Our army in the great rebellion. Heroes and battles of the war 1861-65.

Front matter

p

I 1

OUR ARMY IN THE GREAT REBELLION.

Preface

The design in tlie present work is two-fold : first, to give the history of the two great generals who brought the war to a successful close, including a full account of the campaigns by which the final result was reached. It is as necessary to note the early training, by battles and campaigns, by which they were finally enabled to grasp the entire situation and move together to the same triumphant end, as it is to know the finaJ measures and movements that brought success. The war produced no one great military genius who at once vaulted to supreme command, and, like the first Napoleon, revolutionized military science and astonished the world by the novelty and grandeur of his movements. Both the government and the generals geew to their great positions. Hence what is needed is not indiscriminate eulogy, but truthful narrative and just criticism. Geant and Sherman are two names that will live forever in our history, not because they were the subjects of a blind adulation, but because their worth was properly estimated and their deeds tnithfully recorded. The time has gone by to apotheosize men — make gods of them. We want to see

10 PREFACE.

them as ttey are — though great, still human, and surrounded with human infirmities ; worthy of immortal honor, not because they are unlike us, but because they excel us — great too, not merely in their actions, but in the work they accomplished for their country.

The second object is to group together those generals around whom seemed to gather the most important and decisive events of the war and who at times occupied separate commands.

Many great and worthy generals might be added to the list we have selected, but in the progress of the war they were dropped from active service from various reasons — some from inequalities of character or temper — improper habits, or inability to resist the temptations of pride and ambition. Some were displaced through personal or political malice of men in and ont of power ; though their deeds will find a place in history. These are omitted, because their introduction here would mar the unity of the design in this work, which is to present the chief generals who conducted the struggle to a successful issue, including their campaigns and battles.

Besides, the introduction of every meritorious officer would make the work too cumbersome for our jDurpose, unless the biographies were reduced to mere encyclopedia articles.

The utmost efforts have been made to have these sketches complete without being heavy — to give the leading qualities, peculiar characteristics, and actions of the men, in such form as to individualize each.

PREFACE. 1 1

Biograpliies possess but half tlieii* tme value unless they give living portraits, so that each man stands out clear and distinct in his true character and proportions. A careful study of the war from the outset gives us, we think, the right to attempt this, without being charged with vanity. At all events, the men embraced in this volume merit all the honor they ever will receive, while their names deserve the separate places which it shall be our design, and at least our effort, to give them.

Newburgh, N. Y.,

September, 1890.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PORTRAITS.

EN. U. S. Grant, F)

ontispiece.

Gen

. 0. 0. Howard,

> 2.

' Wm. T. Sherman,

J. M. SCHOFIELD

^ 3.

' P. H. Sheridan,

<i

J. KiLPATRICK,

!■ 4.

' Geo. H. Thomas,

W. S. Eosecran

' WiNFiELD Scott,

J. A. Logan, -

. 6.

• Geo. B. McClell.

Geo. G. Meade,

' EoBT. Anderson,

" V

W. S. Hancock

^ 8.

' J. C. Fremont,

Franz Sigel,

" 9.

' A. H. Terry, -

Jos. Hooker, -

■ N. P. Banks,

23."

R. A. GiLLMORE.

. 11.

' John Pope,

A. E. BURNSIDE,

. 13.

' J. B. McPherson,

J. Sedgwick,

' H. W. Slocum,

BATTLE SCENES AND MAPS.

The Open Record, 1861-65, - - - - Half Title.

General Grant's Birthplace, - - - - - 27

Bombardment of Ft. Sumpter, - - - - - 31

Fort Sumpter after the Bombardment, - - - - 31

Gen. Grant and Comrades in Service, - - - - 59

Siege and Surrender of Vicksburg, - - - - 79

LiBBY Prison, Richmond, Va., ----- 97

Confederate Prison, Salisbury, N. C, -

The Union Triumphant, - - - - -

Gen. Sherman and Comrades en route to the Front,

Mound Battery near Ft. Fisher, N. C,

Interior View OF Ft. Fisher N. C, - - - - -

Battlefield of Malvern Hill, Va., - - - -

Pontoon Bridge, Jones Landing, James River, Va , Fort Darling, James River, Va. , . - - -

Sherman's March by Torchlight through the Swamps of S. C. Death of General McPherson, - - - - -

Gen. Granger to the Rescue of Gen. Thomas at Chickamauga, Battle of Gettysburg, ------

Battle op Lookout Mountain — above the clouds,

The Assault at Fredericksburg, Va., - - - -

The Assault at Roanoke Island, - - - - -

Gen. Sheridan's Ride at the Battle of Winchester, -

Battle op Antietam — crossing Burnside's Bridge, -

Battle of Antietam— scene around Bunker's Church,

Map of General Grant's Inland Route to Rear of Vicksburg, -

Map of Petersburg and Richmond Campaign, -

Map of General Grant's Tour Round the World,

Map of Atlanta Campaign, -----

Map of Georgia Campaign, - - - - -

Map of Savannah, Ft. Jackson, Ft. Pulaski and Hilton Head, Map of the Campaign of the Carolinas, - - - -

Map op Gettysburg, First Day's Battle, " • Third ""..--

Chapter I.— First Plans And Leaders. Fagb

The First Great Plan of Carrying on the War— The Failure of Halleck's Administration—Popular Errors Respectmg Generals and the War— Capable Leaders not Ready-Made, but grow to thoir Responsibilities— Our Generals not to be Blindly Eulogized, but their Mistakes, as well as Triumphs, to be Recorded— A True Narrative of their Rise to Greatness the only one Desirable, . . 1£

Chapter Ii.-lieutenant-general Grant

His Ancestry and Nativity— Brought up a Tanner— Enters West Point Military Academy— Brevetted Second Lieutenant, and sent to Jefferson Barracks, Mo.— Joins Taylor's Army in 3Iexico— After the Battle of Monterey, transferred to Scott's Army at Vera Cruz— Brevetted Captain for Gallantry at Chapultepec— His Marriage— Stationed at Detroit and Sackett's Harbor- Sent to Oregon- Resigns his Commission— Settles on a Farm near St. Louis— Goes to Galena and Sets up a Leather-Store in Connection with his Father— Breaking out of the War— Raises a Company— Appointed Colonel and sent into Missouri— Expedition to and Capture of Belmont— His Horse shot under him~-The Cairo Expeditions—Expedition against Fort Henry— Capture of Fort Donelson— Ordered under Arrest— Advances to Pittsburg Landing— Battle of— His Defeat First Day- Sherman's Letter— Determination to Remove him from Command— Charges against— Fate ceases to persecute him— His Star in the Ascendant— Advance against Corinth— Loses his Temper with Halleck— His Conduct at Memphis- Battles of luka and Corinth— Turns his Attention to Vicksburg— Sherman's Failure at Vicksburg, ......... 2''

Chapter Iii.— Vicksburg

Canal around it— Abandoned— The Steel's Bayou Route— A Failure— Grant Resolves to Run the Batteries with Gunboats and Transports— March of Troops around Vicksburg Inland— New Carthage— Port Gibson Reached— Battle at Raymond- March on Jackson— Vicksburg Invested— The Long Siege— The Surrender, . 59

Chapter Iv.-chattanooga

Fall of Port Hudson— The President's Letter to Grant— A Public Reception in Vicksburg— Visits New Orleans— Placed over the Military Division of the Mississippi— Orders Sherman to March Across the Country to join Him— His Plan for Raising the Siege— The Battle— Missionary Ridge Carried— The President's Letter of Thanks— Congress Votes Him a Medal— Creation of the Rank of Lieutenant-General—Grant Nominated to It— Immense Preparations for the Coming Campaign— The Country's Patience Under Delays— Two Armies to Move Simultaneously, ........... 79

CHAPTER v.— THE RICHMOND CAMPAIGN

Character and Plan of the Campaign— The Three Days' Battle in the Wilderness- Lee's Retreat to Spottsylvania— Battles Before it— Grant, by a Flank Movement, Marches to the North Anna River— Battle of Cold Harbor— Strength of the Rebel Works— Crosses the James River and Attacks Petersburg— Is Re-

14 OONTEI^S.

pulsed— Siege of Richmond— The Mine of Burnside— Grant Defeated at Hatcher's Run— Capture of Fort Fisher— Sherman Advancing— Attack on Fort Steadman— Last Great Movement of the Army— Petersburg and Richmond Evacuated —The Surrender— A Momentous Sabbath— Surrender of Johnston— Collapse of the Rebellion— Joy of the People— Enthusiasm for Grant— His Character, . 99

Chapter Vi.— Major-general William T. Sherman

Sherman's Nativity and Early Life— Adopted by Mr. Ewing— Sent to West Point- Made Second-Lieutenant in the Third Artillery and Sent to Florida— Stationed at Fort Moultrie, South Carolina— Sent to California— Becomes President of a Banking House in San Francisco— Made President of the Louisiana State Military Academy— Resigns his Place— Visits Washington— Gives the Presi dent and Secretary of War his Views— Made Colonel and Fights at Bull Run— Made Brigadier of Volunteers— Interview with the Secretary of War and Adjutant-General — Pronounced Crazy — Relieved from Command and Sent to Jefferson Barracks- Commands a Division at Shiloh— Saves the Battle— The first to enter Corinth— Takes Holy Springs— Commands at Blemphis— His Attack on Vicksburg— Arkansas Post— Ordered to Chattanooga— Death of his Boy— Touching Letter to the Regiment, ...... 136

Chapter Vii.-chattanooga. •

Sherman's March from the Mississippi to Chattanooga— Establishes Himself on Missionary Ridge— The Morning Before the Battle— Opening of the Battle— The Victory — Ordered to March North to the Relief of Knoxville— At Vicksburg — The Expedition Into Central Mississippi— Placed Over the Mississippi Department — Plans the Atlanta Campaign — Its Originality — The Number and Distribution of His Forces, .......... 156

Chapter Viii.-atlanta Campaign

Sherman's Foresight in Preparing for Contingencies — Battle of Resaca— Capture of Rome— Fight at Dallas— A Second Base Established— The Kenesaw Mount«iins— Strength of the Position— Desperate Assault — Chattahoochee River Reached — Terrible Assault on Thomas— Desperate Attack on McPherson— Heavy Rebel Losses— Capture of Stoneman— Cutting the Rebel Lines of Communication- Attack on Howard— Fight at Jonesboro'— Atlanta Evacuated— Destruction of Property— Slccum Takes Possession, ....... 169

Chapter Ix.— The Georgia Campaign

Hood Attempts to Cut Sherman's Communications— Pursuit of Hood— Sherman's Original and Daring Plan— Burning of Rome— Of Atlanta— Starts for the Atlantic Ocean— Disposition of His Forces and Plan of Movement— The Two Marches —Soldiers Organize the Legislature— Augusta Threatened— March to Savannah —Savannah Reached and Invested— Storming of Fort McAllister— Surrender of Savannah — Hardee Retreats to Charleston — Sherman's Christmas Gift to the President, ........... 191

Chapter X.-the Campaign In The Carolinas

Sherman Plans His Northern Campaign— Sherman's Plan to Separate the Forces at Charleston and Augusta Completely Successful— The Railroad Between the Two Broken Up— Fall of Columbia— Charlotte Threatened and Beauregard Bewildered—Fall of Charleston— The Army Wheels About and Marches on FayettevUle— Capture of FayettevUle and Communication Opened with Terry auc Schofield— Battle of Bentonville— Goldsboro Reached— The Campalga Virtually Ended— Sherman Visits Grant— His Return— News of the Fall of Petersburg—

CONTENTS. 15

PAQK

Sherman Marches on Raleigh— News of Lee's Surrender— The Armistice— Conduct of the Secretary of War— Vindication of Sherman— His Character, . 318

CHAPTER XI.-MAJOR-GENERAL JAMES B. McPHERSON. His Worth at first not Appreciated— His Birth— Enters West Point— Graduates at the Head of his Class and Appointed Assistant Instructor of Practical Engineering—Charged with the Construction of Fort Delaware— Sent to Superintend the Fortifications Being Erected in the Bay of San Francisco— Ordered Home and sent to Boston Harbor— Sent to Aid Rosecrans— Commands the Seventeenth Corps in the Campaign against Vicksburg— Capture of Jackson— Assault of Vicksburg— Placed Over the Army of the Tennessee— Terrible Fight Before Atlanta— His Death— His Character, ••••... 237

CHAPTER XII.-MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE H. THOMAS. His Resemblance to Washington— His Birth and Early Education— His Standing at West Point- Stands By the Old Flag— Commands in Patterson's Army— Is under Banks— Sent to Kentucky under General Anderson— Defeats ZoUicoffer— Made Major-General of Volunteers- Marches to Pittsburg Landing— His Bravery at Murfreesboro — His Brilliant Heroic Conduct at Cbickamauga— Commands the Centre under Grant in the Battle of Missionary Ridge— Sherman's Chief Reliance in the Atlanta Campaign— Assaulted by Hood— Sent to Nashville to Raise an Army— Battle of Nashville— His Character, . . . _ .261

CHAPTER Xni.-MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK. His Birth— Enters West Point— His Services in Mexico— Expedition to Utah— Made Brigadier-General— Gallant Charge at Williamsburg— His Services on the Peninsula under McCleHan— Serves under Pope— Gallantry at Antietam— At Fredericksburg— At Chancellorsville— Represents Meade at Gettysburg— The Battle- Is Wounded— Commands the Left Wing of the Grand Army— Battle of the Wilderness— Gallant Charge at Spottsylvania— Defeated at Hatcher's Run- Resigns his Command— Commands in the Shenandoah Valley- His Character 894

CHAPTER XIV.— MAJOR-GENERAL HUGH J. KILPATRICK. His Birth and Early Life— Enters West Point— Becomes an Officer in Duryea's Zouaves— Made Lieutenant-Colonel in the Harris Light Cavalry— Seizes Falmouth— Gallant Operations Around Fredericksburg— Services in Pope's Campaign—Under Hooker— Raid on Richmond— His Fights Previous to the Battle of Gettysburg, and In It— Fight at Hagerstown— March to Williamsport— Obtains a Furlough— Operations on the Rapidan and Rappahannock— Gallant Attempt to Release the Prisoners in Richmond— Enters the Outworks of the Rebel Capital— Joins Sherman— Is Wounded at Resaca and Returns Home- Joins the Army Before Atlanta— Commands the Cavalry in the Georgia Campaign—Complimented by Sherman.— Threatens Augusta— His Address to His Troops— His Character, ....... gj^

CHAPTER XV.— MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE G. MEADE. His Birth— Graduates at West Point— Serves in the Mexican War— Promoted for Gallant Conduct in the Battle of Monterey— Made Brigadier of Volunteers— His Career on the Peninsula— Is Desperately Wounded in the Battle of Glendale— Serves under Hooker at South Mountain and Antietam— After Hooker is Wounded Assumes Command of the Corps— At Chancellorsville— Appointed to the Command of the Army of the Potomac— Battle of Gettysburg— Headquarters under Fire-Strange Inaction in Front of Le§— Crosses the Potomac- Oom-

16 CONTENTS.

PASB

pelled to Retreat to Bull Eun— Advances to the Rappahannock— Grant Places Himself at the Head of the Array of the Potomac— Grant and Meade Together- Character of the Latter, 347

CHAPTER XVI.— MAJOR-GENERAL JOSEPH HOOKER.

His Birth and Nativity— Enters West Point— Serves under Taylor in Mexico— Joins the Army of Genera Scott— Promoted for Gallant Conduct at Chapultepec— Resigns his Commission and Becomes a California Farmer — Appointed Brigadier of Volunteers— Is Stationed Below Washington— Battle of Williamsburg— His After Services in the Army of the Potomac— Resigns his Position— Sent to Chattanooga to Assist Rosecrans— Occupies Lookout Valley— Battle Above the Clouds— His Gallant Record in the Atlanta Campaign— Offended at Howard's Promotion and Resigns, ......... 360

CHAPTER XVII.— MAJOR-GENERAL HENRY WARNER SLOCUM.

Slocum's Birth— Graduates at West Point— Sent to Florida— Stationed at Charleston Studies Law— Resigns his Commission and Opens a Law Office in Syracuse

—Volunteers in the Army and is Made Colonel— Wounded at Bull Run— Made Brigadier-General — His Career on the Peninsula under McClellan — At South Mountain and Antietam — At Chancellorsville— Commands the Left AVing at Gettysburg— Placed Over the Department of Vicksburg— Cut Off by the Enemy —Defeats Him— Expedition to Port Gibson— Enters Atlanta— Placed Over the Left Wing of Sherman's Army— March Through Georgia— Through the Carolinas — Battles of Averysboro and Bentonville— His Character, . . . .381

CHAPTER XVIII.— MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS.

His Birth and Parentage— Is sent to West Point— Is made Assistant ''rof essor in the Academy— His Early and Great Services as Engineer— Breaking out of the War —His First Services— Made Brigadier- General, and Ordered to Western Virginia —Rich Mountain— Carnifex Ferry— Defeats Lee— Is sent West— Under Halleck —Under Grant— Placed Over the Army of the Cumberland— Battle of Murfreesboro— Captures Chattanooga— Battle of Chickamauga— Is Superseded by Thomas—Placed over the Missouri Department— His Character, . . .398

CHAPTER XIX.— MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN SEDGEWICK.

His Birth and Nativity— Enters West Point— Sent to Florida— Stationed at Buffalo —At New York— His Gallantry and Promotion in the Mexican War— Made Brigadier-General of Volunteers— His Services on the Peninsula— Captures the Heights of Fredericksburg— March of His Corps to Gettysburg— Commands the Army of the Potomac— Commands the Right Wing of Grant's Army— Battle of the Wilderness— Killed at Spottsylvania— His Character, . . . .416

CHAPTER XX.— MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN A. LOGAN.

Logan's Birth and Nativity and Early Education — Serves in the Mexican War- Fights in the Banks at Bull Run — Raises a Regiment and is made Colonel — Gallantry at Belmont — Fort Henry — During the Vicksburg Campaign — Takes the Stump for the Administration— Placed Over Sherman's Corps in the Atlanta Campaign— Battle Before Atlanta— His Course in the Political Campaign of 1864 Joins Sherman at Savannah— His Character and Personal Appearance, . 434

CHAPTER XXI.— MAJOR-GENERAL AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE.

His Ancestry and Nativity — Graduates at West Point— Sent to Mexico — Fight with Indians— Quartermaster of the Boundary Commission— Resigns— Colonel of a

CON-TENTS. 1 7

PAGE

Rhode Island Regiment— Battle of Bull Run— The Expedition to Roanoke— Captures Newbem— Battle of Fredericksburg— Resigns his Command— Captures Knoxville-Besieged by Longstreet— Authorized to Raise Fifty Thousand Volunteers- His Great Services in the Richmond Campaign— The Mine at Petersburg—Retires from the Army— His Character, ..... 447

CHAPTER XXII.— MAJOR GENERAL PHILIP HENRY SHERIDAN.

His Nativity and Birth— His Belligerent Character— Narrowly Escapes Being Disgraced—His Early Services— Personal Heroism— Sent West— Quartermaster under Curtis— Is Arrested— Made Captain of Cavalry— Gallant Fight near Boone- Tille— Serves under Buell and Rosecrans— Fights Desperately at Murf reesboro —At Chickamauga— Assaults Missionary Ridge— Placed Over the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac— Put in Command of Shenandoah Valley— Battles with Early— Battle of Middletown— Raid to Lynchburg and Richmond — Joins Grant —Commences the Last Great Movement— Battle of Five Forks— Pursuit of Lee —Heavy Captures— The End— His Character, . . . . . 460

CHAPTER XXIII.-MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN MCALLISTER SCHOPIELD.

His Birth and Nativity— Graduates at West Point— Instructor at the Academy- Elected President of Washington College— Appointed Major— Commands the Militia of Missouri— The Army of the Frontier— The Missouri Department— One of the Three Armies of Sherman in the Atlanta Campaign— Battle of Franklin— Of Nashville— Of Kinston— Enters Goldsboro— His Character, . . .488

CHAPTER XXIV.— MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM B. HAZEN.

His Ancestry— Nativity— Enters West Point— Serves Against the Indians in California—Sent to Texas— Is Appointed Professor at West Point— Made Colonel of an Ohio Regiment— Gallantry at Shiloh— In the Battle of Murfreesboro— At Chickamauga — At Missionary Ridge — Sent to Relieve Knoxville — Atlanta and Georgia Campaigns— Storming of Fort McAllister— Takes Part in the Campaign of the Carolinas— His Character, ........ 496

CHAPTER XXV.-MAJOR-GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL.

His Nativity— Educated in the Military School at Carlsruhe— Joins the Revolutionary Government— Driven from the Country and Comes to the United States — Made Colonel of Volunteers— Serves under Lyon— Battle of Carthage— Made Brigadier-General— His Gallantry at Pea Kidge— Made Major-General and Stationed at Harper's Ferry — Supersedes Fremont— Placed over the Eleventh Corps— Given Command of the Shenandoah Department by Lincoln— Defeated by Breckenridge— Superseded by Huater— Stationed at Harper's Ferry— Resigns — Becomes Editor— Pension Agent at New York, ..... 513

CHAPTER XXVI.-MAJOR-GENERAL ALFRED HOWE TERRY.

His Birth arid Education— Commands a Regiment in the Battle of Bull Run— Occupies the P'ort on Hiltou Head— Assists Gillniore in the Capture of Fort Pulaski —Made Brigadier-General— Joins Gillniore on Morris Island in the Siege of Wagner and Siimter— Engaged in Various Actions Around Petersburg and Richmond—Captures Fort Fisher— Occupies Wilmington— Opens Communication with Sherman— Marches to Golds!)oro— His Present Command and Rank, . 520

CHAPTER XXVII.-MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN A. McCLERNAND.

His Nativity and Early Life— Volunteers to Fight the Indians— Resigns His Seat in Congress, and Raises a Brigade— His Gallantry at Belmont— Cairo Expedition

18 CONTENTS.

PAGE

—Battle of Fort Donelson— Bravery at Shiloh— Placed over Sherman— Captures Arkansas Post— Leads the Advance in the Campaign of Vicksburg— Assault of Vicksburg— Is Removed by Grant— His Character, . . . . .528

CHAPTER XXVIII.— MAJOR-GENERAL OLIVER OTIS HOWARD.

Havelock of the Army— His Birth and Early Education— At West Point— Sent to Florida— His Conversion— Joins the Methodist Church— Appointed Instructor at West Point— Resigns and is Appointed Colonel of a Maine Regiment^Commands a Brigade at Bull Run— Made Brigadier— Loses an Arm at Pair Oaks- Gallantry at Antietam-His Great Services at Gettysburg— Sent West to Reinforce Rosecrans-Lookout Valley— Mission Ridge— Succeeds McPherson in the Command of the Army of the Tennessee— In the Georgia Campaign and the Campaign of the Carolinas— Placed over the Freedmen's Bureau- His Christian Character— AbUities as a General— Anecdotes of Him 538

CHAPTER XXIX.— MAJOR-GENERAL QUINCY ADAMS GILLMORE.

His Early Life— West Point— Sent to Fortress Monroe— A Teacher at West Point— stationed in New York— Chief Engineer of the Expedition to Port Royal-Capture of the Fort— Placed over the Southern Department— Assault of Fort Wagner — Bombardment of Sumter— Capture of Fort Wagner- Charleston Shelled— Ordered North to Co-operate with Butler Below Richmond— Asks to bo Relieved from Serving under Butler— Ordered to Report to Canby— Placed again over the Southern Department— Co-operates with Sherman, . . 553

CHAPTER XXX.— MAJOR-GENERAL GOUVERNEUR K. WARREN.

Warren's Nativity— Graduates at West Point— Sent to the Southwest— Succeeds Lee on the Mississippi— His Great Labors in the Pacific Railroad Office— Campaign against the Sioux Indians— Appointed Professor of Mathematics at West Point— Made Lieutenant- Colonel of Volunteers— Acts as Brigadier in the Army of the Potomac— His Gallantry at Malvern Hill— His Brigade Cut up at Manassas — Antietam— Englneer-in-Chief at Gettysburg— Made Major-General— Commands the Centre of the Army of the Potomac under Grant— Battle of the Wilderness — His Gallantry at Spottsylvania— Destroys the Weldon Railroad— Saves Sheridan at Five Forks— Relieved from Command— After Services, &c., . . 563

CHAPTER XXXI.-GENERAL GEORGE B. McCLELLAN.

His Birth— Graduates at the Head of his Class at West Point— War with Mexico— His Horse Shot from under him at Contreras— Promoted— Sent on Exploring Expedition West— Resigns from the Army— Volunteers at the Breaking out of the Civil War— Made Major-General of Volunteers— Put in Command of the Army of the Potomac— Reorganizes It— Plan to take Richmond— On the Eve of Success Deserted— Battle of Fair Oaks— Retreat to James River— Recalled to Washington— Pope put in His Place— McClellan gut again at the Head of the Army— Saves the Capital at Antiotam— Dismissal from the Army— His Life After the War, 573

CHAPTER XXXn.

Biographical Notes— Appendix, ........ 681

HEROES AND BATTLES.

1861-65.