The History of the Civil War in the United States ... containing ... biographical sketches of its heroes ... Revised and completed by ... L. P. Brockett. Illustrated, etc

Front matter

THE HISTOEY OF THE CIVIL -W-^H IN THE UNITED STATES: ITS CAUSE, ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND CONCLUSION. CONTAINING FULL, IMPARTIAL AND GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS OF THE VARIOUS MILITARY AND NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS, WITH THE HEROIC DEEDS ACHIEVED BY ARMIES AND INDIVIDUALS, TOUCHING SCENES AND INCIDENTS IN THE CAMP, THE CABIN, THE FIELD AND THE HOSPITAL. AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ITS HEROES. BY SAMUEL M. SCHMUCKER, LL.D. AUTHOR OF "LIVES OF THE FOUR GEORGES, KINGS"OF ENGLAND," "HISTORY OF NAPOLEON III.," "ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS AND DISCOVERIES," "LIFE OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON," "HISTORY OF NICHOLAS I," "THE CRIMEAN WAR," ETC. REVISED AND COMPLETED BY DR. L. P. BEOCKETT, AUTHOR OF "OUR GREAT CAPTAINS," "PHILANTHROPIC RESULTS OF THE WAR," " THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, ETC, ETC. Illustrated with over One Hundred and Fifty Fine Portraits of Generals, Battle Scenes, Mans and Diagrams.

PHILADELPHIA, CINCINNATI AND BOSTON: JONES BROTHERS & CO. CHICAGO AND ST. LOUIS : Z El GLEE, McCURDY & C 0. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by BRADLEY & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for tho Eastern District of Pennsylvania. S. A. GEORGE. BTEREOTTPEB. ELECIROTYT-l.Il AND PRINTER, 121 H. 8ETESTO STREET, PHILADELPHIA. This work will be beautifully illustrated witb groups of the following Naval and Military Heroes, distinguished civilians, prominent Rebels, military and civil; and will contain elegant full-page portraits of President Lincoln and Lieutenant-General Grant, besides numerous fine steel engravings of battle-scenes, etc. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. T>OU.TE,.A.ITS. 32. GENERAL SIGEL. 33. " FREMONT. 34. " ORD. 36. " HUNTER. 38.

" SHERIDAN. 37. " KILPATRICK. 38. " CUSTER. 39. " MERRITT. 40. " AVERILL. 41. " BUFORD. 42. " TORBERT. 43. " THOMAS. 44. " JEFF. C. DAVIS. 46. " CURTIS. 46. " COX. 47. " GORDON GRANGES. 48. " PALMER. 49. " WALLACE. 60. ■ GARFIELD. 61. « CANBT. 62. " SCHOFIELD. 63. " NEGLEY. 64. « FOSTER. 66. " SEDGWICK. 66. ■ McPHERSON. 67. " REYNOLDS. 68. " WADSWORTH. 59. " SUMNER, 60- " KEARNEY. 61. " LYON. 62- " BIRNEY. 1. PRESIDENT LINCOLN, FRONTISPIECE. 2. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 3. GENERAL MEADE. 4. " HANCOCK. 6. " WARREN 6. " WRIGHT. 7. ■' " BALD Y" SMITH 8. " SICKLES. ». " HEINTZELMAN. 10. " SHERMAN. II. " ROSECRANS. 12. " LOGAN. 13. " HOWARD. 14. " SLOCUM. 15. " ROBERT McCOOK. 16. " McCLERNAND. 17 LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SCOTT. 18. GENERAL MoCLELLAN. 19. " HALLECK. 20. " CASEY. 21. " DIX. 22. " BUELL. 23.

Preface

. No event has occurred on the American continent since the glorious Revolution of 1776, equal in magnitude and interest to the contest which has taken place between opposite and hostile portions of the Federal Union ; and which all true patriots stigmatize by the unequivocal and significant epithet of the Southern Rebellion. So important was this struggle, that it not only enlisted the most vigorous energies ofthe National Government, and summoned its armies into the field, but it became the paramount topic in every mind. All classes and professions regarded it with intense interest, and watched the progress of events with profound anxiety. For this purpose, scholars suspended their studies in recondite and learned subjects of inquiry ; synods and general assemblies discussed the issues involved with solemn earnestness ; the ordinary pursuits of the community seemed in a great measure to be modified and controlled by the novel and startling aspect of the times.

This universally prevalent feeling was amply justified by the immense interests and the vital prin ciples which were to be disposed of by the conflict. Nor is it singular that the war should ultimately engage the attention of mankind in all civilized countries, and that it should be regarded as the event of chief importance then transpiring on the globe. There can be little doubt that a reliable history of the incidents con nected with this memorable drama, and even more than one such history, would be acceptable to the public. In the following work, therefore, the writer has undertaken to describe its thrilling and marvellous scenes. He has set forth, at some length, the most potent of the causes which gave it birth. He has introduced, from time to time, biographical sketches of those soldiers and statesmen who distinguished themselves by their heroism, or by their patriotism, during its progress.

He has followed the march of the Federal armies, as they achieved one victory, or suffered one temporary reverse after another ; and the narrative will be continued, Deo volente, until the record is complete, and he has described how the Republic was conducted, by firm and skilful hands, through all the storms which have assailed it, to the attainment of a permanent and honorable peace. The general rule, according to which the following work has been written, was to describe events with more or less minuteness of detail, according to the proportion of their historical importance. Many incidents

PREFACE.

. necessarily happen in such a struggle — spreading, as it does, over so vast an area — which may possess an intense, though momentary interest, and greatly excite the public mind at the period of their occurrence, which are, nevertheless, insignificant in their essential nature, and trivial in their ultimate consequences. As it was the design of the present writer to prepare a history of the war within a convenient and moderate compass, it became necessary to omit all, or, at least, any extended allusion to such events, so that the necessary space might remain in which to dwell, with appropriate fulness, upon the really decisive incidents of the contest. For the same reason, no reference is made, in the biographical sketches which are introduced, to those ephemeral and factitious reputations, which were created from time to time; which, going up suddenly, and glaring porten tously, like rockets, descended again as quickly, and relapsed into their legitimate oblivion.

An effort has thus been made throughout the work to do justice to those events and persons to whom a genuine and per manent immortality appertains ; at the same time to realize and exemplify the excellent maxim, Parva sed apta, not voluminous, but condensed and comprehensive. The author has been assiduous and careful in regard to the materials from which the contents of the work have been derived. He has applied to his use every attainable source of information which was worthy of confidence and attention. Official reports of eminent commanders, and the narratives of intelligent and truthful eye-witnesses of the scenes described, together with various other depositories of facts, have been thoroughly examined, compared, and appropriated. The author has not the presump tion to imagine that he has in all cases attained perfect accuracy ; but he does not hesitate to assert, that he has left no effort or expedient unem ployed to avoid error and misstatement in every part of the work.

An historical narrative of events of recent date labors under some disadvantages, while, at the same time, it may possess facilities and merits of which the record of more remote and unfamiliar transactions will be destitute. It has been affirmed that a correct history of a war like that against Secession could not be written until after the lapse of many years. "We believe this statement to be erroneous. If the writer be impartial, laborious, and possessed of the necessary literary skill, he will have all the qualities essential to the elaboration of a satisfactory history of such a series of events ; and these qualities he may possess immediately after their occurrence, as well as at a more distant period. At the same time, he will enjoy a superior advantage in the vividness and strength of the impression which the events have made, both upon his own mind, and upon the minds of those whose productions he consults in the preparation of his work. S. M. S. CONTENTS.

Introduction

. Origin of the Southern Rebellion — Classification of its several causes — The Act of 1816 respecting a tariff— Agency of Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams — Position of John C. Calhoun — He first conceives his project of Nullification — His memorial to Governor Hamilton — The operation of a High Tariff — The Legislature of South Carolina — Outbreak of the Nullification movement — "Vigorous measures of President Jackson — Mr. Calhoun in the United States Senate — A memorable debate — Final settlement of the difficulty — American slavery — Its origin — The proposition of Thomas Jefferson — Slavery in the Territories — The Compact of 1787 — Compromise of Henry Clay — Annexation of Texas — The Wilmot proviso — Compromise of 1850 — Slavery in Kansas — Rise of the Republican Party — Its principles and policy — Administration of James Buchanan — Treason in the Federal Cabinet — Preliminary operations of the Conspirators — Policy of Mr. Buchanan respecting Secession — Presidential Campaign of 1860 — Election of Mr. Lincoln — The doctrine of State Sovereignty as opposed to Federal centralization — Discussion of the subject 33

Chapter I

Effect of Mr. Lincoln's election in the South — Political movements in South Carolina and Georgia — Excitement in Charleston — Preliminary acts and events — Resignation of Federal officers — Election of members to the State Convention — Opponents of Secession — Alexander H. Stephens — Federal property seized in Charleston — Conventions summoned in Georgia and Alabama — Assembling of the Convention of South Carolina — The first act of Secession from the Union passed — A pathetic statement of grievances — Secession logic — Reflections on the result — Popular feelings at this time in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida — Levity and recklessness of the Secession leaders S7

Chapter II

Treasonable Proclamation of Governor Pickens — Resignation of the Representatives of South Carolina in Congress — The Crittenden propositions of Compromise — Their provisions — Scramble for Federal property — Commissioners of South Carolina to the Federal Government — Major Anderson — The removal of his command to Fort Sumter — Mr. Secretary Floyd — His resignation — Demeanor of the Rebel Commissioners at Washington — The Convention of the Slaveholding States — Important events at Savannah — Secession of Mississippi — Pernicious influence of Jefferson Davis — Resignation of his seat in the United States Senate — The secession of Alabama — Of Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas 68 Cl) CONTENTS. 8 75

Chapter III

Various efforts made for compromise and settlement — Conciliatory meetings held in the Northern States — Their ultimate failure — Apostacy of Alexander H. Stephens Resignation of the Southern Representatives in the Federal Congress — The Rebel Congress convened at Montgomery — Its organization — Adoption of a Provisional Constitution — The organization of the Southern Confederacy — Jefferson Davis elected President — A. H. Stephens chosen Vice President — Prophecies of Senator Wigfall — Biographical sketches of Jefferson Davis, of Stephens, of the Cabinet Ministers of the Southern Confederacy, Memminger, Toombs, Mallory, Walker, Benjamin — The personal qualities and characteristics of these officers CHAPTER IT. Assembling of the Peace Congress at Washington — Their proposals of compromise — Their rejection and failure — Attitude of President Buchanan — Public sentiment respecting Fort Sumter — Mission of the " Star of the West" — Final establishment of the Confederate Government at Montgomery — Inauguration of Jefferson Davis as President— His address — Inauguration of President Lincoln — His address — His Cabinet Officers — The famous oration of A. H. Stephens at Savannah — Its historical importance — His first position — He refutes Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison — His second position — The foundation stone of the Southern Confederacy — Absurdity and fallacy of that foundation — The future condition and destiny of the negro race 83

Chapter V

The mission of Mr. Yancey and his associates to Europe — Their representations to the French and English people — Events at Charleston — The Rebel Commissioners at Washington — Their absurd deportment — General Beauregard demands the surrender of Fort Sumter — Major Anderson respectfully declines — Preparations for the bombardment of the fort — Size and strength of the works — Sketch of Major Anderson — Sketch of General Beauregard — Commencement of the bombardment — Heroism of the garrison — Incidents of the first day's attack — Events of the ensuing night — The continuance of the bombardment during the next day— Sufferings of. the garrison— Ex-Senator Wigfall — A deputation from General Beauregard — Propositions of surrender — They are accepted by Major Anderson — Exultation of the Rebels — Why the garrison was not reinforced — Proclamation of Governor Letcher — Proclamation of President Lincoln 89

Chapter VI

Enthusiasm of the Rebel States— Projected conquest of Washington— Proofs that it was contemplated — Why it was not accomplished — Seventy-five thousand Federal troops ordered out — Davis issues letters of marque and reprisal — Proclamation of Governor Letcher — Secession of Virginia — Blockade of the Southern ports— Aspect of the loyal States— First in the field— The attack on Federal troops in Baltimore— Fury of the Rebel mob— Results of the attack — CONTENTS. 9 Its infamy — The Federal Forts are garrisoned — Secession of Missouri — Rapid march of Federal troops to Washington — The Chicago Zouaves — The gallant Ellsworth — Origin of the term Zouave — History of the French Zouaves in Algeria, in the Crimea, in Italy — Their peculiar characteristics — American Zouaves 98

Chapter VII

The Secession of Tennessee — Parson Brownlow — Declaration of War by the Confederate Congress — Skirmish near St. Louis — Secession element in Baltimore — Fort McHenry — Secession of North Carolina — Adjournment of the Rebel Congress to convene at Richmond — Assembly of Federal troops at Washington — The occupation of Alexandria — Assassination of Colonel Ellsworth — Sketch of his career — His life in Chicago — Famous tour of the Chicago Zouaves — Ellsworth's military tastes and talents — His personal appearance and characteristics — His peculiarities as a speaker — He organizes the New York Fire Zouaves — His death a loss to the cause of the Union — General Robert Patterson's campaign in Virginia — Crossing the Potomac at Williamsport — Battle of Falling Waters — Pursuit of the enemy to Hainsville — To Martinsburg — The march to Bunker Hill — To Charlestown — Occupation of Harper's Ferry — Results of the Campaign 106

Chapter VIII

The encounters with the Rebel troops at Fairfax Court House, at Aquia Creek, at Romney, at Phillippi — Gallantry of Colonel Kelley — Battle of Great Bethel — Causes of the disaster — General Pierce — Death of Lieutenant Greble — Sketch of his career — Union sentiment in Western Virginia — The new State of West Virginia, — Harper's Ferry devastated by the Rebels — The Ohio troops fired on near Vienna, — Results of the attack — Operations of General McClellan in Western Virginia — His admirable plans — The Battle of Rich Mountain — General Garnett — Colonel Rosecrans — Results of the engagement — Sketch of General McClellan — His conduct during the Mexican War — His reconnoissance of the Cascade Mountains — His secret mission to the West Indies — His journey to the Crimea — His official report as commissioner — His subsequent movements — He becomes Commander of the Department of Ohio 115

Chapter IX

The extraordinary Session of Congress in July, 1861— Message of President Lincoln— Its characteristics— Its demands— Sketch of Thaddeus Stevens— His political career — His personal qualities — His action as chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means — Important bills passed by Congress— Opposition of Messrs Vallandigham and Burnett to the policy of the Administration — The civil war in Missouri— The Grand Army equipped at Washington— Complaints of its prolonged inactivity— Order given to General McDowell to advance toward Manassas — Arrangement of the Army — The advance reach Bull Run — The preliminary conflict at that place — Repulse of General Tyler's division — Position of the Rebel Army at Manassas — General Beauregard — The impending contest — Temper of the Rebel troops— The arts employed to inflame them C 0 N T E N T S 10

Chapter X

The Federal Army at Centreville — General McDowell's plan of attack — The Divisions of Generals Tyler, Hunter and Heintzelman — Their several duties — The March from Centreville — Interesting spectacle — General Tyler first reaches the Battle-field — He commences the engagement — Movements of Generals Hunter and Heintzelman — The gallant Sixty-ninth New York — The engagement becomes general — Vigorous cannonading — The Rebels gradually overpowered — The Federals victorious at mid-day — Rebel admissions to that effect — General Johnston's troops from Winchester arrive on the battle-field — They reverse the tide of victory — Sudden panic in the Federal Army — A general retreat ensues — Incidents of the flight — Individual instances of heroism — Results of the battle — Failure of the Rebel commanders to improve their victory — Ultimate consequences 131

Chapter XI

The impression produced on the public by the Battle of Manassas — "Various causes of the Federal defeat — The preceding march — Inferiority of numbers — Effect of masked batteries — Incompetent or inexperienced officers — Remote position of the Reserves — Pernicious -presence of spectators — The coup-degrace — Arrival of General Johnston's troops on the field — Immense losses of the Rebel Army — Was the defeat in reality a misfortune to the Union — Its immediate effects — Its influence on the Army — Its influence on the Administration — It became the means of averting greater calamities — It was the cause of subsequent successes to the Federal forces 140

Chapter XII

Increased energy of the Federal Government — Events in Missouri — Important battle at Carthage — Retrograde movement of General Lyon to Springfield — Pursuit of the Rebels under Generals McCullough and Price — Condition of their Army — Reasons why General Lyon engaged the enemy — The great Battle of Wilson's Creek — Disposition of the Federal forces — Temporary success of the Rebels — Incidents of the contest — Heroism of General Lyon His last effort against the enemy — Its success — General Lyon's death — Discomfiture of Colonel Sigel — Results of the Battle — Sketch of General Lyon— His rare merits — General Fremont made Commandant of the Department »f Missouri His policy and measures — His Anti-Slavery Proclamation — It is modified by President Lincoln — The war against Secession not a war against Slavery 147

Chapter XIII

The Federal expeditions against the Rebel forts at Hatteras — The forces appropriated to this enterprise — Importance of Hatteras and its possession — Sailing of the expedition— The bombardment — The surrender of the forts— Commodore Barron — Commodore Stringham — Sketch of his career — Results of the victory at Hatteras — Operations of Rosecrans in Western Virginia — Battle at Carnifex Ferry— Defeat and flight of Floyd— Results of the victory— Events in Missouri— Colonel Mulligan's forces at Lexington — He is attacked by General CONTENTS. 11 Price — Incidents of the Battle of Lexington — Surrender of Colonel Mulligan — Sketch of his career — Battle on Bolivar Heights — Sketch of its hero, Colonel Geary — The Battle of Ball's Bluff — General Stone— Apprehensions of Colonel Baker — Incidents of the engagement — Defeat and rout of the Federal troops — Death of Colonel Baker — National sorrow at his fate — Sketch of his remarkable career — Results of the disaster at Ball's Bluff 155

Chapter XIV

Peculiarities of the war against Secession — Federal expedition under Commodore Dupont and General Sherman — Its departure from Annapolis — Its destination — Terrible storm near Cape Hatteras — The expedition reaches Port Royal — Rebel forts on Bay Point and Hilton Head — Their bombardment — Their strength — Incidents of the attack — Surrender of the forts — Results of the engagement — Sketch of its hero, Commodore Dupont — Naval disaster below New Orleans — Captain John Pope — Events in Missouri — Bold achievement of Col- " onel Zagonyi near Springfield — The battle of Belmont — General U. S. Grant — Incidents of the engagement at Belmont — Its results — Dismissal of General Fremont from his Department of the West — Causes of his removal— His admirable demeanor on this occasion — His subsequent appointment as commander of the Mountain Department of Virginia and Tennessee 165

Chapter XV

European recognition of the Southern Confederacy — Efforts made to obtain it — Mission of Messrs. Mason and Slidell — Their arrest on board the Trent — Legality of that arrest — The British Government demand them — They are surrendered — Reasons of their surrender — Diplomatic note of Mr. Seward on the subject — Argument of Mr. Sumner in the Senate — The battle of Dranesville — Incidents of the engagement — Its results — General McCall — Sketch of his career — Dismissal of Mr. Cameron from the Federal Cabinet — The war in Kentucky — The battle of Mill Springs — Incidents of the conflict — Bayonet charge of the ninth Ohio regiment — Defeat of the Rebels — Death of General Feliz Zollicoffer — His character — Results of the battle of Mill Springs — Subsequent flight and dispersion of the Rebel troops 173

Chapter XVI

The Burnside expedition — Its strength and secret destination — Its departure from Annapolis — It reaches Fortress Monroe — Another gale off Cape Hatteras — Its results — Loss of the steamer City of New York — Heroism of General Burnside — The expedition enters Pamlico Sound — It steers for Roanoke Island — Rebel works erected on that Island— The Federal troops disembark— Plan of the attack— Incidents ofthe engagement — The final charge — Defeat and flight of the Rebels— Capture of their forts— Their strength— Results of the victory — Death of Colonel De Montreuil— Sketch of General Burnside— Attack on Fort Henry— Strength of the fort — Number of the Federal gunboats— Incidents of the bombardment — Surrender of the Rebel works — Trophies of the victory — Loss on both sides — Skill and heroism of Commodore Foote— Sketch of his career — Further operations of the Burnside expedition CONTENTS. 12 212

Chapter XVII

Position and strength of Fort Donelson— General Grant and Flag-Officer Foote prepare to attack it — Commencement of their operations — Repulse of the gunboats The assault from the land side — Incidents ofthe bombardment — Proposition of General Buckner to surrender — The flight of Generals Floyd and Pillow The capitulation of the fort — Results and trophies of the conquest — Sketch of Ulysses S. Grant — Sketch of General Charles Ferguson Smith — General Lander's attack on the Rebels at Bloomery Gap — Its results — Sketch of General Lander— Re-election of Jefferson Davis as President of the Southern Confederacy — His Inaugural Address — Occupation of Columbus, Kentucky, by Federal troops — Desertion of Nashville by the Rebel forces — Unexpected attack and success of the Rebel battering ram Merrimac — Incidents of the engagement — Opportune arrival of the Monitor in Hampton Roads — Battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac 190

Chapter XVIII

Battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas — General Curtis — Attack of the Rebels on the rear of the .Federal Army — Gallantry of General Sigel — Continuance of the battle on the second day — Incidents of the contest — It is renewed upon the third day — Complete rout of the Rebels — Results of the victory — Sketches of Generals Curtis and Sigel — President Lincoln's orders to the Federal Armies to move on the twenty-second of February — General McClellan's address to the Army of the Potomac— Sudden evacuation of Manassas by the Rebels — Movement of Federal troops — Bombardment of Island Number Ten — Incidents of the contest — Reduction of the Rebel works — Operations of General Pope — Artificial channel cut through James Bayou — General Pope attacks the Rebels at Tiptonville— Consequences of the capture of Island Number Ten — Sketch of General Pope — General Burnside attacks Newbern — The Rebels surrender — Consequences of this victory 201

Chapter XIX

Movements of the Army of the Potomac — Its subdivisions — The battle of Winchester — Incidents of the battle — Its results — The killed and wounded — Sketch of General Shields — Concentration ofthe Rebel troops near Corinth — Approach of the Federal Army under General Grant — Disposition of the Rebel Army — Commencement of the battle of Pittsburg Landing or Shiloh— Attack and capture of General Prentiss's troops— Efforts of Generals Sherman and Mc- Clernand — The engagement becomes general — Desperate fighting on both sides — Gradual repulse and retreat of the Federal Army — Terrific s6enes — Interposition of the Federal gunboats— End of the first day's battle— Arrival of General Buell — Disposition of troops during the ensuing night — The second day's conflict— Incidents of this day— Skill and energy of General Buell— The tide of victory is gradually reversed— Ultimate defeat of the Rebels— Their retreat to Corinth— Sketch of General Buell— Results of the battle of Shiloh CONTENTS. 13 223

Chapter XX

The Federal Army under General McClellan approach Yorktown — Collision on Howard Creek — Attack on detached Rebel intrenchments — Establishment of the Federal camp, and erection of Federal batteries — Preparations for a great conflict at Yorktown — Brilliant operations of General Mitchell in Alabama — Results of his rapid movements — Sketch of General Mitchell — Events in Georgia — Capture of Fort Pulaski — Strength of the Rebel works — Incidents of the bombardment of that Fort — Results of the capture — The conquest of New Orleans— Federal armament under Commodore Farragut — Bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip — An engagement of six days — Reduction of these Forts — Impression produced by it in New Orleans — The Federal fleet approach that city — The Rebel troops evacuate it — The summons to surrender — Impertinence of Mayor Monroe — New Orleans occupied by Federal troops — Sketch of Commodore Farragut — The bombardment of Fort Macon — Incidents of the assault — Strength of that Fort — Results of its capture by the Federal troops. .

Chapter XXI

Operations of General McClcaan at Yorktown — Battle of Lee's Mill — Disaster and retreat of the Federal troops — Evacuation of Yorktown by the Rebels — Motives of that movement — Pursuit by the Federals — Engagement between cavalry near Williamsburg — Second conflict near Williamsburg — Incidents of the battle — General Hooker's division — Brilliant charge of General Hancock — Federal victory — Sketch of General Hancock — Battle at West Point — Incidents of the contest — Efficiency of the Federal artillery — Rout of the Rebels — Bombardment of Sewell's Point — Its results — Expedition of General Wool against Norfolk — Its surrender — Operations of General Fremont in the Mountain Department — McDowell's division at Fredericksburg — Rout of Colonel Morgan in Tennessee — Incidents of the chase — Bombardment of Fort Wright commenced — Engagement of the Federal gunboats at Fort Darling, on James River — Its Incidents and results — Steady advance of McClellan's Army toward Richmond — It crosses the Chickahominy — Various skirmishes — Decisive engagement anticipated — General Hunter's Abolition Proclamation — President Lincoln's policy respecting it 233

Chapter XXII

The Corps d'Armee of General Banks — Imprudent reduction of its numbers — The Rebels under Jackson attack the advance at Front Royal — Design of the Rebels to overpower Bank's division — The latter orders a general retreat toward Winchester — Various engagements on the route — Battle of Middletown — Action on the march to Winchester — Battle at Newtown — The battle of Winchester — Its results — Continuance of the retreat to Williamsport — Adventures of the Zouave d'Afrique — Federal losses during the retreat — Sketch of General Banks — Attitude of the Federal and Rebel Armies at Corinth — A great battle anticipated — Commencement of the attack by General Halleck — Its results — Evacuation of Corinth by the Rebels — Causes of this event — An extraordinary spectacle — Pursuit of the retreating foe — A reconnoissance on the Chickahominy — Skirmish at the Pines — The Battle of Hanover Court House — Destruction of the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad — Gallant exploit of Lieutenant Davis 244 CONTENTS.

Chapter XXIII

Approach of the Federal Army to Richmond — The corps of General Keyes cross the Chickahominy — Their exposed position — Hostile purpose of the Rebel leaders — The battle of Seven Pines — Position of the Federal troops — Commencement of the attack — Disposition of troops made by General Casey — Incidents of the battle — Rout of Casey's division — General Couch's troops become engaged — Desperate fighting — Victory of the Rebels — The Federals reinforced— The engagement of June 1st, General Heintzelman in chief command — Incidents of this battle — Heroism of the Irish regiments and of Sickles' Excelsior Brigade — The victory of Fair Oaks — Its results — Popular impatience for the occupation of Richmond— Rebel forces in the Valley of the Shenandoah — Their brief occupation of it — General Fremont ordered to expel them — They abandon Winchester — Their retreat through Strasburg and Woodstock — Battle of Cross Keys — Gallantry of the Bucktails — Results of the engagement — Battle of Port Republic — Incidents of this engagement — Its results — Retreat of General Jackson toward Richmond — Appointment of General Pope as Commander of the Department — Withdrawal of General Fremont — His military achievements — His true renown 256