Battle-fields of the South : from Bull Run to Fredericksburgh ; with sketches of the Confederate commanders, and gossip of the camps

Chapter I

First Acts of Secession — Measures of the Southern Leaders — Major Anderson and Fort Sumter — Southern Preparations for War — Drilling of Volunteers— Preparing to march — Patriotic Spirit of the South — Journey by Rail — Camp at Corinth — Regimental Officers — A Tragical Episode, ... 1

Chapter II

Despatch of Troops — State of Southern Arsenals and Stores — Practices of the Jews — Troops ordered to Virginia — Rejoicings in the Camp — Hospitalities on the Road — ^Patriotism of the Women — Northern Sympathies in East- Tennessee — Camp at Lynchburgh — By Rail to Manassas Station, . . 14

. CHAPTER III.

Arrival at Manassas-^ Appearance of Things by Night — Operations of Our Army opposed to Patterson around Harper's Ferry — Forward Movements of the Enemy — Jackson opens the Ball — Colonel Maxey Gregg attacks the Northern Troops on the Railway at Vienna — Earthworks at Manassas — Strength of our Troops — Scouting Parties— Letter from a Friend, giving Details of the Action at Carthage, .20

Chapter IV

Warlike Preparations around Manassas — Beauregard and other Generals — Our Position at Bull Run — Advance of the Enemy — A Night Surprise — Loss to the Enemy — General Tyler advances to force a Passage at Blfickburn's Ford — Battle of Bull Run, July eighteenth — The Enemy retire, with Loss — Anxiety regarding Johnston's Movements — Night Adventures — Courage of an English Landowner — Our Generals forewarned of meditated Movements, 3 1

Chapter V

Battle of Manassas Plains, Sunday, July twenty-first— Disposition of the Southern Forces — Plans of the Enemy — The main Battle on our Left— Struggle at

IV COITTENTS.

PAGS

Sudley Ford and Stone Bridge — Attack of Louisiana Irish — Critical Situation of our Forces — Stonewall Jackson — Preparations for a final Advance: on both Sides — ^Arrival of Johnston's Reenforcements — ^Total Rout of the Enemy, 40

Chapter VI

The Pursuit — Immense Booty — Our Prisoners and their Behavior — A Ride over the Field of Action — Incidents of the Fight — Arrival of President Davis during the Action, and its Effect — Behavior of the New- York Fire Zouaves — The victorious Army did not advance upon Washington or Maryland— Relic-mongers on the Field of Battle — Personal Appearance of President Davis — Sketches of Evans and Longstreet, 52

CHAPTER YII.

Battle of Oak Hill in Missouri — The Confederates under Price and McCulloch are surprised, but prove victorious — Death of the Federal General Lyon, and Promotion of General Fremont — Misunderstanding between Southern Generals — Cruel Devastation of the Country by Federal Troops — Character of Fremont — Siege and Capture of Lexington by Price — Immense Booty, 6 0

Chapter VIII

March to Leesburgh — ^Fertility and Beauty of Loudon — "We are subjected to many Alarms, much Labor, and incessant Duty — Cavalry Fights — Perfidy of Northern Sympathizers — Infantry Encounters — Marauding Parties of the Enemy cross into Virginia — Their Capture and Punishment — ^Artillery Duels — Heavy Picket Firing — Movements of the Enemy, who mass heavy Forces, and endeavor to shell Leesburgh from their superior Position, . 72

Chapter IX

Fortifications of the Enemy — General Banks at Harper's Ferry — Cavalry Raids and Picket Guard on the Upper Potomac— The little Town of Waterford — Our Scouts in Maryland — Daring of Elijah White — Capture of McCiellan's Orderlies, . . . . " . 7S

Chapter X

Position at Manassas — Ashby at Harper's Ferry — His Preparations for Attack — Our Artillery cooperate — Incidents of the Fight — General McCall leaves Drainsville, and threatens our Retreat — Our alarming Position — To Goose Creek and back again, ...... w .. . 89

CHAPTER XL

What the Enemy did when our Forces had left Leesburgh— Plots of Union Traitors during our Absence— Threatened Approach of the Enemy from Drainsville upon our Right Flank— We march out to the Attack, Sunday, October twentieth— Capture of a Federal Courier— The Ruse discovered- Plans of Stone, Baker, and Banks— Countermarch to the FcKry Road- Watching the River— Shell-firing by the Enemy— The Enemy cross in Force

COl^^TENTS. ^ V

, PAGE

at Ball's Bluff on Sunday Night, and at Edward's Ferry, Goose Creek, and other Passages on Monday Morning — Details of the Battle of Leesburgh — General Baker killed — Colonel Coggswell with eight hundred Men taken Prisoners — Great Slaughter — ^Victory of the Confederate Forces — Retreat of the Enemy to Maryland — Our Reenforcements arrive, . . . .94

Chapter XII

Effects of the Battle of Leesburgh, or Ball's Bluff, on Public Opinion in the Country, North and South — The Yankees claim a Victory as usual — General Stone arrested and sent to Fort Warren — Remarkable Incidents of the War — A Fraternal Rencontre — The Negroes with either Army — Humorous Incidents — Evans is sent to defend his Native State, South-Carolina — General D. Hill assumes Command — Fortifications are erected — ^We prepare for Winter Quarters, .... 107

CHAPTER Xin.

Winter Quarters — ^Amusements of the Men — Cock-fighting, Racing, Snow-balling, Singing-clubs, etc. — I visit Richmond, and see the Fortifications of Manassas, en route — Affectation of Military Rank at the Capital — Gaiety of the Place — Solons out of Place — Much Wisdom thrown away — Scarcity and high Price of Provisions — Commodores Lynch and Hollins — Major-General Pryor, 112

CHAPTER Xr7.

The Battle of Belmont, on the Mississippi, described in a Letter from a Friend — The Forces of General Pillow surprised by Grant — The Southern Troops narrowly escape a Defeat — Reenforcements from General Polk and Columbus— Arrival of Polk on the Field — The Federal Troops defeated and Spoijs taken — Characters, of General Pillow and General Polk compared — Misrepresentations of the Northern Press, 118

CHAPTER XY.

Winter Quarters continued — Scant Rations supplied to the Troops — High Prices of Provisions and Clothing resulting from the Blockade — ^Sufferings of the Poor — Refugees from Kentucky — True State of Public Feeling there — Letter from a Friend, containing an Account of the Opening of the Campaign in Kentucky and Tennessee — Battle of Mill Springs, January first, 1862 — General ZoUicoffer and most of his Staff killed — Surrender of Fort Donnelson, February ninth — Strange Conduct of General Floyd, . . .123

CHAPTER XYI.

Battle of " Elk Horn," Missouri, March seventh, 1862 — Incidents and Sketches of the War in that State — Colonel Fremont superseded in the Command of the Federals— General Yan Dorn — Our Guerrilla Horse — Breach of parole by Northern Troops — -McCalloch and Mcintosh killed -Our Forces retire — .The Loss on either side, ... 131

Vi CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVII.

PAGB

Jackson's Doings in the Shenandoah Valley — Character of this General — Ashby's Cavalry Force — Heavy Marching — Bivouac in the Snow — Ruse of Jackson and Capture of the Enemy's Stores — Battle of Kearnstown, March twenty-third — Scenes and Incidents during the Fight— General Garnett accused as the Cause of our Defeat, 141

CHAPTER XVIII.

Fall of " Island No. 10," April fifth— Battle of Shiloh, April sixth— Capture of Guns — General Albert Sidney Johnston killed — The Battle resumed at Daybreak — The Enemy' are reenforced by Buell — The Confederate Army retreats — Great Loss — False Reports of the Federal Generals, . . . 151

CHAPTER XIX.

Movements in Virginia, and Opening of the Campaign, April, 1862 — Troops . begin to move on the Upper Potomac in March — McClellan prepares to flank Manassas, by marching heavy Masses up the Shenandoah Valley, and crossing the Mountains at Snickersville — A general Retreat is ordered by Johnston— He retires to Culpeper Court-House, and makes his Line behind the Rappahannock — Ruse of the Enemy, and Design upon Torktown — The Approach to Richmond in that Direction is not so easy as conjectured by McClellan — Our "Lines" at Yorktown — McClellan^s Progress is stopped there — Balloon Reconnoissances of the Enemy — Artillery Assaults on our Works — Great Distress amongst our Troops — Outpost Adventures — Ambitious Generals — ^Attack on Dam No. 1— Frightful Destruction of Life- Horrible Neglect of the wounded by the Federals — A Texan in search of a Pair of Boots, . . .161

CHAPTER XX.

Fall of New Orleans, April twenty-fourth — Preparations of Commodore Hollins for the I)efence — Bombardment of the Forts — Naval Engagements — Destruction of Cotton — Evacuation of the City — Possession taken by Commodore Farragut — Arrival of General Butler — His brutal Attacks upon the Ladies of New-Orleans — Examples from his General Orders, . . . 180

CHAPTER XXI.

Of our Officers generally — Regimental Officers — Surgeons and Parsons — ^Episcopalian Ministers — Roman Catholic Priests — Jesuits on the Field of Battle, • 193

CHAPTER XXII.

Things at Torktown Lines continued — We evacuate Yorktown Lines — Battle of Williamsburgh, May fifth — It is claimed, as usual, by the Federals as a " Brilliant Victory " — Facts of the Matter — We offer the Enemy Battle twice before entering our Lines around Richmond, etc., . . . .197

CONTENTS. vii

CHAPTER XXIII.

Military Transactions in May — Our Army continues to fall back upon Richmond— I am despatched to the City with Prisoners— Hospitality of the Virginian Farmers — News received en route — Evacuation of Norfolk — Destruction of the Merrimac — The Defences of Richmond — Treatment of Prisoners—Our Army forms Line of Battle North of the Chickahominy — Position of McClellan — I receive a Staff Appointment — Table Talk, etc., . . 208

CHAPTER XXIV.

Preparations for the Defence of Richmond in -May — Operation of the Conscript Law — Earthworks and other Defences designed by Lee — Arrival of Federal Boats and Iron-clads — Works at Drury's Bluff — Immense Raft — Capture of Richmond anticipated — Position of the two Armies on the Chickahominy — Number of Troops on either side — McClellan advances, . . . .218

CHAPTER XXV.

Occurrences in the Shenandoah Valley — Battles of " Front Royal," May twenty-third — Capture of Winchester and Thousands of Prisoners by Jackson — Rout of Banks's Corps — Immense Booty, 22t>

CHAPTER XXVI.

Battle of the Chickahominy, or " Seven Pines " — The Plan of Battle — Annihilation of the Enemy's Left^ — Loss of either Army — General Johnston . wounded, 237

CHAPTER XXVII.

Further Details of the Chickahominy Battle — Longstreet succeeds to the Command— -General Lee the acknowledged Chief — Skirmish at Fair Oaks, an Episode — Gossip of Officers — Scenes and Incidents of the Battle — Our Negro Servants — The Louisiana Zouaves — Brigadier-General Jenkins and the South-Carolinians — Care of our Wounded in Richmond — Hospital Scenes, . 247

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Table Talk — Curious Instances of the Force of Imagination during the War- Arguments in Vindication of the Southern Cause, 260

CHAPTER XXIX.

Talk about Slavery — Comparison of the Slave System with the Free-labor System of Europe — Comfortable Condition of Negroes on the Plantations — Their Indifference and even Dislike to Freedom — Insincerity of the Northern Fanatics — Their Treatment of Free Negroes — Crucial Tests of the Doctrine that all Men are born free and equal — The Question considered on religious and social Grounds — Attachment of Negroes to their Masters — ^Anecdotes, . . . . • 273

VUl CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXX.

PACK

June — Jackson in the Yalley — Shields and Fremont — ^Battle of " Cross Keys"— Ashby killed — Battle of "Port Republic "—End of the Valley Campaign and Rout of the Enemy, 286

CHAPTER XXXI.

June — Stuart's famous Raid round McClellan's Lines before Richmond — Cowardice of the Enemy — Incidents at each Stage of the March — Gallantry of a young Lady — Attack on a Railway Train — ^Appropriation of McClellan's Stores — Return to Camp with Booty and Prisoners— Sketch of General Stuart — Affair at Drainsville — General Joe Johnston, .... 296

CHAPTER XXXIL

Gossip in Camp — Of Dress, Discipline, and Arms — ^Preference for Breech-loading Weapons — The Parrott, the Whitworth, and the Armstrong Guns — German Muskets — Advantage of Rifles over Muskets in Action — The Maynard Rifle — Berdan's Sharpshooters — Our Sanitary Condition — Of our Medical Staff — Mortality amongst our Men, and its Cause — Insufficient and inferior Supplies — Of "Baggage" and Transportation, 307

CHAPTER XXXIIL

June twenty-sixth — Commencement of the Week's Campaign before Richmond— Battles of " Mechanicsville," " Beaver Dam Creek," and "Ellison's Mills" — Terrific Battle-Scene — Preparations for a further Advance, , .321

CHAPTER XXXIV.

The Week's Campaign before Richmond, continued — Battle of Gaines's Mill — Sketches of the Generals previous to the Battle — Position of Jackson — Advance of Wilcox, Featherstone, and Pryor — The Centre under Ambrose Hill — The Texan Brigade brought into Action — McClellan's Infantry Charge — Defeat of his Right Wing and Centre — The Field of Battle — Capture of Guns and Booty — ^Death of Major Wheat — Confederates in Striped Pantaloons, 332

CHAPTER XXXV.

Retrospect — ^Additional Particulars from one of Stuart's Cavalry — Capture of Depots and Stores during the Action — Public Feeling at Richmond — McClellan begins his Retreat to the James River — Operations on the South Bank of the Chickahominy — Commencement of the Pursuit — The Railway Merrimac — Difficult Nature of the Country, 346

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Pursuit of McClellan continued — Battle of Frazier's Farm, June thirtieth — Terri- . fie Fighting — Total Rout of the Enemy — Capture of Major-General McCall —

CONTENTS. IX

PACK

Precarious Position of General Hill — His Genius and Daring — Gossip with a Contraband, . . ' 356

CHAPTER XXXVII.

The Pursuit of McClellan continued — ^Where is Old Jackson ? — ^The Federal Troops kept in ignorance of their Retreat — Use of Federal Cavalry — The Seventh New- York — Battle of Malvern Hill — Desperate Engagement, July first — Reckless Sacrifice of Life by Magruder — Gallantry of Colonel Norman— The Enemy, ^ully routed and demoralized, seek Protection under their Gun-boats, S66

CHAPTER XXXVni,

Recapitulation and " Official " Review of the " Week's Campaign" — Loss and Gain — Scenes and Incidents of the Struggle — The Federal Army massed round the Heights of Berekley — ^Night Attack by our Artillery, and Fearful Destruction — Subsequent Demonstration of McClellan — General Pope and other Northern Commanders rising in favor, S80

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Movements of Beauregard's Army in Mississippi, after the Battle of Shiloh — Our Defences at Corinth — General Halleck takes command of the combined Armies of Buell and Grant, and follows on to Corinth — ^Both Armies intrench— Magnitude of the Federal Works — Beauregard suddenly retreats to Tullahoma — Policy of his Retreat — The Federals do not follow — Part of our Force detached from Beauregard, and, under command of Van Dorn, sent to defend Vicksburgh against the fleet of Commodore Farragut advancing up from the Gulf, and Commodore Foote's Squadron of Gunboats coming down the River from St. Louis — Building of the Rebel Ram Arkansas — She forces the Mouth of the Yazoo River, and runs the Gauntlet of the fleet — Night Bombardment of Vicksburgh — Flight of the Federals — Capture of a Federal Despatch Boat, 404

CHAPTER XL.

Movements in Virginia and Preparation for the Fall Campaign — Pope, and the New Federal Army on the Rappahannock — Combinations of the Enemy developing by McClellan on our Right and Pope on the Left — Preparations and Dispositions of General Lee — Jackson is sent in the Van — Vf hat he does, and the Manner of doing it — He breaks the Advance Corps of his old Friend, Banks — Battle of Cedar Mountain, 423

CHAPTER XLI.

August twelfth to thirty-first — Pope, still in Force, watches Jackson on the Rapidan — ^The rapid Concentration of Confederate Forces there — Retreat of Pope to the Rappahannock, who establishes his Head-quarters at Catlett's Station — Stuart makes an eflfort to capture that General, but arriving too late, seizes all his Wearing Apparel, Books, Papers, Plans, private and official Correspondence— Successful Flank Movement of Jackson round Pope's Right and

X CONTENTS.

FAGB

Kear — He captures and destroys immense Stores at Manassas Junction, and disperses a Brigade sent from Alexandria to protect them — Sudden Retreat of Pope's Army towards Manassas — Engages Jackson with superior Forces, but without Results — Advance of Longstreet through Thoroughfare Gap, who soundly thrashes General Reno, stationed there to dispute the Passage — Longstreet forms a Junction with Jackson on the latter's Right — Arrival of General Lee — Heavy Reenforcements pour into Pope's Army — Second Battle of Manassas — Rout of the Enemy — Scenes on the Battle-field, . 434

CHAPTER XLII. *

The Battle-field — Capture of Prisoners — Confusion of the Enemy's Retreat to Centreville — Loss of Baggage — Bivouac on the Field — Conversation of Officers with Prisoners — Burnside and McClellan's Reenforcements — How their Destination was changed from Point to Point by the Rapidity of Lee's Movements— Retrospect — The Strong Position of Centreville is turned by one of Jackson's fast Flank Movements — The Enemy fall back from Centreville in great Haste and Confusion — Heavy Skirmishing with the Enemy's Rear Guard near Fairfax — Death of Generals Stevens and Kearny — Further Retreat of the Enemy, who enter their Fortified Lines round Arlington Heights and Alexandria — Jackson crosses into Maryland — He is followed by several Confederate Divisions, which hold the Mountain Passes at Boonsboro — Jackson suddenly moves from Frederick City, 454

CHAPTER XLIIL

McClellan's unaccountable Inaction — ^Activity of Lee and Jackson — ^Engagements at the South Mountain — Approach of the Federals to Sharpsburgh — Battle of Antietam, or Sharpsburgh, September seventeenth — An Indecisive Engagement — Retreat of the Southern Army into Virginia — Jackson guards the Rear, and Repulse of the Enemy's Advance-guard, etc., . . .418

CHAPTER XLIV.

McClellan again invades Virginia — Sigel is pushed forward from Washington, and takes Position at Manassas — The Federal main Army moves East of the Blue Ridge, and has Headquarters at Warrenton — Lee marches in a parallel Line through the Shenandoah Valley— Surprise and Flight of Sigel upon the Appearance of Confederate Cavalry — Change of Federal Commanders — Rapid March of the Federals to the Rappahannock— Battle of Fredericksburg, December thirteenth, 498

INTEODUCTION.

Although the following narrative sufficiently explains itself and is replete with evidence of the author's feeling, and of the point of view from which he has regarded the fratricidal strife still raging in America, it may be permitted him to remark in this place, that the impulse by which he was prompted in bearing arms for the Southern cause, was simply that inherent love of liberty which animates every English heart. With all to lose and naught to gain in opposing the tyranny of Federal rule, and with no legal or political tie to North or South, he could not, in manhood, stand idly by, and gaze upon the despotism which a blind and fanatical majority, sought to thrust upon an unoffending and almost helpless minority.

Having travelled and resided long on the American continent, carefully studying national characteristics, he was not surprised by the inevitable disruption of the Union, nor at any time unaware of the causes tending to that result. Eather, his surprise has been that Southerners should so long have refrained from rising in arms against the accumulated insults and injuries which, for a long series of years, have been heaped upon them. They would have been unworthy of their origin, and must have shown themselves less than men, had they longer submitted to the degradation of being deprived of free speech and action amongst a people whose prosperity had been fostered by their industry, and whose history they had ennobled by heroic deeds.

Apart from all untruthful bias, although serving in a cause he enthusiastically espoused, the author has followed the fortunes of Southern armies in this narrative with an honest intention to present facts, uncolored, and exact in detail, so far as space would allow or his position and facihties enabled xii INTRODUCTION.

him to obtain tliem. Every statement he has made can be fully substantiated ; he would esteem it unmanly, unsoldierly, and degrading, to speak untruly of these events.

The real source of Northern prosperity has been misunderstood ; so, in the author's opinion, has the real character of the Yankee people. The nasal-toned, tobacco-chewing, and longlimbed gentleman of the present day inhabiting the JSTew-England States, speaks the English language, it is true, in his own peculiar way, but Indian, Canadian, Irish, Dutch, French, and other bloods, course through his veins ; and from his extraordinary peculiarities of habit and character displayed in this present war, it -is extremely difficult to imagine which caste or shade predominates in him. He is a volatile, imaginative, superficial, theatrically-inclined individual, possessing uncommon self-confidence, and is very self-willed, arrogant, and boastful. His self-conceit is boundless : any one who disputes his ideas is a fool.

The peculiarities of Yankee character displayed during the present war are very amusing, but sometimes, it must be confessed, very offensive. When General Scott was in chief command at Washington, and promised to "disperse the rebels within thirty days," the Northern editors were lavish and servile in praise of "the great chief!" Columns upon columns of editorial flattery daily issued from their journals. A thousand anecdotes and incidents were narrated of him when a precocious child, and, if remembered rightly, it was said his first plaything was a cannon. McDowell, his talented lieutenant, came in also for his share of praise, although thousands asked : " Who is McDowell ?" When the reports of the Washington Administration claimed a victory at Manassas, the whole nation vociferously chaunted the praises of Scott and McDowell ; but when the truth leaked out the day following, not a newspaper in the whole country but vilified them both, calling the first a stupid, ignorant old blockhead, and the latter a traitor.

Butler had appeared upon the scene some short time before. Being from Massachusetts, (where none are found, of course, except men of extraordinary talents, genius, veracity, and bravery,) he was going forth from Fortress Monroe to massacre or "bag" the entire Confederate force at Little Bethel. The press was in ecstasies ; a swarm of reporters repaired to head-

INTRODUCTION. - XUi

quarters, and Butler could not sneeze but tlie fact was telegraphed North, as something very ominous, and presaging no good to the rebels. Magruder and Hill whipped him completely in half an hour ; and the press, as usual, poured out their vials of wrath, and he was treated to all the derision and vilification of an angry and disappointed populace.

McClellan next appeared in the arena, and the whole country was awe-struck at the supposed magnitude of his genius. None dared approach him save on tip-toe ; dead silence prevailed wherever he went ; reporters stretched their ears to catch the least word he uttered, which, after being highly ornamented and rendered very romantic, was blazoned forth to the North as the "last" good thing of the "Young Napoleon." All the world was supposed to be standing in breathless curiosity to know " what was coming next ;" artists of various illustrated journals sharpened their pencils, and anxiously yearned to sketch the rapid succession of victories which were promised to be forthcoming ; but time jogged along, and even Northern journalists began to grow weary of McClellan's inactivity. ■ They had fully exhausted all their store of flattery and praise, and were now utterly fatigued with the task of fruitless and neverending laudation.

The "Young Napoleon" had been compared to Alexander, Caesar, Hannibal, and Napoleon the Great ; but nothing in the history or character of those famous leaders was considered fully adequate to the heaven-born qualities of George B. McClellan. His eyes, hair, mouth, teeth, voice, manner, and apparel, -had all been described in carefully prepared leaders ; and even his boots had something pertaining to their make and style indicative of the surpassing talents of the wearer.* His

* The Washington Chronicle, June twenty-second, furnishes us a case in point : "The Infant Napoleon. — An incident which occurred in the city of Philadelphia in the winter of 1826-Y, is particularly worthy of record in our present crisis, inasmuch as it relates to the early history of one who fills a position commanding the attention and admiration of the world, and particularly of our own country. I will premise by saying I was in Philadelphia in the winter spoken of, attending medical lectures under a distinguished surgeon, then a professor in one of the institutions of the city. A son was born to our professor, and the event scarcely transpired before the father announced it to his delighted pupils. Scales were instantly brought from a neighboring grocer. Into one dish he placed the babe, into the other all the weights. The beam was raised, but the child moved not !

xiv INTRODUCTION.

servant was idolized, and nothing could be too good for him ; for it was tlirougli this important functionary that a gaping and delio-lited public were favored with the last and latest anecdotes illustrative of the great man, his master. Time went on, and the "Young Napoleon " suffered a series of defeats, not only fatal, but humiliating,* Although he attempted to conceal his dis-

The father, emptying his pockets, threw in his watch, coin, keys, knives, and lancets but to no purpose — the little hero could not be moved ! He conquered every thing ! And at last, while adding more arid more weight, the cord supporting the beam gave way, and broke, rather than the giant infant would yield! The father was Dr. McClellan, and the son — General McClellan ! our young commander on the Potomac. The country will see a prophetic charm in this incident. Truly, he was weighed in the balance and not found wanting. May his present and future life stand the test as well ! Surrounded as he is by traitors at home, while rampant rebellion is before him, I hear him amidst the jealousy and envy of cavillers quietly praying with Job: ' Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity ! ' " This beautiful incident of General McClellan's youth was not written subsequent to the Week's Campaign before Eichmond, but at a time when he was the great idol of the North, and had much patronage within his gift.

* The following is the exceedingly modest address of McClellan after his disastrous defeat in the Seven Days' Campaign before Richmond, penned from his suug retreat at Harrison's Landing, within a hundred yards of numerous gunboats :

*' Head-quarters, Army of the Totomac^ " HarrisorCs Landing, July Ath.

" Soldiers of the Army of the Potomac ! Your achievements of the last ten days have illustrated the valor and endurance of the American soldier. Attacked by superior forces, and without hope of reenforcements, you have succeeded in changing your base by a flank movement, always regarded as the most hazardous of mihtary expedients. You have saved all your material, all your trains, and all your guns, except a few lost in battle, taking in return guns and colors from the enemy (?). Upon your march you have been assailed day after day with desperate fury by men of the same race and nation, skilfully massed and led. Under every disadvantage of number, and necessarily of position also, you have in every conflict beaten back your foes with immense slaughter (!). Your conduct ranks you among the celebrated armies of history. No one will now question that each of you may always with pride say, ' I belong to the Army of the Potomac ! ' You have reached the new base, complete in organization, and unimpaired in spirit. The enemy may at any time attack you : we are prepared to meet them, I have personally established your lines. Let them come, and we will convert their repulse into a final defeat. Your Government is strengthening you with the resources of a great people. On this, our nation's birthday, we declare to our foes, who are rebels against the best hitentions of mankind, that this army shall enter the capital of the so-called Confederacy, that our national Constitution shall prevail and that the Union, which can alone insure internal peace and external prosperity to each State, ' must and shall be preserved,' cost what it may in time, treasure, and blood ! ' Geo. B. McClellan."

INTRODUCTION. XV

asters, tlie truth became known at last, and tlie long pent up expectation of tlie Northern press burst forth in a torrent of abuse. The English language being incapable of illustrating their feelings, new epithets were invented to denote their accu-

General Lee issued Order No. 75, after, the Seven Days' Campaign before Richmond, which wonderfully contrasts with the above :

" Richmond^ July 9th.

" On Thursday, June twenty-sixth, the powerful and thoroughly equipped army of the enemy were intrenched in the works, vast in extent and most formidable in character, within sight of our capital. To-day the remains of that confident and threatening host lie on the banks of the James River, thirty miles from Richniond, seeking to recover, under the protection of his gunboats, from the effects of disastrous defeats. The battle, beginning on the afternoon of June twenty-sixth, above Mechanicsville, continued until the night of July first, with only such intervals as were necessary to pursue and overtake the flying foe. His strong intrenchments and obstinate resistance were overcome, and our army swept resistlessly down the north side of the Chickahominy until it reached the rear of the enemy, and broke his communication with York River, capturing or causing the destruction of many valuable stores, and, by the decisive battle of Friday, forcing the enemy from his line of powerful fortifications on the south side of the Chickahominy, and driving him to a precipitate retreat. Our victorious army pursued as rapidly as the obstructions placed by the enemy in his rear would permit, three times overtaking his flying columns, and as often driving him with slaughter from the field, leaving his numerous dead and wounded in our hands in every conflict. The immediate fruits of our success are the relief of Richmond from a state of siege, the rout of the great army which has so long menaced its safety, many thousands of prisoners, including officers of high rank ; the capture or destruction of stores to "the value of millions, and the acquisition of thousands of arms, and over fifty pieces of superior artillery. The service rendered to the country in this short but eventful period can scarcely be estimated, and the General commanding cannot adequately express his admiration of the courage, endurance, and soldierly conduct of the officers and men engaged. Those brilliant results have cost us many brave men, but while we mourn the loss of our gallant dead, let us not forget that they died in defence of their country's freedom, and have linked their memory with an event that will live forever in the hearts of a grateful people. Soldiers, your country will thank you for the heroic conduct worthy of men engaged in a cause so just and sacred, and deserving a nation's gratitude and praise.