Back "in war times. History of the 144th regiment, New York volunteer infantry

Front matter

OF THE r™ REGT.

VOLUNTEER INFANTRY mm

EMORY UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Preface

The Historian of the 144th N. Y Vol., as he submits the results of his labor, is alive to the fact, "that he who writes or makes a feast as certainly invites his critics as his friends;" but he is comforted in the thought that those to whom this volume may come will not criticise harshly since they will know that the scenes enacted so long ago have not all held their rightful sequence in memory. They will recall that in the effort which many have made to secure "proof" in adjusting pension claims how elusive the evidence of facts that seemed so easy to secure at the first outlook.

Facts that the Historian thought could be secured by a single letter have required a dozen and then failed, sometimes in part and often entirely. Government records that at the outset he supposed he could have ready access to or could secure copies from were entirely closed to the public — so worn out by those interested as pension agents, that they had to be closed to all.

Often, avenues of information that seemed open, when effort was made to explore them were found filled with the debris of time, hard and often impossible to remove, and so, very many interesting and valuable things concerning the history of the Regiment will be missed, but not so many, the Historian hopes, as will invalidate what has been gathered. Thinking of this the Historian ventures to suggest to the comrades into whose hands this volume may come that they make memoranda, interleaving their volume with incidents of personal history or of facts overlooked, or of surrounding history connected with that of our Regiment, data which may be of value in any

8 PREFACE.

revision of the history or in a supplemental history — valuable as personal history to those who later will take up the work of "fathers," and read their war records.

In preparing this history the author has been greatly encouraged by the assistance he has received from so many sources and would make grateful acknowledgements — for books and portraits loaned, for files of war letters, and for war diaries placed in his hands for examination ; for files of the Delaware Republican and Stamford Mirror, covering the years of the Civil War, which he was permitted to examine and copy from ; for the cheering and helpful letters received from so many comrades, accompanied by the loan on the part of officers of the Regiment of orders and other documents. He woula make special mention of the continuous, ready help given in the preparation of the history by the officers of the "Veteran Association of the 144th N. Y V.," and of the Committee on History appointed by the Association.

The President, Dr. O. T Bundy, has given without stint, of time and effort, making repeated journeys to further efforts to prepare and bring out the historv. The large file of letters received from the Secretary, Jas. K. Penfield, attest his interest and the fact that Comrade Gibbons when President of the Association copied entire the "Muster-Out Rolls" of the Regiment for the use of the Historian is proof of the large place the Regiment and its history has had in his heart.

For all these and many other helps received, the Historian tenders sincere thanks.

To* the surviving comrades this volume goes out with hope that it may find a welcome and bring with it pleasant memories of the goodly comradeship which it was ours to enjoy during the years of service together, and that it may prove to those who may come after us a stimulus to worthy deeds and a loyal service under the flag which meant so much to us "In War Times."

Chapter I

INTRODUCTION. PAGE

Value of historic incidents — Lossing's work — Opening of war of '6 1 — Battles of '61 and '62 — President's call for 300,000 — Action of Governors of loyal states — Governor Morgan's Proclamation — Enlistment committees — Union rally at Delhi — Town committees and enlistment in towns — Plans for Delaware county Regiment - - - 21

Chapter II. Organization

History of company organizations — Officers of Regiment —

Incidents in volunteer work — Work of women — Statistics, 30

Chapter III. Camp Delaware

Tent life— Guard duty — First dress parade — Routine — Overcoats issued — -"Ride on a Rail" — -Presentation of flags Muster-in — Visit of paymaster, - - - - 41

Chapter IV. Camp Delaware To Washington

Marching orders— March to Hancock — First bivouac — Reception at Walton — Camp Chase — Presentation of sword — Address of Col. W'heeler — At Elmira — Equipments issued — Start for Washington — Rumors of battle — Halt at York, Pa. — Order of Gen. Wool — March through Baltimore — A good supper — Cattle cars — A halting journey — Lessons in picketing — At Soldiers' Retreat, - - - 52

CHAPTER V. WASHINGTON, UPTON 's HILL, CLOUDS MILLS, VA

March through Washington — Gen. Casey — Camp Seward — Waking of encampment — 'Drill — Fort Marcy — March to Upton's Hill — Gen. Abercrombie — Guard and picket duty — Military etiquette — First hardtack — Manual of arms — Sick call — Dead beats — First death in Regiment — Burial service — Winter in camp — Soldiers' devices — Picket line — Grand rounds — "Bloody Annandale" — Changes in field and staff — First pay day in Dixie — Moving day, - - 66

Chapter VI. "pediculus Corporis."

Wash day — "I'm lousy" — ."Pediculus" in Andersonville —

Effect on sick — Treatment — In history, - - - 82

Chapter VII. Clouds Mills, Vienna And Suffolk

Spade drill — Ready for march — Mosby at Fairfax Court House — Snow storm in Dixie — On steamboat at Fortress Monroe — Dismal Swamp — Suffolk, Va. — Investment by Longstreet — Capture of Battery Huger — Service at Suffolk — Contraband camp — Action of Mav 1st — Gen. Gordon — Reconno'issance — '"Julius ' Caesar" — Siege raised — Lossing's comment on siege of Suffolk — Gen. Peck, - - 85

Chapter VIII. Change' Of Officers Lieutenant Boyd

Resignations and promotions — Life of Lieutenant Boyd — A comrade's vindication, -

Chapter IX. Suffolk To Washington

Designs on Richmond — General Dix — General Keyes — At West Point, Va. — Colored spies — Camp arrangements — "A Joke" — Hospital boat — Colonel Hughston resigns — Life of Col. Hughston — Kilpatrick's raid — Transferred to Yorktown — Another advance1 — 'Lessons in marching — Pickets appropriate a dairy — "Red, White and Bine" — "Councils of War, Never Fight" — March down the Peninsula — Back to Washington, - - - ioo

Chapter X. After Lee

Under "General Barleycorn" — Accident at Monocacy Junction — Frederick, Aid. — Start for Gettysburg — Lee crosses the river — Pay rolls — March to Berlin — Assigned to nth Corps, Gen. Howard — Pontoon — March to Leesburg — Mule scare on Goose Creek — Whoa ! Whoa ! ! Whoa ! ! ! — A hard march — Recruiting detail— At Warrenton Junction — ■ Shooting deserter at Greenwich — Sabbath service - - in

CHAPTER XL

ALEXANDRIA TO FOLLY ISLAND.

Disaster at Charleston — Division ordered to Charleston — "Sardines in a box" — View of Charleston— On Folly Island — Water supply — Review of siege — Fortifications on Cunr ming's Point — Fort Wagner — Naval attack — Capture of enemy's works on south end of Morris Island — General Gillmore's approaches, - - - - - - 119

Chapter XII. Siege Of Charleston

On Grand Guard — "These fellows are playing off" — "Cover from Johnson" — -First casualty— Bombardment of Sumter — The "Swamp Angel" — Methods of construction — Confederates "capture" our signal code — Results — Capture of ridge in front of Wagner — Controversy between Gen. Gillmore and Admiral Dahlgren — Camp 144th on Folly Island — Sand storms — Sickness in camp — Mind conditions — - Experience of Lieut. Heimer — "I vill not die" — Convalescent camp at St. Augustine — Convalescent experiences — Flour rations — Soft bread, - - - - - 126

12 TABLE OF CONTEXTS.

Chapter XIII. Siege Of Charleston (continued)

Pressing the siege — Evacuation of Wagner — Conditions inside of Wagner during the siege — The last Sabbath service — -Wagner and Gregg do service for the Union — "The Avenging Angel" — Beauregard's treatment of Union prisoners— Gen. Gordon's story — Anniversary of "Muster-in" — Review of condition of Regiment — Death of officers — James M. Way — Col. Gregory resigns — Col. Lewis in command— Reconnoissance to Sabrook Island — Fatigue duty on Kiowah Island — Xaval experiences in Stono — Torpedoes — Maj. Gilchrist's account of in "Confederate Defense of Charleston" — Expedition to Florida — Demonstration on John's Island — Olustee — Ames' division ordered to Florida — Feb. 22d festivities — Battle with the rodents, - 139

Chapter XIV. Campaigning IX Florida

Conditions following battle of ( Hustee — Gen. < iillmore relieved from the command of Department — den. Hatch — Cam]) experiences— The "Flying Dutchman" — Religious awakening — "A little of what killed the dog" — "Whiskey nerve" — Political condition in Florida — Change in command —Gen. Ames transferred to Ainu of Rotomac — Political conditions in Florida — Militarv conditions — Rebel activitv — Torpedoes in the St. |ohn's — Recruits — Col. Shdell takes command of Regiment — Fxpedition of the St. John's — A hard march — The willing vet seeming unwilling guide — Raid on Camp Finnigan — Gen. Gordon relieved — General Birney — 144th ordered to Hilton Head, S. C. -Gen. Foster, - 153

Chapter XV. Hilton Head Battle Of John's Island

Capture of Hilton Head, S. C. — Its importance — A severe rain storm — Duty at Hilton headquarters — Turtle hunting — Insect pests — Shooting a deserter — Expedition against Charleston — Gen. Hatch leads his Division on

John's Island — Skirmish — A hot Fourth of July — Sharp-shooters— Wounding of Col. Davis — Repulse of 26th U. S. C. T. — Blunders — 144th in advance — The Johnnies wake us early — Battle of John's Island — Some special experience — — On board hospital boat — "Miss Sanitary" — Return of expedition — Results. - 164

Chapter XVI. Tn Camp At Hilton Head

Return to camp — Special duties — Letter writing — Welcome to' released Union prisoners — Conf ederateofficers as prisoners — Col. Slidell resigns — Recruits arrive — 144th band — Martial music — History of drum corps and band — Col. Lewis takes command — Compelling colored men to enlist — Dishonorable methods — Colored organizations — Chaplain Fullerton — Soldiers vote — Thanksgiving — Gen. Potter, - - 177

Chapter XVII. Battle Of Honey Hill

On board steamer Sylph — Lost in a fog — Make up of expedition— Boyd's landing — Advance on wrong road — Night march — Bivouac at Bolan church — Confederates bar the way — Captain Penet wounded — Burning sedge — Fortifications at Honey Hill — Advance upon them — Battle Honey Hill— Corp. Wells— Sergt. Butler— Corp, Craft— 25th Ohio — Killing of Lieut. Mack — Movements on the left — Charge of Gen. Hartwell's brigade — Charge of the 127th N. Y. — Movements of Union artillery — Retiring from the field- -Covering movements — Funeral march — Incidents— Sergt. Clark— "Red-head"— Sergt. Axtell— Confederate account of battle, - - - - - 184

CHAPTER XVIII. BATTLES OF DEVAUX's NECK AND COOSAWHATCH1E

Reconnoissance to Bee Creek— Expedition to Devaux's Neck — Delay of Sylph — Commencement of engagement — 144th on the field— "I wish mv sister were here"— Naval Brigade

— "Begorry Til not move wan step"- — Flag of 5th Georgia captured by 144th — Pursuit of enemy — "Come on my hearties"— 144th destroy bridge over Tullifinny — Award of flag of 5th Georgia — Return of this flag in 1885 — Skirmish on morning of January 7th — Artillery commands Charleston and Savannah R. R. — Demonstration against enemy of January 9th — Movement of "Skirmish Brigade" — 144th comes to the front — Killing of Sergt. Hotchkiss — Christian burial under fire — Sequel — Account of it by Dr. Bundy — Efforts of enemv frustrated — Casualties — Return to Hilton Head, -------- 200

Chapter XIX. Rebel Prisoners Edisto Island- Battle James Island

144th in charge of camp of Rebel prisoners — Andersoiiville impossible with Union soldiers on guard — Illustrations — Reception of Secretary Stanton — Visit to Fdi>to Island — Oysters " on the half-shell" — "Co. B. Co. 11" — "I'll attack him in the rear" — Gov. Aikin's plantation — ( )n Folly Island— Demonstration on (ames Island — Assault on the work> — "Remember Fort billow" — Wounding ot (apt. Johnston and Lieut. Xutt — "1 never saw anything in battle as fine as that charge" — "You tell me Mitnetings or I blow your head oft "-■ Forgot his gun — Return to Stono Inlet, 209

ClIALTFR XX.

Attempts to land — Landing at Graham's Creek — Tremendous reports of guns in direction of Charleston — News of evacuation reach us — Scenes in Connection with as given in "Lost Cause" — Gen. Potter moves forces toward Alt. Pleasant — Scenes on entering place — Division is moved to Charleston — "Bah" — "Don't you think it will" — "You drinks some" — Foragers- — "Halt" — March to Santee River — Itinerary of march — Excuses — Return of confiscated property — Greetings of colored people — Unwritten history — Census taken in Department of South — "Go

way dar man" — "Bress cle Lawd," - - - 218

Chapter XXI. Detached Service Our "commodore."

Officers and men detached — Companies detached — Provost Marshal — Capt. Rich — "This man sold whiskey to soldiers"— Lieut. W. B. Lewis Officer of the port — Jeff. Davis — On staff of Gen. Ames — Capt. St. John and Lieut. Hart — Inspt.-Gen. and his work — Maj. Plaskett on Examining Board — Our "Commodore" — A Map Maker — On Croton — Detail of 144th men — With Gen. Hatch — Engagement on Dahoo river — Croton laid up> for repairs — On Mayflower— On St. Helena Island — Commands Edwin Lewis and Plato — Takes wounded to Hilton Head — Commands three boats — Attacks a masked battery — Worsted — Takes Col. Gurney on Mayflower to hospital boat — Removes obstructions from Savannah river — Gen. Foster follows— Lays telegraph line from Fort Pulaski to< Savannah— Commands "tin clads'-- — Savannah and Augusta — In Charleston — Up Cooper river — "Live" Alligator steak — Out in a storm — Reports to Col. Lewis, - - - 228

Chapter XXII. Andersonville Prisoners

Reason for chapter — Dr. Bundy writes account of his experiences— Arrangements for exchange of prisoners — Detail of Gen. Gillmore — Attempts to open Communication at Darien, Ga. — Detail returns — Reason prisoners were not sent — 3,300 Andersonville prisoners paroled at Baldwin, Fla. — Dr. Bundy detailed to look after them — Methods of treatment — Condition of men — Assistants — Dr. Balzar's work — Letters of prisoners — Picture of group — Supplies for them — Fruit — Order of Gen. Imboden — Dr. Balzar's testimony on "Wirz's trial" — Copy Gen. Imboden' s order— "I am killing off more men than twenty regiments" — Order No. 13 of Gen. Winder, - 239

16 TABLE OF CONTEXTS.

Chapter XXIII. Raising Flag On Sumter

News of Sherman's victories — April 13th, 1861 and 1865 — Events between — April 13th, 1861 — Sunrise greetings — The guests — 144th representatives — In the Fort — Guests of women — Gen. Anderson — Chaplain Harris — Sergt. Hart and the old flag — Invocation- — Singing — Maj. Anderson's dispatch read — The historic mail bag unlocked — Gen. Anderson receives the flag from it — Wreath attached-— Flag raised — Greetings — Appomatox — Prayer — H. W. Beecher's address — Death uf Pres. Lincoln — "Oh! Captain! My Captain !" — Surrender of Johnson - - 247

Chapter XXIV. Mvstkr-out

Preparing the mu-ter-out rolb — Col. Lewis' statement as to nuister-i ut — IVtunate in which 144th was held — Breaknig camp — "llay-tn<t. Straw-foot" — ( )n steamer Fulton —

Ripple "Let me kiss hjni for his mother" — The school

ot porpc w — In Xew York — Presentation of a stand of oP r — I'.d. Judd receives snare drum — Cm to Albany — Poor foraging Celebrate the Fourth at Canandagua — In LFnua Soldiers' Lard — "Capturing the college" — ■ 1 1 Mines, . - - - ->r->

CMAPIFR XXV.

listorv ot (lags- Letter ot Col. Lewis — Xew (lags procured t>v ladies ot IVlauare count v — Presented in Xew York — Lo\e n 1- the llag — Reception of soldiers planned for — Account of in Delaware Republican — Great gathering — Address— -Flags returned to ladies of Delaware county — Flags deported in Memorial Hall. Albany — Poem by Mrs. How- ;;r,l — Down-pour of rain — Toasts — Soldiers' reception in towns- -Welcome by the state voiced by Gov. Fenton, - 261

Chapter XXVI. Our Surgeons

Medical staff — Dr. Leal — Before the War — During the War — After the War — Dr. Bryce — Education — Examining surgeon at Delhi — Fond of a joke — Burn's birthday — Death — Dr. Bundy — Education — Detached service — The soldier that was not shot — Cares for Andersonville prisoners— After the War — Assists in organizing of Veteran Association — Receives watch - 272

Chapter XXVII. Colonel James Lewis

Early life — Education — In college — College men enlist — Gov. Andrews' advice — In Ithaca, X. Y. — Enlists Co. C, 144th N. Y. V. — In command of 144th — Letters of commendation— Efforts in behalf of Col. Slidell — In Union theological seminary — Member of Kansas band — Settled at Humboldt, Kansas — Married — Work in Humbodlt — At Howell, Mich. — Pastor at Joliet, 111. — Death of wife — Positions of honor and trust — Disease — Deathbed scene — Death — Memorial Service at Joliet — Services at Detroit— His interest in veterans — In memoriam - - - 279

Chapter XXVIII. Itinerary. 293

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Col. James Lewis, - Frontispiece

Capt. P L. Burrows, Capt. R. H. Evans, page

Lieut. C. M. Hathaway, Lieut. H. F Miles, 30

Capt. John Crawford, Capt. Geo. W. St. John,

Lieut. Chas. S. Bradford, Lieut. N. H. Hebbard, 34

Major Robt. T. Johnson, Major Wm. Plaskett, - 38

Camp Delaware, ..... 42

Col. David E. Gregory, Col. James Lewis,

Col. Robert S. Hughston, ... 50

Lieut. J. H. Wright, Qr. Mr., Adjt. Geo. R. Cannon,

Lieut. S. Gordon, Qr. Mr., - - 58

Camp Bliss, Upton's Hill, Va., - - - 68

Brig. Gen. Adelbert Ames, ... 76

Map of Newport News, Norfolk and Suffolk, Va., - - 86

Capt. O. B. Boyd, Capt. Edward A. Griffith,

Lieut. Eli Gibbons, Lieut. J. H. Zabriskie, - 96

Map of West Point, Va., - - - 104

Map of Charleston, Ft. Sumter, Folly and Morris Is., S. C, 120

View of Sumter, - - - 128

Capt. M. C. Lewis, Capt. John Rich, Lieut. Jas. K. Penfield,

Lieut. Wm. M. Murray, Lieut. John C. Mein, 136

Capt. Wm. Stone, Lieut. P T. Hine, Lieut. Dewitt C. Thomas, 144

20 ILLUSTRATIONS.

Map of Jacksonville, Fla., - - - 154

Maj. Gen. John G. Foster, Maj. Gen. Geo. G. Meade,

Maj. Gen. John P Hatch, Maj. Gen. Q. A. Gillmore, 164

Capt. John Clark, Capt. Witter H. Johnston,

Lieut. Wm. B. Lewis, Lieut. James Nutt, - 172

Chaplain A. H. Fullerton, Lieut. James H. McKee,

Col. Wm. J Slidell, - - - 182

Map of Honey Hill, - - - - 184

Capt, P W Smith, Capt. C. C. Siver, Lieut. Wm. J. Clark,

Lieut. Horace E. Bailey, Lieut. Hamilton S. Preston, 190

Capt. Matthew W Marvin, Capt. Wm. Deverill, 200

Lieut. Geo. A. Colton, ...

Capt. John D. Penet, Lieut. John A. Coulter, Lieut. James

Adee, Lieut. G. W Graham, Lieut. Frank Heimer, 208

Capt. Geo. W Reynolds, Capt. Wm. B. Dowie,

Lieut. Edgar A. Vermilyea, - 216

Capt. Frank B. Hart, Lieut. Charles Rollins,

Lieut. Walter Dickson, Drum Maj. Ed. Judd, 224

Regimental Band, .... - 230

Sergt. Geo. Crawley, Sergt. Jas. L. Clark, Corp. Cyrus W Hotchkiss, Edgar L. Thomas, Joseph B.

Gilmore, James F Quick, - 236

Andersonville Prisoners, - - - 242

Raising the Old Flag on Sumter, - - - 248

President A. Lincoln, Sectv of War Edwin M. Stanton,

Lt. Gen. U. S. Grant, - - - 256

Commissioned Officers of Regiment when Mustered

Govs. Horatio Seymour, Edwin D. Morgan, Reuben E. Fenton, 264

Surg. John R. Leal, Asst. Surg. Wm. M. Bryce,

Asst. Surg. O. T. Bundy, - - - 272

Col. James Lewis, D. D., - 280

Introduction

" To die in a just cause and in our country's service has been the best office of the best men," and to commemorate the names and deeds of those who thus offered their lives is not only just to their memory but becomes a means of education in patriotic duty and heroic service to the commonwealth.

A few years ago a man went up and down through the country visiting the old battlefields, deciphering moss-covered inscriptions in the old graveyards, interviewing men and women especially those who had participated in or who knew about those who- had participated in the Revolutionary War or the War of 1812. Here he sketched a battlefield, there he drew the portrait of an old man wrinkled with age and underneath the sketch a name would be signed in a trembling hand. Again he outlined an old fort, drew an old weather-beaten building, a room with a history or some pieces of furniture. These were only mosaics which inlaid a story of wondrous interest— "The Field Book of the War of the Revolution," and "The Field Book of the War of 18 12," — the patient, patriotic service of Benson J. Lossing, works that will live as long as the country has a history. All through these books, as we read we feel with the author constant regret that so much was lost, so little known of individual history and of the several organizations in which these heroes served. It is in the interest of history, as well as a tribute to the memory of those who served their country in a time of need, that this effort is made to gather up the scattered records of the 144th N. Y Vol. in the war of 1861 and put them in permanent form.

History always has its roots under the surface of events which precede the actual record of facts. The enlistment, the real heart enlistment of those who served in the 144th N. Y Vol., and indeed of the great body of volunteers in the war of 1861, occurred while intelligently following the current of events in which was recorded the development of movements in the great struggle. In the volunteer soldier, therefore, there was more than mere physical strength. There was the entire man, physical, intellectual, moral. American soldiers were not mercenaries, not hirelings who> fought for plunder and pay; but men who founght for principle and for that principle were willing to and did lay down their lives, shed their blood, endured hardship and brave disease. From the moment in which that impetuous South Carolinan, standing in Battery AYagner on April 12th, 1861, pulled the lanyard and sent a shell hurtling into Fort Sumter, not curious eyes alone, but intelligent, deepening conviction and hastening resolves, followed all the fell current of events that hurried into history the scenes of '61 and '62. Aching hearts all over the North followed the evacuating soldiers under the gallant Anderson as they filed out of Sumter on that fateful 15th of April. Thev were with the 6th Massachusetts at Baltimore and next month with the martyred Ellsworth as he snatched the Rebel flag from the Marshall House at Alexandria, only to be stricken down by the assassin Jackson.

How rapidly history grew in those months! In June, the battle of Big Bethel; in July, RichMountain and Bull Run; the one a Union victory and the other a most disastrous defeat. No, not disastrous since it awakened deeper thought and gave a larger meaning to all this movement, throughout the Xorth, with corresponding activity to meet issues involved in this gauge of battle. Thus far the scene of conflict had been largely in Virginia; but in August the attention is directed westward, where the impetuous General Lyon confronts in Missouri the gathering hosts of the Confederacy and at Wilson's Creek gives his life. During this month General Burnside captures Fort Hatteras, N C, and battle is joined all along the line from the seaboard to the far West with constant skirmish and alternating success. In October at Ball's Bluff, Va., the "silver-tongued" orator, General Edward Baker, leads a forlorn hope and is killed in that fearful struggle, resulting in disaster and loss to the Union cause. Ln

November at Belmont, Mo., the coming hero of the war, General Grant, asserts the latent power of a victorious leader and lets the light of victory in to cheer the spirit of the great Lincoln, who watches with burdened heart the rising tide of war. When the year 1861 closed, over one hundred battles and skirmishes had been fought, attesting to the intensity of feeling and determined purpose which stirred the hearts of the contestants.

This year of conflict had drawn the lines. Upon the side of the so-called Confederate States of America were arrayed South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, covering about one-half of the inhabited portion of the United States and including about one-third of its inhabitants. With these were the semi-Confederate states of Kentucky, Maryland and Missouri, contributing largely of men and means during the entire war, and making the strength of the Confederacy about one-half that of the states which remained loyal. At the same time these states were determining their attitude in the great struggle, men were determining theirs individually. The years of persistent teaching and legislating on the question of "State Rights" showed, in these months of decision, marked fruitage in the almost united action of officers from the South in the United States army resigning their positions and taking service with the Confederacy. There were some marked and honorable exceptions, as in the case of Captain, afterward Major-General Thomas of the Army, and Captain, afterward Admiral Farragut of the Navy, whom neither entreaty nor threats could swerve from their allegiance to their flag. And with these a goodly number of others, both in the army and navy, were loyal to their country and faithful to the oaths they had taken when they accepted their commissions.

The seven states first seceding organized a form of government modeled after that of the United States, established their capital at Montgomery, Alabama, selected Jefferson C. Davis as President, Alexander H. Stevens as Vice-President and at once proceeded to gather and consolidate their army. The Confederate Congress, two days after the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, authorized the enlistment of one hundred thousand men. Sidney A. Johnson, accounted one of the ablest men in the old army, was selected Lieutenant-General commanding their forces in the field.

The year 1862 opened with the entire nation pulsing with the fever heat of fratricidal war. Both the North and South were ready at the opening of the year to commence aggressive work each intent on securing and holding the border states. Kentucky and Tennessee witnessed the first in this series of death grapples at Mill Spring in January. In February General Grant earned his soubriquet of "Unconditional Surrender" at Fort Donaldson. The month of March recorded the battles of Pea Ridge in Arkansas, Newbern, N. C, and Winchester, Va. April witnessed the fearful struggle and fearful loss of life at Shiloh, disastrous to the Confederacy, since it lost to them their Commander-in-Chief and of benefit to the North since it opened the way to the command of the Union armies for General Grant. Following Shiloh came Island Number 10 with its three thousand prisoners of war, and the capture of New Orleans through the bravery and genius of Admiral Farragut. These victories brightened all the outlook, only to be darkened by the sickening losses and defeats in the Peninsular Campaign, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Gaine's Mills, Savage Station and Malvern Hill, all stubbornly contested fields accompanied with fearful loss of life for both North and South and all before mid-year.

Following all this struggle and loss of life, with burdened heart but busv brain, the sreat President realized that the North must make more earnest effort, still larger sacrifice, and so issues a call for three hundred thousand more soldiers. The sturdy yeomanry all over the North had followed every movement with a patriotic interest, had measured the need and as soon as the loyal governors had issued their stirring calls to their several states there was an immediate and ready response. These various proclamations voiced the spirit of the times and characterized the noble quality of leadership directing the affairs of the states. The following proclamation of Governor E. D. Morgan of New York, well illustrates the spirit prompting to action throughout all the loyal states.

"PROCLAMATION.

"By Edzv-in D Morgan, Governor of the State of New York. "The President of the United States has duly called upon the country for an additional force of three hundred thousand volunteers to serve three years, or for the war. The wisdom of this is obvious to all. Our army in the field has been reduced by the ordinary casualties of the service and must be recruited and the positions captured by our arms must be held by military authority. The people appreciate these facts. They fully estimate the magnitude of the great struggle, and the sacred obligations imposed upon them, and the necessity of exerting a power that will speedily quell the rebellion, restore the rightful authority of the government and give peace to the country.