Reminiscences of a soldier's wife

Preface

Sitting on a rose-covered porch, with the odour of

jessamine, heliotrope and magnolia all about me, my

thoughts went back to the delightful days of my life

spent in Mississippi; the inspiration came upon me

to write the reminiscences of my army life beginning

in that beloved State.

E. McG. B.

Santa Baebara, California.

List of Illustrations

PAGE

Ellen McGowan Biddle Frontispiece

"Monmouth," Natchez, Mississippi, the Home of Gen-

BRAL Quitman 36 ''

General Adelbert Ames, U.S.A 45

Lieutenant Galbraith Perry Rodgers, U.S.A 52

Major-General S. S. Sumner, U.S.A 53

Lieutenant-General Philip H. Sheridan, U.S.A 59

Lieutenant John Lawrence Churchill, U.S.A 75

Quarters at Fort Lyon, Colorado Ill

Lieutenant-General Adna R. Chaffee, U.S.A 131

General W. T. Sherman, U.S.A 180

Colonel James Biddle, U.S.A., (afterward Brigadier- General, U.S.A.) 220

Quarters at Fort Robinson, Nebraska 222

Captain Philip Pendleton Powell, U.S.A 223

Captain George S. Anderson, U.S.A 234

" Never set sail to fear :

Come into port grandly Or sail the seas with God."

Reminiscences of a Soldier's Wife

Chapter I

On a bright Autiimn day not many years after the close of the great Civil War, I started with my two sons on the steamer "Flambeau," commanded by Captain Alfred Everson, from New York to Savannah, to join my husband, Captain James Biddle, U.S.A., who was then stationed at Macon, Georgia. The sea was as smooth as glass ; great flocks of sociable gulls, each with a drop of water always on his bill, swarmed around to catch what might be thrown from the boat, and I and the little ones, — one fourteen months old, and the other barely two months — having been put under the captain's special care by my father and brother-in-law. Captain Harmony, who were both sailors and knew the good sea qualities, also the good war record, of the captain, found the voyage delightful. Jack, the elder, ran about the ship taking care of himself, much to the amusement of the passengers, while Dave was such a splendid specimen of health and good humor he knew not what it was to be cross, so we were not avoided by our fellow-travellers, but on the contrary we received the greatest courtesy and kindness.

On arriving at Savannah the children and I were dressed ready to go ashore, and went on deck to see the captain bring the good ship into port. The dock was crowded with men and women who had come to meet their friends; I glanced over the crowd and soon saw my husband was not one of them. I was very young and inexperienced and suddenly felt myself growing ill; I knew no more, for I had fainted, falling on the deck of the steamer. An English gentleman passenger, a stranger, kindly picked me up and carried me to the captain's room, tenderly laid me on a couch, and then summoned the ship's surgeon. I was speedily brought to my senses and to the realisation that I was alone in a strange city with two infants, and a nurse scarcely older than myself. As soon as the captain got his ship made fast and had a moment he came to me. His great big sailor heart soon showed out, and he began to make plans for me. He telegraphed to Macon and soon arrangements were made for our journey, for

I insisted upon going that evening. My husband had been detained at the last moment, being a member of a court-martial. He had telegraphed an officer stationed in Savannah asking him to meet me and make arrangements to send us to Macon; but either the ship got in earlier than was expected, or the officer forgot us. I like to give him the benefit of the doubt.

After an early dinner on the ''Flambeau" (for the captain would not let us go to the hotel), he took me for a drive, to see the city with its lovely gardens, Pulaski Park of historic memory, and the beautiful old cemetery, Buena Vista. The city was regularly laid out with broad streets, and there were innumerable small parks, one at almost every corner ; it was a lovely drive, and the captain's kind thoughtfulness in trying to make me forget my trouble made such an impression upon me that I have never forgotten the da}^ He passed into the unknown many years ago. ^ ' Uequiescat in pace.''

About sundown we started for Macon, travelling at night as the day trains were very slow, stopping at almost every hamlet; the cars were small and old, the road-bed very poor, and there were no sleepingcars. As the night time came on it grew very cold and damp; in fact I have never suffered more with cold than I did on that journey, and greatly feared my children would be made ill. However, as I said before, they were perfectly healthful and stood the night better than I did, for I had taken my warm wraps to cover them, and being far from strong and my anxiety great lest something serious had happened to prevent the Colonel from meeting me, passed a sleepless night. In the morning we were met at the station by my husband (who was always called "Colonel" from having held that rank during the war, and hereafter I shall call him by that title). He had never seen his second son, and I was very proud to show him the fine boy.

Six months previous, when the Colonel had been ordered to Macon, it was thought best for me and my young child ''Jack" not to go south for the summer; besides, I was scarcely well enough at that time to take a long fatiguing journey, but now we had safely arrived, and all of our troubles were forgotten. We went to the hotel to rest a few days while the Colonel put a few last finishing touches to the little cabin that was to be our home. The garrison, where many of the officers and their families lived, was three miles from the city; it was very small, and there were no quarters for another family, so the Colonel had secured a small cabin (that had been used as negro quarters before the war) which was near the garrison. After it had been thoroughly cleaned with several coats of good sweet whitewash, it was made habitable, and when we got the little furniture we owned into it (for the Government allowed an officer but a few hundred pounds of freight), a few household gods that I always had about me, and a great big fire on the hearth, we had our first Army Home.

I soon got an old black Mammy for cook and she took care of ' ' all youse chillins, ' ' as she called me and the babies, and with the white nurse, Sally, that I had taken from home, we got along fairly well. The life was entirely new to me, but I soon discovered that I had adaptability, which made things easier. I was entirely without luxuries and comforts, and had many privations, but all of the army ladies had the same discomforts, though there were few complaints, and never by a thoroughbred. The war had desolated the whole surrounding country.

Our little cabin of four rooms stood alone in a large field about one hundred feet from a high embankment along which a railway ran. I was alone with my children most of the day except when the ladies and the officers of the garrison came in to see me. They were very kind (as I afterward learned most army women are), telling me what to do and how to do it, for I had much to learn; the officers came often to luncheon or dinner. Sometimes we would go in the kitchen and cook all kinds of things from receipt-books, as our amusements were few and the good things to eat fewer; there were not manyfirst-class cooks to be found there. The first of my chafing-dish cooking that was years later so popular on the frontier, I learned at Macon. Often two or three of the young lieutenants and myself would get up a nice little supper and invite the older officers and their wives, and they generally pronounced them very good.

I well remember the first Christmas in the garrison. We invited all the officers and their families who lived at the hotel, as well as the young bachelor officers who were in the garrison, to dine with us. The carpenter made us a long table of boards nailed to wooden horses. We all sat on benches, except the Colonel and General Ruger, who commanded the district. The room was hung with evergreen and holly, which grows in great profusion in that climate. Old Mammy cooked us a delicious dinner under my directions, for my dear mother had insisted upon my learning to cook when I had decided to marry a soldier; for she realized the privations I would have to undergo much better than I did, as up to that time I had hardly had a serious thought. Our dinner was fine. We had two roasted turkeys and a fine tender goose, a champagned ham, lettuce salad, and an Old

English plum-pudding, which my mother had sent from home. All of the dinner was put upon the table. The young officers — God bless them, many now lying in honored graves — served us when we could not help ourselves. Colonel Wykoff, who was killed long after at San Juan Hill, was one of those dear fellows. It was a very happy day, and I love to look back and recall those first days of my garrison experience. There were no conventionalities ; life was very simple and the young officer looked up to his superiors with respect and admiration, trying to emulate them; for all of the older ones had distinguished themselves on the field of battle.

I also recall the first time I went to church in Macon, about three miles distant. I went alone, in the old Government ambulance, drawn by two mules. When I reached the church door there were many people standing about, especially men and young boys, and I felt myself ''the observed of all observers." I approached the church door with a beating heart, for I had heard of many acts of discourtesy being shown to Union people; but I went in and found a seat for myself, and enjoyed the beautiful service, forgetting for the time that I was not in my old "Saint John's," of Revolutionary^ date, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The next Sunday, when I again went in the same old ambulance, I was politely met at the church door and 2 17 given a seat in the front of the church. I afterward became acquainted with the rector and his charming wife, and made many friends in that delightful town of cultivated people, and although I lived there but four months we came to know and to understand the people well and I was sorry when the order came for us to go to Natchez, Mississippi.

After the receipt of the order for the change of station, we were very busy breaking up the little home. The cabin was soon dismantled, and soldiers packed the furniture, mattresses going into a long box that had served for a divan, and other things going into boxes that had been used as dressing-tables, washstands, tables, etc., etc. We were allowed but fourteen hundred pounds of freight, and we learned to utilize everything. The packing was soon done and good-byes said to all of our friends, including the dear old black Mammy, with genuine regret. It seemed very sad to me to leave the regiment, every one of whom had been so kind to me; and one of them, Mrs. John Wilkins, seeing the tears in my eyes, said: "Oh, you must be a better soldier; it is only an au revoir; we will soon meet again," yet it was many years before we saw each other and then in Arizona, where she was ever most kind to me and to my little ones born there, taking the place of my mother. She, too, has passed beyond.

We left Macon (on the same little old cars that had taken us there) for Mobile, Alabama. The journey during the day was uneventful; the whole country was in a terrible condition from the armies passing and repassing over it for several years, and it would have been hard then to believe that it ever could be as flourishing as it is now. On reaching Dalonaga, Georgia, we found the trains went no further ; and as the roads and country generally were in such bad condition it was considered unsafe to travel at night, so we were obliged to go to the primitive little hotel to remain until morning. The house was about three hundred yards from the station. We had to pass up through an avenue of trees. The Colonel took Jack, who was now a fine, sturdy little lad, wearing a blue pilot-cloth overcoat with pockets in it (much to his delight), which the sailors on board of the receiving-ship "Vermont" had made him during our visit to Lieutenant and Mrs. Harmony at the New York Navy-yard. While there we had the great pleasure of meeting Admiral Farragut, who seemed very fond of my children and often took Jack by the hand for a walk around the navy-yard. He was also greatly interested in the christening of my little son David, and gave me some water brought from the river Jordan for the purpose, also a bottle of fine old Madeira which he had brought from the island years before when a midshipman. I love to think that my sons have felt the kindly touch of this great man's hand. The Admiral dearly loved children, and I have observed since then that all great men have simple natures and a strong love for the little ones in their hearts.

But to return to Dalonaga, where the Colonel had Jack by the hand, the nurse carrying Dave, and I bringing up the rear with the carriage-blanket. It was quite dark when we arrived at the station, and, as I have said, the avenue was lined with trees, so that it was now perfectly dark; a man went ahead carrying a lantern, while we all followed after. Soon after we started I surprised myself by walking into a hole that had been dug for a gate-post, which must have been five feet deep, and notwithstanding I called several times I could not be heard and the party went on without me. When the travellers arrived at the house and the Colonel was counting his little flock, he found, to his great consternation, one missing; so the old man with the lantern and he started out for a hunt. I was soon located at the bottom of the hole, and with the help of both was drawn up to terra firma. Our troubles did not end here. We were told our train was due at seven a.m. but about four o'clock we were awakened by loud knocking at our door, and a man saying that our train was due in thirty minutes. Such a time as we had getting ourselves and the children dressed, and with a nurse, too, who had not under difficulties, developed adaptability. On going down stairs ready to start we were coolly informed that "the man had made a mistake ; thought we were going on the north-bound. ' ' I have always been thankful that there was no murder committed that morning.

We reached Mobile safely, notwithstanding the dirty old cars and bad road-bed. We went to the hotel to remain a day or two, where we found our old friend Colonel Ned Hudson, one of the handsomest men in the army, was in command of the garrison. He was very glad to see us, insisted upon our going to his house, and could not have been kinder, and we soon found all the Southern people in his department were devoted to him. He was a most courtly, elegant gentleman, as well as a fine soldier. It has been told of his brother and himself, that when they were travelling in Germany they went to see the maneuvers of the army. Emperor William I, seeing these wonderfully handsome men, both about six feet three inches tall, and with splendid physique, sent one of his aides-de-camp to inquire who they were; on hearing that one was an American army officer, he sent for them and showed them every atteur tion during their stay.

Well, I greatly enjoyed the visit to Mobile. The ground on which the city is built gradually rises as it goes back from the river, and there are high hills back of the city where many of the residents go for the summer. The streets were beautifully shaded, and all had gardens. Among other pleasures was a delightful horseback ride with several officers out on the shell road, where we stopped and had a cup of tea and other little dainties. We also went out to the entrance of the bay. I was most anxious to see where Farragut ran past Forts Morgan and Gaines, and destroyed the Confederate fleet, one member of my family having been with the Union fleet. The few days were filled with delightful excitement and of course I was sorry to leave, but go we must, and we left for New Orleans.

Nothing of interest occurred, the country being as desolated as in Georgia, and I was glad when we reached the city, where we spent two or three days waiting for the boat. Here we met some old friends, dined with the dear Marstons, and met Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. IMarston's charming mother, who belonged to one of the old Creole families. We also drove out to Jackson Barracks, on the Mississippi River. It was a beautiful place, with wonderful old oak trees covered with hanging moss ; the officers ' quarters were excellent (compared to the cabin we had lived in).

We had tea with Captain and Mrs. Graham, and most delicious strawberries; I had not seen Mrs. Graham since she was a child in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where her father, General Ricketts, a most distinguished officer of our army, lived. Mrs. Graham married when very young, scarcely sixteen years old. It was a great pleasure to meet her again, also her husband, now General William M. Graham. Every one there seemed glad to see us. There were many old friends of the Colonel and they begged us to stay a few days — dear, warm-hearted army people! We could not accept their hospitality, the Colonel being under orders, and I could not think of visiting with two babies. While in New Orleans we went to see Port Hudson; saw the fortifications where the gallant Farragut had a fight in which the frigate ''Mississippi" was burned, of which the present Admiral Dewey was executive officer. These naval battles were always most interesting to me. I had heard the officers talk them over with my father at home, and my brother-in-law, Lieutenant Harmony, was on the "Iroquois."

We also went to see the French Market, another interesting sight. There were several buildings of unusual architecture, and one would think from the number of languages heard spoken that people from all over the world had brought their wares for sale.

The display of flowers was most beautiful. I have never since seen it equalled. The day we left we went to Lake Pontchartrain and had luncheon with some friends, so I was well tired out when we took the ' ' General Quitman, ' ' one of the magnificent boats that ran on the river at that time, for Natchez, about two hundred and eighty miles up the river. The boat was commanded by a famous man. Captain Leathers, who was killed after an eventful life, many years after we had left that part of the country.

After being on board a short time we found we were not persona grata; the Colonel, being in uniform, had many black looks, and the people generally on the boat stood aloof from the Yankees, but there was much to be seen that was new to me — the beautiful plantations that lined both sides of the river, the numerous boats passing of every description, the landing of our own boat at the plantations, and the singing of the negroes as they discharged and took on cargo. So the day soon passed, and when the night time came we had forgotten we had been ostracised. During the night I was awakened by the stewardess, who apologised for calling me ; she said a lady on the boat who had a young babe had been taken desperately ill the afternoon before; her babe, whom she nursed, would not take the bottle and was crying with hunger. The stewardess had seen me nurse my fine boy and wondered if I would be willing to nurse the poor little infant. It was not long before the dear little babe had satisfied the pangs of hunger and was sweetly sleeping in my arms; it slept the night through; and by arranging matters I had the pleasure of nursing both the little ones for about twelve hours.

The second day we were on the boat I was greatly surprised when two of the ladies, who had seemed to be afraid of my coming too close to them, came to me and regretted they had not met me the day before. Of course, I was amused, but received them kindly, as the victor can always receive the vanquished; nevertheless I wondered why I was received to-day when I was disdained yesterday, but soon learned that the stewardess of the boat had told some ladies that I had nursed the child, and the mother instinct was too strong in them ; they felt that I was as human as they, though I had come from the North. Our passage after that was delightful, showing how ready these distressed people were to yield to kindness.

Every night there was music and dancing aboard until midnight. Each boat always carried a fine band, which also played at luncheon and dinner. There were games and charades, the latter being much in vogue at that time ; while below, many of the men passengers played cards, and I was told that thousands of dollars often exchanged hands. It was altogether a new experience for me, and like the Lotus Eaters, I sailed along forgetful of the morrow; enjoying each day as it came, bringing new scenes into my life, as well as new thoughts into my mind. The awakening was when we reached Natchez, and I began to realise that life was real.

An amusing incident had occurred before we left the boat. Several rough men on the lower deck talked in a loud voice about "the war and the South being overpowered, but not conquered, and if she had the chance she would do it again." The Colonel paid no attention whatever to them, but was amused, for he well knew that the fighters on both sides were glad to lay down their arms. At one place on the river some cattle had to be landed. They all went off quietly except one steer, who positively refused to leave the boat; fmally the poor thing was thrown down and bound with ropes, and after much pulling and hauling the steer was landed; when, to the surprise of everyone, a man, leaning over the rail, who had had a good many drinks, called out when he saw the steer reach the ground : ' ' Overpowered, but not conquered. She'll do it again if you give her a chance." It is almost useless to say we heard nothing further about the South from the roughs.

Chapter II

We reached Natchez, under the hill, on a bright Sunday morning. The city was built on a high bluff, nearly two hundred feet above the river. We had to drive up a winding road from the boat. The streets were beautifully shaded, like all the Southern cities we had passed through, and the lovely china-trees were in full bloom, and the odour of the blossom was delicious. We went to the little hotel until the Colonel could go to the fort and see if there were anj^ accommodations for us to live there. While he was gone an officer. Lieutenant Gray, called on me. He said he was glad the Colonel had arrived, and although the houses at the fort were hardly habitable, he hoped they could be put in order, so that we might live there, etc., etc. All the time he talked I saw he was watching me and that something was on his mind.

The old fort at Natchez was above the city on the outskirts. It had been the beautiful home of the Surzet family. The "residence" (as fine houses are always called in the South) had been pulled down during the war and a large earthwork enclosing about ten acres of ground was thrown up. The entrance was over a causeway through a gate, where a sentinel always walked; the guard-house was just inside the gate. The house we occupied was a cabin, formerly used by the negroes of the Surzet family, and was about sixty yards from the guard-house. There were no large guns, all having been removed; but the magazines were intact — large rooms covered with earth. The soldiers' quarters were long two-story buildings, near the bluff on the river; there was also a little old cabin on the bluff, where I used to sit and watch the boats. I soon learned their different lights and whistles and could tell at night what boat was passing. We soon got the little cabins in order. We had two under one roof, each with two rooms; on one side was the living-room and dining-room, and on the other side two bedrooms. The kitchen was detached from the house.

When the Colonel first joined the Eleventh Infantry, then stationed at Natchez, to which he had been transferred in the consolidation of regiments after the war, there was a very disorderly, rough set of men in the army and there was constant fighting and trouble in the two companies now under the Colonel's command. He told the first sergeant the next fight that occurred to call him immediately; there were two or three "bullies" who were the ringleaders and caused all the trouble. One evening the sergeant came hastily and reported a fight in the quarters. Colonel buckled on his sword and was off in a moment. He found two of these bullies had knocked down and hurt a couple of peaceful men and a general fight had ensued. The Colonel was a man weighing two hundred pounds, was an athlete and tremendously strong ; he greatly surprised them when he picked up one of the big fellows and threw him out of the quarters and the other followed in a second after. The sergeant was on hand at the door with some men, and the two ringleaders were put in the guard-house. The next morning the Colonel made them walk the earthworks in a barrel with the head and bottom knocked out and a heavy log of wood across their shoulders. When they found they had a master they gave up, and the Colonel had no more trouble in the command. Drastic measures had to be used in those days. The men, both foreign and domestic, were a hard set; not at all the class of men we now have in the army.

The town was very orderly, and in every way things went smoothly, and after the military duties of the morning were over we rode horseback. The country was beautiful, and the gates of the numerous plantations were left open and we could ride through them from one to the other. The Colonel also had charge of the Freedman's Bureau, which had been established ]\Iarch 3, 1865, by Congress passing an act organizing in the War Department the bureau of refugees, freedmen and abandoned lands. It was known as the Freedman's Bureau, and remained in operation until January 1, 1869. The number of rations issued to the colored people during that time was over fifteen million and it cost the Government $14,996,480. All this work was under the supervision of army officers, in addition to their other duties, the Colonel having six counties under his command. Often on our rides he combined duty with pleasure in going over his department.

We had been at Natchez but a few months when a petition was sent from some men, ("carpet-baggers" who had gone from the North to try and secure political places,) to General Gillem, commanding the district, asking for a reversal of one of Judge Shields ' decisions. The case was referred to the Colonel for an opinion and report. He carefully examined the same and sent his report to the General, sustaining the Judge. When the papers were returned the Colonel went to the court-room and handed the decision of General Gillem to the Judges, who complimented Colonel Biddle on the clear and impressive endorsement that had evidently caused the decision of the General commanding. After this the people could not do enough for us. They found the Colonel just and were willing to abide by his decisions, and all that section of the country, in the Freedman's Bureau, reconstruction and in all other respects, was soon settled, and the people were beginning to forget there had been such a bitter war.

One day later a carriage drove up to our cabin. Colonel and I were sitting out-of-doors on the porch, — though there was no roof to it and the few narrow boards lay flat on the ground.