How I know, or Sixteen years' eventful experience

Front matter

NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES

3 3433 08

81974 4 w&m m

Chapter I. — With The Twentieth Army Corps

Birth-place — Joins the Army — Sketch of the Twentieth Corps — Battles of Lookout Mountain, Rocky Face Ridge and Resaca — Capture of Pine Knob — Kenesaw Mountain — Peach Tree Creek — Siege of Atlanta — The "March to the Sea" — Savannah occupied — Devastation of the "Mother of Secession" — Pursuit of Johnston's flying Forces — The Surrender at Raleigh — Homeward — The grand Review at Washington — Home and Friends. . . . n-25

Chapter II. Utah And The Mormons

The "Western Fever" — In a Utah mining Camp — Situation of Utah — The

Mormons — Mountain Meadow Massacre — Bishop S 's " Revelations " — A

horrible Outrage — Murder of D. P. Smith — Another Instance of Mormon Atrocity — Nationality of the Mormons — Adobe Houses — Practical Polygamy — Scenery in Utah — Hot and cold Springs — Irrigation — Mountains and Deserts— Grass, Cattle and Timber — Mining — Early Mining Experiences — Sinks a Shaft, and some Money — The Webster Lode — General Reflections. . 26-44

Chapter Iii.— Nevada

Nevada for a Change — Carson City — Lake Tahoe — Mining Fever again — Stock-speculator — The Comstock Mines — The Narrow Guage Railroad — The long Flume — Heat and Water in the Mines — Ventilation — The Sutro Tunnel — Climate of Nevada — Stock and Farming — Hot Springs — Alkali — The brackish Water. .......... 45~53

Chapter Iv.— California

From Carson City to San Francisco — The Enchanting Scenery — Donner Lake — Pulpit Rock — Sad Story of the Donner Family — Indian Tradition — In the old Mining District — Virgin Gold — Geological History — Theories — Placer Mining — Some big Nuggets — Northward — The Yosemite Valley — The "Garden of the Gods" — Nevada Fall — The Giant Trees — California Vegetables — The Golden City — Its Splendor and Magnificence — Fertile Valleys and Immense Crops — The Seasons — Stock-raising— Grape Culture — Drawbacks — Something of a Shake — Volcanic and Desert Regions — The Earthquake of 1872. . 54-74

Chapter V.— The Chinese

The Chinese — Their Appearance — Their Dress — Their Numbers — Most of Them in Servitude — The Six Companies — Low Wages — Idol Worship — A Law unto Themselves — The Chinese Quarter — Coolies — Legislation — General Review of California Resources — Wealth per capita — Commercial Enterprises — Agricultural Resources — Remarkably Healthy Climate — Colonizing — Government Lands — Area and Population — Internal Improvements. . 75-^2

CHAPTER VI. — oregon and Washington.

Portland— The Varied Climate— The Fertile Tracts— Population— The Columbia River — The Cascade Range — The Lava Beds — Fine Stock — Willamette Valley — Agricultural Products of the State — Grains and Fruits —

V vi CONTENTS.

Washington Territory — Lumbering — The Cold Weather — Fish and Game — The Indians — The grand Scenery of the North-west. . . . S3-90

CHAPTER VII.— Mexico

Eleven Months in Mexico — The Mexicans — The Climate — Mexican Character— Mining — Primitive Processes Employed — The Dwellings — General Decay— A Stranger's Impressions — Amusements — Gambling — Mexican Horsemanship— Corraling Wild Stock — Lassoing — Riding a Wild Horse — Cheap Horses — The Beauty of the Country — The Delightful Climate — Chihuahua — The Casas Grandes Ruins — Explorations — Relics of the Inhabitants of the Ancient Cities — Other Ancient Ruins — The Moqui Indians of Arizona — The Cliff-dwellers — A Legend — Character of the Moqui. . . . 91-103

CHAPTER VIII.— Arizona

Heat and Sand — Other Disagreeable Features — Mr. Janin's Great Scheme — Prospector's Outfit — Burros — Packs and Pack-saddles — Perils of Prospecting— Ancient Mines — The Inhabitants — Drinking and Gambling — Indians — Cock-fighting — Is Civilization a Failure? ..... 104- 112

CHAPTER IX.— navajoes.

A Long Trip on Horseback — Chosen Leader — The Outfit — Grand and Beautiful Scenery — First Camp — A Dreary Night — Wet, Worn and Weary — Following a Mountain Trail — Night in the Forest — Indian Signs — An Unexpected Visitor — Sketch of Bennett — " Injuns! Injuns!" — A Fierce Fight — The Indians Retreat — The Killed and Wounded — Burying the Dead — Forward! — An Indian Ambush — But Five Escape — Closely Pursued — Fishing for Food — Worn out — Sad Reflections — A Dreadful Night — Friends Discovered — Names of Those Killed. .......... 1 13-132

Chapter X. — Through The Colorado Canons

The Colorado Canon — A large Prospecting Party — The Start — No Road — Traveling bv Nigfht — No Water — A Mutinv — A Bad Situation — Plain Talk — Another Mutiny — A Separation — Off Again — Deserters Return — Cornered by a Grizzly — Habits of the Grizzly — Hunting the Grizzly — The Grizzly Killed — A Lofty Outlook — Standing Guard — Pleasant Dreams — A Gloomy Ride — Creeping down the Mountain Side — Meets a Panther — A Frightful Situation — The Last Chance — A Lucky Shot — Safe in the Valley — Daylight— The Dead Panther — Trout-fishing — Dreadful Dreams — " Raising the Color." I33_I52

Chapter XI. — Through The Colorado Canons. — [continued.]

A Mighty Precipice — The Grand Canon — Buckskin Mountains — "Heads or Tails " — Up the River — Rough Traveling — Down the Gulch — An Impressive Situation — The Head of the Canon — Ancient Ruins — An Oasis — A DangeVous Swim — Safely Over — Eastern Side of the River — Apache Visitors — " Heap Bad Injun "—Prospecting — An Undesirable Location — Callville — John D. Lee — Murderous Mormons I53~I64

Chapter XII. — Montana And Idaho

First Settlers— Rich Resources— The Gallatin Valley— Other Valleys— • Occupations — Advantages of the Railroads — Staging and Freighting — Corrinne — Warehouses — A Bad Road — High Prices — " Self-risers," " Pilgrims," "Tenderfoots." 165-16S

Chapter XIII. — Lakes And Springs Of The Far West

Waters of the West— Great Salt Lake— Its Outlet— The Lake Rising- Bathing — Lake Tahoe — Good Place for Captain Boyton — Crystal Lake — Varieties of Waters — Hot Springs — Phenomena in Connection with Hot Springs

CONTEXTS. vii

— A Large Spring — The Yellowstone — A Tide Spring — A Mud Spring — The Steamboat Spring — Alkaline Streams — Causes of Hot Springs, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes 169-177

CHAPTER XIV.— la paz.

Surveying in Arizona — Two Days' Ride in a " jerkey " — Stage-coach Experiences— The Factotum Expressman — La Paz — A Dilapidated Town — Rough Customers — The Hotel — The Landlord — A Bad Lot — Street Scenes — Riot Let Loose — A Rush for " Hash " — The Barroom — The Landlord's Stories — Greasers— A Night in Bedlam — Another Lodging-place — A Drunken Texan — Pleasant Anticipations — Taking a Tumble — Complimentary Comments — A Big Dinner — Night Scenes — Routed by Bed-bugs — Another Tumble — Family History — Impressions of La Paz — Back to Fort McDowell — Does " Roughing It "Pay? 178-192

Chapter Xv.— Stock-raising

Successful Men — Life of a Stock-raiser — The Cow-boys — Branding Stock — County Inspectors — A Stock Range — Changing Ranges — A "Round-up" — Description of the " Cow-boys " — Dangers of a Herder's Life — Indian Raids. ............ 193-201

Chapter XVI. — Stock-broker And Freighter

San Francisco—" Bulls " and " Bears "—A Good Run of Luck— A Bad Run — Two-thirds of Capital Lost — Off for Salt Lake City — Meeting Old Friends — Outfit of Wagons Bought — Instance of Mormon Atrocity — The Gilson Brothers — Buying Oxen at Manti — Loading up with Flour — Learning to Drive Oxen — Handling the Whip — Yoking the Cattle — Stuck in the Mud — Doubling Up — The Second of March — Completely Disgusted — The Final Start from Manti — Names of the Party — Salina — A Herder's Camp — Snow — Five Weary Weeks — Advice — Thirteen Miles in Six Weeks — Desolate Country 202-218

Chapter Xvii.— In Green River Valley

Streams in Castle Valley — Description of the Valley — Rock Wells — Bad Water — Wretched Traveling — Green River Valley — High Water — A Long Ride for a Boat — A Pleasant Camp — Trip to the Canon — Grand Mountain View — Mountain Sheep — Back to Camp — Beaver and Otter — Snakes — A Rattlesnake Den — Wolves — An Exciting Chase — Habits of the Wolves — Waiting 219-232

CHAPTER XVIIL— vexatious delays.

The Boat Arrives — Ferrying the Wagons and Loads Across — Swimming the Cattle — A Wearisome Effort — The Virtue of Patience — Cattle Stampeded by a Grizzly — Back Across the River Again — A Dangerous Situation — A little out of Humor — A Strange Discovery — A Remarkable Trail — What Could the Cloven-footed " Varmint " Be? — No Cattle — A Hazardous Undertaking— The Cattle Found — Driven Over the River Again — The Green Brothers Murdered — Something of their History — The " Saints " and their Principles — Persecution of the Gentiles — The Green Brothers' Ranch — Their Horrible Death — Trail of the Murderers — A Clue to the Mystery — A Warning to Hasten — A Fatiguing Journey — Grand River Valley — The Paradise of Colorado— Ancient Ruins — Two Miles a Day — Serious Reflections. . 233-252

CHAPTER XIX. — moral and descriptive.

Colorado as a Health Resort — Lack of Societv — Two Years' Isolation — A Test of Character— The Lazy Man— The Cheerful Man— Wealth and Rank — Worth and Character — The Use of Tobacco — Lonesomeness — Money -makviii CONTENTS.

ing and Mining — Duped — Carrying Weapons — Game on Green River — A Hunter's Requisites — Methods of Hunting — Mountain Sheep — Deer — Face of the Country — Mirages — Gold — Scenery — A Beautiful Prospect — Civilization Once More — Chief Ouray — The Ute Indians — Their Farming (?) — Los Pinos Agency — Selling Out. ......... 253-271

CHAPTER XX. — shall the young man go west?

A Mining Region — Mining Enterprises — Great Corporations — Their Im mense Power — Prosperity — The Real Sovereigns — Advisability of Mining Ventures — Chances of the Investor and Prospector — The San Juan Region — Disappointment and Dissipation — Immigration — Leadville — Mr. W. H. Stevens— Soft Carbonates — Bonanzas — Roughing It — A Mining Excitement — Idlers — Unpoetic Poverty — Overplus of Population — Condition of San Francisco— Let the Young Man Stay at Home — The Puzzled Englishman — Deceptive Appearances — "Cloud-bursts.". ...... 272-2S8

CHAPTER XXI. — a Spanish bull-fight.

Ojo Calienta — The Early Comers — A Front Seat at the Corral — The Spectators — The Matadore — The Bull — The First Rush — A Prolonged Encounter— The Bull Vanquished — Another Bull Brought in — The Matadore Tossed — Severely Injured — A Panic — Scaffolding Gives Way — A Firm Resolution. ...... 289-295

CHAPTER XXII.— THE INDIANS.

Their Wigwams — Bedding — Hunting and Amusements — Trading — Disposal of the Dead — Instance of Cruelty — Medicine Men — Exorcising Evil Spirits — Religious Belief. ........ 296-301

CHAPTER XXIII. — THE CUSTER MASSACRE.

The Tragedy of June 25, 1S76 — Sorrow of the Nation — Sketch of Custer's Life — Hancock's Campaign — Hancock Outwitted — Custer's First Indian Fight — "Circling" — Massacre of Lieutenant Kidder and Party — Horrid Scenes — General Sully's Campaign — Custer's Washita Campaign — Yellowstone Expedition— Murder of Honzinger and Baliran — Arrest of Rain-in-the-Face — He Escapes and Swears Vengeance against Custer — Black Hills Expedition — Gold in the Hills — Events of 1S75 — Campaign against Sitting Bull and Crazj' Horse — Custer in Disgrace at Headquarters — The Miserable Belknap Affair — Three Columns Converge upon the Hostile Camp — The Bloody Ending — Close of the Campaign — Sitting Bull Goes to Canada, and Crazy Horse to the Happy Hunting-grounds — Perhaps. ...... 302-34S

CHAPTER XXIV. — where shall we settle?

Go West! — Southern Minnesota — Iowra — Southern Dakota — Nebraska — Kansas — The Indian Territory — No! — Texas — Don't Believe All You Hear! — The Indian Border — California: Land Monopoly — Oregon — Climate and Soil — "The Great American Desert" — Probable Population in 1900— Whither is the Surplus Population to Go? — Good Land Pretty Well Occupied — What will be the Result? — Western Wilds will Continue Wild for a Century to Come 349-381

CHAPTER XXV.— conclusion.

Homeward Bound — Old Memories Aroused — A Surprise — A Pleasant Meeting — Time's Changes — Contrasts — Preparing for a Little Trip — Detained — Another Surprise — A Happy Birthday — Concluding Reflections. 382-384

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Abraham Lincoln,

Jefferson Davis,

Gen. W. T. Sherman,

Sherman's March to the Sea,

Gen. Robt. E. Lee,

Gen. U. S. Grant,

Mountain Meadow Massacre,

Mormon Persecution,

Brigham Young,

Mormon Tabernacle,

New Mining Town,

View near Lake Tahoe,

Blue Canon, Sierra Nevada,

Humboldt Palisades, .

Donner Lake,

Pulpit Rock, Echo Canon,

Scene near Eagle Lake, California,

The Two Guardsmen,

The Yosemite Falls,

Bridal Veil Fall, Yosemite Valley,

A California Stump,

Northern California Scenery,

Cape Horn, Central Pacific R. R.,

Chinese Quarter, San Francisco,

Rapids of the Upper Columbia,

View in the Modoc Country,

View on the Oregon Coast,

Border Mexicans,

Mexican Border Town,

Mexican Border Invasion,

Arizona Sand Plains,

A Train of Burros,

Perils of Prospecting,

Civilization in Arizona,

An Arizona Scrimmage,

Scene in the Sierra Del Cariso Range,

Following a Mountain Trail,

Attacked by Navajo Indians,

An Indian Ambuscade,

The Grand Canon of the Colorado,

The Search for Water, .

Cornered by Grizzlies,

In the Colorado Canons,

Sunset in the Colorado Canons,

PAGE.

Frontispiece.

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22 24

37 40

53 54 55

97 101

114 118 123, 127

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IX

X

ILL US TRA TIONS.

Prospecting in the Colorado Canons,

Execution of John D. Lee,

Great Salt Lake, .....

Vernal Falls, California, ....

"Giantess," Big Geyser of the Yellowstone,

A Western Frontiersman,

Ready for a Raid, ....

Salt Lake City, 1S57, ....

Sevier River, Wasatch Mountains,

Herders' Camping House,

Shoshonee Indians in the Sevier Valley,

Camp in Green River Valley,

Night Scene in Green River Canon,

Peak in Green River Valley,

Former Residences of Brigham Young, .

George A. Smith, Mormon Apostle,

"The Swift Dashing Water," .

Lonelv — Three Thousand Miles from Home,

"Oh, Solitude, Where are thy Charms?"

Scalp-Dance of the Ute Indians,

Hunting Buffalo in the Olden Time,

He Paid a Big Price, ....

These Did Not Grow in a Mining Region,

An Old '49er Not Yet Rich,

Dead Broke,

Mexican Outlaws,

Mexican Maiden, Lower Class,

Pueblo Cacique, New Mexico,

Mexican Indians,

Indian Wigwam,

Black Hawk,

"Go West,"

Custer's First Indian Fight,

Western Scout,— Wild Bill, .

Rude Surgery of the Plains,

Scene of the Sioux War,

Getting the First Shot,

Fighting Hand to Hand,

Winter in the Minnesota Pineries

Droughty Kansas,

Texas and Coahuila in 1830,

Skirmish with Indians, .

Fort Massachusetts, New Mexico, 1855,

A California Big Tree,

Nevada Falls, Yosemite Valley,

PAGE.

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223 225 230 241

243 245

293 294

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3°7 310

31?

333 339 35 1

355 359 365 367 37 1 375

HOW I KNOW.

Chapter I. With The Twentieth Army Corps

THE author of this work was born in Champaign County, Ohio, in June, 1849, and, at the age of thirteen years, nine months and twenty- three days, joined the army. He was assigned to Company E, of the Fifth Ohio Infantry, twentieth army corps, and sent to the field. "What fun I shall have," thought he to himself, as he took his position in the ranks. Little does a boy know, at that age, about the life of a soldier. Since every one has read and re-read the history of the war, I will condense what I saw into a few words, merely giving a little history of the different battles in which the twentieth corps took part. No body of troops in the Northern army made for itself a prouder history than the twentieth army corps. Its life was crowded with events not one of which brings dishonor to its proudest member, although it was formed from the most daring, cultivated, and resolute men of the North. " The best fruit trees are clubbed the most," and, in the army, detraction often follows the exhibition of superior merit in discipline, appearance, or achievements. From the rigid tests of Manchester, Port Republic, Antietam, Dumfries, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, Gen. Hooker brought his men to the Army of the Cumberland at a perilous hour.

The troops of Gen. Bragg, full sixty thousand strong, nerved with an earnest devotion to their cause, and encouraged by the doubtful result at Chickamauga, occupied an almost impregnable position near Chattanooga, while in front of them Rosecrans held an uncertain footing. His soldiers had seen the hopes of an early peace quickly disappear. They were almost appalled at the gigantic proportions the rebellion had assumed. They were disheartened by the absence, without leave, of thousands of their comrades. Their line of supplies was in imminent danger, and the country was at that time enshrouded in such gloom that the growing glory of President Lincoln could scarcely be discerned. It was at this crisis that the men whose badges imaged the lights that rule the night came and kindled a lustre in Wauhatchie Valley, that rose and spread until it bathed in matchless splendor old Lookout Mountain's rugged peak. Rosecrans was saved! Tennessee was saved! A portion of the corps then hurried away to Knoxville, with others from the fifteenth corps, and soon broke the bands in which Longstreet had kept Burnside hampered, almost to the point of starvation. The remainder of the corps went into winter quarters.

It was on the 4th of April, 1864, that the twentieth corps was formed, the beloved Joe Hooker being placed at its head. The corps retained the star of the twelfth

WITH THE TWENTIETH ARMT CORPS.

corps as its insignia. Its real history began with the campaign that soon opened. On the 8th of May, the enemy was found occupying a strong position on Rocky Face Ridge. A severely contested fight followed. It had been said that if Johnston could not hold that place he could not hold any in Georgia, and the firmest determination characterized the contest until nightfall, when both armies retired; Johnston t o h i s works at Resaca, and our troops to pass through Snake Creek Gap and then attack them again.

Constant skirmishing was kept up until, on the 14th of May, at Resaca, the Confederate f o r c e s advanced under a flag so faded that it was taken for a flag of truce. In consequence of this mistake a terrible blow was given to our forces. The blow was aimed at the fourteenth corps, and shook it to the center. But Gen. Hooker, by throwing out a brigade with that marvelous dexterity in which none could surpass him,

ABRAHAM LINCOLN", saved the Fifth Indiana Battery when on the very point of capture, checked the advance of the enemy, and held his ground until dark. The next morning the entire corps moved forward upon the enemy, now firmly intrenched in a series of lines so arranged as to make an attack very difficult. The momentum of the first charge carried it over the first line, where it gallantly reformed its somewhat confused ranks, and at once pressed on. Now came emphatically the tug of war. With straining sinews and grimmest courage, gray-haired veterans and proud-eyed youths fought on and on, gaining always some ground ; but so slowly that evening was at hand when the weary but still resolute men reached the fourth and last chain of defenses. Here was displayed as true grit as was ever known among men. So fierce was the assault that the rebels could not hold their works, and so tenacious the defense that the national forces could not occupy them; and there stood an empty fort and an idle battery between the lines, which surged and swayed and clamored around them for hours. But scarcely had the favoring darkness come, ere the Fifth Ohio boys crept to the wall, dug through, and hauled out the guns by hand.

On the 25th of May, while the second division of the twentieth corps was crossing Pumpkin Vine Creek, a bridge broke down, completely isolating those who had crossed; but their very renown shielded them from attack until help arrived. The situation was critical. No intrenching tools had been taken over the stream, and orders to recross were expected. But to pass away the time, and to deceive the enemy, the men went to work using their bayonets and cooking utensils instead of picks and shovels, to dig their trenches. But this could not long deceive the watchful foe, and while the remainder of the corps was in the act of crossing they made a most furious attack. Having checked this, the corps moved directly on the well-formed and well-defended works in its front. The fighting was desperate. Generals Sherman and Thomas were there to direct the movement, and there the fact was impressed on all, as Gen. Hooker has since said, that a good line of works, well manned, cannot be taken by infantry alone. Having lost two thousand men, the movement was abandoned, and then followed seven days of skirmishing, so annoying to the enemy that Johnston fell back disgusted with the neighborhood. No language can adequately depict the perils of that week. All felt that the welfare of their respective causes was to be made sure or gravely periled by the issue of that field. At last the Army of the Cumberland, by extending its flank, pressed the right of the hostile line back, which then retired to Dallas. The twentieth corps was now placed in reserve for six days, at the end of which time, it moved into line, relieving the fourth corps, which took position further to the left. Marching, digging, and fighting, alternately, our forces pressed on, and, finally, by the middle of June, were in line beyond Pine Knob. Here Lieut. Gen. Polk was killed and it became evident that the dearest hopes of the rebel South were doomed to perish beneath the blows of the sturdy Northmen. But none could expect

HOW I KNOW.

the daring sons of Dixie to tamely yield their sectional claims, cherished so many years.

Valor and patience and labor and diligence and skill and blood must all be given to the nation's cause, by Sherman's noble men, and lavishly were they bestowed. It cost some of our regiments full twenty per

cent of their strength to force the line at Pine Knob; but the victors went on to seek another fateful field, as light of spirit and as strong of heart as the farmer who goes to the harvest field of peace.

Lost Mountain having been abandoned, the Army of theTenjefferson davis. nessee advanced

several miles, and found Johnston preparing to stand. The Thirteenth New York Battery, Lieutenant Bundy commanding, coming up, attacked the enemy skillfully, and won a reputation among soldiers that will not dim while memory holds her seat. The insurgent chief was forced back once more. He then carefully selected a strong line of defense on Kenesaw Mountain. As the first division of the twentieth corps was forming its line on the right of the second, a large force was hurled upon it, which force was nearly annihilated by the artillery happily at that moment massed at the extreme front. The unprecedented slaughter discouraged the assailants, and they retired to their works, remaining in them several days.

The twentieth corps celebrated the Fourth of July in line of battle, forgetting their own crowding honors in the just glories of our hero sires of 1776. Girding up their loins, they pressed on toward the Chattahoochee with renewed courage, for Atlanta, the Gate City of the South was now in sight.

In proportion as victory cheered them, defeat carried sorrow and despair to their opponents. General Hood was sent to relieve General Johnston, whose farewell address was audible to our pickets. He instituted at once a more decisive policy, staking the very existence of his army, and requiring equal risks on the part of his opponents. Gaining the left bank of the Chattahoochee with admirable skill, Sherman approached Peach Tree Creek, where the united skill of both rebel chiefs had prepared formidable work for the intrepid travelers. On the 20th of July, the star corps, while in order of march, was assailed by the entire force then and there gathered for the deliverance of Georgia. A terrible battle ensued. The Southern troops were burning to retrieve their losses, and felt that another defeat might be fatal to their cause. Their base of supplies was at

HOW I KNOW.

hand, and their entire force was available. The ground was well adapted for defense. Now, or never, they must crush this daring invader. To break his lines was to annihilate his army; to fail in that was to have him soon thunder at the gates. Nor could Sherman now afford defeat — it was ruin. His long line of communication

could not be held a day after such an event. The immense gains of the summer's toil would all be lost.

A new campaign added to the burdens of the already heavily laden nation could hardly restore what might now be secured by persevering energy and the undaunted courage ° that had made these men heroic.

True, their ground was unfavorable; they must stand the more stubbornly. A deep, crooked stream was before them; they must use more skill in crossing. They could not form in line; every man must be his own support. They were called upon to brave all difficulties,

GEN. W. T. SHERMAN.

WITH THE TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS. 19

and they did it. They were to win success by sacrifices, and they suffered and succeeded. Peach Tree Creek was made one of the holy spots where the nation's children were faithful unto death, and victory planted there a laurel that will never fade. Two days later the Army of the Tennessee was similarly attacked with similar results, and Hood retired to Atlanta. The siege of the doomed city began at once. The twentieth corps had been under fire more than one hundred days, with only six days intermission. It had lost over thirteen thousand men, about three-fifths of its entire number, and still it retained its characteristic energy, and was a pride to its friends and a terror to its foes. Taking its place in the lines about the city, it bore a conspicuous part in that skillful siege. Meantime the lamented M'Pherson (commanding the Army of the Tennessee) fell, and General Hooker was recommended as his successor. But General Howard was appointed, and " Fighting Joe" could . only ask to be relieved from duty under Sherman.

General Williams assumed his command, and by a change afterward made in the plan of the siege, this trusty corps was sent to hold the line of the Chattahoochee, guard trains, deceive the enemy, and, if possible, annoy him while Sherman flanked the great northern defenses, and approached the town from the rear. The corps, there being now confidence in every man belonging to it, stretched out in line for nearly ten miles, the men being in some instances ten or twelve feet apart. They held their position, and fully answered the expectation of their commander. When Hood left, the twentieth moved on, and was the first to enter the fallen stronghold. There it lay and recruited while the remainder of the army drove Hood to the arms of Thomas at Nashville, where Hood lost his power. Several thousand new troops joined the corps at Atlanta. Having repelled some trifling attacks at different times, here, preparations were made for another campaign. Where now? was a much mooted question among the men; but the accomplished Sherman suffered friend and foe alike to wonder and conjecture. On the 15th of November (1864) we set out for the south-east, and Mobile, Savannah, Charleston, Augusta, Wilmington, and even Richmond, were confidently named as probable points we were to reach. Very meagre were the supplies we carried, and the rebel papers we saw from time to time, were filled with the most glowing prophecies of our swift destruction. The resources of the country through which we passed were at once put under contribution. The accumulated edibles of Georgia, its numerous cattle, horses, mules, calves, etc., disappeared as by magic along our route. Too strong to be stopped or seriously hindered by any effort the foe could make, four co-operating corps swept along, and the great raid became the most magnificent march of modern history. Our experience was more like that of a band of mischievous travelers than an invading army. Destroying railroads, cotton gins, warehouses, and bridges; making roads across plantations and through swamps, and marching leisurely on with song and shout, and endless badinage; foraging, cooking, and eating alternated with each other

WITH THE TWENTIETH ARMT CORPS.

y

TENN. & through the entire thirty days we spent in reaching the defenses of Savannah. Our corps was assigned the direct approach by the Augusta pike, with the fourteenth as reserve, and twelve miles from the city the outer defense was carried gallantly after a very brief action. The next line, five miles from town, was its real reliance.

The complete destitution of the troops, in respect to some important supplies, caused comparative inactivity until the fall of M'Allister opened a line for supplies. Then heavy fatigue parties were employed in the raising of counterworks, which were scarcely begun before sherman's march to the sea. '