Grant and his campaigns: a military biography

Front matter

Book _iQt_8_

PRESENTED !iV

CtfN I

Preface

The following- Military Biography of Lieutenant-General Grant is intended to offer but an outline of the great events in which he has borne the most distinguished part. As he held an independent command of troops in the field, from the beginning of the war — the movement upon Corinth only excepted — I have endeavored to present his plans, their execution, and the results, without entering into the minute details of the battle tactics ; giving only so much of these as is necessary to enable the reader to understand the general's purposes and achievements.

In writing the life of a subordinate commander, we should gain in detail, but lose in comprehension, — dwelling more upon what he did, than upoirthe' relations sustained to other men and movements on the field ; but it is different here. Grant's life requires a glance at every part of the field of Pittsburg Landing ; the great outline of the Vicksburg campaign ; a summary of the splendid military successes at Chattanooga. After his appointment as commander-in-chief, a1! parts of J.ae v.st theatre jf opr, rations mir^t be „onsKerec' ; while, as he made his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac, and personally directed it, more stress must be laid upon the movements of that army than upon others.

I have said thus much by way of self-vindication, should any reader — especially some gallant soldier — fail to find as many battle pictures, and as much of the movements of the lesser organizations, as he had expected. I could not neglect the philosophy of Grant's history, and there was not space for both.

In describing his earlier campaigns, I have had recourse to much fuller material than in the latter portions. The reports of many subordinate commanders, Union and Confederate, have been pub-

4 PREFACE.

lished, and there arc even critical commentaries upon these, which guard the historian against error. But in the latter parts, there is yet great dearth of detail. I have been obliged to depend, for the connected outline, upon the masterly — I may say, model — report of General Grant ; and for details to sucn materials as had been received, not even including extended reports of the corps-commanders.

It is not improbable, therefore, that, for want of such corrective matter in the details, I may have made occasional mistakes, in spite of my best efforts to avoid doing so.

When such errors are pointed out, they shall be corrected.

I must express my hearty thanks to General Grant for his kindness in sanctioning my attempt to portray his military career, and to Major-General Rawlins for his invaluable assistance in furnishing materials without which the work could not have been written. Most of this material could not have been otherwise obtained. For its use, and the form in which it is presented, I alone am responsible.

To my friend, Captain Thomas Mitchell, of Philadelphia, late a staff-officer in the Army of the Potomac, I am indebted for valuable assistance in collecting notes, and in transcribing some of the earlier portions of the work.

I shall be amply paid for my labors, which have been arduous,

if my simple narrative shall prove to the world the truth of the

opinion, already very widely entertained, that Grant is the first

soldier of the age, and the most distinguished American of the

Regenerated Republic.

H. C.

Philadelphia, December 1, 18Go.

Chapter I. The Great War Opens

Ruffin's cannon. — Fort Sumter. — The effect on the masses.— The Nation must be saved. — The attitude of the rebels. — Our ow.i duty clear. — The rush to

arms.— our ignorance of war. the want of every thing.— tlie education

needed and eventually obtained. — grant an apt scholar 13

Chapter II. Childhood And Cadet Life

Grant's lineage. — The new school of biography.— His parentage and birthplace.— His name. — Stories of his youth.— Limited education. — Appointment to the Military Academy. — His scholarship. — Classmates. — Recollections of him while a cadet. — The germs of character. — He graduates IS

Chapter III. Army Life And Retirement From Service

Brevet second-lieutenant Fourth Infantry. — Goes to Corpus Christi. — At Palo Alto and Rksaca de la Palma.— At Monterey. — At Vera Cruz.— REGI- MENTAL QUARTERMASTER. — FlGHTS AT MoLINO AND ChaPULTEPEO. — MENTIONED IN

reports and brevetted captain. — al' close of war sent to the northern frontier. — Marries. — Off to Oregon. — Hard work. — Leather-dealer 2-1

Chapter IV. Belmont

Effect of the news on Grant. — A Democrat before the war. — An unqualified war-man now. — Raises a company. — Adjutant-general and mustering officer. — Colonel of the Twenty-first Illinois.— Marches. — Acting brigadier at Cairo. The value of Cairo. — The rebel strategy. — Expedition to Belmont. — Fremont's orders.— Polk at Columbus. — The battle. — Success. — Enemy re-enfokced. — Grant withdraws. — Comments 28

CHAPTER Y.

FORT HENRY.

IIai.i.eck,s Department of Missouri. — Grant's reconnoissance into Kentucky. — Its value — Map of field of operations. — Columbus, the Gibraltar of America. — Kebel line.— Forts Henry and Donelson. — Koote's flotilla. — C. F. Smith and Phelps reconnoitre Fort Henry. — Grant receives permission TO ATTACK. TlIE PORT DESCRIBED. LLOYD TlLGHMAN IN COMMAND.

Grant's orders of march and battle. — The naval attack. — The surrender. — Comments on rebel defeat. — On to Donelson. — Tribute to Commodore

Foote S5

Chapter VI. Fort Donelson

Reop.ganization. — Order of march. — McClernantj and Smith move. — A glance at the fort. — River front. — Land approaches. — Garrison and commanders. — Assault upon the trenches. — Unsuccessful. — Storm and cold. — Re-enforcements under L. Wallace. — The attack of the gunboats. — Terrible cannonade.— Foote withdraws. — Value of his attack. — Rebel counter plans. — Our right attacked and rolled back. — Grant's consummate plan. — L. Wallace

MOVES 48

Chapter VII. General Smith's Attack And The Surrender

Smith's columns organized. — Lauman the forlorn hope. — Smith leads. — Addresses his men. — The lines move. — Smith's splendid valor decisive. — Floyd's new council — He turns over the command. — Pillow looks at the cards, and " passes."— The pusillanimous flight.— Buckner surrenders. — The correspondence.— Grand results. — Comments. — Eulogy- of General C. F. JSmith. 63

Chapter VIII. Preparations For A New Advance

Grant's enlarged command. — General Buell co-operates with IIallick. — Administration. Disi in. ink, justice, humanity. — Nashville falls. — Surprise of the people — A. S. Johnston retires to Murfreesboro'. — The ascent of the Tennessee.— Corinth threatened.— Island No. 10 — Seals the river.— The ied. — Pope takes New Madrid. — General Mackai.i. and the American Thermopy'L^.- SoHUYLER Hamilton's canal.— The capture and

WOI'T ' *

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEE IX.

gkant's new campaign.

Pittsburg Landing. — The landing. — Grant's dispositions. — The rebel advance. — Johnston's proclamation. — The attack on Prentiss— On Sherman, IIuelbut, McClernand, and Wallace. — The situation at ten o'clock. — Rebel losses. — The gunboats. — Webster's artillery. — Surgeon Cornyn. — The final attack on Sunday. — Lewis Wallace arrives. — His delay. — Monday morning.— Buell on the field. — Battle on the left— On the right. — Beauregard retires. — Comments 82

CHAPTEE X.

THE SIEGE OF CORINTH.

Corinth described. — Sherman's reconnoissance. — The arrival of Halleck. — Pope's army comes up. — Beauregard's order. — His force— Ours. — Pope takes Farmington. — The battle of Farmington. — Elliot's raid. — Corinth evacuated. — The occupation and pursuit. — Co-operating movements. — Mitchel's march. — The navy. — Fight at Memphis. — New efforts of the

ENEMY 100

CHAPTEE XI.

IUKA AND CORINTH.

After a brief halt, forward. — Administration. — Iuka. — Price marches up. — Grant's sagacity. — The battle. — Rosecrans and Ord. — Difficult ground. — Price retreats southward. — Corinth. — The fortifications. — Price's attack — Van Dorn's. — The bloody repulse. — Ord and Hurlbut in flank and rear. — " How does it all sum up 1" — Sketches of commanders 117

CHAPTEE XII.

THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE.

The extent of Grant's command. — Districts. — Retrospect. — Williams' canal. — Farragut's fleet. — The Arkansas destroyed. — Grant moves. — Pemberton in command of the rebel army. — grant's army and staff. — trade. — tlie value of- vlcksburg. — port hudson. — the tallahatchie. — hovey's movement. — The prospect bright. — Murphy's surrender. — Sherman's expedition to Vicksburg. — Unsuccessful. — Arkansas Post. — Army corps. — Emancipation proclamation, and colored troops 134

CHAPTEE XIII.

THE NEW MOVEMENT TOWARDS VlCKSBURG.

Routes proposed. — Williams' canal. — Why it failed. — Milliken's Bend. — Lake Providence. — The Yazoo Pass.— Steele's Bayou. — Porter's energy. — Tangled country. — What next? — To New Carthage, and beyond.— Passing the batteries.— First boats. — Sheets of fire. — Second lot. — Hard Times. — Across to Bruinsburg. — Battle of Port Gibson. — Enemy routed 153

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIV.

VICKSBURG : THE BATTLES, ASSAULTS, AND SIEGE.

fortune smiles. — defences of vlcksburg. — grand gulf ours. — sherman's feint on Haines' Bluff. — Grant's grand tactics. — Battle of Raymond. — Battle of Jackson. — Johnston driven out. — Where is Pemberton? — At Champion's Hill. — Battle there. — Enemy demoralized. — Battle of the Big Black. — Investment. — Fleet co-operates. — Two assaults. — Both fall »4

CHAPTER XV.

VICKSBURG BESIEGED.

Be-enforcemf.nts. — The complete investment. — The condition of Vicksburg.

The first mine. — The explosion. — Effects. — We gain a lodgment. —

The cannonade. — The second mine. — Preparations for final assault. — Pembep.ton's change of opinion.— Further delay useless. — Is ready to suh- ISO

RENDER.

CHAPTER XVI.

VICKSBURG FALLS. — " UNVEXED TO THE SEA."

Flag of truce. — Pemberton's request. — The interview.— Terms described. — Correspondence.— Terms accepted. — Vicksburg surrenders. — Fourth of July. — Rebellion cut in two. — Only needs shaking, to fall apart. — Grant's triumphal entry. — The Mississippi u unvexed to the sea." — Comments 186

CHAPTER XVII.

FINISHING TOUCHES : CLEARING THE WRECK.

Effect of the news.— President's letter to Grant.— Port Hudson waits tub fall of Vicksburg— Surrenders. — Correspondence and conditions.— Sherman moves against Johnston. — Johnston holds Jackson. — His order. — He

decamps 10*

CHAPTER XVEII.

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION.

Expeditions in all directions.— The haul at Natchez.— Extra military questions. -The bi bject of trade.— Tariff of prioes on the Mississippi.— Honors at Memphis. Review at New Orleans.— Sad accident, and its results.— Partial recovery.— Boards of honor. — Comments .• 202

CHAPTER XIX.

THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI — THE DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND.

ChICKAMAUGA. A GLANCE AT THE TOPOGRAPHY. — THE NEW COMMAND. — THE ARMY

CONCENTRATES. — At CHATTANOOGA.— A FINE CHANCE OF STARVING.— SMITH' STRATAGEM. — HOOKER ADVANCES. — BRAGG's FATAL ERROR. — SHERMAN MOVfcS.-

Reoonnoissances and plans

CHAPTER XX.

THE GRAND MOVEMENT BEGUN.

Sherman marches.— Thomas's advance.— Sherman crosses and takes position.— Hooker co-operates. — All ready along the llne.— The Confederates. — Waiting for Hooker.— Storming of the ridge.— Hooker attacks.— The fight ended and pursuit begun. — pursuit discontinued. — comments 224

CHAPTER XXI.

BURNSIDE AT KNOXVILLE.

Hl9 ENTRANCE INTO KnOXVILLE FORTIFIES THE TOWN— ADVANCES TO LURE LoNG-

8TREET ON.— LONGSTREET INVESTS AND ATTACKS REPULSED.— Ke-ENFORCEMENTS

from Grant.— Sherman comes up.— Grant's order.— Summary of losses.. 243

CHAPTER XXn.

GREAT JOY IN THE LAND.

The President's proclamation. — Public honors.— The gold medal.— A lieutenant-general proposed. —Societies. — Namesakes. — New labors. — Visits Cumberland Gap. — At Nashville. — To Chattanooga.— Visits St. Louis. — The banquet. — Thanks of the city 248

CHAPTER XXIII.

ELSEWHERE IN THE FIELD.

The Mississippi.— Banks.— Steele.— Rosecrans. — Our force compared with the rebels. — Sherman's expedition to Meridian. — Thomas moves upon Dalton. —Seymour at Olustee. — One head needed. — No political aspirations. . 255

CHAPTER XXIY.

THE LIEUTENANT-GENERAL — RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT.

Grant Lieutenant-General. — Arrives at Washington. — Eecognized at Willard's. — Commission presented. — President's address. — Grant's reply.— Revival of the gr/de. — Washington, Scott, and Grant. — The new law. — •

Grant's PERSONAL APPEARANCE. — THE HONOR UNSOLICITED. — THE COUNTRY NEEDS

him. — What he had done to earn it. — I'kospect of responsibility and danger. — Will he succeed ! — Unrivalled glory 258

CHAPTER XXV.

THE CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

Grant's convictions.— Evils to be remedied. — The new plan. — The great theatre—How occupied. — The rebel armies.— Lee and Johnston. — Our opposing armies. — Banks ln Virginia. — Directions to General Butler. — Sigel's instructions 267

CHAPTER XXVI.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE FINAL CAMPAIGN.

Grant's announcement to the armies. — At Washington. — The Army of the Potomac. — General Meade.— The army reorganized. — Fifth Corps — Second — Sixth. — The Ninth Corps. — The character of the army. — Grant's staff. — Meade's chief, and adjutant- general 277

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE CROSSING OF THE RUBICON.

All ready. — Grant makes final preparations. — The position of the army. — Lee's position. — The roads. — The Wilderness. — Meade's order. — The corps move. — Plans and counterplans. — The rebels come up in column. — Ewell on our right, by the turnpike 285

CHAPTER XXVEII.

THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS.

Orders to Warren and Sedgwick. — The battle-field. — Hancock to the rescue — General attack on the 6th. — Hancock's encounter. — Second rebel assault.— Gordon flanks our right. — Grant on the field.— Comments.— Losses. — Drawn battle 293

CHAPTER XXIX.

ON TO RICHMOND.

Suspense at the North.— Lee's retreat.— Sedgwick killed. — Wright to Sixth Corps. — Attack on Bpottbylvania. — Hancock's feat of arms. — The after-battle.— Our losses up to the 1'2th. — Who RETREATB, Grant or Lee? — The land ahead. — A new flanking movement 304

CHAPTER XXX.

CO-OPEKATING MOVEMENTS.

Sheridan's raid. — The battle of Yellow Tavern. — J. E. B. Stuart killed. — The raiders reach the Jaiiks.— Fortunes of Sigel. — Defeated by Bkeckinridoe. — Butler's movements. — His dispatch. — Beauregard's attack. — Hermetically sealed. — Kautz's raid. — Stanton's dispatch. — Butler's failure. — How the want of co-opekation affected Grant 320

CHAPTER XXXI.

FEOM SPOTTSYLVANIA TO THE CHICKAHOMINY.

The corps move. — Re-enforcements. — Losses from May 12 to 21. — On the North Anna. — Withdrawn. — Sheridan's return. — Crossing of the Pamunket. — Change of base. — Sheridan holds Cold Harbor. — Losses from May 21 to 31. — W. F. Smith detached from Butler. — The battles of Cold Harbor. — The crossing of the Chigkahominy 330

CHAPTER XXXII.

SOUTH OF THE JAMES.

The crossing of the James. — Petersburg. — Gillmore retires. — Kautz attacks. — Smith's new assault. — The corps come up rapidly. — Butler moves forward. — The new assault on the city — Not successful. — Sheridan's expedition. — New movement of the army. — Against the Wkldon road. — Deep Bottom. — Wilson's raid. — Temporary rest 346

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.

Hunter's instructions. — He beats the enemy. — W. E. Jones killed. — Advance to Lynchburg.— Retreats to the Kanawha. — What he accomplished. — In what he failed. — The route he should have taken 861

CHAPTER XXXIY.

THE MLNE AT PETERSBURG.

Grant's diversion.— The story of the mine.— Its position.— Lieutenant-Colonel

I'li asants. — Description. — Excavated under difficulties.— Meade's order.

The fuse lighted.— Fails. — Gallant men relight it.— The delay.— The

STORMERS MOVE.— LEDLIE, WlLLCOX, AND PoTTER.— FeRRERO.— The CRATER.—

The Court of Inquiry 354

CHAPTER XXXV.

THE REBEL ADVANCE ON WASHINGTON.

Early moves down the Valley.— Grant sends tip the Sixth and Nineteenth- — Wallace moves. — Is defeatkd, but detains Early.— Destruction. — Wright in command.— Early retreats. — The Shenandoah Valley. — Gisant visits Hunter. — Sheridan— Let loose. — Winchlstlr 374

CHAPTER XXXVI.

AROUND PETERSBURG.

Cedar Creek. — Sheridan rides post from Winchester. — To the Weldon road. — The cattle raid. — Movement on both flanks. — Tub westward movement.

— BuTLKR MOVES. — The ARMY OF THE 1'OTOMAC IN MOTION. — THE DUTCH Gap

Canal. — Gregg at Stonet Creek. — Comparative rest 388

CHAPTER XXXVII.

OTHER PARTS OF THE GREAT THEATRE.

Sherman. — Hood moves into Tennessee. — General Thomas. — Gfneral Hood. —

MOBLLE. — i'KIOE INVADES MISSOURI. — To WyTHEVILLE AND SALTVILLE... . . . . 401

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

FORT FISHER.

The troops land. — The bombardment and assault. — Comments. — Wilmington

FALLS 408

CHAPTER XXXIX.

CONCENTRATION.

Plans of Sherman. — March ; the strategic usher. — Fort Steadman. — Sheridan's GRAND MARCH. — SHERMAN'S VISIT. — ThE MOVEMENT TO THE LEFT 418

CHAPTER XL.

THE TRUE "BEGINNING OF THE END."

Fight at Dinwiddie Courthouse. — Battle of Five Forks. — Defeat of the rebels.— Consternation in Richmond. — Its evacuation by Lee. — Pursuit of the fleeing army. — Sailor's Creek. — Bee's surrender. — Terms. — Sherman. — Stoneman. — Canby at Mobile. — Wilson's command. — Conclusion 433

CHAPxiiR XLI.

THE LIEUTENANT-GENERAL'S MILITARY HOUSEHOLD.

General Rawlins, chief of staff. — Colonel Bowers. — General Comstock. — Colonel Babcock. — Colonel Porter. — Colonel Hudson. — Colonel Baijeau. — Colonel Parker, — Major Leet. — Captain Dunn. — General Williams.— General Webster. — Colonel Lagow. — Colonel IIillykr. — General MoPherson. — Colonel Rowley. — Colonel Biggin. — Colonel Ihrie. — Major Prime. — Colonel Duff. — General Wilson. — Captain Ross. — Genekal Dent. — General Kent. — General Barnard. — Major Kuykendal. — Colonel Dickey. — Major Audenried. — General Smith. — Major II. C. Robinette. — Captain D. E. Porter. —

LlkUTENANT ii. N. TOWNER 455