Battles for the Union: comprising descriptions of the most stubbornly contested battles in the war of the Great Rebellion ... Illustrated

Front matter

BATTLES FOR THE UNION. <?U OT Captain WlUari Charier, THE SOLDIER-AUTHOE. I. Capture, Prison- Pen, and Escape. II. Three Years in the Fe de^atTC g,v $by**v III. Battles for the Uniot<^.*^%.^ IV. The Roll of Honor/as"^. ■"■ Cajitalu Glazier's workB are growing mofe-aiMFiSore popular every d:iy. Their delineations of military life, constantly vary ing sceoea, and deeply Interesting stories, combine to place their writer in the front rank of American authors. SOLD ONLY BY SUBSCRIPTION. Persons desiring Agencies for any of Captain Glaziers books should address IDtJSTISr, GILMAN <Se CO., \ HARTFORD, CONN. S\ |Sattk$ fot % Ijtowm COMPRISING Descriptions of many of the most Stubbornly Contested Battles in the War of the Great Rebellion, together with Incidents and Reminiscences of the Camp, the March, and the Skirmish Line.

EMBRACING A RECORD OF TOE PRIVATIONS, nEROIC DEEDS, AND GLORIOUS TRIUMPHS OP THE SOLDIERS OF THE REPUBLIC. /o WILLARD GLAZIER, Author of "Soldiers uf the Saddle," "Capture, Prison-Pen, and Escape," "The KOJ.L OF HoNOE," KIC, SIC. 3> ilu & ivaUb. nARTFORD, CONN.: DUSTIN, G-ILM^VN & CO., S50 and 352 Asylum Stregt. 1875. o o Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S"M, by WILLAKD GLAZIER, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress fit Washington, D. C. TO THE MEMORY OF THE CONSTANT COMPANION OE MY BOYHOOD, WHOSE LAMP OF LIFE WENT OUT ON THE DAT, AND AT THE HOUR OF MT CAPTURE BY THE ENEMY AT NEW BALTIMORE, VIRGINIA, In the Autumn of 1863, AND WHOSE LAST WORDS WERE OF ME AND THE ARMY, ©hi-s IS AFFECTIONATELY AND TENDERLY' INSCRIBED BY HER BROTHER, The f^efkde. IF there is anything of interest or importance in the history of war, it must naturally be found in the great battles which decide the issues of the controversy.

The soldier turns to battle scenes for a record of his services and sacrifices. He cares but little for details of the camp and march, while he searches with avidity for the chapter which rehearses the story of his struggles and victories on the field of strife. The citizen and student of history look to grand combats, for the salient points in their chronology of events. I have endeavored in this work to present in the most con cise and simple form the great contests in the War for the Union. Should my late comrades in arms consider my pict ures faithful, I shall feel more than compensated for the eflbrt I have made to commemorate their glorious deeds. WILLARD GLAZIER. Hartford, Conn., August 223, 1874. C o i\ t e i\ t$.'

Chapter I. Fort Sumter

First Causes. — United States Property Seized. — Uprising of the North. — Tlie Little Band at the Nation's Outpost. — From Moultrie to Snmter. — The Landing at Night. — Moultrie in Flames. — Star of the West. — No Help Yet. — Alone to Defend the Old Flag. — Starvation Ahead. — Communications Cut Off.-- No Surrender — The Bombardment. — Terrific Cannonading. — The Barracks on Fire. — Not a Biscuit Left. — Out of Ammunition. — Wigfall and his White Flag. — Sumter Surrenders on its Own Terms. — The Defeat a Glorious Victory 21

Chapter II. Big Bethel

General Butler at Fortress Monroe. — Decides to Attack the Rebels at Big Bethel. — Plan of Major Winthrop. — Crossing the Hampton River at Midnight — Colonel Duryea joined by General Pierce. — Fatal Mistake of Colonel Bendix — The Confederates Retreat from Little Bethel.— Battle of Big Bethel, and fall of Major Winthrop. — Gallantry and Death of Lieutenant Grebble. — Official Report of the Battle. 30

Chapter III. Bull Run

Date of the Battle. — Military Talent Displayed on Both Sides. — General Beauregard in Command of the Confederate Forces. — Expecta tions of the North and South Concerning the Result of the Battle. — The Division Generals Engaged. — Slow Progress of McDowell's Army. — Heavy Skirmish at Blackburn's Ford. — Sluggishness of Army Movements. — Patterson's Failure to Engage Johnston — Hostilities Commenced. — Attack of Confederate Batteries on Burnside's Brigade — Struggle for the Hill beyond Warrenton Turnpike. — Colonel Hunter Severely Wounded. — Success of the Union Arms up to Three o'clock P. M. — Confederate Reinforcements Turn the Scale. — Panic of our Forces. They Break and Fly in Confusion. — The Union Army a Mass of Fugitives. — Disastrous end of the Battle. — Patterson Blamed 37 CONTENTS. X

Chapter IV. Wilson's Creek

General Fremont in Command of the Western Department.— Rendezvous at St Louis.— Lvon in a Critical Situation.— The March at Night.— Oat of the Streets of Springfield.— The Midnight Halt.— Camp Fires of the Enemy.— The Rebels at Breakfast.— Sigel adds an Unexpected Dish to their Morning Repast. — Panic and Flight. — Battle and Victory, followed bv Confusion.— The Mistaken Troops.— "Our Friends are Firing Upon us."— Sigcl's Disaster.— General Lyon at the Front.— They cannot Break His Lines. — Heroism and Bravery Conquer Numbers. — Lyon's Last Charge. — Victory and Death.— The Nation's Beloved Hero. — Rebel Army Routed and in Full Retreat.— Withdrawal to Springfield 50

Chapter V. Ball's Bluff

Situation of Ball's Bluff.— The Hostile Armies on Opposite Banks of the River. — Reconnoitre at Drainesville. — Feint of Gorman's Brigade at Edward's Ferry. — Attack of the Enemy from the Woods. — Union Troops Exposed to a Murderous Fire. — Death of Baker. — Ineffectual Means of Transportation. — Attempts to Regain the Maryland Shore. — Troops Shot or Drowned in Crossing. — Defeat of the Union Arms. — Causes of the Disaster 62

Chapter VI Mill Spring

Geographical Location of Mill Spring. — Encampment of Zollicoffer. — Occupancy of Logan's Cross Roads by Union Troops. — The Enemy Hedged in. — Starvation or Battle. — Zollicoffer Leads the Rebel Advance. — Colonel Fry Discovers a General's Uniform under a Rubber Overcoat. — The Fatal Shot. — Zollicoffer Falls. — Consternation and Rout of the Enemy. — A Deserted Camp. — Victory for the "Boys in Blue." 08

Chapter VII. Pea Ridge

The Boston Mountains Camp. — Red Skin Re enforcements. — Sigel's Ten-mile Fight. — The Long Battle- Line. — " War's Thunders and Flowers of Red Shot." — Sigel Frustrates McCulloch. — Struggle Between Osterhaus and McCulloch. — Bold Charge of Indiana Troops. — Re-enforcements. — Night brings a Suspension of Hostilities — Battle at Sunrise. — Terrible Array of Union Batteries. — Two Hours of Iron Hail. — The Enemy Completely Routed. — Precipitous Retreat to the Boston Mountains. — Death of McCulloch. — Fearful Barbarities. — Burial of the Dead. — Elk Horn CONTENTS XI

Chapter VIII. Merrimac And Monitor

The Projection of the Monitor. — Ericsson's Visit to Washington. The Merrimac Launched. — Arrival off Newport News. — Attack on the Cumberland — Heroism of the Crew. — No Surrender. — Sublime Bravery. — Sinking of the ill-fated Frigate. — The Burning of the Congress. — Despair of the Fleet. — The Speck of Light on the Waves. — Arrival of the Monitor. — The Merrimac Again Appears. — The Strange Looking Antagonist. — The Fight Opens. — Fierce Conflict. — The Baptism of F'ire. — Four Hours of Battle. — The Merrimac Signals for Help. — The Monitor Victorious. — Our Fleet Saved. — Cheers of the Multitude 80

Chapter IX. Newbern

The City and its Connections. — Rebel Fortifications — Assemblage of Gunboats at Hatteras. — The Advance Down Pamlico Sound. — Slocum's Creek Landing. — The Long March. The Forest Camp Fires. — Attack on the Outer Fortifications. — Impetuous Bravery of Union Troops. — Heroic Charge Through an Embrasure. — The Old Flag Floats Over the Captured Fort. — Entrance into Newbern. Ten o'clock and All is Well. Battle of the Fleet.— Brilliant Advance of the Gunboats. — All Difficulties Conquered — Victory and its Spoils.— The Sabbath Bells 91

Chapter X. Winchester

Topography of the Battle-Ground. — General Banks' Occupation of Winchester. — StonewallJackson's Attack. — Disposition of Forces. — The Battle — Unwavering Firmness of Union Troops. — Heroic Defence of the National Colors by the Fifth Ohio. — " "sis sweet for One's Country to Die." — The Enemy put to Rout. — Stonewall Jackson in Retreat — A Night of Sleep After a Day of Battle. — Kernstown. — Sheridan's Ride 106

Chapter XI. Falmouth Heights

General McDowell in Command of the Army of Virginia. — Advance to Bristoe and Falmouth. — Harris Light Leading the Advance. — Sudden Fire on the Van-guard. — Furious Charge upon the Rebel Cavalry. — Death of Lieutenant Decker. — His Comrades Avenge His Death.— The Enemy Scattered Like Chaff Before the Whirlwind. — Outposts, Stores and Provisions Captured. — A Loyal Southern Citizen Greets the Old Hag.— Plan for a Night Attack on Falmouth. — Brilliant Capture of the Place by Kilpatrick. . CONTENTS. XII

Chapter XII Pittsburg Landing

The Log Cabin Church.— Buell's March from Nashville.— The Union Camp Surprised.— The Rude Awakening.— Sleep Exchanged for Death.— Rally of the Boys in Blue.— Slaughter from the Woods.— Stand on the Corinth Road.— The Brave Resistance — The Wave of Rebellion Hurled Back.— Six Hours of Magnificent Fighting.— A Glorious Record.— Wallace Falls.— The Impregnable Line.— Tyler and Lexington Gunboats. — Death of Confederate Johnston. — Buell Reaches the Landing.— Last Day's Fight —Capture of Field Pieces. — Confederates in Retreat. — Splendid Victory. — Harvest of Death US

Chapter XIII. Williamsburg

Battle of Williamsburg. — Scene of the Battle. — Historic Alonumcnts. — College of William and Mary.— Washington and Patrick Henry. — Amusing Inscriptions on Tombstones. — The Battle Opens. — Attack of General Hooker. — Approaches to Fort McGruder. — Bravery of Kearney. — Gallantry of General Heintzelman. — Dcse it and Retreat of the Enemy 129

Chapter XIV. Seven Pines

The Preliminaries of Battle. — Cannonading and Picket-firing. — Vigorous Attack of the Confederates. — Undaunted Bravery of the Unionists. — General Casey Unjustly Censured. — Testimony of the Enemy. — Incidents of the Battle-field. — Sufferings of the Wounded. —The First Night after Battle 136

Chapter XV. Fair Oaks

Positions Occupied by the Contending Forces — General Hooker Commences the Action. — Advance of Sickles, Grover, and Robinson. — General Kearney and Colonel Hicks Protect the Flanks. — Both Armies Enveloped in a Cloud of Smoke. — The Engagement Becomes General. — Defeat of the Rebels. — They Fly to Their Entrenchments. — McClellan Orders a Cessation of Hostilities. — Renewal of the Battle. — Rout and Final Defeat of the Enemy. . . . 143

Chapter XVI. Malvern Hill

Battle of Malvern Hill. — The Final Engagement of the Peninsular Campaign. — Scene of the Battle. — Influence of our Gunboats. — Attack of the Rebels led by General Magruder. — Destructive Fire CONTENTS. XIII from Federal Cannon. — The Rebels Repulsed. — They Reform and Charge Again. — Another Tempest of Fire from our Batteries Sweeps them from the Field. — Their Guns are Silenced, the Horses Killed and Regiments Cut Down. — McClellan Urdcrs a Retreat to Harrison's Landing. — Indignation of the Army. — General Kearney Protests Against the Order for Retreat. — General Martindale Sheds Tears of Shame 147

Chapter XVII. Cedar Mountain

The Battle-ground — Jackson En route for Culpepper. — Occupancy of Cedar Mountain. — Three Miles of Batteries. — Banks Receives the Attack. — A Rain of Fire. — Charge on Enemy's Battery. — Overwhelmed by Superior Numbers. — Ricketts to the Front. — Enemy Compelled to Fall Back. — Artillery Battle at Night. — Interment of Fallen Braves. — Losses. — The Enemy Retires.— Cedar Mountain Occupied by Union Troops 157

Chapter XVIII. Brandt Station

First Battle. — Lee Resumes Hostilities. — Stuart's Cavalry Attack. — Gallant Repulse by Kilpatrick. — Second Battle. — Skirmish at Kelly's Ford. — Splendid Charge of the Union Army. — Complete Rout of the Enemy. — Heroic Feats on the F'ield. — Charge of the First Maine. — Fall of Colonel Davis. — Third Battle. — The Enemy Swept from the Plains. — Prisoners and Materials of War Captured. — Fourth Battle. — Critical Situation of Kilpatrick. — Bravery of Custer and Davies. — The Exultant Battle-Cry. — Fresh Laurels for the Union Troops — Scene oq the Battle-field. — The Writer's Part in the Four Contests 161

Chapter XIX. Manassas, Or Second Bull Run

The Opening Scene. — Sigel in the Foreground. — Sharp Skirmish on the Twenty-eighth. — Fitz-John Porter's Delay. — Attack on the Twenty-ninth. — Bayonet Charge of Grover's Brigade. — Thoroughfare Gap Left Open. — The Enemy Re-enforced. — Victory on the Twenty-ninth. — Where Was Porter? — Pope's Despatch. — Battle of the Thirtieth. — Exhausted Troops. — Out of Rations. — Pope Discouraged. — Our Forces at Centreville. — Personal Experience. — A Shell from the Enemy and What it Did — An Unknown Hero. — " Tear off Your Chevrons." — Successful Stand. — Charge of the Harris Light Cavalry 180

Chapter XX. Chantilly

Union Troops on the Defensive. — Historic Chantilly. — Pope at Fair fax Court-House. — Stonewall Jackson's Attack. — The Battle of the CONTENTS. XIV Sky.— Furious Charges— The Enemy Repulsed.— Death of Stevens and Kearny.— The March to Washington.— Pope Resigns.— Porter Cashiered.— Tribute to Kearny la3

Chapter XXI Antietam

The Enemy Concentrating on Antietam Creek— Stonewall Jackson Has the Left.— Battle at Daybreak.— The Contested Cornfield — Hooker Wounded.— Furious Struggle.— Fate of the Thirty-Fourth New York.— War's Fierce Tug.— Franklin and Fresh Troops- Four Times Lost and Won.— Burnside Takes the Bridge.— Union Troops Carry the Hill and are Driven Back.— McClellan Sends Aid.— A Moment when Events Hang in the Balance.— " The Bridcre ! — Alwavs the Bridge !" — McClellan 's Star in the Ascendant. b ' 197

Chapter XXII. Corinth

Topography of the Battle-ground. — The Enemy Marching upon Corinth. — Price and Van Dorn Unite their Forces. — Three Tiers of Earthworks. — Preliminary Battle of the Third. — Generalship of Rosecrans. — Battle of the Fourth. — Two Hours of Hot Work. — Forts Richardson and Robinett. — Price Driven Back..— Desperate Charge of Van Dorn. — A Forlorn Hope. — Colonel Rogers. — The Enemy Driven. — Confusion and Flight. — Heaps of Slain. — The Handkerchief Flags. — " For God's Sake Spare us !" — Pursuit of the Foe. — Captured Spoils. — West Tennessee Safe. .... 205

Chapter XXIII. Fredericksburg

Burnside in Command of the Army of the Potomac. — The Advance to Fredericksburg. — Surrender of the City Refused. — Confederate and Union Cavalry Raids. — Capture of Rebel Picket-Posts. — Kxodus of Citizens from Fredericksburg. — Delay in Laying Pontoons. — The Seventh Michigan Crossing the River under a Murderous Fire. — Death of a Massachusetts Chaplain. — General Gibbon Opens the Battle. — Desperate Fighting. — Terrific Charge of Meade's Division. — The Hillside Strewn with the Dead. — Death of Bayard. — Night after the Battle. — Heart-rending Scenes. — Termination of the Campaign of 1S62 213

Chapter XXIV. Murfreesboro Or Stone River

Rosecrans in Command of the Army of the Cumberland. The Christmas Niyht War-Council.— The Muddy March Southward. The Midnight Cavalcade.—" Push Them Hard."— Fog and Hard CONTENTS. XV Marching.— In front of Murfreesboro.— The Rail Tent.— The Calm that Precedes the Battle-Storm. — Star Spangled Banner. — McCook Surprised. — Sheridan Stands Firm. — The Battle nearly Lost — Gen eral Rosecrans Turns the Tide. — Desperate Valor. — Negley's Men Cut their Way Through the Confederate Ranks. — The Enemy Driven. — The Last Grand Charge. — Magnificent Victory. — Rose crans' Star in the Ascendant 222

Chapter XXV Chancellorsville

Successful Strategy of General Hooker. — Crossing the Rappahannock at Sunrise. — I he Chancellorsville House — Lee's Position Flanked. — The Battle Opened by Sykes — Loss of Prestige and Position by the Union Troops. — Capture of Prisoners by General Birney. — Stonewall Jackson Appears Upon the Scene. — Our Divisions Overwhelmed by the Rebel Hordes. — A Frantic Stampede. — Heroism of Major Keenan, and his men. — Death of Stonewall Jackson. — A Fatal Hour. — Beating a Retreat. — Hooker's Words of Praise. — Lincoln Visits the Camp at Falmouth 234

Chapter XXVI. Aldie

Hooker Entraps Lee. — Reconnoissance of Pleasanton. — Aldie in Sight. — The Grand Charge. — Harris Light in the Van. — Fitzhugh Lee's Desperate Efforts. — The Desired Opportunity. — Battle of the Haystacks. — The Harris Light Wins. — Colonel Cesnola. — The Sword Presentation. — Last Desperate Attempt of the Enemy. — Driven From the Field in Panic. — The Battle Won. . . . "247

Chapter XXVII. Upperville

Union Advance from Middleburg — Rebel Pickets Encountered. — The Fight Commenced. — Stone Fence Barricades. — A Succession of Brilliant Charges — The Harris Lisht Drives the Enemy. — Splendid Cavalry Action. — Stand at Upperville. — The Enemy Again Driven. — Union F'orces Triumphant. — General Pleasanton's Report ... 253

Chapter XXVIII. Gettysburg

Meade in Command of the Army of the Potomac— The Camp on Marsh Run. — The Advance to" Gettysburg. — Charge of Buford's Cavalry on the Rebel Van-guard. — The Enemy Driven Back. — Fall of General Reynolds.— Capture of General Archer and Eight CONTENTS. XVI Hundred Prisoners —Victory Followed by Defeat —The Eleventh Corps Break and Fly.— Strengthening the Union Position. — Occu pancy of Gulp's Hill and Round Top.— Sickle's Command Shat tered.—Activity of Kilpatrick's Cavalry.— The Enemy Falls Back to Rennet's Hill.— The Last Effort.— Terrible Slaughter of Troops. —The Desperate Final Charge.— The Tempest of Fire— Death of Farnsworth. — Capture of Prisoners. — Glorious Victory. . . 257

Chapter XXIX. Vicksburg

The Impregnable Stronghold.— The Batteries of the Bluff.— The Sresre Begun. — A Reign of Terror. — Assault of the Nineteenth. — Distributing Rations. — Assault of the Twenty-second. — Desperate Work.— Sergeant Griffith and the Brave Eleven. — Union Colors on Enemy's Bastion. — McPherson's Losses. — Failure to Carry the Works. — Six Weeks' Siege. — The Enemy Starved Out. — The White Flag. — Surrender. — Grant's Triumphant Entrance into Vicksburg. — "Rally Round the F'lag. "— Close of the Campaign. — Lincoln's Letter 278

Chapter XXX. Port Hudson

The Citadel on the B' tiffs.— Four Miles of Batteries.— The Pledge of the Northwe-t. — First Operations against Port Hudson. — The Stronghold Invested. — General Assault. — Repulse and Loss. — Bravery of Officers and Men. — Colonel Bartlett. — Heroic Conduct of Colored Troops. — The Siege Carried Forward. — Gloomy Oatlook. — Another General Assault. — Heavy Losses. — The Enemy Starving— The Delicacies of a Rat Stew. — Announcement of the Surrender of Vicksburg. — The Council of War in the Camp on the Bluffs. — Unconditional Surrender of Port Hudson. — " Flap; of Union and Freedom Wave !" — The Promise of the Northwest Redeemed. 289

Chapter XXXI. Falling Waters

Kilpatrick's Advance to Hagerstown. — Lee's Position. — Efforts to Cross the Swollen Potomac. — Meade Decides to Attack the Confederates. — The Escape by Night. — Kilpatrick's Discover}-. — The Cavalry in Motion. — The Encounter at Falling Waters. — The Enemy Surprised. — Hard Fighting. — Death of Pettigrew. — Union Victory. — Capture of Battle-Flags and Prisoners. — Kilpatrick's Letter 300

Chapter XXXII. Chickamauga

Under the Shadow of Lookout Mountain. — Evacuation of Chattanooga. — The Long Battle-line.— Bragg Contests the Union Advance. — Disposition of Troops at Chickamauga Creek. — Attack of the Nine- CONTENTS. xvjj teenth. — Fierce Struggle for Position. — Bragg's Attack of the Twentieth — Furious Fighting. — Buckner's Battery and its Deadly Work. — The Union Army Cut in Two. — Thomas on Missionary Ridge. — The Storm Breaks. — Desperate Assault of Longstreet. — Repulse of the Confederates. — Thomas, Master of the Field. — The Enemy in Retreat. — Occupation of Chattanooga. — Letter of Rose crans 307

Chapter XXXIII. Bristoe

Condition of Meade's Army. — " Going Home to Vote." — Lee's Advance. — Cavalry Encounter. — Roast Lamb and Coffee Left Behind. — Order for Retreat. — Fight at James City. — Incidents of the Day — On to Washington. — Stuart Hemmed in at Catlett's Station — The Pine Thicket. — The Concealed Force. — Hill Entangled. — Battle of Bristoe. — Sharp Fighting. — The Confederates Beaten. — Lee in Full Retreat. — The Campaign Ended 316

Chapter XXXIV. New Baltimore

Kilpatrick's First Defeat. — Stuart Covers the Retreat of Lee. — En Route for Warrenton. — Fitzhugh Lee's Attack — Charge of Stuart's Cavalry. — Surrounded on All Sides. — Kilpatrick's Generalship. — The Desperate Charge — Holocaust of Death. — The Author's Capture. — In Warrenton Jail. — A Specimen of Southern Chivalry. — Kilpatrick's Dinner Interrupted. — Case of the Campaign. . 323

Chapter XXXV. Fort Fisher

Outer Defences of Wilmington. — Blockade-running. — Admiral Porter's Expedition. — Rough Weather. — The Attack. — The Torpedo Vessel. — The First Day's Bombardment. — Reconnoissance. — Strength of the Fort. — Return to Hampton Roads. — Renewed Preparations — Attack of the Second Expedition — Bivouac Fires. — Terrible Bombardment. — Desperate Assault of Union Troops. — They Effect a Lodgment. — The Attack goes on. — The Last Trenches Cleared. — Fort Fisher Ours. — Valor of Colored Troops. — Spoils of Victory 329

Chapter XXXVI. Olustee

Expedition to Florida. — Sailing of the Fleet. — John Hay. — Lincoln's Letter. — Objects of the Expedition. — The Camp at Jacksonville. — Seymonr's Sudden Move. — Attempt to Checkmate the Enemy at ' Olustee. — Hemmed in by Swamps. — The Fatal Surprise. — Overwhelmed by Superior Numbers. — Decimated Ranks. — The Battle Lost — Seymour's Bravery. — Patten Anderson. — Who was to blame ? CONTENTS. XVIII

Chapter XXXVII. Fort Pillow

One of the Outgrowths of Slavery.— The Negro Soldiery.— Confederate Law.— The Black Flag— Location of Fort Pillow.— Forrest Before the Defences.— Severe Fighting.— No Surrender.— Flags of Truce.— Treachery.— Surprise of the Fort.— Overwhelmed by the Enemy. — The Butchery Commenced. — Horrible Scenes. — The Inhumanity of Man. — Influence of Slavery 345

Chapter Xxxviii. Cold Harbor

Cold narbor Tavern. — The Historic Cross Roads. — Grant's Design of Forcing the Chickahominy. — Disposition of Troops. — Preliminary Fighting— The Battle Inaugurated by a Thunder Storm. — The Grand Attack. — Gallant Dash of the Second Corps. — The Position Gained and Lost. — Vantage-ground of the Enemy. — Failure of Grant's coup-de-main. — The Heroic Brigade of Colonel McKean. — The New Thermopylæ. — The Enemy's Last Attack. — The Curtain Falls on Cold Harbor 352

Chapter XXXIX. Fort Wagner

Site of the Fort. — First Assault. — Bombardment from the Fleet. — Heaven's Artillery. — The Advance at Night. — The Colored Regiment. — Furious Assault and Terrible Slaughter. — Bravery of Colored Troops. — Death of Colonel Shaw. — Waiting under a Hailstorm of Death. — The Possession of an Hour. — Repulse and Losses. — Wagner Impervious to Assault. — Progress of the Siege. — The " Swamp Angel "—Fort Sumter in Ruins. — Calcium Lights. — The Enemy Driven to the Wall. — Wagner Evacuated. — Spoils of Victory 360

Chapter XL. Cedar Creek

Sheridan m the Shenandoah Valley.— Pursuit of Early.— Cedar Creek Encampment. — The Enemy Re-enforced. — The Determined Attack. — The Silent March. — The Slumbering Armv Surprised. — The Wild Yell through the Fog.— The Union Armv a Mass of Fugitives.— The Nineteenth Corps Forced Back by the Wave of Retreat— Efforts of the Brave Sixth —The Fight Near Middletown.— Sheridan at Winchester.— His Wild Ride.— The Stream of Fugitives Arrested —The Union Battle-line Re-formed —Our Victorious Charge.— The Ene-' my Routed in Confusion. — Honor to Sheridan CONTENTS. XIX

Chapter XLI. Waynesboro

Personal Experiences. — Concealed in a Cypress Swamp. — The Union Guns. — Wheeler at Waynesboro. — The Enemy's Attack on Atkins. — Repulse. — Kilpatrick Charges the Barricades, Everything Swept before Them. — Valor of Union Soldiers. — Wheeler in Disordered Flight. — Union Pursuit. — Kilpatrick's Report. — Sherman's Complimentary Letter. — Incidents in the Author's Escape. . 381

Chapter XLII. Bentonville

The Hostile Conn try of the Carolinas. — Sherman's F"ive Hundred Mile March. — The Country Desolated. — A Carnival of fire. — Arrival at Bentonville. — Johnston Encountered. — Battle of Bentonville. — The Enemy Repulsed. — Bravery of Slocum's Men. — Sherman's Army Intrenched. — Entrance into Goldshoro. — The Goal Won. — Glorious Success. — Congratulatory Order of General Sherman. . . . 386

Chapter XLIII. Five Forks

Grant and Sherman in Consultation. — The End Drawing Near. — Grand Combination of Movements. — Sheridan En route for F'ive Forks. — Importance of Holding Five Forks — The March Through the Rain. — Engagement on the White Oak Road — The Union Ranks Victorious. — The Sunday Fight — Grant Takes Advantage of His Victory. — Captured Prisoners. — Davis Flying from Richmond.— Evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg. — The End Drawing Near 392

Chapter XLIV. The Surrender

The Last Act in the Drama. — The Historic Farm-House. — Events Succeeding the Battle of Five Forks. — Lee's Army Hemmed in. — Engagement at Barnesville. — The Enemy Hopelessly Surrounded. — Extermination or Surrender. — Triumphant Entrance into Richmond. — Lincoln's Levee in the Confederate Capital. — The Last Act. — Palm Sunday Anniversary. — Universal Rejoicing. . Illu^tr^tior^. Page. PORTRAIT OF AUTHOR, (Steel) Feohtispiecb. BOMBAP.DMENT OF FORT SUMTER 25 WILSON'S CREEK, 55 THE MERRIMAC AND MONITOR S5 NIGnT ATTACK ON FALMOUTH HEIGHTS, 115 MALVERN HILL, 151 BRANDY STATION 107 GETTYSBURG 273 ARRIVAL OF SHERIDAN AT THE BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK,

Chapter I

STJMTE1B.. First Causes. — United States Property Seized. — Uprising of the North. — The Little Band at the Nation's Outpost. — From Moultrie to Sumter. — The Landing at Night. — Moultrie in Flames. — Star of the West. — No Help Yet. — Alone to Defend the Old Flag. — Starvation Ahead. — Communications Cut Off. — No Surrender. — The Bombardment. — Terrific Cannonading. — The Barracks on Fire. — Not a Biscuit Left. — Out of Ammunition. — Wigfall and his White Flag. — Sumter Surrenders on its Own Terms. — The Defeat a Glorious Victory. |70R years the irrepressible conflict between slavery _L and freedom bad been proclaimed by the wise and disbelieved by the unthinking. For years the storm cloud, which in 1861 broke over the nation's head, had been slowly gathering with ever accumulating wrath.

Some near-sighted but -well-intentioned peo ple supposed that the lightning could be extracted from the threatening cloud by sending up the ' Coin promise ' kite, with its hempen string of ' Mason and Dixon's Line,' but the guns of Sumter undeceived them. Those guns awoke the nation from its fancied repose and echoed, not only over Charleston Harbor, but along the Atlantic coast and through the entire North. With a grand and unanimous uprising not paral leled in history, the me*h of the free North flocked around the nation's standard and. offered their lives and fortunes in its defence. The people, before dormant, awoke suddenly to find that theyhad been sleeping on the edge of a crater whose boiling lava of injustice and slavery threatened to engulf them. At the nation's outpost, in Charleston Harbor, alone with his little band, Major Robert Anderson awaited, behind the embrasures of Fort Sumter, the first attack of the insurgents.

" The property of the General Government south of the Potomac, with the exception of Fortress Mon roe, Fort Sumter, Fort Pickens, and the Tortugas, had been successively seized by the authorities of the states within which they were situated." " The three forts that then defended Charleston Har bor were Fort Moultrie, of Revolutionary fame, on Sullivan's Island ; Castle Pinckney, near the city ; and Fort Sumter, a new structure on an island in the channel, commanding all the approaches to the city. It had been erected by the Federal Government at considerable cost, and was not yet so far complete as to receive a garrison. The place was calculated for one hundred and forty-six guns and a war garrison of six hundred and fifty men. The only force that the Federal Government had for these three forts was a single company of artillery in Fort Moultrie, under command of Major Anderson."

In December, 18G0, his garrison, occupying Fort Moultrie, found it dif cult to strengthen, and as the authorities at Charles ton grew hourly more threatening, Major Anderson, on his own responsibility, abandoned the place for Fort Sumter, where at ten o'clock on the night of the twenty-sixth his force disembarked from row boats. " A few men were left at Moultrie under Captain Foster to cut down the flag-staff, spike the guns, burn the carriages and dismantle the place." As the flames went up from Moultrie, Charleston saw what had happened and great excitement spread to that city and throughout the country. The action of Major Anderson was lauded at the North and denounced at the South. But his new position at Fort Sumter was of doubtful advantage. He could not be surprised here as at Moultrie, but his communications were cut off and there was a prospect ahead of being starved out, unless help arrived.

Help was sent by our Government, but the vigilant Charleston authorities, ever on the alert, prevented the landing of supplies and reinforcements. Fort Moultrie was repaired and garrisoned by the insurgents, and on Sullivan and Morris Islands new batteries were built. Troops were tendered to the Governor of South Carolina by three of the slave-holding states, and the palmetto flag waved over the post-office and Cus tom House at Charleston. The streets of that city were patrolled by the military; the telegraph was under censorship and the efforts of the authorities were directed toward getting possession of Sumter. Major Anderson and his hero band worked steadily on, strengthening the Fort as best they could. Around them, battery after battery arose, each one cutting off more surely their hope of succor.

Their stock of food rapidly lessened, despite its most economic distribution. On January fifth, 1861, the steamship " Star of the West" left New York with supplies and two hundred men for Fort Sumter, and arrived off Charleston bar at one o'clock on the morning of the ninth. The lights of the steamship had been extinguished to insure greater safety, but as the " Star of the West " passed over the harbor bar, a steamboat lying in wait, recognized her and signalled ashore. At a distance of half a mile from Morris Island, she was fired upon by a shore battery. Raising a large National flag at her mast-head she swept on, the Rebel shot over-reaching her, until at last, having got her range, two cannon balls took effect — forward and amidships. As she proceeded on her way, two steamers, having in tow an armed schooner, approached from Fort Moultrie, evidently intending to cut her off.