The boys of '61; or, Four years of fighting

Front matter

o

!Srs« C. F« !:aclc,

Cabot, Vermont, Dear Ifadttn:

Prefatory Note

This volume, though historic, is not a history of the Rebellion, but a record of personal observations and experiences during the war, with an occasional look at affairs in general to give clearness to the narrative. The time has not arrived for the writing of an impartial history of the conflict between Slavery and Freedom in the United States. Reports of military operations are incomplete ; documents in the archives at Washington are inaccessible; much material remams to be gathered before the patient liistorian can sift the wheat from the chaflf. More than this, the war of ideas is not yet ended. Defeated Rebels in some parts of the South arc bent on exterminating the African race. Few of those lately in rebellion plead guilty of having committed a crime ; taking up arms against the government they consider to have been a blunder only. Wo are, therefore, too near the great events to render proper judgment upon questions in which our prmciples and sympathies have been enlisted.

The chapter concerning the Confederate Cotton Loan may seem to be out of place in a volume of which so large a portion is given to narrative, but I trust that it will be acceptable to the general reader, inasmuch as it reveals the efforts of the Rebels to array all Europe against the United States in the late struggle. The correspondence in my possession was picked up in the streets of Richmond, and will be of value to the fu ture historian. The chapter in question is but an outline of the operations of the Confederates abroad.

IT PREFATORY NOTE.

In loDking over the sheets as they came from the press, sevoral errors relative to the organization and formation of troops in battle have been detected, which, however, will appear in but a few copies. Undoubtedly there are others, and the writer will esteem it a favor to be put right wherever he is in the wrong. Few oflScial reports of regimental and brigade officers have been published, while the reports of division and corps commanders are only general in their statements. The true history of battles cannot be given till the history of regiments is written.

My stand-point as an observer is that of one whose instincts from early childhood have been on the side of Freedom. I have ever believed that Civil Liberty is the birthright of all men, and from the firing upon Sumter to the close of the contest had full faith that the people, under God, would subdue the Rebellion, and give freedom to the slave.

The four years have been worth a century of ordinary life ; for in the mighty contest Right has triumphed over Wrong, and the human race, with a clearer perception of Truth and Justice as the sure foundation of government, is moving on, to a higher civilization.

c. c. c.

Contents

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

BEGINNING OF THE CONFLICT.

r.

Chapter 1. Around Washington

Alexandria. — The Massachusetts Fifth. — A Song for Bunker Hill. — The

Review. The Distant Gun. — The Affair at Vienna. — A Dinner in

the Field. — Vallandigham and the Ohio Boys. — Patriotism of the

Soldiers. The Rogues' March. — Mutiny of the Garibaldi Guard. —

An Adventure. — Broken English. — Unpleasant Position. — General Mansfield's Wrath. — The Lager-Beer Business. — A Faded Aristocracy. — Living on a Name. — The Sirens of Virginia. — A South Carolina Chattel. — His Search for Chickens. — How he found Freedom .

CHAPTER n.

BULL RUN.

The March. — The Second Maine. — The Pageant. — The Bivouac. — The Beehives. — Beauregard's Proclamation. — McDowell's Order. — The Contrast. — Virginia Unionism. — The First Shot. — The Artillery. — Retreat of the Rebels. — The Negro's Story. — Centre'ville. — Snuft' Dippers. — Affairs at Blackburn's Ford. — The Morning. — Progress of the Battle. — The Rebel Prisoner. — The Turning of the Tide. — At the Spring. The Panic. — The Teamsters. — The Rebels on the Point of

Yl CONTENTS.

Ketreating. — Richmond Dispatch. — Wonderful Stories of the Rebels

Change of Sentiment. — General Butler. — Union Men of Virginia. — Bitterness of the Rebels. — Seductive Inflmences of Slavery . . .17

Chapter III. The Fall Of 1861

Position of A&irs. — Disaster at Ball's Bluff. — The News in Washington.

— How President Lincoln received it. — His tenderness of Heart. — Mr. Lincoln in his Springfield Home. — His Temperance Principles. —

Poolsville. — Colonel Baker's Body Slavery in Western Maryland. —

Visit to Eastern Maryland. — The " White Horse." — Character of the Country. — Our Host at Pamunkey. — His Family, .i— Visit to Annapolis. — Aristocratic Pride Secession in Washington. — The Spirit of

Slavery in the Army. — The Hutchinson Family and General McClellan.

— Whittier's " Eine feste Burg ist unser Gott." — Major Grould and his Scout A Rebel Minister. — Washington Jail and its Inmates. — Clcse

of the Year . . . 8i

Chapter IV. Affairs In The West

Louisville. — Position of Kentucky. — The Opinions of a Loyal Tennes seean. — General Buell and his Policy. — Events in Missouri. — General Hallcck. — Order No. 3. — General Schofield and the Guerillas. — Negro

Testimony. — Fremont's Army. — Visit to Rolla. — General Sigel

Radical Sentiments of the Army. — Cairo. — Union Generals. — Introduction to General Grant. — Commodore Foote. — The Mississippi Flotilla. — Captain Porter and the Essex. — His Challenge to Captain Montgomery. — Major-Gencral Bishop Polk. — Reconnoissanco towards Colambns. — A Kentucky Farm-house. — Return to Cairo . . 47

Chapter V. Central Kentucky

Battle of Mill Springs. — A genuine Kentuckian. — Discussion of the Negro

Question. — Kentucky Farmers Lexington. — Scenes at the Phenix

Hotel. — Secession Ladies. — Anthony Trollope. — Tomb of Henry Clay.

Clay's Opinion of Abolitionists. — How a Presbyterian Minister would

conduct the War. — Buell's Right Wing. — Trip down the Ohio. — Passengers on Board the Grey Eagle. — The People of Owensborough. — Up Green River. — Kentucky Unionists. — Visit to Calhoun. — A "first-class " Hotel. — Scenes on the Steamer . .59

CONTENTS. ni

Chapter VI. The Opening Of The Campaign In Tennessee

Capture of Fort Henry. — Commodore Foote's Account of the Fight His

Cnro for the Wounded. — His Preaching on Sunday. — Affairs in Mississippi. — Capture of Fort Donelson. — Movement of the Troops The

Surrender. — The Appearance of the Rebels. — The Town of Dover. — Scenes in the Rebel Lines. — The formal Surrender of the Fort. — Appearance of Buckner and Grant. — Rebel Officers on the Rampage. —

Commodore Foote's Intentions. — His Plans frustrated by Halleck

Nullification of Order No. 3. — Occupation of Columbus. — The Southern Muse. — Bombardment of Island No. 10. — Colonel BisseU's Canal. — Passage of Transports to New Madrid. — Running past the Batteries. — General Pope's Operations. — Capture of Rebels. — Surrender of Island No. 10 . 7«

Chapter VII. Pittsburg Landing, Fort Pillow, And Memphis

The Opposing Forces. — The Battle-Field The Poor Whites of the South.

— General Sherman. — Beauregard's Despatch. — Retreat of the Rebels.

— Halleck's Advance upon Corinth. — The Mississippi Fleet. — Admiral Davis. — Captain Maynadier. — A Trap for the Rebels. — Movement of the Rams. — Fire of the Rebel Batteries. — Evacuation of Fort Pillow. — Gunboat Fight at Memphis. — Surrender of the City. — Commodore EUet ... . . . M

Chapter VIII. Invasion Of Maryland

Battle of Manassas Colonel Broadhead. — Confidence of the Rebels. —

Uprising in Pennsylvania. — Surrender of Harper's Ferry. — Escape of the Union Cavalry. — Negro Teamsters. — Excitement of the Citizens. — Hagerstown. — Antietam — Visit to the Right Wing. — Poffenberg's

House. — Sumner's Movement The Corn-Field. — Bumside's Attack.

— The Fight at the Bridge 110

CHAPTER IX. The Opposing Forces. — Bragg's Advance. — Capture of Frankfort The

Rebels in Lexington Inauguration of Governor Harris. — Bragg's Retreat frim Frankfort. — Battle of Perryville. — President's Proclamation.

▼Hi CONTENTS.

— The Eentackjr Policy. — General Gillmore's Order No. 5. — Twentj-

Secood Wisconsin and Colonel Utley Judge Eobertson and his Boy

Jo. — The Kentucky Policy reversed. — An Evening in Louisville ISS

Chapter X. Fbom Harper's Ferry To Fredericksburg

Soldiers* Pete. — Removal of McClellan. — Bumside's Plans. — Army Correspondence. — Gold Speculators. — Expectations of the People 1 3?

Chapter XI. Battle Of Fredericksburg

The Signal Guns. — Laying the Pontoons Bombardment of the City. -

Hall's Brigade. — Rebel Sharpshooters. — Crossing the River. — Seventh Michigan. — Yankees in Fredericksburg. — Night Scene The Drummer-Boy. — Rev. Arthur B. Fuller. — His Funeral Obsequies. — Lee's Army. — Positions of the Troops. — Burnside's Orders to Franklin. — The Morning. — Movement of the Army. — Attack on the Left. — Franklin's Despatches. — Meade's Attack. — Jackson's Line broken — Franklin's Account. — "Wounded Soldiers. — Attack on the Right. — Eleventh New Hampshire. — Sturgis's Division. — The Last Attack.

— Eecrossing the River . ....... 14

Chapter XII. The Winter At Falmouth

Employment of the Men. — American Tract Society. — General Howard and the Secessionists. — Sanitary and Christian Commissions. — Religion in the Army. — Chapels . . . . .174

Chapter XIII. Chancellorsville

Geneial Hooker in Command. — Reorganization of the Army. — Hooker's Plan. — Movement of the Troops. — First and Sixth Corps. — Lee puzzled. — Hooker in Position. — Lee's Movement. — Jackson's March.

— Howard's Position. — Sicklea's Advance. — Jackson's Attack. — The Eleventh Corps. — Sickles's Return. — Death of Jackson. — The Battle of Sunday — Best's Artillery. — Stewart's Attack. — The Second Corps.

— Hooker's last Position. — Second Battle of Fredericksburg Sedg-

" ick's Attack. — Maryee's Hill. — Barksdale's Retreat. — Battle of Salem Church.. — Lost Opportunity . . .... 179

CONTENTS. ix

Chapter XIV. Cavalry Operations

Stoneman's Preparations Crossing the Rapidan. — Raid through Virginia. — Kilpatrick's Audacity. — Shelling Richmond. — His Escape

Stoneman's Return SIS

Chapter XV. The Atlantic Coast

Port Royal. — Sunday Services. — Rev. Mr. Murchison. — Visit to tlM

Plantations Sancho's Address. — Negro Music. — Mitchelville. —

Sojourner Truth. — Enlistment of Negro Troops. — Colonel Higginson.

— Antipathy of White Soldiers First South Carolina Regiment. —

Smith's Plantation S94

Chapter XVI. The Iron-clads In Action

Destruction of the Nashville. — Captain Worden. — Attack on Fort McAllister. — First Bombardment of Sumter. — Visit to the Fleet. — Captain Rodgers. — Damage to the Fort ..... S4t

Chapter XVII

General Lee's Movements. — Hooker on the Watch. — Bedlam in Pennsylvania. — Harrisburg. — Baltimore. — Colored Population. — Resignation of General Hooker. — General Meade. — Feelings of the Soldiers. — Advance to Gettysburg. — Organization of the Army. — Patriotism of the People. — Bread for the Soldiers. — Ride to Grettysburg. — Geographical Features of the Place ... .... 851

Chapter XVIII. The Battle Of Gettysburg

General Reynolds's Position Beginning of the Fight. — General Howard's Account Weidreick's Battery. — General Slocnm at Two Taverns. — Howard's Messages. — General Hancock's Arrival. — Color- Bearers of the Nineteenth Indiana. — Arrival of the Third Corp''- —

Z CONTENTS

Second Day. — General Meade on the Field. — The Cemetery Major

Howard. — Ride along the Lines. — Stannard's Brigade. — Meade's Head-Quarters. — Position of the Second Corps The Third Corps.

— Sickles's Position at Noon Lee's Intentions. — Confidence of the

Rebels. — Longstreet's Command. — His Plan. — Half past Three. — The Attack. — Resistance of the Third Corps. — McGilvery's Batteries.

— The Ninth Massachusetts Battery. — Barnes's Division The Regulars. — Resistance of the Pennsylvania Reserves. — Hood's Advance.

— Colonel Chamberlain's Position. — Slocum's Movement. — Doubleday and Williams Men of Vermont. — Fourteenth Maine. — Louisiana Tigers. — Third Day. — The Morning Cannonade. — Rebel Prisoners. — Fight on Culp's Hill. — Cavalry Operations. — Lee's Preparations for the last Attack. — Position of the Troops. — Scene at Meade's Head-Quarters. — The Cannonade. — Hovrard's Batteries. — Hancock wounded. — The Vermont Regiments. — Repulse of the Rebels. —

Scenes along the Lines. — In the Rebel Lines Midnight. — After the

Battle. — Lee's Retreat. — Meade's Movements. — Lee at Williamsport.

— Crossing the Potomac. — Battle at Falling Waters .... 269

Chapter XIX. From The Eapidan To Cold Harbor

Opening of the Campaign. — Organization of the Army. — Grant's Plan. — The Ninth Corps President Lincoln reviewing the Colored Troops.

— The Army in Motion. — Across the Rapidan. — Grant and Meade in

Council. — The Wilderness Position of the Army First Day's

Fight. — Arrival of the Ninth Corps. — Second Day Movement to

Spottsylvania Sheridan's Fight. — Todd's Tavern. — Warren engaged. — Battle of Spottsylvania. — Song of the Wounded. — The

Vermont Brigade Death of General Rice. — Attack of the Second

Corps A Day in Fredericksburg. — Sanitary and Christian Commissions. — Getting Straw for the Hospitals. — Movement to the North Anna.

— Battle of Jericho Bridge A Night in a Cabin. — Movement to

Hanover. — Battle of Bethesda Church. — General Smith's Advance to Cold Harbor. — Sheridan's Movement. — Position of the two Armies.

— First Battle of Cold Harbor. — Hospital Scene. — Second Battle. - McClellan at Cold Harbor and the Campaign of '62. — Grant's Operations Caroline County. — The Planters and their Property. — The

Day of Jubilee. — Breaking up of Society . . . . 30fl

Chapter XX. To Petersburg

Comments of the Rebel Newspapers. — Opinions of the Soldiers Discussion of Flans. — General Hunter's Advance to Lynchburg. — Sheridan's

SM

CONTENTS.

Raid. — Butler and Gillmore. — Movement to James Eiver. — Gillmore's Failure. — Grant's Instructions to Smith. — Lee surprised. — General Hiuks's Di^-ision of Colored Troops. — Their First Engagement.— Smith's Advance. — First Battle in Front of Petersburg. — Capture of Rebel Intrenchments. — General Terry's Movement. — Lost Opportunities. — Sentiments of the People. — President Lincoln. — Heroism of the Colored Soldiers. — Arrival of the Ninth Corps. — Second Battle in Front of Petersburg. — General Potter's Division. — Fifty-Seventh Massachusetts. — Edward M. Schneider. — Third Battle in Front of Petersburg. — Barbarism of Slavery. — Prejudice against Colored Troops. — The Christian Commission. — Hardships of the Campaign. — Religion in the Army

Chapter XXI. Siege Operations

Lieutenant-Colonel Pleasants. — His Plan for a Mine to destroy the Work» before Petersburg. — Difficulties he encountered in constructing it. — Battle at Deep Bottom. — Completion of the Mine. — Preparations for springing it. — Fuse goes out. — Delay. —Relighted. — The Explosion. — Consternation of the Rebels. —Confusion of Union Troops. — Rebels return to their Guns. — Tenible Slaughter in the Crater. — Reasons for the Failure. — The Rebel Press. — The Fortunes of the Confederacy . S7»

Chapter XXII. Third Invasion Of Maryland

General Situation of Affairs. — Early's Movement down the Valley.— Breckenridge sent to reinforce him. — The Sixth Corps. — Excitement in "Washington. — Early's Force. — Massachusetts Sixteenth Regiment

Arrival of Nineteenth Corps. — Enthusiastic Reception. — Confidence

restored. — Battle of Monocacy. — Alarming Reports. — Advance of Rebels upon "Washington. — Their hasty Retreat 384

Chapter XXIII. Sherman's Army

Review of Sherman's Campaign. — Jeff Davis's dislike of Jehnston. — Appointment of Hood. — Davis's Speech to Hood's Army. — Sherman contemplates a Movement to Savannah. — Grant authorizes it. — Organization of Sherman's Army. — Comments of Rebel Press on his March to the Sea. — Complaints of Sherman's Inhumanity. — He is compared to Attila. — His Vindication of Himself. — The Bummers. — Their Humanity to Union Refugees .89!

til CONTENTS.

Chapter XXIV Christianity And Barbarism

Sherman in Savannah. — Destitution of the People Humanity of the

People of the North. — Steamer Greyhound. — Belle Boyd. — Voyage of the Greyhound. — Thunderbolt Battery Fifty-Fifth Massachusetts.

— Distribution of Supplies. — Rebel Prisons. — Responsibility of Rebel Officials. — Amiability of General Lee. — Andersonrille . . 401

CHAPTER XXV. SCENES m SAVANNAH

Aunt Nellie and her Sister Inhumanity of Slavery. — Whittier's Lines

— Burning of the Arsenal. — General Sherman's Order No. 15. — Abandoned Lands General Saxton. — Meeting of Freedmen. — Address of Rev. Mr. French. — Appearance of the Congregation. — Rev. Mr. Houston. — The Slave Market. — Commencing a Colony. — Plans of the Freedmen. — The Sexton. — The Dead from Manassas. — The Gospel of Si;.. cry. — Breaking up of Society. — Ladies of Savannah.

— Poor Whites of Georgia. — Negro Dialect. — Freedmen in Council in the Slave Market. — Their Battle-Hymn. — Civilization. — Christianity

at Work ... 4H

Chapter XXVI. Sherman In South Carolina

Instmctions of General Grant. — Sherman's Plan Expectation of the

Rebels Grover's Division. — His Army in Motion. — Howard's Advance to the Salkehatchie. — Crossing the River. — Hardee retires to Branchville. — Kilpatrick's Movement towards Augusta. — Consternation of the Rebels. — Sherman moves to Orangeburg. — General Potter's Division. — Hampton's and Wheeler's Cavalry. — Hampton's Home. — Columbia. — Burning of the City. — Sherman charges Hampton with kindling the Fire. — Bitterness of South-Carolinians against General Sherman. — Responsibility of the Rebel Government for Outrages . . 134

CHAPTER XXVIl.

SOUTH CAROLINA BEFORE THE WAR.

The Part taken by the State in the Political Affairs of the Nation. — Basis of Representation. — Classes of People. — Lowlanders and Uplanders. —

CONTENTS. Xiii

Climate. — Cotton. — Parish System. — Assembling of the Legislature in 1860. — Remarks of W. D. Porter. — Secession Principles. — Adjourn ment to Charleston. — Hibernia Hall. — Rev. Dr. Thomwell's Preaching The Teachings of the Bible The Province of History

Negroes for Sale. — Women of South Carolina in Favor of Secession. — The Charleston 3/ercur^. — The " Patriarchal Institution " . . 444

Chapter XXVIII. Sumter

Governor Pickens's Letter to President Buchanan. — Major Anderson tn Sumter. — Construction of Rebel Batteries. — Negotiations for the Surrender of the Fort. — The Bombardment. — Scengs in Charleston after the Surrender. — Visit to the Fort. — Captured Blockade-Runners. — Condition of the Fort Scenes of the Morning .... 4&4

Chapter XXIX. Charleston

A City of Ruins. — Our Welcome. — Charleston before the War. — The Seducer of States. — Siege of the City. — Removal of the People. — Assertion of the Charleston Courier. — The Evacuation. — Blowing up of the Iron-clads. — Firing the City. — Bursting the Guns. — Twenty- First Colored Regiment. — Colonel Bennett occupies the City Fifty- Fourth Massachusetts extinguishing the Flames. — " Gillmore's Town."

— The " Swamp Angel." — The Courier Office The Banks. — South

Carolina Troops in Confederate Service. — The Mills House. — The

Chu. -J The great Fire of 1861. — Devastation Slave Me»

chants. — The Bell of St. Michael's. — The Guard-House. — The Sla>v)^ Mart. — Letters of the Slave-Traders. — Colonel Woodford in the Office of the Courier. — Sermon of Rev. Dr. Porter. — A Yankee in his Bed. — Joy of the Colored People. — " Rosa's" Mother. — Washington's Birthday John Brown in Charleston. — Humiliation of the Rebels

Union Men. — The Old Flag. — How the People were cheated . . 4«^

Chapter XXX. The Last Campaign

Position of Aflfkirs. — Grant's Letter to Sheridan Cavalry Raids. — Sheridan's Movement to Waynesboro'. — Attack upon Early Advance to

James River. — Moves to White House. — Joins Grant Alarm in

Richmond. — Lee's last Offensive Movement. — Attack on Fort Steadman Repulse of Gordon. — Grant's Order to " finish up " the Rebelliv CONTENTS.

lion. — Sherman's Visit to Grant. — Great Men in Council. — GrantV lane. — Sheridan on the Move. — Lee's Diversion against the Ninth Corps. — Night Attack. — A Kebel Prisoner. — A Look at the Opposing Forces. — Hatcher's Run. — Lee's Line of Fortifications. — Grant

feels like ending the Matter Battle of Dinwiddio Court-House. — Ad-

Tance of the Fifth Corps. — Battle of Five Forks. — Charge of the Fifth Corps. — Merritt's Attack. — Rout of the Rebels . . . 485

Chapter XXXI. Richmond

Jeff Davis a Fugitive. — Blowing up of the Rebel Iron-clads. — Grant in Petersburg. — President Lincoln and the Soldiers. — Ride to Richmond.

— Lee's Message to Davis. — Consternation in Richmond. — Rev. Messrs. Hoge and Duncan. — The last Slave Cofl3c. — Confederate Promises to Pay. — Scenes of Sunday Night. — Pillaging the City. — Flight of the Legislature. — General Ewell and the Mayor in regard to burning the City. — The Massacre at the Almshouse. — Firing the City.

— Departure of the Rebel Troops. — Breckcnridge taking a last Look of the City. — Sunrise. — Major Stevens and the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry. — Surrender of tlie City. — Raising Flags on the Capitol. — The Yankees putting out the Flames. — Entrance of General Weitzel. — Taking a Room at the Spottswood Hotel. — Scenes in the City on Monday. — General Devcns's Orders. — Visit to the Capitol. — Admiral Farragut. — President Lincoln's Arrival. — Joy of the Colored People. — Walk to Jeff Davis's Mansion. — Judge Campbell. — Admiral Porter.

— The President's Visit to Libby Prison. — Opinions of the People. — Colored Soldiers in the Service of the Rebels. — Lee's Opinions. — An Abolitionist in Richmond. — A Newspaper Correspondent and a Rebel OflScer At the Capitol. — Scenes of the Past. — Christian Charity' . *^

Chapter XXXII. The Confederate Loan

Attitude of Great Britain. — Sympathies of Palmerston and Russell. — The English Press. — Operatives of Lancashire. — The London Times. — Opinions of Mr. Spence. — His Appointment as Financial Agent. — Address of the London Confederate Aid Association. — Whitticr's Lines to Englishmen. — Mr. Mason at St. James. — His Griefs. — Benjamin's IJetter to Mason. — Mr. De Leon appointed Agent to subsidize the Press of Europe. — Englishmen engaged in Blockade-Running. — English Shipbuilders at work for the Slaveholders. — Funds needed. — Benj*- min's Letter to Spence. — Rebel Coin shipped in British Vessels of War.

— Slidell's Proposition for a Loan based on Cotton. — French intiij^ue

CONTENTS. XT

» sever Texas from the Confederacy. — Mr. Slidell recommends D'Erlanger as a suitable Agent to negotiate the Loan. — D'Erlanger offers it to

the Bankers of London. — Mr. De Leon secures the Support of the Press

Opening of the Correspondence. — D'Erlanger's Opinion of Mr. Spenee.

— Mr. Spcnce's Proposal. — Rush for Subscriptions. — Mr. Spcnce's Letter to D'Erlanger. — Compliments of the Emperor to D'Erlanger on the Success o' K'. o I/ran. — Jeff Davis a Repndiax<r. — Xancor of the London Times iu 18^9. — Eats its Words in 1863. — Whitewashes Davis. — Opinions of Mr. Sampson. — Opinions of Mr. Delaine. — The Times in the Pay of Jeff Davis. — How the Support of the Newspapers was secured. — Mr. Spcnce receives £ 6,500 as Correspondent of the Times. — Meeting of Rebels in Paris. — IIow the Loan was sustained.

- D'Erlanger's good Game. — Wishes for a Second Loan. — D'Eriaij.

ger takes the Part of Shylock Trouble with McRao. — D'Erlanger

helping Ilimself to Principal and Interest. — Schroeder & Co. in the " Ring." — Payments of Money. — Who was benefited. — The present Bondholders HU

Chapter XXXIII. Surrender Of Lee

rhe Retreat of Lee from Petersburg. — Dejection of Rebel Soldiers. — Grant's Litentions. — Lee's Line of Retreat. — Grant ahead of him. — Panic among the Rebel Troops. — Meade's Movements. — Battle at Sailor's Creek. — Custar's Charge. — Skirmish at Farmville. — The Race

toward Lynchburg. — Sheridan's Movement Lee's last Council ot

War. — Correspondence between Lee and Grant. — The Meeting. — The Surrender. — Announcement to the Armies. — Pickett's Treasou.

— Rest and Peace MS

Conclusion

Genera! Grant at City Point. — The End of the Reo«llion . . . AM

ILLUSTRATIONS.

CUAIIGB THROUGH AN AbaTIS

Frontispiece

PAGE

The First Subscription . . 1

Capitol at Washington . . 4

Pro Patria 7

Sixth Massachusetts Regiment IN Baltimore ... 8 Guarding Long Bridge . . 12 Aid Society's Store-Room . 16 The Ideal Preedman ... 16 Ladies working for the

Army 22

Forwarded Free .... 29

Ellsworth Zouave Drill 46 General Grant — General

Sherman ....•, 54 Hauling Cotton . . .62

Baltimore in 1861 .... 75

East Tennessee Refugees . 92

A Mississippi Schoolhouse . 96

Gunboats in Line .... 102

With Dispatch 109

General McClellan at Williamsburg 110

General McClellan at the

Battle op Antietam . . 114

The Sunken Road .... 118

Battle op Antietam . . . 120

For the Boys in Blue . . 121 Slaves fleeing to the Army

FOR Protection .... 128

PAGE

A Silent Spectator . . . 136

Fredericksburg .... 140

Franklin's Attack .... 155

Tattoo 173

The Magic Lantern in the

hosi'ital 174

The Christian Commission in

THE Field 176

Busy Fingers 178

Battery at Chancellorsville 194

Sedgwick's Attack . . . 201

Leading a Charge .... 204

Salem Church 208

" Keep out of the Draft " . 211

Night March of Cavalry . 214

Kearny Cross 223

The Nation's Ward . . . 234

A Bird's-Nest Bank . . . 247

Cavalry Charge .... 258

Advance to Gettysburg . . 263

The Color-Bearer .... 272

Gettysburg Battle-Field . 280 With a " Hurrah " they

RUSH ON 296

A Regiment at Dinner . . 305

Wilderness 317

Spottsylvania 323

The Sanitary Commission in

THE Hospital 326

North Anna 331

XVIU

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Bayonet Charge . . .

Cold Haubor

nl'.groes coming into 1

Links

Foraging

One Day's Labor, One Day's

Income

Petersburg, July l?, ISGi Petersburg, July 30, ISOt Army Corps CiiArEL near

Petersburg ....

Ruins of Ciiambersburg .

A Lay Delegate in the IIos

riTAL

Edward Everett — Mt. Ykr- NON — Savannah — The Capitol

Sherman's Bummers . .

Port Sumter

Battle of Port Sumter .

Cooper Shop Volunteer Refreshment Saloon . .

Defence of Port Sumter

PAGK

332 331

oU

3GS 3SS

401 420 435

443 444

453 456

For our Flag

" John Bkown " in Charleston

Citizens' Volunteer Hospital

Troops destroying a Railroad

Fire Ambulance ....

Humiliation of Richmond .

Farragut at Mobile . . .

President Lincoln in Richmond

Abraham Lincoln ....

U. S. Christian Commission .

Captain Winslow and the Kearsarge — Admiral Farragut

Patriot Orphan Home, Flushing, L. I

Surrender of General Lee .

General Lee's Farewell

Study for a Statue of Lincoln

Assassination of Lincoln

"With a Lavish Hand . . .

FAGB

512 514

542 544 554

THE FIRST SUBSCRIPTION.

INTRODUCTORY.

BEGINNING OF THE CONFLICT.

After four years of war our country rests in peace. The Great Rebellion has been subdued, and the power and authority of the United States government are recognized in all the States. It has been a conflict of ideas and principles. Millions of men have been in arms. Great battles have been fought. There have been deeds of sublimest heroism and exhibitions of Christian patriotism which shall stir the hearts of those who are to live in the coming ages. Men who at the beginning of the struggle were scarcely known beyond their village homes are numbered now among

" the immortal names That were not bom to die " ;

while the names of others who once occupied places of honor and trust, who forswore their allegiance to their country and gave themselves to do wickedly, shall be held forever in ab horrence.

It has been my privilege to accompany the armies of the Union through this mighty struggle. I was an eye-witness of the first battle at Bull Run, of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Island No. 10, Fort Pillow, Memphis, Antietam, Fredericksl)urg, Gettysburg, Fort Sumter, Wilderness, Spottsylvania. North Anna, Hanover Court-House, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, and Five Forks. I was in Savannah soon after its occupation by Slierman on his great march to the sea, and watched his movement " northward with the sim." 1 walked the streets of Charleston in the hour of her deepest humiliation, and rode into Richmond on the day that the stars of the Union were thrown in triumph to the breeze above the Confederate Capitol.

It seems a dream, and yet when I turn to the numerous note- Dooks lying before me, and read the pencilings made on the march, the battle-field, in the hospital, and by the flickering camp-fires, it is no longer a fancy or a picture of the imagination, but a reality. The scenes return. I behold once more the moving columns, — their waving banners, — the sunlight gleaming from gim-barrel and bayonet, — the musket's flash and cannon's flame. I hear the drum-beat and the wild hurrah ! Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Meade, Burnside, Howard, Hancock, and Logan are leading them ; while Sedgwick, Wadsworth, McPherson, Mansfield, Richardson, Rice, Baker, Wallace, Shaw, Lowell, Wmtlii-op, Putnam, and thousands of patriots, are laying down their lives for their country. Abraham Lincoln walks the streets of Richmond, and is hailed as the Great Deliverer, — the ally of the Messiah !

It will be my aim in this volume to reproduce some of those scenes, — to give truthful narratives of events, descriptions of battles, incidents of life in camp, in the hospital, on the march, in the hour of battle on land and sea, — writing nothing in malice, not even towards those who have fought against the Union. I shall endeavor to give the truth of history rather than the romance ; facts instead of philosophy ; to make real the scenes of the mighty struggle through which we have passed.

On the 11th of June, 1861, I left Boston to become an Army Correspondent. The patriotism of the North was at flood-tide. Her drum-beat was heard in every village. Men were leaving their own afiah-s to serve their country. The stars and stripes waved from house-top and steeple. New York was a sea of banners. Ladies wore Union rosettes in their hair, while gentlemen's neck-ties were of " red, white, and blue." That family was poor indeed who could neither by cloth or colored tissue-paper manifest its love for the Union. The music of the streets — vocal and instrumental — was " Hail Columbia " and " Yankee Doodle." Everywhere, — in city and towh and village, in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, — there was the same spirit manifested by old and youag, of both