Four years of fighting : a volume of personal observation with the army and navy, from the first battle of Bull Run to the fall of Richmond

Front matter

THE REAR ADMIRAL FRANKLIN HANFORD, U. S. N.

COLLECTION IN THE

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

Prefatory Note

This volume, though historic, is not a history of the Rebellion, but a record of personal observations and experiences during the war, with an occasional look at affairs in general to give clearness to the narrative. The time has not arrived for the writing of an impartial history of the conflict between Slavery and Freedom in the United States. Reports of military operations are incomplete ; documents in the archives at Washington are inaccessible ; much material remains to be gathered before the patient historian can sift the wheat from the chaff. More than this, the war of ideas is not yet ended. Defeated Rebels in some parts of the South are bent on exterminating the African race. Few of those lately in rebellion plead guilty of having committed a crime ; taking up arms against the government they consider to have been a blunder only. We are, therefore, too near the great events to render proper judgment upon questions in which our principles and sympathies have been enlisted.

The chapter concerning the Confederate Cotton Loan may seem to be out of place in a volume of which so large a portion is given to narrative, but I trust that it will be acceptable to the general reader, inasmuch as it reveals the efforts of the Rebels to array all Europe against the United States in the late struggle. The correspondence in my possession was picked up in the streets of Richmond, and will be of value to the future historian. The ! chapter in question is but an outline of the operations of the Confederates abroad.

IV PEEFATORY NOTE.

In looking over the sheets as they came from the press, several errors relative to the organization and formation of troops in battle have been detected, which, however, will appear in but a few copies. Undoubtedly there are others, and the writer will esteem it a favor to be put right wherever he is in the wrong. Few official reports of regimental and brigade officers have been published, while the reports of division and corps commanders are only general in their statements. The true history of battles cannot be given till the history of regiments is written.

My stand-point as an observer is that of one whose instincts from early childhood have been on the side of Freedom. I have ever believed that Civil Liberty is the birthright of all men, and from the firing upon Sumter to the close of the contest had full faith that the people, under God, would subdue the Rebellion, and give freedom to the slave.

The four years have been worth a century of ordinary life ; for in the mighty contest Right has triumphed over Wrong, and the human race, with a clearer perception of Truth and Justice as the sure foundation of government, is moving on to a higher civilization.

c. c. c.

Boston, Miy, 1866.

Contents

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

BEGINNING OF THE CONFLICT.

PAGB

Chapter I. Around Washington

Alexandria. — The Massachusetts Fifth. — A Song for Banker Hill. — The Review. — The Distant Gun. — The Affair at Vienna. — A Dinner in the Field. — Vallandigham and the Ohio Boys. — Patriotism of the Soldiers. — The Rogues' March. — Mutiny of the Garibaldi Guard. — An Adventure. — Broken English. — Unpleasant Position. — General Mansfield's Wrath. — The Lager-Beer Business. — A Faded Aristocracy. — Living on a Name. — The Sirens of Virginia. — A South Carolina Chattel. — His Search for Chickens. — How he found Freedom . . 8

CHAPTER n.

BULL BUN.

The March. — The Second Maine. — The Pageant. — The Bivouac The

Beehives. — Beauregard's Proclamation. — McDowell's Order. — The Contrast. — Virginia Unionism. — The First Shot. — The Artillery. — Retreat of the Rebels. — The Negro's Story. — Centreville. — Snuff Dippers. — Affairs at Blackburn's Ford. — The Morning. — Progress of the Battle. — The Rebel Prisoner. — The Turning of the Tide. — At the Spring. — The Panic. — The Teamsters. — The Rebels on the Point of

Vi CONTENTS.

Retreating. — Richmond Dispatch. — "Wonderful Stories of the Rebels. — Change of Sentiment. — General Butler. — Union Men of Virginia. — Bitterness of the Rebels. — Seductive Influences of Slavery . 17

Chapter III

Position of Affairs. — Disaster at Ball's Bluff. — The News in Washington.

— How President Lincoln received it. — His tenderness of Heart. — Mr. Lincoln in his Springfield Home. — His Temperance Principles. — Poolsville. — Colonel Baker's Body. — Slavery in Western Maryland. — Visit to Eastern Maryland. — The " White Horse." — Character of the Country. — Our Host at Pamunkey. — His Family. — Visit to Annapolis.— Aristocratic Pride. — Secession in Washington. — The Spirit of Slavery in the Army. — The Hutchinson Family and General McClellan.

— Whittier's " Eine feste Burg ist unser Gott." — Major Gould and his Scout A Rebel Minister. — Washington Jail and its Inmates. — Close

of the Year 30

Chapter IV. Affairs Ln The West

Louisville. — Position of Kentucky. — The Opinions of a Loyal Tenne3- seean. — General Buell and his Policy. — Events in Missouri. — General Halleck. — Order No. 3. — General Schofield and the Guerillas. — Negro

Testimony. — Fremont's Army. — Visit to Rolla. — General Sigel

Radical Sentiments of the Army. — Cairo. — Union Generals. — Introduction to General Grant. — Commodore Foote. — The Mississippi Flotilla. — Captain Porter and the Essex. — His Challenge to Captain Montgomery. — Major-General Bishop Polk. — Reconnoissance towards Columbus. — A Kentucky Farm-house. — Return to Cairo . . .47

Chapter V. Central Kentucky

Battle of Mill Springs. — A genuine Kentuckian. — Discussion of the Negro Question. — Kentucky Farmers. — Lexington. — Scenes at the Phenix Hotel. — Secession Ladies. — Anthony Trollope. — Tomb of Henry Clay.

Clay's Opinion of Abolitionists. — How a Presbyterian Minister would

conduct the War. — Buell's Right Wing. — Trip down the Ohio. — Passengers on Board the Grey Eagle. — The People of Owensborongh. — Up Green River. — Kentucky Unionists. — Visit to Calhoun. — A "first-class " Hotel. — Scenes on the Steamer 59

CONTENTS. Vii

Chapter VI. The Opening Of The Campaign En Tennessee

Capture of Fort Henry. — Commodore Foote's Account of the Fight His

Care for the Wounded. — His Preaching on Sunday. — Affairs in Mississippi. — Capture of Fort Donelson. — Movement of the Troops. — The Surrender. — The Appearance of the Rebels. — The Town of Dover. — Scenes in the Rebel Lines. — The formal Surrender of the Fort. — Appearance of Buckner and Grant. — Rebel Officers on the Rampage

Commodore Foote's Intentions. — His Plans frustrated by Halleck. — Nullification of Order No. 3. — Occupation of Columbus. — The Southern Muse. — Bombardment of Island No. 10. — Colonel Bissell's Canal. — Passage of Transports to New Madrid. — Running past the Batteries. — General Pope's Operations. — Capture of Rebels. — Surrender of Island No. 10 76

Chapter VII. Pittsburg Landing, Fort Pillow, And Memphis

The Opposing Forces. — The Battle-Field. — The Poor Whites of the South.

— General Sherman. — Beauregard's Despatch. — Retreat of the Rebels.

— Halleck's Advance upon Corinth. — The Mississippi Fleet. — Admiral Davis. — Captain Maynadier. — A Trap for the Rebels. — Movement of the Rams. — Fire of the Rebel Batteries. — Evacuation of Fort Pillow. — Gunboat Fight at Memphis. — Surrender of the City. — Commodore Ellet 93

Chapter VIII. Invasion Of Maryland

Battle of Manassas. — Colonel Broadhead. — Confidence of the Rebels. — Uprising in Pennsylvania. — Surrender of Harper's Ferry. — Escape of the Union Cavalry. — Negro Teamsters. — Excitement of the Citizens. — Hagerstown. — Antietam. — Visit to the Right Wing. — Poffenberg's House. — Sumner's Movement. — The Corn-Field. — Burnside's Attack. — The Fight at the Bridge 110

Chapter IX. Invasion Of Kentucky

The Opposing Forces. — Bragg's Advance. — Capture of Frankfort. — The Rebels in Lexington. — Inauguration of Governor Harris. — Bragg's Retreat from Frankfort. — Battle of Perryville. — President's Proclamation.

YU1 CONTENTS.

— The Kentucky Policy. — General Gillmore's Order No. 5. — Twenty- Second Wisconsin and Colonel Utley. — Judge Robertson and his Boy

Jo. — The Kentucky Policy reversed. — An Evening in Louisville . 122

Chapter X. From Harper's Ferry To Fredericksburg

Soldiers' Pets. — Removal of McClellan. — Burnside's Plans. — Army Correspondence.— Gold Speculators. — Expectations of the People . .137

Chapter XI. Battle Of Fredericksburg

The Signal Guns. — Laying the Pontoons. - — Bombardment of the City. — Hall's Brigade. — Rebel Sharpshooters. — Crossing the River. — Seventh Michigan. — Yankees in Fredericksburg. — Night Scene. — The Drummer-Boy. — Rev. Arthur B. Fuller. — His Funeral Obsequies. — Lee's Army. — Positions of the Troops. — Burnside's Orders to Franklin. — The Morning. — Movement of the Army. — Attack on the Left. — Franklin's Despatches. — Meade's Attack. — Jackson's Line broken. — Franklin's Account. — Wounded Soldiers. — Attack on the Right. — Eleventh New Hampshire. — Sturgis's Division. — The Last Attack.

— Recrossing the River ......... 142

Chapter XII. The Winter At Falmouth

Employment of the Men American Tract Society. — General Howard

and the Secessionists. — Sanitary and Christian Commissions. — Religion in the Army. — Chapels . . . . . . . .174

Chapter XIII. Chancellorsville

General Hooker in Command. — Reorganization of the Army. — Hooker's Plan. — Movement of the Troops. — First and Sixth Corps. — Lee puzzled. — Hooker in Position. — Lee's Movement. — Jackson's March.

— Howard's Position. — Sickles's Advance. — Jackson's Attack. — The Eleventh Corps. — Sickles's Return. — Death of Jackson. — The Battle of Sunday. — Best's Artillery. — Stewart's Attack. — The Second Corps.

— Hooker's last Position. — Second Battle of Fredericksburg. — Sedgwick's Attack. — Maryee's Hill. — Barksdale's Retreat. — Battle of Salem Church.. — Lost Opportunity ....... 179

CONTENTS. ix

Chapter XIV. Cavalry Operations

Stoneman's Preparations. — Crossing the Rapidan. — Raid through Virginia. — Kilpatrick's Audacity. — Shelling Richmond. — His Escape. — Stoneman's Return 212

Chapter XV. The Atlantic Coast

Port Royal. — Sunday Services. — Rev. Mr. Murchison. — Visit to the Plantations. — Sancho's Address. — Negro Music. — Mitchelville. — Sojourner Truth. — Enlistment of Negro Troops. — Colonel Higginson. — Antipathy of White Soldiers. — Eirst South Carolina Regiment. — Smith's Plantation 224

Chapter XVI. The Iron-clads Ln Action

Destruction of the Nashville. — Captain Worden. — Attack on Fort McAllister. — First Bombardment of Sumter. — Visit to the Fleet. — Captain Rodgers. — Damage to the Fort 248.

Chapter XVII. The Invasion Of Pennsylvania

General Lee's Movements. — Hooker on the "Watch. — Bedlam in Pennsylvania. — Harrisburg. — Baltimore. — Colored Population. — Resignation of General Hooker. — General Meade. — Feelings of the Soldiers. — Advance to Gettysburg. — Organization of the Army. — Patriotism of the People. — Bread for the Soldiers Ride to Gettysburg. — Geographical Features of the Place 258

Chapter XVIII. The Battle Of Gettysburg

General Reynolds's Position. — Beginning of the Fight. — General Howard's Account. — Weidreick's Battery. — General Slocum at Two Taverns. — Howard's Messages. — General Hancock's Arrival. — Color- Bearers of the Nineteenth Indiana. — Arrival of the Third Corps. —

X CONTENTS.

Second Day. — General Meade on the Field. — The Cemetery. — Major Howard. — Ride along the Lines. — Stannard's Brigade. — Meade's Head-Quarters. — Position of the Second Corps. — The Third Corps.

— Sickles's Position at Noon. — Lee's Intentions. — Confidence of the Rebels. — Longstreet's Command. — His Plan. — Half past Three. — The Attack. — Resistance of the Third Corps. — McGilvery's Batteries.

— The Ninth Massachusetts Battery. — Barnes's Division. — The Regulars. — Resistance of the Pennsylvania Reserves. — Hood's Advance.

— Colonel Chamberlain's Position. — Slocum's Movement. — Doubleday and Williams. — Men of Vermont. — Fourteenth Maine. — Louisiana Tigers. — Third Day. — The Morning Cannonade. — Rebel Prisoners. — Fight on Culp's Hill. — Cavalry Operations. — Lee's Preparations for the last Attack. — Position of the Troops. — Scene at Meade's Head-Quarters. — The Cannonade. — Howard's Batteries. — Hancock wounded. — The Vermont Regiments. — Repulse of the Rebels. — Scenes along the Lines. — In the Rebel Lines. — Midnight. — After the Battle. — Lee's Retreat. — Meade's Movements. — Lee at Williamsport.

— Crossing the Potomac. — Battle at Falling Waters .... 269

Chapter XIX. From The Rapidan To Cold Harbor

Opening of the Campaign. — Organization of the Army. — Grant's Plan. — The Ninth Corps. — President Lincoln reviewing the Colored Troops.

— The Army in Motion. — Across the Rapidan. — Grant and Meade in Council. — The Wilderness. — Position of the Army. — First Day's Fight. — Arrival of the Ninth Corps. — Second Day. — Movement to Spottsylvania. — Sheridan's Fight. — Todd's Tavern. — Warren engaged. — Battle of Spottsylvania. — Song of the Wounded. — The Vermont Brigade. — Death of General Rice. — Attack of the Second Corps. — A Day in Fredericksburg. — Sanitary and Christian Commissions. — Getting Straw for the Hospitals. — Movement to the North Anna.

— Battle of Jericho Bridge. — A Night in a Cabin. — Movement to Hanover. — Battle of Bethesda Church. — General Smith's Advance to Cold Harbor. — Sheridan's Movement. — Position of the two Armies.

— First Battle of Cold Harbor. — Hospital Scene. — Second Battle. — McClellan at Cold Harbor and the Campaign of '62. — Grant's Operations. — Caroline County. — The Planters and their Property. — The Day of Jubilee. — Breaking up of Sociaty 306

Chapter XX. To Petersburg

Comments of the Rebel Newspapers. — Opinions of the Soldiers. — Discussion of Plans. — General Hunter's Advance to Lynchburg. — Sheridan's

CONTENTS. XI

Raid. — Butler and Gillmore. — Movement to James River. — Gillmore's Failure. — Grant's Instructions to Smith. — Lee surprised. — General Hinks's Division of Colored Troops. — Their First Engagement. — Smith's Advance. — First Battle in Front of Petersburg. — Capture of Rebel Intrenchments. — General Terry's Movement. — Lost Opportunities. — Sentiments of the People. — President Lincoln. — Heroism of the Colored Soldiers. — , Arrival of the Ninth Corps. — Second Battle in Front of Petersburg. — General Potter's Division. — Fifty-Seventh Massachusetts. — Edward M. Schneider. — Third Battle in Front of Petersburg. — Barbarism of Slavery. — Prejudice against Colored Troops. — The Christian Commission. — Hardships of the Campaign. — Religion in the Army ........... 351

Chapter XXI. Siege Operations

Lieutenant-Colonel Pleasants. — His Plan for a Mine to destroy the Works before Petersburg. — Difficulties he encountered in constructing it. — Battle at Deep Bottom. — Completion of the Mine. — Preparations for springing it. — Fuse goes out. — Delay. — Relighted. — The Explosion.

— Consternation of the Rebels. — Confusion of Union Troops. — Rebels return to their Guns. — Terrible Slaughter in the Crater. — Reasons for

the Failure. — The Rebel Press. — The Fortunes of the Confederacy . 376

Chapter XXII. Third Invasion Of Maryland

General Situation of Affairs. — Early's Movement down the Valley. — Breckenridge sent to reinforce him. — The Sixth Corps. — Excitement in Washington. — Early's Force. — Massachusetts Sixteenth Regiment.

— Arrival of Nineteenth Corps. — Enthusiastic Reception. — Confidence restored. — Battle of Monocacy. — Alarming Reports. — Advance of Rebels upon Washington. — Their hasty Retreat 384

Chapter XXIII. Sherman's Army

Review of Sherman's Campaign. — Jeff Davis's dislike of Johnston. — Appointment of Hood. — Davis's Speech to Hood's Army. — Sherman contemplates a Movement to Savannah. — Grant authorizes it. — Organization of Sherman's Army. — Comments of Rebel Press on his March to the Sea. — Complaints of Sherman's Inhumanity. — He is compared to Attila. —His Vindication of Himself. — The Bummers. — Their Humanity to Union Refugees 391

Xll CONTENTS.

Chapter XXIV. Christianity And Barbarism

Sherman in Savannah. — Destitution of the People. — Humanity of the People of the North. — Steamer Greyhound. — Belle Boyd. — Voyage of the Greyhound. — Thunderbolt Battery. — Fifty-Fifth Massachusetts.

— Distribution of Supplies. — Rebel Prisons. — Responsibility of Rebel Officials. — Amiability of General Lee. — Andersonville . . . 402

Chapter XXV. Scenes W Savannah

Aunt Nellie and her Sister. — Inhumanity of Slavery. — Whittier's Lines

— Burning of the Arsenal. — General Sherman's Order No. 15. — Abandoned Lands. — General Saxton. — Meeting of Freedmen. — Address of Rev. Mr. French. — Appearance of the Congregation. — Rev. Mr. Houston. — The Slave Market. — Commencing a Colony. — Plans of the Freedmen. — The Sexton. — The Dead from Manassas. — The Gospel of Slavery. — Breaking up of Society. — Ladies of Savannah.

— Poor Whites of Georgia. — Negro Dialect. — Freedmen in Council in the Slave Market. — Their Battle-Hymn. — Civilization. — Christianity

at Work 414

Chapter XXVI. Sherman In South Carolina

Instructions of General Grant. — Sherman's Plan. — Expectation of the Rebels. — Grover's Division. — His Army in Motion. — Howard's Advance to the Salkehatchie. — Crossing the River. — Hardee retires to Branchville. — Kilpatrick's Movement towards Augusta. — Consternation of the Rebels. — Sherman moves to Orangeburg. — General Potter's Division. — Hampton's and Wheeler's Cavalry. — Hampton's Home. — Columbia. — Burning of the City. — Sherman charges Hampton with kindling the Fire. — Bitterness of South-Carolinians against General Sherman. — Responsibility of the Rebel Government for Outrages 436

Chapter XXVII. South Carolina Before The War

The Part taken by the State in the Political Affairs of the Nation. — Basis of Representation. — Classes of People. — Lowlanders and Uplanders. —

CONTENTS. Xlii

Climate. — Cotton. — Parish System. — Assembling of the Legislature in I860. — Eemarks of W. D. Porter Secession Principles. — Adjournment to Charleston. — Hibernia Hall. — Rev. Dr. Thornwell's Preaching. — The Teachings of the Bible. — The Province of History

Negroes for Sale. — Women of South Carolina in Favor of Secession. — The Charleston Mercury. — The " Patriarchal Institution " . . . 444

Chapter XXVIII. Sumter

Governor Pickens's Letter to President Buchanan. — Major Anderson in Sumter. — Construction of Rebel Batteries. — Negotiations for the Surrender of the Fort. — The Bombardment. — Scenes in Charleston after the Surrender. — Visit to the Fort. — Captured Blockade-Runners. — Condition of the Fort. — Scenes of the Morning 454

Chapter XXIX. Charleston

A City of Ruins. — Our Welcome. — Charleston before the War. — The Seducer of States. — Siege of the City. — Removal of the People. — Assertion of the Charleston Courier. — The Evacuation. — Blowing up of the Iron-clads. — Firing the City. — Bursting the Guns. — Twenty- First Colored Regiment. — Colonel Bennett occupies the City. — Fifty- Fourth Massachusetts extinguishing the Flames. — " Gillmore's Town." — The " Swamp Angel." — The Courier Office. — The Banks. — South Carolina Troops in Confederate Service. — The Mills House. — The Churches. — The great Fire of 1861. — Devastation. — Slave Merchants. — The Bell of St. Michael's. — The Guard-House. — The Slave- Mart. — Letters of the Slave-Traders. — Colonel Woodford in the Office of the Courier. — Sermon of Rev. Dr. Porter. — A Yankee in his Bed. — Joy of the Colored People. — " Rosa's " Mother. — Washington's Birthday. — John Brown in Charleston. — Humiliation of the Rebels. — Union Men. — The Old Flag. — How the People were cheated . . 462

Chapter XXX. The Last Campaign

Position of Affairs. — Grant's Letter to Sheridan. — Cavalry Raids. — Sheridan's Movement to Waynesboro'. — Attack upon Early. — Advance to James River. — Moves to White House. — Joins Grant. — Alarm in Richmond. — Lee's last Offensive Movement. — Attack on Fort Steadman. — Repulse of Gordon. — Grant's Order to " finish up " the Rebelxiv CONTENTS.

lion. — Sherman's Visit to Grant. — Great Men in Council. — Grant's Line. — Sheridan on the Move. — Lee's Diversion against the Ninth Corps. — Night Attack. — A Rebel Prisoner. — A Look at the Opposing Forces. — Hatcher's llun. — Lee's Line of Fortifications. — Grant feels like ending the Matter. — Battle of Dinwiddie Court-House. — Advance of the Fifth Corps. — Battle of Five Forks. — Charge of the Fifth Corps. — Merritt's Attack. — Rout of the Rebels . . .485

Chapter XXXI. Richmond

JefF Davis a Fugitive. — Blowing up of the Rebel Iron-clads. — Grant in Petersburg. — President Lincoln and the Soldiers. — Ride to Richmond.

— Lee's Message to Davis. — Consternation in Richmond. — Rev. Messrs. Hoge and Duncan. — The last Slave Coffle. — Confederate Promises to Pay. — Scenes of Sunday Night. — Pillaging the City. — Flight of the Legislature. — General Ewell and the Mayor in regard to burning the City. — The Massacre at the Almshouse. — Firing the City.

— Departui-e of the Rebel Troops. — Breckenridge taking a last Look of the City. — Sunrise. — Major Stevens and the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry. — Surrender of the City. — Raising Flags on the Capitol. — The Yankees putting out the Flames. — Entrance of General Weitzel. — Taking a Room at the Spottswood Hotel. — Scenes in the City on Monday. — General Devens's Orders. — Visit to the Capitol. — Admiral Farragut. — President Lincoln's Arrival. — Joy of the Colored People. — Walk to JefF Davis's Mansion. — Judge Campbell. — Admiral Porter.

— The President's Visit to Libby Prison. — Opinions of the People. — Colored Soldiers in the Service of the Rebels. — Lee's Opinions. — An Abolitionist in Richmond. — A Newspaper Correspondent and a Rebel Officer. — At the Capitol. — Scenes of the Past. — Christian Charity . 499

Chapter XXXII. The Confederate Loan

Attitude of Great Britain. — Sympathies of Palmerston and Russell. — The English Press. — Operatives of Lancashire. — The London Times. — Opinions of Mr. Spence. — His Appointment as Financial Agent. — Address of the London Confederate Aid Association. — Whittier's Lines to Englishmen. — Mr. Mason at St. James. — His Griefs. — Benjamin's Letter to Mason. — Mr. De Leon appointed Agent to subsidize the Press of Europe. — Englishmen engaged in Blockade-Running. — English Shipbuilders at work for the Slaveholders. — Funds needed. — Benjamin's Letter to Spence. — Rebel Coin shipped in British Vessels of "War.

— Slidell's Proposition for a Loan based on Cotton. — French intrigue

CONTENTS. XV

to sever Texas from the Confederacy. — Mr. Slidell recommends D'Erlanger as a suitable Agent to negotiate the Loan. — D'Erlanger offers it to the Bankers of London. — Mr. De Leon secures the Support of the Press. — Opening of the Correspondence. — D'Erlanger's Opinion of Mr. Spence.

— Mr. Spence's Proposal. — Rush for Subscriptions. — Mr. Spence's Letter to D'Erlanger. — Compliments of the Emperor to D'Erlanger on the Success of the Loan. — Jeff Davis a Repudiator. — Rancor of the London Times in 1849. — Eats its Words in 1863. — Whitewashes Davis. — Opinions of Mr. Sampson. — Opinions of Mr. Delaine. — The Times in the Pay of Jeff Davis. — How the Support of the Newspapers was secured. — Mr. Spence receives £6,500 as Correspondent of the Times. — Meeting of Rebels in Paris. — How the Loan was sustained.

— D'Erlanger's good Game. — Wishes for a Second Loan. — D'Erlanger takes the Part of Shylock. — Trouble with McRae. — D'Erlanger helping Himself to Principal and Interest. — Schroeder & Co. in the " Ring." — Payments of Money. — Who was benefited. — The present Bondholders 523

Chapter XXXIII. Surrender Of Lee

The Retreat of Lee from Petersburg. — Dejection of Rebel Soldiers. — Grant's Intentions. — Lee's Line of Retreat. — Grant ahead of him. — Panic among the Rebel Troops. — Meade's Movements. — Battle at Sailor's Creek. — Custar's Charge Skirmish at Farmville. — The Race

toward Lynchburg. — Sheridan's Movement. — Lee's last Council of War. — Correspondence between Lee and Grant. — The Meeting. — The Surrender. — Announcement to the Armies. — Pickett's Treason.

— Rest and Peace 543

Conclusion

General Grant at City Point. — The End of the Rebellion . . .556

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Portrait of the Author on Steel, .... Frontispiece.

Page

Shiloh Church, 94

Mississippi School-House, 06

Antietam, 118

Sherman's Bummers, 421

Night-Scene in Charleston, 481

Humiliation of Richmond, 507

President Lincoln in Richmond, 512

PLANS OF BATTLES.

Fredericksburg, 146

Franexin's Attack, 155

Sedgwick's Attack, 201

Salem Church, 208

Advance to Gettysburg, 263

Wilderness, 317

Spottsylvania, 323

North Anna, 331

Cold Harbor, 334

Petersburg, July 17, 1864, 365

Petersburg, July 30, 1864, 368

MUSIC.

Roll Jordan, 230

Freedman's Battle-Hymn, 434

FOUR YEARS OF FIGHTING.

INTRODUCTORY.

BEGINNING OF THE CONFLICT.

After four years of war our country rests in peace. The Great Rebellion has been subdued, and the power and authority of the United States government are recognized in all the States. It has been a conflict of ideas and principles. Millions of men have been in arms. Great battles have been fought. There have been deeds of sublimest heroism and exhibitions of Christian patriotism which shall stir the hearts of those who are to live in the coming ages. Men who at the beginning of the struggle were scarcely known beyond their village homes are numbered now among

" the immortal names That were not born to die " ;

while the names of others who once occupied places of honor and trust, who forswore their allegiance to their country and gave themselves to do wickedly, shall be held forever in abhorrence.

It has been my privilege to accompany the armies of the Union through this mighty struggle. I was an eye-witness of the first battle at Bull Run, of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Island No. 10, Fort Pillow, Memphis, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Fort Sumter, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Hanover Court-House, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, and Five Forks. I was in Savannah soon after its occupation by Sherman on his great march to the sea, and watched his movement " northward with the sun." I walked the streets of Charleston in the hour of her deepest humiliation, and rode into Richmond on the day that the stars of the Union were thrown in triumph to the breeze above the Confederate Capitol.

It seems a dream, and yet when I turn to the numerous notebooks lying before me, and read the pencilings made on the march, the battle-field, in the hospital, and by the flickering camp-fires, it is no longer a fancy or a picture of the imagination, but a reality. The scenes return. I behold once more the moving columns, — their waving banners, — the sunlight gleaming from gun-barrel and bayonet, — the musket's flash and cannon's flame. I hear the drum-beat and the wild hurrah ! Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Meade, Burnside, Howard, Hancock, and Logan are leading them ; while Sedgwick, Wadsworth, McPherson, Mansfield, Richardson, Rice, Baker, Wallace, Shaw, Lowell, Winthrop, Putnam, and thousands of patriots, are laying down their lives for their country. Abraham Lincoln walks the streets of Richmond, and is hailed as the Great Deliverer, — the ally of the Messiah !

It will be my aim in this volume to reproduce some of those scenes, — to give truthful narratives of events, descriptions of battles, incidents of life in camp, in the hospital, on the march, in the hour of battle on land and sea, — writing nothing in malice, not even towards those who have fought against the Union. I shall endeavor to give the truth of history rather than the romance ; facts instead of philosophy ; to make real the scenes of the mighty struggle through which we have passed.

On the 11th of June, 1861, 1 left Boston to become an Army Correspondent. The patriotism of the North was at flood-tide. Her drum-beat was heard in every village. Men were leaving their own affairs to serve their country. The stars and stripes waved from house-top and steeple. New York was a sea of banners. Ladies wore Union rosettes in their hair, while gentlemen's neck-ties were of " red, white, and blue." That family was poor indeed who could neither by cloth or colored tissue-paper manifest its love for the Union. The music of the streets — vocal and instrumental — was " Hail Columbia " and " Yankee Doodle." Everywhere, — in city and town and village, in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, — there was the same spirit manifested by old and young, of both

1861.] BEGINNING OF THE CONFLICT. 3

sexes, to put down the Rebellion, cost what it might of blood and treasure.

Baltimore presented a striking contrast to the other great cities. It was dull and gloomy. The stars and stripes waved over the Eutaw House, from the American newspaper office, where the brothers Fulton maintained unswerving loyalty. A few other residents had thrown the flag to the breeze, but Secession was powerful, and darkly plotted treason. There was frequent communication with the Rebels, who were mustering at Manassas. Business was at a stand still. The pulses of trade had stopped. Merchants waited in vain for customers through the long summer day. Females, calling themselves ladies, daintily gathered up their skirts whenever they passed an officer or soldier wearing the army blue in the streets, and manifested in other ways their utmost contempt for all who supported the Union.

General Butler, who had subdued the rampant Secessionists by his vigorous measures, had been ordered to Fortress Monroe, and General Banks had just assumed command. His head-quarters were in Fort McHenry. A regiment of raw Pennsylvanians was encamped on the hill, by the roadside leading to the fort. Officers and soldiers alike were ignorant of military tactics. Three weeks previous they were following the plough, or digging in the coal-mines, or smelting iron. It was amusing to watch their attempts at evolution. They were "drilling by squads and companies. " Right face," shout ed an officer to his squad. A few executed the order correctly, some faced to the left, while others faced first right, then left, and general confusion ensued.