, he says the Federal loss was
" one thousand prisoners, thirteen pieces of artillery, thirty -wagons and am-

138 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
General Lee was now in person at Petersburg, Beauregard
still remaining in charge of the city ; and on the 28th of June,
five regiments from Lynchburg, where tbey were no longer
required, reinforced bim. v
Meanwhile occasional demonstrations were made by the
Federals against the Confederate lines, but with the same
want of success as before ; and, while this was going on in
tbat quarter, witb Grant fully occupied in the south of Vir
ginia, General Lee was very quietly and skilfully sending
another army of irrvasion into the Northern States. The oc-
curr-encesper-tarning to this great and audacious movement
belong more to a history of the war than a biography of the
able railitary chief who planned it.
Whether it was for the purpose of drawing Grant away
frora Petersburg and the vicinity of Eichraond, or to throw
terror and confusion into the very heart of those who sat in
the executive and legislative chairs at Washington, the mas
terly skill and ability displayed by General Lee at this time,
the future cannot fail to laud in the high terms it deserves.
Viewing the operations of Lee at this tirae, what do we
find ? , Petersbur-g vainly assaulted and holding Grant at bay,
tbe brave Union troops were alraost theraselves as if be
sieged, instead of being the besiegers ; and feeling this to be
tbe case — having full confidence in the result — Lee unhesita
tingly withdraws a large portion of his forces for a new inva
sion of Maryland. Grant had to detach " Baldy" Smith's
corps frora his army, and hastily send it to Baltimore; while
Lee left at Petersburg nearly " twp divisions of EweU's corps,
one- division of Longstreet's, and tbe whole of A. P. HiU's."
This evidently shows an araount of confid.ence on Lee's part
that could only be attaine4 by tbe most masterly skill and
experience in military affairs. Well might tbe veteran Gen
eral Scott's words be remerabei'ed, when, as currently reported,
he remarked to tbis effect, " it would be better to lose any one
than Lee, so clear, far seeing, and alraost omniscient was his
judgment."

hulanoes, many small-arms, horses, ordinance stores, and several hundred
negroes they had taken from the plantations on their route, besides many
killed and -wounded they had to leave on the field.",

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 139
It was about this time, the middle of July, that a report be
came current that all the household effects of General Lee
would be sold at public auction. Tbe sale was postponed,
however, in consequence of sorae doubt as to the real owner
ship of the property, it originally having belonged to bis
father-in-la,w, Mr. Custis, by whom it was bequeathed to his
grandchUdren ; consequently the seizure of it might prove
illegal. Some months previous, Lee's family estate, the Arling
ton House, had been formaUy seized, confiscated, and sold by
order of and for the use of Government; and the White House
estate had long ago been taken trom him for military purposes
when the Union troops arrived there, though, in the various
changes of war, it had come back and been lost several times.
Thus, few raen and few farailies had abandoned so much, or
suffered so much loss and ruin by adherence to the Confederate
cause — a cause they believed to be a just one — than General
Lee and his devoted wife, with her brave sons and their
families. Eight or wrong, the Lees of the South have un
doubtedly pi'oved themselves pure-minded and disinterested.
Towards the latter part of July, Grant had strengthened his
forces, by sending additional troops over to Deep Bottom, on
the north side of the James, wher-e for sorae tirne he had sta
tioned a large body of men ; and, while little of importance was
going on actuaUy before Petersburg, this force, amounting to
some 20,000 men and twenty-two pieces of cannon, attacked
the Confeder-ate troops near Newmarket. The result, on either
side, was unimportant, but it was generally conceived that a
more deterrained effort would soon be made by Grant from
his three main positions, Deep Bottora, Bermuda Hundred,
and before Petersbur-g, and that operations on the north of the
Jaraes were merely a ruse to cover his real designs. On Fri
day, July 27th, the demonstrations on the Union side, at Deep
Bottom, were, however, so apparently important, that, in the
eyes of nearly all but Lee, it was looked upon as a new attempt
on Eichmond. Genei'al Lee, however, was not deceived. He
knew it to be a ruse of sorae kind, and contented himself with
dispatching a force sufficient to check Grant's advance, while
he kept the remainder of his army behind the inti'enchments,
calmly awaiting the Federal plans. That it is probable he had
heard all about them, or had a good idea of what they were.

140 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
may be inferred from several little matters coming from
Federal sources, and appearing in the press. But the public
generally, and especially the huraane portion of the civilized
world, could have formed no conception of the horrible truth
as it was soon to be unfolded.
On tbe 25th of June a plan was suggested by Lieutenant-
colonel Pleasants, of the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania, whereby
a tunnel could be excavated right under the eneray's works.
It was at once adopted by Grant, and on tbe 25tb of July the
work was completed. Its length was about five hundred feet,
and at the end of the tunnel the mine was formed, running
parallel with and directly under the fort that was to be de
stroyed. On the twenty-seventh, the enormous quantity of
12,000 lbs. of powder was placed in the mine, fuses were con
structed and connected with the magazine, and every thing was
in readiness for the grand explosion.
It was also arranged that imraediately after the explosion, a
grand charge should be made against the other parts of the
enemy's lines, and the feint of operations on the north of the
James was merely to try and weaken the enemy by deceiving
Lee into sending away a portion of his troops. What ensued
when the mine was sprung may be gathered from the follow
ing account in a Southern paper.
" The chasm caused by the enemy's explosion appears to be
about forty feet in depth and some two hundred feet in circum
ference, and resembles more what one would imagine to have
been the effects of a terrible earthquake than any thing eke..
Immense boAlders of earth were piled up rudely one above
the other, and great fragments of bomb-proofs, gun-carriages,
timbers, etc., were lying promiscuously in every direction.
" The sides and bottom of the chasm were literally lined with
Yankee dead, and the bodies were in every conceivable
position. Sorae had evidently been killed with the butts of
muskets, as their crushed skulls and badly smashed faces too
plainly indicated, while the greater portion were shot, great
pools of blood having flowed from their wounds and stained
tbe ground.
" Between om- breastworks and tbe enemy's, large numbers of
dead and wounded were stUl lying, tbe latter begging piteously
for water and praying to be cared for. The length of the

Geneeal eobket edmund lee. 141
'sap' made by tbe enemy is supposed to have been about six
hundr-ed feet."
A Petersbur-g paper, describing the struggle for the repos
session of the Confederate works captured by the eneray in tbe
confusion consequent to the explosion, says:
" Arriving upon the ground. General Mahone found twelve
of the enemy's flags waving upon the ramparts of that portion
of our line carried by the explosion, and the whole vicinity
swarming with white and black Yankee troops. Getting his
men into position. General Mahone ordered his forces to
retake a part of the works, and instructed Wright's brigade
to come up in such ,a manner as would insure the recapture of
tbe reraaining portion. Under command of Colonel Weisiger,
acting brigadier, Mahone's brigade formed into line, and were
about to move up, when the erremy rallied out and raade a
charge. The Confederates reserved their fire until they could
see the whites of the enemy's eyes, when they poured into
them such a storm of bullets that the enemy recoiled and fell
back in confusion. A charge was now ordered, and Weisiger's
men dashed forward with a yell, driving the enemy up to and
over the breastworks. On the works our men halted and de
livered a plunging fire, which proved so destructive that the
enemy never rallied again on this portion of the line, but left
our men in undisturbed' possession."
For some time after the mine explosion, but little was done
by the Federals in^ front of Petersbur-g. Grant went to the
north to direct some movements on the part of Sheridan in the
Shenandoah Valley, and Genei'al Lee, accompanied by Gen
eral Beauregard and a retinue of officers, visited the hospitals
at Eichmond, to see how their brave soldiers were faring.
Speaking of it, a Eichraond paper says : " It is pleasant to the
eye, and gratifying to the heart, to behold these great chara
pions of our national honor, turning aside for a season from
the rigor of their martial duties, and lending the sympathies
of their noble souls to the suffering and wounded, whom they
have led to glory in the hour of battle. We love our generals
the better when we witness them thus giving evidences of the
tender affection they bear towards tbeir men, knowing that
they find narrow scope for the display of such virtues in the
storra of combat upon the field of carnage."

142 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
In the raiddle of August, , another atterapt was made by
Gr-ant's army, on the north of the James, to defeat tbe Confed
erates, but again Lee's troops were successful. On the 18th
and 19th, however, Grant's left, under Warren, after a defeat
on the first day, succeeded on the next and following in hold
ing the Weldon raUroad, and enabling tbe Federal commander
to form bis plans with reference to the Danville road. " These
plans," remarked'a Eichraond paper, " are now revealed, and
aU the energy and gaUantry of tbe array under Lee andBeau-
reeard will not be too rauch to beat back this bold movement
to tbe south of Petersburg."
On the 25th, a severe engagement took place at Eeams'
station, between the Federals, Hancock's and Warren's corps,
and the Confederates of A. P. Hill's corps, under WUcox,
Heth,' and Mahone. The result was unfavorable to the Union
troops, though they still held on to the railroad, where it was
first gained, nearer Petersburg. The official report of General
Lee stated that " seven stands of colors, 2,000 prisoners, and
nine pieces of artillery remained in possession" of the Confed
erates. " One line of breastworks was carried by the cavalry
under General Hampton, with great gallantry, who contributed
largely to the success of the day."
General HiU's official report, at a later date,' September 2d,
says: "The correct results were, twelve stands of colors cap
tured, and nine pieces of artiUery, ten caissons, 2,150 prison
ers, 3,100 stand of small-arms, and thirty-two horses." His
own loss was, " in cavalry, artillery, and infantry, 720 men,
killed, wounded, and missing."
This achievement at Eeams' station, wherein many of the
North Carolina soldiers were engaged, elicited from General
Lee a highly complimentary letter to Governor Vance, con
cerning them. He says, under date August 29th, "I have
been frequently called upon to mention the services of North
Carolina soldiers in this army, but their gallantry and conduct
were never more deserving of admiration than in the engage
ment at Eeams' station, on the 25th instant." He then raen
tions the various brigades and divisions, and adds : " If the
raen who remain in North Carolina share the spirit of those
they have sent to tbe field, as I doubt not they do, her defence
may be securely intrusted to their hands."

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 143
A tribute like this, and many similar that General Lee gave
to bis soldiers, was pai-ticularly encouraging to the raen, show
ing the kindly, just nature of bim who wrote it, as well as
convincing the troops tbat they had a commander whose eye
was always upon them, ready to encourage and reward their
good conduct.
It raay be supposed that the stoppage of communication on
the Weldon railroad, by Grant holding possession near Peters
burg, would materially interfere with Lee's supplies, but this
was not so. Other avenues to the fertile grain districts were
open, and, meanwhile, his troops were employed, when not
fighting the enemy, in building a branch Une to connect the
parts of the track not destroyed.
In the raean tirae, Lee's army " was being steadily and con
stantly filled to its original standard by men in the very prime
and vigor of youthful manhood," and the daily routine showed
a full determination on tbe part of tbe general and the Con
federate authorities to reraain firra at their post, while Grant
was before the city. Nothing of importance, however, oc
curred in regard to the bombardment. A Confederate raid by
General Hampton, on a large number of cattle, was so success-'
ful, and done with so much skill, that it proved of considera
ble annoyance and vexation to Grant's army, the poor soldiers
thereby being subjected to much inconvenience. About tbe
same time, Early's operations in the Shenandoah, where Sheri
dan was obtaining so much fame, called upon General Lee to
reinforce him, which he did by sending troops along the Eich
raond and Gordonsville railroad, now in full working order
under his control.
At length, on the 29 th of Septeraber, General Grant recom
menced active operations by another moVement towards Eich
mond. His dispatch of that date, from Chapin's farm, stated
that General Ord's corps had carried the Confederate line of
intrenchments and fortifications below that place, and captured
three hundred prisoners, with fifteen pieces of artillery. At
the same time, General Birney moved from Deep Bottom and
carried tbe Newmarket road. Simultaneous with these move
raents, General Meade, on the Union left, assaulted the Con
federate right wing near Poplar Grove church. The latter
retired to tbeir earthworks, which were carried, and one gun

144 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
and sixty prisoners captured. Advancing half a mile further,
Meade was encountered by a strong force, and sorae desperate
fighting ensued, without any additional success tb the Federals.
Indeed, the whole question of any real success at all was
doubtful. It is true that at one time reports were current in
the North, of inforraation, fi'om reliable sources, having been
given to the effect that Lee had evacuated Eichmond, but
these were soon afterwards , changed to rumors of reverses
again to the Union troops. Lee, in an official report, stated
tbat " Hill and Harapton had driven back tbe Federals on the
right," while on the left they were effectually checked. On
the 7th of October, an engageraent occurred on the "Darby-
town road, which the Confederates state to have been success
ful for thera. General Lee, in his official report, said that
General Anderson attacked the eneray on tbe Charles City
road and drove them from two lines of intrenchments, cap
turing prisoners and m,ateriel, but with tbe loss of tbe brave
General Gregg.
, Various movements took place on both sides during the
month of October, but at its close tbe position of Grant's
array'was as follows : North of the James the troops were dis
posed in a line from Fort Harrison, near Chapin's Farm,
across the .Newmarket and Central roads, the Eighteenth corps
holding the right, strongly protected by the fort, and the Tenth
the' left, flanked by the cavalry of Kautz. Meade's army
stretched from Petersburg across the Weldon railroad, to within
four miles of the Southside road ; the Second corps on his
right, the Ninth in the centre, and tbe Fifth on the left.
In the offlcial report of General Lee, dated October 28th and
30th, he says : " The attack of General Heth upon the enemy,
on the Boydton plank-road, was made by three brigades, un
der General Mahone in front, and General Hampton in the
rear. Mahone captured four hundred prisoners, three stands
of colors, and six pieces of artillery. The latter could not be
brought off, the enemy having possession of the bridge. In
the attack subsequently made by the enemy. General Mahone
broke three Unes of battle ; and during the night the enemy
retired from the Boydton plank-road, leaving his wounded,
and more than two huridred and fifty dead on the field.
" About 9 p. M., a small force assaulted and took possession

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 145
of our works on the Baxter road, in front of Petersburg, but
was soon driven out. On the WiUiamsburg road, yesterday.
General Field captured upwards of four hundred prisoners,
and seven stands of colors. The enemy left a number of dead
in front of our works, and returned to his forraer position
to-day." In the latter par^ of October, General Longstreet was suffl
ciently recovered frora his wound, received at the Wilderness
battle, to be able to take up his command again, and General
Anderson, who had held bis post, now was appointed to that
of Beauregard, wbich had been vacated by the latter going to
the West.
General Lee, at this tirae, had occasion to open a correspond
ence with General Grant, on tbe subject of Butler's order con
cerning captured soldiers of the Confederate array being placed
at labor in the Dutch Gap canal, then in process of construc
tion ; also, as regarded negro soldiers. The correspondence
is too long to insert here ; but it is alluded to, on account of
some interesting remarks made by a correspondent of the-
Savannah Republican, on the chirography of the two parties.
_ He says : " General Lee's handwriting is bold, and rather
stiff; his letters being large, round, and very distinct. He
bears heavily upon the pen — probably a goose-quill — and
9,bbreviates many of his words, as if writing were a labor to
him. The following is an exact transcript of the first sentence
in his letter to General Grant :
"'General: I have read your letter of the 18th inst., ac-'
comp'g copies of letters from Judge Ould Comra'r of Exchange
of Pris'rs on the part of the Conf 'ate States & the Honb'le
E. M. Stanton Sec'y of War & Lt. Col. Mulford Asst. Comra'r
of Exc. of theU. States.'"
" He does not, as you perceive, punctuate closely ; and no
where in his letter does he write out the word ' and,' but in
variably uses the abbreviation ' &.' And yet he pauses long
enough to dot all his ' i's,' and cross all his ' t's.' All his let
ters are drawn nearly straight up and down the paper ; in
other words, they ai-e like himself, round, full, bold, and up
right, inclining neither to the right nor the left, and standing
firmly on their base, as if tbey disdained all assistance. They
are so clear and precise, so round, and weighty, and distinct,
10

146 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
that each letter rerainds one of a soUd cannon-baU, and each
word of a cluster of grape-shot.
" General Grant's handwriting, on the contrary, though not
so bold and distinct, nor tbe letters so large, and round, and
erect, is, nevertl^eless, vei-y legible, and very striking. It is
full of energy and action, and his letters all mcUne to the
right, and follow one after another, with a little space between
thera, as if they represented an equal nuraber of his brigades
on a rapid march round Lee's right. Among chirographers
his hand would be caUed a running-band. The words occupy
much space frora left to right, and still they are very clear and
leo-ible. He pays more attention to punctuation than General
Lee, abbreviates less, and is equaUy careful of bis ' i's ' and
' t's.' It may be the work of iraagination, yet in reading his
letter I cannot but picture tbe writer as a restless, nervous, en
ergetic man, full of fire and action, always in motion, and al
ways in a hurry."
The month of November chronicled but few changes in the
position and advantages of the two arraies. Movements, how
ever, had been made, whieh seemed to augur a battle on an
extensive scale ; but if such was intended by Grant, it failed.
Any advances his arrny made were promptly raet by Lee, and
the result was, that the Federals fell back, and occupied their
old caraps again. We have not space to minutely relate, or
even give an abstract of what was done ; and, moreover, it
belongs to the present hour, when each event comes daily be
fore the eye of every one who chooses to read what the press
so diligently and faithfully chronicles. With a few more par
ticulars relating to Lee himself, we will now close this sketch
of bis recent military career.
On the 7tb of Noveraber, General Lee issued an order with
reference to the Fast Day set apart, on the 16th, by President
Davis. All military duties, except those imperative, were to
be suspended, and the offlcers and soldiers of tbe army were
" earnestly exhorted to unite in ascribing to our merciful God
the glory due to His narae ; to confess, with hurable penitence,
the sins that have justly provoked His indignation ; to suppli
cate His forgiveness, and iraplore Hira in Plis own tirae to
withdraw His chastening hand, and give peace and independ
ence to a beloved country. And while bending before His

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 147
throne, let not fallen comrades be forgotten. Let strength and
courage be sought for to follow the exaraple of their heroic
devotion, and coramend their bereaved families to the tender
care of the widow's God, and the Father of the fatherless."
We have before aUuded to the quiet, unaffected, raanly
piety of General Lee, and the above extract from his official
order again illustrates it. The Eichmond papers also state,
that he visits St. Paul's Church, in that city, alraost every
week when absent from carap ; and though the people
" love him as our fathers did George Washington," yet he
is never subject to any annoyance, save d, look from each
passer by, whicb silently says, " May God bless and protect
you !"
There were many traits, in General Lee's character to inspire
the affection manifested towards him, not the least of which was
his constant self-abnegation. In proof of this — ^besides the
great losses he sustained in bis beloved cause, of home,
prqperty, friends, and all that had forraerly been his — we find
that for a long time his services were freely given to the Con
federacy without any remuneration whatever. Subsequently,
however, in the proceedings of the Virginia Legislature, after
many just and corapliraentary remarks, raentioning a part of
what he had done, a unanimous resolution was adopted to
appropriate to his use 100,000 dollars, though, at the sarae
tirae, it was said, " his great merits could not, of course, be
measured by any araount of pecuniary recompense, for no sum
of money whicb the State could offer would cancel the debt of
gratitude due to General Lee by the Commonwealth and tbe
whole country."
'As, however, he had previously declined an elegant residence
tendered him for bis family by the Coraraon Council of Eich
raond, his friends suggested that it was probable he would not
accept the kind donation. But it was evident that many and
unpleasant privations had to be borne by him. Those who
have seen hira now and formerly, and who belong to his im
mediate circle, best kriow the truth of this statement.
Let us briefly relate a few interesting anecdotes concerning
him. A foreign gentleman, who had been in the South dur
ing a great portion of the war, says :
" Lee himself is worn and anxious, but as cheerful to the

148 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
eye and as indomitable as ever. I assure you that Lee is more
than ever a sight for gods and men. The samp tranquil
modesty, utter absence of vanity, egotism, or self-seeking, and
determination to spend and be spent in discharge ofhis duty. It
is certainly one of the most beautiful characters I ever read of
— certainly the most beautiful that I ever encountered."
A characteristic incident concerning bim is thus related :
"A gentleman who was in the train from Eichraond to Peters
burg, a very cold morning, not long ago, tells us his attention
was attracted by the efforts of a young soldier, with his arm in
a sling, to get his overcoat on. His teeth as well as his sound
hand were brought into use to effect tbe object; but, iri the
midst of his efforts, an officer rose from his seat, advanced to
hira, and very carefully and tenderly assisted hira, drawing
the coat gently over the wounded arra and buttoning it up
corafortably, then, with a few kind and pleasant words, return
ing to his seat.
" Now, tbe officer in question was not clad in gorgeous uni
form, with a brilliant wreath upon the collar and a multitude
of gilt lines upon the sleeves, resembling the famous labyrinth
of Crete, but be was clad in ' a simple suit of gvej,' dis
tinguished from the garb of a civilian only by the three stars
wbich every Confederate colonel in the service by the regula
tions is entitled to wear. And yet he was no other than our
chief, General Eobert E. Lee, who is not braver and greater
than he is good and modest."
On another opcasion, General Lee was visited by two gentle
men from Mobile, who thus speak of tbeir interview :
" He was in his tent, wbich is by no means a pretentious
one, when we went in, unperceived. Seated in a split-
bottomed chair, he was engaged in reading one of the morn
ing newspapers through a pair of spectacles. Not far from
the great captain's tent, the inside of which looked very clean
and cozy, was bis ambulance, and under it a number of
chickens -were pecking about. One of them, a cock, is said to
be a great pet with the general, who has had him from the be
ginning of tbe war, and carries him wherever he goes. I sus
pect the secret of this apparent whim is nothing more than a
very rational desire for fresh-laid eggs for breakfast, for the
rooster is not deprived of his harem. General Beauregard's

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 149
pet is a fine milch cow, which shares all, his campaigns, and is
a most indispensable companion, his health being so delicate
that he can eat little else besides milk and bread."
Another incident connected with hira may be related. On
one occasion, a review of Longstreet's corps took place, and
the affair is thus described :
" About one o'clock tbe arrival of General Lee was an
nounced by strains of music and a salute from the artillery.
As he rode up to the colors, and the men caught sight of his
well-known figure, a wild and prolonged cheer, fraught with a
feeling that thrilled all hearts, ran along the line and rose to
the heavens. Hats were thrown high, and many persons be
came almost frantic with emotion. Generajl Longstreet shared
fully in the excitement, and waved his hat in the most excited
manner. It was then a fine sight to see General Lee ride for--
ward, and, uncovering his nobly modelled and venerable head,
acknowledge, with consummate grace and dignity, the greet
ing. He looked stouter and heartier, and no older, than when
we parted with hira last fall. One heard on all sides such ex
pressions as : ' What a splendid figure !' ' What a noble face
and head !' ' Our destiny is in his bands !' ' He is the best and
greatest man on this continent !' He was accompanied by his
son. Brigadier-general William F. Lee, soon, I hear, to be
made a major-general. Before the cheering ceased, an old
lady, with a kind, motherly face, passing a party of soldiers,
bowed to them repeatedly, exclaiming, with an emotion that
thrilled all who heard her, ' I bow to you — I bow to you,
soldiers.' "
But, apart from what his personal friends, his companions
in arms, or impartial strangers may say, we need only refer to
the honest opinions of those generous-minded men wbo are
now his opponents. The estimation of Scott and others has
been recorded, and the dignified, manly act of General Mc
Dowell — the act of a true soldier and a man — who had once
been his friend, in refraining from trespassing on Lee's private
property till military necessity forced his compliance with
offlcial orders, cannot be forgotten. True, there have been
those who, through the press, have allowed party feeling of
late to malign Lee and all his faraily^even the dead — for
getting the nuraerous testimonies of their worth found in

150 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
letters of Washington, Judge Marshall, and other eminent
men ; but, when the fierce tide of passion and sad strife is
ended, justice, we are sure, wiU yet award a truthful panegyric
to his name.
As aptly illustrating our remarks, the following able analysis
of his character, from the American Phrenological Journal of
September, 1864, deserves to be brought forward.
" The likeness of General Lee herewith presented is said to
be an excellent one. The position, however, is not the best
for phrenological and physiognomical purposes, a three-quarter
or a side view being better. The skilful reader of character
will be able, however, to make out much even frora this.
" First, it may be observed that Gener'al Lee is a large man
and well built, each part being in perfect proportion and har
mony with every other part and with the whole. The chest is
capacious, the heart, the stomach, etc., are amply developed,
and he is said to be the picture of perfect health and mauly
beauty. " The temperaments are well balanced, the vital and motive,
however, predominating, with not too much of the mental;
and he is naturally cool and collected, rather than nervous,
fiery, or fidgety. He thinks before he speaks, and looks before
he leaps. His head is in harmony witb his body, being large
— even massive — and both long and broad. There is nothing
pinched up, contracted, or little about bim. He has been
literally endowed with all the natural talents vouchsafed to
man ; and in addition to this, he has been thoroughly educated,
intellectually, religiously, and socially. If be is not a phUoso-
pher or a statesman, he is at least a first-class scholar, and
would everywhere pass for a gentleraan.
" His intellectual faculties, without an exception, are promi:
nent. Causality and comparison are especially large, but
language is less conspicuous.
" The moral sentiraents, as a class, are scarcely full. Benevo
lence, conscientiousness, self-esteem, firmness, and approbative-
ness are among the largest organs. Combativeness, destruc
tiveness, secretiveness, and cautiousness are full. The organs
comprising the social group are also full or large, and he is af
fectionate, loving, and warm-hearted. As a citizen in civil life
he was without reproach ; as a military man he stands in the

GENEEAL EOBERT EDMUND LEE. 151
front rank. No one will dispute his abiUty in this department.
Were .he on the side of the Unionists instead of the Con
federates, the entire North would be proud of him, and claim
equality for him with a Napoleon or a Wellington. We claim
for him only what phrenology indicates, and what he has
proved himself to be. Nature raade him a raan, circurastances
made hirn a slaveholder and a soldier. He answers well the
ends of his creation and position. We are charitable enough
to attribute to him no wrong motive, for we remember that
George Washington was no less a rebel than is General Lee,
though on the side of freedora instead of slavery. But we may
affirm, judged from our stand-point, that both he and all his
associates have acted unwisely and frora a mistaken judgment.
May he see the error of his ways, and correct them."
And now, before we conclude, let us hurriedly glance at the
military situation as connected with General Lee and his armj^,
and the powerful force, under General Grant, opposed to him.
Important events are evidently about to take place, and, even
as we write, the noise of renewed battle is heard in every
quarter where the North and South are contending forraastery.
Hence, the future bodes evil to some, and, we fear, peace for
none yet awhile. Around Eichmond, mighty foes, brave,
hardy veterans, are encircled, and, on the 12th of Deceraber,
1864, this was the position of the Federals and Confederates.
On the Union side. Grant had again comraenced active
Operations. The fifth and part of the eighteenth corps had
been sent, under the command of General Warren, to repeat the
old raoveraent against the eneray's right. Having marched
on a line parallel with that of the railroad running from Peters
burg to Weldon, tbat advance crossed the Nottoway. Bringing
with it the pontoons on which it had effected the passage,
it had, at last accounts, taken up its line of raarch along
the southern bank of that stream. The weather, soon after
its starting, bad becorae highly unfavorable, and rain fell
heavily, even while the troops slept during the night of the
6th, without any other shelter than their overcoats and blankets.
The roads along which they marphed were found to have been
in a condition so bad as to raake the raovement of infantry
very fatiguing, and that of artillery exceedingly difficult. A
cavalry reconnoissance had been thrown out between Grant's

152 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
lines and this advance of Warren, with the view, doubtlessly,
of ascertaining whether the Confederates had taken any steps
for cutting it off. After forcing Lee's pickets across Hatcher's
Eun, the Federal horse returned, reporting, we presume, that
no danger threatened Warren's rear, although the direction
does not appear in which the division moves, that has been
sent out to raeet it, from Lee's Unes, under General Mahone.
Such, tp the latest reports, is the state of affairs on Grant's
left. '
The canal at Dutch Gap is said to have been completed.
The only raovement that had been made on that part of the
field is one against the Confederate position at Hewlett's. The
battery at that point lies on tbe southern bank of the Jaraes,
iramediately opposite the upper end of the Dutch Gap canal.
On the opposite side of the river, tbe Federal lines come down
to the bank at a point higher up the stream than Hewlett's. ¦
Under cover of a fog, some of Butler's troops crossed in barges,
frora the northern bank, on the morning of the 7th, and having
landed in rear — higher up — of Hewlett's, had proceeded, at
last accounts, to connect themselves with the Hnes on the
opposite bank by a pontoon bridge. That movement was
executed with skill, and if not crushed immediately by the
Confederates, will result in the abandonment of their control
of the up-stream mouth of the canal, and in a rectification
of their line on ground nearer to their works on Drury's
Bluff. A day later, however. General Lee forwards tbe following
report : Headqtjakteks Abmt Nokthern VmGiNLA, Dec. 13.
Hon. James A. Seddon, Secretary of 'War :
The expedition to Belfield, under General Warren, returned
within the enemy's lines yesterday. The two divisions of the
ninth corps which went to Warren's relief proceeded no further
tban Belcher's MUl. On meeting the returning column it
turned back.. On retir'ing from Belfield, the enemy moved
easterly to the Jerusalem and Sussex Court-house rpads. Our
troops, therefore, only encountered their rear-guard, and pur
sued no further than tbe Nottoway river. They have returned
to camp, bringing in a few prisoners. Our loss is very slight

GENERAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 153
The superintendent of the railroad reports about six miles of
the track torn up.
One other subject, and a very important one, has, within
the past few days, been introduced in the Legislative Council
of the South, and that is the arming of the negroes as soldiers
for the Confederacy. We need hardly say tbat this is a serious
question to be considered by men who have always held the
negroes as slaves, and the opinion of such a raan as General
Lee was naturally looked for with some eagerness. He has
given it ; and the following remarks, from the New York
Herald of Deceraber 28th, embody what he says :
" In support of an argument for the arming of the slaves of
the Davis ' Confederacy' in the cause of Southern indepen
dence, one of the Eichraond journals recently asserted that
Gener'al Lee was in favor of the scheme, and that, such being
the case, the question ought to be considered as finally settled.
This statement, it now appears, was no random assertion ; for
a Eichraond correspondent of the Liverpool Courier, in a
letter to that journal pf the 5th November, says he had been
spending a day with General Lee, who, in a conversation upon
the subject, said : ' I wish you to understand my. views on
this subject. I am favorable to the use of our servants in tbe
army. I think we can raake better soldiers of tbem than
Lincoln can. He claims to have two hundred thousand of
them in his service. We can destroy the value of all such
soldiers to him by using ours against thern. I do not see why
I should not have the use of such available material as well as
he. I would hold out to them the certainty of freedora and a
home when they shall have rendered efficient service. He has
not given them a horae, nor can he give them officers who can
understand and manage them so well as we can.'
"This, then, is General Lee's -opinion. The writer in ques
tion further says, that on the next day he had a conversation
with the rebel Adjutant and Inspector-general Cooper, who
agreed with General Lee in his views, and said, ' I would not
await the slow action of legislatures on the subject. We have
already used them (negroes) in the place of soldiers, as team
sters and in engineer service. We can use them in other ways.

154 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
There is no reason for delay. Let tbem be placed in the field,
and give them freedom for faithful service to tbe State.' The
English reporter of , these important facts next gives us the
inforraation that 'the Confederate government has inaugu
rated such a raoveraent by making,. during the present month
(Noveraber), a draft of free and slave negroes, nominally for
the erection of field-works, etc., but really to drill and prepare
them for home defence. I travelled to Eichmond in a train
containing one or two carriages (cars) crowded with these
drafted negroes.' " :
What may be the result we cannot presurae to say, nor is it
necessary to do so. We merely give the publicly recorded
opinion of Lee, and quietly await the issue of those remarkable
events that now so closely affect the long- agitated question of
the future position of the colored race.
From latest accounts we learn that the Union cavalry, under
General Torbert, had attacked the Confederates near Gordons
viUe, and another party of the Federal forces had gained pos
session of Salt ville. The following are the official announce
ments of General Lee on the subject :
, Hbadquahtbrs Aemy of Nohthehn ¦Virginia, Dec. 34, 1864
Hon. Jambs A. Seddon:
General Fitz Lee reports tbat the force which attacked Lo
max yesterday consisted pf two divisions of the enemy's
cavalry, under General Torbert.
General Lomax was posted across the Madison turnpike, two
and a half miles frora Gordonsville.
The enemy was handsomely repulsed, and retired about 3
p. M.,' leaving sorae of bis dead on the field.
He travelled too rapidly last night to engage his rear, hav
ing passed Jack's shop, twelve miles from GordonsviUe, one
hour after dark.
Thirty-two prisoners captured at Liberty Mills on the 22d,
being unable to keep up on the'ir retreat, were liberated.
General Lomax's loss was slight.
Headquaetebs Aemy of Noethben Virginla, Dec. 34, 1864.
Hon. James A. Seddon, Secretary of 'War :
General Breckinridge reports that the enemy, after having

GENEEAL EOBEET EDMUND LEE. 165
been roughly handled in the engagements of Saturday and
Sunday, near Marion, many having been killed and wpunded,
gained possession of Saltville during the night of the 20th.
Tbe garrison retreated up Eich Valley. His advance arrived
at daylight un the 2l8t, and the enemy retired that night and
the morning of the 22d towards Hector's Gap.
They are being pursued. Our troops are beairing the fatigue
and exposure with great cheerfulness.
The damage to the (salt) works can soon be repair-ed.
Many bridges and depots on the railroad have been burned.
Since the above was in type, we have information that Gen
eral Lee, with tbe sanction of President Davis, and the
Southern Congress, is to be made full commander-in-chief of
the arrajj^, the moment it is found his valuable gervices can be
dispensed with in his present important position,

GENERAL THOiMAS JONATHAN JACKSON.

CHAPTEE I.
The Farmer-lad. — His Journey on Foot to Washington. — Seek, and it may be
Found: Persevere, and it may be Obtained. — Struggles of Early Life. — ^The Young
Lieutenant at Chapultepec. — The Bold General at Manassas. — " Stonewall" Jack
son. — His Parentage, Education, and Peculiar Qualities of Mind. — His Military Ca
reer. — Appointed Professor in the Military Institute.— An Attempt to Murder him.—
His -First and Second Marriage. — Joins the Service of his Native State. — In Command
at Harper's Ferry. — Engagement with thb Union, troops. — Made a Brigadier-general.
^Jaclibon in the Fight.— General Bee. — Arrival of Kirby Smith. — Jaclison's Farewell
to his Brigade. — Ordered to the Shenandoah. — Characteristics of General Jackson. —
Winter Campaign. — Fearful March over the Mountains. — Romney Occupied. — Gen
eral Bants in the Shenandoah valley. — Engagements at Kernstown.
One day, in the year 1841, a lad, seventeen years old, might
have been seen wending his way, on foot, towards the great
city of Washington, the seat of government of the United
States. There was nothing- particularly striking about this
lad, except, perchance, a stolidity of expression upon his coun
tenance, and, rather- than otherwise, a want of those raarked
features of vivacity and intelligence, generally so characteris
tic of the youthful American. Indeed, he would have seeraed
to be rather a dull and ungainly lad, than a bright one. But,
there was evidently a stubbornness of purpose about him, as
he plodded along on his way, that showed a dogged perti
nacity in his .will as to whatsoever he had set his mind upon.
Plain in appearance and indifferently dressed, it was clear that
his life had not been passed amidst city scenes, or in polished
society. There was nothing courtly or refined about him,
beyond the siraple manners nature herself teaches. And
whatever he was, or whatever he raight becorae, assuredly to
himself alone did and would belong all the credit due.
We have said this lad was on his way, a-foot, towards Wash
ington ; and now we must add, tbat, having an irresistible de
sire to enter upon a military career, he was bent upon trying

•L^ CEN, T, J, JACKSON

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 157
to see if he could not, possibly, get an appointraent as a cadet
at West Point. But, what had he to help him in pr'ocuring
such an appointment? In those days it was not easily ob
tained, and, especiaUy, it needed some infiuential or prominent
introduction. Had he got this, then, that solitary youth plod
ding along tbe highway ? Had he wealthy friends, or relatives
of poUtical note? Was he linked to any of the old established
families of the land ? No, reader ! ISTot one of these things,
or any thing else save perhaps some political friends to help
him along, had he: but he had energy, perseverance, a strong
heart, and, even young as he was, a firm belief that what he
wished for would be. In other words, he was a believer in
the doctrine of predestination, and hence his desires, he con
ceived, would be granted, because his desires were just exactly
what might occur, whether for good or for evil. A stern
fatalist, he was a passive, though ready worker in the hands
of destiny.
Still, it was necessary that some human means should be
found to aid bis inclinations. Were these, then, to be found ?
Let us see.
The lad hiraself was, as we have said, about seventeen years
old, and, at the tirae we introduce him, had. just left a farm,
where, first as a laboring boy, then as something of assistant
manager, he had been working for all tbe past period of bis
life. An orphan, dependent in his childhood upon a paternal
uncle, with whom he had ever since remained honorably earn
ing his bread, the early lessons received by him were those of
poverty, though at the same tirae of honest ennobling labor.
Yet, at his birth there might have been hopes far different.
His father had been a lawyer at Clarksburg, in West Virginia;
his grandfather-, a surveyor of the county in which he resided,
and represented it in the Legislature. But when this lad
was only three years old his father died, and, through some
previous unfortunate circumstances, left this youngest child,
with an elder brother and two sisters, corapletely penniless.
His uncle took the orphan to his home, where, as we have
seen, he remained for the next fifteen years. During this
tirae the boy worked bard : in summer, always in the field —
in winter, devoting all spare hours to school, where he gained
the rudiments of a plain education. Conscientious in the dis-

158 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
charge of his duties, — grave and seriously 'disposed, he was
noted for his industry, inteUigence, and probity. Indeed, it is
believed he was, when only sixteen, elected constable of the
county, in consequence of bis remarkable high qualities of
mind and conduct.
At length he determined to enter upon a new career. A
mUitary life seemed to be that which was, to bis nature, most
inviting; and with promises, from poUtical friends, of kindly
aid to pave the way in bis first movement — John Tyler, of
Virginia, at that time being president — this lad started on
foot, to try if his object could be accomplished. Did he suc
ceed, that sturdy farmer lad ? We shall see.
* -Sf- -» *
There is, in Mexic(^, and close to the great city itself, a very
strongly fortified place called Chapultepec. It is a natural
and isolated mound of great elevation, and, at the time we are
about to refer, contained the railitary college of the republic,
with a large number of sub-lieutenants and other students.
The works about this place were of great magnitude; and, in
fact, it was the key on the west side to the city of Mexico, and
to get possession of the latter, it was necessary to capture the
former. Now, in the raonth of September, 1847, a gaUant
army of Araericans, under the leadership of General Scott,
was engaged in vigorously assaulting this place, prior to the
great victory they soon obtained, both there and in the capi
tal of tbe Montezuraas itself. Among the bold assailants,
there was one officer holding a lieutenant's commission in a
field-battery. Tbis ofiicer was in charge of one section of artil
lery in the advance. He was cool, self possessed, and seem
ingly in utter indifference to the storm of shot and shell which
came pouring down from the besieged. There, with unfiinch
ing nerve, be stood bis ground, only moving forward, when
he moved at all. At length, an order to charge was given by
the general in command. Thei lieutenant promptly prepared
to obey, but his raen, appaiUed by the terrible fire poured upon
them, hesitated, and remained under cover. Seeing this, with
out a moment's hesitation, tbe young officer stepped into the
exposed road, and said, " See, my men : there is no danger.
Follow rae!"
Chapultepec was taken ; and among the many heroic inci-

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 159
dents of that day, September 13th, this one of the bold lieu
tenant has been recorded.
* * * -»
Fourteen years after the preceding occurrence, there is an
other battlefield we must cast our eye upon, but, this time, it
is at our own doors. Friend to friend, brother with brother —
sons born of the same flag^contend for mastery, and fierce,
most deadly fierce, is the strife ! Already has the carnage been
dreadful ! Heaps of slain cover the ground, and the whiz of
shell and shot seeras as if complete annihilation to every man
and beast upon that blood-stained field raust ensue. Yet,
cool, calm, stern, and self-collected, one raan sits upon a
charger as though he were a mere spectator at a review ! On
a rising ground, which comraands a full view of the battle, at
that tirae fearfuUy grand, his keen glittering eye takes in the
whole scene, as he reraains there apparently insensible to all.
For a moraent or two, let us take a closer glance at this
strange man, so seemingly iraraobile amidst such terrible
strife ; let us approach him and examine his appearance.
See! He is evidently a powerful man, and, when erect on
foot, must be some five feet ten inches high, rather thick-set,
with a full chest, broad stalwart shoulders, but somewhat
clumsy looking. His face is slightly bronzed, but showing
the picture of health, and denoting a mixture of several quali
ties that raight puzzle one to say which was raost predorainant.
Eaising his hat, the broad forehead indicates clearness of in
tellect, courage, self-coramand, perseverance, and indomitable
will. His eyes express a singular union of mildness, energy,
and concentration ; his cheek and nose are both long and well
formed. In his di'css, simplicity is characteristic, — a conimon
suit of gray, faded cassimere, but just sufficiently braided to
show his rank is that of a general.. On his horse, he has a
raost unrailitary appearance. Tbe stirrups are short — his
knees are cramped up, with his heels stuck out behind, and
his chin, now and again, falls drooping on his breast. But his
eye, that piercing, eagle eye, when looking on the field, even
at the very time he so droops his head, tells of the man, and
at 6nce proclaims him a true hero. And now mark his every
motion. See ! The troops on his own side are evidently over
powered ! Appalled at the fierceness of an heroic attack made

100 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
upon the hiU on which they are stationed, they gradually faU
back, and seem as if about to fly. Yet, stiU he sits, calm,
immovable, and like a statue. His orders bad been given ;
be waits for one decisive moment to effect another move
ment; and his presence thus to tbe brave soldiers ^ho know
him well, acts as a charm to stay their flight. Wbo then is
he, that thus so strangely appears amidst such a wild and ter
rible scene ? Listen, arid observe.
An officer of rank, dashing furiously up, amid the fiercest
of the fight, approaches bim. " General," said he, " they are
beating us back ! We're obliged to give ground !" For a
second or so, the general looks at the officer, but his stern,
silent face betrays no answering emotion. The keen eye glit
ters for a moment ; then a speaking animation spreads across
his features : his lips open ; and in curt, peculiar tones, he re
plies, "Aye, sir? Well, then, we must give them the bay
onet!" The gallant officer— hiraself meeting his death im
mediately afterwards — gathers new inspiration from his words.
He gallops back to the reranant of his command, and, pointing
to the statue-like general, says to his men, " Look ! there is
Jackson, standing like a stone wall. Come ! Let us conquer
or die ! Follow rae !"
Yes ! tbat strange, apparently iraraobile general, was the
now well-known heroic Thoraas J. Jacks0n,.tbenceforth called
bythe term here applied to him, "Stonewall" Jackson,* —
the same calm, sturdy, energetic being wbo, as a lad, walked
his way, twenty years before, to Washington for tbe appoint
ment he obtained as a cadet to West Point, and who, as the
young lieutenant at Chapultepec, encouraged his men onward
by personally showing them the road, heedless of the danger !

* The above is the currently received idea of Jackson's receiving the name
of StonewaU affixed to his o-wn. But it has been asserted, -with some good evi-
dence, that the soubriquet of "Stone-wall" originally came from his brigade,
-which was so called because principaUy recruited in a stone-wall country — ^the
valley counties of Jefferson, Frederick, Page, and 'Warren. The brigade bore
this name before the battle of BuU Eun, and thus lent its name to its stout
leader — not derived it from him — and Jackson, even in his last hours, -was par
ticular in explaining to those around him, that the title belonged to his men,
and not to him.

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 161
We wUl now proceed to fill up the blanks in the above
rapid sketches of the man, and then go more into detail with
his after history.
i The iraraediate ancestor's of General f StonewaU" Jackson
were settled in Western Virginia, — his grandfather being Ed
ward Jackson, for a long tirae surveyor of Lewis county, and
a member of the Legislature, — his father, Jonathan Jackson,
a lawyer of some considerable reputation at Clarksburg. The
mother of our hero was the daughter of a Mr. Thomas Neal,
of Wood county, who bore to her husband four children, two
sons and two daughters. The youngest of tbese children was
Thoraas, the subject? of this sketch, who was born January 21st,
1824. When he was three years old, his father died in em
barrassed circumstances, and, as we have already mentioned,
the lad was left to the care of his paternal uncle, until, by bis
own per'severance, he contrived to get an appointment as
cadet at West Point. It appear-s, from various statements,
that the lad was at first strongly dissuaded, by his friends and
relatives, from venturing on such a step ; but, he was not to
be turned from his purpose. A member of Congress from bis
section of Virginia had a presentation to West Point, and
young Jackson determined to ask for it. He obtained an in
troduction, and, with a slender war'drobe in his hand, jour
neyed, partly by stage and dn foot, to Washington, and that,
too, during the muddy season. His perseverance raet a re
ward. Introduced to the secretary of war, that eminent of
ficial complimented him for his energy, and gave the appoint
ment. But Jackson had other difficulties in himself to over
come. Btis education had been very poor, and he was thus
inferior to all his classmates in eiery intellectual attainraent.
Still he persevered ; and those who remember bim there, speak
of him as an earnest worker, plodding onward in his tasks with
unwearied assiduity. He was, however, looked upon as dull
and slow, taking three times as long to learn any thing as did
his corapanions. Nevertheless, wbat he did learn was learned
well, and his tutors felt much pleased with hira. He was of a
retiring and taciturn disposition, but wben brought out in con
versation on subjects of interest, his face would light up witb
a pleasant smile, and his whole countenance beam with intel
ligence. 11

1G2 SOUTHERN GENEEALS.
After the usual four year's' residence, he graduated number
¦ seventeen in his class ; and in July, 1846, was brevetted second-
lieutenant, with orders to report for duty in Mexico, under
General Taylor-. When General Scott took command, Jackson
served under him during the several battles made so famous
to the American ar-ras by the skill of that great military chief
tain. His conduct, as we have already seen, was marked by
daring and firmness, and bis proraotion, consequently, was
rapid. In August, 1847, he was made a first-lieutenant, in
Magruder's battery ; in August, 1848, be was brevetted cap
tain, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of
Contreras and Cherubusco ; and in March, 1849, brevetted ma
jor, for like good conduct at Chapultepec. In 1852, finding his
health such as would interfere witb tbe conscientious discharge
of his duties, and peace having been restored, he resigned his
commission and returned to Virginia. Just prior to this time,
" there was a vacancy in one of tbe professorships at the Vir
ginia Military Institute, and General Smith, the superintend
ent, was instructed by the Bdard of Visitors to seek, by private
inquiries, some one suitable for tbe position. Among those to
whom he first applied was General D. H. Hill, then a profes
sor in Washington College. Hill warmly recommended T. J.
Jackson, then serving with the army in Florida. Hill had, at
that time, no faraily connection with Jackson ; but he knew
him well, and with a penetration and sagacity that did him
much credit, declared that he was not only a competent, faith
ful, reliable man, but had a great deal of ' outcome' in him.
Eepairing subsequently to West Point, General Sraith ad
dressed his inquiries to tbe faculty there. Tbey recoraraended
as eligible for thp position, McClellan, Eosecrans, Foster, Peck,
and G. W. Smitb. Upon General Smith's stating that Jack
son had been recommended, tbey said of bim that he was an
indefatigable man, and would do well, but had corae to the
academy badly prepared. Inquiries elsewhere developed the
fact, that the persons recommended at West Point were con
sidered better looh-men than Jackson, but all bore , testimony
to his great personal worth and energy, and bis sterling
quaUties. " When the Board of Visitors met. General Smith reported the
name of Jackson, together with a statement of tbe recommenda-

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 163
tions and encoraiuras already referred to. Ithappened that there
was on the Board a member who appeared there on tbat occasion
for the first time and tbe last. He at once advocated Jackson's
appointraent, though evidently taken by surprise at the sugges
tion of his name. He spoke in very high terms of Jackson,
whose townsman he said he was, and told of the great pleasure
which bis appointraent would give to the people of Northwest
Virginia. This meraber, who thus eulogized Jackson, was J.
S. Carlile. He was the only one of the Board wbo knew
Jackson, and he warraly advocated bim before that jury' of
strangers. Influenced by wbat they had thus beard, the
Board, without the usual delays, at once ordered the appoint
ment to be tendered to Jackson, and as his health was feeble,
he resigned his commission and accepted it."
The post he now undertook to fill was Professor of Chemis
try and Natural Science, and the raere fact of his having been
chosen for such a position from araong other eminent names
put forward, is strong evidence of the extraordinary abilities
he possessed, and the innate genius of bis mind. The farraer
lad, of so poor an education that ten years before he was
hardly qualified to enter West Point, was now selected by ex
perienced judges to sit in a professor's chair, and instruct
youthful members of the Military Institute in two of the
sciences requiring great mental acquirements to fully compre
hend. But he was not found defective in the task he had un
dertaken. Zealous and persevering in the discharge of his
duties, he soon became marked as one of the most competent
that could bave been found for tbe position. His peculiar
character, however, did not make hira a favorite with his pu
pils, and perhaps we raay ourselves slightly err in saying tbat
he was too rauch of a raartinet, with too little of that valuable
experience in life which enables a wise teacher to sow good
and lasting seed, by winning his way into the hearts of raore
youthful blood than his own. Jackson will be ever deservedly
adraired for his high qualities as a Christian soldier, and a
raoral, upright man. But the natural bent of his raind was
such as could not exactly see where to draw the line between
actual excesses and those irregularities of youth which most
men are liable to in their early days, though it appears, in his
case, he bad been exerapt from. Certain it is, however, he

164 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
was not popular with the students ; and, it is said that one
instance occurred where his life was in danger from a youth he
had expelled owing to misconduct. It seems tbat tbis youth,
in the heat of passion, deterrained to have revenge, and way
laid the Professor on his return home from college. A friend
apprized Jackson of the possible danger, as he was walking
towards the place where the mad boy was concealed ; but Jack
son exclaimed aloud, " Let bim shoot me, if he will !" and
'walked on. The intended murderer was near, and heard the
remark. It took effect. Eefiection insta,ntly came, and he
slunk away, saved from the commission of a great crirae, and
thus allowing Jackson to fulfil the destiny he ever seemed to
think was allotted him.
That there was something more than ordinarily peculiar
about Jackson's mind, raust be inferred from tbe many circum
stances currently reported of bim. One statement goes to as-
'sert, that " he was afflicted with different forms of hypochon
dria, and had a mania for believing that every thing he ate
went down and lodged in his left leg. At another tirae he
would never eat except by the watch, at the precise raoraent ;
and be would take out his watch, lay it on the table, and eat
at that moraent. If the meal was behind-hand, he would not
eat at all."
Many other singularities are reported of him, sorae few may
be yet raentioned in their place ; but, whatever raay have been
those peculiarities, it is certain that, even in other things, he
was very different frora most men. Perhaps his early strug
gles in life, and the hard lessons of poverty, may have some
what soured his temper, and inclined him to asceticism, though
to a really healthful mind the tendency is the reverse. The
experiences of a painful past should make us more forbearing
and indulgent to others in the present ; but all men cannot be
thus, especially -when holding fast to the tenets of religion in
one of the strictest sects of the Christian faith. And such was
his case. A conscientious and devout member of the Presby
terian church, of which be was an elder, we can understand
how it was that no allowance could be made, in his position,
even had his inclination ever tended that way, for the errors
and infirmities of thoBe placed under his tuition. " Indepen
dent of his work iu the professorship, be was indefatigable

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 165
in the duties of bis creed. He taught in the Sunda,y-school,
he visited the sick, and took a lively interest in tbe spiritual
welfare of the negroes. Every Sunday he expounded the
Scriptures to a class of negro children, and, though in all
things else modest and retiring, his voice was heard, and his
influence exerted to the utmost, in all questions that related to
the moral and spiritual welfare of the colored race.
Soon after entering upon his professorship, he married Miss
Jurrkin, a daughter of the Eev. Dr. George Junkin, principal
of the Washington College. This lady died in the year 1855,
and her children also lived only a short time. Jackson, then,
on leajve of absence, visited Etirope, and upon his return
resuraed his duties both at the Institute and in the church.
He was now married again, to Miss Morrison, daughter of the
Eev. Dr. Morrison, late President of Davidson College, N. C,
and sister of the wife of the present Confederate general, D.
H. Hill, already raentioned as favoring his appointment at tbe
Institute. Frora this period until the year 1861, Jackson con
tinued in the quiet raethodical duties of his position. He
was not known, at any tim^, to raix in the political questions
of the day, though he raust have watched, with keen anxiety,
the violent agitation which resulted in the disruption of the
Union. Hidden from the great world without, it is probable
that the narae of " Stonewall" Jackson would never have been
heard in history, certainly not with such farae as now, had not
the gigantic strife of civil discord burst forth in his native
land. But, like raany of the stern enthusiasts of tiraes before
hira, he siaddenly appeared like a blazing meteor, and by the
swiftness and ptriking energy of his movements, made for
himself a niche in the temple of fame, which will stand to all
posterity with those of Cromwell, Cameron, and others.
The history of the secession of Virginia is well known.
Hesitating and doubtful for a time, that State at length passed
an ordinance of disunion on the 17th of AprU, 1861, and im
mediately it was determined to drive the Federal forces away,
if possible, beyond the border-lines. Harper's Ferry and the
Arsenal there was then garrisoned by a detachment of United
States dragoons, under Lieutenant Jones, who, on the 18th of
April, evacuated the place, in consequence of a large force of
Virginians coming to take possession of it. But, it was neces-

166 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
sary for Vir-ginia to keep an " array of observation" there, and
Governor Letcher immediately issued a commission to Jackson,
appointing him a colonel in the State troops, with command
in the Shenandoah Valley, the headquarters being at Harper's
Ferry. It is, however, stated that previous to tbis, Jackson
was commandant of the camp of instruction at the Fair
Grounds, Eichmond ; but even if so, it is certain tbat his was
the first regular military commission issued by his native
State, and that on the 3d of May be took command at Harpei''s
Ferry. On the 23d of May, the military forces of Virginia having
been more fully organized, General J. E. Johnston took com
mand at Harper's Ferry, and assigned Jackson to the infantry
then concentrating in tbe Valley. Stuart was appointed to
command the cavalry, and Pendleton had charge of the artil
lery, and it was thus conceived tbat under such leaders the
new Confederate troops would be successful against any
Federal attacks, especially as Jackson had already placed the
soldiers under exceUent drill, and moulded them "into that
impenetrable phalanx which stood stern and unbroken after
wards, amid scenes ofthe most frightful carnage." But, early
in June, General Patterson advanced with a large Union force,
and necessitated the evacuation of Harper's Ferry by Johnston.'
The Confederates retired to Winchester, but had scarcely
arrived there when information was obtained that the Federals
were still advancing, and therefore Jackson, with bis brigade,
was sent to the neighborhood of Martinsburg to aid Stuart's
cavalry in destroying what they could of the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad stock, and thus check the enemy's raoveraents.
Patterson, however, still came on, though not by the way of
Harper's Ferry, which remained unoccupied, but intending to
cross tbe Potoraac near Williarasport, twenty-five miles higher
up. There, on the 2d of July, Jackson, with his force of some
3,500 troops, all Virginians, prepared to resist the Union
atterapt. The ford across the Potomac at Williamsport is
narrow, and the river so shallow at times, that a man may
wade it without being wet above the waist. There, however,
in the early morning of Tuesday, the 2d of July, the advanced
Federal forces crossed, and, after some movements on both
sides, Jackson fell back to FaUing Waters, on the main road

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 167
to Martinsburg, a running fire being kept up. A detachraeni
of Union troops was then sent forward to reconnoitre, and at
9 A. M. Jackson was encountered on the Porterfield farm,
where he had formed his men in Une of battle behind the
house, and with a park of artiUery (four guns) directly upon
the turnpike along which the enemy was advancing. The
battle now coraraenced, and for half an hour Jackson succeeded
in raaintaining his ground; but, the remainder of Patterson's
arrny coming up, he was compelled slowly to fall back. This
he did for a raile or two further, and then made a second
stand, renewing the fight with great obstinacy. The odds,
however, were too much against him, and finaUy he "retir-ed,
when about to be outflanked, scarcely losing a man, but
bringing off forty-five prisoners." Jackson then rejoined the
main army, under Johnston, at Winchester.
This engagement — it can hardly be called a battle — was the
first that took place between the two armies, and from several
circumstances related concerning it, wherein parties of both
sides are said, to have met each other without knowledge of
either being foes, it would seera that regular organized warfare
had hardly yet commenced. The commanding officers were
schooled in military art, but 'the men were still raw and un
used to a battlefield.
Shortly after this affair, Jackson was made a brigadier-gen
eral; and he then continued to march and countermarch in
front of Patterson, thoroughly checking bis onward move
ments, for a fortnight more. At the end of that time, July
18th, a dispatch reached General Johnston, at Winchester, that
the great Northern army was advancing on Manassas, where
the bulk of the Confederate forces under Beauregard were
then concentrated, and that he was to go thither as speedily
as possible. In two days from that date, Johnston had arrived
with his army at Manassas, and General Jackson was posted,
with his brigade, in the rear of Longstreet's forces, near Black
burn's ford, where an engagement with a portion of the Union
troops had already taken place, viz., on the 18th of July.
Next morning, Sunday, July 21st, began that great battle,
which, first in this meraorable strife, was also remarkable for the
great panic that occurred on the Union side, andthe complete
ness of a hard-earned and nearly lost victory to the Confed-

168 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
erates. But, in this hasty sketch of the life of one of the many
eminent commanders on both sides, engaged on that day, it is
irapossible to do raore than give a hurried outline of the entire
battle. As is well known, the Union array was under General
McDoweU, and the Confederates under Beauregard and John
ston,— the latter, though senior, allowing tbe former to con
duct the engageraent in accordance with his previous plans.
The several corps and division commanders on either side
were men of skill and ability, but the soldiers, though brave
even to rashness, were all, or nearly all, inexperienced, and
not yet fully disciplined. The fight, ther-efore, was bloody
and severe. A portion of the Union forces crossed Bull Eun
streara, about 10 a. m., at a place called Sudley's ford, eight
miles higher up than where Jackson's br-igade was posted, and
the reraainder were stationed at tbe Stone bridge, also six
miles above Jackson's position. Later in the day, however, a
part of this remaining Union force crossed the streain, and
engaged, hand to hand, in the conflict, while the rest still
defended the bridge.
The Confederate line of battle was frora below Jackson's
position on the right, to the Stone bridge, and then diverging
along the Warrenton turnpike to near Groveton, on the left,
where the Union right had come forward, hoping to outflank ,
their foe. Within tbis line was an irregular plateau, the
slopes of which reached down upon and slightly across the
turnpike road. On the Confederate left of this plateau was a
farra-house, belonging to a widow lady named Henry, who,
during the engageraent, being bedr-idden, was once or twice
carried out by her faraily, but ultimately met her death while
lying there during a part of the fiercest of tbe strife. This
house was in a prominent position, and consequently became
tbe scene of several severe attacks for its capture and recap
ture on both sides.
On tbe morning of July 21st, Jackson was moved from his
position in the rear of Longstreet, more to the left, so as to
support either Bonham, in front of hira, at the Bull Eun
stream, below the Stone bridge, or Cocke, who was on the left.
Here he remained during the greater part of the morning, until,
finding that a portion of the troops already hotly engaged on
his left were exhausted and in disorder, he moved to reinforce

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAlSr JACKSON. 169
them. Marching along the back of the plateau, he suddenly
came out upon its eastern crest, a little below the Henry
House, and there with his artillery opened fire to great
effect. The Unibn forces, in spite of the most heroic charges,
and a treraendous fire aiding them frora Griffin's and Eickett's
batteries, wer'e completely held in check, until Johnston him
self, with Beauregard, came up and reforraed the shattered
columns, compeUing the Federals for a time to retire. Jack
son was now in the centre with four regiments and thirteen
pieces of artillery ; and the raost strenuous efforts were raade
by him, and tbe other liferoic commanders on his right and
left, to keep the advantage so far gained. But, the eneray
was again dashing on with irresistible power. Up tbe sides
of the plateau, — from the turnpike road, and from their right, —
forward they came with a determination and bravery that
justice must adrait, and tbe trutb of history cannot deny.
Heavily reinforced, they gained the surarait, and all around
the Henry House, with other portions of the ground, was in
their possession. Then General Beauregard gave orders for
the entire right of his Une, except the reserves, to advance.
With a wild yell, peculiar to the Southern troops, they did so,
Jackson's brigade piercing the eneray's centre, and recovering
what had been lost, though at a fearful sacrifice of life. But,
the triumph was shortlived. Again did the Federals rush
forward, and this time so overpoweringly, that the Confed
erates once more gave way. Now appeared Jackson, no more
as the calm, reserved college professor, but as a thorough im
personation of the military chief. Everywhere in the thickest
of the fight, with the voice and the look of a warrior upon
him, he cheered and encouraged-his raen amid the deadliest
slaughter. He seemed to have a charmed life, so futile to
touch him were the efforts of the eneray's fire. But, hope was
nearly gone. The fortunes of the day were evidently waning
for the Confederate cause, and about 4 p. m., when a lull in
the battle occurred, be paused awhile, on his horse, to consider
anew what could be done. It was while thus refiecting. Gen
eral Bee rode up, and, as we have already raentioned, spoke,
in the bitterness of his heart, of the lowering aspects of the
day. Then came that reply before recorded ; and when again
the troops once more rallied to the bugle blast, Jack-

170 SOUT'HEEN GENEEALS.
son was among thera, foremost in the fray. Just then General
Kirby Smith's reinforcement arrived, and the 'sight of their
comrades so inspirited the Confederate soldiers, that nothing
could withstand them. The Union forces broke in disorder.
In vain their coraraanders tried to rally thera. They fled, and
er'e darkness had coraraenced, the battlefield of Bull Eun was
in possession of the Southern array, and the victory was theirs.
Thus terminated the battle, in wbich Jackson obtained his
soubriquet of " Stonewall." That there was any thing, up to
this time, very extr-aordinary in his military talents above his
brother commanders, may reasonably be questioned ; but, a
fortuitous circumstance gave him a name, and this, added to
soraething of a Cromwellian charm about the man, has caused
him to be spoken of, perhaps, in a higher degr'ee than impar
tial justice to all would exactly warrant. However, he was
one of the many deserving great admiration and respect.
The Union army having retreated towards Washington,
Jackson remained with his brigade near Centreville. In Sep
tember he was made a major-gener-al, and, in the early part of
October, assigned to the command of the Confederate forces in
and around Winchester.
When the news of this appointment reached his old brigade,
wbich was to reraain with the raain Virginian army, it caused
general regret at the separation. On the 4tli of October Jie
took leave of his men, and, as they were drawn up before him,
the silent but deep sorrow expressed in the countenance of
every raan was unmistakable. With tbe short abrupt tones
peculiar to him, he addressed his soldiers in words of praise
for the past and exhortation for the future, adding, that " he
trusted whenever he should bear of the First brigade on the
field of battle, it would be of still nobler deeds achieved, and
higher reputation won." Then, pausing for an instant while
his eye ran along the line, that outwardly cold, stern soldier
was unable to master the emotion within him ; but, suddenly
rising in his stirrups, and throwing the reins upon his horse's
neck, he extended his arras, and exclaimed, with an emphasis
that sent a thrill through every heart —
" In the army of the Shenandoah, you were the First bri
gade ! In the army of the Potomac, you were the First brigade !
In the Second corps of the army, you are tbe First brigade 1

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JAOKSON. 171
You are the First brigade in the affections of your general ;
and I hope, by your future deeds and bearing, you will be
handed down to posterity as the First brigade in this our
second war of independence. FareweU !"
Three prolonged and deafening cheers then burst forth from
his br'ave and hardy soldiers, which were renewed again and
again. His face fiushed for a moraent as he listened to the
sound, but he did not speak. Perhaps — for even stern gen
erals are raen — bis heart was too full to say another word.
But he looked the kindly thanks, and waving his hand, be
galloped away.
When Jackson was ordered to the Shenandoah, he took with
hirn several new regiraents ; and, attached to one of these was
a gentleraan, whose correspondence with another Confedei-ate
officer has been published by the latter. As portions of it
aptly serve to illustrate the character and describe the raove
raents of General Jackson at this time, we briefiy transcribe
them, with such trifiing araendraents as reference to other re
ports raake necessary. The writer says :
" When we were ordered up the Valley with old Jackson, it
was considered to be a source of congratulation to all for going
into active service ; but, believe rae, I would willingly have
gone back into winter-quarters again after a week's trial, for
Jackson is the greatest raarcher in the world. When we first
moved up here, our orders were for a march to Charlestown ;
next day we raoved back to Winchester; in a few days again
.back tQ Charlestown; and thence frora one place to another,
until at last I began to imagine we were coraraanded by some
peripatetic philosophical madman, whose forte was pedestrian-
ism. With little or no baggage, we are a roving, hungry,
hardy lot of fellows, and are not patronized at all by parsons
or doctors : the latter have a perfect sinecure amongst us.
' Stonewall ' may be a very fine old gentleman, and an honest,
good-tempered, industrious man, but I should admire him
much more in a state of rest than continually seeing him mov
ing in front. And such a dry old stick, too ! As for uniform,
he has none — his wardrobe isn't worth a dollar; and his horse
is quite in keeping, being a poor lean animal of little spirit or
activity. And don't he keep his aides moving about ! Thirty
miles ride at night through the mud, is nothing of a job ; and,

172 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
if they don't corae up to tirae, I'd as soon face the devU, for
Jackson takes no excuses when duty is on hand. He is solemn
and thoughtful, speaks but Uttle, and always in a calm decided
tone ; and, from what he says there is no appeal, for he seems
to know every hole and corner of this valley as if he had
made it, or, at least, as if it had been designed for bis own use.
He knows all tbe distances, all tbe roads, even the cow-paths
through the woods, and goat-tracks along the bills. He sits
horse very awkwardly, and has a fashion of holding his head
very high, and chin up, as if searching for something skywards ;
yet, although you can never see his eyes for the cap-peak drawn
over them, nothing escapes his observation. His movements
ai-e sudden and unaccountable : his staff don't pretend to keep
up with him, and, consequently, he is frequently seen alone,
poking about in all sorts of holes and corners, at all tiraes of
night and day. I have frequently seen him approach in the
dead of night and enter into conversation with sentinels, and
ride off through the darkness. ... In my opinion, Jackson
will assuredly make his mark in this war, for his untiring in
dustry and eternal watchfulness m,ust tell upon a numerous
enemy unacquainted with the country, and incommoded by
large baggage-trains. Jackson evidently intends to supply
himself at Federal expense ; and, as he is a true fire-eater, and
an invincible believer in our ' manifest destiny,' Banks will
find bim a disagreeable opponent to confront in the mountain
passes, or at the many fords."
Another writer, speaking of him at tbe same period, says :
"He is as calm in the midst of a hurricane of bullets as
he was in tbe pew of bis church at Lexington, when he was
professor of the Institute. He appears to be a man of alraost
super-human endurance. Neither heat nor cold makes the
slightest impression upon him. He cares nothing for good
quarters and dainty fare. Wrapped in his blanket, be throws
himself down on the ground anywhere, and sleeps as soundly
as though he were in a palace. He lives as the soldiei's live,
and endures all the fatigue and all the suffering that they
endure. His vigilance is something marvellous. He never
seems to sleep, and lets nothing pass without his personal
scrutiny. He can neither be caught napping, nor whipped
when wide awake. The rapidity of his marches is something

GENKEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 173
portentous. He is heard of by the enemy at one point, and
before they can raake up their rainds to follow him, he is off at
another. He keeps so constantly in raotion that he never
has a sick-list, and no need of hospitals."
The movements of Jackson at this period must now be
briefiy mentroned. At the time he was ordered to the Shenan
doah, there was a strong force of the Fedei'als at Eomney and
Bath, in Northwestern Vir-ginia, while General Barrks, with
his army, was on the noi'th of the Potomac, ready to cross into
the Valley. Jackson, accordingly, determining to try and
annoy the enemy, even if he could not beat them, conceived
the idea of destroying the "dams" up the river, so that sup
plies could not be forwarded to the Union army at Washing
ton by the canal. Accordingly, the attempt was raade, and,
amid the cold and snows of a severe winter in that region, his
men were engaged, waist-deep, in the river, endeavoring to
tear down Dam No. 5, near Williamsport. The attempt at
first was unsuccessful, owing to the severity of the weather
and a continual fire from the Federals on the river bank, but,
ultimately, the task was accompUshed in December, though
with the loss of several raen.
No sooner was this done, than Jackson, on the 1st of January,
1862, without allowing any one to know whither he was bound,
started with his force of 2,200 men to surprise the Federals
stationed at Bath, otherwise known as Berkley Springs. The
day was fine, and the air soft and balmy, so that the men left
their blankets and overcoats behind, expecting the wagons to
.follow and join them before those articles were needed. But,
by sorae raischance, the wagons did not corne up, and on the
third day of the march, the weather changed again to all the
severity of winter. Eain, snow, hail, sleet, beat upon the
troops thus shefterless, and without their ordinary covering.
The horrors of the raarch became fearful. "The country was
exceedingly rough ; unfrequented roads had to be taken ; ice
was on the ground, and neither man nor beast could maintain
a footing. Men sOon were bootless, hatless, and ragged ;
horses could scarcely stir, and, at night, the weary soldiers
had to sleep out ujion the snoW as best they could. By and by,
when the wagons came up, mattei^s were in no ways mended,
for, in toUing over the hUls, horseraen, infantry, wagons and

174 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
all, would, frequently slip over an embankment. One train of
wagons and artiUery took from daylight until 3 p. M. to pass a
hilly point, heavy detaUs of men steadying tbe wagons, and
almost lifting the animals along."
This expedition appears to bave been unnecessary and ill
planned. But the object of it was accoraplished. Bath was
occupied by Jackson, wbo "drove the Federals across the
Potoraac, on one of the coldest nights ever known in that
region," and he immediately marched on towards Eomney,
which place was evacuated by the Union troops, under Gen
eral Shields, before Jackson's arrival.
At this time, General Loring, with Jackson's old brigade,
had joined bim, and the former was now left at Eomney, while
the latter, with his " Stonewall" companions, rapidly returned
to Winchester. Information, however, now came to him that
Shields had united w-ith Banks, and tbeir whole army was on
the marcli down the Valley. Accordingly, Jackson speedily
collected his corps together frora all points, and prepared to
retire down the Shenandoah whenever necessary. On the llth
of March he evacuated Winchester, and slowly raarched along
the Valley, with all the spoils he bad obtained, towards
Staunton. But, on the 21st, after passing Strasburg, the enemy
still following him thus far, be heard that General Shields
was falling back, and a body pf Union troops was moving by
way of Snicker's Gap, to reinforce the Federals operating
against General Johnston at Manassas. He therefore, at once
returned and pushed forward with the greatest rapidity to
Wirichester. On the afternoon of the 23d, Jackson's army
was again near tbat place, intending to bivouac for the night
at Kernstown. But, finding the enemy likely to receive rein
forcements, he at once determined upon attacking hira. The
battle began about 4 p. m. and continued until dark, ending in
success to the Federals, and Jackson being corapeUed to fall
back to Cedar creek.
In this engagement, it is understood that Jackson was com
pletely outwitted by General Shields' feint of retreating back
to the Potomac ; but the Confederates, however, " accorapUshed
something of what they desired, in preventing a junction of
Banks' coramand with other forces."

CHAPTEE II.
Arrival of General Ewell. — Advance of General Milroy. — Jackson unites -with Gen
eral Edward Johnson. — The Military Institute Cadets and General Smith. — Move
ments in the Valley. — Observance of the Fast-day. — Eetreat of General Banks. —
Divine Service in Camp. — Movements of Fremont and Shields. — Battles of Crosskey
and Port Kepublic. — Jackson and the Bible Society. — McClellan's Army around
Eichmond. — Jackson's March to the Peninsula. — Battle of Cold Harbor. — Pursuit of
the Federals. — Battle of Malvern Hill. — Jackson's Army in Camp recuperating. —
Gn the March again. ^-Advance towards the Army of Pope. — Battle of Cedar Eun. —
Jackson Moves by the Federal Right Flank to Pope's Eear.^-Attaok on Manassas.—
Affair at Bristoe Station.-^Jackson falls back to the old Battlefleld of Bull Run. —
Battles of August 29th and SOth. — Rout of the Federals: — Pursuit.— Engagement at
Ox Hill. — Movement into Maryland. — Arrival at Leesburg. — Crossing the Potomac. —
Capture of Harper's Ferry. — Battle of Antietam. — Return to the Shenandoah valley. —
Anecdote of Jackson.— Battle of Fredericksburg.
Aftee this battle, General Jackson retreated in the direction
of Harrisonburg, pur-sued by Banks' army as far as that place.
He then, on the 19th of April, crossed the south fork of the
Shenandoah, and took position between that river and Swift
Eun Gap. General Ewell had also been directed to join the
main body of Jackson's army, and arrived from Gordonsville
on the 30tli of Apr-il. Meanwhile it was ascertained that Gen
eral Milroy, with another portion of the Union forces, was ad
vancing from the west side of the Shenandoah mountains, with
the intention of effecting'a junction witb Banks, and then both
to attack Staunton. To defeat this, Jackson determined to
join his own forces with the Confederate troops of General Ed
ward Johnson, then near Buffalo Gap, west of Staunton, and,
while EweU was sent to keep Banks in check, Mili'oy should
be attacked. This was done. At Staunton, Jackson found
himself earnestly supported by Major-general Smith, his old
friend, the superintendent of the Militai'y Institute, and the
cadets, who had all come forward to assist in defending that
portion of the Valley ; and on the 7th of May he directed John
son to move in advance on Milroy's position. The latter re
treated until he was reinforced by General Schenck, in the
McDoweU valley, where he stood his ground for an engage
raent. This took place on the Sth, and ended in the furthei

176 SOUTHERN GENERALS.
retreat of Milroy, pursued by Jackson to the vicinity of Frank
lin. Here Jackson deeraed it advisable to return to the Shen^
andoah VaUey again, with the intention of attacking Baiiks.
with all. of the Confederate forces— his own, Johnson's, and
EweU's united — before those of the Union commander could be
again concentrated. On the 15th of May he had recrossed the
mountains, and encamped for the night near the Lebanon
White Sulphur Springs. Here the troops were halted for a
short time, to enable them to attend divine service, and observe
the Fast recommended by President Davis. On the 17th, the
march was resumed towards Hari'isonburg, and thence^heai--
ing that Banks had fallen back to Strasburg, which he was
strongly fortifying — he moved rapidly down the Valley to New-
raarketj where a junction was again effected with EweU.
From this place Jackson crossed to Luray and Front Eoyal,
hoping, by a surprise of the Union troops there, to get in the
rear of Banks, or corapel him tp abandon his fortifications at
Strasburg. On Friday, May 23d, the Federals were attacked
and defeated at Front Eoyal, and Jackson immediately pre
pared to advance upon General Banks. But the next mor-ning
he was surprised to hear that the entire Union army was in
i-apid retreat up the Valley, towards Winchester. The Con-
' federate cavalry had previously been posted near the Federals,
and Ewell also sent on in advance, and now, together, these so
completely harassed the Northern troops, that something like
another Bull Eun panic commenced. The scene along the
road is described as something never before witnessed. " Every
imaginable article known to campaigning was strewn about
for railes : the fields were crowded with fugitives, while scores
of arabulances were filled with foot-sore or wounded Federals.
N,ow and again the rear of the eneray would rally, and try to
check the impetuous advance of the victorious Confederates ;
bht it was only a vain effort. The cavalry, under the gaUant
Turner Ashby, the infantry under Ewell, and the main body
under Johnson, with Jackson himself and his old brigade
amongst thera, all swiftly followed on, capturing immense
spoils and a vast number of prisoners. "For many miles
along the road towards Winchester and beyond, lai-ge and in
numerable fires told that the eneray were destroying their sup
plies, and already on their retreat towards the Potomac. The

GENERAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 177
whole country seemed on fire, and on the night of the 24th the
sight was awfully grand, for, whichever way the eye' turned,
fires iUurainated the dark and distant landscape."
Ear-ly on the raorning of the 25tb of May, Jackson began to
move on Winchester. Dense columns of smoke issuing from.
the town, made it evident that the enemy were busily engaged
in burning stores ; but Jackson, wishing to stop this, pushed
forward, and, meeting with a feeble resistance, the Confederates-
rushed into the town, driving the foe through every street,
and speedily causing the Federal troops again to hurriedly re-^
treat. But swift upon their heels came the victorioHs Southern
soldiers — :Ashby, with his cavalry, hanging close to their rear.
Soon it was discovered that Banks had shaped his eourse-
towards Williamsport, and ere he bad cr-ossed over to that
town, the Confederate advance was well up with him. Now
the scene became even more intensely exciting than ever^
The dead and wounded along the road were so numerous, that
it was more like the last of a battle-field than a retreat,
"Hats,, caps, muskets, boots, wagons, burning stores, sa-
bi-es, pistols, etc., besides exhausted Union soldiers, lined!
every yard of the way, and could, be found in the woods-
at either side. At last, Jackson's army, totally prostrated
from fatigue,- and helpless as children, reached the vicinity
of Williamsport on the evening of the 26.th of May, and
found that all who remained of the enemy, had effected a
passage across the river at different points, and were safe in
Mar-yland." On the following day " divine service was held in the camps
of the Southern army, and thanks rendered to God for the
success with which He had blessed their arms, and His con
tinued favor iraplored, — a duty which General Jackson never
failed to impress upon his troops." The men then rested ; but
on the 28th, movements against the eneray were renewed.
The Federals still had some of their divided army near Charles
town, but Generals Winder and Ewell were sent by Jackson
to disperse thera; and this accoraplished, it was then necessary
for Jackson to guard against a serious peril which raenaccd
him behind. Shields was moving rapidly towards his
right, and Fremont frora near Eomney, on his left, with a
view of concentrating a heavy force in his rear, and cutting
13

178 SOUTHEEN GENERALS.
off a retreat up the valley. To avoid this, Jackson, on the
SOth of May, with all his troops, except Winder's and the
cavalry, returned to Winchester. Before he reached there,
however, news came that the Union cavalry had already ap
peared at Front Eoyal, and the Confederate force left in pos
session had abandoned it. Jackson, therefore, on the 31st,
hurried forward, and moved towards Strasburg, encamping
there that evening. Next morning, June 1st, Fremont's forces
having arrived by tbe way of Wardensville, attacked Jackson's
outposts in that direction. Ewell was now ordered to hold
Fremont in check until the remainder of the Confederate forces
under Winder arrived, which they did that evening, — a.part of
thera, the Second Virginia, having marched thirty-six miles.
The command being thus united again, the retreat continued
tofl^ards Harrisonburg. ¦
The incidents of this retreat now became numerous and most
exciting. Fremont hung close upon Jackson's rear, but the
gallant Ashby, by his skill and personal daring, raaterially
checked the pursuit, and early on the raorning of the 5th of
June the Confederates reached Harrisonburg, and passing
beyond the town, turned towards tlie east, in the direction of
Port EepubUc. Next day an engageraent took place between
Ashby's cavalr-y, supported by General G. H. Stewart's bri
gade of infantry, and the Union cavalry, supported by the
Pennsylvania " Bucktails." In this encounter, two important
Union officers — Colonel Sir Percy Wyndham, and Lieutenant-
colonel Kane — were captured by the Confederates, and their
forces driven from the field ; but this was dearly bought by
the death of tbe heroic Ashby.
The main body of Jackson's command had now reached
Port EepubUc, and were encaraped on the high ground north
of the village, about a mile from the South river, a tributary
of the Shenandoah. EweU's forces were four miles distant,
near the road leading from Harrisonburg. Fremont had ar
rived witb his forces in that vicinity, and Shields was fifteen
miles below Port EepubUc. Jackson's position was about
equidistant from both parties, and it was his object to prevent,
if possible, a junction between them. Accordingly, when
Shields had approached nearer, he was attacked by Jackson,
at Port EepubUc, and driven back, while EweU encountered

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 179
Fremont's advanced forces, and, after a sharp engagement at
Cross Keys, on the 8th of June, defeated tbem.
The forces of General Shields having, retreated, it was now
easier to attack Fremont, when he again made his appearance ;
but that general deeraed it raore wise to concentrate his troops
around Winchester, as a base of operations, and accordingly
retreated thither, leaving Jackson to pursue his triumphant
march unraolested.
On the 12tb of June, Jackson recrossed South river, and en
camped near Weyer's Cave ; " and for the purpose," as he
said, " of returning thanks to God for having crowned our
army with success, and to implore his continual favor, divine
service was held in the array on the 14th." The army re
raained in the same place until the 17th, when Jackfeon again
took up the line of- march, but, now, to join in the great
moveraents then going on around Eichmond.
It was about this time that General Jackson was made a
Life Director of the Bible Society of the Confederate States ;
and the following is his letter of acknowledgment :
Headquaetebs "yALLET District, Virginia, July 21, 1863.
Rbv. E. a. Booles, General Agent
Bible Society of Ccmfederate States of Am erica :
Deae Sie : — I gratefully acknowledge the honor conferred
upon me by a portion of God'' s people, in constituting me a
Life Director of tbe Bible Society of the Confederate States of
America. It is a cause in which I feel a deep interest, and my earnest
prayer is, that God will make this infant Bible Society the
means not orrly of giving His blessed Word to our own people,
but of sending it freely to the remotest nations of the earth.
Inclosed is a check for one hundred and fifty dollars. Please
acknowledge its reception, and believe me to be, very truly,
your friend and brother in Christ, T. J. JACKSON.
During the period of Jackson's labors in the Shenandoah,
the Union army, under McClellan, had invested Eichraond ;
but, on the 31st of May, at the battle of Seven Pines, General
Johnston inflicted upon the Federals the first of those severe

180 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
checks that finally ended in their withdrawal before the Con
federates under General Lee. We bave already seen, in our
sketch of General Lee's life, how this was accomplished, and it
•w^ould be a needless repetition to go again into details. We
shall, therefore, confine ourselves simply to-4he personal move
ments of Jackson.
On the 17th of June, General Jackson commenced his raarch
fi'om Weyer's Cave to the Peninsula, leaving a sraaU force at
Harrisonburg to watch the enemy, ^n the 25th he had ar
rived at Ashland, sixteen inUes frora Eichmond, at the very
time McClellan, probably hearing ofhis advance, "closed the
siege, by changing his policy fr-om offence to defence." The
next day, Jackson, as directed by Lee, steadily advanced to
wards Cold Harbor, where he immediately took up a position
to fall upon tbe enemy. On the 27th of June the great batUe
began. " Stuart, 'with his cavalry, was posted on the left of
Jackson's troops, to charge and intercept tbe Federals if they
attempted to retreat in the direction of the Pamunkey ; and
hardly had line of battle been formed, when heavy firing on
the right indicated that General A. P. Hill, who had gone in
th;at direction, was hard pressed. • Jackson immediately or
dered a general advance of his entire corps, which hastened
forward, Whiting's division on the right of the line, and Jack-
eon's, EweU's, and D. H. Hill's, in the order named, from right
to left. The welcome sound of Jackson's guns came to Lee
and Longstreet as they were hastening forward frora Gaines'
Mill, and the entire Confederate force on the left bank of the
Chickahominy, which l^ad only waited the arrival of Jackson,
advanced in One wild bharge, and the battle began to rage with
af fury until then unknown." The result is well known. The
Union forces fought heroically, and occasionally gained some
advantage; but, "just as night was descending, the general
and decisive charge was made all along the line, and in obedi
ence to Jackson's brief, stern order, ' PrOss them 'with 'the
bayonet !' Hill's, EweU's, Whiting's, and Jackson's divisions
all charged. Hood's Texans, and the Stonewall brigade, in
advance of all the rest, pressed forward, witb cheers of defiance,
oyer every obstacle ; and before this terrible charge in front,
and the storm of artillery on their right, the enemy wavered,
broke, and were put to rout. Posted in advance of his batter-

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 181
ies, his figure clearly revealed by the fires which the enemy
had kindled to draw the artillery fire frora their guns, Jack
son heard the wild cheers of his .men as thej'^ pursued the fly-
iug enemy in the direction of Grapevine bridge."
Next morning, Jackson sent Ewell forward to Dispatch sta
tion, on the York Eiver railroad, General Stuart being in
advance with his cavalry. The cavalry attacked and routed
a party of the eneray, and- Ewell tore up and destroyed the
railroad at that point.
Jackson reraained on the battlefield directing moveraents,
as tbe Confederate forces pursued McClellan's army ; and on
the night of the 29th, he crossed to the right bank of the
Chickahominy, hastily reconstructing the bridge destroyed by
the Federals. At Savage station, he gathered up about 1,000
stragglers from the Union army, and then proceeded to White
Oak Swamp, where, he pressed heavily upon the enemy's rear,
to Frazier's farm. There he met Generals Lee and Long-
street, and was at once assigned to the front, infusing, by his
presence, new ardor into the pursuit. At Malvern Hill his
corps was confi-onted by the entire ar-my of McClellan, and, in
that heavy engageraent, lost some of its best men.
It was during tbese battles that Jackson and Lee raet for
the first tirae in the war, and, having now seen each other at
work, there sprung up at once between them that profound
respect, confidence, and regard, which thenceforth knew no
diminution. Jackson's opinion of Lee was shown, when he
said, "He is a phenomenon — I would follow bim blind
folded ;" and the appreciation of Lee for Jackson, after events
fully proved, when, on the occasion of Jackson's death, he ex
pressed himself as having lost his right arra.
The day after the battle of Malvern Hill, Jackson was sent
forward towards Harrison's landing, and on the following day
there was a desultory skirraish between the opposing forces ;
but the great and bloody drama of the Peninsula campaign,
on that occasion, was ended ; and on the 8th of July, when the
Confederates were withdrawn, Jackson's corps returned to
Eichraond, and went into camp on the MechanicsviUe road.
Here, for a time, it might be naturally expected that be
and his hardy soldiers would bave obtained some rest, after
the constant marching and countermarching, with the numer-

182 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
OUS engagements they had gone through. But it was not so.
Only a few days had elapsed wben new movements had to be
made. Pope was massing lar-ge bodies of Union troops on the
Eapidan, and threatening the Central railroad at Gordonsville,
consequently he must be promptly checked. General Lee had
quickly perceived that the scene of action was rapidly chang
ing from the Jaraes to the Eappahannock, and it was neces-
sar-y to maintain the Confederate position at such an important
place as Gordonsville. Accordingly, Jackson was directed to
proceed thither and guard that point against the threatened
assault upon it.
At the time this order was given, nb one except the official
few had any idea where the destination would be ; and, says
one writer, as for' gleaning any information concerning it from
" the sharp-eyed, tart, sarcastic, crabbed-spoken Jackson," a
person might as reasonably " whistle jigs to a mile-stone."
When his corps received orders to move, some imagined mere
ly a change of camps, or some such indifferent movement, yet
when Eichraond was left far to tbe south, and the column pro
ceeded rapidly in a northwestern direction, many thought it
was again to the Shenandoah Valley. But facts soon became
known, when, on the 19tb of July, Jackson with his own old
division and General EweU's- arrived at Gordonsville. Here
Jackson received information that the Federal array in his
front was in great force, and, accordingly, upon his represen
tation, General A. P. Hill's was sent to reinforce him. It
was not long, now, before the advanced forces of cavalry, on
both sides, came into collision at Orange Court-house, and the
Confederate horsemen had to retreat ; but Jackson ascertaining
that only a portion of Pope's army was at Culpepper, he de
termined to advance and attack it before the reraaining Union
forces could arrive. Accordingly, on the 7th of August, he
moved with his entire force from Gordonsville in the direction
of the enemy. On the 9th, Jackson reached a point about
eight miles from Culpepper, and found the Union troops, under
General Banks and General Sigel, posted in his front, near
Cedar Eun, a short distance west and north of Slaughter moun
tain. " A large body of Federal cavalry occupied a ridge on
the right of the road, and a Confederate battery, under Lieu
tenant Terry, at onoe opened upon it. General Early then

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 183
advanced, keeping near the Culpepper road, while General
Ewell diverged to the right along the slope of the raountain.
Ear-ly, forming in line of battle, moved into the open field,
and drove the enemy's cavalry before him to the crest of a hill.
Along this hill the Federal batteries were posted, ready to
open as soon as he appeared. In his front, the country was,
for sorae distance, open and broken. A cornfield, and to the
left of it a wheatfield, extended to the opposite hill, which was
covered with timber." As soon as Early reached the eminence
described, the Federal batteries opened upon hira, large bodies
of cavalry appearing in the wheatfield to the left. A rapid
and well-directed fire was returned, and the eingagernent
began. By this tirae. General Winder, with Jackson's own division,
had arrived, and he iraraediately disposed the several brigades
under Garnett, Taliaferro, and his own under Colonel Eonald,
in position behind various batteries. He was then proceeding
to direct the raoveraents of these batteries when he was struck
by a shell, from wbich he expired in a few hours. The com
mand of Jackson's division now devolved upon Brigadier-
general W. B. TaUaferro, whose brigade, during the action, was
commanded by Colonel A. G. Taliaferro.
Meanwhile, Ewell had reached the northwest termination of
Slaughter raountain, and upon an elevated spot, about two
hundred feet above the valley below, had planted Latimer's
guns, which opened with marked effect upon the eneray's bat
teries. At 5 p. M. Banks had thrown forward his skirraishers
through the cornfield, and advanced his infantry. Another
body of infantry, at the same time, moved upon Early's right,
and speedily the fight extended from the left to the centre, in
a sharp and very warm contest. General Hill had sent one of
his brigades to support Early, and while the fight was in pro
gress here, the Federals fell with great vigor on the Confederate
left, turning it, and pouring a destructive fire into the rear,
compelling Taliafer-ro's brigade to fall back. At this critical
moment. Branch's brigade, of Hill's division, and Winder's
brigade, carae up and succeeded in driving back the Federals
with great slaughter. A general charge was now raade by
Jackson, and resulted in driving tbe eneray across the field
into the opposite wood, strewing the narrow valley with their

184 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
dead. The victory for the Confederates was gained, and, as
night feU, the full-orbed raoon soared aloft, pouring its mellow
light upon the field of carnage. Over the beautiful slopes of
Culpepper, covered with the wounded and the dying, the
battle-fiag of the South floated proudly in the light of the calm
August moon. But the contest was hard and desperate, and,
at one time, the day seemed to be in favor of the Federals. It
was then, however, that Jackson, carried away by the excite
ment of the battle, threw aside his usual cool reserve, and
rushed forward to the front, rallied, with his voice and mien,
his confused troops, and ordering the decisive bayonet charge,
retrieved the broken fortunes of the day.
Jackson being now anxious to reach Culpepper without
delay, determined to advance through the night, but his front
having encountered tbe enemy's batteries posted in the woods,
it was deemed necessary to halt, and this was done. On the
following raorning, the 10th, he heard that the Federals had
been reinforced, and, therefpre, did not advance any further.
General J. E. B. Stuart now arrived on a tour of inspection,
and at Jackson's request took command of the cavalry to
reconnoitre. On the llth, a fiag of truce was received from
the Union commander, requesting permission to remove and
bury the dead. This was granted until 5 p. m., when, hearing
frorn Stuart that the enemy were too heavily reinforced to be
wisely attacked, Jackson, during the night, fell back towards
Gordonsville, with a view to strategic raoveraents of his own.
On the 14th, as was customary with hira. General Jackson
rested his troops to_ "return thanks to God for the victory
won," and also to await the raain array, which was now
rapidly marching, under General Lee, frora Eichmond to
co-operate with him. General Lee soon arrived, united with
Jackson near Culpepper, and imraediately made various
demonstrations at the fords of the Eapidan, lower down, to
attract Pope's attention while >Jackson atterapted a flank
raovement on the left. On the 25th, with some 25,000 men,
Jackson left the raain army, and proceeded rapidly towards
the }iead waters of the Eappahannock, crossed that river at
Hinton's ford, dragging his artillery witb difiiculty up the
narrow and rock-ribbed road beyond, and pushed forward with
the utmost speed. It was something of a gigantic task.

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 185
Indeed, the undertaking was alraost superhuman. Miles of
weary marching— across open fields, by strange country roads
and comfortable homesteads,, past a little town called Orleans,
up the steeps, along and across the valleys skirting the Blue
Eidge mountains; always on, on, and seldom r-esting even for
an instant — footsore, hungi-y, and all but corapletely exhausted
— did the daring band under Jackson (himself ever sharing the
same fatigue and hardship) push forward to Thoroughfare
Gap, that it might be reached before the eneray could be
aware of their intention. At raidnight the troops arrived at
Salera, rested a few hours, and then, at dawn of day, on they
marched again. At length they reached the Gap. It is, as is
well known, a mountain gorge, and was then undefended by
the Federals. Jackson, therefore, passed rapidly between the
frowning ramparts with his little array, hungry, exhausted,
but resolute as ever, and descended, like a hawk, upon
Manassas. General Stuart had pusihed-in advance with his cavalry,
ascended the Bull Eun mountain, by a winding and rocky
road, to the right of the Gap, and descending the eastern
acclivity, took his post again in front and on tbe flanks of
the array, which, on tire afternoon of Tuesday, tbe 26th,
reached the neighborhood of Manassas.
Jackson was now completely in the eneray's rear, and
speedily possessed himself of the railroad which supplied their
army, while Lee was rapidly appr-oaching in the Federal front.
Manassas was quickly captured by Stuart, with his cavalry
and some infantry, and tbe first symptoms of a general engage
ment now appeared. The old ground of the Bull Eun battle
was to be the scene of another great fight, and, on tbe morning
of the 27th, reinforceraents from Washington, under General
Taylor, passed the Stone bridge, and advanced upon that
portion of the Confederate troops at Manassas. An engage
ment followed, ending in the rout of the Federals, who were
driven over Bull Eun, by Blackburn's ford, with the loss of
their commander, and hotly pursued by the Stuart horse-
artillery, under Major Pelham. Later, on the same day,
EweU attacked Hooker at Bristoe station, but was compelled
to retreat and fallback to, the main array at Manassas. At
the sarae time. General Fitzhugh Lee, with some cavalry, went

186 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
on an expedition to Fairfax Court-hoiise, to still further
daraage the Federal coraraunications, and, if possible, cut off
the retreat of Taylor's brigade. At nightfaU, Jackson directed
Manassas to be evacuated, after destroying all the Union stores
found there, and setting the place on fire.
Jackson's position was now somewhat hazardous. Lee was
approaching, but had not yet come up— (Longstreet's corps
taking the same route that Jackson had) — and Pope was mov
ing with his whole force to attack him. But it was necessary
that the advanced gr-ound should be raaintained, and, accord
ingly, Jackson detei-mined merely to fall back to within sup
porting distance of Longstreet, and hold on till the main body
of the Confederate army arrived. This waS done. He divided
his corps, and sent Hill by way of Blackburn's for-d to Centre
ville, so as to deceive the enemy, while he himself took up a
position on the precise ground occupied by the right of the ,
Federal army in the fir-st battle of Bull Eun. There he was
joined by Hill, who, according to orders, had turned from
Centreville back along the Warrenton road, and crossed the
Stone bridge to Jackson's quarters.
Meantime, tbe enemy had followed Hill, and pursued him
hotly until his rear-guard had passed over Bull Eun, while
Stuart attacked a portion of the Federals at Haymarket, and
sent forward a dispatch to Longstreet, wbo was then fighting
at Thoroughfare Gap.
¦'It was now, late in the day, August 28th, and the Union
forces were seen advancing, with the intention of crossing the
stream at the Stone bridge and Sudley ford. Whereupon,
Jackson iraraediately decided to attack thera, and, pointing to
the enemy in his fr-ont, he said, briefly, "Ewell, advance!" A
fierce engageraent followed, and at nightfall the eneray gave
way, but reraained, not far off, in line of battle waiting for
daylight. In this engageraent. General Ewell was badly wounded in
the knee, and his services were, consequently, lost in the sub
sequeilt battles.
At this time, a courier brought to Jackson the welcorae in
telligence that Longstreet had passed Thoroughfare Gap, and
was rapidly pressing forward to join him : also, that Lee him
self was near. The information was an immense relief to him,

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. iBt
and when the news carae, he drew a long breath, and uttered
a sigh of intense satisfaction.
The next morning, Friday, August 29th, Longstreet arr-ived
and took position. General Lee was on the ground nearly at
the same time, and immediately the order of battle was formed,
though General Anderson's division had not yet come up, and
the whole of the Confederate forces were overpowered by long
marches and incessant encounters with their foe.
While Lee was thus getting his men into position, the Fed
erals energetically attacked Jackson, and graduaUy the fight
becarae general along his entire column. It continued very
severe, and with changing success until the after-noon, when
Hood's division, of Longstreet's corps, was ordered to attack the
enemy's left. This was done with marked effect. Jackson,
thus strengthened, fought with renewed vigor, and finally,
about 9 p. M., the enemy was compelled to retire for neai-ly a
mile. During the night, however. General Lee directed his
troops to fall back to their old and better position of the morn
ing, where they could again attack, with raore advantage, next
day. The following morning, August SOth, the battle was re-'
newed; but, as General Lee was now commanding in person,
and as we have already briefly given the events of the fight
in our sketch of that general, we may refer to it for details.
Enough to say that the day ended in a complete victory for
the Confederates, and another disastrous rout to the Union
forces on the celebrated battlefield of Bull Eun.
On the next day, Sunday, August 31st, Jackson's corps
pressed the enemy towards Centreville, and on Monday after
noon his advance had a brief but severe engagement at Ox
HUl, just above Germantown, the Confederates occupying
Fairfax: Court-house that same night.
It might be supposed tbat now, at last, some rest would be
obtained by Jackson's iron-fraraed soldiers; but hardly had
the victory been won, and Fairfax, occupied, than a new move
ment comraenced, — this time, for the purpose of crossing into
Maryland. On the second day after the battle at Ox HiU,
Jackson ai-rived at Leesburg, and was there joined by the
other corps of the array. From Leesburg, in accordance with
General Lee's plans, be marched straight across the country to

188 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
WiUiamsport, for the pur'pose of possessing Martiiisburg, and
intercepting the Federal retreat if the enemy moved up the
river, while McLaws occupied Maryland heights ; and this with
a view to, the surrender of Harper's Feri-y, theri garrisoned by
a large force of TJnion troops, under General Miles. Jackson
rapidly and raost successfully perforraed his task, and Harper's
Ferr-y, with " 11,000 troops, an equal nuraber of sraall-arms,
seventy-three pieces of artiUery, and about 200 wagons, sur
rendered, on the 15th of Septeraber. This accomplished, Jack
son, leaving General A. P. Hill to hold Harper's Ferry, hastily
marched to join Lee, who had, fallen back to Sharpsbur-g, after
a heavy encounter with McClellan on the 14th, at South
Mountain. By a sever-e night's mar-ch, Jackson reached the vicinity of ,
Sharpsburg on the morning of the 16th, and, by direction of
Lee, he immediately advanced on the enemy, taking position
to the left of Longstreet, near a Dunkard church, EweU's di
vision (General Lawton commanding) forming the right, and
his own divison (General J. E. Jones commanding) forming
the left. Major-general Stuart, with the cavalry, was also on
his left.
That night the troops slept upon their arms, and on the fol
lowing day, Wednesday, September 17th, the battle of Antie
tam was fought. The result has already been related (see page
77), and, on the morning of the 19th, tbe Confederate array
having recrossed the Potoraac, Jackson, with his troops, was
again on the way to Martinsburg. The next day, a Feder-al
force crossed in pursuit, but was routed by a portion of Jack
son's corps, under A. P. HiU. On the evening of the 20th,
the. coramand moved to the Opeqiion river, in the vicinity of
Martinsburg, and encamped there for a week. At the end of
that time, Jackson went a little further on to Bunker Hill, and
there, at length, gave to his weary 'troops that rest they so
much needed.
In connection with this period, the following incident is re
lated of Jackson. A correspondent states, that "on the
morning of a recent battle near Harper's Ferry, after a sermon
by one of his chaplains, StonewaU Jackson, who, by the way,
is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, adrainistered the sacra
ment to the church-members in his army. He invited aU

GENKEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 189
Christians to participate in this ceremony. A Baptist, the
straitest of his sect, thoroughly imbued with the idea of close
communion, was seen to hesitate; but the occasion, and the
man who presided, overcame his scruples: and thus it has hap
pened that the prospect of a fight and the eloquence of Jack
son made a Baptist forget that baptism is the door into the
Church. In all Jackson's arrny an oath is rarely uttered. A
religious enthusiasm pervades it which makes ever-y man a
hero. Conscious of the justice of our cause, and imbued with
tbe strongest convictions of patriotism, his men are in-esistible.
In this incident we have an explanation of General Jackson's
invincibility, and we are thus enalnled to understand why his
men are all heroes, and why they endure without a murmur
the severest hardships to which any trOops have been sub
jected during the war. When peace is restored, it will be honor
enough for any man to say, ' I belonged to the army of Stone
wall Jackson.' "
In the month of Novernber, 1862, the Confederate army was
once more on the move towards the Eappahannock, and Jack
son, with his hardy veterans, accompanied it, forming the rear
guard, as far as Millwood, where he remained until the 1st of
December, watching the enemy and retarding his movemfents.
He was then sent for to join Lee at Fredericksburg, which he
did, by a rapid march, on the 10th, and his corps encamped
beyond the Maseaponnax, entirely out of sight, but ready for
prompt work when called upon. This was not long unre
quired. The battle of Fredericksburg may be said to have
comraenced on the llth, and ended ou the night of the 15th-
16th, but the principal engagement was on the 13th, and in it
Jackson, as usual, had a goodly share. We. have, however,
already given an account of this (see page 82), and therefore
pass on to succeeding events.
After the battle of Fredericksburg, Jackson retired to Moss
Neck for winter-quarters, with his corps hidden in the woods,
and for a while devoted himself to the task of preparing his
offlcial reports. In this work it is s^id that he was exceed
ingly car'eful not to have any thing placed on record which
was not estabUshed by irrefutable proof Truih was witb him
the jewel beyond all price — and nothing discomposed hira raore
than the bare suspicion that accuracy was sacrificed to effect.

190 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
He disliked all glowing adjectives in the narratives of his bat
tles ; and presented to the members. of bis staff and all around
hira, a noble exaraple of modesty and love of truth. He
disliked all ostentation, self-laudation, or the attempts of others
to elevate hira above his brother commanders. He objected
to aU -popular ovations ; and even refused, on several occasions,
to allow his portrait to be taken. Thus, an account of the
battles wherein he fought nray be relied upon as strictly truth
ful, if foUowing his official reports, which are " the sworn
statements of a man who would bave laid down his very life -
before he would have attached his name to what was partial,
unfair, or aught but the ^raple, absolute truth."
The army now rested from its severe toils : the brave men
wbo had so long battled with an equally brave enemy, now
had months to recuperate, and gather fresh strength ere the
' fierce cry of battle-strife was again likely to be heard, though
they were ever ready, should signs of any fresh encounter be
presented. Jackson himself, at length, enjoyed some relief
from the anxieties and cares tbat bad incessantly pressed upon
his mind ever since the war began. With his headquarters in
a small outbuilding of the " Corbin House," situated on a crest
of bills running afong the right bank of tbe Eappahannock,
he remained during the whole winter and spring of 1862-3,
watching the hills on the opposite side of the river, lest the
enemy should niake a sudden advance, and at the same time
he enjoyed the social friendship of many who visited him. Nu
merous incidents are related of his life at this period, but we
can only find space to mention one or two, as illustrating the
character of such a man.
" At his headquarters," says the pleasing writer we have so
often quoted from, " raight be seen ornaraents of the most
unique and surprising description. On the walls of the apart
ment were pictures of race-horses, well known and dear in
former days to the planters of the neighboring region. Then
there was a portrait of some celebrated game-cock, ready
trimmed and gaffed for confiict to the death. A corapanion-
piece of these was the picture of a terrier engaged in furious
onslaught upon an array of rats, which be was seizing, tear
ing, and shaking to death as fast as they came. These decora
tions of headquarters excited the merriment of the general's

GENERAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 191
associates ; and one of them suggested to him that a drawing
of the apartment should be madcj with the race-horses, game
cocks, and terrier in bold relief, the .picture to be labelled,
'View of the winter-quarters of General Stonewall Jackson,
presenting an insight into the tastes and character of the indi
vidual.' Hearty laughter, on the part of General Jackson,
greeted this jest from the distinguished brother soldier who had
stood beside him upon so many bloody fields — whom he loved
and opened his whole heart to — and to whom, when struck
down by the fatal ball at ChanceUorsviUe, his mind first turned
as his successor.
" The children of the house and in the neighborhood will
long remember the kind voice and smile of the great soldier —
his caresses and affectionate ways. A new military cap had
been sent him just before the battle of Fredericksburg, which
was resplendent with gold braid and all raanner of decora
tions. Jackson did not adraire this fine substitute for that old,
sun-scorched head-covering which had so long served hira ;
and when, one day, a little girl was standing at his knee, look
ing up from her clustering curls at the kindly general, whose
hand was caressing her hair, he found a better use for the fine
gold braid around the cap. He called for a pair of scissors,
ripped it off, and joining the ends, placed it like a coronet
upon her head, with smiles, and evident admiration at the
pretty picture thus presented.
" These are trifies, let us agree, good reader," adds the au
thor who narrates them, " but, is it not a pleasant spectacle to
see the great soldier amid these kindly simple sceries, — to
watch the stern and indomitable leader, whose soul has never
shrunk in the hour of deadliest peril, passing happy moments
in the society of laughing children ?"
It was during the time of his resting in 'Wfinter-quarters that
the following interesting letter was written :
Guinnbt's Depot, Cabolinb CouNry, 'Va., }
Dec. 10, 1862. )
Mt Deae Colonel — Yesterday I heard that Governor
Letcher and yourself were coraing to visit the army, but the
arrival of the cars without you dooraed me to disappoint
ment. I hope you will come before long. Please give my

192 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
kindest regards to the governor, and remind him of his long
standing promise to visit nie. Colonel Linedi says he heard
distant artillery, and others agree with him. The direction is
towards Port Eoyal.
I have heard with gi-eat interest the reports of the Congr-ess-
ional Coraraittee, recommending the repeal of the law requir
ing the raails to be carried on tbe Sabbath; and I hope that
you will feel it a duty, as well as a pleasure, to ur-ge its repeal.
I do not see how a nation that ar'rays itself by such a law
against God's holy day can expect to escape his wrath. , The
punishment of national sins must be confined to this world, as
there is no nationality beyond the grave. For fifteen years I
bave refused to mail letters on Sunday, or to take them out of
the office on that day, except sirrce I came into the field ; and
so far from having to regret my course, it has been a source of
true enjoyment. I have never sustained loss in observing
what God enjoins, and I am well satisfied that the law should
be repealed at the earliest practicable moment. My rule is to
let the Sabbath mails remain unopened, unless they contain a
dispatch ; but dispatches are generally sent by courier-s, or tel
egraph, or by sorae special messenger. I do not recollect a
single instance of any special dispatch having reached me,
since the coramencement ofthe war, by the mails. If you de
sire to repeal the law, I trust that you will bring all your in
fiuence to bear in its accompUshraent. Now is the time, it
appears to me, to effect so desirable an object. I understand
that not only our presidenj, but also most of our colonels, and
a majority of our congressmen, are pr-ot'essing Christians. God
has greatly blessed us, and I trust He will make us that people
to whom God is the Lord. Let us look to God for an illustra
tion in our history that righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin
is a reproach to any people.
Please send me a copy of the staff bill, as I may have some
thing to say respecting it in my letter to Colonel Miles.
Very truly, your friend, T. J. JACKSON.
Colonel A. R, Botelek, Richmond, Va,
In March, 1863, General Jackson moved his headquarters to
a point near Hamilton's crossing, not far from General Lee ;

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 193
and, soon afterwards, his peaceful quietude was broken by the
notes of war. On the I7th of the month the first moveraents
of the Federals took place, by Hooker sending General Averill
on an extensive. raid in the direction of Gordonsville. But, it
was not until the end of the month of April, when the Union
for'ces had crossed the Eappahannock with a view of fianking
Lee, that Jackson's active services were again in request. As
we have seen in the account of the battle of ChancellorsviUe
(page 90), Jackson was ordered, on Thursday evening, the 29th,
to leave one division of his corps in front of the enemy at
Fredericksburg, and proceed towards the field of action. His
after movemen1;s •we have already recorded, — how, after a con
sultation with General Lee, he attempted a fiank raovement
on the enemy's right* stationed at the Wilderness, and how
successfully it was executed. We have also hurriedly men
tioned that it was on the evening of that first day's engage
ment he raet his death-wound. But it is now our province tp
go into a few details explaining this raournful occurrence.
It was during the latter part of the day. May 2d, when the
Feder-als were hurriedly retreating before Jackson's impetuous
charge, that he dir'ected certain movements to be made in the
front, and then, being anxious to personally see thera executed,
he rode forwai-d with his staff to the advanced line of skir
mishers. The field of battle was, as we have before stated,
araidst much of the thick scrub and wood of the " Wilderness,"
and it was with the utmost difficulty Jackson's party could
proceed. They arrived, however, at the front, and, as night
had now appr-oached, Jackson, desirous of seeing more of the
enemy's movements, rode on some distance ahead of his skir
mishers, exposing hiraself to a dangerous fire from the enemy's
sharpshooters posted in the timber. " So great was the danger,
that one of his staff said, ' General, don't you think this is the
wrong place for you V He replied quickly : ' The danger is
all over ; the enemy is routed. Go back and tell A. P. Hill to
press right on !' " Soon after this order. General Jackson
turned, and, accompanied by his staff and escort, rode back at
a tr-ot, on his well-known " Old Sorrel,"' towards his own rnen.
Unhappily, in the darkness — it was now nine Or ten o'clock at
night — the little body of horsemen was mistaken for Feder-al
cavalry charging, and the regiments on the right and left of
13

194 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
the road fired a sudden volley into thera witb the most la
mentable results. Jackson was struck by three balls, one
thr-ough the left arra, two inches below the shoulder-joint,
shattering the bone and severing tbe chief artery ; another
ball passed through the sarae arm between the elbow and
wrist, making its exit through the palm of the hand ; a third
ball entered the palm of the right hand about its middle, pass
ing through, and breaking two bones. He was wounded on
the plank-road, about fifty yards in advance. Captain Boswell,
of Jackson's staff, was killed, and borne back into the Confed
erate lines by his own horse. Colonel Crutchfield, chief of
artillery, was wounded by his side; and two couriers were
killed. Major Pendleton, Lieutenants Mor-rison and Smith,
escaped uninjured. As Jackson fell from his horse, he was
caught by Captain Wormley, to whora he reraarked, " All my
Wounds are by my own men." He had previously given
orders to fire at any thing coming np the road, and probably
had forgotten, in his more important thoughts, to notify his
own movements.
Jackson was at once placed upon a litter, and started for the
rear ; but, now, the firing had attracted the enemy's attention,
who responded and made a slight advance. The consequence
was that one^ of the litter bearer-s 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 hurting his
side severely. At the same time, the Federals charging, they
actually passed pver his body, with a heavy fire going on from
both sides, and, for about five minutes, he was left thus, until
the enemy had been dr-iven back. An ambulance was then ob
tained, and he was immediately carried to the field hospital at
Wilderness Eun. There he was proraptly attended by the
army surgeons, but he had ali-eady lost so large an amount of
blood, that for two hours he was nearly pulseless, and thought
he was dying. A consultation immediately took place, and
amputation was decided upon. The operation was performed
under the influence of chloroform, and was borne well. But
he expressed an earnest desire that his troops should not know
he was wounded, and, while he was being carried frorn the
field, hearing the soldiers ask, " Who have you there ?" he
told the doctor not to tell them. In moments of relief he ex-

GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON." l9'5
pressed anxiety concerning the battle, and movements of his
corps, with a desire that General G. H. Stuart (Hill and Eodes
being wounded) should command. After amputation, Jack
son slept well through the night, and when he awoke requested
that his wife should at once be sent for. He spoke of the
attack which had been made on the previous evening, and felt
confident of victory. A note now came from General Lee,
expressing deep regret at the misfortune. The contents were :
"I have just received your note informing me that you were
wounded. I cannot express . my regret at the occurrence.
Could I have directed events, I should have chosen, for the
good of the country, to have been disabled in your stead. I
congratulate you on the victory which is due to your skill and
enei-gy." Sunday evening he slept well ; and on Monday he was
carried to Chancellor's house, near Guinney's depot. He was
cheerful, and talked about the battle, asking after all his offi
cers, and especially about the " Stonewall Brigade." On
Monday night he rested well, and next morning ate with a
relish. On Tuesday and Wednesday, his wounds were doing
very well. On Thursday, he suffered some pain ; but now, to
his great joy, Mrs. Jackson had arrived, and she assiduously
nursed hirn to the end. But, from the following day, he grad
ually sunk. On Sunday morning, a week from the night
of his being wounded, it was evident he had only a few
hours raore to live. Mrs. Jackson told him so, and in that
tender and sacred converse between man and wife, which, at
such tiraes of extrerae sadness, becomes more hallowed than
ever, he said : " Very good ! Very good 1 It is all right !"
He then sent messages to all his friends, the generals and
others, and raurraured in a low voice his -wish to be buried at
" Lexington, in the valley of Virginia." His mind then began
to wander, and he issued various orders to his officers, — among
the last, being, "A. P. HiU, prepare for action !" After this,
he speedily sank, and at a quarter past 3 p. m., Sunday, May
10th, he breathed his last, surrounded by weeping friends.
Immediately upon his death being made known. General
Lee issued the following official announcement to his army :

196 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.

GENERAL ORDERS— No. 61.
Headquaeteks, Noethesn Virginia, May 11, 1863.
With deep grief, the commanding general announces to the
army the death of Lieutenant-general T. J. Jackson, who ex
pired on the 10th instant, at quarter past 3 p. m. The daring,
skill, and energy of this great and good soldier, by an all-wise
Providence, are now lost to us. But while we mourn his
death, we feel that his spirit still lives, and will inspire the
whole army with his indomitable courage, and unshaken con
fidence in God as our hope and strength. Let his name be a
watchword to his corps, who have followed him to victory on
so many fields. Let the officers and soldiers imitate his invin
cible determination to do every thing in the defence of our
beloved country. R. E. LEB, General.
The body of General Jackson, embalmed, was conveyed to
Eichmond, where a great and solemn pageant raarked the
universal sense of loss. Laid in state, in the gover'uor's recep
tion-room, the dead hero was visited by thousands, tender
woraen covering the pall with bouquets of flowers and wreaths;
and when borne to the hall of the House of Eepresentatives,
the ceremony was grand in the extreme. Besides special regi
ments appointed to attend, there were members of his old
brigade, the President of the Confederate States, merabers of
the Cabinet, Generals Longstreet, Elzey, Garnett, and others,
with Coraraodore Forrest, representing the navy, and the
judges, citizens, and an iraraense concourse of persons, follow
ing in the train, — the general's old horse, caparisoned for bat
tle, being led by a groora. Truly it was a grand, though
mournful spectacle, and well might the Southern press, under
such feelings, exclaim : " It would have been better for us to
have lost a thousand ordinary men, than one ' StonewaU'
Jackson !"
The honors bestowed upon Jackson's remains were of no
coramon kind. During the great procession, his cold corse
was carried by some of the bravest and most eminent railitary
and naval coraraanders of his own South. Ewell, Winder,
Corse, Kemper, Elzey, Forrest, Garnett, and Stuart — the chiv-

, GENEEAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON. 197
alrous, bold', and dashing Stuart — were the pall-bearers ; and
when the body was sent to its last resting-place at Lexington,
Governor Letcher himself attended it thither. Previous to its
arrival, and shortly after his death, the superintendent of the
Virginia Military Institute, — the sarae General F. H. Smith
who, eleven years before, had submitted his name to the Board
of Visitors for the vacant pr'ofessor's chair, — officially an
nounced the painful circumstance to the cadets, in a gene,ral
order, embodying a brief resume of his valuable services, and
passing a high eulogy on his character. "The military career
of General Jackson," said the superintendent, "fills the most
brilliant and momentous page in the history of our country,
and in the achievements of our arras, and he stands forth a
colossal figure in this war for our independence. His country
now returns hira to us — not as he was when he left us. His
spirit has gone to God, who gave it. His mutilated body
comes back to us — to his home — to be laid by us in his tomb.
Eeverently and affectionately we will discharge this last
solemn duty. And, " Though his earthly sun has set,
Its light shall linger round us yet.
Bright — radiant — blest !"
When his remains arrived from Eichmond, equally high
was the honor shown to them at Lexington. The cadets'
battery, which he had so long commanded, fired half hour
guns, from sunrise to sunset ; the fiag of the State and the
Confederacy was hung at half-mast ; his lecture-room was
draped in mourning, to remain so for six months ; and the
officers and cadets of the Institute wore the usual badge of
mourning for thirty days.
The journals report that some loving hand planted on his
grave a piece of laurel brought from the tomb of Napoleon at
St. Helena; and it has been said by an intelligent Union
chaplain, that "if any raan whora this war has developed re
sembled Napoleon, it was Stonewall Jackson." In this reraark
there is sorae reason, says a writer in the Tribune. "Like
Napoleon, Jackson had daring, originality ; and like bim, he
taught his eneray that if they would beat bim, they raust imi
tate hira." But, by raany competent judges, quite a different

198 SOUTHEEJr GENEEALS.
estimate is held. The character of Jackson being considered
more assimilated with that, of the stern Puritans or Covenant
ers ; not — even in a military point of view — with such a unique
and raaster mind as Napoleon's. However, the Southern gen
eral has and will have many great adnrirers, who almost deify
him, through the deserved respect and admiration his country
men have evinced towards such a brave and Cbristian man, as
well as patriotic soldier.

lEiigra_\,-E3 for ¦Eliel''iTst"Yea3' of ftie "Wax.

GENERAL PETER G. TOUTANT BEAUREGARD.

CHAPTEE L
Excitement at Charleston. — Bombardment of Sumter.— Beauregard. — Fall of Sum
ter.— Major E. Anderson and his Heroic Band.— Beauregard's Parentage and Early
Life. — Career in Mexico. — Promotions. — Resigns — Appointment in Confederate Ser
vice. — Assumes Command.— Official Correspondence Eespecting Sumter.— Beaure
gard's Eeport of the Fall of Sumter.. — Incidents Connected with the Taking of Sum
ter. — EusseU's Sketch of Beauregard. — Flag-staff of Sumter. — Beauregard's Adieu
to Charleston, and Assumption of Command at Manassas. — Military Position and
Topographical Features. — Characteristics of Beauregard. — Engagement of Blackburn's
Ford. — Battle of Bull Eun. — Letter to Beauregard from Colonel Cameron's Sister. —
Eeasons Why no Advance -was made on Washington. — Prince Napoleon's Visit. —
General Evans and the Battle of Leesburg. — Beauregard and President Davis. —
His Transfer to the Mississippi Department.
Shoetlt after four o'clock in the dull gray of the morning
of Friday, April 12th, 1861, unusual signs of excitement and
agitation were seen araong tbe citizens and residents of Charles
ton, South Carolina. Though at an hour when very few per
sons, under ordinary circumstances, are astir, and though the
day was hazy and moist, yet every house appeared to be emp
tying its occupants and sending a living stream through all
the streets leading to the wharves and battery. Not raen,
alone, but ladies of all ranks and grades, wended their way
eagerly to the point of attraction. No gala-day had before
witnessed so large a number of the fair sex gracing that public
promenade; nor had any previous occasion awakened in their
breasts so rauch anxiety, hope, and fear. With palpitating
hearts and pallid faces, the raore tender portion of that excited
people stood facing the sea, watching tiny wreaths of white
smoke curling upwards, in the soft twilight, from one point of
view on the right, and quickly afterwards frora another on the
left, at Jaraes and Sullivan islands. Soon a duU, heavy sound
fell upon the ear. Then came the whiz and the whirl of fiery
implements of destruction ; and, anon, the fury of a terrible
cannonading, directed towards one solitary spot situated in

200 SOUTHERN GENEEALS."

¦f-

the bay, which, to the amazement of all, appeared as quiet as
though death already tenanted it. .For more than an hour no
answering note replied to the iron messengers of slaughter
hurled at it ; but as daylight fully revealed tbe scene, the excited
gazers on the battery promenade beheld, fioating to the morn
ing breeze from that one spot, which showed itself to be a
fortress of great strength and importance, a large banner, ele
vated proudly aloft, and displaying on its folds the stars and
- stripes of the United States ! Silence reigned around it, ex
cept in the battering it now received on either side frora the
assault. Another hour passed, and yet no answer came to the
attack without; so that those who watched, began to augur
results favorable to their own wishes, and to say that the ten
ants of that fort were going to yield. But they were mistaken.
They knew not the character of those brave men — absolutely
alone amidst surrounding foes, yet her'oically bent on doing
their duty, as true soldiers and loyal raen, to the flag they
sei'ved, and whose folds waved over thera. They fancied that
these men were about to succumb, without one note of fierce
reply in honor of their name and country's reputation. But,
not so. At half-past six, and while the spectators on the
Charleston battery still looked on with varied emotions, sud
denly, from casemate and parapet of tbat solitary fort, there
darted forth shar-p sheets of fiame, and a storm of iron, hail
went hissing forward, in the direction of the assailing foe !
The scene of carnage had, at last, begun, and the angry pieces
of war on both sides were now dealing what destruction they
could upon the opposite party. The atmosphere soon became
charged with the smell of burnt powder, and the sky clouded,
not only by the natural gloomy aspect of the day, but also
by the smoke of, the nuraerous guns now at work in deadly
confiict. Standing near one of these guns is General Beauregard, ap-
par-ently in the prime of vigorous raanhood, and having an emi
nently martial beai-ing. Spirit and determination may be seen
in his glance, and a clearness of per-ception beyond that of ordi
nary men. Directing the heavy firing now going on against
that sbUtary fort, and surrounded by raembers of his staff, he
sends forth various orders in terse, abrupt tones, in the lan
guage of a man weU used to, and fitted for comraand. Called

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BKAUEEGAED. 201
to the high and important post of General-in-chief of the Pro
visional Army of the State, and feeling the great responsibility
attached to his position at that serious moment, when the first
gun of open opposition to Federal power was fired, b-e could
not be otherwise than keenly alive to the necessity for exer'-
cising evei-y faculty of his experienced mind in the part
he was now, enacting. A few hours more — a day of gal
lant defence ' on the side of those heroic men in tbat
solitary fort — and Beauregard was the victor over Sumter
fallen !
We have no space here to give all the details of the attack
on Fort Sumter, its sturdy defence by the brave Anderson
and his corarades, and its ultimate surrender, when it was im
possible to bold it longer under such an Overwhelming fire.
Our task now, must be merely to sketch the career of bim who
was destined to be the first militar'y chief in active arms
against tbe Government of the United States.
Beauregard was born on his father's plantation, in tbe Parish
of St. Martin, Louisiana, in tho year 1816. His gr-eat grand
father spr-ang from a noble family iu France, which emigr-ated
to this country during the reign of Louis XV., and settled in
Louisiana. The name of the faraily was Toutant de Beaure
gard, until James, the father of Pierre Gustave, threw off the
titular portion of it, for the reason,, as some say, that it was
repugnant to the old gentleman's republican tastes, or, as oth
ers state, that the name was often confounded with that of an
other family of Beauregards in his iraraediate neighborhood.
From that time the faraily name has been simply Toutant, — no
one but the subject of the present sketch having since used the
original surname of Beauregard. There is, however, still an
other explanation of this change of narae. It is said, by a
writer in a New Tork paper, that " the family had an estate
called Beauregard, and the elder Toutant — which was the right
ful name — had been in the habit of signing himself Toutant
of Beauregard. Thus, when he raade an application to the
meraber of Congress from the district in which he resided in
Louisiana, for a cadetship at West Point for his young son, he
signed himself in this way — Toutant de Beauregard — and the
assumed title was taken for the surname. The appointment
for the lad was therefore made out for Pierre G. T. Beauregard,

202 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
and the name was retained frora a little vanity, perhaps, in its
sonorous quaUty. Beauregard, however, is stUl known among
his relations in Louisiana as Pierre Toutant."
James Toutant, the father, intermarried with Helene Eeggio,
whose earliest American ancestor came to this country about
the tirae of the Beauregards. The family of Eeggio is also
of noble origin, being an Italian branch of the House of
Este. The fruit of this marriage was three sons, of whom
Peter Gustave is the second, and three daughters, married
respectively to Mortimer BeUy, Esq., of New Orleans, E. S.
Proctor, Esq., of St. Bernard, and M. Legendr-e, of NewYork.
Pierre Gustave Beauregard entered West Point as a cadet, in
1834, and graduated June SOth, 1838, taking the second honors
in a class of forty-five graduates. He was then appointed
second-lieutenant in the First Eegiment of artillery, which
commission he only held for one week, being transferi-ed to the
corps of Engineers on July 7th. On June 16th, 1839, he was
pi-oraoted to a first-Ueutenancy, and in that capacity served
with great distinction during the Mexican War. Of the sev
eral incidents wherein he made himself conspicuous, we have
but to refer to General Scott's official reports, and his Autobi
ography, for ample testimony to the merits of tbe brave young
officer. But the following illustrations of his career at that
period deserve to be especially mentioned. The first occurred
before Vera Cruz, as foUows :
Lieutenant Beauregard was sent out by his colonel with a
party of sappers to dig and prepare a trench, according to a
profile and plan made by the colonel. No sooner had Beaure
gard exarained the ground, than he discovered great objections
to the plan. To assure himself, he climbed into a tree, and
with the aid of the marine glass, the engineer's vade mecum, be
made a reconnoissance, and saw plainly that the trench, as
planned, would be enfiladed by the eneray's cannon. Here
was a difficult position for a subaltern ministerial officer. He
decided -proraptly, and returned to headquarters without stick
ing a spade. The colonel met him, and expressed surprise that
be had so soon perforraed his task. Beauregard replied that he
had not touched it. The colonel, with the astonishment mili
tary men feel in hearing their orders have not been obeyed, in
quired the..reason. He was soon informed of it. He was in-

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEQAED. 203
credulous ; " the ground had been exarained ;" " the reconnois
sance was perfect," etc. The young lieutenant was satisfied,
however, that the reconnoissance of his old chief had not been
made like his, " frora up in a tree." The colonel, like a sensi
ble man, concluded to make another examination : tbe plan
was changed in accordance with the youn'g lieutenant's views.
The work done from these trenches is matter of history, but its
pages nowhere inform us to whom the credit is due.
A second incident occurred before the city of Mexico. A
night or two before the attack, a council of war was held.
There were assembled all the great folks, from Lieutenant-gen
eral Scott, Worth, Twiggs, etc., down to our friend Beauregard,
the youngest officer in the room. The debate went on for boiirs.
Scott was solitary in his opinion. Every other officer present,
except one, had spoken, and all concurred in their views. The
silent one was Beauregard. At last General Pierce crossed
over and said, " You have not expressed an ppinion." " I have
not been called on," said Beauregard. " You shall be, how
ever," said Pier-ce ; and soon resuming his seat, announced
that Lieutenant Beauregard had not given his opinion. Being
then called out, he remarked, that if the plan which had re
ceived the consent of all but the commanding general 'was car
ried into effect, it would prove disastrous. It would' be another
Churubusco affair. He then detailed the objections to it at
length ; and taking up the other, urged the reasons in itsfavor,
with equal earnestness. The council reversed their decision.
The city of Mexico was entered according to the plan ui-ged
by the young Ueutenant ; and it would seem that his reasons
infiuenced the decision. A few days afterwards General Scott,
in the -presence of a number of principal officers, alluded to
Lieutenant Beauregard's opinion at the council, and the con
sequences which had followed frora it.
On August 20th, 1847, Beauregard was brevetted captain,
for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Con
treras and Churubusco ; and again as raajor, for the battle of
Chapultepec, to date from Septeraber 13th, 1847. At the
Belen gate, Mexico, he was wounded ; and, afterwards, upon
his return home, he was presented with an elegant sword.
Subsequently he was placed by the Governraent in charge of
the construction of the Mint and Custom-house at New Or-

204 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
leans, as weU as of the fortifications on and near the mouth
of .the Mississippi.
At the beginning of the year 1861, Major Beauregard was
appointed superintendent of West Point Military Academy,
" but was reUeved by President Buchanan within forty-eight
hours, as a rebuke, it is alleged, to the secession speech of
Senator Slidell, who is a brother-in-law of Beauregard."
Subsequently he resigned his commission in the service
of the United States, and was appointed by Governor Moore,
of Louisiana, Colonel of Engineers in the Provisional Army of
the South. Soon afterwards, he was made Brigadier general
in the forces of his native State, which appointraent was con
firmed by President Davis, on March 3d, with official direc
tions to proceed to Charleston and assurae coraraand of all the
troops in actual service in and around that place.
On arriving there, he iraraediately examined the fortifica
tions, and put the city and defences in military array. Fort
Sumter, at that time, wa,s garrisoned by Major Anderson, of
the regular array, and a force of officers and men ; and it was
hoped, by the State Convention of South Carolina, that it
would be surrendered to the South without compulsion. But,
every effort to induce such a course failed. The Federal
coraraander could not and would not yield, while a shadow of
hope remained of being able to hold out. That hope, much
depended upon receiving supplies frora the government at
Washington. Without those supplies the heroic little garrison
could not exist, for all communication betweenSumter and the
city of Charleston was, on the 7tb of April, cut off. Pre-
"piously, the wants of the garrison had been supplied through
the city, but now the time had eome when General Beauregard
and the authorities deemed it necessary to stop all further
intercourse, except of a purely military character as between
belligerents. Thus, Major Anderson had to look to Washing
ton for immediate relief, sending a special raessenger thither,
stating his condition, and asking for official instructions what
to do. Neither the relief, nor the instructions, however, came
until too late, though notice had been sent the 8tb of AprU, by
an envoy frorn President Lincoln to Governor Pickens and
General Beauregard, that " provisions would be forwarded to
Fort Sumter peacea,bly, or otherwise by force."

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 205
The message of President Lincoln was iraraediately tele
graphed by Beauregard to the Confederate War Departraent
at Montgoraery, and the following reply came back :
" If you have no doubt of the authorized character of the
agent who communicated to you the intention of the Washing
ton governraent to supply Fort Surater by force, you will at
once demand its evacuation, and if tbis is refused, proceed, in
such manner as you may determine, to reduce it."
To this, Beauregard responded : " The deraand will be made
to-morrow at twelve o'clock." Whereupon, Secretary Walker
again telegraphed': "Unless there are especial reasons con
nected with your own condition, it is considered proper that
you should raake the deraand at an earlier hour." Beaure
gard replied : " The reasons are special for twelve o'clock."
This correspondence was on the 10th of April, and on the
following day, Thursday, April llth, at 2.20 p. m.. General
Beauregard sent two of his aids with a coramunication to
Major Anderson, demanding the evacuation, with an offer to
transport himself and command to any port in the United
States he might select, to allow hirn to move out of the fort
with company arms and property, and all private property,
and to salute his flag on lowering it. To this coramunication
Major Anderson refused to accede, but, as the raessengers
were leaving, he remarked, that if the fort was not battered to
pieces, he would be starved out in a few days.
At 5.10 p. M. Beauregard received Anderson's answer, which,
in writing, was as follows :
Hbadquabtkes, Fokt StTMTBB, S. C, AprU llth, 1861
Geneeal — I have the honor to acknowledge tbe receipt of
your communication, demanding the evacuation of this fort;
and to say in reply thereto, that it is a demand with which I
regret that my sense of honor and my obligations to my Gov
ernment prevent my corapliance.
Thanking you for the fair, raanly, and courteous terms pro
posed, and for the high compliment paid me,
I am. General, very respectfully
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) ROBERT ANDERSON,
Major United States Army, commanding.
To Briga,dier-general Q-. T. Bbaubegabd,
Commanding Provisional Army, C. S. A.

206 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
This was telegraphed to Montgomery, and the following
communication received at 9.10 p. m. iu reply :
MoNTGOMBET, AprU llth, 1861.
ToQbnbral Bbatjbegaed:
Sir_We do not desire needlessly to bombard Fort Surater.
If Major Anderson will state the time at which, as indicated
by him, he wUl evacuate (be starved out), and agree that in
the mean time he wUl not use his guns against us, unless arms
should be employed against, Fort Sumter, you are authorized
thus to avoid the effusion of blood. If this or its equivalent
be refused, you will reduce the fort as your judgment decides
to be the most practicable. (Signed) L. P. WALKER.
At 11 P. M. Beauregard sent his aids with another letter to
Major Anderson, based upon the instructions he had received.
The contents of the letter ran thus :
Heaikjuaiitbes Peovesional Abmy C. S. a., )
Charleston, April 11, 1861—11 P. M. )
Majok — In consequence of the verbal observations made by
you to my aides, Messrs. Chesnut and Lee, in relation to the
condition of your supplies, and that you would, in a few days,
be starved out if our guns did not batter you to pieces — or
words to that effect — and desiring no useless effusion of blood,
I coraraunicated both the verbal observation and your written
answer in my communication to my Government.
If you will state the time at which you will evacuate Fort
Sumter, and agree that, in the raean while, you will not use
your guns against us, unless ours shall be employed against
Fort Surater, we will abstain from opening fire upon you.
Colonel Chesnut and Captain Lee are authorized by rae to
enter into such an agreement with you. You are therefore
requested to communicate to them an open answer.
I remain, Major, very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
(Signed) P. G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-general, commanding.
To Major Robert Andeeson,
Commanding at Port Sumter, Charleston Harbor, S. C.

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BKAUEEGAED. 207
At forty-five minutes past midnight. Major Anderson had
this letter placed in his hands, and, after consultation with his
officers, at half-past two in the morning, April 12th, he returned
the following reply :
Geneeal — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your second coraraunication of the llth instant, by Colonel
Chesnut, and to state, in reply, that cordially uniting with you
in the desire to avoid the useless effusion of blood, I will, if
provided with the proper and necessary raeans of transporta
tion, evacuate Fort Surater by noon on the IStli instant, should
I not receive, prior to that time, controlling ir>istructions from
my Government, or additional' supplies ; and that I will not, in
the mean tirae, open my fire upon your forces, unless compeUed
to do so by some hostile act against this fort or the fiag of my
Government, by the forces under your command, or by some
portion of them, or by the perpetration of some act showing a
hostile intention on your part against this fort or the fiag it
bears. I have the honor to be, General,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) ROBERT ANDERSON,
Major United States Army, commanding.
This reply General Beauregard did not consider sufficiently
to the purpose, inasmuch as information had come to hand
(and after-events proved its truth) that an atterapt would be
made, by force, from a United States fleet then lying off the
entrance of, the harbor, to relieve the fort; and, in that case.
Major Anderson would still feel himself bound to hojd posses
sion. Prompt measures, ther-efore, were necessary, and Beau-
gard immediately adopted them. He quickly sent back his
aides, with instructions how to act, and at 3.20 a. m. of that
eventful Friday, April 12th, the following declaration of
hostility was delivered to Major Anderson :
Sie — By the authority of Brigadier-general Beauregard,
commanding the provisional forces of the Confederate States,

208 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
we have tbe honor to notify you that he will open the fire of
his batteries on Fort Sumter in\one hour from this time.
We have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your obedient servants,
(Signed) JAMES CHESNUT, Jr., Aid-de-camp.
STEPHEN D. LEE, Captain S. C. A. and Aid-de-camp.
Major Robert Anderson,
United Stat.es Army, commanding Fort Sumter.
What iramediately followed has already been mentioned at
the opening of our chapter; but, as no event in the history of
America has had so important a bearing upon its present and
future, since the great day of her independence was acknow
ledged, we deem it best to give an official report of the occur
rences tbat took place, so far as relating to the subject of our
present sketch.
General Beauregard says :
" At 4.30 A. M. the signal shell was fired from Fort Johnson ;
and about five o'clock the fire from our batteries became gen
eral. Fort Sumter did not begin until seven o'clock, when
it commenced with a vigorous fire upon the Cummings' Point
iron battery. The enemy next directed his fire upon the en
filade battery on Sullivan's Island, constructed to sweep the
parapet of Fort Sumter, to prevent the wor-king of tbe barbette
guns, and to dismount them. This was also the aim of the
floating battery, the Dahlgren battery, and the gun-batteries
at Cummings' Point. The enemy next opened fire on Fort
Moultrie, between whicb and Fort Sumter a steady and al
most constant fire was kept up throughout the day. These
three points, Fort Moultrie, Cumthings' Point, and the end of
SuUivan's Island, where the fioating battery, Dahlgren battery,
and the enfilade batter-y were placed, were the points to which
the enemy seemed almost to confine his attention, although he
fir-ed a number of shots at Captain Butler's mortar battery,
situated to the east of Fort Moultrie, and a few at Captain
Janies' mortar batteries, at For't Johnson. During the day
(12th inst.) the fire of my batteries was kept up most spiritedly ;
the guns and mortaj-s being worked in the coolest raanner, pre
serving the prescribed intervals of firing. Towards evening it
became evident that our fire was very effective, as the enemy

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED.. 209
was driven fr-om his barbette guns, which he attempted to
work in tbe morning, and his fire was confined to his casemate
guns, but in a less active raanner than in the mor-ning, and it
was observed that several of his guns en barbette were disabled.
" During the whole of Friday night our mortar batteries
continued to throw shells, but, in obedience to oi'ders, at longer
intervals. The night was rainy and dark, and as it was con
fidently expected that the United States fieet would atterapt to
land troops upon the islands, or to throw men into Fort Sura
ter, by means of boats, the greatest vigilance was observed at
all our channel batteries, and by our troops on both Morris',
and Sullivan's islands. Early on Saturday morning all of our
batteries reopened upon Fort Surater, which responded vigor
ously for a tirne, dir-ecting its fire specially against Fort Moul
trie. About 8 o'clock A. m., smoke was seen issuing from the
quarters of Fort Surater; upon this, the fire of our batteries was
increased, as a matter of course, for the purpose of bringing the
eneiny to ter-ms as speedily as possible, inasmuch as his flag
was still floating defiantly above hira.. For-t Sumter continued
to tire from time to tirne, but at long and irregular intervals,
. arnid the dense smoke, fij'ing shot, and bursting shells. Our
brave troops, carried away by their naturally generous ira
pulses, mounted the different batteries, and at every discharge
from the fort, cheered the garrison for its pluck and gallantry,
and hooted the fleet lying inactive just outside the bar. About
1.30 P. m., it being reported to rne that the flag was down (it
afterwards appear-ed that the flag-staff had been shot away),
and the conflagration frora the large volume of sraoke being
apparently on the increase, I sent three of my aides with a
message to Major Anderson, to the effect that seeing his flag no
longer flying, his quarters in flames, and supposing him to be
in distress, I desired to -offer him any assistance be might stand
in need of. Before my aides reached the fort, the United States
flag was displayed on the parapets, but remained there only a
short time, when it was hauled down, and a white flag substi
tuted in its place. When the United States flag first disappeared,
the firing frora our batteries almost entirely ceased, but re
opened with increased vigor when it reappeared on tbe para
pet, and was continued until the w.hite fiag was raised, when it
ceased entirely. Upon the arrival of my aides at Fort Sumter,
14

210 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS."
they delivered their message to Major Anderson, who replied
that he thanked me for my offer-, but desired no assistance.
Just previous to the arrival, Colonel Wigfall, one of my aides,
who bad been detached for special duty on Morris' Island,
had, by order of Brigadier--general Simons, crossed over to
Fort Surater from Cummings' Point in an open boat, with pri
vate William Gour-din Young, amidst a heavy fire of shot and
shell, for the purpose of ascertaining from Major Anderson
whether his intention was to surrender, his fiag being down
and his quarters in fiames. On reaching the fort, the colonel
had an interview with Major Anderson, tbe result of which
was, that Major Anderson understood him as offering the same
conditions on the part of General Beauregard, as had been
tendered hira on the llth instant ; while Colonel Wigfall's im
pression was, that Major Anderson unconditionally surrendered,
trusting to the generosity of General Beauregard to offer such
terms as would be honorable and acceptable to both pal-ties;
meanwhile, before these circurastances were reported to rae,
and, in fact, soon after the aides whom I had dispatched with
the offer of assistance had set out on their mission, hearing that
a white fiag was flying over the fort, I sent Major Jones, the
chief of my staff, and some other aides, with substantially the
same propositions I had submitted to Major Anderson on the
llth instant, wilh the exception of the privilege of saluting his
flag. "The major (Anderson) replied, 'it would be exceedingly
gratifying to him, as well as to his coramand, to be permitted
to salute his flag, having so gallantly defended the fort, under
such trying circumstances, and hoped that General Beaure
gard would not refuse it, as such a privilege was not unusuah'
Pie further said, 'he, would aot urge the point, but would pre
fer to refer the matter to General Beauregard.' The point was,
therefore, left open until the matter, was submitted. to me.
Previous to the return of Major Jones,! sent a fire-engine, un
der Mr. M. II. Nathan, chief of the fire departraent, and
Surgeon-genei-al Gibbes, of South Cai-olina, with several of my
aides, to offer further assistance to the garrison of Fort Sumter,
which was declined. I very cheerfully agreed to aUow the
salute as an honorable testimony to the gallantry and fortitude
with which Major Anderson and his command had defended

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 211
their posts, and I informed Major Anderson of my decision
about half-past seven o'clock, through Major Jones, ray chief
of staff. The arrangements being corapleted, Major Anderson
embarked with his comraand on the transport prepared to
convey him to the United States fleet, still lying outside the
bar, and our troops iramediately garrisoned the fort, and before
sunset the flag of the Confederate States floated over the ram-
pal-ts of Sumter."
Dur-ing the bombardment several incidents occurred that
showed how the gallantry displayed by Major Anderson and his
heroic band was fully understood and appreciated, even by
those fighting against him. But we have not space, here,
to record them. One circumstance, however, r-elating to the
interchange of such courtesies as could be extended, raay be
mentioned. When the news arrived in Paris, a French gentle
man said to an American ther-e : " Quelle idee chevalresque !
On voit que vous avez pi-ofite, vous autres Am6ricains, de
I'exemple 'Frangais. Ce General Beauregard porte un nom
Frangais !"¦*
Immediately after the surrender of Fort Sumter, General
Bes,uregard issued a corapliraentary order to his tr-oops for
their bearing, and the success which had attended their arras ;
and, at a later period, he himself and hi-s officers received the
thanks of the Southern Congress, " for the skill, fortitude, and
courage" displayed ; and the coraraendation of Congress was
also expressed in view " of the generosity manifested by their
conduct towards a brave and conquered foe."
About this time General Beauregard was visited by a gen
tleraan somewhat well known, both in the North and South,
from his letters to the London Times. We allude to Mr. W.
H. EusseU, who says, under date of April 16th :
"I was taken after dinner and introduced to General Beau
regard, who was engaged, late as it was, in his room at head
quarters, writing dispatches. ... He received me in the most
cordial manner, and introduced me to his engineer officer,
Major Whiting, whom he assigned to lead me over the works
next day. After some general conversation, I took my leave ;

-* " 'Vyhat a chivalric idea I It is easy to see that you Americans have pro
fited by French example. This General Beauregard hears a French name !"

212 SOUTHEEtT GENEEALS.
but, before I went, the general said, ' You sbaUgo everywhere
and see every thing ; we rely upon your discretion, and knowl
edge of what is fair, in dealing with what you see. Of course
you don't expect to find regular soldiers in our camps, or very
scientific works.' I answered the general, that he might rely
on my making no improper use of wbat I saw in this country,
but, ' unless you tell me to the contrary, I shaU write an ac
count of all I see, to the other side of the water ; and if, when
it coraes back, there are things you would rather not have
known, you must not blame me.' He smUed, and said, ' I dare
say we'll have great changes by that time.'
" The next day I went over and saw General Beauregard,
again, at his quarters. He was busy with papers, orderlies,
and dispatches, and the outer room was crowded with officers.
His present task, he told me, was to put Sumter in a state of
defence, and to disarm the works bearing on it, so as to get
their fire directed on the harbor approaches, as ' the North, in
its madness,' might atterapt a naval attack on Charleston.*
His manner of transacting business was clear and rapid. Two
vases filled with fiowers on his table, flanking his maps and
plans ; and, by way of paper weight, a little bouquet of roses,
geraniuras, and scented flowers lay on a letter which he was
writing as I carae in. He offered me every assistance and
facility, relying, of course, on my strict observance of a neu
tral's duty." . . . . " April 24th, I saw General Beauregard
in the evening ; he Was very lively and in good spirits, though
he admitted he was rather surprised by the spirit displayed in
the North. ' A good deal of it is got up, however,' he said,
' and belongs to that washy sort of enthusiasm which is pro
moted by their lecturing and spouting.'
"Beauregard is proud of his personal strength, which,
for his slight frame, is said to be very extraordinary, knd he
seemed to insist on it that the Southern men had more phy
sical strength, owing to their raode of life, and their education,
than tbeir Northern ' brethren.' . . . . " He is apprehensive
of an attack by the Northern 'fanatics' before the South is
prepared, and he considers they will cari'y out coercive meas-,,
ures most rigorously." * Tliis, after events verified.

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 213
On the 4th of May, General Beauregard was again met by
Mr. Eussell, on his way to Montgomerj'. The latter gentle
man says: "At one of the junctions, General Beauregard, at
tended by Mr. Manning, and others of his staff, got into the
car, and tried to elude observation, but the conductors take
great pleasure in unearthing distinguished passenger-s for the
public, and the general was called on for a speech by the
crowd of idlers. The general hates speecbrmaking, he told
me ; and, besides, he had been bored to death at every station
by similar demands. But, a man raust be popular. Or he is
nothing." From Montgomery — where he had personally reported to
President Davis— it is variously stated that he went to Eich
mond and consulted with General Lee, and was afterwards at
Norfolk with a large force. But the reports of his moveraents
at this time were, not only confused, but contradictory, and,
under present circumstances, it is difficult to give any exact
statement, until we find him, on May 12th, again at Charleston,
departing in the steamer General Clinch on a tour of inspection.
On the 22d of May he was still at Charleston, as the fol
lowing letter shows : Headquarters Provisional Armt C. S., )
Charleston, S. C, May 32, 1861. )
Deae Majoe — I send you, through Mr. T. K. Wharton, a
piece of the fiag-staff of Fort Surater, which was struck nine
times by the balls and shells of our batteries, and finally carae
down with the fiag attached to it. The piece sent you is in
tended as the staff of your battalion colors, and I have no
doubt that when thus honored, and under the protection of
onr gallant comrades, it will meet with better success.
With the assurance of my high consideration, I remain, dear
major, yours very truly, P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Brigadier-General Commanding.
Major Numa Augustin, Commanding Orleans Battalion, New Orleans.
A fe-w days after, General Beauregard was appointed
to a fresh command, supposed, at first, to have been Oor-inrh,
Mississippi ; and several statements in the papers asserted he
was there, or on bis way ; but if so, he raust have speedily
returned to Eichmond, as he was at that place in the early

214 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
part of June. However, it was on the 27th of May he bade
fareweU to Charieston, in the foUowing letter, addressed to
General Martin. Chaelbston, May 27, 1861.
Mt Deae Geneeal— I sincerely regret leaving Charieston,
where the inhabitants have given me such a welcome that I
now consider it as my second home.
I had hoped that when relieved from here it would have
been to go to Virginia, in coramand of the gaUant Carolinians,
whose coirragCj patience, and zeal I had learned to appreciate
and admire. But it seeras my services are required elsewhere,
and thither I shall go, not with joy, but with the firra deter
mination to do niore than my duty, if I can, and to leave as
strong a raark as possible on the enemies of our beloved coun
try, should they pollute its soil with their dastardly feet.
But rest assured, my dear sir, that whatever happens at
first, we are certain to triumph at last, even if we had for arms
only pitchforks and fiint-lock muskets, for every bush and
haystack will becorae an arabush and every barn a fortress.
The history of nations proves that a gallant and free people,
fighting for their independence and firesides, are invincible
against even disciplined mercenaries, at a few dollars per
month. What, then, must be the result when its eneraies are
little more than an arraed rabble, gathered together hastily on
a false pretence, and for an unholy purpose, with an octogen
arian at its head ? None but the demented can doubt the issue.
I remain, dear general, yours sincerely,
P. G. T. BEAUREGARD.
At the beginning of June, General Beaui'egard was in con
sultation with President Davis and General Lee, at Eichmond,
while, by means of couriers, they held frequent communica
tion with General Johnston, then in command near Harper's
Ferry. The result was, that a military campaign was decided
upon, embr-acing defensive operations in North Virginia and
the Shenandoah valley, and concentrating au army, under
Beauregard, at the Manassas Gap railroad junction, and imme
diate locality.
Beauregard iraraediately assumed comraand, and on the 5th
of June issued a proclamation, earnestly inviting and enjoining

//

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 216
the people of the counties ar-ound "to rally to the standard of
their State and country." At the same tirae no strangers
were allowed to go North without a passport.
The following account of Beauregard and his army, at this
pei'iod, from a gentleman writing to a Southern paper, raay
be found interesting.
Dating his letter from Manassas Junction, July 7th, he says :
"This place still continues the headquarters of the army of
the Potoraac. By nature, the position is one of the strongest
that could have been found in the whole State. About half
way between the eastern spur of the Blue Eidge and the Poto
mac, below Alexandria, it commands the whole country be
tween, so perfectly that there is scarcely a possibility of its
being turned. The right wing stretches off towards the head
waters of the Ocoogan, through a wooded country, which is
easily made irapassable by the felling of trees. The left is a
rolling table-land, readily coraraanded frora the successive ele
vations, till you reach a country so rough and so rugged that
it is a defence to itself. The key to the whole position, in fact,
is pr-ecisely that point which General Beauregard- chose for his
centr-e, and whicb he' has fortified so strongly, that, in the
opinion of military men, five thousand men could there hold
twenty thousand at bay 
"As might be expected frorn the skill with which he has
chosen his position, and tbe systera with which he encaraps and
moves his raen. General Beauregard is vei-y popular here. I
doubt if Napoleon himself had more the undivided confidence
of his army. By nature, as also from a wise policy, he is very
reticent. Not an individual here knows his plans, or a single
move of a regiment before it is raade, and then only the
colonel and his rnen know where it goes to. So close does the
general keep his affairs to hiraself, his left hand hardly knoweth
what his right hand doeth ; and- so jealous is he of this preroga
tive of a coraraanding officer, that I ver-ily believe if he sus
pected his coat of any acquaintance with the plans revolving
within him, he would cast it from him.
"The general's headquarters is a little farm-house, about
fifteen feet by twenty, fi-onting one of the roads leading to
Alexandria. The ground-fioor is divided into two rooms. The
front one is filled with desks, at whichr clerks sit writing, or

216 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
engaged in business of a var-ied character. The back one ap
pear-s to be used as a storeroom or kitchen. Above, the same
division continues, and the front room is the general's apart
ment. It is about fifteen feet long by ten wide, and hung with
maps of the State and country around. In the centre is a plain
pine t^ble, on whicb lie, neatly folded up, what the visitor
would naturally take to be plans, specifications, surveys, geo
metrical drawings, etc., and by their side military reports.
Every thing has the air of neatness, coolness, and rnatheraati-
cal calculation. Of course ther-e is nothing in the r-oora but
what pertains to the office, and to most eyes it would appear
somewhat bare; but what there is, is arranged with so much
taste, that the general impression is by np raeans unpleasing.
" The general is in his roora the greater part of the day, ap
parently occupied with his plans ahd repor-ts. Then, hour after
bour he sits alone by his neat little pine table, maps, plans, and
specifications before him, and large windows open behind and
around him — at first sight the cold, calculating, unsyrapathiz-
ing mathematician. Every now and then an aide enters with a
report or a message, which is delivered in military style,
deliberately exarained in silence, the corresponding order
promptly written out or delivered in as few words as possible,
and our mathematical iceberg is alone again. When a visitor
drops in, however-, at a leisure moraent, the formality of the
officer readily gives way to that easy interchange of civilities
which characterizes our people at home, but nothing more.
Even at the table, where tbe general is daUy surrounded by
the most distinguished gentlemen of the country, there appears
to be a distance which I suppose is natural to his position, but
which is rarely found elsewher-e.
" The leading characteristic of General Beauregard's raind is
clearness and perception. Superadded to this is a strictly
mathematical education. This you see in every word and
look, even in the expression of his face. Sines, cosines, and
tangents stick out everywhere. In person he is slender and
compactly built, and extremely neat. Add to tbis a precision
of raannei;, slightly modified by the ease which characterizes
the well-bred man of the worid, and you have a correct idea of
tbe man whose word is law and gospel throughout one of the
largest, most intelligent, and best-appointed armies ever as-

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 217
serabled on the American continent. In his personal staff the
general has been peculiarly fortunate. They are principaUy
frora South Carolina, the same he had with hira at the siege of
Fort Surater; all of them accoraplished, discreet gentleraen, of
the raost pleasing manners. Arnong them I have been happy
to meet Colonel Preston,* so long a resident and so well known
in Louisiana, whose genial society must be a happy relief to
the severe labors of the day.
"The general's mess is verj^ much in keeping with his char
acter, and siraple enough f6r Napoleon hiraself. It is served
on a long pine table, set in an open piazza of the farra-house,
and all his friends are hospitably welcomed to it three times a
day. The general sits nearly in the middle, his aides immedi
ately on one side, and his latest guests on the other ; the r-est
of the corapany as they may choose or chance to seat them
selves. The viands are such as the country around affords ;
only the rice was ' imported,' and with it, I suspect, a South
Carolina cook, for ever-y kernel was as independent as the State
from which it came."
The author of " Battle-fields of the South," who was, hira
self, not only a close observer and fluent writer, but one of
those brave soldiers who proraptly volunteered at the Southern
call for tr-oops, and was in the Confederate array under Beau
regard at the tirae, gives us some interesting sketches of the
general ; but we have not space to transcribe thera.
On the 18tb of July took place that engageraent between a
portion of the Northern army, under General McDowell, and
the Southern forces, under Beauregard and Johnston, which,
by the former, has been called the fight at Blackburn's ford,
and, by the latter, the battle of Bull Eun — terming the great
battle of Bull Eun, that of Manassas.
The particulars of this engagement, and the great battle of
Bull Eun, fought on July 21st, are too well known to need re
peating here, and, moreover, have been briefly described in
our sketch of General Jackson's life. The following, however,
not generally known, nor to be found in official documents,
deserves to be introduced here.
At a select dinner party, some time after this, General

* See page qOo-

218 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
Beauregard, in a speech having reference to the new Confed
erate flag, made tbe following reraarks concerning this portion
of the battle of Manassas. He said : ^
"On the,21st of July, at about half-past three o'clock, per
haps four, it seemed to me that the victor-y was already within
our giasp. In fact, up to that moment, I had never wavered
in the conviction that triuraph must crqwn our arms. Nor
was my confidence shaken until, at the time I have mentioned,
I observed on the extreme left, at tbe distance of something
more than a mile, a column of men approaching. At their
head was a flag which I could not distinguish. Even with the
aid of a strong glass, I was unable to determine whether it was
the United States flag, or the Confederate flag.
"At the same moment, I received a dispatch from Captain
Alexander, in charge of the signal station, war-ning me to look
out for the left; that a large column was approaching frora
that direction, and that it was supposed to be Gener-al Patter
son's command, coming to reinforce McDowell. At this mo
ment, I must confess, my heart failed me. I came, reluctantly,
to the conclusion, that, after all our efforts, we should at last
be compelled to yield to the enemy the hard-fought and bloody
field. I ag9,in took the glass to exaraine the flag of the ap
proaching coluran ; but my anxious inquiry was unproductive
of result — I could not tell to which army the waving banner
belonged. At this time, all the members of my staff were
absent, having been dispatched with orders to various points.
The only person with me was the gallant officer wbo has re
cently distinguished himself by the brilliant feat of arras —
General, then Colonel, Evans. To him I communicated my
doubts and ray fears. I told hira I feared the appr-oaching
force was in reality Patterson's division ; that if such was the
case, I should be compelled to fall back upon our reserves, and
postpone till the next day a continuation of the engagement.
" After further reflection, I directed Colonel Evans to pro
ceed to General Johnston, who had assumed the task of col
lecting a reserve, and to inform him of the circumstances of the
case ; and to request him to have the reserves collected with
all dispatch, and hold thera in readiness to support our retro
grade movement. Colonel Evans started on the raission thus
intrusted to hira. He had proceeded but a short distance,

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 219
when it occurred to ine to make another examination of the
still approaching flag. It had now come within full view. A
sudden gust of wind shook out its folds, and I recognized the
stars and bars of the Confederate banner. It was the flag
borne by your regiraent [here the general turned to Colonel
Hay, who sat beside him], the gallant Seventh Louisiana, and
the column of which your regiment constituted the advance
was the br-igade of General, then Colonel, Early.
"As soon as you were recognized by our soldiers, your com
ing was greeted with enthusiastic cheers, regiment after regi
raent responding to the cry ; the eneray heard' tbe triuraphant
huzza; their attack slackened ; these were in turn assailed by
our forces, and within half an hour from that moment com
menced the retreat, which afterwards became a confused and
total rout. I am glad to see that war-stained banner gleaming
over us at this festive board, but I hope never again to see it
upon the field of battle."
A few days after the battle of Bull Eun, General Beaure
gard received a letter from the bereaved sister of Colonel
Cameron, who had been killed ; and surely we cannot err if,
amidst the fierce scenes we are obliged to bring raore promi
nently forward, we occasionally introduce touching incidents
of natural affection like the one here named.
"Washington, July 26th, 1861
Gbnebai BEAUEEGAED, Commander ofthe Confederate Army:
Deae Snt — With a grieved and torn heart I address you.
If it is in your power will you give a word of comfort to a dis
tressed spirit? I allude to the death of the gallant Colonel
Cameron, of the Federal array, on last Sunday, 21st July. We
are all God's creatures, alike in his sight. It is a bereaved
sister that petitions. Colonel Caraeron received two shots,
immediately foUowing each other, that destroyed his life. The
fate of his body is the grief, to know what has become of it.
Think of a distress of a like nature in Southern famUies, and
let us forgive as we hope to be forgiven.
AU that we have been able to learn is, that Colonel" Came
ron was carried to a farra-house near the scene of battle. He
had letters in his pocket declaring his name and station. He
was rather a large man, with sandy hair, somewhat gray,

220 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
dressed hi gray clothes. Have mercy on tbe bowed spirit
that laments for the beloved lost— that would be comforted to
know tbat he received decent burial. Notwithstanding the
war, we are all br-others. " God prosper the righteous cause."
In pity, have inquiries raade, for the love a sister bears a
brother, and raay God show you raercy in tirae of trouble.
Should your noble spirit grant ray request, and if by inquiry
you can receive any information, please have a letter addressed
to Mrs. Sarah Z. Evans, No. 553 Capitol HUl, Washington
city, care of Adams' Express Company.
Very respectfully, your well-wisher, SARAH Z. BVANS.
Please favor me so far as to have the letter acknowledged
as received. S. z. E.
Headquaetebs, Piest Coeps, Akmt of the Potomac, i
Manassas, August 5, 1861. -)
Madam — Your letter of the 26th ult. has been received,
making some inquiries relative to the body of your late brother.
Colonel Cameron, United States army, killed at Manassas on
the 21st ult. In answer, I will state that, upon inquiry, I find
he was interred, with several other bodies, in a grave about
two hundred yards frora the house of a Mrs. Dogan, on the
battlefield, who attended herself this sad duty. . . . Indeed, I
fully agree with you : raay all the distress of this unholy war
be visited upon the heads of those who are responsible for it,
and may the Alraighty Euler of the Universe, in his infinite
goodness and wisdora, (continue to) prosper the righteous cause !
A gentleraan of this State, Mr. Kinlaw Fauntleroy, a pri
vate in Colonel Stuart's cavalry brigade, has in bis possession
a rainiature portrait of Polonel Cameron and wife, which he
intends to return to their friends after the war ; for at present
no intercourse of the kind is admissible between the two con
tending par'ties.
With much respect, I remain your most obedient servant,
P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, General Commanding.
Mrs. S. Z. BvAJsrs, No. 653 Capitol Hill, "Vyashington, D. C.
Other attempts were made by Colonel McCunn and Senator
Harris, to obtain Colonel Cameron's body, but they failed;

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 221
and it was not until the foUowing March, neariy eight months
after the battle, that the place of his burial was found by a
party of friends visiting the scene, and his body exhumed for
the purpose of conveying it to Washington for reinterment.
It has often been asked by some, wiiy Beauregard did not
immediately advance on Washington, while the enemy was irr
confusion? But, independent of what he himself says, and
what we conceive to be one fact, viz., the exhausted condi
tion of the Confederate troops at the time, the following has
been stated by an officer irr the Southern army. He says:
" I do not know what was the reason. Johnston, Beauregard,
and President Davis held a consultation. Beauregard was in
favor of advancing imraediately, but Davis and Johnston both
opposed the movement. Whether it was right or wrong, I
shall npt pretend to say. If we had advanced, we might now
have Washington in our possession. But then what would
Washington be worth to us after we had taken it, and how
difficult would it have been to hold it ? I think we ought to
have advanced on Alexandria and driven the enemy from the
soil of Virginia, but President Davis said not, and I am will
ing to risk him in every thing."
Other reasons have also been given, attributing the cause to
political and personal jealousies, but we have no need, here,
to bring them forward.
On Thursday, August Sth, Prince Napoleon, who had but a
short time before arrived in the United States, paid a visit to
General Beauregard, at Manassas. The Prince had a special
escort and pass from the Federal authorities; and, on entering
the Confederate lines near Fairfax, was received by the officer
on guard there, who accompanied the party to Colonel Stuart,
in comraancj of the post. There, dinner was served, and im
mediately afterwards they continued their journey via Centre
ville to Manassas, crossing over tbe Stone bridge at Bull Eun,
and part of the battlefield. A courier was dispatched, in ad
vance, to apprize General Beauregard, and shortly afterwards
a member of his staff met the party about a mile frora head
quarters. Upon approaching the latter, a salute was fired,
and Generals Beauregard and Johnston came forward to re
ceive the Prince. He was conducted into tbe rather primitive
frame structure serving as headquarters, and at once commenced

222 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
a lively conversation, in French, with both generals. It is
stated that the Prince showed great caution and reserve in
all he said, and preserved it throughout his stay. General
Beauregard soon found occasion to suggest to tbe Prince an
extension of his tour to Eichmond ; but although he and (jen-
eral Johnston were exceedingly intreating, the Prince declared
that it would be irapossible for him to go any further south.
It being ab'cady late in the evening, and the imperial party
being considerably fatigued, but a short tour was made throhgh
the caraps after supper, which is said to have been of a deci
dedly frugal character. The Prince sought the plain couch,
surrendered to him by General Beauregard, at an early hour.
Shortly after- five o'clock in the morning, the Prince was up,
and after partaking of a breakfast as plain as the supper of the
previous evening, he sallied out with bis suite, under th« gui
dance of Generals Beauregard and Johnston, upon a tour of
inspection through the fortifications and encampments, and
about the Junction. The crack regiraents of the rebels, form
ing a division of about six thousand raen, were drawn up in
line and reviewed by tbe Prince. The troops cheered him
lustily when he passed along the lines.
After the review, the field-officers of the several regiraents
were introduced by General Beauregard to the Prince, who
exchanged sorae complimentary phrases with them.
The Prince then started upon his return, and arrived in
Washington again the sarae evening.
After the battle of Bull Eun, the two armies of Johnston
and Beauregard were united in one, and styled the " Army of
the Potomac." Both tbe generals still retained their respec
tive commands, Beauregard being permitted to keep the mili
tary direction of all the troops, while Johnston — though his
senior in rank — took charge of details. This was done to
avoid confusion of any kind while before the eneray, or while
there was any probability of another battle. The advanced
brigades of the army were already bivouacked in full view of
Washington, and daily had sorae conflict with the enemy, but,
with that exception, quiet was maintained for sorae tirae. The
policy of acting on the defensive was that enjoined by the
Confederate authorities, and thus the army remained inert at
its old quarters, from Manassas to Centreville, until October.

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 223
It was at th.e latter part of August, General Beauregard re
ceived an application for permission to the Jews in his army
to absent themselves on furlough, to attend the services of their
religion at the great celebration of the year. This application
he was compelled to refuse, and the following extract from his
adjutant-general's reply, gives his opinion on the subject:
"To grant your application to give furloughs to tbe soldiers
of the Jewish persuasion, from ' the 2d to the 15th day of Sep
tember, so that they may participate in the holy service' of
your ancient religion for this period of the^year, is impossible,
as you, and all Hebrews serving with this army, will surely
understand. "It would seem, indeed, the Euler of nations and God of
battles is guiding and aiding us, as certainly and visibly in
these days as when, of old, Pie released your people from
Egyptian bondage; and the general sincerely believes that all
Israelites now in this array will do quite as acceptable service
to Jehovah, at this raomentous juncture, in standing here, at
their posts, ready to battle for their horaes, their liberties, and
their country, as if their tirae was passed in the strictest ob
servance and celebration of the sublime rites of Judaism for
this period of the year.
" Confidently trusting in tbis, and assur-ed that on refiection
such raust be the conclusion of all of your religion,
I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOS. JORDAN, A. A. General.
To M. I. Mbchelbackeb, Rabbi Preacher.
On the 21st of October, a portion of the Confederate array,
under General Evans, attacked and defeated the Federals at
Ball's Bluff, near Leesbui-g. This engageraent elicited from
General Beauregard an official order, expressed, not only in
strong terms of commendation towards General Evans and his
troops, but in language significant of condemnation as regarded
the defensive policy still adopted by the authorities at Eich
mond. With reference to this, and to certain passages in the
official report of the battle of Bull Eun, whicb President Davis
disapproved, and, for some time, would not allow to be printed,
there, a'rose a controversy between the friends of the general
and the Pr-esident, of a somewhat sharp and unpleasant na-

224' SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
ture. The subject was even taken up in the Southern Con
gress, during a seci'et session ; the President having sent Beau-
regar-d's report in to that body, accompanied by comments of
his own on some of its preliminary passages. The order even
tually taken by Congress, however, was to have the document
published, after expurgating the portion referred to, and the
President's comments thereon. What was Beauregard's own
feeling upon the subject, raay be judged by the following let
ter, which, at the beginning of the controversy, be sent to the
Eichraond press for publication :
CBNTEB'VtLLE, 'WITHIN HBAEING OF THE )
Enemy's Gunb, Sunday, Nov. 3, 1861. )
To Bditobs Richmond "Whig:
Gentlemen — My attention has just been called to an un
fortunate controversy now going on relative to the publication
of a synopsis of ray report of the battle of Manassas. None
can regret mor-e than I do this, from a knowledge that, by au
thority, the President is the sole judge of when, and what part
of the commanding offioer's report shall be made public. I,
individually, do not object to delaying its publication as long
as the War Department thinks pr-oper and necessary for the
success of our cause. Meanwhile, I entreat my friends not to
trouble" themselves about refuting the slanders and calumnies
aimed against me. Alciblades, on a certain occasion, resorted
to an extraordinary method to occupy the minds of his tradu-
cers- — let, then, that synopsis answer the same purpose for rae
in this instance. If certain rainds cannot understand the dif
ference between patriotism, the highest civic virtue, and office-
seeking, the lowest civic occupation, I pity thera from the bot
tom of my heart. Suffice it to say, that I prefer the respect
and esteem of my countrymen to the adrairation and envy of
the world. I hope, for the sake of our cause and country, to
be able, with the assistance of kind Providence, to answer my
calumniators with new victories over our national enemies ;
but I have nothing to ask of the countr-y, Government, or any
friends, except to afford me all the aid they can in the great
struggle we are now engaged upon. I am not either a candid
date, nor do I desire to be a candidate, for any civil office in
the gift of the people or executive. The aim of my ambition,

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. '225
after having cast my mite in the defence of our sacred cause,
and assisted, to the best of rny ability, in securing our rights
and independence as a nation, is to retire to private life, my
raeans then permitting, never again to leave my home, unless
to fight anew the battles of my country.
EespectfuUy, your most obedient servant,
P. T. BEAUREGARD."
Early in the year 1862, it was determined by the Confederate
authorities to speedily evacuate the position held at Manassas ;*
and accordingly, in January, General Beauregard was trans
ferred to the departraent of the Mississippi. On the SOth of
January he issaed the following address to the troops at Ma
nassas : Hbadquaetbes First Cobps, Aemy of the Potomac, )
NBAB Cbnteeville, January 30, 1862. j
Soldiers of the Fiest - Coeps, Army of the Potomac — My
duty calls me away, and to a temporary separation from you.
I hope, however, to be with you again, to share your labors and
your perils, and in defence of our homes and rights, to lead
you to new battles, to be crowned with signal victories.
You are now undergoing the severest trial of a soldier's
life ; the one by which his discipline and capacity for endur
ance are thor-oughly tested. My faith in your patriotism, your
devotion and determination, and in your high soldierly qual
ities, is so gi-eat, that I shall rest assured you will pass through
the ordeal resolutely, ti-iumphantly. Still, I cannot quit you
without deep eraotion, without even deep anxiety, in the mo
ment of our country's trials and danger's. ¦ Above all, I am
anxious that my brave countrymen, here in arms, fronting the
haughty array and muster of Northern mercenaries, should
thoroughly appr-eciate the exigency, and hence comprehend
that this is no time for the army of the Potomac — the men of
Manassas — to stacTc their arms, and quit, even for a brief period,
the standards they have made glorious by their manhood. All
must understand this, and feel the magnitude of the confiict
impending, the universal personal sacrifices this war has en
tailed, and our duty to raeet thera as promptly and unblench-
ingly as you have met the enemy in line of battle.

/

* It was not evacuated, however, until March.
15

226 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
To the army of the Shenandoah, I desire to return ray
thanks for their endurance in the raeraorable march to ray as
sistance, last July, their tiraely, decisive arrival, and for their
conspicuous steadiness and gallantry on the field of battle.
Those of their comrades, of both corps, and of all arras of
the ar-my of the Potomac, not so fortunate as yet to have
been with us in confiict with our enemy, I leave with all con
fidence that on occasion they will show themselves fit corarades
for the men of Manassas, Bull Eun, and Ball's Bluff.
P. G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General commanding.
At midnight of Friday, the SOth, he left by a special train
to Lynchburg, and thence proceeded rapidly to the West,
taking with him fifteen thousand raen. On the 3d of Febru
ary he was at Nashville, Tennessee, consulting with Generals
Pillow and Cheatham, and iraraediately afterwards began to
strengthen the defences of the city. On the 13th of February,
after visiting Bowling Green, and consulting with General A.
S. Johnson, Beaui'egard went to Columbus and inspected the
fortifications. It was, however, deemed unadvisable to defend
it : " the works, ther-efore, were blown up, and all the cannon
and stores transferred to Island Nb. 10, which it was thought
might be converted into a little Gibraltar, and successfully beat
back the enemy's flotillas on the Mississippi."
At tbis time, so high was the opinion entertained of Beaure
gard's miUtary skill, that when it was known at New Orleans
he wanted reinforcements, one of the crescent brigades promptly
volunteered for ninety days' service. The offer, sent by tel
egraph, was immediately answered by Beauregard as follows :
"Jackson, February 38th.
" To GovEENOE Thomas O. Mooee : — I will accept all good
equipped troops, under Act of 21st of August, that wiU offer,
and for ninety days. Let the people of Louisiana understand
that here is the proper place to defend Louisiana."
On the Sth of March he publicly assumed command of the
Confederate forces in the Valley of the Mississippi, as second
to General A. S. Johnson, with his headquarters at Jackson.
He then issued the following address to his soldiers :

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTA^VE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 227
" Soldiers : — I assume, tbis day, the comraand of the army
of the Mississippi, for the defence of our homesteads and Uber
ties, and to resist the subjugation, spoliation, and dishonor of
our people. Our mothers and wives, our sisters and children,
expect us to do our duty, even to the sacrifice of our lives.
" Our losses, since the commencement of the present war, in
killed, wounded, and prisoners, are now about the sarae as those
of the enemy.
" He must be raade to atone for those reverses we have
lately experienced. Those reverses, far from , disheartening,
must nerve us to new deeds of valor and patriotism, and should
inspire us with an unconquerable determination to drive back
our invaders.
' " Should any one in this army be unequal to the task before
us, let him transfer his arms and equipments at once to braver,
firmer hands, and return to his home.
" Our cause is as just and sacr-ed as ever animated men to
take up arras ; and if w6 are true to it, and to ourselves, with
the continued protection of the Almighty, we must, and shall^
triumph." A few days afterwards he. issued a general order for the
guidance of his troops in battle, wherein the following passage
relating to sharpshooting occurs :
" Officers in command must be cool and collected ; hold
their raen in hand in action, and caution them against useless,
aimless firing. The men must be instructed and required each
one to single out his mark. Itwas the deliberate sharp-shoot
ing of our forefathers in the revolution of 1776, and New
Orleans in 1815, which made them so formidable against the
odds with which they were engaged."
About the same time, Beauregard sent an appeal to the
planters of the Mississippi valley for bells, to be cast into can
non. He said : " More than once a people fighting with an
enemy, ... for homes and a land not more worthy of resolute
and unconquerable men than yours, .... have not hesitated
to melt and»mould into cannon the precious beUs surmounting
their houses of God, which had called generations to prayer.
We want cannon as greatly as any people who ever, as history
tells you, melted their cburch bells to supply them ; and I,
your general, intrusted with the coramand of the army em-

228 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
bodied of your sons, your kinsmen, and your neighbors, do
now call upon you to send your plantation bells to the nearest
railroad depot, subject to my order, to be melted into cannon
for the defence of your plantations. ^
" Who will not cheerfully and promptly send me his beUs
under such circumstances? Be of good cheer; but time is
precious." In response to this, we find that many of the plantation
bells used for indicating the time and calling the negroes
together — each bell weighing from 100 to 5,00 pounds, and
composed of the best metal,; — besides other bells, were freely
offered.* Meanwhile, the necessity for superintending the works on
Island No. 10, compelled Beauregard to be personally there,
and, for some time, he successfully defended the place against
the Federal attacks, in their gunboats, under Flag-officer Foote.
" On the 1st of April, General Beauregard telegraphed to the
War Department at Eichmond, that the bombardment had
continued for fifteen days, in which time the enemy had
thrown 3,000 shells, and expended about 100,000 pounds of
powder, without injuring the batteries, and only killing one
man." But the movements of the Federal troops on the Ten
nessee river were now so rapid and serious in their nature, that
it was deemed advisable for General Beauregard to proceed
thither without delay. Accordingly, on the 3d of April, he
gave over the coramand of Island No. 10 to General Mackall,
and immediately started for Corinth. Four days later, Island
No. 10 was captured by the combined land and naval forces
of the North, under General Pope and Commodore Foote.
* On July SOth, 1863, there was a curious auction sale of 418 of th^se bells,
captured at New Orleans. One of them had painted on it, " G. T. Beaure
gard ; from the Baptist Church, of Durham'viUe, Tenn."

CHAPTEE II.
Beauregard at' Corinth, — Battle of Shiloh. — Correspondence between. Beauregard
and Grant. — Engagement at Farmington. — Van Dorn and Price. — Evacuation of Co
rinth. — Beauregard's Failing Health. — Eetires from the Command. — Besides in Ala
bama. — Appointment to the Department of South Carolina. — Engagement at Poooto-
ligo. — Gunboat Exploit at Charleston. — The Blockade Declared to be Eaised. —
Combined Land and Naval Attack on Charleston. — The Foderal Ironclads. — Fort
Sumter again. — Eesult of the Engagement. — The Keokuk sunk. — General Eipley, and
Colonels Ehett and Yatee. — The Confederate Flag. — Characteristics and Opinions of
Beauregard. — Kenewed Attack on Charleston. — Admiral Dahlgren and Gilmore. —
Bombardment of Sumter. — Morris Island, Fort Wagner, and Battery Gregg aban
doned. — Sumter in Euins, but held by the Confederates. — Federals Eepulsed. — Beau
regard's Tribute to the Confederate Navy. — Death of his Wife.^Petersburg. — Gen
eral Grant. — Beauregard Appointed to Western Department. — Eeoalled. — Savannah.
— Lines to Beauregard.
On arriving at Corinth, Beauregard at once concentrated
all his forces in the immediate neighborhood, with a view of
cutting off the eneray's communication with the South and
East. The Federal army, under General Grant, was then at
Pittsburg landing, on the field of Shiloh, and along both sides
of the river Tennessee, toward Savannah, Tennessee. Grant,
it was supposed by Beauregard, bad not been reinforced by
General BueU, his second in comraand, and, therefore, it was
deemed advisable by the Confederates to attack him without
delay. General A. S. Johnson bad promptly moved forward
to unite his forces with those of Beauregard, and General Polk
had also arrived with his command from Columbus. General
Bragg's array was likewise there ; and, in order to avoid all
confusion. General Beauregard was proclaimed, in orders
issued by General Johnson, to be in command of tbe whole
force. Never had the South seen, on a single battlefield, a
more magnificent army assembled, " in nurabers, in discipline,
in the galaxy of tbe distinguished names of its coraraanders,
and in every article of raerit and display ;" and, on Thursday
the 3d qf April, this splendid array of soldiers began the
march to the battlefield. But, on that day, not much pro
gress was made, owing to bad roads ; and, therefore, it was not
until Saturday afternoon tbat the Confederate forces reached

230 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
the iraraediate vicinity of the enemy. What followed is best
described in General Beauregard's own words, as published in
the following official report :
Headquaeteks Army of the Mississippi,)
CoBiNTH, Miss., April llth, 1863. (
"Geneeal— On the 2d ult., having ascertained conclusively,
frora the movements of the eneray on the Tennessee river, and
from reliable sources of information, that his aira would be to
cut off my communications in West Tennessee with the eastern
and southern States, by operating from the Tennessee river,
between Crump's landing and Eastport, as a base, I deter
mined to foil his designs by concentrating all ray available
forces at and around Corinth.
At the same time. General Johnson being at Murfreesboro,
on the march to form a junction of his forces with mine, was
called on to send at least a brigade by railroad, so that we
might fall on and crush the enemy, should he attempt an ad
vance from under his gunboats. The call on General Johnson
was promptly complied with. His entire force 'was also
hastened in this direction, and by the first of April our united
forces were concentrated along the Mobile and Ohio railroad,
from Bethel to Corinth, and on the Memphis and Charleston
railroad, frora Corinth to luka.
It was then deterrained to assume the offensive and strike a
sudden blow at the enemy in position, under General Grant,
on the west bank of the Tennessee, at Pittsburg and in the
direction of Savannah, before he was reinforced by the army
under General BueU, then known to be advancing for that
purpose by rapid marches from Nashville via Columbia.
About the same time General Johnson was advised that such
an operation conformed to the expectations of the President.
By a rapid and vigorous attack on General Grant, it was
expected he would be beaten back into his transports and tbe
river, or captured, in time to enable us to profit by the victory,
and remove to the rear all the stores and munitions that would
fall into our hands, in such an event, before the arrival of
Buell's army on the scene. It was never contemplated, how
ever, to retain the position -thus gained, and abandon Corinth,
the strategic point of the campaign 

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 231
On the following morning the detailed orders of raovement
were issued, and the raoveraent, after some delay, commenced,
the troops being in admirable spirits. It was expected we
should be able to reach the enemy's lines in time to attack
them early on the 5th inst. The men, however, for the raost
part, were unused to raarching, the roads narrow, and travers
ing a densely ¦wooded counti-y, became almost impassable after
a severe rain-storm on the night of the 4th, which drenched
the tr-oops in bivouac ; hence our forces did not reach the inter
section of the roads from Pittsburg and Hamburg, in the im
mediate vicinity of the enemy, until late Saturday afternoon.
.... Thirty minutes after five o'clock, a. m., on the 6th, our
lines and columns wer-e in motion, all animated evidently by a
promising spirit. The front line was engaged at once, but ad
vanced steadily, followed in due order with equal resolution
and steadiness by the other lines, which were brought succes
sively into action with rare skill, judgment, and gallantry, by
the several corps commanders, as the enemy made a stand,
with his masses rallied for a struggle for his encampments.
Like an Alpine avalanche our troops raoved forward, despite
the determined resistance of the enemy, until six o'clock p. m.,
when we were in possession of all encampments between Owl
and Lick creeks, but one. Nearly all of his field artillery,
about thirty flags, colors, and standards, over three thousand
prisoners, including a division commander (General Prentiss)
and several brigade commanders, thousands of smaU-arms, an
immense supply of subsistence, forage, and munitions of war,
and a large araount of nieans of ti-ansportation — all the sub
stantial fruits of a complete victory — such, indeed, as rarely
have followed the raost successful battles ; for never was au
army so well provided as that of our enemy.
Our loss was heavy. Our commander-in-chief, General A.
S. Johnson, fell mortally wounded, and died on the field at
half-past two in the afternoon, after having shown the highest
qualities of the commander, and a personal intrepidity that
inspired all around him, and gave resistless impulsion to his
columns at critical moments.
The chief coramand then devolved upon me, though at the
time I was greatly prostrated, and suffering from the pr-olonged
sickness with which I bad been afflicted since early in Febru-

232 SOUTHEESr geneeals.
ary. The responsibility was one which, in my physical condi
tion, I would have gladly avoided, though cast upon me when
our forces were successfuUy pushing the enemy back upon the
Tennessed river, and though supported on the immediate field
by such corps coraraanders as Major-generals Polk, Bragg, and
Hardee, and Brigadier-general Breckinridge, comraanding the
reserv e. i
It was after six o'clock in the evening, as before said, when
the eneray's last position was carried, and his forces, finally
broke and sought refuge behind a comraanding eminence,^
covering the Pittsburg landing, not more than half a mile dis
tant, and under the guns of the gunboats, which opened on our
eager columns a fierce and annoying fire with shot and shell
of the heaviest description. Darkness was close at hand.
Officers and men were exhausted by a combat of over twelve
hours without food, and jaded by tbe raarch of the preceding
day, through raud and water; it was, therefore, irapossible to
collect the rich and opportune spoils of war scattered broadcast
on the field left in our possession, and impracticable to make
any effective dispositions for their removal to the rear.
I accordingly estabUshed ray headquarters at the church of
Shiloh, in the enemy's encampment, witb Major-general Bragg,
and directed our troops to sleep on their arms, in such positions
in advance and rear as corps commanders should deterraine. . .
. . During the night the rain fell in torrents, adding to the dis-
corafort and harassed condition of the raen ; the enemy, raore
over, had broken their rest by a discharge, at measured inter
vals, of heavy shells thrown from the gunboats; therefore, on
the following mOrning the troops under my coramand were
not in condition to cope 'W'ith an equal force of fresh troops,
armed and equipped like our adversary, in the immediate pos
session of his depots, and sheltered by such an auxiliary as the
enemy's gunboats.
'About six o'clock on the niorning of the 7th of April, how
ever, a hot fire of musketry and artillery, opened from the
enemy's quarter on our advanced line, assured rae of the junc
tion of his forces, and soon the battle raged witb a fury which
satisfied rae I was attacked by a largely superior force. . . .
Again and again our troops were brought to the charge, in
variably to win the position at issue, invariably to drive back

geneeal PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 233
their foe. But hour by hour, thus opposed to an enemy con
stantly reinforced, our ranks were perceptibly thinned under
the unceasing, withering fire of the enemy ; and by twelve
meridian, eighteen hours of hard fighting had sensibly ex
hausted a large number, my last reserves had necessarily been
disposed of, and the enemy was evidently receiving fresh rein
forcements after each repulse. Accordingly, about 1 p. m., I
determined to withdraw frora so unequal a confiict, securing
such of the results of the victory- of tbe day before as was then
practicable." General Beauregai'd now retired to Corinth, " in pursuance
of his original design to make that the strategic point of his
campaign," and the Federals, flushed with victory, and rein
forced by troops from Missouri, and the army of Pope,
marched forward under Major-general Plalleck, who had now
arrived and assumed entire command. On the first day of
May it had reached halfway to Corinth ; but, meanwhile, the
arraies of Yan Dorn and Price had corae frora Arkansas and
Missouri, and united with that under Beauregard. The for-ces
under General Lovell, that had been at New Orleans — captured
by the Federals on the 28th of April — had also joined the
troops at Corinth ; and thus, again, was there another splendid
army ready to do battle with the enemy.
On the day after the battle of Shiloh, the following corres
pondence took place between the two opposing commanders :
LETTER OP GENEEAL BEAXJRBGAED.
Hbadquaeters Aemy of the Mississippi, )
Montbket, April 8, 1863. )
Sie — At the close of the confiict of yesterday, my forces be
ing exhausted by the extr-aordinary length of time during
whicb they were engaged with yours on that and the preced
ing day, and it being apparent that you had received, and
were still receiving reinfoi-ceraents, I felt it ray duty to with
draw ray troops from the iraraediate scene of conflict.
Under these circumstances, in accordance with usages of
war, I shall transmit this, under a flag of truce, to ask permis
sion to send a raounted party to the battlefield of Shiloh, for
the purpose of giving decent interment to my dead.
Certain gentlemen wishing to avail themselves of tbis oppor-

234 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
tunity to reraove the remains of their sons and friends, I must
request for them the privUege of accompanying the burial
party ; and in this connection I deem it proper to say, I arn
asking only what I have extended to your own countrymen
under sirailar circumstances.
EespectfuUy, General, your obedient servant,
P. G.T. BEAUREGARD, General Commanding.
, To Major-general IJ. S. Gbant, TJ. S. A.,
Commanding U. S. forces near Pittsburg, Tenn.
GENERAL GRANT'S REPLY.
Hbadquartees Aemv in thb Field, )
Pittsbusg, April 9, 1863. J
General P. G. T. Beauregard, Commanding
Confederate Army of the Mississippi, Monterey, Tenn.
Your dispatch of yesterday is just received. Owing to the
warmth of the weather, I deemed it advisable to have all the
dead of both parties buried immediately. Heavy details were
made for this purpose, and it is now accomplished.
There cannot, therefore, be any necessitj'^ of admitting within
our lines the parties you desired to send on the grounds asked.
I shall always be glad to extend any courtesy consistent
with duty, and especially so when dictated by huraanity.
I ara. General, respectfully, your obedient servant,
U. S. GRANT, Major-general Commanding.
Shortly after, when the reinforcements had arrived. General
Beauregard visitjed their encampment and inspected them, and
was received with the warmest greeting and loud hurrahs.
On the Sth of May, Beauregar-d issued the following address
to his army : Headquarters op the Forces at Corinth, Miss., )
May 8, 1863. J
SoLDiEES OF Shiloh and Elkhoen — We are about to meet
once more, in the shock of battle, the invader's of our soil, the
despoilers of our homes, the disturbers of our family ties, face
to face, hand to hand. We are to decide whether we are to
be freemen, or vile slaves of those who are only free in name,
and who but yesterday were vanquished, although in largely

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 233
superior numbers, in their own encarapraents, on the ever me
morable field of Shiloh. Let the impending battle decide our
fate, and add a raore illustrious page to the history of our rev
olution — one to which our children will point with noble
pride, saying, " Our fathers were at the battle of Corinth." I
congratulate you on your tiraely junction. With our mingled
banners, for the first tirae during this war, we shall raeet our
foe in strength that should give us victory. Soldiers, can the
result be doubtful ? Shall we not drive back in Tennessee the
presumptuous mercenaries collected for -our subjugation ? One
more manly effort, and trusting in God and the justness of our
cause, we shall recover more than we lately lost. Let the
sound of our victorious guns be re-echoed by those of the army
of Virginia on the historic battlefield of Yorktown.
P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, General Commanding.
At this time,' the Federals had advance^ to within a few
miles of Corinth, and on the 9th, the Confederates, under Van
Dorn and Price, drove back a part of their advance near Farm
ington, and compelled General Pope, in command of that por
tion of the army, to retire. On the 21st, Halleck's batteries
were within three miles of Corinth, and daily skirmishing now
took place, with occasional firing from the artiller}'. Gradually
the Federal troops advanced still nearer, employing all the
cautious skill and strategy that General Halleck was so emi
nently master of. Corinth was strongly fortified, having
batteries or redoubts at every road or assailable point. Be
tween the fortifications and a marshy stream covering the
whole front, the dense tiraber had been cut down to form a
ver-y strong abattis, through ¦which no cavalry or artillery
could have passed, nor even infantry, except as skirmishers.
Thus, it was considered by the Federal commanders that a
hotly contested ^iege mnst take place, and' when, day after
day, it was found that the slightest movement of the Federals
in advance was instantly and vigorously met, no doubt re
mained that Corinth would becorae the field of another heavy
battle. Great, therefore, was the surprise of the beseigers
when, on the raorning of Friday, May 30th, it was discovered
that Beauregard had withdrawn bis whole army and evacuated

236 * SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
the place. For several days previous, the Confederate troops
had been slowly and cautiously sent further South, and, *
finally, on the night of Thursday, the 29th and SOth, the whole
were -fafely withdrawn, taking with them all they could, and
destroying the remainder.
As much comment, and some controversy between officers
of rank on opposite sides arose from this evacuation of Corinth
by Beauregai'd, it is but just that some few particulars should
be given.
An independent writer, himself in the army at the time,
says :
"It soon became obvious that if Halleck would not advance
from his works, we should either be compelled to retreat at no
distant day, or be massacred at discretion by the enemy's
guns, which were daily advanced nearer and nearer, witlf ap
parent impunity. The Federals were sorely afraid we would
retreat, and in that case their mammoth trenches and labori
ously constructed roads would but ill repay them for their
patience and long suffei'ing. This affliction, however, we
Could not spare them. Immense roads had been dug and lev
elled through miles of timber, unheard of supplies of shot,
shell, and mararaoth raortar batteries had been brought to the
front with infinite labor, and much sacrifice of life and money,
when, early one morning, our whole army quietly decamped
towards Tnllahoraa, and ere the raists had risen, were beyond
sight or hearing! . . . The result does . Beauregard infinite
credit. Halleck had stored, his carap with immense suppUes;
he had destroyed hundreds of horses, wagons, mules, and
carts in the work of transportation ; had prepared for a bom
bardment of an indefinite period ; built magazines and bar
racks, repaired railroads, and erected hvidgea, thus occupying
the whole spring in preparation ; and now, in one moment, all
these plans were thwarted, and the hot season too far advanced
for his troops to move a mUe further into the interior!"
It must be remerabered that at this especial tirae, Eich
mond, the Southern capital, was being closely besieged by
McCl6llan ; and, on the vei-y day after Beauregard evacuated
Corinth, the first of the series of battles near and around
Eichmond, was fought on the Chickahominy. Thus, there
may have been other, and more secret reasons than those gen-

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 237
_ erally known, for resigning iraportant positions in the West
¦ while the seat of government in the East was in danger. Cer
tain it is, that the authorities at Washington also deemed it
advisable to call both General Halleck and General Pope,
soon afterwards, to their side — the first as commander-in-chief,
and the latter as general of the army of Vir'ginia ; and, wheik
we know the state of doubt and anxiety in Eichmond, at the
tirae, it is not too much to suppose that Beauregard might
have been thought of in like manner by his friends. How
ever, there was quite enough in the cir-cumstances of the case
itself, as some urge, for Beauregard to adopt the course he did.
That ideas, similar to those we have mentioned were enter
tained in the North, may be gathered frora referring to sorae
bf 'the New York papers about June 1st, 1862.
At this time the health of Beauregard was such, that his
physicians " urgently recommended rest and recreation ;" and
accordingly, he addressed a letter to the authorities at Eich
mond on the subject.
On the 15th of June he turned over his command to Gen
eral Bragg, and left for Montgomery, where he arrived on the
17th, accompanied only by his personal staff. Public report
then stated that he had gone on to Eichmond in consequence
of the feeling still existing on the part of sorae of the authoi--
ities against him, and to explain tbe reason of his evacuating
Corinth. It was even said, that General Price had been sum
moned to the War Office before Beauregard had left his army,
and that strong animadversions upon his conduct had been
made. But, whether so or not, it is certain that great misrep
resentations concernins; him were abroad on all sides. On the
part of the North, there was either distinct and barefaced
falsehood or gross error in some of the official reports, unless
the testiraony of all writers and personal witnesses on the side
of the South must be considered as blindly raistaken, emanating
from carelessly following each other's statements. The whole
affair, however, resolved itsClf into something like a personal
matter between Generals Halleck and Beauregard, in which, it
would seem, the veracity of each was on trial. The question
arose as to whether Halleck's official dispatch to Washington,
dated June 4th, 1862, was correct. This, General Beauregard
denied, in a letter dated the 17th of June, and published in the

238 ¦* SOUTHEEN GENEEALS. ',
Mobile Advertiser. That statement elicited from General
Granger, of the Northern army, a very strong reply, published »
in the New York papers, July llth, and also, a similar response
from an anonymous writer in the Cincinnati Gazette. Both of
these asserted Beauregard to be wrong in his statements ; but,
'as the correspondence is too long, we leave the subject without
further comment.
For sorae tirae after General Beauregard retired frora
Corinth, he resided with his family at Mobile, and at Bladon
Springs, Alabama, at which latter place he rapidly regained
his health. His mind, however, was still active in the work of
railitary operations, and two important letters, to be found in
the New York Tribune of October, 1862, show the bent of
his ideas.
In the month of August, 1862, General Beauregard wa*s ap
pointed to the comraand of the department of South Carolina
and Georgia, relieving General Perabertpn ; and on the 24th
of Septeraber he issued the following announcement :
Headquaeters Department of S. Carolina and Georgia,)
Charleston, September 34, 1864 \
I assume command of the department pursuant to para
graph XV., Special Orders, No. 202, Adjutant and Inspector
General's Office, Eichraond, August 29th, 1862.
All existing orders will remain in force until otherwise di
rected frora these headquarters.
In entering upon my duties, which may involve, at an
early day, the defence of two of the most important cities in
the Confederate States, against the most forraidable efforts of
our powerful enemy, I shall rely on the ardent patriotism, the
inteUigent and unconquerable spirit, of the officers and men un
der my coraraand, to sustain rae successfully. But to raaintain
our posts with credit to our country and to our own honor, and
avoid irreraediable disaster, it is essential that aU shaU yield
iraplicit obedience to any orders emanating frora superior au
thority. Brigadier-general Thomas Jordan is announced as Adju
tant and Inspector-general and Chief of Staff of the department.
G. T. BEAUREGARD, General commanding.
Offlcial— Thomas Jordan, Chief of Staff", and A. A. G." '

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 239
A few days afterwards, he proceeded to Savannah, and at
once commenced an inspection of the batteries and fortifica
tions on the river. But, whatever might have been his opin
ions, it seeras that tbe citizens had no hopes of the city being
able to bold itself against any attack of the Federals, when
once fairly coraraenced. This, as we now know, has beep
verified, by its capture, in Deceraber, 1864, by the Federal
forces, under General Sherraan.
In October, the Federals, at first under the command of Gen
eral 0. M. Mitchell, but upon his death, under General Bran-
nan, temporarily coraraanding, made an attempt to destroy the
raUroad and bridges on the Charleston and Savannah line.
This was planned by General Mitchell some tirae previous, but
his illness prevented its execution, until the 22d of October,
when they were raet by a part of Beauregard's forces, and re
pulsed. The following is Beauregard's official report of the
affair : " Charleston, S. C, October 33.
" The Abolitionists attacked in force Pocotaligo and Coosa-
hatchi yesterday. They were gallantly repulsed to their gun
boats, at Mackay's point and Bee's Creek landing, by Colonel
W. S. Walker, commanding the district, and Colonel G. P.
Harrison, commanding the troops sent from here. The enemy
had corae in thirteen transports and gun-boats. The Charleston
and Savannah Eailroad is uninjured. The Abolitionists left
their dead and wounded on the field ; and our cavalry are in
hot pursuit."
In the middle of December, General Beauregard recom
mended all non-combatants in Charleston to leave the city, in
view of the expected attack, threatened by the Federals. In
deed every thing about this tirae had the appearance of sorae
thing serious again about to take place at Charleston ; and
though it would seera that few availed themselves of the hint
to go, yet miUtary preparations continued with an earnestness
that warned the citizens of what might be expected if they
remained. On the 28th of December, a general order was issued by
Beauregard, for all the troops to be mustered for payment on
the last day of the month, in accordance with army regula
tions. This closed his military labors that year ; but the exi-

240 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
gencies of the service, however, appear to have been such that
he was unable to leave Charleston to visit his wife, who was
seriously ill at New Orleans. General Butler, previous to
leaving his coramand there, had, it is stated, " sent a polite
note to General Beauregard, inviting him to visit his dyi.ng
wife, assur-ing him of every courtesy and protection possible."
If this be really so, it is most gratifying to record it, for such
is rather the reverse of what has been the public reputatipn of
the Federal general, in all matters relating to the opposite sex,
during his adrainistration at New Orleans.
On the 30th of January, 1863, there occurred, at Charleston,
one of those daring naval exploits which have made the name
of sailors famous throughout the war, though opportunity for
raany great deeds has rarely been met. Of this spii-ited affair,
our space does not admit of any detailed account, but the fol
lowing official notices explain it :
Headquarters, Land and Naval Forces, )
Charleston, S. C, January 31, 1863. )
At about five o'clock this morning, the Confederate States
naval force, on this station, attacked the United States block
ading fieet off the harbor of the city of Charleston, and sunk,
dispersed, or drove off and out of sight, for the tirae, the en
tire hostile fieet.
Therefore, we, the undersigned commanders, respectively of
the Confederate States naval and land forces in this quarter,
do 'hai-Bbj formaUy declare the blochade by the United States of
the said city of Charleston, South Carolina, to ie raised by a
superior force ofthe Confederate States from and after this 31s<
day of January, A. D., 1863. G. T. BEAUREGARD, General Commanding.
D. N. ingraham.
Flag officer commanding naval forces in South Carolina.
Official,— Thomas Joedak, Chief of Staff.
In the afternoon. General Beauregard placed a steamer at
the disposal of the foreign consuls to see for themselves that no
blockade existed.
The French and Spanish consuls, accorapanied by General
Eipley, accepted the invitation. The British Consul, with the

GENEEAL PETEE GUSrAVB TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 241
coraraander of the British war stearaer Petrel, had previously
gone five miles beyond the usual anchorage of the blockaders,
and could see nothing of them with glasses.-
Later in the evening, however-, four blockaders reappeared,
and next day several more; but the consuls, meeting again in
the evening, were " unanimously of the opinion that the block
ade had been legally raised," and drew up a report in accord
ance with that view. This was proraptly raet by the Federal
commanders issuing a counter statement, in official form, deny
ing the result of the engagement as given by the Confederate
officers, and positively asserting that the blockade had not been
broken. This statement was signed by six naval commanders,
and sent to Washington by Admiral Dupont, and, of course,.
calmed the uneasiness that had been somewhat felt on hearing
of Beauregard's proclamation. With regard to the correctness
of either side^supported as each was by equal testimony — -we
have nothing to do at present.
A few days afterwards, intiraations were received at Charles
ton, that a combined land and naval attack — long in prepara
tion — would be made by the Federals on the city, and, accord
ingly. General Beauregard issued the following proclamation :
Headquarters, Department op South Carolina, )
Georgia,, attd Florida, February 18, 1863. y
It has become my solemn duty to inform the authorities and
citizens of Charleston and Savannah, that the movements of
the eneray's fieet indicate an ear-ly land and naval attack on
one or both cities, and to urge that persons unable to take an
active part in the struggle shall retire.
It is hoped, however, that the temporary separation of some
of you from your homes will be made without alarm or undue
haste, thus showing that the only feeUng which animates you in
this hour of supreme trial is the right of being able to partici
pate iu the defence of your homes, your altars, and the graves
of your kindred.
CaroUnians and Georgians! the hour is at hand to prove
your country's cause. Let all able-bodied men, from the sea
board to the mountains, rush to arurs. Be not too exacting in
the choice of weapons. Pikes and scythes wiU do for exter
minating your enemies, spades and sbovels for protecting your
la

242 ^SOUTHERN' GENEEALS.
firesides. To arms, fellow-citizens ! Come to share with us
our danger, oui- briUiant success, our glorious death.
G. T. BEAUREGARD, General Commanding.
Official,— J. M. Otey, A. -A. G.
At the same time, be ordered tbat "aU furloughs to officer:?,
non-commissioned officers, and privates belonging to this de
partment, not based on surgeon's certificates, are revoked, and
both officers and soldiers will repair without delay to their re
spective stations, to be ready to meet the eneray. Patriots
and brave soldiers wUl not linger by the wayside."
The expected attack was, however, delayed, as the Charles-
tonians alleged, until the highest spring tides, in April, would
enable the enemy's ships to float off iu the case of any of them
going aground.
In the month of March, various minor engagements took
place, in the department under Beauregard's command, but we
must pass them oyer to come to the more important matters
connected with the attack upon Charleston. Great prepara
tions had been completed, under Beauregard's supervision, and
the immediate direction of General Eipley, who had made the
study of heavy ordnance a specialty for years, and whose ex-.
cellence in that particular branch of military knowledge was
generally admitted. It was well known that the enemy
was making the most formidable preparations, and it was con
sidered, at Charleston,. that when the struggle carae, it would
certainly be of a fearful character. It was to be a trial be
tween new forces of treraendous powers, never before brought
into use. The long mooted question of the fighting value of
ships against batteries was to be brought to a test more con
clusive than any to which huraan warfare had previously sub
jected it. In other words, monitor ironclads, which were
clairaed to be the raost impenetrable vessels ever constructed,
would necessarily come within point-blank range of the raost
numerous and powerful batteries that had ever been used in a
single engageraent. The raore important of these batteries
were manned by the South CaroUna regulars, who were con
sidered the most expert and practical heavy artiUerists in the
Confederate army. The forts were well officered, and it was
thought scarcely possible that aijy fioating thing could breast,

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 243
unharmed, the concentrated storra of heavy metal from the
guns of Sumter, Moultrie, and Battery Bee, the three principal
works coramanding the throat of the harbor.
At length, to use the words of the Charlestonians themselves,
the long delayed hour arrived. The attack on the city,
threatened for more than a year, was irarainent. Charleston
was the heart, as she was the head and front of all the offence
against the North. Through her closely blockaded port a hun
dred vessels had borne to the hands of the young Confedei-acy
the raeans and material of war. To effect the absolute destruc
tion, therefore, of that port was the natural wish of its enemies.
But, as the people said, with the loftiest hope, the sternest
courage, and the unconquerable resolve never to submit or
yield, they were determined to go forth to the struggle con
scious of, and equal to the grfeat duties before them.
That it may be understood what was the force employed by
the North in the attack upon Charleston, we append the fol
lowing brief statement of the actual number of officers, raen,
and guns engaged in the attack on Charleston. The ironclads
were all Ericsson Monitors, save the New Ironsides and Keo
kuk : Tuns. Guns. Offlcers and
Men.
Ironsides  3,486 18 350
Montauk  884 3 100
Passaic  884 3 100
Catskill  884 3 100
"Weehawken  884 3 100
Patapsco  884 3 100
Sangamon  884 3 100
Nahant  884 3 100
Nantucket  884 3 100
Keokuk  740 3 100
Total  11,398 86 1,350
The officers of these vessels were natives of the following
States : Captain Thoraas Turner, Virginia ; Captain John S.
Worden, New Tork ; Captain Percival Drayton, South Caro
lina ; Captain John Eogers, Maryland ; Captain John Downs,
Massachusetts ; Captain G. W. Eodgers, New York ; Captain
Daniel Araraen, Ohio ; Captain D. M. F. Fairfax, Virginia ;
Captain A. D. Ehind, New York.
These vessels, and their brave commanders, were all ready

244 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
for the attack on Sunday, April tbe Sth, and the grand en
gagement took place on the next Tuesday, April 7th. The
following account of it deserves insertion here, as giving the
history from the Southern point of view, and as not materially
contradicted by the official accounts in tbe North :
"At two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, a dispatch from Fort
Sumter announced that tbese ten vessels had crossed the bar,
and were pautiously steaming inward — the foremost one hay
ing at that time reached a point about three thousands yards
from the Fort. The next news was brougbt to us, an hour
later, by the duU detonation of the first gun from Fort Moul
trie, which was immediately answered by a heavy report, and
a cloud of wbite smoke from the turret of one of the monitors.
At ten minutes after three, the enemy having come within
range. Fort Sumter opened her batteries, and, almost simul
taneously, the white smoke could be seen puffing from the low
sandhills of Morris and Sullivan's islands, indicating that the
Beauregard battery on the left, and Battery Wagner, on the
extreme right, had become engaged. Five of the ironclads,
forming in line of battle in front of Fort Surater, maintained a
very rapid return fire, occasionally burling their fifteen-inch
shot and shell against Fort Moultrie and minor batteries, but
all directing their chief efforts against the east face of Fort
Sumter. Gradually, but visibly, the distance between the
attacking vessels and the fort was lessened, and as the enemy
drew nearer, the firing becarae hot and almost continuous.
" About half past four o'clock, the battle became fierce and
general. The scene at that hour, as viewed from the battery
promenade, was truly grand. Battery Bee had now mingled
the hoarse thunder of its guns in the universal din, and the
whole expanse of the harbor entrance, from Sullivan's Island
to Cummings' Point, becarae enveloped in the sraoke and con
stant fiashes of the confiict. The ironclads kept constantly
shifting their position ; but, whichever way they went, their
ports, always turned towards the battlements of Sumter, poured
forth their terrible projectiles against the walls of that famous
stronghold. Ever and anon, as tbe huge shot went ricochet
ting towards the raark, the water was dashed up in vast sheets
of spray, towering far above the parapet of the fort, while the
wreaths of smoke constantly ascending from the barbette guns,

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 245
showed how actively the artilleryraen of the post were dis-
char-ging their duties. In the foreground our o'wn staunch
little ironclads — the Palmetto State and Chicora — could be
seen stearaing energetically up and down their chosen fighting
position, evidently impatient to participate in the fray."
Next morning the Keokuk sunk, having been kept afioat
during the night by means of her pumps ; and during the day.
Admiral Dupont, feeling convinced of the "utter impractica
bility of taking the city of Charleston with the force under his
command," deterrained not to renew the fight. He, therefore,
recrossed the bar, and, on the 12th, the whole fieet, except the
New Ironsides, retur-ned to Port Eoyal.
Immediately after' the engagement, Beauregard issued the
following congratulatory order to bis troops :
Headquarters, Department op South Carolina, Georgia, and i
Florida, Charleston, S. C, April 10, 1863. )
The commanding general is gratified to have to announce
to the troops the following joint resolutions unanimously
adopted by the Legislature ofthe State of South Carolina:
"Eesolved, That the General Assembly reposes unbounded
confidence in the ability and skill of the commanding general
of this departraent, and the courage and patriotism of his brave
soldiers, with the blessing of God, to defend our beloved city,
and to beat back our vindictive foes.
" Eesolved, That his Excellency, the Governor, be instructed
to communicate this resolution to General Beauregard."
Soldiers ! the eyes of your countrymen are now turned upon
you on the eve ofthe second anniversary of the 13th of April,
1861, 'when the sovereignty of the State of South Carolina was
triumphantly vindicated within the harbor which we are now
to defend. The happy issue of the action on the 7th instant — ¦
the stranded, riddled wreck of the iron-mailed Keokuk, her
baffled coadjutors forced to retire beyond the range of our
guns, have inspired confidence in the country that our ultiraate
successwill be complete. An inestiraably precious charge has
been confided to your keeping, with every reliance on your
manhood and enduring patriotism.
By command of GENERAL BEAUREGARD.
Thomas Jordan, Chief of Staff.
John M. Otey, A. A. G.

246 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
It is a curious coincidence of war, says the Charleston Cou
rier, that the commanders— Generals Beauregard and Eipley,
Colonel Ehett, and Lieutenant-colonel Yates— witb neariy all
the garrison of Fort Sumter, are the same men who were the
chief actors in the bloodless reduction of Fort Sumter in 1861,
and who have now so gloriously and successfully repelled a
formidable attack upon this famous fortress, while in their
keeping. In the month of AprU, there was sorae question in the Con
federate Congress about changing the forra and arrangement
of their flag, and in reference to it, Beauregard, on the 24th of
April, wrote to a friend : " Why change our battle-flag, con
secrated by the best blood of our country on so many battler
fields? A gOod design for the national fiag would be the
present battle-flag as Union Jack, and the rest all white or all
blue." This idea was adopted by the Congress, on the 1st of
May, and thenceforth tbe Confederate flag Was a white field, —
the length double the width, with the union to be a square of
two-thirds the width of the flag, having the ground red, ther-e-
on a broad saltire of blue, bordered with white, and embla
zoned white rauUets or five-pointed stars, corresponding in
number to the Confederate States.
The month of May passed without any important move
ments calling for General Beauregard's personal supervision.
He went on a tour of inspection along the coast and in Florida,
and returned to Charleston on the llth of June. At that tirae
he was visited by an English military officer of distinction,
Lieutenant-Colonel Fremantle, then having a three months' run
through the Southern States, and, from the published account
given by that gentleman, we extract the following :
" General Beauregard was extremely civil to me, and ar
ranged that I should see sorae of the land fortifications to-mor
row. He spok6 to me of the inevitable necessity, sooner or
later, of a war between tbe Northern States and Great Britain ;
and he remarked that, if England would join the Sonth at
onCe, the Southfern armies, reUeved of tbe present blockade,
and enormous Yankee pressure, would be able to raarch right
into the Northern States, and, by occupying their principal
cities, would give the Yankees so much employment, that they
would be unable to spare raany men for Canada. He acknowl-

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEQAED. . 247
edged that in Mississippi General Grant had displayed un
coramon vigor, and raet with considerable success  He
considered the question of ironclads versus forts as settled,
especially when the fire frora the latter is plunging. If the
other monitors had approached as close as the Keokuk, they
would probably have shared ber fate. He thought that both
flat-headed rifled 7-inch bolts^ and solid 10-inch balls pene
trated the ironclads when within 1200 yards. He agr-eed
with General Eipley that the 15-inch gun is rather a failure ;
it is so unwieldy, that it can only be fired very slowly, and
the velocity of the ball is so small tbat it is very difficult to
strike a moving object. He said that Fort Sumter was to be
covered, by degrees, with tbe long green moss which, in this
country, hangs down from the trees; and his opinion was that
when this was pressed, it would deaden the effect of the shot
without being infiamraable. He added that, even if the walls
of Fort Sumter were battered down, the barbette battery
would still remain, supj^orted on the pier-s. ... A caricature
in a New York Illustrated paper, wherein President Davis and
General Beauregard were depicted shoeless and in rags, con
templating a pair of boots, which the latter suggested had
better be eaten, excited consider-able amusement when shown
to him and a party, at an excellent dinner one day. . . . Gen
eral Beauregard told rae he had been educated in the North,
and used to have raany friends there, but that now he would
sooner subrait to the Eraperor of China than return to the
Union. . . . Before parting, he told me that his official orders,
both ffoin the government and from the town council, were,
that he was to allow Charleston to be laid in ashes sooner than
surr-ender it; the Confederates being unanimous in their de
termination that, whatever happened, the capital of South
Carolina should never have to submit to the fate of New Or
leans. But he did not at all anticipate that such an alterna
tive was imminent. In answer to my thanks for his kindness
and courtesy, he said that tlie more Europeans that came to
the South, the more the Southerners wer-e pleased, as seeing
was the only way to remove raany prejudices. He declared
every thing here was open and above board, and I really be
lieve this is the case."
In the month of June renewed preparations wei-e raade by

248 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
the Federal authorities to take Charleston, and a change of.
naval and military commanders was raade in the forces sent to
work. Admiral Dahlgren was appointed to commarrd the
sea expedition, and General Gilmore the troops on land. These
latter, since April, had established themselves on FoUy Island,
south of, and next to Morris Island, which is a strip of land
. fringing the ocean, and having a battery at its northern point,
bearing directly on Fort Sumter, and the channel leading to
the city. This battery was the goal aimed at by the enemy,
and though several attempts had been raade by the Confederate
forces to dislodge him from the footing he had gained, they
were unsuccessful.
At Charleston, the force there had been greatly reduced by
the Confederate authorities, under the idea that all was safe
from further attacks of the enemy, and thus General Beaure
gard was left with inadequate raeans to provide against as
saults in no less than five different directions. For a number
of weeks the Federal troops had been busily engaged on Folly
Island, working under cover of the night, and screened by
carefully arranged brushwood during the day. In this man
ner, batteries were thrown up, and guns and mortars put in
position. The attack upon Morris Island was at last made by the
eneray on July 10th, and " after an engagement of three hours
and a quarter all tbe strongholds upon that part of the island
were captured, and the infantry pushed forward to within six
hundred yards of Fort Wagner," while four monitors, under
Admiral Dahlgren, engaged that fort, and the battery at
Cummings' Point.
The following is General Beauregard's official announcement
of it : Charleston, July 13, 1863.
To General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector-general :
There is nothing new since yesterday. The eneray is en
gaged in estabUshing batteries for long range-guns on the mid
dle of Morris Island, being aided by five monitors. Their
wooden gunboats are firing on batteries Wagner and Gregg,
on the north end of Morris Island. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOm'ANT BEAUEEGAED. 249
The Richmond Enquirer of the 13th gives the following of
ficial dispatches from General Beauregard :
Charleston, July 10, 1863.
To Geneal Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector-general :
At dark on the 10th, the enemy obtained possession of the
southern portion of Morris Island. Four monitors engaged
Battery Wagner. and the battery at Cummings' Point all day
without damage or casualties, but the losses in opposirrg the
landing wer'e severe. Three hundred were killed and wounded,
inpluding sixteen officers. The enemy's loss is evidently heavy.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
Charleston, July 10—11 : 30 P. M.
To General Cooper, —
The eneray has a threatening force on the lower fr-ont of
James Island, along the Stono, and an attempt was made to
destroy the Savannah Eailroad bridge, but was foiled with the
loss of one steamboat. G. T. BEAUREGARD.
The events of the next four weeks may be summed up in a
few lines ; for, to give any thing like details of what occurred
during this remarkable siege of Charleston, would be to fill
an entire volume by itself; and, moreover, can not be done
consistently with the purpose of this biographical sketch.
We can only, therefore, throw in occasionally some striking in
cidents that will serve to iUustrate our subject.
The reraainder of the month of July, and the early part of
August, were employed by the enemy in erecting siege-works,
and mounting heavy siege-guns, pr'eparatory to the bombard
ment of Fort Sumter, as it was found that Fort Wagner did
not intejrfere with the engineer corps at work. Meanwhile Gen
eral Beauregard and the Mayor of Charleston issued another
urgent appeal to the landed proprietors and others to send in
their negroes for work on the fortifications; and the Governor
of the State made an even stronger appeal. There was, how
ever, much indifference shown in proraptly responding ; and
though an act of the Legislature had been passed, involving a
penalty on refusal, many of the planters preferred paying it
to allowing their negroes to be so employed.

250 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
On the 17th of August General Gilraore opened his fire from
about sixty pieces on Fort Sumter, while the fleet attacked
Forts Gr-egg arrd Wagner. The latter was completely silenced,
and the former nearly so. Throughout the day this furious
bombardment continued, and the shock of the rapid dis-
char;ges tr'embling thr'ough the city, called hundi'cds of citizens
to the battery, wharves, steeples, and var'ious look-outs, where,
with an irrterest never felt before, they gazed on a-contest that
might d(.-cide the fate of Charleston itself. Above Battery
Wagner', bursting high in air, striking the sides of the work,
or plunging into the beach, and throwing up pillar's of earth,
were to be seen the quickly succeeding shells and round shot of
the enemy's guns. Batter-y Gregg, at Cummings' Point, and
Fort Sumter took part in the thundering chorus. As the
shades of evening fell upon the scene, the entire horizon ap
peared to be lighted up with the fitful fiashings of the livid
fiames that shot out fr-om monster guns on larrd and sea.
Meanwhile some sharp cor-respondence had taken place be
tween Generals Beauregard and Gilmore, on the mode of car
rying on the war in that department, but it is too long to in
sert here.
On the 21st of August, General Gilmore addressed to Gen
eral Beauregard a demand for the evacuation of Morris Island
and Fort Sumter, and threatening, if not coraplied with, " in
less than four hours, a fire would be opened on the city of
Charleston, from batteries alread}' established within easy and
effective reach of the heart of the city. In the following night,
and without further notice, fire was opened on the city from
the Morris Island batteries. Twelve eight-inch shells fell in
the city ; and several fiew in the direction of St. Michael's
steeple ; but fortunately no one was injured."
To tbe demand of General Gilmore, General Beauregard re
plied at length, refusing to surrender.
On the 24th of August, General Gilmore announced in dis
patches to Washington, that " Fort Sumter was a shapeless and
hartirless mass of ruins." This appeared to be partly the case;
but the following brief accounts of events, a few days after
wards, show that it was still in possession of the Confedei'ates,
though Morris Island, Fort Wagner, and Battery Gr-egg had
to be abandoned.

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 251
Charleston, Sept. 7, 1863.
The bombardraent was kept up without intermission all
day yesterday, and far into the night. About one hundred
and fifty of our raen were killed and wounded at Batteries
Wagner and Gregg.
The attempt to assault Battery Gregg was repulsed before
the enemy had completed their landing. Great havoc is sup
posed to have been made in the eneray's boats by our grape
and canister.
At dark on Monday, the enemy having advanced their sap
pers up to the very moat of Wagner, and it being impossible
to hold the island longer. General Beauregard ordered its
evacuation, which was executed between 8 p. m., and 1 A. m.,
with success. We spiked the guns of Wagner and Gregg, and
withdrew noiselessly in forty barges. Only one barge, con
taining twelve men, was captured.
The eneray now holds Curaraings' Point, in full view of the
city. ^
All quiet this raorning. Charleston, Sept. 7, Npon.
A dispatch from Major Stephen Elliot, comraanding at Fort
Sumter, announces that a fiag of truce, demanding the imme
diate surrender of that fort, has just been received fr-om Ad
miral Dahlgren by Lieutenant Brown, of the steamer Palmetto
State. General Beauregard has telegraphed to Major Elliot to
reply to Dahlgren that he can have Fort Sumter when he
takes it and holds it, and that in tbe mean time such demands
are puerile and unbecoming. Charleston, Sept. 7, 8 p. m.
At 6 o'clock p. M. the ironclads and monitors approached
Fort Sumter closer than usual and opened a hot fire against it.
Our batteries on SuUivan's Island, including those of Fort
Moultrie, replied heavily. The firing is still going on.
Chaeleston, Sept. 9, 1863.
Geneeal CooPke — Last night thirty of the launches of the
enemy attacked Fort Sumter. Preparations had been raade
for the event. At a concerted signal, all the batteries bearing
on Sumter, assisted by one gun-boat and a ram, were thrown

252 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
open. The enemy was repulsed, leaving in our hands one
hundred and thirteen prisoners, including thirteen officers.
We also took four boats and three colors. G. T. BEAUREGARD.
ChaiUjESTON, Sept. 9, 1863.
The enemy is silent to-day. General Beauregard refuses to
have any coramunication with the Yankee fiag of truce until
an explanation is given of their firing on our truce boats.
We took tbe original fiag of Fort Sumter which Major An
derson was compelled to lower, and which Dahlgren had
hoped to replace. Charleston, Sept. 10, 1863.
There was no firing last night except from our batteries.
The eneray is working hard on Morris Island. All is quiet
this raorning.
After this repulse of the Federals in their last attack upon
" the shapeless and harmless mass of ruins" of Fort Surater,
but little raore was done during the year by the eneray, ex
cept bombarding the forts, and shelUng Charleston at intervals
during day and night, until such becarae so customary to the
citizens, says a foreign writer visiting the place, that it no
longer produced the fear and dismay it formerly did.
During tbis period, Beauregard paid a just tribute to the
Confederate navy, in an official order, as foUows :
Hbadquakters, Department oe South Cakolina,)
Georgia, and Florida, >•
Charleston, S. C, Oct. 28, 1863. )
The commanding general feels it his duty to publish to the
forces and to the country tbe naraes of the stout-hearted offi
cers and men of the Confederate States navy, who, on the
night of the 5th inst., assailed and so nearly destroyed the
United States ironclad steam frigate. New Ironsides, at her
moorings off Morris Island. Lieutenant Win. T. Glassell,
.Acting Assistant Engineer J. H. Toorabs, Pilot Wm. Cannon,
Fireman Jarnes Sullivan, were volunteers for the service,
which they executed with a skill and coolness commensurate
with their daring. Their country cannot forget their brave

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT 'BEAUEEGAED. 2.; 3
endeavor, though unsuccessful, and it will surely inspire offi
cers and men of both arras of the service to emulate them.
They have shown what four resolute men can accomplish.
The example must not be barren. By command of
General BEAUREGARD.
Thomas Jordan, Chief of Staff.,
The year 1863 now closed with nothing more of iraportance
to record concerning Beauregard's raoveraents. Carefully
attentive to the duties of his post, he appears to have been al
ways present at official headquarters, unless away visiting
other portions' of his department. In February, 1864, he waa
at Savannah ; and, in the early part of March, in Florida,
where he issued a proclamation, dated frorn near Baldwin,
having reference to deserters from the Confederate army, and
ordering all others who were bound to give military service,
and yet evaded it on account of their farailies needing their
personal attention, to do such work, for just pay, in the dis
trict, as would be of raaterial help to the cause. ,
At this tirae occurred the death of his wife at New Orleans,
on the 2d of March, 1864, and in referring to her, the New
Orleans papers pay a very high tribute of respect and esteem
to her memory.
It appears that General Beauregard was not able to attend
the funeral ; but the following letter was afterwards sent by
hira to express his obligations for the general sympathy
shown : Chaeleston, March 28, 1864.
Gentlemen : — Accept for yourselves, and for the other offi
cers and soldiers from Louisiana, who met with you at MobUe,
on the 19th instant, my heartfelt thanks for the lofty and
touching sentiments expressed in the resolutions you were
pleased to pass on the occasion of the sad event which has
torn from me a raost dear and beloved wife, and from the State
to which she belonged, one of its brightest jewels and orna
ments. Mrs. Beauregard died a martyr to our cause. Her
continued and long separation from the chosen one of her
heart, under the trying circumstances she had to pass through,
was more than her careworn and enfeebled condition could

254 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
endure. Yet she departed not frorn life without giving utter
ance to herundiminished devotion to that noble cause, and to
her unshaken faith in its ultirhate triumph. She was a true
and fervent patriot. The foul breath of even the most vile
among tbe vilest of our enemies never could taint the pure
atmosphere that surrounded her.
How bright, how glorious I would deem the day on which
it were given to me, at the head of my brave, and so hard-
tried corapatriots, to rescue, with her hallowed grave, the noble
State that bestowed such honors upon her remains, from the
footsteps of the foe who pollutes them by his presence. With
sincere esteem, and sincere acknowledgments,
I reraain yours, very truly,
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
Major Ht. St. Paul, Captain J. T. Puevbs,
Lieutenant Ohaelks Aeroto, Committee, Mobile, Ala.
In the month of April, the Confederate authorities deemed
it advisable to strengthen their forces in North Carolina and
around Eichmond, and accordingly the valuable services of
General Beauregard were called into requisition from Charles
ton. On the 21st he passed through Wilmington with a large
body of troops, and assumed coramand of the district on the
south and east of Eichmond. General Butler, at the same
time, prepared to advance upon Eichmond by the Jaraes river,
and on tbe 5tb of May landed a large body of troops at City
Point, and Berrauda Hundred. On the 7th, he struck for the
Petersburg and Eichmond railroad, and succeeded in destroy
ing a bridge seven miles from the former place, thus giving
some hopes to the Federals that they had effectually got into
the rear of the Confederate capital. But, on the 16th of May,
General Beauregard, from Petersburgh, suddenly fell upon
his forces, in a fog, and drove him back t(^ his original position
on the Jaraes river. In speaking of this fight the Rich
mond Exam,iner says, " It was, during the time it lasted, one
of the most terrific cornbats that has been hnown. Confederate
valor never had a raore splendid illustration." This was fol
lowed up, in a few days, by renewed attacks on the enemy's
lines, especiaUy when it becarne known to Beauregard that
General "Baldy" Smith's corps, and a part of Gilmore's, had

GENERAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 255
left Butler to reinforce Grant, then advancing towards the
Chickahominy. On the 2d of June, at 3 A. m., Beauregard raade a heavy at
tack upon the Federals' advanced line of rifle-pits, near Ware-
bottom Church, and succeeded in capturing the position, with
about one hundred prisoners. A few days afterwards, how
ever, the Northern army, under Grant, Meade, and Butler,
were all across the James river, and Petersburg besieged.
Beauregard had already taken raeasures for its sure defence ;
but on some of the fir-st shells from the eneray entering the
town, and striking a private dwelling, he sent a flag of truce
to know why shelling was comraenced without giving due
notice to the. non-combatants. General Grant replied, as is
reported, that he did not know he was so near the city, and
would cease shelling until further notice. If tbis be correctly
stated, it displays an instance of great humanity on the part
of General Grant, which we feel pleasure in recording.
Towards the end of June, the Confederate array was posted
in every part of the outer and inner defences of Petersburg,
and thence to Eichmond ; Generals Hill and Longstreet camped
in front of the enemy's advanced lines, — General Lee as com
mander-in-chief, acting on the left — and General Beauregard
holding the town. And here we can well leave hira for the
incidents of the next few weeks, as our space forbids dwelling
upon them in detail ; and, moreover, they are related, prin
cipally, in the sketch already given of General Lee.
On the 3d of October, General Beauregard was assigned to
the coramand of two military departments, and the troops
therein, known as the department of Tennessee and Georgia,
and the department of Alabama, Mississippi and East
Louisiana. He immediately proceeded to the West, first visiting Gov
ernor Brown, at Milledgeville ; and then, via Columbus,
Georgia, on the 7th, OpeUka, and Montgoraery the next day,
Talladega, Alabama, on the 10th, and Jacksonville on the
llth, where he joined Hood's army, and then issued an earnest
appeal to the people to come forward and support renewed
efforts to drive the eneray frora the South.
It would, however, appear that Beauregard's position now
was not so rauch that of a general in the field, as a military.

256 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
director, and commander-in-chief over the western depart
ments. In sorae correspondence to tbe Charleston Mercury
we find it stated that he could not take direct control of either
Hood's or Taylor's armies, but merely order them fr-om one
point to the other, as be deemed advisable. What those move
ments were is of so recent a date tbat we need not refer to
tbem more than to say, that their great o,bject was frustrated
by General Schofield's victory over the Confederates at Nash
ville, Tennessee, and Sherman's grapd march through Geofgia,
towards Savannah. This latter, probably induced the author
ities at Eichmond to recall Beauregard from the West, to su
perintend the defences at that place ; for we find it stated in
the Richmond Dispatch, December 12th, that he was there in
conjunction with Generals Hardee, G. W. Smith, and E. Tay
lor ; and about that tirbe official orders extended his de
partment so as to include South Carolina and the Atlantic sea
board of Geoi'gia.
When Savannah was surrounded by the Federal forces, a
flag of truce was, on December 17th, sent in by General Sher
man, demanding the surrender of the city, and, on the next
day, a reply was given by General Beauregard, refusing to
comply with the demand. But, on Monday, the 19th, the city
was evacuated ; and on the 22d we find Beauregard again at
Charleston, irotifying the Confederate authorities at Eichraond,
that " the eneray, eight hundred strong, had occupied PoUard,"
an iraportant station at the junction of tbe Mobile and Great
Northern and Alabaraa and Florida railroads, about seventy
miles north of Mobile.
On the 7th of January, 1865, he was at Macon, Georgia, and
sent to Eichmond, Hood's official report of the last battle in ¦
front of NashviUe, on December 16th ; also additional reports
from that general, dated Tupelo, January 6th.
We now close our hurried sketch of this bold, feariess, and
skilful^ general, with the following lines, copied from the
Wilmington Courier : —
¦When -war-clouds gathered about our land,
And out of the North came a hostile band.
Threatening the South with her deadly wrath,
He stood like a fire-brand in their path ;
And the Northmen found that the fight went hard,
When they met our gallant Beauregard.

GENEEAL PETEE GUSTAVE TOUTANT BEAUEEGAED. 257
'When the battle rages fierce aid high.
And the rattling shot like hailstones fly,
When the booming cannon roar and swell.
And the air is fllled with bursting shell.
He's foremost there on the blood-drenched sward,
And the cry is " On with Beauregard."
Like magic spark of Promethean flre.
His very name doth the soul inspire ;
And a thousand voices loud and strong,
Shout as he rideth the ranks along.
Waving the banner starred and barred,
" To glory or death with Beauregard 1"
WeU may the enemy quake with fear.
Whene'er that terrible name they hear,
'Mid the dash of waves and cannons roar ;
They heard it on Caroliua's shore,
Wheu Sumter, blackened, smoked and scarred.
Fell to our valiant Beauregard.
That fearful day on Manassas plain,
'Twas thundered forth in their ears again,
AVhen madly over the heaps of dead.
The panic-stricken hirelings fled.
Cursing the hour that e'er they war'd
With the Uon-hearted Beauregard.
On the crimson field of Shiloh, too.
When the shells like shrieking demons flew,
'When the lurid smoke obscured the air.
And havoc and death were every where.
We drove them back from the blood-stained sward.
The cry was stUl for Beauregard.
There is a page in the book of fame —
On it is written a single name,
In letters of gold, on spotless white.
Encircled with stars of quenchless light ;
Never a blot that page hath marred.
And the star-wreathed name is Beauregard.
17

GEiNERAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON.

CHAPTEE I.
Johnston.— Scotch Descent. — Hia Family. — Early Life.— Cadet at West Point.—
MiUtary Career. — Services in Florida. — Anecdote.^In the Mexican War. — Wounded.
— Promoted. — Chief of Quartermaster's Department. — Resigns, and gives his Services
to the South. — Commands in the Shenandoah 'Valley. — Unites with Beauregard. —
Mana-^^sas. — Characteristics. — Evacuation of Manast^as. — March to Peninsula. — McClel
lan. — Prinoe de Joinville. — Yorlitown. — Battle of Williamsburg. — Letter to Jackson.
— Battle of Seven Pines. — Johnston Wounded. — Sickness. — Recovery. — Assigned
to Command of the West. — His Movements. — Delicate Position with regard to Gen
eral Bragg. — Correspondence on the Subject. — Vicksburg. — Infirm Health. — On the
Field at Jackson. — Grant's Movements.— Battle of Baker's Creek.^Jaokson Camped
at Vernon. — Incidents. — Order to'Evacuate Port Hudson.— Fall of 'Vicksburg.^Evao-
uation of Jackson. — Visits Mobile, etc. — Commands the Army in the Field. — Sher
man in Georgia. — Eesaca. — Sherman's Advance. — Atlanta. — Johnston Superseded
by Hood. — High Estimate of Johnston.
In the Confederate army there have been several officers of
rank bearing this name, or a similar one, with merely the let,-
ter t omitted. The subject of our present sketch, however, is
Josepb Eggleston Johnston, of Scotch descent, and, formerly,
Quai-termaster-general in the United States service, but, after
wards, in conjunction with Beauregard, coraraanding the
Southern forces in the first battle of Bull Eun, 1861.
This brave and skilful officer was born abont the year 1808,
in Prince Edwar-d County, Virginia. His father -was the late
Judge Peter Johnston, of the general court of Virginia, dis
tinguished alike at the bar, and on the bench, for sound prac
tical sense and solid legal acquireraents. In youth, he had
been serving as an officer under Greene, in the campaign of
1781, and had borne himself honorably at Eutaw, Camden,
and other places. After the war of the Eevolution, Judge
Johnston married Miss Polly Wood, a niece of Patrick Henry,
and " one of the raost accomplished ladies of her day." They
had a large family of sons and daughters, to whose education

LT G EN.J, E ,J 0 H NSTO N
i'rsjna Fiu, l.'j^7.-af/: tcTrm /?v?n/'i/,''

¦ti

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 259
they paid the greatest attention, and thus brought thera up to
be persons of superior understanding. Araong the sons,
Joseph was the youngest, receiving the rudiments of education
in Abingdon district, where his father had been appointed
judge. At school, he was noted as a boy of quick parts and a
bold, enterprising disposition. He was, also, possessed of
great fortitude, and calm endurance, as was evinced at one
time, wben, by an accident, his arra was broken, he subraitted
to the setting of the lirab with the most stoical coraposure,
and with equal patience bore the after confineraent necessary
to his situation. These traits of character, coupled with his
father's past rerainiscenses of a railitary life, no doubt led to
his adoption of the army for a profession. In 1829, he
graduated at West Point witb great credit, and was imme
diately assigned to the Fourth Artillery, as brevet Second-
lieutenant. He remained there until 1836, when he was ap
pointed First-lieutenant and Assistant Commissary of Sub
sistence. In 1838 he was made First-lieutenant of Topo-
gr-aphical Engineers, and, in that capacity, served throughout
the Florida war. There he greatly distinguished himself by
his coolness a,nd bravery, during the whole tirae. It is related
of him that, " on one occasion having been sent, under the
escort of a party of infantry, to make a survey or reconnois
sance 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 kiUed or disabled at the first fire.
The raen were thrown into complete confusion, and were in
imminent danger of destruction, when Lieutenant Johnston
took coraraand, and by his coolness and deterraination suc
ceeded in rescuing them. He laid hold of a small tree with
one hand, and, standing boldly out in face of the whole fire of
the savages, called upon the men to rally and form upon him.
They iraraediately returned to their duty and resuraed the ac
tion, a perfect volley of balls sweeping around. At last one
struck Johnston immediately above the forehead and passed
backward over the skull, without fracturing the brain, and he
fell, but the troops had caught so much of his spirit that they
repulsed the enemy and carried off the wounded in safety."
For this, and other good service during the Florida war, he
was brevetted captain, and in September, 1846, became a fuU

260 SOUTHERN GENERALS.
captain by seniority. On February 16th, 184T, he was bre
vetted a lieutenant-colonel of voltigeurs and sailed with the
expedition of General Scott to Mexico. After the capture of
Vera Cruz, on the advance to Cerro Gordo, he made a raost
daring reconnoissance, wherein he was severely, and, as was
thought at the time, raortaUy wounded. He recovered, how
ever, sufficiently to resurae bis coramand, and bear part in
the concluding laattles of tbat war. He distinguished himself
at Molino del Eey, and Was again wounded at Chapultepec.
In this latter engagement, General Scott says of him : " Be
sides Generals Pillow, Quitman, Shields, Smith, and Cadwal-
ader, the following are the officers and corps most distin
guished in those brilliant operations : the voltigeur regiraent,
in two detachraents, commanded, respectively, by Colonel
Andrews, and Lieutenant-colonel Johnston — the latter mostly
in the lead, accompanied by Major Caldwell (etc.) — the former
the first to plant a regimental color, and the latter among the
first in the assault." It is reported that General Scott should
further say of him "Johnston is a great soldier, but he has an
unfortunate knack of getting himself shot in nearly every en
gagement." This was undoubtedly a high testimony to his
merits as a brave soldier ; and, for his gallant and meritorious
conduct, he was several times brevetted.
At the close of the Mexican war he was retained as captain
in the Topographical Engineers, and, at a later date, was raade
a full colonel in the regular array. In June, 1860, he \vas
placed at the head of the quartermaster's department, with the
rank of brigadier-general, and was in that post when the pres
ent national strife comraenced. At that time he bad a great
reputation for capacity and probity, and was highly esteemed ;
but he felt bound to join the service of his native State, when
Virginia seceded, and was immediately appbinted to a high
coramand by Governor Letcher. When, bowever, the Vir
ginia forces becarae absorbed in the general array of the
Southern Confederacy, he received a direct coramission from
President Davis as Major-general, and proceeded to take com
raand of the forces at Harper's Ferry, then temporarily under
the control of Colonel " Stonewall" Jackson.
On the 23d of May, 1861, General Johnston assumed com
mand of what was then called the army of the Shenandoah,

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 261
and, after a complete reconnoissance of Harper's Ferry and
environs, he decided that the place was untenable, and, there
fore, determined to withdraw his trqops to Winchester. At
this time General Patterson was advancing, with a strong
JN"orthern force, frora Pennsylvania and Maryland, into Vir
ginia, and it was supposed that an attempt would be made by
that general tq forra a junction in the Sherrandoah valley with
General McClellan, then advancing towards Winchester frora
the western parts of Virginia. To prevent this junction,
therefore, was most desirable, and, accordingly, on the 13th of
June, General Johnston abandoned Harper's Ferry, after first
burrring the railroad bridge and such buildings as were likely
to prove raOst useful to the eneray. On the llth, while on his
march up the valley, he learned that Patterson's forces had
crossed the Potomac at Williamsport, and, consequently, it
would be necessary to arrest the onward raoveraent by taking
up a strong position between the Federal array and Winches
ter. This was done at Bunker's Hill, on the Martinsburg
turnpike, and with -what result we have already seen in our
sketch of General Jackson's life. Patterson fell back across
the river, and Johnston pursued his way unmolested towards
, Winchester. In the early part of July, Patterson made other attempts to
entangle Johnston, and, by feints, to detain hira in that part
of the valley, so as to prevent the union of his forces with those
of Beauregard, then strongly encaraped on the plains of Ma
nassas. But Johnston saw through this, and skilfully avoided
being caught. Keeping his own designs very secret, he made/
several feint movements, completely deceiving tbe enemy, to
the last moment; and, when, on the 18th of July, he received
a dispatch from Eichmond stating that the Northern array,
under McDowell, was advancing upon Manassas, he acted upon
the discretionary power given him, and immediately advanced
to join Beauregard. His own words are, "It was found to
be necessary either to defeat General Patterson, or to elude
him." The latter course was the most speedy and certain, and
was, therefore, adopted. The sick were provided for in Win
chester ; and for the defence of that place, should the enemy
follow, as was expected, the militia of Generals Carson and
Meem, seemed ample. Colonel Stuart, with the cavalry^ was

262 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
sent on in advance to guard the way, and on the 19th, the
whole army (except a portion under Kirby Sinith, tbat fol
lowed quickly after) moved through Ashby's gap to Pied
mont, a station of the Manassas Gap raUroad. Hence, the
infantry proceeded by the cars,— the cavalry continuing the
march by road, — and reached Manassas about noon of July
20th. There, though ranking Beauregard, he very consider
ately and generously yielded the seniority, so as not to disturb
any of the plans of battle already formed, and, consequently,
Beauregard retained suprerae comraand on the field, while
Johnston cordially and effectively supported him. The fol
lowing day, July 21st, was fought the- great battle which has
been already alluded to and described in previous sketches.
Bull Run will exist forever, on historic ground, as memorable
for more than one severe conflict between the forces of the
North and South, in which the forraer have been defeated.
But we can only touch upon it now to say that, in all the dis-
. positions of the battle, Beauregard subraitted thera first for
approval to Johnston. At half past eight in the morning.
General Johnstbn raoved his headquarters to a raore central
position, where he could watch the course of events, but soon
after ten o'clock, — no longer able to remain in the back
ground, — he set out for the advanced Unes, gaUantly charg-.
ing to the front with the colors of the Fourth Alabama by his
side, all the field officers of that regiment having been pre
viously disabled. Beauregard, however, earnestly persuaded
hirn to retire, and this, reluctantly, he did, afterwards so direct
ing and ordering tbe reserves, that his valuable services proved
most effectual towards the successful issue of the day. When
Brigadier-general Kirby Smith arrived about 3 p. m., witb the
repiainder of his troops, he personally directed them to the
right of the enemy where they could be most efficient, and
where, indeed, their arrival produced that final repulse of the
enemy wbich resulted in a total defeat.
After the battle of Manassas, the array reraained in camp,
with nothing of importance concerning it to relate, as con
nected with General Johnston, until the following March.
Tbe personal appearance and characteristics of General
Johnston, at this time, have been thus described : " He is
about five feet eight or nine inches in height, of good form,

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 263
very erect, a handsorae face, thick moustache and beard, sorae
what sprinkled with white. His hair is sUghtly gray. His
organs of benevolence and veneration are extremely large;
and his eye is very full and large. He should talk weU, and
speak fluently. He has the decided advantage over Beaure
gard in appearance. Every thing about him — his bearing,
style of dress, and even his most careless attitudes^betoken
the high-toned and spirited soldier, who loves his profession,
and whose soul revels in tbe din and uproar of the battlefield.
Intellectually, he is the equal of any of the generals in the
army. His reports are written with great vigor and a degree
of elegance which shows that, in tbe turmoil of the camp, he
is not unmindful of the graces of literature. As a strategist,
he enjoys a very high reputation araong railitary men. He is
also considered one of the best fighters in the army ; but his
general manners are rather quiet and dignified."
In the early part of February, 1862, General Johnston issued
a stirring appeal to the soldiers, on the re-enlistment question,
which had much of the effect desired, and filled the ranks that
had been thinned by expired service. A portion of that ap
peal, incidentally, referred to some new movement of the
army ; and the next raonth saw the plains of Manassas evac
uated for the purpose of taking up another position further
south, on the line of the Eappahannock and the Eapidan.
The reasons publicly assigned for this, were that " it was a
strategic necessity, and was the surest means of defeating the
grand objects of the enemy, and insuring the success of the
Confederate cause." The truth is, that it was known a large
portion of the Northern army intended to try and reach Eich
raond by way of the Peninsula froni Yorktown. General
Johnston,' therefore, having been left to his own discretion in
the matter, wisely determined to change his base of operations
on the Potomac, to one where he could be within supporting
distance of the army around Eichmond and on the Peninsula.
His new line, therefore, was one purely defensive. It stretched
from the Eappahannock, by a grand circle, to Cumberland
gap, in the extrerae southwestern corner of the State; era-
bracing the Central and the Virginia and Tennessee railroads,
the chief cities of Virginia, the valley of the James, with its
canal and railroads, within tbe circumference. This position

264 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
was assumed in consequence of the great preparations made in
the North to invade the South ; and the spirited address of
General McClellan at that tirae, to his troops, clearly indi
cated a determination to carry on thl'war most vigorously and
more energetically than had yet been done.
On the llth of March, McClellan assumed comraand of the
" Army of the Potoraac," having been relieved from the
general superintendence of all the military departraents, and,
in addressing his soldiers, he says : " The moment for action
has arrived. The period of inaction has passed  In
whatever direction jon raay move, however strange my actions
may appear to you, ever bear in raind that my fate is linked
with yours, and that all I do is to bring you, where I know
you wish to be — on the. decisive battlefield." What bis plans
were is well known, and has been ably spoken of by the Prince
de Joinville, who accorapanied McClellan, and afterwards
published a small work on the campaign. To attack Eich
mond by the water line was his great desire ; and it was this
that General Johnston, with keen-sighted policy, prepared for.
The authorities at Eichmond also adopted every measure
necessary to meet the enemy on his new battle-ground. The
capital was, of course, the principal object to be considered,
and General Lee was summoned from the South to take mili
tary control of all its defences.
On the 17th of March, General McCleUan began ' to forward
his troops from Alexandria, by transports, to Fort Monroe,
and when he, himself, departed, it was with the expectation
that General McDowell, with the rest of the great army would
proraptly follow. This, however, did not occur. It was found
that, though Manassas had been evacuated by the Confederates,
they were in far greater force in the Shenandoah Valley,
where Jackson was heroically fighting, and in tbe front of the
advanced Northern line of occupation in Virginia, than waa
before supposed. Consequently, some dread was entertained
that Washington itself might be in danger, if left unprotected,
and, accordingly, McDowell was detained for that purpose.
All this was known to General Johnston, who, however, kept
hi^ own designs qiiite- secret, even " shutting out his army
from all intercourse with the public." Thus, when Yorktown
was besieged in April, Magruder, in command there, was rein-

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 265
forced from Johnston's army without delay or difficulty. John
ston himself went thither, and earnestly addressed the troops,
caUing upon them " to use every exertion to defeat the
Northern invaders." But events proved that such was not to
be done at YorktowW, nor, afterwards, at- WUliamsburg. On
the 4th of May, Yorktown was evacuated by the Confederates,
after, it is said, a unaniraous opinion on the part of President
Davis, General Lee (both having visited the place for the
purpose), and General Johnston, that McClellan, by his ar
rangements, had made the place untenable. Magruder dis
sented frora this view, but yielded to the judgment of .the
others. General Johnston now retreated upon Williamsburg, hotly
pursued by the victorious federals, but here he determined to
impede tbeir advance by giving battle. On th&5th of May
was fought the battle of Williarasburg, and on the next day
the city was occupied by the Federal troops, Jobnston gradu
ally retiring towards Eichmond. On the 8tli be was at Bar-
harasville, and sent an official letter to Eichraond, notifying
the landing of the eneray at West Point, under cover of their
gunboats. This raovement appears to have been foreseen by
Johnston, and is the key to his motives- for withdrawing to the
defences of Eichmond, whieh now required all the available
force that could be collected there. On the 19th, he occupied
a line in the vicinity of the capital, so as to cover all the river
batteries; and, a day or two afterwards, the advance of the
Northern army came within seven miles of the city. . The
preparations now made to repel the eneray have already been
touched upon in our sketch of General Lee. , We will there
fore confine ourselves to what belongs raerely to Johnston's
personal doings.
On the 27th of May he sent a dispatch to General Jackson,
(then in the Shenandoah VaUey) wherein are the foUowing
important passages, having reference to the army movements
at that time : Headquabteks Depaetment of Nobthben 'VniGrNiA,)
May 27, 1862, 9 o'dfick 15 min.. )
To Geneeal T. J. Jacksos :
Geneeal — I have just received your letter ©f yesterday by
Lieutenant Boswell. A copy of a dispatch telegraphed by

266 rSOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
that officer frora Staunton reached me this morning. After
reading,^ I wrote to you by a special imessenger, suggesting a
moveraent threatening Washington aud Baltimore, unless the
enemy still has in your vicinity force enough to make it rash
to atterapt it. He has no force beyond the Potomac to make
it dangerous ; only what he has on this side need be con
sidered. You cannot, in your present position, employ such an army
as yours upon any enterprise not bearing directly upon the
state of things here, either by preventing the reinforcements to
McClellan's army, or by drawing troops from it by divisions.
These objects might be accomplished by the demonstrations
proposed above, or by a movement upon McDowell, although
I fear that by the tirae this reaches you it will be too late for
either. The most important service you can render the
country is the preventing the further strengthening of McClel
lan's army. If you find it too late for that, strike the most
important body of the enemy you can reach. You corapel me
to publish orders announcing your success so often that you
must expect repetition of expressions. Yours very truly, J. E. JOHNSTON.
P. S. — It is reported this evening that McDowell is moving
this way from Fredericksburg. It is probable. 3. E. JOHNSTON.
Op the day but -one after, he issued an address to his array
" on the brilliant success won by the skill and courage of the
generals and troops in the Valley," and calling upon bis own
soldiers " to emulate the deeds of their noble comrades there,
so as to raake illustrious in history the part they would soon
have to act in the irapending drama," Having ascertained
that the enemy was encamped on the inner side of the Chicka
hominy, near the Williamsburg road, not far from a place
called the Seven Pines, he determined to attack McClellan's
advance without delay. Written orders were dispatched to
the Confederate generals in command, and verbal instructions
given to General Longstreet, then near headquarters.
On Friday night, May SOth, a thunderstorm of unusual
violence shook the heavens, and rain fell so heavily that the

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 267
whole face of the country was deluged "with water. The men
in camp were exposed to all the violence of the storm, and
the roads were rendered almost impassable with mud very
deep. The enemy were even worse off, for the bottom lands
at the head of the Chickahominy were flooded, and the stream
itself was much swollen. Early in the morning of the 31st,
however, it was rumored that Johnston intended attacking the
enemy's left, and that because, as the bridges were washed
away, it would prevept McClellan sending reinforceraents to
this portion of his array. The raoveraent began between six
and eight o'clock a. m., Longstreet and HiU in the advance,
toiling through the mire on the Williamsburg road. The plan
of operation was as follows :
"General Hill, supported by the division of General Long-
street (who had the direction of operations on the right), was
to advance by the Williamsburg road to attack the enemy in
front; General Huger, with his division, was to move down
the Charles City road, in order to attack in flank the troops
who might be engaged witb Hill and Longstreet, unless he
found in his front force enough to occupy the division.
General Smith was to march to the junction of the New-bridge
road and the Nine-mile road, to be in readiness either to fall
on Keyes' right flank, or to cover Longstreet's left."
As the troops marched on, the heavens were surcharged with
clouds, and raindrops fell thickly. In the front wer-e dense
woods, on marshy ground, the water in many places being two
feet deep. Yet, " through all this, the regiments slowly ad
vanced, while the artillery endeavored to follow. Horses
were lashed and goaded. Artillerymen were up to their mid
dle in mire, tagging at long ropes, and trying to get on, but
their progress was very slow indeed. The gullies, holes, pools,
and rocks, thr-eatened to capsize them at every turn."
These, and other causes, delayed the attack on the eneray
until about 2 p. m., when Longstreet, finding Huger's division
had not come up as expected, opened the engagement, alone,
with artillery and skirmishers. By three o'clock it becarae
close and heavy. Meantirae, General Johnston had placed
himself on the left, with the division of General G. W. Smith,
that he might be on a part of the field where good observation
could be made of any counter-movement on the side of the

268 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
enemy. But, owing to the dense state of the atmosphere, the
first sound of firing on the right did not reach him, and it was
4 p. M. when news came of Longstreet's vigorous attack. John
ston then ordered forward the whole of Smith's division, and
the battle now became general. What followed may be best
related in General Johnston's own words, as given in his official
report. He says :
"The principal attack was made by Major-general Long-
street, with bis own and Major-general D. H. HilUs divisions
— the latter raostly in advance. HUl's brave troops, admirably
commanded and gallantly led, forced their way through the
abattis, which formed the enemy's external defences, and
stormed their intrenchments by a determined and irresistible,
rush. Such was the manner in which the enemy's first Une
was cari-ied. The operation was repeated with the same gal
lantry and success as our troops pursued their victorious career
through the enemy's successive camps and intrenchments. At
each new position they encountered fresh troops belonging to
it, and reinforcements brought on from tbe rear. Thus they
had to repel repeated efforts to retake works which they had
carried. But their advance was never successfully resisted.
" Their onward movement was only stayed by the coming of
night. By nightfall they had forced their way to the ' Seven
Pines,' having driven tbe enemy back more than two miles,
through their own camps, and from a series of intrenchments,
and repelled ever'y attempt to recapture them, with great
slaughter. The skill, vigor, and decision, with which these
operations were conducted by General Longstreet, are worthy
of the highest praise. He was worthily seconded by Major-
general HUl, of whose conduct and courage he speaks in the
highest terms.
" Major-general Smith's division moved forward at four
o'clock. Whiting's three brigades leading. Their progress was
impeded by the enemy's skirmishers, which, with their sup
ports, were driven back to the railroad. At this point. Whit
ing's own and Pettigrew's brigades engaged a superior force of
the enemy. Hood's, by my drder, moved on to co-operate
with Longstreet. General Smith was desired to hasten up
with all the troops within reach. He brought up Hampton's
and Hatton's brigades in a few minutes.

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 269
"The strength of the enemy's position, however, enabled
him to hold it until dark.
" About sunset, being struck from my horse, severely
wounded by a fragment of a shell, I was carried from the
field, and Major-general G. W. Smith succeeded to the com- ,
mand. " He was prevented from resuming his attack on the eneray's
position next raorning, by the discovery of strong intrench
ments not seeu on the previous evening. His division bi
vouacked, on the night ofthe 31st, within rausket-shot of the in
trenchments which they were attacking when darkness stayed
the conflict. The skill, energy, and resolution with which
Major-general Sraith directed the attack, would have secured
success if it could have been raade an hour earlier.
" The troops of Longstreet and Hill passed the night of the
31st on the ground which they had won. The enemy were
strongly reinforced from the north side of the Chickahominy
on the evening and night of the 31st. The troops engaged by
General Sraith were, undoubtedly, from the other side of the
river. " On the morning of the 1st of June, the enemy attacked the
brigade of Geiierai Pickett, which was supported by that of
General Pryor. ,The attack was vigorously repelled by these
two brigades, the brunt of the fight falling on General Pickett.
This was the last demonstration made by the eneray.
" Our troops employed the. residue of the day in securing and
bearing off the captured artillery, small-arms, and other prop
erty ; and in the evening quietly returned to their own
camps." The wound General Johnston received, came while he was in
the front, ordering some new attack. A battery opened from
a thicket, and a piece of shell struck him severely ; at the same
time a minie ball entered bis shoulder and passed down his
back. He fell from bis horse, and broke two of his ribs, thus
compelling hirn to leave the field, at the time, with little hope of
recovery. He was taken back to the city, to the residence of
a celebrated physician, who carefully attended him, and the
streets, for squares around, were kept clear of vehicles so as to
prevent his being disturbed. It was some weeks, however-, be
fore he showed symptoras of recovery ; and, at the end of July,

270 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
he left for Amelia Springs, to derive benefit from the pure
country air.
For more than three months General Johnston was unable
to attend to mUitary duties. At length he was sufficiently
restored to permit of his transacting business, though, ap
parently, not of resuming active duties in the field. In Sep
teraber he was at Gordonsville and Culpepper on some private
matters, as reported, connected witb the army ; but not until
the beginning of November did he again come forw.ard in pub
lic life.
On the 24th of November he was assigned to the coramand
of the West, in the following order :
Adjutajst and Inbpectob-Qbnbkal's Office,)
Eichmond, November 24, 1862. )
*******
General J. E. Johnston, Confederate States army, is hereby
assigned to the fallowing geographical command, to wit : Com-
rhencing with the Blue Eidge of mountains, running thr-ough
the western part of North Carolina, and following the Une of
said mountains through the northern part of Geor-gia to the
railroad south of Chattanooga ; thence by that road to West
Point, and down the west or right bank of the Chattahoochie
river to the boundary of Alabama and Florida, following that
boundar-y west to the Choctahatchie river, and down that river
to Chatahatchie bay — including the waters of that bay — to the
Gulf of Mexico. All that portion of country west of said line
to the Mississippi river is included in the above coraraand.
General Johnston will, for the purpose of cor-respondence and
reports, establish his headquarters at Chattanooga, or such
other place as in his judgraent will best secure facilities for ready
communication with the troops within the limits of his com
mand, and will repair in person to any part of said coramand
whenever his presence may, for the time, be necessary or de
sirable. *******
By command of the Secretary of 'War,
JOHN WITHERS, Assistant Adjutant-general.
His Excellency, the President, Richmond, Va.
On the 29th of November, General Johnston left Eichmond
with his staff, and arrived at Chattanooga on the 4th of De-

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 271
cember. The next day he proceeded to Mur-freesboro>, and as
sumed comraand of the army, though, from physical inability,
produced by his late wound, he was unable to do more than
direct moveraents. At this tirae, President Davis was on a
tour of inspection, and, in corapany with General Johnston,
visited Bragg's army.
The organization of the army, under General Johnson, at
the time he took coraraand, was as follows: — General Br-agg
in coramand of the army of the Mississippi, located at Murfrees
boro, Tennessee, with Lieutenant-general Polk, commanding the
right wing, and under him, Generals Buckner, Cheatham, Breck
inridge, etc. ; LieutSTiant-general Kirby Smith, comraanding the
centre, located at Shelby ville, Tennessee; Lieutenant-general
Hardee, coramanding the left wing, also located at Shelbyville.
Other detachments were under Generals E. Anderson, Pillow,
Wheeler, Morgan, Forrest, and Stearns ; and the total amount
of force was about 65,750 raen. General Johnston, however,
does not appear to have remained long at Murfreesboro, but
visited other portions of his- department, leading to the infer
ence that he was in comraand at Vicksburg. On the 26th of
December, 1862, while at Jackson, Mississippi, in company
with the President, who delivered an address before the legis
lature of Mississippi, General Johnston was called upon for a
speech. " The scar-worn hero," says a report of the proceed
ings, " looked a little nervous, while the house rang with loud
and prolonged applause. He rose and said : ' Fellow-citizens, —
My only regret is that I have done so little to merit such a
greeting. I promise you, however', that hereafter I shall be
watchful, energetic, and indefatigable in your defence.' "
At the end of the year (1862) was fought the battle of Mur
freesboro, between Generals Bragg and Eosecr'ans, each claim
ing the victory, though the for'mer retreated to TuUahoraa. At
the time. General Johnston appears to have been at Jackson,
watching the movements of Sherman on Vicksburg, who had
to retreat after an unsuccessful assault upon the city. General
Grant had also to be carefuU}'' followed in his operations ; but
General Johnston had sorae other, duties now to perfoi'in,
which evidently placed him in a delicate position. President
Davis had returned to Eichmond, and there, it would seera, he
was urged to remove General Bragg from his command. The

272 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
President, however, thought fit to consult General Johnston
on the subject, and the following correspondence took place.
Richmond, "Va., Jamiaiy 22, 1863.
General J. E. Johnston, Chattanooga, Tenn. :
As announced in ray telegram, I address this letter to you
[explaining], the purpose for which I desire you to proceed
promptly to the headquarters of General Bragg's army.
******
You will, I trust, be able by conversation witb General
Bragg and others of his command, to decide what the best in
terests of tbe service require, and give me the advice which I
need at this juncture. As that array is a part of your com
mand no order will be necessary to give you authority there,
as, whether present or absent, you have a right to direct its
operations, and do whatever else belongs to the general com
manding. Very truly and respectfully yours, JEFF. DAVIS.
TuLLAHOMA, February 12, 1863.
Me. Peesident, — Since writing to yon on the 3d, I have seen
the whole array. Its appearance is very encouraging, and
gives positive assurance of General Bragg's capacity to com
raand. It is well clothed, healthy, and in fine spirits. The.
brigades engaged at Murfreesboro are now stronger than they
were on the morning of the battle — mainly by the return of
the absentees brought back by the general's vigorous- system.
******
My object has been to ascertain if the confidence of the
troops in the ability of the array to beat the enemy is at all im
paired. I find no indication that it is less than when you were in its
camps. While this feeUng exists, and you regard General Bragg as
brave and skilful, the fact that some or all of the general
officers of the army, and many of the subordinates, think that
you might give them a commander with fewer defects, cannot,
1 think, greatly dirainish his value. To me it seeras that the
operations of this army in Middle Tennessee have been con
ducted admirably. I can find no record of more effective

&

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 273
fighting in modern battles than that of this array in December,
evincing skiU in the commander, and courage in the troops,
which fully entitle them to the thanks of the Government,
In the early part of January, the country north of Granada
being considered impracticable, I directed Major-general Van
Dorn to bring to General Bragg's aid the cavalry of the Mis
sissippi array, except such as Lieutenant-general Pemberton
considered necessary to him.
******
I have been told by  that they have advised you
to remove General Bragg, and place rae in comraand of this
array. I ara sure that you will agree with me, that the part I
have borne in this investigation would render it inconsistent
with my personal honor to occupy that position. I believe,
however, that the interest of the service requires that General
Bragg should not be reraoved. Most respectfuUy, your obedi
ent servant, J. E. JOHNSTON.
It appears, however, that there was a deterraination on the
part of the authorities at Eichmond, to have General Johnston
in active comraand on the field, as will appear from the fol
lowing extracts from his official reports. He says :
"While on my way to Mississippi, where I thought my
presence had become necessary, I received, in Mobile, on March
12th, the following telegram from the Secretary of War, dated
March 9. "
" ' Order General Bragg to report to the War Department
for conference. Assurae yourself flirect charge of the army of
Middle Tennessee.'
" In obedience to tbis order, I at once proceeded to TuUa-
homa. On my arrival I informed the Secretary of War, by a
telegram of March 19th, that Gener-al Bragg could not then be
sent to Eichraond, as he was ordered, on account of the critical
condition of his family.
" On the 10th of April, I repeated this to the President, and
added, ' Being unwell then, I afterwards became sick, and arn
not now able to serve in the field. General Bragg is, there
fore, necessary here.' On the 28th my unfitness for service in
the field was reported to the Secretary of of War.
18

274 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
" Optli^ 9 th of May I received, at TuUahoma, the following
dispatch of the same dat?, from th^ Secretary of War :
' Proceed at once to Mississippi and take chief, comriiapd of.
the forces there, giving to those in the field, as ,fa,r as practica
ble,, the encouragement and benefit of your per-sonal, direction.'
"It is thus seen, that neither my orders nor my health
permitted me to visit Mississippi after the 12th of Mai-ch, un
tU the time when I took direct char-ge of that department."
From the tirae General Johnston arrived at TuUahoma,
until the middle of April, communications by telegraph were
received from General Pemberton, then at Vicksburg,, indicat
ing that all attempts on that place were apparently aban
doned. But, on the 17th of April, news came that Grapt had
resumed vigorous operations, and that the Federal flotilla on
the Mississippi was also actively engaged. These operations
proved successful. Port Gibson was taken by the Federa|l
forces on the first of May ; Grand Gulf was occupied, and
General "Grant began his raarch upon the Jackson and Vicks
burg railroad. It was tirae, therefore, that Johnston himself,
however sick he might be, should be pers.onal(ly present on the
scene. Accordingly, he reached Jackson on the night of the
13th of May, and imraediately assumed active command-
On examination, he found raatters very serious. Hjs whole
force there, even with expected reinforcements, would not
amount to more than " eleven thousand," and Grapt, with a
powerful army, was rapidly approaching. Next mprning,
Thursday, May 14th, at an early hour, Johnston marched, oiit
some eight miles southwest of Jackson, and met the forces of
Grant advancing by the main road. A battle wag fought,
lasting for some time, and ending in the repulse of the Con-
feiderates, and their evacuation of the city. At, 2 p. m. John
ston retreated by the Canton road, by which alone he could
forra a junction with Peraberton, who was in the afivanced
front of Vicksburg. After marching six miles, the troops en
camped, and General Johnston then sent a dispatch to Pem
berton, advising and, directing hirn what to do. Bpt, on. the
morning of the 16th Pemberton was attacked by the enemy at
Baker's creek, near Edward's station, on the Vicksburg rail
road, and after nine hours' fighting, was compelled to fa,ll
back behind the Big Black river. On the 17tb, Johnston

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 275
again tried to join Pemberton by marching in a direction in
timated by that general, but that night it was ascertained he
had retired within Vicksburg. The day after. General John
ston had his headquarters near Vernon, close to the Big Black,
and thence sent to Pemberton instructions to " hold out,"
until it might be seen if he could be relieved. At the sarae
time he forwarded directions to General Gardner, at Port
Hudson, to evacuate that place ; and, after dispatching these
orders, he marched back to re-establish his line between Jack
son and Canton. There, for awhile, we will leave his railitary
raoveraents, and introduce some notice of hira frora a visitor,
who had come across the Atlantic to see what was going on in
tbe Confederate States. We allude to Lieutenant-colorrel Fre
mantle, from whom we have already quoted, and who says, at
tbis particular time^ after a difficult journey up the Mis
sissippi :
"We left Jackson (Tuesday, 19th May) with the leading
troops (of Confederates proceeding to join Johnston — Grant
having gone to Vicksburg), and next day, about 6 p. m.,
reached General Johnston's bivouac  I presented my
letters of introduction, .... and to me he was extremely
affable, though he certainly possesses the power of keeping
people at a distance when he chooses, and his officers evidently
stand in great awe of hira. He lives very plainly, arrd at
present his only cooking utensils consisted of an old coffeepot
and fr-yingpan — both very inferior articles. There was only
one fork (one prong deficient), between hiraself and staff, and
this was handed to me, cereraoniously, as the 'guest.' He has
undoubtedly acquired the entire confidence of all the officers
and soldiers under him. Many of the officers told rae they
did not consider him inferior, as a general, to Lee, or any one
else. He told me that Vicksburg was certainly in a critical
situation, and was now closely invested by Grant. He said
that he, himself, had 11,000 mpn witb him, hardly any cav
alr-y, and only sixteen pieces of cannon ; but, if he could, get
adequate reinforcements, he stated his intention of endeavor
ing to relieve Vicksburg  On the following day I was
received into his mess. Major Eustis and Lieutenant Wash
ington, officers of bis staff, are thorough gentlemen, and did
all in their power to make me comfortable. The first is a

276 SOUTHEEN GENERALS.
Louisianian of wealth (formeriy) ; and his negro al^Vays speaks
French  I was presented to Captain Henderson, who
commanded a corps of about fifty scouts. These are employed
on the hazardous duty of hanging about the enemy's camps,
collecting inforraation, and coraraunicating with Pember-ton in
Vicksburg. They are a fine looking lot of men, wild, and
very picturesque in appearance. At noon a Yankee railitary
surgeon carae to camp. He had been left bebind by Grant to
look after the Yankee's wounded at Jackson, and he was now
anxious to rejoin h'is general by flag of truce, but General
Johnston very prudently refused to allow this, and desired
that he should be sent to the North, via Eichmond. By a
very sensible arrangement, both sides have agreed to treat
doctors as non-combatants, and not to make prisoners of war
of them. ... In the evening I asked General Johnston what
prospect he thought there was of early operations, and he told
me that at present he was too weak to do any good, and he
was unable to give me any definite idea as to when he might
be strong enough to attack Grant. . . . General Johnston is a
very well read man, and agreeable to converse with. He told
me that he considered Mar-lbOrough a greater general than
Wellington. All Araericans have an intense adrairation for
Napoleon; and they seldom scruple to expr-ess their regret
that he was beaten at Waterloo. Eernarking upon the ex
trerae prevalence of military titles, General Johnston said,
'You raust be astonished to find how fond all Araericans are
of titles, though they are republicans ; and, as they can't get
any other sort, they all take military ones. ... In the coursQ
of our long conversation, he told rae that the principal evils
which a Confederate general had to contend against, consisted
in the difficulty of making combinations, owing to uncertainty
about the time which the troops would take to march a cer
tain distance, on account of their straggling propensities. . . .
He also said that Grant had displayed more vigor than he had
expected, by -crossing the river below Vicksburg, seizing
Jackson by vastly superior force, and, after cutting off com
munications, investing the fortress thoroughly, so as to take it,
if possible, before a sufficient force could be got to reUeve it.
.... In refei'ence to himself, he said tbat altogether he had
been wounded ten times. He was the senior officer of the old

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 277
army who joined the Confederates. . . . Saturday, May 23d,
General Johnston, Major Eustis, and myself, left Canton at
6 A. M., on a locomotive for Jackson. On the way we talked
a good deal about "StonewaU" Jackson, and he said that
although this extraordinary man did not possess any great
qualifications as a strategist, and was perhaps unfit for the
independent comraand of a large array, yet he was gifted with
wonderful courage and deterraination, and a perfect faith in
Providence that he was destined to destroy hts eneray. He
was muoh indebted to General EweU in the vaUey campaigns-
Stonewall Jackson was also most fortunate in commandins
the flower of the Virginia troops, and in being opposed to the
most incapable Federal commanders, such as Fremont and
Banks. " Before we had proceeded twelve railes we were forced to
stop and collect wood frora the road side to feed our engine,
and the general worked with so much energy as to cause his
'Seven Pines' wound to give hira pain- We were put out at
a spot where the railroad was destroyed, at about four railes
frora Jackson. A carriage ought to have been in waiting for
ns, but by some mistake it had not arrived, so we had to foot
it. I was obliged to carry my heavy saddle-bags. Major
Eustis very kindly took my knapsack, and the general carried
the cloaks. In this order we reached Jackson, much exhausted,
at 9 : 30 A. M. ... I there took an affectionate fareweU of him
and his officers, and he returned to Canton at 3 p. m."
We have given the above extracts as signiflcant of General
Johnston's character as a courteous gentleman, and accom
pUshed miUtary officer, of rank. And it is a soraewhat striking
fact, that he and raany others, both North and South, have
, frequently shown similar kind and gentlemanly feeling to
strangers even amid all their cares and anxieties. In the pres
ent case, and while his visitor was actually with him, he was
receiving Important communications, to which careful answers
had to be returned. On the 23d of May, a dispatch carae from
Port Hudson, stating tbat the enemy was about to cross at
Bayou Sara, and the whole force from Baton Eouge was in
front of General Gardner. To this he sent renewed orders to
evacuate Port Hudson. " You cannot be reinforced," said he.
" Do not aUow yourself to be invested. At every risk save

278, SOUTHEEN GENEEAL8-
the troops, and if practicable, move in this direction." Dis
patches also arrived from General Pemberton, dated Vicksburg,
May 20th, and 21st. To these, on the 29th, he repUed, " I am
too weak to save Vicksburg. Can do no raore than atterapt to
save you and your garrison. It will be impossible to extricate
you, unless you co-operate, and we make mutually supporting
moveraents. Coraraunicate your plans and suggestions, if pos
sible." After this, much raore correspondence with Pemberton, and
also with the Secretary of War, at Eichraond, took place, all
having the sarae purport, viz., that he (General Johnston) was
too weak to relieve Vicksburg, and had not at his disposal half
the troops necessary. To the Secretary of War, on the 12th of
June, he again, said the sarae, adding, "To take from Bragg a
for-ce which would raake this array fit to oppose Grant, would
involve yielding Tennessee. It is for the Government to de
cide between this State and Tennessee."
At intervals, similar coraraunications took place, and a
movement of the army was made on. the 29th of June, towards
the Big Black, with a view of giving some relief to Peraberton.
But, on the 5th of July, General Johnston lear-ned that Vicks
burg had fallen to the victorious Federal arms, and accordingly,
he marched back, and encamped again at Jackson. Ther-e,
however, he was not aUowed to remain long in peace. On the
morning of the 9th, General Sherman appeared, in heavy force,
in front of the works thi-own up for the defence of the place,
and comraenced intrenching, and constructing batteries. Next
day some spirited skirraishing, with slight cannonading, oc
curred; and on the following day an assault was made on Gen
eral Breckinridge's lines. On the 16th, General Johnston found
that it would be impossible to hold the city, and, accordingly,
that night evacuated it, and retired towards Brandon.
It is not to be denied, that these defeats and losses to the
Confederates in the Mississippi depar-tment, produced much
despondency and complaint. Upon the conduct of General
Johnston many animadversions were cast, and an attempt was
made to throw the whole blarae upon hira. In his official re
port he gives a long account of all his movements, and ^he
orders he had issued, asserting, that in important ones. General
Pemberton had not obeyed him. To this we must add, that, aU

GENERAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 279
throughout, the wounds he had received, and his general iU
health, made him less fit for the superintendence of active ope
rations than might otherwise have been the case, and he him
self constantly urged this upon the authorities at Eichmond.
On the 27th of July, General Johnston went to MobUe to
examine the fortifications there, leaving his army camped at
Enterprise and Brandon, under the direct command of GePe'ra^
Hardee. While there, he carefuUy inspected the works, and
made a map, of tbem, ultimately deciding that they i-equired
strengthening immediately, though, said he, " Mobile is the
most defensible, seaport position in the Confederate States."
It is relatbd, that when he was told there was an idea afloat in
the city, of his coming there to or-der its evacuation, he re
plied, "Had that been my purpose, I should not have shown
my countenance among you. I am here for the directly oppo
site purpose, of looking into your defences, and pt-eparing to
hold your city."
For the next few weeks General Johnston appears to have
been visiting the principal posts of his departrpent, and con
sulting with the Several generals in command. Itwas sup
posed that he had superseded Gener-al Bragg, at Chattanooga,
but this seems to have been a sirailar mistake to that made on
a. previous occasion, when he was seen there. However, on the
15th of September, he visited Atlanta, Georgia, and afterwards
Was actively engaged in collecting troops, directing their move
ments, and supporting Bragg and Longstreet, in Tennessee, as
required. At the battle of Chickamauga, General Johnston
held a force pf 30,000 troops in reserve, at Kingston, fifteen
miles from the scene of contfest, besides 5,000 cavalry, under
Gener-al Pillow, and 15,000 Georgia railitia. This was done so
as to keep a strong body of reinforceraents ready, in case Gen
eral Burnside arrived to join Eosecrans. As this did not oc
cur, Gener-al Johnston had no occasion to use his men, General
Bragg having effected what was desired, in driving the enemy
back. In the early part of October, he so arranged the Con
federate army in Tennessee and North Geor-gia, that one com
mand, of some 68,000 men, occupied the centre frora Lafayette
to Look-Out Mouptain, near Chattanooga : Longstreet On the
left, from Br-idgeport, on the Tennessee, to Trenton, with
44,000 men ; and Bragg the right, from Dalton to Cleveland,

280 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS-
with 57,000 raen. Tlie cavalry was under General Wheeler,
and numbered 15,000 strong.
At about the sarae tirae President Davis again visited the
army, and on the 10th of October reviewed, tbe troops, and ex
amined the defences befofe Chattanooga ; but General Johns
ton was away on an extensive inspection tour.
On the 4th he dates a dispatch fr-om Meridian, north Missis
sippi ; and after that we have little account of his movements
untU, when, in Deceraber, General Bragg v?as at last reraoved,
in accordance with popular opinion, and General Johnston ap
pointed to the field command of the array in Tennessee, then
temporarily held by General Hardee. On the 27th of Decem
ber he assumed command at Dalton, Georgia.
Commenting upon this appointment, and the correspondence
between President Davis and General Johnston, concerning
General Bragg, which we have already given in its proper
date, though only made public at this tirae, the Richmond En
quirer remarks :
" The manly sentiments, and lofty sense of honor exhibited
by General Josepb E- Johnston, in the correspondence with
the President, recently published, relative to the removal of
General Bragg, have given him a new claira upon the public
syrapathy and admiration, and are receiving their just praise.
The Atlanta Register, while declaring that the announcement
of the appointment of General Joseph E- Johnston to the com
mand of the army of Tennessee will be hailed 'with delight
by the army and the people,' adds, that 'he is an officer ,of
generous and noble impulses, as is evidenced by his letters to
the President in reference to the hero of Murfreesboro and
Chickamauga.' "
There seeraed, however, to be a cloud over the prospects of
the Confedei'ates at this time. Grant, Sherman, and Thomas
were making rapid strides in successful encounters with the
Southern forces ; and again, was a retreat found necessary by
General Johnston, who, the latter part of January, 1864, fell
back from Dalton, and his advanced posts. On the 7th of
February he was encamped at Eome, Georgia ; but again ad
vanced to Dalton shortly afterwards. At the same tirne the
Federals made an attempt to get possession of the place, but
were driven back.

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 281
In March, the movements of the Northern "army indicated
that a vigorous attempt would be made to penetrate through
Georgia, and therefore General Johnston concentrated a strong
force around Dalton, to oppose the eneray's advance. What
the condition of his array was at tbis period raay be gathered
frora the following letter, written to the Mobile Advertiser, in
April. The writer says :
" I am happy to be able to say, that the condition of our army
is splendid in every respect. It is well fed, well clad, in ex
cellent health, and in high and hopeful spirits. For the first
tirae in its history it has no barefoot soldier. . . .¦'
" General Johnston is unquestionably a great captain in the
science of war. In ninety days he has so transforraed this
array, that I can find no word to express the extent of the
transformation, but the word regeneration. It is a regenera
ted array. He found it ninety days ago disheartened, despair
ing, and on the vei-ge of dissolution. By judicious raeasures
he bas restored confidence, re-established discipline, and ex
alted the hearts of his army. The array of Tennessee, the raost
ill-starred and successless of all our arraies, has seen its wors,t
days. " Let us hope, that it will have ' np more retreats, and no
more defeats.' I bave a firm faith now in the future of the army
of Tennessee and its great captain. Let hira but be unfettered,
and furnished with adequate means, and all will be well. He
is very fortunate in having such thorough soldiers as Hood,
and Hardee, and Stewart, and Cleburne, to direct his columns,
and execute his orders. With sPch leaders, it seems to me,
that defeat is impossible. The intrepid dash, and the young,
burning enthusiasm of Hood are directed by military genius,
and controlled by a rare and high intelUgence. Hardee is al
ways prompt, ready, perfect, and successful- The calm, stoic
Stewart, silent, stern, poised, imperturbable, never faUs, never
errs, and never dallies. He is ever at the right place, at the
opportune moment. Cleburne is not merely, though he is al
together, a lion in battle, but he has the genius to ' ride upon
the whirlwind, and direct tbe storm ' of the mighty conflict.
With these generals there will be no dallying, no blunders, no
' lost opportunities,' no disobedience of orders.
" General Johnston has two modes of stopping deserters.

282 SOUTHERN GENEEALS.
One is, by liberal furloughs, allowing all to go home by turns,
and the other is, by the inexorable doom of death to deserters.
He has announced, in gener'al orders, that he will grant no par
dons, and the doomed must die. The court-martial have, at
last, come to discover the nle'ceSsity of punishing deserters -with
death, and few now escape. There are upwards of a dozen
soldiers now awaiting execution of the death penalty for de
sertion. Some are to hang ; some to be shot."
At length, on the 2d of May, simultaneous with the onwai'd
movement of Grant in Virginia, Sherman began his grand
march into Georgia. The Federal advance was in three col
urans — ^Thomas moving in front, direct upon Johnston's centre
at Dalton, with his advance at Einggold and Tunnel Hill ;
Schofield, from Cleveland, tbirty miles northeast of Chatta
nooga, via Eed Clay, on the Georgia Une, to unite with
Thomas; and McPherson, by a flank movement of some forty
or fifty miles upon Johnston's line of communications at
, Eesaca, a station on the Western and Atlantic railroad, at the
crossing of the Oostanaula river, eighty^four miles from Atlanta,
and fifteen miles south of Dalton.
The attack was made first on the 7tb of May, by General
Thomas, who drove Johnston's advance back to a place called
Buzzard Eoost,just north of Dalton. Johnston, knowing the
importance of Eesaca, and hearing of McPherson's moveraent,
evacuated Dalton, and hastened to Eesaca, which he reached
just before the Federal advance.
On the 14th of May the two arraies came into collision close
to Eesaca, at a place called Sugar Valley. General Sherman
was determined to force his way, and General Johnston
equally as determined to prevent him. In quick tirne he got
up breastworks and gave the enemy battle. At first he ap
peared to be victorious, driving the Federals back some
distance, but, eventually, he had to retire, and, after some
desultory fighting on the 15th and 16th, he retreated to the
Etowah river, passing through Kingston and Cassville. At
both places fighting occurred, and Eome was occupied by a
portion of Sherraan's victorious troops. Johnston still re
treated towards Altoona, where he made a stand, but with
their inferiority of numbers, they were soon forced from this
position by another movement of the enemy in their flank, by

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 283
which the Federal left reached the railroad near Marietta on
Monday, May SOth.
It is witb something of regret that we are compelled, from
want of space, to omit most of those interesting details that
are to be found connected with the moveraents of both arraies
during this celebrated advance through Georgia on the one
side, and the masterly retreat on the other. It is quite impos
sible to do coraplete justice to such earnest and devoted raen
in a mere outline sketch of their eventful lives, or to narrate,
within the limits of one volume, all the incidents of interest
and importance connected with them.
A correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial, dating from
Eesaca, May 26tb, says :
" The designs of Sherraan are now soraewhat less raysterious.
Last night Howard, Palraer, Hooker, Logan, and Dodge's
corps were at, and slightly beyond, Dallas — a point on the
flank of the rebel position in the Altoona mountains, in what
is known as Hickory gap, ten miles southeast of Etowah, the
station where the railroad crosses the Etowah river. At the
point where the railroad pierces the Altoona raountains, forty
miles from Atlanta, Johnston had halted for resistance, occu
pying a vCry strong, natural, and powerfully fortified position.
Before we could attack him in front it was necessary to cross
the Etowah river, and march up the steep and rugged slopes
of the mountains which abut on tbe stream. When the army
moved on Monday, Schofield's corps moved to Etowah, and
succeeded in laying pontoons, raaking, the while, at several
points, deraonstrations leading the eneray to believe that we
proposed to attack him directly in front.
" WhUe Schofield was thus engaged, the rest of the array
marched rapidly to the' Etowah river, and crossed without
serious opposition at a point about' fifteen miles below the
railroad bridge. Imraediately resuming the line of march,
and with but light skirmishing, reached DaUas last evening—
about thirty miles from Atlanta, and within a short march of
Marietta, a station on the railroad directly in the rear of the
rebel position at Altoona. Schofield has crossed the river near
Etowah station, and is moving down the ridge to join the
main body, his rear guard skirmishing constantly with the
enemy.

284 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
"Johnston is thus compelled to abandon his, strong position
in the Altoona mountains, and fight, if at all, in the open
country south of there. Cannonading has been heard to-day,
and the irapression prevails that a battle is in progress to-day
near Marietta.
" A courier from Johnston to his chief of cavalry, General
Jackson, was captured day before yesterday, bearing a note of
inquiry frora the former, asking immediate information of
Sherman's movements on his flanks. The courier was .taken
before General Thomas, who reraoved his clothes and dressed a
trusty scout of his own in thera, with an answer to Johnston's
message. What this answer was is not generally known, but
it is presumed that it did not communicate the movements of
our forces with exactness."
Another correspondent says, after a graphic account of pre
vious moveraents, " So far General Johnston has conducted
his retreat in a masterly manner. He bas finally succeeded in
crossing the Etowah river, at the cliffs, eight railes from here,
(Kingston) and there can be no more opportunities for forcing
him to fight. ... A great battle will undoubtedly be fought
soraewhere between here and Atlanta."
On the 28th of May there was an encounter between
General Cleburne's division of Johnston's army and the ad
vance of the eneray, under McPherson, at New Hope ; and,
after that, each party kept raaneuvering for positions until
near the end of June without another battle. At length, on
the 27th of June, Sherman gave orders for an attack upon
Johnston's position, then at Kenesaw mountain, near Marietta.
At 8 A. M- General McPherson attacked at the southwest
end of the mountain, and General Thomas at a point about a
mile further south. At the same time, the skirmishers and
artillery along the whole line kept up a sharp fire. Neither
attack succeeded, though both columns reached Johnston's
works, which were very strong. General McPherson lost
about 500 men, and General Thomas about 2,000. The loss
was particularly heavy to the Federals in general, and
field officers. General Harker was one of those mortaUy
wounded, while on the side of the Confederates the loss was
trifling. General Sherman, however, speedily rectified this by another

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 285
flank movement, which compelled General Johnston to aban
don the mountain, and retreat towards Atlanta, leaving the
eneray to occupy Marietta. This continued retrograde raove
ment naturally produced considerable disappointment and
murmuring in the South. Many were the coraraents made upon
it, and not a few sharp reasons referring, not only to General
Johnston, but to the authorities at Eichraond, were given for
such repeated falling back. A corarnander-in-chief of an army
is compelled to do many things that may appear to his com
mand, and to the public, injudicious. There ar-e reasons and
causes never known to others, which cannot be fully explained,
and are only known by those to whom he is responsible, which
may corapulsorily influence his actions ; and that general or
officer is quite unworthy of his high position who has not, in
addition to his militar-y skill and personal bravery, that sound
and healthy mor-al courage which will enable him in need to
act independently of the opinions of irresponsible persons.
We do not say that all seeming errors can be thus excused,
nor do we venture this as an excuse for General Johnston, if
one be needed for him; the thought, however, should ever
serve to moderate sharp comments or severe criticism that
after events may possibl}' prove to be unjust.
The Confederate army had now fallen back to Atlanta, and,
on the 18th of July, the troops and the general public were
greatly surprised by an announcement that General Johnston
had been relieved, and General Hood assigned to the command
on the previous day. The following address was then issued
by General Johnston to his army :
Headqukters, Army of Tennessee, July 17, 1864.
In obedience to the orders of the War Department, I turn
over to General Hood the command of the Army and Depart
ment of Tennessee. I cannot leave this noble army without
expressing my admiration for the high military qualities it has
displayed so conspicuously — every soldierly virtue, endurance
of toil, obedience to orders, brilliant courage.
The enemy has never attacked but to be severely repulsed
and punished. You, soldiers, have never argued but from
your courage, and never counted your fear-s. No longer your
leader, I will stiU watch yaur career, and will rejoice in your

286 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
victoriesi To one and all I offer assurances of ray friendship
and bid an affectionate ferewell. J. B. JOHNSTON, General.
With this last public address of General Johnston's, we have
to close our sketch. He retired to Macon, Georgia, where, for
the past few months, we believe, he has been residing, and,
let us hope, with renewed health, and increased strength to
his great, capacious mind. That the public will allow him to
reraain thus private, when his military experience and counsel
can prove of such value to his cause, is doubtful, if we may
judge from the following extracts :
" It was a black day for the Array of Tennessee, the day the
command was taken from General Johnston.
" The Confederacy has three generals of the highest rank.
Each of them has shown hiraself equal to every emergency.
In the hands of these generals it would be safe. One of them
ought to comraand each of the three great arraies — viz., Lee,
the army below Eichmond ; Johnston, the army of Tennessee;
and Beauregard, the Trans-Mississippi army. Had such been
the arrangement. Banks would have been captured last spring ;
Forrest would have assisted Johnston by cutting off Sherraan's
supplies, and he would have been forced to fight at a disad
vantage, or fall back into Tennessee ; Early would have en
tered Washington, and Grant would have been bound to
change his base. But only one of tbese great generals, it
seeras, finds favor. The other two are proscribed, never placed
where they can be of any great service.
" ' Qnicquid delirant reges plectuntur Achivi.' '
" The people are suffering prodigiously from this decision.
But no matter ! It is the royal decree.
* * * *
" Another practical suggestion is erabraced in the foUowing
paragraph frora the Augusta Constitutionalist, one of the most
constant and able supporters of the President. That journal
says: 'Let General Johnston be placed in command of the
array of Tennessee, having control of all the country adjacent,
thereto — give General Beauregard command of the armies of'

GENEEAL JOSEPH EGGLESTON JOHNSTON. 287
Georgia and South Carolina, and General Lee coramand of the
array of Virginia and its adjuncts.'
* * * *
"We may not vindicate the reraoval of the brave and judi
cious Johnston, we raay not approve of the course of the Presi
dent in other respects, but we are satisfied that the tirae and
talents devoted to opposition and complaint is so much de
ducted from th^ great duty of resisting the enerny."

GENERAL SAMUEL COOPER.
Theee are some men whose career through life never dis
plays itself by much public fame, and yet whose services are,
and have been fully equal, in their real value, to those of gen
erals and commanders, appearing more prorainently on the
scene of every-day life. Statesraen, high officials of the gov
ernraent, advisers of the constituted authorities, adjutants,
coraraissariat officers, heads of departments, medical directors,
and others, rarely come forward in the world's blazonry with
that display common usage has affixed to the deeds of military
or naval heroes. Yet those very raen often deserve as much
credit, and sometimes far more, than is awarded to commanders
on the battlefield. Their astute, clear, calra, and .penetrating
minds — their wise judgment, and masterly ability, quietly
plan, arrange, and direct, what is often brilliantly accom
plished by the chief of a division, or the head of an army.
Had General Lee retained his post as military adviser, or
whatever it was, in the spring of 1862, it is very probable
he would not have been so greatly noted as he is. Indeed, we
hear but little of bim during that period ; and yet he was skil
fully planning and directing iraportant raoveraents. So, with
the subject of our present sketch, whose valuable services as
adjutant-general, both in the North and South, have been
generally admitted.
With any minute particulars of General Cooper's career, the
public is not yet familiar, except through those ordinary offi
cial channels which give notices of appointments and dates of
changes. Consequently, we can do little more at present than
put such before the reader, to show who and what he is.
General Cooper was born in the State of New York, in the
year 1798, and entered the MiUtary Academy at West Point,
when only fifteen years old. At that time, the period of study

CEN. S COOPER.

C £ En-liar-l-.?iL

GENEEAL SAMUEL COOPEE. 289
was not so long as now, and, consequently, he graduated in
1815, receiving bis commission as brevet second-lieutenant of
Light ArtiUery, on the lltb-of Deceraber, in that year. He
obtained the full rank of a lieutenancy in 1817, and when, in
1821, the army was reorganized, he was retained in the rank
he then held. Shortly afterwards, he became first-lieutenant
of the Third Artillery, and in 1824, was transferred to the
Fourth. Here he remained four years, and then becarae aid-
de-camp to General Macomb, serving in that capacity until
the year 1830. These times were days of peace, and we see
little recorded of note to mark the military career of any manv
In 1831, Cooper was brevetted captain "for faithful service,
ten years in one grade." Five years afterwards, he became
full captain, and in 1847, he was made brevet major of the
staff (assistant adjutant-general). The foUowing year, be was,
brevetted colonel of the staff, " for meritorious conduct," par
ticularly in the perforraance of his duties in the prosecution
of the Mexican war. These duties appear to have been the
onerous ones attached to the department of the adjutant-gen
eral, and so peculiarly skilled was he in that office that, in
1852, he was appointed head of the department, with the rank
of colonel in the army.
Adjutant-general Cooper was now at the summit of that
branch of his profession, in which he had labored so many
years to the satisfaction of the array, and approval of the
United States government, as well as the general public. At
that tirae, Charles M. Conrad, of Louisiana, was secretary of
war, under President Fillraore's adrainistration ; but, on the
5th of March, 1853, Jefierson Davis assumed control of the
war office, and thus the present head of the Confederate States
and Adjutant-general Cooper raust have continually come in
contact with each other. How far this may have influenced
his after conduct, as regards the severance of the Union, we
cannot say ; but, it is stated, that his political principles were
well known to be adverse to tbe present policy of the adrain
istration in the North, and though faithfully perforraing his
duties to the last raoraent of Buchanan's reign in power, he
immediately resigned when President Lincoln was installed.
He sent in his resignation on the 7th of March, 1861, at the
same time with Assistant Adjutant-general Withers, and both
19

290 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
were accepted, to be considered as taking effect on the 1st of
March. Possibly, as General Cooper is a copnection (we be
lieve brother-in-law) of Mr. Mason, other than mere political
reasons may have led to this great severance of his long asso
ciation with the government, and with his native North.
It is singular that about the last official order signed by
Adjutant-general Cooper, should have been the following :
Wae Depaetment, March 1, 1861.
By the direction ofthe President of the United States, it is
orde^red that Brigadier-general David E. Twiggs, be, and is
hereby disPiissed from the army of the United States, for his
treachery to the flag bf his country, in having surrendered on
the 18th of February, 1861, on the demand of the authorities
of Texas, the military posts and other property of the United
States in his department, and under his charge.
J. HOLT, Secretary of 'WaT.
By order of the Secretary of War,
S. CooEEH, Adjutant-general.
General Cooper iraraediately went to Montgomery, where
he arrived on the 15th of March, and tendered his services to
President Davis. These were cheerfully accepted, and the
next day he was appointed Adjutant-general of the Confed
erate States, — a position, to some timid minds, the least en
viable of any to be found. The president, and secretary of
war, the commanding general, might, each and all, deterraine
upon open strife with the North, and have great abilities for
carrying it on ; but where was the material to work with ?
Fighting could not be done without soldiers ; soldiers could
not be obtained without much careful thought as to the best
method of procuring the men ; and men could not be turned
into an army of soldiers without _ skilful organization- The
master mind to do this, however, for the new confederacy,
came forward at the very moment such was wanted. With
his perfect knowledge of all the intricate machinery necessary,
and his long acquaintance with the inner workings of the
regular army of the United States government, General
Cooper stepped in to the precise place requiring tp be fiUed,
and undoubtedly must have been bailed as one of the most
valuable aids to the cause, that cpuld bave been offered. He

GENEEAL SAMUEL OOOPEE. 291
inust, however, have, possessed a strong and determined will,
fearless of all consequences, to have undertfiken the duties of
such a post. To the South, he gave more than himself ; — he
gave the vast energies of a capacious mind, fully stored with
the knowledge and acquirements of many years experience in
the duties of one of the raost arduous and complicated services
relating to the army. To the North, he made himself some
thing, perhaps more to be dreaded, through the peculiar
powers he .possessed, than even a general in the field, for the
latter, could, possibly, be beaten back, and his forces destroyed.
An adjutant-general, however, such as Cooper, might speedily
reproduce the whole, and thus in a measure, nullifying what
ever of success the enemy of his cause may have attained.
The proceedings of General Cooper, after being appointed to
his office, have npt much individuality in themselves. Occa-
sipnally his name appeared, in reference to some important
matter connected with the army, but his duties rarely brought
him personally forward. In the latter part of July, 1861, he
had sorae correspondence with General Johnston, respecting
the alleged hanging by the Federals of two captives taken by
thera. The following letters explain the matter :
Adjutant and Inspbctok General's Office, )
Richmond, July 39, 1861- )
To General J.E. Johnston, Commanding Army of Potomac, Manassas, Ya,.
Sik — Your letter of the 24th instant, inclosing one of the
26th from General Bonham, reporting the hanging of two
sentinels of the South Carolina troops, who were captured on
the 17th instant, by the eneray, near Centerville, has been re
ceived and submitted to the President, who instructs rae to
state, that you wUl send a flag to the general comraanding
the forces in front of you, report to him the case, and require
that he deliver to you, as criminals, the persons who perpe
trated the offence, or avow his responsibility for the act ; and,
in the latter case, that you will retaUate, retaining in your
possession for that purpose, of the enemy, twice the nuraber of
those of our troops that were thus ignorainiously executed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. COOPEB,
Adjutant and Inspector-general.
(OflScial) R. H. Chilton, A. A. G.

292 SOUTHEEN GENEBALS.

GENERAL JOHNSTON TO GENBRAIi COOPER.
JARTEKS, MAj
August 6, 1861,

Hbadquartees, MAna.ssas, )

To Qeneral Cooper, A. and L G. :
Sie— On the 21st ultimo, in obedience to orders received
through your office, I addressed to Brigadier-general Mc
Dowell, commanding the department of Alexandria, a letter,
a copy of which is inclosed herewith. A reply was returned
to our outposts, but being addressed like one which I had a
few days before refused to receive, on account of the super
scription. Colonel Stuart refused to transmit it. He ascer
tained, however, that the aUeged hanging of our two volun
teers was denied by General McDowell.
Since then two other papers., inclosed, were sent under flags
of truce, the bearer not being admitted. I send them merely
to show the obstinacy with which the enemy avoids the estab
lished mode of communication.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) J. E. JOHNSTON, General.
(Offlcial) R. H. Chilton, A. A. G.
Colonel Stuart was informed in reply to his references of the
messages, that when properly addressed, we would give any
aid in our power to- Colonel Cameron's friends in their

search.

J. E. J.

GENERAL JOHNSTON TO GENERAL M'DOWELL.
Headquabtebs Army op the Potomac, )
Manassas Junction, July 21, 1861. )
Sie — Information has been given to me that two soldiers of
the army of the Confederate States, whilst under picket
duty, were hung near Centreville, on the night of the 17th
instant. The object of this communication is to ascertain the nature
of the offence which required this ignominious punishment,
and upon what evidence the decision was based.
If done by your authority, I must demand that the perpe
trators of this violation of the usages of civilized warfare, be

GENEEAL SAMUEL COOPEE. 293
delivered to me, for such punishment as the nature of the of
fence demands, or be punished by yourself.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
(Signed) J. E. JOHNSTON, General Commanding C. S. Forces.
(Offlcial) H. H. Chilton, A. A. G.
To Brigadier-general Irvin McDowell,
Commanding Depart;ment of Alexandria.
In March, 1862, martial law was proclaimed in certain coun
ties, and General Cooper at once put it in execution under
charge of Generals Heth and Marshall, with an efficient mili
tary police. All distillation of spirituous liquors was positively
prohibited, and the distilleries thenceforth closed. Even the
sale of spirituous liquors was forbidden.
About the same tirae it was found necessary to call in to the
army all the soldiers who were absent, whether on furlough or
from any other cause, except well-attested sickness. His gen
eral order on the subject, was dated March 24th, 1862.
Another ofhis orders, just after the battle of Fair Oaks, or
Seven Pines, and referring to officers in battle, may be worth
recording here. It says :
Officers of the field are permitted to wear a fatigue dress,
consisting of the regulation frock coat, without embroidery on
the collar, or a gray jacket, with tbe designation of rank upon
the collar- Only caps such as are worn bythe privates of
their respective commands may be worn by the officers of the
Une. Mounted officers are ordered to dismount in time of action,
whenever they can do so without interference with the proper
discharge of their duties.
Officers of all grades are reminded that unnecessary expos
ure in tirae of battle on the part of commissioned officers is not
only unsoldier-like, but productive of great injury to the army
and infinite peril to the country. They are recommended to
follow in this particular, to a reasonable extent, the excellent
example set them by the enemy-
By comraand of the Secretary of War.
S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector-General.
(Offidal) Geo. F. Foote, A. A. General.

294 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
The several orders, issued by General Cooper, have been,
however, so purely military, and have reference solely to de
tails connected with the perfect working of the Southern array,
that to repeat them here would be merely introducing a series
of official documents. The preceding specimens are sufficient
to give an idea of the work he has had to per-form. That he
executes it faithfully and vigorously is well knoWn, and the ser
vice he has rendered the Confederate States, cannot be over
rated.

LT G EN. LONGSTREET.
Fro„t a. Pluibgrapf? taken trovz .

C. B.B"Lc"hardsoa PnbiialT-r

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL JAMES LONGSTREET.

Birth, Education, and Early Life of Longstreet.— His Services in Mexico. — Long-
street and Meade. — Longstreet Promoted. — Eesigns in tlie U. S. Army and Joins the
South. — Battle of Ball Eun. — Yorktown. — WiUiamsburg. — HSintzelman, Hooker, and
Kearney. — Hancock's GaUant Charge. — Prinoe de Joinville, the Coiint de Paris, and
Duo de Chartres in the Battle. — Battles around Eichmond. — Longstreet's march
Through Thoroughfare Gap. — Death of a Spy. — Seortnd Battle of Bull Eun. — Long-
street in Maryland. — South Mountain and Antietam. — Battle of Fredericksburg. —
Assigned to the Department of South Virginia. — Siege of Suffolk. — Eeturns to Lee's
Army. — Maryland. — Battle of Gettysburg. — Anecdotes. — Sent to Eeinforoe Bragg. —
Battle of Chickamauga. — Grant's Movements. — Battle of Lookout Mountain.— Order
ed to Knoxville. — General Burnside. — Siege of Knoxville.. — Eepulse of the Confeder
ates. — Longstreet rejoins Lee. — Battle of the Wilderness. — Wounded. — Sickness. —
Eesumes Command at Petersburg. — Testimony to his Abilities and Value.
A CALM, unobtrusive, self-possessed man, yet determined, and
reckless of danger: such is the outer character of him whose
public life we now bring forward in this sketch. Said a writer
we have often quoted, " Every one deplores that Longstreet
will expose himself in such a reckless manner. To-day he led
a Georgian regiment in a charge against a battery, hat in hand,
and in front of everybody."
Lieutenant-general Longstreet, though long a resident of
Alabaraa, was born in South Carolina, about the year 1820,
and entered the railitary acaderay, at West Point, in 1838.
He graduated in 1842, and was brevetted second-lieutenant of
the Fourth regiment of infantry. In March, 1845, he' was
transferred to the Eighth regiment, and was at the storming of
Monterey, in Mexico. In a vivid account of this siege, written
and published in 1847, by S. C. Reid, of Philadelphia, Long-
street is thus mentioned: "At three o'clock, on the morning of
the 22d September (1846), the troops that had been detailed to
storm the fort, on Independence Hill, were aroused fr-om their
slumbers. It was dark and cloudy, with a heavy, thick mist.
The command consisted of three companies of the artillery
battalion ; three companies of the Eighth infantry, under Cap-

296 SOUTHEJJN GENEEALS.
tain Screven, commanded by Lieutenants .James JLongstreet,
T. Montgomery, and E. HoUoway ; and seven companies of the
Texas Eangers. ... As soon as the height was stormed. . . .
Captain J. B. Scott's company, of the artillery battalion, and
'Company A, ofthe Eighth, under Lieutenant Longstreet, with
a detachment of the Texas Eangers, were thrown forward,
within musket range of the castle, to pick off such of the enemy
as sliould give them a chance. Thirty minutes after this posi
tion was taken, their success caused the enemy to make a sor
tie with a large force, with a view to retake the hill. This at
tempt was opposed by our advanced party with great spir-it,
and the enemy was compelled to retire. . . The command now
sustained a severe fire frora the eneray's artillery, and a con
tinued fire of musketry from the loop-holed walls, and parapets
of the palace. ... At length the critical moment arrived. . .
Onward came the enemy in proud array, and most bravely
were they met. One volley from the long line of bayonets
which suddenly arose before them, with a deadly fire from the
Texans, made them reel and stagger back aghast, while above
the battle-cry was heard the hoarse command to ' Charge ' ! On
rushed our men with shouts of triumph, driving the retreating
enemy, horse and foot, who fled in confusion down the ridge,
past the palace, and even to the bottom of the hill, into the
streets of the city. The victory was won ; the palace oui-s ;
and long, long did the cheers of the victors swell on the air,
which made the valley below ring with tbe triumph of our
arms." It is a singular coincidence that the storming party, of which
Lieutenant Longstreet was a conspicuous member, was con
ducted along its " dark and devious road" by Captain Sanders,
and Lieutenant George Meade, of tbe topographical 'engineers,
and a Mexican guide. Here, these two brave lieutenants —
Longstreet and Meade — were fighting together, alnirost hand in
hand — the one guiding the other, under a proud united flag,
to storra a strong position : — seventeen years afterwards the
two officers were battling against each other — Longstreet
vainly striving to storm Meade's position, on his left, at the
battle of Gettysburg!
In February, 1847, Longstreet was promoted to the rank of
first-lieutenant, and from June of that year to July, 1849, he

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JAMES LONGSTEEET. 297
served as adjutant of his regiment. He was brevetted captain
for " gallant and meritorious conduct " in the battles of Con
treras and Cherubusco, August 20th, 1847, and raajor for
" gallantry " in tbe battle of El Molino del Eey, Septeraber
Sth, 1847. In the assault of Chapultepec, Septeraber 13th,
1847, he greatly distinguished hiraself, and is thus spoken of
in General Scott's official report: "The following are the
officers most distinguished in those brilliant operations, — . . .
Lieutenant Longstreet, badly wounded — advancing, colors in
hand." In December, 1852, he becarae a full captain; and, in July,
1858, he was made paymaster, with the rank of major. It was
in this position tbat he resigned his coraraission in the Federal
service, when the war broke out ; and took sides with his na
tive South. Then, for the first tirae, the public became ac
quainted with a name that has since maintained its prestige for
lofty daring and chivalrous courage throughout the war. But
not until the first battles of Bull Eun was he conspicuously
brought forward. Appointed to command a brigade, he was
stationed at Blackburn's ford, when General Tyler, of the
Federal array, attempted to force a passage across, on the 18th
of July, 1861. Longstreet successfully resisted him, and com
pelled the Northern troops to fall back. Of his conduct on
this occasion, Beauregard, in his official report, says : " He
equalled my confident expectations, and I raay fitly say, that
by his presence in the right place, at the right moraent, araong
his men — by the exhibition of characteristic coolness, and by
his words of encouragement to the men of his coramand, he in
fused a confidence and spirit that contributed largely to the
success of our arms on that day."
During the great battle that followed, on Sunday, July 21st,
his position was still in the sarae place, with orders to move
" on the eneray's flank and rear at CentreviUe, taking due pr-e-
caution against the advance of reserves frora Washington."
This movement, however, was countermanded by Beauregard
and Johnston, at about half-past ten in tbe morning, when it
was fully ascertained what General McDowell's plans really
were. Instead of advancing on CentreviUe, Longstreet was
directed merely " to make a demonstration to his front, so as
to engross the enemy's reserves and forces." This was most

398 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
efi"ectuaUy done ; during much of the day his men were ex
posed to an annoying, almost incessant fire of artillery, at long
range; but, by a steady, veteran-like maintenance of their
positions, they held virtuaUy paralyzed, all day, two strong
brigades of tbe enemy, with their batteries (four) of rifle guns.
After the rout of the enemy on the main battle-ground. Long-
street's brigade was or'dered to pursue in the direction of Cen-
tr'Cville, but at night was directed to faU back upon Bull Eun
again. >
The author of " Battles of the South" says tbat, " on one
occasion, soon after this battle, his attention was arrested by
three horsemen galloping into camp, and saluting the colonel
of his regiment. These were none other than Evans, Long-
street, and Ewell — names now forever hallowed in the hearts
and history of our gallant army. From their style of riding
and peculiar seat in the saddle, I at first took them for dra
goons, and was not mistaken. Evans was very restless, and
bis horse reared and chafed, and plunged to the right and left
all the time he staid with us. . . . Longstreet is a powerfuUy-
built raan, somewhat bald, about flve feet ten inches high,
with sandy hair and whiskers — tbe fatter allowed to grow un-
triraraed. He possesses a fine blueish gray eye, of great
depth, penetration, and calculation ; seldom speaks unneces^
sarily, seems absorbed in thought, and very quiet in manner.
.... AU three were dressed as citizens, with heavy black
felt hats on ; and, except pistols in their holsters, were un
armed, and unattended."
After the battle of Bull Eun, Longstreet was made a Major-
general under General Johnston, and remained with the army
in its quarters and skirmishing, until, in March, 1862, Manas
sas was evacuated-
At length, the array was raoved to the Peninsula, and Gen
eral Johnston, with D. H. HiU and Longstreet, joined their
forces to those of Magruder, at Yorktown. When this place
was evacuated by the Confederates, Longstreet was intrusted
with defending the rear of the army, and made every disposi
tion to entice the foe into open ground. On the 5th of May,
a stand was made at WiUiamsburg, and Gener-al Longstreet
so arranged his forces, that the enemy M'as met a little on the
east side of the city. Generals Heintzelman, Hooker, and

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JAMBS LONGSTEEET. 299
Kearney, had approached by roads through thick woods, and
these roads were made worse by a heavy rain, which com
menced on Sunday afternoon, the 4th, and continued during
the next day. It was a sore trial to men and officers to engage
in battle on such a day. But it was to be; and, at early raorn,
the attack began. The Confederates were first located in the
forest, beyond which was a space about a mUe wide, partly so
by nature, and partly cleared by the felling of trees, these
being left prostrate on the ground, in order' to obstruct the
enemy's advance. On the opposite side of this cleared space
was Fort Magruder, fianked by redoubts, and defended in
front by rifle-pits. The day, as we have said, was stormy in
the extreme, but tbe fighting was severe and effectrial on both
sides. Longstreet, according to his plan, allowed his advance
to fall back so that the enemy should be enticed from the cov
ering of the woods. This device proved successful, and boldly,
and in beautiful order they came forwar'd, immediately attack
ing the earthworks in front, but were instantly met by a por
tion of Longstreet's men, who rose up in the works, and poured
voUies into their faces, compelling them to fall back to the
woods, where, however, grapeshot mowed them rapidly down.
Still they were not disheartened; Again and again did brig
ade after brigade of the Federals dash across the open space
and assault the works. At length, about noon, Longstreet
made a feint of retreating, which brought forth the enemy
more boldly from the woods. " Quick as thought, they were
attacked with great fury. Longstreet's artillery seemed to
have acquired new life. Galloping into the open space, they
commenced a fearful duel, at short range." The Federals were
again driven back, and for a time it seeraed as though victory
had been won by the Confederates. But now the gallant
Kearney's brigade appeared in front, and Heintzelman, with
characteristic energy, dashed up and down the field, urging
the men to advance. Hooker also bravely holding his ground ;
and Hancock^ on seeing his troops fall back, rode up and down
the line, exclaiming, " Gentlemen, charge !" And charge,
anew, they did. Eushing onward with an impetuosity that
nothing could check, Longstreet's forces were compeUed once
more to give way, only, however, to rally again and resist the
enemy, till night should put an end to the fearful struggle.

300 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
General McClellan had arrived with reinforcements, and the
Federals that night bivouacked on the miry field, while the
Confederates retired within tbeir works. General Johnston,
in chief coramand, being more on the advance towards Eich
mond. It may be interesting to some to know that in this battle,
sharing all the dangers, and even tbe discomforts of such a
bivouac on the field, were the Prince de Joinville, the Count
de Paris, and Due de Chartres, volunteer aids to General
McClellan. At two next morning. General Longstreet commenced his
retreat, all his forces marching away quite undisturbed. He
had to hurry on, that he might overtake the main body of the
army under Johnston, and came up with the rearguard of
Hood's Texans, at West Poin^. A few days afterwards, they
were all encamped around Eichraond.
In the battles that followed, for the defence of Eichmond,
and which have been already described, General Longstreet
bore an important part. Prior to the last series of seven days'
successive engagements, on and about the Chickahominy, he
issued a proclamation to his soldiers, couched in the language
of a raan feeling most deeply in regard to the invasion of
Northern troops. One portion of it only, need we transcribe,
wherein he says :
" Let such thoughts nerve you up to the most dreadful shock
of battle, for were it certain death, death would be better than
the fate that defeat would entail upon us all. But remeraber,
though the fiery noise of tbe battle is indeed most terrifying,
and seems to threaten universal ruin, it is not so destructive
as it seems, and few soldiers after all are slain. This the com
manding general desires particularly to irapress upon the fresh
and unexperienced troops' who now constitute a part of this
command. Let officers and raen, even under the inost forrai
dable fire, preserve a quiet demeanor and self-possessed tem
per. Keep cool, obey orders, and aim low. Eemember, while
you are doing this, and driving the enemy before you, your
comrades may be relied on to support you on either side, and"
are in turn relying upon you. Stand well to your duty, and
when these clouds break away, as they surely will, the bright

LIEUTENANT-GENEKAL JAMES LONGSTEEET. 301
sunlight of peace falling upon our free, virtuous, and happy
land, will be a sufficient reward for the sacrifices which we are
now called upon to make. "JAMES LONGSTEEET,
Major-general commanding."
Sentiments like these pervaded the minds of all the Con
federate leaders and officers, and, generally, those of the men.
With such feelings they went into battle, and with such de
terraination to conquer, if possible, they bore every hardship,
privation, and loss. General Longstreet, like many others,
had given up much for the cause of his native South, and
never once did he seera to despair of ultimate success. Always
ready to do battle anywhere when duty called, he was much
esteeraed by General Lee, and looked upon as one of the hard
est fighters in the war. His soubriquet of the " War-horse^''
was given him, we believe, on the occasion of the battles
around Eichmond.
The movements that took place after the events just referred
to, have already been recqj-ded, until General Longstreet, on
the 24th of August, was dispatched by General Lee from War
renton to reinforce Jackson, then in the rear of Pope's army,
near the old battlefield of Bull Eun. Longstreet proceeded by
way of Thoroughfare gap, a pass in the mountains fifteen
miles west of Centreville. This pass, which is a wild and ro
mantic gorge, with frowning fir-clad battleraents on either
side — its narrow and winding road, and its rugged walls rising
rock above rock to thp surarait, right and left — was defended
by a force of the eneray under General Eicketts, wbo had ju
diciously posted some powerful batteries to take the eastern
debouchement with shell and canister-
On Longstreet approaching the gap no eneray was at first
visible, but, as the 7th and 8th Georgia were pushing forward
in advance, the Federals suddenly opened several field-pieces,
and comraenced to sweep the road. " Oh ! they are there, are
they ?" said Longstreet, laughing. " Well, we'll soon dislodge
them, boys,' and immediately ordered up several pieces of ar
tillery, which, galloping forward, coramenced upon the assail
ing batteries so furiously, and with such accuracy, as to shelter
the advancing infantry, and clear the summit of the road.

302 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
This was quickly accomplished, but the artiUery were not con-
ten t^they rushed up the rise and began to shell the foe, who
hastily retreated into open ground beyond. Their infantry,
then, finding themselves unsupported, feU back in disorder.
Longstreet continued his march, and next day his persever
ing and exhausted soldiers formed a junction with Jackson's
forces on their right wing. His arrival was hailed with loud
shouts of joy, and caused Jackson to draw a long breath, and
utter a sigh of great relief.
One incident connected with tbis march of Longstreet to
reinforce Jackson, must be raentioned. At that time a great
nuraber of spies were about, and caused a considerable excite
ment in the different camps. Now it happened that while
Longstreet's advance was on its way, several brigades were ob
served to haltj thereby stopping all further progress of the
corps. Very angry at this, Longstreet trotted to the front^
and was informed that a courier had brougbt orders from
General Lee to thait effect. " From General Lee ?" said he,
his eyes glowing with rage. " Where is that courier ?" he
asked. "There he goes now, General, galloping down the
road," was the reply. "Keep your eyes on him, overtake
him, and bring him here,'^ he imraediately responded. This
was soon accoraplished. " By whose orders did you halt my
brigade?" asked the brigadier in command of the advance.
The reply of the captured courier was, " As I have already
told you — by General Lee's! I have Orders for Longstreet,
and must be off to the rear !" General Longstreet, himself,
then stepped forward, to the horror of the spy — for spy he was
— and said, " Here is Longstreet, where are your orders !"
The poor wretch was caught ! He turned red and pale, his lip
quivered — he was self-condemned. " Give this man ten
minutes, and hang him, ! Let the columns push forward im
mediately !" In fifteen minutes the spy was lifeless, hanging
frora a tree by the road-side ; but before death he confessed
that although a Virginian, and a Confederate soldier, he had
been in communication with the enemy over ten months, and
was then acting for General Pope.
Some fighting of a severe character appears to ha,ve taken
place between Longstreet's forces, as he was going into posi
tion, about sunset on the 29th, and King's division of Me-

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JAMES LONGSTEEET- 803
Dowell's corps,, in which the forraer had been obliged to fall
back. Next morning, August 30th, the second battle of Bull Eun
began. " Part of Longstreet's corps was on the move early in
the morning, and seemed to be cautiously taking up positions
near-er the enemy's left. Presently the general advance was
raade, and it was a beautiful sight, as far as the eye could
range, to see two parallel lines of glittering bayonets flashing
in the sun. Then a gleara of sunlight told that the rifles had
been brought to the ' ready,' and a moment after, a long flash
could be observed, light curls of smoke arose, and the rattling
echo of volleys of flre was carried on the wind  The
cannonading was terriflc, along the whole front, but, on the
right the eneray's and Longstreet's artillery literally shook the
earth. . . . Fiery Longstreet, with his irap'atient and gallant
corps, rapidly pushed forward the right of the army, while
shot and shell ploughed the ground in all directions around
hira." The battle was once more won by the Confederates on the
old ground of Bull Eun, and the conspicuous part Longstreet
played therein was honorably mentioned in General Lee's offi
cial report.
We have not space to follow, in detail, the next movements
that took place in the Confederate array wherein Longstreet
flgured- Enough to say that a rapid raarch was made into
Maryland — Harper's Ferry taken with a large booty and
many prisoners — and the battles of South Mountain and
Antietam ensued. Wherever, in the exigency of tbe moment,
and by order of General Lee, he was called, here, there, and
everywhere amidst the fray was Longstreet to be found, mov
ing with remarkable celerity, and always with a perfect
sang froid. At Antietam, Longstreet commanded the Con
federate right, aud was thus ojjposed to Burnside who could
not advance against him beyond the bridge he had so bravely
gained. Night ended the gory contest, and the weary troops
rested on another battlefield where victory was again claimed
by both parties. The following day, fighting was not re
newed ; and, on the next, September 18th, at night, Longstreet
accompanied the Confederate army back to Virginia, camping
in the valley of Shenandoah, about Winchester and vicinity.

304 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
Longstreet's corps was clustered at a point ready to take
position promptly whenever required. Daily drill was in
cessant and severe, discipline was at its highest pitch, and re
views were not unfrequent among the various brigades and
divisions. At no period of the war were the soldiers more
confident and gay. Extensive appropriations and purchases
during their brief sojourn in Maryland and Pennsylvaijia had
replenished their stores, and the governraent of the South had
been so active in the clothing department tbat the array was
quite corafortable, and raany srailed to think how former
friends would be agreeably disappointed in seeing them so
transforraed. Thus passed away the months of September and October,
without any active movement, the army taking its rest. Early
in November, Longstreet's corps was rapidly marched to
Fredericksburg, arriving there before any large body of the
enemy had appeared — it being known that Burnside had re
lieved McClellan, and was intent upon the Lower Eappahan
nock. Then followed, in December, the great battle of
Fredericksburg — Longstreet's position being on the left of the
Confederate army, and having, under him, Eansom, McLaws,
Picket, and Anderson. Cobb was posted on the rear right of
Longstreet, and Hood, A. P. Hill, Early and others continued
the line towards Jackson's corps on the right. Stuart's cavalry
held the flanks, and D. H. Hill was in reserve. In this battle,
General Longstreet was frequently with General Lee, occupy
ing a post on the hill whence the enemy's moveraents could be
seen. We know the result. Burnside had to retire after fear
ful slaughter ; and once more the Confederate array, for a few
months, rested in peace.
In February, 1863, General Longstreet, with two divisions
of his corps, was detached for service, south of the James
river. General Eoger A. Pryor had, on the 30th of January,
fought a battle at a place called the Deserted House, eight
mUes from Suffolk, Southeast Virginia— General Michael Cor
coran, of the Federal army, being opposed to him. Victory
was, as usual, claimed on both sides ; but preparations were
immediately made by the enemy to operate in that quarter
more strongly. General Peck, under the vigorous control of
Major-General Dix— then in comraand at Fortress Monroe—

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JAMES LONGSTEEET. 305
personally came upon the fleld; whereupon Longstreet was
sent to oppose hira, and take the chief directiori of affairs in that
quarter. At this time he was made Lieutenant-general. He
passed through Eichmond with some 15,000 troops, about
February 22d, and took up his headquarters at Petersbur-g,
having for his railitary district South Virginia, and all between
him and Gener-al Lee. In April he invested Suffolk, and
stopped the navigation of the Nansemond river so as bo pre
vent the Federals communicating with Norfolk. On the 14th
he was within two miles of Suffolk, and flring coraraenced that
evening. The n^xt day, General Peck's right was attacked,
but Longstreet's advance was gallantly met by General Foster's
light troops. The fighting continued on the foUowing days,
until, on Sunday night, April 19th, a battery of five pieces, and
some prisoner-s, were captured from the Confederates. On Mon
day the fighting was renewed, and then jt relaxed for a few
days ; afterwards, on the 1st of May, commencing again, when
the enemy attacked the rifie-pits forraed along the banks of the
river. This led to a shar-p engagement during the day, the
Federals being compeUed to retire within their defences. But,
at this time, the advance of Gener'al Hooker on ChanceUors
viUe, called for a concentration of all the forces nnder L6e, and.
an order- — intercepted, however, by the enemy — was sent to
Longstreet, as also one to D. H. Hill, in North Carolina, to
join the main army in North Vii'ginia without delay. Accord
ingly, on the 4th of May, the siege of Suffolk was abandoned,
and Longstreet, leaving a sraall force behind to hold the fortifi
cations on the Blackwater, and keep the enemy in check, pro
ceeded to join General Lee. ^This was done rapidly; and a
short time afterwards, June 3d, the great movement for an in
vasion of Maryland began. On the Sth, General Longstreet's
forces, with those of Ewell, arrived at Culpepper ; the Confed
erate array, under Lee, having, at this time, been reorganized,
and made to corisist of three large corps, commanded by Lieu
tenant-generals Longstreet, Ewell, and A. P- Hill. Ewell was
sent on from Culpepper, in advance, by the Shenandoah Val-.
ley, and suddenly came upon the Northern General Milroy, at
Winchester, driving bim out of that place and Martinsburg
with considerable loss. Longstreet followed fast in EweU's
rear, to prevent any moveraent of the enemy upon it, and Hill
30

306 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
came swift upon Longstreet. On the 26th of June, Longstreet,
accompanying General Lee, crossed the Potomac at Williams
port, and proceeded on to Hagerstown. Thence, next day, he
went to Chambersburg ; and, on the 1st of July, the faraous
battle of Gettysburg began. For an account of this battle we
must refer to out -sketch of General Lee, and will merely ob
serve that, on the 1st day, Longstreet did not reach the fleld
until 4.30 p. M., too late to join in the fight. He therefore re
turned to his headquarter-s,at Cashtown, for the night. Speak
ing of him at this time. Colonel Fremantle says : " At supper
that evening, he expressed himself to the effect that he con
sidered the enemy's position ver'y formidable, and he thought
they would intrench themselves very strongly during the night.
Neither Longstreet nor Lee intended the fight to come off that
day. . - Next morning, at seven '©''clock, I rode over part of
the ground with him, and saw hira disposing of McLaws' di
vision for to-day's fight. - . . Ewell had the Confederate left,
A. P. Hill the centre, and Longstreet was on the right. . . At
4.45 p. M. (July 2d), Longstreet suddenly commenced a heavy
cannonading on the right ; EweU took it up on the left ; and
thus the battle of the second day was begun. At dark it
ceased, and, fur that night, Longstreet bivouacked on the field'.
Next morning, at an early hour, he was up, and reconnoiter
ing. By noon all his dispositions were made ; bis troops for
attack were deployed into line, and lying down in the woods;
and his batter-ies were ready to open. He then dismounted
from bis horse, and went to rest for a short time." Probably
for an hour he thus slept, for at 2 p. m. he was at his post,
while the roar of battle sounded in his ear, and shells car-ried
destruction around him. Seated on the top of a fence, at tbe
edge of the wood, and looking perfectly calm, he was accosted
by Colonel Fremantle, who said to him, in reference to the
grand yet fearful scene before them, " I wouldn't have missed
this for anything !" Longstreet repUed, laughing, " The devU
you wouldn't ! I would like to have missed it very much ;
we've attacked and been repulsed : look there ! " The Con
federates were slowly and sulkily returning towards his posi
tion in small broken parties, under a heavy fire of artillery.
" I could now," says Fremantle, " thoroughly appreciate the
term buU-dog, which I had 'heard applied to him by his

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JAMES LONGSTEEET. 307
soldiers. Difficulties seemed to raake no other impression
upon him than to make hira a little raore savage." He im
raediately set about making the best arrangements in his power
to resist the Federal advance, by pushing forward some artil
lery, rallying stragglers, etc- One of his generals came up to
hirn, and reported that he was unable to bring his men up
again. Longstreet turned upon hira and repUed, " Very well,
never mind, then. General ; just let thera remain where they
are ; the enemy's going to advance, and will spare you the
trouble." Many of his wounded soldiers hearing a report that
he was kUled, anxiously inquired after him, and expressed very
great pleasure on learning the safety of their chief.
" On the next day," says Colonel Fremantle, " a flag of truce
came over from the enemy, and its bearer announced, among
other things, ' that General Longstreet was wounded, and a
prisoner, but would be taken care of General Longstreet
sent word back that he was extremely grateful, but, being
neither wounded nor a prisoner, he was quite able to take care
of himself." The sarae writer observes: " The iron endurance
of General Longstreet is raost extraordinary ; he seems to re
quire neither food nor sleep. Most of his staff now fall fast
asleep directly they get off their horses, tliey are so exhausted
from the last three days' work."
Longstreet, in talking of the battle, said : " The raistake they
had raade was in not concentrating the array raore, and raak
ing the attack on the 3d with 30,000 raen instead of 15,000."
That night, amid torrents of rain, the Confederate army re
treated to the Potomac, and thence into the Shenandoah
Valley again.
On the way to the Potomac, Longstreet's bivouac for the
night was near a large tavern, and he had sent to order some
supper there for himself ahd staff; but when he went in to
devour it, General McLaws and bis officer's were found rapidly
finishing the whole, apparently in ignorance who it was for,
and too hungry to inquire. More, however, was soon procured,
and the General sat down to a good meal. During supper,
some woraen of the house carne rushing in, exclaiming, " Oh,
good heavens, they're killing our fat hogs. Which is the
Gener-al? Which is the great officer? Our milch cows are
now going." Longstreet at once replied to them, shaking his

308 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
head in a melancholy manner, " Tes, madam, it's very sad —
very sad, and this sort of thing has been going on in Virginia
more than two years — very sad !"
That night he, with bis officers and men, slept on the open
ground beneath a heavy, pouring rain, yet so wearied as to
be alraost unconscious of their uncomfortable position.
Next da:y there was a laughable spectacle in the afternoon.
A negro dressed in the full uniform of a Northern soldier^ with
a rifle at full cock, was seen leading along a barefooted white
man, with whom he had evidently changed clothes. General
Longstreet stopped tbe pair, and asked the black raan what it
meant. He repUed, " The two soldiers in charge of thi^
bere Yank have got drunk, so for fear he should escape I
have took care of him, and brought him through that little
town." For the next two months nothing, except a splendid review
of the whole array, occurred, of importance, connected with
General Longstreet; but, in the beginning of September, it
was found necessary to send reinforcements to Bragg's army
in Tennessee and North Georgia, and he was detached" from
Lee to proceed thither. General BurnSide had been appointed
by the North in comraand of East Tennessee, and Cumberland
Gap was surrendered to him on the 9th of September, by a
Confederate force stationed there. On the sarae day, Chatta
nooga was occupied by Eosecrans, and Bragg's army fell back
to Chickaraauga. Thus it was important tbat Longstreet
should bring his reinforcements into the fleld as speedily as
ppssible, for the Confederates in that quarter were pressed
sorely, and unanimity did not seem to pervade all their
councils. Accordingly he pushed forward, by the way of
Eichmond and through Georgia, his advance arriving at the
scene of operations just prior to the battle of the 19th of
September. The part Longstreet bore in this battle, which ended in the
defeat of the Federals, after an heroic resistance under the
gallant Thomas, is known to have contributed much to the
fortunes of the day, and he strongly urged that advantages
should be imraediately taken by a forward movement of the
whole army. But General Bragg deeraed it advisable not to
do so, much to the mortiflcation of all his officers and troops.

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JAMES LONGSTEEET. 309
The following particulars derived from the Richmond En
quirer of October 31st, will serve better to explain what
occurr-ed :
" When Longstreet took command of the left wing of the
array on Sunday morning, the 20th, he found it belter skelter,
with gaps a mile long between the brigades, and everything
in confusion generaUy. The position chosen for the fight by
General Bragg was most unfavorable in case of a repulse, and
altogether in favor of the enemy. The order was for the right
to begin the attack at dawn, but it was eleven o'clock before
it opened, and then it rolled along until the left took it up. In
a very short time, to use General Bragg's own words, " the
right was disastrously repulsed, and had no fight in it," and
Longstreet had to meet the eneray entirely al.one. After some
hours of hard fighting he drove hitn, in the wildest confusion,
from every position, took from thirty to forty pieces of artil
lery, thousands of prisoners, and converted their army into a
terrified, flying mob. It was then that he saw that by a for
ward movement of the whole array Eosecrans' whole force
coiild be captured in twenty hours, and that no obstacle was
between us and the Ohio, and perhaps peace. He therefore
sent word to Wheeler, who was on his left, to dash forward
between Chattanooga and the eneray, and cut hira to pieces ;
but just as Wheeler was about to execute this raoveraent he
received an order from General Bragg directing him to pick
up arras and stragglers. Longstreet had not heard frora Bragg
but once during the day, and then it was to say that he was
beaten on the i-ight. He now sent to beg him to advance,
but the general-in-chief declined doing so-"
On the 19th of October, General Grant arrived at Chatta
nooga and relieved General Eosecrans. The Confederates, at
l;his time, occupied the south side of the Tennessee river,
above Chattanooga to near Bridgeport below, and taking in
the valley, Missionary ridge, and Lookout mountain. General
Grant quickly deterrained to drive thera frora these positions,
by uniting his forces, and, on the 26th, commenced operations
by a ser-ies of excellent movements under Hooker, with the
personal superintendence of General " Baldy" Smith, of the
Engineer corps.
During Monday night the enemy crossed the Tennessee in

310 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
rear of Chattanooga, passed over the narrow peak known as
the Moccasiri, again crossed the river-, and intrenched them
selves on the heights which align its raargin. The movement
was designed to pave the way for the advance of a column
from Bridgeport, up the valley towards and, if necessary, into
Chattanooga. The latter raust have coraraenced nearly siraul
taneously with the one first mentioned, for on th'e night of
Tuesday our commanders learned of its approach in this
direction. During Wednesday morning, the head of the column was
espied in the distance from Lookout Peak, and by dusk it had
effected a junction with the forces in the neighborhood of
Brown's Ferry. Subsequent developments showed that the
Eleventh and Twelfth corps of Meade's army — the former
under command of Howard, and the latter under coramand of
Slocum, and the whole under Joe Hooker — had taken this
method of reaching the Union army of Tennessee.
" On Lookout peak," says a writer, vividly describing the
affair, " gazing down upon the singular spectacle — a coiip
d'ceil, which embraced, in curious contrasts, the beauties of
nature and the achievments of art, the blessings of peace and
the horrors of war — were Generals Bragg, Longstreet, and
others, to whom this bold venture of the enemy opened at once
new vistas of thought and action. Infanti-y, artillery, and
cavalry, all glided silently by, like a procession of fantoccini in
a panorama, until among all the sundown's sumptuous pic
tures, whicb glowed around, there was not one like that of the
great, fresh, bustling carap, suddenly grown into view, with
its thousand twinkling lights, its groups of men aud animals,
and its lines of white-topped wagons now strung, like a neck
lace of pearls, around the bosom of the hills. The Federals
had succeeded in effecting a junction with their army of
Chattanooga." An attempt on the part of the Confederates, to check this
movement, it is said, would have been impracticable, without
bringing on a general engageraent, since an interposition of
their forces across the valley would bave necessitated a fight on
both front and rear, and on both sides the enemy had the ad
vantage of flanks protected. The flrst corps having passed,
and a portion of it gone into camp, there vas still visible be-

LIEUTENANT'-GENEEAL JAMES LONGSTEEET. 311
low a considerable number of wagons, guarded, apparentlv,
by an escort of frora flfteen hundred to two thousand men.
Hoping to capture these, General Longstreet deterrained, dur
ing the night, to make an attack, and accordingly ordered Gen
eral Jenkins, comraanding Hood's division, to take position for
the purpose.
"The eneray occupied a line of hills parallel with the river in
the neighborhood of Brown's Ferr'y ; Law and Eobertson the
same line of hills, but nearer to Lookout Mountain, to prevent
an attack on Bratton's rear, and Benning a position on the left
of the two last named, being intended as a suppoi-t to Colonel
Bratton. These thr'ce brigades, as it were, covered the bridges
across Lookout creek, over which they had marched, and
threatened the line of the enemy at Brown's Ferry. Colonel
Bratton, with Jenkins' br-igade, now moved over to the left a
mile or more up the valley, to attack the supposed rear-guard,
and capture the wagon-train.
"Skirmishei-s being thrown out, the Federal pickets were soon
encountered. These falling back, the enemy were found in line
of battle, and, instead of being surprised, received our troops
with a heavy volley. It was not long before it was discovered,
that instead of a paltry body of men, who would yield as soon
as discovered, we were fighting a whole division, belonging to
the Twelfth corps, General Slocum, who had closely followed
in the r-car of the preceding coluran, and encaraped after night.
Nothing was to be done but to fight it boldly out, and make up
in pluck and obstinacy what was lacking in nurabers. On our
part we had but six regiraents — the Fir-st, Colonel Kilpatrick ;
Second Eifles, Colonel Thorapson ; Fifth, Colonel Coward ;
Sixth, Colonel Bratton ; Palmetto Sharpshooters, Colonel
Walker, and Hamptom Legion, Colonel Gary. Steadily as on
a parade, these filed into position, and in a few moments artil
lery and musketry were playing with terrible eff'ect through
our i-anks.
" The enemy in the neighborhood of Brown's Ferry discover
ing a battle in progress, had alr-eady thrown forward two col
umns, one of which advanced to attack the line occupied by
Generals Law and Eobertson, while the other moved, steadily
past that frorit, and airaed to penetrate the long interval be
tween Br-atton and Benning ; in other words, to cut Jenkins'

312 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
brigade off frora the bridges over Lookout creek. The first
coluran met with Uttle success, being. checked by the sharp fire
of the Alabamians and Texans ; but the second promised other
results. The situation was a critical one ; but General Jenkins,
quickly divining the object of the movemerit, met the issue by
ordering Bratton to return to the bridges, and the reraainder
of the division to hold its position at every hazard, until the
safety of the former was assured. Lieutenant-colonel Logan,
of the Hampton Legion, with fourteen companies whora he
had relieved from picket, having reached the field, was or
dered to the left of Benning, where, occupying a hill, he ex
tended our line, and naturally contributed to the check of the
eneray. "Although we had not achieved a victory, we had, judging
by results, been blessed with a providential success. The Fed
erals encountered by Jenkins' brigade, were undoubtedly on
the eve of a disastrous defeat, as is shown by the facts already
set forth, naraely, the br-eaking of the lines, and falling back in
front, and on the right and left flanks, until wagon-trains and
prisoners were captured in the rear. On the otlier hand, the
pressure of the Yankee columns from Brown's Ferry, where it
was known there were, at least, two corps, not distant more
than a mile and a, half, so threatened the integrity of our po
sition, that it eventually becarne critical in the extreme.
Probably from seven to ten thousand troops enveloped the line
designed to protect Bratton from an attack upon his rear, and
in a few moments they would have intersected the. only road
by which he could return.
" Being unable to counteract a movement on so grand a scale,
with the small force at his coraraand. General Jenkins did the
next best thing, which was to recall Colonel Bratton, and to
compel hira, at the raoraent of success, to abandon aU the
friUts of his struggle, whicb bad been so gloriously wrested
frora the eneray. Instead of censure, therefore, praise belongs
to every officer and man concerned in the expedition. On the
part of General Longstreet, the design was just like himself —
bold, daring, dashing ; and had it not been for the circum
stances mentioned, it would have resulted in complete suc
cess." In the beginning_.of November, Longstrqgt was dispatched

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JAMES LONGSTEEET. 313
by Bragg up the valley towards Knoxville, where Burnside
was operating. Longstreet, however, was very ill provided
for his troops, and had to subsist thera as best he could. " At
Lenoir station, he began by capturing a train of eighty-flve
wagons, many of them loaded with valuable medical stores.
At Bean station, he captured thirty wagons, a quantity of
forage, and some horses ; and in the Clinch valley forty other
wagons, laden with sugar and coffee." Several guns and a
number of prisoners were also captured ; and at Loudon, he
had encountered General Burnside, compelling hira to fall
back to Knoxville, which Longstreet iramediately besieged.
This was on the I7th and 18th of Noveraber; and a constant
fire was thenceforth maintained, until the evening of the 28th,
when it was determined to make an assault upon one of the
forts commanding the approaches to the town. This fort was
on a hill near the Kingston road, and was called Fort Sanders.
It was a very strong work, and in front of it were felled trees,
with the tops turning in all directions, and making an alraost
irapassable mass of brush and timber. A space around the
fort was cleared, and the ditch in front was about ten feet
deep, with the parapet near-ly twenty feet high.
At daylight of November 29, the assaulting column moved
up the slope, and was met by a heavy artillery fire, which
fearfully mowed down the advancing soldiers. Still onward
they pushed, struggling through the network of fallen timber
and other devices laid down to impede them. But, the intri
cate passage by which tbey had to mount, was too difficult for
them easily to master. The foremost parties stumbled and
fell over each other in confusion, at tire sarae time the enemy's
fire poured fiercer and fiercer on their heads. The embrasures
of the fort, and the whole line of the parapet blazed forth at
once. Nevertheless, this did not effectually stop the advance.
Pushing on over every obstacle, they soon reached within
pistol-shot of the fort; then, suddenly, the enemy's guns
launched forth frora every quarter, and the Confederate line
was shattered. Sorae, however, raanaged to spring into the
ditch, and clamber up the glacis, planting their flag almost
side by side with the Federal colors. The Confederate officers
boldly kept the lead, in front, to the very fort itself, but as
each head appeared above the parapet, a spatter of blood and

314 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
brains raarked where the heroic assailants had met their doom-
A Confederate captain succeeded in reaching one of the em
brasures, and, " pushing his body through tUl he actually faced
the very muzzle of tbe cannon, demanded the surrender of the
garrison. The answer to hira was the discharge of the piece,
when, rent limb from lirab, his raangled corse, or what was
left of it, was hurled outward into the air." The brave men,
thus at the very walls, seeing theraselves now alone, surren
dered and were hauled into the fort; but not until the trench
was filled with the dead and dying. The assault, therefore,
had failed, and the Confederates retired.
At this tirae, Burnside's forces within KnoxviUe were suffer
ing much from short rations, and provisions Avere so scarce
that only half allowance of bread could be issued. What the
result raight have been we cannot say ; but General Sherraan,
who had been advancing frora Chattanooga to Burnside's re
lief, arrived on the night of December 3d, and thus corapeUed
Longstreet to raise the siege. He retreated at once towards
Eutledg^, up the valley, pursued next day by Burnside's (until
reUeved by Foster) and Sherman's forces combined. Long-
street, however, still fell back without battle, until he had
reached Bear station, on the Cumberland Gap road, wbere,
being hard pressed, he turned and attacked the eneray's ad
vance, driving hirn back to Eussellville. This was on Decera
ber 13th, and next day, Longstreet firraly established himself
for awhile, with bis headquarters at Eodgersville, where he
could carry on such operations, on either side, as circumstances
might require. He had hoped to find his railroad communi
cations with Virginia open, but, about this time. General
Averill, of the Federal army, cut thera off by destroying the
track at Salera, Southwest Virginia. This compelled Long-
street to fall back upon his own resources ; and, by the adr
mirable arrangements he made, he succeeded in making his
army self-subsisting in a tract of country where it was thought
irapossible for hira to reraain without external aid.
At the end of Deceraber, 1863, he was around Eutledge and
Morristown, but unable to follow up advant^-ges, in conse
quence of the large number of barefooted men in his com
mand, at a, tirne, too, when the weather was bitterly cold, and
the mountains covered with snow. This, however, was rerae-

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JAMES LONGSTEEET. 315
died soon afterwards by a supply of shoes and blankets sent to
his army in the early part January, whUe he was in winter-
quarters at Morristown ; his cavalry, meanwhile, daily skirm
ishing with the enemy. Still, for both armies, the rigors of
the season, in that mountain region, must have beerr vei'y
severe; and, we can hardly conceive what the soldiers raust
have endui'cd.
At this time, the following interesting cor-respondence passed
between Gener-al Longstreet and Foster. We insert it, as in
dicative of the character of hira whose life we briefly sketch :

LETTEE FROM GENERAL LONGSTEEET TO GENERAL FOSTER.
Headquaetebs, Conpedebate Fokces, )
East Tennessee, Jan. 3, 1864. )
To THE Commanding Genekal, United States Forces, East Tennessee
Sie — I flrrd the proclamation of President Lincoln, of the
8th of Deceraber last, in circulation in handbills among our
soldiers. The iraraediate object of this circulation seems to be
to induce our soldier-s to quit our ranks and take the oath of
allegiance to the United States gover-nment. I presume, how
ever, that the great object and end in view is to hasten the day
of peace. I respectfully suggest, for your consideration, the
propriety of communicating any views that your government
may have upon this subject through me, rather than by hand
bills circulated araongst our soldiers.
The few men who may desert under the proraise held out in
the proclamation, cannot be men of character or standing. If
they desert their cause, they disgrace theraselves in the eyes of
God and of man. They can do your cause no good, nor can
they injure ours.
As a great nation, you can accept none but an honorable
peace. As a noble people, you could have us accept nothing
less. I submit, therefore, whether the mode that I suggest would
not be more likely to lead to an honorable end tban such a cir
culation of a partial promise of pardon.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
J. LONGSTEEET,
Identenant-general copimanding.

316 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.

GENERAL FOSTER'S REPLY.

Headquaetebs, Depaetment of thb Ohio, >
Knoxville, East Tenn., Jan. 7, 1864. J
Libutenant-gbnebal Commanding Conpedebate Forces in East Tbnn. :
Sie — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter, dated January 3, 1864.
You are correct in the supposition that the great object in
view in the circulation of the President's proclamation is to
induce those now in rebellion against the government to lay
aside their arms and return to their allegiance as citizens of
the United States, thus securing the reunion of States now
arrayed in hostility against one another, and the restoration of
peace. The iraraediate effect of the circulation may be to cause
many men to leave your ranks to return home, or come within
our lines, and, in view of this latter course, it has been thought
proper to issue an order announcing, the favorable terms on
which deserters will be received.
I accept, however, your suggestion that it would have been
more courteous to have sent these documents to you for circu
lation, and I embrace, with pleasure, the opportunity thus
afforded to enclose you twenty (20) copies of 'each of these
documents, and rely upon your generosity and desire for peace
to give publicity to the same araong your officers and raen.
I have the honor to be. General, very respectfully, your obe
dient servant, J. Gt. FOSTER,
Major-general Commanding.
Hbadquaktbes, Depaetment Kast Tennessee, )
Jan. 11, 1864. )
Sie — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 7th of January, with its inclosures, etc.
The disingenuous raanner in which you have misconstrued
my letter of the 3d, has disappointed me- The suggestion you
claim to have adopted, was in words, as follows :
" I presume, however, that the great object and end in view
was to hasten the day of peace. I respectfully suggest, for
your consideration, the propriety of communicating any views

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JAMES LONGSTEEET. 317
that your governraent may have on this subject through me,
rather tban by handbills circulated araong our soldiers."
This sentence repudiates, in its own terras, the construction
which you have forced upon it. Let rae remind you, too, that
the spirit and tone of my letter were to meet honorable senti
ments. The absolute want of pretext for your construction of the
letter, induces me to admonish you against trifling over the
events of this great war. , Ybu cannot pretend to have an
swered my letter in the spirit of frankness due to a soldier,
and yet it is hard tb believe tbat an officer commanding an
army of veteran soldiers, on whose shoulders rest, in no small
part, the destiny of empires, could so far forget the height of
this great argument at arras, and so betray the dignity of his
high station, as to fall into a contest of jests and jibes. .
I have read your order announcing the favorable terms on
which deserters will be received. Step by step you have gone
on in violation of the laws of honorable warfare. Our farms
have been destroyed, our women and children have been
robbed, and our houses have been piUaged and burnt; You
have laid your plans and worked diligently to produce whole
sale murder by servile insurrection. And now, the raost igno
ble of all, you propose to degrade the human race by inducing
soldiers to dishonor and forswear themselves.
Soldiers who have met your own on so many honorable
fields, who have breasted the storm of battle in defence of
their honor, their famiUes, and tbeir homes, for three long
years, have a right to expect more of honor, even in their
adversaries. I beg leave to return the copies of the proclamation, and
your order.
I have the honor to renew to you the assurance of great
respect, your obedient servant, J. LONGSTREET,
Lieutenant-general Commanding.
Major-general J. G. Postbk, Commanding Department Ohio.
Towards the end of January, 1864, Longstreet received
large reinforcements, and early in February the lines of com
munication with Virginia were repaired. In March, sundry
movements indicated a faUing back up the valley, but, in real-

318 I SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
ity, these W'^re only to cover tbe real object, which was to unite
again with General Lee, in Virginia. Tbis was done by April-;
and once more the hardy soldier-s, under Longstreet, were on
the old ground about Gordonsville. Here tbey rested a whUe,
until, on the 4th of May, they were ordered forward to the
battlefield of the WUderness.
We have given particulars of these events in our sketch of
Lee,'and need only refer to Longstseet's share in thera.
On the 3d of May he was in position, thirteen miles south
west of the Eapidan, On the 4th he took up raarching orders ;
and on the night of the 5th, halted within twelve railes of the
field of battle of tbat day. At midnight he was informed of
the danger of Hill's corps, and immediately broke up his
bivouac, cOramencing his raarch about two o'clock on the
morning of the 6th. Directly his troops arrived on the battle
field, General Longstreet rushed forward, with his staff, to head
the advance. Their faces glowing, the horses prancing, the
cavalcade surrounding the Lieutenant-general had, however,
not passed more than a hundred yards in advance of the
coluran, when their mood was sobered into profound regret.
One of the brigades of the flanking force, heated with the
work of destruction that they had executed so splendidly, mis
took the glad group of horsemen that carae prancing along the
plank-road, for a party of the flying foe. It poured into them,
at short range, a deadly flre ! General Jenkins fell instantly
fr-om his horse, with a bullet in his brain. Longstreet received a
ball that entered his throat, and passed out through his right
shoulder- Bleeding like an ox, he was helped frorn his horse,
so prostrated, that fears were entertained of his iraraediate
death. Major Walton, a gallant Mississippian, on his staff,
threw open his vest and shirt-collar, and found great relief in
discovering that he was mistaken in supposing that the. ball
had cut the carotid artery.
Placed on a litter, the wounded gene'ral was removed from
the field ; but, feeble though he was, from the loss of blood,
ho did not faU to lift his hat, from time to time, as he passed
down the column, in acknowledgment of its cheers of applause
and sympathy.
General Longstreet was taken to his family, at Lynchburg,
where he gradually recovered. On the 18th of May he wrote

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JAMES LONGSTEEET. 319
to Judge Longstreet, that his wound was severe, but not dan
gerous. " It is," said he, " through the neck and shoulder ;
but I am improving." His corps, now nnder command of
General E. H. Anderson, shared in all the after battles at
Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg, where it arrived
on the 17th of June.
It was, however, nearly six months before Longstreet could
report for duty. After staying a while at Lynchburg, he was
removed further South, for the benefit of his health, and re
turned in October, sufficiently recovered to take up his com
mand again. He then issued the following general order :
Headquabtebs, Fbrbx Army Corps, Oct. 19, 1864.
The undersigned, with deep and grateful eraotions, resuraes
command of his army corps-
Although separated from it since the first action of the past
eventful carapaign, the history of your share in that cam
paign is not unknown to him.
He has marked with pride and pleasure the success which
has attended your heroic efforts under the accomplished cora
raander who has so worthily led you.
Soldiers, let us not go backward. Let the First corps be
always true to itself- We have in the past a brilliant, an un
surpassed record. Let our future eclipse it in our eagerness
for glory, our love of country, and our determination to beat
the enemy. J. LONGSTREET, Lieutenant-general.
From that date, though raany reports were spread abroad of
his being appointed to the Shenandoah Valley, there is nothing
iraportant of his movements to relate, apart from what belongs
to the army, as already raentioned in our sketch of General
Lee. The following, concerning him, however, may be inter
estmg. The Eichmond correspondent of the London Times writes :
" I am happy to report that General Longstreet is at present
quite free from the nervous sensibility in his right arm, from
which for some time he suffered. The nerves of motion are
still entirely paralyzed, and the arra is almost useless ; but he
is able slightly to move the fingers, and it is the opinion of

320 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
army surgeons, that he will regain plenary use of it in from
eighteen raonths to two years, wben the nervous tissue shall
have tirae to repair itself. His general health and spirits are
excellent, and his confldence in the ability of his soldiers to
hold the Confederate Une, and keep the enemy out of Eichmond
for an unlimited period, is unabated. It is a strong testimony
to General Longstreet's value as a soldier, that each of the
three great captains of Secessia — Lee, Beauregard, and Johns
ton — esteem him equally, and desires his presence by his side.
Upon the 18th instant, Beauregard telegraphed from Jackson
ville, in Alabama, soliciting Longstreet's company in the West,
but it was determined that he could not be spared from his
old army corps before Eichmond."

GEN BRAXTON BRAGG.

C B.Kic1iarcL50ii, FlLbJ_l^:.t,e^.

GENERAL BRAXTON BRAGG.

Hia Birth and Early Services. — The Mexican War. — The Battle of Buena Vista. —
An Attempt to Assassinate him. — Engaged on the Utah Expedition. — Settles in Lou
isiana. — Joins the Confederate Service. — Appointed Brigadier-general. — Commands at
Pensacola. — Lieutenant Slemmer. — Commander Worden.— Bragg's Position. — Fort
Pickens and Colonel Brown. ^Colonel Wilson and his Zonaves.— General E. H. An
derson.— Surprise on Santa Eosa Island. — Bombardment of Pensacola. — Bragg Pro
moted. — Joins A. S. Johnson.— Battle of Sliiloh. — General Gladden. — Bragg made a
full General. — Hia Movement into Kentucky. — Munfordsville. — Arrival at Frankfort.
— Battle of Perryville. — Eetreat from Kentucky — Visits Eichmond.— Eeturns to the
Army. — Battle of Murfreesboro. — Generals Breckinridge and Hanson. — Eetreat to
TuUahoma. — Battle of Chickamauga. — Battles of Missionary Eidge and Chattanooga,
— Eetreat of Bragg. — Eelieved of Command. — New Appointment as Military Adviser.
— In Command at Wilmington. — Conclusion.
Few generals in America are raore widely known in connec
tion with popular criticism upon their public life, tban the
subject of this sketch. " A little more grape, Captain Bi'agg,"
is a saying that has become so hackneyed, from its repeated use
in the mouths of all who refer to him, that we would fain
omit it, but for tbe necessity of introducing a matter in bis
history that has been the subject of much comment. In our
remarks, which raust necessarily be very brief, we shall try to
do justice to one who -appears to have raany strong and not
always friendly opponents. Yet, whatever be the cause of
this, it is certain that be has seen and done good service as a
brave soldier in former times ; nor should his railitary worth
in the pr-esent be at all lessened. Let us, then, try to place
hira before our readers, void of all party feeling, and strictly
as we find things honestly recorded.
Braxton Bragg was born in Warren county, North Carolina,
in the year 1815, and is a brother of Senator Bragg, late a
member of President Davis' cabinet^ He entered West Point
as a cadet in 1833, and graduated on the 30th of June, 1837,
receiving an appointraent as Second-lieutenant of the Third
Artillery. He was afterwards coramissioned as Captain, and

322 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
was actively engaged throughout the Seminole war in Flor-ida,
and in duty along the coast. In 1838 he was at camp "Mis
sionary Hill," two mUes from Chattanooga, while General
Scott was engaged in reraoving the Cherokees to tbe West.
In the faU of tha! year he went to Fort Cummins, where he
was for some time in comraand.
In tbe Mexican war-, Captain Bragg was under General
Taylor, and accorapanied bim to Corpus Christi. He was at
the battle of Palo Alto, and Eesaca de la Palma, and, for his
vigorous defence of Fort Brown, opposite Matamoras, on the
9th of May, 1846, he was warmly coraraended^ to President
Polk. At Monterey, Captain Br-agg highly distinguished
himself, as the following extracts fr-om an account of the
Mexican war will show. The writer says : " Captain Bragg's
battery of light artUlery having been sent for, the gallant
captain came down the road at full gallop, exposed for nearly
half a mile to the fire of the heavy guns of the citadel, and
soon brougbt his battery into action in one of the narrow lanes
on the outskirts of the city, directing his flre towards the bar
ricades, and then proceeded to Captain Garland's assistance- .
. . . FinaUy, he had to withdraw his battery from the narrow
position he occupied in the lane, and iii doing so he had to
unlimber the gun carriages and reverse thera. Four of his
horses were killed, and seven wounded. These had to be re
placed; and, in retiring, he was again exposed to the same
deadly cross-flre. In this movement he lost two raen killed
and four wounded."
For his conduct in this engageraent at Monterey, he was
highly complimented by bis superior officers. At Buena
Vista he was likewise very conspicuous for his bravery, and it
is reported of him tbat, in the flnal charge, when there was
imminent danger of a defeat, he headed a gallant few, and
succeded in hurling back the enemy at a most critical raoraent.
It was during the hottest part of thisengagement that Gener-al
Taylor rode up to Captain Bragg's battery, and, as is currently
reported, used the words we have already quoted : "A little
more grape. Captain Bragg." The correctness of tbis has been,
however, denied in a letter published more than five years
ago, and which raay be found in tbe New Yorh Herald of
August 7th, 1859. However, that is immaterial to our present

GENEEAL BEAXTON BEAGG. 323
purpose. Captain Bragg undoubtodly bore hiraself raost
bravely throughout the war, and for his gallant conduct he
was brevetted Lieutenant-colonel.
" After the battle of Buena Vista," says a Southern paper,
"two atterapts were made to assassinate him." Of one of
these he hiraself gives an account in a letter dated August
26th, 1817, frora which the following is an extract:
An attempt Was made, about 2 a. m., night before last, to
assassinate me in my bed. I have no clue to the perpetrator,
and can suggest no reason for the act. My escape without
injury is almost miraculous. As exaggerated accounts raay
reach the press, the truth raay interest you. A twelve-pound
shell, heavily charged, was placed within two feet of my bed,
just outside of my tent, and exploded by a slow raatch ; the
fragments literaUy riddling ray tent and bedding, pieces pass
ing above and below rae, sorae through a blanket spread, over
me, and yet I was untouched. I was not aware that I had an
enemy in the world, and at tiraes feel disposed to believe now
that it raay have been intended as a practical joke by some
fool ignorant of the effect of shells thus exploded. Be that as-
it may, my escape was alraost miraculous, and I prefer not re
peating the joke."
After the Mexican war. Lieutenant-colonel Bragg accom
panied Colonel Albert Sidney Johnson on his expedition to
Utah. On the 3d of January, 1856, he resigned his commis
sion, leaving the United States military service, and devoted
himself to a plantation he had in Louisiana. As appears by
a letter made public at the time, he was a candidate for sorae
local office in that State; but we hear little of hira until
the "present war opened. He was then made commander-in-
chief of the forces of Louisiana, by the legislature of that
State ; but, shortly afterwards. President Davis appointed
him a brigadier-general in the Confederate army, and placed
him in command* of the forces at Pensacola, the Congress
at Montgomery confirming the same in the early part of
March, 1861.
General Bragg immediately went to his post, and fixed his
headquarters at the Marine Hospital. He then issued a proc
lamation, forbidding all parties from furnishing supplies to
thc Federal war ships off Pensacola, and restricting communi-

324: igOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
cation of any kind between the people in the village and the
vessels outside. The effect of this was severely felt by the
crews afloat, for we find, frora a letter dated March 18th, that
" all the ships were out of provisions, and, only for the energy
and enterprise of Captain Adams, of the Sabine, they would
have been obliged to leave Florida altogether. The steamers
could get no wood nor water, and a smuggler from Pensacola
was actually selling water at four cents per gallon."
At this especial tirae, it raust be reraerabered that open war
had not broken out between the North and South ; but the-
state of things at Pensacola was similar to that which Charles
ton presented, though the latter, as a great city, had the higher
importance, and is more publicly known. At Pensacola, the
fine bay, and the splendid navy yard, forming the principal
depot of the Gulf fleet, alone made tbe place of any note.
The village itself was, otherwise, comparatively insignificant,
but, in consequence of its nautical advantages, a small railitary
force under Lieutenant Slemmer was, in tbe beginning of
1861, stationed there in charge of the forts. These forts were.
Fort McEae, on the main land, with a lagoon behind it, and
guarding one side of the harbor; Fort Barancas, directly fa
cing the entrance of the harbor, and Fort Pickens on the other,
or east side of the harbor entrance. This latter was on the ex
treraity of the long, low, sandy Santa Eosa Island, which
stretched away to the eastward, and formed an excellent
breakwater to the bay. The Navy Yard was about a mile
inside the bay, beyond Fort Barancas, and was thus in an
admirably safe position-
Now, when Florida and Alabaraa seceded. State troops were
iraraediately sent to secure these places. This was early in
January, 1861. Forts Barancas and McEae, with the navy
yard, were at' once surrendered by the naval commandant;
but Lieutenant Slemmers, not approving such a course, secretly
crossed over to Fort Pickens, as Major Anderson did from
Moultrie to Sumter, and there heroically stationed himself and
brave followers, to maintain the honor of his flag, until directed
by his government what to do. In this, no honest-minded
Southerner could justly blame hira, but on tbe contrary, he,
should award the praise such conduct so well deserved. His
position, however, was extrmely critical, and the Federal Gov-

GENEEAL BEAXTON BEAGG- 325
ernraent deterrained to reUeve hirn by sending reinforcements,
In a steam transport ; and the sloop-of-war Brooklyn was also
dispatched for the purpose of affording protection.
Meanwhile, a secret agent. Lieutenant, now. Commander
Worden — well known as connected with his gallant little
Monitor — bravely ventured to take dispatches to the garrison,
announcing this reinforcement and supplies; but in the at
tempt he was caught, and iraprisoned.
We have no space, however, to relate the many interesting
incidents that followed, and must, therefore, hurriedly pass
them over, confining ourselves merely to the doings of him
whose life we briefly sketch. But, the preceding information
will give the reader an idea of the position of affairs when
Gener-al Bragg took comraand.
General Bragg was well known to be a strict disciplinarian,
and a very determined man. Certainly his position was very
peculiar, and to maintain it required great nerve and energy,
with a powerful and clear mind. The fear-ful burst of war had
not yet been heard, and it was hardly possible to foresee what
a day might bring forth. At length the news of Sumter fallen,
settled all doubts ; and blood was thenceforth to stream through
the length and breath of the land. Bragg's measures now be
came even more vigorous. Contraband information to the
enemy, of any kind, was imraediately punished. Newspaper
correspondents were forbidden to proraulgate news without
permission ; and one was sent to Montgomery under arrest for
infringing the order. Postmaster Lamberton was also im
prisoned for the sarae thing. Preparations were coraraenced
for attacking Fort Pickens — now reinforced, and Lieutenant-
Slemmer relieved of his command by Colonel Harvey Brown ;
but General Bragg was officially notified by Colonel Brown,
through Lieutenant Slemraer, that he should actjsiraply on the
defensive. Permission was asked by the Federals to send a
messenger to Washington ; but this was refused.
In the month of April the garrison of Fort Pickens was re
inforced, and now numbered over one thousand men ; and
thus, through the early part of the suraraer, both parties re
mained looking at each other, but also strengthening their po
sition. On June 24th, Fort Pickens was additionally rein
forced by the arrival of Colonel WiUiam Wilson's Zouaves ;

326 ySOUTHEEN . GENEEALS.
and these established themselves three quarters of a mile east
of the fort, to guard against Bragg's threatened landing on that
part of Santa Eosa Island.
July, August, and September passed, and, excepting a few
minor occui rences, nothing of importance took place. At length,
on the Sth of October, General Bragg sent a secret expedition by
night, to break up Wilson's encampment. The force consisted
of several companies of men, selected fr-om regiments, for this
special service, and were taken across in two steamers, a barge,
and five or six launches, all under the command of General E.
H. Anderson, of South Carolina, lately appointed under Bragg.
They landed on the eastern part of the island — tbe night was
very dark, and the enemy apparently wrapped in total security.
Suddenly a wild cry of alarra from the outlying pickets is heard
by the startled Federal Zouaves. Up from their couches they
spring, in the garraents of sleep, and rush out in araazement.
~ Firing is heard, and before they can prepare for the attack, on
corae a host of foes, crushing in among them, slaying right
and left !
It was a terrible sight — an awful moment ! For the instant
appaUed, the surprized Federalei are powerless ; but their nat
ural courage is soon recovered, and with the mad ferocity
of entrapped men, they enter into the fight ! The Confede
rates, however, are in a greater nuraber than theraselves, and
di-ive them back to the very fort itself with fearful slaughter.
Now, however, the tide of blood turns. The Federal com
mandant of Fort Pickens comes upon the scene ; and the Con
federates, having accompUshed their main object, retreat to
their boats, pur-sued by the enemy. Finally, General Ander
son's command return to the main land, with some loss, and he
hiraself, wounded. Thus ended General Bragg's night-surprise
of the Federals on Santa Eosa Island.
A few weeks after this, in Noveraber, the bombardment of
Pensacola was opened by the Federal fieet, and at night-tirne
the scene was truly raagnificent. This lasted, however, with
variations, through the winter, but we can not here give space
to its description.
Bragg, was now made a Major-general, and as symptoms of
serious Federal operations had shown themselves at the mouth
of the Mississippi, he was often at Mobile to watch what was

GENEEAL BEAXTON BEAGG- 327
going on, and to see to its defences. In the latter part of De
cember he was thus away, when a little, unarmed propeller,
employed between the Confederate forts and the village of
Pensacola, was fired into from Fort Pickens, which led to a
renewal of fire between tbe opposite parties holding possession
at Barancas, and Santa Eosa. A spectator says : " Through
alraost the entire night our guns kept up, at regular intervals,
their fire. The scene was grand beyond conception — the shells,
in their screeching and screaming journey, resembling startled
raeteors coursing the heavens. About twelve o'clock sever-al
buildings in Warrington were fired, and flames, lighting up the
yard, and the village, and forts, and batteries, presenting a
scene grand as the bombardment which perpetuates the narae
of Anderson, and the birth-day of the new year. We have
suffered no loss of life or limb, nqr sustained any injury in guns.
There is little likelihood of any more firing — no injury can be
infiicted on the enemy, nor can he harm us."
In the beginning of February, 1862, Gener-al Bragg estab
lished his headqiiarters at Mobile ; and shortly afterwards
was sent, with his Second division, to join the army of the
Mississippi, then under command of General A. S. Johnson,
with General Beauregard as commander-in-chief of the depart
ment. '
General Bragg's headquarters were now at Jackson, Ten
nessee ; and on March 5th, 1862, he issued a stringent order
with regard to all persons travelling without authority, and de
tailing a guard of one comraissioned officer, and five raen, to
accompany each passenger train on the Memphis and Charles
ton, and Mobile and Ohio railroads. He also prohibited the
sale of intoxicating liquors within five miles of any station oc
cupied by the troi)ps, or within one mile of any public high
way used as a military road. Martial law was, likewise, pro
claimed at Memphis ; and all prisoners were to be sent to
Mobile, whence a proper guard from that place was to transfer
thera to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. On the 6th of April occurred
the battle of Shiloh, and here General Bragg commanded the
centre of the army. In his official report, he says : " But few
regiraents of my command had ever had a day's march, and
a very large proportion of the rank and file had never per
forraed a day's labor. Our organization had been most hasty,

828 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
with great deficiency in commander-s, and was, therefore, very
iraperfect- The equipment was lamentably defective for field-
service, and our transportation, hastily impressed in the country,
was deficient in quantity, and very inferior in quality. With
aU these drawbacks, the troops marched, late in the afternoon
of the 3d of April— a day later than intended— in high
spirits, and eager tov the contest- . . . About 2 A. m., of the
Sth, a drenching rain storra coramenced, to which the troops
were exposed, without tents, and continued until' daylight,
rendering it so dark, and filling the creeks and ravines to such
an extent, as to make it impracticable to move at night . . .
It was seven o'clock in the raorning before the road was clear,
80 as to put ray coramand in motion. ... At this juncture,
the commanding general arrived at our position. My column
moved on without delay, and, as promptly as could be, they
were formed according to order of battle."
General Bragg then gives details of the battle in that por
tion of it under his command, speaking of Major-general Polk
as his " senior," and, therefore, resigning to hira authority in
certain parts of the field, and concludes by mentioning the
names of those who had specially distinguished theinselves-
He adds, " Brigadier-general A. H. Gladden fell early in the
action, mortally wounded, whilst gaUantly leading his tnen in
a successful charge. No better soldier lived — no truer man or
nobler patriot ever shed his blood in a just cause." His report
embraces a few remarks on the results of the battle, and the
causes which produced a state of things different from what
might have been expected. " But," says he, " no one cause,
probably, contributed so greatly to our loss of time, which was
the loss of success, as the fall of the commanding general, A.
S. Johnson."
The army fell back to Corinth, and about that time Bragg
was made a full general, dating from April 6tb, 1862. When
it was expected another engagement would take place, he
issued, on the Sth of May, a stirring address to his soldiers,
and in allusion to the eneray said, " such a foe ought never to
conquer freemen, battling upon their own soU." The evacua
tion of Corinth, however, and subsequent events, as already
related, led to a change in the direction of affairs over the
army, and General Bragg was appointed commander of the

GENEEAL BEAXTON BEAGG. 329
department instead of Beauregard, wbo had been obliged to
resign from ill-health.
Immediately afterwards. General Bragg began his move
ment from Tupelo, in Mississippi, through the states of Geor
gia, and Alabama, to Chattanooga, with a view to active
operations in East Tennessee, and Kentucky. The Confederate
army was now divided into three corps, respectively com
manded by Major-generals Polk, Hardee, and Kirby Smith ;
the latter being at Knoxville, ready to push forward when
Bragg should reach Chattanooga. General Bragg's forces,
however, having arrived in that vicinity and finding Buell's
army to the north of it, passed on a few railes higher up the
Tennessee, and crossed at Harrison, on tbe 21st of August.
Thence, Bragg proceeded by mountain roads to Dunlap — thus
corapletely flanking General BueU on his left. From Dunlap
he marched up tbe Sequatchie valley, and reached Pikeville
on the 30th- From that place, Bragg sent a part of his forces
to McMinnville, a place seventy-five miles southeast of Nash
viUe, to attack some Federal cavaUy thrown forward in ad
vance, and meanwhile he proceeded on towards Crossville,
having ascended the Grassy Cave road- Here the force that
had been sent to McMinville rejoined the main army. On the
5th of September, General Bragg entered Kentucky, and
mar-ched to the right of Bowling Green, sending an advance on
to Munfordsville to demand its surrender. Munfordsville is a
large town on the LouisvUle and NashvUle raUroad, and
Bragg was now between it and Buell's army at Bowling
Green. The Federal commander, however; succeeded in get
ting ahead of the Confederates in the principal object they had
in view. This, through some captured dispatches, was ascer
tained to be Louisville in Kentucky, and, as Buell's army re
ceived its supplies from, there, depots being formed at Bowling
Green and Nashville, that general wisely did all in his power
to guard the line of communication thither by rail. Mun
fordsville at first resisted, but, on the 17th of September, it
was captured by General Bragg's forces, and next day he is
sued an address to the people of Kentucky, in which he tells
them that he has not corae to injure, but to avenge them, and
aid them in obtaining freedom. He invites them to join him
in the struggle. "If," -says he, "you prefer Federal rule,

:330 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
show it by your frowns, and we shall return whence we came.
If you choose rather to corne within the folds of our brother
hood, then lend your wUling hands to secure you in your her
itage of liberty."
The Confederate force now moved to Bardstown,* and fur
ther towards the centre of tbe State, in many places, through
out the whole march, receiving kindly support. Detachments
were sent out to scour the country, and watch the Federals,
some of these detachments coraing to within four miles of
Louisville and creating great alarm. Bragg, however, pro
ceeded on to Frankfort, the State capital, and joined Kirby
Smith's forces, on the 4th of October, General BueU arriving
at Bardstown — eyacuated by the Confederates — on the sarae
day. At Frankfort, a Confederate provisional governor was
elected on the day of Bragg's arrival, but even before the cere
mony had well ended, intelligence of the enemy's approach
induced the newly appointed governor to fiy. The Federals,
however, were not then intent so much upon Frankfort as
upon the army of Bragg, the rear of which was at Perryville,
a few miles south of Frankfort. General BueU had been con
stantly pressing the Confederate rear, and had now advanced
his three corps towards Perryville with the hope of surround
ing Bragg's forces there. But, General Crittenden's corps ot.
the Federal array was soraewhat delayed on a circuitous route,
and the other two corps of McCook and GUbert, first came up
with the Confederates.
The battle which followed is best told in General Bragg's
official report. He says : Headquaetebs, Department No. 3,)
BKYANTBVlLliB, Kt., October 12. J
Sie : — Finding the enemy pressing heavily in his rear, near
Perryville, Major-general Hardee, of Polk's coramand, was
obliged to halt and check him at tbat point. Having arrived
at Harrodsburg frora Frankfort, I determined to give hirn bat
tle there, and accordingly concentrated three divisions of my
old command — the army of the Mississippi, now under com-
* At this place, on September 26th, General Bragg issued another address
" To the People of the Northwest," but it is of too great a length even to give
a fair abstract.

GENEEAL BEAXTON BEAGG. 331
mand of Major-general Polk — :Cheatham's, Buckner's, and
Anderson's, and directed General Polk to take the command
on the 7th, and attack the enemy the next raorning. Withers'
division had gone the day before to support Smith. Hearing,
on the night of the 7th, that the force in front of Smith had
rapidly retreated, I moved early next morning, to be present
at the operations of Polk's comraand.
The two armies were forraed confronting each other, on op
posite sides of the town of Perryville. After consulting the
general and reconnoitering the ground and examining his dis
positions, I declined to assume the coramand, but suggested
sorae change and modifications of his arrangements, which he
promptly adopted. The action opened at half-past 12 p. m.,
between the skirmishers and artillery on both sides. Finding
the eneray indisposed to advance upon us, and knowing he was
receiving heavy reinforceraents, I deemed it best to assail him
vigorously, and so directed.
The engageraent becarae general soon thereafter, and was
continued furiously from that time to dark, our troops never
faltering and never failing in their efforts.
For- the time engaged , it was the severest and most desper
ately contested engagement within my knowledge. Fearfully
. .outnurabered, our troops did not hesitate to engage at any
odds, and, though checked at times, they eventually carried
every position, and drove the enemy about two miles. But for
the intervention of night, we should have completed the work-
We had captured fifteen pieces of artillery by the most daring
charges, killed one and wounded two brigadier-generals, and a
very large mumber of inferior officers and men, estimated at no
less than four thousand, and captured four hundred prisoner's,
including three staff-officers, with servants, carriage and bag
gage of Major-general McCook.
The ground was literally covered with his dead and wounded.
In such a contest our own loss was necessarily severe, probably
not less than twenty-five hundred killed, wounded, and miss
ing. Included in the wounded are Brigadier-generals Wood,
Cleburne, and Brown, gallant and noble soldiers, whose loss
wUl be severely felt by their comraands. To Major-general
Polk, commanding the forces. Major general Hardee, com
manding the left wing, two divisions, and Major-generals

332 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
Cheatham, Buckner, and Anderson, commanding divisions,
are mainly due the briUiant achievements of this memorable
field. Nobler troops were never more gallantly led. The
country owes them a debt of gratitude which I am sure will be
acknowledged. Ascertaining that the eneray was heavUy reinforced during
the night, I withdrew my force early the next morning to
Harrodsburg, and thence to this point. Major-general Smith
arrived at Harrodsburg with most of his force and Withers' di
vision the next day, 10th, and yesterday I withdrew the whole
to this point, the enemy following slowly but not pressing us.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BEAXTON BRAGG,
General conugiandlng.
To Adjutant-general, Eichmond, Va.
After the battle of Perryville, General Bragg deemed it best
to transfer the array back to Tennessee, giving up the plan of
a longer campaign in Kentucky. Wbat his reasons for this
were, has been variously stated ; but we need not stay to can
vass them now. Suffice it that the retreat began, commencing
on Sunday night, the 12th of October. It is said that when
the Confederate troops abandoned Lexington, where the main
pairt of the foroes had been encamped, " the terror, dismay,
and anguish of the inhabitants were extreme. The women ran
through the streets crying and wringing their hands, while
faniilies hastily gathered their clothing, packed their trunks,
and obtained wagons to depart, the greatest distress prevail
ing." The conduct of this retreat across Kentucky, and through
Cumberland gap, was left to General Polk, and, for the pre
sent, therefore, we need follow it no further. General Bragg,
it appears, went to Eichmond, where he amved on the 27th
October, and the next day had a conference with the Presi
dent and his cabinet, on the conduot of the campaign. From
the result of this consultation it seems that the course General
Bragg had pursued was satisfactory, for he soon returned to;
the west with undiminished power, though General J. E.
Johnston was appointed Department Commander.
Bragg's army returned into Tennessee by the middle of No-

GENEEAL BEAXTON BEAGG. 333
vember, and was stationed at Lavergne, McMinville, and Mur
freesboro. General Eosecrans, now in command of the North
ern army, vice BueU relieved, was at Nashville, concentrating,
reorganizing, and disciplining his troops, preparatory to a for
ward raoveraent. Bragg's forces were now estiraated at 45,000
to 50,000 effective raen- These were reviewed by President
Davis on the 13th of Deceraber, when he paid a visit to the
array, and " His Excellency expressed his gratification at their
fine appearance and discipline — congratulating the command-
ei-s present upon the efficiency of their respective forces-"
President Davis returned to Chattanooga next day.
A day or two afterwards, some corresporrdenee took place
between Generals Bragg and Eosecrans, respecting an alleged
violation by the Confederates of a fiag of truce. The foUowing
reply of General Bragg deserves insertion, as showing his readi
ness to make the amende honorable, when justly due.
Hbadquakters Aemy of TBirarEBSEB, )
MuRFBBESBORO, Tbnn., December 16, 1862. J
General ; — I ara in receipt of your coraraunication of the
13th inst., in regard to the capture of three of your vedettes,
under circumstances apparently implying disrespect to the
flag sent by you.
Pr-ior to the receipt of your letter, I had ordered an investiga
tion of the case. Frora tbe report now before me, I am satis
fied, and desire to assure you, that the party effecting the cap
ture was wholly unaware that a "fiag" had passed, and was
acting under orders issued the day previous. It had left
Lavergne at eight o'clock on the morning of the 13th, and pur
sued a circuitous route, coraing upon the vedettes after ' the
passage of the flag.
I take pleasure in informing you that I have ordered the
men to be returned to your lines, together with their equip
ments, arms, etc.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BRAXTON BRAGG,
General Commanding
Major-general W. S. Eosecrans, Commanding
United States forces, Nashville, Tennessee.
The month of December was now passing away, and it

334 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
seems to have been expected that the Federals would not ad
vance for some tirne. Christmas day, therefore, was spent at
Murfreesboro, and in the army with much festivity ; yet, in
the midst of aU the enjoyments of the bour, news carae that
Eosecrans was marching direct upon them! General Br-agg
immediately prepared his forces, and issuing instructions to
his array, the line of battle was thus formed : half of the army,
left wing in front of Stone river ; right wing in rear of the
river. Polk's corps to form left v^ing ; Hardee's on the right.
Withers' division to form flrst line on Polk's corps ; Cheat
ham's the second ; Breckinridge's the flrst line in Hardee's
cprps, and Cleburne's the second. McCown was to be in re
serve in rear of, Cheatham, and Jackson the same in rear pf
Hardee. In a brief sketch like this, it is impossible to give any thing
like a minute account of the battle of Murfreesboro, or Stone
river, that followed. No justice could properly be done to it,
for the reports of both sides ought 'to be carefully exariiined
for the purpose. But, in this sketch it is enough to bring for
ward that which belongs especially to him of whom we write.
Therefore, the following independent account of the flrst day's
figbt is introduced.
The enemy comraenced the advance from Nashville on
Friday, by several different routes of march, driving in our
cavalr-y under Generals Wheeler and Wharton, who severaUy
fell back, gallantly contesting every foot of the way.
On Sunday our line of battle was formed about two miles
from Murfreesboro, stretching transversly across Stone river,
frorn the Lebanon pike on the right to the Franklin road on
the left. On Tuesday the enemy had deployed into line of
battle upon the ridge, whereon stands the residence of Mr.
Cowan, at a distance of soraething more than one thousand
five hundred yards from our first line, and considerably over
lapping our left flank. During Monday they opened with
artillery at long range, and on Tuesday heavy skirmishing ran
up and down the line from the left to the centre, swelling
alraost into a battle at one period, when the enemy attempted
two charges on Eobinson's battery.
On the night of Tuesday it had become evident that the
attack in force would be upon our left, and Cleburne's division

GENERAL BEAXTON BEAGG. 335
was detached from the right for the purpose of strengthening
that point and extending our line, which gave to the left wing
four divisions — Cheatham's, Withers', MeCown's, and Cle
burne's. On Wednesday the sun rose clear after several days of fu
neral gloora, drifting the raists which hung like silvery cur
tains o'er the fleld,' dancing and glistening along the serried
line of steel, which glittered in the morning light like the
sparklings of countless diamonds, bathing the gay banners
which floated in the front with a flood of refulgence, and drift
ing in golden showers through the emerald fringe of cedars
which enclosed the field. Far as the eye could reach stood
the two vast armies, silent and motionless; and it alraost
seemed instead of being drawn up for battle, to be sorae bril
liant holiday parade ; but at length a volley of musketry from
the extreme left told too plainly that the work of death had in
reality begun, and in an instant afterwards the strife had
leaped frora point to point, until the whole line, from left to
center, was one unbroken blaze of fire.
About 8 o'clock A. M. the divisions of McCown, Cleburne,
and Cheatham were ordered to charge. The enerny was
strongly planted in a dense thicket where the outcropping of
the limestone rocks forraed a natural fortification. Swiftly,
but with a perfect line, our troops emerged from the skirt of
timber in which they had been sheltered, and moved across
the open plain which intervened. The battle now became
terrific. Crash upon crash of rausketry stunned the ear ; the
ground trembled under the thunders of artillery ; the cedars
rocked and quivered in the fiery blast, and the air was rent
with the explosion of shells- The enemy seemed determined
to stake the fortunes of the day upon holding the position
which they occupied, and offered a most gallant resistance;
but nothing human could withstand the impetuosity of that
charge. A spirit of fury seemed to possess our men, from tbe
commanders down to the coraraon soldier; and on they swept,
shot and shell, canister, grape, and buUets, tearing through
their ranks until the way could be traced by the dead and
dying. Still on they went, overrunning infantry ahd artillery
alike, driving tbe eneray like the hurricane scatters the leaves
upon its course, capturing hundreds of prisoners and literally

336 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
Jblackening the ground with dead. Such a charge was never
before witnessed. For two miles, through fields and forests,
over ditches, fences, and ravines, they swept. Brigade after
brigade, battery after battery, were thrown forward to stay
their onward raarch ; but another round of musketry, another
gleaming of tbe bayonet, and, like tbeir predecessors, they
were crushed into one coraraon ruin. Meantirae the brave
Withers was not idle. His line of battle ran diagonally, across
an extended fleld, and the enemy had been pouring a treiben-
dous flre into his position, until, driven almost to the verge of
madness by the distraction of his men, he threw his division
forward upon the ridge occupied by the enemy. Here was,
perhaps, the bloodiest struggle of the day. The enemy^as
stronger at this point than any where else upon the field, Vnd'
long and fiercely contended the position. Directly in fr5i)ntl
was a wide area of cleared land, and across this it was neges-'
sary to advance under the sweeping fire of six batteries ; but
with dauntless hearts and a step as proud as though on parade
his men sprang forward at the word, and marched on into the
face of death. Once they wavered as the enemy poured a
perfect hail of iron through their ranks ; but at this njoment
Bragg dashed by, the battle fires burning in his eyes, and the
fate of nations in his band. Again they rushed upon the foe,
shot down the gunners at their pieces, and drove the support
ing divisions far back to the rear.
That night, both armies rested as best they could among
the cedars, or on the open plain. It was intensely cold, freez
ing severely. Upon the battlefield lay thousands of dead and
wounded frozen stiff, and presenting a ghastly spectacle. The
scene was fearful though picturesque. A brilliant winter
moon shed its lustre amid tbe foliage of the forest of ever
greens, and lighted up with silver sheen the ghastly battle
field. Dismounted cannon, scattered caissons, glittering and
abandoned arms strewed the fm-est and field. The dead lay
stark and stiff at every step, with clenched hands and con
tracted limbs in the wild attitudes in which they fell, con
gealed by the bitter cold. It was the eve of the new year.
Moans of the neglected dying, mingled with the low peculiar
shriek of the wounded artiUery horses, chanted a miserere for
the dying year. Amid the camp fires, feebly lighted to avoid

GENEEAL BEAXTON BEA^G. 337
attracting the artillery of the enemy, groups of rautilated and
shuddering wounded wer-e huddled, and the kneeling forms of
surgeons beading in the firelight over the mangled bodies of
the dying, added to thfe solemnity of the night.
Next day there was little done but skirmishing. The eneray
had taken up a stronger position than before, and both arraies
drew breath, for awhile, till i-enewed strength was obtained
for the fight. On January 2d, no raovement took place till
about 4 p. M. when orders were given to assault the eneray's
stronghold on the bend of river. General Breckinridge was
directed to this duty. Hanson's, Palmer's, Pillow's, Preston's,
and Gibbon's brigades formed the division, and, when the
signal gun was given, onward they went to what seeraed
alraost certain destruction. Through the thinned woods — into
the open fields, the gaUant leaders and their brave followers
rushed. Then came the thundering fire of the enemy's artil
lery, and, expecting it, the men were ordered to Ue down till
it passed. But, directly the storm of shot and shell went by,
— " Up, ray men, and charge !" was the ringing cry of Breck
inridge as he hiraself dashed on. With the irapetuosity of a
torrent they rushed forward. Wright's battery galloped up,
and soon a fierce and bloody contest ensued. But, in vain !
In less than half an hour over 2000 brave soldiers on the
Confederate side had fallen ! The task, therefore, was seen
to be hopeless, and General Breckinridge ordered his division
to fall back, when it was nearly dark.
In this attack. General Hanson fell raortaUy wounded, ex-
clairaing, "Forward — forward, ray brave boys, to the charge!"
and 'afterwards, when brought frora the field, he said with his
flickering breath, "I am wiUing to die with such a wound,
received in so glorious a cause." Captain Wright also fell at
his guns mortally wounded.
General Bragg had sent General Patton Anderson with his
brigade to the support of Breckinridge, and nobly did they
bear themselves, receiving a high meed of praise from the
commander-in-chief for their conduct.
The battle was over. General Bragg felt that prudence
dictated a withdrawal ; and accordingly, on tbe following day,
the Confederate army retreated towards TuUahoma.
Before we close this too hurried account of the great battle
23

338 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
of Murfreesboro, let us mention the names most prominently
brought forwar-d in laudatory terms by General Bragg. He
sjiys: "Araong the gaUant dead the nation is called to mourn,
none could have fallen more honored or regarded than Briga
dier-generals James E. Eains and E. M. Hanson. They
yielded their lives in the ber-oic discbarge of their duties, and
leave their honored names as a rich legacy to their descend
ents. Brigadier-general J. E. Chalmers and D. W. Adams
received disabling wounds on Monday — I am happy to say
not serious, but which deprived us of their valuable services.
Having been under my immediate coraraand since the begin
ning of the war, I can bear evidence to tbeir devotion and to
the conspicuous gallantry which has marked their services on
every field.
"For tbe sacred names of the heroes and patriots of lower
grades that gave their lives, illustrating the character of the
Confederate soldiers on tbis bloody field, I must refer to the
reports of subordinate coraraanders, and to the list which will
be subraitted. Our losses, it will be seen, exceeded ten thou
sand, nine thousand of whom were killed or wounded.
'" Lieutenant-generals L. Polk, and W. J. Hardee, command
ing corps, Major-generals J. M. Withers and P. E. Cleburne,
commanding divisions, are specially commended to their gov
ernraent for their valor, skill, and ability displayed throughout
the engagement.
" Brigadier-generals Joseph Wheeler and John A. Wharton,
comraanding cavalry brigades, were pre-erainently distin
guished throughout the engagement, as they had been for a
month previous in many successive conflicts with the enemy.
Under tiieir skilful and gallant lead, the reputation of our cav
alry has been justly enhanced. For the just commendation of
the officers, many of whom were pre-eminently distinguished,
I mnst refer to their more immediate coraraendation."
On the 8th of Januar-y, General Bragg had bis headquarters
at Winchester, not far from the south border of Tennessee. He
addressed tbe inhabitants of the district, calraing their fears,
and stating that he had fallen back to give his men repose.
At the same tirne, he issued a congratulatory and compliment
ary address to his array.

GENEEAL il^BAXTON BEAGG. 839
From this date, for several months, nothing more was done
by the main army, though detached comraands were ever
vigorously at work. The Confederates rested at TuUahoraa
and vicinity, while the Federals remained in the position they
had raoved to after the battle of Murfreesboro.
As regards General Bragg himself, there was, at this time, a
great deal of unpleasant discussion concerning him. Like all
raen of a stern, unbending raind, he was not very popular, and
it would appear that there were many who thought if he were
reraoved from his post it would be to the advantage of the
cause. But let us bear in mind that there are few men placed
in a prominent position that are not subject to similar attacks,
whether justly deserved or not; and, in General Bragg's case,
it is certain that he was supported by the President and his
cabinet ; therefore, must have been deemed well fitted for his
post- A foreign officer of rank, calling upon him at this tirae,
May 29th, 1863, says, after describing his appearance, " He
has the reputation of being a strict disciplinarian, and shooting
freely for insubordination. I understand he is unpopular on
this account, and also by reason of his occasional acerbity of
manner. He was extremely civil to me, and gave rae permis
sion to visit the outposts, or any part of his array. He ex
pressed regret that a boil on his hand would prevent his
accorapanying me. Eosecrans' position, be said, extended
about forty miles, and Murfreesboro twenty-five miles distant
frora Bragg's headquarters, at Shelbyville, was Eosecrans'
headquarters. The Confederate cavalry inclosed him in a
seraicircle extending over a hundred railes of country. . . He
talked to me a long time about the battle of Murfreesboro, and
said he retained possession of the ground he had won for three
days and a half, and only retired on account of the exhaustion
of his troops, and after carrjring off over 6,000 prisoners, much
cannon, and other trophies. He allowed that Eosecrans had
displayed rauch firraness. ... At 5 p. m., I was present at a
great open-air preaching, at General Wood's carap. Bishop
Elliott preached raost admirably to a congregation of nearly
3,000 soldiers, who listened to hira with the raost profound at
tention. Generals Bragg, Polk, Hardee, Withers, Cleburne,
and others were present. It is impossible to exaggerate the
respect jiaid by all ranks of his army to Bishop Elliott ; and,

340 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
although most of the officers are Episcopalians, the majority
of the soldiers are Methodists, Baptists, etc. . . . I. got back to
Shelbyville at 4.30 p. m. (June 2d), just in time to be presient
at an 'interestirsg ceremony peculiar to America. This was a
baptism at the Episcopal church. The ceremony was per
formed in an impressive manner, by Bishop Elliott, and the
person baptized no less than the commahdey-in-chief. The
bishop took the general's hand in his own (the latter kneeling
in front of the font), and said, ' Braxton, if thou hast not al
ready been baptized, I baptize thee,' etc. Iraraediately after
wards he confirmed General Bragg, who then shook hand&
with General Polk, the officers of their respective staffs, afid
myself, who were the only spectators."
We now turn again to the military operations under General
Bragg's command.
With the exception of the minor affairs at Liberty, and
Hoover's gaps, nothing particular occurred until the beginning
of June, wheu EoSecrans advanced with a very powerful and
nuraerous army. On the 27th, General Bragg fell back to
Chattanooga, and established his headquarters first at Bridge
port, and then in the town. Eound this place the Confederate
army was now encamped, Eosecrans advancing upon it across
the raountains on one side, and Burnside coraraanding the
Federal forces in East Tennessee, coming down the valley via
Cumberland gap on the other. Chattanooga was placed in a
good state of defence, and works thrown up across the river as
far as Blythe's ferry- Eosecrans, however, feucceeded in
moving well up to Chattanooga without molestation, and, on
the 8th of September, the Confederates evacuated the place —
retiring to the Chickamauga. Here, having been reinforced
by General Longstreet, Bragg fought the Federals on the 20th
of Septeraber, driving them back to Chattanooga. We have
already given- an account of this battle, and to it we refer.
Before this, President Davis had again visited Bragg's
army, and, shortly afterwards, Longstreet had been detached
to Knoxsville. Then followed the disastrous battle of Mis
sionary Eidge, Chattanooga, and the subsequent retreat to
Dalton. On the 2d of December, General Bragg was relieved from his
command, and' he took leave of the army in the following order :

GENEEAL BEAXTON BEAGG. 341
GENEEAL OEDEES— NO. 314.
Upon renewed application to the President, his consent has
been obtained for the relinquishment of the coramand of this
army. It is accordingly transfer-red to Lieutenant-general
Hardee. The announcement of this separation is made with
unfeigned regret. An association of raore than two years,
which bind together a coraraander and his trusted troops, can
not be severed without deep emotion. For a coraraon cause,
dangers fehared on raany hard-fought fields have ceraented
bonds which time can never impair. The circumstances which
render this step proper will be appreciated by "every good
soldier and true patriot. The last appeal the general has to
make to the gaUant army which has so long nobly sustained
him is to give his successor that cordial and generous support
essentialto the success of your arms. In that successor you
have a veteran whose brilliant reputation you have aided to
achieve. To the officers of my general staff, who have so long
zealously and successfully struggled against serious difficulties
to support the army and myself, is due, in a great degree,
what little success and fame we have achieved. Bidding them
and the array an affectionate farewell, they have the blessings
and prayers of a grateful friend. BEAXTON BEAGG.
Immediately after his retirement frora the array. General
Bragg repaired to the Warra Springs, in Georgia, to recruit his
health, and on the 5th of January, 1864, visited Colurabus.
The care and incessant labor of the past two years, it was
stated, had left their traces upon his person ; but he was still
able for military duty, and, in February, received a new ap
pointment in accordance with the following order :
Adjutant and Inspbctoe-gbnekal's Office, )
Eichmond, Va., February 24, 1864. )
General Braxton Bragg is assigned to duty at the seat of
government, and, under the direction of the President, is
charged with the conduct of military operations in the armies
of the Confederacy. By order. S. CooPBK, Adjutant and Inspector-general.
In this position, the general frequently visited the several

342 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
military posts and departraents, often accorapanied by the
President. At the funeral of General J. E. B. Stuart he was one
of the pall bearers ; and in July and August he was at Colum
bus and Macon ; and, when the army of Virginia asserabled
once raore around Eichraond, he exarained their intrenchments
and fortifications, preparatory to certain movements. But the
post he occupied was one that we do not well comprehend ;
nor does it seera to bave been rightly understood elsewher-e.
It was an anomalous one, and liable to much discordance of
opinion in reference to it. However, towards the end of Octo
ber, he was assigned to another department, and, in Novem
ber, took command of the forces in North Carolina. In the
beginning of December we find him at Augusta, sending in a
report of Wheeler's operations ; but he was at Wilmington, as
his headquarters, when the Porter-Butler attack on Fort Fisher
was unsuccessful. He then issued a congratulatory order,
dated Deceraber 29th, 1864, to his troops ; but, except the late
achieveraents of the Federal arras, under General Terry, in that
quarter, we have had little to record concerning him.
General Bragg has been long married, and his accomplished
lady frequently visited hira in camp, occasionally in the depth
of winter. Of his family, we have no inforraation at present,
but, whatever be the fate of the Confederacy, it is certain that
his narae will be remembered as one of the principal of those
brave and unselfish spirits, whose soul animated the cause, and
whose mind and body ever fought heroically for its support.

LT CEN. R.S, EWELL.

C~B Eichardson.
Publisher

LIEUT.-GENERAL RICHARD STODDART EWELL.

Early Life. — The Mexican War. — New Mexico. — Eesigns his Commission and Joins
the South. — Night Affair at Fairfax Court-house. — Interesting Episode. — Warrenton
" Babies." — Bravery of New Troops. — John Quincy Marr. — Ewell at the Engage
ment of Blackburn's Ford and Battle of Bull Eun. — Joins Stonewall Jackson in the
Shenandoah Valley. — Battle of Winchester. — Battle of Crosskejs. — Battles around
Eichmond. — Cedar Eun. — Manassas. — Ewell Wounded. — His Sickness. — Eejoins the
Army. — In Command of Jackson's Corps. — Defeats Milroy at Winchester. — March
into Maryland. — Chambersburg. — Gettysburg. — Eeturn to Virginia. — Bristoe Station.
— Kelly's Ford. — Eetirement of Ewell on Sick Leave.^ — Again in Command. — Battle
of the Wilderness. — Accident to Ewell.— Obliged to leave the Field. — Appointed in
Command of the Defences around Eichmond.
The early life of Lientenant-general Ewell is not so rauch
known as that of those whose career we have already sketched.
So far as inforraation can yet be obtained, he was born about
the year 181Y, in Prince Williara county, Virginia, though
another account states his birth to have been in 1820, in the
District of Columbia. In 1836 he entered the Military Academy
at West Point, and graduated on the 30th of June, 1840, re
ceiving an appointment as brevet second-lieutenant of cavalry,
on the 1st of July. On the 10th of Septeraber, 1845, he was
made first-lieutenant, and with that rank went into the Mexi
can war, serving in Colonel Mason's dragoons. He won his
proraotion to captain in the field, having received it for gallant
and raeritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and
Cherubusco. In June, 184Y, Captain Ewell was in New Mexico, greatly
distinguishing hiraself against the Indians ; and during the
year 1858 he took charge of and coraraanded the troops that
garrisoned Fort Buchanan in that territory. He was, how
ever, suspended in 1 859.

344 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
When Virginia seceded, Captain EweU resigned his commis
sion in the regular array, and took sides witb the South.*
The first time, as we beUeve, tbat Ewell came very prorai
nently forward in the present war, was at Fairfax Court-house,
on the night of May 31st. It must be remembered that Vir
ginia was the last State to secede, and thus raany of the places
bordering the Northern States were but ill provided for de
fence. Among them was Fairfax Court-house, a village of
sorae few hundred inhabitants, eighteen mUes from Washing
ton. At the end of May, this place was guarded by the War
renton Eifles, a corapany of infantry belonging to the Seven
teenth Virginia, nurabering, bowever, only eighty men (the
rest being sick or absent), and coraraanded by Lieutenant or
Captain John Quincy Marr. They had arrived there on the
30tb of May, and the majority of the company were so young
that their feraale relatives had given them, in fond sport, the
narae of the " Warrenton Babies," many of thera being only
sixteen or seventeen years of age, — one, indeed, had attained
his sixteenth year only on the previous day. Two corapanies
of cavalry, however (the Eappahannock, and the King Wil
liam counties cavalry), had previously arrived, under Colonel
EweU. What followed may be best told neariy in the words
of a lady, the wife of Dr. M  , who was present on the oc
casion. She says, that about two o'clock in the morning she
was aroused by the trarap of horses and firing of rauskets in
the vUlage. Alarmed at the confusion that assailed her ears,
she awoke her husband. At tbe sarae raoraent their hostess
rushed into the room, exclaiming, "The Federalists are coming
in force ; they have driven in our pickets (the two cavalry
corapanies) who are dashing through the town calling upon us
to fly for our lives."
" Where, then, are the Warrenton Eifles ?" said Mrs. Dr. M —
" Scattering, in alarm," was the reply.
In a moraent, the lady's husband — the doctor — who was
second-lieutenant of the company, apparelled and armed him
self, and rushed out of the house to the quarters of his men,
* We find it stated in the Ne-w Tork Herald of May 18th, 1861, that a
" President Ewell, of William and Mary College, — a distingmshed graduate of
West Point, and a classmate of General Lee — had been appointed a Colonel in
the Virginia army.

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL EIOHAED STODDAET EWELL. 345
calling out, as he proceeded, for. Captain Marr. But Captain
Marr could not be found ; and meanwhile the Federal cavalry
w^s pursuing the alarraed outposts through the place. All
was confusion and dismay, and no one appeared who was pre
pared to take command of the few infantry still reraaining
there. Suddenly a figure, only partly dressed, dashed forward
and, placing himself at the head of forty -three members of the
Warrenton Eifies — no babies did they show theraselves, how
ever — who were already drawn up to receive the eneray. Hav
ing deployed behind a fence, he advanced towards the Federals.
These latter — company B, of the 3d cavalry, 1st brigade, cora-
manded by Lieutenant Tompkins^were galloping back, and
firing right and left in the darkness. In a raoraent they were
called upon to " Halt !" by the new leader of the Confederates,
who was, in fact, none other than the present Lieiitenant-
general Ewell. He had rushed from his bed, without stopping
to coraplete his attire ; but, in the blackness of the night his
white shirt proved a sure mark; and, a shot in the shoulder
was the only reply he received. This, for the time, disabled
him, and Colonel Sraith (" Extra Billy") took the comraand,
being accidentally in the place. A firing was kept up for
about half an hour, and, finally. Lieutenant Torapkins finding
hiraself outnurabered, retreated with "five prisoners and two
horses," his own loss being " three men missing, three wounded,
and six horses."
We might have continued raore of this interesting episode
of the war, but our province here forbids. We must say, how
ever, that Captain Marr had not slunk away. Eallying his
company, and placing them in position, he went forward to
reconnoitre, but never returned ! At eight o'clock next morn
ing, his body was found lying in a field by the road-side. It
appears that he must have hastily risen from his couch on the
first sound of alarm and come out, for he had not given him
self time to buckle on his sword, both sword and belt being
grasped tightly in the hand of death, — a death most truly
honorable, as being in defence of his native Virginia soil, and,
moreover, as also being " the first wbo had shed his blood" in
defence upon that soil. He was a single man, about thirty
years of age, leaving a mother and. two sisters dependent on
him for support. The whole town of Warrenton afterwards

346 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
attended his funeral, and wept over his grave— a quiet unob
trusive grave, with a simple square marble slab to mark his
remains. In the above striking incident, connected with General
EweU's life, we have adhered UteraUy, and alraost verbally, to
the account printed in an interesting work before us, and which
is verified by reference to tbe oddurrence, in a Eichraond pe
riodical,* as also— in regard to Captain Marr being shot-
borne out by the ofBcial report of the Federal cornraarrding
ofBcer. That ofiicer, could not then be aware who that other
ofiicer was contending witb his par-ty ; but probably, ere this,
he has known it was tbe present Lieutenant-general Ewell of
the Confederate army.f
With the rank of colonel, we next find him in comraand of
the carap of instruction for cavalry at Ashlarrd, where his ser
vices were invaluable. His discipline was stern and rigid., but
humane, and, out of raw mounted militia, be soon formed a
most efficient body of troops. He was afterwar-ds raade a br-ig
adier-general ; and, at the battle of Blackburn's ford, July
18, 1861, was stationed on the extreme right, at TJnion Mills.
In Beauregard's official report, he says: "Thanks are due to
Brigadier-generals Bonham and Ewell for the ability shown in
conducting and executing the retrograde moveraents on Bull
Eun, directed in my orders — movements on which hung the
fortunes of the army."
General EweU's position at the principal battle of Bull Eun,
on the 21st of July, was in the sarne place at Union Mills, and
he was to have advanced on the eneray's flank and rear at
Centreville, but the orders for such a movement miscarried.
In the afternoon, however, he was directed to bring up his
brigade into tbe battle on the left flank, and this was promptly,
executed, though, on arrival, the day had been won. He was,
therefore, sent back, with all speed, to resume his original
position, in order to prevent the possibiUty of its seizure by
any force of the eneray in that quarter.
* Southern Illustrated News.
f This volume is a biographical sketch of conspicuous Southern Generals.
Captain Marr, it is true, was not a general ; but, may we not say, had he lived,
he would assuredly have become one ? We think so ; and therefore hope to
be excused for thus almost unavoidably bringing him forward.

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL EIOHAED STODDAET EWELL. 347
Until April, 1862,* no movements of any importance
brought General Ewell prominently forward, but in that
month, he was directed to join " StonewaU" Jackson in the
Shenandoah valley ; and then comraenced the brilliant career
that has since marked his name. He left the vicinity of Gor
donsville, and on the SOth, arrived with his division on the
west of the Blue Eidge, marching directly forward to the posi
tion occupied by Jackson in Elk Eun valley. Eeceiving
orders there bow to proceed, he went on to Newmarket, and
then accompanied Jackson towards Front Eoyal.
It was on the 22d of May, that the army moved on. General
Ewell in the advance. The next day Front Eoyal was cap
tured, and Ewell proceeded on to Winchester, bearing a con
spicuous part in the defeat of the eneray at that place. He
then followed the retreating forces, under Banks, to the Po
tomac, and, on the return of Jackson's array from the pursuit,
he was ordered to hold Freraont in check at Strasburg. This
was successfuUy done, till Jackson, with the raain body of bis
forces, had left Strasburg, on the evening of the 1st of June.
Next day. General Ewell raade a stand at Fisher's Hill, and
impeded the progress of General Milroy. He then gradually
retired towards Harrisonburg, forraing the rearguard of tbe
Confederate army. Passing to Cross Keys, on the road to
Port EepubUc, he there had an engagement with General
Fremont's forces, which he defeated, and next morning, June
9th, he marched to join General Jackson at Port EepubUc,
* When the Confederates evacuated Manassas in 1863, some interesting doc
uments were found by the Federals, amongst others, the foUowing, which
explains itself: October 18, 1861.
General G. T. Beattregakd :
Sm — The bearer, Charles Dillon, of the Twelfth Mississippi, has just brought
some late papers, which may be interesting to you. He has a proposition to
make in reference to watching the enemy, whioh I thought might be of im
portance to bring to your notice. They (he and three comrades) have been
scouting' around and about Springfield, and I have always found them reliable.
He proposes now to go into Alexandria, and I advised him to see you, in order,
if you wish him to do so, that his exertions may be properly directed.
EespectfuUy, E. S. EWELL.
[Sequel — Charles Dillon was caught and kiUed as a spy. — ^March 19, 1863.1

848 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
leaving a sraall force behind to keep the enemy in check.
The battle bere, between Jackson and. Shields, was already
raging hotly, but his arrival promptly arrested an advance of
the Federals on General Winder-, thorigb he was soon after
wards driven back with some loss. His command, however,.,
speedily rallied, and materially aided in the defeat of the
enerny. The movements of Jackson's army after this are well known,
and have already been related. General EweU accompanied,.
it, with his comraand, to the battlefields around Eichmond,
and shared in the heaviest of the engageraents.
On the way to Cold harbor, June 26tb, Ewell was in front
of Jackson's forces, and drove the enemy before him, sur
mounting every obstacle which they had placed upon the
roads to bar his progress, and reaching Cold harbor about 5
p. M. In tlie battle tbat now followed, on June 27th, General
EweU was in the advanced centre of Jackson's corps, and
maintained a hard fight with the enemy, " charging, through
the swamp, up the bill, in face of a terrible fire, and fighting
with that daring which bad so often excited the adrairation of
his coraraander." He continued the struggle until after dusk,
when his araraunition being completely exhausted, he fell back.
On the morning of the 28th, General Ewell was sent forward'
to Dispatch station, on the York river railroad, General Stuart
being in advance, with his cavalry. Here Ewell tore up the;
track, and having ascertained tbat the enemy had not retreated,
as was deemed possible, in the direction of the White-house
and Pamunkey, he proceeded towards Bottom bridge, and
thence, on the next day, rejoined the main corps. That even
ing, in company with D. H. Hill, and Whiting, all under the
personal coraraand of Jackson, he crossed the Chickahominy
by the Grapevine bridge,, and followed tbe eneray on their
track, by the Williamsburg road, and Savage station. At
White-oak swamp they were encountered, and di-iven back
again. At Frazer's farm Jackson's corps was assigned to the
front, and proraptly followed the Federals to Malvern HiU,
where, in that battle. General Ewell also bore a, conspicuous
part. After the series of battles around Eichmond had freed the
capital from danger, it was found necessary to dispatch Jack-

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL STODDAET EWELL. 349
son's corps to, arrest the raoveraents of General Pope, then ad
vancing in Northern Virginia. Gener-al EweU's division was,
therefore, forwarded thither within a fortnight after the en
gagement at Malvern Hill; and he arrived at GordonsviUe on
July 19th. On the 7th of August he led the advance, when
Jackson moved forward ; and on the 9th, when near Cedar
Eun, was directed to diverge to the right, and pass along the
slope of Slaughter's Mountain — the eneray, at that time, being
posted in heavy force in the front. EweU, with his comraand,
reached the northwest terraination ofthe mountain, and, upon
an elevated spot, about two hundred feet above the valley be
low, planted a battery of guns, which opened with raarked ef
fect upon the foe. For some two hours, a rapid and continuous
flre of artillery was kept up on both sides of the main armies,
but EweU was unable to advance as far as he desired, owing
to the Confederate batteries in the valley sweeping his only
approach to the enemy's left. At length, an opportunity pre
senting, he pushed on, under a heavy fire, and vigorously as
sisted in driving the Federals back.
The march towards Manassas then followed, by the circu
itous route of the Thoroughfare gap, which we have already
mentioned in our sketch of General Jackson ; and we need
now only refer to the attack upon Bristoe station, made by
General EweU, on August 27th. Here General Hooker com
manded the Federal array ; and, after an obstinate struggle,
' EweU retreated, in accordance with previous orders, to join the
main body of the Confederate forces, at Manassas. Jackson
and Ewell then fell back to the old battlefield of Bull Eun,
where, on the 29th, before the whole array had reinforced
thera, EweU's corps was stationed behind the erabankraent of
the intended line of railroad, passing frora near Sudley Springs
to beyond Groveton. In the afternoon, it was seen that the
eneray was advancing in front, and after carefully reconnoiter
ing, General Jackson gave EweU orders to advance. ,
General EweU iramediately threw forward his own division
and Jackson's, and attacked the enemy, then coraing along the
Warrenton turnpike. A fierce engagement ensued, lasting
during the reraaining two hours of daylight. Finally, the
Federals gave way, and at nightfall were entirely repulsed.
In this engageraent General Ewell was badly wounded in

350 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
the knee, and his valuable services were, therefore, lost in the
momentous battle that took place next day. His division fell
under the command of Brigadier-general Lawton — who ably
sustained its reputation. The wound he had received was from
a minie ball ; and tbe bones were so shattered, that, in the
opinion of his surgeons, at the time, amputation was deeraed
necessary ; and he was accordingly reraoved, in a litter, to the
hospital, near Aldie, where the operation was performed. He
was, ultimately, taken to Charlottesville, to the house of Cap
tain T. L. Parish, wbere he was carefully attended.
For several months afterwards. General Ewell was unfit for
any active duty in the field. At length, on the 29tb of May,
1863, he was able to rejoin his old corps, wbo were drawn up
at Hamilton's crossing, near Fredericksburg, ready to receive
him, his arrival being greeted with enthusiastic cheers. He
had been made a lieutenant-general, and had now comraand of
one of the three large corps (Jackson's old corps incorporated
with his) into which the army under General Lee had been di
vided, — Generals Longstreet and A. P. Hill having command
of the other two.
General Ewell, owing to the loss of his leg, bad now to be
always strapped on his horse, when on the field ; and, when
walking, moved with great difficulty on crutches. It was said
of him, tbat his spirit was like tbe blast of that " wild horn on
Fontarabian echoes borne," and would, as we find it did, act
upon the veterans of Jackson's old corps, almost like a visitar
tion of the dead warrior to bis forraer comrades, from the realm
of spirits.
It was at this time General Lee's plans began to be put in
execution for invading Maryland, as we have already stated.
General EweU's corps was dispatched to Culpepper, reaching
there on the 8th of June ; and soon afterwards, in accordance
with the orders received, he marched forward to attack Gen
eral Milroy at Winchester, in the Shenandoah Valley. He
rapidly passed through tbe gorges of the Blue Eidge Moun
tains, and then, by way of Front Eoyal, came upon Milroy on
Sunday, the 14th of June, at 5 p. m. Getting his batteries
swiftly into position, be massed his infantry, and then -'charged
across the field, to the very muzzles of the Federal guns, al
though the latter were fired vigoTously. Without a pause, the

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL STODDAET EWELL. 351
Confederates crossed the ditch, leaped over the breastworks,
and planted their colors on the embankment. The Ohio regi
ment was driven from the works at the point of the bayonet.
Some escaped back to the main fort, and the remainder were
captured, or killed." Thus the fight continued until night —
General Ewell fiercely assaiUting the Federals, on the east,
south, and west of the town. At one o'clock. General Milroy
abandoned Winchester, and retreated to Harper's Ferry, leaving
behind hira an iraraense booty, in guns, ammunition, horses,
commissariat stores, etc., to Ewell and his victorious troops.
General EweU moved promptly up the valley — Martinsburg
having been taken about the same tirae by General Ehodes,
while Jenkins, in tbe advance, with his cavalry, was crossing
the Potomac, at Williamsport — and then marched on to Cham
bersburg, where he arrived on Tuesday evening, June 16th.
The whole army of General Lee was now rapidly raarching
into Maryland — General EweU's corps in the advance. After
crossing the Potoraac it passed from Williarasport to Hagers
town, and at noon on the 22d of June, entered Greencastle,
Pennsylvania. On the 23d, EweU occupied Charabersburg,
and next day he issued the following order :
" The sale of intoxicating liquors to this coraraand, without
written perraission frora a major-general, is strictly prohibited.
"Persons having liquor in their possession, are required to
report the fact to the provost marshal, or the nearest general
officer, stating the amount and kind, that a guard may be
placed over it, and the men prevented from getting it.
"Any violation of part one of these orders, or faUure to
coraply with part second, will be punished by the iraraediate
confiscation of all liquors in the possession of the ofl'ending
parties, besides rendering their other property liable to seizure.
".Citizens of the country through which the array raay pass,
who are not in the railitary service, are adraonished to abstain
frorn aU acts of hostUity, upon the penalty of being dealt with
in a summary manner. A ready acquiescence to the demands
of the military authorities will serve to lessen the rigors of
war." The same day a detachment frora EweU's corps was sent
towards Cariisle, which was occupied by tbe Confederates on
the 27th. Here, the Umits of advance bad been reached.

352 SOUTHERN GENERALS.
Meade, having relieved Hooker, on the 28th, marched the
Federal army forward to meet the forces under Lee, and on
the 1st of July the two armies met at Gettysburg.
EweU's corps had been ordered to fall back on Gettysburg,
and arrived there about an hour after tbe battle commenced.
He took up his position on the left of the Confederate army,
and immediately .attacked the enemy witb great vigor, so that,
by night, Meade's right wing had fallen back, and the town of
Gettysburg was in possession of General EweU,— having
been obtained ])y the divisions of Early, and Ehodes. The
following day, and succeeding one, the battle was renewed,
with what success has. already been told. The Confederates
retreated towards Vii'ginia again, and on the 4th of July,
Ewell, with the imraense train of booty be had captured dur
ing tbe past few days, raoved as rapidly as possible towards
Hagei-stown, and thence, crossing the Potomac, to Win
chester. The next moveraent of any importance was not until Octo
ber, after the army had rested for some time on the Eapidan
— General Ewell having the extrerae left. On the Sth of Oc
tober General Lee began operations anew, and General
' EweU's corps marched towards and beyond Culpepper, which
had been held by the Federals, but vacated on the approach
of the Confederates. On the 13th, a skirmish took place be
tween EweU's advance and a body of Meade's troops at
Bristow station, the latter falling back, but, on tbe next day,
returning and giving battle to General A. P. Hill, who had
arrived there. The result proved disastrous to the Confeder
ates, and thus terminated the advance of General Lee's army.
The Southern forces fell back to the Eappahannock, and was
disposed on both sides of the Orange and Alexandria railroad.
General EweU's corps being on the right, and General HiU's
on the left.
On the 7th of November, General Meade advanced again on ^
the position -of General Ewell, near Kelly's ford, and to the
bridge over the ri-ver. This bridge was defended by a portion
of EweU's corps, and, at night, these were attacked by the
eneray. A severe struggle ensued, , resulting in the Confed
erates being defeated with the loss of , four guns, eight battle-
flags, and a number of men.

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL STODDAET EWELL. 353
A few days afterwards General Ewell was obUged to absent
hiraself on sick leave, in consequence of renewed tr-ouble frora
his dismembered limb. He retired to Charlottesville, and we
do not again find him on active duty until the following April,
1864, when he rejoined the army, then preparing for the vig
orous campaign that ensued.
Here, however, we must again say that to enter upon details
of battles and engageraents, connected with each of the gen
erals whose public life we sketch, would be so great a repeti
tion as to become tedious and irksome to the reader. At the
sarae time we wish to do justice to the brave raen we write of;
and, ther-efore, to raeet the difficulty, we have given more full
accounts in the history of the principal comraanding officer on
the field, to which all minor particular-s are referred.
On the 4th of May, EweU's corps having been encamped on
Lee's right, moved easterl}', a few of his brigades reraaining
behind for a day, guarding some of the fords across the Eapi
dan. Johnson's division, having the advance, followed the
tnrnpike, and encamped for the night within three miles of
Wilderness Eun. Eodes, next in the order of raarch, lay in
his rear along the same route; and Early, who had moved
from EweU's left at Summerville ford, encamped for the night
a little behind Locust Grove. Next day, Johnson moved with
his division at tbe head of EweU's cor-ps, throwing out skir-
mishers'as he advanced. These were driven in by the enemy,
, and the battle began.
We have already given details of this battle, and need only say
that General Ewell was constantly engaged in directing and
superintending the moveraents of his corps. On the evening
of the first day's fight, assisted by General Smith, of the Engi
neers, he reviewed his position, and proceeded at once to cover
his fr-ont vvith a line of fieTd-works and an abattis of felled
trees. Next morning, the 6th of May, the enemy attacked
him with a heavy force, but, being r-epulsed, determined to
make a movement on bis flank. Ewell, however, " with the
true instincts of military genius" was prepared at all points,
and by a bold charge of Major Osborne upon the advancing
column of Burnside's division, defeated the attempt so- suc
cessfully that it was not again repeated. FinaUy, EweU, giv
ing directions to Early on the left of his corps, aUowed General
33

354 , SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
Gordon, at his earnest request, to make a particular movement
on the enemy's flank. The sun was now about to set, but
Gordon's raen, supported by E. D. Johnston's brigade of North
Carolinians, raoved briskly out of tbeir works, and, rushing
forward, drove everything before them. " A brilliant stroke
thus closed, on EweU's front, the second day of the battle of
the Wilderness, in a crowning triumph."
To give some idea of the fearful nature of the slaughter in
this battle vve may add that, in front of EweU's line, alone,
were 1,125 Federal dead lying to the left of the tnrnpike.
On Saturday, May 7th, and the following day, Lee retreated
towards Spottsylvania, to take up a new position, EweU's corps
in the rear. On Sunday, the engagement was renewed near
Todd's tavern, and, Ewell having come up to the support of
Andei-son, the fighting was very heavy. The result was satis
factory in checking the eneray's advance, and Spottsylvania
Court-house was successfully occupied by the Confederates
before the Federals could arrive. Ewell held the town and
heights on the north side, and kept the enemy at bay in every
attempt rnade to take possession.
On Tuesday, May 10th, the battle was again commenced, —
EweU's corps being strongly posted in the centre, — and for
three days' heavy fighting continued, resulting iri the discom
fiture of one of his divisions, under General E. Johnson and
Br-igadier-geueral G. H. Stewart, both of whom, with their
men, were captured.
The next few days various moveraents took place, and on
Thursday, the 19th, Ewell, with part of his corpfe, proceeded
to make a reconnoissance in force on the eneray's right flank.
The country through which he had to raove is very diversified
by woods and flelds, and so rauch of forest, that it was quite
possible to escape the observation of the enemy. General
Ewell moved by a circuitous route, and struck the enemy's
line of skirmishers at a point a little north and west of the road
leading from Fredericksburg to Spottsylvania, and about eight
miles from the former place. About 5 p. m. a sharp engage^
ment ensued, and lasted till nine o'clock, when the fighting
ceasedj and the Confederates retired to their original posi
tion. During the. action, General EweU's horse was shot under

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL STODDAET EWELL. 355
him, and he received a severe fall. He tried, on the next day,
to again mount tbe saddle ; but soon was obliged to relinquish
the command of his corps to General Early, and retire. He
slowly recovered, and, in July, assumed command of the De
partment of Henrico, and finally, of the immediate defences
of Eichmond.

MAJOR-GENERAL JAMES E. B. STUART.

His Appearanoe.--Birth, Parentage, and Edijoation.^Service in New Mexico.' —
Aid to Lee at the John Brown Afiair. — Eesigns his Comnilesion and Joins the South.
— Hi.-* Family Connections. — At Harper's Ferry and the Upper Potomac— Battle of
Bull Run. — Made Brigadier-general. — His Exploits. — Battles on the Peninsula. — His
Expedition round McClellan's Arniy.— -Promoted. — Interview with Federal Offlcers.
^Old Acquaintances. — Surprise of Pope's Headquarters.— His Doings in Maryland.—
Anecdote. — Fredericksburg. — His After Movements. — ChancellorsviUe. — Cavalry
Battle at Brandy Station. — Gettysburg. — Mosby's Exploits. — Campaign of 1864. —
General Sheridan's Baid. — Engagement at Yellow Tavern. — Stuart Mortally Wdunded.
— His Last Moments. — Death and Burial.
A,T the battle of Williamsbnrg, in 1862, while the enemy
were advancing on the redoubts from the Yorktown road, a
horseraan dashed through the streets, and rode up to the head
quarters of General Johnston, to report. He appeared rauch
fatigued and Overworked, and would have served admirably
for a picture of Dick Turpin, wben chased by officers on the
road to York. His horse was a splendid black, with heavy
reins and bit, cavalry saddle, and holsters : foam stood in a
lather upon him, and he was mud-splashed from head to hoof.
The rider, himself, bore no insignia of comraand : a coraraon
black felt hat, turned down in front, and up behind : a heavy,
black overcoat, tightly buttoned : elegant riding-boots cover
ing the thigh ; a handsome sabre, carelessly slung by his side,
and a heavy pair of Mexican spurs, that jingled and rattled on
the pavement as he dismounted, were all that could be noticed,
at a distance. A nearer view, however, showed a thick-set,
full-faced, ruddy-coraplexioned man, with close-cut hair, and
apparently some thirty years old. His eyes were bright, beam
ing, and, when lighted up, piercing, and full of deep expres
sion. A stranger, unaccustomed to the war, would at first
have taken hira to be a daring chief of sorae wild predatory
band ; and yet, a moment more would cause a change of opin-

CEN J. E 3, ST U A R"

C. r'^ BichardBon
PublisTier.

MAJOE-GENEEAL JAMES E. B. STUAET. 357
ion, especially on hearing him speak, and noticing the high-
toned, gentlemanly bearing he displayed.
As the horseman communicated with General Johnston, and
mentioned soraething, both smiled, and presently it was known
that he had been chased by " old Emory," of the Fifth United
States Dragoons, whose light artiUery could be heard blazing
away, south of the town. In a raoraent raore, he rode back
again 'to the fight.
This horseman, whom we have thus described to introduce
him, was Jaraes E. B. Stuart, then commanding the cavalry
rear-guard of the Confederate forces at WilUamsburg. Born
about the year 1833, in Patrick county, Vir-ginia, he very early
displayed evidences of a quick and active turn of mind. His
father, the late Archibald Stuart, forraerly meraber of Con
gress, gave hira a good acaderaic education, and got hira en
tered at West Point Academy in 1850. There, at the same
time, were to be found A. P. Hill, Henry Heth, G. H. Stewart,
N. G. Evans, J. H. Holmes, E. H. Eobertson, S. M. Barton,
and T. S. Ehett, all, of late, belonging to the Confederate
array ; and among his immediate classmates, were J. Pegram,
G. W. Custis Lee, and J. B. Villepigue, also now fighting for
the South. Of those in the academy with him, and now on
the side of the North, were Burnside, Viele, Wilcox, Cogswell,
0. Howard, and Lieutenant Greble of the artiUery, who was
killed at Great Bethel, in 1861.
Stuart graduated on tbe 30th of June, 1854, and next day
received his appointment as brevet second lieutenant of the
regiment of mounted rifies. On the 3d of March, 1855, he
was transferred, with full rank, to the First Eegular Cavalry,
then having for its colonel, the late General Sumner, of the
Union array, and for lieutenant-colonel, the present General
J. E. Johnston, of the Confederate service. In July of the
same year, he was made regimental quartermaster ; and, the
following December, received his appointment as first-lieu
tenant. His regiraent having been ordered to the wilds of New
Mexico, he soon had an opportunity for indulging the bent of
his incUnation in riding and fighting with the boldest and
fiercest among all the brave spirits that were there. Could
we find space to narrate thera, many stirring pictures raight

358 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS..
be given of his roving, dashing, adventurous life'in that re
gion, — warring with the Indians, and bounding over the
mighty plains. But we raust pass over such scenes, and con
fine ourselves to a simple outline of his spirited career. One
incident, alone, has to be related of this period. On the 29th
of July, 1857, Colonel Sumner encountered a force of three
hundred Indians of the Cheyenne tribe. They were strongly
posted on the Solomon fork of the Kansas river, and after a
sharp struggle, they were defeated and put to flight in great
disorder. In this engagement Lieutenant Stuart was wounded,
we believe, very severely.
Two years afterwards, Lieuten9,nt Stuart was acting as aid
to Colonel E. E. Lee, in the John Brown afl'air, at Harper's
Ferry, — an account of which we have already given; and
when the present war broke out, he resigr;ied his commission
on May 14th, 1861, and offered his sword to his native State.
He immediately raised a company of cavalry,- was soon after
wards elected colonel, and then acted as brigadier-general.
At this time,' he had a family, and many ties of kindred that
raight have influenced hira, in the course he took. His wife
was a daughter of Philip St. George Cooke, then colonel of the
Second Dragoons (since a general) in the U. S. A., who was
also a Virginian by birth, and a brother of the late J. E: Cooke,
of Eichmond. His mother, too, was alive in his native State;
and several other associations bound hira to her fortunes.
There may have been, also, something in connection with his
descent, which it is said was from David Stuart, of Inverness
iri Scotland, who claimed affinity with Queen Mary. This
David Stuart was a follower of the elder " Pretender" to the
British crown, and, in the rebellion of 1715, he was so impli
cated as to be obliged to fly. He emigrated to Virginia, and
became tutor in the family of Mr. Brent, of Eichland, Prince
William county. The wife of Mr. Brent Was' a sister of Sir
John Gibbons, Member of Parliament for Middlesex, and an
other sister being on a visit to Virginia at this time, ultimately
becatne the wife of Stuart. Thus, all the connections of Colo
nel J. E. B. Stuart were Virginians, and combined with the
inclination he had for a new and dashing life, no doubt led
him to side with the South, independent of whatever patriotic
feelings in tha;t quarter he may have bad.

MAJOE-GENEEAL JAMES E. B. STUAET. 359
Colonel Stuar-t was first stationed at Har-per's Ferry, in cora
raand of the cavalry attached to Jackson's army, and his well-
known bravery made hira already conspicuous. It is said of
him, at this time, by one who was competent to judge : " Stuart
is characterized by untiring Energy, clear judgment, and extra
ordinary power-s of moulding and infusing his own brave spirit
into the hearts of his men." General Johnston, who had as
suraed command of the army, also spoke of him as " the inde
fatigable Stuart ;" and truly, this appellation seems deserved.
While in the vicinity of the upper Potomac, he was on the
alert, watching the enemy, riding from place to place with his
men, and giving information to the general. From Point of
Eocks to beyond Williamsport, he was constantly to and fro
on duty ; and, on the 15th of July, reported the advance of
General Patterson. That general's raoveraents he now inces
santly watched " with lynx-eyed vigilance ;" and, on one occa
sion, surprised a whole corapany, who were so rauch startled
by his sudden command to throw down their arras, that they
instantly submitted.
When General Johnston marched to unite with Beauregard
at Manassas, Colonel Stuart, with his cavalry, covered the
raoveraent most efi^ectually. Posting a cordon of pickets frorn
Sraithfield along by Summit Point and Eippon to the Shen
andoah, he corapletely concealed tbe change of base, and thus
enabled the army to wend its way without molestation.
In the battle of Bull Eun, at the commencement, Stuart's
cavalry, some 300 men, guarded the level ground extending
along the stream from near Mitchell's ford to the Stone bridge,
ready for employment as might be required, and during the
day his impetuous spirit was permitted to have full vent. A
dashing charge was made by bim npon a regiment of Fire
Zouaves, scattering them and riding them down against all op
position ; and readers at all acquainted with the history of this
battle, may remeraber how his daring horsemen startled the
Feder-als in front of thera, as they carae, like a whirlwind,
rushing forward. . But, it was still raore so in the disastrous
panic that ensued among tlte Federal troops on the termination
of the battle. Like the Black Hunstmen of the German forests
in other times, or the wUd horsemen of the Wolga, Stuart,
with his raen, dashed after the terror-stricken eneray. Over

360 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
the Stone bridge — across the fords— up the road — in and out
of tlic woods where a passage could be found ; on, on, slaugh
tering and cutting down, till they arrived near CentrevUle, did
the Confederate cavalry pursue their way. But the rout was
soon over. The foe had gone; hundreds of prisoner-s had been
taken ; raany raore human beings had been killed, and the
victory was completely won.
In the official report of Beauregard, he thus mentions
Stuart :
" Colonel J. E. B. Stuart likewise deserves mention for his
enterprise and ability as a cavalry coraraander. Through his
judicious reconnoissance of the country, on our left flank, he
acquired information, both of topogr-aphrcal features, and the
positions of the enemy, of the utmost importance in the subse
quent and closing raoveraents of the day on that flank, and
his services in the pursuit were highly efl'ective."
Fairfax Court-house was occupied by Colonel Stuart the
next day, and shortly afterwards he received a letter frora
Colonel McCunn, of the Federal army, on the subject of Colonel
Cameron's body, left on the battlefield. This letter spoke in
appealing terms on behalf of Cameron's wife and family, and
alluded to Stuart's " kindness of heart, and high soldierly
qualities ;" but, of coiM-se, he could do no other than refer it to
his commanding general, though he sent back a courteous
reply. A few weeks later, September llth. Colonel Stuart success
fully attacked and routed a party of Federals at LewinsviUe,
some six or seven railes frora Washington. The afl'air was of
no great importance, but it was the raeans of his being promo
ted to a brigadier-generalship, and this gave him. more oppor
tunity for the perforraance of several dar-ing exploits. They
are, however, so varied and numerous throughout his truly
brilliant career, that we can only refer to minor ones, and give
a little more space to those of most importance.
In the month of December, there was a fight between
General Stuart's forces and the Federal troops at Dranesville,
Va., in which the Confederates were defeated. Then followed.
a period of mere skirmishing, occasionally, between the de
tached parties of both armies ; and, finally, in March, the Con
federate forces moved southward to meet McClellan on the

MAJOK-GENEEAL JAMES E. B. STUAET. 361
Peninsula. The evacuation of Yorktown took place in the
beginning of May, 1862, and the battle of Williamsburg occur
red on the 4th. Here, as we have seen. General Stuart com
manded the cavalry rear guard, and proved of great service in
the after movenrents of the arrny on its way to Eichmond.
But the affair which, more than anything else, fir-st made his
narae so faraous, was the bold reconnoissance conducted by
him, through and around McClellan's army, in the middle part
of June. This exploit borders so much upon the romantic, in
its dash and gallant character, that it is almost impossible to
corapress it into a few lines of sober truth. It was one of
those achieveraents that make raen's blood warm- up, even at
the raere recital of it, more especially so to those who. were
participators in the stirring- scene. With a force of 1,200
cavalry, and a section of the Stuart horse-artillery — having
Colonel Fitz Lee, Oolonel W. H. Fitzhugh Lee, Colonel W. T.
Martin, and Lieutenant J. Breathed accompanying him in
command — ^lie first quietly rendezvoused beyond the- Chicka
hominy, near Kilby's station on the Northern railroad, and
then, without any one else knowing where they were
bouEftl, moved along the left of that road, scouts on the right,
vedettes in advance, guards in the rear, and every precaution
against surprise, or allowing the eneniy to conceive their in
tention. Twenty-two miles of ground from Eichmond did the
bold raiders cover that day, and then silently bivouacked in tbe
woods, near the South Anna bridge. A few hours' rest, and
again, at sunrise, without flag or bugle-sound, they remount,
and, turning sharply to the southeast, dash along the roads
towards Old Church. This was held by the enemy ; but
Colonel Fitz Lee quickly made a detour, got behind their
force, and induced them, under a false idea of numbers, to
move rapidly away. Cleared from this, on went tho' horse
men to Howe's store, hastily captured some Federals stationed
there, pushed forward to the Tolopotaray, crossed it without
delay, and then, with Lieutenant Eobins in the advance,
skirted fields, leaped fences and ditches, rushed through woods,
and suddenly carae upon a party of tbe eneray's dragoons, re
inforced, near Old Church. Instantly sabres were drawn;
two squadrons went ahead at a gallop ; a hand-to-hand con
flict ensued ; the Federals were quickly routed, though at a

362 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
cost to the Confederates of the brave Captain Latune,— ahd
away went Stuart and his raen as briskly as ever. Then went
forward Colonel Fitz Lee, burning to have a brush with the
enerny, now again collected near the horae of his faraily. The
country people cheered him on ; they gave hira inforraation :
" Hurry on, boys ; hurry on ; they're only a mile ahead," said
one. " Four of thera are prisoners here in the house," said
another — a young girl with a gun in her hand. " Go in, boys;
go into thera," said a third ; and thus it was the whole way.
At the White House, Lee's squadron charged the foe; he
dashed into their camp, took possession of horses, arras, stores
of every kind whicb they burnt, captured prisoners, looked
around for raore, then baited for the rest of the band to join
them. Now carae the limits of their raid. Turn they must,
and turn they did, but, not back by the way they carae. No;
they would try to pier-ce the eneray's lines, swim the Chicka
hominy, if need be, and so make the complete circuit back to
their om'u camp. Briefiy, Stuart mentioned this to his officers.
Cheerfully tbey agreed ; and then, once more, at a gallop
along the road, now towards Tunstall station, did the daring
horsemen go. Did they heed the danger ? Did a man hesi
tate or complain? No; in good truth, not so. The gallant
Stuart led them on ; it was enough ! Sublime in «nshaken
trust and confidence, the brave rank and file, not once nor for
a moment faltered, though a huge army of well-trained sol
diers and skilful officers, under McClellan himself. Was before
them ! Seemingly straight into the very jaws of the eneray,
this heroic band dashed forward. But now the foe has be
come alarmed ; still greater caution is needed ; Colonel Martin
is placed to guard the rear, but, instead of being attacked, a
small outpost party voluntarily surrendered to bim. On and
on, however, Stuart and his foUowers ur-gC their way. Tun
stall's station is reached ; telegraph wires cut ; tbe depot
secured ; five companies of cavalry escorting wagon trains,
fiy, and leave the stores ; an infantry guard is captured ; de
struction of the railroad is begun, wben, lo ! a heavy train of
cars with tr-oops aboard, coraes thundering down frora the
Federal arrny! It is attadked, but the obstructions on the
track are insufficient. Some loss, the troops in that train re
ceive, and' away it rushed to the Pamunkey depot. Night

MAJOE-GENEEAL JAMES E. B. STUAET. 363
now coraes on ; the burning stores illurae the country around;
the work is done ; and once raore Stuart and his brave cora
mand gallop forward. Moonlight helps them ; but after a
time they halt to close up their coluran. Then again at mid
night the march is resumed. Day dawns : the Chickahominy
is reached ; the stream is found unfordable; axes are used,
trees felled ; a foot-bridge improvised under Lieutenant Eed-
mond Burke's skilful hands; a friendly voice from some
stranger gives good information ; an old bridge is mended, and
cavalry, artillery, horses and raen cross rapidly, and then,
another dash along the Charles City road, and a raile or two
more brings them near their main, encaihpment. Faint,
famished, worn out, utterly exhausted, the enemy now in full
pursuit, this gallant band arrives within the Confederate Unes,
and draw rein, almost for tbe first time, except as mentioned,
for more than sixty hours.
We may now only add that for this daring achievment
Stuart was promoted to be a major-general of cavalry, and
none of his officers or men failed to receive reward. The
damage to the enemy was great, and perhaps more through
the circumstance itself, than on account of stores and prop
erty destroyed.
A few days afterwards, General Stuart rode from carap into
town, and was paying his respects to the authorities in a quiet
way, at the executive raansion, when, as it became known to
the large crowd of strollers in the Capitol square, that he was
near by, the building was iramediately surrounded by an en
thusiastic multitude vociferating for Stuart. The gallant
general in a few minutes made his appearance upon the por
tico and acknowledged the corapliraent paid bim in a few
rtemarks full of spirit and good cheer. Araong other things
he said he had been to the Chickahominy to visit sorae of his
old friends of tbe United States ar-my, but they, very unciyiUy,
turned their backs upon him. Seeing a raanifest desire on tbe
part of the people to make for him an ovation, the general
then mounted his charger and galloped off araid the shouts of
the crowd, which, by this tirae, had increased to more than a
thousand persons.
The preceding iUustration of one of Stuart's exploits wiU
serve in a measure for the whole. After the same fashion did

864 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
I
he and his men traverse the whole region of the principal
battlefields of Virginia, except the Shenandoah Valley, and,
could we find space, many a stirring incident might be re
lated. At the time " Stonewall " Jackson was marching towards
Pope's array. General Stuart arrived on a tour of inspection.
He took command of the cavalry, and proceeded to recon
noitre, rendering most important service. After the battle of
Cedar Eun, during the short truce which followed for burying
the dead, many officers of both armies met and conversed upou
the field. Stuart was among them, and it was then that the
following interesting incident occurred, as related by an eye
witness :
" On a fallen gum-tree — the slain stretched around them —
sat the officers of the parley ; upon one side the Confederate
cavalry leader, Stuart, and General Early ; upon the other,
Generals Hartsuff and Eoberts. Stuart was lithe, gray-eyed,
and tall ; of an intense countenance, nervous, impulsive man
ner ; and clad in gray, with a soft black hat. He wore,
curiously enough. United States buttons, and his sword, which
he exhibited, was made in Philadelphia. Early was a quiet,
severe North Carolinian, who wore a home-spun civil suit,
with a brigadier's star on his shoulder-bar. General. Hartsuff
was burly and good-humored ; Eoberts silent and sage, with
white beard and distrustful eye. The former had been a plass-
mate of the cavalry man, and he said, ' Stuart, old boy, how
d'ye do?' 'God bless my soul, Hartsuff,' replied the other,
' it warms my heart to see you ! ' and they took a turn together,
arm in arra."
Shortly afterwards, Stuart, at the head of his cavalry, made
another of those bold dashes, which so characterized him.
General Pope then had his headquarters at Catlett's station,
and, on a sudden, one night in the midst of a storm, Stuart got
in the enemy's rear, and rushed upon Pope's quarters. That
general escaped just in tirae, but with the loss of his coat
and hat, besides many important documents, plans, maps, esti
mates, and returns of forces. In addition, there was much
clothing found, including new full-dress suits for General Pope
and his staff, also a quantity of private baggage, wines, liquors,
etc. Some of the Union rifles had been stationed near the

MAJOE-GENEEAL JAMES E. B. STUAET. 365
headquarters, but they were quickly dispersed, and when
Stuart's daring horsemen found that General Pope had es
caped, they wer-e so vexed that, instantly dividing, into sraall
parties, they gaUoped down every road with the hope of over
taking him, but in vain. '
In the succeeding movements of the Confederate army, Gen
eral Stuart was constantly engaged with a perfect net-work of
scouting parties, and a cordon of pickets between Pope and
Jackson. At Bristoe station he attacked a train of the eneray,
and afterwards dashed upon Manassas, capturing a battery of
New York artillery, and destroying an immense quantity of
stores deposited there. He then galloped on to raeet, and, if
need be, assist Longstreet at Thoroughfare gap, capturing a par
ty of Federals on the way, and engaging the Federal cavalr-y.
Hearing the sound of a battle at or near Stone bridge, on Au
gust 29th, he hastily returned, and gallantly shared in the en
gageraent going on ; as also in the great fight of the next day.
But hardly had the smoke of that second Bull Eun victor-y to
the South died away, than Stuart was off with his cavalry into
Maryland — swiraraing fords — dashing through woods and
fields — fighting where they could find an eiiemy — peaceably
moving where there was a friend or non-combatant. The in
vasion of that State, and the events that occurred have already
been told ; but the following incident may be related.
On the retreat, a few of Stuai-t's cavalry were, on the morn
ing of September 12th, at Frederick ready to depart. Some
recruits had joined the bold legion under Stuart's comraand,
and these were bidding tender adieus to sorae loved fr-iends,
when up rode a few squadrons of Federal cavalry, coraraanded
by a Dutch major, with immense moustach^. Halting before
the city hall, he exclaimed, " Vere ish de Got tam repels ?
Vere ish de Got fur-tam Stuart — vere ish he mit his cavalrie?
Let rae shee hira, unt I show hira sorae tings ! " A lady pres
ent, told hira that a few of Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry had just
left. "Goot! young voomans," said Meinheer, and iramedi
ately started in pursuit, saying, " Ve show de repels some
tings." The major and his coraraand had fairly got into the
main street, when a company of Confederate cavalry met
thera, and both parties rushed together in strife. The upshot
was, that the major's coramand was routed, and he himself,

366 SOUTHEEN GrOTEEALS.
shortly afterwards, pulled out of a cottage with a table-cloth
bound round a slight wound in his head, and sent to the Con
federate rear as a prisoner.
The reti-eat of the Confeder-ate army into Virginia kept
Stirart's force ever actively employed, and when other troops
rested he found work elsewhere. After a sharp affair at Shep-
erdstown with the Federal cavalr-y, he again started, on Oc
tober 10th, upon another daring raid. While the North were
couirratulatiiifir themselves that- all the "rebels" had been
driven away, General Stuart, with a force of some 1,300 troop
ers, under Hampton, W. H. F. Lee, and Jones, suddenly ap
peared before Chambersburg, in Pennsylvania, " took posses
sion of the town, captured and destroyed rauch public property,
nuounted theraselves anew on good horses, passed around the
entire Feder-al army, and safely retur-ned to their own camp, in
Virginia, to recount their triumphs, without loss, or more than
a few wounds received in skirmishes."*
Two or three skirmishes and minor engagements followed,
between Stuart's cavalry and the eneray's under Pleasanton
and others, but we must pass them over with this mere allu
sion to them. Nothing that could be said in a brief space
would do full justice to these rapid and remarkable exploits of
Stuart, Hampton, the two Lees, and the brave officers and men
under their command.
At the battle of Fredericksburg, in tbe following December,
Stuart was on the right of Jackson's corps, and directed the
batteries, fighting them with unyielding obstinacy, himself
being ever-ywhere in the thickest of tbe fight — " the target of
artillery and sharpshooters alike." His horse-artillery — includ
ing Captain Henr-y's, and the lamented heroic Pelham's — made
sad havoc with Franklin's left flank ; and " well did Stuart re
deem his grim dispatch — that he was ' going to crowd them
with artiUery.' The ceremony was too rough for them to
stand, and when the voice of the general, in the dai-kness,
ordered the last advance, the combat had terminated iu the
silence of the foe."
The battle of Fredericksbur-g was wholly concluded on De
cember 15th, 1862, and immediately afterwards, away went

* Northern accounts, and see Stuart's offlcial report.

MAJOE-GENERAL JAMES E. B. STUAET. 367
Stuart and his men again, dashing about the countr-y wher-ever
an enemy was found. The scare occasioned in the North at
this time, by his bold raids, is well remember-ed ; but the fol
lowing summary of what was done will he enough description.
Starting suddenly to the northward, around the Federal army,
he alarmed the whole district between Manassas and Washing
ton by his rapid and successive attacks, and the captures he
made. A large force, in parties, was sent in vain to catch
hirn ; but he was too sharp and keen for his pursuers. His ob
ject was to gain information of the position and raoveraents of
the eneray, and the results were consider-ed very irnportant.
The only thing to be regi-etted was the loss of Captain John
W. Bullock, of the Fifth cavalry, one of the best and bravest
officers in the service. He was wounded at Durafries, while in
command of the shar-pshooters arrd gaUantly charging a regi
ment of Federal infantr-y. While his friends wer-e bear-ing him
from the field he was again hit in two places and mortally
wounded. After scatter-ing the enemy at Dumfries, General Stuart
went oil to tire Occoquan ; but word having been sent out of
his approach, he found all the for-ds guarded. He deterrained,
however, to cross at Selectmen's ford, in the face of tbe enerny.
The advance was led by Colonel T. L. Eossei-, of the Fifth
cavalry, who dashed into the stream, followed by Colonel
Drake, of the First, and some fifteen or twenty men. The
enemy had disraounted, and were drawn up in line bf battle.
Colonel Eosser, placing hiraself at tbe head of the few raen
near hitn, led the charge up in the face of a heavy fire, by file,
over a narrow and rocky ford. The Federals broke and were
pursued, several being captured. General Stuart said he re
garded this as the most gallant thing done hy the cavalry since
the war commenced. Colonel Eosser afterwards charged into
their camp and captijred nine sutler wagons, loaded with the
best of liquor, clothing, boots, and luxuries of various kinds,
and burned their tents and army stores.
General Stuart then went towards Aldie, accomplishing many
of his characteristic feats. At Aldie, Colonel Eosser was sent
on a scout into the valley of Virginia to ascertain the state of
things there. Taking with hirn only fifteen men, he succeeded
in going around the most of Milroy's array, and passed nearly

368 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
ninety miles in front of General Jones. Although the country
was full of bands trying to capture him, Colonel Eosser eluded
them all, and after remaining inside of the enemy's lines as
long as he pleased, started to return. At the Shenandoah he
encounter-ed the pickets of the enemy posted to catch him, but
by a peculiar stratagem be captui-ed them all, passed by tbeir
army at night, and returned safely to camp, bringing along
with him all the Federal sentinels on the route.
This hurried sketch of what was done, would be incomplete
if we did not raention that at one place he captured a tele
graph station, and set the wires to work to deceive the enemy.
The foUowing letter from him refers to it.
Headqtjabterb, Jan. 6, 1863.
Dr. W. S. Mohris, President Southern Telegraph Company, Richmond.
Sie — I bave the honor to send, through the courtesy of
Major John Pelham, my chief of artillery, an instrument cap
tured at Bui-ke's station, Ohio and Alexandria railroad, during
my late expedition; I beg that you will accept it as a token
of regard appropriate to your position. We surpr-ised the op
erator, and my operator, Shepperd, took his place. I sat in
the office some tirae while Shepperd read the wild alarms
flashing over the wires about our operations, and ascertained
the steps taken and the means at hand of resisting me, and
then shaped my course accordingly.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
J. B. B. STUART,
Major-general of Cavalry.
Later in the month of Januai-y, a detachment of Stuart's
cavalry drove in the Federal pickets at Chantilly, but Colonel
Wyndham afterwards routed them, and took prisoner, among
others, the Eev. Mr. Landstreet, chaplain to General Stuart's
force. But we must now again pass on. In the history of
the war, yet to be written by some impartial pen, many pages
will have to be filled with exploits of tbe cavalry on both sides,
and it needs a volume by itself to give, in any sort of detail,
those performed by Stuart and his companions. Speaking of
the Southern Generals, an able writer says, "Each has his
warm admirers, gained by such opporturrities of intercourse as

MAJOE-GICNEKAL JAMES E. B. STUAET. 369
have brought individuals within the said general's orbit. Each
has attached to him the prestige of entire absence of failure.
Il n'y a rien qui reussit autaut que le succes.
"But while in the Shenandoah valley the achievements of
General Jackson aroused towards' him a generous feeling of
gratitude for danger averted and prosperity preserved, it is
doubtful whether east of the Blue Eidge the twenty-nine years
of General Stuart, added to that indefatigable energy which
teaches hira, after he has ridden fifty railes during the day, to
regard it as his highest happiness to ride a dozen raore miles
at night ' to tread but one measure' in a Virginian country
house, do not incline the scale, especially if the balance' be ad
justed by fair hands, in favor of the younger general. There
have been raany English officers, particularly in the East
Indian service, whose endurance in the saddle has been re
garded as unequalled ; but I doubt whether any Englishman
ever exhibited such superiority to bodily fatigue as is almost
nightly evinced by the gay cavalier who knows every hospita
ble roof within a dozen miles of his headquarters (and what
roof is not hospitable?) and, accompanied by his banjo player,
visits them. by turns, night after night, returning usually to his
hard-earned rest long after the midnight hour has fiown.
With the earliest dawn of morning, the first voice, calling
gaily for breakfast, is that of the midnight merrymaker, who
rises the picture of health, good humor, and strength. It may
be noticed en passant that to the circumstance that he has
never touched tobacco in any form, oi- any wine, or other
liquor, General Stuart attr-ibutes much of his health and«vigor.
Cer-tainly so jovial and merry a company as is assembled at
Gener-al Stuart's headquarters it has never been my fortune to
see here."
Another account speaks of Stuart as being of a " free, socia
ble, agreeable, and lively turn of mind," and as "a gentleman
of high-toned accomplishments, and rare genius ;" " of more
than ordinary size, very handsome, fair complexion, with
bright beaming eyes, quick perception and deep expression."
He had with him, on his staff, "several odd and fantastic
characters. His cook was a Frenchman frora one of the Cafe
houses in Paris, a ventriloquist and coraical genius ; the prin
cipal business man in his office was a Prussian, a man of dis-
24

870 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
tinction, eduqation and wit ; and in the musical department he
had Sweeny, Jr., son of old Joe."
In the month of AprU, 1863, General Stuart was in com
mand of the for-ces, respectively under Fitz Lee, and W. H. F.
Lee, that successfully resisted, the enemy's attempt to establish.
hiraself on the south side' of the Eappahannock. On the 29th
he reported to General Lee the movements of Hooker's army,
and this enabled the Confederates to prepare for the coming
battle. Stuart did all he could to impede the enemy, and was
ably seconded by the Lees. He crossed the Eapidan, hung
upon Hooker's flanks, attacked his right at the Wilderness
tavern, then marched by Todd's tavern to Spottsylvania Court-
' house, to put himself in coraraunication with the main array.
In tbe movement of Jackson to the Wilderness, he was effect
ually covered by Fitz Lee's cavalry, commanded by General
Stuart in person.
At dark, finding nothing else for him, as a cavalry leader,
to do, he proposed to Jackson that the road to Ely's ford, in
rear of the enemy, should be seized. Jackson approving, he
went forward to this task, and had gained the heights when a
messenger came with news of both Jackson and A. P. HUl
being wounded, and urging him -to corae back and take com
raand. He did so, and next morning vigorously pushed for
ward the cor-ps now under his orders. The result is known ;
and we need only add to what we bave before said, that he
was very highly complimented in General Lee's official report,
for " the energy, promptness, distinguished capacity, and vigor,
added to his own petsonal example of coolness, and daring
displayed." In the grand moveraent of the Confederate array towards
Pennsylvania, that foUowed upon the battle of ChanceUors
ville, General Stuart concentrated his forces at Culpepper, on
the 8th of June, and next day was attacked by the enemy's
cavalry and some infantry, at Brandy station. General Fitz
Hugh Lee commanded the Confederates, and Generals Buford
and Gregg the- Federals. The battle commenced at 5 a. m.,
and lasted till 3 p. m., both parties fighting almost entirely
with sabres. The result was clairaed as a victory on both
sides, but the eneray had to recross the Eappahannock, and

MAJOE-GENEEAL JAMES E. B. STUAET. 371
leave several prisoners, with some artillery, and colors in the
hands of Stuart's command.
Of the march to Pennsylvania, and the succeeding carapaign,
with the battle of Gettysburg, we have already given an ac
count. General Stuart had his full share of that peril and ad
venture for which his teraperaraent was so well adapted. As
an eye witness well observes, "He roaraed over the country
almost at his own discretion, and always giving a good account
of himself, turning up at the right mpment, and never getting
himself into any serious trouble."
The subsequent operations of General Stuart were now
mostly those connected with the main army, as related in our
sketch of General Lee. The flank movement of the Confeder
ates, in October, gave Stuart ample work to perform ; and, in
December another raid was successfully undertaken upon the
Orange and Alexandria railroad.
In the month of January, 1864, General "Stuart was again at
work on the Potomac, about Leesburg, and the Point of
Eocks ; and, with occasional visits to Eichmond ' and his
family, thus fully occupied his time.
On the 28th of February, he was encamped at Orange
Court-house, and sent to Eichmond a highly complimentary
report of Colonel Mosby's daring exploit near DrainesviUe ;
and, in the early part of March occurred the affair already
raentioned, between the Federals under General Custer, and
the Confederate cavalry near Eio Mills.
The spring campaign then followed ; the battle of the Wil
derness had been fought, and, at last, the day came when the
bold cavalry chief — the dashing raider — the kind and genial
companion, as well as the skilful soldier — General Stuart —
would be no more.
General Sheridan, of the Federal cavalry, had made a bold
dash around Lee's flank, towards Eichraond, and a portion of
his comraand, under Generals Custer and Merrill, arrived at
Ashland station, on the lOtb of May, just before Stuart with
his force reached there after them. The next day they were
followed to a place called Yellow-tavern, where an engage
ment took place. Here, in a desperate charge, at the head of
a column, the gallant Stuart fell, terribly wounded. Hei was
immediately taken to Eichmond, and every effort made to

372 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
save his life, but in vain. On the llth he died, and the fol
lowing account of his. last moraents, as related by those around
him, raay be interesting :
" About noon. President Davis visited his bedside and spent
some time with the dying chief. In reply to tbe question put
by the President, "General, how do you feel?" he replied,
" Easy, but wUling to die, if God and my country think I
have fulfiUed my destiny, and done my duty.
" During the day, occasional delirium attacked him, and, in
his moments of mental wandering, his faculties were busy
with the past. Hi's campaigns on the Peninsula, his raid into
Pennsylvania, his doings on tbe Eapidan, and his several en
gagements, were subjects that quickly chased themselves
through his brain. Fresh orders were given as if still on the
battlefield and injunctions to his couriers , to " make haste."
Then he would wander to his wife aud children, one of whom,
his eldest boy, had died a year previous, while fighting on the
Eappahannock, and in relation to whom he had said, when re
ceiving a telegram that the boy was dying, " I must leave my
child in the bands of God ; my country needs me here ; I can
not come." Then his mind would again carry him on to the
battlefield ; and so it continued throughout the day. Occa
sionally his intellect was clear, and be was then calm and
resigned, though at times suffering the most acute agony. He -
would even, with bis own hand, apply the ice that was in
tended to relieve the pain of his wound.
" As evening wore on, mortification set in rapidly. In an
swer to his inquiry, he was told tbat death was fast approach
ing. He then said, ' I ara resigned, if it be God's will, but I
would like to see my wife. But, God's will be done.' Sev
eral times he roused up, and asked if she had come. Unfortu
nately, she -was in the country at the time, and did not arrive
until too late.
" As the last moments approached, the dying raan, with a
mind perfectly clear and possessed, then raade a disposition of
his effects. To Mrs. General E. E. Lee, he directed that the
golden spurs be given as a dying memento of his love and
esteem for her husband. To his staff officers he gave his
horses; and other mementoes he disposed of in a sirailar
manner. To his young son, he left his sword. He then

MAJOE-GENEEAL JAMES E. B. STUAET. 373
turned to the Eeverend Dr. Peterkin, of the Episcopal church,
of which he was a strict member, and asked him to sing the
hymn commencing : Rock of ages cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.*
"In this he joined with all the strength of voice his failing
power-s permitted. He then prayed with the minister and
friends around him ; and, with the words, ' I am going ftist
now. I am resigned ; God's will be done,' yielded his fleeting
spirit to Him who gave it."
"The funeral of this much laraented and brave general took
place on the 13th, at five o'clock, from St. James's church,
corner of Marshall and Fifth streets.
" At the appointed hour the cortege appeared in front of the
chureh, and the metallic coffin, containing the remains of the
noble soldier, whose now silent voice had so often startled the
eneiny with his stirring battlecry, was carried down the cen-
. tre aisle and placed before the altar. Wreaths, and a cross of
evergreen, interwoven with delicate lilies of the valley, laurel
and other flowers of purest white, decked the coffin.
"The pallbearers were General Bragg, Major-general Mc
Cown, General Chilton, Brigadier-general Lawton, Commo
dore Forrest, Captain Lee, of tbe Navy, and General George
W. Eandolph, formerly Secretary of War.
" The scene was sad and impressive. Pr-esident Davis sat
near the front, with a look of grief upon his careworn face;
his cabinet officers were gathered around, while on either side
were the senators and representatives of the Confederate Con
gress. * Scattered through the church were a number of gen
erals and other officers of less rank, araong the forraer, General
Eansom, coramanding the department of Eichmond. Hun
dreds of sad faces witnessed the scene ; but the brave Fitz Lee
and other war-wearied and war-worn men, whom the dead
Stuart had so often led where the red battle was fiercest, and
who would have given their lives for his, were away in the
fight, doubtless striking with a double courage as they thought
of their fallen general.
" The short service was read by Eev. Dr. Peterkin, a funeral
anthem sung, and the remains -were carried out and placed in

S7± SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
the hearse, which proceeded to Hollywood Cemetery, followed
by a long train of carriages.
"No military escort accompanied the procession, but the
hero was laid in his last resting-place on the hillside, while
the earth tremble^ with the roar of artillery and the noise of
the deadly strife of armies — the one bent upon desecrating
and devastating his native land, and the other, proudly and
defiantly standing in the path and invoking the blessing of
Heaven upon their cause, to fight in better cheer for the mem-
' ory of such as Stonewall Jackson and J. E. B. Stuart."

CE N, A, P HI LL

C.B. Hictsr ds ou,Pu"bli ster

GENERAL AMBROSE POWELL HILL.

Hia Birth and Education. — Joins the Confederate Service. — Expedition to Eomney.
— Proraoted. — Gallant Services around Eichmond. — Meohaniesville. — Cold Harbor. —
McCall. — Accompanies Jackson to Manassas. — Capture of Harper's Ferry. — Antie
tam. — Fredericksburg. — ChancellorsviUe. — Gettysburg. — Campaign of 1864. — Con
clusion. A New York paper, in speaking of the Confederate leaders,
says : " In all the battles of the war east of the raountains from
Bull Eun to Antietara creek, five names have been conspicu
ous — Jackson, EweU, Longstreet, A. P. Hill, and D. H. HiU.
All these men commanded brigades or divisions at the first
Bull Eun eontest. In all the fights in front of Washington,
last summer and fall, in all the terrible conflicts in the Penin
sula, and before Eichmond, in the recent bloody contests -with
Pope along the Eapidan, and ar-ound Manassas, and in the
sanguinary engagements at South Mountain, and upon the
heights that overhang Sharpsburg, these five men have been
the leaders of the Confederates — with the single exception, that
Ewell, having been wounded in the battle near Centreville,
was unable to take part in those of Western Maryland. Many
of our readers have no doubt often inquired who are these
men, and whence came they ? Beyond all doubt, they are
good generals, and have fought in a manner worthy of a better
cause." Of the generals here named, we have already given a short
sketch of three, and now propose to furnish an account of the
fourth.

37^ ' SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
Ambrose PoweU HiU is a native of Virginia, and was bora;
about the year 1824, in the county of Culpepper, wbere his ¦
father. Major HUl, was, for many years, a leading politician,
and merchant. In the year 1843 he entered West Point as a
cadet, and graduated on the 3d of June, 1847, in the same
class with General Burnside. On the 1st of July he was
brevetted second-lieutenant of the First ArtiUery ; and on the
22d of August was raade fjiU second-lieutenant. On the 4th
of September, 1851, he was promoted first-lieutenant of the
Fir-st Artillei-y, and afterwards to a captaincy. In November,
1855, he was appointed an assistant on the United States Coast
Survey. On the Ist of March, 1861, he resigned his position in
the regular array, and when his native State seceded, received
an appointment from the Governor, as Colonel of the Thirteenth
regiment of Virginia Volunteers.
At tbe commencement of the war. Colonel A. P. Hill was
stationed at Harper's Ferry, with the Confederate army as
sembled there. On the morning of the 13th of June, General
Johnston having received information from Winchester, that
Eomney was occupied by two thousand Federal troops, sup
posed to be the van-guard of McClellan's army, dispatched
Colonel Hill thither, with 'his own and Colonel Gibbon's
(Tenth) Virginia regiments. He was directed to take the best
position, and adopt the best measures in his power to check
the advance of the enemy. But, immediately afterwards, it
was ascertained, that McClellan was moving southward from
Grafton, and therefore, Colonel Hill was withdrawn from Eom
ney, leaving Colonel McDonald's regiment of cavalry to de
fend that region of country.
At the battle of Manassas, Colonel Hill arrived with his
regiment, among those of General Johnston's command, who
had been detained so long as only to come in time to share the
last portion of the fight. But we find no mention of his name
until, as a Brigadier-general, he fought at Williamsburg with
such spirit and deterraination as to be especially noticed on the
field. He was then made a Major-general ; and, on the 25th
of June, 1862, formed one of the council-of war, held in Eich
mond, at which were present Generals Lee, Jackson, Long-
street, D. H. Hill, Magruder-, and others of high note in the
Confederate army. At this time his division was on the

GENEEAL AMBEOSE POWELL HILL. 377
Meadow-bridge road, to the left of Longsti-eet, who was on the
MechanicsviUe road, close to the river Chickahominy. Hill,
by this position, now united with, and became the right of
Jackson's army that had just arrived.
Next day the fight began. Hugging the north bank of the
river, Ambrose Hill raaintained an unbroken line, and boldly
held his position against the eneray, ultimately driving them
from the bridge, which they had occupied, and thus cleared a
way for Longstreet and D. H..Hill, to advance. He then re
formed his troops, and coramenced an attack upon Mechanics-
ville itself, which brought on a terrific fight.
This place had been strongly fortified by General Fitz John
Porter, of the Federal army ; and it is probable that, had not
Ambrose HiU known that Jackson and Longstreet were near,
he would have felt himself too weak to attempt its capture.
Artiller-y on both sides now opened with a terrible roar, and,
as evening fell, the fiash of guns, and long Unes of inusketry
could be seen, in bright relief, against the blue and cloudless
?ky. A half hour of this deafening cannonade passed, with
Bhells screaming through the air, and bursting upon the troops
on either side, when the direct assault was ordered to be made.
Then the eneray's artillery opened again, with great rapidity,
upon the advancing men, "until it seemed as if ever-y tree in
the forest was cracking and shivering to pieces." The men un
der Hill's coramand, however, rushed on through this fearful
fire, and swarmed into the breastworks. " In a little while
the Federal guns were silent : a loud noise of many voices
was heard; and then a long, wild, piercing yell, as of ten
thousand deraons, and the'place was won !"
During the battle General Hill was ever in the front, regard
less of danger; and although his coat was torn in several
places, miraculously escaped.
The next day's work. General Ambrose Hill was in the centre
0/ the army, bearing towards Cold Harbor, and proceeding
with Longstreet, along the edge of the Chickahominy. When
near Hogan's plantation, he halted a while to await the arrival
of Jackson at Cold Harbor, and directly this was ascertained,
he marched forward, in accordance with instructions from Gen
eral Lee. His position was tbe centre of the whole army,
but on the left of that portion of it which now advanced to

378 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
unite with Jackson. On arriving iu front of the eneray he
vigorously pushed their centre ; but his division, thoroughly ex
hausted by hard raarching and previous fighting, was unequal
to the task, and was withdrawn in favor of Whiting's division
of Texans, Alabaraians, and Mississippians. Hill raarched to
the rear, and rested awhile. Here, when the eneray had been
driven back to the right, he suddenly rose up before them, and
attacked so severely, that, coupled witb the assault of Jackson,
and the rest, they had to retreat most hastily.
For several days following, the pursuit of the Federals was
continued, Ambrose Hill's division being one of the foremost
in advance, on their left flank. The wretched, swampy
country through which both arraies had to move, we havfe'
already described, and it was with difficulty the troops could
proceed. Nevertheless, " onward" was the word, and amidst
a scene of carnage and destruction, Hill, with his heroic fol
lowers, "rushed forward to contend with the fresh and un
touched divisions of the eneray. Now driven back, new troops
poured in to take their place, and General Hill continually
found hiraself opposed to several reliefs ere other regiments of
the Confederate army could come up." The fighting was most
deterrained and heroic on both sides ; and at length the posi
tion of General Hill becarne precarious in the extreme. For
tunately, he collected sorae of the broken divisions of other
commands, and, together-, he once raore dashed towards the
foe, who thereupon retired ; fortunately, perhaps, for hira, as
he could hardly have withstood them longer, with his few
torn and wearied brigades. Gathering the remnants of his
gallant division, almost decimated by continual hard fought
engagements, he moved to the rear to recruit and reform.
In this engagement. General McCall, of the Federal army,
was captured.
It has been said, by a participant in this battle, that " had
not HiU's division been raade of steel, rather than flesh and
blood, they could not bave withstood the many hardships of
these trying days ; for, after fighting desperately at Mechan
icsviUe on Thursday, they marched to Gaines's Mills and
fought five hours on Friday ; rested part of Saturday ; trav
elled a circuitous route, and a terrible road of many miles, on
Sunday and Monday, achieving another briUiant victory

GENEEAL AMBEOSE POWELL HILL. 379
against great odds. Hill, however, is a military genius, and
had it not been for the scientific handling of his raen, few
would have rested uninjured on the torn and bloody field of
Monday night. All were prostrated with fatigue, and lay on
the ground without fires, covering, or food, too weary to think
of any thing but rest."
The' pur-suit of the eneray to Malvern HUl, and the engage
ment there, fell upon otiier portions of the army, and General
Hill afterwar-ds retired to the intrenchraents around Eich
mond.' Not long afterwards, however, he was sent to reinforce
Stonewall Jackson, who bad been dispatched to check the
advance of Pope in North Virginia. At the battle of Cedar
Eun, General Hill gallantly maintained the prestige he bad
already gained, his division strongly supporting EweU's posi
tion, and vigorously raaintaining the fight. In the subsequent
operations, as previously narrated, he bore a conspicuous part,
marching with Jackson on his fiank movement towards the
Eappahannock and Manassas. His especial part in the work,
after surprising the latter place, was to deceive the eneray by
drawing their attention to his own raoveraents, while Jackson
proceeded to the old battlefield of Bull Eun. Hill's division,
with some cavalry, raarched to Centreville, and thence sud
denly turned back by the Warrenton road to the famous Stone
bridge. Near this point, he rejoined Jackson, after being
hotly pursued by the Federalists.
The battle that followed has already been told, with the
part General A. P. Hill so ably played therein ; but we may
add, that his division fought so bravely, and fired so fast, that,
having shot away all their cartridges, they set about collecting
more from the bodies of fallen friends and foes, and thus con
tinued the engagement. When the cartridges, so obtained,
gave out, they then charged forward with a fierce yell, and
the cold steel of the bayonet. The next morning, August
30th, General Hill's corps held the ridge of hills on the battle
ground, with Longstreet on the right, at an obtuse angle, so
that if the enemy attacked the centre, they would have their
flank exposed to Longstreet, and if they forced hira back, their
flank would be open to Hill. We need not repeat wbat fol
lowed. The second battle of Bull Eun was fought, and the
enemy again defeated. General Hill went forward in pursuit,

380 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
and on the 1st of Septeraber, he encountered a large body of
the Federals of Germantown,' a small village near the raain
road from Centreville to Fairfax Court-house. General tliU
imraediately order-ed the attack, and after a brief, but hotly
contested fight, the eneray withdrew. , '
The Confederate array then raarched into Maryland; and
General Hill accorapanied that part of it under command of
Jackson. On the 6th of September, HiU's division, with
EweU's, occupied a position near the railroad bridge, on the
Monocacy, guarding the approaches fr-om Washington.; but
when it was ordered to move on Harper's Ferry, he rapidly
proceeded there by the road frora Williamsport to Martins
burg, recrossing the Potomac, and taking the advance. Mar
tinsburg was evacuated on bis approach, and General HiU
pursued his way unmolested, coming in sight of the enemy
drawn up in force at Bolivar Heights, about 11 a. m. on Sep
tember 13tli. He then encamped near Hallstown, about two
miles from the enemy's position. In the afternoon of the next
day, General Hill was ordered to move along the left bank of
the Shenandoah, turn the eneray's left, and enter Harper's
Ferry. General Lawton, commanding the division of Ewell
(absent on account of bis wounded leg), was directed to move
along the turnpike for the purpose of supporting General Hill,
and otherwise operating against the enemy to his left. In
execution of these orders, General Hill moved obliquely to the
ri^ht, until he struck the Shenandoah river. Observing an
eminence, crowning the extreme left of the enemy's line, occu
pied by infantry, but without ai-tillery, and protected only by
an abattis of fallen timber, Pender, Archer, and Brocken-
brough, were directed to gain its crest, while Branch and
Gregg marched along the river, and, during the night, to take
advantage of the ravines, cutting the precipitous banks of the
river, and establish themselves on the plains to the left and
rear of the eneray's works. Thoraa,s followed as a reserve.
All this was effectively accomplished, Lieute.nant-colonel Walk
er, chief of HiU's artillery, bringing up the batteries of Cap
tains Pegram, Mcintosh, Davidson, Braxton, and Crenshaw.
On the 15th, at an early hour, the attack on the enemy began,
and shortly afterwards General Hill, according to orders,
ceased firing, as a signal for storming the works. The white

GENEEAL AMBEOSE POWELL HILL. 38]
flag was, however, soon displayed, and the garrison capitulated.
General Hill was left to receive the surrender of the Federal
troops, etc., while Jackson moved forward to the main array
under Lee.
General Hill having accomplished this, then proceeded to
Antietam, where the battle was raging, and reached there at 4
p. M., on the 17th of Septeraber, taking his position on the Con
federate right. His tiraely arr-ival raaterially aided in the for
tunes of the day, and enabled General Lee to maintain his
ground, though, as we have elsewhere shown, neither party
left. in a condition to renew the conflict.
The following night, September 18th, the army fell back to
Virginia, recrossing the Potomac early on the morning of the
19th. General Hill, with General Early, had gone on, in the
advance, towards Martinsburg, but a force of the enemy came
over the river, and General Hill faced about to charge them.
" His division," says Jackson, in the official report, " advanced
with great gaUantry against the infantry, in the face of a con
tinual discharge of shot and shell frora their batteries. . . The
enemy wer-e driven into the river, followed by an appalling
scene of the destruction of human life." An eye-witness says,
"With no stop or hesitation, using no artiUery, sending his
men in steadily. General A. P. Hill drove the eneray into and
across the river, taking 300 prisoners, and making the river
blue with their dead.'"
The array now recuperated awhile, and generals, officers, and
soldiers obtained that r-est they so much needed. Again they
took up the march, and crossed North Vir-ginia to Fredericks
burg. There, as we have before related, another great battle
was fought, and General HiU was again conspicuous. His
part in that battle we raentioned in the words of his gallant
commander, General Lee ; but we may add that the fighting
was terribly severe at his position on the right, and nothing
but the most determined bravery and endurance could have
prevented his division from being annihilated by the irapeti;i-
ous charge of FrankUn and Hooker.
From Jthis date there is Uttle to record of General Hill that
has not already been stated in previous sketches. His in
dividuality is merged in the glorious deeds of the army wherein
he bore so high and important a position. To relate, in de-

382 . SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
detail, what was done by this brave and skilful officer at
ChanceUorsviUe, and again in Maryland and Pennsylvania,
would involve useless repetition, and the. reader raust be
referred to the preceding more extended, accounts of this
period. In the spring of 1863, the Confederate army was in winter-
quarters at Fredericksburg, wben, on the 28th of April, at
midnight, General HiU, in accordance with orders received
that evening, took up his march towards ChancellorsviUe. In
the battle that foUowed, bis division formed the centre of Jack
son's corps, on the old turnpike road, near the Wilderness.
General Ehodes was in front, and when Hill moved forward,
after Ehodes had gaUantly charged, he had to forra his raen in
and on each side of the road leading through tbe thick wood.
It was at tbat time Jackson met his death wound, and his last
order was to his staff, " Go back aud tell A. P. Hill to press
right on !" The command of the cor-ps now, however, de
volved upon General HiU, as the senior officer, but while
rushing forward to the assault he himself was wounded, and
had to retire from the field. For his gallantry in this battle,
Hill was soon after made a lieutenant-general, and had the
command of one of the three grand corps into wbich the army was
then divided. Fortunately bis wound did not detain him long
from the saddle. On the Sth of June be was commanding his
corps, again ou the march to new scenes of glory. Up the
Shenandoah, into Maryland, and at Gettysburg, his name
prominently appears with the other brave generals who figured
there. On tbe first day's tight (July 1st), at Gettysburg, the
corps of General Hill was mostly engaged, two of his divisions
driving the enemy back, and capturing a great many pris
oners, some cannon and colors. In speaking to one lookiug
on at this engagement, he said, " The Yankees have fought
with a determination unusual to them ;" and he pointed out a
railway cutting in which they had made a good stand. He
also showed a field, in the centre of which he had seen a man
plant tbe regimental colors, round which tbe regiment had
fought for some time with much obstinacy, and when,'vat
length, it was obliged to retreat, the color-bearer retired last of
ali, turning round every now and then to shake his tist at the
advancing Confederates. The poor fellow, however, sacrificed

GENEEAL AMBEOSE POWELL HILL. . 383
his life to his fearlessness, and General Hill said he felt truly
^orry when he saw hira fall.
On the following day. General Hill occupied the centre of
tbe Confederate army, and was seated, with General Lee, just
below a tree, watching through his glass the progress of the
fight. Two of his brigades gave way, and night closed upon
the scene. Next day a portion only of his corps was engaged,
with what result the reader already knows.
The next important movement of the army, after the retreat
frora Gettysburg, was in October, 1863, when General Hill
was sent forward to Bristoe station in pursuit of Meade's army,
which had fallen back frorn its advanced position on the Eap
pahannock. Hill had but two brigades in front, and these
were repulsed with considerable loss in killed and wounded,
besides five pieces of artillery. General Hill then returned to
the Eappahannock, whither Meade, sorae tirae afterwards,
followed, and routed a small force stationed to guard the bridge
over that river.
We must now pass on to the momentous carapaign of the
year 1864, in every battle of which General Hill bore a part.
During the period of rest, frora the preceding November until
May, nothing occurred of importance to relate in this connec
tion. Encamped with the array on the Eapidan, it was not
till the 4th of that raonth he had again an opportunity to
signalize himself, but this was conspicuously done when he
inarched rapidly from bis quarters to the Wilderness, and
shared in that hard-fought battle. Hill's corps behaved, on
this occasion, with the most remarkable bravery, and the
general himself was everywhere present, pressing on and en
couraging his men. Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg,
and every fight around Eichraond, all bear witness to the
heroism and determination of the Confederate generals and
their officers and men. We have already told the tale, a?
fully as space would permit, in our sketch of General Lee, to
which we refer. In all reports of those engagements, to tbe
present tirae, a well-deserved tribute is paid to the skill and
valor of Lieutenant-general A. P. Hill.

LIEUTENlNT-GENERAL JOHN B. HOOD.

CoNOKEiTiNG the subjcct of our present sketch, but very little,
specially interesting, can be gathered bearing<date prior to the
opening of hostilities, between the North and South. Of his
farnUy connections we are unable to obtain any inforraation.
But we find he was born a Kentuckian, at Owensville, Bath
county, on the 29th of June, 1831. He was educated at
Mount Sterling, entered West Point Military Academy in
1849, and, graduating- at the end of the usual terra, he joined
the 4th regiraent of infantry, in 1853. With this regiraent
be served nearly two years in California, and then was trans
ferred, in July, 1855, to the 2d cavali-y, already mentioned more
than once, as that to which Albert S. Johnson and General
Lee belonged, in the respective commands of colonel and
lieutenant-colonel. With this regiraent he did duty oh the
western frontier of Texas, and in July, 1856, was wounded in
a fight with the Indians. No doubt it was bere, in the wild
service of the Texan west, that, in coramon with other-s we
have to note, he derived that boldness and dash so conspicuous
in hira during the past four years of war. This is apparent
from the fact that, some time before the civil strife began, he
was ordered from Texas to report for duty as instructor of
cavalry at West Point ; but, afterwards, at his own request,
was returned to his regiment, then at San Antonio.
It has been stated that he foresaw the present difficulties,
and returned to Texas with a view of joining the South ; but
that statement is opposed to another account, from one who
was with him on the battlefield at the Chickahominy. The latter
specifies that Hood gave up his connection with the old army,
and followed the legal profession in his native State, prior to

C EN. HOOD.

G.B.RLohardson ,Publislier.

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JOHN B. HOOD. 385
joining the Southern Confederacy. Be this as it may, we find
him resigning his commission on the 16th of April, 1861, and
entering the new array of the South with the rank of first-
lieutenant, with the order to report to General Lee early in
May, 1861. ' He was then appointed captain of cavalr-y, and
sent to Magruder, then itr command on the Peninsula. Seyeral
skirmishes and engagements occur-red, of no particular note,
however, except the fight at Great Bethel, wherein the cavalr-y
figured ; but we find no particular mention of Captain Hood's
name until, on September 30, 1861, he was ordered to Eich
mond, and received the r-ank of colonel of infantry. There
was, at the time, a regiment of Texas volunteers in camp near
the city, and an attempt had been made to oi-ganize them by
appointing Colonel Allen, of Texas, to the coramand ; but,
frora some cause of dissatisfaction with him, this appointment
was withdrawrr, and Colonel Hood assigned to the post.
At this period Hood was in all the manly vigor of good
health, and presented a fine, commanding appearance, with a
powerfril melodious voiccj. and a kindly though piercing eye;
consequently his manners and look soon won upon biS soldiers,
and very speedily he obtained their cordial, good-will. The
men found him able and ready to give all the necessary in
struction, not only in dr-illing them, but also in other minor
technicalities of the field. Thus he succeeded in forming a
somewhat rough, but hardy and daring set of recruits, into a
fine and most effective regiment.
At the beginning of November, 1861, Hood and his men
were order-ed to Duriifries, in Virginia, and there, with another
regiment, organized into a brigade under Senator Wigfall, who
had been appointed a brigadier-general. When, however.
Senator Wigfall had to take his seat in the Confederate Con
gress, on March 3d, 1862, Colonel Hood was assigned to his
post, with a brigadiei-'s rank. In this month the grand army
of Virginia evacuated Manassas, and marched pouth. Hood's
brigade then accompanied it to the Peninsula, and appears to
have been attached to Longstreet's corps at Yorktown and
Williamsburg, and when the array retreated to Eichmond, he
brought up the rear of the raain force, though Longstreet was
further behind him. On the 7th of May, the Union forces,,
under General FrankUn, landed at West Point, on the York
35

386 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
river, and then Hood carae prorainently forward in attacking
him. Posting his Texans in an advantageous position among
the swampy woods, he suddenly fell upon the Federals as tbey
advanced, and gave tbem battle. The fight was wild and con^
fused for hours. The enemy then hurriedly fell back to the
shelter of the gunboats, and General Hood foUowed the main
army towards Eichmond.
Particulars of the several battles around Eichraond have
already been related, but we may raention that the battle of
Gaines's Mill was the first great fight in which Hood's brigade
had participated. Previously they had been held in reserve,
and placed where skirmishing or outpost work was carried on.
Now, however, they were called upon to show of what stuff
they were made, and a desperate part was assigned them.
The Federal batteries had to be charged, and when the proper
raoraent carae, the word was given. Hood hiraself, on foot, led
thera forward, and, with a wild shout, at a run, they rushed
on right into the redoubts and among the guns. A hand-to-
hand confiict ensued ; their ranks were broken for a raoraent,
but, rapidly closing, the Texans fought like fiends. The result
is known. The enemy retired before the tremendous charge
of Hood's brigade, while he, by his gallantry on this occasion,
obtained promotion as a raajor-general.
Frora this tirae the raoveraents of General Hood were ,so
bound up with the grand army under Lee, that to relate them
in detail, would only be repeating wbat we have already nar
rated, and, therefore, a few illustrations of the part he sus
tained in the several battles is all that need be given.
At the battles of Groveton and Bull Eun, on August 29th
and 30th, 1862, he was especially conspicuous for daring and
skUl in bis movements. On the first day, it is rele,ted that
" General Lee, seeing the moment had arrived for a deraonstra
tion on the eneray's left, about nightfall tbis was undertaken.
Hood's division was ordered forwaird, and no sooner had these
splendid troops thrown theraselves with ardor into the contest,
than the whole appearance of the field suddenly changed. Up
to that moment the confiict had been obstinate, but the firing
upon both.sides had perceptibly decreased in intensity. It was
just at that moment Hood's division advanced ; and the quick
tongues of flame leaped from the muzzles of his muskets,

, LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JOHN B. HOOD. 387
lighting up the gathering gloom with their crimson light. . . .
Then, with one long roar of musketry, and a raaze of quick
flashes everywhere. Hood's men charged forward, with wild
cheers, driving the euemy before them into the depths of the
forest." In the next day's conflict, his division took the advance of
Longstreet's corps, and, pressing forward, " never yielded an
inch." Hood himself, equally with other generals, shared the
dangers of his men ; and when the fight was won, could claim
a full share of the high praise bestowed by Lee upon all.
It is a'singular coincidence, that the troops actually opposed.
to Hood's division, at this battle, were the same he encounter-ed
at Gaines' Mill ; and, as there, after a gallant contest, they
had to retire before him.
The first invasion of Maryland, in September, again brought
General Hood prominently forward at Boonesboro, where, in
conjunction with D. H. Hill, he held the raountain pass against
McCleUan until Lee carae up. What occurred has already
heen told, and we pass rapidly on, with Hood still accompany
ing the army, to the battle of Fredericksburg. Here Hood held
the right of Longstreet's corps, and was, consequently, on the
left of Jackson. The enemy had taken possession of a small
copse in front of Hood, but he quickly dispossessed them of it,
and drove them off with great loss.
In the raonth of February, 1863, Longstreet, with two of
his divisions, proceeded south, to the siege of Suffolk, in South
east Virginia ; and, as General Hood does not appear to have
participated in the battle of ChanceUorsviUe, it is to be infer
red that he accompanied his corps-commander, though very
little is to be found relating to this expedition. However, in
the month of June, we find both of them in Maryland again,
at the second invasion of that State by General Lee. Hood
was severely wounded in the arm, at Gettysburg ; and, on the
retreat, he was borne in a carriage, suffering very much from
such a conveyance. It was, at first, thought bis arm could not
be saved, but proper care and attention preserved it, though
ever afterwards it was shrivelled, and nearly useless. Still,
he did not absolutely forsake his coinmand. Eesting awhile
to recover from his'.wound, he was able to accompany Long-
street, at the end of Au^st, into East Tennessee, and on to

388 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
reinforce Bragg, then preparing for the battle of Chicka
mauga. . Irr this battle, previously described, Major-general Hood,
with his division, wafe on the left, hotly engaged, and ultimately-
drove the eneray frora the front of hira. In the engageraent
of the second day, Sunday, September 20th, 1863, he was again
wounded, making amputation of his leg needful, it being
terribly shattered.
For bis valuable services in this and' other engagements,
Hood was afterwards made a lieutenant-general ; but six
months elapsed before he could again take the field. In the
beginning of March, however, he was at Eichmond, and about
the raiddle of the month pr-ooeeded to take command of
his corps in North Georgia, under General Johnston. On the
way to Dalton, an accident occurred to the train he was in,
arising from a colUsion, and General Hood suffered in con
sequence, but was not prevented , from continuing his jour
ney. Soon after taking coramand, he issued a very excellent order
with regard to troops attacking, when in line of battle. He
said, "They must not be moved at the doublB-quick step, or be
in any way unnecessarily fatigued, before engaging the enemy,
that they maybe in the best possible condition for pressing
him, and improving any advantages which may be gained."
Of the subsequent operations connected with Sherraan's ad
vance in Georgia, and Johnston's retreat, we have already
spoken. At the battle of Eesaca, Hood coraraanded the right,
and as the army fell back, he was very effective in stubbornly
disputing the enemy's progress. On the 18th of July, General
Johnston having been relieved. Hood was appointed in his
place, and assumed command in the foUowing address :
Hbadquasters Abmt op Tbhnesseb, July 18, 1864.
SoLDiEES^ — In obedience to orders from the War Depart
ment, I assurae command of this army and department. /
feel the weight of the responsibility so suddenly and unexpect
edly devolved upon me by this position, and shall bend all my
ener-gies and employ all my skill to meet its requirements. 1
look with confidence to your patriotism to stand by me, and
rely upon your prowess to wrest your country from the grasp

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JOHN B. HOOD. 389
of the invader, entitling yourselves to the proud distinction of
being called the deliverers of an oppressed people.
J. B. HOOD, QeneraL
The Confederate army was now before and in Atlanta,
Sherman vigorously at work around it. On the 20th Hood at
tacked the enemy's right, on Peach-tree creek, near the Chjitta-
hoochee, driving him from his works, and capturing colors aind
prisoners. The day following, at night, the army shifted its
position fronting on Peach-tree creek, and Stewart's and
Cheatham's corps forraed in line of battle around the city.
Hardee's corps raade a night march, and attacked the enemy's
extreme left on the 22d, at one o'clock, and drove him from
his works, capturing sixteen pieces of artillery and five stands
of colors. Cheatham attacked the enemy at four o'clock, p. m.,
with a portion of his comraand, and drove the enemy, captur
ing six pieces of artillery. During the engageraent the Con
federates captured about two thousand prisoners.
Such is the account, in General Hood's hurried report of
what was, in reality, a severe engagement, with great loss on
both sides ; and we cannot pass it over without mentioning
the death- of the gallant, and now justly lamented, General
McPherson, whose brilliant career in the Federal army is so
well known.
On the 28th of July, Hood made another attack on Sherman,
who was extending his line more to the right, and was thus
compelled to fall back before the fierce assaiJt of the Confed
erates. At length, after various sharp encounters between the con
tending parties, Atlanta was evacuated, and General Hood
sent the following report explaining the cause.
Hbadquaetbrs, September 3, 1864.
On the evening nf the 30th of August the enemy made a
lodgement across Flint river, near Jonesboro. We attacked
them there on the evening of tbe 31st with two corps, but
failed to dislodge tbem.
This made it necessary to abandon Atlanta, which was done
on the night of the 1st of September.
Our loss on the evening of the 31st was small.

390 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
On the evening of the 1st of September, General Hardee's
corps, in position at Jonesboro, was assaulted by a superior
force of the eneray, and being outflanked, was compeUed to
withdraw during the night, with the loss of eight guns.
The enemy's prisoners report their loss very severe.
J. B. HOOD, General.
The above despatch of the fall of such an important city as
Atlanta, is, Ijiowever, so brief, that we think it may be interest
ing to give some details, as related by a correspondent. The
writer says f
" The position of the Federal troops on the SOth of April was
as follows : General Howard's army of the Tennessee, which
had the right of the line, having crossed the West Point rail
road nearest to Fairburn, had pushed forward in an oblique
direction, and was therefore near Jonesboro, twenty-two
miles south of Atlanta, while his coraraunicating force — the
army of the Ohio, under General Schofield — passing over the
raUroad nearer to Eed Oak, crossed the country in a more di
rect line, and found itself near to Eough and Eeady, and on
the extreme left of the Union army. Both of these places are
stations of the Macon railroad, but about eleven nriles apart.
It was therefore necessary that the gap between those wings
should be filled, and the army of the Cumberland, under Gen
eral Thomas, and which had marched along the route in two
colurans, behind the armies of the Tennessee and Ohio, now
came forward to the front and formed the centre of the main
array. Sherman's Une was ther-efore eleven miles in extent,
and ranged along the Macon railr-oad from Eough and Eeady
to Jonesboro, with its centre at Couch's.
" The Confederate forces had, at this time, been divided into
two main armies, separated by an interval of twenty-two railes.
" One part of the army was intrenched at Atlanta, and the
other at Jonesboro, under General Hardee, and was also in
trenched. The cause of this separation of the for-ces arose from
the fact that Hood had found out by KUpatrick's raid that it
was necessary he should protect his communications dt that
point by a large force, to prevent a repetition of such a catas
trophe as had taken place at that part of the line on the 20th
instant. He certainly had not expected so speedy a move-

LIEnTENANT-GENEEAL JOHN B. HOOD. 391
ment of Sherraan's whole arrny in the sarae direction. Sher
man's array was, therefore, between tbe enemy's forces, and
had, as was announced from the War Department, literally di
vided the Confederates in two.
" When General Howard found the enemy in force at Jones
boro, he at once intrenched his comraand, locating the salient
or projecting angle within half a mile of the railroad. This
the enemy did not approve of, and an attempt was made to
drive off the Federal troops from the position, doubtless suppos
ing the force to be merely a raiding party. The Confederates
attacked General Howard's works at about three o'clock on
the afternoon of the SOth of August, and were repulsed.
Meeting with so unexpected a force, they fell back into their
works at Jonesboro, leaving their dead and wounded in front
of General Howard's lines.
" General Sherman soon perceived the advantages of his posi
tion, and deterrained to profit by Hood's mistake. Having the
Confederate forces separated, the principal object was to keep
them so, and thus conquer them in detail. He therefore or
dered the advance of the left (Schofield) and centre (Thomas)
rapidly to the raili-oad, where they made a good lodgment,
and during the 31st of August, nearly the whole distance be
tween Eough and Eeady and Jonesboro was despoiled of its
railroad track, ties, and other mater-ial. These two armies were
also brought nearer to the intrenched positions at Jonesboro,
and to the left of Howard's command. By this plan of opera
tion, Sherrrran had inter-posed his whole arrriy between Atlanta
and Jonesboro.
" Having placed his troops in the desired position, Sherman,
'on the 1st of September, oi-dered a general attack ,on the ene
my at Jonesboro. The movement was made with great gal
lantry, and after an amount of skirmishing and artiller-y fire,
an assault of the woi-ks was ordered. The Fourteenth corps,
under the command of Brevet Major-general Jefferson C.
Davis, was selected to make the assault, and gallantly they
charged upon the works amid a storm of grape and canister
from the enemy's ar-tUlery. Nothing daunted, the brave boys
who had held tbeir own throughout the Georgia carapaign,
rushed upon the intrenchments and car-ried them handsomely,
capturing about a thousand prisoners and ten pieces of artil-

392 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
lei-y. General Sherman speaks highly of the conduct of the
men of the gallant Fourteenth, and officially awards to Gen
eral Jefferson C. Davis the honor be has so bravely won.
'- During the night the enemy, finding it impossible to hold
Jonesboro, retreated along the Macon railroad in a southerly
direction, and took up a position at Lovejoy's station, seven
miles distant, and twenty-nine miles fr-om Atlanta. Here they
threw up hasty intrenchments to prevent the further pursuit of
our cavalry, which had followed them to this point, inflicting
damage on their rear, and causing confusion during the retreat.
" While Slier-man was busily engaged in his attack upon
Jonesboro, Hood, who had still remained in Atlanta, finding
that he- was outflanked, his line of supply cut off, and the
Federal troops between him and a large por tion of his army, be
came speedily convinced that his position was untenable. In
order to save that portion of his command then with him, he
detei'inined to evacuate the fortified city, and on the night of
September 1st he blew up his magazines, destroyed all his sup
plies that he could- not r-eriiove, consisting of seven locomotives
and eighty-one cars loaded with ammunition, small-arms, and
stores, and left the place by the turnpike roads.
"General Slocum, wbo held command of the army of obser-^
vation, soon discovered the position of affairs in Atlanta, and
on the morning of September 2d raoved his forces froni the
Chattahoochee river and occupied the place. He captured in
Atlanta fourteen pieces of artillei-y, raany of them in first-rate
condition, and a large number of small-arms."
Various coraraents, as usual, wer-e made upon this evacua
tion of Atlanta by Hood ; but it was generally concluded that
the evU, though great, was not so bad as might be inferred
from the loss of such a city. It was said, by one reviewer of
Hood's operations, during the period, that " the final loss of
Atlanta was not by any means a test of his abiUty or capacity
to command, for the holding of that city depended upon many
contingencies that could not be controlled by him or anybody
else;" and remarks were added concerning the various causes
that had produced the course he took.
Upon the evacuation of Atlanta, a truce of ten days was
agreed to, and at the expiration of that tirne. Hood, on the
19th of Septeraber, shifted his position to the West Point rail-

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JOHN B.- HOOD. 393
road, with a view of getting in Sherman's rear. Just previous,
on Sunday, the 18th of September-, President Davis arrived at
General Hood's headquarters, and, the following day, reviewed
the whole array. In the evening, the President addressed the
soldiers in hopeful and encouraging tones. Turning to Cheat
ham's division of Tennesseans, he said: "Be of good cheer,
for within a short while your faces will be turned homeward,
and your feet pressing Tennessee soil."
President Davis was followed by General Howell Cobb, who,
in a few remarks, made many happy hits, and convulsed the
audience with laughter. General Hood was enthusiastically
called for. Slowly rising fr-om his chair, and dashing his hat
down like a blushing school-boy, the general said : "Soldiers,
it is not my province to raake speeches : I was not born for
such work; that I leave to other raen. Within a few days I
expect to give the comman«l 'forward,' and I believe you are,
like myself, willing to go forward, even if we Uve on parched
corn and beef. I am ready to give the command 'forward'
this ver-y night. Good-night."
In reflecting upon the fall of Atlanta, and the want of suc
cess attending Hood's army at this time, we should not forget
the bodily infirmities of the general in comraand, consequent
upon the severe wounds he had received at Gettysburg and
Chickamauga. But the spirit within was as powei-ful to will
and to do as ever. He was evidently one of those whom no
disasters or physical ailments — not even the partial dismernT
berment of bis body — nor any araount of external trouble,
annoyance, or ill-will can crush ; and though his career was
not so conspicuous at the beginning of the war, as that of sorae
generals, yet he well and bravely bore his share throughout.
His was no longer the fine commanding presence of earlier
days, in the outset of his military life,^nearly four yeai-s of
hard service having reduced his frame, and robbed him of
much of his physical ability, leaving the vigor of his powerful
mind alone unbroken. An eye-witness says of him, at this time :
"General Hood appears to be in as cheerful a fiow of spirits
as his brave and patriotic veterans. I saw him to-day, sur
rounded by a group of major-generals and brigadiers, in social
converse under an oak-tree. Where the next campaign will
be, is scarcely even discussed. At present there are no evi-

394 SOUTHEES GliNEEALS.
deuces of a raovement. But I have reason to predict that be
fore many moons have waned, tbe Federals will hear of Hood
and his array, through quite a novel and unexpected chan
nel." Towards the end of the month, Hood got well in the rear of
Sherman at Atlanta. He began his march on the 29th of Sep
tember, and next day encamped for the night near the old
battle-ground of New Hope cburch. Here be concentrated
his for-ces, bringing up the cor-ps of S. D. Lee, and Wheeler's
cavalry. Forrest was then at work on the left, and Wheeler
was now sent to the right, and to Marietta. At a defile in the
AUatoona mountains, the Federals, under General Corse, at
tacked the advance of Lee's corps under S. G. French, and the
Federal general was there slightly wounded. Hood, however,
went on, pursued by a part of Sherman's forces to Eesaca,
where he arrived on October 12thf the eneray having retired
to Atlanta. Leaving Wheeler in charge at Eesaca, Hood
marched rapidly forwar-d to Dalton, took possession, and then
went on to the gap, at "Einggold, with his right flank at La
fayette. From here to Gadsden and Jacksonville, Ala. (the
latter place Beauregard's headquarters at the time — he having
become department commander), the ar-my occupied the whole
ground by the 22d of October, in good condition, and ready
for the next gr-and movement. On the 25th of October, Hood's
forces were at Tuscumbia and Florence, and on the 2d of No
veraber some of the enemy in Decatur were driven out, and
the place captured by the Confederates. Eesting his forces
awhile. Hood then crossed the Tennessee at Florence, on No
vember 13th, General Thomas, with the Federal array, falling
back towards Nashville. At first, the Confederate advance in
Tennessee seemed highly prosperous. Pulaski was evacuated
by the Federal forces under General E. W. Johnston, on the
23d, and Hood marched on to Columbia. Here, by a fiank
movement, on the night of the 25th, he compelled Thomas's
forces to withdraw. At Spring Hill, there was a sUght en
gagement, but on the 30th of Noveraber, a battle was fought
at Franklin, Tennessee. The following account of it is from
General Hood's dispatch :

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL JOHN B. HOOD. 395

Hbadqtiabtbes, Aemt of Tennessee, near Nashvuxb, )
Dec. 8, was Mobile, Dec. 9, 1864. )
To Hon. j. a. Seddon :
About four o'clock p. m., November 30th, we attacked the
enemy at Franklin, and drove them from their centre line of
temporary works into the inner lines, which they evacuated
during the night, leaving their dead and wounded in our pos
session, and retired to Nashville, closely followed by our caval
ry. We captured several stands of colors and about one thou
sand pr-isoners. Our troops fought with great gallantry. We
have to lament the loss of many gallant officers and men.
Major-general Cleburne and Brigadier-generals John Williams,
Adams, Gist, Strahl, and Granberry were killed. Major-gen
eral John Brown, and Brigadier-generals S. Carter, Manigault,
Quaries, Cockerill, and Scott were wounded. Brigadier-gen
eral Gordon was captured. J. B. HOOD, General.
A subsequent telegrara from General Hood says : " Our loss
of officers was excessively large in proportion to the loss of
men." Hood now advanced upon Nashville, and laid siege to it, on
the 2d of Deceraber, closely investing it for a fortnight. At
the end of that time, the Federal forces attacked the Confeder
ates, and the battle of Nashville was fouglit, ending in the
defeat of Hood's army, and his retreat to the Tennessee river,
pursued by the victorious Federals. The following dispatch,
from General Beauregard, gives a brief account of the aft'air :
Macon, Jan. 7, 1865.
To Qeneral S. Coopeb, Adjutant and Inspector General :
General Hood reports from Spring Hill, Deceraber 27, 1864,
that on the morning of the 15th instant, in front of Nashville,
the enemy attacked both fianks of his army. They were re
pulsed on the right with heavy loss, but towards evening they
drove in his infantry outposts on the left flank.
Early on the 16tb, the eneray made a general attack on his
entire line. All their assaults were handsomely repulsed with
heavy loss until half-past six p. m., wben a portion of our line
to the left of the centre suddenly gave way, causing our lines
to give way at all points, our troops retreating rapidly. Fifty

396 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
pieces of artillery and several ordnance wagons were lost by
us on that day. Our loss in killed and wounded heretofore
small — in prisoners, not ascertained. 'Major-general Edward
Jackson, and Brigadier-generals T. B. Smith, and H. E. Jack
son are captured. G. T. BEAUREGARD, General.
General Hood recrossed the- Tennessee at Florence, General
Forrest covering his retreat, and was at Tupelo on the 6th of
Januar-y, 1865, where, on the 23d, he took leave of the army
in the following order : Headquaetebs, Aemt oe the Tettnesseb, )
Tupelo, Miss., Jan. 23, 1865. J
SoLDiEES — At my request, I have this day been relieved
frora the coraraand of the array. In taking leave of you, ac
cept my thanks for the patience with which you have endured
your hardships during the recent campaign. I am alone
responsible for its conception, and strove hard to do ray duty
in its execution. I urgC upon you the iraportance of giving
your entire support to the distinguished soldier who now as
sumes comraand, and shall look with deep interest on all your
future operations, and rejoice at your success. J. B. HOOD.

GENERAL ALBERT SYDNEY JOHNSTON.

The short career of this galknt officer, in the Confederate
array, preveiits the sarae extended notice of his life, that others
of his rank have been considered entitled to, and which their
services have deraanded. He was born in the year 1803, in
Macon county, Kentucky, and received his early education at th?
Transylvania University, in that State, under President HoUey.
At the age of nineteen, be entered West Point Acaderay as a
cadet, and graduated on the 30th of June, 1826, standing nura
ber eight in his class. He was then brevetted second-lieutenant
of the Second infantry, but was subsequently transferred, iu
1827, to the Sixth infantry, and served as Adjutant to his
regiment from 1828 to 1832. Frora the 8th of May to the
year 1833, he was Aid to Brigadier-general Atkinson ; and
during a part of that time he was acting as Assistant Adju
tant-general of Illinois Volunteers, in the Black Hawk War.
With these forces. President, then Captain Lincoln, also
served. On May 31st, 1834, he resigned his commission in the regu
lar army, and went to reside in Missouri. In 1836 he crai-
grated to Texas, arriving there shortly after the battle of San
Jacinto. There, alone, and perfectly unknown, he determined
to begin a new career. We may not stop to inquire what were
the motives which induced him to leave the United States' ser
vice. In all ages, and throughout all forras of government,
merit and perseverance, even when acknowledged, do not al
ways find a reward. It is wise, therefore, in a world so wide, for
a brave soul to rise above disappointment, and try new fields,
where pent-up energies may have full play. There was, it is
true, plenty of room even in his native State, for action ; but

398 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
the lands of Texas, and its peculiarly romantic charms— its
wild and daring life— -probably presented greater induceraent
to a nature like Johnston's, which felt itself, perhaps, too
craraped under the mUitary control of a more settled govern
ment. At the tirae when Johnston entered Texas, an intestine war
was raging ; and, without hesitation, he entered the Eepublican
army, in General Eusk's division, as a private soldier. The
general speedUy discovered his abilities, and raade him Adju
tant-general of his comraand. Subsequently, he was made
senior Brigadier-general of the Texan army, and was ap
pointed to succeed General Felix Houston, in the chief cora
mand. This led to a duel between them, in which Johnston
was wounded. In 1838, he was chosen Secretary of War of
the new EepubUc, under President Laraar ; and, the follow
ing year, he organized an expedition against the Cherokees,
seven hundred strong, who were defeated at a battle on the
Neuches. In 1840 he retired from the service, and settled on a planta
tion, in Brazonia county, near Galveston. Here he remained
quietly, attending to his new home, for two or three years,
and during that , tirae always advocating the annexation of
Texas to the United States. At length, when the Mexican
war broke out, he once more, in 1846, and, at the request of
Gener-al Taylor, allowed his daring spirit to find its vent on the
battlefield. He arrived in Mexico shortly after the battles of
Eesaca and Palo- Alto, and was elected Colonel- of the First
Texas regiment, serving as such from June 18th, to August
24th, 1846. After that regiment was discharged, he was ap
pointed Aid, and Inspector-general to General Butler. In that
capacity he was at the faraous battle of Monterey, and, during
the fight, his horse was three tiraes shot under him. For his
conduct on that day, he was recommended by General Taylor,
for the appointment of Brigadier-general ; but the position
was bestowed upon Caleb Cushing.
After this he retired to his plantation, cultivating the earth
with his own hands, in the truly honest and noble occupation
of a farraer, on his own land. His circumstances, however,
were not good ; and when Taylor was made President, that
gallant old general forgot not Johnston, but, on October 31st,

GENEEAL ALBEET SYDNEY JOHNSTON. 399
1849, bestowed upon him the appointment of Faymaster of the
regular army, with the rank of major.
When the army was increased by four new regiments, the
Texas Legislature asked that he should be appointed one of the
colonels, and, accordingly, Jefferson Davis, then Secretary of
War, gave him coraraand of the Second Cavalry, with his
headquarters at San Antonio, Texas. There he still further
displayed his military talents, and won the confidence of the
country, by the vigoi^ous and successful warfare he initiated
against the wild tribes of Indians, who were constantly en
gaged in marauding forays upon the early settlers.
In the latter part of 1857 he was appointed, by President
Buchanan, to the comraand of the Utah Expedition, sent to
quell the Mormons, who had shown much disturbance. It was
in September that he started upon this expedition, and the
perils which he and his followers encountered are well known.
On the 6th of November, being in tbe Eocky Mountains, they
were overtaken by a snow-storm of such fury, that it " racked
the bones of his men, and starved the oxen, horses, and mules."
The snow was from two to four feet deep, and the thermometer
from sixteen to eighteen degrees below zero for ninety days af-
wards. But they pursued the march, making onljr thirty-five
miles in fifteen days, and wben they went into camp, sub
sisted on mules, without bread or salt, until provisions were
sent by Government, in the following spring. The troops
suffered from cold and hunger to a great extent ; but the Col
onel fared no better than his men during that period.
In the spring of 1858, he crossed the plains, and arrived at
Salt Lake City, where the ability, zeal, and energy he dis
played, caused hira to be brevetted Brigadier-general (dating
from November, 1847), and full commander of the military
district of Utah.
When the Mormon troubles were ended. General Johnston
was sent to California ; and, on the death of General Clarke,
assumed command of the department of the Pacific. There he
remained until, hearing that his adopted State, Texas— where
his horae and his farm belonged — had passed the Ordinance of
Secession, he resigned his position in the United States army,
and at once prepared to remove South, to assist in repeUing the
threatened invasion by the North.

400 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
It is stated, that *'on the inception of the war. General
Scott, fully aware of the great military genius of Albert Syd
ney Johnston, made a vigorous, but ineffectual effort, to secure
his services for the Federal Government, tendering him the
chief comraand, to whieh his seniority and rank, according to
army regulations, entitled him. But Johnston nobly rejected
the offer : he would not sell his bir-thright and his horne."
Measui-es were, therefore, taken to have him arrested before he
could join the South. Vessels, with officials on board, were
directed to intercejjt his passage by sea ; but this coming to
his knowledge, he took tbe overland route, and thus avoided
an ar-rest. Perhaps one secret reason for attempting to seize
him was, from the fact of his being a kinsman of Mr. Floyd,
who, it is said, bad some influence in getting him placed in the
command at California. General Sumner had already been
dispatched to supersede hira, on the first signs of strife ; but
Johnston, with three or four companions, increased afterwards
to one hundred, on mules, proceeded by way of Arizona. He
left Los Angelos the 2d of July, 1861, passed through Texas, and
arrived at New Orleans in safety. This was in August, 1861,
and immediately proceeding, via Memphis, to Eichraond, he
was assigned tp the coramand of the departraent of Kentucky
and Tennessee, with the rank of GeneraL He being a native
of Kentucky, and his thorough knowledge of the Western coun
try, coupled with his great ability, rendered bis appointraent
to this position specially appropriate.
General Johnston at once pi-oceeded,,.to his comraand ; and,
as Kentucky, though before professedly neutral, had now as-^
sembled troops to threaten the borders of Tennessee, he felt no
hesitation in making bis headquarters at Bowling Green, al
ready taken possession of by General Buckner, for the South.
The arrival of General Johnston in tbe west, gave great
pleasure to the upholders of the Confederate cause, and many
high expectations were formed of hira. But his own anticipa
tions of success were far less sanguine. As an experienced
military man, he well knew the immense advantages the North
possessed in resources and men, besides the long established
organization of array drill. With him there was all to do, and
little to do it with. Everything was new, and had to be
fashioned into shape, while in the field there were skilled cap-

GENEEAL ALBEET SYDNEY JOHNSTON. 401
tains on the side of the North, fully equal to those arrayed
against them in behalf of the South. BueU was not far off, in
a position of immense strength, with an army said to be
60,000 strong. In his rear was the Curaberland river, liable
to rise at any raoraent, and to adrait the largest class stearaers
as high as Nashville. Then there was the Tennessee, travers
ing the entire State, and capable of passing gunboats to Ala
baraa; while, at the raouth of both tbese rivers — at Padueah
and Smithfield — the enemy was collecting an enormous force,
both naval and military. Thus there was much cause for
anything but the exultant hope others appeared to entertain
upon his arrival : his own failure to sympathize in this feeling
being attributable, in great measure, to his peculiarly unpre
tending character.
Immediately upon assuming his coraraand, General John
ston issued the following proclamation :
" Whereas, the armed occupation of a part of Kentucky by
the United States, and the preparations which manifest the in
tention of their government to invade the Confederate States
through that territory, have imposed it on these last, as a ne
cessity of self-defence, to enter that State and meet the invasion
upon the best line for military operations ; and, whereas, it is
proper that the motives of the government of the Confederate
States in taking this step should be fully known to the world ;
now, ^therefore, I, Albert S. Johnston, general and commander
of the Western Department of the Army of the Confederate
States of America, do proclaim that these States have thus
marched their troops into Kentucky with no hostile intention
towards its people, nor do they desire or seek to control their
choice in regard to their union with either of the confeder
acies, or to subjugate their State or hold its soil against their
wishes. On the contrary, they deem it to be the right of the
people of Kentucky to determine their own position in regard
to the belligerents. It is for them to say whether they will
join either the confederacy, or raaintain a separate existence as
independen't sovereign State. The arraed occupation of their
soil, both as to its extent and duration, will, therefore, be
strictly limited to the exigencies of self-defence on the part of
the Confederate States. These States intend to conform to all
the requirements of public law and international amity as be-
26.

402 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
tween theraselves and Kentucky, and, accordingly, I hereby
comraand all who are subject to ray order-s to pay entire re
spect to the rights of property and the legal authorities within
that State, so far as the sarae may be compatible witb the ne
cessities of self-defence. If it be the desire of the people of
Kentucky to maintain a strict and impartial neutrality, then
the effort to drive out the lawless intruders, who seek to make
their State the theatre of war, will aid them in the attainment
of their wishes. If, as it raay not be unreasonable to suppdse,
these people desire to unite their fortunes with the Confederate
States, to whom they are already bound by so rnany ties of in
terest, then the appearance and aid of Confederate troops will
assist them to raake an opportunity for the free and unbiased
expression of their will upon the subj ect. But if it be true,
which is not to be presuraed, that a majority of those people
desire to adhere to the United States, and becorae parties to
the war, then none can doubt the right of the other belliger
ent to meet that war whenever and wherever it may be waged.
But, harboring no such suspicion, I now declare, in the name
of the gover-nment which I serve, tbat its array will be with
drawn frora Kentucky so soon as there shall be satisfactory
evidence of the existence and execution of a like intention on
the part of the United States.
By order of the President of the Confederate States of Araerica.
A. S. JOHNSTON,
General, commanding the Western Department of the Army of the Confeder
ate States of America."
The work of General Johnston, for the remainder of the year,
was to strengthen his position and ascertain the intentions of
the enerny. His own forces had been considerably raagnrfied,
not only to deceive his foe, but to inspire hope among friends;
but he constantly kept the war department at Eichmond well
informed of the truth. Had that truth really been known to
the enemy, at tbe tirae, it is very probable that BueU could
have easily ovewhelmed Johnston's army ; but, it was so dis
guised that the Federal coraraander determined to try and
take him on the rear, and, accordingly, measures were adopted
to capture Fort Donelson. At this period. General Beaure
gard arrived in the west, and a conference was immediately held

GENEEAL ALBEET SYDNEY JOHNSTON. 403
between the two generals. Beauregard expressed surprise at
the small number of Johnston's forces, and fully agreed with
him in the plans he had formed. Tiiese were to try and
secure NashviUe by fighting at Fort Donelson, and Johnston
sent the larger part of his army thither for the purpose, retain
ing only about 14,000 men, to cover his fr-ont, and of those,
3,000 were so enfeebled by recent sickness that they were un
able to mar-ch. General PiUow, and afterwar-ds General
Floyd, were placed in comraand of the fort, and General
Buckner inthe field.
The details of the fall of Fort Donelson do not belong to this
sketch, but we may give the following extracts concerning it
from the official reports of Generals Floyd and Pillow.
General Grant was in comraand of the assailants, and, previous
to Floyd's arrival. General PiUow had raade various prepara
tions to resist Grant. The reports then mention the occurren
ces of the three days' fighting that ensued, and go on to say :
"We had now only about 12,000 troops, all told. Of these
a large proportion we had lost in the three battles. The com
mand had been in the trenches night and day for five days,
exposed to the snow, sleet, mud and ice-water, without shelter,
and without adequate covering, and without sleep.
" In this condition the general officer-s held a consultation to
determine what he should do; General Buckner held it as his
decided opinion that he could not hold his position one half an
hour against an assault of the enemy, and said the enemy
would attack him next morning at daylight. The pr-oposition
was tlren made by the undersigned to again fight through the
enemy's line and cut our way out. General Buckner said his
command was so worn out, and cut to pieces, and demoralized,
that he could not make another figlit ; that it would cost the
coramand thi-ee-quarters of its present numbers to cut its
way througli, and it was wrong to sacrifice three-quarters of a
command to save one-quai-ter ; that no officer had a right to
cause such a sacrifice. General Floyd and Major Gilmer I
understood to concur in this opinion.
" I then expressed the opinion that we could hold out another
day, and in that time we could get steamboats and set the com
mand over the river, and probably save a large portion of it.
To this General Buckner replied that the enemy would eer-

404 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
tainly attack him at daylight, and that he could not hold his
position half an hour. The alternative of the propositions was
a surrender of their position and command. General Floyd
said that he would neither surrender the command nor would
he surrender himself a prisoner. I had taken tbe same posi
tion. General Buckner said he was satisfied nothing else
could be done, and that, therefore be would surrender if
placed in command. General Floyd said he would turn over
the command to him if be could be allowed to withdraw his
comraand. To this General Buckner consented, "[^hereupon,
General Floyd turned the command oyer to me, I passing it
instantly to General Buckner, saying I would neither surren
der the command nor myself a prisoner. I directed Colonel
Forrest to cut his way out. Under these circumstances,
General Buckner accepted the command and sent a flag of
truce to the eneray for an armistice of six hours to negotiate
for terms of capitulation. Before this flag and communication
was delivered I retired frora the garrison."
The fall of Fort Donelson made the evacuation of Bowling
Green imperative on General Johnston. He had waited the
result, opposite Nashville, and, on the 15th of February, at
midnight, he received news of a. great victory, — at da/von intel
ligence of a defeat ! Thus situated, he determined to unite his
forces with those under General Beauregard, and, as he con
ceived Nashville was incapable of defence under the circum
stances, he left a rearguard under General Floyd, and fell back
to Murfreesboro. There he managed to collect an army able
to bffer battle; but the weather was so inclement, and the
floods in the river such as to wash the bridges away, that
nothing effective could be accoraplished. He, therefore,
marched on, and crossed the Tennessee, at Decatur, in Ala
bama, early in March, and soon afterwards a portion of his
army joined the forces of Beauregard under Bragg's command.
In regard to Fort Donelson, it is but just to General John
ston to give place to a few words from himself, inasmuch as
some severe reraarks were raade respecting him at the time.
In a letter written to Mr. Barksdale, member of the Confed
erate Congress, from Mississippi, he says, after mentioning
previous occurrences :

GENEEAL ALBEET SYDNEY JOHNSTON. 405
"I have given this sketch, so that you may appreciate the
embarrassments which surrounded me in ray attempts to avert
or remedy the disaster of Fort Donelson.
"The blow is most disastrous, and almost without remedy.
I, therefore, in my first report, reraained silent. This silence
you were kind enough to attribute to my generosity. I will
not lay claim to the motive to excuse my course. I observed
silence, as it seemed to rae the best way to serve the brave and
the country. The facts were not fully known — discontent pre
vailed, and criticism or condemnation were more likely to
augment than to cure the evil. I refrained, well knowing
that heavy censures would fall upon me, but convinced that
it was better to enditre them for the present, and defer to a
more propitious tirae, an investigation of the conduct of, the
generals, for, in the mean time, their services are required and
their influences useful. For these reasons, Generals Floyd and
Pillow were assigned to duty, for I still felt Confidence in their
gallantry, their energy, and their devotion to the Confederacy.
" The test of merit, in my profession, with the people, is suc
cess. It is a hard rule, but I think it right. If I join this
corps to the forces of General Beauregard (I confess a hazard
ous experiraent), then those who are now disclaiming against
me will be without an argument. Your friend, "A. S. JOHNSTON."
General Beauregatd had concentrated his raen at and around
Corinth, and the united forces were prepared, early in April,
to strike a heavy blow at the enemy, which was attempted on
the field of Shiloh.
The battle of Shiloh has already been mentioned, and we
need now only allude to the manner of General Johnston's
death. On the 6th of AprU, the array marched on the eneray.
The ground was broken and undulating, and covered, in a
great measure, by lofty trees, without any undergrowth. Mile
after mile, the Confederates rushed on, sweeping the caraps of
the enemy before them. General Johnston was in the advance,
before the troops of Breckinridge and Bowen. He had ad
dressed thera in a few brief words, and given the order to
" Charge !" when at two o'clock, a minie ball cut the artery
of his leg. StiU he rode on until, frora loss of blood, he fell,

406 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
exhausted, into the arms of Governor Harris, -who carefully
bore him a short distance fr-om the field, into a ravine, and
reclined hirn in his lap. The general's staff had been mingled
with others, but now rode up to seek for him. Stimulants
were speedily adrainistered, but in vain." The last wor-ds he
uttered wer-e, just after he was shot, "Governor, I believe I
ara seriously wounded!" Now, be" was totaUy unconscious.
A raeraber of bis staff, Colonel Wra. Preston, in an agony of
grief, threw bis arms around him, and called aloud to see if he
would respond, or know who were around. But no sign, or
reply came, and in a moment or two raore, he quietly breathed
his last, at half past two p. m. April 6th, 1862.,
His body was borne from the field by his staff officers, and
intrusted to Colonel Preston, by General Beauregard, to be
taken to New Orleans, until directions should be received from
his faraily. The fact of his death, however, was for some time
concealed frora the army ; and a mistake arose on the part of
the enemy in supposing that his body was found on the field.
There was one General Geo. W. Johnston — the provisionab
governor of Kentucky^n the battle, and he also fell mortally
wounded. This gentleman was raet in his dying moraents by
General McCook, of the Federal army, as the latter was ad
vancing, and, taking him up in his arms with that kindly
feeling which, few brave soldiers ever fail to show towards
friend or foe at such a time, asked his narae. The answer,
probably, led to the mistake about General Johnston. As soon
as it was deemed expedient to publish his death, the following
general order was issued frora headquarters, at Corinth, by
General Beauregard : Headquarters, Army op Missisann, )
Corinth, Miss., April 10, 1862. )
Soldiers — Your late Coramander-in-chief, Gerreral A. S.
Johnston, is dead ; a fearless soldier, a sagacious captain, a re-
proachless man, has fallen. One who, in bis devotion to our
cause, shrank frora no sacrifice ; one who, animated bj"^ a sense
of duty, and sustained by a sublime courage, challenged dan
ger, and perished gallantly for his country, vphile leading for-
war-d his brave colurans to victory. His signal example of
heroism and patriotism, if imitated, would make his army
invincible.

GENEEAL ALBERT SYDNEY JOHNSTON. 407
A grateful country will mourn his loss, revere his name, and
cherish his many virtues. P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, General Commanding.
At Eichmond, on arrival of the news. President Davis sent
into Congress a special raessage concerning the battle, and
particulariy referring to General Johnston's death. He says :
" But an' all- wise Creator has been pleased, while vouchsafing
to us His countenance in battle, to afflict us with a severe dis
pensation, to which we mnst bow in humble submission. The
last long, lingering hope has disappeared, and it is but too
true, that General Albeet Sydney Johnston is no nrore.
" My long and close friendship with this departed chieftain
and patriot, forbid me to trust myself in giving vent to the
feelings which this intelligence has evoked. Without doing
injustice to the living, it raay safely be said that our loss is
irreparable. Among the shining hosts of the great and good
who now cluster around the banner of our country, there exists
no purer spirit, no more heroic soul, than that of the illustrious
man whose death I join you in lamenting.
"In his death he has illustrated the character for which,
through life, he was conspicuous — that of singleness of purpose
and devotion to duty with his whole energies. Bent on ob
taining the victory which he deemed essential to his country's
cause, he rode on to the accomplishment of his object, forget
ful of self, while his very life-blood was fast ebbing away.
His last breath cheered his corarades on to victory. The last
sound he heard was their shout of victory. His last thought
was his country, and long and deeply will his country mourn
his loss. "JEFFERSON DAVIS."
When the reraains of General Johnston reached New Orleans,
then in possession of the Confederate forces, they were escorted
to the City Hall by the military, attended by the governor of
Louisiana, General Lovell, their staffs, and other prominent
officers and gentlemen. The body was laid in state in the
mayor's parlor, and the public adraitted. Silence, and deep-

408 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
felt, unaffected grief marked the occasion. Ladies brought
magnolias and other flowers with which they encircled his
coffin simply, but beautifully. And thus, whUe gentle hands
and weeping eyes mpved softly around bim, — his 'sheathed
sword still by his side — the dead warrior — the hardy cam-.
paigner— the industrious farraer — the adventurous explorer—
and the great commander, was borne to his flnal and eternal
rest. * * * * /
The appearance of General Johnston was well suited to his
military character — in height, over six feet, and with a large,
sinewy frame, his whole appearance was commanding, while
his manners were, occasionally, very silent and reserved, and
often abstracted. He was married, and had a son, who, in
1863, was on the staff of President Davis. His brother, Jo
siah Stoddard Johnston, a man of the most eminent abilities,
was, by the Confederate cause looked upon as a great ally.
He, however, met a violent death in the blowing up of a
stearaboat on the Eed river, La. This brother had a son, J.
S. Johnston, who resided near Georgetown, Kentucky, but was
obUged to fly to Mobile, in August, 1862, on account of his
syrapathies with the Confederacy. Thus the fortunes of the
whole family, like that of so many others, seem to have been
interwoven with the cause of their native South.

l:^ cen. po

LK.

C 3 a.oliArdson
-Publisher.

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL LEONIDAS POLK.

The father of Leonidas Polk was Colonel Williara Polk, a
highly distinguished soldier in the revolutionary war, and a
near relative of Thomas Polk, who was one of the few that
issued the famous Mecklenburg declaration of indepen
dence. Young Polk was born about the year 1806, in Ealeigh,
North Carolina, and, after receiving the fir-st rudiments of edu
cation in his native State, was adraitted to West Point as a
cadet in the year 1823. It was at his father's wish he cora
menced life in the militar-y profession, though it would seem
his own inclinations led him subsequently irito a different call
ing. On the SOth of June, 1827, he graduated, standing No.
8 in his class. It is said that while going through his terra at
the academy, he was induced to turn from the military profes
sion to that of the church, at the instigation of Bishop Mcll
vaine, of Ohio, who was chaplain of that institution at the
time. Certain it is, however, that, though he was appointed a
brevet second-lieutenant of artillery, and remained in the army
a few months, he resigned, and comraenced studying for the
ministry, on the 1st Deceraber, 1827. After the usual ex
amination, he was admitted to holy orders in the Protestant
Episcopal church, and, in 1838, received an appointment as
Missionary Bishop in Arkansas and part of the Indian terri
tory, with a provisional charge of the diocese of Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, and the EepubUc of Texas.
His movements during this tirae we would fain record, did
our space permit. The wilds of the frontier regions of the
West embrace many scenes, giving to such a man as the
traveUing bishop, or itinerant Methodist preacher, abundant

410 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
material of interest and adventure, and Bishop Polk must have
often gone thi-ough all" the numerous and exciting incidents
consequent upon the life of a Western missionary. In 1841,
however-, he was ordained regular Bishop of Louisiana, and
held that post for twenty years.*
' The events that occirrr-ed dur-ing this period are matters of ¦
general history. The Mexican war-, the wars with the Indians,
and the several changes made by the progress of civilization in
the West, belong to that time; and no doubt Bishop Polk par
ticipated lai-gely in rauch of what took place, for a raind like
his could har-dly have remained passive" under such stirring
events. At length the note of war was hear-d iu his own land. The
deadly strife between North and South comraenced, and a
Southern Confederacy was formed. Presiderrt Davis applied
to Bishop Polk to know if he would rejoin the ar-my, and, it is
said tirst offered him the appointment of a brigadier-general,
which was r-efused. Ultimately, however-, he accepted a
major-generalship, and laying aside the bishop's robe, donned
the garments of a soldier. His reasons for this have been
given as follows : Bishop Meade, on bear-ing of what he had
done, told him th"kt he already had a commission in a very
different arrny to which he should still bold allegiance ; but
Polk replied, that while he accepted the raajor-generalship he
did not intend to resign his right to the bishopric. " When,"
said he, " I accept a commission in the Confederate arrny, I
not only perform the duties of a good citizen, but contend for
the principles which lie at tbe foundation of our social, poUti
cal, and religious polity."
In June, 1861, the new major-gener-al, Bishop Polk, visited
Eichraond, and had a long conference with President Davis.
He then retur-ned to the West, and took up his coramand,
which extended fr-onr the mouth of the Arkansas river, on both
sides of the Mississippi, to the northernmost limits ofthe Con
federate States, and took in the encampment at Cbrinth. His
headquarters were at Memphis, and thence he issued his first

* We a,re not aware when Bisliop Polk was married, but his -wife was a Miss
Devereux, of Ealeigh, and possilply he was united to her before leaving for the
West.

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL LEONIDAS POLK. 411
general order, dated July 13th, 1861, in which he gives some
lengthy reasons for taking upon himself such a " grave respon
sibility." In commenting upon Bishop Polk's appointment, the Mem
phis Appeal remarks, " This is the first Instance in the conn-
try's history of the appointraent of a high church dignitary to
a position of so much responsibility in the military service;"
and, we may add, that it was an appointment far from being
wise, where great military talent and experience were so much
needed. At this time. General Polk presented the appearance of a
-tall, well-built, good-looking man, bear-ing in ever-y word and
glance the impress of a soldier more than the divine. His
hair was slightly gray, and his whiskers completely so. The
eyes were gray, deep set, keen, and penetrating ; nose, rather
of the Eoman order; his mouth sunken, with lips in general
tightly compressed. Affable in manner; agreeable in con-
ver-sation ; yet determination expressed upon bis countenance,
such was the railitary bishop. General Polk.
One of the first events that occurred in his department, af
ter taking command, was the capture, at Columbus, in Ken
tucky, of the steam packet Cheney. She bad been conveying
Federal troops up the river, ard this becoraing known, she was
seized, and conveyed to Meraphis, as a prize. A few days
later, hearing that General Pillow, then at New Madrid, was
likely to be in danger fr-om the operations of large Federa,l
forces, under Lyon and Fremont, General Polk immediately
directed seven riverboats to be used for the purpose of con
veying hirn and bis tropps away. This was promptly done;
and the whole comraand of five thousand rnen, safely brought
to Eandolph, near headquarters, at Memphis. But, the first
event here mentioned, was denied, by General Polk, as being
nnder his authority. Colurabus being in Kentucky, and that
State not yet having openly espoused the cause of the North,
this was made one of the subjects of correspondence between
a committee of the Kentucky Senate, and General Polk. He
had, however, now marched on to Columbus, and taken pos
session ofthe place, which still further increased the difficulty.
The reasons he gave for so doing were, that it was a railitary
necessity,, arising from the fact, that Kentucky had herself dis-

412 SOUTHERN GENEEALS.
regarded neutrality, by perraitting Federal troops to organize
corapanies, establish depots and camps, and erect military
works. This was put forth in a proclamation he issued on the
4th of September, and also in a letter to Governor Magoffin,
at the same time assuring hira that he wonld withdraw the
Confederate forces frora Kentucky, if she would agree to make
the Federals do the same. He also stated, that his proceed
ings were approved by President Davis. A lengthy corres
pondence followed, which produced no satisfactory result, and
which we need not transcribe. Polk placed Columbus in a
good state pf defence, General Grant, at that time, being with
his forces, at Cairo, a little higher up the river.
Not long after General Grant came down the river in fprce^^
with a design of attacking the Confederaffes, stationed at Bloom-^
field and New Madrid, under General Thorapson. At 3 a. m,
of Noveinber 7th, General Polk was inforraed, by a cour-ierj
that the enemy had landed on the Missouri shore, five or six
miles above the small viUage of Belmont. This led hira to ex
pect that the attack would become general, and he immedi
ately dispatched instructions to division officers. Colonel Tap'
pan was in comraand of the sraall force at Belmont, and Gen
eral Pillow was sent by Polk to his relief, across the river,
General Polk then examined other portions of his coraraand,
and found that General Cown, on his left flank, was already
well prepared, and General Cheatham also in good position
This care was necessary, lest the Federals should attacl^ him
in the rear ; but it was likewise needful to send more reinforce
ments to Belmoi^t ; and this was done under sorae difficulty,
The fight, however, had now begun at Belmont, and, after a
well-contested engagement, ended in a victory to the South,
though this was denied by the North., General A. S. Johnston
who had then assuraed entire coraraand of the department, and
was at Bowling Green, said officially, "This was no ordinary
shock of arms : it was a long, and trying contest, in which our
troops fought by detachments, and always against superioi*
nurabers. The 7tli of November will fill a bright page in our
military annals, and be remembered with gratitude by the sons
and daughters of the South."
Polk's official dispatch to Eichmond, and the answer re
ceived from President Davis are as foUows :

lieutenant-geneeal leonidas polk. 413
Headquarters, Fibst Division Western Department,)
Columbus, Kt., November 7, 1861. J
To General Headquarters, through General A. S. Johnson :
The eneray came down on the opposite side of the river,
Belmont, to-day, about seven thousand strong, landed, under
cover of gunboats, attacked Colonel Tappan's carap. I sent
over three regiments, under General Pillow, to his relief; then,
at intervals, three othei-s ; then General Cheatham.
I then took over two others in person, to support a flank
movement which I had directed. It was a hard-fought battle,
lasting from 10.30 A. m., to 5 p. m. They took Beltzhoover's
battery, four pieces of which were recaptured. The eneray
were thoroughly routed. We pursued them to their boats
seven railes, then drove their boats before us. The road was
strewn with their dead and wounded, guns, araraunition, and
equipments. Our loss considerable ; theirs heavy.
[Signed,] L. POLK,
Major-general commanding.

Richmond, November 8, 1861.
To Majok-qenekal Polk :
Your telegraph received. Accept for yourself, and the offi
cers and men under your command, my sincere thanks for the
glorious contribution you have just raade to our coraraon cause.
Our countryraen must long remeraber gratefully to read the
activity and skill, courage and devotion, of the army at Bel
mont. [Signed,] J.DAVIS.
A few days after this, a serious accident occurred, which
was nearly terrainating with fatal r.esults to General Polk. A
large Dahlgren gun had been loaded during the above-men
tioned • battle, but not fired- Itwas discharged on the llth,
when it exploded, caught the raagazine of the piece which was
immediately below it, and killed eight men, besides seriously
M'ounding five others! Among these latter was General Polk,
who was knocked down senseless by the concussion, and had
his clothes literally torn off hirn. Fortunately, he soon re
covered, and without other injury.
Through the remaining part of the year 1861, nothing more

414 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
of importance connected with General Polk occurred. Jan
uary passed away in like manner ; but, in Februar-y, Forts
Henry and Donelson fell, while General Polk was stUl at Co
lumbus, compeUed to remain and guard that post as long as he
could. But his situation soon became very cr-itical. The Fed
erals were collecting imraense forces in Kentucky and Missouri,
and it was clearly seen by General Polk — General Johnson
having already commenced retreating south — that to hold Co
lumbus any longer was hardly possible. Accordingly, " hav
ing received instructions from the War Departraent, through
General Beauregard, to evacuate the place, and select a defen
sive position lower down," it was done. On the 1st of March
the troops moved, General Stuart's brigade going by steamer,
to New Madrid, and the remainder marching by land, to Union
City, under General Cheatham. General Polk remained until
the next day, to supervise the completion of the wor-k, and
then, at 3 p. m., himself and staff followed the rear column.
He retreated by the way of Hurabolt, towards Cor-inth, where
the principal portion of the armies of the West, under Generals
Beauregard, Johnson, and himself, were to unite. This was
accomplished by the beginning of Apr-il ; and General Polk was
placed in command of one of the tbree grand corps d'armee
into which the forces were divided.
The battle of Shiloh followed, on the 6th of April. It has
already been described in previous sketches, and all we need
say now is, that the commander-in-chief, General Beauregard,
very highly complimented " Major-gener-al Polk for the zeal,
intelligence, and energy with which all orders were executed,
and for the foresight and militar-;^ abiUty displayed, as well as
for his fearless deportment, in personally leading his command
against the adversary." The arrny now retreated to' Corinth,
and, when that place was evacuated, the 30th of May, Polk's
corps proceeded, in accordance with orders, to Baldwin and
Tupelo. General Br-agg was now appointed in command of
the department, and Polk's forces accorapanied the army in
its moveraents through Tennessee, and into Kentucky, as pre
viously described in dur sketch of General Bragg. The march
was long, rough, and weary, but not without its charms, for it
was amidst some of the wildest and most magnificent scenery
to be found. Passing Chattanooga — crossing the Tennessee

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL LEONIDAS POLK. 415
at Har-r-ison — on through the raountain passes of the North, —
the array finally reached Fr-ankfort, in the beginning of Octo
ber. At the same time the Federal for-ces arrived to attack
the rear of Bragg's army, stationed at Perr-y ville ; and on the
8tli of October a battle took place. Polk's forces, under
Cheatham and Withers, formed the Confeder-ate right wing,
and well did they sustain their previous reputation.
The following incident connected with this battle we will
give, as far as possible, in the words of General Polk, as he re
lated it to a foreign military officer afterwards visiting him :
"Well, sit-," said Polk, "it was at the battle of Perryville,
late in the evening — irr fact, it was almost dark when Liddel's
brigade came into action. Shortly after its arrival, I observed
a body of raen, whom I believed to be Confederates, standing
at an angle to this brigade, and firing obUquely at the newly
arr-ived troops. I said, ' Dear rae, this is very sad, and must
be stopped,' so I turned round, but could find none of my young
men, who were absent on different messages ; so I determined
to ride myself and settle the raatter. Having cantered up to
the colonel ofthe regiraent, which was firing, I asked him, in
angry tones, what he meant by shooting his own fr-iends, and I
desired hirn to cease doing s6 at once. He answered with sur
prise, ' I don't think there can be any mistake ; I am sure they
are the enemy.'
" ' Enemy !' I said ; ' why I have only just left thera myself.
Cease firing, sir: what is your narae, sir?'
"'My narae is Colonel  , of the  Indiana; and
pray, sir, who are you?'
" Then, for the fir-st time I saw, to ray astonishment, that he
was a Yankee, and I was in rear of a regiment of Yankees.
Well ; I saw there was no hope but to brazen it out. My dar-k
blouse, and the increasing obscurity befriended rae ; so I ap
proached quite close to him, and shook ray fist in his face, say
ing, ' I'll soon show you who I ara, sir ! Cease firing, sir, at
once.' I then turned ray horse, and cantered slowly down the
line, shouting in an authoritative manner to the Yankees to
cease firing; at the same time I experienced a disagreeable
', sensation, like screwing up ray back, and calculating how
many bullets would be between ray shoulders every moment.
I was afraid to increase my pace until I got to a small copse,

•416 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
when I put the spurs in and galloped back to my men. I im
mediately went up to the nearest colonel, and said to him,
' Colonel, I have reconnoitered those fellows pretty closely, and
I find there is no mistake who they are; you may get np and
go at them.' And I assure you, sir, tbat the slaughter of that
Indiana regiment was the greatest I have ever seen in the
war."* The array now moved from Kentuckyinto Tennessee again,
General Bragg leaving the whole conduct of the retreat to
General Polk. At early dawn of the 12th of October, the
troops had reached Bryantsville, and from this place the spene
presented was something extraordinarily picturesque and strik
ing as the iraraense cavalcade passed on. "Ammunition
trains, and batteries of captured artillery,had preceded; and
following them were trains of goods, wares, mer-chandise, pro
visions, army stores, captured muskets, escorts of cavalry, and
artillery dr-awn by oxen. Then carae private trains of refugee
farailies, flying with their negroes for safety — ladies and chil
dren in carriages, stage-coaches, express wagons, omnibuses,
buggies, arabulances, Jersey-wagons, and every kind of vehicle
iraaginable.f After this carae the wagons of the different bri
gades of General Sraith's array, with infantry, cavalr-y, and
artillery in the rear. Interraixed with the throng were thou
sands of cattle, horses, and raules." »
The eneray was in pursuit, and it wag necessary to urge on
the tearas night and day for fear of capture. Part of the way
was along the bed of Dick's river, a miserable rocky branch,
which the troops had to cross and recross for six miles, during
one dark and hazy night. Terrible, then, was the scene of
confusion. Wagons broke down, or were overturned ; team
sters bawled and screamed, and cracked their whips, and swore
in the most outlandish gibberish ; and so it went on. Day
after day did the retreating array press towards the mountain
region of Cumberland gap ; and day after day did the gallant
Wheeler, who covered the rear, perforra all but superhuraan

* Preemantle's Three Months in the South, p. 166; also see Cha/rleston
Mercury, November SOth, 1862.
t The people of Kentucky, friendly to the South,, were thus flying from the
Northern army invading their soil.

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL LEONIDAS POLK. 417
deeds to retard the enemy. Frora Altarnount to Curaberland
gap he encountered the eneray twenty-nirre tiraes, and, finally,
at Eock Castle, the pursuers abandoned the chase. The army
of the Mississippi was saved ! It took its way down the val
ley, and thence to Murfreesboro, as already related.
It appear-s that at about this time, General Polk visited
Eichmond, and greatly surpr-ised the public, one Sunday, by
his presence in St. Paul's church at the morning service. His
well-known, manly for-ra was imraediately recognized, and
many would have gladly seen him ascend the pulpit. Ten
days afterwar-ds he left for the West, having acquiesced in the
President's decision to sustain General Bragg.
At the battle of Murfr-eesboro, Polk, now a lieutenant-gen
eral, commanded the First cor-ps, and well shared in the
terrible struggle of those three days. After the retreat to
TuUahoma, however, a few months of needful rest followed —
during which no events of moment transpired worthy of record
here. The same writer, whom we ha,ve so often quoted, re
lates the following. On a visit to the camp at this time. May,
1863, he says: "Lieutenant-general Polk is a good-looking,
gentlemanlike raan, with all the mannei-s and affability of a
'grand seigneur.' He is fifty years old — tall, upright, and
looks more like a soldier than a cler-gyman. He is ver-y rich,
and owns, I am, told, seven hundred negr-oes. He is much be
loved by the soldiers on account of his gr-eat personal courage
and agreeable manners. He told nie he was educated at West
Point, and was at that institution with Pr-esident Davis, the
two Johnstons, Lee, Magruder, etc., and tbat after serving a
short tirne in the artillery he had enter-ed the church. He ex
plained to me the reasons which had induced him temporarily
to for-sake the cassock and return to his old profession. He
stated the extreme reluctance he had felt in taking this step;
and said that so soon as the war was over he should retur-n to
his episcopal avocations, in the same way as a man, finding
his house on fire, would use every means in his power to ex
tinguish the fiames, and would then resume his ordinary pur
suits. . . General Polk told me an affecting story of a poor
widow, in humble circumstances, whose three sons had fallen
in battle one after the other, until she had only one left, a boy
of sixteen. So distressing was her case that the general went
27

418 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
himself to corafort her. She looked steadUy at hira, and re
plied to his condolences by saying, ' As soon as I can get a few
things together. General, you shall have Harry, too.' The
tears carae'into General Polk's eyes as he related this incident,
which he concluded by saying, ' How can you subdue such a
nation as this?'" . . General Polk's son, a young artillery
lieutettant, told me that he had been a cadet at the institute
wher-e Professor " Stonewall " Jackson once taught, and at the
outbreak of the war, Jackson was called upon to make a
speech. He did so, in these words, " Soldiers, make short
speeches ; be slow to draw the sword in civil strife, but when
you draw it, throw away the scabbard." Young Polk said
that the enthusiasra created by this speech of old Jack's was
bej'ond desci-iption."
General Polk was, as we have elsewhere mentioned, at the
battle of Chickaraauga, where rauch of an unpleasant nature
occurred between General Bragg and himself. The result was,
that Polk, on the SOth of September, was deprived ofhis com
raand,* for "dereliction of duty," and ordered to Atlanta,
where he arrived on October 3d. After reflection, however,
and exaraination into facts, convinced the President and
General Bragg that there had been some mistake ; and, ac
cordingly. General Polk was re-appointed, but sent to take
command of the paroled prisoners at Vicksburg and Port
Pludson, which he did in the latter part of November. The
following January, 1864, he was appointed to coraraand the
departraent of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana. In
a previous address to his troops, on the last day of the year,
1863, he earnestly appealed to all good citizens to forget self,
and repair to the field that they niight assist in the defence of
their country. He, hiraself, energetically applied hiraself to
the task of obstructing General Sherman's progress, in his
Mississippi expedition, and succeeded, to a great extent, in
* General Polk, in his farewell address to his command, says : " In conse
quence of an untbrtunate disagreement between myself and the commander-in-
chief of thia department, 1 have been relieved of my command, and am about
to retire from the army. Without attempting to explain the circumstances
of this disagreement, or prejudicing the public mind by a premature appeal to
its judgment, I must be permitted to express my unqualified conviction of the
rectitude of my conduct, and that time aud investigation will amply vindicate
my conduct on the field of Chifckamauga;"

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL LEONIDAS POLK. 419
checking, though, as events have shown, not wholly frustrating
his after plans. In February, General Polk so arranged his
coramand as to place the Northern department of it under
General Forrest, with his headquarters at Como; and the
southern department, under General S. D. Lee, with head
quarters at Jackson. Various encounters with the Federals
ensued, and, on the 26th of February, General Polk issued a
congratulatory address to his troops, in which he considers the
campaign, in that quarter, against Sherman, to have success
fully closed. He adds: "Tbe concentration of our cavalry
on his colnmn of cavalry from West* Tennessee formed the
turning point of the campaign. That concentration broke
down his only means of subsisting his infantry. His column
was defeated and routed, and his whole force corapeUed to
make a hasty retreat. Never did a grand campaign, inaugu
rated with such pretension, terrainate raore ingloriously. With
a force three times that which was opposed to its advances,
they have beeh defeated and forced to leave the field with a
loss of men, sraall arms, and artillery."
Wh^n General Sherman carried his operations into North
Georgia, and Johnson required all the force that could be
brought to hira, Lieutenant-general Polk was sent, with his
troops, to forra the left wing of tbe army. At Dalton, and
again at Eesaca, Polk placed his troops with great skill, and,
in the retreat, "Loring's division of bis corps brought up the
rear and did effective service." -
At length, the day came when the career of General Polk
was to end. Tbe Confederate array had retreated to Marietta,
whither Sherman had closely followed it. It was a strong
point on Kenesaw mountain, at which General Johnston had
encamped. ¦ The' Federal lines were well formed in front of
hitn, and it was on the afternoon of June Mth, that Johnston,
Hardee, and Polk, rode out from their quarters to make some
telescopic observations of the Federal position. At the time,
thei-e was a brisk artUlery fire going on between the two»
armies, but no engageraent of tbe infantry. The generals,
dismounting, walked to the front, where some of the enemy's
artiUerists, observing the party, fired. Their aira was too suc
cessful. One of the projectiles struck General Polk on the
left arra, about tbe elbow, passed through his body, consider-

420 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
ably mangling it, and carried off the right arm. He died on
the spot, and his reraains were immediately taken to Marietta,
and thence to Atlanta, where funeral services were performed
on the ISth. Thus ended the life of one whose chara,cter re
minds us of the middle ages, when priest and monk forsook
the stole and cloister to join crusaders in the battlefield. We
conclude by quoting the foUowing tribute to his niemory, as
found in The Chv/rch Journal :
" Our strpng condemnation of the bishop's course in volun
tarily forsaking the exercise of his apostolic office in prd.er tp
take up the arras of earthly w;arfare, and bear his p3,rt in the
work of blood, has repeatedly been expressed during his life-
tirae, and neither justice nor generosity calls for a repetition of
the censure over his grave. We wpuld rather^now that
death has closed the account — recall the earlier days, when
the raany noble traits of his personal character surrounded him
with friends, and made hira second to none throughout all the
South, in his infiuence for good. His manly bearing, his
frank and cordial manner, his high sense of honor, his real
tenderness and easily kindled sympathy of temperament — a
sympathy through which the fever of Eevolution made of him
an early and an easy prey — his wisp and eloquent labors in be
half of education, his splendid success in advocating and fur
thering the 'University of the South,' his administrative
ability, his fatherly affection and firmness in tbe government
of the clergy and people of his diocese^these are the things
which we would most willingly recall, now that he is dead
and gone. Or if hi& military career cannot be altogether
ignored — and alas ! who can forget it ? — we would rather re
mind our readers of the many acts of kindness and tenderness
shown by hira to our sick and wounded men ; of the personal
dignity, and purity, and elevation of character, which he re
tained undirainished, even amid the thrilling excitements and
sharp temptations of the camp ; of his great success in winning
the confidence and love of his men, and in extending the spirit
of religion among the armies with which he served ; of his
open effort not altogether to sink the bishop in the general ;
and last, not least, of that striking scene in our little church at
Harrodsburg, when, after inspecting the building and deciding
that it should not be used as a hospital by his army, he laid

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL LEONIDAS POLK. 421
aside hrs sword, and entered the chancel, and knelt down at
the altar, and aloud poured out his soul to God in a fervent
prayer for peace. When we think of all these things, we may
well leave him to his Master, and our Master, to judge; nor
feel it needful to mingle any earthly censure with the sincere
expression of our sorrow at his fall."

LIEUTENANT-GENEHAL STERLING PRICE.

Geneeal Peice is one of those extraordinary characters that
troublous times always develope. Not a military man by
education, nor, indeed, by actual profession, he possesses, how- '
ever, many of the talents of a commander and a soldier. In
strategy, he has frequently outmanoeuvred several generals sent
against him ; and the success he has obtained, at any time,
has mairrly been the result of good sense and hard fighting.
Yet he is as distinguished in the more peaceful walks of lifej-.
as be has been in those of war. As a politician, an orator, a
citizen, a farraer, and a man, we find hira praised by all who
speak of him, while it also appears that he well deserves a
place araong the principal generals of the South.
Sterling Price was born about the year 1810, in Pri;nce
Edward county, Virginia, but emigrated to the west while
very young. He settled at Charlton, in the State of Missouri,
when he was twenty years of age, and there pursued the
peaceful occupation of a farmer. For fourteen years there
after we hear nothing of hira ; but it is evident that he had
not been idle during the tirae, neither on bis farm, nor amongst
his fellow-men, for, in 1844, he was elected a member of Con
gress by a large raajority. He took his seat in December,
1845, but, having failed to receive the party nomination in
the following spring, he resigned and returned home. «% Just
about tbis tirae the war broke out with Mexico. Several
States — Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois, Arkansas, and Louisi
ana—were sending volunteers, and Missouri followed the ex
ample by giving authority to Price for raising a regiment of
cavalry, and appointing hirn colonel. This was on the 12th of

CEN- STERLING PRICE.

C.B Hicliardson.
Pu^bii slier-

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL STEELING PEIOE. 423
August, 1846, and the ti-6ops agreed to serve for twelve
months. Colonel Price's regiment was the 2d Missouri cavalry, and,
with the 1st, Colonel Doniphan, two companies of Missouri in
fantry, and four of dragoons, was attached to that division of
the gr-and army under Colonel (afterwar-ds General) Kearney,
uncle of the lamented General Philip Kearney, killed in 1862,
at the battle of Chantilly, Va. Kearney's forces were to oper
ate in New Mexico, and, in June, they proceeded, by separate
detachments, from Fort Leavenworth, the place of rendezvous,
towards Santa Fe. The distance thither is about 1,000 railes,
near-ly the whole of which is over boundless prairies, upon
which are nuraerous herds of deer, antelope, and buffalo. The
road between the two points was an old, but good, wagon-way,
much travelled, witb watering-places well-known. Fifty days
it took for the army to reach Santa Fe, nothing of note occur
ring by the way. On the 16th of August, San Miguel had
been taken, and thence the troops proceeded, thr-ough grand
mountain scenery, to the city, which was found to be deserted
by the Mexicans. General Kearney imraediately took posses
sion, and shortly afterwards. Colonel Price, with his r-egirnent,
arrived. General Kearney now proceeded to Califorrria with
a portion of his command, sent Colonel Doniphan against the
Navajos, and thence to unite with Gener-al Wool in Mexico ;
and left Colonel Price in char-ge of his own regiment, as the
garrison for-ce for New Mexico. In addition, there wer-e 200
regular dr-agoorts, under Captain Bur-gwin, and Fischer's
company of St. Louis Light Artillery. This was the total, of
the force, numbering about 2,000 men. Colonel Price had with
hini, to take care of New Mexico, and, though this was his
first military experience, he succeeded, as will be seen, in se
curing to the Uirited States that valuable and extensive terri
tory. A governor (Charles Bent) had been elected by General
Kearney, but the miUtary command of the province was en
tirely in the hands of Colonel Price, who raust, undoubtedly,
have shown rare qualities of raind and body, for such an able
and experienced officer as General Kearney to have felt suffi
cient corrfidence in leaving him there.
Not long after Kearney's departure, an insur-rection was
planned against Price and the Araericans, but was happily

424 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
discovered in time to prevent its complete, though not its
partial, success. Governor Bent, and several pf bis officers,
being absent, at the time, from Santa Fe, fell victiras to it, and
were brutally raassacred. The garrison force, also, was obliged
to live in detachraents where forage could be obtained,, and
twenty of these were surprised and killed. This led the insur
gents to augur coraplete sviccess, and, accordingly, they strongly
posted themselves on heights, at a place called Canada. This
was on the 23d of January, 1847, and, on that day. Colonel
Price, at the head of 400 men, marched against thera. On the
following day, he succeeded, after nearly two hours' engage
ment, in thoroughly routing them with some loss. The enemy
then fell back to another strong position up a river, at the
pass of Eniboda ; thither. Colonel Price, now joined by Captain
Burgwin and his dragoons, followed them. A gallant charge
was raade in a narrow gorge, and the eneray was again routed.
The insurgents, however-, made yet anotber stand at San
Fernando de Taos, where Governor Bent had been massacred,
and there Colonel Price, with his command, pursued them.
The country was mountainous, and the snow very deep, but
the American force toiled over the steeps, crossed the valleys,
marched through wild passes, and frightful-looking gorges, till,
on the 3d of February, 1847, tbey entered San Fernando —
evacuated by the foe — and went on to El Pueblo, where the
Mexicans were raore strongly posted than before. That after
noon tbe engagement began, ceasing at night, but renewed
next day, and ended in the total defeat, and entire submission
of the insurgents, after considerable loss on both sides.
We have not space to follow the after movements of Colonel
Price, when he marched to Chihuahua, over the fearful, and
previously impassable desert Jornada del Muerto (Journey of
Death), nor can we detail his engagements with the Mexicans
at Taos and Eosales. The services Price render-ed in New
Mexico raised his rank to that of Brigadier-general, and it was
considered by every one, that " his campaign bad been one of
the most brilliant of the war, especially considering his slender
force of volunteers ; and it forcibly displayed the extraordi
nary ener-gy and enterprise of his character."
After his return from the Mexican War, in 1848, he settled
down again upon hisJarm, though mixing more than before in

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL STEELING PEICE. 425
exciting' political questions. Finally, in 1852, he was elected
Governor of Missoui-if and "his whole tirae was then devoted to
the welfare of the State. In 1860, he supported Mr. Douglas
for the Presidency. When it was found that Mi-. Lincoln had
been elected, signs of strife were speedily manifested, though
no overt act was committed for sorae time. In January, ex-
Governor Price was chosen President of the State Convention ;
and when the authorities decided upon resistance to the Fed
eral Government, he was placed, by Governor Claib Jackson,
at the head of the Missouri State Guard, as Major-general.
From some skilful pen we have the following graphic de
scription of General Price and his followers. Of his personal
appearance the writer says : " He is over six feet in height,
with a frarae to match, full, but not portly, and straight as an
Indian. His carriage is marked with dignity, grace, and gen
tleness, and every motion bespeaks the attitude and presence
of the well-bred gentleman. He has a large, Websterian head,
covered with a growth of thick, white hair^ a high, broad, in
tellectual forehead, fiorid face, no beard, and a mouth among
whose latent smiles you never fail to discover the iron will that
surmounts all obstacles.
" The army of General Price is made up of extremes. It is
a heterogeneous mixture of all human compounds, and repre
sents in its various elements every condition of Western life.
There are the old and the young, the rich and poor, t«he high
and low, the grave and gay, the planter and laborer-, farmer
and plerk, hunter and boatman, raerchant and woodsman — men,
too, who have come frora every State, and been bronzed in
every latitude, frora the mountains of the northwest to the
pampas of Mexico. Americans, Indians, halfrbreeds, Mexicans,
Frenchmen, Italians, Germans, Spaniards, and Poles — all mixed
in the motley mass who bave rallied around the fiag of their
noble leader. It is a ' gathering of the clans,' as if they had
heard and responded to the stirring battle-call of my poetical
friend, Harry Tirarod."
" It has been a puzzle to raany how Price, without govern
mental resources, has raanaged to subsist a considerable army
in a conntry almost desolated. His system is not known in /
the ' regulations.' He never complains of a want of transpor
tation, whether he is about to move ten miles or a hundred

426 , SOUTHERN GENEEALS.
miles. He pays for what he takes, in Missouri State scrip.
His rnen go into the cornfield, shuck the corn, shell it, take it
to the mrU, aud bring it into camp, ground into meal. Or,.
should they have no fiour, they take the wheat frora the stack,
thresh it themselves, or with hor-ses or oxen, and as with corn,
ask the aid of the railler to reduce it to flour. Such an army
can go where they please in an agricultural country. His
troops not only luved him, but were enthusiastically devoted
to hira. His figure in the battlefield, clothed in a comraon,
brown linen coat, with his white hair streaming in the wind,
was the signal for wild and passionate cheers ; and there was
not one of his soldiers, it was said, but who was willing to die,
if he could only fall within sight of his commander."
i Uporr tbe outbreak of tbe present war, one of the first acts
of General Price, May, 1861,* was to consult with General
Harney of the Feder-al forces, as to the best mode of "restor
ing peace and good order to the people of the State, in subor
dination to the laws of the General and State Go verrr ments."
Certain riotous demonstrations having appeared at St. Louis,
Price having "full authority over the militia of the State," un-
der-took, with the sanction of the Governor, to raaintain order;
and General Harney declared that he had no intention of using
the military at his command, to cause disturbance. Both en-
jpined upon the citizens to keep quiet, and attend to their or
dinary occupations.
Soon after this, when General Harney was removed by the
authorities at Washington, General Price issued the foUowing
addi-css, which, as it clearly defines his views and position, we
insert : Headquarters Missouri Guard,)
Jefferson Crrv, June 4, 1861. j
To the Brigadier-generals commanding the
several Military Districts in Missouri :
To correct misrepresentation, and prevent all misunder-stand-
ing of ray opinions and intentions in reference to the railitary
trust confided tp me by the Government of Missouri, I desire to
* Just prior to this, the arsenal at Liberty had been seized ; and, on the 10th
of May, a brigade of Missouri militia had been forced to surrender, uncon
ditionally, at the demand of Captain (afterwards General) Lyon, of the Fed
eral army.

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL STEELING PKICE. 427
state to you, and the public generally, that ray past and present
position as a private citizen, as a raeraber of our State Conven
tion, and as a military commander, and my infiuence, have
been exerted to prevent the transfer of the seat of war from the
Atlantic States to our own State. Having taken no steps to
wards dissolving our connection with the Federal Government,
there was no reason whatever for disturbing the peace and
tranquillity of Mrssonr-i. I have, ther-efore, desired, and such I
am anthor-ized, has been, and still is, the desire of the Chief
Executive rnider whose orders I acted, that the people of Mis
souri should exercise the right to choose their own position in
any contest which might be forced upon them, unaided by any
military force whatever. The right to bear arms in defence of
themselves and of their State cannot be questioned, secured as
it is by both the Corrstitution of the United States and of this
State. For the pur-pose, therefor-e, of securing to the people of
Missouri a free exer-cise of tbeir undoubted rights, and with a
view to preserve peace and order thr-oughout the State, an
agreeraent has been entered into between General Harney and
myself, which I consider alike honorable to both parties and
governments represented. The Fedei-al Government, however,
has thought proper to remove General Harney frora the cora
mand of the departraent of the West ; but as the successor of
General Harney will certainly consider himself and his gov
ernment in honor bound to carry out tbis agr-eement in good
faith, I feel assured that his removal should give no cause of
uneasiness to our citizens for the security of their Uberties and
property. I intend, on my part to adhere to it both in its
spirit and to the letter. The rumors in circulation, that it is
the intention of tbe officer now in coraraand of tbis depot to
disarm those of our citizens who do not agree in opinion with
the administi-ation at Washington, and put arras iu tbe hands
of those who,-in some localities of this State, are supposed to
sympathize with the views of the Federal Government, are, I
trust, unfounded. The purpose of such a moveraent could not
be misunderstood, and it would not only be a palpable viola
tion of the agreement referred to, and an equally plain viola
tion of our constitutional rights, but a gross indignity to tbe
citizens of this State, which would be resisted to the last ex
tremity.

428 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
My wish and hope is, that the people of the State of Mis
souri be permitted, in peace and security, to decide upon their
future course, and so far as my abilities can effect this object,
it shall be accoraplished.
The people of Missouri cannot be forced, under the terrors
of a. railitary invasion, into a position not of their own free
choice. A raiUion of such people as the citizens of Missouri
were never yet subjugated, and if atterapted, let no apprehen
sions be entertained of the result.
I enjoin upon you, gentleraen, to see that all citizens, of
whatever opinion in polities or religion, be protected in their
persons and property. STERLING PRICE,
Major-general commanding.
Events, however, were rapidly tending to serious collision
between the respective forces; and, on the 20th of June, the
first engageraent occurred at Booneville, between the State
troops, coraraanded by Captain Marmaduke and General
Lyon. The Missouri men wei-e defeated, though showing
great bravery in this, their first pitched battle. Price there
fore, was now corapeUed to come forward openly in favor of
resistance to the Federal power. The day following the battle
of Carthage, July 6th, General Price arrived at that city,
accompanied by Brigadier-general McCirlloch, of the Con
federate army, who had been appointed by the authorities at
Eichmond to the command, under General Polk, head of the
departraent. On the 25tli of July, the Missouri array, under Generals
Price, McCulloch, and Pierce, began its march from Cowskin
Prairie, near the Indian countr-y, towar-ds Springfield, where
the Federals, under Lyon, Sturgis, Sweeney, and Sigel, were
uniting their forces to overpower the State. But it soon be
carae apparent that a division of tbe chief coramand would be
inimical to the good of the cause, and, possibly, injurious to
the troops. Price, therefore, with a truly unselfish and
patriotic spirit, relinquished his post to McCulloch, expressing
hiraself in substance as foUows : " I seek not distinction ; I am
not fighting for that; but in the defence of the liberties of my
countrymen. It matters little what position I hold. I am

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL STEELING PEIOE. 429
ready to surr-ender, not only the command, but my life as a
sacrifice to the cause." That his services and bis presence
among the men should not be lost, he took a snboi-dinate
position in the forthcoraing contest. McCulloch assuraed chief
command, and Price was a division general under him; and
thus the army raarched forward to raeet the foe.
On the 10th of August, the battle of Oak HUl, or Wilson's
Creek, was fought, ending in defeat of the Federals, and death
of their chief in command. General Lyon. Their forces, after
wards, first under Major Sturgis, and then. Colonel Sigel, re
treated to Springfield, and then to Eolla. Spriiigfield was oc
cupied by a part of the Confederates, under General Eains, on
the llth. The victory, however, was claimed by both sides,
though the falling back of Sigel left tbe field undoubtedly to
the Missouri raen.
At this time. General Fremont had arrived to take chief
command of the Western Departraent. On tbe 29th of July,
he had reached St. Louis, and railitary preparations were ira
mediately carried on with renewed vigor. But 'we cannot fol
low, in detail, the events of this stirring carnpaign in Missouri.
Clearly, on the side of the State, General Price was the lead
ing spirit, while McCulloch was the ruling authority among
the Coiifederate forces. On the 20th of August, Price issued
a proclaraation " to the people of Missouri," exhorting them to
maintain their privileges and rights • against all persons, and
especially agaiiist " any one claiming to be provisional or tem
porary governor of Missoriri." This referi'ied, nO doabt, to the
appointments made by the Federals ; but it is evident that
Price and the Missouri people were very jealous of any power
¦ — whether of the North or South— which raight attempt to
encroach in .the least upon their perfect freedom. At this
time, for sorae reason. Generals McCulloch and Hardee — who
had been stationary at Greenville — withdrew, the forraer
into Arkansas, the latter to join the forces under A. S. John
son. General Price, now again in full command, marched to the
Missouri river with a force of about 4,500 men, and seven
pieces of cannon. On the 7th of September, he encountered
and fought General J. Lane,' at a placed called Dry wood, some
fifteen miles east pf Fort Scott. The confiict lasted nearly two

430 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
hours, ending in Lane retreating, and some of Price's forces
occupying the fort, the remainder, with their General, proceed
ing to Lexington.
On the 20th of Septeraber, 1861, Lexington, and aU the
United States forces there asserabled, were surrendered to
Price, by Colonel MuUigan, after a three days' siege. The
Federal troops, and their gaUant chief, held out bravely, but
were at length obliged to yield. Immediately General Price
issued an oi-der, that the forces under Colonel Mulligan, hav
ing stacked their arms, " were not to be insulted by word' or
act, for they had fought like brave men." Colonel Mulligan,
on giving up his sword, had it immediately returned to him by
General Price, who said he "could not see a man ofhis valor
without his sword." The Federal commander, however, would
not give his parole, because " his government had not acknow
ledged the Missourians as belligerents." He was, therefore, a
prisoner, though only such irr narne, for Price, with true
chivalric courtesy, induced Colonel Mulligan and his wife to
become his guests, and treated them with every possible hos
pitality : the sarne spirit being displayed by the victorious
Missourians — officers and privates alike.
In his official report of this battle. General Price did not
forget to bestow a very high meed of pr-aise upon his troops.
Said he, " No general ever commanded a braver or better
army. It is coraposed of the best blood and bravest men of
Missouri." During the siege, quite a nuraber of citizens carae in from
tbe neighboring country, and fought as they expressed it, " on
their own book." A participator in the battle tells an anec
dote of an old man, about sixty years of age, who came up
daily from his farm, with his walnut-stock rifle, and a basket
of provisions, and went to work just as if he were engaged in
hauling rails, or some other accustomed labor. He took his
position behind a large stump upon the descent of the hill on
which the fortification was constructed, where he fired with
deadly aim during each day of the siege.
No sooner was Lexington taken than Price heard that Fre
mont, Sturgis, and Lane, were advancing with a heavy force,
and in such a way as to cut him off. This he adroitly pre
vented by sending out cavalry, as if intending to attack each

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL STERLING PEICE. 431
of the enemy separately, and so covering his retreat. This
retreat was executed in a most adrairable raanner, and araidst
numerous obstacles. The Osage river was crossed in two fiat-
bottomed boats, constructed for the occasion by the Missouri
soldier-s; and then Price moved to Neosho, on the Indian fron
tier of the State. Here the Legislature had assembled, and
here Price again forraed a junction with McCulloch, at the
head of 5,000 rnen. It was at this tirne, the State Legislature
at length passed the Ordinance of Secession, and General
Price had the satisfaction of firing a hundred guns to celebrate
the event.
From Neosho, Price and McCulloch fell back to Cassville
and Pineville, on the southern borders of the State. Fremont
carne on after him, and Springfield was taken from the Mis
souri forces stationed thei-e, by Colonel Zagonyi, of Fremont's
body guard. At Pineville, Price, however, was ready for
another battle, but just then Fremont was recalled, and the
Feder-als retreated to Osceola and Eolla. Price followed them
to Osceola, and then returned to Sprirrgfield to forage his
army and obtairi supplies. This was about the 1st of Decem
ber, 18tjl, and since the previous June, his gallant army had
marched over eight hiypdred miles of ground, often in want,
and yet fighting five battles and thirty skirmishes.
On December 4tli, 1861, the Confederate Congress unani
mously passed a resolution of thanks to "Major-general Ster
ling Price and the Missouri army under his command, for the
gallant conduct they had displayed throughout their service
in the present war."
About this time. Price bad been appointed a raajor-general
in the Confederate army — (holding this rank previously over
State troops only) — but this was not confirraed, and Major-
general Earl Van Dorn was assigned to the Department of
Missouri and Arkansas, Ben McCulloch being over the forces
further West. This appointment, though with the concurrence
of Generab Price, did not succeed so well as anticipated. The
two generals cordially united in resisting the advances of the
enemy, but sufiicient troops and material could not be found.
The result was, that Price hearing of the Federals approaching
in great number-s, determined, on tbe 13th of February to re
treat, and gave orders accordingly. His arrny then moved

432 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
into Arkansas, arriving at Cove Creek, on the 25th of that
month, and uniting with Van Dorn. Shortly afterwards, the
Confederate forces were united with those under Ben McCul
loch, and they then marched to attack the Federal army under
General Curtis and Sigel, at Pea Eidge, Arkansas. The bat
tle commenced on tbe 6th of March, 1862, after two days' long
and dreary travelling through mud and snow. Gates's regi
ment of Price's body guard, and the Louisiana' regiment, im
mediately attacked Sigel near Bentonville, but though that
gallant German officer retreated to Curtis's main wing of the
army, he did so in good order and without loss. This was on
Thur-sday, March 6th, and' on the next day the great battle
raged in all its fury. Those who witnessed it, and were com
petent to judge, said it was the Buerra Vista of the war, so far;
and, certainly, we may infer it was .more than ordinar-ily se
vere, frora the separate accounts given of it. Van Dorn and
Price were opposed to Curtis ; while McCulloch and Mcintosh
faced Sigel. There were a number of Indians also engaged,
and these were in McCuUoch's comraand. Price pushed for
ward with his accustomed valor ; and McCulloch did the same
on his wing; but, during a terrible fusilade, the Ifitter was
killed. Van Dorn was not behind iri cool dar-ing and skill,
and, as commanding officer, his testimony to the extraordinary
valor of the Missourians under Price, is to be regarded. He
said : " The Old Guard of Napoleon was not composed of
braver raeij; I have never in battle seen their equals."
On Saturday, March 8th, the battle was renewed, and the
cannonading was terrific. General Mcintosh was killed, be
sides many other brave officers and men ; and, finally, the
Confederates fell back, leaving Curtis, Sigel, and Jefferson
C. Davis, masters of tho field.
The battle of Pea Eidge seemed to decide the question of '
Confederate rule in the State for a time, and it led to the re
treat of Van Dorn with bis array towards the Mississippi.
Price, it is said, differed frora Van Dorn about the attack on
Curtis, when it was undertaken, but other circumstances also
followed, which made General Price's position such as was not
agreeable to hira, nor so useful to his countrymen as he de
sired. He, therefore, resigned his commission in the State
miUtia, April 6th, in an address to the "soldiers of the State

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL STEELING PEICE. 433
guard," which was full of patriotic fire, and generous enthusi
asm. He then joined the Confederate army, having received
his appointrrrent, now confirmed, as raajor-general.
Immediately afterwards, Pi-ice and Van Dorn left the field
in Arkansas to join the forces under A. S. Johnston and Beau
regard ; leaving Brigadier-general Pike on the Indian fr-ontier,
and Brigadier-general J. S. Eoane in comraand of Arkansas,
but without troops. On the llth of April, Price, with his
division, arrived at Memphis, and was most enthusiastically
received. When called upon to speak, he said : " The time
for speech-making had passed, and the time for action had
arrived. He had comraenced this service without men, money,
or munitions of war ; now he could boast of a gallant horde of
true soldiers, not inconsiderable in numbers, and unsurpassed
in valor and zeal, who would stand by hirn and he by them to '
the end — for weal or woe, come when that hour raay. He had
retur-ned the arras and supplies he had borrowed to begin with,
and still retained abundant supplies for the valorous sons of
the West, won by them in the conflicts of the past for future
use. He expected soon to be heard from in the thundering
tones of the cannon, the roar of musketry, and the clashing of
bayonets." The battle of Shiloh was over when Price ar-rived with his
forces, and joined Beauregard at Corinth ; but on tbe lOtb of
May, he was with Van Dorn in the engagement at Farming-
ton. There was, however, not a little ill feeling, araong sorae
in command, about General Price. Possibly, with the free
dom that often pertains to rnen unaccustomed to the or-dinar-y
restraints of railitary life, when under strict discipline, he may
have expressed hiraself too openly, as it is related he did. But
whatever was the cause, his relations with the regular Con
federate army, at this tirae, were not quite araicable. In June,
he went to Eichmond to consult with the authorities there,
and, on his return, moved his division upon luka, Mississippi,
taking possession on the llth of September. His plan was to
try and draw tbe Federal forces away frorn Corinth, and thus
render its capture easy by General Van Dorn, who was to
attack it during his absence. This plan failed through the
promptitude of Generals Grant and Eosecrans, the latter per
sonally moving on Price at luka. This battle took place on
38

I
434 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
the 20th of September, 1862, and ended in the defeat of Gen--
eral Price with great loss ; General Little, a brave and much
loved officer, being among the killed.
General Price now marched back and reunited with Van
Dorn, both forces then moving on Corinth, held at the time by
Eosecrans. The battles that ensued, on the 2d, 3d, and 4th
of October, were ably fought, and with great obstinacy, but re
sulted in the defeat of the Confederates.
In this battle. General Price was again conspicuous for his,
daring, and also for his skilful arrangements. Van Dorn,
being senior in rank, had the command, and Price ably
seconded him. The other .generals raentioned were LoveU,
Maury, Herbert, and Villepigue. Had we space,, sorae account
of this battle, and the doings ofthe several commanders could'
well be given here.
In November, 1862, General Price sat on a court of inquii-y
to deterraine certain charges against General Van Dor-n, who
was, however, acquitted. \
In December, the Confederate forces again fell back to
Granada, before the advance of General Grant; but, on the
20th of the raonth. Van Dorn succeeded in getting behind the
Federal coraraander, and, for a short tirae only, reoccupying
Holly Springs, capturing the whole force stationed there, and
destroying an iraraense quantity of stores and supplies. Dur
ing the next rapnth or two, however, we hear little of General
Price, until, it seems, he arrived in Eichmond to again confer
with the authorities. The result was his appointraent to a
new coramand in the Trans-Mississippi department, wher-e
General Marraaduke was operating against Generals Blunt,
and Herron. In March, 1863, Price arrived at MobUe, and
proceeded thence to Little Eock, Arkansas. There, in con
junction with Marraaduke, he planned an expedition against
Cape Giradeau, at that time tbe depot of supplies for a portion;
of Grant's arrny. The Confederate for-ce left Little Eock
about the raiddle of April, crossed into Missouri on the 20th,
and was before Cape Giradeau — then held by General McNeil
— on the 25th. McNeil had, just previously, removed the
stores into Illinois, and obtained reinforceraents frora St. Louis.
The result, therefore, was a disappointraent to the Confeder
ates, and after a sharp engageraent, Marmaduke — who bad the

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL STEELING PEIOE. , 435
command, for Price seems to have remained at Little Eock- —
retreated back to Arkansas, where he arrived on the 2d of
May. From that date, various movements of no great im
portance occurred in Pr-ice's coraraand, until July 4th, wheh
an attack was raade upon Helena, Ar-kansas, held by the
Federal Genei-al Prentiss. A heavy engagement followed,
and, finaUy, the Confederates again fell back to the middle of
the State. General Steele now came on the field to aid in
driving the Confederates out of the State; arid, on the lOtli of
September, after an encounter with the forces of Marraaduke,
Price, and Holmes, he entered Little Eock — ^^the capital of Ar
kansas — and ultimately the Southern troops had to leave the
Federals in possession. Price then crPssed the border, and, in
the early part of Noveraber, was at Marshall, Texas, not far
from the confines of Louisiana.
On Christraas day; 1863, Price's command was at Long-
wood, twenty miles west of Coldon, and he had with him
about 13,000 men. The majority of these, however-, were new
men. His old followers from Missouri — those who had served
at Lexington and Pea Eidge under hira — were nearly all in
their graves, and only some 3,000 of his soldiers novv hailed
from the State of Missouri. The rest were principally' Texans,
and memjiers of the adjoining territories.
In the early part of March, 1864, Price assumed command
of all the Confederate forces then preparing tO advance upon
Arkansas, and, as he said in a proclamation, " chase the Union
array frora that State." The operations of General Banks on
the Eed river, in April, called for General Steele to join him,
and Price at once moved forward to cut off his retr-eat. This
he was unable to do completely, but so far impeded him that
he was compelled to cut his way through Price's forces, to re
gain Little Eock. The following month, May, P^ice was at
Camden, Ar-kansas, still watching for some opportunity to suc
cessfully engage the forces, but especiaUy to accomplish his
long desire of inarching again into Missouri. He set about
this in June, by flanking Little Eock, and raarching to the
northwest of the State, where, at BayettsviUe, he halted to or
ganize his forces. There, recruits, horses, provisions, amrauni
tion, rnedicines, and other stores poured in abundantly fr-om
Missouri, in spite of all precautions on tbe part of General

436 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
Eosecrans, then in comraand ofthe department, to prevent it.
Shelby, the General next to Price, was ordered to advance, and
this he did, by crossing the border line in September. He
then marched on to Doniphan and Bloomfield, MobUe, and
finally proceeded towards Pilot Knob, Price quickly following,
and reaching Bloomfield on the 24th of September, thus, once
more entering the State for the purpose, as he aUeged, of free
ing it from Northern rule. The next day Frederickton was
taken, and Price's forces, on the 27th, were in front of Ironton,
then garrisoned by General Ewing. A skirraish engued, which
resulted in the capture of a small detachment of the Federals,* ,4^.
and Price then marched towards Jefferson city. There he was
met by a stout resistance, and compelled to move on Boone
ville. General ,Pleasanton pursued him with 8,000 cavalry,
forcing him to leave his task unaccomplished. On the 23d of
October he was attacked, and defeated with great loss — Gen
erals Marmaduke and Cabell being taken prisoners, besides
many officers and meu. On the following day, Price was again
attacked, near Fort Scott, and obliged hurriedly to retreat into
Kansas. He then turned down to the South, and crossed the
Arkansas river, above Fort Smith, in the Indian territory. On
the 8th of December, his headquarters were at Washington, in
the south part of Arkansas, his troops at that time greatly
suffering from the weather. Later accounts, up to the end of
January, 1865, place him at Fulton, on the Eed river.

L T, C E r^; KIRBY SMITH.

C B Richardson,

LIEUTENAIT-GENERAL EDMMD KIRBY SMITH.

LiEUTENANT-GENEEAL E. KiEBY Smith was boTU in Florida,
about the year 1824, and is connected, by ties of blood, with
other-s of his narae in the Federal army, and in the State of Con
necticut. His father was the late Joseph S. Smith, at one
time a lawyer, residing in Litchfield, Connecticut. This
father raarried Frances, daughter of Judge Ephraira Kirby, of
that place — the author of "Kirby's Connecticut Eeports."
Lawyer Sraith was appointed a major of the United States-
army in the early part of the war of 1812. He was afterwards
promoted to Colonel, and served during the war on the Canada
frontier. After the war be was appointed United States Judge
for the district of Florida, and removed, with his faraily, to St.
Augustine, where he died about the year 1841. He had two
sons ; the eldest, Ephraira Kirby, graduated at West Point,
and was a captain in the regular array during the Mexican
war. He was killed at Molino del Eey.
The second son, Edraund Kirby, graduated at West Point,
on the SOth of June, 1845, and was raade brevet-second-lieu
tenant of the 5th infantry, then with General Taylor in Mexico.
Kirby Smith was at the battles of Palo Alto and Eesaca ; after
which he was made full second-lieutenant, and assigned to the
7th regiment, with which coraraand he participated in the
taking of Monterey, highly distinguishing hiraself by his
bravery. He was afterwards with Scott at Vera Cruz ; and,
at Cerro Gordo, obtained a brevet as first-lieutenant, for gal
lant and meritorious conduct, the brevet appointment dating
AprU 18th, 1846. At Contreras, he had another brevet, as
captain, given him for good service; and, throughout the

438 , !) SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
Mexican war his conduct was such as to merit and receive ap
probation from his superiors.
In 1849, Captain Sraith was appointed Assistant Professor
of Mathematics at West Point, and was afterwards captain in
the same cavalry regiment with E. E. Lee and others already
mentioned. Accorapanying this regiment, he had much op
portunity for developing his bravery in the various engage
ments with the Camanche Indians, and in a desper-ate battle
with them, on May 12th, 1859, he was severely wounded. He
was then promoted major in the regular army ; but when his
native State seceded, in 1861, he imraediately resigned his com
mission, and gave his sword and services to the cause of the
South. At this time he had, as we have already intimated, several
family ties in the North as well as the South. His nephew
was the late Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith, of the 43d Ohio regi
ment, a brave officer, promoted frorii a lieutenancy of the
topographical engineers, but who fell in the battle of Corinth.*
It is also stated that a gallant j'oung officer. Lieutenant Kirby,
in coinmand of Eickett's battery of regulars, late in the day at
Bull Eun, 1861, was a relation of bis. His sister was the
widow of the late Colonel L. B. Webster, United States army,
and then resided at Geneva, New York. An aunt and a first
cousin were also in New Tork ; but his mother remained in
Florida, at St. Augustine.
The private character of Kirby Smith is represented to have
been " above reproach, as a gentleman and a Christian. He
was a raeraber of the Episcopal church, and, a few years since,
entertained serious thoughts of giving up his profession and
studying for the rainistry." A writer, speaking of him, says,
" he is a remarkably active man, and of very agr-eeable raan
ners, wearing big spectacles and black beard."
Kirby Sraith, upon offering his services, was immediately
* The following extract from General Stanley's report of the battle of
Corinth, wlU show in what estimation Colonel Sijiith was held, as a soldier :
" Soon, in the battle oil the 4th inst.. Colonel J. L. Kirby Smith, of the 43d
Ohio, fell with a mortal wound. I have not words to describe the qualities of
this model soldier, or to express the loss we have sustained in his death. The
best testimony I csm give to his memory is the spectacle witnessed ty myself,
in the very moment of battle, of stem, brave men, weeping like children a/a
the word passed, ' Kirby Smith is killed.' "

LIEUTENANT-GBNEEAL EDMUND KIEBT SMITH. 439
made colonel in the Confederate army, and was sent to
serve with General Johnston, then at Harper's Ferry. He
there had charge of a brigade, and was, in fact, a brigadier--
general, though, it appears, his rank was not confirmed tUl
after the battle of Manassas. In this engagement Kir-by Smithy
having been delayed (by some treachery, it is said) with his
portion of Johnston's forces from the Shenandoah, arrived on
the gr-ound about half-past three, p. m., of the 21st of July,
1861. He had come, with his troops, by the cars, intending to
go right on to Manassas as previously directed ; but, when
near the battlefield, the firing told him that an engagement
was in progress. Accordingly, he stopped the cars, and pre
pared his raen to raarch, at once, to the scene of contest. Ad
vancing through the fields, and receiving directions from
General- Johnston how to raove, he came suddenly upon the
enemy's right fiank and rear-, with what result is known. For
himself, personally, however, there was not the Ppportunity to
do much. In moving forward, he was struck by a ball and
severely wounded. His command, threfore, had to be led by
Colonel Elzey, who admirably accomplished, " with great
promptitude and vigor," the raoveraent so effectual in defeat
ing the Federal array. In the official reports, however, full
praise is given to General Smith for the able and rapid dispo
sition ofhis forces he had displayed.
From the battlefield of Manassas, Kir-by Sraith was taken to
Lynchburg, where his wound was effectrrally healed. Upon
his recovery, he was married, on the 24th of September, to
Cassie, daughter of Sarauel S. Selden, deceased, of Lyrrchbur-g.
He then appears to have visited his native home, and, after a
short r-est, returned again to the army of the Potomac. In the
Jieginning of November, his brigade was stationed at Camp
Wigfall, on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, near BuU
Eun, Van Doi-n's being also close by.
Late in February, 1862, Kirby Smith, having been made a
major-general, was appointed to comraand the Confederate
forces in the neighborhood of Curaberland gap, and in East
Tennessee, and during the following raonth arrived at his post.
He iraraediately proclaimed martial law, in accor-dance with •
directions received frorn President Davis, and appointed Colo
nel Churchwell provost-marshal. This law was very stringent

440 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
as regarded the sale of spirituous liquors, and, on one occasion,
at Jonesboro, Tennessee, a large seizure was made for infring
ing it.
In the summer of 1862, it was decided that General Bragg
should advance into Kentucky, while Kirby Smith's forces
were to operate more to the eastward, and seera to threaten
Cincinnati. This gr-eat movement was followed out as pre-
viorisly related, and General Smith's army marched through
the gaps in the Cumberland mountains, wbere they were
joined, in August, by Claiborne's division. The troops then
made forced marches to Barboursville, Kentucky. Here tbey
halted long enough merely to get water, and then pushed on to
the Cumberland ford. At tbat place, a few days' rest were given
to the wearied men, who had been marching almost barefoot
over stony roads, through raountain passes, and witb green
corn, garnished with a sraall supply of poor beef, for their
food. Again moving forward, the forces of General Smith
were descending the Big Hill, not far from Eichraond, Ken
tucky, on the morning of August 29th, when the Federals
were discovered in front, indicating a determination for battle.
This Kirby Sraith did not hesitate in giving, them. Advan
cing two or three miles further, the eneniy was found drawn up
in line of battle near Mount Zion church, six miles from Eich
mond, and on the raorning of tbe 30t}i, the leading division of
the Confederates, under General Claiborne, coramenced the
action. The fight soon becarae general, and after a severe
struggle, in wbich General Churchill and Colonel Preston Smith
bore a conspicuous part, the eneray was defeated, and Kirby
Smith held the field. Next morning, he ordered the cavalry
to go round to the north of Eichmond and attempt to cut off
the enemy's retreat, and, while this was being done, the Con
federates in front ceased- firing. Mistaking this for a retreat,
the Federals gallantly pushed forward, and charged upon the
Texas and Arkansas troops under McCray. This heroic bri
gade stood the ground almost alone, but succeeded in driving
back the enemy with terrible loss, and in great confusion,
leaving knapsacks, swords, pistols, hats, and canteens scattered
along the road, with the dead and dying.
The Feder-al army, now under comraand of General Nelson,
— who had just arrived and relieved General Manson, — re-

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL EDMUND KIEBT SMITH. 441
treated to Eichmond, swiftly foUowed by Kirby Sraith. At
the town, however. Nelson had determined to make another
stand ; and, for the second time, that day — tbe third time since
raeeting each other — the Confederates and Federals again tried
their strength. The result was, another victory to the South
ern troops ; and on this, the 31st day of August, 1862, General
Kirby Sraith was completely master of the place. Next day.
General Smith continued the march, and on the 4th of Sep
teraber be arrived at Lexington. There his reception by the
inhabitants was very enthusiastic, and abounding in evidences
of the raost friendly welcome. It is related, that streets, win
dows, and gardens were filled with ladies and little girls,
with streamers of red and blue ribbons and fiags with stars.
Beautiful women seized the hard brown hands of rough and
ragged soldiers, and with tears and smiles thanked them again
and again for coming into Kentucky and freeing them from
the presence of those who had been of late in authority over
thera. For hours the enthusiasm of the people was unbounded.
At every corner of the streets, baskets of pr-o visions and buckets
of water were placed for the refresh raent of the wearied sol
diers, and hundreds'of the raen were presented with shoes,
hats, coats, and tobacco, fr-om the grateful people, while pri
vate residences wer-e turned, for the time, into public bouses of
entertainment. But, if the reception of the infantry was enthu
siastic, tbe cheers Pf wild delight whicb greeted General John
Morgan's cavalry as they carne dashing through the streets,
amidst clouds of dust, was without a parallel. The bells of
the city pealed forth tbeir joyous welcorae, whilst tbe waving
of thousands of white handkerchiefs and tiny flags attested
the gladness and deUght of every heart.
And thus the victorious forces of Kirby Smith marched on.
From among the rocky passes of the wild Chraberland raoun
tains to the town of Lexington, tbey had gone through rauch
of that fearful toil of travel an array so often has to endure.
B;ut here was, at least, sorae partial recompense ; and hope led
them on still further. Cincinnati was the desired goal, and
rapidly from Lexington, on to Paris, next to Cynthiana, and
finally to within a short distance of the Queen City of the
West, did the joyous troops of the South wend their way.
Then came fear, and something of a panic, among the startled

442 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS. ¦
citizens of the place. Ohio was firra in allegiance to the North,
and had skilful and bi-ave coraraanders, besides its own heroic
volunteer militia, in the frontier cities, to defend it — particu
larly in Cincinnati; but here was Kirby Sraith right before
thera, arrd Bragg, with another army, marching swiftly for
ward, as was supppsed, to tbe attack. It so happened, how
ever, that such was not the intention of Gener-al Bragg. The
order-s given to Kirby Smith were, "to menace, not attack;"
and the purposes of the campaign required that Smith's cora
mand, after makirrg its demonstration on the Ohio, should fall
back into the interior, to,,co-operate with the splendid army
Bragg had br-ought into Kentucky. The consequence was
that, in a few days. General Smith retired fr-om befor-e Cin
cinnati, ajid directed his march to Frankfort, wher-e he ar
rived pr-ior to Bragg, who reached there on the 4th of October.
The raoveraents of the Federals now led Gener-al Smith to
suppose that they would come upon him, and not upon Bragg's
forces, then, mainly, with the rear at Perryville; and thus, in
the battle wbich followed at the latter place, Smith's com
mand was not engaged, he not having received orders to raove
there until too late. On the 9th of October he arrived at Har
rodsburg, and joined the raain array. In the retreat of the
Confederates, as already related, General Smith's command
took tbe advance, and in repassing those places where, but a
short tirae before, such joy had been shown, it was painful as
well as humUiating to witness the sorrowful expressions now
displayed. However-, there was nothing for hira but to obey,
and the army then proceeded by the way in which they had
come. On the 10th of October there was an engagenrent of
five hours, between a part of his comraand and the Feder-als,
under Colonel E. A. Parrott, of the 1st Ohio Volunteer-s, and,
, after this, the army pursued its way unmolested, reaching Ten
nessee, October 24th.
Itirby Smith was now raade a lieutenant-general, and, for a
short time, was absent on leave, in consequence of ill health,
but returned to his post again early in November, i-etaining
command of the East Tennessee department, with a portion of
his troops there, while the rest were in the vicinity of Mur
freesboro. At the battle which there took place, his corps was,
first, on the right, with Morgan's cavalry, and afterwards had

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL EDMUND KIEBT SMITH. 443
the centre. The result of the three days' fight we have already
shown, and will now proceed to the after moveraents of Gen
eral Sraith.
Ear-ly in January, 1863, he arrived in Eichmond, owing to
recent changes made in the army, and in March he was ap
pointed to the departraent west of the Mississippi. In the
ear-ly pai-t of April he arrived there, and assuraed comraand
thr-ough a general order, which named Alexandria, Louisiana,
as his headquarters. In May, he was at Shrieveport, Louisi
ana, M-ith his wife, and thr-oughout the following months was
occupied, in conjunction with tbo several railitary commanders
under hira, in resisting the advances of Banks frorn New Or
leans to Alexandria, and beyond. His movements, however,
have not been made well known, until, in the beginning of
September', we firrd him at Arkadelphia, with the main Con
feder-ate army. The events that occurr-ed in that departraent
have alr-eady been recorded. Kirby Smith returned to his
former quarters, and, in April, 1864, successfully resisted Gen
er-al Banks' renewed atterapt up the Eed river, beyond I'Ecore.
At the beginning of the next month he was with Pr-rce, at
Caraden, Arkansas, and issued the following address to the array :
Headquartebb, Teans-Missibsippi Department, t
Camden, Ark., May 3, 1864. J
SOLDIEES OF THE TeANS-MisSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT !
Once more, in the hour of victory, we are called upon to
mour-n the heroic dead.
Genei-als W. E. Scurry and Horace Eandal bave fallen upon
the field of honor. At Jenkins' ferry they offered theraselves
up, precious victiras on the altar of liberty.
Mouton and Green are gone ; Scurry and Eandal have fol
lowed on the same glorious path. Be it ours to emulate their
virtues and valor, and to act as men not unworthy to associate
with such heroes.
The colors of their respective brigades will be draped in
mourning for thirty days. E. KIEBT SMITH, Qeneral Commanding.
Hbadquartees, Teans-Mississippi Department, )
Camden, Ark., May 4, 1864. )
SOLDIEES OP THE TbANS-MiSSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT :
The campaign inaugurated at Mansfield on the day of na-

444 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
tional fast and supplication has, under Providence, beep
crowned with raost glorious and brilliant success. You have
defeated a foe three times your own. The fields of Mansfield,
Pleasant Hill, CloutierviUe, Poison Spring, Marks' Mill, and
Jenkins' ferry attest your devotion. Eight thousand kUled
and wounded, six thousand prisoners, thirty-four pieces of ar
tillery, twelve hundred wagons, one gunboat and three trans
ports, are already the fruits of your victories. The path of
glory is still open to you — permanent security to your homes
before you. Call together your comrades, and, shoulder to
shoulder, we will yet free the soil of our beloved country from
the invader's footsteps. Soldiers of Arkansas, Missouri, Texas,
and Louisiana, you have the thanks of a grateful people.
Your living will be respected — your dead honored and revered.
E. KIRBY SMITH, General.
From this date, General Smith has been occupied in moving
to the different posts of his department in Texas and Louisiana.
Coraplaints have been raade concerning his apparent inactivity,
and of late sorae very serious differences seera to have arisen
between him and the authorities at i^ichmond ; statements
having been made in the press refiecting greatly upon his
patriotism. It is to be hoped that these accusations, like many
similar ones regarding others, will prove to be unjust, and that
tirae will show the lustre of his character undimmed, as it
stands before the world associated with those raost honorable
of his fellow-generals. \

J^^€^^^ J^,

'^'-^^ <?c--^:^

L Photcigrs.-|i^ I'rtiin life

C. B Hicliardsor,
PuLlishei-.

MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN H. MORGAN.

This bold and daring chief was born near Lexington, Ken
tucky, about the year 1827. His parents were of good repute,
though not of the wealthy class, and they had a large family
to maintain. John was the eldest of six brothers, all of whom,
save pne, have devoted theraselves, their means, and all they
possessed, to the cause of the South. Their names are Calvin,
who always acted as agent, in Kentucky, for his brother John ;
Colonel Eichard, who was adjutant-general to A. P. Hill ;
Major Charlton, who formerly represented the United States
Government abroad, but lately was in his brother's comraand ;
and Lieutenant Thoraas Morgan, also in the sarae comraand,
and twice captured. There was, likewise, a cousin, whom we
find mentioned serving as a private soldier.
When the Mexican war broke out, Morgan joined the First
Kentucky regiment as a private, and went to share in some of
those hard-fought battles so well known. For his bravery and
good conduct, he was promoted from the ranks to a second-
lieutenant, and returned home in that capacity.
About this tirae he pur-chased an establishment, and en
gaged in the manufacture of jeans, linseys, and bagging for the
Southern market. About the sarae time, he married Miss
Eebecca Bruce, who, after years of sickness, died at the com
mencement of the present war. Morgan then determined to
take up arms for the South, and secretly collected a Uttle band
of followers, who elected him captain, and each provided his
own arms, horse, and equipments. Escaping frora Lexington,
where they had been closely watched, they started forth in
quest of adventure.
This was in the faU of 1861, when Buckner was at Bowling

446 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
Green ; and thither Morgan and his companions went. On
the SOth of September they arrived at the Confederate camp,
on Green river, opposite Munfordsville, where tbey were cor
dially received. Captain Morgan not wishing to be united to
any particular command, asked to be aUowed to serve as a
partisan ranger, but it was not deemed prudent to grant his
request. He, therefore, moved to tlie north bank of the river,
rented a vacant house for his men, and, with this as his head
quarters, raade the country between Green river and Bacon
creek the scene of raany daring exploits.
Early in the year 1862, Morgan was proraoted to the rank of
Colonel — his raen having already increased to the number of
a regiraent. Soon afterwards the Confederates retreated from
Bowling Green to Murfr-eesboro, and the rear of the array was
covered by Morgan's and Colonel Forest's cavalry. General
BueU now occupied Nashville; and on the 15th of Mar-ch,
Mpi'gan made a successful raid in the rear of the Federal
army. On the 19th of March, he again passed through Gallatin, at
night, and the next day captured a train of cars, boiind down
the road. The up-train soon carae in sight, and Morgan, indi
vidually, signalled it to stop. On board of this train was an
old friend of Morgan, a physician in the Federal array, now
residing at Louisville. Frorn this fact alone, John perraitted
the locoraotive, with his friend, to proceed North, shouting, as
it started, "Tell Guthrie that you have saved hira twelve
thousand doUars !" Morgan's men then destroyed two water-
tanks, and tore up about a mile and a half of the road. He
immediately retir-ed his forces, now fifteen hundred in nuraber,
and' located ¦ himself near Sparta, in the eastern part of the
middle section of Tennessee.
His exploits, bowever, extended far and wide ; and not a few
dashing adventures had he and his men at this time. One
day, in the vicinity of NashvUle, while riding in advance of his
command, he met a Federal colonel and his staff, trotting
leisur-ely along. " Halt !" said Mor-gan. " I'll be d  d if I
do," was the reply. " I have already been baited a balf-dozeti
times since I left Nashville, and I'll submit to it no longer.
Who are you, any how ?" Quickly drawing out his pistol, and
pr-esenting it, be very quietly replied, " Morgan ; aind you are

MAJOE GENEEAL JOHN H. MOEGAN. / 447
my prisoner." The Federal officer made no further resistance.
He and his escort, besides a considerable force in the rear, were
captured ; but Morgan was pursued, and had to hurry away.
On another occasion, with forty of his men, he dashed in
araong the eneray's pickets, and captured eighteen out of thirty.
A few days after, he nearly succeeded, by an ambush, in cap
turing General McCook and his staff. Again, disguising him
self as a wagoner from the country, and entering Nashville
alone, he personally communicated with General BueU, and
induced that officer to believe a shrewd tale, which ultimately
led to the capture of about seventy of the Federal cavalry.
His next exploit was an expedition to Lebanon, where a small
detachment of Federals was stationed. These were easily se
cured, the prisoners paroled, and their arms distributed araong
the captors, who, with their work accomplished, then lay down
to rest. But at daylight an alarra was given : " The eneray is
upon us," was tbe cry ; and before they could prepare for a de
fence, General Duraont, with a strong force, appeared. Ee-
sistarice was useless. " Save, who can," was the order from
Morgan ; aird though a number were captured and killed —
among the for-raer, Morgan's younger brother — many raore
escaped. Morgan, mounted on his beautiful mare, dashed
through the advancing ranks of the enemy, cutting his way
right and left. His noble animal was shot under him, and it
was only by tbe most reckless daring and courageous self-pos
session that he saved his life. Even parties opposed to the
South acknowledged, in speaking of this engagement, tbat
" the fight was a gallant one ; Morgan's men resisting the at
tack of our force for nearly two hours."
The disaster attending this sudden surprise at Lebanon,
made Morgan almost insanely determined to raatch it by alik^
return ; and the following incident has been related as truthful
concerrring hirn.
In one of the telegraph offices on tbe line between Lousiville
and NashviUe, was seated one day, the operator, looking very
grum. He had just sent forward a dispatch relative to Mor-
garr's captured raen, and was raaking sorae very strong obser-
,i vations about the faraous raider, when a horseman aUghted at
the door, and, witb whip in hand, carelessly walked in. The
intruder had on a butternut suit, aU bespattered with mud,

448 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
and an old slouched hat, with rim partly torn off. Stepping
forward to a vacant chair, he seated himself, and asked for
news. "No news," was the curt reply. A morning journal
lying on the desk, the stranger, reaching out his hand with the
most perfect sangfroid, took the paper, opened, it, and began
to read. Glancing down the first column, be presently said :
" John Morgan at work again ! Great pity that man can't be
caught — he plays the wild with every thing." At mention of
Morgan's name the operator, witb great vehernence, remarked,
"If I had him bere I would soon put a ball through his
cursed body. No raore pranks from him, the mighty John
Morgan, I tell you !" "Why, you wouldn't kill him — would
you ?'' asked the stranger, quietly looking up from his paper,
and lifting the torn brim of his old hat. " Kill him ?" was the
response ; " aye, that I would, sooner than I'd shoot a mad
dog. I just dare hira, at any time, to cross that door, and if
he isn't a dead man in five minutes, there's no trutb in me."
The stranger rose, took off his hat, and, with a quiet mien
and gentle voice, said, " I ara John Morgan, sir: execute your
threat. Here is a pistol ; you are entir-ely welcorae to use it."
As he spoke, he fixed his large, piercing eyes steadfastly upon
the operator. The latter, araazed, was hardly able to answer.
He fell back, pale, and trerabling, and making numerous apol
ogies, saying he had no idea that the stranger could be Colonel
Morgan ; and he hoped he would forgive him. " You have
my pardon, sir," replied Morgan, in a firm, gentlemanly tone.
" Another tirae I would advise you to be less boastful of your
courage and veracity. I have but little tirae to stay. Seat
yourself, and send the raessages that I shall dictate, to Louis
ville. Make no raistake. If you do, your life is the forfeit.
I understand the operation, sir, therefore don't attempt to give
any information but what I instruct you." The coraraand be
ing readily obeyed, Morgan then said, " Now, show me all the
dispatches that have passed through this office in the last
twenty-four hours." The poor victim again preferred compli
ance to the alternative, and delivered the documents to his
visitor, who, after reading them, said, "That will do, sir; —
Good morning :" and, going to his horse, mounted, and rode
swiftly away.
Immediately, and probably from the information thus gained,

MAJOE-GENEEAL JOHN H: MOEGAN. 449
Morgan, with some of his men, laid in wait for a train from
LouisviUe bound to Bowling Green, wher-e a Union mass meet
ing was going to be held. As the cars approached Cave City,
half a dozen horseraen suddenly appeared in front of the loco
motive, and sang out, " Halt," with a wave of the hands as a
signal. But the engineer not stopping, some thirty others
appeared, armed to the teeth, and ready to aim at him and the
passengers. Immediately the alarmed cry arose, "Morgan!
Morgan I" and the utmost confusion prevailed. The cars
were stopped, the rails behind and before obstructed, and
the horsemen imraediately demanded the surrender of all sol
diers and freight belonging to the Federal governraent. Mor
gan hirnself entered the ladies' car, and as he stood for a mo
ment, every eye was fixed upon him with a look of terror.
" Be quiet, ladies," said he, with a pleasant sraile, " none of
you shall be hurt ; I only want the blue-coated gentlemen."
He then approached an officer seated by tbe side of his wife,
who imploringly entreated of Morgan not to take him. " Spare
my husband. Colonel Morgan I Don't take bim from rae,"
she cried. " For God's, sake don't take hira. Have raercy —
mercy on me, colonel, and spare hirn to me. I appeal to you
as a gentleman ; to your generosity ; to your kindness ; for my
sake, don't take him away." Morgan rejDlied, " I will not,
madam. Take him yourself, and teach him better than to
come down here to kill Southern people. That is all I ask.
Will you promise me this ?" The grateful woraan did so,
thanking hira in the raost passionate terms. In another part
of the cars, however, a Major Helveti was taken, and some
Government funds and stores. There was also in a safe some
$30,000 of private funds belonging to a cotton firra at Louis
ville ; and this, Morgan assured the agent, shonld not be
touched. " My men are not thieves," said he, " and not a
cent of private property shall be molested."
On the llth of May, with his reorganized but diminished
company, Morgan dashed into Oakland, capturing all Federals
on duty, rode furiously on to Glasgow, which he entered next
day, and then proceeded to BurksviUe. From Burksville,
Morgan proceeded to Sparta, Tennessee, and arrived there on
the Tuesday night, after riding through by-ways and bridle
paths, some 170 miles from Oakland.

450 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
A few days after the affair just mentioned, he was at Chat
tanooga on a peaceful raission, and then moved up the valley
to Knoxville. Here he recruited his forces awhile, strengthen
ing and increasing thera, and, receiving an appointment as
acting brigadier-general, under Kirby Smith (who was in
command of East Tennessee), he started off again into Ken
tucky. Tompkinsville, Lebanon, Harrodsburg, VersaUles, Cynthi
ana, Winchester, and many other towns, were favored with his
presence and some practical understanding of his peculiar
style of warfare, until, arriving at a point between Livingston
and Sparta, he encaraped, after as bold a raid as could have
then been possibly conceived. At several of the places his
telegraph operator worked the wires effectually ; and what the
comraand accoraplished may be told in the conclusion of Mor
gan's own report. He says :
" I left Knoxville on the 4th day of this month (July) with
about 900 raen, and returned to Livingston on the 28th inst,
with nearly 1,200, having been absent just twenty -four dk.ys,
during which tirae I travelled over a thousand miles, captured
seventeen towns, destroyed all the Government supplies and
arms in them, dispersed about 1,500 Home-guards, and paroUed
nearly 1,200 regular troops. I lost in killed, wounded, and
missing, of the number that I carried into Kentucky, about
ninety." From his encampment, near Sparta, Morgan seems to have
gone, personally, to Krroxville — perhaps to consult with Kirby
Smith — for, on the 4th of August, 1862, he issued this stirring
order to his men from that place :
" SoLDiEES — Your country makes a fresh appeal to your pat
riotism and courage !
" It has been decided that Kentucky must be freed from the
detested Northern yoke, and who are so fit to carry out this
order as yourselves ?
" The road is well known to you. You have already taught
the tyrants at Tompkinsville, Lebanon, and Cynthiana, that
wher-e Southern hearts nerve Southern arms, our soldiers are
invincible. " To an enemy be as tigers — >to our Southern brethren be as

MAJOE-GENEEAL JOHN H. MOEGAN. 451
lambs! Protect their homes, respect their homes! Is it not
that of your fathers, mothers, sisters, and friends ?
" Soldiers ! I feel assur-ed that you will return with fresh
laurels to enjoy in peace the fruits of your glorious victories.
In the mean time, let your avenging battle-cry be 'Butler!'
but shout ' Kentucky' to your kindred and friends.
JOHN H. MOEGAN,
Colonel of Cavalry, C. S. A.
A week afterwards, he was again off, and on the 12th of
August, at night, he forded the Cumberland river with one
thousand men and four pieces of artillery. He then surprised
and captured the whole of Colonel Boone's command at Gal
latin, without firing a shot ; pushed on for the railroad in the
rear of Nashville, so as to destroy the track and cut off Biiell's
supplies ; and, reaching the tunnel near that place, succeeded
in causing a portion of the roof to fall, and thus effectually
block the way. This done, and hearing that a force from
Nashville was after him, he retreated across the Cumberland,
but eventually gave the Federal cavalry battle, in the neigh
borhood of Gallatin. The result was a disastrous and humil
iating flight on the part of his pursuers, and a complete, tri
umphant victory to Morgan and bis coramand.
About this time, Bragg in one part of Kentucky, and Kirby
Sraith raore to the eastward, were advancing towards the
northern portion of the State, and on the 29th of August,
Morgan raoved his gallant legion to unite with his depart-
ment-comraander. The union was effected near Lexington,
and the triumphant reception Morgan there met, from the in
habitants of his native city, we have already described, as also
the subsequent retreat of the array, in which Morgan had to
join his cavalry, covering the rear. On recrossing the Cum
berland mountains, he was detached to follow his old occupa
tion of harassing the eneray, after bis own peculiar fashion.
He rested a short time, and then renewed operations in the
neighborhood of Nashville, materiaUy obstructing the enemy's
supplies, and doing other serious injury. One anecdote con
cerning his raoveraents at tbis period is thus related :
" About the middle of November, be came across a small
mail-stage, travelling the route between Bowling Green and

452 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
NashviUe. Of course, he quietly captured the affair, and be
came the possessor of a large quantity of Uncle Sam's postal
matter. The most interesting correspondence was the letters
of the various reporters fPr the Yankee press— the New York
Tribune, Times, etc
" One letter was from J. L. Able, proprietor of the stage
line, to his agent at Bowling Green, imploring him for God's
sake to send more stages through, as that '  rascal, John
Morgan, was ti-avelling around, and would be sure to catch
thera.' Thus, advised, the  rascal aforesaid waited for the
next stage, and captured that also. We do not know whether
Mr. Able will continue his line."
After this, for about a month, Morgan seemed to be very
quiet, and the Federals began to think themselves rid of their
troublesorae custoraer. But, " Lo ! and behold ! one fine night,'
during September's new raoon, the great raider dashed into
Huntsville with fifteen hundred men, killed and wounded two
hundred, and captured two thousand, destroyed all of the
camp equipage, and crossed the river with his captives, and
what spoils he could carry. This was the cleverest of all Moi^
gan's successes, and both sides adraitted that he was the best man
in such business on the 'job.' I will add, here, that this capture
was a disgraceful Federal defeat, and so called by Eosecrans." *
Whatever may have been the delights of this wild adven
turous life to our hero, it appears that he still had thought for
other interests more common to the heart of man. We find
that at Murfreesboro, on Sunday, December 4th, 1862, after
being promoted to the rank of major-general, this gallant
•cavalry chief was in the evening married to Miss Eeady,
daughter of the Hon. Charles Eeady, and sister of Mrs. Cheat-
hara, of Nashville.
This pleasant and peaceful episode, however, was soon left
far in the distance, for the warrior-groom is found the day
foUowing dashing away into Kentucky, ardently as ever, bent
on new conquest and achievement, deferring the quiet enjoy
ment of the wedding trip till the events of the next twenty
days should be accomplished.

* This statement, from the pen of a Northem \niter, is confirmed by all
other accounts.

MAJOE-GENEEAL JOHN H. MOEGAN. 453
The account of his operations at this time we -will briefly
give in the words of another : " General Morgan's command
returned to Tennessee Saturday laist. In their campaign in
Kentucky, the Bacon Creek, Nolin, Elizabethtown, Shepherds-
ville (eighteen railes fr*om Louisville), and other bridges, were
totaUy destroyed for the distance of eighty miles. The tr-estle
work of the two first was at Muldrough's Hill, twelve hundred
feet long and ninety feet high. The number of prisoners cap
tured at these various places amounted to two thousand. The
destruction of the railroad is complete frorn Green river to
Shepherdsville, a distance of seventy-five miles. At Spring
field, General Morgan was surl-ounded by twenty-six thousand
of the enemy, and, for awhile, it seemed his situation was des
perate, but he escaped with his entire coramand."
While this expedition was in progress, the battle of Mur
freesboro was fought, ending on the day before Morgan's re
turn. Afterwar-ds, as already inentioned, the army rested for
some tirae, and probably that portion under Morgan did the
same, he being then absent for about a mqnth with his bride.
In February, he rejoined his coraraand at Sparta, Tennessee,
and during that month, March, and April, had frequent en
gagements with parties of the enemy sent against hrm, meet
ing with repulse more frequently than before. On the 21st of
April he was at McMinnville — his headquarters — with his
wife, when General Eeynolds, sent by Eosecrans, unexpectedly
came upon him with a large force. Morgan barely escaped
with his life, but the lady was captured, though not, however,
long detained.
For awhile, now, there was no oppoi'tunity for the exercise
of' Morgan's peculiar tactics, but in June, having planned
another raid, the boldest and most , important he had yet un
dertaken, he left Sparta, on the 27th, for a dash through Ken
tucky into Ohio and lUinois. Of this daring affair, who has
not heard ? A brief account of it, however, we cannot omit,
pften told as has been the tale.
On the 2d of July, Morgan, with a force of 2,028 effective
men and four pieces of artiUery, crossed the Cumberiand river
at Barkesville during the night, using canoes and dug-outs,
improvised for tbe occasion; drove back Hobson's force of
Federal cavalry— marched on to Columbia, and defeated Wol-

454 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
ford's Kentucky command— dashed forward to Stockdale on
the Green river-, and ther-e fought a heavy battle with the
enemy on the 4tlr of July. In this encounter, he was repulsed
with severe loss; but, quickly reor-ganizing his shattered
forces, on he went again to Lebanon— had a hard fight of five
hours, capture^i the place, with a vast amount of stores, over
four hundr-ed prisoners, and many fine horses, but with the
loss of Morgan's gallant young brother Tom, a lieutenant in
his command. On the 7th, Bi-agdensburg was reached— two
fine steamboats captur-ed— the Federal gunboats, and three
hundred Home-guards fOught, and then the bold raiders
crossed the Ohio river to the Indiana shore, next day. The
foUowing day they arTived at Corydon — engaged over four
thousand State militia — dispersed them — raoved on, without
halting, through Salisbury and Palmyra to Salem — played
some tricks with the telegraph wires, and obtained iraportant
inforraation — then forward again towar-ds Lexington, after de
stroying bridges, depots, and doing other considerable damage.
From Lexington, Illinois, and following the course of the ^
Ohio, the coraraand passed on to near Vernon, where General
Manson, with a heavy force, awaited thern. Two hours skirmish
ing, as a feint, then enabled the raain body to move on Dupont,
while squads cut the railroad in several important places. It
was night-time, and Morgan's bonfires aroused the good people
everywhere, who, however, deemed the illuminations to be
part of a celebration gotten up for the Federal victories at
Vicksburg and Gettysburg, little dreaming of the daring band
in their vicinity. But dayUght dissolved the charm, and a
stampede everywhere ensued.
Versailles was the next place reached ; and here a company
of militia was adroitly, and to theraselves unwillingly, brought
into Morgan's power, who, however, kindly released and sent
thera horae again. Thence to Harrison, and at dusk on to the
suburbs of Cincinnati, skirting it closely on the night of the
13th. At daylight, they were eighteen miles east of the great
city, having traversed over fifty miles since the sunset previous.
Men rode their horses fast asleep, and were o'nly aroused by
Morgan himself, chatting, laughing, joking, or giving orders to
one and all. Camp Dennison was passed without any attack
from the enemy, and Camp Shady reached — seventy-five army-

MAJOE GENEEAL JOHN H. MOriGAN. 455
wagons and much forage destroyed; and then Mor-gan moved
between Chillicothe and Hillsboro, on one side, and GallipoUs
on the other. On the raorning of the 19th, after thus passing
througli the States of Indiana and Ohio, and turning once
more to the South, they again reached the river at a ford above
Pomeroy. Here a Federal gunboat and a large body of ti-oops
suddenly attacked thera, inflicting some loss, and corapelling
Morgan to go further up the Ohio. Fourteen miles beyond,
they then atterapt the passage again — fording, or rather swim
ming across. Sorae now reached the opposite shore, when, a
second tirne, the gunboats were upon them. Forward, there
fore, they raust go. A few miles further, and they try it
again — into the stream they dash — the gunboats corae in
sight — are close npon them — many of the coraraand get
across — Morgan's noble raare swims bravely — falters — strikes
out again — then boldly makes the shore. The command is
now hastily gathered together — a heavy force, at Buffington,
under General Judah, is attacked and scattered — fresh Federal
reinforcements arrive — on all sides the hunted raiders are sur
rounded — 12,000 Urrited States tr-oops are in Morgan's rear —
8,000 mbre in front and on his flank, and about 10,000* militia
hunting on his track in all directions. His men, at length
compelled to give way, fly wherever thei-e is a chance of es
cape. One portion of a few hundred take the Gauley road, in
West Virginia, and safely arrive at Lewisburg, near White
Sulphur Springs ; another par-ty strikes for Kentucky, and
many others are captur-ed, amongst thera Colonels E. Mor-gan,
Basil Duke, and Smith. Jobn Morgan, however, succeeds in
escaping, har-dly pressed on all sides, and chased like a hunted
bear. Up the Ohio he bends his way : is faced there : turns
back again, — then crosses into t)re State of Ohio once more —
next proceeds towards McArthur, Athens, Zanesville, and
northward, to the neighborhood of Wheeling. ' Ther-eabouts he
moves in various dii-ections, urrtil, at length, on Sunday, July
26th, be was fairly hemmed in, four miles south of Lisbon, and
captured by Major Eae, of General Shackleford's command.
This officer, witb an excellent guide; had foUowed a cross
road, and managed to get in the rear of his chase. Morgan
* The account says 80,000 1 Vide " Times' " report.

466 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
saw himself hopelessly entrapped, and sent forward a flag of
truce, infcy-mally surr-endering. General Shacklefprd then ar
rived, with his cavalry, and the forraal surrender was com
pleted about 2 p. M., in the shade of an apple-tree, on a farm.
Morgan affected indifference, and talked lightly of his
misfortune. His well-known blooded mare he made over to
Major Eae, and bis pair of silver-mounted, ivory-handled re
volvers to Colonel Wolford. An eye-witness of his capture
describes his appearance as foUows : •
" His looks, at least, are not those of an ordinary man. He
is fully six feet high, broad-shouldered, and compactly built;
has soft auburn hair, gray eyes, reddish whiskers, florid com
plexion ; a pleasant smile, when talking ; a musical voice, and
shows to advantage a splendid set of teeth. He wore a gray
roundabout and pantaloons, with a wide-brimmed, black felt
hat, and morocco boots, with his pantaloons inside."
Morgan was taken to , the Ohio Penitentiary, and there in
carcerated — not as a captured railitary officer or a soldier— but
as a common felon. ' He and his comrades, Colonel Duke,
and othei-s — had their persons searched — hair and beards
shaved, were bathed, and clad in prison suits, in accordance
with the ordinary jail discipline. The cruelties which followed
were unprecedented in prison discipUne, and disgraceful to the
age in which such atrocious inhumanity was tolerated. The
incarceration occurred on the 30th of July, 1863, and now, at
last, said those who had so long felt his daring exploits, he
was secure — hard and fast within stone walls, and strongly
guarded. Four months aft^wards, alraost to a day, the bold
chief, with two or three companions, electrified the country
by raaking his escape ! This bold enterprise was accoraplished
by digging through the fioor of their cell, to a sewer leading to
the river ; but how it was so adroitly done, undiscovered, is to
this day a raarvel.
Of course, every effort to catch him again was employed ;
bu,t John Morgan evaded all the plans laid down for his en-
trapraent, and succeeded in crossing the Tennessee river into
the Confederate States, about the raiddle of Deceraber. Very
few, if any, occurrences in this reraarkable war have been
more marked with roraantic and extraordinary incidents, than
those belonging to John Morgan's escape and flight from the.

MAJOR-GENEEAL JOHN fl. MOEGAN. 457
Ohio Penitentiary. He ar-rived at Danville on the 25th of De
ceraber, and was welcoraed in the most enthusiastic raanner.
A short tirae afterwards, with his wife, he visited Eichraond,
where his reception was equally flattering to him. By March
he had a strong force under hira again. On the 8th of April,
1864, he left Eichmond, once more to take the field.
During the following summer, with varied experience of
success and reverse, he pursued the gay tenor of his way, with
unabated zeal, while his enemies vainly pursued him, their
resolution strengthening with every new disappointment.
On the 3d of September he advanced upon the town
of Greenville, East Tennessee, situated on the great line of
railroad from Virginia to Georgia, via Knoxville. There he
halted for the night, in the house of a Mrs. C. D. Williams —
his staff being with him. Before retiring to rest the pickets
were carefully attended to ; but as the eneray, under General
Gillem, were at Bull's Gap, sixteen miles distant, every thing
was deemed secure. His betrayal, however, was at hand, and
a woman — least suspected — was about to disclose his hiding-
place to his foe. Young Mrs. WiUiams, daughter-in-law of
the landlady — when the favored moment appeared — mounted
a horse, and, unnoticed, rode to the Federal commander, who
imraediately sent a force to surround the house at daybreak.
Morgan and his staff, hastily aroused from their slumbers,
vainly tried to effect their escape. Bravely the chief resisted,
endeavoring to fight his way through them, when a soldier —
private Andrew Campbell, company G, Thirteenth Tennessee
Cavalry — dashed forward, as he passed through the doorway
into the street, and shot him dead.
Thus, on Sunday morning, Septeraber 4th, 1864 — a day in
"¦the week always singularly eventful to him — the career of this
justly celebrated and extraordinary man was suddenly and
unexpectedly brought to a close.

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WILLIAM J. HARDEE.

Amongst those of the army who have erabraced the Southern
cause, it would be difficult to find one more generally known
in militar-y circles, and, to sonre extent, in the literary world,
than the subject of tbis sketch. Born about the year 1817,
at Savannah, in the State of Georgia, it was to have been ex
pected that be would unite with her fortunes, whatever they
might be ; nevertheless, so distinguished had he become under
the fiag of the old governraent, that it would seem, at the
time, almost impossible for him to sever his connection with it.
That innate love for the place of one's birth, however, which,
more or less, all true men possess — even though circurastances,
or the occupations of life, may take them from it — no doubt
greatly infiuenced Colonel Hardee in his course. He was, and
still is, one of those brave spirits and gifted mind-s, whora the
world has long known and learned to respect. His native State
had just reason to be proud of him, for he was not only the
second officer of highest rank, from Georgia, in the old army,
but was the author of one of the best works on military tactics
that had been published.
In 1834, Hardee entered West Point as a cadet, and gr-adu-
ated with honor four years afterwards. He was then gazetted
as second-lieutenant, in the Second United States dragoons,'-
and was sent to Florida, where he served for two years. On
the 3d of December, 1839, he was promoted to a first-lieu
tenancy, and was sent by the Secretajy of War to the cele
brated mUitary school of St. Maur, about eighty leagues from
Paris. There, he was regularly attached to the cavalry de
partment of the French army, and, after completing his studies,
— making himself a thoroughly good officer, with a perfect
knowledge of that branch of the service — he returned to the
United States, bringing a fiattering letter of recomraendation

L'r GEN. HARDEE.

C.B- BicJiardscii .P-jolislier.

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL 'WILLIAM J. HAEDEB. 459
from Marshall Oudinot to, the Secretary of War at Wash
ington. Lieutenant Hardee's regiraent was now stationed on the
Western frontier, and quickly rejoining it, he soon became
actively employed in defending the advarrced settlements from
Indian depredations. On the 18th of September-, 1844, he was
pi-oraoted to be a captain of dragoons, and then accompanied
General Taylor acr-oss the Eio Grande to the Mexican cam
paign. There, his company was the fir-st to engage the enemy,
at a place called Curricitos, where, after vainly endeavoring
with his gaUant Uttle band to cut his way through the Mexican
ranks, he was overwhelnied by superior numbers, and taken
prisoner-. He had to remain a captive for several raonths, and
then was exchanged in time to take part in the siege of Mon
terey. For this and other engagenrents he was promoted
major of cavalry on the 25th of March, having then, joined tbe
forces under Gener-al Scott, at Ver-a Cruz, and displaying
great gallantry in an affair at Medelin, near that place. The
subsequent battles in Mexico ar-e well known. Major Hardee
greatly distinguished himself in all of these, to the gates of
Mexico ; and, for such meritorious concjuct, he was made a
brevet lieutenant-colonel. Afterwards he was promoted, in
the regular army, to the rank of major in the famous Second
cavalr-y regiraent, where the colonel and lieutenant-colonel
were A. S. Johnston, and E. E. Lee. It was at this time.
Colonel Jeffer-son Davis, tlren Secretary of War, detailed him
to prepare a system of tactics better adapted for the use of the
infantry than those adopted, and this was compiled and pub
lished, as " Hardee's Tactics ; or, the United States Eifie and
Infantry Tactics," 2 vols. On the completion of the work, in
July, 1856, he was or-dered to West Point as cornmandant of
cadets, with the local rank of lieutenant-colonel, and was em
ployed there — with the exception of one year's leave of ab
sence in Europe — until be was promoted full lieutenant-colonel
of cavalry, which position, however, he resigned on the 31st of
January, 1861.
In the month of October, 1860, events forshadowed that
mighty convulsion which has since taken place in the nation.
Vir-ginia was even then preparing to "resist all attempts. at
coercion," and " an encampment of nearly two regiments of

460 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
cavalry were to be forraed at the Fair ground, near Eich
raond, on the 7th of Noveraber." At that tirae Colonel Har
dee was Staying in New Yor-k awhile, but it seeras from a let
ter, written at Eichmond, dated October 31st, 1860, that he
was then, by permission of bis commander-in-chief, to go down
to Eichmond, and " instruct these regiments in railitary tac
tics." At all events, we find hira at Montgomery about the
end of February, 1861; he then offered his sword and services
to ,the Confederate government. They were gladly accepted,
and he was at once confirmed as colonel of the First regiment
of infantry. He was then assigned to duty at Fort Morgan,
Mobile, and directed to take Grant's Pass, and all their ap
proaches to Mobile, under his charge. In the raonth of June,
Hardee was appointed a brigadier-general, and sent to Arkan
sas, with his coraraand, embracing that portion of the State
south and west of the White river — General Polk being the
department commander of the Mississippi and adjoining re
gion. General Hardee's services in the West were of great import
ance to the cause he had joined. Before his arrival, Arkansas
had appointed a military board to arrange about transferring
the entire force of the State. to the Confederate government,
provided, however, tbat their arms were to be used simply in
self-defence. A deputation went to Eichraond, but no promise
could be given as to tbeir future disposition. But, on the 4th
of July, 1861, an agreeraent was made with General Hardee,
and, with a single exception, the several regiments were trans
ferred to his coramand, the whole force numbering about 6,000
men. At this time, McCuUouch was in charge of the Indian terri
tory, on the Arkansas frontier, and General Price was operat
ing, with Govei-nor Jackson, in Missouri. General Hardee,
however, soon prosecuted the war with vigor, in the depart
ment of which he had control. In the early part of August
he went to Greenville, MobUe, taking with him artiUery and
small-arms, in consequence of having received promises of re
inforcements. But he was much disappointed. The men were
afraid of being called away from their own State, and, there-
forei, would not join. His hopes thus proving abortive, he
turned his attention to Pilot Knob, and the Iron Mountain

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL WILLIAM J. HAEDEE. 461
raUway; but, ultimately, he abandoned his designs in that
part, and returned to his headquarters at Pocohontas.
.Shortly afterwards he was transferred to Kentucky, and in
September his movera-ents led General Shoepft", the Federal
commander, who was advancing against General ZoUi coffer, to
suppose he intended flanking hira from Bowling Green, and
this helped to produce the Federal retreat from Wild-cat. At
the end of October, General Hardee was dispatched with a
force of about 3,000 men to Green river, Ky., to attack the
Federals at Camp Andy Johnson, under General Ward, but a
sudden rise in the river enabled the latter to retreat, and
Johnston recalled Hardee to the more important position at
Bowling Green. He was appointed a major-general, and, on
the 17th of December, 1861, the battle of MumfordsviUe, Ky.,
was fought by a portion of the troops under his comraand —
Brigadier-general Hindraan leading the advance. Hardee's
report of this is as follows :
Headquaeteks, Central Army or Keutuckt, )
Bowling Gbben, December 31, 1861. )
Special Obdek No. 64.
On the I7th instant, our forces, under Brigadier-general
Hindman, partiaUy engaged a superior force of the enemy
near Woodsonville. In the action we sustained a loss of four
killed and nine wounded. The enemy was driven back, and
left about fifty killed, and seven prisoners. The conduct of
our troops was marked by impetuous valor. On charging the
enemy, Colonel Terry, of the Texas Eangers, was killed in the
moraent of victory. His regiment deplores the loss of a
brave and beloved commander — the army one of its ablest
officers. The general comraanding returns his thanks to Brigadier-
general Hindraan and his command for their conduct in the
initiative of the campaign in Kentucky, and he hails the bril
liant courage shown in the affair as a bright augury of their
valor when the actual hour comes for striking a decisive blow.
By order of Major-general Hakdee.
D. H. WHITE, Aot. Assis't Adjutant-general.
At Bowling Green he was located aU the winter, as second
in command of the army at that post, and, it is reported that,

462 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
SO rigorous was he in guarding the rights and property of
noncorabatants, that he arrested a general for burning the
houses at Qare City and other places on the Louisville and
Nashville railroad.
Prior to, or at the commencement of April, 1862, Hardee
was appointed a major-general ;. and, in the arrangeraent for
the battle of ShUoh, his corps — tbe third — was directed to
move in advance, and he was to make all " proper disposition
of the artillery along the line of battle." His zeal, ability,
and skill in this battle, were afterwards very highly spoken of
by Beaufegard in his official report.
• Frora this time General Hardee's corps was attached to
Bragg's army, and accompanied it in all its raoveraents, to the
battle of Perryville. There he coraraanded the left wing of
the army, and very successfully conducted the operations
coraraitted to his direction. His conduct on this occasion and
throughout the carapaign, procured for hira the appointraent
of lieutenant-general, ranking in the Confederate array after
Longstreet. At the battle of Murfreesboro, during the last days of
December, 1862, Lieutenant-general Hardee took a conspicuous
part. His corps, consisting of Breckinridge's and Cleburne's
divisions, were forraed on the west bank of the Stone river,
until ordered to advance. Then, it is related, the sight was
a raost magnificent one. Two columns deep, wit;h a front of
nearly three-fourths of a mile, the Une well preserved and
moving forward with great rapidity, on went the raen, their
baj'onets glistening in a bright sun which had broken through
the fog. "^.
In the raonth of May, 1863, General Hardee was visited by
tbe British officer we have before quoted frora, and he says :
"I found that he was in company with General Polk, and
Bishop Elliot, of Georgia, and also with Mr. Vallandighara.
The latter (called the Apostle of Liberty) is a good-looking
man, apparently not rauch over forty, and had been turned
out of the North three days before. Eosecrans had wished to
Land him over to Bragg by flag of truce ; but, as the latter
declined to receive him in that manner, he was, as General
Hardee expressed, it, ' dumped down' in the neutral ground
between the lines, and left there. He then received hospitality

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL WILLIAM J. HAEDEE. 463
from the Confederates in the capacity of a destitute stranger.
. .¦ . When I' presented my letters of introduction. General
Hardee received me with the unvarying kindness and hospi
tality which I had experienced from all other Confederate
officers. He is a fine, soldierlike man, broad-shouldered and
tall. He looks rather like a French officer, and bears the
reputation of being a thoroughly good soldier. He is a
widower, and has the character oi being a great adrairer of
the fair sex. During the Kentucky carapaign last year, he
was in the habit of avaUing himself of the privilege of his
rank and years," by mixing freely and socially with the
families of the farmers ; and several good jokes arose frora it.
One raay be raentioned. " An old lady told him he ought
really 'to leave off fighting at his age.' 'Indeed, raadara,'
replied he ; ' and how old do you take me for V ' Why, about
the same age as myself — seventy-five,' she answered. The
chagrin of the stalwart and gallant general, at having twenty
years added to his age, may be iraagined."
In July, 1863, General Hardee* was assigned to duty in
comraand of the departraent forraerly held by General Pem
berton ; but when Eosecrans marched on Chattanooga he was
recalled to Bragg's army, and the second corps placed under
* The following anecdote is related of him d-uring this period :
While on a forced march in some of the army movements in Mississippi last
summer, General Hardee came up with a straggler who had fallen some dis
tance in the rear of his command. The general ordered him forward, wben
the soldier replied that he was weak and broken down, not having had even
half rations for several days.
"That's hard," replied the general, "but you must push forward, my good
fellow, and join your command, or the provost guard will take you in hand."
The soldier halted, and looking up at the general asked—
" An't you General Hardee ?"
" Yes," replied the general.
" Didn't you write Hardee's Tactics ?"
" Yes,"
" Well, general, I've studied them tactics, and know 'em by heart. You've
got a order thar to doable column at half distance, an't you?"
•" Well," asked the general, " what has that order to do with your case 1"
"I'm a' good soldier, general, and obey aU that is possible to be obeyed, but
if your orders cau show me a order in your tactics, or anybody else's tactics^
to double distance on half rations, then I'll give iu."
The general, with a hearty laugh, admitted that there were no tactics to
meet the case, and putting spurs to his horse, rode forward.

464 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
him. The battles of Chickamauga, Lookout mountain, and
Missionary ridge, followed, as previously related, and, finally,
General Hardee was appointed to temporarily succeed Bragg
in the general command.
On assuming comraand, Lieutenant-general Hardee issued
the following general order to the soldiers of the army of
Tennessee : Dalton, Ga., December 3, 1863.
General Bragg having been relieved frora duty with this
array, the comraand has devolved upon me. The steady pur
pose, the unflinching courage and unsullied patriotism of the
distinguished leader who has shared your fortunes more than
two years, will long be remembered by the army and the
country he served so' well.
I desire to say, on assuming coramand, that there is no cause
for discouragement. The overwhelming numbers of the enemy
forced us back from Missionary ridge, but the army is still
intact and in good heart ; our losses were small and were
rapidly replaced. The country is looking to you with painful
interest. I feel I can rely upon you. The weak need to be
cheered by, the constant successes of the victors of Shiloh,
Perryville, Murfreesboro, and Chickaraauga, and require
such stimulant to sustain their courage and resolution. Let
the past take care of itself. We care most to secure the
future. W. J. HARDEE, Ldeutenant-general.
With reference to this appointment, it was said that " th'e
command had devolved upon Lieutenant-general Hardee, an
excellent corps coraraander, wbo bas borne hiraself well in
many of the hardest-fought battles of the war, and who, at
Missionary ridge, most gallantly raaintained his position until
the rest of Bragg's array gave ;way. Hardee was one of the
very few— probably the only prominent officer — who avowed
his readiness to serve under Bragg when the President visited
the array to ascertain its wants. Modesty is so rare now-a-
days that all were surprised to hear that Hardee declined the
comraand on the ground that he was not qualified for it ; and,
it was only as a teraporary arrangement that he agreed to
accept this important trust."

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL WILLIAM J. HAEDEE. 465
Shortly afterwards, a very important address frorn the
generals in coraraand of the arrny of Tennessee, was sent to
the Confederate Congress. This address referred to measures
best calculated, in the judgment of the signer-s (General Har
dee's name being at the head of the list), to maintain the effi
ciency and vigor of the army, and was read in the House on
December 29th, 1862.
In the month of January, 1863, General Hardee obtained
leave of absence for a short time, and, on the 13th, was raar
ried to Miss Mary T. Lewis, of Greensboro, Alabama.
In May, General Johnston having assuraed full command of
the army, Hardee's movements were again merged in those of
the commander-in-chief, and the Confederate forces. The
battles that followed have been narrated in previous sketches.
Hood succeeded Johnston. Atlanta was evacuated ; and
Hardee, when President Davis visited the camp, in September,
was relieved at his own request, and appointed to the com
mand of the department of South Carolina, with his head
qiiarters at Charleston. The subsequent events are well
known. Sherman marched upon Savannah, and Hardee went
there beforehand to make arrangeraents for its defence. It
was, however, found vain to attempt resistance, and, on the
21st of Deceraber, 1864, this important city was evacuated by
the Confederates, and the victorious Federal forces entered in
triumph. Since then. General Hardee, in conjunction with
General D. H. Hill, and the general supervision of Beauregard,
has been at Charleston, preparing against the renewed ad
vance of General Sherman in that direction.
The career of General Hardee bas been full of interest and
important action, and we regret that the limits of a single
volume, restrict us to sd brief an account of one whose distin
guished services merit more than a passing notice. President
Davis said of him : " Whoever may have failed, that noble
Georgian — General Hardee — has done all that could be ex
pected of a soldier, or asked of a patriot." Such unqualified
comraendation, from his chosen leader and commander-in-
chief, needs nothing additional from the pen of any man.
sa

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WADE HAMPTON.

The gallant officer whose career we now notice, was born in
the city of Charleston, South Carolina, in the year 1818.
His father was Colonel Wade Hampton, who greatly distin
guished hiraself in the war of 1812, and was an aid-de-carap to
General Jackson, at tbe 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. Colonel Hamp
ton's father was also an eminent military officer — General Wade
Hampton — of the revolution, and a prominent citizen of South
Carolina. Thus, the present General Hampton is descended from
men who have well and bravely fought in tbeir country's cause.
His early education was .received at South Carolina CoUege,
where he graduated with rauch distinction ; and then, while
quite a young man, raarried the youngest daughter of General ,
Francis Preston, of Virginia, by whom he had three children,
two of tbem becoming officers in the Confederate army.
After the death of this lady, he married the daughter of
Governor McDuffie, of South Carolina.
The pursuits of Hampton, previous to the present war, were,
almost exclusively those of a planter, though be served in both
branches of the South Carolina Legislature with 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
the patriot.
At the coramencement of 1861, he was considered one of the
richest planters of the South, and owned the greatest number
of slaves. Wben hostilities coraraenced, he imraediately raised
a splendid legion of six corapanies of infantry — himself their

CEN. WADE HAM PTON.

C.B Ricliardson
Publisrier.

, LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL WADE HAMPTON. 46T
leader,, and though the cost raust have been very great, he
contributed largely towards the equipment.
At the latter end of May he bad aU nearly ready, but some
delay occurred before they could be marched to the seat of
war in Virginia, yet he had the good fortune to arrive in time
for the battle of Manassas, July 21, 1861. Here he was ira
mediately ordered forward to a position near the Lewis House,
as a support for any troops engaged in that quarter. When
the Confederates, during a part df the day, were falling back
near the Eobinson House, Hampton, with his legion, greatly
aided Generals Bee, Bartow, and Evans, in recovering the lost
ground. Beauregard says, "about nOon the coraraands of
Bee, Bartow, and Evans, had taken shelter in a wooded ravine
behind the Robinson House, and this was stoutly held at the
tirae by Hampton, with his legion, which had raade a stand
there, after having, previously, been as far forward as the
turnpike, where Lieutenant-colonel Johnston, an officer of
brilliant promise, was killed, and other severe losses were sus
tained  I then placed Hampton's legion, which had
suffered greatly, as a reserve to protect the right flank against
any advance of the enemy from Stone bridge," and, when a
chai-ge was made, in conjunction with the 18th regiment
(Withers', of Coke's brigade), be captured several rifle pieces,
which were imraediately turned upon the foe'. Finally, he
greatly aided in " restoring the fortunes of the day at a time
when the enemy, by a last desperate onset, with heavy odds,
had driven the Confederates from the fier-cely contested gr-ound
about the Henry House." His " soldierly abiHty" was espe
cially noted by tbe commander-in-chief, who said that
"veterans could not have behaved better than his well-led
regiment." In the last charge, however, Colonel Hampton was not per
sonally present, having previously been wounded in the head ;
but so highly did Beauregard appreciate the legion, that he
gave hiraself, for the time, to the vacant post of their retired
coraraander. We must not, however, omit mentioning that, during a part
of the fight, when Colonel Hampton's horse was shot under
him, he seized a rifie, and said td his men, "Watch rae, boys;
do as I do." He then- shot down, successively, several of the

468 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
Federal officers who were Reading their forces against him.
General Beauregard then carne up, and said, " Take that bat
tery." Just. at tbat moment the flag of the legion was shot
down; Beauregard said, " Hand it to me ; let rae bear the
Palraetto fiag." He did bear it in the fury of the fight.
Colonel Johnston, of the legion, was slairi in the charge.
The Harapton legion promised to defend the fiag presented
to thera by the ladies of the Palmetto State, while one of thern
remained to step the field of conflict. That this promise was
sacredly redeemed, no one can doubt, when he comes to learn
that of the eight hundred who went into the field on that Sun
day, one hundred and ten sealed their fidelity with their blood,
such being the number of their killed and wounded, according
to the reports.
In the subsequent battles on the Peninsula, frcim the begin
ning of operations at Yorktown, the Hampton legion was ever
conspicuous, and at the battle of Seven Pines was especially
noticed. It is said that the loss amongst them, in killed and
wounded, was a fraction over one-half their number. "The
charge of this body of men was gallant and daring beyond all
description ; and Colonel Wade Harapton was wounded in the
foot." During the battle of Gaines's MiU, June 29th, the
Harapton legion again displayed great valor, and, indeed,
throughout the whole seven days' contest^.
Harapton was now proraoted to the position of Brigadier-
general of cavalry, under Major-general Stuart, and zealously
seconded that gallant officer in all his daring exploits. We
may, however, give one or two illustrations of General Hamp
ton's own personal doings in these expeditions. In the retreat
frora Antietam, when the enemy's cavalry, under Pleasanton,
attacked Lee's pickets in front of Sheperdstown, Hampton's
brigade had retired through Martinsburg, but, on being re
called, speedily returned, and aided Colonel W. F. H. Lee in
repulsing the foe. -
A few days afterwards, he accompanied Stuart on his suc
cessful expedition into Maryland, as already mentioned in
previous sketches. When tbey arrived near Chambersburg,
the following incidents occurred, as related by the Federal
colonel, A. K. McClure. He says :
" After travelling a mile westward, we were brought to a

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL WADE HAMPTON. 469
halt by' a squad of raounted rnen, and inforraed that General
Harapton was one of tbe party, to whom we should address
ourselves. It was so dark that I could not distinguish him
from any of his men. Upon being informed that we were a
committee of citizens, and that there was no organized force
in town, and no military commander at the post, he stated, in
a respectful and soldieriike raanner, that he commanded the
advance of the Confederate troops ; that he knew resistance
would be vain, and he wished the citizens to be fully advised
of his purpose, so as to avoid needless loss of Ufe and wanton
destruction of property. He said he had been fired upon at
Mercersburg and Campbellstown, and had great difficulty in
restraining his troops. He assured us that he would scrupu
lously protect citizens ; would allow no soldiers to enter public
or private houses, unless under coramand of an officer upon
legitimate business ; that he would take such private property
as he needed for his government or troops, but that he would
do so by men under officers who would allow no wanton de
struction, and who would give receipts for the same if desired,
so that claim might be made- therefor against the United States
government. All property belonging to or used by the United
States, he stated, he would use or destroy at his pleasure, and
the wounded in hospitals would be paroled. Being an United
States officer myself, I naturally felt gome anxiety to know
what my fate would be if he should discover me, and I modestly
suggested that there might be some United States officers in
the town in charge of wounded, stores, or of recruiting offices,
and asked wbat disposition would be made of them. He an
swered that he would parole them, unless he should have
special reasons for not doing so, and he instructed us that none
such should be notified by us to leave town. Here I was in
an interesting situation. If I remained there it might, in
General Hampton's opinion, be special reasons for not
paroling me, and the fact that he had several citizens of
Mercersburg with him as prisoners did not dirainish my appre
hensions. If I should leave, as I had ample opportunity after
wards to do, I might be held as violating my own agreement,
and to wbat extent my faraily and property might suffer in
consequence, conjecture had a very wide range. With srxty
acres of corn in shock, and three barns full of grain, excellent

470 SOUTHEEN GKNEEALS.
farm and saddle horses, and a number of best blooded cattle,
the question of property was worthy of a thought. I resolved
to stay, as I felt so bound hy the terrns of surr-ender, and take
my chance of discover-y and par-ole." <
During the time Chan)ber-sbur-g was occupied, General
Hampton was appointed nrilitar-y governor ; and, in refei-ence
to his whole pr-oceedirigs, Stuart, in his report, obser-ves:
" Br-igadiei--general Harapton ... is errtitled to my lastirjg
gratitude for bis coolness in danger, and obedience to or
ders." Gener-al Hampton, in the beginning of Deceraber, 1862,
entered Dumfries one morning about three o'clock, and cap
tured several Federal soldier-s, besides doing much damage to
governraent stores. A few days afterwar-ds be made a rich
haul on a government train in the neighborhood of Occoquan.
There were twenty-seven cars laden with the choicest articles
for the gay Christmas season. Many of the articles cap
tured were labelled " Christmas pr-esents for General Bur-n-
side," and consisted of fine brandies, segars and wines. Be
sides these there was a good supply of sutlers' stores, embra
cing boots and shoes, gauntlets, and nearly every other article
necessary for the comfort of man during the cold season. In
addition, 170 soldiers who were guarding the train were made
prisoners. A little later, in the beginning of January, 1863, he crossed
the Kappahannock, with one hundred and twenty cavalry, and
fell in with ninety-two raen, including' five officers, of the
Permsylvania cavalry, capturi;ig them without a shot being
fired, and obtaining a great prize of valuable carbines, one
hundred horses and their equipments, not to mention the warm
overcoats of the men, which are no slight itera in the month
of January.
At the battle of Gettysburg, General Hampton was wounded
thrice — once in the hip, from a shr-apnel, and two severe sabre-
cuts in the head. This corapeUed hira to retire awhile from his
command ; but his active spirit would not brook a longer
absence than was imperative. Therefore we find hirn again
, zealously engaged with Stuart, the two Lees, and his gallant
men, in many other raids and adventures. These, however,
have already been aUuded to, and we must pass on to the time

LIEUTENANT GENEEAL WADE HAMPTON. 471
when, having been made a major-general, he had command of
the cavalry, after the death of Stuart.
During the latter part of May and beginning of June, 1864,
he was constantly engaged pressing the enemy's cavalr-y, and
obtained several advantages over thera. On the 12th, Harap
ton and Fitz Hugh Lee encountered Sheridan, Custer, Torbert,
and Gregg at Trevilah station ; and on the 20th successfully
attacked the Federals stationed at tbe White-house. Five days
afterwards, the enemy's cavalry advanced to a place called
Nance's shop, and intrenched themselves. Hampton quickly
followed, and drove them away, pursuing them till 9 p. m.,
to within two railes of Charles City Court-house. " Great
credit," says Lee, in his report, " is due to General Hampton
and his command^ for their handsome success."
On the 26th of August he attacked a body of the enemy's
cavalry, about four railes beyond Eeams' station, and routed
them. It was about this tirae he was made coraraander-in-
chief of all the cavalry in the army of North Virginia, and
was thenceforth considered as General Lee's Master of Horse —
a position of no slight dignity in such times. But the most
exciting affair, and especially one peculiarly serviceable, was
his foray upon the commissariat of General Grant.
In the middle of September, there ar-rived in the Federal
camp 2,486 head of cattle, in splendid order. These wer-e put
to graze in the neighbor-hood of Sycamore Church, not far
from the Jaraes river, east of City Point, and had been col
lected by the Federal commissariat with great care. Hearing
of this, Hampton, with W. F. H. Lee's division, Eosser's and
Hearing's brigades, and Graham's and McGregor's batteries,
started eariy one mor-ning to capture them. Taking a wide
circuit round the Federal army, the Confeder-ates suddenly
came upon the surprised forces, stationed on their right,
on Thursday night. A fight ensued : tbe enemy's position
was carried ; and the cattle not only captured, but safely
driven back to the Confederate lines, after another sharp en
gagement witb some cavalr-y under General Gregg. What the
great prize really was, may be judged from the following re-
raar-ks in a Eichmond paper: "The Federal commissar.es buy
beeves of the lar-gest size for the use of therr armresrn Vir
ginia. The expense and trouble of transportation, which are

472 SOUTHEEN GENEEALS.
in proportion to numbers, make this very expedient. The
beeves taken in Hampton's late expedition are judged, by a
Loudon grazier, to weigh 800 pounds net. Twenty-four
hundred and eighty-six beeves at 800 pounds, would make an
aggregate of 1,988,800 pounds, or within a fraction of two mil
lions of pounds. This, distributed in daily rations of a pound
each, would feed 1,000 men for nearly 2,000 days, 10,000 men
for 200 days, or 50,000 for 40 days, and so forth. It is a very
nice addition to our cpmraissariat, for which we are very much
obliged to Mr. Grant, and particularly to General Hampton
and his braves."
A short time after this, he again " routed the enemy, cap
turing two stands of colors, and about five hundred prisoners,
including five colonels, and thirteen other officers."
On the 27th of October he attacked the eneray in the rear,
while General Mahone struck thera in the fiank, on the Boyd
ton plank-road. It is said, that on tbis occasion i' General
Hampton and his cavalry rendered a service wbich the coun
try cannot too highly appreciate." In the engagement, how
ever, oue of his sons was killed, and another wounded. Since
then, he has been incessantly occupied with the cavalry, in
harassing the enemy, and participating in the various move
ments of the army around Eichmond. Lately, we find that
he has been promoted to be a lieutenant-general.
The family residence of General Hampton is in Columbia,
South Carolina, and is known by all Southerners as the abode
of hospitality, and, also, one of the handsomest places in the
entire South. Of his personal characteristics, the following
may be interesting.
A writer in the Richmond Press observes : " He is said to
be in the prime of life, of a strong natural understanding con
siderably cultivated, of immense physical strength and activity,
of wonderful endurance, and of inexhaustible energy. He
has been all bis life passionately addicted- to field-sports and
wood-craft, in both of which he is said to excel most men of
his day. One faculty, of the last iraportance to an officer
holding such a coraraand as his, he is said to possess in a very
reraarkable degree — that, namely, of becoraing acquainted in
stantly, and alraost instinctively, with all the features of what
ever locality he may happen to pass over. To such an extent

LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL WADE HAMPTON. 473
is this faculty developed, that we have heard it said, if he were
blindfolded, and carried thirty railes into a forest in which he
had never been before, he would find out where he was in five
minutes after the removal of the bandage. He never caraps a
day in a neighborhood without making himself sufficiently ac
quainted with all the roads, by-roads and hog-paths, to act as
guide. His courage is of that calm, deliberate, imperturbable
character, which Napoleon described as the " two o'clock in
the morning" courage, and "^hich consists in never being
thrown off the proper balance by any surprise, no matter how
sudden, or any danger, no matter how little foreseen. Yet, no
man is more irapetuous in the charge, or more rapid in the
pursuit. General Hampton possesses another qualification
very iraportant in a cavalry officer, and yet not always pos
sessed even by good cavalry officers. He is passionately fond of
horses, and an uncomraonly fine judge of thera ; takes a pleas
ure in studying their nature and wants, and thus affords
the best guarantee that he will make his raen attend to them.
When we add, that he is a splendid rider, a practical swords
man, and an excellent shot ; but above all, 'that he is what
Carlyle calls ' an earnest man,' with no frivolity or childishness
about him, but devoted, with all the deep enthusiasm of his
nature, to the cause in which he is engaged, we have said
enough, we think, to show that the cavalry of General Lee's
army is in very good hands.'

SOUTHEEH mSTOET OF IE WAE,
THE FIRST YEAR OF THE WAR;
By E. a. pollard, Editor Eichmond Examiner.
1 Vol. Svo; iOO pages; Gloth, $2.50.
With authentic Fortraits, on steel, of DAVIS, LES, B£AUREGARI>,
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This is an exact reprint of the only History of the W^r published in the
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tured to Southern readers, cannot be underrated. It is well written, full of
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SECOND YEAR OF THE WAR:
Bt E. a. pollard, Author of " The First Year of the War."
1 FoL Svo; 400 pap'es; CToiA, $2.50.
With Fortraits on steel, recently taken, of Vice-President STEFHENS,
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Written with clearness, independence, and ability, and as the only connect
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Ifow Ready,
THIRD YEAR OF THE ¥AR:
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With Fortraits, on steel, of Generals COOFER, BRAGG, EIRBY
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This volume closes with the attack on Petersburg by General Grant. It cov
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SOUTHERN GENERALS,
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