Recollections of a Maryland Confederate soldier and staff officer under Johnston Jackson and Lee

Preface

In the Fall of 1865, when the details were fresh in my memory, I wrote out an account of the retreat from Richmond in April, 1865, of the command with which I was then serving in the Confederate Army. Some years afterwards it came into the possession of Dr. W. Hand Browne, Editor of the Southern Magazine, which was made the organ of the Southern Historical Society and gave to it a certain number of pages as a supplement to the Magazine, being page numbered separately. In 1874 Dr. Browne printed this account, under the title, "Retreat of Custis Lee's Division and Battle of Sailor's Creek," in these Transactions of the Southern Historical Society.

About 1883 I wrote for the Military Historical Society of Massachusetts an account of the capture of the salient at Spotsylvania Court House on May 12, 1864, and soon after elaborated it to "Notes and Recollections of the Opening of the Campaign of 1864," which completed paper I read to the Society April 16, 1883, an d it has since appeared in Volume IV of its publications.

These two papers were referred to and quoted from by General A. A. Humphreys in his standard Virginia Campaign of 1864 and 1865 — or rather the Spotsylvania part of the second paper was, for the completed paper had not been given to the Society when his history was written.

At different times since the war, from as far back as when my memory was much more distinct about details than now, I have put, roughly, in writing my recollection of other periods, selected as inclination led me or

PREFACE to which my attention would be drawn by something appearing in print or otherwise. And during the last two years I have been re-writing and connecting all these accounts until I now have a continuous narrative of the war as I saw it, from its beginning to the end. While so completing it now, I have often consulted authorities, and especially the War Records, but not for the purpose of introducing new matter in my own recollections, preferring to let them stand, generally, for what they were worth; I was willing, however, to look for corrections of plainly erroneous statements and to supply some exact dates or other such information; which I have for the most part put in notes. But several times when I was minded to at least modify some of my statements, I have unexpectedly come across confirmation of my recollection in minute particulars, and sometimes curiously.

At first I had no object in view but to make a record of my recollections and leave it behind me. But friends have advised me that what I have written is worth publication and would be interesting to a circle of readers; moreover, the use which General Humphreys made of my two early papers encourages me to hope even that I may be able to contribute something about the details of the war, and especially to the history of the Army of Northern Virginia, in which I served from Manassas to within two days of Appomattox. All accounts of eyewitnesses in such operations have some value, and one who was through the Valley Campaign of 1862 for instance, which will always be studied as a new chapter in military history, and was often close to the side of Stonewall Jackson and Ashby, and others, ought to be able to say something worth the telling.

My grandfather on my father's side was a Revolutionary soldier to whom Congress voted one of the only eleven

PREFACE medals given by it in the war. He was Governor of Maryland when the Federal Union of 1789 was put into operation, and held other high offices, State and Federal. In 181 7 he received the complimentary vote of the 22 Massachusetts Electors for the office of Vice-President of the United States. He died as late as 1827 and had between fifty and seventy-five descendants living when the war broke out. They ought to have been attached to the Union — and they were — but when the issue came in 1 86 1 between North and South, every man, woman and child was Southern.

On my mother's side, my great grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier and his son, my grandfather, was the author of "The Star Spangled Banner" and one of the founders of the African Colonization Society. He died as late as 1843 and in 1861 there were upwards of sixty descendants living, and I think of them also every man, woman and child was Southern. Of all these, on both sides, I cannot recall that any owned slaves in 1861.

I mention this in illustration of the sentiment in Maryland, although many other families were not as happily united. But if there was a division of feeling in Baltimore and other parts of the State, and a predominant Union population in the Northern part, settled largely from across Mason and Dixon's Line, yet I think there is no doubt, and that is has become accepted history, that if Maryland had had the opportunity, it would have united itself with its sister States of the Confederacy. Marylanders who went into the Southern army did so, therefore, not merely to aid the cause of the Confederacy as it was constituted, but believing that they were serving their own State — in subjection — in the only way that was left to them.

Contents

Preface i

CHAPTER

I. The Maryland Guard and 19th April, 1861 9

CHAPTER I The Maryland Guard and 19th April, 1861

The Battalion known as the " Maryland Guard," in the 53d Regiment of Infantry, Maryland Militia, was organized in Baltimore in the winter of 1859-60, partly, and principally, for the purpose of being a reserve to aid the civil authorities in preserving law and order in the city, lately rescued by the Reform movement from the domination of a mob, and partly because of the feeling of insecurity and alarm that pervaded the Border and Southern States after the insurrectionary attempt of John Brown at Harper's Ferry. Shortly after its formation, or while it was organizing, I joined Company C, of which Langdon Erving was the first captain, but who was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy about that time and was succeeded by Harry Dorsey Gough Carroll. The French Zouave was the model soldier of that period according to American ideas, and the Maryland Guard uniform was patterned on his. The full dress was a dark blue jacket, short and close fitting and much embroidered with yellow; a blue flannel shirt with a close row of small round gilt buttons (for ornament merely,) down the front, between yellow trimming; blue pantaloons, very baggy and gathered below the knee and falling over the tops of long drab gaiters; a small blue cap, of the kepi kind, also trimmed with yellow; and, finally, a wide red sash, or band rather, kept wide by hooks and eyes on the ends, completed this gaudy dress, which made a very brilliant effect on street parade but was totally unsuitable for any active service. To fully adjust it, a man almost required the services of a valet — or a sister or sweetheart. The "fatigue" (undress) uniform substituted a more generous blue jacket and ordinaryblack pantaloons and left off the gaiters and sash, and was therefore the more sensible or less absurd. But there has never been a finer militia organization in this country, and its schooling was of great service to the very many of them who went South.

We drilled regularly and paraded on different occasions, notably at the reception of the Japanese ambassadors on 8th June, i860 — when we disgraced ourselves by presenting arms 1 on the march in passing in review before the Gilmor House in Monument Square — and at the opening of Druid Hill Park on 19th October, i860, but nothing more eventful marked our history until the 19th of April, 1861.

Of the affair on Pratt Street that day I saw nothing, being engaged in my office writing a deed (I had been admitted to the Bar on the 4th of March), until Mr. John H. Thomas hurried in and asked me "if I knew that they were playing the mischief (in his excitement he used a stronger word,) down town and that the militia had been ordered out?" Leaving deed and office, neither of which I saw again, I ran down to the Armory, at Carroll Hall, southeast corner of Baltimore and Calvert Streets, meeting my oldest brother, Frank Key Howard, on the way, who went with me and asked Colonel Brush, standing at the door, if he wanted any volunteers. But the offer was declined. I found the stairway guarded by a

1 Guns are "presented, " i.e., held in front of the body, only when at ahaltand in line. A marching salute is to bring the pieces to " shoulder arms " (afterwards called "carry arms"), i e., along the right side, officers lowering the points of their swords. But we consoled ourselves in our mortification by reflecting that the heathen knew no better and probably thought it a very fine performance. It made the men walk very wobbly.

THE MARYLAND GUARD

I I double line of our men on the first landing up with fixed bayonets, to keep out the crowd, every moment increasing and threatening to force an entrance to appropriate the guns. The men of the battalion came hurrying in and fell into line as fast as they arrived, many having, like myself, not taken time to get their uniforms, and we remained under arms the rest of the day, hearing all sorts of rumors and expecting every moment to be led out, either to drive back or to protect the Federal soldiers, or preserve order in any way not involving a collision with our fellow citizens. At night a strong guard was maintained, the rest of the command being dismissed with orders to repair to the Armory at a moment's notice, a signal for which would be a red flag or ball in the daytime and a red light by night.

On the ensuing Sunday, April 21, news came of the approach of General Keim's force on the Northern Central Railroad and the York Turnpike Road, which caused another flurry of excitement almost equal to that of the 19th. From midday the battalion was held under arms in the Armory and a detail was made from each company to remain behind as a guard whenever the command should move out. I was one of the detachment from Company C, but succeeded, just as an order came to march, in making an exchange with a man suffering with heart disease. We joyfully descended the steps — our Armory being the highest floor — but it was only to change our quarters to the more commodious room of the gymnasium below. Here we remained cooped up, watching the crowded street, along which furniture wagons and other vehicles full of armed men were passing every now and then, causing us to repine at our inglorious inactivity, instead of taking part in the conflict which we surely believed was imminent, if not going on. Indeed, some of us were so far carried away as to attempt to get out of the building, but could not flank the guard. I do not remember whether we remained under arms during the night, but from this time we were ordered to wear our uniforms and equipments habitually. About this time Colonel Brush was disabled by a wound in the hand from the accidental discharge of his pistol, and when Major Charles E. Phelps was summoned to take command — Lieutenant-Colonel Erving being ill with consumption, of which he soon after died — he replied that he had sent in his resignation, which step he followed up by leaving the city in a carriage by night. Major Phelps, a native of New Hampshire, afterwards served with distinction in the Union Army. 2 There were not more than a dozen, I think however, who failed to stand by the battalion to the last. On the other hand, very many joined us, and I presume we could have increased our ranks indefinitely if we had had uniforms and specially desired it. We did not long want an acceptable field officer, for, to our great satisfaction, Colonel Benjamin Huger, 3 of the regular army, then residing in Baltimore, was, on this Sunday I think, elected or appointed to command us. I was appointed by Captain Carroll a corporal, a promotion of which I was, perhaps, more proud than of any I ever received since.

We soon took possession of the spacious Maryland Institute, over the Centre Market, which we continued to occupy for some time, keeping a heavy guard by night, and having roll calls, drills, and at sunset dress parades which were attended by ladies and others, for after the memorable Sunday the city was very orderly and quiet.

2 And later he was a very able Judge of the Baltimore Bench, Member of Congress, etc.

8 Afterwards Major-General Huger of the Confederate Army

THE MARYLAND GUARD

We had news of the approach of the Northern forces from different quarters but did not disturb ourselves over the situation, having confidence in our officers and the civil authorities. Business was little attended to, our minds were filled with high patriotic feelings, mingled with some enjoyment of the novelty of our half military life.

About eleven o'clock on the night of May 13, we were quietly summoned by our sergeants — having been previously divided into squads in view of such a contingency — to the Armory at Carroll Hall, to which we had gone back shortly before. We found the place dimly lighted and the guns being carried off, singly and by twos and threes or more, by any members of the Battalion who would undertake to hide them. The reason was that General Ben Butler had occupied, or was about occupying, Federal Hill with an overwhelming force and the city would certainly fall into his hands in the morning. I took and carried home three muskets, but did not attempt to hide them specially, for I apprehended that my father would be arrested, as President of the Board of Police, and his house, on Cathedral Street next to Emmanuel Church, would be searched, and it would not be well to have any concealed arms discovered there. These were found and seized when he was arrested afterwards, but I believe very few others were ever found, although diligently sought for. Many were taken South and did good service there, while some, no doubt, remain hidden away and forgotten to this day. The Armory was stripped by one or two o'clock. Several of us went up Charles Street, among them my cousin William Key Howard, who had the colors, the staff of which he broke and threw the pieces over the wall into the Archbishop's yard — there was then a high brick wall at the edge of the sidewalk.

The next morning not a uniform was seen on the streets which they had made so picturesque before, and General Butler took possession of the city; I saw him as he dismounted to establish his headquarters at the Gilmor House on Monument Square, and I walked over to Federal Hill and looked at the troops fixing their camps on that commanding eminence.

After this many of the Maryland Guard, with others, one or a few at a time, left for the South, while others remained longer, to be guided by the course of events. My own reasons for lingering after many of my friends and four of my five older brother had gone were partly because I was the youngest and as it was probable my father, and also my oldest brother (Editor of the Exchange,) would be arrested, I was not sure that my first duty was not at home, and partly because it was not clear that more could not be accomplished in Maryland than by leaving it. At that time W. Carvel Hall, Charles Goldsborough and Thomas Turner lived in bachelor style at No. St. Paul Street, a few doors north of Mulberry, and here William Duncan McKim and others, with myself, held many secret consultations. One of our plans was to assist in raising a company of one hundred men under Captain William H. Murray, of the Maryland Guard, and to march, with our arms and uniforms, across the Potomac by way of Sykesville. Another was to form a secret organization at home and hold ourselves in readiness to act as occasion prompted. The first project was abandoned when Murray, being in danger of arrest, precipitately left for Virginia, and, moreover, the line of the river, or the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, was guarded by the Northern forces.

THE MARYLAND GUARD

The second was held under advisement a while longer, but in the meantime Carvel Hall was despatched to Richmond to ascertain what reception was given to Marylanders going over and whether their accession was at all desired. He went and returned secretly and safely, railroad commuaication not having been yet interrupted, and reported that our friends who had gone before were welcomed gladly. Finally, on the 31st of May, being tired of inactivity and doubt, Duncan McKim and I agreed that I should see Mr. S. Teackle Wallis and get his opinion of what would be the probable future in Maryland and that we would govern ourselves accordingly. His emphatic answer being "as quiet as the grave, " we made our preparations to leave next morning.

CHAPTER II Baltimore to Richmond

Early in the morning of Saturday, June I, 1861, William Duncan McKim, Clapham Murray and myself started for Virginia, taking what was called the lower route because we had received secret information the day before that on this morning the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad would be seized and the baggage of all passengers would be searched. As it was, we felt some uneasiness in driving down to the Patuxent River boat, half expecting to meet a guard there, and were relieved to find ourselves and our trunks — containing Maryland Guard uniforms — on board without hindrance or search and presently safely past Fort McHenry. We made a feeble pretense of visiting St. Mary's County to look at farms, but soon saw that our true character was more than suspected by all on board, for passengers, officers of the steamboat and servants marked us out for particular attentions. Arriving at Millstone Landing, just within the mouth of the Patuxent on the St. Mary's County side, we enquired on the wharf for George Thomas, at whose house, a couple of hundred yards off, we intended to spend the night and get information how to proceed further, and were referred to a gentleman wearing a broad brimmed hat as his brother; this was Richard Thomas, soon afterwards well known as Colonel "Zarvona. " x George Thomas requested us to remain with him until Monday when he himself would accompany us, an offer we were glad to accept. The next morning,

1 His romantic exploits made him well known in the first part of the war.

BALTIMORE TO RICHMOND

Sunday, we drove some distance to the Episcopal Church and were shown much attention by the congregation, there being no necessity of keeping up any disguise in this country.

On Monday morning, having put on our uniforms, we drove across the peninsula in an open wagon. Stopping for lunch at midday at the house of Dr. Sappington,

early in the afternoon we came to the house of

on the east bank of St. Mary's River and near

its head, where we were joined by several others who were also bound South — Edward Johnson of Baltimore and Thomas A. Hebb and his cousin Thomas W. Hebb Greenwell of St. Mary's County. After a short delay we sailed in a canoe directly down the river, landing in the evening at the place of Mr. Coade, near its mouth and on the west side. After dark George Thomas went in a boat to reconnoitre the Potomac and reported something like a gunboat as having passed, but we trusted the way would be clear by morning. In spite of Mr. Coade's hospitable protests, we lay down to sleep on the floor, thinking it time we should begin to accustom ourselves to the hardships of a soldier's life. At dawn, June 4, we started in a sail canoe for the southern bank of the Potomac, intending to make straight across for Westmoreland County, but a head wind compelled us to shape our course lower down. The inhabitants of St. George's Island, at the mouth of St. Mary's River, who are mostly pilots and their familes, were said to be, or many of them, favorable to the North, and the mysterious, as we thought, dipping of a United States flag on one of their boats, like a signal, gave us a deal of uneasiness. Without further adventure, however — except a drenching shower — the strong breeze, aided by some vigorous rowing, carried us swiftly over the broad water, and at 8 o'clock a.m. we entered the mouth of a beautiful creek, which turned out to be Cone River in Northumberland County, Virginia; we had therefore sailed about twenty miles. Upon a high hill a short distance above our landing place was the residence of Colonel Smith,

said to be the wealthiest man in the county, and George Thomas and I, leaving the rest of the party at the boat, went to ask hospitality. Doors and windows were wide open with a very inviting appearance, and George Thomas exclaimed confidently, " There's Virginia hospitality for you!" But when we reached the front door we perceived the Colonel rather hastily retreating out at the back, and when presently, in answer to our repeated knocks, a young lady made her appearance, she asked us defiantly, 1 1 what we wanted?" We requested to see Colonel Smith, who finally came, exhibiting an unaccountable want of ease, and although we informed him that we had been sailing since four o'clock, a part of the time in the rain, and had had no breakfast, he did not offer to supply us. Learning that his son, Dr. James Smith, lived but a mile off, who had married a lady of St. Mary's County, well known to George Thomas and also a distant cousin of mine, being a daughter of H. G. Sothoron Key, but whom I had never seen, we determined to go there, very much surprised and disgusted at our first experience of "Virginia hospitality." Leaving Colonel Smith, who seemed relieved to be rid of us, we soon arrived at the Doctor's and, although he was not at the house, we received a very cordial welcome from his wife. He, being sent for, soon came in and, first sending for our comrades at the boat, proceeded to refresh us after the manner of the country. Compounding a mixture in a large glass, he offered it to us with the remark, "I don't know whether you gentlemen are much

BALTIMORE TO RICHMOND acquainted with this liquor, but we drink a good deal of it in this part of the country. " Such was my first introduction to an apple brandy julep. The rest of our party arrived soon and brought with them an explanation of our cold reception at the Colonel's. It appeared that our party, some of us being in Maryland Guard uniform which we had worn since starting from George Thomas's, had been taken for Yankees landing from a prowling gunboat. We received a message of warm apology from both the Colonel and the ladies of his family and an entreaty that we would remain long enough to give them an opportunity to make us some amends. But we were full of ardor to hasten on in order to be present at the first battle, expected to come off soon, and after partaking of breakfast and dinner, which were pressed on us in quick succession, Dr. Smith packed us in a carriage and wagon and drove us in to Heathsville, the county town, about two or three miles distant. Two companies of infantry were stationed or organizing here, having a picket thrown out on the road, whose sentinel brought his bayonet to a charge at sight of this formidable invasion of strange and very gaudy uniforms, but recognizing Dr. Smith, he allowed us to pass, with an expression of much doubt and astonishment. The companies were drilling on the village green, but broke ranks incontinently and fraternized. I suppose we were the most popular guests Heathsville had ever entertained and we had no small difficulty in persuading them to let us go on. Applejack flowed freely and I am sorry to record that enthusiasm led to much inebriation, although our party kept within the bounds of strict moderation, only avoiding the giving of offence. Bouquets were presented by the ladies, George Thomas as our spokesman making a suitable acknowledgment. Two wagons were at last furnished for our transportation and we got into them before the horses were harnessed, thinking to hasten the arrangements, whereupon some of our friends seized hold and dragged us triumphantly around the place. Being finally permitted to leave, we drove across Northumberland, perhaps a corner of Richmond, and Lancaster Counties, and by 8 o'clock in the evening came to the house of Mr. Carter a member of the Legis-

lature, on the north bank of the Rappahannock, ten miles above Urbana on the other side, by whom we were hospitably entertained.

Awakened before daylight in the morning, June 5, we were first called upon to drain — perhaps twice — a large two-storey tumbler of applejack julep, which our host modestly informed us he had some reputation for mixing, took breakfast and sailed in a flat bottomed boat down and across the Rappahannock to Urbana, which is the county seat of Middlesex County. This place also we found occupied by two Companies and we were made to give an account of ourselves in quite a formal way at headquarters, but this stiffness was soon relaxed and a reception was given us similar to that at Heathsville. The soldiers were quartered in the principal church of the village, and my feelings were for the first time shocked by seeing a sacred building in military occupation ; and I never saw one abused as this was. A fiddle was soon produced, as well as an abundance of applejack, and dancing — among the men — drinking and card playing offered for our entertainment, in which we declined to join. After some delay vehicles were furnished and we drove across Middlesex and "King and Queen" Counties and shortly before dark were ferried over the Mattapony branch of York River to West Point, in King William County, at the junction of the Mattapony and Pamunkey,

BALTIMORE TO RICHMOND forming the York. More troops were stationed here and, its situation at the head of the York River making it of more importance, better discipline was observed and there was a more business-like appearance in the arrangements. We were kindly received and treated, but our arrival did not create the same sensation as at the other two places. Wooden barracks, with bunks, had been erected, in which we were assigned quarters and we observed Tattoo and other regulations with the soldiers.

Next morning, we saw H. C. Dallam of Baltimore, whose wife, of the Braxton family, was from this neighborhood. He said that Judge John S. Caskie, of Richmond, wished to be introduced to us. Judge Caskie said, "You are Marylanders and I wish to call your attention to some stirring verses I have seen in the newspaper. I wish I could repeat them, but the refrain is, 'Maryland, my Maryland.'"

We presently took the cars to Richmond, about forty miles.

Chapter III

Upon our arrival at Richmond, June 6, 1861, we found that the two Maryland companies which had already been organized, commanded by Captains J. Lyle Clarke and Edward R. Dorsey, had, a day or two before, been sent off on an expedition to Chuckatuck in Nansemond County, towards Norfolk, and as William H. Murray, a captain of the Maryland Guard, for whom we proposed to raise a company, had gone with them as a volunteer, we waited for his return, most of our party staying at the Spotswood Hotel, southeast corner of Main and 7th Streets. We had all determined to go into service together. No good reason was assigned or appeared for this expedition, and it was said to have been the outcome of a dinner party at Governor Letcher's where Colonel Frank J. Thomas, 1 a Marylander and old army officer who hoped to command the future Maryland Regiment, was vaunting the spirit and readiness of the Maryland men. They came in a day or two from this bloodless foray into a peaceful community, full of stories of their first experience in campaigning; Jack Wamberzie was said, while on picket, to have challenged and then fired the first Maryland shot of the war — at a lightning bug. Our party now proceeded to assist in getting up the new Company, the rendezvous being the large boot and shoe store (wholesale) of J. Alden Weston, No 14 (?) Pearl Street, south of Main Street.

1 He was killed at Manassas on July 21, acting as Chief of Ordnance on the staff of General Joseph E. Johnston and while rallying some disorganized troops.

While sitting at the Spotswood one evening, Captain Arnold Elzey, of Maryland, who had resigned from the United States Army, "desired to be introduced to me." He very civilly said that he understood I was aiding in getting up a Maryland company and he wished to say to me that some of his friends were recommending his appointment as colonel of the Maryland regiment and that, if he were so appointed, he would do all he could to promote the efficiency of the command and the comfort of the men. I was non-committal. My next interview with him was at Winchester, as will appear.